There's Just Something About That Name

I'm starting you out with a video. The quality isn't that great, so you might want to do like I did and just close your eyes and listen and really let the words and music settle into your mind and heart.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=49de636f2e6896f39d35

There truly IS just something about "that" name. HIS name. Jesus. But that is, by far, not His only name. He is so very much more. I can think of so many other names for Him. As I go through my day, as I pray at night, as I make my requests known to Him, as I pray for others, as I tell others about Him - I realize just who He is to me.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you have another name for Him that is special to you or that He is to you that I didn't name. I'd love to hear it, just like I love to hear His name, Jesus!

Here's my list:

Healer (Psalm 103:3) My Shield (Psalm 144:2)
Spirit of Truth (John 16:13) Restorer (Psalm 23:3)
Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20) Helper (Hebrews 13:6)
Refuge from the Storm (Isaiah 25:4) Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
Deliverer (Psalm 70:5) The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26)
Eternal Life (1John 5:20) Love (1John 4:16)
My Strength (Psalm 43:2) Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
The Lord Who Provides (Genesis 22:14) Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Shelter (Joel 3:16) Hope (Psalm 71:5)
Lord of Peace (2Thessalonians 3:16) Stonghold (Nahum 1:7)
Friend (John 15:15) God of Comfort (Romans 15:5)
Living Water (John 4:10) Bread of Life (John 6:35)
Advocate (1 John 2:1) Strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10)
Hiding Place (Psalm 32:7) Everlasting Light (Isaiah 60:20)

And one of my all time favorite and most comforting - Resting Place (Jeremiah 50:6)

If you will take time to really think about each of these names as you read over them and really think about Him being this for you, you will be amazed at just how present He really is in your life. He is.......... He said so. He said, "I AM". And I believe that with all my heart. He is....all these things to me. And I couldn't make it through life without Him as each and every one of these names I call Him. I am so thankful for who He is in my daily life.

So, are there any names you have for Him? What and Who is He for you and in your life?

Here is a parting gift to you as well. Sit back, take it all in and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5i2pELpqBg&feature=PlayList&p=FEA2D089D3E05D6D&index=0&playnext=1

He spoke to me

I am "off" work today. Well, from cashiering anyway. I'm at home today working twice as hard for half as much. Wait, no, for free. My day started like any other as I hit the snooze button for those illegal but MUCH needed extra ten minutes. I got up when the alarm went off for the second time. Feed the cats, check. Start the coffee pot, check. (TRY TO) Wake Michael up, check. Pour a cup of coffee and sit it in the living room by my reading chair, check. Call Michael a second time, check. Go back to the living room, sip my coffee and read my devotional, check. Back to Michael's room to make sure he's up and functioning, check. Check the time, check. Dressed, teeth brushed, check. Holler for Michael to "load up", check. Then I took him to school and came straight back home to face a day of cleaning.........my house, and my mind. I love being home by myself with the Lord. It's wonderful to give Him my undivided attention. As soon as I got back home, I turned on my praise and worship music and started cleaning. I do much more than whistle while I work, I praise Him out loud with everything I've got! It feels so good to worship Him in this way and whether He's laughing or not, I know He enjoys it too. The way my voice sounds today, I'm pretty sure He was laughing. I've been sick for almost a week now and my voice sounds like that of a 13 year old boy going through puberty. *sigh* It didn't slow me down though. We got a lot done today, me and the Lord. I've been needing to get some stuff off my chest and He's always ready to listen. Well, today, He did more than that!!!

I finally stopped at 11:30 to eat some lunch (never did make time for breakfast). I sat there with my hot dog in front of me and bowed my head to thank Him for this awesome day with Him, I thanked Him for the strength, energy and determination to get my house spic and span, I thanked Him for how much I got done in so little time, then I thanked Him for my part time job that allowed us to have just enough money to buy these hot dogs. Then, as my hot dog started getting cold (and I really didn't care) I started talking to Him about how I know He wants us to pray specifically when we pray for "things" in our lives. So, I said, "Lord, I WANT a full time job! I want a Monday through Friday, 8-5 job, with benefits." and before I could finish my specifics, these words came out of my mouth..............."I AM ENOUGH" It threw me for a loop!!! That was not part of my prayer! But before I could grasp what I just heard myself say, I just thanked Him for being enough! It was unbelievable, amazing, unreal...... No I didn't hear Him speak. I didn't hear His voice, I heard my own! He spoke through my own prayer!! At that very moment, I opened my eyes, I don't know, as if maybe I thought He might actually be right there looking at me. It felt like it, anyway! I was overwhelmed with emotion. I laughed and cried all at the same time. I know, that sounds weird, but it's what I did. Have you ever laughed through a cry? Well, now I can say I have.

He spoke to me. I have NO doubt. It was my voice, but very obviously HIS message!

Wow! What an awesome God!!!

I hope this has touched you and blessed you in some way. There's no way I could have NOT shared this. I know He would have wanted me too.

Good day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okv1vaveyPU

Staying in His will

Do you remember what it was like to be a child and your parents making all your decisions for you? Our parents made decisions for us because they knew what was best. In the same way, our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, even when we think otherwise. I am living day to day following my Father's direction for my life. It is not the path I would have chosen for myself, but through it all, I know I am learning and growing. I am learning to trust Him more. I am growing in strength, wisdom and appreciation for many different kinds of people. I have no doubt I am exactly where He wants me to be at this time in my life. I am even a little excited when I think about the possibilities of where this experience will take me in the near future. My heart is content knowing that my Father loves me and has my whole world in His hands.

So, today, I am thankful for my life, just the way it is...........in the middle of His will.

He truly is indescribable! Enjoy.........
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fb7bc667c7b301b74d52

Without Further Ado: The reception

We arrived at the reception hall and the lobby, I guess you would call it, was absolutely beautiful. It was large with large cozy furniture and a fire was roaring in the fireplace. VERY nice, indeed!

David and Haley


Me and David


Oh, and this was also in the lobby. I thought this was the cutest idea. They had a
"Candy Bar"! Four different kinds of candy in neat glass containers, each with a silver scoop. You know those little draw string bags that lots of wedding receptions have filled with bird seed for tossing at the newlyweds? Well, they had those little bags laid out on the table amongst the different containers of candy. There were Reese Pieces, Peanut M&M's, Hot Tamales and Skittles. I thought it was a neat parting gift.


Then we went inside the reception hall. Abby's cake was beautiful. Each layer was a different flavor. The bottom layer was white, the middle was strawberry and the top layer was set aside, obviously for the bride and groom to keep so I don't know what flavor it was.




This was Jason's cake. Jason is an avid hunter, so of course it makes perfect sense. His cake was chocolate. It was wonderful.


OK, now let me back up. While we were checking out everything in the reception hall the bridal party finally arrived from taking a million photos. They collected in the lobby as they reassembled for their grand entrance. These are candid shots I took as I watched them prepare for their introductions.


Jody and Becky Beale - Jason's parents



The bridesmaids




Maid of honor to the rescue. Just one of her many loving duties.




Then it was time to cut the cake










Then her next duty arrived and she delivered her toast to the newlyweds. It was so sweet. She told a story about how she and Abby had been friends since nursery school and how in middle school they had "boyfriend contracts". She said that Abby had picked Jason in the 7th grade and "vowed" to marry him. Guess she really did know, huh!? Now, you can't tell me that's not the sweetest thing ever!!!


Abby thought it was hilarious. Check out Jason's red cheeks! How funny.


Cheers!



Then, Jason's best man, his dad, took the mic for his toast. He had something "prepared", but chucked it at the last moment, as he realized "it" just wasn't going to happen. What had been prepared was just a little too deep and he knew he probably would have never made it through it. His toast was warm and heartfelt just the same even though it was "off the cuff"



To Jason and Abby


Cheers!

Yeah, Jason and David have been buds their whole life and have lots of good "growing up" memories. In fact, David was featured more than once in Jason's portion of the power point presentation of he and Abby through the years. Oh, and be sure to notice my silly brother in the background! Yes, this is the true nature of my family!

Now for some shots of everyone enjoying the reception

Here's my Michael

Jimmy REALLY enjoyed that punch. It was really good.

Jason - "working" the room

Here's one of Abby about to throw the bouquet

Abby "worked" the room too. By the look on her face, there's no telling what "advice" Granny gave her!!

And the new Mother-in-Law couldn't be happier to welcome her new daughter into her life


Well, this concludes our Kentucky trip. We packed a LOT into three short days. I hope you enjoyed the journey. I'm glad you decided to come along.

Oh, and....................we can't thank you enough, Aunt Cereal! We love you!

Posting Question?!?

OK, folks. The ceremony went off without a hitch. Now it's time for the reception. I have 32 pictures to share with you. Now, my question is...........do you want them all at once? Or half at a time? Or maybe 8 a day for the next four days?! Let me just warn you before you decide.........I have AWANA at church tomorrow night, then choir practice. Then Thursday night we start our new Beth Moore women's Bible study on Esther. This means it may be several days before we finish this up.

When I get atleast 3 comments regarding this post, I'll decide which one it's going to be.

I'm waiting!!!

You are cordially invited........

OK, let me come clean..........I didn't actually take any pictures "at" the wedding. I just didn't feel right doing that. I wanted to be completely consumed by the moment and ball my eyes out and sniffle and snort (I AM the proud Aunt, after all!) and I knew having the camera there would have taken away from that. So, these photos are "stills" from my brother's camera. They are good shots, none the less. Hope you enjoy them.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Beale!!!

The bride and her daddy, Owen

The bride and her mom, Jenny

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Beale and the Dickens girls

Jason, Dad and Mom

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Beale AND Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (Jody) Beale

Mr. and Mrs. Jody Beale, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Beale and Granny

And now for my favorite "candid" shot....................

I don't recall it being hot in the sanctuary. And.........the ceremony was already over, so it couldn't have been nerves (unless Jason has severe delayed reaction!), but for some reason, Jason was melting like a Popsicle in the middle of July! His (new) wife was fanning him, his mom was looking on nervously and even the photographer was puzzled, as Jason wiped the sweat from his brow. Poor fella. His ears were even beet red.

OK, so now you've seen the wedding. Hope you'll stop back by tomorrow and join us for the reception. I'll save you some cake!

Wedding Day Sight Seeing....

Saturday morning we all got up and headed down for our continental breakfast. It was pretty good. They even had a waffle iron and batter and you could make your own waffles! Haley made waffles for all of us! They were very yummy. They had fresh fruit, a couple of different kinds of juice, coffee, hot tea, oatmeal, dry cereals, bagels, sausage, a variety of danishes, and muffins. It was a nice start to a wonderful day.

Our first excursion was to the High Bridge Park. On the way there, we kind of got turned around a little but I still got some neat shots of where we first ended up. Here, this is what we found off the beaten path. I just thought these were some good photos.

I don't know what this used to be, but it was enormous!! Oh, I wish you could have seen it!

OK, so then we got back on track and headed down the right road to the High Bridge Park.


Once inside the park, you walk out onto this:

Once you reach the end, down there, THIS is what you'll see:

Then to the left:

Then a little more to the right:


The view was breathtaking! These photos do the view NO justice! This water is the Kentucky River. Personally, I think they should call it Gatorade River. Well, it looks just like Gatorade!

Then, to the right:

Oh, hey. Yeah, "CHEESE"! OK, now move! I'm trying to take pictures!!! (Just kidding!)

Now, then to the right............

The majestic High Bridge railroad structure, considered an engineering marvel of its time and featured by the Smithsonian Institute, is an honored landmark that spans the Kentucky River at the breathtaking Gorge and Palisades. When built in 1877 it was the highest railroad trestle in the world.

OH, MY!!! It's nearly NOON! The wedding starts at 2:00! There are 3 of us girls having to get ready for the wedding!

So, we hurried back to the room and started primping.

See ya'll tomorrow, at the wedding! (I know, I've held ya'll off yet another day!)