New Identity

We're living in uncertain times, and more and more

I find that I'm aware of just how fragile life can be.

I want to tell the world I've found a love that turned my life around

They need to know that they can taste and see...

Now every day, I'm praying just to give my heart away.

I want to live for Jesus so someone else might say

That He is everything to me

He's more than a story,

More than words on a page of history!

He's the air that I breathe,

The water I thirst for,

And the ground beneath my feet.

Oh, He's everything, everything to me!

~Everything to Me, Avalon

Today, I am thankful for the new identity that I have through Christ... that I am armed and equipped to see Satan's lies for what they are and to fight them with truth! At this moment, I feel a good sense of connection with God and family and friends, and I feel peace and contentment with who I am and where I am in life. That is certainly not always the case, but I am so thankful for every bit of healing and peace and progress that God has brought in my life and the lives of people I love, and I am (as always) learning to trust His heart a little more. Here are 30 places where God has changed or is currently working on how I see myself:

1. I am hiding UNASHAMED... GOD'S TRUTH BRINGS FREEDOM!
2. I am timid CONFIDENT... GOD GIVES ME A SPIRIT OF POWER!
3. I am performing AUTHENTIC.... GOD IS DEEPLY PERSONAL AND CARES ABOUT MY MOTIVES.
4. 
5. I am defeated VICTORIOUS... GOD GIVES ME VICTORY!
6. I am undesired PURSUED... GOD PURSUES MY HEART, ALWAYS!
7. 
8. I am forgotten VALUED... GOD CREATED AND SEES AND KNOWS AND LOVES ME. 
9. I am giving up FULL OF HOPE... GOD FILLS ME WITH HOPE THROUGH HIS SPIRIT!
10. 
11. I am unstable STEADFAST... GOD GIVES ME A SOUND MIND!
12. I am abnormal WONDERFULLY UNIQUE... GOD HAS AN INDIVIDUAL, SPECIFIC PLAN FOR MY LIFE AND HIS TIMING IS PERFECT!
13. 
14. I am inconsequential ETERNAL... GOD PLANTED ETERNITY IN MY HEART!
15. I am unlovable ACCEPTED.... GOD SETS THE LONELY IN FAMILIES!
16. I am in the dark A LIGHT... GOD CALLS ME TO WALK IN LIGHT AND BE A LIGHT!
17. 
18. I am lacking COMPLETE IN CHRIST.... GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!
19. I am shattered A MOSAIC PIECED TOGETHER BY CHRIST... GOD BINDS MY HEART AND HEALS MY WOUNDS!
20. 
21. I am discontent THANKFUL... GOD IS GOOD TO ME & HE IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE!
22. I am insignificant INFLUENTIAL... GOD CREATED ME TO DO GOOD WORKS HE PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME!
23. I am directionless FOCUSED... GOD IS UNSHAKABLE AND HE GUIDES MY PATH! 
24. 
25. I am conforming BEING TRANSFORMED... GOD IS RENEWING MY MIND!
26. I am defeated RESILIENT... GOD WILL FINISH THE GOOD WORK HE STARTED IN ME!
27. 
28. I am distressed JOYFUL... GOD'S JOY GIVES ME STRENGTH!
29. I am alone HIS... GOD HAS ADOPTED ME AS HIS CHILD!
30. 

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

~Psalm 16:10

Should I ever be abandoned, should I ever be acclaimed,

Should I ever be surrounded by the fire and the flame,

There's a name I will remember.

There's a name I will proclaim.

Let it be -- let it be Jesus!

~Let it be Jesus, Chris Tomlin

*These two songs are repeats, but they're my favorites! :)

Phoning It In, Part 4

I hear the sound of Your voice

All at once, it's a gentle and thundering noise

Oh, God, all that You are is so overwhelming.

I delight myself in You,

Captivated by Your beauty.

I'm overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed by You!

~Overwhelmed, Big Daddy Weave

Today, I am thankful for cell phones... Hooray for Steve Jobs and people like him with the God-given ability to figure all this stuff out!!  It's really amazing that this pocket-sized device serves so many valuable functions -- phone calls, texting, email, Bible plans, camera, photo editing, photo collage apps, photo storage, alarm clock, maps and navigation, reading blogs or books, PDF scanner, Facebook, google, internet, music playlists, podcasts, calculator, calendar, weather alerts, home alarm monitoring, notes and lists, budgets, bank app, Flipagram videos and slideshows, games, quick online shopping, diet and workout apps, flashlight, etc. - and it's become such a daily, commonplace thing that we mostly take it for granted! We can overuse them and be addicted, yes, but when we keep it in perspective, it's an impressive and fantastic tool that helps us to connect with the world rather than disconnect from it!

And now, in reverse chronological order, some random pics from my iPhone, just for fun!

The new Gilmore Girls watch party... in true Gilmore fashion with lot so candy, pizza, and Chinese food! :)

Miss K in her little Christmas hat. Preshface.

When Dad wears it, it's the "Bear Hat." He's a nice bear when he has it on, then one of the kids will take it off, and he'll roar and chase them! lol They get SO EXCITED about this game!!

The way he's sitting here is just cute to me. :)

Kyndal Faith (the lone girl with three older brothers) is in serious need of some Barbie dolls and girl toys... instead, she's decided to play with the iron statue of Pistol Pete as if it's a cute little doll. lol

Kinda sad, yet cute... the nurturing instinct is there whether there's a soft doll around or not! lol

The Wilsons joined me and Jenna for breakfast on Thanksgiving Eve... pumpkin French toast & breakfast casserole! :)

Here's Jenna cooking the French toast!

Our fifth annual Friendsgiving... YAY!! (My hand is up because I was trying to make sure I was in the selfie-timer picture, but I look excited and celebratory, so I like it!) lol

Karli's fall banner at the farmhouse!

The guys... I was in the kitchen and saw them all talking then turned toward them, and before I even said anything, Jeff had called the other guys over to pose with him because he knew what was coming! LOL

Lucy-fur. lol (I think... I get her and Pippa confused easily.)

Playing Headbands (kinda like CatchPhrase, but there are several categories to choose from and the phone videos everyone being crazy trying to get them to guess the word). =)

That's all for now. Yay for cell phones and for having a camera handy at all times!! :)

I believe there is a right and wrong, a time to live and die,

And the Bible is the blueprint that all men should live by.

I believe I'm not alone with my faith in Jesus Christ.

That is why all the more we will serve Him...

We have made our decision; we have staked our claim.

We have drawn a line in the sand, and we'll not be ashamed.

With the world behind us and the cross before,

By the grace of God, we will serve the Lord!

~Serve the Lord, Carmen

God's Kindness

More of You, less of me.

Make me who I'm meant to be.

You're all I want, all I need;

You're everything.

Take it all; I surrender.

You're my King...

God, I choose more of you and less of me!

~More of You, Colton Dixon

 Happy Cyber Monday... sooo many emails already!

Today, I am thankful for God's personal kindness toward His children! That He knows our hearts and He cares about our feelings and the details of our lives and He loves us generously. There are a million examples, but the most recent demonstration of that grace and kindness for me was my mom being able to come and help me decorate for Christmas! I'm thankful for my parents always being so willing to help, and for God working it out for her to come this year specifically. Because He knows our thoughts, and the things that matter to us matter to Him, too. And I love that!

(Here are some pics of the decorations so far...)

We had Downton Abbey on all day Saturday! :)

Yay for Mom and all her glittery ribbon and pretty bows! :)

I still love this table from Mardel... and the fancy reindeer and overflowing trunk make me happy! :)

I'm back to the non-traditional colors this year, and I'm loving it!

Hooray for Mom's QVC purchases, and for that ribbon - white with all my colors of snowflakes! :)

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there!

~Away in a Manger

God's Word

Lord, restore the joy I had;

I have wandered, bring me back!

In this darkness, lead me through

Until all I see is You.

God, I'm running for Your heart,

I'm running for Your heart

Till I am a soul on fire!

~Soul on Fire, Third Day

Today, I am also thankful for God's Word.  I am thankful for the history of the world's creation in Genesis; for the account of God's rescue of His people in Exodus; for learning that God cares about the smallest details in Leviticus and Numbers; for seeing God work through women in the books of Ruth and Esther; for David's passion and honest full-spectrum emotions in the Psalms; for the wisdom of Solomon in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes; for the prophecies written centuries before they came to pass; for the eyewitness gospel accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; for the awesome history of the early church in Acts; for the love and guidance in the letters from Paul to those early churches; for the Revelation prophecies of John written for us to know what is still to come. I am grateful that no matter how many things may feel confusing now, we know that Christ wins in the end and we get to live with Him forever! I am thankful that God's Word is living and active, that Jesus Christ is the word made flesh, that we can abide in Him and His Word can abide in us. I'm thankful for the verses I have memorized and how the Holy Spirit brings them to mind when I need them. I'm thankful for His presence and His love and His faithfulness, all seen clearly when we read and study His Word.

"Now we see things imperfectly,
like puzzling reflections in a mirror,
but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
All that I know now is partial and incomplete,
but then I will know everything completely,
just as God now knows me completely."
~1 Corinthians 13:12

You are my strength and comfort,
You are my steady hand.
You are my firm foundation,
The rock on which I stand.
Your ways are always higher;
Your plans are always good.
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood.

When You don't move the mountains

I'm needing You to move

When you don't part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers

As I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You.

~Trust in You, Lauren Daigle

Lifegroups!

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay.

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say.

Word of God, speak.

Won't you pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see Your majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness.

~Word of God, Speak - Mercy Me

This is basically another way of saying I'm thankful for friends, as nearly all my current friendships come from lifegroups in one way or another! More specifically, I'm grateful for friends who enjoy studying the Bible together, who sincerely pray for me and share their own prayer needs, who open their homes and lives and just have fun together!!

Thankful for Kelly's women's lifegroup... this = our Thanksgiving feast at the Moss home this year! :)

  

I've been in this group for four years now, and we have lots of fun memories together!

For Lindsay's group, a smaller group where we've had some great talks and fun times!

 For the Diving Deeper group started by Bobbi, Kristin, and myself!

For the Diving Deeper South group - lots of fun memories there!

And for Ruth's group and the way God timed all these connections perfectly!

Lift up your heads; no need to mourn

His hand is stretched out still

For unto us a child is born,

His promise to fulfill...

Bethlehem morning is more than just a memory

For the child that was born there

Has come to set us free!

~Bethlehem Morning, Sandi Patty

Girlfranz!

I believe in God our Father.

I believe in Christ the Son.

I believe in the Holy Spirit.

Our God is three in one. 

I believe in the resurrection, 

That we will rise again

For I believe in the name of Jesus.

~This I Believe, Hillsong

Happy Black Friday!  Today, I'm thankful for two puppies... Sam and Ella Belle... Sammich and a Tiny Bell... Sammers and Bellsylove... my Moonpie Puffs... also known as the "Best Girlfranz Ever!" =)

Here they are in the ad I saw in December 2013... yes, please!

Chewing up the pee pad I got for them... Sammers was the troublemaker from the beginning!

Babies!

Aunt Kelly babysitting!

Freshly groomed flufflepuffs!

This pic makes me laugh every time... Bellsy looks creeped out, and that's understandable! lol

This also cracks me up! "Grandma Laura" wanted a pic with Sam in the bucket, and Sammers looks like she's rolling her eyes at that idea!

Bellabells all sprawled out and smiley! :)

 This is her comfy pose. lol

 Boo-inspired fabulous haircuts! LOVE. Besties. lol

They're going to obedience training semi-soon, so that should be interesting, to say the least! Sometimes Sam's barking and anxiety issues stress me out, but hopefully some training will help.  They're a teensy bit spoiled at the moment.  Anyway, I'm thankful for their fluffy, smiley, loyal, always happy about life selves!! :)

I want to be close, close to Your side

So heaven is real and death is a lie...

The mountains shake before Him.

The demons run and they flee

At the mention of the name King of Majesty!

There is no power in hell or any who can stand

Before the power and the presence

Of the great I Am!

~The Great I Am, Jared Anderson

Family

For all that You've done, I will thank You.

For all that You're going to do.

For all that You've promised and all that You are

Is all that has carried me through.

Jesus, I thank you.

~Thank You, Lord, Hillsong

On this Thanksgiving Thursday, I am thankful for family!!  Thankful that I grew up in a loving Christian home and for having a large extended family that gets together regularly and has fun celebrating and hanging out together! I've felt more lighthearted and joyful and thankful through this week - I've had several moments where I just stop and look around and feel glad to be alive and thankful the people surrounding me. I'm glad for that!

Having said that, here are some fantastic pics of my family, taken today by yours truly:

Dad pushing Kyndal Faith on the swing!

Grandad licking the beaters. lol ...It was cute that Babah brought that out for him!

Miss K up, up, and away!

Carter chatting with mom and eyeing the jello pie! :)

JB called Jace over and all the others wanted to come see, too!

Love this one of Grandad pushing Jaceman on the swings!

Miss K hanging out with Sammers! :)

FAVORITE! I love how happy all the kids are (and Sean) as Josh took his turn jumping on the trampoline! :)

Beware the powers of IronBoy!!

A cute pic of the Whitakers! :)

Diesel playing peekaboo with his Uncle Al! lol

Rach's traditional Thanksgiving feast. lol Sad.

What. A. Presh.

Catching up with Amber! :)

 Chalyn took this candid, but I think it's cute of Mom, and Kristin looking suspicious makes me laugh! :)

Uncle Gene = always entertaining!

Uncle Gus and Dad! :)

My four aunts on Dad's side & Mom. (Charlene, Nancy, Georgia, and Marilyn. I got to see JoBug this morning, too, so that's all of them!)

I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
~How Great Thou Art