On the Road and Downtown Disney

We got up early the next morning and got on the road to Disney. Since we were going to Disney right around Anli's birthday, we kind of celebrated her birthday all week long there. So...we gave her a birthday gift on the way there because she would love it while in Disney!

She got a digital camera to take lots and lots and lots of pictures and videos in Disney! She LOVED it and had been asking for it and we were thrilled to give it to her on the way. It gave her some fun on the trip too!

Finally, after many hours in the car listening to Disney songs and playing 20 questions Disney style...we got to Downtown Disney! We went straight there to hang out before we got to the hotel. The weather was gorgeous and cool...perfect for a night walking around the shops!

The fist stop had to be the HUGE Disney store! It was a blast and they began to spend some of the spending money family gave to them for the trip.

Ahoy there me hearties!

Anli taking photos! She almost took as many photos as her mom...and that's hard to do!

Daddy's princesses!

Virginia loved all the Legos at the giant Lego Store. This sea monster is awesome and totally made from Legos! She loved it!
Well...this was taken from the car and was just a taste of the week to come...

We're back!

We are back and we had a wonderful vacation in Disney World! It was pretty wet, but we all agreed that a wet day in Disney is better than a dry day ANYWHERE else! How can anyone even imagine complaining when you are in DISNEY?

I had already been in Richmond, Virginia sharing at a women's conference and it was really great to meet so many women who love the Lord and His work around the world! I will share more on my DFM blog site about that trip. I flew out on Tuesday stayed three days, flew in on Thursday and then we left for our vacation the next morning...whew! I hadn't been in my own bed for over 12 days.

But, we had a great time starting with a quick trip to my parent's house to drop off Pacey and spend the night. We swam and played and just had a wonderful time.

The girls had a fun time jumping off the diving board! This was a "rock star" move Anli invented!

Go Virginia!

Then...the kids found a frog! I don't think he lasted very long since he was in the pool. Chlorine is not a friend to frogs!

Then, the most exciting thing happened...the girls wanted to learn how to dive! I had taught Anli a little bit last year, but she didn't remember. So, we had a quick (I mean like 20 minutes) lesson and then they amazed me by doing these beautiful dives. Look at their straight legs and perfect hands...I was totally shocked and so proud!

My sweet hubby brought us out some yummy watermelon that was a big hit with the kiddos. He's such a sweetie! Aren't these the cutest kids in the world?

Well, this was the fun that we started with on Friday and then we were headed to Disney the next morning! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful parents with the coolest place to live! I mean 11 acres, horses, dogs, a pool and tons of FUN!

Early Birthday Party!

When we returned to my parent's house to pick up Pacey on the way home from Disney...this sign greeted us! My sweet family had prepared a wonderful 10th birthday party!
Look at this CUTE cake! My mom is the most creative person and she always makes moments special. She went all out for her party.

The cousins! Talk about three totally different expressions!

Anli had asked for a red velvet birthday cake for the past 2 months...but she had NEVER had one! She just saw it and wanted one. My mom heard about that and suprised us ALL by making one for her. She is the BEST and Anli was thrilled! It was so very yummy and we got to take some home with us too!

We all wore our party hats! Happy "early" birthday to Anli!

Kingdom Women: Impact Your World

I will be at the Kingdom Women: Impact Your World Women's Leadership Dialog today and I would love to have your prayers! I flew to Richmond, VA to meet up with women from around the nation to dialog about how to engage women in missions. Each woman has a specific area of leadership in ministry and they desire to bring us together to talk about ways we can all work together to engage women in missions.

Please pray for me as I will be one of the session speakers on "Going as Engagement." I will be sharing along with Paula Hemphill about ways we can engage women in going! Pray that God will fill my mouth with the words He desires!

I will then be out of town for the next week with my family on vacation. I'm so looking forward to this time and will not be posting for that time. Thanks again for your sweet prayers for myself and for DFM ministries. Have an amazing week in God's Word!

A Wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! It began on Saturday morning when Jay and I were woken by the girls bringing me breakfast in bed!!! It was completely their idea and they got up early to make it all themselves. Jay and I were in shock!

My breakfast was so precious! Since they can't use the oven and dad wasn't there to help out, they used the toaster. They made me heart shaped toast with butter, a granola bar covered in peanut butter (precious.), and yogurt...and water!

Anli even made a pretty napkin tied with a bow! Oh, and the silk flowers are from their room. They thought of EVERYTHING and did it all by themselves!!! It was a breakfast I'll cherish my entire life. They are such amazing little girls...that are getting too big too fast!

What a treasured Mother's Day breakfast! Jay asked them why they did this on Saturday instead of Sunday when it would be Mother's Day. They answered that Sundays were just too crazy and they wanted me to have time to enjoy it...SMART girls:) They truly understand their father's view of "functional holidays!"

Well, this is the sweet card the girls gave me...sorry it's sideways! Look at that perfect handwriting from my Anli...I'm so proud!! And that ladybug is just the BEST. Thanks girls!

OK, I don't know what is up with these two pictures! They are straight in my photos...and I even worked to make sure again and upload them once more...who knows! Anyway, we still had our normal pancake breakfast together and I made pink and purple castle ones!

We only have 4 more days until we leave for DISNEY!

On Sunday, we had a wonderful service and then got some lunch and headed home. I got on my pajamas (those who know me understand that I LOVE my pajamas and my bed!) and opened my presents. It was pretty funny. See, I asked for all the supplies to print out my blog for the past year and put it into a book form...a blogbook instead of a scrapbook.

So, the girls were a little shocked that I got printer paper, ink cartridges, page protectors, a HUGE binder, and things like that for Mother's day. But, it was EXACTLY what I wanted! So, I spent the afternoon relaxing and putting together my blogbook for 2008. Its...HUGE! There are over 500 pages for the past year that I have journaled and had photos for.

Well, after lots of ink and paper...I'm still not finished! We ran out of ink once and Jay went back out...and then ran out again. That was all the budget could handle for this month. In June, I'll have my fun money and use that to finish out the book.

I'll have to post the enormous book when I finish. But, I LOVE having this printed out with all my photos and journaling for the past year. It may not be as ornate as my other scrapbooks, but this is so much more our lives. It's the every day thoughts, memories and silly things that make up our home. It's more than just a series of events...it's daily life. I LOVE it.

Thanks Jay and girls for making my Mother's Day amazing. But, truthfully...you make every day amazing. I'm so blessed to have you in my life.

We sent my mom 2 dozen roses for Mother's Day. One to honor her and the other in memory of my grandmother who grew roses. She even supplied all the roses for my wedding...and that was a LOT. It was a day of celebration of my mother and my grandmother and my precious mother-in-law whom we put together a Shutterfly scrapbook of some fun memories we made with them this year. It was such a great day and full of rich blessing from God.

Thank you Father for blessing me with such awesome women in my life!

National Day of Prayer

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. " 2 Chronicles 7:14-16

Lord,
Today we join with those around the world in prayer to You. We humble ourselves, for the very nature of prayer reminds us that we are completely at Your Sovereign mercy. We come to You knowing that we can not heal ourselves or forgive our sins...or restore our land. We know that You are omnipotent...all powerful. We recognize today that You are all powerful...meaning there is NO other power. We are powerless and humbled before You. We seek You face because You are our only hope.

Hope is never found in our country, government, parents, bank accounts, jobs, IRAs, families, children, the next generation, or ourselves. Hope is from You alone. Hope that flows from Jesus Christ's veins on Calvary. Hope of standing forgiven and right before You...the Holy and all powerful God. Our coming to You alone today in prayer...is a reminder that our hope is in You.

As we seek Your face today, we must also be faced with our wicked ways. For we can not see Your holiness and then look blindly at our own depravity. We deserve death and the wrath of a perfect God. Sweep us up in your mercy today in order that we may turn from our wicked ways. Open our eyes as we seek You...to who You are...and a sobering view of who we are. Thank You that by the blood of Jesus we have His power to turn from our sins and embrace You as Lord!

Thank You for hearing us. Thank You for the awesome relationship we are allowed to have with You through the gruesome death of Jesus. Open our eyes today to see the amazing worth of Jesus. For without His death, burial, Resurrection and rule...we would be a part from You forever...experiencing the focused wrath that sin deserves.

Oh, Father I pray that you will forgive our sins. We are so depraved...every thought is dipped in self-absorption, every deed is motivated in some way by our own agenda, and every moment drenched in rebellion of a Holy God. I am depraved...I am the poster child. Have mercy on me and forgive my sins.

Lord, today we turn our thoughts and our hearts to You. May we see prayer as it is...a declaration of total dependence on the mind and thoughts of You alone. As we surrender our lives to You sovereignty...may we see our sins as you see our sins, may we be about the "least of these," may we give up the American Dream...for a cross every day.

Father, I ask that You bring those around this world to Yourself. Restore our land...not to prosperity but to holiness. This scripture is spoken of your temple, built by Solomon. Lord, we know today that WE are your temple! We are Your body and your bride. Hear our prayers.

In the Name of Jesus at which every knee WILL bow and every tongue WILL confess He is Lord, I offer this prayer. Amen

Happy Birthday Dorothy!

Today is my mentor Dorothy's birthday! She has been a huge blessing to my life for the past 6 years and I am so grateful that God brought her into our lives...and our family! On Monday night, there was a surprise party for her at a lovely place called the Fickle Pickle.

This party had been planned for months and many women came and enjoyed surprising her! It was so neat to have so many women of different ages and backgrounds there. It is a tribute to the kind of woman Dorothy is...amazing!

SURPRISE!

Toni Hurst planned and arranged this gorgeous "barn" that they use for private parties. It was the perfect night...no rain and cool. They have large barn doors that they opened to allow us to have a al fresco kind of feeling. The tables were beautiful and candles lit the entire room. It was very intimate and elegant! Great Job!

We were given a poem about Dorothy and all that she has meant to each of us!

And the food...UNBELIEVABLE! There was homemade chicken salad with hazelnuts (so good), lots of other kinds of sandwiches, salads, cookies, cake and much more...yummmm.

Over the past month women had been sending in their money for the dinner and a card that told Dorothy personally what she has meant to them. Shirley Howell (her best friend for many years) compiled this beautiful book. She had scrapbooked each page and filled it with cards and other personal touches. There was even a page filled with all the names of the studies Dorothy has led over the years...very neat!
Last but not least...the CAKE! Judy Garrett (a long time HUGE Georgia fan) got this Auburn themed cake for Dorothy...now THAT is real friendship!

Happy Birthday Dorothy! She does not have Internet (her choice) so I know she won't be reading this, but in my own scrapbook I want to remember her 70th birthday. Dorothy is family to us and we are so grateful that she is so healthy, happy, and filled with God's love and grace. She make a difference in so many lives...and I am grateful to be counted among them!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

We had a good time celebrating Cinco De Mayo today! The girls and I talked some about Mexico (especially since Jay has been there on a mission trip!) and what Cinco De Mayo means to Mexico. It seems to mean a whole lot more to those of us in the US than it does in Mexico I am told. But, it was a good opportunity to talk about Mexico and learn more about the culture...and eat YUMMY Mexican food for dinner!
We had tacos, quesadillas, taco salad, and the very best homemade guacamole in the world! I LOVE guacamole and I'm at least glad that it is really good for you since it is SO fattening!

After we ate a Mexican feast, we went to Little Caesar's Pizza for their churros...yummy! We ordered a set for each of us and they were fresh and steaming hot. We dipped them in chocolate and dulce de leche (or caramel) sauce and they were heavenly!

Virginia took Spanish 1 this spring at Timothy Ministry and she wanted to count in Spanish for us...enjoy this cutie pie...because we sure do! (When she gets braces I'm sure going to miss that little lisp...melt my heart!)

Weekend Memories...

This weekend we had a wonderful time enjoying friends and family. We started off with a trip to my mentor's home to have lunch, which we do at least once or twice a month. The girls love "Miss Dorothy" and her house. She sets out this amazing dollhouse filled with so many accessories that it boggles my mind! They play and play and play!

After about 2 hours of playing inside, they were ready to head out to enjoy the gorgeous day and her yard. They got out the sidewalk chalk and got to work. When Dorothy and I headed out to see what they were up to, we saw they had created a beach! They had drawn a towel to share...and if you look closely to the left you can see a cool glass of lemonade and a plate of desserts and a cute set of sunglasses! How creative. There is even an umbrella at the top to keep the sun away. How creative and cute these girlies are!

On Friday afternoon, we headed over to a local school to watch Seusissical the musical! Anli and Virginia took a musical theatre class this year at Timothy Ministry and their teacher's daughter was in this musical. So...their teacher bought her whole class tickets if they wanted to go! I don't pass up free...or musicals...and I had never seen this one. (Sorry it is sideways...I changed it...but something happened in the upload.)

The girls LOVED it and since we have read so many Dr. Seuss books, it was a blast to see them all put together in a new and creative way! The kids did a wonderful job and I couldn't believe some of them were just in middle and high school. The girls' teacher also did all the choreography for the musical too..and the girls enjoyed seeing her and her daughter. It was such a wonderful treat!

Saturday morning we also treated ourselves to Mickey Mouse pancakes! They were double chocolate chip with dark chocolate chunks...yummmm.

I had this fabric from last year and just never got the inspiration to use it...but on Saturday I had set aside time to make the girls new outfits for Disney! Jay was a HUGE help in every single way! He found the pattern for the Mickey ears online to use for the cut out, helped trouble shoot my sewing machine, cut out patterns, and even helped me sew! We had a great time and the girls helped too! Anli helped to sew on the Mickey face to the shirts and Virginia helped to cut.

I'll post a photo of them both in their outfits soon...we were able to finish them BOTH in just a few hours. I was really rusty since I hadn't used this pattern for the Capri pants since last year. It's really simple, but takes a bit of thought...and since my sewing machine wasn't thrilled to be making clothes for a Disney trip she wouldn't be going on...she gave us some trouble.

But, in the end...they are the CUTEST! Our whole family will have these shirts for our first day in the Magic Kingdom! Jay just loves this pattern and it something the whole family doesn't mind wearing. I have several more outfits to make this week to take along with us...but these were first priority!

That night, we headed to celebrate our friend Michael's' 30th birthday! It was such fun to see everyone and since the kids were all with sitters...it was just the adults and we really had a great time catching up.

Here's the group...it was such a BLAST! One couple brought their 3 WEEK old little boy. Oh my how cute and sweet he was. Happy Birthday Michael! What a great time we had!

Sunday was an insane day! We had our first annual Ignite conference complete with family picnic, inflatables for the kids, children's camp, and adult ministry conference. Jay and the education staff worked very hard on this and it was awesome! I learned so much and enjoyed hearing from our education staff.

The kids had a blast too! They played on inflatables, made frog cupcakes and little frog rocks (frog stands for Fully Relying On God), trail mix, and played games. Thanks to all those who volunteered to make that camp great fun for all the kids!

Jay did a great job and I always love the chance to hear him speak! We talked about our spiritual gifts, our personalities, and our passion in service. I pray that those who attended were as encouraged and challenged as I was! The youth praise band led worship and they did a great job!

Thanks to each person who made this conference go off without a hitch! I was blessed!