recalibrating today.

When the stresses and strains of this life seem too much, I recalibrate back to Jesus. When the kids are grumpy and the house is messy, I recalibrate. When I'm out too late and up too early, I recalibrate. My God TAKES CARE OF ME!! But the best part is ... it's not about me. It's about Him. Less of me and more of Him!!

Off to Florida

Leaving the crazy monsters to my parents for 4 full days, we're flying out to a faraway land, where crocodiles run rampant, the humidity does ridiculous things to my hair, and the tea is entirely too sweet.

Off to Exponential ... a conference for church planters. We will be learning the ins and outs of planting, something that God has had on our hearts since we moved the Bend.

We're expecting our time to increase exponentially while we're there ... soaking in as much knowledge as we know how. Not to mention enjoying a little peace and quiet -- no fights to extinguish, whining to hear, and messes to clean. Makenna and Colton, I really do love you!!

Signing off.

High Heels, Happy Hearts & Waterfalls

My 3 year old daughter, Makenna, is a riot. A unique, one-of-a-kind riot. She sees the world in colorful rainbows and sweet jubilee. Her heels are referred to as nothing less than "high heels", all hearts are nothing short of "happy hearts", and drinking fountains spout "waterfalls" in her so imaginitive world. She sees images in the clouds and makes animals out of her sandwiches. She knew her colors by 18 months, and to this day refers to most objects first by their color. She finds laughter in most circumstances and love in most people. She's innocent, but worldly; trusting, but cautious. She takes risks when she knows the reward is great, and opens her "happy heart" to all who seek.

Makenna, you have beautiful high heels, a bright happy heart, and ... may I drink from your waterfall??

a secret life?

Thank you Angela Thomas and "A Beautiful Offering" for enlightening me yesterday. A secret life. God calls us to live certain things in secret. Matthew 6:1 - Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 6:3 - But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. 6:5 - And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. ... but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 6:16 - when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do ...

A secret life. A secret life such as this has eternal rewards. A secret life of integrity ... between me and my God. This secret life rewards with power from the Father. Significant power. Eternal rewards. My secret life WILL overflow into my public life. A life of eternal overflow.

Cinnamon Rolls

So, Keith gave a sermon a few weekends ago regarding Jesus' statement, "I am the bread of life." His message was insightful and practical; inspiring and motivating. In the midst of it, he made reference to cinnamon rolls that I make every now and again. He described them something like this, "My wife makes the best cinnamon rolls ever." He even brought one on stage and enjoyed a big bite in front of everyone. From this moment on, the bar has been set entirely too high. I have a confession. Another one. Not regarding coffee. SHHHH ... I got my recipe online, thanks google ... and, dare I say it, I use my bread machine for the dough!! I absolutely cannot take credit for the best cinnamon rolls ever! I am certain all of the ladies and gentlemen who have challenged me to a cinnamon roll cook-off may be slightly disappointed. They don't even look pretty. Thank you to my wonderful husband who thinks I'm so much better than I really am. Who forgives my shortcomings, and keeps no record of my wrongs. He truly is an example of a Christ-like character. Thank you, Keith, for your love and encouragement. I love you!

PS - don't lose sight of the forest for the trees. Jesus is THE BREAD OF LIFE!! Way more nourishing and satisfying than cinnamon rolls :-). We're talking ETERNITY!!

coffee.

I need to admit something. I love coffee. I can't go a day without coffee. My head is not clear without coffee. I love the smell of coffee. I love the taste of coffee. My kids talk about coffee. They even drink "white coffee" (translation: creamer). Am I addicted?