Hearts in Service Blog

I've been on a roller-coaster ride since around April and really haven't devoted much time to this blog.  There are days when I start to write something but then I look at everything I need to do and feel my writing inspiration dissipating.  Then I'm not even sure if many are reading any more so I think, "What's the point?"  But I started this blog as a sort of journal for my family so they would have something to look back on and then I realize it doesn't matter if anyone reads or not. Emily's prom was last weekend and initially, we had found a dress that was marked down from $118 to $12 which was a wonderful deal.  However, after 5 months of sitting in the closet, she tried it on again and it didn't fit properly.  She actually ended up giving it to a friend and it fit as if it were made for her.  So we had to go and purchase a new dress and of course, paid full price for it. So I wanted to try and be frugal with the rest of the p...

This beauty turns 17 years old today.  It's hard to believe that my baby is almost an adult.  She is a joy to both Dan and I.  Thoughtful, passionate, merciful, fun-loving, artistic, and compassionate are just a few words that describe her personality. I'm so thankful that God gave me a daughter!  She is exasperatingly like me at times but I understand where she is coming from. :-)  She and I are going on a missions trip together in 6 weeks and I'm looking forward to serving alongside my girl. It's a low key birthday today but we are headed to the movies soon and then back here for a barbecue.  It's a good day with our family. I love her with all my heart.  Happy Birthday, Emily!  

Psalm 19:1-4 ~ “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

I have been surrounded by beauty all week and I had to share.  It's been such an inspiring week. Beauty in gorgeous flowers. Beauty in a multitude of daily visitors.  Beauty in a young man who treats his date with respect. Beauty in a father who has taught his daughter how boys need to treat her by his own example. Beauty in gifts.  Beauty in God's magnificent creation. I'm in Colorado Springs for the week for our Great Commission Women's national leadership team meetings and I'm so enjoying the beauty outside my hotel room.  I am thankful.

A few of my favorite things on this beautiful Thursday. Flowers from my husband in my favorite color. Bowls of piping hot soup. Mornings on my deck. Fresh from the oven, baked goods. An upbeat start to my day. Have a great day! Psalm 118:24 (HCSB) ~ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

http://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Dads-Guide-Legacy/dp/1530470463/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463483301&sr=8-1&keywords=a+faithful+dad Dan & I met Travis Zimmerman at Teen Chill this past February.  He was the speaker for this weekend retreat for teenagers and we hit it off with him right away.  In fact, it was humorous to see how much Dan and he were alike in their views and mannerisms.  The thing that I appreciated about Travis was that he has a passion for God's word and yet presented it in a away that the teens could understand.  He didn't just speak on pop culture and fluff, but yet, captivated their attention.  He was inspiring not just to the teenagers that attended but to the adults as well. Travis is the head of A Faithful Dad (formerly Speak My Word Ministries) and has just released his first book, A Faithful Dad's Guide to Legacy.  You can find it on Amazon by clicking on the link here or on the link under the picture above....

This past week was so busy and it seemed as if I didn't even have time to catch my breath.  Appointments almost every day and out almost every night made it difficult to spend much time thinking about anything. However, as I look back over the week, I have much to be thankful about.  I get frustrated with myself at times because I feel I spend so much time focusing on the problem or a task and really don't enjoy each moment.  It's only when I sit down here and reflect back that I start to see God working.  Perhaps that is just the way life is but I don't want to get so busy that I don't take the time to acknowledge the gifts that I receive from the Lord. This week I'm thankful for blessings #2718 - 2730. 2718.  A difficult, but good heart to heart with a family member. 2719.  Discovering my birth certificate was missing my parent's names and I need it to get a passport.  But the bureaucratic wheels turned quickly and I was able to ge...