Preparing

It's weird to look back on life.

All last week, I kept getting visions of this time last year, preparing my heart for Easter, and just the things that were going on in my life at that point. There were many things last year that I chose not to share on this blog, for someone else's or my own privacy. My family was going through a lot of different trials, I was going through a lot of stuff, and so were many of my friends. Yet, I was clinging to my Savior like no other, because I knew He was the only one who could keep me grounded and sane.

We talked at church on Sunday about why Jesus had to die. Our pastor presented the Gospel: the fact that our sin kept us separated from God, and the only way to get rid of that sin was for blood to be shed...and it had to be the blood of someone perfect, someone without sin.

As many times as I've heard that in my life, I couldn't help but listen a little more intently and pay a little bit more attention. I lose sight of Jesus a lot. I lose sight of what He really did on that cross, of what it means for me personally, and for what it means for you. I take advantage of it...I do my own thing way too much. I focus on the things that matter to me instead of on the things that matter to Him. I ignore the promptings to read my Bible because watching a show on TV sounds like more fun. I turn my nose up at the people I pass by instead of taking the time to really look at them and love them, because Jesus loves them. I am pretty darn selfish.

But on Sunday, I let it all sink in. Jesus, who had never been separated from His Father, who had never known sin, who had never experienced that immense amount of pain...went through a horrible HORRIBLE death, took on my sin as if it was His own, and paid the debt for every awful thing I have done and ever will do.

I wish I didn't lose sight of that. I wish I didn't pull my eyes away from Jesus so often. I wish my heart was pure and clean all the time. But thankfully, I have a Savior who loves me in spite of all that.

I don't know where your heart is this week. Maybe you're getting caught up in the busyness and the family celebrations (I know I have). Or maybe you haven't even thought about it much. Wherever you're at, my prayer is that you will take the time to remember what Jesus did for you and allow it to really sink in.

Be blessed!

A Post of Randoms

I was on a bit of a roll in February with posting...but obviously that didn't last long.

Life has been busy, slow, emotional, challenging, exciting, fun, interesting, boring, chaotic, and calm. A little bit of everything, but I definitely wouldn't trade it.

The weekend after our fun Disneyland anniversary trip, we went to the beach with Josh's family to celebrate his mom's birthday. My best friend's daughter shares my mother-in-law's birthday, so we got to celebrate her that weekend as well. It was nice to be able to spend some time away with family and friends, but it was a bit tiring after having barely come home from our previous trip. I was pretty worn out and exhausted that weekend, and I was definitely excited when we got back home. As much as I love getting away and doing fun things, I am definitely a homebody and enjoy being able to relax and spend time with my hubby in the comfort of our cozy home.

(The really nice hotel we stayed in. This was our view. We never could have afforded to stay there on our own, but we had a gift certificate)

(My brother-in-law Jeremy and my niece)

Since then, we've just been trying to get back into the swing of things. I've been trying really hard to spend more time with friends on my days off, or even after work. I can be too much of a homebody if I'm not careful, so at times I have to force myself to venture out. There's just something so wonderful about being at home and not having to get ready first thing in the morning. But I know I can't live my life selfishly every day, so I have to get my butt up and go.

(I have such a love for sea life and aquariums)

I started watching Call the Midwife on Netflix. I'm not sure which one of my favorite bloggers wrote about it a few weeks ago, but I was definitely intrigued. And since Downton Abbey is SO good, I decided to give another British show a chance...and I'm so glad I did! It just started last year, and the second series just finished in the UK. I hate how short each series is for these British shows, but they are so jam-packed with goodness that it sort of makes up for it.

(Brothers plus my niece)

(My sister-in-law and I with her daughter)

I really want to start reading more again. I have definitely gotten out of that habit. I've been pretty good about keeping up with all of the blogs I follow (which are WAY too many), but I haven't been doing a lot of book reading at all. I'm still re-reading Harry Potter, which I started doing last year, and I'm not quite halfway done with the Goblet of Fire. I have a couple of books sitting on my shelf to read, but I just don't bring myself to do it often enough. It's hard to be inspired to read something new after reading such good books such as Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, and my all-time favorite, the Divergent series. I can't wait until book number 3 comes out for that one!!

(The birthday girl! My in-laws)

(The hubs being silly)

I'm also really trying to be serious about this healthy eating stuff. I still haven't been able to maintain a regular workout schedule, but I am eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and hummus and Greek yogurt and all that jazz. I track my daily calorie intake on the MyFitnessPal app and I've been under my calorie goal every day this week! I'm also trying really hard to cut soda out of my diet. I had it three times last week, but only once so far this week. I'm trying to drink green tea for my caffeine kick instead. I love that I'm not adding any needless calories into my body when I do that, compared to the 140 calories my beloved Coke gives me in each can!

(The beach was a little cold)

(But oh so beautiful)

I'm also reading through the latest She Reads Truth plan on the Songs of Ascent. Every single day has hit me right where I've needed it. It's a quick read, but a great one.

(And the other birthday girl! I love my niece!)

As much as I never thought I would ever say this, I am glad that it appears winter is leaving us. I love winter so much...the warm layers, the blankets, the hot drinks, the snuggling...but I'm just ready for spring breezes and jeans with flip flops weather. It's been really nice this week and I hope it continues...I'm just not ready for summer...at all. 70-80 degree weather is fine by me.

Yay for the weekend!

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