Oh...Heartstrings Pulled!

What an inspiration this morning...(Thanks, Kelly). A reminder of how we can inspire with even the simplest things....

It was HARD!

It's been a while since I've had that kind of conversation. You know...the one that you say you'd like to have more often, and try to be prepared for, and hope that you do a good job when it arises.

I'm talking about....a chance to talk about God with someone who doesn't know Him.

I had that opportunity this past week. I think I failed miserably. I definitely wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. And it convicted me more than ever. And it all started with Oprah. (Hey, if God can use a donkey....)

I'm ripping off my "church goer" street cred in this post to share exactly how it felt to be so .....so.....what's the word? Inadequate. Sure, I have a few bible verses memorized. Sure, I've read through Leviticus (anyone who can manage that has GOT to be given some praise, right?), and sure, I've done a few Beth Moore's. You'd think I'd be prepared.

Not for these kinds of questions:
"So the Bible says you shouldn't 'covet' ...that's be jealous right? Then why does God say 'He's a jealous God? Isn't that hypocritcal?"
"So Jesus gave up His life. There's a hundred men giving up their lives right now for all the people in this country. Why is Jesus so hailed?"
"If God knows every step and breath of our life, then basically, what you're saying is God knew some of us were going to hell when He created us. So God created people knowing some were going to hell. Where's the 'God is good' in that?"

Ouch. These are the kinds of questions you don't hear at your weekly bible studies. Whoa was me. Thankfully, God did use a donkey, God did use Oprah to get this conversation started, and God did use a fumbling, bumbling woman like me. I can't remember all the exact details of the conversation with my friend, but I can remember that there was a conversation. That in itself was amazing. It was focused on God and our relationship with Him. And it was hard. But it was good.

Can you help pray for this woman with me? I have a feeling there will be more conversations like this to come.

A Pretty, Horrible Day

Go Gracie Go! Winter Olypics Gold Medalist.

A Pretty Day.

I mean, just LOOK at 'em. These beautiful pictures taken by my MIL at their house. Gorgeous! Just breathtaking.

A Horrible Day because none of these pictures either had me in it, were taken by me, nor was I a bystander in all this beauty. Me? I am a newly minted member of the KSC. The Kidney Stone Club. I woke up the day before all this snowiness with horrible, horrible very similar to labor-like contractions except they were in my left back. One ER trip, night stay at the hospital, battle with a lithroscopy (basically being punched a million times by a soundwave machine while under anesthesia to break up the little devil..er, stone), and several,several violent "head the in the toilet bowl" moments.....two days later, I'm almost feeling like myself again. I'm just sad I missed all this wonderful, glorious snow.

A huge thank you to my family, who made all this fun, and recovery, possible. You'll never know how much you mean to me!

Remodel Phase 1 Completed. (124 more to go!!)

When it all began!

Taking one large room and making two...

Before the three night painting/priming debacle....
I'll never prime again!!

Finished product! Ahhh, a den....
can you glimpse into Grace's new pink, pink room?!

Boog and I are proud to say Phase 1 is done! This remodel thing is getting a little old, however, upon saying that.....it never fails that we're both really satisfied with the final product! A second living area and Grace's new room. We think it turned out pretty nice (thank you, Dale!).

We have a laundry list of more things to come and this home, along with all our other homes, is teaching us a much needed lesson: Patience. Flo would love to have it all done right now. Flo knows she can't afford it. Flo learns to have patience.

I think that's how it works.

: ) I'm excited to get some curtains hung!