exam time at the hartins

It's exam time. Which, in the hartin home, justifies terrible sleeping patterns, copious amounts of coffee, a less than clean appartment and poor eating habits (and lets not forget the occasional mental and emotional breakdowns). Tonight mr.hartin and I were comparing who ate more poorly than the other (maybe we feel better that way?). I think I owned him on this one.

I would really like to pretend that I'm that diligent, domesticated wife that always wears an apron and has a  gourmet roast on the table for dinner no matter how busy things get.
But lets be honest... I'm not.
I do love to cook. Sincerely. But when you don't have the time: You don't have the time.

and thus, one is left with the picture of mr. hartin and I sitting at our table, enjoying a box of Stove Top Turkey Stuffing for dinner. No veggies, No potatoes, no turkey - just stuffing.

Or even better. Tonight we indulged in gourmet Kraft Dinner*. And honestly, who doesn't love Mac and Cheese - and if you say you don't, I don't really believe you.

 

Even though I'm so thankful we do (for the most part) sleep regularly, have a clean appartment and eat delicious and nutritious food, I'd be lying if I didn't admit to secretly enjoying these times when things are a little crazy and ... allowing.

Best of luck to all who are in the exam craziness!

Love the hartins

mr. hartin's blog

Right now I have a bit of headache. I am not sure why. I have spent the last few hours ingesting copious amounts of sugary brown stuff that is frequently called chocolate. I say that it’s frequently, and not always, called chocolate because one time when I was twelve a lady from my church brought me an easter bunny that had all the appearances of chocolate except for the packaging said that it was chocolate flavoured (note the “u” in flavour - it’s because I am not an American) confection and chocolate flavoured (there’s that “u” again) confection, well, just isn’t chocolate. When the lady who brought me the chocolate flavoured confection handed me her very thoughtful gift I remember being happier than I should have been because I was a chubby little kid that liked his chocolate and chips much more than his exercise and vegetables. Anyways, I was happy about the chocolate-looking-stuff but by the time the lady had gone home to cook supper or something like that, and I had read the packaging I was less than joyous about the chocolate bunny not being real chocolate. So it goes.
For the most part, nothing I just said has anything to do with why I have a headache, and, since the headache isn’t that bad, I will write a few more paragraphs.

My wife encouraged me to write a blog. She started this blog a while ago and alot of our friends read it and some of our friends don’t. I like her blog and I think she is a good writer and I like to write and I want to be a good writer so I was thinking that maybe, if I write a little something for her blog now and again I will get a little better at writings. By the way, I love my wife.

Most writing is good writing when the author has something important to write. I always think I have something important to write until I write and re-read what I have written and realize most people aren’t interested in things like the multi-dimensional and extremely exciting world of tasting coffee, or the precise humidity level for aging tobacco, vintage fountain pens or the ideal method for shearing sheep, etc. (I was joking about the shearing sheep) Most of these things I find interesting most of the time but the other times I like to read books written by dead white guys, not because they are dead or white but usually they just write the best stuff. All of that was to say that the most interesting things that I can come up with are not really that important or interesting. I have a friend who is like me in that he likes stuff that not a lot of other people like but maybe he is just more intelligent. Maybe he is one of our friends who don’t read this blog.

I know that the past few paragraphs have been largely contructed with run-on sentences. I think that is okay because I recognize they are run-on sentences and am making them run-on sentences intentionally. Yes, it’s difficult to follow, but at least you can rest assured that the disorder in my writing is intentionally disorderly. It’s kind of like that song by Sufjan Stevens on the Illinoise album, something about a Shadfly. In the song the music is pretty mellow but there is this one solo guitar that sounds out of sync with the rest of the song and so the song sounds bad. I have a friend who goes to the University and Ottawa, he is really smart with artistic stuff and he said that the point of the song is “disorder for the sake of disorder.” Once he told me that about the song I wanted to listen to the song again and while I was cringing with every wrong note I was smiling and thinking about the purpose behind the disorder. Purpose is a good thing, but if I say anything more about purpose I would be coming dangerously close to moralizing and I’ve heard people don’t like that.

A couple weeks ago Rob Bell released a book about Hell. I know it’s supposed to be about more than that but everyone only wants to talk about that part of it. He asks a lot of questions and so now he is heretic and I don’t really care too much about whether or not Rob Bell is liked or isn’t liked, or if his booked is liked or isn’t liked. Anyways, I have been reading some of Rob Bell’s new book about Hell and have been thinking a lot about Hell and I hope that nobody goes to Hell. I hope I am not a heretic for hoping that.

I need to start studying now that I am finished writing this blog and I might write a another blog when it’s raining or something.

mr. hartin

eyes opened.

Happy Easter Friends - I realized I was a little overdue for a blog, and having lots to say I decided to split up all I had to say into two :). So, first and most importantly - some thoughts on Easter. This morning I read over the story of Jesus' death and resurrection and came across something that really spoke to me and so I'm going to share it with you :)

Also - on a side note, I love that God never ceases to speak to us through the word. No matter how many times we've read it, heard it, studied it or taught it. God's Word is Living and active, and always ministering truth when we turn our eyes and ears to it - I love it.

I'm sure you're most likely, more than familiar with the Easter story - and so am I. But I realized this morning that remembering Christ is very different from remembering a story. So, here goes...I'm starting on the third day. After Jesus was crucified a couple ladies went to prepare the body with perfumes and spices (a Jewish tradition) and, of course we know, the body wasn't there because Jesus had risen like he promised. As some ladies were walking down the street chatting about everything that had happened, "Jesus himself came up and walked along with them" (Luke 24:15), but they didn't recognize Him. And so Jesus joins in on their conversation and continues to walk with them, talking about the Messiah's death and suffering being God's will as it fulfilled scripture.

Just as their about to part ways, the ladies invite Jesus to join them for the evening. They sit down together and are about eat, when Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it and gives it to them (this is the Lord's supper, or Communion). It is at this very moment that "their eyes were opened and they recognized him" (24:31). And this is what spoke to me and why.

The ladies were walking with Jesus, talking with Jesus, talking about Jesus, and still its as though their hearts didn't see Him. And when they sat down to break bread with eachother, it says that Jesus "took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them". It was in this moment that "their eyes were opened".  A couple chapters earlier, we see a similar picture moments before Jesus was handed over to be crucified. During his last supper with His disciples he "took bread, gave thanks and broke it , and gave it to them saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me". He called them to Remember HIM, but didn't really clarify why the ought to.

And so the for the ladies who had been talking to Jesus and about Jesus, their eyes were opened to see Jesus only when they took time, as Jesus led them, to intentionally remember.

In taking the time to intentionally Remember Christ, eyes are opened to see Him. It's more than talking about Him, it's more than listening to stories about Him, its about individually, turning our hearts to Remember Him. And in so doing our eyes are opened to See Him and to embrace Him. And so, it made so much sense to me why the early Church was so intentional on gathering together to break bread, for Communion - it was to remember. And in so doing their eyes were opened to see and recognize Christ among them, in their lives. 

Let us see Him as we remember

Love the Hartins

mrs. hartin's worries and roses

Maybe life has been a little bit challenging for me lately.

I've been thinking a bit about this blog and the last thing I want to do is paint a picture-perfect idea about our lives - mine and mr. hartins. Because it is Far from perfect. Maybe sometimes blogs can seem like egotistical ramblings where people talk about themselves and say mostly what people want to hear, or at least say things that will make their lives appear lovelier than they are.

I don't really want to do that.

Life is definitely beautiful. I would even say it can always be beautiful to some degree. Or maybe its that there is always beauty to be seen, experienced and known... even on the darkest of days.
I think life can always be somehow beautiful because God is beautiful. and He loves me and is intimately familiar with the details of my life.

Lately I have been on such a journey, learning how to trust Jesus. I know this Journey wont end anytime soon. It just seems especially instense right now.
I am so quick to worry. to stumble. to question. to forget the Jesus that walks with me.
And not knowing what I feel like I need to know about my life, or I should know about my life intimidates me.

Tonight I'm reminded that God sees me. and knows me. and is near to me.
He reminds me that I was not created for restlessness, weariness and the anxiousness that comes with trying to know everything or have everything figured out.
His promise of peace for my soul is not something that He wants me to take lightly. I'm learning that God Wants me to take Him at His word.

Phil. 4 talks about this kind of restlessness and anxiousness. Paul tells the believers that the Peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ (4:7).

A couple things about His Peace. First, it comes not by worrying, planning, stressing. It comes not from my fall-back plans, confidence in money/jobs/relationships. It comes in Prayer: Communion with God. Spending time investing in intimate relationship with Jesus. Meeting with Him in a quiet place. Sharing and leaving my worries, heart-aches and uncertainties in His hands. Second, this peace "transcends all understanding". Note to self: trying to find peace through logical rationalization or calming thoughts doesn't help very much. and it certainly doesn't provide the Rest and comfort my heart searches for.
God's Peace protects my heart and mind in Christ. God's peace protects me from burdens, baggage and distractions that can steal my worship, attention and loving atitude.

God wants me to trust Him. Simply because He is Trustworthy. 

He is Good
He is Loving
He is Faithful
He is Good

This is where I'm at. Maybe not the strongest. Maybe not the most consistent. But I know and love the Strongest and most Consistent God, who delights in giving me Peace.

Also,

Mr. Hartin is such a blessing in this journey. Today as we were eating dinner, I confided some recent worries, about jobs, school, money, things back at home (blah, blah, blah). And he gently reminded me to pray and set my heart on where (and how) I feel like God is leading me.
I'm thankful that when I get distracted, my mr.hartin points me to Jesus
Mr. Hartin is not perfect. I'm not perfect. And our relationship is not perfect. Sometimes Marriage is challenging.
But I am so thankful that he is the not-so-perfect Husband that God had for me.

I must tell a brief Mr. Hartin story:

Yesterday was a long day for me. If you don't know already I work at a Library (which I quite enjoy). But classes, homework then working till 10 didn't really make for the most wonderful day.
Ready to go home, I locked the door to the library and turn around to see Mr.Hartin with a dozen Roses and chocolate! Needless to say, I was wonderfully surprised and so appreciative. He
reminded me that everything would be okay and that I would be okay. And that I was cherished and taken care of. He said it was just a special way to let me know that I am loved. The roses will die and the chocolate will get eaten, but the memory of this gesture will stay in my heart and I am so thankful and blessed.

Love mrs. hartin

Season

Sometimes seasons in life aren't very eventful.
They feel normal, maybe a little mundane.
There are things that need to get done and
maybe those things aren't very exciting.
I'm thankful these season aren't all the time. They're only sometimes.

Sometimes seasons in life are uncertain.
We're not sure what will happen,
when things will happen
or how they will happen
And maybe the most unerving part of it all
is that such things are completely . out . of . our . control

Sometimes seasons in life are filled with life, color and growth
These seasons refresh our souls and remind us that
God is still creating. Still making things new. Still making things beautiful.

...

whatever season God sees is good for us to walk through;
these things I'm sure of:

Our God is Beautiful and Good. Absolutely Good.
and He takes care of us.
and leads us.
simply.

I love my mr. Hartin and I am thankful to be loved and cherished by him.
Our love still grows. and it is truly such a delight.
I like that we're still silly sometimes. and flirty. and inlove.

In every season I am certain of a couple things:
I am called to walk, live,and be close to the heart of my Jesus
I am called to love my neighbor.
I am called to learn and grow.

Depending on the season, sometimes these things are the only things I'm sure of.

and I'm okay with that.

in every season. I'll walk with you.

Love mrs. hartin

winter.

 

spring

summer

 fall.

    

            

he likes. she likes.

.

she likes vintage jewelery.

Pearls are her favorite. she likes to wear them almost all the time. even if there's no special occasion.

 he likes vintage fountain pens.

he also likes to write.


she likes it when he writes. she thinks he's got quite a gift for it.

 she likes teapots. all kinds of tea pots.

he and she like to read. maybe he more than she though.

he and she like it when old Full House episodes are a part of date nights every now and then.

he and she have the season on dvd.

 he's a thinker. she's a feeler

he likes pondering. she likes talking

he enjoys slowness and quietness. she enjoys craziness and business.

he's planner. she's a dreamer

he loves her and she loves him

Love mr. and mrs. hartin

sisters

A ministering angel shall my sister be.
- William Shakespeare

We laughed, cried, danced, sang, hurt, healed, embraced... we loved.
Tonight I'm reminded how blessed I am to have 4 beautiful sisters.

Julie, Rebecca, Catherine and Tara.
You've made life wonderful in so many ways.

I love you and remember you in my prayers tonight.

Love mrs. hartin