'da Nonno

I miss him.  The beauty of being a believer is knowing that God's got it all under control. My family asked me to choose the readings for the Catholic Mass we are having soon.  Touched by this honor and time God was giving me, I was able to reflect in the way I do best - through writing.  So why am I sharing? I believe in God's word and powerful ability it has to heal what has been broken and shed light into what has been dark.

I also want my future husband to know that even though he didn't meet them, I really had the best BEST grandparents a girl could ask for.  So I am writing to virtually document what I hope I get to share with someone someday - the beauty of family - from life to death.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 shows:)

It is woven in my heart that he was a man of steadfast dedication, a man who stood on rocks when the water swirled around him, a man devoted to the things that God entrusted him with. The beauty of his faith was not that it shouted from roof tops but that it was seen in the simple joys of laughter around the table on the deck, the handsome grilling skills of a pork tenderloin, and his perseverance to serve his wife unconditionally.

(1 Corinthians 2: 6-9 shows:) 

Nonno was a provider, a man in a constant state of worrying and I believe that his heart was constantly praying to God for safety, protection, provision, and comfort. I look forward to seeing the ways in which God has provided these for him in heaven.  How beautiful it will be for him to know the wisdom of true peace.

(John 14:1-6 shows:) 

When was Nonno's table not filled with people, laughter, joy, and love? Every table I sat at with him, he was a leader, a listener, and a man who spoke rarely - but when he did, his family heard.  I didn't know him at work, I didn't know him with friends - but I believe that he sat at his friends tables in quiet tones, soaking in the complex beauty of investing in others.  I believe he BELIEVED that his family did not stop with blood but extended into the neighbors around him, the golfers on the greens, and the people that randomly found their way to his and Nonni's table. 

His last couple of years were full of struggles, hardships, pain, and misery - but I find comfort in John's words.  Nonno has a resting place in heaven that is better than any oxygen tank can provide.  Because of his faithfulness - God has prepared a room for him in heaven filled with gentle ambiance of laughter, love, and peace that overwhelmed his troubled his heart during his home stretch here on earth.

Love ya, Nonno. 

Womanly

I've taken on this challenge of defining what it means to be #Womanly every Wednesday on Twitter, and I find myself in this perplexed movement of diverse opinions.

When a man "Mans up" it is seen as a positive step in the right direction.  When a woman, "Womans-up" we often question her motives, her desires, her confidence, and to be honest - even her sexuality. This all varies depending on the woman you are, the beliefs you have, and the religion you practice.  The ways that you can "woman-up" in your journey appear in the moments where your heart says. "Yes" and your head says, "Nuh-uh!"

The easiest way to talk about this is to directly pertain it to my journey.  The disclaimer is that I walk with Jesus, so much of my "woman-ing up" pertains to obeying scripture and choosing Christ.  If you'll read it, I'd love the challenge of learning more from both perspectives.

However, it is late and I should be getting rest. Let me know your thoughts (men and women!) as I document mine.  

Side Note

*These kinds of debates make me pray especially for wise male friends who separate themselves from society and focus on truth. So much of a woman's perception is skewed because of the opinions of those men who surround her. 

Twenty Five.

You know I love new beginnings, so you can imagine that God's cooking up some pretty big surprises this year. The biggest surprise of all (to me) was how the past 2 months have been filled freedom from chains, opportunities to face my biggest struggles with prayer and petition, and most of all this overwhelming sense of grace....deep in my heart, rejuvenating, cleansing and abundant grace.

There might be more details to come, but my intent in this was to lift up praises to the one who was patient with my stubbornness to get there.

My intent is to send encouragement to your biggest battle right now, keep wrestling and fighting.

My intent is to remind you that the word of God is POWERFUL and the longer you resist understanding submission to scripture you resist a truth that your heart has been searching for.  You resist the only food that your soul will live on in eternity.

Trust me, I've done it over and over, thousands of times, intentionally and without hesitancy.  I'm know I'll do it again.

I'm excited for Monday nights with Christ following sisters, for Saturday nights back at Riv and for serving in the ways God wants to use my time and this gift of singleness (thanks Noel!).

I'm excited to do life with you, Lansing.

I'm excited to memorize scripture and take the Gospel Transformation Challenge, run long distances, listen with intent, hear good music, speak well, love hard, and continue to sink in the ocean of grace that DC*B sings so beautifully about.

Bring on the surprises God, bring on 25.

I told myself I would watch the whole Tigers Game tonight. Although it has been a less than positive outcome, I couldn't help but start a little daydreaming about the beauty of their story.  I can't help but be filled with pride for our city of Detroit and my heart can not stop loving that Austin Jackson just a little bit more each day.

Comerica is emptying out, people are heading home, and the game is not over.  It is less than perfect right now - mid ninth, tigers up to bat - but what if right now, our line-up stepped up to the plate and the first smack with the bat was a game changer.  What if we got all of the ducks on the pond and Santi sends another one out of the park.

This is where we stand as Michiganders.  We are all waiting for that game changer.  Hoping to make things happen.  Change this state, uplift this economy, believe in something better/faster/stronger than what it is.

Or, what if, the game stays 10-1 and there are no game changers - no comebacks, no runners on base, and no chance of getting more than 3 guys up to bat. What if this is what it is.

A great friend always tells me that "something is brewing" and I love the hope that comes from that statement.  However, it got me thinking- what if what's brewing is right here, right now. 9 down, ALDS game, Home field, and a pretty good chance this will be a loss for the books.

Well friends, here we are 11:45 PM and all I know is what Jesus says and I believe those promises.  But I need to believe that they are here, right now, 9 up or 9 down - ALDS title or not.  Leggooooo!

P.S. 2 trophies this weekend for our HXC program - They are pretty stinkin' AWESOME kids.