It's A.....

For those of you NOT on Facebook, we found out today what we are having. It is a healthy baby BOY!! And for those of you that somehow didn't know we were expecting, consider yourselves notified. We are 20 weeks now, and are due somewhere around Thanksgiving. (I never go all the way to my due date...) Be blessed!!

So Excited and I Just Can't Hide It....

As an artistic type, it's very difficult, sometimes, to walk the fine line between giving God the glory for the talents I'm blessed with, and taking credit for using them to His glory. In spite of this, I am confident that I can share with you (and not cross that line) the trailer for the video that I was priveleged to be a part of... (Remember I told you about it about a month or so ago.) I hope you don't mind my sharing with all of you. It was just such a thrill to know that I would get to use the talents He blessed me with, when Daniel contacted me to play one of the lead characters. So, please humor me, while I show you the trailer.

The video project (from which the trailer is taken) is for the California Mission Offering, which is a means to help support Missions in California. Now before you ask if there is such a large need for this, please do watch the video. Daniel Rhoten wrote the screenplay, and directed, edited and even did much of the footage. The original music is by Paul Haugen (of Clovis Hills...the church I attend and love) and I play an overly ambitious wife, on the verge of divorce. My character's husband (also played by Alvin- a Clovis Hills member) is an alcoholic; and I need to learn to put God first and my marriage second... above my career. Please watch, and then go give these other people some mad props, for all their hard work, would you? (And just in case you were wondering: NO, Clovis Hills was not involved in the production of this video, except as I stated above. Clovis Hills as a whole has just been blessed with some really good talent... I count it pure blessing to be counted among the members...) :) So without further ado, here is the trailer...


Bright Hope for Dark Days CMO Trailer from Daniel Rhoten on Vimeo

The full version of the video should be finished and ready for release next week some time... You can also find some photo shots for the promo materials at this link, if you so desire... I won't be hurt if you don't go see... but Daniel might like to know how good a job he did... :)

My Little Girl

My Little Girl is not so little anymore
She has become a young lady and more.
She's sweet and she's special,
Full of blessings galore!

She is my first, and therefore the eldest,
the first to make me want to be my best.
Tomorrow is her birthday, and I wanted to say,
She made the day special, in a wonderful way.

Happy Birthday Mercedes, my beautiful daughter,
I thank the Lord that He brought her!

Okay, well maybe that's not my best work, but it's full of meaning for my little girl. She's not so little anymore, as you can see from the picture below (the last one- she's the one with entirely too much leg showing- but we were at the beach, so I guess it's acceptable.) She was born at 3:40 in the morning on December 11th. So tomorrow, she will be 15 years old! I love you sweetie, and I'm so proud of the little lady you've become! It's no longer just you and I against the world, but you will always have the distinction of being the first to make me want to be so much more than I am. With God's help, you have grown into such a wonderful lady, and I'm proud to call you daughter and friend. I pray your birthday is a great day and full of blessings!!!

Mercedes at 3 months old
Mercedes at 3 years old.
Mercedes and Me. She is 7 in this picture, and it was Mother- Daughter night at the elementary school.
A few weeks ago at the coast with all four of my beautiful children.

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My Quiver is Full by Shalene

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5 NKJV

Praise Him with me! He has blessed us again, and my quiver is full. We are having baby #5! Hallelujah! I am undeserving of this blessing, but I will strive each day to bring this child up in love for the Lord. I dedicate this baby to You, my Lord. I thank you that you bless me time and time again.

I ask for your prayers, readers, as my pregnancies are not easy, and the last two have been born prematurely. I ask that you pray for my health, and the health of this blessing from the Lord. I thank those of you that prayed for this blessing along with me.

Lord, I cannot say it enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are wonderful, and Your blessings numerous upon me.

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Who Said Nice "Guys" Finish Last?

Whoever said that, didn't know my blogging friends! I was recently given the Nice Matters Award by my sister in Christ and blogger friend Michelle from In The Life of A Child. I am sincerely humbled by the award. Thank you, Michelle!




THE NICE MATTERS AWARD
This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends & those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.


Now I get to pass the award on. Hmmm. Who to choose. I know so many good "nice" bloggers, but I'm thinking that perhaps this award is meant more for women (it's kinda pink.) :) So I think I'll go with my women blogger friends.

Linda, at Laced With Grace blog (just one of the many talented and wonderful authors of this blog.) I am nominating her because of a poem she wrote that I thought was so wonderful, I just had to use it, and because she is such a nice lady. I am also giving this award to all the other authors of this blog. Here are the names of the other ladies that I know of: Iris, Dana, Laurel and Tracy.

Bev at Christian Homekeeper blog, because she has so many wonderfully nice things to say about and to others, and such a "nice" blog too.

Robyn from Redemptive Reflections, because she is always willing to lend a helping hand, writes wonderfully insightful posts and articles, and also lets me use them from time to time. Thank you Robyn.

Kimberly from A Child of The King blog. Her story is so heart wrenching, but she remains faithful to the Lord, and is helpful and kind to all that she comes into contact with. Bless you Kimberly!

Lastly, but certainly not least, I award Molly from Molly-Coddled blog, for her yummy recipes, for helping to find missing children, and for her all around niceness. I know she doesn't usually like memes, but I nominate her all the same. Thanks for being so "nice", Molly!

Though that is only 5 separate blogs, because there are numerous authors for Laced with Grace, and I wanted to give the award to all of them, I am stopping with these 5 blogs. Blessings to all of you ladies. You make the blogosphere a better place, just with your presence! Thank you for blessing me with your friendships!

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My Beautiful Blue by Shalene

I met her 2 years and 2 days ago, on the day of her birth. Her name is Syanne Jolie, and loosely translated it means "Beautiful Blue" (cyan is a shade of blue and is how her name is pronounced.) She is my youngest daughter. And one of the beauties of my life. I am writing this post today as a birthday gift to her, though she can't yet read, or work a computer (though she does try.) :) Happy Birthday, my Beautiful Blue!! I love you so much! You are my little lifesaver! You came along at a time when I needed you so much! The Lord blessed me with you, and used you to strengthen my faith when I needed it so badly. He used you to help heal my grief, and to help make me whole again. He used you to help me see what a blessing all of you children are to me. Thank you for being my little lifesaver. You are as sweet as the candy! May the blessings of the Lord be upon you, my little one! I pray for your continued growing in the Lord, that you continue to say your "Amens" (that's what you call your prayer time.) That even though you don't really know what you are doing yet, when you say "Amens" that you continue to do it each day with such a childlike faith, even when you do. I love you baby! And Happy Birthday again! Mommy loves you!!!







And one more picture, because my husband has such a wonderful sense of humor, and thought that it would be appropriate to show you that my Beautiful Blue has another "devilish" side. :)



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Looking Beyond The ‘Here And Now’ by Rick Warren

Dear Reader: Yes, I'm posting a devotional written by someone else again. I am still recuperating from my wonderfully awesome trip, but wanted to share something with you. This devotional states below that Rick Warren "joins us for the next few days." That is not the case, it was just part of the original devotional. I hope to have something of my own to share with you tomorrow. Blessings to you and yours. Now on to the post.

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)

Rick Warren joins us for the next few days --

As we’ve been discussing, history is his story – that is, God’s story. From the book of Revelation we know that God’s global mission will be accomplished, and someday the Great Commission will be the Great Completion. In heaven an enormous crowd of people from “every race, tribe, nation, and language” will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him.

We can experience a little of what heaven will be like when we shift our thinking from the ‘here and now’ to the eternal. To make the most of your time on earth, you must maintain an eternal perspective. This will keep you from majoring on minor issues and help you distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s ultimate.

Paul said, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)

So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things. Jesus taught, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, LB) And then Paul warned, “Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.” (1 Corinthians 7:31, Msg)


You’ve probably heard the expression -- “You can’t take it with you”—but the Bible says you can send it on ahead, by investing in people! The Bible teaches, “By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:19, LB)

So what does this mean?

· Throw off anything -- that you allow to stand in the way of your mission. What’s keeping you from being a world-class Christian? Whatever it is, let it go: “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back.” (Hebrews 12:1, LB)

· Store up your treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20-21) – Jesus taught you should use the time, talent, and resources that God gives you to bring people to Christ. They will then be friends for eternity who will welcome you when you get to heaven!

· Send it on ahead – What can you do today to invest in people? The investment may be your time, your talent, or your treasure. God guarantees it will be the best investment you make – an eternal investment that will also help you to live “a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:19, LB)

Well I Am One Truly Blessed Woman!

I just had to update everyone. In case you didn't read the comments to my last post, I just wanted to let everyone know: I'M GOING TO SPIRIT WEST COAST!!! Yeah!!! The Lord answered my prayer. (I say this because I don't believe anything happens by chance or luck.) Anyway, I had to share that because I am so blessed!! :) :) :) :) Also, because of this, from Aug 1-4, I may or may not be able to post. It depends on whether I can get a wireless access signal while I'm there. Who knows, I may just decide to leave my laptop behind and spend time exclusively with my kids, worshipping the Lord. Somehow, I think He'd be ok with that, and hopefully you are too. :) Gotta go now. Got plans to make, and camping gear to air out. Only 9 days to go!!

The Best Blessing by Shalene Kearney

To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. Acts 3:26 NKJV

On November 13, 2004, my mother passed away suddenly of a heart attack in her sleep. She was 48 years old, and looked healthier than she had in years. (She had suffered through cancer, physical abuse, a gastric bypass and reversal- due to malnutrition, along with a host of other things.) Her passing devastated me. I was not yet a believer in my Lord. My mother and I had a love/ hate relationship for most of my life, but we were beginning to be friends when she died. In fact, I thank the Lord that the day before her death, she spent the day at my house playing with my kids and visiting with me. That in itself was a blessing, but not the one I want to talk to you about.

I spent the next three weeks in a grief induced daze. I became depressed and anxious; unable to sleep and unable to eat. I became a hollow eyed, skeleton of myself. But the worst was yet to come. On December 7, 2004, my husband learned that I had been spending money on some credit cards he thought were paid off, and I had kept this a secret from him. He wanted a divorce. A time when I thought I could feel no more pain, brought shards of glass shooting into my heart. The one best thing in my life, aside from my children, was going and it was all my fault for my deception. I now became passively suicidal- meaning that although I wasn't going to do it myself, I wished for an end to come. I also resented my children because they were the only thing that kept me from ending my life. I found myself wishing I didn't have them, because then I could end it. I knew where the gun was. I knew where the pills were, but I wouldn't leave them like I was.

I had begun seeing a counselor and taking medication for my depression and trauma, but as much as he was helping me to deal with the day to day grief, I was still only a shell of myself. I sat on my back porch one evening, thinking of the mess I had made of my life, wondering where I would go from here. Then a thought came to me. I remembered a time when I was young and upset about something that had happened, and had cried myself to sleep. While I was asleep, I had a dream that I crawled up into the lap of Jesus and as he cradled me like a baby, I cried out my tears of pain and he comforted me.

Now, for me this was huge. I was not a believer at this point in my life, but to remember something about a Savior I had long ago dismissed as fancy, and even argued against in conversation, and for that to be the only comfort I could think of.... I just fell to my knees. For the first time in years, I cried out to Him. I asked Him to save my marriage. I made promises, knowing full well that that isn't how He works (I remembered that from my childhood.) However the promise I made was not that I would be good, not that I would quit sinning, but that I would never doubt Him again. That I would follow Him all the rest of my days.

Now, I'm not so deluded as to think that God granted my prayer only because I made promises, but He did answer my prayer- rather quickly even. My husband had barely spoken to me in about two weeks. Him- the always affectionate husband, had not come near me to hug or kiss me in all that time. He was distancing himself for the divorce to come. However, not 10 minutes after I cried out to the Lord and asked Him to save my marriage, my husband joined me on the back porch, gave me a hug and a kiss and said that he had been thinking about it and wanted to work on our marriage, because he did love me! Now let me be clear here. No one knew I had just prayed and in fact would be shocked to learn that I would be keeping the promise I had just made. Especially that I had made such a promise.

While the answer to my prayer was and is a blessing- my husband and I are happily married now and have since had another child; the blessing that God gave me that day was turning me from my sinful ways. It was a painful lesson to be sure, and not one that I would like to repeat; but I would do it all again, to know the peace that only a love of God, and acceptance of Jesus as my Savior has brought to my life. I still have rough days, and the depression that my mother's death caused to be diagnosed, still lingers (it is genetic, not just stress induced); but I have peace knowing that my God will see me through, so long as I depend on Him, and not on myself.

If my story has touched you, won't you please consider asking God into your life, and accepting Christ as your Savior, if you have not already? And if you have, take a moment and thank God for the blessings he's bestowed upon you. Not just the obvious ones, but also the turning you away from your iniquiites.

Lord, I pray today that my personal testimony to your mercy and kindness will reach someone that needs to hear your words. I pray that through my pain, they will see an image of themselves and ask you to turn them from their sinful ways. I pray that you continue to use me and my life's story to reach out to others, and to Glorify Your Holy Name. I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.


My Beautiful Mother