Getting Ready for Summer!

I am so excited about this weekend! It's finally time to get the pool ready. I've been so busy, and with all the rain and cool weather it just hasn't seemed the right time to work on it. I got this "new" pool last year. It's above-ground. And yes, there' swork involved in taking care of it. But my response to having to clean it is - "can't you just get in it to clean it?" The chemicals really aren't that hard to deal with either. And me and a friend of mine put it together ourselves in a couple of hours. It was pretty level - but not exact. And my friend, Scott, it pretty particular about the evenness of a pool - that's his job. Plus, I have a little money saved finally for the landing and privacy fencing around the pool to add to it this year. AND - that tall scrawny oak tree has to come down. So long and short of it - I get to pump out the water this weekend and start tearing down the pool so I can get somebody to cut the tree and then get Scott out with blocks and a real laser level to put the pool back together. This whole process should be about three weeks. Sounds like a lot, but I have a whole lot of other little things that I want to get done around the house. And that pool is fantastic incentive to get my jobs done so I can relax, exercise, float, and enjoy the sun (or moon and stars depending on time and temperature of the day).

AND - if I don't get some grape tomatoes planted this weekend I may be out of luck. I love fresh grape tomatoes off the vine. And green peppers, banana peppers, corn, flowers for my flower beds...and that firepit is getting dusted off this weekend too. Oh, how I love a change in the seasons! Now if I only had enough money for a road trip in a convertible.

Night of Worship and Prayer

In case you missed it - we had another great night of worship, praise and prayer at church. It's a night we come together in one voice to pray on all levels: global, national, local, churchwide, families, and individually. The prayer is led by Chad and his wife, Jennifer; however, other individuals join in as the Spirit leads. The altar is open to all and the atmosphere is free from condemnation. It's just all-around awesome. And I am so thankful to have a church body that is willing to open themselves up to the Spirit.

I again used my imagination - since I am such a visual thinker. And that just makes those moments unforgettable. Have you ever heard of the book, "Hinds' Feet on High Places?" It's been years since I read it, but I still remember one scene vividly. It involves Jesus removing the heart of stone from someone to replace it with a rose. I traded in my heart of stone last night - willingly handed it over to Him. It was an amazing feeling. Now, that's not to say I still won't have struggles/trials/issues in life. But I know my heart is different toward them. I know I will need to tend to my heart more - not leave it alone to just add layers of sediment that hardens. But to have a flower heart can be dangerous - I will need to have some boundaries around my heart so others aren't allowed to trample it. Flowers are fragile - but even when one gets trampled, with love and care and time to heal, it will heal. Some more beautiful things about flowers: their real beauty shines when they open up, their fragrance is pleasing (and this is a whole 'nother entry about being a pleasing fragrance to God), you bless others when you share their beauty.

The Best Dance

Ok. So how many of you daydream. Be honest, now... As we get older I think we tend to daydream less. But I enjoy using my imagination. And I believe - when I'm willing - the Holy Spirit joins me and it becomes the most amazing time. Especially when I'm in pure worship/prayer. When I am not asking for anything - just enjoying God for who He is. And the more I open up - the clearer my "daydreams."





My favorite has been the dance.

Have you ever imagined dancing with God (Jesus)? Well, I did. And let me tell you - there is no safer and freer place in the world than in His arms being twirled around the heavens.

With experiencing a recent wedding (congratulations, Lauren & Andrew!), it really struck me about we as the church being the bride of Christ. And when the Bride & Groom danced their first dance together I about lost it! It was so beautiful and pure and hopeful and full of promise in their future together. Lauren, like any bride was gorgeous. And Andrew strong & handsome.

There are multiple verses where we as the church is referred to as the bride of Christ:

• Isaiah 62:5b: And {as} the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, {So} your God will rejoice over you.
• Revelation 19:7: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
• Revelation 21:2: And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
• Revelation 21:9: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."

It's so reassuring to know that I'll be married again someday - maybe not in this body (unless God REALLY blesses me) - but definitely as the Bride of Christ. And I am SOOOOOOO looking forward to that first dance around heaven. Although, if daydreams come true, Jesus shared his dance in the last daydream I had. Hmmmmmm.... Not that that means a whole lot - I've daydreamed about superheroes before too. :-)

Here's some great dances:

The classics...


Ahhh...princess moment...




I LOVE this dress when she dances!

And knowing is half the battle

Yes, I am a child of the 80's - a latch-key kid to be exact. I grew up watching cartoons and still love them. Although, I don't really think the modern ones have these. Enjoy!


GI Joe PSA's - just a couple:






He-man's Life Lessons




And let's not forget from 1977...

Palm's Eye View

This one was from a meeting in Palm Springs a few years ago. Just imagine having a hammock under those!

Part of my page-a-day calendar has this for today: One evening a little girl was taking a walk with her father. Looking up at the stars she exclaimed, "Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side look like!"

Forbidden by the Sprit

Well - He's done it again. God tends to validate thoughts and messages multiple times - either over the course of a week or even in a day! I literally have been thinking and praying about God's direction in my life, and how it seems that there have been roadblocks put up in my way. I'm still in the desert here. And I finally just gave it God - and the message from Him has been to wait. Wait patiently. Wait for the Lord. Lots of Psalms, prophets, etc. Waiting. That's become the hardest thing I've ever done. But strangely enough - I'm a lot more at peace and contended with life in general.

But back to the validation. Sunday morning Chad talked more on the Holy Spirit...and how He can put up roadblocks in our lives to direct us in the way we need to go. And followed up with scripture of course: Acts 16:6 - They passed through the Phrygian F369 R903 and Galatian R904 region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia...I just love it when God speaks clearly! Not that I've been enjoying the roadblocks - but it's great to understand it now. Now I'm excited to see how God's plan will all come together.

Ok....one more Princess Moment...

Couldn't resist embedding this video I found on YouTube that we used at the Princess Tea. I'm tellin' ya...it's hard to get this stuff out of your system!

Still a Princess - even on days off!

So - how long can I possibly be on a Princess "high?" As long as I stay in close relationship with my Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (and watch a few princess and romantic movies along the way). So as I'm sure everyone has heard - the Princess Tea was a glittering success! So now I'm gearing up for the Mother- Daughter lunch on Saturday. Then the Phillips-Hornung wedding (ahhhhhhhhh) that evening -- and an auction that morning to start the day off! Whew.

So, I've taken yesterday and today off frowm work to catch up around my house and do auction work. It's amazing what a little concentrated effort can get done! Well, this morning I couldn't resist when God woke me up for the sunrise to go take a picture of one of my favorite scenes out here. Hope you like it too.

Gearing up!

Only one more day till the Princess Tea! Here's a little teaser - just for Rebecca...

Yesterday Joe was led by God to give a fabulous message. It was about being lukewarm. Joe used a video guest speaker, Francis Chan, and between the two of them - it was powerful. The Sr. High came over to the Jr. High building and it was good for everyone to hear it together. The reference verses came from Revelation: (3:15,16) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were wither one or the other! so, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you our of my mouth.

We sang a few songs to start with: Altar and the Door by Casting Crowns, Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay, and Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns. The whole night was wrapped around the message of being on-fire for God - and not just when your in the church building. I've included Altar and the Door video we used for worship here below.






You really have to test and evaluate yourself -- am I "on-fire" for God? Lately I have been --- but for many many years I was not. That's not to say that I am out pounding the Bible over people's heads. But it does mean that I am ready to give up everything -- EVERYTHING -- at a moment's notice to fulfill God's will. I evaluate that regulary at home. I look around at all my stuff and determine if I can live without it or not. And then I give thanks that God has provided me with it all. Especially all my chairs that I got for dirt-cheap - $2-$25! I just thanked him for orange koolaid this morning (yummmmmm something sweet to drink when you wake up). And I re-evaluate my relationships -- can I leave my family, my friends at a moment's notice if need-be. Yes. No offense. But Jesus is the absolute love of my life - He's first. And I re-evaluated my dreams lately. Are they what I want - or what God wants for me? Or is it both - yet something that I need to sacrifice to be able to give Him glory and serve the Kingdom instead of myself. I choose the Kingdom (who needs the spotlight anyway?).

But something that Joe talked about REALLY stood out to me - that God is an all-consuming fire. And I've heard that before, lots, really - but for some reason it hit me last night. Joe described it that God as an all-consuming fire consumes all of us if we let him -- including our addictions and weaknesses and sin. If we are sold-out on-fire for God - then he has consumed those sins and we will be so focused on Him that we have no desire for that sin any longer. But it takes being completely on-fire. Choose Him above all else. I'm telling you - it was that good last night. And I was so honored to be able to help get the materials together.

So I came in and wanted to post about all that. And then I found this song...

ALL-CONSUMING FIRE (HILLSONG)

There must be more than this
oh breath of God come breath within
There must be more than thisS
pirit of God we wait for youFill us anew we pray
Fill us anew we pray

Chorus:
Consuming Fire
Fan into flame
a passion for your name
Spirit of God fall in this place
Lord have ur way
Lord have ur way with us

Come like a rushing wind
Fill us with power from on high
Now set the captives free
leave us abandoned to your praise
Lord let your glory fall
Lord let your glory fall

Picture this

This one is from one of my favorite cities - Chicago! Chicago Museum of Art.

Local Goings-on

Just noticed in the Banner Gazette - that free paper most of us get but rarely look through.

• Greenville United Methodist Church has Bluegrass & Gospel music every Friday night at 7 p.m. in their basement - looks like everyone's welcome - bring your instruments and jam with them. For more info: Frank Francis 923-5552
• Georgetown is having a 3-day local talent Music Fest May 23-25...looks like lots of local talent. Mom's Music is tied-in, the winner of the Rock Band contest gets a 4-hour recording studio package. Inflatables, cornhole contest, lots of food -- could be fun!
• THE GEORGETOWN DRIVE-IN IS NOW OPEN!
• GCC's Tommy Oakes event is listed in there
• Any artists here? They're looking for some to participate in the Art on the Parish Green Art show (www.artontheparishgreen.com)
• Interested in learning to ballroom dance? They're offering classes at the YMCA on Hamburg Pike in Jeffersonville

There's always lots going on. And there are so many fun things available to do...but you know, busy-ness is not good to do. I encourage everyone (including myself) - reach for balance this summer. Embrace some Mayberry moments and just soak in your surroundings. God didn't create this Earth for nothing -- He created it for us. So take those moments to enjoy your family. If you have kids - take the time to watch them catch fireflies (catch a few yourself). If you have pets - watch them sleep...and doze yourself. Let God wake you up early just to watch a sunrise. Watch the sunset over a pond. Stare out over a field of waving grass or tree leaves. Soak in the sunshine and dance in the rain. Read a book on the swing in the shade. Wave to those cars going by. Worship God out-loud. Walk barefoot in the grass, and dirt, and sand, and creeks. Listen to the birds, be amazed at all the new life "springing forth" -- I've seen so many new calves and foals! Enjoy a tall glass of lemonade or sweet sun-tea with grilled burgers. Have some sweet sugar water for the hummingbirds and watch them hover then speed off. Take a new road each month to see something new.

And one more for today

A friend sent me this -- LOVE IT!!

What a Weekend!

Wow - what a weekend! Princess prep went into full swing - literally!

My mom was so gracious to help other princesses with this tea: Pocahontas (we already had a dress and I had accessories and the racoon), and Belle - this was a blast to embellish. And Rebecca was seriously Belle yesterday at church for those who missed it. She's beautiful anyway, but put a yellow Belle ballgown on her and she literally is floating down the aisle - more like twirling! And Jordan makes a fabulous Tinkerbell. But now for my dress! We started putting it together yesterday - and with the bow in my hair!!!! Even I was amazed at the tranformation! And I get a cape!!!!! All that's left for me to do is my table settings.

And the next Saturday is the mother-daughter lunch. I think I'm going to have about 5 moms that day! It'll be fun! And the Phillips-Hornung Wedding that evening - ahhhhhhh, young love.

So I get Fiday off - work in Louisville, Oaks Day is like a National Holiday. Friday consisted of some Bible study, housekeeping, truck maintenance and princess dresses. We had to go get different material for my skirt - that makes about 3 different tries on the yellow for the skirt! And into the night on Belle adjustments, dyeing, beading - just cause we we playing with it too.


Then Saturday morning - Belle was IN the dress for fittings and adjustments. Rebecca was TOOO cute - you think she was twirling on stage - you should see her in socks on hardwood floors with the dress on. And mom thought I had a hard time standing still for fittings. :-) And once Rebecca was all-set, it was back to mom's for Snow White! And I was excited to get a call from friends inviting me to see Ironman with them that afternoon. That was a good movie. I tried not to have any expectations - especially since I don't know the Ironman storylines inside and out. So I came away pleasantly pleased. And after the movie more time with friends. Good stuff. And just so everyone knows - Erica and Joe are madly in love....seriously. Not in a PDA way...just seeing love in action.

And Sunday - the big Belle day. I got to be the "lady-in-waiting" - which means helping to get the dress on her and fluffed up. It went so well for the promotion of the Princess tea - I'm sure she'll be blogging about it soon! And Sunday was my first day in the high school class. Just observing for now....helping to organize a little. After church - more Snow White prep. And last night - the Casting Crowns "concert." I put it that way because with them it's more of a worship time than a "just be entertained" time. They prayed over everyone - prayed a few other times through the night too. It was great! There was a couple of different groups going: Rebecca with Ricky, Ryan and Bill Peake - then there was 8 of us ladies that got together to go. We had a great time!

And today - back to work. I'm SOOOOOO DESPERATELY needing to do some yardwork. Maybe I should just borrow Kim and Jeremy's little goats for a couple of days..... hmmmm....