i need this one today....

psalm 121

i lift my eyes to the hills-

where does my help come from?

my help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

the Lord watches over you-

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

the Lord will keep you from all harm-

He will watch over your coming

and going

both now and forevermore.

heart of a princess

please read leah's blog, to see where i spent most of my weekend.

www.leah20.blogspot.com

i got to be a small part of an incredible event. but...here's the thing....i didn't get one picture!...and i don't even know how to sum up such an awesome weekend in just a few short words!

when the mom's away....

...the boys will play!

last weekend, josh and the boys (and a cheap camera) jetted off to the chino air show. seriously, the guy should get "dad of the year" award. when i'm gone....josh thinks...it's field trip time! he is really great about taking the boys to do fun things. they had a blast at the air show!

(disclaimer: i did NOT dress my children that day)

childlike faith

last week, bryson came running into my bathroom while i was putting my makeup on, and i could hear hudson crying, somewhere down the hall.

bryson: mom, guess what??? i have some very, very, very exciting news about hudson!!

me: what?

bryson: i just helped hudson accept Jesus into his heart!

me: you did?? are you serious? that's awesome!! so....he said the prayer with you?

bryson: well, he didn't want to say it....so i said it for him.

me: why is he crying then?

bryson: well, i was telling him about heaven and streets of gold and how there's a tree that grows a different fruit on it every month....and he started crying, and he was telling me that he doesn't want to go to heaven because he likes our house too much.

me: wow, honey! that's soooo awesome that you did that with him. the only thing is that if hudson wants to accept Jesus, he has to say the words for himself. you can't really say the prayer for him.

bryson: okay! i'll go try to get him to say it! (runs out of my room)

i walked down the hall and i stood behind the door of bryson's room. i could hear him talking to hudson, and hudson was still crying. i peeked around the corner, and i could see that bryson's hand was resting on hudson's forehead. he was leaning down into his eyes and saying...

bryson: it's okay, hudson. we all have to die. we can either go to a really good place- called heaven....where there are streets of gold and a tree that grows a different fruit every month...or we can go to a really bad place- called hell....where you feel like you're falling all the time and there's a river of fire.

hudson: waa! waa!....i don't want to leave my house.

me: hudson...brother isn't talking about right now, honey. he's talking about someday. do you want Jesus to come and live in your heart?

hudson: he did already.

bryson: well, let's just say the prayer and make sure!

me: okay, you say it and we'll repeat after you.

bryson then said the prayer, while i repeated after him....and hudson got up and climbed up into bryson's bed....all the while crying, saying....i just want to go to bed.

me: bryson, i'm so proud of you! do you think you're going to be a pastor jack someday?

bryson: i don't know...maybe. well.....not a pastor jack.....a pastor bryson!

i loved on him for a minute and went back to my room, to finish getting ready. about ten minutes later, bryson ran in again.

bryson: mom! guess what? i said the prayer with hudson again and this time- he really did it!!

me: he said the words and everything?

bryson: yeah! i had to beg him, but he finally did it!!

honestly, i am humbled by this kid's faith sometimes. it's so simple. he's so sure. he's so bold about it.

a few years back, he shared Jesus with a kid in the chick-fil-a play area. his message to the kid was a bit more to the point, if you will.....

bryson: do you know about Jesus?

kid: no.

bryson: well, do you want to go to heaven and live, or go to hell and die?

kid: i want to live.

bryson: then you better ask Jesus into your heart!

bryson didn't tell me about that conversation until we were driving home that day. and, boy- would i love to have been a fly on the wall when that boy told his mom about it. anyhow...last week, bryson was telling me...i've helped two people know about Jesus. and, you know, mom? i'm trusting that i will see that kid in heaven someday.

wow. one more thing...and then i'll stop braggin' on my kid.

bryson had a chapel performance last week, and after the program his teacher came up to me. she said....

i just have to share something with you that bryson has been doing. when he and i come to an agreement, he'll wink at me (then she imitated it). she laughed and told me about one of their conversations, and then she said....

i also have to tell you that last week, bryson was praying and he was thanking God for many different things...desks, pencils, etc. and then he said...'Lord- You know what You want to do on this earth! So...just do it already!'

mrs. irwin then told me....i was just so moved! i mean, he said it with such conviction! little pastor bryson....

i thanked her and my heart was (is) full.

as much as that boy can work every possible nerve of mine- he has a truly sweet heart. he is very sensitive and very intuitive. i know that the Lord has big plans for my bryson. i am so thankful that i get to be his mommy.

(*i'm not sure where bryson came up with the idea that there's a tree in heaven that grows a different fruit every month...but hey, he's seven.....so i'm not going to argue too much about that at this point!*)

working girl

a few weeks back, i was busy planning for the prayer day potluck/picnic at the park. i felt that the Lord put it on my heart to host such an event and with that, i started to get ideas for little gifts that i wanted to purchase/make for the ladies attending. well, the only problem was that everything costs money. as i was out purchasing the supplies needed for food/gifts, i started to get that nagging, little stomach ache...that i sometimes get when i spend money. i was telling my friend that i felt guilty about spending, when i really don't have money to spend (get me?). she reminded me that God will bless us, when we are following Him...though His blessings aren't always "financial" blessings. less than ONE HOUR LATER, i got a phone call from my friend, jacky. jacky had asked me to do her hair and makeup for a wedding that she was going to be in, and i had gladly agreed. well, when jacky called me on this particular day...the day of stressing out over money n' such....this is what she said....

jacky: hello, miss kristi.....i have a proposition for you. and don't freak out.

me: (scared).....um, okay......

jacky: well, you know how you are doing my makeup for the wedding coming up?

me: yeah....??

jacky: well, i told all of the girls that you are doing mine and they want you to do theirs, too. they want to pay you.

me: um....wow....well, but.....well, i don't do that, though!

jacky: well, i told them that you'd say that....and they don't care! they were going to do their own and they loved how you did my hair and makeup last time....so they want you to do theirs.

okay....is God good, or what?? i had been worried about the money i had spent on the picnic and within an hour, the Lord had provided an opportunity for me to work....and not only that...but by doing something that i love!

here's the thing.....when i agreed to this gig, i didn't know that i'd be doing the bride's hair and makeup! i didn't find that out until about a week prior to the wedding. did you hear me?? the bride!!! mind you....i really enjoy makeup. i love to buy it. i love to apply it. i have always thought it would be SUPER fun to take classes and/or work at a counter! but.....that's all it has ever been....a thought!! there have been a few times in the past, that i've gotten asked to help do a friend's makeup. because josh is a wedding photographer, people have always told me that i should do makeup and he and i could be a team! it sounds fun, but i have never pursued the dream....

okay, so about the hair part. i don't do hair, and i have two boys...so it's not like i'm even getting practice with hair. ever. at all. i can barely get my own to look presentable. but....jacky asked me to do hers and the bride wanted hers done, too.

needless to say....i was stressin' all last week. i kept praying....Lord, please help me to get the job done. i pray that those girls will love the way they look when i'm done with them. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. i don't feel qualified for this- at all- but You provided this opportunity for me and i thank You for that. all of my friends and family encouraged me, and they kept telling me that i'd do great and that it would all be wonderful.

well, God is good....all the time. all the time....God is good. and He showed up that day. i am about to share some before and after photos with you. before i do, let me say that i did not get good pictures of jacky (i tried to take them outside and there was too much shadowing) or the matron of honor! i had about 2.5 hours to get everything done and we were hidden in the bride's room at church....so i am bummed that i don't have better photos. i did ask the photographer to email me with some of his and i am hoping he does.

anyway....all of the girls were pleased with how they looked. i was happy, too....and i am SO thankful that God used me in this way. He provided a way for me to make some money, and He wasn't boring about it!!

on a side note.....the bride (jacqueline) is gorgeous! she was so laid back and so easy going. she showed me some pictures of how she wanted her hair and i just prayed while i was doing it. you may think it sounds cheesy to say that the Lord guided my hands....but He did! all of the girls kept telling her how good it looked, and when she saw what i had done, she said....it's perfect! it's exactly how i wanted it!! honestly...i was floored! and so ecstatic!! so happy, in fact....that i forgot to take a picture of it! dag nabbit!

felicia's before

felicia's after

jacqueline...the beautiful bride....before....trying to look sad, because she's not wearing any makeup!

jacqueline's after

i could have saved you a lot of time by just posting the pics....and leaving out all of my commentary.....but....then you wouldn't know how the Lord showed up...big time!!...in my life. all glory and honor to Him. and to think that He cares about even the smallest of things like this?? wow!!! He's incredible. awesome. faithful. amazing......

the cutest darn boys...

can be seen by going to:

www.perfectlypictured.com/boysmay2010

....i am hoping to post some on here soon!!

happy monday.

hope you all had a fab weekend. ours went by too quickly, but was lots of fun.

i will post soon.....ta ta for now.....

national geographic needs me!

while we were cruising through the harbor, i got some national geographic footage. i am thinking of sending these in, just in case they need to hire some cinematographers. it's possible i've missed my calling.....

these birds were making some gnarly sounds (turn up the volume)

this sea lion was dining on fish a la carte.....i think my mom was taping it, too!

cruisin' together....

a few weeks back, my family rented a duffy boat, and cruised around the newport harbor for over two hours. we ate kentucky fried chicken, watched the sunset, saw a sea lion chomp away on a fish, gazed at all of the beautiful homes, and enjoyed the sea breeze! after our cruise, we hung out at starbucks...and had some coffee and dessert!

it was one of those special times that all of us will treasure for years to come.

there are many gorgeous homes....

love this girl and her beautiful blue eyes!!

silly kids and their mimi

peyton had sooo much fun!!

bryson helped drive....

josh, peytie, bryson, and papa

lovin' on my boy!!

at first, this one was very concerned about something bad happening....he started to cry and said, i want God with us. we explained to him that God is always with us and that He never leaves us.

justin and kel

happy hudson and his mama

peytie kept wanting to climb in here....

bryson and mimi

gorgeous!

bryson and his handsome uncle

look at the moon and the amazing sunset!

i didn't know that such a cute kid could look so ugly! (or smurf-like)

balboa fun zone

a sea lion loungin' lazily....

God paints beautiful skies!!

my sis...bein' a goof.....trying to pull off big earrings, a hood, and hudson's blanket!

my cute boys at starbucks....for coffee and dessert

runnin'

so, i have this friend....and she is constantly finding stray dogs. she has three dogs herself, and i believe two of hers were "found." anyway- she's like the girl cesar millan! she just loves dogs and she's good with them. i mean, real good. they run to her, and she houses them until they:

a) find the owner or b) are found a new home.

i, on the other hand, have now pulled over two times (within the last few months)....to try to catch strays. they won't come to me. they run from me. i bend down, whip out the sweet, little doggy voice....and say....here, puppy, puppy.....come here....it's okay....

and the dogs give a quick glance before they dart off.

the other day, i started thinking about how we do this with God. in times of crisis (we're lost, we can't find our way, something's about to "hit" us, etc.)....

do we run TO Him?

or

do we run away FROM Him?

(that is the question)

hmm.....i'll be honest and say that in the past, i've done both. i currently have some crises (who doesn't?) and i am choosing to run TO my Lord.

the bible has lots to say about this, and i pray that these verses will help bring some encouragement your way.

God tells us that He will:

*never leave us*

"be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

-joshua 1:9-

*never forsake us*

"...so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you."

-joshua 1:5b-

"...for He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you..."

-heb. 13:5-

* provide for us*

"therefore, do not worry, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?'...for after all these things the gentiles seek. for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."

-matthew 6:31-32-

"do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

-matthew 6:34-

*carry our burdens*

..."casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

-1 peter 5:7-

"come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

-matt. 11:28-30-

*refine us through trials*

"my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. but let patience have its perfect work, that you may perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

-james 1:2-4-

*give us supernatural strength*

..."My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. therefore most gladly i will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. therefore i take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. for when i am weak, then i am strong."

-2 cor. 12:8-10-

"i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

-phil. 4:13-

*be our comfort*

"I, even I, am He who comforts you. who are you that you should be afraid?..."

-isaiah 51:12-

"'comfort, yes, comfort My people'...says your God."

-isaiah 40:1-

*be our shield*

"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler."

-psalm 91:4-

*bring us joy after sorrow*

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

-psalm 30:5b-

"those who sow in tears shall reap in joy."

-psalm 126:5-

...i don't know what you have on your plate right now, but know that you have a choice. where will you run? will you run TO Jesus, or FROM Him??....He can be your Everything, if you'll let Him.

bear with me....

please bear with me.

i'm behind on posting pics and other "stuff."

so, please bear with me.

bryson has a huge school project...that is due this week.

we are busy working on it.

please bear with me.

i have a post swirling around in my head....but no time to write it right now.

so....please bear with me.

i pray you had a wonderful mother's day!! i sure did. and....i was so blessed to find my hubby's surprise post on my blog! he totally hacked into it....and i was beyond touched!

have a good week....

and please bear with me.

i'll be back soon.

met·a·mor·pho·sis   [met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis]

a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Kristi Lynn is by far the biggest blessing God has ever bestowed on me. She is an amazing person in so many ways.

Obviously she is beautiful on the outside, anyone can see that. To witness the transformation (metamorphosis) that has taken place in her life in the past few years has been incredible. God has been changing and shaping her in to the beautiful creation she was intended to be.

She started by losing over 50 pounds in less than one year. Amazing.

She began waking up early ever morning to spend time with the Lord.

She hosts 2 Bible studies in our home, ministering to 30+ women.

She constantly offers to bring meals to those who are hurting or in need.

She organized an huge picnic and prayer meeting for the "National Day of Prayer"

She is the best wife and mother 3 boys could ever hope for.

Through her Bible studies, friendships, example, and blog, she has been a shining example of what a Godly woman, wife, and mother should look like and an inspiration to so many. It's amazing how God can use someone so quiet to make a big impact for His Kingdom.

I am honored, blessed, and humbled by her on a daily basis. I love her so very much.

Butterflies have nothing on her.

I am so thankful for my wife. Happy Mother's Day!

-Josh

my mommy is.....

selfless

giving

honest

hard working

trustworthy

generous

caring

sensitive

fun

energetic

kind

strong

loyal

godly

loving

humble

creative

great cook

avid golfer

amazing example

best friend

incredible "mimi"

mom....happy mother's day....

i love you so very much. thank you for raising me to be a woman who fears the Lord. thank you for teaching me responsibility. thank you for showing me what it means to be a loving mom and a loyal wife. thank you for taking me to church, and for teaching me how to cook. thank you for loving me, even when i was (am) not easy to love. thank you for listening and for caring. thank you for sharing with me and confiding in me. thank you for being a safe place for me to run to. thank you for comforting me when i need it, and thank you for giving me a kick in the pants when i need that, too. you are not only my mom....but you are a best friend. i pray that i can be half the mom to my boys, that you've been to me. the Lord couldn't have blessed me more. i can't wait to spend the day with you. i honor you. i cherish you. i love you.

love, kristi lynn

happy mother's day...

...to all of my beautiful friends!

you are amazing mothers.

enjoy this special day!!

know that you are loved by those around you!!

"as a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you...."

-isaiah 66:13-

"her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."

-proverbs 31:28-

sweet sixteen

on may 7, 1994....

sixteen years ago today....

josh and i went on our first date, and kissed for the first time.

little did i know that that night was only the beginning. the beginning of a God-ordained relationship. the start of a journey...full of laughter, tears, joys, sorrows, trials, triumphs, and many, many blessings!

the past sixteen years have been amazingly sweet.

josh and i have been blessed beyond measure.

to God be the glory.....great things He has done.

as i look back over the years, i can see God's hand in every aspect of our relationship and marriage. it would take too long to write about it, and you'd get bored with my sap...

so today, i'm just thanking my Lord for these years with my man.

thank you, Jesus, for being at the center of our marriage. we invite You, and beg of You, to stay put.

today:

is my blog's one year anniversary.

(i can't even believe it!)

i was reminded of how quickly time passes by.

i ate a lofthouse cookie for breakfast.

i yelled at my boys and had to apologize for losing my patience.

i got to gather with many of my sisters in Christ, at the park.

the boys and i got too much sun.

bryson played hooky from school.

i feel thankful.

the a/c is on.

i ate two pb&j sandwiches.

hudson tried to ride our golden retriever.

the boys blew bubbles in the backyard.

i made two large batches of goulash.

my rose bushes are full of fresh blooms.

i thanked God for my friends, my family, and my nation.

i laughed.

i'm tired.

my heart is full.

i'm blessed.

xoxo xoxo xoxo

national day of prayer

stop and pray today (and everyday).

thank the Lord for the freedom to pray in public. to worship in public. to gather together in public.

...."the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." -james 5:16

"be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -psalm 46:10

"be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 thess. 5:16

cheap tricks

i'm proud to say that i am now a bargain shopper and a coupon clipper!

(we started receiving the sunday paper....just to get the coupons!)

i needed something "cute" to hold my coupons in, ya know?!

not only is "my coupon holder" cute (okay...childish)....but it was cheap and it's handy!

okay....i actually have a proper (adult-like), expandable coupon file/holder somewhere. however, i don't know where it is. i happened to be at target....and voila!....i found a super cheap ($1.99) photo album. i had to decorate it, and spice it up a bit!!

the clear sleeves allow me to see exactly what i have coupons for. i categorized my coupons and now i can flip through as i shop!!

...gotta love cheap tricks!

Prayer and Potluck at the Park

Hey, ladies!!

Thursday, May 6th is National Prayer Day....

Please join me....and lots of my amazing friends....

for a time of prayer, fun, food, and fellowship.

We will be meeting at 11:00 a.m., at a local park (in Corona).

I am providing sandwiches, a sweet treat, and some fun activities for the kids. There are two playgrounds and there is a splash pad, as well!!

Let me know if you are interested in joining us and I will send you the Evite with all of the details!! I am asking that each lady bring something yummy to share!

Please email me at: 2boys2love@gmail.com

Have a blessed day!!