Freedom.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

So, today was Cut-Up-Credit-Cards day. How long this day has been in the making... and frankly it is at least the 4th time in my life that I've done it. It is crazy - the last time I cut them up, I got new cards in the mail THAT DAY! I'm not kidding. Then it just gets easy to start collecting them again. I hate credit card debt. Mr. Favorite and I've paid them off several times since we've been married, but then they start creeping back up.

I will be a slave no longer.

The truth is that I've spent most of my life getting what I wanted when I wanted (I hate how spoiled that sounds). I'm challenged now to live frugally. I'm not sure where my efforts to go organic for Little One's sake will fit into this, but I'm encouraged by God's promises to cause his grace to overtake us. That verse that I started today's blog with is written in the context of finances and I take it in that context, but I also see the truth in its application in all areas. His grace is abounding (rich and overflowing) to us and supercedes any issue/conflict/problem that I have. And like James 1 tells us - He likes to help us and doesn't condescend to us when we ask for his help.

James 1 starting with verse 5 (Out of The Message):
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.

Be careful with that first chapter of James, though... here are the verses leading up that:
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Big Venue. Big Voice.

So, last night Mom, Dad, Mr. Favorite and I went to the Celine Dion concert to which I had purchased tickets over a year ago. The original concert date was last November, but it was rescheduled to last night. I had honestly tried to find someone to go with us to let Mr. Favorite off the hook but found no takers. I very much enjoyed the evening and feel like Mr. Favorite has had sufficient manly activities lately to counter-balance this assault on his testosterone levels. I'm just waiting to see if this event comes up to haunt me at a later date.

I will say this - the woman can sing. So fun hearing that kind of talent live.

To all the people who were responsible for getting the BOK Center built: Thank you. I'm so thrilled that we're able to get bigger and better acts coming our way.

Present-Day Miracles

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of a miracle. Last year on January 29th, Ed Putman experienced a brain aneurysm. I visited Shirley several times at the hospital in OKC during the time when Ed was in a coma-like state. I was broken and overwhelmed when I went with Shirley into the ICU to see him. It was heart-wrenching. But, that's not the end of his story. It was weeks before there was good news, but once the good news started coming, it just did not slow down. Ed's birthday is in April and I had asked God for Ed to be able to walk by that date... well, God did better than that and had him more than just walking, more than just eating on his own... Ed was home and back to work. I don't want to forget the awe-inspiring miracle God let us witness in this. I've sent out an email encouraging others to send a card to Ed & Shirley and let them know that we celebrate with them the goodness of the Lord in their lives and this tangible demonstration of God's love. If you know them, take the walk out to your mailbox and send your card. Gratefully, the mail runs in all weather!

Can It Get Any Better?

This little pic of Mr. Favorite and Little One was just a quick snap on my phone, but I love it. My world is such a sweet one. Thank you, Lord, for the gifts my heart desired. Your way truly is best. Thank you for leading, guiding, showing me how to live in your grace, peace, and mercy. I'm grateful.

So Gross.

Ok, so I've noticed a trend in marketing recently. It's really gross. The first commercial that really disturbed me was for Clorox wipes. The lady and her son are standing at the sink each brushing teeth when the lady gets this bizarre look in her eyes and pulls the spinning brush out of her mouth. Here is where it just is beyond me why this commercial was chosen as the best possible version of advertising for the product: The mix of toothpaste and saliva is splattered everywhere - including on her and her son. Is that not disgusting? I am sitting here typing with a disgusted look on my face just thinking about it.It certainly doesn't make me want to run right out and buy their product! The second commercial that's out right now is for Charmin toilet paper. It has the bears playing football (I think) and the little bear leans over to hike the ball. It is at this point that it gets really gross. The little bear has little toilet paper pieces left on his little bear bottom from his last visit to the little bear's room. I'm thoroughly disgusted by the thought of leftover anything from the toilet. So gross.

Are you glad I shared?!

This Has Got To Stop.

Ok. So I'm now following 8 (and I really wanted one more) blogs. I'm not that busy in my stay-at-home status, but I really don't think I need to be filling my time with this either! Thankfully not all of my friends blog every day or I really would be in trouble. I've got to have limits!

Mistaken Identity.

Ok. So most of you know my dad. You know he's a good man and a pastor, no less. Well, in the last few years, travel has not been easy for him. Apparently there is a man with the same name who is in some serious trouble with the law. So every time my parents have gone on trips out of the country (especially to Mexico), my dad has been immediately flagged upon arrival back into the U.S. The last time they got home the poor little girl checking passports was obviously shaken by having this terrible person standing in front of her. I think it was FBI agents that came and escorted him to some far-off location and began questioning him. Well... that is until they realized he still had all of his fingers. The other man by that name - the one who is wanted by federal agencies - is missing fingers. This happens to be a very easy way to tell the difference between my dad - the white boy pastor - and the wanted man. This mix-up has never been an issue on domestic flights... Well, that's not the end of this story... Today my dad and mom left for a trip celebrating my mom's graduation. My mom text messaged me just a few minutes ago that Dad did not even make it to the first security checkpoint before the police came to escort him away! Gratefully it is fairly easy to prove that he's not that other man! Just wave as you go by, Dad!!