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Park Avenue Birth Announcement

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World View Wednesday ~ Belize!

I guess you could say I have a heart for missions. Seeing God at work all across the globe gets me excited!! So I wanted to feature different missions/people on my blog that have been an inspiration to me. 

In August of 2008, Eddie & I had the privilege of flying to Belize, along with some church friends, to work with Nancy Marshall and The Deaf Ministry. It was an unforgettable experience! I don't know of many people who have more of a servant's heart and an untiring love for people than this woman of God! As a deaf person who had hearing at one point, Nancy is perfectly equipped to reach out to and mentor the many deaf children & youth in the surrounding areas. She helps teach the deaf in a nearby school, as well as leads the services at Jesus' Deaf Church.

   

Nancy has learned to depend on God for so many things and He has always been faithful to her! Her blog http://www.jesus-deafchurch.blogspot.com/ is full of inspiring stories and records the adventure of faith she is on with the church there. I would post more pictures of our trip, but they're all outdated by now so I guess you'll need to visit her blog instead!

Nancy, you are an inspiration to me in your commitment to the work God has called you to! It's beautiful to see God building the Deaf church in Belize. Never give up and you will reap an abundant harvest!

Thrifty Thursday ~ Fun Fall Craft

One of the benefits of being a SAH mom is having a little extra time to do fun crafty projects! [Well, that does depend on whether baby is happy or not, but naps are a perfect time to fit these in (=] The other week I was inspired to decorate for fall and came up with a simple garland that cost me $0!!! And it's ridiculously easy to make, which is important for this not-so-detailed girl!

You need some autumn-colored cardstock, patterned paper and white paper, along with ribbon [or twine, which I used] and clothespins. I got the pumpkins at Michael's last year. You could buy them using the 40% off coupons they offer every few weeks.

Cut your solid-colored cardstock to the finished size and then glue a slightly smaller piece of the patterned paper onto it. I added an even smaller piece of white paper and wrote my letter onto this. If you don't like writing, you could use a stencil or sticker instead. All you need to do now is hang your ribbon/twine, pin on the letters and attach the pumpkins!

This would also work great on a mantle and could be made to any size you choose!

Now I'd love to hear about your fall decoration inspiration!

Thrifty Thursday

I occasionally find myself in the mood to leisurely browse through a thrift store and look for "treasures"! Even though I've had the urge to do that lately, it just hadn't happened. It always seemed that by the time I'd get there, Hadassah would be DONE with shopping & the car seat. And a relaxing trip becomes quite exhausting with a screaming baby! So when my mom came down to see us last weekend, I knew it was the perfect time to do some thrifting! [She was more than happy to baby sit!]

We stopped at Goodwill and what did I find but a cheese cloche!!! Oh happy day. I'd been wanting one, but didn't want to spend for it, and this one only cost me.....$1.95!!!! I'm not kidding. That's what I call a BARGAIN! (; So here it is, with some fall pumpkins I spray-painted as the decor.

In all its glory on my table!

I bought another item there that I am hoping to makeover sometime very soon, so check back for details! Enjoy your day!!

Friday Fashion

If you know me well at all, you know I am obsessed with love clothes and fashion! Hence, this blog is a perfect outlet for my "fashion passion"! This time of year, we start putting away the flip flops, (which makes some people really resentful) and dig out our shoes and boots. There is a style that perfectly combines the two, which I must have adore!! The bootine is available at lots of different stores, but Payless has one that I love.


Isn't it gorgeous?! Even better..it's on SALE right now. Ahhh I want one!!!

So tell me what your favorite shoe/boot is! I'm all ears (=

Monday Musings - When God Ran

The story of the prodigal son has always touched me in a deep way, especially since it reveals the incredible heart of love our Father has for His children. I have always struggled to really believe this in my heart, even though I know it to be true in my head. But it's especially hard to accept when I've sinned or just feel distant from God. The song "When God Ran", by Phillips, Craig & Dean, has long been a favorite of mine. It captures the essence of this story beautifully and blesses me every time I hear it, so I wanted to share it with you! No matter where you are today, your Father knows and He loves you. Run into His arms!

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run


CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran


The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run


And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me


BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2WhRD9TZ-U&feature=related

Baby News!!!

We are the proud parents of a little girl ~ Hadassah Jo!! She was born on her due date and weighed 6 lbs and 12 oz.

She stole her daddy's heart from the moment she was born! He can hardly wait to get home to see "his two girls". [Yes, I have competition!] Almost everyone says she looks like her papa. What do you think?

I love being a mommy!! But  it still doesn't seem real that this precious baby is my daughter!!! Except, of course, when she wakes me up in the middle of the night. Then there's not much of a question! ha It's a challenging stage - this newborn phase - but I'm trying to soak up every moment because I know it won't last long. I love her tiny fingers and toes, the little grunts she makes when she's sleeping and the rare smiles we get.

This gift of life ~ it's a miracle! She makes us a family and completes us in a way I couldn't imagine. We love you, Hadassah!!