Go. Be. Do.

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Psalm 51:10-13 Anyone else do their best thinking in the shower?  I know I do.  Sometimes I actually remember them once the water is turned off, too. :) My latest thought was about cleaning the shower.  Let me back up a minute and tell you that on the days I clean the shower, I do it just before getting into it in the morning.  I've found that it's just easier this way...and I am the first to get to enjoy the fruit of my labor.  So, this morning, while enjoying my sparkling clean shower, I was thinking back to the moment when I had my revelation about cleaning the bathroom in general.  It was while I was cleaning the shower floor.  I was on my hands and knees, thinking that I was tir

  Inshore fishing off the coast of Destin, Florida, yesterday afternoon.  About 5 minutes later... Biggest catch of the day!  (So big, we had to release him). 20+ lb. Redfish So happy this one did not get away. :) Credit goes to my husband, Scott, the photograper of this moment. Enjoy other cool moments at Jen's blog... Home Is Where You Start From .

Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient  with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.  1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 Lots of thoughts have been going through my head the past couple of weeks.  Coming back from Alaska always has my mind doing somersaults over how God moved, the people met, the things done/seen.  Once home, then, there is family to catch up with and school to prepare for and other duties in need of my attention.  Nothing stressful, just thought provoking. Several conversations that I've been a part of in the past couple of weeks have really began a journey for a longing to understand better what God desires of me in thi

sunrise @ Merrill Field my ride to the village village view of the sunrise over Anchorage scenic view on drive to Matanuska Valley inside Matanuska Glacier view of glacier "beach" glacier trekking rocks! sunset over Mt. Susitna, "The Sleeping Lady" the contented one view of Anchorage from Blueberry Hill

ear muff vendor...photo wearing them, now, $1 two of the nicest guys selling the biggest cookies around ANC daytime high in ANC...98 in GA defensive driving at its best morning devotions for GraceWorks teams I'm inspired by such creativity! Moose Hug! Ministry @ Gov't Hill Park Crafts @ Kanchee Park My girls @ Kanchee Park

We began our 2011-2012 school year yesterday morning.  It was a good day.  I awoke to my alarm going off at 4:30 so I could get back into the routine of going to the Y in the mornings.  It was a good reminder of how much more I get done in the mornings when I go to the Y first thing. I saw Scott off to work.  The boys awoke in good moods and were more than pleasant getting up and moving. School started in good measure and we had a very productive first day. We enjoyed a swim at Nana's house after school..celebrating anything and everything poolside is always a great treat! Worshipped at Church Wednesday evening...good time of fellowship with friends following the service. My favorite moment of the day... At bedtime, Alex came to me and gave me a big hug and said, "I had a great day with you today!  Love you so much...you ready for another great day tomorrow?" Yes, my sweet Alex.  Many times over. A good day indeed.

A post written while in Alaska...suprise, shock, and amazement, I know. :) Isn't it just awesome when God gives you something so cool and so totally out of the blue that you couldn't have planned anything better even if you had tried?  He has given me an opportunity to meet a group of Texans that have been a lot of fun (laugh until it hurts kind of fun), very encouraging, and just an overall blessing to me.  This week has had its ups and downs...for every awesome thing God is doing, satan wants to try and steal some of the thunder by distraction, frustration, or even separation.  Divide and conquer is a strategy that takes effort to run and/or stay away from.  I am praising my Jesus for providing me with His strength to endure the low points and thoroughly enjoy the high ones. One conversation. One simple thing led to a most wonderful blessing. It goes back to Sunday night/Monday morning.  I had just moved into Calvary around 6:30.  People were arriving and getting sett

blue sky...bright sunshine...beautiful flowers Share the delightfulness of your summer @ Home Is Where You Start From .

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  1 Corinthians 1:20-22

"But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage." Ezra 9:8 Isn't it just like God to give me a life lesson to remind me that He loves me and understands me.  His love is evident by the good things He gives to us...even if it is only for a moment.  He is God...and He is good. No matter what. While over in the village, Kim's friend, Al, was so kind enough to take us fishing over at the river.  Kim caught an estimated 40 lb King Salmon last week...I was so excited for her and for us again as we were going to get to go fishing to try and catch another one. If you enjoying fishing, you know that there are days that you catch fish every other time you cast your line...and then there are days you don't ever get a bite.  Or, at most, it takes a lot of patience to finally accidentally hit one on the head with 

"And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God."  1 Samuel 23:16 Sometimes things don't work out as one first plans, but this doesn't always turn out in a bad way.  For instance, my arriving in ANC on the 20th was intended to be a family vacation until the 24th.  I arrived alone due to certain circumstances that aren't bad, just ones that kept the fam back home in GA instead of on a plane with me to The Last Frontier this year. Turns out, these days have not been lost.  I'm blessed beyond measure to have had a few days to visit and venture out with friends, while seeing new places in Alaska, too.  Experiencing things I will never forget. Turning lemons into lemonade, so to speak. While these are days filled with fun and exploration, there's been ministry occuring.  One that happens between friends...friends that have a common spirit.  Answers to prayers that I've prayed ever since knowing I would be coming alo