A Few of My Favorite (Christmas) Things

Christmas is great for so many reasons! I love this season because there are so many special things that you get to enjoy particularly during this time.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Christmas things with you:

Christmas Carol: God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen or Angels We Have Heard on High

Classic Christmas Song: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Christmas Song by specific artist: Josh Groban's O Holy Night

Classic Christmas Movie: Charlie Brown's Christmas

Christmas Musical: White Christmas

Hallmark Christmas Movie: The Christmas Card

Modern Christmas Movie: The Family Stone or The Santa Clause trilogy

Christmas Tradition: Putting up the Christmas tree

Christmas Food: Mom's Homemade Nut Rolls

Christmas Beverage: Coffee with Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer by Coffee Mate

Christmas Dessert: Gingerbread Cake Roll

Christmas Treat: Almond Bark covered Oreos

Christmas Book: I Can't Wait 'Till Christmas (featuring Big Bird)

Christmas Scripture Passage: Luke 2

 

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Beach Boys Christmas CD--- It's WONDERFUL! :D

Watching: At this exact moment, I'm enjoying my season of Pan Am.  I have probably watched the pilot episode 50+ times, and it's still one of my favorites!

Reading: Christmas books, of course!  All the childhood favorites are in the living room again, so I must indulge!

Eating: Um... like right now or in general?  Because I may or may not be eating cheater fudge right now at this very moment.  LOVE that stuff!  Yay for my mommy making me some for my birthday last weekend!

Wishing: that life will take the turn I'm hoping for in the next few months!  

Needing: to get my hair done.  But I'm just too cheap and/or lazy to get it done.  It's not really a NEED, so I just keep putting it off.  I AM however NEEDING a visit with my chiropractor, which will be happening on Friday.

Rejoicing: That Road to Bethlehem went very well this past weekend.  There were definite glitches, but all in all, it went very well!  I'm also rejoicing that my doctor's appointment last Friday went well and that the only prescription was time.  No more surgery! :)

Indulging: Candy Canes.  I don't usually eat too many of them, but I put a bowl of mini candy canes on my desk at work a week ago, and I'm eating those things like there's no tomorrow! Surprisingly, I'm actually quite enjoying the pepperminty ones.

Loathing: the blue shirts we had to wear for our event today.  I just don't care for them.

Saying: Well... I said the word "groovy" the other day, and apparently that word is not "in."  I use it all the time, and so should you... because well.... it's GROOVY!

Meditating: As it is December, I've been thinking a lot lately about the Christmas story: Jesus' birth.  I think about the fact that He came here for ME.  He came to die.  He came to save.  I think of his mother and the equal joy and agony she must have felt over having this baby that she knew would be the Messiah.  And I think of Joseph and the faith he had.  So many great parts of this account!

Picturing: the wonderful weekend we just had

5 Thankful Things: November

I really had planned to do my annual "Thankful Thoughts November" posts this month, but it just didn't happen.  One thing I DID get out of doing it for the last few years is my monthly "5 Thankful Things," so here they are:

1- I'm so thankful for my church families!  There's something so incredibly special about having multiple church families that are part of your life for years, no matter where you go or how often you are able to worship with them.  I'm thankful for my current church family at Farmington: the opportunities to minister in the community and the opportunities to serve in the church, the fellowship, friendship, and love we share!  I'm thankful for my church family at Trinity in Des Monies- no matter how much time passes between visits, I know I can ALWAYS count on them to pray for me and to love the Lord and others!  The family I have made there will last a lifetime!  I've also been reminded this month of just how thankful I am for our church family in Ogallala, Nebraska: we only usually get to spend time with them once a year, but there are a handful of people there that are quite dear to our family.  I LOVE that technology (like Facebook) allows me to keep up with all these precious people with minimal effort!  What a huge blessing!

2- I'm thankful for the health I'm blessed with.  That may sound strange considering all the wacko, strange, and not-so-comfortable things I've had going on health-wise this year, but after spending a week lying around feeling like death, it makes a person SO MUCH MORE THANKFUL when she finally feels like herself again!  I'm thankful that the ailments I currently face are all minimal and (hopefully) short-lived.  I'm also thankful for doctors who take the time to help you when you are having difficulties!

3-  I'm thankful for my loud, ridiculous, hilarious, wonderful extended family!  We had such a wonderful time last night enjoying the company of the Vance clan, whose laughter covered every square inch of our smallish house!  Sometimes, I'm afraid I take my family for granted.  I forget that not everyone is from a family so closely knit.

4- I'm thankful for my parents.  I'm thankful for all the normal things like their love, care, protection, advice, and blah blah blah, but lately I've been thankful for their spiritual examples.  My parents are both gifted teachers of the Word.  Mom teaches the Scripture Seekers club on Wednesday nights, and most of the time I find myself wishing the kids would just be quiet and pay attention so that I can just listen and not miss anything!  My dad has been the adult Sunday School teacher for as long as I can remember.  I LOVE our Sunday school class, and it makes me sad when I have to miss it!  One of the greatest parts of their example is their humility.  Neither one of them would ever tell you that they are a great teacher.  In fact, most of the time they question their abilities to teach effectively.  I would be thankful for them even if they weren't my parents, but the fact that they ARE my parents makes me even that much more grateful for their examples!

5- I'm thankful that God is faithful.  I've been struggling with a few things lately, and the knowledge that God is in complete control and always has my best interest in mind is incredibly comforting. I'm thankful that the God I serve and Who loves me is the same God I can read about in the Old Testament leading and protecting the children of Israel out of slavery and across the Red Sea. He's the same God that protected Joseph and used him for great things, even when life was hard for him.  He's the same God that radically changed Persecutor Saul into the Apostle Paul. And He's the same God who will ultimately defeat sin and death and reign forever and ever!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last year, we had family Thanksgiving on Saturday because it worked out better for the majority of the family.  So on Thanksgiving day, we put up our Christmas tree, ate pizza, and watched Christmas movies.

This year, we ended up doing the same thing.  Instead of stuffing ourselves with turkey and pie, we put up our tree, ate pizza, and watched Christmas movies.

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Kyle Kupecky has a new EP out on itunes called "Snowed In," which includes two original songs that I am LOVING!

Watching: Grey's Anatomy.  For a second round.  Because seriously- Can't. Stop!

Reading: I downloaded a series of books on my kindle during vacation in August, and I'm revisiting them now during my lunch breaks at work. The one I'm reading at the moment is Meant for Her by Amy Gamet.  A little espionage.  A little mystery.  A little romance.  All the things you you need in some light lunch reading material! 

Eating: Mmmmmm... glazed doughnuts.  I most definitely stopped at Wal-Mart on my way to work this morning because I just NEEDED a glazed doughnut!

Wishing: That I had been born to parents that resided somewhere that was the perfect temperature year-round.  I really REALLY hate winter... but I love my parents, so... guess I'm stuck here for now.

Needing: a few hours of warm-ish weather so I can paint my backdrop for Road to Bethlehem!

Rejoicing: That I'm over whatever virus I had last week.  That stuff was NASTY I'm tellin' ya. The only symptoms I really had were exhaustion and constantly feeling nauseous. 

Indulging: Uh.... maybe just see the doughnuts part and the Grey's part...

Loathing: uh... winter.  Mostly the cold.  I think if it could snow AND stay above 40, I'd maybe be ok with that...

Saying: "Seriously?!"  I find myself using this word a whole awful lot.  It's always been one of my go-to words, but lately, I feel like I'm saying it all the time.

Meditating: Well it IS November, and while I clearly just gave up on my "Thankful November" posts (because being sick really changes your priorities...), I'm still reflecting on the great many things God has given me for which to be thankful.  Our children's church verse this month is from Psalms, and it tells us that "it is good to give thanks to the Lord."  So even though I'm not documenting it in cyberwebs this year, I AM trying to be thankful on my own.

Picturing: Something snowy that makes me smile... like I'm 5 instead of about to turn 25...

Day 10 & 11: Hope & Staying Home

Day 10- Hope

Yesterday, I got a call back from the consult I'm seeking for my nose/headaches situation.  I'm thankful that the individual I talked to seemed to think there was good reason for me to seek a second opinion, which translates to "I'm not totally crazy."  She even went so far as to delay appointment set-up until my case can be reviewed so that I won't have to make unnecessary trips to Iowa City!  I'm thankful for this in a BIG way!

Day 11- Staying Home
I'm thankful for our veterans... just like every other patriotic American, but today what I was most thankful for (and this is in NO way intended to be a slap in the face of those who serve, nor is it a display of my ungratefulness) is the fact that on the first snowfall of the season, I got to stay snuggled warm in my bed. I really REALLY hate winter.  I mean, sure, the snow is beautiful sometimes, but most of the time I just HATE the weather. So I'm thankful that (at least for this morning) I could avoid the snow today, even if it was just a light disgusting... I mean dusting.

Day 9: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Today in church we sang the old hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."  I LOVE that old song!  I'm so thankful that we sing songs at our church with messages that remind us of the faithfulness of God and of His love and power.  I'm thankful that my God IS faithful, even when I have trouble trusting.  I'm thankful that my God IS faithful, even when I stray.  I'm thankful that my God IS faithful, even when my circumstances are hard and life is tough.  I'm thankful that even when life doesn't make sense and things get stressful, I can still sing with a full heart "Great Is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father! Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me."

Day 7 & 8: Ibuprofen & Lazy Days

Day 7:  I've been having headaches again, as mentioned before, and yesterday was one of those days.  Being a Friday, I didn't wait till later in the day.  I just grabbed the Ibuprofen before lunch so at least I'd be able to concentrate during the busy afternoon.  While I'm not thankful for the headaches, I am definitely thankful that we have over the counter meds that seem to lessen the symptoms... at least for now!

Day 8: Lazy Saturdays are one of my favorite things.  I love when I can sleep in and then lounge around in my PJs for hours before getting dressed for the day.  And when I DO actually get dressed for the day, jeans and a sweatshirt are all I need.  No hair fixin' or make-up on my face. Because I have nowhere to go and no one to impress.  I wouldn't want weeks on end of it, but once every few weeks makes Lazy Days just about as good as it gets!

Day 6: My Hair

I think I mention this one every year, but I am SO THANKFUL for my hair!  I see people out and about sometimes who have lost their hair due to illness or age, and I am so thankful that I not only have hair, but that I have hair that looks good in just about any style.

This one is my current favorite: Soft Curls

But I can also do naturally curly:

And Straight:

Day 5: A Boss Who Understands

Today I'm thankful for a boss who understands the humor of my sarcasm.  Several times a week I  say to my family "It's a good thing my boss thinks I'm funny, or I'd have been canned a LONG time ago!"  It helps that I'm not crude or disrespectful... just funny.  I'm soooo thankful that my boss has a good sense of humor because I don't think I could work in a place where I couldn't be myself!

Day 4: Voting

Yup Yup Yup!  I'm one of THOSE Millennials.  You know.  The kind that actually sees voting as not only a right, but as a responsibility!  I'm so so SO Thankful that I live in a country that affords me the opportunity to have a hand in my governmental system.  The results may not always be what I would want them to be, but as long as I cast my educated vote, I can always say I did my part to see things change the way I think they should!  

Day 3: Mildred

As I stopped to gas up the car tonight after work, I grumbled to myself a little about how it seems I'm always putting gas in my dear Mildred.

Then I stopped myself.

I'm THANKFUL for my faithful, trusty Mildred.  She's beautiful and wonderful and gets me from place to place.  She's provided transportation for multiple family trips to the Nebraska/Colorado area this year, which was a HUGE blessing!

I'm also thankful that I was able to get exactly what I wanted in a vehicle at a price I could afford! She's not 100% mine yet, but it won't be long!

5 Thankful Things: October

1.  I'm thankful for the weather and colors that come with Autumn!  I LOVE this time of year; in fact, it's my absolute favorite!  There's just something about the crisp, cool breezes and the colorful fall leaves... bonfires and scarves and boots and hayrides.  Just LOVE.

2.  I'm thankful for my best friend Helen being born this month many moons ago.  She's one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I'm thankful that she loves birthdays, too! :)

3.  I'm thankful for a church family that finds fellowship important.  Every October, we have a church hayride and bonfire, and this year was no exception.  I so enjoy the annual hayride!

4.  I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to practice my photo-ing  skills this month. I'm thankful for the camera I was able to buy a few months ago, and I'm thankful for those that entrust me with the taking of their family photos!

5.  I'm thankful that at my last visit to the nose doctor, I was NOT told I needed more surgery.  I'm not entirely thankful for the rudeness and lack of concern displayed, but at least I can be thankful that they didn't recommend more surgery!

I'm also planning to do Thankful November again this year, so here are my first two entries:

Day 1- I'm thankful for daylight savings time!  I know, I know.  Most people are NOT thankful for this because it messes with their sleeping schedules and the whole spring forward thing in a few months, but I LOVE the extra hour of sleep!

Day 2- I'm thankful to be part of a church that has pleasant business meetings.  This may not seem like a big deal to some people, but growing up in a church where business meetings often turned into heated arguments and hurt feelings, I SO appreciate the blessing of a church family that harmonizes!

November is wonderful because it reminds us to be thankful.  Doing the Thankful 30 for the last few years is actually what inspired the idea for my monthly 5 Thankful Things this year.  I hope you take time to recount God's blessings this holiday season!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Don't tell anyone, but I may or may not have dug out my Christmas CD's a few weeks ago.  I LOVE Christmas music!

Watching: Grey's Anatomy.  I never ever thought I could get in to a medical show, but even when it totally grosses me out, I just can't stop! 

Reading: Honestly? I'm still reading Karen Kingsbury's A Thousand Tomorrows.  I know, I know.  I was reading that LAST month, but it's been something I read whenever I have a few free minutes at lunch or waiting for something (like at the dr.'s office or whatever), so it takes a while!

Eating: I switched to oatmeal at lunch a few weeks ago, and I'm loving it!  I cook plain oatmeal with water, then add a little brown sugar and a few chopped walnuts before eating.  So yummy!

Wishing: That fall could stay a little longer!  I love this time of year, and the colors and cool breezes always make me just a little happier.  

Needing: To find out what's going on with my nose.  I had surgery in March, but my nose hasn't felt right since then.  It feels like someone stuffed a wad of gum up there.  Thankfully, I'll be meeting for a second opinion on Tuesday.

Rejoicing: This may seem redundant, but I'm rejoicing in a few things.  1) I'm rejoicing in the great things being revealed to me in our Scripture Seekers!  It's so fun to see things for myself! 2) I'm rejoicing in the fact that the Lord made a season in which the leaves turn bright colors and the air is crisp and cool. 

Indulging: Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer.  I LOVE that stuff in my coffee or hot cocoa!

Loathing: How fast the end of the year will be here.  These next two months are going to FLY by, and I just can't believe how fast it's gone.

Saying: No new catch phrases here.  That tends to happen when I'm away from my sister Helen for too long.

Meditating: Last week in Scripture Seekers, we talked about Simeon, who was waiting for the Messiah.  While my mom got all kinds of other things out of the passage, what stuck out most to me was how Simeon continued to faithfully serve the Lord while he waited.  We have no idea how old Simeon was or how long he had to wait, but he was faithful and devout while he waited.  That was a real challenge to me.

Picturing: Last weekend's hayride at church-

5 Thankful Things: September

1. I'm thankful for a job that allows me to stay home from work when I'm sick even after I've used all my sick leave for the year having surgery and stuff. I'm not so thankful for the sickness, but I'm thankful for the meds I was able to get to make me feel all better!

2. I'm thankful for God's obvious leading in my life.  I'm thankful that no matter what happens, I can always know for absolute sure that God is in control and only wants what is best for me.  When I let go of what I want and ask for what God wants, I know that the results are always best!

3.  I'm thankful for the opportunity I had to practice my photography! I took my sister's family pictures a few weeks ago, and the weather and lighting were just perfect!  I'm really enjoying getting to know this hobby of mine better and developing my own skills!

4. I'm thankful for the weekend Leah & I were able to spend with Helen in Ohio a week ago!  We had so much fun just being together. Oh, and I'm thankful for Young's Dairy because they have the BEST ice cream!

5.  I'm thankful for the cooler weather!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year, and the chilly temps are just I've been waiting for!  I love sweaters and fuzzy socks and hot tea with honey (when I'm not even sick!) and chilly breezes and colorful leaves and everything about this time of year (MINUS Halloween.  Loath and despise that "holiday"!)

Martin Family Photos ~ Fall 2014

Last night was the PERFECT time for a little family photo session!  The last hour and a half of sunlight was absolutely beautiful! I'm so grateful for every opportunity I have to practice my skills behind the lens, and last night had some real winners!

I just love this little family!  So much personality and love!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: A few Friday nights ago, I crawled in bed at 7:30 with my laptop and my PS I Love You DVD.  Since then, the score from that delightful film has been stuck in my head.  My favorite is "To Eire," which I've also made my ringtone. Yes.  I realize this makes me slightly nerdy.  I'm totally ok with that.

Watching: I finished up Gilmore Girls this weekend (for like the 5th time), so I dove right back in to Scandal.  I'm so excited for my shows to come back at the end of the month! 

Reading: This is the time of year I always pick up my copy of Karen Kingsbury's A Thousand Tomorrows.  I absolutely adore this book, which is a love story about a bull-riding cowboy and a cystic-fibrosis-fighting barrel racer.  I cry at the end every single time, but it's just soooo good!

Eating: Ice cream with fresh peaches.  The peaches are kinda hit-and-miss with their tastiness, but add a scoop or two of Blue Bunny Vanilla, and you've got yourself quite a tasty treat! 

Wishing: That it was easier to patiently wait for God's plan and timing.  I think that's my "always" wish.  

Needing: This weather to stick around for the next 6 months!  I'm LOVING the 60's temps and sunshine!  If it could stick around for at least a few weeks, I might actually find time to get outside with my sister and her family for a photo shoot!

Rejoicing: I found my voice!  Unfortunately, my surgery in March didn't completely remove the possibility for sinus infection.  I spent the weekend battling it out with another nasty one, although at least it wasn't as bad as what I used to get before the surgery.  With this came an unusual case of laryngitis; unusual in that I don't remember ever getting laryngitis with a sinus infection in the past.  I'm finally on the mend and feeling MUCH better; in fact, this is the best I've felt in a week, and boy am I glad!

Indulging: Hot tea with honey.  There's nothing I like more when I'm suffering from a sinus infection (and apparently this time laryngitis, too) than a nice hot cup of honey-laced tea!  I've had several gallons in the past week.

Loathing: Worms.  It was kinda rainy yesterday morning, and with the rain seems to always come the worms.  I just loath the smell that permeates the air when worms are out.  Also, there is this detail of my gag reflex always enacting when I see worms.  It's disgusting. 

Saying: Well, with a case of laryngitis, I haven't been saying much at all over the last three or four days.  I'm sure my family has enjoyed the quiet.  :)

Meditating: Our church is doing a new children's program on Wednesday nights: Scripture Seekers. The idea is that every week the kids have a small passage of Scripture they read every day (Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday).  Each day, they read the same passage and then answer a different question about it.  Since I'm helping, I also received a notebook in which to participate, and this week we're talking about Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I always enjoy reading about and studying Mary.  She found favor with God.  That's pretty cool!

Picturing: Mostly, I'm picturing this-

I can't WAIT for the leaves to turn & fall!!!

And this-

I can't WAIT to go see my best Helen next weekend for a pre-birthday Birthday weekend!!

When Life Gives You Lemons

I love lemons.  There's just so much you can do with them:

Add them to a glass of water or iced tea to dress up your drink

Use (or con your best Helen Crocker sister into using) them for a lemon meringue pie

Juice them to add to a nice salad dressing

And, of course, there's always the old standby: Make Lemonade.

Now, with fall doing its absolute best to make its grand entrance, lemonade isn't exactly what I have on the menu.  In fact, I've skipped the lemonade and gone straight for the tea.  Hot.  With honey.  And while I don't exactly take to the notion that "life" gives you lemons,  I do believe that God places things in our lives to teach us lessons, or simply to see what we're made of.

On Tuesday, I started feeling a little sniffly, so I pulled out the throat drops and hot tea and went nuts. However, by Thursday morning, I decided that my throat drops and hot tea were no match for whatever this was I had come down with.  So... I went to the doctor. Well, technically, I went to the Physicians Assistant (but I'm pretty sure she could be a doctor if she really wanted to because she's AWESOME... and anyone who knows me knows that I barely tolerate PA's... to put it mildly). Guess what.  I have a sinus infection.  SOOOOO not fair when I just had surgery in March to fix this little recurring situation.  The good news is that this sinus infection isn't nearly as bad as what I used to get. I did get some killer meds and missed a day and a half of work.

I also have been awaiting some news, which I may have gotten today through the grapevine, that wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear.  So that kinda bummed me out, too.

Then I got to thinking about Sunday School.  We're finishing up our study on James this Sunday, and the whole book is about our growing relationship with Christ and what it should look like and how to enhance it.  And though I'm not sure if we ever discussed it, one thing that stuck with me throughout the entire study was this: we should be looking to God for everything.  If I'm sick, I should praise Him and trust Him for healing.  If I'm feeling like a change is needed in my work life or in my social life, I should praise Him and trust Him for leading.

And maybe, just maybe when "life gives you lemons," God just wants to see what you'll do with them.

So I'm choosing to make the lemonade (that actually tastes a LOT like hot tea with honey for now) and praise Him in the process!

5 Thankful Things: August

1. VACATION!  I'm sooooo thankful for the week we were able to spend away from our normal, everyday routine.  I LOVE vacation.  We had so much fun!

2. Modern Medicine: For the first time in 5 months, I again had the opportunity to be thankful for modern medicine.  Even though an ear infection got me down for a few days, I was able to get some ear drops and was back to my high-energy self quickly.

3. Church Fellowship at Camp:  It was so fun to spend the afternoon/evening together over at camp last Sunday with our church family.  I'm thankful that we have a place to do such things and for the beauty there!

4. Tennis Shoes:  Odd, I know, but I'm thankful that I had the sense to wear my tennis shoes to work yesterday morning. With Old Threshers in town, it was extremely busy at work, and my feet survived because I was smart enough to wear my super cool sneakers.

5.  Opportunities that stretch our faith:  I'm thankful for the opportunities God gives us to grow in our faith. AND.... I'm excited to see what God has in store for my 5 Thankfuls NEXT month!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Lately, I've taken to listening to Josh Groban on the way to work. There's just something so calming and soothing about his tunes that really relaxes me.  I've noticed a considerable (and CALMER) change in my mood upon arrival to work as a result!

Watching: Well, I ended up with an outer ear infection, so I spent all of Saturday & Sunday curled up on the couch with Gilmore Girls reruns. Gotta say: humor goes a LONG way to improving one's mood.

Reading: Nothing at the moment, but over vacation, I read Robin Jones Gunn's new(ish) book "Forever With You." Any Todd & Christy fans out there? Well, this is the newest addition to their story, and boy was it good! I LOVE these characters, and it was so fun to "catch up" with them!

Eating: As previously mentioned with the whole ear infection thing, I went for comfort food.  This time that included a box of original Wheat Thins and Gatorade. 

Wishing: That it was Autumn. I know, I know. It'll be here soon.  I'm trying my best to wait patiently!

Needing: I can't actually think of anything to put here... unless I put cereal.  That's the only thing I really need right now, since I'm basically out. 

Rejoicing: I feel better!! And also, this is the first time in 5 months that I've been sick!  That's gotta be some new kinda record for me! I'm so thankful that I'm feeling better, but I'm equally thankful that I've been (for the most part) completely well over the last 5 months!

Indulging: Again with the whole ear infection scenario, I had a hankering for Almond-n-Cream drink, but alas, there was no almond extract to be found!  So I substituted Black Walnut flavoring.  Turned out pretty tasty, if I do say so myself.  And I drank like 4 servings. Sugar is supposed to make you get better faster, right?

Loathing: That my vacation is over.  We had such a WONDERFUL time, and I just hate that it ended.  Or maybe I'm loathing that I had to return to reality. I'm not sure...

Saying: Mostly things witty and sarcastic.  But what else is new?!

Meditating: God's peace.  God is in control of everything, and no matter what is happening in my life, I have no reason to worry or to get worked up.  As I mentioned in my music choices and their desired effect, I've been thinking a lot about God's peace also.  I'm so thankful that even when life seems hectic or directionless, God gives a peace that is beyond comprehension.  

Picturing: Vacation.  I miss it. It was wonderful.  I want to hit rewind!