47-16

You'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need

I've listened to this song so many times without listening to the words and this week, this line stuck out to me. I can't get it out of my head actually. Life is harder than I expected.Busy. Tiring. And sometimes there are moments when I wish it was different. But I know that once this season is over, my husband and I will be stronger for it.


Lyrics by OneRepublic--Stop and Stare

46-15

 

I like mini-things. In the dollar spot of any store, I am in trouble. Above are mini-post-it notes that I found in the drawers of supplies at work and mini-notebooks that I purchased today.

In a similar theme, I like mini-envelopes a great deal. Today I took a shot at making my own. I think I found a new hobby.

45-14

I like trying new fruits. Though this one looks quite similar to an apple, it is not and it doesn't taste anything like one. It is called a Japanese pear because of its grainy texture, but it is sweeter than a pear. I think this summer I will try a new fruit every week until I run out. We will see how it goes.

44-13

CUTE

These personalized spoons can be used to tell someone something in a unique way.

43-12

A week ago yesterday was Ash Wednesday. I will tell you about my experience in 2010 because it changed my view of suffering and of myself and showed me a possible insight into some biblical text that I did not fully understand.

The experience

2010 was the first and only year that I attended an Ash Wednesday service (I went to an episcopal church in Maryland for the service, though I was not a regular attendee, some of my friends and classmates were). Some of the greater parts of the experience are a blur, but I remember going to get the ashes put on my forehead. The priest going down the line of kneeled bodies whispered something to each of them as he made the sign of the cross with ash covered fingers on their foreheads. I couldn't quite make it out until he got closer. "You are dust and to dust you shall return."

My heart filled with joy as those ashes were placed on my forehead. A reminder of our place, of the majesty and glory of God's creation of us, but also, of the very real truth of life... we are dust. Thank the Lord that God does not think of us that way for it says that He thinks of us more than the number of grains of sand on the earth, for He loves us so. But sometimes, I think we all need to remember where we've come from. Not where we live or where we were born, but ultimately that we come from dust. The recognition of that simple fact takes away any want in me for anything else because I am not entitled to anything and yet I ask(Gen. 18:27-28), but it is good to remember that asking does not mean I will receive. The miracle that is creation and life is enough. And I am not even entitled to that.




The insight


Around this time, I was reading books in the Old Testament. A reoccurring trend in the Old Testament is that the main character goes through some sort of struggle or suffering. One of the immediate responses of the character is to put ashes or dust on his or her head (Ezekiel 27:30, Joshua 7:6, 1 Samuel 4:12, 2 Samuel 1:2, 2 Samuel 13:19, Nehemiah 9:1, Job 2:12, Lamentations 2:10). I wondered if in the midst of their grieving the characters put ashes on their heads for a similar reason that we do on Ash Wednesday. To remind ourselves that we are dust and to dust we shall return.

I asked a great deal of people wiser than me this question about my insight. I never received a yes or a no, but many maybe's. So take this insight as a maybe. Though I will say that in the midst of suffering it is good for me to remind myself of Ash Wednesday because doing so makes the weight lighter.

42-11

When I went to Europe, I was frustrated at the beauty at night that I was unable to capture with my camera. This new camera that I own takes pretty good night shots. My husband and I went on a walk at night to test it's abilities and found ourselves impressed. The shot above is one.

41-10

My husband bought me a camera a while back. I realized that I should probably announce that before continuing. I guess that is why pictures have become more common in my posts. We went to two stores before choosing a camera. We purchased at Target, if you do not recognize the red cart signs.

40-9

Last week, my husband and I went on vacation. Road trip style. We started out with a plan. It adjusted by mostly expanding. It was restful and pretty much glorious.

39-8

O Joy that seekest me through pain, 
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.




Lyrics by Indelible Grace Music  O Love that will not let me go

38-7

My favorite flower is a white calla lily. The week after Valentine's day, there were calla lily plants on sale. Today, I took off the first three flowers that had formed. The stems were getting weighed down by the flowers on the end. Three flowers can't fill up a vase, so instead I put them in a tea cup.

My old roommate used to take her plants with her when she left for the week/weekend/any period of time because she knew that I would forget to water them. For anyone who ever wants to learn how to take care of plants, I'd say buy your favorite kind. You'll learn because you care.