Have I mentioned that I like to pray?

I do. I really do. So, I’m gonna steal this idea from follow in my friend Bargain Shopper Lady’s footsteps and ask you if there is anything you would like me to pray for.

We are all so lucky to be able to approach the throne of grace with confidence and chat with the maker of the universe; but I have learned in my nigh 40 years that sometimes we just can’t pray for our own needs, or don’t know exactly what to pray, or just need to share our burdens with others in order to find wholeness and healing.

Nothing is too trivial, too small — or too big for our God. So if you’d like to share your request with me in the comments or via email (bloginmyeye [at] gmail [dot] com), I will very humbly and very happily pray for you for the next week.

Be blessed.

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Have you seen this movie?

While Hubs was out Saturday evening, I watched a movie called End of the Spear. In my ‘approaching middle aged‘ state, I can no longer watch things that are completely dark and disturbing (as if that was ever really a good idea, but, hey, I was young and hip and trying to figure this whole gig out). Anyhoo, this quest for not completely morally bereft films, led me to End of the Spear last night. And I think I really liked it. It is based on a true story of 5 Christian missionaries in Ecuador who wanted to make contact with the Waodani tribe, a violent people whose lives are dominated by revenge killings. The story that unfolds after they do make contact completely changes both groups of people forever.

There was an earlier documentary released about this story called ‘Beyond the Gates of Splendor,’ which I think I will watch next. I liked that this movie didn’t try too hard to tie everything up neatly in a nice little box, yet there is still redemption and transformation in the plot. You can see moments in the film that are ‘only God.’

While on my quest, I have watched several films that are not completely morally bereft, but, how shall we say, not entirely artistically satisfying. I thought this movie did a good job of being both.

Got any other movie recommendations for me?

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The year of aging gracefully

I’m gonna be 40 this year, people. I feel like I can sound pretty old and crotchety on this blog, but I look about 12 years old (ok, maybe 20 now) and I often feel about 4 years old inside (actually, I think that probably shows on this blog, too, darn it).

Being the introspective gal that I am, I’ve been pondering the looming 40-ness for awhile…like here and here and here.

I’m just curious if any of you have advice for me on aging gracefully. No pressure though. One thing I have learned recently from blogging…some things are not deserving of too much introspection.

From Philippians 4:

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

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Things I may have possibly bought too many of

1. dish soap – 3
2. maxi pads (there should be a better word for these) – 8
3. shampoo – 3
4. conditioner -3
5. toothpaste – 4
6. deodorant – 5
7. bar soap – 11
8. contact lens solution – 5
9. razors – 7
10. pain relievers – 4
11. body wash – 1
12. paper towels – 7
13. mouthwash – 3

Oh, it doesn’t look too extravagant here in such a tidy little list. But this here is what is known in frugality-ville as a “stockpile.” Most of the things on this list, I’ve amassed in the last two months at little or no cost out of pocket by combing couponing with CVS-ing and Walgreen’s “Free after Rebate-ing.”

Being the me that I am, I often find myself wondering if this is a good practice. On the one hand, this helps stretch our budget a little bit further (in theory) because I’m paying very little or nothing for most of these things.

I remember reading a post from Trista at The Pumpkin Patch about things she would never buy again because they are often available for free (at least I think I read it at Trista’s. I haven’t been able to find it again). This was one post that piqued my interest in the whole CVS system; and it does in fact seem to be true if you know the amazing bargain secrets and are willing to put in the time jumping through the amazing bargain hoops (while not simultaneously filling your cart with other non-bargains in your glee over the aforementioned bargains).

On the other hand, I keep thinking about these verses from Matthew 6 (NIV):

19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God is so creative in the ways he does and is able to provide. This bargain shopping gig can be a little addicting, and I just feel like maybe I don’t actually need anymore deodorant right now.

Leave it to me to write an obsessive post about maxi pads. What say you, Internets?

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She’s got my number…which, apparently, is 6

You’ll love this little writing exercise I found out about from Stephanie at Bad Mom. I had fun looking around her links to SMITH magazine’s Story Projects and NPR‘s slideshow version.

Without further ado, here are a few!

Momma, I am scared. Hold me!

This described my life for more years than I care to admit.

I love her. She is so cute.

Until…Aaaah. The angels sing. The sun glistens all around. I am cured of my low self esteem.

Real love. Real life. Real good.

And I finally come into my own.

Here are a few that describe my life in a more timeless sense:

Barbecue in the summer is nice.

Dogs that don’t slobber are sweet.

Cat purrs nightly on my pillow.

This was what my brilliant husband came up with:

Born smart. Likes art. Kids fart.

which I would edit to:

Born smart. Like art. Old fart.

Let me know if you try it. (This definitely has Toni written all over it).

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More “Spring” Bre@k pictures

The start of our hike through the canyons at Starved Rock.

Cheese!

The sandstone bluffs at Starved Rock are really beautiful in texture and color.

My sweet baboo on a pretty rock.

My goofy self

Oops. Poor forgotten sandal.

I just had this eerie sense that at any moment God was gonna press the pause button again, and I was gonna be swept away by his power and might.

That God. He’s never boring.

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More of the picture

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And MORE of the picture

This thing put the fear of the Lord in me! De-LIGHT!

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Caption this

Wanna take a guess?

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An apology

Dear Blog,

I’m sorry I haven’t watered you.

I’m sorry I let the children trim your branches with the scissors, and sweep them into a pile, and carry them to the kitchen trash can, and repeat ad nauseum.

I’m sorry I tossed you outside when company was coming, even though it was still below freezing outside.

I still think you’re beautiful.

Is our relationship beyond repair?

Lainey

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