Every tongue confess...

Recently I went to the Dickens fair in SF with some friends. We walked through London in hoopskirts and ended off the day with a dance at Fezziwigs. The tradition for the end of this dance is singing the Hallelujah Chorus. Everyone was singing with such conviction enthusiasm! Let me remind you what this song says.

Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ,
And He shall reign for ever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

These words were being sung by people at an event that claim NO connection to Christ. Yet they were declaring that 'The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth!'. That the 'Kingdom of this world... is now become the Kingdom of the Lords!'

This isnt the only time this happens. We recieved carolers from up our canyon and I don't know what their religious standing is. If there is one. But we were singing songs about Christ our Saviors birth and it was sucha beautiful moment.

It just got me to thinking about how God uses people who to declare his glory. Isaiah 45:23 says

By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.

This is quoted in the New Testement in Romans 14:11

It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.'

It amazes me that even now
Every tongue will confess.

Merry Christmas!! Have a blessed day.

Life is good.

This is my motto. Recently, even when i don't actually think it, saying it makes it good. So i am going to play the blessings game and list whet i am thankful for. I know i'm a little late for thanksgiving... but thats ok, right? ;-) In no particular order, i am thankful...

That I have a supportive and loving family
-A mom who does so many things that I can't even pretend to list them... Makes amazing dinners, gets amazing Christmas cards together, drives us enumerable places, shops for things we need, and raises /rasied 9 kids!
-A dad who is so patient and provides for 7 children at home and 2 at college. and still has managed to get a pile of presents under the tree
-3 big brothers that love me and that I love. Adam is coming home soon, Brady is here and is a joy to have, and Jared is still always there.
-Hilarious younger siblings, who ought to keep me rolling on the floor laughing.

That I have amazing friends who don't care how dumb I am, but still buy me presents. even when I didn't get them anything yet. Who trust me even when I don't deserve it. And who will laugh with me. And sometimes cry. But still be my friends =)

That there is such a thing as coffee. And that I can drink it with my brothers and mom and be cheery and joyful. And silly I guess. haha.

That there is such a thing as dancing =D and that my brothers know how to do it; well. And that they dance with me in the kitchen and dip me and everything!

That God created a world that has un-countable beauties. That there is rain and snow and pretty colors in flowers and trees and that i live in a place that is surrounded with wonder.

That I have worm cloths that hide me from the seasons and keep me healthy and warm. For scarves and coats and sweaters.

That we have a car that can take us places. With warm air that magically blows on us. That can play music that magically floats through the air to the car. =D

That our country has clean water, warm and cold. Makes it very easy to keep clean and sanitary.

That when night comes I have a bed waiting for me with soft pillows and warm blankets.

And the list goes on. and on.
Count your blessing! And, if you can, add to others lists =)

I'm Asking Her to Stay (Sherwood)

I was tagged for this itunes quiz =)
The answers are all songs and they arethe first ones to come up on shuffle

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
When (The Listening)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
My Way or the Highway (Relient K)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Blurry Eyed (Fair)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Grab Your Coat (Fair)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Hosanna (Hillsong United)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Communicate (Jonezetta)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Echo (The Hush Sound)

WHAT IS 2+2?
All I Need (JJ Heller)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Free (Shawn McDonald)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Glory of it All (David Crowder Band)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
My Apologies (The Hush Sound) – That’s for True…

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
All Fall Down (Sarah Mason)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The End (The Listening) –

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Your Hands (JJ Heller)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Whoa (Paramore)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Our Happy Home (David Crowder Band)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Middle of the Night (Sherwood)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Dare Your to Move (Switchfoot)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Just Let Go (Mae) – Ah that’s terrible

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Brink of Disaster (Mae)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Come Clean (Eisley)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Spirit Fall (Phil Wikham) – That makes no sense =/

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
All Creatures (David Crowder Band) – Totally

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Go Away (Eisley)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
O Praise Him (David Crowder Band)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Redemption (Switchfoot)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
You Ruin Me (JJ Heller) - Lol

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
You Are the Answer (Point of Grace)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
The Only Song (Sherwood)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
I’m Asking Her to Stay (Sherwood)

Thoughts on Big Families

The best things...
-Instant playmates
-Parenting practice
-Cute photo models
-Kids to do all the odd jobs

The not so good things...
-Endless laundry
-Constant noise
-Mysterious messes
-Petty squabbles
-Not enough hot water to go around
-Children who end up in your bed at 2:00 AM

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

It seems that the media wishes Thanksgiving didn't exist. They try many different ways to cover it up. By changing the message, or by just plain glazing it over.

Example 1: Christmas Kickoff
This local radio station is one that I like to listen to. Every Holiday season they play only holiday music. They claim the title of "The south bay's home for the holidays". This is fine. But what is strange, is that they kickoff the Christmas season the day before Thanksgiving! They wait until we are on Thanksgivings doorstep, then pretend its Christmas... I enjoy listening to the holiday music, but I find it sad that Thanksgiving is lost in the shuffle.

Example 2: Festive Focus
Dr. Laura every year on the day before thanksgiving, holds a corny joke day in place of her show. People of all ages call in with a corny joke, then Dr. Laura questions them on how they are celebrating Thanksgiving... which doesn't mean "What are you thankful for?" It means "Where are you eating turkey?" While this is a big part of the holiday, the meaning of Thanksgiving, is Thanks.

Incredulous

5 Things that make me gasp...

~1~
That the Election is over... (and that Obama is going to Be President)

~2~
That we are in the 11th month of the year... (where did the rest go?)

~3~
We are closer to Christmas then Labor day... (only 50 shopping days left!)

~4~
That Jared is going to be 18... (I could've seen that coming)

~5~
That God saved me!!! (Praise the Lord)

Feel free to add to the list =)

Best thing of the day journal - Week 3

Monday, October 27, 2008
Sewing
My sisters had a friend over and… well lets just say they weren’t getting along to well. Thankfully all three of them took kindly to the idea of sewing when I suggested it, so each of them sewed a pillow (with assistance). Memories in the making?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Jessica Hoefling
She is hilarious people. Once she impersonated the hair cutter. She was asked “do you want a haircut?” (in a chinese accent) Jessica said “no” and was refuted with “oh, yes you do.” It doesn’t look that funny on paper… but it cracked me up.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hmm…
Everyone has bad days sometimes right? Idk...

Thursday, October 30, 2008
Rain
The best thing was most definitely the rain. I love how it smells, and sounds, and feels… and IS! Rain is certainly a beautiful thing.

Friday, October 31, 2008
A day with friends
Making cupcakes and decorating them,
Making masks and taking pictures with them,
A photo shoot in the backyard,
Getting candy,
Doing crazy acrobatics,
Spinning in the rain,
The list goes on…

Let That Be Enough - Switchfoot

I wish I had what I need
To be on my own
'Cause I feel so defeated
And I'm feeling alone

And it all seems so helpless
And I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset
With nowhere to land

And all I see
It could never make me happy And all my sand castles
Spend their time collapsing

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough

It's my birthday tomorrow
No one here could now
I was born this Thursday
22 years ago

And I feel stuck
Watching history repeating
Yeah, who am I?
Just a kid who knows he's needy

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
And let that be enough

Am I washed by the water?

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

~Needtobreath, Washed by the water


I think sometimes... when a storm comes I tend to put up my umbrella and hide it out. I don't want to get wet, who does? If its a hot shower maybe, but not under a sky cracked with lighting and cold pelting rain. But
even when the storm comes i am washed by the water...
I don't think its automatic. Its a choice you need to make.
even when the rain falls...
Get wet!
even when the flood starts rising...
Swim! An open mind and a forgiving attitude is your lifesaver.

So I wonder. Am I washed by the water? Am I learning everything I can from each storm? I think I need to drop the umbrella...

Best thing of the day journal - Week 2

Monday, October 20, 2008
Shopping at Mervyns
Mervyns going out of business. Big storewide sale. Ye-ah

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dandelions
At the Park with Asher there were beautiful dandelions and I taught Asher how to blow them into the wind. It was getting to be close to evening so the flowers cast long shadows on the grass. I wish I had my camera.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Reading on the porch
I took my history reading outside today. It was the perfect temperature and there were birds singing.

Thursday, October 23, 2008
Autumn walk
I walked about two blocks in the city, and adored the crunch of leaves under my feet. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the leaves sitting in the sun on the side walk. Way too beautiful.

Friday, October 24, 2008
Bathtub Talk
Late night with two good friends and we wanted a place alone in our hotel room =P We decided on the bathtub. I can’t remember what we talked about… but it was good.

Saturday, October 25, 2008
Fireproof
I saw a late night showing of Fireproof. SUCH a great movie. I just was crying over and over (a had to use my sweatshirt as a handkerchief =P). Seriously. Go watch it.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Generosity
Kit and Wanda Reichow came all the way to my house to bring me to day7 (because Jared was gone and couldn’t take me).