One Life.

Travis and I got to head out to the church tonight for Anthem.  It's an awesome time to worship with the next generation of Christ followers.  They were recording tonight so they gave it two shots in the auditorium - we went at 7pm with about  600 other people!!  The place was totally full of the Spirit of God!  The Anthem band has written a whole bunch of original songs - Here's the link to a video of one of my favorites: 

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=638083728100&oid=75239101442

Some pictures of the night: 

Above: A proud moment for me.  I have a long and special history with both of these guys and it's such a God thing to see them leading a song like this together!  I went to high school with Ryan and got to see God transform him then - Alex was an 8th grader when we met him and we say God rock his world a couple years later. 

Below: Here's just some of the tech stuff in the back for sound and recording.

Above: Haleigh has such an amazing voice!  I can't wait for this song on my ipod!  I can also report that Mark Arant (in back with his arms stretched) did not present the shoulder shimmy last night as he has done on previous occasions. 

Below: The view from the back. Who gets to be a part of this kind of thing in their church?  Really?

When we got home I put Savannah to bed and was really lead to pray for her as one of the NEXT next generation of worshippers. How I pray that when she is old enough to get it that her heart will well up with the joy and love of the Lord as mine did tonight!  He is Mighty and Holy and Awesome and He CHOSE US!  Amen. 

Shh na na na na na na na na na na nana

Back to the light hearted Savannah pictures: 

Just hanging out in a steamy bathroom trying to get rid of a little cough. 

Then daddy popped his head in and then left.  Is it mean to take pictures of her when she's this upset?  I hugged her right after....

The "petting zoo" at VEISHA.  Savannah was more excited about spotting grandpa across the pig pen than petting the pigs. 

Here's Savannah representing ISU.  GOOOO CY!

Rant... more like Grace

Okay okay, 

So for anyone who read my last rant, here's part two.  Grace.  

I do realize that sometimes we as women get caught up in what is "cute" and stylish and sometimes those things get us carried away to bad places.  I have been victim of this very thinking.  I was talking one day to a friend of mine who I consider to be highly stylishly modest and was surprised to hear her say this

"If I had a hot tub I would SOO wear a hot bikini in it". 

When I asked why she said 

"Wendy!  Because it's fun to look hot!"

I loved her honesty in this.  It really is!  However, that does not change the fact that we need to be guarded in what we give away for the  sight seeing.  We as women can really help eachother out by setting a new standard with one another and by being honest about how we feel.  

I wanted to take today and let you know that I'm over it - well, not totally, but I think the fiery passionately upset part is over and I'm ready to sin for sin and offer a more graceful approach to my views.  I think I just had to get it out there. 

Skin.. more like Sin!

I've been feeling pretty fiery lately about a certain topic and decided that since this is MY blog, I would go ahead and let out MY thoughts.  Lay 'em on the table for everyone to know.  After, that's why  people read other people's blogs, right?  To know what's up with them...

Modesty.  having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits,assets, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.

Let's just lay it out - the Bible calls us women to be modest. 

 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (New International Version)

⁹I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Being involved with high school ministry, I am very in tune to what I wear.  Every year (near the spring) we have a time set aside to talk to girls about what is appropriate for young Christian women to wear.  We tell them that it's good for them to keep their parts to themselves in order to honor their brothers in Christ (who are in the other room getting  a talk about honoring the girls by not lusting after them).  When we take them on trips we ask them to leave the bikini's and speghtti straps behind, to wear longer shorts, and to keep their bra straps hidden.  I have known high school girls that have purchased prom dresses and swim suits and then totally altered them by adding more fabric to the neck line because they have been told over and over how much of a struggle it is for the guys to stay pure when girls are flaunting it all over and these girls want to honor God by dressing modestly.  

So why now, when we get out of high school and get married would the rules change?  Why do I know so many married women who would walk out of the house with ANY cleavage showing?  Who would wear a bear all swim suit? Who would wear shorts with all but their butt sticking out?  Come on ladies!  I don't want my husband looking at your goods! Do you? I don't want him to see your boobs or stomach or butt!  And thankfully, I have a God (and wife) honoring husband who doesn't want to see it eaither.  It really is against our culture to say these things, I know.  But that's what Jesus is about.  It's hard to shop modestly, and to dress in such a way that might not make you the hottest thing around (especially if you have the body for it).  But I beg of you, fellow women, cover it up!  Your body was created for YOUR husband!  Not for mine!  Suggestions: 

- If you can see a crack in the front, I say it's too low cut.  

- layer up tank tops and tshirts to hide straps or to make your shirts long enough to cover your butt crack

- Just don't wear things that show your mid - drift.  What's the point?

- If you're a mom, don't get your daughter started on these things.  When she's three dress her like you would want her dressed when she's fifteen.  If you let her in cute little two piece now, how are you going to explain it to her the summer she "blossoms".  

- Men/Dads, demand modesty from your wives and daughters. 

Warning!

If you are tired of seeing adorable pictures of my pumpkin angle then turn away now!  (Next blog will be wordy and serious, I promise). 

Here is Savannah playing "guess what I've been eating" - guess, really..

Fists full of DOG FOOD!  Here she is tring to hide it from me in the bathroom. 

Just like her parents, she will never do anything normal.  I think this was only her third solo ride down the slide. 

Savannah must stand all the time - even if there's not room, like in a tunnel. 

Our family on Easter.   Travis made us all wear matching outfits because he thinks it's cute.  

Savannah didn't really get the Easter egg hunt but it made for nice pictures.  She also tried some grass.  

She came, She conquered

This was another big week for Savannah.  

Here she is climbing the stairs with Brisco.  I love that I took the picture just as they were in step with eachother.  Brisco races past her and looks down from the top of the stairs so I was pretty lucky to get this.  

We went outside and ran up and down the side walk in front of the house for the first time.  It was around 5pm so a lot of people were walking by on their way home from work.  Savannah would follow them for as long as she could see them.  She has no sence of "stranger danger" yet. 
Our friends the Dewhursts gave Savannah this Dora walker toy.  She enjoyed pushing it until she found out that it plays wonderful songs if you push the bottons on the front. 
This is a special suprize for you to see!  It's the nasty hair ball from all the dog hair I hand scrapped off the stairs thismorning.  It was a special joy for me and now for you.  SICK!

little catch up

It's been a week since my last post.  Things that happened: 

- Travis got an itouch

- Travis spoke at 180 (our jr high ministry)

- I watched the 3 hour ER finally even though I never watch ER

- We watched the movie Twilight - BOO!  It was super lame. 

- We went to Nate Eagles and Jess Starmers wedding in Cummings.  It was a really nice wedding. It all took place in the same room so we sat at our reception table during the wedding ceremony.  Kind of different, but kind of awesome.

- It snowed like the dickens.  

- I beat the pants off my dad and Travis at 007 on Nintendo 64. 

- Hung out with my friend Amanda and her family.  They're pretty fun.  Savannah is just learning how to play with other kids.  It's a blast!   

- Yesterday I went to DQ with a couple of 8th grade girls to talk about their excitements and worries about next year.  That was a high light.  I can't wait until they're in Escape offically and under my "jurisdiction". 

- Also went to the tattoo shop and watched Travis get more tattoos.  And made the best dinner I've made in a while - Company Chicken.  Super easy and SUPER good. It has chicken, bacon, dryed beef, mushroom soup, and sour cream.  

- Travis had small group and I hung out with Morgan, a jr at Ames High.  I love my Tuesday nights hanging out with Morgan.  She's got a lot going on in her life, but God has been faithful!

- Today Savannah crawled up the stairs for the first time!  Here comes another challange Momma.  

Hi Daddy.

Hope you're having a fun day at work!  I had fun today playing with mommy through the glass door.  Can't wait to show you when you get home!