I’m not sorry.

It is what it is.

I’m going to keep putting opportunities before you and asking you to put yourself in other people’s shoes (or lack thereof). Speaking of, we are still collecting shoes until the end of September. Please consider sending a pair or two. So far, we have 144 pairs in my garage! You can read more about the project here.

In the last few months, it’s become very clear to me that my blog has grown and gathered influence for a specific purpose. I will be sharing more about it in detail,but I know this for sure: God has a plan.

God is using  you to change the world, one project at a time.

I’m just a regular mom and I don’t want you to think for ONE minute I’m something special or better in anyway. I yell at my kids, nag my hubby, worry about money, my kids, decisions I make, I even sweep dirt under my rug and restart the dishwasher because I don’t want to empty it.

But it feels like the last year has been leading up to THIS moment and I can’t wait to unveil it.

My 3 year blogging anniversary is coming up, but in lieu of  a party or a ton of giveaways to celebrate, I’m going to share with you what God has been leading our family to over the summer. We’ve been working furiously the last few months and during the week of September 13, I will be revealing the next chapter of this blog and our lives.

I’m going to ask you for one more thing: will you pray? I know you don’t know the details yet, but will you ask God to continue to lead us and for your own heart to be open to what He might ask of you the week of September 13 and the months to come?

I’m so glad y’all are on this journey with me!

I will tell you: It’s BIG. Because that’s how God likes to do things. And I’m going to need your help!

(Please note: WFMW will continue and I will put up a linky on Wed. Sept. 15)

Love Mercy is a post from: We are THAT Family

Here are your random numbers:

19	211	156	

We’re in full school mode in Texas. But you know that already because you saw THE BAGS under my eyes, eh?

I’ve actually been in bed by 10:30 pm every night! But that’s because I’ve mastered sleeping standing up.

Here are a couple of tips that help get our mornings going:

• We make lunches the night before
• We lay out clothes for the next day and make sure backpacks are ready
• We try to have a quick devotion over breakfast-makes everyone’s day run so much smoother!
• We pray with our kids to have a great day
• We do homework, go over tests, sign papers, etc. in the afternoon, so our evenings are free to be together
• We put important dates in ONE place: a family calendar

How do you make your school days run smoothly?

Today, three random WFMW participants will be win ($15-20 value each) a set of Dayspring’s awesome school supplies.

Here’s a sampling:

What works for you?

WFMW: Back-to-School Tips is a post from: We are THAT Family

My soul needs music. When I’m feeling down and stressed and my heart is occupied with clutter, worship lifts me up. It stirs me.

She had me at the word Africa.

I love this song by Britt Nicole. I cried while I watched this video. God is asking our family to walk on the water (I’ll be sharing more in September):

“It’s about stepping out and being who God has called you to be and not being afraid of that,” states Britt. “I believe when we look different and carry something different, people are going to see that and want it too. They are going to see the love of Christ in us, and they’ll desire that. I believe people will come to know God if we as Christians will do that.”-Britt Nicole

I love this music!! It’s spunky and fun and deep. She draws from the well that is Jesus. She’s music I want my daughter’s humming!

Britt Nicole’s newest album, Acoustic, has her five biggest songs, including Walk on Water, and a new release.

Today, I’m giving away a GRAND PRIZE that includes: a custom-designed Britt Nicole T-shirt and Starbucks Coffee Mug and the CD. Plus, FIVE others will also win Acoustic, her latest CD.

Leave a comment telling me what worship/Christian music does for you and that will be your entry.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

Music for the Soul {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

My oldest daughter was singing softly a new song from church….”My God is great-er…My God is great-er”

I looked up from driving and glanced in the rearview mirror. I was happy to hear my firstborn sing such a lovely song. It made me proud. It made me think: I MUST BE DOING A GOOD JOB.

A second little girl’s voice joined in the chorus. In sweet , clear lyrics, she echoed her older sister… “My God is greater…”

This went on for a minute or two. I was bursting with pride at my cherubs daughters.

And then in a swift moment, without ANY WARNING, the song of the younger become… “MY God is greater than YOURS…” and there was a competitive edge to her voice.

To which her sister responded…”No, MY God is GREATER than YOUR GOD!”

And then it downward spiraled into an all out WAR of who’s God was greater.

Yours or Mine.

The end.

</holy moment>

P.S. At some point I should probably explain it’s THE SAME GOD, huh?

—————————

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for an Autographed Copy of Comedian Tim Hawkins super funny DVD.

A Holy War is a post from: We are THAT Family

So. About last night.

I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt and my sides ached. In the roar of the crowd, I could hear a woman laughing uncontrollably, slapping her knee and wheezing. It was me. It felt so good.

Tim Hawkins is a Christian comedian with an edge. He’s like a clean version of Larry the Cable guy. He’s quirky, off-the-wall and absolutely hilarious. He’s well-known for his YouTube song parodies (just type in his name on YouTube), but his stand-up act is my favorite.

Although, his Chick Fil A song is like a lullaby to me.

His jokes about the church, marriage and parenting are so funny because they are based on truth.

Some of my favorite lines of the night:

• The end time is near. We know this because of the invention of the Snuggie.
• Churches that are non-denominational are just Baptist with a cool website.
• Thesaurus prayers- people who pray like this, “Dear God, please lead, guide, direct, show us the way”
• What is up with people who squeeze your hand at the end of a prayer? KNOCK IT OFF. You’re freaking us out!
• The Duggars need a hobby.
• [On Twitter] No one gives two twits about what you tweet.
• You know you’re a parent when you end your sentences in  LOUD ADVERBS “Come here quickly. Get over here pronto. Obey me now.”
• Tim ended the night with a song about “if you’ve tinkled (from laughing), I’ve done my job here.” And then, he thew out DEPENDS UNDERGARMENTS to the audience!

We stood in line and had Mr. Hawkins autograph his latest DVD. It’s 2 hours of hilarity. I said, “I’m giving this one away on my blog.” He said, “What’s the name of your blog?”

“We are THAT family,” I answered.

He laughed, “we are that family, too!”

Aren’t we all??

(sorry about the blurry shot-Have you ever tried to take a photo with a comedian? They don’t stand very still!)

So. Up for grabs: An autographed copy of Tim Hawkins newest comedy DVD, “I’m No Rockstar.” It’s two hours full of videos, jokes and songs. GREAT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT! It’s sure to make you laugh, even cry, maybe reach for the Depends!

Have you ever heard a song or comedy act by Tim Hawkins? Is this your first intro? Leave a comment and tell me  your favorite thing he does to be entered.

You can shop here.

If You Can’t Laugh At Yourself, Laugh at Other People {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

Frenemy is a post from: We are THAT Family

He’s six:

He’s one of the Compassion children our family sponsors. He lives in Togo, Africa. In the last six months, he’s written us five letters!

God blessed our family with some extra and we were able to send Francios a family gift a couple of months ago. Compassion allows you to send a financial gift every year to your Compassion children.

Last week, when my daughter opened a Compassion envelope, she gasped. I could tell it wasn’t an ordinary (although always special) letter.  This photograph was accompanied with a letter of thanks from Francios’ family:

With our family gift (small by American standards), this precious family bought there first bed! (There are 5 in the family) They bought rice and supplies and most importantly, they started a business! (selling used clothes)

One of my favorite things about Compassion is they don’t just help people out of poverty, they give families the tools to help themselves. They meet with the family when a family gift is given and help them decide how to spend it best.

This financial gift -that we’ll never miss- might have changed Francios’ family.

But it changed mine more.

__________

Rescuing children from poverty is one of the most inspiring and beautiful experiences our family has ever shared together. It’s never too late to sponsor a child. You can do it today.

A Bed, A Bag of Rice & A Business is a post from: We are THAT Family

I hate when my brown sugar gets lumpy and turns as hard as a rock.

My mother-in-law gave me a terra cotta Brown Sugar Bear to put into my bag of brown sugar. She said it would keep it soft. I had my doubts, but it really works.

I love this little $3  bear. It really keeps brown sugar from turning hard and I just transfer it to a new bag after it’s opened.

It works for me!

Don’t forget NEXT WEEK is a themed edition of WFMW: Share a back-to-school tip! AND, three WFMW participants will win some cool back-to-school goodies!!

WFMW: Brown Sugar Tip is a post from: We are THAT Family

It’s sort of a long [home decor] story.

But, I love stories don’t you?

For months, lo years, I kept seeing this eye-catching, beautiful inspirational art popping up in different places: the tiny gift store at Family Camp,

a random shop along the beach,

in a friend’s home.

It took me awhile to put two-and-two together. Because I’m quick like that. It dawned on me that one company, called Glory Haus was producing the art I had fallen in love with (but had yet to own).

Until now:

When I made the epiphany and discovered that Glory Haus was a growing, amazing company owned by moms, I knew I had to share them with you.

They sent me this beautiful piece of art to hang. I cried when I read it:

Glory Haus is giving away TWO $75 gift certificates today on my blog! Visit their HUGE catalog, and tell me what you love in the comments.

This giveaway ends on Friday.

Glory Haus {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family