Weekend in Birmingham, AL

LB took me to this great little place for brunch after our long walk.



Laura Beth



The cups and saucers were handpainted.



Brunch



We sat outside but inside was set up like a taste of Europe.



Here comes the bride.



Mr. & Mrs. Powell



LBT & Me



Yang & Me



Her parents bought her this veil in France a few years ago before she had even met Chris. Absolutely stunning!!!



Off to Chatty for their first night.



I snapped this from LB's sunroof as we drove home after the wedding. I was on a high. It was 74 degrees and beautiful. The weekend away was refreshing to my soul. It was a treat to be in the South again. People who you don't know actually smile as you go by. Thanks for hosting me, LB. You're welcome in Philly anytime.

Marissa Sheaman

Marissa and I first met through World Harvest at LEAP 2005. (http://whm.org/go/vision-trips/london) She came through Assessment & Orientation (A&O) in December. She did her undergrad in art at Westmont and then got her masters at Boston University in fine art in studio teaching. Check out her artwork online. http://www.zhibit.org/msheaman Excellent drawings, Marisssa!

She came to A&O with these crazy cats.

You know how you can be reading your friend's blog and they a link to their friend's blog and suddenly you find yourself reading blogs of people you don't even know? This happened to be today as I was reading Amy Smith's blog. She had a link to her friend Natalee's blog. I have no idea who Natalee is but her entry titled "Aromatherapy" ministered to my heart and soul this afternoon. Enjoy- soak it in...

You know how you can be reading your friend's blog and they a link to their friend's blog and suddenly you find yourself reading blogs of people you don't even know? This happened to be today as I was reading Amy Smith's blog. She had a link to her friend Natalee's blog. I have no idea who Natalee is but her entry titled "Aromatherapy" ministered to my heart and soul this afternoon. Enjoy- soak it in...

Aromatherapy

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:15

It was like a shot of adrenaline to read this the other day. I've read it many times, but something different happened that day.

It sunk it. A light came on. The Spirit breathed life into it.

I can't believe that I don't have to go around "striving" to be the aroma of Christ. I am. I already am. That is what Jesus did on the cross. He took away my stench, my rot, and instead when the Father sees me, He smells...inhales Jesus....

Like lavender, or night jasmine or bbq or garlic in wine and butter...but better, so much better.

I'm nothing short of lovely. Perfect. Miraculous. That's what Jesus did. He made an exchange. Him for me. Who He is for who I am.

What would it look like if I actually started believing this? Living like this is true. Like I have nothing to prove. What if I started dealing in the reality that there is a God and His relationship with me is one of Father. Friend. Dare I say, confidant, even?

Maybe it would be ok to feel pain. To heal. To not go around providing for myself. Maybe I wouldn't care what my house looked like. Maybe I would tithe more. My money worries would begin to melt. Maybe I would start praying for the house that I can't afford downtown because He can do that. Maybe I wouldn't clean as often or feel the need to read parenting books. Or maybe at times I would clean more often. Maybe I would buy that lavender fabric softener that is a bit more expensive or maybe I'd wait because He'd give me something better because He made me to like lavender fabric softener and He cares about that. Maybe I would quit my Bible study. Maybe I would never darken the doors of Wal-mart again. Perhaps I would seek first His kingdom because I desperately want others to experience His extravagance. Or maybe I would stand up for all of us mothers who get handed mothering "to do" lists and only get challenged to be "mothers" and nothing else by some. Maybe I would love and engage those people who tell me that instead of being synical. Perhaps I would start wearing pointy toed shoes occasionally and care to be feminine and beautiful. I might start to paint. Or not feel guilty that I'm not painting. Maybe I'd get over myself and put Abe in short-alls because I'm in Greenville. Music would be better. I'd probably laugh more. Or be ok when I'm not laughing.

Overall, resting in this Jesus...is better. Much better. I was able to rest today. And if He can do that for me...an anxious, fearful, disbelieving, guilty ridden woman...

Never mind what I said in my previous post about the snow melting...

The snow started to fall this afternoon and isn't supposed to stop until tomorrow night. I took this picture at a city park I enjoy visiting. The snow is a wet snow so you can hear the snow as it hits the ground & roof of the house.

This is the same park in November


Kids playing Ring Around the Rosy in the park


My shoes playing in the snow

Melted snow in Philly

The snow in Philly has pretty much melted. It's always pretty the first few days but then it turns into dirty slush mixed with ice. Dangerous combination. This is a picture of our house.

This afternoon I am at my favorite coffee shop in Chestnut Hill working on my finances. I haven't done budget maintenance for a quite a while so I'm tackling in one afternoon.

Hope whoever is reading this has a good weekend.

New Running Shoes

Talitha and I went on our first run together this afternoon. I christened my new shoes. There is such a difference in running in new shoes. It's still light when I get off work so there is more motivation to fun. Plus the weather is warming up which helps as well.

Donivan, are you reading this post?

If I write about YOU on my blog I expect you to read my blog. :-) It was a blessing to catch up with you last night on the phone. Thanks for the words of encouragement, your honesty and for asking questions that didn't allow an easy answer.

26 degrees in Philly. Weather.com says it "feels like 14 degrees." Is it ready to be spring yet?

My Valentines: Dad, Mom, Christie, Sara & Peter

Matthew, a friend and co-worker posted a sweet Valentine to his wife on her blog this morning.

"Amy, you are my pink. Will you keep marrying me every morning? I promise to keep you filled with coffee and give you something to be passionate about. Even if it means being passionately annoyed!"

So, so sweet, Matthew. Good job! Check out the post and enjoy Matthew's creativity & Amy's good words. http://minismith.com/

Stuart Beach

The water really was this color!

More Pictures from Stuart, Florida

Peter was presented with a scholarship at the Martin County Fair's opening night.

Walking around the fairgrounds brought back memories of high school. I entered photographs, sewing and science projects in 4-H.

The hat was bought for the fair. :-)

Florida is beauful! It's 75 degrees... oh it's good to be home.

Family Picture


Christie-the birthday girl

Cynthia Roderick, Mom and me at Christie's 24th bday party.

Currin trying on Dior sunglasses.

We couldn't keep all our shopping in bags of the back of the PT Cruiser.
Fun times with the Nabor girls- all day shopping. What a blessing to see them in Florida and hang out. Randy was teaching on mercy ministry and inner city churches.

I'm in Florida for business for two weeks. The first week is with our team leaders attending a church planting training in Orlando. The second week will be spent in Jacksonville for our team leaders' retreat.

My rental car for the next 10 days!

I love having my own room - king size bed and all!

Snowing in Philadelphia, PA

Snow has come down for two days straight now. The snow is kinda sticking- the ground needs to freeze a bit more. I am like a kid when this white stuff falls. This picture was taken outside World Harvest's offices.

Geocaching

Tammy and I did a tour of small, neighborhood Philly parks. We found 6 out of 8 caches. It was fun to discover parks I'd never been to before. In this adult treasure hunt called Geocaching, the point it to find a hidden objects by using your GPS.

One of the caches was hidden at the Rodin museum in the art district of Philly. Unfortunately, we didn't find it. But we found the statue that reminds me of my dad. He had bookends of Rodin's The Thinker. It's one of the most famous parts of the larger art piece call Gates of Hell.

Going Geocaching this afternoon...

I've never done this before but a new friend of mine loves it. We're going to look for treasures in the art district of Philly using her GPS. Check out the history of geocaching:
http://www.geocaching.com/about/history.aspx

Post- Urbana

Five of us flew back to Philly together after Urbana. We ended up having a 5 hour layover in Chicago. We took advantage of that by sleeping in the airport. Our plane touched down later on Jan. 1st and I hit the sack around 1:00am. I slept until 5:00pm on the 2nd. Yes, that's 16 hours.

Urbana 2006

The exhibit hall- you can see WHM's booth. It's the one with the large banner that says "Get Lost. Find Life."

Below is a link to a video of worship bringing in 2007. The girl you see a few times is, Talitha, one of my roommates. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7890765848254095613

Some more pictures from Urbana...

Worship at Urbana 2006

World Harvest Mission Urbana team


I ran into friends from the past at Urbana

Theology has always been important to me. I really value what I learned in high school through a church Bible study and all I learned at Covenant College. In the last two years I’ve wanted to see theology have practical implications. In the face of life, hardships, death, disappointments how do the truths of theology make a difference in the way I live?

My pastor in Philly gave me a book called The Practical Calvinist. It’s a book that colleagues of D. Clair Davis put together upon his 30 years of teaching at Westminster Theological seminary. Clair Davis wrote an article for the Presbyterian Journal on December 3, 1986 titled "What's so good about being a Calvinist?"

Davis writes that Calvinism applies the Bible where we need it most. "Think through the basics. Jesus died for you personally (Personal Atonement). He loves you, not what he can get out of you (Unconditional Election). He pours out his love on every bit of you, not just on what you think is your sweeter and nicer side (Total Depravity). His love is stronger than all your doubt and foolishness and fear put together (Irresistible Grace). He keeps on loving you, all the way through to the end (Perseverance of the Saints). That's the Five Points of your Father's love!"

Unconditional Love

I was faced with real ugliness in my heart tonight. Talitha, my roommate, allowed me to talk, cry and process. As Talitha prayed I realized I didn't want to pray to my Father because I felt so horrible. But wait... Jesus always sees my ugly heart. It's me who is blind to my dark heart. Grace is so undeserved and yet amazing. Why does our Father love us? Not because of who we are or what we do, that's for sure. The Gospel logic isn’t logical at all. But that’s the point, right? Thank you, Jesus!

Jesus I Am Resting, Resting

You can hear one of my favorite hymns at: http://www.purevolume.com/matthewsmithalliowe

Jesus I am resting, resting
In the Joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power
Thou hast made me whole.

Chorus: Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O how great Thy loving kindness.
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvellous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings;
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me,
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting;
Fill me with Thy grace.

Discovering Jackson Pollock

David Letterman recently had an older woman on his show who believed she had an original Jackson Pollock painting. If it's a true Pollock, it's worth a lot of money. I enjoy art but didn't know much about Pollock. I "googled"him and found out he was an American, abstract impressionist who lived from 1912 to 1956. There's this great website that allows you to paint in a Jackson Pollock- manner. Go to this link and then drag your mouse over the screen. A double click changes the paint color. Have fun! http://www.jacksonpollock.org/

The Philadelphia Art Museum has his "Male and Female" painted in 1942.

Two weddings in one day...

Megan, Liz & me at Trippy & Lisa's wedding

Emily, Megan, Susan, me & Christian at Susan & Justin's wedding

Peter Gay, me & Megan at Susan's wedding

1998 Toyota Camry- with a sunroof!!!

Praise God for providing the perfect car for me. It was a HUGE added blessing to have my mom in town the weekend that I went to look at this car. I sent out a prayer request to over 150 people on the 16th, looked at this car on the 21st, made an offer that night and picked up the car on the 23rd. Just in case you don't realize it- the 23rd is exactly a week after I asked for prayer. God doesn't always work such an amazing deal out so quickly. I'm glad He did though because my car has stalled on me at least 5 times in the last week. God is faithful to His daughter!

My roommate, Talitha, introduced me to a crazy website full of random quizzes. I took the "What Kind of Intelligence do You have" quiz. (http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofintelligencedoyouhavequiz/) Here's the result. I think it's pretty accurate...

Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others. Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel. You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations. A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict. You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person.

God, enter into our joy and pain with us. Show us we're your sons and daughters who can climb up into your lap and be loved and accepted completely by You. This is my prayer today.

Netflix has allowed me to expand my movie watching. I never would have put the three following in my queue if it wasn't for friends recommending them to me.

The Lost City (Peter Gay)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343996/

The Chorus (KJ Macha)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372824/

Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now (Janine Anderson)
http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=289407

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

After church today I headed downtown. The weather was perfect- 80 degrees, the sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. I parked on at Boathouse Row (see left picture), grabbed my 1970's yellow-flowered blanket and found a grassy spot in the sun. I read Girl Meets God in-between dozing on and off.

Bethany and Rachel joined me two hours later. We rested on my blanket for a while and then Rachel and I checked out the waterworks (http://www.fairmountwaterworks.org/) and walked up to the art museum. The girls left soon after to take Rachel to the airport.

Bethany, Rachel, Monica

I put on my running shoes and went for a nice long run/ walk downtown. I ran from Boathouse row, past the art museum, up the steps (like Rocky) and down the Ben Franklin Parkway, around Love Park (http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/review/11568924) and back to my car at Boathouse row. The weather couldn't have been better for a run and my shins felt fine. I felt God's presence with me as I ran. The joy in my heart could only come from my heavenly Father.

The Philly art museum became famous after Sylvester Stallone ran up these steps in Rocky

Logan Circle with City Hall in the background