My friend from high school

This morning I got the chance to see my friend Casey from Edgewater high school that lives here in Charlotte. We went to her church, and found out that the pastor of her church, his dad was the pastor that married my mom and dad. Pretty crazy. This morning was challenging not just because of my struggles that I have had recently but also because it was such a different atmonsphere. I was thankful for the opportunity and for how my it made me realize a few things. I pray that my heart will be soften and not continue to grow harder during this time. Here is a picture of my friend.

My dad and I

I finally did it, though how a photo normally gets loaded on my blogpage is NOT the way it happened tonight.

Isn't he cute?

I thought you might enjoy these cute pictures of Joshua.

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!