Favorite Friday

Being from California, the northwest leaves alot to be desired when it comes to nice golden tan for summer. Although they can be spendy, I've tried the spray tans a few times. I like the "glow" it gives me, but I can't quite deal with the orangish hands and splochy feet. People begin asking me if I have a disease or something. I know, I know, I am supposed to wipe them off after the spray, apply lotion before the spray or something like that. I forget all the secrets to a perfect spray tan. Plus, I can't wrap my mind around paying $25 every two-three weeks to be "golden" Good grief! Just give me some sun! I am trying to stay away from the tanning beds, even though I did sneak into one a few weeks ago, I understand the danger in using them. Jergens Natural Glow is my new best friend. It is a reasonable price and can be easily found in most stores. It makes the sunless days of summer bearable and but most of all, my white pastiness bearable to look at in the mirror.

Hello, High School

Tonight we celebrated the end of Molly's Jr. High days and welcomed the beginning of a new chapter, High School. I love every stage my kids are in and this one is no exception. High school was such a fun experience for me and even though I struggled to hold back tears tonight, I am excited that she has reached this time in her life. She still waivers between needing me to make her breakfast, bring her a drink, do her hair or tuck herin at night, to making far better choices and displaying a maturity that I am not sure I had at 18. Last Valentines Day we made our kids a laminated bookmark with this verse on it. Molly has hers on her mirror, I reminded her of it again tonight.....

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Phil. 1:9-11

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (barely made it)

LOOK!

Thanks to my wonderful, way cool friend, Nicole, I have a new banner! Cute huh? I just love it! Nicole is one of the most creative, ingenious, wise girlfriends I know! Really! Check out her site, see for yourself.

Dreaming

What could this cute girl possibly be thinking about....global warming, the upcoming presidential elections, gas prices, the latest fashion trends??? Actually she's is thinking about being a real-life, big, grown-up fourth grader and having her mom as a teacher. We've been waiting for 4th grade for quite some time. I home-schooled her sister for a few years and Haley has been begging me to do the same with her. Since that doesn't work for our life right now, we've been counting down to the 2008-2009 school year. Really, she is excited. We'll see how excited she is when I have to put her nose in the corner for "sassing" her teacher! Kidding!

Thirsty......

MY PRAYER:

"O God, I have tasted of Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me
and made me thirsty for more.
I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace.
I am ashamed of my lack of desire.
O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee;
I long to be filled with longing;
I thirst to be made more thirsty."
~A.W. Tozer

Aprons

Speaking of APRONS...check out this cool little contest over at "be present, be here"

http://bepresentbehere.blogspot.com/

Summer is right around the corner for me. Eight days feels like three weeks right now. I have much to do to finish up this school year, but I will soon have 12 weeks off to play...sorta. This project has been on my "project list" since Christmas when I got my new sewing machine. Aren't these cute? I love them so much, I might make them and even wear it to church. Maybe I'll add it to my "Favorite Fridays" when I finish it. I have so much more to share about my summer plans/projects.

THE SHACK and Uncertainties

As we trust God’s character of Love and particularly His active and involved love toward us, we don’t have to understand the circumstances of our lives in order to live freely and live loved. Faith sees past the uncertainties, and in some sense even embraces them, knowing that the certainty of Papa’s love is the only place where there is real solid ground.

The Shack

By Paul Young

I just finished reading this awesome book a few weeks ago. It took me about a month to get through. I love getting lost in a good book and finishing it within days but this one was much different. It definitely made me think outside the box of "religion" and the way society has portrayed God's word. So grab this book if you are looking for a good read this summer! You will question some of your own thoughts or preconceived ideas and also be encouraged that we have a loving Savior, that loves us far more than we can comprehend! UNCONDITIONALLY! Check it out http://www.theshackbook.com/

I have been reading this particular quote several times over the last few days.....in my life right now are so many uncertainties, so many, that I could cause myself to freak out if I focus too long on all the unknowns. It really does take work to "cast every thought aside" Tomorrow at church will be the end of a huge chapter in my life, a chapter that I never thought would end. I thought this part would stay constant in my life til the Lord comes back. My dad will no longer be my pastor. He is retiring...resigning earlier than we had planned...you know, our plan, plan B? But we know that God always has a PLAN A around the corner, right? Well that's hard to focus on right now.

It's been a long time since I've had a different pastor; college and our early years of marriage. Darren and my dad have been on staff together for 12 years. I am sad that I won't be worshiping next to my mom every Sunday but I also am excited to see that PLAN A that God promises. More to come about that........

Aren't we all living a life with "unknown tomorrows?" BUT I do know that "Papa's love is the only place where there is real solid ground"

It’s ok……
That I can’t seem to get it together
That I didn’t return that phone call
That I made boxed mashed potatoes last night
That I didn’t clean the bathroom
That I put my pj’s on at 5:00pm
That I ate ice cream again last night
That I am reading God’s Word, one verse at a time
And not much more right now
That the laundry didn’t get folded (clean though)
That my fridge is dirty
I just can’t seem to get it together
That I played outside with my nine year-old
That I let that said nine year-old leave her barbies on the floor
That things seem a little blurry right now
That life is full of unknowns
It’s ok that I can’t seem to get things together right now….
There’s always tomorrow……

Who controls the Outcome?

There are those who completely flip out at the very first rumor of trouble and start screaming, "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!" Do you do this?

My new motto:
WE CAN'T CONTROL THE OUTCOME!

Clinging to: 1 Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Thankful for: HIS GRACE and LOVE that always sustains me

Worrying about: tomorrow

Reading: Women of the Bible

Praying for: a miracle

Drinking: Green tea

Looking forward to: Summer vacation

Craving: Chinese food

Missing: my grandma (and the rest of our family across the country)

Enjoying: My playlist right now