Hi friends. It's been quite some time since I sat down to actually type a blog (that wasn't mission trip related). It's been so long that I really don't even know where to start. Maybe I'll start with why the blog has been silent. At the end of 2011 I had great dreams for this blog--a place I would daily record my musings. Then life hit. Walking, running, giggling baby hit. I took a step back and realized I did not want my child's memory to be of me being on the computer, or even my phone for that matter. I vowed then if I had the option to play with him, the computer would be put away (unless of course I'm in my office and he is with me at work). And with that realization, my blogging came to a complete halt....and it has been insanely worth it. To laugh with him. To smile with him. To hear his deep, belly giggles. Totally worth it. I still long to mark his milestones on here---and have some catching up to do--so don't be alarmed if you start seeing blogs that should have been written 3 months ago!
So here we are. I have a day off. A day of rest. A morning of rising early, filled with raindrops outside, and reading of the Word. A cup full of strong Costa Rican coffee. A day of chasing after my little before he went down for his afternoon nap. A day of doing laundry after being on a mission trip for a week (can we say s.t.i.n.k.). A day of quiet. A day of hearing His voice and longing for the deeper places of His heart. A day of longing for Franco's breakfast--yet delighted when my husband came home with Chick-fil-a. A moment to be still knowing that tomorrow brings life at full throttle, yet walking in anticipation of what tomorrow brings.
The McLendons-let's give an update shall we? Robert and I just got home from a week in Costa Rica with our youth. It was a beautiful week. One that stirs the heart deeply and one that the Lord uses to bring out things that have been laying dormant within. I can't even begin to comprehend the magnitude of how deep and wide His workings are within each team member. I am eternally grateful that the Lord allowed me to lead such a precious team. Tears well with every remembrance.
Today we take a deep breath. Summer Camp and Scotland are ever so close. Summer Youth Group is launched, weekly fun events and building deep relationships are about to begin. Praying for provision for Scotland a constant. Longing for deep and new revelation of His Word--a cry of the heart. Walking in a new role with the Youth and desiring only to lead as He says lead. Every little thing comes down to just One thing. Jesus. Yearning to keep my eyes looking directly forward, and my gaze straight (Proverbs 4:26).
With all of this said, I have no idea what lies ahead for this blog--yet, I'm thankful for each of you that care about us and enjoy living life with us. There is a desire deep within me to write--and when I do, I desire for it to give Him glory. I hope to share more of the musings of the heart as life permits (yet, will still choose the baby giggles over the writing).
I close today with a word I read earlier here, "The further you're willing to swing into rest, the more fruitful your work will be-whatever it is." Today I choose to swing (to swing into the rest for a little while longer before the little wakes up).