A friend of mine posted this on another site.
Each of these are all amazing in themselves, but by the end... tears.
Each person says so much with only a few words. It's amazing how God can flip things around in ways we never could have imagined.
When you watch, take the time to really read and think of the pain in each of their lives. It makes the victory that much sweeter.
Then remember that this victory is yours as well...
--
Friday, May 30, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Cool new Bible study tool...
Check this out, I found it browsing around one day.
It has (like many of them out there) a great Bible in a Year listing,
but add to that the feature of journaling any notes you may have right along with whatever verse, tagging them for later, sharing your thoughts with others or just reading what others are saying that makes this very different.
You can choose the Bible version you'd like and your notes are saved forever... or I guess as long as the site exists. So if you're wondering what God was telling you the last time you read a verse, now you'll know (provided you write it in).
Really there are quite a few things that make this different, you'll need to check it out for yourself. This is just the beta version, more is on the way.
You can find it here.
If you sign up soon it's early enough you may be able to get your own name, or whatever name you would like without a million numbers attached to it.
Oh, sign up is free and no, I don't get anything amazing for refering others... hmmm... that I know of. ;)
---
It has (like many of them out there) a great Bible in a Year listing,
but add to that the feature of journaling any notes you may have right along with whatever verse, tagging them for later, sharing your thoughts with others or just reading what others are saying that makes this very different.
You can choose the Bible version you'd like and your notes are saved forever... or I guess as long as the site exists. So if you're wondering what God was telling you the last time you read a verse, now you'll know (provided you write it in).
Really there are quite a few things that make this different, you'll need to check it out for yourself. This is just the beta version, more is on the way.
You can find it here.
If you sign up soon it's early enough you may be able to get your own name, or whatever name you would like without a million numbers attached to it.
Oh, sign up is free and no, I don't get anything amazing for refering others... hmmm... that I know of. ;)
---
Friday, May 16, 2008
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned...
In an attempt to save some money, I decided to trim my sweet little fluffy dog myself. Every time I do this, I promise myself it will be the last time - but for some reason, I never seem to learn my lesson.
While trimming I decided I could leave a little bit of hair on the top of her head for a bow! Sounds like a fabulous idea, doesn't it?
Ugh... I have turned my little fluffy dog into a gremlin. Just look!
Here's a picture of a gremlin (from the movie) just in case you forgot.
This is just wrong in so many ways.
Matthew said she looks sad because she can't go out and play with her friends anymore... she's embarrassed. :(
Well, the jokes on him - she doesn't have any friends. K, not as good of a comeback as I thought it would be.
Regardless, if she would keep her bow in, she looks kinda... cute... well kinda...
Look! She's even smiling for the camera.
--
While trimming I decided I could leave a little bit of hair on the top of her head for a bow! Sounds like a fabulous idea, doesn't it?
Ugh... I have turned my little fluffy dog into a gremlin. Just look!
Here's a picture of a gremlin (from the movie) just in case you forgot.
This is just wrong in so many ways.
Matthew said she looks sad because she can't go out and play with her friends anymore... she's embarrassed. :(
Well, the jokes on him - she doesn't have any friends. K, not as good of a comeback as I thought it would be.
Regardless, if she would keep her bow in, she looks kinda... cute... well kinda...
Look! She's even smiling for the camera.
--
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Home Sweet Home...
After weeks of scouring the internet and watching Craig's List (who knew?), we narrowed down a few houses in Colorado and Matthew sent them to one of the guys on the staff at the church. He and his wife spent some time checking them out (how sweet is that?) and we've been able to settle on the one pictured above.
Woo Hoo! That's a huge stress taken off.
Wanna see somethin' really cool?
Did you see it????
Look out the sliding glass door... *** SNOW ***
How fun is that?
--
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Mother's Day to Remember...
Yesterday was my last event to lead at church before the big move and I have to say that of everything I've been blessed to be a part of, this was the most personal.
It was a day for Motherless Daughters to come together, share, heal, grow and remember their mothers. Whether they have lost their mothers physically or emotionally, it was a time to remember them.
I have to tell you that I met so many amazing women and as I said that day, the common thread of a missing mother brings about a bond I can't explain. It really is true. It's not something you usually talk about in your every day conversation, but just knowing there are ladies out there who are experiencing the same thing is very comforting and, in many ways, solidifies a sisterhood of sorts.
When I started working on this, I had no idea of the impact that it would have on me. My mother died from lung cancer on August 19, 2004. We had a rocky road type relationship, but the last six months of her life (especially the last three) were amazing. I stayed in Cincinnati with her and my sister as she wanted to die at home.
The whole experience brought all three of us closer than I ever thought we could be.
For "A Mother's Day to Remember..." we began by sharing our stories with each other and then ended the day by planting a flower for our moms. We also filled out a card and placed it above the flower. (NOTE: We did this on Saturday. I can't even begin to tell you how many prayers my son and I prayed asking God to protect this little memorial overnight - and He did.)
I was so impacted by what these ladies wrote, that I asked if I could share some of them on here.
There are actually a few more I would really like to share, but have not had a chance to get permission from the women who made them. If I do, I'll add them later.
--
--
These are the flowers made for my mom (from my sister and myself).
--
The next few pictures were taken on Sunday between services...
It was a day for Motherless Daughters to come together, share, heal, grow and remember their mothers. Whether they have lost their mothers physically or emotionally, it was a time to remember them.
I have to tell you that I met so many amazing women and as I said that day, the common thread of a missing mother brings about a bond I can't explain. It really is true. It's not something you usually talk about in your every day conversation, but just knowing there are ladies out there who are experiencing the same thing is very comforting and, in many ways, solidifies a sisterhood of sorts.
When I started working on this, I had no idea of the impact that it would have on me. My mother died from lung cancer on August 19, 2004. We had a rocky road type relationship, but the last six months of her life (especially the last three) were amazing. I stayed in Cincinnati with her and my sister as she wanted to die at home.
The whole experience brought all three of us closer than I ever thought we could be.
For "A Mother's Day to Remember..." we began by sharing our stories with each other and then ended the day by planting a flower for our moms. We also filled out a card and placed it above the flower. (NOTE: We did this on Saturday. I can't even begin to tell you how many prayers my son and I prayed asking God to protect this little memorial overnight - and He did.)
I was so impacted by what these ladies wrote, that I asked if I could share some of them on here.
There are actually a few more I would really like to share, but have not had a chance to get permission from the women who made them. If I do, I'll add them later.
--
--
These are the flowers made for my mom (from my sister and myself).
--
The next few pictures were taken on Sunday between services...
Monday, May 05, 2008
Bitter Sweet...
I don't even really know how to start this blog.
I'm at a loss for words... Can you believe it? I thought it would never happen.
I guess Matthew said it best when he said that for the last six months God has had us on a Spiritual journey. One that brought about an array of emotions for us and our family. Through this we also sought out two people that we love and respect dearly for wise councel. They know us well, they know the church well and better than either of those, they are not afraid to be honest with us. They were exactly what we needed at the time and have been a true God-send throughout this journey.
Over the last seven years we have loved the work God has allowed us to do and the family members that He has blessed us with in Austin. He has surrounded us with people who are more than friends, they are and will forever be truly family.
God sent us here to our church home with a purpose and a calling. Recently, He revealed to us that this mission is completed (for us) and that He has a new one. This is a bitter sweet time. I truly love our church, the city of Austin, and the people here (have I mentioned that yet?).
Through these months we've prayed and told God that if He wants us to leave, that we need Him to be really clear. (It's always strange when we tell God He needs to do something. Good thing He's bigger than that and knows our hearts.)
Well, He heard our prayers and was abundantly clear.
We started talking to a few churches, but they just didn't feel right. I should mention that through this we were also open to staying if that's what God wanted, but I figured you would already know that from the paragraphs above.
But then... there was this one church that just kept coming to our hearts in Colorado. Matthew had several conversations with them and for the first time we were actually getting excited about the possibility of a new adventure. So a few weeks ago, we took a trip. There were several things that I was really hoping to see/hear/know to confirm God's will for such a change.
One being that it would just feel like home. Honestly, I figured that would be the most difficult test. Details can be worked out, questions can be answered, but the feeling of home can not be made without God in it.
I can honestly tell you, from the moment we met the executive pastor and his wife our first evening there - we knew we were home. We didn't verbalize it yet, even to each other. God had told us to go slow... so we did.
Over and over again, God showed up. Answering every question I had - even the ones I hadn't been able to form in my head. We met some amazing people and just fell in love with the people in Colorado. We know, without a doubt, that God is in this.
He has so much for the church here (in Austin) still, I can't wait to see what they do and where God takes them in the years to come. There are incredibly faithful servants here and I know they are in an amazing place - which honestly, I feel has nothing to do with us. It's where their hearts are and where God has them. We have just been blessed to be along for the ride and it has been an incredible one!
I'll be writing more about the days to come, but we talked about this with the volunteers and leaders last night. So I just wanted to put something out that would sort of sum up our meeting last night about leaving.
I desperately want you to know our hearts and the love we have for you and the Lord. We will all still be working together, just in different cities. We'll be able to take what we've learned from you and share it with others. You have inspired us, taught us, served along side us, and most of all loved us as family and for that we are truly grateful.
--
I'm at a loss for words... Can you believe it? I thought it would never happen.
I guess Matthew said it best when he said that for the last six months God has had us on a Spiritual journey. One that brought about an array of emotions for us and our family. Through this we also sought out two people that we love and respect dearly for wise councel. They know us well, they know the church well and better than either of those, they are not afraid to be honest with us. They were exactly what we needed at the time and have been a true God-send throughout this journey.
Over the last seven years we have loved the work God has allowed us to do and the family members that He has blessed us with in Austin. He has surrounded us with people who are more than friends, they are and will forever be truly family.
God sent us here to our church home with a purpose and a calling. Recently, He revealed to us that this mission is completed (for us) and that He has a new one. This is a bitter sweet time. I truly love our church, the city of Austin, and the people here (have I mentioned that yet?).
Through these months we've prayed and told God that if He wants us to leave, that we need Him to be really clear. (It's always strange when we tell God He needs to do something. Good thing He's bigger than that and knows our hearts.)
Well, He heard our prayers and was abundantly clear.
We started talking to a few churches, but they just didn't feel right. I should mention that through this we were also open to staying if that's what God wanted, but I figured you would already know that from the paragraphs above.
But then... there was this one church that just kept coming to our hearts in Colorado. Matthew had several conversations with them and for the first time we were actually getting excited about the possibility of a new adventure. So a few weeks ago, we took a trip. There were several things that I was really hoping to see/hear/know to confirm God's will for such a change.
One being that it would just feel like home. Honestly, I figured that would be the most difficult test. Details can be worked out, questions can be answered, but the feeling of home can not be made without God in it.
I can honestly tell you, from the moment we met the executive pastor and his wife our first evening there - we knew we were home. We didn't verbalize it yet, even to each other. God had told us to go slow... so we did.
Over and over again, God showed up. Answering every question I had - even the ones I hadn't been able to form in my head. We met some amazing people and just fell in love with the people in Colorado. We know, without a doubt, that God is in this.
He has so much for the church here (in Austin) still, I can't wait to see what they do and where God takes them in the years to come. There are incredibly faithful servants here and I know they are in an amazing place - which honestly, I feel has nothing to do with us. It's where their hearts are and where God has them. We have just been blessed to be along for the ride and it has been an incredible one!
I'll be writing more about the days to come, but we talked about this with the volunteers and leaders last night. So I just wanted to put something out that would sort of sum up our meeting last night about leaving.
I desperately want you to know our hearts and the love we have for you and the Lord. We will all still be working together, just in different cities. We'll be able to take what we've learned from you and share it with others. You have inspired us, taught us, served along side us, and most of all loved us as family and for that we are truly grateful.
--
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