Prayer

I've prayed my entire life, but I never feel like I am good at prayer. Does that make sense? I always feel like there is a super secret way to pray that I don't know about. Don't get me wrong, I still pray, continuously, but half the time I just feel silly. I mean, do I pray out loud, on my knees, hands folded, quietly to myself? I know God listens no matter what, but its still probably one of the only things in my life that I am overly critical. I think we all struggle to be the perfect Christian/wife/woman/sister/friend/mom and this is (for now) my biggest struggle. I know as I work to fulfill all of those roles I will have many more struggles come along. I think the reason I am self critical is because we did not really pray out loud when I was young. We prayed at dinner, but I can't remember praying before bed, etc. I really hope once we have kids, we teach them otherwise. Perhaps this is why I battle this now, so that I will hopefully pray the best way that I am comfortable with when my children get here.

That being said, I have been in prayer constantly for the past few weeks. First about a major change that may happen in our lives and now about the entire south. Have you seen the videos and pictures coming out of Alabama last night? It's horrifying and heartbreaking. I prayed all night long. I woke up praying. If you haven't seen or heard the devastation, first of all you are probably living under a rock, but second of all you really need to look it up and immediately start praying, no matter how, about the people in the south, particularly Alabama, they've lost 58 lives as of now. 

As for the change, please keep us in your prayers as we navigate new waters and try our best to listen to where the Lord is leading us. I'll share more as we know more. Thank you.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Psalm 5:11

Wordless Wednesday {well, almost}

He's going to kill me for posting this ;)




Also, please pray for our state....



(Romance, AR)



(Vilonia, AR)

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Come Awake, Come Awake!

I have been singing this song all day. I think it is my my new favorite Easter song! Listen to the chorus, it's such truth and it is wonderful!!

And this is Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill singing at the AMC Girl's Night Out. I had tears, chills and was praising Jesus watching this. It's beautiful.




Happy Easter, friends!!

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 30 - something you've learned}

I'm almost 26 years old. There is a lot that I have learned. I know there is a lot more for me to learn, and I am always open to learn new things. But I think the most important thing I have learned is to love. I have learned that it is important to love everything and everyone. It's probably why I don't eat meat because I see a chicken and think how much I love that little chicken and couldn't bare to eat it. ;) 

These are some of my favorite verses. I got a few of these from Meme's funeral. She taught Tyler and the rest of his family to love, also. And she loved unconditionally. She loved me from the moment we met. And I knew it.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people" Philemon 7 (this was on our wedding invitations)

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

"My beloved is mine and I am his" Song of Solomon 2:16

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Weekend Recap

This past week we had some pretty terrible storms in our town. Our house is okay, we have some roof damage and a few limbs down, but other than that, nothing major. We lost power for about 4 hours. Saturday before we headed to England for Meme's funeral, I asked Tyler to drive around our neighborhood to see some damage my mom had told me about. I was in awe of what "straight line winds" could do to our little area.

We spent the rest of the day celebrating Meme's life on this earth with family. It was a beautiful service and we felt very blessed to have the love and support of so many people. We were very worried that it was going to be a difficult day with the family, but they all behaved pretty well. After the funeral, we went to help Tyler's uncle unload the flowers at his house then went with him to see T's great aunt Hazel. She is in her 90's, blind, almost deaf, with the best sense of humor ever. I have no doubt in my mind why she and Meme were such great friends. 

When we left the family for the day, we headed home to take a little nap then went to our sisters-in-laws birthday party. Amanda is 31 and Sarah is 30 and they share a birthday! How fun! When we pulled up to the restuarant I realized one of my best friends, who I haven't seen in about 4 months was working! Even better, she was working the party room. So I got to not only see my family, but got to have a great talk with Laura. I may have done a happy dance when I saw her car parked outside. :)

Today we went to church and were so very blessed. The man who preached this morning happened to make it to the funeral to support us yesterday. He preached on being welcome and being loved. He read the back of Meme's memorial service program to the entire church and said that he could tell she was a wonderful, loving, fun woman. He never met her and I am so glad he got a sense of who she was just by being there yesterday.

After church we had lunch with some friends at El Chico. Yum! Then we went to Wildwood Park's "Bloom" festival. Ashley tweeted about it this morning and I am so glad she did because we loved it. And I even got to meet her and her sweet family in person! 

We participated in a cupcake walk... But Tyler made it a cupcake dance. ;)

He's got mad skillz.

We ended the weekend by going to see my grandparents and check out their garden progress. :) 

I am really hoping this coming week is way less eventful than this past one!

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 29 - a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately}

So many options. But, because this has the word "recently," I'm going with the most recent change in my life.

Last fall we started the hunt for a new church. The church we were going to was just too big and too far from home. Tyler works a lot of Sundays and I just wasn't enjoying or going on a regular basis. I was uncomfortable going to a large church by myself. That church had about 6000 members. Journey has about 20. I found Journey doing a google search of churches in my area and realized that I thought I knew the pastor's wife through blogging. I guess I didn't know her, but I had read her blog! I emailed and asked a lot of questions and Jill was great answering every. single. one. We visited multiple churches last fall and kept being pulled back to JC. I now know why. They are a family. And now we are part of that family. I love seeing these people twice a week. I love that we are a small church. I love that SO much of our study is biblically based. I love that I have been challenged to growing closer to the Lord. But most of all, I love that I have grown closer to my husband. Don't get me wrong, we've always been close. But forcing us both to grow closer to God has made us pull closer together. I love Journey Church and they have impacted my life more than I could've ever imagined.

30 Day Photo Challenge {Day 28 - someone that inspires you}

I have so many people who inspire me, but I'm sticking with three, otherwise this post could get pretty wordy.

 My Mama

She is a fantastic mother. She is a very strong woman and has raised me to be the same. I appreciate her more than words can express and really am inspired to be as strong as she is.

My Mimi

She is my mom's mom and I'm her favorite grandkid. She'll tell you that too. :) She is also a very strong woman and has helped to guide me through life and make me the woman I am today.

Tyler's MeMe

This is Tyler's Meme. She inspires me because of who Tyler is. She really helped make him the wonderful man that he is. She was a classic southern woman. She was an amazing, crazy (in a good way), super fun little old lady. I am so very blessed to have known her. And I am so blessed that she raised the man I love. Thank you all for praying for us during this time. We love you and miss you, Meme.