Wow!! All I can say is Wow!....God is moving and shaking all around me,and I am so humbled that He is letting me see it. I love love our small group and we are studying Crazy Love right now. We had a great time last night talking about God's Word and sharing what God is doing in our hearts.....if you aren't in a community group, I don't care what church you go to, you need to GET in one!! I have experienced more true fellowship, true friendship, and true sharing from the heart, not to mention some amazing times of laughter and craziness, than I have in my last 31 years of life.

I just want to praise Him today for allowing me to be a part of a community group, and also to be able to watch lives being changed, people growing, and people gettting EXCITED about God!! That is what it's all about isn't it?? Love God, love people, and be passionate about God...get excited people. There is nothing better...I promise!! I've been on both sides, all sides, upside down and turned around....I've been everywhere....there is NOTHING better than the one true living GOD.

Here are some of my fav pics from our small group's times together.....take a look and think about getting into a group of community....you'll be surprised what you get.

daddy's love...and everything else that's been goin on

It's been kind of a crazy past few weeks. About a month ago I got pnemonia, and it really knocked me down. Kylie's allergies have been really bad and we've been to the doctor more times than I can count. Then just as I was getting better I got the flu and Kylie got really sick again so we spent last week at home, laying around, taking tons of meds, watching Barbie movies, and me trying to get work done in between all of it. Just as I thought I was getting better, I woke up feeing funky and once again my doctor handed me a another prescription and said I had broncitis. Good grief, I've never been this sick so much in my life. Between trying to keep life going while feeling crappy, and take care of KJ, I've been spending time with God and asking....what is the purpose for this? IS there a purpose for all this? What are you trying to teach me right now Lord? I'm so frustrated...
I still don't feel like I have an answer (there may not be one) but I feel like I've been reintroduced to some characteristic traits of God. He's truly been my Daddy, my Caregiver, and my Comforter these past few weeks. He's been there when I felt all alone, provided when I felt like I had nothing, and He's just wrapped His arms around me and told me that it's going to get better and He's not going anywhere. I'm praying that my relationship with Him will just continue to grow, that my love for Him will grow...explode actually, and that I will fall more madly in love with the God of the universe who is ALSO my daddy. What an amazing thought...I'm still processing it all.
KJ and I were listening to one of her favorite cds that is by Andrew Peterson and listening to a few of the songs just really made me think of how God thinks of us. I've posted the words here as an encouragement to you. Think of it as Him being your loving parent today and supplying you with whatever it is you need just to make it through this season, or maybe just today.



I love you today and I love you tomorrow
I love you as deep as the sea
I love you in joy and I love you in sorrow
You can always come home to me

There once was a man that found him a treasure buried out under a tree
Sold all he had just to own it forever
The treasure is you, you see

There once were some sheep, safe on the farm
One little lamb got loose
The shepherd went out and carried it home
That little lamb is you

I love you today and I love you tomorrow
I love you as deep as the sea
I love you in joy and I love you in sorrow
You can always come home to me
You can ALWAYS come home to me.




I've got you swaddled, and I've got your bottle
And you're too loud to ignore
Your mama is sleeping, The angels are keeping....so cry no more.

Hey beautiful girl...Daddy loves you, He loves you
Most beautiful girl, in the whole wide world

Stars are all shining, the birds are reclining,
The squirrels are all nestled down.
The trees in the forest are joining in the chorus
And swaying to the sound.

I know that moons rise, and time flies
And sweet little girls get older
And then when your tooth aches or your heart aches
Will you still cry on my shoulder?

Hey beautiful girl, Daddy loves you, He loves you
Most beautiful girl, in the whole wide world.




There is a room within this house where we'll be resting
Just take a right when you get down from where you sleep
Be sure to step around the scattering of play things
Don't wake your brother with the patter of your feet.

Through the door beside your Mama's mother's paintings
Step lightly on the carpet in the hall.
Look for the shelf with all the books of Papa's reading
And the old guitar that's up against the wall.

You shouldn't feel the need to take such drastic measures
With the God of all creation looking on.
He will keep you on this night, yes, and forever-
He will keep you as He keeps us.....down the hall.

So settle in,my child, and sleep.
The moon is high and the sun is down,
And the night is deep.
Close your eyes and dream of angels' wings
And go down and down to sleep.

He is AMAZING!!

Don't have time for a long blog right now but good grief, God is just blessing me like crazy! I've had a hard week personally and physically....and God knows. He knows and He CARES....He's my best friend, my lover, my Hiding Place, my strength. The last two days He has put several situations in my life that have just brought me joy, laughter, encouragement, and peace. He knew what I needed. You know how we say He alone can satisfy and He is all we need...I say that and truly want to believe it. But sometimes it's hard to really believe...but I'm one step closer today to believing that with all my heart. Trust Him today with everything you've got! Your hurt, your frustration, your anger, your business, your loneliness....give it away and expect something great. I am truly amazed....He is the God of the Universe and He is also my best friend. How crazy and wonderful is that.....

remembering....

Today I am remembering my wonderful mother...I can't believe it's been two years. When I went out to the gravesite and saw her and my grandmother's grave, I was overwhelmed with emotion, as always. After awhile, I began to think about how grateful I was that she was a believer and that she lived her life to serve others. I miss her terribly but I am coming more and more to the realization that I wouldn't want her to be anywhere else. She struggled mentally and physically so much every day even though she didn't show it. She is so FREE now and what more could you want for someone you love deeply???....
It was also a really cool day, despite feeling like crap from pnemonia, because there were several amazing things that happened that only could be from God. It reminded me that my mother's legacy is always with me and I hope I can do the same for my daughter....and I continue to remind myself.....'our citizenship is in Heaven'.....

How God Works..

I was really having a pity party this morning for myself....some things happened last night that really had me struggling emotionally and mentally, and I just shut down after KJ went to bed and went to bed myself. I woke up not feeling much better but finding myself forced to get up, get KJ ready for pajama day at school, get ready for work, and over to babysit for a friend before work. After I dropped KJ off, I was fighting back tears and the urge to drive back home and get back in the bed, and throw my cell phone and laptop under the bed.....but I decided to try a different tactic and instead of feeding the flesh and continuing to feel sorry for myself, to starve the flesh and feed the Spirit. So I had a one-on-one with God asking Him to just be everything for me today, to satisfy the huge hole in my heart, and to be my Comforter, Best Friend, and Lover. I love the song You're All I Need but this was the moment where I needed to believe it.
My Bible study last night was about having the courage to see His promises fulfilled, and I prayed that He would give me patience and hope to wait, and to keep growing, changing, and serving during that in between time. So anyway, I had some real and honest time with God, telling Him I felt pitiful, I am pitiful, blah, blah, and I just needed Him to turn my thoughts and heart around. Within fifteen minutes, something happened that I really needed to make my day easier, and my thoughts just began turning to His blessings and how He wants to use me today, to not waste THIS day.....just by coming before Him even when I didn't feel like it, He turned my thoughts from me, to Him and His glory. I've heard someone say before, You can't be pitiful and powerful. To me, that means if I'm focused on me, then I can't allow the Holy Spirit to work His power in my life.
I encourage you today that if you are stressed, frustrated, depressed, or angry, turn to God, even if you don't feel like it. Don't trust your feelings. Trust Him. Don't just believe in Him, but believe HIM. He will do what He says He will do. He will fulfill His promises in your life. Have courage to watch and see Him come through for you because He will, in the little things and the huge things.

"Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield that protects you, the sword you boast in. Your enemies will cringe before you, and you will tread on their backs." Deut. 33:29

"O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." 2 Samuel 7: 28-29

Fav pics from Chatt so far...

This is what I want too!!

Was reading this book on Single parenting and I read this quote from a single mom: "I face not the sorrows of a fallen world, but the saving grace of the Refiner's fire. That causes me to kneel in desperation at the Lord's feet, but not pleading for a house with a picket fence, a husband, and 2.5 kids. No, I desperately pleade for the riches of His kingdom-love, joy, peace,patience, kindess, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control! For some people these gifts may come with ease, but I insist on the wretchedness of my soul that needs to be transformed at any cost. And I trust that God is not blind or uncompassionate, but very much in control. The Bible promises us trials, and these trials are there to test our faith, make us stronger, and sharpen our character. Why then should we resist God's goodness?"
WOW....she totally put into words exactly what I've been thinking through lately and what is the DESIRE of my heart....I want HIM!...and I don't want small change, or a 'tweak', I want to be transformed. He is SO worth it. As I've been here on this trip away from the normal routine of life, I am just being reminded more and more of His blessings in my life and His hand upon my life. I am forever grateful and undserving but beyond that I want to love Him and I want to want Him just because.......because HE IS GOD.