"If you can't see my heart you must be blind."

It's been a difficult week, and since "we're" being honest, it's been a difficult two weeks. But everything's ok in the end, so if it's not ok, it's not the end, right? I'm going to leave you with a song and send you on your way into a great weekend!

(Kid Rock is one of my guilty pleasures, don't hate me. The video was taped in Northern Michigan--Beautiful.)

Family Room/Office

Remember how I said that living in a small space requires almost every room to multi-task? Well our basement family room is no exception. I showed you the Guest Bedroom/ Closet, the Kitchen/Dining, and the Livingroom, which happens to be one with the kitchen & dining room, so next up is the family room.

Quick Disclaimer:: My camera has taken some really disappointing pictures lately, so bear with me. Try and ignore the blotches and dots.

Let's remember this is the basement, so the lighting is not very good.

Our tv was too large to fit into the built-in entertainment center, so we turned it into a bar.

Here's my little office corner, which works for now. I clearly did not choose the paint colors down there. I considered repainting the basement but decided against it. Which is probably a good thing, seeing how I have no idea how long we will actually be here. This may just be the last you see of our little log home.

Victory

"If you desire victory over your problems, if you truly want to live the resurrection life, you must have a backbone and not just a wishbone! You must be determined to have victory and refuse to settle for anything less than the best that God has for you."

-Colossians 3 Paraphrase- Everyday Life Bible.

what you've missed....

In the wake of hard times, I try to remember all that I have to be thankful for. Like my family, my health, my God, a dog who never tires of me, and beautiful fall days in Northern Michigan. My personal computer is still not in working order (ugh), so I am posting some recent photos from my parent's computer. This is what you've missed lately:

Gaylord Life Church celebrated "Lumberjack Sunday." Here's Mom and I on the hayride after service.

Jazlyn turned 8, complete with a surprise costume party.

Here's Houghton (20 months old), dressed as Woody and chowing down on some pizza.

Jazi, Her mom Felecia, and little sister Peyton- dressed as an 80's Madonna.

The little Pirate with Grandma and Papa

Me & the Birthday Girl:)

For my 24th Birthday celebration (Nov 5) some of my family came to town and we did a wine tour of the Old Mission Peninsula.

But unfortunately, the day started with someone accidentally locking the keys in my truck...so we got a late start.

Favorite cousin, Alyssa, and I at Peninsula Cellars

Some of the group, posing at Chateau Grand Traverse

Grandma and her girls:)

Lyss and I ending the night at our house with some oatmeal cake & ice cream.

Thanks so much to my family who spent the day celebrating with me. Everyone was very generous when it came to gifts- I received some cute boots, plenty of jewelry, a sweater, an eReader, money, and some incredible rabbit fur. Who says adults can't enjoy being another year older? Thanks for making me feel special guys.



Suffering

"He never said it would be easy, He just said it would be worth it."

A line I've heard many times throughout my young life, and I believe it to be true. No life is without suffering of some sort, whether it's the loss of a child, a broken marriage, a relationship of abuse, we all have our crosses to bear. How we handle them is what ultimately is going to count in the long run. Despite the difficulties I go through, I want to remain faithful to the One through whom all blessings flow.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."

(2 Corinthians 1:3-7)



You Give Love

"You give love

Love I'm not worthy of

Love

Always more than enough

Love, You give love.

With no conditions

And no restraints

I am in Your grace

This will never change

You give love"

-House of Praise circa. 1995

Despite our shortcomings, our unbelief, our stubborness, and our sinful nature, He gives love. I love worship that takes me back to the nineties. Back to the days we sang on stage with bright colored foam microphone covers, and I danced and sang in front of the livingroom mirror pretending to be Darlene Zschech leading my Sydney congregation into worship. "You Give Love" is on repeat as we speak.

Today

Today I'm wanting...

Peace & Harmony