Sunday, January 23, 2011

My "Letter To God"

Caleb and I are sitting here on the couch. He is sick with a fever and sore throat. He wanted to watch a movie that we have watched before called 'Letters To God'. If you haven't seen it, then I recommend it, but not without a box of kleenex. Watching the movie has prompted me to write my own letter to God. There is much to be said...

Dear God,

You fascinate me. I have been told since I was a little girl of all that You are capable of. I saw some of those things as a little girl. I prayed for a little sister, and just when I thought it would never be... You surprised us all. I saw it as a young adult when I experienced hurts and You were the one that healed me. Now I am 40 years old. I am learning even more now about the magnitude of YOU! Nothing that happens in this life of mine is a mistake. There are plenty of times when it feels that way, but that's not Your way.

Today I met the lovely family that wants to purchase this house that we have made home. They are remarkable people with hearts for you. What a relief to see their faces, but even more to see their hearts. In the revealing of their hearts though, God... I saw so much more. I continue to be amazed at the story that unfolds before me. This story... YOUR story.

Once again I see how big YOU are! I am reminded of what YOU are about. I am comforted by the knowledge that YOU go before me and set the path straight for me to follow. On a daily basis you offer your grace and forgiveness. You love me. You care for me.

Thank you, God. It sounds so small, I know. I can only tell you that every day my level of gratitude for the relationship that I have with you increases. It grows with every breath that I take. It opens up as far as the sky is wide each day that I receive this incredible love and care from YOU...

I love you. ~

Friday, January 21, 2011

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts



** Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the page to pause the music. If you're like me.... you will need a box of tissue too! **

Monday, January 17, 2011

An Invitation

My dear friends and family,

With all my heart... I invite you to go on a journey with me. I have never tried this before, but I believe now is the time.

A little over a week ago, I purchased a new book on my Nook book. It is called '1000 Gifts' and it is authored by a woman named Ann Voskamp. I started this book and immediately knew that it wasn't going to be just another book. It is an experience!

Last night our pastor spoke out of the book of Luke chapter 16. He spoke with true honesty about managing our lives. We often struggle with our finances, our time, our possessions, and most importantly... how we manage living out the gospel in our daily lives.

I believe that this book, ' 1000 gifts ' IS a gift! I've just started it and already it is changing my relationship with Christ and how I live my days.

This morning I learned that an on-line book club sponsored by {In}Courage is starting a study on this book beginning the end of this month! I was SO excited!! Like I said, I've never joined in on an on-line book club, so I don't even know what that looks like... BUT... I'm excited to find out.

I whole heartedly encourage you to join me. I can almost guarantee you that it will change you... It will change how you manage your life and how you live out the gospel every day. It will give you renewed perspective. It will re-define the word 'JOY'.

It will gift you.

** For more information on "how"... click on the {In}Courage" link on my left side bar. Oh, and the ladies who are leading the study have made arrangements for anyone who cannot afford the book right now. The web-site has more information on that as well. :0)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Words

I have said before that I am a word person.

What does that mean?

It means that words hold a special place in my life.

Words can sometimes hold the key that unlocks my heart.

There are days when expressing myself is almost impossible. I find that my attitude is totally out of control, and basically, I just need to keep my mouth shut. But then... something happens.

With one short word or phrase, my whole day is turned around. My outlook is different. My soul is refreshed and well.

Often times, the words come in the form of scripture. Yes... We hear it all the time, and I am proof that the Good Book REALLY IS a Good Book! Sometimes the words come from a bumper sticker { remember... "Don't Postpone Joy" } and then other times, they come from my own mouth and even I am surprised! Yesterday was one of those times....

I have been caught up in a bit of a pity party lately. It hasn't been anything huge, but it's been occupying even the smallest space in my heart, and making a significant difference in my attitude. You see, I'm having trouble figuring out how I will make a home out of a rental house. I know... it sounds horrible. I should be happy to have ANY roof over my head. I'm completely aware of how SELFISH and NEEDY this sounds. I keep praying that God will just extract these thoughts from my head! I think I received my answer as to why He hasn't yet though, just yesterday...

I was talking with my sweet friend about life's situations. They are going through some hard things right now as well. She was telling me that her husband didn't sleep even a wink the night before because he was up worrying and thinking. We were co-miserating over our circumstances, and then the words came from my mouth...

It's all just a puzzle that we're not in charge of putting together.

It seems pretty basic. Not anything profound for sure. BUT...,. these words were the ones that my friend needed to hear, and I needed to hear them more probably!

Puzzles are made up of hundreds { sometimes thousands } of pieces. Each piece is just as important as the piece next to it. There is not one piece that is any more important than any other, for without even one piece.... It would be incomplete.

Our lives are the same. Each day, each set of circumstances, each tear, each moment of laughter... They are all just as important as the next or last. God knows how to put it all together. He sees the beautiful portrait that we will be in the end. He knows every detail! He knows what this next house will look like, and He knows the ways in which it will become HOME to us. That is just ONE. TINY. PIECE.

Words make a difference in me. They are like drinking that tall glass of ice water on a hot summer day.

Monday, January 3, 2011

A New Year




2010 proved to be amazing, full of lessons... interesting.

2011 is here now and I am full of excitement over what God has planned for us. It's all still a mystery, but as God continues to change my heart regarding change, I have found myself MORE excited about it and LESS anxious { cue the BIG heavy *sigh*}.

We celebrated the coming of a new year by playing in the snow! We busted out the box of gloves, coats, pants, wool socks, turtlenecks, etc. and headed out to the cold. What a fun day! By the end of it, I could no longer feel my toes, but I'm no worse for it and the boys think they have a pretty cool mom for braving the cold for as long as we did.

After defrosting for a bit, we opened up the bottle of Martinelli's and toasted the New Year while discussing some of our goals for the year. This year will be one of many changes... A move and our first high-schooler are at the top of the list. The boys had some great things to share about 2010 and some even greater things to say about 2011. They inspire me.

Praying that as you look forward to all that lies ahead in this new year that your heart will also swell with excitement over the plans that God has for you.

Happy 2011!!

** The picture of J and I appears that I have a look of PAIN. Well, if you look carefully, there is no pain involved, just a snowflake that attached itself to my upper eye lash just as the picture was taken. :0) Just sayin'...