Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Redeeming Love

Isaiah 43:1 has never sounded so true and passionate to me. I can almost hear God saying it:

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator . . . He who formed you . . . "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!"



I know this book's cover makes it look like one of those trashy love novels, but it couldn't be further from it. Redeeming Love might be my favorite book ever. This book was absolutely amazing, life-changing, poignant, touching, heart-rending, inspiring, triumphant and harrowing all at once. I cannot begin to explain how deeply it moved me. I finished it in matter of days and immediately started reading it all over again. What a beautiful, clear picture of God's love for his children! I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a "must read." It's fiction, but based on the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer. Hosea was the man God called to marry a prostitute.

The author, Francine Rivers, says that, "Writing Redeeming Love was a form of worship for me . . . Everything in Redeeming Love was a gift from the Lord: plot, characters, theme. None of it is mine to claim." And you can tell. God is all over this book, revealing his character and the depth of his love to the reader . . . to me, and I pray to you as well! Do yourself a favor and read it. Most assuredly you will know Him and love Him on a deeper level when you finish this book. I hope I've done a good job of convincing you to read it!

I love what the author wrote on a blank page before the book begins,

"To those who hurt and hunger."

Isn't that all of us?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Weekend in the Mountains

Last weekend my family got together for a long weekend in the mountains. We rented a cabin just outside of Waynesville, NC. It was so good to see my whole family. We went for walks/hikes, watched the Olympics, played Catch Phrase, ate some good food (as always) and celebrated my grandmother's 90th birthday! Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Mom has been working out a lot lately and showed us her muscles:


Nanny and her birthday cake, caramel nut cake . . . her favorite!



Nanny with her great grandchildren: Bridger, Tucker, Colter and Caleb



Nanny looking at the Memory Book her daughters made for her:



"The boys"

Friday, August 08, 2008

Another Good Deal

I know I'm cheesy, but I just can't help but share my excitement when I find a good deal . . .

This past week Brian and I were in Lancaster, PA for a 4 game series against the Lancaster Barnstormers. I went on the road trip mostly because I really don't like being away from my hubby, but also because Lancaster has some great outlet stores including my favorite - Pottery Barn! Now that we have a town home to decorate, you better bet that I had my eye out for good deals!

I've been looking for a mirror to go over our fireplace and I found exactly what I had in mind at the PB outlet. And what do you know, we bought it for a third of the regular price! Here are some pics of our $299 mirror that we got for $95.