"Good morning, Beautiful."

That’s what I heard as I rolled up to the second window at McDonalds. “Good morning, Beautiful.”

It was delivered so exactly as I arrived at the open window to pay, that it must have been perfectly planned by the two high school boys waiting with mischievous and satisfied smiles lighting their eyes as I pulled to a stop at their window. I smiled to myself, my mind repeating the words again in my head as I dug out my debit card and passed it through the window.

“Good morning . . . beautiful?”

Did they regret saying it the minute it crossed the tip of their tongue? Whether they were going off of my voice or had surveillance of the drive thru line to know I was female, were they not totally shocked when in real life I was just a 27 year old wearing no make up with wet hair lying limp against my head? I began wondering if they made a mistake, or were being facetious? Maybe they were trying to be smooth like the Starbucks people who call everyone “hun” or “love” or “sweetie.”

Whatever it was, I laughed to myself as I pulled away, (remembering too, that normally it only takes one person at the window to take money), and thought they are either really silly and just like to get reactions out of people, or they are laughing their heads off over their mistake.

I will never know. But, it was an amusing way to start the day, for them and for me. :)

Things I Love!

1. A quiet evening at home on the couch with hubby, perusing cell phone options on line.


2. Mornings when both Justin and I are home and getting ready to go to work!


3. Afternoons, just hours before departing for a mother/daughter reunion in another state.


4. Brisk walks over the lunch hour in dressy slacks and tennis shoes.


5. Answering questions about my Christmas card photo taken in Uganda.


6. Packing light in my new Vera Bradley (on sale) duffel bag.


7. Knowing sweet husband will pick me up at the airport when I return.


8. God's blessing, over and abundant beyond anything I can ask or think!


9. His Word and time alone with Him.


10. Peace. That passes all understanding.

(And I wasn't trying for ten...just came out that way :)

It's a Faith Thing

Bend

Push Off

Flailing Limbs

Scream, Blink, Rejoice

Faith

~

Did you know that life sold out for Christ is a bigger adventure than you can know while you're standing on the edge?

Did you know that when Christ takes hold of your heart, it will beat to the drum of all the nations represented at the throne of Christ in heaven one day?

Did you know that when your soul begins to understand the True Light of "Christ in me" it will no longer be satisfied with artificial light.

Did you know that by faith - in the Creator, Sustainer, Healer, Lover, Savior, Director, King and Father - you can learn your true purpose and meaning on

this earth: to love God and glorify Him ALWAYS so that

those around you see Him when they look at you

SO THAT they will also believe and Glorify His Name!

~

Are you just looking at the water from a distance?

Are you barely sticking your toe in the river?

or Have you jumped with abandon into the flow of His mercy, love and glory!

THANKS GIVING

Give thanks.
With a grateful heart.

Give thanks.
In humility.

Give thanks.
With awe for what our God has done.

Give thanks.
For your family.

Give thanks.
For all the friends you have.

Give thanks.
Never forgetting, our God is so good.

Give thanks.
Not reservedly.

Give thanks.
With all that is within your soul.

Give thanks.
With awe for what our God has done.

Give thanks.
That Jesus saved you.

Give thanks.
For the complete victory.

Give thanks.
Never forgetting, our God is so good.

Give thanks.

*What is your favorite song of thanksgivng or praise this season?

Have You Found Your Place?

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=427107288171

What a Mighty God We Serve! - Sudan Digest 1

We've been home from Sudan now for a week. I'm still not sure I can believe it is over. God did wonderful things in the villages of Southern Sudan and in and through the lives of our team.

I've been avoiding posting pictures partly in an effort to wait for photos from other team members :), but also becuase I wasn't sure I was ready to publicly discuss the things that those pictures represent. Last night, I felt it was time to begin the public digest. Maybe this will be the first and last, I don't know. But for now, it gives me a place to glorify God for all that He is and all He is doing.

It's just a highlight summary, but it's what I've got today. God is a mighty God, and I praise Him for everything He has done on this grip.

· Waking up to the crow of local roosters.
· Rain drops so big it seemed I could walk between them.
· Tucking myself in every night into my very own “canopy” bed.
· Passing out sandwiches, boiled eggs, and crackers to the villagers at lunch.
· Showering by head lamp early each morning, only after Justin checked for bugs.
· Sharing the gospel in the shade of trees, and at the home of many families.
· Shaking innumerable hands of new friends
· Calming an upset orphan boy simply by rocking him and holding him close.
· Teaching primary school kids how to make elephant trunks for Noah’s Ark.
· Eating pork and chips, rice and beans, fried eggs and bread.
· Bumping up and down out of dirt road potholes
· Worshiping Jesus under the mango trees
· Responding to Christ’s divine appointments
· Watching as the Lord confirmed His Word by laying it on my heart, and then later also on the hearts of others on the team
· Baby goats.
· Termite mounds.
· Teak wood.
· Humble testimonies and genuine questions.
· Being mistaken for a Chinese person

Humility

Without my Savior, where would I be,

Without His mercy, that covers me?

Should guilt befall my soul too great,

Not one step more, be able to take.

A wall would grow, one step at a time,

Above my heart, my strength and my mind.

Instead His mercy, unearned; undeserved,

Rained down my cheek; warm, unreserved.

Rains down my cheek, trickles off my nose,

All down my arms, puddling at my toes.

Not a sprinkle, this love; an undying flood,

Flows from His hand, eternally above.

And paints a portrait, too beautiful to see,

His righteousness, grace, enveloping me.

Not quickly or briefly, once here and now gone,

But daily, continually, on and on.

May my heart not forget His transformation,

And ne'er forsake this so great salvation.

In humility bow, with sincerity glowing,

Thankful life in His hand, eternally growing.

Without my Savior, where would I be?

But in His mercy, He sanctifies me!