Girl's Weekend!

So a couple of weekends ago, my friend Kristal and I got to go on a girl's weekend courtesy of Taylor's last remaining Hilton Honors points. He was so nice to let us use all of them to stay in Eugene for the weekend. Now I know many of you are thinking "Eugene? What a weird place to have a girl's weekend!" Seriously, it's fun. We don't do anything special. We hang out in our hotel room, then go to dinner, catch the...darn now it's $1.50 movies. The next day you can find us in my very favorite store the Buffalo Exchange, some fun lunch, back to the hotel to relax for a catnap, then off to a nice dinner, and maybe a little more shopping! Sunday we were able to go to a Calvary Church in Eugene. My friend Christina Parker and her family go there, and it is such a warm church so full of the Lord!

I was so thankful to my wonderful husband for letting me get away. Time always flies when you are having fun! I again get to go away with some girls for my big 3-0 celebration/retreating with the Lord. I can't wait. It may sound like, by this blog that all I want to do is get away. Some days, yes. With my 6,4, and 2 year old, life has been so hectic lately. I have found that every so often if I catch my breath...it helps all involved. :) Keeps a smile on my face, ya know?

But, I do enjoy being here too. Tonight was nice with the kids. They all took a late nap, because today was too nice to pass up going outside! We got some pizza, cooked some yummy choco chip cookies that Jessie made. By the way Jessie, YUM-O! And, watched the 10 commandments. It was nice to just hang out with them today.

So, sorry for blabbing. I am a psycho and it's almost 3am. What am I doing? Well, I am a self-confessed night owl...and I have a problem. ;) I am sure I will read this again someday at a normal hour of the day and ask myself what I was thinking, and why I was going on and on. But for right now, it seems completely normal! tee-hee Well, hope to see most of you tomorrow morning at the Easter Rain-a-bration! If you notice some extra dark bags around the old eyeballs...now you know why. Peace!

Some Cool 1980's Pact-Man Tracts

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Not By Sight

I read this really great devotional today, and it was like God was speaking to me! I know you have had that moment too, where you know the Lord is speaking to your situation, your doubts, your fears. Just to let you know that He's still there, still listening, and that He has the answer. It was such a good reminder to just wait and have faith even though I can't always see the shore!

No Solution in Sight

"He went out, not knowing whither he went" (Heb. 11:9).

It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith, but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea, nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea. And when we came within twenty miles of land, we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles ahead.

How had we measured and marked our course? Day by day our captain had taken his instruments and, looking up to the sky, had fixed his course by the sun. He was sailing by the heavenly, not the earthly lights.

So faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shore line or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way. Often its steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty, and even darkness and disaster; but He opens the way, and often makes such midnight hours the very gates of day. Let us go forth this day, not knowing, but trusting.--Days of Heaven upon Earth

"Too many of us want to see our way through before starting new enterprises. If we could and did, from whence would come the development of our Christian graces? Faith, hope and love cannot be plucked from trees, like ripe apples. After the words 'In the beginning' comes the word 'God'! The first step turns the key into God's power-house, and it is not only true that God helps those who help themselves, but He also helps those who cannot help themselves. You can depend upon Him every time."

"Waiting on God brings us to our journey's end quicker than our feet."

The opportunity is often lost by deliberation.

I had to include pictures of my first homemade cinnamon rolls! The icing came out a bit chunky, but I made my neighbors some and thinned it out with some more milk...and oooh. My stomach still aches from how much I ate! :)

February Friends

We had my friend Kristal's kids here this weekend. It made for a quick couple of days with 6 kids running through the house. I was so glad that the weatherman had fairly accurately predicted the weather. It was 53 degrees outside...although he promised me 60! There was a little sun peeking through the clouds, but not much. I was secretly hoping to bust out the shorts. ;)

All went well, except for a little bug that had hit her kids right before they came. We tried pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, but their bodies did not welcome it. So, on to the BRAT diet. We'll be praying they get better as they go back home. I cannot imagine having 6 children. Can I just say that right now? I at least had my husband home for the time that they were here. But, on the van ride home...well let's just say we made it.

Anyway, it was a great time. I got to hang with my "other" kids, and got to feel a little bit like what I imagine a grandparent feels when the grandkids go home. "Whew!" Thanks Acacia, Elijah, and Eva for coming and staying with us. We'll see you again really soon.

So, this is my theme for 2008! I am excited to see what God's plans are for our little family this year. January is almost done. I am glad for that. I love P-land, but you know, I can only take so much gray. It's like being pregnant. You forget the pain and agony you went through at labor, and say, "Let's do it again!" Well, living here is like that. For about 4-5 months we have great, dare to say nearly perfect weather. I almost forget the dreary, cold, dark days of winter. Then, about mid-February it hits me...I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! ;) Just kidding. I do pray for a sunny day though. We didn't even get enough snow to play in. Just to keep the kids home for a day.

I guess that's it for my exciting January. Nothing really new or special to report. Although I am excited and in prayer about a retreat that I am going to be doing in April. If you haven't received an invite...please email me. I think it's going to be a really great time to relax and connect and enjoy what the Lord is doing in some pretty amazing women. I send blessings out to all my friends and fam. Thanks for all y'all did for us over Christmas. You'll never know how it touched our lives. Peace out!

Christmas Snow!

 

Yaaa! Snow on Christmas Day! We had so much fun running around in the snow, throwing snowballs, taking snow off neighbor's cars (sorry!), and making a 12" snowman. We enjoyed the company of my mother-in-law Kathleen, my Aunt Linda and Uncle Flo, and Taylor's sis Laurel. It was a really fun day full of presents, family, food, and remembering that Christ was the center of it all.

It was such a busy Christmas! And, if you did not get our Christmas card, it was because just before I went to send them all out, I lost my address book. What a bummer! I was able to get family addresses, but my friends unfortunately did not get out. We did lots of fun things from Christmas Eve at the Blount's, to New Years with some friends from Moriah's school. I so enjoyed the warmth of those who cared so much for us over Christmas. It truly made Christmas so much fun and helped take the stress of extra expenses away.

We are ready for this New Year. I know the Lord has big plans for us this year. My Dad is moving in with us in just a few days. He will be looking for a job, and then his own place. So, if any of you know of full time work pass the info my way! It will be a challenge, in our 1400 square foot home. But, I know the Lord calls us to do things for others that may stretch us and try us...and in the end He will bless us for our obedience. I will be praying for all of our friends and family out there, that the Lord be the center of your lives this year. We just don't know how long our time is here on this Earth; let's make it each day, a day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

www.bigoo.ws

To all the "Village":

Well, I was surprised yesterday by a friend...you know who you are. ;) She handed me an envelope full of money. I was so dumbfounded! She told me that many of you had given out of your hearts, and pocketbooks to our little family. I almost went into the ugly cry, but I held it together.

I just wanted all of you to know how special that was to both Taylor and me. I couldn't believe the thoughtfulness, and the generosity of the body of Christ. Most of you who gave, I was told, did not even know it was for us. So, if you did...now you know. And, know that the Lord has truly, truly blessed us beyond measure. I knew when we took this step of faith that it would be rough for awhile. I also knew God would provide. But, I did not know to what degree I would see His hand working in my life. Let me tell you, if God is calling you to take a step of faith...whatever it may be, do it! I can't tell you what this has done for my walk with Christ. He has shown Himself so much, at times I feel like Moses coming down from the mountain; not necessarily a glow stick, per say, just wanting to burst with His goodness.

So, all that to say, I want to wish all of you the most wonderful Christmas. Remember that the Lord is good! I am so blessed by all that was done for us, and cannot express how much that touched our hearts.