Friday Favorite

HOME! This week has been a crazy one! With pre-planning and open house at preschool, cleaning and organizing the apartment and kicking off the school year in our Hispanic children's ministry, and making time to keep the family going, home sure does feel nice! It is Friday night and our 1st week of Kids Club (our bible club for Hispanic elementary and middle school kids) is done! Week One: Check! It was a really good day back with our kids! They were so excited about the changes in the apartment and just being back! God was working among us and the kids! And I think all the enthusiasm that each child brought was a blessing to God's heart. I feel that I truly saw the Kingdom of God today, not through the work that I was doing, but through the delight in the children's faces to just be surround by the good things of God. I love our kids that God brings to us each and every week. I am so glad to be back in swing of regular kids club. After all the long hours that our team put in these past couple of weeks it sure is nice to have this 1st triumph behind us and I look forward to ones ahead! But I must say...There is NO Place Like Home!

Wordless Wednesday...3 year old artist

Humility

This week of my study has focused on Moses meeting God. You know, when Moses notices the bush is on fire but not burning up. Day 3 focuses on Exodus 3:5 "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing his holy ground." Here are some parts that spoke to me...

Humility is a requirement to be intimate with God. His greatness can be seen only by those who have none of their own. The less you see of yourself, the more you will see of God. It does not mean that you are not talented. It may be, in fact, that you are brilliant. What it does mean is that you are far more interested in looking at God than at yourself. That is a sign of true humility.

It means to make a true estimate of ourselves in the presence of our majestic and holy God. It involves a sense of complete dependency on God because we realize our inadequacy and weakness apart from Him. Andrew Murray said humility is, "our participation in the life of Jesus." Jesus was, according to Matthew 11:29, "gentle and humble in heart." He came to do the Father's will. That is the act of a humble person. The humble one never exalts self, but only God and His desires.
-CATHERINE MARTIN IN A HEART THAT DANCES

The presence of God demanded a holistic preparation of the one who would aspire to enter into his presence. Therefore, to teach Moses this lesson, God set up admittedly arbitrary boundaries-do not come any closer- and commanded that he should also remove his sandals. This was to prevent him from rashly intruding into the presence of God and to teach him that God was separate and distant from mortal men. Because God was present, what had been ordinary became holy ground and consequently set apart for a distinct use.
WALTER C. KAISER JR. IN EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE COMMENTARY

Friday Favorites...Cousins Playing

Buzz about books!

I have started reading A.D. Chronicles Second Touch by: Bodie and Brock Thoene. Let me just say that I was already crying tears of joy, sadness, and excitement in the first chapter! The words in these books just overwhelm me! Here is one of my favorite parts already in the book...

Lily is a young lady who is a leper. She was forced to leave her home and town when she was 12 years old:( Cantor is a young man who also is a leper but I don't know much about his back ground. They both live in the Valley of Mak'ob. This is part of a conversation they are having...

She said quietly, hoping, "Yet El Shaddai knows our names. Knows our stories. Lily. Cantor. He hears us when we cry to him." Cantor agreed. "And one day we who have suffered in the Valley of Sorrow will stand alongside those who drove us away. Those who might have helped but turned from our suffering." Lily imagined the moment. "They will see our souls, shining. Those who stoned us and hated us. Those who declared that we must deserve to suffer deserve to suffer. Those who accused God of causing our suffering! Accused God of causing the suffering of the children dying in the cave!" Cantor shifted the weight of the water jar. "Those who were blessed with whole and healthy bodies. Then they will be judge by how they used their gifts on earth. Their health and wealth." Lily frowned. "Oh, Cantor, there are so many who hurt worse than me. I'm nothing in all this. All the little ones. Calling for their mothers in the night. I'm nothing." " You are everything, Lily. Oh, that I could be more like you! Because when they cry out, you go to them and hold them as they die. Weep for them as if you were their mother." "Because I hurt too." "Yes. You feel. No leprosy in your heart, Lily. And think of this and be glad! You and I and all the little ones...our souls will stand as equals with everyone who ever lived. Yes! Stand before the Lord of heaven." "I believe every knee will bow before him. Every voice will proclaim his name. It's all I have left to hold on too." "Soul to soul. Yes. Equal. We will stand without these corrupted bodies. Our accusers will stand without their possessions or wealth or success or any of the things by which an earthy life if valued. Then the lives of all mankind will be reviewed by the One, the Righteous Judge." Lily smiled. It was good to talk of olam hava, the life of the world to come. "Rabbi Ahava says on that day the Knower of Secrets will revel every secret thought. Every good deed will be rewarded and every neglected kindness will be clearly seen. Beneath the gaze of the Lord, darkness will become light." With his gentle hand Cantor touched Lily's shoulder. "And we'll know the truth of who among mankind was merciful and whole. And also whose half-eaten hearts were beating inside trivial existence. We'll know who secretly blessed others. Helped the helpless. Touched the untouchables. No, more than that...who embraced the untouchables. Ah, Lily. My Lily. You will be the most beautiful soul of all...shining. I know I will see you on that day. And I am glad I came to this place and was allowed to love you."

Wow! It's still just as powerful as the first time I read it! It really makes you think. I encourage you to run out and buy these books today!!!

Go Figure Contest

Here is a fun contest for anyone who wants to stay in shape! Multitasking Mom is giving away a Leslie Sansone Walk Slim package! I have a few of her DVDs and I really like them. They are so perfect if you don't want to leave your house to work out. You can check this Walk Slim package out at Leslie Sansone. If you are interested in this give away click on the button in my side bar that is titled Buzzy Contest.
Ok, here is my fitness tip: JUST GET UP AND MOVE!!!

A Heart That Dances

I am doing a study right now that is called "Father I long for a heart the dances" by Catherine Martin . I am really enjoying it! This weeks study was about the heart of God. Here are some quotes from this weeks study that I liked...

The broken heart: "In the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me" (Isaiah 49:2) In the shadow. We must all go there sometimes. The glare of the daylight is too brilliant, our eyes are injured and unable to discern the delicate shades of color, or appreciate neutral tints- the shadow chamber of sickness, the shadowed house of mourning, the shadowed life from which the sunlight has gone. But fear not! It is the shadow of God's hand. He is leading you. There are lessons that can be learned only there. - MRS. CHARLES COWMAN IN STREAMS IN THE DESERT
The winsome heart: God is completely different from man. God's heart is winsome. He desires to woo you and draw you to Himself. God wears His heart on His sleeve. You will see it over and over again in the things He says to His people. God draws His wayward children to Himself with love and grace. Grace does not excuse disobedience. God will deal with that. But He is a God of mercy. And while His wrath is kindled by sin and evil, He knows man's frame. He formed man from the dust of the ground. His primary way of dealing with sin is by paying the penalty for it Himself. - CATHERINE MARTIN
The faithful heart:
There is a faith unmixed with doubt,
A love all free from fear;
A walk with Jesus, where is felt
His presence always near.
There is a rest that God bestows,
Transcending pardons peace,
A lowly, sweet simplicity,
Where inward conflicts cease.
There is a service God-inspired,
A zeal that tireless grows,
Where self is crucified with Christ,
And a joy unceasing flows.
There is a being right with God,
That yields to His commands
Unswerving, true fidelity,
A loyalty that stands.
-WILLIAM R. NEWELL
The discerning heart: A miner lights up the darkness.(Job 28:3) These words are spoken of the miner who is searching for precious stones, which are buried in the dark mine. He goes into these dark places and lights them, and so ends the darkness-and he finds the jewels hidden there. We are here to do that very thing. We have for light the presence and promises of God. There may be someone whom we are trying to help; we are trying to bring out of the dark mine of that personalty precious jewels for our Lord. Perhaps we are terribly tempted to despair, because of continual disappointments and what seems like hopeless weakness of character. But we are not alone. The search, the long effort, is lighted by the presence of our God. He is not baffled by personalty. His promises are light. So let us go on, despairing no man, for the jewel mine is His. He died to purchase it. Behold, all souls are Mine is His word (Ezekiel 18:4).
-AMY CARMICHAEL IN WHISPERS OF HIS POWER

Believe God's word and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences. Your Rock is Christ, and it is not the Rock which ebbs and flows, but your sea.
-SAMUEL RUTHERFORD

If we remain groveling on the low ground of feeling and emotion, we shall find ourselves entangled in a thousand meshes of doubt and despondency, temptation and unbelief.
-MRS. CHARLES COWMAN IN STREAMS IN THE DESERT
The passionate heart: How many lives are affected by the decision of one person for Christ! It is like a stone that falls into a lake. The ripples extend for thousands of miles and across generations! - CATHERINE MARTIN

Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, was traveling in Scotland when a storm came up and she took refuge in a little hut of a Highlander. She stayed there for an hour and when she went, the good wife said to her husband, "We'll tie a ribbon on that chair because her majesty has sat on it and no one else will ever sit on it." A friend of mine was there later and was going to sit in the chair when the man cried: "Nae, nae, mon. Dinna sit there. Her majesty spent and hour with us once and she sat on that chair and we tied a ribbon on it and no one else will ever sit on it." They were honored that her majesty had spent the hour with them. It brought unspeakable joy to them. It's great that Jesus Christ will sit on the throne of my heart, not for an hour, but here to sway his power forever and ever. - BILLY SUNDAY

These all spoke to my heart the most. What speaks to your heart the most?

The Buzz about books!

When I was younger I HATED READING! I just couldn't stop playing long enough to actually read! The only time I liked it is when my Mema would take me to her library during the summer and I would do the book club. Something about it was a challenge and I liked that!
Well, now that I am older (you know I'm in my 20's that's pretty old), I have really enjoyed reading and I want to share with you my new favorite books!

They are the A.D. Chronicles by Bodie & Brock Thoene, and they are awesome! My mil and sil have read them all and passed the 1st one on to me. Well, I got hooked! These books are written in New Testament Bible times and they "discover truth through fiction". They take the bible and put fictional characters to it as well as real ones like Jesus. They make the bible seem so real, it's like the story really comes alive to you! In First Light (the first book) I found myself reading a chapter and then looking for the same story in my bible. When Jesus speaks they use the real words from scripture. I just can't explain how incredible these books are! As my sil says, it's like the writers are God inspired and they make you fall in love with Jesus more. They are also filled with mega adventure and drama! There were times when I cried, times that I was cheering, times that I was afraid, and time that I wanted to jump through the pages and do something about the situation!

I finished "First Light" and today I bought "Second Touch" and I just can't wait to dive in! Just the cover is enough to send me over the edge with excitement!!! If your looking for a good fictional book to read this is the one! But don't take my word for it!

This blog thing is so cool!

I am starting to really love this whole blog world! Just a few months ago I had no idea that this blog world really even existed, and boy was I in for a surprise! Anyway, it has been fun to create my own blog and also to look at friends and family's blogs. Just recently my sil (who is a serious blogger) has been introducing me to other blogs and ways to advertise my own blog. Wow! This has been a real treat! Just this week I have had 4 outsiders comment on my blog!!! That is so exciting to me that someone who doesn't know me would take time to look around my very basic blog! Just today my sil gave me a link to another blog that just blew my mind! It is a young mom who does Hispanic children's ministry with her husband and is also going through some similar decision making concerning her little ones just as we are. It is so crazy how God is so in the details of our life that He would connect people even through a blog! How awesome is that! VERY!!! So thank you to all who take time out of your day or week to look around at my life and thoughts! You are greatly appreciated! And did I mention that I love this blog thing!

70%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?Click to take the test and see how addicted you are!

Friday Favorite: Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

Sesame Street is one of my all time favorite TV shows! I am sure that it is yours too! I remember so many songs from when I was a kid. You know them too, ones like "sing a song", "has anybody seen my dog" (my mom and my aunt would sing this one anytime I was pouting, it drove me crazy!), "people in your neighborhood", "ladybug picnic", "rubber ducky", or how about this one...1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 doo doo doo doo doo doo do! I also like the one sung by a blue rock star puppet with long yellow hair, he sings about all different things that are alive and things that are not alive. I sing that song all the time. There is also the song sang by the pigs "I've got a new way to walk, walk walk". I sing that all the time too! I think the music was my favorite part of Sesame Street. However when I was little I didn't ever call it Sesame Street, I always called it Big Bird. I remember watching it at my Mema's house and thinking that it was the longest show in the world! It was like it never went off.

Now Nora watches Sesame Street most mornings and she loves it! We even have a CD with some of the old music on it. LOVE THAT! But this week has been different! Sesame Street has done another update! They have redone their theme song opener and they have some cute new puppets! I love that they do update from time to time but they always keep some of the old mixed in. They are just too cool for school!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my time off this summer with my Nora! We have had so much fun going to the park, library, story time, starbucks, swimming, the zoo, stone mountain, Chattahoochee nature center, Mema's house and just hanging out at home. I am so thankful to the Lord for time off, time to just enjoy the blessings He has given me. He has given me so many blessings! My job is actually one of my biggest blessings but Nora and Jason take the top and I love being with them! Thank you Lord for this time of rest with the people I love best!

Wordless Wednesday

Look what I found...

on my car when I went to get the mail today...



I love butterflies! Look at the detail of color and shapes on his beautiful wings. I just want to tell you God is Awesome!

Mystery Church

This is the mystery church I have been blogging about. I know, it's hard to believe United Methodist, but it really seems to be a good solid church. You can check them out at http://www.rumc.com/

Back in the Saddle

Today was our first Sunday of serving in I guess what is our new church! Kinda crazy to say that! Nora and I headed to our 3 year old Sunday school room at 9AM to prepare as Jason headed to the media room to work with the media team.

I am teaching a small group of 3 year olds and there was going to be 2 small groups in my room. I was over the red group and another girl was over the blue group. However, the other girl never came so, I had 14 3 year olds!!! YIKES!!! Actually it turned out fine. The Sunday school coordinator stayed to assist as well as a teenage girl.

We started the morning with some small group time just getting to know each other. The kids were so cute! Then after 15 minutes we moved into our large group time where we sat on circle rugs and sang songs with motions and jumping and then listened to a fun interactive bible story. It was really cute. The kids enjoyed it a lot.

After the large group time then it was back to our class for more small group time. Only I didn't have a small group, I had a LARGE group! The next part was a bit challenging. The kids had to match 3 different stickers to 3 different bible stories on their paper. After that craziness, we went to the table to color and eat snack. Nora was having a great time. She was being my personal assistant. She was being such a Big Girl!

I went around and asked the kids what their favorite part was and one little boy who was screaming when he came in said, "I am happy now!" He was so proud of himself and so was I. As they colored I sang the song "The B-I-B-L-E". One little girl who came and snuggled next to me during the bible story seemed to love this song. She kept singing it even after I was done. I just kept saying that's so good and then I would sing it again. So sweet!!!

The Sunday School coordinator apologized for the crazy Sunday, but I totally understand the bind that they were in and had a blast anyway! It was good to be back in the saddle again!

10:45 parents picked up their kids and some of the kids went across the hall to Little K. Nora went right over with the other kids. I cleaned my room and then went to get her to go home. She did not want to go, so we stayed another hour. I went to the service and Jason happily worked in the media room for the second service too. He got to run the media shout program by himself during the 11AM service, I got to watch from my pew! He really enjoyed it! He was so proud of himself.

We had a great Sunday and it just felt good for all of us to be back in the saddle!

It is finished!

No more cords!!! This room is finished!!! I am so happy:)

My Hunni

My Hunni is the best!!! He is so smart and knows how to do anything! I am so glad that I am married to him:) He figured out how to get this cute header on my blog!!! It is exactly what I wanted for my blog but I just couldn't figure it out-ugh! Isn't it cute!!! Hopefully this will be the final look now! Thanks Hunni for making me look good!

Phase Two

Ahhhhh...that feels much better now! This looks amazingly better don't you think? If you didn't see Phase one check it out below. BEWARE THEY ARE GRAPHIC!

The next two pictures below are phase 3. This is Jason's part of the project. It could be awhile before they are completed but I will keep you posted!

Friday Favorite

Espresso!!! This is one of my favorite things! I really can't believe it but it is true.

This is the way I used to drink my coffee: half coffee, half milk, 6 or 7 sugars. YIKES!!! It makes me sick just thinking about it.

Something happened to me that I can't explain because I don't really know how it happen but some how I completely dropped the milk and the sugar. Just BOOM like that I was drinking black coffee and wanted it that way. But then something else strange happened to me, just plain black coffee wasn't strong enough for me so I started drinking Extra Bold coffee. After a month or so of that I was introduced to an americano. I was hooked from the smell and the first sip. This was my new favorite drink and I just had to have one everyday. Now I just enjoy 2 or 3 shots of espresso everyday! It's just enough for me since I can never really seem to finish a whole cup of coffee. I am not very good at drinking lots of anything. I just enjoy the smell and the warmth and the rich dark taste so much that it puts a smile in my heart!

I have also enjoyed my taste buds ever since I can remember. My family has always teased me about how I dance when I eat because I love the food so much. I have noticed that Nora also bounces around when she eats. I am also teased for being very vocal when I eat. If it is really good to me then anyone who is sitting at our table is going to hear about it over and over again. I just love that God gave us things that we can taste! Tasting is so fun to me! And I love tasting espresso! I joke and say to Jason sometimes, "do you think heaven will smell like this?!" "Maybe just for you", he says.

"C is for Cookie"

We are working hard on our ABC's. This week is letter C! Cookie Monster is the best way to remember the letter C!!!

Wordless Wednesday- Phase One

My own Tackle It Tuesday!

So my sil wrote about tackling the scary mess in her basement. This whole summer I have been planning to clean out our back spare bedroom but have done nothing. Jason moved our washer and dyer upstairs to this room and we just continue to pile and pile stuff in that room. It's really, really bad!!! So I am finally going to start today! I have put it off long enough. I must start somewhere or it will never get done. I am going to tackle what I can today! I'll keep you updated.

That Good Feeling!

Jason, Nora and I have been in a church transition. After making the decision to leave our home church to grow our Hispanic ministry in Roswell we found ourselves wondering what else was out there in the world of churches.

A church in Roswell became interested in our ministry and was exploring ways to become some what of a partner with us. Jason and I decided to visit a few times just to explore what they were all about. The first Sunday we visited we were shocked how much we liked it! Everything was so professional and the people were so warm and welcoming. There seemed to be so much life around the church and so many good programs and projects. We were very impressed with the preschool department and how organized they were. It seemed to be a fun and safe place for Nora to learn more about Jesus. The Pastor had such a warm and friendly spirit about him and he taught the word of God with an object lesson! I love object lessons! Our family was very impressed with this church and it was really the 1st church we had visited since we left our home church. We went a few more weeks but felt like we should probably visit some other places.

We did visit a few but just didn't make a connection. One of the things that I was looking for was a good children's ministry for Nora. I wanted to make sure that they valued their children and that they showed it by offering a strong bible based program for the kids. I was also very eager to teach a class and be a part of what Nora was experiencing at church. I just wasn't finding that anywhere but I did feel like the church in Roswell did offer that.

About 2 weeks ago I got a call from one of the children's ministry directors at the church in Roswell inviting me to teach a 3 year old small group this fall. I was so excited! Jason and I talked about it and we felt it would be a good way to see first hand if this is the place for us. So I emailed her and said yes. Even though I said yes I was still nervous that we might end up hating it. I prayed and ask God to make it very clear to Jason and I if this was not where He wanted our family.

So yesterday I attended the teacher training for the new school year. After the lunch they served us the children's director began to share with us their vision for the children and each stage of their life. As she unfolded the value and importance of teaching our faith to our children I began to fill the Lord moving in my heart. I had tears in my eyes because I knew that in this moment as she spoke that I was in the right place. The Lord was confirming it in my spirit as she shared that "This year we are going to be more intentional about the eternal in our children". This was everything that I stood for, everything that she said I agreed with. I could see how passionate she was about the children and the Lord. I could see how she had fought for the children and how she welcomed change and new ideas for the children's department. I was impressed with the program that they were starting this year, small groups for 2, 3 and 4's. Then those ages groups would attend a large group time that would consist of live praise and worship as well as a creative storyteller each week. They are even building a new stage area for this large group time.

I just knew that this was the best place for Nora to grow in the Lord and friendships. I just had the Good Feeling again! I felt like I was finally at home. I am excited about where the Lord is taking us in this new chapter of our life. So far, it has been all good!

If Nora Had A Blog

If Nora had a blog she would blog about...
1. How she loves being a princess!!! (she only wants to wear dresses)
2. Her prince. (daddy)
3. Her stuffed animals.
4. She would make a video of herself singing Kum Ba Yah my Lord. (her new favorite song she sings all over the house)
5. SHOES! She already has a shoe obsession at 3 years old. Today in Target she tells me she needs new shoes. Yea,right.
6. Make up, another obsession that she already has.
7. Her new princess lunch box she got today for school.
8. All her grandparents and how they give her anything she wants!
9. How she really wishes that she had a doggy or kitty. (she asks for one all the time)
10. Mooseys or Movies.
11. That she is a Big girl not a baby.
12. How she knows best!
13. Her new performance: dancing, singing, acting.
14. How her mommy and daddy are always telling her what to do, as she rolls her eyes.
15. Miss Donald's, as she calls it.

I am sure it would be very interesting to read a 3 year old's blog.

Friday Favorite

One of my favorite places to be is in the woods. I love being surrounded by tall trees and birds singing. Today I went walking at a local park that has a walking trail right in the middle of the woods. It was so refreshing, and so inspiring to be surrounded with all the beautiful things God had made. As I walked I was remembering me as a kid and how my favorite place to go and play was in the woods by the big creek. My friends(Jamie, Amy and Carrie) and I would go there everyday if we were allowed and we would walk through the water forever. One direction of the creek would take us to a horse pasture, so we would stop to watch the horses. If we walked the other direction then we ended up at a huge swimming hole of water (none of us ever went swimming in it). We would spend hours in the woods playing house, playing boat, just exploring whatever came our way. Those are some of my favorite memories also. Today I walked without those friends but I remembered them and the fun times we had together on McCleskey drive right where the Super Walmart is now on Hwy 92. I wonder how if you can even get to that creek, or if it is still there. It is crazy how life changes. I am not that little girl playing in the creek anymore, I'm 27 (which is not old) and as I walk through the woods today not only do I think of old times but I am also filled with emotion towards God. Being surrounded by the things that God has made fills me with an emotion that I can't get anywhere else. I feel so connected, so close to the Lord when I am standing in His creation. My heart becomes so overwhelmed with love and awesomeness towards the Lord and I am thankful for times like that.

Pictures from zoo ATL

Wordless Wednesday