My Deer-iving Adventures
This year as part of our Christmas break adventures, we decided to take a road trip to Atlanta to visit some family. We left on Saturday afternoon and planned a stop for the night at a halfway point between Dallas and Atlanta. After a quick stop in Shreveport, my husband and I switched places, putting me at the driver's seat. About 5 miles outside of our planned stop, I glanced down at the GPS to verify my exit. When I looked back up, for a split second, it looked like a box was in my driving path. I had no time to
What’s Your Gift?
Typically after a birthday or Christmas, the question most frequently asked is "What did you get?" Gifts. Receiving them is wonderful. That was my experience during my birthday earlier this year when my husband gave me a beautiful camera. For those who know me, I LOVE taking pictures. It doesn't have to be a special occasion. I just enjoy capturing special moments. To receive such a well designed camera to fulfill that desire was exciting beyond words. Giving gifts is wonderful as well, starting with choosing just the right gift for the recipient. Then, there's the fun of gift wrapping.
Your Dream, God’s Purpose
Have you ever wanted something so badly that it hurt? There’s a woman in the Bible that seemed to express that pain so greatly. Her name was Hannah. Year after year, Hannah and her husband would go up to Shiloh to worship the Lord and offer a sacrifice at the tabernacle. She was barren and all she wanted was for a child of her own. One year she was so overcome with grief and anguish as she prayed at the entrance of the tabernacle. She told the Lord, if you answer my prayer and give me a son, I will
Happ-holy Ever After
My husband HATES it when we match. Hate is such a strong word...so maybe I should say: strongly-dislikes-it-and-will-go-change-when-it-accidentally-happens. Don't believe me? In this picture, he didn't have time to change. Look at that face. I don't know what it is. Maybe something happened in childhood that scarred him? Oh wait. Maybe I'm actually thinking of my childhood. But then this happened: And it wasn't an accident. He knew what I was wearing and picked a tie accordingly (I know it's not the exact same shade of green but you gotta start somewhere). Why? Why would he willingly choose to coordinate with
My Delight
I remember going to India during Christmas as a child. I was very, very young and remember very little about the trip, but I do remember this simple Christmas decoration. It was a paper lantern in the shape of a star. The star was perforated so that you could place a light inside that would shine through the small openings. To my young eyes, those stars shined like beacons in the dark. It was like a warm, 'welcome home' sign. Last year, as we were decorating for Christmas, I mentioned to my husband how much I would love to have some of those stars for our home. It was
Tis the Season to Give
Decorating the Christmas tree. Baking cookies with friends. Watching Christmas movies. These are a few of our family's favorite traditions during this season. However, there's one tradition we all truly look forward to. We began doing this a few years ago and it has had a significant impact on our perspective of this season. We volunteer. Our church, Covenant Church at McKinney, hosts an annual event in which members volunteer to purchase gifts for over 300 children in need in our city. Then, a day is dedicated for the families to come pick up the gifts, which volunteers wrap and
God’s Faithfulness
As I watch my kids grow in the various stages of their life, I find myself thinking back to my own childhood and I comparing my children to myself at their age. I was recently thinking about my relationship with God in my childhood. It seems that when I compare my relationship to God as a child, to my children’s, it seems like my children’s relationship with God is very different from mine. Don’t get me wrong, my children are great kids who do love the Lord….but it seems that they don’t have to lean on the Lord as much
A Joyful Noise
It happens every Sunday when the preacher is winding down and the band makes their way back on stage. We watch their every move like we’ve never seen someone pick up a guitar before. It transpired at a meeting I was at last week. One woman stepped out of the room because she needed to cough but the tiled floors in the hall just amplified what she was trying to hide. Before I knew it, the voice of the speaker was drowned out by this little lady’s respiratory issues. It occurs when you are talking to someone then someone else close by
Running Away
The last few Saturdays, I have been getting up and going for a run. This is a huge accomplishment for me. We were finally in a season where we have no commitments on Saturday mornings, and the weather has finally cooled down. I have been able to get up, get the kids settled and just go. Let me set the scene for you. I usually roll out of bed, put my hair in a ponytail, throw my ratty Old Navy hat on top of said ponytail, put on my short shorts and take off. In my adult life, running has always
Our hope is in the Eternal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRF8UihM5s Life here on earth doesn't always turn out the way we plan. But I am grateful that as a follower of Christ, our hope is in Him. "There's a day that's drawing near When this darkness breaks to light And the shadows disappear, And my faith shall be my eyes Jesus has overcome, And the grave is overwhelmed The victory is won, He is risen from the dead And I will rise when He calls my name No more sorrow, no more pain I will rise on eagles' wings, Before my God fall on my knees And rise...I
