This Circus Is My Life

Blog Overhaul

2012-02-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

Time for a blog overhaul. It has been well over a year since I last blogged - probably because of the most recent addition to our little family, which has left me with very little free time. Little Finley Rose is now almost six months old and so I thought it was time for me to overhaul the old blog so that I can use it for something a bit more suited to this new mom of 4. So, stay tuned...much more to come in the months ahead. In the meantime, here's our sweet princess, Finley Rose...

God's purpose for your life...

2010-12-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

In Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" today I heard God speaking directly to me. It always amazes me that although I've read through this devotional almost every day all year for at least the last five years, how it always suprises me what comes off the page. I very rarely read a day and go - oh yeah, I read that last year...it always seems new. Here's a little bit of what I read this morning...

"Once God has begun the process of sanctification in your life, watch and see how God causes your confidence in your own natural virtues and power to wither away. He will continue until you learn to draw your life from the reservoir of the resurrection life of Jesus. Thank God if you are going through this drying-up experience!"

I am very much in this drying up experience, but wouldn't have thought of it exactly in this way. I knew that God was working in my to decrease my dependence on myself and increase my dependence on Him, but love the way that Chambers puts it here. The idea that he dries me up, or causes my confidence to "wither away" is an interesting picture. It doesn't really sound like a good thing. But read through what Paul writes in Philippians 3:1-14:

"Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Paul is talking about having confidence in our own virtue (the very same thing that Oswald Chambers is talking about). Read verses 4-6 again, he says he is a Hebrew of Hebrews, faultless by the standards of the Jewish laws, he is everything a good Jew should be. But he considers it all a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. That's it. The most important thing to Paul was not doing what he was supposed to do, or being who he was supposed to be - but knowing Jesus Christ. That's it. Nothing is more important or fulfilling than that one thing.

I feel that often we get caught up asking ourselves WHAT God wants us to DO. Or WHERE God wants us to BE. And those are good things. It's important to seek God's will for our lives and our work. BUT, if we are missing out on simply seeking HIM, then we've missed the entire point. We need to be more concerned with KNOWING CHRIST and becoming more like Him, than we are knowing God's will for our lives. You want to know God's will for your life? Here it is. Are you ready? -

TO KNOW HIS SON AND TO BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM!

That's it. Everything else should be towards that aim. Otherwise it is just not worth it at all.

That's what I'm learning. What about you?

The Practice of the Presence of God - Determination

2010-11-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading a small little book called, "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence (a carmelite monk who lived in the late 1600s).

I'm purposefully reading it slowly so that it will more fully sink in. If you have never read it - you NEED to. It's a very quick read (less than 100 pages) and I have kindly put the link for you to buy it on Amazon right her on my handy little blog. So - there you go.

ANYWAY :)

Here's something that really spoke to me today from the 1st little section of the book...

Brother Lawrence writes:
"...if we are truly devoted to doing God's will, pain and pleasure won't make any difference to us. We also need to be faithful, even in dry periods. It is during those dry spells that God tests our love for Him. We should take advantage of those times to practice our determination and our surrender to Him. This will often bring us to a maturity further on in our walk with God."

There is SO much in these few sentences! I had to read that first sentence several times. Read it with me again, "...if we are truly devoted to doing God's will, pain and pleasure won't make any difference to us." What does that mean? Well, to me it means that I cannot let my feelings determine where I go or what I do. I cannot let how I feel about a situation change how I act within a situation. I must trust only the truth of God's Word - the faithfulness of His character and the sovereignty of His plan!

That next section is important too! Have you ever gone through a time in your life (or are you in one right now) where you are having a hard time discerning God's voice and His will for your life? Or maybe you're not understanding why God has you in a certain place, a certain ministry, a certain situation?
We've ALL been there. I think Brother Lawrence has some beautiful advice for us for those times. "We should take advantage of those times to practice our determination and our surrender to Him!"

I once heard Beth Moore (one of my favorite Bible Study teachers) say that if you're having a hard time believing God, then you should ACT like someone who believes. I think the same holds true here. We must be determined to surrender to God - it won't simply happen. It's an act of the will. Deciding to follow when we don't feel like it, or trust when we're not sure we're believing it, or worship when we simply don't want to is not something we should do - but something we MUST do. In choosing to behave more like one of God's chosen - we will begin to more fully understand what it actually means to follow. In choosing to try harder to discern the voice and will of God, we will begin to get better at getting still and actually listening. Sometimes God chooses to be quiet so that we will lean in closer. It's not because He doesn't want to talk to us but because HE DOES! It's not because He loves you less, but because HE LOVES YOU MORE!!

If you're having a hard time discerning the voice and will of God, don't get discouraged and give up. Get determined. Get focused. Get QUIET. and lean in a little closer. Get into His Word!
He's there waiting for you to do just that!

Rise Up & Sing

2010-08-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

Just started reading a new book by Lex Buckley that I LOVE so far. If you are a female worship leader, it is a must read. Check the link below, buy it and read it right now. It is well worth the price!

A Swift Blow to the Head

2010-08-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

For about a week I've been feeling like I recently got the wind knocked out of me. Then yesterday I literally had a bucket of cleaning supplies fall on my head. I just stood there trying not to lose my lunch and trying hard not to cry - although I could not keep the tears from filling my eyes. I wasn't sure what to do - should I lay down? Should I sit? Should I call someone in case I pass out so the girls won't be left alone with their mom laying limp on the floor - I know, I know - I'm terribly dramatic. I had no idea what to do. I knew what I wanted to do - I wanted to be held by my big, strong husband and told that it was going to be okay and then I wanted to eat a bunch of cheesecake. Exactly how I have been feeling all week. In fact, today I made a pan of cheesecake only to accidentaly spill a cup of lemonade all over it ruining it. Sad.
I wish I could tell you that I have some profound new understanding of my situation and what I'm supposed to learn through all of it - but I don't. I am still sitting here feeling exactly the same way I did at the beginning of this week - windless.

I have been reading the book of Ruth for the last few weeks - little by little. I believe that Naomi, and Ruth too for that matter, must have felt something similar although probably on a much larger scale. I'm sure they felt, when they lost their loved ones, that they just had the wind knocked out of them. They had left Judah because of a famine and went to Moab. While there, Naomi's husband died and eventually also her two sons died. They had left their home, the only place they had ever known and had ended up somewhere entirely new. After some time there, the new place became a place of sorrow - a place of great loss. Naomi had a moment, I am sure, where she didn't know what to do next. She must have been scared, confused, angry, sad - and a hundred other emotions to be sure.

I feel that way right now. I recently left a place that felt like home to me and ended up in another place where I knew no one. Although I am still certain that I was following God's leading in leaving my comfortable place and going to the place He called me, I am now fighting with the feeling that it might've been easier if I hadn't gone there at all. It would've hurt less if I had stayed where I was comfortable. It would have saved myself and my family a lot of hurt if I had just ignored God's call. I wonder if Abraham ever felt like that? Or if David ever thought it would've been easier if he had remained a shepherd boy instead of becoming the King that God desired. Or if Peter, while sinking in the Sea of Galilee, thought maybe he should've stayed in the boat? I know it's not necessarily the right thing for me to be wondering right now - but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

I know that God's purpose for me remains, and I know that He is as loving as He has always been. I also know that I am a different person than I was three months ago and that God will work it all out for His glory.
He is, after all, still God. He is just. He is good. Although I don't understand the why of it all, or what I'm supposed to learn from it all - and maybe I never will - I DO know that I would follow Him there all over again. A hundred times again - I would. I love the Lord, Jesus Christ, with all my heart and soul and am committed to living wholeheartedly for him and to following wherever He leads.

There's a song that I have recently fallen in love with that seems appropriate right now for me. It's called What Grace is Mine, written by Keith & Kristyn Getty and is on their album, "Awaken the Dawn". Here are some of the lyrics:

So I will go wherever He is calling me.
I'll lose my life to find my life in Him.
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies.
I bow my heart, take up my cross and follow Him.

Sunday Song Devotions - July 11, 2010

2010-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

It Is Well With My Soul
Author: Horatio Spafford

One of the songs we sang Sunday was, "It Is Well With My Soul," by Horatio Spafford.
It is actually one of my favorite hymns simply because the story behind when and why it was written is so beautiful. Here's the story...

Written by a Presbyterian laywer Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888) and composed by Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876). Spafford was born on October 20, 1828 in North Troy, New York. He was a successful lawyer in Chicago who maintained a keen interest in Christian activities, deeply spiritual and devoted to the scriptures.

Sometime in 1871, a fire in Chicago heavily devastated the city, and months before that , Spafford had invested hugely in real estate by the shore of Lake Michigan. The disaster greatly wiped out his holdings. Before the fire, Spafford also experienced the loss of his son.

Two years after the fire, Horatio Spafford planned a trip to Europe for him and his family. He wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters, and also to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their evangelistic campaigns in Great Britain. He was not meant to travel with his family. The day in November they were due to depart, Spafford had a last minute business transaction and had to stay behind in Chicago. Nevertheless, he still sent his wife and four daughters to travel as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre, expecting to follow in a few days. On November 22, the ship laden with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in few minutes.

After the survivors were finally landed somewhere at Cardiff, Wales, Spafford's wife cabled her husband with two simple words, "Saved alone." Shortly after, Spafford left by ship on his way where his beloved four daughters had drowned, and pen at hand, wrote this most poignant text so significantly descriptive of his own personal grief – "When sorrows like sea billows roll..." The hymn "It is Well with My Soul" was born.

It is noteworthy that Horatio Spafford did not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows and trials, instead, focused in the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ, and in the fourth verse, anticipates His glorious second coming.

This song is a wonderful example of the attitude that we should have and the importance of right perspective in all that we experience day to day - whether it be financial struggles, loss of loved ones, or even inexpressable and paralyzing sorrow in a situation that is more than just about anyone could bear (such as it was for Mr. and Mrs. Spafford). It is important that we learn as Horatio did to say, "Hallelujah Anyway!" When we can't stand to face another day, when we don't understand why we have to go through a horrifying situation, when our grief or sorrow is almost too much to bear - we need to look our circumstances in the face, and learn to praise God - not in spite of our circumstances - but in the midst of them. We must learn to say, "It is well" - even when we don't understand why it is so. God's sovereignty is bigger than our situation, God's love is bigger than our sorrow, God's mercy is greater than our failures. We can say with confidence, "It is well", when we stop focusing on our difficulties, but instead learn to focus on the One who is Lord of our circumstances.

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.

Learn to do Good. Seek Justice. Help the Opressed...

2010-07-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

I read this passage today in my quiet time. I can't get it out of my mind. I know that it's just sitting there waiting to mess me up entirely. I hope so. I can't wait for God to mess me up. Here's what it said...

"Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways.

Learn to do good.

Seek Justice.

Help the opressed.

Defend the orphan.

Fight for the rights of widows.

Come now, let us argue this out, says the LORD. No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat. But if you keep turning away and refusing to listen, you will be destroyed by your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Isaiah 1:16-20

Transition

2010-07-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

I've been working on so many things lately that my blog has sort of fallen through the cracks. Boo.

Mostly I've been just enjoying my summer away from the classroom with my three favorite girls - so I guess it's actually a YAY! I've been on a sort of blog-cation I guess. But I'm ready to get back at it.

I have so much to post, but I suppose I'll start with letting you know that I have a new church and a new ministry there. It all happened a bit fast, and I've been a bit busy since, but Ricky and I are very excited and are certain that God has led us to this place in our lives and we will follow in obedience to the One that we serve.

There will be much more to come about all this, but for now - I'll just say that although we KNOW that this was God's leading and are very excited about our new church and all of the new friends we have already met and begun to share our lives with - we will VERY MUCH miss our family at FBC Watauga. We've spent the last three years sharing our lives with each of you and sharing yours also - and we hope that will continue. We love each of you more than words can express and are very sad that we won't be able to see you multiple times each week.

Thank you SO much for all your understanding, love and support during this transition for our family. We are and forever will be grateful to our family at FBC Watauga and know that God will continue the work He began in the beautiful family of believers there and also through my family and new church at Eagle Mountain Baptist Church.

Philippians 1:3-6 seems appropriate right now to describe the way I feel...

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Sunday Song Devotions - June 27, 2010

2010-06-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Cannons
Psalm 99:9 - "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!"
Author: Phil Wickham

This song is one of my favorites and is a wonderful anthem of praise. When we acknowledge who God is and what He's done, our only response can be that of obedience, surrender and awe. This song inspires that in me and I'm hoping that by teaching it to our church that it will do the same for each of you. This song is all about that journey from understanding who God is and how worthy He is to our only possible response to that revelation - worship.

Here are the words...

It's falling from the clouds, a strange and lovely sound
I hear it in the thunder and rain
It's ringing in the skies like cannons in the night
the music of the universe plays

You are Holy, Great and Mighty
the moon and the stars declare who You are
I'm so unworthy, but still You love me
Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

All Glory, Honor, Power is Yours AMEN!
All Glory, Honor, Power is Yours AMEN!
All Glory, Honor, Power is Yours, forever AMEN!!!

What a beautiful anthem of declaring worth to God. I pray that as we go through our daily routines, and regular difficulties this week that we will be recognizing and celebrating God's amazing worth and through our obedience, our kindness, our love and our service to others we will give Him the worship He alone deserves.

A Mighty Fortress is our God
Author: Martin Luther

AND
A Mighty Fortress
Author: Christy Nockels

I put these two songs together because, to me, they go together. They both talk of the safety and security we have in Christ. I think that there are too many frilly, girly worship songs out there (not that I don't love some of them). I just think that it would greatly benefit the body of Christ to have more songs like these two in our worship services. I think they are the type of songs that men connect with - the ones that bring with them mental images of battle, war, weapons, fire, victory and triumph.

We can talk about how lovely and beautiful Christ is - and that is important too - and very scriptural and true. But we also can't forget how mighty and awesome and powerful God is - able to conquer any foe, demolish any stronghold and bring victory to any battle. That's the God of the Bible!

Think about Old Testament stories like that of David, Moses, Abraham, Gideon, Esther - all magnificent stories of God intervening in this world and bringing victory to His people. The New Testament carries the word of the most amazing triumph in all of history - that of Jesus Christ, the Son of God - Creator of the Universe triumphing over sin and death on the cross.

Worship is about coming to a greater understanding of who God is and what God has done and responding in whatever way God is leading - in Spirit and in truth. These two songs each tell the truth about who God is and inspire in us a reverence for the power and majesty of God.

It is said that Martin Luther was inspired by Psalm 46 when he was writing this famous hymn.

Psalm 46 says:

"1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

Sunday Song Devotions - June 13, 2010

2010-06-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit under the weather this week, so this post is late - sorry. But better late than never definitely.

I absolutely love each of the songs chosen for Sunday's service. I love that each of them flows into the next and they all tie together. Although it is not always the case, I often try to take a sort of journey with the songs that I choose for a Sunday morning. I believe that worship is our response to who God is and what God has done. Considering that definition, it is important to start with who God is and what God has done and then it is an easy transition to begin to think (or sing) about what that means to us in the here and now. So that's what Sunday's music was all about.

We began our service with a celebratory song about God's holiness (Holy is the Lord). This song, written by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio reminds me of the verse in Isaiah 6 that says, "And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isa 6:3).
I especially love the bridge of this song that says, "It's rising up all around, it's the anthem of the Lord's renown." The words, though a bit complicated and fancy simply are saying that we (the Lord's renown) are raising up an anthem of praise for the Holy One. Beautiful.

Next comes I Stand Amazed in the Presence and My Jesus, I Love Thee. Both of these songs are all about what God has done through Jesus Christ. My Jesus, I Love Thee is one of my favorite hymns because of the simplicity and tenderness of the lyrics. It was written by a man named William Featherston, who was actually sixteen at the time! As far as we know this is the only hymn written by him in his short life - he died at the age of 26.

I have had the awesome privilege of leading worship for middle, high school and college students for several years. There is something so authentic about the worship that students bring. It always amazed me how they, who are so young, can be so beautifully passionate about Jesus. It's no wonder that youth are the ones who start revivals. They are the ones who can change the world with that kind of passion - Just as William Featherston wrote a song that has been affecting lives and hearts for over 100 years!

Immediately after singing about what God has already done through the cross, we continue in worship of the Lamb who WAS and IS and IS TO COME by singing the song, Revelation Song!

I love that picture. From the cross to the second coming - He is and was and forever will be the Holy One - the Almighty - the Only One worthy of our worship!

I found an article written by Jenny Lee Riddle, the author of Revelation Song, that details how the song came to be and what it means to her. Here's a part of her article:

I, again, began telling Him how much I wanted to SEE and HEAR all creation worshipping Him. The songs being sung by the Bride at that time were focusing on need. My heart longed to focus on something far greater than my need, knowing that all needs would be satisfied with just one glimpse of Him.

Therefore, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me write a song that painted Him; a song that the angels and creation were already singing, so that we could join in with One Voice, as One Bride, to One King. My heart recalled Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4:

“And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that's what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! (Message)

“…a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was[like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns[] of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightenings, thunderings, and voices… Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal… And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures… And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’…”

I put the baby down to play with his toys, picked up the guitar, and began to play four chords I had “discovered” the day before. Immersed in those scriptures, the Lord helped me paint what I was seeing through those passages," Clothed in rainbows of living color, flashes of lightening, rolls of thunder..." The melody stuck. It had the sound of heaven in it. The song wouldn’t leave me and I sang it for weeks.

... (and my favorite part of the article):

“Revelation Song” has taken on a life of its own, and it has been an intense joy to watch the Father “grow it up”, and to hear the Voice of the Bride sing to Jesus; Her voice is so lovely. I often get asked the song story, and even more often, the question of “how” it got “out there” comes up. My only answer is that God chooses what He chooses. No amount of maneuvering, strategizing, posturing, or pitching would have gotten my music “out there”… whatever that means. I remember telling Jesus with complete sincerity that I could wait until I got to heaven to hear my song sung (although, I also suggested that it would be a terrific song for the angels and great cloud of witnesses to sing when He comes back for us…In the event that He had not already chosen one for the occasion, I didn’t think it would hurt to ask!).

for the full text of the article, or for more articles by Jenny Lee, visit the link below:

http://www.praisecharts.com/live/articles/145/1/The-Story-Behind-Revelation-Song-/Page1.html

Sunday Song Devotions - June 6, 2010

2010-06-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

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

Author: Twila Paris

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the Great I Am

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

The following is from the book, "Open the Eyes of My Heart" devotional book by Integrity:

"Thomas Aquinas taught that God is pure act. In other words, whatever God is, God does. It is impossible for God's acts to be inconsistent with His character. For example, we may be patient people but have impatient moments. Not God. The great "I Am" is consistent, always the same. So we glorify our King, our Lord, the Lamb, worshiping Him alone because we can rely on Him 100 percent of the time.

No burden or need exists that His character can't meet. He doesn't have days off or suddenly decide to treat us differently. In fact, He is able to do much more than we could ever think or ask.

When we need a loving parent, Hw is our "Abba" Father (Romans 8:15)
When we're feeling insecure, He is a "sure foundation" (Isaiah 28:16)
When we're thirsty, He is our "spring" of living water (John 4:14)
When we're vulnerable, He is able to "keep us from falling" (Jude 24)
When we're lost, He is our "light" and our "salvation" (Psalm 27:1)

We get into trouble when we try to meet our needs ourselves! When we focus on God's amazing sufficiency, we find more than enough. He wants to fill us to overflowing. Thank God for being your great "I AM". He alone deserves your worship!"

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." - Revelation 4:11
Author: Edward Perronet, 1726-1792. Altered by John Rippon, 1751-1836

This hymn is often called the "National Anthem of Christendom." The hymn first appeared in the November, 1779, issue of the Gospel Magazine, edited by Augustus Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages". This text has been translated into almost every language where Christianity is known; and wherever it is sung, it communicates to the spiritual needs of human hearts. One writer has said, "So long as there are Christians on earth, it will continue to be sung; and after that, in heaven."

Edward Perronet was born at Sudnridge, Kent, England, in 1726. He was a descendant of a distinguished French Huguenot family who had fled to Switzerland and later to england because of religious persecution in France. Edward's father, a pastor in the State Church of England, was strongly sympathetic with the evangelical movement spearheaded by the Wesleys and George Whitefield. Edward, too, became a minister in the Anglican Church but was always critical of its ways. Once he wrote, "I was born and I am likely to die in the tottering communion of the Church of England, but I despise her nonsense." Soon, however, he broke from the Church and threw himself strenuously into the evangelistic endeavors of the Wesleys during the 1740s and 1750s. It was during this time that the Wesleys and their followers suffered much persecution and even violence from those who disagreed with their ministry. Eventually, Perronet's strong-mindedness and free spirit caused a break with the Wesleys. Perronet continued to the end of his days as pastor of an independent church in Canterbury, England.

His last words have also become classic:

     Glory to God in the height of His divinity!
     Glory to God in the depth of His humanity!
     Glory to God in His all-sufficiency!
     Into His hands I commend my spirit.

Many interesting accounts have been associated with the use of this hymn. One of the most remarkable is a story told by E.P. Scott, a pioneer missionary to India. One day he was waylaid by a murderous band of tribesmen who were closing in on him with spears. On impulse the missionary took his violin out of his luggage and began to play and sing this hymn. When he reached the stanza "let every kindred, every tribe," he saw to his surprise every spear lowered and many of these tribesmen moved to tears. Scott spent the remaining years of his life preaching and ministering God's love and redemption to these people.

Glory to God Forever
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-11

Author: Steve Fee, Vicky Beeching

This song reminds me that no matter what we go through in life, be it financial issues, loss of a loved one, divorce, health problems that our life is to bring glory to God regardless. I have personally had moments in the midst of great difficulties and incredible pain where I didn't know how in the world it would bring God glory, but have had to say "Glory to God anyway!" I heard a wonderful sermon a few months back titled, "Hallelujah Anyway". The message was simple, that no matter what comes at you in life, whether good, bad, painful, difficult or devastating - there is only one response that is always appropriate - to worship and praise Him anyway - to say "Hallelujah Anyway!".
I think that this song has a very strong message to that effect. I love the words of the bridge:

Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory
Take my life and let it be Yours!

I sincerely want that to be my constant prayer to God - to take me and use me in any way that will bring Him the most glory. Like Paul, who was poured out as a drink offering to the Almighty or like Jeremiah, who was called the weeping prophet because he spent his entire life proclaiming a message no one wanted to hear. Like Abraham, who was willing to kill his own son as an offering of worship to His God. Or like Esther who gave up her family, her name, her safety and all she had known in order to save God's people by sharing a bed with the one who could have destroyed them all! We all have different life circumstances, different difficulties, different hurts and sorrows - but we also all have one purpose here on this earth - to glorify the LORD our Maker!

I am reminded of another song that I find to be a beautiful anthem of surrender and worship. It's called Bring the Rain, by Mercy Me. The lyrics are below. I pray that this becomes your anthem today. No matter what you are going through. You can decide right now that God's glory is more important than your comfort or peace or freedom. Sing these words to God in an act of surrender. God is worthy of glory - not just despite our circumstances, but right in the middle of them!

I can count a million times people asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me - Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord, My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace, Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of the dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me by suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Sunday Song Devotions - May 30, 2010

2010-05-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Sing to the King
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

Author: Billy Foote

The following is from PraiseGathering.com:
Sing to the King - Randy Vader
(Friday, March 24, 2006)

“I love to sing. I love to hear singing. I love the idea of using music for the purpose it was created… to bring praise to God. I love everything about the music of the church except the music of the church I don’t like. Music I don’t like distracts me. Music I don’t like makes me angry. Music I don’t like frustrates my ability to worship.”

How many times have we heard comments like these? When I am confronted by dear saints who struggle with this, I always start the conversation with . . . I don’t want to talk about what you like. I want to talk about what you don’t like. And when they vent all of their feelings about the awful state of music in the church- I ask the big question. What is the big question? “Are you prepared to believe that God can use something for His glory that you can’t stand?!”

I certainly have my preferences – but as a song writer and publisher and minister - I try to not let my personal preferences get confused with my Theological absolutes. Because something does not speak to me culturally or does not fall into the realm of my own taste does not mean that it isn’t speaking to someone else.

Psalm 40 tells us that God gave us a song – a song of praise – but He did not tell us what it sounded like… in fact, He did not say that many will hear the song and their lives will be changed… He said that many will SEE and their lives will be changed. I hope those who are trying to praise the Lord don’t see some saints with arms folded and angry looks on their faces or worse yet – getting up and walking out! And lest you think I am above the argument, I am sorry to confess that I have been guilty of all of these. My prayer is that we would spend more time focusing on who we have come to worship rather than how we are going about it. That is where the Scriptures put the emphasis… that should tell us something.

Psalm 40 (A David psalm)
"I waited and waited and waited for God. At last He looked; finally He listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God."

Psalm 95:1-7
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care."

How Great Thou Art
"O LORD our LORD, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth! who has set Thy glory above the heavens." - Psalm 8:1

Author: English words written by Stuart K. Hine around 1933. (inspired by the original which was written in swedish by Swedish pastor, Carl Boberg in 1886)

The original song was actually a poem written by Pastor Carl Boberg in 1886 and was entitled, "O Store Gud". His inspiration for this text was said to have come from a visit to a beautiful country estate on the southeast coast of Sweden. He was suddenly caught in a midday thunderstorm with awe-inspiring moments of flashing violence, followed by a clear brilliant sun. Soon afterwards he heard the calm, sweet songs of the birds in nearby trees. The experience prompted the pastor to fall to his knees in humble adoration of His mighty God. He penned his exaltation in a nine-stanza poem beginning with the Swedish words, "O Store Gud, nar jad den varld besgader." Several years later Boberg was attending a meeting in the Province of Varmland and was surprised to hear the congregation sing his poem to the tune of an old Swedish melody.

Not long after it was written, it was then translated into German by Manfred von Glehn and entitled, "Wie gross bist Du." Later in 1925, the Reverend E Gustav Johnson of North Park College in Chicago, IL made the first literal English translation fromt he Swedish test. This translation is quite different from the test that we know today but can still be found in some hymnals. Johnson's literal translation of the Swedish test is entitled, "O Mighty God, When I Behold the Wonder."
In 1927, I. S. Prokhanoff came upon the German version and translated it into the Russian language.
In 1933, the Reverend S. K. Hine and his wife, English missionaried, were ministering the the people of the Ukraine. It was there that they learned the Russian translation of "O Store Gud" from a congregation of Ukrainians.

Later, while they were crossing into Sub-Carpathian Russia, where the mountain scenery was so beautiful, they began to write original English lyrics to the song inspired by unforgettable experiences in the Carpathian mountains. This is where they wrote the first three verses that we sing today. The fourth was written later upon their return to England. (Source: 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck)

Note from Kim:
I think what is most intriguing about this song is the fact that it is not even nearly the original version that is sung today. It was inspired by a version of an interpretation of the original. Yet we consider it sacred. I personally believe it is lyrically one of the most beautiful of the hymns currently in our hymnbooks, and I'm sure most would agree. However, like many of the hymns that we consider to be so sacred it is not the original. So many would argue that it is inappropriate to change, alter or update the hymns. However, many of them are updates or alterations in and of themselves. Interesting.

I think it's a wonderful reminder that the originality of the text is not what makes it sacred, but rather the truth of it. The reason that Mr. Hine re-wrote this song with English lyrics is so that more people would be able to hear, sing and understand the song that had meant so much to him and his wife. We need to be willing and ready to do the same when needed in order that those of the 21st century will be able to understand and sing the songs that we have loved for so long.

What a beautiful reminder that these songs are just simply an opportunity for us to learn something about the character of God and to worship Him for that revelation. We must remember not to worship the song itself, but the One to which the song was written.

How Great Is Our God
"How great is God - beyond our understanding!" Job 36:26

Author: Chris Tomlin

The following is from Crosswalk.com
in an article entitled, "What are we Singing: How Great is Our God"
written by Eva Marie Everson

"Singer/Songwriter Chris Tomlin’s song How Great is Our God has inspired this generation of believers by reminding us that God is no ordinary being sitting on a common throne dressed in rags. God’s very being, according to the Word, expresses magnificence our words strain to capture.

Isaiah wrote: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

This paints a powerful picture of who God is and how His Spirit reveals Himself to those who are “ready” to see how wonderful—which is surely a weak word for describing the Almighty—God truly is.

From the beginning of time, God has urged us to glimpse into his greatness. In Genesis 28, the patriarch Jacob—who was not quite a father himself but a son on the run—lays down to sleep while traveling from Beersheba to Haran, his mother’s hometown. While sleeping, Jacob dreamed of a stairway stretching from earth to heaven. The angels of God ascended and descended on the ladder, but at the top stood the Lord, who spoke to Jacob, making a lasting covenant with him and his descendents.

The prophets’ writings (such as those found in Ezekiel and Isaiah) are filled to overflowing with visions and elements of God’s majesty and sovereignty. The New Testament story begins with God’s display of greatness. Glory to God in the highest, the angels sang above the shepherds' field. And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Jesus' ministry was filled with miracles, His death resulted in the darkening of the sky, an earthquake, the tearing of the veil in the temple, and the opening of graves; the occupants of those graves filled again with life. Three days later He returned from the grave Himself, fully alive. Forty days after that, He ascended before witnesses just outside of Jerusalem.

This same Jesus revealed Himself to John, His beloved disciple, approximately 40 years later in what has become known as John's Revelation. John's description of the Christ is much like those of Ezekiel and Isaiah in detail.

His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters…When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

God displayed his power and will to Paul on the road to Damascus and, at some point, took the apostle (or so theologians believe it was Paul) to “the third heaven.” Is it any wonder then that Paul wrote:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How Unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!

How Great is Our God!

And is it any wonder then that Chris Tomlin penned his words in tribute to the greatness of God? Or that even with the sheer beauty and imagery of the lyrics and the Scriptures, we cannot come close to knowing… to understanding… to reaching the full definition of His greatness.

Perhaps none of us, really, are ready to know just how wonderful God truly is."

Real Worship

2010-03-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

http://johnmarkmcmillan.blogspot.com/2010/02/wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve.html

I love John Mark McMillan. Mostly because he's so honest and real in his songs. I love that. I think it's something that's altogether missing from worship music. If you're a songwriter, worship leader, singer, worshipper - please read the above post. I think it's important that you do.

- Kim

My little lost sheep

2009-12-16T07:37:00.000-08:00

Last night as we were getting ready to go to church for rehearsal, at some point Maya went missing. I thought she was in the play room with the other two girls and I slipped away to go brush my teeth and hair while Ricky loaded the carseats in the car. I came back a few minutes later to get them cleaned up and dressed. I called for Maya but she didn't come. So I started searching (not worried, just in a bit of a hurry). Couldn't find her anywhere. I called to Ricky to help me find her - still thinking that she must be hiding behind a chair or table somewhere. My house isn't that big so when I didn't find her in about five minutes I started to panic. I called to Syd and Elisa to help us look. We looked in bathtubs, closets, cabimets, in laundry baskets, in the back yard and the front yard all while calling out her name. After about ten or fifteen minutes of searching high and low I called 911.
He started asking me questions about how much she weighed or how tall she was, her date of birth, what she was wearing - most of which I couldn't remember because of the state of mind that I was in.
About a hundred scenarios rushed through my mind as I was running up and down my street calling her little name terrified that she wouldn't be found.
As the police were less than a minute away (I heard sirens), Elisa came out the front door yelling that they found her! At first I didn't believe it - I said "What do you mean you found her?" confused at how she could just suddenly show back up. Apparently she was hiding in the very back of my closet behind the low hanging clothes. What's crazy is that I looked in that closet twice - and even looked behind that rack of clothes! I called to her when I was looking in there and she didn't answer. I still am very curious about what was going through her little mind as she hid for 30 minutes without a peep while we were frantically calling for her to come out.
I can't even put to words how I felt when I thought she was lost - and how I felt after she had been found.

I wonder if that's how God feels about us. I wonder if He feels that same kind of pain when we're trying to hide from Him and refusing to be found. I know that He knows where we are and so doesn't experience fear. I wonder, though, if the pain He feels for His lost sheep is anything like the pain I felt last night about my little lost sheep. I wonder if, when His lost sheep return if He feels anything like I did last night when mine showed back up.

I think the part of all of it that still amazes me is that when we found Maya she had no idea anything was happening. I couldn't control my sobbing when I was finally holding her again - and she just kept looking at me trying to figure out what in the heck was wrong with her crazy mommy. She had no idea that she was the one that caused the pain.

I have a feeling that there's a lesson there for us. I'm still a little too weary and shaken up to explore it fully. But I know this. If God loves me more than I love Maya (and I know He does b/c He's the source of the love in the first place), then I know He must feel so much more deeply than I ever could for His lost sheep. It makes me want to pray so much harder for those lost sheep who mean everything to Him. It makes me want to look at people differently when I know how deeply the Father cares for them.

Last night was the hardest night of my life so far (and I've had really hard ones!). I pray that God will use what I've learned for His glory.

Wait, Wait, Wait your turn...

2009-12-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

I had a bit of a revelation today during Bible study class. We were talking about waiting on God and how hard it is to trust in His timing.

Ever since my oldest daughter was little, I wanted her to be good at waiting. I think it's hugely important for us to teach our kids that waiting is important and that they can't always have what they want immediately when they want it. It's so annoying to see a child chanting over and over again what they want and how they want it NOW! I really, really didn't want my child to be like that. So, when Elisa was about 2 or so, I taught her a 'waiting' song to make it more fun while she had to wait for something - her turn when playing with friends, for her food to be ready to eat - you get the idea. The song went like this (to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)...

Wait, wait, wait your turn - waiting can be fun.
Patience, Patience, Patience everyone.

We sang it over and over and over again. We would sing it on long car rides when she wanted to be home already, or when she wanted so badly to go play at the park but I had some chores to do first. It was actually really effective with her. She had fun with the song. I think it helped me to teach her that waiting can be fun and how to deal with things that aren't happening as quickly as she would like. Even now when she has trouble with waiting, I remind her of the song and she'll sing it by herself (sidenote: I have the best kid ever :)

I wonder if I need my own grown up version of the 'waiting' song.

I have such a hard time waiting on God's timing in just about every area of my life. I wonder if sometimes He is using my circumstances to teach me about the importance of learning to wait on Him. I wonder if I will ever learn the lesson. You would think that each time would get a little easier, or that I would at least be a little less impatient than the last time. Sadly, I'm not sure that's the case. I hope that today I've made progress - and that tomorrow I'll be more patient.

I can almost hear Him inviting me to sing along with Him -
"Wait, wait, wait your turn...waiting can be fun.
Patience, patience, patience everyone."

View from the Fishbowl

2009-12-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

I was driving home from my parents house yesterday. I came to where a small road intersects with a much bigger one. I was sitting at the light (first one in line) waiting to turn left on the bigger road. There was a man behind me in a big pickup truck. He obviously wanted to turn right and was quite annoyed that I was in his way (he could have turned right on red). He kept turning on and off his blinker and edging a tiny bit closer to my bumper every few seconds to make sure I knew that I was in his way. I honestly thought it was a little funny, but was also a bit annoyed at his lack of patience and kindness.

Tonight as I was laying in bed trying desperately to sleep, God brought back to mind that encounter. I began to wonder how often I behave that way. How often do I wish that those around me would either go my way or just get out of my way altogether? I'm not talking about driving. I'm talking about life. About ministry. About relationships. I often get annoyed or impatient with people not doing things the way that makes the most sense to me. Sometimes even at God. I often wish that God would do things in a way that makes sense to me. I often find myself wondering, "Now why'd you do it that way, God?"

The man in that truck knew nothing about me, my route, my life...but he was annoyed that I was making things harder for him. It was all about him. So often we get stuck in the 'but what about me' mindset and forget that "God is painting on a canvas bigger than we can see or comprehend". Our little piece of the puzzle is just that - a little piece. When I begin to think I deserve, desire, wish, want or need anything apart from what God says I need - I miss the bigger picture. I'm seeing things from inside the fishbowl.

Often God won't let me go to sleep until He's told me what He needed to tell me - until my will is surrendered to His - until my heart is about obedience and the things of God. Tonight is a night like that.

My prayer for tonight is that God will help me to step outside of myself, my problems, my hurt, my confusion and try to see things from an eternal perspective instead of from my tiny little fishbowl.

The Things Kids say...

2009-12-03T12:54:00.001-08:00

My conversation with my 3 yr old earlier today:

Sydney: Mommy, do you like me?

Me: Of course I like you! Why?

Sydney: Because I don't like you.

The Lord is my Maestro

2009-11-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

In my Thursday morning bible study, we are studying the Psalms. Several weeks ago, while studying Psalm 23, we were challenged to create our own psalm. It took me several weeks, but I finally did. I know it's a little cheesy and I am a rhyme-er, so it mostly all rhymes. But - here it is nonetheless:

     The LORD is my Maestro, I will sing for Him alone.

     He fills me with joy and excitement as He lets me play my part,
     He rejoices over me with singing, and puts His music in my heart.

     He stirs my soul and pulls out the innermost parts of me,
     So that I can play a part in His majestic symphony!

     Even when life is hard and I'm stuck in a minor key,
     I know He'll lead me through it with His perfect melody.

     And when no one cares or understands the songs I choose to sing,
     He lovingly reminds me that I'm singing only for my King!

     As God allows, my lifesong will proclaim His Holy Name,
     And then He'll fly me up to Heaven where I'll worship with the saints!

@ Dunn Bros this Saturday night...

2009-11-10T13:46:00.001-08:00

What we are worshipping we are becoming...

2009-11-02T20:28:00.001-08:00

"A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I read this quote earlier today and was moved by it. Emerson was a pastor in a Christian church early in his life. He then lost his wife and began to pull away from the church. Eventually he spearheaded the Transcendental movement in the 19th century. I wonder at what point in his life he wrote this.

I read this quote and am both inspired and convicted.
I have read through it several times and I completely agree with Ralph on this topic. He's right.

We all worship something.

What we worship determines who we are.

I especially love the last line...what we are worshipping we are becoming.

I pray that is true of me.
I believe that is the true goal of God-worship:
To become more like Christ.

If we are not becoming more like Christ ...
we probably should be asking the question ...

what are we really worshiping?

How He Loves

2009-10-26T19:34:00.001-07:00

The song, How He Loves, by John Mark McMillan has had an enormous impact on me these last few months. We've sung it at the Edge a few times and I've been told that it has affected many of the students as well. I absolutely love this song. For a million reasons. I love that it is grounded in biblical truth. I love that it is real and raw. I love that it came out of real life experience and real emotion. But mostly I love that the author wasn't afraid to be real in the lyrics. He wrote exactly what he felt like he needed to say. I love that.
When I write songs, most of them come directly from my journal. Many of them are what I was saying to God, or what God was saying to me. They are usually very personal. This song is so very personal. Not just to John Mark, but to me, and to so many people all over the world.
I think that the Gospel message can really be summed up in the words to the chorus of this song:

He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves!!

I also really love the (controversial) lyrics in the 2nd verse:

Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way...(He loves us!)

I honestly hate that there are so many churches that feel that they need to change the lyrics of the song in order to make it more 'comfortable' for the congregations. I hate that we feel that we have to make the Gospel more 'comfortable' for people. I believe that Christ's birth, death and resurrection were anything but comfortable. I very much believe that they were very messy and uncomfortable (you might even say kind of like a 'sloppy wet kiss'). I wish that we spent less time worrying about offending people with the message of Christ and more time worrying about people dying without Him!

In regards to the controversial lyrics, John Mark had this to say:

"The idea behind the lyric is that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of
earth converge in a way that is both beautiful and awkwardly messy. Think
about the birth of a child, or even the death of Jesus himself. These miracles are both incredibly beautiful and incredibly sloppy ("gory" may be more realistic, but “Heaven meets earth like a gory mess” didn’t seem to have the same ring). Why does the church have such a problem with things being sloppy? Do we really think we’re fooling anyone on Sunday morning, especially God? Are we going to offend him? I mean, he’s seen us naked in the shower all week and knows our worst thoughts, and still thinks we’re awesome. What if we took all the energy we spent faking and used that energy to enjoy the Lord instead? That could be revolutionary!"

If you haven't heard the song yet, check it out here.

One more...

2009-10-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm really getting a lot done today...

2009-10-20T12:35:00.001-07:00

Love this...

Very cool...

2009-10-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hypocritical Worship

2009-08-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

"I hate all your show and pretense - the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies...Away from me with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry."

Amos 5:21, 23-24

God was talking here to the Israelites who were, according to God, extremely unjust and wicked. They were lying, cheating, oppressing the poor. He called them hypocrites because they talked about worship and sacrifice, but they ignored the injustices happening among them. In these verses it is obvious that these injustices and the lack of righteous living were absolutely essential to worship. They could not worship God on Sunday (or Saturday actually, right?) and act like everyone else the rest of the week.
When our life outside the church walls doesn't match our life inside the church walls - When we say we love Jesus, but can't love our co-worker or neighbor - When we promise to follow His ways, but ignore the hurting or needy all around us - our worship becomes hollow. It becomes useless to God. Worship is, after all, more than music - it's about obedience. I have heard worship defined as "our response to who God is and what God has done."

I do think it's interesting that in these verses he specifically talks about music. Have you ever been singing a song on Sunday morning about the amazing grace of Jesus Christ when you realized that you are still angry at your spouse for something that happened earlier that day or even that week?? I have. Have you ever sat in the middle of the worship service and been annoyed or even angry about the odd outbursts of someone who may be new to church and God and who is quite different than the people you normally see come through your church doors? Guilty.

God doesn't care at all for offerings of worship that aren't backed up by our lifestyle. He isn't interested in hollow worship. He isn't pleased by singing hypocrites - no matter how beautiful we think we sound.

If we seek to worship God, we must also seek His justice. If we seek to worship God, we must also share His grace. If we seek to truly worship God, we must stand up for what is right (no matter what people think of us).

I'm reminded of a song I've loved for a long time called Stand by Susan Ashton. Here is my favorite part...

In a moment of truth at the top of the will
I open my arms and let go of my will
And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down
On this sacred ground
If I stand, for the graceI have known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone - no I won't stand alone.

When you were 16...

2009-07-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

...where did you think you would be when you were 30?

Me? I'm not sure - but probably thought I'd be a professional singer, living on the road and seeing the world. I always wanted to travel everywhere.

Kind of funny because I have honestly never been anywhere!

What about you???

Maya Turns One!

2009-07-20T07:05:00.001-07:00

I know this video is late, but better late than never.

Toothpaste or Strawberries?

2009-04-27T08:51:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this morning I was sitting on the couch drinking my tea and watching Rachel Ray (for the first time in forever!) while keeping an eye on the kids. Well, Maya walks up to me with a tube of toothpaste in her hands smiling ear to ear. Not wanting her to get it all over herself (or my floor), I took it away and set it on the table next to me just out of her reach. She completely lost it! She is just learning to throw fits, and this one was a doozy. She threw herself onto the floor and cried and cried. Everytime I tried to give her something to distract her, she'd push it away and cry harder. I couldn't help but laugh. (I know, I'm a wonderful mother :)
I just kept thinking...toothpaste? really? That's what you want? I even tried offering her some strawberries (her favorite) and she wouldn't have it. It was toothpaste or bust!

I started thinking about all the times I've done that to God. How many times have I cried over the "toothpaste" that I couldn't live without when God had juicy, red, wonderful strawberries He wanted to give me if I'd just stop crying over the lost toothpaste!

I wonder if God laughs at me the way I did Maya. Probably so.

What about you? Are you crying over toothpaste, or waiting for the strawberries?

Screamo worship?

2009-04-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a really long time since I blogged. My computer is still in the shop - with no return date set yet :(
In the meantime, check out this post by my friend, the goofy college dude. I hope you will appreciate his words as much as I did!

Not Good Enough...part 2

2009-04-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking lately. If God’s going to do what God’s going to do regardless of what we do … does it matter what we do at all? Is our effort, planning, hard work, talent, skill, etc important at all in the scheme of God’s plan? It must be – or He wouldn’t give us the skills, abilities, knowledge to do those things.
I know that God doesn’t need us to accomplish His will – BUT He chooses to use us. In light of that…
I believe we should offer our everything. The very best we have to give. I can't imagine anyone would disagree with that, but how often do we really live that way?
Like the story in John 12 about the anointing at Bethany. When Mary came with her very best perfume, in a very large bottle and poured it all out on Jesus feet – she was giving him everything she had. Holding nothing back. She didn’t bring whatever was closest to the door (most convenient), the one that was easiest to find or carry, she didn’t pick something off the street to bring to Jesus. She picked the very best, most expensive, most treasured thing she had to offer to her King. She wasn't concerned with convenience, ease or cost.
She knew it would cost her. I wonder what she was giving up in order to bring that offering to Jesus. I’m guessing it was just as much a sacrifice as an offering. I’m guessing that it probably cost her a meal or two or ten – and it meant that she would be questioned, ridiculed, criticized . I wonder if she was afraid what people would think? I wonder if she was wondering how she would take care of her bills/food/family? I am wondering if she thought about anything else at all – other than the incredible privilege of bringing her very best to the One and Only?

I am reminded of a specific time in my life when I abandoned all in worship of that same One and Only. There was a mission trip I was a part of as a teenager – called Houston 2000. I honestly don’t remember what we did there. I don’t remember what the purpose of the trip was (sad, huh?). I only remember that it is there that Jesus met me where I was and taught me how to worship. Not just in song, but in lifestyle. Not just through music, but through thoughts and intentions and obedience. It was in that place that I understood for the first time what it felt like to abandon everything for the sake of getting just a little closer to the Savior. Usually when we pray or worship we bow our heads or get lower to the ground as a picture of reverence and devotion. That’s a wonderful thing. But that time God brought me to a place where I was standing on my tip-toes reaching up as high as I could desperate to be closer to him. My eyes were wide open and I was looking up to that ugly ceiling and sobbing and singing with everything in me that Jesus was my everything. Oh to go back to that place.

I have experienced many similar moments over these last 10 years – but none like that one. It was my first. Firsts are special. The first time I met Jesus was special – I will never meet Him like that again. The first time I held each of my daughters were special – I will never feel like that again with any of them. The first time I held my husband’s hand and looked into his eyes was special. Even though I love him more now than I ever thought possible – it will never feel like it did that first time.

That moment in Houston, TX I met Jesus in a way that I never have since. It was the moment that I understood that He wants my everything. Not just some of me – but all of me. Not just my best – but my VERY best. Not just 1 day a week, but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anything less than that is not good enough. My last post was all about how I feel like I’m in a perpetual state of not-good-enough. I hope that won’t always be the case. I struggle EVERY day – EVERY moment – with trying to remember to give God my everything. My thoughts. My works. My family. My job. My relationships. My obedience. My words. My intentions. My feelings. I know He wants it all. I wonder if in our busy schedules, many responsibilities, and all the things we do FOR God we are missing the simple act of sitting at His feet giving Him everything we have heart and soul?

God deserves my best, expects my best and even demands my very best. Anything short of that is not good enough. I pray that today I will make every effort to serve him instead of others, to love him instead of myself, to focus on him instead of all the ‘things’ I need to get done. And I pray that I will learn to rely on His strength and instruction in order to do all of those things. I pray that my life today will be an act of worship of my One and Only. Anything less than that is simply not good enough.

Not Good Enough

2009-04-07T07:40:00.001-07:00

I feel like I'm in a perpetual state of not good enough. How about you? It really gets me down a lot of the time. I feel like no matter how hard I work, or how much I prepare, or how badly I want to give my everything - there is always something that holds me back or drags me down. I feel like the more I know God, the more I know about Him - the more 'not good enough' I feel.
I don't think that it's such a bad thing to always want to give more, do more, be more for Christ. I actually think it's a good thing for me to feel that way about myself.
BUT...here's where it becomes a not-so-good thing. My incredibly high standards that I set for myself (and never feel like I come close to achieving) are starting to color my opinions of others around me. I often expect everyone around me to aim for those impossible standards too, and when they don't I get really frustrated. I KNOW it's my own issue - and that I should only worry about myself, but have been really struggling with it lately.

In John 21, Jesus is asking Peter if he loves Him and Peter keeps saying yes - and Jesus keeps saying, then feed my sheep..then this happened...

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

It's interesting that in the middle of the lesson that Jesus was trying to teach Peter - about how to love Him - he gets distracted by someone else around him and wants to know what Jesus wanted to do with him. Jesus says basically that it's none of his business - and that all that should matter to Peter is what Peter will do. I have been focusing a lot on this passage lately and have been making huge efforts to focus on my service, my job, my responsibilities as a follower of Christ and not worrying about everyone else's responsibilities. It's a battle I struggle with almost daily - and I intend to win.

Jesus says to me today...'as for you, Kim...you must follow me."

Funny Kid Stories

2009-04-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've always thought my kids were entertaining. But sometimes they are downright hilarious! Here are a few recent examples..

Wisdom from an 8 year old (all of this happened during the car ride home from school):

First...
E: "I think it must take a long time for food to go from our mouth all the way back out."
Mom: "Actually, baby it has to go through a lot of organs before it's ready to come back out - like your stomach and your intestines."
E: "Hey - dogs have intestines too! I learned that from Martha Speaks." Then, in her best know-it-all voice..."See mom, Martha Speaks is educational. That's why I should always get to watch it. And Cyberchase too cause it teaches fractions."

Then...
E: "I wonder if anyone knows how to stop the water from coming out when they need to go to the restroom. I think the scientists should really figure that one out."

And my very favorite...
As we were driving into our neighborhood there was a kid with his parents all out in the middle (the actual middle) of the street! They didn't even look up or move when we (in my huge van) finally had to just drive around them! Then my 8-yr old said..
E: "I wonder if they are hobos. (pause) One of my friends in Sunday School said that hobos are d-u-m-b (she spells it cause she thinks it's a major bad word) cause they go into the street and just lay down until cars run over them. But I think they just sit next to the street and ask for food and money and clothes and stuff cause they are actually homeless."

Wisdom from a 2-year-old:

First...
The other day Syd was lifting up and down her shirt because she thought it was funny. Then suddenly she stopped and said...
S: "Mommy, mommy look! (then she pointed at her chest) - I have bra!"

And last night...
After tooting on me and laughing she suddenly had a very concerned look on her face and said...
S: "Mommy? Yesterday I toot on Christian's mommy."
Mom: "What, baby?"
S: Yesterday I toot on Aunt Chelle."

Don't really have any wisdom from the 1-year-old yet, but give her 6 months or so and I'm sure she'll be just as genius as the other two.

Man, I love my kids!

Simply Love, Africa

2009-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Some amazing friends of mine, Brenda and Gary Gorman, are starting the process to adopt from Ethiopia. This will be their second adoption. Their first brought them beautiful Eliana.

This is Eliana at her adoption celebration in July 2007.

This is a much more recent pic that I stole from their blog.

In an effort to raise money for the upcoming adoption, they are selling the coolest t-shirts ever!

Here are a couple of pics of some of them. They are $25 each and the proceeds go directly to the adoption fund for the newest little Gorman.

You can check out the shirts on their adoption blog at http://simplyloveafrica.blogspot.com/

where you can also read their adoption story.

If you have an extra $25 to spend - I hope that you'll consider supporting this amazing family in their adoption. I can't wait to get my shirt :)

The Breakfast Song

2009-03-13T08:44:00.001-07:00

Might be the worst thing I've EVER heard! Yikes! So many questions...

Did you notice all the Elvis stuff in the background? Poor Elvis.

Makes me want to put down the guitar...

2009-03-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

AMAZING!!

You should check out his Mario Bros & all the other video game theme songs.

seriously - amazing!

Starfield ROCKS ... even on handbells :)

2009-03-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

You HAVE to watch this video. Pretty impressive considering it was all on bells of some sort.

And here's Starfield's version:

Mommy Resources

2009-02-26T19:25:00.001-08:00

I found a couple of resources this week that I just HAD to share.

www.springpadit.com

is a website where you can manage your calendar, meal planning, chore charts, budget, and SO much more! I've only been using it for a couple days - but am loving it so far.

www.mint.com

is my new favorite site. It's a budget and money management site. It'll access your bank accounts and organize everything you spend/earn into categories. You can add a budget and it'll track your spending against your budget. This site might just be a lifesaver for me.

Here are a couple more that I've used in the past and sometimes still use...

www.cozi.com

is a household management site where you can manage recipes, grocery lists, calendar - it's aimed at family organization. Pretty cool interactive site. Even has an app to manage your photos - and can make a really cool photo collage screen saver (which I use and LOVE).

www.handipoints.com

is an online chore program to help you manage, rate, and reward your kid's chores. I signed up with the best of intentions. The site it great - although it does have parts of the site that are only available if you purchase them - boo! You can reward chores with an online cyber pet thingy that they can dress, feed and play with. Beats me why but Elisa just LOVES her cat (named Boo-boo after our cat that we had to give away a while back).

www.my-calorie-counter.com

is my favorite online calorie counting tool. Track your excercise, eating, and weight loss goals. I used this religiously for 2 weeks and lost almost 8 pounds just by eating better. Good site.

That's all I can think of for now. Just had to share - let me know what you like / don't like and if you have any planning / organizing tools you use.

Maybe the best music video ever...

2009-02-21T13:43:00.001-08:00

Enjoy.

You're Welcome...

2009-02-20T06:54:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of this video is how he says "You're Welcome" at the very end ... made me laugh out loud! Nobody says it quite like Mark Driscoll...

So funny - and true

2009-02-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

Sweet Sweet Sound

2009-02-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to stop playing "Sweet Sweet Sound" by Sarah Reeves over and over again on my itunes. It is affecting me today. Downloaded the lead sheet today - so hopefully we'll be playing it soon.

What are you listening to today?

Pretty Flippin Cool...

2009-02-17T11:00:00.001-08:00

Hello, is this Poison Control??

2009-02-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

So I know I already posted about our close call from last night with the dog's overdose, but needed to update you with our second 'overdose' of the last 24 hours. Seriously.

I was cleaning the kitchen and looked over to find Syd (my 2 yr old) on the couch holding my newly bought bottle of pepcid complete. I forgot to put it back up on the counter this morning after taking one - OH NO!

I ran over to the couch to find a very happy, sneaky looking kid, an empty bottle, a pile of chalky pink tablets all over the couch and one in her sneaky little mouth. Asked her to spit it out - too late - already swallowed. I began counting the tablets. There were 25 in the bottle to begin with minus the 2 I had over the last 24 hours minus the 19 I found piled up on the couch and that leaves 4 TABLETS!! I asked her how many she ate and she said 5 - but she's two and can't count - so I figured my math was more correct.

I immediately called Poison Control and they said that she will probably be constipated, and might throw up, but it won't kill her. So, I hung up the phone ready to kill her myself (just kidding for all you who have your hand on the phone about to call child protective services) - and had a very serious talk with her about why you shouldn't eat medicine that mommy doesn't give you. She laughed - I cried - good talk.

So it is now only 11:45 and already I've had to clean up the aluminum foil that Syd spread across the den (it is now in a very lovely aluminum foil ball b/c I couldn't get it rolled back up), clean up the mess from my dog throwing up a sock (yes - he also eats socks!), and call poison control to make sure my daughter was not going to die from an antacid overdose. I'm laughing out loud even typing it all!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am in the running for mom of the year - and I'm sure after this post I have your vote.

My 2 year old music critic and my huge chocolate eating dog

2009-02-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

It was one of those nights last night. It was bath night - so that was an adventure in and of itself. It was also the night before Elisa's valentine party at school. I hadn't been feeling well all day - so I asked Ricky to go to the store and get the valentines along with some pepcid and gatorade (cause of course I forgot to get valentines until the night before - ugh).

We put the youngest 2 down to bed and then Elisa began working frantically on her valentines (which we had again forgotten about). She finished them in less than an hour and headed off to bed. About 30 minutes later Ricky and I heard some rustling in the living room, which is where Elisa had been working on her valentines, and both of us instinctively called out "Elisa - BED!" forgetting we'd already sent her to bed. Then along came Tux (my giant puppy-boxer) trotting along at a pretty quick pace. I told Ricky that he only came running like that when he'd been into something he shouldn't have been. Then we both looked at each other and realized that the valentines were in the other room (complete with a piece of chocolate on each one!)

The valentines were EVERYWHERE!! All but one of the chocolates were gone - he ate 20 pieces of chocolate!!! We started freaking out - not only because he had eaten alot of chocolate, but because in his frenzy to get to the chocolate he pretty much destroyed the valentines our little angel had spent so much time and effort on!

I read the bag and it turns out that he only ate about 9 oz of chocolate after all - not nearly enough to be fatal. Thank God! He didn't even get sick - he must have a stomach of steel!

I spent the next hour trying to recover Elisa's valentines. Luckily I found a bag of chocolate that my mom had bought about a week ago - so I was able to put them back together (and replace a few of them that the dog ate along with the chocolate). Hopefully Elisa won't be sad that it looks all different. Oh, and by the way - during this fiasco we needed to find out how much he weighed so we'd know how much chocolate was too much chocolate - turns out he weighs in right at 75 POUNDS!!! I knew he was big - but oh man!!

On another note...

This morning while we were driving Elisa to school I turned on the radio.
Syd immediately calls out - "No, mom - not THAT song!"
(Note: it was a very slow, sweet, lovey-dovey song).
So I changed it to PowerFM and I think it was Skillet playing and she said - "Yeah, that one!"
I laughed so hard!! Just to test it out again - on the way home I changed it back to KLTY (disclaimer: I honestly love KLTY - and listen to it regularly) which was playing again a very slow sweet song. She yells out - "I don't like that song!" I switched it back to Power FM and she yells out - "Yeah - yeah! That one!"

So I guess my 2 year old has inherited my taste in music - woohoo!

This might be the coolest thing I've ever seen...

2009-02-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

Wonder if we could pull this off...

Believing God for the Impossible

2009-02-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

I was reading my bloglines today and came across one that seemed to echo what God has been teaching me over the past several months...

Here's the link to the original post...you should read it. A young woman named Katie who lived in Uganda and takes care of so many of the poor, orphaned kids there - providing them food, school, shelter and much love. She wrote a post about how God is the God of the impossible. Here's a small glimpse (and my favorite part of the post):

"Every morning as I wake up with some impossible ask in front of me, I know that God will meet it with impossible strength and love. I serve the God who used Moses, a murderer, to part the Red Sea, a God who let Peter, who would deny Him, walk on water. A God who looks at me, in all my fallen, broken weakness, and says YOU can do the impossible."

It seems that God has provided me with several opportunities in the last several months to believe that He is the God of the impossible. Not every one of these opportunities has turned out the way I would have hoped - but I have come out of each of them with a bigger belief that GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. I believe that He can do whatever He wants to with me - even when I don't understand how He would do it. He has been teaching me that I have to believe Him for the impossible.

I read something a while back that has stuck with me (it came from this blog)...

"Expectant faith honors God, and God honors expectant faith."

I have been learning to pray expectant prayers - that is praying what I know God wants me to pray and expecting Him to answer in a way that only He can. I am growing closer to Him as I am learning to believe (like Beth Moore taught me) that
- God is who He says He is
- God can do what He says He can do
- I am who God says I am
- I can do all things through Christ
- God's word is alive and active in me

It's a daily struggle to keep on Believing God - but it's a struggle I intend to win today. What about you? What are you believing God to do in and through your life?

What do you know about Jesus?

2009-02-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

That's the question I asked my 2 year old Wednesday night as we were heading home from church. I LOVED her answer. She said...

"Jesus loves God
and God loves Jesus."

that's it. I was so excited that she understands (even at 2!!) that God and Jesus are connected. Of course, she then continued on with ... "Twinkle, Twinkle loves God and Row, Row Boat loves Jesus...and Mary little lamb loves God and ABEC loves Jesus" My husband looks at me and says, "Now I'm pretty sure there's some deep spiritual application there if we could just decipher it." Hilarious stuff.

My favorite part of the car ride home, though, was when my 8 year old asked my 2 year old if she could tell her about Jesus. Syd (the 2 yr old) yells "YES! but Weesa (that's what she calls her) where's your bible?"

Ricky and I looked at each other with such tremendous pride in our hearts as we realized how much our little baby already knows about Jesus. She knows that Jesus loves God, God loves Jesus, and that the Bible is the story of Jesus. WOW! We were so proud that our 8 year old was so willing, ready and excited to witness to her little sister. WOW!

If only we were all so willing, ready and excited to share the incredible story of Jesus with those that we love. I love it when God uses my kids to teach me a lesson.

Man, I wish I had this much talent...

2009-02-04T10:15:00.001-08:00

Cadbury Eyebrows from Nils-Petter Lovgren on Vimeo.

Life Is War

2009-02-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

Guest Blogger: Sandra McCurdy

John Piper in Let the Nations Be Glad wrote:

Probably the number one reason why prayer malfunctions in the hands of believers is that we try to turn a wartime walkie-talkie into a domestic intercom. Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for. Prayer is for the accomplishment of a wartime mission.

This was very convicting for me. I’ve been in places where spiritual warfare was blatant, bold, and very much out in the open. Prayer was critical to the outcome every time and yet, I fall back so easily into complacency using my conversation with God, as Piper writes, “…not to call in fire power for conflict with a mortal enemy, but to ask for more comforts in the den.” (p. 46)

Why am I so complacent when the battle is raging around me? Why am I satisfied with asking for things that will make me comfortable when those around me are falling in battle?

In Ephesians 6 we are told to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

It’s time to start acting like we are in a battle. Our comrades are falling all around us. We need to be vigilant. We need to be ready. We need to see with spiritual eyes. We need to stay in close contact with our Commander. We certainly don’t need to be afraid or confused because our leader is supreme.

In Nehemiah 4:14, Nehemiah tells the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Forgive my complacency, Lord. You have called me to be a part of your army and I haven’t been a good soldier. Please renew my heart. Set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. Help me to be strong in you Lord and in Your mighty power. Help me to be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

--Sandra

The Heart Factor

2009-01-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

I've been blogging since May of 2005. Crazy, right? I was reading back through some of the very first blogs I wrote and came across this one...I figured since I have pretty much all new readership (is that a word?) I would re-blog one of my very first blogs...

I have just started reading a book called "The Sacred Romance" by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge and had to share a piece of it with you: "In the end, it doesn't matter how well we have performed or what we have accomplished - a life without heart is not worth living. For out of this wellspring of our soul flowers all true caring and all meaningful work, all real worship and all sacrifice. Our faith, hope, and love issue from this fount, as well. Because it is in our heart that we first hear the voice of God and it is in the heart that we come to know him and learn to live in his love." It is often interesting to me, although not suprising, that when God is trying to tell me something He will continue to tell it to me in as many ways as possible until I get it. Well, God - message received.
In the beginning of the book I am reading, the author mentions that all of us - no matter our relationship with Christ, are always wanting more. More love, more emotion, more meaning - More Heart. I can definitely relate to the desire for more out of life - as I'm sure you can. I have been overwhelmed with the feeling lately that there is so much more than I am getting. I seek God - but do I seek Him hard enough? I praise God - but do I praise him often enough? I worship God - but do I worship with ALL of my life, or simply with my song? I have to confess that everything I could ever give would never be enough. So, how do I get more? I'm not exactly sure. I suppose that just knowing that there is more will force me to seek harder and praise more often and try to learn how to worship with everything that is me. At least I hope that is the case.

Weekly Weigh-In

2009-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Okay - confession time...

I HATE weekly weigh-ins. I gained 3 pounds this last week. Probably because I've been sick, the kids have been sick - and I haven't been to the grocery store in almost 2 weeks - so we've eaten out ALOT. Ugh.

Honestly, I'm not really very motivated right now to do much better. Kids are still sick - and I feel like I haven't slept in a week (probably pretty close to the truth).

However, I KNOW - God desires better from me. He demands my very best. He will not settle for my leftovers (no food pun intended). I know that He expects me to be the very best me I can (I know it sounds cheesy - but it's true). SO - I WILL do better this week. Meet me back here next week for an update. Same bat time, same bat channel :)

Weekly Weigh-In

2009-01-05T12:07:00.001-08:00

Okay - so I honestly completely forgot to weigh-in this morning. In fact, I've been forgetting a lot lately. I did weigh in last week, though - and also yesterday...so...

Last week - 221.9 (that was last Tuesday)

Yesterday - 221

I think that considering I ate a LOT of sweets during Christmas - that's not too bad. I've mostly maintained - although I'm 1 pound heavier than I was a month ago - ugh.

I worked out 3 times this last week, though - so hopefully I'm on the right track now.

By the way...am I the only one still doing this Biggest Loser thing? 3 more months to go - anyone still in?

Little girls

2009-01-02T14:13:00.001-08:00

I am learning a lot about little girls - since I am trying to raise 3 of them. Being a mother is - BY FAR - the hardest thing I've ever attempted. Not because of the potty training, non-sleeping baby, the many trips to the doctor, the constant struggle with messy rooms and messy faces and baths, and all the cooking and cleaning and such - although all of that is hard. It's because of the many, many emotions that swirl around inside a girls head ALL the time. Little girls are more like little enigmas - it's really impossible to figure out what to do with them.

My little girl is 8 1/2 now. But 8 1/2 nowadays is more like 10 1/2 was back in my day (like I'm SO old). She is growing up so much faster than I did - at least it seems that way. She is asking questions I don't have answers to, and is worried all the time about everything. Did we worry that much when we were kids? Sometimes I worry that her worry is a result of my worry. - wow - that's a lot of worry!

I'm realizing today that there really are just a few things that she needs on a daily basis. Here are some of the things I think she needs from me and her dad:

She needs to feel loved
She needs to feel safe
She needs to feel beautiful (I don't know why this is - but it seems to be true of all girls.)

It sounds so simple, right? Yeah - not so much. This mothering thing is the most gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, hair-pulling, crazy hard thing ever in life. Each day I wake up terrified that I'm gonna screw up - and each night I lay there praying I'll do better the next day. There are wonderful moments sprinkled in, but most of the time - it's just trial and error. I hate that. Each day is a new adventure - we are truly taking it one day at a time.

I've decided to start a mom's support group - for moms of school-aged girls. I figure there's strength in numbers - right?

I'm also on the search for books and resources to help me in parenting my three girls. If there are any books or other resources that have helped you - please let me know.

What do you do...

2008-12-29T11:12:00.000-08:00

when you're overwhelmed? As for me, I make lists. Lots of them. Sometimes I even make a list of the lists I need to make. Crazy, huh? It soothes me. I'm really not sure why it helps, but it at least feels like it does.

I was sitting at lunch today with my parents (and my children, of course) and my mom looked at me and said, "What's going on? It looks as though your brain is about to explode!" She was SO right. I have so many things I need to do this week - take kids to the doctor, take myself to the doctor, make some lists, more laundry than anyone can imagine, housework, make some more lists, get my van fixed (if it can be), and so much more. Not to mention that much of the things on my list require money - ugh.

I'm also completely overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness of the people around me. My family has been blessed this Christmas from so many different directions in ways we never could have expected. I think I'm most overwhelmed by it because I know we really don't deserve all this kindness - but know that it's God's way of blessing us. It always amazed me how God constantly is telling me how much He loves me through all kinds of ways. God is so good.

I suppose I will go back to my lists now - I'm hoping that my brain will not explode before I finish them :)

What do you do when you're overwhelmed??

Ugh's all around.

2008-12-17T14:02:00.001-08:00

Have you ever had one of those days where everything you attempted went to complete junk?
Yesterday was that day for me. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong, I messed up everything I tried, and at the end of the day I just wanted to fall into a ball on the floor and cry. Ugh.

On a somewhat related note - lately, I seem to want to complain about everything. Have you ever been that way? I hope that you haven't. Everything and everyone around me has been getting on my nerves lately - mostly because of my own perception and perspective. And of course, I often feel the "need" to vent. I absolutely HATE this about myself. I'm sincerely praying today that God will deal with me about it. I know that He also hates the complainer in me and I am praying that He will help me to get rid of it entirely. Double ugh.

I visited my mother's library (hugh stash of books) today to try and find something that will help me learn to be less complain-y and more content and kind and all that stuff. I found a few good things. If you have any ideas for resources/studies - please let me know.

Ricky's Birthday

2008-12-16T06:23:00.001-08:00

[disclaimer: this post contains much sappy-ness]

Today my sweet husband turns 31!

Can't believe that I've known this man for almost 11 years now. It was like a fairy tale when we met so many years ago. We worked together at the Magic Time Machine restaurant in Dallas. I was a busgirl and he was a waiter. I was only 17. I know I may sound crazy - but I truly do believe in love at first sight. Many moons ago, when we were both working one night. The whole group went out to eat after work. There were so many of us - we had to get a huge table. I was sitting next to my best friend and the guy I was sort of dating at the time. Ricky was across the table and to the left - not really close enough to talk to. In fact, we had never spoken to each other before that I remember. At one point in the evening, someone made a joke that was only sort of funny. I remember that immediately our eyes met. It was as if we had some inside joke between only the two of us. We shared a moment together with our eyes that I will never forget. It was the beginning of a beautiful love story.

Every single day, I am in awe that God has chosen such a perfect person for me. It's funny to me how from the outside it seems an odd matching. But God knows so much better than we ever could. He knew that there could never be anyone more perfect than Ricky for me. I am absolutely head over heels for this man. He is the other half of me - the better half for sure. I sincerely pray that God allows us to grow old together. I truly believe that he is my soul mate.
Here's a poem Ricky wrote for me almost 10 years ago...

Soul-Mates

Beauty beheld, a most wondrous sight.
Anxiety quelled, my heart takes flight.

Stirrings of love, an angel's eyes.
Sightings from a dove, view from the skies.

Heart leaps at a smile
Fear banished in exile.

Two brought together by courage and fate.
Love pulls two into one, destiny of soul-mates.

~ Happy Birthday, honey! I love you!

The lack of CHRIST in Christmas

2008-12-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

It's been a WHILE since I last blogged, I know. I have loads of excuses. Lots of life happening lately. But mostly it's because I haven't really been in the mood. I've been dealing with lots of stuff lately and didn't want to spill it all on my blog for the world to see. So I just didn't blog at all. And I don't really have anything wonderful to say - I just had to get something off my chest (so much for self control, huh?)

Last night we attended Elisa's school "Holiday" program. It was called "DecemberNights, December Lights". I think the purpose of the program was more to say - hey, see how pc we are - instead of celebrating any sort of holiday. Throughout the program, they fully explained the holiday of Hannukah and Kwanzaa and one other I don't remember which. But they NEVER explained Christmas. They never even mentioned Jesus! I found myself crying a couple of times, not because my kid was so cute (which she was), but because this entire "Christmas" program completely ommitted Christ. I kept looking out over the completely packed room of people and found myself so very sad and completely overwhelmed with the "lost"-ness in the room. So many of those people didn't know Jesus, so many of them couldn't care less about Him. That makes me so very sad.

Truth is, we won't have much of a Christmas this year. We aren't doing gifts at all - not even to our kids. We just can't afford it this year. And honestly I'm a little sad about that. BUT - I still am so excited about celebrating Christmas. I KNOW it's not about the gifts. I'm hoping that this Christmas will be even better than any of the others, simply because we've been forced to take out all the commercialized junk, and have the opportunity to really focus on the point of it all.

I was able to be a part of our church's Sharing Christmas ministry this year. We weren't able to adopt a kid, but I was able to be a part of distributing gifts and food to a family in need. I went with some friends and we delivered to 3 different families (very different, actually). The first family was a very young mother and father and two small kids. When we got there, the 7 year old little girl asked her mom if it was her mom's birthday b/c she couldn't understand why else someone would bring gifts to them. The wonderful woman I was with asked the little girl if she knew that we were celebrating Jesus' birthday. Both kids looked at us with blank stares. I honestly believe they may never have heard Jesus' name before. Take a minute and take that in. Never heard the name of Jesus!! As we were leaving, my friend asked if we could pray for the family and the mom reluctantly said sure. As we were praying, the 5 year old little boy came up to his mom and asked her, "Mom, what are they doing?". He had never seen someone pray before!!

As we drove home, I began to cry. Here I am, sad about the fact that my family can't participate in all the gift giving. BUT, this family is missing out SO much more than we are. This young family has food and presents - but they don't have hope or peace. I found myself praying that the little boy would continue to ask questions, until someone would be able to answer them.

I am overwhelmed this year with the lack of Christ in Christmas! I can't seem to get into the "spirit" of Christmas this year. I am finding myself sad instead of joyful. I can't seem to shake it. There are SO many people all around me without hope and that makes me SO very sad. I am praying that God will use my discontent to move me to action. I pray that He gives me opportunities to share the hope that He has given to me. I pray that my eyes are opened even more to the desperate and hopeless all around me - and that God would use me to splash some joy or hope onto them in some way.

"My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now."

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-12-08T08:01:00.001-08:00

Well, it's been an icky week. I have plenty of excuses as to why my stats stink - but I'll not annoy you with them.

Weight - 220 (that's .5 pounds lost - ugh)

I haven't had time to do measurements yet - with 2 somewhat sick kiddos.

On another note - I promise to blog a real blog very soon - I have much to say.

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-12-01T08:16:00.001-08:00

So, I fully expected to have gained about a billion pounds after Thanksgiving. I did, however, watch what I ate (except for the homemade mac n cheese - yummm). And I made a sugar free, fat free chocolate pie for me and Ricky - and stayed away from most of the other sweets.

So..

Weight = 220.5 (I tested it 4 times to be sure :) - I lost 1.8 lbs lost
Waist = 48 - that's 1.5" lost

So far, I've lost 13 pounds total (5.57% of my body weight) - YEAH!

Not exactly on target with my goals (I should be at 211 this week) - but I'm okay with that considering it's right after thanksgiving.

How are you guys doing?

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-11-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest - I've been avoiding this post all day.

Weight - 222.3 (that's .6 pounds gained - Ugh!)

I guess those pieces of candy yesterday morning and the multiple sodas this week have taken their toll.

How are you guys doing?? I haven't heard from many of you in a while - any updates?

~ Kim

Holy, Holy, Holy

2008-11-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

Currently I'm reading the book, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I'm only in the first chapter so far, but must say that I'm already in love with the book. I actually had to read the preface twice - that must be the mark of a good book. Anyway, last night I read something that I really enjoyed. Here's a snippit:

"God is holy. A lot of people say that whatever you believe about God is fine, so long as you are sincere. But that is comparable to describing your friend in one instance as a three-hundred pound sumo wrestler and in another a s a five-foot-two, ninety-pound gymnast. No matter how sincere you are in your explanations, both descriptions of your friend simply cannot be true.
The preposterous part about our doing this to God is that He already has a name, an identity. We don't get to decide who God is. God said to Moses, 'I am who I am'. We don't change that.
To say that God is holy is to say that He is set apart, distinct from us. And because of His set apart-ness, there is no way we can ever fathom all of who He is. To the Jews, saying something three times demonstrated its perfection, so to call God 'Holy, Holy, Holy' is to say that He is perfectly set apart, with nothing and no one to compare Him to. That is what it means to be 'holy'."

I LOVE the sumo-wrestling friend analogy. We don't get to decide who God is. He already is. We can learn who He is to a certain degree. And despite my seemingly constant state of confusion about what He's going to do next, I am grateful that I will never fully understand God. If God were able to be fully understood, what kind of God would that be? I enjoy the big-ness of God - the fact that His ways are not my ways. But that He is bigger than I know, more powerful than I could dream of, He is beyond my wildest imaginations - that's the God I love!
I'm reminded of an old children's song at this moment. I know it's a little silly - but there is so much truth in the words of the song. Come on, sing it with me now:
"My God is so BIG!, so strong and so mighty - there's nothing my God cannot do! "

I'm believing God's BIG-ness today!

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-11-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Weight: 221.7
Waist: 48.5

That's 1.3 pounds this week, and 0 inches.

I did lose .5 inches in my hips & .5 inches in my bust, though - so Yeah!

I haven't been working out - but I will do better this week, so hopefully my numbers will be better next week.

I've lost a total of almost 12 pounds now - and am starting to see and feel a difference - yeah again!

Giving Opportunities

2008-11-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

I figure since it's coming up on the "season of giving", I could share with you a few opportunities I've recently come across. All are wonderful organizations/efforts - and would greatly appreciate your help. You can click on any of the logos to visit their websites.

Operation Christmas Child

Basically, you take a regular shoe box and fill it with little toys, hygeine items, and other things. You specify if it's for a boy or girl, and include $7 for shipping. Then you drop it off at a specified location and Samaritan's Purse delivers it for you. Really easy - and inexpensive - way to help a child at Christmas time.

Shoes 4 Souls

This was new to me this year - but I'm seeing it everywhere. It's such a great organization that has already made such an impact around the world. Check out their fall newsletter for more great info about what they're doing. It's as easy as it sounds - you can donate shoes or donate money for shoes for as little as $5.

Give Worship

This is also a very cool idea. Basically, you can purchase musical equipment for worship leaders across the globe. I LOVE this idea. You can even purchase something as small as guitar picks or a guitar strap. What a beautiful way to participate in worship all over the world. Please check it out.

Amazima Ministries International

This ministry is very dear to my heart right now. A young woman named Katie started this organization. She ministers to the children in Uganda - the hurting, the sick, the orphaned, the poor. Her story of what she is a part of in Uganda is absolutely beautiful. She helps to take care of the basic needs of these children while also providing them with education. But she cannot do it alone. In order to send all 150 children to school, and provide for their basic needs - Amazima Ministries needs donations of ANY amount to help. You can donate as little as $1 if that's all you have to give. Please visit Katie's blog for more information on how to donate.

I hope that these organizations inspire you to give of your time, resources and love to those who need your help.

Giving Opportunities

2008-11-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

I figure since it's coming up on the "season of giving", I could share with you a few opportunities I've recently come across. All are wonderful organizations/efforts - and would greatly appreciate your help. You can click on any of the logos to visit their websites.

Operation Christmas Child

First, this is an organization that Elisa and I have participated in for a couple of years now. It's a fun and easy thing that her and I do together each year. She has so much fun wrapping and putting together the shoe box full of stuff.

Basically, you take a regular shoe box and fill it with little toys, hygeine items, and other things. You specify if it's for a boy or girl, and include $7 for shipping. Then you drop it off at a specified location and Samaritan's Purse delivers it for you. Really easy - and inexpensive - way to help a child at Christmas time.

Shoes 4 Souls

This was new to me this year - but I'm seeing it everywhere. It's such a great organization that has already made such an impact around the world. Check out their fall newsletter for more great info about what they're doing. It's as easy as it sounds - you can donate shoes or donate money for shoes for as little as $5.

Give Worship

This is also a very cool idea. Basically, you can purchase musical equipment for worship leaders across the globe. I LOVE this idea. You can even purchase something as small as guitar picks or a guitar strap. What a beautiful way to participate in worship all over the world. Please check it out.

Amazima Ministries International

This ministry is very dear to my heart right now. A young woman named Katie started this organization. She ministers to the children in Uganda - the hurting, the sick, the orphaned, the poor. Her story of what she is a part of in Uganda is absolutely beautiful. She helps to take care of the basic needs of these children while also providing them with education. But she cannot do it alone. In order to send all 150 children to school, and provide for their basic needs - Amazima Ministries needs donations of ANY amount to help. You can donate as little as $1 if that's all you have to give. Please visit Katie's blog for more information on how to donate.

I hope that these organizations inspire you to give of your time, resources and love to those who need your help.

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-11-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's better than I expected but worse than I hoped.

Weight: 223 (.5 lbs lost)
Waist: 48.5 (1.5" lost)

I lost .5 pounds this week (but have now lost a total of 10.5)
I lost 1.5" in my waist, 1" in my bust & 1" in my hips this week (for a total of 2.5"- waist, 1.5"- bust & 2" -hips)

(by the way - I've decided to use the newer scale - so that I can account for even the .5 pound that I lost this week :)

Although I'm quite disappointed in myself for falling off the wagon this week a little, I can live with those numbers. 10.5 pounds is quite a lot.

Ricky was hugging me this morning before he left for work and said that I feel different. That really made me feel good - so although I vow to do better next week, I'm not discouraged yet.

How did you guys do?

Lessons from a 2 Year Old

2008-11-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon I was grappling with something God is currently showing me - that will require giant amounts of faith on my part - in trusting that He knows what He is doing and will do what He said He will do.

I really wanted to spend some alone time in prayer, but with 2 little ones - it wasn't an option at the time. So I decided to take the 2 little ones with me and take a walk to go pick up Elisa from school. I got both girls loaded up into the 2 person stroller (which is wonderful, by the way) and off we went.
We were barely to the sidewalk when Syd (my 2 year old) started telling me (not so politely, I might add) that I was going the wrong way. "No, this way Mommy!!" she kept telling me. "Wrong way - go that way!" she said. I laughed a little at the fact that my tiny little 2 year old thought she knew better how to get there than I did, then I sweetly said to her - "Sydney, I promise I know the way - why don't you just sit there and enjoy the ride."

Immediately I felt as though I was the funny little 2 year old, and God was the one laughing at me saying, "Kimberly, I promise I know the way (in fact, I am the Way) - why don't you just sit back and enjoy the ride."

I smiled a little as tears began to stream down my face. I am so tickled sometimes at how God chooses to speak to me.

Kisses from Katie

2008-11-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

You need to read this young woman's blog about her ministry in Uganda. I was blown away not only by her and her ministry - but also by the incredible things God is doing through her in the lives of children there.

Please especially read this post.

Katie - I am honored to have stumbled on your blog today. I am praying for you today - and will continue to pray. You touched my life today - thank you!

Mr Potato Head on Gratitude

2008-11-05T07:55:00.001-08:00

Talk about creative!!! Enjoy

SSCC FamJam - The 10 Lepers, Mr. Potato Man Style, A Lesson in Gratitude from Fred McKinnon on Vimeo.

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-11-03T06:45:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I have a bit of a dilemna. My mom bought me a new digital scale about a week and a half ago b/c my old scale was looking pretty stupid - and everybody was telling me it was wrong. Well, I weighed myself on both scales for the last 2 weigh-ins and both times they were about 6.5 pounds different.

Last monday, my old scale said 220, but the new scale said 226.6
This morning, my old scale said 217, but the new scale said 223.5 - I lost 3 pounds this week!

SO - do I add 6.5 pounds to my original numbers and start only using the new scale?? I'd rather have correct numbers than to continue using the wrong ones. But the idea of adding 6.5 pounds to my numbers is kinda sad. Either way - I've lost the same number of pounds - so that's the good news.

What should I do? - any opinions??

I Surrender All

2008-11-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

I read something tonight in "My Utmost for His Highest" that I loved how it was written. Oswald Chambers has such a way with words! Here's the part I loved the most of all:

"If I obey Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When God's redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God."

My pastor talked this morning (we're learning about Jonah) about how our obedience (or rather lack of) not only affects us, but also those around us. I am humbled by the idea that my life is such a small part of the big picture. My sister has been saying recently that my life is just a tiny part on a canvas that is bigger than I can see or imagine (I'm pretty sure I quoted that wrong - but you get the idea).

I'm overwhelmed today with how small I am and how large He is. But yet also how important it is that I live daily and in every circumstance in complete surrender and in total obedience to Him.

Picture Tag...and I'm it

2008-11-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

My friend Mandy "tagged" me to go to My pictures, and find the 4th folder and 4th pic and describe it...so here it is:

Funny. This is Maya - at about 3 1/2 months old - it was taken on July 1st. I love this picture - I wonder what she was thinking. Like maybe, why the heck are you taking so many pictures of me?? She still makes faces like this pretty frequently - love it.

So there you go - enjoy.

The empty parts of me

2008-10-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

I'm in the middle of Beth Moore's "Living Free" Bible study, which I'm doing along with a handful of other ladies. I needed to flesh out a little of what I've been pondering this week.

One of the things Beth said is this:

"The mystery I will never fully understand is why we would trade God, the only source of genuine satisfaction, for worthless idols that can never satisfy. Yet that transaction calls to you and to me every day of our lives."

I loved this statement. I agree with it. I, too, am a little confused by the truth in it.

It makes me think of what Paul said in Romans 7:15:

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (ESV)

I am a little encouraged that I am not alone in this. It amazes me how I continue to seek out satisfaction in things - in people, relationships, attention of others, food, and so many other things - that I already know won't give me what I want or need.

I've had moments where I knew God was trying to teach me to depend solely on Him - that there isn't anything else (or anyone else) that can fill my soul. I remember one of those moments came when Elisa was a baby. She was about 5 or 6 months old - and Ricky had very recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. I was trying to stop depending on my relationship with my husband to satisfy my soul, because I had no idea whether or not he'd still be here in a year - and I didn't want to be left entirely devastated. So, then, without even realizing it - I turned to my perfect little baby to fill the empty spaces in me. I would stay awake at night and watch her sleep because I was afraid that if I left her side for a moment that she would stop breathing and my whole world would come apart. She became everything to me - to the exclusion of the One I really needed.

One night, when I was watching Elisa sleep - I began to cry. I was so terrified of losing my husband and daughter that the fear was beginning to consume me. I was beginning to have a hard time functioning normally. I had become crazy overprotective, and was beginning to hate that part of me. I pulled out my Bible and began to read. I started to read through the Psalms and found so many verses that talk about finding my satisfaction in God alone, He alone is God, God alone is my rock and my salvation, and so many more. I was overwhelmed with the understanding that God wanted me to look only to Him to satisfy me. That night I surrendered my husband and my Elisa to Him. I came to understand that God could take them away from me in a split second if He thought it was best and there would be nothing I could do about it. I had to come to grips with the fact that they are not mine at all, but God's - and they will never satisfy the empty parts of me. Only God can do that.

I will never forget that night - I will never forget that moment of surrender. It's been almost 8 years since that night - but I still have to surrender them to God on a regular basis - sometimes even daily. How quickly we return to our old ways. I am so grateful that I know a God who so often and so freely gives grace to those who seek Him.

Jesus, thank You for Your grace today. For Your desire and ability to fill me up in all of my empty places. I pray that today I will look only to You to sustain me. That You alone will be my desire.

"You open Your hand and satisfy the desies of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD,
let every creature praise His Holy Name forever and ever!"

(Psalm 145:16-21)

My favorite quote

2008-10-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

If you've known me for very long, you've probably heard my favorite quote. I actually have two. One is "The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground." which goes along with my life verse "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." - Isaiah 7:9

The quote I'm talking about, though is this one...

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." I first heard it over 10 years ago in high school drill team. It dramatically changed my life. I have probably quoted it over a hundred times since then - at least. I also about 5 years ago fell in love with Charles Swindoll - his book "The Grace Awakening" especially. I consider him to have had a huge impact on my walk with Christ. I LOVE that the man who has had the most impact on my spiritual walk is responsible for the quote that has had the most significant impact on my character.

I don't know why I never looked it up to see who wrote it - but I am so glad I now know. Here is the whole quote:

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.
It is more important than the past, than education,
than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes,
than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.
It will make or break a company … a church … a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day
regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past.
We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude …
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitudes.

~ Charles Swindoll

Thanks to Rachel Rowell for the information - it made my day (maybe even my week)

Family Night #1

2008-10-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight was our first ever themed family night - inspired by Heather Whitaker

Since Friday is Halloween, it seemed appropriate to have a Halloween family night.

We started with dinner, including...

Mummy Pizza (you have to really want to see it :)

Worms (which Sydney LOVED!):

Jack-O-Lantern Sandwiches:
And for dessert,

Jack-O-Lantern Jell-O:

Mummy-mallows

Then we carved pumpkins...

Then we tried on costumes...

It was a really fun night. Elisa started the night as a farmer - b/c Syd is a cow. But ended the night as Super Girl - actually she decided she was actually Word Girl. She also wore a scarf around her nose while carving the pumpkin because of the smell. Funny. I also love Maya's expression in the pic w/ all 3 girls - like "what the heck is going on?" Hilarious.

2008-10-27T09:33:00.001-07:00

This might be the most beautiful and touching thing I've ever read on the subject of enduring trials.

You really have to read it for yourself, but here's a really great snippit:

"Honestly, what must God think of us when we are so unwilling to sit patiently under any blows from His divine hammer and chisel? What can He do through those who complain every time they find themselves temporarily imprisoned by life’s difficulties? Don’t live a bland and tasteless life. Allow God to use the seasoning of hardships to enrich your relationship with Him. The next time you find yourself in a place where your flesh must grow small, learn to like it so that your trust in God can grow big." (Omar C. Garcia, Missions & Evangelism Pastor from Kingsland Baptist Church)

I am reminded of a close friend's "life verse" - John 3:30 says, "He must become greater, I must become less."

I hope this challenges you as much as it did me today.

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-10-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Well, it's weekly weigh in time - drummroll please......

Weight - 220
Waist - 49

3 pounds lost, but no inches. I did, however, lose a half an inch in my bust and a half an inch in my hips - yeah!!

My clothes are starting to fit a little better - which is really cool.

I did NOT do well with working out this week, though. I also kind of fell of the no soda train a time or two. But for the most part, I'm still plugging along. I've lost 7 pounds total so far - yeah!

How are you guys doing?

What is Love?

2008-10-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know how legitimate this is - but I love it anyway. I found it here. I bolded my favorites.

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, ‘What does love mean?’
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined See what you think:
——————————————————————————–
‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore.So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’
Rebecca- age 8
——————————————————————————–
‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’
Billy - age 4
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’
Karl - age 5
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’
Chrissy - age 6
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’
Terri - age 4
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.’
Danny - age 7
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss’
Emily - age 8
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
——————————————————————————–
‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,’
Nikka - age 6
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.’
Noelle - age 7
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’
Tommy - age 6
——————————————————————————–
‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’
Cindy - age 8
——————————————————————————–
‘My mommy loves me more than anybodyYou don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’
Clare - age 6
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’
Elaine-age 5
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’
Chris - age 7
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.’
Mary Ann - age 4
——————————————————————————–
‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’
Lauren - age 4
——————————————————————————–
‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image)
Karen - age 7
——————————————————————————–
‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.’
Mark - age 6
——————————————————————————–
‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’
Jessica - age 8
————————————————————————————————–
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,‘Nothing, I just helped him cry’

Weekly Weigh-In

2008-10-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well,I weighed in this morning,but I can't find my camera to prove it - so you'll just have to take my word for it.

I haven't done any measurements - but the scale said 223! Yeah! That's 4 pounds!

I had one soda on Wednesday night and a little bit of soda on Saturday night - but other than that I've done really well with the soda thing. I'm also calorie counting - which is a little time consuming - but I thinkit's pretty worth it.

I walked every day (except Sat & Sun) for at least an hour a day - most days 2hours, and did Pilates on 2 days,too.

I worked really hard this last week trying to change habits - so I'mexcited to see that I've made progress.

Iknow that this upcoming week will be the hard one, though. I'm starting to miss coke and cheesecake & mexican food.

How about everyone else? Wanna share your stats?

How goes it, losers?

2008-10-17T07:00:00.001-07:00

Here are our Biggest Losers:
Kim
Ricky
Mandy
Kristen
Carrie
Kristy
Charly
Wendy
Hazeline
Melissa
Courtney

How are you guys doing??? Have you made changes to the way you eat - have you started to work out? Give us a progress report :)

Back 2 School Rally 2008

2008-10-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the video I made to recap the rally a couple months ago. Keep in mind that I'm no professional :)

You can see my other videos here.

I love Jesus, but I drink a little

2008-10-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

One of the funniest things I've seen in a long time.

You're welcome.

Here is my heart

2008-10-14T10:25:00.001-07:00

“Making the decision to have a child - it’s momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Elizabeth Stone

Here is my heart.

I've been struggling a lot lately with Elisa. She is 8 years old now, going on 13. When she was little I would always say that when you're a mom, there are good days and bad days. One day you will feel like the worst mom in the world, and the next you feel like a genious mom. Well, now that she's 8 - those genious days are very few and far between. I feel like I'm constantly screwing up. I know it has to be normal to worry all the time about whether or not I'm doing things right, and about what kind of woman my little baby girl will turn out to be. I hope I'm not alone in my constant second guessing, and my perpetual cycle of worry and guilt. I knew being a mom was hard from the moment she was born. It started out crazy hard - adjusting to a new little life I was responsible for. It got a little easier when she began to understand me and I began to understand her. Then it got really fun for a while - when she was constantly learning new things. Every day was an adventure of what new thing little Elisa would master today. Then it began to get hard again. Each day it feels like I understand her a little less. Each day I feel more and more that I have no flippin idea what I'm doing. I am beginning to really understand the importance of praying for her daily. The importance of praying with her daily. I feel like I have no control whatsoever of who she turns out to be - and that scares the pants off of me. She is so frustrated all the time - and I have absolutely no idea how to help her to deal with life. Mostly because she and I deal with life so very differently. I don't understand the way she processes and interprets things. I'm trying desperately to understand.

When Elisa was itty bitty - I believed she would be my only child. Although I was desperately in love with my child, I always wanted more children. After several years of pleading with God to give us another child, she was still my only. I accepted it - and began to look forward to spending all my effort and love on her. I had this dream of her growing up to be my best friend in the world. We would be so much alike and do everything together (like the Gilmore Girls - one of the reasons I love that show so much). I'm beginning to realize that my dream is just that - a dream. She and I are so very different. I always wonder how someone so very different than me could have been raised by me - weird. I am reminded, though - that although she is not like me so much - she was created in the image of God. She is more special and beautiful than I ever could have dreamed of. She is unique. She is exactly who God planned her to be.

With that in mind, my prayer is that God would give me the ability to understand her better, to relate to her better, to love her the way she needs to be loved, to teach her His ways in ways she understands, and to always appreciate the uniqueness of her character.

I am renewed today with a tremendous love and appreciation for my little girl. I pray that tomorrow it will be renewed again. I pray that God will make me into the mother that Elisa needs today - and that through my love, she will see Him more clearly.

One more loser...

2008-10-14T08:37:00.001-07:00

I forgot to blog this yesterday, but Kristy will be joining us in the Biggest Loser Contest!!

Yeah, Kristy!

My vacuum sucks - or rather doesn't

2008-10-14T08:33:00.001-07:00

I know this probably isn't blogworthy, but I had to vent. I'm on at least my second or third vacuum within the last year. I don't know what I'm doing wrong - but every time I buy a new vacuum it goes kaput within a few months. I'm pretty fed up. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I use it multiple times per day - is it possible they only are good for so many vacuum's?? I doubt it. What the heck?

Anybody have a vacuum that they just LOVE and that has lasted a while?? I'm ready to invest a little more money in one if I know it'll last more than a couple of months. I feel like I'm just throwing money away.

It's making me entirely crazy!! Help!!

Calorie Counter Online

2008-10-13T10:47:00.001-07:00

Found a really great resource for calorie counting, and weight loss goal planning

http://www.my-calorie-counter.com

I'm already loving it.

Hope it helps.

Biggest Loser Begins

2008-10-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of our Biggest Loser contest. I weighed in this morning & it's exactly the same as a few days ago - 227. Glad I haven't gained any - that would have stunk!

SO - everybody weigh in & post it somewhere. Good luck!

Biggest Loser

2008-10-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

It's not too late to join up! $10 to participate. We're officially starting tomorrow. So make sure to weigh in sometime tomorrow & make note of your weight. If you're feeling brave, you can post your starting weight on your blog, or as a comment on mine. Although we're competing - remember we're all in this together!

Here are our participants - if I've missed anyone, please let me know.

Me (Kim)
Ricky
Charly
Kristen
Wendy
Melissa
Courtney
Mandy
Hazeline

Anybody else??

Good luck everyone!!!

Biggest Loser - Who's In??

2008-10-09T16:58:00.000-07:00

I have a proposal. It was actually Ricky's idea. I would like to start a Biggest Loser Contest. I need a little incentive to lose weight - and I think this could be just the thing. Here's how it'll work...

Anyone can enter the contest.
It'll cost $10 per person to enter.
The winner will get a gift card to the location of their choice (with all the entry money).

The contest will start Monday, October 13th - and end Sunday, April 12th (Easter Sunday) - that's about 6 months.

On Monday - we'll weigh in with our starting weights.

SO - Who's in??

Weekly Weigh-In #1

2008-10-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Okay guys, here's the dreaded post. I've been debating ever since the last post about whether or not I should post this, and I've finally decided that I should. So here goes..

Weight - 227
Waist - 52"

(I took other measurements too - but figured I don't need to post all of them)

(I took a picture so you'll know I'm not lying :)

My first goal is 199 lbs. (It'll be the first time I'm under 200 in over 9 years!)

I've made a list of all the things I want to make sure I do/don't do each day - and am going to use it like a checklist. (Like don't drink soda, do drink water, work out, etc..)

Anyway, wish me luck - I'll post next Thursday on my progress.

Thanks for all the kind words, guys - I really appreciate the support!

My little spongebob squarepants

2008-10-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

Thought this was cute.

One of many reasons I'm not a cook

2008-10-09T08:10:00.001-07:00

Stupid corn muffins.

King of Your Internet City

2008-10-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

My friend Mandy recently blogged about the addiction of Facebook - which I totally can relate to. On a related note - I thought this video was pretty awesome.

Enjoy.

Feeling fat today...and hating it

2008-10-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

In all the years I've been fat (over 9 years now), I never felt fat until today (not counting the times I was growing babies inside of me).
After getting the 2 little ones ready to go pick up Elisa from school, and getting them in the van, I tried to start the van - and it wouldn't start. It was 5 til 3 and I knew I would be late. So I called everyone I could think of to see if someone could go get her - to no avail. I had to walk. It's about a 25 min walk - not really a big deal. I've done it before - many times actually. In fact, last year I did it in the hot, hot sun while 6 months pregnant!! Today I had difficulty. Maybe it was because I was pushing 2 kids in crazy wind and practically running so as not to be too terribly late - but I think it was just because I'm fat.

Gosh - it's crazy how it's so hard to even write that.

I've known it for a long time - but I've never felt it until today. It sucks to feel fat.

I should be able to walk 25 minutes with my kids without feeling sore or winded. I should be able to play basketball with my husband without being self-conscious about how I look. I'm tired of choosing my outfits not by what looks best, but by what makes me look the least fat. Ick.
I'm tired of feeling like the fat girl in the room. I'm tired of people being careful what they say around me. I'm sick of always feeling guilty anytime I eat anything that tastes good. Most of all, I want to believe my husband when he tells me how beautiful I am.

I don't write all this for sympathy - in fact, I'm kinda wishing no one would read this one. I just had to write it. I had to admit it. It's time to stop feeling crappy and do something about it.

Today I will set a goal and start working towards it. I'm kinda thinking that if I put it out there - I'll be more likely to stick to it. You will all keep me accountable just by me knowing your out there.

Tonight I will take measurements so I'll have a place to start. If I'm feeling crazy brave, I might even post them. We'll see. For now, it feels good to just vent a little.

Feeling fat today...and hating it!

A few random thoughts

2008-10-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a month since my last post. I'm feeling kind of ick about that. I've been intending to blog. Every time I pull up the site, one of my kids has some minor breakdown that I have to tend to :)

So, one's at school, one's asleep, and the third is glued to the TV watching Clifford - so now just might be my chance.

There's so much to talk about - I'm not sure where to begin.

Ricky left town on Sept 12th and was gone for 3 weeks. He was able to come home twice, both for about a day and a half. He finally came home to stay this past Friday afternoon. Needless to say, it has been a very difficult 3 weeks. It's awful how we always tend to take people for granted, only to realize it when they're gone. I never realized how much I depend on Ricky until he wasn't there. For the first week, I barely even got to talk to him on the phone. It stunk. I was all on my own. The girls all responded in different ways to him being gone. Elisa (my 8 yr old) started talking back and acting out. She became argumentative (at least more than usual) and unusually weepy. Syd (my 2 yr old) stopped potty training. We were almost completely there right before Ricky left, and now we're having to start all over again. She seems to have lost all interest - weird. And Maya (our 6 month old) quit sleeping through the night the minute he left. She had been sleeping all night for a week or so, but the night he left she woke up several times. She didn't start sleeping through the night again until the night he came back - double weird. Maybe she could tell that I was uneasy and it made her uneasy. Who knows?

I found a song a few days ago that really spoke to where I have been for the last few weeks. Here are some of the lyrics:

Am I strong or weak?
Is it Your job to test me?
Am I strong or weak?
Are you gonna take everything, everything from me?

You needed me to be alone so I could finally see, how I need You, I need You...

All that I know is that it's better to love You
All that I see, I'm seeing the courage You give me
so let me stumble, let me tumble, tripping over my own feet.
Let me find you, let me feel you making me complete
Oh, i can move, I can run when Your with me
I can move, I can run - You make me brave

It's by a girl named April - she's local to Nashville, and unsigned I believe. I love her CD - really great stuff!

Anyway, I didn't think I'd survive the 3 weeks. It wasn't even all the extra work that got to me (though there was a LOT of extra work!). It was mostly the loneliness I felt. I never realized how much I depended on the companionship. After 10 years, I've gotten pretty used to having him around. It's the longest period we've ever been apart - pathetic, huh?

I learned a lot about me these last 3 weeks. I learned a lot about priorities - and the importance of focusing on my family. I learned a lot about how over-extended I am (and always have been). I learned a lot about the importance of a daddy in a girl's every day life. Most importantly, I learned a lot about the importance of depending on God, rather than my husband for strength, joy and peace. I meditated on a few verses throughout the 3 weeks that were pretty significant to me. Here is one I actually wrote on my marker board and read out loud several times each day:

Phillipians 4:4-9:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Need Your Input

2008-09-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

What is your favorite worship song? - old or new. Does it change periodically? Or is there a song that's always been your favorite? Post a comment below - or msg me on myspace or facebook. I'll post them all next week along with mine.

Sad Song

2008-09-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/comments/sad_song/

You should watch it - really great song -powerful. Takes me back 7 years.

A little dose of perspective

2008-09-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I was supposed to go to Beaumont this weekend to lead worship for a Marriage conference. Due to the mandatory evacuation, it was cancelled. Bummer. I found myself more disappointed than I would have expected this morning. I was really looking forward to it. Again, bummer.

But - I suppose it's time for a little perspective. Over 300,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes, some with no place at all to go. They will spend more time in traffic in the next 24 hours than I have in the last 24 days (maybe months). They will have no idea what they will come back home to - or even when they will come back home. I suppose that my cancelled weekend plans are not really that big of a deal.

I'm feeling very sad and scared for those who are on the coast today. I couldn't imagine having to pack up so quickly and leave. How would I explain it to my kids? I have a hard enough time when there is a small threat of a tornado - and I have to get my kids in to the bathtub. I try so hard to remain calm and assure them that everything will be ok - when I'm actually pretty scared myself. I cannot imagine the parents who are having to explain to their kids that they have to leave everything behind and basically run away from the hurricane. I am praying for them today - the parents. The mommies and daddies with little kids that are scared and confused. I pray that God gives them strength and comfort - that they will know what to say to their children. That God will keep them all safe in their travel and bring them back home again soon.

Feels Like Fall

2008-09-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

It's September - it feels like October. I LOVE it!! Ricky says that he loves fall because of how happy it makes me. I love that he is now a fall-lover too, regardless of the reason. I'm ready to put out fall decorations. I only put out fall decorations to keep me from putting out Christmas decorations in September - because it would make my husband completely crazy. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love Christmas and the 4th of July - more than the average person, I'd wager a guess - but Thanksgiving is my very favorite. It might be because of all the tradition wrapped up in the holiday. It could be because the weather is so amazing, and the trees are so beautiful. Or because of the wonderful, wonderful food. But I think it's mostly because of the emphasis on family. We always make this huge deal out of Thanksgiving. My grandma would bake for a week in preparation for our huge thanksgiving feast - that included every family member I have ever known. When my grandma died about 14 years ago, I was terrified that the traditions would die with her. But my mother (who is amazing) carries on the traditions with even more excitement. I hope that my kids learn to love Thanksgiving as much as I do. I always feel like I'm 10 years old again when Fall comes around. It's like I never grew up. I think that's what my husband thinks is so cute about me and Fall - how I feel and act like a child. I can't imagine ever losing that child-like enthusiasm.

It's beginning to feel like Fall - and I could not be more excited! I think I'll wait til Oct 1st to start the Christmas music, though - so as not to drive my husband entirely crazy.

Pain is a good thing

2008-09-03T12:02:00.001-07:00

I've decided that pain is a good thing. In our bodies, pain is an indicator of a problem that needs to be addressed. Without the pain, we don't know anything is wrong. Without knowing the problem, we are likely to keep on ignoring it -and it's likely to get worse. Sometimes much worse.
8 years ago, Ricky had a stomach pain that he couldn't ignore. We thought he might have an ulcer or something of that sort - so after several days he finally went to the emergency clinic to have it checked out. They also thought it was an ulcer - but since he hadn't been to the doctor in so long they went ahead and did a blood test. They called him later that day to tell him to run to the emergency room b/c he most likely had leukemia. Crazy, right?! If it weren't for the stomach pain (which turned out to have nothing at all to do with the leukemia, and also went away immediately after seeing the doctor) he wouldn't have found out about the leukemia - until probably much later. If he hadn't found out as early as he did, his prognosis probably would have been much worse. See, pain is a good thing.

I think the same is true in our relationships. I think conflict and difficulty are important to the maturing of the relationship. Like muscles, they have to be put under strain in order to grow stronger. In a weird way, I'm grateful for all the fights, hard times and sad times we've gone through as a couple. Each year we grow stronger. Each year we become more solid. Every couple goes through hard stuff. It's how you react to the hard stuff that determines the outcome.

Back 2 School Rally 2008

2008-08-27T09:02:00.001-07:00

I just realized that I never gave a final evaluation/recap of the Back 2 School Rally. It was Saturday, August 16th (almost 2 weeks ago). Here are a few cool things:

We gave out over 160 school supply packs
We gave out 71 door prizes (including backpacks, lunch bags, gift cards, etc.)
We had over 50 volunteers serve at the event, and at least 20 more that helped prepare for it.
We had a wonderful response from the community - both businesses and individuals.
We were able to donate almost 50 school supply packs to Watauga Elementary on Monday following the event (what was left over)
Pastor Elias shared the Gospel in both spanish and english to the crowd - very cool!

I think that this event was a new turning point for our church - so many people were able to serve in ways they might not have before. They were able to be a part of meeting real needs in the community. I think that our church is beginning to understand Servant Evangelism - and is getting excited about being a part of it.

On a personal note: I would just like to say, that I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of this event. When we first talked about it almost a year ago - I could not have anticipated how much our church would really get involved and own it. FBC Watauga really stepped up for this one. I was impressed at how many people supported the event financially - and also the ones that volunteered (especially those that helped with all the pre-event stuff). I would just like to say a huge thanks to my cohort Charly - who was involved on every level of this thing from start to finish, to the Davidson family - who helped every step of the way (in the icky heat many times), to Theresa - who was responsible for the haircutters (a huge part of the event) and many other details, to all those who gave us ideas, to all those that gave us money and backpacks and supplies, and to all those who gave of their time in volunteering at the event! We could not have done any of it without all of you - I am honored to serve alongside each of you. I am so very proud to call you all my friends - and my family. Thanks again!!