Karstan's Dedication

My little nephew was dedicated at church, during Missions Conference! Seriously, he is so adorable! These few pictures were taken before church!

My sister Darla, her hubby Jonathan and baby Karstan
He looked like such a little man in his little suit! hehe Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks? :)
Oh yeah, I'm a happy Auntie!! He's even grinning in this pic! hehe
Grandmommy is happy too!
Pastor Gleason speaking...
Dedicating Karstan to the Lord
Bro Bernard and Pastor praying over Karstan
Love love love this pic!
With Bro (Grandpa) Markham. :)
Pastor and Sis Gleason with the family!
The family with Bro Markham, Pastor and Sis Gleason, and Bro/Sis Bernard
One last picture with his Auntie. :)

He Holds our World!

If you know me well...you know I am totally into music. I. Love. Music! There is something about it that is so calming. I am very involved in the music department at my church and I absolutely love every single minute of it!

I am so in love with this song right now. So very thankful that God holds our world in His hands!! He never ever fails us! Even if things don't always go the way we think they should go, He is always on time! He knows exactly where we are and where we need to go. He holds OUR world in HIS hands!! He loves us so much! He will never let us go but always hold us right where we ought to be!

Sunday Sunset

I was coming home this night and couldn't help but notice God's beautiful creation! This lake is absolutely gorgeous...but even more so with God's handiwork! :)

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

We went to Kansas City's annual Ethnic Festival today and had a blast as usual! I love watching all the Ethnic dances and seeing what other's cultures are all about! There is over 50 different countries that are represented at this festival! I love living in a city that is so multi-cultured! :)













Every year they have a flag ceremony of every country that is represented. Here are just a few pictures of it, for you to enjoy. :)

Never Give Up!

Never, Never, Ever Give Up!

A friend of mine that I'm connected with on facebook, shared this video today. I found myself watching it and next thing I knew tears were rolling down my face. It talks of a young man who was running a race (and should have won) but because of an injury he fell to the ground, his father running to his side telling him that he didn't have to finish. The young man was determined to complete the race, so the father finished it with him.

It goes on to say that God's love is just like this. I couldn't agree more! When we are struggling, and having a hard time hanging in there, when life hits hard and things don't always go the way we want them to, don't give up! He always comes to pick us up! Never ever give up, but lean to the One that has everlasting love!! I'm so thankful that He is there not only in the rough times but in the good as well! He is our Joy!

Please take 5 minutes out of your day to watch this. If you know of someone that is struggling, please share with them and encourage someone in your path today!

Just thinking...

That title sounds dangerous doesn't it? :)

Seriously though, I've had a lot of time to myself lately and have just been thinking about how blessed I really am. A midst when life 'happens' and things don't go quite the way we would like them to, when everything isn't blissful and cheerful...we're still blessed.

Just want to take a moment and say that I am so thankful for my family. I have a wonderful heritage, a godly background, two wonderful parents, 2 amazing sisters that are married to great guys!...I love my brothers! 1 brother who I can't wait to meet in Heaven one day! Beautiful nieces and nephews (*including all the ones I've *adopted along the way) who love Jesus with all their hearts. It makes my heart smile.

I'm so thankful for my friends! You can't make it in this life without friends. I have so many friends all over this country and out. God has placed so many wonderful and talented people in my path...and so thankful to call all of YOU a friend!

My church family. I can not tell you how thankful I am that God has placed me at TLC. Pastor Gleason is the most amazing! So thankful for a Pastor and church family that is continually seeking after Him!

It's even the little things that we often take for granted. It makes me think of when I went to Honduras earlier this year. It really makes you think about things that we have every single day, that others may not have. Such as; hot water, real dish soap, real showers with great water pressure, a normal running car, air conditioning, a safe place to live, a roof over our heads, toilet paper, soap to wash our hands with, a job.....the list could go on and on. So thankful for even the smallest of things.

One thing is for sure....

We are definitely....

B l e s s e d !

Under Construction

Yep, that's right!!

Since I've kind of {for the lack of a better term} 'avoided' blogging as much lately, I've decided that it is way past time to do some......

major. updating.

Please hang in there with me as I make some changes! :)

Thank You!

Got the Football Fever...

Wow, what a summer it has been! It's been really busy, yet not busy enough. That doesn't really make sense....but ya know what I mean? :)

Speaking of summer....what was up with all the excessive heat all summer? It's never gotten THAT hot THAT soon here! Here in good ole Missouri we get some crazy heat (even as hot as it got) but it's never lasted for a good portion of the summer like it did this year. I like the hot sunny weather, but not where you can't breathe. lol Needless to say, I'm glad its cooling down a bit. The weather has been super NICE here the past couple weeks!!

It's getting closer to FALL!

I LOVE Fall!! It's one of my favorites!

The smell in the area. Goodies baking in the oven. Change of seasons.

I love everything about Fall!

Speaking of Fall...I'm really super excited that Football is now here and its slowly getting into full swing! Yippie! Yep, I'm a Chief's and Mizzou fan (and Big Orange fan! {that's for you Jen!}) and I can't wait to sport my Red and Gold/Black! The Chiefs had their first pre-season game last week and I'm sad to report that they lost! :( More like....they got skunked. 25-0! How in the world? But that's okay....I'm still a fan! :) Always will be. :) I've definitely got the fever....I'm ready for some football!!

Nothing else real exciting is going on...I'll blog again soon. :)

Until next time...

Honoring the Smalleys!

This was a very special night! The Smalley's Life Group honored them for their years of service. It was precious. Although I am not apart of their Life Group, these two people hold a very special place in my heart. I've adopted them as part of my family. Love you very much Mom and Pop Smalley! So thankful that God placed you in my life!

She was very surprised as she walked in the door! :)






Our awesome Pastor!
This was precious! I love the family of God!

He was leading worship! :) Videos to come!




Awe!! Aren't they precious!

Videos will be coming of worship service!

Starlight Theatre!

The beautiful Starlight Theatre!! *This picture downloaded from Google images*

Last weekend I had such a fun evening with friends! It's been awhile since we've done anything together or really gotten out and done much of anything. So we decided to go to Starlight Theatre here in Kansas City! We of course picked the hottest night to go! ;) It was a humid 100 degrees out, but we endured and had a blast anyways! I didn't get a lot of pictures and we weren't allowed to take any during the play. We saw Mamma Mia, which I totally loved!!!....minus the inappropriate parts of course. :) We laughed, we talked, and just had a wonderful time! It was my first time at Starlight.....I know....shame-shame on me...living here most of my life and just now going to Starlight. :) But no worries....I'm hooked now. :)

Starlight has some of the most beautiful fountains!! Kansas City is known for their fountains...and Starlight represents well! I love the City of Fountains! :)

As we were leaving, the fountains were all lit up! It was so beautiful!!