Today has been long, but fun. Isaac, Lacie and I got up early and went to get their pictures taken at Portrait Innovations - a fabulous place FYI - I HIGHLY recommend them. Everyone was sweet and I actually had several great shots to choose from. I will try to download some soon. Then we had some 'play time' at McDonald's which was a bit nuts because it was a super rainy day - so there were a LOT of kids there. Isaac seemed to have a good time - it was too much for Lacie - she just crashed. :) Had really great conversations with my sister Jennifer and with my Christopher!! and then it was back to grandma's. After really long naps we were able to drop in on our old friends the Youngs - yeah. To see and welcome their new little man into the world. Samuel - you are a doll baby! Despite my son bouncing off of their walls (like I said it was a long day) it was a sweet visit and all seem to be doing great. It's after 10 and both kids are just now giving into sleep. Did I mention it was a long day? :) Thanks for letting us invade Youngs - we miss you and love you dearly. For the rest of you here's their fam...

A couple of weeks ago Will, the pastor of Journey Church, challenged all of us to 'Journey Out' and to serve and love on others around us. At that particular service - we each received an envelope with a random amount of money inside and we were challenged to think of someone who we could bless with this money over the course of the week. Now I wouldn't particularly call myself an outgoing or relational person - so my first thought was to 'accidentally' leave my envelope at church. But low-and-behold it made it's way home and has been sitting on the desk taunting me. :) I thought about going through the drive-thru at McDonald's and anonymously paying for the person behind me, but I didn't feel that would fulfill the true goal of this endeavor. So I began to think of what I could do and got very excited over an idea to help do a home improvement project for friend that I have been spending time with over the past several months. She had noticed the picket fence I painted in Lacie's room and had mentioned wanting to do that in her daughter's room. Neither she nor her husband are 'handy' with that kind of thing - so she felt it might just be a pipe dream or something they did once they could set aside some money to have it done. After thinking of this idea I went to small group that night and heard an exciting story from one of the girls who had already blessed someone that week. Hearing her story only engerized and pumped me up to offer up myself to this friend. On Friday we met for a playdate and I waited for the right moment to explain what our church had challenged us to do and that I would like to offer myself up to her. While I did get the opportunity to fully explain what brought me to South Carolina, why I was apart of this church and so forth (all brought on by questions from her) - my opportunity did not come. For with every answer I gave to her questions - I was met with cold responses and obvious walls. I went away disappointed in myself that I didn't just push through and offer anyway.

I got to really thinking about it over the weekend. And felt myself beginning to feel discouraged and doubtful. Then I ran across Hebrews 12:2-3 that says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  This morning I decided that I would try again and called my friend. I explained what we had been challenged to do and that I would be honored to paint her daughter's room for her. After some hesitation, she very thankfully said yes.

My prayer for those of you reading this is for follow through - that I haven't just made some grand gesture and then don't act on it. And also that I really allow Christ to flow through me - not getting in His way - as a relationship with Jesus to my friend 'is fine if that's what you're into'. I ask for prayers - that I might put away doubtful thoughts, but trust in a God who can move mountains. Finally, I just ask that you pray for this family - that they in time (whether I am honored to experience it or not) come to know Jesus as Lord, Savior and glorious friend.

Last night was a lot of fun as some of my dearest friends celebrated the upcoming arrival of our little girl Lacie Grace. For those of you who know me at all - it is no surprise that I have been very nervous about bringing a little girl into our home. Perhaps it is because I remember - vividily - what I was like as a little girl or perhaps it's because I'm not a very 'girly' girl and the nerves of how I teach her all she needs to know keep looming overhead - but nevertheless I have spent these past nine months with an anxiousness that can't fully be described. Sounds crazy I know - but I'm pregnant - the season for craziness. Having the girls get together last night to celebrate with me, encourage me and remind me that something wonderful is about to enter my life was extremely special to me. (If you'd like to see pictures of the night - check out our photo album - a special thank you to Rita and Nicole for taking the time to help capture the memories.)