January 30, 2010

What a day! Never in a million years could I have imagined what my 30th birthday would look like. I am overwhelmed to the point of joyful, humbled, thankful tears! All day long, all I could think was, "Thank you, God!" As I drove along the highway, I couldn't shake how incredibly blessed I am.

Today wasn't just a big day for me. I got to have lunch with my incredibly amazing parents. Thirty years of their life turned over today. For 30 years, Mom and Dad have provided for me and supported me. They have taught me what it means to love in every way. They have laughed with me and cried with me. They have loved me through it all. They hope for me and with me. I have spent hours today flashing back to moments with them, both sweet and silly. Not many people today can remember 30 years with their parents together. That blessing is not lost on me. They have introduced me to the greatest Love of my life and for that I am (literally) eternally grateful. No greater gift.....

My amazing sister and her family humble me greatly. Even though it was difficult, they loaded both kids up to come eat pancakes with me. Only love.... My sister is wonderful! I do not remember life without her. She has fought with me and for me. She has been my confidant and has given me confidence. She is loving and lovable. And I couldn't imagine one step of my life without her. She has given me a brother. Gregg is such a joy. From messing with each other to sharing his wisdom when needed, he is a gift of God I could never have know to ask for. And the kids! Liz and Bladen have only been here a very short part of the past 30 years but have brought a new love and joy to life than I have ever known.

Friends both old and new have been a part of today. Laughing, catching up, and accepting me just as I am but pushing me to be better. Teaching me about the family that extends beyond blood. Each one having a different role and significance in this life.

Yet, even as overwhelming as all of these blessings are, they are just examples of the beautiful life God has given me. Yes, there have been bumps along the road but I am convinced that God has gone every step of the past 30 years with me - whether I knew it of not. That is the greatest blessing of all!

Between highways and side streets, pancakes and german chocolate cake, family and friends, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I couldn't ask for a better 30 years. Thank you, Father, for giving me such an abundant life!

Stolen

I have come to the conclusion that different people are more sensitive to the urgings of the Spirit at certain times more than others. There is no telling why we are more receptive in certain times or situations but there you go. For me, I have noticed that I am more open to the Spirit very first thing in the morning or when driving in my car. Yesterday was no exception.

As my alarm clock went off, my mind was immediately singing the chorus of one of my favorite songs. The song, Stolen by Dashboard Confessional, has a very simple, two line chorus:

You have stolen my heart,

You have stolen my heart.

While the song has nothing to do with God, I immediately knew that this was not just a song looping through my head. It was my soul singing a love song to God, even as I was coming from sleep to waking up. Before my hand could find the alarm clock, I knew. After nearly 30 years, I have finally allowed myself to completely lose myself to my Father. He has stolen my heart. I adore Him with all that is in me and my heart is His. He has swept me off my feet and it doesn't look like He will be putting my down anytime soon. My breath is taken away.

Yesterday was not a good day. It wasn't the worst day ever but it was difficult. However, throughout the day, my spirit would sing out:

You have stolen my heart,

You have stolen my heart.

as if to remind me that no matter the difficulties of the day, my heart is forever lost to Him. It was beautiful. But it didn't stop there.

After outreach last night, I decided to listen to this song on the way home. As I drove along I-10, I popped the cd in and as the chorus began to play for the first time, a still, small voice whispered love as I have never heard it before. It wasn't just my heart that has been stolen by Him.......

He feels the same way about me.

Why, I will never know, but it is true. He calls me the apple of His eye, His chosen one, beloved. He adores me. He has fought for me and has given me abundant life. He looks at me and His breath is taken away. He went so far as to die for me and eagerly waits until we are together. I never have been and I never will be so well loved.

It wasn't just a song stuck in my head. It wasn't just my spirit singing a love song to my God. It was more. It was a song He sang over me. We sang it to each other. We sang it all night. We sang it all day today. I have a feeling we will be singing it for a very long time...

You have stolen my heart,

You have stolen my heart.

Blah Blah Blah

I'm in a blogging slump lately. Sorry y'all! I'm either brain dead or have become the most uncreative person known to man. Have a great weekend and I'll see ya on the other side!

The Responsibility of Knowing

About a year and a half ago, my dear friends, the Sheasbys, went to Swaziland on a scouting trip in preparation for a long term mission commitment. When they returned, Esme shared with me about what they saw there in terms of children orphaned my AIDS. Her response that has stayed with me was, "After seeing and hearing all that I have seen and heard, what do I go back? There are only two options: Ignore and go on as if nothing has changed or take a stand. How is that even a choice?"

Over the weekend, Erin and I were talking about some different issues. As we talked, we noticed how people would rather say ignorant than know what is going on. As we discussed it, we came to the conclusion that once someone knows more, they have to choose to change or to purposefully continue as they always have been, ignoring realities. How is that even a choice?

Over the past 27 hours, I have seen and heard things that I was ignorant to before. Statistics, histories, and politics I have chosen to ignore came crashing in. Now I have to ask, "What do I do with this?" If I know and ignore, I allow lives to be taken and destroyed. If I choose to become aware and take an active role, things change. How is that even a choice?

I am choosing not to share what I learned during the rally and march today because here is the lessons that I have learned: If you know, you really don't have a choice. You have a responsibility to take action. Choosing to stay silent or to ignore is a form of enabling. Once you know, you are responsible. If you want to know, I would love to share. If not, I understand completely. Until then, pray. Pray hard!

What Are Your Doing MLK Day?

Please watch the two videos below (one and two minutes) and then read below.

Bound 4 Life


Bound for Life - Houston


I learned about this event about three weeks ago and have decided to participate. After seeing the miracle of infants more closely over the past few years, my heart is beyond broken over the loss of life in this country. One thing that the videos do not share is that the third floor of this clinic is dedicated solely to late term abortions. Next Sunday night, we will be joining a group in south Houston to pray and fast in intercession for stopping the abortion clinic in our city. Then on Monday, we will silently march in prayer to/around the clinic, just as the Israelites around Jericho. I am asking that you join me in prayer in preparation for this weekend and for the event itself. Please pray for success and favor with the Lord. Pray that this event is full of safety and not misconstrued to anything other than a plea for life. If you feel like this is something you would like to participate in, please let me know. You are welcome to stay with me if that is an issue. Also, feel free to join us in prayer and fasting on that day on your own. Joining together in spirit is just as effective as in person. Thank you for your prayers!

DUH!

So today in my 2nd grade dyslexia group, we were coding and reading words using our structures and knowledge of word make up. One of the easier words we coded and read was "twin". Here is the conversation that was triggered by these four letters:

Boy: I know someone in here who has a twin.

Me: Who? You don't and Girl doesn't either.

Boy: You!

Me: I do not have a twin!

Boy: Yes you do! You showed us pictures of her with her babies!

Me: That is not my twin but she is my sister.

Girl: Yeah, Boy! She is just a sister!

Boy: I can prove it! How old is your sister?

Me: 27

Boy: How old are you?

Me: What do you think?

Boy: 30

Me: In a few weeks, you will be right.

Boy: Ha! See! Told ya!

Girl: Told us what? That you are wrong!? If they were twins they would be the same age! DUH!

Boy: You bring her up here, Ms. LaMore, and I'll prove it!

Me: Ok.......

Then, this afternoon, I was looking at Erin's post about our Christmas with them and one of her friends made a comment about her husband mistaking us. It is the day of Erin and Dana! :) I mean, we look like sisters but twins!? Maybe I'm too close to the situation.

*The last picture of the two of us I think I'm allowed to post. The latest is from the hospital when Bladen was born. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! I rang 2010 in at the Plaza Club on the 49th story of the Shell building in downtown Houston. We were dressed up for dinner, dancing, and games. We toasted in the New Year with sparkling apple cider. Overall, the most fun New Years Eve to date!

Our View of the City

The girls I went with

A few of us just before midnight

As fun as New Years Eve was, I'm looking ahead to 2010. I've been thinking upon the days to come a lot over the past three days. I have no idea what the days to come will hold. I look forward to each and every one. It feels like change is on the horizon and I'm curious to see what it is. This morning in worship, something was said that really hit close to what I've been thinking. I thought I would share them as we begin the new year: We can (and should) pray for clarity and direction as we begin again into the unknown. Yet, maybe what we should pray for more is the courage to trust God in the things He has veiled for us. As we go forward, we ought to pray for faith in what God will entrust to us and that He is with us each step of the way.

I pray that 2010 is a year of blessing for you and that you have the courage and faith to walk the path God puts before you!