Job 37:6

We had a major spiritual breakthrough last night. Sin battled to the ground. Strongholds crumbled. Patience is a good thing and so is communication.

While we slept...more peacefully than we have in a long time...an unexpected blanket covered us as we lay.





As she ran downstairs to wake-up her sisters so they could go play in our version of a winterwonderland....I stopped Zion in her tracks.

"Zion, do you realize that the Lord did two miracles last night...the family victory and snow!

She smiled so big and came back for a deep deep hug. That's when she whispered in my ear, "He washed us white as snow."

Be still my heart.


"He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour."
Job 37:6

They are acting all shy for the camera...but believe me....it's an act. These boys are hardcore salesmen.
This is not a post about YARD SALES.

It is a post about stewardship and inspiring dreams.

We have a whole bunch of stuff that we do not need lying around. Stuff other people would want lying around their homes.

The more we sell....the more we realize how little we need.

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Hopefully this is a lesson we've passed down to our kids.

The boys are selling stuff to help FUND a film. Written by Tucker Audie. Directed by Brave. Starring Mcabe.

I suppose you could call it MATH (Zion explained in detail the Large-Medium-Small phenomenon. Or...ART (Good color choices.) Or FREE PLAY.

I call it PLAYDOUGH DISTRACTION TIME while Mommy is super busy with other things.

When your table runner gets a candle scorch mark on it...that cannot be remedied....add buttons for camouflage.

Scottsdale Moms Blog Part 3

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7

Scottsdale Moms Blog Part 2

Isn't it funny how so many questions come up when we are looking for answers?

As I sat today w/ moms in the sunshine at a park while my girls were running around playing w/other girls....it hit me that the Lord has a very specific purpose for my life...that he is sovereign....and that He is orchestrating events and unfolding them in time and space.

I know that I know that I know that He uses our experiences to minister to others. I am confident that He desires for us to live transparently before our community.

Why else would He give us or allow us these experiences?

28 Day Cleanse UPDATE

I have not cheated once and I have 3 days to go. I have been SUPER committed.

Not thrilled with the results. Not worth the $$$$$$$$$$.

Asking for a refund. I am way too thrifty to pay for ehhhhhh.

Cramps...so I am having a few glasses of red wine. Right about now I could care less about the sugar content.

Scottsdale Moms Blog Part 1

I'm guest blogging for the next few days over at Scottsdale Moms. We're talking about home-education.

Music Video Shoot

Excitement is building as we prepare to shoot a music video next week for a very talented singer songwriting duo. Guess who?

Lots of preparation. So many details.

The Technicolors

A fun impromptu video by the boys.

I love the lighting.

Guerrilla Filmmaking 101
Make use of what's at your disposal. In this case, car headlights.

Boobies and Hinies

An image from the Patrick Demarchelier shoot.

Yes...that's a vintage Chanel sequined jacket and...

...yes...the guy on the right's hairline does start towards the rear 1/3 of his head. Freaky.

Quick questions...

If we are sending our kids in to Africa or Papua New Guinea, the South of France or Rio de Janeiro ...we'd be smart to discuss culture variants with them ahead of time, right? They might be seeing things they've never seen before. Like barely clothed or unclothed populations...... or entire families on nude beaches for instance.

Same goes for the island of Manhattan, right?

Boobies and hinies are boobies hinies wherever they appear.

Is it possible to be in the presence of American boobies and hinies devoid of sexual association?

I think so.

But, then again I was raised in a culture like that so it doesn't seem odd to me.
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For some, proximity like this might be a huge struggle. A temptation to be avoided at all costs.
For others...not so much. Thank the good Lord that there are people who are able to minister to those in adult entertainment circles...and to ladies and men & boys and girls of the night.

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It's a matter of the heart.

Be in the world not of it.

Love the Lord your God and love people.

I hope to be raising young men who know how to avert their eyes when necessary and look upon all cultures they encounter as those in need of redeeming love.

From our talks with the boys about stuff like this...I get a clearer picture of how enormously HUMONGOUS God is.

I am convinced more than ever that He does not fit into a box.

Brilliance.

Don't go out an buy silver polish. Cheap old Baking Soda works really well and most everyone already has a box in their fridge.



It's also an inexpensive way to keep your teeth white. Don't use it more than once/week though...I asked the dentist.

And, it makes for a fantastic exfoliant. Simple add water to make a paste and massage into your skin for 2 minutes or so. Rinse.
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I am still blown away each time I realize all the ways that the Lord has already provided.

The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
Deuteronomy 2:7

Italian Flag Whole Wheat Shells

Super easy. Super cheap.

1 lb whole wheat pasta (salt the water)
1 bag frozen baby peas (throw them in w/the pasta the last two minutes)
halved cherry tomatoes
fresh cubed mozzarella
drizzle of olive oil
garlic powder to taste
cracked pepper to taste

All she wants are canvases & paints. Thank goodness for those Michael's coupons.

28 Day Cleanse

I'm about 1/2 way through and I don't see much of a change. It's frustrating but I am committed. Aside from my six years as a vegan...this is the longest stretch I've had on a restricted diet.

I'm not hungry at all. In fact...I'm stuffed. My instinct is to eat less...but everyone I ask tells me to eat. It's counter intuitive.

Protein Smoothies w/ Almond Milk & Mixed Berries and Green Apples.


Blueberries and lots of water.
Brown Rice & Lentil Salad w/ Roasted Poblanos.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I'm trying. I'm really trying.

The girls had to do a Culture Project for their Geography class. Galilee chose to make her own "African" beaded necklace. It took her quite a few hours. What a great week-end/rainy day craft.

It looks so Anthropologie to me. I can't wait to wear it.

Is my 7 year old weird if she makes this lunch for herself?

Beets, sauteed onions, roasted eggplant & squash.

The next day it was turkey stuffed peppers.

This has been the strangest season for us. All sorts of new stuff going on. Relationally...spiritually...artistically....professionally. It started getting really weird about the time the pool froze over. First time in 16 years.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Prayers for Kate McRae

I cannot think of sweet little Kate McRae without weeping inwardly and sometimes outwardly.

My mind goes to Zion's recent scare and I fall apart. Knowing that life can change on a dime is one thing. Walking the line of that reality is quite another.

I cannot imagine what this family is going through.

If it was us..I'm pretty sure I would be numb right about now. I can only imagine that the two things carrying me through would be leaning on what I knew to be true about the Lord and the knowledge that my siblings' prayers were storming the gates of Heaven.

Photos by David Blakeman

Bradley and I were talking just the other day about how pleased we are with the group of friends Braverijah and Mcabe hang with. Seriously, what a loving bunch of young men. I'm sure we could not ask for better.

UPDATE:

Day 11 today and I am frustrated. I am not seeing any changes. Have had an underlying headache and I am soooooooo tired at night.

I sure hope there is something fabulous going on inside of me.

I hear things are working on a cellular level.
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So I am doing something RADICAL for me. A 28 day cleanse!

No caffeine. No sugar. No dairy. No gluten. Lots of veggies. Protein. Only berries and green apples fruit wise.

Today is Day 9 and I'm doing well. No cravings.

I'm very curious to see how this affects me over time.

FUNDRAISER TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sean and Cate are being presented to a birth mother as we speak. If this child is not the child the Lord has for them...theirs will most likely come SOON.

Sola Coffee Bar FUNDRAISER TONIGHT!!!!!!!!! 7 pm