A Taste of Worship

Read this on someone's blog and totally agree:

"I believe that worship does not just happen on Sunday morning. I believe that it is in every little thing in our every day life. How we treat our spouse. How we react to our kids, even in the stressful moments. If we make life about "me". How we treat the waitress or the car that cuts us off. How we love. How we forgive. Everything. These are all opportunities to worship God. To show Jesus to others. I also believe that being a Christian isn't about the "dos" and "donts" or if you drink or not or cuss or not BUT I DO believe that if you follow God with full abandon...abandon your old self, your old life and let Him live through you...it is a natural overflow- your life changes, in all areas."

May my life overflow with worship of my God so that people will walk away from encounters with me having encountered God's love for them. God help me to proclaim boldly your love when I have the opportunity and to make the most of opportunities that you give me to spread your love. May it be contagious.

A Taste of Blessings

I can not say enough what a blessing it has been to live here in Houston and to get to see my sister, brother in-law, nephew, & niece on a regular basis. Just today, I kept Noah & Briley for about 3 hours while Matt and Mel worked. Working from home and having a flexible schedule also has been such a blessing so that I am able to do this. I try to pick the kids up from their Mothers Day Out program once a week to give Matt a few hours by himself or to finish some work and SELFISHLY, I love having one on one time with them at my house. Noah just amazes me everytime I see him with the new things he thinks up or the things that he says. Today, he insisted on making Uncle Brad ANOTHER birthday card (we made one last week) and wrote all of his ABCs on it and ran out of room to actually write "Happy Birthday" so he made another card for him with that on it. I let Noah decide what we did today, so we did that and made Santa & Rudolph masks and watched "The Parent Trap". I showed him this movie a while back thinking he'd think all the boobie trapping was funny but has NO IDEA he'd love it and request it on a regular basis. I can see the wheels turning in his head as he thinks, "Hmm, now how could I do that to Mom and Dad. . ." And sweet Briley played for a while and crawled around and was mesmerized by my Christmas tree. . .more the ornaments really. And then she feel asleep in my arms-oh she is so sweet. It was just a normal day, we didn't do anything super creative or "special" but spending the afternoon with them was so special to me and just made me so happy.

I say all of this fully realizing that the rest of our family would love to get to do this, and I truely wish they could too. I know it's just not possible to always live close to family. All I can say, is that we talk about you all a lot and can't wait to spend time with you all! Noah knows that he is loved by his extended family and Briley soon will realize that too-I think she already does for what her young mind can understand. You can be proud of Matt & Melanie-they are amazing parents to these two kids-it is so neat to get to see them and their love for their kids.

I just want to take advantage of this time that God has given me to be close to my family and to make sure that beyond a shadow of a doubt, Noah and Briley know that I love them and know that they are special to me because they are truely gifts from God and loved by God. It is neat because I think Noah really understands a lot about God and how God loves him. And SO far, Noah still gets excited to see me! I'm going to enjoy that for as long as I can!

I would have never guessed a year ago, that I would be here in Houston but what an amazing God we have who orchestrated this move and these precious months here. I'm so glad I trusted Him even though it was sad to leave such dear friends in Nashville. My heart is full of thanks to God for what He has done, and I pray that He will continue to give me opportunities to spend time with and love on my family.

A Taste of God's Prescence

Has it really been since the MIDDLE of OCTOBER since I've written? WOW. I don't know where all that time went! Well today, I am overwhelmed with God's prescence. During the last several weeks, I have been reminded of what it is to cry out desperately for God's prescence, not necessarily in my own life, but in the life of some dear friends: Matt & Alissa Peppley. Now, quite honestly, I don't know Matt & Alissa super well, but Alissa's sister Katie, is one of my best friends, so I consider anyone that she loves, a dear friend. I got to know Alissa a little bit when her and I both lived in Nashville and she has such a sweet spirit and reminds me so much of my friend Katie. While I ate breakfast one time in Nashville with Alissa, I could not put Katie out of my mind because they look, act, and even sound so much alike.

Well Matt & Alissa found out 9 months ago, that Alissa was pregnant again, a miracle in and of itself due to some physical reasons. During the pregnancy, they were told that their sweet baby Anna has two major heart issues and the doctors did not expect her to be able to survive outside of the womb. I was heartbroken when I heard this news. I can not imagine what a mother and father would go through hearing this news. The excitement of an unexpected pregnancy and then the news that your sweet baby may not survive. I can only imagine the questions that were sent up to God on their behalf.

So, people started praying. Praying for healing, for peace, for intervention, for GOD'S prescence in this situation. And while I was joining in the prayer and hope for healing, I have to admit that I didn't know if God was going to heal this sweet baby. I wanted desperately for Him to and I KNEW that He was able to, I just didn't know if He would choose to.

The best I knew to pray was that God would overwhelm this couple and this family with His prescence so that regardless of the outcome, they would know His love and would have a "peace that passes all understanding." Matt & Alissa also listed some specific prayer requests, so I prayed for those as well.

Well God has performed so many miracles on this family's behalf. Sweet baby Anna was born this last Thursday, breathing on her own and even screaming! Matt & Alissa both got to hold her before she went into surgery. The surgery went well and right now this sweet baby is trying to heal. She still has a lot before her, but her parents are already praising God for the days of life that she has had and for the time that they have gotten to spend with her. I am humbled and challenged by this couple's faith and trust in God. If you want to read more on their story, check out: http://babyannajoy.blogspot.com/

And then today, I found out that my dad's sister, Aunt Celia passed away. My heart hurts so much for my parents and Aunt & Uncle to lose a sibling and a sister-in law. I do not want to even begin to think about what that would be like for me. Aunt Celia was a very sweet and loving woman. I know that my Mom especially will miss her as my Mom talked to her regularly and tried to always be a friend and encouragement to her. And now I will pray again for God's prescence in each of their lives so that even in something like this where there is sadness and loss, God can be felt and experienced in a way that draws us closer to Him.

I don't always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but I do know and completely believe that He promises to be with us in the midst of life and that He offers hope, healing, and peace.

A Taste of Why I Love My Momma

You know, I've always loved my Mom. But the older I get the more and more I love my Mom. And the more and more I see her as not only my Mom but as my friend. She is my role model of how I want to be as a woman. If I can be half of the woman that she is, I will be a great woman. Today is my Mom's birthday so this post is for her. Happy Birthday Mom!

Now this is unusual. My Mom doesn't normally get shout outs. She doesn't normally get thanked in public or recognized for the things that she does. This is one of the many reasons why my Mom is awesome.

My Mom truely has a servant's heart and is very humble. She doesn't do the things that she does to get attention. She does the things that she does because they need to be done, she feels like God has asked her to do them, or because it's something that God has given her a talent in.

I sincerely can not think of a single time that I've seen my Mom put herself before someone else. Not a single time. She lives her life in such a way that she is constantly putting other's needs first above her own.

I don't know this for a fact, but I'm pretty positive that growing up, my Mom would sacrifice buying something new for herself, sometimes things that she needed, for things that her children wanted. She didn't buy us extravagant things, but I believe that she sacrificed things that she could have easily bought for herself.

My Mom stayed at home while I was growing up. I can't remember a single assembly, concert, or game that my Mom did not make it to.

I remember my Mom going out of her way to help me study for Bible Quizzing and to help me study when I was struggling in a class.

My Mom is such a hospitable person and we were always having people over for dinner. She is a wonderful cook. My family ate almost every evening meal together at the table-with a full and delicious meal. No frozen dinners for this family! My Mom made us breakfast (no not bowls of cold cereal) every morning that I can remember growing up. Now of course, I didn't recognize how amazing this was when I was 8, but looking back, WOW, WHAT MOM DOES THAT? I'm sure it'd be SO tempting to sleep in a little longer and just have the kids fend for themselves.

My Mom always made prayer a priority growing up. I remember specifically at Christmas time, Mom would bring in all the Christmas cards and letters that we got from friends and family and we'd pray for each family. What a cool Mom. And you can pretty much every morning find her praying and reading her Bible. What an awesome example she has set for our family.

My Mom has for as long as I can remember been in charge of the kid's Christmas musical at church. WHO wants to take on that responsibility?!?!? A lot of snotty nosed kids who don't bother to memorize their lines till the last minute and having to come up with costumes, and movements, and scenery. . .oh man, what an amazing woman she is for volunteering to do this each and every year. And every year, the program is a blessing for those who get to watch. And I know many a parent who would not normally set foot in the church, come to see their child and hear the message of God's love because of my Mom.

And my Mom is an extremely talented pianist. She learned to play by ear. She definitely reads music but can also hear a song and figure out the chords. I LOVE listening to her play. It's so beautiful and she is so gifted in this. She can even play the accordian! How cool is that!? As a family, we used to go Christmas caroling to older people in our church and she'd play while we sang!

Something I realized in just the past few years, my Mom regularly reaches out to family members-Aunts, Uncles, cousins-whoever needs someone to talk to or a someone to know that someone cares. She regularly calls and sends cards to some of my Aunts who I know for a fact are so greatful for that friendship that she extends.

My Mom has always been such a support to my Dad as well. He's been in the ministry for close to 40 years and she's been right there along with him-visiting people, playing the piano, typing notes, typing bulletins, running children's programs, planning music, leading plays/musicals, pulling weeds, taking kids to camp, planning garage sales-you name it, she's done it.

My Mom has taught me a lot about trusting God and has led an amazing example of this in every area of her life. My Mom and Dad lost their first baby due to SIDS and I can not begin to imagine how they made it through this. I can't wait for my Mom to be reunited with Kimberly in heaven one day.

I sincerely believe that countless people have felt God's love because of my Mom. I'm sure that many have not thought to tell her this, but I know that this is true. There is a really old song that makes me think about what heaven will be like for my Mom. It's an old Ray Boltz song called "Thank You For Giving to the Lord." These lyrics really make me think of her:

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you.
Great is your reward."

"Thank you" seems insufficient for what you have done for me and what you continue to do for me. I love you so much Mom. Hope you have a wonderful day and feel as loved as you are!

A Taste of Solitary

Solitary is a sad word to me-MOST of the time. Solitary is an adjective that means existing, living, or going without others; alone without companions Someone living a solitary life TYPICALLY, from my experience does not CHOOSE to live a solitary life. They are living this life due to circumstances that are often not within their control. Now I do think that a certain amount of solitude is good and even healthy. And a good game of old school Solitaire never hurt anybody! When we are by ourselves, we can learn to truely love ourselves and to enjoy silence and a slower pace. Often times when we are alone, we may be more likely to hear God's voice or prompting or to feel his prescence in our life. Depending on our personality, some people rejuvenate and are refreshed from times of solitude. For this reason, I think solitude can be a good thing.

But overall and in most circumstances, I believe that we were created to live in community. We were created to crave time and attention and love from others and to be refreshed by fellowship. A strong community can get through anything together. When we have been in the company of people who truely love us, we should walk away refreshed and encouraged as should the others who are part of that community.

I have to admit that each time I have moved to a new place I've thought, "I don't really need to make deep friendships here. I already have wonderful friends. I can get by and be happy enough by just keeping and maintaining those friendships and having some acquaintances in my new place." And for a while, that works. But then comes the realization that even though I still have those great friendships from the other places that I have lived-our friendship is now different and not what it used to be. It by no means is less important, but it's different. We can't pop on over to each other's house for a movie night or meet for dinner. To talk and catch up, it may be weeks or even months until we talk next. And that may be after playing phone tag for a while.

Sometimes when I've moved to the new places, I think I've been a bit hesitant to really invest deeply in new friendships because each time I've moved, I've had no sure idea how long I'd be in each new place. I'm tired of leaving people and in a way don't want to set myself up to be sad again if I feel like God has other plans for me. But really, this is no way to live. This sets myself up for a solitary life-one without true community. Now this move is a little different because I moved to be close to family. I absolutely adore and love spending time with them. I think since I've had this, I haven't been as quick to seek out other friendships. But I think that I'm supposed to, so here I go. I'm trying to be open to the friendships that God may have for me here-both friendships that will be mutually benefitting and those that may be a little more one-sided. I want to live and make the most of where I am right now. I don't want to miss out on something God may have for me. So here's to finding true community!