I’ve been thinking about writing one of those posts called a day in the life. You know the kind where I would snap a photo and tell you pretty much everything I was doing all day long.  I love those type of posts because you get to see stuff like peanut butter on the counter, a house full of toys, and the messy joy of life. It makes crazy mamas like me realize, I am actually pretty normal.

But then I get a text from my mom and I hear that my dad is sick again from the chemo and what I really want to do is sit on the floor and cry. And really, who wants to see that? I text her back and tell her it is going to get better. I mean it. As I pause to talk to Jesus, my toddler shows up and needs her diaper changed.  And so I do that instead of sitting on the floor and crying my eyes out. Seems like the right thing to do at the time.

And life lately is a mix, you know? We are praying and believing and begging God for miracles. While at the same time we are blowing out six birthday candles and getting ballerinas ready for their dance.  I am meeting the most lovely women, soaking up sound teaching and feeling the smile of the Lord.  But most nights tears fall down my cheek as I get the coffee maker ready for the next day and I think, “How can this weary mom do it again tomorrow?”

So in the midst of it al l think how bad I need to feel the fresh breath of His Word in my heart. I tell Him what I really need is a God summer.  He says, “You, me, 90 days and my Word.  I’ll give you that God summer.” I say yes and somehow so do hundreds of other women.

Truth be told, I am thrilled at the thought but here I am again with tears falling down. See, I believe in what Priscilla said.  I believe that “each time we read His Word He meets us there.” I know that each of these women will freshly meet their fearless Father and the Savior of their souls.  Because that is what He promised to do for them.

But if I’m honest, what I hungering for, is for Him to meet me. I know He will meet them, but I need to believe He will meet me. I lean back in my chair tears ready to drop and wonder how I am going to lead and encourage all these women in this journey when I can’t stop crying myself.

And in a lovely turn of events, the sky burst open and it is pouring rain like nobody’s business. I can almost hear the crunchy grass slurping down each drop. The baby shouts from her room, “Mommy it is raining,” just in case I missed it. It makes me laugh a little.  How could I miss it?

I remember reading these words,

“Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3, ESV).

He will come to us.

And He will water the dry places.

And He will do it while we beg for miracles, diaper dirty babies, and cry over making coffee. He will. He is about to rain down.  I’m not going to miss it. How could I?

:::

If you want to join me in reading 66 books of the Bible in 99 days for one amazing summer, click here.

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

Not quite 1 Million people stopped by last week, but there were a lot more than usual. But the best part was you! Thanks for being so supportive and awesome like you always are! Really, your sweet words made my crazy butterflies go away.

So, anyway, what else have I worn recently?

Dress ::  Loft (on sale!)**

Belt :: Loft

Skinny Jeans :: American Eagle

Bracelet :: from hubby’s trip to Thailand

Necklace :: Vintage Pearl

Earrings :: Kohls

A Look I’m weary Color Sweater :: Loft **

T-Shirt :: Loft

Jeans :: Cabi

*Necklace :: from the Redeemed Collection {Dayspring}

(Crazy iPhone photo. My husband  is twitching over this one.  His are much better.)

I wore this to the (in)Courage Meet up:

T- Shirt :: Mercy House Kenya (Now only $10)

Jacket :: Loft

Jeans :: Gap Curvy Boot

(*Dayspring Affiliate Link)

(**Items bought with my Loft Provided Gift Card)

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So what have you done recently that made you nervous?

::

linking up with Lindsey today

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

“Mommy, the world God made is so beautiful. I just love it.” Caroline, age 5.

395. A sweet ‘yes’ from the Lord.
396. Testing is over for the school year.
397. An amazing opportunity.
398. Catching glimpses of Jesus in my kids.
399. How Facebook can be a prayer room.
400. How His love is over the top extravagant for me.
401. A friend getting a much needed job!
402. Writing a dream before my 41st birthday.
403. My 2 year old asking me about “pink” children after I taught her “Jesus Loves the LIttle Children.”
404. I am adequate because of His life giving Spirit. Period. (2 Cor 3:5-7)
405. A $9 dress.
406. Bloggers who write and make me ugly cry.
407. She made me birthday cupcakes.
408. 4 Rivers BBQ.
409. Avengers with my super hero husband.
410. The sweetest friends who prayed.
411. Knowing He is in control.
412. “Fearless Father, you come to my rescue. You are my fortress, you are my friend.”
413. A Mother’s Day ambush makeover in my kitchen.
414. My mom, simply the best.
415. After a rough week, my dad was feeling well enough to eat and shower. Praising God for this small thing.
416. Singing on my birthday. Wow. Just such a sweet gift from the Lord!

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

Are you a girl that likes surprises? Generally, I am not. For example, last year, for my 40th birthday, I made my husband promise NOT to throw me a surprise party. I do not like the idea of walking in a door and people yelling at me. No, not for me.

But, I do like the kind of surprises that are ‘unexpected’ and bring fun things with them. You know the kind of surprise when you are just going about your everyday life and something fun happens? Like when a friend sends you a sweet card with Starbucks love inside? Yeah, I like THOSE kind of surprises.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I had one of the good kind of surprises pop up. I was tweeting about this What I Wore Wednesday post, and happened to mention the Loft:

Someone at Loft saw my little bitty tweet and sent me one back asking me if I would like to be a Loft Mommy Blogger for their upcoming Mother’s Day Campaign. It took me about -10 seconds to answer that tweet with a “Yes! I gladly accept.” Since you know about my mad crazy love for all things Loft, this surprise was a Mommy Blogger dream come true!

Last week, I had a chance to go shopping with a Loft provided gift card and this is what I purchased. My husband was sweet enough to get involved by taking these great pictures. I mean really, how could I not let him work his magic? This outdoor photo shoot is a little more glamourous than my self portraits in our bathroom mirror! And between you and me, I think my photos kind of drive him crazy!

What would a Mother’s Day photo shoot be without my kids?

{Yeah, I kinda love the pictures, too!}

What I Wore:

Dress {Yes it is a dress and you can find it here} – Loft

Orange Cardigan  - Loft

Earrings – Forever 21

Shoes – Famous Footwear

Linking up with the super lovely lindsey for What I Wore Wednesday!

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Disclosure: Loft provided me with a gift card to purchase this outfit and will be featuring my choice along with other participating mommy bloggers on their social media sites this week.  You can find them on Facebook by going here.

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

Joining me so far will be:

Ruth from The Better Mom

Teri Lynne from Terilynne Underwood

Amy  from Amy Thue

To purchase a Kindle Version from Amazon:

*Bible in 90 Days

starting Memorial Day 2012 – Labor Day 2012

Are you diving in, too?

Find the Bible in 90 Days Summer Group on Facebook right, here.
I will post more in this in the days ahead, but here is a link to the ministry of Bible in 90 Days. It is packed with information!
*affiliate link

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

“It is unique and rare to find a woman who is satisfied with where she is.” Priscilla Shirer

Oh Lord, make me THAT unique and rare woman.  Today.

The Joy Dare is the challenge to find 1,000 gifts in 2012. 1,000 things you can stop and say thank you for.  1,000 things that remind you that Joy is Everywhere.

:::

373. A fun photo shoot.

374. My sweet baby girl getting in on the fun.

375. A little relief for my dad going through chemo and radiation treatment.

376. A 6th birthday.

377. Watching my 9 year old make a cake for her sister.

378. Knowing I never have to make another cake again.

379. My oldest taking charge of party decorations.

380. Mini-golf with the entire family.

381. A hole in one.

382. The birthday girl losing her first tooth on her birthday.

383. How He comes when we call and He rains down on our dry places. (Hosea 6:3)

384. What He does with my 5 loaves and 3 fishes.

385. The way He uses my context to do what only He can do — through me.

386. Watching a woman of prayer.

387. Worship my soul needed in the worst way.

388. He just flat out loves us.

389. The chance to pray for women. Humbled.

390. Friends who serve alongside me.

391. Rescuers.

393. For Sabbath rest – the resist of doing.

394. How He meets us every time in His Word.

(To find out more about the Joy Dare, you can visit Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience. )

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Can you write for 5 minutes straight without editing?  Can you just write?  Today I am using Lisa-Jo’s writing prompt of real…

Real.

Real. I see a four letter word that screams at me to tell it like it is. Tell you that I am worn thin by my marginless life.  Tell you that I have met myself coming and going and I am slap.worn.out.  All things are good but not all things are good for me.  But lately, I’ve been trying to do all and be all to all people and it feels like I am just not quite all me.

I hear about being Jesus with skin on to others and the Real me just wants Jesus to be skin on to me. I long for a cool drink of water to sit with Him in the quiet of the day but really there has not been much quiet lately.

I know that this season I am in, is one of great needs pressing hard into a mama of four and a wife of one and a friend to many. I know that God has me in a place where I am constantly being poured out.  But the Real honest truth, is there are not many drops left to be poured out.

So I am looking forward. I am going to sit and be Real and let the Real Jesus bring life back into my soul. I am going to sing.  I am going to drink it all in.  I am going to listen as a faith filled woman of God pours her soul out onto thousands and thousands of women.  I am going knowing that this Real Jesus has a Real Word for me.  I am going with the intent to sit. And bask in His glory.

Oh Lord.  Thank you for your grace.  That you draw me in.  You know my path. I pray for an outpouring on your daughters.  Meet us  Lord.  Meet me Lord.  I am in Real need of You.

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

Today, I met (in)Courage.
She drove a hundred miles to chase down community. She smiles as my kids draw chalk pictures and hug her so tight she can’t breathe. I think how fun it is to have her sitting on my sofa, tweeting, and eating my coffee almond fudge ice cream.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She has a sweet southern accent that makes me wish I did, too. Her hands bring coffee with cream and she makes everything lovely. She shares her heart, and makes me want to share mine as well.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She was brave and came alone. She reads words on her laptop and drinks them soul deep. Her eyes shine when she laughs.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She loves Mercy and enjoys making a place for women to gather.  Even when she can’t be there herself, she sends parts of her heart and prays as we meet.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She has passion and a God sized dream and she says it out loud to a room full of new friends. They receive it and give her hope back.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She gives precious gifts that will last longer than 3 hours and remind sweet women they are loved, cherished, and daughters of the King.

Today, I met (in)Courage. She is quiet, but inspires a friend to live out her God calling. She is faithful and sweet and the one we all need in our little corner of the world.

Today, I met (in)Courage.
She is a sister. A friend. A mama.
She is a lot like you.
She has a story like me.

Today, I met (in)Courage.
I’m wondering, did you meet her too?

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

The Joy Dare is a challenge to find 1,000 gifts in 2012. 1,000 reasons to stop, count, raise my hands to the Lord and say, Thank you for this blessing. Joy is everywhere. It pours out from the heavens above.  It breathes life into hard days.  Joy finds me sometimes, even when I am not so good at looking for it.  These few things here, are a sweet reminder to me to keep counting, because if I miss even one, I miss a part of His heart for me.

352. Friends who share wisdom.

353.  My girls giggling with their friends.

354.  Cool breezes on an April afternoon.

355.  Tuesday with no where to be.

356.  10 years. 50 laborers. Serving others well.

357.  Saying yes to 1 year, and seeing God provide for 9 more.

358.  Red cheeked girls who jump on trampolines.

359.  A God who keeps all of His promises.

360.  Finding the perfect props for amazing costumes. For $1.00.

361.  Nervous jitters giving way to stellar performances.

362.  A boot scoot boogie by kindergarten class.

363.  A Rae of Sunshine who lights up the stage.

364.  Knowing God continues to write stories that will knit our hearts together.

365.  Motrin for babies with fever. Amen.

366.  Chalk drawings on sidewalks.

367.  Getting it all done.

368.  Katie. What a gift.

369.  Chasing down community.

370.  Women who are brave.

371.  My husband who makes it all possible.

372.  God’s heart for women.

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What joy did you find this week?  What joy found you?

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.

This weekend it starts.  (in)courage is bringing the beach house to your neighborhood.  I am excited to be hosting one here in my neck of the woods.  And I have to warn you, if you are coming, I’m a hugger.  I know for some of you, the thought of coming to a meet-up where you don’t really know anyone makes you feel a bit like this:

I promise you it is not scary.  

You will find:

new friends

familiar faces

fun giveaways

chocolate

coffee

and…..

(in)couragment for your heart.

I’m praying for you.  First of all that God will have a specific Word for you.  I’m also praying that you will leave our time together (in)spired.

I’ve got a hunch, that is exactly what is going to happen!

466 cities.  More than 1200 women. One great big God.

See you at the Beach House!

It is not too late to sign up! Do it now!

Join me on my Facebook page this month as we discuss "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith.