The Rock and Worship Road Show Portland

ADMISSION IS ONLY $10 AT THE DOOR! NO TICKETS REQUIRED!

The Rock and Worship Road Show is coming BACK to Portland, March 2, 2012 at 

The Rose Garden Arena

Featuring: MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North, Lecrae, Disciple, Hawk Nelson, Sidewalk Prophets, The Rend Collective Experiment and a special message from Bart Millard ( lead singer MercyMe ) 

 

 

(I can't wait, I got to see some of these bands at a benefit concert I went to in Joplin, MO)

Leap Day

It's

 

What did you do with your extra day?

Today I figured I better take advantage of the day and get stuff done. Here is what I got done today and it's only 4:30pm!!!

I was up by 7:30am, got ready to go to the gym, got little red up, out the door by 8:30am, dropped her off at daycare, went to the gym, came home and was showered and ready to go again by 10:30. Headset was broken, so I headed over to Target to exchange it, but first made a quick stop to pay rent, and ask for touch paint for my walls. Tried to quickly make it through Target, but had 3 phone calls while I was in there! Got home about 35 minutes later, put away the few things I picked up, called my love, no answer :(  switched the laundry out ( I have done 7 loads today), cleaned the bathroom including scrubbing the tub, and moping the floors, swept and moped the rest of the house, wiped down the walls in a few places, took a break to each lunch, then back to patching holes in the walls from the stuff I took down above my bed this morning. Rehung the stuff that was above my bed to other walls in the house, hung up some new stuff I bought, dusted, painted the walls where I filled the holes, washed all the bedding, and hung up new curtains in my room, spray painted some letters that are going to go above my bed, unloaded the dishwasher, made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, checked facebook, and read the feature that my love just had done about his car. I sat down to post this, and now I still have to fold laundry and put it away, make the bed, do today's bible study, make dinner, and then help my love with his homework later tonight. 

I think I used this extra day wisely :)

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 13

1 Corinthians 1:20-21

20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

 

KNOWLEDGE V. WISDOM

The education of our children can be an all-consuming passion. We struggle to get them into the right schools, starting with preschool and continuing through graduate school. But we must keep in mind that a great education does not guarantee success in God's eyes. Many of today's schools, particularly colleges, consider the message of the cross "foolish". To them it is a sign of weakness, disgrace, and low standing. As parents, we must counter that message with the truth that the world's wisdom does not save. The greatest secular education misses the point only the cross can save.

Wisdom is available when we seek God. When we concentrate our efforts on teaching our children the value of an eternal perspective, we can worry a little less about the world's view of where wisdom can be found.

IHOP Free Pancakes

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 12

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

 

POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

Parenting is a tough job, but we have the ultimate Helper to guide us. When we became believers, we were filled with the source of parenting wisdom, the Holy Spirit. When confronted with difficult decisions about choices, consequences, or empathy, a mature Christian knows that turning to the Spirit who is from God, rather than the spirit of the world yields the kind of response that would be impossible under his own power. When we turn to the Holy Spirit before we turn to our children, we can speak with the wisdom of God, rather than mere human wisdom.

There are no parenting guides more valuable than the Holy Spirit and prayer.

 

 

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 11

Romans 15:5-6

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

POWER FROM PRAYER

Parenting is a team sport. When you and your spouse are of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, you can make the kind of parenting decisions that are best for everyone in the family. These verses are a helpful prayer for parents. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, the result will be appropriate choices, great consequences, and the empathy necessary to deliver both. By praying and seeking God's will together, you and your spouse (or friends) can with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Each spouse can learn something from the other. Single parents can learn from friends who are parents. When you talk about difficult parenting situations and pray together for guidance, you glorify God. 

Decorating on the go

The other day I got the great idea I wanted to change the colors of my room. I have some decor around the house that I kept looking at thinking that would be cute in my room, so I am changing the browns in my room to grays. With needing to make sure all the colors go together I went to the hardware store and picked out lots of paint swatches brought them home and matched them to the items that I have. I then hole punched them and stuck them on a key ring. This way here they can live in my purse and when I am out shopping and see something that I like I can pull them out and check the colors so see if it will match.

 

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 10

Romans 15:4

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

POWER FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Paul highlights one of the sources of the spiritual power we need, the Word of God. Tapping into this power enables us to be the kind of parents God designed us to be. We can try so hard to be empathetic or understanding and yet find ourselves frustrated and discouraged. That is when we need to spend some quiet time with God and His book, praying and looking for the direction only He can provide.

Bible study has many values, but this verse promises that the Scriptures will encourage us. Haven't you found that to be true in your life? Studying the Bible through the lens of parenting can sustain you through those trying parenting moments.

Disciplined Bible study will prepare you for the parenting challenges ahead. Stay prepared!

I love being a mom

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 9

Luke 5:15-16

15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

 

JUST SAY "NO"

Parenting puts tremendous demands on our time and energy. These demands can start before our kids get up in the morning and last long after they've fallen asleep. In addition we often find ourselves meeting the needs of others in our family, people at work, and friends.

Jesus knows the extent of your weariness. Many people besieged Him when they discovered He could heal the sick and perform miracles. There was no end to the ingenious ways they devised just to touch Him or get His attention (see Luke 5:18-19). He recognized the huge demand for His time.

But, Jesus also knew the only way He could deal with the demand for His time was to spend time alone with His Father to rest, pray, and recharge His batteries. It wasn't selfish; it was the most loving thing He could do for His children. It gave Him the energy and strength to deal with their many issues.

Sometimes saying "no" to your kids so you can spend quality time with your Heavenly Father is the most loving thing you can do.

 

Fashion Friday

 Two outfits same boots

Hollister Co embroidered logo shirt
$19 - hollisterco.com

Sleeveless tank
$12 - topshop.com

Hollister Co. embroidered jeans
$35 - hollisterco.com

UGG® Australia Women's Bailey Button Triplet Boots
$220 - bootbarn.com

Balenciaga handbag
$1,895 - barneys.com

Purple cocktail ring
$20 - eternalsparkles.com

Jon Richard purple crystal jewelry
£12 - debenhams.com

White gold earrings
$755 - macys.com

Diane von Fürstenberg purple shawl
£121 - matchesfashion.com

Hollister Co embroidery shirt
$16 - hollisterco.com

Vince heather shirt
$65 - stylebop.com

Hollister Co. embroidery jeans
$35 - hollisterco.com

UGG Australia sheep shoes
$365 - coggles.com

Volcom faux leather bag
$40 - tillys.com

Twist jewelry
£65 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Tiffany Co sterling silver heart jewelry
$125 - tiffany.com

UGG Australia cable hat
£100 - vanmildert.com

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 8

Acts 6:2-3

2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

 

CREATING "MARGIN" IN OUR LIVES

In the early church, it was quickly becoming impossible for the apostles to do everything that was expected of them. They were overwhelmed by the many requests for their service. Recognizing they were being stretched beyond the limit, they delegated some of their responsibilities to Godly men able to handle those demands. They chose Stephen and others to perform day-to-day service, so they could create the "margin" needed in their lives to devote "to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).

How often do you forsake prayer and ministry to attend to the demands of others? Is there an opportunity to delegate?

Forsaking time with God, even when you spend that time on family, can leave you empty and ineffective. Take care of your spiritual health so you will be strong when difficult times come.

 

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 7

Exodus 18:17-18

17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.

 

LEARNING TO SAY "NO"

Moses was going to work every day as the sole judge over all the tribes of Israel. The number of people demanding his time was so great he worked from dawn until dusk without making a dent in the workload. His father-in-law, Jethro, saw this and immediately recognized a man who could not say "no" to requests for his time. He suggested Moses focus on only two things — representing the people before God, and handling the most difficult of the disputes. The rest of the work could be delegated to capable men he appointed. Moses listened, delegated, and found himself doing far more than he had ever done before, but in much less time. If this advice worked for Moses, will it not also work for us?

Appropriate boundaries are important for everyone in the family. As the parent, you have the responsibility to set limits for your children and for yourself.

 

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 6

Romans 8:38-39

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

HOPE IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST

The greatest gift you can give your kids is not the newest and best the world has to offer. It is the love of God through Jesus Christ. That is the gift that enables them to resist the creation's lures and live in the love of the Creator. Your kids are going to be bombarded with messages from the world, and those promises are extraordinarily difficult to resist. In fact, they are impossible to resist without the indwelling Spirit. Introduce your kids to the gift that keeps on giving — grace.

Do you pursue God with the same fervor with which you pursue the things of the world? Your kids are watching

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 5

Romans 8:24-25

24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it.25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

HOPE IN THE UNSEEN

As Christians, we know how the story is going to end. Yet, the hope into which we have been saved is unseen. What we can see is the world and its demands. We must keep our minds focused on the unseen, or the pressure to live for today's culture will swallow us up. The world demands our attention all the time, from every direction. The ever-present media (TV, magazines, newspapers, internet) distracts us from the unseen and lures us with the false hope of instant gratification. Fortunately, God provides a defense: "the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you" (Rom 8:11).

Demonstrate an eternal perspective for your kids. Talk about the messages the culture is sending and contrast them with the hope we have as followers of Christ. 

Playhouse

 

I think Raegan needs this :) 

You can check out more cool playhouse at danielswoodland.com

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 4

Ephesians 4:15

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

EMPATHY

"Our love grows soft if it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth grows hard if it is not softened by love." -- John Stott.

The essence of empathy is balancing truth and love. A rescuing parent leans heavily on love, but shies away from truth. A dictating parent leans heavily on truth, but mixes in little love. A counselor parent is able to express his love for the child no matter what they say or do, yet is strong enough to deliver appropriate consequences and to allow his child to struggle so that real learning takes place. It is a difficult balance, and our anxiety or anger often reveals where we fall on the continuum between rescuer and dictator. Is your love too soft, or your truth too hard?

Striking a balance between truth and love models our heavenly Father's relationship with us.

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 3

James 1:19-20

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK

When you are faced with disrespectful, disobedient, or rebellious behavior, it is natural to get angry. Unfortunately the natural response is least likely to uncover the heart issues that lie underneath the child's bad behavior. This is because the "anger of man" distracts us from a pursuit of righteousness. The anger of a parent confronted with a child's poor choice shifts the focus from the child's bad behavior to the parent's angry response.

These verses tell us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listening carefully, speaking little, and helping your child explore the motives behind his behavior can lead to the sort of insight that points the child toward the righteousness of God. Replace anger with empathy, and see what happens.

Responding to disobedience with empathy rather than anger is difficult, but the reward is great.

Defining Success for Your Child

Like most parents, I parent with a goal – I want my child to be “successful”. More than likely, you do the same. What I failed to consider is that “success” can be measured by two totally different standards.

Raising kids in our culture highlights the problem. We are bombarded by messages from the world’s perspective and it’s hard not to get caught up in worshiping the creation instead of the Creator.
In the world’s eyes, success revolves around finding a good job, advancing in a career, finding an attractive spouse, having good-looking kids, and being recognized for achievement.

Unfortunately, though, most people define a “good” job as one that pays a lot of money. Career development involves an increase in power and authority. An attractive spouse and kids means a substantial investment in clothes, makeup, health clubs, and for some, even surgery. And, recognition becomes a search for fame.

When you boil it down, the world defines success by money, power, beauty, and fame!
God’s definition of success is so much different. Success in God’s eyes is defined in Matthew 20:26-28: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”

There’s a huge difference between the world’s definition of success and God’s. Tim Kimmel sums it up well when he defines “true greatness” as a passionate love for God that demonstrates itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others.

In the end, we need to trust God for the plan He has for our kids. God’s perspective is so much greater than ours… and He has little concern for the things the world cherishes.

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 2

Romans 5:3-5

 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

DISCIPLINE, CHARACTER, and HOPE

When our children suffer, whether from their own bad choices or those of someone else, we want so badly to rescue them from the pain or to tell them how to avoid finding themselves in that predicament again. But, God has another plan — to perfect them through their trials. Character-building lessons are rarely learned from the triumphs of life. Rather, it is the trials in our lives that teach us how to persevere despite the pain. Taking trials away from our kids deprives them of the chance to grow, build character, and learn to hope in God.

The best character-building lessons are learned from trials. Don't inhibit your child's growth by rescuing them from or taking over difficult situations.

48 days in

We are only 48 days in to 2012 and so much has happened. I came back from sunny SoCal on January 1st from a good vacation with the family. Disneyland was fun, but not really Raegan's cup of tea. I think she would enjoy Sea-world, or the LA Zoo better. One of these days in the near future I will get to take her there.

January was a struggle, still looking for a job (crossing my fingers I get the job I interviewed for at Providence. Should know something in a few days. I hope!), and trying to figure out school. How the heck is one to get by with a job, or student loans. Thankfully God never let me down and he provided so Raegan and I could make it through the month. You just have to cut out all the fun events, and stick to the birthday parties, spending time a church, an d going to a wedding.


Friends of mine that I play soccer with every week invited Raegan and I to their son's birthday party a few weeks back. Raegan had a blast playing the kids, riding the 4 wheeler, and I enjoyed holding their new baby girl.

Yes I do get baby fever from time to time, but no I'm not having any more. I will borrow other peoples and then give them back. So if any one is ever looking for a sitter let me know I can always use a baby fix. 

I have been spending a lot of time at church. I am so blessed to have found such a great church. The pastors at church have such powerful messages, the church is filled with great leaders and mentors. Being at Living Hope Church as help me grow leaps and bounds in this last year. I went on my first mission trip to Joplin last July, I came back and became the only female on the church's security team, and I have also been a table leader for the Thursday night bible study Serious Coffee. You can say I have become a church junkie, and was even called a Jesus freak by a friend of mine last week. Both of those things are not a bad thing. God has been good to me, and the least I can do is give back to him by volunteering at church, and learning more about him. I feel like I can never get enough of him. It also makes me feel good that Raegan asks to go to church and loves being there as well. She makes friends with everyone. Her personality and smile touches all of those who see her.

What else... Well I am super excited my good friend got married the last weekend in January. I am so glad that I was able to be there for their special day. Her and I met a few years back while going through a divorce recovery program that was offered though my old church. We took our unfortunate circumstances as a blessing of long lasting friendship. We have both had our fair share of ups and downs over the last few years, but God has provided for both of us, and the future shall be bright.

 143 ~~~~>

On to February, well not much changed from January. Raegan and I did make a trip up to Seattle for Super Bowl Sunday to visit some friends and see their new baby (who is super cute). I took a bunch of baby clothes up to her, glad that Raegan's old baby clothes could go to a good home. Again I am blessed, Raegan did great in the car on the way up and back. It's a lot of driving for a 3 year old in one day. Guess all the traveling we have done in the past has paid off!  

Valentines Day was a good one this year. My love sent me a package which Raegan and I went to the mailbox to get. She was excited we got a package and when we got home and opened it. This is what was in it:

 

Pink Toms, which I love. As I pulled them out of the box Raegan had a big smile on her face and said "Ooooo new shoes for me". I quickly said "No those are mine". She then took them and tried them on thinking I was crazy for telling her they were mine. I told her that the shoes were a Valentines day present, and that I would try to find her a pair of her own. I have worn them a few times this week and each time not only do I get compliments on them from everyone, but Raegan asks me when she can have pretty shoes like mom. So today while out at Ross I happen to find these: 

Raegan doesn't know that they aren't Toms and they were only $7.99. Yay me!!! I found shoes like mine, and I didn't have to pay the price. Though my Toms are worth every penny my wonderful boyfriend spent :) Mommy and little red and excited to rock our shoes out on the town together.

The adventures of Red and Little Red will continue on one day at a time, and I love everyday I have Little Red. She is a great joy in my life.

Fashion Friday

Michael Stars dolman sleeve sweater
$90 - stylebop.com

Maison Martin Margiela grey coat
$959 - barneys.com

Genetic Denim flare leg jeans
$79 - barneys.com

Oasis leather ballet flat
$65 - oasis-stores.com

Lucite earrings
$63 - alexisbittar.com

Salvatore Ferragamo floral scarve
£150 - theoutnet.com

Kew 159 cotton shirt
£40 - johnlewis.com

Donna Karan buckle jacket
£590 - net-a-porter.com

Skinny jeans
£15 - topshop.com

Michael Antonio high heels
$50 - dsw.com

Red Herring leather bag
£25 - debenhams.com

Holy Harlot dangle earrings
$95 - maxandchloe.com

Daily Devotional- Parenting

Day 1

Proverbs 3:12

For the LORD corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

DISCIPLINE AND LOVE

As hard as it is to deliver a consequence to a child for a bad choice, the alternative can often be even worse. When I am tempted to forego discipline, I have to ask myself, "What is the most loving thing I can do for my child?" In almost every case, the answer is to give the child the consequence he has earned, so he can learn the lesson God has designed for him.

A good consequence, delivered with empathy, demonstrates love and respect for your child's freedom to choose and his ability to learn from the consequence of a bad decision. The author of Hebrews says it well: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11). 

Daily Devotional

I am taking on a new challenge and not because I think I am a bad parent, because I want to be a better parent. Life is all about learning, if you stop learning life will end up stagnate. So to keep myself accountable in becoming a better parent I am going to share with everyone else.

The purpose of this devotional is to see what God's Word has to say about the parenting challenges every parent faces. Each day includes a passage of Scripture and an application of that passage to the trials and triumphs of leading families to maturity in Christ.

This is a 280 day challenge and I know I can do it! So daily at 7am I will post the days devotion.

Lifestyle Feature

Lifestyle Feature - Webb Starr from MKippen Photography on Vimeo.

Sometimes..

Fashion Friday

 Going out for Valentines day??? 

Here are a few ideas...

D G short cocktail dress
$465 - stylebop.com

Prom dress
£42 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Nina Ricci summer dress
€2.495 - montaignemarket.com

Quba short cocktail dress
$259 - frockaholics.com

Jane Norman silver sequin cocktail dress
€84 - janenorman.co.uk

Zimmermann bodycon dress
70 AUD - zimmermannstore.com

Hervé Léger black cocktail dress
$1,245 - stylebop.com

Black high heels
$33 - windsorstore.com

Rachel Zoe platform heels
$295 - neimanmarcus.com

ALDO high heels
$28 - aldoshoes.com

Vince Camuto high heels
$90 - heels.com

White House Black Market ruby earrings
$17 - whitehouseblackmarket.com

Pyramid ring
$80 - pyramidcollection.com

Custommade diamond necklace
custommade.com

Shift dress
£4.99 - dressrail.com

Qupid silver platform heels
$25 - amazon.com

Coach clutch
$58 - lordandtaylor.com

Rhinestone bangle
£15 - coast-stores.com

Ceramic necklace
€366 - luisaviaroma.com

O.P.I Shatter Nail Lacquer
$8.06 - asos.com