The Rest of the Story

Last week, I told you about Nate's bravery on a skateboard.  I didn't tell you that Nate got spooked and fell.  He got hurt pretty bad and declared that he was never going to ride a skateboard again.  He did admit that it was really fun before he fell.
I told you that I want to have Nate's bravery in how I surrender myself to God.  I want to whole heartedly sacrifice my  life to His will. 
News of tragedy in the life of a high school friend has made me think of life's spooks.  I mentioned in my prayer requests that Jessi just lost her 10 month old baby girl after a life long battle with several medical issues.  I did not mention that once before Carrie was born and once after, Jessi had a miscarriage.  I also did not mention that her mother has had several health issues in the last four years and has had some majors surgeries and even was having surgery today or that her husband in active duty military which means time in the middle east.  Talk about something that can make you fall...
I hope Jessi chooses faith.  I wonder if I would cling to the promise that each day has all the mercy and grace I will need to survive.  Would I remember that He has equipped us for that to which we have been called...and you ARE called to each moment...even those of suffering?  (1 Peter 2:21  "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.")  Would I know that He was drawing the property lines of my inheritance and that He had plans for everything in my life to be of benefit to me and those He asks me to minister through my pain to?  Would I trust His promise of comfort, provision...abundant life?  I hope I would.  I would hate to miss the fun and focus on the spook only to fall.

Mutual Admiration Society

To my precious friend Tara!

I think that you are wonderful, beautiful and unique.  I am blessed by your honest pursuit to not just know Christ but to live for Him.  I thought today that if my life were different I would love to drive to Lakeland have lunch with you and dig into Scripture at least a few times a month.  Your perspective is challenging and refreshing.  I so appreciate this summer that gave us time together and regret not pursuing it more.
I have one more song for you because I hope that you know that the narrow path you are traveling is worth it.  One thing I know...a life sacrificed to Christ is worth every minute.  You, sweet friend, are dearly loved!

FAB: Things I love!

So, I am trying something new...I am pretty sure that I will only get through a few weeks of keeping up with it before I forget, but I am going to try a weekly feature.  I have not been keeping up with my product reviews...and, honestly, I am not reviewing things I don't like...SO...Welcome to:

Things I Love Thursday!

Sephora.com

Most people who love beauty products are familiar with Sephora.  It is a wonderful collection of amazing beauty products...it's like an upscale beauty section like at your favorite drug store with beauty counters like in a department store.  The best brands and tons of selection.  Sephora also has it's own brand of several beauty products which is wonderful.  Sephora is a must visit for girlie girls.  Here is why I love the online store: weekly specials and the insider.  Sephora.com offers weekly specials that are fantastic deals (this week you can get a bare escentual primer for $6 or urban decay mineral eye shadow for $5 - I got 2!).  If you sign up to be an insider, you get emails about the weekly specials, but you also earn points...which leads to wonderful things like deluxe samples (travel size products - today, they had a laura mercier mascara, a smash box primer, a perfume and others to choose from).  The emails also present brand new products for insiders to try before the general public.  There are also great tips on the website...it takes a profile of your coloring and picks products that suit you.  Beauty fans and newbies will love exploring the site!

OPI

If you paint your nails, OPI is the only brand worth using.  There are more colors than you can imagine to choose from...ugly to beautiful to match any one's taste.  They have different finishes and range from glittery top coats to opaque colors with little shine or gloss and everything in between.  Beyond all that, OPI is the best because it lasts.  Depending on your activity level and the type of shoes you wear (close toe shoes are obviously harder on a pedicure), your polish will last for quite some time.  It is worth the few extra dollars for the extra days between changing polish.  I have tons of colors and am willing to share!

Reveal Yourself

In the first session of the Here and Now, There and Then..., Beth Moore asks those taking the study to make a ten week commitment.  The study is on the book of Revelation and while the study will take us to end time events and the glory of heaven, it will also reveal so much about Jesus.  Beth asks us to commit to asking God each day to reveal Himself to us...in every lesson, time spent in the Word, during each sermon or lesson I hear, encounters, songs.  I want that...to see Jesus more, but I don't ask for it often...I'm not even sure that I look for Him in all things so He can reveal Himself to me.  That is all about to change.  I am going to spend the next 10 weeks asking God to reveal Himself.
She also asked us to journal about those experiences.  I am not a big journal person (I say in my blog!).  BUT I am willing to try.  I haven't decided yet if I am going to actually keep a journal or share my revelations here.  I guess it will depend on where I see Him...how He reveals Himself...if it is meant for just me.
I love being in Bible study...I remember each season for different reasons.  I am hoping in a few years when I look back at this season I will remember this as a time when God revealed Himself to me...that I saw Him clearer...that I knew Him more.  Reveal Yourself, Lord.  You have my attention.

Feel the Wind

We visited my parents for Labor Day weekend.  They have a beautiful home in the suburbs of Atlanta.  They live in a fairly secluded subdivision on a large lot.  My kids have so much more room there to be free.  They have skateboards that live there, and Abby has inherited my mom's bicycle.  They also have a rather large hill in front of their house.  Not a steep one exactly but long enough that you can get going pretty fast. 
My children have varying levels of bravery.  Ian is not so brave...maybe normal for the youngest.  He will go down the hill on his skateboard sitting down which you can control better than standing...but usually only once and with great trepidation.  Abigail works herself up to bravery.  She is not really a fan of going down on her skateboard sitting down because she is older and bigger so she doesn't really fit well...her feet hang off.  She did finally work herself to going down on the bike after successfully managing some smaller hills on a ride with Papaw.  Nathanael is my brave one.  He is willing to take the risk first.  He rode down the hill several times sitting down.  He loves it.  Then he got even braver.  He went down the hill on his skateboard standing up.

I hope that I am like Nate.  Brave enough to go on this wild ride with God surrendering my fears...walking in faith.  To really give God control so I am riding with my head thrown back enjoying the breeze.  I see myself in the stages of Ian...too scared to really let go.  I also see myself in Abigail...letting go a piece at a time but never really surrendering my whole heart.  I want to be free from fear, worry, doubt.  I want to be like Nate...faith like a child.

Fab: Quick Hits

• If you are on Twitter, follow Beth Moore, Amanda Moore and CollegeGameDay!  They are my favorites.
• I got my new body frosting!!!  Have you tried it yet?  So worth it.
• On facebook, like TheFind.  If you are looking for an elusive product, post it on their wall and they will try to find where you can get it.  They also have tons of giveaways.  The actual website is not bad for comparing prices, also.
• Purple is super hot for nails right now.  Brown or teal is another good choice...break out from the red/pink rut.
• Don't overdo trends.  More than one or, maybe, two trends in one outfit screams wannabe.  Pick only one or two so people know you know what's up, but you don't look ridonkulous.
• Great study for your quiet time: word study on thorns.  It is so interesting and reminds me how God was purposeful with each word He used.
• I ran out of eye primer yesterday and about died.  Guess where I went on my lunch...
• I really loved The Last Song...and I am so not a Nicholas Sparks kind of girl.  (at least in books...I have liked most of the movies - I haven't seen this one, though)
• Speaking of nail polish - use OPI.  Every. Time.  In fact, I think I will save my thoughts on that for it's own review.
• Speaking of reviews - read my product reviews under a few of my favorite things.  I am currently trying out some mascara that I think will make the list soon. 
• I heard something that I loved - Kindness is the new black.  I love it.  (I had to explain it to Troy - MEN!)  I have adopted it.  So if kindness is the new black; I hope you are wearing it everyday! 

The List

Something I read in one of my devotionals made me smile this morning.  You know, a smile of recognition...

I'll never forget the email I received from a husband who described in point-by-point detail what he hoped to get from one of our marriage conferences he and his wife were scheduled to attend. I can't squeeze all of them onto this page, but you'll get the idea.
I need you to talk to my wife about:


1. Getting her to stop watching bad TV shows
2. Getting her to read the Bible
3. Getting her to listen to Christian music
4. Getting her to support the charity work I do
5. Getting her to realize that she's a sinner
6. Getting her to stop drinking beer
7. Getting her to stop wasting our family's money
8. Getting her to stop worrying about fixing up our home
9. Getting her to realize she's setting a bad example...

I have my list...God, teach him this...make him this...help him quit that.  I have so often thought that my marriage would be perfect if my husband acted like I told him to.  If that man would just behave...goodness, my life would be so much easier. 
I don't have the benefit of decades and decades of marriage...but I have been married for years and years.  One thing that I am certain of:  I cannot change my man.  I have absolutely no control over how he chooses to act or what he thinks...heck, I can't even get him to wear what I want him to.  What I do know is that God can change him...but that doesn't mean that bringing God a laundry list of things I wish my husband was or did honors my man or my God. 
First, it completely absolves me of any responsibility in my marriage.  Truth is, I could be married to the perfect man, and my marriage would still be flawed just because I am part of it.  God has some work to do on me.  Troy has his list, I am sure.  Second, it robs Troy of the opportunity to do his own thing with God.  God is working in my husband.  He is working for my husband's good.  My list may not be of benefit to Troy. 
Don't get me wrong, I totally believe that God wants us to vent to Him.  I tell on Troy all the time.  I just don't think that hanging my hopes on God doing what I say to, in and for my man will make marriage perfect.  I will trust God to be faithful in my marriage...He always has been.  He has never given me reason to doubt that He knows and wants His best for my family.  My man isn't perfect and my marriage is perfect, but my God is.