he loves being a dad.

If it's late at night, and I'm not sure where my husband is, I can pretty much bet he is upstairs bothering the kids. He LOVES hanging out with them. I can't tell you how many times he has woken one of them up from a deep sleep because he wanted to show them something, or hear their opinion on something else. Being a dad is his calling... and he loves every minute of it.

I love watching how their brains work.

J

J-

I have a file on my computer where I save all the pictures I find of you.. pictures that pop up at very unexpected times. I found this one recently and it made me laugh. This particular night, you and Chris were relentless with each other. This was the moment he started teasing you about being "that mom." We laughed until we had tears running down our face, and we referred back to this moment many times. We were always so grateful for husbands that didn't let us baby our boys.... and if Andy wasn't around, you would always ask Chris, "am I being 'that mom?'"

I got to meet with someone today and just talk about you. It was very refreshing for me.. and I got to share some things that were important for me to speak out loud. I miss you so much. I miss the way we would laugh hysterically when something wasn't going the way we envisioned (which seemed to be frequent)... I miss the way you would pray for me in the hall with the most perfect words... I miss the times our hearts were united in compassion for those who seemed lost and overwhelmed... and I miss the way you would always encourage my soul. I could use a lot of that right about now.

This week has been particularly rough for me because there are so many new things going on in my heart... and you used to be only a phone call away. You always understood vision without having to hear much about it... finishing my sentences when it came to missional-living. I miss your kindred-spirit. I miss you.

-L

Listen in a way that others love to speak to you.

I have such a fondness for coaches.

I learned so much from mine growing up.

I love watching these guys teach my son how to play hockey... how to maneuver around opponents... how to lift a stick, post up on defense and ice the puck. It's so important to us that our kids learn to listen to other adults...to find people in their life who have expertise in an area they want to grow in and seek their input. I hope they do that their entire life.

One of his coaches from last year told me the thing he loved about coaching Isaac the most is that he would listen intently when spoken to on the bench. I LOVE THAT. It made me so proud.

Bloomfield Hills.

GO WINGS!

The Green Hornets Debut.

Bible Storybook: God's Love for You

 We are loving "Bible Storybook: God's Love for You" here at the Bunk house. This Bible from World Vision takes you through stories in the scriptures while simultaneously paralleling a story from around the world with a missions mentality. Its beautiful. (For example: when you read about Jesus feeding the 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, you also read about the Rosta family in Romania who gave all their support money from World Vision to help street kids in the city of Cluj. God multiplied the little money they had WAY beyond what they thought was possible and they've been able to help 100s of Romanian street kids.)

Ramblings: wrecked for those who are wrecked.

I'm not quite sure what happened.

One minute I was telling my husband a story of something ignorant and frustrating that someone said about missions and the next I was sobbing into a blanket on the couch.

Chris didn't know whether to hold me or laugh.

It was an odd moment.

I can't explain it.

I just know that I thought I would be able to shake it by this morning, just chalking it up to hormones, or exhaustion, or lack of Vitamin D... but I had the same intense feeling when I woke up and I can't shake it.

I was reading an article from Ann Voskamp called "What the North American is Most Hungry for." It deepened the longing I have in my heart to see a different way.... to act out of love, compassion and the eyes of my heavenly Father. To not hide my face in the sand and act like everything is ok as long as my family gets the vacation they so desperately need... while forgetting that there are toddlers in Cambodia who have never known true love. I'm wrecked this week.... a mess really... and I'm ready to stop being annoyed by ignorance and start doing what God has called me to.

Here's what I know:

God's heart is close to the orphan and the widow.
(James 1:27, Deut. 10:18, Psalm 68:5)

...and I want my heart to be right where God's is.

love notes from zgirl

Let the playoffs BEGIN!

home.

 We don't EVER go to the movies, but the kids begged and begged until daddy finally gave in.

the littles.

my boys.

It always the unplanned times of life that make my heart flutter.

So much love for the beautiful people God has placed in my life.

I could stare for hours.

ramblings: am I there yet?

Am I there yet?

Will I ever arrive?
It seems as though the very same things I labored over, fought through and stood against are creeping back in the most inconvenient of times.

This ridiculous need I seem to have...

to be seen.

to be heard.

to be known.

It bleeds into my desire for value, significance and purpose... all God-given destinies that I somehow always manage to give a narcissistic undertone.

I want my life to mirror His.

to make HIM seen.

to make HIM heard.

to make HIM known.

The only way I can do that is to get mySELF out of the way and allow His light to shine.. in the most darkest of places... in my heart... and in the world around me.
The conclusion: I may never arrive, in fact, if I have then I'm probably in the wrong place. The journey keeps me dependent on Him for direction.

And the destination is always at His feet... with our lives pointing to Him.

and in all things... session 52

Things I am thankful for on April 7, 2015...

1. Joshua 1:9
2. Tuesdays- it's "get-my-life-in-order" days and for this type-A, a necessity.
3. Tiesta Tea- Fruity Pebbles and Nutty Almond Cream.
4. Mentorship by some of the best women in the business! I am so blessed to be able to meet with women of God who pour into my life every week.
5. Lazy mornings.
6. Joy in the journey.
7. Rain.
8. Unrushed hugs.
9. Brand new markers.
10. Grace.

Easter 2015

Eater Crates.

We love getting our Easter Crates every year, and this one was one of the best. The kids had so much to say about this journey to the resurrection of Christ and I am blown away at their perception of Christ and all that He has done for relationship with them. They totally get it.