I was having a bad hair day. After a few attempts I pulled it up into a stub of a ponytail. On a verge of a bad day, I took to my beaded and beautiful headband and crowned myself—a reminder I am a daughter of the Risen Christ.

It was a reminder for me that no matter what God is always for me—today, yesterday and tomorrow.

It is these small gestures, remembrances and signs, like that of a cardinal, that help me pull myself out of the muddy mess and pick myself up—they also make me smile. And as Lauren Diagle, belts out: Look Up Child.

I look up on some days and others I get swallowed in exhaustion. I also get overwhelmed, by decisions—and they are so many with the house on reboot... and trying to eat healthy which I fail at miserably, and exercising, not a total fail, and all the ideas swirling around in my head and my endless desire to reach out and say hello to all of you. This happens more often than I want to admit.

So, today I say hello, and happy belated valentines and belated birthday to those I missed, and that I love being connected and reconnected to my friends and sharing your stories and your joys, burdens, and sadness...and being able to pray with you and for you. It is a privilege. Thank you for inviting me into your heartache. Persevere.

So what is up... the crown, molding that is, on top of the drywall and the renovations are coming along as are the donations. We have made great progress finding steals and deals at local consignment and antiques shops, namely our new back door, the transom window and lighting fixtures.

Thank you for your generosity and kindness, we haven't quite met our goal but are inching towards it and are incredibly grateful and humbled by your outpouring.

So today, be crowned and receive the goodness of Christ—step out and Look Up, Child.
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Next up: sashes—windows and our family tradition, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.