Change

I LOVE to organize, rearrange furniture in my house, and clean out. Every couple months I've been known to even rearrange my kitchen appliances on my counter and the cabinets. It drives my family crazy sometimes especially in the kitchen. If you come to visit us you never know what my bathroom downstairs will look like because I'm constantly rotating the shower curtains and decor. We are blessed with three full bathrooms ( I NEVER complain about that! I LOVE IT after living in a house with only one bathroom before we went into full time Pastoral ministry it's a fabulous thing! ) Even at the bank I've been known to change my desk around often. Most of the people who know me just giggle.

Here's the thing though those are all outward surface changes for this OCD woman. Nothing like a clean surface and a change of pace. Keep it neat clean and current. 

Unfortunately everything in my life (and I am confident in yours too if your reading this) isn't as tidy and willing to change so easily. Spiritual, mental and physical it's just not as easy. My prayer is that it WILL BE! I'm rearranging some things and changing things up for me. I challenge you if your reading this don't just surface clean your heart, soul and mind. Purge it and let The Lord purify it. There's nothing taking out the "trash" in you spirit! 

Be blessed this week! 

Redeemed

I have become lazy at blogging. There I said it. I have all of my thoughts in my mind and my heart but by the time I get to the post it I'm so tired I can't type another thing. It's pitiful really. I mean it's not as though I have a busy schedule. (Insert hysterical laugh). 

Really though. I am going to try to do better. This past weekend was simply amazing. We took a group of our middle and high school students to Wintetfest in Knoxville and it was so refreshing to sing and to hear the Word preached and just soak it all up. 

After arriving back last night we got to sit under the singing and ministry of a retired Pastor and his wife and it was AWESOME. Just what my spirit and mind needed. 

I'm so thankful that The Lord is faithful and present in my life. After such a powerful work and move of the Holy Spirit last night in our services I was reminded where He has brought me from since 1992/1993. 

I am redeemed! 

Time

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were putting the Christmas decorations up and now we are pulling them back out. More and more the older I get I am realizing my parents were right. Time flies. My boys are growing up so fast and the days and weeks fly by. I'm trying to be more conscious and careful about making the most of the moments with my little family and my extended family. As we kick off this 2013 Holiday season I encourage you to make the most of those moments. Love, forgive, laugh, be intentional, listen, encourage but most of all just be there. Because when the day is done they will remember that you were there. 

God Cares

Over the past few weeks The Lord has been showing me just how much he cares about all the details in my life! The things that I worry about (even though I'm not suppose to), the things that seem huge to me and details that only I care about and know about matter to Him! 

As I have prayed and trusted Him and done as the Word says, casting every care upon Him, he has showed me that He is who he says He is in the Word. 

I'm so encouraged this morning. 

I encourage you today to take your burdens to The Lord ! He can do more with them in five seconds than you can do with them all week long! Don't carry that need around. Lay it at Jesus feet and trust Him to work it out. 

Jesus never fails! 

Vacation Day 7

Tuesday we went for round two of breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. Way too convenient not to and the food .... Delicious. 

Our waiter was hilarious. This place is known for its obnoxious servers and part of the family fun. The waiter had no idea the joke was on Debbie when he brought her this tiny mason jar to drink her diet coke out of and then gave me the huge cup. 

 

After breakfast we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  Pirates of the Caribbean is our favorite.  

Headed to dinner ~ Crab Legs wooo hooooo! 

Vacation Day 6

Monday was our completely RELAX day! We woke up and headed to eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at our resort for breakfast. And it did not disappoint! 

Can you say "All You Can Drink" milkshakes for breakfast. Yeah my boys were in heaven. 

Eli's face says it all.......

He loved the pony rides. This place is so much fun. 

After a yummy breakfast we went back to our rooms changed and headed to the pool. It was so nice to not have to be anywhere. The weather was gorgeous and the kids were having a blast.

 Even my oldest "child". Yep that's Jason sliding down the water slide (another reason I love this man! ) 

Mid afternoon our friends arrived from the Bahamas ( celebrating 25 years of marriage at their favorite resort! ) 

After lunch at the food court we crashed for a power nap before heading to Epcot for the BEST Italian meal I've ever had at Via Napoli. Delicious. Tiramisu. The best I've ever had I my life. Here are a few pics from Italy! Rain arrived just as we were heading in to dinner. Perfect timing! 

The resort was wonderful and so relaxing! Definitely best part of this vacation. 

Vacation Day 5 ~ Fathers Day

Sunday was Day 5 of our vacation and it just so happened to be Fathers Day! What dad wouldn't want to be in sunny Florida hanging out with a mouse, duck, dog and his wife and kids :) this guy loved it! 

We slept in ( which NEVER happens on a Sunday! Then we got ready and headed to lunch at the Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom. It was delicious. Here's a few 

Then there was this delicious dessert we LOVE and we all share. It's called the volcano. We all four shared it and I'm telling you. We didn't even eat HALF of it! 

We had a great day! Enjoyed our kids and being together. Eli and Jason got their roller coaster fix and we watched the Festival of the Lion King!