"Anonymous"

Ever feel insignificant, hidden, unappreciated, unvalued, useless, used, uncelebrated, unseen, in a rut, etc.?

I'm reading a book called "Anonymous" by Alicia Britt Chole that speaks to these very feelings.  I asked for the book for Christmas because I thought the subtitle was interesting: Jesus' hidden years... and yours.  Little did I know that 6 months later { when I finally started to read it } it would be words to my heart for this season directly from God for His glory.

Since January when I found out I was pregnant, I have not been "myself."  I am in an uncontrollable whirlwind of taking life as it comes rather than creating life as I'd like it.  I have been sick for the past 24 weeks, have had no energy and have spiraled down into my depression { more on that some other time }.  It's all such a helpless feeling.

I am a person that thinks, if there is a way to "fix" or make a situation better, then I do it.  So I have been trying to "fix" all this for months now to no avail.  Just when I think I am feeling better, something slams me back down.

I am also an "acts of service" kind of person.  I enjoy taking care of my husband and kids.  I like to think about ways I can encourage and impact family and friends with the love of Christ and then DO THEM.  All of this in the past was an unconscious way of thinking I was earning Gods love.  But about 3 years ago, I was released from that bondage and have enjoyed God's free and unconditional AMAZING grace & love ever since.  This has actually spurred me to do greater things in His name because I am so thankful and free!  But alas, I have been failing miserably at all of the above. 

I have spent so much time just sitting around. This might not seem like a problem to most of you but, for me, with it comes guilt and a feeling of being useless and in a rut.

It wasn't until about 5 days ago after reading the passage from the book in the picture above that it finally sunk in and I realized that I am in a season of refinement and I must not try to rush it.  In fact, I need to embrace it.  I need to commit my heart and mind to finding my identity solely in Christ.  I need to discipline my thought life and rest in God's timing.  Since saying these words out loud it's like I've been released from the heavy rock I had been carrying.

I just want to encourage you today that God SEES you and knows exactly where you're at in life.  Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” While I believe loving God and action in His name go hand in hand, He also wants us to accept our circumstance and sit at His feet as long as we need to in order to receive the comfort, peace, joy and supernatural power it will take to walk through this season.

Freedom's Waving Shield

Our flag is more than just a symbol of a nation brave and free.

And it’s so much more than just an emblem proclaiming liberty.

Old Glory is truly a monument as its pillars rest on high ideals.

Dedicated to those who pass the staff of freedom’s waving shield.

We carried it proudly throughout history to wherever duty called.

From the dark days at Valley Forge to Yorktown’s thunderous fall.

Gallantly streaming over Fort McHenry through that perilous night.

Proved to the world we’re here to stay in the early morning light.

Fluttering in the fields of Gettysburg to engage all who would enslave.

Under its unfurled colors our full measure of devotion is what we gave.

Intrepidly leading the way in battle against oppressors' imposing will.

From the Halls of Montezuma to its valiant charge up San Juan Hill.

From the great crusade at Normandy to the summit of Suribachi it flew.

Waving out a clear warning to tyranny that the fight is coming to you.

It followed us ashore in Korea; over the skies of Vietnam it streaked.

Across Iraq’s sea of endless sand to Afghanistan’s mountainous peaks.

Guiding us clearly through the fog of war as we liberated many lands.
Defending man's inalienable rights and the republic for which it stands.

Flying over our heroes’ graves promising our mission will never cease.
As we wield our banner onward in the relentless pursuit for peace.

by: Michael McGlynn

2013 { t w i r l } playlist

Nothing Is Impossible

Planetshakers

 

Deep Cries Out

Bethel Music

 

Speak Life

Toby Mac

 

Shackles

Mary Mary

 

Greater

Elevation Worship

 

With One Word

Shane & Shane

 

I Have Decided

Elevation Worship

 

Clear The Stage

Jimmy Needham

 

For Your Glory

Nashville

 

I Will Trust

Elevation Worship

 

I Give Myself Away

William McDowell

 

Here For You

Matt Redman

 

Nothing Is Wasted

Elevation Worship

 

Build Your Kingdom

Rend Collection

 

This I Know

Jenny Simmons

 

Open Up The Heavens

Meredith Andrews

Sparkly Green Earrings

In honor of Mothers Day, there is a humorous book on motherhood called "Sparkly Green Earrings" written by Melanie Shankle that I thought I would share with you all.

This book has been endorsed by Beth Moore saying. "I love Melanie Shankle. She is a beautiful conglomeration of so many things I appreciate and each of them are obvious in these pages. She’s profoundly insightful, witty, relatable, wide-open, and passionate about Jesus. She likes people and I like that in a person. In this book, Melanie lives her life with us and invites us to live our lives with her. Relish this ride, Sister! You won’t be sorry you took it."

Ring Cleaning

This post is dedicated to a sweet friend who recently got engaged.

  { Congratulations Brenda Sue! }

The man my husband bought my wedding ring from taught us a trick for quick in-home ring cleaning that is inexpensive and works so well.

Since I am a person who loves to acquire and also share fun ideas and facts, I thought I would share it with all my twirl ladies!

All you need is powdered detergent and a small pot with water.

Directions:
1. Fill your pot with water and place both your ring and also a "pinch" of the detergent inside
2. Place the pot on the stove and heat on high until the water boils
3. Continue boiling for about 10 minutes then remove and rinse your ring under cold water
 4. and Voila! A ring that sparkles!

"It Is Finished"

 

John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said,
“It is finished.”
With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

 

Making Jesus Famous

Have you ever been asked that all-telling-about-you-and-your-personality question, "If you could meet someone famous dead or alive, who would you choose?"  What were your answers? A movie star, a musician, a history maker?  Anyone ever say immediately, Jesus Christ, like there was no other obvious answer?  Yeah me neither.  I pretty much hate that about myself. 

 

To me, famous equals movie stars.  I wasted so many years in my 20's reading, studying, and probably salivating over movie stars lives; Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, etc. { remember I'm talking like 7-10 years ago }  You could ask me about almost any movie star and I could give you the 411.  Thankfully, about 7 years ago the Lord convicted me about it, set me free  and completely broke that bondage in my life.  I now watch the Oscars and have no idea what any one's name is { smile }.

 

I want my answer to be Jesus.  One of { t w i r l }'s tag lines is: Making Jesus Famous in the Hearts of Women.  That is my desire, to make Jesus "famous" in my life and in yours.

I think one of the reason's we don't automatically think to say Jesus when asked about a famous person { and if you do, HUGE kudos to you } is because we don't consider Him famous.  Now hear me on this.  I spend time with Jesus everyday.  He knows everything about me and still loves me and I have fallen madly in love with Him.  So to me answering Jesus to the famous person question would be like answering my husband or my mother.  I LOVE these people but do I consider them to be famous?

fa·mous

/ˈfeɪməs/ Show Spelled [fey-muhs]  
  

1. having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated

2. Informal. first-rate; excellent: The singer gave a famous performance. 

3. notorious

 

 

Okay, so after looking at the definition of famous, I can't think of anyone more renowned, excellent & notorious than Jesus Christ.  He deserves to be famous.  His brutal death on the cross & resurrection from the dead should make Him the most famous person who ever walked the planet.

 

So I think we have established that Jesus fits and deserves the description of famous.  Now why is it my mission to make Him famous in my heart and yours?  When we consider someone famous, we tend to think about that person, research that person, idolize that person, want to become like that person.  Like I said, I wasted years with a media addiction.  During that time, who was I giving more of my time and thoughts too, Hollywood or Jesus? 

 

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with following what's going on with your favorite movie star.  I just was held in bondage to it.  I developed a huge insecurity problem.  I listened and believed the world when it shouted, "You're not good enough, thin enough, pretty enough, popular enough."  But when the bondage was broken and Jesus once again had a clear path to my heart I began to hear, "You are enough, you're Mine, you're valuable, you're beautiful, you're special and you have purpose on this earth that no one else can fulfill."

 

I want Jesus to stay number number one.  I want Him to infiltrate my thoughts and my heart.  I want to want to be like Him.  If there was ever someone to emulate, it would be Him.  When Jesus becomes famous in your heart, it changes everything!

 

 

"Worth it All"

My sister in law, Hope, suggested I take a listen to Meredith Andrews newest Cd, "Worth it All."  Meredith is a worship leader in Chicago.  I'm so glad I checked it out, it's really good. 

 

My favorite songs are "Wonder of Wonders," "The Gospel Changes Everything," & "Your Kingdom Reigns."  But the one i like the best is "Open Up the Heavens."  I could have it on repeat all day!

Time to get that Easter music going!

Last year I created an Easter playlist and I am so glad I did!  I added a few new songs this year but loved having all these amazing songs in one place.  I think my favorite is still "Jesus Paid it All."  So get on the Easter bandwagon and start celebrating our Living God!!

"Nothing is Wasted"

"Nothing is Wasted" CD by Elevation Worship came out Febrauary.19.2013

 

Praying For Paisley Mae

You can listen to Katie share her personal story on a radio program by clicking this { link } starting at 12 minutes.

 

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33

I turned 33 this week and just for fun, here are 33 things you may or may not know about me and my 33 years on this earth:

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

 

1. I loved being a kid! If I could go back to any age, it would be elementary school

 

2. I have 3 sisters

 

3. I've spent every holiday of my whole life with my moms entire side of the family

 

4. In 6th grade I was class president, played Mrs. Cratchit in the Christmas play and sang a solo a cappella for the school talent show. I became self conscience & insecure in 7th grade { sad }

 

5. I had my 1st crush in 2nd grade to a boy in my class named Julian Swartz { the local basketball phenom }. I developed my 2nd crush in 4th grade to a boy named Ken Seelow { we've been married for 10 years now }

 

6. I never attended one school dance. My junior year I was voted prom queen but my good friend who was class president & head of prom committee told them to take my name off the list since she knew I didn't attend dances...{ smile }

 

7. I didn't get my drivers license until I was 17 1/2 just because I didn't want to

 

8. My favorite high school teachers were Mr. Carpenter, my choir teacher, who taught us much more than just music for 4 years and my Chemistry teacher Mrs. D'Antuono who helped me realize my love for science & chemistry

 

9. I got kicked out of college...twice...for poor grades

 

10. I switched my major from Chemistry to Accounting when science became too much of a spiritual conflict in my heart 

 

11. I attended public school my whole life

 

12. In 9th grade I gave a speech on God in my English class, 10th grade I gave the salvation message, 11th grade I did my speech on the infilling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues & my lucky 12th grade classmates got to hear all about the rapture & Jesus second coming!

13. I took piano lessons growing up, my skill is limited { smile }

14. My first job was at ValuCare Pharmacy

15. I have a degree in accounting

16. I'm a terrible speller

17. My last job before becoming a stay at home mom was in accounts at the Medical College of WI in the Pediatric Department. { I had the best boss in the entire world, shout out to Becky! }

 

18. Took our 1st family vacation when I was 12 to Walt Disney World where we drove 3 in the front & 3 in the back of the family station wagon

 

19. My husband is my best friend

 

20. I worked in junior high ministry at church for years before starting women's ministry. I am still partial to a junior high student and all the potential & molding that takes place during those years.

 

21. Academically, I was number 23 in my class of 359 on graduation day

 

22. I have a 5 year old son, a 3 1/2 year old daughter & one on the way. Being a stay at home mom is the hardest best job ever!

 

23. Given a choice between meeting Beth Moore or Pastor Steven Furtick, I would pick Pastor Steven. I know, right?! Gasp!

 

24. Easter is becoming my favorite holiday

 

25. Top 3 places I want to visit in my lifetime: New York City, Elevation Church, Washington DC

 

26. Even though being in my thirties feels old to me, my 20s could be described as a messy blur of growing up.

 

27. I feel most at home at a women's conference

 

28. I'm notorious for regretting my fashion decisions after seeing them even a day later in a photograph

 

29. My families nick name for me is "the mouth"

 

 30. I am terribly afraid of flying

 

31. I hate mushrooms & seafood

 

32. Kelly means warrior woman. I always hated it as a kid but as I've gotten older, it suits me. Not because I think I'm tough but because I honestly enjoy being in the spiritual trenches.

 

33. I love planning, organizing and putting on events with themes and purpose!

**Update** Paisley Mae { Prayer Request }

Let me introduce you to one of the sweetest, most God fearing young woman I know.  Her name is Katie Ewing. { She is our Aimee's sister }  I feel the following scripture depicts her heart perfectly... Psalm 16: 5-8 "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.^" She recently gave birth to an adorable little girl named Paisley Mae Ewing.  Please read Katie's words below and be in prayer:

 

 

 

 

*     *     *     *     update     *     *     *     *

 

 

{ February } Prayer Requests . Praise Reports

Matthew 7:7-8

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

 

*Please leave a comment any time during the month of February on this post if you have a prayer request or praise report you would like to share with us.

Ladies Night

Here are some photo's from Stacey's Bachelorette Party this past fall.  We started with Dinner at Cafe Hollander followed by a honeymoon shopping game at the Mall and ended up at her bridesmaid Tracie's house to open presents. Enjoy!