I’ve been feeling mopey lately, from being under the weather way too long. Here’s something that put a smile on my face this morning …I just love the simple ways God reminds us that what we are going through is not the end of the world!

Hey friends! If you haven’t heard, there’s this AWESOME movie, To Save A Life in theaters THIS weekend that you won’t wanna miss.  If you are in high school, college, a parent, or simply someone who has a heart for the next generation, take advantage of seeing this sweet flick.  Travis and I saw an advanced screening of it and I’m tellin’ ya, it’ll be so worth your time and investment.  Click below, if you’d like a sneak peak …and HEY, let me know if you’ve gone to see it! =)

That’s right …God has been so faithful to us and provided us with a true ‘upgrade’ in a new vehicle since our frightening car totaling accident December 13th. We are overwhelmed with how God not only met ALL our doctor bills, including the close to $3,000 ER visit through the insurance coverage, but now ALL of this new car too. For those of you who have been following this blog since Day 1, the first entry talked about how our at then car called it quits, shortly followed with how God provided us a car beyond our dreams: a 2004 Buick Century with low mileage and even leather seats! Well, sadly, that car recently died when we happened upon black ice, but we now (drum roll, please) own a 2005 (yes, a year newer!) Buick Century (yaaay, how God knew we love this kind of car!) with fewer miles on it: only 57,000. One of the board members of Teens For Christ, my husband’s ministry, owns a car dealership and found us this excellent conditioned vehicle so we are once again driving safely …and for the three of us this time. Thank you for your numerous prayers, dear friends. God has certainly heard them and we are more than grateful for your care for us. Now …no more black ice this year, eh?!!

God most certainly has a way of stretching me out of my comfort zone!  This past Friday was one of those times, as I shared with some friends and dear ministry team members five original songs I’ve been working on lately.  No matter how much I sing my heart out, compose lyrics and tunes, or do this music thing in front of bunches of people, it’s always a vulnerable thing to share new music.  The uneasy feelings remind me of when I was a child and in a play at school, wanting to perform with everything in me, but with that ‘butterflies in my tummy’ sensation when knowing friends and family were there to see me.  Am I gonna fall flat on my face?  But as I know God continually wants me to do, I stepped out and shared what He’s given me in these songs last Friday night, and He did show up!  You know, He’s like that in other areas of our lives too, come to think of it.  He’s just waiting for us to follow Him beyond the familiar. So I ask, what has He prepared you for, or told you to do that’s uncommon to your ‘typical’ comfort level and safety zone? I challenge you to do it, ’cause like I found out Friday night, it’ll be worth it …He’ll show up, use you, and encourage you along the way too!

Are you familiar with this photograph?  Perhaps you saw a reenactment of an unborn child in his mother’s womb grasp a doctor’s hand on a former House episode, as I, but did you know this really happened?  It did.  And I was honored to hear first hand from the veteran photojournalist, his experience in capturing this photograph during a spinal surgery on a 21 week old fetus.  At the end of the surgery, the child reached his arm out of the opening of the womb.  As it flailed in the air, the doctor touched the baby’s hand and it responded by squeezing his finger.  This baby is now a young boy, who shares a testimony like none other.  So does Michael Clancy.  Michael has dedicated his life to speaking for the unborn, using his testimony and photograph to make a difference around the world so the unborn can be heard.  This baby, pictured here, is the age and size of the baby now in my womb too.  And as I feel her moving around, I can’t fathom how people cannot call a child in the womb alive …and for the Christians who stand by and allow abortion to thrive and remain legal.  January 22nd is the March for Life held in Washington, DC.  That’s a tangible way you can be part of speaking up for the unborn.  I challenge you too, how else can  you live your life, day by day, standing for something that is so important to God’s heart; just as Michael Clancy.  Visit Michael’s website, and ask God how YOU can make such an important difference in countless unborn children’s lives.  This holocaust can come to an end.  But it needs your part.  What will you do?

While in North Carolina this past week, I had the privileged of spending lunch with two very special ladies, twin sisters at that! I met Gussie and Rosie last summer at a concert I gave for their Sunday morning church service. What is sooooooo super amazing about these ladies, is the joy of the Lord that is in them! As we enjoyed the buffet of food before us, I think we enjoyed the talking all the more …giggles from our feasting table could be heard all around the restaurant, I’m assuming too. It was such a reminder to me that no matter WHAT we are facing in life -no matter what pain has plagued our past or is reliving itself in our present- the joy of the Lord is a REAL THING and is present amongst the toughest times. And it’s because of that joy from the Lord that we have a reason to not be afraid or ignore the fear and pain that can surround us. Thanks for being a wonderful testimony to that, Gussie and Rosie! I can’t wait until our next get together!

My father-in-law is quite partial to living on the OBX, and has this saying, ‘It’s a beautiful day on the Outer Banks!’ Well, after my time at Liberty this Sunday, I have to agree with him! What a phenomenal group of people who passionately seek the truth and a lifestyle after God at this church. I marvel at dear Pastor John; his amazing insight, authentic love, godliness and a true shepherd’s heart. And I was honored to be their musical guest this morning too. Man, if all the concerts and worship engagements were this responsive, I think I’d do one every single day …well, if that was physically possible! =) Much thanks to you, Pastor John (and Rana too!), Liberty family, and those of you who were so touched by this ministry today that you gave, told me of God’s transformation in your life, and lent such smiles and love too. I’m looking forward with great joy to the next time God orchestrates our togetherness!