(…only one more week of May - then, it’s behind me…not sure why this matters, but for some reason it just does.)
Kayleigh’s graduation was beautiful (pics coming soon)! It was a special time for our family, and nothing could distract me from enjoying it…and I’ll just leave it at that. Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who came to support us and celebrate. You are appreciated more than you know.
I really feel like her graduation symbolizes the move from one phase of our lives - as a family - to another. Now we are truly able to close a painful chapter and move on…literally and figuratively. There are just some things we won’t ever again have to revisit…Yea!
(If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then consider yourself fortunate… 
)
Anyway, good riddance…and I’ll just leave it at that.
It’s funny how just one thought…etc. can tempt you to be right back where you don’t want to go. But I know that I’m getting better because I no longer stay at that address for long. Mostly, I’m just reminded of how extremely grateful I am to be surrounded by people who are real - people who say what they mean, and do what they say…and who have our backs no matter what. I am so blessed now by the people God has allowed to stay in my life. Every single loss was for the best.
Yea!
Nate and Ethan are at a birthday party today - yea! They are just having fun in a safe and loving environment with no parents around who use their kids as pawns to make a statement…but I digress. They are having a blast today…and I’ll just leave it at that.
Yea!
I was given a gift card to Starbucks, so I was able to have a jacked-up latte…guilt free! (See former post)
Yea!
So, there are so many good things to think about on this Saturday…in the Park.
Yea!
Peace out!
What a beautiful day.
C3 Day at Moss Park was wonderful! I’m too tired to properly express what it meant to see all of the C3ers come out to have fun and witness new Christ-followers professing their faith through baptism….
It was beautiful to stand on the beach and witness such a profound declaration….
It was beautiful to see families having time together….
It was beautiful to watch a community of faith connect with each other and deepen their friendships…
It was beautiful to watch children running and playing and learning that church is about love…and can also be about having fun…
It was beautiful to see the gorgeous tapestry of diversity that is C3….it was like a Florida sunset - breathtaking!
Moss Park is special to me. I remember going there as a child. When I hear the cranes, I’m right back…I’m 10 years old all over again. It brings back many happy memories…
Now it’s even more special to me. It forever will remind me of C3…of new Christ-followers being baptised on a day that was supposed to be filled with thunderstorms…of little children laughing and playing…of a church family just being…
…and being happy just to be!
It was a day to remember.
Thank you so much to all of you who shared it with me…
Peace.
Things I loved about this Easter:
- The focus upon Easter - that history itself has been altered because of the death and, more importantly, the resurrection of One Man.
- The fact that so many stores and businesses closed early last night and were closed today - people got to spend time with their families…and breathe - all because of Easter.
- Buying Easter lilies for my front porch…not out of obligation - not because I had to…not even because I was expected to buy a-gazillion for the church platform - but, because they’re beautiful, and because they remind me of the hope of salvation and the promise of spring. So, I bought two…and only two.
- Picking out an Easter dress…and feeling girlie. (But not getting my nails done…just to prove I’m not so high maintenance).
- Seeing the early morning volunteers, Crew, C3 Kids, and Staffers…wearing Easter outfits or jeans and C3 tees - Because, we are all about “Come as you are”.
- Little girls in their frilly dresses…I saw so many fabulous outfits - too bad they don’t make them in my size.
- Little men in their various attire - Jackson was my fave in his blue and white striped sear-sucker jacket…Fierce!
- Seeing brand new faces…and those that are growing more familiar each week.
- Being a part of the worship experience…feeling the Spirit moving people through praise.
- Hearing Byron “bring it”…twice - knowing he’s doing what he was born to do…and doing it well.
- Having lunch for 18! Hearing the chatter and noise of a full house…
- Wearing a polka-dotted apron…and feeling girlie.
- Watching the kids hunt for eggs and candy…in record time! (Ethan doesn’t move slowly when candy is involved).
- Going on a 2 1/2 mile walk with the kids.
- Sitting on the front porch with Byron, Kayleigh, Barry and Josh…talking and just being.
- Having a clean kitchen…after having lunch for 18!!!
- Putting on my “LOVE WINS” t-shirt - and knowing that it has won…again.
- Feeling absolutely exhausted…in a good way.
- Being reminded that there’s always hope…just like the sun keeps rising…just like springtime always returns - so it is with hope…Easter reminds me: Hope springs eternal. (Even when it’s Friday and it seems like Sunday will never come!).
- Remembering that this hope is possible because of Jesus.
There are many other things…many other blessings - too many to mention. And I am grateful…
As my “Oma” said today, “Well, you know all of these blessings are from God! God takes, sometimes, but then He gives back something even better…”
…and He has - over and over.
Peace.
So, the week leading up to Easter can be challenging…it seems like the Enemy knows he needs to fight against us…as if it could just stay “Friday” or even Saturday night…
…anything to keep Sunday from coming.
All week it has seemed to be perpetually more like Friday than Sunday…
For my new friend Sola, I know this has to be true because her mother passed away (in Nigeria) last night…
Our prayers are with you and your family, Sola - It’s Friday…but Sunday’s comin’!
All of the attacks, the weariness, the doubts…the hard work that goes into preparing for Easter - all of it can weigh us down - It’s Friday…but Sunday’s comin’!
All of the expectancy, the waiting, the hoping to see what God will do on Resurrection morning…even the fleeting doubts, memories of loss, wondering “Is it worth the cost?” - all of it can just wear us out - It’s Friday…but Sunday’s comin’!
Sunday’s comin’ and everything’s gonna be alright. After all, we already know the end of the story…
…now there’s nothin’ left but the victory party.
Happy, happy Easter…and peace to you.
Recent Comments