Multitude Monday...on Thursday

Once upon a time, my perfectionist/control freak self would have cringed at doing my "Monday post" on any other day of the week (I mean, helloooo...clearly to publish my gratitude list on any other day would mess up the entire order of the universe, right?); we can all breathe a deep sigh of relief that I've relaxed a bit -- Multitude Monday can happen on Thursday; my house doesn't have to be perfectly clean/organized in order to invite people over, and it really is ok to go to the store without mascara (if I'm quick. and it's early in the morning. and I'm reasonably sure I won't run into anyone I know.... K, still working on that one :) ).

It's also okay to humble myself and admit that I need prayer.

That recently I've been easily overwhelmed and stressed.

That I'm really missing my mom.

That yet another sweet baby in Haiti has died, and I hate that this is all-too-common.

And...that I'm recognizing more and more how I idolize control...because when things don't go as I'd hoped...or when I don't even know exactly what it is that I'm hoping for...or when the measliest little comment or occurrence makes me want to go into "self-defense mode" and avoid everyone...that's when I realize that I've quit trusting in the Lord and am instead trying to do things in my own strength.

But I am weak.

Good thing His power is made perfect in weakness.  Real good thing.

So there's drama at work?
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear...Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29, 32)

Potential life decisions to make?
You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:24-26)

Hopes and dreams that are out of my hands to bring about?
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4)


Disappointments?  Sadness?
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." (Lamentations 3:21-24)

As I type this, Hillsong is playing in the background:

You are stronger
You are stronger
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is Risen
Jesus, You are Lord of all.


O Praise Him!

481. Praying friends.  You have no idea how much I appreciate y'all.
482. Visiting with Sabrina, Everly, and Birdie at Eyrie Park.
483. Dinner with Jessica; so grateful for her encouragement.
484. Rain outside my window.
485. Clopening with Aja; love this girl and am really going to miss her while she's in San Antonio this summer.
465. Movie night at The Yet-Unnamed Duplex with Paul, Julie, Aja, and Anna.
466. A super fun and yummy lunch with Aja and her mom.
467. Dinner and games at Jason and Meg's.
468. Babysitting some super cute kids with Jessica (favorite moments from the night: snuggling with an adorable two-month-old and learning all about how to make crystals with a crazy-smart seven-year-old).
469. My freshly-mowed backyard (thanks, Paul!).
470. The last meeting of our Biblical Theology class; I've definitely learned a lot over the past few months.
471. Dinner with friends after BT class for Kate's birthday; so fun!
472. This is really cool (at least, I'm fascinated by it...).
473. Sleeping in on Sunday...eating breakfast...starting a load of laundry...going back to bed for two hours...moving the laundry to the dryer...getting up and going out to my hammock...  It was a wonderfully [rare] lazy Sunday :)
474. Lunch with Sarah and Julie; good food, good friends, good times :)
475. Game night at Sarah's...and Rachael's memory trick so that we'll never EVER forget how to differentiate the branches of Islam :P
475. Discovering an unopened bag of Casi Cielo at my house...mmmm!
476. Wonderful Taryn, one of my amazing coworkers with whom I worked for 10 months.  We all already miss her now that she's graduated and moved on.
477. Getting to talk to this amazing woman after church on Sunday; excited to spend time with her family this summer talking about Haiti and practicing Creole.
478. "Roommate night" (this week and last) at Julie's.
479. Joe's moving back this weekend; yay!!!!!!!!!!
480. A surprise from the brother, discovered at 4:30am on my way to work :)

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption.  You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:5-11

Hallelujah! Thine the glory!

We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of light 

Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night! 

Hallelujah!  Thine the glory, Hallelujah! Amen. 

Hallelujah!  Thine the glory; revive us again.

- Revive Us Again -

461. Dinner with a friend.
462. Another movie night with some of my favorite people :)
463. Friends who encourage me...challenge me...help me figure out my finances/budget/life.
464. A late-night talk with Rachael; sooo appreciate her listening and advice-giving skills :)
465. A phone visit with lovely Sabrina.
466. RAIN!!!!
467. Miss Fay from Esperanza and her generosity.
468. Such a good conversation Friday morning with Jessica and Julie.
469. Silliness with friends and laughing over ridiculous dance moves (and making up some of our own...)
470. A game night with the brother.
471. Possible new opportunities to pray about; so thankful to have dear friends that I can go to for biblical guidance for such things.
472. Making my very first-ever 100% homemade pie (as in, I made the pie crust, too); so fun!
473. A wonderfully relaxing yet productive day off on Sunday.
474. Rearranging my room (sort of) and fiiiiiiinally decorating/putting up pictures on the walls (this is normally something I do within days of moving in...).
475. Mornings that start out with my Bible, Sarah, and Julie.
476. Opening with Anna and listening to worship music on my iPod before we unlock the doors.
477. This post.
478. Getting to join another lifegroup for the summer (since mine isn't meeting).
479. It's summer!!!  I have great visions of a less hectic schedule for the next few months, which may or may not actually happen; regardless, I love how much quieter things are in town when the students are gone :)
480. Visiting with the Prices during the fellowship meal at church.

If then, you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

thankful

441. Getting to start sponsoring my Ti Nina!  Oh how I miss this sweet girl.

442. Celebrating Paul's 20th (!!!!) birthday at Eyrie Park.

20!!!

443. Going to dinner with friends after our Biblical Theology class at church.

444. Rediscovering this in my fridge.  I know this is silly, but it's also so good!

445. A very well-timed text from a friend, reminding me to delight in the Lord and in His steadfast love.

446. Breakfast with Sarah.

447. A fun afternoon drinking tea and eating pastries with so many lovely ladies.

448. Our Starbucks girls night, getting all fancy and going out for dessert at a nice restaurant, where...

449. ...we were surprised and so blessed by getting our entire bill paid by an incredibly kind and generous man!!!

450. My dear friend Julie and the way she speaks the truth in love (even when it's hard to hear); so thankful for her biblical perspective and the way she challenges and encourages me to get my focus off of myself and to be grateful.

451. My yard.  And my hammock.  And time spent in my hammock in my yard :)

452. Sunday with the Bacak boys; never a dull moment!

girls night!

453. A much-needed hug and a shoulder to cry on.

454. A picnic at the park with my lifegroup.

455. Laney Rae and her sweet chattering as she helped dry dishes after church.

456. Going to see this movie with friends; loooooved it! (Everly, I definitely want to go see it again with y'all!)

457. Last night's sermon; so very timely.  Probably should listen to it again...several times...

458. So encouraged to see so clearly (this week especially) how God uses the unique talents/characteristics/personalities/etc that He has given each of my friends for His glory and for the edification of both myself and others.  It's so neat to see this lived out.

459. Baking danishes/kolaches for the first time; so fun!

460. An unintentional (but wonderful) Sunday afternoon nap; I'm gettin' kinda good at this napping thing! (Though I probably should get better at the going-to-bed-early thing...)

Justus, Jax, and Treston

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.  (Psalm 103:1-5)

Not my favorite week, but...

...still ever-so-much to be thankful for:

lovely Sabrina at her fiesta-themed shower

421. Sabrina's bridal shower :)
422. Getting to babysit for 3 super cute kids.
423. Watching a friend's son master bike riding without training wheels and seeing his excitement.
424. Getting to host life group at my house yesterday.
425. Seeing my dear friend Meg several times this week :)
426. Serving in preschool at church; love these little ones with all their different personalities!
427. Kind words from a customer during one of my most stressful days at work ever.
428. Much-needed and appreciated hugs and encouragement from friends.
429. Turning on my windshield wipers (though only just briefly) for the first time in months; I've nearly forgotten what rain looks like.
430. Getting to spend an evening with friends helping a family from church move into their new home; it's so neat to be able to serve alongside fellow believers.
431. A movie night with friends.

Treston and his spider

432. A middle-of-the-night cleaning frenzy...or rather, the results of this frenzy.
433. A coffee date with lovely Sabrina.
434. An occurrence which I hope will one day prove to be a very funny story.
435. My new bunga pads that keep me from utterly destroying my ankles when ice skating; it is amazing the difference wearing these makes.
436. Skating with Sarah, and learning from her expertise :)
437. Playing at the park with the Bacak kids (and Treston declaring, "I yike spiders!  I da spider KING!" as he went around picking up granddaddy long-legs).

Whataburger with Sarah

438. An unexpected drop in temperature when I walked out of church; considering the Texas summer heat that is about to be upon us, I will take the coolness for as long as it will last!
439. Having Whataburger for the first time ever, courtesy of Sarah (and this was, I realized, my first hamburger in over 2 years!).
440. Miss Barbara and her stories; love this lady!  :)


Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:12-17)