This is how we grow

For years I have had a deep desire to move.  I would love to live "out" on some land.  Complete privacy. No neighbors. The simple life.  Old Farmhouse.   John Deer tractor to cut the grass.  Simply, rustic cottage decor.  Ahhhh..... Let me pop back to reality because the simple fact is that I live in the city.  Always have.  And the way it looks, probably always will. 


My dream of country living has always given Jim a good (hearty) laugh.  For some reason, as if to say I remind him of Eva Gardner, he hums the Green Acres theme when I start my country living rants. (Just maybe the fact that 'I get allergic smelling hay' and that I own a Yorkie add to his laughter?)

picture from Hulu.com

I am glad I can provide him a chuckle every now and then. After twenty one years together, he knows his little city gal who dreams of living in the country looks through rose colored lenses (often).  This year the rose colored lenses had me dreaming of planting my own garden. After announcing  I wanted a garden this year and then "mentioning it"  each day, ten times a day...he finally gave in.  (It also helped my case when I won a super-sweet gardening set complete with seeds. Can we say "Godwink"?  wink wink.)  So, my man  decided we would give it a "go".  He helped me square off a little section of the land and he helped me to plant away. 


I am not sure who has had more fun this summer watering, weeding and waiting for our 'little' garden to grow. Each day we are like two little kids running out to check the overnight growth.  (This is the part that makes ME laugh because my man grew up in the country and his parents always had a humongous garden).

We both got a good laugh yesterday when I told Jim our garden is like the Duggars.  19 tomatoaes and counting.....

Yeah, I even planted two tomato plants in a pot just in case the garden failed.....

This is my own little sanctuary area.  My favorite place to take my coffee and Bible every morning. 

Our little guard dog helps keep the squirrels from invading our garden.

Well, my man and I may have underestimated our garden's growth this year but never fear--we are in talks about our expansion for next year's garden.   All in all, I think we make a great team.  And who knows, maybe next year my John Deer tractor could be a reality....

Report from Camp

Camp Mimi was a huge hit!  (Well, at least I thought so!).  We were delighted to see our little grand-baby and her parents this week.  Here are a few shots my youngest daughter took while they were here:

Click here for more photos

Yep...she's wondering what is inside Mommy's tummy?  We'll find out in 6 months.......

My heart could not have been more full spending precious moments with my grand daughter for a few days.  Here are a few of my shots (unprofessional at best) from our week: 

(I had no time to fix my hair this day!  how do you mommies do it all???? )

Of course, we had ice cream at Camp Mimi

Poor gal, we took lots of pictures this week.  She was super patient.

Well, we took so many pictures she was "over it" by mid-week.

I sure am sorry to see my little precious leave town, but I know we will see her again soon!!  I had a blast but now this Mimi needs a NAP!

(btw--I am still waiting on my results from my state interpreting testing.  Thanks to you all who have asked and prayed.  I won't know anything for a few months.)

Camp Mimi

My to-do list this week looks something like this:

Monday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Tuesday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Wednesday -Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Thursday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can) 

Friday - Toddler proof my house (and get some rest while I can), text Amanda to see how close to home they are.  Get the camera ready.  Check the clock.  Text Amanda again. Check the clock again. Text Amanda.  Toddler proof my house.  (get some rest while I can  ah, heck...forget resting!  I'm like a kid at Christmas!!) 

Yep--after a long seven months (SEVEN MONTHS!) it is time for me to be reunited with this little piece of preciousness (my grand-baby!!)

Poor baby took a tumble and has a boo-boo on her nose

  

You can bet your bottom dollar I'll post some pictures next week (when I find time)!  And for all you mommies of little-ones...I'll be praying for you. 


Oh, by the way - have you heard this new, amazing song by Natalie Grant?  Love it!!

Have been away from my Company Girls the past few weeks.  It is so good to reconnect with these amazing ladies today!!  (*love to you all and you have been in my prayers even though I have not been around blogville recently!!*)

Have a great weekend! I'm going back to try to get "Camp Mimi" ready to open it's doors!

Thinks

Seems the schedule has been wide-open recently.  Too much to cover so I thought I'd give a brief update of happenings.  Once my test is complete (see below) I hope to be back with regular posting.  Until then, here's what is happening in my neck of the woods:

• Thinking Thinks, or at least singing them - Oh The Thinks you can Think has been playing in my mind the past two weeks (which is ironic because I can’t think of a THINK to blog about recently).    Our family has been speaking in rhyme most of the time (see…proof in point!)  as Jordyn performed in  Seussical the with CYT.  This was her final production with CYT.   She was an orange bird gal and the performance was fantastical.  

• Cramming my life away (when I’d rather be dancing my life away) -  I have been busy trying to study, study and study some more as I prepare for my upcoming performance test  (sign language) next Friday (June 3^rd).  I’d appreciate your prayers .  To say I am nervous would be an understatement.  I truly need The Lord’s SUPER to meet my natural for a supernatural result. (I'll keep you posted but it will be a few months before I know how I did.)

• Taking in my daily dose of cuteness - Amanda has been sending me daily pictures of my little precious grand daughter (who is now walking!) Fingers are crossed that we may be able to see them sometime in June!!

Jaelynn hates her hair bows

       

• Rejoicing that it is here!  The season has arrived.   The sun is hot, the garden is growing and that can only mean one thing.  Nope, I’m not referring to  bathing suit season (*insert major dread moment right here!*).  Not even referring to summer.  The season is here.  One of the most wonderful times of the year - ICE CREAM season.    Found an amazing new place in my area called Rita’s.  Yummy.  If you don’t have a Rita’s then try one of these bad boys.  

Magnumicecream.com

• Finding time to pee and unplugging some –  I bet that got your attention!  I loved  Gypsy Mama’s recent  blog post  about her recent experience of being unplugged (off line) for almost two months.   Click here to read.  Helps keep everything in perspective.  Thanks Gypsy Mama!

Today I am linking up with my buddies over at Company Girl.  (I've missed you all but I have been praying for you and stalking your blogs each week.)


Have a great weekend! 

What's a girl to do??

I recently had a conversation with a friend where I stated "I wish God would email me and just TELL ME WHAT to do.....give me some specifics (bullet points would be helpful) for my next step!!"  I am sure you have felt that way too at times.  We all know The Lord will guide us in our ways if we just keep asking Him and seeking His face.  I found great encouragement in a recent blog post I read by Lysa TerKeurst.  (instead of sending me an email, maybe I was sent a blog post?? Hmmm.)   


On Tuesday, May 10th Lisa wrote this encouraging post:

We all have those times in life where we wish the voice of God would audibly speak so loudly there’s no way we could miss it, “THIS IS THE DIRECTION I WANT YOU TO GO.”  Then we’d know whether to stay the course or quit and head off in a new direction.  Have you ever wished for this kind of supernatural interaction with God?

I have.

We want to know what to do.

Sometimes we stay in a place too long.

But I think the greater loss happens in those times we quit too soon.  And we live with this nagging sense of what if.  What if I’d persevered one more year, one more month, one more day. 

What if David had been so put off by his Dad’s brush off, that he refused to come in from the field and see Samuel?  (1 Samuel 16)

What if David had assessed whether or not to face Goliath based on the shadow of his opponent rather than the shadow of the Almighty?  (1 Samuel 17)

What if Abigail’s pride or fear had stopped her a few steps shy of bowing low before David?  (1 Samuel 25)

Knowing when to stop and when to keep on keeping on is a crucial life lesson.  One I want to learn well.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus encourages us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I used to get so frustrated when I heard this verse because I thought, I don’t want rest.  I want reassurance!  I’m burdened by this decision I have to make.   I don’t want to mess up my life by missing a cue from you, God.

But the gift of the rest Jesus is offering here is not a spiritual Ambien.  The Greek word for this kind of rest is Anapauo which has as one of its definitions: “of calm and patient expectation.” 

In other words, Jesus is saying if you come to me, I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation. 

But how?

My friend Jennifer Rothschild does this enlightening exercise at some of her conferences.  She tells the audience to imagine her writing two different words on a large chalkboard.  She then speaks the letters as she draws the first word into the air… R-E-S-T.  She does the same for the second word… R-E-S-I-S-T.  Then she asks what’s the difference?

The difference is, of course, “I.”

I don’t know what to do.  I can’t figure this out.  I’m worn out.  I’ve tried everything I know to do.  I’ve given all I have to give. 

I’m familiar with these “I” statements because I’ve said them myself.

We can only find Anapauo rest- fresh hope- as we stop running ragged and simply take on the next assignment Jesus gives.

In verse 29 of Matthew 11 Jesus gives us this assignment- take on his yoke and learn from Him.  Ask Jesus to show you just the next step.  Not ten steps.  Not the whole path.  Not the Google map with the highlighted route. Just the next step. 

Complete that step with excellence and an open, humble heart.  Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in this next step.

This is your part of the equation.

But after the assignment, comes the reassurance in verse 30, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  We don’t have to have all the answers.   We just have to stay connected to the One who does.  Where our strength ends is the exact point where His will begin.

This is God’s part of the equation.

I must do all I can do.  Then God will do what only He can do.  My pastor, Steven Furtick, says, “You bring the natural.  God will then bring the super.  And that’s what creates supernatural.”

Should I stay?  Should I go?  Maybe the better question is, “God, what is the next step I’m to take today?  I’m going to do my part.  And trust the rest with You.

Motherhood should come with.......

Here's wishing all you mommies (and spiritual moms) out there a blessed Mother's Day weekend full of celebration and enjoyment (and hopefully some much needed rest and relaxation--yes, I live in a dream world! *smile*)  I plan to take a run to Maggie Moos to do some celebrating myself. 


In addition to my Company Girls, I decided to join up with Five Minute Friday today since the topic totally made me laugh!  


So, here is my take on the topic of:


Motherhood should come with........

·         A “How to for Dummies” manual. 

·         A pay check (just saying!)

·         A big bucket to catch all the shed tears from pain when we feel like we've failed or when we can't "fix-it" for them times.

·         A do-over clause especially for the first born who I refer to as my precious little guinea pig.

·         A pause button to slow things down because it goes way to fast (it may start slow and sleepless but it increases in speed as the years go by).

·         A life time supply of hair color to cover all the grey hairs that sprout in the teen years.

          A lifetime supply of cleaning supplies for all the messes we have to clean. 

·         A huge flashing sign (a neon sign would work) permanently fixed above your head that flashes "Clean your room, get off the computer, Stop hitting your sister, etc." so you don't have to repeat yourself so often and waste precious breathe. 

·         A cool title with a set of business cards to hand out for all the people that look at your with utter disgust (as if we were lazy or something—puh-lease!) because we answer the famous question of “What do you do (meaning your job)?” with “Oh, I’m a stay at home mom”.

·         Confetti and party hats because it truly is a daily celebration to have the honor and privilege to be entrusted by The Lord to raise children.  (After all, they belong to Him and are just on loan to me for a short time). 

my precious daughters 

me and my mommy

my amazing, dear mother-in-law.  We miss you MeMaw but know you are dancing with Jesus this Mother's Day!!

A Royal Friday

The day has finally arrived for a wedding of royal-fashion.  While some could care less, I am personally excited to see this event as it unfolds.  The dress, the shoes, the entourage, the hats, the CAKE....oh my!!  It's almost too much for this romantic heart to endure....(enough for me being melodramatic).  At the end of last year, I wrote about my own royal appointment.  Since it may be possible that I will be glued to the TV watching along with millions of other viewers, I will share my thoughts from my previous blog post:

Recently I heard a friend describe her memories of her mother’s daily quiet time.  She told me her mother would make time for prayer and Bible reading each day.  If her children would whine about her leaving them to go be alone, the mother would simply - but confidently tell them she had “an appointment, --an appointment with The King”.

There is much talk about the upcoming Royal Wedding that will take place next Spring.   I hate to admit this but Royal weddings have always interested me.   Imagine for a moment receiving an invitation to the Royal wedding next year.  If it were my invite, I'd be instantly thinking about what I was going to wear, who would be there, would I have a spot of tea (though I'd prefer a cup of java) with the Queen?  

Of course this is silly but my ever wondering mind ponders scenarios like this from time to time.   After amusing myself with this non-sense I immediately remembered the Royal invite that I (and you) have been extended on a daily basis.  The King of kings has extended an invitation to spend time with me (and you) at HIS THRONE at any given time.  He is not just a king but THE King.    Yet, often I am guilty of neglecting my royal invitation on a regular basis as I hurry on to things that are temporal. 

 Oh how thankful I am that the invitation has been extended.  We are invited to enter His courts through prayer to tell Him our deepest fears and our most painful struggles.  We can even enter His royal court and just cry, if needed.  He is always there to meet with us and He eagerly awaits our time together. 

Will you join me in being intentional with our schedules and appointments - especially with the daily Royal Appointments?  

And just for fun on this Royal (and fun) Friday, if my man and I planned a big royal style wedding (or vow renewal) this would be my dream dress:

photo from Dizzie Lizzie

Linking up with my buddies at Company Girls over at Rachel's blog.  

Gifts

I’ve been trying to read more lately.  If it wasn’t for words, I’d like reading.  Words.  I don’t much like them.  I’ve said before if we could communicate in pictures life would be easier for me.  

My issue is not really reading but more comprehending and remembering.   I like to read-- I just don’t do it well.  I do it very slowly.  **Insert Dr. Phil moment here – I remember being placed in the First Grade Red Bird reading group (Advanced Readers) only to find myself weeks later in a meeting with my mom and teacher in which I was re-assigned to the Blue Bird Reading Group (slow readers)**.

Obviously, I’m not at a lack for words.  I can write my random musings in a novel  fashion.  Shoot--I could carry on a lengthy conversation with a wall.  Proof in point, I am now rambling.....

Back to reading.  I am currently reading a few books at one time (and yes, that can get a wee bit confusing at times).   Currently, I am reading books by Francis Chan, Angela Thomas and Ann Voskamp.  


I have almost finished reading “One Thousand Gifts” (by Ann Voskamp).  I have found it intriguing.  Ann's writing is deep, wordy and descriptive yet heart piercing.  I am slowly making my way through the book and it is challenging me to be more grateful in all things in life with the end result being joy.  The website onethousandgifts.com explains more but a quick summary from the site says:

One Thousand Gifts is a celebration of grace and a recognition of the power of gratitude.  

Each Monday on Ann's website people link-up to share their list of gifts (working toward a list of 1,000).   Last week, I started a One Thousands Gifts journal.  I plan to keep most of my journal personal for my own reflection, however, on this Monday following Easter I want to share some of me weekend's gifts of gratitude.  I am grateful for:

• My dad seeing his great grand-daughter Easter Sunday through Skype

• Another Easter shared with my amazing husband (who delivered a powerful sermon of Truth yesterday on Easter Sunday)

• Receiving a phone call Sunday afternoon from my daughter asking me if it had snowed in VA?  Reason being, she woke up and took her baby girl to church (by her own choice and not mom making her) to celebrate the resurrection .  

• My baby girl who is WAY taller than her mom.

• Hearing this song for the first time on the 2011 Dove Awards last night. I think most can relate.  Click here for Jason Crabb's Sometimes I Cry

• The beautiful transparency of Vicki Courtney on her recent blog posts:  A Godly Sorrow and a celebration of New Life.  

What is on your gratitude list today?

"The feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving."  ~T. Peckover

Silly girls full of joy and hope

(I am linking up with my buddies over at Company Girls today.  I missed them last week.)  


A week ago I was traveling to Lynchburg, VA with a group of 25 women from my church.  We went to see Priscilla Shirer at her Going Beyond Conference.  It was a truly amazing weekend. We were challenged by the powerful Word and we left changed women.  


I was bummed that I didn’t get to meet Priscilla, but some of our group had their picture taken with her Friday night. (**funny how they didn’t bother to tell me they had met Priscilla until I SAW this picture on Facebook!  Thanks friends!! joking, but I'm jealous. Lol)

photo courtesy of Jennifer Hasty

We did meet her brother and Worship Leader, Anthony:

After the Friday night session, we all had a chance to visit Sweet Frog in Lynchburg. (It was yummy but Maggie Moos still has my heart captured). Fatigue and too much sugar can leave a group of women a bit punchy by the end of the night.  

photo courtesy of Jennifer Hasty

We even thought we witnessed a frog pulling someone's hair.....(most certainly too much sugar THAT night.)

It was a blessed time to get away and have girl time with some amazing Christian ladies to praise The Lord and receive a word from Him together. Yep, we laugh and we cry a lot last weekend.  I do know one thing for sure after our weekend retreat:

Amazing Worship + Dynamic Bible Study + Fatigue + Too much sugar = a lot of silly church gals.

Oddly enough, this silly state may not be the result of too much estrogen at a women's conference, or a sugar high from fat free yogurt (it was fat free, right?) but it may be an answer to a recent prayer of mine.  

At the beginning of  the year I shared about a book I was reading called Brave by Angela Thomas.  On page 208 of the book, she writes about her grandma Ima. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Angela describes her grandma.

She writes:

Grandma Ima was a woman of hope.  The Spirit of God danced all about her. …nothing stole her joy.  She trusted Him even when she couldn’t see.  She was a beautiful combination of reverence and fun and silliness. 

"The Spirit of God danced" around her.  I love that statement!  I have actually been praying lately while thinking of this description of this precious woman that The Spirit of God would dance around me too!!  I've prayed that nothing would steal my joy.  Prayed that I would trust Him more no matter what.  Have I really been praying to be silly?  Nah, I've already got that covered.  I do pray that my life will scream Jesus's love, joy and hope to all.  Angela said her Grandma was a "woman of hope".  I believe that is the key!


Hope. 


The source of joy is Hope.  Our source of joy.  Do you have hope?  I have Hope.  His name is Jesus.   He is alive.  He is NOT dead.  As we reflect back to the cross this weekend and think of His blood that was poured out for us, we can have joy.  We have Hope.  I am cleansed because of what He did for me on the cross.  I have hope that three days later the grave was found empty.  Hope  that I am only passing through this world. It is not my final destination.     I have the promise of eternal life with Him.  


On this Good Friday I celebrate in the fact that because of Christ, I am free. I am FREE!  That alone makes me want to dance!


Speaking of dancing, I may not be doing The Hopperana this weekend but I may dance along Sunday morning as I sing one of my all time favs:

  


If that didn't get you up off your feet singing and dancing, then this video may just have do the trick.  It might even find you jumping and shouting praises to Him:

I pray you will rejoice this weekend as you celebrate this holiday.  Have a blessed (and silly-in-a-reverent-way) weekend!! 

Happy Resurrection Day!

Today is her big day!

It's time to light the candles....well, maybe not all the candles but just ONE candle.  It's time to celebrate.   


Happy Birthday to my precious, miracle grand-baby!  Today is her 1st birthday.  Yay. clap, clap, clap!

I don't know where the year has gone but I do know her Mimi (that's ME!!!) LOVES her and misses her tons!! (Our baby is many states away but thankfully for Skype, I can at least watch her open her presents today.  Maybe I'll have some cake and ice cream while I watch....in her honor of course! *grin*)

Happy Birthday Miss Jaelynn Isabella Rivera--also known as Mimi's little Pepita.   You have captured our hearts and we are thankful to Jesus for you and your life!