Day 69: Judges 6, 7, 8

(This is so perfect!)

So...I am reading about Gideon to teach the kids this Sunday...and there is so much good stuff in those 2 chapters of Judges (6 & 7).  There are a few things that really stuck out to me...I will only share this one for now...


How many times had the Israelites, God's chosen people, "did evil in the sight of the Lord" and God had to punish them?  I mean seriously....we see it time and time again.  This time, after 40 years of peace, after God had already helped them defeat yet another army through a miraculous act, they yet again turned to the idols and worshiped them.  The kind of idols they worshiped were no joke either...this was some serious rebellion!  And you read it time and time again how some great man of the bible had to tear down the idols and God had to again show up and save them, only to fast forward 40 years and they are doing it all again...


This got me to thinking...how many times has God had to tear down the SAME idols in my life only for me to rebuild them again?  I read this story and get so frustrated with the Israelites.  These are God's chosen people, His only son was Jewish!  You would think after being delivered from the hands of the Egyptians and slavery, given the promise land (wasn't that enough...oh, that's a whole different can of worms..), been victorious over I don't even know how many wars, that would be enough!


BUT NO...you know how the story goes...God loves his people and heard their cries for help.  Gideon defeats the Midianites, an army of over 100,000 men, with only 300 of Gideon's men so that the Israelities would know that it was God's strength that delivered them, and not their own.  Again the land had 40 years of peace....

Until....


Judges 8:33-35 ³³ No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god ³⁴ and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. ³⁵They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.


I MEAN REALLY!!!!


I encourage you to pray and ask God what those "idols" in your life are that need tearing down!  Then TEAR them down and don't rebuild them!  I do not want to end up like the Israelites, constantly wavering back and forth with my commitment and love for God.  

Day 67: Long Days

So, Tuesdays are the longest days!  We have church on Tuesday nights so it leaves very little time for much of anything.  We usually have to make a stop to the front office to break up the time.  Today we were waiting for Josh to pick Cambell up from church so she isn't here all day!  Our favorite place to visit is Melissa Sprung's office and well, Cambell is so cute...Heather couldn't resist getting on the floor for a moment to visit.  Here are the ladies in their pretty purple hanging out.  

Day 64: Date Night

So, my mom has been here this week taking care of Cambell.  FREE BABYSITTER!  So, Josh decided to surprise me and take me on a date!  I didn't know what we were doing so on the way to our location he asked me what I would like to do and I told him that I wanted to go to Church Street in downtown Orlando and eat at this Island-like restaurant and then see a movie at the comfy movie theater nearby.  He just laughed...and come to find out...THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE HAD PLANNED!  How great is that?  I hadn't even mentioned it or anything...he just thought that would be a great idea!


We had a lot of fun...just getting to be US and not having to worry about anything.  The food was so tasty...and chicken and mango burrito wrapped in a banana tortilla with black beans & rice and sweet potato fries!  Then we saw the new Adam Sandler & Jennifer Aniston movie...a chick flick...I have a good man!  

Day 57: Taking it back to the old school

Saturday, February 26 


So, here is an old picture that I saw...and it just made me laugh...I had to share!  It's from our Trunk or Treat Halloween event we had a church.  I was a cowgirl & my husband was Brett Michaels. LOL...I'm still laughing!  

Day 56: Cabl Cadi

Friday, February 25, 2011


So, Josh's dad has created a great thing.  It is called the Cabl Cadi.  It is designed to hold all your cables (mainly sound equipment) without them getting tangled.  Keep your eye out for this one! It's going to be good!  (PS...my husband took these pictures)

Day 58: Jeremiah's Ice

Sunday, February 27, 2011

So, today I was introduced to Jeremiah's Ice.  It's like flavored Italian ice mixed with soft-served ice cream..very interesting...Mine was good...but very sweet...I think I am going to have to go back and get another one to make my final judgement. 


Here is the website.  If you have one near you, sign up and you will get a coupon for a free one! 


www.jeremiahsice.com

Day 54: Happy Birthday Mel Sprung!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Visiting Hannah in West Palm...and...um...

So, Today is my friend Melissa Sprung's 31st Birthday!  We met each other at MD 2004 (WHAT WHAT!) at "the island" in Tarpon.  She is a great friend and a great person and I am so blessed to have her in my life.  She has been working at the church with me for about a year now and we have grown pretty close again...and I like that very much!  These are not new pictures, but I thought a few of us together would fit for today...since it is her birthday and all! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEL!

NYC for Andrea's 30th

Dinner at Amura

El Salvador

Friends & Family Day Slide

One of many Melissa Sandwich pictures!

Day 53: Veggietales and Cheerios

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

So, this is a video I took with my phone.  It is not the most exciting thing ever but I love how focused she is on eating her new favorite thing...Cheerios & watching Veggietales.  I wish I would have recorded her when she first heard the Veggietales song.  She got very excited.  So, I tried to recapture it, but somehow I can never get her to do what I want on cue...weird...

Day 76: I WIN!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011


I DID IT!! I saved more than I spent!  Given it was only a few bucks difference, but hey...a win, is a win!  Especially when it involved a box of diapers, 2 things of formula, Excedrin, Zicam, big bag of dogfood, and 2 bottles of EVOO! YEA BABY!


In case you can't read it, it says, I saved $58.79 & spent $56.37! 

Day 77: Happy St. Patty's Day

Thursday, March 17, 2011


So, here is a cute picture of my daughter all dressed up for the holiday!  She is just so stinkin cute! 

Day 75: Nursery

Tuesday, March 15


So, today I got to work in the Nursery.  We have only been having 1 or 2 kids on Tuesday night but tonight I guess people decided to come!  We have 6 kids!  So, I got to hang out with the babies.  Here is a picture I took of Cambell & her friend Hope.  Hope was born 4 weeks before Cambell.  Her mommy, Melissa Efird and I used to live together in the Poinsettia Palace!  My, how things have changed! 

Day 51: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

So...today we started a new series in kid's church called Diary of a Wimpy Kid and it is based off the books & movies that the kids love.  I have spent the past week creating the set for the 6 week series (along with some help from some very great people).  The teachings focus on some "wimpy" people in the bible that ended up doing really "cool" things for God.  Here is our completed set.  I think it turned out pretty cool! 

Day 52: Presents!

So, the other day Cambell got a present from Great Grandma & Grandpa in California.  We love them! They are so great!  She was very excited to open her present!  

I love that she looks so surprised about her present!

Day 50: Jerry...let's go to the zoo

So....today I took Cambell to the zoo.  For being so young she did pretty good.  We went in the morning and good thing too because when we went to leave there was a pretty long line of people waiting to get in.  AND IT WAS HOT!  February in Florida and I am wearing shorts...got to love it!  It is very hard to try and take pictures while keeping track of all your stuff and trying to hold an infant!  Here are a few of the fun pictures of the day.  My friend Jessica and her very cute nephew went with us too.  Overall I think we did a pretty good job & had a lot of fun!

Day 72: $2.00 short

So...today was the day I was determined to save more than I spent on grocery shopping.  I have been trying to do this couponing thing and it has definitely helped us save but it takes more time than I have and I can never seem to get those amazing deals like....spend $25.00 on a bill of $175.00...yea...


Today was going to be different...I get up to the register and I'm looking as my bill goes down and the savings go up...and then I see the final price and I was only $2.00 short of my goal!!!  I was almost tempted to take something back...lol...but hey I guess saving 50% isn't too bad either....ONE DAY...I WILL WIN!

Day 66: Bake Potato...baked potato...

So, lately Cambell has been a little more picky than i would like her to be with her food.  BUT tonight she ate almost a whole mini baked potato.  I was so proud!  Here is the leftovers!  (The simple things you find exciting once you become a parent.)

Day 63:Shopping Day

Friday, March 4, 2011


So, Friday I have off and my mom, Cambell, and I decided to go shopping.  Our main goal...to find a new shower curtain & some decor for our guest bathroom.  Well, after 5 different stores...we got some cute stuff but no shower curtain...I guess we will have to try again next time.  But hey, at least Cambell is ready for Easter! 

Day 62: WOW, Hannah...that's a BIG bite!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

So, I took this picture when I was at my youth pastor's conference but just had to put it up.  It makes me laugh every time!  One year, for Melissa Gainey/King's Birthday (maybe her 25th?) a few of us surprised her with a weekend trip to NYC! It was so much fun!  Went with some of my favorite girls...and Brad...oh, the good old days.


Well, my old roomie Hannah loves food!  I mean really...you should hear her when she eats!  We were on the plane on the way to or from NYC, I can't remember, and Brad had bought one of those super tasty cinnamon buns.  Well, he was done eating it, and passed it over to see who wanted it.  I got it, and of course I went straight to the center for my bite...it's the best part!  


All of a sudden I hear, WOW...Kristen...that's a big bite!  I'm like...so...it's the best one.  And then she kept commenting on how I took that bite...lalalala...and I couldn't figure out why she was so upset because she has just taken some before me....well, come to find out, she thought Brad was just sharing the cinnamon role and not giving it away...because...well, if she had known that...SHE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE GOOD BITE!  So, I think she was a little bitter!


HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Ok, this post may be so dumb to most of you, but to those of us that were there, it is still quotable!  Oh, how I miss those times and miss my Hannah!

Day 49: Friday fun...

So...today has been a very productive day.  I have been going nonstop since 7am.  Usually I relax a little on Friday's since they are my day off but not today.  I did try to lay down to take a nap but the moment my head hit the pillow Cambell wakes up early from her nap.  (It always seems to happen like that!)  Well...when I went in to get her, this is what I saw...

Day 47: Sickness, sickness, go away!

So...Monday night I got sick...not the good kind of sick either...so I stayed home from work on Tuesday and then got a phone call that Cambell had gotten sick at school so I had to go pick her up from daycare.  We spent Tuesday at home sick...not fun!  On Wednesday I had to bring her to work with me & being that she is not too big for the bassinet that I have in my office, I had to make a little bed on the floor for her by my desk.  I was so proud...when it was nap time, I laid her on the floor, she squirmed for a bit, and then fell right to sleep!  Here is my sweet girl taking a nap in mommy's office.  

Day 45: Have a good night

So...I got my coupons a couple weeks ago and this was on the cover of one of the coupon books.  It made me laugh out loud...how is that for advertising!  Hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day...whatever you did! 

Day 46: Best Husband Ever!

So...my Valentine's Day was really good.  My husband got up early and got me Chick-fil-a for breakfast and then when I got home from work there was a big balloon for Cambell (that she loved!), white roses (the prettiest flowers Josh has ever gotten me) and in our bedroom he had made a Valentine's Day backdrop so we could take family pictures!  How creative and thoughtful is he?  Here are some pictures from our photo shoot full of lots of kisses!

Yep....she's done!

Day 61: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

So, today is Dr. Seuss's birthday! He is one of my favorite children's book authors.  I love that he thought outside of the box and wrote books that are full of made-up characters and nonsense words!  Some of my favorite quotes come from his books.  Now that I have a baby, I can't wait to introduce her to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss.  Here is our bedtime story time in honor of Dr. Seuss.  Thanks for just being YOU! 

Day 60: Youth Pastor's Conference: Day 2

So...day 2 of the conference was held at First Baptist Church Orlando.  That place is huge!  I was late because traffic was insane.  What usually takes 45 min took me 2 hours!  I missed the first session which was conducted by Ron Luce (Acquire the Fire) so I was a little bummed.  

Then during the second session he sat behind me.  I am kind of a rock star.  I so totally wanted to be like..."When I was 16 I went to Acquire the Fire and it was awesome, and God changed my life, and I remember you had a coffin, and we had to let some stuff die in our lives, and you told my friend she was called to the missions field, and...and..." but I refrained!


Sean McDowell (Josh McDowell's son) was there.  I didn't catch all his teaching but he was a pretty cool guy.  George Barna spoke at the closing session 7 gave crazy statistics of what CHRISTIANS thought about certain things and it amazed me at how many people who love Jesus still have a messed up view on the truths of the bible.  I just pray that I am not one of those people and that one day I don't become just a statistic.  


All in all, it was an encouraging couple of days! 

Day 59: Youth Pastor's Conference: Day 1

So...today I got to go to Hard Rock at Universal City Walk for a completely FREE youth pastor's conference.  It was so great!  I left there feeling so refreshed!  I got to hear some great speakers and was encouraged by people who were looking at reaching this generation for God in new ways, but not by sugarcoating the gospel.  We need to do more of that.  Don't apologize for what you believe in, just speak the truth in love and in ways others who don't understand can receive it.  
Jesus said, " ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17) 


Oh, also...they had free Chick-Fil-A lunch and an awesome venue.  That makes everything better!

The lunch line that wrapped around the building!

Day 55: Sprouts

So...today I bought Cambell this organic babyfood called SPROUTS.  SHE LOVED IT!  I was sad she ate it all so fast and I didn't have anything else to give her.  I'm a big fan of healthy food, especially for babies.  If you have some extra money, are limited on time, and have a baby, you should try some! 

Day 44: Small Group

So...I am in a married couples small group with my husband (duh) and some friends of mine.  We don't do a whole lot other than get together, hang out, and EAT!  Here are a few pictures of our yummy food we had tonight! 

Day 43: Blake turns 1!

So, today we went to a Birthday party for my little cousin.  He just turned 1 year old!  We both got pregnant the same year and she had Blake (Cambell's first cousin her same age) in February and 4 months later Cambell arrived!  They had Blake's party at Gimboree and I was super excited to take Cambell.  She has never been.  It's a fun place with lots of colorful mats and slides & stuff.  A lot smaller than I expected which made it feel a little more intimate.  


She enjoyed the colors and getting to scoot around.  The had circle time and she got a little overwhelmed.  Yep...my kid was the crier.  But in her defense the lady was a little loud, there were lots of other little babies, and she wasn't feeling good....so, she was a little out of her element.  But, all in all I think we might bring her back.  It's good for her to do stuff like that. 


Here are some/a lot of pictures from that day.