Waiting.......

Here I am waiting, abide in me I pray.

Here I am longing for you.

Hide me in Your love.

Bring me to my knees.

May I know Jesus more and more.

Come live in me,

All my life take over.

Come live in me,

I will rise on eagles' wings

Love that song. Waiting....not so much. I'm waiting on some things today. BIG things! Things that have the potential to ROCK my world!! However, in the waiting.. I will rise! You see, I know who holds tomorrow. I know Him. I don't just know about Him. I mean I really, really know Him. We have a relationship. I talk, He listens. He talks, I listen (may not like it, but I listen!;-))

Doing this Esther study has changed me. Has changed how I approach things. Has changed how I see every detail of my life. I don't want to give things away for those who haven't done it, but my story is being rewritten! PRAISE THE LORD! The story that I scripted is, well...trash! It's junk. But the Father is writing a novel to be read one day.....okay I really don't wanna give that part away!!!

So here I am waiting. He's abiding in me. I'm longing for more of Him. Not just for the answers I want, but for Him!! I'm going to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride instead of pacing and worrying all day. Because "the Lord longs to be gracious to (me)you; he rises to show (me)you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" Isa 30:18 (emp mine)

Y'all have a great weekend!

Already?

I love the anticipation of beginning a new Bible study. I love picking up the book and looking thru at all the blanks and wondering how God will fill them in for me. I love reading ahead - just a little - to see what we'll start with. I love it! But where does the time go?
Tomorrow is the last day of our Esther study. Sniff. It's funny because I had been doing my homework a week ahead of the class, but decided as we were going thru it that I didn't like that so I was only about 1/2 a week ahead. (being the leader I decided I needed to be prepared! haha) But this last week was different. I didn't read ahead. I couldn't. This study is truly amazing! If you haven't done Beth Moore "Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman" PLEASE do! You think you know the Esther story already? I challenge you to think again. You think Esther has little to do with your life? Think again. You think how could you possibly relate to a Jewish girl who becomes Queen of Persia? THINK AGAIN Sister!!! You'll find yourself in EVERY character in the story. Yes, even in the evil Haman. Trust me.
So tomorrow we wind this study down, but here's the exciting thing. The ladies who have been SOOOOO faithful to come and y'all there's been about 15 - 16 ladies who have been FAITHFUL to a Wednesday morning Bible study, want to start another study! They're so hungry that they don't even want to take a week off! That makes me want to go out in my yard and do a cartwheel!!!! Of course, I'd likely either break my wrist or fall and break my leg so no cartwheels - they'll just have to be done in my heart!! I love it when the Lord sets a fire of passion in women for His Word! That's the ONLY reason I agreed to lead this study. I knew I had NOTHING to offer these women, but my love for the Word, my passion for breaking it open and diving in! There's nothing like it! You think you know a verse - you think you've heard it all before - you think it's a nice story.........THINK AGAIN! It's alive! It's active! It's breath! It's life!!! WOOHOOOOOOOOO! I'm 'bout to run a lap for the Word girls! LOL!
So as we close the book on Esther, I find myself on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I can't wait to see where He leads next! I can't wait to go pick up my Sword and see where He leads!!Don't you wanna come along?.....

Let it go.....

Easier said than done, isn't it? Letting things go. Sometimes I have said I let it go in my head, but in my heart it's been a different story. UGH. HATE it when that happens. The Lord has really been showing me areas in my life where I've held on to things that should have LONG ago been let go of. Been laid down. I'm so thankful the Father hasn't given up on me. Where would I be? SCARY!
So I have to tell you what happened in our Bible study yesterday. One of my sweet girlfriends came to study with her 2 yr old niece in tow. It was unexpected for her and she wasn't able to send her to childcare so she stayed in the lesson with us. I know what you're thinking - bet that was fun? Actually it was amazing! That precious little thing hardly made a peep for 2 HOURS! I think I heard her sweet voice twice the whole time. Mine would've been crawling under the tables or twirling in the middle of the group. Scary, I tell ya! ;-)
There's a story behind this sweet little girl. Her momma doesn't know Jesus and neither does her daddy. Her Auntie is the only Jesus this baby girl ever sees. (And boy does she see Jesus in her life!!!) When her momma found out she was pregnant with the princess she wasn't quite ready for the "commitment" motherhood would bring and decided to abort. My sweet friend intervened and convinced her to change her mind!! YOU GO GIRL!! To the great glory of God, the sweetest little angel was born and thus graced our study with her presence yesterday.
As we ended the Esther session, Beth Moore was talking about letting things go, giving our giant-size weights of life to the Only One who can truly carry them so she had us lifting our hands as she prayed. Everyone raised their hands during this time of surrender. As we opened our eyes this little miracle girl had gotten down into the floor and was standing with her precious little hands lifted to Jesus. Imagine the weight that baby carries every day in a home where Jesus isn't. Amazing! Needless to say, all of us just fell out! It was one of the most precious experiences I've ever been a part of.
It's so hard to let things go, but oh girls when we do...the freedom! We can truly dance in the glory of God! We can truly sing, smile, shine for Jesus. Yes the hard times come. Yes difficulties arise, but trust can turn that thing around! Trust that God will sustain you regardless of the outcome. Trust, let go and live.....

"I know Baby"

This weekend my baby girl got a boo-boo. No, there won't be any pictures posted of this one! LOL. After it happened I just sat rocking her and kept saying to her - in some attempt at comfort - "I know Baby, I know". Not really sure it helped all that much, but it was all I had to give her. It's hard when our kids hurt. It's hard when we can't do a thing to stop it or make it better for them, or for ourselves for that matter.
Lately I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed. There's a LOT going on in my life - a choir concert in 2 weeks, the end of my Esther study (sniff), Easter, Spring Break, a women's conference, children's choir spring concert. Just a LOT of stuff. I think because it's all relatively close I'm just feeling the stress of it. So God, in His loving kindness sent me to some Scriptures for comfort. He's so good that way. He's inviting me to crawl up on His lap and just rest a bit and let Him gently rock me with the Peace of His Word. I hope you'll gain some comfort from them in your day as well. Some of these are just portions of the verse, but they still speak VOLUMES! Enjoy!

"The Mighty One, God the Lord! He knows!" Josh 22:22
"for the Lord is a God who knows" 1 Sam 2:3
"he (the Lord) knows the way I take" Job 23:10
"the Lord laughs at the wicked for he knows their day is coming" Ps 37:13
"he (God) knows the secrets of the heart" Ps 44:21
"The Lord knows the thoughts of man" Ps 94:11
"for he (the Lord) knows how we are formed" Ps 103:14
"the proud he (the Lord) knows from afar" Ps 138:6 OUCH!
"he (God) knows what lies in darkness" Dan 2:22
"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him" Matt 6:8
"Your Father knows that you need" Matt 6:32
"God knows your hearts" Luke 16:15
"The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile" 1 Cor 3:20
"but God knows" 2 Cor 12:3 (do we even need anything else?!)
"The Lord knows those who are his" 2 Tim 2:19
"the Lord knows how to rescue" 2 Pet 2:9
"and he (God) knows everything" 1 John 3:20
AND THAT'S THAT! Now I want you to find someone in your house (even if it's your pet), look at them and say "THE LORD KNOWS"!!! ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENAN - a day late!

Oh my word sweet boy! I can't believe you've been here a year already!!! I'm so thankful that your Momma has shared you with me. I love her - and I guess your daddy too! ;-) Your big sister brings fun everywhere she goes and so do you!! I love you Kenan and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for your life. I know it's going to be big because of all the prayers that have been lifted on your behalf!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetie pie!!

Auntie V

Week of some CRAZY TV!

Was anyone looking for "After the Final Rose Part 3" last night? I know I sure was. In fact, I was hoping it would be a live show from somewhere around Dallas with Melissa telling everyone what a horrible kisser Jason was and how vertically challenged men can NOT be trusted!! LOL - just kiddin' shorties! ;-) (for a girl who's 5'9" there's always an abundance of men shorter than me!)
Then AI. Ugh. What's the deal with bringing back the losers? I mean, I'm all about second chances, but they had auditions, they went to Vegas - or wherever they were - they had their "big shot" on TV and STILL didn't choose the 'right song'?! COME ON! Someone, somewhere shoulda told them - "Uh, have you really decided on THAT one?" For real!
Last night was the kickoff for season 195 of "America's Next Top Model" and is it just me or have you EVER seen one of those winners on a magazine cover? Enough said.
So this week has just been some weird TV and I'm hoping tonight will be better. It's Thursday - it's MY tv night. Grey's, CSI, ER, Private Practice and one other show that only Melissa knows I watch on Thursdays (and I'm hoping she won't tell! haha). So much TV - so little time. Thank goodness for DVR. Yes, I don't think it appropriate to thank God for DVR! ;-)
Anyway, I'm dome with my rambling for today and since there's this 6 degrees or separation thing - if anyone who reads this knows someone, who knows someone, who knows poor little Melissa from the Bachelor, tell her she got off lucky. She needs a taller man! ;-)

Oh yes, I must mention that I FINALLY made it to the IKEA!! LAND SAKES people. Land sakes I tell ya!!! It's my new fav place to go. I walked in with sweet Melissa and we both just kept going on and on about how pretty everything was and we had only made it to the cafeteria!! Even the people were pretty - which Melissa said affirms that WE were in fact pretty too! LOL! Anyway, I'm going again....soon! Anyone wanna come along?! LOVE it!!! WOOHOOOOOO!!!!

One Voice

This is my group singing at church. Not bad for practicing once! ;-)

Renewed, Refreshed, Restored....

Had an AWESOME weekend! We've had snow here today so I can't take the time to blog all about it, but the Lord's Presence was felt in a mighty way in the mountains and I had a GREAT time with my man and a few of our friends. Here's a few pics.

Dr. Rummage and Michelle bringin' a word... ;-)

and cheesin' by the fireplace!

Todd and Lisa Smith givin' us the CHEESE!
Steve and Antonia reliving the prom! ;-)

The girl can SING y'all!Some of the gang.....

Weldon and MaryAnn Ogles - so sweet!

David and Trudi Milsaps

and last but certainly not least...
Me and my man!!!

Ain't we so cute?!