{Love}

Some thoughts on True Love this Valentine's Day...

read: {Love} from my music blog, posted today, 2.14.12.

Humbly,

Emily <3

The Valley

A couple weeks ago, my ladies biblestudy started back up. The moment I sat down I felt myself letting out an inner *sigh*--I just love being there so much. To look around the table is so encouraging-young moms like me, more seasoned moms (note-I didn't say "older"! heehee). This new study is on the book of Psalms; taking a few Psalms each week and looking deeper. The first week, we began with probably the most familiar Psalm of all: Psalm 23. Interestingly enough, this past Sunday in youth Sunday School, Ryan's cousin, Thaan, led a study on Psalm 23 as well. So when our leader mentioned we would start with this Psalm, I kinda sat back and thought, "I just studied this, bummer." Goodness, I am so ignorant sometimes, thinking I've learned all there is to know! Ugh. But of course, I hadn't learned all there is to know about Psalm 23...and I love how we are truly never done learning and growing.

A few thoughts that stuck out to me:
{GREEN PASTURES}

"...he makes me lie down in green pastures." - It doesn't say, "he asks me if I'd like to lie down..." Just like a shepherd knows what's truly best for his sheep (cause honestly, sheep aren't very smart!), the Lord knows what I need, when I need it!

"He restores me soul." - I don't think it's on accident that the "restores my soul" comes immediately after the rest and refreshment of lying down in green pastures and still waters. The act of rest brings restoration to our bodies, souls, minds, hearts...

"He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies..." - It's not me setting the table. This isn't me hosting Jesus at my table. Rather, it's Him preparing a table (with a FEAST on it...most likely including flank steak, twice-baked potatoes and spinich salad - all my FAVES!) And I'm enjoying this feast right in front of my enemies...as though they're not even there!

What peace and comfort The Shepherd brings to His sheep. We are lost, wandering, even dumb at times. And He does whatever it takes, even as far as physically carrying us on His shoulders to bring us through the valley's of life. Love, love, love.

From Blog Signature

"A New One's Just Begun..."

Well, helloooooo 2012! I've felt SO discombobulated ever since you've been here! All 3 days of ya! ;) It's time to get back into the regular routine...I can feel it! The girls go back to school tomorrow and I'm ready to get stuff done. And by "stuff" I mean just that...stuff! Nothing in particular, yet EVERYTHING all at the same time! Ha! Even that thought confirms how truly discombobulated I've really become over these past few holiday weeks! Nonetheless, I'm excited to see my New Years resolution begin to unfold (read about it here if you haven't already). Time to clean house, re-organize, re-focus and push on towards an amazing year. 2011 wasn't super eventful and that's ok. I don't think it was supposed to be. We spent it deepening our roots at North Sound and building ministry from the ground up. For those that have done the same thing, you know that's eventful in and of itself. We didn't need any huge, life-changing events taking place.
2011 was preparation for 2012.
2012 may bring big life changes our way...the starting stages of a church plant...possibly moving out of our home into something smaller to become more mobile and ready to go wherever the Lord takes us...continuing my music ministry writing/recording/performing...the girls will turn 4 (holy cow)!...and God only knows what else! I better devote myself to some serious prayer in preparation of what's to come in 2012! I wanna be ready mentally, spiritually, physically & emotionally...
2012, here we come!

Bloom - Take 2

I've never been much for New Year's resolutions. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I never stuck with them when I did start them, so I gave up all together?! This year, I surprisingly find myself inspired to resolve to something as 2012 approaches! I have actually felt the Lord whispering it to me over the past few months and I've just sorta been soaking in. Now, I find myself so excited by it. I find a bit of freedom and release when I think about it. I write this post today because this resolution, while it is applicable to every aspect of my life, I feel a real push for it to be my "music motto".
My New Year's Resolution:

The Scripture at the bottom (in case it's hard to read) is paraphrased from Col. 3:16-17, The Message)
"...Sing, sing your heart out to God! Let every detail of your life
--words, actions, whatever--
be done in the name of the Master, Jesus,
thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Don't go looking for that "big break", always hoping to be discovered. Bloom where you're planted. Right where you are-right now. Be satisfied with ministering to the people God has placed around you. They love, support and appreciate you already!
Think LOCALLY...your own church, coffee shops, community events, nursing homes, worship team. I truly believe that when we are satisfied with what we already have, then, God will (if He desires), "enlarge our borders" and move us into a new season of ministry!
Happy New Year - may 2012 be FULL of amazing surprises as you strive to BLOOM WHERE GOD HAS PLANTED YOU!

Humbly,Emily

{BLOOM}

My New Year's Resolution...

A Little Help Here?!?

Sometimes we can't put our feelings into words. Life is so full and we aren't sure how we'll make it through until tomorrow. Have you been there? I'm there. Life isn't bad. I'm doing my very best not to complain, I promise! ;) But life is just full. Blame the holiday season, I suppose. But as I found myself speechless in my day...these words were singing their way into my heart & mind. Words from a very respected singer and songwriter, you may have heard of her...Brooke Fraser. She wrote a song title Shadowfeet a few years back and I wanted to quote part of it...as it's encouraged me to think bigger than my moment today! Be encouraged as you soak each word in...

"When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standing...

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You."

My Crafty Side

The past couple of months have been strange for me. Nothing out-of-the-ordinary...I was just in a funk. You know how those go. Mostly, I was struggling to find peace with my job. My jobs (in order of importance):
Follower of Christ

Wife to Ryan

Mom to Evie, Ella, Hero (our dog! Dog owners know how that goes...)

Part-time Receptionist

Worship Leader & Pastor's Wife

And not to leave out, friend, daughter, sister...you get the idea!

Well, my stuggle was coming from the part-time receptionist role. I was finding myself quite overwhelmed trying to find enough time in my day to get everything done (and do it well - that's the OCD in me!) The balance of fitting this job into my already full life was seeming to be a HUGE challenge for me. I've since been able to sorta "grow out" of the growing pains of the job (I've had it for almost 9 months now, you'd think this would have happened a long time ago! Anyways...)

During this season of discomfort, as I questioned if I would be able to stay at this job, I found myself trying to discover within myself other ways I could bring home some bacon. ;) And here's what I came up with. At this point, nothing is going to take the place of my secure job, BUT, for now, I'm enjoying my crafty side!

I even opened up an Etsy store! It's been fun. Except when I burned two fingers with the hot glue gun...we'll save that story for another time & place! Ha!