Mom and Dad's Patio

I love sitting on this patio visiting with my mom. Hummingbirds are constantly zipping around, the birds are singing near by, and sometimes a little bunny will peek its little head out from underneath her tomato plants. Their patio is beautiful...and so is spending time with them.

A Much Needed Reminder

I read the newspaper yesterday while drinking my coffee and later that day I read USA Today on my Ipad. I tell you what: the news is depressing. Not just in our drought filled land, or even in our state, or our nation, it's all over the world.

Stories I read stuck with me throughout the day, unspeakable things that I read in the newspaper. While I was mulling over a few things from the newspaper, the Holy Spirit reminded me once again: This world may change, but He never does. Hebrews 13:8 say, " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Glory! He never changes....perhaps it's time this world got back to the basics...believing, praying, waiting on Him, going to church as a family, caring more about others than ourself, and even stepping out in faith believing with God all things are possible.

He is the only one that can fix it all....oh what a Saviour!


(I am linking this post up with Word Filled Wednesday today).

Pink Pentas

My sweet hubby surprised me with a Lensbaby Composer a few months ago. It was a wonderfully thoughtful gift...but the Lensbaby and I are having a hard time getting to know one another. Do you have a lensbaby for your camera?  A Lensbaby is a manual lens that helps you find, "Creative freedom designed to bend the rules back in your creative favor to help you reframe possibilities and confound expectation."  Sounds easy enough.  But, it's really not easy at all, it is challenging at best.  So, with this week's texture challenge I thought I would try using my Lensbaby one more time...and this time I am quite somewhat pleased with the results.

For all you Photoshoppers, here is the recipe for my photo:
I have some beautiful pink Pentas just waiting to be planted in my garden, but first I snapped a few pictures using my Lensbaby Composer.  Next, I used KK's Canvas Back texture in soft light mode, duplicated the texture layer again but this time used Multiply mode and left it at 100% opacity (Just ignore my instructions if this is all Greek to you).  I then added a postcard background, and used KK's new texture Aurora over the top of my image (I liked the textured writings on the sides).  Thank you for the free textures, Kim. You are so talented.


And lastly, I added Isaiah 40:8 in a new text layer. Because it's H-O-T in our part of Texas, these beautiful flowers will wither and fade no matter how much I water them or even if they manage to get fertilized.  I am so thankful that the Word of God never withers or fades, rather it endures forever! 

(I'm linking this post with Texture Tuesdays my 4boybarians, and Word-filled Wednesdays).

The Lord Your God is With You

Would you like to see Rachel? I thought you might like to see this precious, walking miracle:

"The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Our dear daughter does not look like she just had brain surgery, does she? I have told her countless times just this week that she is a walking miracle, a visible reminder that God is still on His throne, He is alive and active in the lives of His children, and that nothing is too difficult for Him! Glory!

I have prayed many, many scriptures of her~before, during, and after her surgery. This was one that I prayed often for her. As we were gathered in the pre-op room, we gathered around her bed and prayed (this must have been the 1,000th prayer I had prayed for her that day and it was only 7:15 am) and as I once again gave her back to Him, I asked the Faithful One to do what only He could do but I also asked Him to sing over her the entire time that she was in surgery and to whisper in her ears His great love for her. (I feel the tears welling up again as I type this).

It was a precious, precious moment...lifting prayers for Rachel....we were all right there....her daddy, Hannah, Granny, Grandpa, Nonnie, Poppie, Aunt Sissie & Uncle Gib (a little bit later), Rachel, and I...and He was so evident in our circle. It wasn't long before it was time...be still my heart! She didn't cry one time. Rachel was ready and completely confident that her Savior, her Great Physician would come to her rescue...and He did in a mighty, mighty way!

I was and continue to be in awe of her grace, well beyond her years, and her quiet confidence in her Lord. I would love to have heard what He chose to sing over her and the precious words of love and comfort that He whispered in her ear the entire time that she was in surgery...one day I will get to hear Him tell me the story.

Over the weekend, I was doing a little blog hopping and I found this incredible Christian t-shirt company, the Wild Olive Tees, they had a beautiful t-shirt with the same verse that I had prayed over Rachel and I just had to get it for Rachel!

I placed my order and quickly tabbed to what I thought was our correct state, but instead entered TN instead of TX and hit, order. Oh, no! I found an email address and quickly asked them to change my order. In the mean time, I received an email confirmation of my order. So, I replied to that email while trying to explain a little bit of Rachel's story and how much that verse has meant to us.

A precious lady named Aime responded. This was what she said, "We all saw the second email come in at the same time, and were blown away by the testimony!!!AWESOME!!!! That made us smile BIG!!! God is so good! If it is okay with you, we would like to treat your daughter to this shirt....Thanks for sharing a smile!"

Wow! Her shirt is on its way....what a blessing! I am so thankful for Aime and this amazing company and for Who it represents.

So....................I want to pass the blessing on to you too.

Yes! A GIVEAWAY!!!!!

You have been an amazing support to us and I want you to bless YOU. While, I would love to give all of you one of their t-shirts, I can only give one away. So, all you have to do is visit their online store www.wildolivetees.com leave me a comment telling me what your favorite design is and then you will be entered in my giveaway. I will put all of your names in a basket and then Rachel will draw the name on Saturday, December 5th. You have until 5:00 pm (central time) on Saturday, December 5th to enter.

One more thing, if you would like a second chance, tell me that you are a follower of my blog (join today if you like) and I'll add your name to the basket AGAIN, for a second chance. Oh, this will be so much fun! Happy shopping, their t-shirts are incredible.

Whew! That was fun. Now, please go visit the Wild Olive Tees and Penny Raine for more Word Filled Wednesday inspirations.

Standing in Awe of Him

"Let all the earth fear the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him." Psalm 33:8.

Many of you know that I was born in Kansas. So, this Kansas girl adores sunflowers.

Last weekend was Hannah's first cross country meet and Mr. Incredible and I got up at the crack of dawn to make our way to her meet in Lubbock. On our way there, we came across the most glorious sunflower patches. Since it was still too dark outside, we decided that we would stop on the way home. I could hardly wait.

We did get a chance to stop and take pictures. As I snapped pictures to my heart's content, I noticed this lone sunflower stretching above the others (can you see it?) and I said, "Delight!" I knew this would perfect for my Word Filled Wednesday post.

I don't know about you, but I want to be like that sunflower, rising above it all to stand in awe of my Savior! Oh, He is so worthy of our best praise! Go ahead, stand up, you know you want to....stand in awe of Him today.

Please visit Critty Joy for more Word Filled Wednesdays.

Ride Out to Victory!

Last weekend, at Unite and Conquer in San Angelo (see Monday's post for more info), there was a Christian BMX show. Wow did these guys put on a show with all of their stunts. They looked so happy and pumped up about riding to new heights and it got me thinking.

In order for us to soar to new heights with the Lord, we have to leave the ground; we have to leave our comfort zones and step out in faith and go where He leads us.

This journey of faith with our daughter is one that I would never have chosen, but the good Lord has a purpose and a plan and greater glory at stake so I can choose to complain and whine and give in to despair or I can choose to once again go where He leads all the while trusting that He is all sufficient and that wherever He leads us, He is there with us and that His ways are always the best and for our good purpose.

Don't get me wrong, I have begged Him to let me have all of this pain and suffering and to please spare our precious daughter, but then He reminds me over and over again that He loves her even more than I do and that He is allowing this for a good reason and that at the end of all of this she will have an amazing testimony to share for His great glory.

So, we are going to ride out this journey of faith to victory...and watch as He performs awe inspiring deeds! For this momma's heart it is a daily choice. The bike rider in my photo isn't even holding on to the handle bars, is he? While I have days where I feel like I am holding on for dear life and trying to hold it all together, this picture reminds me that I can let go and let God...because He is over it all and He is so trustworthy!

Mighty to Save

(the above image came from Imagevine)

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17.

Isn't that a glorious promise? The Lord is with us....no matter what journey of faith we are on....the mighty, all-powerful One is with us! Glory!

Amazingly, He takes great delight in us....are we taking great delight in Him daily?

He will quiet you with His love...this speaks to this mother's heart. I had a moment Sunday evening and Monday morning where I just felt like my heart was going to come out of my chest because it was so overcome by the enormity of what we are facing for our precious daughter. My emotions were raw and I just had that feeling that I couldn't get myself together....but then He came and quieted my heart with His love....incredible!

I love the last part of this verse, "he will rejoice over you with singing." The One who formed this world and everything in it, the One who knows each star and calls them by name, the One who numbers the very hairs on your head, who knows your deepest desires and longings, rejoices over us....us....that is almost too incredible to comprehend. He rejoices over us with singing. That just makes me want to praise Him even more today.

What a mighty, mighty God we serve!

He is mighty to save....a wretch like me....and you....and He rejoices over us with singing.

For more Word Filled Wednesdays, please visit here.

Take Heart in the Waiting

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Waiting is hard, isn't it? In our waiting stages of life we may feel a little weak, like we have to do something, make a decision, or fix it ourselves. Have you ever been there? Hello, my name is Kristi and I call patience the "p" word and I find myself in this state all of the time!

I love how in the absolute wisdom of the Lord, He encourages us to wait for Him, but while we wait we don't have to feel helpless or weak or even impatient (yikes!).

His Word tells us that He wants us to "be strong and take heart" in our waiting times. I've known the Lord long enough to know that He will come to our rescue, He will come to our defense, He will bring the answer, He will...He will...He will. He is all sufficient! He can do immeasurably above all that we ask, or dream, or hope. He has proved His faithfulness over and over again in my life and in the life of my family, and He will always do what He says He will do!

Don't grow weary in your waiting.

I needed that reminder today.

Please visit, here for more Word Filled Wednesday inspiration.

A Pruning and a Blessing

This verse is the Air1 verse of the day

(Our family really enjoys this station).

With the recent season that we are finding ourselves in, you can find out more by clicking this link, this verse spoke volumes to me today. I instantly thought of the last picture that I took after last week's mowing and weeding episode. Where there were once ginormous weeds, there are holes and barrenness, but if you look closer, you can see new growth.

The new growth is a beautiful, cheery green color; this is quite a contrast to the dry, barren land.

I wondered to myself if that is how our hearts look when the Master Gardener prunes away our weeds, even the ones that are so deeply rooted. The uprooted weeds in our hearts leave quite a gap that should only be filled with Him, His desires, His will, His fruit, His Son....and shouldn't that be our heart's desire?

His working in our lives is glorious, and quite a humbling thought that the King of kings and Lord of lords delights in working in the lives of His children and that He loves us far too much to leave us the way that we are, but often it is painful. But, I have to say that if the end result is the "desire and the power to do what pleases Him" and that we come through seasons somehow looking more like Jesus, than how can we be afraid of a visit with the Master Gardener?

Take it from me, stop hiding in the weed-filled garden of your heart, and meet with Him today.

(Please visit Amydeanne for more Word Filled Wednesday inspiration.)

Joyfully,

Kristi

Beautiful Feet

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" Romans 10:15

I love those feet pictured above. They belong to my dad, my mom, Rachel, Hannah, and my husband. They are beautiful feet. Each foot has a story to tell; they have all walked many, many places with the Lord and with each other...and that is a beautiful thing!

Looking at this photo (and I'm sorry it is so tiny but you can click on it to enlarge it) each foot is different and unique, much like our callings, our gifts, and talents but our common foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ.


Hannah and I were watching a show on TV 2 nights ago and a commercial came on that was absolutely awful. The show was not recorded so I couldn't fast forward through it and by the time I saw what was on the screen I said, "Don't watch!"

Her reply was, "Momma, I've already seen this commercial before." Really? Why? I gently reminded her of a song from her preschool days, "Oh be careful little eyes what you see..." I sang the whole song even down to this verse that says, "Oh, be careful little feet where you go. Oh be careful little feet where you go. For the Father up above is looking down in love. Oh be careful little feet where you go." And I thought to myself, that is a great reminder for all of us. Where will your feet go today and will they help spread the good news of good things?

I so enjoy being a part of Word Filled Wednesdays. Please, visit here for more.

Joyfully,

Kristi

His Faithfulness Continues Through All Generations!

Happy Word Filled Wednesday!

I am so delighted that you stopped by.

Our family just returned from an amazing vacation....it was filled with memories to treasure and we are so ready to go back!

I love this picture; there are three generations that love the Lord and each other fiercely.

Pictured are me, Rachel, Hannah, and my mom (Granny).

I am blessed with such an incredible heritage of faith. I have the most amazing memories of kneeling to pray next to my beloved Granny. She talked to her precious Savior about everything even asking Him to help her french braid my hair whenever I would spend the night at Granny and Pappaw's house.

I hear that same love and devotion for our Savior whenever I hear my mother pray...and a growing devotion and love for the Lord whenever I hear my daughters pray. I can't describe in words how that makes me feel. It is a blessing like no other!

I am blessed beyond measure. As a child, I was blessed with grandparents on both sides of my family that loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. Spending time with Him daily and going to church were priorities in their lives, in the lives of my parents, in my life, in my husband's life, in his grandparent's lives, in the lives of his parents, and now in the lives of my daughters. What a blessing!

Psalm 100:5 says, "For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands."

Don't you just love this promise! The legacy of faith and faithfulness continues to a "thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands!"

I'm claiming this in my life and for my girls, and their families (be still my heart) one day, and on and on. I've seen this legacy of faithfulness in my life! His faithfulness does endure through all generations. He is the Faithful One.

If you don't have a legacy of faith like I do, be the beginning of that legacy of faith that continues to the 1000th generation! Let Him start with you!!!!

I feel like I have to add this, for those of you that may be new to my blog. Although, both sets of grandparents, my parents, and my brother are all Christians, that doesn't guarantee that I will go to Heaven. Their legacy of faith is an incredible gift but it never would guarantee my place in Heaven one day. It's not through works or deeds or even a blessed legacy of faith....it is only through the blood of Jesus. Believing in Him is the only way to eternity one day. Please, don't miss that. (If you want to know more about becoming a Christian, please leave me a comment and I will be happy to talk with you.)

I'm thanking the Faithful One for my legacy of faith. How about you?

Please visit here for more Word Filled Wednesdays.

Joyfully,

Kristi

P.S. More vacation info coming tomorrow...and more pictures too. I hope you are ready! :-)

A Bus Full of Blessing!

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14.

Oh, how I love my daughters. They are such a blessing, in many more ways than I could ever express. They thrill my heart like no others. When Rachel was blessed to be a part of Mission Arlington last summer, she came home with a heart for missions.

With the help of her youth minister and youth group they started an apartment ministry that is near our church. A couple of Sunday nights each month the students lead Bible studies, games, crafts, recreation, and snack time. Lately, we have been using the Elevate materials that I use in our 1st and 2nd grade children's worship time. Our theme has been superheroes and the children have loved it.

With this being Vacation Bible School week, Rachel and Hannah wanted the apartment kids to come. Two weeks ago they passed out flyers, they covered the apartments one more time last Saturday and then the church bus, driven by my dad, with my girls joyfully drove to the apartment complex where 8 happy children were waiting to hop aboard. Last night we picked up 14 and we are excited about having more come tonight.

Nothing thrills this Momma's heart more than seeing my daughters be a part of what God is doing! They love these children...and these children love my daughters. Monday night, one of the girls hugged me just because I was Rachel's mom. Isn't that sweet?

These precious children are learning Truth this week and they bring so much joy and delight.

I was tickled Monday evening when we were taking them back to the apartments. I asked the girls in the back of the bus what their favorite part of the evening was.

One of the girls sweetly replied that she really enjoyed the story of Joseph and his brothers and that even though they treated him badly, Joseph was still respectful of his brother and that we should be respectful to our mom and dad and brother and friends....and then she said loudly, "Stop it butt-head!" to one of her friends that was pestering her. Oiy!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Please visit here for more Word Filled Wednesday inspirations.

Praising the Most High

"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2

His praises are continually on my lips and my mind is constantly reflecting on His provision and sufficiency in this journey of faith.

I have had the words "Courage and Boldness" posted by my computer for the last 3 years as I stepped out into faith and went back to school. Here is part of my story:

Three years ago, He called me to have courage to be what He called me to be. He told me that His call on my life was on the other side of my river of fear. He said, "Kristi, you have to wade right into the water before the water will part. Press through your fear!"

Over and over, I asked Him for boldness to carry through with what He was calling me to do. My prayer was not simply for myself but for the ones that we are called to affect and impact.

The Lord constantly reminded me that we are "More than conquerors" and "All things work together for the good for those that are called according to His purpose," and that the legacy of faith and faithfulness "continues to the 1,000th generation."

I've looked at these typed words next to my computer often in the last 36 months. What a journey this has been with the Lord. I simply can't do justice to this journey with my words. It's just incredible what He has done!

I could cry some more as I type this. Last night, I received a call from the Superintendent. The School Board voted to hire me at their meeting last night. This afternoon I will have the blessing of signing my first official contract as a fully certified teacher (and the tears flow once again). Glory! Praise, You Father! You have done great and marvelous things! Thank you for this privilege. May You receive all the praise and all the glory! Thank you for this call on my life and thank you for the perseverance to press through my river of fear. I am now on the other side...I have reached my calling....and I wouldn't trade this amazing journey with You for the world!

What is God calling you to do for Him? Is there a river of fear standing in your way? Sweet friend, dive in and find Him all sufficient! Don't miss your journey of faith because of fear. Listen to His voice and He will guide you every step of the way. Your blessing may just depend on your willingness to step out in faith. I'm living proof!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Please visit the 160 acre wood for more Word Filled Wednesday inspiration.

Nothing's Impossible with God!

"But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Oh, yes! He can still do the impossible!

When God called me to go back to school to finish what He started in me so many years ago at Baylor University, I said, impossible.

He said, "Trust me to do the impossible." And He reminded me that we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.

Oh, yes! As I take my place Saturday morning among the 299 other graduates, I will be the one with the big smile on my face...because together the Lord and I accomplished what I thought was impossible...Yes! With God all things are possible. I'm living proof!

What a delight to be His child.

Joyfully,

Kristi

PS Please visit my friends for more Word Filled Inspiration.

PPS Don't forget to enter my Giveaway!

Blessed is He

Hallelujah! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! John 12:13

I just had to post this slide (which came from Imagevine) in honor of Palm Sunday.

Can you imagine what that day must have looked like?

I always enjoy getting a palm branch to take home on Palm Sunday and displaying it at our

kitchen table. It is a visual reminder that blesses me all week long.

He is so worthy of our daily praise!

We have had a little set back with Rachel's progress.

Instead of falling apart, I'm choosing to thank and praise the Lord for:

Our neurologist and his nurse; they called us back 2 times yesterday. We didn't have to wait hours or days. Thank You, Father!

I'm thanking the Lord for new medication that seems to have fewer side effects.

I'm thanking the Lord that He is with us in the midst of it all and that nothing is too difficult for the King of kings and Lord of lords! Nothing is impossible! I love that!

My flesh wants to fall apart, but my soul longs to praise!

I would rather praise any day, how about you?

What are you praising the Lord for today?

Joyfully,

Kristi

Joy at the Work of His Hands

Happy Word Filled Wednesday!

(Please, excuse the way this picture is being displayed...Blogger does not want to cooperate today for some reason)

The verse says:

"For You, O LORD, have made me glad

by what You have done,

I will sing for joy

at the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4

There are signs of spring all around...there are signs of spring in my heart too!
We are rejoicing in the goodness of all that our great God has done.

Rachel is doing so well, Hannah is having such a blast in junior high, R and I are blessed to overflowing.

Our heart sing for joy at the work of His hands! We are humbled by His love and the very thought that He somehow takes joy in us...what a wonderful thought!

He takes joy in you too. How has He made you glad today?

Joyfully,

Kristi

Please visit my friends for more Word Filled Wednesday inspiration

Encouragement Ministry

* Update: Rachel was only able to make it to 4th period. Her headache was at a 4 when she came to my classroom. (Thank you Poppie for bringing her home.) She is back home with her feet up, in a dark room, and her headache is now at a 3. Please, continue praying for her.

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."

I Thessalonians 5:11

Our family has felt so loved and has been encouraged by so many of you. When we felt like we were holding on by a thread, a special card or encouraging blog comment was found. Thank you!

Let me just say that a timely Word of encouragement may mean more to the recipient than you will ever know. If God has placed someone on your heart to encourage, please follow through with His leading today. I know from recent experiences just how much of an impact a few words of encouragement can bring. Be a blessing to somebody special today.

Joyfully,

Kristi

For more Word Filled Wednesday, please visit my friends.

P.S. Rachel and I are headed back to high school today. She is a little nervous, and to be honest, I am too. We are praying that she will be able to cope well with the makeup work that she needs to do and that God would help her to be stress-free even in the midst of trying to get caught up. I'll be teaching again but watching my precious daughter as often as I can see her in the hall. We are desperate for God to take away her headaches and for Rachel to be able to get back to as normal of a life as possible. Please join us in praying that her return to school will be an easy transition and that her headaches will not return. Thanks for your continued prayer support!

Riding on the Heights

"I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land." Isaiah 58:14.

This was the verse for today's devotion in Streams in the Desert.

I LOVE this verse!

It speaks to my heart in this time where life is like a roller coaster. One day Rachel is doing well, and they are so few and far between lately, and the next day we are back down.

The devotion continues, "The sufferings of life are God's winds. Sometimes they blow against us and are very strong. They are His hurricanes, taking our lives to higher levels, toward His heavens...When the storms of life appear, the atmosphere is changed, purified, filled with new life, and part of heaven is brought down to earth."

I like this. We live in the windy part of Texas. It can be so dry here. This new season of having to watch my precious daughter suffer feels like being dried and whipped by the wind. I've had to fight hard against it.

Today's devotion makes me rethink the wind. I'm going to choose instead to ride the wind to new heights with the Father knowing that He is right here in the midst of the storm with us...knowing that brings much comfort!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Please visit my friends for more Word Filled Wednesday inspiration.

In Him our Hearts Rejoice

"In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." Psalm 33:21-22

On this past Sunday morning, our dear friend Mrs. Jackie went home to be with Jesus.

While our hearts are sad because we will miss her so much, our hearts can also rejoice because she is with her Savior, the One who loves her so very much.

She and her family are so special to us. She was one of our biggest supporter when we were in the music ministry. Every minister needs support like Mrs. Jackie's support. She had the best smile and such a generous heart.

We have cried buckets of tears with her sweet husband over the last several days. Please, remember Mrs. Jackie's family in your prayers tomorrow.

My husband and I have been asked to sing at her funeral tomorrow. I'm singing "Legacy" and my husband and I are singing, "When I Get Where I'm Going" together.

Please, pray for us tomorrow at 2 if you think about it. With all that is continuing with Rachel's headaches and now with taking 3 night classes while teaching high school computer classes, my nerves are still a bit on edge. I get the shakes so easily. Hopefully tomorrow, my eye won't start twitching.

Ya'll were so sweet to ask about Rachel. We have had a major cold front come through our area and her headaches have been absolutely excruciating. We both stayed home Monday but she was able to go to school with me for a half day today. She and Hannah loved Mrs. Jackie so Rachel is hoping to feel like going to the funeral.

March 12th can't come soon enough. We are more than ready to see the Pediatric Neurologist. I'm not sure why God has blessed me with a teaching position while Rachel's headaches are still so terrible but I do know that He is over all of this and that nothing is too difficult for Him.

His unfailing love is amazing isn't it? He is the One that we cling to and the One in whom we place our trust and hope.

Joyfully,

Kristi

Encourage One Another

Happy Word-Filled Wednesday!

I Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..."

I just love that. Don't you?

I often forget that. How about you?

Yesterday as Rachel and I were watching the Presidential Inauguration (She is still only going to school half days) we were sad for President Bush. As you know from my post yesterday, he was really on my mind. Regardless of how you feel about the job that he did in office, he still deserves our thanks. I have great admiration for President Bush and Mrs. Bush.

I knew that he was coming home to Midland and that we had tickets but that the noise of the crowd would be too much for Rachel so I just resolved to watch him in TV.

God began to stir my heart that I needed to do something to encourage him.

I jumped into action. I finished my homework, printed out signs, and picked the girls up from school as soon as the bell rang. We drove as fast as we could to the exact spot where Hannah and Granny and I waved to to the soon to be President Bush eight years ago. (Hannah was only 4 at the time. It was a cold January day. She saluted Mr. Bush as his car drove by and he saluted back. It was so cool!)

We waited with another couple for about 45 minutes. I was sad that the streets were not lined with people but I just assumed that they were all at Centennial Plaza. A few minutes later a nice man pulled over and explained that they had taken a different route. Oiy! Of course they did.

I don't give up easily. We drove across town only to see the last part of the motorcade drive by. We found 3 DPS officers in the parking lot and asked if we could park with them. Guess what???They let us and the even informed us when the President would be driving by again. I think they liked our enthusiasm. They were so nice!

Forty-five minutes later, we were on! In my amazing photo taking ability (remember Hannah's basketball pictures in Monday's post???) here is what I got. Oiy!


You can see his suburban (gotta like Texas) and his posse. The girls were holding up their signs and waving and...this is the best part....

President Bush leaned as close to the window as possible
waved and smiled as big as Dallas to us!

I know he waved to us because we were the only ones right there...

(I wish I had the photo to show you. His face was all smiles!)

and we were the only ones holding signs! Delight!

It was so moving, Rachel cried...and then I cried...and then we called Daddy and then my Dad (who was in an important meeting but he answered anyway) and then Granny

and then I had 10 minutes to get to my class that was 18 minutes away.
And...I made it on time. Ta-da!!! I just figured I would name drop the sweet DPS men who kept us company if I ran into one of their fellow officers with his lights flashing. What a fun night and a fun memory.

It's not every day that you get to encourage a President. Who will God place in your path today that needs a little encouragement too? Go for it! You will get a blessing out of it too.
It's so fun to be a part of what God is doing!

Joyfully,

Kristi