music for the generations

Jay and I had the funniest conversation with Christian today while driving to his wrestling tournament. Just to get you up to speed; I am not fond of today's hip hop music. I know "our" music is so much better and he & I have had conversations about "his" music promoting killing and mistreating women & sex. It's terrible and he likes the beat and I make him by the clean versions of all the music or if it's too bad; we don't get it. Our music was so much better, but I don't mention that I was the biggest fan of Prince's "little red corvette" or Madonna's "like a virgin". I conveniently omit that. So, today, as we're driving Jay & I start singing to KC & the Sunshine Band. Christian is dying because our music is soooo bad! "Turn the station!" "How long do I have to listen to this?" It's fun reliving music. I remember singing it with my mom- I was about 6 and Jay was probably dating and 16! Anyway, we were singing "Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight!" And, then out of the mouths of babe "All genres of music talk about sex; country music, new music, old music- it's all the same. You're music isn't any different than mine." And, it made me laugh and realize that I've won a small battle that Christian could feel free enough with Jay & I to say that. I don't think I said anything about sex with my parents when I was 13. I talked to my friends, but not parents. So, we all laughed and agreed that most music does talk about sex, but the envelope gets pushed a little further with every generation and you have to decide at what point is too much.

Booty-licious

Ok, so I came up with this great idea for oven mitts made from recycled jeans and "Booty-licious" across it. I love them and everytime I use them it makes me laugh. Do we really need to be so serious all the time?!

Let me know what you think?

Friends

Today I got to get together with some friends and pray and laugh and cry. It was amazing; I've known these women for years and one I just met today. We talked about what was on our heart and it was powerful. I'm so thankful for this group of women. Who would've thought that our casual friendship would spin into something so strong. I'm encouraged by these women and our openness with one another; something rare in Williamson County. A place where life is about money, large homes and keeping busy racing to the next event to see and be seen. There's something so powerful about a group of people praying for one another and I so look forward to see what God does with it. As I mentioned in the group; I'm humbled that I was even included in this group. I am not great at praying, but I know it's not about the prayer and more about my heart. I know there are no mistakes and this was a divine appointment.

Faithfulness

Wow! What a day! So, some of you may know that I have a small side business appliqueing peace signs and crosses on t-shirts. They are selling at the Loft and at A Thousand Faces. Naturally, after Christmas things are kind of slow and the Loft is doing an animal theme this month so I made some dog leashes and treats called Snickerpoodles. I haven't really done much with my t-shirts. A Thousand Faces was going to do inventory and let me know how many shirts they wanted to order, but wanted to keep inventory low at this time. So, I've been working on some new ideas and then today I was blown away. Linda, at A Thousand Faces, gave my name to another store owner in Brentwood and she called and ordered 24 shirts for next Thursday. She's going to start carrying my shirts in her store as well! The store is Gabriel's Garden and I'm so excited.

I've told this to a couple people, but it is so true. I've been making things for a couple years and while some things have sold they never really caught on. I had always thought that I would tithe the profit, but I never did. But, this time with the tshirts I decided to tithe and the money would all go to Malawi to the ADZIWA mission our church is working on. And, I haven't only tithed the profit, but all incoming monies have been tithed. And, every time or nearly every time God has been faithful. I tithe and customers come whether it be friends or businesses, but God has been faithful. It has really strengthened me in my faith to see that when I am faithful so is God. The flipside is that I know that even when I'm not faithful God is going to show up, but when I am in union with him great things happen.

amazing day

I just spent the most amazing day with a young lady, Katie. She's 20 years old and has an unbelievable heart for kids and God. I don't think anyone would do what she's doing at such a young age if it weren't for God. She has a home in Uganda where she employs 2 women to help raise the 10 children she has adopted and she employs 3 men who do bible studies with the families of the 191 children that she has found sponsorship for. She feeds 191 kids everyday 2 hot meals, they get medical treatment, a uniform, and education. Anyone can sponsor a child for $300/year. She was able to accomplish this on her own. There was no government agency in place to help her get set up. She bought a house in Uganda, she learned the language and at the age of 20 she has adopted 10 kids that are hers legally. She has accomplished so much, but I can't wait to see what she does in the next 10-20 years. Wow!

She gives me hope when I watch the news that there is good. She made me excited for my own journey to Malawi. I turned in our applications on Monday so we should interview soon and find out for sure if we are going.

clean slate

Hallie & Logan (boyfriend) came over today and were talking about their party they attended last night and how everyone was celebrating New Year's Eve and saying it was a "clean slate" and it got me thinking. I think it's the general concensus to think that with the new year comes a clean slate, but there's always baggage from the year before. Left over Christmas bills from an over indulged holiday, those 5 lbs. that will NEVER come off, emotional hurts from years ago. I could go on, but I think you all get the idea. Thankfully, there is one way to get a real clean slate and that's thru Jesus. We don't have to wait until January 1; we can have a clean slate anytime we want it. Clean slates don't mean everything is easy because there's always consequences. God never said being a Christian was going to be easy, but He did give us a clean slate and grace.