5 Things Friday

I seem to be a sucker one who likes to jump in with other folks and their lists and posts and such. In keeping with that, I am joining Jean Stockdale and her Five things Friday. Why not? I'm always up for some fellowship, even if it is taking place in cyberspace. My list, however, will be 5 Things I am Praying for (feel free to join me in these too).

1. Our house selling, SOON!! (Come on, you knew that would be on there...if you have been reading this blog over the past three weeks)
2. The marriages of two different friends. My heart is so sad over these situations, but, I believe God is still good and is capable of working wonders miracles here.
3. Having another child. Do people get this personal? Well, guess I do. We do not want our girl to be an only child, praying for her to have a sibling within a year (and for me to not gain a lot of weight when I am pregnant. hee hee). I am also hoping, and currently working on, losing 20 lbs before becoming pregnant again. Who knows which will come first though!
4. For our friends who are also considering moving! Praying for jobs to open up, for an ease in selling their house, and a smooth transition back home.
5. Our government. Need I say more?

Thursday's thoughts

Really, it's Thursday?

Now that our house is up for sell, I sweep daily, dust and vacuum twice a week, and do other cleaning once a week. It's getting O-L-D!

AdvoCare is having a super cool deal right now, the Trim Bundle. Three AMAZING products (MNS Max 3, Catalyst, aka: lipo in a bottle, and ThermoPlus) all for just $80! Click here to order if you are looking for a way to feel great and lose weight. This special is good until Tuesday at midnight.

My child will be 15 months old on Sunday. Wow, where does time go?

I LOVE the Fit Camp class I am doing at the rec, but I sure do miss D1!

It's rained everyday this week, and it's not supposed to stop until next Tuesday. The good news is our yard will be pretty and green for viewings, the bad news is I'm not sure when we'll get to mow it!

I have been in and out of "funky" moods, which annoys me, to no end. And, I'm sure it makes life less than fabulous for those around me.

I am seriously considering going back to work when we move. If I could work out the schedule correctly (with the help of my folks), I might just go back to training for a while. No final decisions yet, but, what's the hurry? We have to move first.

The cute little pic at the top of this post, as well as the whole "Thursdays Thoughts" thing is brought to you by Jen, over at Following the Footsteps.

Finally, I am quite sure this is the most yawn enducing list...EVER! Oh well.

Be amazed - WFW

Be amazed - WFW
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Habakkuk 1:5
Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days -- You would not believe if you were told.

Sometimes, scripture leads me to write more, to expand, to share. But sometimes, I come across a scripture that speaks loudly and wonderfully enough on its own. Actually, they all do. But today, I feel enough is said with the verse alone. Enjoy.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

Interesting you say that...but I can explain

Our house is for sell (anyone out there want to come buy it?), and has been for two and a half weeks. That is not a long time, unless you are me, and you want to head out west. In fact, I am trapped in a perpetual funk, sometimes it is a mere pesky fly buzzing around my head, and sometimes it is a train running me over. But, it's there, the funk and all its funkness. I know our house has not been on the market long, I know God is taking care of it, and I know I want to be home!

As Andy and I were discussing this the other day, he made an interesting comment. I had just finished weaving my tale of how the hands of insanity were wrapping her bony fingers around my neck when he said, "It's funny to me that you can do the workouts you do and love them so much, you thrive on them. But this has you so frustrated so quickly." Point taken, but I can explain.

The workouts I choose to do, and was choosing to be a part of, were and are tough, very tough. They are as much physical as they are mental (like Monday, doing a total of 300 push ups, sit ups, leg lifts, and squats, on my own accord). But, and here is the catch, I know the end point. I know, more or less, how long the workouts will last. I know the line to which I must run, the place the reps will end, and the moment I will find rest. Every part of the workout is set and determined, and I see the finish line, every single time.

But getting to Texas? I do not know when that is going to be taking place. And, therein lies the problem. The hands of insanity also come at me as I am constantly cleaning because I never know when we will get a call that someone wants to see the house. First impressions are everything here, and I am aware of that, and more keenly aware of the details of my surroundings. I do this, with a young child and a husband who aren't as attentive to said details.

So, he is right, I should be able to apply some portion, a morsel, of how I tackle my workout regimen to handling this moment in life. But I haven't, and I don't, and I am not sure how. Somewhere in my head is the voice saying, "God is taking care of this too! Just hold on!!!" I nod in agreement while also wanting to slug that voice as I retort, "Tell him to hurry!" It's true. I think I need that quiet place to sit and listen, to remember that God has always held true to His promises, that what He has said will come to be.

But for me, those moments are usually found not in a dimly lit room with softly playing music, but among weights, sprints, and plyometric drills, as music pulses the air.

Rebuke!

Follow the directions below for an incredible discussion on giving and receiving rebuke. Yea, it's a good one.

1. Go to http://www.strongtowerbiblechurch.com/
2. Click on "sermons" in the left column
3. Click on "7.26.09 "The Art of Giving and Receiving Rebuke"

Bullet Point Monday

• My daughter did not wake up until 8:30 am, it was great! I would appreciate her doing that every morning, except for on Wednesday; I have a fit camp class at 8:30 am Wednesday. But otherwise, sleep on girl!
• Another marriage is in trouble. Another set of friends, another set of problems, another need for prayer. The attacks are increasing. As I told Andy, "what better way to attack the church than to attack the families that it consists of?" Ugh, it leaves me both saddened and sickened, and with a great desire to knock some sense into the husband's thick skull.
• No buyers for our house yet. Yes, I have thrown a bit of a spoiled American girl tantrum on said topic. I can admit it, freely. Our minds are already checked out (a bad habit of mine), but more importantly, we want to be with our family!!!!
• Our society has no idea what "conflict resolution" means, or how to go about it for that matter. Need proof? Read this post by my incredible writer friend.
• If I were in charge of the news, there would be no stories of murders, no crazy women with 8 kids would be glorified, no divorcing stars would be mentioned, nor would their extramarital acts. Instead, I would highlight the good samaritans, those actually choosing to make the world a better place. And showing of a gangs "artwork"? Not a chance on my news show!
• Having to keep the house uber clean everyday might just make me crazy. Completely, 100% crazy.
• Yes, I want to have a buyer for this house and to be moving west. But all in all? Life is good. Great husband, the most adorable little girl ever, and some good friends to boot.

Funky funk

A funk. That is the best way to describe my current disposition. Completely, totally, one hundred percent, in a funk. Why? We have not found a buyer for our house. Monday it will have been on the market for two whole weeks. I know, this is not a long time, at all. However, I would by lying if I said it was a week longer than I would like. I want to be home, with our family, walking out the next adventure for our household. I want to be there, not here.

Will I miss people here? Definitely, but my heart longs so deeply to be where family is. Selling our house (and finding one in Texas) are the only pieces left of the puzzle. The only pieces that remain, and friends, it's driving.me.mad.

This week has been the week that lasted a thousand days, and too much time has been spent wanting a buyer NOW! Not only is the waiting making me crazy, but my girl is teething and spent an incredible amount of time crying wailing this week during her normal napping time. Tuesday the wailing lasted three hours, Wednesday for 2 or 2.5, Thursday for an hour. Today, thankfully, she cried for a moment then fell asleep. My nerves would not have been able to take it. I give her all necessary remedies to help her, but when the girl is worked up, the girl is worked up (quit laughing Mom! I know what you are thinking!!!).

My friend came over for our weekly prayer time today and I told her, "Well, I gotta be honest. My emotions are sitting on the edge of the cliff and they are about to teeter off. Whether I will end up screaming or crying, I just do not know yet." I know the reasons we must wait, I know the scriptures, I know the lessons. I know. I know. I know. But yes, it still causes me some friction. I know God is taking care of things, but I wanted that done yesterday. I want it to happen now. But yes, I know He is still God, and He hasn't gone anywhere.

The bright spot of the week came last night during my husband's retelling how he slayed a fly. But, I was just told not to blog about it. Leave it to him to make a simple, "I killed a fly," into a tale that had me laughing so hard I was crying and unable to breathe. Oh that man, he's a funny one. I laughed at him and informed him it took an unusually extended amount of time to tell his story. His reply? "Well, you would have just gone and written some long blog post about it." Good point honey, good point.

Thursday's Thoughts

Every Thursday, Jen, over at Following the Footsteps posts her Thursday Thoughts, complete with the cute little graphic you see here. Never one to miss a party, I decided to jump on board this week. I know, you are shaking with excitement concerning what thoughts I may have, but please, try to control yourselves.

1. Teething stinks. I, having all my teeth, don't remember this time in my own life, but based on my child's current state, I'm making this assumption. It involves swollen gums, slight fever, a runny nose, and a hard time going to sleep. Did I mention the THREE HOURS of crying the other day? Yea, no one wins in this game friens.
2. There was a showing for our house today. I am praying that the person viewing the house feels a very loud "YES" down to their core, resulting in an offer this afternoon.
3. Waiting stinks...yep, waiting for the house to sell. Come on thought #2!!!
4. I can put together a very tough workout. A friend of mine joined me at the gym on Monday, and chose to do the workout I had planned. A total of 300 squats (150 push ups, 150 lunges, and a couple hundred of other exercises) later, I am still sore. But, it feels so good too. Warped, I know.
5. This is, by far, the best season of So You Think You Can Dance! Last night, Ade and Melissa did a routine that told the story of a woman's battle with breast cancer. The entire place was in tears! It was extremely moving and such an incredible performance. Life represented in art, and done so beautifully, oh it was good! In fact, click here to view it.
6. And, my final thought on this Thursday afternoon is (insert drum roll here).....it's time for a nap.

WFW-Fishers of Men

WFW-Fishers of Men
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Mark 1:17:
And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

I love the fact Jesus is about others. He cares, deeply, for other people. He does not tell his disciples that He will make them rich, that they will be famous, or their lives will become easy; He tells them they will be about other people.

Yesterday I realized I have been more about myself and our situation. We are ready to head west, the only thing left is to sell our house here. And so, we wait. Ick, waiting. Patience. Cast out the line and wait for the bite. Ho hum ho hum, twiddle dee dee, twiddle dee dee. I would much prefer to sprint ahead, but, right now, I am stuck at the starting gate. And, I might be going crazy because of it. With that realization I decided, it is time to be more about others than myself (isn't that the point anyway, something we should be doing daily?).

Last week, while we were hanging out with family in North Carolina last week, we were able to enjoy some time on the boat, and I enjoyed watching my sister in law and nieces and nephews fish. At one point, my sister in law, having become frustrated said, "You know, people think fishing is really easy, but it is not!" I smiled and giggled a little, how true sister, how true.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

Religion Saves...and Nine Other Misconceptions

Being able to read a book that is open, honest, and to the point, and then sharing said book with others is always an opportunity I will take. Enter, Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions by Mark Driscoll to the table. What I love best about Driscoll's writing is that it is both direct and scripture based. When addressing the nine questions presented in the book, he does not give his own summations, but what the Bible says about those topics. He does so without being "politically correct" and without fear of stepping on a toe here and there. He presents the truth, and does not apologize for it.

While some may be offended by his pointedness, others will, indeed, enjoy his humor displayed throughout the book. He has fun with this and though never straying from being honest, he also had me laughing, quite often. However, I am one who enjoys with people do not sugar coat the truth, and Mark certainly does not.

I am sure many will not find Driscoll to be one to tickle their funny bone, nor will they appreciate his scripture based responses (he digs deep, and does not solely rely on so called experts on any given topic), but he does tackle the questions presented head on. He is not afraid to discuss areas of life most would shy away from. And on that fact alone, I think he is wonderful. Go on, pick up the book, prepare to be enlightened, convicted, and to learn.


About the book:
Religion Saves:
And Nine Other Misconceptions



After 343,203 online votes on the Mars Hill Church website, nine questions for Pastor Mark Driscoll emerged as the ones most urgently calling for answers.



Inspired by 1 Corinthians, in which Paul answers a series of questions posed by the people in the Corinthian church, Pastor Mark Driscoll set out to determine the most controversial questions among visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. In the end, 893 questions were asked and 343,203 votes were cast. The top nine questions are now each answered in a chapter of Religion Saves.

After an introductory chapter devoted to the misconception that religion is what saves us, Driscoll tackles nine issues: birth control, humor, predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church, and the regulative principle. Because the purpose of this book is to address commonly asked questions, all readers will find relevant, engaging material, written in Driscoll's distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style.



In his distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style, Pastor Mark Driscoll addresses the nine most controversial questions posed by visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. This book is part of the Re:Lit series.



Link to buy the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Religion-Saves-Nine-Other-Misconceptions/dp/1433506165/ref=sprightly-20



About the author:
Meet Pastor Mark!



Mark Driscoll is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, one of the fastest-growing churches in America. He is president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and is the author of several books, including Vintage Jesus.



Pastor Mark preaches on Sunday, trains pastors, and writes curriculum. Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Grace, and they enjoy raising their three sons and two daughters. More about Mark here!



Link to read and/or listen to an excerpt:
http://relit.org/religionsaves



Schedule:
Find out what others are saying!
http://www.litfusegroup.com/latest/current-blog-tours/86-blog-tour-for-religion-saves-by-mark-driscoll

Simmer down girl, simmer down

Romans 6:26-28
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

We are spending some much needed time with family right now. We are having a great deal of fun, our girl is getting way too much attention, and we are laughing often. In fact, I even hacked into my nephew's Facebook account when he failed to logout. I only changed a few things, mainly about me being his hero and such. All in good fun.

Our house is on the market, waiting for a buyer to come swoop it off the market. We want that to happen...yesterday. Impatient? A bit. I am ready for us to be able to move on, to find the house that will suit our needs in Texas, and to be with family on a daily basis (now, don't worry family, we don't intend to spend everyday with you!!!). We're ready to move forward. Right now, it feels like we're stuck behind the starting gate. We're waiting for it to be flung open in order to speed off to the next great adventure. But as my mom said, no sense in losing faith now, we've come this far. So true.

We wait in hopeful expectation, reminding ourselves that God can do what we think is impossible, that He will do what is best and perfect. We know God already knows the buyer(s), by name, and we know He knows the address we will be writing on envelopes. We must trust that, and wait in hopeful expectation for Him to move. Waiting however, is not always easy.

My mother also reminded me I have the gene that says, "we must get things done, we must get them done now!" I don't like unfinished tasks, if I have set out to do it, I will do it, more often than not, right then. It is a helpful yet annoying trait really. When life is not rolling like I think it should I can become, well, let's just say, a bit irritated. Ah, so much to learn in life and faith! It is good though, I am reminding myself that it is good. Everything that has been done, that is being done, and will be done, is for His glory. We know that. None of this happened because of anything we have done or said, it is all by His grace and mercies. And, yet again, I find myself agreeing with my mother, when all is said and done, it will be well worth it.

Time to rest

We are, happily, visiting family right now. The house is officially for sale, available for showings both in person an on the world wide web. Today was the first scheduled viewing. Let us pray that today a buyer is also found as well. Or, at least by the end of the week.

I started my day entirely too early with a four mile run. The course ended up being more challenging than I anticipated, filled with lots of up and downs. I also failed to drink as much water as I needed yesterday, so needless to say, it was a challenge. But, it is done, my knees are aching, and I feel better! Tired, but better.

And so, that is all for me. Enjoy, rest, laugh, and have some fun today.

Ensuing insanity

Time to move
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Friday, this sign appeared in the yard. For a moment, it caught me off guard. Oh yes, we are heading west. But first things first, we have to sell the house. I remember now. And, oh me oh my, we have a lot to do before that happens! YIKES!

Not to be wrapped up entirely with preparing a house for viewings by total strangers, I also had a business expo to be a part of. I set up Friday night, and thanks to the kindness of another expo-goer, the AdvoCare booth looked incredible! Our regional sales VP met me there today to help out, and we rocked! I had a great deal of fun, even if I was on my feet the entire 4 hours! It was also a great learning experience however, and a great way to make contacts. Did I mention our gift basket we were giving away toppled over in the car on the way there? It did, just what I wanted to happen in an already maniacal morning!

As soon as I returned home, it was time to get to work. The office closet got cleaned out, some furniture rearranged, items packed, bathrooms cleaned, caulking completed, floors swept and mopped, and some door frames painted. But wait, there's more! I also cleaned out our pantry and organized our bathroom. What do you know? There really is a lot of room in this house!

Of course, in the midst of all of that, there was my daughter to play with, dinner to be eaten (we went out. What? You thought I would be cooking???), and calls to be received (hooray for Mommy!). Whew, I am tuckered out. However, when there is less to do tomorrow, I will be happy I wore myself out today.

Tomorrow's to do list has been made (meeting for nursery workers at church, work in the nursery, come home, eat lunch, begin chores, pictures of the house at 3, baby shower for a friend at 4, return an exersaucer to a friend, come home), we're ready to go.

Now, who's providing me with the massage? Until then, good thing I have my AdvoCare Spark on hand!

We gave away over $300 worth or products in a drawing
Back of booth

Front of the booth

Stop..or, trying to learn to

To say things are a bit crazy around here would be an understatement. I am trying to write out to do lists and even that has my mind running in circles. And then, I just start laughing because if God has taken care of everything this far, why would He not continue to take care of everything**?

This morning, as I was running going through the house with my Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, my daughter wanted me to play with her. She held out her hands as if to say, "Come on Momma, come over here and play with me." I wrapped up what I was doing then sat down, and played. She used one of her signs to let me know she wanted a snack, and then she started dancing too. Every now and then she would come up to me and kiss me on the cheek, or lay her head in my lap. At one point, she just sat and looked at me smiling, and I was left breathless. In that moment, as her hazel eyes were looking at mine, I was completely captivated with her beauty, the softness of her skin, the insanity of her curly hair, and the sweetness of her smile. She stood there, looking at me, with her head tilted slightly to one side as her smile spread wider across her face, and all I could think was, "Lord, thank you for this moment. Thank you for showing me how to stop every now and then, to put things off for the sake of my child. Thank you, in this moment, for reminding me that even though the house may not be as perfect as I want, you already have the buyer picked out. You know who needs this house, and you know the house we need. You know when we will begin a new chapter, Father, you know."

Yes, there is much to do around here. But you know what, I will be ok if everything does not pan out as I think it should. I will be ok if every scuff mark has not vanished, and I will be ok if there is a little dirt here and there because God - already - knows.

**Yesterday, I walked outside to inspect the powerwashing job that had been done on our house. As I was out there, a woman stopped to ask me about a house that had been for rent across the street. I informed her that someone had moved in but that ours would be going up for sale Monday if she wanted to buy a house. When she responded she was interested, my spirit told me to invite her inside (mess and all!). She, her daughter, and her father all came in. As I showed her around, she remarked on how wonderful and open and spacious the house is. She loved the kitchen, loved the rooms, and then asked what our asking price is and who our realtor is. I gave her his card, and wrote my name on the back. Is God seeing to it that our house is basically sold before the sign is out front? I don't know, but it would certainly increase my laughter even more, and it would not surprise me. And to make the story even better, the woman I spoke to has two children, who were babysat by a dear friend of ours. Small, small world.

Crazy? Maybe a little bit.

Let me begin by saying, God is doing some great, amazing things here friends! Every single day I find myself sitting in awe of how He is working and moving in order for us to head west. Every piece of the puzzle is coming together in a way only He could orchestrate, and I love it!

Our realtor met with us last night, and again, God had me laughing. The price my hubby and I discussed as wanting for this house is the exact price our realtor thinks we will get. Amen! We discussed all kinds of issues, as well as what we need to do with our house and when we want to start showing it. The decision? Showings start Monday! While we are out spending some time with the family, they will start showing our house. On one hand, that is wonderful because we will not have to worry about cleaning up every single day and having to clear out of the house. However, it also proves I am insane.

I am scheduled to have a booth at a business expo this Saturday, from 10-2. I am really excited and believe this will help increase my AdvoCare business. It just happens to be falling on the weekend that we need to be starting to pack, de-cluttering and deep cleaning our home! YIKES! And, don't forget we have a silly little 14 month old daughter who will need our attention every now and again. Only in our world would everything happen to fall at the exact same time. Yet, I still find myself laughing.

You see, I am fully aware that God knows of all of this. In fact, I have been praying that if I need to be here getting the house ready rather than taking part in the business expo, that I would know that clearly. At this point, I still feel like the expo is something I should be doing. So, I am moving forward. I do not know how this is all going to come together, but I do know this: God already knows who will be buying the house, he already has in place the house that will fit our needs. He knows every.little.detail.

Now, if he could just point his finger and have our house in order...that would be great. Until then, don't mind the maniacs running around; it is just us, trying to get things done, with some brain cells still in tact.

Paths - WFW

Paths - WFW
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Proverbs 3:6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

The discussion of going home has been on the table for a while. We have been praying, even with friends, about this transition. And in the last few weeks, we have seen God move swiftly and wonderfully! Last week, my hubby spoke to one of his managers about the possibility of telecommuting. His manager responded with, "I knew this is what we were talking about! I've been waiting for this discussion to take place." Friday, he was told they would "get the ball rolling" this week. As of today, the ball has rolled, it's bounced, dribbled, and rolled where it needs to. Hubby has been approved to telecommute. Woo-hoo!

And, throughout this process, God has been making me laugh, out loud, at how things are working out. People, it is ONLY by His hand and His grace things are moving along smoothly and so quickly! Last week, we planned a meeting with a realtor about selling our house. We had no idea that we would have the approval we needed already. Not.a.clue. But *wham* here it is, the day before our meeting with a realtor. I called a friend to tell her our news and, without missing a beat, said, "Two weeks. Your house will be sold in two weeks." So, that's what I'm praying for now. I've been so bold and free in my prayers about the whole move, why stop now? I am LOVING seeing God work this all out. It truly is ALL Him! My laughter comes often because I am completely seeing how God is working all of this out, and friends, it is incredible.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

Anniversary #6

Today we celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary. Six years down, and a lifetime to go.

**We had plans to go to lunch and a movie. However, our girl got some hives on her hind quarters. So, we ordered some food, ate here, and watched a movie we have seen a few times. Oh, the joys of parenthood! LOL!

Face to face

It's not everyday one gets to meet a "bloggy friend." My friends, today was just that kind of a day for me! My girl Rachel, over at A Heart Assessment, and her husband made a pit stop here in Tennessee on their way to North Carolina. We jumped at the chance to get together, and what a blessing it was! We sat at Panera Bread (yummy) and enjoyed some wonderful fellowship. Funny how "meeting" someone in the blogging world can lead to such a great friendship. But seriously? It felt like I was sitting down with an old friend, someone I have known since "way back when." It was nice, very nice.

I agree that technology has many downsides in the area of communication, but when God has blessed me with such a beautiful friend through an unconventional method such as blogging, I can't help but be thankful.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to all. And, to those of you, past and present, who made this day possible, I thank you. Thank you for providing and protecting the freedoms I enjoy every single day.

Weekend oh weekend

My daughter and I were driving home from the store yesterday, and who went whizzing by us? My husband! I started laughing, looked at the clock to see it was an hour before his usual arrival time, and had to call him. He got off early from work because they have today off. I laughed, neither one of us ever clued into the fact he did not have to work today. No idea. No rememberance, nothing. Such is life in our world.

The weatherman said it may rain tomorrow night, and I'm praying for it. Since I don't want to be considered a scrooge, I will pray that it starts to rain, and rain hard, around 8:30 or 9, specifically in our neighborhood. Our 14 month old doesn't so much care about fireworks just yet, or loud noises for that matter, and the girl likes her sleep. Hence, I will be praying for rain. Did I mention there is a family 5 houses down who like to set off fireworks right in the middle of the road? They also seem to enjoy aiming the fireworks at houses, cars, etc. But wait, there's more! As I was coming home from volleyball the other night, they were setting off fireworks right beside someone's car!!! I mean, really?!?! Come on people, I know you don't think anything bad could happen, but it can, and it does, and oh Lord help me! (Whew, sometimes I make myself laugh, but seriously, people amaze me.)

Although I am no longer a part of those early morning workouts, I have been going to the fit camp class at the rec. I am enjoying it more than I thought I would, but my joints are not enjoying doing plyos on the hardwood floor. Ugh, I miss the field! I have yet to really connect with any people in the class, which really leaves me missing my 5am friends! We were a tight group, encouraging, cheering, challenging each other on. At this new class? Not so much. Or, maybe they are just skeptical of the new freckled face girl walking in the door (and outworking the boys!!!!).

Finally, my dear hubby and I will be celebrating six years of marriage on Sunday. Six years, really? That quickly? It's been (mostly) fun, and filled with laughter (the vast majority of the time). We even have a date planned, babysitter for our girl included! All in all, I think I'm a pretty lucky girl. Enjoy the weekend dear friends.

Music - WFW

Music - WFW
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Psalm 21:13:
Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

I am not sure what part of this verse I like more, the image of God in all His power, or that of His people celebrating what He has done. Both bring a smile to my face. I do not think my mind can fathom all of God's power. Small portions of it yes, but all of it? It's beyond what I can comprehend. And then there are the moments when the body come together to celebrate, oh it is wonderful! This past Sunday at church, various individuals gave their testimonies. There was definitely some celebrating going on!

God in all his power, doing his work, for his people, and his people celebrating him. I.love.it.

As for the picture, that would be my girl, doing what she loves best...making music.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit Extravagant Grace.