Little butterfly

It is amazing how life changes right under your nose, and all the sudden you wake up one day and think "crazy... I'm different." I guess this thought dawned on me when I was driving in the car and I threw in a cd from last year. As I to listen to it. I remembered how much I felt it and agreed with it. Now only about a year later I am looking back at those memories seeing how much I have changed.

I was watching Bridget Jones Diary the other day and people are really that crazy about pairing you off. So many people talk about how I should really go out there and find that certain someone before I shrivel up and die. They think that there is no way she can be happy just the way she is.

Ummm... yeah.
Does that sound absolutely ridiculous to anyone else?

Many of my friends are getting married. I see how absolutely beautiful and poetic it all is. For me marriage is a butterfly. I see it gracefully dancing beautiful and joyous. It fills me with joy. I see love and it makes my heart smile. And as I watch this magnificent miracle flutter about I dance and I worship a God that creates such beautiful things. I rejoice in all of his creations. I echo the angles the praises he is worthy of, and I see heaven come down. I see the kingdom expand. You see i do these things because God is good, but marriage is not the only thing he has created that is good. I serve a God of wonder beyond anything we could comprehend or put in a box. I do not desire to capture this butterfly and clasp it in my hands. Instead I choose to enjoy the beauty of the Lord, and if at some point this butterfly lands gently on my heart then it will because God put it there.

Hobbit home

My heart is restless within me. My words are few and so I was hoping to find a photo to post, describing what my mouth can not.

I typed in: Compelling under Google images and as I scrolled down, my eyes fell on these images, and I found myself aching to crawl into this home....to be a little bunny rabbit in my hobbit home. I guess a place of peace even if there is a storm raging inside of me. Oh, and little goats grazing on my grassy roof too!

You just got to, because it's fun!

Sometimes there are no words. I just saw my friend Erika who I haven't seen since Christmas. She is a dancer from New York who is staying in MN for a few months. She is one of those soul mates you can go months with out seeing, but you pick up right where you left off. You can just sit and be still in the silence and there is a peace that requires no words.

As the day progressed we decided to go by the river and be still. After a few hours I was craving adventure. With my feet bare, and my heart open I began descending the cliff we were sitting on. I was going this way and that way being all crazy and hanging from different roots, and branches when all of a sudden this man jumps out in front of me. It caught me off guard because I was so focused on what I was doing I screamed. Then he screamed and apologized for scaring me. He was being a hard core rock climber. I looked at him and asked him aren't you scared to climb with out a rope, and he simply said, "You got to, because it's fun."

That really hit me between they eyes. You know when someone says something and the coin drops in the slot. When you are on adventures with God, and fully trusting him with no back up it is just simply more fun. And you know what they say, girls really do just want to have fun. :)

I ran with God

The tightly wound spring inside of me finally snapped tonight. I strapped on my running shoes, tightly knotted my hair on top of my head and put sole to pavement....or should I say I put flesh to pavement and "soul" into the hands of my God.

I started running and realized at one point I didn't know where in the world I was. That's when I heard God ask, "Do you want to take an adventure with Me?" With a mixture of laughter and tears, my answer was a yes as I put one foot in front of the other.

At some point, I started feeling my hair come undone, so I let it down and felt it fall down my back and as I ran, I heard God say, "Run, little stallion, run!" And He and I had a good laugh about that one:)

The world looked so different to me late at night and I had a sudden desire to always run late at night. I got to pray out loud and be silly and do things I wouldn't normally do if people could see me in the clear light of day.

As I got close to home, I was overtaken by a sudden urge to sprint. "I challenge you to a sprint", God says, "Are you ready?" I pumped my arms, lowered my head, and brought my knees up...pop pop pop pop pop pop. I felt like I was flying. And then the words, "Wasn't that fun? Aren't you glad We did that?"

Yes God. You are good. Thank You for running with me tonight.

Reading Momma to sleep

My Momma came up from Missouri to see me and Jenny get baptized. She stayed in town a couple of days afterwards and got to see a little glimpse of what my life's like now.

On the first night, Mom and I laid on my bed and talked, as Abe slept in between the two of us, until neither of us could understand the other because we were getting so sleepy.

On the second and third nights, I decided I wanted to read a special story to my Momma...The Princess Bride. This story has deep meaning to me and many sweet memories. So each night as I read, Momma listened until she fell asleep.

I'm glad I got to share that with her because a long time ago, someone else read the story of the Princess Bride to me and touched my heart in a way I will never forget. I hope Mom will be able to look back on these last few nights with a sweet fondness as well.

I love you, Momma.

Love,

Lori

I'm crazy about these kids

Everyone, I'd like you to meet my nieces and nephew....

Lily

Tessa

Asher

I love these kiddos more than I can say. I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like but my heart yearns to see their sweet smiles on a regular basis. My sister, Jessica and brother in law, Kevin make beautiful babies:) I hope sometime I get to show that whole little family off here in Minnesota! You guys would love them:)

Strong enough to break.

I think it is a tendency as humans to shut down when your heart is heavy. In those moments you try to be the face of strength and all knowing. You have confidence in what you are doing, and the strength to pull yourself through it. I have witnessed many women with this look of desperation. I can say as a woman it is by far one of the most unattractive faces we wear. It says I am fine. I don't need you, but I would submit to you that we were created to be relational beings. Beings that live in community with one another. Why do we feel we need to be fearless conquers of a world that is so far beyond our understanding. In our 3 1/2 pound brains we have more dendrites than there are known stars in the universe. Our own complexity is unfathomable to us, and yet I feel like I need to know, and understand why the world is the way it is. Why people hurt other people. Why people and governments find reasons to spend more money on killing people than feeding them. In my darkest hours I am on my knees sobbing saying, "I do not understand Lord. I do not understand."

In this present valley I treed through I draw close to my father. He is teaching me what it is like to be human. He had tenderly torn away the scabs, and juvenile patch up job I have performed on my heart. My wounds are exposed, and my fears given names. One by one he calls them out to be brought out into the light because it is only in that pure beaming light that I experience freedom from my guilt, and a love beyond belief. I think the fear that always holds me back is the fear of not making it through, not being strong enough to withstand it. But then I realize I am strong enough to surrender to the brokenness because I know that is not where the story ends. I am not the person I one day aspire to be, but I am in the best possible place to one day be that person.

I was once told that in order for their to be a shadow there must be great light, and though we may walk through the valley the shadows that loom are nothing compared to the great light they run from.

The Shack

I ordered this book about a month ago and I know it was one God laid on my heart to read. I got it in the mail today and after getting home from work and spending time with Abe and Jenny, I decided to start reading it.

It is now 3 in the morning and my time inside its pages has awakened something deep inside of me. The story is heartbreaking and at times, it is almost more than I can bear. BUT...I haven't gotten to the best part of the book yet....when my character meets God.

I start looking at my own life in light of this novel and I believe God is faithfully drawing my own issues with Him to the surface. I admit I am afraid to go into these waters. Sometimes it's painful, sometimes I get scared, sometimes I'm anxious but behind all of those feelings, I know God is wanting to birth something bigger in me. It feels almost like a surprise.

And now, looking back on the past 2 years here in Minnesota, I see just how passionately God has been seeking my heart...all of my heart. I know that He did not will it to happen all as it has....we live in an evil world, but my God is loving...He IS LOVE. He's already won the battle.

So I say to God, "Bring it on! I'm ready to step out of this boat, confidently walking across the waves, through the wind to You!"

Baptized twice?

Yes, it's true. I was baptized as a kid. But the funny thing is I wish I had grown up a bit more before I chose to do it. I think everyone else was "doing it" so I thought it was a good idea too.

Now, at 27, I have a great desire to be baptized again and this time through my church body here in Minnesota. And the great thing....I get to stand beside my dear friend and sister, Jenny, and take the plunge to "get married to God" together. Plus, we're gonna be in an actual LAKE!!!!!

I am humbled!

In the Clouds

"3,000 feet. I can do this, this isn't too bad." and then I realized we had 7,000 more feet to go. My heart burst into my face, and a panic began to set in.

"Why am I doing this? This is ridiculous. Am I sure this was on the list?" As I looked out the window it hit me.

I saw the clouds. They were vast, they just went on forever. There was no end, and no beginning. A passage that has been on my heart all week began to resonate within my mind, "They have already heard that you, O Lord are with these people and that you, O Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night." Numbers 14:14 (N.I.V.)

I saw God in the clouds that day. He reveled his bigness to me in a way I would have never imagined. I imagined myself falling through the clouds, and how even then they are so much bigger than me. I felt so small. How could I not trust? When you come into the contact of Gods amazing love you feel a peace that does go beyond all understanding. When I let go of the fear, and embraced the obvious, I learned how to fly.

"My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains, unending love, amazing grace."

How great the Father's love for us!

So something happened this last Sunday....I finally let God love me!

What I have not been able to figure out was why my heart has been hurting so much. There are many perfectly good reasons why I might be hurting now but there were moments I thought I might go insane because I had no rest from the pain. It was never meant to be that way.

All the while, I know God was gently asking me if He could just hold me and because my picture of Him became so skewed over the past 2 years, I pushed His loving arms away.

I had no idea just how relentlessly God was pursuing me until halfway into the worship service, I felt the overwhelming urge to go and kneel with my face to the ground. As I knelt, my ears lit on fire and I wept. I always know when the Holy Spirit falls on me because my ears feel like they are on fire. I cried and cried as I finally let everything on this earth go and ran into God's arms and asked Him to hold me and never let me go. He just kept telling me how much He loved me and I finally believed Him.

It's taken me so long to get to this place but I feel peace in my spirit once more. I now trust God with all that I am and all that I will be some day, and I walk in His
love everyday. He has overwhelmed me with His love and I am completely His. Nothing else matters....in the light of His love....really...nothing matters.

Love,
Lori

My dear friend, whom I love.

I wont let you smother it.

I realize that I am the somewhat silent partner in this blog. And many times when I do write words I write words that are not my own. To be honest I never really know what to write on these things. I feel uncomfortable with how much I should or should not disclose with others. I am a relational kind of person. If I am exposing a piece of my heart I would at least like to see the expression on your face, you know? But this blog was created for another purpose. It was to seek the face of God, and sometimes it takes stepping out of our comfort zone to be vulnerable to others. I assume if you are reading this you care on some level how I feel. These are my thoughts, as they come...

I guess on the forefront is the divorce I am currently swimming through. It has been over a year now. Dane and I first split up because he decided to jump the fence into the arms of many other women. As the story unravels I tried desperately to give grace, and forgiveness. So I waited. He said he needed to figure himself out. He promised that he would remain faithful in this time. I recently found out he has not. It broke my heart. I am not playing the victim in this situation. I know that I may have held on longer than I should have, but to be honest I would do it pretty much the same if I had it to do over again.

While we are now just pretty much counting down the days that are left before the papers are officially signed I reflect on our relationship. I have many regrets with the way I handled things. I did things I never thought I would do. At times I was literally the worst version of myself. I hurt many people that I hope one day I can personally ask for their forgiveness. I could no longer life that life. I decided to be the wife I promised Dane I would be even among the messiness. The wife I was when we first got married. I was faithful. I did not hold back myself or my heart. I prayed for him. I loved on him, and I affirmed his worth in the best way I knew how to. In the end I have learned so much about the love of God. About the character of God. He looks at me and says I love you, you wrong me and I continue to love you. You turn from me, but I still remain here for you. No one could ever possibly love you more than I do. I continue to shower you with all of my love now and forever.

Dane and I disagree with many things in our relationship, But the one thing I will not let him smother are the few pure things that existed in our relationship, and that is the way that I loved him. I know that I didn't always love him that way, but I know that if I never marry again I have comfort in knowing that at one time I did love another person that way, and that even though he chose to walk away from me I know in my heart of hearts I gave him everything that I had. I gave him my heart, and in doing so I have realized there is no other way to love people weather it be platonic or a significant other. We are called to love people completely. I guess this is my first step in loving you. To let you see my heart as it is. As it bleeds.

And now...a word from Lori

My heart dictates the drive home tonight...the long way.

Summit to John Ireland Blvd.

John Ireland Blvd. to Kellog

Kellog to Marion

Marion to Thomas

Thomas to Galtier

My drive along Summit after work is something I look forward to the most. It is quiet and my heart seeks rest.

My sweet truck gives me wings to fly and I blare Irish Penny Whistle tunes as I drive. And just as Saul's demons were kept at bay while David played the flute, mine are as well with the Penny Whistle. Or maybe it's that this Irish instrument is so much a part of my heritage? A part of my future? It will be arriving soon in the mail at least.

The church bells are ringing right now...12 o'clock midnight....my favorite. I feel like this time of night is when my heart is as it really should be. So quiet within me. So contemplative. So in tune with my Father.

"Don't cry Birdie", Joann says.

"Or if you must cry, cry happy tears. Only happy tears", she adds.


"Yeah, you are tan, Birdie, but you seemed so much happier this winter", Mel says.


I am so stuck between desiring to throw everything to the wind and appearing happy and carefree, and then wanting to face my demons, my fears, my wounds.

Yeah, I do look and act differently now but this is the real me with my real feelings and emotions. No medicine to cover them up. But I know the real me makes my friends and family uncomfortable.

"Please don't be sad."

Well, I am sad. Please don't tell me not to be. Please don't tell me to find someone else so that I can forget. It's not that my sadness is who I am. It is just this valley that I am walking through right now. I have come face to face with my sin and actions in the past. I have repented but I grieve. Have I lost it all for good?

The wind is blowing outside. Come blow in my heart, Holy Spirit. Refining fire be stoked and burn so hot and so bright that I melt like wax so that only You remain.

This is me. This is Lori. So random...aching...broken...but poured out like a fragrant offering to my God.

He alone is my salvation and my hope!

"With you" written by Stacy B

"When the rain brings the storm
I'll be the one that's with you
When you cant take no more
I'll be the one that's with you

I can see that your hurting
This is not something your deserving
You got to know that things happen for a reason
Check my intentions and baby please don't miss read them
Do I love
(yes)
Always forever
(yes)
I won't forget about you put me to the test
I know it's hard to grab what I'm layin
Please listen and listen to what I'm sayin

When the rain brings the storm
I'll be the one that's with you
When you can't take no more
I'll be the one that's with you
If ever you feel lost and afraid
I'll be the one that's with you
Never let anybody tell you different
I'll be the one that's with you

Can't you see that I'm hurting
This is not something I'm deserving
You gotta know that I, I have a dream
It's time to be me and do my own thing

Do you love you
(yes)
Thinking of me
(yes)
Can you trust that this is for the best
I know it's hard for me to let go
But let me wisper in your ear what I know for sure

When the rain brings the storm
I'll be the one that's with you
When you can't take no more
I'll be the one that with you
If ever you feel lost and afraid
I'll be the one that's with you
Never let anybody tell you different
I'll be the one that's with you

You, you never know what could happen
If in the future
I said you, you never know what could happen
between you and me
Let's take some time from you and me
Let us grow individually
I'll still be here for you
I can't forget about the one I belong to

When the rain brings the storm
I'll be the one that's with you
When you can't take no more
I'll be the one that's with you
If ever you feel lost and afraid
I'll be the that's with you
Never let anyone tell you different
I'll be the one that's with you.

Abe frolicks in the water with Super Girl

Pictures are sure to follow but I pulled my camera out only to realize that my batteries were dead...wah-wah:(

On a blessed day off, the agenda for the day was to find a way to lavish some love on my best man/boy friend, Abe. Ha ha ha

And how do you do that for that special dog in your life? All Abe needed was a kiddie pool full of water and our little neighbor, Tina, ready to splash.

Tina came out of her front door wearing a complete Super Girl costume. It reminded me so much of the costumes James and Lindsay wore to sleep in when they were little.

Abe splashed, Tina splashed, much fun and laughter was had by all.

Thank You, Father for sunshine and laughter to lift heavy hearts.

You are good!

Love always,
birdie

Romance and the Moon

It is late. I go to my windows to draw the blinds and the moon catches my eyes and draws the breath from my lungs all at the same time. Why is it that the moon moves me so? I am drawn to it.

I step out my front door and all is so achingly quiet. Everyone is inside sleeping and I hear God whisper, "It's just you and Me."

I walk around our front courtyard and feel the stress of the day melt away from me like hot wax too close to the flame.

How I wish I could always feel this way...standing so peaceful in the eye of the storm around me. And maybe I can stay this way. Maybe that is just what You're teaching me, Lord.

Love,
birdie

See the Father, behold the Father.

Tonight I worshiped God in a way somewhat foreign to me. My heart was breaking. I could feel the weight of loved ones that have not experienced the love of God and it made my heart cry. If they only could somehow understand that they can change these ashes in for glory, and wear forgiveness like a crown. He loves us. He loves us with a love that is so far beyond our comprehension. Greg Boyd once described it in a way that I could visually see, and physically relate to. He described the love of God like an endless ocean. Now imagine the ocean turning so that is now hovering over you, and in one instant it showers down on you, it funnels through your entire being so that every ounce of Gods love saturates you, and your trying to yell it's too much I can't take it anymore, but then another wave crashes through you, and you are now drowning in the love of God. It wasn't until this very night Gods loved pushed through me in a way that forced my body to speak his truth.

I once heard that music was given so that we may pray with out words. I believe dance was given so that we could experience the being of God, and move with him, submitting to Him in all His glory. Thank you love for your love encounter with me tonight.

"It hurts with every heartbeat"

These lyrics from our cd at work caught my attention. Never have I had words from a song so completely sum up the heaviness of my heart.

I long for my Beloved.

Day after day I pray and overcome, living each day always to bring my Father glory and yet, at the same time, I am so aware that I am missing a vital chunk of my heart.

And thank you, Jenny, for being such a constant cheerleader. This path I am walking can feel so lonely and so few people truly understand the intentions of my heart. Thank you for reminding me I'm not crazy when everything "seems" so impossible. I love you with all of my heart.

--------------------

I now try to ride my bike to work whenever I can. It serves as a stress reliever. I spend my 30-minute ride to work in prayer. It is a great way to prepare for the day ahead and also serves as a way of letting go of my cares at the end of the day.

I have been promoted to a leadership position at Jamba Juice and it is a totally new experience for me. I have ALWAYS followed....NEVER lead. Well, this Birdie was told to stretch her wings. So I stretch, and I ride when I can't fly.

Love,
birdie

A call to prayer

About a week ago, God sent a night hawk to nest near our apartment complex. How do I know this? Well, this night hawk flies overhead every night, speaking his strange night hawk language...beeeuut....beeeuut....beeeuut(or maybe that's what I think he sounds like).

Anyway, as I was laying in bed one night, God asked me to be praying every time I heard this night hawk....I will call him Harry. So Harry is my call to prayer and it's funny because he ALWAYS gets my attention. And then my heart thrills because I know God is using him to remind me to pray. For some people God uses bells, for me, night hawks:)

Love,
birdie

When my heart hurts

I don't know if it is because i am a dancer, but I find when my heart hurts the only thing that I really can do is listen to music that ministers to my soul. The music then leads me into movement that causes a canvas of different colors, not just constructed from music, but from splatters of raw emotions, and and fears that only movement can explain. I think that we have yet to really create a language that truly can communicate the honesty of the condition of the heart. So i dance.

The Call

"It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Till it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Till they're before your eyes
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye"


God has been using this song to minister to my heart these last few days. It is full of faith and God brings it to my lips many times during my day. I thought I'd share the words with you and maybe if you ask me, I'll sing it for you sometime:)

Love,
birdie

It's the little things

My heart is heavy tonight. The wait feels so long.

I step out of my truck and I hear a single night hawk singing it's song as it flies over my head.

Flickering lights catch my eyes and I realize one of my neighbors is having a bonfire.

Off to my left, I hear fireworks...people celebrating the fact that it's Spring no doubt.

I walk to my front door and see a K-Mart shopping cart sitting out in our courtyard....so random that it makes me smile.

And then there's Abe's silhouette as he stands in our front window, wiggling at me, happy for the fact that I'm coming home.

It really is the little things, the little ways that God reminds me I'm living. And in each one of those ways, I feel His love for me. And sometimes, they're so small that if I'm not really looking, I'll never see them.

Thank You for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear, Father.

I love you too.

Love,
birdie

Showered by flower petals

Every morning, when we leave to go to work, Jenny and I feel like fairy princesses or new brides as we are showered with petals from the trees in our front courtyard.
It is a feast for the eyes as well as a balm to our hearts that can only come from the loving hand of our God and Father.

I have to say, God, that You put any man on earth to shame because the way You love us....well, let's just say...You hung the moon:)

"For you, my darling."

"Why, thank You, my Lord!"


Love,
birdie

"What would you do to see just one person saved?"

Jenny asked me this question last night.

My speech ceased and I sat down on a stool, put my head in my hands, and began to cry.

You see, Jenny's point was that it is well and good to go on mission trips and love on people around the world. BUT....what if there is just one person here in Minnesota God means for me to love into the Kingdom? And I'm not talking about love in the world's sense of the word. I mean love as in God's powerful, life-changing love.

And there is one person here. I have seen them and know them by name. I have dreams about them and cry out for them every day in prayer. But what if God is asking for more? He alone must be my Guide.

So...what would I do? Anything, my Lord!


Love,
birdie

I apologize that I have been the silent partner in this blog. There are so many excuses I could give for being so preoccupied with life, but none really compare. The truth is I have not been given words. God is changing and morphing my life to better fit his reality. While I am being tossed in the waves it is hard to spit out words that could possibly do him justice.

That all for now.

But the journey is just beginning :)

love,
*jenny

Made it to the wedding

Josiah and Kaiti get married. A lovely day for a wedding.



My little friend, Jenna Berry, got to try her hand at photography on my camera. I think she did an excellent job!



This time, my Bubbie got to meet Tom and take him for a test drive.



After witnessing so much pain in the lives of my loved ones back in Missouri, God totally poured His joy back into my heart by the sheer beauty of my drive back to Minnesota.


Love,
birdie

It's simply not about me anymore

May my life be poured out as a drink offering before my God.

I have seen much pain in the last month and most of it is not my own.
Our world says,
"Find your other half"
"Have 1.5 kids"
"Get a great job"
"Make lots of money"

I have seen marriages broken, leaving massive destruction in their wake.
I need God.
Countless children are orphans and desperately want to know they have worth.
I crave God.
I make just enough to get by but I get to love so many people where I am.
I am desperate for God.

I just don't care anymore. I am tired of this world. I want to see God's Kingdom reign in my life, I want to love as many people as I can before I die, and frankly, I would count it an honor to die a martyr's death for Christ. If that would bring Him glory, so be it.

Chains are falling off. This world is falling away and fading fast. My time here on this earth is short. How am I spending it?
Oh, Lord forgive me for my selfishness. Forgive me for not truly seeing. I desire You and I desire that my life would draw countless to Your Kingdom. I am nothing without You!

To God be all the glory!
Love,
birdie

Going to a wedding?

Mom! What are you doing out by the side of the road taking pictures?
It's ok, Hammie. I just had to get a picture of the sunset.



Momma gets to spend the day introducing herself to Tom. He scares her a little bit on the hills but they soon become fast friends.



Tom Bombadil now has a sweet friend to keep him company:) Thanks Momma!


So I made a decision as I stood behind the cash register at Jamba Juice. I was going to go to my friend's wedding in Missouri even if it was going to be a whirlwind trip.
I wanted to surprise my family too. So I found someone to cover my shift and high tailed it out of St Paul as soon as I got off work and packed Abe and some clothes into my truck. I got in late but everyone was so excited to see me and Abe and my heart overflowed with love for my family.
I got to "sleep in" and bit before I took a shower and started getting ready to got to Kaiti's wedding. I called her to tell her I was going to be an hour later than I thought and it was only then that the truth came out. Kaiti's wedding wasn't until Saturday!
Oh Birdie, you must say. Well, it just so happens that God had other plans up His sleeve in bringing me back to Missouri. I got to spend a total of 13 hours praying for loved ones as I drove, I got to listen to some life altering sermons on cd, I got to love on my Momma who had suffered a huge blow in putting her beloved sidekick, Arlie, to sleep a week ago, I got to hug my brothers and Daddy, Momma got to test her stick shift skills on Tom Bombadil, and we got to give Maddie a ride to remember in my truck as I laid in the back:)
It was a beautiful day in Missouri and I loved every minute of it. Another adventure of the same kind will take place on Friday and Saturday but this time, I'll get to see Kaiti get married!:)
Ha ha! God, You're so good! Thank You for teaching me each day not to take myself so seriously and that my plans aren't always Your plans:)


Love,
birdie

Words of Truth

"If I could tell the world just one thing, it would be that we're all ok. Not to worry cause worry is wasteful and useless in times like these. I won't be made useless on the island of despair. I'll gather myself around my faith that lights the darkness most feared." - Jewel

Jenny reintroduced Jewel to me on one of the first nights we had settled into our apartment. I learned things about Jewel that I never knew. I found out that she is a very strong believer and actually, if you listen closely to the words of her songs, you will know her life has been sanctified by Christ.

So, as I sit here and am ministered to by the beautiful voice of Jewel who sounds more like an angel, the Holy Spirit moves and leaps within my heart. How am I making use of my gift of song? Oh Lord, that I would represent Your Kingdom with my voice and draw countless dear ones to Your throne as I lift my head and sing! Release them from their shackles that they may fly straight into Your arms! And please, show me how I can pour my heart out in song even as I pour out my life before You as a fragrant offering. I love You and I am honored to call You my God and Father.


Love,
birdie

Jesus Room!

Today was my day off and it was my goal to get all of my things into the storage room and out of the room that Jenny and I both have designated "The Jesus Room". This will be our prayer room and place to get away from life to be with our Savior.
I achieved my goal but had hoped to get some paint on the walls too but that will have to wait until another day.
Today was a very productive day and my bed now calls to my aching muscles.
My deepest blessings to all!


Love,
birdie

The Adventure Begins

Both Jenny and I experienced a direct touch from God tonight at church and armed with wings of freedom, we were emboldened to begin making our apartment home.


Love,
birdie