I was once a little girl. And, OH, how I yearned for a father. Sunday morning at church, a young man was being baptized and his Father was there. He talked about how his father had prayed with him every night and how grateful he was for that. It brought tears to my eyes b/c I was so happy for his blessing. Then, I remembered that I had a Father, I had a Heavenly Father. WOW! How lucky am I? In that moment, I felt His presence right next to me in the pew. His arm around me. His unconditional love for me. Nothing I had to earn. His warmth. He's been with me all the way. In the book by Donald Miller titled To Own a Dragon, he says that it can truly be a blessing to not have an earthly Father growing up because, then, you truly have to rely on your Heavenly Father. I was so blessed in the way that I always remember God in my life. I remember being so sad sometimes, yearning for a father who was there for me, but always knowing that God was with me. God was in my life for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I would forget He was there and I would think He had abandoned me but He hadn't. He was there, fighting for me, protecting me, taking care of me. Why wouldn't he? I was His Child! Thank you God, for being my Father. The greatest Father anyone could ask for.

One more John Piper. So good! It's so hard to trust the Lord with our finances. We all want to feel some sort of "control" over our life and it seems like that one is one we can do. But, of course, we are never in control, we are always dependent on the Lord's provision even when it looks like we can do something about it. Control & Pride :(.....such an ugly duo. I have to stay on top of this fleshly desire to have enough money to pay for my bills, food, college tuition, etc not that those are bad desires, but when they control me or control my decisions, that is sin.....the Lord has my life in his hand if I can just trust Him with it :)
So, here's a couple verses and video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlujUl7yWhU&NR=1


Proverbs 23:4 (The Message)
7: 4-5 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich;
restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye;
wealth sprouts wings
and flies off into the wild blue yonder.

Proverbs 23:4
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.

Enjoyed these links that Beau had on his site so I thought I'd post. The first is called "Are you a church or club" and second one is "Prosperity Makes Us Blind to the Miseries of the World" and they are from the Desiring God website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbS6XsY85dI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knfOMq-SHbw

Oh, I forgot..........we went skating at Interskate and it was so fun! :) Sage skated really well for the first time and of course, I was helping London! Here's some pics......

And, yes, Daddy was there to help hold the fallen and tired :)

Nine Years!

Pics from our 9 yr anniversary staying at the Gaylord :) Love you Adam!!!

This is a great book and just wanted to recommend it :) Adam blogged about it on his blog too if you want to read:
http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/creative/



The author, Larry Crabb wrote, “God cannot be trusted to always minimize our suffering in this life”. He talks about the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. He shows how pain has a purpose and shattered dreams are tools to bring about unspeakable joy.
It truly is a joyful book. Adam laughed at the title b/c he said it didn't sound too happy and wondered if he was supposed to take it personally :) Of course not though! Adam, you are a wonderful husband and provider. It's just another extra "push" into the Lord, my ultimate husband and provider!

Adam's New Blog

CLICK HERE to check out Adam's new blog :) It's a part of our church's new website.

http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/creative/