Easter weekend + a check in

Hi friends. It's been a long time since I've dropped by with our life happenings, and it's been a surprisingly refreshing time away. I am ready to be back, and especially to share a few thoughts on this interim day between the darkness and the light. 

Over the past few months, I have been enamored with the devotionals by the group shereadstruth - an online group of women that write, share their heart, and encourage. It's seriously beautiful. 

The devotions put out for holy week have gripped me. I really might have hit every emotion in the book this week. Bringing me right into the crowd shouting Hosanna, into the garden of Gethsemane along Jesus with his human emotions, and understanding the total depth of his forgiveness as everyone that proclaimed to love him (his closest of close friends) turned away from him. And he was alone. 

And now today is Saturday. There is silence today. We're waiting for that hope of tomorrow. The day that brings us out of death and into life. 

When Christ breathed His final words before He died, "It is finished," He not only indicated that the worst ordeal - bearing the wrath of God against sin in place of His people - was literally over, He was also indicating that He had completed the work of salvation for His people. 

"It is finished." Complete.

And because it is finished, there is nothing that any one of us can contribute to His work on the cross to bring us any closer to salvation. 

He did it all.

“He was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our sins;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.” 
Isaiah 53:4-5

Sunday is almost here you guys. 

{source}

May the HOPE of tomorrow give you a blessed Easter, friends! I'll be back this week to recap our last two months. :)

eucharisteo.

"who wants only a month of giving thanks for gifts, when you could have a life of being the gift; who wants only a holiday with a feast, when you could have a lifestyle that is a feast"

{ann voskamp}

Over the course of this month so far, I have delved {for the second time} into a book that changed my perspective. On joy. On. giving thanks. On finding God right in the middle of where I am. 

Eucharisteo.

Grace. Thanksgiving. Joy. 

In her book one thousand gifts {I'm sure many of you have read it, if you haven't I recommend putting a copy down on your Christmas list, stat,} Ann talks about the longing for a life filled with more holy joy. A life rooted right where we are, filled to the brim. 

When Jesus prayed while breaking the bread on the night he died, "he gave thanks" which reads in the original language "eucharisteo." It holds the root charis meaning grace, but it also has the derivative chara which means joy. Ah... joy. Aren't we all looking around for that?

She goes on to express the hypothesis that maybe, "deep or true chara joy, is found only at the table of euCHARisteo - the table of thanksgiving."

Which leaves me pondering.... is the magnitude of my TRUE joy - my chara joy, dependent on the depths of my eucharisteo thanks?

I am definitely pondering this November. I am seeking to find the joys all around me - and be thankful. Because I'm thinking that as long as I can be thankful, joy is attainable. Through the grace that God has given us, He has as a result given us the opportunity to find full, joyful lives.

So go on and eucharisteo, friends... in this month, yes, it is easily accessible; but I have been challenged to seek it out even when it isn't all bright and shiny and wrapped in the paper of crisp leaves, frosty mornings, and pumpkin spice lattes.  

To giving thanks.



{all roots and translations taken from one thousand gifts}

this Easter morning

this Easter morning....

I am curled up under a blanket, alone, downstairs at my in laws house. Everything is still quiet, morning is getting brighter, and I hear some birds chirping. They are reminding me that His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

this Easter morning...

I can smell the lily that seems to have multiplied its flowers overnight. It wants to look its best for this day apparently. 

this Easter morning...

I am still remembering the Good Friday service that we had. Challenged by Peter and how often {even without realizing it} I find myself in his story. Challenged by the "realness" of my denial - although I've never been put in a point-blank situation as Peter was, what does my complacency or fear of others opinion about me that directs my actions look like to our Lord? Denial. But this morning you are reminding me... Great is Your faithfulness. 

this Easter morning....

I know we'll be singing the two hymns that can bring me right back to that tiny church in Allison, IA - sitting next to my tone deaf Gram. Every Easter. I remember so much, the smell, what the carpet looked like, the liturgy, the pin she always wore on her blue dress suit, the smell of lilies in her house. I pulled out my hymnal last year at this time and revisited these hymns. It was hard, and brought back a swell of memories. How grateful I am to have memories like these.  Great is your faithfulness. 

this Easter morning...

I'm remembering as I look around this place what a blessing I have in my family. 4 parents who love The Lord, love each other, love Jared and I. They're all up now, laughing, talking about the "easter bunny" that dropped at least 50 reeces eggs around the house last night. and how said easter bunny scared my mother in law at 2:30am. only in this family. I'm  overwhelmed with gratitude. Oh, the joy of The Lord to bestow such good gifts on His children. 

this Easter morning...

I am rejoicing. For the work that The Lord is doing in my life, in Jared's life, for the blessing of grace that He lavishes on us every single morning. For the majesty of our God, the triumph that knowing Him brings, the victory I can claim because of what He did... this Easter morning. 

"Death is swallowed by triumphant Life!

Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening and the guilt of the lawt hat gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a SINGLE VICTORIOUS STROKE OF LIFE, all three—sin, guilt, death—are GONE, the GIFT of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!"

1 cor. 15:55-57

a day of gratefuls.

From the time I woke up this morning, my cup was overflowing. I was keenly aware of how this day expands beyond just my relationship with my husband, and into how grateful I am for all the relationships in my life the Lord has blessed me with. It has been on my mind all day - how rich am I!

 This network I have - the support system in my husband, from my dear friends, my beautiful mentor, the young women in my life who are like my sisters, my mom and dad: I am rich. My amazing in-laws who deserve so much more than to have the "in-law" attached,  the families I have nannied for that still are a big part of me, I have thought of them all today, and wanted to hug each and every one of you. 

So today - on a day set aside for celebrating the "ONE special person in your life" I am celebrating them all. Don't get me wrong, I am extra aware of the special man I have in my sweet husband today - but I am so thankful for this perception of "my net" and how grateful I am for the love of my Lord in putting all you in my life. 

happy valentines day. 

as you made me.

I have a wonderful woman in my life who in the short 6 months I have known her has become a source of encouragement, friendship, and constant prayer warrior. She's my mentor and she's very special. A few months ago, she introduced this prayer to me that was written by the wife of one of our pastors. Each section has spoken to me at different times over the past few months.

This morning - as I'm [hopefully] working through the final stages of being sick, it's been on my mind and on my heart. May you feel the same urge to stand up fully into the life God intended for you. 

{as you made me}

Heal my eyes that I may see

As I was made to see

Heal my ears that I may hear

As I was made to hear

Heal my mind that I may think

As I was made to think

Heal my mouth that I may speak

As I was made to speak

Heal my heart that I may love

As I was made to love

Heal my will that I may choose

As I was made to choose

Heal my back that I may stand straight

Into who I was made to be

Heal my arms that I may hold

All that I was made to hold
     And release what is not mine to hold

Heal my hands that I may work
As I was made to work

Heal my legs that I may move
As I was made to move

Heal my space within that I may birth
What I was made to birth

Heal my feet that wherever I am
I may stand
     And wherever you lead
          I may go. 
          Amen.

- Mary Martin Weins

_________

Something to chew on for a Monday morning. May your week be blessed with the presence of our wonderful God! 

*poem and design credit to Mary Martin Weins and the Coming Home series through Church of the Open Door. 

love + commitment

Well, as it's Valentines day, I am overwhelmed with all the love going around. :) So I thought I'd share a few things about commitment that have been standing out to us lately. This past weekend, Jared and I had the honor of attending a dedication for two special little girls. Their mommy and daddy are very special to us, close friends and solid examples of a Godly marriage. When they asked us if we would consider taking on the role of Godparents for their girls, we were so honored. We have the ability to invest in these girls' lives spiritually as they grow, and we will not take that lightly.

As I was thinking about the responsibility and joys of what our role in Aubrey & Emma's life looks like, it brought me to think about not just how much we need to love them, but how much commitment is involved when you are a special part in someones life. I'm not just talking about husband/wife relationships, but also friendships, coworkers, extended family... it takes work to maintain healthy relationships! In my attempts to be the best wife I can for Jared, I hope I never forget that I should also be praying over, investing, and remembering how important all the other relationships in my life are.

I so desperately want to be a good wife. friend. worker. listener. daughter. homemaker. carer. Is it all attainable? I want every facet of my life to show that I am invested, and that what I am doing matters to me. Because what I do matters to the Lord. It is for Him that I work. listen. be a friend. care. love my husband. And that takes commitment! I am praying this valentines day that my "love" spills over into all areas of my life, and that it shows itself in my commitment. Ryan & Mindy, Aubrey & Emma, we love you, and we are commited to praying for you as a family.

But... it's still a romantic day. And even as I'm feeling the depth of this "high bar" called commitment, it still gives me smiles when I saunter into the bathroom to find the small things like valentines roses and a love note from my romantic husband.

Happy love + commitment day friends!

Collosians 3:12-17
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. "

Outlook

This weekend Jared and I stole some time away, and enjoyed our new-found Appalachian scenery.

And while we are still adapting to many aspects of this move, West Virginia is beautiful, and that part we do love.

Everywhere you are here, whether driving on an interstate, city highway, residential road.... it doesn't matter, it all seems to look like this. Draped in robes of green, stately hills covered in moss, thick foliage.... it's stunning.

It was the first time since we've been here that Jared and I felt like we had the desire, and stamina to go out and explore. We had no clue where we were going, but there was something significant this time about going that road together.

And what do you find at the end of wandering? Hopefully, some outlook. The bigger picture, hope, a breath of excitement.

Though the "view" might not always be what you expect to see, it might not be big and vast, and dripping with anticipation or hope, but it's new, and different, and loaded with possibility. Even if you have to look kind of hard for it.

There will be challenges along the way.....

*those who know me know that I detest heights like this. Snails pace up those stairs. Snails pace.

But God PROMISES that we will never walk it alone.

Rest in Hope

Yesterday evening was not a good evening. But looking at the glass half full, and with a renewed spirit in the morning, I learned some things from it. I learned at how easy it is, for me, to put on faces, and I was reminded of the extreme importance of being faithful. My situation right now, is calling for faith, dilligence, and more faith. And while I am called daily to that, there is also a measure of responsibility that I hold to do my part. To hope. That means BELIEVING in what I am asking for. I can't just go through my daily devotions saying, "ok, God, here I am asking for the same thing.... peace, comfort, joy in this new scenario... now please deliver!" My part is to look at the glass half full, TRY to see the positives, and then see God work.

This past week, Jared and I haven't wanted to do much. It's a bit hard for us hearing people say, "go explore! Hope you're having fun exploring your new city! Etc, etc." We haven't really wanted to. We haven't seen a lot of each other, we had no weeekend as there were scrimmages, football media days, and exhibition games Jared had to attend all day Saturday and Sunday, and so the time we do have in the evening, all we want to do is BE.

I struggled with wanting to blog about the beautiful lookout at Barboursville park, go take some mountain pictures, hike the park, go to Pullman Square down by the river and big bridge, take pictures of Jared doing "his stuff" in his cute polos, and essentially "put on a face" that we are getting out - doing things - experiencing everything this city has to offer - and not struggling one bit.

But last night I realized that would have been a face. It's not how we have been feeling. And if I'm called to be faithful and yet hopeful, I need to be real about our situation. We are doing ok, but I've been struggling in the hope department. 

So I'm trying to be hopeful. And I can't even begin to share how many ways Jared and I have already seen God's faithfullness. Please don't get me wrong, He has amazed us in ways that we have been BLOWN away by, already. But we definitely are still having moments.

So I promise the "adventure blogs" will come. But for now, Jared and I are just "being." And it's so good to be together. Jared doesn't like the word "homesick" so take this analogy: I'm craving thanksgiving dinner. Jared is my turkey, and mom and dad, friends, the twin cities, our favorite spots, knowing where I am, etc, are all the "extras." Cranberry sauce, stuffing, green bean casserole. (yum.) I'm SO thankful for the turkey, but I'm really missing all the sides - I mean it's thanksgiving! BUT, say Jared was the one gone.... there is NO WAY I could enjoy "thanks-anything" without the turkey! I am beyond words thankful for Jared and his strength in this new stage of life. But right now I'm really missing the sides. That was last night.

Rest in Hope - "Yes, my soul finds rest in God alone, my hope comes from Him." I am so echoing the psalmist, "though sorrow may last through the night, rejoicing comes in the morning." His mercies are new every morning.... GREAT is His faithfullness!

So, the adventure blogs will come. There are some cool things to show here. :) It's just not time yet. Thank you for your prayers!!!

Mom.

I said a Mother's Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.

I thanked God for the caring
you've shown me through the years,
for the closeness we've enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you've done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!
-Anonymous

Celebrating and being thankful for a mother and her heart deserves some sunshine. Last weekend we finally hit some nice temps, the trees started blossoming, and the flowers brightened up. This Mother's day weekend stood out for Jared and I as it was our very first time apart since we've been married. Definitely sad, but we both did get some wonderful qulatity time with our moms. I had to work, and he went down to Storden for a family member's wedding. Big bummer. BUT... we both admitted it was so good to get some mom time. Keeping with tradition, we did Mother's Day Brunch at Oak Ridge with the Squires, and as always, it did NOT dissapoint! We're talking, the best gourmet food around, all you can eat, NICE, food. Custom omelettes, steak, pastries, decadant fruit, waffles, and think the BEST of all those things. And even at 11am, who can resist this?

This is the one place that the phrase, "if it looks pretty, it probably dosn't taste that good" does NOT hold up. In the 6 years that our families have been going here for Mother's and Father's day, I have not been disappointed.

Mom - I love you. Even if we didn't go to Oak Ridge for brunch every year and stuff ourselves, I would celebrate the day because of how good a mom and friend you are. Everyone's mother/daughter relationship is different, but I think that we have the best friendship out there. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to me to what a Godly wife and mother look like.

And to Carolyn - I'm thankful for you as a "growing up mom"... I think Alison and I have one of the coolest growing up friendship stories ever. I'm so thankful you are in my life.

And to my mom #2 - Chris, I so wish I could have spent some time with you on Mother's day. I love being your daughter in law!! Thank you for being a wonderful, wonderful mom to my husband, training him up in righteousness, and loving ME like a daughter. I love you. :)

Mother's day just seems bright. Mom's deserve flowers, sun and hugs. I'm so glad I could just be home. (And that mom had such bright, happy flowers out on the deck for me to take pictuers of...) Aren't they pretty?!

So when the Lord decides it's time for me to be a mom someday, I hope that I can be just as loving, comforting, supportive, encouraging, Godly, respectable, hard working, and amazing as my mom is as a mother. Thanks, Mom!!! :) I love you so much, and am so glad I got to spend Mother's Day with you!

Go Pack?

Better late than never, I guess. :) We all have different opinions - mine just so  happened to be "kind of" contrary to my Minnesotan heritage. So why did I root for Green Bay? Glad you asked. I believe they had a great season, I respect Aaron Rodgers as a person and a quarterback, I can't stand the Steelers, I even more so can't stand their quarterback. So really, I would have cheered for anyone playing them. This time it just so happened to be kind of a "no no." But I did it anyways, and for the (late) record, I am very happy for Green Bay. There. Now on to our game watching party. It was spent in the apartment of our close friends Nick, Dave, and Tim in downtown Minneapolis, while we chomped on a variety of tasty Mexican food! Guesses were taken for scores, and we were pretty split on who we all wanted to win, which made it pretty fun. We got some good laughs in at the halftime show, and they guys eventually settled down enough for a few games of Settlers. All in all, a fun superbowl night!

I'm not sure I would like the logistics of living in the heart of Minneapolis, but I could definitely get used to the views they have at night! So the 14th floor will continue to be a great place to visit!

I'll be back very soon! Until then...
Skyler

tuesday thoughts.

Laundry is going very well today.

(some days I'm extra slow. Not today!)

I've already started making dinner for tonight.

(mexican tortilla soup with special raspberry salad. Yum.)

Thinking about our ski trip coming up with Toni & Jake to Colorado!

(I miss my best friend so much. Jared and I are just jacked for this!

(this is us 4 years ago... but what we'll look like in 8 short days!)

I'm done with school for the term and loving it.

(it was time....)

The Fresh Balsam candle I'm burning is infusing our home with the goodness of pine.

(Bath & Body Works... 'ya gotta try it, thanks Amy!)

We have had/still do have something fun to do every night this week!

(and it gets capped off with CHRISTMAS.)

It's a cleaning day today.

(and that just makes me plain & simply happy.)

There are Christmas presents under the tree all wrapped up pretty.

(a few of them are tormenting me. Specifically a tiny box from my husband. :)

Remembering that Santa brings the presents... but Christ paid His life for me!

(to quote a song KTIS is playing often right now. Great message.)

HAVE A HAPPY TUESDAY, ALL!

I'm Thankful For...

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail; they are new every morning; great is your faithfullness. I say to myself, the Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

Jared and I are striving to have a week of Thankfullness! Of all the minor stressors of life, we turn to the faithfullnes of our Lord and thank Him for his provisons. I took this picture on vacation a couple years ago, and every time I see it, I am reminded of the simple pleasure of stopping and being thankful for creation, peacefullness and the sovereignty of our God! Blessings to you all!

S