The Great Disconnect

I’m getting myself back together. I feel like January hit me like a train and has drug me straight into March. Are you kidding me? Can it be March already? In a town where “winter” means temps in the 50s, this year we’ve had temps in the teens, snow, an epic ice storm and an earth quake. All of these events happened in the dark, and by that I mean, we lost power … a lot. We spent many a night by the fire.  Kids have been out of school more than usual. (Not to mention the husband has been home too!) Needless to say, my safe schedule that keeps me sane has been thrown for a loop. But life is still moving. God is still working. And I feel like I’m trying to catch up.

Having said all that, my blog has been the one to suffer.  I mean, I can’t write or post if the power is out, right? Honestly, as much as I’d like to blame all of the above, it’s me. I’m still trying to figure out why I’m here. But rest assured, although I haven’t been posting, I’ve been working. I’ve been researching and I’ve been planning. So, today, I’m going to give you a peak at my attempt to organize my life.

If you have ever sat across from me and tried to plan anything, you’ll see me drag out my extra-large Moleskine weekly planner. Why in a world of electronic organization do I still carry a planner? I’m a pen and paper girl. I like to see everything right in front of me. I like to check off my lists and see a big page of scratching and feel like I’ve accomplished something. And I don't like to worry about hitting the wrong button and loosing all my hard work.

 

 

So Friends, here is a list of what I've learned about myself and why I'm addicted to Moleskine Notebooks.

1. I have to have everything written down. If it's not written down where I can see it, it does not get done. Period.

2. I can not have a "fancy" planner. If it's too pretty, I feel like I'm going to mess it up and I never write in it. If I don't use it, its useless right?

3. If I see an entire months worth of appointments, I get overwhelmed and shut the planner. I can only handle one week at a time.

4. I need lots of space for a list of everything that needs to be done. I can't use categories. I'll spend too much time trying to break my tasks into categories that I never actually get around to doing them. (Ask my husband)

5. It has to lay flat, but it CAN NOT be spiral bound or in a binder that can open. I abuse my planner. It goes where I go. Spiral planners come undone and tear apart.

5. I am also slightly addicted to Post-It notes. I have recently learned how to print on them!

Coming to this realization: The 12 Month Weekly Notebook Diary/Planner works best for me. It's a bound notebook that lays flat, has one week per page and a lined "notes" page per week. The soft cover is flexible enough that can take a beating and the paper is thick enough that my pens down bleed through!! I AM SOLD!

I write any day specific plans on the left side. I keep a running list of things that need to be done that week on the right side. I've printed out a small "quick month view" and taped it to the top. I printed a "day specific" Cleaning List on a Post-It. I use the Post-Its for anything that regularly repeat so that I don't have to rewrite each week. So far, this system has worked for me for the past two years. I absolutely love it!

Moleskine also makes great journals. Because of all the reasons I listed above, I also have several Moleskine journals. They are just so easy to use and easy to carry around. If you haven't used them before, I can testify that its worth the cost. They are not cheap, but the durability and ease of use are worth it.  I use one as a prayer journal. I use the other as a place to put ideas. You know, sometimes and idea comes to you and you have to write. I don't carry around my laptop, but I always have my Moleskine!

So Friends, I'm getting myself together. I'm getting my family, my yoga practice and my blog organized. I'm learning how to keep all the things that are important to me in my life. And in my life in such a way that does not completely overwhelm me. Starting in April, I should have a regular schedule down for the blog. I should be posting at least 2 times a week. That is my goal. I'll be posting about yoga and food and faith. Those things make up my life, they make up my family.

I plan to post weekly about yoga, poses and techniques and why its beneficial. I plan to post about food, what we're eating and why. But most importantly I plan to post about what God is teaching me. I hope that you'll join me, because I'd love to hear about your life too. Remember Friends, its all about conversation.

See Ya Soon!

When He speaks

It was one of those days where I just needed to be with the Lord. I wanted to open His word, take a deep breath and root deep. I needed to feel him as father and teacher. I dropped the kids off at school and ran straight to Starbucks. I had no idea that God had bigger plans. A divine appointment.

I walked into Starbucks and it was rockin. I said a quick prayer asking God to open a seat for me. I ordered my coffee and as I turned around a table opened up. I walked close and the woman sitting at the next table jumped over, "Sorry, I'm meeting a friend and this one has two seats." "No worries, I just need one, have at it!" I sat down at the table she had just vacated and thanked the Lord for his provision. Bible and notebook: check. Coffee and Danish: check. Colored pens and phone on silent: check. Lets do this. By this time, the woman's friend had arrived and they had begun a very deep and personal conversation. Trying not to eavesdrop or be distracted, I pulled out my headphones and started to scroll through music to listen to. Before I hit play, the friend said something that really resonated with me. Something along the lines of, "When God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, it wasn't to prove to God that Abraham would be faithful. God already knew he would be. It was to prove to Abraham that he would be faithful to God."(If you don't know this story, read it in Genesis 22) Don't get distracted Annie. I hit play just as a man in a suit and a young girl sat down at the table on the other side of me.

Revelation 4. Beth Moore asked me to draw out every detail of the Throne Room of God. I wonder if this is what she had in mind?

This, obviously, does not do it justice. Please stop and go read Revelation 4. See Him sitting on the throne. See the 24 elders and the 4 beasts. See the bow and the lighting surrounding the throne. Hear the thunder and the singing as they cast their crowns as His feet. See the crystal sea and the 7 lampstands. Close your eyes and feel it. Let Hebrews 4:16 fall on you, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." In light of Revelation 4, how does the invitation to approach the Throne of God with confidence affect you? I answered that question this way: "The Throne of God is not weak. It's full of power. The things we ask of Him are not too big. Have faith in your Creator. What you ask He can do."

No sooner had the pen left paper when my mind went blank and my stomach started to twist. My heart started to race and I could feel the presence of evil. If you don't know what that feels like, thank God. If you do, then you know what I mean. I couldn't move. I prayed for God to remove the distraction. "Turn off your music Annie and listen." I turned down my music. On one side of me where two women. Deep personal conversation. Very obviously believers. On the other side, his voice sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. Even thinking about it now brings chills. Every word out of his mouth reeked of evil. And the girl, she was eating it up. Soaking it all in. And my stomach was twisted into deep knots. "I need this time with you God. Please don't let this happen now." I turned my music up as loud as it would go. Block it out. Block it out. Focus on God. "Annie, turn off your music and listen." NO! I'm being selfish with my time. I NEED this time with you. Don't make me do this.

I turned my phone off and just started to pray. I couldn't read one word, so there was no way to continue. My heart was pounding and my stomach was sickly twisted. I prayed for God to confuse this mans speech. Distract him Lord. Close this girls ears and don't let her hear him speaking. Do something Lord just make it stop. "Speak Annie. You stop him from speaking" Excuse me WHAT? No Lord. Please no Lord. What would I even say? I cant fight that. "Annie, he's speaking of the stars, but I made the starts. Tell him to stop and tell her this man is lying." My heart was beating so hard in my chest and my face was so beat red that I don't know how someone didn't notice. I got angry. God, there are two believers on the other side of me. Make them speak. Can they not hear this? How are they not this affected? "Don't wait for someone else to do what I've called you to do. I moved her, remember. I placed you here. At this time. For this moment."

I was frozen with fear. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. And I watched this young girl get up and thank him and ask to meet with him again. And I watched her walk away. And I wanted to die. The moment had passed and I did nothing while evil sat beside me. I had failed. I was not faithful to the One who has always been faithful to me. I wanted to get out as fast as I could and cry. I just wanted to break down and cry. Instead I jumped into the conversation with the women on the other side of me. I didn't even really care what they were talking about, I just needed to connect with someone. I must have sounded like the biggest idiot ever. I packed up and left.

I sat in my car and cried and cried and cried. I drove away to run some other errands and I called my husband. I told him what happened. He was so encouraging. "You know Annie, God will give you another chance." Even though I know its not what he meant, I turned my car around and drove back to Starbucks. I'm not sure what I expected to find. But when I walked in ... she was there. "Speak Lord. My words may fail." I walked up and said, "I know this is going to sound crazy. I was sitting beside you earlier and I was trying very hard not to listen to your conversation but I couldn't help but overhear. I feel like God wants me to tell you that everything that man said to you was a lie. What you are looking for, that man does not have the answers to. God wants you to know that He loves you and is the only one who can give the peace you are looking for. He's the only one who can give the assurance for the future that you seek. Please do not meet with that man again. If you'd like to talk about it more, I'd love to talk to you." I gave her my number and my email address. She smiled and thanked me.

I walked out to my car and wept. And then I went to pick my daughter up from school.

Your Sovereign Hand Will be My Guide

 

Have you ever stopped and looked at your life backwards? Have you ever, good or bad, looked at your life and wondered how you got to where you are? I’ve been doing that recently and I have to tell you, my life does not even have a shimmer of what I thought I would be doing. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Walk with me, will you, back to 2002. January: I was in school for Early Childhood Education. My life was pretty planned out. February: I started dating this really cute guy. April: I took a trip to WV to meet his family. It was then that I knew he would be the one. You know, THE ONE. I didn’t tell him yet, I wasn’t sure he could handle it. September: He figured it out. HE asked ME to be his wife. November: Thanksgiving with my soon-to-be family. Snow. WONDERFUL! December: First Christmas together. Step into 2003. March: There was a wedding march this month. It was beautiful. It was Holy Ground. We were young and silly. We had no clue. But we were in love. I left school and started working full time. Skip Forward to June 2008. Two became Three. Brewer was born. I started working part time. Skip forward to April 2010. The Girl was born. What would our life be like without our Eva? I stopped working all together. (I mean for money that is) Skip forward to January 2012. Living in a small, but comfy, 3 bedroom house as a family of 4 and an adult family member living with us for a few months. Mama takes a trip, a much needed time away.  As wonderful as my life was at this point, I could have never imagined how this weekend trip would change my life.

My dear friend invited me to go on the Women’s Ministry Retreat from her mother’s church. Normally this is the kind of thing I would turn down without even a second thought. It’s just not my cup of tea. However, this time, I said yes. Somewhere along the way I had lost myself. I had a plan. I was in school. I was going to be a teacher. But instead I got married. I quit school.  I had kids and I stopped working. My life had veered so far away from the plan that I couldn’t figure out where I was. Not that any of those things were wrong. I just didn’t know who I was anymore.  I was floundering and frustrated and crying out to God to show me the way. I had two small children. Finding time to sleep, let alone read my bible, was a challenge. I was weary. And I needed more than rest. I needed a revival.

Day two of the retreat we were giving a very well written out devotional to do. They sent us out to find a place to rest, read and reflect. I took my bible eager to get into His word. I walked out onto the dock and took a seat. I couldn’t do it. My mind was so restless and I couldn’t concentrate. I cried. I cried hard. Please don’t take this time from me. I put down my bible and that sweet devotion and I prayed. I cried out to God and said, “I can’t do this. I can’t even focus. I need you to speak to me. I need to you speak to the depths of my soul. Please.” I took out my MP3 player, set it on random and hit play. The very first song that came on, I kid you not, was Otis Redding, “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” Yes Lord, You have my attention.

So over the next 30 minutes or so, I sat and listened as God spoke to me through a perfectly timed playlist that I thought were random songs. He said, “Annie, You’ve been sitting here long enough and wasting too much time. Look down and tell me what you see.” I saw the marsh. I was sitting on a dock over the marsh at low tide. “Now look up and tell me what you see.” I saw the ocean and its rolling waves. “Annie, you’ve been here in the mud before. I picked you up and brought you out into the ocean deep. You know what it feels like out there in the rolling waves of grace. You know the peace of riding out the storm with me. But I’ve brought you back into the muck. I’ve brought you back not to hurt you but for you to feel it. You’ve forgotten what this feels like. There are others, Annie, who are stuck here. Knee deep, just like you were. I’ve brought you back in to take someone’s hand and show them the way out into the deep waters. You know the way because you’ve been there. And once you get out, let them go. I’m going to send you back in and you’re going to find someone else. And you’re going to show them the way. The Way the Truth and the Life. This will be a pattern for your life.”

O.M.G. Be careful what you ask for. When you ask God to speak, He will. So be prepared to hear what He has to say. Yes Lord, I heard you Father. What does that mean? What am I supposed to do? “Wait. That answer will come. Just keep listening.”

I returned home renewed and on my toes! About a month later the answer came in a way I never would have expected. At this point in my life I had been practicing yoga on and off for many years. A few months after Eva was born we joined the local Family Y. We joined because there was childcare and I could drop my children off, go to a yoga class, sit for a moment and breathe. This particular day my instructor came up to me after class. (This was not the first time she had mentioned this and all other times I had smiled sweetly and thanked her and called her crazy!) But this day she said, “Hey Annie, there is a Level 1 Instructor Training coming this May. It’s in town and I thought of you. You should really check it out and see about becoming a yoga instructor.” God spoke before I could and said, “That’s it. You’re going to teach Yoga.” I stood there stunned for a moment and said, “Ok, email me the info.”

I put the kids down for a nap and prayed. What in the world God? You’ve got to be kidding me. He spoke directly to my heart like he did sitting on that dock. “The community of yoga, it’s a very dark place. There are people searching for me but many don’t know it’s me they’re looking for. They call it peace, but I am the only giver of true peace. They call it harmony, but creation is only at harmony when it’s in tune with it’s Creator. They are looking for enlightenment; I am the giver of knowledge. I’m sending you in, Annie, to be a light in a dark place. Take their hands and lead them out of the muck and into grace. The rolling waves of my grace.”

This has been quite a journey. One I never saw myself on.  One that has made me trust more and dig deeper. I can not even begin to tell you all of the opportunities God has given me over the past two years. This journey, it’s only beginning. He’s calling me to something bigger than myself. But I’ll tell you more about that later. He is growing and stretching me. He’s teaching me to rely on Him every step of the way. Some days I’m running and some days I’m being dragged kicking and screaming. But I’m moving. Closer. Surrendered. And oh friend, if I could only tell you how … His grace abounds in deepest waters ...

January Shamuary

Ok Friends, I know I’ve been really quiet this January. Let me assure you that it has been anything but quiet around here lately. It was not my intention to be silent this long. If you follow me on FB or IG, you’ll know we’ve been up and running. And I do mean running!

There are several blog posts that are rolling around in my head. One that’s fun and one that’s really bothering me. I’m going to find some time this weekend to sit down and hash that one out. But for now, I’ll leave you with some pictures of some things we’ve been up to.

We’ve been eating some good food!

I know you're hungry now. So here's how you get delicious dinner for yourself!

Portabella Burger

Portabella Mushroom

EVOO

Worcestershire Sauce

Sea Salt & Pepper

Garlic Powder

Italian Seasoning

Hamburger bun

"toppings"

1. Rub a clean mushroom with EVOO and place "frilly side" up season with ingredients listed above (or anything you like on your burger)

2. Place in a ziplock bag and put in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes. 

3. I pan fried these, but you could put them on the grill if you'd like. 

4. There are so many ways to top these, just like with any burger. Here I used Sandwich rounds spinach and homemade guacamole. (1 avocado, diced red onion, garlic powder & lime juice) 

Its the Worcestershire Sauce that makes this so good. If you're looking to eat less meat but you don't want to give up your favorite foods, this is great. To be honest, its the spices you love the most. These large portabella mushrooms are so beefy, if you season it right, you wont even notice. Hope you enjoy!

Roasted Potatoes & Red Onions

Red Potatoes

Red Onion

One or Two Garlic cloves

EVOO

Italian Seasoning

Sea Salt & Pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450. 

2. Slice Potatoes & Red Onions into bite size pieces. Place into a baking dish and splash with EVOO. Just enough to coat. Add mince garlic, italian seasoning, salt & pepper and stir so its all covered. 

3. Pop in the oven for about 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Enjoy!

You cant really mess up roasted potatoes right? Whatever makes you happy, go for it!

Sweet Annie Kale Salad

1 Bunch Dark Green Kale (washed & dired, torn into large bit sized pieces, no thick stems)

1/4 c EVOO

1/4 c Raw Honey

1 Clove Minced Garlic

2 Small Diced Apples

1/2 Cup Raw Sunflower or Pumpkin Seeds

Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl and massage for 5 minutes. This softens the kale and blends the flavors. The kale will wilt significantly during this process, so a big bowl full will reduce in size!

OK: I know I know. I did not make this up or name it. It came from my friend Cindy. Side note: I had a feeling I would like it before I even saw it. I mean, come on, with a name like that, how could I not! 

Really though, this is so tasty. Its got that sweet and savory feel . Its crunchy and it perfect for a cookout. It keeps well in the fridge for the next day. I've made it for dinner and eaten leftovers for lunch all week. Or snuck into the fridge for a bite when I needed a sweets fix. 

So, if you're just cooking dinner or running out the door to a cookout with friends, turn up some Zac Brown Band, make some Sweet Annie Kale Salad and enjoy!

Chocolate Drop Cookies

1/3 C Pure Maple Syrup

1/3 C Almond Milk

1/4 C Carob Powder

3 T Peanut Butter

1 t Vanilla

1 C Oats

1/4 C Chopped Walnuts

1. In a saucepan bring the syrup, milk & carob powder to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes. 

2. Add peanut butter and stir until smooth

3. Remove from heat and add vanilla, oats & walnuts. Stir well and then roll into balls with the palms of your hands. 

4. Enjoy!

I got this recipe from  Super Veggie Mom. The only difference I made was using Carob Powder instead of Cocoa Powder. Either way, they are still delicious! Both Eva and Brewer loved them. 

So, there is a little taste of what we've been up to. More to come I promise! If you make some of these goodies, let me know what you think. 

From Tree to Tree

Jamie and I have been married for over 10 years. We've collected our fair share of Christmas décor. Of all of it, my Christmas Tree is by far my favorite. Its not fancy and in fact its the same fake tree we bought 10 year ago. (getting thinner each year) Our first Christmas together, Jamie started a tradition of purchasing me an annual Precious Moments ornament. On my tree are all 11. I love them. He started the same thing with our kids for their first Christmas's. Brewer has 5 and Eva has 3. There are ornaments from my great grandmother's tree. There are ornaments from Romania and South Africa. My first Christmas ornament from 1978 and several from my childhood. We've got West Virginia Mountaineers. We've got both of my kids first Christmas, from our honeymoon, handmade from the kids, & special gifts from friends ... to say the least, our Christmas Tree is not just a tree, it's filled with memories. Every branch has a story. My kids love looking for their ornaments and love hearing the stories of where each one came from. The best part to me is how I get to weave our story into the story of Jesus. It all comes back to Him.

Did you know that this life we are living, its not about us? We are all playing a role in His story. His story began with creation. God spoke and we were. Adam and Eve lived in harmony with God and with all of creation, until sin was introduced into this world. When Adam and Eva both ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they didn't become like God as Satan had promised, they became sinful. That very sin is what broke the harmony. You can read in Genesis all about creation and the first sin and how from the very beginning, God had a plan to restore and redeem.

 Jesus.

Throughout this story its always been about Him. He was promised. There was a time when the Israelites waited for Him. They had been told He was coming by the prophets and all they had was hope. And they waited. Not always patently, not always productively, but they waited and they hoped.

                   OT Prophecy                     NT Fulfillment

                   Genesis 3:15                      Romans 5:6-8; Galatians 4:4-7; Colossians 2:13-15

                   Isaiah 9:2                           Matthew 4:12-17; John 1:4-5, 12:46

                   Isaiah 53:10-11                  Romans 5:1-2

                   Isaiah 53:4                         Matthew 8:14-17

                   Isaiah 61:1-4                      Luke 4:16-21

Then one night, in the small town of Bethlehem, a virgin girl gave birth. The Angels broke through the night sky to harold His arrival to some shepherds on a hill, announcing that this child was a gift for all people. What they had waited for and longed for and hoped for was here. But many did not see and many did not understand. They thought He would come as a valiant King who would wage war and win and restore. But that's not what happened. Yet. First He had to come to live and teach and make confusing things more clear, and to die. He was buried and rose back to life three days later, defeating death. His death and resurrection was the way to restoration. As we read in John 3, Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it, anyone who believes will get this free gift of salvation.

But this gift, its just that, a gift and you have the right to refuse it. This right is called free will. Because our God, who loves you so much, will not force Himself on you. He calls you gently to Himself. He provides and protects and longs to be with you. But its your choice to accept or reject.

We are all playing a role in His story. The story of creation and the fall and hoping and longing and wondering ... He's made a way for you. A way for you to know and understand your role here. He's gifted you with talent and ability to be an active part of His story. He loves you and longs for you to love Him too.

So as we celebrate Christmas each year, I don't just see one tree, I see two. I can't see Christmas without the cross. It's why He came, for you and for me, to give us life more abundant and full. He came to save us from the wrath of sin. Not to destroy but to redeem.

Where ever you are on your journey here on earth, I wish the the very Merriest of Christmases!

He's Always Faithful

As a mother, the most important thing to me is that my children learn to love the Lord God with all their hearts. Not only that they love Him, but they trust Him and follow Him and bring glory to His name all their lives. When I was pregnant with Brewer I had already lost 3 babies. I've written a little about that here if you want to take a look. I say that because at that point, I knew what it felt like to loose a baby. So as we were preparing for Brewer, Jamie and I would pray that if this child would not know, love and glorify the Lord with his life, then please don't let him be born either. You want to pray something hard? That's it. As much as I wanted to be a mother, I could not fathom bringing a life into the world that would not love and honor the very God that I trusted to bring me that child.

On June 28th of 2013, as we backed out of our parking place at church, the routine conversation began. What did you do at church today? Eva said something about the picture she drew and Brewer said, "I asked Jesus to come live in my heart." Jamie threw the car into park and we both turned around, "What? Tell me what happened? Who did you talk to? Why did no one tell us about this before we left?" My poor 5 year old boy, the questions were being hurled at him faster than he could answer. Jamie and I stopped and looked at each other and be both told ourselves to calm down. Let the boy speak. "Ok, Brewer, tell Mommy and Daddy what happened?"

"Well Mama, do you remember how we've been talking about how Jesus died on the cross for me?" Yes I did. "Well, remember how you said that you couldn't tell me when it was time but Jesus would let me know when it was time?" Yes I remembered. "Well today I was in the Club House (our preschooler's time of worship & bible story) and Mrs. Myra was signing and Jesus told me it was time. He said it in my heart. So I sat down and I prayed to Jesus to forgive me of all bad choices and to please come live in my heart and show me how to make wise choices."

Jamie and I looked at each other kinda dumfounded. I mean, I always thought I would get to be there, I would get to pray with my son and see his face and hear his voice. But God reminded me that Brewer was first His son and given to me to teach him how to love God. It was personal. It was Holy. And it was between Brewer and God.

"What did you do after that?" "Well, I got back up and started to sing with Mrs. Myra again." "Did you tell anyone?" "No, was I supposed to?" It was as simple as that. A child, who for months had asked question after question, and thought, and questioned, finally believed. I was overjoyed! There are no words to adequately describe how a mother feels at that moment.

For the next couple of months we have spent many hours of conversation with Brewer. He's spoken to our Minister to Children. We've prayed and talked and prayed and asked and answered a lot of questions. I can say that he knows the choice he made. Its genuine and its real.

Today, in church this morning, we had a time of carols and communion. Brewer came to "big church" with us and for the first time I had communion with my son. At the close of our service, Pastor gave a traditional time of invitation. Brewer looked up at me and said, "Mama, I need to go tell Pastor that I already asked Jesus to live in my heart. Then can I get baptized?" This Mama's heart again was overjoyed! I am so proud of my boy. Today was a very special day in the Martin Family.

My prayers for my son have changed. I no longer pray and yearn for his salvation. Its happened, its been answered. Its sealed. He faithfully answered yes. Now I pray for his sanctification. For a maturity and a deep burning fire to know God and to make him known. And because of testimony's like my Friend Amanda's, I know that its possible.

Because He's Always Faithful.

 

Singing Over Me

When someone loves Jesus with all their heart, its evident. You don't have to wonder if they trust Him because they radiate Him. They love differently, they speak differently, they serve differently and they lead differently. How could you not love them? How could you not want to be around them?

Meet my friend Amanda. When I asked her if she would share a bit of her life here, she responded with, " ... I feel like my story is boring" BORING? You couldn't be more wrong my friend. There is nothing boring about giving your life to Christ at an early age. For those of us who didn't, who had to live through some things without Him first, there is encouragement there. It helps me to know that God can do what He says He can do. I know that I can trust Him no matter what. It gives me hope for my own children to know that they don't have to walk the same path I did. It pushes me to help them know Him early, whatever they do with that knowledge is between them and God. But I pray they cling to Him, like you did. Because of your story, I know that its possible.

Amanda and her husband Jamie leading Worship one Sunday morning. Always singing. Always praising.

 Singing Over Me ...

I remember laying in bed with my mom at night and in the morning singing to her. Little hands, little voice. I remember her asking me questions. I remember her saying how can you know He loves you? How can you see what heaven will be like? And then she saw, and she knew too.  Savior.

I remember singing Amazing Grace with my Dad holding his hand the whole way to school. I remember the way he looked at me when he was happy and the way he looked at me when he was disappointed. I knew they were both love and so is He. Father. 

I remember singing to Him as I went around and around the driveway on my banana-seat bike. Love songs I made up.  Friend.

I remember riding to school one last time with Dad. Last day, last dad-packed lunch. Bigger hands, but still holding his. One more time singing. Amazing grace how sweet the sound. Grace-giver.

I remember meeting him. Fireworks popping.  He was different. He wasn't just a boy meeting a girl, he was interested in me. Asking questions. Do you love Jesus? Asking the important questions. Telling stories like how he loves to sing and play guitar. I heard Him whisper "This one" and I knew. 15 years old and I knew he was my gift. Giver.

I remember driving back to college, singing all the way. Back and forth and so many songs. Protector.

I remember his story about how he was coming to surprise me, but his car broke down a mile from my house. I left to go get him and came home wearing a ring. He surprised me and my heart sang. Faithful One.

I remember holding his hands, ready to say "I do" and the singing.."the God of second chances, picked them up and let them dance through a world that is not kind, and all this time sharing with the One who holds them up.." and how He does. Tower.

I remember her kicking. I remember changing and waiting and counting days. I remember her cry and the relief and the miracle. Holding her in whole wonder of His handiwork and the gifts He gives and singing to her, "sweet little baby girl. Be strong in this great big world." Creator.

I remember watching him last week, learning a new song on the piano upstairs. "Sing" he said. So I was singing " I will call upon Your name, my soul will rest in your embrace, for I am Yours, and you are mine." And we sing, and he plays and He hears.  Lover of my Soul.

And I know. "He is with me. He is a Mighty Warrior who saves. He takes great delight in me and he rejoices over me with singing" Zephaniah 3:17

And I know all the time He was there "'whether I turned to the right or to the left, I could hear my Fathers voice behind me saying, 'here is the path I want you to take, so walk on it.'" Isaiah 30:21

Yesterday, Today and Forever. Singing.