A little linky-linkage

And you're thinking, "What a clever title!" I know. I actually impress myself at times.

Just wanted to share a couple things that have really challenged and moved me recently.

1) Now, there is much out there regarding things husbands need to know about their wives, but I haven't found the same kind of hype surrounding wives really getting their husbands...and to be honest, I haven't been looking. I pretty much think that the issues or arguments in our marriage stem from him needing to understand and get me better. Sound familiar?

I think the Lord felt it necessary to deal with that in my heart and show me a little more of how he's created my husband and how directly I affect him. I listened to 3 podcasts from Focus on the Family (Shanti Feldhahn) that were maybe 30 mins each, and it's been changing how I think about Josh, and hopefully, how I relate to him. I'm starting to understand him more and it's really humbling to see how little I understood, even after 5 years of marriage. Anyway, it's a super easy listen in interview format so the time flies by. If you decide to listen, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

2) Invisible Children is raising awareness about the thousands of children who have been kidnapped by Joseph Kony's rebel soldiers and forced to carry guns almost their size....what's worse, use them. They kill and they die without most of the world even knowing, and most who know do nothing. This story has gripped my heart. They are hosting a huge event this Saturday in cities all over the country, including Charlotte. I'm working on the details to be a part of it. Btw, you can also read about it over at Shawnda's. If you're going, let me know! It's definitely not too late.

⁴⁰And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

Will it work?

Spring Break....oh the excitement!

two sick babies

seeds started

the cute gardener built my first little 4x4 garden


And to get some much needed fresh air after living in a germ cloud,
the glorious memorial garden here in the big C....

And to quote Josh as we pulled into the drive way of our own lush paradise (boasting two tulips)...

"Memorial gardens what?"

Memory card unload

A few weekends ago, Josh and I took a weekend away and went to Charleston for one of the days. We took a Gullah tour, given by the father of the pastor who's church we've been visiting. It was pretty interesting and hard to absorb all the rich history crammed into two hours. One of the themes through the tour was the work of an artist who has fashioned wrought iron gates through out Charleston and all over the world, been invited to the White House by President Reagan, deemed a "National Treasure." You can see his work here. This is where he lived...

When asked if he was rich, Philip replied, "Of course I'm rich. Anyone who has Jesus is rich."

Philip moved to a retirement home about 1 1/2 yrs ago. His house and shop are in the process of becoming a national historic site.

For the record, he really has made a lot of money and has sent all of his grandchildren to college as well as many kids from his neighborhood in the projects.

This place is like an all day dessert buffet for your eyes.


We also went to a state park....

Yeah....I'm not sure.

I cannot tell you how much pride I fought in posting this picture. I assure you, I am extremely uncomfortable in a tree of any sort.

I think he's so handsome :)

An entrance to the Atalaya Castle. This is as far as we got because it cost $1 to get in and we had NO cash and there was NO place in the park to get cash...despite what the man at the front gate will tell you.


And the boys....

Manny's band is now decked out in surfer rub-ons.

I don't even know what to say...he's a character!

He hears and He redeems

There are a lot of days when my heart is crying out to God, and, for a time, I just have to choose to believe that He hears and cares. Today is not one of them.

I'm in a season that I knew was coming for a long time...years. It's a little much for the blog format to go into great detail (though I'm a pretty open talker), but my sweet Lord is taking me back to a very dark time in my past and gently drawing out of my heart a lot of junk that has built up because of it. I'm finally dealing with it now and He's healing me...but it's hard to re-live. And it's a process.

I told a close friend today that I just want it redeemed. I want it all to be redeemed. It's the only word that fits. I didn't even know I felt that way until yesterday. And in my human thinking the only way for it to be redeemed would be for my life to have taken a totally different path then it has....a path I really don't want.

Then, I just happened to check Angie's blog today and it truly was as if Jesus just walked into my door, held His arms open to me and as I cried in His arms, said this to me:

***

Unredeemed

(Written by Chad Cates, Tony Wood, Brian Petak)

Produced by Bernie Herms

And had the FIRE sung out of it by Amy Perry and my Toddy.

The cruelest words

The coldest heart

The deepest wounds

The endless dark

The lonely ache

The burning tears

The bitter night

The wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart

But we know these are…

Places

Where grace is

Soon to be so amazing

They may unfulfilled

They may unrestored

But when anything that’s shattered

Is laid before the Lord

Just watch and see

It will not be

Unredeemed

For every choice

That led to shame

And all the love

That never came

For every vow

That someone broke

And every life

That gave up hope

We live in the shadow of the fall

But the cross says these are all – just

Places

Where grace is

Soon to be so amazing

They may unfulfilled

They may unrestored

But when anything that’s shattered

Is laid before the Lord

Just watch and see

It will not be

Unredeemed

They may unfulfilled

They may unrestored

You never know the miracles

The father has in store

Just watch and see

It will not be

Unredeemed

***

You can hear the song on her blog today and tomorrow. It's so beautiful. And while you're at it, pray for her as she celebrates her daughter's first birthday tomorrow who's with Jesus.