Now You're My Whole Life

I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm 18:1, 2 NLT) I know I am not the only one who could use a little strength these days, so I thought I would share my devotion this morning! It is always comforting to know that God is with us and knows whatever we are going through! "God can strengthen us to the point that we can make progress even during trouble. The psalmist said of God, "He makes my feet like hinds' feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]. You have girded me with strength for the battle" (Psalm 18:33). Trials and testing do not come to cause us to lose stability. They are opportunities to prove the strength of God. We don't have to waver in our confidence. Nothing will keep us from making progress today because God is our st...

Last week, I posted my story that I shared with my small group. It's my testimony. I always thought that others had such powerful testimonies and mine . . . wasn't. God let me know I should think again. I have been on the top of His mountain and down in the lowest valley. Even though we may think we are all alone, God is there. He is guiding our paths and allowing us to choose.  We are always welcome to come back.  Music has always been very strong in my life. It is the way I worship Him the best. Songwriters take their time and write lyrics from their heart, yet they can impact so many countless others! One song that sums up my walk with the Lord is You Never Let Go by Matt Redman. Even when we are not having an intimate relationship with our Savior, God is ALWAYS there! He never lets go. Patsy Clairmont talked about turning up our hearing aids this weekend. These hearing aids are on all of our ears, but some of us choose to be deaf to God's calling. He is ...

So, Ryan signed us up to serve at church on the video and production team. We were asked by our friend, Adam, who we've known a little over two years. He gets the privilege of working at Athens Church. We were at a point that we wanted to serve, but just not sure where. I had tried out Waumba (our sweet 4 and under program) and got spit up drenched in projectile vomit from a sweet baby. I had been asked to serve in multiple areas, so when Ryan said he wanted to serve on Video and Production, I couldn't say no. We all know I like to take photographs for others. One huge thing about my comfort is that I have time to look at the images produced and enhance those that have a story. Well, guess what... totally different when I am videoing. What you see is what you get! Talk about pressure. God has given me some encouragement through it all and He is using my uncomfortableness to better myself and Him. I really love serving with Ryan and that's been the neatest part. ...

I kept meaning to do this post, and now that the master bath has been finished for awhile. . . it's time!  Two years ago, we had gone with Jon and Danielle to the most perfect cottage in NC. We absolutely fell in love with the house. One room that I really loved and wanted to try to recreate it in a way that worked at our home was the bathroom!   {click on the picture for more images of the bathroom and master suite} I loved it. I thought the neatest part was the mirror that was built into the wainscoting on the wall. What a unique touch!  You may remember this spring, Greg, my amazingly talented brother, worked his tail off and recreated our version of the cottage's master bath. Check out that post here ! Dad came over this summer on a Saturday and worked hard to make it look absolutely perfect!  Ryan added the finishing touches by hanging the towel hooks and loops back up! Now, it's ready to enjoy!  Let us know what you thi...

There's a lot of change going on in me, through me, and around me! The thing I notice the most about change is people resist it. One of the hardest things for people is CHANGE! While talking to people about starting a healthy lifestyle, excuses start to creep in to their mind. They start hearing "I can't". I hear my 5th graders say I can't regularly. I quickly let them realize what they are saying and tell them why it hurts us when we say I can't and ask them to say I CAN. We are setting ourselves up to stay comfortable and, at times, uncomfortable in our situation. People are very interested in getting healthy, but it's hard to commit.  I know! I was given the opportunity to begin using the wonderful nutritional supplements over a half a year before I finally decided to begin. I quickly thought of all of the excuses as to why I couldn't! 1. Money - you want me to pay what? In this day and age so many are worried about having en...

Andy Stanley tells us at least monthly that he likes to do life in circles. When I first attended Athens Church, I didn't understand why this was so important. After being in a community group for two years and starting a new one three weeks ago. . . I know why! Life is done better and it's more genuine! Two years ago I was literally dragging Ryan to Athens Church to sign up for small group. He didn't want me to go alone, so he ended up going along. Now, looking back it had to be one of the best decisions we have made for our marriage.   Tonight, was our third time with our new group that was spawn from our original one. Three couples, including us, got paired with four other couples. Tonight, Ryan and I and another couple got to share our stories and where we came from. Here isbwhatbi shared: I loved my life growing up. I have fabulous parents who helped me become who I am. I have a sister and brother to share life with. I had wonderful experienc...

Before my feet hit the floor I pray! This is a new habit I am making. It's one I fall in and out of too easy. This morning's devotion backed up why I am doing it. I thought I would share it on this Monday morning! May God bless you as you go through the motions of your day. I am working to glorify Him in all that I do! "Sometimes I marvel at how long we can struggle in a situation before we think to talk to God about it and listen for His voice. We complain about our problems; we grumble; we murmur; we tell our friends; and we talk about how we wish God would do something about it. We struggle with situations in our minds and in our emotions, while we often fail to take advantage of the simplest solution there is: prayer. But worse than that, we then make perhaps the most ridiculous statement known to man: "Well, I guess all I can do is pray." I am sure you have heard that before and maybe you have even said it. We all have. We are all guilty of treating prayer...

Tonight, my sweet Dossinator and I spent some quality time together! We decided after a busy, fun day that we would chill out. After flipping through countless movies, he let me pick one! I chose an oldie and one of my favorites...My Best Friend's Wedding! I was pleasantly surprised it was one he had never seen! At first, I was so nervous for him to watch it! I wanted him to like it as much as I have the past 100 times I had seen it. While we were watching, he would start laughing. I thought he was really enjoying it, and then I found out why he was really laughing. ALL of the songs that are my "go-to" funny songs are from this movie and the soundtrack I was rocking out to in middle/high school! For instance, I always hum "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra. So sweet! I never realized this movie was where all of those songs came from! Some day, when I'm awfully low, When the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you... ...