~Free.for.Faith~

Even the Stars Sing

2012-02-01T19:53:00.004-06:00

I love this video with Louie Giglio.
He talks about how even the stars cry out to God.

http://youtu.be/7zWKm-LZWm4

Isn't that just like God?

2012-01-20T23:47:00.005-06:00

I just love God. He is so good to me. I love how He is so personal and loving. I love how He is that still, quiet voice even though He makes such majestic, beautiful things. The other night I was driving home from work--in the mornings on my drive I face the sunrise, in the evenings I face the sunset. I always get a beautiful show.
I happened to be praying as the sun went down about some concerns about family and friends . You know the whole, "God will you please take care of _____, and take care of _____, and.... And I heard God say to me, taking the whole of the sunset in His Hands, "Will I Who take care of THIS [the sunset,the beauty that you love] not take care of YOU?"
Then a couple of weeks ago I read in a book about how the authors sensed they got "love messages" from God through seeing "hearts" everywhere-heart shaped leaves, heart shaped rocks, etc. I was pretty down at the time and prayed, "God, I don't EVER see things like that... I wish you would do stuff like that.... I feel left out."
Wouldn't you know it? In the past week I have seen no less than 4 heart-shaped leaves and 2 heart-shaped rocks :)
Isn't that just like our God?

Psalm 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion.

Jeremiah 31:33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

2012-01-06T22:55:00.003-06:00

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so....
remember learning that Sunday school song when you were 3 years old? And singing it at the top of your lungs?
I loved it back then, and right now I hold to it tightly.
I continue to go through some hard times. Still waiting on desperate prayers to be answered. Still asking hundreds of people to pray for me about some things. Still hard. But this is something I continue to learn-- God is with me. He never leaves me. Even when I am in pain, even when my heart aches, even when I feel alone-- He is here. Listening. Comforting. Sometimes the comfort comes from the kisses and hugs of children. Sometimes it comes from a soft rain or a thunderstorm. Sometimes from a random email with sweet words. But He sends it still. While I wait for my prayers to be answered. And wait, and wait. I have learned so much about God in the last few months. Learned more about His character, become even more fascinated by Jesus and Who He is. As hard as these times can be, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

When Prayers Go Unanswered

2011-11-23T22:52:00.004-06:00

For a few months now I've been having a really hard time that seems to keep getting harder.
Life has been tough lately. I talk to God, I do the things I know to do, yet life is one test after another lately. Prayers go unanswered, even when I ask hundreds of people to pray. I watch other people get their breakthroughs time and time again--yet I wait, wait, wait. Fear. Sink a little. Feel a little more lost.
I have learned some things though.
A lot of hard things. Nothing easy at all.

But I know this.

Even when my prayers appear to go unanswered....
The Almighty God, maker of the universe, still hears me.
He still loves me. Even if He never did answer my prayers, He still loves me. Unanswered prayer does NOT equal not loving, not hearing, not listening, not caring.
He is still sovereign. The LORD God is still in control of everything.
He can still work all things together for good-- because HE is good, because HE is faithful, because HE is unchanging and holy.
He still guides my steps. Even if I can't see for the darkness in front of me, He still watches my every move, and He has a plan.
I can still expect God to take care of me.

So, yah. Just putting it out there. But please pray anyway, for me. I need a miracle or two to happen. Right now would be good.

Why do we hold on so tightly?

2011-10-28T18:02:00.005-05:00

I heard a phrase today. "At least you made it through another day." As in, well, you've survived another day-- rough day, but you made it through. And that made me wonder. A lot of people think if you've made it through another day here on Earth, that's a victory. Like the phrase, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." So, being able to live one more day-- that's something to celebrate. A friend's child was diagnosed with leukemia this week, and that has made me think a lot more about when children die--I've been having dreams this week about when my sweet girl Stef died 3 years ago. We try so hard to keep sick people alive one more day. We try so hard to keep the dying here on Earth. We all fight so hard to live longer, to stay disease free, to fight aging, to prolong life.
But what if we have it all wrong?
What if when we get to Heaven, we realize, what was all that fighting for?
I sincerely believe that when I am standing in the presence of Jesus, and wrapped in His safe, loving arms, and standing in the middle of Heaven...I am going to realize I would have rushed a lot faster to get there. When I look into His face and realize all the wants, hopes, and dreams I've ever had have suddenly been filled, when I look around the Holy City and realize I will never cry again, never need for anything again, never have to say goodbye to anyone again... I will no longer want the shallowness that Earth had to offer.Forget all the vitamins I took to be healthier. Forget the creams I put on my face to look younger and fight wrinkles. Forget cancer treatments, forget worrying about dying, forget fears. I have a feeling we will all wonder, why did we all fear death? With Heaven and our savior waiting for us... why didn't we come running at it, embracing it? Why did we hold on so tightly to this false, faded, sin-filled world when the Real World filled with the Glory of God is waiting for us?
That is my plan. I actually do not fear death--at all. I know what Heaven will be like. If you haven't read about Heaven in the Bible, or read Randy Alcorn's book on Heaven, I highly recommend doing so. That's some great reading. And look forward to what's on the other side-- don't fear it. There's Someone there alread waiting for you.

So Humbled...

2011-09-25T18:04:00.004-05:00

So I have been at my new job for a couple of weeks now at the homeless shelter, teaching preschool. It doesn't pay much at all, but has incredible perks such as getting to go to chapel and Bible study and getting leftover food from the kitchen-- really cool stuff. One of the amazing things is the people I work with. And the women from the shelter I encounter. One day in chapel as we finished singing worship songs, we had some time to bring up praise reports and prayer requests.
Several women who were staying at the shelter told their stories of desperation, being treated unfairly, being hurt and abused, losing their homes-- these are very serious, scary things. Especially for the ones who have children. They have nothing.
And yet-- here is the amazing, humbling party--
At the same time as telling these awful stories...these women were praising God for His goodness, His faithfulness, His love. Even though they'd been through the ringer emotionally, spiritually, financially-- they still see God as the Giver of all good things, as their Helper and their Provider.
I was so humbled by their faith that I nearly cried. That I should have such faith. That I should have such trust. That I should see what they see.
My faith has become strengthened by these women. Though they thought they had nothing left, nothing to give others, I have received a lot from them in the past couple of weeks-- the gift of faith. I am so humbled by their immense love and trust for God-- for He is truly worthy of our worship and our love.

Back in the Saddle

2011-09-17T00:13:00.003-05:00

I am so excited. After a 3 year break of being mommy and big sister and best friend, I am back in the saddle-- once again known as TEACHER!!!! Today was my 1st day back in the classroom after 3 years. I could hardly believe it. I did Circle Time. I did reading. I reminded kids to wash their hands 40 times. I put shoes on little feet. I played on the playground at recess. I now have my own classroom where I get to share scripture and read Bible stories (been a dream for a long time). My boss and the other teachers are amazing. This week, I actually found myself looking forward to being at work on Monday morning-- I can tell you that has never happened before even on my best days!! Something else that's really cool is that people say GOOD things about each other, even in private. I get paid to go to devotions and chapel. I get paid to teach kiddos about God. Its amazing.

Grateful

2011-09-10T22:35:00.003-05:00

So much has changed in the past few weeks. Some things have been really really hard. I'm not big on change. I've been having some hard times. But I've also been especially aware that God is truly by my side and He is leading me step by step.
I have an incredible new job teaching Preschool to homeless children. I couldn't ask for anything better. At chapel, I see their mothers, homeless, who have absolutely nothing, and yet they are still filled with praises to God for being so good, loving and faithful to them. That is so humbling. It fills me with awe. The children are amazing. They have been through so much, yet they're filled with wonder at the simplest things.
I have been more involved with church lately, and speaking up more in things like Bible Study and our home group meetings. I'm so grateful for the friends I've made there, and for the worship time we have. I'm so grateful for the growth I've seen in our church. I'm so grateful for friends who reach out to help during hard times--they even reach out to my family, whom they don't even know. I'm so grateful for my wonderful new bosses. Its incredible to work in a Christian environment. It makes such a huge difference. I'm so grateful for the fall sunrises and for puppy kisses and reading goodnight stories to my niece and nephew, for laughing with my sister, and for surprises and pizza parties. We're going through tough times right now--financially, spiritually, and emotionally, but I know that God is here with me, and I am forever grateful for His faithfulness and His goodness.

He's better to me than I deserve. (So what else is new?)

2011-08-04T14:07:00.003-05:00

God is WAY, WAY better to me than I deserve Him to be.
This is old news, right?
Yet, when God does something for me, it still just shocks the bejeebers out of me.

I got the job I wanted.
I am going to be a teacher again.
Preschool!
Yep, I got the job at the homeless shelter I was hoping for.
The pay is low but we can make it work somehow. This job is a huge chance for me to serve God in a direct way. And as God reprimanded me yesterday, "How about not worrying about the money and worry about doing My will?"
Well. Yah. Yes, Sir.
So. In about a month I will be a preschool teacher again, getting back into the swing of things after being gone for 3 years. Can you even believe this?
Yah, I can't believe it either. But its absolutely true. And once again, God has given me something I totally don't deserve but He does these things because He is God and He is good.

A good interview!!

2011-07-31T14:27:00.003-05:00

After sending out 75 resumes and job applications I FINALLY had a job interview last week. At LAST!! And it was for an incredible place-- a gospel mission where I would be teaching homeless kids. Get out of town!!! That is right up my alley-- helping the homeless and the poor, the orphans and the widows-- just like Jesus said. The interview went fantastic. The director even used to go to my church. I have a follow up interview on Tuesday. I want this job so badly!!

Here's the catch-- my husband says they need to offer me at least $30-35K in order to take the job. Because we have to pay our bills, which are numerous. We don't have any areas of our lives that we can cut back on any more... already doing every money-saving thing we can think of. Oh how I am praying for God to come through for me!! Those who hope in the Lord will never be disappointed or put to shame... I am counting on that.

So if you read this, please say a prayer that I will get my dream job! It will be hard, but it would be affecting SO many kids lives. Please pray they will offer me the amount necessary so that I can take the job.

Holding onto this. Psalm 34

2011-07-25T22:58:00.002-05:00

Psalm 34 (New International Version)
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,

for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,

but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,

not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;

no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him

I have to believe

2011-07-16T23:10:00.005-05:00

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD

and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3

I am in the midst of deep grief. I guess losing my dog last weekend was the last straw. The breaking point of several months of losses, broken dreams, and bad news.
There aren't words for it. I haven't really got anyone to talk to about it anyway. I don't know why God is allowing all these things to happen. Some times it seems like there will be no end to the sorrow. Sometimes I wonder what's going to happen next...and its not a happy thought.
I have been trying to sleep in order to escape; in those moments when I am falling asleep, at least I know there is nothing I have to do, no problems I have to solve right now. Just slip into sleep, and that's that. Although I don't sleep well, at least its still a bit of an escape from my worries and the ache in my heart. I wonder where God is. I wonder when my comfort will come. I wonder when something is going to happen to make all this pain feel like its been worth it.

But this I believe. I choose to believe.
God is still good. He hears my prayers. He will, someday, make all things right. Someday, whether its on this earth or not, my heart will be healed and whole again.

God is still God...still my Refuge

2011-07-11T16:51:00.004-05:00

Not quite ten years after the Lord brought a chubby, wiggly chocolate lab into my life as a gift to heal my heart after losing my black lab,

my precious boy has gone back to Heaven to be back with Jesus.

We said goodbye yesterday. After a bout with cancer, and surgeries, and too much time at the vet, it was time to let my sweet boy go to sleep and wake up in Heaven.

My heart is broken. I am devastated. He was my best friend. You couldn't ask for a more loyal, happy, sweet dog.

I feel weak today. Broken in too many places. Life hurts too much sometimes.

But God is still in control. And He is still good. And He is still my Lord, no matter what pain this life sends my way.

And right now, maybe Jesus is teaching my dog to finally walk on a leash, and running with his big sister in great fields of wild flowers, chasing butterflies, no longer in pain, happy and free and silly as ever.

I love you, Sweetboy. You loved me. You showed me what unconditional love really is, and for that I will always be grateful.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”

Refuge

2011-06-28T14:34:00.005-05:00

The past two weeks I have faced some very big challenges. Ones I would prefer to not have to go through if I could. My emotions have been on a roller-coaster of anxiety to despair to fear. Just last week along I had three things go very wrong in three days. I was beginning to wonder what would come next. Contemplating if I could even get out of bed by Friday. And quite frankly, I just didn't want to. I was done. That was enough. I'm tired of fighting.

But then God spoke to me.
Twice.
Once through a friend I was talking to who, after listening to me pour out my desperation for probably 30 minutes or an hour, said, "Well, do you believe the Bible or NOT?"
Oh.
Well... yes. I guess so. Well... YES. I do.
And then it HIT ME.
Really? In my time of desparation was I ACTING like I believed the Bible?
Do I believe God's Word is the Truth?
Well then how about all those promises in there that He makes to me?
Ps 29:11, "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."
Ps 34:17, "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
Ps 37:4-5, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Ps 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Ps 50:15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Matt 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
I could go on and on here...are you getting the picture? The Bible is FULL of God's promises.
Did I believe them or not? But then I wondered, but WHY am I going through this awful time? Hasn't this Spring been hard enough, with deaths in the family and illness and everyting else? Aren't we done yet? Why more?
And on Sunday morning during Worship time at church, I heard HIM. I heard God tell me that He is doing all this to draw me closer to Him in wanting ONLY His will for my life. (No more of that "Well sure God, I want your will. Absolutely. But what I also really want is....) And even more wonderful to hear from Him, I also heard :"And you're doing it." (Great! I am actually DOING what God wants me to do when He wants me to do it!! Its a miracle!)
So even though these hard times are still going on, and I'm still in the same situaion I was last week..
I am not, really.
Because I have taken refuge. In the shadow of His wings, I remember: I believe Him.
I will get through this hard time by standing on His promises.

Psalm 57
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

P.S. Everyone who reads this, please pray for me. I need God to help me find just the right job for me, as I'm searching for a new place to work. I am seeking His will, and asking for Him to guide my actions, give me discernment and guidance as I fill out many, many job applications. Thank you!!

What's Inside of YOU?

2011-06-08T12:37:00.003-05:00

This is probably the BEST commercial I have EVER seen.
Be sure to watch it to the very end.

Blessings by Laura Story

2011-05-31T14:15:00.002-05:00

This song gave me a lot to think about. What if?

Grateful for Change

2011-05-28T23:12:00.004-05:00

Today I just wanted to say a quick little thing about something I am so grateful for.
In the past few weeks, life has been a real challenge. We've had 3 deaths in the family that have broken my heart and others in the family. I have friends who are going through heart-breaking pain as well. Life has just been a real pain some days.
But.
I'm so grateful that God is so good.. that He has changed me so much over the last few years. I'm so grateful that He has brought good people into my life. That He has helped me so much.
Today I had an appointment at a spa that I go to frequently, and the people there are always so kind to me. I don't know them well, but we always chit chat and they're always friendly. I appreciate that. I'm grateful for the kind older man who talked with me while I waited for my car to get washed. A few years ago I probably would have hid behind a book and ignored everyone there. I'm grateful for the closeness I have in my marriage now, that we don't argue or fight or hold things over each other's heads like we used to. Its nice to just have good people in my life-- no more drama, no more craziness. Just so much more calmness and good days than I used to ever dream of. I'm glad that God has been changing me over the years so that I can appreciate the important things in life more.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Beautiful Photos

2011-05-22T18:38:00.009-05:00

Wave photos by Clark Little

As I have been a person of few words lately, I wanted to share some incredibly photographs of God's beautiful world that I have collected.

God's Facebook

2011-05-10T14:39:00.001-05:00

What I think I Need

2011-04-21T15:36:00.007-05:00

Been short on words lately. You may have noticed. There's been so much on my mind but not a lot comes out these days. A few of weeks ago, two people in our family died just days apart. Between those things and some other stuff I already had going on, those heart breaks really just made me feel like God threw me under a truck for awhile.
I've not been the greatest at handling all the things that have been going on this spring. Instead of getting down on my knees like I should have been, I pretty much just curled up on the couch and played mindless games like Solitaire on my iPod. I quit going to Bible Study. I still showed up at church and Sunday School every week, because God draws me there.
But I didn't want to go anywhere else. So I holed up in my house whenever I could.
And I got a little sad. Lonely. A lot of people said "We'll pray for you." Which is great. Love that. Can't beat prayer. But this time I needed so much more and that's all people had to give. No one reached out by stopping by the house or picking up the phone to call or even dropping an email. That was tough to handle.
It was at those times to realize that I needed to rely only on God, that He is the ONLY one who will never, ever disappoint. He is the ONLY one who will NEVER, ever let me down. Ever. He can't-- its not even in His holy nature to do so.
Funny thing though. It was when I finally cemented this belief back into my heart about three days ago --that I just don't NEED anyone else except for Jesus, He TRULY is all sufficient-- that God allowed other people to do a few things for me that I thought I needed a few weeks ago. Funny how that works, isn't it? A surprise gift showed up on my doorstep from a friend that lifted my spirits. Someone else got all silly and painted my toenails bright pink to cheer me up. The baby is in a super-cuddly phase and wants to put her head down on my shoulder, all curled up in my lap (my favorite thing in the WORLD with kids!) and has fallen asleep in my lap twice today. I think that usually, once we remember Who it is we really need, He will allow others to step in and supply some of those needs for us. Clever guy, He is.

Philippians 4:19 (New International Version, ©2011)19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Good Laughs Needed

2011-03-31T14:55:00.004-05:00

I am a person of few words right now because some tough things are going on. Not feeling very introspective. Some times, its just good to stop, take a break, and find laughter in the utterly silly things in life. When I need to do that, I love to go to these web pages:

Enjoy!
Institute of Official Cheer

Cake Wrecks!

Cate's Garage Sale Finds

Stepping out in faith

2011-03-10T14:26:00.005-06:00

Jesus tells us to have faith. And you know, right, by now, that having faith isn't just a passive, sit there and wait for God to do something for you thing, right? Have you too gotten to a point in your life where you've figured out that faith is an action, a thing that YOU have to do? Its something that takes a lot of practice. A LOT. More than I actually care to do, sometimes. But its something that we need to do out of our love for the Lord, and out of obedience, and to show God that we trust Him to answer our prayers.

I have been stepping out in faith a lot lately. There is a mission trip to Ethiopia being planned through my church, and I want to go something awful. I mean it. Ever since I heard about last year's trip there, I have had it laying on my heart so heavily to go there. During the Ethiopia trip, the mission workers go help out a couple orphanages like Drawn from Water (http://www.drawnfromwater.org) and also go to minister to the forgotten, abandoned people in a nearby leper colony.

And you can think whatever you want of me when I say this, but when I heard about that-- going into the stinking, smelly, abandoned leper colony, going to the orhpanage of abandoned children, walking in the rain and the mud and getting dirty.... I thought, Now THAT is my idea of a good time.

That is exactly how I want to spend my summer vacation. I can feel it in my heart-- That is exactly what God wants me to do.

The problem, however, is the timing. The trip is planned for late June/ early July. My vacation that my boss gives me, however, is at the end of July. She can't/won't spare me any other time. See the problem there? So... I am praying, and have tons of other people praying for me, that SOMETHING will give.... that God will work out the timing so that somehow the dates will work out, and I will get to go. Somehow. I don't know how its going to all work out. It's too big a job for me. But nothing is too big for God.

So I have been stepping out in faith. I am getting ready for this trip, anyway.
I got my passport last month. One step.
I e-mailed the person in charge of the trip and told him how its on my heart to go, but here's the deal with my vacation.
Then last night I did what has been the hardest part so far-- I got some of my vaccinations. Did you know that insurance doesn't pay for that stuff? Oh well. If you're voluntarily leaving America, guess you are own your own there, buddy. So $275 and 2 sore arms later, I am now not in any fear of getting polio, yellow fever, or typhoid any time soon-- hallelujah!
So I continue stepping out in faith. [Sometimes, like getting those shots last night, you'll notice that stepping out in faith hurts a little. Thats okay. Its part of the deal.]
My next step is to keep on talking about the trip-- and to start raising funds for it. I am putting a little money away from each paycheck. Maybe I'll hold a bake sale. I make a mean loaf of homemade bread ;)
Just keep stepping out in faith, one thing at a time-- until I land myself in Ethiopia this year--because my heart is already there.

Yah.

2011-03-08T15:16:00.006-06:00

Ever have those moments that just tug at your heart strings? So much that it hurts, sometimes? With 2 little ones running around the house at full speed these days, some times we can get so busy that we can't even catch our breath, let alone enjoy a moment. There are spilled cups of juice and milk, boo-boos to be kissed, falls, toys getting stepped on, doors getting accidently slammed, sisters hurting each other's feelings, and the ever present noise of children running amock.
But sometimes-- there are those moments.
Those great moments in history that make you slow down and think--ahhh. This is why. This is why I get up in the morning.
Yesterday, at lunch, just at random-- absolutely no reason, toddler looks up at me and says in her sing-song voice: I love you!
Me: I love you too.
Toddler: "I love YOU!"
Me: No I love YOU!
Toddler: I love YOU!
Me: I love YOU!
Toddler: Sudden fit of giggles because she realizes this could go on all day.

Then today at naptime, its the littler one's turn to go to bed 1st, which toddler loves, because that gives her extra alone time with me: get that baby out of the way, she gets time in my lap with a story or extra songs. Today she got in her bed all by herself and said, "Lay with me just a minute. Just 4 minutes." (Where does she get this stuff?) Okay, I said. "Four minutes."
So I lay down next to her, my arm over her, and did her favorite thing: we look in each other's eyes and rub each other's back with our free hands. If I could freeze time, this would be the moment. How did that little baby I fell in love with become this beautiful, big girl who is almost three? How did that HAPPEN?
Her: Sing the Sun song.
So I sang her, "You are my Sunshine." Does she really know how much I love her? Does she get it? Do I say it enough? Does she KNOW?
Then we look at each other some more. Rub backs some more. Stare at each other. I love intimate moments like this. Where can you anything like this with anyone else but with a toddler? Who else trusts you this much but to stare in their eyes and watch them so closely? I wonder, does she trust me that much? Does she realize I would never hurt her? Is this how God feels about us?
Me: I love you,baby.
Her: Yah.
Then she closed her eyes and started to go to sleep.
I wouldn't trade moments like this for anything in the world.
Do you suppose God feels the same way about us, when we just let Him love on us? Do you think it just makes Him happy when we just sit back and spend some time with him, and allow him to shower some love on us...and let Him say I love you, and instead of the usual "But I'm not worthy God, I'm so lousy at x,y,z, I am a horrible person, I can't do anything right..." ...instead of all that... do you suppose God celebrates when the things He created just lets Him love on us, and when He's good to us and says I love you, we just finally GET IT and say.... "Yah." ?

Drawn from Water

2011-03-06T20:32:00.005-06:00

These are the most beautiful children I have ever seen in my life. This is where my passion is.. to help children like this. I am hoping to go on a mission trip to Ethiopia this summer, if things work out (there are a lot of factors that need to come together--but I believe that God can make it happen if He wants me to go, so I am hopeful.)
Please watch this video about the amazing children at the Drawn from Water orphanage in Ethiopia. This is their website if you would like to learn more about them http://www.drawnfromwater.org/ (and I hope you will--its an incredible story)-- please, if there is ANYTHING you can do to help save these children's lives... PLEASE do so.

"It Began with Bale" from Drawn From Water on Vimeo.

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 25:40
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Tribute to Veterans-Before You Go

2011-03-04T23:07:00.003-06:00

If you love a veteran, you have to see this video... we owe them so much, but take them for granted so often. Just like with Jesus, we should tell them "thank you" so much more often:
Play "Before You Go" - Dedicated to Veterans of WWII and The Korean War

When you just KNOW

2011-03-01T14:38:00.004-06:00

Do you ever just have moments when you just KNOW that God is real, that you just KNOW for sure He is real....and all those doubts that sometimes plague you just fall away as though they never existed?
I love when that happens.
It seems to happen more often for me in the spring, when the world begins to bloom.
Trees that have been humbly sleeping begin to wake.
Blooms open up.
The warm air brings with it the scent of new life and new possibilities.
It always seems like at those times, the coldness and darkness of winter's doubts, insecurities, and fears begin to finally float away.
That happened for me again this morning while I had the baby out for a walk and I had some worship music on my iPod. The sun was sparkling and the blue sky was crisp. I just knew that God was watching over me.
It made me remember one of the 1st times I was ever mightily struck by the existence of God. It was on one of my favorite trips I ever took-- a youth group canoe trip. It was my little sister's youth group actually, if I remember right. I was in college, I think she was still in high school. At that point, I still saw her as "little sister" more than anything. We camped out with her friends. The canoeing part got brutal at some points-- I think we had 22 miles down a river on day one. Mainly I recall my arm muscles crying.
But on that trip my sister and I laughed so much-and passed Twinkies and snacks back and forth using our paddles--and got so far ahead of everyone else (because of my sister's massive muscles, not my puny ones)-that we could have stopped for hours before anyone else caught up. The best part, besides realizing that my little sister was,indeed, a human being and a good friend too, was when we came around a bend in the river. I can still see it. The sun was streaming through the trees and made the rivier sparkle like gold. It was breathtaking. You could practically hear the Hallelujuah Chorus break out in song it was so beautiful. And I knew, I just KNEW, that God had created that. It was unbelievable. How could you NOT know God was real after seeing such majesty?
It reminds me of Romans 1:20:
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
I love how God uses his creation all around me to give evidence of His realness, His love, and His closeness. Whether its something giant like a sunshiney bend in a river on a canoe trip, or in the delicate softness of the tulip petals I saw this morning.
How about you?

Fire Rainbow

2011-02-19T23:31:00.007-06:00

Something beautiful I just wanted to share...

THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST

OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING

ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA.

THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED ON

THE IDAHO, WASHINGTON BORDER.

THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR.

CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT

LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE

RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT

THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES.

Reach out to Jesus (He wants you to)

2011-01-27T09:53:00.010-06:00

Luke 8:42 As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[a] but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Beth Moore pointed out in her Breaking Free Bible study that the word traslated "edge" (Kraspedon) is used for the tassels the Israelites wore on the four corners of their garments (Word Bible Commentary).

Jesus would, as all good and proper Jewish teachers of his day, worn a prayer shawl with 4 long tassels hanging down, very similar to one pictured at the top of the page.

Do you see how easy it would have been for the sick woman in Luke 8 to reach out and grab hold of the edge of Jesus's garment? Those tassels hung down. As Beth pointed out in her Breaking Free video... Jesus made himself reachable. He made himself easily reached. It wasn't hard for the sick woman to grab hold of him if he had those tassles hanging down. He purposely made himself reachable to the lowest of the low.

That hit me hard last night while I was sitting in Bible study. Sent me on a trippy-revelation-double-whammy of a thought so that I've barely been thinking of anything else. Not only could that sick woman reach out to him-- but you know what? Those tassels would have hung down LOW-real low. No matter how bent over sick, no matter how low in the gutter we are, no matter how bent down with depression or illness or sorrow we are- Jesus makes himself reachable to us. He makes himself available. Even if we can only reach out justalittletinybit-- He is there. Think you've hit rock bottom? Jesus is there.Think you couldn't possibly go any lower than you are right now? Think you're in a pit? Jesus is there. Think your eyelids are so heavy from endless nights of crying that you can no longer lift your head to look up? Jesus is there. He has made himself available--this very moment-to you. From the compassion in his heart, from the experiences in his life, to the very way he got dressed in the mornings-- his goal was to make himself available to you. All you need to do is to reach out to him-- he is reaching out to you.

Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Isaiah 40:1

How to Heal

2011-01-19T16:31:00.003-06:00

I came across this passage today and thought it was so beautiful.
The prophet Isaiah had an amazing way of putting things.
I like how he could put things so profoundly, yet so simply-
if you do this, then you get this.
And this is an amazing way to live as it is-- this is a incredible goal to have for my life--
and look what the benefit is.
Healing.
God satisfying my needs.
God's guidance.
You can't beat that.

Isaiah 58:6-11 (New International Version, ©2010)
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail

Battle Position for 2011

2011-01-06T15:07:00.003-06:00

Its time to face a new year. Are you prepared by now? Have you made your new year's resolutions? Have you put 2010 behind you and made yourself ready to face 2011? (HOW in the world did we get to this, anyway? Weren't we all just worried about Y2K sometime around last Monday? Wow, time flies by sometimes, doesn't it?)
I know that I am ready for this year now, especially after I heard part of this story about King Jehoshaphat:
17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Did you catch that? He was going into battle-- and you know what his battle position was? Not just standing-- verse 18 points out that Jehoshaphat BOWED DOWN with his face to the ground. And they started worshiping God.
THAT is my battle plan for 2011.
Bow down in worship.
Not worrying my head off.
Not fretting over every.little.thing.under.the.sun.
Not fearing.
Not wringing my hands.
But worshipping.
Singing songs to the One who is worthy.
Because the battle is the Lord's- He is the only one who can really handle it and WIN, anyway.
This year,2011, I challenge you too, to allow the Lord to fight your battles for you.
Instead of worrying, fighting, planning, failing...
just bow down.
Worship.
Allow the Lord to fight for you.
That is a sure way to win.

Recipe for a Happy New Year

2011-01-01T23:08:00.005-06:00

Recipe for a Happy New Year

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time.

Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, prayer, meditation, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing—don't do it), and one well-selected resolution

.

Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

(Anonymous)

Oh Holy Night

2010-12-20T14:06:00.002-06:00

Yesterday at church we sang "Oh Holy Night"... one of my favorite songs, ever.
I just wanted to share it with you. This song fills my heart with peace and reminds me just how much God loves us--that He sent His son to Earth to make things right with the world.

How to Wrap a Cat

2010-12-08T15:52:00.003-06:00

You think YOU'VE got some odd things to wrap....
ever wonder how you're going to wrap up that new cat
you bought your sister for Christmas?
Well here's how to do it!

God is God and I am NOT

2010-11-12T18:53:00.003-06:00

This week I have been having one of those "I'm going to completely lose it if anybody asks me to do ONE more thing or if anyone else needs me to take care of them or if I have to pick just ONE more thing up off the floor" kinds of weeks. I've been overwhelmed, and some days the world just seems like an overly demanding & not very nice place. Then I find out people I love are sick, people I love are under attack by the enemy, more people need my time, blah-blah-blah. It just never ends sometimes, right? Sometimes I think if I don't get a break immediately, I'm going to burst into tears just because I'm so overwhelmed. There are days when its hard to find a balance in life.
But then there are these moments...these little moments. Like today when I took the kids to Target and it began pouring rain on the way. Not just a little rain, but a downpour. And I had forgotten my umbrella at home. Now I've got 2 little ones in the car, its chilly, and how am I going to get them into the store? So I prayed-- "God, could you please, just PLEASE make the rain slow down just long enough for me to get them into the store as dry as possible?"
And wouldn't you know it? The second I pulled into a parking spot-- the rain stopped. It not only slowed--it stopped completely and the sun came out.
And that reminded me of something.
During days like this, when I get scared for people I love, when the world is overwhelming, when the attacks against me and those I love seem too big-- I have a God who controls the whole world. He's in charge of the rain, he's in charge of the sun and moon and stars. He will move heaven and earth to take care of those he loves. Jesus overcame the power of death out of love. That's just how BIG and powerful our God is.
And because He is good, and He is Love, and He is Mighty, and He's in control-- I don't have to worry. He's God-- and I'm not. He's in control, and He can handle it. So I don't have to worry. I don't have to handle all those huge, scary things. He's got it all in his hands. God is more than capable of handling anything that comes my way, and none of it is a surprise to Him. Anything that comes my way-- He can take care of it.

Amazing Grace

2010-11-12T14:48:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite songs ever.

Military Biblesticks by Faithcomesbyhearing.com

2010-11-11T14:02:00.003-06:00

This morning I heard about an incredible opportunity to share the Word of God with soldiers. In honor of Veteran's Day and our amazing U.S. military, I'd like to share it with you. Please visit the Faith Comes By Hearing website to learn about their Military Biblesticks. They're audio/ digital players that come preloaded with the Bible that are about the size of a pack of gum. 40,000 have already been given out, and on the radio this morning I heard that there are something like 13,000 soldiers on a waiting list to get one of their own. People out there are desperate for the word of God. On Veteran's Day especially, you could donate the Biblesticks in honor of loved ones of yours who have served/are serving in the military. Please visit their website to learn more about it... it is an amazing opportunity to spread God's Word. Thank you!

Operation Christmas Child

2010-11-10T10:07:00.003-06:00

Its that time of year again!
One of the most exciting things we do as a family all year long is to get out and pack up shoe boxes full of little gifts for Operation Christmas Child

Very important right now as the collection days for the boxes are in Nov and Dec
all you do is pack a shoebox with toys/gifts/candies/etc and drop it off at certain locations- it is SO easy. The boxes are sent to over 130 countries and given to poor children around the world. You can pick a boy or a girl in different age groups. We LOVE doing this stuff-- the inside kids get really involved. It makes the kids that get the boxes SOOOO happy.You can pack 1 shoebox or 5 or 10, whatever-- even just 1 can make such a big difference!!
There is nothing that brings me joy like putting these boxes together and as I shop, imagining the little girls and boys who will open them and see the presents and realize that there is someone out there who is thinking of them, praying for them, and loving them. Sharing the love of Jesus with them, even though I don't know them. I hope that someday in Heaven I will get to meet the children who have received the boxes I sent over the years.
If you need some ideas for what to put in boxes, here are some things I like to include:
new T-shirt, new socks, new underpants
toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, barrettes
hard candies, gum, fig newtons
small stuffed animal, crayons, drawing pad, colored pencils
yo-yo, light up sticks/light up bracelets & necklaces
stickers

It takes SO little for us to share God's love and help change a child's life... PLEASE participate this year.
Visit their website for details-- click on the title of this post to be redirected to their page.

Beautiful by Fransesca Battistelli

2010-10-15T16:38:00.003-05:00

This is one of my favorite songs. Listen to it and read the words.
When I hear the part about "making my life something so beautiful, beautiful" I envision sunlight shining through a dark forest, and butterflies coming up out of a fire-- and in the ashes of the fire there are diamonds and other gems. Sort of a "beauty for ashes" kind of thing-- something that God seems to specialize in. Can you picture it? More importantly, can you imagine God taking the pain, the sorrow, the heartache of your life... and through the trials and fires He takes you through, allowing freedom and love come from it? Because I think that if you let Him, He can do that.
Enjoy the song-- it really is beautiful.

We Are Not as Strong as We Think We Are by Rich Mullins

2010-09-26T17:27:00.004-05:00

Its been kind of a tough weekend for me. I miss a little girl so much that my whole self hurts, as yesterday was the day she died, and I think no one but me remembered it. I think that God is still teaching me...that I am only to count on Him for support and not people. And that is okay, because only God is able to truly meet our needs. Sometimes though, even though I've come a long way, I think...boy have I got a lot to learn.
This is one of my favorite songs by Rich Mullins.

How to Say Goodbye

2010-09-24T10:37:00.003-05:00

Missing someone special today...very, very much.
Not many words today. Maybe a video will work.

These are Precious Days

2010-09-09T14:06:00.003-05:00

This isn't a particularly profound message I have today. Just an observance of some things I have noticed. We have had an abundance

of rain this week here in Texas, due to a tropical storm. As streets

have flooded and traffic has backed up for miles, commutes have doubled in time and my frustration level with certain things has reached an all time high, I've also realized just how precious these days are.

God has given me some very special gifts to help balance the past few days out, and I'm so grateful.

Just minutes ago, I got off the phone with my four year old nephew. It was his first day of preschool today. Something that both his mommy and I have been waiting for for a VERY, very long time. It means not only independence and fun for him, but also freedom and indepence for my sister as well-- something she hasn't had ever since her 1st child was born nearly 8 years ago. Now that she has both kids in school at least part of the time, she can begin to breathe again. She can have moments to herself again. And its an exciting new phase of their lives. We were both a little nervous about how this 1st day of school would go, given that my nephew is so attached to his mommy. But thankfully, surprisingly, gratefully, it went well. He called me to tell me he made a new friend, and even played on the playground, and got to play with Playdough. And even better... he can't wait to go back again! Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!!!

On the home front, I have a 2 year old in school too. Which, I'm sure it goes without saying, she is the most brilliant child in the class and her teachers think she's a genius. Now the baby and I have our mornings to ourselves, which gives us more time to bond and nap and play together. Afternoons are for lunch, all three of us, then playtime and singing and books and napping. Today when I put the toddler down for her nap, we were busy singing the ABC Song (her recent favorite), and she put her head down on my shoulder, just wanting to cuddle for a long time. There's nothing that can match moments like that. Nothing. Do you suppose that when we have hard times, Jesus longs to have us come to him like that? Unabashedly unashamed and crawl into his lap, just longing to be comforted and to hear "I love you so much" just as the toddler longs for? I wonder things like that at those moments. And then she started singing again, as is her passion these days, and I wonder, when we sing songs of praise to God, does He consider these precious days too, as I do?

No Worries!

2010-09-05T19:39:00.012-05:00

Isn't it wonderful when you're having a tough time, worry about life and all you have to do and how to get through today... and then something little comes along that just makes your day? Its like God comes along and gives you a little gift that says, "I'm still here-- I'm thinking of you."

This morning at church I met a little girl in the cafe. She was there with her Me-maw... that'd be Texan for Grandma. Apparently, while I was looking at books on a shelf in the hall, being my usual clueless self, she was trying to get my attention and my husband pointed her out to me. I turned around, and there she was.
"Look at my dress my Me-maw made for me!" she announced.
"Oh, you look just beautiful!" I told her as I admired her purple, handmade sundress. "You look like a princess."
"I," she declared, "am not a princess."
I was a bit perplexed as to why a four year old would not be a princess until I got down on her level and examined her dress closer and realized what print it had on it. "OOooooooh... you look like Tinkerbell!"
She nodded and happily twirled around several times for my husband and I, making her sundress flare out around her knees. "And see my pink toenails? And see my pink fingernails?"
I appropriately ooohed and aaahed over her lovely toes and fingers, and she twirled a few more times for me while she chattered away about her dress and her Me-maw. After a couple of minutes I started to lead her back down the hallway back to the cafe, lest her Me-maw start to worry about her.
"Oh, its okay," Tinkerbell announced. "Me-maw knows where I am. No worries!" she shouted as she waved bye to me and smiled again.

Isn't it great when God just brings you a bright ray of sunshine? Especially in a Tinkerbell dress that reminds you, "No worries!"? And wherever you are, whatever is in your heart today: your Heavenly Father knows where you are. He will find you. No worries.

Joyce Meyer CDs and DVDs for Sale

2010-08-28T17:11:00.004-05:00

I am selling a whole bunch of my Joyce Meyer CD's and DVD's. I think I've finally for sure got down all the basics of Joyce Meyer 101 and am ready to move on to JM Graduate School. So I need to make room for new CD's and tapes. I am selling a bunch of my old ones and you can get them from me with free shipping to anywhere in the United States at a low price. I am mostly looking to be a blessing to other people with these messages and want to get them into the hands of other people who need them. I have taken VERY good care of all my CDs and DVDs, so everything is in excellent condition and plays well.
If you're interested in 1 or 2 (or all of them-start your collection!) please e-mail me at myfaithlasts@yahoo.com

Here is what is available as of 8/28/10:

DVDs: $17
Transition
Trusting God when you don't Understand
Going Deeper in God
You've Got what it Takes!
Freedom from Worry and Anxiety

CD Sets $15
Making Right Choices
How to Hear from God
How to Handle Temptation
Wandering, Wondering Mind
Calm, Cool, and Collected
Making Right Choices
Patience ($20)
Hold On! Help is on the Way! ($25)

Also for Sale:
The Great Courses The Old Testament Parts 1 and 2 CDs ($75)
Become a Better You Joel Osteen Audio Book ($15)

Life's Christmas Shoe Project

2010-08-27T18:46:00.007-05:00

It's that time of year again!
Please help me and hundreds of other people donate shoes to needy children around the world through
Betty and James Robison's Christmas Shoe Project.
Just a few dollars will provide children who have never had shoes before with a sturdy new pair that will protect their little feet from mud, dirt, worms, bites, and so much more.

Your gift of $18 will provide 5 pairs of shoes.
Your gift of $36 will provide 10 pairs of shoes.
Your gift of $72 will provide 20 pairs of shoes.
Your gift of $144 will provide 40 pairs of shoes!

Please help support Life Today as they work on collecting 200,000+ pairs of shoes for children around the world. This is a great blessing for children who has so little. You can read more about Betty & James Robison and Life Outreach International at their website.

Reunions

2010-08-18T23:09:00.002-05:00

In Heaven there won't BE any goodbyes... just one long reunion after
another just like in this video. Won't that be incredible?

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands...and me too.

2010-08-17T22:30:00.004-05:00

A friend sent me this devotional today from something called the Daily Word, and it was just what I needed to hear. Ever have a word from the Lord show up that was just perfect timing? This was something I really needed to hear tonight-- so I thought I'd share it in case anyone else needed it today:

Wherever I am, God is and all is well.
When I feel threatened, I may feel a certain level of fear or anxiety. I may react by searching frantically for someone or something to help me. But there is a better way. In times of fear, I have faith that nothing can harm me, because I am in the midst of the presence of God.
God is within, without, above and below, an all-encompassing presence. It does not matter how chaotic outer conditions may seem, I am secure in the presence of God and I maintain inner peace and composure.
When I have a tranquil mind, no inharmonious experience has any power over me. I walk unalarmed in the midst of danger and bring peace to those who are afraid.
Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.--Psalm 33:20

Some days are like that...

2010-08-08T23:03:00.005-05:00

Do you ever have those days where you just sorta feel like THIS:

NOW what do you want?!

Hey! Leave me alone already!

That's what sort of day I am having. I don't wanna talk to anyone, I don't wanna take care of anyone, I don't wanna be all deep and introspective, and I don't feel like taking care of everyone else's problems for once. Just one of those days I guess!

Thankfully, we have a Savior we can go to when we have days like this. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Amazed

2010-08-05T23:34:00.006-05:00

For a few days this week, I was rather troubled.
Well, if you want to get all technical about it, I was freaked out-- if you want to be honest. Troubled is just the word we just use when we have our church face on. Freaked out is the phrase I'd use in the privacy of my own home.
For a few days, I was freaked out because God had put a trial in my life-something new came up that I had to deal with that I didn't particularly want to. Had lots to think over, decisions to make. I wasn't going to get my own way about some things. Lord knows, we don't like that.
I got out one of my favorite books by Joyce Meyer, The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word to encourage myself and remind myself that God would give me wisdom and peace. And that's when I realized, that God put this trial in my life to be a blessing to me. I just had to see around it and realize that in a way, this obstacle that I saw was actually the pathway to an answer to prayer-- as I suspect most trials actually are when we can get the right perspective on them.So I am once again amazed.... amazed at how good God is. Amazed at how much He loves us. Amazed at the things He will do for us out of His love, even when we don't deserve it. I need to learn to stay amazed all the time, I think, because God is always working on my behalf, always working things together for my good even when I don't realize it.
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. "

What Beauty is Not....

2010-07-27T01:03:00.002-05:00

Finding God Everywhere

2010-07-26T15:10:00.012-05:00

Been frazzled the past few weeks. Busy, tired, downright exhausted, and not sleeping too well. Then I went on vacation to visit my family, and also spent a few days on a getaway with my husband. And wouldn't you know it? Amidst all the family chaos and noisy kids and busy-ness, I not only found some relaxation and fun, I also found God everywhere I went.

God was in the bright, colorful glass in the treehouses I played in at

the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, where I was amazed by the beauty

of sun and light and bright colors.

God was in the sound of the water at the lake,

the memories that finding sea glass brought up

at one of our old family picnic spots.

God was in the joy I found watching my

niece and nephew help pick vegetables in

the garden on a peaceful summer morning.

And even in the total weirdness of
meeting a rooster who was
raised with people, who thinks he is a person.
I have never met a rooster who hangs out with
other people and not with the other chickens.

God was in the gentleness I witnessed when the
mama sea lions took care of their babies at Sea World.

God was in the joy my husband and I had exploring

nature and His Kingdom, and being amazed at all

the creative things that God's people do to express themselves.

I didn't go on vacation intending to find God. I went on vacation intending to get a little sleep and hang out with my family a bit. Get away from it all. Funny how He just sneaks up on us like that, isn't it?

Cherokee Indian rite of passage

2010-07-11T23:29:00.004-05:00

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us.
When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

There She Stands... Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T13:43:00.003-05:00

Thank You to our Military for fighting so many years for our freedom...
and Thank You Jesus, the Ultimate Source of True Freedom--who brought us
from bondage to Liberty, from death to Life. Thank You God, for showering
so many blessings on the United States.

Enjoy the Blessing

2010-06-18T22:55:00.005-05:00

Today I had the house to myself for a while-- just baby & I. She was sleepy, finally. I gave her a bottle and she rocked to sleep quickly. Holding her there in my arms in the darkened room, I considered putting her in her crib and going off to other things. Get some exercise. Get on the computer. Put the dishes away. I considered texting my sister or my mom to tell them how cute she was just cuddled there against my chest, because she's still at that age--3 months-- where she fits just right. It was so quiet-- and I was just restless, looking to add some noise, felt like I had to get up and DO something.
And then God spoke to me, as He often does in those still, silent moments. Just as He often does in that quiet voice of His:
Be still and enjoy the blessing. Just enjoy the blessing.
And I knew what I needed to do then. I put my phone back in my pocket, put my thoughts of getting up and getting busy in the back of my mind. Cuddled the baby tighter. And took the next hour to hold the baby while she slept. I remember how when I was a busy special ed teacher not so long ago I used to pray so hard to have times like this-- to just have quiet moments rocking babies and giving bottles. That was all I wanted to do. And now, here I am. Not because I deserve it or because I earned it but just because God is so good and so faithful.
So I took the time to enjoy my blessing-the stillness, the sweet smell of the baby's newly washed hair, the in & out of her tiny breath, her soft skin. And took time to thank God and to remember the One who gave me this blessing, because so often I get wrapped up in the busy-ness of life and even when I give thanks for the things God gives me, I don't always take time to just be still and ENJOY them.
So today I did.

Proof that God Loves Us

2010-06-06T20:12:00.005-05:00

The Bible says that there is proof all around us in nature that shows that God loves us -- that the stars, and all creation point to evidence of God. And then of course, there is the fact that God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for us 2000 years ago as proof of His love.

However, my 4 year old nephew, while toad-hunting tonight (his favorite activity this Spring) has apparently found the ultimate proof of God's love, and I quote:

"I am so glad God gave us toads. Does God love us? That's why God gave us this toad."

Well. You can't argue with that now, can you?

Toads and Jesus. Just more evidence of the love of God.
(I bet Jesus loved toads too.)

How is YOUR Bank Account doing?

2010-05-30T00:43:00.003-05:00

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait..'

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.

Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.
'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;
I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life..
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank.

I am still depositing.

'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply..

4. Give more.

5. Expect less..

Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans.

Baby Sloths

2010-05-22T20:26:00.004-05:00

Bet you didn't even realize til you saw this video that you absolutely NEED one of these cuddly babies! Go on, take a look. You know you want to adopt one now.

If your current job turns out to be stressful, there's a new job for you-- managing the baby sloth orphanage. Low stress, anyone?

On Baby Love, Impossible Dreams, and not giving up

2010-05-12T18:38:00.007-05:00

I admit that I have not given much deep thought to writing anything meaningful lately. The past 7 weeks my mind has been on other things... namely, itty-bitty diapers and supersoft blankies and teaching Big Sister and Baby Sister how to live in the same house. As I've been learning how to get 2 children with completely different personalities to function on the same schedule (HA HA HA!!! that's a good one, right?) my brain has been slowly turning to mush.
However. I.am.completely....utterly....in...love.
And I am also incredibly grateful. Amidst the craziness and dirty diapers and the toddler being a little jealous, I am crazily happy. These are the days that I used to pray for.
I remember all too well just 3 years ago, having 15 special needs preschoolers running around me, all needing my undvided attention-RIGHT NOW. And I used to pray so hard that God would just let me do what I wanted-- to sit in a rocking chair and give a baby a bottle and rock her to sleep. And boy, did THAT dream ever feel far off--impossible in fact. There wasn't even any possibility of that on the horizon, as a matter of fact. And well... now I've spent 2 years rocking and cuddling and hugging and changing diapers and going to the park. Three years ago, I would have bet good money that my dream would have never come true.
The fact that I am now living something that I used to dream about just amazes me. God is so GOOD to me. I don't deserve this, didn't do anything to earn it, and yet God in His love and compassion decided to give me something I wanted anyway. How amazing is that? Who else but God would do something so incredible?

How about you? Do you have a dream that's in your heart, something maybe even that you keep secret because you feel like you don't deserve it, it feels impossible, or it just seems too good to be true? I'd like to encourage you to pray about it. God specializes in the impossible. In fact, it seems to be where He shines the best.

Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Read Joyce Meyer's article on "The Power of Hope" --> http://joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/Articles/art7.htm

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-07T23:29:00.002-05:00

Things My Mother Taught Me:
(this has been around a while, but its still good)

1. My mother taught me: TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me: RELIGION
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me: TIME TRAVEL
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My Mother taught me: LOGIC
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me: MORE LOGIC
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me: FORESIGHT
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me: IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me: CONTORTIONISM
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me: WEATHER
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me: HYPOCRISY
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me: ENVY
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me: RECEIVING
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me: MEDICAL SCIENCE
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me: ESP
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me: HUMOR
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me: HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me: GENETICS
"I swear you're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me: WISDOM
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My MOTHER TAUGHT ME ABOUT JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!

Rescue a Life

2010-04-28T20:30:00.004-05:00

It is so easy these days to help a child.
If you choose not to turn the other way.
At places like Joyce Meyer Ministries, their Hand of Hope Missions is doing their Rescue a Life mission right now. It is so easy to help save a life.
http://joycemeyer.org/missions/
I'll make it even easier for you. Go to this page. Click. Give. You're done.
The past few years I have been making it my mission to not stand by and do nothing when there is a child in need. I can't, anymore, just do nothing. There are too many children who need something. Whether it is a hug or a meal or a bottle of shampoo or a children's book or a new Bible or some new clothes or some school supplies-- I can help. So can you. Its so easy, if we don't turn a blind eye.

I remember several years ago when I was teaching... there was a child in my class who was in need of glasses. He couldn't see without them. At all. There was a meeting about him, and meeting his educational needs. But his education was suffering severly, because of his extremely poor vision. It came up that the glasses would help a great deal--and he had needed them for quite some time. But they were special glasses, and quite expensive. The school departments didn't want to purchase them (too expensive, you see), and the parents were way too poor to afford them.
But if he could just get them...they would help. Everyone knew it.
Finally, in the meeting, I just asked. How much were these darn glasses, anyway? I was afraid to hear the answer-- expecting them to cost hundreds of dollars.
You know what?
Not even a hundred.
For less than a hundred dollars and all these years, this child could have been seeing.Learning.Thriving. Instead of struggling. Over an $89 pair of special glasses that no one wanted to pay for. It just about made me want to bang my head on the table.
I could not turn a blind eye to that need. I paid for the glasses myself, and they arrived shortly after--opening up a new world to this child. A completely new world. He didn't even realize before that our classroom had LIGHTS. And he started to thrive.
It is so easy to just overlook the little things, or think that someone else will take care of something. But... just like the glasses, which had been passed by for YEARS, probably everyone else thinking someone else would take care of them, someone has GOT to say, "I will not stand by and do nothing."
Another wonderful place to help save a life is Compassion International. I'll write more about that again in another post, but its another easy, safe, and amazing place to rescue a child.
Please help these kids. There is nothing more important.

Separating your Who and your Do

2010-04-15T14:14:00.002-05:00

I brought this up in replying to someone on my message board and thought it might be helpful to copy it here. This is something that I have learned that has been very, very helpful in moving beyond my past, getting beyond guilt, and moving thru things a bit. You're welcome to add your own thoughts or ask me questions if you like.

If you feel like you are a bad person because bad things happened, or if you feel like you're a bad person because someone made you do bad things, or if you even are caught up in an eating disorder, or you're a cutter, or you're an alcoholic, or because things happened in a cult and you were part of it, or you were raped 1/2/10 times, and you're convinced that THOSE things make you BAD, or you "must be bad because otherwise those things wouldn't have happened"...read on:

You need to learn to separate your "Who" and your "Do."

WHO you are is a good person, a child who was hurt and injured and has a hurty heart and that many people like and you are loved, and you are loved by God (whether you realize this or not.) You are a good person who is here on this planet for a reason and you are important. You are valuable and good.

Now... your DO. You may, like ALL of us, screw up sometimes. You may do some bad things. You may do some bad things on purpose sometimes. So do I...so do most people. Sometimes you may do bad things on accident. You may be doing things because you're re-enacting traumatic events that happened to you, and trying to resolve them by acting them out. Lots of reasons. So yah, you, like all of us, may do some bad stuff.

However... the things you DO are not who you are. Your WHO and your DO are separate.
I can go sit in my garage ALL day long, make car noises, and pour oil in my lap-- but that doesn't make me a car. The WHO of me is still a person.
I can go around the neighborhood barking like a dog and wearing a collar, but that doesn't make me a dog. The who of me is still me... Pilgrim

I can go swear at my neighbor because they won't turn down their music at midnight, which probably isn't very helpful of me, but that doesn't make me a bad person. It makes me a tired person who is tired of listening to Guns and Roses at midnight when I want to be asleep.
My WHO and my DO are separate.

Just like yours.

So...you can do some bad things, but no... you are not bad. You are good. You may act up sometimes, inside kids may act up sometimes, but they are not bad either. Keep your who and your do separated.

I wish I were in this class!

2010-04-07T14:36:00.002-05:00

The Passion movie... the best ending ever.

2010-04-02T15:15:00.003-05:00

This is THE BEST ending to any movie, EVER.
The Passion is one of my favorite movies. And I have watched this ending over & over again many, many times. Each time, it gives me chills.
Today is Good Friday.... a solemn, quiet day. A sad day, because Jesus chose to die on the cross for my sins-- and yours.
However. Sunday is coming. And this...this is the best.

Adopt a Dog!

2010-03-31T15:28:00.005-05:00

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him and never say it’s not quite as good as his mother's

........then adopt a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour, for as long and wherever you want ...

......then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies

.......then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores

......then adopt a dog !

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally, perpetually ..

.......then adopt a dog.

BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness

......then adopt a cat!

(Now be honest, you thought I was gonna say... marry a man, didn't you? )

Keeping Watch

2010-03-28T21:26:00.004-05:00

Baby Girl has got a good eye. She KNOWS how to watch for things. In the picture below, she is looking for the squirrels that run around in the neighbor's yard across the street. They are there every morning somewhere between 8:00-8:15. As they scamper from tree to tree she shouts, "Go squirrel!" and "Run squirrel!" Its about as adorable as you can imagine. And every morning, she looks for those squirrels. Every day, she is ready...waiting for her friends to arrive.

Whether we know it or not, we too, are waiting for something every day. Expecting. Hoping. What kinds of things do you wait for? Do you get up in the morning expecting a good day? Or do you get up in the morning expecting the same old, same old, more run of the mill? Do you expect good things to happen to you? As one great preacher says, "Something GOOD is going to happen to YOU!" Is your expector working these days?
I used to wake up in the morning dreading the beginning of yet another day. I had one nerve left and woke up laying on it. But nowadays, every morning when I wake up, my first thoughts are saying good morning to God and telling Him the things I am thankful for. I count my many blessings. I except good things to happen to me each day. And I can tell you, it has made a huge difference in my life... all because I've learned to have a different attitude. When I dreaded each day and expected bad things to happen, they usuall did. Nowadays when I look forward to each day and expect GOOD things to happen....guess what? I usually get good things!
Today I encourage you to keep an eye out for good things. Just like Baby Girl, keep watch. Look for good things to head your way-- even if you're hoping for more than just scampering squirrel friends. :)

No words right now.

2010-03-20T23:38:00.001-05:00

The angels have a new worship leader tonight.but many of us are left with really hurty hearts.

http://walkit.org/

His Eye is on the Sparrow

2010-03-18T23:36:00.003-05:00

I don't know if this story is true or not, but since its beautiful and teaches about God, lets assume it is. Read it-- you'll enjoy it. And be sure to pay attention to the very end. No more excuses, now!

The SPARROW at STARBUCKS
The song that silenced the cappuccino machine

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square . Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.
For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right.. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.
It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?"
To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. ... do you know any hymns?"
Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."
She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.
Why should I be discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued.. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well . .." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual.. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay.. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.
God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.

The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...AND
Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now!!
God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. God bless !

Baby Love

2010-03-12T23:49:00.005-06:00

Been busy teaching babygirl how to be a good big sister, so she has been learning how to love on her baby dolls. We've been practicing feeding them, rocking them, and feeding them, and what to do when they cry (apparently, you turn them upside down and throw them on the floor... so I may not let her be in charge of discipline!)

Just over a week until baby sister is here! The nursery is ready to go, we've all got babies on the brain around here & my mom and dad keep asking, "that baby coming yet?" It could be any day now...

Unless you change and become like little children...

2010-03-11T12:07:00.006-06:00

I didn't realize I would take it so literally.
Remember when Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" ?

This thought occurred to me a couple days ago as I was dancing with the baby (not so baby anymore--she is 18 months old and expecting a baby sister in less than 2 weeks and so now she is "the big girl", but oh how my heart wants her to still be the baby I used to hold in my arms!).

We were dancing around the living room for the 5th time that day. I had a blue scarf from Kindermusik in one hand and a blue balloon on a ribbon in the other hand. The baby was giggling because I was doing this silly march/stomp/clap your hands thing while singing along with the music. And it hit me:
I used to be an intellectual.
Really, I swear.
I once used really big words and got A's on tests.
I once took courses like Physics and Abnormal Psychology and Geology.
I once hung out at the campus commons with other intellectual people and we used big words and carried stacks of books around that had words in them that no one could pronounce. There was no such thing as the internet back then so we spent hours,days, weeks in the university library doing research and writing papers. People came to me for help--more help than "tie my shoe" and "where's my pacifier."
I used to sit in meetings and run Bible studies and get involved in projects and be in charge of people. People who weighed more than 23 pounds!
No, really. REALLY.
And now, I dance around the living room with a toddler with a balloon.

Life's funny, eh?
But this is WAY more fun ;) I am enjoying my life a lot more now.
I bet Jesus would approve.
He even said in John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

How about you? What are you doing to enjoy your life? Are you doing what you want?

Multiple Intelligences Test

2010-03-10T23:48:00.004-06:00

Since I'm up late tonight, I am taking random quizzes on the internet. This is one I haven't taken for a while-- multiple intelligences, which measures your best learning style (there are 8: Eight Intelligences
Verbal/Linguistic-love writing or speaking and memorization.
Logical/Mathematical- love logic and reasoning.
Visual/Spatial- good at remembering images and are aware of surroundings.
Bodily/Kinesthetic- have good motor skills and are aware of their bodies.
Musical- musically gifted and have a "good ear" for rhythm and composition.
Intrapersonal - good at looking inward.(me)
Interpersonal- good with people and thrive in social interactions.
Naturalist-sensitivity to and appreciation for nature. (that's me)

Here is a link to where you can take the test yourself: http://www.mypersonality.info/test-mi/
Here is my result: not surprising to me, I learn best by hands on/doing things, and guess what...people skills are my worst thing. Hence why I sit behind a computer all day and spend my days hanging out with a baby. I get to isolate, and get all the love I really need from someone who is knee high to a grasshopper.

Stupid kids joke

2010-03-10T23:09:00.005-06:00

So, I'm kind down lately but here's something that made my husband and I laugh a while ago. I'm bringing it back up again because its so goofy that it still makes me laugh:

What's green and has wheels?

.\.\.\.\\\\\\.\\

.

.

grass! I was just kidding about the wheels!

(so that is the ORIGINAL joke I heard...)

So here's how stupid my husband and I are and how slap-happy we can get after a long day of work....

I told him the "what's green and has wheels joke" and I was laughing so hard. He was like, "uh...huh."
So then I added on,'
"Whats BLUE and has wheels?"
"What?"
"The SKY! I told you I was kidding about the wheels!"
he thought THAT was funny.
Then I said...
"What's red and has wheels?" and my husband said,
"An apple...cuz you're kidding about the wheels."
and I said, "No...my car! I'm not kidding about the wheels anymore!"

by this point my husband was game... he said, "Whats orange and has wheels? " and i said, "What?"
"An orange... I'M still kidding about the wheels!"

that joke got a lot of mileage around my house :P

yah, now you know the slap-happy intelligence level that can spread around our house sometimes...

How Caffeinated Are You?

2010-03-05T23:51:00.004-06:00

Since I really don't have anything insightful or brainy to add to my blog today, and I am watching The Miracle Worker (1979 version) for the 500+ time since 1983 (no I am REALLY honestly NOT KIDDING...OCD much?) tonight, I just thought I'd add on this funny little test to my blog tonight.

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Site

All I Want

2010-02-23T20:23:00.001-06:00

Been a rough couple of weeks inside my head, and just posting this to keep my mind & heart straight-- this is one of my favorite songs: Michael W Smith's "All I Want". I like to play it really loud in my car on the way home from work sometimes.

He will wash your sins as white as....

2010-02-12T17:53:00.005-06:00

SNOW!
12.5 inches of it!

What a wonderful reminder

of God's great grace.

When I consider...the works of your fingers...

what is mere man that you are mindful of him?

Psalm 8:3

Animals are Amazing

2010-02-07T17:57:00.005-06:00

This is just a little happy thing I wanted to share today. I love animals-- especially elephants. They're just such a majestic, incredible animal. I love how when one of them from the herd dies, they all mourn. I love how when I visit them at the zoo, I can look them in their big, gentle eyes and practically hear all their thoughts. They are deep thinkers, elephants are. I wonder what secrets to the universe they hold. I wonder if they have a direct line to God, like so many other animals seem to have.
This is an amazing video. Enjoy!

Just Because

2010-02-03T14:06:00.008-06:00

I have a little secret.
Sometimes I get jealous of other people. Its not too bad, because I'm fairly secure, but its still there.
Not because of how they look, or because of their jobs, or because of things they have. I've pretty much got it down now that money & "stuff" doesn't bring you happiness.
But sometimes I get jealous of how people get treated.
Jealously flairs up most when I see women with friends, giggling at Starbucks. Or who get care packages in the mail for no reason-- like maybe a card "just because." Or when I hear of people who get presents even when it isn't their birthday, just because someone wants to bless them. Or when I hear people talking of "getting together" or someone stopping by just to talk or hang out.
I had it once-- for a very short time. An incredibly short time, a long while ago. I had a friend or two, and we did the "hanging out thing". And I think that is where I still have these roots of jealousy come up from-- the broken heart I was left with when that friendship was abruptly broken off.
I sometimes just long to know that someone else thinks of me. Considers me. That someone else might think that I, even I, Pilgrim, am important enough to do something for "just because." No special reason, maybe. Just because.
And then it hit me, just now.
As I was picking up the baby's toys and bringing the laundry down the hallway.
Someone did something, just because.
Not because I deserved it, not because of anything.
Romans 5:7-8
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Before I was even alive, God looked forward into time and considered me: sinful, broken, jealous, hateful, prideful, and lost. And God said, I'll do this for her. Just because.
Just because.
Consider that.

God Snuck Up on me

2010-02-01T15:27:00.005-06:00

I've only got a moment right now because I can hear the baby waking up from her nap.

But I just had to say something.

Its funny, when God sneaks up on you.

Sometimes you wait and wait and wait for something. Hours turn into weeks which turn into years, and you get discouraged. And discouragement can turn into depression or even heartbreak as you wonder what God is doing about something you prayed about so long ago.

But you keep waiting-- because really, what other choice do you have? Especially when you're just not the type of person to give up?

And then you wait some more.

You don't see God coming.

Sneaky guy, He is.

But you always know when He's been there.

And boy, do I ever love God for that.

For Such a Time as This

2010-01-25T14:38:00.006-06:00

There are some days when I feel so misplaced.
So much like I don't belong anywhere.
Like when I see a group of older ladies giggling over coffee, who have obviously been friends for a lifetime... and I wonder if I will ever have that.
Or when I see a family playing together at the park.
I wonder if I will ever feel like I truly fit in somewhere again, if there will ever be a place for me where I am truly accepted for who I am, and can be my real, true self. Vulnerable. Open. Honest. And loved anyway.
Sound familiar?
Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong time period.
As a child, I sewed my own clothes just like the ones that Laura wore on Little House on the Prairie, and wore them to school...complete with bonnets and boots (yes, my mother let me go to school this way for 2 years! Can you believe this?) (Her excuse, by the way is, "You were Gifted; we didn't want to get in the way of your creativity." Uh huh. And I had no friends... why, we wonder? HA!)
The 1800's may have been perfect for me.
I also would have made a great hippie. If I had been born just a few years earlier, that would have been GREAT. Long hair, amazing music, absolutely incredible clothes, lots of love... everything except the drugs. Yep. Maybe I should have been born then. Maybe I would have fit in.
Ever feel that way? That you're just in the wrong decade? Century? World?
The thing is...
God has a plan.
Ever read the book of Esther?
Oh if you haven't, I wish you would. Better yet, do Beth Moore's study on Esther with a group of women from your church and really, really get into the story. You'll learn more about yourself and about Esther than you can ever even imagine.
Esther was a beautiful young Jewish girl who was brought to the King when the old Queen pretty much just ticked him off and he'd had enough of her. So he needed a new Queen. And long story short, Esther was it. But someone else was having the Jewish people killed, and Esther had to hide the fact that she was Jewish. Its an intense story, and I find parts of it awfully amusing. Lots of drinking and partying and men huffing about.)
One of my favorite parts is where her uncle tells her in Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther was brought to be Queen RIGHT at that time, that perfect time, by God, to save the Jewish people (you're going to have to read the rest of the story on your own to find out.)

You,too, are in the world for such a time as this.
And so am I.
God has a plan for our lives. A perfect plan.
He didn't just accidently put me here to live in 2010 by accident. You either.
I didn't accidenly miss the 1960's even though I feel like I would have fit in better there.
God put me (and you) here,right now, for a purpose. To accomplish HIS plan.
There's a reason you are here. And there's a reason you are here RIGHT NOW.
Maybe you know what it is. Maybe you don't. But there still is one.
Maybe you are meant to save someone. Maybe you are meant to serve the Lord with Gladness as a janitor, a teacher, a mother, a prayer warrior, a nanny. Maybe you are meant to give Glory to God through your artwork, your writing, your prayers, your time. Something. But its something that needs to be done now, in the 21st Century... today.

As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:16...
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

God knew before the world began that you would be here today, in 2010. He has a reason for you... for such a time as this.

Ever Have One of Those Days?

2010-01-19T13:58:00.004-06:00

Did you ever have one of those days...
when the traffic was too heavy...
and you found out you had to stay at work late practically every day that week...
and your spouse was at home, sick...
and you were worried (again) about getting the bills paid...
And yet, at least for today,
everything was just right with the world, anyway?

I'm happy to report that I'm having one of those. At least since 6 a.m....and its now 2:04.
So I'm doing pretty well.
Today is one of those days when I'm letting God handle everything. All of my problems and concerns. I must say, He's doing great with it all. Awfully darn faithful, Yahweh is.
Today is one of those days when I've allowed myself to see so many of the good things God has been doing in my life lately. I see parts here and there, but probably, I'm too busy a lot of times to catch much of it.
Walking with the baby... she's gotten crafty enough to figure out how to get out of the shoulder restraints. Clever kid, she's getting to be.
We played outside this morning, and spent 30 minutes JUST walking up and down 2 steps on the front porch. Up and down, up and down. And every time she got to the top, we had to clap and say "Yay!!!" I felt like a step-aerobics instructor. Yep...30 minutes of going up and down. Sometimes holding her hand, sometimes she didn't want me to. Up,down.up, Yay! You did it (again!) This was her "thing" for today which was apparently great fun. ;)
Then playing inside, that silly little critter crawled all over me, randomly giving me hugs and kisses. And I had to tell God again, thank you so much, for the unconditional love of toddlers, which reminds me of the unconditional love of God. Where would I be without that?
And learning... which never ends... while she was playing by herself, the baby put one set of toys away before getting out another set of toys. Then did it again a little later. I am making a difference after all! Even when it was time to clean up for naptime, I told her, "Time to clean up!" and all by herself, she put all her containers of toys in the closet. By herself. After I only asked her one time. Oh how I hope this lasts....
The best part though, was naptime. She was so tired (all those steps!) that she fell asleep while I was singing to her. I still held her in my arms. She is getting so big... she barely fits... and she is so heavy. But I kept singing to her anyway, and didn't want to let go.
And I realized, this is exactly what I prayed for.
My mind flashed back to about 2 years ago. I was a special ed teacher in a preschool room. Sometimes I had as many as 18 three and four year olds with disabilities in my room. And there was a little girl with severe challenges that I fell in love with. She took a bottle every morning and liked to be rocked. I wanted sooo badly to do that for her. But I had so many other kids to take care of. So many kids in my face all the time, that I hardly ever got to spend time with this little girl, who loved to curl up in my arms. Most of the time my aid took care of her. And I can remember praying desperately one time, "PLEASE GOD, PLEASE let me have this, a little baby to curl up with and just rock!" Rocking children is something that makes me so happy.
And what a gift to have that now.
So today I bowed my head and told God thank you, thank you so much, for allowing me to have this. As much as I don't deserve it, as much as it seemed impossible-- look what God gave me anyway.
What a good God we serve.
What about you? Ever have one of those days, when everything is right with the world?

How to Help Earthquake Victims in Haiti

2010-01-13T13:13:00.006-06:00

My heart is hurting for the people in Haiti who went through a devastating 7.0 earthquake yesterday afternoon. I wish that I could go put my arms around all of them-- the adults as well as the children--and comfort them somehow. They were already one of the poorest places in the world. They had so little to begin with, and now they are even more devastated. Why does God allow things like that? I don't know... but I do know that He is still God, and He still loves them, and that He is still in control of this world.
Prayer is a powerful thing, and one of the best things we can do. But while we're doing that, we can also provide much needed money to help relief workers, and to give the survivors food, clothing, and other necessities
Here are three of my very favorite charities:
The people at Food for the Poor are responsible, have integrity, and are incredible. Please go to their website at Foodforthepoor.org --the banner for the earthquake in Haiti in on their main page, very easy to find--and it is VERY SIMPLE to make a quick and easy donation to help out the victims there.
Another absolutely INCREDIBLE website is Hand of Hope, who I support and just LOVE-- it is Joyce Meyer's outreach. They are such amazing people, and are already sending help to Haiti as well.
Lastly, I also love Samaritan's Purse-- they help so many people around the world, and they too are sending help today as well.
Please help somehow... even if you can only send a dollar or two. If everyone sent just a small amount, that would still help so much. Something is better than nothing. And if nothing else, your prayers are still mighty before God, so please continue to pray. Thank you so, so much.

Letting Go

2010-01-09T11:00:00.010-06:00

The baby has spent the past 2 days trying to figure out how to ride her tricycle. This has been an adventure. It involves a lot of bumping into things and falling and using her sign for "help" and taking breaks for drinks of water.

She looks at me often for encouragement. Because I really want her to learn how to do new things, I've been doing everything I can think of to help her out. Holding the tricycle still for her as she practiced getting on and off over and over again. We counted the wheels about 11 times. Doing a "Ride the Bike-You Can Do This! You're a Big Girl!" dance in front of her. Scooting on the floor in front of her inch by inch as she attempted to work the trike. Shouting, "You can do it! You are woman, hear you roar!" (at which point she would say, "Rawr!" and giggle.) Reminding her to push with her feet. And then of course, in a last attempt at making the bike move, allowing her to finally take my hand, and just dragging the bike along side me as I walked, while she got a free ride. She was happy she was finally moving, but I explained her that this was not QUITE the purpose of the whole thing, although she was welcome to just hang onto my hand for awhile and let me guide her. But wouldn't it be more fun, baby, if you could just learn to ride the bike on your own and go whatever way YOU decided?

The thing is though... she was figuring it out. She really DID know how to do it-the "hold on/ push with your feet/steer" thing. She just wanted me to do it for her. Hang on a little longer.

It took quite a while for her to get the confidence in her own ability to do it on her own and finally let go of my hand... and start enjoying the freedom of riding her tricycle on her own.

I do that sometimes. Sometimes I hold onto things a little longer than I should. Even things I know I should let go of. But sometimes, things just feel so...familiar. They might not even feel all that safe anymore, but at least they are what I know. I might even see a bigger world in front of me... like the baby sees on her tricycle. There's so much more freedom for her- if she would let go of my hand, then she wouldn't have to go where I lead her, she could go wherever SHE chooses to go. But she has to choose to let go.

That's what many things boil down to, isn't it? A choice.

I think that 2010 is going to be for me. Choosing to let go of some things. Familiar, safe things, that I have held onto for a long time. But if I let go, there will be a bigger, freer world out there for me.

The good news is that I don't have to be as afraid as I think I do. Whatever happens, God is going to be right there with me, cheering me on just as I do with the baby:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)

Deep in Love With You

2010-01-01T23:52:00.003-06:00

Sure, I've been in love with Michael W. Smith since 1987, but this is also one of my favorite songs EVER-- "Deep in Love With You" on his "NEW HALLELUJAH" record (did I just say record? ack...old habits die hard I guess)...
When I woke up this morning and realized it was the beginning of a new year, the 1st thoughts in my mind were thanks and praise to my beautiful,loving God for being so good to me. Yah, I've had some hard days. Probably still will. But because He lives, I can face tomorrow... and because God is good, I know things will work out. I still hurt, but I have hope.
And I am so in love with God. Listen to this song...its incredible:

My Year of Grace

2009-12-31T23:30:00.003-06:00

These were the words I wrote at the beginning of this year:
This year is going to be all about CHANGE for me.
And WOW, was it ever. I believed that I finally had God's blessing on finally changing... and oh dear, was this year ever about change.
2008 was about learning...about loss...about learning to go on again.
2009 has been my year of change, and learning about the grace of God.
Reading back over my journals tonight, I realize just how much God has changed me in 1 year. I didn't have anything to do with it, I think-- don't give me the credit, because I tried so hard for YEARS to change on my own and couldn't do it. But once I finally decided to cooperate with God, and got on HIS plan... things started to fall into place.
Finally (that's probably God talking, not just me!)
I still have a long long way to go... but at least now I am finally on my way.
In 2009 I learned to trust God more. I learned of His deep, unchanging love for me. I saw Him answer my prayers, both big and small, time and time again.
I saw my Provider meet my needs. I saw my Healer heal my body and my broken heart over and over again. I began to laugh more. The Lord made me a more appreciative, positive person. I'm sure there are people who know me who probably never thought THAT would happen. God even gave me many things I don't deserve, and answered some long-time prayers, just out of the Goodness of His heart.
Its all about grace...and not because I deserve it, not because I did anything for it, but simply because He is that good, because He is that loving.
In 2010... I don't know what will happen. Still waiting on those flying cars and making contact with aliens--weren't we supposed to have all that by now?
But in my heart, I know that I will keep on growing. My deep desire is to know Him more, to grow closer in my relationship with God and know His Word better, to spend more time in Bible study (I got this REALLY cool computer program called GLO for Christmas to help with that), and just become more like Jesus.
At the end of the year, I hold onto this: I am grateful. Things change... sometimes they are harder and sometimes they are easier, but I know that God can be trusted and He loves me. And for right this moment, that is good enough for me.

The night before Christmas Eve

2009-12-23T22:16:00.009-06:00

As I write this, my niece and nephew are sleeping just a few feet away. They were anxious to get to sleep tonight, because they knew that "the faster we go to sleep tonight, the faster tomorrow gets here, and the fast Santa comes tomorrow night." Christmas being only a day away gives grown ups just a little bargaining power, I think. I helped my niece fall asleep to visions of fairies and sleeping bunnies and kittens in her lap tonight. But tomorrow night my plan is to read them the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, and instead of just visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads like most children will tomorrow night, and thoughts of opening toy after toy, I hope to have them envisioning a special star, a special baby, and the real reason we have Christmas in the first place.

I love to watch these 2 children sleep. It brings such peace to my soul. And especially at this time of year I wonder, what did Mary think about when she watched her infant Jesus sleep? The Bible says that she pondered the wonder of all that had happened in her heart when he was born. But what exactly goes thru a young mother's mind when she carries the Savior of the world in her arms? Did she realize that someday he would face such pain? Did she realize that the little boy who slept so soundly would someday free the souls of millions? Did she wonder if he would be hard to raise, given that he was GOD?

What would you have thought, if you had held the Savior in your arms that Christmas night?

A Story of War

2009-12-19T14:44:00.003-06:00

This is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen-- please take the time to watch. Odd to post this at Christmas time I know... But I think you will enjoy it.

This video shows the winner of 2009's " Ukraine's Got Talent",
Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated
sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German
invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange
one, is mesmeric to watch.
The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the
audience to tears and she won the top prize of about $75,000.

She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding
hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the
happy scene is obliterated.

It is replaced by a woman's face crying, but then a baby arrives
and the woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova
throws the sand into chaos from which a young woman's face appears.

She quickly becomes an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad,
before the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier.

This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer
is looking out on the monument from within a house..

In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man
standing outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying
goodbye.

The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine, resulted
in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million
deaths out of a population of 42 million.

Kseniya Simonova says:

"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and
pencils or paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me. The
art, especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings
some audience members to tears. And there's surely no bigger
compliment."

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=vOhf3OvRXKg#t=00

Snowball Express

2009-12-18T23:58:00.005-06:00

to learn more about Snowball Express, click the title of this post ot go to snowballexpress.org

Sgt. Kristopher Giuranna admits he tries to avoid the families of friends who didn't make it out of Iraq with him. Short condolences at their memorial services are about all he can manage.

VERNON BRYANT/DMN

Sgt. Kristopher Giuranna consoles a tearful 5-year-old Todd Gunterman of California at Cowboys Stadium.
"When you see the kids for that first time, it kills you," he said.
But it haunts him, too – the grief on their faces – which is one reason the 25-year-old Marine from Washington, D.C., found himself in Dallas last week along with hundreds of children of fallen soldiers from across the country.
Giuranna was among 17 mentors with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (known as TAPS to the kids) who followed Snowball Express, an annual charity event, to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Throughout a long weekend of bounce houses, buffets and other activities, mentors walked hand in hand with the kids, something between camp counselors and grief counselors.
"You take some Tylenol or Aleve to try to mentally prepare yourself," Giuranna said – not just for endless hours of roughhousing and babysitting, but "for what they talk about."

Among the hordes of children who trampled Southfork Ranch on Thursday, Kenneth Landrus wore his dead father's Army-issued sun hat. It came about level with Giuranna's shoulder as the two wandered side-by-side among the fields.
"Where do you want to walk?" Giuranna asked.
The 10-year-old didn't want to walk anywhere. With a toothy grin, he led Giuranna on a series of sprints across the ranch, finally letting the Marine pass so he could tackle him from behind.

Michael Wert, 10, and mentor Kristopher Giuranna practiced during a football clinic at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Saturday. 'I think Michael connected to Kris because he's a Marine and his father was a Marine,' says Michael's mom, Debbie Wert.
Everywhere he went on the ranch, kids flowed to Giuranna out of the chaos – the girls greeting him with hugs, the boys with wrestling holds. A TAPS mentor for a little over a year, he sometimes forgot at which event he had met a child, remembering them better by how they lost a parent.
Throughout the four-day program, children occasionally broke down, and a mentor would take them aside to talk through their feelings.
On Friday, as he and Kenneth stood in line for a game at the Dallas Convention Center, the boy randomly asked: "Did I ever tell you how my dad died?"

Giuranna spent Saturday afternoon tossing a football with Michael Wert, a 10-year-old in dirty white socks who ran tirelessly up and down the Cowboys Stadium field.
Three springs ago, Michael had watched his father swim into the ocean to rescue two children caught in a rip current. He saved them, but never made it back to shore himself.
"Now he's in a house full of women," said Michael's mother, Debbie Wert. "He had other people showing him how to stand up to go to the bathroom and not sit down."
TAPS helped her family pick up the pieces. Through the program's regional "grief camps," her three children learned to talk about their loss with mentors, whom they now count among their friends.
Michael met Giuranna at an event in Ohio last year. They had adjoining hotel suites and became friends by playing pranks – knocking on each other's doors and fleeing.
"I think Michael connected to Kris because he's a Marine and his father was a Marine," Wert said. In fact, most of the TAPS mentors in Dallas were either soldiers or had family in the military.

Giuranna has completed a tour in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. He returned home in 2008 and remains on active duty. He works a day job at the Pentagon and alternates his weekends between TAPS events and visitations with his 3-year-old daughter.
The kids he met at the services for fallen friends moved Giuranna to join TAPS, but his own child makes him reluctant to return to the battlefield.
"I think about her a lot," he said, watching Kenneth and Michael play inside an inflatable castle on Friday. "And that's one reason I hesitate to go back over."
"You get to do great things, but..." he looked across the convention center, at the sea of tiny faces.
"There's definitely a cost."

Tiger Creek Visit

2009-12-11T19:20:00.007-06:00

One of the things my husband and I really love doing together is getting outside and enjoying God's creation. We love all sorts of animals, and today we re-visited Tiger Creek which is a tiger & big cat refuge in Tyler, Texas.
Here is their link: http://www.tigercreek.org Go visit if you can, and PLEASE be sure to make a donation while you're there. Its worth the couple hour drive out of the city...and a chance to take in some cows, horses, and a bunch of BBQ dives.
My husband and I fell in love with a couple of two year old twin Bengal tigers named Kumari and Arula, who have been brought in since our last visit there. They were very playful, and we hung out with just them for at least an hour. So most of the photos are of them:

Things I Could Do Forever

2009-12-10T12:51:00.003-06:00

Have you ever seen that movie, "Groundhog Day"? The one where the guy lives Groundhog Day over and over again until he learns some lessons he's supposed to learn, begins to act nice and makes changes inside himself, and the throughout the whole movie he has to do the same things over and over again? I've always liked that movie for some reason. Besides being addicted to routines and needing stability in my life, I've always liked having certain things to hold on to. These kinds of things make me feel safe-- knowing there is something I can hang on to.

There are some things that I could just do forever. Recently I have discovered another one. Today the baby and I shared a personal pan pizza at Target. We had just finished some grocery shopping, and browsing the Christmas section for at LEAST the 18th time since they put the decorations out the day after Halloween, and were sitting in the sun. I didn't plan on sharing my pizza. Didn't realize the baby LIKED pizza. I had purchased a little box of rainbow goldfish for HER snack. But what do you know, she ended up eating part of my pizza. So there we sat in the sun, tired out from shopping, sharing pizza, just the 16 month old and I. And I thought, sometimes life doesn't get any better than this.

Oh but it does. Something else I could do forever: singing the baby to sleep at naptime (Okay, I admit it: I enjoy her naptime a LOT more than she does.) Just recently she has gotten big enough to put her head down on my shoulder when I carry her. So when I sing her to sleep now in her darkened bedroom, she puts her head down on me, and while I sing she rests against me, and I can watch her fall asleep while I sing Peter Paul & Mommy's "Animal Make-Believe Town" or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Her breath is warm against my neck, her little pink mouth is pouty, and I love her so much that I can hardly stand it.

Or moments that are more rare, which make them even more precious: the times I spend with my niece and nephew, who are 6 and 3 but going on 27 and 16. They both talk like professors but at the same time love fairies and " 'Piderman." Nothing else brings me more joy than when they ask me to read them bedtime stories, or when my niece wants me to have a sleepover on her bedroom floor...and she falls asleep with her arm across my back, and I can watch her sleep. I love that little girl more than I love life itself, and she looks like an angel when she sleeps. I could do that every night the rest of my life and it would never be enough.

The other thing I could do forever is stand in my church like last Sunday, a place that is currently decorated for Advent, and besides the attraction of twinkling lights and around 5 Christmas trees on the stage, the focus there is on worshipping God, which is something I could do forever. And guess what, this is something I truly will get to do forever, according to the Bible. (I guess its a good thing I like it so much then, or I would have a pretty tough time inside those pearly gates....and speaking of pearly, its a good thing I like sparkly and shiny things so much, because Heaven is going to be pretty much on the bright and shiny side ! ) On Sunday we sang Christmas carols that all focused on Christ, but I would imagine that in heaven we won't be limited to just Christmas carols. I imagine that since we'll have eternity to sing, we'll come up with just about every song about God there is.

And speaking of God, remember I mentioned that need for stability and unchanging-ness that I have? Well just my luck: Guess who talks about being the unchangeable one, the one who doesn't change, never changes, and WILL NOT change? You guessed it.
Malachi 3:6 "I the Lord do not change"
Hebrews 3:18 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (I can count on this guy.)

C is for Cookie...

2009-12-06T17:38:00.013-06:00

It's that time of year, when our thoughts turn to the birth of Christ, our spirits reflect the joy of the season, and stomachs, naturally, begin to rumble for cookies. My sister is a patient person for whom cookie decorating is a time for reflection. A time for art and creativity. My sister can pump out cookies by the hundreds, who look like snowmen, light bulbs, gingerbread men, and ever so much more. My mom enjoys this also. Their cookies turn out something like these little beauties.... Ah, yeh oh yeh, Jesus would be proud.

I, however, am a person who was born with patience for children, but not so much for food. I do not like to cook or bake, and believe that if you're going to have a cookie, as long as its got some frosting slapped on the general direction of its top, then that is good enough for me. It doesn't have to resemble a shepherd boy or a Santa. The Blob is good enough for me, as long as he's a nice sugary Blob.
Enter my happiness and joy when hubby purchased these lovelywonderful boxes yesterday:

Yes, oh yes! Pre-made and pre-decorated cookies! This is right up my alley. My great-grandma , for whom cookie making was a time-honored craft, would SO.Not.Approve. Where's the love? Where's the attention to detail? Let me tell ya. Here's all I had to do.

Step 1: Take the little circles of dough out of the box. See how cute the little reindeer are?
For variety, we also had Frosty the Snowmen. Hey, we don't want to be boring.

Step 2. Quality Control Check. (See the 3 bites missing?) SOMEBODY had to check to make sure these things were edible, right?

Step 3. Throw those little babies on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Step 4. Eat as soon as they come out of the oven.

Optional Step 5: Make chocolate frosting to dip the cookies in (this was a last-minute decision I made around midnight, so there is no picture.)

So. While cookie artists everywhere are slaving away piping cute little eyelashes and bows on the individual curls of gingerbread girls, I have already downed at least 3 Frosty the Snowmen cookies, cleaned up my mess, and gone to bed...with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. Funny, they usually resemble..the Blob.

Be afraid, Martha Stewart....be very afraid.

Christmas-Corinthians Style

2009-12-04T11:57:00.003-06:00

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny bells, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ;

I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child

Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired,
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated
Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break;
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of love will endure.

-author unknown

(So I totally stole this from ItisbyGrace's blog with her permission, but these words just struck me so profoundly that I barely had words to contain myself and I HAD to post them here. How completely rich are the sentiments of this unknown author?)
Not much more I can add to them now, is there? Hope you enjoyed.
Pilgrim

Why Pilgrim?

2009-11-25T23:14:00.003-06:00

Over the years a lot of people have asked me where the name Pilgrim came from... its actually from one of my favorite artists/singers, Enya, and her song, "Pilgrim." On my other website I posted just the lyrics, but here I can post the video. Enjoy.

Do You Ever Want to Freeze Time?

2009-11-24T11:19:00.003-06:00

Have you ever just had one of those moments with your little one where she was just so enjoyable, the moment so beautiful, that you wanted to take a pair of scissors, cut the scene out, and paste it up on a wall so you could look at it forever? Complete with the feelings, the sights, the smells, the touch of her hand, the sound of her giggle?
That is SO what I wanted to do this morning!
Baby and I were out on our regular morning walk. Its fall here in Texas, finally. I used to hate fall, the cooler weather coming, but have now reconciled myself to the fact that summer must end sometime. I have begun to enjoy the goldish-red leaves and the cooler breeze, the pumpkins and gourds on everyone's doorsteps.
This morning it was perfect out. Sweaters but not mittens. Cool breeze but not cold. The sun is shining golden through trees, and the leaves were slowly floating down, swirling, in front of us, when the breeze would blow.
And the baby, having a silly morning with me, was giggling and singing her favorite song which is basically the word "ball" over and over again in different sing-ish tones.
I had just gotten done talking to my sister and calling my mom to wish her happy birthday, and was listening to my iPod-- my favorite song of the moment which is David Crowder band's "How He Loves" (see my post last week for more on that awesomeness)-
so not only was I thinking about the love of God but how much I love His creation and awestruck by the beauty He has created and listening to the baby sing and knowing that the people I love the most are all well at this very moment-- and then some leaves caught the sun as they tumbled down.
And I thought, man, God is GOOD.

Remembering what the Lord does for me

2009-11-19T11:35:00.004-06:00

Right now I've got a HUGE prayer request going up to the Lord-- if anyone would help me out and pray for me. I really need peace from God and guidance from Him about my job situation. For privacy's sake, I can't really spell it out. But, I'm in a situation, and I need God to show me what HE wants me to do, and give me His peace and His wisdom. I need His provision. A few signs spelled out in the sky that say "Hey Pilgrim, Do THIS!" wouldn't hurt, either.

Often when I need something from God, I find that it helps me to remember His faithfulness and His goodness by remembering other things God has done for me. I know He's there; I know He can take care of me. I don't know why little doubts get into my mind (well, I DO-- its that Ephesians 6 spiritual warfare thing going on).

So let me tell you a few things that God has done for me lately-- I think you might enjoy hearing them.

A HUGE prayer has been answered--one I have been praying about for nearly TWO years!! For privacy, I can't really say what. But it was one that I honestly had really pretty much given up on. After 2 years, you kinda say, "geesh, forget it"-- but in the back of my head I still kept thinking a little thought of, "maybe today will be the day it gets answered...ya never know...." And then one day, about a month ago now... it WAS the day. Through a friend of a friend, and a couple of e-mails, God made a connection for me and WHAM-- a prayer was answered. I'm so excited!
A few weeks ago I had a car accident and my car was totalled... I had to write a pretty big check as a down payment on the new car. BIG check. Made things pretty darn tight. Last week in the mail I received a check from the other guy's insurance company that reimbursed me for nearly half the check I wrote. I don't understand why-had to do something with the value of the totalled car minus something plus something or...who knows what.... doesn't matter. I got a little bit of my money back. Yay!
I've had a real revelation on the love of God. Remember that song I posted a couple weeks ago by David Crowder Band "How He Loves" ? I have had that song stuck in my head for 2 weeks. Almost constantly (SOOOO much better than "The Wheels on the Bus", let me tell ya.... And since I've had that song going through my head, any time a tough situation comes up, my thoughts go to how much God loves me and how good He is. That song is really reaching inside my heart to remind me that no matter what, I am loved by God. Isn't that totally cool?

He is Good. He is Able. God is the God of more than enough, and He loves you. I would love it if people who read this blog (and I know there are many of you) would PLEASE comment this time and tell me some of the prayers God has answered for you--'kay? Thanks.

the Butterfly Story

2009-11-11T16:00:00.003-06:00

I wrote this in 2005, and actually its an adaption of something you may have seen before. I just thought I'd share it:

Once upon a time, a young girl was playing in her grandmother's garden when she noticed some butterfly cocoons getting ready to open. She watched the first butterfy trying to come out of its home. It struggled, and took a long time. By the time the butterfly got out, it was exhausted. It had to lay on the tree branch and rest awhile before it could take flight. The little girl felt so terrible for the little butterfly, who had to go through so much of a struggle just to get out of his little cocoon.

When the little girl saw the second cocoon getting ready to hatch, she didn't want it to go through what the first butterfly did. So she helped open the cocoon herself, and took the butterfly out. She laid him on the branch, and saved him from the struggle.

But the second little butterfly died, while the first little butterfly who had fought so hard took off into the sky.

Distraught, the little girl ran to her grandmother, crying. "What happened? Why did the second butterfly die?" she asked.

Her grandmother explained that butterflies have a liquid in the core of their body, and as they struggle to get out of the cocoon that liquid is pushed into the veins in the butterfly wings where it hardens and makes the wings strong. If the butterfly doesn't push and pull and fight to get out of the cocoon, his wings won't be strong enough to fly, and the butterfly dies.

"Without the struggle, there are no wings," Grandmother said as she stroked her grand-daughter's hair.. "Just like it will be with you, child. In life you will go through hard times. But it is the hard stuff, the struggle, that will help you grow, and help you learn to fly."

"But won't it hurt?" asked the little girl.

"Sometimes, things will hurt. Sometimes, things will be hard. But one day, it'll all be worth it. And you'll learn from all your struggles-- they'll teach you how to fly!"

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2009-11-09T23:05:00.005-06:00

Have you ever noticed that there are so many "busy" people in the world these days? Ask anyone over about 12 years old how they're doing, and the answer is most likely, "I'm SO BUSY!" "Busy,busy!" Why hasn't someone gotten together for coffee with you, called you back, returned that e-mail? Oh, so busy! Busy busy!
Perhaps you are one of those people.
I see it in facebook statuses (statusi?), twitter updates, Christmas letters, those quick e-mails "will respond more later-so busy now." Mothers of toddlers say it with exhaustion. But I have noticed something else: many people say it with pride. BUSY, they say. I'm so busy I don't have time to sleep/eat/bring in the mail/take care of myself/take time to relax anymore.
Being "busy" seems to have become a badge of honor.
And I wonder....
why?
Why is it so good to be busy these days? Why do people seem to be bragging when they talk about how busy and stressed out they are?
Are they trying to win a prize?
Get people to sympathize with them? (It seems to work-someone mentions how busy and stressed out they are, and they get six "oh my gosh I SO.Hear.You!'s and a hug.)

Yet someone says, "I'm not stressed out or busy.... I've learned how to give myself a break. I take things easy. My life is in balance. I work some and play some and sleep some and its all working together pretty well---"
and people look at you like you've got a 3rd eyeball growing out of your forehead and then either respond with a
1)"Hm. I see." (While they look down their nose at you, trying to figure out why they know such a loser as you)
or
2) "Well, aren't you lucky to have such an easy life!" (laugh, ha ha!) (Meanwhile they are mentally picturing you with no job, eating bon bons while watching soap operas in your pjs, sleeps all the time, and by the way, your sink is probably overflowing with dirty dishes, too, you Loser!)

Face it. In today's world, Busy & Stressed is what people think is "in."
But.
This is not God's way. Even God rested after 6 days of work. He didn't have to. He chose to. And WE must choose to also.
John 14:27 says that we should stop ALLOWING ourselves to be agitated, disturbed, our upset. Stop letting yourself get stressed out!
Have Balance. Learn to say no (its easy, once you get used to it.)
You make your schedule. You make your choices. You ...watch out, she's gonna say it...
you make your own stress.
It isn't our circumstances that upset us and stress us out.
Its our reaction to our circumstances.

Last week I had 2 car accidents. I was in a LOT of pain. I was on the phone right and left with insurance and people I didn't know. Was I stressed? Nope. I chose not to be. I am also thinking of putting a big yellow CAUTION triangle on the back of my car ;)

Joyce Meyer has written some awesome articles about stress and relaxing. There is also a great book by my former pastor, Randy Frazee, called Making Room for Life that teaches how to balance your work life and your home life-- read it! You can get it on amazon.
Also, read these articles by Joyce:
http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/Articles/art47.htm

http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/Articles/art25.htm

In the meantime... go take a walk. Take a nap. Learn to take care of yourself. Okay? Take off your busy badge and replace it with a nice blanket and a cookie.

Oh How He Loves Us...

2009-11-06T22:49:00.007-06:00

The time change has really thrown my week for a loop, how about you? Its been wonderful being able to drive to work in the daylight again--makes it feel like summer. Not so wonderful driving home in pitch black darkness, as that brings up a lot of yucky stuff for me, but I'm dealing with it. For some reason its also made me really sleepy at night, so going to bed has been easier. We have also been having some incredible weather where I live-- you couldn't ask for more perfect fall days.
I am often in bumprer-to-bumper traffic and I have the opportunity to take in my surroundings. Thankfully, much of the highways are surrounded by woods, large patches of grass, and flowers. The morning sun has been shining bright. I can watch streams of sunshine pour through the trees, where it lands upon manicured lawns and fountains. Right now the leaves are just beginning to change color, and I'm enjoying firey red and orange foliage that is hit gracefully by the sun's rays.
And the other day something struck me:
GOD DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE THE WORLD THIS WAY.
When God created the world, and the seasons, and the trees, and the sun, and water, and EVERYTHING...
He didn't have to make the air have a sweet scent to it. He didn't have to make grass have that certain smell after it rains. The water doesn't HAVE to sparkle in the sun. God didn't have to make flowers in thousands of varieties and colors. The suns rays didn't have to flow through trees. No one MADE God fill the world with hundreds of variations of colors, or leaves that change... as well as thousands of types of people, animals, trees, even frogs, ants, and insects we may never see.
God COULD have made the world grey, flat, and dull.
Maybe that would have been quicker, easier, and.... it really would have been all we deserve, because... honestly, I know that I,personally as a sinner, don't DESERVE this beautiful world God gave me.
So WHY did God make the world like this? Why is the world SO.Incredibly. Breathtakingly.BEAUTIFUL? Why mountains, glaciers, caterpillars, no 2 snowflakes alike,babies smiling, a thousand shades of skin color... why so much when He didn't have to?

I believe it is because He loves us.
That's all.
He did it because He wanted to.
He loves us, His children. And He wanted to give us a glorious place to live.
Out of love, pure & simple.
Because He is Good, and Holy, and Righteous, and Wonderful.
Oh, how He loves us. Oh, How He loves us so.

To Be Known

2009-10-30T14:58:00.004-05:00

Do you ever long to be understood by someone? Do you ever long to be known? Do you ever long to be accepted for who you are, no questions asked? I think that one of the biggest, nicest, greatest things someone do for me is say with a smile on their face "I know you..." or "I know how you are....". Or even just say that they know something about me, and say it with a smile on their face. Just this week I had 2 people say similar things to me. "I know you, you (naming some habit I have). "I know how you are--you (naming a trait of mine)." But they were smiling or laughing when they said it. Not saying them in a "I KNOW HOW YOU ARE AND I HATE IT!" kind of way. Not a "I know how you are and now I'm going to reject you because of it" kind of way...which is something I've dealt with many, many times.
It is such a relief when at last we can find understanding. When at last we can find someone who is willing to accept us as we are. People like that are a gift from God. And sometimes it's a long, painful wait to find that person.
You know what though? Even if we never find those people here on earth, there is still Someone who is loving, accepting, and kind to us in ways we can only imagine. Someone who understands us completely and accepts us completely.
God made each of us. He knew our entire lives before a single cell of our body was formed. He knows everything we're ever going to say before we ever say it. Jesus came to earth as a man and understands just how hard it is to be a human being, how frustrating and difficult and lonely and painful our lives are. He knows our pain, our heartache, our losses, and our joys.
If you are someone who, like me, longs to be known and accepted and understood, we have to look no farther than Jesus who will always, always look towards us with open arms and say to us, "I know you--- and I love you."
Just my thoughts for today.

The Safety of Psalm 91

2009-10-28T18:27:00.003-05:00

Last night I watched some of the news before I fell asleep. I rarely ever do. It was disturbing. In 15 minutes, the reports were all about how many people in Texas have died of swine flu this week, how many troops died in Iraq recently, a child that died in an accident, a child that may die because of abuse, and more talk of war.
Rotten stuff.
I closed my eyes and said to God, "Lord, this world is so depressing sometimes. It feels so unsafe."
Immediately I heard that still, soft voice in my head: "Read Psalm 91."
So I picked up my Bible, and hear is what I read (with my thoughts added.)

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence. (like swine flu)

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, (like wars,guns,and soldiers)

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. (there's swine flu again)

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. (God will keep me safe in this unsafe world.)

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent. (my house is safe because I trust the Lord)

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent. (I will overcome the evil one because of the Lord)

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. (I can feel safe, because I call on God;He is faithful)

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

I felt so much better after reading that, especially since I believed that it was God who whispered in my ear to read those particular words of His. The world may be unsafe, there may be wars, plagues, and even death around me. But I believe the Lord will protect me.
Even last week, I was in a car accident. My car was SMUSHED. But I escaped with just some aches, pains, and minor injuries. It could have been much worse. I know God had sent his angels to protect me.
God is someone you can count on to protect you. If you feel unsafe and scared, call on Him. He and Jesus are right there waiting to wrap their arms around you.

God Surprised me twice this Week

2009-10-24T10:53:00.003-05:00

God really took me by surprised this week. Both were an answer to prayer. One long term, and one short term. One was a prayer that I've been praying about nearly two years, and had a hard time with for what felt like FOREVER...day after day waiting, being anxious about... but I think that my prayer has been answered, and I am pretty sure I can relax about now I think things are going to work out now. I am so thankful.
Another was a smaller thing, but hopefully had an impact on another person. Every day when I wake up I ask God to help me be a blessing to someone. On a walk yesterday I saw a woman and her husband walking in the opposite direction of the baby and me. She had pretty gray,curly hair. I wanted to say give her a compliment, but felt shy and worried she'd think I was weird. So after they walked on by I told God, "If she needs to hear a compliment, and she walks on by me again, I'll say something."
Well, about 10 minutes later, she and her husband walked by again. So I stopped and comlimented her- I said "I hope you don't think I'm weird or anything, but I just love your hair-its so curly and such a beautiful color of gray, and so bouncy."
I'm so thankful that God had me say that, because the lady got tears in her eyes. She told me thank you so much, because she usually HATES her hair, and that made her feel better. Her husband said that her hair is like that from chemotherapy... and the woman said she doesn't like her hair anymore. I felt blessed. Maybe God having me speak outloud that compliment to her, His words out of my mouth about how beautiful she REALLY IS, will help her feel better about herself. She walked away smiling really big.
Isn't God awesome when he uses us little people to help someone?

By Your Side

2009-10-20T16:39:00.003-05:00

It makes me sad--partly because I'VE done it,too-that people run to so many things in the world for love that will never, ever fill that hole in their heart. That people search and hide and run and try so hard to fill themselves up with addictions, with people, with material things, trying so hard to make themselves feel ALL RIGHT. It will never work, because the hole that is inside of us is a Jesus-shaped hole, and the only thing that will ever truly fill us up is having Jesus in our heart, asking God for forgiveness and asking Him to come live inside of us and take over our lives. That is really, truly the only way to find true happiness and contentment. Believe me, I have tried my share of other things, too. It wasn't until I ran straight into the arms of God that I found something that made my heart feel whole again.
I love this video. It is a love song from God to us. Truly listen to the words, and hear your loving Abba God calling out to you.

*~*Free.for.Faith*~*