Stage one...

So, the "Tatts for Tots" party was a hit last night! Danny and Cindy had quite a few folks show up and both they and the tattoo artist did pretty well! I think they're actually going to make it on their mission trip in a couple of weeks. Thanks to everyone who showed up, I know they were blown away!

And now for the unveiling...




Yes, I know what you're thinking... "it's kind of boring with no color!" And, "Gee, your legs are almost blue, they're so white!"
Ok, all that aside, it's going to have lots of color when I go back this thursday to have the artist finish it. And hopefully all that color will deter from my natural lack of... : )

But take a look again... isn't it gonna be GORGEOUS??

Kitty!!

This is why I have kitties...



All you dog-lovers out there, eat your hearts out!

Mr. Young

I met an amazing man on Tuesday night! His name is Paul Young and he is the author of "The Shack". Now, let's stop right here for a second and discuss this book a little bit.
If you haven't read this book... READ IT!!! Seriously, I can't say enough great things about it. It has changed my relationship with God so incredibly, that human words cannot fully describe.
There, now that being said, he came and spoke at the first summer addition of 722 at church. They are doing a really cool thing this summer where during the three times they will meet, they are interviewing authors who have written some pretty amazing books. And last night was the first installment with Mr. Young talking about his book.
I have to say that I have seen a lot of speakers in my lifetime and so many of them have been really solid spiritually, and even pretty darn cool! But this guy blew them all away!!! It would be pointless for me to try to convey all that he was in front of about 2,000 people last night, so instead I will just suggest that you go to the 722 website and listen for yourself. If it's not up already, it should be up later today.
I promise, it will be worth the listen and worth the read...

Tattoo #3!

That's right! I'm getting another one...

Some dear friends of mine, Danny and Cindy Stephens, are having a really great event at their place this weekend. They are raising money for a mission's trip that they are taking this summer to East Asia with their oldest son, Noah. They will be working in orphanages while they are there with all sorts of kids, some of which are special needs. So, to help raise the last of their finances for the trip they are hosting a "Tatts for Tots" party. Basically, a friend of theirs who happens to be a tattoo artist is going to set up shop in their home and folks are going to stop by and get "inked" for charity! So cool, right??

I mean, I just couldn't say no to the kids...

So, stay tuned for pics of my newest addition later this weekend. On a side note, a friend of mine is coming along and getting his first tattoo!! Woo-Hoo!!

It's gonna be fun... ; )

Loss for words...

I don't know about you, but I rarely find myself at a loss for words. I ALWAYS have something to say.

I just got off the phone with a dear friend who is going thru a REALLY tough spot in life right now. We talked for a while and I let him vent. He is angry, confused, tired and scared for the future. The future of his ministry and the future of his family. I had so many thoughts going thru my head. I wanted to scream with him, cry with him, question with him, be bitter with him. I also wanted to point him to the Lord, to scripture, to prayer. But instead, I just cried a little with him and took it on my shoulders for a few minutes. I tried, anyway.

I can't take away his hurt, his pain. I can't answer his questions because I am asking most of the same ones myself. I wanted so badly to have "all the right answers", because I try so hard to always have the right answers. I don't like it when my friends hurt. And knowing that I can't really help is more than I can bare!

Dear friend,

Please know that my heart is broken for you. I feel helpless and incapable of taking any of this from you. It's almost more than I can bare, knowing that you are going thru this and I can't do anything about it. It feels so trite to say that I am praying for you, but I am. I have gone thru so many days in my lifetime where God seemed far away and circumstances of life seemed so big they could eat you up. And I know how truly difficult those days are. First hand, I know.
But I want you to know that even though it seems trite and cliche, I am praying for you. I'm praying for clarity and singleness of mind as you struggle through this. I'm praying that God will remind you of all the things that I didn't say on the phone. That He loves you and has a plan for you. That he knew you were going to struggle through this and He let it happen anyway. That our stupid choices in this life are not stronger than what He has purposed for us. We have to believe that, otherwise there isn't any real point to this life here on earth. Bad things happen and other people make decisions and choices that affect us, but God is so much bigger than all of those details. Lean into him because He is in control. He is in control. He is in control.

I love you so much, my dear friend!!

Rachel

Bone Tired...

Have you ever actually been "bone tired"? So exhausted that your bones actually ache with weariness?

That's how I feel tonight. Actually, I have felt that way for a while now. I can't seem to catch up on rest and get passed it, either. These passed six months have been a juggling act for me with my job and the rest of my life. I have been neglecting most of my friends for more time with work. And when I do have time to spend with friends, I really just don't seem to have it in me. I think a lot of them are taking it personally, but to any of you reading this, please don't! I'm neglecting everyone! I can't seem to find the balance. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find it with the workload I have right now, either. You can't really balance two jobs with the rest of your life. It's difficult enough to balance one. Until we hire a new Music Director at my church, I am working for two. It's been about six months now, and I am getting closer and closer to the middle of the candle that I've been burning at both ends.

Anyway, this is one of those nights where I want to scream and cry and make someone notice and feel sorry for me! Tell me that it's all going to be better very soon and that I just need to hang in there! By the way Rachel, you're doing an amazing job! We're so proud of you for taking on this load! If it makes it any more bearable, the rest of us haven't even noticed a single hiccup since you've been in charge. Really! The transition has been so easy and that's really thanks to you. So, way to go, Rachel!

sigh... I needed that...

Homesick

So, my team from work is on a really great retreat this first half of the week. It's been really cool 'cause we've been talking about wellness. Spiritual, physical, mental and emotional wellness. We've dined with pastors from other churches (to get us out of the "Buckhead" mentality and to pick their brains about ministry, in general), we sat by a pool located on a rooftop overlooking downtown and talked about how to take better care of our bodies. How we need balance in our food, balance in our sleep and much more exercise (my personal favorite!). And this evening, we had a nice dinner with a bunch of our family members...

At least, some of us had dinner with our family members. Mine live too far away. I knew about the dinner ahead of time, so I wasn't too sad about the fact that they wouldn't be there with me. And I had a nice time visiting with all the others (most of them feel like family, anyway). But it got me thinking... about the ones I miss at times like these. So I thought I would share them with you all.

These are some of my nearest and dearest and I wish that all of them could have been here tonight!


Amy Nichols (my oldest and dearest friend!)


Mark Avery (my other oldest and dearest friend, and practically my personal trainer from 3000 miles away!)


My sweet Daddy making his famous BBQ sauce (he's quite the consummate chef!)


My amazing MOM! (she's the one on the left... although, the other two have known me almost as long and both have claimed me a time or two, as well)


And last but not least, my sweet little kitties, Buddy and Bailey. These two have only been with me for a little less than a year, but they have completely stolen my heart (and most of my bed, as well)

So, these are the ones I want around me most of the time. Not all of them are represented here, but the ones that aren't... You know who you are! I love you all so very much and I thank God every time I think about you!!!

Hugs and Kisses,
Rachel