Then Sings My Soul

I sure missed this last week! We had family in for a visit and I was just concentrating on them! Thanks Amy for hosting! :)

Last week I shared that everywhere I turned, God was putting the "New Song" theme in front of me. He still is and I think it's so cool. BUT, He is also putting a lot of hurting people in front of me. And I'm talking about in places and situations where I would normally not spend enough time to connect with someone long enough to realize the depth of their hurt.

This week, I have been singing this song to myself when God brings these people and their situations to my mind. It NEVER ceases to energize and remind me that our God can do anything. Nothing is too hard for Him!! Oh and by the way, there is one line about praising Him with a new song in there too....

Turn it up and get your praise on. :)

Was this what life pre-children was like?

Seriously. This is the strangest week ever. And this post will probably result in lots of rambling.

While Chad's at work, I have been blessed with some serious down time. Much needed down time. I didn't realize how tired I was. Yesterday...I took a nap. A real nap. It wasn't planned but boy that was a great hour.

Last night was our hot date. We had been given a very generous gift certificate so last night we drove into Buckhead and enjoyed a long, leisurely dinner in a fairly quiet restaurant. Chad treated me to Starbucks on the LONG drive home.

We decided to stay off of the interstate and just take the long way home. I'm so glad we did, we drove through places I haven't been yet and I actually feel like I could get into downtown without getting on those horrible Atlanta interstates. I feel liberated. I can't stand NOT knowing every back road and alternate route to get around here. Drives me crazy. I guess it will come with time.

Today my parents are taking the girls on the new TN River Gorge Boat tour in Chattanooga. It is supposed to be awesome and I can't wait to see their pictures.

Ok, here is a major prayer request. I'm in a major song writing funk. I'm just blank in that area right now. I jot down ideas, phrases, themes, but NOTHING seems to come out of those. It's very discouraging. Maybe that season of my life is over? I don't know...just kind of in a weird place with that.

I'm on piano Sunday and looking forward to it, but can I just be real honest. Some of what we are playing is patriotic stuff. I'm patriotic and love our country and SO appreciate the sacrifices men and women have made so that we can worship and enjoy the freedom we have and the music we are doing is fun and well orchestrated so it's fun to play...but. I really struggle to see people get all emotional on Sundays like this and then next week, they will sit in worship looking like they were weaned on a dill pickle. Sorry. I know that probably just offended someone. It's sad to me. The ONE who gives ultimate eternal freedom doesn't get the same response as the National Anthem will. I wonder how that makes Him feel.

Regardless, I'm thankful for the opportunity to worship at the piano this week. I never take that for granted.

Oh...I'm rambling big time. I'm off to tackle a load of laundry...Really ONE load and I'll be done!!! THAT is unheard of in this family. :) After that....I think I'll start planning Chloe's birthday party weekends. Yes, this year she turns 10 so she gets to have a "friend" party and a family party. August will be busy....so many lists to make!

Have a wonderful weekend. :)

Can I share a little of my daily bread?

I got home Tuesday evening and collapsed into my little leather chair. No T.V., no computer, no music playing in the background. It was completely quiet. I didn't stay there for long, I had things to do.

On my way home from Chattanooga, I decided that I would do all of my housework and extra laundry Tuesday evening and Wednesday so that I could "play" on Thursday and Friday. So that is what I did. :) I had most everything done by lunchtime Wednesday and settled into that same little chair to spend some time with the Lord.

It was a very sweet time and I love how He orchestrated my reading time to give me just what I would need a little later in the day when life would throw our family a curve ball. It made me ask myself once again, why do I even try to do life without Him? He gave me what I needed for yesterday BEFORE I even knew I would need it.

This morning as I think back over yesterday and all that happened, I am just in awe of His timing. But, I'm asking Him to do it again today...give me that loaf of bread that is baked for today.

And He has. When I start thinking about the situation, I find myself jumping off of the path of concern onto the path of worry. Here is part of what I read this morning.

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

You know this passage I'm sure. It is all so comforting. But the following verses really settled on my heart this morning.

Matthew 6:31-33 "So do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink' or 'What shall we wear' for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. I'm not sure I will ever get over the feeling of love that I feel when I read that. He knows exactly what I need this very minute, next week and next year. Nothing is a surprise to Him. THAT comforts me more than anything.

We are three child family.....

at least for the past two days. :)

We have had the blessing of having our nephew Colin here. Tuesday, I will deliver ALL the kids to Grams and Daddy Mack's house for "camp". Let me tell you..these kids are so excited. All I've heard today is "Is it time to pack our suitcases?" "Can I take my___________ in case I need it?" Chloe has packed her Williams-Sonoma "Sweet Treats" cookbook and has even sent Grams her ingredient list. Those kids are going to have some good desserts this week. Emma has her portable nightlight and several babies and Colin has 'buddy' the bear. They keep asking if we can get up before dark to leave so we miss traffic. Oh these kids....

They just told me they are going to ask Gram's if they can make a "McObstacle course" in the backyard for exercise. Boy my parents are going to need prayer support big time this week. :) (Chloe has picked up the phone to call RIGHT NOW and explain it to my mom.)

Chad and I have a busy week, but have planned some dates. We are REALLY looking forward to dinner out....alone. I'm planning on some retreat time with the Lord during the day and can't wait to spend some concentrated time alone with Him. The only thing that could make it better would be to be at the beach!


Okay..the man child has requested that Aunt Steffie hold him. I can't resist.....


Maybe I'll post something a little more serious later in the week!

Just Some Morning Thoughts

Lately God has taken me to some several new blogs. All are wives and moms. All are in financial distress. All are pouring out their heart to God to help them make their next mortgage payment, to pay their light bill, to put food on the table and gas in the car.

My heart hurts for them. We are coming out of the darkest time financially. While we aren't completely out of the woods and things are still very tight, I praise God for providing over the last 18 months. I thank Him for using specific people to encourage us in this dark hour and pray that one day (hopefully soon!) we will be able show them just how thankful we are for their sacrifice.

Anyway...these blogging sisters are on my mind big time. I went through my journals from about this time last year and found some scripture that was encouraging to me. I hope that if you are in this sort of situation, you will find some comfort in knowing that you aren't alone.

Isaiah 32 read the whole thing, but especially verse 15-20.
"Till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be..."

Going through financial turmoil sure can feel like walking around with the scarlet letters "FF" (financial failure) on your chest. For us, it was a job loss that triggered it. That on top of several years of medical debt that we were still paying on. (We made a poor choice and put a LOT of it on credit cards. BAD CHOICE. CREDIT CARD DEBT IS NEVER A GOOD OPTION. In my opinion and that doesn't count for much!) BUT, God provided and that medical debt is gone. (we have a little, but not like it was!)

As I read these ladies blog posts, I "hear" so many of the feelings I had last summer. One hurt I can so relate to was a comment made by a blogger who had been told by a family member that "It's hard to know when to help and when to let someone struggle so they learn a lesson." That comment hit very close to home as we heard it to. You know, I think when people are in financial turmoil because they have shopped themselves into it, or bought a house that was WAY out of their budget, or purchased new cars/boats and then they can't afford food, clothing, etc...that is one thing. They absolutely need to work their way out of that, they may need some tough love. BUT,

When someone is struggling because of circumstances they didn't choose..that is totally different. They don't need to be told how to manage money, they don't need a lecture, they need love, encouragement and friendship and sometimes...grocery money!

My heart hurt so much for this one particular blogger. I wish I could stock her pantry, fill up her car and then take her shopping for a new outfit. But I can't. We aren't at that point yet...but I can pray.

You know we are hearing everywhere just how bad everything is. And it is bad...but our God is still in control. He still owns the cattle on a thousand hills. His word still says that He will provide our needs, maybe not our wants, but our needs! He tells us that He will destroy the years the locust stole from us.

I can honestly say to you that this 18 months or so have been just as hard as the years that Chad was physically at the point of death. I am not joking around here. I have been at lows that I thought I would never visit again.

But God has been faithful to us. And He Will be faithful to you. He is not a respecter of persons and He is just crazy about you.

My prayer today is that if you are struggling financially, that you would experience some heavenly peace today. It may be a while before things seem stable and okay, but you have a Saviour who wants to show you some pretty awesome things during this time. You are not alone.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Psalm 34:9-10 Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Be still and listen. I'm asking him to sing a little louder over you today and to make you very aware of his presence.

New

Emma has reminded us all week that summer officially beings on Thursday, June 20. This morning she announced that it was the first day of summer 2008.

A new season. Over the last couple of weeks we have fallen into a NEW routine, a routine that is specific to this time of year. It will change again come September and we will once again adjust to a NEW schedule. Seems like NEW is always just around the corner.

Sunday morning I read Psalm 33:1-3 before we left for church. (I read these verses anytime I play or sing, they keep me focused on the reason I'm playing or singing.)
Any Christian musician can usually quote the last part of verse 3 "play skillfully and shout for joy." Usually, I turn that part of the verse into my prayer before I play or sing, but not Sunday.

Sunday, God once again had me settle on the first part of the verse. He did the same thing back in May before I led worship at Live, Love, Laugh. Obviously there was a point He wanted to drive a little deeper.

Verse 3 says "Sing to him a new song, play skillfully and shout for joy."

Sing to him a NEW song. Hmmmmmmmm. I jumped over to Psalm 40 and read verse 3 there as well..."He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."

Then this morning I read Isaiah 42. You know what is on down in verses 9-10?
Yes mam, verse 9 says "see the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Verse 10 says "Sing to the Lord a NEW SONG, his praise from the ends of the earth."

This whole New Thing, New Song theme continues to run in my heart and mind. Of course I can't talk about "new" without mentioning Isaiah 43:18-19a "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!"

Here is what my heart feels this morning. This could change, but for right now this is what God is impressing on me.

He is never done with us. We should rejoice constantly in our salvation. We should praise Him for delivering us from the junk of our past and never forget just what, who and where we were when He saved us. BUT....

All too often we stop there. Sure many of us continue to serve the Lord and be involved in lots of activity, but we honestly don't spend enough time with Him to have a new song to give Him.

I don't know about you but I want a new song this summer, but not just any song. It's the deepest desire of my heart to sing the song He is composing for me.

So I'll ask you this morning what God has asked me. Do you really want to sing a new song in this new season? Are you willing to spend the time it may take to hear it?

Let's not fall for the trap the enemy sets and become so involved with activity this summer that we forget that God has something NEW in mind just for us. Our God is so worthy of a NEW SONG....

Rev. 5:9 tells us why!
"And they sang a new song: YOU are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God...."

Where Has the Time Gone!!

Last week was a whirlwind of activity. Between Bible Camp, Father's Day, playdates....the week flew by.

I said last week, but I'm going to say it again I am so proud of our church. We had an incredible Bible Camp week. The average attendance was 2650 each day, but that isn't what impressed me about last week. At last count, 160 children accepted Jesus as personal Savior! That is so awesome. We saw some of our good friends baptised Friday night at family night and on Sunday. That is what Bible camp is about.


The theme this year was "Amazing Space".



Our entire church staff was involved, but our children's ministry staff once again showed their love and passion for children. I'm so honored that God picked this church for us.


Chloe and our children's pastor Mr. Rob.

One of my favorite quotes from a children's musical is this...

"Worship the Lord at the beginning and the path falls into place."

It was powerful to see these children worship the Lord Friday evening...It was loud, and full of high energy one minute and then reflective and quiet the next.


This is Chloe and her friend G.L. in the mosh pit. We are going to have our hands full with these two in the next few years. :)


Emma and Daddy sitting with Emma's team the Comets.

We celebrated Father's Day Saturday evening. The girls made a great banner and decorated the dining room. Here is Dad with wearing his new bike shirt Chloe and Emma picked out for him.



Proverbs 17:6 says that "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."

I'm so thankful that I can say that I am proud of my parents. Not everyone can say that and weekends like Mother's or Father's day can be hard. This year especially, I am so very thankful that God gave me the parents he did. They have never pretended to be perfect, but they have always shown us that love doesn't fail, give up or walk away. I pray that one day when Chloe and Emma are grown and on their own they will be able to say that they are proud of Chad and I and the legacy we have left them.

Then Sings My Soul -

It's Saturday, and that means in my down time, I get to share some pretty amazing music with some really awesome sisters!! Go check out Amy for more on Then Sings My Soul.

As I've been studying the power of God this week, I came across the following video on another blog. It is a testimony to what God's power can do in our life IF we will let Him. Get your tissue ready....




God's love and life changing power is not reserved for those who seem to have it all together or look a certain way. It is for anyone who chooses to accept it! Today would be the perfect time to let Him show you what a difference He can make.

So...what would your sign say?

Power Thoughts ~ Part 2

This is a picture my father in law took a couple of weekends ago at the shuttle launch.

Can you begin to fathom the amount of explosive power it takes to launch a shuttle? Chad has been to a launch before and I've heard he and his dad talk about the ground shaking and the feeling you get in the pit of your stomach just waiting for it to take off! It really is an amazing sight to behold.

As powerful and impressive as a shuttle launch is, our God is more powerful.

Jer.32:17-18 says “Ah sovereign Lord you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm……NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR YOU.”

I shared earlier in the week about the power of God's voice, but today as I read the verse above I see another concept. Verse 17 told us that God made the heavens and the earth by his great power and outstretched arm.

An outstretched arm indicates to me that there is a touch involved. This takes me to the second concept of power that God impressed on my heart this week.

The power of God’s touch.

When I typed in “power” in my Bible study tools several passages came up, but for whatever reason I read Mark 1:7 first. It is John the Baptist saying “After me will come one more powerful than I.” I read it again and wondered about that first meeting between Jesus and John. Then it hit me…


The first time John encountered Jesus was way before Jesus was baptized. It was when Mary, young and pregnant with Jesus, went to visit Elizabeth who was a little older and pregnant with John the Baptist.

Do you remember what happened? John kicked, jumped, MOVED in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of Jesus, who was in Mary’s womb. Even in the womb the power of The Word made flesh, was alive and active!

I mentioned the story of Jarius earlier in the week. (Mark 5) On the way to his home, Jesus stopped when He felt power leave his body. It’s the story of the woman with the blood issue. I’m sure we’ve all heard this particular encounter several times, but I read it with fresh eyes this time.

This woman had suffered with her disease/affliction for years. I’m sure she was exhausted. BUT, she knew that if she could touch his clothes, she would be healed. First of all, what faith! She didn’t want Jesus to make a “big deal” she knew that just a touch would be enough. So she made her way through the crowd touched his clothes, and was healed.

The word for power in this passage is “dudamus”, a modern derivative of this word is dynamite. Explosive power girls! The type of power, or kick start, that shuttle pictured above needed to get off of the ground!

I’ve been amazed this week as I thought about God being All Powerful. I’ve thought about creation and the power of the spoken word. I’ve thought about the touch of Jesus and how powerful that was and is,but here is the thing that has changed me. As powerful as He is, He lives in me. His Holy Spirit is alive and living in me.

God convicted me heart this week that I am walking a fine line of disrespect in that I do not, in every situation, acknowledge that He is All Powerful.

So my challenge this week was to acknowledge that HE is POWERFUL enough to save my lost family.

He is powerful enough to sustain us and so many of our friends in this economy.

He is powerful enough to………………(fill in the blank)

He is ALL POWERFUL. Nothing is too hard for Him.

No Title

Can I just say how proud I am of my church?! Our Vacation Bible Camp has been awesome! My girls have loved every minute of it, and our friend from up the street has enjoyed every day too.

It did not work out for me to work VBC this year and although I feel guilty about that when I'm leaving them there in the mornings, I have to say....the quiet mornings have been so different. I'm not real sure what to do with myself!

Monday was really bad, I finished the daily chores in a fraction of the time it normally takes and then I did something so out of the norm for me. I read a book....at 10:30 in the morning.

Today, I'm running some quick errands and will come home to clean out our craft closet. (I opened the door to this closet last night and there was craft paper all over the floor.)

OH!!!! I have some GREAT news!!!!

I booked my airline tickets for Siesta Fiesta last night!!!! I can hardly contain my excitement!!! God provided the money and you know what else? When I went on-line to book my flight, the price was $200 LESS than when I priced them 3 months ago!!!! Isn't that wild! THAT is God confirming once again that He wants me to go to San Antonio....Boy....He amazes me. :)

I sure hope you see Him moving around you today...

Tuesday Afternoon Project

Yesterday afternoon I came home from my hair appointment to discover that this is what my husband had taught my girls to do..







They told me they were "cross-training". Taking their karate rolls and turning them into pool jumps.

Grandparents~ I'll be shooting a video of this later today and will sweet talk Chad into loading that on here so you get the whole show.

HomeSchool Fun

If we can't laugh at ourselves, then we are WAY to serious......

The sad thing is, I know homeschool families like this!!!

All Powerful

It's Vacation Bible Camp week here. (Bible camp is the best of Vacation Bible school and overnight camp combined. Our church mixed it up this summer, took the best of both and our kids are experiencing "Amazing Space" from 9:00-1:30 each day. THEY LOVE IT!)

Since this week is a little different for me, I'm going to post portions of my study on "All Powerful".

Stay Cool!!!!

ALL POWERFUL

Jer.32:17-18 says “Ah sovereign Lord you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm……NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR YOU.”

All Powerful. How I have grown to love these two words!

My God is All Powerful.

As I’ve reflected over them this week, two concepts have continued to come to mind. It was as if God orchestrated music, sermons, blog posts, and conversations to go right back to these two concepts. He has used every avenue He could to drive these two points home in my heart. What a Drama King!!! How I love Him.

First of all, I was reminded of the power of God’s Voice/ His Spoken Word.

Psalm 29: 4a says “The VOICE of the Lord is powerful.” The passage goes on to describe how His voice breaks cedars into pieces, and strikes with flashes of lightning. It tells us that His voice shakes the desert, twists the oaks and strips the forests bare! THAT is some power isn’t it!

The Power in the voice of our God is demonstrated in the very first words recorded in His precious Word to us. Gen. 1:3 “And God said….” (We also see those three words in Gen. 1:9, 1:11, 1:14, 1:20, 24, and verse 26) Each one of these verses shows that the mere sound of His voice is powerful enough to create our universe….from nothing!

He has the power to create and the power to control His creation.

“Quiet! Be Still!” Mark 4:35-41 recounts the time Jesus and his followers were on the boat. There was a horrible storm and his followers were terrified, all the while Jesus slept.

Those three words “Quiet! Be still!” was all it took for the wind and waves to calm down. As I faced a personal struggle in my life last week, I could hear the Holy Spirit say “Quiet, Be still Stephanie”. It wasn’t long that I realized the effect of my Savior’s word to my exhausted and weary soul. I (His creation) had not been tapping into the power source enough. He had to say BE STILL so that I would listen to Him. They were life-giving, power infusing words.

Jer.32 tells us that nothing is too hard for God. He created our universe with His spoken word and He can calm the wind and the rain by commanding them to be still! I’m in awe of Him!

There are so many accounts of Jesus healing the blind, the lame. We know He fed thousands with very little and we’ve already talked about that storm. We know He walked on water, but there are three accounts that never cease to amaze me.

The power of God’s voice to raise the dead and restore life

Do you remember Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5? Jairus had come to see Jesus to ask him to come and heal his dying daughter. He was absolutely desperate for Jesus to touch his baby girl.

He was delayed a bit by another lady we’ll talk about later in the week, and it wasn’t long until they received word that Jairus’ daughter had died. Ignoring those around them, Jesus and Jairus continue on to the house. Jesus says (Mark 5:41 “Little girl, I say to you, get up! And she did.

What about the official’s son in John 4:43-53. Remember that this son was very ill and close to death? Jesus simply spoke (vs. 50) to the father “You may go, your son will live.” From a distance the words Jesus spoke were powerful enough to restore life to that boy.

And then how can we forget Lazarus. He was deader than dead! (John 11) Jesus spoke and commanded Lazarus to come out of that grave.

Jesus used the power of the spoken Word when he faced the enemy in the desert. It was hard, but the power of that Word is so much more powerful than anything that enemy could throw at Jesus.

That is some pretty spectacular power isn’t it, and that is just the power of God Almighty’s voice! How I long for the time when we look into His eyes and hear the sound of His voice!

Then Sings My Soul - I'm Amazed

Go check out Amy for more on Then Sings My Soul. Be sure to say a prayer over her and Spencer as they travel home!!!

I think I gravitated to this song this week because of my little temper issue earlier in the week! I really am amazed at our God and the mercy He pours out for me..over and over again!!

Have a very blessed weekend.

The Dog Days of Summer...and it's only June

This is how I found Paddington earlier this week. It's even too hot for him.
(That is his very special Chik-Fil-a cow. He'll take you down if you try to mess with his cow.)



We spent most of the morning in the pool. This picture was taken after our lunch break. On our way back to swim, they asked to take a pitcher of pink lemonade with LOTS OF ICE because it was "soo hot". (Spoken with the very distinct TN/Georgia Southern accent.)




Have a great weekend! Stay cool. :)

Temper, Temper, Temper

I'm just going to shoot totally straight with you today. I had a full blown temper tantrum last night. Me, the mommy of this house. I came home from choir, and within 30 minutes was aggravated to the point of just going to bed.

Looking back, the trigger of this emotional melt down wasn't really that big of a deal and really has no eternal significance, but at the time I was so mad.

It all stems from my OCD about the kitchen. There are just somethings that bug me, and dishes in my sink bug me. They make me feel like I'm suffocating. I know, it's weird. It doesn't bother me at other people's homes, but in my kitchen I have to have an empty sink.

Let me tell you how "full" the sink was and you'll see how ludicrous my reaction was. There was a mixing bowl, a measuring cup, a spatula (or flipper as my girls call it) and a skillet. That was it.

What sent me over the edge was that the syrup and butter dish had been left on the table...for 3 hours. (Chloe made pancakes for dinner and did an excellent job.) Cleaning up sticky syrup is never fun, but sticky syrup that has been on the table for 3 hours...that is another level of gross.

I get it cleaned up, pout a little bit, make Chad feel really bad, then go upstairs to find toys and hair stuff all over Emma's room. SOOOO, I give the girls a lecture on picking up after themselves, as if they have never heard this before. After their lecture, I tuck them into bed..real great mom..fuss at them right before bed time.

I was so done by the time I came downstairs that I went to bed before 9:30. ME. The night owl.

Bless Chad's heart, he apologized but I wasn't in the mood for an apology...I just wanted someone, anyone to acknowledge that they understood why I was so aggravated.

Since I went to bed so early, I was wide awake around 1:30 or so. I just stayed in bed and stared at the ceiling, flabbergasted at my attitude and actions. I'm asking God why a mixing bowl and a little syrup set me off like that. About that time, I heard a beep. It was my cell phone. The battery was going dead. I had not plugged it in yesterday and it was going on a "quick charge" leftover from Tuesday. The battery was becoming weak. Running out of juice. On it's last charge. Going dead. Hmmmmmmmm..........

Okay God I get it. The past two weeks have been busy. My time with the Lord has been rushed and I have not had my weekly "retreat" with the Him. In a sense, I have tried to do life with a "quick charge". For this mommy, a quick charge just doesn't cut it and everyone around me suffers for it. I need a daily charge to live and function properly!

So I get up this morning thankful that His mercy is new and that God is the King of do-overs. I love that this was one of the verses in my Psalm reading this morning.

Psalm 90:14 "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

I'm looking forward to turning the phones off and retreating this afternoon while my people are at karate. After the last few days, I need a long Holy Spirit super charge.

Ironically, or maybe not, the attribute/character of God that I've been assigned to soak in this week (for Freedom's Call) is "All Powerful". I'll be sharing some of that later in the week.

On a lighter note...

Chad posted some of his favorite pictures yesterday and this was one of his favorites of the girls...it's a favorite of mine too...

I can't stay aggravated at these two cuties for too long. :)

And Winner Is.....

I've had so much fun hosting these give-aways! Thanks to all who entered...

The Richie McDonald CD "I Turn To You" goes to ......

Jenifer at By His Grace


Like I said earlier, the publisher of "Trespassers Will Be Baptized" was VERY generous and 5 of you are receiving copies!! Those 5 are....

Fran at Blessed By Him
Bethanne at Waiting for the Shout
Kara at Mommy Dot Com
Sara M at Twisted Float Shrug-Along
Carol at Sheep to the Right


Okay winners...I need you to e-mail me your shipping address. Jenifer, your CD is coming from me, but book winners you will be receiving the book straight from the publisher.

Thanks again to Amanda at Brickhouse Direct for donating the CD (whose release date is today by the way)and Valerie Russo at Hachette Book Group for being so generous with the book! For those interested it goes on sale June 4.

Have a great day!

Sunday Afternoons....

Have you ever wondered what your pastor does after he preaches his heart out on Sunday morning?

Growing up, my dad would retreat to his sacred area to study for Sunday night and/or take a quick nap. There was an unspoken rule in our home to stay away from that area on Sunday afternoon!

This morning dad preached his heart out, enjoyed lunch at Aubello's Mexican Embassy (that made the Holy Day even better!) and then we all "retreated" back to the house and this is what he felt led to share with us.

You will never be the same. This message, well....I can't even begin to put into words what it means. What a legacy my children have.