Texas Weather: March 21

Today was a day for gathering; a bringing together of some of my favorite people.  

Today was a day for laughing...lots of laughing and a dinner that just so happened to feed 10 unexpected guests. An open front door welcomed friends who are more like family. Children ran through the open doors into the warm sunshine, playing, sweating, giggling, and getting into the kind of loud toys that only grandparents have laying around. 

Today was a day to discuss silly things and important things; to give love and receive it. Today, the sun was shining. 

Texas Weather: March 20

It's the first day of spring! 

We endured the harsh winter.  

We made the best of it, 

not knowing when the warmth would 

come and feeling like it never would.  

But here it is! The first day of something new.  

"Redemption has been a theological word in the minds of most believers.
     We know the Greek word. We knew it's literal meaning, but we did not know the new meaning that the Father has put into it. So many of the Greek words used in classical Greek have now a new and richer meaning in the Pauline Revelation, and so we are going to study Redemption from perhaps a new angle. We will begin with Romans 3:21, "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets."

     You remember that the key word for Romans is Righteousness, or the ability to stand in the Father's presence without a sense of guilt or inferiority -- stand there without condemnation or the sense of sin consciousness." EW Kenyon

Texas Weather: March 19

Our God is everlasting. 

His promises and power are the same from one day to the next. When was the last time you woke up to see the sun had failed to rise? How much more reliable is it's creator? 

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. (Romans 4:18-25 NLT)

Texas Weather: March 18 a few days behind...

There are days when I wake up 25 minutes late and wake up my grumpy kindergartner who went to bed 2 hours later than his bedtime. While the baby fusses, and the 2 year old makes a mess, I dig clothes out of the huge pile of laundry that's been sitting on my couch for 5 days. 

Nobody wants to eat the waffle that just popped out of the toaster and  my husband already left for work so I have no one to gripe at. As we walk out the door I yell, "stop arguing! I can't deal with that today!"

Today was that day.  The afternoon didn't go any smoother. My coffee never kicked in and I never got any makeup on. My attitude was stinky and I was just happy to make it to bath time. Dinner was short and my temper was shorter. Today was the day I realized that I'm not the mom I always thought I would be. 

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. (1 Peter 1:7, 8 NLT)

When we're tested by trials, our heart is revealed. On days like today, I am forced to take a Grace filled inventory of my faith. 

It's not about me.... That was my reminder today. These little people aren't on this earth to make my life easier or make me a happier person. They are here to fulfill a calling that will grow God's kingdom. It's my job to listen for creative ways to nurture their callings and pray for their callings to be revealed to them early on. It sounds beautiful but it's not easy. 

Tomorrow, I'll remind myself to slow down. I'll pray. I'll listen. I'll open my Bible (app) and digest the words of my powerful Father who has all of the answers. Tomorrow, when the wind brushes my cheek, I won't complain that it's messing up my hair. 

Photo Session GIVE AWAY!!!

Mother's Day is May 3, 2014!

So, to celebrate the launch of Little House Photography

I am giving away a 1 Hour photo session.

Here's how to win...

1. Visit my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and like/follow me. 
2. Share this post on Facebook with caption "photo session GIVE AWAY" 
3. Visit my "About" page scroll down to the bottom and... 
4. Send me an email and tell me why I should choose you for a free Mother's Day photo session. 

The winner will be announced on April 10, 2014

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Texas Weather: March 12

It's all just a breath. 

Today, I had some prayer time. While I was praying, the phrase "but a breath" kept repeating over and over in my mind. 

In the past, I've read Bible verses referencing that we are a fog, a mist, a shadow, here today-gone tomorrow, and it makes me a little... well.... sad. It reminds me that I'm only here for a little while. I want to be more than just a breath; more than just a moment. 

But, this afternoon as my boys played in the trails of sunlight on the floor, and the cool breeze made it's way through the cracked window, I looked down at my 2 year old who smiled up at me. I heard the words, "...it's all just a breath, a sweet sweet breath." 

God breathed you into existence. If we're living with-in an exhale then why do we spend our days inhaling things that don't matter. Because we know God's breath is voluntary and deliberate we can be reassured that we have a purpose. Each of your breaths are precious to the one who breathed you. When you become born again, you are covered in the blood of Jesus. So, as God begins to inhale, his nose is filled with the sweet aroma of His son. 

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”  (Psalms 39:5 NLT)

Texas Weather: March 11

The wind is picking up. God is saying to get carried away! 

God really has been opening doors today. Some really cool things have happened for me and a few of my friends. Did you step out of your comfort zone today? If you did... Don't just take one step outside of your comfort zone. You don't want to get comfortable there. Take off running! Let yourself get carried away.

Ask God to show you what that looks like for you. Maybe it's time to start that group He's been prompting you to do. Maybe it's reaching out to people and saying I don't just want to be your friend... I want to be your best friend. Maybe you'll forgive someone and ask for forgiveness in return. Maybe it's praying out loud or with strangers. Or, maybe you'll finally give up that one thing that you know is keeping you from knowing God more. 

Whatever it is, don't just do it a little,  get carried away. People may say, "I think you're getting a little carried away with this." GOOD! Doors are open in the natural and in the supernatural! It's time to get excited. It's time to get carried away. 

God is at work. Whatever you're imagining is just outside of your comfort zone isn't nearly as awesome as what God has in mind for you. Just look at what he did on the cross. 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)