• Song: Your Presence Is Heaven by Israel Houghton

    Taking some time everyday to spend in the quiet presence of the Lord can make all the difference in your day.   We get so easily distracted, or at least I do, with everything going on around us that we don’t intentionally make time to spend in prayer and in God’s word.  Take time today to be in His presence.  Let Him speak into your heart and life.

    Who is like You Lord in all the earth?
    Matchless love and beauty, endless worth
    Nothing in this world can satisfy
    ‘Cause Jesus You’re the cup that won’t run dry

    Your presence is heaven to me
    Your presence is heaven to me

    Treasure of my heart and of my soul,
    In my weakness you are merciful,
    Redeemer of my past and present wrongs,
    Holder of my future days to come

  • Song: There Must Have Been Something in the Water by Carrie Underwood

    Recently at church they had a baptism service.  It was a great reminder of the changes in the hearts and lives as Christ continues to work through us.  Such a wonderful act of love and commitment.  It is great to see people stepping out in faith and sharing with others.  I pray that God continues to work my heart and life as well as those around us.

    He said, “I’ve been where you’ve been before.
    Down every hallway’s a slamming door.”
    No way out, no one to come and save me
    Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me Then somebody said what I’m saying to you
    Opened my eyes and told me the truth.”
    They said, “Just a little faith, it’ll all get better.”
    So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I’m changed
    And now I’m stronger Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
    Didn’t think about it for a couple of days
    Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
    I was all out of hope and all out of fight

    Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
    Saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.”
    Felt love pouring down from above
    Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I’m changed

    And now I’m stronger

    There must be something in the water
    Oh, there must be something in the water

    And now I’m singing along to amazing grace
    Can’t nobody wipe this smile off my face
    Got joy in my heart, angels on my side
    Thank God almighty, I saw the light
    Gonna look ahead, no turning back
    Live every day, give it all that I have
    Trust in someone bigger than me
    Ever since the day that I believed I am changed
    And now I’m stronger

    I am changed
    Stronger

    I’m free

  • Song: Me Without You by TobyMac

    Thankful for the opportunity to go through this awesome journey of life with one stronger and wiser than I am.  I have been blessed with a wonderful gift of saving grace, but life also dishes out plenty of difficult times too.  During those tough times I am especially grateful He is there to see me through as well as remind me of His faithfulness and goodness in my life.

    Raindrops rollin’ off my brim
    Streetlights got the pavement glistenin’
    Touchdown, I fall into Your arms
    Right where I belong
    Your everlasting arms

    And where would I be
    Without You…

    I’d be packin’ my bags when I need to stay
    I’d be chasin’ every breeze that blows my way
    I’d be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away
    It’s true
    That’s me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou
    That’s me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou
    That’s me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou
    Don’t know where I’d be without You
    (Wooooah, without you)

    Flashback, step into the scene
    There’s You and there’s a very different me
    Touchdown, You had me at believe
    You had me at believe, You did

    You rescued me
    You are mine, I am Yours
    You rescued me
    And I am Yours forever
    You saved me, remade me

    And where would I be

  • Song: Greater by MercyMe

    What a wonderful reminder that He is so much greater than our mistakes!  Thankful for a Heavenly Father that shows me grace everyday.  Sometimes I struggle with “what would people think” rather than being secure in Christ and graciously allowing him to free me from those fears or doubt.  So glad He really is greater!

    Bring your tired
    Bring your shame
    Bring your guilt
    Bring your pain
    Don’t you know that’s not you’re name
    You will always be much more to me

    Every day I wrestle with the voices
    That keep telling me I’m not right
    But that’s alright

    ‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
    When others say I’ll never be enough
    And greater is the One living inside of me
    Than he who is living in the world
    In the world
    In the world
    And greater is the One living inside of me
    Than he who is living in the world

    Bring your doubts
    Bring your fears
    Bring your hurt
    Bring your tears
    There’ll be no condemnation here
    You are holy, righteous and redeemed

    Every time I fall
    There’ll be those who will call me
    A mistake
    Well that’s ok

    There’ll be days I lose the battle
    Grace says that it doesn’t matter
    ‘Cause the cross already won the war
    He’s Greater
    He’s Greater

  • Song: Feel It Feat by TobyMac

    This is a very upbeat and peppy song.  I love how it talks about God taken our brokenness and making us into something beautiful.  He can take our shattered pieces and mold them into something good for Him.

    Well, you can’t see the wind, but it moves the leaves

    From the bottom to the top of the tallest trees

    You are everything I will ever need
    And they can’t take that from me

    Oh, I feel it in my heart
    I feel it in my soul
    That’s how I know
    You take our brokenness and make us beautiful
    Yeah, that’s how I know (can’t take that from me)

    Love came crashin’ in
    Never gonna be the same again
    Yeah, You came crashing in
    You wrecked me, You wrecked me

    Everybody talkin’ like they need some proof
    But what more do I need than to feel You 

  • Song: I Will Look Up by Elevation Worship

    This song has been in my head since singing it in church recently.  I am thankful for God’s faithfulness in my life.  My favorite line is “I will look back and see that you are faithful.   I look ahead believing you are able.”

    All the worries of this world
    I will lay them at your feet
    Surrender every anxious thought
    For perfect peace
    Your perfect peace

    Oh the loved ones I hold dear
    All my hopes and dreams and all my fears
    I will choose to trust your name
    In everything
    With everything

    I will look up for there is none above you
    I will bow down to tell you that I need you
    Jesus, Lord of all
    Jesus, Lord of all

    I will take you at your word
    Jesus you have taken hold of me
    All my life is in your hands
    You’re my strength
    You’re my strength

    I will look up for there is none above you
    I will bow down to tell you that I need you
    Jesus, Lord of all
    Jesus, Lord of all
    I will look back and see that you are faithful
    I look ahead believing you are able
    Jesus, Lord of all
    Jesus, Lord of All

    Prince of Peace
    Perfect Healer
    All my life, all my cares on you
    King of Kings
    Mighty Savior
    All my life, all my cares on you

  • Reading Eggs – FREE Two Week Trial

    Reading Eggs is offering a Free Two Week Trial Offer.  All you have to do is sign up to try out their reading program, no credit card required. Do you have a little one that is just starting to read or one who wants to increase his or her reading skills?  Then this may be the perfect time to check out Reading Eggs program.

    You want reading to be fun and easy for your child so why not try out Reading Eggs and see if it is a good fit for your family.  Reading Eggs strives to make learning to read interesting and engaging for kids whether they are just beginning to read or increasing their reading fluency.  Through the use of reading games, activities, songs, and other resources your child will pick up great learning tools that will help them on the road to becoming a proficient reader.

    The kids will work through various maps that on their level and will earn golden eggs, ribbons, trophies, and other rewards to encourage them to continue learning more.  Reading Eggs is an interactive program that our family has used in the past for our young readers and our kids LOVED it!  They got a kick out of working through the maps, accomplishing goals, and earning rewards.  The kids can even customize their own “reading egg” avatar to match their personality.
    All you have to do is click the “free trial” button once you get to their homepage and get started!
    More information about Reading Eggs:
    • Reading Eggs was developed by an experienced team of teachers, educational writers, animators, and web developers.  People who have interacted with children and have taught kids to read.
    • Reading Eggs focuses mainly on the core reading curriculum skills and strategies that help readers develop more successful reading skills as well as builds their reading confidence level.  The program is perfect for ages 3 to 12.
    • Each reader can work through the Reading Eggs program at his or her pace so if you have a young reader and more advanced reader in your home both would be able to focus on their specific skills.
    • A more advanced reader would move through the first few maps a little more quickly because it may be more of a review for him or her until they reach a point where the information is newer and more challenging for them, whereas, a new reader would work through the first maps more slowly but steadily as they get more excited about the program and earning rewards.
    • Reading Eggs launched in the United States and Canada in 2011.  Since launching they have had over 500,000 subscribers and have presented more than 15 million lessons.

    Our readers will receive a Free Two-Week Trial Offer!  Register now for a two-week trial of the Reading Eggs program.  No credit card is required.  Help your child learn to read, increase their phonics skills, or increase their reading fluency with Reading Eggs free two-week trial!

    A special thanks to U.S. Family Guide and Reading Eggs for offering a free two-week trial to my readers.  Any specific product information was provided by Reading Eggs and U.S. Family Guide, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own.  We received a complimentary subscription for sharing information and our family’s experience regarding Reading Eggs. 

  • Oceans by Twin Sisters

    The girls enjoy listening to music every night when they go to sleep.  Some of their most popular CD’s to listen to at night, in the car, or even when at home is the from the Twin Sisters Productions.  Oceans by Twin Sisters Productions is part of their Science Series.  It has a lot of great songs about whales, sea turtle, and other ocean life.

    Some of the Songs:

    • Adventures by the Ocean
    • Save the Sea Turtles
    • Manatees Are Loveable Huge Things
    • It’s the Dolphin Symphony
    • They’re Really Blubbery
    • Blue Whale, Blue Whale
    • Shy Octopus
    • I ‘m The Great White Shark
    • Sea Otter, Won’t You Play With Me?
    • And MORE!

    If you have a kid that is fascinated with the ocean, sea life, loves animals, and learning this is a great CD.  Our girls have had this one for several years now and still love to listen to it.

  • Hold My Heart by Tenth Avenue North

    How long must I pray
    Must I pray to You
    How long must I wait
    Must I wait for You
    How long till I see Your face
    See You shining through

    I’m on my knees
    Begging You to notice me
    I’m on my knees
    Father, will You turn to me

    One tear in the driving rain
    One voice in a sea of pain
    Could the maker of the stars
    Hear the sound of my breaking heart
    One life, that’s all I am
    Right now I can barely stand
    If You’re everything You say You are
    Would You come close and hold my heart

    So many questions without answers
    Your promises remain
    I can’t see but I’ll take my chances
    To hear you call my name
    To hear you call my name

  • Go Light Your Candle by Chris Rice

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmquDS65YZs

    There is a candle in every soul
    Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
    There is a Spirit who brings a fire
    Ignites a candle and makes His home

    So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
    Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
    Hold out your candle for all to see it
    Take your candle, and go light your world
    Take your candle, and go light your world

    Cause We are a family whose hearts are blazing
    So let’s raise our candles and light up the sky
    Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
    Make us a beacon in darkest times