Leaves Me Speechless

How Long?

2012-02-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

So, how long have you known each other?

I get this question a lot.
Sometimes I don't know exactly how to answer.
Sometimes I think of the first day I met Christian (see this post).
Sometimes I think of the first dance we went to together when I was fifteen.
Sometimes I answer by telling about when we became "official" as a couple once we both graduated from high school.

Most of all, I smile when I think of our friendship over all these years. First, before we fell in love or we dated, we were buddies. It happened like this.

http://pixar.wikia.com

First, Christian and I spent time with each others' families. From going to the school's family square dance to going to family camp together, we got so many chances to hang out and get to know each other and our families. I think that I was better friends with Christian's younger brother Jon before I was even friends with Christian. Christian was a grade older than me in high school so we were rarely in the same classes. I have good memories of being invited to join Christian's family to do things like come over for dinner and a movie or go to a museum for the day. We had fun. These were fun and relaxed times getting to know each other better.

When we could (finally) drive, we would ~~force~~ get our siblings to go do fun things with us around town. We had to be chaperoned : ) At this period in our relationship, we had come to realize just how much we enjoyed being together. When a member of the National Honor Society as a junior, I helped plan to volunteer at an event at a local elementary school. I always knew I could count on Christian being there to help. One beautiful day, we coerced some of our siblings to hike up Kennesaw Mountain. This was something Christian and I really wanted to do together. So we drug our sisters up the mountain and I think they legitimately complained the entire way up. We didn't mind though. We were together. The first time that he put his arm around me was seriously at the park with all of our sisters and brothers. They laughed at us. They knew that we were more than friends. I guess a lot of people knew.

Christian likes to say that he took every opportunity to take me to dances and events through high school. He really did. Going to these special events were, well, special. It was a fun time for me to dress up and be the date of a handsome guy, but it didn't really mean anymore than that. That doesn't sound very romantic, but it took the pressure off. Christian never once made me feel like we had to define our relationship or anything. In fact, that didn't happen until years later, but that is a story for another day.

For Christmas 2009, we exchanged gifts with each other. We were still "just friends" at this point. I got permission from both sets of parents to buy Casting Crowns concert tickets to give Christian. We both enjoy Christian music and I knew it would be a great gift. Why did I have to get permission for going to a Christian concert you ask? Well, I was basically indirectly asking if we could go on a date. On our own.

Once we were in a relationship and going out on our own we appreciated it so much. It was SO different from having to be with family all the time. We actually got to talk! Today, we often remember and are thankful for that season when we were able to build our relationship in a comfortable context among family and friends with plenty of accountability. Because of all this, the transition from being just friends to a serious relationship was natural and the timing was right. Our families approved, but they began to realize that once Christian and I began to go out on our own, they hardly ever saw each other! At one point my mom asked one of Christian's brothers, "Jon, are we still dating?" It was never just Christian and I dating, it was our families too!

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/disney

I have been so very blessed over the years of knowing Christian. I can honestly say that I have grown closer to the Lord through our relationship. We look forward to marriage and getting to grow up together. We also hope that our story and the way it has played out will encourage young men and women to think outside of the box when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex. We felt the Lord calling us at very young ages to do things way differently than the world does. I challenge you to talk to the Lord about this topic. I promise that God cares about your love life. You cannot put God in a box and exclude him from this part of your life. I am thankful for Christian who is a man after God's own heart and who has guarded me. He truly is my knight in shining armor. I am also thankful for all our family and friends who have supported us and kept us accountable to God's best. These are the blessings you need to be on the lookout for girls!

It's Going to Be Okay

2012-02-10T11:55:00.008-05:00

On the radio this morning there was a segment where people call in and share something that they would've liked to go back in time and tell themselves if they could. This lady came on and said, "Hang in there. It's going to be okay." When she was just fourteen years old her parents divorced. Her father left her and as a result of her life feeling torn apart she made some bad decisions. Today, she has a wonderful life in which she holds on to Jesus Christ for everything. She wanted to share the truth that God is in the business of redeeming the stinky stuff of this sinful, fallen world. She said that during her teen-aged years she had lot's of people tell her "it's going to be okay" but now that she is older, she realizes how true that statement was. This lady learned that in Isaiah 52:12 it says that God will never leave you, but that he will go before you and guard you. She sees now how while her earthly father certainly did, her heavenly father never once

abandoned her.

It is the same for all of us. We need to hear this. We need to hear that it is going to be okay. I cried in the car listening to her testimony because I could just imagine how many fourteen year olds that are going through similar things need to hear this. In Christ we can be confident that the Lord is bigger than anything that we are going through and that he can redeem and restore what is broken. He can cover in forgiveness all the ways we have messed up. Hang in there. It is going to be okay.

You Are Lovely

2012-01-20T14:45:00.000-05:00

How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty! (Psalm 84:1 NIV)

I have loved this verse for a long time and I have seen it everyday for the past six years on the wall in our kitchen. How lovely is your dwelling place Jesus! Be welcome in this place Lord! I have loved my mom's heart in wanting our home to be a place filled with the Holy Spirit.

The other day, I heard Beth Moore refer to this verse in talking about how we are the dwelling place. When you have trusted Jesus as your savior the Holy spirit dwells inside of you. We are lovely as children of God. Beth mentioned how, in truly believing this verse, from the coffee pot to her spot to have her quiet time in the morning she says aloud "I am lovely!"

So, do you believe it ladies? Do you believe that you have been bought with a price by our Father God (1 Cor. 6:20)? Do you believe that you are lovely? In a world that is constantly scrutinizing our outward appearance, we need to look inwardly and to make ourselves lovely dwelling places for the Spirit to reside.

I don't care how messed up your hair is or how gross you feel first thing in the morning, I challenge you to look yourself in the mirror and declare, "I am lovely!"

I Said Yes.

2012-01-15T17:58:00.001-05:00

PART ONE

PART TWO

I'm not sure why, but the story turned to silence as we sat side by side watching the clouds go by. Eventually, we jumped out of the boat and went up to the lake house to get ready for dinner and pictures.

For being at the lake where the dress code consists of wet swimsuits and shorts, it is an odd thing to get at all dressed up. I happily spent a generous amount of time showering, drying my hair, straightening the hair, perfecting the make-up and selecting an outfit. All for my amazing guy. At one point, even my mom and sister were in there helping me get ready for much more than I realized then - that's for sure!

I went downstairs feeling quite pretty and greeting my handsome man, I grabbed some dinner. We sat for a little while; me, Emilie and him. He said that he had already eaten and sat just watching me eat but not saying much. We ended up going inside and singing happy birthday to my little cousin Luke and afterwards I s-l-o-w-l-y enjoyed a few pieces of watermelon. Those must have been excruciatingly long and nerve-wracking moments for Christian who was about to make the biggest leap of faith of his life.

Christian asked me if I wanted to go on a walk. I said okay and he took me by the hand, all the while I was kind of not wanting to get all sweaty and gross right before we were going to go down to the beach anyways to take pictures.

I wondered if I should have told my parents where we were going so that they could meet us down there.

I wondered aloud where we were going...trying not to sound too annoyed.

I told him that I could walk all day long as long as I could be with him.

I thought of my parents' engagement story - how my mother complained the whole time and nearly ruined my dad's great, romantic plans.

This was one of those running-like-crazy, mind of a woman moments with so many thoughts going through my head.

I was totally oblivious.

So, we walked down to the lake's shore hand in hand. I chattered a little, but he remained relatively quiet. When we got towards the end where the beach was quiet and empty he stopped and pulled me into his arms. He was just holding me as I looked out on the lake and the beautiful sky.

Christian said something like, "Do you remember the story...our story that I was telling you earlier today? You know it wasn't finished yet."

He paused.

Now remember, I was facing away from him. At this point I was thinking and even mouthing to myself, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! This is it! Christian is going to get on one knee!"

"Do you want to hear the rest of the story?" he said. "The boy wanted to spend the rest of his life with the princess, but he had never backed it up...until now."

As Christian said those words, the world seemed to be moving in slow motion as he turned me to face him. He pulled out a little brown box and a ring, got on one knee and asked, "Lindsey, will you marry me?"

I don't even know what all I said except that I said "yes" over and over.

I would've given anything to see this moment from his eyes. What exactly did I say? What faces did I make? He told me later that I buckled at the knees a few times - he got a little worried, but he was so thrilled that I said yes!

We talked back and forth a lot - I said that I was excited and scared and so, so happy. I asked about the ring which is so perfect. I asked about who in my family knew. Everyone kept it a perfect secret from me. He had asked my dad back in December 2010 while I was in Colorado skiing. He sat in my dad's office to ask for my hand in marriage...the same exact spot that he had asked my dad permission to take me to the homecoming dance when we were fifteen.

When we had hugged, and hugged and skipped and jumped around with joy he took my hands to his heart and prayed the most humble and sincere prayer over us. We absolutely just took in that moment in thanksgiving and worship to our holy and amazing God.

I was so nervous and excited walking back up to the house where all of my family awaited us. Part of me didn't want those moments alone to pass, but I couldn't imagine what it would be like to share this exciting news!

Almost to the lake house, I could see everyone standing on the deck. I heard someone behind us and turned to see Landon with a tripod, camera and FERNS. Yes, ferns in his hat attempting to camouflage. I have never been so happy to have a stalker as a sibling! I laughed ...and cried later when I saw the beautiful moments that he captured in the photos.

Everyone was just so thrilled. Especially my mother who was being eaten away at by keeping such a big secret from me. So full of joy! It was so sweet sharing what was going on with all the children in my family. Their little voices kept crying out, "Christian and Lindsey are engaged!!!" They sprayed silly string on us and threw ribbons and confetti. Everyone hugged and shook hands and congratulated us. My dad poured drinks to toast with. Some shared a fun word or blessing. I told our engagement story for the first time. I was teary-eyed as all of the people who dearly love us gathered round and laid hands on us to pray. What an overwhelming sense of peace rested on us in that moment.

The rest of the night was a whirlwind as we all went down to the beach to celebrate some more. My papa took beautiful pictures of us; we couldn't stop smiling. Later, we watched as the breathtaking Texas sky was painted by the hand of God. Many remarked that the weather and the sky was perfection; almost creating the feeling that we were inside a snow globe.

I had never been so unbelievably happy in my entire life.

The Set Up

2012-01-12T22:26:00.002-05:00

Okay friends, this is the moment that you have all been waiting for. Girls, this is a moment that you have been dreaming of for most of your lives. Pinterest ideas have nothing on the story that I am about to tell. This is our wonderful, precious, only-orchestrated-by-God engagement story...

PART ONE

July 4, 2011

He got down on one knee and he had a ring in his hands. It was the right time; God ordained. There was such a peace and presence that can only come from the Lord.

It all started earlier in the day. That morning at Lake Sam Rayburn was picture day. They had matching shirts for all the cousins, complete with birth order numbers ironed on the backs...the whole nine yards. This was one of the best stops on my dad's sabbatical for the summer. Christian got to fly out to celebrate July 4th with us at the family reunion. I was thrilled to have him there with us. As we stressed to get all the kids to smile and photos snapped, Christian pulled me aside and asked if I would like to get all pretty that evening to take pictures together. I said that we could do that, but deep down I really didn't want to because I was already sick of taking pictures.

Fast forward to the afternoon and we found ourselves out on the lake and skiing. It was my mom, dad, Landon, Emilie, me and Christian. We had a great time together. Once again, the idea of taking pictures later that evening was brought up; this time, it was my mom. She said that she wanted my Papa to take pictures down at "the beach" of her and my dad and also me and C. I started to think that it sounded like a sweet plan.

After the boat had been pulled in and parked near the shore, everyone slowly made there way back up to the lake houses. Eventually, it was just Christian and I that remained relaxing on the boat. We soaked up the sunshine and shared memories of our fun times together. Things like Christian subtly trying to impress me in high school or the times that we used our siblings as an excuse to hangout with each other. Those are funny stories for another day!

We talked of how difficult we have found it to share our story with others; often struggling to even find the words to describe all that God has done and all that he has taught us in the process. We also shared the desire we have to encourage young people to have more intentional and God-honoring relationships with the opposite sex. We both feel that God has written our love story and that he has used it to ultimately draw us closer to Him. We so desperately want to share the things that we have learned to others younger than us, maybe even those older.

Finally, and most especially on the boat that afternoon, Christian decided to begin telling me a story. He began telling our story aloud almost as if he were telling a child a bedtime story. I hope to have Christian write out that story for our children someday.

It is a story of a princess and a boy. I know that he mentioned that the princess was loved by her father and by many others, but especially by the boy. He did everything he could to get close to her; to get to know her. He learned that she loved people, loved to drink tea, but more importantly, she loved the Lord. The boy took her to every ball and they loved to dance the night away. Eventually, they began to fall in love...

Treasures

2012-01-11T10:34:00.001-05:00

I have already found the treasure. Jesus. You are the treasure worth everything; worth giving everything else up for. Do I though? Do I, on a day-by-day basis, surrender everything I am and have to you? And as I now search out people who need you; people who don't know you yet, what do they see in me? Do they see the average college student worried and wanting and searching after the things of this world or do they see a courageous woman that is living for something more?

I want everything I do to reflect this reality. The reality that I have already found the treasure. Jesus. When the man found the treasure in the field, he left and immediately sold everything else he had so that he could buy it. Christian and I have been having fun registering for gift lately. As we joyfully do this and get excited preparing for a life together, we are also trying to find the balance between wanting a bunch of stuff and surrendering all that stuff to God. I am trying to keep my heart in check; remembering that the treasures on this earth will not last and that Jesus is my ultimate treasure.

Christian and I have said that more importantly, we need to be "registering" for things of eternal value; thanking God for spiritual gifts that he has blessed us with and praying for things that will last. I pray that he will continue to show us what it looks like to treasure Him above all and bring glory to his name.

Choosing True Beauty

2012-01-10T17:52:00.001-05:00

By sharing stories from her own life, Kim Meeder wrote the challenging book, Fierce Beauty. Kim is an amazing storyteller and in no time at all I was wrapped up in the story of God's redemption in her life. The book opens up with the story of Kim scaling the side of an icy cliff. I can't imagine ever doing such a dangerous and adventurous thing, yet Kim compared her scary mountainside moment as a way to show our need to hold onto the the Lord. What had placed her in this fear-gripping situation was her zealous desire to do her will, her own way. It was in that moment that she heard God's still, small voice asking her relinquish control to him. She complied and instantly her eyes were open to how stubborn she had been.

God wants to make us strong and courageous women to be used for his purposes. Throughout the book Fierce Beauty, Kim encourages women in what that looks like to fiercely defend beauty that radiates Jesus Christ rather than the fake and temporary beauty that the world tries to sell us. God has given Kim Meeder deeply moving and purposeful insight on how he views his precious daughters. True beauty is most definitely the way we live in Christ and not simply a look.

Click here to read chapter one of Fierce Beauty...
http://multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/pdf/FierceBeautySneakPeek.pdf

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Big Changes

2011-12-19T17:07:00.000-05:00

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

What must it have been like for Mary? Young and engaged to be married; a cute little girl with high expectations and dreams for her future with Joseph. What was it like to find out that she was pregnant...with God's son no less? She was a brave girl. She believed and accepted that this was the Lord's will for her. She had to have known that from that point on, life was never going to be the same.

When you find out that you are going to have a baby, that you are going to get married or something equally as big, there is no way that you can go on with life as usual. Things are going to change. The other day I was chatting with the 5-year-old boy that I nanny for about how when I get married to Christian, I will go and live with him. It was one of the first times that I have ever talked aloud about moving out of my family's house. I have always lived with them and I know that it will be a big transition for me. Jonathan said, "Well, where is the rest of your family going to live?" I explained to him that I am the only one that is moving and that the rest of my family will still live in their house. "That's sad," he said.

It is kind of sad, I thought to myself, but I cannot be more happy about getting to start a new season of life with my new husband. When we get married, things will change. It would be plain crazy if I went on living with my family even when I am married. Who would think of doing such a thing?

It is similar when your hear the good news of Christ's birth, death and resurrection from the grave. When you chose to trust in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, life will never be the same. What if Mary had just gone on with her normal, everyday life after the angel Gabriel came to her? What if she hadn't accepted that she was pregnant? Eventually, people would have seen that baby bump and known. You can't just go on living your life like you did before you knew Christ. When you surrender your life to him you are transformed and become a new creation in him!

Let's remember Mary this Christmas and like her, become transformed by the good news of Jesus! He changes our lives forever!

Becoming a Titus 2 Woman

2011-12-14T11:28:00.000-05:00

Today, I am the guest blogger featured on an awesome blog with the mission of encouraging women! You can view my post here. The Titus2Women.org ministry was created by women that my own mother mentored back in Texas. Now, I feel that these women mentor and encourage me. That is the way God created it to be...women encouraging women to love him more!

Beginning at the Beginning

2011-12-13T12:21:00.000-05:00

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

- Proverbs 4:23

Mymom likes to say that we had to move to Georgia in order for me to meet the manthat I would marry. A true Texan at heart, she also says that now that I’ve metChristian, they have to go back to Texas for my sister Emilie to meet her man. Imet Christian and his family when I first moved to Georgia in 2006. I wasfourteen years old. I was a mess when I moved. I had to move away from all ofmy friends and family; everything that I knew in the middle of the eighthgrade. God really used that time in my life to really mold and shape me intothe girl he wanted me to be.

It is fun now that Christian and I are engaged. We arereminded of lots of fun memories from those first years of knowing each other.I recently shared with him a journal entry that I wrote after I met him for thefirst time. It is written in chicken scratch, eight grade girl handwriting, butit is sweet. I definitely noticed Christian at that time and caught a glimpseof the wonderful man that I know today. At the end of the journal entry Iactually wrote that I felt like God was prompting me to pray for Christian. Ismile because there is no way I knew then that he was the guy that I would endup marrying. But God knew.

I share that sweet stuff because I want to remind youngwomen, first of all, to guard their hearts. God knows the man that you willmarry someday. He has great plans for you. Also, as you begin to notice guys;young men that you admire, start to consider what you like about them…and whatyou don’t like. Recognize the qualities that you want to look for in a husband.Girls, start to make a list. And please don’t begin the list with tall, darkand handsome (although, God does know the desires of your heart!). Start topray for that amazing guy that God might have in store for you. Christian and Iwill both tell you that we prayed for each other, even before we had met. Weprayed that God would provide a spouse that loved the Lord and lived for him. Itis crazy to think when I wrote that journal entry, I was writingabout my future husband. God’s plans are so much higher and greater than ourown!

Be Different

2011-12-08T12:58:00.001-05:00

I love to people watch and one of my favorite places to doit is in my university’s eating area. Over time, however, I realized thatsitting there I would get to do much more than just watch…I would also get tolisten. I promise I’m not a creeper and don’t try to listen to anyone inparticular, but I have overheard some interesting conversations over the pastfew semesters. Sitting in the Commons and listening is always a reminder ofwhat a lost and hurting world that we live in. The things that people dwell onand consider to be important never cease to amaze me, especially in collegewhere conversation typically includes talk of the latest drug, Plan Bcontraception and plans for clubbing over the weekend. I try not to be too surprised when I hear thistype of talk, but my heart is soft and it often hurts.

Commitment to serve. What a beautiful picture.

The other day I was sitting at a table right next to twogirls. Their conversation made me perk up my ears because it sounded like theywere talking about me. Okay, so they weren’t talking about me, but they weretalking about a couple that they know that recently got engaged. It soundedlike they were a young couple, so the girls were talking about how crazy it isto get married so young. Then, they mentioned that the girl who was gettingmarried had never been kissed and that she was saving her kiss for the man thatshe would marry. “Why on earth would she want to do that?” They questioned. The girls then began chatting about the guy’sproposal. As part of the proposal, he had secretly set up everything he neededto wash her feet following the ring and the question. Christian young womenwould probably swoon at that idea. The washing of feet is such a symbol of love,especially for your future spouse to humble himself at your feet. At least, thatis what I think. But these girls, oh, they ripped this guy apart. “What a weirdthing to do!” “Why did he do that?” “I would not want someone to wash MY feetwhen I am proposed to.”

The comments coming from these girls represent the world.The world thinks that Christians are freaks. They think that we are so weird.They just don’t understand. They don’t understand the joy that comes from arelationship with the Lord; God’s grace and the freedom from sin. These girlsdidn’t know the precious gift that purity is; being able to save everythingpossible for marriage. Christian and I know and have prepared ourselves for thefact that some people are not going to be the most supportive of us gettingmarried so young. The world tells us to finish college and get a job, to own ahouse and two cars and live together for awhile to see if we are trulycompatible. But what they don’t understand is that we will be going into ourmarriage young and in love and with minimal baggage. We don’t have junk frompast relationships to carry into our marriage like most thirty-year-olds thatare getting married do. We don’t have it all figured out by any means, but thankgoodness we have wise and godly parents and mentors spurring us on to become closerto each other and to Christ.

I challenge you to be okay with being different. You can besure that there will be people, like these girls in the Commons, who will talkabout you behind your back. They will talk about how weird you are for livingyour life for God. You may even have people say straight up to your face thatyou are crazy. I challenge you to smile and realize that they just don’tunderstand. Realize that and pray that someday they will.

Rain Down on Me

2011-12-07T10:45:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I had torun from one building to another in the pouring rain. It took about thirtyseconds for my jeans to be completely soaked through. Yes, it was THAT kind ofpouring down rain. I had to get to my class so that I could take my math final.As I stood under the shelter of an overhang, I weighed my options. I could getsoaking wet running to my car to grab my umbrella and be late for my final, orwalk and get soaking wet and be on time for my final. Actually, I admit that Idid have an option cross my mind which included my knight in shining armorrescuing me with an umbrella and a hug, but alas Christian was stuck at hisschool taking a test as well. So, I found myself taking my math finalcompletely heat-to-toe wet and cold.

I did have a smile onas I walked through the rain. It is one of those moments where you just have tohave a sense of humor. I smiled up at God and thanked him then. Not sure forwhat, but just thanked him. Once I was home and dry I could fully appreciatethe rain. I love rain. Christian and I were reflecting on how we love the smellof rain. It is such a sweet and earthy scent; a natural smell that only Godhimself could have invented. The rain so reminds me of how I have a never endingthirst for the Lord. I desire companionship with him. He can satisfy me in waysthat no one else can. So, without hesitation I invite God’s presence to raindown on me. Rain down on me, Lord!

Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoeverbelieves in me will never be thirsty. ~ John 6:35

Like Jesus

2011-05-29T23:58:00.080-04:00

Driving home after a wonderful beach trip is always a downer. It was a week full of biking, relaxing, swimming and EATING (We are lovers of all things involving snow and cones. Yum!). It took a lot to get everyone loaded up and dragged from the beach. No one wanted to leave! My mom told me that the boys could go home and that the girls would get a hotel room, stay another week and rent a car to get home. I thought that would be a fantastic plan!

The car ride back was pretty painless and I just had to share a sweet conversation that occurred between Maddie (three years old) and my mom. To give a little background: One of the highlights of the trip was riding bikes through the streets of the adorable beach town we called home for the week. To Maddie Kate's delight, my sixteen year old brother Landon spent time giving her rides in the basket of one of the bicycles. A little dangerous if you ask my mom, but nevertheless it was a blast for a little one like Maddie.

MK: Landon gives me ride on the handle bars!
Mom: Yes, Landon is a great big brother. He takes such good care of you!
MK: Jesus takes care of me.
(Pause)
Landon is like Jesus!

As we all smiled and laughed a little at the cuteness, we all sat there in awe over the fact that we are Jesus to Maddie. She is watching what we do and how we treat each other. The fact that she, at three years old, was able to make a connection between her brother's care with that of Jesus is incredible.

How true it is that as follower's of Christ we are to be like him. We are to be "Jesus with skin on" to people around us. You may be the only example of Jesus Christ that they will ever see. I have been reading "The Overcoming Life" by D.L. Moody this week at the beach and he quotes,"Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me." Be like Jesus and pray that he uses you in mighty ways to be his hands and feet here on the earth!

What Are You Waiting For?

2011-05-17T19:03:00.009-04:00

My parents raised me so that I would treasure my purity and guard my heart closely for the man that I would one day marry. When I was little they would jokingly say to me, “Save your kisses for your husband.” Little did they know that I would grow into my teen years holding onto their words and establishing even higher standards for myself.

I have learned a lot about guarding my heart and staying pure over the years. I have discovered that it is not just about remaining physically pure until marriage. It is not just about waiting to have sex. It is about not giving my heart away. Its about not getting emotionally tied to any man that is not my husband. Most importantly, it is about an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

This is what author Dannah Gresh so amazingly communicates in her new book, What Are You Waiting For? This is a question that I have had to answer for myself in the past few years. Your parents can be godly, can share with you their desire for you to “wait for true love”, they can give you rules and a purity ring, but ultimately YOU are the one that will have to decide what you are waiting for.

This book addresses issues such as porn, homosexuality, masturbation – stuff that we are being faced with, stuff that our friends are being faced with in this fallen world that we live in. This book is not for the faint of heart, but the author’s love for God is what makes her passionate about sharing candidly with young women. Her purpose in writing this book is to deal biblically with questions that every girl wants to ask about sex. These are the issues that, sadly, are not being dealt with in the church. People are embarrassed to talk about them. This saddens me because I know that our God created sex to be something so beautiful between a man and woman united under the covenant of marriage. While the church remains silent, our world is currently in the business of distorting what God made to be a precious and holy gift.

When you finish this book, you will have a pretty incredible picture of God’s design for sex. You would not believe how romantic and creative our God is!

You can learn more about this book here...http://www.purefreedom.org/bookWAYWF.htm

I blog for books... http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/

The Wonder Mom

2011-05-07T21:28:00.009-04:00

I am a young woman who has grown up with a lot of dreams and passions that God has placed in my heart. Above all of them is a desire for motherhood. Don't worry, I'm not in any hurry to become a mom. However, everyday I am convinced that to be a mother could possibly be the greatest joy and privilege in life.

I am inspired all the time by countless women who have embraced the calling of being "mom". I feel blessed to know many wonderful, heroic, godly mothers that are an example to me and other young women. I don't care what the world's opinion is of being a mom or (gasp!) a stay at home mother is. I see it as a high calling, a important job and an adventure!

These are just a few of the characteristics I have seen recently in the wonder moms that I know. All of them deserve extra jewels in their crowns in in heaven by the way!

sacrifice - wow. the selflessness of some of the mommas know is incredible. time after time I see them trading their own personal desires for the very best for their families.

flexibility- there is hardly a dull moment is most of homes. step inside and you might see children running around, baby crying, food burning, yet that momma is holding it together. she may be ready to scream on the inside, but she is the glue that is keeping everything from falling apart and is flexible to change or any unforeseen circumstance.

willingness- she is willing to do pretty much anything to love on her kids and keep the peace in her home. if this means putting her job on hold to rush to their aid or her giving undivided attention, she is 100% there for them.

patience-oh boy, how do they do it? how do moms put up with the same drill over and over? the countless timeouts, spanks and messes...it is patience that could only come from the Lord Almighty.

unconditional love- the love of a mother is powerful. the way my mom loves me through all the ups and downs is amazing and I am so thankful for her. a mother's love is a reflection of God himself who is gracious to forgive us and love on us despite our sinfulness. sometimes love looks like a hug and a kiss. often this love may be discipline or correction. whatever way a mother's love is displayed it is always for the good of her child.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who continue to inspire and encourage me in the Lord. I hope to be a mom just like you someday.

Me and my wonder mom.

All the Single Ladies...All the Single Ladies

2011-05-05T12:26:00.004-04:00

I am so thrilled that I am now finished with my freshman year in college! It is so nice to have a little extra time on my hands to read and write on my blog. I am excited to post my review of a book that is very near to my heart.

I just finished reading Praying for Your Future Husband after receiving it from the publisher to review on my blog. This is a new release by Robin Jones Gunn and her friend, Tricia Goyer that I have long been awaiting. I feel as if Robin has been a mentor to me. Like a close friend, I have “gotten to know” her over the years reading dozens of books in her fictional series targeted to girls and women. Her books are all so Christ-centered and have continued to point me and I am sure millions of other women to our True Love and King in heaven.

This book has been such an encouragement to me. I recommend it to any of my girlfriends and any moms who want to read it and hand it down to their daughters. Wow. I love Robin’s heart for prayer. Prayer is so powerful and I love learning more about being a prayer warrior. For single women, finding “the one” is on the forefront of the mind. Much time is also spent prayerfully seeking God and his plan and asking him to bring the right guy along. This book is a guide through God’s Word and a collection of real life stories from women who stopped to pray for the mystery man who they would someday marry.

In a world where instant gratification is expected and “serial dating” is a normal , Gunn and Goyer take time to pause and consider what would happen if young women begin to exhibit patience and a complete dependence on the Lord when it comes to their love lives. The best part about Praying for Your Future Husband is that God is faithful to answer our prayers! God is the lover of our souls and he will provide in his perfect timing. I love the quote, “Waiting time is not wasted time!” I hope every girl gets their hands on this book and beings to pray boldly for their future spouse. I can’t wait to see what he does!

Learn more about Robin Gunn and her heart for women here...http://www.robingunn.com/PAGES/bio.html

Purchase the book here...http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Praying-for-Your-Future-Husband/Robin-Jones-Gunn/e/9781601423481/

Smart Girl / Stupid Girl

2011-03-27T14:20:00.015-04:00

I am currently doing a Beth Moore bible study on the patriarchs of the bible. I was just reading about Joseph after he had been sold by his own brothers into slavery in Egypt. Still through that trial, God looked upon Joseph with favor and placed him in the house of Potiphar who was in the high ranks of Pharaoh's empire. Pretty soon, Potiphar saw that the hand of God was on Joseph and how everything he did became a success because of the Lord. Potiphar went as far as putting Joseph into command of his entire household and made him his right-hand man. As most of you know, Joseph had a lot going for him and even when faced with trial and temptation God gave him everything he needed to succeed.

Joseph faced his greatest challenge yet when Potiphar's alluring wife began to seek him out; desiring for him to sleep with her. In response, he gave the woman more than just a refusal, "And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her." Gen. 39:10, but also reasons why. Joseph knew what was on the line for him. His master trusted him with everything and it would be a wicked sin against him and in the sight of God. Joseph successfully resisted temptation and came out on the other side a man of even stronger character.

With this story in mind, I ask you to consider…

What specific motivations do you have for not buckling to worldly temptations?

I named this post Smart Girl/Stupid Not So Smart Girl because, as women, we tend to be either of these -smart or stupid. I hesitate to even use the word stupid because I am so nice, but at the same time the truth is that we can be just plain stupid sometimes. I smile knowingly at the picture above that my lovely sister Emilie photographed. Love can make us dumb. Especially in the area of guy/girl relationships, the world often encourages us to throw caution to the wind and (in a Disney princess-y voice) "follow your heart." Below are some thoughts that might help you distinguish between being a smart girl and a stupid girl in various situations.

A Not-So-Smart Girl…

Acts on impulse – Let look at this little dialogue…boy: Hey, I really like you; I think that you are really awesome and I was wondering if you would go out with me? girl: Oh yes! I like you too! (turns to girlfriends) Eeeek!!! Girls, so and so and I are dating!!! Cute right? Well, a little background for you, this boy and girl met on a missions trip and had known each other for a grand total of 1 week. This story really happened to this girl but thank goodness I didn't share the reaction of the girl above. This may sound like a goofy example, but it happens every day. A Not-So-Smart Girl makes decisions on impulse with no regard to reason or to God's will.

Lets emotions rule – This trait of a Not-So-Smart Girl goes hand in hand with the first, but emotions often wage a war inwardly. As women with "spaghetti brains (check out this video)," we have to keep out thoughts and emotions on tight reigns. An unwise girl is quick to gossip about others, posts thoughts that should remain private on sites like Facebook and has no control over what comes out of her mouth in front of guys and others.

Initiates - This is a trait that scares me the most about being a Not-So-Smart Girl. A girl that initiates a relationship with a boy is charting dangerous waters. God created men to want to chase and win a girl and her heart. If we turn to throwing ourselves on guys and don't make them earn our trust and affection then we are sacrificing the amazing plan God has for love and eventually marriage. A Not-So-Smart Girl chases boys, texts and calls them and sends them mixed messages in her actions and speech.

A Smart girl…

Thinks things through- In regards to Joseph's story, Beth Moore says "We are wise to rehearse in advance our reasons for standing firm." Ladies, we need to decide what we are going to do in a given situation BEFORE we find ourselves wrapped up in it. Looking back to my middle school years I am thankful that my mom talked with me about what I would do if a boy "asked me out" or to be his "girlfriend." Knowing in advance what my response to them would be, whether it was a guy that was "stalking" me or a guy that I actually liked, helped me bypass so much drama and heartache. Likewise, when you are in a special relationship with the opposite sex you need to decide where to draw the line physically with that person. It is so important that you think through your reasons for standing firm in this precious area of purity. For me personally, being prepared in what I was going to say and do made me a smart girl especially into my high school years when I was making decisions mostly on my own. This leads me to another attribute…

Prays- Using the example of dealing with a boy, don't be afraid to take time to pray about a relationship. I promise God cares about your love life. If a guy thinks that you are weird for not accepting or giving him an answer right away, then he is not the guy for you. A girl who stops to talk to God about a decision whether big or small is smart.

Seeks wisdom- I remember being a cute, little 7^th grader when a boy asked me to be his girlfriend. Going to someone who is older, wiser and further in their relationship with the Lord are all qualities that you need to look for in receiving counsel from someone. My mom talked me though what it would potentially look like to "go out" with this sweet friend. She reasoned that we would eventually bore of each other and then possibly break up. What would that do to our friendship? Would it be awkward? These were all questions my awesome mom talked me through. In the end I decided that it was better that we remained friends – and we are both now grown, in college and friends to this day! I am so thankful that I stopped to gain wisdom. I wonder how some of my middle school girlfriends would have advised me if I had told them about that boy first. Oh the drama!

This is good stuff; stuff that I am learning and have learned. Stuff that I want other girls to know. We want to be girls after God's own heart, seeking His face in everything we do and say! While I was writing this, my mom threw this book my way. It is a wonderful resource that shows the difference between being a "Girl Gone Wild" and a "Girl Gone Wise" with lots of scripture to back it up.

Girls Gone Wise: In a World Gone Wild by Mary A. Kassian

Also, check out the books awesome website!

http://www.girlsgonewise.com/

Deny.

2011-02-24T19:37:00.002-05:00

"Surely those who know the great, passionate heart of Jehovah must deny
their own loves to share in the expression of His."
-Jim Elliot

A Prayer 2.21.11

2011-02-22T22:48:00.001-05:00

God,

Give us a heart like yours.

You know the desires of our hearts.

You know us better than we know ourselves.

You are the only one that can satisfy, Lord.

Let nothing in this world hold us captive.

Allow us to be fully captivated by you.

You know our needs.

You will provide in your perfect timing.

Let nothing we do or say be in our timing.

Our ideas are skewed by the world.

No one should determine timing but you God.

You are the one that perfectly placed the earth into orbit.

You created time and to you, is it just a breath.

a blink.

a wink.

a whisper of the wind.

You created us.

Us. To do a good work.

You planned it all in advance for us to do.

You placed passions, gifts, talents in us along the way.

Before we could conceive what you were doing.

All before we knew.

A Blessing or Not a Blessing?

2011-01-28T23:15:00.004-05:00

While I'm on this theme of our many, MANY blessings. I thought I would share this fun little game to play. I got this idea from Beth Moore, who used to do this with her daughters.

"I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse."

- Genesis 12:3

To add a little biblical humor to your everyday situations and experiences, what you do is put everything under one of two headings...

1) A blessing.
2)Not a blessing.

or abbreviated...

A.B
or
N.A.B.

For example, I would categorize tea as A.B. while I would place waking up early for 8am classes everyday as N.A.B.

I'm pretty sure that you will soon see that all things either are-or are not-a blessing.

In all seriousness, however, I am confident that through God, anything is possible. He can take even the most icky of non-blessings and redeem them. Through the blessing of a holy God all can be recovered. Never forget that.

Have a "blessed" weekend!

Snow! Definately A.B.

Radically Blessed

2011-01-23T15:19:00.010-05:00

I am currently knee-deep in another amazing read.

The book is called "Radical" by a guy named David Platt. He is pastor at a mega church out in Birmingham and he is a man passionate about the Lord and His Word.

He begs the question, "Is Jesus worth it all to you?"

In the last couple of weeks I have been faced with thing after thing about how blessed I am and the blessings that God gives. Sometimes I am tempted to feel like I just might deserve a blessing every once and a while, but I don't. I have to fall flat on my face countless times before Him and remind myself that I am so unworthy. Scriptures like this one reminds me what, ultimately, it ALL about...

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude
that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and
language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches
in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
Revelation 7:9-10

In the end, it will be God who will be glorified, not me. Any way he blesses me is so that I can glorify him further on earth. David Platt talks about how "God blesses his people with extravagant grace so that they might extend his extravagant glory to all peoples on the earth." As I see this greater purpose for God's blessings, I want to make the decision not to hoard and hide the blessings I recieve, but to use them to make him famous.

Blessed Through Abram

2011-01-22T17:57:00.016-05:00

Before Abraham was Abraham, he was Abram. Before he was called by God, he was just an ordinary guy. He would have faded into the rest of the crowd in the polytheistic society of Ur, until the one true GOD called him by name. "The glory of God appeared" to him (Acts 7:2-3) and from that point on, there was no denying which god Abram would serve.

Abram's calling is clear in Genesis 12:2-3. How does this apply to me and to you? I can't wait to show you! Here's what God said...

"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you;

and whoever curses you,

I will curse;

and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Wow. Key words: "and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Put quite simply, who knew that a guy in the Old Testament would directly affect me? I mean, I (as you may have) grew up in church singing,"Father Abraham had many sons; had many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you. So let's just praise theLord!" But, a blessing from a Holy, Holy, God? Crazy.

So I began a bible study on the patriarchs by Beth Moore this week and I am already blown away by what I can learn from what God did...and is still doing today through men like Abraham in the Old Testament. I could go on and on about what God is showing me (and I probably will)!

Concerning this blessing that we (people of faith) receive from Abram's obedience so long ago, Beth Moore has this to say...

"If God blesses us, we don't have to ponder whether that blessing has further purpose. We're blessed to bless. Blessed with spiritual gifts? Bless with
them! Blessed with intelligence and and skills? Bless with them! Blessed
with finances? Bless with them!
You and I have been blessed. Nothing mystifies me more me more than why God
has chosen a former pit dweller like me. Others tell me they feel the same.
Imagine being Abram, however. One blessed man among all peoples on earth.
Why Abram?...Genesis 12:4 suggests a marvelous initial answer: "So Abram
left." Perhaps one answer is simply, 'Because he'd go.'"

I don't know about you, but this rocks my world. This applies to me in so many ways. When God asks me to do something, will I be obedient? Will I be willing to drop everything to follow God somewhere that I don't even know about? Will I allow God to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others and make His name famous? I hope so.

I want to say yes to Him. I want to be wherever He wants me to be. And the blessing is just a bonus.

Life.

2011-01-15T22:37:00.002-05:00

Life is good and I am so blessed.
It has been fun to have some extra time to spruce up the blog a bit.
I hope you are encouraged by my personal testimony under my new tab labeled "Testify" and that my pictures under the tab "Captured" bring a smile to your face.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Blessings!

A Year of Adventures (And Still More To Come!)

2010-09-27T13:13:00.026-04:00

I am so very blessed. There are so many people who fill my life with joy. Their laughter and love reminds me everyday of God's hand on our lives. He is so unfailing. Even through tough times and good, he is right by our side. He so intimately wants to be involved in our everything. Our waking, our sleeping, our praying, our crying, our smiling. He rejoices in our rejoicing and he weeps when we weep.

I am so thankful. I have experienced so many great things during this year. It makes me excited because the year isn't even over yet! I am filled with anticipation at what the Lord is placing before me every day, every month, every year of my life. I never want to take for granted the life I have been given. Everyday when I wake I want to tell God that I am grateful and that everything I am is his.

So, here our just some of the highlights, some of my joys and accomplished dreams from the past year. I encourage you to also ponder what you are most thankful for and to never forget the wonderful gift that life is.

January: Kicked off a great year with a relaxing and fun cruise with one of my best friends and her family. We stopped in Jamaica, the Grand Caymans and Cozumel. One of the most funny moments was our experience swimming with sting rays. Definitely a one time thing for me I think. What a way to start off the new year! When I returned from the cruise I got the chance to meet my homeboy, Toby. : )

February: Got to be reunited with my sweet group of friends from Texas. Many of us grew up together and more importantly, we watched each other grow in our relationships with the Lord. Such an awesome bond we share!

March: My childhood friend, Brittany, came to visit me in GA. We got to visit and have lunch at the American Girl Doll Place. I have been waiting for her to come and visit just so I could go! We shared many a hour sitting in the floors of our rooms playing Barbies and American Girl.

April: I went on a life-changing mission trip to Lima, Peru. I love the people and the amazing ways God is at work! I want to go back and hope to return in the spring for a mission into the Peruvian rainforests.

May: I graduated from high school and ran my first 5k with Landon and Christian (I'm running another at the end of October!)

woo hoo! i'm finished!

June: Flew to L.A. California with my bro, Landon and a great group of students from our church for a mission/choir tour. A very fun memory. Also got to have a family get away to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We enjoyed a much needed rest and quiet time.

enjoying the resorts water slide

Landon and I on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills

July: Returned to my native land in Texas. Got to spend time with precious family and friends! Also visited Charleston, South Carolina with my mawmaw, aunt Julie (who recently moved with her family to the Middle East and was back in the U.S. for the summer) and mom. We had a fabulous time chatting, touring, and eating, eating, eating!

Gotta love those Texas skies

sweet friend

touring the only working U.S. tea plantation
in Charleston

August: Travelled back to the Middle East (Doha, Qatar to be exact) with my aunt Julie and her four kids. My uncle Kevin had already returned back to work so I was able to help my aunt out with the kids. We got to Doha with four kids, 10 large suitcases, 4-5 carry ons, stroller, car seat, and toddler carrier and all in one piece too! I got to stay for 3 full days before flying back just in time to start my college classes. It was wonderful experiencing the culture and getting to spend more time with my precious little cousins.

Time for tea in the Middle East!

met a feathered friend in the market

September: One of my biggest joys this month was celebrating Maddie Kate's 3rd birthday. Maddie is such a huge blessing to me. I can't imagine life without her. Adoption is the greatest adventure and the way she came to us is an amazing "God thing". I love getting to watch her grow, learn and discover God's world. I know that the Lord will do awesome things in her someday!

The Lord willing there will be many more adventures to come! Thank you God for everything you have done and will do!

Waking Up

2010-08-03T08:30:00.002-04:00

"What if this happens?"
"What if that happens?"
"What if I can't do it all?"
"What if..."
"What if..."
"What if..."

What are your thought like first thing in the morning? I feel like my mind always goes 100 mph despite the fact that my toes haven't even touched the floor! So many mornings, I feel like those first few moments laying in bed are my weakest moments of the day. I let fear and all the "what ifs" overwhelm me and I know that the enemy really loves it.

What I have learned about myself is that I must jump out of bed in the morning and straight into God's word. I realize the power of calling out His name in my weakness. I know He is always with me and so strong even when I am not (which is most of the time). Everyday, when I begin my day spending time with the Lord, I am reminded that I am not walking through my day alone, but with my heavenly father and friend who will never leave me.

For me, waking up in the morning doesn't just include opening my eyes but also opening my heart to God. I love how He is such an intimate God who wants to walk through every part of the day with me. With Him and Him alone, I can avoid the "what ifs".

Gray Hairs

2010-07-23T08:30:00.003-04:00

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet
inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles
are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our
eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

As beloved children of the Most High God, we have no need to loose heart. You know why? Because though our physical bodies are growing older, weaker (and maybe a little grayer) it doesn't really matter. What is important is that we have the opportunity to be renewed inwardly day after day.

As I grow older, I want to avoid complaining about wrinkles and those pesky gray hairs. I don't want to be an adult who dreads every birthday. I want to concern myself with my life and "age" spiritually. I have an eternity with God to look forward to. So really, each new birthday signifies one year or moment closer to spending forever with God. No momentary trouble should keep me from the joy of that eternal perspective that we should all think of more often.

So, I choose not to lose heart. I will rest in the promise that He is, was and will forever be holding me in is hand.

"Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

Me + two people who aren't letting a few gray hairs get in the way of doing great things for God! I love them so much!

Tasting

2010-07-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

Taste and see that the LORD is good...

Psalm 34:8

Everyday, I want to taste and see that the Lord is good. I want to just enjoy Him and experience His goodness. I realize that I will not be able to see that the Lord is good without first tasting of Him. For me, that is going to include spending special time in His presence and making myself more aware of Him all around me. I will wait upon Him in expectation. So, today I want to work on tasting of the Lord.

Aren't these little cupcakes just divine?! Emilie and I discovered a little bakery that makes them and we are in love! Whenever I eat one of these scrumptious things I will remember to taste and see that the Lord is very good indeed!

[Insert Name Here]

2010-07-19T08:30:00.001-04:00

This is one of those verses you just have to insert your name into to make it personal : ) My mom taught me how to do this...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts [Lindsey Johnson],
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

The Sisterhood

2010-06-27T16:21:00.015-04:00

Lindsey: Okay Maddie Kate, it's time to get ready for bedtime.
Maddie Kate: Noooooo!
Lindsey: Maddie, obey Sissy.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait just a minute.
Did I just tell my baby sister that she had to obey me? Isn't that, like, what parents are supposed to be saying? Hm....that just doesn't sound right coming out of my mouth.

So, a few weeks ago on vacation with my family, the above was the little scene that played out in our condo. My parents had gone out on a date, putting me in charge. Dealing with Maddie in that moment was a weird realization as a sister of how very diverse the roles I play in my family are. One moment I am trying to discipline my baby sister (who knows just how to get what she wants, by the way) and the next I am giving "grown-up" advice to my teen-aged sister.

The ins and outs of my role as sister are quite humorous and I couldn't be more thankful for the blessing that my sisters and brothers are to my life. It is so fun to have such a crazy life that it oh-so different than anybody else's. I mean, I don't know of any other seventeen year old girl who spends her days singing "This Little Light of Mine", kissing "boo, boos" and in her free time stalking her 14-year-old sister's Facebook for any boys that might be showing interest (Sorry, Em, you know its true. Be sure to tell all those boys that I own a steel baseball bat, a knife on my key chain and that I have a brother with a 20-gauge shotgun.) While other students my age can't wait to get out of their houses and off to college, I am a little more hesitant to leave. One of the reasons of this is because of my precious sisters.

I've grown up being dubbed "second mom" by my siblings. But now that I am a graduated senior and headed towards college in the fall, my focus is less on bossing my siblings around and more on building strong relationships with them. I so desire to have great relationships, particularly with my sisters. They are my best friends and I want it to stay that way forever. Emilie and I have so much fun together. Now that I have my own car, the possibilities are "endless" to what crazy memories we can make together. Maddie Kate and I have 15 years separating us. We go to the park to play, go on ice cream dates for free Brewster's kiddie cones and have a common adoration for "Coco". My sister's both make me smile and provide me with so many reasons to laugh and to love life.

I can't wait to see all that God has in store for our very special sisterhood.

Comforting MK...getting water in your face stinks!

Maddie and I having a blast at the water park.

Trying to get some sisterly pictures at the beach last summer. haha

Celebrating Em's birthday with some SUGAR!!!

Um...I'm Graduating Tomorrow?!

2010-05-13T21:56:00.001-04:00

My Family

2010-04-23T11:39:00.011-04:00

One of the neatest things about the mission trip to Peru is the "family group." As soon as you sign up for the trip, the staff begins to prayerfully place each student into a family unit that consists of two leaders and six teenagers. The students have no say in the matter, they don't get to pick and choose who they want to be in their groups. It seems a little scary that you might get stuck in a group with (GASP!) no one that you know, but the experiences I have had with family groups have been so wonderful! You get placed with two awesome, godly leaders along with some sweet new friends. During the 6+ weeks of training and our week in Peru together, It was so great to be able to get to know my family better. Especially when we were doing ministry in Peru, we really got to see God at work in each other's lives. It is such a bonding experience.

I was so blessed to have two great men of God as my leaders this year. They were both my "adoptive daddies" for the week. : D On the last night we were in Peru, one of my leaders went around and affirmed in each of us what he saw in our lives, how he sees God at work. It was so special. He also had us each go around and speak words of affirmation and encouragement over each other. It was a great time if reflection at all that God is doing in our lives and I could have soared I was so encouraged by these fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I love each of them so much and can't wait to see what the Lord has for them in the coming days!

In the ATL airport about to leave the country! We were so excited!

Just the girls! We had some great "girls only" bonding time!

The whole group on top of a mountain in Lima

Back in the Swing

2010-04-17T20:03:00.004-04:00

This week has been hard, but also wonderful. It is hard being back in the real world after being in Peru. Being thrown back into the responsibilities and expectations is difficult.I find myself feeling extremely relieved when I get anything done. In my mind, its just one more thing behind me and one less thing to worry about. My mom reminded me today not to get caught up in checking things off the list, but find joy and relish in each day...in the journey. I am blessed to have a mom who knows me well and can speak this wisdom over me.

I am struggling to maintain focused on much at all. I am still dealing with major imprints on my heart, placed there by faces like these...

I fell in love with these precious faces, these precious hearts. Jesus is what we have in common and that is a strong bond.

I Will Rise

2010-04-14T21:59:00.002-04:00

I heard "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin on the radio last night. I love that song and it brought to mind something the Lord was laying on my heart before leaving for Peru. On Good Friday when we were worshiping at Passion City Church, Chris Tomlin started to sing this song and I just broke down. Absolutely cried my eyes out. First of all, they were tears of joy. I am overwhelmed by the thought that someday soon I will get to be face to face (most likely flat on my face) before my savior in Heaven. I can't wait for that day. There will be much rejoicing. Then, they were also tears of sorrow and heartache for this lost world; the lost that won't experience "Rising up with Jesus." Our world is so full of darkness and God is calling me to be a light. To feel that call so strongly, especially in being thrown into action in Peru- whew! That call be came so real. It was more than just a burden God was laying on my heart, he was laying the opportunity right in front of me to "go and tell". I was going to be getting on the plane the next morning. There was no turning back...

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

Leading Up To…

2010-04-13T17:17:00.003-04:00

It was an amazing week leading up to my mission trip to Peru. It was actually Holy week; A week of remembrance and contemplation of my savior dying on the cross. I was so looking forward to the trip. It was all I was talking about, thinking about, praying about. During that week, I was spending a lot of time seeking the Lord and his purpose for us in Peru. He was breaking my heart for the people of Peru. I had never been to Peru, never met any people in Peru. Yet, God was preparing me for ministry in this country. I remember standing in church, worshiping on Palm Sunday, totally heartbroken and thankful for what Jesus did for me. I was burdened for the hearts of those who don't know him yet. I couldn't wait to get to Peru!!! The night before I left for Peru, I was at Passion City Church for their Good Friday service. My family, closest friends and I worshiped for HOURS that night. I didn't even care that I was leaving the next morning or that I still wasn't done packing. I was busy worshiping the Lord and getting super pumped for what God was going to do in Peru! I looked at my phone on the way out and realized that we had been there for nearly 4 hours! Oh, how I love joining in with the Heavens in song!

How cool is it that the first day we were in Peru it was Easter Sunday?? We spent the morning riding busses around the coast of Lima and up to the top of the mountains where we worshiped. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead! It was truly an unforgettable experience. We were able to be overwhelmed by a panoramic view of Lima and pray over the city. The Holy Spirit was totally present there with us. It was an amazing start to an incredible week ahead.

On top of this mountain, there is this huge cross. It looks more like a cell phone tower, but it is no mistake that it is this familiar shape. This cross stands overlooking the entire city and stands as a reminder of the light and precious peace that Jesus can bring. In this world that is filled with darkness, God is ultimately conqueror and will overcome it all. I believe in the early 90's there were some violent cults present in Lima, Peru. With evil hearts, these people would destroy cell phone towers, like this one, creating chaos and bringing a lot of unrest to the country. Now that those times are over, this cross continues to stand and to bring hope to the city.

Where Do I Begin?

2010-04-12T15:52:00.005-04:00

It's been a while. I have not written much recently about this life that God has so abundantly blessed me with. Not that there has not be PLENTY of things to write about. Mostly I just cannot find the time. Well, get ready, because for the next couple of weeks (at least) I have SO much to write about. It's going to be more than just words though. This is a time on my blog that will include recording, an unburdening of my heart and powerful prayer. On Saturday, I returned home from a week-long mission trip to Lima, Peru. God worked in amazing ways on the trip. Many lives were changed. How can you not be moved by the awesome power of our God? And that is just the people who attended the trip. When it comes to the Peruvians, nearly 600 people came to know my Jesus. Nearly 600 people felt God knock at their hearts. Nearly 600 people will someday enter the beautiful gates of Heaven. Nearly 600. They are my new sisters and brothers in Christ. I am truly in awe on my face before God at what He accomplished through just a group of seniors in high school. We are nothing. It was not us. It was not me. All the glory be to God.

I went into the trip with few expectations. And the few expectations I had were blow away by day one of our ministry. My advice to anyone going on a mission trip: don't ever have any expectations. The only expectation that you should have is that God is going to do some amazing things that will blow your mind. I think the expectations I had going into the first day of ministry gave me a bad attitude. I am the kind of person that needs to be in control and needs to know the plan. I guess God had a big grin on his face in Heaven because at the end of the day he was telling me, give me all the control, baby girl, don't you want to see me do something big? To which I responded by throwing all of my expectations, control and plans OUT THE WINDOW. I have the biggest smile on my face writing this because in that moment I was RUNNING to that "window" to get rid of all that junk. I just wanted to see God work. Who cares about plans anyways? Right? Okay.

Here is a tid-bit I wrote in my journal at the end of that day…

I feel the most weak when it comes to being a missionary on this trip. When it comes to my thought life, everything inside me says that I am not cut out for this. I know that the enemy loves when I mentally beat myself up. But, God I know the truth. You have called me and given me a passion for the lost. You have given me courage to do things like travel thousands of miles to see others come to know you. Thank you Lord. Help me to always remember the truth.

Ugh. Looking back I can totally see that satan was NOT happy about us entering his turf there in Peru. That was a rough day for me. But thank the Lord, my eyes were opened to the truth and the rest of my trip was up hill from that point.

Hey Texas,

2010-02-25T21:53:00.003-05:00

Hey Texas,
I'll be there soon!
Love, Lindsey

I am so excited and blessed to be able to get away for a weekend in Texas. I know that my mom and I are going to have a fabulous time getting to talk, laugh and catch up with old girl friends.

You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl y'all!

No Tea?!

2010-02-22T17:44:00.005-05:00

Don't fast. from Living Water International on Vimeo.

I can take 40 days without tea, Starbucks, soda. I can't take the fact that children are dieing everyday because they don't have clean water to drink. We are so blessed, go and be a blessing.

PRAY.

FAST.

GIVE.

http://www.water.cc/living-water/the-h2o-project/

Throwing Up My Heart

2010-02-20T22:22:00.007-05:00

I know what you are thinking...what a kinda gross, and slightly weird name for a blog post.

Well, unfortunately, they are the only words I could think of to describe what I'm feeling. For some essays I am writing, I have to write about some deep stuff. For example, my relationship with Christ, my dreams, my life goals. A lot of great stuff.

BUT, It is going to be so hard to get all all this information onto paper. Maybe not so, so hard. But hard enough to make your head hurt a little bit. I just have so many thoughts and words swirling around, I do not know where to start. I totally hear my English teacher's voice in the back of my head telling me to start with some mind mapping and an outline. He he

I have so many things that I would like to write about; things that are on my heart. The only way I can put it is that I wish I could simply throw my heart onto the pages. Wouldn't that be cool? Easier for me at least. Hmmm...

Don't Really Have a Name For This Post...

2010-02-20T14:19:00.007-05:00

It's been a fun week. I've been on a break from school which is nice, but I have stayed busy with family, friends and a good amount of homework to keep me grounded. : )

My parents have been on a cruise this week to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary (which is actually this August) and my grandparents came to hang out with us. I worked on my own little (BIG) home improvement project painting my bathroom cabinets white. They used to be an ugly wood finish. But now they are "shabby chic" because I lovingly distressed them with my handy dandy electric sander. I don't know much about home improvement, but I do have a not-so-secret love for the electric sander. I have found him quite useful in finishing off some of my craft projects. I wish I had before and afters, but I don't.

I got to have tea this week with some lovely ladies. Some of my favorite people. We drank lots and lots of tea and we laughed...a lot. Our waitress seriously came to bug us 10500 times, but we would just smile and say that we were fine and we would back to laughing outrageously. It was probably a good thing that we were some of the only people at the tea room. Or, come to think of it, they may have all left because of us. Hm...

I can't believe it is already the weekend and that the break will be over on Monday. I've got to crack down on my ~~school work~~ life. I have always been a self-taught, self-disciplined girl, but sometimes things get a little crazy and you realize that you have been putting off some things for a while. Yeah, I'm saying it. I've been guilty of procrastinating this week. Bummer. So, I'm spending the weekend studying for a CLEP test, taking a math test, doing a study guide for economics, preparing to lead a book study Tuesday morning, oh and writing three essays for a scholarship application that is due next week. Woo hoo!

At least I did have some good times this week. It was fun while it lasted.

Y'all have a great weekend! Blessings!

Guess Who?

2010-02-18T12:19:00.007-05:00

Guess who I met yesterday?

My boy TobyMac!!!

Oh, he is my favorite.

Me and my siblings are on a school break this week, and so what better things do we have to do other than stand in line for two hours in order to meet our favorite musician? The answer to that is not very much. We had nothing to lose, so we went to the Christian bookstore super early and waited and waited.

We were about 12th in line, so we were sitting indoors, unlike these loyal fans who had to stand out in the cold...

Good thing I had my new favorite game, "Bananagrams," in my purse! We played for awhile and listended to TobyMac's new album on our iPods. My brother went outside just in time to snap a picture of Toby arriving. Peace!

So yeah, the wait was totally worth it becasue I got to meet Toby. I don't even remember all I said to him, I do know that I got 3 knuckle punches and an autograph! From TobyMac! For reals! I was freaking out.

I love TobyMac and his heart for God! Buy his album! It's the best.

Wow God...

2010-02-16T08:57:00.008-05:00

Major "Wow, God" moment this morning!

It started to snow a little (just a little) but the snow flake were so magnificent! God is an awesome creator! I did not get any pictures this morning, but there was a similar snow here in GA while I was on my cruise and this is a picture that my sister took. Check it out...

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'
and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
- Job 37:5-6

Absolutely stunning. These are the real deal in snowflake land! I was seriously jealous when I got home from my trip because I have never seen a legitimate snowflake. I hardly believed that they existed! Well, I got to see some with my own eyes this morning and I am praising God! He is such a huge God and yet he "hand makes" these tiny little masterpieces. Can you say "wow?" I know...pretty amazing.

Another sighting in my yard this morning included some sweet little birds. Bless their hearts, it is so cold and their little feathers were all fluffed up. They looked so cute. I saw a red cardinal and also a pretty mama robin. I need to put some bird seed out so that I can see the little friends more often. I am reminded of my little buddy "Stubby." Remember him? It is so comforting to know that God cares for even the birds. He loves us so much and he provides for our every need!

I thought that this verse was absolutely beautiful...

Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
-Psalm 84:3

I am so blessed.

Our God is Greater - Chris Tomlin

2010-02-15T10:32:00.003-05:00

Water you turned into wine
opened the eyes of the blind
there's no one like you
none like you
Into the darkness you shine
out of the ashes we rise
there is no one like you
none like you

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome in power
Our God
Our God

Into the darkness you shine
out of the ashes we rise
there is no one like you
none like you

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome in power
Our God
Our God

and if our God is for us
then who could ever stop us
and if our God is with us
then what could stand against

*Don't forget, the Passion Band's newest album is coming out on March 9th!*

No Greater Love

2010-02-14T14:18:00.004-05:00

I am filled with an all-consuming, overwhelming love for my savior! There is no greater love than the love he displayed on the cross. For me and for you. There is no greater, no more powerful love than that.

I am reminded today of the huge contrast in love and TRUE love. So, what's the difference? See for yourself...

love=comes naturally, is emotional, is a temporary pleasure, based on feelings, because of_____, fails, falling in and out

TRUE love=is learned over time, a choice, is precious, a decision, in spite of_____, never fails, constant

See the contrast? Thank you Lord for your example of that TRUE love.

On my Valentine playlist...

No Greater Love - Steven Curtis Chapman
True Love - Phil Wickham
Love is Here - Tenth Avenue North
Beloved - Tenth Avenue North
Love - Emily Hunt
Break Open the Sky - TobyMac
Your Love is a Song - Switchfoot
How He Loves - David Crowder Band
Divine Romance - Phil Wickham
A Mighty Fortress - Corri Moon

Dear Brock,

2010-01-31T21:34:00.005-05:00

Dear Brock,
I miss you so much, especially today.
You impacted my life in so many ways.
Thinking of you makes me remember what is important.
Life is not the same without you, but it is amazing to think of the eternal life you are experiencing in heaven.
Losing you was the hardest thing in my life.
I have learned to live hard and love hard and to trust Jesus in everything.
I have witnessed in the form of a baby girl, that joy comes in the morning.
I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.
Love you Brockie.
-Lindsey

Finishing Strong

2010-01-30T16:04:00.004-05:00

I am so glad that this week is over. I felt like it was one of the longest I've had in a long time. I was just telling my friend that I am so thankful that God loves me and won't give me more than I can handle! I can do all things through him. He is so faithful.

In these crazy weeks, I am still dreaming of the sand and sun and warmth of the Caribbean. Don't these picture just make you warm inside. Needless to say, I am looking forward to summer. Take me to the beach please!

Meanwhile it is close to freezing here in GA and a chance of snow?! Brrrr...I wish I could hibernate until spring!

Guess what I am happy happy happy about?

I have less than 12 weeks left of high school! (this excludes my Feb. break coming up and spring break)

But really, people, 12 weeks! I am so thrilled.

We called a "Senior meeting" today and were discussing fun things like prom, graduation and other happenings. So, so, exciting. Can't believe it's that time.

I just want to finish strong.

Some More Romans & Countdowns

2010-01-28T13:47:00.009-05:00

I am memorizing Romans 8 right now and it has been awesome! My week has been so great with the purpose of hiding God's word in my heart. This is what I have memorized so far...

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because, through Christ Jesus, the law of the spirit of life has set me free
from the law of sin and death.
For what the spirit was powerless to do, in that it was weakened by the
sinful nature, God did by sending his only son in the likeness of sinful man to
be a sin offering. -Romans 8:1-3

Some fun news...
I am counting down the releases of two very incredible albums in the coming months. First of all, TobyMac is releasing his album, "Tonight" on Feb. 9th (11 days from now) I also need to start counting down the days 'til his concert, which I am going to! March 28th in Athens (58 days!)

Also, the Passion band, who leads worship every Sunday at Passion City Church in ATL is releasing their new album called "Awakening" on March 9th (39 days from now) I have already heard some of the songs at church and they are such beautiful worship songs.

I Seriously Need to Blog

2010-01-27T16:20:00.002-05:00

I have no time.
This will have to wait.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus,
because, through Christ Jesus, the law of the spirit of life has set
me free from the spirit of sin and death."
- Romans 8: 1-2

Easter!

2010-01-23T20:33:00.004-05:00

I know Easter is pretty far away still. But who says we can't get excited about Jesus conquering the grave everyday!? This video makes me super excited for the celebration of Easter and thankful to my precious Savior!

He's Alive from Johnson Ferry on Vimeo.

Doesn't it just give you goose bumps?

Tea Tuesday

2010-01-19T16:31:00.003-05:00

After a long day, I love to come home and brew my self a nice big cup of hot, loose-leaf tea. Oh, it is always so good! I have a few new teas that I purchased at a store while I was in Texas. It is so much fun getting to try a new tea. I feel like a kid in a candy store! : )

The new tea that I tried this afternoon is a decaf pomegranate green tea. It was pretty great. When it brewed, it was a deep red color and it sweetened really well. I love Splenda! I bought the tea in a store in Southlake called Central Market. They had an entire isle, with shelves stacked high with large tins holding the different types of loose leaf. You get to pick out what tea you want, measure the amount into little baggies and then you put it on a digital scale that prints off the price of the tea. I was in heaven! I think I grabbed bags of at least ten different teas! I've tried several of them already and I may have to get my friend to ship me some more!

Well, this is a little peek into my ~~obsession~~ love for tea. Its really a fun hobby for me. I love enjoying it while I read my bible or do my homework (bleh). I have especially enjoyed having tea parties with my sisters and my mom. We have this fun dream of opening up a tea room someday. My mom is the hostess, I'm the tea connoisseur and Emilie is the cook...Maddie Kate can just be there looking cute. : )

Here is an amazing painting that my sister did for me. She is so talented (and she knows me well).

Crazy

2010-01-16T15:07:00.003-05:00

Its been a chaotic 24 hours.

Everything is fine, don't worry. But at the same time, everything is not okay. I have been deeply pondering so many things and processing so many feelings. It is extremely unsettling.

BUT

I love how no matter how crazy life can get, I know one thing. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is on his throne. I have the ability to lay my burdens, my every thought, all of my tears at his feet. He is such a gracious, loving, God. He is my all in all; my Abba, father. He will never let me go. His promises are unending and I have confidence in knowing that nothing can separate me from his love.

For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all of creation , will be able to separate us from the love
of God that is in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

- Romans 8:38-39

Back to Real Life

2010-01-13T14:43:00.002-05:00

After over three weeks of being out of town, I am so glad to be home! As much as I would have loved to keep my blog updated throughout my travels, I was WAY to busy relaxing and enjoying the WARM Caribbean for 7 glorious days. I was also unfortunate enough to miss out on huge freezes throughout the South...NOT. I am so thankful for the time I had with family, friends and a lot of great quiet times with God. More fun pictures and memories to come!

Christmas Tour - Day 7

2009-12-27T21:03:00.003-05:00

At this point, the tour is becoming a blur of family, friends and fudge (my Mamwaw's fudge that is). It's been great so far! Stage two of the trip begins tomorrow morning as we move on to the next town to see more friends and MK's birth mom.

Gone fishing! My first catch.

Christmas Tour - Day 6

2009-12-26T21:31:00.010-05:00

Well, can you believe it? Christmas has passed and here lies the aftermath. lol

Today, I was crazy and faced the crowds at the mall. Guess who was there?!

Everybody!!!

I am now reminded of why I hate the mall. Ew. As my brother so eloquently put it, "This is the perfect place to catch swine flu! Can't you smell it?" Okay, that's a little over the top but really, it was packed. I was breaking a sweat, beating back old ladies and frazzled moms for the best buys. Ha!

Best deal of the day? Sunglasses for the cruise for $2...score!!!

I also purchased a boat load of new books, which is appropriate because I need lots of good reads for during my cruise.

Today was the first day that the homesickness kicked in. I wanted to be back home so badly. I'm actually glad about this because after living in GA for almost 4 years now, It IS home. So, I miss you Georgia!

Here are some random old pics I have come across here in my place of birth...

This is a picture of my Mawmaw french braiding my hair. She would pull my hair so tight that I would cry. What women will do for beauty right?

I love this picture of all us kids at the beach. I will be on the beach in 10 days and counting! Looking forward to warmer climates!

Here is a "presh" picture of me holding my newborn baby brother Drew in April 2000. I adored him so much!

Christmas Tour - Day 5

2009-12-25T21:07:00.005-05:00

What a beautiful day! I pray that all the love and joy of the Lord will be lavished upon you during this season. Christmas is such a wonderful time of year to thank God for all of his abundant blessings! He is so faithful and good!

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Christmas Tour - Day 4

2009-12-24T10:03:00.005-05:00

Happy birthday Jesus! And happy birthday Landon!

Today, my baby brother turns 15! Yep, the big 1 -5! I think he is my favorite 15 year old too!

He loves the outdoors, he loves to serve others and most of all he loves the Lord!

I appreciate so much the young man that he is becoming! I think its crazy that I live in a world where when I talk highly of my siblings, people are surprised! But hear me now, I am so proud of my brother!

Landon and I have a lot of fun together and we have spent a lot more time together this year because we are actually taking the same high school science course. We have weekly study dates to Einsteins. I really enjoy the time I get to spend with him. This morning we went on a 6-mile bike ride and it was a killer. If it weren't for Landon, I would probably be a couch potato. lol

Ok...time for pictures!! He is going to kill me for this...

Landon was born a fisherman....here he is just a little baby no bigger that that bass!

Gig 'em Aggies! I really hope Landon will get to go to Texas A&M for college!

Aw...those were the good ol' days!

There's Lan with his "blankie!" He carried that thing everywhere!

Happy 15th Landon! I love you!

Christmas Tour - Day 3

2009-12-23T23:20:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

I can't believe Christmas is simply a day away!

Today was lovely as I spent it just hanging around town. I ran some last minute shopping errands with my dad and came back to the house to watch "Little Women" with all the mamas. Seriously, it has to be one of my favorite movies. I forgot how good it is! It is a very unsuspecting Christmas movie if you are looking for a wholesome holiday flick.

Tonight, we went to a local church for their "Crazy Kids Christmas Show!" It was super special because one of our really old friends preformed in it. She is apart of a very cool children's ministry doing performances for the kiddos. Maddie Kate loved it so much! I don't think she blinked for the first 10 mins she was so enamoured!

Here we are with Jamie Lynne. If you look closely, you will see that she has stitches between her nose. She broke it a few days ago while practicing for the performance. She is such a trooper!

So, as if the "crazy Christmas Show" wasn't crazy enough, we went out to eat at Panera Bread after the show and I walked in to see this sweet girl wearing MY CHURCH'S DNOW shirt on!!! I was like, "Wait, what state am I in again?!" I thought I was going insane. I walked right up to the family and introduced myself. Turn out, not only did their daughter go to out church's DNOW, but she was in my sister's DNOW group!! Em ran in and gave her a hug! They know each other!!! Okay, It is a small world when it comes to the Lord!! This Georgia fam is also Native to Texas and are here visiting family! Craziness! The pic is of Em and Stephanie! *I also think its pretty ironic that the DNOW them was CRAZY love. lol

More fun old pics coming tomorrow (it is a special young man's bday. hint. hint.). yay!

Christmas Tour - Day 2

2009-12-22T16:13:00.007-05:00

The day was pretty productive, that's for sure. Well, at this point the trip could be more accurately called a "sit around and eat" rather than a "tour" which indicates movement. lol

Sleep late. check.

Watch bits and pieces of random Christmas movies. check.

Stay in pajamas 'til noon. check.

Eat fudge. check.

Eat fresh baked apple cake. check.

Surf ETSY and blogs for hours. check.

Chill in the hammock. check.

Ride on the tractor (yep, that's no joke) check.

Watch Prince Caspian on the new HD flat screen. check.

Own brothers at a dart gun war. check.

Eat some more. check.

I was totally joking about the whole "being productive" thing. But then again, it is why they call it vacation right?

And for your entertainment, here is a very old picture I found at my grandparents'....

Yes, we are, in fact, matching. Wow, this is old.

Wasn't I cute??

Christmas Tour - Day 1

2009-12-21T21:56:00.003-05:00

It is finally time for another Christmas Tour! Its been a long day, but its not over yet!

We woke up and started the long drive at around 5:30 am and arrived in "H-Town" at 5:40 pm. I spent the whole day stuck in a car with my parents and 4 younger siblings. Oh joy! I passed the time reading, day dreaming and sleeping. Pretty much killing time. Some random things...

Favorite sight of the day...

My favorite sight of the day has to be a tie between seeing this...

We saw this 18-wheeler from N. Carolina with its top covered in snow. Its probably the most snow I will see this Christmas!

...and this!

Finally crossing into Texas!!!

On my iPOD play list (because, who can survive travel without their iPOD these days!)...

* Casting Crown's newest CD - My favorite song so far is called "If We've Ever Needed You" which talks about how much our world needs Jesus Christ!

*Steven Curtis Chapman's new CD, Beauty Will Rise - He has written these songs over the past year following the death of his baby girl Maria. His steadfast faith in the Lord is evident all over this record! Such an encouragement!

You need to download this song - "Your Love is Better Than Life" by Fee

My good read of the day...

"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller - This book is a reminder of how our lives are a small part of God's Story. I highly recommend it; its a very fun read. Miller is an interesting person, which makes for an interesting story!

Best end to the day?

A perfect Texas sunset and my mawmaw's fudge on arrival to her house! yay!

Just a thought...

You know you have been in the car for a long time when you get to observe both the day's sun rise and a sun set! lol

Lift Us Up to Fall

2009-12-03T22:52:00.002-05:00

Waiting here
Waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears
We come empty handed
Lord draw us near
Heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything you are

Nothing and Everything

2009-12-03T18:37:00.001-05:00

None is greater than you God.

None is higher,

None is more powerful.

There is NOTHING you cannot do God.

Nothing too big,

Nothing too complicated.

Not my family,

Not my friends,

No earthly things compare,

To you God.

You are EVERYTHING.

I am thankful.

2009-11-26T00:03:00.002-05:00

What are you thankful for?

Balance Beam

2009-11-23T12:41:00.005-05:00

I don't want to go where the majority goes. I want to live a radical life for Christ!

One of my favorite quotes from "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan...

Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.

Hills and Valleys

2009-11-17T20:08:00.002-05:00

"Say you're with me
There's gold ahead
There's golden dreams
And life's hills and valleys
Yeah, will you hold on with me?
Let me take us
Let me take us away

I wouldn't know just how sweet this tastes now
No, if at first I did not go through
The bitter times, the bitter places
I'll stay alert for new battles
But, for now, we're here."
Oh Bryce...we'll see you Thursday night!

2009-11-13T23:47:00.002-05:00

Things are not going like I planned,
but it is okay because I know God's plans are always so much
better.

UPDATE:The Most Beautiful Baby Ever

2009-11-11T09:33:00.006-05:00

Its a SWEET, SWEET baby GIRL!!!

Lila Jane Meadows

My Mind Has Officially Been Blown.

2009-11-10T19:16:00.006-05:00

The other day, while driving in the car, I was overcome by the most simple, crazy, overwhelming thought.

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand
years are like a day.
- 2 Peter 3:8

Even though my mind can't begin to understand God's incomprehensible concept of time, It is amazing to me that He walks so intimately with us every hour and every minute of every single 24hr. day. To Him, my life is nothing but a blink and it is gone, yet He is so near to me and is such a relational God.

I am so madly in love with my savior and his indescribable ways!

A Song in My Heart

2009-11-09T20:28:00.007-05:00

I love music. Nothing pleases me more than an iTunes gift card and a well stocked iPod.

Another interesting thing I have realized about myself is that I am a hummer. I unconsciously hum just about everywhere I go. I say unconsciously because it was not until just a few weeks ago when my mom commented that I am her "hummer." I always have a song in my heart and on my mind. Because of my love of music, I have realized the impact that different types of music have on me.

I clearly remember taking one of the first math tests of freshman year and I was extremely nervous. On top of my nervousness, I had a "top 10" song stuck in my head. I recall feeling very frustrated that I could not get the catchy tune out of my mind and focus on the task at hand. I look back and it upsets me that I was listening to that music in the first place. How annoying!

In contrast, while taking the SAT in October, I was in the middle of an English section when a song popped into my head. I had been so focused and clear minded throughout the test so when this song came out of nowhere I was so mad! I was like "No, no, no!!! Get out, get out, get out!" I realize now that what I thought then as a hindrance was actually a blessing! This is the song that came to my mind…

Oh great and mighty one,

With one desire we come

That you would reign that you would reign in us

We're offering up our lives

A living sacrifice

That you would reign that you would reign in us.

Reign In Us by Starfield

I look back at that SAT experience and thank God for the calm in the chaos. With all of the stress and going on in my mind, I know God brought that song to my mind to bring me peace. What a neat example of God just loving on me! I could talk on and on about his crazy love for us!

Anyways, if I could encourage you to one thing, I would tell you to fill your heart and mind with uplifting, Christian music. God has used this amazing music to minister to me so much. Whenever I hum or whistle or randomly think of one of these God-glorifying songs, they make me focus on Him. What a blessing!

Especially for you- I have placed a temporary box with a list of my favorite worship songs to the right. Enjoy!

Yay!

2009-10-26T13:32:00.005-04:00

I just laid my two-year-old sister, Maddie Katie, down for her nap. She is getting to the age where she had decided that naps are overrated and some days you have to chase her around the house in order to get her to bed. Despite her protesting to take a nap today, she is sitting in her bed now saying "Yay! Yay! Yaaaaaaay!" It is pretty funny. I taught Maddie how to say "yay" and I love it when she says it. She has a little bit of Southern twang to her voice when she says it and it is so cute!

The bible says that we are to rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) This is a very clear command in the bible and I think that it is pretty cool that the command is repeated. I listened to a sermon by Francis Chan on this verse and he found that it is actually the only command in the bible that is repeated. It must be incredibly important to God that we are rejoicing in him ALWAYS. To me, A good place to start living out this verse is by just being a joyful person. My desire is to reflect Christ and His love. How is anyone going to see His light in me when I walk around looking like a stressed out grouch all the time? Its not going to happen. Sure, we all have our bad days, but just like Maddie Kate reminded me today...

...it is possible to be joyful; rejoicing in the Lord, even
when you are doing something you don't want to (like taking a nap...or doing homework haha).

Have you said "yay" today?

This Blessed My Heart

2009-10-22T16:11:00.002-04:00

Praying for this sweet girl...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal/3

"When your faith endures many conflicts and your spirit sinks low, do not condemn yourself. There is a reason for your season of heaviness. Great soldiers are not made without war. Skillful sailors are not trained on the shore. It appears that if you are to become a great believer you will be greatly tested. If you are to be a great helper to others, you must pass through their trials. The uncut diamond has little brilliance, the unthreshed corn feeds no one, and the untried believer is of little use or beauty. There are great benefits to come from your trials and depression..." - Charles Spurgeon.

A dear friend once said...

2009-10-20T11:39:00.007-04:00

A dear friend once said to me, "You need to blog!"

Yes, I do confess and have come to realize that my blog has been neglected for awhile now.

It is quite a tragedy.

I do miss blogging. Life has been keeping me busy and I love it. I really do miss blogging, and even writing in my journal; both of which I haven't had much time for.

I think my problem is that I don't have something consistent to be writing about.

* I'm not a mom, like many blogger, who post adorable pictures of their children and write about their family's adventures.

*I am not a photographer, like many bloggers, who keep you updated with their latest photo shoot.

*I am not a 365 blogger, like many, who think up a fun challenge to do something for and entire year and blog about it. (Maybe I should come up with something to do for 365 days! Ha!)

Well, those are my blogging thoughts for the day. I do hope my dear friend is satisfied with this post and that she feels better soon. I will leave you with a question..

If you had to blog about a particular something for 365 days, what would you do? Think "Julie and Julia."

Have a happy Tuesday!

What is This Strange Bright Light??

2009-09-24T20:36:00.007-04:00

Basically, in the last week, Georgia has been flooded with buckets and buckets of rain. I've gotten a glimpse of what Noah experienced when the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened! On Wednesday, the sun showed itself for the first time in what feels like weeks. I was like, "What is this strange light in the sky!?" as I squinted my eyes to get a better look...haha I got really excited about sun coming out and it seemed to absolutely brighten my mood! I got outside and it felt like everything was so new and fresh! I snapped a few pictures around the neighborhood.

The neighborhood pond is filled once again to the brim ...I think we'll break out the kayak.

My sweet sisters and I...soaking up the sunshiny rays!

The trees seem to be appreciating the sunlight! : )

Herschel loves the sun too...even though he looks a little grumpy in this pic. haha

Square Dance

2009-09-21T21:30:00.008-04:00

Every year, our school has a square dance for all the families. Despite its obvious corniness, it is quite fun and everyone always enjoys it! We even hire a "professional" square dance caller! Here are the highlights...

A "cow" boy?

Awww...who is this little lady?

Best buds...could we get any goofier?

Brother in a barrel! I don't know how the girls keep their hands off of him!

Again...corny, but being faithful to the 'ol yearbook staff.

Yes, these are my girls!

We're crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

YEE HAW

2009-09-18T17:08:00.001-04:00

You know you are from Texas when an occasional square dance is NORMAL! haha

Y'all can probably guess what I'm doing on my Friday night!

Pictures to come!

Happy Birthday My Friend!

2009-09-17T11:42:00.011-04:00

Today is my dear friend Brittney's 17th birthday. She's back in Texas and we don't see each other a lot, but we are the greatest friends. We grew up together. We spent many hours playing barbies, "house" and dressing up her Pomeranian, Honey, in American girl doll clothes. haha

This is the type of friend that you just pick right back up where you left off. I love her to death and I am so blessed by her friendship. We have been through the ups and downs of life together and we will be friends forever.

I look forward to being in each other's weddings, and holding each other's babies and being really cute little old ladies together! That's kinda sappy, but really...this is THAT kind of bestfriend! : ) I love you Brittney Ray and I hope you are blessed today!

Weren't we cute?

I Dare You to Pray This...

2009-09-07T20:50:00.006-04:00

Francis Chan has an awesome heart for God!!!
If you don't know who Francis Chan is, you need to Google him.
If you haven't read his book, Crazy Love, you have to read it! I am!

Proverbs 30:7-9

Noah and How He Relates to Preschool Messes

2009-09-05T17:44:00.008-04:00

The blog has gone through a bit of a makeover.

It definitely reflects what my life is like right now.

School is going well. I think my Senior year is going to be bittersweet, as I am having a lot of

melancholy feelings right now.

I will be graduating from my Christian school in the year 2010 (the best grad. year ever!) with four other wonderful ladies, who are also some of my best friends. We are certainly sharing an important part of our lives together.

Anyways, I have taken a part-time job working childcare at my church one night a week. I have a great class of precious 2, going on 3 year olds. They keep me on my toes and we have SO much fun!

Those sweet kids are some of the inspiration I have to go back and read certain bible storys. Last week, we learned about Noah building the ark. We let the kids finger paint the water and a rainbow around a picture of the ark and it was MESSY! I had paint all over my pants when we were done! Regardless, It was worth it because these little guys thought it was so cool and got excited about the story of Noah. Their favorite part (which is mine also) was the promise God made using the rainbow!

The movie, Evan Almighty, is a great movie that puts the story into an interesting perspective. Imagine the entire story of Noah and the ark happening in mondern day! You have to see this movie! I can picture just how much scorn Noah revieved from others. They must have thought that he was a crazy man! But Noah was a man who followed God. Enough so that God spared his life.

I want to be like Noah; who was obedient and loyal to God despite what others thought about him.

"Samuel, Samuel"

2009-09-02T08:57:00.008-04:00

Do y'all want to hear what I learned from Samuel?
1 Samuel 3:1-10

This is one of those incredible stories in the Bible in which our holy, holy God's voice is audible. When I was a kid, this story didn't even phase me. I thought it wasn't surprising at all that God would choose to speak in an audible voice...it was NORMAL.

Now that I'm older, I pray more than ever for that child-like faith; to see God as HUGE and STRONG... instead of putting him into a box or limiting him. I appreciate the story of Samuel far more now! What an encouragement to hear this story again and be inspired by God's literal calling on the young boy's life!

I believe with everything in me that God is as living and active now as he was in Samuel's time. Unfortunately, God doesn't seem to speak to people ( at least not to me) in an audible voice as much as he used to. I think it probably has something to do with how loud we are! : )

Anyways, here's my little summary of this awesome story...

*1st off, Samuel is growing up in the temple of the most high God. He is sleeping where the Ark of God is! (vs. 3) Can you imagine?!

*Now, this is where Samuel hears God. God's voice must have been very clear because Samuel thought that it was Eli, the priest, who was calling him!

*I can just picture this old guy, Eli, trying to get some shut-eye, when Sam keeps keeps on showing up at his bedside waking him up! haha (vs. 5)

*Well, God continues, trying to get Samuel's attention. (vs. 6) He calls Samuel not once, not twice, BUT three times! "Samuel, Samuel!" He says. Can you imagine God calling your name like that? The very thought gives me goose bumps! Finally, Eli gets the picture and tells Samuel that it is probably God calling him.

*So finally, Samuel answers! He says, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (vs. 10)

Honestly, how often do we ask God to speak to us? Ha! Most of the time, we are rattling off our requests to him or complaining. Man, I hope God owns a pair of ear plugs for all the times I absolutely talked his ears off! : )

Samuel could have easily started talking to God, asking him questions and listing his complaints (or gone back to sleep!). But, this young boy realized how amazing it was that God wanted to speak to him. (And God wants to speak to our hearts too! )

Way better than doing all the talking, Samuel absolutely just basks in God's presence, listening to what all he had to say.

When I personally think about it, I would much rather hear from God than doing all the talking my self! There is no such thing as a one-way conversation! : )

A challenging question to ask is...

How often do we ALLOW God to speak to us?

This is one gigantic lesson that I'm learning from Samuel's story.

I need to be quiet sometimes; listening for God's still small voice.

The B-I-B-L-E ...

2009-08-30T20:20:00.006-04:00

...yes that's the book for me!

I'm a baby sitter.
I baby sit...
...A lot.

I adore the kiddos that I get to care for and I treasure the time I have playing with them.

I always think it is absolutely precious when little ones have a children's Bible that they adore and love to read. Nothing is more sweet than that childlike faith. They believe with all their heart that GOD IS STRONG!

I was baby sitting a little girl the other day and she was only 2 years old, yet she was bringing me her Bible and saying "blue Bible" "blue Bible" (it was blue). And so we sat and read through her little Bible.

I will never forget the moments I had with sweet little Brock, who we lost last year, when we would read his Bible together in his rocker.

Reading the Bible with these children has inspired me to go back and take a look at some of my favorite bible stories as a child; looking at them with a new set of eyes. I tend to neglect many of these stories that I "grew up with" in Sunday school. Just because I know them like the back of my hand doesn't mean I shouldn't go back and read them! I'm excited to see what fresh, new things God shows me through these amazing (true) stories!

What was your favorite Bible story as a small child?

This was the Bible that I grew up with...

Lindsey A

2009-08-01T10:10:00.002-04:00

Just like Maddie Kate's speedy adoption process (from the time we heard about her birth mom and to the point of holding Maddie in our arms was less than 4 months!), my sweet new friend Lindsey's adoption has been very quick! Our good friends the Worley family first found out about Lindsey little more than a few months ago. Now she is a part of their family and will be "officially" adopted very soon!

There is plenty more to this awesome story, but basically I can sum it up by saying that God's plans are so much greater than our own! I have gotten to see God's hand all over Lindsey's placement and adoption! It is super exciting! Jamie, Lindsey's new mom, laughs that she would've never imagined that she would "give birth" to a teenager!

It has been so great getting to know "Lindsey A" better! She has such an awesome personality and a contagious, enthusiastic love for God! (I think we share a lot more than just our name.) We have been dubbed "Lindsey A" and "Lindsey B" by our families. Some people think "A" and "B" is like "1" and "2" but actually it is because of our middle names, "Anne" and "Beth"!

I thank God for Lindsey and her wonderful testimony!

This is her blog...http://landoflindsey.blogspot.com/

Mr. Smitty

2009-07-31T09:43:00.005-04:00

During phase 1 of our Texas trip, we passed through Shreveport, LA to visit some very special friends. We go way back!

Mr. Smitty and his daughter, Andrea have known me since I was just a little kid. Andrea was my mom's best friend and they have been through thick and thin! Andrea was diagnosed with brain cancer a long time ago and because of all the treatment, she has no short-term memory.

It is very heartbreaking to visit Andrea and her dad. It is crazy that because of their conditions, they are both in the same nursing home together. Mr. Smitty had a stroke a few years ago that caused him to loose movement in the left side of his body. He is such an amazing man of God and I look up to him so much! He has had a very rough time, feeling useless. Every time we see him, we encourage him and tell him that his life has purpose and that God is not finished with him yet.

I had a moment alone with Mr. Smitty while we were visiting. I was telling him that I liked the nursing home and that it seemed very nice. I told him that I look forward to visiting when we come through at Christmas. He said, "Well, I'll be here. I'll be here 'til the day I die." Oh! My heart aches for this man! I told him that I look forward to heaven someday and that I feel like such an alien to this earth. "This isn't our home," Mr. Smitty said "It's our home away from home."

I wonder what It would feel like to be Mr. Smitty. To know that each day, you are either a day closer to dying or a day closer to Jesus coming back.

Mr. Smitty is a person who inspires me to wake up each morning and live it like its my last. To open my eyes and say, "Thank you God that I'm alive! Use my life for your glory!"

Wow.

2009-07-29T09:24:00.002-04:00

The last few months, I have found myself beginning many of my journal entries with the word 'wow'.

For example...

"Wow! Thank you God!" or "Wow! Look at what God did!" and "Wow! I really need to update my blog!" ; ]

Even if I didn't start out a particular journal entry with the word 'wow', looking back at what God has done in my life usually induces a 'wow' or two.

At this point, I should probably change my blog's name to "WOW! My God is so great!"

My goal for the coming days is to post more of what I like to call, "Wow God!" posts. I don't have too many exciting things to blog about as you have probably noticed. The only thing exciting about my life is God! He is my EVERYTHING!!

So without further blabbing...prepare to be wow-ed!

On the Road Again

2009-06-30T14:17:00.002-04:00

It's time once again for a good old Texas tour.

My family is going ALL over the Lone Star State for the next couple of weeks.

Family, old friends, fun....and of course the HEAT.

Looking forward to a whole bunch of memories.

See you when I get back!

Rain

2009-06-22T17:38:00.013-04:00

I am so happy. It rained today.

After a long, hot and dry week, the rain is so welcome.

It is refreshing.

Moist.

Cool.

Ahhhh.

It might be a little humid later on, but I don't mind.

Everything outside will be clean and bright!

Who knew that a long, hard rain could actually put me it an amazing mood?

Oh my goodness.

There is a song that has been in my heart for several weeks now. I sing it. I hum it. I pray it.

"Desert Song"
Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Love, Love, Love This Verse!

2009-06-18T19:11:00.006-04:00

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

- Psalm 37:5-7

Give your everything to God and He will do amazing things in and through you!

A Lesson Learned

2009-06-16T20:22:00.004-04:00

I would like to share a life-lesson I learned from my brother today...

Always make sure you carefully survey your surroundings before preforming a back flip on an in-ground trampoline...to avoid putting permanent impressions of your kneecaps into a wall.

Can you say OUCH??

Favorite Moment

2009-06-15T22:38:00.008-04:00

I really miss blogging and I am ready to get back to it. I have still been keeping up with all of your blogs and am constantly being encouraged by them. So thank you thank you! For me, blogging has been such an uplifting hobby. : ]

So, by far, my favorite moment this week happened on Saturday night. Well, it all started Friday morning when I babysat a sweet little boy. We decided to go on a walk around the neighborhood when we came across a house that was for sale. There was obviously no one living there and the yard was evidence of this. The grass was higher than my ankles and there were weeds everywhere! But what took my breathe away were the hydrangea bushes in the front yard. Seriously, the only way I can describe how abundant the blooms were is that there were enough to decorate at least two weddings! haha

Well, I was just so tempted to just go up and pick some. So I did. The following day, my friends and I were headed over to a friend's house and decided to stop by the lonely house on the way. We also took a few tools with us; a big blue bucket (filled with water) and a few pairs of scissors.

It took all of two minutes to jump out of the car and fill the bucket with flowers. You would never even know we had been there, because of how many flowers!

It was such a fun little adventure! The result was a house filled with bright and cheery flowers! Check out these pictures!

That's not even all of them!

This hot pink one was my favorite!

I hope your summer is filled with joy and many "favorite moments"!

Choir Tour

2009-05-30T15:00:00.002-04:00

I will be in Washington D.C. until June 7the for Choir Tour 2009

Please be praying for our group this week as we do VBS in the public schools and concerts throughout the city.

You can keep up with the trip here...

CHOIR TOUR 2009

The Closest Thing to Gossip...

2009-05-22T22:56:00.009-04:00

When I haven't been in a tizzy over the latest Gosselin drama or SAT scores, I have been enjoying some time with the fam at Rosemary Beach. The beach was absolutely wonderful. I'm a little sunburned and a lot relaxed (that is until I had to take a good look at my SAT scores online Wednesday morning! Ha!)

Lately, I have been constantly thinking about the Gosselin family. I hardly ever pay any attention to celebrities and such but it's been hard to ignore all the rumors concerning this family the last couple of weeks. I've been praying for them and trying to read between the lines in the stupid tabloids. It has been pretty discouraging to hear what Kate is saying to the entire world to hear. She definitely not the kind of wife and mother I aspire to be. Some might not agree but I really don't care what her husband has or hasn't done, she shouldn't treat him the way she has. It is not helping your marriage to put down your husband with every other word Kate.

I hate it for them. I hate that America has put this family on a pedestal. Nobody is perfect. (I know it's hard to believe, but this goes for Christians too. ; ] )

What are your thoughts concerning this family's situation? Is their hope for them? I would like to think so. I have to admit, I love seeing those 8 precious faces on my television. I hope with all my heart that their parents will run to Jesus, because he is the author and perfecter. He is the only one who can save them from the mess they've made.

...

2009-05-18T19:00:00.001-04:00

Be back soon!

My Life is Crazy, But I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way!

2009-05-03T20:32:00.003-04:00

The Highlights...

Trip to North Carolina with my parents where they did a marriage seminar...visited the Biltmore.

My Junior prom....it was an perfect night.

My friend Jon and I took the SAT the day after prom...we were pooped!!!

It's been pretty busy, but the best memories have been made in the last couple of weeks!

The really good news is...

1) I only have 1 more day of school left

2) I survived the SAT

3) Summer is almost here!!!

4) I am going to six flags on Friday!!!

5) Oh, and I survived the SAT!!!

Is it just me, or are your ready for the summer??

New header.

2009-04-22T22:58:00.014-04:00

So...I'm still experimenting with the header on my blog, so bear with me.

The pictures on it aren't just random. They are each special to me. For some reason, I absolutely love watching children blow bubbles. I think it so clearly represents their innocence and wonder. The first picture I took while I was in Mexico earlier this month. This cute little dude got a hold of our team's only bottle of bubbles and would not give 'em up! I wanted to impress him with my expert bubble blowing skills and blow some big ones, but no matter hard I tried, I could not get him to give them back! It was so funny watching the other children try and approach him for a turn, only to watch him run away as fast as his little legs could carry him. I also observed from the corner of my eye, this little boy TASTING them! He soon realized that bubbles were not for eating and stuck his tongue out in total disgust. It was pretty cute, to say the least.

On to even cuter things...my baby sis. MK is growing up so fast! Watching her gather eggs during her first Easter egg hunt was so fun! She is fascinated by bubbles right now, but really, what kid isn't? We got a little bubble maker for outside and we blow them while she is swinging. She is such a little princess. I heard the saying the other day, "I'm not spoiled, I'm blessed!." So true in MK 's case. : ] She is one part of my everyday life that just completely leaves me speechless. It is amazing to me that God placed her right into our family. Sometimes I look at her and think, "Wow. Did we really adopt you?" She is such a neat part of our family. I can't imagine life without her! I feel like God called us in such a radical way to follow this command in James 1:27...

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

It took some time for me to completely accept this, but in certain ways MK and her birth mom are a widow and a orphan. My family's role in MK AND her birth mom's life is filled with opportunities to testify Christ. MK's adoption has been such an open door to sharing God's love. (Open adoptions are awesome by the way...they sound kind of scary but they can be really cool!) When we spent some time with MK's birth mom at Christmastime, I was hesitant to the situation. But God totally turned my heart around. It is not all about me and what I feel comfortable with! (God has had to show me this SO many times!) I really woke up and realized what an opportunity that I had right in front of me to be "Jesus with skin on." It was eye-opening to understand that we may be the only glimpse Christ that this family would ever truly experience.

All that to say, I am in awe over what God has done and is doing. I marvel at the story that He is unfolding in each of our lives. I would love to sit down with you and a cup of coffee really soon and hear what God is up to in your life! Thanks for reading!

Home Again

2009-04-11T20:25:00.005-04:00

• Outside my window... is a beautiful sunset.

• I am thankful for...special time with my heavenly father while in Mexico.

• I am creating...a memory book of the mission trip to Mexico.

• I am thinking...about the sacrifice Christ made for me on the cross.

• I am going... to the 11:30 Easter Sunday church service.

• I am reading... When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy.

• I am praying... that the people of Matamoros will know God's love.

* I am hearing... MK talking

• Around the house... there are piles of laundry to do and the Easter lunch cooking.

• One of my favorite things... American food and flushing toilets (oops...that was two).

* Here is picture I am sharing...

Lupita and I

3 More Days!

2009-04-01T17:05:00.002-04:00

Packing!

I hope I don't forget anything!

5 days

2009-03-29T21:44:00.003-04:00

MEXICO '09

jfbc student ministry

5 days away!

God has done so much already...and we haven't even left yet!

We are so blessed.

We are traveling to Matamoros, Mexico this Saturday to BE a blessing.

To reach out and to share God's love.

LOVE IS HERE AND WE ARE LOVE.

- Lindsey

The Birds of the Air

2009-03-25T20:46:00.013-04:00

A normal home school day? No way!

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

- Matthew 6:26

I was working on homework in my room, when my brother Landon burst in and asked to borrow my DECORATIVE bird cage. I followed him outside to find that a little brown thrasher found his way into our screened porch and Landon caught him in a butterfly net! He then put the frightened fellow into the bird cage. Maddie Kate sure did think it was cool!

He did not know what do do with himself in that cage!

Here we are releasing him back into the wild.

A sweet little Chickadee...

...Mr. Cardinal

: )

2009-03-10T22:28:00.012-04:00

Everyone knows that webcams are a fun source of entertainment! My sweet cousin Olivia and I sure had a good time!

My blog challenge of the week:

Take some silly pictures with someone you love. Then post them on your blog and comment to this post with the link so we can all see! Have fun!

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.

- Proverbs 15:30

Balloons For Brockie

2009-03-03T17:51:00.006-05:00

In honor of Brock's 4th birthday this year, we released balloons in his memory. Happy Birthday Brockie! We miss you beyond words!

Return To Sender...

2009-02-25T20:28:00.007-05:00

Picture of the day!

Dear Mr. Postman,

I used my limited amounts of creativity to make adorable thank you cards for my family and friends following Christmas. I frowned upon discovering one of my thank you cards in my mail box this week with a "Return To Sender" label. Your version of an explanation came attached, letting me know that my sweet, handmade card is too small against your American postal standards. Well Mr. Postman, Can you explain to me why only 1, out of 10 cards got returned to me? All of my other cards made it on their journeys throughout the U.S. You need to up your game if you don't want tiny, heartfelt, handwritten cards slipping through the cracks of your so-called standards.

Sincerely,

Amateur Card Maker

Winter Jam '09

2009-02-11T16:05:00.009-05:00

I went to Winter Jam '09 with some good friends and family on Sunday night and it was so awesome! It was more than just a concert. It was a revival-like worship experience. They have estimated that over 1500 people prayed to receive Christ! God really moved in that place and left everyone feeling spiritually refueled! On Monday morning, I was just praising God for such an amazing night and thanking him for all he did. I wrote in my journal that the concert was such a "refueling experience" for me and I asked him to allow me to "shine the flame that I feel inside." This is the coolest part. When I finished writing in my journal, I started to read my devo for the day from "PURE" by Rebecca St. James. The verse on the very bottom of the page was this:

"Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame."

-Romans 12:11a (The Message)

Ok, its that cool or what?! I love my God!

The line to get into the concert!

The Pre-show featuring PureNRG and Francessca Battistelli

The hosts of Winter Jam '09, NewSong!

Hawk Nelson (is my friend).

Stephanie Smith...haha in her tutu?

Brandon Heath was incredible! He has such a big heart for God!

TOBY!!! We love him!!!

TobyMac and the Diverse City Band!!

A fantastic ending to an awesome night!

Tea and Tennis Shoes

2009-02-04T11:36:00.021-05:00

Good morning! I was impressed by the lovely tea I enjoyed at "Sugar Cakes" in downtown Marietta this morning. I had a Jasmine Green tea and it was so delicious!

When I got home, my brother insisted that I try on his old running shoes to see how they fit. I happily complied and they fit pretty good (I think I want a new pair though). I can't wait to start running! Hopefully by spring I'll have built up enough endurance to get around the block. ha ha. Anyways, just wanted to brag on my brother a bit. He is such an encouragement to me and pushes me HARD! Maybe someday you'll see us running down Johnson Ferry Rd. together!

Have a great morning and let's run with perseverance the race marked out for us today! (Hebrews 12:1)

A few updates about the blog:

1) The web page now displays only 5 posts at a time (so you don't have to scroll for a billion years).
2) At the very bottom of my blog, you'll find a "book shelf" displaying books that I have read recently. I just became a member of "Shelfari" which is tons of fun. (There's a link there so you can check it out.)
3) On the right bar, there is a new playlist of music . I am going to Winter Jam'09 and the music is of all the artists that will be there. You have to push play on your own IF you want to listen. Enjoy!