Category Archives: Stuff I Actually Think

Thought-Collage Thursday // Song is My Native Language

March 13, 20142 Mi Familia, 5 Songs I am Singing, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Think#tbt, #throwbackthursday, amelie belle, andy williams, music, pre-school at homeJeanie

“Nonna – can we put the music on?” Amelie asks me so sweetly every Thursday morning when she arrives for pre-school. We talk about pushing the big, rectangle button on the surround-sound, then carefully lifting the lid to place an LP on the player. Then we lift the lever, place the arm over the spinning vinyl, and lower the lever with great care. Then we lower the lid and after just a bit of crackling, the dancing begins.

She loves the process, the steps to using the turntable. She speaks them softly as she reverently plays a record, today: The Fabulous Fifties, last week, some Andy Williams. I am trying to expose my grandbebes to older, American classics in music, for the new they will always find. So I start them on 40s love songs and 60s Motown. As they get older (like Gavin and Hunter), they want to hear the Footloose album or a song like “The Night Chicago Died.” But it is all “old-timey” music to them. :)

Hey – remember the 80s?

Well, as I may have mentioned before – I barely do, but not for the “usual” reasons. I was just busy having babies and tending to my little family back in those days. Movies? Music? Who the president was? I can hardly recall (though my huge hair and Desperately-Seeking-Susan wardrobe was fantastic). But our friends, Mary and David, invited us to a show last weekend with a B-52s cover band called, Hey Lady. It was an all-80s music extravaganza, even with the openers, The Retrosonics (I could sing along with a lot of their music – they were great and the lead singer is the sister of another set of great friends: Joel and Marj). But I had mostly missed the B52s the first time around. Ha.

Two things became very clear to me: I really AM from the 1970s and I need that red wig!

I don’t drink and I don’t dance (I want to – just…can’t…dance, that is), so I was out of my element, but Mary has promised we’ll go back on Karoke night sometime – because I DO love to sing!

The keyboard is currently in the living room, where I plunk and play and sing a little most days

I have hit that horrible age where every song has a memory and I burst into tears at the drop of a hat or the gentle turn of a melody. It isn’t because the memories are sad or bad, but just because I wish I had held every moment of life a little closer and more reverently.

Now I play a chord and sing a line and I see a person or place or time in my mind’s eye. And I cry because I am so grateful I got to live it and know the people I know and to have loved them. And my heart is full now because understanding seems to come with age. Not one day is unimportant. Do you hear me? Not one. The tears are just the overflow of a heart that can feel, that risks feeling, more and more as time goes by.

So just let me cry when I sing. I am that age now.

#TBT

For today’s #throwbackthursday :: Highland Park Church of God in Des Moines, Iowa. My mom was the choir director and she started it while I was about 7, at which time she taught me to sing alto. In fact there was a whole alto section, Rhonda Sable being the rest of it, but nonetheless – there were parts.

This picture includes all 5 of us, my siblings and myself. I am the girl in the back row clear to the right. While the choir had been going for a year by this time (practices on Sunday evenings at 6 pm, while the YPE (aka Young People’s Endeavor, now more commonly known as Youth Group, except with some way more hip title) met upstairs. But in the fall of 1968, when we got our poncho-robes and bright-white bow-ties, we were certainly at the zenith of our junior choir career. Good times.

Back row, left-to-right: the late Lonny Sable, Brenda Smith, Sharon Smith, Wesley Sable, Rhonda Sable, MOI! // Middle row, left to right: Timmy Rodgers, Timmy Moslander, Debbie Bettis, Joey Moslander, Rebecca Sable, Darryl Sable. Front Row, left-to-right (the junior-est of them all): Tina Slight, Laurie Rodgers, Dana Mitchell Moslander, Tami (alias Tammy) Moslander, David Bettis, Carol Bettis and the late Ramona Whorley.

Which brings me to this question: Where has all the harmony gone?

What is up with all 5 vocalists onstage singing the melody these days? I miss hearing harmony? Part it out, people.

Beautiful music makes the whole world go around! Who wants to sing with me right this second?

Music on a Monday // Bill Withers Mellow

March 11, 20145 Songs I am Singing, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually ThinkBill withers, bill withers spotify, spotify, Still bill, still bill-themovieJeanie

Is it crazy to say that, especially after watching this documentary called Still Bill on Netflix 2 years ago, I wish to remove all my living room furniture (which creates a beautiful reverb with the high ceilings) and put a grand piano there (and a really good guitar nearby) and have Bill Withers come and play and sing while I just sit in the corner and cry like a baby?

Yes, I am aware that was all one sentence.

Sorry. Take a breath.

Bill Withers quote from the movie (on working towards your dream):

“It’s ok to head out for wonderful, but on your way to wonderful, you’re gonna have to pass through alright.”

I started liking him way back in the early 70s when I just heard his songs on the radio, like, “Ain’t No Sunshine, and “Lean on me.” But I didn’t really know what he was about.

But now, I get his music and what a rare talent he is and there is nothing like his simple, but deeply soulful music for the melancholy side of me. The man writes love like my heart feels it. His voice just sort of fills the room while his poetry pours out slow like honey, but much sweeter.

I love him.

My Bill Withers Spotify Playlist.

Hello Like Before

Whatever Happens

I wish he’d tour again. Oh my goodness – I’d go!

The big hits are, there, too. But “Family Table” makes me think of my parents and supper at 5 every night during the 60s and 70s. And the first songs, like, “Hello Like Before, ” “Whatever Happens.” “Memories are That Way,” and “You Just Can’t Smile it Away,” well, I can get lost there. I sorta made you a mixed tape, Spotify-Style. :) These are the mellow ones. Bill.

www.billwithers.com

Song for a Sunday // Let it be Known!

March 9, 20141 Christ is All, 2 Mi Familia, 3 Celebrations & Festive Events, 5 Songs I am Singing, Stuff I Actually ThinkEavngeline Lilly Faaland, let it be known, song for a sunday, tell everybody about Jesus!, Tredessa Rhoades Faaland, worshi centralJeanie

“No need for fear and shame. There’s power in His name. Come on, let’s free the reign!”

From Worship Central.

Just LOVING this fun, upbeat, YES!-Christians-do-have-a-reason-to-rejoice-and-be-the-happiest-people-on-the-planet song! My FAVS are the dancers that kick it off (you’ll see them throughout), the altar-boy (he has got the joyful moves), the dad dressed like Woody , the little kids on the bus (keep watching past the end), and “the chin!” O:) But the puppets – oh the puppets are so great, just praising Jesus right along with all of creation!

“Let it be known

That our God saves

Our God reigns

We lift You up, up

Let it be known

That love has come

Love has won

We lift You up up, up – oh”

Let it be Known!

Warning: you’re gonna wanna get up and dance! It’s fun!

On this Beautiful Day of Consecration

Today we are off to Boulder where Tredessa and Ryan will be set forth as leadership in their church (Highway Community, Pastor Steve Crowder), ordained to love and lead God’s people with the team there. AND Evangeline is being dedicated. With gratefulness to God for the gift of her, we give her back, we bless her little life with the promise that we’ll always point her to Jesus. Love you, Baby Eva!

Evangeline: post bath happy

How appropriate then, today’s song of such astounding and wonderful news. For our baby girl’s name means, “Messenger of Good News.” So, in that spirit, everybody now:

“Let it be known that our God saves

That our God reigns

Let it be known, let everybody know

That love has won, love has come!” -Worship Central

And on the matter of this springing forward ~

I like because it has the word “spring” in it. But this morning, I fear, the spring is stuck and the minutes are just flying right by at a much quicker rate. How is this possible? Please, some one, fix this!!!

Thought-Collage Thursday // Health & Beauty

March 6, 20142 Mi Familia, Stuff I Actually Thinkcoca pulse test, eldeen annette portraiture, fashion show, food allergies, Health, health for women over 40, high school seniors, joe moslander, madd, madd colorado, organ donors, peak wellness, seniors, tri-county healthJeanie

It wasn’t all going to be about health and beauty. It just turned out this way. My Thursday word-and-picture collage of thoughts and weirdnesses and hopefully some encouragement and wisdom, too, Thank-you very much! Five things I’m thinking about today…

Organ Donors

Aren’t the people who had the forethought to donate their vital organs and tissue when they died (and the people who love them and have lost them) the most amazing human beings ever? Isn’t it just the highest, most exemplary form of thoughtfulness to leave life and wholeness behind?

{source}

Sometimes our own healing comes at the expense of some one else’s pain. We should be very grateful for that.

It’s a wonderful {health} day in the neighborhood – for women!

I found this bit of healthiness in my junk mail, no less – right there in that envelope full of advertisements that I was about to toss.

Tri-County Health has just announced free screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer and heart disease for women over-40 living in Adams, Arapahoe or Douglas counties who meet income qualifications, are not covered by health insurance (or have some ridiculous insurance that doesn’t cover screening exams) and who have not had a mammogram or Pap test in the past year.

This is really good news for all the women who think they can’t afford health care. You can. Now! Call them! 303-363-3018.

Speaking of health – ever tried the Coca Pulse thing? For determining food allergies???

One of my darling daughters is being tested for food sensitivities and allergies. She is in the hands of trusted professionals. But there are so many, shall we say, interesting thoughts and theories about determining if you have a problem with a certain food. I sometimes have to laugh at many of the home-grown methods because they sound more like parlor entertainment…

Gluten Test: Stand on your right tippy toe and immerse your left foot in a bucket water that has been chilled to exactly 48-degrees while holding an oven heated river rock in your left fist. Place the back of your right hand on your nose and look straight ahead. Keep this pose for 5 minutes. If you fall over and hit your head, you have an intense gluten allergy. If you only wobble during the 5 minutes, you do have a gluten sensitivity, but watch out, it could turn into an extreme allergy within days. If you can do this easily, gluten is not your problem. Let’s check for dairy. Dairy test: Now – for this, you will need to stand on your head and…

Just kidding. That is NOT a real test. Please do not do it. Seriously – not based on any scientific fact nor on anything, really. Haha! Health stuff is so strange.

We just want answers and we want to be able to control our own health (because the “health industry “has drugged us to death). So, I understand it.

But THIS test is real…I hear.

Anyway – the Coca Pulse Test is:

Take your pulse for one minute prior to eating.

Then place a bite of the food to which you suspect you might be allergic on your tongue. Hold it there for about a minute.

Re-check your pulse.

If your pulse has gone up 6 or more beats per minute, you may be sensitive or allergic to that food. The higher the pulse the more sensitivity or allergy to that food group.

Tell me if you have tried it and if it worked or was also confirmed by a medical professional? OK? Ok!

#EAfashionshow

You read that right! It’s hashtag-E-A (for Eldeen Annette) -fashion-show!

I am so lucky – I get to produce this awesome show for Eldeen Annette Portraiture and I am having so much fun!

The show will have a red carpet experience for guests upon arrival, live social media engagement, awesome lighting and loud music and feature the studio’s Class of 2015 models wearing picture-perfect fashion trends that high schoolers will want to wear for their senior portraits.

It’s going to be a super-sparkly, entertaining, fun, over-the-top, energetic, memory-making, creative and THE-place-to-be party! Everyone who comes will get a great gift bag full of goodies and products from area businesses as a thanks AND 100% of the ticket money is going straight to MADD-Colorado!

I am having a blast putting on a Fashion Show, of all things! And Eldeen Annette really does incredible work. It is a pleasure to work with “Ellie!” Mark your calendar for May 1, 2014! And buy your tickets now because it IS going to sell out!

#TBT

This is me at age 1 1/2 with my little brother, Joey, when he was about 2 months old (Eva’s current age).

What does this have to do with Health & Beauty? Well, perhaps it is a warning for mommies trying to cut perfectly straight bangs on baby girls – quit trying to straighten it out! It will only end in disaster.

The truly beautiful thing in this #throwbackthursday photograph is how much my little brother adored moi. Don’t you think? :)

THat’s about it, Those are my THinkings & invaluable THoughts THis fine THursday morning. I’m silly, I know.

Blessings for My Grown Children on a Random Tuesday

March 4, 20141 Christ is All, 2 Mi Familia, Stuff I Actually Thinkblessing my adult children, family blessing, scriptural blessingsJeanie

[Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2.5, 9 Amp

Hey, my sweets~

These are not just hopes and dreams and wishes I have for you. And so what if they were? I love you, each of you, with something so deep that all the words I will ever speak cannot quite ever measure up. All 5 of you {my amazing children: Tara, Stephie, Dessa, Rock-man and Stormie Dae}- I remember you as a first miraculous flutter in the hidden place as God was putting you together, when you were known only as the child within, to now, full-grown and productive people who wow me with your dazzling beauty.

But these are words I speak on a Tuesday morning as a pronouncement, an authoritative declaration as your mom – an Image-bearer (a broken one, at times) of God Himself. I want to impart that mothering side of God to you and say, on a Tuesday:

Blessings, my sweets – not just a cutesy-wish or an empty word, but mammoth-sized, Biblical-proportionally-sized, heaven-sent power and help in time of need BLESSINGS on you today!

May you be answered when you call on the Lord, the truest Lover of your soul. Your help comes (present-tense) from Him! (Psalm 20.1; Psalm 121)

May the favor of God surround you like a shield, just deflecting the ridiculous assaults on our hearts that so often befall us, day in and day out. (Psalm 5.12)

Having eaten fully of the goodness of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit at the table of the Lord (prepared for you right in front of the enemy), may you also bear much good fruit in your life today and may you produce much seed and impact generations you’ll never even see. (Galatians 5.22; John 15.16; Psalm 145.4; Psalm 128)

Be forgiven, I bless you with forgiveness. Run to the Savior for forgiveness of sins. If you only confess them, He will be faithful and just and forgive them – every single one. He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. There is no reason to live in even a moments’ bondage today. Not one. And when you call on Him, I can assure you, based on the promise in the word of God (1 John 1.19) and because of all Jesus paid for on the cross – your sins will be forgiven.

May the fullness of the JOY Jesus came to give be yours, completely, wholly, finally! (John 15.11; John 16)

May you find healing in your heart from misunderstandings or hurtful words or hard times and be agents of grace when you are on the other side of that equation. Give healing, too. I bless you with the strength to do that. :) (Psalm 147.3; Psalm 34.18)

May you reflect the Light of your life, brightening the lives of everyone in your path by exemplifying the One who has so graciously shined His face upon you. (1 Peter 2.9; Isaiah 60.1)

May you receive all the wisdom you cry out for today , all the wisdom you need to live a godly life and gain understanding. (James 1.5)

And may you know, at the end of this day, that you were fully living in God’s grace – that empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit who gives you everything you need to be who He created you to be and to have done all He called you to do. May you and your household be the blessed ones and may your loves (DP, Tris, Ryan and Jovan) and your babies (aka my “grandbebes”) get in on all of this, too! May your day be sweet.

Signed with love and blessings~

A servant of the Lord, your mommy and one who admires you so much,Tara, Stephanie, Tredessa, Rocky & Stormie ~ I pray these things and more for you, and I pronounce them with the authority of one called to be yours and you mine. {mom}

“Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much with affectionate longing, we were delighted to share with you and impart to you not only the Good News of the Gospel of God, but our very lives as well. 1 Thessalonians 2.6-8, paraphrased

Song for a Sunday // It’s Gonna Be Worth It

March 2, 20141 Christ is All, 5 Songs I am Singing, Stuff I Actually ThinkJeanie

“It’s Gonna Be Worth It” by Rita Springer

I don’t understand Your ways

Oh but I will give You my song

Give You all of my praise

You hold on to all my pain

With it You are pulling me closer

And pulling me into Your ways

Now around every corner

And up every mountain

I’m not looking for crowns

Or the water from fountains

I’m desperate in seeking, frantic believing

That the sight of Your face

Is all that I need

I will say to You

It’s gonna be worth it

It’s gonna be worth it

It’s gonna be worth it all

I believe this

Oh, I’d forgotten how much I loved this song. The CD, Effortless, was a birthday present in 2002, the year I “discovered” Rita Springer.

If you’re going to sing a song about not understanding God’s ways but deciding to worship Him anyway, right in the middle of everything, then it should be this strong, this desperate, and have this intensity.

“Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.” Psalm 42.5 Amp.

It’s true. I don’t understand His ways. But I’d rather be in His presence at those baffling times because He can see what I cannot.

It’s gonna be worth it all ~ I believe this…

Thought-Collage Thursday

March 1, 20141 Christ is All, 2 Mi Familia, 5 Songs I am Singing, 6 Looking Back // Memories!, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Thinkfbi, hymns, moslander, my jesus i love thee, ross moslander, willie nelsonJeanie

Ok….so more technical problems…today is actually Saturday (March 1), obvi..but I wrote this Thursday. *sigh // ANYHOO-such profound thinking to follow…ha!

Throwback Thursday

I noticed recently that #throwbackthursday (as in hashtag-throw-back-Thursday) is picking up steam. It’s the chance for everybody to post those hilarious old photographs of themselves way back in the day. I can TOTALLY do Throwback-Thursday today because I have been scanning old family photos and oh, man – did I find some doozies (of OTHER people, of course).

The Moslanders, my family-of-origin, #tbt

Ross the Boss, Mrs. Moss and all the little Landers, 1975 @ Robert, Louisiana (I’m the oldest. I was 16 here)

The Sunday after Thanksgiving in 1988 in Hobart, IN (Southlake Church of God). Two words: shoulder pads!

Thirteen years later, we were all married, I had 5 kids (ages 2-9) and Tami had not grown an inch in height since she was 10 years old.

Meanwhile, I’ll call this Thought-Collage Thursday because that is what this blog is, anyway a collage! :)

I think I’m being followed.

Seriously, everywhere I go, when the Wi-Fi options come up on my phone, there is always an FBI Mobile or FBI Van #7 or some sort of FBI vehicle around. I am pretty sure I am being watched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Why? I do not know. If anyone questions you about me, send me a coded text to warn me, will you? Thanks!

Willie.

I have this {I own it!}, the Willie Nelson – His Hits and Finest Performances album distributed in a Reader’s Digest collection in 1987. A former co-worker gave it to me just because I have a turntable (or “record player,” as they were known while I growing up!).

And while it is packed with all the great songs you already know by Willie Nelson, there are so many great treasures I had never heard anywhere until I got this. 53 great songs on 5 LPs. Seriously, his rendition of “Let it Be Me” is the best I have ever heard of that gorgeous tune – and it has been sung by every. body!

Any song Willie Nelson sings, with that unmistakable gravel and sophistication actually just sounds more authentic and true than anyone else who ever attempts that song again. A little raw and wholly soulful, he owns any melody that comes out of that talented heart.

Other songs he covers that I would totally encourage you to try out on iTunes or Spotify: “Without a Song,” “Stardust,” and “September Song.”

February is (almost) over.

I am surprised every single year at how quickly it is gone. Every year. You’d think I’d know by now that it is going to happen.

Speaking of things I should know

When I take a drink and sort of miss my mouth…and dribble down the side – I am always appalled. Occasionally when I am eating, I bite my tongue. How is it 50-some years down the road I haven’t totally mastered these things, having practiced SO much?!

My Jesus, I Love Thee, verse 3

I love old hymns and find restoration, when I am frazzled and shredded by life, in just singing them. Modern worship is wonderful, but I am drawn to lyrics deep and timeless, to melodies that have been sung by voices before me and which will still be drifting heavenward long after I am gone.

William R. Featherston wrote the well-known, “My Jesus, I Love Thee,” as a poem when he was somewhere between 12 and 16 years of age. How does such a young man know how to communicate such depth of love?

I was playing the keyboard and singing this song the other morning and the 3rd verse caught in my throat for a minute as I wondered: Will I love Jesus as much in my death as I do in my life? Because I love life, too, really. And what if I am not happy with the whole death process? Will it make me love Him less?

But as suddenly as I questioned myself, I realized, we’re already dying anyway. Part of our living is dying. And if I am loving Jesus wholly each day in my living, then when I step through the door of death from this realm, and actually see Him face to face, Oh, yes. I will be loving Him more fully, more truly than I have ever been able.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Adoniram Gordon added a melody to the words in 1876. And William R. Featherston died at age 27 never knowing his words would become a hymn of the deepest devotion, sung around the world and included in almost every hymnal for years to come.

Live Stream Ransomed Heart Event!

1) Get the book and read it! 2) Sign up for Live Stream HERE 3) Saturday March 15, 9am-3 pm…4) While you wait, enjoy archived events from Ransomed Heart Ministries.

That is all for today. Enough.

With me

February 25, 20141 Christ is All, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Thinkanne ortlund, anne ortlund quoteJeanie

But “Immanuel” means “God with us,” and it’s more appropriate now than ever. Standing on the mountain in His resurrection body, ready to go back to heaven, Jesus said something He’d never said before: “I will be with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

He is with you right now, as you read this. Fix your eyes on Him.

The light of Christ surrounds you.

The love of Christ enfolds you.

The power of Christ protects you.

The presence of Christ watches over you.

Wherever you are, Christ is. ~ Anne Ortlund, Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

His light, His love, His power, His presence – right where you are, right now. Wow!

Grandbebes say the sweetest things!

February 25, 20142 Mi Familia, Stuff I Actually ThinkJeanie

Gemma May (she’s 6)

One Saturday afternoon recently, after she’d outlasted all her cousins in some dancing fun, after she’d twirled and leapt and swirled and spun on her toes for over an hour and everyone else had gotten tired and moved on, Gemma breathlessly flung herself across the sofa for a moment and exclaimed, “Oh! I’m soooo tired, but this music just makes me keep on dancing.” And as if the music truly was in control of her, her body lifted and fatigued or not, she went right back to her energetic movement, dancing and frolicking about in full vigor. Music has that kind of power. :)

The Gavinators (he’ll be 11 in June)

“I call this ‘the wall of me,'” Gavin told me as he descended the staircase at my house, gesturing towards the Urbane Bronze (almost black) wall that nearly killed me last May. “Because,” he explained, “every time I look at it, I see another view of myself.”

It’s true. It is lined with framed mirrors and reflects my most valuable and beautiful treasures {the grandbebes} en masse. So much of a good thing!

Malakai {he turned one in January}

Did Kai, the newest family toddler come to me with tiny steps and a big smile on his face over and over when I spent the day with him last weekend? Oh yes, he did. It’s the cutest thing and the icing on the cake was when he came toddling my way saying “Nonna” for the first time and I got it on video! SO serendipitous! :) Be still, my fluttering heart!

Amelie {she’s 3, but almost 4}

Blessed-blessed-blessed Nonna that I am, I have gotten to do pre-school with each of the first 6 grandbebes so far. I’ll get to hang with Amelie until she goes to Kindergarten the fall of 2015 and wow, what fun we are having. She spent a lot of last Thursday hiding in closets and jumping out with the bold declaration “Let there be light!” It was in response to our pre-school day being “sponsored by the number 7” which seemed like a good time to talk about the 7 days of creation. Obviously the time we spent whispering in the dark hallway about the earth being without form and void and darkness covering the face of the earth made a bigger impact than the actual number 7, but I don’t mind that one bit.

Hunter {he is 9 1/2}

Kai won’t eat for me, which is weird because he is a great eater. But regardless of what I try to feed him – it’s a no. This is going to be problematic when he stays with me for almost a week later this year while his parents go to Paris.

Tara was pondering this dilemma at home when Hunter, who felt he knew exactly why Kai doesn’t eat for me, offered this insight,

“It’s too exciting over there! I’ve been there for nine years and I’ve still only seen 10% of all their house has to offer!”

Hahahahahahahahhha!!! That made me so happy.

Plus…

Guinivere (8 1/2)…Is she an astonishing beauty or what?

The K-kids just got to be photographed by a really cool photographer. You can read about it at Stephie’s blog and see his work there. They are fascinating photographs, part of a series the photographer is putting together featuring kids just…being. Gavin gave me the insider information that Gemma had a hard time not smiling and giggling the whole way through the session. Because Gemma is a happy, joyous smiler and giggler – all the time!

AND – Jovan is blogging more regularly again and those three cute girlies keep us giggling. We’ve determined that Bailey Sophia (9 months old) must be made out of marshmallow because though a little chunk-a-lunk she is, she is light as a feather and those fluffy cheeks are fun to smooch!

Pray for Averi who is a little under the weather today – on Kindergarten class picture day! Boooo… Surely for a girl so beautiful they’ll reschedule???

So, let’s see…am I missing anyone? Oh yes! Evangeline! She’s 2 months old now! And she came over and hung out with me yesterday afternoon (oh, her mom, too). And while it is true, she is not saying a whole lot quite yet, she seems to have dedicated her life {so far} to looking for any and all reasons to smile. And I applaud her sweet pursuit! And her leg warmers. :)

That’s 9. In case you have lost count (I sometimes do) I have 9 grandbebes. And I really thank God for them! I was born to be their Nonna! :)

Pictures of Gavin, Hunter, Bailey, and Averi by Stephanie. Picture of Eva by her mommy. Picture of Guini and the 3 Kelley kids by Steve Stanton Photography. Pictures of Amelie and Gemma and the toddling-Malakai vid: me.

Song for a Sunday // Finally

February 23, 20141 Christ is All, 5 Songs I am Singing, Stuff I Actually Thinkgary chapman the singer, song, song for a sunday, staci elderedgeJeanie

Finally by Gary Chapman.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror…” 1 Corinthians 13.12 What if, regardless of the deep-seated belief that we are not worthy of the love of God, that we have gone too far in sin or been too much of a disappointment to Him; what if the torment of the accuser and the heaviness of self-doubt, the negative things we believe about ourselves (whether self-imposed or heaped upon us) and the things that so easily beset us and keep us imprisoned and afraid could just be wiped away by one glimpse of ourselves in the eyes of our Maker, our own true, most genuine reflection? What if it could change everything?

I wish my mind wouldn’t argue with my heart

It splits the day apart

Into time well spent and time just thrown away

I wish my heart would please make up my mind

I’m wasting so much time

Gotta catch a glimpse of how it’s gonna be

When finally I look inside Your eyes and see

Reflections of Yourself in me

The way You always said it would be

When finally, I’m loving You like You love me

It happened oh, so easily I looked at You and it came to me ~ finally

Backstory {mine, anyway}

This song by Gary Chapman was an early-80s hit for T.G. Shepherd and I never thought of it as anything more than a country love song with a great melody – until about a year and a half ago, that is.

I’d read some research disproving what we’d always been told, that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” meaning as we age, we’ve lost brain cells and the ones we have are set like stone. What a horrible prognosis to believe that whatever we are, have thought and believe based on life’s input so far is just it, as if we are in a trap we can’t escape.

It isn’t true! I was fascinated to learn that science now proves the neuroplasticity of the brain, meaning our brains are not static. Our brains can be retrained to catch up to truth. The neural pathways can grow and be renewed and the grooves and driven river of thought which has cut defined paths into the landscape of our brains, sometimes taking us down painful passageways again and again, can be changed and healed and our beliefs and responses can be re-routed. Our minds and hearts and souls can be healed and set free of negative emotion and erroneous belief. Science caught up to the Word of God in proving we can, without a doubt, be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12.2), which is incredibly good news!

So, as I pondered the mind-blowing, brain-healing, course-altering, change-potential, joyful-relief possibilities – I came across this YouTube video of Gary Chapman singing. And the words represented the dilemma so well ~ the battle between our perceived reality and the hope that something can be different and that we are wholly, deeply and totally loved and accepted. If only we could finally grasp what is the truth of God’s heart towards us, wouldn’t it just alleviate the fear, the battle in our hearts and minds – wouldn’t it just bring relief?

I may or may not have mentioned {quite a few times} that I am reading Staci Eldredge’s Becoming Myself and it reminded me of that revelation and this song when she spoke of having a magnifying mirror that reveals all the things you’d rather not have revealed, but that the truest reflection is what we see in the eyes of Jesus, who He sees us to be.

Because you can just kick back and relax and enjoy the abundant life He came to bring so much more if you know you are everything God created you to be and are doing what He actually created you to do (rather than wrestling and clawing and scratching to try to do or be what you or anyone else thinks) and you just reflect Him like crazy – which is SO the point!

Finally!!!

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3.18 NKJV

Oh man – if we could just believe and receive His love. Wouldn’t it change everything?

…You’re my harbor in the storm I looked at You and the love in Your heart cut right through to me And my eyes can see ~ finally. -Gary Chapman

My prayer for you today, friends and familia~

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” Ephesians 3.18 Yes, may you be able to grasp it all…finally. Me, too.