There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep. 
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Like the hummingbird sipping nectar from every flower, 

I fly joyfully through my days, seeing beauty in everything."

~Amethyst Wyldfyre

Our children aren't vision impaired.  They just wear fashion glasses because nerd swag is cool. 

The Chief and I had "nerd swag" before it was cool. 

We enjoy instant access to God. Any time we want to, we can talk to God and He listens. The God of the universe listens to everything we have to say.  So, go ahead.  Spill your guts. 

...different flowers from the same garden.  ~Author Unknown

I love my "bald" guys. 

A friend at church bought this tee for our baby boy.  I think she saw a resemblance.

I blinked and now it's Friday! 

What in the honking world?

My random "Friday" thoughts:

1.  Laundry.  Laundry.  Laundry.  Why can't money be like laundry?  I'd never run out.  

2.  Our little dog had surgery this week.  She's not herself. 

3.  Why is it that when there are disgruntled people out there who need to have their fears and false info cleared up, being the ones who most need ministering to, they are not open to receiving?

4.  You can’t redeem yourself. No matter how much you hide. No matter how much you pretend. The life you’re looking for is the life God offers as we become broken, honest and transparent. It is as we share the good, the bad, and the ugly that we experience God’s amazing grace.  Our junk can be someone's miracle.  

5.  In one of my favorite movies, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Molly Mahoney asks Mr. Magorium what he thinks she should do with her life.  He responds to Molly by saying, "May I suggest you stun the world?"  How can you not LOVE that movie?

Have an amazing weekend, friends!  

First faux hawk and first time wearing his "shoes". 

From the big circle of slobber, I'm guessing the shoes taste pretty good. 

Our Father's Day was splendid! 

The father of my children received a really silly card.

Exactly the way he likes his cards.  Extra silly. 

The fathers at church received a "sweet" surprise.

Got to love a cute father's day craft tutorial!

My daddy who is six hours away from me, received his card in the mail and we talked a long while on the phone.  Love and miss my dad.  Having him close by would have made Father's day even more splendid! 

My husband asked me to share during our Sunday morning service in honor of Father's day.  After a lot of prayer, this is a summary of what I had to say:

We are so thankful you chose to be with us today.  Men of all ages, our little guys and our big guys, there are some things you need to know.  You’ve been cut from a different kind of cloth.  You represent the King. Your purpose is much higher than merely your own.  You impact a sphere much wider than you may ever know.  There is more to you than you realize.  If you are a man, like it or not, you are a leader by position. 

As our leaders, you need to know that you have an enemy.  Your enemy wants to destroy you.  And if he can’t destroy you, he’ll distract you.  As our leaders, God wants you to know, You are not of this world.  You don’t belong here.  You put your feet down every morning in this world, but you don’t belong to it.  You don’t adhere to its rules and expectations.  You don’t even hope for the same things.  God wants to build you a story.  An adventure.  It won’t be safe and it won’t be easy.  It is worth the risk.  For his Glory.  He isn’t going to use your time here to make you comfortable and safe.  This is a risk-it-all pursuit. 

I stand before you today on behalf of a generation who needs fathers.  We need fathers, grandfathers, adoptive fathers, and spiritual fathers.  I stand on behalf of every child born or raised without a father.  I also stand before you today on behalf of a generation of girls and women who need faithful enduring love.  I’m here for every girl searching for someone worthy to be married to.  For every woman desiring to come under the headship of a faithful husband. I stand before you today on behalf of a God who needs men of courage.  Men who will stand against the enemy.  Who will not be destroyed by addictions and unfaithfulness.  Who will not be distracted.  Will you be God’s man?  Will you pursue his plan at all costs?  At all risks?  Lives are at stake.  Eternities are being shaped. Live courageously.

I hope your father's day was extra-special.  And if you don't have a father in your life, I hope you were able to do what my dear friend did.  She honored a dad who didn't have anyone to spend father's day with.  She without a dad and he without a daughter.  Perfect.  Just perfect.  

Abundant blessings on your week, friend.