Rough

Yesterday was a really rough day. I'm just so tired of waiting. I come home from work frustrated with co-workers, in tears and ready to choke-hold someone.
Also, last night was my first time to join the Wonder Women Bible Study group at our new church. I can't tell you how close I was to backing out. I mean down to the wire.... 2 minutes before I was to leave, I was still undecided. I had already made arrangements to pick up my friend Cindy, and I didn't want to leave her in the lurch, so I went.
I couldn't stop the tears all the way to her house and for a bit afterwards. By the time we got the to church I was under control. I was able to stop feeling sorry for myself and enjoy the evening. And enjoy it I did! I'm really looking forward to many more of these nights and getting to know these wonderful women bettter.
Anyway, it's really not like me to be so entirely down. I mean, I was to the point where I just didn't know if could do it anymore.
Then guess what..... WE GOT OUR LOA TODAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am on cloud 9!!!!!! Just when I couldn't take it anymore, just in the knick of time, not too late, not too soon, in God's time.... it came! And actually it came pretty fast! I'm just so darn excited!
We just did get the okay to send Jia a care package, so I've spent the afternoon getting it ready! She'll get our goodies, then her Mama and Baba won't be far behind!
I must go tell all my friends and family the wonderful news! Now come on TA!!!!!!!!

Faith, Fashion, and Forever 21

I found this article over at a Christianity Today blog. Interesting. I would love to know what you think... JMS


Faith, Fashion, and Forever 21
by Laura Leonard
The skimpy tops and flirty miniskirts on sale at Forever 21, a cheap-chic mega-retailer known for its runway knockoffs and rock-bottom prices, seem to have more in common with Paris and Milan than the local church.
But the retailer’s ultimate accessory — the iconic yellow bags seen dangling from the arms of teenagers at malls across the country — features one unexpected design element decidedly absent from this season’s runways: an imprint that reads simply John 3:16.
Owners Don and Jin Chang have built a fashion empire on two principles that don’t often get mentioned in the same breath: fashion and faith. The Changs attend church daily, give generously to their church, and attend mission trips. In May they will launch Faith 21, a plus-sized version of their flagship store. This new venture embraces overt language of faith in an industry that generally steers clear of the potentially polarizing issue.
But what does it really mean to be a Christian retailer? Forever 21 is known for producing less-than-modest clothes, though in recent years more professional and mid-market garments have found their way onto the shelves alongside the tank tops and miniskirts that define the brand’s image. The retailer has been criticized by the fashion industry for blatantly ripping off runway designs (US copyright law only protects logos and brand names) and their styles often end up on racks before the higher-end originals as they rush the typically months-long process from sketch to store into just a few weeks.
Last year Radar magazine ran a profile of the Changs that highlighted the couple’s outspoken faith as well as their questionable business practices. The pair champion young Christian designers: "She plucks young designers out of the companies she's working with," said an anonymous business associate of Jin Chang. “And if they're Christian and religious, she puts them in business.” Rowena Rodriguez, a former designer for Forever 21, told Radar, “In the short time I worked with Mrs. Chang, my life was transformed, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Mrs. Chang prayed me into the Kingdom!”
As in any creative industry, the ethics of fashion are complicated for both producer and consumer. Where we choose to shop is not an innocuous decision; our money is supporting the organization behind it. Is Forever 21 to be commended for bringing language of faith into our malls? Or should their controversial reputation give pause to Christian consumers? What does it really mean to be a Christian retailer?

TGIF

I've been planning to start a weekly TGIF post on Fridays and when better to start than today... Good Friday. It wasn't a good day for my Savior, but it sure was a good day for me. Thank You Jesus!
Here's my first Today God Is First post! Ponder on it's message and how appropriate it is to share today.

Isaiah 53

1 Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought
God's saving power would look like this?
2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
on him, on him.
7-9He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.
10Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.
11-12Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

From Max...

A Cry of Victory by Max Lucado

“It is finished.”
Stop and listen. Can you imagine the cry from the cross? The sky is dark. The other two victims are moaning. The jeering mouths are silent. Perhaps there is thunder. Perhaps there is weeping. Perhaps there is silence. Then Jesus draws in a deep breath, pushes his feet down on that Roman nail, and cries, “It is finished!”
What was finished?
The history-long plan of redeeming man was finished. The message of God to man was finished. The works done by Jesus as a man on earth were finished. The task of selecting and training ambassadors was finished. The job was finished. The song had been sung. The blood had been poured. The sacrifice had been made. The sting of death had been removed. It was over.
A cry of defeat? Hardly. Had his hands not been fastened down I dare say that a triumphant fist would have punched the dark sky. No, this is no cry of despair. It is a cry of completion. A cry of victory. A cry of fulfillment. Yes, even a cry of relief.
It’s over.
An angel sighs. A star wipes away a tear.
“Take me home.”
Yes, take him home.
Take this prince to his king.
Take this son to his father.
Take this pilgrim to his home.
(He deserves a rest.)
“Take me home.”
Come ten thousand angels!
Come and take this wounded troubadour to the cradle of his Father’s arms!
Farewell manger’s infant.
Bless You holy ambassador.
Go Home death slayer.
Rest well sweet soldier.
The battle is over.

From His Name is Jesus

Day 50

Trenton Tennis

Yesterday I went to watch Jadeth play tennis and FROZE! Anyway, I had my camera and was able to get a couple of shots before my battery went dead. (Note to self: you forgot to put the camera battery on the charger - do that when you get home.) Ok! So my camera is dead, but I noticed the sports editor from the newspaper there taking pictures.
Luckily for me, I know someone at the paper office and I figured his pictures were going to be better than mine anyway! So they were kind enough to email me the pictures this morning.

This first one will be in tonights paper!

Jory Coloring Eggs

Jacen informed me he is now 'too old' to color eggs so Jory had the job all to himself!

This year we just dyed the eggs and used stickers to decorate them. Jory made one with each of our names on it.

I was busy sewing while he and Grandma colored eggs, but I can't share pictures just yet. I was able to finish up a little something for someone special who follows my blog and I wouldn't want her to see it just yet! ;-)

Here's some cute pics from Saturday!

Here is Jory with all his eggs and Jack's

I asked him if I was in trouble when I seen mine!!!!

He's doing the bunny ears to Jadeth's!

One for Jacen and Jory with a funny face!

Another funny face I couldn't help but share!

While we were finishing up our sewing projects... Jory made a Chili's hat and was playing waiter! It was pretty cute considering he's never been to a Chili's! I don't know where he comes up with this stuff!

3rd Day with Third Day...

(scroll down to the bottom and pause the music player so you can hear this video... You don't want to miss it!)
I heard on the radio where Third Day was asking their fans to post a link, video, comment or something regarding Third Day on the 3rd day of each month...
I'll start with my favorite!

It's Milking Time Again