The Shack

I just finished reading The Shack by William Young. Chelle recommended it and it was a great book! Instead of trying to tell you all about the book I'm just going to use a quote from Michael W. Smith and two parts of the book that really hit home with me. I very high recommend this book!

"The Shack is the most absorbing work of fiction I've read in many years. My wife and I laughed, cried, and repented of our own lack of faith along the way. The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God." Michael W. Smith

(This is Papa(God) responding to a statement made by Mack(the main character) regarding Who God is.)
"Mackenzie I am what some would say 'holy, and wholly other than you.' The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to th enth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn't much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I reall am. I'm not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think."

This next one really showed me in pretty simple terms why God, the God who created the universe, would love me. Would choose me. Again it's a conversation between Mack and Papa. Mack asks "Why me? I mean why Mackenzie Allen Phillps? Why do you love someone who is such a screw up? After all the things I"ve felt in my heart toward you and all the accusations I made, why would you even bother to keep trying to get through to me?"
"Because that is what love does," answered Papa. "Remember, Mackenzie, I don't wonder what you will do or what choices you will make. I already know. Let's say for example, I'm trying to teach you how not to hide inside of lies, hypothetically of course," she said with a wink. "And let's say that I know it will take you forty-seven situations and events before you will actually hear me- that is, before you will hear clearly enough to agree with me and change. So when you don't hear me the first time, I'm not frustrated or disappointed, I'm thrilled. Only forty-six more times to go. And that first time will be a building bridge of healing that one day, that today, you will walk across."

The book really makes you think about how you view God and what you really feel about and know about God's personality and His love for his people. Read the book. Then tell others about it! www.theshackbook.com

Tragedy in the Christian music world

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004430589_apchapmandaughter.html

That is a link to a story about Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter's death. How horribly sad for their family. Our prayers go out to them tonight.

On a much lighter note, I was very glad of the votes on American Idol. For the first time ever, I voted. Although as of right now, I'm yet to see the final performance since our DVR quit recording right after it began.

Happy Birthday Naiabean

Our baby turned 4 this week. She's stubborn and sweet. She can't ever make up her mind. She loves HSM. She loves to sing and perform. She loves to try being one of the boys. She's terrified of frogs. She's pretty sweet when she's not feeling well. She's our gift from God. She loves to get into bed with us. She's independent. She loves her brother. She loves her daddy. She loves Skillet and Lulu. She calls me dummy and it's all I can do not to laugh while I'm telling her it's not nice to call people names. She loves to help in the kitchen. She loves mac & cheese and "plan" pizza. She will almost always choose milk to drink over anything else. She loves to dress up like a princess. She likes flip flops and dresses. She loves to watch Tom & Jerry. This little girl is truly a blessing from above. I'm blessed to be called her mommy. (even at midnight)

Approval!

We finally got our 171-H approval this week. Now we just need the babe!

Naia had her tonsils removed yesterday. It's not been near the ordeal that I imagined it would be. She's just laying around and resting though. Xavier had his first overnight visit with some of our friends the night before the surgery. We had to be at the hospital so early that it would have been impossible to get him to school before we needed to be there. It's so nice to have friends that help out whenever needed.

I just finished reading the Sisterhood of the traveling pants series. Cute books. I had heard they are coming out with the second movie this summer and that made me want to read them, b/c I haven't even seen the first movie! So now I've read all four books and I'm not sure I want to see the movie! Crazniess!

Well I tried to post some pics but it wouldn't let me. Not much is happening here. We had a pretty busy weekend. My great grandma passed away after living life for the Lord for 92 years. We spent Saturday with my dad's family just hanging out. My mom took me and Naia to a nail place and we all got our toe nails done. Just some good girl time. My dad had Xavier and my younger cousin and they went to Academy sports and got boy stuff; which included a new fish tank. For fish we don't own yet. A serious quote from my dad" Well I thought we could go get some fish and put them in the fridge to keep the good until you left to go back to Russellville." My mom and I cracked up. We decided to wait on the fish and came home with the tank and $$ for the fish later!

We've started church league softball again! I'm coaching this year. Last night was our first game. Tons of fun! It's such a great atmosphere to be around. We even won which made it even better! Tonight we have another game and I actually get to play tonight! Not get to play I guess, but am needed to play so we have enough players! So I get the best of both worlds! And I get to wear my cute new cleats!!(I know I'm such a girl)

OFFCIALLY WAITING!!!!!!!!!!

We got our phone call today! Our homestudy has officially been approved and since we've already been fingerprinted, we are officially on the waiting list for a baby!

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

We are definitely waiting in expectation! What a great birthday week!!!

Happy Birthday to Me

This post is for JH. Not much is going on here at all! We heard this week that our homestudy should be in the Dillon office sometime this week, SO we'll officially get to be on the waiting list finally!!! It's weird, b/c I know that at some point we are going to have a baby. We have no idea when though, so it's sort of hard to plan right now! I feel that I have been nesting lately though! I've cleaned out the place where the baby is going to sleep. I keep looking in the baby dept at stores, just to see if they have anything we'll "need" for a new baby! We'll probably be ready for a baby waayyy to early!

So since I'm sharing things today....I'll share this. I love to decorate! I love shopping around, hunting for the perfect accessory, etc. Today I'm redoing our guest bedroom. I found the perfect sheets to go with the bedset that I got from my mom. And I found a cute "american" duck to go with it. The whole room will soon be transformed.

And now I'll leave with a quote that I saw on a show about adoption. It goes somewhat like this.

"This child will give me more than I could ever think to give him or her."