In Christ Alone

-Till He returns

Or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand-

I want to share this absolutely incredible song with you because it gives me goosebumps each time I hear it and reminds me how absolutely in love I am with my Savior.  I hope it brings your heart to a place of awe and praise as it does mine.  Even if you've heard it before or if you're a skeptic, please let it have a few moments to play and give it a chance.  In a world so caught up in busyness, materialism, and anything and everything else, it brings me a breath of fresh air and rest for my heart to remember the source of my strength, in Him alone.

Dinner Conversation

Having a meal with a friend definitely ranks toward the top of my list of great things to build a strong friendship.  I believe that my enjoyment of this is due to the fact that A) I love food and  B) spending time with a friend is so nice!  Last night, one of my best friends came over for dinner.  I had decided to make meatloaf and she brought homemade mashed potatoes.  We added green beans, Hawaiian rolls, and a healthy dessert of peaches and blueberries.  Although the meal was delicious, I love the fact that sitting at the table with friends or family forces you to block out the unending distractions around us and to actually listen and talk.  (Yes, this means don't bring your cellphone to the table or leave the TV on.)  This brings to mind many meals I have had at Olive Garden with a good friend from church.  We often stayed at the restaurant long after our meal had arrived simply chatting and catching up.  I am also reminded of the wonderful meals that my mom fixes when my brother and I come home.  She loves to try out new recipes and present the food in such a beautiful fashion.  I think that making dinner and having it with someone really speaks to me that I am cared about and cared for.  Finally, I think of the many get togethers with both extended sides of my family sitting next to aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I'm convinced that we burned more calories laughing than we do eating....even eating our family favorite potato salad.  Food brings us together when the world otherwise tells us there is not enough time to slow down.

I know life is fast paced, and I recognize that I don't do a terribly great job of cooking on a regular basis.  However, the meals that I spend dining either out or at home with friends, family, or my boyfriend are always so fulfilling.  It makes me strive to do a better job and to purposefully seek out opportunities to connect with those who are important in my life.

If you wish to read more about the benefits of dining with family, read this 2006 article from TIME:  "The Magic of the Family Meal."

I believe in letters, cards, and notes.

I firmly believe in sending letters, cards, and notes.  I'm not really sure where my love for things written came from.  I think I've always found some beauty in the written word.  I remember back when I was younger signing up to get a pen pal through the a Christian girl magazine I used to receive.  It was fantastic to develop a friendship with my pen pal from Canada and to write one another on a regular basis.  My family isn't really all that into cards, so I don't suppose that's it.  My lovely grandma, though, is so steadfast about sending a card to everyone on special occasions.  Maybe that's where I subconsciously picked it up.  I think, though, that it has a lot more to do with the way that receiving a letter, card, or note makes me feel.  There is nothing quite the same as running through a stack of ads, bills, and junk and stumbling upon a hand addressed envelope from a friend.  Instant sunshine in my day.

Receiving mail from someone says so much more than an email ever could.  Don't get me wrong, I love technology.  I mean, honestly, I'm sitting here writing a blog post.  But a card send the good old-fashioned way says I got out this paper/card/note just for you, used some of my time to write it, located a stamp to put on it, and took it to the mailbox.  It says "You matter to me."  I do have to admit that I think cards are kind of a waste of money when paired with a gift given in person.  I prefer to let them stand alone.  They carry so much more sentiment and meaning this way.  This is why I can meander down the card aisle for way too long reading each message to find the one that conveys my exact feelings.  A few of my best friends and I totally get it and love to randomly brighten each other's lives with a card.  It's often when we least expect it, but I so appreciate it.  If you have a moment, may I suggest dropping a card or note in the mail for someone you care about?  I'm sure they know how much they mean to you, but it never hurts to be reminded how much others care.  It only takes a few dollars and a stamp to easily brighten someone's whole day.  Write on!