Praise is who I am, Praise is what I do

"To worship is to come towards to kiss." 

I sing. I love to sing.
When I sing; I turn my eyes from myself to Jesus.  I meditate.  I enter the mystery. I surrender.  I move. I build.  I fight. I believe.  I fly.  I embrace.  I kiss... the two become one, and I am found in Jesus.
I love to sing.

When she opens her mouth to sing, 

she becomes a channel raw and plain. 

The notes come from the Lord who sings inside her.  

She opens her mouth and lets the Lord out. 

It's like calling from the mountains. 

Anne Lammott

Mama Holly is 51!

I thank my God every time I remember you. Phillipians 1:3
I had this beautiful necklace made for Holly, with a jade rock we found together while beach combing at Moonstone Beach in Cambria last May. For you locals- the necklace was made and designed by Grace DePledge

On this day in Cambria, Holly lead me down to the beach like a mother leading her daughter into a place filled with wonder. We walked along the beach and she uncovered all sorts of mysteries.
Next, we began to comb along the beach looking for treasures. I felt like a child finding each new rock to be more amazing then the one before. As Holly and I combed we would share our finds with each other, delight in the other's rocks, and then Holly would fill my pockets with her most beautiful treasures.
As I think about Holly, I realize that she always takes me by the hand and leads me to places filled with wonder and mystery. She has walked me through God questions, marriage, motherhood, community, and homeschooling. I also see that she is always filling my pockets with treasures. The greatest gift and treasure she has given me is that she is my God-mommy. I am learning how to be a daughter, how to love a mother, and what my relationships with my girls can look like.

I love you Mama Holly!

It is right for me to feel this way about you, since I have you in my heart.
Phillipians 1:7

The Other Joneses

This weekend we enjoyed visiting with The other Joneses.

left to right, - John, Uncle Don, Bailey, Aunt Pam, Katie, Jeremy
bottom- Jessica & Ellie
I always enjoy Uncle Don's great laugh and Aunt Pam's sweetness. It was nice to meet the very nice guys in Jessica and Katie's lives. Our kiddo's especially enjoyed playing with John and Jessica's beautiful girls- Bailey and Ellie.
The time together went by too quickly!
And this is a big Hello to Gram, who has joined the computer world!

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to listen to some of my favorite tunes, including the recently posted song I Am by Nichole Nordemon.

I Am

Pencil marks on a wall
I wasn't always this tall,
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed,
You watched my team win,
You watched my team lose,
You watched when my bicycle went down again,

And When I was weak unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Elbow healer, Superhero,
come if You can,” and You said “I Am”

Only 16, life is so mean, what kind of curfew is at ten p.m.
You saw my mistakes, You watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I’d never love again

When I was weak, unable to speak,
still I could call You by name,
and I said “Heart-ache Healer, Secret-keeper,
be my Best Friend” and You said “I Am”

You saw me wear white, by pale candlelight,
I said forever to what lies ahead
two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
too much it might seem when it’s two a.m.

When I am weak, unable to speak,
still I will call You by name.
“Oh Shepherd, Savior, Pasture-maker,
hold on to my hand,” and You say “I Am.”

The winds of change,
And circumstance blow in and all around
us so we find a foothold that’s familiar,
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
When Life had begun, I was woven and spun,
You let the angels dance around the throne, who can say when,
But they’ll dance again, when I am free and finally headed home

I will be weak, unable to speak,
still I will call You by name
“Creator, Maker, Life-sustainer,
Comforter, Healer, My Redeemer,
Lord and King, Beginning and
the End, I Am, yes, I Am.”

by Nichole Nordeman

Uncle Pluto

This past weekend Uncle Pluto (Jeff Lane) came to visit. We met Jeff in 1998 at Emerald Cove Camp (where he worked with Michael). Jeff''s camp name was Pluto, but he soon became Uncle Pluto (sometimes Uncle Play-dough) to our kids.

Jeff has been a part of our lives since Noah was just 1 month old, and has been present for 1st birthdays, births (Emilie's or "tiny tiny" as he lovingly referred to her), pumpkin carvings, Thanksgivings in spring, Hoe downs, putting in lawn, stacking wood, Disneyland trip, trips to the Discovery Science Center (to name a few). He is a part of our family. We are so thankful that God, in his goodness, gave him to us. The wonderful thing about our relationship with Jeff is that he belongs to our whole family- he is a friend and work partner for Michael; a friend, help, encouragement to me; and a jungle gym, wrestler, tickler, playmate for the kids. Everyone should have an Uncle Pluto in their lives!

This visit was especially good because we got to meet Jeff's girlfriend Christy. None of us are use to sharing Jeff when he is here, and bringing a girl in the mix could have gone all wrong, but Jeff has the right girl! Christy has a great laugh, is playful, pretty and easy to be with.
Playing restaurant.

BTW- Jeff works as a production assistant for the show Carpoolers which airs Tuesday eve.'s 8:3o on ABC.

The Whitney Classic

This past weekend Michael and I joined Summit Adventure for the Whitney Classic.
Michael had the opportunity to photograph the event, which is a 135 mile bicycle ride


from Death Valley

to the portal of Mt. Whitney (Mt. Whitney has the highest peak in the lower 48 states -at 14,496 feet elevation).
The event is a fund raiser for Summit Adventure .

We enjoyed seeing the event first hand. So much goes into making this event happen; Riders training, fund raising, providing sag drivers (drivers that follow them as they ride), "Sammers and Hammers" (Good Sam's Club, and Ham Radio Operators) volunteering their time and talents to the event, as well as the work of staff, volunteers and supporters who help make the event run smoothly.

We were able to visit with friends Ginger and Spinner Allen who currently live in Florida. Check out Spinner's blog Filatore

I got to be along side my very good friend Kelli to cheer riders on at the start of the race, and to celebrate and cheer them through the finish line. The first riders arrived at 11:33 p.m. with the last one finishing at 10:18 a.m.

You should know that being outdoors in the dark, and cold, on some mountain, with a sign that says "active bear warning," isn't my thing. It's very much my husbands thing, and it was good to see him do two things he loves (outdoors and photography). It was also good to be with and see Kelli in her element as well, especially as this was her last weekend working for Summit Adventure. Keep Kelli in your prayers as she prepares to serve with Pioneers. I know that God has a greater adventure for Kelli ahead, and that He has greater summits to lead her to.
That God would go before you and behind you friend on this
adventure (a wild and exciting undertaking; to take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome), and that he would lead you to the summit (the highest point of a hill or mountain; the highest attainable level of achievement; highest) He has planned for you. That He will be your provider, confidence, love, life, hope, truth, joy, peace and way is my prayer for you.

Jesus!


BTW- a super huge THANK YOU to Gramps & Nana for keeping the kiddos for 4 long days!