Completely

I love the last words to this song, 

"What can I say, What can I do?  But offer this heart, oh God, completely to you..."

Oh, wait.  You mean even that little dark part that is angry?   Oh, and that part that I've been holding back in fear?  Okay, hold the phone! That part that needs to forgive someone?!?!?

Completely. 

Well, that is a lot harder than just singing words to a song! 

You are God Alone

Claiming the words to this song today.

2010 Blog Recap

This thing still on?
Yes, I'm actually blogging. My keyboard keys are a little rusty even but here I go.

While I don't see myself blogging on a daily basis anymore,  I did want to recap my 2010. I like to reflect on the year past as a way to grow from it.   I also think the blog recap at Musings of a Housewife is fun and I have the day off so...here goes.

The first post of each month of 2010 and the first line of that post.   It is also linked up if you want to click over on that post. 

January -One Word
sur⋅ren⋅der
–verb (used with object)

1.

to yield (something) to the possession or power of another

Oh, this is where I pick my word of the year.  It was truly a year of surrendering.  Over and over.  And it was not easy.  I hate to be a downer but sometimes yielding to where God is leading you is just hard.  It took (and continues) more faith than I knew I even had.   I'll be doing this again soon with my word for 2011.


February - Complaining -What I Learned This Week
I wrote a bit bout complaining this past Sunday.

Still struggle with this.  Maybe my personality lends itself to always struggle with this.  This post really follows another post that is linked up there.   This was good to reflect on for sure. 

March - Duke Basketball Game

Whenever I tell someone (mostly men) where I live, I am often asked the question of which college team I show my allegiance to.

Oh this was fun!  Someone gave us tickets to a Duke Basketball game.  Great photos here! 


Oh and because I just can't resist - on March 3 we learned that our baby was going to be a BOY!



April - Oh Glorious Day!  
Just a video of a Casting Crowns song that I love.  Worth listening to.  :)


May - Freedom
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.    - Romans 8:1


Just a Sunday Word post.   But a cornerstone of my faith for sure.



June - Same Always
I have to say that there has just been so much change in my life lately, I don't even know how to begin blogging about it.

It seems that this time of the year was really the beginning of me not blogging on a regular basis.  This is a pretty good explanation of why and this was before the Baby T was even born.   My life is very different now.  No longer a full-time stay at home mom.  Mom to 3.   The change has been both so awesome (baby and job) and at times so challenging.   Good thing one thing never changes.



July - Happy July 4th!
Normally, we are at the beach over the 4th.

Oh, here are some fun pictures.  Boy it was hot this summer.  And this is just one more reminder that I did not get to go to the beach with my family this year.  :(



August -Welcome Sweet Baby Boy!
What more can I say?  Our Baby T was born on July 30.  Here are the first pictures of him.  He's changed our life in amazing and beautiful ways.  What a gift.

September - Life in Full Swing.  How do you Manage?
Life is in full swing here..

Full swing is just an understatement.  Still looking for ideas on how to efficiently manage my life.   I'm starting to get a hold on it but I have to say that I've been busier than I've ever been in my life.  Full of awesome activities, friends and family - but WHEW!

October - Thankful for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

It's good to look back on this last year and see many of my posts were focused on scripture.  It's hard to look back on this last year and know that I was clinging on to them for dear life some days.  God is so faithful, y'all.

November - Mercy
Another Casting Crowns song.   And the only post of November.
It's a great album, by the way.  Probably my anthem album for 2010 - Until the Whole World Hears.

December - 2010 Recap.
This is it.  The only post in December.  Wow.

I am looking forward to posting some new photos and updating my friends and family with the blog this year.  I do like to archive my life this way since I don't scrapbook anymore.  Eventually, I'd like to take my favorite posts and even make them into a book for my family to enjoy one day.  I expect my writing will be few and far between.  Life is just too busy.  I've got a couple drafts I'd like to finish up and publish.   We'll see.

I hope you have an awesome New Year's Eve and had a very Merry Christmas!

Mercy

I've been waking up each morning with a different worship song in my head lately. I feel like it's such a blessing to wake up singing words of praise rather than thoughts of the busy day ahead. It comforts me to know that He's got it all under control.

So, I thought I'd share them with you...when I remember to do so.

Here's today's -  Mercy by Casting Crowns.

My favorite verse from this song is:

You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows

Enjoy!

Love and Hugs

I'm curious.  Would you hug him?  Would you hug all the people walking by?

Hug.  Love.  Put Yourself Out There.

Read this on Donald Miller's blog today  - They Will Know Us By Our Love - and LOVED it!

They will know us by our love.

Lovin' This Little Book...

I've been enjoying this little devotion book so much, I have to share it with you.   


It seems like every day, the devotion and scripture is exactly what I need.   I can study it and pray for 10-15 minutes if that's all I have or I can really dig deeper into the recommended scripture when I am blessed with more time.    It's been just what I've needed this month.



Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  I picked it up at Family Christian Bookstore but also got my friend a copy at WalMart. 



Just wanted to share the love.    Happy Monday!

Your Love is a Song

I'm loving Switchfoot's new album, Hello Hurricane.    I've always been a big fan and I'm personally also a big fan of Christian bands crossing over to mainstream music which is what is happening to this band now.   I introduced them to my niece a year or so ago and she wouldn't listen to them.  Now that they are on the radio she will.   Go figure.
 

Ordinary Miracle

Well, it seems that I am finally feeling better today. I've missed you all very much but since I had to reserve any energy I had to take care of my kids, I didn't blog at all this week. Yesterday, after my kids left for school, I ended up sleeping pretty much the entire day. I guess after 4 days of antibiotics and a full day of sleep, my body won and I am back in the land of the living!

I heard this song last night on the Olympics Opening Ceremony and remembered how much I love it. Then I woke up to the most beautiful snow covered world. It's a good day to celebrate the ordinary miracles.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Our Church had an awesome Christmas production this  past weekend. They always just exceed my expectations.    Our drama director and team is amazing, our worship director, band and vocalists are just inspiring and we had dancers from THE Carolina Ballet perform in the show. I was moved to tears through much of the show, laughed out loud at other times and then just rejoiced with everyone else in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Anyway, this was one of the songs they sang during the show and I love it so much.   It's been with me all weekend and thought I would share with you!   Merry Christmas!

It was actually hard for me to pick a favorite rendition of this song on YouTube.  If you have a minute after you listen to this, I also really enjoyed the versions by Enya, Sixpence None The Richer, Casting Crowns (instrumental) and Sufjan Stevens.  All just amazing!  This one by Selah was the closet to what it sounded like this weekend, though.  

A Christmas Carol Review

My son was invited to a birthday party yesterday since the kids were out of school.  It was at the movie theater. I did not even know that there was a private party room there. It was a fun party, although it looked to be lots of work for the parents. If I'm going to pay that much money for a party, I don't want to work that hard, ya know?

Anyway, the movie they chose to see was the new Christmas Carol in 3-D so, my daughter and I decided to stay and see the movie as well.   I was a little concerned about the ghost images and how my 5 year old son would react. Wouldn't you know it's just like a boy to not act scared in front of his friends, though.

The 3-D was awesome. Doesn't any movie in 3-D just seem better? I think the story was close to Charles Dickens original tale and that Jim Carey did an amazing job.  He seemed to be created for this role!   It was a weird mix of animation and real life but very well done.   

The ghost images are a bit scary for the younger kids but mine seemed to sit through it without too much covering of their eyes and jumping in my lap.  If your kids are prone to being easily frightened, I might skip this one.  My kids also did not understand much of what was going on.  The imagery and underlying lessons from Charles Dickens were way over their heads.   I had to explain a lot to my 8 year old. 

All in all, it was great to see this classic story again and to introduce my kids to it outside of the Mickey Mouse and Scrooge McDuck version. 

O' Lonely Peas

So, while I was out living it up with my NC fellow bloggers, my husband was home with the kids force feeding them their peas.  Or so my kids tell me. 

Anyway, B decided to try to sing her way out of eating them with the Sandra Boynton song, O Lonely Peas.  Hubby was not convinced but they sure got a good laugh.    What is most amazing about this is that we have not listened to this song in years, so it's pretty cool she remembered it and used it in the right context!  She is such a performer!

  I couldn't find the song on YouTube but did find another favorite below.  







Anyway, if you have little ones, I highly recommend Sandra Boynton's music - Rhinocerous Tap and Philadelphia Chickens are our favorites.   Maybe they will even remember a song and use it on you later in life like mine did. 

Nobody paid me to say this stuff or to link to those CD's - I don't even get affiliate credit on Amazon anymore.  It's just my opinion. 

Magnificent Indeed!

Okay, so I know that this is not the best photograph (taken with my friend's cellphone) but it is a picture of us at the U2 concert from Saturday night.  Which was the BEST concert I have ever been to!  Best.Ever.  It was a bucket list item.  Go to U2 concert - Check!

I've grown up with U2.  They were the backdrop to my entire teen years, my 20's and then into my 30's as I belted out Beautiful Day with my kids in the car.   Even now as I head into a new decade, I can often be found rocking out in my mini-van to their latest album, No Line on the Horizon.   I don't think that I can pick a favorite song from the last 20+ years because I love so many.  But when they played New Year's Day, I felt about 15 all over again.

One of my best friends from high school and her hubby came into town for the concert.   The last concert I attended with her was in 1986 - .38 Special and Bon Jovi.    We are a little bit older and maybe somewhat wiser but we still know how to have a good time!!!   I can't even describe how refreshing it was to have a childhood friend here with me  - like medicine for the soul.  She helped me remember the fun that lives inside this body somewhere!  

My favorite parts of the concert were when Bono would just start singing something random - like when he saw the full moon above (it was an amazing night!) and started singing Stand By Me or when he sang Amazing Grace and the crowd joined in.  Right there, he paid tribute to the sacred.  That is why, all great music aside, that I love them - they use the gifts they have to make an impact in this world.  They shed light where there is darkness and Bono gives all the glory to God.   Not many rockstars doing that these days.

By the way, have you signed up with ONE?    It's free and easy to do. 

What is ONE? 

ONE is a campaign and advocacy organization with more than 2 million members committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Co-founded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE is nonpartisan and works closely with African policy makers and activists.

***

Okay, I leave you with some links to some U2 music.   What is your favorite U2 song, by the way?

This is my latest favorite song -  Magnificent.

Or check out this duet of One with Mary J. Blige - awesome!

Have a Beautiful Day, everyone!

Divas

Oh Monday Monday.

I don't have much to say - just some observations from the MTV VMA's last night.
Kayne West did a terrible thing to Taylor Swift when he interrupted her acceptance speech.  Even if he thought Beyonce should have won, I think this was totally uncalled for and completely rude.  

In a beautiful turn of events, Beyonce did a classy thing by giving Taylor back her moment.  I like that Beyonce.  She seems to be a smart woman and ding dang that girl can dance. 

 I just don't get Lady Gaga.

I think the Twilight cast is adorable and can't wait for the New Moon Movie.

I love seeing Eminem and Pink sober.  Kudos to them for working to stay sober in an industry that I am sure is plagued with addiction. 

I have to say, that I am glad they disqualified Serena for getting all huffy in the U.S. Open.  I'm pretty tired of diva musicians and sports figures that make millions of dollars and throw hissy fits when they don't get their way.

Awesome win for Kim Clijsters!  Way to go to this mom of two coming back from 2 1/2 years in retirement and 18 months after having a baby!!!  Wow.    

Anyway, in my real world, I have a sick child at home today and getting ready to run her to the doctor. Monday Monday.

Have a good one everyone!

Goodbye MJ

I remember the day my Dad brought the shiny black album home. He put it on our turntable stereo and we listened to it all night long. We bought the cassette and listened in the car. I listened in my room. The album, Thriller, was very loved in my home.

Like so many of you, I lost an icon from my youth today. Michael Jackson helped to usher in my teenage years with songs like Billie Jean, Beat It and of course Thriller. They are the background music to my years of discovering boys, clothes, make-up and middle school.

I remember clearly when MTV debuted Thriller. It was a highlight as we huddled around our TV to watch.

I remember his climb to superstardom and how loved he was. I remember the good he did when he sang We are the World. He seemed to genuinely be one of the first pop stars to care about the world hunger problem.

I remember putting away my Thriller music and moving on to other pop, punk rock and 8o's big hair bands.

Then I remember how the world accused him, tore him down and watched as he became more of a sideshow than the mega watt superstar he once was. It was one of the saddest things to watch the world embrace and then reject him.

He had it all so it seemed. All the money, all the fame but not all the happiness.

Goodbye MJ - thanks for your contribution to pop music. May the family find peace very soon at this unexpected loss.

A Few Things to be happy about....

It is cloudy here today. Muggy. Not my favorite kind of day.

I just like it to be either sunny so we can go to the pool or rainy - just decide, ya know?

So, in light of the lack of sunshine...
I am going to just name a couple things I am feeling happy about right now and not in any particular order.

• These shoes I found over the weekend on clearance for nine whole American dollars! $9!!! So cute, yes?

• This book I am reading. Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus

I posted this quote from the book on Facebook and Twitter this morning because I love it so much - "When we are optimistic about the future, we find the energy to create it."

• The Twilight Saga: New Moon movie trailer. I have a minor obsession with the Twilight saga. I'm trying to keep in perspective. :)

• Sunscreen without Oxybenzone. Neutrogena's Sensitive Skin and Pure & Free Baby

Know of any others? I would LOVE to find more.

• Satellite campus of my church in my neighborhood. I am just so excited to be a part of a core team of people getting ready to launch this! I can't wait!

• A Monday without an appointment. I'm still in in my pj bottoms at 9 am and very happy to be that way. Doing laundry, working on the computer and chatting it up with my 5 year old.

• Fresh Blueberries. Actually, I made a bowl of cereal this morning, topped it with the blueberries and when I went to pour milk on top I realized it was sour. Don't you just hate when that happens? So, I just enjoyed the blueberries by themselves.

• My new favorite song:

What are you happy about today????

Finished

I did it. I finished the Twilight book series.

Sigh.

Yesterday, ended up being so rainy and after church we just hibernated. In between laundry and eating and eventually putting kids to bed, I devoured (no pun intended) the 4th and final book of Stephanie Meyer's love story of Edward and Bella.

Sigh.

I have to say, I'm a little sad to be finished. I thought it was an amazing series of books. The author certainly has some imagination and definitely knows how to keep interest going. I was turning pages in those books so fast I had to go back and read certain chapters. I didn't think I that I would like the books actually. I'm not really one to be that into vampire tales and such. But the love story had me hooked immediately. I'm going to miss reading the thoughts and adventures of the sweet starstruck lovers for sure. Oh, and personally, I loved the ending. I would never spoil it for you here but it worked for me.

Sigh.

One final opinion on these books. They are not just for teenagers! As a matter of fact, I know many middle-schoolers are reading these books and I just don't think I could let mine (if I had one) do that. I don't know that it would give them a healthy image of love when they are already having a tough time trying to figure that out. An older high school teen, yes probably - with some discussion. Just my opinion. Please comment your thoughts on this.


Anyway, moving right along.

After I read a great book or see a really good movie, it sticks with me for awhile. I can't seem to get over it for a couple days. So, normally, I just have to take a break from reading another book or seeing a big movie for awhile until I feel I can let go of the one that has me worked up.

Some movies were: Life Is Beautiful, Like Water For Chocolate, Top Gun and Grease. Hey, no one said I was always deep. A good love story gets me every time. Titanic - that was a really good one. Probably one of my favorites.

Broadway shows like Phantom of the Opera.

Books like the Notebook and East of Eden stayed with me for days after I finished them.

How about you? What was a great movie or book that you just swooned over?

Oh, speaking of good movies. We watched Taken this weekend. Very action packed intense movie if you like that sort of thing. Good stuff. AND the season finale of 24 is on tonight. Seriously, I am not sure how much my heart can take!

Happy Monday everyone.

Town Hall For Hope - my take

I watched this last night at my church. All I can say is THANK YOU, Dave Ramsey!

I have to admit that while I can see my friends losing jobs and people struggling all around me, I really have wondered if the economy is as bad as the media plays it out to be. I just think the media thrives on sharing bad news or at least people just listen to bad news.

What about the good news? It seems to get lost in all the mess.

So, I appreciated Dave's honest and factual answers to what is really going on in our country. I like his no nonsense approach to taking responsibility for where we are financially and his grace-filled approach to getting out of it.

I mostly appreciated the message of HOPE!

Get your real deal answers about our economy from Dave HERE.

I choose hope.

It Might Be Hope

Sara Groves - It Might Be Hope
This song is providing so much comfort for me lately. I wanted to share it with you.

Sample Saturday - Music I Love Right Now

When I first started my blog, a good portion of it was dedicated to what music I was listening to. Music brings me a lot of joy and I just like to share it with others.

I think it has been a good six months since I posted a thing about music. It occurred to me a couple months ago that the only CD's I have actually purchased recently were ones for my daughter and husband. I like Miley Cyrus as much as the next mom, but I need some new music to call my own! So like any good consumer, I have done my part in recent weeks to simulate the economy by buying new music.

There are 3 kinds of albums to me.

• Ones that I like a song or two and never listen to the rest of the album.

• Then there are those that I listen to over and over and they just grow on me. I end up loving the entire album but it takes me some time to get to know it before I fall in love.

• The third? Oh, these are the ones that you put on and almost instantly every single song just speaks to you in some way. It's pretty much love at first sight, or hear in this case.

So, let's start with those.

Jonny Lang - Turn Around. I remember when this 15 year old kid came on the scene playing his guitar and touring with the likes of Buddy Guy and the Rolling Stones. I instantly loved him and probably burned a hole in his album Lie To Me. His new album, Turn Around, is a bit different - the same guitar and soulful Jonny, but from the perspective of a guy who has been through some hard times, grown up a little bit and found his peace. Favorite tracks include My Love Remains, Only a Man and Don't Stop.





Bethany Dillon - So Far: The Acoustic Sessions. Mostly previously recorded music just in acoustic sessions. I love this girl's voice and not sure I could pick a favorite track. I enjoyed her cover of We Can Work It Out. I love the song Beautiful.








Recently purchased and getting into a little slower than I expected.



The Fray - I love these guys. I just heard them interviewed yesterday and think they are incredibly down to earth. I really enjoyed How To Save a Life and found their new release You Found Me to be a great radio follow up. Sometimes, when I love an album, it takes a while for me to warm up to the second one (even though they have 4 albums -something I did not know).






U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Well, what can be said about U2 that hasn't already been said by those more qualified to say it. I've grown up with this band and there is about no way I could not purchase their new album. I've only listened to it twice. I can't give a fair review yet but can say that I've enjoyed it so far. Honestly, I have so much respect for this band and what they do outside of their music that even if I didn't like it (which I do) you would never hear about it on this blog.
Here is a great review on the album.


What are you listening to right now that you love? Please share!

Gifted To Lead - Book Review

I recently finished and felt very encouraged by this book and wanted to pass it along to other women that might be in a leadership role at her church. It is a practical and inspiring book told from the voice of experience.

For me, Nancy Beach of Willow Creek, does a nice job confirming a call to lead in my church and why being a woman in leadership is unique.

If you lead a bible study, small group, women's ministry or any team at your church this is a must read.

From her book,

No mistake was made in heaven when God gave you the gift of leadership or teaching. Every gift you have—your instincts to lead and your passion to make
a difference— came from the hand of a loving Father who crafted you.

In this practical and inspiring book, Willow Creek Executive vice president and teaching pastor Nancy Beach speaks to women with God-given gifts of leading
and teaching. Sharing from her thirty-year journey in a local church, Nancy offers guidance on such issues as:

• Developing character
• Earning respect
• Finding your voice for leadership and teaching
• Managing work and personal life
• Forming an intentional support network

She also challenges church leaders to wrestle with the issue of women in leadership, and to be advocates for women as they seek to reach their full ministry potential.

Nancy desires that women will fully engage in the
dangerous and thrilling adventure of using their leadership
gifts to advance the kingdom of God. The path
won’t be easy . . . but God will never leave you alone.