Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Power

Matthew 27:50-53
"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people."

Matthew 28:2 & 5-6
"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it...
The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'"

What astonishing physical demonstrations of God's mighty MIGHTY power!!!! AMAZING! Astounding!!! It's overwhelming!

It makes me want to SHOUT ~

"Hallelujah!! Thank you, Jesus! Lord, You're worthy of all the honor and all the glory and all the praise!!!"


But here is the crazy thing, the thing that is almost too much to wrap my mind around, the thing that leaves me dumb-founded ~

Ephesians 1:18-21
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

WHAT?! Did that say what I thought it did?

YES! That same miraculous, astonishing, amazing, astounding, overwhelming, earth-shaking, rock-splitting power that God demonstrated in those moments is the same power that lives in us who believe in Him!

And THEN check out this ~

1 Corinthians 6:14
By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

Wow...there's nothing more to say! I'm once again left speechless.

Check out "How Did They Miss It?"

Monday, March 29, 2010

Anticipating...

Greatness!!!!

1 Samuel 12:16 "Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes"

Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things
and that no plan of yours can be ruined."

Friday, March 26, 2010

My First Camping Trip...

...where to begin...

It all started one cold dark dreary night...

ok ok...I won't be that dramatic...but yesterday was cold, dark, and dreary!

Let me start by saying; yes, this was my first camping trip ever! At least, that I can remember. Camping to my family was the Holiday Inn or the car parked in the driveway (great memories!) and I was perfectly happy that way! Lee grew up in a family who camped (tent camped) all the time; every spring, summer, and fall, many times a year.
In our ten year marriage, Lee had tried several times to convince me to go camping, but I had been reluctant. My reasons being; we didn't have the "supplies", the boys were a little young, blah, blah, blah. He would relent, but I knew it wouldn't be long. My time to camp was coming.
On Tuesday, we went to Devil's Den. That night I mentioned to Lee that I thought it might be fun to go camping on Thursday night. It took nothing more than that! Lee jumped into action and before I knew it we had all the supplies we would need for the Woods' Great Camping Adventure. I was genuinely excited. I have, in recent history, developed a real love for hiking and biking with my family, so this couldn't be that much different...right?
Thursday morning came and so did the torrential downpour. Always the optimist, Lee decided to just wait out the rain and go as scheduled. I think he thought if we backed out now, he might never get me out there! :) So we waited, and waited, and waited. By about three, we decided to just go ahead and head for our reserved campsite at Devil's Den. We had such great plans...so many dreams of what our first camping experience as a family would be like. We would fish, hike, hang out around a roaring fire, sleepy snug and cozy in our tent, get up in the morning for bacon and eggs, and then do a bit more fishing and hiking. Such great expectations!
We arrived at the visitors center around 4:30. The park ranger informed us we would need to buy some dry wood for a fire. After purchasing our coveted wood, we headed to the campsite. With adventurous spirits, we began to set up camp. There was a definite chill in the air to say the least.
After setting up our tent, we realized that it is much MUCH smaller than previously thought. We, thankfully, have a queen-sized air mattress, but that barely fit. "Hmmm...", we thought, "this might be a bit of a squeeze..."
Next, came building our roaring fire. It didn't take long to realize that the "dry" wood that they sold us, was not dry at all. Two and a half hours later, around 8:30, we finally had a small, yet constant, fire. At that point, the chill is gone and it is cold.
Needing to eat, we pull out the food for dinner only to find that the skillet and hot dog sticks we were sure we packed were nowhere to be found. Through some finagling, we finally ate. As unbalanced as it was, at least we ate.
"It will all be better tomorrow", we said, "Let's just go to bed." So off we went to our warm snuggly tent...
YA RIGHT!!!
No amount of blankets or body heat keep 28 degrees out...and it was more than a little snug. The boys; who were, by some miracle, warm; burrowed down in the middle and would wake up in the night crying about being squished. Lee and I, who were sleeping against the tent walls and would wake up in the night crying about being frozen! I'm not exaggerating about the crying, there was a lot of it! It was truly miserable! The only thing keeping us from escaping to the van, was the fact that we were sure getting out from under the covers and sprinting to the van would be even more miserable. Even Lee, our fearless camping leader, said that that was the most miserable night of camping he has ever had.

At this time, I would like to make two points ~
1. A bald head looses a lot of heat, especially when the owner of said bald head forgets a stocking cap. As you know, I have no hair. Miserable!!!
2. No one told me that when it is cold outside AND has been pouring rain all day, that some pretty hardcore condensation builds up on the inside of the tent. Evidently, this causes anything that touches the tent walls (Me, Lee, our blankets, our pillows) to become cold and wet. Miserable!!!

That morning, 6:30am, the boys and I abandoned the tent for the van and it's heater.
Lee abandoned the tent for the campground bathrooms. Our fearless leader was down for the count. Stomach issues while camping = MISERABLE!!! I won't go into details, but this went on ALL morning. After many trots (pardon the pun!) to the bathrooms, he finally found some relief in the form of a little miracle! Our friends, Lance, Jennifer, and the kids, were camping in their camper directly behind us! He happened to have some stomach medicine on hand, and after a while...that seemed to do the trick. While Lee was feeling a little better (meaning he wasn't doubled over and he wasn't running towards the john), we quickly loaded up our campsite.
Thinking that the worst was behind us, we headed out to do some fishing...that didn't last long. The fearless leader's iron stomach revolted and he was off to the bathrooms again. At that point, we recognized defeat, gave up, and headed home. That was the longest drive from West Fork to Rogers! We all agreed that our home, showers, jamies, and beds have never felt so good, or been so appreciated!

At this time, I would like make a few optimistic points~
1. We got to make some memories! Ones that, shockingly, we are already laughing about!
2. We got to share some experiences and received much needed encouragement and help from some friends we haven't seen in a while! Thank you Faddis'!!!
3. Finally, in the warmth of the 11:30am sun, I could see how camping might be fun! As a matter of fact, I am more than willing to give it another go! Does that make me a little crazy? Yes!!! Am I excited to make more memories with my little family? Absolutely!!! Besides, camping can surely only get better from here...right? :)

However, all that said, this camping option......is looking more and more appealing!!!

PS. This story has been read, verified, and approved by Lee! :)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

He Hideth My Soul...

In the cleft of the Rock!

Psalm 18:1-3
"I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my
Rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised"


Psalm 61:2
"From the end of the earth I will cry to You,When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the
Rock that is higher than I."

Devil's Den

We went hiking today! I love to be outside in the midst of the beauty that God has created for us with the three people that I love most on the earth!We had a late picnic lunch and then set off hiking Devil's Den trail. It was so much fun!!!He makes me laugh!! HAHA!!!

It was a gorgeous day! The weather couldn't have been more perfect! It was a little strange walking around in short sleeves with snow still on the ground. We caved a bit and that was a story all in it's own! :) We forgot a flashlight and thought we would follow a group of teenagers who were in front of us who had a flashlight with them! Ya...I know! :/ They left us in the dust...or in the pitch dark, as the case was! Good thing we didn't have to wait very long for another group to come along that DID think to bring a flashlight and who were as slow moving as we were! Lesson learned!!!!
Lee wasn't the biggest fan of the cave. There were lots of bats and he recently had a tramatic experience that included a large bat! HAHA!!!! THAT is a story that you need to ask him about! It's HILARIOUS!!!! Both boys said that I was the bravest girl they knew! They spent the whole time telling people (strangers, mind you!) that they had the "Greatest Mom EVER!!! She is the bravest!" They were VERY proud of me! They make me laugh too! :)

We have been here before. We have hiked this same trail. But today seemed different somehow! The beauty around us was just...just...breath-taking, astounding, awe-inspiring, it made my heart and my mouth sing the Creator's praises! I wish that my camera could have somehow been able to capture the true beauty around us! I tried though! :)
Today, I was overcome anew with the wonder and power of the majesty of the Lord! To think that there is NOTHING on earth as beautiful as He is! WOW!!! I couldn't stop thinking about this verse ~

Psalm 8:3-4 "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

I also couldn't get the song "Beautiful One" out of my head! Lee and I may have sang it rather loudly down the trail! We just couldn't help it! Praises to our MAJESTIC Creator were just spilling out of our mouths!! :)

Beautiful One

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are


Beautiful One I love


Beautiful One I adore


Beautiful One my soul must sing!!!!


Powerful so powerful
Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see


The beauty of your majesty
Awakes my heart to see
How marvelous how wonderful you are!!!!


Beautiful One I love


Beautiful One I adore


Beautiful One I my soul must sing!!!!


You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love

Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as You!!!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Braden

Our baby is seven...SEVEN!!! WOW! I can't believe it!! Oh, how I love this boy! So much it makes my heart ache! I have been truly blessed beyond measure! He is one of the funniest people I know. He is the greatest snuggle bug. He is a thinker and a planner. He loves music and loves to sing! He is a terrific little brother and big "bubba" cousin. He is kind and loving. He has a heart for the Lord! I pray that he will continue following the Lord daily and falling in-love with Him more and more! I am so proud to call Braden, my son!!!

Our little Smoochie Cheeks!
(How cute are they? I mean, really?)

(Bro. Braden Boogie!)

STILL our little Smooch!

At Chuck-E-Cheese tonight celebrating! :)

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY, BRADEN CHARLES aka. SMOOCH!!!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Laughter

I love to laugh! Doesn't a really great laugh just make you feel SO much better? I love ANY kind of laughter; from the smallest giggle to the "can't catch your breath, wheezy, sides aching" kind of laugh! I just really love to laugh! Even as I write, I'm getting the giggles thinking about all the other people in my life who crack me up! You guys are CRAZY....and you know who you are!!! ;)

Isn't it amazing that we serve and worship the One that made laughter, who gave us the ability to do that? He loves laughter too! Haven't you ever just been so blown away by His awesomeness, that you can do nothing else but just laugh!? I have! He loves doing that for us! He loves it when our joy in Him just spills over! That is the BEST kind of laughter!

Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Laughter.....What a great gift from God!

PS. Kimber and Adam...I miss you and I miss laughing with you!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Marriage

I haven't blogged in a LONG time! We have been insanely busy, but starting next week things will start slowing down! I have so much to blog about! The Lord has and is doing some incredible stuff in my life, but more on that later. :)

I was reading a post today about marriage and came a crossed a few quotes that I found worthy of sharing!

"A happy marriage is made up of two forgivers." ~ Ruth Bell Graham

"When you marry someone, you are entrusted with the heart of another human being. Whatever else your life's great mission will entail, loving and defending this heart next to you is part of your great quest." ~ John Eldredge

"(In marriage) you do have an enemy, and it is not your spouse. The sooner you come to terms with that, the better." ~ Stasi Eldredge

"marriage is a perfect storm because your brokenness and sin collide in devastating precision with your spouse's. Yet God is in that, because He is using your marriage to transform you." ~ John Eldredge

"The moment we decide to throw more energy into fighting for our mate than with him, the crack of a fist on the enemy's jaw splits the ears of angels." ~ Beth Moore

Wow! We do indeed have an enemy that hates marriage. One who hates OUR marriage, and is actively looking to destroy it. My husband is NOT my enemy and I am NOT his!!! We are joined together through Christ, we are a God built team! He put us together for a purpose. He uses our marriages to make us more like Him! We are in a war everyday, but we war not again flesh and blood! We are called to fight, but instead of fighting one another, let's turn and fight the true enemy together, getting our strength and power from the true Victorious One! Through HIM, we are OVERWHELMINGLY conquerors!

Nehemiah 4:14 "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."