Today's post is all about those who are a part of my family by marriage.
B & A - I love the way you guys immediately accepted me into your family. I love that I was able to spend many holidays and family get-togethers with you guys before Josh and I got married. I love that you guys care so much about your family. I love that I was able to be a part of your precious daughter's life from the very beginning. You guys are amazing and I love you very much!!
A & E - You two weren't even married when Josh and I first started dating...though you got married that summer. You even invited me to your wedding, barely even knowing me (even though I didn't go because Josh broke up with me). I love how much fun you guys have with each other and with those in your lives. You both are very carefree and love to laugh...and I love that. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and for helping Josh and I in so many different ways over these years. I love you two crazy kids tons!!
J & K - You two started dating soon after Josh and I got married. I love how creative you guys have always been. You always come up with fun things to do together and with your friends...and creative ways to give gifts as well. I'm looking forward to how God is going to continue to use the both of you...and how He is going to work in you as a couple. Mucho love from me to you!!
A. J. - You married my sister...and for that alone, I love you very much. You and Josh have such a great relationship, and I love that we can all hang out and have fun together. You are such a hard worker and have done whatever it took to provide for my sister. You are a goofball and a joker...which added a much-needed element to my little family. I love watching you, Josh, and my dad laugh together. It's so very healing to see. Thank you for loving my sister, for loving my family, and for being you. I love you tons!!
J. B. - You brought my husband into this world over 26 years ago...and I am so very thankful you did. You are such an awesome woman...to be able to raise four boys that love the Lord and love their family so very much. Your influence in their lives over the years has shaped them into the amazing husbands that they are. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and making me feel comfortable in your home. Thank you for setting an awesome example of faith and love for all of us girls to strive for. I love you very much!!
T. B. - You raised four amazing boys...teaching them how to be men, how to love and take care of their wives, and how to be fathers. I love that the boys still love you in some of the same ways they did when they were younger (climbing on your back). Their admiration for you is so evident in all they say and do. Thank you for making me feel like I have a place in your family. Thank you for fulfilling God's call on your life to raise your family in His ways. I love you very much!!
A.B. - Oh, precious little niece of mine. You have been such a huge blessing in our family. You bring so much joy and happiness to all of our lives. There has never been a time that I've been around you that I haven't smiled and laughed a ton. You are goofy, spunky, stubborn, independent, sweet, and loving. I remember the very first time I held your tiny body in my arms...and fell in love with you. You are such a sweetheart and I can't wait to see what God is going to do in your life as you grow up...just don't grow up too fast.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Love for You: Day One
Day One is all about my beautiful family.
Mom: I am so in awe of how you sought God in such amazing ways when I was just a dream...and how you continued to seek Him as I was growing up. You set a precedence for Sister and I that is just phenomenal. You were always quick to listen and slow to become angry. You always gave me the benefit of the doubt, even if you thought I was making a dumb choice. You'd listen and then gently guide me down the right path again. Your love has always amazed me. You have put up with so much from us girls, and yet, you've never once stopped loving us. I hated knowing I'd disappointed you...because I never wanted you to be disappointed in me. Thank you for loving me gently, for being patient with me, and for setting a beautiful example of how a mother should be. I love you so very much more than words can say.
Dad: Being a married woman and being out of the house has helped me to see more clearly how much you have always loved me. Even when I thought you were being unfair, you were only looking out for me and trying to keep me from getting hurt...because you loved me that much. I know you would have...and still would...do anything to protect me from harm. You helped birth in me a love for all things musical and creative and artistic. You encourage me to use my gifts and develop my talents more fully. You desire for me to live my life solely for God...and made sure I was always in the right environment to do so. You may have been stern with me at times...but all those lessons shaped me into who I am today. Without your love and support, I would be a shell of the person I am today. God put me in your care for a reason; because He knew you would bring me up in the right ways. I love you so very much and I love that you constantly remind me how much you love me.
Sister: You were my first best friend. I can tell by our baby pictures that I loved you very much...even if I did try to smother you at times (hey, 14 month olds don't really know how to handle babies). I love that we have a good relationship. I love that we hardly ever fought when we were growing up...and still hardly ever do...yet, we can still be honest with each other about our feelings. I love that we live in the same town and go shopping together...or get frozen yogurt...or have dinner and play silly games with our husbands together. I love the fact that I can be real and honest with you...and know that you won't judge me. You and I don't always agree on things...and that is ok...because it doesn't change the bond we have with one another. You are the greatest sister I could have ever hoped for, and I feel so lucky to have you in my life. I love you so very much and am so glad you have a wonderful husband who loves you to pieces.
(Note: I know my family is not fond of having their info out in cyberspace, so that is why I did not use names. I will be using initials for most everyone else from here on out...just in case you feel the same way)
Mom: I am so in awe of how you sought God in such amazing ways when I was just a dream...and how you continued to seek Him as I was growing up. You set a precedence for Sister and I that is just phenomenal. You were always quick to listen and slow to become angry. You always gave me the benefit of the doubt, even if you thought I was making a dumb choice. You'd listen and then gently guide me down the right path again. Your love has always amazed me. You have put up with so much from us girls, and yet, you've never once stopped loving us. I hated knowing I'd disappointed you...because I never wanted you to be disappointed in me. Thank you for loving me gently, for being patient with me, and for setting a beautiful example of how a mother should be. I love you so very much more than words can say.
Dad: Being a married woman and being out of the house has helped me to see more clearly how much you have always loved me. Even when I thought you were being unfair, you were only looking out for me and trying to keep me from getting hurt...because you loved me that much. I know you would have...and still would...do anything to protect me from harm. You helped birth in me a love for all things musical and creative and artistic. You encourage me to use my gifts and develop my talents more fully. You desire for me to live my life solely for God...and made sure I was always in the right environment to do so. You may have been stern with me at times...but all those lessons shaped me into who I am today. Without your love and support, I would be a shell of the person I am today. God put me in your care for a reason; because He knew you would bring me up in the right ways. I love you so very much and I love that you constantly remind me how much you love me.
Sister: You were my first best friend. I can tell by our baby pictures that I loved you very much...even if I did try to smother you at times (hey, 14 month olds don't really know how to handle babies). I love that we have a good relationship. I love that we hardly ever fought when we were growing up...and still hardly ever do...yet, we can still be honest with each other about our feelings. I love that we live in the same town and go shopping together...or get frozen yogurt...or have dinner and play silly games with our husbands together. I love the fact that I can be real and honest with you...and know that you won't judge me. You and I don't always agree on things...and that is ok...because it doesn't change the bond we have with one another. You are the greatest sister I could have ever hoped for, and I feel so lucky to have you in my life. I love you so very much and am so glad you have a wonderful husband who loves you to pieces.
(Note: I know my family is not fond of having their info out in cyberspace, so that is why I did not use names. I will be using initials for most everyone else from here on out...just in case you feel the same way)
Love (Luv) is a Verb
I love me some dcTalk.
I truly do. dcTalk is and always will be one of my favorites. From the old school 80's rap days, to the more alternative sound in the 90's...I just love 'em.
But, they're not the reason I'm writing this post.
One of the blogs I've been following, cake and cotton, posted this earlier today. I've also seen lots of different posts about Valentine's Day that have inspired me to view it a little differently this year. One of those posts was this one from Leslie @ top of the page, who is one of the two women that writes on cake and cotton as well.
I have never been a big fan of Valentine's Day. I've always thought it was a lame holiday that men used to "make up" to their significant other for all the times they'd forgotten about them that year. I think part of me was just jealous the years I didn't have a "Valentine"...and the other part of me was even more turned off by it from working at Hallmark...and seeing all those men show up the day before/day of to buy a card or gift for their girl. I always would say, "If someone really means that much to you, you should celebrate and cherish them all the time, not just one day a year". Yet, I think my opinion is a little different this year...
Days are what we make them. This includes holidays, too. We can make Christmas a big deal or treat it like any other day. We can cook a big Thanksgiving dinner for family or sit at home watching a bunch of TV. We can choose to celebrate/not celebrate each "holiday" the way we want. And this year, I'm choosing to celebrate Valentine's Day differently than I ever have before.
Even though it is already past midnight and technically the 2nd, I am going to blog for 14 days about some of the people I love the most in this world. I am going to do my best to fit in as many people as I can...but I am only human and know I will probably forget one or two. But, I think it's important to take some time out of my life and truly reflect on the reasons why I love the people in my life. I don't do it often enough...and I know a simple post isn't going to do anyone justice...but it will definitely be a start.
How are you going to show love to those around you this month? It doesn't have to be about Valentine's Day...but it's definitely a good time of the year to show them how much you truly appreciate them.
I truly do. dcTalk is and always will be one of my favorites. From the old school 80's rap days, to the more alternative sound in the 90's...I just love 'em.
But, they're not the reason I'm writing this post.
One of the blogs I've been following, cake and cotton, posted this earlier today. I've also seen lots of different posts about Valentine's Day that have inspired me to view it a little differently this year. One of those posts was this one from Leslie @ top of the page, who is one of the two women that writes on cake and cotton as well.
I have never been a big fan of Valentine's Day. I've always thought it was a lame holiday that men used to "make up" to their significant other for all the times they'd forgotten about them that year. I think part of me was just jealous the years I didn't have a "Valentine"...and the other part of me was even more turned off by it from working at Hallmark...and seeing all those men show up the day before/day of to buy a card or gift for their girl. I always would say, "If someone really means that much to you, you should celebrate and cherish them all the time, not just one day a year". Yet, I think my opinion is a little different this year...
Days are what we make them. This includes holidays, too. We can make Christmas a big deal or treat it like any other day. We can cook a big Thanksgiving dinner for family or sit at home watching a bunch of TV. We can choose to celebrate/not celebrate each "holiday" the way we want. And this year, I'm choosing to celebrate Valentine's Day differently than I ever have before.
Even though it is already past midnight and technically the 2nd, I am going to blog for 14 days about some of the people I love the most in this world. I am going to do my best to fit in as many people as I can...but I am only human and know I will probably forget one or two. But, I think it's important to take some time out of my life and truly reflect on the reasons why I love the people in my life. I don't do it often enough...and I know a simple post isn't going to do anyone justice...but it will definitely be a start.
How are you going to show love to those around you this month? It doesn't have to be about Valentine's Day...but it's definitely a good time of the year to show them how much you truly appreciate them.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Hoochy Mamas and the Mamas Who Raise Them
This may be my boldest, most controversial post yet.
But, somebody's gotta say something.
Winter formal where I live was this last weekend. Since it was my birthday weekend, we saw some people out and about getting ready for formal...and saw lots of pictures posted on FB from students we know from church (mostly). I must admit, I was pretty shocked by almost every picture I saw. When did winter formal dresses go from being floor length and elegant, to barely covering booties and tatas? And, when did the parents of those little hoochy mamas decide this was acceptable attire for 14-18 year old girls to wear??
It reminds me of a blog I wrote last year about the role models our young girls are looking up to. Is this epidemic a result of the Disney channel and Nickelodeon? Or, have we all just become so blind to what is decent and right that whatever is popular is ok with us?
I remember shopping for a prom dress. You would rarely find some little short number. All the dresses were long and beautiful and made a girl feel like a princess for the night. Of course, there were the low-cut ones and the ones with the cut out sides...but they seemed to be the minority. I was even talking with a friend at church last night who ran into some of the formal-bound teens herself...and totally agreed with me on how different things were when we were in high school and attending dances.
Now, please don't hear this as being judgmental. I have no clue what runs through any of these girls' minds or the minds of their parents. I honestly just don't understand how a parent could allow his/her daughter out of the house with half her chest bared in a dress that she can't even sit in without showing all her goods. It makes me sad...because I remember being a young girl and hating the looks or comments I got from certain guys. Do these girls and their parents not understand what runs through the minds of the boys that escorted them to the dance...or even all the others that will be at the dance? Do they not understand what this verse means?:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
(Matthew 5:27-30 NIV)
How can these boys NOT look lustfully at these girls when they dress like this?
I would hate to be a stumbling block for a brother in Christ...and to aid in him committing adultery.
What is wrong with our society, and us as individuals, that even followers of Christ see nothing wrong with this?
I am by no means perfect...and I did buy into the lie of showing off my body at one point in my life...but it just saddens me to no end that our beautiful, young girls are buying into the same lie...and that our young boys are constantly stumbling.
Sorry if this post offended anyone...I just had to get it out. Feel free to comment however you'd like. I will not be offended.
But, somebody's gotta say something.
Winter formal where I live was this last weekend. Since it was my birthday weekend, we saw some people out and about getting ready for formal...and saw lots of pictures posted on FB from students we know from church (mostly). I must admit, I was pretty shocked by almost every picture I saw. When did winter formal dresses go from being floor length and elegant, to barely covering booties and tatas? And, when did the parents of those little hoochy mamas decide this was acceptable attire for 14-18 year old girls to wear??
It reminds me of a blog I wrote last year about the role models our young girls are looking up to. Is this epidemic a result of the Disney channel and Nickelodeon? Or, have we all just become so blind to what is decent and right that whatever is popular is ok with us?
I remember shopping for a prom dress. You would rarely find some little short number. All the dresses were long and beautiful and made a girl feel like a princess for the night. Of course, there were the low-cut ones and the ones with the cut out sides...but they seemed to be the minority. I was even talking with a friend at church last night who ran into some of the formal-bound teens herself...and totally agreed with me on how different things were when we were in high school and attending dances.
Now, please don't hear this as being judgmental. I have no clue what runs through any of these girls' minds or the minds of their parents. I honestly just don't understand how a parent could allow his/her daughter out of the house with half her chest bared in a dress that she can't even sit in without showing all her goods. It makes me sad...because I remember being a young girl and hating the looks or comments I got from certain guys. Do these girls and their parents not understand what runs through the minds of the boys that escorted them to the dance...or even all the others that will be at the dance? Do they not understand what this verse means?:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
(Matthew 5:27-30 NIV)
How can these boys NOT look lustfully at these girls when they dress like this?
I would hate to be a stumbling block for a brother in Christ...and to aid in him committing adultery.
What is wrong with our society, and us as individuals, that even followers of Christ see nothing wrong with this?
I am by no means perfect...and I did buy into the lie of showing off my body at one point in my life...but it just saddens me to no end that our beautiful, young girls are buying into the same lie...and that our young boys are constantly stumbling.
Sorry if this post offended anyone...I just had to get it out. Feel free to comment however you'd like. I will not be offended.
Taxes, Normalcy, and Prophecies
We finally got all our W2's yesterday.
I did our taxes last night...and was SO excited with the results! We are getting a good chunk of change back this year. So good that we are able to pay off two credit cards, pay for our Disneyland trip, buy a new radiator for Josh's car, pay for the rest of the cost for the women's retreat for me, pay for the two of us to go on the 20 Somethings/College Group Retreat, pay my car registration, and STILL have money left over. We are planning on doing something very exciting with it...but I will let that one be a surprise.
It's just so fitting that all this happened now...as I was just complaining two days ago about the fact that we had all these things coming up we had to pay for...and no money to pay for them. Oh, ye of little faith...
On another note, I am SUPER excited, as I have mentioned before, about the things coming up in the near future. It feels weird to feel this way, as I feel like this time last year, I was so focused on getting pregnant that I couldn't even function normally. Now, I feel like I've finally gotten my life back...and it's such a good feeling. Of course, I would still love to get pregnant soon...but it's not consuming my life the way it did last year. It's such a healthier place to be.
I also think I am finally starting to get over my nerves with singing...which is weird for me because I have been singing my whole life. I sang my very first solo at the first church service my old church had in their own building...and I was almost 8. I sang on my dad's worship team when I was in high school, and on my youth group's worship team. I have been singing on the worship team at church for almost a year now...but it's only been more recently that I've been asked to lead songs or parts of songs...and that I've agreed to and not freaked out. I don't know why it's so nerve wracking to do, when I used to dance in front of a much larger group of people...and never got nervous. I guess it's a little different...since I never did a dance by myself. But, tonight I lead two songs for worship...and barely felt nervous. I just worshiped God and forgot about everyone else in the room...and it felt wonderful.
There were a couple of prophecies that were spoken within the first year of my life. The first being when my mom found out she was pregnant with me. She had been trying and trying with no luck, and was on a business trip with my dad when she turned on the TV, and started watching the 700 Club. For those that have never seen the 700 Club, Pat Robertson and some of the other hosts of the show have a time of prayer where they pray for specific situations that God brings to their minds. I always used to think it was kind of fake until my mom told me about the one that had to do with my arrival into the world. Anyway...Pat Robertson said there was a woman out there that had been trying to get pregnant and hadn't been able to...and that she needed to go see her doctor because she was finally pregnant. My mom knew it was for her, and went to the doctor when they arrived home...and sure enough, she was pregnant with me!
The other prophecy spoken over me was said when my parents had me dedicated. The pastor said that music was going to be one of the biggest parts of my life...my ministry even. My mom and dad used to always tell me that growing up, encouraging me in my singing...and when I started piano lessons...and guitar lessons. But, I never felt it was a call on my life. I love music and everything about it. I love just listening to music, singing it, playing it (well, at least I did when I actually picked up my guitar or plucked out some notes on the piano)...because it speaks to my soul in such a powerful way. Some songs have brought me to tears because of the powerful message behind them. Yet, I've never thought it was supposed to be that big of a part of my life...but maybe I was wrong. I have had a strong desire lately to learn chords on the piano, to be able to play and sing at the same time. Maybe God has bigger plans in store for me than I can see in this moment. But, whatever the case may be, I am very happy to be more comfortable leading songs.
Goodbye, weekend...hello Monday.
I did our taxes last night...and was SO excited with the results! We are getting a good chunk of change back this year. So good that we are able to pay off two credit cards, pay for our Disneyland trip, buy a new radiator for Josh's car, pay for the rest of the cost for the women's retreat for me, pay for the two of us to go on the 20 Somethings/College Group Retreat, pay my car registration, and STILL have money left over. We are planning on doing something very exciting with it...but I will let that one be a surprise.
It's just so fitting that all this happened now...as I was just complaining two days ago about the fact that we had all these things coming up we had to pay for...and no money to pay for them. Oh, ye of little faith...
On another note, I am SUPER excited, as I have mentioned before, about the things coming up in the near future. It feels weird to feel this way, as I feel like this time last year, I was so focused on getting pregnant that I couldn't even function normally. Now, I feel like I've finally gotten my life back...and it's such a good feeling. Of course, I would still love to get pregnant soon...but it's not consuming my life the way it did last year. It's such a healthier place to be.
I also think I am finally starting to get over my nerves with singing...which is weird for me because I have been singing my whole life. I sang my very first solo at the first church service my old church had in their own building...and I was almost 8. I sang on my dad's worship team when I was in high school, and on my youth group's worship team. I have been singing on the worship team at church for almost a year now...but it's only been more recently that I've been asked to lead songs or parts of songs...and that I've agreed to and not freaked out. I don't know why it's so nerve wracking to do, when I used to dance in front of a much larger group of people...and never got nervous. I guess it's a little different...since I never did a dance by myself. But, tonight I lead two songs for worship...and barely felt nervous. I just worshiped God and forgot about everyone else in the room...and it felt wonderful.
There were a couple of prophecies that were spoken within the first year of my life. The first being when my mom found out she was pregnant with me. She had been trying and trying with no luck, and was on a business trip with my dad when she turned on the TV, and started watching the 700 Club. For those that have never seen the 700 Club, Pat Robertson and some of the other hosts of the show have a time of prayer where they pray for specific situations that God brings to their minds. I always used to think it was kind of fake until my mom told me about the one that had to do with my arrival into the world. Anyway...Pat Robertson said there was a woman out there that had been trying to get pregnant and hadn't been able to...and that she needed to go see her doctor because she was finally pregnant. My mom knew it was for her, and went to the doctor when they arrived home...and sure enough, she was pregnant with me!
The other prophecy spoken over me was said when my parents had me dedicated. The pastor said that music was going to be one of the biggest parts of my life...my ministry even. My mom and dad used to always tell me that growing up, encouraging me in my singing...and when I started piano lessons...and guitar lessons. But, I never felt it was a call on my life. I love music and everything about it. I love just listening to music, singing it, playing it (well, at least I did when I actually picked up my guitar or plucked out some notes on the piano)...because it speaks to my soul in such a powerful way. Some songs have brought me to tears because of the powerful message behind them. Yet, I've never thought it was supposed to be that big of a part of my life...but maybe I was wrong. I have had a strong desire lately to learn chords on the piano, to be able to play and sing at the same time. Maybe God has bigger plans in store for me than I can see in this moment. But, whatever the case may be, I am very happy to be more comfortable leading songs.
Goodbye, weekend...hello Monday.
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