There is no doubt about it.
No question in my mind.
And for that I am grateful.
This time of year, I am always reminded how very blessed I am and how much the Lord has completely overwhelmed my life in so many ways and in so many areas.
I serve a phenomenal King.
My reminder this year first came last Monday.
Last Monday when I was introduced to this place:
Quay(pronounced key)Coffee
Remember how I tell you that my brothers have a lot of influence on me? exhibit a.
Quay has some of the best coffee my taste buds have ever housed.
Serious perfection.
So much good in and out of the building.
From the baristas, to the owners.
From the coffee, to the customers.
From the building, to the atmosphere.
From the merchandise they sell, to the area around the coffee shop:
it's all perfect.
Okay, so, last Monday.
Last Monday I spent a wonderful evening hanging out with my brother Levi and his friends (who I should practically just refer to as my brothers as well) Rees and Marcus.
marcus. and. rees.
Our evening was first spent chilling at Quay.
Then we moved on to Chipotle.
And we ended in Rees' dorm room at Park University watching one of the greatest films ever created. Sharknado.
Oh, and at one point, a ukulele was played and singing was done.
By the boys.
Not me.
It was grand.
Marcus' song included the line "make that chicken soup girl"
Poetic Genius.
My reminder came yet again a couple short days later.
Again, at Quay.
I am about to introduce you to two of the sweetest souls this world has ever had.
Meet two girls who have played such huge roles in my life.
Natalie and Anna.
This is Natalie.
She is beautiful. Inside and out.
She brings me joy. Always.
She shines like the sun. Everyday.
She loves Jesus. Wholeheartedly.
She loves me. Somehow.
She smells like love and rainbows. All the time.
And I adore her.
This is Anna.
She is delightful. All the time.
She is gorgeous. In every way.
She makes me so happy. Even when she's far away.
She adores Christ. With everything in her.
She accepts me for me. Again, somehow.
She is vivacious and encouraging. All the time.
And I adore her.
These girls have blessed me in huge ways over the past couple years.
And they didn't fail to do so again last Wednesday.
For those who know me, you know how great my love is for Kansas City.
For those of you who don't know me...
I LOVE AND ADORE AND CHERISH KANSAS CITY.
I don't need your agreement or approval.
It is my opinion and the opinion i will hold to until I die.
As I have gotten older, my love and appreciation for the city in which I was born in has increased and grown. Big time.
Now how does this relate in any way to Nat and Anna?
It does.
I promise.
Last Wednesday was Kansas City Adventure Day with Natalie, Anna, and I.
We started in River Market at Quay.
Walked around a bit.
Found this gem:
Thistle: an antique store in River Market that will knock you out with its adorableness and amazing finds.
We then moved on to Parisi in Union Station.
Parisi is another fantastic coffee place in KC.
If you go there, you will enjoy it.
This is inside of Union Station. The tree won't always be there.
But Parisi will. It's over there............^..............
After a good dose of people watching, we headed to Westport.
To Teadrops.
holy crud.
If your mouth has never experienced bubble tea from Teadrops, you are depriving it.
It is delicious and lovely and refreshing and yum.
seriously. you need to try this place out.
Our Kansas City adventure ended at the least adventurous place in KC.
The Plaza.
Never fear though, we adventured into a few of our favorite stores and saw sights we had never seen.
Therefore, it could be included in our adventure.
welcome to anthropologie.
My reminder continued on a third time.
And yes, starting in Quay.
As always.
carrying on on the Plaza with Levi, Marcus, and my new pal Coen.
this time, no anthropologie trip was made.
just twenty minutes of me driving around a parking garage while levi and coen tried (and failed) to direct me to a spot.
then dinner at noodles and company.
then latte land <yet another coffee shop. i know. obsession.>
then home.
and home is where i was reminded yet again of my blessings.
and the grace, love, mercy, kindness, forgiveness that He has poured out for me.
Friday night was spent with my whole family.
at a little restaurant 3 minutes from the Plaza in Brookside
called Il Centro
brudders.
then, a lovely time watching the hobbit: desolation of smaug.
and a trip to crown center for a picture.
or an attempt.
it's always an attempt when it's the boys.
and this was definitely considered a failed attempt.
check it out.
easton. caleb. levi. gabe.
gotta love it.
the final time i was reminded of my blessing was yesterday.
Sunday.
yesterday early afternoon was spent celebrating Christmas with my grandpa at his home in Parkville.
this was our sight on the way home...
i then had my first Starbucks reading-for-fun evening in forever.
and i concluded with a couple hours spent with some of my favorite hooligans.
in an antique store.
not a smart place to bring them.
but worth it.
I am blessed.
not just this past week.
but always.
You see, many years ago, a gift was given.
and that gift was far greater than any coffee shop.
any adventure.
any parking spot.
any family time.
any beautiful day.
that gift was Jesus.
Jesus in the smallest form possible.
but yet still the biggest thing ever to live on this earth.
and because He came, I live.
and because He came, I have been washed clean.
and because He came, I am forgiven.
All because He came.
//For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on
and forever//
Isaiah 9:6&7
Merry Christmas.
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