September 26, 2011
September 10, 2011
Their New Normal
Their New Normal
This is a post from Shaun Groves about two amazing ladies he's traveled with on the aforementioned Compassion blogger trips.
I am praying that *when* God allows me, and our family, to travel someplace outside our ordinary life here ... that it will be amazing and the exact time that God has enormous plans to turn our lives upside down, inside out, and radically alter our perception how we live our faith for His glory.
And all those friends who know of my irrational fear of traveling anywhere that there is not a Dunkin Donuts should be in complete awe that I used the word *when* in this post!
This is a post from Shaun Groves about two amazing ladies he's traveled with on the aforementioned Compassion blogger trips.
I am praying that *when* God allows me, and our family, to travel someplace outside our ordinary life here ... that it will be amazing and the exact time that God has enormous plans to turn our lives upside down, inside out, and radically alter our perception how we live our faith for His glory.
And all those friends who know of my irrational fear of traveling anywhere that there is not a Dunkin Donuts should be in complete awe that I used the word *when* in this post!
September 8, 2011
Third World Symphony and Compassion
Over a year ago I stumbled on a blogger trip sponsored by Compassion International. Basically they choose a handful of bloggers - take them someplace in the world to witness what Compassion does first hand and let them share their experiences with their readers. Pretty cool. Pretty radical.
You can't know how someone will react to what they see. You can't know what someone will write in response to what they experience. But from what I've seen over the last year or so, it's pretty phenomenal how God is using this specific means to reach people to expose them to a way they can be Jesus' hands and feet in releasing children from poverty through sponsorship with Compassion.
I know - we are part of it now. And because we are part of it, my parents are now part of it. And only God knows for sure where it will all go further from our two homes and the handful of kids we sponsor between us.
Anyway - on that first trip, and the ones since then that I've followed, there is this guy - well sometimes more than just one guy - but this particular guy is unique. His name is Shaun Groves and he is pretty interesting and talented and funny... and best of all, he really shares his heart for God and these kids in amazing ways. The fact that he is a home schooling Dad gives him extra points too. :-)
I started reading his blog. He makes me really think, he cracks me up a lot - he has kids, he is genuine in his faith and honest beyond belief about his life, struggles, and what God has done and is doing with him and his family. It's a peek into someone's real Christian life... and I'm just nosey enough to be fascinated.
A while back Shaun put out this idea of making an album and invited his readers to support his project financially - for our efforts (and prayers) we would get a free album! Woohoo! Who doesn't love to be part of something really cool and out of the ordinary like a music album? And get free music? Add the extra "hoo!" and count us in!
Shaun's new album Third World Symphony arrived the day before Hurricane Irene was set to hit New England and J promptly ripped it into iTunes for our listening pleasure. It is completely awesome!
Even the 13 year old agrees! She loves this album and is hoping that Shaun may eventually make some sheet music available to aspiring musicians who live in our house (J-girl plays piano and B-boy is learning to play guitar) *hint*hint* (just in case Shaun actually sees this - which I doubt - but you never know what God can do on the internet! *S*)
Now Shaun is doing a blog tour with video clips, Q&A interviews and various other cool stuff. I follow him on facebook and have been reading all sorts of neat blogs because of this 'tour'. There are some pretty cool and creative people on this web-thing. And the really amazing thing is reading the hearts of all these people that have been touched by Shaun's music and his heart and his work with Compassion International. All these stories of how God is working around the world just blow me away!
People - ordinary people. Moms with minivans and sticky counters, people with little to spare in their budget and people with more, guys with kids and without, people with words and stories and hearts that God is using - changing the world, reaching the world for Christ. It's amazing, humbling, and almost too exciting to be able to wrap words around.
Shaun's music on this album, Third World Symphony, is so real. It is music that has looked into the eyes of hurting and hungry people. It is cries and praise to the only One who can save (John 3:16-17), the One who is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17), the One who never wastes anything (John 6:12).
You should go to his album website HERE and listen to the music... buy a copy... let God use these amazing songs to change you in some small way.
I'm so thankful that God allowed us the opportunity to be a small part of this project. We all have a part to play in the symphony that God is writing.
What is your part?
You can't know how someone will react to what they see. You can't know what someone will write in response to what they experience. But from what I've seen over the last year or so, it's pretty phenomenal how God is using this specific means to reach people to expose them to a way they can be Jesus' hands and feet in releasing children from poverty through sponsorship with Compassion.
I know - we are part of it now. And because we are part of it, my parents are now part of it. And only God knows for sure where it will all go further from our two homes and the handful of kids we sponsor between us.
Anyway - on that first trip, and the ones since then that I've followed, there is this guy - well sometimes more than just one guy - but this particular guy is unique. His name is Shaun Groves and he is pretty interesting and talented and funny... and best of all, he really shares his heart for God and these kids in amazing ways. The fact that he is a home schooling Dad gives him extra points too. :-)
I started reading his blog. He makes me really think, he cracks me up a lot - he has kids, he is genuine in his faith and honest beyond belief about his life, struggles, and what God has done and is doing with him and his family. It's a peek into someone's real Christian life... and I'm just nosey enough to be fascinated.
A while back Shaun put out this idea of making an album and invited his readers to support his project financially - for our efforts (and prayers) we would get a free album! Woohoo! Who doesn't love to be part of something really cool and out of the ordinary like a music album? And get free music? Add the extra "hoo!" and count us in!
Shaun's new album Third World Symphony arrived the day before Hurricane Irene was set to hit New England and J promptly ripped it into iTunes for our listening pleasure. It is completely awesome!
Even the 13 year old agrees! She loves this album and is hoping that Shaun may eventually make some sheet music available to aspiring musicians who live in our house (J-girl plays piano and B-boy is learning to play guitar) *hint*hint* (just in case Shaun actually sees this - which I doubt - but you never know what God can do on the internet! *S*)
Now Shaun is doing a blog tour with video clips, Q&A interviews and various other cool stuff. I follow him on facebook and have been reading all sorts of neat blogs because of this 'tour'. There are some pretty cool and creative people on this web-thing. And the really amazing thing is reading the hearts of all these people that have been touched by Shaun's music and his heart and his work with Compassion International. All these stories of how God is working around the world just blow me away!
People - ordinary people. Moms with minivans and sticky counters, people with little to spare in their budget and people with more, guys with kids and without, people with words and stories and hearts that God is using - changing the world, reaching the world for Christ. It's amazing, humbling, and almost too exciting to be able to wrap words around.
Shaun's music on this album, Third World Symphony, is so real. It is music that has looked into the eyes of hurting and hungry people. It is cries and praise to the only One who can save (John 3:16-17), the One who is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17), the One who never wastes anything (John 6:12).
You should go to his album website HERE and listen to the music... buy a copy... let God use these amazing songs to change you in some small way.
I'm so thankful that God allowed us the opportunity to be a small part of this project. We all have a part to play in the symphony that God is writing.
What is your part?
August 19, 2011
Birthday Lunch Baking
I had a request for something specific for the birthday boy's dinner yesterday but it was not really a 'dinner' per se, so what is a mom to do? Make it for lunch instead!
B is a lover of bread-sticks so I opted to make cheese stuff garlic bread-sticks for his lunch yesterday.
And what is better with cheese stuff garlic bread-sticks than Mom's first ever attempt at home-made tomato sauce?
I know this is all very silly - but B really appreciated it and it was very yummy!
Blessings on the journey friends~
B is a lover of bread-sticks so I opted to make cheese stuff garlic bread-sticks for his lunch yesterday.
And what is better with cheese stuff garlic bread-sticks than Mom's first ever attempt at home-made tomato sauce?
I know this is all very silly - but B really appreciated it and it was very yummy!
Blessings on the journey friends~
August 18, 2011
Another Birthday
This time is my youngest child... who has some how, in just a blink, become a young man.
At around a year old he was just adorable
and oh so BUSY!
And today he is twelve! A young man. Smart and strong, kind and loving. Still very busy! Learning, growing and in training to be the man God has planned for him to be.... and making his mama so proud of him!
Handsome like his Dad! :-)
Happy birthday my son!
May you always be blessed on the journey God has marked for you!
“‘“The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
~Numbers 6:24-26
August 14, 2011
Waiting for Change & Contentment
Fall is my favorite season. I love the cool nights with the warmish days, the vibrant and glorious colors, the baking, the sweaters & jeans, the Deerfield Fair day with family & friends... everything.
So now we are into August and summer seems to have flown by, yet I am ready for the next thing. J and I are pretty well ready to start school, though B refuses to consider it until after his birthday (and really who can blame him?).
Of course change is often very messy. Such as several days of upheaval, noise, and sawdust to have a new floor put in - but it's OH so pretty!
Very worth it...don't you think?
Life and it's many changes can be hard. Exciting. Frustrating. Nerve-wracking. Difficult. And I usually like to say I don't like change... unless it is my idea.
Yet it feels like so much in life is waiting for the next thing, the next stage, the next project to be done.
Am I content?
I'm reading a devotional book about contentment right now. It's a marvelous reminder that contentment comes when I am focused on Christ and His purposes for my life. When I hand over the reins to the One with the true plan and best ideas for my life (which is NOT me by the way!). I find when I practice this discipline in my day-to-day life, there is less frustration and less waiting.
When I truly try to live the life each day that God allows. The one with His priorities instead of my 'to-do' lists. The one with people and service and love and grace flowing through and swirling around. The days with music and smiles and sometimes tears as well.
I. am. content.
That is not all to say that life is all butterflies and rainbows and little birds singing in the tree outside my window. In actuality the birds outside the window at 4:30 am are really dreadfully annoying, and the dog hair is threatening to take over the downstairs, the dishes and laundry always need doing, etc. But this is all part of the music of our lives here. It's real. A dear friend once said it is job security. :-)
My only true security is in Christ and leaning into Him for strength and grace for each day.... even the really tough days... that is contentment. And for this and so much more... I am thankful.
August 2, 2011
I want one of these
I want one of these... it's from the same place my birthday gift was from. The Adopt Shoppe
Photo credit We are THAT Family blog
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