Beach Day

We love the beach. And I love my new (and inexpensive!) iphone fisheye lens.

Painted

Lately I've had a resurgence in interest in my house, as well as my backyard. I am in the process of selecting an outdoor patio set. In the meantime, I am cleaning and preparing my backyard.... and dreaming of what I want.... but on a tight budget! I need a dining set, a new grill, perhaps some lighting, cushions, plants, and fun, colorful accents.

While dreaming and waiting, I decided to paint an old bistro set I've had for the past 15 years or so. It is a good, solid set from Crate & Barrel but over the years the gray paint has become a bit stained, rusted and tired looking.

On a whim, I decided to paint it. I lightly sanded it, scrubbed it, let it dry and then commenced painting it..... bright red! My son remarked it now looked a bit plasticky.

But I love it.

As you can see in my final photo, I still need to do some touch up painting, as well as a second coat.

Black ESV Journaling Bible

While researching Bibles, I came across this wonderful blog called Bible Design Blog. I have read countless of his Bible reviews, and finally decided to look into the purchase of an R. L. Allan Bible. It arrives in the next week or two (from Scotland!). I'll write more about THAT Bible later.

As I was perusing the above mentioned Bible blog,  he wrote about a wide margin Bible and how everyone should have one. I have a shelf full of Bibles, but nary a wide margin one. Since I just purchased an Allan Bible, I didn't want to spend too much on a wide margin. Plus, I have a difficult time writing in my Bible. I thought that if it was less expensive it might be easier for me to mark it up. I decided I'd go with a solid hardcover edition. I nearly went with a Cambridge ESV wide margin, but even that was more than I wanted to spend (though, I have to say, the wide margin Bibles are simply lovely; a joy to look at!) I then stumbled on his blog review of the ESV Journaling Bible.

I love it. First, it is a beautiful, simple design that takes its cues from a classic black moleskine notebook. I happen to love moleskine notebooks. So I ordered it through Amazon, but later realized that the cheapest place to purchase it was from Westminster Bookstore. As of this writing, it is listed at half the listed price and it comes in black and red. Actually, it now comes in other variations: leather, imitation leather, some designs on it, some different colors, etc. It also comes in single column and the more traditional double columns. (I chose the single column). I also think that the simple, basic black (or even red) is absolutely beautiful in an understated way. I love the cover, the little elastic, the cream pages. Some have commented that the size of the font is too small but I find it quite acceptable.

This Bible perfectly matches my moleskine notebook and my Dodocase iPad 2 cover. (both are black).It is a wonderful trio to bring to church. Because of its low price, I feel pretty comfortable toting it everywhere and writing in it. It seems quite durable.

I love this Bible already and I think that it, paired with a nice fine pen, would make a truly special gift for someone. I know... how many Bibles does one need? But this one is unique and very personal. It could easily become a treasured object not only for the recipient, but to hand down as a bit of legacy, though I have to say, I am a very private person. Not sure I'd like someone to read my notes!

New Bible

I bought a new Bible this week. I can't wait. It will be my first high quality Bible and it is coming to me from Scotland! Highland goatskin, Red-under-Gold  gilding, Smyth-sewn.... I can't wait. I hope I love it. I'm sure I will. It is from R. L. Allan and is called the ESV1T.

More later.... and yes, I know I have way too many Bibles already...

Lent.

Growing up in a non-denominational church, the concept of Ash Wednesday and Lent have always intrigued me. It wasn't until about 17 years ago while I was attending a small Presbyterian church that I observed Lent. Participating in their Ash Wednesday service was actually very special; being surrounded by my faith community, meditating and reflecting on this season of preparation and repentance, and then bravely making my way to the front of the (very traditional) altar; the pastor dressed up in robes, dipping his finger in ashes, and then on my forehead, forming the mark of an abstract cross. The amazement I felt looking around in the light-filled sanctuary at all the others with their black smudges. I felt a sense of belonging and community. 

It was a beautiful service, but I didn't truly know what Lent was about. 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. "Lent" is latin for "fortieth". In the Bible, the number "40" is highly symbolic. This number is present in the story of Noah's Ark, Moses' time on Mount Sinai when he received the Ten Commandments, the Israelites  wandering in the wilderness, or Jesus' time of fasting and temptation, you will note these all coincide with forty.  Forty is often symbolically used to denote a time of testing, trial and preparation. By participating in mediation and reflection of the death and resurrection of Christ, the hope is that we will use this 40 days to grow closer to Christ, and to more fully embrace and appreciate the sacrifice,  joy and celebration of Easter. Lent is a journey. 

Traditionally, people give up something for lent, usually a bad habit that can draw one's attention away from Christ. According to a Christianity Today article that lists the top 100 things people gave up for lent in 2012, , the leading 6 things people give up for Lent are: twitter, chocolate, swearing, alcohol, soda and facebook. (I don't know which would be harder for me: to give up soda or facebook!) 

A word of caution: giving up soda, coffee, or whatever you choose won't necessarily draw you closer to Christ.  2 years ago I gave up diet Coke for 40 days. (46 days actually..... the 40 days of Lent actually don't count Sundays; technically you are allowed to indulge on Sunday) and, though it was a feat of self-discipline and garnered a lot of attention from my friends (if you know me, you know that my diet Coke consumption is nearly an addiction), that's all it really did. So focused on meeting this goal, I missed out on the true reason for observing Lent. I'd have been better off not giving diet coke up, but instead adding a time of reflection, prayer and reading. 

Lent is not only a time of preparation and repentance, but also of reflection, gratitude and joy. We know the Story. We know that Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, even in times of temptation. We know that Jesus gave up his kingly comforts to leave heaven and to come and live plainly among us, to become one of us. We know that he poured out his love for us to the point of an ugly, painful death on a cross, taking upon His perfect body the sins of the world. Yours. Mine. He truly suffered. But the glorious part is the resurrection! Because of His life and obedience to death, He has redeemed us. He is making us new. He has saved us. 

Regardless of if you choose to fast or give up diet coke, coffee, etc I invite you to weep, wonder and draw close to Jesus this Lenten season. May this be a sweet time for us as we consciously reflect on the amazing sacrifice, goodness  and glory of our God..... that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:7) 

Here's a link from The Gospel Coalition to a wonderful devotional guide  that beautifully explains Lent and invites you to deepen your own journey. It contains daily Scripture readings, reflections, questions and prayers. It is broken up into 6 week 'themes' - starting with repentance, humility, suffering, lament, sacrifice, death and of course, Easter Sunday. I highly encourage you to use this free resource, Journey to the Cross: Readings and Devotions for Lent  either individually, with your family, or with a friend. 

Best. Night. Ever (and it was FREE!)

After months of begging, I finally signed Katie up for gymnastics. I put her brother in too, partly because I got a price break and they could attend at the same hour, and partly because Reid has so much natural talent, he'd probably be pretty good at it. If nothing else, it would get some energy out of him.

Both my kids love their gymnastics class.

Tonight we attended a Gymnastics competition at Stanford University. All I can say is WOW. I had no idea what to expect. This is one of the greatest hidden gems of family entertainment I've ever encountered.

First, (and I'm not sure all the meets are this way) it was absolutely free. We parked free. We entered the pavilion free. There was an attendant at the entrance, and she was so welcoming and sweet. She talked with my kids, gave them Stanford tattoo stickers,  and encouraged us to take some little pom poms and Stanford posters. We did, and then entered into the main area of the pavilion. There was a person at the door there too, who energetically welcomed us, and told us we could sit anywhere we wanted to. She also pointed out that if you wanted a good view of all the apparatuses, to sit on the sides, either section 3 or 11. So we did, in the front row seated a bit above so we could see it all. We probably were there about 45 minutes early and could have easily gotten an incredible seat in any section. Being early was actually fun, because we got to see the gymnasts warm up and see how encouraging they were towards each other. They looked like they were having FUN.

Before the Stanford and Arizona University took the floor, we were introduced to a young medal-winning gymnast with Down Syndrome. I don't know if my kids even realized how special and motivational it was so see her do her floor and bar routine. They just though she was great. In an age where you don't see many people with Down Syndrome, it almost brought me to tears. And she did a GREAT job. Truly inspirational.

The competition itself was great. We saw some amazing gymnastics. Really, these girls are good! We marveled that we had amazing seats and it was all free. There were lots of kids there and when they did "Gangnam Style" the videographers showed the crowd cheering and doing the viral 'gangnam" moves. It was fun and cute.

Alas, we had to go home early, as it seemed one of the kids wasn't feeling all that well. Katie cried; though we had seen every event, we left before Stanford did their floor exercises.

As we headed out the door, an attendant suggested we stay, because after the gymnasts were done with the competition, they were going to be available to sign autographs. Wow. Unfortunately, we left before then.

So not only did we get to see some fantastic gymnastics, but it was also really exciting and motivational. This was a slice of university  life and not just any university,  but Stanford. I am pretty sure nearly every kid in our area dreams of attending Stanford. (that's Reid's dream university)

It was just a wonderful night on so many levels. Even with a sick kid. I highly recommend this type of event with your family.

Mercy-seated

"Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner."

This week the story of the tax collector and the pharisee has been in my mind Luke 18). Issues of comparing, constant effort and straining to find my own worth and righteousness in my self and my efforts instead of in Christ and what he has already done; what only He can do, in fact.

Amid the newfound sense of freedom, there is also guilt and struggle. It is hard to reorient yourself after so many years. It is hard to stop comparing and striving. It is hard to trust and rest.

If I'm terribly honest, I'd say that I'm even failing at this seemingly simple task. Sometimes it feels I am drowning in all this self-created effort.