Praiseworthy Things

As with many things in my life, my motivation comes from my Dad. I have to give him that one more website to check everyday. Otherwise, I will become some moral of a story titled, "The Girl Who Cried Blog". Thanks for reminding me, Dad!

I went to the Wednesday evening service at church tonight. The message was on Philippians 4, and blogging is the perfect way to put this verse to practical use:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things." -- Philippians 4:8

TRUE...

Joel and I went out golfing for the first time. Joel has been playing for years, and I didn't completely stink. We played a scramble, and half the time my tee off was as good or better than his. But after that, he had to save our game.

NOBLE...

Working hard at Waterway, Joel always makes time to say hi to me when I stop by. Even when they are swamped, he says to go ahead and get my car washed. Currently, there are some birds that have been pooping all over our cars and our front porch. There's nothing overhead for them to land on and poop, so they actually stand on our cars and poop. Right now, they have a nest full of babies in our cherry tree, and they make time to poop on their way there and back. That nest might not last very long.

JUST...

Joel and I on Resurrection Sunday, celebrating the combination of God's justice and grace.

PURE...

I had a wonderful birthday weekend, but after all the food I ate, I don't know that I could call it "pure". We had birthday tacos and cupcakes at Mom's house, to celebrate Patrick's birthday and my birthday. The next morning, Tanya made a breakfast that put IHOP to shame. Lunch was at The Blue Owl with girlfriends. Our favorite restaurant, Las Palmas was a delicious dinner. It was so good that I also went there again for lunch after church the next day. You know a restaurant is your favorite when you will go there for consecutive meals and order the same thing.

LOVELY...
We went to Belton for Mother's Day weekend. It was so relaxing to spend two nights there instead of our usual 20-hour-turn-around trip. Joel's grandparents were in town from Arizona and our littlest niece Natalie liked snuggling with them. We went to Stephanie's 2nd birthday party, even though it seems that she should still be the newborn. We were back in St. Louis for an evening with my family. It's probably the first time we've gotten to see BOTH our moms on Mother's Day!

GOOD REPORT...

The Annual Church Picnic was this past Sunday.

The smorgasboard of food is always of good report. Everyone had a great time, and the day was full of surprise finds. Many of the kids and guys were surprised at how cold the park water feels when it's dumped down the back of your clothes or over your head.

Garrett and Patrick climbed the tree to try to get the frisbee down, but surprisingly, it was Kwasi, standing on the ground, who was able to knock it down with another frisbee.

James lost his little orange alligator in the volleyball sand pit, and while Dad and I and others dug around for it, James continued to insist that only Uncle Steve could find it. We were surprised when he walked off to find Steve, and everyone was surprised when Steve came over and found it immediately. Well, everyone but James... who knew it all along.

I always think of the church picnic as the kick off to summer. It's the first outdoor event, preempting even Memorial Day barbeques. By next week, our summer will be in full swing, as we travel to Michigan with Joel's fam for a relaxing week by Lake Huron. While I have so much to do to get ready, I will do my best to be "anxious for nothing".