Available

of hobbits and a call

Ok. So I've pretty much sworn off tv and movies. Not forever. Just so much.

I had gotten into a habit of playing movies on my mac late into the evening and neglecting good solid downtime and time with my Heavenly Father. I mean, I have already seen them like 50 times anyway. And I'm down to 3 tv shows anyway (the Office, Biggest Loser, and Lost).

Well, today I decided to put Lord of the Rings in while I sorted papers and cleaned up. Redeeming value is inherent in Tolkien...

Anyway, as I'm listening to it play I realized at the beginning of their journey they say "we must hold to this course for 40 days to the pass" And that was just the very first part of the journey. I guess I never realized how long it took them to get where they were going. But the fellowship of the ring had a task. They were called to do it, and they were going to do it no matter how long. And you didn't hear them complain- cuz that's a lot of walking...

And then one of my favorite characters of all movie time, and my favorite scene- Sam the hobbit wading out into the river as he tells Frodo that he can't leave him. Sam even almost drowns himself. And Sam tells him that it's his job to take care of Frodo and that's what he intends to do.

Man, if I could translate that to look like my walk with the Lord. The call that is placed on my life. To stick to the task, no matter how far, to chase after Him...

I don't know what this may mean to you (all 50 billion of you reading this :). But I just thought it worth mentioning.

We (brothers and sisters in Christ) are called on a journey to His heart. We travel together. Let us encourage one another, pray for one another, and be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
I'm learning anew how sweet the Lord is as we seek His heart in prayer. How the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray things when we don't know what to pray. To have the treasure of bearing others burdens so we may carry them to Him. Like Sam- he couldn't carry the ring for Frodo, but he did everything else he possibly could as he traveled the journey with him. I love how God has designed our connectedness and blesses our dependence on Him and HIM doing the work.

Blessings on your journey. Glad to be on it with you. Can't wait to see the end...Glory.

still there?

Just wanted to say thanks so much for the prayers, texts, emails, and FB posts regarding my call to prayer for the Arbor. State still has not come. Last week, nor this week.
God is gracious.
He is worthy to be praised. Regardless of circumstance.
His glory will be shown.
Prayers of His people avail much.
Thank you.
And please keep praying. For the Arbor and my sweet friend.
Thank you. More than you know...

my looping playlist

Do you want to know what's been in my car's cd player since Christmas? Well, let me tell you. The. Same. Exact. Thing.
A mix CD that I pretty much only listen to about half of. Here's the half I listen to:

Sing to the King
Beautiful Savior- Kristian Stanfill
You are God-Charlie Hall
God of this city-Charlie Hall
Hosanna
Prepare the way- Charlie Hall
Grace will be my song-Fee

Don't know why. Because my itouch holds hours of newer music. But on the way to work every morning it calms my heart to sing along to Beautiful Savior and You are God.

Maybe one day when I get my ipod hook up bought and installed I will actually hit eject and broaden my car's horizon.

I have a friend who said "songs are servants" evidently these are servin their hearts out. Hope you have song songs that serve to enhance your worship of our wonderful Savior.

Faith E's thank you

Oh glorious randomness...

Let's see...
I have been watching the Office. And oddly I see a lot of myself in Dwight Schrute and Andy Barnard. And it makes me uncomfortable. I will say I see in Dwight his loyalty-its endearing and frightening at the same time. And you gotta love that he's great at selling paper (his job). And I laughed out loud to see Jim texting Dwight from "future Dwight.". And Dwight believing it. Oh glory.

Anyway. On with the blog.
Valentines day. Came. It went. I love my friends and family- I hope they know that. I hope they don't count on me showering them with that simply on one day. I do enjoy buying friends surprises-especially the single types like myself. But not because I have to. On facebook someone called it "singles awareness day.". I laughed out loud. So glad that no matter our situation, status, nor location we are loved by HIM more than anyone on this earth. So no Feb. 14th needed to remind me. Ahhhh (that's a breath of fresh air).

And I got a great thank you note from my kid today. I'd post it, but I'm posting this via email on my blackberry and posting photos via email on the blackberry to the blog doesn't work very good. So I'll try for a separate post. Please note that she's had a big cat on her face. I think it means "smile" but literally I read "cat." I love my Faith E.

And for the 5's of you who read this I'm going to ask a favor (small price to pay for the continual fount of amazingness found here I'd say). Please pray for my workplace. My friend and I affectionately refer to it as "the Arbor." We love the people who live there. We've been working hard on flipping the culture 180 degrees. And the state is coming. Imagine the health dept visiting a restuarant you own- but exponentially 1 billion times. They are going to find something wrong. Always will. We just hope we've done enough there are only little things to find. Its stressful and distracting from what we are doing. But they come once a year. We are expecting them any day. I ask you to pray for God's favor and blessing. For those who come to see our hearts behind all we are doing to take care of our residents and the change we are doing. It's been a crazy 11 months. But o how far we've come! I do believe it is truly the Lord's work. He's there. And satan doesn't like it.
And please pray for my friend Tammy. She wants things to be the best and works very hard. Everyday. And hardly ever complains about how tired she may be or the work yet to be done. (And when she does it is to very select few). The Lord knows what she needs. And the Holy Spirit can speak in ways no human voice can. I know the Lord has an amazing plan. And the power of His people praying.... Can't wait to see how He works it all out. And if you ever want to come spend some time with some great people- holla. I got some for ya.

Happy Monday. Hope the snow was good to you (for those of you able to live in the south where it snows like once in forever.) Thanks for joining me on the journey.

lessons learned in the cold

okay.  so I didn't ever really update you on the lessons learned at in the cold at the lake after that last blog. 

I KNEW I was headed to the lake.  I KNEW I would be outside.  But I failed to think past the great nice, warm jacket I took to pick up my fabulous hat and boring but warm gloves.  I went with some great friends to a great restuarant to eat some fried stuff...hello fried cheeseball (AH-Mazing), fried pickles and of course fried shrimp.  

Off to the lake.  And while I stood in the cold trying terribly hard not to be whiney the Lord spoke.  As I listened to someone share their story She said "I know 2 things- God is trustworthy, despite what our circumstances may be.  And He IS worthy to be praised."  Simple truth- another shout to my heart.  And then, more standing in the cold.  

But I can say that it was fun.  It was a sacrifice for a brother in Christ.  And I would not have traded the 5 minutes of seeing him and the look on his face for any other event that could have happened that night.  

Side lesson learned- when you turn on the dryer so you can stand in front of the vent, figure out a kind, nice, loving way to say "No, I'm not moving down...you go around.  This is MY spot."  You Emmaus types might know and appreciate that.  

He IS worthy to be praised.  And I love the way the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart in his creative way.