Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

grandma. saying goodbye.

yesterday, we said goodbye to our beloved, grandma marrs.

we celebrated her life and rejoiced that she has received her crown of righteousness. she most certainly fought the good fight as she finished her race well here on earth. she always kept her strong faith. yet, words can’t quite express how much her presence here will be missed. she was the center of our family.

she taught us all so much. her life was full. she loved to the brim. she laughed heartily. she exuded joy.

i will never forget the way she embraced me into this family. the way she loved me as her own.

she loved to sew. she loved to garden. she loved to cook for her family. she loved to play cards. she loved to serve. she was always, always willing to serve in love.

making the boy’s crib bumpers…

she loved the boys with everything she had. she was so proud of them and would just laugh and laugh at their antics. they always looked forward to going to visit grandma marrs. always. she just doted on them and spoiled them with love.

nathan was named after grandma. his middle name, kean, was her maiden name. she always joked that her “namesake” was the ornery one. he was the wild one and she absolutely loved it. nate and grandma had a very special bond.

always sneaking the boys treats…

i’ve never met someone so full of life as grandma. at 93 years old, she was more active than most people i know. i remember how she used to describe “little old ladies” and we would have to remind her that she was, technically, a little old lady herself. she would just laugh at that.

it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to have known and loved marjorie veronica marrs. her memory will remain alive and well in my heart always. this world was brighter because of her light.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” {John 14:1-4}

He is good. {Part 1}

More times than I can count, I experienced the power of the ocean as a child growing up on the beaches in Florida.

Do you know the feeling?

The unexpected crash of a wave that takes you under and swirls you around. Rendering you disoriented and unable to find your way back up from the crashing water.

In a fruitless effort, you exert all of your energy kicking your legs and flailing your arms. Panic sets in. Fear envelops.

Moments like this take us off guard in life. Energy exerted on our own is fruitless. Fear is real. 

Thankfully, the Prince of Peace offers His hand. He swiftly and firmly pulls you to the surface. You take a deep breath and settle into His gentle embrace. Peace reigns down.

I had a moment like this over the weekend. A moment that caught me off guard. A moment that caused me to, much like Peter, take my eyes off of Jesus and start to sink {Matthew 14:22-33}.

New information was shared about the conditions of our S’s current living situation. New information that stole my breath and forced my gaze away from the One who saves. I allowed myself to sulk in the dark and the enormity of the information. I allowed myself to feel overwhelmed and afraid.

Even still, Jesus was right there. Holding my hand. Whispering His promises. Reminding me of His faithfulness.

Beloved, remember all that I have done. 

Just two days before, Dave and I overflowed with gratitude for His goodness.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”. {Psalm 27:13}

We had spent the evening at our land just outside of town. We reflected on the circumstances surrounding our lives when we first purchased this property five years ago.

We remembered the hurt and pain we experienced as we ached for a child of our own. We had dreamt that this land would someday be full to the brim with joy and laughter as little feet ran across this ground.

We remarked on the grass that had grown in thick and full. Planted with our own hands.

We declared God’s goodness and provision. For this incredible farm house we are renovating. Moved from another spot in town. Never had we dreamt of such an serene and perfect retreat for our family.

Joy.

Hope. The promise of memories yet to be made.

He is GOOD. Sometimes, when you’re too close, you can’t see it clearly enough. Five years ago, we never could have seen all of this.

“God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” {Ephesians 3:20 The Message}

8 years.

Today is our 8 year wedding anniversary. I really cannot believe that eight years have passed since the day we said “I do” in front of God and our family and friends. What an incredible journey we have been on as husband and wife during the course of the past eight years.

We plan to go out for a quiet dinner tonight to celebrate … very similar to what we did last year, actually :).

I’m so thankful God placed Dave in my life. He has been my strong, steady anchor guiding our family with Godly wisdom and love and I’m so grateful to have been blessed with a husband, best friend and father of my children that I can respect, cherish, lean on, love, cry with and laugh with. What a truly incredible gift this marriage has been.

Just look at these two crazy kids setting out to do life together …

What a ride! I’m already looking forward to what the next eight years will bring!

fearless. part 2.

**catch up with fearless: part 1 here. 

I wanted to take a moment to expand upon Jen Hatmaker’s message at the Fearless Conference regarding rest.

It’s funny. I was looking back at posts from this time last year and I found posts about the book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess and the concept of the Sabbath and the need for reducing the excess stuff in our lives in order to allow more of God’s kingdom to flow into the empty space {go on, take a walk down memory lane with me…here, and here and here}.

And, then, this past weekend, Jen reminds us of the need for the Sabbath. The need for restoration through rest. The need for spiritual nourishment.

“Spiritual nourishment is perishable. It’s good only for that day.” – Jen Hatmaker

Dave and I have false started many times with the implementation of a Sabbath in our lives. We have tried to protect just one day a week for rest and worship. We have even tried to deem one weekend each month Family Weekend.

We have tried.

Yet, we continually allow commitments and projects and deadlines to creep into that space. We continually allow the boundaries to come down and make exceptions for productivity. And, before we know it, we have long-forgotten about the sacredness of rest as a family.

It happens so innocently. Still, it happens again and again. We find ourselves coming up for air in the midst of the chaos of commitments and obligations and wonder how we found ourselves back here with this unquenchable thirst and need for refreshment.


Jen gently reminded us this weekend that at the very beginning of creation, God did not bless the day He created the heavens and the earth. Or the day He created the sky or the land or the sea. He didn’t bless the day He created fish or birds or all the animals on the earth. He didn’t even bless the day He created people in His own image.

Then, on the day when God rested from all of His work,  He “blessed the seventh day and declared it holy” {Genesis 2:3, emphasis mine}.

The day of rest was His very first blessing in history.

This day of rest is for us. It is a gift. It is precious and holy.

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath.” {Mark 2:27}

Therefore, Dave and I have committed to work deliberately in advance of this day. We will be fiercely protective of this day and draw boundaries to allow for our family to experience the blessings associated with a day that allows for our depleted cups to be filled once again. A day that allows for our focus to once again be moved to what is truly important. A day that allows for memories and laughter and joy to be created. A day that allows for moments of stillness. A day that allows us to push the pause button on the busyness and distractions and preoccupations that consume our energy.

A day that allows us to participate in the fullness of this life in the way that Christ longs for all of us to experience.

A day that allows more time together as a family. Outside. Laughing. Exploring. Worshipping our Mighty King of Kings.

Jen made an awesome analogy on Saturday. She compared parenting to a cup with a hole in the bottom. As parents, we continually pour in love and hope and courage and patience throughout each day. And this cup has to replenished.

There is no denying that we will grow weary without the sustenance that only our Savior can provide. Particularly if you have two toddler boys with a lot of energy and a stubborn streak inherited from their daddy {yep, I’m passing the blame here}. Especially then.

{I also love this post from The Tiny Twig …she talks about turning off our screens on the weekends. You should check it out if you’re looking for practical ways to be present}.