My friend Marla does a thing called "Swirly Saturday" each week and I'm going to copy her, because that's how I'm feeling and I think I've already used every blog title that I can think of with the word "random" in it.
(If you don't know Marla, go visit her. She has the most amazing-looking blog--just love her design, it's so very her. And she's an amazing author, and well, while we're at it, let's give away some of her books. I have two to give away--Is That All He Thinks About? and Expecting. So leave a comment telling me which one you'd like and I'll do a drawing when the comments fizzle out sometime next week. So, for that, leave a comment with your name and the book title you want. And if you're tricky, you can leave one for each, but they have to be two separate comments or it gets confusing to choose them and make it fair. And if any of that made sense, well, you've had more coffee than I have so far this morning.)
Okay, long paragraph and in parentheses too. On with what's swirling around in my head.
~It's snowing. Total blizzard yesterday and still snowing this morning. Think Narnia, is what I told twitter yesterday. See?
Wet and heavy and so soft. And giving us the moisture we need. Don't you just love that blue light from about 6 o'clock this morning? Lovely, lovely, lovely.
As I was having my quiet time, I was thinking about the fact that God makes each flake so small and different and perfect. And that no one ever sees most of them to appreciate them. Snow is moisture, something totally functional that MELTS! And yet he takes the time and care and creativity to make each one beautiful, each one a work of art.
Makes me want to be excellent in even little things and tiny details that no one will ever see or know about. Just because.
~Toben got home safely last night. He's been in Branson and I wasn't sure he'd make it home given the weather. When he called to say he'd landed at DIA, I told him to be sure to get something to eat. Sure enough, it took way more than an hour to drive home.
~I'm going to the movies with a couple of friends this morning. So excited. We've cut back hugely around here--down to gas and groceries and paying bills and tuition--so this feels like a big treat. I love going to the movies--especially during the day. Feels so decadent to come out to daylight rather than dark. (And let's get real, it's been YEARS since I've been to a movie at night, cause who can stay awake? Not me!)
~Lisa has some great Simplify Me stuff over on her blog. So I'm going to let her have the floor this weekend. Go check it out.
~I'm working away on this retreat--and will do a drawing sometime this weekend from all your comments. Thank you again for all your help. Would you pray that I be bold? That God would speak through me? That I would step out of the way and let him take over? I'm going with the "prepare like crazy and then let the Spirit lead" method of getting ready!
From all your comments, I really want these women to be blessed and encouraged, but also challenged to go deeper in their relationship with God!
~School has been incredible lately. I'm learning so much and am working hard on a couple of big papers. Like I've said, I want to share it all with you, but need to figure out how (and when!) One topic I've been challenged by has been worship. I'm still sorting it all out in my head (and on paper for a paper!) and it's really making me see some things differently and in a new light. Good stuff.
~Okay, I really need to wrap this up. Go do something fun! And may God bless you--because you bless me like crazy!
"Makes me want to be excellent in even little things and tiny details that no one will ever see or know about. Just because."
This reminds me of the verse I'm memorizing for Memory Monday this week! It's in Colossians 3--"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
The footnotes in my Bible talk about letting everything we do be a form of worship to God. Even if no one else sees those little things, God does. And He appreciates them.
p.s. I would like a copy of "Expecting" if I win. ;)
Posted by: Bethany | April 18, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Is it fair to enter the drawing even if we know Marla and have read her books all the time and try to pass them on to others as gifts at every opportunity? It probably isn't fair, but I have a couple sweet young soon-to-be marrieds in my life, and I want to give them both "Is That All...." If I win the the copy, I would only have to buy one. Yippee!
Posted by: Gail | April 18, 2009 at 08:33 AM
wow! you all got quite a bit more snow than we did. here there's about an inch on the ground, but it's super slushy. don't know that it's fair to call it snow.
Posted by: Barefootmeg | April 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM
beautiful snow pictures! i love the swirly saturday idea! i may have to steal that one from you :)
i'd be happy with either of Marla's books - they both look fantastic!
Posted by: Katy Lin | April 18, 2009 at 11:29 AM
would love "is that all he thinks about"... beautiful snow! glad we don't have any today... 74 here! :)
Posted by: Ashley | April 18, 2009 at 02:42 PM
I'd love to read "Is that all he thinks about?". Thanks! Thanks also for introducing us to Marla's blog. I look forward to spending some time there. I love your thinking about how God makes the snowflakes and most of them no one even sees, but he just does it for his enjoyment!
Posted by: Lura | April 18, 2009 at 02:44 PM
i'd love "is that all he thinks about?". :) just one of those titles that i know all my friends and i would probably pass around. :)
and wow at the snow. it does remind me of narnia. beautiful!
Posted by: Amy | April 18, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Wow...I loved seeing your snow pics! The family spent the whole day outside here doing much needed spring cleanup...can you believe we were almost 80!!!!!???? Enjoyed the sunshine, but sure also love the snow. Truly swirly! :)
Love ya....glad your man made it home safe and sound. Hope you had a fun mommy day out!
Posted by: Heidi | April 18, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Joanne,
Those snow pictures are just beautiful! (Even though I know living in it THIS time of year isn't your first choice). Glad to get caught up on all things you.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Posted by: Lori Anne | April 18, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Hmmm, I just read some of the beginning of Marla's _Is_That_All_He_Thinks_About? book and I have to disagree on one point. She said, "The bigger issue is this—feelings or no, do it with a good attitude. God will let the desire follow. Maybe not right away, but it will come. God says, “Obey me when you don’t feel like it—when you can’t see the final outcome—and I’ll make it worth your while.”
I agree that we should be obedient. In this case, that means having sex regularly whether or not you feel like it. And I agree that there is worth in that. But the idea that God will give us a desire to do that, where is that in the Bible? I think God will give us a desire to obey him. So as we have sex for the zillionth time when we don't want to, we will appreciate the fact that we are being obedient to God. But that doesn't mean that we're going to want to have sex any more on time one million and one than we did the first time we were obedient and had sex when we didn't want to.
Where are we ever promised that we'll desire to do something we don't want to? What we're promised is that God will be glorified in our obedience.
Posted by: Barefootmeg | April 18, 2009 at 08:29 PM
"Is that all he thinks about" would be my choice. We don't get snow...ever. It looks so beautiful in your pictures.
Posted by: Lisa P in California | April 18, 2009 at 08:47 PM
"prepare like crazy and then let the Spirit lead"
Ha I love this! This is so totally me at university!
So jealous of your snow!
Praying for you at the retrat,
AnnieXX
Posted by: Annie | April 18, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Is that all...please! :)
Reading Misplacing God...loving it! :)
Posted by: Beth Whitney | April 18, 2009 at 09:58 PM
I would love a copy of "Is That All He Thinks About". Haven't read either book and was thinking yesterday about what I should read next.
Thanks,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
P.S. God is amazing. You got that beautiful snow and I was in the upper 70's in my shorts. Yeah, only God can do that one!
Posted by: Kim Feth | April 19, 2009 at 04:24 AM
my swirly saturday marked the first day/night/day combo of being away from my son (27 months). annoyingly enough, he was excellent for my husband (no fuss at nap and bedtime, ate well, basically did things the OPPOSITE of what he does with me). but i did enjoy a peaceful sleep in a fluffy hotel bed!
I would like a copy of Is That All He Thinks About, as I just finished a secular book on the (kinda-but-not-really) same topic.
Thanks! and didn't you just love the Ice Queen in spite of yourself?
Posted by: chapmanchick | April 19, 2009 at 06:21 PM
I'm getting a little past both of those subjects, so I will have to pass - but Misplacing God still sounds wonderful!?
Snow. Like that much snow. I didn't know any parts of this country were still having weather like that - where we are, the heat has moved in and it's nearly summer time.
If I woke up to see that scene - it would be all I could do just to sit there with the windows wide open, have my quiet time and journal about God's wonder and beauty.
When you live someplace that has seen a few inches of snow in my 36 years, no movie could compare with that view!
Posted by: Kristy | April 19, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Thank you!!!
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/2009/04/april-20th-edition.html
Posted by: Peggy | April 20, 2009 at 06:29 AM
I'd love to win a copy of "Is that all he thinks about." The snow pictures are beautiful, and it really made me think when you said God made each snowflake individually beautiful even though no one would ever really see all those details. It made me wonder how often I rush through things for my family instead of taking the time to carefully think them through and make them special. Have a great week.
Denise in NC
Posted by: Denise | April 20, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I'd love a copy of "Is That All he Thinks About." I have read it and would love to have a copy to give away.
Beautiful snow pictures, by the way. We don't get that in our neck of the woods!
Posted by: Kel | April 21, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Please pick me. I would love the book, "All He Thinks About".
Thank you.
Posted by: Lauri | April 22, 2009 at 03:11 AM