I am in sooooo much trouble

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Me and Sara Groves

Sara Groves -- we go way back. All the way to Michigan.

I remember the first time I heard her album, Conversations, and fell for her haunting voice and powerful lyrics. There are a few dark moments I remember having with just God and Sara Groves in the background.

In Texas, I remember getting her Station Wagon album, which was written for and about her two sons and thinking, I love this girl.

I've come back to Sara, now, after a little hiatus. And, wow, she's been up to a lot. Her recent trip to Rwanda inspired her latest album, Tell Me What You Know.

PLEASE, when you have 5 minutes, go watch this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdP6PqsbJY from her trip. It's on my ipod, and I cannot keep myself from crying everytime I watch it. May it challenge you to pray and search your heart, as it did me.

Deep Thought a Day Late

It's no fun to be sick....unless you're sick from eating too much chocolate chip cookie dough.

truth, justice, and greg

I held my breath as I awaited Greg's Parent-Teacher Conference this year. First grade was a little bit of a bumpy ride for this guy.

But, thankfully, second grade has been going awesome!

Greg's teacher is a friend of mine from church and just about the smartest, sweetest lady ever. She told me that one day Greg jumped in the air to tap one of the flags hanging from the wall as they were filing out of the classroom.

She told him, "Greg, that means you'll have your name on the board when we get back."

Well, after they returned, she simply forgot. Greg came up to her after a bit and said, "Uhm, do you want me to put my own name on the board, or do you want to do it?"

A Big, Fat, Deep Thought Thursday

I've never had any lofty goals for this blog. I just wanted to write interesting things that people enjoyed. I wanted to update my family and friends on our lives. I wanted to share things that were on my mind.

But today I want to get a little deeper. I have to share some things on my heart.

I've always struggled with giving. As a Christian, I knew that wasn't cool. I mean, giving is what Christ was all about. He talked about it constantly. So, I would give because I knew I was supposed to, but for most of my life, I did it with a little sigh, quietly sad that I couldn't keep it.

Then I read this book recommended to me by a friend. God spoke clearly to me about His desire to see me give generously, cheerfully, anonymously -- on a regular basis, not just once in awhile. I won't share here the specifics of what happened next, but I can't tell you how freeing and joyous it felt to obey Him and let go.

Quoting the author from the last chapter: "I wrote this book because much of our talk doesn't match our lives. We say things like, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and Trust the Lord with all your heart and then we live and plan like we don't belive God even exists. We try to set our lives up so everything will be fine even if God doesn't come through. But true faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God's fidelity to His promises."

And I loved this next paragraph, "A friend of mine said Christians are like manure: spread them out and they make everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they stink horribly. Which are you? The kind that reeks, around which people walk a wide swath? Or the kind that trusts God enough to let Him spread you out--whether that means going outside your normal group or Christian friends, increasing your material giving, or using your time to serve others?"

And I had to admit, I stunk. I'd become lukewarm and I hated it. I forget too often that my best life comes LATER. Not on this earth. Nothing matters here except for living and giving for HIM.

So I prayed a scary prayer. I prayed God would do whatever it took to "light a fire under me." I asked for hard things that would push me out of my cushy little American Christian life. And He started small, thankfully, but I'm excited about what He will do next.

I confess my addictions openly...

I have friends (thin friends, of course) who claim they only shop the perimeter of the grocery store. You know, buying the healthy stuff that doesn't come in boxes and bags.

I am sadly not one of those people. I have a hard time keeping these two items out of my cart:

Butter Herb, baby.

And Chocolate Turtle flavor, please.

Well, that's an interesting take...

On Sunday, my oldest son, Greg declared:

"I'm glad I'm a man, cause I don't have to push so hard to get babies out."

Deep Thought Thursday

Is it considered voter fraud if your 3 year-old walks around, opening privacy curtains, saying,

"HEH-WOH!?! ANYBODY IN DERE??"

One can never be too young to be politically active...

Generations...oh, and candy reviews

Hope spread the love around from family member to family member: Grammy Stuart
Grammy Nita

Grampy Max- entertaining as always

Grampy Stuart - calling her, "Pumpkin Seed!"

We had a fun weekend -- headed over to the Harvest Church Party Friday night with Uncle Nick and Aunt Beth and cousins. On the hayride, Daniel grabbed my shoulder and declared, "This is the best time in my whole life!!"

I perused the candy the next day and took a few pieces, I confess. The new chocolate skittles are just too much like weird jelly beans. The Reese Peanut Butter Cup with caramel is okay, but you can't mess with a classic, you know? All it takes to make me happy is a shiny red Krackle, thank you very much.

OOOOH-HI-O

Mom was able to borrow this groovy saucer-slider toy from a friend, so Hope had a great time discovering all the fun stuff it could do. Uncle Doug had more fun watching her, I think.

Surprising the great-grandparents was a blast -- here's me with Hope, talking to Grammy S, who said, "I thought I was dreaming!" (Check out Hope's ruffled bum -- love that.)
Next post - Hope's photo shoot with Great Grandparents