Drink Offering

Traveling this weekend with some dear friends of mine!! We are headed to Ridgecrest for a Mosaic Women's Refresh Retreat. I am really looking forward to this trip!
Many of my friends have been praying and preparing the environment for God to move in the hearts of all attending.
I am looking forward to a fresh prospective. Some alone time with God and I in the woods somewhere. Sharing and listening to how God is moving in the lives of other women.
I am asking God for some introspection... a new Overflowing of fresh springs of water in my soul.
A renewed commitment to insuring my family (Mark and girls) are the greatest ministry of my life.
Excited about the worship, and rooming with Karen and Ashleigh (leading worship) and just laughing and learning more about the stories of other women.
Also loving the fact that there are so many mothers of large families in my church. Always feel I learn so much about discipline from them! Cool that many of my friends are homeschooling.
Excited to always gain interesting thoughts from the young ladies just beginning.

Praying God will really allow me to relax....reflect....and Renew

This is what has slowed down my blog posts lately. Just discovered Facebook and Twitter.

The girls and I have really been enjoying the beautiful Carolina weather! We walk every day. Love the things my girls talk about on long walks!

Sarah and Kyndall enjoyed painting some backdrop scenes for Discoverylane last week ! We had a lot of fun. Boards all over the yard and neighbors stopping by to ask what we were doing! They were creating a Safari theme to be used in the preschool classrooms for the next unit in Jumping into God's Story!

iLoveYou series teaser: Crazy Girl from mosaicchurch on Vimeo.

Looking forward to awesome time at church tomorrow!
Love These Series Teasers!

This Cracks me Up!!!!

FAZAAL from mosaicchurch on Vimeo.

Pray for our Country and it's leaders!
I will be the first to say I have no clue about how our economy works.
I know how my family's does.
We work Hard.
We get paid.
Everything we have ultimately comes from God.
We give back.
We rely on God to meet all our needs.

I did hear a statement from the White House
"I trust the House and Sentate to move quickly with this rescue plan so Americans can have access to the credit they need to continue to live out their daily lives"
Several years ago my Husband and I found ourselves in a Crisis. My Husband lost his job because the company was sold overseas. Mark had many years vested into this company. Loved his job, performed it well, and had a sizeable 401K. We found ourselves in a financial panic. We did not make all the right choices.
We "bailed out" ourselves with our excellent credit.
House payments, groceries, medical bills..underwear,all on credit.
How stupid we were.
I must say we may not have survived had we not had some access to credit. I don't know.
But when I hear my President say "so Americans can have the credit they need to continue to meet their daily needs" It bothers me.
I want to say to my friends don't meet your daily needs with credit!! Okay, I know the average person needs credit for mortage loans or cars...Just don't ever live off of them. It has taken us years to recover from one years mistakes.
I will continue to pray for things I don't really understand and people I only see on the news. I will also pray for you. Times are hard for all of us.
I must say I am so glad that I have HOPE. I know that my future really lies in the God who supplies all my needs...not in wallstreet or main street.

Yummy! The girls and I headed out to the Lincoln Co Apple Festival over the weekend. Mark was working a half day on Saturday so he missed all the fun. Lots of crafts and booths. Although we love apples (especially the Carmel ones) we went for the Library book sale.
Hardcover 1.00
Paperback .50
Magazines .10

I was looking for magazines. I love them. National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Explorer, Zoobooks, Ranger Rick, Odyssey
Any way NO SUCH LUCK
Not a single magazine to be found. However we did snag some books on the 50 states, American History, homeschool, a bunch of chapter books for my animal loving Kyndall, and our best find...over 150.00 dollars worth of piano music for 1.50. Love songs, Classic Rock, Country, Broadway Hits, Ballads, Oldies, Gospel, and more. Highlight of my day!
We spent 5.00
We ate carmel apples of course, walked a couple of miles, and worshiped with some young teen praise bands. Laughed at all the parents in line with their kids paying 2.00 per ticket to ride on a 3 minute kiddie ride. Nice day with the girls.
Opps I almost forgot. Came home with all the loot. You know... pens, pencils,plastic cups, sports bottles, jar openers, bookmarks, calenders, note pads, and frisbees.
Okay we have many frisbees from events just like these. However Sarah and Kyndall think they make perfect catfood dishes when turned upside down.

Some of my favorite memories growing up with my brother and sister happened in the car. We went on many vacations together and each year traveled to Ridgecrest for family retreats. My parents just loved to drive! Sometimes with no destination in mind. It was the ride itself, the fact that we were all crammed together in a small place at the same time.



The best conversations took place during long drives. I learned so much about History and Science just by asking my dad. He could give so much information on any subject. As siblings, we made up our own family games, sang songs, and annoyed my parents with the whole "stop touching me....Who touched me" situations that brothers and sisters engage in when crammed into the back seat of a car during a time when no one in the back seat wore seat belts.



Jesus asked this Question once." Who touched me?". You can find the account in Mark 5:22-34
Jesus called this women daughter! She pushed through the crowd to touch the hem of his garment and instantly was healed from years and years of suffering. Medical, physical, social, emotional, religious, financial suffering. As soon as this women touches Jesus the power leaves him and through her faith she is made whole. Wow!!
The ladies in our small group had great discussions based on this scripture!
Have you ever been in a situation in which you felt the power of God move through you? Many of my friends had great stories to share.

One mother in particular shared an experience I could identify with. She had experienced a difficult day with her child that had caused turmoil within her heart in regards to the way she had handled the situation. She knew the child's spirit had been hurt. Prompted by the Holy Spirit she laid down beside her resting child (who had cried herself to sleep) and placing her hand on her back began to pray. Not a prayer for the child but a prayer of repentance, for her own sin as a mother in this situation. Wow! The power of God at work between mother and child through an act of repentance. I cried!
Are you searching for Hope? It can be found in Jesus. Reach out to Him in faith. Reach out through repentance and experience the healing and restoration that will take place.

Okay....Never realized how much I loved the cold! We have been without aircondition for a couple of weeks. (Long Story) . It's really not been too bad! We have so gotten used to the warmness of summer days. My kids are even wanting to play outside more often!! Now most of you know I get hot easily so this was a big deal for me. But Now I am Freezing!!! The weather has cooled to 72 and the fans are in my windows. I feel like putting on a snow suit. As we speak my girls are doing Math in Long pants, sweatshirts, and fuzzy slippers!! Hillarious!! Never ever, in a million years, thought I would be cold in 70 degree weather!

Pictures from last weekends trip to carowinds. Mark, the girls, and I went with my Mom and Dad, Amanda, and Toby and Lisa. Can you believe my parents rode every coaster they could find! It was so much fun. The park was virtually empty. We rode roller coasters over and over without even getting off! I think because of Hurricane Gustav, the forecast said lots of rain. It changed at the last minute. No rain just a nice cool breeze and 82. It was a lot of fun.

(Image of Hurricane Ike by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration)

Wow! This week has gone by fast! Little Man is back in our home on a daily basis and keeping us hopping. I love this little guy! So sweet. God has always blessed me with little boys to pour out love to! The girls have "adopted" Zachary as their little brother. They won't let me do much with him. They love to play tickle, read, dance , and love on this little guy! Glad your back Zac!

I have had a busy week!! So This morning I tried to catch up on a few posts. So check out the next few for news on the Lewis Family. We had a great start to our school week (more on school later) and are headed to Carrowinds with my family tomorrow if Hurricane Hanna stays away!

I bought this plant the week we moved into our new house 5 years ago. It was a small little kitchen green plant that grew like a weed. We wrapped it around the tops of our cabinets, hung pieces from ceiling hooks, and it kept growing, and growing until it was a jungle in our kitchen and Mark could stand it no more. So he took her down. When we took it outside and stretched out the vines it was 14 feet long!! After some trim backs, Mark replanted my green friend and wrapped her around a stake. I must say my kitchen looks so white!
I love green plants!! They brighten my day and remind me of life in the winter. I hope my friend survives the dramatic change!!

Cooling of in the waters at Lake Norman State park with our good friends Ashleigh, Chris, and Cadence!
This is a beautiful park about 2 miles from my house! The water was a little merky and the kids a little quirky! We had a great time. Nice day, yummy picnic, good friends!! Fish were nibbling our toes!! Gross!

Hello Friends. I have another prayer request for you. Pray for baby Caridee, Her parents and Brandi and Keith( brother of Mike Jones). What a beautiful name for a baby girl! For more info go here.

This is Tim Hawkins a Christian Comedian and His family.
Just thought this was so cute! Happy School Year to all!

Todd and Paula

Tell about one time in the past 5 years where you took a HUGE Step of Faith in your journey with the Lord. What was the outcome?




I am hearing music everywhere! The sounds of a life of Faith.

I'm Lovin' It!!

What is one thing or cause that you are passionate about? (More specifically, something you feel that the Lord has burdened your heart with)



Have you ever visited an aquarium? I am fascinated by the ocean fish and love admiring them with my children, pointing out their uniqueness, and observing them as they move about in their pre-made environment. As I watch I can't help but feel that something is wrong. They don't belong here....It is not their home. These fish were not made for this giant glass box....They were made for a vast ocean! Maybe the fish don't know any better but I wonder if their instincts tell them that they were made for somewhere magnificent , that their true home is somewhere else, beyond these glass walls.

If you know me well, you might think my passion is children. I Love Kids!

Not just mine, but yours! Laughing, smelly, cute, dirty, sad, excited, hungry, hurting, discovering, wondering, questioning, Kids!! The ones that pee on you, love on you, play with you, hurl on you, jump on you, sleep on you, and throw fits on you! It's what I do...It's who I am.

If you know me well, you might think my passion is relationships.

I care about people! Brown, white, beautiful, ugly, tall, short, fat, old, young, rich, mean, kind, homeless, hurting, happy, poor, smart, People!

The ones that hurt you, bless you, call you, comfort you, help you, annoy you, encourage you, use you up, love you, curse you, pray with you, and strengthen you. It's what I do...It's who I am.

It goes deeper than that...My True Passion. It is the root of all I do and think.

What is My True passion? The Desire that drives my actions and thoughts?

Have you ever been on a trip like this: You are having fun, doing new things, enjoying life when suddenly everything becomes miserable. The car breaks down, someone steals your wallet, everyone gets sick, and it seems nothing is going right. What did you want more than anything?

To Go Home!

As you are driving back, you can't wait to get home! You can almost feel your comfy bed, taste the home cooked food, and envision yourself sitting around with friends and family laughing together , telling funny stories about all the things you saw, and what went wrong along the way! The craving for Home is sweet. You throw on your comfortable clothes right away, kick off your shoes! It's were you are you. Your friends come to visit, you love your favorite chair.

No matter how much we enjoy our trip, our adventures, we anticipate, look forward to coming home!

The strongest Passion that drives me...That God has placed deep within my soul is Eternal Life...Heavenly Treasures....Eternal significance!

I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same. C.S. Lewis

I have never been to Heaven...Yet I miss it! It is what I was made for!

My passion lies in the things that will last forever...The smile and wonder on a child's face when they hear how amazing God is...How powerful...And that this God wants to have a personal relationship with them. The understanding of a friend who has just discovered a truth in God's word that they can apply to their life! Attitudes...Motives... Heart Issues...Good works.....A smile....Kind words....Encouragement...Tears shared...hearts restored....lives changed....Truth realized...Grace accepted....compassion shared...mercy given.....This is what drives me!

Everything in this world will completely pass away....I could care less about cars, clothes, furniture, houses, toys..etc... Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these things and when my engine light is on in my car I care...But only because it might keep me from church or you or your kids.

As a little girl growing up in church I would listen to sermons about Heaven. Honestly I was afraid. I just had this image of me and my family floating around on a cloud, dressed in white , and singing....forever and ever....andever....andever...with an endless harp playing in the background. I was afraid because I didn't even like some of the songs we sang at church. I was afraid of what would happen if I got tired or bored . Would I be struck by lightening?

I have come to learn the awesomeness of my Lord! The beauty of His creation, and the miracle of life that He gives. Imagine a Heaven, a New earth Restored to it's original design! Hand crafted by our saviour! The way it was intended to be before the fall of mankind. Before sin entered our hearts.

I am passionate about things eternal. All That will last...I am passionate about a home I have not seen...A place I have not visited...

Revelation 21
The New Jerusalem

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
5 He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.
6 He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son

This is what Drives me...What I long for..My Passion...

Life eternal with Christ Jesus!

I would love to recommend this book for you!

This book is amazing! Apart from God's word this book has had an incredible impact on my heart.

God Bless you!
John 14
1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am

Ever Just wondered about stuff?? I find myself asking crazy questions all the time!!

"How come there's strawberry jam all over my keyboard?"

Who left the diaper in the babies clothes and then put them through the wash? Yuck!!

Why can't you get a tan on your palms?

What does the K in K-Mart Actually stand for?

What's the difference between normal ketchup and fancy ketchup?

We All have questions we would like to have answered?

Sometimes we find a solution and sometimes not. There are even questions that run through my head that I would like to ask Jesus. Things we will have to wait until Christ's return for the answer.

Jesus communicated in unique ways throughout the bible. Using stories, word pictures that would relate to the times and situations his audience faced. He often asked questions of his disciples, Pharisees, and other people he came in contact with.

These questions will be the topic for our small group this fall. I have a group of ladies who are my dearest friends. Most of us are stay at home moms or have flexible work schedules. We get together for Bible Study once a week. The Kids play and we Learn together from God's Word and pray for one another and just visit.

We have done several Beth Moore studies, Don't waste your Life by John Piper, Women of the Bible, and Her Hands. This time we have researched The Questions that Jesus asked throughout His Ministry. We are each choosing 3 questions, Researching, and writing lessons to share with the rest of the group based on the questions we choose. I am really excited about this study!

I have chosen 2 questions so far for sure.

"What is your name?" Mark 5:9

"What do you want me to do?" Mark 10:51

This is really going to be an interesting study!!

In order to encourage some extra creative writing for our new school year I have set my girls up with blogs of their own. They are non published Blogs. You can not search for them on Google blog search or reach them by randomly browsing or clicking on next blog. Their profiles link back to my own. I encourage you to read them from time to time and comment! ( This would be fun for them) However do not add them to your blog rolls or blog lists. If you want to read them just come to my blog and find them on my list. Thanks for your support in keeping my kids safe from weirdos and stranger danger!

Ashleigh Andrea Alycia BettyJo Becky Debbie Jenn Kristen Karen Lynnea Linda Jo Mandy Missy Pat Susana

I am so blessed by the beautiful sister's in Christ that grace my life with genuine true friendship!

This is only the beginning of the list of people that God has used to encourage me along my journey. God's list of friends for me keeps growing!

Best Friend Old Friend New Friend Casual Friend good friend buddy pal companion sister bff PEEPS

We use many different words to describe the people we Cherish.


The thing that amazes me most about friendship really has nothing to do with the individual people themselves. It is about how God shines through them!

I am completely Amazed at how God designs and chooses the close friendships that HE has placed in my life! Each of these people are so uniquely crafted by God. Each one of them are excitedly different! A big giant diverse group of spiritual gifts talents abilities personalities quirks taste habits thoughts gifts skills dispositions Hangupsstrengths weaknesses

Each one of these people brings an abundance of Joy into my life! God uses these people in amazing ways to show his love for me! He speaks through them directly into my heart! God reveals himself to me, in part, through traveling together with them along their journey. I watch listen and learn from these ladies and it makes my life more beautiful!







Accountability is the one area of friendship that I sometimes find difficult. Hard to give it...Hard to Receive it.


I need accountability! Why are we sometimes so afraid of it? Why do we shy away from it? I want my friends to hold me accountable but when push comes to shove...I don't.
I guess it all boils down to
Permission
Who are the women in your life that Have permission to speak into your situation? Who has given you permission to speak into the circumstances of their lives? This is real friendship!
All of these women are my dearest friends because at one time or another they have challenged me in my relationship with Christ. They know the ins and outs of my day to day life! They know my downfalls, and the sins that easily trip me up! But they love me anyway!

Lord soften my heart that I would be willing to invite accountability from the people who love me the most! Help me to ask for it! Help me to be willing to step out on a limb and give it!