I Mean It...

I could go on and on about him...but ya'll, some of that stuff is private :) so I'm gonna sum it up in one statement:

I want our boys to grow up to be just like him.

He is one of the greatest blessings God has given me.


Happy Father's Day!

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Little Bit Crusty

I use the term "crusty" to describe myself when I've not showered or gotten ready for the day(s). Do ya'll use this word like that or is just me?!?






I turned 30 in December. No big deal, I was totally fine with it. Until today, that is. I walked by a picture that sits on a shelf in our living room and actually stopped to look at it.



It's a pic from the 4th of July...so I started to reminisce about that day the pic was taken...two years ago. All the while thinking to myself how YOUNG I looked...then it hit me! That pic is not from two years ago, it is from LAST 4th of July!!! What the heck happened to me this year?!?




OK, so I know what happened...but out of all the natural disasters, I'm gonna blame it on the fact that since I turned 30, I've probably washed my make-up off before bed, like 10 times. *gasp* (by the way, this is just between you and me...do NOT tell my Arbonne friend)

So bloggy friends, I'm off to wash my make-up off...wait...I didn't put any on today because it just doesn't go with the crustiness of my tiny-town right now...but I'll wash and moisturize anyways! And, if you happen to have a miracle in a bottle that is also inexpensive, I'm all ears!

Side note: My short hair this year...WAY BETTER...I'm not a long hair girl, doesn't fit my personality...at least that's my theory for now.

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It's a Trend...

First things first: Black rubber boots are now the staple fashion accessory in

tiny-town...and most of the rest of my state, for that matter. This is me and my little bro totally making the boots work for us before heading out to clean up sludgy stuff. Be glad that my vocabulary is so small, because I can't come up with words to describe to you the smell...give me time, it will come :)





The last time I drove into tiny-town I had a slight melt-down in my van. You know the kind...it involves hiccup-like stuff and lots of snot. (no need to thank me for the visual) BUT, tonight as I drove back in, I heard God speak to my heart.

It was clear.

He whispered, "I know it will never be how it was...watch me make it even better! I am the creator of everything, do you think restoring tiny-town to 1000 times greater is not within my power?!?"

And then I sobbed for a new reason...I heard Him. And I believe Him. He reminded me where my help comes from...and it's not FEMA...it's the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Period.

I knew, three years ago, when we began to hear His whisper directing us to tiny-town, that He had big stuff in store. Today, I can see some of it, and I am still looking with eager anticipation for what He has next.

I wanna Praise Him in this storm because He is with us. Someone left me the words to this song in my comments, and my friend Beth reminded me of it here. Go listen... and whatever your storm happens to be, run to Him.

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Catching Up...

Yesterday when we decided it was time to pack-up and move back home (even if it meant no hot water for awhile) the boys sobbed. Apparently, staying at Grandma and Grandpa's was a little too much fun :) I don't blame them. I can't compete with the endless supply of junk food grandma provided, the 4 wheeler rides, cousins, whirlpool bath-tub, and the farming.

The one thing G&G don't have...a computer or Internet. Turns out, I have a teeny tiny dependence on the Internet. (I know you're all just gasped with shock) Guess what they're getting for Christmas!?! When I finally logged on this morning, I found I have 388 posts to read...from just 4 days of no computer. But, I couldn't be happier as I sit here in my bathrobe and 4th mug of coffee...feels a little bit like "normal"...as long as I avoid the basement, news and the rest of my tiny-town :)

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Enough Already...

I've been muttering Enough Already to my Jesus, all week long. But life around me reminds me that He alone decides what enough is. My understanding is small. My heart is hurting for my tiny-town and surrounding communities...so much so, that at times it feels debilitating. I find myself fighting against what is...and longing for what was. My emotions are literally all over the place. One minute I'm laughing, the next I'm sobbing, then I'm encouraged and ready accept the changes, and the next I'm grieving over what was, longing to just turn back time...I know that's part of the whole process...but it is exhausting!

I had big plans for this summer. I spent the long, freezing winter planning and dreaming of summer. The summer I dreamed of did not look like this...life changing forever was not in the plans. The thing that is bringing me the most peace right now, is worship music. It brings perspective back.

We're back at home now...we have electricity and the air conditioning works (YAY) but no gas...so no stove and no water heater = no hot water...but we can deal...I am so grateful to have a home to live in...many, many around me do not.

So...that's the update. Now, I should get on to the really, truly important stuff ;)

Here I mentioned the hair. Turns out, I threw caution to the wind and told her to chop it so it would be curly this summer. My stylist assures me that my the time fall comes around, I'll be able use my beloved hair straightener again. It has given me a bit of an identity crisis, knowing that I can't straighten it...it has to be curly for the next 3 months...I am embracing the curl...sort of.

My basement. Do not feel bad for me...I may have been a little giddy carrying all that junk out to the curb.

Ok, just one more...

Oh, but wait! In the midst of the flood...look what has poked its little head through....

No...the weed is from before...look at that little stemmy thingy...its the elephant's ear! Ben wanted to know if I wanted him to pull the weed before I took the picture...I told him definitely NOT, that my dear bloggy friends needed it as a point of reference :)

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I'm Back! Sort Of....

Oh My WORD!!! What day is it?!? That's the sort of week I've had :)

We were evacuated from our home Sunday afternoon because of the rising water. We've been staying with Ben's parents with NO COMPUTER AND NO INTERNET. And yes, I know you're wondering how I have survived without blogging...the answer is sugar and carbohydrates and NO running...I have 10 extra pounds to prove it...no worrie, I show ya pics later, HA! :)

My tiny-town is more than devastated...I can't even go into it yet. I thought the tornado was bad...but now the entire town has flooded and I have no words...just a sick feeling in my stomach. Please pray the amazing people here.

We just had a few feet of water in our basement, which considering what so many others are going through, is simply not a big deal.

I have pics I'll post later...

I have missed you ALL!!! And thank you for the emails...how nice to be loved :) Can I call you my fan club?!? You're all amazing.

Couple last things....AB - totally praying for you girlie :) Jamie - that blog idea sounds fantastic, you'll have to fill me in more :)

Love,

me

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Life Today...

Remember this post? Notice the date...since then we've had a EF5 tornado, and now the rain will not stop, meaning another flood. In that picture, the flood stage crested at 13.1 feet...today, they've announced that they expect it to crest at 14.5 feet by tomorrow afternoon...yikes. Rain is in the forecast all week long.


Are ya'll wondering why any of us live in tiny-town?!? *smiles* I have the reason...but I'm afraid it's a secret just shared amongst tiny-town citizens...if it gets out, then every ones gonna wanna come, and then I wouldn't be able to call it tiny-town anymore...and then everything would just be....ruined :) No worries tiny-town, your secret is safe with me ;)


Because of the flooding, most people were not able to make it into town for church, including two of our Sunday school teachers. As Pastor's wife, I'm a perfect fill-in...just give me a devotional book, old VBS coloring sheets, and pipe cleaners and I'm totally good to go.


As the kids were creating masterpieces with their pipe cleaners, I asked my son Eli, what he was making.


Here's our very spiritual conversation:


Me: "Hey Eli, whatcha making?


Eli: "A gun."


Me: "I'd rather you not make a gun in Sunday school"


Eli: "A gun for God?" Pause..."to fight Satan?"


Me: I figure that if he's witty enough to come up with THAT...then by all means, fire away my dear boy, fire away :)

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