Where I mean to be going is on the topic of Hallelujahs. “Hallelujah” literally means “Praise Yahweh” (the ultra special name for God used by the Hebrews in the old testament) or “Praise the Lord”. I’ve heard it said before that Hallelujah translates the same way in every language which I always found reassuring and just out and out awesome. Then I heard an Amy Grant song the other day I hadn’t heard before. Yep, that’s right, Amy Grant. It was called “Better than a Hallelujah”. At first it struck me as odd, b/c I was like, “What could be better than saying, ‘Hallelujah’ to God?” It’s the highest praise… but is it? Music has been important my entire life. I was saved at a Wednesday night music practice. The lyrics and the melodies carry a message to my heart better than any other. I remember singing in the LRC A Capella choir and how much I enjoyed hearing all those voices blend in Hallelujahs and I couldn’t imagine anything more beautiful or pleasing to God.

After I had Emily, there was a night that I was up at 2 or 3 a.m. trying to get her back to sleep. I was holding her in her room by the crib, in the mostly dark, singing songs to her and I was completely overwhelmed by the love I felt for her, the praise I needed to give God for her and the lack of words I could pour out. I couldn’t come up with one better than “Thank you” out loud or even in my head! All I could do was cry. Upon hearing this song, I saw that moment for what is was, “Better than a Hallelujah”. An honest moment with God. He knew my thoughts before I could speak them and I was being 100% real with him. Oh how I wish I could be that honest everyday!

Here’s the lyrics to the song from this week. You can hear my rendition of it at http://www.blackjackchurch.org/sermons.asp (if not today in a couple of days). While you’re there, stick around and hear the message. Pastor Philip was really bringing it today! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Better Than a Hallelujah (by Amy Grant)

God loves a lullaby, in a mother’s tears in the dead of night
Better than a hallelujah sometimes
God loves the drunkard’s cry, the soldier’s plea not to let him die,
Better than a hallelujah sometimes

(Chorus)
We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody, beautiful the mess we are,
the honest cries of breaking hearts, are better than a hallelujah.

The woman holding on for life, the dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what’s been done, the silence when the words won’t come
Are better than a hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody, beautiful the mess we are,
the honest cries of breaking hearts, are better than a hallelujah.

(Bridge)
Better than a church bell ringing, Better than a choir singing out, singing out

We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody, beautiful the mess we are,
the honest cries of breaking hearts, are better than a hallelujah.

Robbie has been a big help to me lately. He has decided he loves to feed her the “real food” of the day. Just like bedtime and bathtime, there is a “ritual” of sorts.  We strip her down to her diaper, put her in her BeBe pod and hope not to get it slung everywhere! For the most part, this works well.  Being a first time mom, I don’t know what to do or how to do some things. The baby book says to introduce a sippy cup with foods, so we’re giving her an attempt at that as well.  After eating, she’s been enjoying hanging out with Daddy and just playing and playing, so this week I thought I’d try to get it on video to share!

Here’s a verse about the Holy Spirit as we get started:

John 14:25-27

²⁵“All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

Have you ever seen the trees blowing in the wind before it rains?  The way the leaves turn up so you see the lighter side and the difference the wind running through them makes a rustling sound?  It is a gorgeous and peaceful sound… the way I would imagine the trees giving their praise and worship.  They are standing there, tall and proud, “raising” their hands and the wind helps them “applaud” the splendor of His creation.   This is how I envision the Holy Spirit, like the wind that blows through, reminding those trees to lift their hands in praise, bringing the peace that comes with the breath of fresh air, a reminder that can wash over us again and again, even as a demonstration of the power of God when the wind rips through them.  It’s the whisper of the wind through those leaves that we hear with our ears. It’s the applause of Heaven that we can see demonstrated by nature. It should be our reminder of God’s glory so we will also give praise. If the trees can lift their hands and even bow down to His majesty, shouldn’t we?

I also like “the Counselor”… What is a counselor? Someone we go to for their advice/knowledge (like for dealing with a problem), someone who stands on our behalf (think lawyers, “counsellors”).  In the KJV, that part is translated, “the Comforter”.  All these words to me are so comforting, empowering even.  I have so much to learn!

Now it’s your turn. How do you envision the Holy Spirit? Am I the only one who struggles with this concept?

Want to have a great time while helping with a great cause? If yes, then read on! As you all know, our wonderful son, Henry, has cerebral palsy as well as many other medical conditions. As you can imagine, having a child with special needs is extremely expensive, and we do not qualify for assistance (medicaid, SSI) because James and I make too much. However, we do not make enough to pay for all the things Henry needs to thrive, and it seems that lately Henry needs more and more.

Henry’s physical therapist, Kathy Clerici, serves as the Assistant Chairperson of the Comminty Service Committee at the Marion Moose Family Center in Marion, NC, which is a nonprofit organziation. She has generously offered to use this year’s race as a fundraiser for Henry to help us pay for the equipment Henry needs to get around. This race is also for Vega, a five year old girl with Spina Bifida, who also needs equipment.

Wanna Help??? There’s lots of ways to get involved as an individual, group/organization, business, etc. Here’s how:

1. Make a monetary contribution to the race (see money info below)

2. Form a team of four children (ages 2-14) or adults (15+) and race. This would be a great activity for a church youth group, school club, group of friends, coworkers, family members, etc. There is a $100 entry fee per team (you can get sponsors for your team or each team member pay $25)–each team member gets a t-shirt and admission to the race at the speedway that night.Teams must provide their own tricycle and helmet (one per team). Youth teams are encouraged to raise additional funds. The youth team that raises the most money will recieve 4 $25 passes to Hickory Dickory Dock.

3. Companies or individuals can advertise on the t-shirt–$150 donation gets your company’s name on the back of the shirts worn by the participants.

4. Donate an item to raffle off such as gift certificates or items.

5. Come out The Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 6:00 pm to support our teams and buy raffle tickets.

6. Buying a t-shirt (sizes youth small to adult 5xl). Shirts are $10–2xl-5xl are $12.

DEADLINE FOR SHIRT ORDERS is SEPT. 1st

Questions: Call Kathy Clerici at 828-612-7779
Money: Make checks payable to The Marion Moose Family Center 1705
write Tricycle Race in the memo line of the check
Mail Donations (monetary or raffle items): Kathy Clerici 1764 Piney Rd
Hickory, NC 28602

To find out more about the race and the children who’ve benefited in the past, go to www.thejaniemartintricyclerace.com

This truly is a wonderful cause. So come on out and help make a difference in the lives of two very deserving children. Don’t wait. Join the cause today!

When I was growing up, VBS meant taking all our little friends with us to have fun at church.  Did it occur to us that we were actually learning something? Probably not at the time. I don’t know about the others, but I sure did. And I realize more everyday just how much I did learn!  For example, each day when I change Emily’s clothes in the morning and at night, I always say, “UP and OVER!” as I pull her onesies over her head… then, the song begins… and it comes from out of nowhere or out of somewhere deep inside… “Running over, running over, my cup is full and running over, since the Lord saved me, I’m as happy as can be, my cup is full and running over….” and I see Jean Hess or Joanne Poe making the motions in front of the group and everyone following along.

See Psalm 23:4-6:  ”You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”(NIV)

We were learning so much more than little songs and phrases, things that stick, like “meat” on our bones.  It’s so important to me to root Emily in the same things. I want her to lean back on these things that are rooted so deep she can’t run from them.  She’s 4 months old. She goes to church (most weeks).  She’s going to VBS and not just to stay in the nursery!  Tonight, I actually left her with the choir secretary, Ms Hazel, b/c Robbie wasn’t there yet and it was my night to volunteer in the nursery.  I left her with someone she really didn’t know (but I knew well), just so she could hear the music and see the bigger kids.

But there’s something missing from VBS in Black Jack…. adults.  When I was a kid, you had at least 1/2 as many adults as kids at VBS, even people who didn’t have kids…. now, not so much.  I love that Emily is watching the bigger kids and will (hopefully) follow in their steps, but who are the bigger kids looking up to?  Are their parents present or did they drop them off and leave?  The 2-3 teachers per class?  There’s a lot more than 2-3 kids in each one… (there are 120 kids enrolled at VBS this year).  I know it’s the end of summer, but if you get a chance, go with your kids to VBS.  I guarantee your heart will be touched.  If VBS has already passed in your area, then go with your kids to church and read Bible stories to your kids. You won’t regret it!

Emily has been tasting a few new things herself this week. Well, one thing really, rice cereal! She’s 4 months old now and has been eye-ing my forks and spoons anxiously for a couple of weeks. So, I started her on some rice cereal one day and she does pretty well with it. She doesn’t seem to hate it, but when she’s really hungry, she can’t seem to agree with me that it is actually food!  I’m sure she’ll get better as time goes on. In the meantime, I’ve cooked, pureed and frozen some peaches for her to try in a couple of months and I’m trying to think ahead of more things I can make and freeze.  If you have ideas or pointers, please share!

Well, that’s enough for now. Sounds like someone needs Mama.  Hope you have a great week!

Later in the week, Grandma Bendy, Aunt Sarah and Cuz Henry came down. They went to the beach for a night with a friend then came up to spend some time here.  Of course, we had to go swimming.  So we enjoyed the pool at Aunt Cathy’s and cooled off.  The next day, Sarah and I took off to hit a few stores, mainly Once Upon a Child, where they were having a clearance sale.  That’s where Sarah got these great sunglasses for the baby!  She seemed to like them okay but she seemed to like having them on her head better.

Either way, she loves to hang out with Henry!  They love each other. She loves to watch him and he lights up every time she touches him!

We ended the weekend with a SPLASH! as Robbie was baptized at Black Jack!  Woo hoo!! He didn’t drown and we’re officially church members!

More of our adventures to come!!

Have you ever read the book, Guess How Much I Love You?  It’s a really cute book. I’ve seen it on shelves for years, but, I’ll admit, I never actually read it until this past week.  I grabbed the closest book to keep Emily occupied before bed one night and this is what I came across. The book in a nutshell is the baby bunny telling the bigger/older bunny, “I love you this much….” followed by the bigger bunny saying, “but I love you, THIS much.”  :)   Here’s a quick excerpt:

“‘I love you as high as I can reach,’ said Little Nutbrown Hare.  ’I love you as high as I can reach,’ said Big Nutbrown Hare.  That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare.  I wish I had arms like that.”

And it goes on and on, the little bunny says one thing and the bigger bunny says something even bigger.  I love this story.  Mostly because I see this love much more clearly now.  But, through the relationships I have with Robbie and Emily, I see how “Guess How Much I Love You” is a game I play with God daily!  I tell God thank you and assume my blessings are the “sign” of how much he loves me, but I think that just makes him laugh.  It’s so funny that we attempt to praise God with a sentence “Thank you Lord for my blessings,” or “How great you are, Lord” when he is giving back stuff that is so much BIGGER than we are, because HE is bigger than we are!  If we truly want to attempt to love God as much as he loves us, we’re gonna have to do a lot better than that!  So, I’m praying it out and trying to figure out how to show him how much I love him. It has to be more than words or “worship” (praise and song).  I’m thinking it has to be service, but it’s the where and when I have to keep my eyes open for.

Hope you guys have a great week!! Go read Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney  the next time you’re walking through the book section. I bet you’ll love it, too!!

In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, read the last blot “A Mommy Challenge”.. the bottom line of the challenge is:  I want to hear what you think is the best thing about being a mom!! It can be a blurb, a word, a sentence, a blog or a book! I just want to hear what you think!  Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!