Astonished Wonder

There is a point in true worship where the mind may cease to understand and goes over to a kind of delightful astonishment - to "transcendent wonder," a degree of wonder without limit and beyond expression.  It is always true that an encounter with God brings wonderment and awe.

- A.W. Tozer

To be speechless before my Lord...to bow before Him with all that I am, mind, body and spirit.  To physically and spiritually lay at His feet in awe and wonder...that is my prayer.

I can't begin to understand all that He has done.  But what I do know is that He has blessed me with a husband who I am truly one with, children who bring me blessings daily, and life eternal.  How could I not worship and praise Him not only for my blessings but because HE IS GOD!

Fashion and Friends

Me & Amy

Follow The Red Hat...

Charlene, Kathy and Jennie stocking up on their bling!!

Me and my office mates all went to the fashion district in LA to do some jewelry shopping.  My officemate, Amy is moving to Georgia next week and she gets all of her cute jewelry here so she showed us the best places to get some great bling!  We had so much fun shopping and comparing items.  Amy wore a big, red hat and led the way.  It was sooo crowded but all we had to do was follow the big red hat and we wouldn't get lost.  We ended the day with lunch at Phillipe's...wonderful beef dip sandwiches.  I am so blessed to work with all these women.  I have never had a job where I love my boss and my co-workers this much.  I can't wait for our next fun day out!  Thank You Amy!! You will be missed so much but I know you are embarking on a "Grand Adventure".  Thanks Girls!!!

Mission In Brisbane (M.I.B.) 2011

I am back from the land down under!  It has taken me a week and a half to process everything and be able to post about my trip.  It was definitely a whirlwind.  Pastor Mike fills two weeks of time with a month worth of activities.  I wanted to share a couple of highlights of my trip, both on a personal growth level and an a fun level.  First,  this time it seemed to be easier to focus on the people and God's reason for me going rather than more of the experience of being in a different country.
     I loved that I got to reconnect with the people I met before and renew these relationships.  Two big opportunities God gave me were in speaking to a couple of the teen/young adult girls. One girl approached me alone and asked about God answering prayer.  I was able to really talk to her about her prayers and relationship with God.  But then she dropped the bomb and asked me if I had ever sinned.  I allowed myself to be vulnerable with this young girl and be honest with her.  She then asked me if I was afraid that I wouldn't go to heaven because of my sin and again we were able to really talk about having a relationship with God and what that means when we make mistakes.
     Another opportunity came when a young adult girl told me that she really desired to be a youth ministry but feels inadequate.  I was able to really encourage her and tell her how much potential she has.  She told me that it meant a lot to her that I believed in her.  This blew me away and humbled me.  Who was I that she would give me that much credit.  I spent two weeks with her three years ago and two weeks this year.  Pastor Mike always tells us how important relationships are to the people and it really hit home with this young girl.
     I believe that God gave me divine opportunities with people this time and I am glad that I realized them and used these opportunities to share His love.  I even shared the gospel with a man named Kevin at the Community BBQ we had.  He was really nice but quite an interesting character.
     I had such a great time in Australia!  I got to go to Stradbroke Island and swim in Brown Lake. It was only about 65 degrees outside and 50 degrees in the water but I did it.  We got to go to Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man.  The coconut hot chocolate was amazing and so was the fondue.  We went to The Pancake Manor, yummy!  We did shopping and spent the day at NAIDOC and there are too many other things to mention.
     One last thing,  I really need to thank everyone who supported me financially and in prayer.  Without all of you I would not be able to go and the trip would not have been as amazing!  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Me with Bonnie and Ayeesha

Me with one of the international students from Korea, Amy.

Brown Lake...looks like iced tea

My Croc friend at Alma Park Zoo

Community BBQ and Kevin!

Aboriginal Dancer at NAIDOC

Coconut Hot Chocolate at Max Brenners

The girls working hard

Fantastic View of the city from a hilltop at night.

Me and one of the kids in Eidsvold

Leading craft time for the children in Eidsvold.

Hollywood Hike

So against everyone's warnings, Ed, Haley and I went on a hike to the Hollywood sign.  Don't freak out, there  was no hiking off-track.  It was a paved service road the whole way up.  It was so much fun!  I have done this hike before with some friends but Ed and Haley had never gone.  In the pics, you can see the sign behind us...you actually hike up to behind the sign and that is the closest you can get.  It is a beautiful hike through the hills and really a pretty easy one.

So, I will not be posting for a couple of weeks because I leave on Sunday for a short term mission trip to Brisbane, Australia!  I am very excited but still have so much left to do, including packing...  So wish me luck...say lots of prayers for me and the team going.  Pray that God will provide divine opportunities and open our eyes to them.  Pray that we will be effective in the work we are doing there.  Pray especially for the relationships we make and the people we meet.  They are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.

See you when I am back from down under!  G'day mate!

Twins!

Ed and his best friend, Kevin, had a tee time this morning to play golf.  When Kevin showed up to pick Ed up, they were dressed alike.  Kevin asked, "Will you take our prom picture?" It was so funny and of course I took him seriously so here it is.  They told me not to post it on facebook but never said a word about my blogspot.  I think my husband forgets I even have it....Oh well!

Dad & Daughter Time

We were at Carl and Cassie's house for Cassie's 40th birthday and they decided to play basketball.  I couldn't resist capturing their moments together.

 Ed showing Haley how to shoot a basket....

 I don't know if he is giving her advice or if they are praying over the ball...LOL

Transforming

In Pleasures Evermore, author Sam Storms observes:

David desired to dwell in the presence of God,

to behold God, to meditate upon the beauty

and splendor of God, to bask in the invigorating light

and glory of everything that makes God an object

of our affection and delight and adoration. . . .

The results of this passionate pursuit of God are

staggering.  Not only is beholding the beauty of

the Lord indescribably enjoyable, it is profoundly

transforming.

Oh Lord, transform me.