Archives for January 2015

Midweek Morsel: Adventure Awaits!

January 22, 2015 by 2 Comments

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The year ahead holds much for each of us. Some of it we know is coming and some will catch us by surprise. Chances are we’ll all experience a mixed bag of joy, sorrow, love, hurt, good health, poor health, success, failure, challenges, and smooth sailing. Twelve months of living can pack an awful lot into our lives, can’t it?

One thing I hope this year holds for you and me is adventure. Adventure can be a little risky, a little scary. And many times it requires an investment of some sort. But consider what Mark Twain said about adventure:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Whether planned or spur of the moment, adventure will be sure to enrich our lives. Will we be ready to take the risk? Will we be ready to make the investment? Let’s do it. Let’s sail away from safe harbor!

“Sing to the Lord a new song;” Psalm 96:1a

*What adventures would you like to experience this year? Some of mine will be sure to include the two sweet boys below (Isaiah on the left, James on the right) :)

*Flickr photo above by Thomas Hawk, Creative Commons License

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

05-aLSP_1973*Photo by Bella Baby

Filed Under: adventure, bravery, life, new thing

Safe to Cry with Jesus

January 19, 2015 by 8 Comments

7456141970_c9c7d38139_zHow many times have you held back tears while trying to be strong for someone else? If you’re like me, it may be too many to count.

Recent examples happened for me during some of the most difficult days after my husband Don’s injury in November. On a couple of different occasions it was all I could do to keep from collapsing into a pool of tears.

On dismissal day from the hospital, I was completely overwhelmed with being caregiver to someone who not only had his spine fractured in several places but who also was experiencing an adverse reaction to some medication.

When the time came to leave, I ducked into a bathroom and pleaded with God to help me hold it together. I didn’t want to cry in front of Don or my dad, who was also on hand as we left. The last thing I wanted to do was scare Don or worry him, and I didn’t want to worry my dad more than he already was. God heard my prayers and gave me the strength I needed to shake off the imminent meltdown. Thank you, Lord!

The other time I had to fight back tears was when my daughter Kristin was leaving after she’d been home helping us for a couple of days. I was worried about Don, who was experiencing some of his worst days, and also fearful of facing the situations that might unfold alone. As she left, I held my eyes as wide open as I could to try to keep the tears from falling. I later found out she was fighting tears as well and unleashed them only after she drove away. Yes, we stood strong for each other that day.

I’m so glad we don’t have to stand strong when we’re with Jesus—so glad we’re safe to cry with him. He is strength itself and wants to be our Rock, our Refuge. We can let our guards down when we’re with him and let the tears flow freely. We can let him know our deepest needs and tell him all about our fears and the weariness that threatens to overwhelm us.

Do you need to cry today? You’re safe with Jesus. Go ahead and turn to him.

“‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears . . .’” 2 Kings 20:5

*When have you held back tears to be strong for someone else?

*Flickr photo by KimbOlene, Creative Commons License

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: bravery, burden, comfort, grief, protection, strength

Wedding Reception Game for the Bride and Groom

January 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, if your happy couple is looking for some extra fun to incorporate into their wedding reception, here’s a suggestion—The Shoe Game! This wedding reception game for the bride and groom is so much fun and so simple to do for those who want to add to the traditional line-up of first dances, cake-cutting, and throwing of the bouquet and garter.

Just have the bride and groom sit back to back, kick off their shoes and give one of their shoes to the other while keeping one for themselves, and prepare to answer “Who is” type-questions posed by one of the wedding party or even the DJ. The newlyweds (the photo above features our friends Stephanie and Trevor) answer by raising the appropriate shoe.

Laughter and banter abound as the bride and groom unveil their answers to questions like who is the most fun at a party, who is the most attached to their phone, and who is most likely to toss their clothes on the floor. The possibilities for questions are endless, and everyone loves the fun of getting the insider scoop and seeing whether or not the newlyweds agree. The extra bonus is a great photo like the one above!

So MOB, find out if your newlyweds to be would be up for The Shoe Game and then put a bug in the maid of honor’s ear. It will be fun for all!

*You might also like to read Bridal Shower Idea: A Cooking Class! and Three Tips for Working with Your Wedding DJ.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Photo by Micah Emily Photography

Filed Under: bride, celebrate, challenge, fun, groom, Mother of the Bride

Bridal Portrait Idea: A Shot with Mom

January 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment

DSC_1851Mother of the Bride, here’s an idea to suggest to your daughter and her wedding photographer—ask if you can be included in one of the bridal portrait shots!

Even though the bridal portraits are, of course, all about the bride, the bride’s mom (that’s you!) has played an integral role in getting her to this point in the bridal journey—and the journey of life as well, right? On this day for memories, why not capture a shot of the two of you together? Take my word for it, you’ll both treasure the photo as soon as you see it.

So go prepared, MOB. Wear a pretty top or dress and while your daughter is getting ready for the photo shoot, make sure your hair and make-up look nice, too. I didn’t know the photographer was going to take the shot above on my daughter Kelli’s bridal portrait day so I’m sure glad I was wearing a nice top in a great color. We’re lucky the photo turned out as good as it did, but you don’t have to depend on luck—you can go prepared!

And now MOB, enjoy every minute of your daughter’s bridal portrait day. It’s a day for the memory books, that’s for sure!

*You might also like to read Mother of the Bride – Needed and Loved and Mother of the Bride, You Are Appreciated!

*Photo by Will Flowers

Filed Under: bride, family, help, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, variety

Answered Prayer—A Double Blessing!

January 15, 2015 by 20 Comments

10923243_10152956712373232_4454384483570747389_n“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine . . . to him be glory . . . for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Isn’t it just like God to answer our long-time prayers and deepest desires with a double blessing?

That’s exactly what he’s done where our daughter Kristin and son-in-law Shawn are concerned. Many of you have stood with us in prayer for a long time now (thank you!), asking God to bless them with a baby. And when God answered, he answered in a big way—with twin boys!

Last fall my “Prisoner of Hope” post featured this scripture from Zechariah 9:12: “Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” And then God did it. As our family—his prisoners of hope—returned to him time and again with our cries for mercy, he did it. He gave twice as much as we dreamed. How we thank him! How we praise him!

So allow me now to introduce our grandsons—Isaiah Dean (held by Kristin) and James Logan (held by Shawn). They are without a doubt two of the most beautiful gifts our family has ever been given. Their middle names are family names, but their first names were chosen because of scriptures dear to Kristin’s and Shawn’s hearts (Isaiah 41:10 and 40:28-31 and James 1:12 and 1:17).

The long wait is over. God has answered our prayers. Rejoice with us, won’t you? And be encouraged for any wait you may be enduring. The blessing is on the way! 

“. . .weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

*When has God blessed you beyond your wildest dreams?

*Photos courtesy of Kristin and Shawn. The one below was taken when the twins were almost a week old and finally together again after being in separate isolettes since their birth. Isaiah is getting his first good look at his brother. I may be prejudiced, but is this cute or what?!

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Filed Under: Above and Beyond, blessing, celebrate, family, Gift, hope, perseverance, praise, surprise, thanks, unfailing, wait
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