I'm still in the book of John, slowly but surely making my way through it. I've started leaving my Bible on my nightstand, open to the page I need to read so that in the morning I will be excuseless as to why I can't possibly find the energy to open it up.

I know that this is incredibly cliche, and that these days calling something cliche is cliche... however, this was a story that I've read several times before, and for some reason, today it was like news to me.

I'm in John 4:43-54, Jesus Heals an Official's Son (I read a sub-heading at a time, no matter how long or short it is). This is the time when Jesus was walking through Galilee, and a government official who had heard about the whole water into wine incident came to Jesus asking for him to heal his son.

49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.”

50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. (nlt)

It just kind of hit me: If I had been the father of the sick boy, I would have begged Jesus to come back with me. Pleaded, got down on my knees, and wailed. I wonder how badly that man wanted Jesus to actually go with him, to physically touch his son, to take some kind of tangible action.

But, in the end, the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

There comes a point in every prayer where you have to say, "Okay God, I trust you"; where you have to get up, and go out. I love that Jesus wants us to take risks with him, and to get up and go out not knowing how it's all going to play out.

I want to be a woman who believes what Jesus says, and goes out in those promises.

I'm packing for Texas.

I don't leave for another 13 days,
not that I'm counting.

Is that weird?

I've actually done this before...

So my dear friend Lori tagged me to announce seven random things about myself. Here goes:

1. almost all of my pet peeves are grammatical in nature. I hate it when words are purposefully misspelled (like Kidz Korner, Sudz Car Wash, etc). I also hate it when Christian events/groups/what-have-you replace the t's in words with crosses.

2. I have huge emotional ties to the song 'Life is a Highway' by Tom Cochrane. it was me and my dad's windows-down-music-blaring jam song when I was growing up, and I also have distinct memories roller skating in Danny's garage to it when I was 7. it's probably gonna be played at my funeral.

3. Due to the fact that my mom literally sent my cat away to a farm, I don't form attachments to animals anymore. I might have a dog when I get older, but I'll only be pretending to like it.

4. One of my life's goals is to become one of those old people who yell at kids to get off their lawn, keeps the balls that get kicked over their fence, and gives out pennies on Halloween. I'm not kidding.

5. There was a point in my life where I ate Cheetos every day with great relish. now I can't stand them. some people (namely my grandma and people I housesit for) still hearken back to that time when I loved them and give me entire bags of Cheetos because they think they're being nice. and it is nice. it's the thought that counts.

6. I like to jam out to the music I listened to in middle school to be reminded of what dorks we all were back then. mmm bop, baby.

7. I think that lollipops are a waste of time and energy.

Can I just say that I absolutely love the book of John? Whenever I really need to reconnect with God, it's the first place I turn. I think I'm going to read through the entire book over the next few weeks. For the last couple days I've really been stuck on John 1:16-18:

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. (nlt)

When I read this I had the phrase "unfailing love and faithfulness" running through my head all day. God loves me and is faithful to me. That's astounding.

I also love how the last sentence, "He has revealed God to us", sets the stage for the entire book by telling us that everything we see Jesus do and hear Jesus say reveals the character and thoughts of God. Amazing.

What about you? Where in the Bible do you go to reconnect with God? Read anything that blew you away lately?

I missed it so.

where the heart is.

I surprised Brad with a visit to Lufkin this weekend, because I know what an awesome birthday present I make. It was an amazing weekend.

Having to walk back into work this morning was like crashing into reality, then backing up and running over it again.

I can't wait for Texas to be my reality. Not that I want to run Texas over. I meant it in a good way.

want her?