the beauty of music

I don't know what it is, but lately i have been touched by music. its hard to find a good song these days...with meaning that is! when i find one i REALLY like, i seem to listen to it over and over and over again with the volume turned all the way up singing/screaming the lyrics (just ask Daniel...i think it annoys him sometime, but he is so generous to put up with my insanity...oh the things we do for love :)). Anyways...i have found yet another great song that i thought to share with you...it's entitled "Washed by the Water" by Needtobreathe.



hope you enjoyed it! ok well i need to pack because i'm headed to the beach in about 2 hours. Be back Monday! Have a great weekend :)
mae

my hearts cry...

yesterday as Daniel and i we lifting weights, i was struck by these powerful words that were belting loudly from the wall speakers. I paused and listened carefully to every word...

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

Some of you probably recognize these words from a new up and coming artist Chris Sligh.
I think where I am right now on my spiritual walk with the Lord, these words have settled in my heart...and now have become my hearts cry.
God never said our journey would be easy. In fact as you look through Scripture those who faithfully served the Lord had HARD lives (some even gave their lives for the Gospel). May we live our lives in service to the Lord...DAILY!

Oh and if you haven't heard this song, you should listen to it. I really like this one in particular because it is a live acoustic version...



mae

confession

my excuse for not blogging is a small four letter word...LIFE.  Between wedding parties, birthday parties, spending time with family, friends, girl time, work, babysitting, and spending time with my hubby I honestly have not found time to blog.  hopefully things will slow down soon...well now that i think about it I don't think they will.  I'm going to the beach this weekend.  Shaffer & Linds are getting married in less than 3 weeks, and then Daniel and I ship out of here for our 6 weeks trip to Colorado.  It will be December before we know it!  I am looking forward to Fall...probably my favorite season!

On a different subject i have begun reading Redeeming Love which is a great book so far.  I will probably spend much of my free time in that since i can hardly put it down.

Well...off to girls bible study!

mae

anniversary gift

As an anniversary gift to one another, Daniel and I had a photo shoot...which can i just say was so much fun!  Daniel was such a trooper since he doesn't really like to have his picture taken.  He is a sweet husband.

When we got engaged, we opted not to get engagement photo's but rather bridal portraits. 

Anyway, we went to a local barn and basically were told to be ourselves while Erin Nolen (a wonderful photographer) took pictures.  We love how it turned out and encourage you to check out the pics...click here.

Let us know what you think! :)  I will leave you with one of our favorite shots from the day...

mae

God knows & God cares...

It's so funny sometimes when your having a bad day or just feel down & out, how the Lord sends people your way to encourage you.  Sometimes they don't even know that you need a word of encouragement but do it because they felt lead too!

Last week i meet with a dear lady who has fought the good fight and has served God faithfully for some many years.  She invited me to her house to pray for our ministry and enjoy just some good ole time in fellowship.  I could sit there and listen for hours & hours (and I did) to all the many trials, struggles, joys, hurts and such that have come her way throughout her life.  This lady is just one who is about half my size, but her personality is so infectious (and a prayer warrior).  Anyway she sent me a sweet word of encouragement last week and thought to pass it on to some of you...who knows, maybe you will find some encouragement in it. 

Here's an excerpt from the email as she painted this picture with words...

   a girl in a bathing suit was walking on the beach in the sunshine holding an open umbrella over her head.  why would anyone try to get a suntan on the beach carrying an umbrella over their head to block the sun rays from reaching them?  Then she went on to say we as Christians do the same type of thing all the time.  Anytime we become so obsessed with something that it becomes the most important thing in our life, it becomes an umbrella between us and God.  Therefore, it prevents us from receiving all the blessings that God wants to shower down on us!

enough said for me :)

magen

surprises...

no my surprise is not like this... but just as good :)

I got to wake up this morning to the comforting voice of my sweet husband saying "happy anniversary baby!" there is no other place i can think of that I would want to be that moment. As he held me close, (and I began to become coherent) i whispered in his ear..."happy anniversary"!

WOW...2 years! Never thought it would go by this fast, but as i was telling (over a text) to a friend...it gets better every day. I honestly didn't think I could love anyone like i love Daniel. real love.

As I was at work, Daniel sent me a message and all it said was...be ready by 5:00. OH a surprise...I love (but at the same time if it is possible) hate surprises. I said ok...and 5:00 couldn't get there quick enough! When I got home, my dear mother-in-law had a card laid out for Daniel and I wishing us a happy anniversary...she is so thoughtful :)

After being welcomed by Madie (if you have ever experienced this you know what i am talking about)...Daniel led me to this...

he had bought me flowers...and wrote me the sweetest note! (and yes I did cry in case you were wondering.)
Then I got ready as quick as possible and then headed to dinner. I was so surprised & the food was perfect.

Daniel was showing me the "proper" way to drink sweet tea.

you know my obsession with coffee BUT i did opt for decaf :)

after dinner we got this (which by the way was complementary because it was our anniversary)

what a great day...couldn't ask for more.

THANK YOU MICHELLE :)

that's all

mae

Happy Anniversary My Love!

- Daniel

Still in LOVE

funny story...on our way home tonight (from a delightful dinner with some great friends--thanks Willards) we stopped at wal-mart to get the "bare necessities" (orange juice, toilet paper, peanut butter cups, & fruit popsicles) before heading home. After gathering all our things, we jumped in line and waited for a bit. Maybe waiting a bit is a little of an understatement...we waited A WHILE! Finally getting to the register to check out, the cashier looked up at Daniel and I and said "Y'all must be newlyweds". I laughed and quickly said, "actually we have been married for 2 years." She responded..."oh y'all are still newlyweds." Then I proceed with, "But we have been together for 6 years." and she was REALLY surprised! She said "WOW y'all are totally in love and it shows...even after 6 years." I guess we still have it :)
mae

pic from today

one of my favorite shots from Tim & Stephanie Zierman's wedding today...


that's all =)
mae