Caption Please

This picture definitely needs a caption. Any suggestions?
(click to enlarge)

Relentless Faith

I just have one question. Do you say your grace in public?

Divorce

I try not to re-post too much stuff, but when I come across something so good, it's hard to resist. Here's the opening line to a post I read and think every married person should read:

"I’m married, and if you are too, then statistically speaking, one of us is going to get a divorce."

It took me roughly 2min to read, and likely changed my marriage just now. You can read it HERE if you'd like.

Miniature Military Man

This is a pretty good "before" shot of my son's head. We gave him his first real haircut last night. Check Sheen's blog for the aftermath.


Yikes!

LWRV Vision 2009

Yesterday was our church's annual Vision Sunday. A couple of points I'd like to personally highlight:

-You could really feel the enormous amount of energy/expectation/excitement in the service yesterday.
-The amount of giving our church did last year is amazing for lack of a better word.
-Our church is and always will be debt free.
-Our church's DNA is changing... for the better. We are reaching out more than ever and making personal and intentional connections. People are getting involved!
-Our church uses and will continue to use technology. Love that. =)
-Really, really, really excited about Connection Cards; a new thing coming soon.
-PK was dressed pretty GQ like.
-Too much other stuff to list. Go here to listen to the whole thing.

-Funniest line: "...and if you get uncomfortable while talking, you can just take a bite of your donut and drink your coffee. It's a shield of coffee."
-Quote of the day by PK: "Excellence does not necessarily mean extravagance."

-Our church caught the vision and we're running with it. Booya-gramma.

Celebrate Nate

Celebrate today
When I say
Its my brother's
Birthday
Hey!

Words I would say in the same sentence as Nate: funny, strong, integrity, godly, buck

Since a b-day post is not complete without something from the memory box... here's 46 seconds from Christmas in Arkansas, 2008:



Happy Birthday Nate. You rock.

Prayer for Major Surgery

A young boy is going through a surgery to have his small bowel, large bowel, and colon cut out later this week. I consider them blogging friends, even though we've never officially met.

If you want to read about the reason for the surgery, go HERE. And if you wouldn't mind taking a moment to pray, I know they would appreciate it. =)

UPDATE: surgery is at 12-ish on ues, 2/24

3

3 of my favorite things. Can you name them?

UPDATE: Iced Caramel Macchiatos, Apple stuff, God's Word

What I would do to give a can of formula

Read this from 6YearMed's blog today and wanted to share. I believe this is a great example for the church, to be the church, and help. How sad it would be to witness these words from a mother:

Among Us
"He's 2 months old and he weighs less than he did when he was born. He's so scrawny and always has a runny nose," she said as they wrapped a ID band around his tiny wrist."

I can almost make it through the month, but at the end, it runs out. So I take the rest of the can of powdered formula and mix it in a gallon of water. It's real pale, and I know it's not enough. But it's all I have."

Lest we start to visualize dark skin, sunken eyes and dirt floors when we imagine of poverty. Or think that some other city needs saving, more than our own.

He hearts his bear

Dear Grandpa Mike and Grandma Lisa,

Thank you so much for the valentine's day package you sent me. You didn't need to do that, but I liked it a lot! I like my red bear because he snuggles with me. See?

See you soon!

XOXOX

-JJ

De-vine Dude

Let me introduce you to my new friend, Casey, whom I've recently met at work and gets to work on the beloved 3rd floor (lucky!). He loves God, and I love that. Check out his blog, and the 'Who You Are' track he put up for download. It's quite good.

Cool thing is that he's an Apple guy too (like me!). Must be a divine connection. :P

Luau Wrap-up

Per Mom's request, here are a couple of pics from Friday night. I drilled holes in about 50 shells to make bracelets, anklets, and a necklace. Then tore apart some artificial plants to make my greenery.



Dockey had the guts to sport a coconut bra. What an All Star.


I wish I had taken pics of everyone there, especially the cast, AND Marge/Arnie. 99% of the people dressed in theme. It was a blast. In all honesty, Arnie probably should have taken 1st with his Northern bride. But I guess showing some skin gave me the edge. I love my church. It's a fun place to be!

Weekend Recap

-Chris/Anne came down to visit for the weekend. Had a wonderful/refreshing time with them. His threat to buzz JJ's hair didn't come to fruition, thank God.
-I won the best male costume for our Hawaiian Luau dinner. Sorry Arnie.
-Cheddars for lunch on Saturday. Jeremiah sat with grandpa Chris and loved playing with his bald head. I think he even tried biting it.


Overall, a wonderful, wonderful weekend. Tell me your best memory from the weekend, besides seeing me in my leafy skirt.

We Are Called to AR

Our church body is growing in many ways right now. My spiritual life is growing in many ways right now.

For such a long time I wondered why God called us to AR. I often questioned IF God called us to AR. I don’t question it anymore. I know it right now more than I ever have, because God has confirmed His words to me about it. I am called here to serve. I have a supply to give to my local church body. A supply that is unique and no one else can offer, just like each of you have a supply to give to your local church body as well.

I’m trying not to make this post extremely long and boring…

I will just say that I am so thankful that God never gives up. He has never given up on me and never will. I have fallen so many snot blowing times, but He has never left me. He believes in me. And that is why I will succeed. That is why I will complete the course God has for me. That is why I will walk out the things He’s spoken to me (especially since they’re bigger than I can achieve on my own). That is why I will live here in Arkansas until my work here is finished.

Will this be the last place I live? I don’t know. But I do know that I’m not leaving until God tells me to. So until then (‘if’ then…) ...ya’ll, ya'll, YA'LL!!!
=]

How to Annoy Me // How to Charm Me

I saw this post on Carlos’ website and wanted to steal it and put on mine as well for my readers.

How To Annoy Me…
Spend no time with your kids, allowing others to discipline them, then blame their poor behavior on the blessed people that raised them for you

How To Charm Me…tell me I have a nice costume this Friday night. That, or buy me new set of golf clubs.

Your Turn…How to annoy you…How to charm you…

97 Seconds

I am going to post three times today. This is #1.

One of the blogs I follow is 97secondswithGod where there is a daily post, devotional style.
Jon is currently going through chapter 12 in the book of Proverbs with one verse a day. Today’s post was awesome. Check it out if you have a free 97 seconds.

http://97secondswithgod.blogspot.com/

Dilbert Today

One of the many apps I have on my iPhone is the Dilbert app (free of course). Everyday there is a new comic, and today's cracked me up, so I thought I'd share it:

Update on Life

I find myself blogging a lot less lately (although I DO twitter!). But, with the need to stay connected with family and to journal my life here in Ark:

-I've been listening to a word God spoke to me way back in 1Q of 2007 about my supply here in AR, as well as things God has for me. I need to continue to pray along these lines. It excites me!!!

-Jeremiah's hair is a hot topic in our house. We know it needs to be trimmed, but I keep saying "not yet." I don't want him to have the typical boy buzz, yet I don't want him to be mistaken for a girl from the back. He kinda looks like an old man right now. Sorta:

-I was sick with a weird stomach thing last week which completely messed with my workout rhythm, and my weight. Tonight I vow to get back into it.

-Sheena is looking hotter than she ever has.

-The Sheen's dad and fiance are visiting this weekend. I can hardly wait for the Mystery Dinner Theater (Murder on Maui) this Friday. AHHHHH!!! they're going to love it.

That's it. Sorry for the boring post. All of you bloggers that follow me...I enjoy reading your blogs. So blog away!

Happy Anniversary Baby

Three years ago at this time I was eating an egg mcmuffin just hours before my wedding provided by my bro that came up from Ark for the wedding.

Fast forward to now, and I'm sitting at a desk, gazing at a picture on my cube wall of a virtuous wife and a joyful son.

Today we celebrate God's goodness. He's been so good to us, and it's only been 3 years.

Nicole's 23rd

Happy 23rd b-day Nicole!

From the memory box...

When I think of a funny Nicole (my sister) memory, I think of her hilarious dance involving a Richard Simmons type move swinging her arms up and down, the same motion of someone on a Nordic Track ski machine.

Remember those things?!

Celebrate your b-day well, little sis. We love you.

No-NOOO!!!

Sometimes I want to start another blog in order to differentiate the personal/family posts from the others, because I want to post about J a lot more than I do.

In the last week he has really learned what NO means and how to use it correctly. He also can give you looks that speak volumes. Volumes of attitude with a capital A!

He has a special someone watching him while The Sheen and I celebrate 3 years this weekend. I just hope he doesn't bite her like he bit his classmate the other day. :-)

Super Duper Bowl

My post Super Bowl thoughts:

I regret procrastinating this weekend. I now have to work on the PC for at least an hour while trying not to think of why the Cardinals couldn't stop the Steelers' last drive into the end zone. And was Santonio Holmes' 2nd foot really in bounds when he landed?

I hope your team won. Ya right. Did anyone really want the Steelers to win?