A Refreshing Flood

Jesus Culture. Sure, that's what I hope our culture can become. But it's also a band. A worship band. And they rock. 

This song is so true of Jesus. His love is a refreshing flood. He takes away all blemishes and washes us clean. Thank you Jesus for loving us!

Hope fills my soul

The love that You've shown

Brings refreshing like the rain

Peace floods my heart

I've known nothing apart,

Apart from Your goodness, God.

You are glorious

You are holy, holy

The heavens shout

You are worthy, worthy

Your love frees my soul

And fear has no hold

For You have broken the chains

Now joy fills my life

Your spirit, Your light

I'm undone by the kindness of Christ 

You are glorious

You are holy, holy

The heavens shout

You are worthy, worthy

My soul cries out

You are holy, holy

The nations will shout

You are worthy, worthy

At the sound of Your name

The heavens will shake 

And the earth will move."

A little of this and a little of that

I have a lot going on in my head, mostly good, that I just feel like jotting down. If you want to know what's been on my mind a little more, then go ahead and read. If not, I won't be offended. ;) I suppose this is a "for me" post.

1) I live near a pumpkin patch. I live near a pumpkin patch. I LIVE NEAR A PUMPKIN PATCH. I love it. :) I know, I know. A lot of people live near pumpkin patches but how did I not realize it until now?! Yay fall! :)

2) My brain is spinning with ideas for Spotted Poppy (mine and my mom's side business). I have no idea where to start. And these are both good and bad things. I need to start getting all of these thoughts on paper.

3) George (Kristyn and Andrew's new siamese/himalayan kitty) is too cute. I'm thankful for the 3 little companion animals that are in this house!

4) When people ask me what I "do", as in work, I now say house wife. And that's ok. At first I was hating that thought because well, I wasn't sure why. I think I was hating it because society tells us our value is in what we do for a living. But that's not true. My value is in Christ (thank God)!

5) Our tomatoes are FINALLY turning red. It's taken forever!

6) Mike just worked 6 days. When he got home last night I immediately had a smile (more like goofy grin), and lasted until I went to sleep. I guess I'm still in love. ;)

7) I really want a mid west style thunderstorm. Here's to dreaming!

8) Mike and I are going to Kansas City in October. It will be almost 1 year since we left. Crazy! Some days I think, "How cool would it be if we wound up back there some day." then I realize, it will probably never happen. God is good always!

Those are a few things swimming through my head. What kind of stuff has been going throw your head? Are you enjoying the season of life you're in? Are you too busy to even try enjoying it?

~Emily~

High Five For Friday

I had a whole post written out so naturally ALL of my webpages reloaded. I didn't save anything. 

This is going to be a lot shorter than originally planned, which is probably a good thing for you all. ;)

ONE. Home.

We finally, finally, have a place to call home.

God is good!

TWO. Quality Time.

I have enjoyed all of the time I've been able to spend with Kristyn. We had a ton of fun and silly time and then we also were stressed about finding a place. I love this budding friendship! In a few weeks, we will actually be sisters! She is such a perfect match for Andrew (my bro). I couldn't be happier for either of them.

THREE. Walks.

I love taking walks. I know some people will just call these pretty flowers, "weeds" but, I love them. They are pretty. I wanted to upload more photos but my phone is trippin'. Photos of buttercup flowers, iris, other flowers, new growth on ever green trees (it's a much brighter green and feels so silky soft), and fog rolling in through the trees. Maybe I'll try uploading again later. ;)

FOUR. Love.

All of this wedding talk makes me reminisce about my wedding day. Mike and I have grown so much since that day. God is so good.

 He has blessed me with a wonderful man.

FIVE. Kitties.

When I'm at home by myself for almost a week, it's really nice to have other living things with you. Mojo is a cuddle bug but Mitzy is crazy. 

It makes for entertaining moments.

SIX. (yes six, it's been 2 weeks since I last posted!) Seeing More of God's Vision for Yourself.

Last Monday my bible study group went through the spiritual gifts. It was really good for me to go through this as an adult. It confirmed a few things and gave me some direction. My top 2 are Exhortation (motivational speech) and Leadership/Organizer.

 The verse references we used were the whole chapters of Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Here is a link to a survey also. 

http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult

Let me know what yours are! Do you already know? How are you using them? I'm curious!

I'm off to move into our new home! Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend.

~Emily~

Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!! 

I hope you're (or were) out there getting to know your neighbors and loving on people. 

This night can be a scary and creepy night so get out there and be a light of love! 

Oh... and enjoy these super cute photos too. 

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~Emily~

Mean... Why you gotta be so mean?

Why do people feel called to be mean? 

What's the point? 

Do some people really feel better when they pick on others? 

The times that I have done or said something that hurt somebody emotionally I've felt horrible. 

I can't imagine saying something to purposefully hurt them. 

I'm not talking about the times where you have to confront someone or tell them the truth about something. 

I'm talking about the times that people bully, pick on or are just plain mean to people. 

We are called to build each other up and to love on each other! 

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

  Go out and encourage one another today.

Here are some ways to encourage each other...

• Write an encouraging note. It could be a nice long letter or something as simple as a post-it note saying that they rock!
• Phone a friend.
• Compliment a stranger.
• Offer to help someone (at the grocery store, your neighbor or family member).
• Celebrate each other's victories. Large and small.
• When you introduce someone, add words of praise to the introduction.

Can you think of any other ways to encourage one another? 

Because, seriously... Why you gotta be so mean?

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11


"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Hebrews 10:23-25


"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"
1 Peter 4:8-10


"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Ephesians 4:29

  
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. " 1 Thessalonians 5:14

 

High Five for Friday

I am happily welcoming Friday.

Every Friday (except last week... sorry) I link up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk.

It is meant to be a reflection on the "highs" of your week and to help you focus on the good things, big or small, when there can be so many bad things. 

Here we go...

ONE. God's perfect timing.

Last Friday, February 10th, was my birthday. It was also the day I was offered a postion with f'real and I accepted that postion. God's timing is perfect and never ceases to amaze me. I'm SO excited to start with f'real on March 1st.

TWO. Friends.

On Saturday, we had a birthday party full of taco's, games,

great people, the really tall and amazing chocolate cake from Costco and milk.

I LOVE that cake. It's my favorite. Oh, and I love my friends too. ;)

 

THREE. The Hunger Games Trilogy.

Found here

This is an intense trilogy. I'm 24 and I loved it but also recognize it's intense. I think some 13 year olds could handle and other need to wait. I will say this. I'm so glad it ended the way it did! I wasn't sure how I wanted it to end and then when it did, I knew it was the only right way to end it.

FOUR. Chiropractors.

{This was the cheesiest and creepiest picture I could find...}

If you didn't catch it on Facebook, I got rearended pretty hard two Wednesday's ago (2/1/12). With the job change comes a much better health insurance set up for me. Yay!

FIVE. Being Spoiled.

{This is not the case but it's funny}

My hubby spoiled me real good from my brithday until, well, he's still kinda doing it. I'm a blessed girl. Also, I'm taking advantage of all the time I get to spend with him. The next month won't be that way so much.

Be sure to link up!

What are your high fives for the week?

If you dont have any, work on seeing the small things that make life beautiful!

Peace out lovlies!

"...Jesus says 'done'".

This video may make some of you irritated.

But guess what?

I will not apologize for Jesus and the difference

between His love and mercy and religion.

"Religion says 'do', Jesus says 'done'".

If you have any questions about Jesus, let me know!