Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Here I am

Spencer and I are finally in Washington, DC for the National Epilepsy Walk. We had a little bit of a rough time getting here but we made it. Our first flight was cancelled this morning. Then our second flight was delayed. Then we sat on the runway forever before we took off. Upon arrival, we checked in and decided to get some dinner. We walked a few blocks to a restaurant where the waitress spilled two full drinks on me. I was soaked from head to toe - not the greatest day.
As I sat there dripping I thought, I have two choices. I can be really mad and behave very poorly, or I can reflect Christ. I decided to show forgiveness. The funny part was the people sitting around me couldn't believe I responded the way I did. They kept saying things like, "you are being too nice." "I would be really mad."
The manager gave us our meal and a gift card for later and offered to pay for my dry cleaning. I tipped the waitress and told her not to worry about it, that I had spilled my share of food on customers when I was waiting tables in college. As I left, I thought about what the people sitting around me thought. They had seen us pray over our food, then they had seen me show kindness and forgiveness.  What if I had over reacted and been cruel to the waitress? What would people have thought then? 
Every encounter we have with others gives us the opportunity to show the love of Christ. All of our life should be an offering. He can use everything in His plan. 
I love this song by Downhere. It has great lyrics. I have often thought of it with big issues or challenges in life, but it also applies to the little things - things like being kind to a waitress who spills a drink on your head.  He has sent us into the world to be His representatives - to reflect Him and His love and forgiveness.
Will you say "Here I am, Lord send me?"

Sometimes your calling, comes in dreamsSometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze,You reach for the deepest hope in me,And call out for the things of eternity.
But I'm a man, of dust and stains,You move in me, so I can say,
Here I am, Lord send me,All of my life, I make an offering,Here I am, Lord send me,Somehow my story is part of your plan,Here I am
When setbacks and failures, and upset plans,Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand?I know that you will finish what you began.
These broken parts you redeem,Become the song, that I can sing
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,And the fear that I'll fail you in the end,In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces, I can't put this together but you can
Here I am, Lord send me,All of my life, I make an offering.Here I am, Lord send me,Somehow my story is part of your plan,Here I am.

Sweet Blessings,

Amy

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Switchfoot

We had a pretty good week with Spencer - one small seizure since the bad one last Tuesday. Greg and I are at a marriage retreat this weekend so please pray for him to be seizure free while we are away. Thanks for the prayers.

Been hearing this one a lot on the radio this week. I like it! Here's hoping your weekend is "More Than Fine."



Sweet Blessings,
Amy

MIdweek Motivation

"God Cares About the Details"

Ever had those days when you felt you were throwing up emergency prayers that seemed unimportant in the big scheme of things? You know the ones. "Lord, please let me find my car keys or I'm going to be late again." "Lord, please let me find a parking space close to the door, because I have to get these children and all this stuff in that store quickly in the rain." "Lord, please multiply  my time today, and let the sun stand still like it did for Joshua, because if you don't, I'm not going to get it all done."

I'm sure you've prayed one or more of these prayers on some occasion. I know I've prayed them many times.

To read the rest of this devotion... click here.

Sweet Blessings,

Amy

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - I Still Believe

Sorry I haven't been around this week. It was kind of a rough one. This past Wednesday WOULD HAVE BEEN 8 weeks since Spencer's last seizure... but on Tuesday night, he had a breakthrough. He's been sick with strep and I think his resistance was down. Tuesday night he

had an hour and a half status seizure and we had to go to the emergency room. We spent most of the night there till 4am and finally got home around 5am. He slept most of the day on Wednesday. We are still trying to play catch up on everything.

I have to say I've had a difficult week. I'm just plain mad. Not sure exactly who I'm mad at- I just feel like I've been punched in the stomach and I want to punch back. I've tried to pray through it but I'm tired. I keep telling myself God has a plan and He is in control. I just have to keep saying I believe until I do again.

I hope you have a blessed weekend.

Amy

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - What If God's People Prayed?

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I know this is an older song, but it is one of my favorites. We definitely need to be in prayer for our country.

Have a blessed weekend,

Amy

National Epilepsy Walk 2009 - "We need you!"

The end of March, Spencer, Lucia and I will be traveling to Washington, DC for the National Epilepsy Walk. We are excited to be returning again this year. Spencer will also be participating in Kids Speak Up, a program sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation. He was selected as the representative from Georgia to attend.
Kids Speak Up! is a national conference for youth leaders with epilepsy. It provides 7-16 year olds with a unique opportunity to educate elected officials and staff about the disease. It’s also the first chance for many participants to speak out and meet other youth with epilepsy.
We will be attending training and have the opportunity to go to Capitol Hill to speak with relected officials about epilepsy. It will be a great learning experience for us and them.
Spencer and I are in the process of raising money for the Walk and would love it if you would contribute if you feel led to do so. You can go to this page to make an online contribution. You can also contribute by mail and the address is listed on the page as well.
I'll be sure to post pictures when we return. In the meantime, enjoy this clip from last year's walk. I think you might recognize that little boy at the end saying "We need you!"

Me and Spencer at last year's walk.

Sweet Blessings to you,

Amy

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss and Greg

Dr. Seuss shared his birthday with my husband on March 2. I didn't make a big fuss about Greg's birthday because he thinks he's old now. I won't mention what age he is, let's just say it would go at the end of Billboard ;) That's all I have to say about that :-)

Mary Lyndsey's class is celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday tomorrow so I made some special snacks. I think they turned out very cute. First I made some red and blue jello and cut out fish jigglers for One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. I didn't take pictures of the fish, but they were adorable.

Then, I made these Cat in the Hat cookies. 

I got the idea from the pilgrim hat cookies I made at Thanksgiving. These are a Ritz cracker dipped in white chocolate with a marshmallow on top. I then took red icing and drew the lines around the hats. The icing wanted to run a little, but all in all, I was very pleased with how they turned out. Very cute if I do say so myself.

By the way, yesterday made 7 weeks seizure free for Spencer. We are thrilled and thankful. God answers prayer!

Hope you have a blessed day.

Amy

Wacky Wednesday and The Fonz

Well, last week was Spencer's dress up week at school. He had a blast wearing PJ's to school, dressing tacky and pretending to be a famous person. I thought he made a great hippie too.

On Friday, it was 50's day and they had a sock hop Friday night. I think he's looking a little like the Fonz. As long as he doesn't jump the shark, we'll be OK. His class won the spirit competition too. He was very excited.

This week Mary Lyndsey is having some dress up fun. Today was Wacky Wednesday. Two different boots and two different bows was about as wacky as we got. She looked very cute. Tomorrow, they are celebrating Dr. Seuss. I made some adorable snacks. Can't wait to share them with you.

Have a blessed day,

Amy

Learning by "Egg"xample

5 Minutes for Faith

My son is reading Charlotte's Web at school. As a class project, he brought home an egg to take care of for a week, just as Wilbur took care of Charlotte's egg. He has to write in a journal each day about the adventures he has with the egg. He had to name it. He can read to it, wash it, play with it, and decorate or dress it. He is not supposed to leave it alone. He can take it back and forth to school with him or get a baby sitter. Spencer's egg's name is Kirby. 

Today, a tragedy occurred.

To read the rest of this devotion, click here.