Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013

Well - it's the end of another year. 

And I feel the need for an End of Year Post.

So here are some of my TOPS for 2013:

My Top Moments of the Year: (and this is hard to narrow down - I've had so many wonderful moments in 2013)

- memories with our Bethany babies, adoptive families, birth families, and the staff at Bethany
- trips with Jody and celebration of 20 years of marriage and realizing again that he is my best friend and the love of my life
- positive outcome after a very scary health issue with Jody
- vacations
- being involved with Aroma church
- every single moment with my 2 precious daughters. No way I could pick top moments with them - every day has been amazing experiencing life with them both. 

My Top Songs for the Year

I love music - it inspires me and speaks to me.  I like to listen to pop music and even a little country some but I mostly listen to worship music. 


- Oceans by Hillsong  
- One thing Remains by Kristian Stanfill   
- Great Are You Lord  by All Sons and Daughters  
- Brokenness Aside by All Sons and Daughters 
- Waiting Here For You by Christy Nockels

Top Things I've learned This Year:

- Age is just a number.  Be thankful for every year, every month, every breath you are given. 

- Life is Short. This life is just a VAPOR.  I've been to many funerals in the last year.  Make your life count.  Every moment.  Don't wait for things to happen to experience joy.  We only get one chance. 

- All that matters to me is my faith.  All that matters to me is knowing Jesus and making His name known.  As Rick Warren said  - "I fear more the disapproval of God than I do the disapproval of men".  I have a passion for people to know Him.  I want to be faithful.   

- No one has a perfect life.  Everyone has things behind closed doors that you don't know about.  Be kind. Be encouraging. Speak words of blessings. Be understanding.  Forgive easily. Don't hold grudges. Life is too short for that. 

- The What Ifs of Worry are a disease that can eat you alive. I have struggled with so much anxiety in the last few years worrying about things.  God is in Control.  


2013 was a year full of so many wonderful things.  I'm praying I will be more intentional with 2014 and treasure each moment!  

Saturday, August 31, 2013

it's ok to receive


Here’s a confession: I ain’t great at receiving. No, ma’am. This southern girl knows how to nod her head, keep her needs hidden, and just carry on with what has to be done.
Maybe you can relate?
I’m learning to open my hands and heart more as the years go by so God and others can pour into my life. But it’s still a lesson God has to bring me back to again and again. It’s simply hard for me to believe that it’s okay to receive.
Yet a story from Scripture recently changed my perspective. Peter and John are going to the temple. Along the way they pass a beggar. The man wants money but what he really needs is healing. Peter says these words to him: “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” {Acts 3:6}. Then in the name of Jesus Peter lifts this man to his feet to begin a new life full of all he has never known before–running, skipping, jumping, dangling his toes into water on a hot summer day.
The words that grip me in this story come from Peter: “What I have I give you.”
It’s simple, friends, we can’t give what we don’t have.
Yet at one point, Peter resisted receiving too. At the last supper when Jesus tried to wash his feet, Peter protested.
Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
John 13:6-8
Peter relents even if he doesn’t yet understand. I wonder if perhaps that day as he looked at the crippled feet of a beggar the scene from the Last Supper flashed through his mind again. I wonder if he finally connected the dots–that receiving from Jesus is what gives us the power to give to others.
When we’re weary, we often think what we need to do is just try harder. But maybe the opposite is true. Maybe what we need most is to sit down and let Jesus wash our feet. That feels uncomfortable. Like Peter, we squirm in false humility and declare that this isn’t the way things are supposed to be. But Jesus still gently insists. Because he knows that it’s not really about us–it’s about the greater work of his Kingdom. He’s showing us how to love by loving us.
What do you need to receive from Jesus today?
Let him wash your feet, your wounds, the weariness from your heart.
I’ll keep learning to do the same right along with you.
Let’s believe.
Let’s receive.
Let’s give our Savior the joy of loving on us.
And then pass it on.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

home


“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” — King Solomon
“You git what you git and you don’t throw a fit.” — Southern Saying
As I drive my thoughts zip down a two lane road in my mind as well. In one lane, I’m thanking God for answered prayers and desires granted. In the other lane, I’m feeling frustrated that my day-to-day reality doesn’t always line up with the magnificent vision I have in mind. I long to see a sign from God that one day those two lanes will merge. When will that finally happen?
It seems God has an answer for me. Um, heaven.
Oh, right. I should have seen that one coming.
We live in a paradox, friends. We are not Home yet. And on the journey to where we’re going, what we can dream up and what actually unfolds in our lives are never going to align perfectly. Never. I’m not saying that to be a stinker. I’m saying it to save us from one of the biggest dream killers: unrealistic expectations.
If we demand that our perfect vision be fulfilled then we will never be satisfied.
Not with our dreams.
Not with our marriage.
Not with our family.
Not with our church.
Not with ourselves.
“So why bother dreaming?” you might ask. It’s simply this: “Where there is no vision the people perish” {Proverbs 29:18 KJV}. In other words, our dreams and desires pull us toward life. They draw us toward Home. They keep us looking to God for his best in our lives. That’s a good and beautiful thing.
It’s only when we turn our desires into demands that we get into trouble.
What can we do to avoid that? First, we can accept that we will live between those two lanes all of our lives here on earth: the ideal and the real, the eternal and the everyday. Then we intentionally thank God for what’s less than perfect. And at the same time we keep pressing toward the vision he’s placed in our hearts.
We live in the paradox.
We release our expectations and yet we continue to look to the future with expectation.
One mile, one day, one dream at a time.
Yes, all the way Home.

Friday, August 23, 2013

10 Ways to be a Happier Mom


10
Ways to be a Happier Mom


1. Life is not an emergency. 
Life’s a gift. 
Just. Slow. Down. 
2. Now is not a forever grace but amazing grace. 
3. Sometimes the slowest way is the fastest way to joy. 
Make time today, even a moment, to read Scripture and memorize it. 
4. Laughter is the cheapest, holiest medicine. 
Preschoolers laugh 300 times a day. Aim for double that. Tickle someone, (yourself!), if necessary.
5. Motherhood is a hallowed place because children aren’t commonplace. 
6. Homemaking is about making a home, not about making perfection
7. A pail with a pinhole loses as much as the pail pushed right over. 
A minute dawdled here, a minute scrolling here — they can add up to your life.  Write down your intentions for the day and prayerfully live the intentions and spend your life well by paying attention to the moments — which pays thanks to God.
8. Believe it: I have all I need for today.  
The needs of our day are great but our God is greater and we call Him Providence because we believe: He is the One who always provides
9. Slow. Children at play. 
10. Love is patient. 
Parenting’s this gentle way of bending over in humility to help the scraped child up because we intimately know it takes a lifetime to learn how to walk with Him.
Patience. Love always begins with patience and patience is a willingness to suffer.
Bonus: 
The art of really celebrating life isn’t about getting it right — but about receivingGrace
The sinners and the sick, the broken, the discouraged, the wounded and burdened — we are the ones who get to celebrate grace!
Regardless of the mess of your life, if Christ is Lord of your life, than we are the celebrants out dancing in a wild rain of grace — because when it’s all done and finished, all is well andChrist already said it was finished.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Dreaming


Sometimes dreaming can be exhausting. I get frustrated. I feel like every door is locked tight and every road is a dead end.
Recently it seemed like everything I tried to do failed. One door after another slammed shut on me and I found myself wondering if I was even pursuing the right dream. I was ready to throw in the towel, but then I heard a gentle whisper…
Quit chasing after the dream. Chase after Me.
Yes, I have been guilty of pursuing the dream instead of the Dream Giver. I have been guilty of following my heart instead of searching for His.
The Lord longs to be gracious to you…
How blessed are all those who long for Him…
He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry…
He will answer you…
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it.”
(from Isaiah 30)
It’s not that God doesn’t want us to pursue our dreams; He does! After all, He is the one who put the dream in our hearts. He wants to dream with us, to be the one whispering in our ear and holding our hand as we walk the path He’s set before us.
In the Disney movie Tangled Rapunzel spent her whole life dreaming of leaving her tower and traveling to the city to see the floating lanterns. Eugene made that dream come true for her. But after her dream was fulfilled there was still something more she longed for. When Eugene quietly whispers to her “you were my new dream” she responds “and you were mine”. It was that moment when she realized what her heart truly longed for. It wasn’t the fulfillment of the dream, but someone to share the journey with.
Yes, I’m a dreamer. But He is my dream. Knowing Him, loving Him, serving Him, following Him; that is the dream I must pursue. And as I draw closer to Him, as my heart longs for more of Him, I hear Him quietly whisper in my ear, “turn here”, “call her”, “ask him”, “knock on this door”. And step by step, hand in hand, He leads me closer to my heart’s desire.
There are times on our journey we need to stop and make sure we’re chasing the Dream Giver and not the dream. Is He all that your heart longs for? Are you close enough to hear Him whispering direction in your ear? Are you captivated by Him? Turn your eyes to the Dream Giver, delight in Him. Then He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Saturday, August 10, 2013

the perfect way


“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” — Jill Churchill
I’ll never forget the first time I read the quote above.  I felt like I was falling short in every area of my life.
As a wife.
As a friend.
As a Christian.
As a mom.
As a sister.
I had convinced myself there was a right way to fulfill each of those roles. And no matter how hard I tried, I can't make that “right way” work in my season of my life. Have you ever felt that way?
When I read the quote above, it gave me permission to adapt. To figure things out. To let good enough really be good enough sometimes.
There’s no way to be a perfect wife, friend, Christian, mom, sister but there are a million ways to be a good one.
It opened the door to solutions. I have hired a friend to help with household tasks. I sent my friends emails when we couldn’t get together face-to-face. I prayed on my commute to work.
And I survived.
So did my relationships.
My family was not eaten by dust bunnies.  No lightning bolts struck when I occasionally missed church because I needed sleep more than a sermon.
I’m not an advocate of being crazy-busy as a lifestyle. The pace I sometimes go isn't sustainable long-term. But sometimes God calls us to seasons of busyness, difficulties, or challenges and we’ve got to figure out a new normal for that time. If we refuse to adjust and instead firmly cling to our “right way” for everything then we’re asking for burnout and broken relationships.
How do you need to fill in that blank today?
There’s no way to be a perfect ________ but there are a million ways to be a good one.
Give yourself permission to figure out those million ways {or at least a dozen}. It’s okay. You’re not failing–you’re being wise.
This season will pass for you. And then you’ll need new solutions for the next one. All of our lives we’ll be changing, adapting, growing, speeding up, slowing down. That simply means we’re human and we’re alive. Want to stay the same in every season? Consider becoming a rock. Otherwise embrace the freedom that’s yours and relax a bit. As I look back on  crazy times in my life, my only regret is that I didn’t extend even more grace to myself.


Saturday, August 3, 2013

you will be ok



You’re going to be okay.


You don’t have to try harder.
You’re loved more than you know.
That’s true no matter what anyone else says or does.
It’s true even if you don’t feel it.
It’s true today.
It will stay that way tomorrow.
And forever too.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

a new week


A new week unfolds in front of us like the blank page of a journal. What will be written on it?
I’m not sure. And I imagine you aren’t either. None of us can know what tomorrow holds. But there are some words that we can always count on to be there every day of our lives.
Love – You are loved. Just as you are. More than you know. Nothing that happens this week can change that reality. You’re not going to be alone this week. Not for one day. Not for one moment. Not for even one second.
Grace – You are accepted. Your sins have been forgiven and you are free. Your mistakes and failures can’t separate you from God anymore. You can take risks, make bold decisions, embrace new opportunities because you can’t lose what matters most.
Hope – You have a future that’s good. This week is part of a larger plan, a greater purpose. Even when you don’t understand what he’s doing, God is working on your behalf. He sees the bigger picture of your life and he’s committed to making it beautiful.
Let’s make the most of this week, my friend.
It’s another page of our story.
And we can trust the One holding the pen.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

you




Dear You,
It’s so easy to look at the woman across the room, across the sanctuary, across the world wide web and think: “I should be more like her.” We compare clothes, talents, how many friends we have on Facebook. We crave validation and surely if we can be like the people we admire then we will have it.
Yet God doesn’t compare you to anyone else. Not that friend whose house looks like a spread in a magazine. Not the woman in your church who knows how to make everyone laugh at just the right moment. Not even the leader who seems to have a direct line to Jesus while you feel like you’re dialing the wrong number half the time. Not to any of those—or any other woman who has ever been or ever will be. When you gave your life to Jesus you became a “new creation.” Listen closely: it doesn’t say “a new human being.” A new creation.
In other words, God made you into something the world has never seen before and never will again.  Women struggle so much with comparison.
You are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, a custom design, a work of art.
And when there is only one of something, it’s impossible to compare it.
That means since there’s only one of you, you can’t be compared either. When God looks at you, he sees his handiwork and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That’s it. The only standard he ever asked you to meet is the one Jesus met in your place. So you are free from being compared.
What do you do instead? Be the you he has created, called, and redeemed you to be. Develop your strengths. Discover your gifts. Do whatever you can to serve those around you with what you have. Display his glory by living fully alive, by beautifully reflecting the part of his image he has crafted into you.
Give yourself permission to stop comparing. And instead start celebrating who you are and the God who made you that way. Then let your heart feel his response…
His incomparable joy.
Someone Who Loves You
{Genesis 1:31, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Philippians 2:1-11}

Saturday, July 13, 2013

comfort




No matter what happens today…
God is the same as yesterday,
same as tomorrow.
that is such a comforting thought for me.!!


Saturday, July 6, 2013

what really matters


The sink overflows with dishes. Pans and bowls lay scattered across the kitchen. The counters are covered with smudges of who-knows-what. Years ago, this would have sent me into an immediate cleaning frenzy. But tonight I turn off the light and let it go. I step into the warm summer night for a walk with my husband. I read a book on the couch for a few moments. I talk to someone I love on the phone.
When I come back the next morning, the mess is still there. But those moments that really mattered would have been gone forever.
And it turns out my worst fears weren’t realized: the health department failed to show up, a reporter neglected to take photos through my windows, and no one came for my children.  
As I stared at my slightly scandalous kitchen and thought about this I noticed a saying on a sign in the house, “Live fully. Love deeply. Laugh loudly.” And I nodded in agreement at those words.
I’m a person who wants order. I need simplicity and organization. I believe in keeping the dust bunnies somewhat at bay. But there are times when it matters more to make dinner for your friend who just had a baby and leave the dishes on the counter, actually answer the phone, and watch the fireflies come out with someone you love.
Because the dishes will stay but life goes by and you can never get a single day back.
So every once in awhile, just turn off the light and ignore what needs to be done. And when you come back to it, let it remind you of what’s most important in your life.
Because sometimes a mess just means we’re busy with what really matters.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Difference in forgiving and trusting


I read this blog today...why is it so hard to forgive and trust again is a question I ask myself often.  

Most of us want to forgive. We don’t want to hold a grudge. We don’t want to be bitter. We don’t want our lives to be consumed with resentment.
But more than wanting to forgive, we don’t want to be hurt again.

There is this natural belief that if we forgive, then we are not only saying what that person did was okay, we are being vulnerable enough to allow them to hurt us again.

Resentment becomes our only defense mechanism to protect our heart. I think many of us live with resentment and bitterness not because we want to, but because we’ve confused forgiveness with trust.

Forgiveness, according to Scripture should be offered unconditionally. In fact, if there are conditions, then it isn’t forgiveness. But trust has to be earned.

If you have been hurt; betrayed; abused; cheated on; lied to then it is easy to confuse these two things.
In fact, so many people that you talk to often feel like they haven’t fully forgiven because their trust hasn’t been restored.
Forgiveness is a process, but trust is a prized possession. Once your trust has been broken, it becomes even more valuable.

As someone who has broken ultimate trust in my marriage can I encourage you? Offer forgiveness freely; offer trust slowly.

Healing doesn’t come all at once. When you’ve been hurt, lied to or betrayed your heart is in a vulnerable state.

What you want most is what you used to have.

What you long for is life before the porn; before the sexting; before the lie; before the cheating; before the Facebook relationship.
What you are tempted to do is to equate forgiveness with trust…and when you do that you short-circuit your healing and the one whose broken your trust’s restoration.

If you desire the relationship to be restored, begin to communicate things that will build your trust. Give the person who’s hurt you an opportunity to earn your trust. Don’t hold them hostage to your suspicions…communicate with them what you desire from them to earn trust. What you shouldn’t be is fearful or paranoid…rather wise and discerning.
I
f you have broken trust in a relationship, it is so easy for you as well to confuse forgiveness with trust. Your feeling is “If you have really forgiven me, then we wouldn’t be having these conversations.” Ask yourself this question, “Has my spouse (friend, sister, daughter) not forgiven me, or do they not trust me?” When you confuse forgiveness with trust you begin to think that you can never do enough to be forgiven.

My guess is that it is much easier for the person you’ve hurt to forgive you than it is to trust you. They love you and want to forgive you, they are just fearful of being hurt again. Humility on your part will go a long way. Pay the price. Seek to do the little things that will earn trust.

The currency of any relationship is trust. Maybe today your relationship seems bankrupt because you’ve confused trust with forgiveness.

As we forgive, we free ourselves from bitterness. As we trust, we experience the process of restoration.


Saturday, June 29, 2013

guilt and shame


We all have especially vulnerable places. Tender spots in our heart. Lies we’re more likely to believe. It can take a long time to even recognize them. Lately I’ve been catching glimpses of mine. Guilt and shame can get to me quickly. I make one mistake or fall short of one expectation and suddenly I decide…
I’m a terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad wife/friend/daughter, etc.
And what do I do? I try harder, of course. Until I’m weary. And then that just proves the guilt and shame are deserved. Such nonsense. And I know it. Just like I knew Twinkies did not really count as a quality baked good. But I ate them for years anyway.
So the other night I prayed, “Lord, what replaces guilt and shame?”
The answer that slipped into my heart, “Gratitude and praise.” 
So here’s the process I’ve started going through when guilt and shame try to tackle me:
What am I telling myself?
I’m bad because the dust bunnies in my house are now the size of jack rabbits.
What’s the reality?
Yes, the house could use vacuuming. It’s been a really busy week. I’ll be able to do it next week.
What’s the real truth {this is a bridge statement between guilt/shame and gratitude/praise}?
My worth is not based on the size of my dust bunnies. It’s based on who Jesus says I am. And the reason my house is a bit dirty is because he’s had other things for me to focus on the last few days.
What do I have to be grateful for and praise God about?
God, thank you that I have a house to live in with my husband and daughters. I praise you because you’re my ultimate Home and you’re building me a mansion in heaven with no dust bunnies. Help me remember what matters most in light of eternity.
Now it’s your turn to try it…
What’s a lie you’ve been telling yourself?
What’s reality?
What’s the real truth?
What do you have to be grateful for and praise God about?
{Note: I’ve found that the “reality” and “truth” statements are essential. If I try to jump straight to gratitude and praise then I bury the guilt and shame rather than healing it. We’re human and we need to acknowledge that what we’re feeling and experience before we can really change our perspective.}
I know I need to go through this process when I feel the muscles in my tummy tightening up, my heart beating harder and my breath becoming shallow. We respond physically when someone lies to us–and we do the same when we’re lying to ourselves. How does your body tell you that something isn’t quite right? Learn to be aware of that and when you experience it, pause and take a deep breath. Then go through the process above. If you get distracted along the way, it’s okay. Just start again until you get all the way to the end.


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Recapture joy


How much of my life have I lived absent of joy? Joy costs nothing and is always available, yet I’ve chosen at times to live without it.

There is a difference in dreaming for the future and wishing for the future. Dreaming inspires you to move forward; wishing causes you to resent where you are.

I have often spent today wishing things will be different tomorrow.
  • I wish I had a different job.
  • I wish I could a dreamy marriage.
  • I wish I had a bigger house.
  • I wish I made more money.
  • I wish my kids would sleep through the night.
  • I wish my kids would get out of diapers.
  • I wish I get that promotion.
  • I wish my spouse was more like someone else’s spouse.
  • I wish I could sell more, accomplish more, do more.
Wishing for the next stage of life is the quickest way to lose joy in this stage of life.

If I could, I’d go back and savor the small house and the beat up cars and the sleepless nights and the blown out diapers and the small beginnings.
We can never get time back.

So often we spend more time thinking about how the next thing will bring us joy that we forfeit the joy of that moment.
Contentment is the pathway to joy.

You want to experience joy immediately…be content. When we are content with who we are and where we are in life, joy is the biproduct of contentment.

I’m asking God to help me be content these days. 
I don’t want to miss what’s now in favor of wishing for what’s next. 

Saturday, June 22, 2013

summer time




Summer speaks to us in different ways than other seasons. She says to us, “Pause, savor, feel warmth on your skin.” It’s easy to miss her. She’s quiet, you know. She whispers from the bright red of strawberries that kiss your lips when you taste them. She beckons from waves that stretch out along the shore like a welcoming party. She calls your name through fireflies that invite you to dance in the early dark.
She’s God’s gift to us. A reminder of fullness and grace, rest and beauty, sweetness and abundance.
Will you take a few moments to listen to her with me today? I overlook her almost every year. Then I find myself at the end of September wondering how I missed all the wonder.
Step outside or glance out your window for a moment–just a moment–and look up at the sky. Feel the sun brush your skin, see the flowers dressed up in swimsuit colors, wave hello to a newly hatched robin taking her first hop across the lawn.
Each one is a miracle, ours for the enjoying.
Like strawberries on the vine.

Friday, June 21, 2013

In honor of sweet baby Olivia

...today is the court date when the judge says Olivia is officially home!!  So excited for the sweet family

Monday, June 10, 2013

Sovereign


I've been reading about God's sovereignty recently and pondering what it means for my life.
My belief that God is sovereign doesn't take away the hard stuff or make the path easier, but it changes everything. Everything.

I'm loving these words by Chip Ingram:


“Because God is sovereign and He loves you, nothing will ever come into your life that He does not eitherdecree or allow. Consequently, no matter what you face in life, you can take comfort in the fact that God is sovereign.”—Chip Ingram


I also an enjoying this song by Chris Tomlin - 

Thursday, May 30, 2013

my Deliverer


I was so helpless
Where did the light go
I had no hope left
Deep down in my soul
I was watchin'
I was waitin'
I was prayin'
I was stayin' down on my knees
That's right where You found me

My Deliverer, You rescued me from all that held me captive
My Deliverer, You set me free
Now I'm alive and I can live
So every moment I will give you praise
My Deliverer
Ooh my Deliverer

There's no pretending
I can't do it myself
I'm so dependent
Lord I need Your help
I'll be watchin'
I'll be waitin'
I'll be prayin'
I'll be stayin' down on my knees
That's right where You'll find me

My Deliverer, You rescued me from all that held me captive
My Deliverer, You set me free
Now I'm alive and I can live
And every moment I will give you praise

La la la la la I need You
You know whatever I'm goin' through
I'll be watchin'
I'll be waitin'
I'll be prayin'
I'll be stayin' down on my knees
That's right where You'll find me

My Deliverer, You rescued me from all that held me captive
My Deliverer, You set me free
Now I can live
My Deliverer, I'm no longer captive
My Deliverer, You gave Your life that I might live
So every moment I will give you praise
Yeah my Deliverer
I'm gonna give You praise
I'm gonna give You praise
My Deliverer


Saturday, May 25, 2013

How He Loves Us

This has been a favorite song of mine for awhile, but after events of last week it is more special to me.  

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, and I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, 
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me.

And oh
How He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us
how He loves us oh

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, and I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, 
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me.

And oh
How He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us
how He loves us oh

Yeah He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

Yeah He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking (ha ha)
So 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
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves
Yeah He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves yeah yeah

hey yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah 

Yeah He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves yeah yeah
Yeah He loves us
He loves us
He loves us



Monday, April 22, 2013

I Will Not Be Shaken

I Will Not Be Shaken...words by Tommy Walker

My favorite song for today :)   I hope you enjoy!!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

fun happenings

Okay, the weekly recap has not started to well.  I am going to try better :)

So we will start with Monday March 18th and continue through Easter Sunday, March 31st

Monday: co-op classes that I will talk about at a later time.  T is going to "dance lessons" that is sponsored by the co-op to learn group dances and ballroom dancing.  She has these classes every other Monday night and Thursday night.  She loves going, probably because it is dance!!  She could dance all day and be happy :) I am glad she is having fun!!

Tuesday: normal school day and dance night for the girls.  I met a client at the house she is buying to go through final inspection and to get measurements, etc.  I am so excited for my client to have found the house that she wants!!

Wednesday: school day, doctor's appointment, and church.  T is having surgery on her knee to get it fixed.  She injured her knee 4 1/2 years ago so she is ready to get it fixed.  I am praying now for her, doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and that the surgery will go well.

Thursday: school performance by Mooreland Heights School that was awesome.  The kids did an awesome job, the costumes, the backdrop, and props were wonderful.  It was a fun and entertaining program.  Then I went to closing and my client has her new house!!  This went well and I am so happy for her.  Then we took Maggie (the dog) to a kennel for a stay next week while we are out of town.  Not sure how that will go, she has never stayed at a kennel.  She has stayed with 3 other families in the past but really only loves to stay with Nana and Papaw while we are gone.  So this will be a new experience for her, we will see how she does!! Thursday night we attended Aroma and I will talk about that in a later post.

Friday: RIDE IN THE CAR ALL DAY!!  We had a good traveling day to Disney World.  We traveled it all in one car - that is a lot of miles and a lot of riding.  The girls were tired and not feeling the best when we left so they mostly slept and watched movies the entire trip and J and I did much talking and discussing - which may not have been so good for J!!

Saturday - Wednesday: Disney World!! I will have more posts about this trip.  T celebrated her birthday  16th birthday Sunday :)

Thursday - Friday: left Disney World and started our drive home.  We stopped in Atlanta to shop, watch a movie at Studio Grill and have lots of fun.

Saturday: picked up Maggie from kennel.  I am not sure she had as much fun as we did during the week!!  I will have to see what happens and let you know.  The people that own and run the kennel were great and sweet. We also celebrated Caroline's 2nd birthday by partying.

Sunday: Love this day - Easter Sunday!!  Lots of celebrating.  I will post more pictures and posts about this in the future.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Happy Day

This is one of my most favorite songs.  I love the songs, the tune, the lyrics, the hope it reminds me of, and the happiness I have listening and singing!!

lyrics to Happy Day:

Verse 1:
The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, The empty grave
Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out Jesus is alive
He’s alive
Chorus:
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day
I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed
Verse 2:
When I stand, in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours Jesus You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate Jesus is alive
He’s alive
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious name

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

recap of week

A few years ago, I would blog each week about the happenings in the King house from the week before.  This was great for using as a journal and a great way for me to see what was really going on in our lives.  Anyway, I got busy and distracted and I stopped this blog posting and I have missed sharing with you about our life.  Therefore, I am beginning again!! 

So, I am not sure what day I will post this and I am not sure what title will be given each week but I am sure that I will begin again!!  The day and title will come I am sure :) I will begin taking pictures each day of happenings but this past week will not have pictures.  The days do not seem very interesting to many I am sure...but to me it is a journal.  I am not going to include many school events, other than extra fun and different than normal daily school events - just remember that each day involves school time and learning :))

* Sunday: time change last night and lost an hour of sleep due to springing forward!!  needed a nap most of the day :) enjoyed a great time of worship and a wonderful sermon.  This month the topic is "the Nest" at church and Brother Hollie will be reminding and challenging us about family, home, and children.  I am excited.  

*Monday: co-op classes for the girls and I teach a co-op class that is so fun.  I enjoy spending time with the kids in my class, it is a time of fun and learning from each other. ( I will share more each week about my class and the girls classes). J is also home this week and I am loving that!!  He has been traveling each week, but this week he is home.  Tonight we had dinner at Nana and Papaw's house that was yummy and good time with each.  

*Tuesday: dance classes for the girls that I will share about more each week.  T had a MRI done on her knee to give the doctor a better look at what is going on.  I will share more about this next week after follow-up appointment.  

*Wednesday: church night - more on that in the future

*Thursday: haircut for me - love getting my hair washed, cut, and fixed.  We went to see the spring program presented by River's Edge Christian Academy.  It was good to see people we had not seen in a while and the kids did a great job.  

* Friday: new tires for my Honda Pilot :( trying to decide if I want to sale or trade the Honda Pilot and get a vehicle that is smaller and has less payment.  I need to really decide what I am doing about this next week.  Either way - I have new tires and they are wonderful!!  They are like riding in the clouds and so smooth.  We began T's birthday celebration tonight with J's family.  We had dinner, cookie cake, gifts, lots of fun, and special memories with family.  

*Saturday: T and A went to Nashville with Granny and Pops to continue the celebration of T's birthday.  J and I ate breakfast in downtown Knoxville, went to Home Show where we dreamed about remodeling, ran errands, car shopping, eating dinner at the best Mexican restaurant that we love, and just enjoyed spending the day together.  It was a fun day and the weather was wonderful!!