#472. seeing her potential and progress @ swim lessons
#473. cakepop stop...she ordered and "payed" all by herself
#474. storytime and some socialization...gotta find more of that for her
#475. grilling chicken...did it all by myself
#476. another day where quiet time was found and His Word spoken to my heart
#477. time with sweet friends
#478. she actually played WITH a friend cooperatively and shared
#479. 2 sweet babies growing healthy and strong and dear friend who is a rock star
#480. connecting with hockey friends again and meeting new ones
#481. a great game of tag around the arena
#482. her sweet voice asking, "mommy, hold you?"
#483. her imagination hard at work in the other room

#459. I went...and will continue to go...even if it wasn't what I hoped
#460. she still loves all things having to do with "my new church"
#461. her sweet "i love you Mom"
#462. 2 mornings in a row of not waking before "the cow"
#463. disciplined/diligent hubby who works so hard for us
#464. mornings spent watching shows and playing at home
#465. snugglin at naptime
#466. trips being planned
#467. Violet TV...her favorite thing to watch these days
#468. quiet time to spend in the Word
#469. hearing what God is imprinting on my heart
#470. her love of "projects"
#471. letters in the mail with her name on them

Psalm 1:1-3

"Blessed is the man (or woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his (or her) delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he (or she) meditates day and night. He (or she) is like a tree (FIRMLY) planted by streams of water (living water), which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he (or she) does prospers. " -Psalm 1:1-3

Yesterday I went to a Mom's group at our new church. It was definitely not what I had expected or hoped for, but God showed up and spoke truth to my heart. The speaker shared about "The Gift of God's Word" and she shared the verses I started this post with. They are verses that I have grown up reading and knowing and have even memorized, but yesterday they sunk in at a new level and I had a bit of an epiphany... As I was journaling last night about the verses I was struck with the idea of the tree being rooted, which would result in it flourishing and growing big and strong, providing a huge canopy of leaves and shelter, secure and anchored from the storms.

I am in no way an artist, but I had this picture/image in my head of a tree with deep roots and then the huge canopy of leaves as shelter. As I began to draw it out the words just flew onto the page and it was like a light-bulb went off. If I am firmly rooted in God's Word and my roots grow deep, my canopy of leaves will flourish and I will be able to provide shelter/security for my family. If I am grounded in God's Word, I am able to be anchored and then extend my arms to cover those I love with prayer and truth from His Word. It is such a simple picture/thought, but it is profound when I really think about it. If I am not rooted in His Word, if my roots don't go deep, I will be blown over and uprooted when the wind and rains come.

I want to stand firm, to be securely planted and strong in foundation so I can offer shelter/security to the people I love. In order to do so, I must be in His Word. The verses above say that they meditate on it "day and night". Having grown up in the church and being raised in the Word, I sometimes get so stuck in the formulas or feeling the need to do things the "right" way. When it comes to spending time in the Word, I often struggle as I don't know where to start or what to read or how I should do it...how many verses will I read? What chapter or book will I focus on? To be honest, I don't think it really matters. God can speak through His Word, through any verse, in any chapter, in any book, at any time. Truthfully, if I would just make the attempt and effort to show up and read even a few verses of His Word each day, I believe He'd speak to me and whisper to my heart. So...here I am...convicted and knowing that I need/want to be grounded in His Word so I can be like a tree that is strong and big and provides shelter.

This tree isn't finished yet...it needs a full canopy of leaves and the strengthening of it's roots, but it is a work in progress and I am excited to see what God has in store.

She is her Daddy's daughter

In the past 2 weeks Hope has become quite obsessed with Star Wars. Hope and Daddy have now watched Star Wars Episodes 4, 5, & 6....if you ask Hope, her favorite is "the one in the snow". Last Saturday when we went to Disneyland Jaye bought Hope a set of toddler Star Wars guys. She immediately pulled out the Storm Trooper, R2D2 and C3PO. Over the past week she has put the trooper back but has taken R2 and 3PO everywhere...hockey, Grandma's, the mall, bed, her house, etc. Jaye has a 2 foot-tall R2 that dances and interacts with you and Hope requests to "play R2 with Daddy" several times a day. Her Daddy couldn't be happier!

Today when we went to Disneyland we stumbled across an R2D2 Mickey hat...when I showed it to Hope she got super excited! When I asked her if she liked it she asked to wear it. We've been wanting to get her new ears for awhile, but couldn't figure out which ones to get....we found them today! Hope said she wanted her name on R2 in pink, so pink it was.

She proudly wore her R2 ears all day and looked mighty cute too!

This last picture is from earlier in the week, but it is so fitting for this post and these pictures. This was Hope at naptime on Friday...she asked for her guys and her blankie and snuggled right in and fell asleep. Too cute!

#452. lazy Saturday as a family
#453. church with the cousins
#454. another GREAT Disney day with my favorites
#455. her curly hair stickin out from under her R2D2 Mickey ears...she was so proud
#456. dinner and time spent with Grandma and Grandpa Daisy
#457. two sweet little cousins laughing and playing together
#458. courage for the morning's outing...I am going

#446. her daily request for "projects"
#447. ball painting
#448. attempting to teach her Candy Land...almost got it
#449. snuggles @ naptime
#450. the sight of my girl, snuggled under the covers, pink blankie in1 hand, R2 and 3PO in the other...sound asleep
#451. hubby coming home early so I can go to work

Right Where HE Wants Us

Jaye and I have talked numerous times the past month or so about how we feel like we are right where God wants us when it comes to church. Originally we had a list of 4 churches to visit out here, but we started at one and haven't left as we LOVE it. I am not one that remembers what is preached about on a Sunday...but I can tell you each aspect/part of the tabernacle from the past 5 or 6 weeks as that is what we've been studying. There's something about the style of preaching/teaching that is sticking with me and it's so great! I love being able to put all the pieces together as I actually remember what has been said/taught!

Aside from the great teaching, this new place as been one that has come to be a weekly place of reuniting with family. Jaye grew up next door to his cousins growing up and they are his best friends. 3 weeks ago Jaye was texting with his cousin when church came up. She joined us at church that Sunday and God was definitely at work on her heart and she asked Jaye if he'd go forward with her the following week. Her 2nd Sunday there she chose to commit her life to Christ. She and Jaye walked hand-in-hand down the steps and to the front of the church where she talked with people and learned more about what it meant to become a Christian. Jaye couldn't have been prouder and happier and I am so grateful to have been witness to that moment for both of them!

After her 1st Sunday with us, she called her brother and his wife and invited them to join us at church too. That 2nd Sunday there were 5 of us all sitting in a row while the 2 munchkins were at their class. When Jaye's cousin and his wife picked up their daughter from her class she told them "I love my new school!" We all had lunch afterwards and ended up having everyone over for a marathon cousin day! We had many conversations about faith, the Bible, baptism, etc...conversations that had never been had before. When it was bedtime, I was reading books to Hope and her cousin and had told Hope "1 more book and then it's time to pray and go to sleep". Her cousin asked me, "What's pray?". I got to show her what "pray" was and she asked to try it too. What a precious moment with these sweet girls!

Last Sunday everyone came again, everyone with Bibles in tow and ready for another Sunday. There are still decisions to be made by some, but they are coming! I feel so priviledged to see the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of our family and this church. Each week people come to know the Savior and each week I get all emotional as I get to witness decisions being made. God is so good and I am so grateful that He brought us to that place.

Jaye and I have started attending a couples/marriage ministry on Weds. nights and we are excited to grow and learn together. Hope loves going to her class so it's almost like a little date-night/get-away for Jaye and I as we get to sit together and learn. We're also hoping to meet some other couples with kids as we are lacking in the friend department. On Monday I am going to be VERY brave and attend a Biblestudy for Moms. I don't know a single soul, but feel as though I should go...I am nervous and scared, but trust that if I take this step out that I will see what God has in store for me.

Needless to say, I so believe this church is exactly where God wants us. I am learning and growing, Jaye is being challenged, cousins are being saved, and God is at work in all of us. I am so grateful for this new place and love feeling as though I am exactly where HE wants me to be. Maybe this is the place God will use to reach my in-laws...I am committed to praying.