Vespers

I am thankful for this day of rest and that I took time to read and digest every sacred pause.  I am thankful that Jade had fun yesterday and is happy today.  I am thankful for her laughter and her smile and her random decent into silliness and giggles.  I am thankful for the way she looks at Leo, with adoration, love, and gratitude.  I am thankful for my family, all my family.  I am thankful that I am welcomed into Leo's family with such loving arms.  I am thankful for all that we have been given and the grace with which we get to greet each new day.

7

The Great Silence:  Psalm 23

My cup overflows.  My cup overflows.  If there is one idea I would like to impart about being a Christian, it is this - my cup overflows.  

These two books pictured have been a huge inspiration to me the past week.  I shared many of the stories and ideas from 7 with Leo, and the biggest inspiration was him asking, "When do we start?" I'm not sure he fully realizes what we're getting into, but here we go! In the spirit of Jen Hatmaker, full disclosure of my selfish side:  I totally tailored our schedule around The Texans, school, and the holidays.  I'm just setting us up for success because God doesn't want us to fail, right? Here's the plan:

0.  July 21 - Aug 20:  Stress (Follow the Seven Sacred Pauses)
1.  Aug 20 - Sep 19:  Possessions (Give away 7 possessions each day)
2.  Sep 19 - Oct 19:  Waste (Employ 7 green habits)
3.  Oct 19 - Nov 18:  Spending (Shop at only 7 stores)
4.  Nov 18 - Dec 18:  Stress (Follow the Seven Sacred Pauses)
5.  Dec 18 - Jan 14:  Clothes (Wear only 7 articles of clothing and/or wear an article of clothing representing a particular country or region and pray for a different country or region each week)
6.  Jan 14 - Feb 13:  Food (Choose 7 foods and eat only those foods)
7.  Feb 13 (Ash Wednesday) - March 31 (Easter):  Media (Yes, I waited until after football season.  This one is going to be hard enough as it is. 

And now it is time for The Night Watch:  Psalm 42

My soul thirsts for God.  My soul thirsts for God.  I am the woman at the well.  I am washing Jesus's feet.  I keep myself hidden until I finally pour out my soul to God.  I will never forget my tears.  In fact, I will praise Him for them.  Although I wage war against this depression day after day, I will hope in the Lord always.  He shows me The Way.

 "And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course."  -- Khalil Gibran, The Prophet