Still California

So today is our last day in California. It has been soooooo great to be here but we must begin our travels home and emily and jon will get back at the life and the work that they have. I am sitting at the table while Jon does some rehearsing. He has a number of songs that he has to learn and we find it so enjoyable to listen to him practice. He is playing with Alana Grace and Mitchelle Musso for those who may be interested. The other night Jon gave us a tour of his sound equipment. That was pretty cool, Tim even tried fixing his foot petal. Almost had it too!

Yesterday we went and had lunch with emily at her work. We had the LA famous "In and Out" for lunch. Hamburgers and fries that don't make you feel gross. Fresh potatoes, yum. Problem here is that there are so many inique places to eat that they want us to try. Not complaining at all but Tim made his family famous chili for dinner here last night. Working out would be a good idea right now. :)

One of the things that I love about blogging is that it records life and memories. I've never been good at writing in a journal, most likely because I type so fast, but also when I blog I find myself just writing more free and I get my thoughts our more complete.

This afternoon brings lunch again with emily, returning a pair of shoes I bought. (Nicole, you should be happy) Probably laying out by the pool and packing up the car. Sounds like hard work huh?

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice."

California

Dad and Emily standing on the pier in Santa Monica. Love this picture.

I am so blessed to be in California with Tim to spend time with Emily and Jon. It has been great to get the tour around - Jon knows where he's going, and if he asks Emily about what street to take she simply replies "I don't know why your asking me" in her emily way. It's always cute! Yesterday I asked her what time in the evening it gets dark here. She and Jon went back and forth a few times - she said "hmm, it's not dark when I get off work at 6" - then said "Mom, I just really don't think I know the answer to that question." She just makes me laugh. We just returned from Malibu, Emily crashed next to me on the futon and Jon is amazing me on his big screen macbook desktop working on some music mixing. He has written some incredible music. He is a gifted musician. The song that he is working on definitely belongs on the radio. It's awesome! It's just been a gift from God that we could be around to see where they live and have some quality time with them as a married couple. It is so beautiful here. Mountains all around and houses built right in the mountains. Crazy beautiful. We went to Cafe Audry for coffee before church this morning, headed to Santa Monica and Yougurtland on the way home from the beach. It usually takes Tim a few days before his mind is clear when we start vacation, but not this time. We got right in to vacation even though our flight here landed at 2:45 am our time.

God is just so great that he blessed me with this family. He was so great how he gave us four daughters. I am enjoying every minute with them. What more is there to say than "thank you Jesus!"

Wits End

Psam 107:27 "...they were at their wits' end."

Sound familiar anyone? All of us have had times when we felt like this. Whether it is in our parenting, relationships, struggles, job...etc. Sometimes we just get at our wits end. But I love what follows.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; (isn't that cool?) the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it gew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." Does this part sound familiar too? How many times in my life have things gone like this. Distress in life - bring it to God and he stills it for me. God is just so great like this!!!

Then hear this next, "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for me. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders." Really, don't keep this to yourself. Praise the Lord to others. In the assembly of people and to those in spiritual leadership. It is through your story that someone else will see Jesus. I can't tell you how many stories that others have shared with me of what God has done in their life and how it had a great impact in my life, and sometimes I even felt like it was meant for me. Awesome!

Psalm 107 ends with "Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord."

Let's live today in thanks to the Lord and really think about how much he loves you and me. A beautiful day in the Lord!

Within Me

Sometimes life is just hard. Sometimes I don't know what to do next. Sometimes I have no idea what God wants me to do. Where he wants me to go, who he wants me to speak to. Sometimes I feel insecure, scared, and filled with doubts. I could tell you that I always have it all together, but that's not the truth. I face challenges and doubts that hit me like a ton of bricks sometimes. I lead our women's group and sometimes feel so unworthy, so unprepared and wonder if I will screw it all up. Right now I feel like I have too much to do, that I have taken on way too much and letting some things go is something that God wants me to do - NOW. I can't worry about whether or not it will get done, just obey God NOW and let it go.

God has been speaking to me a lot today. First through Watershed this morning (with the ladies) as we heard a word on "fear", then again through my husband, and then again through a blog that my daughter wrote - mind you, one she got very "real" and vulnerable in. I am a work in progress and I always will be. I have awesome days in communion with God and I have days that I would rather curl up and cry. Whatever day it is God has it all. He is my creator, my friend, the one who will never leave me or forsake me. He is the one that I run to when all else fails. He is the one who always rescues me.

So today, I thank Jesus for being my friend who has promised to never leave me or forsake me. He has promised that he has plans for me, that he loves me. He has commanded me to be "strong and courageous" and to "not to be afraid". He promises to walk before me wherever I place my feet. He promises to guard my life and he promised to send the Holy Spirit to live within me. Within Me! Can it get any better than that? His spirit within us. And as Paul writes "My grace is sufficient for you."

Father God, be with each of us today and draw us ever closer to you. Rescue us who are in any pit of any kind and fill us new and fresh with you Spirit. Thank you for your faithfulness to us, even when we are unfaithful. Thank you for loving us - for loving me.

Makenzie

I was not sure what to write on my blog today. Then I read the following blog by a friend of ours from seminary years. We have been praying for this family often at the loss of their daughter Makenzie. Please pray for them. Copy and past the following link into your browser and read the words from her dad. Facing a tough time in your life? We all do, and each of our trials look different. I pray that as you read this you will reach for the hope that is in Jesus.

Makenzie wanted everyone to know Jesus and his joy!!!

http://toddstocker.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/handling-the-anniversary/

His Face - He Saves

This morning I woke up to the sound of a chain saw next door. And to find our houseguest sleeping on the sofa in the sunroom - oops, I think we accidently locked her out last night so she walked around back and slept there. I'm glad she loves the sunroom. Today is a much needed day off for my husband. After we do some things this morning we are hoping to take in the zoo. I love the zoo, and will never outgrown it.

I was reading Psalm 105 "let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles..."

How much do you think about the Lord? Really? In your day, how much do you think about him? We are to seek his face always. Sometimes we cry out to God in desperation - sometimes in joy. I think most of us would agree that in tough times we will pray for help but when things are pretty good we forget. How sad it must be for God when we forget him. When we forget to seek him, when we forget what he has done in our life. I know the amazing things that God has done in my life and my heart should rejoice when I seek him, but sometimes it doesn't. Then I read these words from Psalm 105 and am reminded to remember his work in my life. I need reminding now and then. :)

When we don't have the strength - LOOK TO THE LORD. I know in myself my strength cannot sustain me. It is only the strength that the Lord gives me that I can go on. How do I get this strength? I get out my bible, I ask the Lord to teach me and to fill me with understanding and to reveal himself to me. I keep my pencil with me and underline things that stood out to me. I think about Jesus and know that I am spending time with him. I pray and talk to Jesus!! I listen to worship music. For me, this is the best way to start out my day.

I was thinking about some great people in the bible and how they were rejoicing even during harships. Take Paul for example: in prison, beaten, shipwrecked, mocked...etc. but rejoicing in Jesus!!!! Oh and Paul "use to be" a murderer of christians. Talk about a man who lived in the amazing Grace and forgiveness of Jesus and shouted from wherever he could the relationship that he wants to have with you.

Let's rejoice this day that we have a savior and a friend who will never leave us and who has saved us, in every way that a person can be saved.

REAL

These past few days have been filled with much activity in our house. Yesterday morning our daughter Emily (from CA) and I had a workout together. Something we would do sometimes when she lived at home. She motivated me! Daughter Nicole and her son Zechariah were here also, along with emily's husband, Jon. What a pleasure to have them all here and to stay up late laughing about raising four totally different girls and the things they use to do to each other. Super great that Denise called from Vietnam and she was able to hang out with all of us on Skype. I love my family.

I must say that God is really great. Life is moving along, we hit a few bumps in the road, then last night we have a young man at our house sharing life, his journey with Christ. As I observed the conversation between this young man and my husband I could see the excitement in both of their faces. In this young man, the excitement about asking questions and his love for Jesus - and in my husband, the excitement of responding to questions and talking about what he loves, Jesus! We were even blessed to listen to his guitar music for a while. God is good! This younger generation is so amazing to me. They want an authentic church, authentic relationships and an authentic relationship with Jesus. None of us have it all together, we all face struggles and the more we can be "real" with each other, without judging each other, but loving each other forward, the more authentic we become.

Authenticity begins by first getting real with God. 1 John says "If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I love that word, PURIFY! Doesn't it just sound amazing that this is what God does with us? He purifies us. That is so beautiful to me.

Allow this truth to wash over you today. Seek His face - confess to Him, completely, holding nothing back - just be real with your struggles and with your joys. He loves that and he loves you.

This video shows someone being completely real with God and with others. Worship as you listen and watch.