The Romance

Yes, the romance. I'm not just talking about earthly romance, such as between a husband and a wife. Which I hope that any married people reading this still have romance in your marriage! I'm mostly talking about romance with God! I believe that our earthly romances should reflect our romance with God. And a romance it is!

God not only loves us, but he cherishes us, treasures us, and we should cherish and treasure Him as well. Captivating means to hold the attention of, with an irresistible appeal. Romantically, captivating would be that attraction that almost makes you explode! I find God captivating and apparently He finds me captivating as well. How do I know that He finds me captivating? Well, for starters, if He didn't find us, his children, captivating then wouldn't He have left us years and years ago. If something doesn't capture your attention like a book, then don't you put it down and search for something better? I do. God is still active in our lives, we haven't bored Him yet! He finds us captivating! And I think that if we look around at nature and dwell on God's character for even one minute we will find Him utterly captivating as well.

God seriously loves us! I think that He watches our every move. He is a very attentive God. I wouldn't give up my relationship with him for anything. And He has done things for me that I can't even describe without being overwhelmed with emotion. So I guess basically I'm saying that it is good for us to remember how much God loves us and how much He is interested in our lives. And then we need to love Him and be interested in Him as well!

It's a romance. (For Kristen...God dates are good!)

The List

Beth, my cousin, and Aunt Patty have persuaded to try to come up with a "Best of 2007" list. For those of you know me it has been a very rough year so this is difficult.

Here it is...it's not in any order.

1. Living with awesome people in Oregon.
2. Playing games like Carcasonne, Settlers of Catan, Killer Bunnies, Elfenland, Bang, Super Munchkin, San Juan, Ninja Burger etc. with amazing friends.
3. Trip to Mount Hood with Heather and Micah. Snow tubing in an almost blizzard and going to Timberline lodge.
4. Hanging out with Mark in the mornings before he had to go to work.
5. My husband being incredible.
6. My dog being fuzzy and adorable.
7. The beach trip to Amy's cabin on the OR coast.
8. The "Grubbs go to Pittsburgh Tour" in what looked like a jail bus!
9. Anniversary in Seaside, OR.
10. Driving across the country.
11. Stopping in Kansas to see Chad's sister and her husband on the way to NC.
12. Stopping to see Josh, my cousin, in Tennessee on the way to NC.
13. Seeing the Tim, Beth, and Andrew Mackley.
14. Reuniting with my friend from high school, Melissa.
15. Living close Kristen and hanging out with her whenever we can!
16. Being with my parents and laughing a lot.
17. Thanksgiving with Chad's family in Kansas.
18. I predict that mark and Amy's wedding will be on this list.
19. I predict Christmas with my brother and rest of my family will be on this list as well.

Well, it looks like I am blessed. It has been a great year and at times one of the worst years too, but God is still in control and will be forever. Thanks to God for giving me people to bless me!

The Creation

I told Kristen, my friend, that I was waiting on inspiration for my next blog. Well, I had a little conversation with my mom while playing a game that I found blog worthy!

I was eating a Satsuma, or Clementine, or tiny orange like citrus fruit, whatever you want to call them. Then our conversation went something like this...
Me: "God did a good job of putting this (a satsuma piece) into neat little packages!"
Mom: "And they are so easy to peel and no seeds!"
Me: "Yeah, God did a good job on these (Satsumas)"
Mom: "God gets an A+ on this one!"
Me: "I think God just looked down and giggled at our conversation!"
Mom: "Oh I think he does that a lot. He probably thinks 'I made silly people'."

I really do think that God looks down and delights in His children. I bet He was happy that mom and I were finding His creation so perfect and enjoyable. I need to remember that God created the world for us to enjoy and live in. He loves us more than I can imagine. I hope that I have more conversation like the one above and often.

I tend to have a pessimistic outlook, I need to commune with God more and search for the little joys that God has given me...like Satsumas!