Rrrrandomness

This post is just a hodge-podge collection of pictures and thoughts, so here goes.  

Whilst praying about something very specific and seeking God's direction, I checked the daily verse on YouVersion, and it was this, so I made a verse image out of it! ❤

Here are 3 random Bible Lens pictures with verses, just for fun!

The first page of my 2019 Bible Reading (picking one favorite verse from each day's reading - I had to read 3 on day 1 to catch up to Tuesday). =)

I did some baking this week - these are chocolate chip cookie made with bananas, and WOW, I'm a fan!  They're kinda cakelike, like a mini version of the muffie from Panera. Yuss, please!

I went to visit Chettles and fam at his Mega Open House on Saturday (after completing my 3 miles at Planet Fitness).  It was fun to catch up a little and hold Tate for a bit!

Cuteness!  He's crawling all around now!

In surprising news, I ate my last candy bar I bought from T-man a couple days ago (tracking it, of course).  This means that I managed to keep chocolate in my house for over 3 months without ever going overboard with it, a major accomplishment and success in my book! =)  (I texted Rach this pic since I was sad to be done with them.  Then I baked cookies and all was well again. lol)

In very exciting and refreshing and encouraging news, I visited Evergreen Baptist Church yesterday and loved it. I loved the reverent atmosphere, the non-recycled + interesting + Biblically accurate + challenging sermon, the hymn songs, the friendly and welcoming people, the list of groups and classes they offer, the fact that they have Sunday School, etc.  It reminded me of First Southern a bit, which was always a church where I felt very "at home."  (I'm excited to visit again and check out the later service, which is apparently a bit more contemporary.)

They offer free sign language classes (awesome), a Wednesday course on Evangelism and Apologetics (where they teach you how to approach Muslims, Mormons, and Jehovah Witnesses with the gospel message), an active women's ministry, and LifeGroups (which surprised me at a Baptist church).  There is also an upcoming Bible study led by the pastor which will focus on Revelation 2 and 3 (the chapters I literally just wrote about here).  I checked out their website for a while, and their key verse about their purpose is "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him..." so obviously, that made me happy! They also have a library in their lobby, which I loved, so I perused through lots of books and checked out Billy Graham's autobiography - yes, please!  ❤

I was the youngest person in my Sunday School class, but it didn't bother me.  Multiple people introduced themselves and one woman came over to sit by me and chat for a bit.  The class was comparing the miracles of Jesus in different gospels - it just all had a depth and reverence level I've been missing.  .....A couple hours after I got home from church, someone stopped by my house with a welcome packet, including a 2-liter of Coke and some popcorn, a salvation tract, a welcome letter, and lots of info about the church.  That was impressive and reassuring to me, too.  (That and the fact that I have already been called by the Young Adults Pastor and received an email from their women's leader - their outreach and follow-up is on point, and it makes a difference!)

* * * * *

And now we transition from reality to fiction, starting with When Calls the Heart.  How did I get caught up in this cheesy, predictable Hallmark production?  I've been watching for five seasons, and mostly, I've been half-mocking it like Rach and I used to do with the hot mess that is 7th Heaven. lol *Spoiler alert*  But woooow, that last episode was rough, and I never saw it coming when they told her that Jack had died.  It was a very Downton Abbey move, where there was a several season build-up to this marriage, then a short but happy married life, followed by the husband dying (and the wife in this show being pregnant).  Why must these actors insist on leaving and let their egos move them away from the shows that made them famous?  Anyway, that episode was well done and the grief/anger combo very relatable, and it made me realize I care more than I thought I did about these characters!  It's a pretty wholesome and typically happy/redemptive show, so I'm okay with that and will try to approach it without an attitude in future.

So I have seen the 2019 Dumbo preview at least 5 times, and I've not managed to get through it without crying yet.  Nothing is okay when I see him painted up like a little clown, sad about them taking his mom away, and tripping over his ears.  OMG it's the very saddest.  That animated movie, the freaking Land Before Time, and The Fox and the Hound were the three saddest movies of my childhood.  And apparently, I've not outgrown those feelings.  I just want to hug him and help him find his mom, but I also want to avoid that movie so I don't get dehydrated from all the tears. lol

In happier movie news, I watched The Last Jedi again this weekend - this scene where Rey and Kylo team up for a bit is so epic and one of my favorites - I just love it!  I don't actually care that much about Star Wars, but I'm a big fan of her character -- she's strong and powerful yet humble, smart and brave and passionate, aware of the pull of darkness but committed to resisting it and fighting for light, feminine and very much a warrior.  And I like the name Rey, possibly as a middle name for my future daughter - we shall see. =)

And in future news, a month from tomorrow, I'll be on my 9th trip to Vegas, baby!!  Woohoo!  (With Tiffany, Steve, and Sarah).  Tiffany and I are going to see the Backstreet Boys in concert that Saturday, so that should be an entertaining and fun throwback! lol

On that note, here's a fun Brooklyn 99 clip to end this post of randomness: