Inspirational Talks & Music

 Today I wanted to share a little bit about some things that have meant a lot to me recently.  Some of you are probably familiar with Lysa TerKeurst, who is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.   I was able to hear her speak recently on her book tour of The Good Boundaries and Goodbyes.  This was such a powerful night of teaching and worship too.

Loved spending this time with my bestfriend here.

After Lysa's talk and reading from her book, she and two others on her team sang a fun song that got the crowd on their feet.

I have been fortunate to spend the past 2 weekends with my oldest daughter and after a talk about some things, was able to share this verse with her:

This has always given me comfort the Lord has us in the right place at this time. 

I also want to share today two songs which have really meant a lot to me lately on some hard days.

First, is the song Goodness of God by Jenn Johnson.  This was my most played song of 2022.  I listen to it a lot and it always calms my soul in the hard times.  It's so good and I encourage you to listen.  I have this on a few Spotify playlists.

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)

'Cause Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me
With my life laid down
I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after
It's running after me 

'The second song is Jireh, by Elevation Worship.  I have heard this song for the past few years, but just a few weeks ago, the words really spoke to me.  I have most of the lyrics listed below.  

I'll never be more loved than I am right now
Wasn't holding You up
So there's nothing I can do to let You down
It doesn't take a trophy to make You proud
I'll never be more loved than I am right now, oh

Going through a storm but I won't go down
I hear Your voice
Carried in the rhythm of the wind to call me out
You would cross an ocean so I wouldn't drown
You've never been closer than You are right now
You are Jireh, You are enough

Jireh, You are enough
And I will be content in every circumstance
You are Jireh, You are enough

Forever enough
Always enough
More than enough
Forever enough
Always enough
More than enough

I don't wanna forget how I feel right now
On the mountaintop
I can see so clear what it's all about
So stay by my side when the sun goes down
Don't wanna forget how I feel right now (Jireh)

I'm already loved

I'm already chosen
I know who I am
I know what You've spoken
I'm already loved
More than I could imagine
And that is enough

That is enough (that is enough)

Jehovah, You are (that is enough)
El Shaddai, You are (that is enough)
When I have You, I have everything (that is enough)
When I have Jesus, I have everything (that is enough)
That is enough (that is enough)

'Cause You are enough (You are enough)
You're my portion (You are enough)
More than enough for me (You are enough)
You are enough (You are enough)
So I am enough (so I am enough)
Jireh, You are enough (yes Your are)

I will be content in every circumstance
Jireh, You are enough, oh-ooh (You are)

If He dresses the lilies with beauty and splendor
How much more will He clothe you?
If He watched over every sparrow
How much more does He love you?

It's more than you ask, think or imagine

According to His power working in us
It's more than enough
It's more than you ask, think or imagine

Jireh, You are enough
Jireh, You are enough (You've always been enough)
And I will be content in every circumstance
Jireh, You are enough

I hope this encourages you in some way today.  There are so many storms in this life.  Some are longer and harder than others and we need hope and encouragement in the midst of these.  Jesus loves you.  He is good and faithful.  Jesus loves me, this I know.

Encouraging Devotions

Hi.  I hope everyone had a good weekend.  Even though I think most of us are still taking it slow and not going out too much, it is nice to hear of places gradually opening.  I know the struggles are there and recovery will be long, but am hoping those whose health is not compromised will be able to get out a little more slowly and safely with masks and of course, washing our hands.  

In the midst of the uncertainties and waves of emotions we have felt from minute to minute and day to day during life and especially the past 7 weeks, I wanted to share some highlights from devotions which have encouraged me.

All of these quotes come from the devotional book New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.

"The same God who planned that the worst thing would be the best thing is your Father.  He rules over every moment in your life and in powerful grace He is able to do for you just what He did in redemptive history.  He takes the disasters in your life and makes them tools of redemption. He takes your failure and employs it as a tool of grace.  He uses the "death" of the fallen world to motivate you to reach out for life.  The hardest things in your life become the sweetest tools of grace in his wise and loving hands.  So be careful how you make sense of your life.  What looks like a disaster may in fact be grace.  What looks like the end may be the beginning.  What looks hopeless may be God's instrument to give you real and lasting hope.  Your father is committed to taking what seems so bad and turning it into something that is very, very good."

"God's care comes in a variety of packages.  His care is not always a cool drink and a soft pillow. God's care is not always relief from circumstances, release from trouble.  There are many moments in our lives when the very thing that causes us to wonder about God's care is his care.  He knows that trouble will reveal our hearts or display his glory.  Often trouble is a tool of care in the hands of the One who knows best what we need.  He cares, therefore, make sure your definition of his care is not too narrow."

"You and I don't have a clue what is around the next corner, let alone where we will be and what we will be doing a decade from now.  But even though we know for sure about our lives and we experience constant surprises along the way, we need not give way to panic. Yes, our lives are out of control, but that doesn't mean they are out of control.   Since God is the Author of every detail of your story, since he writes into your situation, location, and relationship, then he knows exactly what you're facing and precisely what grace you need to face it in the way he has planned.  His sovereign control is the guarantee that you will have everything that he has promised you.  His sovereign control means he knows what you need because he has planned for you everything that you're now facing. His sovereignty is your surety because he can guarantee the deliver of his promises only in the location where he rules.  Because he rules over all things at all times, he can guarantee that you and I will have what he has promised us in the places and at the times they are needed. "

"Yes, the Father will ask you to do hard things and he will bring difficult things your way, but he is worthy of your trust and he loves you dearly.  Today your heavenly Father reaches down to you and says:  I know you don't understand all that you face, but remember, I love you.  Trust me and you will find peace that can be found no other way".

There is hope my friends!!  I hope this brings hope and encouragement to you and will share more of this in another post.  These are some good quotes to reflect on this week.  Have a great day.

Camp Palmer 2017

We just had our 5th year at Camp Palmer, a church camp for kids 1st-12th grade.

Watching the kids load up on the buses to go to camp (the girls rode the bus and Avery & I rode in our own car)

My cabin for 4 nights (camp is 5 nights, but I left a night early)

Worship time

Brook & Catherine

Me & Brook

Brook and her cabin making homemade ice cream

I enjoyed a little of it :)

Isabella playing slip and slide kickball

Isabella & Kate at crafts

Brook at beading time

Me driving the Gator at camp

Dance party night

Isabella and Mary V.

We are so grateful for her!

This was Brook's bed for the week.

Brook's beading project

Brook doing archery

Avery playing a game with some of the guys.

We had a cookout on the field Sunday night and games too but basically there was just a lot of hanging out with friends time.

Every morning we have worship on the rocks.  That is Brook on the far left side and Isabella on the far right side.

I love this shot of Brook talking to Avery.

Fun counselors singing karaoke.

Spending Memorial Day in Mentone, Alabama!

representing Bogota!

Isabella, Ellie and Elizabeth

Brook at free time hanging out in hammocks with friends

Isabella's group of friends

Avery and I stopped for lunch in Scottsboro, Alabama at this cute diner.

It is always fun passing the US Space Center in Huntsville on our way home.

Vacation Bible School

Thankfully, we were able to be back at our home church to work in their VBS this summer.  While Avery was speaking at a camp in Cherokee, NC, the girls were teen helpers and I worked the registration desk. The theme was the Wild West and they always do a great job of decorating and planning.

.

Maylen and Brook worked as teen helpers in a room together. Brook was able to share one day about life as a missionary in Colombia.

Isabella worked with her friends as a teen helper in another room.  This little girl on her back is a half American and half Ecuadorian, so Isabella was able to practice Spanish with the mom each day and I met her on the last day. 

We stayed at the Weeks guest house and Isabella and Ellie took some selfies by the pool.

 Loved being with these two this week.

We went to lunch and dinner every day with friends. We ended our Friday with an evening swim and dinner with one of our favorite families.  I mean, just look at this cute smile. 

Oh Pearce, you just melt our hearts!

dancing

and jumping