As for me, I like to share

If you visit my blog, and your speakers are on then you have heard some of my favorite tunes. The other night I was blog stalking as we call it here in blog-world and found a post on blog etiquette. It said that music on one's blog is disruptive to the reader as they may have a sleeping baby at their side and not expect the music.

Well.

Personally, if I had a sleeping baby at my side asleep while I was surfing the net, I would make sure the volume was low or off. But that's just me.

This blog started off as something to not only keep up with family and friends, but an alternative way for me to document happenings with my children and my life. One day I hope to turn my blog into a book. Most of all, this blog is a place I can hopefully encourage others. No matter the topic. As I never intend to offend, I'm not worried about offending. Does that even make sense?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is my personal spot in cyberspace and while not always, it will get personal. I think you can tell from being here , I love the Lord. I am not perfect. I am a sinner that needs forgiving on a daily basis. Yes, daily. As much as I would love to say that being a Christian means life is flawless, it's not. I was one that used to think that way until I started growing. Even though I'm 33, I have a long way to go in my walk. I don't think we ever "arrive." God always has something to teach us. We just have to be willing to learn.

I'm still learning how to be a Christian with all of my tendencies to control the situation and worry about everyone else thinks. It's soooo much easier to try and take care of everything myself or at least I think it is. This is when I will hit a wall so to speak and keep hitting that wall until I say.. ok Lord, it's yours. Oh my how hard this is for me. I am definitely one of strong opinions (if you can't tell already) so when I believe in something, it's very hard for me to not speak up about it (or defend) and I'm even guilty of closing my heart to others that have a totally different opinion than me. Esp. when I get frustrated with a situation. Ouch. This is not how my heavenly Father wants me to behave on His behalf. We always need to love each other and while I'm asking God for help in this area, I will stand firm in how I think he wants me personally to live.

I hope you will listen to what I love to listen to and really hear the words of the songs. I'm in awe of what the Lord has done for me and my most favorite way to worship Him is through song. Oh and I also love rap music. I always have and always will. Just now, I choose the clean versions (ha). So don't be surprised if I get in an old school mood and you come by to visit me and hear some Outkast, Tone Loc or Salt N Pepa.....make sure the volume is down..... I wouldn't want to wake the baby!!

On a more personal note......

I haven't shared our life happenings in a while it seems.......

We haven't stopped this summer!! After our VBS we had a pool break and then picked back up this week with another VBS for KE. She loves it. KE has made a couple of accomplishments in the past couple of weeks! She has self-taught herself to ride her bike and play twinkle twinkle little star on the piano. I'm looking into lessons as we speak.

W has been 3 nights and going on 4 days with no papi!!! I simply told him that it was time for me to send it to another baby and since he was a big boy, he didn't need it anymore. He cried the first night and naptime but is doing great! He said " I don't want to be a big boy, I want to be a baby!" He is a sweetheart in every sense of the word. I truly believe that children are THE most precious gift ( besides salvation) we are given. And just like salvation, some poeple accept thier gifts and some don't. My house would be full of neglected children if my husband would let me.

My ladies small group just finished Beth Moore's Breaking Free (Making Liberty In Christ a Reality in Life)
I was not raised in church except for going with Granny when I visited her ( oh she made me wear those awful pink sponge rollers to bed and I looked like a freak going out in public the next day). Oh and thank goodness ( ironically) my mom sent me to Catholic school.
I accepted Christ as my personal savior at age 2o. Now let me just say, it was not an overnight transformation... actually it was pretty scary. I wanted to learn and know more of how God wanted me to live but it was so different from what I knew at the time that it was overwhelming. ( I mean, I wasn't that bad) So overwhelming that I rebelled.

After starting to settle back down in life and finally start to feel comfortable being with me... I met Torrey. The saying that "if you aren't looking.." is true... at least for me. We didn't click until the 3rd date and we just knew soon after that we would be together forever. It wasn't until I became pregnant with KE that we both agreed we needed to be in the same church (He was Catholic. I was not.) So that is what we did.

A few years later, I started going to small group Bible study. I had no idea what a blessing this could be! I have met some amazing women and a few lifelong Christian friends. See, when I started following Christ, I lost some friends ( and family). That was devastating to me at the time but I knew God had bigger plans. He "let" me keep some of the old friends to grow with and introduced me to new ones. Even parental figures.

After I became a Christian, I started to learn about Christian music artists ( well, I knew about some and couldn't stand the music), speakers and authors. Beth Moore was one of them. My impression of her was that she was really deep and way above my head.. anyway.. I was intimdated by all that serious Bible studying stuff.

Finally!! In the past 12 weeks I have completed my first Beth Moore study!! This may not excite you but let me tell you.... if you ever have the opportunity to do one of these... DO
She keeps your nose to the scriptures while sharing her life expierences with you. It's humanly unbelievable what most of these great Christan teachers have gone through in their pasts to come to Christ.

... I think I just gave a bit of my testimony.

I haven't mentioned N... oooohhhh.

He is going to be a handful to say the least. He is 18 months and walking everywhere and saying a few words... mama, dada, juice, dog, ok, eat, more, barney, dora, diego and today he picked up a pull-up and said "pull-up" color.. and cancake ( pancake) tank-choo (thank you)
When this little guy doesn't get his way he throws a ear-piercing tantrum. It's LOUD. I told Torrey the neighbors are going to report us if he doesn't stop screaming!! This too shall pass. The screaming... well, hopefully!

We leave for the beach Saturday and I have yet to pack so I better get busy.

I found this survey and thought I would close with some favorite things :

COLOR • greens, blues, browns, creams, reds... too many to pick just one
ANIMAL • sweet puppy dogs
MOVIE • new fav is 27 Dresses
BOOK • the B-i-B-L-E and Feeding Your Appetites by Steven Arterburn is good.
MAGAZINE • Southern Living
BAND/SINGER • if you know me, I can't give you just one (or two) but I like Matt Redman and Crystal Lewis. Then I also like Dave Matthews and U2.. that is so not all of them
TV SHOW • any home improvement show.. Divine Design. Any dance show.
VACATION SPOT • The Beach
ACTOR • Jim Carrey.. I like to laugh
ACTRESS • julia roberts
FOOD • anything fattening
DRINK • Coke
WEBSITE • Blogger these days.
CLOTHING STORE • Libby Story and Co.
TIME OF DAY • nap time
SHAMPOO • Sheer Blonde
SOAP • Dove Cool Moisture
ICE CREAM • Yarnell's Homemade Vanilla and Coffee with fudge brownie from Coldstone
CHILDREN'S BOOK • I love you forever
DAY OF THE YEAR • Christmas
WORD • hhhmmmm
QUOTE • A liar listens to lies ( that is somewhere in Psalms)
FLOWER • white tulip
SNACK FOOD • chocolate
BOARD GAME • Scattegories

Louie Giglio - Laminin

Okay... this is the "Best Kept Secret of the day!"

Touched

I have been touched by blogging. It all started by getting an email to a video link a few weeks ago. It showed the story of the young couple who lost thier baby ( I posted it a while back) Along with that video was thier blog Bring the Rain that I follow. If you don't already read her blog, I encourage you to do so. Since then, I have stumbled upon several other blogs and sites of couples who have lost thier babies. The amazing thing about them is that they are all Christians and give God the glory for what they did have. I torture myself when reading these stories because it rips my heart out but at the same time, I'm so encouraged and reminded of what God has done for me. I'am so thankful to our creator for the babies He has blessed me and T with. Babies really are a gift from God. It is up to us what we do with these gifts.



You probably already know about the tragedy in Steven Curtis Chapman's life this past week but I have been reminded of it so much that I feel I need to ask you all to keep his family in your prayers... esp his teenage son. If you don't know what happened, his son accidently hit thier 5 year old adopted daughter in the driveway, killing her. She is the one sitting in her daddy's lap below.......

Do you trust Him?

I received an e-mail yesterday morning with a video link to one family's story of heartache and faith. It is so inspirational and so heart wrenching at the same time. Since then, it has made me think of alot of things...... I have NO right to complain about the smallest of "problems" --- God really does make everything work together for the greater good--- I want that kind of faith and trust in God.---

Okay, I'm warning you.... it will make you cry but it would be a shame not to watch and learn from this family's story that they feel they must share with YOU.

click here

I is for........

Intimidation : intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. (wikipedia)



Certain people or situations may intimidate us. The core of this is fear.
As I continue to study the book of Isaiah, I learn more and more what it means to fear the Lord and nothing else.

Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, You need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe. Isaiah 8:13-14

These words are very comforting . Why should we be intimidated by anything when we have the assurance of the Lords protection?
If we seek out the Lord's help in life's intimidating situations, He will be there. As scary as it may seem while you are in the moment, I can assure you this is true. Well, for one, the Bible tells me so!

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10

G is for Grace.......

God's

Riches

At

Christ's

Expense

Sign by Rustic Creations

Definition: Grace is God's unmerited favor. It is kindness from God we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor we can ever do to earn this favor. It is a gift from God. Grace is divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration (rebirth) or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor. Amen to that!

To Know God is to Truly Live

Those of you that know me, know that I have encountered God in a way like never before. I have shared bits and pieces with alot of you.
Latley I have been on a "mission" of sorts prompted by a person's comments one day.
Has anyone in your life ever said anything to you that made you question your faith? What did you do with that? Most of us may tell another person about the episode and then just let it go. But sometimes you just can't. I think that God will put things before you to help take that veil from your eyes.

2 Corinthians 3:16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ( I recommend you read this in context for yourself)

When this happens..

Buckle up!

I can't begin to explain to you the many little hints of grace God has blessed me with throughout this recent journey . At the time I didn't realize what it was.

Torrey and I were in the car when a familiar christian song came on the radio. Even through the business of talking back and forth to the kids, adjusting the temp, talking to Torrey, the words struck me and when I got home I had to find this song. I LOVE the internet! :)

Project Playlist doesn't have this song but I found the lyrics. If any song defines this time in my walk with the Lord...this is it!

If you know me at all, you know how much I love music. Music remembers times in your life so well. There's nothing like pulling out that mix of songs from high school or college.

okay okay... here are the lyrics

Nichole Nordeman: To Know You

It's well past midnight And I'm awake with questions that won't Wait for daylight
Separating fact from my imaginary fiction On this shelf of my conviction
I need to find a place Where You and I come face to face

Thomas needed Proof that You had really risen
Undefeated When he placed his fingers Where the nails once broke Your skin
Did his faith finally begin? I've lied if I've denied The common ground I've shared with him

And I, I really want to know You
I want to make each day A different way that I can show You
how I really want to love You
Be patient with my doubt I'm just tryin' to figure out Your will
And I really want to know You still

Nicodemus Could not understand how You could
Truly free us He struggled with the image Of a grown man born again
We might have been good friends
Cuz sometimes I still question, too How easily we come to You

No more campin' on the porch of indecision
No more sleepin' under stars of apathy
And it might be easier to dream
But dreamin's not for me