Rwanda or Bust!

Did I tell you all that our baby, Caroline, is in Rwanda? Our very first child...the one we thought we would protect forever and never let her out of our sight...is in Rwanda. She's been there for a week now, with fifteen other high school/college kids and leaders from Saddleback Church. Thanks to so many of you who generously supported her, she was able to make the trip of a lifetime.

My husband had gone to Dubai on business earlier this year and Caroline told me how much she would LOVE to go to Dubai. I remember thinking that would be great but you are sixteen, and I highly doubt you're going to have any opportunities soon! But I said with a smile, "Yeah, that would be great!" She wanted to see the indoor ski resort that they put right in the middle of the desert and the homes that were being built on the island in the shape of a palm tree. Well, little did I know at that time, she would be going to Rwanda and staying overnight in where? You guessed it --Dubai! In fact, she is staying there not only on the way there, but also on the way back.

The YouTube video that I posted is from one of my favorite artists, Sara Groves. She sang for an event that was hosted by Open Doors this past fall. In the video, she is visiting Rwanda and sees the Genocide Museum. Little did I know as she was playing this song and we were watching the video that my daughter would soon be visiting the same places.

Life is funny that way, you just never know. But then again, I like surprises. I like God showing up and doing big things in my life and my family. It's harder for me when it seems like He is absent and silent. My prayer for Caroline is that God shows up in a huge way for her in Rwanda. I'd love your prayers for her and her safety as well!! Can't wait to see her again soon!! Her room is so empty and quiet and CLEAN!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all of your blessings. Thank you for providing people in the amazing USA to generously support kids to go on missions trips around the world. Thank you for this incredible country of freedom. Please watch over all of the kids who are currently on summer missions trips. May they make a tremendous impact on those whom they are serving. May their hearts be touched and changed to fall more and more in love with you.

Today's Bargain Tip

Don't forget to check the internet for coupons prior to shopping at a retail store. I recently bought some gifts at the Bath and Body Works sale. I got all of my items for 75% off. I was really happy until the woman at the counter next to me did the same thing, and then presented at $10 off coupon as well! She had printed her coupon off of the internet, prior to visiting the store. The lady was so sweet at the store and kind enough to allow me to use her coupon as well. But it made me think that I should always remember to google the store name and any available coupons, before going shopping!

Now go and enjoy every moment!

The "Busyness" and Brevity of Life

I love the blogging world and I miss the blogging world when I just don't have time to be a part of it! I realize that it's been almost a month since my last post. A sure sign that life with four kids in the month of May is just WAY too busy!

Sometimes in the "busyness" of this world, I can so easily forget what really matters until I come across something that helps me refocus and remember. This happened recently when a dear friend of mine, Jen DeKlotz, referred me to an amazing link on the site: http://www.deathisnotdying.com/. It's the story of 37 year old Rachel Barkey who is dying of cancer, and most likely has only has a matter of days or months left on this earth.

Rachel, who loves her husband and five year old daughter and one year old son fiercely, spoke to the women at her church in a fifty minute talk, and described her cancer in the hands of a sovereign God. This is a woman who gets it. She gets the whole deal. She understands and accepts that a loving God could allow her to contract this horrific form of bone cancer. She understands that her suffering may be what God uses to help usher just one soul into eternity. And if that be the case, she says it will be worth it and ok. Rachel is very well read and in addition to God's word, she lists her book list on the website.

I encourage you to find time in your own "busyness" of life and make a cup of tea and listen to her message. I promise you it will be fifty minutes very well spent. In fact, it might very well affect how you approach each day for the rest of your time here on earth. My favorite quote from her talk was, "I am here to serve with joy."

Here's one more quote I recently came across...

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."
- Mark Batterson

Dear Lord,

You know how busy we all are, especially at this time of the year. Would you help us to realize the brevity of life each day? Would you help us to believe you for great things in our life and to accept your sovereign plans for our lives, whatever those may be. More than anything, help us to remember that in the blink of an eye we will be spending eternity with you where there will be no more pain and no more sorrow, only pure joy.

Money Saving Tip

Have you found the local dollar store in your area? You'll find gift bags for a dollar, tissue paper for a dollar, and all kinds of school supplies. Some dollar stores have fresh produce for a dollar. I just found out that my local dollar store creates a dozen balloon arrangements for far less than the local party goods store. You just might want to go and check it out!

Now go and enjoy every moment!

Kim

The Bird is Back in Town

Three of my friends, Dee, Jennifer, and Denise, and I are getting ready to do a retreat this coming weekend in Dana Point. (We would LOVE your prayers!) At times, in the craziness of life and the sixteen children between the four of us, it can feel a bit out of control. And as the retreat gets closer and closer, I begin to wonder, "Am I crazy to be trying to write my talks? Is it too much to try to do this while the kids are all still at home and my husband is in Africa? God, are you hearing my prayers? Are you really such a God of details that you will give me every word to say, and bring exactly the women you desire to be there?

And then, something like the Bird Story occurs, and I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that He does care, that He is present, and that He oversees every single detail.

A week ago, Friday, my son's friend's family lost their cockatiel bird. They had forgotten to close the door on the cage and the bird, Sunshine, had not had its wings clipped in a while. So, Sunshine found her way out of the cage and flew to their front yard and across the street. They tried to catch her and were within a couple of feet when she flew out of reach.

Fast forward to six days later when their son, Connor, my son, James, and another friend were walking to the park near my house. We live about a mile away from the bird's home. As they arrived at the park, James happened to notice a bird fly above his head and into a tree. For some reason, she caught his eye because she looked like a household bird and not a bird of the wild. He turned to Connor and said, "Connor, is that your bird - Sunshine?" Connor could not believe it. There she was, sitting right up on a branch in a tall tree.

The boys eventually caught Sunshine with their bare hands. Connor held onto the bird while James called Connor's mom. James asked her to please bring a cage, but the mom thought James was teasing. So, she drove up in her SUV and James asked, "Do you have the cage?" She said, "No - I thought you were joking!! I can't believe you found Sunshine!" And the bird finally made it safely home that day while fluttering around their SUV.

Do you believe God is a God of details? What are the chances that the housetrained bird could survive in the wild for a nearly a week, not get eaten by hawks, and be able to be caught with bare hands? I'm so glad that God is detailed and that He is not a God of chance. I am thankful that somehow He will pull together this retreat in a way that will bring glory to Him because "when I am weak, He is strong" and "not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without His knowledge."

Dear Lord,

We praise you that you are a God of details. Thank you for caring for the little things in our lives. Thank you that you care so much for your children, that not a detail about our lives escapes you.

Today's Bargain Tip: The Purpose Driven Connection Magazine

Rick Warren has a new magazine available that costs only $20 for four issues annually. You can save $20 by subscribing for the magazine because a single issue will cost you $10. He is also providing a DVD of his small group curriculum, "Wide Angle", that he filmed with Chuck Colson regarding a Christian worldview. It also comes with the text for the six week study, inserted in the magazine. Such a deal!

Now go and enjoy every moment!

Kim

Seven Minutes of Pure Surprise

Okay, now that I have figured out how to post a YouTube video onto my blog, I just had to share one more unbelievable clip with you! (Although you must click on the link below, as they have blocked bloggers from sharing the clip on their site.)

This is the story of Susan Boyle, a 47 year old spinster from Scotland who tries out for the television show, Britain's Got Talent. You must see this for yourself, if you haven't yet witnessed this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Yesterday, when I checked YouTube the clip had received 6 million hits. This morning, it has gone up to 12 million. As many people have said, she just opened her mouth and out came the voice of angels. Let God be praised. For He is the creator, the creator of all things. Hearing her beautiful voice draws me near to our Creator, the one whom we will worship for all of eternity. (Perhaps we will all have Susan's kind of voice in heaven?!)

Psalm 145 states: "I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will SING with joy of your righteousness."

Dear Lord,

You are mighty and worthy of our praise. Thank you for blessing people like Susan with an unbelievable voice, a voice that touches our souls and draws us near to you. Let us each use the voices you have entrusted us with to glorify You.

Today's Bargain Tip

Buy the quart at Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt for your family, or buy some extras when they go and sale and keep them in your freezer. You can save a lot, especially when the $6.99 quarts go on sale for $3.99 and a small is normally over $3.00.

Now go and enjoy every moment!

Kim

Dancin' with the Sound of Music

Okay, I love this YouTube video. Check it out - it's only four minutes long and based on the Sound of Music...it might just make your day!



Dear Lord,

Thanks for joy. Thanks for fun. Thanks for creating music and dance. You are great and greatly to be praised.

Bargain Tips for Today

Three tips I heard today...kids can get a free lift ticket at the BrianHead Ski Resort in Utah with straight A's (Thanks, Teresa Genoway, for the tip!), Orange County Pizza in Trabuco Canyon has large pizzas on sale on Mondays through Thursdays for $7.99, and iTunes now gives a price break for the OLDER songs from my generation. Rock on!

Now go and enjoy every moment!

Kim

Don't go so fast!!

My daughter, who will be sixteen in two weeks, drove us all home yesterday from visiting colleges in San Diego with her learner's permit. I sat in the backseat with clenched fists, while she navigated the freeway, with my husband sitting close by her side in the front seat.

"Don't follow the car ahead of you so closely, you won't be able to stop! Watch out for people merging onto the freeway into your lane. Careful...you are awfully close to the car on your right." I really want to live to see your 16th birthday!! And the instructions, went on and on...

While I nearly feared for my life, I also sat there thinking and wondering what happened? How did we get here so quickly? One minute, I found out "It's a girl!" The next minute, it seems I blinked and my little girl is driving me on the 405.

How similar my journey with our daughter reminds me of life. One minute it seems like life just stretches out ahead of me forever. The next minute, I am figuring out how to color my gray hair blond or paint it with hair spraypaint. (Seriously, have you tried the Bumble and Bumble hair paint? I love it!) One minute, the road seems nice and flat. The next minute, I am unprepared for the bumpy road or the sudden curve on the road.

I am so thankful that God knows. He knows the bumps, the curves, and the speed by which life will pass us by. I want to focus on the destination, eternity, and where we are headed. With Easter being just a few days away, I want to remember what our Lord has done for us on the cross. I want to keep my eyes fixed on Him, and embrace and enjoy every moment of this crazy life! I don't want to wish it away and I don't want to wish it were different. I just want to keep learning to be content with the ride and be thankful that HE is the driver!

No wishes, just extreme gratitude for the gift of life with Him.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being our Lord, for rising from the grave, and for providing a way for us to spend eternity with You and Your Father. Thank you for Easter and new life. Give us your joy and your hope in this Easter season to share with someone who may not know you. And, would you please send special angels for all of us who have teen drivers?

Today's Bargain Tip

I was blessed today by a dear friend who gave me a wonderful bag of hand me down clothes that she could not use: Ann Taylor, Banana Republic,...My bargain tip for today is for each of us to put together a bag of clothes that we no longer wear, and see if there is someone we can bless as well.

Now, go and enjoy every moment and have a wonderful Easter!

Kim

Hiding His Word...

God's Word in Our Hearts...

I remember when I was in college and a woman challenged me to memorize God's word, to "hide it in my heart." You would have thought that I would have been inspired, and motivated to do so. Instead, I resisted the thought and countered her by saying, "But that's brainwashing." She agreed. It was brain washing and it was exactly what my brain needed. And, it is still what my brain needs each and every day!

Over the years, I have thought of the truth of God's word where He says,

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Sometimes, His way and His word feel exactly the opposite to the way we are feeling. He wants our brains to be brainwashed by His word. If they are not filled with His word, then they are brainwashed by the world's words and ways. I don't know about you but I'm not finding a lot of encouragement in today's world lately. I would much rather be encouraged by the truth of God's word hidden in my heart and in my mind, and to view the world from His perspective.

I love the two verses 10 and 11 that follow the above passage:

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

I love that God's word never returns void, and always accomplishes His purposes.

Right now, I am blessed to be a part of a small group of women who are holding each other accountable to memorize the first chapter in the book of James. Without these women, I would not be as diligent to memorize the verses. We each say the verses as a group and then sometimes say it by ourselves. I am challenged. I am encouraged by one gal who takes her index card ring with her on walks so that she can purposely hide His word in her heart.

Will you join with us and hide His word in your heart? Choose one verse that perhaps helps you with a struggle you are having. Every time you are tempted to be discouraged or to give up, try saying this verse over in your mind. God will meet you where you are at, and He will replace your thoughts with His precious word and promises.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for providing us with your word and your truth. Thank you that you give us weapons in your word to fight the fiery darts of the enemy. Help us to do the hard work of putting your word into our hearts and into our minds. Thank you for being faithful for calling it to mind in the battle.

Scout-a-Rama Booklets

Just a tip for you when you enter the Ralph's grocery store this weekend. Most likely, there will be Cub Scouts selling Scout-a-Rama booklets for $10. It's an amazing bargain. You can save $10 off of a $75 shopping trip...plus lots of additional free items. On my recent bill, I spent $74 and the receipt said that I had saved $67 (kind of reminds me of old times with double coupons!)

Now go and enjoy every moment!

Kim