Hey friends! I’m not one to write a post about nothing in particular, but I’ve been so busy with a couple exciting projects that I just haven’t gotten around to blogging. My mom mentioned (in an only slightly guilt-stoking way) that she doesn’t know what’s going on with me anymore past what she reads on the internet. She’s probably right.
So, dear internet, lest you think I’ve quietly walked away from writing, here’s some of what I’ve been up to in August:
We took a trip to Pismo Beach where, in what I am assuming was a divinely ordained miracle, I got to have an amazing morning alone at the beach. I dug into the Word, wrote in my journal, and prayer-walked the beach, picking up sand dollar pieces of God’s abundance along the way.
I turned 30. Yeah. Kind of nuts seeing as how I still think of myself as 17. 21 tops. Yes, with four kids and mortgage and all that. In honor of the movie 13 Going On 30 (it’s tagline thirty, flirty and thriving doesn’t quite work for me), I’ve chosen the motto: Thirty, fearless and flourishing. I’ve let fear rule my decision making far too long, and I already claimed it’s time for me to choose flourishing in my tenth anniversary post.
A year and a half ago my denomination’s magazine The Banner purchased an article I wrote. I was just six months into all this I’m-a-writer craziness and I was thrilled. So, every month for the last eighteen months I checked my mail and was ultimately disappointed when I didn’t make the cut that month. I was on my way to the trash can this month when I flipped past my face and my heart skipped a beat! It’s the first time I’ve seen my work in print. Kind of surreal. You can read the full article online here: http://www.thebanner.org/departments/2014/07/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses
One day we picked up Mike from work, then drove to Disneyland without telling the kids where we were going. It took two hours before they finally realized we weren’t actually headed toward home! The trip got off to a rough start with our car getting broken into at dinner and Mike’s work laptop, the kids’ Nintendo DS, a power inverter, and ALL OF THE TICKETS were stolen. Fortunately God worked out all the details and it was still an awesome trip with great friends. Oh, and Walter finally got to meet his favorite: Mickey Mouse.
Finally school started! With Lucy starting kindergarten I now have only one kid at home during the day. Before you get too excited for me, just know my youngest is more difficult than the three older kids combined. But still, it’s kind of crazy to just have one home all day. And my heart broke a little leaving my baby girl–even after she said, “That’s enough hugs Mom. You can go now.”
Some verses that have been sticking in my head this month:
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. –Hebrews 10:23-24
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. –Ephesians 3:14-19
…And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:19-20 ESV)
If you think of me, pray the boldness would stick.
Also, THIS:
What am I most excited about in August? My sister is due with my first nephew at the end of the month! And my to-be sister-in-law is due with a girl about the same time! I can’t wait to get the exciting phone calls and rush to the hospital to hold a sweet newborn and NOT be the one going through labor. It’s going to be awesome!
**Update: Congrats to my cousin who had her sweet baby boy while I was writing this post! Again, it is SO fun not being the pregnant one!**
Here’s a couple pics from the shower our Bible study ladies and church family threw my sister. (FYI, these are some of the ladies that are in my head when I’m working on writing my Peter study.)
As I mentioned, I’ve got a couple projects going right now that I can’t wait to share with you guys. I promise I’ll keep you all posted as they come up. I’m sure there’s a blog post brewing in the back of my mind with some stories to tell of the things God has me walking into right now. Feel free to follow me on social media to keep in touch in the meantime! I’m on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marsdenmom Twitter: https://twitter.com/Marsdenmom and Instagram: http://instagram.com/marsdenmom
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement! I don’t particularly love the whole platform-building/branding/marketing shenanigans, but just know that every share, follow, and word of mouth recommendation bless me to the max–especially as I prayerfully consider sending my book proposal out to some publishers in the spring. Just know I appreciate you! (Yes, YOU!) May you walk into all the plans God has prepared for you!
Love getting a glimpse at your life!