update

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some scripture in Isaiah 58. (Click here to see this post.)
Anyways, the Lord has started revealing how He is going to work this scripture out in my life. Please pray for me as I seek to discern His will and make decisions about my future. It's too early to let you in on any of the details, but it has to do with this aspect of the passage:
"if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted"

Mother's Day and Nature Loving

I headed out to my grandparent's this afternoon to spend some time with the family for Mother's Day and also celebrate a few birthdays-mine on the 5th, my mom's on the 7th, and my cousin's wife, Holly, on the 8th. Of course we had good food and I spent some great nature time out on the porch with my Pa. I'm convinced he's the one who ruined me on hating the indoors and that's how I ended up with a crazy major like wildlife science.
Anyways, here's a few pics. . .


a pretty red bird


my favorite wild flower-for those of you who didn't have a way cool major like wildlife science-no, there's no such thing as a weed!


daddy and baby blue bird


a common alabama road-side flower


little toe-hee

do they play the violin in bulgaria?

Two very exciting things are happening in my life over the next 6 months:
1. I'm taking voilin lessons. It's only 6 weeks, but enough to test it out and see if I have any talent at all. And it's something I've always wanted to do so I'm super excited. Hopefully I'll catch on quickly.
2. I'm going to Bulgaria. Just for 10 days. We're headed to southern Bulgaria to clean up trash and hang out with some kids. It's a real unique group and I'm so excited that the Father is letting me be a part of it. I can't wait to see what He does as He uses us in the lives of these "untouchables" in Buglarian culture. Pray for me that I won't be tempted to take it all in my hands and will trust Him with every detail-including one of the most difficult-finances. He's always provided before, so I'm sure He will this time too.

Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me. . .
Romans 15.30

Just in case. . .

you were worried that I didn't get anything truly fabulous for my birthday, I wanted to assure you that is not true. Last Friday when I returned to my desk from our staff meeting I had a beautiful present waiting in my seat. My friend Amanda, always the practical jokester, was sweet to remember me. . .


check out the lower right corner for my gift from Amanda--my very first black Jesus!

All Grace

"And he is full of grace. Ah! had he not been I should never have been saved.
He drew me when I struggled to escape from his grace; and when at last I came all trembling like a condemned culprit to his mercy-seat he said, 'Thy sins which are many are all forgiven thee: be of good cheer.' And he is full of truth. True have his promises been, not one has failed. I bear witness that never servant had such a master as I have; never brother such a kinsman as he has been to me; never spouse such a husband as Christ has been to my soul; never sinner a better Saviour; never mourner a better comforter than Christ hath been to my spirit. I want none beside him. In life he is my life, and in death he shall be the death of death; in poverty Christ is my riches; in sickness he makes my bed; in darkness he is my star, and in brightness he is my sun; he is the manna of the camp in the wilderness, and he shall be the new corn of the host when they come to Canaan.
Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace he is full, infinitely full.
My soul, this night, bless with all thy might 'the only Begotten.'"
Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

The Scorched Places

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you. . .
Acts 3:19.20



Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the LORD will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:6-11

Celebrations Galore, and other stuff too. . .

It's official-I'm 28!
This week was a week full of birthday excitement. Of course there were other things distracting me so I totally forgot to take in pictures. But, Wednesday Frank, my boss, took me and Jennifer and Joanna out to lunch at LaFiesta (mexican), then Thursday night my sister and several of my friends celebrated with me at Cocina Superior (mexican once again), and since Amy couldn't be there Thursday night, she and I went and tried out a Tapas restaurant last night (yes, that's mexican too). What better way to celebrate a birthday on Cinco de Mayo. My friend Ruthie even gave me a special Cinco de Mayo shirt to celebrate in. I did break up the Mexican festivities with a trip to Flatrock with my friends from work on Friday. So, as you can see, this year I celebrated by eating, and eating a lot.
But this week was also a week of breaking for me. A lot of stuff is going on in my heart as the Lord rips some things out of my hands. I found out some news about a long lost friend and was disappointed by a new one.
Last night Amy and I thought we'd finish off the fun with a lighthearted movie. Little did we know. We ended up with "The Family Stone". And let's just say it hit a little too close to home. I sat and cried about my daddy for the first time in a very long time. But, I think it was the release I needed in general after an emotional roller coaster of a week.