What a difference a year makes...

The last twelve months have been crazy busy!  We built a house, moved to a new state, planned a wedding, started new jobs, said 'I do,' got pregnant, had a baby...and somehow managed to survive thrive without the slightest breakdown.  I love looking back at last year's April picture - even more, I love this year's...

Happy Easter!

Today...

Outside my window…the sun is shining, I hear birds singing, the neighborhood is quiet...

I am thinking... I'm incredibly blessed...

My heart is…overflowing...

I am thankful for… my sweet, sweet Oliver...

From the front door... walks my incredible Chandler...

From the kitchen... the smell of warm, homemade bread...

I am reading…'Panda, Panda What Do You See?'...

I am hoping…that I can find a way to stretch time so I'm sure to soak up my sweet baby...

I am hearing… birds sing, a baby's quiet, sleeping hum, and snaps from onesies tumble in the dryer...

Around the house… the animals are nestled in their beds, diapers sit ready to be stuffed, the dishwasher sits ready to be emptied, the windows are open,

One of my favorite things… family...

I feel... joy.

Word of the Year - 2011

This is not the word that first came to mind... nor was it the second.  But neither of the words I was thinking seemed to be 'it.'  I wanted my word to be one that wasn't just 'thought up,' but one that had meaning for me in this upcoming year.  In 2009, I chose 'dedication' because I recognized there were areas in my life that needed attention and I was ready to tackle each area head-on.  Last year, I chose 'contentment' and 'simplicity.'  2010 brought lots of change for me and included moving to a new state, combining two homes into one, and ajdusting to a 'new' life - both of these words seemed to sum up the goal of all of that.

Last night, for whatever reason, 'renew' kept coming to mind....which led to me remembering Psalm 51:10, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.' Immediately I knew my word.  'Create.' It is a perfect word for 2011.  Chandler and I have been discussing traditions we want to start with OP, things that are important to us that we want to pass to him, things we want to do as a family... This year, we will create the cornerstone for our family.

At some point, I will post some of the things we hope to incorporate into this year and things we want to do with OP.  I'm really excited about them and look forward to sharing!

What's your word for 2011?

2010 Reflection

Last year I summarized 2009 with a few highlights, so I decided to continue the trend...

What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
-I had a tie last year and who'd have thought I'd have another this year... without stating the obvious, I direct you here and here.

What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
-I really don't think I could pick just one - keep reading...

What was an unexpected joy this past year?
-Let's revisit this post again shall we... we knew we wanted to start a family sooner than later, but we definitely thought it would take a littler longer.  We figured with a 25ish% chance each month that we'd be announcing news um, around now.  So while expected, still definitely unexpected.  ... and we are beyond grateful that it happened and that we have a healthy baby to soon introduce!

Pick three words that describe 2010.
-My words for 2009 were: Growth, Nurture, Dedicate.  I think for 2010 I'll stick with Growth (see above), and add Transition and Love.

What were the best books you read this year?
-I read lots of books in 2010, but the best - for many reasons - is the Bible, and I'm not just saying that because of what it is... there are some really good stories in there and reading it in 'order' helped connect a lot of dots.  I'd love to explore why the Books are arranged the way they are... I would imagine I'd just have to ask Chan.  I read NLT's One Year Chronological and was amazed at what I learned.  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read it again in 2011.

With whom were your most valuable relationships?
-I'm sticking with Chandler again this year.  In one year we built a house, planned a wedding, moved, said 'I do,' started new jobs, made a baby, paid off some debt, saved a lot of Franklins, and if that's not enough, we found out we may be losing a job, I lost my first grandparent, Chandler lost his last... Quite a year.  Looking back, I have even more confidence in our relationship and its strength for anything that may come upon us in the future.

In what ways did you grow emotionally?
-See above.  And I've somehow managed to keep it all together. 

In what ways did you grow spiritually?
-I started using my journal to record moments of gratitude and prayers.

In what ways did you grow physically?
-Need I state the obvious?!

What was your single biggest time waster in your life in the past year?
-Facebook, it apparently has the same properties as heroin.

What was the biggest thing you learned this year?
-I learned first hand how quickly moments pass us by; I learned there is beauty in darkness; I learned gratitude in raw form; I learned strength and patience.

Word of the year...
In 2009, I decided to choose a word that would be my focus for the year.  My word for 2009 was dedication.  For 2010, I chose two words that worked together: simplicity and contentment. 

It would be a complete disservice to neglect Chandler's remarks from last year when asked his word for 2010:
"Chandler's word for 2010 is birth. I laughed at him so he changed it to creation. Umm...it should be an interesting year! ;)"

Needless to say he stuck with his theme pretty well I'd say.  Creation indeed!  Birth was pushing it... I'll have to be sure to ask his word for 2011 before he sees this post!  There's no telling what his 2011 word will be...

I haven't chosen a word for 2011 yet.  There are two that jump out right now.  I'll plan to post my word on New Year's Eve along with my 2011 goals.

Joseph's Facebook Christmas

If you haven't seen this video - it's a must this year!




In case the video doesn't work, link is here.

In the middle of the Middle Road

I love his honesty, his integrity, and his deep love of Jesus. Moreover, I love his ability to reach thousands (hundreds of thousands) of people with the messages the Bible teaches. Often, I've found myself on the middle road. Ever been there? I traveled that road for a long, long time before I realized I was lost. Wow - what a way to look back and pull it all together - thanks Francis Chan. I'm on the right road now and am actually GOING SOMEWHERE after being stuck in the middle for so long. Can you relate?

Too many times I find myself questioning the RIGHT road because it's often longer and harder, but I've found that when I take it, the place to which it leads is wonderfully amazing and I would have never found it had I stayed on that middle road.

If you haven't read Crazy Love, please do. If you can't afford it, email me - I'd love to send you a copy no questions asked.

It changed me and challenged me to my core. I've read it several times and each time I find that I underline something new or tag a different page.

Giveawhaa? Giveaway!

Next week, I'll take allllll of the boxes I've tossed my junk in carefully packed, load them into a moving truck, and drive a lot of miles somewhat north to unpack at my new house. Not too long after that, I'll head back down to NC where I'll tie the knot with my betrothed on the Atlantic shore. I would love to be able to go back to our fresh house after that, but the job situation is still in the air. I'm waiting as patiently as I possibly can to hear back from a couple of bites. Prayers are greatly appreciated...

With so much going on (there's more but I didn't want to completely make you insanely bored!), I'm in need of a little encouragement - and I have FIVE brand spankin' new copies of Bono's book On the Move (fitting, no!?) to give away.

I need you. Like, really need you!

I would love your favorite scripture(s), quote(s), words of encouragement - anything! I've come across some really motivating things lately but I still get caught up in my own head at times and it can be very frustrating up there! I KNOW that things will work out and a job will come along, but this has been quite the exercise in faith!

Leave me your favorites in the comments section. For the giveaway, I'll enter each comment so feel free to leave as many as you'd like. I don't necessarily have a 'spread the blog love' motive, however I'd LOVE as many encouraging notes as I can get so with that said, pass it along!

I'll post the randomly generated book winners on Monday.

Pages of my journal

I've been meaning to post this for a while and finally got around to uploading pictures. Several months ago, I read about Ann Voskamp's gratitude community and loved the idea. It has been such an experience for me to reflect on things I am thankful for each day. I've actually stretched it to include things that just mean a lot to me as well.
Do you journal? This would be a great addition to your pages. I have thoroughly enjoyed it! I actually don't necessarily make myself write each day and rather write when I have something on my mind or that I want to remember. I started my One Thousand Gifts in October and I'm up to 403. Some days I have one or two things and other days I have two pages full!

The journal I use is from 1998! I didn't start writing in it until around 2003 though. I'd originally gotten it for a trip and then ended up using another one. I don't know why but I didn't use it much because the first part spans four years from 2003-2007 and then picks back up in 2009 when I started writing again. It was fun to look back!

(I can't take credit for the above image, it's from a t-shirt that I've always loved and decided to draw it out rather than buying the shirt!) I usually have my book (I don't really call it a journal!) with me and pull it out at the most random moments! I also have quiet time at night too though. Colored pencils in hand!

I'd love to know what you write about. The pages of my journal have so many things: memorable dates, prayers, notes from scripture, lists of books to read, song lyrics, doodles, quotes, goals for the future, encouraging prose; I've also taped sweet email snippets from Chandler, photographs and other memorabilia ... pray in color!

My journal is from Barnes and Noble. I love it so much I have a few blank ones I bought several years ago in case they stopped making them. Thankfully, they didn't and can be found right here.

5 Things Friday

It's been a quiet blog lately so just thought I'd share some recent things...

1) You may remember the big furniture project we did last month - we did it again! Same type of furniture, same everything... except it is still in pieces in the sunroom waiting for a nice coat of poly before it's back home in the bedroom. The master bedroom in our house has an odd layout and we don't have much wall space. Instead of a chest and dresser, we are having to use two chests and plan to rehome our dressers. We started working on the second chest last weekend when the weather was perfect!

2) Wedding day is coming up! We [finally] picked up my dress Tuesday, shoes are still questionable, and the flower I ordered from Etsy arrived. I love it; it looks and feels real. I can't figure out what material it is, latex? Here's a sneak...

3) Can we talk about Neti Pots? Best thing ever. I'm not even kidding. I heard about these a couple years ago but refused to buy one. I even went so far as to carry one up to the check out but then promptly took it back to the aisle where I found it. Last year when I was sick for forever, I was so desperate, I bought one. It's amazing. Seriously, I love the thing. It took a little while and a lot of gumption but it works. I've been using it quite a bit this week. If you're sick or have allergies, BUY one!

4) Tulip has a driveway! Chandler used to go inside and take pictures but the door is locked now, yay! We got the driveway and sidewalk this week and we're hoping that the cabinets, floors, etc... will be next. Baseboards are in, walls are painted, and there are only 5 weeks to go!

5) It's been a somewhat frustrating week and I've decided this is the song of the week.
'No matter what kind of craziness is going on... God still has a plan and He's still in control.' - JJ Heller



JJ Heller, Your Hands (see her talk about the video via this link)

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

Realizing Faith, Apparently Part 2

Last week, I shared my thoughts on faith and where I am in that walk. Yesterday, I wanted to take it back - all of it. The more I thought about it, the more uncertain I became about where I am - but God had other plans.

See, I had a phone interview for a great job - really great job - everything went well, good dialogue, conversation flowed well, my answers to questions were right on, things seemed great. I called to follow up the next week and they were waiting to find out the funding allocated to the particular project. I started to think it wasn't good news, but decided it didn't matter. It was a technical writing position and I've really not done that in a while so I probably don't have the more recent experience they were looking for - it's okay, there are other things out there. I guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought - I got an email from the recruiter and she'd just heard that I didn't get the position. Disappointed doesn't even sum it up. I have been looking at jobs in VA since November, really looking since January.

VA doesn't acknowledge health education as a profession outside of nursing and to top it off my national credential (CHES) means nothing to the state. It has been extremely frustrating. We close on the house April 23rd. FIVE weeks away. And I have no job. No job leads. Nothing. My degree is useless in VA, which means I'll be falling back on my communication degree. Good thing I have a couple of those things to work with! (And yes, I know my blog writing isn't always correct...I overuse commas, I add unnecessary words, I begin sentences with 'and,' I end them with prepositions, and I probably do a lot of other things wrong too.)

That news came as I started to feel yuck - went to the doctor and got some Rx. Overall just a yuck day. Thinking about jobs in VA makes me want to cry. At night, I look through dozens of sites hoping to find something to follow up on for a job. Nothing seems to fit my background and I sometimes just sit there staring at the screen hoping that something new will pop up if I refresh the page. I really need a job. I'd really like to have one in the next month so I can get married and actually LIVE with the person I'm marrying.

Totally frustrated and in the dump, I was gently reminded that I'm not in control and that just because I don't know the plan, doesn't mean there isn't one. One of the girls in Bible Study shared a story...

"The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied."

Ok, I hear You loud and clear, roger that God. My world may not be crashing, but there are certainly days where I feel like I'm so frustrated that it may as well be... Later in the day I was at work and a customer that I haven't seen in a while came in, we chatted about me moving and the job situation and both of them separately said that He always works things out and we are just pieces in the plan. As if the story wasn't enough!

Today, I've spent the afternoon on the couch. My head has felt like it could explode at any minute and the neti pot has become a fast friend, but I've been on the job hunt again and trying to think creatively. Naturally, it's been frustrating at best. Then, I got an email with a picture of Jesus that said this:

"I HAD AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR THIS MORNING. HE ARRIVED EARLY, SAT DOWN WITH ME AND CHATTED FOR A WHILE ABOUT HOW THINGS WERE CURRENTLY GOING FOR ME IN MY LIFE. AFTER VERY CAREFULLY AND COMPASSIONATELY LISTENING TO ALL THAT I HAD TO SAY, HE SAW THE STRESS ON MY FACE AND THE TEARS IN MY EYES.

HE STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO ME, LEANED OVER AND GENTLY HELD ME FOR AWHILE BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A REALLY BAD MORNING. THEN, AFTER REASSURING ME NOT TO WORRY, THAT EVERYTHING WOULD WORK OUT FOR ME AND BE JUST FINE..."

It was a forward and I got it last week as well, but deleted it. Oops. I got it, I got it... Loud and clear. Some may say all of this is pure coincidence, but I know better. When the stakes are high, bow down low. Oh and low I've been...

This faith thing isn't easy. In fact, it's a little rough. I'm learning - and I'm holding on to the fact that I don't know what will happen - ever, for that matter - but things will be okay. I've changed my prayers and am working on patience, acceptance, and strength.

Thought of the day...

I read this somewhere earlier in the week and it's stayed with me. I'm sure it has nothing to do with wedding planning ;) so everyone should enjoy!

(It appears to be anonymous but if you know otherwise, please share!)

Don't let the details become bigger than the purpose.

Need to read it again?

Don't let the details become bigger than the purpose.

Now, have a wonderful weekend!

Realizing Faith

Last night, I was sitting in bed wrapping up my reading and thinking about how important my books have become... Crazy Love - I've read it almost four times and it's changed me. Totally changed my life. My Bible - I love reading it. I never, ever thought I would enjoy reading the Bible as much as I do. I've read one version (almost completely) so far and am working on another. I actually miss reading when I skip a night. Jesus Calling - my most favorite daily devotional... ever! So Long Insecurity - Beth Moore's new book; I caved and decided to join the online book club for it and so far I'm behind three chapters. It's okay. I really like Beth Moore so I know I'll finish it...eventually! I have a stack of books beside my bed. It's probably pushing two feet high - I'm not even kidding!

So as I was about to close my eyes last night, I was just reflecting on how much I love my books and how much they have strengthened my relationship with God, when I realized that I don't need books. They have surely helped me, but Moses and Paul didn't have books. They wrote them! They had the REAL deal. They had GOD - Himself - speaking to them. I was thinking about how cool that was when I realized that I have that too! DUH! He speaks to me - I just don't always hear Him because I'm not listening.

My books are important to me, I look to them for guidance and for help when I need to understand something, but I often forget the One I need to look to most, the One who can actually answer me. It was a pretty big realization.

The next couple of months will hold some big changes - a lot of which may cause you to question my sanity for trying to do so much in a short period of time. The easy answer is, it makes sense for us. And so far, it works. If I was to make a list of the big changes we have coming up, I might have a mild breakdown - so I won't do that - but it's definitely caused me to rely on faith.

I've blogged about Francis Chan before - and I thought I posted this video - I think I did but the YouTube owner must have changed the link because it's another one now - here's the video though...



The first time I watched this, I was actually just starting to read Crazy Love - and I was on chapter four - Lukewarm Christians. Watching this was like seeing him make fun of me - for all to see. I realized that it really WAS me and I didn't want it to be.

I've struggled with faith over the last few years - I've questioned validity of all sorts of things and I still have no answers, but I'm learning to accept that. I'm learning to understand that I will never know because it is much bigger than I'm able to comprehend. Reminding myself that I never understood Algebra helps too because tons of other people get it and are so much smarter so of course God is going to be way smarter than what I could understand. (I have good logic, right?)

With all of these changes coming up - getting married, moving, finding a new job, etc... I'm oddly at peace with it all. It would be sooooo easy to stress about not having found a job yet, but I'm okay. I know the right job will come along and it is a piece to the puzzle - I know that we will be married whether or it pours rain or sun shines with dolphins swimming in the sound. I'm also learning that I really do have faith. I have it because I'm living by it.

I am finally doing things in my life that put me in a position to actually have to rely on faith. And with that, I'm also learning that it's the way He wants us to live. If we live comfortable and never have to rely on faith, then do we really have it? Or do we fall into a pattern of safety and arrogance because 'it's simple, God does bigger things.' If we live according to His plan, we rely on Him and we walk with Him. Living in His plan doesn't mean we are always comfortable, but it does mean that He is with us. In one of our last Bible Studies, Beth Moore talked about how we often don't feel His presence until we are in the storm. I've probably talked about this before, but it is so, so true.

Faith is believing in God - and acting on it. Living on faith. Stepping out. If for some reason the video above didn't work, this is the YouTube link.

Adios Noro!

I miss my blog!!! I hate only posting once/week... but this week I have a very legit reason for lack of posts - norovirus. Ugh, it was the worst! I have a super fab flat stomach now though! ;) I stayed in bed curled up all day on Monday and while I was talking to God during my awake moments, I couldn't help but think of Job. I thought I'd posted about Job but apparently I never put my thoughts on the screen... oops! While reading Job during my daily assignment in my NLT Chronological Bible, I couldn't help but wonder if I would still thank God during my times of pain - how did he manage to do that?! I'm such a baby and when I hurt, I'm pretty selfish about wanting to not hurt.

I did thank God though. It was the strangest thing... and I love, love, love that I'm doing this one-year reading plan! It has taught me so much that I think will continue to strengthen my faith. I was curled up in pain and half conscious most of the day, but I was thankful that I had a soft bed. I was thankful that I had running water (and a toilet, amen!). I was thankful that Nola was quiet and stayed with me. I was thankful she only had to go outside twice in the entire day. And I actually thanked God as I was crying in bed, bunched over like a crumpled piece of paper.

I'm sharing this, because I have grown. When I thought I was making strides on the path, I'm realizing that I've only just begun.

Lent

I've had a few people ask me what I'm giving up for Lent.

As I understand it, lent is a time of preparation. A time for prayer, penitence, almsgiving, and self-denial. It can also be a time when those who have separated from the church can rejoin the community. I was sad to have to miss Ash Wednesday services this year because I had to teach that night... I love seeing the alter stripped and bare and then full of life and decorated again on Easter Sunday. This is symbolic of the season of lent, stripping the non-essential and unimportant. By doing this, we are able to focus on the bare - what is important.

Stripping the alter is just the beginning. Lent is a personal journey - and in that journey, we should look both inward and outward. We take reflection on our lives, what is important to us, and how we bring Him glory. The outside is like the alter. We strip the non-essential, unimportant. For many, myself included, that includes a lot of what we think makes us who we are. Reality proves that very untrue. Lent is a time to confess that our clothes, cars, decorative finery, jewelery, etc... is not who we are. Those things do not define us. We are but dust, standing before the Lord.

This year, I am on a journey towards simplicity and contentment, and that means learning to live without things that I've ranked as 'important.' I'm not sure what that means right now, but this year, I'm not simply 'giving up' something, I'm taking this time to evaluate what is truly important. I'm using this time as a true journey. One that I hope I can look back on and smile, knowing that it somehow changed me - changed my perspective.

It's a God thing...

Last week, I received an ecard from a sweet friend. At the end of the card, there was a verse.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies... "

John 11:25

I decided to send this verse to Marty (granddad's wife of 30+ years) as it was so touching and served as a reminder to us all. She didn't have a Bible with her at the time, so I read it aloud over the phone. We ended up reading the entire story in Chapter 11 to better understand why Jesus said that... it was the story of Lazarus, when Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha. We both loved it and she decided that since we were not able to find a poem we had been looking for, she asked what we thought about using this verse and the story at the funeral. Of course, we thought it was perfect.

I got a text not too long after our conversation; she had spoken with the priest. Apparently we could not substitute the scripture for the poem - because the gospel for the service was already John 11:20-27!

Gentle reminders of Who keeps watch over us are always coveted and we couldn't have felt His presence more in that moment.

Notes from Romans

I finished reading Romans earlier in the weekend and realized I had a lot of notes.

A few:

-Take your normal everyday life and offer it to God.
-Embrace what God does for you.
-Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.
-Fix your attention on God to be changed inside out.
-Recognize what He wants from you and respond to it.
-We don't find meaning from God, we find it in Him.
-Keep a smile on your face.
-Love from the center of who you are - don't fake it.
-Bless your enemies, no cursing under your breath.
-Get along well, laugh with happy friends - shed tears when they're down.
-Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone.
-Don't insist on getting even, God will be the judge.
-If you see your enemy hungry, go and buy them lunch.
-Love others. The sum of all things is love.

Romans has quickly become one of my favorite books. Paul wrote it in response to the Romans' lack of acknowledging what happened to Jesus - His life, death, and resurrection. It's written poetically and logically - and I love the words he chose to emphasize. This year, I'm reading the Bible again, chronologically. I had a lot of questions the first time around - I'm not completely done. I have a few books in the NT (Galatians-Rev) and then I need to go back and finish Isaiah and Ezekiel before I'm done. I stopped reading Isaiah around chapter 26 or so... it's a difficult book! I am learning that I really enjoy reading the Bible. There is a lot of history in it that I remember from school and it's been fun to challenge myself with that. Of course Jesus' teachings are also pretty important :) so that is enjoyable too!

2009 Reflection

(from Christmas, 2009)

What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

-It's a tie between all things Bible study and getting engaged.

What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

-I decided that this was the year I would get serious about debt

What was an unexpected joy this past year?

-Meeting some of the most genuine and amazing friends

Pick three words that describe 2009.

-Growth, Nurture, Dedicate

What were the best books you read this year?

-I posted a few earlier this week, but didn't include them all; The Shack, Same Kind of Different As Me, Crazy Love (hands down a life changing book for me), The Heart of Christianity, Food Pets Die For. Each of these has truly helped shape who I am, from sorting out my faith to understanding food. I read another book about pet food but don't remember the name of it so it didn't make the list - after reading about what goes into pet foods, I changed Nola to Honest Kitchen, a raw, dehydrated, human grade food, and never looked back! (She still actually eats Wellness in the morning.).

With whom were your most valuable relationships?

-Bible Study girls, Chandler, Sister

In what ways did you grow emotionally?

-I came to grips with growing up and started a private blog to journal my feelings about moving to Boston... we now know, it will be Virginia - a much easier transition.

In what ways did you grow spiritually?

-I joined an online Bible Study that I found out about via Compassion's blog, met some amazing women, and found exactly what I was looking for and more than I ever imagined. I started reading The Heart of Christianity and learned about faith in general, and I am almost finished reading the Bible, cover to cover.

In what ways did you grow physically?

-In what ways didn't I grow physically? I became the most out of shape I've been in years. I didn't gain weight, but it's still not good!

What was your single biggest time waster in your life in the past year?

-Facebook; I enjoy reconnecting with friends, but probably spent too much time reading status updates, etc...

What was the biggest thing you learned this year?

-I realized that my life truly is not my own and defined ME

In 2009, my word was dedication. I think I did okay. As always, there are some things I would change if I could go back, but overall I believe I accomplished what I'd hoped. Moving into 2010, I've chosen simplicity and contentment. I'm excited about all the changes that will be happening, but I think these two words will keep me grounded. Chandler's word for 2010 is birth. I laughed at him so he changed it to creation. Umm...it should be an interesting year! ;)

What's YOUR word for 2010?

the Spirit surrounds us

...was going through my reader tonight and came across this post by Carlos. Amazing. Turn your volume up, you won't want to miss this. Be sure to read the post linked above. I love what Danny says to Carlos after the song.




Feel the Spirit.

Here with us

Joy Williams is quickly becoming one of my favorites. A few months ago, I downloaded her song, Here with us and put it on a CD in the car. I didn't pay too much attention to the lyrics because the "hallelujahs" she sang were so different that it's all I focused on... when I finally stopped obsessing about the hallelujahs, I couldn't decide if I was overwhelmed in thought or speechless. I don't think I've ever taken the time to even imagine the things Joy sings about. Listen to the song.




Did it give you chills? I've been wanting to post this for a few weeks now but wanted to wait until a little closer to Christmas.

Here are the lyrics for anyone unable to see the video.

HERE WITH US
It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You're here with us
You're here with us


It's still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You're here with us
(Ohh, mmm, here with us)


Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
You're here with us
You're here with us

It's personal.

How different would life be, if it was lived for Him instead of for us?

Lord, help me to love You more. Help me to know You more deeply.