All things new!

Hebrews 12:27

God promised, "Once more I will shake not only the
earth but also the heavens."

The words "once more" indicate the removing 

of what can be shaken-that is, created things-

so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

How comforting to know that when our worlds are shaken, it is not for nothing! It's to show us/remind us/refocus us on the fact that created things can be shaken, but don't focus on the created but on the Creator. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Don't get caught up in trivial, earthly things-set your mind on things above! 

Our light & momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory

that FAR outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

I love Spring! Because it's a time when you can physically see how God makes all things new. It's a beautiful thing. And it reminds me of what He is able to do inside of each and everyone one of us. I love and sometimes need the physical reminders. 

And I can't lie. Spring gets me excited about these little guys too:

Thank you God for the reminder that you will make

all things new.

Snow!

It's snowing!

Great day to curl up & read a book...

(or fall asleep)

Happy Winter!

Quilt + Christmas + Remodel

I have a few pics that don't have anything to do with anything, but I feel the need to blog about 'em! 

So here we go.

My next quilt.... in the making! It's an adorable pattern & I love it. Blue & Brown. The pattern is from Thimble Blossoms. By the way, if you're interested in learning how to sew you have the opportunity to learn the same way I did. Mrs Gateley called lastnight and told me they have started a new sewing class at St Ann's on Tuesdays from 10-11. Let me know if you want more info. You might think it's crazy, but those lil old ladies are hilarious and so fun! And they will love you.

 

Santa came and visited Scout & Hagen!

Scout finding her stocking:

Mom & Dad trying to figure out how to use

their new iPad. Love them.

Chad surprised me with a Wii! I am pretty excited about it. Here are a few pics of Chad trying it out...

Bowling:

I just love him!

 Giving his opponent the right hook!

Hilarious.

Sweet Molly! Cheesing for the camera.

She's doing so great and growing! We are going

to halter break her this week...ahh!

And finally... the pics of the home remodel.

Chad & my dad have been working for quite a while building us some new cabinets. They've made new cabinets for every place there's a cabinet in this house: kitchen, laundry room, hallway linen, bathroom vanities and even added a few to the kitchen & bathrooms! I am sooo excited! I'm amazed by my dad's talent in his ability to build cabinets and make great use of space (which we NEED!). Chad has learned a lot from him and they have both worked really hard.

The demolition

Messy kitchen

 And where are all the things that were in the cabinets, you say?

Oh!

(This is only 1/3 of it... the rest is piled in the spare bedroom)

 This part is stressful to me, but it will be well worth it!

From this pic it looks like we could be on an episode of Hoarders!

Scout thinks it's exhausting...

Working until late in the night to install the new cabinets!

 Looks awesome! And cabinets go all the way to the top now, so

lots more space! I also like how they thought to place

the cabinets at different depths.

Probably one of the most exciting parts, a pantry

beside the fridge! Ahh!! I can't wait!

To be continued....

Resolve

New Years Resolutions:

In black & white

1. Become a better listener

Self explanatory. Stop thinking about what I need to say next. Listen, do not multi task.

2. Read a book a month

Chad got me a Kindle for Christmas!!! I'm so excited about it. I want to read a new book every month. All kinds of books. Fiction & nonfiction. Suggestions are welcome.

3. Read through the entire Bible this year

This year I wanted to make resolutions that would do more than just affect my waistline.

In 2009 I read the Bible through in chronological order. I have never learned more in my life and gained a much clearer picture of the story of Jesus, by reading the loads of history that came before him. I won't lie-reading through Leviticus wasn't my favorite. But there is something to gain from every single page. I have heard my friends say several times that they"can't get into" the Old Testament. Or that they don't read because the Bible just doesn't make sense to them. Try reading it through in chronological order. There are several ways to do that. The one I read in 2009 was called The Daily Bible. Looks like this, if you're interested:

YouVersion.com also has several reading plans to help you read through the Bible in a year. They have the Bible app for smart phones so you can read anywhere. But even if you don't have a smart phone, they have a great website.

I'm pretty passionate about this and really hope others decide to read it through this year as well. Let me know if you decide to do it so I can pray for you and check in on your status!

"I've never seen someone read the Bible and not grow,

& I've never seen someone not read the Bible and grow."

Happy New Year!

May 2011 hold many blessings for you

and may you not let them pass you by!

Forget the former things.

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Isaiah 43:18-19

Christmas vacation

We got to soak in the sunshine & sand of Puerto Vallarta in the middle of December, thanks to Chad's awesome parents!

Sunset from our balcony:

I love them:

And him:

A little sample of the ice cream bar:

A Christmas tree made of poinsettias:

Whale watching:

We had a blast! It was so nice to get away and to be able to spend time with Brian & Karen. We rarely get to do that since they live so far away. It was much needed and we enjoyed every second.

That's My King! Do You Know Him?

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.

Let the whole world know what he has done.

Psalm 105:1

He has healed me, saved me & set me free. He has loved me, guided me & forgiven my failures. He gives me new mercies every morning and opens his hand to satisfy the desires of every living thing. He's Sovereign. Never out of control. His timing is perfect and his love is unfailing. He's constant, never leaving. He's slow to anger and abounding in love.

And his grace is sufficient.

God speaks, Listen.

I know, I know...2 posts only 3 days apart?! Yes. Because God has been overwhelming me with something. I want to share.

I've been a part of a bible study group for over 2 years now. We have seen God move and we have also seen our share of tragedies. I love being a part of these girls, because they have come to my rescue in prayer more times than I can count. And I count it a privilege to be able to pray for them.

We are currently studying Beth Moore's study over Esther.

Here are 2 things that I can't get off my mind:

• God attends not only to apparently momentous events and people but also to those that seem both mundane and trivial... Indeed, so all encompassing is God's attention to events within creation that nothing... happens..by..chance. -Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

• Ephesians 1:11

Even when we're blind to the evidence,

God "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."

God speaks throughout the daily routine of life. It doesn't have to wait until Sunday at church or Friday at bible study. Listen for his voice and follow the leading of his Spirit.

"Whenever God gives you a check in your gut, stop IMMEDIATELY! Don't just slow down, STOP & LISTEN! It's saved me many times."

-Rick Warren, author of Purpose Driven Life

And on top of all that, the daily, mundane things...the story of your life, is being written into God's greater purpose... chew on that!