Why am I talking about necklace storage? Well, first because I love this idea and being the crafty gal I am, I was thrilled to complete this project quickly and very inexpensively. The hanger helps so I can see my bounty of necklaces and keep them from getting tangled, jumbled and lost in a drawer. I saw something similar in a high-end salon and there was no way was I going to pay $60+ for it. I found a frame, wrapped some fabric around foam board cut to fit the inside, had my hubs attach some pretty drawer knobs from Target and voila! This doesn’t hold all my necklaces, but it helps. I also have a vintage robe hook that works well for some of my others. I think I’ll probably make another holder – maybe a bigger frame next time.

But, the main reason I’m thinking about that hanger is that, I received some awesome Madre Designs jewelry today from designer, Barbara Collins! She graciously sent me some pieces to wear and I can tell you they are all gorgeous and so well done. I instantly fell in love with this moonstone necklace with bird clasp (delicate and lovely). It reminds me of the song “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” which I blogged about here.

My favorite necklace is this beautiful, multi-strand I’m wearing below – very me – blues & greens with a lot of different stones, beads and personality. See the bracelet in the picture? That’s from her collection too – a vintage brooch tops it off. Then, there’s this super cool hot pink fabric/lava stone necklace – I’ve honestly never seen anything like it – part haute couture, part Hawaiian-lei inspired – I can see it being a statement piece with a chic outfit – very stage-worthy and fun.

If you’d like to see more of Barbara’s designs, visit her collection at bcollinscollection.com. She will be adding items to her Etsy shop in the future under MadreDesigns. Barbara is a multi-talented woman. She designs & creates jewelry, writes, sings, paints and has a house full of girls – six daughters!  We “met” online and connected over our love of music, jewelry and faith. Barbara says, “I give Him all the glory as I look forward to sharing with you a little slice of what He shares with me every day.” You can visit her blog, connect on Twitter or see her on Monday Mornings at 8:30 am CST and 9:30 am EST, on MomTv.com. Barbara has asked me to be on the show and I look forward to that opportunity in the coming months.

Now, if you need me, I’ll be trying on my necklaces . . . again.

I could easily imagine myself in many of the situations and felt transported to the times and places. This is a charming, funny, humbling story of redemption, loss, love and forgiveness. For a 305-page book, I didn’t expect a quick read, but I became engrossed and breezed through it in two sittings.  I would definitely recommend to others.

I laughed and chuckled at the descriptions and nuances of the characters; grumbled and furled my brow at some of their misdeeds; and yes, cried. I think women will identify with holding grudges, cutting people out of our lives, wondering if God loves us, coming to terms with our pasts and finally finding true love and acceptance. I’m glad the book dealt with those emotions and didn’t button everything up neatly. I appreciated the vulnerability of the characters.

And, as I closed the book, I did feel a bit sad that the story had come to an end. I’m happy to hear a series has been started and another book is on its way. I’ll gladly pick that up when it’s available. Sara should be commended for her writing and I’ll be eager to read what she and Rachel come up with next for the Fitzgeralds and Bensons.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup. ~Ps. 16:5

The word “portion” in that scripture verse conjures up different
images for me. One is of a piece of pie … a particular portion
of a greater whole. When we’re served our portion, it’s enough for
us.

But, this means so much more - the Lord is enough for us -
we all may need a little more grace on a given day, or a larger
portion of patience. We might be asking God for more mercy
or peace. Still, no matter the circumstance or the request, He
is all that we need, providing just the portion we require for
the day. And, the beautiful thing is that while a delicious piece
of pie will be eaten and gone, the love and faithfulness of God
is always enough and in endless supply.

Portion also reminds me of a song. Everytime I hear that word, I think of the song “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Part of the song goes like this: “When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He.” I sang this song at my Grandma’s funeral and it will forever be special to me because of that. In fact, it was the first time I sang a song by myself in front of a large crowd.

Now, after a year of discovering my gifts as a singer & songwriter, I realize that for many years I was relying on myself and others for my happiness, my success, my contentment. But, those portions will quickly be consumed and gone, just like the pie. It is, however, the portion of God – the “piece” of God that passes all understanding, that fills us and keeps us satisfied. Okay, I know it’s peace, not piece, but you get the idea.

Greg & I are reading Proverbs this month in a 31-day challenge, since there are 31 chapters in the book. We’re learning about wisdom and how we need to ask for it, search for it like a hidden treasure and store it up within ourselves. I know I’m in constant need of more wisdom and I trust that when I ask God for it, He will give me the portion I need. Today’s message at church also talked about wisdom; how it’s one thing to have intelligence, but that wisdom helps to put that intelligence into action. I can be smart enough to know I need help, but it’s wisdom that allows me to admit that and ask someone for assistance. It’s intelligence that tells me I should look out for myself; it’s wisdom that points out the needs of others. I hope to be wise in my decisions, my actions and the way I use my gifts to give back to the One who gifted me. And, the best wisdom is knowing that God will supply our needs and the needs of those around us. We’re not taking away anyone else’s piece, by getting ours. God is BIG enough.

What portion are you requesting of God today? What portion of yourself are you giving to God?

I couldn’t possibly start a new career in my thirties, one in which I had no prior experience. I could never record an album. I could never go and sing in front of people and share my testimony.

Those were just words, but they were excuses stuck in my mind, playing over and over – seducing me into complacency, accepting the status quo, saying NO to God.

Why couldn’t I – just because I carpool?
Why couldn’t I – just because I’m in my thirties?
Why couldn’t I – just because I live in MN?
Why couldn’t I – just because I didn’t grow up going to church?
Why couldn’t I – just because, just because, just because …

God isn’t a God of excuses – He’s not a God that says,
Ok, I’ll come back when you’re ready – I’ll come back when
you’ve got it all together and you have free time. No, He asks
you to go even when it’s inconvenient, He asks you to go
or do or be when it’s improbable, when it’s scary,
when the world says it’s impossible -

Whether you go or do or be is up to you … but He’ll
ask just the same.

And when you know the answer is yes, even when
your life is saying no, that’s when you go -

that’s when you go and say yes to God.

“God is most thrilled with us when we are most satisfied in Him” – John Piper
I think about that a lot – being satisfied. It’s a contentment issue really, isn’t it – Phillipians 4: 12,13 says “I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” – EVERYthing through Him who gives me strength

God didn’t come to make a way for just a few people; He didn’t show up so an elite group could preach the gospel. He said “GO and make disciples of ALL NATIONS.” You can be ready to teach and preach, you can have a lot of answers, but you first have to GO … that takes action

As a follower of Christ, we can’t sit stagnate in our faith … we can’t
sit idly by while the last, the lost and the least aren’t being reached out to.

I was talking to my 10 year old daughter and we were discussing God’s name -
G-O-D. I had said that 2/3 of the word God is GO and we were talking about that. In the next breath, my daughter piped up and said 2/3 is also DO. I was struck by how right she was – isn’t that what God calls us to accomplish in the Great Commission?

If we’re truly following Christ, we need to be moving – we need to GO AND DO.

So this year, I knew my answer was YES and though my life and the world was saying NO, or ARE YOU SURE?, or ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!, I went …

And, I’m still going and doing things that I never dreamed of, taking on challenges I never expected. And, I’m not done saying YES yet.

What are you saying YES to?

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

And, my how fast it went … my little guy is now 7 and as independent as can be. And, quite a good sleeper, I might add – though he still wakes way too early for my taste. Here’s to you, sweet boy.

he is so cute - still has that same smile

THROUGH THE NIGHT

On a bright sunny morning in the middle of May

a Mommy was just waking up to the day

She brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her hair

and changed into something comfy to wear

She went room to room, picking up the night’s mess

until she came to the one she liked very best

In the nursery so still was a baby asleep

She tiptoed to the crib to take a quiet peek

Lying on a silken blanket done in pale blue in green

was the sweetest little Angel this Mommy had seen

The pudgy blond bundle awoke with a yawn

unaware he had a visitor, just moments before dawn

He rolled to his side, as he afixed his sweet gaze

on what appeared to be a smile through his own sleepy haze

He blinked once, then twice and adjusted his glance

on Mommy walking where the sunlight had danced

She lifted him up and wrapped him with an embrace

She whispered “I love you,” as his cheeks met her face

As she spun him around, happily holding ever so tight

You’d never know that they hadn’t slept through the night

This was early in the day and we were the only ones on or near the water. I love the stillness and sweetness of them holding hands.

they are sons and daughters, in every state, in any town
a brother or sister needing comfort – don’t you see them standing ’round?

we pass by with hope to offer
we keep our faith tucked safe inside
we turn the other way and just ignore the silent cries

Christ died for your family, He came for neighbors & friends,
But He also died for the worn and weary, for those at the very end.

Remember a time you were wanting, think of a day that you had none.
Now, look at all your plenty and remember what Christ would have done.

When you spend most of your life pointing out the negatives, being thankful isn’t a default setting.

In high school, creative writing was my favorite class. In a difficult college course, I knew I could bump up my grade if an essay was part of the test. Writing came easily, as did all the rules that surrounded it. I’m not a numbers person, but I can conjugate a verb. I know when to use a comma, I enjoy clauses and it drives me batty when people use an apostrophe when describing a family, like “The Kamins.” I’m also an above-average speller. Since I was little, I would go over the spelling of a word numerous times in my head, like a little game – usually to the tune of a song. I would sometimes spell it out while touching the tips of my fingers, faster and faster until I snapped out of it. Sometimes I still catch myself doing that. Words were my playground and my friend. Words are my comfort.

Naturally, I looked for a career in which I could use my love of words and writing. I decided to pursue a journalism degree. Immediately, I chose to specialize in public relations. Not only did I get to write, but I was allowed and encouraged to edit. “This was what I was made for,” I thought. Truthfully, being an editor suited me. I’m a perfectionist and it’s easy for me to find mistakes, misspellings and errors in grammar.

But, it wasn’t just about words; I was voted “most critical” in high school. Obviously, my editing was personal too. I easily found fault everywhere with everyone. Being able to point out what’s wrong serves its purpose, but it’s a skill that needs to be approached carefully and with a lot of tact. I wasn’t blessed with a lot of tact – a lot of nerve, but not a lot of tact.

I’m trying to instill a spirit of thankfulness in my children. But, coming from me, the woman formerly known as “most critical,” they often do what I do, not what I say (or wished I had said). Being grateful, pointing out the positive, finding the silver lining is a stretch for me – something I have to work at – constantly. That’s what I would like to edit. I’d like to hit backspace over those moments where I grumbled, whined, complained, found fault, kept records of wrongs. The hard truth is that my life is being written as I go, without the ability to edit or undo.

But, even when I try to take control from God and do things, see things and say things my way, that’s when He, the great Editor, wipes the slate clean. He isn’t finished writing my story and I’m not finished trying to create a better one for my kids. He takes me back, critical self and all, and highlights the good, helping me grow closer to who He created me to be. For that, I’m truly thankful.

I like how his face is “dripping with sun.”

A lot of people make music for a living and a lot of people have put out albums, CDs, EPs, singles, etc. Depending on the style or the flavor of the day, it seems anyone can do it. So, why is it a big deal that I, too, have released an album – specifically a contemporary Christian CD? Why does it matter?

It matters because NO ONE saw it coming – not my friends, not my family – not me. No one, but God, that is. He woke something up inside of me and things haven’t been the same since.

1. I started this adventure a year and a half ago (not working on the album, but writing songs and singing – I know, crazy right?!)

2. From writing to recording and releasing, the process took 5 months (& 5 trips to Nashville) – quick by a lot of standards

3. I didn’t grow up singing in choirs – I was a jock

4. I didn’t grow up going to church – I was baptized at 18 & confirmed at 22

5. I do not read music, nor do I play an instrument

6. I am a stay-at-home Mom of 3, living in Minnesota

7. I had never written a full song before last year

8. I started singing at women’s shelters, fundraisers and prayer gatherings

9. I held songs & melodies in my head, until a friend helped me record the raw vocals

10. I met an amazing musician, told him my story & he offered to produce my album (yes, just. like. that.)

11. the musicians who played 0n, co-wrote & produced the album, have worked with Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Chris Tomlin, Mark Schultz, Kenny Loggins, Kathy Troccoli and a LONG list of other spectacular singers, songwriters and musicians

12. I had never set foot in a studio or recording booth until this year

13. I never dreamed this big of a dream

14. this is ONLY the beginning, all by the grace of God

15. I pray every day to have the faith and courage to follow in obedience where He’s calling me to go