"I know You're there."

When I sing this song, I think of my family, I think of lost loved ones who we sometimes have a hard time standing up to because of fear of being made fun of or being rejected from our family. This song makes me want to dance in the rain, turn in circles. It makes me want to be free, like a little child dancing before their Savior. I think of this song when I feel so far away from Him. I sing this song because HE IS THERE! Oh how you are there Lord! I know You're there by: Casting Crowns If all I had was one last breath I'd spend it just to sing Your praise Just to say Your name If all I had was one last prayer I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening If I could love a thousand lives, bind the hands of time I would spend every moment by your side 'cause I, I know You're there, I know You see me You're the air I breathe You are the ground beneath me I know You're there, I know You hear me I can find you anywhere If all I had was one more song to sing I would raise my voice to make the heavens ring If all I had was one last chance, I'd take it I would stake it all on You If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye I would make them believe What I feel inside If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye I know You're there I know You're there I know You're there, You're there

They are worth watching!!

WARNING do not watch around young children. Language is used in the first video with the little girl :) I think the two videos below can hold there own explanation. I know I am going to hear it from everyone but I figured I could ask for forgiveness later because it is worth every laugh:) The first one keeps me laughing especially when she says "If he's gonna come in here, he's gonna kick my....." And whoever thought Barney could be so cool :o)

Questions to challenge you

I had the blessing and opportunity to go to Steve and Meghann Roberts homegroup tonight. Since we had Todd's Ordination service this weekend, Steve decided to ask questions to not only help us to get to know each other better but to also challenge us and where our heart was at. I thought I would share the questions and maybe like it has provoked me to look in my own heart, maybe it will have you ask the same questions I am. Am I serving with a joyful heart? Am I doing things to be noticed or to give Him all the glory? Am I receiving correction well? Am I studying His word? Here is what Steve asked: 1. What has God been teaching you? What have you been studying? 2. How is your area in serving at the church? What else do you want to do? (These are just things that provoked my heart while people were responding-Am I praying about it? Am I doing it with a joyful heart? Where am I being selfish of my time? Is it only based on what can get me noticed?) 3. How much of what we do serving, encouraging, spiritual life, etc. is out of performance or is it because you know what Christ did on the Cross that motivates you? 4.What do you feel is going well in your Spiritual life? God has been teaching that running away from difficult and hard situations is not an option and especially not running away from Him. He will follow me, hunts me down wherever I go. Nothing can separate me from Him. Not doing my devotions, listening to not uplifting music, keeping myself out of church. NOTHING. In Psalm 139 it says "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" I never thought that the story of Jonah and the whale would make such an impact on my life. I serve an amazing God, a powerful one. You would think with just that that would make me want to pray even more but my sinful heart doubts, disbelieves that He could really do the things I am seeking or asking for. Someone quoted "We pray so little because we don't believe God will do anything." I want to pray with a heart of FAITH, TRUST that HE WILL DO SOMETHING. But just not in my timing-in His PERFECT timing. He is good. I hope something in here provokes your heart to start asking those difficult questions and to go to the Cross and ask Him for his help, wisdom and strength to change. Please pray for my heart that I will do this. I tend to do little things, but not always follow through and I want to finish things. Not just jump from one thing to another. It is SO late, and I am rambling now. Hopefully something makes sense. Thank-you for taking the time to listen and please don't hesitate to share your answers to these questions. I would love to hear and to know how to better pray for you :) Love to you all!

Psalm 51:1-17

"Have mercy on me, O god, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundent mercy blot out ALL my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against you, and you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquites. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will return to you. Deliever me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tounge will sing aloud of your rightousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Happy Birthday Jenn

It's kind of crazy that two of my dearest friends would have birthdays on the same week. So Happy Birthday to you Jenn and here are my favorite memories and why I love you. 10. Our mini road trip to Macon, Georgia, then to Atlanta (having some good old steak at BONES) Then going to Athens the very next day to visit the church up there, and then having car problems :) Then we spent New Years eve watching boring TV and playing scrabble (and who won???? :o). I think we drove around 900 miles in the short little trip. 9. Buying your camera and the endless drama that came with that-though I am so excited for you now :) I have to say way to go in the researching department. 8. Spending holidays or going to Disney with your family 7. I admire the way you serve the church, and how you are so quick to introduce yourself and make others feel welcome. 6. Scaring you at my dad's house with that thing that I guess you would call a mummy in the hall bathroom-I think that was the highlight of the year (I can't believe I pulled it off) 5. With that being said (and yes I hate being scared) but your never ending ways to figure out how to scare me (you have mischievous side to you :), and because it makes me laugh (like the time I fell out of the bed-actually I think I have done that a few times :o) 4. Our MANY Outback or Carrabba's dates 3. I love the way you love your friends, and how you encourage and serve them so well 2. Because you make me laugh, that deep, non-stop laugh. That makes me stop breathing, turn red and run out of the room :) Or I have to put my head down just to gain composure (not that that ever works :) 1. I am blessed to have you as my friend. Yes everyone we hit, make fun, push each others buttons but what are friends for if you can't do that with your closest friends. She means the world to me. I am so thankful for her and how the Lord has graciously brought our friendship together. Thank-you for the care, love and compassion that you lavish on me. Thank-you for taking the time to get to know my family, and for continually asking about them, praying for them and encouraging me in the difficult circumstances-that means more than I can ever share. You are the best! Happy birthday! I love you!

Happy Birthday Janna

Here are some of my favorite memories and reasons why I love you (in no special order) 10. You are the best. I love you so much! You have a quiet, tender spirit that touches everyone you meet and your wisdom, encouragment, and joy are just a few things that I admire about you. 9. I love watching you worship, and how you will continually open your hands before you during prayer. To me that is saying I surrender to you Lord, whatever your will may be. 8. The way you support your husband in his call for youth ministry, and how you love the families and their students. 7. The way you care for your husband, and boys. I think your fun fridays are awesome and will always be a special memory for your little boy 6. I wished you still lived one street over so I could decorate your door :O( 5. There are no memories like Camp Kuqala. How about surviving the blackout of 2005 and dealing with wild and crazy middle school girls or having the bus break down at the ever famous McDonald's right before we get on the turnpike. I loved how you would so graciously wake me up in the morning, and how the girls loved you. 4. Your boys are precious to me. Michael with his endless Kathy P. and wanting to play with the trains and Levi and how he lets me hold him and love on him. They will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for letting me be apart of their lives. 3. Because you give the best hugs and always pay attention to detail in our friendship 2. For the way you loved, encouraged and supported me through COP at Pioneers. I will never forget that, and even though it was a difficult time-I appreciate the way you walked with me through those difficult questions and circumstances. 1. Your family. My one favorite memory is when we drove down to Miami to spend the weekend with your family. I loved the opportunity to get to know your family better and for making special memories with you all before you left for Thailand. I love you Janna! Happy Birthday!

My cousin Emma

Here are the few attempts we had in getting a good picture with my sweet cousin Emma. Who is full of personality. These are only a portion of all that he took. He could not clicking that button. #1-Yes, my eyes finally closed on a picture with my new camera (well my dad's old camera-but it is a nice one :) #2-My dad could not stop clicking the button. Nice face huh? He was crazy that morning. #3-Finally after LOTS of pictures I got a good one with Emma :o) #4-This is what my dad worked on all weekend. Putting tile up. It looked really good.

Spaghetti Junction

So there is a place in Atlanta called Spaghetti Junction. Not my favorite place because it involves bridges, some are very high with lots of turns. At least there is no water under them then it would be 10 times worse for me. I thought I would share what it looks like when you are driving up to it.