Life Update

"And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing.
The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear]
will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you
– and more [besides] will be given to you who hear."
~Mark 4:24 (AMPC)

I've been thinking about that verse since I heard it in a podcast last week.  God rewards those who sincerely seek Him, and I want to be in that club!  Sometimes I multitask while listening to audiobooks, but I want to work on giving my full attention to God's Word when I listen to the Bible, as well as spending more time with the actual physical book.  I want eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to walk in truth!  I want to treat God's Word with the reverence and respect it deserves, believing it holds the power to transform me and change the world!

For the past few weeks, I've been going to FBC Moore with Kristin and the Whitaker/Lock family crew!  I've enjoyed being back in church more regularly, and I really like their pastor and feel encouraged by that!  In spite of my hair looking super frazzled, I like this pic of us after church yesterday!

Yes to this... when I think about giving up on the big dreams that scare me, I feel very aware that the quality of my life and my impact on the world would be diminished.  We have to keep choosing courage, friends!!

YOU GUYS, I made a fantastic discovery this weekend... there's a park with a lovely lake and outdoor walking trail about a mile from my house called Central Park, along with a large gym/recreational center called The Station (including an indoor track for rough weather days).  It feels very Crescent Park-esque (my fav walking spot in Tulsa) with cute ducks paddling around and people walking their dogs.  They have fake alligator heads peeking out of the water (freaked me right out) in order to deter geese, which makes me laugh.  Apparently ducks are smarter than geese, because they are undeterred, and that makes me happy!  I'm delighted to know this park/trail/gym exists and to have it so nearby!  And I kinda love the Central Park name, as well (my fav spot in NYC)! ❤

On Friday, I made a down-and-back Tulsa trip to see some of my favorite people!  Sarah made Pioneer Woman chicken enchiladas for us, and I brought bundtinis for dessert.  Me and Sarah and the Wilsons had a good talk whilst the girls played on the mini-trampoline and the living room pillow fort, and Steve and Tate played Star Wars games!  Here is our happy group pic!  ...I do feel a little bad about how much more difficult it is for the parents who have to wrangle their kids when I ask for a group photo, and yet, I also think it's worth the effort! lol

Here's Chet Lee proving he has hazel eyes. lol  Me and Chet and Sarah all have eyes that most would call brown at first glance, but after we looked closely, they all have a bit of green in them too.  Now Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes" song feels more personal. lol  (Side note - I wanted blue eyes for the longest time - the color-changing contacts would not work on mine - then Mom said something about my eyes being the same color as Julia Roberts, and I decided my eyes were lovely just as they are and I've been happy with them since.  A silly example, but it's funny how little compliments can make a big impact!)

Katherine Claire repping Hogwarts - cuteness!  Kids in glasses are adorable to me. =)

Reworking the furniture in my living room a bit and centered the tree bridge... now we just have to decide what to do on that back wall!

A photo from our Ted's dinner with Tiffany that I missed in that post!  Jaceman found a random stun-gun app where he presses the button and it makes the loud noise, and it makes him happy! lol  Boys are funny!

I'm thankful that God answers prayers.  My journal prompt this morning was writing about answered prayers over the last month and over the last decade.  It was good timing for me to think about that and remember God's faithfulness - both in the times where I got what I wanted and the times when things didn't work out according to my plan.  He is with us and for us.

We received a mix of good and bad news on Mom... the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes, but they did find cervical cancer, so she will need radiation treatments for several weeks.  I don't love that, and I don't know exactly what it will look like.  But God is with us and for us.  Praying for wisdom and healing and grace, and that the radiation will hit its target without damaging the healthy surrounding organs.

This has been my worship song of choice to start off the morning the last few days.  
So my song of the week = The Goodness of God by CeCe Winans

"I love Your voice.  You have led me through the fire.

In darkest night, You are close like no other.

I've known You as a Father; I've known You as a friend.

And I have lived in the goodness of God."

❤