2 Corinthians 3:17,18 MSG

They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

there's no place like home

In all aspects of life..

I believe,

it's the small things that matter most.

and for this post, specifically, small signature pieces that make your home.

I've found a few small things that will make my soon to be home..

perfectly & uniquely "me"

to start,

this decorative bird cage..

I've fallen in love with the vintage birdie,

so this will go sweetly with my birdie wall hooks. (previous post)

this will be used in my kitchen to hold different spatula's & wooden spoons.

and this one...sigh.. is a beautifully quilted basket.

it has shabby chic written all over it, 

which is the exact decor I love!

I think.. I'll it use as a fruit basket in my kitchen..

but I'm racking my mind on how to use it best.

 ..here's a closer look..

and I've found while browsing for home goods..

I really wanted unique salt & pepper shakers,

just not any would do..

I've also found my eye is drawn to things that are yellow..

so when these vintage yellow salt & pepper shakers caught my eye

..I was sold :)

and finally, for Miss Kaylie..

she loves her baby dolls

..and I love quilts.

So this vintage quilted baby doll blanket & pillow set 

was a perfect addition to our new soon to be home :)

and to make it even better..the set was only $3.50!

(gotta love frugal living) 

... all of this fits us so perfectly. 

I can't wait to put all the little things together & call it home :)

My birds made it in!

I purchased these little vintage birdie wall hook hangers off ebay!

And they're laying on my antique wooden kitchen table.

Shopping for my soon to be home is so fun :)

..I just purchased these two dining chairs from target.com. They were today's daily deal. Originally around $140 and I got them for $99.99 plus free shipping! Hoping they go great with my antique table but if not, they'll be perfect for a sitting area.

grace

I still find broken pieces,

but know I have experienced such healing.

I trust You unwaveringly,

yet still have to surrender daily.

I want nothing more than Your will,

but stumble & get lost in my own at times.

I know who I am in You & that i'm Yours,

but sometimes fight the uncertainty of my worth & if I'm good enough.

I am certain that everything I need is found in You; 

 even still, I'm humbled when I reach to the wrong source for fulfillment.

my desire is for You --more than anything,

but I battle with other things trying to take your place.

I'm sure of my purpose,

still I get distracted at times.

I know the truth but there are moments the lies ring louder in my mind.

and times when all you ask me to do is believe,
 doubt still tries to take over.

but your grace is so amazing.

grace-- defined-- the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. (b) the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

...You are the One I want & Your closeness is all I long for. even when I hide, I know You still see me & find me. In a world so uncertain & unreliable, You never change & that brings such security to my soul. You're always faithful & so loving & Your grace is sufficient for all my weakness. I'm so thankful You fight for me & daily pursue my heart. You never let go.

"....i will love You in the morning, and i will love You in the night, even when i'm weak and when it's dark, i will find your light."

..by the grace of God I am what I am and His grace to me was not without effect.
1 Cor 15:10

..Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Psalm 51:10-13

..a day for some adventure..

we need to do things like this more often... a day of hiking at Oak Mtn. we had an absolute blast!

something special.

love.

wild child let loose.

big girl.

 favorite.

..my absolute sweet spot in Birmingham. 

..I want to advance the kingdom of God, bring hope to the hopeless, and be a light in darkness. I want my heart and life to reflect love and that every tragedy I've walked thru and will walk thru be used to reach those who are broken and that they might find hope and encouragement by God's strength & glory shinning in the midst of it all. I want to be used by God to have the gospel reach the ends of the earth, however he see's fit, I surrender, lay down my life and follow Him wherever he leads me.

-21 days, renewed vision

Thank you Jesus!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

..as i was driving, i looked in the rear view and saw your sweet little face.

i thought back over the few years you've been here in this big world

and how much we've journeyed through together.

many ups and unfortunate downs.

i'm believing for us my Kk,

that there's a greater future in store than what we've seen or could imagine.

that the hard times we've walked through together

 is only a indication of where God is taking us.

He see's the whole, big picture

and has us in the palm of His hands.

He's faithful.

and everything we need is found in Him.

you are my joy, Kaylie.

your carefree, so forgiving and always loving spirit is the light of my life.

i'll never stop fighting for you, protecting you with every thing in me

and loving you with all my heart.

my life changed drastically November 11, 2004,

when i found out you would be entering this world.

i've faced my biggest fears

i found i never knew i could love someone so very much.

you're my precious baby girl,

my pooh bear,

 i love our snugly, snugglies

Minnie-mouse pancakes,

movie nights,

princess hot chocolate,

grouchy mornings,.

your sweet kisses,

and even your blatant honesty about me not yet having a husband. :)

your little sayings that have me and everyone else cracking up.

and your caring heart that tries to mother everything you see.

i'm so very proud of you.

my Kaylie Faith Cloud

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and ky burden is light.- Matthew 11:28-30

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

laying down my life

challenged.

"What I'm interested in seeing you do is:

sharing your food with the hungry,

inviting the homeless poor into your homes,

putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,

being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on,

and your lives will turn around at once.

Your righteousness will pave your way.

The God of glory will secure your passage.

Then when you pray, God will answer.

You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'

If you get rid of unfair practices,

quit blaming victims,

quit gossiping about other people's sins,

If you are generous with the hungry

and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,

Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,

your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.

I will always show you where to go.

I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—"

isaiah 58 msg

..free.

finally hearing God's word speak louder in my life than my own

and another who would love nothing more than to keep me bound..

that when He says..."..do not be afraid.."

i can walk free from fear because He is with me.

it's a choice.

and i choose to fix my eyes on Him and His word.

..and it's stinkin AWESOME! :)

an extra measure of grace poured over me for my weakness.

i want all He has for me.

and in order for that...

i must let go of the past.

of my fears.

...and Trust.

..He's more than worthy of all of me.

He's proven His faithfulness (when He never had to)..

over and over again.

all my trust, security and confidence is in Him.

where He leads me, I will follow.

not always easy or free from hurt.

but always with Him right by my side.

"..be strong and courageous,

do not be afraid or discouraged

 for the Lord, your God will be with you

whereever you go.."

joshua 1:9

..God, you are so faithful.

this is the closest i've been to seeing my dreams, within reach of coming true..

all the pain,

all the persevering through,

all the times of holding on with no end in sight.

 the tears cried with a broken heart,

You filled me with faith to believe beyond the present moment.

the times of looking to you with hope-filled eyes,

believing in the One making promises to my heart

-and holding onto those, even as my world was crashing around me.

and here i stand, healed and whole.

many promises fulfilled, just as you said.

(and more i hold in my heart)

i'm in awe of all You are,

overwhelmed by all your goodness.

thankful for the fire that refined my faith.

i'm here left saying the same i did in the midst of the storms,

...God, you are so faithful.

"..i will lead the blind by ways they have not known,

along unfamiliar paths i will guide them;

i will turn darkness into light before them

and make the rough places smooth.

these are the things i will do;

i will not forsake them."

Isaiah 42:16 niv

a father's impact on his daughter

I found an article that I had gotten over ten years ago. I read through it again this morning and thought I would share...

"Father's have an incalculable impact on their daughters. Many believe all future romantic relationships to occur in a girl's life will be influenced positively or negatively by the way she perceives and interacts with her dad. If he rejects and ignores her, she will spend her life trying to replace him in her heart. If he is warm and nurturing, she will look for a lover equal to him. If he thinks she is beautiful, worthy and feminine, she will be inclined to see herself that way. But if he thinks she is unattractive and uninteresting, she is likely to carry self-esteem problems into her adult years.

I have also observed that a woman's respect for her husband is significantly influenced by the way she perceived her father. If he was overbearing and uncaring during her developmental years, she may disrespect her husband and question his judgement. But if a dad blended love and leadership in a way that conveyed strength, she will be more likely to live harmoniously with him."

Now although I can see this all being true, I do not believe it is final. God is more than able to redeem, restore and become all our earthly father is not. There is no perfect parent, but God! He's the perfect father who accepts us even when our mother and father reject us- Ps 27:10. Many times though, we will view God the father through tainted eyes because of the view we have of our earthly father. Whatever that may look like for you, for everyone it is different, we must find who He truly is and take to heart what He says about us. He is loving, present and very much interested in every detail of the lives of His children. He is not silent but longs to speak to our hearts and draw us ever so closely to him. He's a good daddy God!

Ps 45:10,11 "Listen! Oh daughter, consider & give ear; forget your people & your fathers house..for the KING is Entralled by your Beauty"

Isaiah 62 (the message)
Regarding Zion, I can't keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can't hold my tongue,

Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun
and her salvation flames up like a torch.
Foreign countries will see your righteousness,
and world leaders your glory.
You'll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of God.
You'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand,
a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
No more will anyone call you Rejected,
and your country will no more be called Ruined.
You'll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),
and your land Beulah (Married),
Because God delights in you
and your land will be like a wedding celebration.
For as a young man marries his virgin bride,
so your builder marries you,
And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,
so your God is happy with you.
I've posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out,
reminding God to remember.
They are to give him no peace until he does what he said,
"Tell daughter Zion, 'Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he'd do,
prepared to complete what he promised.'"
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,
Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.

forever thankful

A note from Jesus: ISAIAH 61

God has sent me on a mission.

I have some great news for you.

God has sent me to restore and release something.

And that something is You.

I am here to give you back your heart and set you free.

I am furious at the Enemy who did this to you,

and I will fight against him.

Let me Comfort you.

For, dear one,

I will bestow beauty upon you where you have known only devastation.

Joy, in the places of your deep sorrow.

And I will robe your heart in thankful Praise!

I remember when I first read this.. I stood there, at that time, in all my brokenness & self destruction...and my heart enlarged. I remember the feeling of hope that arose on the inside of me. Could it really be that there was One who had come for me, one who sought me out from the beginning of time, who knew all of the hurt endured, tears cried and all the fearful moments. One who longed to fight back for me, who saw worth in me to restore back what had been lost and stolen. One much greater and bigger than anything I had ever known before, who didn't see me in light of all my flaws, failures and sin but instead saw me through the eyes of mercy and grace. Not who or what I was but who He created me to be. In this moment of time, the King met me here, He picked me up from the mess I was in, cleaned me off and began to speak so tenderly to my broken heart. Little by little, He healed; piece by piece He replaced my brokenness and made me whole. He went to the places no one would venture to go because of fear but not Him- He came boldly for me. My knight in shining armor.  All that I thought was lost and too far gone, Jesus restored back to better than it could have ever been or imagined before. He restored an innocence in me that I had never known. In His eyes, I was white as snow and in time, I began to believe it too.  The heaviness, guilt and bondage I was trapped in for so long was gone. I found true freedom. Freedom from my past, my past that didn't have to define me or my future any longer. Because I came from brokenness, didn't mean I had to be broken forever. Jesus drew a line in the sand for me. He redeemed my life from a deep pit and made me new. All of which, I was so undeserving. But by His beautiful grace and mercy, He didn't see me or my worthiness, He saw Jesus, who paid my debt before I was ever created. The fullness of the cross brought me life. My words could never fully express the thankfulness, passion and love my heart holds for Him. I know fully the depth He brought me from. He ushered me into His light so I would no longer have to walk in darkness. Now free from shame and guilt, I walk in newness and freedom that is offered to me every new morning.

"...she who has been forgiven of much, will love much." Luke 7:47

he cares about the details.

so refreshing to know God himself cares for each and every detail of our lives.

"...he determined the times and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being."

Acts 17:26-28

aside from all my insecurities and doubt, i know i am who i am by the grace of a loving God, who amazingly enough - is for me, for us all.

this morning i was writing and began to pray that my life would truly be an offering to him. my heart longs to be pure and laid out before the Lord. God, all i want is what you want. my delight is You and my desire is for your perfect will. nothing more counts for anything. You alone are my everything and without you I am nothing.

praying my life would reflect Him in every way.

beyond blessed

my heart is so filled... I'm in a season where, by God's grace, I've found such contentment right where I am and with all I have. I don't have all the things in the world, but I know I've been given all I need. Yes, there are things I dream of and desire for one day. But I know God is sovereign and so faithful. I trust in His love for me and that He doesn't withhold good things but delights in giving the desires of my heart as well. He placed them within me and I know when He's ready and knows that I am, all will come to pass just as it should and be beautiful, in His time. A timing I have deep trust in.

It's so easy to loose track and get caught up in what we do not have, that we miss all we have been blessed with. Why would we be blessed with more when we can't even recognize and be thankful for all the things we do have? I'm guilty. But thankful for His grace. So in this season, my eyes have been opened to all I'm surrounded by and wow, it is good. I'm so greatful. When you're filled with a thankful heart, and measure all the blessings you do have, suddenly it doesn't feel you're missing out on so much.

I'm blessed:

I'm surrounded by a huge family that loves and supports both me and Kaylie more than I could ever ask for. We've been through so much, but nothing could separate the love we have for one another.

I have the most wonderful mom and although we don't always see eye to eye, I know she loves me and is in prayer for me and Kaylie daily. She has no other intention but good.

We have 9 healthy babies in our family that have never had to go with out.

God has truly done such a beautiful, redeeming work in my whole family. I've been so blessed to see the harvest from seeds of prayer sown.

I was blessed with a car! (completely free)

I have a roof over my head and always food to eat.

I have the most beautiful little girl who lights up my world. ..

Just today we were riding in the car, dancing to her favorite song and I looked in my rear view to see her with the biggest smile on her face. Priceless moments.

I have friends who are rock solid and have loyally walked with me through my darkest of times and I with them.They daily bring joy to my life through encouragement, love and silent laughs. (favorite)

I could go on forever. Our blessings are truly countless.So thankful!

..the closer to the Lord we get, the more of our true selves we become. as we seek Him and find more of Him, we become more at peace with who we are and who He's created us to be. it's such a beautiful exchange. as we grow closer, He begins to reveal things in and through us, walls come down and our hearts are revealed and refined in His presence. a quiet confidence comes from finding ourselves in the very One who created us.

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are, no more and no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." Matt 5:5 message

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9

"let the morning bring word of your unfailing love, for i have put my trust in you. show me the way i should go, for to You i lift up my soul."- Psalm 143:8

,,,saturday morning i took a little walk...coffee, the word and my english bulldog, lucy. i went to my favorite little place right next to my house...it's tucked away in a little nook..open grass encircled by trees.. i walked, thanking Him for his goodness to me. so many times i rarely get moments to just stop and slow down long enough to gaze at His glory in the nature around me.. but it's my absolute favorite. his beauty outside literally captures my heart-i love it. as i sat there, i looked up and the wind lightly blew and leaves slowly fell above and all around me..it was breath taking. the stillness of my soul and the peace in that moment, i knew His presence was there. it's in those moments that all my worries and striving come to a standstill, and i know with out a doubt i'm in the hands of my creator...knowing i'm right where he wants me to be in that moment of time. i'm reminded of His faithfulness that has proven time and time again, even when it hurts. i've learned He's worthy of all our trust, adoration and devotion. He never changes, He's everlasting, constant and the sure anchor of hope we can cling to when our world is shaken. He's the only one who will never fail us and when we look to Him, our hope will not be disappointed.

even with all that i am not, all that i fail at time and time again, i'm so very thankful for all
He is and that it's more than enough to cover my every weakness. and in the light of all that He is, i'm ok with being so small.