That's My Boy

Happy birthday to our son, Blake!

He is 21 today and that seems unreal.


We are so proud of you, Blake . . .

For being sold out for the Kingdom.

For living your life for God.

For always being yourself. (crazy hair cuts, antics, and all)

For helping others become all they can be.

For leading worship, not only every weekend, but daily in your life. (Romans 12:1-2)

For being an incredibly responsible 21 year old.

For being on the Dean's List in school.

For loving and watching out for your sisters. (Admit it, you love it when they pick on you!)

For respecting your dad and I. (Even when you don't agree - thanks!)

For being so creative. (thank you for using those talents to help me out too)

For writing and singing songs that stir others hearts.  (listen HERE to Fill Me)


Yep, that's our boy! Happy birthday.

We love you for ever and always . . .

How Many Metamorphosis's?

Isn’t this creature beautiful!

I was taking some senior portraits out in a corn field and ran across this beautiful caterpillar. Although he is creepy, I find him and his colors quite captivating.

After seeing and capturing (with camera - NOT my hands) this caterpillar I’ve been pondering the life of these creatures. I’m no lepidopterists (people who study butterflies and moths for a living), so if you are feel free to correct anything that isn’t correct here or add to this fascinating story. haha

I’ve decided that I’m a caterpillar of sorts. What I’m pondering though is how many times I will metamorphose living as this creature? We’ve heard it said that cats have nine lives. And we know caterpillars have one life, but with many intrinsic changes. Some caterpillars, that look much like that one above, complete their whole life cycle with many changes in 30 days. 30 days!!!! That’s crazy.

Can you imagine how much change must take place daily to go from larva, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly within 30 days? Makes my head swim (or should I say flutter?) just thinking about it.

However, I think I’ve had months and seasons where I could empathize with the caterpillar. It seems change after change came so quickly.

The funny thing is that we get to go through this process quite a few times within our lifetime. We struggle, grow and complete the metamorphosis only to find ourselves going through the same growth cycle years down the road.

As Christ tells us to die to ourselves and become new in Him, I am visualizing my new friend – the caterpillar. I am changing, growing, morphing, and struggling to become God's incredible creation.

I wonder how many more metamorphosis's I have to go.

Yes, God’s new creations are amazing!

Just a Refrigerator - I Think Not

Who would have ever thought that a refrigerator, just an old magnetic box, could be so sentimental?

Well, let me tell you, it is. As we've been remodeling our kitchen, it has been a chore, but the coolest thing about it is I am getting all new appliances. We were definitely in dire need. My kids said my kitchen looked "old timey!" That alone can depress you.

The new refrigerator arrived while I was out of town and hubby installed it. It is beautiful, spacious and a dream. But it's just not the same . . .

While my old refrigerator got hauled out it had precious memories attached to it. Many "old timey" things that hadn't been removed in years. My kids wouldn't let me take things down. They loved the memories, as well.

There was the cute picture of my youngest in kindergarten, my son's first day of his senior year, a cheerleading photograph of my daughter and her best friends. Not to mention the pics of my nieces, nephews, brother and sister.

There were great quotes magnets given to me by friends that reminded me where to keep my focus. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3. And believe it or not there were Christmas pages out of coloring books that dear friends children had colored for me. OK - and my teenage girls colored and hung their colored pictures up there too.

Too many memories - just taken out with an old refrigerator!

There is something about a mom and her refrigerator. We start when the kids are young putting up the magnetic letters to keep the little ones entertained while we cook, and then we gradually add to that a conglomeration of much more.

Refrigerator. A huge magnetic box full of beautiful memories!

Amazing how I can grow so attached to a refrigerator . . .

and an "old timey" one at that.

Pick ME, Pick ME

I picked up Cosmo
I read the print
I saw the pictures
I got their hint.

I’ll never be good enough
On my own
Because I'll need surgery, make-up
Men or money – I moan!

I read the surveys
And memorized the facts
I can quickly tell you
Of everything I lack.

I lack good thighs
I need fuller lips
My love life’s a disaster
But they’ve got ten great tips.

I read Glamour
I marveled at the pics
I want to look like a model
But I’ve got too much to fix.

There’s no hope
My mind screams today
In a still quiet whisper
I hear Someone say . . .

You are who you are, child
And I’m proud to say
I made you Myself
In a unique and special way.

Now, hold your head high
Look others straight in the eye
Be the best you can be, and
Quit listening to the world’s lies.

Cosmo, Glamour, and Seventeen
Are not the books to read
They’ll always leave you wanting more
Because of the lies they feed.

If you want to be a star
And shine, oh, so bright
Come to Me, my child
I’m the Way, the Truth, the Light!

Remember, I’m the Master Creator
And I’ve made no junk
Let go of the worlds’ expectations
To get out of your funk.

Put down the magazines
And pick up My Book
Then others will surely stop
And take a second look.

Yes, come to My Book
My dressing room
There you’ll find all you need
There love for yourself will bloom.

Loving Me is critical
Loving yourself is key
It’s Me you need and want, my child
Pick ME, pick ME.

The Thank You Note

Last Friday evening was a rare treasure. All the kids were able to clear their schedules for a few hours so we could BBQ and have a meal together. Even my son’s roommate was able to make it.

We ate, we laughed, we listened, and we just had a great time all being together. This mom was in mommy heaven!!!

Early the next morning my son dropped by and gave me the note above. It was a thank you note from his roommate. The note totally made my day because I couldn’t imagine a college age guy going home and writing a thank you! His kind words lifted my spirits for the day.

That thank you note got me to thinking about my own habits of thankfulness. Although I am very thankful and blessed I have to say at the moment – my habits of showing thankfulness are lacking. If I remember to thank friends it certainly isn’t the day after. The more I pondered my spirit of thankfulness, I realized I show the same lackadaisical attitude with God. I would fall in the category of the nine lepers on many days.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and
Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Luke 17:11-19 NIV

Friend, I think it’s time I go write a thank you note to some very dear people, as well as to God.

Have you written a thank you note lately?

I'm a Fixer-Upper

Do you feel like a fixer-upper? I do!

As I’ve visited with and taught women over the years, I’ve noticed they are just like me. It seems that no matter what season of life we are in, there is always something we feel that needs fixin’ up in our spiritual life.

The problem is that many think they need to be fixed-up before they can come to God. However, that is not the case. God, since the beginning of time, has longed to dwell with his imperfect people.

In my new book, “I’m a Fixer-Upper”, you will journey with Jesus through the rooms of your soul and look at renovating your days and remodeling your life to become more like Him. Using God’s blueprint and day-day-day remodeling tips, you will design and renovate your life.

It's amazing to note that you will be fixed-up, as you become fixed on God.

Preorder this book now. Click here for the new release promotional.

The Fish are Happy

Things have been so crazy around here that our poor aquariums did not get their biweekly cleaning. Don’t ask me when they were last cleaned, because I couldn’t tell you!

I did notice that the fish seemed lethargic, sluggish and sad the more deprived and neglected their living environment became. I can actually say the same about myself. The more disorderly, disarrayed, and dysfunctional my living quarters become the more it negatively influences the rest of my life.

Maybe you notice the same in your spiritual life – the more apathetic, withdrawn and callous you become about your spiritual being the more it negatively influences the rest of your life.

My fish taught me that clean and orderly environments do make a huge difference to our outlook on life. Let’s make this Monday the day we clean up our aquariums, homes and spiritual lives so we’ll have brighter outlooks on life. A clean spiritual home will help us be energetic, peaceful, and perky!

Who knew there were amazing lessons waiting to be learned from fish!

It is Finished

It’s finished! Aren’t those the greatest words to say?

I’m not very good with long drawn out projects. I can see the end in my mind and have goals to accomplish the results, but sometimes I just get bogged down in the details of getting it finished.

I shared with you my vision for the cross I made for a retreat. Read post here. I could see it in my mind, I had all the meaningful pieces to complete the project, and I had help. BUT yet I continued to procrastinate until my time was almost too short for getting it done on time.

I finally carried out the project. It was wonderful the day I got to say, “It’s finished!” I am so grateful for what that cross symbolizes in each and every way. It is a treasure full of memories when I gaze at it.

I’m also remembering today that Jesus spoke those words. IT IS FINISHED! (John 19:30) For each of us, He came and completed His goal, purpose and mission. Hallelujah, He didn’t procrastinate and miss the timing!

It is finished! Those are three poignant words to be amazed at and thankful for each day.

Something Beautiful

Recently, I was the Director for a three day retreat. The team met for four months preparing, praying, and practicing everything that was to take place during the retreat. The team was incredible – every woman had such love for our God.

I wanted something special that would commemorate our weekend together and decided to build a cross. Well, Hubby helped quite a bit. This cross will always be very special to me!

A little about this beautiful cross:

OK - the cross didn't start out as much. But you'll love it by the end. The team wrote their prayers for the weekend on the back of tiles. (you can barely see them they are in pencil) I took the tiles and broke them into smaller pieces to build the cross. The tiles symbolize us: we are broken, different, a little rough around the edges and fragile.

Hubby built the wooden base. The wooden cross is Jesus as He is our foundation and every so sturdy. He is the one who holds us up continually.

I then plastered all the tiles onto the wooden base. Each tile special and unique. Each tile not much on its own, but together they form something beautiful.

Hubby begins to put the grout in. It's hard work to get the grout where it needs to be - in every crook and crevice. The grout is Jesus' blood and grace. Just as with building this cross, it is hard sometimes to let Jesus fill us to the very core. We fight it, don't we? And we begin to look like a big mess. But once we let Jesus in to our heart and soul we begin to be something new and beauitful.

I will post the finished cross soon. It is gorgeous! Something beautiful from the inside out.

Christ is beautiful - I'm amazed at how He sculpts our hearts daily into something beautiful!

If you know me, you'll also be amazed that I finished this project! hehehe

You Can't Describe Awesome

I have been planning for over a year for the last four days of my life where I was away at a retreat with an awesome group of about 80 women. But, the best guest we had was God himself. He showed up in ways I can not even put into words. Awesome doesn’t even do justice.

I will spend the rest of my life recalling the miracles and wonders I witnessed. Actually, I could live my life relishing in those moments. But God doesn’t call us to relive the moments; He instead calls us to keep moving, sharing and following.

I am preparing to speak at a retreat this weekend. I would once again covet your prayers. Please pray God speaks through me and hearts are touched with God’s goodness, grace and mercy.

I will be taking a blogging break for a few weeks. Know I am missing you and I will return. But for now, it is time to regroup and concentrate on where I am headed.

God is so awesome. He is able to do more than we can even imagine or dream. Believe that!

You can find me here sharing a devotional today – He is Able!

Be amazed at every moment.

Pruning Creates Growth

As I entered middle school – way back when – my dad had just completed building a new house for our family. We moved in and all seemed so bare. The inside of the house needed to be decorated and have things hung on the walls. As well as the outside of the house that needed grass, trees, and landscaping.

Years later we had settled in and it felt like home. Mom had done an awesome job. The inside was beautiful and the landscaping was immaculate. It was gorgeous. Our trees were no longer little twigs - they were full grown beautiful trees that provided a lot of shade.

One day Daddy announced he needed to prune the trees so they would grow back even fuller. He went about his business and I continued to jam out to my 45’s in my room. Those were the days, right?

Later when I went outside, I about croaked! The trees were pruned alright. Heavens, they were branchless. I was so embarrassed. Our beautiful shaded yard was now just bare with tree trunks standing. Of course, I gave my dad grief. But he assured me that those trees would grow back even fuller than before.

Months – MANY months – later I learned what pruning was all about – growth. Daddy was right. The trees were bigger, fuller, and producing even more branches than before.

The dictionary describes pruning as: To cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches to improve shape or growth.

Just as I witnessed my daddy improving the shape of those trees, I am now witnessing my Heavenly Daddy improving the shape and growth in my life. I’m being pruned.

First I want to scream “Ouch! This is embarrassing. Quit cutting branches off my tree trunk.”

Second I feel naked as I stand branchless. In every aspect of my life (family, church, and ministry) the past few months the branches have been shaken or cut off.

I’m banking on my daddy and Heavenly Daddy being right. I will be a new creation full of new sprouts.

Through this process, God has brought many landscapers into my life to assure me the pruning will bear much fruit. I am growing ever how slowly it may be.

Pruning does create growth! Amazing, I think I see a new sprout budding.

Facial Blemishes and God

The past couple of weeks have been extremely stressful. Pressures and worries have built up on every front of my little world. Don’t you just love the saying, “When it rains, it pours.” Such is life.

However, it’s one thing to feel the pressures on the inside, but when they start popping to the outside through facial blemishes – ooooh, that’s not so good. I was experiencing such the ugly phenomenon. Stress pimples. Urgh!

Thankfully, I’ve had years of skin care training as I use to teach classes. I knew how to handle this. I babied my skin, made sure I was following ever step properly, and making sure my face was clean at all times. But these stubborn pimples were NOT budging. They were not even shrinking!

In desperate need of relief (I was fixing to be in front of a bunch of women), I borrowed a different cleanser from a friend. My goodness, I think this made the problem worse. If you know about skin care, you know any change in skin care products can make the situation worse at first. What was I thinking?

But I was still in DESPERATE need to be cleansed and free of these blemishes. Time was running out, so I went to the local supermarket and bought some super-duper heavy-duty acne free cleanser and toner.

Forget being gentle! I was going to scrub these bumps off. I cleansed as harshly as I could and decided to just douse my face in the toner. In my half-crazed mind I thought, that should do it.

By the next day, my face was on fire. By evening my skin felt like leather. I had fried my face trying to get rid of the blemishes. As the days went by, my face began to peel. It was horrible!

NOTE: DO NOT EVER TRY THIS! Stick with your normal cleansing routine.

What I learned about God and life from this experience: (I've had a lot of thinking time as I was hiding out.)

We all have blemishes and/or sins – they just seem bigger when they are ours.
We can try to hide our blemishes – however, we know they are still there.
We try drastic measures to feel cleansed – alcohol, drugs, money, relationships.
Using the wrong product for cleansing does make the blemish worse.
God is the only cleanser who will alleviate all blemishes.
Our responsibility is to come to HIM for cleansing – daily.
God’s cleansing program might not seem like it is working – but it is.
Cleansing is a process.


Amazing you can learn from your blemishes.

Barking and Boisterous

Sitting in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a magazine looking for something interesting to do.

A picture of sea lions caught my attention. I had no idea sea lions lived freely off the San Francisco coast. (We just have seaweed off the Gulf Coast!)

The article went on to describe Pier 39 as a great place to have lunch and see the sea lions. “You can hear these barking, boisterous sea lions from blocks away.”

I was trying to envision barking, boisterous sea lions. What adjectives?

Upon arriving at Pier 39, there they were. The barking boisterous sea lions – the adjectives were perfect!

God surely has made some amazing creatures!

What's your unique design? Edie has a great message.

What adjectives would describe you?

Silly, stern, controlling, quiet, meek, adventurous, quirky, cautious, barking or boisterous . . .

Momma Mia!

As Hubby told you, we celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary last week. Thank you for your sweet comments and emails. It seems only a few months ago when the kids threw us a party for our 25th. We spent the day together and went to the movie Momma Mia! We both loved it. You certainly leave with a smile on your face. Just my kind of movie, for sure.

The girls and I met my oldest best friends and their moms in the hill country for a girl’s weekend. Just my kind of weekend, too!!!

We stayed on the lake. It was like heaven. If I could wake up to the sun rising over the lake every morning instead of an alarm I think I’d become a morning person. Well, maybe?

The friends we met were my daughter’s best friends in high school. They were and are great accountability partners for one another. Each of them are incredible Christians. They are true friends and speak the truth in love.

My daughters’ sophomore year she was seeing a guy who wasn’t – well, she just didn’t need to be seeing him. Of course my daughter wasn’t listening to her parents. We were oddballs and didn’t have a clue what she was going through. She was so wrapped up in this situation she couldn’t see straight.

Her best friends finally intervened and spoke the truth to her. Did it hurt? Yes. Did it almost cost them their relationship? Yes. Was it awkward and strained? Yes.

During that time, those girls earned my total respect. They were TRUE friends. (read this weeks devotional) They truly cared for my daughter. I admired their boldness and was on my knees praying God would open my daughters eyes and that God would heal their relationships eventually. Prayers were answered.

These are special friends. The three moms have been there for each other. Our daughters are scattered all over Texas at the moment. Our prayer is they will be close in distance again one day soon.

This weekend we all went to see Momma Mia! I had to see it again! We, moms, loved it. We are the singing and dancing kind of gals. Our girls were howling with laughter. They thought it was so corny it was hilarious.

There would have been no better movie for three moms to take their daughters to. You'll see why if you go see it . . .

I’m reminded today of the Michael W. Smith song Friends.

Chorus: And friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them.

What a blessing to have a true friend! It's amazing.

Tomorrow I'll Focus

Reading Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest Devotional this morning something struck me.

The thoughts were centered on Luke 11:9, “. . . seek, and you will find . . .” Oswald writes, “The more you fulfill yourself the less you will seek God. Seek (focus) and you will find.”

Interesting? I’ve never looked at seeking God as focusing on God. However, I know it takes incredible focus to seek and search out something. Curt use to fly for the Coast Guard and it required a determined focus to seek and search for those that had called in for help.

Tomorrow I’m going to the beach with our Mom Time group from church. While I could definitely fulfill myself on sunshine, water and friends, I’ll seek (focus) and enjoy His creations.

I’ll focus on the sunshine that warms my skin and praise God for summertime.
I’ll focus on the waves that lap up onto shore and praise God for the cool water.
I’ll focus on the children and their moms and praise God for these families.
I’ll focus on our sun glistened sandy bodies and praise God for our health.
I’ll focus on the friendships that have blossomed and praise God.
I’ll focus on my blessings and realize they are more numerous than the sand.

Yes, tomorrow I’ll focus!

Makeover Monday's

Have you ever had one of those moments where the minute something leaves your mouth you WISH you could take it back? It wasn’t supposed to come out the way it did – cutting and hurtful.

You can take back a lot of things, but unfortunately your words are not one of them. The minute they leave your lips they are either building up or tearing down others.

I had a couple of instances this weekend where words came out wrong. Oh, IF ONLY I could take them back. Of course, that’s impossible so what do I do now?

Today, I will focus on my heart. For out of my heart came those words. This week I’ll spend some time readjusting my heart and focusing on my lips.

Think about your words. Do they help, hinder, or hurt? If so, maybe you need a heart examination like me.

Or maybe your words encourage, uplift and inspire? Then be intentional in blessing and praising others.

It’s such a short distance from your heart to your lips, but that distance leaves such an incredible impact on others.

Lord, readjust my heart. Fill my lips with praise and encouragement.

I could use some Pink Praise lip color. Anyone want to invent that?

Makeover Monday's

I have to admit that I took this test.

I swore the last time I took a personality test, I wouldn’t take anymore. I have taken almost every test out there and I'm still the same ol' me. But a friend sent me this link and I just HAD to take it. I couldn't resist!

In case you are wondering, I'm still the same me. Shucks - I so wanted to be something or someone different. Remember Popeye's catchphrase "I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam?" Yes, I am what I am, by the grace of God. You are who you are, by the grace of God.

However, like me, are you left wanting something different, something you don’t have? Maybe you wish for someone else’s personality, clothes, house, job, ministry or attitude.

What I'm learning through this process is that wanting what I do not have leaves me empty every time.

Paul learned how to be content with his circumstances, his past, his finances, his ministry and his personality. Philippians 4 The Message puts it this way:

I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Lord, make me over today. Let me be content with my past, my present and all that I am. In You, I yam what I yam. Amen.

Makeover Monday's

Summer’s here! I love it. It’s warm days, cool breezes, fun and sun.

Living here on the coast is a treat. For me, lazy days relaxing at the beach and pool top my list of all time most relaxing things to do. Add friends to that and it is a taste of heaven.

As we begin to enjoy the summer season, please remember your sunscreen. Look for moisturizers and foundations with the added SPF. Take all precautions to protect your skin.

I spent years lifeguarding, literally frying my skin. Remember those days? I’d go out for 8-10 hours in the sun and use baby oil to bake in. Thankfully, we know so much more now about how the sun damages our skin and is harmful to our body.

As you’re basking in the sun this summer and applying sunscreen of SPF 15 or above, ask yourself how are you protecting your spiritual body?

Just as the sun can dry out and damage our skin, worldly influences can harm our spiritual bodies. Take precautions and moisturize your spiritual self with God’s word daily.

Moisturize daily in God's anointed word and be amazed at the sunshine in your soul.

Oh My, My First Meme

I've been tagged by Lorie at Joyful Sister to do a six word memoir.



Here are the rules:

1. Write your own six-word memoir.

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you'd like.

3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post.

4. Tag five more blogs with links.

5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.



Here are six words/phrases that best depict who I am:

1. loving God wholeheartedly (I love that word - wholehearted!)

2. encouraging/motivating

3. an everyday, ordinary girl

4. creative

5. friendly

6. fun



Thanks Lorie for stretching me this morning. Here are the five beautiful women that I've tagged.



1. Leslie's Life

2. CIDP and Me

3. Godz Galz

4. Small Town Life

5. Paradise

Makeover Monday's

My daughter battled acne problems her senior year. We tried everything to alleviate the problem. We looked at her diet, her sleeping habits, her stress load and the problem only got worse. About the time we were making an appointment with the dermatologist a dear friend mentioned we should try Proactiv®. We ordered our supply and eagerly waited. It was expensive, but it was worth the try.

As soon as the product came my daughter began the three part cleansing process. It was amazing within days the acne was gone. Seriously, gone! Her beautiful complexion was back.

My son is now a senior and I tell you there must be something about seniors and acne problems! He asked me the other day to order some Proactiv® for him. I was telling a friend about this and she said I needed to go to the pharmacy and get AcneFree. It was just like Proactiv but cheaper, she said. I figured it was an imitation and probably not as good, but worth the try for half the price.

After a week, I have to tell you, AcneFree has worked just as well as Proactiv. My son’s complexion is clear once again.

I love imitations, don’t you? Especially when they are cheaper! Who doesn’t love a good bargain?

I have carried that way of thinking into my spiritual life too. God says to imitate Him, to become like Him. Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God.” Yet, I often find myself looking for the easy way out, the way that won’t cost me as much. The cost of time needed to get to know God so I can imitate Him. The cost of changing my ugly habits so I can become more like Him.

I realized I wasn't striving to imitate, emulate or try to understand God. I was skimping, looking for an imitation, the simulated and fake relationship that wouldn’t cost me as much. Pretending to be pious doesn’t pay!

The saying is ever so true, “You get what you pay for.” Being imitators of God will cost. It will cost you discipline, time and persistence. But the reward is well worth it, beyond anything we can imagine. Spending daily time to get to know the One we are to imitate is so refreshing and cleansing.

You might be able to skimp and save on products, but you’ll never get to know the Lord intimately and personally by skimping and skipping out on your personal time with Him.

Be proactive, plan and put the Lord first daily.