Five Minute Friday- "Tender"

Tender- whether it be a tender touch, a tender moment, or a tender rough area in our lives- they all hold their own meaning. I'd prefer a tender touch, or moment over the feeling of the area in my life that is still too tender to speak of. Losing my Grandfather just a little over a month ago is a tender subject for me; tender in a way that my heart hurts for my Dad- so tender that I don't even have any words to say for the pain he must feel losing his Dad. In this; all we have left, is to provide that tender touch or moment that speaks multitudes; when words don't even need to be said.


Now it's your turn click here to participate, or just to read some beautiful entries based on one word.

The Power in Reaching...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Imagine for a moment that sense of security in reaching for a hand, and it reaching back for yours-

the way it feels once those two hands willingly connect.

"You have made known to me the path of life! You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasure at your right hand" Psalms 16:11

As I read this verse I remembered one day in the parking lot- in front of the mall- reaching for my sons hand- I didn't even have to look- I just put my hand back trusting my son would grab hold. It felt so good when he did.

Now this is the way it has been with all my children; but of course there is the occasional frustrated, stern Mommy voice saying "HOLD MY HAND!!!" I know I'm not the only Momma whose kids don't 100% of the time practice this simple gesture so naturally.

Just look at how good God is- He's on the other end patiently upholding His right hand just waiting for us to find that natural response, to reach right back for His.

Like the verse... when we know, and live like we are at His right hand- (because we are my sweet friend) we are filled with joy in His presence.
Just like the Joy that is felt when our sweet children naturally respond to our hands reaching out for them.

We know it pleases the Lord when we live our lives for His purpose- I'm positive He feels that JOY every-time we naturally grab hold of Him knowing He is reaching.

As with our children; sometimes it's reaching for our safety, for our comfort- and sometimes just because HE LOVES US THAT MUCH!

Jam Packed Blessings

We experienced such a packed weekend full of blessings...

I thank God for one of the best birthday gifts ever... Shianne and I for our birthdays got to go to the "Becoming Girls Conference" at our church. Our birthdays are within 2 days of each other and my Mom gifted us with this amazing girls weekend. There are so many things I learned; and I know her eyes were opened up more to what our life here on earth is truly about. Most of all that she is valued- and her dreams matter to God. I read about this conference last year while I lived in Sacramento, and was really hoping we'd be back in Southern California this year so we'd be able to attend. Thank God we are back- this conference was everything I expected and more. Julianna Morlet; our worship leader at Rancho Community Church did such a beautiful job, along with her volunteers putting this together. There is so much heart that gets poured out into this conference; that was so evident the instant we walked in those doors, and the moment the worship team came on stage- down to hearing the speakers in the workshops. These girls are so blessed to have such awesome Jesus loving mentors; and I am so blessed as a Mother that these women love these girls so much; to walk with them through what can be one of the hardest, most confusing time periods in their life; and not only that but walk alongside the Mothers to help us at home build on what they learn at Becoming. God has blessed our family with an amazing church.

(Shiannes' decorated TOMS' Shoes... These were done at the conference as well. For every shoe purchased a pair of shoes gets sent out to a child in need...)

(I think Hailey Dog wants a pair too!) :)

We took Shianne and her friend on a shopping trip for her birthday... These girls cracked me up the entire time.

Then back home for a sleepover and Birthday Cake... HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!!!

Then Jimmy wanted to sing a song to Shianne- How Sweet is that?!

Meanwhile Brenden does a robot dance and gets the girls laughing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Okay... Fast forward to the next morning. Jimmy is a huge fan of Bethany Hamilton- we received news via her newsletter that she would be visiting Vantage Point Church in Eastvale (a little past Corona) There was no way we were missing this. We got up early Sunday morning and drove out- The place was packed!!! The line was wrapped around the entire building. We got there for the 8:30 service; but didn't make it in until the 10:00 service. It was so neat to see a place packed to see such a positive role model. This is Jimmy waiting.

When it was time to go in we had a choice to go to the overflow room; where she would come in and say hello, or we could wait in another line and be guaranteed seating in the auditorium; but wait til the 11:30 service- we chose the overflow room- Here is Bethany coming in to say hello with the pastor of Vantage Point... Very Cool...

Her interview was awesome- this girl is so in Love with Jesus, He just radiates all around her. She had some awesome things to say- and YAY Vantage point posted a video of the interview...

Bethany Hamilton - The Soul Surfer at VantagePoint Church from VantagePoint Church on Vimeo.

She is such a wise girl. I am so happy we went; so worth the wait; even if it was in the overflow room ;)
Here are pictures that the church took of the service. There was so much energy, they had a cute little indo-board competition between the pastor of the church, and her. She is so talented on that thing- she was totally carrying on a casual conversation while on it, she made it look so easy, it required like no concentration on her part at all.- It was an awesome interview.






Jimmys Letter to Bethany Hamilton; inviting her to our church...
We'll be mailing this out today.

Meanwhile this little guy is home sick from school :(

No Facebook- Week One

Okay this is bad- this is really bad. It has been a week since I decided to stop checking facebook; and I feel like I'm going through withdraws. I can't stop thinking about what posts I'm missing, and what people are up to. It is a realization that shows me I'm doing the right thing.
I am an extremely shy girl; so to hide behind facebook and chat with friends that way; just isn't helping matters at all. I felt with facebook that I had some kind of connection with everyone; and sometimes that connection could hurt or feel awkward when I see them in person.
This is because we as people need so desperately to not lose that one on one interaction with others. God created us that way.
Now there are tons of people who naturally have that ability to connect to people in person; have face to face lunches or brunches with the girls, sit down and have coffee with a friend, or just hang out. It doesn't come so natural to me; therefore facebook can be a dangerous place for someone like me- it gives me more of an excuse to hide away.
Well- that's definitely not gonna happen this year! >Insert SMILE
And Yes- I'm actually EXTREMELY HAPPY about this! I truly feel a person like me can learn a lot from this.

Originally I had decided I would "limit" my facebook usage to hmmmmmm maybe once a week; like a facebook Saturday morning- or something like that. So I deleted my app on my phone, and noticed during the week I was itching for that Saturday to come. See I told you it had become a big problem. Then I thought; "What's gonna happen when Saturday comes?" So I decided I am done done done.
I'm going to spend this time coming out of my comfort zone, getting to know people; not by their faces on facebook- but by who they are outside that computer screen.
After all, I have to admit it's pretty weird talking to someone, being friend requested by someone- and then when you see them; there is that awkward - I know so much about you but don't really know you; or vice versa.
Don't get me wrong; Facebook has been great for connecting with childhood friends; and people I have moved away from; but until I can use it casually for just that- I will not be logging on.
So now I can say "Okay This is Good; this is really really Good"!

Pretty Things...

I entered my 3rd week off from work at my daughters school this past week. I am relishing every bit of this 3rd week; down to the precious time I have to spend with my kids and not having to deal with their homework- ahhhhhh; I so needed this breather.
All the way to making pretty things I've always thought of making...this to me is blissful...

This wreath is made out of coffee filters; this is what is finished so far. I got this fabulous idea from one of my favorite blogs The Nesting Place

Not finished yet; but what has been done so far has only taken me a little over an hour- and this one is going to be ginormous- to go on a huge blank wall of mine.


This is the book wreath from an earlier post- it still is not finished; I have some more filling in to do; to make it more curvy- and full. I got this idea from good old pinterest...

Post # 170- Another New Year...

The list of resolutions goes on and on once again.
My top 10 in no particular order...

1. That God teaches me more and more everyday to be patient, in His timing, not mine.
Or shall I say; that I will ALLOW God to teach me more in this area. - ALLOW is the key word.

2. Facebook significantly less; and blog much more. I yearn this year for more face to face relationships; not just virtual ones.

3. Go through the 20 week study of "The Power of a Praying Wife" series by Stormie O'Martin- and learn to be a prayer warrior in my home- and be a better wife.

4. Finish my trait journey that I started last year; which I only got a quarter of the way through. All based on this verse:
2 Peter 1: 3-9
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control; perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
I still have 7 more traits to journey through- and I know I wont be disappointed to dig deep in these areas. I left off at the "Goodness" part of my journey and I've journaled a lot in this area; just haven't posted anything on it yet.
The journey is in this order: Faith-Goodness-Knowledge-Self Control- Perseverance-Godliness-Brotherly Kindness-and Love.
I have to be honest I have been avoiding the knowledge aspect of this because I am no biblical scholar; but Gods showing me I need faith in Him to give me the knowledge that he teaches me through everyday life- that is if I listen. :)
Click here to see the original post.

5. Read a lot more! Books to inspire and get me digging deep in Gods word.

6. Family Devotionals- I'm bound and determined to get these started.

7. Of course- working out is always on the list.

8. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS- Being a better Mother.

9. Keeping a more organized home; which in turn help all of us organize our minds- Funny how that works.

10. To not forget where I come from, my testimony, and where God has brought me. I want others to know God can do AMAZING things!!!

Off I go... entering 2012!!!