This Easter, I'm Just Thankful

It's a glorious day outside, and I want to get out there. I also want to go run at the gym. That's right, I want to go run. I'm on a gym kick, because yesterday I went to buy a bridesmaid dress for my good/best friends wedding in September. Guess who's last name is Jaques and has gone down a dress size? That's right, this girl! So I'm gonna roll with it. I think that having my own house and buying my groceries has helped me a lot. I think eating real meals helps. I think eating breakfast helps. So basically, what I'm telling y'all is that after this, I'm gonna go whop my butt into shape. And I'm gonna hurt so bad, and it's gonna be awesome. I'm curious to weigh myself...hmmm...we shall see.

Before I go though, I wanted to share some thoughts, because that's what I do best. :)

As a wedding present one of my bestest friends and bridesmaids gave my Beloved and I a stack of note cards with a quote from things we love on them for every single day for the first year of our marriage. Talk about intentional!A lot of them have been wildly appropriate. Sometimes my Beloved and I read them in the morning and just start laughing. Some of them are serious, some of them are funny (We got one from Finding Nemo, remember, just keep swimming!). It's a morning ritual that we read them together. Today, we got this one.

I smiled when I read this this morning. I decided that this is exactly what I'm talking about when I speak of God Art. All of this beautiful creation is meant to reflect Him! The puddles in the ground after a rain storm, the way snow sparkles, the way that a slug leaves a silver trail after himself, the way the middle of a tree has rings to show it's age, flowers! Think of this, He didn't have to give us flowers! All those daisy's and rose's, lilies! All creative just so we could see beauty! It is my goal in life to show young woman that they are part of this! That we are "fearfully and wonderfully" made, that God is an Artist, and He creates all for us. It's why I always include pictures or a song in my blog posts. Because our God, He is a visual God, and I will never get over that.

I find myself in awe of Him this weekend. In all that He does. I had the opportunity and funds to purchase some Essential Oils recently, and even that has reminded me how magnificent the Lord is.  For those of you don't know what essential oils are, check out this website which tells you all that you might want to know about this holistic way of healing. See, I still don't have health insurance, haven't for a long time (Don't tell the president! :P) so finding ways to heal myself have been a big deal. These oils are used for absolutely everything that you might think of, there are no side affects, and no doctors visits. And they smell so good!

Just last night my ear started to hurt so I grabbed some Peppermint and rubbed the oil behind and in front of my ear. The cooling sensation of the peppermint helped so much, and I was able to sleep. For those of you who have had ear aches, it's a big deal to be able to sleep. And then this morning, my husband had a bad shoulder ache. I mixed some Eucalyptus and Lavender in some Vegetable Oil and rubbed it on his shoulders. It is amazing the things that God has given us to use! I highly recommend looking into these oils. I'm so glad that I did.

I've spent so much time in the past two days just thanking the Lord for all He's done. I mean, it's Easter weekend, how couldn't I? Yesterday I read John Chapter 18&19 at the suggestion of this woman's blog post and I have to tell you, it...what Jesus did for me...I'll cry trying to tell y'all this, but...to think about what He did for me...for us all...how can you not end up in tears on your knees?

Easter this year has been so much more low key for me. It's the first year that I'm not...doing anything. I'm not traveling to see family, I'm not making a big dinner, I'm not even spending time with any little ones to see them collect Easter eggs. I'm ok with this. I'm ok with spending the time with my husband and reflecting quietly on what God has done for the world, for us, for me. Sure, I miss my family, and can't help but thing that last year, I was in South Carolina at my brother and his wife's house with my family. Also, just because I remember this story, when I was there, I had been dating courting my now husband, and my oldest brother asked me why I wasn't engaged yet. (Thought that was a fun story to share, look where we are now!) I do miss my family, but I am thankful for where I am now, and who I am with.

It is my genuine pray for every person who might read this little blog that you would know God's love, that you would bask in His Art, and marvel at all that He has done.

I know I am. :)