Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family who check the blog.

We want everyone to remember the true reason for this holiday - Jesus! He is the best gift that anyone could ask for. He is the only gift we ever need!

Treasure your families. Enjoy the memories.

Laugh a little more.
Love a lot more.
Live.

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 12

On this last day of the 12 days of Christmas, I saved the best for last, at least in my book..."O Holy Night." This has to be my favorite Christmas carol. It truly was a holy night. The night our saviour was born to save us. What better Christmas gift can I ever get. It is a gift that doesn't stop giving! Thank you Jesus!

As you gather with your families, I want to wish you a very blessed Christmas! Remember the true reason for the season, our heavenly father's birth.

Day 12 - O Holy Night

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 11

As we get closer to this blessed holiday, I find myself wondering how Mary was feeling. She was probably tired, exhausted, wanting this baby to come just as most women entering their 9th month of pregnancy. But did she really know what was in store for this child. We all have hopes and dreams for our children, so they achieve and some never come to pass. Did Mary have her own dreams for Jesus or did she just know that this child was never really hers? Did Mary really know what was going to happen or did she stumble along like the rest of us?

Mary did you know...

Day 11 - "Mary did you know" by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 10

Mr A and I saw this movie a few weeks ago called "This Christmas." It wasn't a great movie but they definitely had some good points here and there. One of them was Chris Brown singing the song "This Christmas." It was at the end of the movie and it was a remake/version of a classic Christmas song. Mr. A and I loved this version of "This Christmas" the best.

Day 10 - "This Christmas" by Chris Brown

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 9

This definitely brings back memories and not just for Christmas. Get a bunch of youth around with helium balloons and this song just becomes a natural choice to sing.

Day 9 - Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Christmas Song

Songs for Christmas - Day 8

This song is just funny to me! I really hadn't heard it much growing up, but for some reason this year I have heard it a ton. Everytime I hear it, it makes me think of my kids and some of the outrageous requests they make for Christmas. None of them have been as outlandish as a hippo but they have been pretty crazy.

Day 8 song - I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 7

Growing up literally about 10 minutes from the Mexican border, I heard this song a lot. Every school Christmas production seemed to have this song in it. It just doesn't seem to be Christmas without hearing this song from our neighbors to the south - "Feliz Navidad."

Day 7 song - "Feliz Navidad"

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 6

While traditional songs bring back memories, it is nice to create new memories with new songs. I have been listening to Air 1 while I am at work and heard this song that literally made me stop and just listen. It was such a sweet little story. It took me 3 days to finally hear it again and get the information on who sang it and what the song was called.

I hope you enjoy it. Listen to it all the way through...it is touching.

Day 6 - "His favorite Christmas story" sung by Capital Lights

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 5

I must be in a Bing Crosby mood. My next song selection for today is a Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet. This sounds like a strange combination but it works. I also happen to love the song that they are singing which is "The Little Drummer Boy."

DAY 5 - The Litle Drummer Boy sung by Bing Crosby and David Bowie

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 4

Today's selection is Christmas to me! I love the movie "White Christmas." I watch it every year. I own it both on DVD and VHS. I have loved it since I was a kid. The best thing is my kids love it too!

I love curling up under a blanket, turn on all my Christmas lights and watch the movie. That just brings the Christmas season a reality for me. I know my previous posts said I love people changing the classics ang giving them a new twist. However, this song is the best in it's original classic version. Yes, I know it was originally in "Holiday Inn", but I like the movie "White Christmas" better.




I couldn't find the embedded feature for the finale which is my favorite part of the whole movie. So I put the link here if you want to see "White Christmas Finale."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00S-N3cy9DU

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 3

I love the traditional Christmas songs. They are classic and bring back memories from my childhood. However, there are few updated renditions of the classics that I love as much as the traditional versions.

For Day 3, I chose Toby Mac's reggae version of "O Come All Ye Faithful." This version is as cool as the original to me. I hope you are enjoying these Christmas songs as much as I am. If you don't know what is going on or why I am doing this, check out my blog for Day 1.

Day 3 - Toby Mac's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful"

12 Songs for Christmas - Day 2

For today's selection I decided to go with something from Disney. When my girls were small, they loved Beauty & the Beast. It was one of my favorite Disney movies too! One Christmas they came out with a Christmas version/story for Beauty & the Beast. Of course my girls loved it...and so did I.

One of my favorite songs was "As long as there's Christmas." I would go around the house singing and humming it all day. It just kind of sticks with you.

Day 2 - As long as there's Christmas - From Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas

TSMS- Be Still

It has been awhile since I posted TSMS. This song I have heard recently on Air1 and it just seems to fit with what is going on in my life and those around me. There are sometimes we just need to be still and know that HE is caring for us. HE hasn't left us. HE just wants us to focus on Him and put the things that are going on around us in perspective. HE is in control!

12 Days of Christmas Songs - Day 1

I love Christmas! I love Christmas music! The sad thing is we really only get to hear these songs for about one month. The unfortunate thing is we blitz these songs so hard in that one month time that by the time January rolls around we cannot wait to get the songs off the air. Unfortunately many of these songs have special messages, meanings, memories attached to them that many people just ignore or bypass because they are too busy or are tired of hearing them.

For the next 12 days, I am going to post my favorite Christmas songs. Some of them have special meanings to me, others are just down right fun! I would encourage you to find songs that help you celebrate the season with others online! Pass on the Christmas fun!

P.S. I tried creating a little meme/link thing and it didn't work so if you have posted things just post in my comments that you have songs on your blog and I will come see your songs!

DAY 1 - Amy Grant's - My Grown Up Christmas List

I chose this song because I to want peace for our nation, world and the families in it. I love this song because it really describes what I wish this Christmas for everyone this Christmas season! This is truly my grown up Christmas wish!

Please pray for Betty & her family

Mr. A & I met Melissa and her husband Larry when we first arrived here in NC. We have kept in contact through moves, changes in church, etc. Melissa and Larry have a house full of kids. They are foster parents and have adopted numerous children. They really are a special family.

I am asking for prayer for my friend Melissa and her mom, Betty. Betty is dying from cancer that has invaded her body. She has decided to postpone radiation until she is able to visit with all of her grandchildren and great-grand children. She wants them to be able to see her healthy and strong. Below is the list of the email prayer requests sent out by the family.

Please pray for this family. Please pray for a miracle! God is bigger than cancer. I know first hand. My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer throughout her body and is now in remission. Also pray that the family will be able to get through the holidays so they can make many precious memories to hold on to.

11/20/08 PM - She left the hospital today and went to RED LOBSTER! lol she wanted shrimp. She has refused to do radiation until she can come here and spend time with her kids and grand kids. My sister and her husband and my brother and nephew are all coming here for Thanksgiving.
We are going to HONOR our mother's life with a performance for her and she will be blessed!! We are going to take a family portrait - we haven't had one in years ! If you are local and want to see my mom and honor her life and let her know how she has touched your life, please let me know and I will let you know when to come over! If you are not local and want her to know how she has touched your life email , message me, send a video - anything you want and I will make sure she gets it! I want her to know how many lives she has touched BEFORE she has a funeral! ! ! !!!!!

11/20/08 AM - well, the cancer is in her lungs and lymphnodes and she is too sick for Chemo - her heart couldn't take it. So the only treatment is radiation - no surgery - again her heart couldn't take it. She is refusing radiation right now until she can come here ans spend some time with me nad her grand kids and great grandkids and she wants us all to remember her strong not weak from radiation. The doctor would not give her a time frame - her words were that it is up to God it could be today it could be a month. When my mom asked if she would be here Christmas the doctor said she could not answer that. I am trying to not be selfish and trying to let go, but man is it ever hard! I told her on the phone today that I did not want her to suffer and I would let go if she was ready and she said she is ready but not quite yet not until she sees AJ and sees Sydnee and Aiden and all of my k ids again and spends some time telling us all how much she loves us and how wonderful we have all made ehr life! She is truly a wonderful wonderful woman!!!! If you know her you know that and if not trust me she is wonderful!!! I will keep the updates coming, and just know that your words of encouragement are getting to her with pretty flowers and backgrounds - my sister is awesome like that! And keep the prayers coming!!!
Thanks and love to you all,
Melissa

10/19/08 AM - Just wanted to let you all know that I am copying your messages and words of encourgement to my AOL email and emailing them to my sister. Then she is printing them out with nice backgrounds and borders if I know her :) and she is taking them to my mom in the hospital. So please keep them coming and I will keep emailing them. You are all so wonderful and I cannot say enough how much I apprecciate your prayers and words! She did tell me today that she has AnenoCarcinoma but the origin is not yet known. It is near near her lungs but her lungs wee able to be "flushed" with a cutting edge procedure and they are clear of cancer, but they are not sure if the lung is the origin or if the breast is the origin. We should know more tomorrow after test results from yesterday and today come back. I will keep you all posted! and again thanks so much for the encouragement and prayers!
Love to you all,
Melissa

10/18/08 - Hello everyone! We need another miracle from God regarding my mom. She went to have a pace maker and defibrillator put in and all went well. She went home and then back to the hospital the next morning with severe chest pain. The pace maker and defib. were fine so they started running some other tests and saw that her lymph nodes were swollen and they did a biopsy on a lump there. They came in today to tell her that she has cancer in her lymph nodes and lungs! She does not have a plan of action tonight - the oncologist is supposed to come in and see her tomorrow. I am asking, again, for prayers for my mom! I cannot believe that God brought her back to us to have her go through this! Please pray for a swift miracle! I am trying hard to keep the faith, but this is one of those times I could really use my friends really holding my family and I up in prayer!

Thanks in advance,
Melissa

Really!...It's only November

I love Christmas! I love the holidays period - Thanksgiving through New Year's is my favorite time of the year! But this holiday season is starting to get out of control.

People have been saying it for years that the Christmas holiday is starting earlier and earlier each year. I have personally been seeing Christmas decorations since the beginning of October, just after the Halloween decorations came out.

Two weekends ago we drove by the mall and they already had the reindeer decorations out on the lawns. As I drove down the street, there are banners hanging from the light posts. The tree lighting for the city is this weekend! The weekend before Thanksgiving we are lighting the city's Christmas tree.

The straw that broke the camel's back was tonight as I was driving home I was bouncing around on radio stations trying to get traffic information. I turned to one station and they had Christmas music playing. Apparently this station has been doing it for a couple of weeks as my kids and I heard the music as we drove home from the a friends house. We thought it was a fluke thing but apparently every night from 5 - midnight they are playing Christmas music.

Really...it's not even Thanksgiving yet.

Can we just get through Thanksgiving before we go into an all out assault on Christmas?

No, I am not a scrouge! No ba hum bugs here!

On December 1st, feel free to go as nuts as you would like - crazy sweaters, homes decorated with enough lights to be a secondary air landing strip, eat until enough candy until your sick and sing Christmas carols until you have no voice. But until then can we stop and enjoy the day where we give thanks for what we have been given. In this crazy economy and things totally topsy turvy, to stop and devote one day to give thanks is the least we can do. We really do have so much to be thankful for.

My First Blog Award

I received my first blog award from a dear friend from high school, Christelle @ Beloved Mama. Thank you so much for this award!

Thanks C for this honor! I truly do appreciate it! And just as the award states, if you ever need a hand, I am here for you!

TSMS - God in this city

After this election, God has really put it upon my heart that there is still much left to be done in this city - my city. I know that the call has been here all along, but there was something more on November 5th. As I was driving to work thinking about the election and what changes were coming, this song came on. God was telling me that there is still work to be done here.

As I said in my last post, there is a lot to pray for. But we also need to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to our city.

What can you do to change your city for Jesus Christ?

I am always looking for new ideas. Post some of your ideas in my comment section.

10 ways to pray for our President

A friend emailed me this today and I just had to post it. Whether you voted or agree for Barack Obama, the reality is he is our next President. We need to pray for him and his family. We have two options:

1. We can fight amongst ourselves regarding policies, bad decisions, or what could have been
OR
2. We can do our fighting on our knees. We need to set aside "our agendas" and focus on what God wants do. God is in control! We need to turn our eyes and focus on the Creator of everything not just on what is going on around us. Please get along and if you think you can't, turn it to God. When everything around us is falling away, God is our rock and our deliverer.

10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama -
by Lee Grady of Charisma Magazine…


Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama's protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let's pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let's cancel every assassin's bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama's wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God's wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon's tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama's door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture-from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia-would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God's peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority "so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God's will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God's mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world's poor and share Christ's love at home and abroad.

Breast Cancer Awareness - Remember and Celebrate!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month has flown by without me even being able to sit down and address this serious topic. I think almost everyone in this day and time has had the unfortunate opportunity to know someone affected by this terrible disease.

I have had numerous women I have looked up to through the years who have been diagnosed with this vicious disease. I am grateful to have these women in my life and am blessed to say that all of them are survivors! Pam, was my mentor through high school. She loved, and still loves, me unconditionally despite my faults and insecurities. Edie and her husband were great leaders in our church and took over as our family ministers shortly before we moved. It wasn't until after we moved that she was diagnosed, but prayer does not know state lines. Thank God for that! The other woman was my head pastor's wife, Elnora, who saw me grow up - literally! I watched these women of faith walk through these days with such grace, strength and faith. They are all in remission which is amazing!

In my life I have had two incredible family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One is a survivor and the other unfortunately lost her battle. My grandma, Marie Kilcrease, unfortunately was diagnosed too late. My grandmother lived a long and adventurous life, which in my opinion was still cut too short, but she still lived well into her 80's. Watching a once vibrant woman slowly be eaten away with disease was heart breaking. No one should have to go through that and no family should have to watch disease consume the family member they love.

The survivor in our family is my Aunt Marcia. She is married to my wonderful Uncle Lou and mother to my cousin April. The diagnosis was a shock to our family and especially to her immediate family. She was extremely health conscious and lead a very active life. To my knowledge, there was no family history of the disease either. She used both traditional and non-traditional remedies in her fight against this terrible disease. We can now say she is in remission and doing extremely well.

My cousin, April, who is a freelance writer (who is probably seeing numerous grammatical errors on this blog) documented parts of her mother's journey. One of her articles appeared in the New York Times. I have placed the link to the article below.

New York Times

Another link in case the one above doesn't work:
April Kilcrease - Mills College Profile

The whole reason I am writing this is to (1) - Honor the women in my life who have been affected by this disease. Putting a face to this disease makes it real!
(2) Encourage you to see your doctor if you haven't done so recently. (3) Self examinations can save your life. You know your body better than anyone. If you notice something that isn't right, go to the doctor. Early detection is life changing!

Breast cancer awareness does not just stop on November 1st. This is a 365 day awareness campaign.

New car

Well after much consideration, Mr. A and I decided that he needed a vehicle that was a little better on gas mileage as he is driving about 1 hour each way. It's not that our 2003 Saturn VUE was hard on gas mileage but ever little bit helps.

After much consideration, we traded in Mr. A's Vue for a Honda Fit Sport. It is a pretty cool little car. It averages 33 miles per gallon which will help us quite a bit with gas prices. The seats fold up so you can put all sorts of stuff inside. They also lay down so you can put larger items in the back.

We put this new little car to the ultimate test today. We have been unloading the boxes we have had in storage for the last year and trying to make sure that they go back in our house nicer than they were before. We decided to put up shelving in the closets to hold more items. We headed to the Habitat for Humanity Restore - which by the way is awesome store if you haven't been - and found a bunch of Closet Maid items to re-do the closets. We also found a great deal on Crepe Myrtle trees - $1 each! Yep you read that right - $1 for a tree! We bought 4 of these trees - about 2-4 ft high plus numerous items for the closets. That car was packed but we were able to get it all in with nothing hanging out. You should have seen everyone's faces as we packed this car - especially when we added the trees in the car.

If you are looking at a new car, definitely check out the Honda Fit Sport. It is a fun little commuter car with some great benefits, especially on storage.

Fried foods, tons of calories - bring on the NC State Fair

Today we went to the NC State Fair. This was my first time going to the fair. Mr. A and the girls have been before with friends while I was at work. I love the fair! I have been going to fairs since I was little. My family always went to the Del Mar Fair, which is now called the San Diego County Fair. The best thing for me was experience the fair with my kids. Seeing everything through their eyes was like seeing it for the first time.

The whole reason to go to the fair this year was to see Toby Mac. We found out he was going to be in concert today and knew we wanted to go. We had kept it a surprise from them until today at the fair. The best part is this was AJ's first concert experience. What an awesome concert to go to for your first concert!! Going to the fair was just going to be an added bonus to the concert in our eyes.

The fair was fun! A lot of walking, but they had some really cute things to do, especially for kids. Seeing as NC is a huge agriculture state, they had a cute area where they gave kids a basket and they walked through the exhibit collecting fruits and vegetables. At the end, the produce was weighed and the kids were "paid" for their labors. They then turned in their cash for a prize at the end of it all which included an apple, NC peanuts, frisbee and pen. It was pretty cute even for our almost teenagers.

Lots of animals, games and rides were available as in most state or county fairs. We don't normally let the kids ride the rides - a huge safety thing for me - but we were able to get a deal on some ride tickets so Mr. A and the girls did do one ride. We ate food that probably had enough calories to kill us. We also indulged with the fair favorite - funnel cake for a treat before the concert.

The only downer for the day was the weather. It was overcast, but it was cold! Even layered up, it was still cold! We about froze when we stopped to look at anything. We could have gone back in the exhibit halls but they were so hot you were begging to go back outside.

The best part by far was the concert. We went in a little early and found out that the seats I bought back in August online were awesome seats! Just above the floor but close enough that you could see everything! Toby Mac did not disappoint! If you haven't seen his show, it is high energy all the way through. We loved every minute of it. AJ was screaming and waving her hands around like a wild child - she gets it from me! Mr A, KA and I were laughing as she busted out with the lyrics at the top of her lungs. She may not have a voice tomorrow, but it was worth it!

It was a great day for our family to just hang out and have fun. We laughed a lot and had a great time hanging out. I love that our kids, for now, let us hang out with them at concerts and sing with them. I had to stop myself a couple of times and just savor the moment sitting between both girls singing at the top of their lungs with huge smiles on their faces. Today was a great day!

TSMS - Give me your eyes

This song is my heart! I want to help those around me especially now in these times of confusion and uncertainty. I don't want to miss an opportunity that God has put in my path. Whether it is a smile, hug or something else, God show me those who are hurting. Let some one see YOU in me.

I wasn't able to embed the video but you can watch this video on You Tube here: Brandon Heath "Give Me Your Eyes"

Friends

"A friend loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17

A true friend loves you for you. Not what you could be or should be, but for you.
A true friend laughs with you for no reason at all.
A true friend knows your thoughts just by the look on your face.
A true friend tells you how it is but also knows when to keep their mouths shut.
A true friend listens to you rant and vent without trying to fix the problem.
A true friend understands that your family is crazy but loves them just the same because they are family.
A true friend knows your secret wants, dreams and wishes and is your biggest cheerleader as you strive to achieve them.

I have been blessed that I was able to spend my whole childhood, teenage years and early adulthood in the same house, city and church. My parents moved into my childhood home when I was 2 1/2 and still live there today. I never had to move and make new friends until my husband and I moved cross country. I grew up with a great bunch of friends that I spent most of my crazy teenage years with and survived. We had our fair share of fights, boys, and life thrown at us, but we weathered the storms together.

Most of you would say I have a lot of "friends" that I keep in touch with even today, but in reality, I have really two strong friendships that I treasure besides my husband. A lot of the people I hung out with are friends and don't get me wrong, I love them all dearly, but when push comes to shove I know I have two people I can count on. They are SJ and Rae.

SJ has been my best bud forever. She is practically a sister to me. We think we met in the 1st grade or so, but we can't really pin point the exact time we became friends. We just have always been by each others sides. When I look through photo albums of my life she is there at almost every important event. Proms, dances, boyfriends, graduations, illness, deaths, marriages...she was there. She was the wild-n-crazy gal while I tended to be quiet and reserved. She brought out the wild side in me when we were together. If she did it then I would try it. She was fashion forward while I was fashion challenged. She was constantly helping me try and update my looks, become more girly, wear makeup and relax. She is confident, loving and is sassy!

She moved away shortly after graduation to AZ. She was pursuing a degree at a university there, but when she came home, we always got together. Whether at Denny's for a BLT with french fries and lots of ketchup or her mom's house to watch movies. She met and married a great guy and now lives in WA. They have a daughter who is almost 3 and reminds me so much of SJ when I see her in pictures. We may go months without talking to each other, but we get on the phone it is like time has never passed. We just talk and talk.

My other true friend is Rae. I met Rae in high school. She hung with a different group of friends but we all did things together. She and I become really close after high school when we worked with Jr. Highers on Sunday mornings at church. She and I took some in coming 6th graders and helped them make the transition into middle school/Jr. High a little easier. Rae is quieter than me, but can be a pit bull if needed. She doesn't have a temper but when I person needs help she will fight for them. Rae is loyal, true to her word and has a heart that is bigger than Texas.

She moved away to go to school in IN. Why she thinks she was getting/running away from everything that was chasing her in San Diego, God had other plans. God shook her up in IN and she has never been the same since. Rae married a great guy and they have 3 children and are expecting another. Where do they live...still in IN! She thought she would get away from IN but God is doing some miraculous things in here life there.

Rae and I talk to each other about every three months and when we talk it makes me thankful for her in my life. She was my sounding board about everything recently. She was my biggest cheerleader when we moved out here and has continually supported me with prayer and encouragement when we have faced challenges. I know that when something goes down, I can call her and she will stop what she is doing and talk.

As I was on the phone with Rae last night just to wish her Happy Birthday and to catch up, I began the thank God for my friends. I know a lot of people who care about me, who laugh with me and will cry with me, but there is something special about a true friend who just gets you! The real you - battered and broken, goofy and embarrassing, mom of the year and the mom who drops the balls she is trying to keep up in the air. They are the ones who will love you when you are at your best and when you are your worst, who loves you despite the extra weight you have put on since high school and the one who knows the true beauty is your heart not your thighs and butt.

I know God has put every friend in my life for a reason. As I struggle to really make friends now as an adult, I know that God has blessed me with friends "who knew me when". They are only a phone call or email away, but I do miss the face to face. I know that if I need them they will be here. I am thankful for what they have made me to be and what they continually challenge me to be.

Thank you God for my friends both near and far.

TSMS - I know who I am

Today's song I have been singing all week. We sang it for worship both on Sunday and Wednesday night. I love the truth in the song...I am His and HE is Mine.

Fireproof

I just want to take a moment to say that if you have not seen "Fireproof" yet, you should go see it. Mr. A and I had a date night on Saturday that included this movie and we were surprised at how good it was.

I think we need to support this movie as it supports Christian values, family and marriage. The way to do this is go see the movie and prove to Hollywood and the powers with our dollars in the box office that be that we want movies that are have good morals or morals at all!

The other way we do that is to tell those we know to go see this movie too. If you are able to buy tickets for friends that would be awesome. Also, offer to babysit for those who cannot afford to have a babysitter plus movie tickets. Little things you do may change a marriage for a lifetime.

Go see this movie!

www.fireproofthemovie.com

TSMS - To Bring You Back

This song has been in my head all week. I have heard it almost every day on Air1 radio and it grabs me every time!

God loves me so much that HE will search for me. Me...a lost sheep in a desert. HE finds me and returns me to His comfort, resting place full of peaceful rivers and green grass to feed on. I am safe when I am with My Shepherd.

Luke 15:3-7
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

San Diego - My hometown - How true this is

I saw this and had to laugh out loud. These are so true and unless you have lived in San Diego it is hard to explain to others. Mr. A and I watch as people look at us strange as we describe San Diego. I swear people think it is another planet! I love it!

I will always be a Cali Girl in my heart! I love San Diego and all the things there are to do and see. I love living here in NC, but San Diego will always have a place in my heart and soul.

You know you are from San Diego when:

-Your high school had a surf team

-You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla, Rancho Penasquitos, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and El Cajon

-There are four distinct seasons: Summer, Not Quite Summer, Almost Summer, and Oh Hey Look Its Summer Again

-Chula-juana is a real town

-Your house is worth more than some small countries

-You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for

-Every street name is either in Spanish or Spanish related, and you're surprised when other areas don't have this

-You can determine the accuracy of someone's "i'm ghetto" claim by knowing their high school. For example, Lincoln, Crawford, or Morse

-You see weather forecasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren't remotely surprised. The Micro Climate Weather

-You've gone to Mt. Helix in July and known you still need a jacket

-You've tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium

-You have a favorite- the WAP or the Zoo

-You've been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

-You still call it the Del Mar Fair

-You say "i'm going to the track" and people know what you mean-You understand what May-Gray and June-Gloom is

-A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town

-There's a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County

-"Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan Moves You!"

-You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd

-You've gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game

-You know what "The Merge" is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour

-You know the difference between Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa

-You've gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off

-You've been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15

-There are more bands than people

-Your house doesn't have air conditioning

-Everyone has their favorite beach

-No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops

-You live on, near or are surrounded by hills

-You hate tourists and their bad driving.

-You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona

-You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village

-You know someone who doesn't own pants

-You know what Santa Anas are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana

-If the menu doesn't have California burritos on it, forget it, its not real mexican food

Family Vacation - Part 2

Grandfather Mountain

The second day of our trip was a little more of a whirlwind. We woke up and headed to Grandfather Mountain. We knew it was going to get warmer so we wanted to get there early enough to enjoy the sights before it started to get blazing hot.

The family at the 1st Observation lookout

If you haven't been to Grandfather Mountain before it is a definite must see. We didn't realize how much there was to do. You could spend all day there hiking on numerous trails all over the mountain. We did the top with the swinging bridge first. Now anyone who knows me knows that heights and I are not friends. I wouldn't say I freak, but I am definitely not in my comfort zone. I crossed the bridge with no problems. I just kept looking straight ahead of me and not to the sides or bottom and did fine.

The Swinging Bridge

Mr. A & the girls wanted to go out to the point and that is where I stopped. There are just rocks that you walk out to and stand on. No fences, guard rails or anything like that to protect you so I decided to plant myself on the stone wall and attempt to take pictures of the them from a distance. Mr. A said KA had a little trouble with the heights but eventually relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. Of course AJ was in her element. She is the little adventurer and tends do be the opposite of KA when it comes to new things or things that can be a little dangerous. She embraces them while KA is a little more reserved and cautious. (That's my kid!)

On the top edge of Grandfather Mountain
AJ on left, concerned KA on right

We went down to the museum and animal education/viewing areas. The best part of this is when we went to the bear exhibit. The bears were sitting right at the wall. I looked Mr A. and said "it looks like they are looking for food." Come to find out they allow you to feed the bears for $1.00 per cup. We grabbed two cups and went to feed the bears. It was a nugget that looked like a peanut at first glance, but probably was some sort of nutritional element. We laughed as these bears would catch these nuggets. One bear would stick out its tongue to get your attention. Of course that bear received the most food. There were other exhibits such as the bald eagle, river otters, deer and cougars.

The Bears

AJ feeding the bears
The funny bear with the tongue

As we ended our trip to Grandfather Mountain we decided we were close enough to go see Linville Caverns. The girls had gone to a different cavern area with my parents a couple of years ago and the girls really enjoyed it so we decided to try these. It was really fun. The girls said it was smaller than where they went before, but definitely still enjoyable. We didn't get many shots in the caverns as it was really wet and we didn't trust that our camera wouldn't get damaged.

We had decided prior to coming up that we would do some gem mining/panning. We have done it before at a little farm near our house and loved it. All the gems that get sent to the little farms come from the mines up where we were so why not go to where the gems come from. We found a little gem store that did the panning about a mile from the caverns. We decided to get one large bucket and split it between the four of us. We found some awesome stones: rose quartz, smoke quartz, moon stones, etc. They have a man on premises who can look at your stones and help you identify them. You can even have them cut if you had the time. That was one of the highlights of the day.

After a huge dinner at a local BBQ place (which by the way was amazing!!!) we went back to hotel and let the girls swim in the pool. I truly think the girls would have loved just staying at the hotel and swimming if we had let them.

Family Vacation

This is a very late post, but I just haven't had much time to sit down and write everything down.
Mr. A had some vacation time he had to burn before the holidays. Working retail doesn't allow long vacation times if any during the holidays so he has to use most of his vacation before October. We decided that we would make Labor Day weekend a little longer by taking the girls out of school on that Friday too and head somewhere close but somewhere we haven't been before. After looking at the NC coast, DC, Virginia coast, we decided to head to the mountains. We have lived in NC for almost 4 1/2 years and never been to the mountains.

On Friday, we started off towards Blowing Rock, NC. We arrived in Blowing Rock around 3 pm and decided to check in to the hotel and then head off to the attraction of the area, Blowing Rock. There isn't much to "do" there, but the views are amazing! I can only imagine what it looks like during the fall with all the colors changing. We had fun just walking around, especially after being in the car for 4 hours, and taking lots of pictures.

It was nice to just relax and breathe. We have been going in so many different directions that it was nice to just hang out with the family and relax. We really didn't have any major agendas so we weren't worried about time. We were able to just do what we felt even if that was just hanging out and doing nothing.

Doesn't Mr. A look relaxed?! He just sat on top of Blowing Rock and chilled. We needed this vacation more than we realized.

Then Sings My Soul - Desert Song

I heard this song one week as I was browsing around on You Tube. This song just stuck with me through the week. I know alot of people are going through difficult times right now with the economy, medical issues, divorce/separations, the list goes on and on. I have heard more and more requests for God to show up. I know people feel like the have been left in the desert, but know this is just a season. It may feel like there is no help - no oasis in the middle of the desert, but God has not left you. God is faithful. You are in this alone.

When you feel like you can cry anymore tears, when you have screamed and shouted with what seems like no one is listening, turn to praise. When you feel like there are no more words to say, start praising. I cannot tell you how many times I have cried during worship not just a release for me, but a surrender to God. I can't do it on my own - show me the way. Show me the way out of this desert. I love the "bridge" of this song, to me it says it all:

"All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship."


Also when I praise God, I turn the attention from me and my problems and focus my attention where it should be in the first place - ON HIM! I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.

Hillsongs "Healer" controversy

Imagine my surprise when I went to look for a You Tube video for Saturday's Then Sings My Soul and found this video:



I blogged about this song a couple of weeks ago after hearing it at church. This song is so powerful and it kills me that it is getting such bad press due to the author's con. Please understand me as I say this: I am not agreeing with what this man did by any means. This man obiviously is in a lot of pain and has some serious issues both known and unknown that he needs to get help with.

However, the song "Healer" is an amazing song. This song states some awesome promises and truths about God. Unfortunately, people are not going to hear that anymore due to the crazy fraud this man has conducted for the last 2 years.

Things such as:
"Nothing is impossible."
"You hold the world in your hand"
"You are all I need"
"You're my healer"

These truths are still the same as they were before this controversy. There is nothing that is impossible for our God. God holds the world in His hand. We have nothing to fear - He is in control. God is all I need - even if I lost everything, HE is all I need. God is my healer. I have proof all around me. I have seen miracle after miracle. God heals (period, end of story!)

What do I really think? I think this is a huge attack from the enemy. What was meant for worship and praise has been turned into trash. I think people will take this huge mistake - again, I am in no way condoning what this man did by any means - and stop singing the song due to the controversey.

My thought is to continue to sing the song despite the controversy. Sing the song to "Author and Creator of the world and us" not to the author of the song. We need to forgive Mike, but let's not forget the song.

9/11 - Never Forget

I have always heard people talk about how they will never forget where they were when certain major events happened in history such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, when John Kennedy was shot and so on. I always thought how weird that was to associated when and where you were until 9/11. I truly will never forget where I was that day or how I felt.

We were living in San Diego at the time and I was working for an environmental remediation company on Naval Air Station North Island. We were civilian contractors on the base. Every morning I went and picked up our mail in our regional office downtown before crossing the Coronado bridge to head to work. At the time, Mr. A's truck didn't have a working radio so I listened to tapes/CD's in the truck vs news or radio stations. I was just getting into the elevator to head to the office when my co-worker said something I will never forget, "We are under attack."

I looked at her like she had just lost her mind, "What do you mean?"

"Don't you listen to the radio?! We are under attack. Something just crashed into the World Trade Center."

We hurried into the office and found a manager who had a small radio in his office. We sat and listened as they announce the second plane had just crashed into the second tower. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I grabbed the mail and headed back to my truck. I immediately grabbed my cell phone and called Art. I told him to turn on the news and get me more information. I was going to attempt to head onto the base.

When I got to the base security was higher than I had ever seen it. It was nuts. I made it to our work trailer and found only two other people there. We logged onto our computers trying to see what was going on. We started getting phone calls from co-workers that they had shut the base down and were not letting non-essential personnel onto the base. We were told to gather computers and files from the offices in case we weren't going to be let back on for awhile.

About that time, we had base security come and order us off the base. We were told we had to leave now. This was a guy we had seen every day patrolling the beach next to our offices with just a small gun in a holster. Now he had a huge automatic weapon of some sort. The three of us loaded up our vehicles with everyone's items and headed to our regional office. As we were leaving the base, there were jeeps and different military vehicles lining the main road in and out of the base all with their guns pointed at the cars attempting to leave the base. Barricades had been set up at the entrance and men and women with huge guns were set up all around. My first thought was "World War III has just begun."

I made it to our offices and unloaded the gear. We were on the 12th floor, the top floor, of an office building in downtown San Diego. We were less than 2 minutes from the airport. Could what happen in New York happen in San Diego? Could a plane hit our office building? We were told we could go home and spend time with our families if we felt like it. I headed home and Mr. A and I planted ourselves in front of the television watching the news footage over and over again for the rest of the day into the evening.

I now understand what people mean when they say do you remember where you were when ____________ happened.
I will never forget how scared I was that day.
I will never forget wondering what was going to happen to the US from that day forward.
I will never forget watching the towers fall.
I will never forget watching people jump out of the buildings prior to the collapse.
I will never forget the men and women who went to work that day and never came home.
I will never forget those brave firefighters who ran into the buildings as many were running out.
I will never forget 9/11.

Hello!

Just a quick note to those who still read my blog - all 5 of you - I am still here. Things have just been a little busy with life and really haven't had much to say. I will be posting somethings soon though.

Do you belive God heals?

I believe God heals the sick, the worried, the fearful and the lonely. I have seen it first hand on the mission field, in my life and in the lives of those around me especially my mom. Having watched her go through cancer and the fight she knew was not just flesh and blood, but spiritual too.

She would go into chemo with 3x5 cards full of scripture verses on healing, faith, God's promises. She had friends and family fill out these cards with scriptures that spoke health and life that began to heal her spiritually while she was going through the healing of chemo. She would pray before chemo was started, then would sit and read the scriptures or have someone with her read the scriptures to her as she had the chemo start. I do this for any friend that I hear of that is going through chemo.

When she was going through her stem cell and bone marrow transplants, she would have scripture printed out in large font and stuck to the walls so no matter where she looked in her room there was encouragement through the word. She lived on those promises of God. She knew that God was faithful! She was such a testimony on her floor.

I know that the power of the word of God is better than any medicine out there on the market today. Don't get me wrong though...I believe God has blessed many men and women with the skills to treat and help those of us who are sick. Luke was a physician in the Bible (Corinthians 4:14). I believe that medicine is necessary, but don't do it alone! The word of God is health, healing and life.

Yesterday at church we sang a "new" song by Hillsong called "Healer." Oh my...the story behind the song is so powerful! I am including it below. There is nothing impossible for Our God!

Healer



The story behind the song

Then Sings My Soul - Yours

Today's selection is Yours by Steven Curtis Chapman for a couple of reasons:

1. This song speaks to the missions heart of me. This world is God's. He cries for every person on this planet. He created them and they are His children. They are HIS. We are HIS - We are YOURS God.

2. This a reminder to me today and through this challenge my family is going through that we are HIS. He cares about every hair on our head, every worry thought that crosses our mind. We don't have to worry because He has a plan and a purpose. It is not to harm us. He will not give us more than we can bear even when we may feel like we are at our darkest hour. We have seen it in our lives and we know it is true. We are YOURS God.

3. The Chapman family has been all over the press this past couple of weeks trying to tell of their family's faith in something they do not understand. God is in control and they may never understand what is going on, but God is faithful and their obident hearts to tell the world where their strength comes from will be honored. God is doing something so big that the Chapman family may never truly comprehend it's reaches to the farthest places until they see arrive in heaven. I just know that God is doing something so big through the Chapman family. The Chapman Family is YOURS God!



YOURS LYRICS WITH NEW VERSE
I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Somthing that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm reminded
That every street in London in Yours
Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I'm reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize

That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father's world

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything

It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God

You're the King of Kings
And Lord of Lords

NEW VERSE
I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here
in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
Yeah, it's all Yours
We are Yours
The glory and honor is Yours, everything is Yours

It's all Yours, God
My life is Yours, my heart is Yours
My hands and my feet are Yours
Every song that I sing
It's all Yours, all is Yours
All belongs to You
Our gifts are Yours, God
All our dreams are Yours, God
All our plans are Yours, God
The whole earth is Yours, God
Everything is Yours

Cheap and Easy Recipes

I am looking for some quick, easy and healthy receipes. I have been in a rut when it comes to what my family eats. I am also looking for something that is inexpensive. With prices on everything skyrocketing, anything to save money without skimping on flavor and family appeal would be appreciated.

I had thought about doing the thing where you prep all your meals on one day and freeze them. But I only found one cookbook/guide that I kind of liked, but I wasn't sure if there was one that someone had tried that they liked that would be better.

Basically, I need help! My family pretty much will eat anything. I don't really have picky eaters which is helpful to me.

Any receipes? Any suggestions?

Then Sings My Soul - My Redeemer

Because I am all about the Olympics and the story of the underdog/over comer, I am posting this video. One is to the song My Redeemer which is beautiful on its own, but this story gives it an even better meaning.

First video is the song, the second video is the story behind the song - The Hoyt family. I love this story and I am sure every one has heard of them, but it is an amazing story of a love of a father for his son. Just like Jesus for us! I love this story!

Bring out some tissues because you will cry!

New baby in the family

NO NO NO - Not me!

My sister and her husband welcomed my newest nephew to the world today!

We got a call early this morning from my parent saying Nay was having some contractions and heading to the hospital. About an hour or so later my brother in law called to say that she had been admitted and was about 4-5 centimeters. We told him we would pray and then headed off with our day.

Around 8 or so our time we called my parents to see if anything was happening. My parent were watching my nephew, R, while my sister and her husband we at the hospital. No one had heard anything. My mom tried calling my brother in law and the phone was off. I said maybe she is pushing.

Well, I was right - she delivered around 5:30 or so in CA which made it 8:30 here in NC. Nay called around 9 to tell me she had a baby boy and that they were going back and forth on a name. Either name starts with an "E" so we will just say welcome to the world, Baby E! He weighed about a 1 pound more and 3/4" smaller than his older brother R.

We are totally excited in this house! We now have another baby to gush about! This year has been fun. Mr A's sister had her first baby in May and now my sis has her second baby today.

Baby E your family all the way across the US loves you very much! We wish we could be there to hold you and love on you in person, but that will just have to wait for now. We will see you in person before you graduate from high school - that is my promise! Take care of your mama and daddy and big brother for us. Welcome to our family! We are a crazy bunch but you will always be loved!

Olympics

"I am feeling very Olympic today" - Sanka Coffee, Cooling Runnings

That kind of sums up my feelings today!

I love the Olympics and always have. I can remember watching them as a kid with popcorn and coke on the living room floor at my parents house. I never played organized sports and am by no means a sport nut. I do love football in the fall - always have and always will. I love to watch beach volleyball - I guess from growing up on the beach in So. Cal. I also love going to a baseball game at least once in the summer. But there is just something about the Olympics that make me watch things such as fencing, weight lifting and other sports that make absolutely no sense to me for 16 days every 4 years.

I love the opening ceremonies and all the glamour, pagentry and culture the host country tries to convey to the world. I love learning about the history of the host country and its people. To see the hidden things the cities and people have to offer is just facinating to me. I guess that is the missionary in me trying to get out!

I love the underdog. Those stories of people who come to the Olympics with a dream to do whatever sport for the glory and pride of their country. They may have no chance in ever winning a medal or even qualifying to go further, but they came and had the opportunity to try. That is enough for them.

I love the stories of the overcomer. You know the ones who had something happen to them as a child that changed their lives forever because they were introduced to the sport to help them through those challenge. Or the ones where they were supppose to be the next big thing but tragedy struck and now they are just lucky to be here to compete. The love of a family member who sacrificed everything to help them acheive their dream of being an Olympian.

The Olympics bring out the best in people. Yes I know there are problems - performance enhancing drugs, politics, economic strife, the list can go on and one - but for 16 days we hear about the people who are brought together because of the love of a sport, the chance of a lifetime and the pride of a country.

I am thankful that my children and husband love the Olympics too! Well maybe the word isn't love but they sit and watch with me and that's love at least for me!

Bring it on Olympics! This lady is ready for every tear, laughter, smile, heart break and national anthem you have to offer.

Let the games begin!

Then Sings My Soul

This week's songs are from an amazing bass player/singer whom we have had the privilege of meeting on multiple occasions. Mr. A has done sound for him a couple of times at a church. He is also the brother of some dear friends of ours. His name is Bernard Harris. He has played bass for artist such as Nicole C. Mullen, Mandisa, and many others. With playing with such major artists, he could have an ego but he is extremely down to earth. If your church is ever looking for someone to perform for a concert or show, look him up. He will not disappoint!

Bernard's love for God is evident. He is in worship while playing. I love seeing him in concert! I have posted two videos one of him singing one of my favorite songs, "I can't imagine" and one where he is just playing the bass to his rendition of "Amazing Grace." I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


I Can't Imagine


Amazing Grace

Check out these blogs

I love blogging. I know I don't blog everyday like some, but when I do I love it! Part of it is like journaling to me where I can write out my feelings and thoughts while the other side of it for me is keeping family and friends up to date with what is happening in our lives. Recently (and not too recently) I have found some of my dear friends have blogs also. Some have purposes and plans while others are like mine that just kind of document life around them.

I encourage you to check them out. I have them list below and also on my side bar in case you can't get the links to work.

Beloved Mama - Great friend who I have reconnected with in the last year. She has a great insight on families with young children and just a heart for women's ministry. Her blog makes me laugh with what is going on with her boys and challenges me on my daily walk. www.belovedmama.blogspot.com

Beloved Mama Prays - Same friend, different site. If you ever have a prayer request please go there and there is a group of men and women (mostly women) who are ready to pray for your request. Also, if you have a praise post that. God is good and it is important to not only come with our request, but thank Him when it is answered! www.belovedmamaprays.blogspot.com

No Crying over Spilled Milk - This girl is practically a sister of mine. She is one of my sister's best friends and she practically lived at our house. When my kids were little they called her Auntie Kuna. She is a youth and worship leader and has an awesome passion for missions, worship and youth and how they all work together. www.nocryingmama.blogspot.com

Fit Mama, Fit Family - Written by the same fabulous women on No Crying Over Spilled Milk. This one focuses more on nutrition, exercise, healthy living and general health. www.fitmamablog.blogspot.com

You'll Get Through This - This is a very new blog written by another dear friend. This blog is honest and challenging. God is going to do something with this blog. www.youllgetthroughthis.blogspot.com

Go visit my friends' blogs. I think you will be encouraged just as I have.

Happy Birthday, Mr. A!

Today is my honey's birthday! I love this man more and more each day. He actually has today off which is unusal. We are going to just do some errands and hang out. Tonight he and I are going to go see Dark Knight and go to dinner just the two of us.

Happy 30-something Babe! I hope you enjoy your day just chillin' with the family.

In honor of his birthday I am going to post "our song." You may think this song is a weird song to have as a couple but it kind of fits us - different. This song use to play constantly while we were dating/engaged. You couldn't turn on Top 40 radio stations without hearing it. We didn't have dancing at our wedding, but we joked that this would have been our first dance. We would have shocked everyone. Our girls ask us what our song is and we say Two Princes by Spin Doctors. It is just kind of us.

I can't get the original version of the song to embed so here is the link to the video on You Tube: Two Princes by Spin Doctors

This is a different version that was done on Sesame Street when KA was a baby. We knew that they had hit the big time when they appeared on Sesame Street.

Summer's half way over and I haven't started having fun yet!

It is the middle of July which mean summer is half way over. Where has the time gone? What's worse is I haven't done anything fun yet for summer! When you think of summer you think of a few things: BBQ's, beaches, fireworks, family vacations. We haven't done one of those things or anything that resembles summer besides swimming at our community pool.

This summer has been a bit unusual as the month of June/first part of July was dealing with my health/gall bladder issue. I was watching what I was eating so no BBQ's. The 4th of July I had just been discharged from the hospital and was on major pain medication so even if my family had shown me fireworks, I don't think I would have remembered it.

The beach thing is difficult because the beach is a minimum of 2 hours away. With gas prices, it just doesn't make sense to go for the day. Besides growing up in CA I have spent my fare share of summers at the beach. Last year we went down for the day on Father's Day with some friends which was a lot of fun, but it seemed like a huge production just for a few hours. I know the girls would love to go again as would I, but if I am going to go to all the trouble of packing all the stuff and driving down, I want to be there all weekend not just a few hours.

Family vacation - what's that?! The last family vacation we had was last Spring Break when we went to Walt Disney World. That was a lot of fun, but we just don't have the money or time to do something that big right now. Besides, AJ started back to school yesterday, I don't have anymore vacation time, and Mr. A's job really doesn't allow for much vacation time. We have talked about doing some kind of small weekend trip somewhere but when and where we have no idea.

I know I am complaining when I should be finding a way to make summer last. It just seems like the days are flying by and I haven't been able to enjoy any of them. I miss the lazy days of summer where you can just sit back, relax and not worry about what is happening next.

OK... I vow to not let the rest of this summer pass by me. I will figure out a way to BBQ, have some friends over, and enjoy those long summer nights. This is something I am just going to have to plan to make sure that it happens.

Confused and ready for direction

I feel I am rather flexible when it comes to most things. I can go with the flow and even when I really don't care to. However recently God has been shaking things up in our lives and I have no idea what is going on. I feel like a piece of driftwood being tossed to and fro by the waves of the ocean. I have no idea where I am going and I am out in the middle of the ocean where land is not visible in any direction.

Most of you know that about a year ago, Mr. A & I left our church of 3 years to help a new church plant. The church we had previously been at was a good church, but it never felt like "home" or where we would be permanently. Both Mr. A & I were in different ministries that we both enjoyed doing, but we never felt like this is what we were called to do. Both of us have hearts for outreach, youth, doing things more outward focused and this new church plant was everything that we had prayed for. We finally felt like God was opening the door for what He called us out to NC to do. We were so excited!

1 year later, we are now just confused and bewildered. The "church" now has two families - the pastor's family and ours. We all sat around and scratched out heads - NOW WHAT? We came up with 4 different scenarios and are still praying on them. We all don't feel like we should completely turn our backs on this not out of pride, but God hasn't told us to stop. Some of you reading this might say well with two families the answer should be obvious - God has told you to stop. Honestly though we really haven't had God tell us to go anywhere else or abandon ship. So again - WHAT NOW!?!

We agreed to go to churches together in the meantime. Today we went to a church that wasn't bad, it just again wasn't
"home." Worship was good - very spirit filled and anointed. The pastor was good and his topic was relevant. They have a good children and youth program which fits our needs, but I don't know. I don't want to be a complainer. I don't want to be a church snob. I just felt like we were going through the motions.

I had prayed in the car the entire way down that God would show us something. God would guide us to what we were suppose to be doing. If it was just to sit and be feed that we would sit and be fed. If we were suppose to see something, that God would reveal it. I left more confused then when we started.

I don't want to do anything without God's stamp of approval on it. I don't want to try and take over from what God is trying to do but I have no idea what that is. Are we suppose to walk away and find somewhere else? Are we suppose to try and make this work? If we are suppose to make this work, how do you do that with two families? Do we become more of a ministry organization that helps other churches? Do we do something totally out of the box? God had given Mr. A & our pastor almost identical visions about something more community driven vs. a church as this whole thing was starting. Are we suppose to pursue that without being a church?

What about our house? While we love the size of our house, we are close to nothing. Every friend we have made, every thing that we do is no where close to our current home. We tried putting our house on the market and after a year of almost no bites we decided to take it off the market. We still would love to move. For one reason, the housing market is cheaper down there and you get more property for the money which is something that definitely interests us. Another reason is while we have a great home almost no one comes to visit us because we are so far away. Even at our last church, we lived the farthest away. It was so out of the way for people to come to. Are we suppose to put our house back on the market? Are we suppose to do something up here?

I don't feel like God has turned His back on us at all, but I do feel like we are out here alone at times. I know God has a purpose and a plan for our lives, I wish He would give a map with some clues on it if nothing else. I am trusting that God is going to show us what to do and where to go. I know God has called us out here but for what I am not sure.

All I can do right now is PUSH - PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS!