One of Those People

My cousin Ashley got married this weekend in Sioux City.  She is one of those people. The people that have creativeness in every bone of their bodies.  As much as I desperately want to be one of these people, I am pretty much the opposite.  This is a good explanation of why I had so much tulle at my wedding.  It didn't occur to me that there were other options.

Check out the work she put into her big day.
Everything was handmade.

Every program...

Every hair bow...

 

Every corsage...

Every boutonniere...

Every centerpiece...

Every menu...

Every thing was perfectly done.
And this was my favorite part...

20 kids (including my girls) coming down the aisle with a "Here Comes the Bride" sign. (Also carrying homemade pom pom's of course). How fun!

I'm in awe of all your work Ash!  It was such a beautiful and happy day!

Prayer for Today

We went to Sioux City, IA last weekend for my cousin's wedding and the scene there was heart wrenching.  Flooding.  Everywhere.  Farms completely wiped out, houses standing in water...and they are expecting the worst today.  The dams upstream are being let out full force today to prevent worse flooding upstream. 

Please pray for the people of Sioux City and those who live close to the Missouri River. Many of them will most likely lose homes, businesses, and life as they know it today.

I snapped a few pictures as we drove.

They have tried to prepare for it by sandbagging...

Pray that the flooding won't be as bad as they've feared.

 

Pray for strength for those who have already been affected.

Pray for hope for a new beginning.

Pray for comfort and peace in spite of what happens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week's verse

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

Bring Blake Home

This is my friend Anna and her girls.

I often tell her how proud I am of her determination and work ethic.  She's one of those annoying people that has great ideas and actually has the drive to put them into practice.  But most importantly, when the Lord lays something on her heart she runs with it and doesn't look back. I love this about her.

Her latest conviction?  Adoption.
Hesitation?  Not at all. 
Faith?  Amazing.
Heart?  Couldn't be bigger.

I'm proud to call her my friend.  Read about her adoption process HERE and learn how you can help her and Jerad bring Blake home! 

Click below to see and read about the new love of her life...




Grab This!

Little Faith

If you have grown up in the church (or not) you probably haven't escaped without hearing the story of Jesus walking on the water.  Reading this story is sometimes like reading my own life of faith.  Whenever the Lord asks me to do something, I pull a Peter...


Matthew's version: During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

My version:  You want me to do what?  No, that's way to scary.  Surely this isn't from the Lord?  It's probably Satan trying to trip me up...

But Jesus immediately said to them; "Take courage! It is I.  Don't be afraid."

Okay everything is pointing toward God.  My heart is changing, everything is falling into place, this has to be the Lord.  Maybe I can do this thing he's asked of me but, I need some proof.  I need him to tell me one more time. Then I will do it.

"Come," he said.

Okay, it's definitely the Lord.  I will do what you ask Lord.  I'm so excited! I may be a little scared but I know I can do it with your help - for you didn't give me a spirit of fear!  I am following the Lord, I know I'm in his will, what a great feeling. I know he wants this for my life.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Lord, was I really supposed to do this?  I could've sworn I heard you telling me to go for it.  But now the excitement has worn off and I feel defeated.  Nothing is going right.  You need to remind me again...is this really what you want for me?

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Sorry, Lord. You're right, my faith is even tinier than a mustard seed. Not even visible. I'm ashamed of my lack of faith when your call was so clear. Forgive me.

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Truly it was you, the Son of God! You are my confidence and my hope. The Lord be exalted!

******************************************************

This week's verse:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

Never too late for a Comeback Line

When I went home (to South Dakota) last week, do you want to know the first thing my brother said to me?  Never mind that I haven't seen him for months.

Well, I was wearing these jean capris:

And he said, "Geez Tami, what are you trying to do? Recapture your youth?"

Yes, if you don't have a little brother, everything you've heard is true.

*****Little brothers are, in fact, extremely annoying.****

Even when they are in their 20's.

Of course I couldn't think of any good comebacks at the time, so I pretended to cry on my husband's shoulder. This comment did hit a little close to home though, because I had just had a mid-life crisis discussion with my husband and Dan only solidified my fears.

Oh no! I can't pass for a college student anymore! (For some reason this has always been my measuring stick for youth.)

So after much thought, I decided that he deserves to hear my comeback lines. Here are a few that have been swirling around in my head:

1. I happen to know that both Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz wear jeans with holes in them.  And they are older than me!  (I know, weak)

2. Oh yeah, well I heard jeans with manure stains on them went out of style last year, so you're screwed too!  (picture my tongue sticking out here)

3. Thank you for the fashion advice Mrs. Joan Rivers.

4. You're such an idiot Dan! (this is usually my go-to line)

5. (There is also mimicking his words in a high pitched voice which would have been a last resort, but not out of the question in this circumstance)

Okay so I haven't worn these jean capris again.....
Does it matter that I was in my 20's when I purchased them?
They may or may not have come from Charlotte Russe...