The most critical need of the church at this moment is men, bold men, free men. The church must seek, in prayer and much humility, the coming again of men made of the stuff of which prophets and martyrs are made.

A.W. Tozer

Not many things have spoken to my bitter heart on this subject this year. I am glad I have a God who is bigger than my resentment and judgement. Christ can and does transform men. I pray I have the opportunity to be humbled by these godly leaders.

Lisa Frank is not the name of a woman, it is the name of a movement, a culture, a way of living. It is a theory, a concept, a belief in something greater than yourself. It is the belief that all girls are entitled to dolphins covered with rainbows, jewel-encrusted frogs, and unicorns in acid-trip colors hugging each other. It is the ideology that no notebook is complete until it literally hurts your eyes to look at from so much color saturation. It is the hope that no school supply, no matter how insignificant, will be left un-bedazzled. It is the knowledge that your eraser cap, and that of your granddaughter’s, and her granddaughter’s after her, will not be some boring little nub–it will be a diamond covered with butterflies in a rainbow of colors. It is the dream of a better tomorrow.

-Things 90s kids will have to explain to their children. 

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. 

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you. 

For I am the Lord, your God. 

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.

You are honored, and I love you. “

“You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God-there never has been, there never will be. I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. First I predict your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God”, says the Lord. 

“From eternity to eternity, I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.”

 guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

1. The Nutcracker at Symphony Hall

2. The Phoenix First Christmas Show 

3. Baking Christmas cookies with the Telenick’s

4. Sedona the day after Christmas

5. Movie List

-Elf

-Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer

-Frosty the Snowman

-Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special

-The Grinch (real life version, not cartoon)

-It’s a Wonderful Life (as requested by Darrean Sweeney)

-Meet Me in St. Louis (if we can convince Haley to watch it)

-A Year Without Santa Clause

-Home Alone 1 (and 2?)

6. BLACK FRIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA 

7. Gingerbread houses (requested by Darrean Sweeney)

8. Christmas Pinterest Craft day (may be exclusive to Taylor and Darrean if we dont want to wait for the other half)

9. Random Christmas Lights night, after we visit Starbucks for Peppermint Mochas

10. Christmas SNL night

11. Cider pong on Christmas night. Post-family activities.

12. Going to the mall on Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve-Eve, just because its frantic and fun

13. New Tradition: Arizona Celebration of Lights in Glendale

14. Zoolights

15. Decorating Christmas Trees (separately with our families).

(Source: heyannalise)

I am involved in so many things. I am so busy. I have so many worries and so many things to do. So many plans I need to make but I havent made. 

I am always there without really being there. 

But for the first time in my life, I have peace while being uncomfortable and going through trials. There is so much change in my life, so much pain from relationships, so much disappointment in the choices I’ve made or make, big and small.

Yet I have joy. I am FINALLY living life through Gods power. I am too tired and weary to try to do everything myself. I am resting in grace and mercy and being content with where God has me and places me. 

Hebrews 10:35

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.