Quick Takes [10]

The perfectionist in me is tempted to close this new post and continue to ignore the blog. Because I haven't blogged in forever. I've missed "Wisdom for Wednesday" posts. I'm months behind on replying to emails. And my thoughts are so jumbled I'm not sure how coherent a post I can even come up with...

But the writer, the friend, the work-in-progress sinner-turning-saint wants to write. Even if it is jumbled thoughts. Because I miss you guys. I miss hearing about your lives and inviting you into mine. I miss the connections across the miles. I miss the blogging world and all the blessings that accompany it.

So join me today? I walked into this coffee shop to a barista who teased me about my long absence. I'm sitting by the man I love as we both sip tea au lait, fingers tapping away on our laptops. (I know. Happy little geeks that we are.) And I'm happy to think of you right now, reader and friend. I'm thinking of those of you who have written me encouraging emails, those of you who have given me some comment-love, those of you who have inspired me by your own blog posts and journeys. Yes. You make me happy. So I'll write. Because that's how we become friends in this blogging world...

 

--1--

 

So the pregnancy center. Wow. It's really challenging, really exhausting. I've never managed before, and there's a lot of paperwork and monthly duties and all that jazz. It's a learning curve. It's stressful. It's busy. But it's good. And every time a young woman walks through our door, it's totally worth it. And I remember why I said yes. We haven't had many 'crisis pregnancies', but we've had several women in need. It's beautiful to be able to love them and serve them. I know of the brokenness of our culture and our world, the cohabitation and the affairs and the siblings with different dads. But to experience the consequences of the sin the Evil One spreads through the world is sobering. To see the confusion and pain and desparation--or resignation-- in the faces of the women...it personalizes it. It no longer becomes a vague problem of society, but a very real and personal tragedy. And my hearts hurts in my chest and I want so badly to fix it all. But I can only love until it hurts and share truth oh-so-gently. Pray for our girls, will you? And our counselors? And our nation and world?

 



 

--2--

 

A Royal Retreat. My friends K. and K. and I went on a women's retreat last Sunday. What a beautiful, refreshing day. Leah Darrow, former model, gave the main presentation, which was powerful and inspiring. You can check her out here.

 

--3--

 

On Thursday, I heard three women from Silent No More give their testimonies on the abortions they've had and regret. I have such respect for their beautiful courage in sharing their stories so that other women will not only choose life in an unplanned pregnancy but also to find healing from a past abortion.

 

--4--

 

Last night P. and I watched the coverage of the Boston bombing suspect pursuit.  19-year-old kid. They kept showing his face, his curly-haired picture, and all I could think about was how young and lost he looked. He and his brother. They didn't grow up planning to be terrorists. They were someone's babies. In some ways, their path to this point is just as much a tragedy as the bombing itself. Because there are souls at stake here. P. commented that he hoped and prayed since the younger brother was captured alive, he would have the time and grace for repentence. Let's pray for him. And for all the victims of the bombing. So many precious souls in this world. I can't imagine how heartbreaking it must be for our Father in heaven during these times...

 

--5--

 

On a lighter topic...food. Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to cook or bake much lately, but this weekend I'm prioritizing it and quite excited to have some quality time in the kitchen and a Pandora station to sing along with. This morning A. and I made breakfast for our boys. I tried out a lemon-blueberry muffin recipe. I'm not a huge fan of lemon stuff (childhood story) but these were tasty with a powdered sugar icing glaze and just a hint of lemon flavor. Tonight I think we're going to try a Pinterest recipe (Don't get me started on that site...I just love it) for Lasagna SOUP. I know. Yum.

 

--6--

 

I contacted a friend of a friend through Facebook because I always see her walking or running near my neighborhood. (The older I get, the bolder I get. Especially when it comes to making new friends.) Most of my friends live out of town, so I've never really had a workout buddy ever since I moved out of my parents' home. She replied and was super-happy I wrote. I'm so excited to start running with her when the weather warms up! Don't tell her, but I'm going to have to do some serious getting-in-shape before I contact her again...she posted on Facebook the other day about a refreshing 8-mile run. Seriously, guys. I was tired just reading it.

 

--7--

 



That's it, friends. I've been staring at this screen for a good hour or so and I'm ready to pull out my fiction book, put my feet up (oh wait, they're already on the coffee table), and read to my heart's content! I'm reading the newest by one of my favorite authors, Mindy Starns Clark. It's called Echoes of Titanic. She writes Christian fiction with a great combination of mystery and gentle romance.

 

Grace and peace to you this weekend! Choose joy and beauty this day.