Ever wonder....

...if lovely new flowers are God's way of telling us that despite our current circumstances...

our weaknesses...

our pain, trials and grief...

or how weak and defeated we feel...

that new life - abundant and beautiful life - will come again. 

Just as He promises, if we abide in Him and His word. 

Because I do. 

I am thankful that the change of seasons brings reminders of His promises. 

As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter, 

day and night will never cease.

Genesis 8:22

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#231...The smell of fresh rain.
#232...Long chats with my mother-in-law.
#233...Early morning coffee that awakens.
#234...A weekend spent eating. A lot. Still full.
#235...Sunshine on what was supposed to be a rainy day.
#236...Work to do and strength to do it.
#237...Neighborhood kids playing outside.
#238...Pictures that bring back memories.
#239...Growing a little bit each and every day.
#240...Prayers that availeth much.

"Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart." Martin Luther

10 Random Things I Did This Week

1. I made tofu. Tom was not a fan (this is not surprising) but I thoroughly enjoyed it. And the price! Can't beat a decent chunk of "meat" for under $2.

2. I took my wedding dress in to be cleaned. Finally. It only took me 2.5 years.

3. I then had the lady at the dry cleaners tell me my wedding dress was cute. "Thank you?" I mean, I know it's simple and not overly extravagant but cute? Really? That's sweet. And different.

4. In under an hour, I reorganized three things (entry way closet/pantry/place where we put our work bags/recycling/location of extra flashlight and umbrella, linen/medicine closet, and top of my pot rack where I keep all of my cookbooks and printed recipes) that I had been putting off for months b/c I figured they would take too long. I also dusted the blades of our ceiling fan and and got on my belly and cleaned underneath our kitchen cart. As I like to say, "that's a good job done."

5. I went to a train show with Tom, my parents, bro, sis-in-law and Jacob where Dad taught us all about trains. We spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the weather, attending the American Craft Council show in St. Paul and exchanging stories. The sunshine was wonderful (and needed.) Bring on the summer freckles! (I wear sunscreen....most of the time.)

6. I watched Jacob play some baseball. One word - adorable. Love his determination.

7. I tried some new recipes: Cheesy ham bubble bakes and Croissant French Toast (both recommended.) And per usual, the dump cake was a hit. I could maybe/possibly/probably eat the entire pan. Thankfully there are no leftovers so I won't be tempted to!

8. I cherished the short but fun weekend with Tom's parents, who drove 5.5 hours from Council Bluffs to hang with us for two days. Despite a bit of chill and some rain, our hearts were merry. We heard a great message at church and had a fabulous brunch at the Woodbury Cafe - our favorite breakfast joint.
Think coral-ish pink is the new color this spring? *smile.

9. I finally saw the Blind Side. Definitely ranks in my top favorite movies.

And...

10. I bench pressed 95 pounds. Tom made me. I could only do it twice. But he was still proud.

Happy Birthday, Natalie

I married a really great guy, who has a really great brother who married a really great girl. And today is her birthday. Happy birthday, Natalie!! In fact, I remember when Tom and I were dating and he was telling me how fun and wonderful Natalie was and I thought to myself, "awesome! No pressure at all." *smile. She lights up the room when she walks in. Natalie is outgoing, loving, generous and has such a great sense of joy doing what God has made her to do, which is being an incredible wife, mom and friend. I wish you all could taste just one of her meals - delicious. She is gifted in the kitchen! I have tried and I can't seem to get things to taste as good. Natalie is always making people laugh without effort. She loves life and does everything with her whole heart. I appreciate her advice and take what she says to heart.

Here we are waiting for what seemed like forever to get Danny Goeke's autograph after the American Idol concert last September. Natalie's good to have around when you're in long, tiring situations. She just has this way of keeping things light *smile.

Happy birthday, girlfriend! I hope you have a wonderful day to match the wonderful sister and friend that you are. You are loved!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy birthday, Mom! It was so fun to spend the weekend with you and be able to celebrate your birthday with special outings and lots of Jacob laughs. One thing Jacob is sure good at is melting the heart of his grandma! You delight so much in us kids and in your grandsons. You are always there when we need you - whether physically or in prayer. You love showering us with gifts and emailing just to say, "Hi, I am thinking about you." You are a teacher through and through and always have advice and knowledge to share. God has blessed you with many gifts, but one is certainly your ability to brighten people's days and lift their spirits. You inspire me to do the same. 

Thanks for all you do for each of us, but also for being the wonderful mom, grandma, wife, sister, aunt, teacher and friend that you are. Hope you have a beautiful day, Mom! Love you lots and lots.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#221...A weekend with the 'rents, enjoying trains shows and art fairs.
#222...Jacob's contagious and joyful laugh.
#223...Shades of green taking over the grass, trees and shrubs again.
#224...Blooming hyacinths.
#225...Blooming tulips.
#226...Sitting, chatting and just enjoying life with my bro and sis-in-law.
#227...Recipes that turn out well.
#228...Making Tom laugh.
#229...Laughing at Tom.
#230....The anticipation of Heaven.

Long sigh...

My heart is heavy as I write this. I had suspected and heard but just finally had the time to confirm it online, that Jon Lacina's body was indeed found in an empty boiler room on Iowa State's campus. I had prayed and hoped that somehow he would turn up unharmed despite having been missing since January. I don't know Jon, but I think about his parents and brother and I am so sad for them. I was also asked to pray for a friend of a friend whose sister, Katie, died in a car/train accident this past weekend.


Why, why, why.........


It's too much, God. 

Some things in life just don't make sense. Accidents happen. Lives are cut short. Families are left feeling completely empty and paralyzed with pain. I believe that God cries with us and hates to see his children hurting. No matter the size of loss, He wants to carry us through it. My prayer for those two families who probably feel like they can't possibly go on, is that they experience firsthand his mighty power and strength. Because nothing is too much for Him.


Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Project #2: Completed

Ahhhhhh, spring cleaning. The thought of it makes me giddy for the results but tired just thinking about the work. It's amazing how out of control things can so easily become if you stop paying attention. I am on a quest to simplify our lives and space to promote peace and calmness. Doesn't that sound lovely? (Closing eyes. Hearing only the waves of the ocean. Feeling the warm sun on my face.) Ok, I am back now.

Like I wrote about last Friday, I enjoy having a clean house and honestly even enjoy the act of cleaning (most of the time.) I don't like germs or dirtiness. I do like disinfected and sparkle. However, if I can't see the mess on a regular basis, it somehow doesn't really bother me. Take spare bedroom closet #1 for example. Here are just a few of the items found buried in here: freshmen year cheerleading skirt, dance costumes, 5 pairs of snow boots, 19" tv from college, my unprotected (and uncleaned - oops) wedding dress, 3 memory boxes, 2 empty shoe boxes to use for future memory boxes, 3 jean jackets, old 4-H sewing projects, 10 coats, 3 pillows, 2 red curtains, my freshmen year Homecoming dress, knitting supplies, the veil I wore at my bachelorette party, a large bag filled with old t-shirts to keep for when I ever get around to making a t-shirt quilt, and the list goes on and on. It was a hodgepodge mess. It was time to tackle this spring cleaning job. Before:

Hodgepodge mess.

This was our junior year prom.

You didn't think I would get rid of my dress, now did you? *smile. I had royal blue heels and my friend Laura made me a beautiful sequence headband to match. I LOVED this dress. Tom had a whole other opinion. It's amazing how differently we see things sometimes. I still love him.

This gray wool coat was a hand-me-down from one of my best friends....many years ago. I loved it and wore it proudly for several winters, but then I bought a black one and no longer have a need for it. Tom said it's time to let it go. I suppose he's right.

Everyone bakes in their wedding dresses, right? Ha. I was trying it on for kicks and giggles (phew - it still fits) when the buzzer on the stove went off. Tom suggested I bake in my wedding dress more often.

I have these really great ideas sometimes. I think something is going to be so cool and then - years later - I realize how very wrong I was. Example: this Pi Phi/ISU (Iowa State University) spray painted shirt made at the Iowa State Fair. Really?

REALLY?! I probably paid $20 for it and wore it to bed once. Maybe twice. It's definitely going in the t-shirt quilt pile. 

And now for my one famous autograph - Ozzie Guillen signed my sweatshirt at my first Chicago Whitesox game. It was a big deal. Growing up, my dad gave me baseball cards for every book I read. My goal every time was finding Ozzie's card. (Not sure I ever did.) I also preferred the packs with bubble gum in them, but that's a different story. Anyway, I smile every time I see this sweatshirt, (which just so happens to be every time I move or clean out the spare bedroom closet) but more important things are pushing it out the door. 

Or should I keep it for the t-shirt quilt?

Jk.

I loved this green purse. I remember seeing it at the purse party and knowing it had to be mine. Lots of fun memories were had with this purse in tow. 

Those were just a few of my favorite items. The entire closet cleaning project took me two Saturdays and man is it nice to have it done. And now for the end result! 

After:

My donation pile: it doesn't look like much and more was added after this picture was taken but trust me, it's substantial.

So that's a wrap. Now on to the other spare bedroom, linen closet, kitchen cupboards and pantry, laundry room and garage. I should be done, oh........a year from now *smile.
 

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#211...Sunday dates at Starbucks with Tom.
#212...The fresh spring air that hits me every morning as I leave the house.
#213...The beauty of bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds.
#214...Celebrating birthdays with fun conversation around a bonfire.
#215...Releasing energy with a walk around the lake.
#216...Hearing and saying "I love you."
#217...Cute hand-me-downs from more stylish friends.
#218...The ducks and geese - always in pairs.
#219...Meals (with groceries bought!) planned for two weeks.
#220...God's grace when I continue to fail.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Happy 31st Birthday, Becca

It's my big sister's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Becca! Where do I begin?! I absolutely adore my sister and think she's one of the greatest people on this earth. Becca and I have always been close. I don't remember fighting that much growing up, and even at a young age - when most would find their younger sister annoying - she was including me in her "cool high school stuff." Some of her high school friends even call me "Sister Sarah" because I've been tagging along with them for so long *smile. Becca has a big heart and loves to make people happy. I've always been inspired by her selflessness. In some ways, we are very similar - I catch myself sounding like her all the time, but we're also very different, which makes learning from each other fun and interesting. It's tough living 6 hours apart (*big sigh), but we talk several times a week so that kind of makes up for it. Tom wonders what we talk about so often. To which I reply, "everything, Tom!" TV shows, work, Weston, what we're having for dinner, stuff we're struggling with/need advice on, etc. Lots of important things. It's been an absolute joy watching her with her first son, Weston. She's taken on motherhood with grace and ease. I'm so proud of her!

Here we are trying on really, really dark lipstick this past summer at the cabin. Actually reminds me of the lipstick I used to wear in high school. Can someone tell me what I was thinking?

We got a pretty good laugh out of it.

At our oldest brother's wedding - August 2008.

Becca - I love ya so much! I hope you have a fabulous day because you deserve it. Thanks for being the best sister and friend I could ever ask for. I think you are the best!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#201...Beating Tom in the bean bag game *smile.
#202...Burgers, shrimp, mushrooms on the grill.
#203...So many birds chirping. Loudly at 6 AM.
#204...Accomplishing tasks I have had on my to do list for months.
#205...Letting go of things that just clutter.
#206...Strong Tom hands to hold.
#207...Long week day dinners spent talking on the patio.
#208...Spring rain that nourishes new plants.
#209...Baby Lyndee Zuck - such a fighter. She is close to breathing on her own.
#210...Jesus' death and resurrection, which saves us from sin and death. Thank you, Father.


How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


-How Deep the Father's Love for Us


Happy Easter,

Friday Nights

Most (not all) Friday nights in the Barntsen house look similar to this:

Leave work and arrive to car at 5 pm.

Lift/workout until 6:30 pm.

Head home; change in to pj's (always.)

Quick pick-up of entry way, kitchen, bathrooms and bedroom.

Divide and conquer the dusting, cleaning and vacuuming of all main living areas.

Relax and enjoy dinner, while catching up on DVR'd shows or watching a rented movie.

-------------

I can't tell you how much I loooove waking up on Saturdays to a clean house. Love love love it. Perhaps it's because growing up Saturday was always our cleaning day so I have it in my mind that cleaning on Saturdays = boring. (No offense, mom.) We go to a 7 am Interpreting the Word class every Saturday morning so the last thing I want to do after we get home is clean. I see the positives in spreading your cleaning duties through out the week, but for me I enjoy having a clean house all at once. My personality probably wouldn't allow a spotless sink with dirty floors, as an example (just ask Tom.)

So on Friday nights, we clean. Because a happy wife is a good wife.

See how happy I am?

Tom told me to look like I was having more fun scrubbing the shower.
I don't think cleaning has to take forever and involve a lot of products. I like to keep it simple. If Tom and I work together, we can usually be done in an hour and a half or so. If that. My Norwex cloths and dusting mitt are fabulous and keep harmful chemicals at bay. We love the Enviro and Window cloths for windows and mirrors - so fast and zero streaks or spots. I would love to say that I have gotten rid of my Clorox Wipes but I can not say that because that would be lying. I use them for quick bathroom floor sweeps (I have a lot of hair) and some countertops. One of my new favorite products is Mrs. Meyers. They are made with natural essential oils and smell just wonderful (another reason I love a clean house - the smell.) Clean toilets are also a must. And not just the inside of the bowl. A trick I learned to make a bathroom smell fresh is to drop a few drops of oil on the inside of the toilet paper roll. The fragrance is released every time the roll is used. I've also stuck a dryer sheet in there in the past but now prefer the oil instead. Three or four "Clean Water" oil drops and you're good to go until the next roll.

And of course, cleaning on Fridays is always a bit more fun with a cold beer in hand *smile.
You know what I love just about as much as a clean house?

A husband who pitches in!
It obviously doesn't always go like this, and if we have plans with friends or family or are traveling, the cleaning will be moved to accommodate our schedule. As a wife though, I strive to have our home ready at all times for unexpected guests and this is just what works for us!

Happy Friday!