Friendship for Grown-Ups by Lisa Whelchel

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book when I ordered it but I have always admired Lisa Whelchel as a Christian wife, mother, and author, so I figured it would be worth checking out. This turned out to be a book I couldn't put down and related to in ways I could not have guessed.

Lisa shares very personal experiences with friendship and the insecurities that went along with many of them over the years, and I was very touched by her transparency and insight. The kind of friendship she speaks of in the book is a gift from God, and it is very intentional.

Lisa has a wonderful way of reminding us that a Father who loves us so much also wants for us to have" relationships of grace requiring radical trust".

Especially poignant for me was a quote from a book that she cited which read "The many loving Christians in my life have had at least one unconditionally loving parent or friend along the way, and God was able to then second the motion".

Lisa goes on to write that "it is easier to receive his grace and love and acceptance when we have some point of reference for what we are looking for or what it feels like. We need to see it in the face of another".

I knew it! When God gave me those relationships of radical trust with the amazing people in my life, it was not only a beautiful gift to me, but the loving preparation of a Father so that I could have a point of reference for my most precious friendship of all, with Him.

I am starting to read the book again and plan to use the "Appendix Two" to walk through the journey more fully. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has that "person" in their life and really wants to understand God's heart in having given them to you.

Absolutely love this book!

Plan B by Pete Wilson

I have been following the messages of Pete Wilson, Pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville via blog and podcast for over a year, and have been anxiously awaiting the release of Plan B.

I am happy to say that it definitely did not disappoint!

Pete Wilson has a wonderful way of simplifying God’s word and showing the reader the treasures in store for all those who seek Him. Plan B is a very necessary reminder for us all about seeing God in all of our circumstances, even when it means trusting in times of doubt and shattered dreams. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever lost hope in the midst of life’s trials.

Pete has done a great job of incorporating biblical and real time examples of people dealing with an unexpected change of plans, and asking the reader to consider the possibility that all the while God is simply getting ready to do a work in us.

Great book, a definite must read!

International Justice Mission Benefit - 2010

At last years IJM pre-event reception all of the table hosts were invited to help with planning the 2010 event. Working on an event for a cause we believe in, with Ken and Helen (bonus) , and so many other Justice seekers was something that Jon and I couldn't sign up for fast enough.
We met as a group last summer to decide how we would all play a part, and those of us who volunteered to make phone calls to drum up participation met again last night for a "calling party" with the rest of the team.
We were blessed with great fellowship, some REALLY good white bean chili, and a few stories of the real difference that IJM is making in Rwanda from the Groves', who had just gotten back from a visit there four hours before. Imagine flying home from so far away to host 16 people for dinner...that is dedication!.
All of this to say that Jon and I have committed to hosting a table of 10 again this year, of which six seats are taken to date, but would LOVE to not only fill ours, but take on more for the cause.

This years event information is as follows:

When: Thursday, May 6th - 6:30 pm
Where: Sheraton Hotel - Bloomington, Mn.
Cost: $75.00 per person or $750.00 for a table of 10.

A meal is being served, which in previous years has meant a higher per ticket cost, so we are thrilled with the the savings.

Gary Haugen, President and founder of IJM, will be the keynote speaker, and Sara Groves will be performing live as well.

It's a night full of stories of hope and victory that you won't soon forget.

So I ask, who wants in????

Bad Blogger!

My name is Lisa and it has been four months since my last post...
I assure you had not been for lack of excitement/chaos/activity, but rather exhaustion and a huge fondness for Farmville on Facebook, which to date has kept me sane. Ridiculous, I know, but it's therapeutic for me so I will take it.

First, I am sure you noticed the face lift of our blog. The main elements were taken (freely) from a site online offering backgrounds and such, but my very talented teenager added many of the finishing touches that I could not for the life of me figure out. It was very easy for her, like I knew it would be. Anyway, it's a nice change...hope you like it.

I will be honest, I don't have much to write today but I knew I better put SOMETHING up so that darn Holidazzle Parade from 4 months ago isn't the first post you see post-face lift. I will have updates that are more fun soon I am sure, so sit tight. Until then, see you at my farm on Facebook. :)

Holidazzle Parade 2009

Emmy and Jon smiling for the camera at the end of a great evening with family.

***

And now, I am officially caught up on all of my blogging!

Happy Reading!

Thanksgiving 2009

I dared him, and he accepted!

Jon showed up to Thanksgiving dinner at Jan and Mark's wearing sweat pants from high school (seriously, those are from 1989), which are now known as his "eatin' pants".

This is by far Jon's favorite holiday because he gets to eat his favorite meal of all time, Turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy!

Here is Auntie Jan with her biggest fan, just before Jon took his eatin' pants for a test run at dinner!

Mom, Jon, and the now famous "eatin' pants".

The cousins doing their annual performance with an array of Auntie Jan's fancy fabrics for costumes. So cute!

Jon's Trip to Anchorage, Alaska

The bears at the airport.

The snow capped mountains...so pretty!

NWA Cargo planes about to be retired.

Jon and his peer making a site visit with a special tour of the cargo aircraft.

Pilot Martin

So cute!

On the Tarmac.

I love a man in a neon ramp vest!

Meet Molly!

Yes, we have three cats AND a dog now!

Molly McButter

After a few days of hissing, Katie finally warmed up to Molly!

Katie giving Molly her first "bath" at our house.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Jon giving a full head of hair a spin!

Kylie, Kasey, and Emmy heading out to trick-or-treat.

On your mark, get set, go...

Dorothy and Toto.

Dorothy following the red brick road!

H1N1

Emerson spiked her fever first, went to the Doctor and was confirmed as having H1N1. Madison followed that evening.

After some Tamiflu and lots of rest for both, the flu passed in about a week with only minor discomfort.

So thankful!

Pumpkin Patch 2009...

...and two days before H1N1 hit.

So glad this tradition wasn't spoiled for the girls!

That Sore Throat I Mentioned...

I started to feel it coming on the night of the rehearsal dinner and so I prayed, and prayed, and prayed that it would not keep me from the wedding day. Thankfully, it didn't.

It did however turn into hot flashes and bursts of being freezing cold that ruined a perfectly good hair do (which Traci was able to salvage as best as we could, thank you again Traci) and caused me pray again that I would not be the one that fainted as I stood next to the bride.

My biggest fear, well next to getting my big booty into a bridesmaids dress, was fainting while I stood up front.

I spent a few minutes in prayer here, just before the ceremony and made it through the whole ceremony without faltering!

Praise the Lord!

We were all blessed with a perfect ceremony, excellent dinner and dessert.

I made it through my M.O.H. speech and the first dance, and then the sick sunk in.

Unfortunately I didn't make it to the dance afterwards and had to head home around 7:30, but what a night it was!

I am so thankful that I was there next to my very best friend as she married her very special groom.

Kraig and Tammi's Wedding Day

10/3/09 - My Best Friend's Birthday, and the day she married the love of her life!

Kraig and Tammi on their special day!

The wedding party, and yes, that is in fact me, the Matron of Honor in a dress...only for my BFF.
Thank you God that I didn't miss this opportunity...




The Bride and Groom during their first dance as husband and wife.

And so their love story begins...

Rehearsal Dinner

Here are some pictures of the wedding rehearsal and dinner that followed, the night before my very best friend married her love, Kraig. Oh, and this is also the night that I felt the congestion and sore throat coming on...oh no!

Practicing our entrance and standing positions...trying hard not to cry.

Dinner afterwards at a great Italian restaurant with the wedding party and families of the bride and groom.

Chatting with my "big brother", Steve.

Cause there always has to be a smooch or two when romance is in the air.
Madison is clearly not thrilled though.

Tammi passed out all of the gifts for the girls in the bridal party and said a few words about each person and shared special memories and such.

Tammi saved me for last...all we could do was cry for about 2 minutes, THEN the talking started and the crying got worse.

She gets me every time, always has, always will...thank God!