LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

Sometimes you can go somewhere a million times, wearing it out in your mind like you would your favorite tennis shoes, then you get some new laces and BAM! New shoes. Okay, I might be reaching on that one, but my point was Henry and I took his daddy to the Sacramento Zoo for the first time. We've been so many times and we have our normal routine, it was fun taking Steve with us this time and sharing all the things we love about the zoo.

The Orangutans were Steve's favorite. I personally don't trust them after seeing 'Rise of the Apes' and then having a monkey punch the glass right in front of my son, scaring the poor boy! They are entertaining though...I'll give them that. 

 

Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective to remember how much you love where you're at...or some yummy Merlino's...either way, the zoo + my loves + Merlino's = loving where you're at...always!!

Today's Reflection:

Lord, thank you for some fresh perspective and the opportunity to share something I love with those I love. What else do I need some fresh perspective on? What else have I just let become a part of the daily grind that I forget the reason I love it in the first place?

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT

This is an easy 'Loving where you're at'. On Saturday, hundreds of people crowded under the freeway to show support for Sacto MoFo. We came from near and far, some for their love of mobile food or their love of anything Sacramento and some for their love of supporting small business. I have a hard time not loving anything that food is involved in! This was my first time braving Sacto MoFo and it has given me another reason to love my city.

of course, we came out to see one Truck in particular! That's right, Gypsy was there too! Most of you know I'd go just about anywhere for my sister, I'd volunteer as tribute and enter the hunger games for her, I'd travel to Mount Doom for her to destroy a ring, so dragging my kids and husband on a hot day under the free way was a pleasure...

We even braved a ridiculously long line for some Chando's Tacos...

and ice cream...

 

 

So Sacto MoFo, get two thumbs up for a reason to Love Sacramento!

Today's Reflection:

Lord, I pray that you bless Sacramento and the business here! Thank you for the people in Sacramento who continue to make it great and bring hope and inspiration to it. Watch over this beautiful city and those who live in it.

Thank you!

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

It feels like it's been a while since I last did a 'loving where you're at'. I'm feeling a little under the weather, but it's the kind of 'not feeling so good' that you get when you've had a nice fun weekend. Today I'm loving where I'm at because I know that this little bit of 'icky' feeling that I have was well worth the type of weekend we had! It's like the pain you get after a nice hard workout or like the piles of trash you have after you've given your house a long overdue cleaning. It's not minding the exhaustion after a great Easter weekend! Here's a little glimpse of our Easter weekend. It was Lucia's First Easter. We spent Saturday traveling to Firebaugh, CA for a picnic in the park...

 

 

Henry definitely improved his egg hunting skills, especially now that he knows that the eggs are usually filled with candy...

  

Needless to say the fun filled day helped put my little loves right out!

Easter Morning we got to see what goodies the 'Easter' Bunny left us and then headed out to church...

 

We invited everyone over to our house after church for a little more egg hunting and good eats...

 

 

It was a beautiful Easter weekend and I'm glad we were able to celebrate with our loved ones!

Today's Reflection:

My throat hurts, my head aches and my stomach is killing me, but I would easily do it all again if I could. Sometimes a little bit of pain is worth it. The concept reminds me of a little something someone once did for me...and you. I guess it wasn't a little bit of pain, but the pain he endured for me and you in exchange for our salvation...amazing...amazingly worth it. Of course it's easy for me to say, however I think Jesus would do it again and I think for him and the suffering he endured, I can easily love where I'm at!

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

My son stayed the night over his Grandma and Grandpa's house last night. I know that this morning he woke up and was loving where he was at. I miss him like crazy when he is gone....Like CRAZY! As we drove off I imagined his delight when he woke up to find that He was still at Grandma and Grandpa's house. No, It's not a dream son, live it up, because soon the day will be over and Mommy will be back to collect you and cover you with kisses and clobber you in hugs, whether you like it or not!

Friends, do you wake up loving where you're at? I'll admit I don't always, sometimes I wake up and already feel the weight of the day or the aftermath of yesterday on my shoulders. I think about the time that is already spoken for, wake up kids, feed everyone, clean, get kids dressed, get myself dressed, naps, play time, cooking, grocery shopping, and so on and so on. Sometimes it feels like pulling the blankets over my head would just be easier. Every month Steve and I tithe, we give joyfully and faithfully and God has never let us down and he has always taken care of us financially. We understand that there is nothing that we have that God has not given us or graced us with. He gives to us in ways we could never imagine. So then I imagine, since he is such a faithful God, then when I give my time to him, will he not give that back to me faithfully? Will he not take care of me and help me to accomplish everything else needed in the day? What if I woke up each morning like my son does when he stays at grandma and grandpa's? With joy and excitement.  Good Morning Lord! What will we do today Lord?

Unfortunately I don't start my morning out like this, instead I try to somehow weave time into my day for God. I feel this pulling, this tugging, this need for change. I need to stop treating God like he is just another thing on the 'To-Do' list. I need to put him first and let him prioritize my day. I need to wake up each morning 'loving where I'm at' because I know that I am in his presence seeking him and being rejuvenated my him.

Today's Reflection:
I know this is sometimes easier said than done, but Lord I am committing my time to you. I am taking you off of the 'To-Do' List, you will be a priority in my days.

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
-Psalm 27:4

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."
-Matthew 6:33-34

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

Sometimes 'where you're at' can be at the bottom of a mountain. A challenge is in front of you and you are about to take it on! You've been to this mountain before, you've stared it in the face, but just were unable to climb it by yourself. Today...is your day!

So you start to climb, and don't you even worry about falling, you just look ahead to the top of that mountain.

 

Once you get started, you'll find that you can do it and the top of that mountain just got a little closer. So climb on little one! Climb on! Love that you were faced with a mountain, because I love the fact that you climbed it all by yourself. Not everyone gets the chance to climb those mountains they face and not everyone who faces a mountain chooses to climb it...but you...

 

you were fearless and I assure you, this will not be the last mountain you climb!

 

Today's Reflection:

Sometimes it's hard to love where you're at when you are standing in front of a challenge. How many times have I looked at a challenge head on and said to myself "I do not want to be here!" How wonderful that my son can inspire me to take a challenge head on. You know, he did fall at one point and a few tears were shed, but when mommy wanted to hold him and take him home, he just wanted to get back on that rock and climb to the top!

Lord, I know it will not always be easy and I know there will be days when I want to give-up, but help me to keep climbing. Help me to love those mountains I face and conquer them!

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

-1 Peter 5:10

LOVING WHERE YOUR AT MONDAY

I think most of you know that I am a stay at home mom. We are a single income family and absolutely blessed with everything that we have. Since making this "career change" I have had to change a lot of my way of thinking. I have really had to grasp onto the concept of loving where you're at. Sometimes I do struggle, there are a lot of things in the world that one could desire or put on a "wish" list, but ultimately there is nothing on that list that I need or would trade for what I already have. It can be hard when you see others place value on stuff, stuff you do not have or could not afford, but you have to remind yourself of what you value. I am learning that sometimes when you strip down the things that you don't need, you can become very happy and content with all the blessing you are left with. I confidently rock my second hand threads... 

and my very old and run down boots...

 

I am learning everyday, you do not need a big house, you don't need the latest gadgets or the hottest brands to love where you're at.

 Today's Reflection:
Lord, I am grateful for everything I have. I do not take a single bit of it for granted. Please help me to continually focus on the things you value and not the things that the world may value.

I am meditating on this...

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
-Matthew 6:19-20

LOVING WHERE YOU'RE AT MONDAY

I am totally unquestionably in love with my children. There are moments in my life when I look at them and I feel overwhelming joy there are moments when everything else gets quiet around me and I want to take in every ounce of them, capture ever piece of that moment so when I am old and they are no longer babies I can remember those tiny little moments.

I think part of loving where you're at is taking the time, if even a minute, to stop and pay attention to these lovely moments that God has graced you with.  My moments recently have been these.. 



Some might look at these pictures and not get it, which is okay. But on this busy Sunday morning it's like God smiled at me and said look what I can do! And I looked, and I'm so glad I did. 

Today's Reflection:
Have I missed other great memborable moments because I was too busy or distracted by things I have already forgotten? Lord, help me to start paying better attention to the beautiful moments you've graced me with.