Ridiculously Loved

The first weekend in March, I had the delight of traveling to lovely Central TX to hang w/ my old "gang" from my youth ministry days at Baylor.

Members of our gang:

• Don & Dolores:  married for 25 years, no children, youth ministry volunteers for more than 10 yrs, full of Fun and Life!, the most giving people I have ever met, owners of a masion of a house that we loving refer to as the O'Toole Hotel (it is our unofficial gang headquarters)

• Brandon:  ahhh!  Love this guy!  22 year old Aggie, youth ministry volunteer for 4 years, I've had the amazing privilege of witnessing God's amazing transformation of this awesome friend of mine, can't get enough of Scripture, downright hysterical, lover of all things marroon, drives my favorite Dodge, welder of legit crosses, really cool dude

• Chuck:  high ranking official in the United States Air Force but never comes across as arrogant or power-hungry, super charismatic...ppl just love him automatically, defender of our country especially in Afghanistan, my personal mentor, strongest Christian I know (and I know ALOT of amazing Christians), super faithful friend, has mad skillz on a snowboard, ridiculously filled with the Spirit

So that's the brief overview. 

And it doesn't even do those delightful, wonderful people justice.

Without boring you with all the wild details of this laughter-packed weekend in wacky Waco, I just wanna share with you some general thoughts.

* God is so ridiculously good.  I don't say that lightly.  This beautiful, perfect weekend with my dearest friends lifted my spirits when I wasn't even aware they needed lifting.  God provided without me even asking!  I love His constant pursuit of me, His inability to let me go without Love, peace, and joy. 

* I have the best friends ever.  I mean seriously.  Chuck came into town to give a talk at Aggie Awakening (a retreat for college kiddos).  After his awesome talk on discernment, people came up to ME and told me how much they envied me b/c they wanted to be friends with this guy in real life!  I mean, he's a seriously cool lover of Jesus!  And all of the gang is the same way! 

* I always have said that I must be the most loved person in the world.  Between my amazing family and incredible friendships, I am overwhelmed with blessings.  My cup most definitely overflows!

So there you have it.  One weekend recap down, about a gazillion more to go!

How has God blessed YOU lately?  In what ways are you celebrating His goodness?

Randoms

List of randoms:

• Grad students do NOT rebound from lack of sleep like college kids do.  I speak from experience.
• Baylor Men's basketball rocks my world!  Elite Eight?  Are you KIDDING me???  This was the team that nation-wide coaches picked to finish TENTH in the Big 12.  Yay Bears...it was an epic run!
• If men's basketball rocks my world, then the Baylor Women provide the beat!  Final Four baby!!!!  Sic 'em, Bears!  What an amazing season this has been!  Next up, UConn...it's going to be a fun one!
• Have you heard the new Amy Grant song?  Better Than A Hallelujah.  Simply beautiful.
• And you must check out Forgiven by Sanctus Real.  "When I don't measure up to much in this life, I know I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ."  Amen.
• Oh, and these people bring so much joy to my life, I'm perpetually Sonburned! 

brandon, brian, julie, chuck, me

blessings, my friends!
♥ michelle

"This life's gonna be a good life!"

get a load of this goodness:




go ahead. 
watch it again.
you know you want.

doesn't it just get you giddy for our Jesus!
i laugh every.time. i see it.
it just makes me so happy.

deliriously cheery.
love. this. life.

Simple blessings

Today, I'm thankful for:

*An unsuspected email from a dear friend who I only knew briefly this summer, but whose words touched my more deeply than she could ever know.  {Thanks Marli!}

*My hair dryer died.  As in, weird noises, then smoke, hot wires...yeah, the whole sheBANG!  Absolutely no money left in the budget to replace it.  The same day:  I was given a $25 gift card to Target, just because.  How beautiful?!

*Moms who buy extra groceries...just so daughters can "shop" the cabinets when home on the weekends.  She even stocks the freezer section...chicken, beef, salmon.  The works!  

*A beautiful prayer book of hope sent by a long ago friend...just when I needed it the most.  Oh, how He loves us.

*68 degrees of beautiful sunshine today.  My heart couldn't help but be happy!

So thankful that He provides even when we doubt.  So thankful that He scatters Sonshine every.where. if we only take the time to see. 

Today I am so very grateful.  So very blessed.

What are you thankful for today?  How has the Lord blessed you?

Happy Sonday

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."

-Hal Borland

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us."

-Romans 5:3-5