Daily 5 - Day 97

Today's Daily 5 (and more):

1. quiet evening at home
2. pancake sandwich for supper (peanut butter and blackberry jam)
3. long hot shower and spending longer than usual caring for my skin and hair afterwards
4. trying a new recipe (chicken gumbo) while pre-making tomorrow night's supper
5. cranberry scented room oil for burning in my oil burner
6. updating my budget - though I don't love the work of it, right now I'm loving how much less stressed I'm feeling about money (one of the easiest stressors for me) because of needing to stick to a set budget for a while.
7. listening to Ingrid Michaelson
8. crawling in bed early, catching up on things
9. sending an email that may lead to a slight risk, and to checking out a house church this week or next
10. looking at the pictures we took last night (see below!) with F. and baby A. and enjoying them and the memory of cuddling A. all over again.

I don't wanna be the one to say goodbye (maybe, in the future)

A friend of mine posted this video on facebook tonight, and I loved it. I found it creative and beautiful. I've liked quite a few of Ingrid Michaelson's songs over the last year, the lyrics speaking deeply, and in some ways, this song too, speaks to where my heart is at.

Odd Deep Spaces (heart prayers)

My heart is in an odd spot today, sort of deep, unexplainable places. It started with a dream, and waking to find a note in my email inbox that spoke to the same themes as the dream in inexplicable ways. And it has carried on through the day...

Today my heart is praying:

• with the memory of deep prayer for a group of young people half a world away; remembering and lifting up those who are grieving the death of one who was far too young.
• while sipping passion tea and eating blackberries
• from the place of waking from dreams and pondering
• looking forward and looking back
• while remembering words spoken and asking questions
• while considering the warmth of the child I held in my arms last night
• for friends that are now distant, as well as those who remain close
• while aiming to offer genuine forgiveness
• for wholeness
• and health
• and healing
• for alternatives that work
• and times of rest to be poured out
• for provision just in the moments it is most necessary
• for the release of control
• because even in the moments I can't quite believe, I still long for restoration
• as specific thoughts and cares weight heavy
• seeking release and freedom
• remembering flocks of birds - real and seen only with the eyes of my heart
• in odd deep spaces with the gratefulness for a spirit who groans beyond words
• amidst a busy day at work
• watching
• waiting
• wondering
• and sometimes even trusting
• because my heart simply cannot help but cry out to Abba.

Peru's Sacred Glacier is Melting

I found this photo essay about Peru to be quite fascinating.

Praying today (again) for that country, and the opportunity to be there.

Two More Calendar Quotes

The quotes from yesterday and today on the calendar that sits on my desk:

"O most sweet God of my life and the only love of my soul, your overabundance of mercy has led me through the many obstacles I have placed in the way of your love." (Saint Gertrude the Great)

"As in heaven your will is punctually performed, so may it be done on earth by all creatures, particularly in me and by me." (Saint Elizabeth of Hungary)