Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Cross My Heart

Since Greg and I are away celebrating our Anniversary this week, I thought I would share a song from our wedding with you. I was going through a country phase at the time!

It's I Cross My Heart by George Strait. I still love this song and all the words. Be sure to listen to them if you aren't familiar with this song. It's a great love song and when it played on my wedding day... it truly made my heart and soul sing!

By the way, here is a shot of the falls from my Iphone. I will post better pictures when we return and I can download them.

Thanks for joining in this week! Don't forget to link to your TSMS post, not your blogspot.

Sweet Blessings,
Amy

Who Are These Children?

Want to take a stroll down memory lane with me?

This is me and Greg at an Alpha Delta Pi band party at the University of South Carolina in 1990.

We had been dating about a year.

This is our wedding picture from May 29, 1993

Can you believe my hair? I didn't post a picture with the bridesmaids dresses. It was just

too much. Although I'm sure they shortened them and wore them again ;)

I can hardly believe this Thursday will make 15 years Greg and I have been married. We dated for four years prior to our wedding so we've been together over half my life ;)

I have to say it has been an incredible journey. God has blessed us. He has blessed our marriage abundantly in so many ways, especially with our two wonderful children.

This is Spencer 2 days after our Miracle! (January 2, 2000)

This is our other miracle... Mary Lyndsey. (September 30, 2003)

This is us on our cruise we won to Greece 3 years ago.


And this is Easter this past April.

I'm taking a bloggy break until Saturday. I will put up TSMS then. We are heading out for a trip to Niagra Falls to celebrate. I'll post pictures when I return. Please pray for us to have safe travel and for Spencer and Mary Lyndsey while we are away.
(Especially for no seizures for Spencer.)

Sweet Blessings to you dear bloggy friends!
Amy

PS. Thanks Sweetie for being the Incredible husband you are! And Happy Anniversary!

Extreme Spiritual Makeover

Wow! That's all I can say to describe this past Saturday. I had the privilege to speak at the Extreme Spiritual Makeover Women's conference at Cliffside Baptist Church in NC. It was an incredible weekend. I had the opportunity to serve beside some amazing women. Thank you to everyone who lifted up prayers on my behalf. I could certainly feel them.

The presence of God was so evident. If the women in attendance were blessed nearly as much as I was by the other speakers, then their cups are running over.

The coordinators, Tammy Webb and a few other hard working ladies from the church, did a phenomenal job. They thought of everything. Every little detail was attended to, which made the entire conference so enjoyable. And the goodie bags they gave to everyone were awesome.

Each lady received a book by Beth Moore donated by 106.9 the Light and Avon products including lip balm, lipstick, body wash and lotion donated from one of the church members (Terri Parris). Their sweet spirit and love for Christ and others was so evident. Carol, Janet and I were so blessed to be a part of this amazing weekend.

The other ladies who served were from left to right:

Hope Houchins from Hannah's Hope Ministries, Me, Carol Hatcher from Sheep to the Right, Deb Sobeski from Hannah's Hope Ministries, Leslie Nease from Real Life with Leslie Nease and Survivor show contestant, Carol Davis from 106.9 The Light, and Janet Roller from Living Oak Ministries. Be sure to check out their sites to hear more about their amazing stories. You can order Janet's new CD from her site as well.

Sweet Blessings to you,

Amy

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - We are all in this Together

Amy is away this weekend speaking at the Extreme Spiritual Makeover Conference being held by the Cliffside Baptist Church in North Carolina. The plan was for Amy to take our laptop computer with the Verizon Wireless internet card with her to North Carolina and do her post late Friday night. Unfortunately, the cell phone coverage in the woods of North Carolina is not strong enough to connect to the internet so I have the pleasure, no the honor, of "legally hijacking" Signs, Miracles, and Wonders for the first time.

This week's song is from High School Muscial and is "We are all in this Together."

I am sure that many Mothers out there in bloggy land wonder what happens at home when Mom is away for the weekend and Dad has the children at home alone. Well, watch the video below and cue up the HSM soundtrack. Most of the time there is a celebration and party going on but the celebration usually doesn't start until Mom makes it back home.

I love my children and I truly cherish my quality and quanity time with them but being "Mom" is hard. I took Spencer to school this morning, went back to his school for Field Day, had to hunt for 30 minutes for his lunch because he lost it in all the excitement, then realized I should have had a change of clothes for him since he was soaked from the water events, then had to make a trip to Burger King for more food because he did not have enough time to eat the lunch, then Spencer and I had to go pick up Mary Lyndsey, changed the movie on the DVD player twice, got her from a friend's house, then had to go back to Burger King because Mary Lyndsey didn't get an ICEE, then back home for snacks, television, kids rough housing in the front yard, changing of clothes 2 more times because somehow the kids got wet again, had to fix Spencer a grilled cheese, Mary Lyndsey a pannycake, and then I had to eat, clean up wash the dishes, etc. You get the picture of how my day went. Most men would consider anyone of these many activities as a full day's work but you know what, It was a probably a pretty slow day for any Mom, can you hear Anita Renfro warming up in the background, and so the celebration actually starts when Mom is back home.

We are all in this together and we are supportive of Amy being able to share our families life experience, the hope, and good news that Christ has for all. It is so exciting to watch God's plan work and see how busy she has become between the speaking efforts for the Epilepsy Community and to see God use those experiences to prepare her to speak more often to Ladies groups at Churches. In the past 30 days, she has spoke at 3 different churches while maintaining a busy speaking schedule for Epilepsy LIVE Events.

Amy, the bottom line, is that we want you to know that "We are all in this Together."

Conversations around the breakfast table

**This post was written yesterday, but I never posted it after I posted about SCC.

This morning for some reason we had a little more time before school than usual. The kids and I were having a discussion over breakfast after devotion. The conversation went like this:

"Mom, why did God create fear?" (Spencer)

"Well sweetie, I don't know if God did create fear. I'll have to think on that one."

"But the Bible says that God created everything and that it was all good. Fear is not good."

"You are right Spencer, the Bible does say that God created everything, but it also says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and self discipline. It also says that perfect love casteth out fear. I need to think on it or look it up. I'm not sure what the exact answer is."

"So why does fear exist?"

"I guess it exists because it is a consequence or an outcome of sin. When Adam and Even disobeyed God and sinned in the Garden, they became ashamed and fearful because of their sin. Before that, there was no fear or shame."

"Why did God let them disobey and let fear and shame happen?"

"Well, God gave Adam and Even free will. They could choose whether to obey God or not. It wouldn't be any fun to be forced to do something would it? God doesn't force us to love and obey him, He just hopes that we will. It's our choice. Just like you choose whether or not you are going to obey Mommy and Daddy or not. When you don't obey, there are consequences right?"

"Yes, but why did Satan,...what was his name when he was an angel?"

"Lucifer"

"Yeah, why did Lucifer choose to disobey God? Did he fall the second he got pride, and did he lose everything, even his home?"

"Yes Spencer, he lost everything... even his home. The Bible says he was kicked out of Heaven. I don't know why he did what he did."

"Is he the one who makes us afraid?"

"Yes. He tries to make us afraid."

"When we accept Jesus does it immediately get rid of all of our fear?

"Well, that's kind of hard to answer. Sometimes we still fear but we shouldn't. We really should have faith. Fear and faith can't be in the same place at the same time. It's just like you and I can't both be in that chair your are sitting in at the same time."

About this time Mary Lyndsey pops in to the conversation and says...

"Mommy, do we choose if we want to be good or if we want to disobey?"

"Yes Mary Lyndsey, choose if we want to be good or not."

"So Satan chose not to be good?"

"Yes."

"Well, I want to be good, but it's just so hard sometimes."

Truer words were never spoken.

Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)

15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

These kids keep me on my toes. I guess studying those Awana verses do pay off.

Here is Spencer at the Awana awards banquet Wed. night receiving his Sparks plaque. He has learned over 150 verses over the last three years.

PS Carol and I are headed to NC this weekend to speak at the Extreme Spiritual Makeover Conference. Please be in prayer for us and for the ladies that will be in attendance.

Blessings to you. TSMS should post tomorrow if Blogger works right.

Amy

Please be in Prayer

As I sit at my desk typing, I can hear Mary Lyndsey in her room singing and playing. She happens to be playing dress up. Ironically, she is dressed like Cinderella.  Her sweet voice is carrying from her room to where I am sitting. Earlier this morning I was very frustrated with her as Mom's can often get when they are trying to get out the door to school. I sent her to her room to play. After all, I have a thousand things to accomplish today and I don't have time to play.

But, I just received a phone call from my husband. He told me that Steven Curtis Chapman had just lost his daughter in a tragic accident. 

Please be in prayer for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman, especially for his teenage son. I can't even imagine what they are going through during this time, but I know that he will use this circumstance to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. 

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Shaohannah's Hope. The family has set up a blog in memory of Maria.

I think I will go play dress up and dance with Cinderella.

Midweek Motivation at Writer Interrupted

I have a confession to make. I've already made it to God. Now I feel led to share it with you...

If you want to find out what it is, join me today for Midweek Motivation at Writer Interrupted.

Goodness Gracious Snakes Alive

Oh my goodness! I just came home from an epilepsy advocate event, and Greg met me at the door with the words... "You are never going to believe this." Never a good sign.


Apparently, there was a 6 foot snake in our flower bed, right at our front door. We think it was a racer. Here is the picture Greg took. Can you believe there was a snake at our front door and he goes to get a camera?!

Here is a link to a picture from the internet. What do you think? We aren't sure what type of snake it was, and we would like to find out whether it was poisonous or not. If you will read on, you will find out why we need to know.

I do not like snakes! Not one little bit! I've got the heebie jeebies just writing this.

Our neighbor came over to help Greg corner and catch it so they could release it somewhere else. What were these guys thinking?! You don't catch it... and you don't release it... you kill it. But they didn't kill it. Again I ask... what were they thinking?

Our neighbor went to pick it up and it bit him! He put it in a cooler (just in case he got sick from the bite, so he would know what type of snake it was) and then went home. And proceeded to put the cooler in his garage.

When his wife came home, she made him go the hospital. But not before making him take the cooler out of the garage. We women have sense... we've learned our lesson about snakes ;-)

She told him the snake could get out of the cooler. He insisted it couldn't, but complied with her wishes. They didn't stay at the hospital, but when they returned, guess what was missing from the cooler...

Apparently the snake knocked the lid off and returned to somewhere in our cul de sac.

Well now, I need me some bloggy friend prayers lifted up on my behalf that the snake doesn't find it's way back to our house.


I know the Bible says this:
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. NIV

Now ya'll know I'm all about some signs, miracles and wonders and I believe... but even though I was raised in a pentecostal church... I'm not picking up any snakes.

(BTW... don't send me an email... we didn't really handle snakes... it's a joke :) )

I don't think I will sleep tonight... and I might not let my kids play outside all summer.
Any advice?

And the winners are...

Thanks to those of you who participated in the prize contest on my 100th post. I randomly drew two winners from the comments, and Greg and I selected two winners from the posts that were linked to signs, miracles and wonders. All of the stories were great. Everyone should go read them to be reminded of all of the awesome things God does - both big and small. It was hard to decide on the winners. I wish I had prizes for everyone!

The two random winners are:

$10 Starbucks and signed Nick Spark book - Beloved Mama

$25 Regal Gift Card - Beckyjo at Sweet Abundance

The two post winners are:

$25 Target Gift Card- Andrea at Mommy Snacks

$25 Lifeway Gift Card- Britteny at Outnumbered 4 to 1

If you guys will email me your address, I will get your prize mailed out before the weekend.

Congratulations and Sweet Blessings to you!

Taking God out of the Box

OK... You know when you hear something over and over, and you begin to think maybe God is trying to tell you something. I have to share the latest thing I think God is saying to me.

"I WON'T FIT IN A BOX... LET ME OUT AND SHOW AND TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT!"

It started this past weekend when Greg decided to "clean" (the term is used loosely) the garage. Really it was just straighten the garage because his definition of "clean the garage" and my definition are two entirely different things.

So, Greg was "straightening" the garage... and he finally decided to get rid of all the empty boxes we had been saving since we moved in almost 2 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long). For some reason we thought we would use them again. But what do you really need large empty boxes for anyway... unless you are moving again... and we are not!

So there you go... the first "box" reference. What do you need boxes for? Are they useful for anything, or do they just take up space? Isn't it more fun to take something out of a box than to put something in a box... you know like at Christmas? Why do we hold on to boxes?

Then last night as I was putting the kids to bed they were making up songs. You know how kids change the words to songs they already know and then sing them. Spencer started to sing "Little Red Box." 

If you don't know this song go here. Unfortunately, I don't have video of my kid singing it, but you get the idea of the song. He changed the words to..

 

"I wish I had a little white box to put my Jesus in, I'd take him out and go Um Um Um and put him back again" (insert hugging motion on the Um Um's)

"I wish I had a little black box to put Satan in, I'd take him out and go Um, Um, Um and put him back again." (insert punching motion on the Um Ums :) )

Cute right, he's going to hug Jesus and punch out Satan. But the first thing I said to him was, "You can't put God in a box." 

"Why"

"Because he's too big, he won't fit." 

Then I proceeded to try to explain to a 4 and 8 year old all the reasons why we shouldn't put God in a box and what that means. Entirely too much of a conversation for them or me to comprehend right before bed. 

After putting the kids to bed, I was talking to my friend Carol and we were talking about our presentation at Glorietta in the fall. And it's called... you guessed it "Boxes." I'm not kidding.

Then, today, I was having a conversation with my friend Carol again. (BTW, we talk on the phone way too much ;) ) We were discussing how big God is and how we just can't understand Him. He is so powerful and can do anything but we try to limit him... we put Him in a box. Hmmm... I think I just told my kids we aren't supposed to do that.

Ok... I'm beginning to get the message. Then I came upstairs to read some blogs and clicked on 

Boo Mama. Her post today is on unboxing. Again, not kidding. She has some fabulous pics of unboxing one of her favorite things. Made me want to go snack. 

Now... Just imagine if we "unboxed" God and then took videos and pictures and told everyone about it... Now that would be something worth watching. Do you think it would make everyone else want to go "unbox" Him too?

Prizes today!

Don't forget today is the last day to comment or sign up your post on Mr. Linky for a chance to win one of $100 worth of prizes for my 100th post. I'll announce the winners by midnight tonight.

Have a blessed day!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Aaron Shust

I really wanted to post a song from my friend Janet this week. She has just finished her CD project and it is available on her website at Living Oak Ministries. But, my knowledge of technology is not to the point that I could figure out how to do it. So hopefully next week I will have one of her new songs. I can't wait to share it because I know you will be blessed by her.
So, since I couldn't put up her song, I decided to put up an Aaron Shust song - only I couldn't decide which one. I heard this one on the the radio this week and it really spoke to me.

He watches over us. He is always faithful. Always interceding for us even when we wander astray. He never leaves us alone.

Then I remembered that Aaron Shust also sings this song.

This song has been one of my favorites for awhile. We can take him at his word. He is and was and is always gonna be! He left his place on high and came for us to die... Amazing.

Then, as I was looking for these songs on You Tube, I found this song.

I hadn't heard it before but it might be my new favorite! 

One day this will actually happen... and oh what a day that will be!

This song gave me chill bumps. Some of the pictures are amazing! 

Listen to the words carefully!

Hope you enjoyed these! Can't wait to see what you have to share.

Be sure to link your TSMS post to Mr. Linky, not just your blogspot address, otherwise when people click on your link later in the week, they will get your current post instead of your TSMS post. If you are not sure how to do this, email me.

PS. Don't forget about my give aways for my 100th post. You still have time to post or comment for a chance to win one of $100 worth of prizes. Just click over and comment or post a sign, miracle or wonder in your life.

Let's Pretend

So yesterday we actually spent the day at home. Well at least ML and I did. Spencer still has school until June 6. He is getting really tired. We are definitely ready for summer!

While Spencer was at school, ML and I got to play. I was moved to first position since our neighbor is out of town. Her "best friend" wasn't available, so I would have to do.

You have to understand that when you play with Mary Lyndsey... it always has to be her way. 

I can't imagine where she gets that from ;)  She decides the game and it's usually some type of pretend game.

I am usually given some animal, told what it is, what it's name is, and what it is supposed to do or say. I always find this very interesting because sometimes I am given a rabbit and told it's a horse. The weird thing is, she has a toy horse... so why use a rabbit? Why not just use the horse? 

Then, when I try to start making up part of the game on my own or play the game the way I think it should go, I always get corrected and told "No Mommy, you're not supposed to say that. You are supposed to say and do this." I have to follow her plan exactly... only I don't know what her plan is until the very moment I am supposed to do it. Sometimes it can be frustrating.

I asked her about her method of play yesterday... why she she used the rabbit if she needed a horse and she had a horse, and why I had to do and say everything exactly the way she wanted. I was trying to teach her a lesson about how to play with friends. I think I'm the one who got the lesson. 

"He doesn't think he's a horse Mommy but he really is. He just doesn't know it yet. And I know what I want to play, you just don't know it yet, but just trust me, I promise it's going to be really great. Just do what I tell you."

These were actually the exact words that came out of her mouth. I started to argue with her about how that's not the way friends like to play, and how she should give everyone a turn to decide what to play and what to say.  I decided however after some thought, that once again God might be using my four year old to speak to me. 

Just like Mary Lyndsey had a plan for the way she wanted the game to go, God has a plan for me. God doesn't see me for what I am, but for what I can be... for what He has planned for me. (I think I'm a rabbit... but really I'm a horse) Sometimes I just don't know the plan yet. I have to trust Him and what He wants to do with my game of life. If I would just learn to be patient and do what He says to do when He says to do it... He promises it will be really great. 

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Lord, I am so glad you see me for what I can be, for what you have planned for me. Even when I'm not sure of myself, you are sure of me and you can use me to accomplish what you have purposed.  Help me to set aside my plans for yours and to trust you each step of the way.

What's Going On

I can't believe we survived yesterday. Both kids had well checks and needed shots and Spencer had two teeth removed. We ended up in dentist and doctor's offices from 9:30am until 3:30pm. Not a fun day for anyone... but we celebrated with ice cream (except for me... I'm still trying to diet).

Last night was end of the year Awana/Cubbie parties and awards. I'm so proud of the kids. They both finished their books and will receive awards. Spencer has memorized three books of scriptures over the past three years and will receive the Sparks plaque, and Mary Lyndsey just started Cubbies this year but learned 36 verses over the year. I certainly hope "hiding the word in their heart" will pay off. I know it will.

Several people have commented or emailed me and asked about the ABC's on Tuesday's post and the Psalms on my 100th post. I wrote the ABC's myself, and I came up with it as the first word I thought of with each letter of the alphabet. You most certainly have my permission to print or copy it for yourself. (If it is for something more formal, please give credit :) ). I am working on finding scripture references for each one and will post it again when I do. Also the Psalms just came from going through each psalm in order and writing down what it says about God. They are in exact order. I am studying the book of Psalms right now and it is so encouraging!

Just a reminder... my give away's on my 100th post are for Monday. If you haven't commented for your chance to win... go back and do so. You might win a great prize!

I hope to be back to post again today.

Learning my ABC's

Yesterday was a rough day. You know the kind when you get to the end of it, and you are disappointed at all the times you messed up. I tucked my little ones in bed last night and realized I had not been a very good Mommy the day after Mother's Day. I had lost patience easily, yelled, and not spent any time enjoying the wonder of God's world with them. And... I had not accomplished anything on my to do list anyway. I felt like nothing I did yesterday was of eternal value.

I barely made it through the day, and I know it's because I tried to do it on my own. As I prayed with the kids on the way to school today, I apologized to them for my behavior yesterday. I admitted I messed up to them and to God, and asked for a chance to do better today. Just like God always is, my kids were ready to forgive. They were encouraging and said things like "It's alright Mommy, we still love you. You are the best mommy ever."

Mary Lyndsey has been on an "ABC" kick lately, singing the song all the time. She wants her brother to read to her everyday. He keeps telling her if she would learn her ABC's, she could read a book and understand it by herself. She wouldn't need his help. He explains to her that's how she can do a good job reading... to learn her ABC's. She is doing pretty good and can write every letter and knows each one's sound. She sings the song over and over along with the A Beka sound song "Alexander Alligator, Alexander Alligator, A says a, a, a, a...."

When I apologized to her this morning she said, "That's OK Mommy, you just need to learn your ABC's, and then you can do a good job being a mommy all by yourself." She is so right. I need to learn my ABC's. Then I can do the things God has called me to do, only not on my own or by myself, but with God's help.

Lord,

I need your armor and your anointing on my life.

I need your boldness and your blessing.

I need your compassion and your caring.

I need your deliverance and your discipline.

I need your encouragement and evidence of you.

I need more faith and the freedom only you can give.

I need your goodness and your guidance.

I need your help and your holiness .

I need your inspiration.

I need your justification and your joy.

I need your knowledge.

I need your love and your leading.

I need your mercy and your miracles.

I need you to meet my needs.

I need to learn obedience.

I need your patience and your peace.

I need to be quiet and still and know that you are God.

I need your renewal.

I need your salvation.

I need to trust more.

I need your understanding.

I need your victory.

I need wisdom to know your will.

I need you to X out my transgressions and I need an extra measure of your grace.

I need your yoke because mine is too hard and too heavy.

And I want to be consumed with zeal for you.

Lord, forgive me for the times I try to be in control and do things on my own. Help me to yield everything to you.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Empty Me

Beep Beep Beep... I'm experiencing some technical difficulties with Mr. Linky. When you link to TSMS, it also links you on my 100th post. I'm working on it so please be patient.

Wow... I can't believe it's Saturday again already!

If you are just joining in on Then Sings My Soul for the first time, welcome.

If you are a regular contributor, I'm so glad you are participating again. I just love hearing all of your inspirational songs and reading your post about them.

Well... this week I'm going to take you to a blast from the not so distant past. Do you remember this guy from American Idol (Season 6).



Well, as you heard on the video, he is from Greenville, SC, which is where I lived before moving to Georgia. One of my best friend's husband played in one of Chris Sligh's worship bands at one time.

I don't know Chris personally, but from everything I hear, he is the real thing as far as his faith goes. I had kind of forgotten about him since AI, but then I heard this song on the radio this week.



I loved it. I especially liked the chorus:

I know how I can stray and how fast my heart can change so

Empty me of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride

Any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me

So I can be filled with you

I know how I am prone to stray and wander too. My prayer is that I will be emptied of myself and filled with only Him.

For more about Chris Sligh... go here. I think I have to go out and buy this CD now.

Blessings to you!

My 100th Post! 100 Signs, Miracles and Wonders

Warning: This is a long post... but hang in there till the end and I promise it will be worth it. I promised fabulous prizes didn't I?

Wow... I made it to 100! And it only took me 8 months to do it :) 

The first thing I would like to do is thank my friend Carol's husband Alan (and Carol too) for creating my new blog look. I love it. I hope you like it too.

Since this is my 100th post, we are going to celebrate with lots of "100's."

First... Let's celebrate with Psalm 100. 

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;

Come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name, For the Lord is good

and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Doesn't that just get you in the mood to celebrate?!

Next, a lot of people write 100 things about themselves for their 100th post, instead I am going to write 100 things about God. I've been studying Psalms and I am amazed by all the things God does for us.  If you ever wonder how awesome God is... just go back and read through the Psalms. This is just the first 100 things listed... He is so much more!

1. He is a shield around us.

2. He bestows glory on us.

3. He lifts up our head.

4. He answers us.

5. He sustains us.

6. He delivers us.

7. He gives us relief from distress.

8. He sets apart the godly for himself.

9. He hears us when we call to Him.

10. He fills our heart with joy.

11. He lets us lie down and sleep in peace.

12. He makes us dwell in safety.

13. He leads us in righteousness.

14. He spreads His protection over us.

15. He blesses the righteous.

16. He is merciful to us.

17. He heals us.

18. He hears our weeping.

19. He accepts our prayers.

20. He rises up against our enemies.

21. He is a righteous judge.

22. He searches hearts and minds.

23. He is mindful of man and cares for him.

24. He crowns us with glory and honor.

25. He upholds our right and our cause.

26. He is a refuge for the oppressed.

27. He is a stronghold in times of trouble.

28. He never forsakes those who seek Him.

29. He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

30. He does not forget the helpless.

31. He is a helper of the fatherless.

32. He is King for ever and ever.

33. He encourages us.

34. He defends the fatherless and the oppressed.

35. He examines the righteous.

36. He keeps us safe.

37. His words are flawless.

38. He is good to us.

39. He looks down from Heaven for those who seek Him.

40. He will restore the fortunes of His people.

41. He assigns us our portion and our cup.

42. He gives us a delightful inheritance.

43. He counsels us.

44. He makes known the path of life.

45. He fills us with the joy of his presence.

46. He  probes our hearts.

47. He tests us.

48. He shows us the wonder of his great love.

49. He keeps us as the apple of his eye.

50. He hides us in the shadow of his wings.

51. He rescues us from the wicked.

52. He is our strength and our rock.

53. He is our support.

54. He takes us to a spacious place. 

55. He rewards us.

56. He shows himself faithful.

57. He shows himself blameless.

58. He shows himself pure.

59. He keeps our lamp burning.

60. He turns our darkness into light.

61. He helps us scale walls.

62. He arms us with strength.

63. He makes our way perfect.

64. He makes our feet like that of a deer.

65. He enables us to stand on heights. 

66. He trains our hands for battle.

67. He gives us a shield of victory.

68. His right hand sustains us.

69. He stoops down to make us great.

70. He shows us unfailing kindness.

71. He revives our soul.

72. He keeps us from willful sins.

73. He is our Redeemer.

74. He answers when we are in distress and sends help.

75. He gives us the desires of our heart.

76. He makes all our plans succeed.

77. He gives us life.

78. He gives us eternal blessings.

79. He is our Shepherd.

80. He makes us lie down in green pastures.

81. He leads us beside quiet waters.

82. He restores our soul.

83. He guides us in paths of righteousness.

84. He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death.

85. He comforts us.

86. He anoints our heads with oil and makes our cups overflow.

87. He allows us to dwell in His house forever.

88. He is the King of glory.

89. He never lets us be put to shame.

90. He shows us his ways and teaches us his paths.

91. He guides us in truth.

92. Our hope is in Him all day long.

93. He remembers us according to His love, not our sins.

94. He instructs us.

95. He makes his covenant known to us.

96. He is gracious to us.

97. He guards our life.

98. He is our light and salvation.

99. He hides us in His shelter and sets us on a rock.

100. He never forsakes us.

That just gets us through Psalm 29.  I encourage you to keep going!

Last, I'm giving away $100 worth of prizes: 

A $25 Target Gift Card, 

A $25 Lifeway Gift Card, 

A $25 Regal Gift Card,

A $10 Starbucks gift card with a signed copy of True Believer by Nick Sparks. 

The Target card is so you can remember to always strive to hit the mark.

The Lifeway card is to remind you of Christ... He is the only Way to Life.

The Regal card is to remind you that you are royalty - a child of the King. It is also to encourage you to go enjoy a new movie coming out... Fireproof by Sherwood Pictures and Provident Films. Be sure to check out their blog. The movie is coming out this fall. 

And who doesn't like a good book with a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate. I hope if you aren't already... you become a True Believer. If you aren't sure how to become a "True Believer" then please email me and I would love to introduce you the One who loves you so much that He died for you. He is the ultimate prize.

But how do you win the prizes I'm giving away you might ask? The last "100 celebration" is to try to get 100 "signs, miracles or wonders" linked to this post. Write a post about a sign, miracle or wonder in your life, then link your post to Mr. Linky below. Be sure to link to my site in your post too. If you don't blog, you can post a comment with your story in it. You must post between now and next Sunday, May 18. You can also just leave a comment to be eligible to win. I will draw randomly for two of the prizes from the comments and select from the stories for the other two prizes. I will announce the winners before midnight on Monday, May 19. Invite your friends to join in too.

I can't wait to write 100 more posts.  I hope you will join me! Oh and don't forget to join in tomorrow for Then Sings My Soul Saturday! I promise to try to get to all of your songs this week :0)

Sweet Blessings to you!

A "sign" for you

You know that time warp continuum thing and the black holes they always talked about on Star Trek? (Not that I am a Star Trek fan, but my husband does own all the movies, and I did watch the Next Generation when it was on television. I do like to watch William Shatner as Denny Crane on Boston Legal occasionally, and he still cracks me up but I digress...) Anyway, did you know those time warp and black hole things actually exist.

I know because I've been in one. It's sort of like in the blogging world when you sit down to just read a post or two and catch up... and suddenly it's four hours later and you have no idea where the time has gone. Or try as you might to leave the the screen, there is no power strong enough to help you escape the pull of the computer. So you sit in your chair on your bottom laughing and crying with all of these people you really don't know but you feel like you do, so you end up spending more time in their world instead of doing all of the things on your to do list in your own world for much longer than you should have. How is that for a run on sentence?

Well instead of being trapped in the blogging world unable to break free, I've been trapped in the "to do" list real world. This week has brought teacher appreciation week at Spencer's school, Awana goodie bags and teacher gifts for both kids, helping Spencer finish the Sparks handbook, a speaking engagement on Friday night that I am preparing for, Mother's Day gifts and cards to be mailed, my Mother-in-Love's birthday, a flat tire, the birth of a new family member, the hospitalization of another, Mary Lyndsey's last day of school, her teacher and end of the year friend gifts, the laundry left from last week's trip to Michigan, a trip to the grocery story so my children could eat, a diet that I am trying very hard to stick to, the scheduling of 7, (yes 7) different doctor/dentist appointments, a writing deadline, and I could go on and on... but I don't want to bore you to tears.

I've still not even had time to read all of the "Then Sings My Soul" post from this past Saturday, so I apologize to those who participated. I really want to go back and listen to all of your songs but it just might not happen this week. I know they were all wonderful.

Well, I'm not sure how many of you drop by here each week looking for a sign or a miracle... since my site does talk about those things from time to time... but if you are looking for a sign this week - I've got one for you.

That's right. My 100th post is coming up. Actually it will be my next post. I'm hoping to get it up before Saturday's TSMS. Please keep checking back. You could be the winner of a fabulous prize!

Hope you are all having a blessed week!

Amy

Then Sings My Soul Saturday How Great Thou Art

I was looking back over my TSMS Satuday posts and realized I hadn't posted the song that inspired me to start it all.





I love Sandi Patti, and I get chill bumps every time I hear her sing this song.

I hope your soul is singing this Satuday after hearing this song too!

Blessings to you!


PS. I can't wait to read all of your post and hear your songs... but I am in SC for the weekend and I barely have a signal. I plan to read them all when I return. My cousin had her baby last night. A little girl, Anna Katherine (Anna Kate) weighing 6 lbs. 4oz. and measuring 19 3/4 inches.

Baby and Mom are doing great! Here she is:

Amy

A Legacy of Love/Mother's Day Photo Contest

They say a picture is worth a thousand words... in this case a picture is worth a chance at a $1000. 5 Minutes for Mom is once again sponsoring an awesome, fun contest. They are giving away $1000 American Express gift card courtesy of Egg Beaters. The contest is a Mother's Day Photo Contest. Just post one of your favorite "mother" photos and add your post to Mr. Linky. The photos can be any "motherhood inspired" photo that tells a story.

I've selected the following photos. You can't readily tell the story behind the photos... so I will share the story with you.

This is my mom and me right after coming home from the hospital. I love the way she is looking at me in this photo. It's hard to tell from the scanned image, but the look on her face is one of amazement and love. I know I feel this way when I look at my own children, so it means so much to me to see this same look of wonder on my Mom's face.This is especially true because deciding to have me wasn't exactly easy for my Mom. She was just a baby herself. She was 17 and I was an "accident." I now know there are no accidents in God's grand plan but still... she could have made a different decision. She chose to go through the scorn and ridicule of others. She chose life. A single teenage mother in the early 70's was not readily accepted like it is today.One of the main reasons I believe she made the choice she did, is because of the love shown to her by her own mother and grandmother. This picture is me, my Mom, my Grandma and my Great Grandma. They passed down a legacy of love to her. My Grandmother taught my Mom to be strong. Her husband left her when my Mom and her sisters were about 2, 6 and 7. My Grandmother raised those three girls with the help of her own mother. It was no surprise that my Grandmother was willing to help my Mom. She and my Great Grandmother "Granny Neva," took care of me during the times when my Mother couldn't. They helped raise me.

My Great Grandmother taught this lesson to my Grandma. When Granny Neva married my Great Grandfather, his first wife had died and he had three small children ages 4, 7 and 9. She took them in as her very own. When my "PaPa's" first wife died, one of his sister's had taken the children. The story goes that the same day she married my "Papa" she sent him after the children to live with them. That is what a mom does... she takes care of you no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Then when the tables are turned, you take care of your mom. My Great Grandmother had a stroke when I was about 5. You might have noticed she was in a wheelchair in the picture above. My Grandmother and I moved in with my great grandparents for her to take care of Granny Neva. She eventually needed help with everything... eating, bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom. My Grandma worked days and took care of her afternoons and nights. She did this for 6 long years.

This picture is one of my favorite recent photos. It is me, my Mom, My Grandma and my kids. My kids absolutely love their "Nanny" and "Granny." My Grandma even quit her job (yes she was still working at age 66) and moved in with my husband and me to keep Spencer while I worked. She kept him until he was 10 months old when I quit work to keep up with his multiple therapies.

My Grandmother will celebrate her 75th birthday in February. She is still passing down a legacy of love to me and my children. These women in my life have truly demonstrated to me what motherhood means.

Mom, Grandma and Granny Neva... thank you. I love you with all my heart.

Happy Mothers Day!