I hate being "part-time"...because I love to travel. In October, we are hitting up Myrtle Beach with Mom and Dad Flaker. In June, it's Hilton Head with the Montgomery/Flaker/Millers and Nate and I want to celebrate our next anniversary with a trip just the 2 of us.
Which means a near 0% chance to love on some babies in Luoyang.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Friends
So thrilled for this weekend and these reunions! It's been too long since I've had fellowship with some of my most treasured relationships. I wouldn't trade my life for the world...but sometimes I do miss the good ol' days!!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lord, PREPARE me, to be a sanctuary
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has PREPARED for those who love him"
1 Corinthians 2:9
It only took 4 years for my mom and I to have girls weekend just the 2 of us! It was a blast-shopping, eating and talking. However, the highlights were worshiping, learning, crying and laughing together while being encouraged by the oh-so-wise Beth Moore. Those 2 days were such a gift.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Memories
The next three weekends are filled with fun plans.
1. Tomorrow, Mom and I are heading to Columbus for some girl time topped off with some Jesus time at the Beth Moor conference (...and, yes, shopping, too!) Besides the wedding, this is the highlight of the summer!
2. The following weekend, I am heading back to Columbus to visit friends from college. I am really looking forward to catching up with women who shaped so much of my spiritual growth during that season of life.
3. Then, the month is wrapped up with a celebration of FOUR years sharing life with my best friend. God is good, marriage is good, and my husband is a gift!
1. Tomorrow, Mom and I are heading to Columbus for some girl time topped off with some Jesus time at the Beth Moor conference (...and, yes, shopping, too!) Besides the wedding, this is the highlight of the summer!
2. The following weekend, I am heading back to Columbus to visit friends from college. I am really looking forward to catching up with women who shaped so much of my spiritual growth during that season of life.
3. Then, the month is wrapped up with a celebration of FOUR years sharing life with my best friend. God is good, marriage is good, and my husband is a gift!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Prayer
I get really excited yet really cautious when God brings a certain lesson to my attention through different avenues in a short amount of time.
I recently read "Heaven is for Real." A topic and story I would typically be skeptical of. But, I wasn't. As this father tells of his child's time in heaven during a life and death surgery, my mouth often dropped at his reports of what Heaven is like. However, more than the details he shared, other aspects of the book hit me, like the importance of childlike faith and specific prayer. The book describes one day when Colton's mom called out for her family to look outside at a rainbow near their home. Colton looked and simply responded, I prayed for a rainbow yesterday.
On Sunday, I really enjoyed hearing P.J. Neiger share about his family's call in south Asia sharing the Word of God. One of his requests was for specific prayer for a people group they are serving.
Now, there are many lessons the two examples above can provide, like not being surprised when God' answers prayer or praying for a specific people group to know the gospel, and they are good and true. But, I've also been challenged by specific prayer and how to go about it.
I have always been a bit hesitant to pray specifically. Not that I never have. I "present my requests to God..." however, I hesitate to pray too specifically. I believe God holds the future in that He knows the future. He knows what is going to happen, and I want nothing more than to submit to His timing, plan and will. So, I feel almost like I'm betraying His ways, so to speak, if I pray specifically. I would never want to pray for something that is against His will.
I know I am His child and He wants to hear my desires, thoughts and hopes. I love Psalm 20:4 - "May He give you the desires of your heart..."
Another things that trips me up about specific prayer is how it can seem like you're testing God. I want this, at this time, in this way...well, life is NOT going to turn out exactly as we pray...and I don't really want it to! I love resting and knowing God's plans are so much better than mine. No, I'm not always patient "waiting" on God's timing, but knowing how great He is, makes it a bit easier.
I guess I'm just contemplating the balance here.
I recently read "Heaven is for Real." A topic and story I would typically be skeptical of. But, I wasn't. As this father tells of his child's time in heaven during a life and death surgery, my mouth often dropped at his reports of what Heaven is like. However, more than the details he shared, other aspects of the book hit me, like the importance of childlike faith and specific prayer. The book describes one day when Colton's mom called out for her family to look outside at a rainbow near their home. Colton looked and simply responded, I prayed for a rainbow yesterday.
On Sunday, I really enjoyed hearing P.J. Neiger share about his family's call in south Asia sharing the Word of God. One of his requests was for specific prayer for a people group they are serving.
Now, there are many lessons the two examples above can provide, like not being surprised when God' answers prayer or praying for a specific people group to know the gospel, and they are good and true. But, I've also been challenged by specific prayer and how to go about it.
I have always been a bit hesitant to pray specifically. Not that I never have. I "present my requests to God..." however, I hesitate to pray too specifically. I believe God holds the future in that He knows the future. He knows what is going to happen, and I want nothing more than to submit to His timing, plan and will. So, I feel almost like I'm betraying His ways, so to speak, if I pray specifically. I would never want to pray for something that is against His will.
I know I am His child and He wants to hear my desires, thoughts and hopes. I love Psalm 20:4 - "May He give you the desires of your heart..."
Another things that trips me up about specific prayer is how it can seem like you're testing God. I want this, at this time, in this way...well, life is NOT going to turn out exactly as we pray...and I don't really want it to! I love resting and knowing God's plans are so much better than mine. No, I'm not always patient "waiting" on God's timing, but knowing how great He is, makes it a bit easier.
I guess I'm just contemplating the balance here.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday
It's Saturday, and my husband is at work. He needs a secretary or intern or something, but that's another story. Anyway, here is a list of things I've been doing waiting for my love so we can start our weekend together:
1. Watched Project Runway
2. Spent time in the Word, journaling, reading blogs
3. Started some laundry, cleaned, etc.
4. Watched our wedding video
5. Painted my nails
6. Ate lunch
7. Drank 2 cups of coffee
8. Refused to work out...well, maybe I'll do some abs...
9. Searched lots
10. Watched the food network
11. Checked out a weekend to remember
12. Searched cruises, vacations, getaways...that I will never take
and he's still not home! Guess I really will have to do that ab workout...
1. Watched Project Runway
2. Spent time in the Word, journaling, reading blogs
3. Started some laundry, cleaned, etc.
4. Watched our wedding video
5. Painted my nails
6. Ate lunch
7. Drank 2 cups of coffee
8. Refused to work out...well, maybe I'll do some abs...
9. Searched lots
10. Watched the food network
11. Checked out a weekend to remember
12. Searched cruises, vacations, getaways...that I will never take
and he's still not home! Guess I really will have to do that ab workout...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)