Waiting is Worship

What better time to give to God than in the process of waiting?

We're still waiting to find out about Derrick's job. He has several choices.

Ideally he wants to stay with his team which we thought would happen, not sure about that yet.

Worship is honoring God with extravagant love. Well, I sure seem to be praising Him, lifting up His goodness for our provision, imploring Him on my husband's behalf, telling everyone how great He is, more than I have done in a long time.

God doesn't change in any way. But my need, my view of Him, my desire changes. Sometimes He is my comforting Friend, sometimes He is my challenging Father, sometimes He is my faithful warrior and even my lover who knows me better than I know myself.

I will rest in You Father, to do what's the very best for Derrick and us. And I will keep on worshiping and honoring You in all things, good and bad.

Tis the Season

I love the cool evenings and sitting with friends and family watching baseball.
What could be better? And Happy Birthday Keegan! Jefferson thinks you're great!

6 year old Jefferson. It's in his blood!

My Oldest is 15

My sister's family

Papa Shepherd's birthday Monday!

The family celebrated at Fuddrucker's after church. Here are the sisters.

This coming morning at 2:30am or so, I gave birth to my first daughter.

I just started this blog last year at this time. Here's what I wrote for her birthday then. Click here.

I was in labor all day today... 15 years ago, at age 31.

Alexandra Joy...
....you are a JOY to be with
.... you are intelligent
.... you are quick to laugh and smile
.... you love your siblings by your words and attention (here's her post today about her little brother)
.... you are easy to talk to
.... you have a unique, fun sense of style
.... music is deeply rooted in your soul
.... you are a diligent worker, always finishing
.... you have set a wonderful standard

I love you in so many ways. God has a wonderful plan for your life and I hope your dad and I can help you realize it.

Happy Birthday Beauty.

Break My Plans

This Hope sang at our church 2 weeks ago. It was their 4th time with us, and I'm always moved by their hearts and their amazing harmonies.

This song "Break My Plans" is so powerful. Read the story of the Romanian hymn writer that this song is based on. He wrote 360 hymns in prison in 5 years, with no pen or paper.

Break my plans, shape my heart,
take my will to where You are.
Move my mind, through Your will,
til all that I am, lives to love You Lord.

Lord that is my prayer today. That my plans would be Yours. I want to be molded by You and used by You.


(don't forget to pause the player on the right)

Missing my other half

Funny Cindy O. She came up to me and said,
"Wow!! We really HAVE to pray for you!!! Your other half is missing!!!"

Praying for you my sweet man.

5pm praying and 7pm praying.

As I pulled out the sheets to teach in French class today, there was your itinerary and hotel info.

I took that to mean I should pray for you right then.

Sure hope you didn't need them! Whoopsie daisie..

Baseball Bonk

The first real injury for our little sports guy.

More to come I'm sure.

He put his glove up to catch a throw at first base, but whoops, it grazed the glove and got him on the noggin!

He was brave. He let mom sit with him in the dugout holding ice on it.....for a few minutes.

Coach said to keep ice on it so he wouldn't look like a unicorn.

All is well, but don't touch it!

You can't even see that it is a bump. Not very purple yet.
Happy spectators, that didn't even know he got hurt. I think that says a lot for my lack of over reacting! I ran to see if Jeff was okay and they didn't notice!

Aperio: to open

It's April. New life is everywhere. In Latin, aperio is a verb signifying 'to open or to lay bare'. How appropriate for the name of the month when blossoms are opening everywhere. And the old song 'April showers bring May flowers' is somewhat true even here in the desert. We are always hoping for April showers, especially in August!

After the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, giving all who ask, new life, may you see His creation as a gift of new life. Each season bringing a new start. A new blossom opening to what the world has in store. As the Latin verb connotates, when we are open, we are laid bare. We are vulnerable. But we have the gift of His spirit to help us face all that the world has to offer! Praise God!

So open up. Open your heart to all God has in store. Open your home to those in need. Open your eyes to see His creation and love those around you. Open your hands to give to those He brings to you and open your hands to Him. Holding lightly all the things of this world.

There are 4 colts down the street. Amazing.
Here is another one that shows how the little guy flips his tail. So cute.

We're Here for the Ride

Funny how this roller coaster feels.

Yes, God has a plan! I know You will do something.

But when will that be?

Down we roll with wonder and doubt. Taking our eyes off Him but hopefully not speeding out of control. It's so much better if we keep our eyes ahead.

Up we chug, seeing light at the top. There is a plan. He holds it in His hand!!! Praise God!

More opportunities have presented themselves. The best part is stopping and praying through our day for daddy and his job and the guys he works with. How exciting to see the Lord of Creation at work in our lives. May it always be so.

Yesterday and today a couple of Homemakers' podcasts with Donna and me. "Resident Mother" is what she's calling me. Yesterday's was on knowing your child's heart and family devotions.
Today is on discipline. Ooh, that's a toughy. Spanking!

Bloggin' Blahs

I just don't feel like blogging. What is that? I have nothing to say? Probably.

My heart is heavy for my man's company that closes this week.

My heart is heavy for the men that he worked with that won't be in his life anymore. They were a team. Many like-minded men there.

We're praying for God's guidance, wisdom and His perfect timing. Knowing we are in His more-than-capable hands.