Is anyone as happy as I am?

I have tried very hard to keep my political thoughts from pouring over onto my blog. When news happens in the world I share my thoughts with my close friends and hubby. Whenever I have said that I should blog about this or that, my husband's response is always the same, "Your blog is not a political blog."

Well, who really knows what my blog is anyway? This tiny spot little speck on the world wide web is my personal space to share the inner thoughts of a Christian woman in the process of being made more like Him. These posts are a smorgasbord of my life, and today I am happy about something that can only be seen as political!

Disneyland Fun Fact 101

This video was taken while on our Siblings Road Trip last week. We enjoyed impressing one another with all of the Disneyland fun facts that we knew. So, after awhile, I decided to start video taping them.

Just remember...doorbell ditching is not only for the young, but also for the young at heart.

Disneyland Sibs Trip 2008

**From left to right, George, Jennifer, Amy and Me.** This was taken in the California Adventure park, Amy's first time on California Soarin', my absolute favorite ride!


If Disneyland with the whole family wasn't enough fun in July, I went again with my brother and sisters this last week. All four of us, no children, no spouses. We may not be the smartest group of siblings in the world, nor the most talented, but we are quite funny. I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time. My stomach hurts almost as much today as my feet do!


**Waiting in line for the Pirates of the Carribean ride.** I got really good at stretching out my hand and taking our pictures.

The road trip down with George and Jennifer was so much fun. Our nine hour driving time went really fast. We had been advised by my sister Jennifer to make our own music CD's to share. These CD's were created to be a compilation of our favorite songs. Once on the road we each took turns putting on our music. Before each song played, we each gave a ten second intro as to why this song was included on our favorites CD. Once the song began playing, if we all loved it then we'd listen to it until its end. If not, we went on to the next one. I wasn't surprised at all with Jennifer's music choices, George on the other hand was a different story.

Here are a few pics of our time together. Amy wasn't able to meet up with us until yesterday which was a bummer. But she's is back to school now, getting her general ed classes done to move forward with her dream of nursing. We are so proud of her.

**In our 3d glasses, leaving The Bugs Life show.**

I tried to include some funny videos that I took while there, but I don't seem to know how to upload my personal videos to my blog yet. Do any of you girls out there know how to do this?

SIBLINGS ROAD TRIP 2008

My two sisters and I decided to do something fun, something together...alone. Yes, we decided to take a trip without our ten beautiful children, and without our four lovely spouses. So on Thursday my sister Jennifer showed up at my house in our rental car, honking the horn like a battle cry. My brother George ran up to help me with my bags, and we were off to Southern California to meet up with our youngest sister Amy.

Our first stop, beautiful Solvang, California.

So...have I got a suggestion for you!

It's that time of year again. The Summer break from your woman's Bible study is almost over. So what Bible study are you doing this year? If you had told me ten years ago that I would love in-depth Bible studies, I would have said you are crazy. The Bible? Really...cmon?!?

I would love to hear what study you are doing this year. If you are reading this and haven't decided on a study, or have little ones at home or a full time job, have I got a suggestion for you.



My darling friend Angie at The Knightly News, along with her sister Amy, are leading an online Bible study beginning in September. They will be doing Beth Moore's Jesus The One And Only. My girlfriend has done this one and LOVED it. I must also add that Angie is the sweetest and dearest Christian woman I have had the honor to know. I was able to spend time with at the She Speaks conference. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She lives to serve Jesus and to love Him to the fullest. Her life has been not without it's heartaches, losing her sweet sister Wanda in February. The Sisters of Faith blog began with all three sisters. Now with Wanda in Heaven, Angie and Amy are The Sisters of Faith left behind to carry on the work. I just know the Lord will bless this study.

Please sweet friends out there. I plead with you...get into a study. Make time for one. Your growth depends on it.

...and if you are unable to attend one at your own church, please go over and sign up for The Sister's of Faith online Bible study. I promise, you will be Blessed...

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

FAITH LIFTS

I'm over HERE today. Come on by and join me!

LACED WITH GRACE

I'm over HERE today. Come on by and visit!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Grandma Style!

My grandma is spending the weekend with us! We picked her up from the train station yesterday. In honor of her visit, I thought I would include a song that reminded me of her.

Spanish Eyes, was one that I heard a lot while growing up. ...and uh, no, my grandma is not Spanish. Actually she's Yugoslavian, well, since there is no Yugoslavia, I guess I should say, she's Croatian. My grandpa wasn't Spanish either. He was 100% Italian. My grandpa played the saxophone for a band called The Treble Makers. You could always find my grandma with him every weekend, dancing with many of her friends while my grandpa played on stage.

At 87 years old, she is still trying to dance her way through life. My Aunt Cathy recently sent me a video of her doing the robot. TOO FUNNY!

So now you know, Spanish Eyes, speaks to my heart, for no Spanish reason at all...the song New York New York gets our whole family up and dancing too, and I have never set my foot on New York soil in my life!

We are an odd bunch, aren't we?!?

Blessed are those who weep and mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

It's difficult to explain to people who don't believe in Jesus, that grief for a Christian is different. I read Iris' blog from Sting My Heart today and learned that Greg Laurie's thirty three year old son recently passed away in a car accident. For those of you who don't know Greg Laurie, he is a gifted pastor from Southern California. He has a heartbreaking past which has been redeemed by Christ. Ask just about anyone in the L.A. area and they will have heard about Greg Laurie and his Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist who is the real deal.

Sadly, it's the pastors who have fallen who make the headline news, and we cringe, both for the believer and for the unbeliever who are watching. Yet, that is really what it is all about, we are being watched.

Do we really believe what we say we believe?

There was a time in my life that I didn't believe. I thought I did. But when I really asked myself if I knew without a doubt I would go to Heaven....I couldn't answer with a passionate "Yes."

Take a few minutes below and watch the video from the memorial of Chris Laurie. Pastor Greg is showing the world that we grieve with hope.

Why would you want to grieve any other way?

Sow Those Seeds- Bear Much Fruit!

I had wanted to share my notes with you from the Beth Moore conference a few weeks ago. I kept such wonderful notes on the parable of the sower of the seeds, that it took quite awhile to share them with my husband each evening when I'd return home.


BUT...being the overly gifted disorganized-procrastinator that I am, I have decided instead to lead you over to Fran at Blessed By Him. She did a wonderful job posting all that she learned. Make sure to scroll through posts from the past two weeks. She has her notes peppered throughout.


And when you stop by her place, make sure you send her my love!

Happy Birthday My Sweet Boy!

Fourteen years ago today the doctor placed an 8lb 5oz baby boy in my arms. Twenty four hours ago, that very same baby boy, is now a young man walking into his first day of high school. Wasn't it just yesterday that I snapped this picture of you in Kindergarten?

When you were born I remember looking into your sweet little face and thinking, "What in the world am I going to do with a boy?!?" Being raised with mostly girls and having your sister Meghan, I was surrounded by dolls and tutu's!

In a matter of moments, you changed my world and I am grateful to God for it.

So, for the record, here are a couple of things I would have never experienced if you had not been in my life.


Without you, I would have never:

1. ...gone worm-hunting.

2. ...had the opportunity to give a tadpole a funeral.

3. ...learned that when a child yells, "Look what I found!" it is ok to say, "No thank you." when they ask you if you'd like to look into their cupped hands.

4. ...noticed a dragonfly in a forest of leaves.

5. ...known that it is a God-given desire for a boy to sleep with his dog.

6. ...learned how to remove a tick from a human body.

7. ...realized that a dandelion given to you by your son is more beautiful than a thousand roses.

8. ...been able to find the perfect skipping rock.

9. ...known that I was the best cook in the whole wide world!

10. ...been complete without you in my life son.

On the anniversary of the first day of your life, I am overwhelmed with joy that God placed you in mine. You have brought me so many precious moments. There has been an abundance of joy in our home because of you David.

God has a beautiful plan for you. Your name means "Beloved", and that is what you are to all of us.

Always remember who you are and whose you are.

Son, you can't dream dreams big enough for what God has for you. And whatever those dreams may be, your Dad and I will be running right alongside you, cheering you on to victory.


Happy Birthday honey.

Love, Mom

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

While at the conference last weekend, Travis Coltrell sang this song and it pierced my heart. If you haven't already heard it, listen closely to the words. It really made me think.

2000 years ago, would I have fallen down and worshipped? Would I have left all that I treasured behind?


What about now?

Happy Birthday Little Brother!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday dear Georgie...

Happy Birthday To You!

You are 29 today, WOW! I still remember the day you were born. Dad came over to Grandma's house where your sisters were awaiting the good news. When Dad showed us the polaroid pictures we all fought over which one we could have. Dad put them behind his back and I got the best one! Of course it is not a picture that I would share on the internet. hee hee hee

I just want you to know that after almost thirty years, I have forgiven you for quite a few things.

1. Never having to do the dishes.

2. Waving my bra around the house when my boyfriend came over.

3. Never cleaning the bathrooms.

3. Listening to NPR radio.

4. Never vacuuming the house.

5. Becoming a Public Defender.

6. ...and not moving up to be closer to Jen and I.


Just know George, that I love you with all my heart. I am so very proud of you and of all that you have accomplished in your young life. You are a wonderful brother and an even better uncle! You have a heart that loves freely and a sense of humor that surpasses even mine... and you know that is hard for me to admit!
Have a great birthday today little brother. We will celebrate in style in a few weeks when we go on our road trip together!

SIBS ROAD TRIP 2008!!!

I love you, Joanne

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday over at Iris' at "Sting My Heart".

Thankful Thursday couldn't have come at a better time for me. Just last night, for the very first time, my teenage daughter sang with our worship team. Sitting in the audience, I watched as she nervously stood before all of us, rarely looking out at our faces, but using her gift of singing for His glory.

And I couldn't help but praise God.

Today I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. While looking at my beautiful daughter, I was transported to thirteen years ago. I was a divorced mother of two. Feeling utter despair, I remember wanting to drive off of a cliff with the heartache and burdens that were bearing down on me, and sadly, wanting to take my children with me. How could I have ever had such thoughts? I was utterly hopeless.

When I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, He was faithful in making all things new. My hopeless heart has been made whole again.

He has created beauty from ashes.

Faith Lifts

I'm over here today. Come and join me!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Beth Moore Style

715 different locations, 70,000 women are gathered this weekend to hear the simulcast teaching from Beth Moore. What a blessing it has been to go through the book of Luke chapter 8. We are being taught on the seeds that fall on the different soils. Oh, goodness what a blessing it has been. Tears streamed my cheeks when Travis Coltrell led us in this song below.

Now on a thirty minute break, across the nation women were led in the sinners prayer. This was the song that led them to the throne for the first time. What a beautiful blessing.

Just Curious...Are You Comin?

Tonight and tomorrow, Beth Moore will be live via satellite in churches accross the country, for the fourth nation wide Living Proof Live Simulcast. My sweet friend invited me to go with her. I am leaving Paul with the kids and experiencing this event in the comfort and convience of a church in Placerville, California. I will be bringing an empty notebook and an expectant heart.


Sooooo, are you coming?

You just have to visit...

My friend Angie over at The Knightly News is as beautiful as the words she writes. I loved her post yesterday about thankfulness and the question she poses to all of her readers, "Do you see Jesus in me?". What makes her post even more moving is that while you are busy reading her God-breathed words, you can hear the song, "Do you see Jesus in me?" playing in the background. Head on over to her place right now. You will be so very blessed.


**I just love you to pieces Angie. I am so grateful that I was able to meet you this Summer and spend a little bit of time with you and Aimee.

I will never forget our dinner times together!

Love You! Joanne :O)