New Chapters

So good things to come to an end I guess at one time or another. Poo, poo, two of my good friends who also happen to live in my neighborhood are moving. One up the street, one down the street. First we became friends. Than we moved into the same neighborhood (a block away from one another) One moves next week and another TBA but soon. For the latter it's more dependent on the sale of their house in regards to actual timing. Both have great things awaiting them. New life prospects like new jobs, new churches, new adventures all around. I will miss both of them. It's been so sweet to grow up as mothers of small children together. My kids played with their kids and their kids played with my kids. We often helped out with childcare for one another. Nothing beats a good friend and even better if they live down the street and up the road. It's been just knowing you're there.

Each of these friends have such rich qualities about them. Each bring a smile to my face when I think of them and their families. One of these friends was even in my wedding as a bridesmaid, aww. So many memories, so many stories. When it hit me I started to cry. Than I started to laugh with joy at the great adventures they are beginning. I'm happy for them, as a good friend aught to be. Still, my friends and neighbors, things will not be the same once relocation has happened. States away, we'll not be able to walk to one another's houses or take walks together with our strollers. It takes me a while to process change sometimes. This is one of those bitter sweet times. I'm happy for both, yet sad because neither can be replaced. Social networking just won't be the same as our ole' familiar face to face conversations and times well spent. My neighborhood will never be the same again. The park down the street will echo their laughs as memories are recalled. Ah the emotions of saying good bye, I'm struggling with. I could just cry again when I stop and think of their presence being missed. But why cry? I'll opt for a brighter path of thoughts. I'll cheer them on as they start a new chapter. It's clear in each one of my friends who are departing and relocating; God is moving in their midst on their behalf. It's a good thing He is doing. Thank you God for such good friends who've been blessed with great opportunities for a brighter future. Thank you for the times we've shared. I'm not very good at good byes so I guess we'll just have to say, talk to you later ~ ole friend (s).

i forgive U!

My God, {Banner Over Me},

I know I'm not where I was, nor am I where I want to be. Thankfully I know you're gently nudging me along. This day, just a puzzle piece in the life I'm living until I go home. I'm so glad I have a Heavenly Father that disciplines me, showing me what a real father is like. It's through your Holy Spirit I can see those dark spots that still reside in my heart. Thanks God for showing me my failings so that I can continue to grow. You give me such hope. Thanks for blotting out my sin ~ sin my lips can tell you all about day after day. I want to obey you. I want to trust you more. My heart is honest before you. You know the words on my lips before I even speak. You see the depths of me and know I'm quite complex inside. O Lord, you are the only one who really 'gets me'. Through my transparency before you Lord, I'm able to leave my baggage at the door and walk freely daring to come closer to where you are. I'm covered, wrapped and adorned in your love, grace and rich mercy. You call me to be intimate with you. Let my life not forsake those sweet moments; the times when it is just you and I.

You O Lord have brought me a mighty long way. I was swimming in fear, not able to trust a single soul. My heart felt like an anchor at the bottom of the ocean hard, heavy and corroded, yet you flooded me with joy I cannot fully explain. You tickled my soul with a laughter that physically poured out uncontrollably. I laughed until my sides hurt. Such joy I'd never known until you. Oh Lord how you've redeemed my life! You've given me children who've already lived a better life than did as a child. I see your hand upon them and it touches my heart to see how you are moving in their lives. The next generation will praise you O Lord!

Each day I'm able to wake up with the wages of my sin blotted out, for through your death on the cross ~ I'm free. I'm yours. Yours to love, lead, mold and bless. I speak to you from the intimate places of my being. I wait to listen to your sweet whisper of love. I wait to hear your voice, feel your nudge and see the visual display of your affection. I don't think twice when I see a butterfly pass by my face. I know you are reminding me that I've been made new, made whole and beautifully unique. It's by your spirit I live. You have given me reason to dance and sing. You have put a tap in my toes and a skip in my step. HOPE. There is hope in my future. I put my hope in you.

You O Lord have seen my life unfold. You were there when I was in my mother's womb. You were there in my youth, even when I did not see you. You called me by name. I'm covered by your blood. I have so much reason to stand in aw of you my God! With each day, each season, each step I'm learning who you say I am {according to your word}. I'm taking you at your word. I'm holding on to your blessings. I'm heeding your instructions. In an instant, a moment I could never forget, totally surrendered to you... FORGIVEN. The day I thought I was giving you everything, my baggage, my pain, my soul; it was you who had GIVEN. And you keep on giving. The old me washed away {the misery, downcast, plagued with pain and suffering I thought no one knew ~ mess that I was}. Though my physical heart beat fine, my heart of hearts was battered and bruised beyond anyone ever loving. So I thought. I'll never forget the tangible hug I felt as you Lord wrapped your arms around me and touched my wounded soul. My face flooded with tears became dry. You reached inside me where no Dr. could ever go and repaired the damage done to my heart with one touch. The new life through Christ, {My Savior} ~ not of my own doing, miraculously changed forever. Surrendered all to you O Lord. My God how thankful I am to have a second chance. When destruction beyond my own comprehension came upon my life you heard my small cry. You reached out and pulled me up. You gave me air to breath again. You gave me a reason to live, and live abundantly, with purpose. No longer do I roam this earth looking for identity. I'm found in you. You are my God and I am yours. "I am the redeemed of the Lord!", my soul cries out. Saved through faith, by grace I am whole.

Life is not perfect, it still has it's ups and downs. It's better with you LORD of my life. My life is in your hands. I want all that I do to point to you. It's because of you I live. It's because of you I'm alive. It's because of your spirit I have JOY in my days. O how your love amazes me! No longer living in fear I tread the path of life with hope, trusting in God my Savior. My redeemer lives and I live in Him! ~ AMEN!

A little while ago Easter marked the calendar. To me it's more than a day. I believe Jesus suffered and died on a cross baring the sins of the world {mine & yours too}. Was burred and on the third day (Easter) rose from the grave. He is alive, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Yes it's a familiar bible story, but it has also personally effected many including myself; so much so that I opted to share in this unique way. Thanks for reading my personal reflection of Easter. Blessings!

Interpretation

Can't always see God moving but he IS there. I made this some time ago and love how the light shines through the tree.

The Promise

When I was a little girl my grandmother had a dogwood tree with white flowers on it in her front yard. I liked it because it was small like me. Well small compared to the other massive oak tree that also lived in her front yard. As many grandmothers do, she loved sharing stories with me. As a young child I ate each one of them up! There is one story however that stayed with me to this day...

The Legend of the Dogwood:

As legend has it, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was made from a dogwood tree. God decreed that the dogwood tree would from that day forth never grow large enough to be used to make a cross. Thus, the dogwood tree is a small, under story tree. The flower of the dogwood has four petals which makes the shape of a cross. On the outer edge of each petal, a piercing mark with red on each tip, symbolizing the blood Christ shed on the cross. The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns. The dogwood blooms in April when Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Christ after the Crucifixion.



It was around Easter when the dogwood was in bloom that my grandmother shared this story with me in her front yard. I remember looking at the flower of the dogwood tree with wide eyes and thinking it was a believable story. As a grown adult I've concluded that if the legend of the dogwood isn't true, the story of Christ's death on the cross is. Well to me it is and is the core of my faith. I let God flood my life with his love in my early twenties when I gave my heart to Jesus.

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. ~Romans 5:7-9

I titled this blog posting "The Promise" because of the dogwood flower, and if you look closer you can see my wedding rings in the background. At our wedding my husband vow to the love me this way,

Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...
Ephesians 5:25

This photo's composition shows two symbols of love, my wedding ring in the background and the dogwood tree's flower in the forefront. Though the petals of the dogwood tree in my yard were not perfect I took the picture anyway. It made for great subject matter. While uploading the picture for what I thought was going to be a Wordless Wednesday; this posting unraveled without much thought. It wasn't premeditated when I snapped the shot. I think I'm going to get this picture developed and frame it. To me, it's a reminder to love extravagantly. But it doesn't stop there. It's a reminder that I'm loved extravagantly by my husband and by God.

I applaud my grandmother and tip my hat to my grandfather who celebrated their wedding anniversary earlier this month. Many, many many years married!

What are your thoughts on this picture and the Legend of the Dogwood? Drop me a comment or email.

From the vally to the mountain

Without going into great detail, this week has been very difficult for me personally. I'm finding encouragement in this difficult time through God's word.

Conversations with God via Sticky notes:

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It's me again

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Maybe not just for today

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Good Friday

Today I was going to do Follow Friday but being that it's Good Friday I will hold off another week.

In today's post I'm featuring a video expressing what Easter means to me using as little words as possible. As the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words.

I hope this video moves you. It has certainly moved me. I'm very thankful for the gift of salvation and the chance to begin again.
The clip features scenes from Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ. A warning certain parts are graphic. If you've not yet scene The Passion of the Christ, I highly recommend it!


Want to know more of this story? Shoot me an email :-)

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter Weekend!
I'll leave you with a few pictures of our first time Easter egg coloring with Princess!!


...and the outcome, smiles & Easter eggs! ta-da!

Words of Endearment

I know there is a new movie out Valentine's Day that touches on the many point of views surrounding this Hallmark day. It can be wonderful or saddening depending on your situation and outlook. Point is I think everyone could use some extra love. It could be a friend, a co-worker, a spouse, a child, neighbor etc. I think if people spent more time acting out random acts of kindness toward one another than we'd see more smiles around.

I'm a big card person [not just on Valentine's Day] so I try to send out a card to a different person each week. I know it's nice to get something in the mail aside from advertisements or bills. There are so many little things that we can do for others. I think a true act of love is going beyond ourselves in our situations and sacrificing for another or others. I'm still learning how to do this. Thankfully I have Jesus as my model.
The greatest gift was himself for us, that we might really live - and more abundantly!!

⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^a]">[a] gives birth to spirit. John 3:06

¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^a]">[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Here are some more quotes on the topic of love:

"There is no remedy for love but to love more.

-Thoreau

"Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all."
-St. Augustine

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."

-Mother Theresa

"Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood."
-Karen Casey

I thought this was a nice poem to reflect about a friend or lover.

I Thank You

by Carla Branch

Thank you...

For the memories we've made.

For the times we've had.

For the times still to come.

For the things you say.

For the love you share.

For the looks you give.

For the faith in us.

For the faith in me.

For the encouragement you give.

For the laughs we've had.

For the laughs still to come.

For the forgiveness you give.

For always being there for me.

For being you.

So to all of you, my blogging friends - Thanks for being you right were you are in life.
Happy Valentine's Day!

This year the Mr. and I are skipping the cards. We decided that we'd take time out to write a little note to each other - some words of endearment. No flowers, no chocolate, no expensive cards, jewelry, movies or stuffed animals - just notes.
We have dinner plans just the two of us tonight.

It's no secret that I'm a big James Taylor fan and I thought this song was apropriate for this Valentine's Day Weekend.
Showering the people with love :-)

Things to Ponder & Hash Out

Well I've been trying to memorize more scripture. Two verses that have worked their way in are,

The wise woman builds the house but, with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down -Proverbs 14:1

AND

Train up a child in the way he /she should go: and when he/she is old, they will not depart from it. -Proverbs 22:5-7

For now it's in my mind and the longer these two scripture verses rattle around my head; the more I've come to the realize that I'm certainly needing God's help working these out daily! I'm encouraged that God likes to remind me of the business that I'm in, by helping me to recall these two scriptures at the right moments. Further more I know he's helping me become the best ME I can be. :-) Isn't it grand that the maker of the universe takes time out for us. That he sees our full potential and helps us reach out for life's best!
Being a mom is challenging to say the least. With God's help (you &) I can be the best Mom and Home Manager! Growth is hard but all good. I'm so thankful that God has left his word (the bible) as a life's little instruction manual.

What kind of things are you meditating on lately? Share your thoughts - leave a comment.

Over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow you will find a devastated place ravaged from an earthquake. It's been all over the news so you've probably already heard what's happened in Haiti. I've seen a few bloggers who have support relief buttons as a way to come together and show support for those who have been literally rocked by this disaster.

At my church service this morning there was an extra collection taken to provide practical needs for those in Haiti. It's moved me deeply - there are images that I can't shake from my mind. I wondered what good could come from an earthquake, and realize 'why' is not always the right question to ask. In my own efforts to find the good in this situation, at least Haiti is in the international news. It's my hope that this place will get the help they so desperately need. That after the media backs away, this poverty stricken area with real people who have real needs will come to know that they are not forsaken. I'm so convinced that God will not only shine a light on these people, but also blanket them in his love and provision. Especially now in this great time of need.

I'm moved so much so that I thought it be a good idea to post respectable places that are currently receiving disaster relief donations. Rather than a button I have posted trusted links below. I'm always skeptical as to how much of any donation actually goes directly to the people in need. That's why I selected the following two humanitarian organizations. I know how important it is that organizations (such as those listed below) have donation accountability. You can check them out for yourself. I've personally worked with World Vision and been comforted by the fact that they don't back pocket anything. By no means am I trying to make anyone feel pressured to participate. It's just I've often seen tragedy and wondered what little ole' me could do. I'm simply moved by the whole thing and figured it would be great subject for today's blog.
Ok here are the links:

World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian charity organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

Compassion International
Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

I'm praying that God would show himself strong, merciful and compassionate in Haiti! Now that I've heard the bad news I'm waiting for the good news :-) Some good stories just have to come from this.

Tickle My Heart and Call Me Elmo

So you've probably seen the Tickle Me Elmo toy in the past, hang in here with me on this one.
I have to say that I'm so thankful for God's joy. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've been so full of it that I've laughed out loud uncontrollably. Much like this Elmo toy is in the video clip. I thought this video was great representation of the kind of joy I'm talking about. Something wonderful happens when God reaches down and tickles our hearts. I just watch this clip and it makes me laugh. It's a great illustration of the kind of joy that is contagious - and makes your belly hurt from laughing so much. Consider if that Elmo toy was you for a moment. I'm convinced every day should have a little laughter in it. Furthermore, I'm believing that more of God's joy will fill our home in 2010. I myself want to move beyond being happy into more joyous living.

Who couldn't use a little extra joy to get through the hard times? Nehemiah talked about it in chapter eight verse ten. (you'll have to read the whole chapter for further background as to why this was important to the people in this message.)
from the Message Bible: ¹⁰ He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!"
I hope this leaves you laughing right where you are :-) Have a great weekend!

You Are My Sunshine

So I found the perfect way to illustrate to my two year old daughter (Princess) that God sings over her. Something I've been sharing with her as I try to emphasize that God loves her oh so much. Ahh life's lessons from Veggie Tales. Thought it was cute so I'm passing along some sunshine :-)