God is good all the time ~ Even when things don't quite turn out

source French Press Mornings.

You've heard it a million times, God is good.

But is God good when things don't quite turn out?

When the test results aren't what you hoped for? 

When the pregnancy test says "not pregnant" for what seems like the thousandth time.

When the man you love walks out the door not to return.

When the lights are out and there isn't a nickel to pay the bill....

Is God good then? 

Recently two very different situations have unfolded around me.

In one God answered the prayers of His children just as they so desired. 

We prayed a prayer of thanks and praise and wiped tears and smiled with our hearts.

We even uttered "God is good"... Because He is, and things turned out just right, in our eyes.

But then there is another situation where God didn't answer like we prayed. 

He didn't move in the way we sought and in the way on this side of heaven in our earthly perspective seemed so perfect and so right and just so darn logical. He didn't. He answered in a very different way. 

But you know what? 

God is still good. 

We are even still uttering, God is still good.

He still loves, He hasn't forsaken, and He is still bigger. 

As I grow and learn and seek Him one thing I am finding is that we don't see as He sees.

His perspective is so much grander, it is so much broader. 

Right now we rejoice in prayers answered and we say thanks for blessings and healing. 

But we also say thank you for prayers unanswered, even though it may be more difficult to utter those prayers, because we have this confidence that 

He promises us in Colossians 2:9

"God lives fully in Christ. And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, 

who is over every power and authority"

So that situation that didn't turn out well, He is over that. He is over you and me too. 

He promises He won't ever leave or forsake us. 

In a strange way there is also a small bit of excitement, the silver lining, so to speak, 

around the disappointment and frustration... and that is, God is up to something. 

And when God is up to something we better be ready to be blessed, and blown away, and amazed.

He does big things when we allow Him the room to move in our lives. 

It's going to be interesting to see how this all unfolds. 

So yes, God is still good, even when things don't quite turn out. 

He is for us, He desires what is best for us, even when we may not fully understand.
He works all things together for our good and He promises to give us what we need. 

Clinging to those promises, in the good and in the bad, in the things we may not understand

~ God is good ~

How is He moving in your life right now? 

Bringing a meal, more than just a yummy dish!

Hello there! 

Last night I posted a picture on Instagram and it generated lots of comments, questions, and a few texts. 

So I thought, this would be the perfect blog post with more information! 

What is this picture you ask? 

Ok, here it is! 

please pardon the cell phone picture, I was not planning on this becoming a blog post. 

Our sweet friends have a new addition to their nest so of course a meal was in order. 

Food is one of my love languages, I am convinced of this. 

Having my home full of the people I love, good food and drinks, well I am happy as a bird with a french fry. 

Going to a restaurant with some of my favorite people, well that too just makes my day! 

And the hubby and I are always scouting out the best steakhouses in any city we visit. 

So yes, food, drinks and lingering over conversation and laughter, makes my heart happy.

I also love, just love, making food and taking it to people. 

It has always been something I have really enjoyed....

Naturally because I can't do anything simply, I have to doll it up a bit. 

And since you asked, this is what I did this time. 

The menu was perfect for summer:

Chicken Salad with Grapes on Croissants fresh from the bakery

Summer Fruit Salad

and a Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Each dish was in a foil pan wrapped with foil.

I truly believe when you bring someone a meal, as nice as it is to give in a pretty dish you 

don't want to put them out by asking them to return your dish, unless it's one you're gifting them!

Since this was a busy momma I wanted to make a yummy meal and keep things as simple and did not want her to have to go to the trouble of returning anything!

Next I used rectangle doilies, these are the placemat size.

Doilies are a must in this house, every size and shape.

Use them for entertaining almost every time! 

The doilies were wrapped around the pans and secured with a tulle pink bow.

On top I used my computer to make the monogram tags with the dish listed below the monogram. 

There are also little pink baby carriages that were affixed to the middle of the bow I cut using my 

Die Cut Machine. 

This was super easy and looked so cute! 

It's so fun to brighten up the receivers day and love on friends. 

It is the unexpected that so many times speaks to the heart!

So there you go friends, you asked, I shared!

Now, go on out there and share the love.

Is there anyone in your world who could use a meal? 

It doesn't even have to be fancy.... 

A momma who worked a long day and could use 2 pizzas and some cokes delivered at 5:30? 

Maybe your neighboor who lives alone and may not cook full meals anymore for just one person.

If you look, I promise you will see, and you will be blessed beyond belief!

thank you note freebie ~ printable

What's better than a free printable?

A handwritten thank you note!

Just whipped this up for our latest summer party and thought you too might enjoy!

I am a lover of written words and thank you notes, well, they are a MUST in this home. 

Just save to you computer and print on cardstock. 

There are 3 to a page so they fit into a regular legal size 

envelope. How fun is that? 

Enjoy! and Happy Summer Friends!

Friday Faves ~ The Pearl Event

You've heard me say it a million times over, but I must say it again. It was amazing y'all. 

Today Sweet Sibi has a post dedicated to this event... and it brought me right back to this Friday in May.

Sibi is a talented writer and she pours her heart into her latest post about this day... about her Father, our Father and His heart for His women. See, Sibi and I we love women's ministry, we love seeing women come to know true healing in Him. Discovering who they truly are, a daughter of the Most High King.

Please go visit her today, read her post.... you will be so blessed. 

What Courage Looks Like

Happy weekend friends!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day!

To all the Daddies out there I wish you a happy and fun filled day with the people you love.

Fathers are truly such a HUGE blessing. 

So grateful for the man God has placed in my own children's lives as their father.

Y'all he is nothing short of amazing.

He is a living, breathing, gift from God to us.

God has used him and his example of what a true father looks like, in action,

to demonstrate for me some of what God does for me as my Heavenly Father.

This day can be terribly painful for so many... I have walked through that too.

As a parent and as a daughter. 

My hearts breaks for you if that is the season you are in... 

Please know you aren't alone. He is there. He has your right hand.

Maybe your daddy isn't on this side of heaven this year,

Maybe your sweet baby was called home,

Maybe your relationship with your own father is less than perfect, or non-existent.

Sweet friend He knows... He has all those tears and all those pieces. 

He wants to mend them. 

Claim the promise from Isaiah 66:9, they aren't just words on a page, they are a promise:

"In the same way I will not cause pain without something new

to be born" says the Lord. "If I cause you the pain 

I will not stop you from giving birth to your new nation"

Y'all just look at that promise. He knows we're going to have pain, 

but He promises to bring forth something great! My God is a God who is faithful to His word. 

I have lived it and seen it too many times to credit it to anything else. 

Today on this Fathers Day I am so grateful for my own heartache that taught me who

my true Father is... it is that heartache that set me on a journey to love. 

If you are just waiting for the calendar to turn another page and leave this painful day in the past

please know you are in my prayers. I've have my own share of difficult Fathers Days...

I can assure you, He has so much for you... and whatever it is He is bigger. His love is stronger.

Maybe, just maybe, like me you want to explore what is means to know Him

not just as your Savior but as your Father. 

The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand ~

These women are amazing. 

Cherish, Sibi, and ChaCha... they are too cute. Too cute for words.

Their hearts are huge and God is doing awesome things in and through these women. 

Their stories of grace, redemption, forgiveness and identity are precious. 

Their pieces have been made whole in His lavish grace, which is my hearts desire.

Seeing women made whole in Him. 

There are no words big enough for this event. No words.

I will try and wrap words around this event but know it is so much bigger, so much more special. 

The Pearl Event is such a special event for women and if you have been before you understand.

If you have not been before, pray about attending next year.

One thing I can say with certainty is this was God's show.
We all just sat back and watched Him show up.
He orchestrated every last detail and oh my stars did He blow us away.
He blew me away.
It truly is amazing when you sit back and give Him the space to move using you as a tool in His huge scheme what He is able to accomplish. It will never cease to amaze me and it always brings me to tears.



This precious girl front and center was our worship leader, together with her band they led us in worship...
preparing Him room to move and work and heal and love.
Her name is Michaela McLaird
She has a fabulous new CD out called The Morning Sun. Available through the link above via itunes.
Y'all she has such a unique yet powerful and rich voice.



Yours truly had Session 1
All I can say is that there was such healing in sharing my story. Which really isn't even my story, it is His story, His story of what He has done in my life and His faithfulness to me.



Session 2 was led by the lovely Cha Cha ~ of The Heartfelt Home.
God has moved in her life in such a big way.
Those of you who follow her blog know some of her story but getting to know her over that weekend...
really hearing her pour out her journey of being emptied and then filled by Him.
Such hope, such promise... and there is so much in store for this lady.
He is using her in big ways in her home church in ways she never saw for herself... But God.
Just look at what He is doing!



Session 3 was led by the precious Cherish Pinson of Southern Soulmates.
Y'all this girl is a doll! Love her to pieces.
She walks with grace, beauty and such courage.
Her story is one of heartache but it ends with such redemption in Him.
It is a true testimony of healing, grace deeper than the sea and love that covers all.
To hear her speak brought me to pieces. I was a wreck.... What He has done in her life is so powerful.
She was such an encouragement to me....  there are just no words! No Words.



Our Sweet Sibi wrapped up the day with Session 4 and our HeartWork.
Her blog can be found here. 
If you don't follow, do yourself a favor and become a Pearl Girl! You will be blessed.
Y'all hers is a path full of challenge... Things that were meant to destruct and harm and to ultimately keep her from her Savior, from an intimate relationship with her Father....But God, as Sibi always says, But God.
Sibi's "But God" is amazing, there is no other explanation that it's all Him.
She is true woman of faith, prayer warrior and daughter of the King.
She seeks Him with all her heart and mind and obeys Him even when it doesn't make sense...
She trusts whole heartedly and He uses her willing spirit for His glory and drawing women unto Him.
Sibi has been such a kind friend to me over the years and I am so grateful for her life.
I am so grateful that she says yes to God and and shares the pieces of her story offering hope when
the world is crashing down on us.... she walks her faith and lives her love of Him.
Thank you sweet girl for putting this all together. For saying yes to Him, for listening to Him speak in the midnight hour... for sacrificing, for loving, for every detail down to the last pearl.
and as Rachel always says, "You are loved"



The infamous pearls....


Sibi and her graphic designer did such a fabulous job on the programs. Gorgeous...



If you have been to a Pearl Event you have seen this video... It brings me to tears every time.



You know I love this one with Love Being a Nonny, she's so stinking cute!

at the end we got to love on these women and hug their necks and adorn them with pearls like the princesses they are... and it blessed me beyond words. Aren't they precious?



Wish I had a better shot of the room... so gorgeous. What a setting!



The Green Room for the Speakers and their Hubbies.
Spent a few quiet minutes in here with my sweet guy before the day started and he spoke truth over me that I will never forget. It's written on on the walls of my heart....



The Gardens at the Entrance, these roses are to die for.
My Sweet friend Cherish told me what they were... and now I forget... but I want them in my yard.

 I mean really, look at these babies! That is beauty. God has such an amazing creative side.



If you have never been to a Pearl Event, when Sibi holds one again you can be sure I will post it all over this blog to let y'all know!!! But go. This is something you can't miss. Grab your momma, sister, cousins and friends, load up that car and head on over. Sibi will welcome you with a big ole hug a squeal and a laugh.
You will be blessed beyond belief.

friday faves

right now i am working on a post that will attempt to capture the pearl event, the triple strand.

however, life is happening right now and i can't give that post the attention it truly deserves. 

this weekend sweet friends, it will get done. honestly, i can't wait to share! 

in the mean time i do have a few friday fave pictures i just have to share.

this is thursday night, sibi took us to chuy's

this was new to my hubby and we and wow! 

it was amazing. loved this spot.

we snapped a quick picture after dinner. 

cherish, myself, sibi and cha cha

amanda pilkinton was my ticket giveaway winner,

however, miss amanda went and had herself a baby right before the event! 

so she treated her sweet momma and sister to the tickets.

girls, these ladies are precious! aren't they cute?

miss amanda, i sure did miss meeting you but i do hope our paths cross soon! 

enjoy that sweet baby and congratulations on such a sweet blessing!

the pearls! what else can i say? ofcourse it is on friday faves, they are pearls

you can never ever have enough.

you dont even want to know how many pieces of jewelry i had on that day that were pearls.

i had a license to wear it all, and wear it all i did! 

loved every minute and i might start doing it more often!

the programs were gorgeous, sibi has such an eye for these things. love her style! 

and this just sums it up girls, lots of hugging and squeeling and this my friends is the lovely woman behind Love Being a Nonny, Do you follow her? if not click on the link, hop on over and subscribe. I have read her for a while and it was such a pleasure meeting her. If we lived closer we'd hang out! She is a doll! 

some of the sweet women getting ready to start the afternoon sessions

and pink peonies, there were many of them and i just adore them...

peonies and pearls, really? does it get any better?

girls there is just so so much i want to share, and share i will.

enjoy this little sneek peek and be sure to come back next week for more on the pearl event. 

lots of love

simple sentiments

you are enough

I have learned a lot about hospitality over the last few years.

Since getting married and hosting a myriad of holiday dinners,

 birthday parties, family BBQ’s and more!

I have learned exactly how much food to plan for 6 people or 50.

I have learned where to find the best prices on meat, flowers and invitations.

I have learned how to time it all just right so the food stays warm and the drinks cold.

As a new wife and mother, I admit, these were the things

 I thought were so important to having the perfect soirée. How foolish!

It was imperative that the napkins matched the plates and the flowers just the right hue.

Then it all changed.

Then I one day realized, it didn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter.

Yes all the trappings of a lovely party sure are wonderful for the eye.

There is a little shop in town that sells the latest Caspari’ products and I would be lying if I didn’t say I swoon over them every time I am in there or that I don’t buy them either!

I do, I love them.

Spoiling my friends and family in our home, well, that is my husband and I’s love language. 

We love, love, love, to have our home full of people we adore.

But what I came to realize is that there were times I would not host because the house wasn’t clean enough, or I didn’t have the time to make it all “just so”.

I came to realize the insanity of that mentality.

The people we were hosting loved us and enjoyed us just as much as we did them.

They weren’t coming to sample my latest pinterest appetizer 

or feast their eyes on the décor of the theme.

It was the connection we all wanted.

How often as women do we hesitate to extend our love, our hearts and our homes through hospitality because we feel we just aren’t going to measure up?

How many blessings have we denied ourselves because of that way of thinking?

How many blessings have we withheld from others?

For me, the number is higher than I would like to admit.

The measuring stick we all use is different.

For some of us the measuring stick is the latest edition of Coastal Living or Southern Living. Our family rooms and kitchens have avocado green laminate counter tops and dark brown cabinets and 70’s lighting instead of the crisp clean white cabinetry and granite counter tops gracing the glossy pages of the magazine. So we don’t extend the invitation.

How do I know? Ahem…

Or maybe your measuring stick is your best friends remodel

 or the figment of perfection you have created in your mind.

The message is the same sweet friends.

You are being lied to.

You don’t measure up.

You aren’t enough.

What will “they” think?

When this happens I want to encourage you.

Stop.

Stop, right where you are in that thought and 

think about the last time you had a wonderful time at a friends home.

What do you remember the most?

Do you remember what you ate?

Maybe.

Do you remember if her dog’s hair was balled up in the corner 

or if her sink had the mornings toothpaste still in the sink?

No. Likely not.

What you do remember is “who” was there.

What you remember is “how” you felt.

The special people around the table, the laughter, and the hug good bye

 and the “y’all come back now” as you went to leave.

Guess what?

That is what they will remember too.

They will forget if they ate on paper or china.

They will forget if they had pizza or filet and lobster.

But they will never forget their time with you and the way you made them feel.

As time has passed I’ve eased up on myself and my expectations.

I’ve forgone the real plates more often and picked up the Dixie plates.

I’ve been more comfortable accepting my guests offer to bring a dessert.

You know what happened?

I spent more time on the important things.

I spent more time reminiscing with a girlfriend over a glass of wine.

I spent more time watching the kids jump in the bounce house their stomachs aching from the laughter or play a game of tag with their friends well into the dusk night hours.

I spent more time loving on and leaning into the folks who walked through my door.

At the end of the night I was tired and my feet ached but my heart was so full.

One of God’s greatest blessings can come through hospitality.

Showing our love, His love, through such a practical demonstration of service.

Those friends who don’t know Him but love you….

Maybe they will get a glimpse of his unconditional love and grace through you.

Maybe it will open a door to a life time of freedom in Him

they would have not otherwise known.

The funny thing is,  the hospitality that we extend to love on and bless others is so much more than a meal to feed their bellies, it refreshes their spirit… and ours too.

Fellowship with others through service is such a precious gift.

Don’t let the enemy fool you into thinking you aren’t enough.

He is always trying to find a way to stop us from showing God’s love to the world.

Hospitality can be such a practical and hands on way to show those around us God’s love.

Don’t believe that voice that says “you aren’t enough”

You are enough.

All you need to do is open your heart and home to those around you.

They will remember your generosity and kindness for years to come.

You are enough. Your home is enough.

When He is a part of you and your home, it is always enough

Redeemed ~

I am admittedly a lover of words, books, stories…

Spending way more time than i care to admit

awake after my family has fallen into dreams…

It has always been that way for me.

I can still remember as a little girl in my upstairs bedroom hiding beneath the covers with a flashlight

Often times to wake with the flashlight on and the book tangled in my sheets.

It has been a love affair for years.

Recently I have been studying Rahab.

Yes, the story of Rahab, the prostitute, the mother, God’s servant, Jesus relative.

My Father is the all-time best story teller.

I can get lost for hours in His words and stories He weaves.

Oh the detail, all good authors can paint a picture in my minds’ eye with details like Him.

I had read her story a time or two before but never dug into it across the chapter.

Across the bible like this.

Wow. What a testimony to God’s grace and redemption.

What a story of restoration.

He chose to take a prostitute from a city that was falling, save her, her family

and then, wait for it…. cast her directly into the blood line of Jesus, His son.

Certainly not what we would expect…

Really? The blood line of King? The Savior of the World?

That’s my God for you.

He is bigger than the situations we have gotten ourselves into and He loves us,

Chases after us, and is willing to restore what was meant for our harm.

No matter what. No matter who. No matter when.

His ways are always higher than our ways.

So often we can’t even fathom the scope of His mind.

But, it works out every. single. time. doesn’t it?

He took what the world saw and redeemed her.

He lifted her to place of dignity and grace.

She was obedient and faithful and He redeemed her.

Making her a woman of honor by placing her on the list of “who’s who’s”

in the line of Jesus genealogy.

She is also one of the only women noted in this list.

(matt 1:1-16)

That in and of itself speaks volumes to me.

God does nothing haphazardly, and mentioning her among a long list of men,

well, that says this is an important part of her story, His design.

Many years down the road she had a son, a son named Boaz.

Do you know Boaz?

Boaz too, came to rescue an unlikely woman, Ruth.

Ruth is a widow. During those days she likely having the responsibility of her mother in law may have never remarried and was likely destined to a life of hardship.

But Boaz saw so much more.
I can’t help but think being raised by Rahab impacted him.

Did her life experience trickle down into how she raised her son to view all people?

Did she raise her son to see the person and not the circumstance?

How many of us, me included God forgive, too often see the circumstance instead of the person?

And here, here a woman who was considered a prostitute, less than, undervalued second class citizen

Has it all figured out.

Trust God, Act in Faith, Love Others.

What simple, yet profound advice for us all through her life actions.

You see, her faith is what saved her.

It is what saves you and me.

No matter where you are today, no matter what you have done, or didn’t do

He loves you just the same. He is chasing after you to rescue you just the same.

You see God didn’t pursue Rahab, or me, or any other Christian I know once we had cleaned up our acts. It is quite the opposite actually. He pursued us while we were still a mess, and made us whole and new.

Friends, I encourage you today, he’s chasing you,

Just turn around, stop and let Him catch you.

You’ll be so glad you did.

holding our loved ones close and my word for 2013?

this holiday season we drew inwards, we celebrated with close family and friends 

and it was such a season of special memories... i hate to see it end. 

such a bittersweet time on christmas day. 

my heart is full for all the love and laughter and lives that filled my home the past 3 days.

my feet are aching and i am beyond tired but my mind it races with the memories made, still so fresh. 

one thing rang true for me over the past few days and it was to hold your loved ones close. 

life is so fragile as we all know and in an instant it can all change. 

one fell swoop and life as we know it is never the same. 

as i grow older and life teaches me more i am often pausing to revel in it's lessons.

the past few weeks especially i have really felt in my heart such a need to share my love for those around me.

ensure they know they are a treasure to me.

to hug someone just a bit longer, really listen to their laugh 

or feel their soft skin as we hold hands to pray at the family table.

being sure to tell them i love them when they leave my home not just tell them good bye.

i want to love these people in my life well. i want them to know i care, that they are special and loved.

this is the time of year i really try to reflect on the past year,

reflect on my word of meditation from the past year

and decide which virtue to move into the following year.

two years ago my word of action was, simplify.

i simplified my life down to bare bones so i could focus on what mattered most.

last year my word was, intentional.

being intentional in my decisions, my family and in my relationship with Christ.

this year there are a few ideas swirling around in my head.

prayers are offered to help lead me in my next word of the year.

i think it will have something to do with those around me this year....

do you have a word of the year?

if so how do you decide which one? 

gratitude, it is a lifestyle

this month many of us stop and consider the things we are thankful for.

thanksgiving day our nation stops to do just that. 

religion and politics aside, a day of thanks.

this month each monday i am going to write about the things i am thankful for.... join me would you? 

and if you do email me your blog address as i would love to follow along.