2008/12/30

Yet another reason...

Yet another reason why NOT to leave your teens unattended...



There's trouble at the stable
and her name is Mic!

08/09

With 2008 in the rear view mirror, I'm glad to be moving into a new year and a new season.  It's been difficult year to say the least.  I've had all kinds of new experiences (good and bad).  Some I love (like my new friends I made this year and hanging out with Miley), and some I'd rather never think of again (like the pain in the neck my neck's been).


Things I am thankful for in 2008:
  • Doug - what more can I say!  
  • Miley - her fresh perspective keeps me in check about what's really important (cereal and getting my way all the time ... What? What's wrong with that?) 
  • Seeing my daughters & son-in-law grow into adults before my very eyes (very cool).  It's almost unbelievable seeing them turn into a man and women.  Like Tyler always says, "How'd I get here??"  
  • New friends & old ones too
  • Healing, steroid injections & physical therapy (Note to self: even if the physical therapist keeps hurting you every time you see her, it doesn't mean she doesn't like you)
  • Still being in my 30's 
  • No damage, just inconvenience, in Ike and in Gustav (praise God!)
  • Most importantly: JESUS - no year is good without Him as far as I am concerned
When Julio spoke about "New Seasons" at the Kingdom Builders Celebration, I felt that was confirmation for me about some things I've been pondering upon in my mind.  This has been one of the lowest years/seasons I've had, and I'm very glad to have a fresh new clean year in about 6.33 hours.  I thankfully embrace it. Bring it on "2009"...more passion & love for the lost and my own family, continued healing, and a stronger relationship with God.  I want to be on His path this year walking hand in hand with Him so I can hear every whisper He has for my heart.  

Happy New Year!


2008/12/17

Sparkle Blog

CHECK OUT THE Sparkle BLOG for a recap of the Obnoxious Christmas Caroling & Sleepover Mixer.  



As promised, more snow pictures...


Miley's first reaction to the snow.  "What the heck is that!?"

Gotta be just like my Momma & "MiMi" with my hands in my pockets!

It was absolutely beautiful!!


2008/12/11

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

The weather was anything but frightful this morning.  It was amazingly beautiful!  For those not around here, it hardly ever snows here in the south.  I only recall 2 other times that the snow accumulated like today.  I believe this may be the most our area has ever gotten as a whole.


God never ceases to amaze me with His creativity.  The flakes were huge!  Almost like globs falling.  Miley was a little concerned at first because she just didn't know what to do with it.  Once she realized it wasn't going to do anything to her (and she woke up completely), she loved it.  

Here are 2 pics of our snowy morning... Micki in the early morning snow and later in the morning before it really came down.  The good ones are on Renee's camera.  I'll have to add them another time.

 

2008/12/03

Random Book Thoughts

As I've worked on the manuscript for this book (for what feels at times like decades and still yet to be named), it has occurred to me that this message just isn't for those who will read it.  It's all about the journey in my own life.  It's about the road that God has been walking out in my own adventure as well!  He's been using those pages not only for others, but to to shape and guide me more than anything!  I can be so dense at times!!


With the journey in mind, I wonder what my "dash" says so far?  What will is say overall? (you know...the dash (i.e. birth year - year deceased, 1890-1970...everything that occurs in your life between those years).   Will my dash be simple?  Will it scream of a wild God adventure?  When "the" dash is discussed, will it bring those around to tears of regret or great memories & laughter?  Will my dash shine and sparkle?

As I think about light, I am reminded of a stained glass ornament my girls and I made when they were little.  It was nothing elaborate, but when the tree was lit up and the light shined & sparkled through the glass of the ornament casting a glow on the branches near it; illuminating them.  I wonder what my actions/words shine and sparkle on the things in and around my life. 
 I hope it's crazy blinding light and not a hazy shadow blocking brightness.  I want to Sparkle like a diamond reflecting the light of Jesus through every thought, word, and action in me.  What am I reflecting?  If I asked others today, I wonder what their answer would be?  What are you reflecting?  Time to take some inventory!

...hmmm.... Sparkle: Reflecting Purity ... that might just be a great title for the book!