American Idol Kris Allen Sings "God Of This City"

Kris Allen sings at the dedication of a new building for his church. He doesn't appear until almost 8 minutes into the video. Click here

Baby Shower at 32 weeks!

It’s Wednesday and I’m at home for the day resting from what was a crazy busy but WONDERFUL weekend and last few days. Even though I’m exhausted today, I look back at the festivities and would start the weekend over again in a heartbeat! I am so blessed to have family and friends who are so unbelievable, gracious, and generous. The support that I felt from this weekend was a great pregnancy boost now that things are getting harder by the day!

The shower itself was so great! An intimate group of good friends, tasty food, CAKE, and very generous gifts! I am so blessed! My only regret is that there wasn’t enough time to spend with each person! Special thanks to Aunt Linda, Uncle Fred and Katie for throwing a great party! Now, I'm left with great memories from the weekend:))

Today was a warm and sunny day. I slowly started to unpack some of the gifts and start some laundry baskets for baby laundry! Now all of the items and super cute clothes are strewn about the nursery waiting for the magic pre-baby fairy who has all the energy in the world to come and organize everything… I wonder when she will show up?

I love this picture taken of my brother and me at my shower. This is my 32 week pregnant belly. . .can you guess how far along my brother is??!!

The days keep ticking away, only 48 more to go!

God Is REALLY Big

Check out these pictures of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Telescope in front of the sun. His creation compared to ours. Click here.

It's Friday But Sunday's Comin' Video

See it here.

Our family is going to get BIGGER, but right now. . . it's three.

She is kicking really hard right now. I wonder what she's doing in there? Is she comfy? Am I eating all the right things that will help her be healthy? How will July 8th change our family?

I have so many questions as this week I'm 27 weeks pregnant. What an amazing gift. God has entrusted us with our soon-to-be 5 year old son and soon a little girl. Quinn will be five this week. I sometimes write letters to our son who can't even read yet. Hopefully, he'll enjoy them when he's older, Just tonight I ran across a letter I wrote and saved for him when he was 2.

January 13, 2007
Dearest Quinn,
It’s late and I’m thinking of you. You woke me up tonight crying in your sleep. Oh, to know what you dream. . . Tonight is the first night I realized your getting older. I laugh when I think of you dressed in your warrior costume running around the house like a brave little man with his sword in hand. Tonight, while I watched you sleep, you looked to be three or four years older, not two years old. Looking at your closed eyes I could imagine what it would be like talking over dinner about your science project that’s due soon. . .Or the camp you want to go to this summer with your friends. . .Or the girlfriend you want to bring home for dinner tomorrow night.

Never mind your earlier temper tantrums that had, you hollering because it was time for bed. Nor the kicking and screaming when book time was over. Now you lay near and complacent snuggled up by my side.

Your little hand wrapped around my index finger so perfectly and so sweetly it brought me to tears. I love you so. It humbles me to think that God chose your father and me to be a part of your life and us in yours. I feel completely unworthy. God has big plans for you my Mighty Quinn. I’m so excited to be a part. I love you forever and always. . .unconditionally. Mommy

1 Corinthians 13:4-8“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

At DJJ With Bill Glass Ministries

Having had a little time to digest a packed weekend with Bill Glass Prision Ministries...I'd like to share a few things. Over 400 volunteers went to correctional facilities all over South Carolina to share the Gospel. My group went to the Department of Juvenille Justice.

I had the chance to talk with some of the kids individually and in smaller groups. It was interesting to me how many of them already had knowledge of the gospel. They had grown up in or around the church. Yet they still ended up at DJJ. They answered the questions the "right" way and many had said the sinner's prayer more than once before. I think this may have played into the fact that I did not lead anyone into one of those dramatic conversion experiences you hear about.

And yet...sometimes we're not there to havest. There's no question in my mind that what I was able to do was plant seeds. When I look back at my own experience in becoming a follower of Christ, I remember countless conversations over a number of years that in hindsight I can see planted seeds and tilled the ground. I dont' know anything about farming so I hope that metaphor made sense! :) Honestly what seemed to be the most powerful thing to do was listen to the kids -- and pray with them. Some of them are already in Bible studies. It was a great chance to affirm that they were spending their time well.

We went in on two separate days. There was one kid I talked to on both days. On the second day he shared with me that he had struggled with anger and had had an incident just that morning. He knew he was wrong - actually realized while the altercation was going on. And he regretted it. Another guy - who had kind of a tough exterior - came to me and showed the the autographs he had gotten of two of the guest speakers. He had a huge smile on his face as he showed me what they had written. Underneath it all there was still a childlikness. I could see that God is at work at DJJ through these kids.

But here's the challenge. There are some amazing people who work with kids behind bars. But not enough of them. One of the greatest tragedies is when a kid gets out of DJJ and goes home to a dysfunctional family, bad influences in the neighborhood, and no support system. Even though its tough at DJJ, the kids are actually nurtured in a way. They are learning artwork, writing and craftmanship. And some of them are very talented. Take a tour sometime and see their work! They are getting a high school education and having their values challenged. Some of them are even learning God's Word. But when they get out, all of that disappears. The DJJ folks tell me one of the things the kids need most is mentors. Someone to build a long term relationship with a kid. To encourage, challenge, and build up. I'm just taking a shot in the dark here - but if you think God may be leading you to be a mentor, I just happen to have a link for you right here.

Brandon Heath Video

We talked about Brandon's amazing video for his song Give Me Your Eyes. Click here to see it.