BYOP!!!

Bring Your Own Pumpkin started out with Aiden, my 5 year old nephew, protesting the event by sitting in the van. He proceeded to give the stink eye to everyone who walked by. My friend Russ ended up extracating him from the van kicking and screaming. I convinced him to paint a pumpkin Ninja Turtle style:
 
Mama Hignite donated the mask. Shout out to Paul and Quinsey for a fun afternoon.
Aiden and I attended a special business meeting at church to vote on a new Children's Director. TJ Teed is our new Children's Director. I'm excited to see how his life experiences bring new life and energy into our church, our kiddos, and their families.
I'm nervous about any changes he may want to make. My mental stability is rooted in routine. I fully believe we need new focus specifically in reaching out to parents in our community who bring their kids but don't come in the door. Praying for peace as we follow TJ's lead. I'm excited to get to know him and his family and their vision for our children's ministry. Looking forward to the future and how God will use the kiddos we hangout with to impact his Kingdom!

Annual Wilkerson Hayride

Incredibly thankful to be invited in among the Pea Ridge, AR townies. I love our community of friends who have become family. Tonight was the annual Wilkerson hayride. I brought Rice Krispie treats, brownies, and Oreo dirt cups. I had a crock pot cake fail that will be made into something else. Hanging out and eating was awesome but as we all climbed aboard the trailer I knew I was headed towards adventure. This kid:


Noah is the announcer of the hayride. You never know what Noahwill say. We had story telling that consisted of haunted houses, vampires, evil squirrels, werewolves, etc. He ended up verbally derailing and started discussing the Lego Jurassic World game. 'Watch out everyone, here comes a mostest-asauras'.' Meanwhile, my sister crash lands off the hail bail on to the floor of the trailer. Somehow manages to pin her son under her. Has an asthma attack from the hay while laughing so hard she can't get up. The most epic moment of the evening happened when Noah said 'as Amy just announced.' This is a big deal. We are now co-announcers for next year's hayride. This boy is one of my favorite human beings. Shout out to Noah for making this hayride so epic.

My life is blessed.

Three years later and much has been learned. I have a great and faithful God. I have a family who loves me unconditionally. I have friends who stand next to me no matter what. I am blessed.

I can only take so much. I get depressed. I get overwhelmed. I need help everyday. I can't do it all. I can't hold things together. But He holds my Hand. I am blessed.

I don't know it all. I can't predict the future. I can't turn back the hands of time. I have a hard time forgiving myself. I have a hard time moving on. He leads me and forgives me. I am blessed.

I've fallen down. I've broken down. I've been torn apart. I couldn't put the pieces back together. I have been scared. I have been anxious. I have been fearful of the unknown. He knows all and He sees all and He knows me inside and out. I am blessed.

I found myself in a scary and dark place with no way out. He crawled into that place and brought His light and asked me to follow Him. He is the Way. I am blessed.

The ground I walked along became crumbled as I tripped and slipped along. Each day I sustained a bruise or a new wound. He took me by the Hand and led me along. I am blessed.

As time went on, I thought all hope had gone. I walked through the pain. I built up walls. He gave me something that had been there all along. My savior calls through His Word. He continues to move me forward. He turns the empty into full. The pain into sweet rain. He is my peace MY JOY my song. I am blessed.

Shrimp Spaghetti... Say what??

Key Williams, Thank you for your sweet words of inspiration on the way home from the Link!! Get excited about new beginnings and new hearts! Let's walk it out girl. Thank you Pastor Josh for bringing the word tonight! Loving this Philippians series! I'm renewed daily as I memorize this book again. Up to verse 14. Such power in sweet discipline of scripture!

Missed hanging with the Link Family tonight but was in utter shock when I accomplished spaghetti with shrimp. I know, I know doesn't sound that complicated but the fact that my kitchen still stands proves our faithful God still makes miracles happen!!

Excited to plan the week ahead. Work outs, meals, etc. Julie, you should probably hold me accountable here! Lord, bless me as I walk in balance, health, and wholeness!!

Celebration of Discipline...

Today has been nutty.. Slept all day after finally falling asleep at 6am :( managed to make it on the treadmill before work. Walked swiftly for 1 mile.. Good times :) Aimee and I are going walking tomorrow!! YEAH! We have to encourage each other. Packed dinner tonight. Skipped the drive thru.. Going to try this no soda thing... Aah! No mellow yellow! Praying for supernatural energy for the next 5 hours!! Got some awesome encouragement from a couple RTs at work tonight! Thanks ladies!
Reading through Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.. Good stuff.. Awesome insight. Help me Lord to keep resting in your peace and in the knowledge that you're working it all out!! Growing in health..

The JOY of the Lord is my Strength Day 2

So stinking sore.. Went to the gym today and came close to falling off that treadmill but God kept me going.. Especially when I was jogging. Hands high in the air. Can only run when I'm running with hands in the air. Haha. Thank you Jesus for making me dependent on you! Lord, increase my health, wholeness, and balance in my life.
Skipped the drive-thru, but Sushi with Mama, Emily, and Baby Aiden wasn't the healthiest choice but so so good :) and Em even approved of the brownies I made-score! Definitely motivation to keep cooking at home! Dinner tonight included mixed veggies, Japanese sweet potato (SO GOOD <-- Thank you ONF), and a chick pea pattie. I'm definitely going to have a brownie but that means Aimee and I are going to have to bring it on tomorrow's walk/jog!!
So no soda and no drive thru today: YEAH!!

Philippians 1:1-11 JOY JOY JOY!!