It’s a reminiscing kind of morning here at the Polish Palace. I’ve been going through my hundreds of photo files and came across this little gem from 2 summers ago. You know, that time when our son and his cousins caught an alligator behind my Aunt Nell’s house? Crazy.

This past Sunday, Palm Sunday, began with a light pecking against our windows. Sleet was falling like tiny pellets from the gray sky, soon to be followed by the heaviest snow we’ve seen since we’ve lived in this area. When all was said and done, we’d received a twelve-inch-thick blanket of heavy, wet snow, outlining every twig and branch in our landscape.

Monday morning, my man was scheduled to leave on a morning flight to Charleston, SC. He woke up early and confirmed that the flight had not been cancelled, so we got up and prepared to make the snowy trek to the airport. The roads were surprisingly passable, and we made it there in plenty of time. I kissed my man and sent him on his way, then headed back to the East Side to get ready for work.

While driving along I-70, I marveled at how the snow had transformed such an industrial part of the city into something truly beautiful. Then I remembered that one of my favorite spots in the city, Bellefontaine Cemetery, was on my route home. I prayed that the gates would be open at such an early hour.

What I found when I arrived was truly spectacular. This is a historic cemetery that I have visited many times and am quite familiar with, but the snow had transformed it into something other-worldly. I drove around its winding streets for an hour, worshipping, snapping pictures with my iPhone and thanking God for such a precious gift on the second day of this snowy Holy Week.

Here are a few of the images that I captured. Even though I would prefer to begin this season with some warmer temperatures, tulips and buds on the trees…signs of awakening that are associated with celebrating the resurrection, this particular morning was a precious gift from our Savior, whose blood cleanses us whiter than snow.

Amen.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20, ESV)

Last week, I hit the big 4-0. It seems to have crept up on me, like a villain. All of the sudden, I looked in the mirror and there it was, staring me squarely in the face. And quite honestly, I’m totally ok with it.

Here are the fun things I’ve found myself coming to terms with in my 40th year:
1. The lines on my face are much more defined, especially around my mouth and eyes and neck.
2. What used to be considered “reading glasses” have become “necessary to see all things” glasses. I can’t even give myself a proper pedicure without wearing them.
3. Things I used to see as “hobbies for old people” have become my most treasured activities (gardening, reading).
4. Our son is in his junior year of high school.
5. Recently I was asked if I was our pastor’s mom (I’m only 10 years older than he). Two days earlier I was asked if I was his wife’s mom.

While all of these little “issues” could be a little disheartening and drive a person to the nearest botox center, I can honestly say that I am enjoying this stage of my life. There is a sense of contentment that I feel that I never experienced in my younger years. The lines on my face have mostly been developed through laughter. My glasses are a cool accessory that make me look smart while hiding the dark, puffy circles under my eyes. Gardening is a calming and therapeutic activity that reminds me of my roots and keeps me connected to God’s creation. Reading keeps my mind active and continually exposes me to great wisdom. Our teenage son is growing more and more mature and independent by the day, making the time we have left with him more about connecting with his heart and less about meeting his basic needs.

The one thing that I feel most grateful for during this milestone year is this: my community. And by community I don’t mean the geographical location where I reside. I mean the people God has placed around me to share in all the joys and sorrows of life. My birthday was filled with so much love from my family and friends…phone calls, sweet visits, THREE birthday cakes (thankfully spread out over a few days) thoughtful gifts…The only sadness I felt was due to the absence of my most precious friend, my man, who got called to go on a last-minute business trip over my birthday week. But honestly, he showered so much love on me the weekend before, I couldn’t even be too sad that he was gone on my actual birthday. It was a sweet day that ended with some of my dearests meeting me for a fun dinner.

To know and be known, to love and be loved…these are truly the most precious gifts.
I have a feeling that 40 is going to be my favorite.

These cows crack me up…it’s like the one in the front is checking me out, the one directly behing him is sheepishly peeking to see if all is well, and one behind him is gossiping about what’s about to go down.
Honestly, they really only wanted to see if I was going to give them some treats,
which I didn’t. So they walked away as soon as I snapped this photo.
Silly animals.

I love cooking and baking. So much. One of the most therapeutic activities for me is to spend an afternoon in my kitchen playing with new recipes and baking treats for my family and friends. For the past 20 years, this has been my greatest friend in the kitchen…

Those who know me well know how attached I tend to get, not only to people, but to things. I’m not what you’d call a hoarder, but I’m also not the greatest at letting go of things that are (or have been) meaningful to me, even when I get a newer, better version of my treasured object. (Examples…I’ve had the same car for 14 years. Her name is Myrtle. My favorite hoodie has been around for at least 16 years. You get the point.) This is definitely true of my “relationship” with this mixer. We’ve been through so much together…we’ve made countless batches of chocolate chip cookies together…my kids and grand kids have eaten cookie dough and cake batter from the beater…this thing literally helped me learn to cook, and has helped me teach my kids to cook. But even the most treasured tools can fall to the longing of a bigger, better model. Which is what I got this week. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the Binford…

Isn’t she beautiful? And what a work horse! This baby can make not one but TWO batches of my homemade granola in one shot! And the new yeast roll recipe that made my old mixer push and strain to incorporate the 9 cups of flour? No problemo for this beast. Prepping for Mardi Gras is gonna be a breeze. I’ll bet I can even double my King Cake recipe in this thing!

So tomorrow, I’ll deliver Old Faithful to her new home. A dear friend and fellow foodie is going to take her and continue her legacy. And that makes my heart so very glad. I cleaned her up and gathered all her attachments, and shed a few tears remembering all the cookies, brownies, pound cakes, cheesecakes, birthday cakes, granola, muffins, mashed potatoes, meatballs and other delicious eats she’s helped me prepare throughout the years. Thanks for the memories, my dear Classic White Kitchenaid…I know you’ve still got a lot of years left in you.

Want to know the first thing I made in the new Binford? Ah, good old Supernatural Brownies…

So ridiculously good, and the new mixer whipped them up like nobody’s business. I think we’re gonna be good friends.

I stopped making official New Year’s Resolutions several years ago. I had reached the conclusion that making that kind of list provided me too many opportunities for failure. But this year, I’ve been thinking more about it, not from the standpoint of a list of rules to keep or superficial goals that are never met (lose weight, anyone?), but as an opportunity to truly submit myself to God and see what HE would like to do. Then my pastor brought it up on Sunday morning, and there was my nudge. God has graciously provided me with some sabbath time this week, so I’ve taken the opportunity to go through my journal from this past year and pray through some things I think God might be leading me towards. So, with that, I’ll share with you my resolutions – things for which I aim to be resolute –  for the year 2013.

1. To think more highly of others than I do of myself.
(Philippians 2:3)

2. To be motivated and controlled by Christ’s love, not by what other’s think.
(2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

3. To confess and repent well. At least better. (Psalm 32)

4. To learn a new skill. (Psalm 101:1)

5. To put to death whatever is separating me from Jesus. (Colossians 3:1-16)

Now…what’s on your list?

Meet Josh…

This Bearded Gospel Man is our friend,
our Worship Pastor at August Gate,
and he turns 30 today!

This is Josh with his sweet, darling, creative and crafty wife Kim…

Photo by Chelsea Bass Photography

This sweet, hilarious, Jesus-loving couple are adopting a baby,
and we’re so excited we can hardly stand it. They’ve filled out the forms, they’re taking the classes and getting their home study process started…this is happening, people!
But guess what…adopting a baby is EX-SPEN-SIVE. So, they’ve also started fundraising.

Being the creative types that they are, they’ve come up with an awesome way to raise money for their little one. Josh recorded an amazing EP of some of his music, and all the proceeds go towards their adoption. So, you get some sweet tunes while supporting this call they have to provide a home for a darling little baby. Win-win!

To purchase these sweet tunes and support The Jones’ adoption,
just click on the album art and download/donate away.

Happy Birthday, Joshua Jones!
We love you and Kim so very much and can’t wait to love and spoil your sweet baby. :)

Photo by Chelsea Bass Photography

For updates on their adoption journey, check out their blog, The Indiana Joneses.

Just look at this. It’s a photo of me and my man, snapped 20 years ago on our first official date at a Labor Day cookout in 1992. You can bet that Pearl Jam was blaring on a boom box nearby.

We were pretty smitten with each other immediately, and remained inseparable from that weekend on. How could I have NOT been smitten with that man? Just look at him, with his Air Force flat top and tanned skin, fresh from a weekend of jet skiing at the lake. Within a year of this photo, I left Louisiana Tech University for a life as an Air Force wife to this gorgeous KC-10 boom operator.

In the 20 years since this photo was taken, our life together has been filled with all the things that every married couple’s life is filled with…happiness, beautiful memories, fun adventures, and conflict. Lots of it. We had more than our share of conflict from the very beginning from a variety of factors: a significant age difference, a blended family, separations due to long Air Force TDY’s and deployments…I could go on, but I won’t. Why? Because even though we had many cards stacked against us, here we are. Twenty years later, our devotion to each other stronger than ever. And it’s all because of Jesus.

Recently, a friend told us that that we have the perfect marriage. I laughed when he said it, knowing that there is absolutely no such thing as a perfect marriage. That would imply that Scott and I are perfect people. We are not. We are both sinners filled with pride, obstinance and selfishness. The first 10 years of our marriage was actually pretty rocky. Looking back, it seems that everything we did was fueled by selfishness. Enter Jesus. Through some pretty awful circumstances, Jesus opened our eyes to the depth of our sinful hearts, exposed us to the truth of his gospel and saved us. That began the long journey of redemption and sanctification for us as individuals, and the redemption of our marriage. It’s been hard, there have been hundreds of late night, tear filled conversations filled with repentance to God and to each other. It’s still going on today. And it’s worth it. Our marriage would not be what it is today without the grace and mercy of Christ. I honestly don’t have it in me to die to myself daily for the sake of my man, no matter how amazing he is. (And he is pretty amazing.) But with Jesus’ help, I am able. And Scott is able. And it is a beautiful life that we have together, filled with joy and laughter and love and friendship as we serve Jesus together.

I could go on and on about all that Jesus has done in our lives both individually, and in our marriage. At one time our marriage was a total mess…but now we are truly a miracle. I was reminded by our Pastor this past Sunday that the proper response to what God has done in our lives is to tell others. So I am. If your marriage feels like a total mess, submit to Jesus and let him do the work he wants to do in you individually. It is there that he will begin to perform a miracle. First in you, then in your marriage.

I love you, Scott Konieczka. Thank you for continually submitting your life to King Jesus, for leading me well as I try do the same, and for loving me as Christ loves his church.

{{{{{CAUTION}}}}}
This blog post contains many, many vacation photos. :)

Well, It seems that I’ve taken a little summertime hiatus from this little blog o’ mine.  I promise I have a good reason.

These things happened…

First, this guy took a trip to Hawaii…

To see these dear friends…

And he had the most amazing time. He surfed, hiked, went cliff diving, paddle boarding and parasailing…and he swam with SHARKS!

It was a trip he will never, ever forget.

And while he was in Hawaii, my man and I took a trip to Utah to see these sweet friends…

…then spend a little time by ourselves at this amazingly gorgeous and secluded resort in Moab, UT.

It was such a sweet trip with my man, full of unbelievably beautiful views and desert adventure…

The highlight of the trip (for me) was sunrise at Arches National Park…

…complete with a gorgeous hike to the famed Delicate Arch…

The trip was so peaceful, so restful and full of scenery…we hated to say goodbye
to these gorgeous views…

So, there you have it. Two really good reasons for my lack of web presence.
More to follow, but it deserves it’s own post. :)

Over five years ago, Matt was hospitalized with some sort of staff infection in his right foot. It was a freak illness that came on suddenly and gave Scott and I quite a scare, especially since the doctors could not figure out exactly what it was or where it came from. Thankfully, up until that point Matthew had never even been to a hospital. The experience was less than fun for our otherwise healthy 11-year-old. Thankfully, after a week of IV antibiotics (and alot of prayer), the infection cleared up enough for Matt to be released from the hospital, and the infection has never returned.

During the preliminary ER visit and subsequent hospital stay, we realized that Matt shared a condition with his father…Belonephobia (otherwise know as, fear of needles). Once the IV was in place, he was ok. But when it was time for the IV to come out so he could go home, fear gripped him.  There was nothing I could do to convince him that it would be ok. After exhausting all of my typical negotiation tactics and bribery methods, I prayed for God to help me find a way to convince my son that removing his IV would not hurt. The only answer I got was, “Face your fear.” So, I asked Matt what he thought my biggest fear was. His immediate answer: “Snakes.” I said, “You’re right. And if you will face your fear and let these nice nurses remove your IV, I will face my fear and hold a snake.” I could hardly believe the words were coming out of my mouth. But they did. And for some reason, those words were enough to convince Matt to let the nurses remove his line.

That was almost six years ago. Life rolled on, and there never seemed to be just the right time to figure out how to make this happen, how to fulfill this promise I made to my son. We joked around about it for the first year or two, but after that, Matt seemed to just forget.  It’s not like I had planned on NOT following through on my promise, but the more time that passed, the easier it was to forget. Until about a month ago.

At a recent worship gathering at our church, out of nowhere I remembered the promise I had yet to fulfill to Matt. I knew that God was telling me, “time to face your fear, girlie.” What?! Why? Why now? Matt had totally forgotten and everything was fine. Why in the world was God bringing this moment of parental failure up now?

I have some idea, and it had more to do with me than with Matt. For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with fear. Big fears and little fears. Fear of the known and the unknown. Fear of how my decisions will affect others and how theirs will affect me. Most of my fears are completely irrational and unsubstantiated and have nothing to do with the truth of the gospel. I shutter to think of all the times I have allowed Satan to have his way with my mind, sending me into a spiral of negativity and fear that cripples me and keeps me from experiencing the love of Christ. But God is using his Word, my husband and the community of believers around me to help break this cycle of fear in my life. God is calling me to face my biggest fears, and in the process He is showing me that his perfect love casts out fear.

 So, I held a snake. And my sweet son took this picture of me holding the snake. I almost threw up, but I did it. I fulfilled my promise to my son and faced my fear, and God is continually fulfilling his promises to me. He will not leave me or forsake me. He is my helper. He gives me his peace in times of trouble and helps me to not be afraid. Even though there is much trouble in the world, I can take heart because God has already overcome it in Christ Jesus. His perfect love casts out fear.

By the way, don’t let the smile on my face fool you…I’m still terrified of snakes (as any rational human being should be :) and I do not encourage or condone any type of snake handling. But God helped me (and is helping me) face my fear, and I can’t help but think that he was smiling down on me, just like Matt was while he was taking this picture. :)

So, what are you afraid of?

*Special thanks to the kind, patient employees at The Tye Dyed Iguana for helping me face my fear. The snake I am holding is a baby Ball Python which is non-poisonous breed, although still terrifying. No snakes were harmed in the facing of my fear.