Haiti

Shaun Groves has written today about the great need in Haiti due to the earthquake. The Compassion International schools and resources in that region have been devastated.  Click here to read his blog or on the Compassion link below to see how you can help.

And most importantly-->PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for these sweet children, their families, and rescue workers who are working round the clock to help those in need.

40 days

Yesterday, along with many others in our church, I started a journey.

It began 2 weeks ago. We received a challenge from Nathan- to begin praying about something that we could fast from for 40 days.  We were to begin yesterday,  January 11, and fast for the 40 days before Radiate 2010, our revival.  This will be 40 days of fasting and praying for God to move in mighty ways in our church and in our lives.

I can't even begin to explain how my heart desires to see what God has planned for our church in the next 40 days. But beyond that, I am pleading with Him to change my life and my family in radical ways and to open my eyes to new things about who He is, and what plan He has for our lives.

That Kind of Day...

Do you ever have that kind of day....when it seems like one thing happens followed, by another, by another! Well today was that kind of day! From my car not starting, to being told our water is not working....and won't be for 2-3 DAYS (yeah, days...not hours!), to a whole lot of craziness in between...it has been a rollercoaster, back hurting, tearful day.

I don't go to worship most Sunday mornings because I am leading KidzPraise, and every once in a while that can lead to my tank feeling a little low (no sermon, no worship) So Sunday night worship is a big filler of my tank.  Tonight we had a time of prayer for a 40 day fast that we are starting (more on that tomorrow!) and it blessed me in so many ways. It gave me the strength that I need for this crazy, waterless, car-less night.  It gave me the joy to laugh and smile that even when life seems so upside down, I have a God that is more in control than I will EVER even know! It turned "that kind of day...." into "That Kind Of Day!" where you encounter the Lord and He uplifts you and carries you. Those are the kind of days that I want to have.

Christmas Recap!

We are finally over all of our sicknesses and I am so thankful! The past few weeks have been so busy for us, but the business have made me realize how blessed we are to have such amazing families!

*FYI-This post may be long...but it is my version of a scrapbook, and I have lots of Christmas memories that I want to remember!

Christmas #1

We were so blessed this year to be able to go and visit Mark's extended family in Ohio!  His parents drove out ahead of us, and we flew out with his brothers on the 22nd. I had a little adventure before we flew out...I definitely had to go to Urgent Care early in the AM before we flew out, and then rush to get meds and get to the airport, but thankfully we all made it to the airport in one piece!

We had such an amazing week in Ohio! The first day we just relaxed with Mark's grandparents in Cincinnati.  The next day, we drove out to his uncle's gorgeous lakehouse where we spent a few days eating, talking, and eating some more with his cousins, uncle, and grandparents! The boys tried their hands at frying some interesting foods (oreos, pickles, twinkies, etc!), my mother in law and I enjoyed a nice walk around the frozen lake, and we had lots of laughs! We then all headed into Columbus for a Christmas Eve service together.  This was my first Christmas Eve without my family, so that was hard, but it was also my first Christmas Eve with Mark, and that was very special! The next few days were spent being VERY lazy at Mark's grandparent's house!

View from the lake house

I am so grateful to my mother & father in law for the opportunity to go to Ohio. Mark and I get to spend alot of time with my family, so I was glad I got to grow closer with his!

Christmas #2

We flew back from Ohio the day after Christmas! My dad had graciously kept our pup for us--so we headed over to his house to pick up the pup and to have Christmas #2. My brother & his girlfriend Alicia joined us.  We had a great night just hanging out and exchanging gifts! We got to meet up with them a few nights later to celebrate my dad's birthday!

Christmas #3

The next day we returned home for church! After church we went out to lunch with all of my mom's side of the family! We then headed to my grandparents house and exchanged gifts and hung out.  I headed to Arlington for the next week to hang out with them and spend some time with my cousin & her kiddos!

New Years

For New Years, Mark & I headed up to Van Alstyne to hang out with his best friends from high school! We snacked, played games and just caught up! The next day we were able to go see Avatar 3D in IMAX, which was an incredible movie!

Whew....that was a wordy post! No pictures, because I was too busy having fun to take pictures! It was such a busy Christmas season, but like I said, I feel so blessed and I am so excited to see what future Christmases hold!

Again?!

Well, it seems if I have caught some kind of bug...again! Actually, last week the husband had it, and it was my week to take care of him. (I don't think I have EVER seen him that sick!) Now that he is feeling better, I am the one with a fever, a cough and all of that fun stuff.

Of all times to be sick this is not the best...I was so ready to be back at work after not having been there for 2 weeks. The Lord gave me alot of direction and clarity in that time off, and I was so ready to run with it...and now I am laying in bed with a fever and no energy. So, needless to say I am praying that I get to feeling better ASAP so that I can get things a rolling!

I am still also excited to blog with pictures from our 2 week adventures...but for now this is all I will be seeing....