I don't read books often. I would like to make it more of a habit....turning off the TV/computer/cell phone and engaging in a book that challenges my heart to stand at attention to Christ. I'm fine with reading other books too, but I really enjoy books that open my eyes to my Lord.
One Thousand Gifts is doing JUST THAT. (click on words to head to the website)
The tagline for this book: A Dave to Live Fully right where you are!
I know I can say for many seasons of my life (good or bad) I'm always thinking of the next step. next purchase. next (new) friendships. next step in our marriage to grow in. next goal. Really, the next day. I have a hard time being fully right where I am at. To really slow down and enjoy the day the Lord has given me TODAY.
While, I don't think planning (I'm SUCH a planner) ahead is a bad thing. As a matter of fact it is a wise thing to do. But, I find myself daydreaming about the future instead of engaging with the present. The result of that is missing out on the little gifts the Lord has placed before me. Things that can bring me such JOY if I would stop and engage. Stop and Thank HIM for the little things/big things/the in between things.
There are so many implications of recognizing Grace in our every day life. This what the book is about. As you begin to recognize Grace in your every day life you start looking at things differently. The thing that pissed you off this morning...might appear different when you stop and recognize grace in the situation. She gave many examples of her kids and how they push her buttons often. But as we began this process of discovering grace daily things slowly changed. She changed.
She begins to list our 1,000 that are gifts. I'm going to start this list too. It will help me to thank God daily for the little things he has given me.
1) When my head hits my pillow in the perfect place. No adjustment needed!
2) The burn of (Mcdonalds) coke on my throat
3) The smell of fresh flowers
4) Natural light coming through windows inside my house
5) Chips & Ranch
6) New Mascara (makes my eyelashes look so different than old)
7) Mail (snail mail...i LOVE it. Bring on the junk...makes me feel like an adult)
8) Sharp knives for cooking/chopping. Makes things move quicker while cooking
This will be an on going list that I will add to through out the next couple of months. I'm determined to get to 1,000. :) And I love that I will have a place where they are all listed.
Read the book. You don't even have to buy it...just go get a free library card and rent the darn thing. That's what I did. I love the library now!
-Kelli
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I'm back!
So I didn't intentionally leave my blog vacant for almost a month. Sometimes in blog world this kind of stuff happens. :) However, I don't like to do that.
So what has been happening in our world....
you guessed it, traveling.
Since the beginning of January we were in Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, and now Lubbock. We have been in Lubbock for 2 weeks now. The past 4 weeks of support raising have been the most encouraging weeks thus far. We have met some really neat strangers in the past four weeks through referrals. They have been incredibly encouraging as we pursue full time ministry. They have ministered to our souls through their prayers, their smiles of excitement, their level of conviction for The Great Commission. They have asked us hard questions that make us dig even deeper into our calling. I mean seriously, what job allows you to meet so many great people? I've lived in Lubbock for a LONG time now and many of these people have too and our paths never crossed until this last month....that is what support raising does. It's SOOO much more than asking people to give money to our mission to reach college students. It's about developing friendships with individuals and families who's love for Christ allows them to open up their home to complete strangers to get the chance to share about their (our) passion. MAN...I think everyone should have to raise support at some point in their life. Not just the send our letters and hope people respond support raising (I've done this side too)...The meeting face to face with family, friends, and strangers. It's truly an amazing process to walk through. And such a blast to do it with my husband now.
We are on track to finish raising all our funds by April. WOOOHOOO. We want to be done before then obviously and praying for that. :)
Enough on that business. On to my new favorite subject....THE LUBBOCK PUBLIC LIBRARY.
I know you are probably thinking that is really dorky. But really, how have I never used that dang place in all these years. I remember growing up going to the library in the summer to rent books. So I would definitely say it was a past time memory. But now we are making memories of our own. We walked into that place Thursday really excited to get our first library card as a couple. We walked away with 2 books (One Thousand Gifts-Kelli & Screwtape Letters-Teddy) and 1 DVD. ALLLLLL for free. They have new release movies too. Sure, Redbox is only $1...but I can guess most of y'all don't get that back by 9pm the next day. You can rent FOR FREE from the library and keep it for 3 days. Anyways, this is all the rave in the Lytle family right now. I'm pumped about it. We even went Monday to print off some tax papers (I have managed to botch our taxes....but that's for another post) & browse around.
Maybe I'm like 10 years late realizing the greatness of a local library. But boy and I'm stoked to know of all the goodness now. :) You should try it out. I can't even wait to have kids to take to their storybook session for kiddos....once again for FREE. YAY!!
Alrighty, we are headed to the grocery store with a list (my favorite) of healthy foods. Seriously, say a prayer for us. We are trying to eat better and exercise more and it's so stinkin hard. We did just complete our 4th day in a row to be active.
-Kelli
P.s. I wrote on this wonderful friend last year. I will probably every year because it truly did change me. My friend Kedric Hobbs died 7 years ago today. Read here if you want to see how his death changed me my freshman year of college.
So what has been happening in our world....
you guessed it, traveling.
Since the beginning of January we were in Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, and now Lubbock. We have been in Lubbock for 2 weeks now. The past 4 weeks of support raising have been the most encouraging weeks thus far. We have met some really neat strangers in the past four weeks through referrals. They have been incredibly encouraging as we pursue full time ministry. They have ministered to our souls through their prayers, their smiles of excitement, their level of conviction for The Great Commission. They have asked us hard questions that make us dig even deeper into our calling. I mean seriously, what job allows you to meet so many great people? I've lived in Lubbock for a LONG time now and many of these people have too and our paths never crossed until this last month....that is what support raising does. It's SOOO much more than asking people to give money to our mission to reach college students. It's about developing friendships with individuals and families who's love for Christ allows them to open up their home to complete strangers to get the chance to share about their (our) passion. MAN...I think everyone should have to raise support at some point in their life. Not just the send our letters and hope people respond support raising (I've done this side too)...The meeting face to face with family, friends, and strangers. It's truly an amazing process to walk through. And such a blast to do it with my husband now.
We are on track to finish raising all our funds by April. WOOOHOOO. We want to be done before then obviously and praying for that. :)
Enough on that business. On to my new favorite subject....THE LUBBOCK PUBLIC LIBRARY.
I know you are probably thinking that is really dorky. But really, how have I never used that dang place in all these years. I remember growing up going to the library in the summer to rent books. So I would definitely say it was a past time memory. But now we are making memories of our own. We walked into that place Thursday really excited to get our first library card as a couple. We walked away with 2 books (One Thousand Gifts-Kelli & Screwtape Letters-Teddy) and 1 DVD. ALLLLLL for free. They have new release movies too. Sure, Redbox is only $1...but I can guess most of y'all don't get that back by 9pm the next day. You can rent FOR FREE from the library and keep it for 3 days. Anyways, this is all the rave in the Lytle family right now. I'm pumped about it. We even went Monday to print off some tax papers (I have managed to botch our taxes....but that's for another post) & browse around.
Maybe I'm like 10 years late realizing the greatness of a local library. But boy and I'm stoked to know of all the goodness now. :) You should try it out. I can't even wait to have kids to take to their storybook session for kiddos....once again for FREE. YAY!!
Alrighty, we are headed to the grocery store with a list (my favorite) of healthy foods. Seriously, say a prayer for us. We are trying to eat better and exercise more and it's so stinkin hard. We did just complete our 4th day in a row to be active.
-Kelli
P.s. I wrote on this wonderful friend last year. I will probably every year because it truly did change me. My friend Kedric Hobbs died 7 years ago today. Read here if you want to see how his death changed me my freshman year of college.
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