Oh Summer, where are you going?
I feel like you just arrived yesterday and already I see you packing your bags. We haven't even got to spend time together....
We were supposed to lay on the beach, listening to the waves crash upon the shore and dream of the coming year. We were going to ride the biggest roller coaster we could find and scream at the top of our lungs. We had books to read...meals to share....places to go. So many plans unrealized and yet, here we are, nearing the end with lightning speed.
So, what do you say? Can you stall the packing for just a little while? Let's just enjoy the time left....dance in the rain, make up insanely silly songs and laugh hysterically, lets slow the pace just enough to enjoy it.
What do you say, Summer? Will you stay a bit longer?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Stupid Tax
It's been one of them kind of weeks....
I'm usually pretty on top of things...organized...efficient...productive...
but lately, I just can't seem to get all my eggs in the right basket.
Well, this week, my lack of focus came back to bite me in the rear and I had to pay a hefty stupid tax...you know, money you shouldn't have had to pay out, but because you didn't do "x,y,z" it cost you dearly. A tax you placed on yourself so to speak.
It really started a couple of weeks ago...when I paid a bunch of bills and was so proud of myself for having paid them...EARLY! I was looking forward to this week when I knew we'd be money ahead. HA! Somehow in my bill paying frenzy, I forgot to write down the electric bill payment in the checkbook ledger....please tell me I'm not the only one to have ever done this (and I'd like to say it's the only time I've ever done it, but I'd be lying). Let me tell ya...when you count on every dime and there's not much wiggle room to begin with, an error like this is not pretty. It bit hard this week! I've been so mad at myself!! What should have been a week to be able to pay ahead on some things has ended up being a struggle to put food on the table!
As always, God is faithful. It could've been worse...trust me, it can always be worse. I have enough to pay the necessary bills for the week with a little left over. God provided food for our cabinets by way of some very dear friends of ours that wanted to thank us for showing love to them over the past year. And I'm pretty sure none of us are walking around naked. Do we have all we want? Of course not, we're human and insatiable. Do we have all we need? Absolutely!!
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
God is good.
All the time.
I'm usually pretty on top of things...organized...efficient...productive...
but lately, I just can't seem to get all my eggs in the right basket.
Well, this week, my lack of focus came back to bite me in the rear and I had to pay a hefty stupid tax...you know, money you shouldn't have had to pay out, but because you didn't do "x,y,z" it cost you dearly. A tax you placed on yourself so to speak.
It really started a couple of weeks ago...when I paid a bunch of bills and was so proud of myself for having paid them...EARLY! I was looking forward to this week when I knew we'd be money ahead. HA! Somehow in my bill paying frenzy, I forgot to write down the electric bill payment in the checkbook ledger....please tell me I'm not the only one to have ever done this (and I'd like to say it's the only time I've ever done it, but I'd be lying). Let me tell ya...when you count on every dime and there's not much wiggle room to begin with, an error like this is not pretty. It bit hard this week! I've been so mad at myself!! What should have been a week to be able to pay ahead on some things has ended up being a struggle to put food on the table!
As always, God is faithful. It could've been worse...trust me, it can always be worse. I have enough to pay the necessary bills for the week with a little left over. God provided food for our cabinets by way of some very dear friends of ours that wanted to thank us for showing love to them over the past year. And I'm pretty sure none of us are walking around naked. Do we have all we want? Of course not, we're human and insatiable. Do we have all we need? Absolutely!!
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
God is good.
All the time.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Remember....
...why it is that we celebrate Independence Day
...the men & women fighting to preserve that freedom
...the families of the soldiers at home, fighting their own wars
...that freedom is a choice
...and some give up their freedom, so you can have yours
Today, as America celebrates our independence, I pray you'll take time to think about what your life would be like without the freedoms that we experience...that you'll find a soldier or veteran and shake their hand and thank them for their sacrifice...that you'll stop for just a moment and pray for those who are still fighting to make sure America remains the "land of the free and the home of the brave."
Happy Independence Day!
...the men & women fighting to preserve that freedom
...the families of the soldiers at home, fighting their own wars
...that freedom is a choice
...and some give up their freedom, so you can have yours
Today, as America celebrates our independence, I pray you'll take time to think about what your life would be like without the freedoms that we experience...that you'll find a soldier or veteran and shake their hand and thank them for their sacrifice...that you'll stop for just a moment and pray for those who are still fighting to make sure America remains the "land of the free and the home of the brave."
Happy Independence Day!
Friday, July 3, 2009
For Today....
Because I haven't posted in forever...I have pictures to post, but Blogger has been a pain all week....so....I'm copying this from my good friend Kellie...hope she doesn't mind {wink}
Outside my window...traffic is humming
I am thinking...of organizing my schedule for July
I am thankful for...freedom and the sacrifice of our military & their families
From the kitchen... is the smell of bleach from my cleaning frenzy
I am wearing... an America t-shirt and red shorts & not much else
I am creating... a mess during my cleaning/organizing
I am going...to relax with my hubby tonight
I am reading... a new book "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist
I am hoping... that my children arrive safely from KC tomorrow
I am hearing... the hum of the computer
Around the house... there is a lot of cleaning to do
One of my favorite things... is sitting on my front step, watching the cars go by
A few plans for the rest of the week...finish cleaning house, organizing my rubber stamps into the new bins, hugging my kids after being away for a week, watching the fireworks, going to the movies with hubby & kiddos, leading Worship at our church
Outside my window...traffic is humming
I am thinking...of organizing my schedule for July
I am thankful for...freedom and the sacrifice of our military & their families
From the kitchen... is the smell of bleach from my cleaning frenzy
I am wearing... an America t-shirt and red shorts & not much else
I am creating... a mess during my cleaning/organizing
I am going...to relax with my hubby tonight
I am reading... a new book "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist
I am hoping... that my children arrive safely from KC tomorrow
I am hearing... the hum of the computer
Around the house... there is a lot of cleaning to do
One of my favorite things... is sitting on my front step, watching the cars go by
A few plans for the rest of the week...finish cleaning house, organizing my rubber stamps into the new bins, hugging my kids after being away for a week, watching the fireworks, going to the movies with hubby & kiddos, leading Worship at our church
Friday, June 19, 2009
Changing Winds
The winds are changing. Life is so full of twists and turns...just when you think you've got it figured out, you hit a roadblock...or a detour...
That's where we're at. A detour.
It looks like Q's Company will be deploying sooner, rather than later. Totally took us by surprise. So, we adjust. This will be our 2nd deployment, and while I'd like to think that I'll handle it better...I know it will be just as hard, just in different ways.
So, as I prepare for this turn of events, I covet your prayers.
That's where we're at. A detour.
It looks like Q's Company will be deploying sooner, rather than later. Totally took us by surprise. So, we adjust. This will be our 2nd deployment, and while I'd like to think that I'll handle it better...I know it will be just as hard, just in different ways.
So, as I prepare for this turn of events, I covet your prayers.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Toward Wonder
Part of our Praise Team with Sam Middlebrook of developingworship.comI'm home from an incredible week in Chicago where I had the awesome privilege of attending the Toward Wonder Arts Conference at Willow Creek. My computer at home is in the shop, so I'm posting from work (yes, it's my break time), so this will be short and I'll have to elaborate later.
I guess the #1 thing to tell you is that I was completely blown away by the love of my God and had an encounter with Him that I have never experienced. I worshipped for the first time completely uninhibited and with abandon. I mean really people, if the Creator of this universe is not worthy of authentic worship, then we have a problem.
There was a moment that will be forever etched in my mind on the first morning....we (around 2700 people that lead the worship at their churches or help in some way) were singing "How Great Is Our God" and the band quit playing. You just heard all those voices praising our God and stretching their hands toward Heaven....almost as if we were trying to touch Him and I guess we were...and then the shades went up on these huge windows in the auditorium and I was gazing on God's majesty...the trees, blue skies, a waterfall...it was a breathtaking moment for me and I thought...WOW...my God is huge! He created all this beauty and He created me and He loves me and wants a relationship with me and....and...and....I never want to leave that feeling of complete awe. Everyday there are moments worthy of awe and wonder if only we take time to notice.
There's so much to tell you about that week...and I will...but my time is almost up and I want to tell you that I had the opportunity to lead worship at my home church this past Sunday and it was still just as incredible. Why? Because my perspective was different. I finally got it. This just isn't some god I serve...it is the living God and He chooses to be my friend, my father, my everything. I literally wept on stage this past Sunday...to the point I could no longer sing....I'm just completely humbled and in love with my Jesus. He has this all in His hands...all my cares and worries....all my triumphs and emotions...all of it. Wow!
I hope you have a blessed day and find the Wonder in your ordinary day!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Mindless Ramblings
Ok, I know it's been a while. My computer at home is being cranky and I haven't had the energy or desire to deal with it....so here I sit...at work...typing a quick update. I have several post in my head...complete with some photos that I'm dying to share, but this will have to do for now. So here's what you can look forward to coming soon....
1. Memorial weekend was the big room makeover. Quentin & I painted and redecorated Mallorye's room for her while she was visiting my mom. We underestimated the time it would take....we thought maybe a day....took 3 days...and we're still not technically done. I can't wait to share the pictures with you guys!
2. This past weekend the guys went camping with our youth group at Spring River, Mallorye went to a Mystery party, and I enjoyed the solitude...until Saturday...when I enjoyed a Praise Team fellowship at Crowley's Ridge State Park...volleyball, bbq, horseshoes, laughs...there's some pretty awesome pictures to share there as well.
3. Next week is the Toward Wonder Arts Conference at Willowcreek Church in Chicago. I am so pumped about this opportunity and I'm expecting God to show up and just bless my socks off! Hillsong Australia will be doing some of the sessions and a concert!!
4. Counseling is going great! We are finally making progress and healing is beginning to take place. It's a slow process, but I think God is refining both of us during this time and we're going to come out better...stronger...more in love....
5. Oh...and today is the last day of school...finally!! I now officially have a Senior and an 8th Grader...wow!
6. One more thing that I can't wait to elaborate on is....Mallorye has been chosen to represent our area in the 2010 Miss Arkansas Teen USA Pageant!!! Huge honor! Tons of preparation going on at our house!
Ok...more to come on all these topics...but that's the skinny version...just so ya knew...I am still alive and didn't get swept away by the monsoon of rain we've gotten in the month of May!
1. Memorial weekend was the big room makeover. Quentin & I painted and redecorated Mallorye's room for her while she was visiting my mom. We underestimated the time it would take....we thought maybe a day....took 3 days...and we're still not technically done. I can't wait to share the pictures with you guys!
2. This past weekend the guys went camping with our youth group at Spring River, Mallorye went to a Mystery party, and I enjoyed the solitude...until Saturday...when I enjoyed a Praise Team fellowship at Crowley's Ridge State Park...volleyball, bbq, horseshoes, laughs...there's some pretty awesome pictures to share there as well.
3. Next week is the Toward Wonder Arts Conference at Willowcreek Church in Chicago. I am so pumped about this opportunity and I'm expecting God to show up and just bless my socks off! Hillsong Australia will be doing some of the sessions and a concert!!
4. Counseling is going great! We are finally making progress and healing is beginning to take place. It's a slow process, but I think God is refining both of us during this time and we're going to come out better...stronger...more in love....
5. Oh...and today is the last day of school...finally!! I now officially have a Senior and an 8th Grader...wow!
6. One more thing that I can't wait to elaborate on is....Mallorye has been chosen to represent our area in the 2010 Miss Arkansas Teen USA Pageant!!! Huge honor! Tons of preparation going on at our house!
Ok...more to come on all these topics...but that's the skinny version...just so ya knew...I am still alive and didn't get swept away by the monsoon of rain we've gotten in the month of May!
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