A Clean House

Ten things I love about a clean house:

10. The vacuum tracks on the carpet.

9. The smell of clean.

8. Knowing that tub is really clean, because I broke a sweat while cleaning it.

7. Taking a shower the next morning in a sparkling tub/shower.

6. Crisp Downey fresh sheets at night.

5. ORGANIZATION!

4. An empty sparkling sink with NO dishes in it!

3. Not having to clean again for a while ;)

2. The way the carpet looks and feels fluffy after it has been vacuumed.

1. Sitting back and enjoying it all :)

Wordless Wednesday

He's gone for 10 weeks! :(

Praise you in this storm

Clearly I am not talking about the weather here, because it hasn't rained, much less stormed here in about...forever. I am talking about the storms of this world and our lives. This is actually the title of one of my favorite songs. It is by Casting Crowns, an amazing band, who always has just the right thing to say.

Anyway, I really love this song and its meaning. With all the craziness going on in this world people tend to question God. How would God let this happen? Why would a good God let this person be sick or that person die? Why does God let wars happen? I think the important thing to remember first is that God didn't do this. We did. Our sinful nature is what caused all the craziness (I think that is the best word to sum up all bad things) to begin in the first place. [Thanks Eve AND Adam!]

But during these storms it is important to rely and turn to the One who brings peace.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Oh how I love this verse. I constantly keep this verse on my heart. It doesn't say everything in this world is going to be good, but it says God will use everything that happens for good. We may not see the good now, or ever in our life time, but it will be used for good. That can be our one hope during our storm.

I think of this a lot when people I love are sick or hurting. For example, if my loved one stays sick, or something goes wrong in surgery, or passes away, I try to think: What is God trying to teach me? What is God showing me through this person's life? I think to myself there is a reason this is happening. I almost feel it is my duty as a friend and a believer to seek what God is showing me.

I can say all this now, because I am not going through a major storm of someone being ill. It is always easier to think of these things when everything is going along just dandy. When I do have a storm, I will have to come back to this blog and re-read! But storms are not just sick friends. Storms are unruley children, sick babies, job loses, family decisions, anything really. Storms can be big and small --> a light drizzle or a Katrina. Whatever the storm, remember there is a reason and a purpose.

One of my favorite lines of the song is:

"And though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm."

Because even though the craziness of this storm is terrible, I will give you praise. Because I bet if I honestly thought about it, it could be worse. And even though this bad thing happened, it could have been worse. And even though that happened you provided and everything may not be 100% ok right now, it will be. And even if everything is going horribly it is nice to think that our

"help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth"

Again, I can say all this because I don't have craziness and storms. So when I start freaking out during my next storm, remind me to read this!

Below are the lyrics to the Casting Crown's Praise you in this storm. Enjoy. :)

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's
still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper
through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls, I raise my
hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is
almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the
thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker
of Heaven and Earth

[Chorus x2]

First day of school...

Man, the first day of school sure ain't like it use to be! Me, being the weird overly organized, teacher's pet, busy body, l-o-v-e-d the first day of school! New outfit, new teacher, new classroom, new adventures! And though I always acted like I disliked it, I secretly loved having Mom take my picture on the first day! (Well, she probably knew all along that I liked it. I have never been shy of the camera) I remember my first day at LSU I even sent her a picture of what I wore. Ha!

The good ole days:
I used to LOVE going to shop for school supplies. In elementary school, you could get your school supply list before school actually started. And oh how I loved the day we would go shop for it all! What is it about picking out new pencils, 5 different color folders (with and without brads), a red pen, one highlighter, and wide ruled paper that is SO exciting to me? I don't know know what it it but it gets me every time! I will probably suck the fun out of it for my kids, because I will be having all the fun picking out their new folders, etc.

Then in middle school and high school you find out your supplies the first day of class. This was me: you bring one notebook and the coolest pen you could find. Then go to each class and write down what is needed for each. Then at the end of the day write a new list of exactly how much you need of each item. (4 folders, 2 binders, 3 highlighters...) Then you can have a successful back-to-school shopping experience.

Now days:
$100 just on the book for the class! and then I don't even get cool pens and notebooks, because everything is on the computer and on-line! Sad day.


Today is my first day of my last Fall semester I will ever have!! How exciting! But it is just not the same as the good ole days...