these five things.

Hello friends & blog readers!

We all have our little "happies" in life. The kind of things that turn our frowns upside down! It's like turning the "ON" button on in our lives. I've decided to give you a glimpse into my five things. . .

1. My niece London: We've been best friends since the moment this tiny little ball of energy was born. When she began to speak I became 'D-Nell': her singing Aunt who (in her mind) resembles Selena Gomez and holds a Hannah Montana microphone on the stage. Her beautiful spirit and her passion for life (and Jesus and singing respectively) capture my heart on a daily basis. 

2.  Starbucks Iced Green Tea: Need I say more?




















3. Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We make plans and God laughs. I think God's gotten a big kick out of me and my plans! God's got greater and better plans for me and you then we could ever even dream up or imagine or hope for! Whenever I start to feel like things aren't working out the way I'd like--I look to this verse and I am instantly encouraged! 

4. Any book (or book turned into a movie) by  the wonderful Jane Austen. I am a lover of fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters and Jane knows how to write a em'. I mean---I didn't name my dog Mr. Darcy for nothing!


















5. Christmas Music. With sounds of jingle bells and words like "dashing"....how could one not love it? I love everything about Christmas (especially the REAL reason for it!) I know. It's March--but try listening to Christmas music without smiling. It cannot be done I say!












...and there you have it! My five things. What are yours?

backing out of busyness.

Ever had an extremely busy week? Ever glanced at your calendar and been overwhelmed merely by the little text in those boxes? I am sure you are thinking "...you have no idea." This was to be one of "those weeks"--but in a really good way. Monday morning I woke up ready to go. I popped my organic waffles into the toaster (the magic of Whole Foods) and ran to my TV to start my hip-hop workout DVD. Yes--even pastor's kids can 'pop and lock.' I felt good and ready to go. That is until I went to pick up something on the floor...and to my surprise and utter dismay: I could not get back up. Yes. I had hip-hopped my way to an out-of-order back. So I lie here on my back in a bed full of books... putting things into perspective.

I went to sleep Sunday night thinking about all the things I had to accomplish this week. God watched me sleep on Sunday night...knowing I wouldn't accomplish any of them. It is so easy to get busy in our culture.  We are constantly moving and constantly on our way to the next big thing. How often throughout our day do we take time to just breathe in and out? When was the last time you were still in the presence of God? Over the last few days I have realized (again) that my time is  not my own. All of life's busyness doesn't compare to the constant hope and unfailing love of our King. He is my refuge and my strength and it's taken my overly expressive hip-hopped back for me to just bask in the presence of our God--and that is simply enough.


Psalms 46:10-11: "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."