Beautiful

You are made for so much more than all of this...

I have heard about this song and just listened to it for the first time today. WOW! Thanks to those who have recommended it. I have included 2 videos on the the site (email subscribers...you know what this means...visit here). The first video is the story behind the song. And the second video is the song with lyrics. I hope you take a few minutes to listen. Such an incredible message. It brought tears to my eyes (as most things are these days). I pray my girls always know how beautiful they are. I pray WE all experience the feeling of beauty!

You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His!
You're Beautiful!

The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful

I'm praying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skys above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes

Everything I Need

I have had some requests lately to put some of my music on the blog. Unfortunately, there isn't anything new. The newest would be a song written by one our family's good friend Dr. Matt Dixon in Elco, GA. Matt is an extremely talented song writer and wrote this a little over a year ago. We sat in his home studio one day and hashed out the song and the details of what we wanted it to sound like. Then, after sending the song to a friend of Matt's in Nashville, we received a "remake" on the instrumentation of the song and re-recorded it in Warner Robins, GA with studio engineer, worship leader, and song writer Mark Baltzigler. I had so much fun in the studio and hope to have some more studio work in the future!

Here is a quick video that Matt took while recording in the studio with Mark. This is not the final product as we added some background vocals later. I will add that in a later post once I find it :) There are a few takes. I think the second take we get the whole song in before cutting it right at the end. And take a look here for the demo version that was originally done in Elco with Matt. We had fun just singing acoustic and adding some background vocals.

Enjoy :)

Thanks Matt for writing such a great song!

Building Momentum

So this back and forth thing? You know...the, "I was doing so good, learning so much, and then BAM! something slows me down...then, after some time, I have these revelating moments with the Lord and he picks me up, dusts me off, and sets me on my feet again...and I find my self eventually shouting HALLELUJAH!!?"...um...Yeah...that, back and forth thing!...That's what I am talking about.

I imagine these things happen to all of us.

We suffer trials.

We endure pain.

We find joy.

We experience peace.

We get comfortable.

And then the cycle begins again.


Well, a friend gave me a fun perspective yesterday. It was quite the metaphor from a popular story that I had never thought of (I am all about perspective these days)! Robin, I kind of re-worded it a bit for story-telling sake. Still the same one though :)


Remember David? That small, little guy who was a shepherd? A harps player? And then that BIG MONSTER, Goliath? How did that little stone have such power? We all know that ultimately it was the work of our Awesome GOD! But let's think about the tiny stone and what had to happen to make that Giant fall to his death. David picked up the stone, placed it in his sling and began SWINGING! 'Round and 'Round (as we sing with Allison)! The sling was brought BACK to build momentum to go FORWARD! Okay, get ready...here is the good stuff...Sometimes we are in the "back" of the swing and going nowhere. Those tough times when we sit in the yucky hard stuff, we are wondering why we are there and what could possibly be the purpose. And then the swing makes it's turn in forward motion and we have momentum built to be propelled forward to a better place and greater things!!! Glory be to God for preparing me for the journey as I walk ahead. Thanks for shaking things up a bit when I get to comfortable. I pray that you will continue to do what is needed in my life to have me fully suited and ready for the battle ahead! When I am in the back swing, may I remember that I have something to look forward to on my swing forward!

James 1:1-4

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 5:3
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

A Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride!

There is such such a short time span that we can truly enjoy the outdoors here in Florida without sweating and fighting of mosquito's...It's those winter days in the 70's!

Our sweet girls really have enjoying getting some good bike riding time in!

And Annalise has been graduating a bike size every year and getting more stable and courageous!


Allison, almost 4 years old, has just learned how to ride Annalise's first bike with training wheels (gotta love those hand-me-downs)!


So Proud of our girls! They grow up too darn fast!

Mysterious

That's what God is!

Walking along the journey. Things begin to be normal. I get comfortable.

AND BAM!!!

Seriously God?

Now?

I was just really getting a grasp on the last lesson.

Oh....what is that you are saying??? Huh??? This is a "continuation" of the same lesson (plus some)? REALLY? Is this a joke? Is this necessary? Can you give me a minute please?

Wow!

You are mysterious! And I LOVE IT!

You make me smile...even through the fog...

even through the confusion...

even through the pain...

even with all the questions...

with the unknown...

It's called PERSPECTIVE. Thank you Jesus for bringing me back to that. Keep me smiling :)

***disclaimer - Jesus is my medicine these days. He is what works! So this "smile" is one of His side effects! This "smile" is not a smile that is always seen to the human eye...And this "smile" does need time to take full effect...first, I have to choose to take my medicine :)

~Jaime

Sometimes It's Easy to Say...

Living it out is another story

You have heard me say, "I'm Done with Pretty!" I can't do this healing thing half-way. I am willing to undergo God's surgical procedures on my heart to be fully HIS. Surrender. All the way! No more talk. No more outward presentations. INWARD, DEEP, and SOUL SURRENDERING!

No matter what it takes, right???

I mean, I've prayed it over and over. Your will, Jesus, not mine! May I suffer for your Kingdom's cause.

But what does healing really look like? How can I ever say I am there? And how long will it take? Cause just when I think I am done and claiming victory, I feel yet another blow. Then I have to make a choice. What will I choose?

I don't always choose "not my will but yours be done." I don't always jump to a quick "thank you Jesus for this hurt and pain." As easy as it is to say and pray in the good times, I am not choosing joy in the midst of all my circumstances when they aren't as pretty.

At first, emotions take hold...sadness, anger, shame, or fear. Rather consciously choosing or just natural feel to the blow, I wallow in my emotion for a few min...hours...maybe even days. BUT then, in the MIRACULOUS (as He has proven to be), He brings me back and I shout, HALLELUJAH! Why? Because he has proven FAITHFUL, SOVEREIGN, JUST, and HE IS MY HEALER! May He do what He needs to do to reconstruct my being!

On this road of full healing, redemption, and restoration, I know that I can't call the shots. I know that I don't deserve to be understood and sympathized for. And at times when I wish others could see my heart and just see what Jesus sees, I am brought face to face again with choices I've made. I have brought reason to be misunderstood. This is my doing. I asked for it. But, I also won't let my past and others opinions define who I am and hinder the work the Father has done in me. I simply need to remember that the choices I've made and the sin I have committed have consequences (some ongoing) regardless of the forgiveness I have recieved. It keeps me humble. I need that as I walk in victory.

Here is another great song that I pray for the ones that are feeling the effects of my sin. May I never forget the pain they feel...the pain I've caused. As much as I feel some of the blows, the pain, the hurt, I will never fully grasp the pain they feel. Jesus, may your love be a rock when we are spinning!!!

My Brightness - Charlie Hall
(video below. email subscribers check out the blog to see)

I've been hit from every corner,
I've been thrown from side to side,
I'm cracked up on the inside, so I come to you for life,
Your presence always heals me, so I want to drink it in,
you know where we're going God,
You know where I've been.
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning around.

Yesterday I felt so angry
Today so insecure
I hate it that I wrestle
the God that I adore
Your presence always heals me
so I want to drink it in
You know where we're going God
You know where I've been.
And Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning...

And I know less about you
my heart loves you so much more
your my pride in sadness
your my brightness.

I wish this thing could pass from me
but I'm wanting what you want
so bring me high or bring me low
just hold me in your love

And Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
your love is like a rock
When I'm spinning
Your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning
your love is like a rock
when I'm spinning around.

Camping Date Night (by Jarrett)

Jarrett here again...see, told you I would be blogging!
Friday afternoon, Jaime and I took a much needed break from life, work, kids and any other things that commonly distract married people, to go on our first ever camping trip together alone! We've done this a few times with the kids and have grown to enjoy it over the years. But this time, we wanted it to just be us. We packed up Friday afternoon, ditched the kids and headed off into the wilderness.

When we arrived at our campsite, there were two deer walking about 15 yards from where our tent was going. It was pretty cool! It was almost as if the park releases them for guests to set the outdoor mood....animatronics Disney style!

Anyway, I saw this as a gift from God...took out my gun and began to fire. Dinner was awesome that night!!

Yes, I'm kidding. No, I didn't shoot the deer...

Next, we got the tent set up in record time, as we weren't chasing the kids around. Then we went for a hike down to the lake.

We had fun taking pictures down on the dock, talking, praying, and just enjoying some quiet time before our campfire dinner.

Once we got back from the lake, we got the fire going, planted our butts in our chairs, and spent the next several hours eating, roasting marshmallows, talking and hanging out.

In the camping gear, stored from the final trip of last year, we found a pack of glow bracelets we had gotten for the kids. Yes, we played with them!

The only way you could see us in the picture is if we timed the camera snap perfectly in sync with me pouring lighter fluid on the fire. Kids, do NOT try this at home!

Believe it or not, we went to sleep before 11:00 PM, and woke up AFTER 8:00 the next morning... IN A TENT!! It was great!

For breakfast, we made omelets and blueberry muffins in ziplock bags and boiled water. Its hard to explain, but thanks to the Girl Scouts for the idea.

We had a great time and will certainly plan to do this again for another long date night. We're planning on another camping trip in a few weeks for Allison's 4th birthday party. We did this last year and she loved it!

I am DONE with Pretty!!!

Hallelujah!!!

I have been journaling and editing this blog post for almost 3 hours today (don't worry, my precious husband is home today and helping with kids)! Because I decided my journaling for today was for Jesus only, I deleted all my ramblings of where I am. In my prayers, writing, and flowing of tears, I was reminded of this song above by Heather Williams. Every time I hear these lyrics and her screams of "Hallelujah," I fall apart as I am WAILING out loud my Hallelujahs to the Father right along with her! It is a not a sound that is angelic to the human ear. It is UGLY, LOUD, and SOUL VOMITING sounds. I want to LAVISH LOVE and GRATITUDE to my Daddy above! I NO LONGER want it to be pretty, I want it RAW and REAL and SURRENDERING!

I am DONE...I MEAN D-O-N-E with pretty!!!

HALLELUJAH!!!

(*email subscribers - please visit blog to view video...you WON'T be disappointed)!

Tiny Dancer...a chip off the old block!

Our precious little peanut has a heart to preform! You can pretty much bet on her doing a "dance show" every time there is a room full of people!

Allison just started a new dance class at her preschool! She has already had some ballet experience and was ready to get her tippy toes at work again! She went right into class and saw her friends and teacher. Her teacher had Allison demonstrate a few positions and knew right away how to show her friends! I was such a proud mommy (a mommy that wasn't allowed to stay in class with her to get video, yet peeked and listened through the door window)!

And equally as proud, I am excited to show her where she got her mad sKiLLZ from....

Check out my incredibly talented husband making some SWEET moves on New Years Eve! I have SOOOOO been waiting to share this video in just the right way...
(remember - all those that view these in their email, it is VERY NECESSARY to head to the blog at www.embracingeachmoment.blogspot.com to see Jarrett ROCK OUT!)

You've Got Mail!

One of the things we implemented this year in our family goals of 2011, is to be more intentional with quality time and activities together. A while back I had read about "family mailboxes" and LOVED the idea! So, after Annalise and Allison finished their school work, we moved on to crafts! You know how we love crafts!

These are the girl's mailboxes which are placed in the hallway leading to their bedrooms!

I think this is definitely one of Annalise's favorite school subjects!


Allison stuck stickers, made a mess with glue, and then just began making messes!

The girls are SO EXCITED to start placing mail into the mailboxes...and receiving mail too! In each mailbox, we will also have a small notebook that is available for all family members to write in. I can't wait to fill these books with encouraging words to each other and then have a record of it forever!

Here are Mommy and Daddy's mailboxes which are placed right outside our bedroom. Notice Daddy already has something inside!



We had a successful first day of school since the holidays!
Looking forward to learning more in 2011!

Don't start your diets yet!!!

Annalise has a message for you!

Jarrett Blogs in 2011… WHAT??

News Flash! A blog written by Jarrett!!!

Well, here we are in 2011, and PROUD to bid a fond farewell to 2010!! I thought it might be fun to start the year off with my first ever blog post, if for no other reason than to simply see what the fuss is all about. I hope to do this occasionally, but I gotta be honest… I don’t know that I’ve got all that much to say that would be of interest to anyone. Perhaps I’ll gauge my posts on the number of comments I get... *cough*cough*HINT!*

I do know a few secrets that make some blogs more successful than others. First, blogs with pictures are more likely to get read than those without. So… here’s a picture of an ox:

Second, if you’re not going to have pictures, you’ve GOT to have some deep, meaningful information. My pastor is GREAT at this. Can’t remember ever seeing a picture on his daily blog, but I read it every day.

Third, if your blog post is too long/wordy, it will lose attention. The only exception to this rule is the aforementioned pastor’s blog. So, having said that, let me move on. But not before another picture!

This is a picture of a car I got behind the other day. I thought the bumper sticker was… well, confusing.

OK, so some serious stuff. 2010 really was not a great year for me. I faced trials this year that I never fathomed would find their way into my life and found myself brought to my knees, helpless, powerless, and crying out to God like never before. No need to go into detail as the details are not the amazing part of this story. The amazing part of this story is the redemption and restoration that God has brought in the midst of chaos. I know now, more than ever, that God loves me and my family, and everyday that I’m living and breathing, I am helpless and powerless without him, no matter what.

I don’t want to say ALL of 2010 sucked. The past few weeks have been amazing and God has shown me more about who I am in him than EVER before. As he continues to peel away the pieces of this onion that is my life, I find myself amazed more often than not of how powerful He is. He truly is amazing, and I can do squat without HIM.

Yep, that was an onion…

So, on to 2011!!! I am super pumped to see what God has for me and my family as we move into this new year. My prayer for our family this year is this: That we may be drawn closer to Him everyday, and that he will continue to reveal to me areas of MY life that create a hindrance in my walk with Him.

God, please help me to be the husband, father, spiritual leader of my house and follower of You that You have called me to be. Without You, I am nothing, I will fail, and it will not be pretty. Please remove me when I am tempted to get in the way of Your mighty plan.

Here’s to wishing everyone a wonderful, happy and blessed 2011!!!

Jarrett