Monday, August 31, 2009

So, I'm sure you are all busy and back to the grind this monday (as I should be). But I just wanted to first off tell you what an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING night it was last night! Todd was great, and it was incredible to see him. You'd truly be surprised, if you didn't already know it, that he has cancer. He has put on some healthy weight, and he has all of his hair! haha. I've played with him numerous times, and listened to his songs in all sorts of settings, but this was the first "concert" that I truly saw him perform. It was great to see him stand behind his guitar, and listen to the stories and biblical messages behind each song. Also, he threw in some great poetry he has written, and quotes from others, and I have to say it was all moving, funny, soothing, inspiring... just everything that I hadn't ever gotten to experience with him before. I hope someday all of you have a chance to see him perform. Nothing is impossible, right? (maybe a concert of his will make it onto youtube! haha)

Second, I wanted to let you know that my amazing writer of a husband has started a new blog. I have high hopes for this one (as the last kinda crashed and burned). He has been talking about trying to get back into writing, and holpefully be able to share this time with a local paper or magazine of some sort. He is wanting to write about charitable opportunities around, and ways of serving. This is on his heart (the serving part) about 150% of each day. It's all he talks about, lives, breathes... it's awesome! He has such a servants heart. I was just typing "please pray that God will lead us" and then I remembered what Lloyd was teaching us on Sunday. It is silly to pray for the inevitable. That is why the Holy Spirit DOES, he LEADS... so instead of praying for that, I pray that we are submitted to follow in that lead, and take the first step to DO what we are called to do. Then the fruits will be produced and the ministry can begin.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! :) Here are some recent pictures of my BEAUTIFUL son!! He is really starting to sit up now, which makes photos so much fun!! LOVE YOU ALL!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Don't let the rhyming carry you through it too fast, reread it and listen to what it says.

Wow... This song really sums it up. I can not boast in anything but Jesus Christ for I am not deserving of the gains from His reward. Keith and I are humbled more and more everyday as blessings continue to pour out. All that consumes our minds is what we can do to further His kingdom. It is amazing how perspective changes when you are completely open to what God has willed for your life (as He has asked). When you turn to Him for all things, "things" just seem to dissapear. The bigger picture, the heavenly life that awaits, is all that becomes relevant to us.

Years ago my family selfishly fought for separation from God in order to honor our own prideful ways. Each of us, in our own way, chose to live our lives for us, ignoring what God has asked of us and in turn hurting ourselves and each other for what would be years. Through prayer and conviction, I have watched the past 10 years miraculously change each of us, and bring some of the relationships between us even closer than they have ever been. Just that alone can bring me to tears, because I remember after the damage was done (on my part) just feeling hopeless to ever getting back the family closeness that was once there. I knew after my mistake, that I couldn't possibly ever "take back" what I had done. Now, here I sit, the wife and mother in a God filled home. I am the sister to a brother and sister who are living Christ-lead lives in Godly homes with each of their spouses and my nephew. I am inspired by my father and his Godly example and motivated by his desires to change. And I am viciously praying for my mother who has come out of a dark and helpless place into the comfort and peace of Jesus' arms as He continues to bless her life.

I grew up in worship and music, and though it was prevelant in our household, I think that sometimes I got caught up in the rhyming or song, and not the words. Because our outward actions were in the music, but our inward emotions fought the truth and life in the words, I can't help but fight back tears with every song I now sing in worship. When I first started attending Fellowship, I thought it was natural to cry during a song because of the memory it brought back. But after 5 years of attending, and 2 of those years I've attended weekly, I still fight back tears each and every single service during each and every single song, no matter what the song is. I can't help it! Each and every prayer, and each and every story told. I used to think that maybe it was Christ working within me to let go of the past, and that working through that the tears would stop. But they haven't! It sometimes frustrates me to struggle with the emotions when I want so badly to just sing, but I finally realized that it's not old memories, but the new words that bring me to tears. I feel each and every one, and truly mean it, and desire to live it, and feel it, and that is something I never want to ever go away.

My mother and I have cried together during songs when memories have arised from them. I wish more than anything that she could be at church with me each and every Sunday and feel these new tears. They are such happy and humbled tears.

Wow, I didn't expect to unload all that, I simply wanted to touch on what I find myself doing every week, and the tear thing... it is non-stop! Thank you Lord, for making it real to me every week. I realize the importance in a church body, and why it is biblical and imparative to be involved. It is true that there is no such thing as an un-churched Christian in the New Testament. It is something God had intended for us, and commands of us, and wants for us. Acts 2:47 tells how "the Lord added to their number(the church) day by day those who were being saved", meaning He lead those who were saved to the church. I pray that He will continue to work in the lives of those saved, and lead them to a community of faith where they can come together in fellowship and be equipped to give their lives away. Keith and I are so blessed that we have been lead to that place that is right for us, and we continue to be excited to go and learn and be equipped. That passage (Acts 2:42-47) really breaks down how we are to live and worship, and what it looks like when we do. Grow. Connect. Serve. Give. We continue to strive for this and glorify God with each step! :)

Monday, August 3, 2009

YAAAAARD SAAAALE!!!



WE DID IT!! We had a successful first yardsale! We got rid of a TON of stuff, and actually made some CA$H!! (I won't say how much, but I will say it was in the hundreds!!) We feel blessed that God gave us BEAUTIFUL weather, and lots of traffic! I will say that the success of the sale was the least of the day's blessings. God taught me patience, love, and humility. And allowed us to even give some of our things away to help others!

One of the neatest things that happened that Saturday, happened to our neighbor Todd. He is finishing up electrician school, and with 20 days remaining, his old truck (which he has been trying to sell for months) blew the transmission on Friday night. Keith was on his way out to get some change and post a Yard Sale sign, and was able to help Todd tow his truck home. Todd tried to stay optimistic as he knew a girl who lives nearby that could drive him to school for the remaining days, but he was confessing to Keith how broke he was and how he didn't know how much more money he wanted to dump into his truck. Well, Saturday came along, and though he had his eye on a few things in our sale, he failed to get up early to come out for the sale. By the time he came outside, quite a few people had already been through our "junk". He part jokingly made a comment "Man, I should just put a sign up on my truck '$1000.00 cash, today only!'. " Keith and I laughed, and I mentioned I had one piece of posterboard left in the house. (it was pink, but it was at least BRIGHT!) We all agreed he should give it a shot. Soon enough, all of our "shoppers" were over at HIS truck! There were quite a few checking it out, and within the hour HE SOLD IT!! He was a little sad at first, being that it was his father's truck who had passed 9 years ago, but it was such a blessing that he finally sold it and can now buy something more dependable and less gas milage! We are thankful for a great day!

Sunday evening we got together with some friends in Lebanon. My dear friend Roland and some of his co-workers and their kids all cooked out and played some music. Jack LOVED this, and started DANCING! (bouncing)... and this is where it all began...

We got home last night and I put Jack in his saucer and he was JUMPING! Up, down, up, down, just going crazy, and smiling like crazy! He went down at 8:30 and didn't wake up till 8am... and I'll tell you, he's like a different child today! I think he had a growth spurt overnight or something, because he is so new and different today! He has been rolling over onto his belly throughout the night, and this morning, like usual, I found him on his belly, but he actually ROLLED TO HIS BACK to give me a big morning smile! He then proceded to bounce all morning, and talk, and is really really close to sitting! No more baby! He's at least so happy, smiling more than I've ever seen... He grabs for things right out of our hands now. He grabs for daddy's drink, and grabs for fruit from me. No solids yet, but soon enough little man! We have been giving him rice cereal for breakfast and dinner, and he loves it! I can't believe he is growing up... Today he is 5 months old. wow...