Freezing?

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted!

I was just in my car and the radio announcers said that it is officially freezing and that temps are steadily dropping into the 20's today! Sheesh! It's only October and it's already freezing...

Let me just say this much...I hate winter. I hate when it's so cold you can't feel your toes. I enjoy the coolness of fall...fall cold is a crisp cold. But winter cold is a bitter cold! I don't like bitter cold! Ick.

So, stay bundled up and drink lots of hot cocoa! Yumm!
~Lola~

Blessed

A lot of times, I look at all my problems and I get REALLY overwhelmed. But, there are some things that I am sooo thankful for!

First, I am extemely grateful for my small group! It includes Ken and Kara (and Kaden), Mary and kristy, Andy and Julie...and of course....me. We laugh and joke and discuss some important things. My small group gives me something to look forward to and it gives me a chance to interact with th "big kids"! lol. I know they're there for me when I need them! They rock!

Second, I am thankful for my junior highers! They are not only uniquely awesome, but I also enjoy just getting to know them and getting to ask them how they are. My girls rock and God has really blessed me with them!

Third, I get to start classes in January! Yay! Some people are like...school? why areyou excited about school? But lemme tell you something! I have wanted to go to college for as long as I can remember. And when I graduated and didn't get to go to college (and all my friends did) I felt useless and dumb and like a failure. Knowing I will get to learn and expand my knowledge...well, there's not much better than that!

Well, just wanted to tell ya'll about the good things God has done for me. It's important to thank Him for His blessings and gifts. Plus, it gives us (or at least me) something good to focus on when life gets overwhelming!
~Lola~

IZ

Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) (pronounced [kaˌmakaˌvivoˈʔole]) was a Hawaiian musician.

He became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and commercials.

Kamakawiwoʻole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land, people and food of Hawaii. Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiʻian music over the last 15 years.[1]

Wiwoʻole means courage or courageous in the Hawaiʻian language. Ka maka means the eye, the center, the outlook, to see.

Throughout the later part of his life, Iz suffered from severe obesity and at one point carried 758 pounds (344 kg) on his 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.[3]

The Hawaii State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo'ole)



~Lola~

Sungha Jung...Boy Wonder

God has given some peope amazng talent! This 12 year old Korean kid ha been playing guitar for 2 years! He's awesome. This is all him...check it out!



~Lola~

Need You More by Shaun Groves

I just want a place to rest
Look out on a day’s sunset
Someone there to share it with
A hand to hold when this world turns

Lord I want so many things
What I need has never changed
No matter what I chase and crave
I need you more
I need you more

I just want to live in peace
Pass without an enemy
With a smile laid on my face
Without a cause to bend my brow
Lord I want so many things

What I need has never changed
All this wanting only makes
Me need you more
I need you more

I just want to cling to grace
That has filled my empty place
And my heart with gratitude
For so much more than I deserve
Lord I want so many things

What I need has never changed
Teach my wayward heart each day
No matter what I chase or crave
That all this wanting only makes
Me need you more
I need you more

Nick and Noras Infinite Playlist

From page one it has been a conglameration of beautiful words.

"I am punctuating and I am puncturing and I am punching the air with my body as my fingers press hard into the chords. Sweat, malice, and hunger pour from me. This is release, or maybe it's just a plea for release."

"I throw the chords at them, I drench them in the soundwaves, I am making time so loud that they have to hear it. I am stronger than words and I am bigger than the box I'm in, and then I see her in the crowd and I fall apart."

How's that for beautiful writing?!
~Lola~

Ways To Praise: Art!

This is the second installment in my mini-series, Ways To Praise. I found some amazing examples in which people use art to praise God!


"Praise" by MC Disco on Flickr



"Life Abundant" by Krista Bowker on Flickr



"The Power Line That Won't Fail You" by Danny Crossman



"Creation" by Krista Bowker on Flickr



"Heart of Worship" by myemanna on Flickr



"Worship" by Krista Bowker on Flickr



Untitled by Tim Morgan's Small Group


"Our small group worshiped through art. We weren't sure what that meant when we started, but this is what came out of it. Everyone got their fingers dirty by painting on a large poster board. I think it's quite beautiful, and will always remember that day."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothymorgan/539992257/?addedcomment=1#comment72157607444526636

This next one is my favorite!


"Divine Within The Ordinary" by Krista Bowker on Flickr


God doen't require something extravagant or necessarily beautiful...He just wants ou obedience and our hearts. Just doing the dishes or laundry or cleaning your rom an be worship to Him.


I hope these have inspired you as much as they did me.
~Lola~