Almost first post of 2009

It's around 11:00 on New Year's Eve. I've tried all day to write an end of the year post but it just hasn't happened.

The girls are determined to stay awake..right now they are half asleep in the living room floor. They have played the Wii until they can't play anymore. :)
Chad is reading a book he got for Christmas and I'm doing my best not to cough all over this computer! I'm going to have sanitize this thing!

Like most of you, I've committed to memorizing more scripture in this new year. I thought I would share my first few verses tonight.

James 1:19-22

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)

If you asked me what one thing God taught me in 2008 I would have to say that we worked on motives. What my motives are/were did they line up with His, etc... and also a year of preparation. Looking back I see just how intense some of it was. I have a feeling because of several things going on in my life, that the new year will be putting into action what He has called me to.

He has called us all to something, we are all born to do something very specific for God. I get the very strong impression that while 2008 was a year of "hearing" and preparation, 2009 is going to be a year of "doing" for me. We'll see what He does!

How about you? What is God impressing on your heart for this new year?

Where to begin.

We are so blessed. We had a wonderful Christmas week and were able to see all but two sets of family members. That is huge! The girls have been absolutely wonderful and up to this point, we haven't had the after Christmas melt down. (Does this happen at your house too? I'm curious if it's just us!)

Thursday morning we enjoyed Santa and then headed up to my parents to spend Christmas with my side of the family. It was great to see my sister and nephew along with my brother and sister in law and their daughters. My poor grandparents just sat and watched their 5 great-grandchildren open moon shoes and stilts and baby dolls and Wii games..oh brother you should have heard me trying to explain the Wii to my 91 year old grandmother. She was so confused. Anyway..it was a wonderful day that ended with Chad, my sister and I taking the three oldest to the movies...so my parent's could rest.

For several weeks I've been struggling with some sort of chest cold/cough/fatigue "thing". It wasn't bad enough to go to the doctor I thought, so I've just dealt with it at home. It has gradually become worse and listening to me cough and carry on...Chad and my dad decided I was going to the doctor. So Saturday morning that is where we went.

I've only got bronchitis, but they have fixed me up with some mighty fine drugs and I can already tell a huge difference. I didn't realize how bad I felt until I slept through the night last night. It's amazing what 6 hours of sleep will do for you! I'm still not 100% but we are getting there.

The amazing thing was the pharmacy where we filled my prescriptions gave me all sorts of discounts and coupons and we wounded up getting all my medicine at a much more affordable price. :) Thank you Lord. Just one more way He continues to show me that He is alive and active in my every day life.

We had an incredible church service this morning. Dad brought the Word and I'm telling you the Holy Spirit sat down on that place. One came for salvation, another who has been living away from the Lord came to rededicate his life..the front of the church was full of people on their faces praying. Dad lost his jacket in the middle of the invitation..we thought oh boy...he's going to preach again! Just kidding!

I have to share with you the sweetest picture for me today. When the man came forward to express his desire for salvation, my dad put his hands on his head to pray with him. The young man started out with his hands on my dad's arms...but the longer they stood there, the higher this guys arms went and by the time they were through praying his arms were totally extended in the air. It was the most beautiful thing. Complete surrender.

It was even more special to sit behind some of his friends and family..they were so happy. This family has experienced great loss this year and for one that they care so much about to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ was quite a gift.

As we sat at Aubelo's for lunch, dad told us that next week he would be baptizing FOUR! That little church is growing spiritually, and I really believe God is fixing to do a mighty work in those people.

It was an awesome way to end our weekend.

We are home, unpacked and Chad...is sick. So I get to return the favor and take care of him.

I'm looking forward to catching up on your Christmas story!

Blessings,
steph.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my bloggy friends!

I sure hope that your Christmas is filled with family, fun and most importantly Jesus.

You are just precious to me and I am so thankful that God has placed you in my life.

We have a packed weekend ahead of us, so I'm going on a little bloggity break. I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday!


Merry Christmas!

Steph.

Just a quick little thing

Hi my internet friends. :)

I sure wish I could tell you that I'm done with my holiday preperations, that my house looks fabulous, my children adorably dressed and getting along...but I can't.

Truth be told...I haven't had a shower yet, my dishwasher is going for the second time today, and I have two more loads of laundry before I can call it quits...

And I'm about to pop! I have to share with you something that totally transformed my thoughts today. It was in my Bible study this morning and when I say it knocked me flat on my face, I'm serious. Are you ready....


Fear cripples Faith, BUT Faith cripples Fear

For someone who suffers to live free of the stronghold of fear..that spoke volumes to me this morning.

We both have lots to do, so let's get off this computer and get back to it okay?

See you later in the week!

It's the 8 Things Meme

Prof Baugh tagged me with this meme! Maybe, just maybe I can stump you.

8 TV Shows I Watch:
1) Amazing Race
2) American Idol
3) Survivor
4) Food Network
5) HGTV
6) Jon & Kate plus 8
7) The Dugger's specials on TLC
8) Little House on the Prairie

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Asian Fusion
2) Panera Bread
3) Olive Garden in Times Square
4) Ankars Hoagies (mom and pop place in Chatt.)
5) Aubelo's
6) Fernando's
7) The Lady and Sons
8) and last but not least...this seafood place in Hilton Head..the Old Oyster Factory

8 Things that Happened to Me Today:
1) Woke up at 4 and never went back to sleep.
2) Had a LONG shower WITH hot water...no interruptions. Very rare around here.
3) Deep fried mac & cheese wrapped in bacon. YUMMY.
4) Had Christmas with In-laws from TN.
5) Laughed until my sides hurt at Chad's great uncle Wilton. So funny.
6) Amazed that mother-in-law's husband was rendered speechless by Uncle Wilton.
7) Watched my girls squeal when they opened a Wii.
8) Beat my husband in a boxing match. (Don't worry, it was animated.)

8 Things I Look Forward To:1) Seeing what God is going to do next.
2) Christmas with the rest of our family.
3) Leading worship for a women's retreat in January. (first one for this church ever!)
4) Seeing some of my siesta's again.
5) Children's choir starting back up.
6) Getting into the studio with Freedom's Call
7) Writing more
8) The occasional nap.

8 Things I Wish For:
1) that my daughters would have hearts that love the Lord.
2) Good health for our family
3) knowing Christ more intimately
4) that people we love would walk in the freedom that Jesus died to give them.
5) that we would be happy with where God has us.
6) to be confident that God will give me what I need to do what He calls me to.
7) singing/playing with Travis Cottrell (THIS WAS PROF's BUT I'm SO STEALING IT)
8) good hair!

8 People I Tag:
I've seen this all over this week, SO if you haven't played yet...consider yourself tagged.!

Sometimes you just need to be reminded...

That God is really there and that He really does hear you. AND CARE.

That is what this week has been for me. A big reminder.

Between all the LifeWay surprises, and the frame that Jennifer sent me...I felt so blessed...like God was saying "I'm still here...I haven't forgotten."

This morning in my Bible study I asked God to unveil my eyes today, I asked Him to show Himself to me. I also have been asking Him to help my unbelief in a very specific area.

I finished up study, grabbed my grocery list and out the door we went. First stop, haircuts for the girls. We walked right in and they took them right back, no wait. Thank you Lord.

Second stop...Kohls. My Freedom's Call girls..um Ladies, gave me some b'day money to spend on myself....so we hit the sales at Kohls. I found a couple of things, got in line and waited. Standing there something told me to check the size on one sweater...it was an XL. I needed a Medium so out of line and back to find that particular rack to make the swap.

I was aggravated at myself for not checking the tag on the garment, and then disappointed that they didn't have the size I needed. Oh well...I just found something else and since it was cheaper, I was able to pick up another top I had my eye on...all is well....we head back to the line.

On our way, a man comes into the area we were in and says, "Excuse me...I just finished my purchase. There is about $18 or so left on this gift card...I'm done and will not be using it. I want to give it to you...why don't you buy something for your girls."

Ummmm...

I looked at the girls and they were silent.

I thanked him said Merry Christmas, God bless.. and turned around to look at the girls.

They were grinning ear to ear and Chloe said..."Looks like God showed up in the Vera Wang section of Kohl's!"

Yes He did.

I want you to know that the first thing I did was remember what I had written in my study this morning..

Did I expect God to show up while I stood in the Vera Wang section? Not exactly, BUT

I asked Him to let me see Him today so honestly, I am not surprised.

The unexpected gift card wasn't about the clothes...it was God telling me..."I've got this little one...I've got it."

Now..I really have no idea how He's going to handle this thing and I don't have to know. But you better believe that I believe Him. He's spent all week long reminding me.

This verse is on the LPM Blog today... I thought it was timely.

"Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45


I believe God.

LifeWay....They have so blessed me this week.

If you haven't read this post, then go read it and then come back to this!

The worship team of Freedom's Call has had quite the honor this week. We were given the opportunity to sing at our local LifeWay store three nights. Let me tell you, the manager of this store and his staff have been wonderful.

He opened up the store to a local middle school chorus teacher, who happens to sing with us, and asked her to bring her three chorus groups to serenade his shoppers. Freedom's Call is so honored to sing after such great kids! They have done an excellent job and I think they have got a kick out of seeing their teacher sing!

It's been such a neat thing to watch some of them come into LifeWay, some for the first time and be amazed at the environment. It's a safe place. And Monday night I got a little emotional thinking about how these kids were surrounded by the Word of God. It was in front of them, beside them behind them....God's word does not return void and I believe that the simple act of opening up this store planted many seeds.

You know I've got pictures for you. :)









Remember last week I told you that they had hung a poster in the window? Remember I said I thought it would just be the flyer that they were stuffing in the bags? Ummmmm.....No...here it is




Life size. Two of them. Have mercy.


Thanks Rick and LifeWay at the Mall of Georgia! You have been such a gracious host and have blessed us this week! I believe with all my heart that seeds were planted. Thank you for turning the store into a place of ministry.

Okay....we are there Thursday night. (we've been singing around 7:15 or so) If you are in this area COME SEE US!!! I would love to hug your neck!