Digging Up Treasures

Sometimes you have to choose to be thankful for whatever you are given in a day.  Whether it's an obvious gift or a lotus blooming in the mud, there is always something worth your gratitude.  Last weekend was gorgeous here in Virginia.  The temps were perfect, the sun was shining, and our crew was outside the entire time.  We went to the Saunders-Monticello Trail in Charlottesville on Saturday (Graham and Maddox returned again Sunday to do some geocaching) and Sunday night we had a hot dog and s'mores roast by the fire pit on our patio.  It was pretty perfect.

Fast forward 48 hours, and it's 47 degrees and rainy.  But H&H were able to put their rainboots to use this morning- yes, he wears the cupcakes and she wears the trucks- and splash around in puddles for nearly twenty minutes.  They had a blast.

So, whatever your day brings be it sun or showers or storms, seize it!  Find the treasure.  Dig it up out of the mud.  And be grateful.

Let's Shine

I can't quite put my finger on it, but I realized sometime in my thirties that it's not all about me.  A novel concept, I know.  Children are very good at helping shift that focus away from self, but many parents- including me- upon becoming Mom and Dad, find it natural to move the spotlight off of themselves and onto their kids.  Their activities.  Their friendships.  School.  Daycare.  Birthday parties.  Soccer games.  It's easy to do.  And every parent has been there in one way or another.  But the truth is that our families can take over our lives and we're left with little of ourselves to share with anyone else.  Our spouse and our little people certainly deserve our best, but when special opportunities come around to share our gifts and talents and passions, it may be time to shine.

For several years, I've watched my friend Jenny as she's traveled back and forth to Honduras each summer.  She and her husband have worked with the homeless, loved on babies, fed some seriously undernourished kids, and started a sewing clinic in a girls home all while sharing the big love of God with those who need to know about it the most.  They've traveled with Sparrow Missions and I've been along for the ride virtually for a while now.  A few months ago, Jenny contacted me and asked if I wanted to join them this summer on a mission trip.  And so I looked again at the website.  Those ministries.  Those babies.  Those needs.  And my heart swelled.  And I said yes.

This June 30th-July 6th, my friend Meg Camp and I will be joining my friends Jenny and Jason and about a dozen other people in Honduras.  Meg is fluent in Spanish and has been on many mission trips to Latin America in the past so in brainstorming how to raise money for this trip (it's about $1500 for each of us) we decided to host a several authentic Central American dinners in my home to share our journeys and spread the word.  We hosted our first meal last week and had such fun with our friends as we watched videos about the work there, answered questions, and just plain had a blast pressing homemade corn tortillas and stuffing our faces with banana empanadas at the end of the meal.  

The fundraising continues this weekend with a barn party at Rounton Farm where guests can participate in a 50/50 raffle as well as a dance-off competition with proceeds going to Honduras.  How great is that?  I may also have a virtual "Shop My Closet" event this month for anyone interested in buying something on the cheap to add to their spring/summer wardrobe.  I'm told some people like my style:)  If other faraway friends want to help out, just click here and type "For Molly Crouch" in the message section of the online donation page.  Can't wait to take you on this journey with me!  Many blog posts to come. 

So whether big or small, take a step today and find a way to share a little piece of yourself with someone else.  Let's shine.

". . .among whom you shine as lights in the world. . ."  Philippians 2:15

Measuring Time in Ballet Shoes

There are days that lead into weeks that roll into months in motherhood where it feels like time. is. ticking. by. so. slowly, and then there are moments when a parent opens her eyes and realizes that the pace is too fast and it has to slow down.  In a blink, a year is gone.  Then two.  And finally, I'm left wondering what happened to those days of diapers and baby food and little giggles?  Because that once bald Harper Rose's head is now full of curls and her little feet are bigger now and dancing at her first ballet recital next month.  Wearing a pair of ballet shoes her sister put on her own feet all those many years ago.  Which wasn't really long ago at all.  Time is flying.  And I am counting ballet shoes and soaking up every second.