Thank YOU!

Lynette Chang...you are a great friend! She and I have the same brand of camera and so she was able to lend me her usb cable! Praise God for friends and for ones with the SAME cameras! You have great taste!

It has taken me all morning to upload these slideshows and I will have more pics of our house later today or so. We have been working on it all day and that is why it has taken me all day to upload. I have been multi-tasking! Thank you for being patient and I hope you enjoy these pics.

Lost USB cable

Yes, I know, I haven't posted any pics for almost 5 months. I am really sorry about this. As we have moved we cleaned out things and have found that our camera usb may be one of those items we have cleaned out! We have attempted replacing it with 2 other connectors and found out that it is a "custom" cable. So, we are praying for it to turn up while we are trying to figure out a way to get our pics off my camera!
Our house is coming along and feels like home. The girls love "staying home!" That is what they want to do when asked! Our life is just starting to settle back down and we can stay home. I have found this brings a lot of harmony in our family. We feel so blessed to be in our house. We would love to have you visit. Please stop by!

We're Moving!

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God whom I trust."
Psalm 16: 6,11 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot secure. You make known the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We had no idea the adventure we would encounter when we decided to see our house over 3 months ago. Our heart was to find a house with more useful space so we could continue to pursue some dreams that God has placed on our hearts. You never know what you are asking for when you summon the Lord's guidance! All I can say is that it has been a very stressful time for us and at the same time the Lord's presence has been so strong and so evident. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and again reminded of His faithfulness to us. He is the God of details and knows the desires of our hearts. We are moving next week! I tried to get a pic of the house up but haven't figured it out. It will be up soon. We just want to give God glory for His faithfulness to us! 2801 Rosecliff Terrace, Grapevine,Tx 76051 is our new address. More details to come.

Christmas 2009

Andy in his "Nanook of the North" hat


Emery and Ivy in their snow gear

We are so blessed! So blessed! I just cannot complain. Our kids are handed presents at every house we visit during the holidays. We eat like kings and we are constantly with people we know and love. What else could we ask for?
We had a wonderful time with our relatives in Michigan. The girls had a great time with their cousins and grandparents. I have to admit a white Christmas is so much fun. The girls are at a great age where everything is so exciting and so great. Emery's eyes light up at each Christmas tree and house with lights. Ivy is in tune with the excitement of her sister and it brings my heart joy.
Gifts...the joy they bring. How fun it is to give our children gifts and things that make them happy. You know what it is like. How much more does our Father want to give HIS children gifts. I am charged to believe in His gifts He promises. Thank you Father, for all your precious gifts and the most precious of all, Jesus!

Pondering Grace....

My Grace is sufficient for you....
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound....
Grace flows down and covers me...
Grace that is greater than all my sin...

Some thoughts about the "g" word. I have been reading a book Families where Grace is in Place, and it is really stirred my thoughts. I don't know if I have ever lived like this...What? Really? I mean really? I keep asking myself. I am not even half way into the book and I am nailed to the wall.
Andy and I have been asking ourselves what does this look like? The only answer right now that I can truly say is "more of Jesus, less of me." I must die to my expectations of others and respond in a way that only Christ in me would respond. Ugh....I have made some serious mistakes. I was ugly to the stamps.com guy, the swim lessons lady, my kids and I want them all to feel bad! That is not grace. That is love of self-idol-worship! I am learning but in no way do I have any real way to tell you except surround yourself in Jesus and last night our pastor preached to Philippians 4:8---whatever is pure, noble right...think on these things. If you don't know where to find them, start in the very word of God. You will probably stay. That is my goal. I am praying my eyes will be opened to grace.

Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception.

Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.

Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road."

-John Henry Jowett

Here is a quote that I found from a favorite blog of mine. I am again, reminded of how being thankful changes our atmosphere.
93. that when we seek You, we find You
94. you are my True North
95. your voice is quiet and so honest-thanks for speaking to my heart
96. Your old ways that never grow old
97. that you know it all before I tell you
98. for Andy and his hard work
99. the high standard you hold for me
100. by your grace I will meet this standard and it is life
101. that you open my eyes
102. that I made it to 100!
103. that my Christmas shopping is done!
104. this season is so much fun!
105. for a down day like today

Early Morning Gratitude

I am usually not a big fan of being on the computer during my quiet time because I get distracted, but I am trying to make some head way on my Gratitude and I always write it down in my journal, but it isn't transferring like I thought it would!
I have been reading a book by Stormie O'Martian on worship that has been such a blessing and a challenge to my soul. Today I read about God being our Provision and our Protection. I think I take these things for granted. Worship and Thanksgiving are such a big part of our relationship with the Lord because we are changed from our inward focus to an upward focus so here I go. It is Before 7am and I am already needing that upward focus today!
Thank you Sweet Father,
73. You are my Provider
74. You are my Protector
75. for all the times you have protected me and provided for me and I did not know
76. that you protect Andy when he is at work
77. that you provide for our family through EFW (Andy's work)
78. that you have blessed our family with more than enough
79. that we have been physically protected from harm
80. that every good and perfect gift comes from you (James 1:17)
81. Father, you want us to give so we can appreciate what has been given to us
82. for giving me 2 children
83. for giving me more than I could ever ask or imagine-God you are so good!
84. thank you for the Church at the Cross' presentation of the Journey to Bethlehem
85. for this sweet season that celebrates YOU
86. lights on houses
87. Christmas trees
88. stockings
89. Christmas movies
90. Chrstmas music
91. enjoying all these things
92. thank you for being born

Have a blessed day. Don't forget to Praise Him...it really changes things!