Somewhere over the years I've grown to dislike getting messy. Sweat from the heat.  The "outside smell" that comes from being in the sun. Those types of things. Not to say I do not do those things, although I did avoid them for a time. Now, God keeps reminding me of the importance of it all and I find myself enjoying it all. 

When I was little my older sisters would ask us younger ones not to splash by them in our backyard swimming pool for fear their hair would get wet and messed up. Lest they would have to do it all over again. My mom was the same. I was baffled at the fact they were forgoing underwater swimming on account of their hair. Swimming underwater is the reason you get in the pool. However, for them their hair style was of utmost importance. Of course, us younger siblings had to have some fun and accidentally kick our feet in close proximity to them.

It is amazing how something so small, like that of your hair, can change the situation. You become more focused on not doing something and staying away from another that you lose out on the enjoyment that is right in front of you. And the proof that supports it, like that awesome tan from a day at the beach or wet hair from going under the water.

God designed you to have joy. Joy that comes from him alone. Joy that is made complete in him. When you are standing on the sidelines pointing out what you don't want to happen or like about the situation, such as the sweat from the sun or the dirty hair, you are choosing, yes choosing, to give up your joy. Giving up your peace and trading it in for anger or annoyance at the little sister who just splashed you or the daughter who emptied her bucket of dirt all over the patio after you asked her 156 times to keep it in the dirt.

These small moments affect us daily and when we allow ourselves to get too caught up in what we don't want to happen, we lose out on a great opportunity or a teachable moment. Who needs perfect hair, right? 

Our pastor gave a sermon a while back explaining how our journey IS the destination. He was referring to our lives being the destination as opposed to focusing on heaven being our final destination. The lives we are living now are important.

While brushing my toddler's teeth, trying ever so hard to get some brushing on the teeth themselves, as she wiggled and moved and grabbed at the tooth brush, God whispered this to me again as I wished she would just sit still for surely that would make the task easier and we clearly do not want cavities. The journey is the destination. It is the tooth brush dance that matters as opposed to getting her to bed. If I get angry here, no one wins and cavities just might pop up to taunt me.

It's in the way we are getting ready as we head out the door. It's in the way we respond when we are trying to get things done  There is joy and beauty in the chaos of these little moments when you are trying to grab keys and snacks and buckle car seats. It is up to you have to find it and choose joy. God is always faithful to give it.

It is all about perspective, too. When she runs away from me when I grab her jacket, she might just need some extra tickles to get it on. And when she gets up for the 134th time to use the bathroom at bedtime she might just need to know I am there and there are no monsters approaching her door.

It's the way I am reacting to these things that she is learning. She is surrounded by my reactions and short comings as I wrangle her to get her teeth brushed or shoes put on or ask her to listen in the grocery store. These are the journeys of everyday life that are building her character and molding her in to the person she will become.

Most days are good but I'm still learning patience. Thankfully, she learns my good habits, too. And thankfully God gives me grace.

As I saw the emails coming in from (in)courage this year about the conference, I did not know what to think. Last year was the first time I had heard of the blog and the conference. I had also transitioned from apartment living to home living. That is when God kept nudging me to host. To open my home up to strangers. To be obedient in his guiding, all the while serving chocolate and yummy snacks. And that is what I did. 

This year, however, I found myself in a new situation. Still at the same residence but this year, our home was a little fuller. My son was born in December and as the (in)courage emails came pouring in about the up coming conference I asked God, "are you sure about me hosting this year? I have a toddler running around and an infant in my arms, how will this happen?" 

And God assured me that he would show up. He assured me that it was what he had in store for me and asked me to ask for help. I cannot do it alone, which is funny since that is what the whole conference is about - community. My friend said yes and God showed up. 

We planned and crafted and baked and met ladies. We hosted it as a women's event for our church and 40 ladies attended, most of whom had never heard of (in)courage, which did not matter in the slightest.

I loved the theme this year, we need your story. It was such an eye opener of how God uses our testimonies for his witness and to weave us in to the lives of others.

While reading my bible, God reminded me that the people in the bible had stories to share and are still sharing them with us today. They were messy and full of pain and joy and anger and wrapped in God's grace and love and mercy. Joseph spent thirteen years in Egypt as a slave. Thirteen! But God was not finished there and used that time to build him up, gave him favor in the eyes of everyone he met, which culminated with saving the lives of the Egyptians, as well as those of other. Wow!

The same is still the same with us today. We may not be written about in the bible or any book for that matter but our stories just may be written on the hearts of others. Of those we have touched through out our lives. Of those God has used us to speak life in to. Of those God has blessed us with as sons and daughters, husbands, aunts, moms, and dear friends. 

It was a beautiful experience and I am so thankful God continues to push me outside of my comfort zone to accomplish things I never think are possible. And of course for an awesome partner who made 99% of the decor and came up with most of the ideas. 

behind the scenes crew, minus the photographer

When I write lately, I find myself feeling closer to God than I can get anywhere else. Typically reading scripture and songs do it for me, as well as nature but they just don't seem to cut it. Perhaps that is why I feel like I'm falling apart at every turn and bump along the way. God keeps pulling me to writing and I read mind numbing pointless words on a screen instead. I feel like a wreck and I cannot get a grip on piecing myself back together. Everything is so beautiful but my lack of joy makes it incomplete. I keep reading "choose joy, choose joy" and know that it is a choice. 

Nothing can give you true joy but God and with that comes a choice. CHOOSE JOY. No other methods of numbing the anger or pain work, except making a deliberate choice to be joyful despite the situation, with God's help, of course. Despite the fact that your daughter is whining in the doctor's office during your son's visit and not listening in the slightest. Despite the fact that while leaving the public bathroom, which was a gamble in it of itself seeing as it was you who needed to be relieved, your daughter bursts in to full on hysterical tears after being kindly asked to sit back in her stroller and the lady outside gives you a look, since it sounded like you just beat her instead. It is choosing joy when you are almost in tears and tell your husband it has been a trying morning and he accuses you of trying to cut him off of coffee, since during that trying morning you overlooked it on the list while your daughter is guiding you through the store and you are praying there is not another melt down in sight. 

It is choosing joy when life gets messy and you feel like you want to fall apart and find yourself wondering why you have to choose joy to begin with. Why God can't send down some joy dust and in response you would start dancing with some hallelujahs. But that isn't a choice. The choice is easy when all the ts are crossed and the is are dotted and the kiddos are down for a nap at the same time for just a teeny bit and you feel like you will be able to survive the rest of the day. 

The choice is when it is hard. When the house is a disaster, you have a million errands to run and a mile long, well maybe not a mile long but close, to do list and your kiddos don't seem to be on the same page and putting shoes on apparently is a big deal. It's in those moments that God whispers, yes it is whisper because if he yelled I think I may just loose the rest of my marbles that are strung all over that mile long to do list, choose joy. 

Decisions happen in the moments and it is in each of those moments that you have to decide who you want to be. Do you want to be the joy filled mama or the mama filled with anger and frustration? It sounds so simple, of course you want to be the joy filled mama and typically, some time after the 54246 quick prayers are sent up to God, that is who you are. That is who you choose to be and who God is helping you to become. Some days, you fail and let the enemy get the best of you but that is where God's grace finds you as you curl up with your bible and pray for forgiveness and help, all the while apologizing to the little innocent by standers affected by your sinful outburst.  

The days seem to blur together as of late. Seems like I have been constantly working on something or another. Last week it was receiving blankets, burp cloths and wash cloths for my newest cousin. His ETA is the first week of August but it is looking to be a lot sooner. Thankfully, God always provides and I was able to sew about ten yards of new items for the little guy. Of course, I have no pictures to show but at least they were finished on time, Wednesday night actually. I surprised my husband and myself with that one (I ALWAYS end up doing things the night before).

Anywho, this week I wanted to share one of my favorite bands, Jesus Culture. Love them and their lyrics. This song is such a great reminder that no matter what we do, God's love never fails. So thankful! 

Any songs in your head this week? 

Just thought I would share some eye candy to inspire you to worship the creator of heaven and earth. Happy Tuesday!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
  Worship the Lord with gladness;
  come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. 
  It is he who made us, and are his. 
  we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 
-Psalm 100:1-3 

'gifts for the music lover ' by hislovenduresforever

Make a joyful noise unt... DesignsbyLinda... $1.50	Green Fish brooch - ICH... fireanna $15.00	Hand made fused glass c... IrieElements $25.00	Kelly Green Upcycled Mi... coreymarie $12.00
Unisex Guitar Pick Brac... orangeandyello... $14.00	Sing glass fused neckla... cathystratton $16.00	Music - T Shirt - Sted... wwwthisandthat... $13.00	Farmhouse coat & hat ra... kraftworx $65.00
Kelly Green - One Pom K... melodywei $4.00	How He Loves Print- Gre... BlossomAndVine... $8.50	6 Small Stone Cross Bea... SmartParts $1.99	Baby Necktie- Kelly Gre... ONElittleBELT $16.00
Christian Greeting Card... stephanieh02 $7.99	Going to the Chapel - 8... jessicatorres $30.00	amazing grace. 20x20. h... thenotsoblankc... $49.00	Music Lover Sing Green ... hislovenduresf... $27.50

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

I love music. Music is constantly blaring on my speakers wherever I go. I have to admit that I cannot carry a tune or hit any note (sorry if you have ever heard me try), although I can usually memorize a song after hearing it once. My friends always made fun of how many songs I knew. Anywho, I really admire anyone with the ability to sing and make a joyful noise, so I thought it would be fun to post a song each week that has found its way in to my head - something besides the songs my daughter's toys, which are constantly singing (those songs ares so catchy!).

I just came across this rendition of the hymn "It is Well" by Kutless and love it! I really enjoy hymns, especially when the beat is faster than the original. Sorry I do not know the music term for that but I hope this inspires you in some way this week. 

It is Well - Kutless