15 Resolutions

Howdy, ya'll!

Sorry... I'm just getting into a "Texas" state of mind before I head that way for Christmas next week!

I truly can't wait. It was so nice having the whole family here for Thanksgiving this year- the first holiday I've ever spent in Tulsa!

But there's something about sleeping in your childhood bedroom, no matter how much it's changed over the years, on Christmas Eve. So, Texas, here I come.

In the meantime, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my New Year's Resolutions for next year. I make a list every year; something about putting it all down on paper makes me feel productive.

My resolutions this year are quite a bit different than the ones I put down last year. So much has changed- I have changed- so I'm spending a lot of time thinking about what I want for myself in 2011.

With full acceptance that sometimes... my resolutions and God's resolutions for me are a bit different. :)

Every day from now until New Year's Day, I'm going to blog one of my resolutions. In fact, let's all do it! 15 resolutions, from today until New Year's Day. 15... hopes? dreams? goals? changes?... you have for 2011.

So, here we go. My first resolution for 2011, and maybe the biggest one of all- definitely deserving of the #1 spot:

Grow in my relationship with the Lord and find a church to start regularly attending.

If 14 of my resolutions fail in 2011, I hope this single one is successful. I've had such a season of growth in my walk with the Lord these past few months, and I pray that continues into next year. And I would love, love, love to find a church home in Tulsa. It's time.

So, there's #1! Tune in tomorrow for resolution #2. And hopefully this gets you thinking about your resolutions for 2011.

Let's make it a great year!

Giving Thanks

Hello, friends and family! What a whirlwind week. I hate going several days without blogging, much less a week, because it's such a wonderful outlet for me. But I spent the past week focused very intently on another "outlet"- a variety show we put on right here in Tulsa. "Show and Tell With Peter Bedgood" had great turnout, and I am so incredibly proud of what we put together.

Nearly three months of working what seemed like two jobs, all paid off!

Now, I am so ready for a week of slowing down, of giving thanks. My family comes Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving in my new house, and I am so excited to fill this cozy home with the people I love most on this Earth.

The older I get- and maybe this year, more than ever- I appreciate Thanksgiving. A day to reflect on blessings. Technically, it should be Thanksgiving every day- (cue the cheesy music) but sometimes it takes a special day, a holiday, to put things in perspective, to remind you in the hustle and bustle of life what giving thanks really means.

I am so thankful right now, I could cry. 2010 has not been a good year for me on paper. And sometimes I look back at August, and I tear up, thinking of the girl who lived in an apartment and watched her life change faster than she wanted it to.

I can't even believe that girl was me.

So, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful- maybe more than ever.

I am thankful for a broken heart, because every day I feel stronger and more certain of what I want and need.

I am thankful for death of a sweet pet, because it made me remember that life is fragile, and worth living to the fullest.

I am thankful for family who surrounds me with love and laughter.

I am thankful for friends who stand up for me and give me support.

I am thankful for a job that lets me be me, every day.

I am thankful for a new house, that I will fill with memories for many years to come.

I am thankful for a Savior, who keeps me holding on... no matter what.

2010 has not been a good year on paper. But if I had to judge this year on lessons learned, on hope restored, on thanks to be given- this has been my best year yet.

A Prayer

Happy Wednesday!

I don't know about you, but the week is only halfway through and I'm exhausted! Too much going on. :) So, instead of an update... here's a prayer.

I actually had this taped to my mirror for years, and I just stumbled across it again the other day. I beyond love it.

Because I Love Her

I made her... she is different.

She's unique.

With love I formed her in her mother's womb.

I fashioned her with great joy.

I remember, with great pleasure, the day I created her.

I love her smile.

I love her ways.

I love to hear her laugh

And the silly things she says and does.

She brings me great pleasure.

This is how I made her.

I made her pretty and not beautiful

Because I knew her heart

And I knew that she would be vain.

I wanted her to search her heart

And learn that it would be me in her

That would draw friends to her.

I made her in such a way that she would need me.

I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be

Only because of the need for her to learn and depend on me.

I know her heart.

I know if I had not made her like this

She would go her own chosen way

And forget me... her creator.

I have given her many good and happy things

Because I love her.

Because I love her I have seen her broken heart

And the tears she cried alone.

I have cried with her

And had a broken heart, too.

Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone

Only because she would not hold my hand.

So many lessons she has learned the hard way

Because she would not listen to my voice.

So many times I have watched her go her merry way

Only to watch her return to my arms

Sad and broken.

And now she is mine again

I made her...

And then I bought her...

Because I love her.

I have to reshape and mold her

To renew her to what I had planned for her to be.

It has not been easy for her or for me.

I want her to be conformed to my image

This high goal I have set for her

Because I love her.

I love that poem! Such a wonderful reminder of what God intends for each of us.

Here's to Thursday... one step closer to Friday!

Busy and Blessed

Where did this week go?! I have felt so overwhelmed and busy lately. But, I had a moment of clarity earlier today. Everything I'm sooo busy with right now... I love. I'm making time for the things and people I'm passionate about, and I couldn't be happier about that.

Work has been brutal lately- long hours, late nights. But I'm surrounded by some of my favorite people. People I can depend on in any situation. People who know me inside out. Who can tell by a look when I'm sad or happy, who know my insecurities, who could order my favorite meal (or drink!) on the spot. Who gets that lucky with their co-workers?

I have met some fabulous people through the variety show. By the way- get your ticket now! The show airs Thursday, November 18th and Friday, November 19th, so take your pick. :) Over the past month and a half, I have gone to new coffee houses and bars, brainstormed with some of the most artistic and creative people I've ever met, and really opened myself up to a new world. Every long meeting, I'm thankful for.

And this house- it takes a lot to own a house. Not just from a financial standpoint, but responsibility-wise as well. Whether it's the cable or the dryer, hanging things on the walls or watering the lawn, it all takes work. But I can tell it's making me grow up, too.

Coming out of a rough few months, I now feel like I'm growing more than ever. The people who have been by my side through the rough parts are still right there by my side. And new people are coming into my life, continuing to shape me. I'm so blessed by each person I'm getting to know for the first time, who reaffirm the girl I am and the girl I want to be. And I'm so blessed by the people who have known me for years, who continue to amaze me with their strength and support.

Life is good. New dreams are good. Could I finally be accepting change as a good thing? :)

Letting Go

Tonight's post is a sort of follow-up to last night's post, and I didn't even set out to do that. I love it when I write about something one night, and then the next night... it all seems to make a bit more sense. So, here's the "sequel." :)

I am a stick-it-out kind of girl. I put everything I have into my work, my relationships. That was probably ingrained in me at an early age, when I wanted to quit piano lessons or girl scouts, and I wasn't allowed to. Even though I did eventually quit- it taught me that quitting shouldn't ever be easy.

I think that's why I have felt stretched so thin lately. I have a lot of things pulling me in different directions, and if I'm not careful- I start to lose a little bit of "me." I get tired and weepy and whiny. Because quitting isn't an option, but draining myself dry... is.

But, in the past 24 hours, I've felt the sting of heartache all over again. I've taken a long walk with my co-workers and laughed a lot, and I cried over dinner with one of my best friends.

These are the moments that remind me who I am. What I stand for. These moments of testing and truth remind me what's important no matter how many directions I'm pulled in.

These moments rejuvinate me and remind me that many of the things that are stretching me thin are things I care about, things that are worth my time, things that make me happy, things that fill me up. Things I should make a priority, not just another item on my to-do list.

And these moments also remind me of the things- and yes, even people- I need to let go of. The things that hurt and dissapoint, the things that drain me dry. I find myself wanting to write a disclaimer to this statement- because, after all, i'm the stick it out girl- but sometimes, the best favor you do for yourself is forgiving and letting go.

I think it's a very good thing.

Lift Your Oars

Oh my goodness.

I have so much to catch you all up on, it's not even funny!

In case you missed it, I moved.

And I've spent the past few nights getting to know the creaks and rattles and taps that make my 1946 house talk.  It's been interesting.  Last night, I experienced my first thunderstorm in the house.  And, if this makes any sense at all, I fell in love with the house last night.  I've loved it all along- but last night, it felt like mine, with the thunder rolling and the rain pounding on the roof.  I loved every second of it.  My little sanctuary.

I just finished catching up on blogs, and I came upon this little gem over at A Sweet Spoonful.  

This poem absolutely speaks to my heart right now.  And, I love the way Megan breaks it down and analyzes it.  So, here you go, a poem on a rainy day.

West Wind #2

You are young. So you know everything. You leap into the boat and begin rowing. But listen to me. Without fanfare, without embarrassment, without any doubt, I talk directly to your soul. Listen to me. Lift the oars from the water, let your arms rest, and your heart, and heart’s little intelligence, and listen to me. There is life without love. It is not worth a bent penny, or a scuffed shoe. It is not worth the body of a dead dog nine days unburied. When you hear, a mile away and still out of sight, the churn of the water as it begins to swirl and roil, fretting around the sharp rocks–when you hear that unmistakable pounding–when you feel the mist on your mouth and sense ahead the embattlement, the long falls plunging and steaming–then row, row for your life toward it.

~Mary Oliver

I think I love the two separate messages in this poem.  One being, lift your oars and just listen.  Just be.  I struggle with this, so when I read Bible verses or poems like this, it speaks to me.  And then... the call to action.  When you hear that pounding, whatever it may be, row for your life towards it.

Are you lifting your oars today, or rowing like crazy?  I hope to do both.

Sweet Dreams

As all of my faithful followers know, the past few months have been pretty rough for me. And through a lot of heartache and grief, I have started to heal.

But something interesting about the whole process is that I don't have a lot of memories from July through mid-September. It's like I had temporary amnesia.

And, it's not that I blocked it all out. The opposite- I felt every single second of it. But I retreated into myself. It was experiencing sadness and grief and hurt, and I needed to block everything out for a bit. My walls of defense came up.

Something I'm finally realizing, coming out of the worst of that grief and heartache, is that so much of the sadness I felt- and still feel- comes from the death of my dreams.

I had a whole life and future envisioned for myself. I could picture my life so clearly with him. Even Toby was a part of that vision. And, just like that, it all went away.

But the last few weeks, I have felt the spark come back. My zest and energy and dreams. They started slowly trickling at first, and now it's like a waterfall. All of these wonderful dreams. Some small, some big.

New dreams are starting to spring up from the ashes of the old ones.

A couple of weeks ago, I finished a fantastic devotional by Sheila Walsh called "The Heartache No One Sees." It was such a wonderful tool in my healing.

And appropriately, today I started a new devotional by the same author- "God Has A Dream For Your Life."

A week from today, I will be moving into a new house. Big dream, not even on the radar three months ago, now coming true.

For the first time in a long, long time I don't know what's coming next. But I can honestly say... I can't wait to see what it is.

Lindsay Lately

I'm reading this great book by Sheila Walsh right now called "The Heartache No One Sees."

I know, the title sounds a bit intimidating- but it's actually such a refreshing read. Don't get me wrong, it's very deep. And it's making me really take a good long look at my current heartache.

I'm only a few chapters in- and so far, I've been challenged to come face to face with my heartache, struggle with my own doubts and insecurities, and best of all- accept healing.

Isn't that an amazing concept?! I think so. I think it's easy to let things snowball. When life falls apart, to let it all collect into this giant heap of bitterness, and "why me."

I'm choosing the hard road- to accept healing. And, we all know who the ultimate healer is.

So, here's how I'm healing. I'm working hard. I'm remembering the joy. I'm running. I'm making time for daily "quiet time." I'm making dates with friends here in Tulsa. I'm house hunting. I'm praying. I'm planning a trip to see my family & friends in Plano. And, I'm dreaming up a few big things that I put on the back burner, for whatever reason.

So, that's Lindsay Lately. Now, I'm off to get a pedicure.

I mean, who said healing has to be completely painful? :)

Healing

I hope everyone doesn't just hate my blog these days. I promise I will try to incorporate fun, happy & light-hearted things again... someday! :) I mean, I did just put up my fantastic "VIP Lounge" button last week.

But right now, this blog is serving as my therapist. So, hang in there.

I'm happy to report... you were all right. Time (and a LOT of prayer) really does heal all wounds, and I feel like I'm not as raw right now. I think that counts as healing.

But, I'm dealing with two very different kinds of grief right now, and that's where it gets tricky.

I'm grieving the loss of my Toby. Death, sudden and final.

And I'm grieving the loss of a relationship, of a best friend. Hurt, sadness.

Either way, I'm left with an aching heart.

I wake up, and have some quiet time, and I'm ready for the day. I get to work, and I have responsibilities and meetings and work.

But when I come home... the walls I've carefully put up all day, the facade of strength crumbles a bit. There's no one to see me cry, no one who's depending on me. So, evenings are hard. Going to bed is hard.

But, the healing has started. So, thanks for the prayers, the cards, the texts, the emails, the facebook messages, the tweets, the blog posts. (Wow, can we say social media addict?!)

Every single one makes me feel so loved, and so blessed.

Now, if I could only make the clock speed up a bit between the hours of 8pm and midnight. :)

No Matter What

A few weeks ago, my Toby-cat passed away. Quickly, suddenly. And just when the sharpest edge of pain was starting to fade from that loss- my heart broke all over again. It seems that my relationship of 2.5 years is ending, too.

Just typing that paragraph takes my breath away. A month and a half ago, everything seemed so right in the world. I had a relationship I was proud of, that I thought was heading towards something. I had a furry cuddlebug to come home to. A job, family, friends. And now, I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.

I feel so selfish saying that. God has blessed me so greatly. My family- what can I say. Tight-knit and supportive, encouraging. Healthy. My friends- I've learned the true definition of friendship these past few weeks. I know I am beyond blessed.

But that doesn't keep the dark moments from sneaking up on me. Pictures I put up just weeks ago seem like a different life- a different Lindsay. Sometimes I look at her and want to go back and warn her that her world will be turned upside down- that grief and heartache are just weeks, days away.

But I can't go back. I can only go foward, with the belief that God is doing something really special that requires a complete change in course. I don't want to waste a minute questioning God's plan for me- even though it may hurt. I have too much to be thankful for, and I can't lose sight of that, ever. No matter what.

This song says it all- thanks, Mom.

Lead Me

I heard this song called "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real on the radio on my way home from work tonight. This is a clip about the meaning behind the song, and then you hear the last chorus at the very end. I am just so in love with this song, with the honesty in the message. If you want to hear the whole song without the story, go to Sanctus Real's website.

New Normal

It's been one week. As of today, I can no longer say... "just a week ago, he was here. And now he's gone." It's easier every day, and harder, too. Is that possible? It is, because it's happening. Easier and harder. Easier, in the fact that I cry less. Harder in the fact that reality sets in a little deeper every day.

In explaining my feelings to a sweet co-worker, she nodded her head sympathetically- she, too, lost a beloved pet too soon- and told me, it's a "new normal."

Hmm, a new normal. I like that. It's become my mantra, the phrase I say to myself when my heart aches so badly it physically hurts. A new normal.

Waking up is different. Going to sleep is different. Coming home from work is different. Leaving dishes in the sink is different. After all, there is no "leftover food bandit" here anymore.

My apartment even smells different to me.

It's all different. A new normal.

Thanks to everyone for hanging in there while I go through this. I know you didn't become a fan of Lindsay's Lounge to read about Toby. But, this has become a huge source of comfort, and- let's be honest- therapy for me. It won't always be like this. In fact, I can't wait to show you a new feature soon that will be fun.

This blog will return to normal. Life will return to normal. Well- a new normal.

Holding on to the Happy

So, today was hard. I knew it would be. My first "fully-functioning" day, where I had to wear make-up and go to meetings and deal with life.

I have a new respect for people who put a smile on their face, even when their hearts are breaking.

I miss Toby sooo much- but, I'm really trying to hold on to the happy.

Like... how much support I've gotten from loved ones around me.

... And how God never said it would be easy... just that we wouldn't be alone. (Thanks for the reminder in the car, Ginny Owens!)

And how a year from now, i'll be looking back on this time right now, stronger. With a cocktail in hand as I gaze out at the beach.

No, really, it's true. I'll be in San Diego a year from now for the BlogHer Conference!

Holding on to the happy.

Change

Change is so hard, and I've never handled it well.

So, obviously the biggest change right now is my apartment. The quiet, the emptiness, the... Toby-less-ness.

I probably should have left this weekend, gotten out of town, away from my apartment.

After all, it is the only home I've ever had in Tulsa, the place Toby & I lived for four years.

But- I needed to be there, alone. To experience every painful moment, by myself. To wake up, to go to sleep. To feel it.

I needed to sit on the patch of carpet where Toby used to stretch every morning. I needed to cry on the chair he used to sleep on. I needed to walk around and look under the bed and in the shower, looking for him, just in case this was all a really bad dream.

I feel stronger today, and I probably will every day. I'm a little less angry. I have even ventured out to Starbucks with my laptop.

It's the little victories, right?

Change. You come, whether we like it or not.

Roller Coaster

Wow, what a week.  I was scrolling through my posts and hit last Wednesday, when I blogged about changes coming to Lindsay's Lounge.  Changes are still coming- but it's a little on the back burner at the moment.  Right now, my blog has a full-time job- and that's reporting on my little man, Toby.

Last Wednesday, Toby had an appointment.  There were still concerns- he wasn't gaining weight- but he was so much better than before, and we were on the up and up.

By Saturday, he was so incredibly sick.  Sunday, I took my overall lifeless little guy to the vet.  Monday, I was being prepared to put him down.

But then, good news.  Something was stuck in his intestines.  He needed emergency surgery. Hope wasn't lost.

The surgeon removed a piece of synthetic toy stuffing that was blocking his intestines.  Great, great news.

And yesterday, the roller coaster continued.  He wasn't improving.  He wasn't bouncing back.  He was depressed, and they weren't sure why.

I went to the hospital with my favorite gray sweater.  I kissed him and rubbed his nose and patted his swollen tummy.  I tucked my gray sweater around him, reminding him of what he had to fight for, what he had to live for.  

I was meant to go see him when I did.  Because 20 minutes later, I was told he needed another emergency surgery.  A bacteria infection was keeping him from recovering, and they needed to fix it immediately.  I didn't know whether I had just said goodbye to Toby... or had just given him the strength he needed to fight through another 2 hours on the operating table.

He fought through the surgery. He's recovering, again.  There is so much hope and fear intermingled in my chest that I feel like it might explode.

What a roller coaster.  But we're both still hanging on.

Broken Pieces

I'm having a hard time focusing at work today.  It seems like everything has just fallen away in importance since my little guy got sick.

I know that probably seems dramatic... even a little unhealthy.  But, it's the truth.  Work is hard, smiling is hard, finding hope is hard.

But, I was reminded by Jeremy Camp in the car that "in brokenness I can see that this was your will for me... to help me to know, that you are near."

I know that in our most broken moments, even when we're angry and sad and fearful, that we must turn to our faith.  I know that.  I know that.

I'm trying to live that, too.  But... it's hard.

My apartment is too quiet.  My thoughts are too loud.  Sleep has left me, it seems permanently. My heart has broken and mended and re-broken too many times to count in the last 3 days.  I'm sad, and hopeful again, and sad. 

"In brokenness I can see, that this was your will for me."

Ok... time to pick the broken pieces back up... again.  Maybe they will stay put together this time.

Priorities Revisited

Ok, so I think I'm figuring it out.  Getting my priorities in order... slowly but surely.

Do you ever feel like you just need to slow down... re-evaluate what's important?  What to focus your time and energy on?

I had one of those moments last week.  So... after lots of thinking, lots of praying for stillness and quiet, and lots of naps this weekend (yes, I strongly believe naps are therapeutic)... I have...

A PLAN.

Yes, plans are probably half of my problem with priorities.  I plan too much.. and get overwhelmed.

But this is a plan to stay underwhelmed.

So, the plan starts with.... me.

Commit to going to church. Work out frequently.  Eat better.  Try to look cute a couple of times a week.  

And, then it moves from me... to you.

Blog often. (Because it makes me happy.)  Spend time with Toby.  Make more time for phone dates, coffee dates, real dates with Bryan.  Drive to Plano more just because.

And, from there, everything else falls into place.  Because the rest is just that... the rest.

Work manageable hours.  Stay away from drama.  Ease up on the self-guilt.

So, that's the plan.  And, you wouldn't believe how much better I already feel.

What's your "plan" for prioritizing?

Priorities

I'm figuring them out- priorities, that is. Well, it's less that I'm figuring them out... and more that I'm being forced to contemplate my priorities.

And, it's a good thing. I think we should all be pushed every now and then to figure out what's worth fighting for... and what's not worth fighting for.

I know what matters to me. But if you don't hold it closely and make it a priority, other things take it's place.

So, that's where I'm at. My top priorities feel very low on the totem poll... while I devote all of my hours to something that shouldn't be worth all of the energy, stress.

I'm overwhelmed, plain and simple. Life snuck up on me and got a little too complicated. And, at the end of the day- I'm happiest when it's simple. A clean apartment. A sweet purr.

I started this week with Psalm 46:10 ingrained in my brain, and I've been chanting it in my head all week like a mantra... "Be still, and know that I am God."

I guess the Lord knew I needed that verse in particular right now. How absolutely amazing.

I'm working on it. Scratch that- I will work on it. Tonight, I cried about it. But, as my dad said, these are times to pull from your inner strength. And, as my mom says, make a plan.

So, I'm pulling on my inner strength and planning and plotting and prioritizing.

Tonight, instead of relaxing with a glass of wine or losing my thoughts in The City... I took a bubble bath. I didn't even turn on my TV. I played with my cat. And now I'm curled up in bed in an oversized T-shirt.

That's a good start, right?

When Life Throws You Lemons...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. At least, that appears to be the lesson God is teaching me this year.

And in all honesty, there have been a few events this year that have taught me how important it is to lean on Jesus during our most troubling times. It's easy to be thankful during the good- and when life throws you lemons, it's time to turn your eyes to the skies.

Hmm, that might make a good bumper sticker. :)

I say all of this because today, my first baby, the love of the past 4 years of my life- Toby O'Donnell- got really sick.

Toby is a Norwegian Forest Cat. I never knew that, until I was staring at the wall in the vet's office today, in a comatose state at the thought of my poor sick baby.

He's probably been sick a few weeks, and I didn't notice... or maybe I did... but, in dential, just kept hoping he would bounce back.

It's an issue I may have to work out in extensive therapy.

He has liver disease. And, it's treatable- as long as I force feed him the next couple of weeks and he starts to gain some weight.

The liver is remarkable like that- it heals itself.

I know a thing or two about the liver- I had "liver disease" myself in high school.

But determination and will- and yes, a large dose of faith- goes a long way.

It did for me... and it will for Toby.

What caused this? Any number of things. Toby tends to go into "starvation mode" when I go out of town- which I did recently. And he isn't a super social Norwegian. So, there's that. He's happiest at home, no visitors, no strangers, with his momma.

Did my inability to properly socialize him cause this? Should I stay in town forever? At home? Should I have realized he lost 3 pounds? Why didn't I see that? Shouldn't a motherly alarm bell have sounded in my head when a day... then two... then three went by... and his food just sat there, untouched?

Ugh. You can see why I need extensive therapy.

I gave my first force-feeding a few minutes ago. It was excruciating for both of us. He cried, I forced. He gagged, I gagged. And little by little, he got some food in his belly. And I got more than some food on my shirt.

But that's motherhood, right? Am I being tested? Prepared? Taught a lesson?

Whatever it may be- I'm embracing it. I'm committed. I'm in this.

Because I have big plans for you, Toby.

Someday, we're going to move out of our cozy, built-for-two apartment into a house. And, that will take some adjusting- but you'll adjust. And you'll rule the roost.

And then, maybe down the road, a d-o-g might come into the picture. Too soon to talk about that? Ok.

And, in a few years... there might be a baby. Someone i'll need you to protect and love and watch over, just like you do your momma.

So, here we go. Another lemon. Another trial, another test.

Another opportunity to lift my eyes to the skies.

Favorite Bible Verse

I think different Bible verses speak to us at different points in our lives.  

I remember, when I was desperately searching for a job and unsure of what my future held... I grasped to this verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11

What an awesome reminder to turn to God with anything and everything!

The verse that has been on my desk at work lately is this one:

"Be on guard.  Stand firm in the faith.  Be courageous.  Be strong.  Do everything with love."

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

I just love how we're encouraged to be strong and courageous in our faith, no matter the circumstances.  And after such a bold charge... we're asked to do everything with love.  

I love how the words courageous.... strong.. and love are all tied together in that verse... because loving the Lord and each other is our greatest charge on this Earth.  And it almost always take a lot of courage to do that on our end, no matter what.

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner wants to know what your favorite Bible verse is today.  Head over to her blog to share the verses that encourage you!