::this week::

praising:  several ministry opportunities for J this week... an answer to recent prayers.  Noah's behavior lately... he's still 2, but it has improved dramatically... such an answer to prayer!

praying:  still for an office for J and more provision for our ministry.

thankful for:  a date night to catch up with my love last weekend.  free babysitting for said date night.  gift cards to make said date night possible.  some great weather this week, and several chances to get outside and enjoy a nearby playground.  longer days, with the chance for evening family walks.  the gym/ "me time"... and the fact that our gym membership has been paid for for this entire year.

reading:  Esther, Psalms, Ezekiel, Dare to Discipline

cooking:   slow cooker Indian curry, brownies, huevos rancheros, BBQ and Thai chicken pizzas, salad with cilantro lime dressing, applesauce muffins, spinach artichoke pesto, pesto white bean dip

doing:  ladies Bible study. community group. dinner with Jeremy's parents.  lots of family time. Chick Fil A with some moms and kiddos.

pondering: 

the book of Ezekiel... a lot of the prophecies, visions, and imagery are completely "out there", and would probably be frowned on in most churches if such words/ imagery were used today.  getting a better understanding of how God communicates with Jeremy in many ways by reading about Ezekiel and his experiences... I think Ezekiel had a very similar relationship with God as to Jeremy.  in awe at how far fetched many of Ezekiel's prophecies would have seemed in his day, but at how they later came true.  I serve such a cool God, who is so creative in the ways that he communicates to His people and makes Himself known.

the word "Helper", as used in Genesis for Eve.... the negative connotations this term carries in our culture, but that this same word was used for God 19 times in Scripture... clearly showing that the term doesn't indicate a lesser/ subservient role for the woman.  meditating on my role as "helper" for J.

meditating on: who I am in Christ, and who He is in me... freedom I have over old patterns (negativity, gossip etc.), and the new creation I am in Him... guarding my heart and engaging in spiritual warfare against the lies of the enemy with these truths...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.