5 Friday Favorites: October 11, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello! Happy Friday! I missed last week because I was reunion-ing with some of my besties from high school. We had the best time at beautiful Lake Martin in Alabama. My cheeks hurt from laughing and the number of photos I took where my mouth is wide open because I talked the whole time is more than I can count. We were cheerleaders in high school so we dubbed ourselves the Rusty Pom-poms even though we fell all over ourselves to tell one another how fabulous we all looked. True, long-lasting friendship requires a multitude of flattery and compliments. Always tell the truth, but also stretch it if you must. (For the record, I honestly think my friends are the most beautiful people on the planet and all look like super models. No cap, as the kids say.)

Here are some favorite things from the week, most brought to you by my super-model besties.

1. Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

The Rusty Pom-poms are trying to preserve the faces we had in 1987. We are using all manner of methods. I brought each one of us one of these Kitsch Satin Pillowcases because the Google tells us that satin pillowcases help reduce friction and moisture absorption while you sleep. This apparently results in a lack of wrinkles and hair breakage. Does this sound like a full load of BS? Of course it does. We do not care. Bring us the magic pillowcase.

2. Peepers Reading Glasses

None of us can see a darn thing. We were constantly sharing readers. My eyesight is the absolute worst of the group. Here's a tip I learned from our world class hostess with the mostest, Lori. If you are hosting a group of individuals over the age of 40, should you pass around lovely platters of charcuterie and pimento cheese, chicken salad and olive/cream cheese tea sandwiches for your guests? Yes, you should because they are hungry. Should you also pass out a multi-pak of Peepers readers from which each guest can choose his or her favorite frames? Yes, you should because they are both hungry and blind. Hospitality at its finest, my friends.

I now have two pairs of these fabulous reading glasses because I had also recently purchased the  Take a Bow Peepers in Chai Tortoise Green . They are adorable and being able to see is simply icing on the cake.

3. Waterproof Mesh Zippered Bags

I don't know how the young-uns these days seem to travel around with their one credit card, ID, and phone in a tiny, itty-bitty wallet around their tiny, itty-bitty wrists. I can't seem to live without a giant tote bag. I've got too many things. The problem is that I just throw all of those things in said giant tote bag and end up rummaging around for an Advil like Mary Poppins in her magic bag.

Enter these mesh bags that come in different sizes. I will use these to hold sunglasses, medicines, hair products/ties/clips, snacks, gum, extra contacts and anything else I plan to throw in my tote when I travel. They are waterproof so you can use them in your beach bag to hold various sunscreens, lip glosses, phones and kindles that you need to keep dry when you're at the beach, lake or pool. If you are a young mom whose kids still play with Legos, you can put them all in one bag so that you don't step on any of those agents of the devil and shout words that harm your little children's ears and risk your salvation. The possibilities are endless. 

4. The Chosen

Y'all. Ok, the Rusty Pom-poms and I did not watch The Chosen last weekend. Too much talking, dancing and recreating our cheers from the 80s to do so. However, Steve and I started watching it last week. I acknowledge that we are ridiculously late to this series. Honestly, I just expected it to be cheesy and didn't think the acting would be great. Father, forgive me for I knew not what I was talking about. I am blown away how much I love this series. I have cried multiple times and I get giddy with excitement when I know that a miracle is coming. It can be annoying for the husband.

"OH BOY, HERE WE GO! HE'S ABOUT TO DO THE WINE THING! AT THE WEDDING! THE WINE THING! EVERYONE IS ABOUT TO FREAK OUT! THEY'RE GONNA LOSE IT! I'M SO EXCITED!!"

Needless to say, I'm am geeking out on the whole thing. Also, Peter has long been my favorite disciple for a myriad of reasons: his impulsivity, his passion, his fumbling over himself all the darn time. He has endeared himself to me over the many years I have studied the Bible. The creators of this show could not have more perfectly cast him here. And, I don't think I'm allowed to say this, but I find him very attractive. I have a massive crush on him. Is it inappropriate to swoon over St. Peter the Apostle? Highly likely. I suppose the Lord and I will deal with this when I get to heaven. 

5. The Rusty Pom-poms,  Old Long time Friendship, in general & Alabama Sunsets

I can't get over how blessed I feel to be able to get together with friends I've known since I was ten years old and feel like no time has passed. We were missing one of our group, but we kept her up to date with a zillion and one photos. These friends see the good and the bad, the successes and the challenges, the pain and the joy. And they love so well.

We all know that at the end of the day we will never feel alone because we worship a God who sees us, knows us and loves us exactly as we are. But it sure is a gift when He allows His people to be His hands, His feet, His eyes and His ears right here in the middle of this broken world. And even more of a gift when they are obedient to that call.

All of my friends have been or are going through it - "it" being all manner of joy and challenge, of love and of loss. Of course, we are. "It" cannot be escaped. 

"In this world you will have trouble," my Savior said in the gospel of John. But we take heart. Because He overcomes the world. But that's not the only reason I take heart. I also take heart because He sent me the most beautiful humans, who - even when we aren't physically together for years on end - see me, know me, and love me. And they have done this for a long, long time. 

I left the weekend knowing in the deepest part of my heart that they will continue to do so for all of my days. And for all of those days we will make some time to laugh our butts off through it all.

Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift.

PS Nice work on the Alabama sunsets and sunrises, God. Well done.

Have a blessed weekend. Hook Em Horns and if any of my Longhorn brethern are at the Red River Rivalry this weekend have a Fletcher's Corny Dog for me!

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: September 27, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello, Friends. It's Friday and I missed last week because I was in Charleston, South Carolina and my computer refused to work. We had a ball in Charleston. The best way to describe it - to use a phrase my mom loved - was that it was just darlin'. I will say that the ladies in Charleston love a floral dress. I mean LOVE. I saw so many floral dresses, my head was spinning. We went on a boat cruise, shopped a ton, ate some amazing food and watched a lot of college football which was delightful as could be.

Here are some other favorite things from the week.

1. Got the Blues for Red OPI Nail Color

This color has been around forever, but it will always be my favorite fall nail polish. 

2. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant

Listen, I'm aware this is bougie. I've seen this Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant all over Instagram and it's ridiculous to spend this much money on deodorant. I am aware that my Secret Powder Fresh stick is totally fine. But darn it if Ulta didn't put it right up there at the front checkout and in a weak moment, I bought it. It smells amazing and I love the packaging. This is the deodorant of the angels and now I can't unknow it. Gah, it's so embarrassing. Don't do it, but if you do it's cheaper on Amazon by about $5.

3. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

This was a really great mystery and was perfect to listen to while I drove home from Charleston.

4. Biscotti Earrings and Necklace by Park Lane

Park Lane just released these Biscotti earrings which are only $34. The crystal and mother of pearl detail on the floral shaped studs is just beautiful and they are the perfect size. There is also a Biscotti necklace that is gorgeous as well and only $42.

5. Charleston, South Carolina, USA

As I mentioned we had the best time in Charleston with three other couples while we were there to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of Steve's oldest and best friends. One of the highlights was a boat cruise we took where we had the most gorgeous weather and saw a stunning sunset.

The girls and I had a great time shopping on King Street. One of my favorite boutiques was Spartina 449 where I got two dresses.

This Elena denim dress was my first pick because it's totally my jam and I think I'll wear it like crazy.

Florals and ruffles are pretty out of the box for me, but the sales lady talked me into this one, I guess because when in Charleston . . . it really is such a cute dress.

We headed out for a long walk on Saturday morning and popped into the cutest shop with creations by Rebecca Illustrated. I didn't have my wallet at the time, so I couldn't get this adorable floral Diet Coke print in the shop. This seems like a must-have for me, so I went to the website as soon as I could. So cute. 

The chef of The Grocery in downtown Charleston, Kevin Johnson, is a friend of ours from way back when we first moved to South Riding. When he and his wife lived in our neighborhood, he cooked for us often. They even hosted New Year's Eve a few times and I have never in all my life had better food than what Kevin cooked for us. We were so excited to try his place in Charleston and it was as incredible as I knew it would be. 

The very best part of the week was to be with my guy again since he'd been on business travel for almost two weeks. 

Hope y'all have a great weekend and Happy 1st SEC Game Matchup to the Texas Longhorns. Take care of those Bulldogs boys, we're looking for 5 and 0.

Have a great weekend, Friends.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: September 13, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello and Happy Friday from Virginia, the most beautiful place on Earth in September. My number one favorite thing from this week is the stunning weather we've had. Everytime I step foot outside I'm pretty much like this:

I've been doing a lot of writng at my laptop on the porch with my trusty editor, my dog, Mack. Steve was out of town most of the week so I brainstormed quite a bit out loud to Mack and to be honest, he seems to be pretty bored with all of my ideas. 

Let's just say this is not the encouraging feedback I was looking for.

Besides my outdoor office, here are some other favorite things from this week. 

1. Weighted Vest

All the health and wellness experts I follow on the socials as well as my doctor emphasize the importance of resistance and strength training for women as we age. I've been doing strength training three to four times a week for a couple of years. It's awful and I hate it, but I'm just trying all the things to assure that I can play on the floor and run around with my grandkids if I ever get any one day. I also bought this weighted vest because I've been seeing it recommended as well. Apparently, if you wear this when you are walking it has great benefits including building muscle mass, improving bone density and burning more calories. I've walked with it twice now. It definitely makes a walk more challenging, but so far so good.

2. PB Fit Protein Powder

The other thing that all the fitness people, doctors and my son, Drew, keep nagging me about is to eat more protein. So often when I come home from a workout, I feel like I need to take a three hour nap. This makes for a less than productive day, so I'm trying to see if increasing my protein will help. This is my favorite protein powder right now. My favorite thing to do lately is to add it to greek yogurt with chia seeds and slivered almonds.  

3. Palmetto Pimento Cheese with Jalapenos

Shall we keep it real, friends? One night this week my dinner was a glass of wine, crackers and almost a whole tub of this magic. I have not seen this recommended by any of the aforementioned health gurus. Consistency is a challenge.

4. Ann Taylor Loft Dress

I think this dress popped up in my social media feed about 75,000 times over the last month or so. I finally ordered it because it went on sale and I had a $25 off coupon as well. I got it for a steal. The color is a darker khaki than the photo shows and I really like the fabric and fit. For now, it'll be great with wedges or tennis shoes and when it gets cooler, I think it will be cute worn over a black long sleeve tee with tights and booties.

5. Some thoughts for which I cannot come up with a succint title

I saw a quote on TikTok/Instagram stories/Facebook reels, etc. etc. that I haven't fully processed yet, so I'm going to try to noodle on it here in this space. It's probably ill-advised to put out thoughts that aren't fully formed here, but this seems to be how I roll. Since I have already established that I have a tendency to mindlessly scroll social media, it won't surprise you that I forgot to write down the source of this quote. Be assured, I did not come up with this, but it's something that's been bouncing around in my head like a pinball.

"It's not children's responsibility to teach a parent who they are. It's a parent's responsibility to learn who their child is."

I'm looking at this quote at a different vantage point than I would if my kids were still little at home. As it turns out, this is the only vantage point I have at this time, but perhaps I should have pondered this when the boys were younger as well.

Parents are given these perfect little babies and then we automatically put ourselves in teaching/counseling/training mode. We have what turns out to be a lightning-quick 18ish years to pour all of our wisdom, experience and advice into them. We take this responsibility to teach our children very seriously and no doubt we should. 

At some point - and I wonder if sooner rather than later is better for everyone - we have to take a breath and recognize that these little beings are not projects for us to manage. Before we even held their tiny bodies in our arms they were whole, unique, dearly loved children of a God who made them on purpose and for His purpose. Not ours. This concept has become glaringly obvious to me as the boys are now adult-ish (will I ever not add the -ish? Unlikely.) and creating their own experiences. They're developing their character and personalities away and apart from me. I find it rather rude of them, to be honest.

As our children grow up under our helicoptering vigilent eyes, we tend to cling so tightly to the responsibility of molding them into who we think they are supposed to be. I know I got better at this over time. With three kids, you get some chances to learn from your mistakes. (Thoughts and prayers to all the firstborns. We had no idea what we were doing.) No doubt, teaching them our values and the lessons we learned from our experiences is important. I'm not advocating sitting back and letting the chips fall where they may when it comes to raising good humans.

But allowing ourselves to take a more humble posture - one of learning - is equally important. Discovering who are children are meant to be, made to be, created by a good and loving Father to be can be exciting and beautiful and fun. Futhermore, it can be a relief to let go of the reins for a bit. (Spoiler alert: we never really held the reins.)

So here's to taking a seat in the classroom rather than in front of the lectern. It can be uncomfortable. It can even be scary. But I think it might be mandatory. It will take intention, a willingness to be curious and perhaps most challenging, it will take shutting your mouth more often than you'd like. At the end of the day, for me, I suppose the most important thing it will require is trust. It always comes down to trust, doesn't it? And the One who created these children - who has counted every hair on their heads and then gifted them to us - is worthy of our trust.

Y'all have a great weekend.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: September 6, 2024

 

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Happy Friday! Steve has been away on business all week so I feel like I've spent a lot of time telling my dog my deep thoughts. He is about as interested as Steve is in my musings, which is to say, not so much.

Kidding. Kinda.

Although, I've missed my husband, it has been the most beautiful week here. We didn't get past 85 degrees. The sky was blue and the sun was bright every day. The week started off beautifully with College Game Day on TV at the lake house. That meant I resumed my regularly scheduled Saturday morning position for the fall:

And the Longhorns won 52-0. September is my jam. Here are some other favorite things from the week.

1. Bananagrams Game

We spent Labor Day weekend at Lake Anna and played Bananagrams one night which I had never played before. It was so much fun. I love playing games and am constantly on a quest to get my family to play with me. This is how I approach pretty much every single game I play:

I can't imagine why it's hard to get anyone to play with me. In any event, Drew and some of his teammates from school came for the weekend and somehow we convinced the boys to play. One of Drew's buddies pretty much smoked us all every time. I made him sleep outside.

2. That Sounds Fun Podcast on Learning to Unplug

Well, this podcast episode featuring Annie F. Downs and Hannah Brencher may have been one of the most enlightening and important conversations I've listened to in a long while. "Unplugging" from all the info, news, email, text and social media noise is such a simple concept. It's super easy to want to do that and also to feel shame around how addicted to our devices many of us find ourselves. It's less easy to unplug in a practical way since most of us can't reasonably hope to sustain our work and relationships without some time spent on our phones or computers. This conversation didn't set out to shame anyone nor did it get too deep into doom and gloom about how we've all gone off the rails with technology. It acknowledged that most of us can't logically throw our phones in the trash and go back to 1995 no matter how much we'd like to, while offering practical advice and most of all, hope. I'm planning to pre-order Hannah Brencher's book, The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World, which comes out on September 17th.

3. Banana Pudding

Since I hadn't seen my little boy in almost nine whole days when he and his teammates showed up at Lake Anna for Labor Day weekend, I had to be sure I had one of his favorite desserts for him. My mom used to make Banana Pudding for the kids all the time and it's definitely a win in our house. It's super simple and the college boys demolished it.

2 boxes (3 oz) instant vanilla pudding

3 cups whole milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 8 oz. container Cool Whip

2 bananas, sliced

1 box Vanilla wafers

Whisk together pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip. In a separate bowl mix cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Fold into pudding mixture and mix well. Line bottom of large bowl with vanilla wafers. Pour 1/2 of pudding mix on top. Top with more vanilla wafers and banana slices. Pour remaning 1/2 of pudding on top. Add more vanilla wafers to the top and refrigerate until cold.

4. Airpods Case

In a tragedy that no one saw coming, my airpods case tore. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I am trying to be strong about it. I ordered this one. It's cute. It comes in some other colors and styles I really like including a blingy pink one and a floral print one. 

5. Where else would we go?

While the week started off with fun and family and football, the end of week brought terrible news - not that there's not always terrible news, but this week's really got me. I don't write about current events in this space unless you count what's trending on Netflix. I figure opinions and political discourse are pretty readily available online and my voice doesn't need to be added in. There are people smarter than me and more informed than me that are well equipped to offer insight on the deeply difficult issues our world faces.

I will say that this week's news hit me particularly hard. I was heartbroken and angered by the murder of  Hersh Goldberg-Polin who is the exact age of my son, Kyle. And then came the news of the shooting in a school in Georgia. Certainly, there are tragedies that happen every single day that could send me into despair and rage. When it happens, like it did this week, I hesitate to write anything. So, for today, I am re-posting a piece I wrote in May of 2022 after the  school shooting in Uvalde, Texas brought me to my knees. Watching Hersh's mother speak brought me the same emotions - mostly anger - again. When I feel like this, I am always searching for some answer. There are answers we will never get. The only thing for me to do is turn to God. There simply is no where else to go.

Orginially published May 27, 2022

For over ten years I've been writing in this space. About my family. About parenting. About the Texas Longhorns and the Freedom Eagles and the Loudoun South AllStars. About skin care products and a cute pair of shoes I saw. But mostly, at least in some small way, I've written openly about my faith. Whether directly by citing Scripture or just by sneaking "a little Jesus" in here or there, I've always felt a calling to share that although I've had great loves in my life - my parents and brother and sister, my husband and my three little boys - Jesus Christ has always been the greatest, most enduring, most trustworthy love of my life. 

Lately, due to other writing and speaking projects and life in general (plus the fact that blogs seem to be "so 2010"), I just stop in here on Fridays with some favorites of the week. Most of the time, Jesus shows up in those Five Favorites in one way or another. I've missed some weeks for sure, but I try to be consistent - mostly for me and also for the odd reader or two that lets me know they appreciate my showing up here.

This week, as it has at other times over the years, writing about my favorite things seems selfish. It seems frivolous and tone deaf. Today it seems practically impossible. 

But I am drawn to this keyboard. I can't seem to stay away. So I find myself here in the dark early hours of a Friday morning with the glow of the computer lighting my desk and a cursor blinking at me. And I'm wondering if I will even post these words at all. Writing has always been therapeutic for me. It is the way I speak to God. It is often the way He speaks to me and maybe, sometimes, I think, through me. But the words I've been saying to the Lord in the past few days aren't necessarily the sweetest. They might not be appropriate for public consumption. Because this faith of mine? This God of mine? We're on some shaky ground right now. 

There are so many words out there about what happened in Texas this week. So many voices. I don't think it necessary or helpful for mine to be added to them. So, if I share, I'll be sharing what's been going on with the Lord of the Universe and me in the aftermath. These words will not be funny. Or sweet. Or charming. They might be offensive. But they're honest. 

Maybe cursing at God is not what you showed up for here. I get it. I'd much rather write about the mascara I bought last week or the baseball victory we had or the laughter that happened on Tuesday evening when all three of my boys were home to sit around the dinner table together. It so happened that on that same Tuesday evening a bunch of parents in Texas found themselves with empty tables, empty bedrooms, empty arms. 

Just last weekend, I was the guest speaker at a local church. I delivered the message to a congregation that included two of my boys. When my boys are listening, I am more nervous and more prayerful that I'll get the message God has given me right. This was a message I believed so deeply in that my voice shook with conviction at the end and my eyes filled with tears in the final prayer. I reminded the congregants that God sees them. I reminded them that God has a plan for them . . .that not one of God's people is invisible. Not one is forgotten. Not one is alone. To close, I looked directly at my children imagining the Lord looking at them as He does at every single child in the Universe and said, "He sees you. He is your biggest fan. He will never ever look away. Please, please don't forget it."

And then Tuesday night I crawled into bed next to my husband. In the dark, with tears rolling down my face and anger consuming my words, I spat out, "Everything I said feels like BS right now. Everything I said feels foolish. Everything I said feels empty. How are the boys supposed to believe a word of it? How are they to believe in a God who sees?"  On a personal - perhaps selfish - level, I felt ashamed and embarrassed and so violently angry I could barely see straight. The truth was that I felt betrayed by the God who I've been pointing people to for years and years. Where was the promise to not look away? Where was my God on Tuesday afternoon in Uvalde, Texas? Where the hell was He?

I would like to tell you that my anger dissipated over night. But the next morning I scowled at the cross at the top of my church building even as I walked dutifully into my Wednesday morning Bible Study. I sat with my beloved group members. And I listened. And I shared. And they listened. And they shared. And they didn't judge me for my anger. Each one that spoke was trying as gently as she or he could to brush away the weeds and thorns that threatened to strangle my faith. Each reminded me in calm assurance that the message God had laid on my heart on Sunday was not a mistake. 

I left Bible Study to go to the outlet mall because I am nothing if not a gal who will fill up her God-sized hole with some discounted designer shoes. As I walked to my car with a couple of shopping bags that shockingly had not eased my anger, a pastor and mentor of mine called me. His wife had been in our morning study and had told him that I was struggling. I sat on a bench outside the JCrew Factory store as he listened to me and I listened to him. He reminded me in the most measured and confident way that my message on Sunday was right and it was true. He also said something along the lines of "if we aren't cursing at God at times then we're probably not paying attention and we're probably not being honest." 

As the day wore on my anger began to lighten. A little. A very, very little. As I drove home a story from the Old Testament came to mind. It was the story of Moses, Aaron and Hur from Exodus 17. When Moses tells Joshua that he must take his men out to fight the Amalekites, he assures him that he will stand on the hill to watch. Throughout the battle every time Moses has his arms raised, Joshua and the Israelites are winning, but when he gets tired and his arms fall, the Amalekites start winning. Eventually, Aaron and Hur provide a stone for Moses to rest on. They each hold his arms up - one on one side and one on the other. Soon enough, Joshua and the Israelites are the victors. 

That is exactly what my sweet friends did for me on Wednesday. They held up my arms. With open ears and tender eyes and calming words and "I've been there, too" nods and reassuring phone calls they held up my arms. 

So this morning, I'm reminded again that the Lord is patient. He will wait for our return. And when one believer's faith wavers, perhaps the best thing we can do is to lean heavily on someone else's faith. 

To be sure, whatever short-lived crisis of faith I might have encountered this week is nothing compared to the months and months, if not possible years, of the potential loss of faith of one who lost a child or a parent or a spouse on Tuesday. There is no comparison. Also, I understand that every single day across the world there are atrocities and tragedies that could compel any one of us to question the existence of a good and loving God. This is just my experience in the last few days. It's the only experience I have. The only one I have to share.

In the last 24 hours, as my stone cold heart softens bit by bit, I am slowly, but surely, lifting my eyes to Him again. And while I understand the idea that thoughts and prayers are not enough to take away the pain of our hurting country right now, I know that I will be taking a place on either side of the broken to help hold their arms up whether they know it or not. 

The reason I know this? Because in addition to the story from Exodus, the words that Peter asks Jesus in John 6:68 keep playing on a constant loop in my muddled-up mind. After many of His followers abandoned him, Jesus turned to His twelve disciples and asked if they might also like to leave.

Peter responds, "Lord, to whom would we go?" 

This morning, after a few days of turning away from the Lord . . . after a few days of my arms growing weary and defeated . . . after a few days of being held up by a community of loving, gracious, kind believers . . . after a few hours of tapping out words in the darkness, I find myself crawling back. I find myself noticing once again that there is a light in the darkness. I find myself knowing in the deepest part of me exactly Who it is that holds the light - the One who has always held the light. In the end, as I await the sunrise, I find myself answering all of my questions with another question.

O Lord. Where else would I go?

Have a blessed weekend, Friends.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: August 30, 2024

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hey, it's Friday. It's Labor Day weekend. September is coming. The Texas Longhorns play tomorrow. I know it is such a cliche to say that time moves so fast, but hey, 2024:

Here are some favorite things from the last week of August.

1. You Will Never Be Me

I traveled from home to Danville, Virginia, to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Nashville, Tennessee and back home again last week to visit all my boys. I listened to (or started to listen to) three different books on Audible during that time. One of them I quit because I thought the writing was terrible. It's a really popular book, so I wanted to like it, but it was making me cringe. The other one was just boring and the author used so many similies and metaphors I thought I was taking a high school English class.

Do I sound grumpy? Well, third time's a charm because You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto came to my rescue. It was so good and kept me going all the way from Nashville to home. It's a crazy story about two social media influencers who are best friends. Then one gets more popular than the other and all hell breaks loose. Everybody becomes cuckoo and there's all manner of shenanigans and betrayal. Fun book.

2. New Balance 327

Kyle, Merrill, Steve and I went to Franklin, Tennessee for dinner on Friday night. Franklin is the cutest town with a bunch of great boutiques. Merrill and I stopped in Evereve "just real quick to look" and ended up leaving with the same pair of shoes. These New Balance 327s come in so many colors it was hard to choose. I think we got the Heron Blue pair, but the blue on ours looks darker than the blue online. Anyway, when I left Nashville, that verse about "not storing up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy" kept coming to mind. It appears that the Holy Spirit has some issues with my shoe problem. Speaking of, does anyone out there have a secret for keeping their white shoes clean? Please advise because it seems that moth, rust and dirt are doing their job.

3. Maybelline Lifter Gloss

I've mentioned this lip gloss before because I love it. I have the Sun color and recently bought the Silk color. Such a good price and so many different shades. 5 stars.

4. V-Neck Tee

This v-neck tee is on sale for only $14.99 right now. It comes in several different colors and stripes. I think it's great for now because summer has not packed her bags yet, but will also be perfect under blazers or denim jackets in the fall.

PS "People"are saying that red is the hot color fall. I'm not cool (or hot) enough to know if this is true. Whether it's true or not, this cute red necklace from Park Lane is only $32 and such a pretty shade of red.

5. Some Random Thoughts that Came to Me as I Traveled the Mid-Atlantic 

(plus some photos of the people who have to listen to all my thoughts on said travels)

Some of these things might sound a little rage-y and they are neither deep nor particularly helpful or inspiring. Just keepin' it real, lest you imagine that in my life outside of this space, I am constantly reflecting on meaningful lessons that the Holy Spirit has put on my heart. I had a lot of time to form some opinions that no one asked me to share while spending multiple hours on various interstate highways last week. So here are some of those.

1. First of all, while Steve was driving I had the best time looking at the Dorm Rooms Of Mississippi and Beyond facebook page. I expected to be awed by the girls' rooms, but will you look at this dorm room for guys?

Now I would like you to see the accent wall that Drew created in his apartment.

Here we went with a New England aesthetic. Clean lines, simple style, thumbtacks. Should Drew and I start our own page for boys' dorm room inspiration? 

2. Audible is the best thing to happen to road trips since Podcasts which were the best thing to happen since Music Streaming Services. I remember when I went back and forth between Amy Grant's The Collection cassette tape and the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack over and over on the way home from college. What a life we have in 2024.

3. Speaking of music, I have a very hot take. Taylor Swift? Very enjoyable. I haven't really listened to her music with intention since I wore out the 1989 album. I don't know if y'all know, but she's still pretty good. You should look her up.

4. I had never entered a Buc-ee's until last week. What is happening in there? There was so much going on, it was like Vegas on the Interstate. I felt like I was going to have a seizure. I wasn't in there long enough to get the full experience, but I will say kudos for the Ladies Room management system. There was a real human being doing traffic control in there and it was very efficient. 

5. Whenever possible, I always try to find a local bookstore in any new town I visit. Even though it is clear that Amazon has me wrapped around its little finger, I adore a local bookstore and will always buy a book when I find myself in one. I feel like 9 times out of 10 the bookstore owners are delightful and friendly. Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, South Carolina proved my theory last week.

6. There should be a law against installing carpet of any sort or kind in hotel rooms. No more carpeting. It's gross and unnecessary. Please join me in writing your congressperson.

7. While we're at it, no more shower curtains in hotel bathrooms. It's disgusting and of course, there's always the feeling someone might show up and murder you with a knife. I propose only glass door showers from here until eternity.   

7. All establishments, lend me your ears: Get all the way outta here with your paper straws. ALL THE WAY OUT. Stop this foolishness.

8. Marriott. I love you. I especially love your AC hotels chain with the no carpet situation. However, what are you doing only serving Pepsi products? This is infuriating and frankly irresponsible. Pull it together. 

9. I think that gas station attendants in the South should teach courses on manners and hospitality. They are always the sweetest, friendliest people I come across on a road trip. And I will always be a sucker for someone who calls me, "Dah-lin'"

10. College football has begun. I thought about it a lot on the drive because I listened to a lot of sports radio. Many of these radio guys are ranking Texas in the top four this year. This makes me feel like this:

And also like this:

But by tomorrow at 3:30 pm, I plan to feel exactly like this:

So I think we've established that I'm maintaining my healthy and balanced relationship with college football.

 Y'all have the best weekend and Hook Em Horns.

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