Heaven...

Hey Everyone! I know it has been a while, and I want to try to keep this blog up as much as I can, but a lot of changes have been going on in my life the last few months, so I am trying to adjust!

But I got this beautiful email from my sister today, so I thought I would share it with you all!!
Have a blessed day :)
****I know its long, but WELL worth the read!!!****
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17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'

Brian's Essay:
The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at ' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. '-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My 'People I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?

{Awesome Day......}

Today was AWESOME....I went to church this morning and guess who our guest for the day was??



RICARDO SANCHEZ!!

That's right, the man that wrote that beautiful song, Moving Forward. (I featured it here a few days ago)

I felt like the Spirit was totally moving today, and it was amazing to see him perform it live, as well as lead our praise and worship time this morning!

Thank you Ricardo for joining us!!
(side note...I was so mad I didn't get to go get a photo with him, but I was volunteering after service to pass out booklets for our church wide bible study! But he was standing right across from me! lol)

{Sunday Inspiration...Moving Forward}

Today in church, I witnessed Christ in work, right before my eyes!

One of our amazing Pastors was talking about the Bible stating we are all Priests, a Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-12). Priests are there to help people when they need it, cry with them when they need someone to cry with, pray with them when they need someone to pray with, etc. We should all be able to do this as the body of Christ. Not because we are perfect, but because God calls us to as His people.

So, Pastor Earl asked for everyone who has lost their jobs due to the economy to raise our hands. Many, many, many hands went up in the air.

Then he asked, who will not be able to pay their rent this month? A lady sitting a few seats away from us raised her hand, and Pastor Earl asked her to come forward. The lady's name is Ann.

Ann said that she left New York and a good job to move here to take care of her 6 month old grandson, because his parents are in jail!
Pastor earl asked her..."how much is your rent?" "$890.00" Ann said.

Pastor Earl then said "Can anyone in here be a Priest for Ann?" I stood in awe with tears running down my face as 3000 people walked to the front to hand cash to Ann. Some with $1.00, some with $100 or more. Adults, Children, people in wheelchairs, Christians, and those that had not yet given their life to Christ...all being Priests for this woman. I stood there thinking...Jesus...you are here right now! I can feel you, I can see you, I know you are here!

I am crying right now writing this because I know there are so many people who have lost hope. They are living in the world and don't have anyone to give them direction. They don't have a Priest to go to. As Ann left the church, she told my step dad that this was her FIRST time at our church! God had a plan for her, and He has a plan for you!

So I want to share this song with you as a reminder....we are all Priests to someone. What can you do, big or small to help someone move ahead with their life?

Let's all....Move Forward! :)
Blessings

I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
my past is over
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

What a moment
You have brought me to
Such a freedom
I have found in You
your the Healer

You make all things new
Yeah Yeah Yeah
I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
my past is over
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

You have risen
With all power in Your Hands
You have given me
A second Chance
Hallelujah Hallelujah

Yeah Yeah Yeah
Yeah Yeah Yeah

I'm not going back
I'm moving ahead
I'm here to declare to you
my past is over
In You old things are made new
Surrender my life to Christ
I'm moving moving forward

You make all things new
You make all things new
I will follow You forward

{Masquerade...every face a different shade!}

Have you ever seen Phantom of the Opera? Well, its my FAVORITE musical of all time. I used to read the book when I was a child, then I grew up and saw the Broadway play, then when the movie came out, I went to see it on Opening night. I have the DVD, both the regular and collectors addition. I also have the soundtrack, both the regular and the extended collectors addition! lol

Anyway, my point. The woman's ministry at my Church hosted a Masquerade this week. It was a BLAST! We had an amazing message, great music, and masks galore! The Masquerade scene is my favorite in Phantom, and I felt so awesome in my mask. Not to mention...

I wore a dress for the first time in my adult life WITH a high waisted belt thank you very much!!

lol!!! I loved every minute of it! I went with my mom and my sister, here we all are before we left. (I must have been tilting my head back here, because my face looks huge! lol)


And here is my lovely sister, Brittany, in her mask.


And me in mine!


It was a night to truly remember!

{"Excuse me...Are you Jesus?"}

My sister Brittany just sent me an email that I HAD to share with you all. This is truly how I want to live my life, to Glorify Him!

EXCUSE ME.
ARE YOU JESUS?...

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional
sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their
wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush through the terminal, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in
touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of
compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been
overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight.
Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.
The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying,tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and
said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister....' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, 'Are you Jesus?'...

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would.

Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know.

{FALLing for Autumn...}

This really isn't a "project" that is original or creative, but it was cheap and fun to do! I have TONS of projects coming throughout the holiday season though! So keep your eyes peeled for that!! :)

But before I share, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted a comment on my previous post. We had communion at church last night and 4 people that are members of our congregation all prayed for President Elect Obama in their native tongue, then we sang some of the most beautiful worship songs ever! One being "My Nation Healed" and the other was "He Reigns".
I truly believe that God's people will come together in every tribe, every tongue, and every nation to say that HE REIGNS, no matter what the situation!

Now, on to what I was talking about! :)
I was in Hobby Lobby the other day getting some materials for some upcoming projects, and I happened to spot this little wood sign and the fall colored paints in the "Fall Decor" section. They were both $2.99, but were on 50% off sale! So I got them BOTH for $2.99!
Now THAT'S a deal!! So I came home and painted the sign! I LOVE it! Its so "fall" and warm! I cant wait to find a spot for it! hehe



Oh, and did you spot my dollar store candle holder there behind it?! I LOVE those!!

{I have fallen ill...}

Yep, that's me! Sick as a dog! See, My mom and I have started walking to go pick up Lagan from school in the afternoons, its about a mile walk, and yesterday it started POURING down rain! So we had to walk in the rain that was like a white sheet! As soon as we got home we all stripped down and got into dry clothes. My mom dried Lagan's hair while I was changing, and it didn't occur to me to dry my hair. Well, I sat around in wet hair all afternoon in the air conditioning and under ceiling fans. So needless to say, today I have a cold!

So I might not be around to post much in the next few days while I try to recover. While I was walking to pick up Lagan today, it was cool and windy (NOT good on my swollen throat!) and all I could do is have a conversation with God. I just asked Him to heal my body. I have Bible study tomorrow night, so I hope I am better by then, or at least I can have everyone there pray that I get better. I can't really afford to get sick!

So let's make a deal...You pray for me to get better, and I will pray for you. No matter what you need prayer for, I will pray. You can send me an email or leave it in the comments, but no matter what, I will faithfully pray! :) Love you all!

{Love Revolution...Shine Conference 2008}

What a weekend! I had the most amazing time at our Women's Conference SHINE. This years theme...Love Revolution.
The weekend was filled with praise and worship, prayer, sister time, love, healing, and some amazing works by Jesus.

We had three amazing speakers that really changed my life with their teachings.


First was Holly Wagner from Oasis Christian Center, located in Los Angeles, CA. She was amazing. Her style is awesome and kinda in your face. I love it! Her book, God Chicks, is awesome too!! You can visit her website here: http://godchicks.com/


Our Second Speaker was Charlotte Scanlon-Gambill whi is the Senior Associate Pastor at the Abundant Life Church, in Bradford, England. Her teachings are so real, plus I love hearing her accent! Her newest book, In her Shoes, is just amazing. You must read it!


And Last but certainly not least, is our own Pastor Laura Koke. I love Pastor Laura. She is so in love with our church and strives for only the best for all women. From the nursery to highschool, singles, and on, Laura is always planning something amazing for the Women of Shoreline! Her book, Fit for the King, has shown me how to get my body strong for the Lord!

I also have tons of photos from the entire weekend! Feel free to take a look! :)

{Weekend Inspiration}

(Lagan and I saw this rainbow the other morning on the way to school, so I pulled out my camera to snap a photo of it. Just another sign of God's unconditional love for us!)

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Matthew 7:24-27 NIV


You might also notice the songs of praise at the top of the page! There is a bunch, so go ahead and surf through them. Let God bless you through song!!
(these will be moved to the sidebar later this week)

{Get Yo SHINE ON!}

So, one of the things I look forward to the most is out Woman's Conference at church every year. We get to have amazing worship, great speakers, small groups, one on one prayer time...its definitely life changing. Well, last year our theme was "He Rules, You Rock!" and it changed my life forever. But this year, my life has taken some turns for the worst, some for the good, and I am realizing more and more that I need and want love in my life. Not only from my family and friends, but from my self. And I want to give more love to others. So when I heard that this years theme was "Love Revolution" I freaked out!

We are having a huge 70's theme and the whole hippie shabang! Its great! Well, last night we had a kind of a "pre conference meeting" called Shine On (our conference is called "Shine"). We had INCREDIBLE praise and worship time, our Pastor's wife, Pastor Laura, gave a moving message, and we got to sign up to volunteer for the conference, which is just 6 weeks away.

So I thought I would share with everyone the awesome night my sister and I had together. Including the electric slide, a robot dance off between one of our pastors and one of the dancers, and a whole heck of a lot of fun. (Did I mention that these dancers were on roller skates?! My word!)
So enjoy the photos, and please be praying that the conference this year changes the lives of MANY woman and that God performs miracles in each and every one of their lives...including mine! :)

Me getting ready, being silly! (in the bathroom no less

This is just before it started:

YAY SHINE! :)


Our awesome roller skating dancers! Two of the girls up there have newborns! And one has three kids! You go girls!


Beautiful Praise and Worship!


This was such a beautiful moment of praise, Im so sorry it came out all blurry, but you get the idea! :)

Ruth and Nadine going to town!

Our beautiful Pastor Laura, Pastor Rob's wife. She was totally rocking those boots!!

{Sunday Inspiration}

Today, I thought I would share something different.
I have been going through a lot of challenges in my life lately and the enemy has really beaten me down.

But I stand here today, by the side of the Lord, knowing that I will NOT be moved!

(Press play to rejoice with me in this celebration of standing with our Lord in VICTORY and not being drug down by the enemy in shame!)

(You have to use the Player ABOVE this post!!)

{Being Vulnerable}

"She smells like a blessing!"

I was just reading my friend Melissa's blog a moment ago. She had shared a very vulnerable post about the situation she is living right now, but in the midst of this terrible time, she shared something beautiful. Something that made me realize that maybe I am not the kind of Mom I should be.

Sometimes I take being a mom for granted. Sometimes I wonder why I was blessed with a child when my sister hasn't been. I mean, I didn't ask for it. I was the last person on Earth God should have EVER given a child. But I know that I am blessed for a reason, and tonight, while I was reading Melissa's post, I realized...I am blessed with Lagan because she blesses others!

She brought our family together when we were falling apart.
She taught me how to grow up and become a good person.
She is so smart, she makes me so proud because I never did well in school.
She holds me when I cry because I feel like a failure.
She tells me I don't look fat in my jeans, even though I know I do!
She makes me cereal and brings it to my room all soggy and spilling out of the bowl, and she is so proud!
She makes me smile.
She makes me Laugh.
Sometimes she makes me angry, but I realize that she's just trying to get my attention.

And I am guilty of not giving it to her when I should.
Melissa...you made me realize that I shouldn't take this life for granted. That God gives me blessings, not burdens. He saw what she would do in my life. He knew that even though I was only 17 when I had her, that I would grow up to be His, and I would raise her to be His. He knew that I would have a hard time with it, so I would lean on Him for support. He would catch me when I fall.
He made her smell like a blessing!

Thank you Jesus!!!

So after I read this post, I snuck upstairs and snapped some photos of my blessing! Thank you Lord for sharing her with me. I am going to do my best to give her the attention she deserves, and treat her as the blessing she is. I will not take her for granted. Be strong within me Lord.

Thank you for letting me be Vulnerable.

Mommy loves you Lou!

{Sunday Reflection}

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10
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Hey Everyone! What a wonderful Sunday! Its SUPER hot today though, I will tell you all about it on monday! But I wanted to thank everyone for their AWESOME ideas about the birdcage! I cant wait to try them all out!! And for your continued support and love for all things cheap! hehe I love you all for it!

I also wanted to add that I was featured on Mary's blog, AT HOME REDESIGN, which is totally cool! So head on over there to check that out!

{Reflection Sunday}

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16 NIV

{Saturday Sharing}

This morning I was surfing through some Blogs and saw that my sister, Brittany, had updated hers with a post that her friend had written called "Blink". When I went to read the post, I was in tears...happy, then sad, then happy again.

Angie has an amazing way of bringing God's word to her own life, and even though she has gone through a terrible tragedy, she still lives for Jesus.

So I thought I would share it with you. Its a little long, but you will be so glad you read it....then think...what will you "Blink" at today?

Click here to read BLINK

{Reflection Sunday}

"My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long."
Psalm 71:8