Return of the Fan Girl

It's true....the fan girl in me is contained in between Twilight movies, but when the movie is just days away, I'm as giddy as can been. I've been getting my plans in order with sister and friend to meet up at midnight back in my old town. It's always so much fun planning this one big time each year. No matter what it's set in stone to do together.

Eclipse Premiere

And...since we are getting together with tons of other fans to a sold out showing of the movie...we must also dress for it. No costumes, mind you, but apparel nonetheless. I always like to go the non-traditional route. I don't want that shirt that I can go down to the mega store and buy. In the past I've gotten shirts from Cafe Press. This year, or as I have lovingly started to call it, the year of Etsy. I made my purchase from Etsy.

Twilight Saga Embellished Tee

I got this way cute shirt from a "quirky" little shop named Quirk Shop. Michele has so many cute little things in her shop. Please go and check her out.  I may just be back soon to pick one of these up.

Meet Me at the Mistletoe Headband

Have a great rest of the week. Pictures to come!

Hearing isn't always seeing

Do you ever just fall into the routine of worship? I was never more aware of just how much I do until this past Sunday. When I walked in the sanctuary I had no clue the worship I was going to experience. Worship where the tears flow more easily than the words. Where you come to your knees in thanksgiving.

When the holidays start to approach at my church, the choir shows up more for the services. Because our church is right on the campus of a seminary, we get a steady flow of young talent and abilities. This past Sunday the choir included what I can only assume was a college student, who during the praise and worship signed the lyrics. I knew the words. The song was familiar. So I sang and watched. When the name Jesus came up in the lyrics, the sign for it, just overwhelmed me. I turned to my left to my husband and he was there with me. The tears ready to flow.

How easily I forget or take for granted who he is. What he is. What he has done. The sign for Jesus, represents just who he is. Any language could recognize it. Pointing to the palms of both hands. He died for me, and I forget. I take it for granted. I sing with no emotion. I just do the routine of it.

How is it that when we experience something like this, we still fall back? I want that kind of worship. I want to praise him in everything. To shout his glory!

That one college student has no clue the impact she had on my little family. It will be a reminder of what I should be seeking.

This isn't the song, but it surely makes the point.

Stolen Joy

It's all been made clear to me, well as clear as can be made at the moment, how I have let little things steal my joy. I have this beautiful picture of all the things that bring me joy: family dance parties, little man learning how to play board games, beautiful sunsets, game nights with the family, Oreos (I'm pretty sure I'm at least half Oreo now)....I could just keep going.

 

But I let those unexpected hiccups in my day steal my joy. I let my personal struggles....steal my joy. I never see it in the moment. I just sulk, run over and over in my mind what these little things mean. I become quiet and just kind of get stuck in this funk. I wonder things that I know are untrue. Is this a sign? I'm a horrible mom...that's why? It's because I didn't do this...or that! Why do I let these little things stifle what could be tremendous joy in my life? I want to choose joy!

I will not allow Satan to turn my thoughts away from what should be great memories being made. So, here I am confessing that I've allowed him to do just that. But....and here's the big but....I'm not letting him do it anymore. I'm taking that joy back that he's taken away. I'm not going to loosen my grip on it my moments of weakness, I'm to make a habit of pointing out the things in my life that bring me joy and great blessing. Next time I get in that funk, I'm going to remind myself of said list.

What steals your joy? How do you keep it....not allow it to be taken?