Today I'm feeling the temporariness of this life. I'm not sure why I'm so keenly aware of it on this particular morning. Sometimes after Brent scoots off to work and it's just me and Gideon in the house, and I've read some Scripture and talked to my Maker and looked out the window and thought deep and long about life...I feel this certain quickening in my spirit...a sense of urgency, perhaps.It dawns on my--wow, these days that come and go so quickly are all so brief. All these flowers bloom and the light shines on them and they are just so glorious...for a day or two...and then they fade, wither, perish.All flesh is like grass and all it's glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25And then there's[...]

See this guy?(I'm referring to the tall one...not the short one.)I really like him. I remember the first time I saw him and I just kept telling God what a good job He did at making him. I was like, "He's just so beautiful...so beautiful."Yep, the first time he smiled at me and I saw that his eyes were all blue and sparkly--woe--I was smitten. But, of course, I had to mostly ignore him and pretend that I didn't care for him because I was so afraid that I would just repeat the same past mistakes or that I would do it all wrong.But, thankfully, the Lord is merciful and kind to me and He somehow put it into Brent's heart to pursue me, in spite of all my bewildering tactics...so here we are.And I really like him.You wanna know something amazing? Something that I've discovered since I've known h[...]

Dear Dad, may I please have one of those kitties from Grandpa's barn? Mom said that I should ask. She said that I should ask because I'm really cute and I would look really cute with a kitty.She said that you probably wouldn't mind cleaning out the litter box for her since she can't really do that right now since she has a kid in her belly.I've been doing some research and did you know that petting a kitty helps you feel calmer in life? I think it helps you sleep better. And besides, we could train it to eat the moles in the yard. Mommy says you hate the moles and you want them dead and if they were all dead, then you would be calmer in life and sleep better.So, what do you say? Kitty? Please? Mole-eating kitty? We could name him Varmint-Slayer. What about the Mole Assassin? I know, I know[...]

Perhaps it's mostly me, or mostly a "woman" thing, or mostly a "human" thing, but one of my greatest struggles each day is wondering if what I'm doing is important. The conversation in my head usually goes something like this: "Am I doing the right things today? Does this thing matter? Should I be doing something else? Now, why am I here again?"It isn't long before the day becomes full of activity, and I stand wondering if time has been squandered or if I've invested in the things that matter most. The good news is, I can talk to my Creator about these questions in my heart and He is near enough to hear me. And He answers. Isn't it comforting that He answers? And here is how He answered me today:I am the Vine, you are the branches; If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fru[...]

Hey, hey, it's my BIRTHDAAAYYY! (That was meant to be read very loudly and obnoxiously.) I'm actually mimicking a friend I used to work with, who upon every return of his birthday, would yell this out to anyone passing by so they would surely know this day was set apart...for him. Today I'm celebrating 30 years of life. 30 marvelously beautiful, sometimes hard, but mostly deeply satisfying years of living. A dear friend asked me today what my name meant. And the meaning of my name actually depicts a lot about my life, so I wanted to share it with you. I’ve heard that Magdalene has two meanings. The first is “prostitute," which is interesting because my birth mom was a prostitute and as a little girl, I had many thoughts that I would grow up and be the same. (I vividly remember lots of[...]

Bubby, you know I love you, right?And in order for me to be a good mommy, I have to feed you something besides peanut butter and jelly from now on.No thanks, Mom. I plan to live the rest of my life on this stuff.I really (smack, chomp) think we should keep life simple and just stick to this ooo-ee, gooyey galore that sticks to your innards.Besides, what other food has a better theme song?PEANUUUT, PEANUT BUUTTER...and jelly.That's cute, Bubby...real cute, but I still have to feed you something else.What you need are some fruits and vegetables.Fruits and vegeta-what?VEGETABLES. They'll help you grow healthy and strong. You know, things like broccoli...spinach...carrots...Carrots? BLAH! Not even Daddy likes carrots.And I don't care if they do help me see better. I can see just fine.I can se[...]

Today, I'm proclaiming the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.(2 Peter 2:9)I woke up and my heart was heavy with the cares of the world and with the burden of myself. I had exerted very little energy, and yet I was so tired and worn down.But I looked to Him, who calls me out of dark thoughts.I praise Him because He changes the way I see.He opens my eyes to see beauty in the ordinary.He gives me purpose in the mundane.I think of Him and my heart is glad.Tears of sorrow are followed by tears of rejoicing.I move about in light because He made me a light dweller.I sit still.I taste and see that He is good.I drink deeply from His Word.I am whole again.Basking in light.I was empty but now I'm full.So, I proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness[...]

After I listen to his muffled tired sobs for a little while and he finally gives in and falls asleep, I wait just a little longer till he's good and out...Then I sneak in and tiptoe around the toys just to peek over the crib to see him there.I like to see him there, all still and quiet and peaceful and oblivious and at rest.His chubby thighs...his soft little feet...his crazy mess of hair.And for some reason, I get this hilarious feeling in my gut and I start laughing and have to run quickly out of the room...Or, I get this ache and I start to cry because he's so peaceful and he's just a little guy and I want it to always be that way.The peaceful part...no worries...no fears...just sweet rest.And I pray for him.

I don't know if you've ever read The Pioneer Woman, but you really should. She's the funniest blogger I've seen. Anyway, I bought a "leek" at the grocery store for the first time, and the following post is my very own rendition of The Pioneer Woman Cooks.Before you cook, it would be helpful if you could acquire a "Bubby" in the kitchen. Bubbies are very useful. They cheer you on and are willing to try just about anything. (Before spitting it out and throwing it onto your freshly mopped floor.Secondly, you need a messy kitchen. Always start out with a messy kitchen. That way, you're discouraged and mad at the world by the time you finish cooking.Next, you need a good ole' cookin' pan. A really big one if you plan to do a lot of cookin.'Make sure that it is nice and scratched up. It's always[...]