Photo Contest

I am entering a summer photo contest!! Check it out here! Vote for meeeee!!!

Stuff -

So, "stuff" has been going on. When "stuff" is going on, I want to know what is up. I hate to be on the peripheral of "stuff". You know, you get an inkling here and maybe an idea here, but you really don't know what is going on. It is easy to get caught up in the "stuff". But here are a few verses I have been meditating on the last few days.

Proverbs 10:19 "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise."

Proverbs 11:13 "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter."

Proverbs 12:18 "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Proverbs 15:18 "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention."

Proverbs 17:9 "He who covers transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends."

Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things."

All these verses have led me to "check" my heart. I want to be a person who is wise and righteous and soothes instead of inflames. I want all the words out of my mouth to bring life and healing. I don't want to be the one sinking ships if you know what I mean. So, no matter what "stuff" is going on, I want to not be moved. To any I have hurt, I repent. I want the meditations of my heart and the words from my lips to be pleasing to the Lord.

Yearn, Faint, Cry -

Okay, here is what you do. Go to itunes. Then go to itunes store. Then go to podcasts. Then enter in Yearn Faint Cry. Then you subscribe to this podcast. Then, once you get access to all available podcasts you scroll down. Then you continue to scroll down. Then you stop at a 4 part series by Mike Bickle called The Power of a Focused Life. Then you download them. Then you listen to the first session and get convicted, then your life gets changed. Then you put it on your NEW IPOD (Yipeeee) and listen to it again and again and again until in becomes manifested truth in your life. (the first session, that is, I haven't got to the next three because I am soaking up the first). I learned some powerful things from this podcast.

I will say, to some of you who are extremely organized and scheduled this may be nothing. But to us who are little, say, crappy at time management, it will be profound. Even if you are fairly good at it, this will spur you on to a new level of excellence.

Enjoy!!

Gifts & Surprises!!!

Yesterday I got a wonderful Gift and Surprise from Aaron and Rachel Laughlin. Now they would never want me to draw attention to them ... but that is exactly what I am doing because they are flipping awesome. So, anyway this is what I got!!

I am so excited. So, thank you Lord for gifts and surprises and terrific friends!!

Messin' me up!!

This song is messin' me up! Every time I hear it a little more fear breaks off of me.

I tried to upload the video, but no dice. So here is the link.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

Here are the lyrics

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath
The weight of His wind and mercy

When all of the 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 our portion
And we are His prize
Drawn to redemption
By the grace in His eyes
And if grace is an ocean
We're all sinking

So heaven meets earth
Like a sloppy wet kiss
My heart turns violently inside 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 ...

I need you!!!

I have a question for all of you. I would really appreciate a response.

What do you do to to relax or for pure enjoyment.

See, I believe that my high stress level is contributing to this ailment. I began to realize, I don't know what makes me relaxed. I have lots of things I have to do. Plenty of things I want to do. I serve of two different advisory boards at church. I am Kathy's prayer assistant. I lead Intercessory prayer on Tuesdays. I meet with Brandon every week on a project we are working on. I meet with Kathy and Ashley every week. I have coffee twice a week at my house with friends and another time with the women's ministry team. (Which I do enjoy, but I wouldn't call it relaxing) I try to do lunch on Thursday's (not always, sorry). I also have five kids, and one still attached to my hip (or boob), a husband, a unfinished book, a house to clean, groceries to buy, and 21 loads of laundry per week.

All that being said, I know each and every one of you has a list as long or longer. So my question again.

If you had a free day, a little cash, what would you do. Pure fun, stress relieving activities.

On the lighter side of things ...

I know I have sounded a little melancholy lately. So I thought I would post some pictures of some of my children . . . sleeping in strange places and positions. If this can't cheer a person up, I don't know what can.

Avery, asleep at the table with a chip in her hand.

Maddie hanging almost upside down sleeping.

Blaise, well, I am not sure about this one, but I can assure you that she is really sleeping. This last one is just because I love it.