My, how time flies! Our daughter is one month old today and it’s got me thinking about family. Family is a gift from God and something meant for good in our lives, and yet how common is it in our world today that painful memories and happenings in our families tend to override the good ones and even keep us ’stuck’ in that pain, if we let it? You know, God hurts even more than we do when there is pain in our family. And to that end, He wants to help heal us from that pain which has been a part of our story, and make the rest of our story more like that Happily Every After than our time with a Big Bad Wolf.  Yes, it’s true; hurt people hurt people. So let’s boldly face the inevitable and concentrate on 1. asking God to help us forgive those people in our family who have hurt us, and 2. as He brings His healing, ask Him to help us make things right with those we hurt. Family can be a very good thing …especially with Father’s Day coming up, let’s think and purposefully pursue family this week, eh?

Here’s a link to a few family pics we took when our sweetie was three weeks old, those of you who’ve been asking for pics.  Enjoy!

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?!!

Well, Travis and I have been through a definite ‘let’s not go through that experience again’ these past few days, and I wanted to thank the many of you who got word and prayed for us (…and ask for those continued prayers for a new vehicle and the mounting medical expenses.)  Sunday morning, on the way to a ministry engagement, we were presented with a surprising, spinning ride on black ice (at 60 mph.) What proceeded was an accident that totaled our car and could have been deadly for all three of us too.  Praise the Lord, we were in our bigger of the two cars, which helped keep us safe all but some sore muscles that our chiropractor is now helping us with.  As the song we were listening to on the CD player at the time of the crash (Hillsong’s All I Need Is You) sings, “You [God] hold the universe.  You [God] hold everyone on earth.”  He sure had us in the palm of His hands!  Life is a gift, folks.  Your life is a miracle, moment by moment.  Please don’t forget it …and thanks again for your love and prayers!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Everybody! Today is our day off this week, as we are venturing to the doctor’s for our very first Pregnancy/Baby Appointment! That’s right, ‘WE’, as Travis is coming with me …the AWESOME husband and forthcoming DAD that he is. In honor of that, this video made me wonder …

So, you think concerts are all I do? For those of you who’ve known me from waaaaaaaay back when, you’ll affirm this truth; worship leading and the local church is a huge part of my heart (which then, yes, naturally compels me to bring my concert ministry to hurting hearts in the church too!)  Even in the concerts, worshipping God is a MUST!  I believe there is no greater thing than to show our great love and adoration to our God and King. I am so honored and privileged to be a part of the Worship Arts Team at Cornerstone Ministries, where this passion of worshipping Jesus is truthfully, excellently and wholeheartedly done. And you know, it’s because of the healing and transformation like I talk and sing about in my concerts, that we have a reason to worship folks. Even in the pain and hardships from our past, God can be praised and worshiped even so, as HE does not waste a moment, tear or confusing circumstance in your life. As we worship Him, we see more clearly and can cling to HIS truth to rise above it all.

Below are three LIVE worship videos from the August 8th/9th weekend: “Mighty To Save”, “Your Love Is Extravagant/Amazing Love” (my personal fav!) and “Your Grace Is Enough”.  These worship songs deal with God’s amazing nature, heart to save us, and promise so we can be all He’s created us to be. I pray you can cling to His amazing love as you’re going through your painful moments, especially. He will NOT fail you!

Yes folks, I got to be a roadie for my hubby today! It was a joy. CTV had Travis come share about his ministry with Teens For Christ and how he can be of help to churches, youth pastors and teenagers in our area specifically. The show aired LIVE and online at www.ctvn.org today, April 8th, at 1pm EST and will re-air at 7pm and 1am EST, if you’d like to catch it on line. What fun it was to help him in the day’s activities and snap some pics too …check ‘em out at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=241421&id=668255034&l=1c445c26c5. Thanks for those of you who pray for not only yours truly, but my hubby too. We appreciate you being a part of our lives and sharing in our adventures!