Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Quick Lit. It is hard for me to throw in my voice on reading posts because I’m rarely finishing books – always in them. But I’m jumping in because sharing.

Emily Dickinson Selected Poems. Because life is poetry.

A Wrinkle in Time. Because I thought this was a read-aloud in school for me, but nothing is ringing bells. I need this in my life.

Brown Girl Dreaming thanks to MMD’s Podcast with Deidra Riggs. Sounded compelling and it is.

The Boxcar Children with Caleb during lunch.

 

What have you been reading?

 

{Heads up: some Affiliate Links in here}

I want to write about fashion today.

 

I do not want to face my blind spots. The ways I am privileged and didn’t know it. A friend said it best on Facebook, sharing how Lent is making her pause and consider her own loss, racism, and pain.

 

It’s not just out there.

 

I wish it was.

I hate my naivete at times. The idealism that can smooth away hundreds of years of struggle and injustice. That is genuinely shocked at what is still brewing in our hearts as a nation.

 

In my heart.

 

There’s so much to learn. Every stone turned over makes me wince. I want to let it thud back down, leave the darkness unexposed.

 

Yes. I want to write about fashion today.

 

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A new resource.

https://www.intentionalkingdomliving.com/4889-2/

Last time we got to hear about the first of 8 visions Zechariah had in one night. God told our prophet how He would again show mercy to His people.

 

Same night, second vision:

 

“Then I looked up – and there before me were four horns! I asked the angel who was speaking to me, ‘What are these?’

 

He answered me, ‘These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.’

Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. I asked, ‘What are these coming to do?’

 

He answered, ‘These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.'”

 

Zechariah 1:18-21

 

Have you ever been so sifted that you could barely lift your head?

 

It’s interesting: horns are symbolic of strength and power in God’s Word. These four horns in particular represent the four nations of Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, and Medo-Persia, the enemies of God’s people who opposed them.

 

Remember, this was God’s plan. He had outlined in Leviticus 26 exactly what would happen to His people if they gave themselves over to the gods of the nations. The exiles and their ancestors had real-time consequences for their disobedience.

 

He really is a good Father.

But now He’s done with that. He wants to lift up their heads again…and drive the nations away from His people.

 

Now. We cannot forget all we learned from Haggai. The people must work. As Beth Moore says, God wisely requires us to play an active part in our liberation. If He just zapped our enemies for us, we’d simply wander, slide, or jump into the next pit. The next object, circumstance, or person who seems to fill our Grand Canyon-sized emptiness and need.

He’s too kind to let us do that. So we work alongside Him to get free and stay free. In His power, under His Word, with His people.

 

But He gives us the beautiful vision of Zechariah 1 to carry us through the battle: Ultimately He will defeat our enemy.

And we will know where our help comes from.

 

Another Hack Night with Open Wichita tonight, February 11th, at 5:30 at The Labor Party. Join the discussion.

 

It’s 2nd Saturday. Shop Douglas, shop local.

 

This Saturday from 1-3, come to City Arts for their Professional Development Workshop: Marketing and Social Media. This free, quality panel discussion will review the various ways to leverage social media to share your work as an artist.

 

Come to Watermark for a signing and reading by George Hodgman’s Bettyville: A Memoir. And don’t miss Jessica Day George’s reading of her children’s book Fridays with the Wizards.

Join the Ulrich Museum of Art and Wichita Art Museum Friday and Saturday for their Community Symposium featuring the important work of Gordon Parks. See all discussion and reception times here.

 

Library:

Tonight, February 11th, come to Rockwell from 6-7 to make LOVE-ly Valentines for your friends.

Also tonight at Westlink, enjoy Family Fun: Dynamic Dinosaurs at 6:30.

Come to Angelou Branch this Saturday any time from 1 – 6 to make paper plate necklaces based on the creations of the Samburu tribe.

Also Saturday from 1 – 4 at Central is LibCon 2016. Dress as your favorite character from books, TV, or movies. Enjoy games and make a superhero ring.

Then at Evergreen on Saturday from 2:30-3:30, come for slime, bananas, and fun with Minion Madness.

On Valentine’s Day, Sunday the 14th, come to Alford for The History of Chocolate. Play games, sample the goods, and learn the history.

Our Popsicle Stick Harmonica event is back, this time at Evergreen any time from 2-5 on Tuesday the 16th.

Also Tuesday, come to Evergreen from 2:30-3:30 for Kids Cook. Ages 6-12 can practice simple recipes with all ingredients provided.

And don’t forget Hook & Needle Friends every Wednesday at Alford from 10-12. You don’t need to be an experienced quilter or knitter or crocheter. Come and learn and make new friends.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Rolling cars down the pile of dirt from gas line work

I have mentioned The Secret Book Club before. The fun part is when you bring back the book you unwrapped, you choose another book and place one of these bookmarks under it. The librarians then wrap that book for someone else to enjoy.

Our friend turned 3

Spiderweb fight

Happiness

New hobby: whittling wood

The start of a wicked Spanish Rice

Minions

 

Your 7 Days?

When I’m thinking through a specific topic, it takes a while for me to land. To know exactly how I feel about details.

 

So instead of my opinion, I thought I’d let you in on the articles and discussions that have been rolling around in my brain.

 

On the topic of racial reconciliation.

 

I know, very heavy. But I’m convinced anyone reading this blog can jump in and handle it with dignity.

The first article I linked to last week is this one. I like how it makes sure we know we’re not the only generation dealing with these issues. Great way to get started.

 

Next? This article. Don’t be scared of the title; she is not trying to attack anyone, just be honest about overcoming her complacency. (And make sure to read the blog post she linked to. Best line? “But I am simply and profoundly missing out if all my goals begin and end with me, or if they fail to fall heavy against the throb of injustice.”)

Third, this article from Desiring God. On what it will take to actually have these discussions.

 

I have yet to participate in and IF:gathering in real time, but I have benefited greatly from watching videos online. The one I’d like to direct you to is here. Beginning at 41:00 the ladies begin this discussion. They even have a downloadable packet of questions for ladies to use to help facilitate honest sharing from various perspectives. (Heads up: I’m fairly sure this is free to watch only until tonight, February 8th.)

 

(Also? You should check out Jen Hatmaker’s talk here, beginning at 3:25:00. “Ladies: Who would you stand beside if you were unafraid?”)

That’s what I have so far. I don’t think anyone would honestly say this isn’t an issue in our country. I also don’t think anyone honestly thinks the government is the sole answer to our struggles. If the people of this nation, in particular the Body of Christ, want to see forward progress, we will have to begin these discussions.

 

I’d love it if these thoughts bounced around your brain for a while, too.

“Then, because of the decree King Darius had sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates carried it out with diligence. So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo.”

(Ezra 6:13-14a)

 

The king had spoken and he was serious. Armed with not only permission to continue, but a command that no one messes with them, our exiles kept on keeping on “under the preaching of Haggai…and Zechariah…”

 

Back to our prophets.

Last we heard from Haggai it was December 520. The letter to King Darius and his answer took some time, and now it is roughly two months later, February 519. And we’re returning to Zechariah, our Remembering Prophet, three months after his last message.

 

Let’s hear what God has to say through him:

 

“On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.

 

During the night I had a vision – and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.

I asked, ‘What are these, my lord?’

The angel who was talking with me answered, ‘I will show you what they are.’

Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, ‘They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth.’

And they reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, ‘We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.’

Then the angel of the LORD said, ‘LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?’ So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.

Then the angel who was speaking to me said, ‘Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.’

‘Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the LORD Almighty.

‘Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.'”

 

(Zechariah 1:7-17)

Our jealous God. Jealous for His people. Comforting those who seek refuge in Him.

 

The phrase in verse 15 translated “added to the calamity” is no joke. The Hebrew for this word means adversity with the intent to harm.

 

I like how the NLT states this verse: “I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions.”

 

Remember what Zechariah’s name means? “The LORD remembers.”

 

Even when God is remembering His people’s rebellion, it is so they will learn to obey. So they won’t repeat the same mistakes and end up in captivity.

 

Is that the same way we remember? Or do we look more like those who don’t know Him: Choosing to remember others’ sin to punish them?

 

I have been acutely aware lately of when my words and actions misrepresent Him to others. When I do not look like someone who loves much because I have been forgiven much. Or when I don’t trust and it results in anger or anxiety rather than peace.

 

How about you? Do your words bless others? Or do they tear down and judge with the intent to harm?

 

And your actions? Do they result from freely receiving that you may freely give? To whomever God is asking you?

 

I struggle in God’s process to become a person who is quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. But I want to be that more and more.

 

After all, He is returning with mercy and rebuilding His House.

 

I want to be among those He comforts.

 

 

This Friday the 5th come to the Historic Murdock Theatre at 7 pm for Oklahoma Shakedown, a film by Taylor Mullins.

Want to shop for quality items at wonderful prices and support a local organization at the same time? Come to Dress for Success‘s Clothing Sale. Beginning today from 5 til 9, come to New Market Square for first dibs on items, light appetizers, and music. VIP tickets are $10 online here or $15 at the door. Then Saturday and Sunday enjoy free general admission. This group not only provides women with interview-quality wardrobes, they offer networking and career coaching for low-income women.

Saturday from 11-3, Green Acres at Bradley Fair is hosting their Customer Appreciation Party. Enjoy discounts and goodies while you shop.

The Sedgwick County Extension Office is hosting a workshop this Saturday the 6th to help anyone interested in learning how to be a better farmers’ market vendor or produce grower. Register here.

Watermark Books is hosting Melanie Benjamin for a reading and signing of her book The Swans of Fifth Avenue.

Wichita Symphony is presenting Dancing and Romancing this Saturday the 6th at Century II. Savor the sights and sounds of Broadway veterans Joan Hess and Kirby Ward. “The Symphony meets the Ballroom.” Tickets here.

 

Library:

Central is hosting a panel discussion  with local film makers Saturday 2-4 on film making in Kansas.

Sunday at Alford from 2:30 – 3:30 you can bring the whole family to a Mardi Gras celebration.

Monday from 1-6 you can stop by Linwood Branch and turn paper plates into necklaces based on the creations of the Samburu tribe. Children 4-10 can drop in.

Tuesday at Evergreen, children ages 3 and up can learn about what body parts do with their families for Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes 6:30-7:30 pm.

Come to Rockwell Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 pm to learn how to reduce Home Energy Consumption.

Next week is 2nd Wednesday which means: Adult Coloring at Westlink. Materials and beverages provided.

Senior Wednesday is at Central from 1:30 – 2:30. You can learn about the history of our local NPR station, KMUW.

 

Have a great weekend!

Another sweet new friend

Joy

Compost bin improvement

Ninja Birthday Party

Got to peruse during the party

Bookaholic is joining the Blind Book Date movement

My childhood

Warmth

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

Today I’m linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy for her What’s Saving My Life Right Now post.

 

Things making me happy this winter…

Morning routine. God’s Word, good coffee, and the softest blanket ever. {Fun side note on that mug: our small group leader had everyone bring one with their initial on it to our Christmas party. Whoever’s gift we ended up with in the White Elephant swap, we also got the mug with their initial. And we pray for that person each morning. Love.}

Kitchen Time:

My boys have been helping with dinner often lately. When they’re not interested, I’ve been putting on Pandora Dinner Party Station or Vince Guaraldi Radio or Podcasts and enjoying the opportunity to make soups, chili, and skillet goodness.

Green Smoothies pretty much daily. I truly can tell the extra vitamins are helping with energy.

Herbal tea. It’s a new staple since I relied on it for 30 days for after-dinner sweet tooth issues.

Family Stuff:

I’m grateful one of my hub’s top love languages is acts of service. He regularly builds me a crackling fire in the evenings, which happens to be my winter love language.

Enjoying any sunny days we get – including walks to the river and park play dates and spontaneous hang outs and neighborhood bike rides.

 

Board Games. Youngest and I often enjoy a game of Slap Jack or Memory or Sequence in the morning together. And games are one of our family’s favorite ways to hang in the evening.

Wisdom and Self-Care:

A Facebook friend posted her mom’s simple but profound quote the other day: “Never trust your feelings in January.” Amen.

 

Praying for and serving other people. Along with looking for ways to be grateful, these two things are the best way to get outside myself.

 

This article Jen Hatmaker posted on Facebook. Been rolling around in my brain, but don’t have any completely processed thoughts about it yet. You?

 

The YMCA – for everything from walking dates with friends to the classes I get to teach to the people I love to run into to family swims to the chance to get some work done. The Y blesses our family in so many ways.

The Library. For good books, kid DVDs, and another place to get some work done. Love, love the library.

 

Reading a little before bed most evenings. The 2016 Reading Challenge is helping me think more creatively about what to pick up next. And it’s helped me get out of the reading slump I’ve been in lately.

Creating – Experimenting more with photography, buying my first oil-based Sharpie and whipping up a mug, using some frames we were given to put some of the boys’ artwork in, and thinking through ways to incorporate old photos into decorating. I like it.

I’ll end the same way I did last year: my Jesus, my family, and my community are my heart. I’m so grateful.

 

What’s making YOU happy this winter? I’d love to hear.

 

{Thanks, Anne, for the great Winter Halftime share.}

 

{Heads up: A few affiliate links in this post}