God all around us

I'm in the middle of reading 2 books right now--The Shack, which was recommended to me by my mother in law and really good, and Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, which my girls Bible study is in the middle of and is equally good. Both of these books, which I would highly recommend, really have me thinking about what a real relationship with God looks like and feels like and requires of me and does to my life. And they have me thinking about who God and how He really is with us in all of the details of life, inviting us into a real relationship with Him. And as I've been going through life, I've been trying to find Him in the details, in the everyday, in the normal. Because I know He's there and I know He's wanting me to talk to Him and spend time with Him and so often I find myself getting caught up in the details of life down here, but what I'm trying to make myself remember is that all of the busyness of life is not separate from God--He meets me there too.

I can see Him through Landon's new job. While stressful and sad at times I think, depending upon the cases he has, his job is such a blessing and such a fit that I know God's hand was in it. When I went up to the office with him last week I got to go with him to CPS court and hear a couple of hearings and then to juvenile court and hear a couple there. It was interesting, a brand new experience for me, and the whole time I kept thinking of my students. I'm sure a good chunk of them have been in CPS court at some point, just like the kids Landon was representing. And as I sat in juvenile court and watch 13 year old after 13 year old, handcuffed and in prison garb, go before the judge, plead their case and remain detained for things such as a bad attitude, drugs and fighting, I could just see some of my kids there--some I know have been there in the past and some who I fear their temper will land them there eventually. But, on a happier note, I got to see Landon in action, which was really fun. And then back at the office, during the party and that afternoon I got to hang out with all of his co-workers and really talk to some of them and get to hear their stories. Most are younger, single mothers (except for the attorneys) and they've all got a story. I loved the day and I loved seeing Landon at work, knowing that his work is doing good for kids and affecting change in people lives. And I left with a whole new population of the world that needs prayers that I'd never really been in contact with, but are now a daily part of Landon's life. I like having my world expanded like that.

Landon and James, the new attorneys at the firm and the honorees at the welcome reception

the spread--Pappa's BBQ
and the DJ--YES, they had a DJ, haha. They just invited the whole office building so no one would complain about the noise!

the support staff (minus a couple) and me, in Landon's office

And lately, I've really been drawn closer to God and challenged to really trust Him and walk with Him and spend time with Him by our Young Married Bible class at church and am so thankful for that. There is a large group of people our age at church and I am thankful for the deepening friendships we have with them and for God using them to show His love to us. This Sunday after church we had our first "Young Marrieds Potluck" after church and I'd say it was a success--quite a few people stayed for it and we had A LOT of food. It was really good to just hang out and talk and get to know some people that I always see around church but never really get to talk to.

And, I know it sounds silly, but I can really feel God and see Him as Creator when I'm in our yard, taking care of our (still alive and blooming!) plants and flowers. Something about seeing something grow and blossom and bloom into something beautiful (and sometimes edible!) is amazing to me. Maybe it's because I've accidentally killed a lot of plants in the past, but I find myself kind of in awe of God as I look around at what we planted and see everything coming to life.

My first little pepper is finally starting to turn orange! Yay!!

And we're starting to see some (tiny) tomatoes popping through!I love how this rose looks like a heart!

What I'm not loving so much is my puppy trampling through the flowers that I'm attempting to take pictures of ! :)

Will, our good dog, waited patiently at the door until he could stand it no more...

and he just had to come join Baby out in the yard

They immediately had to run to the fence and see if they could squeeze through (which unfortunately, Baby still can!)

They were distracted though, when some of their friends came by to say hi--which freaked me out a little, because they were BIG.

But Will and Baby seemed sad to see them go, watching as trotted off down the sidewalk.

And, as I called them inside and out of the rain (which, consequently, is why I am at home today enjoying cooking and cleaning and reading and photographing and blogging and doing laundry and all of the fun things that I can never seem to find time to do lately), I thanked God for my little furry babies, who make Landon and I feel like a family and tide me over until we can have a real baby. :)