Pictures of the Taylor family

Frankie, Ellie and Eliza Lou, me and baby Jake.... Ellie and Eliza running down the street to say goodbye...boy do I miss them Tickle time with Kathy P. but somehow in the process I managed to get a pillow in my face :) I first started babysitting for this family when Ellie was a couple of months of old and now she is a big sister and first grader. Wow how time flies. I have so enjoyed seeing all that the Lord has done in their lives. They will always have a special place in my heart and I don't think there will ever be a time where my heart does not melt when they say "Kathy P." Lou I pray that Lord continues to pour His grace, strength and wisdom as you continue on in being a mom of 4 precious children, wife, pastor's wife, coordinater for children's ministry, friend, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and whatever other hat you might wear. You are a blessing to us all. I admire you strength, your desire to seek God in even the hardest times and the love that you pour out onto others. I love you and will always have a special place for you in my heart. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to be at Willow Creek at the same time you were and to be able to do our small group together. Thank-you for your patience, love and teaching me all that you knew. What special memories. I LOVE YOU FRIEND!

Celebration Pictures

The famous mouse :o) The mouse killer. Praise God! Sarah Morgan and me Jenn and me :) Well I could not get the picture to turn the right way. Does anyone know how to do that? This is what J.J. did with my curly hair and a few bobby pins. Absouletly amazing. She has a gift.

One thing I learned in celebration....

Well pictures from Celebration will have to wait another couple of days. One thing that happened at Celebration was that after 11 years of being a believer I finally understood that the blood that Jesus shed on the Cross was the exact blood that has wiped away every sin past, present and the future. I am sad that it took me this long to understand this, or to embrace it. You should have seen me that night in the cabin. I was like a child loosing their first tooth or getting a big present on Christmas morning. The excitment was overflowing. I am so thankful that God opened my eyes now to see this, to understand it and am now able to embrace it. There is a new sense of hope and joy that has come across my heart and I am exicted that I have been given a piece of freedom. Last night we were singing this song that I shared below. One that I have heard and sang many times, but last night it was the first time that I truly grasped and understood the words that this song expresses. To think "Where your boundless love, conqured my bounless sin and mercys arms are open wide." I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Praise God for his goodness and faithfulness in our lives. HE IS GOOD! “The Glories of Calvary” Music & Lyrics by Steve & Vicki Cook From Songs for the Cross Centered Life by Sovereign Grace Music Lord, You’re calling me to come And behold the wondrous cross To explore the depths of grace That came to me at such a cost Where Your boundless love Conquered my boundless sin And mercy’s arms were opened wide My heart is filled with a thousand songs Proclaiming the glories of Calvary With every breath, Lord how I long To sing of Jesus who died for me Lord, take me deeper Into the glories of Calvary Sinners find eternal joy In the triumph of Your wounds By our Savior’s crimson flow Holy wrath has been removed And Your saints below Join with your saints above Rejoicing in the Risen Lamb

Celebration is over

Well Celebration was a offically over at noon today. My weekend was packed full of lots of things a mouse (more to come later-even a picture :), some amazing sermons, worship that was incredible, a Father who spoke to me many times in words that were shared and verses read. There were even some not so fun times. But all in all I am thankful I had the chance to finally experience a celebration. I will share more, with some cute pictures of friends I got to see, and when J.J. did my hair. I am coming home tomorrow morning. I came over to Sarasota for the night to see my sweet friends Scott and Janna, and their precious boys Michael and Levi. Love you all!

What is sleep?

Ok, so I have one last prayer request and that would be for SLEEP! What is sleep you ask? When you sleep through the night for at least 4-8 hours depending on what kind of sleeper you are (and if you have children and they don't wake you up). BUT I the past 3 nights have averaged around 1 to 1 1/2 hours of sleep a night-not normal at all. Tonight I don't even know if it could add up to an hour. Also that I don't get sick, because when I don't get a lot of sleep is when I tend to get those rotten colds :( Well I am going to go try do something that will make me tired. Hopefully I will get a few hours in :)

Celebration

I am leaving for Celebration tomorrow morning and I cannot wait! I also get to hopefully visit the Taylors and Mawhinneys while I am down there. I wanted to ask you all to pray for me. When I heard the theme part of me even said do I really want to face this, but I feel like I need to-there really is not other time better than this weekend. Things that have happened over the past few weeks I believe are leading up to this weekend. Please pray that God would really pour out His spirit, and that I would embrace it completely, without one inch of me in doubt. I am really scared, but exicted all at the same time. The theme is celebrating reconciliation. Please pray first that I would have that reconciliation with my Heavenly Father, and then next with family and a few friends. My pride stands in the way even at this very moment. I want to be angry. I want to do it on my own. I want to be in control, but deep inside of me somewhere I know He is longing to bring me back to Him and to set me free. Also please pray that new friendships will form and old ones will be restored and grow stronger. I look forward to sharing what God does. Love you all!

Grace

You know what I love is even when the world around you seems to be crumbling down around you, there are no words to truly express what is on your heart, but God brings back an old song (or two) into your life that just seems to echo what you want to say, but can't find the words to say, can you tell I love music :) So here they are. Grace By: Silers Bald My heart is so proud. My eyes are so unfocused. I see the things You've done through me As great things I have done. And now You gently break me. I cry just like a baby. You hold me as my Father, And mold me as my Maker. And I ask You How many times will You pick me up. When I keep on letting You down? And each time I will fall short of Your glory, How far will forgiveness aboud? And You answer, "My child, I love you, And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient, grace." At times I may grow weak. And feel a bit discouraged. Knowing that someone somewhere Can do a better job. For who am I to serve You? I know, I don't deserve You. But that's the part, that burns in my heart, And keeps me hanging on. And You are so patient with me, Lord. As I walk with You, I'm learning About what Your grace really means. How all of my transgressions Were paid at Calvary. So istead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You. By giving up my life to You For all that You've given to me. "My daily sufficient grace."