Servant Leadership

My lovely dear readers,

As always, when I post something like this, I don't ever want to give the perception that I am perfect. Far from it in fact. The only reason I have these thoughts is because I, myself, am learning each day, and sharing from my heart the perspective I've gained in the process. I've been reading a book called Lead Like Jesus and it's full of some really great new thoughts.

It's amazing to me that even at the ripe old age of 26, I'm still learning all kinds of new things about myself, about Jesus, and about leading others in all kinds of areas in my life. I lead little Truett each day, I lead my thoughts as I choose my attitude each morning, I lead projects at work, and I lead other relationships that I'm in. There are things that I lead that I suck at, and things that I lead that are great. Good and bad can easily go hand-in-hand with leadership after all, right? We all have different gifts and talents.

Can't it all be summed up though in a few simple words? How would Jesus do your job differently than you do? How would he parent his children? How would he lead that meeting? How would he respond to that missed phone call? How would he react to being 20 minutes late because he lost his keys?

Life isn't bout what you get, it's about what you give. It's about humility and grace, and an open reliance on God. After all, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Each day I keep in mind that I have not been called to success, but to be an active agent of God's plan for this world of beautiful people. I am the object of God's affection, and so is that annoying woman you work with, and that man who's taking too long to order, and that baby that won't stop crying on the plane. They are also the object of God's affection, and he loves them deeply.

Do you know yourself? Are you willing to surrender what you want to carry out God's will? Your success in life depends solely on your ability to follow God's directions. In fact, isn't the level of control he has in your life is going to directly reflect your joy? Sure, because he absolutely knows best, no question about it.

Are you really truly willing to serve others in every area of your life to be a servant leader? How would that change your life?

Truett @ 4 Months

Crazy how time goes by. I just can't even believe how old Truett is. Wasn't I just struggling with pregnancy like...yesterday? :) Life is fun. I love my family!

Birthday Play-By-Play

My husband Jonathan takes the cake.

So when we first got married, it wasn't like birthdays were overlooked at our house, but to Jonathan it was that one day where you got to pick where you wanted to go out to eat and that was pretty much all. Now, if that's what you do at your house, that's awesome! I think whatever traditions you have with your loved ones are the right ones. BUT...to me growing up, birthdays were much like a queen-for-the-day ordeal (which took poor Jonathan off guard I think) filled with absolutely anything and everything that the birthday girl or guy loved. And let me tell you, the Dawson family did not hold back! This is one of those learning moments in marriage where your expectations in your mind don't come out quite right when the event approaches because you both didn't realize how different you were growing up. Anyway...Jonathan has since very much changed for me (which just shows how much he cares about loving me) because it's not necessary, yet he continues to try all the harder to make me happy each and every year (very much outdoing himself by the way).

So today, my sweet sweet guy went the extra mile, and I'm not lying in the slightest when I say it was the best birthday yet.

6:45- Jonathan made me funfetti breakfast pancakes (cake for breakfast you ask?!) YES! With frosting and sprinkles too! (If you knew healthy Jonathan, you would realize the love in those pancakes. He ATE some with me too!)

...and some presents (clothes and an awesome gold bracelet)

...and a hand drawn pic of course :)

7:00-Family nap. We were all tired.

10:00-Dropped Truett off at school and went out for some fun together.

10:30-Target. Got some new fun shoes and an apple to eat (feeling guilty about those pancakes I guess). The lady in the line behind me said, "Oh honey, I was laughing to myself because that explains why I'm short and fat and you're tall and thin. You're eating an apple while I'm buying a Snickers." Poor dear. I wish I would have thought to tell her what I had for breakfast!

11:30-Went to Musashi's for lunch only to realize that they're closed on Mondays. Bummertown! Oh well...plan B....Anthropologie (Jonathan was such a sport with the shopping today)! Check out these awesome measuring spoons in the shape of a milk bottle. So fun.

12:00-We went to Red Robin for lunch. Accidentally got their "spicy ketchup" and HELLO....consider it recommended. Go getcha some. That's stuff is seriously good!

1:00- Took a visit to Pier one to look around...and play with huge utensils.

1:30- Mall shopping. Okay okay, more like GAP shopping, but still, we both found a couple things, so that was like a mini vacation splurge. Went to a few more stores, laughed a lot, then went to pick up Truett.

4:00-Dropped by Jonathan's aunt and uncle's house to see his parents that were staying there and let them play with the little guy.

6:00 Spinach Salad for dinner made by my Chef husband (no, really. he shows me up like...every day).

7:00- LifeGroup came over for brownie sundaes (and Andrew, my brother came too!)

All in all, a really wonderful day! Thanks for all the nice text messages, emails, and phone calls. I have the worlds best family and friends! Much love to you all! And yes, I'm 26. Don't remind me that we're rounding to 30 now. You're only as old as you feel I hear. Going on 20 then, right?

And it still goes on. Does he really need to smother me this badly? No. But he does, and I do not take it for granted. I found a gem.

Today is sweeter than we know, isn't it? Don't miss a moment.

Truett's Life Verse

I stressed about this verse for the longest time because I wanted it to be perfect. In the midst of my minor panic attack after realizing I wasn't going to have time to read the bible cover to cover again just for one verse, I let it go. Although it matters, it doesn't make the person. Truett's verse is really more for us, the parents. After all, we're just borrowing him from God, and doing the best we can to raise him, and this verse helps represent what we wish for his life.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:7 NLT

Vulnerability

What is it? Vulnerability is the willingness to say I love you first, it's doing something where there's no guarantee that it's going to work out, and it's breathing through things you don't understand. It doesn't come easy for me, and sometimes calling it hard is an understatement. Are you scared of being that open with someone? I know that I often put some walls up when it comes to working with certain people, or trusting that someone is going to come through like they say they will. But, I believe that vulnerability actually makes you beautiful. I didn't say comfortable, I said beautiful. It is the birthplace of creativity and belonging and love. It comes at a high cost, but has an even higher reward.

Why do we numb vulnerability sometimes? When we do that, we are trying to numb our emotions. Do you see the problem with that? You just can't numb emotion. So, when you try, you're also going to numb joy and gratitude and happiness. Then, believe it or not, you'll be miserable again looking for purpose and meaning all over again, when what you really want is just to be vulnerable. Jesus calls us to freedom in him.

What can you do?

Let yourself be deeply seen.

Love with your whole heart, even though there is no guarantee.

Practice gratitude and joy.

We should all say with confidence, I. Am. Enough.

You'll have to excuse me, because I'm about to go sneak into Truett's room while he sleeps to tell him that he's worthy of love, no matter what he does to mess things up along the way, and that he certainly, certainly belongs.

Dear Readers, today I worked on a few fun things for the office at work. Ashley (my roomie at work) and I got some fun new birch desks and some new orange chairs and a bright green rug. Needless to see we're doing a bit of a rehaul, so of course we need some new creative stuff to go in the Learning Office! Here was the beginnings of some letters for the wall...which will eventually spell learn, so ALMOST...the poor little N is dragging behind.

And everyone needs a splash of color...
I made a lot other projects too, but I don't think you need to see every single pic, right?

Glossy bright picture frames

Striped Pencil cup

Yellow glossy lamp revamp with spray paint

Paper bins covered with bright colors of the rainbow

heart garland for my desk

...and a lot of other stuff

I'll try to snag a pic of our finished office once everything is set up next week sometime.

Happy crafting everyone!