For this I am Grateful

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought." 

- Matthew 5:5 MSG

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." - Psalm 118:1

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." 
- Mesister Eckhart

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy

For this I am grateful.

For family, friends who are like family, and friends all over that make life rich.

For a relationship with the Creator and the promise of eternal life through the death of Jesus Christ.

For health and exercise.

For travel and the opportunity to explore new places.

For technology which allows me to work from home and stay connected to those I love.

For California with its incredible weather that allows me to spend as much time outside 
as I would like.

For my pets and their faithful companionship.

For the opportunity to be truly free as an American.

For knowledge and the continued opportunity to learn and grow.

For a church that I love.

For music that is the soundtrack to most of my days. It accompanies me while I work, exercise, relax, and go to sleep.

For hobbies that I love and am passionate about.  

Gratitude is a practice. Make it a priority.

What does love look like?

Ali and me in Minnesota, July 2013

My friend Ali is currently in Thailand doing mission work and just loving up on the people there. Ali is a seasoned traveler and missionary. When I saw her in July, I was delighted to hear all about her upcoming travels. Every time that Ali sets off for a new location, she blogs, chronicling her journeys and the amazing ways that God shows up. As I was reading her blog today, this question stood out to me:

I know my job in all of this. It's knowing that I am loved and It's knowing how to love. Asking the fabulous questions momma Heidi asked us while in Moz:

"What does love look like?"

I'm in a season of online dating, struggling with being single, and looking forward to eventually being a wife and a Mom. As soon as my eyes hit the words on the screen, I stopped and thought of all the ways I'm being loved during this season. Love looks like:

• Waking up to a text message from one of my dearest friends in New Jersey that immediately put at a smile on my face.
• PSL's from McDonalds, a trip to Hobby Lobby, and lots of chats with my second Mom.
• Taking care of me by spending the afternoon at the beach and reading.
• Turning my phone off before I go to bed.
• Skype date with two dear friends where we laugh, love and talk about the tough stuff.
• Saying no.
• Laughing so hard over dinner with the family that I almost fell out of the chair. Monty Python impersonations and Indian accents crack me up every single time.
• Tuesday work days at a nearby Starbucks.
• Learning how to knit.
• John Mayer, Mumford and Sons, and Phillip Phillips Pandora stations
• Going to bed early.

One of my goals this past summer was to be intentional in focusing on being grateful. As I write this list, I realize that a large part of my struggles the last few weeks was caused because I was choosing not to realize how much love there is in my life, no matter how it looks. 

Floating Lyrics

Just a few of the lyrics from songs floating around in my brain the last few days...

I am in California

but I am in Minnesota

in my mind

'Cause I know that when I see you I will be
Happy as the sun

You can rest your head
On my shoulder if you want to
Get older with me
'Cause a little bit of summer makes a lot of history

Just smile, sit a while with the
Sun on your face and remember the place we met
Take a breath and soon I bet you'll see
Without you I would never be me

You got me swaying right along to the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

The best is yet to come, and wont that be fine

You came along and everything started to hum
Still it's a real good bet, the best is yet to come

XO,
L

My heart is full

This summer's vacation was probably one of the best vacations ever. I spent 10 days total in Denver with my sister and her family and then flew to Minnesota to meet up with part of my family and see dear friends. My heart is so full with gratitude that it might burst.

Some of my fave memories:

Jimmy John's with Charissa as soon as I arrived in Denver.

Church at Red Rocks

Waiting for dinner at Sonic and talking on the phone with Lauren.

Walking around Denver, taking in the sights, snapping photos and eating ice cream.

Lots of laughs in the office.

Breakfast at Ikea and my plate full of syrup.

Regal vintage

John Mayer concert (the best concert I've been to yet).

Rick showing me where he grew up on Google Earth.

Kim praying over me before I left for the airport.

Running into Nicole in the airport.

Giggling in McDonald's with Shelly and Wendy as soon as I arrived in MSP.

Fireside Pizza where we enjoyed the best pizza that I've had in years (my Dad ate there in high school) + driving around taking in the sights.

Celebrating AJ's birthday with his family and mine.

Shopping at Mall of America

Lots of chats with Shelly and Brooks

Hugs and prayers from dear friend Lori. It was so amazing to spend time with her in person.

Sitting in the back of Emmaus surrounded by family and friends while David preached.

Ice cream and yogurt runs with AJ

Sitting around on the patio and in the living room telling stories, watching, You Tube videos, and laughing so hard that my whole body ached.

I could go on and on for days.

XO,

L

Happy Friday

Just a little love note that my friend Lauren had on her blog! Happy weekend!

Life In iPhone Photos

It's been a crazy week.

Last week started out super emotional because of this news.

Friday, I turned 24. My day started off with a fave drink from Starbucks, birthday call from Charissa and Andrew, lunch at CSUF with David, Wendy and Lars, shopping at Forever 21 with Wendy and then ended with dinner with Alex and the rest of the family at Macaroni Grill.

Saturday evening, Wendy and I went to the women's conference at our old church for a few hours. We didn't plan on both of us wearing gray, but we often match without planning it.

Sunday was church and Blackberry Bush. Always a happy place.

Monday started with coffee with my friend Lauren. We went to middle school together and reconnected over Facebook. I love the sweet friendship we have. The evening saw the first of two trips to the pumpkin patch.

Yesterday's highlight was breakfast and window shopping downtown with another dear girlfriend, Janelle.

Today was our weekly women's group followed by lunch at Panera (we also went there last week). They have Mac N Cheese which I love!

A few other highlights of the past week included:

Lots of trips to Trader Joe's! They are the best grocery store ever!

Wearing a new outfit that I bought in Denver and buying three new dresses (one maxi I wore for my birthday, one sweater dress, and a crepe '60's mod dress to wear to a wedding). I really love dresses and wedges!

Cuddling with the kitties.

Notes from family and friends.

Breaking Amish

New name badge at Old Navy (I had lost mine weeks ago).

Big and Little Sweet Moments

This weekend was full of lots of sweet moments, both big and small.

Friday night started with big news as my sister and brother shared with family and friends (a few of us already knew) that: 

Needless to say, I am incredibly excited for them and can't wait for June! I know that they are going to be the most wonderful parents and I can't wait to meet (and spoil)  their little sweetie!

Sweet moment #2 came on Saturday afternoon. The parents and I had made a trip up to Hollywood as Dad had a meeting. Mom and I had decided to wander down to Rodeo Drive for lunch. We then headed to the Beverly Center which left us feeling like we had just been in a scene from Alice and Wonderland. By the time we got back to the hotel to meet Dad we were completely frazzled. Being the incredible guy he is, he declared on the way home that, "Sometimes you just need to stop for ice cream!" So we stopped at McDonalds for ice cream and sat and talked and laughed. We had such a fun time hanging out and hearing all about the meeting!

These sweet moments are the highlights of my days! They are the little pieces of life that  I treasure in my heart!

I Don't Want to Forget

I don't come to this space often, but when I do, it's to record the thoughts and moments that are most special to me. 

Today is the last day of September. It's been an incredibly full month. One of the busiest of the year. September was also one of my favorite months of 2012 as it was home to two of the most special days of the year. 

I don't want to forget the fun day we spent in Catalina for Wendy's 52nd birthday. I don't want to forget walking around and all four of us taking photos on our smart phones. The incredibly fun lunch we had where we made up stories about people passing by. Lars wanting to get a shirt that said, "YOLO" and "SWAG". Walking around and seeing all of the charming little homes (each of us picking out our fave ones) and discovering something new around each corner. The pink hotel. The golf cart ride and the cool breeze on my face. Lars and me both finding TOMS! Ice cream cones. Standing in the freezers in Vons to cool off. Most importantly, I don't want to forget the little getaway with these three people that I love so dearly.

                                      

I don't want to forget all the giggles and late night laughs with my girls. The constant jokes. Zach's crazy songs and the banter that followed. Shopping at Victoria's Secret and Forever 21 and the horrible waiter at lunch. Jimmy John's. Photo shoots. Lots of Instagrams. Karmen's epic tweets. Andrew's country dance moves. Ikea. Honey Boo Boo Child. Chip buddy's. DIY projects. Charissa's crazy driving. Rick and Jimmy always ready to entertain with jokes! Ghost Hunters. Kim K. Going Pentecostal.  Finding Seraphina, the cat. Praying over Charissa before the ceremony. Kim praying over me before I left for the airport. Most importantly, I don't want to forget the sweet joy I felt all week because my very best friend married the man of her dreams.