I just wanted to share some great pictures of my dad out on his boat. He was with his long time friend and fishing mentor, Verdine, and it just so happened that they ran into some other fishing buddies that day and that's how they got these great picture. Oh, and my dad would probably want me to tell you that he caught a 35-40 pound Yellow Tail (the second largest he's ever caught) the same day these pictures were taken. Too bad he didn't get a picture of that one.

I'm in the middle of reading "The Shack" by William P. Young and have been deeply touched by a couple of quotes and, as a whole, the dynamic and beautiful relationships portrayed in this book have widened my heart and mind to the sweet intimacy we can and do have with the Creator, Savior, and Spirit of God. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm keeping my thoughts pretty general and won't post "spoiling" quotes, in case you haven't read the book yet. So, the following two quotes have been taken from "The Shack"...

"Honey, there's no easy answer that will take your pain away. Believe me, if I had one, I'd use it now. I have no magic wand to wave over you and make it all better. Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship." (page 92)

"Pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly. And if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." (page 97)

Man, that last quote there really hits home!!! I hope I don't sound like a broken record to those who've been on this journey with me the past several years, but to be honest, because of the pain I've experienced from the unsettling and unexpected events in my life, I do feel like my "wings have been clipped." And I'm afraid of them growing back to the point where I can "fly" again for fear I'll be smacked again, wings clipped, and down I fall.

Needless to say, my trust in God's plan for my life isn't quite as solid as it used to be. That's a sad thing to admit, I know. But I also know that God knows where my heart is and He has and is going to continue nurturing me, mending the places that have been broken, and restoring my wings at a speed that's not too slow and not too quick. His timing is best and I'm grateful that He is patient, compassionate and tender.

Hey there, thanks for reading my blog! I hope you're encouraged by today's entry...So, I have been reading an incredible book that has had a pretty deep impact on my heart and mind. It's challenged and comforted me on many levels. I have experienced God's gentle love and been reminded of the mightiness of His grace. I am so grateful for books like these, aren't you? What have you been reading lately? I'd love to hear about it!

I was recently sharing with a friend that I've been going through a season where God's Word just doesn't seem to impact my heart and mind like it used to. Is that shocking, or sound unChristian? Well, it's the truth. :) But on the other hand, books like the one I've been reading lately (Abba's Child, by Brennan Manning) has focused on God's character and His word in a fresh and inviting way to me. It has cut deep into my heart. So much so, I sometimes read almost an entire chapter in tears, grateful for my Savior, deeply connected to my Heavenly Father, and reaching out for my Abba, my Daddy.

So, I thought I'd type out some of my favorite quotes from this book (there are so many, but I'll limit it to just a few). Here goes...(all quotes taken from Abba's Child, by Brennan Manning)...

"Jesus reinforced His words with deeds. He was not intimidated by authority figures. He seemed unfazed by the crowds' complaints that He was violating the law by going to a sinner's house. Jesus broke the law of traditions when the love of persons demanded it." (page 141)

"Hope know that if great trials are avoided great deeds remain undone and the possibility of growth into greatness of soul is aborted." (page 105)

"The demands of forgiveness are so daunting that they seem humanly impossible. The exigencies of forgiveness are simply beyond the capacity of ungraced human will. Only reckless confidence in a Source greater than ourselves can empower us to forgive the wounds inflicted by others. In boundary moments such as these there is only one place to go--Calvary." (page 68)

"The miracle of the gospel is Christ, risen and glorified, who this very moment tracks us, pursues us, abides in us, and offers Himself to us as companion for the journey!" (page 109)

"I sure enjoy me a good rodeo!" This time it was the Bulls Only Rodeo. I got some good laughs at the Sheep Riding part of the competition where little kids grab hold of the neck of a sheep and try to hang on for dear life. It's pretty funny, so I've posted two videos for you. The first kid didn't stay on for too long, but you'll see the second kid did a lot better. They made me laugh so hard! Have fun...I did!

The moment must come when you must jump from your perch of distrust, leaving the next of supposed safety behind and trusting the wings of faith. You must be like a young bird beginning to test the air with its untried wings. At first you may feel as though you will fall to the earth. The fledgling may feel the same way, but it does not fall, for its wings provide support. Yet even if its wings do fail, one of its parents will sweep under it, rescuing it on strong wings. God will rescue you in the same way. Simply trust Him, for His "right hand sustains" (Psalm 18:35). -Excerpt from Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman, July 13.

Some of my family visited from Minnesota and North Carolina. It was great to see them!! The above picture was taken at a local country bar--I can't believe my Grandma came out--that was a hoot! She even sipped down a tasty margarita.