Eustace and me

My favorite passage from one of my very favorite books comes from C.S. Lewis's "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." In it, Eustace, who began the journey as a self-consumed boy has stumbled upon a hidden treasure and transformed into a dragon. He has tried several times to rid himself of the awful dragon skin, but it comes back thicker and stronger each time. Then, Eustace has an encounter with Aslan that changes his attitude for the remainder of the book:


"Well, he peeled the beastly stuff right off -- just as I thought I'd done it myself the other three times, only they hadn't hurt -- and there it was lying on the grass: only ever so much thicker, and darker, and more knobbly-looking than the others had been. And there was I as smooth and soft as a peeled switch and smaller than I had been. There he caught hold of me -- I didn't like that much for I was very tender underneath now that I'd no skin on -- and threw me into the water. It smarted like anything but only for a moment. After that it became perfectly delicious and as soon as I started swimming and splashing I found that all the pain had gone from my arm. And then I saw why. I'd turned into a boy again. You'd think me simply phony if I told you how I felt about my own arms. I know they're no muscle and are pretty mouldy compared with Caspian's, but I was so glad to see them.
"After a bit the lion took me out and dressed me . . . in new clothes -- the same I've got on now, as a matter of fact. And then suddenly I was back here." [116-117]

Isn't that just beautiful? I can't tell you how many times i have felt like i am in Eustace's shoes. There I am itchy and squirming and attempting with all my might to rid by self of bad habits, bad attitudes, bad influences---and to no avail. And yet there God is, ready to do away with all of those things forever, ready to put in their place new and beautiful things. But I'm afraid- afraid that it will hurt, afraid that nothing will change, afraid that I'm stuck this way.

But- God loves us enough to never leave us stuck this way. He's a God on the move. He's constantly moving, molding, teaching, shaping, and redeeming us for His glory.

Recently, life has left me feeling a bit like Eustace. The Lord has dug into my life with his mighty hand and removed some things that I thought I really needed. I'm feeling "tender" as Eustace says, and the water "smarts like anything." But the  good news is- I know what comes next. I've been here before. Next comes the refreshing, invigorating, living water. It comes all over me, seeping into every compartment of my life. I love that. I live for that. I trust the Lord in times like these knowing that in His perfect love, he never takes away what he doesn't intend to replace with something far more valuable.

So I ask for your prayers during this time- simply pray that I would trust and wait and be watchful. Pray that my eyes would be opened, and ready in time, to discover the next step that the Lord has for me.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

—Isaiah 26:3-4

I'm Springing.

I'm springing.

Spring breaking. Spring cleaning. Spring relaxing. Spring thinking. Spring celebrating.

Springing.

For my birthday, my parents got me a KINDLE!

#1 on my wishlist- this little beauty has gone everywhere with me for the past week :)

and thanks to Spring Break, I finally have the time to read something other than case law.

They also got me an Amazon gift card to begin my library and I am currently in the process of cautiously deciding what purchases to make. I take book-buying very seriously, so if you have any excellent recommendations, let me know!

warning: I don't do chick-lit.

Currently I am reading an e-book that was e-gifted to me by my favorite cousin.

he is truly one of the most intelligent people I have ever met-

We have always had a special bond and I'm always eager to read anything that he recommends.

This book definitely unlike anything I have eve read before, and I'm already captivated.

The title says about as much as I know so far- I'll admit, it's a little bit of a frightening endeavor, but I am anxious nonetheless! I'll let you know what I think of it when I finish it.

~~~

In other "springing" news...

this past weekend was lovely!

Friends of ours were getting married in Amherst, VA and we decided to make the trek to share in their special day! It turned out to be a wonderful trip. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and Jonathan and I enjoyed the time to just sit in the car and talk without any interruption. I don't think we ever got around to turning the radio on :)

We also got to stop in Beckley, WV to visit some family. It turned out to be another wonderfully refreshing blessing. It served as a half way point for us, so our trip was cut up into lovely little 3-hour intervals.

So 700 some miles later, we are now glad to be home!

It was also my BIRTHDAY this weekend! Happy 24th to me :)

As a sidenote: you know you're getting old when you forget it's your birthday until your mom calls to wish you a happy one. haha! oh well :)

When we got home on Sunday, I got to open my presents from my loving hubby and we treated ourselves to a nice dinner and dessert at Olive Garden.

{really looking forward to eating those left overs in a couple of hours!}

~~~

Following all of that craziness, is a nice spurt of laziness.

Well- Jonathan would disagree as his Federal memo is due in next week, but I'm feeling lazy anyway :)

It was supposed to have a productive day of  spring cleaning today,

butttttt....

well.....

maybe tomorrow:)

I DID do a couple loads of laundry, which makes me feel a little better.

But tomorrow I want to get a lot more done.

I'm talking cleaning the oven and under the bed and all those other places we don't really like to go.

 {shivers}

~~~

and tonight we're "springing" for a movie!

I think we're going to get The Fighter, I've heard all good things,

so hopefully it lives up to its reputation.

~~~

Enjoy your spring break everyone!

words.

I think I was starting to forget that part of why I blog is just for me.
I love the community and the design and the personality of blogging...
but I also just love the relief it brings me.
I sometimes think when I'm blogging,
"the people want pictures! give them what they want!"
or
"recipes and projects! that'll do then trick, then they'll read!"
but a part of what my blog is
is just a journal that I don't mind you reading:)

Sometimes my blogs might be word-heavy. I know a lot of people are turned off by that, but oh well.
read, or don't read. I don't mind, I just appreciate that you stopped by.

And so today will be just words.
I had a coffee-date with Cole today that involved encouraging words and a promise to read the Word.
I'm writing a memo full of words and words and words.

I didn't sleep well alst night because lists of words were runnign through my head.
I'm listening to Josh Garrels and his songs are comprised of lots of inspiring words.
words.
words.
words.
sometime when you say a word too many times, it doesn't make sense anymore.
words.

Soo...

I was just sitting here working on a memo (so fun...not.)
knowing that I delicious Garden Valley Veggie Wheat Thins sitting in the pantry,
wishing I had bought some yummy dip at the grocery store yesterday....
hoping I had some ingredients in my fridge from which I could make a dip instead...

and then I happened upon this lovely {extremely simple} little dip recipe!

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup basil pesto
3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese.

eat and be happy :)

In honor of my mom coming for a surprise visit today...

It's so gangster that moms are always there for you when you most need them.

(and mine just happens to be the best ever :)