MUAH!!!

As in kissses.

As in kisses ALL DAY from the Lord on my cheek!

Yesterday Tim and I celebrated our 10th anniversary and I just had to take a minute to jot down all the kisses God was planting on me yesterday.  It was truly such a sweet day.  I never want to forget it.

Kiss #1.  The beautiful morning.  I woke up so refreshed and ready for the day.

Kiss #2.  My quiet time in the Word.  I chose Song of Solomon for today, since it seemed fitting.  I lingered on chapters 4 and 5.  I love those.

Kiss #3.  The Zumba class I went to.  (I shook things I didn't know I had to shake!)

Kiss #4.  The negative TB test results. (I am one step closer to my first birth as a doula.  I am so excited and will post about that later.)

Kiss #5.  The parking attendant giving me my money back, so FREE parking! (I used the money later to buy fresh cherries. The best!)

Kiss #6.  Finding the shortcut on the freeway.

Kiss #7.  The visit with a sweet friend.  Thank you, Kimberly for thinking of our Isa.  We LOVE Kadie's hand me downs. And, thank you, Kadie, for growing like a weed. ;0)

Kiss #8.  Miguel driving the kids up the mountain to Gramita's house, so I could clean.  I love having a  trustworthy son that can drive! 

Kiss #9.  The FB exchange between Elizabeth and I.  E, you make me laugh.  Thanks for your informative texts today.  You helped me so much.   

Kiss #10.  Tickets to the Vicente Fernandez concert.  A friend on FB posted that he was in town for a concert.  I so wanted to see a mariachi on our anniversary, but seeing CHENTE was above and beyond!  If you know your mariachi music, you know that Vicente F. is the KING of this stuff. 

Kiss #11.  Clean sheets.

Kiss #12.  The scale.  And, the 4 pounds I have lost in the last 10 days.

Kiss #13.  The Festie.  (Festie:  Just the word I made up for what Katie is to me, my fit friend.  She sends me encouraging texts and checks on me as I try to lose some weight. Thanks, Katie, for your encouragement, for sharing your triumphs, and for your support!)

Kiss #14.  Trying on a dress I had in my closet that was tight a few months back, but fits now.

Kiss #15.  The card.  Tim writes the sweetest cards.

Kiss #16.  The gift.  I need to elaborate on this one.  Tim and I have a 'rule', if you will.  We decided many years ago to not get each other gifts on our anniversary.  Most years, he still gets me something, but it is  still the 'rule'.  However, I do not expect a gift.  As I was getting ready for our date, I decided to wear my hair in a tight ponytail.  Tim's favorite way to see my hair.  I was putting on some cute hoop earrings I found at H&M for $2.95 but, secretly dreaming about the diamond hoop earrings at my in-laws jewelry store.  I am not a big jewelry wearer, but these earrings are so pretty.  The thought came as quickly as it came, but when Tim laid a gift on my lap as we were headed out to dinner, and I opened that box, I could not help but squeal and cry that God was in every detail.  He used Tim to give me a sweet kiss of diamonds.  Those earrings will remind me that I am God's princess and that I am worth more than any amount of diamonds to Him.  So, this year, we will go ahead and make an exception to the 'rule'.

Kiss #17.  A sweet date night.

Kiss #18.  Dessert?  Nah.  I took one bite and was like, ok, that was sweet.  No thanks.

Kiss #19.  My husband.

Kiss #20.  JESUS.

Some of these kisses are on my cheek, but the last one is on my forehead, daily, minute by minute, because that is where the sweetest kisses are received.

It was a perfect day.  All the glory goes to God.  Looking forward to what our 20th anniversary will bring.

What's On My Heart

Does your heart ever feel like this?

Heavy.  Light.  Fulfilled.  Achy.  All at the same time?

Is your mind ever overwhelmed like this?

Praying.  Doubting.  Seeking.  Questioning.  To the point of feeling like it is going to explode?

Does the above start to spill over into your life like this?

Tired.  Happy.  Dragging.  Smiling.  Sometimes wondering if people are confused with what is really going on?

I have learned so much within the last 4-5 years that my spiritual life has changed and grown.  I have been blessed with a church that encourages me.  A pastor that teaches me.  A body of Christ that loves me.  I have learned not only through my growth as a Christian, but also as I become older, to not take everything so seriously, and to truly be joyful in all things.  Most times I am joyful!  Like last week when my sweet niece Aspen Jade was born.  Pure Joy!  Or the time I walked into Miguel's job at the local grocery store and his boss kept going on and on about how Miguel was one of the best workers he has ever had.  Again, JOY!  However, sometimes you are faced with difficult things that make your heart ache and your heels drag one minute, but happy and smiling the next because you can't help but see God's goodness in so many things before you.  That's me, right now.

And, even as I type this, I am feeling like, 'really, you aren't happy right now?'  Then reminded of the heavy things on my heart, and thinking, 'really, you aren't worried right now?'  But, I must trust in my Father and that He knows what is best.  So, I will press on and see the things that seem so weighty as a gift.  A gift that reminds me to turn to my Father and lay it at His feet.  That it is not my burden to carry.  His Word comforts me:  

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

He also reminds us to be joyful, even in the midst of difficulty...read this:  

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud 
   and there are no grapes on the vines, 
though the olive crop fails 
   and the fields produce no food, 
though there are no sheep in the pen 
   and no cattle in the stalls, 
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD, 
   I will be joyful in God my Savior.  Habakkuk 3:17-18

I have you, sweet Savior...what more could I want?  Need?  I seek to glorify you, Jesus.  Use me.  Even in my sorrow, use me!

So, as I close this, I feel better already...restored by His love letter to me.  Reminded of how much He loves me.  

Lord, you are God over all!  You are mighty to save!  Today I lift up those that do not know of your love personally.  Those that do not know of the comfort you bring through your Word and the Holy Spirit.  Father, help me to be bold and share your goodness with others.