One day off...

What a week...I don't know about you, but from having off Monday for Independence Day being on Sunday - it completely threw my whole week off. I was always one day off, but I did have a great week getting to meet with a lot of my girls one on one. Love spending time with them. Also, had a surprise visit from a friend who lives out of town now. Love spontaneous get-togethers... especially from close and wonderful friends.

If you have been following for a while, you know that I do seasonal centerpieces, and for June I did something simple and bright. Went with lemons/limes and sunflowers. It was bright and cheerful. Exactly what I was going for and wanted to share with ya...I will have July's centerpiece up soon.

It's been crazy...

I don't know about you but these summer months, weeks, even days seem to be just flying by. I wish it was not so...I just want to sit and just soak it all in, but that is not the case right now. I have so much to tell ya...tons to catch up on. So just prepare yourself...this is going to be long.

First, we wrapped up the Girl's Summer Bible Study- Sex and the City last Monday. It was such a fun fun night. I can't even begin to express how much the Bible Study changed my life and loved what God taught each of us. It was an awesome time and I soo miss studying the Word with everyone.

Here are a few photos of the last couple of weeks.

This was week 3 -

Week 4

Week 5 -

One of the things everyone just loved each week...

The girl's are so precious. They bought me these wonderful gifts at the end of the study...crazy about them!

This really shows how behind I am on blogging...we celebrated my awesome Mom's birthday a few months back and had such a fun time celebrating her. We had a garden party - if you know my mom...you know she is a garden freak! Here are some fun photos from her fun night...

Isn't that crown awesome? I just love it and the birthday Queen! She was so fun to celebrate!

My cousins from Kansas came to visit. He had such a fun fun time.

Love love love my family. Here a few snap shots from the time they were here.

One of my man and I's friends moved a couple of years ago to Seattle. They mean so much to us and are just so dear to our hearts. They were both in our wedding and we have been friends now for about 8 years. She was in town and we got to catch up over lunch with their beautiful daughters...

Sorry this photo is blurry...I'm not that great at taking photos with my iPhone.

Also, another one of our very close friends came to visit Houston. We caught up with them and some of our close friends over dinner. It was such a fun night and loved seeing them! They will never know how precious they are to each of us...we love love love them and their family a ton!

This photo of us took like 5 previous takes! Haha...love it. Miss her!

Last, I'm currently gearing up for the fall (which is sad to say that is around the corner). I'm currently doing 2 very awesome Bible Studies. I'm studying Esther and Ruth. Loving them both for different reasons. I love how God puts the right things for you to study at the perfect season in your life. He's so amazing!

Hope you have enjoyed your summer so far and continue to take each day in for what God has in store.

Week 2 of Summer Girls Bible Study

I'm so so loving studying the Word of God with these girls! God is showing us so much and teaching us a ton. This past week we studied Colossians 3 - setting our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. How many times do we set our heart & mind on earthly things? I know personally, I can get so easily caught up in the everyday life and miss so many God opportunities. I want to make the most of each day and ONLY set my heart and mind on things of God.

Then I just love love love verse 4 - "When Christ, who is your life..." I love that - not part of your life, not some of your life, "WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS YOUR LIFE!" Love that...Christ should be our whole life. There is no question. God rules your life - there is no room for other junk.

So many times we learn to fill our life with things and stuff that can be causing a static connection between God and us. I don't know about you, but as the Scriptures continue to talk about ridding ourselves of the junk - I don't want anything in my life but things of God. This week, we are challenged to rid ourselves of anything that does not please God. I'm so excited to see what God is going to show us so we can be a better example and light for Him.

Here are a few snap shots of this week:

Summer Girl's Bible Study

Can you believe it's summer? It sure did get here quick...I'm exceptionally excited about this summer because God has placed on my heart to write and teach a 5 week series for teenage girls at our house.

God is so good isn't He? He placed on my heart a couple of months ago about doing a study and shortly after started telling me exactly what to teach on. This summer series is called, Sex and the City. We are discussing friends, fashion, glamour, sex, and of course our city. I love digging into God's Word! He has personally been challenging me in my relationship with Him while preparing to teach and live out the lessons He has given me.

This past Monday we kicked off the 5 week series! We had a wonderful time digging into God's Word and learning about Him. We were challenged in our friendships and that at the end of the day, our relationship with Him is all that matters!

I look forward to the what He has in store for this series!

Here are a few snap shots of the night. Sorry on the group photo - a few girls left before the photo was taken!

Im Sorry, Mom

This week with Mother's Day approaching, tell your mom how much you appreciate her...tell her you love her...or maybe you need to tell her "I'm sorry". Mom's are such a special gift from the LORD. Mothers make so many sacrifices for us...let her know the value she has in your life!

Time goes so quickly....

Sorry for it being so long since I last blogged! Much has been going on...I haven’t blogged since Easter. I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus! I had a wonderful and fun filled day with my family at my parents house.

Recently in the past couple of weeks after much talk of Five Guy Burgers...my parents and I finally went! I had the cheeseburger and cajun fries! They were really good...then I looked at the calorie intake and realized I will never be having one again! OH MY

Here are my precious parents at Five Guys enjoying their burgers!

Well, Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and I am so excited! I definitely don’t think one day is enough to appreciate the Mom’s in our lives! My mom is super special to me...I am already crying...this can’t be a good sign! My Mom is one of my bestest friends and a true beauty of God. I’m so proud she is my Mom and who she is in the LORD. We have the best time together and I so appreciate who she is in my life. I love you sooo stinking much, Mom! Thanks for being the example of a true Proverbs 31 woman.

I am looking forward to celebrating her this week! Pamper your mom this week and let her know she is special to you.

Because it's Mother's Day week....I decided to post a few pics of my Mom and me....

Here are a few from my wedding...we made flip flops for the reception. I am so glad...my feet were killing me. Great memories making the shoes...

After the ceremony....us having our BFF moment!
Mom putting a sixpence in my shoe before the wedding!

Mom helping get my dress together....
Celebrating my birthday! Fun day!

This is on vacation...starbucks stop!

Christmas...

Just being us...

Friends Forever!

Does Anyone Hear Her?

Check this video out...it continues to challenge me

I love this band, Casting Crowns. They address real issues through music.

This should be a wake up call for all Christians. HELLO. People are there. CRYING out. Watching you. They know who you are. Notice how the video shows the Christians literally crossing the street, sitting in coffee shops, or worse, actually walking into church minding their own business, and not even thinking twice about the people around them.

Those of us that have been in church for awhile can get comfortable with everything. We know everyone, park and sit in the same spots each week, shake the same people’s hands, discuss life with the same friends, and maybe throw in a little change here and there. Bottom line, and I am just as guilty of this, too often we get caught up in our comfort zone without even realizing that there are literally people right next to us hurting, crying out, wanting and needing maybe just a hello, a hug, someone to accept them for who they are and guide them along the way.

My heart hurts so bad and the tears start rolling down my face when the “lost girl” is getting out of her car and the “church lady” looks at her horribly because of what she looks like...seriously? She didn’t even make it to the door. What’s to make her want to come inside now? What’s to make her ever want to come to Jesus? Really, people? Really? Is that what “Christians” want to be known as? Judgmental and critical? Is anyone hearing me on this? These are serious issues.

At the end of the video they talk about how “he” is running. The girl finally connected to another girl at the cafe who decided to take a little extra time to show God’s love, but there is always someone else “running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction.”

With Easter right around the corner...there are going to be tons of people that are going to be sitting next to you at church maybe even in your seat. Please be mindful of this and make the extra effort to show them the love of Jesus. They may only come to church for Christmas and Easter, but this may be the day that changes their forever; changes their whole life. This might be the day it finally clicks with them.

Embrace them, welcome them, make them feel accepted before they even get into the church. We ALL need the love and mercy from our Heavenly Father.