Remembering the cost...

When he had received the drink, Jesus said,  “It is finished.”  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. -John 19:30

Lead You Family Like Jesus

I just received a free copy of this book from Tricia Goyer in the mail today. I'm excited to start reading. Look for a review coming soon.

Wordless Wednesday - A week in review

 1-18-13

 1-19-13

 1-20-13

 1-21-13

 1-22-13

 1-23-13

1-24-13

Book Review

I have the privilege of being on a fiction launch team. The first book I received to review was Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska.

I don't read a lot of fiction mostly because of lack of time but also because I usually have a lot of non-fiction books and bible studies that I want to dig into.

I devoured this book. I didn't expect it to pull me in the way it did. It had a lot of twist and turns that I didn't see coming and I loved the way it intertwined two different stories together. There is a modern day storyline and a story from the early 1900's. I found myself wanting to visit Glacier Bay myself. It sounds like a beautiful place.

{More about Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska}

Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams—a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests—her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town’s colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA’s pressures.
In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children’s governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover—as Ellie did—that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

{More About Tricia Goyer}

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.

 

{More About Ocieanna Fleiss}

Ocieanna Fleiss is a published author and editor. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area.
Find out more about Ocieanna at http://ocieanna.com/.

Forgetful

***Edited - I figured out how to change the picture but I'm still playing with what I want so it might be changing a couple times.*** See that picture up above? The one of my lovely children. It's old. I mean it's really old. I have a problem, I am forgetful. I can't remember how I took 4 individual pictures and turned them into one for the banner and then made it the right size to fit nicely up there. Can anyone help? I really want to update my children. Any suggestions on how to make a new banner picture?

Do you have your "one word" for 2013?

Last year at this time I seen a lot of buzz on twitter about "What is your word this year?" I had never heard of that before. It sounded interesting and I had a couple words pop into my head right away. The more I thought about it the more I noticed one of the words kept coming up. Before church one morning, during my devotions, I prayed that if this was something I should do please make one of the words really stick out to me. During church that morning the pastor used one of the words at least a dozen times and linked a scripture that I had been studying along with it. That was enough of a sign to me to jump on board and I wrote the word on my wrist.

My definition of focus is that I keep my focus on God and off from the distractions of this world. I feel like I have grown closer to God and have had more peace with different situations than any year prior. I continue to write it on my wrist often so I have a visual reminder. I feel that I still have a LOT to learn concerning what I focus on.

I've decided to participate in One Word 365 this year and my word will again be...

A special thank you to Melanie at Only A Breath for making me this beautiful button. Isn't it pretty?

So do you have one word for the year?

I blogged...

...but not here. I was asked to do a guest post. Please head over to inspiredRD and check it out.

Unimaginable Adventures

 (Anna carrying her friend after the "color run" in Grand Rapids)

A letter from my daughter...

Hello!

 I would like to share with you the amazing work God has been doing in my life these past two months! If you would have asked me what I was doing this fall before July, I would have been able to tell you my fall plans, which sounded like this: This fall I will be going to GVSU for a major in Biomedical sciences, a minor in Spanish, then going on to become a physician’s assistant and getting involved in medical mission work. 

July 29, I had the privilege to go on a local mission trip called Immersion. It is ran through the Bridge Street House of Prayer, a.k.a the BSHOP. It’s a free coffee shop ran by individuals living in community and showing Gods love to the west side of Grand Rapids. They invite youth groups into their daily routine for 9 days in the summer. We started with a camping trip Friday to Sunday with team bonding, and lots of personal time to listen to God. Then Monday through Saturday it’s all about spending time with God and the West side.

Camping is where my adventure began.

I was worried about college since the spring, because I was worried about living at home, didn’t want seven more years of classes, and I wanted to go DO something. I just didn’t have peace with my current plans. While camping, during some quiet time, I felt God telling me that GVSU wasn’t His plan YET. And I definitely doubted what I heard at first, I was skeptical. So Monday, I prayed if God was telling me this He would bring someone to me to affirm that. He didn’t bring one, instead He brought 5; one two hours after praying, the rest throughout the remainder of the week. I finally got the picture –I need to seek Him for some new fall plans. I started feeling called to YWAM.

BACKGROUND: YWAM stands for Youth with a Mission. Their vision is waves of young people spreading God’s Word all over the World. YWAM has 1,000 bases in 180 countries. It starts with a 5 month Discipleship Training School, or DTS. DTS is a 3 month lecture phase where you have lots of teachings, and preparation for the outreach. The outreach is like a 2 month mission trip, putting what you learned into action and sharing God’s love.  Some DTS’s have a focus.

I decided to fast after Immersion, to really seek God’s direction about changing my fall plans. My mom and I both fasted over the decision, and it was a great way to seek out God’s direction.  During the fast, God provided a base to apply to, and opened the right doors for my application. I still don’t know how I found the San Pedro, Dominican Republic base website. I clicked on a long series of links and ended up there, and instantly felt at peace about it. It was the first base I found with the right start date and focus.  I applied and kept pressing into God for direction and the right doors to open and shut. Then on August 7, I received a phone call saying I was accepted to the September 20 DTS in San Pedro, Dominican Republic!

I will be leaving Sept 20, and flying down to Dominican Republic for three months. My DTS has a Mercy and Compassion focus which means on outreach we will focus on witnessing to sex trafficking victims, orphans and AIDS/HIV victims. Dec 17 I fly out of the Dominican to an outreach location, which will be chosen within the first few weeks in the DR. I will return Feb. 15. Then we will retry the original fall plans for fall of 2013.

Here’s how you can help!

Financially:

Lecture phase is $2,900

Outreach is $1500-$2,500

Travel is $600

Prayers!!

Prayers for safety, guidance

For open, receiving hearts in the communities we interact with.

And that the glory keeps getting pointed to God and that people don’t see the students as we serve, but that they are pointed to God, and He is glorified through our work.

Thank you for all the support!

If you have any questions, email me at marjen@altelco.net

Anna Hill

Wake UP!

It's been so long since I posted that everything blogger has been updated. I had to reteach myself. That's what I get for neglecting my blog. Wink!

So who is joining me in this challenge? I have fallen off the "stay fit" bandwagon over the last couple weeks and desperately need to get back on track. Hopefully this will kick it gear for me.

Click on the image for all the details.

Project 365 - Pictures Week 5

Super Bowl mixed with an 18th birthday party kept me so busy Sunday that I completely forgot about posting the week's pictures. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend too.



January 29: These frames were an anniversary gift from a close friend years ago...

January 30: Spicy Lentil-Walnut Burgers.

January 31: Her first birthday party for a friend.

February 1: Just keep moving.

February 2: After school snack.

February 3: Tonight's the big night. Libby's been working hard on her part as "Jenny the Pig".

February 4: So much for keeping me company? Was an hour on the treadmill to much to ask?

Thanks Giving Inspired Fridays: Week 5

Here's a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets were last week.

• Jan 27: I'm thankful for sore muscles today as a result of a hard work out yesterday. #365thanks
• Jan 28: Thankful for a wonderful date night. #365thanks
• Jan 29: Thankful for a slow start to the week tomorrow. The kids don't have school. #365thanks
• Jan 30: Thankful for a family that's willing to at least try whatever mom puts in front of them. Up tonight, walnut-lentil burgers. #365thanks
• Jan 31: Had a fun morning with my niece at a bday party for a friend. Thankful for the invite. #365thanks
• Feb 1: Thankful for the beautiful gift God gave me 18 years ago. Happy birthday Georgiana. I love you! #365thanks
• Feb 2: Thankful for an extra vehicle when mine needs to go in for repairs. #365thanks

Linking up here:

Project 365 - Pictures Week 4

January 22: Today's jewelry.


January 23: My motto for the day.

January 24: Creativity.


January 25: Lunch.


January 26: My "Spring" during Michigan winters.


January 27: A 42-30 win for the lady falcons! (23 belongs to me)


January 28: Control.

Thanks Giving Inspired Fridays: Week 4

Here is a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets were since last week's post.

• Jan 20: Today I'm on day 20 of 21 of the #DanielFast and I'm thankful for the focus God's given me during it. #365thanks
• Jan 21: Heading down to South Bend to watch the oldest throw at Notre Dame. Thankful for clear roads. #365thanks #GoState #MSU
• Jan 22: Today I'm thankful for family time. #365thanks
• Jan 23: Thankful for God's protection for a dear friend today. #365thanks
• Jan 24: Today I'm thankful for children who don't hold back from sharing Christ with their peers. #365thanks
• Jan 25: Oh no! I just realized that I forgot this day but I know it would have been "today I'm thankful for the support of christian girlfriends"
  
• Jan 26: I'm thankful for people that speak kind, encouraging, and uplifting words to my children. #365thanks

Linking up here:

Ephesians 1:11-19

This morning's scripture was Ephesians 1:18-19

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,

Something that stuck out to me was "eyes of your heart". It seems to me so often, as women, we are accused of not seeing clearly because we are lead by our hearts. I love that we need to have the "eyes of our hearts" enlightened to know hope.

Linking up here:

Project 365 - Pictures Week 3

Week 3 is looking much more organized. In case you are wondering all of the pictures are taken with my iPhone and usually edited/posted to Instagram and Flickr.


January 15: Christmas gift from a girl in my HS youth group. It makes me smile.



January 16: Ready to dig in.

January 17: Hanging out with me while I'm on the treadmill.

January 18: A beautiful bow made by a beautiful friend for my beautiful daughter.

January 19: I'm on day 19 of 21 of a Daniel Fast. I made tacos for the family and here is my version. Corn tortillas, hummus, guacamole, black beans, roasted tomato, and lettuce. They were yummy.

January 20: Brrr!

January 21: "A great day to be a Spartan." Zack set a new PR (personal record) of 61' 7" with the shot put. That mark makes him 2nd in the Big 10 and 8th in the nation.