Spring has sprung, which brings great joy to this household. It also, traditionally, brings comedian Tim Hawkins to town — another thing that brings great joy to this household. If you’ve been following my blog for any time, you’ll know that we trek to see Tim anytime he lands anywhere near us–which meant that a few weeks ago found us just east of Seattle enjoying an evening of hilarity. This flashback photo was taken in Vancouver, Wash., in 2013, when after the show, the kids got to actually meet their favorite entertainer and get his autograph. As you can see, Tim was equally delighted by the opportunity.

As many of you know, I volunteer as a Child Ambassador for World Vision, a Christian humanitarian aid organization. Child Ambassadors make it our mission to connect sponsors with children in under-developed parts of the world. Lately, I’ve had the great privilege of teaming with two other CAs to create a blog for and about CAs: Greater Together: a community resource for Child Ambassadors. It’s been such a joy working with these creative, talented ladies. And while I know that unless you are a CA, the blog itself will be of limited interest, I am so pleased with the end result that I just had to share it with you.

And speaking of World Vision and creative individuals, look at what my friend Anne is giving anyone who donates $25+ to sponsor her as she runs for Team World Vision this June. Every dollar she raises will go toward bringing clean water that frees children from deadly disease and liberates women from a life spent gathering dirty water. Want to help and receive one of these beautiful, handmade bracelets for yourself? Click here to donate (type Anne Hicks in the search field). And tell Anne I sent you. 🙂

[Tweet “What I’m into: @TimHawkinsComic @TeamWorldVision @SNiequist”]

March is dance season at our house, which means Madeline takes her exams in ballet and modern at British Dancing Academy. Here, she’s much relieved after her last one to have it all behind her. And you could say (or maybe not…) that this was dance season for Jack too as he attended his first middle school dance with a friend. Okay, so maybe he doesn’t have his sister’s skills, but he still knows how to have a good time. I know this for fact.
It’s also the season for school projects. And can I just say how happy I am that these are now behind? I don’t know how it works at your house, but here, these efforts are never entirely just the kids’. For Madeline, it meant the construction of a Rube Goldberg machine that ultimately triggered the playing of a video on her phone — The Ultimate Rick Roll. (Still cracks me up.) And Jack? He constructed an Incan house in miniature, replete with thatched roof. We had only to sacrifice one broom to do it.

Finally, I’m into Cold Tangerines. I’ve blogged before about Shauna Niequist’s books. As far as I’m concerned, this woman can’t write fast enough. If I had my druthers, she’d be putting out a book every other month or so, which is just about as fast I can read them at a chapter a day. But she’s a busy wife and mom, and I respect her boundaries. Still. I want more. She writes in a way that reaches into the deepest nooks of my soul. In this book (which isn’t new…published in 2007) she captures a theme my soul particularly thirsts for: “celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life.” Here she reflects on loss and forgiveness, pregnancy and new motherhood (which though these happened for me nearly 15 and 12 years ago, I never tire of reading about), and the story of redemption and renewal that flows just beneath the surface of ordinary life. This is the real story of life — God’s story. Shauna’s book is, basically, a celebration of His goodness, and I’m very into that.

In parting, I will leave you with a quote from her book:

“[God’s] kindness burns through even the deepest betrayals and invites life from death every chance we let him.”

Amen and amen. If only we have the eyes to see it.

So that’s it for me. What are you into these days?