2014 Week 1: The Adventure Begins!

We are one week in to the new year people, how are those NY resolutions going? I'll admit, because I started the year with packing, sitting in airports and planes, and trying to readjust back to normal life, I haven't gotten off to a huge start. But each day is a new beginning--and that truth makes my New Year inspirations more attainable. So what will I do today? I will be gracious with myself and savor the fact that there are 51 fantastic weeks left in this year. I will bring a level of intentionality and excellence to my work today. I will try to give away as many smiles as I can. That's a good place to start. Seize the day friends!

Thinking in Reverse

Last week I went to see Lord of the Dance at Keller Auditorium. I was struck during the show about how every great story has a villain and a hero, successes and failures, dangers and rescues. I was trying to imagine what life would be like without the fall of mankind, or going back, the fall of Lucifer. Would there really have been an absence of pain or trial or evil? Would there have been no death? And if so, how would that have redefined our world? Without pain, would we feel the exuberance of joy? Would success taste as sweet without the contrasting bitterness of failure? Would we truly understand "whole" without experiencing brokenness? Would we appreciate health if we never battled with sickness and disease? Would grace be as profound if we didn't desperately need it to cover our weaknesses? Would forgiveness be as life-giving without the presence of sin--in fact what does freedom look like without sin? Long story short, what would our love for our Savior look like if we weren't so desperately in need of saving?!

What if we have it all wrong? What if we are supposed to celebrate the trials, and cheer along pain? Rather than running from brokenness or shamefully hiding it, what if we responded to it with hopeful expectation of the glory of God's redemptive grace? How would this world be different? How would the church be different? At the most basic level, how would I be different?

Ya, those are my ponderings at the moment....whirling and whirling around in my head.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Wowwwwww!

I just received my first Christmas Card today. I KNOW-I'm thinking the same thing! Thanksgiving isn't even in sight--it's October 8th for crying out loud!

.....Wait, what exactly were you thinking? Were you perhaps the tiniest bit impressed, more than a little annoyed at the timing, w/a little sprinkle of "what in the world" thrown in the mix? If so, then we are definitely on the same page. Now to this family's credit, the word "Christmas" didn't appear on the card. That being said, the "holiday wishes" were there, accompanied by little white snowflakes and the yearly family update. Goodness, I'm still trying to adjust to the Fall season, I'm not sure I'm ready to think about Christmas.

Then again, who I am to cast stones? I confessed publicly on Facebook this past Tuesday that I did indeed listen to a few Christmas songs that morning. In my defense it was by accident (I was doing the ipod shuffle), but I admit these songs made me smile. So maybe this family has it right, and they have captured a way to extend a glorious season of celebration. Perhaps I should get an early start on Christmas cards as well!

....nah, let's not take it that far! =)

Just the right size!

You know when you get a big company award that makes you feel fairly talented and you just may start believing you're somethin' pretty special? There's nothing like one bad call to bring you back down to earth and remind you though you do have moments of brilliance, you still have PLENTY to learn!

You know when you're at the gym shooting hoops, hitting nothing but net and making the boys around ya look bad? There's nothing like strutting over to the drinking fountain pushing that little silver button, and getting hit square in the face w/a steady stream of water-- that'll cut ya down to size in a millisecond! (And if you're me, it can't help but make you chuckle too.)

....which got me thinking, I suppose that's just what we are all supposed to be right--just our size! Not desperately pretending to be more, not consumed with worry that we're less, no bigger no smaller--just Lynn Marie Morrow as she was created to be!

Yep, God created me just the right size!

What a day!

There is NOTHING quite like the feeling of glancing at your alarm clock, seeing the numbers 8:15, and knowing that you have a work meeting in 45 minutes allll the way downtown. It would be quite the understatement to say that this past Tuesday morning I awoke like a shot! And though I may impress you by recreating the scene as I threw on clothes, weaved through traffic, and raced from the parking garage--suffice to say I actually made it to the office by 9:02. Nice! I guess that's what I get for not sleeping well the night before, my body just decided to do it's own thing to catch up on sleep. That was the jump start to my day.

I stayed late at work--I mean if you start late, you should probably end late right? Well, then I got a long talker on the phone, which made me end up missing my bus. Had to wait a whole 20 minutes for the next bus.

....did ya catch it? Ya, the whole "weaving through traffic" line above would imply that I drove to work today, thus making staying late pretty unnecessary. Don't worry, if you didn't catch it I didn't either until I was riding the elevator on my way to "catch the bus". Sheesh! I had to laugh at myself! Ahhh well, let's just chalk this day up to a comedy of errors. We all need those every once in a while right?

There is an old Irish proverb which says, " A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." Apparently, I had a very healthy day!

Morning Haiku-Inspired by True Events

Loud Saturday crow
Waking me from sweet slumber
6:30....really?!

sigh.

Goodbye sweet summer.... Hello Fall!

Is it just me or did Fall suddenly fall upon us? Yes, when I got up this morning it was actually quite dark outside! I'd be lying if I didn't say that my feet are a little apprehensive at sight of the flip flop weather quickly drawing to a close. sigh. Goodbye strappy sandals, farewell tank tops and camo shorts, alvedersane frappuccinos, swimming pools, and the ability to get a tan without paying for it.

Ahhh yes, but in an effort to avoid getting too sad here, let's take a moment to look at all that is to be gained in this change of the season. And there is much to be gained w/Fall--another FABULOUS time of the year! So with that--Hello to beautiful fall leaves, brisk coffee walks, and fires in the fireplace (I hope more than the two presto logs I burned last year). Hello to watching movies curled up on the couch while the weather rages outdoors, hello pitter patter of the rain on the roof, hello wind that fiercely bends the trees at will. Hello hooded sweatshirts, fuzzy fleeces, and cozy blankets. Hello fantastic Thanksgiving which focuses on the many ways we are so incredibly blessed. And finally, welcome back Pumpkin Spice Latte-it's so good to see you again on the menu!

I know I know, we officially have 11 days or something until the beginning of Fall, and they even say it will be back up to 80 degrees tomorrow. Yet after pondering the many amazing things Fall has to offer, I say bring it on. I've missed you Fall, and I'm glad you're back!