Summer Books

Nick & I are reading some great books right now. Nick is reading Churched by Matthew Paul Turner. It is a hilarious story of the author's journey in an old school baptist church. Nick is constantly laughing out loud, Matthew Paul Turner's writing is refreshingly honest and sarcastic.

I am reading Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity by Keri Wyatt Kent. Learning about the importance of rest not only intentionally on Sabbath but as well as a sabbath type of living and rhythm everyday in our busy lives. Keri integrates a lot of our Christian heritage into this understanding which I really appreciate and am learning a lot from it.

When we rest intentionally in God's presence, we are saying, "God I trust you when you say your love is unconditional. Because I am receiving your love - without doing anything."

Random Happenings

Del Taco. A beautiful thing & a Bennett thing. So, as you can imagine, the excitement and joy that filled Nick and I when we found out that the closest Del Taco from Chicago was ONLY 2 hours away. Immediately, we both knew what had to be done.

So, on Sunday, we drove down to South Bend, Indiana, and got ourselves some Del Taco.

Exploring new territory excites Nick and I. We love seeing new places. Even if they have absolutely no importance. (While we would both defend the great important of Del Taco.) We just drive, get away, and breathe in some new air together. We observe how other people live and take in their surroundings. It broadens our understanding. And mostly, we just love it.

Randomness helps push our schedules. We have to throw our box and get a new one. It keeps us on our toes - never getting too comfortable where we are.

We ended up walking around the Notre Dame campus and wow was it beautiful!

This glorious picture is too hilarious to pass by. That Del Taco was worth the drive.

A Grandmother's Things

We accumulate stuff. Sometimes I question it. But at my great-grandma's memorial service a couple weeks ago. It all made sense to me.

I got the honor of keeping a few of her collected "things" and jewelry. It has a sense of her with it. A sense of a life lived. A very well lived life in this case. "Things" are so temporary. But sometimes temporary is all we can muster up to symbolize the earthly life we live. This vase existed in her midst, it surrounded her during her days and filled her home. They were hers, and now a part of her is mine.

I wonder what "things" my great-granddaughter will have of mine, what things that I'll leave behind.

Painting Sooths My Soul

When I paint, joy overflows. For anyone, getting to be a part of something you love doing is overwhelming and brings so much happiness. I think of my brother playing baseball. When he misses even one day out on the field, he is itching for some dirt. I itch to paint. About a week ago, I realized the potential I had in me, and was done letting it sit. So I am starting my own paitning business. It is really exciting for me. The excuse I have to spend my time painting now is really incredible. Can't wait to see where it goes, and in the mean time just enjoying where it is.

If you get a sec, check out my new site. Or join my "Canvases by Brit" group on facebook.

www.canvasesbybrit.com