this month: october

FEELING : ready to start making our Christmas cards and buy all things Christmas! Too soon? :)

LEARNING : that it's ok to ask for what you need, and not feel sorry about it.

PRACTICING : self-care. (thanks Moody)

MASTERING: patience with the foster kids I work with, slowly but surely....

EATING : so many avocados because paying $.49 verses $1.50 (Chicago price) each makes me want to buy them all!

PLAYING : those dag on p90x videos again; they always find their way back into my life. lol

FINISHING : this post has taken me way too long.

READING : a new book, finally! 

WATCHING : Ted talks here and there.

WEARING : more sweaters and boots, figures crossed!

WORKING : on getting back to blogging. it's going to happen people...
WALKING : back to Target to return the perfect media cabinet that came with very imperfect scratches. #thestruggle

TRAVELING : locally, as we plan to stay put for a bit.

DESIRING : to watch the sunset every night by the ocean.

CELEBRATING : this abundant life!

lyrical: mercy

YOU DELIGHT IN SHOWING MERCY
AND MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT

MY PAST EMBRACED
MY SIN FORGIVEN
I'M BLAMELESS IN YOUR SIGHT 
MY HISTORY REWRITTEN

YOU DELIGHT IN SHOWING MERCY
AND MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT

OH LOVE, GREAT LOVE 
FEAR CANNOT BE FOUND IN YOU
AND THERE WILL NEVER BE A DAY
YOU'RE UNCERTAIN OF THE ONES YOU CHOOSE

YOU DELIGHT IN SHOWING MERCY
AND MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT

SO I WILL WAKE AND SPEND MY DAYS
LOVING THE ON WHO HAS RAISED ME UP
FROM DEATH TO LIFE, FROM WRONG TO RIGHT
YOU'RE MAKING ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL 

YOU'RE MAKING ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL (OH OH) 

Amanda Cook

The song of late, on repeat daily, that makes my heart & soul sing.

this month: september

FEELING : nervous about G starting school as we ease into the busy life again.

LEARNING : how to defend my opinions and not apologize for them. Being an adult is funnnn. 

PRACTICING : gratitude in this very different season of our lives I still can't seem to get used to.

MASTERING : our Cali. to-do list!

EATING : all the chocolate we brought back from Brasil, little by little of course. 

PLAYING : The Ask Pr. John app when I need some encouragement.

FINISHING : the hunt for a new read!

READING : mostly photography blogs and Ann Voskamp because she is too good.

WATCHING : Scandal againnnnnnnn.... :)))))

WEARING : shorts and dresses...still shorts and dressses. Like.. this weather does not change! :) // :(

WORKING : on our expectations for how many vacations we can take in one year. lol #carioca 
WALKING : to the Griffith Observatory in LA to see the sunset.

TRAVELING : up and down California to show the mother and sister in love our new coast.

DESIRING : a visit to Chicago to see my favorite little person whose growing so much I can't stand it!

CELEBRATING : 6 years since the first time I told G I loved him. I think the fact that we both know the exact date that happened is pretty special. 

words from the wiser: pro-human

"History, genocides, Nazism, racism, haven’t they all proved, at the very least, this to humanity: 

It’s when we dehumanize anyone, that we can legitimize anything.

We may be a smaller human in utero — but the *size* of a human being has never determined value of a human being.

We may be a less developed human in utero — but the *developmental level* of a human being has never determined that one has less worth as a human being.

We may be in a particular environment as a human in utero — but *where a human being is, has never determined whether one was respected as a human being.*

We may be more dependent as a human in utero —- but being dependent on another human being for life has never determined *that anyone can simply end your life.*

That’s what this generation is about — *not turning a blind eye to any distress of any human anywhere* -- *woman or child.*

This is the generation that’s ready to do whatever it takes to work toward the mutual flourishing of *all humans,* in all places — in utero and in crisis. The generation that will be Pro-Human -- *for the human in a hard place, and for the human in utero.*

We won't turn away from the women in crisis, or the humans in utero, we won't stay quiet, because to stay quiet in the face of human suffering, is to be complicit in that human suffering... so we will share & reach out & use our voices & be Pro Voice & we will be Pro-Human... all humans, all made in the image of God..."

Ann Voskamp

Coming back from my break from blogging for this, because I believe the topic is too important not to talk about. Ann's words are dear to my heart because like her I believe being Pro-Human is what the gospel is all about. As a Christian who is angered, saddened and disgusted by what Planned Parenthood is doing, I think we must stand for both the unborn children and the woman who need support in such a fragile time of life. 

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, not to shun or shame. May we do the same, in love, and be the face of Jesus to all human beings. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 

Read more by Ann Voskamp on this issue HERE / It is well worth the read.