Random Thoughts Today

I am full of random thoughts today.

We had a great vacation, but Cloe, my husband and I came back sick (I will share more from our vacation in my next post). I am finally feeling normal today, but Cloe once again has that horrible cough from just a few weeks ago. When I am stuck in the house for 3 or more days with a sick little I find myself catching up on movies, yesterday while Cloe slept in my arms I watched The Impossible. What a movie!!!! I felt such fear, sadness, and inspiration. I wish that God would send me daily reminders to be thankful, to cherish each moment, and to remember that God has protected my family from tragedy.

That is my goal this year to remember that it could all be gone in the blink of an eye, to breath and release all those moments I cannot control, and to be thankful and happy!

Psalm 63

While browsing through Facebook or Instagram I came across Psalm 63. This passage really spoke to me and I just love the tone of it.

I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you, my whole body longs for you. Your unfailing love is better than life itself, O how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy my more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of Joy!

What scriptures are your favorite, which passages speak to your heart and soul?

Vacation - Being Present and Staying Centered

My family and my best friends family are preparing to go on vacation next week to the coast. The beach is one of my favorite places to go. We try to rent a beach house every year for a week so that we can really soak in all that ocean air and get away from the stresses of everyday life. But we weren't able to go last year, so I have been craving a long vacation since 2011.

Every time we go I always tell myself that I should bring my bible study and a vacation journal and use them, but each year I leave them at home. I really want to try and make the commitment to follow through. In past years with so many people and kids in the house my OCD really kicks in and I end up feeling more stressed on the trip then I do at home. I think if I take 20 minutes each morning alone it might center me and help me remember that I have to let go and just enjoy my vacation and time with my family.

I have been wanting to start a bible journal (I have had the journal in my nightstand drawer for a couple weeks) maybe this will be the jump start that I need.

I can't wait to get my toes in the sand and take a walk to the tide pools. Stay tuned for pictures from our trip.

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Stacking Stones

During the 25th anniversary celebration at my church each family received a stone. We were told to place it somewhere where we could see it each day and be reminded that God is always there and will provide all the help we need. I love this living stone tradition and placed our families stone on my mantle with other nature items that we have collected as a family.

During the parting of the River Jordan God said to collect 12 stones from the middle of the sea and stack them on the other side so that when their children asked about them they could tell the story of God's greatness. There are many cultures that stack stones.

This is still a tradition among the people of Israel to stack stones. These stacked stones act as a reminder of something great that God has done. Often the children and grandchildren will come across these stacks and ask "what do these stones means?" and the adults can tell the story that goes with each stack. 

In some places in scripture, a stone is used to describe strength and resiliency in a person's character. How great would it be to look out into your yard or garden and see stones that represent not only the great things that God has provided you with, but also the strength that you have in hard times. 


I am going to try and get my family involved by making stacks in our garden. Maybe stacks or maybe we can add 1 stone and build a wall or walkway. 

Church Problems - Finding and Loving a Church

Since attending church again I automatically went back to my "home church" the church where I went with my parents, Destiny Christian Church. Sunday was a celebration of 25 years, a look back at the past and a look forward to the future. Our pastor announced that the churches goal is to open a second location by 2015 and to open many locations in the next five years. As well as an increase in missionary work and community outreach. 

These are all great goals, but the way our pastor brought it to the church was a little offputting. Instead of asking the congregation to pray about these things and ask God to lead us toward meeting these goals, he more told the church that the church leaders had prayed about it and this is the plan.

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I like attending a larger church and I understand that this is the model of the quote Megachurch. And I don't think that I have to agree a 100% with what the pastoral staff would like to have happen. I don't think there will ever be a church that we agree with everything that happens all the time. I like the messages and the worship and that's why I attend Destiny.

As things come up I will pray and if I want to volunteer or get involved I will and if not then I won't. 

I would love to know

Are you a member of your church?

Do you love everything about your church?

Do you like / attend a large or small church?