Muddy Musings (alliteration points!)

If you missed it somehow, this little corner of the earth is underwater right now, at least mostly. Boulder, CO is a lot of a wet wreck, but at least we can't complain about the heat now. 

My personal corner of the world is pretty dry. The creek is up and the road is washed out in a spot, but we're doing well otherwise. 

Rain makes me muse-y, and this week is no exception. Riding home on the tailgate of the truck from mucking in a culvert or two, I realized how darn grateful I am for all those things that I take for granted most of the time. Like electricity (now that it's back) and showers and the fact that we're essentially self sufficient for short amounts of time up here. I'm grateful that we have heat and no basement to flood and a nice buffer of space between us and the creek. I'm so thankful for our neighbors who bring my Grandma things like a generator for her oxygen, and for all the great people who live up here. I'm thankful for my incredible senior class, most of which is out helping someone else right now, even though they're mostly all flooded too. I'm thankful for rain and it's moisture, even though this has been destructive. In a way, I'm thankful for the destruction. James 1 tells us to thank God for all things, so I'm trying to remember that. I'm also learning to let go of things because of the rain, and I'm sure others are too. I'm thankful for how darn awesome the community is too. I'm thankful for the toaster especially. 

If you're the praying sort (or even if you're not!) pray with me for the emergency crews out there this week. For the 20 unaccounted for people in Boulder County. For the people who have houses and cars underwater and who just have damp carpets. For the people who are pitching in to help others and the public service companies. For every family out there. For every building, especially the schools (and nonprofits). For everyone who can find a silver lining in this and for everyone who can't. Thanks be to God that he's sovereign through this and over the wind and the rain. 

Stay dry, loves! And if you can't do that, then accept your socks are wet and dive into the adventure:) 

Xoxox Lo

[A reminder we all need]

Hello, beautiful person! 

You are valuable beyond belief. You, yes, you. This is addressed directly to you. 

Your value doesn't come from if he smiled at you today or if she hit on you. It doesn't come from your performance in a sport or your gym class or how well you pay attention in choir. Your value isn't decreased by the fact you tripped down the stairs today or increased by how well you recovered it. You aren't more or less valuable because half the school is talking about you or because you memorized your part early. Just because your relationships aren't exactly swell doesn't mean you are any less or more valuable. You aren't extra special or extra average because you got your college apps in already or because you have no idea what you want to do with your life, or if college is even in the mix. What your parents, teachers, friends, siblings or strangers think about you doesn't change the fact that you are extraordinary, valuable, and loved beyond measure. Nothing can change that.  

You are exquisite because Daddy made you that way. He adores you and thinks you're the coolest person ever. That's pretty rad, if you ask me. What's better is that He always stays the same, so you can do NOTHING to lose or earn his love. It just is. 

So breathe in and exhale slowly. Relax, and know you're in good Hands. Know that while it's a great idea to study for this or practice for that or just be a generally kind or studious or whatever person, it doesn't make you worth more or less. You're excellent just as you are. Keep smiling:)

Happy weekend, loves! 

All my love, 

Lauren