My life is gooooood.....quote from Nacho Libre.

This weekend, we went to Nashville to my brother-in-laws 40th Cuban Bday Bash. It was GREAT! If you know my sister in law - you know the decor was FAB and the party scene was like something out of a magazine. Very FUN! I am sure my sis-in-law Kelly will post some pics on her blog soon, if not already. She took some great ones! The party was awesome and even included a tribute to Ken with videos and pictures - awesome stuff! The cups for the party were custom made with a picture of a pig being roasted and the line...My Life is Gooood, by Nacho. If you have not seen that movie...staring Jack Black. You've missed a fun one. Now, I will warn you -- major boy humor and lots of 'gas passing'. BUT...I cannot tell you how many times that movie is quoted in my house. And as you can see, its a family thing - over in Nashville too! Don't count it out...its fun if you have older kids and you like pointless, silly humor!

I took a few - not many...and plan to play them on a slide show and add to my facebook for fun too. But for now...here are few just for fun of what we did yesterday.

The birthday boy is the one on the left - my brother in law Ken. As guests arrived, the men received Fedoras and the ladies, flowers for their hair or to pin on their clothes. Max still has his on today!


To make this an authentic Cuban Party, they built a pit for a whole pig. Yes, they went and got the pig...carried it home....gross....had to do some stuff to get it ready....and then...it was eaten. I will say it was amazing and everyone loved it. Just gross to look at!

Ok..this one is totally for my friend Laura. I am laughing now thinking of your reaction!

Nick and my nephew Alec playing yard games. I think this is funny - because both of them...have really girly mom's that like to look cute...like to MATCH for goodness sake. They did not get their fashion sense from their mothers. Kelly...can I get an AMEN????

Like I said...it was just a great time...wish it could have been longer! But...we'll enjoy time with them again soon I hope! Oh...my nephew who is a Sophomore at Ravenwood High school in Brentwood, TN - is playing for the Varsity Team there. If you click on Kelly's blog, you'll see some great pics of him too! Don't you love blog surfing and coffee at night????? Alright....bye for now!


My dog Abby - riding shotgun while Nick and Max slept in the back. What is she saying? "My life is gooooood....rrrreeeaaaaalllll good".

Worth = Who you are in Christ

Yesterday, I posted about Scout's day and his feeling of total inadequacy. You know, the conversation I had with him, stayed with me all day. Last night, when playing on Facebook...and reading other blogs (while Kev watched the football game) I visited Vicky Courtney's blog as I usually do. She is the author of the book Your Boy. I've recommended the book several times and a few years back, I led a mom's study on raising boys using that book. It's a great tool! Anyway, Vicky has a great blog from yesterday, Warrior or Wimp: How not to raise a mamas boy. I immediately thought about my friend Julie. We both live in boy world 24-7. The video on Vicky's blog could easily have been at my house or hers. Seriously. Our boys most recently got together and made a potato gun using household items, PVC, aerosol cans and lighters....and yes...we rated the velocity of the shots once it was finished. I guess you can say, we just go with it!

Back to my first thoughts - reading Vicky's blog, prompted me to get out my book, Your Boy. I randomly opened it, and started flipping through all my notes and found a chapter entitled, Searching for worth in all the wrong places. Inside that chapter she reminds us that our boys are just as susceptible to body image problems than girls. She also tells us that our boys (like us) can rely on the world's equations for defining self worth.

Worth = What you look like
Worth = What you do
Worth = What other people think

If you have boys, I encourage you to buy this book. Often, I hear moms say how girls are so fragile emotionally and how their son is so easy because he's just a happy kid, doesn't care about stuff their daughters care about like clothes, looks etc. And while that may be true for some, its still inside some of those boys somewhere....even if they are quiet. Don't think that your son doesn't wrestle with those thoughts just because he doesn't talk about it. Remember, boys definitely don't talk as much as girls do....but they can silently struggle within.

Vicky ends that chapter talking about visualizing yourself as anyone in the world. She talks of a time where she spoke to a crowd of women and held a frame in her hand as she asked a few women to come up on stage and view the frame in her hand to see who she would pick to be....if she could be anyone in the world. This means not only looks - but who that person is in life - and keeping the stuff that person has too. :) As the women came up on stage - Vicky would ask them if they too would choose to be this person if they could be anyone in the world. To their surprise, when they looked inside the frame, they saw a mirror,with their own reflection staring back at them. Then Vicky would ask them the question, would you actually choose to be yourself if you could choose to be anyone.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know this full well

1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord said to Samuel; "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"

Lastly...I have not posted pictures in a while...so here are a few of our game last night. It was Scout's first game of the season..... not too much play time, but he got in there and seemed to cheer on his team even when standing on the sideline! That is a good thing too! Max...endured some funny stuff. There was a kid that felt the need to talk to Max and follow him everywhere.

This totally cracked me up. Max announced a few times he was just going to go for a jog...and when he would come back that kid would plop down right beside him again. I couldn't help but laugh. Nick was also there - kind of laughing at how funny it is that one person can have the ball and run it the length of the field for a touch down in one play. Oh...the days!

Even though he seemed to be annoyed, he was a great big brother after the game and took Scout seriously as he discussed his thoughts of the game and stuff like that. The van ride home was fun....and we were entertained by Nick's boy humor.....and I too...a very girly girl...found myself laughing and the laughter of my crazy boys! It was a good night and there were no tears. :) Life is good.


I love this one. It was cool to see both sides praying together after the game.

Money can't buy you love....or happiness...but it sure can make you feel good at times!

We know that's true. If you disagree....then you are not being honest. I didn't grow up with tons of money, but I always had everything I needed and more. But I do remember as a young teenager taking notice of those who had 'more' or 'better' things than I did. I guess that is just human nature. You know?

Yesterday morning started out like any other day - we enjoyed breakfast together...everything calm.....then we realized our chatting over breakfast lasted 10 minutes longer than usual and both kids missed their buses. This is just the beginning of chaos for my son Scout. First you need to know he gets hives even thinking of being late to school. Yesterday was worse because he is doing the weather this week on his morning TV broadcast and they want you to go early. Oh...if you know Scout you can only imagine how this was starting him off for the day. Kevin got him to school....and called me to let me know he thought the day was salvaged.

Scout usually wraps up football practice around 5:30pm on Wednesday. Kevin was a great husband and decided to pick Scout up for me. I was happy. One less trip for me! So Kevin, shows up to pick Scout up along with his buddy to take everyone home. To Kevin's detriment....Scout was still in a mood - only the mood had taken an even more downward turn. By the time they got home, Kevin came in alone....and Scout stayed in the truck for a bit.

OK...now I know you are thinking...I don't need the play by play...but remember...I am girl, and this is what we do. If I don't describe everything for you, you might miss the feeling of the story. :) You hear me? Back to the story...

After Scout came in we began to talk and he shared that he had just had a bad day. He was pretty emotional too. We got past the whole bus thing, and even the bad attitude and through alot of tears and frustration on his part it all came out. He's just not happy when he compares himself to the other kids at his school. He measures his self worth against the other kids and they seem to be worth far more to him. You see, Scout sees large homes, lots of stuff, and then the car pool line. He was picked up in our 16 year old's teal green 94 Ford Ranger - when his buddy was picked up in front of him in a Porsche'. He went on to tell me (like I hadn't noticed) that he attends a school where there are tons of rich kids and they have million dollar houses and lots of stuff. It just came to a head for Scout and because he's used others success and outward appearance as his definition of happiness, he falls short every day. And this is a kid who has to have things right. He has to be on time, has to do homework right, has to make As and Bs. And he needs to fit in.

With lots of hugs and reassurance, I shared with Scout that those feelings are normal and that sometimes we all still struggle with those feelings. But...only Jesus can fill that space inside that we try to stuff and fill with other things. Our soul longs for happiness and fulfillment and we surely find it temporarily in things of this world...but they quickly fade...and then we look for the next thing. But God....He is there...and never leaves. He fills again and again, every day we choose to walk with him. Although Scout smiled and gave me a hug, I know in his 13 year old mind, he still wishes for what some of his friends have. I am in my late 30's (that sounds really good) and I find that I am just now reaching that point in my life where I am good. I am content because I've tried to fill my life with things. Been there done that...and paid lots of credit card bills to prove it. And guess what....the happiness just didn't stick! Have you been there too? We may not have the biggest or best house, but we have a home that I would not trade for any amount of money. I am IN LOVE with my Sienna Mini Van....to me, its the top of the line luxury car right now! But...it is the season of life I'm in too. I'm not a crazy person. :) I think that as we change and grow, our wants do to. I am not saying stuff is bad - I like stuff. I enjoy my Dooney & Bourke every now and then. What I am saying is that kids today have so much...and our culture breeds more is better...you must have the best. And it hits our home today....because my 13 year old, who God made to be extraordinary feels less than ordinary because he doesn't see in our lives what the world says is good. I know that God is working in him, and that soon, he will see differently. This is just kind of new for us.This was not an issue with our oldest. He is pretty much content...doesn't care about stuff like that kind of kid. He in fact, can't wait to master the stick shift so he can drive that teal green 94 Ranger to school! And he'll proudly park in between the Hummers, Land Rovers and Mercedes that are filling his parking lot these days at the high school. But he's found a certainty in Christ...that Scout is still searching for. And I'm praying he finds that as well. I know it took me a while too when I was his age.

All of this, is just a reminder that I need to be sure I am talking to my kids...and I know their hurts and I pray for God's working in their life. Scout is loud...and can make you think that he is sooooo all that. But inside, like so many other young teens, he too just wants to know who he really is. I can tell you who he is. He is a child of the king...and that...beats anything you can buy!

Rainy Days & Mondays

Remember the Carpenter's song, Rainy Days and Mondays? Well...they don't get me down....they just make me glad. Seriously! I am sitting in my favorite place in the world, (home) and it is raining, the house is now quiet and I have coffee!!!!

So, I'm going to catch up on a few things this morning and just enjoy some time here. The grocery store and errands...in the rain can wait! The house is all mine. ALL MINE!!! That is such a blessing in itself I almost don't notice the laundry I need to do or the dirty dishes from our breakfast time. There will be time for that....in just a bit. For now....I will just be still, and drink one more cup of coffee.

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth

Conversations with Strangers

Last night, I flew home and was so thankful to be back in Birmingham. I had a great week and a successful trip for work, but coming home....feels better than anything. I'm enjoying being at home with two of my boys today as it rains. However, its much less rain than what I had all week in Orlando! That was severe!!!

While I was in Orlando, I met a woman that I sat beside at our closing luncheon. As we sat together and began the usual get to know you questions, she mentioned that her business was going quite well since she divorced her husband. I guess I looked surprised, because she then offered alot of the details as to why her husband was so awful. He was a verbally abusive person from what she said and told me her kids agreed. I truly didn't know what to say...but I knew whatever it was...it needed to count. Literally, the only thing that seemed to make sense was, "I'm so sorry". As I spoke those words to her, I just patted her hand and looked away for a moment. When I looked back at her, I noticed her eyes were filling with tears. As I suspected...it really was not OK. I then said, "you are not ok are you". She insisted she was and told me that her kids were simply coming out of their shells and she was better than she had ever been in her life. I still wasn't buying it. There was a sadness in her that just could not be ignored. She had been married for 22 years and the divorce was just final 4 months ago. I asked her if she had a home church in Texas where she was from. She didn't. She said that she had never really found a church that was 'for her'. So I said, "So you do believe in God...and Christianity for that matter.". To both of those...she said, "Oh yes! I'm Christian, but just fell out of the habit of going to church when my kids were little. I stay so busy". When she said that,I told her I definitely understood the busy thing..and sometimes, when life is crazy the only thing that can help me is without a doubt, Jesus. But there are those times....when I need Jesus with skin on....and many times,that has been my church family. Being part of a body of believers that come together often (weekly) to praise, study, fellowship and recharge.... is something I don't do well without. I went on to tell her the benefits of finding a church home and how you find encouragement there when dealing with divorce, death, sorrow....and celebrating the joys in life too.

It's Saturday and she is on my mind today. I'm wondering if she is back in Texas and if she is thinking of that short coversation she had with a stranger...and how she shared some very personal information with that gal from Alabama (me). I pray that my words encouraged her....and that the holy spirit continues to work in and around her - that she hears His voice telling her to find a place to worship. To find community and share life with those who love her and the Lord too!

Alright....I'm going to wash several loads of laundry now. But you know what? I am thankful.....I've actually missed my household chores these past few days. Going away does remind me how blessed I am...when I come home! So...today is Saturday and its rainy which I love. I'll watch a sappy movie, fold some laundry and drink coffee while the boys hang with their friends.

I love being home. I hope my new friend in Texas finds happiness in her home as well. And as far as church homes go....I'm excited to be a part of my new church. It's very much a new experience for my family. We've never been part of a church plant before. But we are so excited God is using us in this way. If you want to know about our new church, click HERE. A2 is our name and I promise, you'll find Jesus with skin on here!!

Psalm 122:1
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD

Growing Pains

I am traveling right now and as I wind down from a day of clients, I can't help but think about my youngest son and his growing pains. I am wondering if he's walking downstairs to tell his daddy that he has them again. Almost every night he comes to me and says either his shin hurts or his foot hurts with growing pains. What do we do? Just like my mom did....I get out the trusty Absorbine Jr. and all the pain goes away. So far, I've done this with all three boys. Scout would probably wish for more growing pains since he finds himself to be way too short. But don't tell him I said that. Anyway...

Last night, as we were applying the 'green magic', Max looked at me and said, "Mom, I am just growing all the time. And sometimes Mom, it just hurts". I laughed at first, but after I re-tucked him in....I thought...Wow... you are right Max, sometimes growing up does hurt. Growing in Christ can hurt sometimes too. Mainly for me, because I am learning to die to myself and become more like Christ. Those times can be costly to my selfish will. But oh....the prize so satisfying.

I look at my older sons after thinking about Max's words and I think.....wow.....if only a medicine bottle could make things easier for them. But...where would the growth be in that? Just like me....when I was a teenager, they have to and NEED to walk through their time of growth and listening to the Lord with their own ears and heart. What is hard, is when those times include hardship, trial and consequence. I wish I could take that away from them. But back to their growth...and that sometimes means growing pains rights? And me? As the mama....I'll keep praying and being there for them, always seeing the little boy in them...even when a more grown up version is standing in front of me. And I'll long for the days of rubbing legs with Absorbine Jr. all over again. But this one thing I do know, He is faithful and hears my prayers and your prayers for our children. Even when we as human parents feel helpless and like we are losing control as they grow older. He is faithful to them...just as he was to us. Thank you Jesus. I love Philippians 1:6 for my kids. I love it for me too, but thinking about the boys, I'm reminded when I begin to doubt that He will finish what he started and he has surely started a good work within their hearts and lives. So even when I being to question....I know this.

Philippians 1:6
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

A Prayer for Hannah Underwood

Sunday morning, I went to sit with a friend of mine who has a 17 year old daughter recently diagnosed with severe stage - MS. The official diagnosis came Friday, although they had some clues earlier in the week. The Underwood family has been a vital part of Tres Dias for quite a while now. My friend Cindy, was the Rector for the 2008 Fall weekend for Birmingham Tres Dias. Hannah, serves on the council for the VN community here in Birmingham. VN is a Tres Dias experience for teenagers. I cannot tell you how special this family is. They love and trust the Lord - and are showing great strength through this trial.

If you knew Hannah, you wouldn't be surprised that while I was there on Sunday morning, she was all smiles, being positive and open with what is going on with her right now. In fact, while I was there she got the news that she would have to remain in the hospital a while longer because of the tremors in her left hand and arm. She just looked at her mom, and said, "Well, I guess I'm not going home today after all", then she smiled and kind of joked with her mom that she shouldn't have said anything about the tremors so they could go home. Her mom is a nurse at that very hospital and could easily watch her and do some therapy at home. But...Cindy is (reluctantly) learning how to be a mom and patient...not the Nurse in charge of a patient.

A friend of the Tres Dias community, Craig Pierce wrote a beautiful prayer of healing for Hannah. It was posted in her hospital room and copies are being given out to friends and family who come to visit. I'm sharing it with you and asking you to please pray with us for the healing of Hannah.

Healing Prayer of Hannah Underwood

Heavenly Father, I call on you right now in a special way. It is through your power that Hannah was created. Every breath she takes, and every morning she wakes and every moment of every hour she lives under your power. Father, I ask you now to touch Hannah with that same power. For if you created her from nothing, you can certainly recreate her. Fill her with the healing power of your spirit. Cast out anything that should not be in her. Mend what is broken, root out any unproductive cells, open blocked arteries or veins and rebuild any damaged areas or tissues, remove all inflammation, and cleanse any infection. Repair and restore her brain and remove the lesions that were detected by the MRI. Remove all traces of any cancerous cells, or any defected cells in her body. Let the warmth of your healing love pass through her body to make new any unhealthy areas so that her body will function the way you created it to function. And Father, restore Hannah to full health in mind and body and spirit so that she may serve you the rest of her life. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The story of the hairbrush...seriously. But first...grab some coffee - this blog is LONG!

This is long...but so good. Not my own words. These are borrowed from Beth Moore. I looked and looked for a video and couldn't find one. Hearing her tell this story....is the best. She tells it as only Sister Beth can. I love that woman!!! I've heard her in person only once, and I'll never forget it! So, though its not in video form, take a moment to read the life happening referred to as the parable of the hairbrush. I can just see this happening to her.

For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters. For more on her you can visit her here on her blog.

April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones.

The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport....an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.

I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing.

I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh, no, God, please, no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane." Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair."

The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man."

Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair."

I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?" God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17)

I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"

He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?"

"May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"

To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that."

At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"

At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to." Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my bag," he responded.

I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull.

A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while.

The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's.

I slipped the brush back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?"

He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought.

He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride."

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?"

I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!"

And we got to share.

I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way. . . all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We Have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

I think of this story EVERY Time I hear the song Aware. Its a song by the group Salvador. Anyway, here are a few lyrics that just get to me each time I hear it. If you want to listen to the song, click here.

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware
I have been missing so much
Not recognizing your touch
Or Acknowledging that you’re the reason
I'm even here
I have been missing so much not recognizing your touch
Make me aware, make me aware


To be AWARE of Him in all things.....Lord, make me aware.

Saying Thank You

So far, the first week of school has been GREAT! I am so thankful. Max has a great teacher and like last year, we are excited to see what his year will hold. Max had a WONDERFUL 3rd grade teacher. We loved her. This year, at registration, I walked in to see that a friend of mine from Tres Dias is his 4th grade teacher! After we hugged and just went silly....we got around to introducing Max to Ms. Howell. It was awesome!

The night before school started, we grabbed his back pack from last year to get it ready for the first day of school. To our surprise (because we had not opened it all summer) we found a stack of papers! LOL Typical for my house. Glad there was nothing I had to return to school over the summer in that stack of papers. Anyway, there was a poem inside that totally captured my attention. It was something he wrote back in April about himself.


*click on the picture to enlarge it if you can't read it.

As I read his poem, I had the best mama goosebumps. You know exactly what I mean. Even daddies have them at times. So proud of him and so thankful that he knows Jesus. I'm also reminded that its not just because of what Kevin and I share with him, it is with the help of family, teachers and friends that he knows the Lord so sweetly. We are surrounded by a community that has truly shared Jesus with my kids. Max's 3rd grade year at church was a big year for him. He became a Christian and grew a bigger understanding of who Jesus is. He had Wednesday night teachers Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Andy that totally challenged him to memorize Bible verses. (And challenged me to keep with him on that task. :) )They fed into his spiritual life and who he is in Christ. Pastor Derrick shared God's love with him weekly as well. He did this by making each Sunday special and creative in teaching God's word. Before Pastor Derrick - we had a wonderful friend, Pastor Phil that for 5 years had been telling Max who Jesus is and how God loved him. My friends Julie and Becky who worked in the kids area and on choir musicals - weekly shared musical words of how God loves us with my son. He would sing those songs in his room. They are in his heart now too.

What I am saying....is that because of all of those people and our home included - when Max was asked the question....Who is Max? He could easily answer that. He loves Jesus. Were there other words written there?? Because if there were...I surely didn't see them. So, to all of you who give and share with my family, thank you for giving to my son and for being a servant of our Lord.

P.S. Max really does want to go to Paris. If you ask him where he would like to go on vacation...he typically says Paris. Although he gets confused whether its in Italy or France! We think he got this desire from the movie Ratatouille. Who really knows???



Matthew 9:36-37
He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, "Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me—God who sent me."

Deeper than just Olympics

Like most of you we have been totally engrossed in watching the Olympics. Our favorites so far have been Beach Volleyball and swimming. Both men's and women's divisions. It is amazing to see the strength and talent and total competitive spirit out there. Literally, we get to the point where we are yelling as they approach the last lap....or are set for the winning point. My hands have been totally sweating and clapping!!!

As we were watching Michael Phelps last night, he looked very serious didn't he? The day before he seemed to be a bit more light in spirit. There seemed to be just a focused mind yesterday - and that is good. He knew what he needed to do. I started thinking about his drive and actually...that lead me to thinking about his mother. Wow....how did she parent and help channel that drive inside her son? I wish she would write a book! Is she a christian?? I want to know more. Anyway...I thought it was odd that Michael did not walk during the opening. I heard what they were saying about him wanting to save his energy - but wow...to miss a bit of the glory in opening. That seemed odd to me. But I guess to Michael, it was more about the race at hand...not just the 'short term' glory. Then again last night, when he came in 3rd in the qualifying round for one of the races, I thought....that is crazy. He looked like he was halfway swimming! What's wrong??? Again, I hear the commenters discussing Michael's strategy for saving his energy for the race that 'mattered most'. Oh.....again, wisdom on Phelps's part.

How many times do I place my energy on the least important parts of my day. Sometimes I get more involved in the things that 'seem' to be important and are showing others how busy I am...rather than the things that are really important. We are here to bring glory to our Lord. To bring others to know Him. That's pretty much it. It's not about how much we are liked or how successful we are. It's all about HIM and somehow, more times than not....I make it about me.

In all seriousness, I woke up this morning thinking....today I want to think about the things that are most important and not waste my time or energy on the things that won't help me get there. I don't want to focus and waste time on the things that steal my energy from what I really want to do!

How I got this from the spirited competition of the Olympics? Only He knows. He knows that I need Him to speak to me in sometimes unconventional ways. It's just how I work. Maybe you too. Thank goodness our Lord knows each of us individually. Right??? All I know, is that I hear him saying, "Shannon, run toward the prize, not toward the stuff that won't last". So today....that is what I'll do. And tomorrow...I'll wake up and try to do the same!

Philipians 3:13 - 15

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you

All GREENS are not Equal

Just ask my husband!!! If you have not heard, (and you might not care....) Brett Favre has joined the NY Jets. In the middle of the craziness with school starting - they've been glued to ESPN.

Scout is not as upset as Kevin is. You see, Scout is a JETS fan because of Joe Nammoth. And he also likes Bubba Franks, a former Packer. So he is pretty ok. This is TONS better than Favre joining the Vikings. Now, I ask you, do I sound like a woman who lives with all men???? I can sound good, but I have no idea what I'm really talking about, I am just repeating. Anyway, Scout may have the best of both worlds now. It seriously could have been worse. Brett could have been starting the football season in purple. That...would have been amazingly traumatic!!!!

No matter where Brett plays this year...I know one thing, we'll still be yelling Go Pack!!!!

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Don't these guys look good in Packer Green???



This so would not have worked well with Jets Green. Right Kevin???

Choices & The First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for my boys. I am not sure where the summer went. They were all excited this morning and a little nervous too. Last night was hard getting everyone to bed. I tried for 8:30 with Max. We made it by 9pm. That was not too bad. Scout was ready and had a schedule of his own. He wanted to be in bed by 9:30pm. Nick on the other hand could not settle down to be in bed that early. He’s been going to bed around 11pm or 12midnight some nights. Sometimes later…so he was having a bit of a time.

When Scout was going to bed, he asked me to come in and pray with him. Now, we still ‘tuck’ Max in, but Scout has started putting himself to bed. When he asks Kevin or I to come with him and pray, we know something is up. Basically, he was just nervous about friends, making friends, and football. You see he loves the sport. Loves it! But…does not want to be hit. There in lies the problem. He wished he were bigger so that the impact would not be so bad! He is a teenager trying to figure it all out. I am honored to pray with him…especially when it is at his request. That….will keep me going for days even when I pick up his dirty laundry!

This morning, while we were at breakfast we talked about making a difference in their schools this year. Being strong in the Lord. Being salt and light. We read a few verses from Matthew that have everything to do with our lives as adults too. The truth within these verses, will never change. Whether we work, stay at home, travel…whatever, the choice we have to make is always the same.

Matthew 7:13
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Well, here are my boys from this morning. They will love these one day I am sure. I told Nick I wanted to take one with him by his car holding up the keys. You know…something that says, “Hey, I’m driving to school”. He just stared at me with a blank look then rolled his eyes. That was quickly followed with, “Why don’t I just hold them up and say hey, I’m a dork”. As you can see…I didn’t get that shot this morning. Too cheesy for my way cool Junior in high school.

Laughter is good for the heart!

Thank you....thank you very much...... could you hear that in an Elvis voice when you looked at the pic? Yeah, kind of creepy but my husband loves it! Those of you who know my husband know that he is a HUGE Elvis fan. I mean HUGE. We love that about him. I love that about him. He has some fun hobbies. His interest in Elvis and his creative mind led him to start a website for Elvis Impersonators a few years ago. It actually brought in money for our household through some of people that advertised on his site. For him personally, it has enabled him to tour Graceland with a 'press pass' and some VIP credentials. All fun for KJ. Let me just end with all that by saying if you have NEVER been to Graceland, call Kevin to be your tour guide...he truly is the best! If you have some free time, visit the website he started. It's been a while since he's added anything, but there is a short film he made with some Elvis Impersonators.

www.eimpersonators.com

I was there for the filming, working as Kev's assistant. That in itself is a story for another day. It's still very surreal for me. Some of those people live in another world. The video is called A Hunk of Burning Elvi. You're intrigued now aren't you???? Kevin, if you are reading this, I truly love your fun side and I love how you are passionate about the interests in your life. (namely me!)

Anyway, I've shared in past blogs that my husband is a great gift giver. That being said, I like doing sweet things for him too. This Elvis Robot Head was my chance to do something really fun for him. We were flipping through the paper this past weekend and found that they were going to be at Tuesday Morning WAY WAY below what they were selling in the stores. Kevin saw it....and I could see it happening. He was thinking....Oh yeah....I need that! (If you were an Elvis collector you would understand. If you are not... liken the need to seeing that new animal print Dooney and Bourke and you'll feel the need...oh wait..that might be me....ANYWAY) So, what did I do? I made sure I was the first in line to get my man his Elvis Robot! :) I love you Kevin Johnson!

We set him up last night and all agreed....it's creepy...but fun. We had some friends over for food and fun....and Elvis! What a trip. Thought I would share some of the fun with you. I'm still laughing, and kind of freaked out when I go downstairs and see the Elvis Head.


Kevin and his new friend.


David was teaching him to play cards with us!



Question: Where do I now put this head? Seriously..... We need an Elvis Room!

They will know HIM by my love.

As I was flipping through my prayer journal this morning, I was reminded at how good God is. How faithful He is. The reason for keeping a prayer journal is also reinforced within me because I can go back and see certain things where I've cried out to God...and how He's moved in those situations. Good and bad....there are some where He simply says, "you may not understand right now...but one day you will". Those are sometimes hard aren't they.

I am sitting in the middle of a situation where I feel closed. I feel my heart closing and that is dangerous. You see, I feel like the person in the "right"....I feel like I have a cause to be and say what I say to this person. And then...in the middle of my time with the Lord this morning, I see where I have prayed for this person over and over....and I ask God to move and to work. And I stay still. I hurt for them, and I am also hurt by them. But what I hear God saying to me is "They will know ME by your love for them Shannon". And in my situation now, I am not showing love. Unconditional love is humanly impossible to show. This means pushing aside pride, hurt feelings - even when they are considered justified. Unconditional is simply without conditions or stipulations.

What the Lord spoke to me this morning is that you can't stay still when you are asking Him to move. Love is a verb. It's something you do. They will know HIM by our love. By my love toward others. The person I want so desperately to reach can only begin to see what I want them to see in Christ when I move and look like the love of Christ. I am far from that right now. But, I'm making baby steps and I know that He is with me and will walk beside me the whole way. I just gotta be willing to love and act on that love for others.

John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Luke 6 (The Message Translation)

35-36"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

On vacation this summer, I bought a sign to hang in my kitchen. I love hanging quotes and sayings within our home. I love having this reminder....

Live your life in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will come to know God because they know you.

Lord, thank you so much for your Word. I pray for the courage and boldness to live out what I say I believe and I pray that you quicken my spirit to act and show your love at all times. Please forgive me Lord, for falling so short of this. Thank you for a new day.

Today

Well, its early and I am totally excited that I am at home with the boys for the next few days. I about killed myself cleaning last night so I would not have that over my head today. I want to just go to the waterpark...sit in the lazy river and have some girl time with my friend. Ah....the true last days of summer. I know it will be hot, and the heat index is totally off the charts. But, can you really complain if your just crusing the lazy river? I don't think so.

This Thursday, the kids will go back to school and so will my routines. It can get crazy. Not that I am anticipating...or even thinking crazy right now. I just know it can happen. And that makes me think of one of my FAVORITE devotional readings of all time. I keep it by 'my place' and read it quite often. Today....I started my morning off reading it again. I need to hear those words. And because I read them often, I find that literally, when I get frustrated during my day...I think about choosing a reaction instead of just plain reacting. It just seems to say what I need to hear. I've copied it and put it in the boys room and in my office too. I think that on Thursday, I'll remind the boys again of these words. It's by Max Lucado......and he's awesome! He has a way with words...see what you think. I pray it blesses you today as well.

"It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...I will invite my God to be the God of circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE ...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULLNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL Gal.5:22,23

To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest with the peace that passes all understanding."

---Max Lucado

Too good not to pass on!

If you live in Birmingham and listen to WDJC you've heard about Kendra Smiley. She and her husband John wrote a parenting and marriage book that they are promoting this week. The title of the book is Do your kids a favor....love your spouse.

I have really enjoyed listening to exerpts from the book this week and have found that I've been encouraged as well. I've been challenged to look at how I love Kevin and how my boys see that as well. As a mom, I have a tendency to put my kids first, but as I am reminded so often...my kids will soon leave and they'll look for a wife to settle down with. Kevin and I are modeling for them the ideal marriage. Oh no.....sometimes its not so ideal!

We can't be perfect...we are definately human. But....I want to be sure i am showing them the kind of wife that I want them to have too. Woe...just typing that hits me. I bet you everything if I saw their wife being snippy, judgemental and naggy....I would have something to say! I would not want one of my boys to be treated poorly by their wife. Hmmm...do I always treat my husband with respect, kindness and love??? Do my kids see that? I think its always good for us to each evaluate what we are modeling to our kids and truly understand the power of what we live right in our own homes.

Check out the book! Kendra has a website that I found as well. Here is something from her home web page. My friend Julie and I were just talking about giving kids independence and how they need that to grow. I thought this was good to pass on!

Here you go! And for more...visit her website www.kendrasmiley.com

Celebrating Your Child’s Growing Freedom

Parenthood can be viewed as an unusual profession. Because the goal is to work your way OUT of a job. Sometimes the idea of “letting go” is a little uncomfortable whether it is sending your child to kindergarten or off to college. So, how can you do it when it’s time to let go?

• Start now. “Letting go,” letting your child mature and assume increased responsibility, is a process. One of the goals of parenting is to raise responsible adults. That doesn’t happen automatically at a pre-determined age. It is a matter of gradual development.
• Look for ways to give age-appropriate responsibility to your child. Brainstorm with your spouse. A young child can help by bringing you the new baby’s diaper. A pre-schooler can help you clear the dishes from the table. A son or daughter in elementary school can unload the dishwasher, learn to change his or her sheets, or work in the yard. An older child can and should take on more responsibility, possibly with laundry and money management.
• Be intentional in doing less for your child and helping him learn to do more. Kids develop problem solving skills when they are given the opportunity. The child whose mom or dad intervenes at every turn, doesn’t have the freedom to succeed or to fail (and to learn how to recover from failure).
• Relish the fact that your child is maturing and changing. On the days it makes you feel a little melancholy, remind yourself of the blessing of seeing your child moving toward the goal of responsible adulthood.


Blessings!

Kendra