He Has Done Great Things For Me, Too!!!

Luke 1:46-50

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is His Name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
Sophie, Jonny and Nicole
Sophie scored the wide-angle lens of her dreams

Molly rockin' the burb scarf the perfect apron for me-not that I've ever had a meltdown!
Cajun Kitchen Tree

Christmas Decor '08

that giraffe spoke to me once (not literally, duh!) about medical missions in Africa 

                                                      Nutcrackers "Hans and Franz"

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

all kindergarten reindeer popcicle stick ornaments and any other type are welcome on this tree after I was accused of and found guilty of making it too fancy a few years back!
The Nativity is my favorite of all!

Tokyo Comes To Kentucky!

Molly's friend, Ranko, is spending part of Christmas with us since it is so expensive to go home.  We are totally blessed by her and thankful to God for allowing us to host her.  She is precious and I pray she will experience Christmas like never before.  In Tokyo, the big holiday is New Year's.  Lord, help us to throw down a month- long birthday party for Christ and glorify His Name in our house!  Happy B-day Jesus!!! 

Connected To Connect!

While attending the Women's Ministry National Leadership Forum in Nov. 2007, I met Janice Viinalass at Leighann McCoy's prayer breakout session.  We talked for a few minutes after the session and exchanged email addresses and I committed our spring women's Tues. Morning Bible study to pray for her family and mission ministry in Estonia (next to Finland, duh!).  The thing that amazed me is how God connected us this fall.  They came home to Columbus, Ohio, in early Nov. and  worked out their schedule to come to our church on a Sunday evening, Nov. 2nd,  and speak to our congregation regarding their work in Estonia.  I knew God's hand had brought them to us and their testimony inspired and touched so many people at FBCR.  Thank you, Lord, for introducing me to Janice and for how You are using them to further Your Kingdom and for the unseen work that is taking place as we speak resulting from their evening spent with us. God, has anyone ever told You just how COOL You are?!

" We're Just a Dirty Spoon"

Mike and I were talking this morning before he left for work about living the Spirit-filled life and he ended the conversation with a sentence that I cracked up over and had to write down. He said, (after salvation) "we gotta be healed and know the Truth and until that happens we're just a dirty spoon." Of course, he was referring to the verses in 2 Timothy 2:20-21 and I recognized where this was coming from but it was so stinkin' funny for him to say it that way. Lord, make us holy and useful to You, prepared to do any good work!!!

Lovin' The Fireproof Movie!

To date, I have seen this movie 3 times!!! I guess I love it so much because it is chock full of Truth which is such a rarity these days not to mention the drastic lack of violence ('cept for the baseball bat). I saw it the first weekend it came out with Mike. But, last week we went to dinner and saw the movie with our neighbors. Mike got the idea while listening to the Sunday sermon to branch out from our normal study and meet for dinner and see the movie. Six of the neighbors made it that evening and we had a wonderful time. At one point during the movie, I looked across the row and had to ponder how interesting, amazing and like God it was to orchestrate this date. I mean, I love my neighbors and all but to actually go to a Christian movie together was certainly not something I could've "thunk up." Praise You, Lord, for Your creativity and love. My third viewing was with Molly and Monica two days ago. They liked it as well and I know God will use it in their young lives to model "true agape love." Way to go God and the faithful brothers (Alex and Stephen Kendrick) who wrote this script. "Fireproof doesn't mean something prevents fire. Fireproof means you are able to withstand a fire."