Our Mood Barometer

Take a glance around the net today and you'll quickly discover this has been an absolutely gorgeous weekend in the mid-atlantic. Everyone is raving about it on Facebook and blogs. Clear skies, 90 degrees, zero humidity, lusciously green landscapes after weeks of April showers and wafting tempting grilling smells. Perfect, perfect, perfect. I spent the weekend with my family celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. All they asked for was a vacation with their entire family. Everyone was able to make it except two of their grandchildren. We went to Massanutten Resort in VA and, yes, it was absolutely beautiful there, too. Hoping to post some photos soon.

I've just arrived home (haven't even unpacked) and am sitting on my deck. My deck is undergoing a complete overhaul so it is torn apart and my backyard is littered with construction trash at the moment. But I couldn't resist spending some time out here before it gets dark (afterall, unpacking can be done after dark). Regardless of the mess, my flowerbeds are beautiful and I just hung two new birdfeeders this week. They are getting a lot of action and I'm greatly enjoying some new sightings. It is going to be hard to tear myself away shortly and begin to prepare for another work week.

So getting back to the net...you'll also notice everyone is in a good mood. Statuses are raving about the weather...praising the sun, excitedly sharing their outdoor activities, thankful hearts and lots of celebrating. But it even goes deeper than that. People who were moping a few days ago have had a sudden change of heart and are praising today. Literally. Things that were getting them down earlier this week have somehow dissipated in the sun. Amazing how the weather dictates our mood. Why don't we hear grateful hearts during the storms? Why do we think our worlds are falling apart when we're experiencing yucky weather yet on a picture perfect day, God suddenly takes all our problems away?

The next dreary spurt or cold spell, I'm going to scrutinize the net for some grateful hearts. I hope I'm one of them.

Easter at LifePoint

History was made at 1701 Emory Rd this past weekend: five services; 3400 people; but most importantly...lives changed. Wish I could post the whole service but here are a few highlights.

Awesome stage: the shoe prints were created by incredibly talented artistic volunteers.


Moving DRAMA: which is arrogant of me to say because I was in it.

Incredible VIDEO: which has 9 past sermon series logos hidden in it.

Powerful MESSAGE: come as you are, not as you think you ought to be.

Quite a weekend. Thank You, Jesus, for Your victory over the grave.

Profound

From the heart of a friend:

"Faith and trust in the eternal purity of God's love and the immense capacity of His Spirit to bring life from death in such a way that is glory to Him alone is the bedrock of my hope but is not always the first thought coming from within my own experience of sorrow."

What a Good Friday

I had a wide open day today. Absolutely zero plans or commitments. Last night I was trying to figure out how to spend a gloriously free day.

I woke up motivated to get in a ride and beat the 100% chance of rain. I packed a light lunch so I wouldn't be tempted to stop for lunch afterwards. I thought the NCR would be crowded on this holiday but I guess the threat (promise) of rain kept everyone away. FINE BY ME! It was so empty! I pushed myself hard and made it the whole 14.2 miles round trip. The highlight of the ride was Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace burning up the iPod. Wow...ridin' solo on the NCR singing "My chains are gone I've been set free" on Good Friday. Doesn't get much better than that.

My next stop was Hunt Valley Towne Center to waste some time shopping. Didn't buy a thing. While there I got a phone call that a friend's husband was admitted to Hopkins. Now I knew why I had no plans today. I was free to go spend some time with them.

I had to keep reminding myself that today is Good Friday. It's amazing how easy it is to be so occupied with the cares of life that you forget what really matters. I am definitely myopic and self focused. I'm so glad Jesus wasn't.

MORE

More headaches. More tests. More days waiting for answers. More frustration. More longing for a new body. Every single week, my ALG (Jr High Small Group) ends up talking about heaven. Tonight one girl said, "I just wanna go to heaven!" It wasn't said out of desperation but out of longing. I could relate to her perfectly. I've always felt like a misfit on this planet. A homesick alien longing to go home. I wish I was a bit more motivated by that fact that I'll see my Redeemer Savior King instead of just looking forward to having a pain-free existence. I am truly a selfish person.

I Am Unwanted

Seven days of calling in for jury duty. Seven days of "no reporting necessary"!! Yeah! Only 3 days to go!

Absolutely Adorable

I may be biased but I think this is the cutest thing ever!

Oh So Relieved!

Completed! Finished! Done! Finalized! Accomplished! Fulfilled!



Today I spent 3.5 hours on this...




So that I don't have to spend time here...




But can instead head here...




To get one of these!!!

Are You Kiddin' Me?!

I'm a night owl. I rarely fall asleep before 1am. But I was pretty drained yesterday. Probably due to two things: my "Migraine Monday" and the gazillion work phone calls I've made in the last two days. So I think I fell asleep around 11:30pm last night. I KNOW I fell asleep with my contacts in and the TV on because I woke up at 3:40am with sticky eyes and an aerobics instructor shouting at me to buy his DVDs. I wonder if I was getting in shape through osmosis.

So I turned off the TV and removed my contacts. Making a mental note that I wouldn't be able to put them back in until 10am when the cleaning acid was finished neutralizing. ugh.

So if you've guessed where this is going and have already looked at the time of this post, you are right. I couldn't fall back to sleep. I think I snoozed a bit but by 4:30 I was so wide awake I gave up the fight and started my day. Now by "started" I mean STARTED! I'm wired! I NEVER wake up charged and ready to go. I feel like I could clean my whole house (but why bother?) or finally do my taxes (again...why bother?) or go for a bike ride (kinda dark out). I made coffee (like I need THAT), ate breakfast, put a few things away, and cleaned out the fridge...all while praying for some friends who popped into my head (whenever I can't sleep I figure it's because someone needs prayer).

So now I sit at my computer boring you all with the details of a single woman's morning. And I just now noticed today's date...not kiddin'...it is April Fool's Day. What a cruel joke.

Please, please, pleeeeease don't call me around 3pm this afternoon. I'll be dreaming about a hot aerobics instructor.