tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56662041836866116362024-03-05T12:01:50.813-08:00The MauneysFinding His story in our everyday lives...Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-65960073221237196672013-03-20T09:10:00.000-07:002013-03-20T09:10:04.519-07:00"On Art, Fear, & Lady Gaga" by Emily FreemanI read this post last week, and I loved it. The title drew me in, but what she had to say has kept me there. The following quote is my favorite, in which she quotes the original quote.<br />
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<em>Watching American Idol last week, Randy Jackson called a performance pageant-y. And I realize for this show, pagenty is not meant to be a compliment. But what if you are in a pageant? Then pageant-y might just be what you’re going for.</em></div>
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<em>And if you’re playing at the Blue Bird and someone says you sang that song American Idol-y, you probably wouldn’t take that as a compliment, either.</em></div>
<em>You just have to do what you do.</em><br />
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<em>Whenever I feel the familiar tug of fear about myself or others perception of me and my work, I remember </em><a href="http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/chattingatthesky/~sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/12/lady-gaga-and-me.html" style="color: #81a39e; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><em>Seth Godin and Lady Gaga</em></a><em>:</em></div>
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<em>“Do you think it bothers her that I don’t listen to her music and wouldn’t recognize her if she stopped by and said hi? It shouldn’t. Even if you’re a pop star, you don’t need everyone to be a fan or a customer. And especially if you’re not a pop star, worrying about whether everyone laughs at your jokes, buys your product or even likes you is counterproductive.”</em></div>
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<em>Don’t let fear push you around. Accept that what you do might not always be what they expect. Let your work be your best and your own.</em></div>
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<em><img alt="art and fear" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22070" height="612" src="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/art-and-fear.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: inline; height: auto !important; line-height: 100%; margin: 0px; max-width: 558px !important; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" width="612" /></em></div>
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Read Emily's Entire Post Here:</div>
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<a href="http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b9df62aa196efea133e926bcb&id=be2965bba3&e=e25e3582cd">http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b9df62aa196efea133e926bcb&id=be2965bba3&e=e25e3582cd</a></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-63581453986983081212013-03-06T08:24:00.001-08:002013-03-06T08:24:18.292-08:00Sparkly Green EarringsI finished <em>Sparkly Green Earrings</em> written by Melanie Shankle, aka, Big Mama. This book was hilarious, I laughed out loud constantly. Melanie is a natural born story teller and her stories are unpredicatble yet totally relateable. She jokes about motherhood yet ties every chapter back to God's word. I loved it so much I rationed myself on what I could read daily, I wanted to savor it over several days. I had to share this little section:<br />
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<em>I think I'd been living under this illusion that I could give Caroline a perfect childhood. But perfect doesn't exsist in our world. I can give her love, I can give her laughter, I can instill values and morals in her, I can teach her about Jesus and how he loves her more than she knows, an I can hopefully give her more good memories than bad. And I can pick the nits out of her hair, one little larva at a time. But I can't give her perfection, because I'm fresh out. That's where the grace of God enters, and I exit quietly thorugh tthe back door, allowing Him to fill the gaps. </em></div>
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I know as a new mom I was/am filled with ambitions and hopes and plans to do everything for Knox, Justin and I want him to have the world. But,we are still human and we struggle and fail and fall- sometimes several times in a day. (Staring with the incredible baby book I WAS going to make.) It seems there is this current push to be this excellent awesome mom and do all of these things for your babies to perfection. These ideals come with guilt if you can't (and you can not) do it all. <em>Sparkly Green Earrings</em> is a gentle reminder, I can do my very best, but I can not do everything. I can love my God and my family and the Lord sees our hearts and fills in the spaces. Afterall, He is the perfect parent. For lots of laughs and lots of truth, check this book out.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-57114111144963909102013-03-01T16:02:00.001-08:002013-03-01T16:02:03.429-08:00Numbering Our DaysToday my sister-in-law buried her grandmother. Standing graveside, I looked reality straight into the face. Amazing Grace was played. It's a song which reserves the right to move a heart in any setting, with or without music. It's not uncommon for it to stir emotions but today I experienced it more powerfully than ever before. The chorus hit, I surveyed the hundreds of graves on a blackland hill, not all that far from where we laid my grandfather fifteen years ago. I was moved with realization of the magnitude of His grace.( I dont think we can ever completely comprehend His grace but there are rare and blessed moments when it washes over us as a wave.) Every tombstone represented a man or woman, whom he took to Calvary for. Whether or not they accepted, His love was offered to every last one.Forgiveness, and hope, extended to all of us; a chance to live a life that matters, one lived for something/Someone greater than ourselves.<br />
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Death has a way of leveling the playing field. You realize your pride is deceitful and your youth could serve as a false indication toward Your remaining number of days. Only He knows. Today reminded me of the big picture-which is a true gift. <br />
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As we rode home, I opened my book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp. This is my umpteenth time to read it but its to powerful to read once. Chapter 4 coincidentally opens with a graveside service. She quotes J.R.R. Tolkien saying, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." I want so much to capitalize on the time given to me. I want to steward it well. I heard a preacher recently say "It's true ya know, we write our own funerals." Mrs. Miller lived well, therefore she wrote well. It was evidenced today.<br />
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Teach us to live well, God. Teach us to live wisely & well! Psalm 90:12Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-62096858423330637042013-01-26T10:10:00.001-08:002013-01-26T10:10:11.857-08:00Ann Voskamp-25 Point Manifesto for Sanity in 2013Ann Voskamp. I love her. I love her words, her heart, and the depths from which she writes. I love that she risks her own vulnerabilities & insecurities so she can reach the hearts of women, everywhere, from every walk of life. Some friends say she is entirely too flowery, wordy, and emotional for their tastes. Ha, what does that say about myself?! Oh well, at least I can own it. This post to me is refreshing, renewing, and encouraging. Its simplistic nature reminds me of what I want to be a big deal in 2013, the little things.<br />
Number 19 is something I have been doing for a few months now, with a simple reminder on my phone. It's been a blessing. Number 15 is one I agree with wholeheartedly. A little walk will do every part of your body, mind, and soul good. Number 3 is new the past couple of days. I love the symbolism of the reminder and the simple beauty of a candle. Not to mention the fragrance that thankfully overpowers my diaper-filled trashcan. And finally number 4 is what I'm going to work on. What is my soundtrack? How do you blend hymns & Garth Brooks? Ha. Maybe a shuffle. Which point speaks to your heart?<br /><br />
http://www.incourage.me/2013/01/25-point-manifesto-for-sanity-in-2013.htmlErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-76642090487645342042013-01-20T19:58:00.003-08:002013-01-20T19:58:46.623-08:00The Freeing of Our Soul, excerpt by Ann Voskamp<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> do I need more than His love and what do I want more than His will and when I am my own master, don’t I have a fool for a master? <br /><br />What do you have to fear? You were born for freedom. You deliver into it through obedience. <br /><br />No one ever entered into the full rest of God by giving Him only half of themselves. <br /> You may wrestle, but in Him you have won. You may regret, but in Him you will rise. You may suffer, but in Him you are secure. You may no longer be free to live the easy way, but you will be free to the liberty of doing everything for love. <br /><br />The soundtrack for misery always is “I did it My Way.”<br /><br />Complete abdication to Christ is the only way to complete liberation. <br /><br />That hole in me, the one I see in the mirror, the one between my fingers — it is the mark of the bondslave to Christ and it is the keyhole to freedom and my days and my times and my life are not mine but His.<br /><br />Kids will upend and barge in and spin everything. The phone will ring and the computer will crash and the dayplanner will short circuit and spark and blow a fuse. God will call and God will command and this is the thing:<br /><br />Knowing every interruption is a call from your Master — is liberation. <br /><br />When you named Him your Lord, you gave Him right to your life on His time: Every interruption is a new work order from God. <br /><br />That tearing of my ear — breaks the chains of my heart and I could be a slave to Christ Jesus and the most freeing place for a soul is in the abandonment to the will of God. </span><br />
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- Ann Voskamp, "When You Are Weary of Vanilla Christianity"<br />
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To read the entire post, click the link below:- So good.<br />
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/01/when-you-are-weary-of-vanilla-christianity/Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-63554316227996769362013-01-15T14:26:00.002-08:002013-01-15T14:26:35.527-08:00Jan 15th S.M.<em>Pour out your hearts like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.</em> Lamentations 2:19<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was sharing with my friends how most of us have young ones around us whether they are ours or not. What a prayer on before of the young children living in this day. I do not remember ever reading this particular verse before, but I have thought of it over and over the past week. I am confident it is a prayer the Lord hears and acts on. </span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-42997329094996779812013-01-14T22:17:00.004-08:002013-01-14T22:17:56.918-08:00Heart-wrenching yet BeautifulToday I read a story of a very brave girl who decided not to abort her severely disabled son, contrary to medical opinion & encouragement. The 3-D scan of his beautiful smile made the decision for her. She held him for 9 hours before he went back to heaven. Nine hours she will cherish for the rest of her life.<br />
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2262242/Mother-took-heartbreaking-decision-severely-disabled-baby-aborted-seeing-smile-3D-scan-picture.htmlErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-53020625972456842302013-01-13T16:42:00.001-08:002013-01-13T16:47:53.231-08:00This Momentary Task"Your task as a mother, in conjunction with your husband, is to build a man out of the raw materials avaliable in this delightful little boy, stone upon stone upon stone. Never assume for a moment that you can "do your own thing" without serious consequences for him & his sister. I believe this task must be your highest priority for a period of time. It will not always be required of you. Before you know it, that child at your feet will become a young man who will pack his bags and take his first halting steps into the adult world. Then it will be your turn. By all expectations you should have decades of health & vigor left to invest in whatever God calls you to do. But for now, there is no higher calling. I feel obligated to tell you this, whether my words are popular or not. Raising children who have been loaned to us for a brief ment outranks every other responsibility."<br />
Dr. James Dobson, -Bringing Up Boy"s <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15tgMK8kxMUhBhS2BX_MGPGgI3opEvxzfIjIjzMuAtREwBC-2WLALPihT_p_9h6mD896ghQplJR5oIO5FHAKgkvUg2OzTV9R-i5QL0C_gYN_THKtmABb8rawExjN-cpPVonqyJWS5SA4f/s640/blogger-image-954859810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15tgMK8kxMUhBhS2BX_MGPGgI3opEvxzfIjIjzMuAtREwBC-2WLALPihT_p_9h6mD896ghQplJR5oIO5FHAKgkvUg2OzTV9R-i5QL0C_gYN_THKtmABb8rawExjN-cpPVonqyJWS5SA4f/s640/blogger-image-954859810.jpg" /></a></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-5605755395244663902013-01-10T19:58:00.001-08:002013-01-10T19:59:23.052-08:00JoyTrue joy, as it turns out, comes only to those who have devoted their lives to something greater than personal happiness. If we do not rejoice today, we will not rejoice at all. If we wait until conditions are perfect, we will still be waiting when we die. If we are going to rejoice, it must be in this day. This is the day that The Lord has made. <br />
-John Ortberg Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-36421511120909271882013-01-10T09:33:00.000-08:002013-01-10T09:33:27.095-08:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year! One of my resolutions is to post more frequently. I miss writing, though I continue to journal, I've missed communication back and forth with my blog friends. Since having Knox I find very few spare minutes, but I'm going to make blogging a priority. I listen to many things on my phone while I am around the house, it makes for good multi-tasking. I have a couple of links I want to share concerning the new year.<br />
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First off is Andy Stanley. He is my new favorite. I like his teaching style and the simplicity through which he communicates. Somehow, it always is profound. By the way, he is the son of Dr. Charles Stanley. Andy is the new generation Stanley, though I still thoroughly enjoy Dr. C. Anyhow, this interview with him covers the reasons he does not create New Year's resolutions. He feels it is more important to focus on who we want to be, rather than what we want to do. It's definitely an interesting and inspiring listen.<br />
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<b>https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/andy-stanley-leadership-podcast/id290055666?mt=2</b><br />
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You can find the podcast at the above link. You will have to download it, but you can listen from your phone or computer. It's the top podcast-"A New You Resolution."<br />
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Second is of course-Beth. I heard this via livestream today while I was eating a sandwich and folding laundry, Knox was taking one of his rare naps, therefore I was capitalizing on a few seconds. It's a really good word based around the a scripture in Psalms...<br />
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<b>You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11</b><br />
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She talks to us about how we have the promise of the Lord that this year is going to be a good year. What she says the Lord defines as "good" is fruitful. We all want to be fruitful, we want our day in day out to matter, we want to bear fruit and witness. Her message will be encouraging to you. And at the end she will pray over you, and if for nothing else, watch it for that.<br />
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<b>http://www.livestream.com/livingproofministries/video?clipId=pla_4c05f1b2-6aca-4fcc-bc12-2a0eef9bd821</b><br />
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Thirdly, this is a word to Moms. I read this post and found it ultra encouraging. Maybe some of you will is as well...<b>Why Moms Are Heroes </b>by Rachel Martin<b><br /></b><br />
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<b>http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2013/01/why-moms-are-heroes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FaKlTx+%28finding+joy%29</b><br />
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Happy New Year!<b><br /></b>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-12629018796787948612013-01-09T20:10:00.001-08:002013-01-09T20:10:38.610-08:00Scripture MemoryThis year I am tackling a scripture memory challenge with my little sis, Em, and & my dear friend Meagan. It's an easy pace of one verse every two weeks, but I tell ya it doesn't take long to grow weary. I'm not weary yet, but come June, it's highly possible. That's why I'm so glad to have my friends along. This is a challenge that "will not return void." And we intend to full on celebrate come the end of December. Here is my first verse:<br />
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Do not worry, learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. Philippians 4:6 NLVErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-74398987651274863622012-06-12T15:06:00.001-07:002012-06-12T15:06:13.273-07:00MoneyWise by Luci SwindollI ran across this blog post a couple of days ago. I didn't write it, but I enjoyed reading it. It's practical, wise, old- school financial advice. I think it is possible Luci & I shared a father :) And as a side note, I like Suze Orman, too. Her show is worth negotiating my 9 pm bedtime, most weeks.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">THE MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">Written by Luci Swindoll </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.luciswindoll.com/Blog.php</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">June 7, 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">“From birth to eighteen, a girl needs good parents. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> From eighteen to thirty-five, she needs good looks.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> From thirty-five to fifty-five, she needs a good personality.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> From fifty-five on, she needs cash”.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">Those words by Sophie Tucker were said when she was 69 years old and the quote is one of my favorites. Not only because it’s clever but also because there’s so much truth to it. As you read this, you probably fall into one of those age categories, so don’t you think they’re applicable to where you are…or where you were? Since I fall into that “from fifty-five on…” category, let me talk a little bit about cash. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">I well remember my first lecture regarding money and its value in life. I was ten years old at the time, and had spent every penny of my allowance on model airplanes. I’ve always been fascinated with models of any kind. (I once built the city of Jerusalem with tiny little cardboard blocks…but I digress). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">I was showing my dad the model airplanes and told him how thrilled I was when he asked where I got the money to pay for them. After confessing I not only spent all my allowance but had also borrowed and spent money from both of my brothers, Daddy said, “Honey, someday when you’re grown, you’re going to be responsible for your own money and if you’re not careful with it, you’ll run out. You need to know how to divide it up. Think of it this way”, then he opened his hand, held it up with his fingers spread apart and said, (pointing to each finger one at a time): “Save some, spend some, tithe some, invest some, give some away. That way, you’ll always have money.” I’ve never forgotten it, and (when I followed his counsel) it’s served me well.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">Money is a medium of exchange and while it may be an important commodity to have, there are many things it can’t buy: like happiness or honor. It can’t buy character or good taste. It can’t buy wisdom. Money can’t buy hospitality, kindness, a sense of humor or friendship; it can’t buy richness of heart or pay the price of redemption for a soul that is alien to God. So we could have all the money in the world, yet still be poverty stricken in the things that really matter. It is up to us to determine what we can afford and what we cannot, then live with that determination. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">About twenty years ago I made a list in the front of my Journal that allowed me to check my value system before I spent money. To this day, I still use it.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 1. Tithe off the gross.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 2. Live within your means.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 3. Take care of what you have.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 4. Wear it out.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 5. Do it yourself.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 6. Anticipate your needs.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 7. Research quality, and multiple use.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 8. Make gifts.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 9. Shop less.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 10. Buy used.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 11. Pay cash.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"> 12. Do without. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">That little list of “do’s” and “don’ts” has kept me sane more than once. It’s made me realize that even though “From fifty-five on, I need cash”, there are many things cash can buy that I don’t need. It’s taught me to be resourceful and careful instead of critical and pitiful. And most of all, it’s taught me to be grateful. Once we learn we are millionaires in Christ, having money is nothing by comparison.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">Suze Orman says it well: </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "Times New Roman", serif;">“How you handle your money is a reflection of how you handle every aspect of your life."</span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-50132325413375923492011-12-24T07:50:00.000-08:002011-12-24T07:50:02.950-08:00Who He says He IsOne of my most favorite Christmas passages is found in Isaiah 9:6-7<br />
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"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end."<br />
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Since we know that the Bible is God's Words, inspired by He, himself; it's fun to see the names God claims as He declares His son's coming. I wanted to share the footnotes my Bible holds concerning this passage:<br />
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"The same two Hebrew words underlying 'Wonderful Counselor' describe the Lord as being wonderful in counsel. 'Mighty God', His divine power as a warrior is stressed. 'Everlasting Father', He wil be an enduring,compassionate provider and protector. And 'Prince of Peace', His rule wll bring wholeness and well-being to individuals and to society."<br />
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The wisest most wonderful counselor ever, a warrior of a God, a provider and protector, and one who brings wholeness and well-being to all who will have Him. What a baby, what a God!<br />
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Merry Christmas!!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-37456787825766624332011-12-22T11:12:00.000-08:002011-12-22T11:12:06.654-08:00Early Christmas for KnoxBecca and Keri, in their usual style, have abundantly blessed us with gifts for baby Knox! I took a picture of my favorites...you can see those below:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-rA6-d0DJHYMsVn0NywtOIzfAqOSwAKn9wKAIVcdGqz9d4MCZjpzH2MLzvLovxGYuZuGBdtkrpWVItS6dF7dkxs9PyTXG-kZyRHT-70SgMFo_pfjAYoHoKmrh5GoTTl5lS1KA8Nmi8li/s1600/erin+iphone+12-11+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-rA6-d0DJHYMsVn0NywtOIzfAqOSwAKn9wKAIVcdGqz9d4MCZjpzH2MLzvLovxGYuZuGBdtkrpWVItS6dF7dkxs9PyTXG-kZyRHT-70SgMFo_pfjAYoHoKmrh5GoTTl5lS1KA8Nmi8li/s320/erin+iphone+12-11+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please note the little rain boots. After unwrapping them, Justin set them next to all twelve of his pairs in the foyer. He was very proud! Knox' (I'm guessing that's how I will make my son's name plural...it would be good if I checked on that.) Anyway his middle name will be "Mack." This is after the Mack truck. Their mascot is the bulldog, hence all the little bulldogs on the shirts.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q3t1Qxcu9AyGF7Lhs7urRZrIkRDz4VFv7vCumTmXlAefoMGchaJ13vk2Noj1dJ0r0P0KLeHYK9jkaGSq6jW3gJLLhQm9Sg7u90OGTn7_zFhDea9yy372zTvSe0o2wpsXMDIVl8xLKY9G/s1600/Justin+in+a+Mack+Truck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q3t1Qxcu9AyGF7Lhs7urRZrIkRDz4VFv7vCumTmXlAefoMGchaJ13vk2Noj1dJ0r0P0KLeHYK9jkaGSq6jW3gJLLhQm9Sg7u90OGTn7_zFhDea9yy372zTvSe0o2wpsXMDIVl8xLKY9G/s320/Justin+in+a+Mack+Truck.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my son will be named after. That's Justin, in a Mack truck. Secretly I love it, but I like to pick on Justin for naming our son after a piece of equipment. Now, for the one piece Becca and Keri sent that my son can never wear...."Bachelor" would be false advertisement. He is already married to his Mommy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkkYOCQmGb5VOxGWJgnNjPjYwhqHHL9yPaliaIZenUQ4uy876vzd31MBOjZg2E07J45Jbm4cqRIuehCEuxiZBSlLPye6uUVM_FVO18gSYidpuuuYIpKFnPRXSVnifhPlXC3iosq7Cu-cl/s1600/Knox+will+never+wear+this..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkkYOCQmGb5VOxGWJgnNjPjYwhqHHL9yPaliaIZenUQ4uy876vzd31MBOjZg2E07J45Jbm4cqRIuehCEuxiZBSlLPye6uUVM_FVO18gSYidpuuuYIpKFnPRXSVnifhPlXC3iosq7Cu-cl/s320/Knox+will+never+wear+this..JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-42957228344774727022011-12-13T13:05:00.000-08:002011-12-13T13:24:29.664-08:00A Boy<div class="deleteBody"><div class="postBody" style="color: white;">I realized, I have not even written about the most exciting news our little family has heard in a while. Our baby is a boy, a son. My fingers are just now recovering (bones healing) from the squeeze Justin gave when they identified the proper equipment necessary to be a little man child. We are very happy. I will miss bows, glitter, ruffles, and lace, but there is still hope. Not of my boy wearing any of that, but of another baby one day.<br />
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After the announcement of the gender, we had to return to the waiting room until our doctor could see us for his appointment. Justin was talking 90 to nothing about all the experiences they were going to have, all the machines they were going to destroy, just so they could rebuild, all the forts he had intentions of building, and about all the "treasures" they would bring home to park in my yard. He was so happy. When I saw how happy he was and how much excitement he felt, bows and ribbons left my mind, ok, not completely, but miniature Cinch shirts and cowboy boots will be cute too! <br />
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My family is full of girls. Between my brothers and sisters, there are 6 granddaughters, and 0 grandsons. So, Justin knew the risk of running with me, before we got married. But come to find out the gender is completely determined by the Father. That works well for him, because his family is boy heavy. As the nurse explained how this works I thought about our heavenly Father. The Bible says we are made in the image of God, as a people, as a whole. How interesting that He modeled even this, after himself. Our identity is found in our earthly Father as a mirror to the way our identity is ultimately and truly found in our eternal Father. Who He says we are, is who we are. Regardless of what we feel like, or act like. He's the authority not our feelings or the world or our friends or our family. No one else.<br />
</div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;">Galatians 1:10 says, " Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."</div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;">This verse can be troublesome for those of us who are people- pleasers, want everyone to be happy, or just desire to be liked. I think sometimes as a Christian it's a temptation to desire to "fit in" yet still be God's girl. Sometimes that coincidences well, because the world does still respect morals, general kindness and goodwill towards others. Yet, sometimes the world and the Word differ so radically there is a definite fork in the road and a decision must be made.Those are the moments that tend to be either extremely easy or extremely hard. Sometimes the world's way is so disgusting we don't think twice. Yet, others, it seems so easy that it beckons as a huge temptation. God knows. God understands. </div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;">May your encouragement be, that you are His. And who He says you are, is ultimately who you are, even if you do not believe it. Strive to please Him alone. Even when you fail, He gets to say you are loved, cherished, redeemed, and forgiven-because you are His, and He decides who you are.</div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div class="postBody" style="color: white;">Now, back to browsing cowboy nursery decor. :) </div><div class="postBody" style="color: #777777;"><br />
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</div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-66095760812845984162011-12-12T12:55:00.001-08:002011-12-12T12:55:49.294-08:00No longer 16Today at lunch duty, a girl and a boy were fighting over a bag of Funions (those chips that taste like onions) and I dutifully asked them to stop. I threw in my own opinion and said, "Why would you want those things anyway, they are gross!" They immediately defended their position of complete devotion to their chip of choice. I told them that I had eaten so many as a young girl that I got burnt out on them. One turned to me dead serious shocked, "They've made Funions for that long?" First I said, "Huh??" Then I had to walk away.I guess even though I still feel 16. I am not. Ha. (I guess.)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-73701596226368811072011-11-03T12:41:00.000-07:002011-11-03T12:41:14.367-07:00Accepting Grace and "Coffee"A couple of days ago, I needed a latte. Not just wanted one, needed one. Let me take that back, I needed a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Now, Hamilton is fresh out of pumpkin spice lattes (like forever). To "get a latte" means you run down to the Cefco, grab your cup, choose your flavor and go for it. You get about a half cup of water before the latte wakes up and shows its beautiful face. But nonetheless, I knew it would satisfy my craving and be a special treat for that particular morning. <br />
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I ran in, grabbed my cup, chose my flavor, and headed to the cashier. She rang me up, and I swiped my card. The machine didn't read the card, so I swiped again, and again, and again. Then I switched sides and swiped again, and again, and again. (This latte was a need.) Then she tried the old plastic sack trick. Nothing. I was freaking out, because I knew I had no cash and had nothing to purchase the latte, which I needed, with.<br />
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Just as the last attempt failed, an older gentleman took his place in line behind me. I didn't want to keep him waiting, so I started to tell the clerk, "I'm so sorry I ruined a cup and made a latte, but I've got nothing to purchase it with" and then quickly leave my latte and the store. But just as I started, he said, "Put her coffee on mine." My first thought was "Oh no. He thinks it's a coffee, but it's a latte. That's a difference of at least seventy-five cents! I'm so embarrassed. Why did I HAVE to have the latte?!?" But what I said was, "Oh no, you don't have to do that." Without skipping a beat, he smiled and said, "Well you need that coffee, and you can't pay for it. So, I will. There have been times the machine wouldn't read my card either." <br />
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I was shocked, blessed, and getting a spiritual analogy all at the same time. I quickly said, "Thank you so much!"- then ran out the door with my latte so I didn't have to experience the shame of my $1.50 "coffee." The older generation can't seem to fathom paying more than thirty cents for a cup. Or maybe that's just my Daddy. I was so glad he wasn't covering me at Starbucks.<br />
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So, I got in my truck and thought about the perfect parallel between he and my Father. I needed restoration from sin, and there was no possible way I could pay it. No matter how many times I tried/swiped, my actions/card weren't enough. God had to pay it, or else it wasn't gonna get paid. I was so blessed by that man buying my coffee, I couldn't get over it. I made sure I took a mental snap shot of his pick-up so I could describe it to Justin, and see if he happened to know him. All this, over a buck fifty coffee. It was a wonderful gesture, but how minuet it was compared to the sacrifice of His Son. I couldn't thank the man enough, but there are days I forget to thank God. Yet, no condemnation, because He already paid for even my selfishness/lack of gratitude. I just want to be better at being thankful and grasping what He gave and paid for. Honestly, it is hard to grasp an eternal reality when you can not see, touch, or experience it immediately, as you can a cup of coffee. But one day, when we do...Oh the joy! <br />
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The flip side, is how easily I accepted the coffee, but struggle with accepting His gift of grace. I enjoyed my coffee, and didn't worry for the remainder of the day, "Gosh, how am I going to ever pay for this coffee." I knew it had been paid for and was good with that. I long to accept grace in this way, but my sense of pride encourages me to find something I can do, even if it is just a small payment. But Truth says, I am incapable of even a payment, because the payer must be totally perfect, and I can't help myself one bit on that one! The fact I struggle with the acceptance of grace, gives me hope, that maybe to some degree, I do recognize the magnitude of the sacrifice. <br />
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If any of this makes any sense to you at all, I am glad. Look for Him, trying to reveal Himself to you, in everyday experiences. It is His good pleasure to do so, and our unmeasurable gain.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-35486395000955278122011-11-01T13:16:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:16:23.515-07:00The Benefit of DoubtI did not write this, but found it on a blog a couple days ago. I loved it and sent it on to several of my friends. It is powerfully written and true to the heart. A bit convicting as well- but even conviction is beautiful, right?? It's communication with our Father. At least we know He is still speaking to us in our spirit.<br />
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<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3518360755420877697"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Benefit of Doubt</span><br />
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If there were ever a group of people who should second guess their impulsive judgments about others it should be Christ followers. We know what forgiveness is. We know we are not enemies. We know all of us have something to learn. We know all of us are flawed. We know the "ideal self" is myth. We know none of us sees things clearly. We know everyone is a critic and everyone has a critic. We know people love to talk about everyone's failures but their own. We know pride is nothing more than an elaborate cover-up for our insecurities. We know evil runs through every single one of us. We know God will finish what He started. And, most of all, we know Christ.<br />
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Of course, it's hard to extend the benefit of the doubt when you're licking your wounds. I'd rather operate with the assurance that I know what I saw, I know what I heard, I know what I felt. It's hard to argue with me when I'm talking about myself. But, then, I think of him. And, how he said, "father forgive them, they don't know what they're doing." The ultimate benefit of the doubt.<br />
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Maybe next time I'll say to myself, "he didn't mean it, and, even if he did, I don't know." Sure will save me a lot of grief. Rummaging through past hurts and sorting out possible motives only contributes to my delusion of certainty. Instead, I should live with the benefit of doubt. </div><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"> <span class="post-author vcard"> Posted by <span class="fn">Rodney Reeves</span> </span> <span class="post-timestamp"> at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://agenuinefaith.blogspot.com/2011/09/benefit-of-doubt-if-there-were-ever.html" rel="bookmark" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" title="2011-09-14T14:32:00-06:00">2:32 PM</abbr></a> </span> <span class="reaction-buttons"> </span> <span class="star-ratings"> </span> <span class="post-comment-link"> </span> <span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link"> </span> <span class="post-icons"> <span class="item-action"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=37430348&postID=3518360755420877697" title="Email Post"> <img alt="" class="icon-action" height="13" src="http://img1.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif" width="18" /> </a> </span> <span class="item-control blog-admin pid-451763160"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=37430348&postID=3518360755420877697&from=pencil" title="Edit Post"> <img alt="" class="icon-action" height="18" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" width="18" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=37430348&postID=3518360755420877697&from=pencil" title="Edit Post"> </a> </span> </span> <div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block"> </div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-3068577288318540882011-09-12T12:57:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:57:00.845-07:00Readings<div>I have not written lately, but I have been obssessed with reading. I think because it is an activity I can complete from my bed or the bath tub, while sipping 7-Up. Those have been my two favorite hot spots lately. I have read several pieces that spoke so loudly to my heart, that it seemed the Lord was leaning down into my ear. I want to share several of them with you over the next couple of days. </div><div> </div><div>The first writing I wanted to share comes from <u>Streams in the Desert</u>, which is one of my most favorite books for times you need a little encouragement. This speaks so much to me, because it is reinforcement encouraging us to be us, in Christ. It frees us up to realize that who we were created to be in Him, is exactly who He wanted. We can release ourselves from pressure to be anyone but us. That is, afterall, how and where we will be the most effective. </div><div> </div><div> Learning to be Content-Streams in the Desert</div><div> </div><div>A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and founde vertyhing withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick oflife and etermined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. </div><div> </div><div>The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life aways because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. </div><div> </div><div>Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened." "No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can be." </div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-21535550435421531952011-09-12T12:55:00.001-07:002011-09-12T12:55:55.583-07:00Baby On the Way!Justin and I have exciting news. Most of you have heard, and actually we are still procesing it ourselves, but we are Pregnant! We are very excited and feel so blessed. We realize what a divine opportunity this is, and what a charge from God we have been given. We accept it with arms wide open and can not wait to see what the Lord does in our little family. We are due April 22nd, and should find out around the first of December whether we will buy pink boots or blue. We ask for and so appreciate your prayers for our family as we make these preparations, and of course for a healthy and strong baby!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-27403047648627988712011-08-23T12:35:00.000-07:002011-08-23T12:35:43.838-07:00My Newest TreasureMy dear friend Heather introduced me to the Pioneer Woman. She had told me about her a couple times, but the moment I read the blog, I was hooked! The simple story is city girl meets country boy, they fall in love and have babies. (And live in the middle of nowhere.) Ree Drummond, is hilarious, and quick-witted. Since I recently have fallen in love with her, Justin and Becca ordered me her cookbook, and her novel, which is her very own love story. It was the coolest surprise gift! The novel was great, and the cookbook is packed for a colors, pictures, and recipes. I attempted my first, homemade cinnamon rolls. They were quite delicious & quite dangerous. I think you like her : thepioneerwoman.com<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_zGBT9v3h8RBDoBEtXwuXHW7uRHZf9rLun2EoFTOVlMXqGObLYIX1kDtwYruyn1XZIt4w76SQCyGaey_B-1ey5XLzvKTV11T1J637MHCLEAj-TAtTokMTj7HTBwuZ21vLvpgqZBlf2JE/s1600/PW+LOVE+STORY.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_zGBT9v3h8RBDoBEtXwuXHW7uRHZf9rLun2EoFTOVlMXqGObLYIX1kDtwYruyn1XZIt4w76SQCyGaey_B-1ey5XLzvKTV11T1J637MHCLEAj-TAtTokMTj7HTBwuZ21vLvpgqZBlf2JE/s320/PW+LOVE+STORY.BMP" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB9NUG2NuqUiYDqLj7yBXKqVLT77cF-oJYG__bCST8hwRL1OTSHIGBz4oAuHuDJepUJ3NORdWf3qVm0_YyIjFJyFLZCb7sGBnrisFon5eMyO_ZQC2YZPBcHH6MuCkjGlu85DfT5WYoGoa/s1600/PW+COOKBOOK.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB9NUG2NuqUiYDqLj7yBXKqVLT77cF-oJYG__bCST8hwRL1OTSHIGBz4oAuHuDJepUJ3NORdWf3qVm0_YyIjFJyFLZCb7sGBnrisFon5eMyO_ZQC2YZPBcHH6MuCkjGlu85DfT5WYoGoa/s320/PW+COOKBOOK.BMP" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n1zGOr08dODIEnPHz_rAGk8iuXBuH7OelZS90zbSzJ7jjviz8GkdOzJSlb4eNiS24jKzdvzNr16frYc_1p-QBo8nRcJj0q-PE-RaNM3pCDuIMBf8sQeSxepD3A4XAjG39gUGEk-HpNDk/s1600/PW+CINNAMON+ROLLS.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n1zGOr08dODIEnPHz_rAGk8iuXBuH7OelZS90zbSzJ7jjviz8GkdOzJSlb4eNiS24jKzdvzNr16frYc_1p-QBo8nRcJj0q-PE-RaNM3pCDuIMBf8sQeSxepD3A4XAjG39gUGEk-HpNDk/s320/PW+CINNAMON+ROLLS.BMP" width="320" /></a></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-72075775807576882472011-08-20T15:41:00.000-07:002011-08-20T15:41:56.156-07:0030 Day ChallengesOne of my favorite authors/speakers is Nancy Lee DeMoss. She is a single woman, who has committed her life to whole heartedly serving women, and helping them regain their purpose. In high school, my church completed the Bible study "Ruth" which she had written. Since then, I have listened to her through the radio and online and checked out her blog/website. Just this afternoon I was reading a few of her articles on becoming a virtuous woman of God. I found these 30-Day Challenges.<br />
<ul><li>30 Days of True Woman Makeovers</li>
<li>30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge</li>
<li>30 Day Choosing Gratitude Challenge</li>
<li>30 Days of Praying for your Pastor</li>
<li>30 Days of Praying for your Pastor's Wife </li>
</ul>Sometimes when we really desire change or desire to see God work, it requires devoted focus. Our lives can become so busy, even with the best intentions we can fall off track. But below on this link you can enter your email address and they will send you daily encouraging emails, I believe. Be sure to check out her blog too (truewoman.com), if you have time. She has several authors that contribute to it, and you can browse by topic and subject.<br />
<br />
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/challenge/<br />
<br />
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-23346129223660081332011-08-18T12:36:00.000-07:002011-08-18T12:36:53.402-07:00A Weekend of Parties...Last weekend was Party Central! It began with my dear friend Keri's bachelorette party...complete with Italian food and cheesecake, and of course I crowning veil. We then had her shower Saturday morning. Tim attended this shower with Keri-making it more of a comedy show than a shower! That afternoon we followed up with her lingerie shower, complete with you know what...very little!. Finally that evening I headed to Corsicana where my mom hosted a Pampered Chef party, complete with an apron contest (through pictures you can determine your favorite!). When my head hit the pillow on Saturday evening I was exhausted! But we had so much fun and laughed and ATE!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoEEtyICiwZDLzqOtkNSRsSuUUSHO8ev_7QL2afIybhgukLxCCPjeGSPTZQtIlEL5oyQTXnnv5Mp2je3kJ59oreQegO7X_EgK3wd1M7hDZtlDl_sAPeuBkKV9kZdxdCxFbbH_ZeDwtsqX/s1600/Erin+IPHONE+180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoEEtyICiwZDLzqOtkNSRsSuUUSHO8ev_7QL2afIybhgukLxCCPjeGSPTZQtIlEL5oyQTXnnv5Mp2je3kJ59oreQegO7X_EgK3wd1M7hDZtlDl_sAPeuBkKV9kZdxdCxFbbH_ZeDwtsqX/s320/Erin+IPHONE+180.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center"> Keri's Table for her Party</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3hkB5uGxnL9mLAaIqUwLrRo9IPvFq80bLMIkON4rDwzeFJxX5AAeIRf_bXVM46kbVkoPoBU1VsnobKPZOq8-r_3LyMs1BK2OMymIcNvLl2fJUU4ipb-vI4LwyY4yoMwxR_apKBvxUFlb/s1600/Party-Keri+Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3hkB5uGxnL9mLAaIqUwLrRo9IPvFq80bLMIkON4rDwzeFJxX5AAeIRf_bXVM46kbVkoPoBU1VsnobKPZOq8-r_3LyMs1BK2OMymIcNvLl2fJUU4ipb-vI4LwyY4yoMwxR_apKBvxUFlb/s320/Party-Keri+Flowers.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNAMnaeWvC-zPLBDvxKGczrcNHqaxjutmF9LqeDXiyPcJd5AUuENfFcCKQxMQtUbz2QADA8oE60rK_a5kbnMbup4fX482nMQXW8DjvHMZu3lxgT5xdLyuFM9Dvh2VX9KVB9k6FMHY_7Ho/s1600/Party-Keri.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNAMnaeWvC-zPLBDvxKGczrcNHqaxjutmF9LqeDXiyPcJd5AUuENfFcCKQxMQtUbz2QADA8oE60rK_a5kbnMbup4fX482nMQXW8DjvHMZu3lxgT5xdLyuFM9Dvh2VX9KVB9k6FMHY_7Ho/s320/Party-Keri.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">Beautiful Bride</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg555ykvcGF6EQjew9VfT0TT-7k4Ylcn41yvfQ2lupa6mIgBrw5cdcIqV5EPP4_YqTVS4WH2wwXGh3PANQzwBW-MFNszOrl3AOK3PZlY2zKtjNYdw3meLB4jADYx4P3kmTOmJXTlsOGFyoE/s1600/Party-nanny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg555ykvcGF6EQjew9VfT0TT-7k4Ylcn41yvfQ2lupa6mIgBrw5cdcIqV5EPP4_YqTVS4WH2wwXGh3PANQzwBW-MFNszOrl3AOK3PZlY2zKtjNYdw3meLB4jADYx4P3kmTOmJXTlsOGFyoE/s320/Party-nanny.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">Phyllis, Mrs. Garcia, & Mrs. Nanny</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKAYBPJZnmYWssjtseS82ViCRcernFl0jHy8EB5xKXoddA1j0-MbwItt-8pJSBe1tkML8xg1UKd8hXnArkC8dWnt-L1KM6nMvZNfE8w2aTsXeKk1GGC-MhY552f00Or4QNTrVCn6lJSAY/s1600/Party-mom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKAYBPJZnmYWssjtseS82ViCRcernFl0jHy8EB5xKXoddA1j0-MbwItt-8pJSBe1tkML8xg1UKd8hXnArkC8dWnt-L1KM6nMvZNfE8w2aTsXeKk1GGC-MhY552f00Or4QNTrVCn6lJSAY/s320/Party-mom.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">Mom & Kristen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZljtBu1-TqluSz1tcO73Rf27MReWCapGjBuAfmlWzXnaYngJYZO1XzTBsToKqAFnthPdEayLAWlUeXikQ_tt3UZurEfICZe3BjT2vSUoRE_yUQ8j9-SM2CRtoTk37EquFUZfRxzuN73P/s1600/party-derenda+phyllis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZljtBu1-TqluSz1tcO73Rf27MReWCapGjBuAfmlWzXnaYngJYZO1XzTBsToKqAFnthPdEayLAWlUeXikQ_tt3UZurEfICZe3BjT2vSUoRE_yUQ8j9-SM2CRtoTk37EquFUZfRxzuN73P/s320/party-derenda+phyllis.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">De'Renda & Phyllis!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM89LP_03LL9smONg_nA9FwpnlCe9g-UyStgeJ5V7Dr38TLd1RjLYVUJHE9DyPmeU77PA7_U2H3oePcJDeNU2CKW_Xmto11XD02SFBQASUQkLKf8pFm9REa4zh1EjQGIo6I5vk_tOZn0RM/s1600/party+aprons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM89LP_03LL9smONg_nA9FwpnlCe9g-UyStgeJ5V7Dr38TLd1RjLYVUJHE9DyPmeU77PA7_U2H3oePcJDeNU2CKW_Xmto11XD02SFBQASUQkLKf8pFm9REa4zh1EjQGIo6I5vk_tOZn0RM/s320/party+aprons.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Everyone and their aprons....oh Phyllis! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUhwbkU3UibnQlwtun2kceGCtNHFQRyecjE0jema9Qg8-GR9lwX7CLRz475j4c5aYdNTAOXI_LXlGSeMHaeNvJr6pIvxl4-w40cLQh8bSKOqa6L5c-8LDQMpLV9C7UGqFFL7Ju3ZvByW7/s1600/Party-Sherry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUhwbkU3UibnQlwtun2kceGCtNHFQRyecjE0jema9Qg8-GR9lwX7CLRz475j4c5aYdNTAOXI_LXlGSeMHaeNvJr6pIvxl4-w40cLQh8bSKOqa6L5c-8LDQMpLV9C7UGqFFL7Ju3ZvByW7/s320/Party-Sherry.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aunt Sherry & Yvonne</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-4858040891597097562011-08-18T12:03:00.000-07:002011-08-18T12:03:29.097-07:00Nashville Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw45uhMlYzlfoCFBcG4BTYevW2KbFtRCG2GHyub-WKRsn694EKWDhz6yItewm3gj2DL9R-2JJFkGjWKbndYEUF0xzZWOManBhppLMtXCIEyqoPDUeU7wvqvBmC0vxmdVK1ZPv0rwuVzBBy/s1600/Hotel.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw45uhMlYzlfoCFBcG4BTYevW2KbFtRCG2GHyub-WKRsn694EKWDhz6yItewm3gj2DL9R-2JJFkGjWKbndYEUF0xzZWOManBhppLMtXCIEyqoPDUeU7wvqvBmC0vxmdVK1ZPv0rwuVzBBy/s320/Hotel.BMP" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">This was the inside of the hotel we stayed in-The Opryland Hotel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkK01gGhriW27sF-mpS7MIVMb0gJKlt9QXsAkI26p5Bgg7OExM6U9H7cc2wT0I7Yx4cJ5fHVCMz5Fyf0HYxPsUWBuyG8cNGU6aPk9T9HWAFn_cydDEHSNV1T4gT-k0SM5QPY71egpC2rF/s1600/Nashville-Award.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkK01gGhriW27sF-mpS7MIVMb0gJKlt9QXsAkI26p5Bgg7OExM6U9H7cc2wT0I7Yx4cJ5fHVCMz5Fyf0HYxPsUWBuyG8cNGU6aPk9T9HWAFn_cydDEHSNV1T4gT-k0SM5QPY71egpC2rF/s320/Nashville-Award.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div align="center">One of Justin's Awards for being a "Top Gun" winner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPs2_BaovXOnPEKImQvSfB50yw8S8bJYFCE4Ihyphenhypheni1zo_t1voenJOO9CGqqsLsN-xiGYsN802GUQSFGldelSo8gH2Lnz2pSvi3o0eTb1EjWKy2dqkowWB7Q8MSYkVK_go9D9KUqjpIp7-K/s1600/Nashville-Opry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPs2_BaovXOnPEKImQvSfB50yw8S8bJYFCE4Ihyphenhypheni1zo_t1voenJOO9CGqqsLsN-xiGYsN802GUQSFGldelSo8gH2Lnz2pSvi3o0eTb1EjWKy2dqkowWB7Q8MSYkVK_go9D9KUqjpIp7-K/s320/Nashville-Opry.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">The Grand Old Opry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwglgDgecpkcPCYyUxp5uoE7E_PcwqIsi_6kVAVF8qDvhT1UexudJ2h3YpPe6hpGyFHIf6iyMkjioRXnBD6zn3LNvkLqPugwISHgqWmnwkeeG2LsLXh3rF4w24-ig8vS3KInV87wSg_G6y/s1600/Nashville-George.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwglgDgecpkcPCYyUxp5uoE7E_PcwqIsi_6kVAVF8qDvhT1UexudJ2h3YpPe6hpGyFHIf6iyMkjioRXnBD6zn3LNvkLqPugwISHgqWmnwkeeG2LsLXh3rF4w24-ig8vS3KInV87wSg_G6y/s320/Nashville-George.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">We had crossed our fingers we would run into him...or at least I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LaKTwOABxSILvwD0CbAgVtRSrLRSRfIeuiUL9mYN7iViJA-LZbhTnVMy3dHAmL2DB535sUI8wI9o5nlEOP180TUIxaClrprzgoV7WO5G0XfKPf3w0MsWhdbcRn1Zp31PCIusnBEGq9nJ/s1600/Nashville-Rides.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LaKTwOABxSILvwD0CbAgVtRSrLRSRfIeuiUL9mYN7iViJA-LZbhTnVMy3dHAmL2DB535sUI8wI9o5nlEOP180TUIxaClrprzgoV7WO5G0XfKPf3w0MsWhdbcRn1Zp31PCIusnBEGq9nJ/s320/Nashville-Rides.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Ride Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gbG0lh-k6EDozQyxgdZx9tvowDSk4xF-wbmZyVsjjJHNJtsDPGls9dTv2bn6XxyyvAqePtvHJg-Zkp78wQDNLMK35Ft1hQIomHzIR59AfwY1a6R-FHNebhUu9Pw6nVGHezAzN9srsBt-/s1600/Nashvile-Best+pic+yet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gbG0lh-k6EDozQyxgdZx9tvowDSk4xF-wbmZyVsjjJHNJtsDPGls9dTv2bn6XxyyvAqePtvHJg-Zkp78wQDNLMK35Ft1hQIomHzIR59AfwY1a6R-FHNebhUu9Pw6nVGHezAzN9srsBt-/s320/Nashvile-Best+pic+yet.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">One of our most classy pictures yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH1y6doz69BfPHMzstXV6d8oG4AAggOCaoUOl0niah5PxuJt94TX0h3rqsCcXy1tFzknwpPvL93PW1WtaYR1OtOA70tPbIlcud2GEQoUuGRl289eOpz_k3xbUqlR7BAYRM-H6y3nQQlpz/s1600/Nashville-getting+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH1y6doz69BfPHMzstXV6d8oG4AAggOCaoUOl0niah5PxuJt94TX0h3rqsCcXy1tFzknwpPvL93PW1WtaYR1OtOA70tPbIlcud2GEQoUuGRl289eOpz_k3xbUqlR7BAYRM-H6y3nQQlpz/s320/Nashville-getting+home.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div align="center">My husband, waiting on our flight, in a wheelchair, spit cup between his legs, boots off, and a construction cone on his head. I'm the luckiest girl alive!</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666204183686611636.post-33800344721338008082011-08-18T11:45:00.000-07:002011-08-18T11:45:12.990-07:00Nashville, TennesseeWhen Justin & I got married, our original honeymoon plan was to take a trip across the South. We both love history & farming and the South is full of both. We wanted to visit historical markers, tour plantation homes, & wind up in Nashville to take in all of Music City. Well, then we begin to look at the cost & the practicality of that particular trip. Justin's great-uncle offered us several free nights in one of his condos, down on the beach in Corpus Christi. We accepted that gift quickly and we thankful for our opportunity. We both commented that we could go to Nashville "one day."<br />
<br />
On our way home from our honeymoon, Justin's boss called just to let him know that he was one of the top salesmen in the nation and he won a free trip to Nashville in July! Plus he could take me. :) This trip was all expense paid-airfare, shuttle rides, hotel, food-everything. Plus there would be a Justin Moore concert, and a Zac Brown Band, thrown in. Through Ken's free passes, I got to fly for free also. We were beside ourselves with the timing and blessing of this trip. We had a second honeymoon, and it was on the company!<br />
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The food was fancy (I think Justin's favorite meal was a chicken fried steak at the Cracker Barrel on our way home), but still. Each meal was served with more silverware than I even own. We had free entertainment, a free trip to the Ryman and the Country Music Hall of Fame. We even stood on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. One of my most favorite parts was the ride day. This is the day that Polaris introduced all the salesmen to the new rides that would be making their debut this year. We got to test drive all of them, & their competition. That was so much fun. A couple I rode on my own, but it was more fun when Justin drove. He's a daredevil!<br />
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I wanted to post pictures, but my computer is not accepting any of them. I'm gonna go ahead and post. And if it decides to cooperate I will post pictures then!<br />
<span id="goog_1718720874"></span><span id="goog_1718720875"></span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16771412501204826845noreply@blogger.com0