Oh to Be on a Computer that Doesn't Require to Be Plugged In at All Times

My poor little Mac is overwhelmed to the point that I rarely can post pictures on my blog because there's not enough space store them. Though I "dump" them to a safe place constantly, she still can't keep up. Her battery is kaput too.

The remedy? Hijacking my husband's computer while he preaches. Sneaky, sneaky.

Here are some pictures from his computer.


All dressed up for a date to celebrate my 29th birthday.

Reid can't smile normally for a picture. It's a curse.

Look at those teeth (or lack thereof)!


Corny...but sweet...shot. I was playing around with Matt's iPhoto editing tools. I like the picture itself :)

A Favor

Would you do me a favor and read about some friends of ours in Ethiopia? And...pray for them? Thank you.

GO HERE:
The Smiths in Ethiopia

My First Linkathon

Not much "-athon" about it but I had to share...

A pastor's wife's take on a Carrie Underwood song...funny.

The New Dora...no longer a-dora-ble

Enjoy!

Be No Longer Conformed like the Chameleon but Be Transformed Like the Butterfly

Last week I had the privilege, once again, to lead worship with Donna Stuart and Kelly Needham at the All Women's Breakaway at Texas A&M University. Pure beauty, I must say. The ladies at TAMU can sing their hearts out! Unfortunately, I don't have any great pictures to leave with you but I do have this: Kelly Matte (whose husband, Gregg, was the former leader/teacher at Breakaway and is currently the pastor of FBC, Houston) shared a challenging word that has cemented itself on my heart. As the title of this post hints, she camped out in Romans 12:1 - 2, wonderfully articulating the difference between being conformed like a chameleon to the pattern of this world and the process of being transformed like a butterfly.

If you have a chance, hop over to iTunes and listen to Breakaway Ministries' podcast from March 3. It will not disappoint!

Two More Things Before I Sign Off...

Meet my new niece, Alexa Jayne Walker...

And see me at 24 weeks, 4 days:

Man's Anger Does Not Produce the Righteousness that God Requires

Man's anger does not produce the righteousness that God requires...man's anger does not produce the righteousness that God requires... (James 1:20)

These words ran through my mind as I kneeled thigh-deep in Audrey's toys, clothes and who-else-knows-what in her closet--the site of much tension in our home. Audrey does many things well. She can be loving and tender with Reid. She shares well. She's very helpful in random tasks at home (like running upstairs to grab some undies for Reid or pouring a bowl of cereal for him). She breezes through her reading assignments for school. She's thoughtful of others. 

However, there is one particular area of struggle: keeping the floor of her room and closet free of clothes. 

I found myself mumbling nonsense and breathing frustrations every time I'd walk into her room and see the mound of clothes at my feet. In my exasperation I was exasperating Audrey. I knew this was a faulty plan. 

I recently picked up a book that I had previously failed to finish a few years ago: Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.  Such good wisdom that spoke directly into my frustration and misguided objectives in parenting. 

I want obedience from my children but for the wrong reasons. I want obedience so that I won't be humiliated, so that it will be comfortable for me, so that I won't be annoyed and just "because I said so." All of these reasons are a disservice to my children and due to a lack of understanding of my role as their mother. 

Ugh. My insufficiency is evident everywhere. 

As a parent, I am responsible for training their little hearts towards obeying God. Obeying Mommy & Daddy for them right now is obeying God. Obedience is bigger than my personal comfort. And, in my anger and frustration, I will never "produce the righteousness that God requires." 

Lord, help me lovingly train Audrey, Reid and Norah to obey--for Your glory and their ultimate joy. 

I could say so much more here but I'm going to leave it for another post. :)

The Past Few Weeks in Pictures

Audrey turned six!!


Daddy & the birthday girl.


Audrey helping Kit pick out something from the American Girl Bistro.

Searching for the perfect American Girl doll (pictures are out of order...too tired to change them!)


Already shopping for our third--Norah.

The illustrated boy. See the tattoos on his chest and belly??