The Ten commandments are more than God saying, 'Here is My Law for you'--they are God saying, 'Here is My Love for you.'Here, I take you to be Mine, to be My treasured possession--have no other gods, no other lovers that woo you, that take your attention or affection, but Me. Here I give you My name, my very name to make you mine--do not use it in vain. Here, I long to spend time with you, holy time for you and Me--set apart the Sabbath day as holy time for you and Me. Here, I love you, bride--be united, not coveting or lying or stealing or murdering or cheating one another, but honoring and loving and living out of our love."
God knows we wander, and He woos again and again, all through the commandments: 'I am the Lord Your God.' You are mine, Make me yours. Am I yours? God gives the Ten commandments as more than Law--He gives them as a true commitment to love. God gives the Law because He wants there to be love.
Jesus, the Love who doesn't just die the death we deserved to die; He lives the love we've desired to live. God gives the commandments for us. God gives us the commitment of love at the top of Sinai, and He staggeringly keeps our commitment to love at the top of Calvary. --Ann Voskamp
God gives God and Jesus fulfills all the Law, all our love. This love story will never stop coming for you and me. Oh, the wonders of His love.
XO
If you've never hiked a national park please do yourself a favor and make it a goal to experience one. There's beauty all around us if we have eyes to see it, I truly believe that. But, let me just say the songwriter of America the Beautiful wasn't fabricating the line "purple mountain majesties." The rocky mountains are stunning. And to top it off we had a dusting of snow on the trails so I was basically transported to Narnia and loving every second of it (besides almost slipping on the ice).
On our trip we did the Emerald Lake hike which leads to 3 gorgeous lakes along a 3.6 mile trail. The next day we booked a horseback ride, through the local YMCA camp, and got to explore a different side of the park. We even galloped! My inner kid was reliving my days of watching Little House on the Prairie (Laura Ingles wannabe, anyone?).
Exploring nature, being present, frozen pizza & wine, laughter and game nights, being still and undistracted.. this trip was good for my soul. XO
There's something about becoming age 5 that is a sweet farewell to the toddler years. We celebrated the birthday boy with a Super Mario themed party at home with the most rare sunny + 60 degree November day. To Jack his birthday party is the highlight of his year. I'm sure that's true for most kiddos, but Jack loves to plan his party details far in advance. I wonder where he gets that from? ;)
Per a newer tradition we did our Q&A for Jack's birthday interview! I love recording these as voice memos to hear how his little voice will grow as he does.
Jack's 5th Birthday Interview
FAVORITE COLOR: Teal
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Tiger
FAVORITE BOOK: The Good Egg
FAVORITE THING TO WATCH: Mini Force
FAVORITE THING TO WEAR: *accidentally skipped this question.. whoops!*
FAVORITE GAME: Super Mario Smash Bros
FAVORITE SONG: Pen and Paper
FAVORITE BREAKFAST: Bacon and scrambled eggs
FAVORITE SNACK: Goldfish
FAVORITE FRUIT: Cherries
FAVORITE TREAT: White chocolate
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT: I don't have one
FAVORITE THING TO DO OUTSIDE: Play in the sprinkler during summertime
FAVORITE THING TO DO INSIDE: Playing in my playroom
FAVORITE TOY: Sonic figures
FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL: Chocolate Bear
FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Winter
FAVORITE BEST FRIEND: Aiden
I AM REALLY GOOD AT: Playing my video games
WHERE I WANT TO GO ON VACATION: Disney World
WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP: Motorcycle Racer
WHAT WE DID ON MY BIRTHDAY: "Ate birthday breakfast, went to school, went to Nini's, then went to Grandpa Thomas', I got presents open, and for dinner we went to Sideline's Italian!
Now for the next fun, festivities in our home: Christmas!!!!
You know that saying "the early bird gets the worm"? Well, I'm the bird this year. All these swirling rumors/possible truths of shipping delays and stock shortages have got me on alert to act now versus waiting till we get closer to the holiday season.
My eye has been drawn to simplicity. Think greenery, cozy throw blankets, festive pillows and bedding, twinkle lights and the smell of pine. A home that is inviting and full of 'comfy, cozy are we' vibes.
Here's what I've got my eye on and some inspiration I'm drooling over.
The weather has got me feeling like there's more to squeeze out of fall, but once we hostJack's birthday party I'm going into Mrs. Claus mode. Fa la la la la ;)
Social Icons