"Testament Focused" round 2

Ooooh, I am now an addict. Here is round 2 of 66 Books...based on pics I have already taken. The tricky part is going to be when I have to start shooting things like milk and honey and holy pots (Zechariah). How on earth does one go about making a pot look holy? Hmmmm.

#7 Rest
2 Chronicles 20:30 "And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side."


#8 Comfort
Isaiah 66:13 "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

#9 Blazing

Daniel 3:16-18 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of the gold you have set up."

#10 Repayment

Joel 2:25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm, my great army that I sent among you."

#11 Transformation

Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."

#12 All Set

Colossians 3:1-2 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

66 Books Idea...

Mom told me about a cool photography website and as I was looking at it, I realized this gal had the coolest idea ever! She has dubbed her idea "66 books." She is trying to capture images that represent each of the 66 books of the Bible. Well, I am such a copycat, I thought I would join in on the fun. My images won't be nearly as creative or awesome, but it is a great way to study the Bible! I guess I'll have to rename it so I am not a total copycat...maybe something like "Testament Focused." Check out her stuff here: http://www.sailorandcompany.net/index2.php

Here is what I have come up with based on photographs I have taken in the past:

#1 see above pic..."Spacious"

Psalm 18:19 "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

#2 Promise

Genesis 9:16 "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

#3 "Direction"

Proverbs 20:24 "A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?"

#4 "Laughter"

Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4a "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to weep and a time to laugh."

#5 "Passion"

Song of Songs 1:2 "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth--for your love is more delightful than wine."

#6 "Sufficient"

Hosea 14:8 "O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."

This is quite fun! You should copy this chick's idea and try it as well. It is a great way to make the Word come alive! Come on, you know you want to name your photos and become obsessed with finding the perfect photo for the book of Revelation!! The trick is going to be with the minor prophets. If anyone has any ideas for Nahum or Haggai, then I am all ears!

He Didn't Get Mad

I was reading the passage of the "last supper" in Luke Chapter 22. There are so many profound truths found in this little passage, but something different stuck out to me today. In verse 31, Jesus tells Simon (Peter) that Satan has asked to sift him as wheat. Jesus knows that Simon Peter will "turn". In fact, he will deny him three times that very night. This makes the next verse almost comical because Peter tells Jesus that he will go with Him to prison and to death. I say comical simply because I think we promise things when we don't even know what we are talking about...or we don't know the limits to our faith.

What caught me off guard was how Jesus presents this bit of information to Peter. It is pretty much like this: "Simon Peter, you are going to go through a time of testing, but I have prayed for you and your faith will not fail. You will come through this, even though you deny that you even know me, the one True God."

Since Jesus knows how Peter is going to act later on, it is ironic that He doesn't get angry with Peter and scream, "I thought you believed! Can't you represent me better than this? What about all of the time and discipleship I have poured into you? Didn't it do any good? Who is going to proclaim my Name when I am gone? Buck UP! This is the time I need you!" I guess it is amazing to me that He didn't get mad.

Jesus doesn't cower in self pity when he realizes one of his main followers will not be faithful. He has no sense of worth tied up in what others think of him or whether or not they will be true to Him. He knows He is the Father's Son and the Messiah. He doesn't need a posse in order to make Him famous.

I love the fact that verse 31 says, "But I have PRAYED." Satan will do his best to destroy Peter and his witness, but Jesus's authority prevails. His prayer is His WORD, and nothing refutes what He says. Creation came into being based on His words. In Revelation, Jesus is described as having a sharp double-edged sword coming out of His mouth. He does battle with His words. And praise God, Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father at this very moment, saying intercessory prayers on our behalves.

The last part that I noticed was how encouraging Jesus was. He tells Peter that he will fall away, but He doesn't linger there. He immediately jumps to, "WHEN you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." He gives Peter a vision of what his life will look like after the time of testing. Peter will fulfill the vision of "feeding the sheep."

Introducing...

Hop on over and meet new baby girl, Avery Kate!

http://www.luluphotographyco.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Cade!

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you are 9 whole years old! You are almost into double digits and I can hardly imagine you much older than just one! Cade, you are an amazing boy! You are responsible in everything you do. You think of others and are a huge helper. You have incredible spiritual insight. You even told me one time that a peer in your class had a hard time obeying, but it was simply because the girl hadn't accepted Jesus as her Savior just yet, and that it is harder to obey when you haven't been redeemed.

Goodness, we can't even tell you how much we love you! You make us very proud. We are so blessed by God for entrusting you to us. We pray that you would continue to have a heart for others and that God would protect that heart on your journey of knowing and serving Him. Happy 9th, firstborn!

16 months

We missed you on our trip. We had to take "Dora the Explorer," our GPS Garmin to replace you, our true navigator. The first night we were there, we ate at a place where we ate on our previous trip with your presence. Eerie. The waitress sat us at the exact same table and even set out 4 plates instead of the obvious 3 that were needed. Eerie. And sad.

Your name written in the sand is a cheap replacement for having your face in the photo. But, it is all we have right now.

I saw a cute little boy at the ball field and almost gasped when his mom said he was 16 months. He has been alive for the exact amount of time you have been gone from us. You would have eaten him up.

Just wanted you to know that I love you. And that everything still reminds me of you.

True Fellowship

I have been thinking some today.

You may or may not have been a reader of the "april rose" blog that ended up being a hoax. Without going into detail, it was basically a blog where a girl lied about expecting a terminally ill baby girl. I started reading it about a week before the baby was due. The blog author seemed genuine and even wise. I was a little taken back that she had fooled her millions of readers.

It made me think.

I love blogs. I love to blog. Blogs are a great way to learn more about people and see fun pictures. Blogs give us the ability to read others' stories and pray for them as needed. Some of them even provide spiritual insight. But, I wonder if we sometimes allow blogs (and facebook and twitter and texting and myspace and email...) to replace true fellowship in our lives.

I will be the first person to tell you that I would much rather communicate via email or any other form of the written word. Speaking on the phone is sometimes painful for me. But, I was reminded of something the other day when my out -of- town, dear friend stopped by to see me for an hour the other day. I love her blog. I love seeing her girls' pictures and hearing stories about her family. But one hour with my friend was more meaningful and "real" than a whole year's worth of blog posts combined. One hour of true fellowship with my friend filled my soul with contentment.

I know it sounds deep and conspiratorial and looney, but I think that if we aren't careful, we can be sucked up into Satan's grand plan of all this techno-community crap. I know that for myself, it is hard to be the actual hands and feet of Jesus if I am sitting at my computer. I am not saying that we shouldn't blog or pray for those in need. But, I do think that it is easy to allow blogs and facebook and twitter and texting and myspace and email to make us "think" we are involved in true fellowship, when, deep down, our souls are as lonely and hungry as ever.

I am going to strive to pursue a more real sense of fellowship with my blog pals. It may mean I actually get off my bootie and go see one of them for a change. Whoo, now if I can just get up the gumption.

Love you all, blog readers and pals.

Brotherly Love

Once upon a time, I read something that goes like this, "Wrestling is the way boys hug." I guess it is true. I might add that pestering. blubbering bellies, and pulling eyelids open are other ways of showing affection.

Fishing Update

My friend, Becky, was able to capture my fine fishing skills. No, I am not reeling in a bush, nor did I cast "barbie" fishing pole into the bush. And I assure you that my husband was not in the least bit frustrated with me.

Family Fishing Fun!

Our first family fishing outing! We joined our friends at the "ranch" and had a blast! The boys were ecstatic! Guess what? This was the first time the boys had ever fished and the baby caught the first one! Sam will always be able to say he did something before his big brothers! The cutest thing: Instead of saying "reel", Sam would say "stir." "Can I stir now, Daddy?" Way adorable. They all caught a bunch. Eli was even telling fish stories tonight...exaggerating on the size of his fish just a tad. We can't wait to get back out there. Sam's fish!

Empty Handed

We sang a new song this morning. There was a line that caught me by surprise...it seemed to sum up what I have been feeling: Empty Handed.

My Mother-in-Law treated me to the opera last night. Conway Dinner Theatre put on two productions..."Gallantry" and "La Pizza Con Funghi." Both were well done and hilarious. Both left me longing for my college days when I was in opera workshop. One of the performers last night was someone I used to sing with back then! He was profoundly good...perhaps even better. He was so good, I wonder why he hasn't fled to Broadway. He also helps lead worship at Kris Allen's church. Staying "home" is probably important to him.

While listening last night, all sorts of feelings rushed to the surface. Joy at hearing gifted voices. Sadness in not being up there with them. Relief in not having to memorize lines or get nervous. A sense of loss when I approached my friend from long ago and he didn't really remember me. I guess 11 years is a long time, but, sheesh, he sang at my wedding! I guess Simon from American Idol would tell me I am forgettable. Empty handed.

But, I don't want to be forgettable. I want to make a difference in the Kingdom. I want to be able to financially give to people going to serve in India for 3 years. And yet, all I am is empty handed. It has been 7 months since we lost our main source of income. Our savings is almost gone. I am tired of waiting for the "next." God has been faithful. We haven't gone hungry. And yet, I am weary. Empty handed.

As I sat in bed last night, I was overcome with spiritual attack. Eric was out of town, and Satan was accusing me left and right. He was making me second guess myself in everything and making me feel like a huge failure. The only thing I could do was say, "Jesus." And so I said it over and over again until it spilled into the hymn, "There's Just Something About That Name."
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's Just Something About That Name
Master, Saviour, Jesus
Like a Fragrance After the Rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let All Heaven and Earth Proclaim
Kings and Kingdoms Shall All Pass Away
But There's Something About That Name

And God whispered that he was pleased with my frail song sung out of fear. He whispered that He enjoyed hearing His Name more than the songs in the operas that night.

Empty Handed. And yet I can always bring a sacrifice of praise. Praise when it doesn't seem like He is answering prayers. Praise when I don't understand Him.

The line after "empty handed" this morning in our song was this: "But Alive in Your Hands."

Thank you, Jesus.

tagged

I was tagged by Nic. Here is the deal...you are supposed to open your pictures to the first folder and the 10th photo. Here is what we have, people. My husband and our great friend, Mark, playing Wii. I am pretty sure that they have no recollection of this photo being made.

Check Out...

Look at this couple...anticipating their firstborn!
http://www.luluphotographyco.blogspot.com

Summer Lovin'

You know you want to start singing the Grease song, come on! I am with my sister in law, Kelli, on this one: It is hard to beat the movie Grease!

We hit the local pool this morning. I was so excited...hardly anyone was there! A humongous 30 degree pool all to ourselves, such goodness! We only stayed for about an hour. I started to feel a bit bad when all the boys' lips turned blue, their bodies were covered in goosebumps, and they were wrapped up in beach towels trying to get warm. Hmm, maybe we will try that again next week.

I wanted to hear back from all you hot mommas out there...how you are spending your summers. I love creativity and I love frugality...those two things in mind, I would love to have some ideas! Here are a couple of things we are doing:

1. Scripture memory: We will go over and over a scripture at the breakfast table for days on end until we all get it (I will probably be the last to get it...I have lost the ability to memorize!)
Right now we are working on Jeremiah 10:6
"There is none like Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and great is Thy name in might."

2. Reading: The boys will read 40 small + 1 large book together...at the end of every 40 + 1, they will get a surprise...like a trip to the Dollar Store or to Playworld.

3. Teaching the boys new ways to help around the house...right now, we are working on unloading the dishwasher and I think they about have it down.

4. Spending a long time with my family in NWA. We have friends to play with during the day and I even have a photography shoot!

5. The Zoo and maybe even Silver Dollar City (thanks to my brother who is hooking us up with a couple of free tickets!)

So, how are you spending your days?? Do tell!

Walking/Running/Dying

In order to counteract the 5 pieces (and counting) of birthday cake I have eaten thus far this week, I thought I would go for a walk/run. I sneakily tried to get out the door without my 75 pound/300 horsepower golden retriever/motor, but Eric guilted me into taking her.

Taking my dog on a walk/sprint is hilarious. First of all, we don't even have a retractable leash. Second of all, the girl loves to run. Thirdly, I don't. Or, at least, my legs and lungs don't. My brain loves the idea. So, after throwing my arm out of socket and getting sad hearing her gasping for breath (from choking, not exhaustion,) I decided to run with her.

The first thing I realized was that I forgot to do the ol' switch-a-roo to the sports bra. Let's just say that "Jingle Bells" was an appropriate theme song for the evening stroll/sprint.

After hearing my feet pound the pavement along with her paws padding along, it was a nice sound. Even "Jingle Bells" took a back seat to the short lived drum-cadence of a rhythm we created.

And then it happened. Savannah took a sharp 90 degree lunge and I left my back about 50 feet behind me. Yes, it is time to invest in a retractable leash. Either that, or I am going to have to leave the motor at home forever. Oh, and I found my back...I will survive.

A Special Shout Out!

Happy "29th + 2" Kelli!!! We love you!

Baseball Fever

Things are in full swing around here. It is hilarious to me that we Hog fans are the Kentucky Wildcats on Cade's baseball team. You should have seen Eric when he first donned the blue shirt and hat...blasphemy, I tell you! The Wildcats had an amazing night of ball! Everyone was hitting! Cade had a great night with a ton of outs at first. The team even had their first grand slam! Go Wildcats! (Did I just say that??) Eli loved hanging with the team in the dugout and Sam loved playing in the dirt. Me? Well, let's just say I had a little fun with the camera!

LuLu's First Promo!

Click here to see June's photography promo!

http://www.luluphotographyco.blogspot.com

Majesty, Grace, and the Ocean

One of my favorite things to do while at the beach is to sneak onto my balcony early in the morning and watch the ocean. Of course, "early" in my vacation vocabulary is anything after 8 am. We were 12 stories high this trip and the view was incredible!

After sitting there for a bit, listening to the crashing waves and reflecting on all possible things, I like to open up the Word. I don't know how to say this, but God speaks more clearly at the beach. It would be a great reason to move there, don't you think?

While watching the waves powerfully crash and then recede again, I was dumbstruck at how this is even possible! Looking out, I viewed a mass of never ending water that plummeted to a depth that I am sure I cannot fathom. And yet, the strong waves would simply creep up to a point and then stop. I know there is a scientific reason for all of this...tides, yada yada...but I was so intrigued by it all. The ocean is the one thing that continually reminds me of God's power and grace intermingled. Crashing, hungry waves stop at the shoreline and refuse to consume beyond the designated line that God grants them. God is all-powerful and majestic and yet good all at the same time. He doesn't use his power to crumple us underfoot but to redeem.

While looking at a few of the waves coming in, I noticed that they were either a muddy shade of brown or green. They reflected nothing of the true blue color of the ocean when looked upon as a whole. It reminded me of the past heartbreaking year. Things happen to us that are incomprehensible and quite frankly, don't seem to reflect what we know of God and His character. We don't always understand things and when we single them out against God's grand plan, we lose sight. Things look inconsistent with His nature. But, if we are able to reflect back to His Whole Being and character, we will once again be able to see His glory. Once again, by the grace of God, the ocean will appear blue when viewed in its entirety. When thrust into something much bigger than us, we will either choose to believe and say "It is well with my soul," or we will be tossed by the angry waves forever.

I believe the song, "It is Well With my Soul" was written on a ship crossing a vast ocean. Here is the history to this powerful hymn:

"Two years after the fire (that claimed his finances and occurred after his son had died), Horatio Spafford planned a trip to Europe for him and his family. He wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters, and also to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their evangelistic campaigns in Great Britain. He was not meant to travel with his family. The day in November they were due to depart, Spafford had a last minute business transaction and had to stay behind in Chicago. Nevertheless, he still sent his wife and four daughters to travel as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre, expecting to follow in a few days. On November 22, the ship laden with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in few minutes.

After the survivors were finally landed somewhere at Cardiff, Wales, Spafford's wife cabled her husband with two simple words, "Saved alone." Shortly after, Spafford left by ship on his way where his beloved four daughters had drowned, and pen at hand, wrote this most poignant text so significantly descriptive of his own personal grief – "When sorrows like sea billows roll..." The hymn "It is Well with My Soul" was born.

It is noteworthy that Horatio Spafford did not dwell on the theme of life's sorrows and trials, instead, focused in the third stanza on the redemptive work of Christ, and in the fourth verse, anticipates His glorious second coming."

He lost all five children. All five. And yet, God graciously got him to a place of saying it was well with his soul. He believed God to not only be Majestic, but Gracious as well. He clung to the reality of the cross and the hope of being reunited with his children.

Give us grace to live our days in a way that will always say, "It is well..."