Open Up Our Eyes

Sometimes when The Husband and I are home, lazing around...We find ourselves streaming worship, awakening services at IHOP, and watching a collection of messages we have collected over the years. Last night, at dinner with a respected friend, we talked for a while about World Revival Church in Kansas City. So, of course, since we have never been there...we decided to stream some worship videos today, as we rested. 

I came across this song that? Just. Gripped. Me.  I am convinced that the reason we aren't standing in the greatest revival of all times has NOTHING. I repeat, NOTHING. to do with God. It has to do with the sins, the apathy, and the complacency of the church. God wants a people that pursue Him as fervently as he pursues us. So? Why are we checking our watches at noon? 

I have blessed you, today, with not only the lyrics (which are awfully poetic) but also the YouTube video. (Ahem, you're welcome). I encourage you to take a minute and really seek God. You may find that He's? Been trying to get you to. all. along.

We have rested in God's arms so long, I think we fell asleep

We keep on making promises we don't intend to keep

We have said that we would follow Him, no matter what the cost

But an hour into Church and we start looking at our watch.

How long will we stand still?

We keep crying for His kingdom, but we fight for our own will.

Open up our eyes

Open up our ears

Break our hearts of stone

That we might feel you once again

Forgive us of our pride

Forgive us of our sin

Let Your glory come

As we turn to You again.

We have said that He is everything that we will ever need

But we spend our lives chasing after every other thing

Wherever He may lead us, we say that we will go

But when His spirit wants to move, all we want to do is soak

We're crying out for Your church to awaken.

We're crying out for You to heal our land.

We're crying out, Oh shake this generation!

We're crying out for a touch from. Your. Hand.

In Case You Were Wondering...

We got our Dossier Packet today!! 

Now? It's time to buckle down and make up for lost time by getting this paperwork in as fast as possible!!!

P.S. We are still trying to raise the $2000 we need immediately for this portion of the process! Feel free to purchase some coffee at our personalized site to help us meet this goal! (psss....I recommend Ethiopian Harrar---so far it's my favorite!)

Working all this new paperchasing into my life won't be an easy feat...what, with Youth fundraisers and activities, a new class in Grad. School, 4th Quarter beginning at work *yuck*, and my new territory of creating a functional VBS for church this summer....Wow......Could. Definitely. Use. Prayer.

Til life slows down (bahahahahahahahaha),

Ashley

Things that make me happy...

So, because I suffer from a chronic case of the "Any-day-besides-Saturday blues".

And because I have had a lower than average mood this week.

And because I  have no adoption updates to distribute.

And because I have dinner plans tonight..

And because you are all so beautiful,

I decided to join in the FWD.: SPAM.: fun by giving you all something to smile about this glummy Thursday morn.

The husband sent me these beauts. this morning. I am a sucker for animals doing abnormally cute things...

I bet he was in her spot.......

 

Call me crazy- but there's just something about an annoyed cat that makes me smile.....

Sometimes we all need a little helping hand *sigh*

Seriously? Can a brother get a little peace, ya'll???

Dang party-crashers! No manners!

Anyone else read "Who Moved My Cheese"? Anyone? In the back? No? Hmm...well this is funnier if you had....

I am always curious as to WHY the cats hang on during stuff like this? Let go, kitty...just let go!!!

This makes me want to become a "dog-lady" with a houseful of puppies that adore me and do cute stuff...Instead of my pug who sleeps...though he will "lay down" on command...but that's probably because he was headed there anyways....

Another puppy pic to encourage you to run down to the pound and get one of these adorable poopy dogs...

No, seriously. I NEED a puppy-dog.

This is a reminder that we all make decisions that seem good at first but quickly digress....

"You got a little something right...no, hang on..let me try to...okay, yah, I think I got it"

 And I will leave you with this gem..Norman the Pug. And a reminder that drugs are bad! =)

Til the sun shines again and all things make me happy--not just cute animal pictures,

Ashley

Milk.

I grew up on 2% milk. Every. Day. Of. My. Life.

I loved--and still love--milk. I loved my 2% milk.

Then I met HIM.

HIM. Who only drank SKIM milk. HIM. Who couldn't satiate his thirst  with anything except SKIM milk.

And I loved him. So being the sacrificial, submissive, loving person that I am. I converted to SKIM.

Because. I. Loved. Him.

Then? This week?

He came home with THIS?

THAT? is 1% milk. 2 GALLONS of 1% milk. When 5 YEARS ago?  I converted to--and learned to love--And need even--SKIM milk.

Why? Because they were out of skim and it was too INCONVENIENT to go to the other store?

Now? I have to feel the milk phlegm (sorry) that gets stuck in your throat with any milk OTHER than skim milk....Because. of. him.

This is outrageous. 

I know you understand. 

I know you "get" me.

Til the skim is restocked,

Crazy Milk Lady

The Drive Home

On the drive home, I wrote a poem in my head. No really....I did. Right after I ate a cheeseburger. Irrelevant.

I don't know what KIND of poem it is, per-say....but one of my stalkers (ahem *Ape-face*) might begrudgingly comment as to the type of poem due to her obligation in being so well-educated on such things....I wanted to call it a haiku but I am pretty sure they don't rhyme....though, I really didn't pay attention during the poetry part of English class  I mean...It's just been a long time since I have thoroughly studied poetry.

Regardless, I am truly only posting it here because it's possible some of you out there can relate to my sentiments...and feel this way, too, sometimes, on the drive home...

*Clearing throat*

My vision is cloudy,

I can't see straight.

Can't you understand

There's too much on my plate?

You pull and you pull

So many different ways.

And nervously, I oblige.

How I long for your praise.

And in all things I do,

I really WANT to be great.

But don't you see?

There's JUST too much on my plate.