Because this made me Smile

Amen brotha,

Aim

Friday, Friday...it's the Friday before Christmas!!!

Oooh the smell of Christmas is in the air! How are all of you doing with your shopping and wrapping and tree decorating? Last night I was up way past my usual bedtime wrapping gifts as the little one and his Dad were snoring away ;). Such fun!

This weekend is a full one for us. I'm looking forward to spending too much time with family (is there even such a thing?), to celebrating my Mom's birthday, for Christmas Sunday service and our annual family get together on my Dad's side. It's jam-packed with all of the best things this weekend! I love it. And Mr. Chubs here is going along for the ride!

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." 

Luke 1:76-79

Can you imagine the greatness of this blessing that was given to John the Baptist? He was born to Mary's cousin Elizabeth shortly before Jesus' birth. I was reading this passage today and my heart was reminded, yet again, that this is our true gift this Christmas...to go and share Jesus with this hurting world. Seems especially poignant now, as we remember the horrific events in Newtown a week ago today, God rest their precious souls.

I hope you have a rich Christmas weekend full of everything good in this world. Remember for Whom we are living and to Whom we serve. God Bless you!

Aim

December 4th

"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

In my devotional this morning, I was reminded again that God's mindset on everything is so much greater than my own. And, if I am plugged in to Him, then my perspective on everything changes. Take a moment to read the below and be encouraged to take that time to spend with our great God daily...it's so important!

"As you spend time in My Presence, My thoughts gradually form in your mind. My Spirit is the Director of this process. Sometimes He brings bible verses to mind. Sometimes He enables you to hear Me "speak" directly to you. These communications strengthen you and prepare you for whatever is before you on your life path. Take time to listen to My voice. Through your sacrifice of precious time, I bless you far more than you dare to ask."

Have a God day all~

Aim

*taken from the devotional Jesus Calling

Decades Gone

I am going to be 33 this year and I was thinking the other day just how rad my 30s have been. I know I'm only a couple of steps into the decade, but I really do feel like it's going to be the best decade of my life...so far at least :).

In my 20s I was lost. Looking back now I realize just how chaotic I was back then. Mostly on the inside because a perfectionist like me would never *gasp let anyone know on the outside! I graduated college, had no idea whatsoever what I was doing with my life, didn't have a plan, was struggling with an eating disorder that had blown out of control but was a "secret" to everyone...I was depressed but fighting acknowledging any of it.

Man, I look back on those days and I think now-why didn't you just ask for help...tell someone what was going on...try and do things that scared me?!? I wouldn't change what I went through, because it brought me closer to God and to a deeper understanding of his unending grace, BUT I would have changed the process for myself some. Had I done some things differently I really think I might have enjoyed my 20s a little more.

So here I am at 30dom and God has given me another shot-at loving, giving, being and just LIVING. I am thankful for it all-my husband, my son, our family, our life. This month is Thanksgiving and I'd like to challenge you to be grateful. I'm thinking of something every day in November that I'm thankful for and wouldn't you know that just thinking something somehow makes your entire perspective change for that day? It's pretty darn awesome :)

God Bless You. Seriously. I hope He blesses the socks off of you and that you LET HIM do it. Oh, and that Louise May Alcott quote above? I'd like to add to it-I'm not afraid of storms now because I really do trust in a great and awesome God who has promised me perfect peace if I abide in Him. Pretty awesome right? Yea, God's that kind of "pretty awesome" all the time.

Happy November all. Now go forth and be thankful!

Aim

Prayers for the East Coast

Last night we went to bed waiting for news that Sandy had landed on the East Coast. This morning I woke up to the news that she had, indeed, landed and that she had left a devastating path of destruction behind her. 

28 have already been confirmed dead. The President has declared disaster in New York. These images from MSNBC are from Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey and Maryland.

Join me in praying for the East Coast today.

Aim

God Is

"And the God of grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 5:10-11

Life has gone on amidst us waiting for the birth of our son and this week, some hard news from various sources in our inner circle. My heart aches for the loss experienced by close friends, as well as one of my youth. It is difficult to think of the joy that awaits Blane and I shortly when those whom we care about are suffering so. I'm sorry that I can't go into more detail, but would you take a moment anyway and pray for these who are hurting? God knows and He will hear your prayer.

God, You are sovereign in all things. I trust in that promise today.

Aim

*Photo from here

Honey Boo Boo

 On Sunday, Pat was on fire as the High School Sunday School teacher. He even referenced Honey Boo Boo from the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras! The guy was unstoppable! Hahaha

Here are Pat and Blane encouraging one group to recite their memory verse-2 Timothy 3:16-17. Pat talked about the importance of knowing God's word and really hiding it in your heart-and your mind! It was a fun hour and at the end of it all, most of us had at least some portion of the verse engrained in our minds :)

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

I <3 my High Schoolers!

Aim

A Crepe and A Blessing

Sometimes blessings come from the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times.

Last week, Quid and I went to brunch at a crepe place close by. I had seen La Petite Creperie on Yelp and was curious to try it out. 

The place itself is really cute-very French, on the smallish side, but quaint in a good way. The menu is actually quite large, but since we were at a creperie, we decided to go with crepes! Duh haha.

We decided on one savory crepe (chicken and mushrooms with some kind of cream sauce on a whole wheat crepe) and one sweet crepe (a lemon citron). They were both really yummy!

As we sat and ate and chatted, one of the workers walked up to our table and told us that "the lady who just left took care of your bill." WHAT?!? We were shocked. The crazy thing is that this "lady" that he was referring to was this woman whom both of us had noticed because she had a huge colorful tattoo on her leg and she was kind of gruff-looking. Definitely not someone whom we would've thought would have been so kind and gracious like that.

It was a reminder to us not to judge a book-or a person-by their cover. This gruff-looking, tattooed up woman certainly blessed our socks off, and for no reason either-she doesn't even know us!

I'm totally wanting to pay it forward now~simply because to be the recipient of something like this is so special. And besides, it's something Jesus would do-treat others as you would want to be treated :)

Merci!

Aimee

Five Simple Words

I've been reading Ephesians lately because that's the book we are going to be taking the youth through this school year. My oh my is there such goodness in this book! Today I was struck again by the simple conviction of the Holy Spirit. Read on with me~

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Ephesians 4:7-16

These verses are so powerful and so rich. There is so much about unity in the body of Christ and how important it is. "So that the body of Christ may be built up...until we all reach unity in the faith...from Him the whole body, joined and held together..."

I've been in the church my entire life and sadly, I have seen many times where this unity in the body of Christ has not been the case. It doesn't just happen in church, but also at camps, in retreat planning, etc. etc. especially when you are in a leadership role.

This is why it is so important for us to be in God's word daily, to leave our messes-our ideas, thoughts on how things should be or shouldn't be, etc.-and to pick up God's cross and carry it with humility and grace into whatever situation.

"Speaking the truth in love"

And what happens when we are hurt or feel like something needs to be exposed or just that someone is acting foolishly or selfishly?!? Here it is, in all God's wisdom-simply, to "speak the truth in love." Are you shocked that it doesn't say, "go talk to your friend about how annoyed you are about it?" or "laugh about it behind that person's back or be secretly disgusted at that person for some reason?" I think this is one of the most difficult things to do...and it's only five words long! Hah. 

I'm trying. To keep the unity, to put aside my own feelings for the sake of Christ's gospel and peace, to speak the truth in love on a daily basis so that things aren't fake but are real and growing in every relationship that I have.

Let's not be infants people! It's just so not worth it ;D

Aim

Leave

Soon I will be going on Maternity leave. I am looking forward to it-to having the time to adjust to having this new little guy in our lives and to have a break from regular responsibilities so I can focus on just that.

I will miss my youth though. I mean, I know that I will see most of them and probably talk to a lot of them while I'm gone, but I will miss this...

This is a picture from a praise night that we had at church last Saturday night. I love seeing my youth worship. I love even more when they take the initiative to lead that time for themselves as well as others. 

"Sing to the Lord a new song, Sing to the Lord!"

We have so much to praise Him for. 

Have you gotten your worship on today? ;)

Aim

Risen with Christ

This past weekend I was able to witness one of the biggest blessings of all this summer. Eight of "my" youth and two of the adults at our church were baptized at the beach and oh what a wonderful celebration it was!

"But you who were dead in your transgressions are now alive in Christ!"

Ephesians 2

Despite it being the busiest beach day of the year (parking was a beast, the main lot was closed several times, it took many people at least an hour to find a spot!) we forged ahead and did not let that stop us from celebrating God's gift of life in each of these young hearts.

 All the baptisms peeps with some of their family members~Sydney, Kurt, Max, Rebekah, Ryo, Katsuya, Jenna, Kathy, Kevin and Kurt.

I love my church family. I love that God is working even more :) 

Our God IS able!

Aim

Scenes from Camp

As I've mentioned before, our church is away at our annual Family Camp this week up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I miss it so!

Here are some scenes from the week so far that my kiddos and staff have sent me. Oh the power of technology these days :)

Join me in praying God's covering and releasing of His power over this camp this week!

Aim

God's People

I don't know about you, but whenever I encounter a homeless person I most often hesitate. Do I give them money? Do I ignore them? Do I try and say hi? I struggle because I've read time and time again in the Bible how Jesus always sought out the beggars, desolate and lowly ones yet I don't know always how to emulate that myself.

Yesterday I was entering TJMaxx and a homeless lady was sitting on the curb leading up to the store. She asked if I had anything to give her and when I said "no" she said, "God Bless you." I went inside the store and did my thing. On the way out I was pushing a cart with an ottoman in it when suddenly the wheels locked and I couldn't push it anymore. That same homeless lady observed what was going on and before I knew it, she had come over with another cart that wasn't locked and she handed it to me so that I could transfer my stuff into it and get to my car. It was a sweet gesture from anyone, much less a homeless lady who looked like she hadn't had a shower in weeks. I was touched by her kindness. I ended up giving her a Panera gift card that I had in my purse (there was one next to TJMaxx) so that she could have lunch there and then I told her back, "God Bless You."

This lady was a touch from heaven for me today. After she handed me that cart, I looked at her and saw a person whom God had created and whom He greatly loved. So often it's hard for me to connect what I know (God loves them) vs. what I feel (skeptical over how they might spend the money I give them, disgust at the filth, etc.)

I know I'm not perfect, but I'm working on being more Christ-like in every interaction that God gives me. "What you do for the least of these, you do for Me."

God Bless You today!

Aim

Two Hearts

Late last night a gunman opened fire in a movie theatre in Colorado, killing 12 and injuring upwards of 50 people. Such a senseless act that took precious lives.

Last night at VBS, 18 kids accepted Jesus into their hearts. Amazing. 

I'm certain that God's heart was both breaking and rejoicing at the same time.

"For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:17

In God we trust,

Aim

Summer Sky

Weird summer evening tonight-currently it's raining outside, but it's not cold and just awhile ago there was a massive peal of thunder. Just as it got dark at VBS tonight, the sky turned this incredible shade of reds, oranges and yellows. It was magnificent and beautiful and just totally rad :).

God certainly went overboard tonight!

*Thanks Syd, for the awesome pic!

Aim

Stronger

A little while back Meliss gave me a CD with some of the more current worship songs so that I could play it in my car. (I'm terrible at music stuff and all my CDs in there were at least 8+ years old). So for the past couple weeks I've been listening to it on repeat, singing along with it at the top of my lungs when I'm by myself in the car. Haha

One of the songs is called "Stronger" (I think, haha. I'm also terrible at knowing song titles so bear with me here) and the chorus goes like this:

"You are stronger, You are stronger

Sin is broken, You have saved me.

It is written, Christ is risen

Jesus, You, are Lord of all."

Every time I sing these stanzas I'm hit with the truth that God has given me new life, that He has broken me free from the chains of sin and that He defeated death and sits at the right hand of God in heaven where I will join Him one day. Sometimes, in this crazy world and amidst all the busyness of life, I need to be reminded of this simple truth: Yes, I am worth it. And yes, this is what I am living for!

Thank you Jesus. Help me to live in your simple truth each day!

Hosana,

Aim

P.S. Thanks Meliss for the CD. It really has been a source of encouragement and worship for me this month. I needed that <3

Lunch

I've been having conversations recently with a few people about the importance of relying on God vs. relying on other people. I think sometimes God brings us to a place of solitude or strips away that which we know in order to refine us into being a better faith person for Him.

I'm a firm believer in practicing what you preach so last Friday I took some time to just be by myself and to spend some time alone and in conversation with God too. At first it was kinda strange because although I like to be by myself sometimes, Friday wasn't one of those days. I found myself missing Blane or my sister and the desire to reach for my phone and text was stronger than I thought it would be. 

In the end, I ended up walking around downtown Culver City and grabbing lunch from this place called, ironically, "Lunch." I got it to go and then sat in my car in the shade and ate. I found myself thinking about different things and praying for different people who popped into my head. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but it was a good time for me to just "hang" with the homeboy Jesus. :)

My lunch from Lunch, haha. I had a Chicken Sandwich with Parmesan on baguette and a side of Turkey Chili. They also make their own lemonade and orange juice and their pastries looked good too!

Have you taken the time to hear God lately? I encourage you to go on a date with Jesus sometime. Hey-take Him out for lunch! ;)

"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

Psalm 119:17

Aim

Good Friday

Taken from Hello, Friend. 

February

It's finally February and I think a fitting time to resurrect the blog. My apologies for my lack of January posts. I always get depressed in January because I have to put my Christmas decorations away and all the hustle and bustle of holiday and birthdays and family and fun gatherings is over. Sad face!

New years call for new beginnings. My ever lovely sister's blog got a facelift! That girl is so talented and totally just trains herself. I am in awe all the time. Go check it out-she's amazing. J's blog

Amidst all of life, you know that God's presence never changes? So reassuring after a month like January.

Blessed be Your Name in the land that is plentiful,

where the streams of abundance flow,

Blessed be Your Name.

Blessed be Your Name when I'm found in the desert place,

though I walk through the wilderness,

Blessed be Your Name.

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise,

when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say,

Blessed be the Name of the Lord,

Blessed be Your Name.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord,

Blessed be Your glorious Name.

Blessed be Your Name when the sun's shining down on me, 

when the world's all as it should be, 

Blessed be Your Name.

Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering,

though there's pain in the offering,

Blessed be Your Name.

You give and take away,

You give and take away,

my heart will choose to say,

Lord, blessed be Your Name.

Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love~

Aim

We interrupt this broadcast to...

Yesterday I sent my kiddies (funny that I still call them that even though they are well into college now :) this verse to encourage them as they finish up school before Thanksgiving~

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever."
Psalm 107:1

Regardless of whether life is good, bad, ugly, hurtful, joyous or wonderful, we can still give thanks because we have a God whose love has withstood the test of time, conquered death, changed lives and is still doing so today, regardless of the situation at hand. Trust in God's providence today and remember to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aim