minnesota through mahalia's eyes

Having grown up in the snow, I sometimes forget it's magical qualities. So when I took Mahalia back to Minnesota to see my family, I was surprised by just how excited she was to play in the snow. On our first full day, we gathered all of the cousins (minus one sickie), put on our snow gear, threw the variety of sleds in the trunk, drove over to the park I played at as a kid & went sledding.

It was a riot to see her reaction: definitely a mixed bag. Sometimes there were tears because the snow was cold & wet. Other times, squeals of delight as we raced down the hills, piled four deep on a sled.


Then there was the all-girls cousins sleepover. This was the highlight of Mahalia's trip to MN. She got to eat fun food, play with the girls & and then (most importantly) wake up to the girls STILL being there! Good times in MN if you're Mahalia.

a night to remember

Last night was a night to remember!

With my outrageous outfit, along with my equally fabulous nails & makeup all done up . . . my salsa family joined together to celebrate my friend, Drau, and my birthday. We ate, danced & then danced some more. I appreciate my salsa family for so many reasons. But my #1 reason is that they REALLY know how to have fun! This last year has been a tough one for me & dancing has helped me keep my sanity. I have spun, dipped & twirled my way from one challenge to another. I am grateful that God has given me dance. I feel deeply loved by God when I dance.

When I woke up this morning . . . now 36, I invited Jesus into the pain of the past year. I have discovered that the cure for the pain is in the pain itself. And even in the midst of the pain, Jesus has invited me to dance. And dance, I will.

joy as justice

One of the main byproducts of being a middle child - with the constant desire for "fairness" - is that, as an adult, I'm very justice-minded. I tend to want things to work out the way the "should." I want systems, countries, businesses & people to get what they deserve - for better or for worse. I want things to go by "the book" . . . or do I really?

Last spring, I was assaulted. Since then, I've seen my assailant multiple times. The first time I saw him, I felt extreme fear & anxiety. After a few more encounters, I wanted him to "get what he had comin" . . . a good beating would work just fine (or so I thought).

But over time, I've realized that any vengeance that could be "done" upon him wouldn't change me & my situation. I realized that even if/when he is "dealt" with, that it wouldn't make me feel different. I could still feel fear or anxiety. But as I was talking to a friend, she reminded me that the best form of justice is living into our greatest joy. The evil in him tried to kill the spirit in me. But my best form of justice is not retribution - it's choosing to live a full and happy life . . . and leaving the vengeance to God.

How many times have I wasted time wishing for retribution, when I could have simply gained my own justice by living a full & joyful life?