Groovy Kind of Love

The first two songs that I have playing are mine and Karl's "songs".  I have them playing in preparation of our 17th wedding anniversary on Sunday.  Stay tuned for our story and pictures you won't want to miss!!  :o)  I'll post them on Sunday.

Chris Sligh's Music

I have been a fan of American Idol and last season I really enjoyed Chris Sligh.  Just recently I heard his new CD and I really, really, REALLY love his music and the message.  The first song that I have playing on my playlist is "Empty Me" by Chris Sligh.  Even though I've never been in the "spotlight", I can so relate to wanting all of ME out and all of Jesus to fill me.

Here are the lyrics too!

Chris Sligh "Empty Me"

I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright 
To see how it gets in the blood. 
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride 
And found a little is not quite enough. 
I know how I can stray 
And how fast my heart could change. 

Empty me of the selfishness inside 
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride 
And any foolish thing my heart holds to 
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you. 

I've seen just enough of the quick buys of the best lies 
To know how prodigals can be drawn away. 
I know how I can stray 
And how fast my heart could change. 

Empty me of the selfishness inside 
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride 
And any foolish thing my heart holds to 
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you. 

Cause everything is a lesser thing 
Compared to you, compared to you. 
Cause everything is a lesser thing 
Compared to you so why surrender all? 

Empty me of the selfishness inside 
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride 
Empty me of the selfishness inside 
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride 
And any foolish thing my heart holds to 
Lord empty me of me so I can be 
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you. 
Oh, filled with you. 
Empty me.

Meme (what does this mean exactly??)

I was "tagged" by Denise last week and am just now getting to posting this. 

Favorite person (outside of family): I have so many friends that are like family that it would feel like cheating!  And I’m just sure I would forget someone…and I’d hate that….so I’m just going to say all of my friends!

Favorite food? I love fruits….plain or dressed up as dessert!

Quirks about you? Golly…where do I begin.  I’m a quirky person.  :o)  I have to be able to visualize where I’m driving to.  If I can’t, it stresses me.  I also do not like change.  Change stresses me too.  :o)  I also have a really hard time making a decision.

How would the person who loves you the most describe you in ten words or less? I think that Karl has somewhat cheated here.  But I thought it was really sweet (either that or I’m too complex!) to change.  Beautifullyhotandsweet wife whoisaperfectly lovingmother and agoodfriendtoall whilemaintaining asteadfastrelationship withher Savior!

Any regrets in life? I only wish that I would listen to Christ and follow His lead more often.  Why do I ever think I should do things my way!?!

Favorite charity or cause? We have loved teaching some local Burmese (Karen people) refugees English. They are such dear people.  We look forward to helping some Somalian refugees this summer!!  Is  that a charity or cause??  Of course, we also love to give to the cause of orphans world wide.

Favorite blog recently? This blog will bring you right to the feet of Christ. Bring the Rain

Something you cannot get enough of? Time with my family!

Worst job you ever had?  I have not had a worst job.  :o)

What job would you pay NOT to have? Pumping septic tanks.  Ewww…

If you could be a fly on the wall, where? At the school where my kids are at!

Favorite Bible verse right now?  Isaiah 43:5  “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.” 

Guilty pleasure? Blogging.  :o)




Got any confessions? Uhhh…  :o)

If you had to spend $1000 on yourself, how would you spend it? A new wardrobe!

Favorite thing about your house? I love the saltillo tiles we have throughout our house.

Least favorite thing about your house? I wish we had more natural light!!

One thing you are bad at? Ironing.  Ugh.

One thing you are good at? Raising great kids.  :o)  (oh wait…that’s totally the Lord’s blessing!).

If you could change one thing about your circumstances, what? That we started our adoption earlier.  But then….it has all be the Lord’s timing anyway…

Who would you like to meet someday? I dream 24/7 about meeting my Karleigh Mei!

What makes you feel sexy? Do I really have to answer this one??

Who is your real life hero? Karl!  He is a dream (and a prayer!) come true!

What is the hardest part of your job? Having enough energy to enjoy my time out with Karl.

When are you most relaxed? When I’ve got nothing planned for the day.

What stresses you out? I think Denise must have been reading my mind…..A messy house, when my children fight with one another.




What can you not live without? Jesus.

Do you agree with the recent article that blogs are authored by narcissists? I actually had never heard/read this before.  So I don't know what I think about it. But I can't imagine any of my blog friends not being who they say they are!

 

Why do you blog? To keep my family and friends updated on our life happenings.  I also have made some incredible friends along the way.




Who are you tagging?
New/newer bloggers- My sister Sarah just started her own blog.  Yea Sarah!! And Tonya.

Bloggy friends- Leslie and Jeanette

Bloggers you'd like to get to know better-  Sara and Di

Bloggers who you don't think will respond but you hope will- Cindy and Cristie

Rules:


1. Answer the questions.


2. Link back to who tagged you.


3. Tag 8 bloggers in the above categories to do the same.

Family Pictures

I thought I would post some more of the pictures that we took.  Family photos with a tripod is always a little tricky!  And it was SO hot that day!  I still need to photoshop some of those people in the background out.  Enjoy!  I also have posted the lyrics to Chris Rice's song "Love Like Crazy" at the bottom of this post.

Here are the lyrics to "Love Like Crazy" by Chris Rice

I heard a rumor that love will make you crazy
Well is it true?
Well that’s no rumor, look at the crazy things that love made Jesus do
The friends he chose were thought to be outrageous
And you could even find him touching the contagious
And the craziest is how he chose to save us
He gave his life away
Then he had to go and say
"Gotta love the same way that I love you!"

Love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
The way he loves you and me
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
We gotta love like crazy

What the world needs now is for love to spread
As fast as the rumors do
But to make it, we gotta take this thing from another whole point of view
We can start by keeping our vows, and not brreakin’ promises
And bring hope to the women at the well, and the doubting Thomases
And you kids, you gotta cheerfully do what your pops and your mama sez
He gave his life away
Then he had to go and say
"Gotta love the same way that I love you!"

Love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
The way he loves you and me
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
We gotta love like crazy

Well I’m tellin’ you boy, you got a lot to learn
I think you’re crazy all right to love for nothin’ in return
You’ve lost your marbles, got a few loose screws
And if you count your cards I’ll bet you got less than fifty-two
But now you got me thinkin’, you sorta planted a seed
‘Cause you know this might be just the kind of love that I need
Naw, your train’s off the track, you’re from the loony bin
You know that brain that you ordered? Well it never came in
Or else you’ve fallen on your head and all your brains leaked out
‘Cause your lights are on, but ain’t nobody in your house
Your elevator doesn’t quite reach the top floor
I think you’re out in left field, and I could say a lot more
But you don’t care what I think, it doesn’t matter what I’m tellin’ you
You got the love of Jesus, and he’s the one compellin’ you to love
Like he does
You gotta love like he does
You gotta love like he does
‘Cause if the world’s ever gonna change
We gotta love like crazy

New Blog Design

Wow... I just spent WAY too much time on re-designing my blog!  But, we had recently taken pictures of each of our children (which is a hard thing to do when you have a 21 year old!) and I wanted to get them in my header.  So here we all are...waiting for our Karleigh Mei!  I renamed it too ('cause I can).  I got the idea from Chris Rice's song "Love Like Crazy".  I wanted to find it to play on here, but I couldn't find it. :o(

Maria's Miracle Fund

For the many people that want to give in some way to the Chapman Family, they have created a special fund in memory of their darling Maria called Maria's Miracle Fund. (<-----click on "Maria's Miracle Fund" and it will take you to their site.)

Tragic Accident

I was terribly saddened to read in the news this morning that Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Maria, died in a tragic accident yesterday afternoon.   The story can be found here.

My thoughts and prayers are with this family as they deal with this terrible tragedy.  May the Lord rest His hands on them and comfort them in only ways that He can.

$8 Hot Dog

I saw this posted on another blog and had to share.  It is quite powerful.  How will this change YOU?

Kissycat

I couldn't help myself about a week ago.  I found this little kitty and it made me think of my Karleigh Mei.  I bet she would love her.  She is so soft and sweet! And her name is Kissycat.  :o) I plan on sending this to Karleigh Mei in a care package as soon as we are able to.

My Sister's Blog

So my sister Sarah (www.lifeatthebeachhouse.blogspot.com) FINALLY got her own blog!  I've been wanting her to start one.  :o) She's got three adorable little boys---a 4 year old, and twin 23 month olds.  Go and tell her "hi" if you get the chance.  And check out how "yours truly" made her blog "happy"!  :o)  

Psalm 91

Psalm 91

  Let Karleigh Mei dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Be her refuge and her fortress.  Save her from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.  O Lord, cover Karleigh Mei with your protection, and under your wings give her refuge; Be her shield and rampart.  Do not let her fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  Let no harm come to her! Command your angels to guard her in all her ways; have them lift her up in their hands, so that she will not strike her foot against a stone.  When Karleigh Mei calls upon you, answer her.  Be with her in trouble; deliver her and honor her. Giver her a long life and satisfy her and show her your salvation.

New Shared Referrals!

The CCAA has posted a new group of shared referrals today!!  Please be praying for America World as they pray over these children and look to find forever families for them.

5 Months Down

Earthquake in China

There was a major earthquake in China today.  Please be praying for everyone affected by it.  The most recent reports say that nearly 9,000 have been killed in one county alone.

The Rose Window and the Human Genome

A couple of weeks ago, my pastor showed us these amazing pictures of  the rose window and a cross section of a human DNA.  Since I'm on this "theme" this week, I thought I'd share this too!

Author and speaker Ravi Zacharias, tells this amazing experience in his book, The Grand Weaver:

Some time ago I had the privilege to speak at a conference at Johns Hopkins University on the theme “What Does It Mean to Be Human?” Before my address, Francis Collins, the director of the Human Genome Project and the co-mapper of human DNA, presented his talk. He spoke of the intelligibility and marvel of the book of life, filled with more than three billion bits of information. In a strange way, he became both the subject and the object of his study, both the designer and the design of his research. Extraordinary thoughts swarmed within me as I listened, virtually tuning in and out of the talk in order to reflect on the wonder of it all.

In his last slide, he showed two pictures side by side. On the left appeared a magnificent photo of the stained-glass rose window from Yorkminster Cathedral in Yorkshire, England, its symmetry radiating from the center, its colors and geometric patterns spectacular—clearly a work of art purposefully designed by a gifted artist. Its sheer beauty stirred the mind.

On the right side of the screen appeared a slide showing a cross section of a strand of human DNA. The picture did more than take away one’s breath; it was awesome in the profoundest sense of the term—not just beautiful, but overwhelming. And it almost mirrored the pattern of the rose window in Yorkminster. The intricacy of the DNA’s design that pointed to the Transcendent One astonished those who are themselves the design and who have been created semi-transcendent by design. We see ourselves only partially, but through our Creator’s eyes, we see our transcendence. In looking at our own DNA, the subject and the object came together.

The audience gasped at the sight, for it saw itself. The design, the color, the splendor of the design left everyone speechless, even though it is this very design that makes us capable of speech. Because of this design we can think in profound ways, but we felt paralyzed by the thought and could go no further. Because of that design we remained trapped in time but were momentarily lifted to the eternal. Because of that design we were capable of love and suddenly could see the loveliness of who we are.

We can map out the human genome and in it see the evidence of a great Cartographer. We can plan and now see a great Planner. We can sing and now see poetry in matter. We speculate and see the intricacies of purpose. We live, seeing the blueprint of life. And we die, but we can look through the keyhole of life.

At Johns Hopkins that day we saw the handiwork of the One who made us for himself.

Laminin

I had a friend send me this video and I almost didn't watch it.  I'm so glad I did!  This will blow you away!

Springtime!

I caught some shots of my teenagers enjoying the beautiful spring weather we've had.  How relaxing is it to be reading in a hammock outside!  I've had a couple of good naps in this spot as well.  :o)

When did this boy start looking more like a young man??  Time flies by all too quickly.

National Day of Prayer

Remember to pray for our country today!