spending ... and yes, even a little investing.

spending is something many of us are {good} at.

in fact, there may even be a few {experts} out there with a whole lot of {spending} experience.

but you know ... spending isn't just about money.

to me ... right now ... it's about {investing}.

Investing that which you have a multitude to give into other people's lives.

...........................................

I don't have a list of numbers to share with you this week.

In fact, my journal was hidden under a pile of papers on my desk for 5 whole days.

And although I'm a bit {heartsick} over the fact that a week in our life isn't numbered with blessings ...

I do know that the investments we made in people and their lives during the past seven days have changed us.

And change us all for the better.

..................................

How about you?

Are you an expert at spending or investing?

If you're not ... try some of these on for size:

take a trip to Murdock Creek, stand in a parking lot for 10 extra minutes, go to a movie with your sister-in-law just because, check on those people you see every day - but may not truly {see}, sing and dance, blow bubbles, visit with cowboys, show off your bruises, admire photography, stay up late on a school night, fall on your face in front of an audience of children, laugh until you cry, watch a elementary musical, walk barefoot, to go a wedding shower, plant flowers, and appologize for any drama you may have created at any time during any given day.

Those moments... well ... they're the best way you could ever spend or invest in anything.

{not quite} a wordless wednesday.

We don't always get to choose where we're planted or who we're planted with ...

but no matter where we find ourselves  ...

we do have the opportunity to bloom.

the every day.

this is what we look like right now.

and I just don't want to forget.

ever.

because it's the {every day} that can slip from your memory faster than you want it to.

and right now - living the {every day} ...

we're growing, we're changing, we're facing giants, and we're still smiling.

and I just don't want to forget.

generous.

God is generous with me.

And He is with you too.

But if you don't take the time to see all the little things - that really are big things - you won't ever experience His generosity to the fullest extent.

Those {moments} written down, searched for, discovered, treasured, ... and yes, even forgotten ... all of them.

They are His quiet {and sometimes not so quiet} ways of saying I love you.

It's up to you to know how, to want, to learn to receive His generous gifts.

I'm still learning ... and I'll tell you this from experience:

writing them down certainly helps.

Yes, His generosity is certainly found when you pick up a pen and write.



1091. an alarm clock.
1092. a quieter morning than usual.
1093. spinach and strawberries.

1096. vocabulary found in chapter books by first graders.
1097. pictures of my mom.
1098. Hallmark cards with funny (laugh until you cry) lines.
1099. sunshine.
1100. jogging down a gravel road.
1101. 5 pound weights.
1102. an empty can-return room and a cart filled with cans to return.
1103. a quiet grocery shopping trip.
1104. being able to answer “do you have any prayer requests?” honestly.
1105. Hornsby’s.
1106. water to shower in – even if it is a bit cold.
1107. the planet Earth and the mystery behind it.
1108. crayons and their fascinating creations.
1109. a staff that supports, encourages, and truly cares.
1110. making a plan with Francie.
1111. 2 tubs cleared out.
1112. sunshine and gravel roads … and the dust.
1113. stronger arms.

1114. tacos.
1115. a bridesmaid dress.
1116. flowers and galvanized buckets.

1117. numbers dialed and friendships cared for.
1118. a summer calendar filled.
1119. croaking frogs.
1120. corn planted.
1121. bunnies found.

1122. envelopes stuffed with love.

1123. a quiet house.

1126. a license to renew.
1127. ice cream with a strawberry or two.
1128. a hose that stretches just far enough.
1129. plants for my chair.
1130. a walking field trip.

1134. carnival excitement.
1135. Kleenex.
1136. nests at the art fair.

1137. crayons, glue, string, clay, paint, paper and all the little hands that created a room full of beauty.
1138. a team of teachers that work hard. together!
1139. a chain and a place to bury a cow.
1140. dust following us home.

1141. rain drops.
1142. a box – just the right size.
1143. early to bed.
1144. a clear head.

1145. center time … and learning from “fun.”
1146. walk-through day and a whole lot of success observed.
1147. blue and yellow cookies from Katie.

1148. the smell of cotton candy.
1149. misunderstandings and the voice of reason.
1150. walking the other direction and finding honey.
1151. dodge ball and laughter.
1152. a handsome yard man.

1157. plane tickets purchased.
1158. a day with dad for 2 little boys.
1159. prizes, cheers, and classroom excitement.

1161. good music and a whole lot of dancing.
1162. junk food.
1163. only 20 minutes in the dunk tank.
1164. family time for many at the carnival.

1166. the quiet the morning brings when there is no power.
1167. 6:45 a.m. phone calls and a place to go for a shower (or two).
1168. bridal shower excitement.
1169. Bryn’s birthday and the perfect card.

1170. a towel with Velcro.
1171. an afternoon filled with friendship, food, and lots of laughter.
1172. a storm that changed everything in a matter of minutes.

1173. a hayshed to park under.
1174. dry clothes to share.
1175. mud, puddles and 4 kids with a great sense of adventure.
1176. TLC and a story with hometown characters.
1177. birthday candles to blow out.
1178. a hose and Ian.

1179. leftovers.
1180. Pippi Longstocking.
1181. church for all 4 of us.
1182. clean sheets.

1184. an afternoon in sweats.
1185. S.O.S. pads.
1186. windows to look out.
1187. naps.
1188. a hair cutting cape.
1189. baptism Sunday.
1190. new boots to wear.

1192. the book of Esther.
1193. drawers to fill and organize.
1194. the word FAITH and Mason’s understanding of it.
1195. time well spent.
1196. more storm clouds looming.
1197. fresh fruit.
1198. Costco items shared.
1199. clean toilets.

after the storm.

He's really not as mean as he sounds.  Really.

on your hands and knees.

you're close to the dirt.

you're tired and weary.

there are just a few more minutes of daylight left and you're there.

there, on on your hands and knees.

there, sifting through the soil.

there, pushing and poking seeds into the ground with hopes for things to come.

you're there - in that place where kernels of life covered with soil bring peace to the soul.

and despite what I may say out loud ... or whisper from the depths of my soul ... I'm cheering.

because when you're there ...

 on your hands and knees,

you're in that place where God can {and will} speak to your heart and give you peace.

...............................

Peace that can only be found when you're on your hands and knees.

Have you gone there lately?

To that place?

If not, do.

wordless wednesday

Proof:  he does smile.  He really does.