I haven't died. I've just been handcuffed to the bedpost of Crazy

The house is finally quiet calm. and I am "alone" for the first time in ages.

Jet is still at work, finishing up a big project. Alana is sleeping. And the three oldest girls, who are supposed to be going to sleep, can be heard on the baby monitor loudly singing Christmas carols and laughing at some inside sister joke I'll never know.

This past week-and-a-half has been filled with sick children. sleepless nights. and barking coughs that rattle a mom's nerves in the wee hours of the night.

Oh, and God has been working overtime to expose the ugliness of our hearts.

Let the good times roll, baby.

When my energy level returns, so will I...to the world of Blogdom.

Sugar???

When all else fails trust the Voice of God.

I know. It doesn't get more *DUH* than that, eh? But apparently I tend to err on the side of spiritually retarded at times...

Allow me to explain.

Walking up the stairs in my home two weeks ago, this random thought came from no where:

"Would you give up sugar (completely) if you knew that it was eating away at your eyesight?"

I admit it. I completely blew it off as something other than the voice of God.

You know, like me giving myself a pep talk to do a Daniel fast. or my own desire to be more healthy in my everyday eating screaming out. Or...Anything Other than wisdom from the Throne of Heaven.

Because it just. didn't. make. sense.

I, in all my 32 years of living, had never heard anything like that before. And really, what's God's infinite wisdom when compared to the incredible depth of my knowledge and experience?

I'm oozing sarcasm here. Just in case the fact eluded you.

So before I even walked two more steps up, I had officially dismissed it as my over-active imagination. and not the Lord.

Yet. that simple statement stayed with me, refusing to be so easily dismissed...

So it came up today as I was talking to my friend, Shelli. I told her about it... mentioning to her what I hadn't spoken to anyone simply because I wasn't feeling confident enough to dub it from the Lord. She encouraged me to just research it a little to see what I could find. to see if there was anything to it.

Yes that's right Lord. Be forewarned. 'Cause I'm checking your credentials, Mister! If Earthly scientists have made a connection then I may just consider what you said. *groan*

Note: obviously I'm questioning more my ability to hear and not God's ability to know what he's talking about. :)

Well, this is what I found when I did a bit of research. I admit, my mouth hit the floor. and remained there for quite some time.

In fact, as I type, I resemble a codfish. totally unable to shut my mouth due to the complete shock factor that hit when I read the following:

If you're like most people, you have a high-sugar diet, and a high-sugar diet affects your eyesight.

By eating a lot of sugar and/or sugary products (baked goods, frosted cereals, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages), you run the risk of developing diabetes, which has been shown to increase the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma due to poor blood circulation.

Since the eyes need more oxygen and nutrients than any other part of the body except the brain, any reduction in supply can result in damage and disease.

A high-sugar diet affects your eyesight through two sugar-related processes.

The first is called glycosylation.

Excess sugar molecules attach to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells.

This makes it more difficult for the blood cells to deliver the oxygen necessary for metabolic processes to occur.

The second, and more long-term problem, is vascular.

When blood sugar levels fluctuate, they shock the mural cells (wall cells) in capillaries (tiny blood vessels).

These capillaries gradually weaken and narrow, which results in a breakdown of the entire vascular system.

Blood flow may be reduced, and in areas prone to leakage, bleeding may occur.

You can read the rest of the article here:
http://www.protect-your-eyesight.com/high-sugar-diet-affects-your-eyesight.html

Doesn't that just blow your mind? Sugar. Who knew?!!

Oh, that's right...God did.

I'm learning to trust my ability to hear the randoms of God. as well as his amazingly creative ability to make Himself heard.

Meaning sometimes I put more stock in my ability to mishear than His ability to be heard. But I'm learning. slowly. but surely.

Family Night

What do you get when you take one toddler... a toddler who is obviously not big on proper eating ettiquette...

and add her into our weekly Family Movie and Popcorn Night?

Answer: A long-running activity of picking kernels out from between the couch cushions.

and off the rug.

One day Jet and I won't have to spend twenty minutes cleaning up after Popcorn Night. One day we'll peacefully eat our popcorn and watch the movie without multiple, random conversations going on at once.

What a sad sad day that will be.

I love my little mess-makers and their loud and crazy part of our Family Night.

Happy First Day of Spring!

My girls have been counting down the first day of Spring for, what feels like, for-e-ver now. Making craft after craft representative of all its bountiful green growth.

So yesterday we finally put up the new school bulletin. complete with their homemade flowers and apple tree...

and half-erased "Happy Spr..."ing sign underneath. Raegan has a thing for erasing everything they write.

Charis carefully worked on this picture for quite a while...

Putting great care into every flower and bird and adorable little bees.

And this one is of Jesus on the cross...

It says: "Of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus can take sins. God gave his onle son Jesus."

Charis said the orange thing in the corner is the Star of Bethlehem. And I happen to love the fact that Jesus has a smile on his face. ;) I think both are rather fitting.

So yesterday after their part of the bulletin board was finished, they set hard at work making a "Spring Craft."

Which I later found out was scads of confetti.

Soooo....At the breakfast table this morning, as I turned my back to help Raegan, I hear this booming "Happy Spring!" followed by handfuls of colorful confetti being thrown heavenward.

I must have gasped in surprise (not annoyance!) because they quickly said, "Okay, we'll clean it all up now."

"No you will not! I love it! Let's leave it there all day!" *this is where we insert two of the biggest kidlet smiles ever*

After all, when two little girls spend as much time as they did handcrafting a bowl-full of confetti, you have to enjoy it for longer than 2.4 seconds, right?!!

See the detail?!

I love how children find joy in e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.ng! Normally, I would have barely acknowledged the coming of Spring. Quite honestly, I may not have even remembered it's officially arrival.

After all, it doesn't mean anything in terms of a definitive weather forecast, right? And us adults are supposed to be all about the business of practical and reasonable and logical.

But not my girls. They will FIND a reason to celebrate life. They will create a occasion to party. And I love my life because of it.

Today we celebrate the coming of Spring. And I'm thinking tonight we may be pulling the bag of plastic Easter eggs out of the attic for a Spring Egg Hunt. ;)

More than meets the eye

Yesterday I mentioned the Dolch Sight Word cards we made...

Now I realize this method may seem boring to some. But I'm all about simple, inexpensive, and acting rowdy. So there is much *Hoorah* when Selah gets a word right.

And really, how can a preschooler get bored with Mom acting like a monkey on crack?

But today we've discovered some other ways to use the cards.

So just in case there is one lone person out there in blogdom who actually went and made their own cards, here are some additional things we've been doing (or are planning to do) with them.

1. Charis will take turns helping Selah read the words. This way the words are reinforced to Charis, being that those words are on her Spelling List. Plus, having Charis and Selah learn to work together in this way is always a bonus!

2. Put the words in alphabetical order, reinforcing their ability to master the dictionary.

3. Have them make sentences out of the words.

4. Give them a few cards and have them create a story from the specified words. reinforcing handwriting, sentence structure, and creativity.

5. Have them separate out the words by categories: verbs, nouns, etc.

6. Have them pick different words (from books or wherever) and make the Sight Reading Cards themselves. Some people learn better by writing it out...being that I'm yet to figure out their learning styles, this can't hurt.

7. Have a word that we discuss over dinner time. This word may be a little more advanced than the Dolch Sight Word list. Maybe something designed to help them expand their speaking vocabulary? but learning to spell the word at the same time is always good!


There are hundreds, if not thousands, of things you can buy as a homeschooling parent of elementary school children. Material all designed to help you teach your child the Three R's (reading, writing, 'rithmetic).

So when I find something that works for me during this season of "two under two"...that cost *zilch*... I'm all over it.

Dolch Sight Words

When Charis started to read, she and I would just pick up a book and go at it. Apparently this method worked for her, as she's reading grade levels above 1st grade.

This is great for Charis's self-esteem...but not so much for Selah's.

I'm thinking that Selah (4 1/2 yrs) may be a little intimidated by her older sister's reading abilities. Because whenever Selah and I pick up a book to practice, she gets all kinds of frustrated and declares, "I can't!"

So I've had to approach it from a different angle.

Which, by the way, is fast becoming my new mom-motto being that I have four little ones. ALL of whom are very different and ALL who happen to be of the gender that errs on the side of self-comparison.

That said, I tried something out this week that is working like a charm!

Have you ever heard of the Dolch Sight words? They're the list of commonly used English words originally published by Edward William Dolch, PhD in his book "Problems in Reading" (1948).

Many of the words on the list cannot be sounded out. Therefore, they must be learned by sight. Words like "said" and "could" and "two".

*This is me smacking my forehead*

Remember this post about the perils of teaching children to read in a language that houses all sorts of exceptions to grammatical rules? *groan* Yeah well, I so wish someone had told me about this guy!!

I believe there are kits you can buy that come with laminated word cards. But really, why bother?

You can find the list of words here.

And I can attest that in the two days that Selah and I have worked on them, her confidence has sky-rocketed, as she is quickly becoming able to read, upon sight, a growing list of words.

All it takes are some note cards, a marker, and some snuggle time on the couch. Keep your $19.95 for something else.

Step away from the dessert bar. I repeat. Step Away.

Today was one of those days. The kind where I met Jet as soon as he got home from work. Outside. On the front porch.

All the while, holding a kid at arm's length. impatiently waiting for him to take her. before promptly marching myself back inside...to go hide far far away from all Little People.

No, nothing bad happened today. Aside from a few outburst from my resident 2 year old, the girls all proved to be amazing specimen of children. ;)

Honestly? I think, as of late this afternoon, the whole "no sugar" thing started to get to me. And it's begun to effect my outlook. my attitude. my motivation.

Ultimately, my heart. (But eh. what's a fast without seeing the true nature of oneself? *insert a roll of the eyes*)

I told Jet that were he not doing this fast with me, today would have been the type of day where I would have thrown my hands up, said I just can't do this, and proceeded to bake a chocolate cake the size of Manhattan. with layers and layers of gooey homemade chocolate icing and...

Oh. *cough* Sorry. This is me coercing. my. brain. into. submission.

Okay. I'm good.



New Years Eve of 2000, the Lord told me that I was entering a year of fasting. By the end of that year, my "fasting muscles" were in amazing shape.

Not so much anymore.

Just like my cardiovascular ability...the one that used to compete in State Track Meets. Because I can barely make it around the block without causing neighbors to call for emergency intervention. by way of an EMT oxygen tank.

That said, I'm way out of shape, physically and spiritually. because I've rather enjoyed living a lazy life.

And let me just tell you, I'm feeling it now. because everything in me is crying out "What do I care? It's just a piece of food. What does it matter in the grand scheme of things?"

I know. Ugly ugly ugly. Weak weak weak.

What it matters is that my flesh is obviously stronger than my spirit. And my desire for immediate gratification via my mouth is sadly greater than my desire to press in to the things of the Kingdom. Ew.

This year, I'm hoping to whip my all my muscles back into shape.

I don't want to be mastered by sugar. or the computer. or the phone. or whatever else presents itself as more enticing than my time spent seeking Jesus. Period.

Yet. even though I struggle, the Lord has proven Himself incredibly incredibly faithful!! (What can I say? I have a penchant for stating the obvious.)

But seriously, every time Jet decides to fast, the heavens literally open up over certain arenas of our life. This time being no different.

I stand in complete AWE of the Work of God in our lives. and can't wait to share things as I can.

Raegan turns 2

One tradition that we have as a family is Birthday Doughnuts.

Being that we don't see doughnuts in this house outside of someone's birthday, it's a Buh-ig deal to the girls.

This year, Raegan's birthday fell in the middle of my mom's Spring Break (she works for a college). So we went to her house for a mid-morning "breakfast" of chocolate-covered doughnuts.

And really? What's better than a day at Grandma's house, singing Happy Brithday, AND chocolate?!

Nothing!

See that look in her eyes? It's the content and satisfied, my-life-is-in-perfect-order-now look. The one that says "Oh. You still here, Mom? Huh, I didn't notice."

That night we did it all over again.

Yes, those are two doughnuts with candles stuck in them. What can I say, I'm an over-achiever when it comes to my daughter's birthdays.

We didn't even do presents this go round. Shhh! Don't tell. Seriously, she has no clue. In her little mind, she had an a-ma-zing birthday.

Especially when we went to a friend's house for dinner the next evening. My job was to bring the dessert... being the exceptionally wise mother, I brought Birthday Cake.

More singing and blowing out of candles?! Does it get any better than this?!!

In the eyes of a two year old? I think not.

Though next year, I'm thinking Lazy Mom has to get her booty in gear. A 2 year-old may not realize she was totally jipped, but a 3-year old will.

Especially since this summer is Selah's 5th birthday. The birthday year where we go "all out". Raegan will totallly expect something next birthday...after seeing Selah's Grand Hoop-la.

Thankfully, both sets of grandparents left phone messages for her...she got them after our dinner party at a friend's house.

Grandma & Granddaddy, Grandmama & Grandpa...This is how excited she was to listen! :)

We still have those messages on our answering machine. She listens to them non-stop.

"New Years" Resolution that shaped a People

"But Daniel resolved..." Daniel 1:8

As Jet and I set our hearts to do a Daniel Fast for the next while, we'll be reading a chapter of Daniel a day. Today, the above verse jumped out.


"But..." Even though this word is but three letters, it speaks volumes to me.

Regardless of all that was going on. Despite what appeared to be the best way to harmoniously live. Undeterred by what everyone else was doing. In fact, in the FACE OF all that everyone else was doing... Daniel made a decision to go against the mainstream of his day and of his direct circumstances.

While he could have just remained silent and indifferently did was he was told, he chose to step out in direct opposition to the King's decree over his life.

Not not not for the sake of rebelling. (in fact, he submitted this "but" to the direct authority over his life in that hour...verse 13) Rather, for the sake of following the One who ruled the Unseen Realm, as well as his heart.




"...Daniel..." On his own. without the backing of a group of people. a posse of friends. or a partner in crime, so to speak. He, alone, decided to take a stand and stick with it.

Yes, it later mentions three additional friends that went along with Daniel's decision to abstain from the king's food. But whether they were drawn into it by Daniel's example or by his persuasion, it does not say. It does clearly state, though, that it was Daniel whose heart moved first.

Out of his relationship with God (not man!) Daniel was motivated to step out, taking a chance. He set his heart on what he knew was right, on what he knew he was called to. Apart from what anyone else was doing, he stood his ground.

First in his heart. Secondly by his actions.


"...Resolved" An unwavering decision to remain fixed and intent on a certain course of action. Resolute. Determined. Insistent. Not backing down. Not turning back. Not deviated from the original plan.

Though I'm sure Daniel knew it could cost him (at the very least) his comfort...he didn't let this impact his ultimate decision.

I mean Captives just didn't go around giving orders, or even suggestions. They did what they were told. period.

I don't know for sure, but I have to wonder if his even stepping out and asking such a thing could have brought severe consequences. Because the next verse in the Bible was:

"And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs." Daniel 1:9

Did that favor cut off what the next verse could have been? I have to wonder.

Only three words: "But Daniel resolved..." Yet I am very challenged.

In this day and age, where it appears to be best to sit down, shut up, and move within the realm of status quo, I am challenged by Daniel's resolute heart before God to do what is RIGHT.

Not what is popular or applauded or even easy, as I'm sure the King's food tasted pret-ty amazing.

Life today may be different than it used to be back in Daniel's time. Yet, there is still that force that threatens to keep men silent, usurping their inner strength, and coercing them to just go with what Majority deems right.

You know, of the "Majority" of which I speak? It's the one that doesn't hold it by conventional numbers, but by their deafening collective shouts. screaming that the unborn should be redefined. as well as marriage. and love. and entertainment. and dress. and ....

I can only pray that I will do what is right by God, and not be quiet about it. That my heart wouldn't be moved to go "against the flow" for the sake of being different. but for the sake of elevating Truth.

And maybe, just maybe, in hopes that an entire Kingdom can be impacted for Christ. Like it was in Daniel's day.

All because someone...a lone person...resolved himself to not be defiled.

Brazil-bound. (or not)

**If you are coming from FaceBook to see the ministry opportunity and video post, it's the blog before this one. Trust me, this isn't it.** ;)



Alright. So I have this problem.

Some may actually call it an addiction. Me? I just call it a very very very intense love for something I know I shouldn't have.

SUGAR.

Ahhhh. Just the sound of it sends my salivation glands into overdrive.

Except that

My husband and I are getting ready to start a fast which includes eliminating sugar. DearGodInHeaven.

Now normally when I am preparing to fast, my body goes into convulsions shock prep mode. Coupled with extreme starvation, where my stomach begins to digest my backbone.

Suddenly, I have this irrepressible need to eat everything in sight.

And Yes. This is a need. as the backbone has been scientifically proven necessary. You know, in order to remain in the upright position, have sensory nerve function, and stuff.

WELL... Until the Lord brought up the whole elimination of sugar idea, I was doing really well at staying away from it on my own accord.

Sugar? Ha. I laugh in the face of Chocolate Covered Donut.

But then that "f" word was mentioned. You know..."FAST."

And everything in me c.r.a.v.e.d the sweet stuff.

Sadly, almost every sweet item in my house has been inhaled gone missing. And now?

Well, I have to confess that I'm quite tempted to find the nearest sugarcane field.

Just to roll around in it. in hopes of ingesting some sugar via my pores.

Yes. I totally realize the nearest sugarcane field is... BRAZIL. as well as being completely aware that it looks like fairly painful stuff in which to execute the Stop Drop and Roll. But this is how willing I am to sacrifice. all for the love of the sweet stuff.

"...and they seemed to her but a few miles because of the love she had for it." (yeah, total reference to Jacob and Rachel of the Bible. I couldn't help myself.)

Come Monday all sugar will be a fond memory in this house. Since God knows if I can't have it, my children will have to suffer...uh, experience the thrill of healthy living too.

I know. my children don't realize how blessed they truly are having me as their mother. How this escapes their knowing is beyond me.

Four countries. Three continents. Two languages. One God.

For years, I've been thinking about becoming fluent in Spanish. I mean, lets face it, the U.S. is fast becoming a bilingual nation.

Only we're not. Because I can't hold my own in a conversation where Espanol reigns supreme.

Well, except if the talk revolves around me saying my name. counting to 10. or asking where the bathroom is. (Okay, so it's not that bad. but close enough.)

After three years of high school Spanish, I came away with a hatred for conjugating verbs and not much else. Being that verbs are pret-ty crucial in using complete sentences, you can imagine my sorry excuse for communicating.

Except for the TEN DAYS that I went to Mexico as a teenager.

Submersing myself in the culture, my brain clicked into gear. And I was able to actually converse with the natives!! WooHoo for me, eh?

But that's the deal, you know? If you actually live in an atmosphere where you have to speak the language, you learn it. Period.

So where am I going with this, you ask?

To three other countries to be exact. Two being Spanish speaking countries. One being a spiritually explosive environment where you have opportunity to live outside of your comfort zone. residing with and ministering to people in Mombasa, Africa.


I'm talking 'bout the Kainos Training Program.

A 9 month-long program. "Four countries. Three continents. Two languages. One God."

An intensive training program geared towards going deeper into the Heart of God. stepping out and putting that understanding into action as you minister to others. learning to hear the voice of God in your life. and studying the Spanish language. ...So Hello! you can actually *speak* to those people you're ministering to! ;)

If you are a young adult who would like to look into this program, email me at GvnJCmyALL @ AOL dot com.

I'll put you in contact with the director, our good friend "Uncle John" (our girls' name for him, not ours. *grin*) He'll answer whatever questions you have and tell you all the things my piddly blog could never cover.

And just to give you a head's up...this guy challenges me and my hub like no one ever has. He thinks completely outside the box. "Box? What box?"

If you know someone who would be interested...pah-lease send them this link! Because this program a rare mix of intimate time away with the Lord, intensive ministry, and hardcore Spanish learnin' with other young adults.

The next 9-month session starts in August (I think).

There's so so so much more I could say. But for now just check out the video below!!!!!

*NOTE: there are other videos called "Kainos" that will come up after you've watched the video below, but they are not associated with our church's program.

Kainos... 1st half of the year 2008. Kenya, Africa

Defining the meaning of Sold-Out. For my kids' sake.

"She's one of those radical Christians. She's so spiritually minded that she's no earthy good, you know?"

Excuse me? Are you stinkin' kidding me!? She's a radical, spiritually minded Christian? ...you mean as opposed to some other kind?

As in the kind of Christians that just hold fast to the title, but not the person of Jesus? the politically correct, and therefore socially safe, kind that have no faith. hold no power. and see no breakthrough?

Are those the other type of "Christians" that you speak of? Just wanting to be clear here. You know, so I can intelligently follow along with your pathetic line of reasoning.

I'm sorry but comments like these enrage me.

Actually, I take that back. I'm not sorry. I think we, as a nation, are where we are today because of too many "sorry" Christians.

Christians who apologize for not being tolerant enough. who apologize for not embracing everyone's ridiculous notions of right and wrong... or the lack thereof.

Christians who apologize for keeping other Believers accountable to the Truth. Christians who, ultimately, allow themselves to be silenced from speaking the Name of Jesus, resigned to allow the "Majority" make the new and improved rules of conduct.

I'm not sorry. But I am mad.

Because it's mindsets like these (that are even in the Church) that can make the "radical" Believer feel like they need to just hop off the mothership and get a grip on reality.

"Earth to Christian. Do you read me?"


Uh...? Totally correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the only thing that's going to be of "Earthly good" is if we get our minds set on the things of the Spirit. So we can pull down Heaven into this realm.

Does "...Your Kingdom come...on earth as it is in heaven..." ring a bell?

One thing that I decided this week is that I refuse to raise "American Christians". Children who grow up thinking lukewarm is the norm.

I want my children to know that there is life outside of our little corner of the planet. That there are Christians around the world risking humiliation, torture, and death. just so they can praise Jesus and embrace the title of Christian.

instead of casually throwing it around like it's some club where you piously pay your weekly dues by sitting on a pew.

Richard Wurmbrand, in his book, "Tortured for Christ" says:

"It must be understood that there are no nominal, halfhearted, lukewarm Christians in Russia or China. The price Christians pay is far too great. The next point to remember is that persecution has always produced a better Christian- a witnessing Christian, a soul-winning Christian. communist persecution has backfired and produced serious, dedicated Christians such as are rarely seen in free lands. These people cannot understand how anyone can be a Christian and not want to win every soul they meet."

I want my girls to understand this from the get-go. to intercede for our Christian Siblings who are risking everything to lift up the name of Jesus.

I don't want them to take for granted that we have a hundred Bibles at our finger tips. and a church on every corner. and worship music on the radio.

I want them to understand that we are in a battle. whether we see it in this realm/land (yet) or not, it's there. They need to know this. so they can be equipped. so they can be BOTH spiritually minded and of earthly good.

You know, like Jesus was.

*****
If you are interested...you can get a kid-friendly newsletter version of Voice of the Martyrs. For free.

I just signed up today so I don't know what all it includes. But I do know that the Voice of the Martyrs newsletters (adult versions) we've received come with maps outlining the nations where Christians are considered illegal. or endangered.

Those maps will hang above our map of the world. on the wall of our dining room. so my girls are reminded to pray for them daily. as am I.

http://www.persecution.com/

http://www.kidsofcourage.com/

Laughing Lani...

A good friend of mine is currently deciding whether to add another little one to their family. Whenever we talk on the phone, Lani...being her joyful little self...will just laugh and laugh.

Friend says that hearing her laugh makes her "womb hurt".

Which made me laugh! like a crazed hyena. :)

So Friend, per your request, here is little Lani laughing while we were at lunch with my Mom today.

Sorry the camera isn't centered the whole time, as she needs to see my face in order to laugh and I wasn't paying attention.

Note: I was only looking at her and talking to her. I was not touching, tickling, or shaking any part of her. She just loves to make eye contact and laugh....

Be Strong and of good courage.

Strong Winds Ahead.

I know this. as I put one foot in front of the other. leaving behind what I know to embrace what he's put before me.

Strong Winds Ahead.

I know this. as I sit before Him in worship. feeling so overwhelmed by his manifest presence that I don't know whether to cry or laugh.

Strong Winds Ahead.

I know this. as I struggle to put to death every fear that raises its head, crying out in the "Voice of Reason".

A voice that haughtily cites practical realities that fly in the face of what He has said. that casually mock the doors He has already opened. that call His Truth a lie.

Strong Winds Ahead.

I know this. because I can't get past the fact that a gale force wind has *hit* my home in full force. calling me step out. challenging me to step it up.

Yet.

I can't turn back, you know? I can't push this aside. Not this time. because there's too much riding on my complete obedience.

This thing that the Lord is asking of me.... something that has to go publicly undefined at this point for sheer sanity sake (my own. not yours. *wink*)....is, without doubt, the tip of the arrow in the unseen heavenly realm that surrounds my life.

For I know...I know that I know that I know that I know...that the completion of this could open doors to every promise the Lord has ever given me.

It's that big.

So I asked the Lord for a life scripture to hang onto during this season of my life. He gave me this:

Joshua 1:2-9

And these two things stand out: Now therefore arise." and

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"...

So yeah...I know strong winds are ahead. It's what both scares and excites me. Because I know that the Holy Spirit is one ginormous Strong Wind.

And I want to be so dependent on him that when he breathes on me, my whole being moves.

Quick glimpse...

Today my computer will be shut off. and I will spend the entire day focusing on my girls.

And hopefully the back of my eyelids, as I am ex.haus.ted.

But for now, here's two quick snapshots of my little bitties...

Raegan (23 months) and Alana (5 months)

Isn't it crazy how Alana's head is pretty much the same size as Raegan's? :) Makes me wonder if the girls will soon be the same size.

It amazes me that they're sisters...being as different as they are.

Yet I think that may work to their advantage. helping to cement a solid relationship. where comparisons don't reign supreme.

I mean, who spends time comparing apples and oranges, right?

But one thing is most assuredly the same. I want to *squeeze* them both. Mm Mm, I love me some girls.

as God commanded him...

At this particular moment I am overwhelmed. by the *magnitude* of what God has set before me.

And when I say "magnitude"...I feel it's a slight understatement.

Okay, so it's a gross understatement.

For the completion of this new directive could (and most likely will) change the very landscape of life as my family and I know it.

Eh. small stuff, right? *picture me letting out a large breath*

I am unable to go into details at this point. but hopefully in 6 months or so, the entirety of the challenge will be near completion.

And we will be on the other side of this Pivotal Moment in time. (can I tell you how many times I've wished that I was already there? Seriously...probably 20 times a day)

For now, I just document. recording the fact that the gravity of this moment is catching up with me. and that I'm trying to find solid footing on which to steady myself...

before beginning the task I know I have been designed and equipped to accomplish since before Time began.

Oh Lord...Kumbaya

My girls love all things Worship. And will routinely lead it in our very own living room....

For all sorts of ragamuffin congregations.

These guys happen to be of the Esau lineage. Note the amount of body hair.

But regardless of how uncivilized they look, they come equipped with the Word.

The JIV version. That's Jungle International.

While The Little People preferred the easy stuff. quick read. lots of pictures.

Gang Disney preferred something a bit more challenging. King James Version. toddler style.

But these farm guys were a little more closed-minded. they liked their interpretation. and nothing else.

But really...what does it matter when you get to be lead in worship by this chic...

Tina Turner.

For some reason, I couldn't get Selah to wipe this look off her face.

It was like she was trying her hardest to look "sanctified".

and holy.

Though I'm thinking she looks more annoyed than anything.

Of course, how would you look if you were trying to lead a bunch of primates in Kumbaya?