A Mid-Winter's Night Out

Hey All! Our fam had a fantabulous day in Pittsburgh and I just had to share some of our adventures with you. It definitely wasn't the warmest day to walk through the city, but we just love it too much. 

Our first official stop was an overlook at the top of the city. Gorgeous & crazy windy!

Me and Diz - good thing you can't see our shivering in a picture ;)

Heinz Field baby! Proud Steeler fans

And we landed at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner - although, had no cheesecake. Sad, but true.

Had the best fresh mint sweet tea! Deeee-lish!

And since it was right next door, we couldn't help but stop over at our fav outdoor store!

We also couldn't leave without checking out the puppy stuff for our little one!

It was a great night of fun with some pretty fantastic people. When is the last time you went out and just had some random, unplanned fun? If it's been a while - do it asap!!

Mad Love! & Sweet Dreams <3

Just Do It

Morning lovelies!

I have had a thought on my mind for the past couple of days that I just wanted to share with you today...

Just Do It.  Whatever it is that is weighing heavy on your heart today...just do it. Have that difficult conversation. Make that phone call. Write the 'Thank You' card. Change the oil. Open your Bible. Say you're sorry. Place that appointment. Return the gift. Tell them you love them. Say "Hi" to the guy that you pass every single day. Put on your shoes and go for a run. Just Do It.

A Friend Indeed...

Hello my beautiful friends!

Today I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my best friends in the world, and in just a few minutes on the phone I was reminded of some incredible wisdom:

"If you don't give God the time, you won't be able to accomplish the dreams 

He has put in your heart, because our own abilities are so limited."

And although I know that in my heart to be true, my daily life does not always reflect it. Are you tracking with me on this one? Can you relate? I mean, how much does my daily life really reflect my Savior? I have to tell you, ever since I hung up the phone that question has been rattling around my brain.

I want to have a day that reflects who I am living for.  I have 24 hours in a day (roughly 16 of those awake), and I know in my heart that as of right now...those hours are selfishly being dedicated to other things in my world - things like work, and my family, and church... all good things, but none greater than spending time with God.  So often, when life gets busy, God goes to the back of our day.  But in reality, when our life ramps up... our focus should redirect from our to-do list to our God.

Let me encourage you today, if you are stressed, hurt, angry, dealing with difficult people, or anything in between, take a time out. Pray. Get into the Word. Spend time with the man who gave His life for you.

Couldn't love you more!
~Suz

No one is more pleasurable to be around than a person who has had her cup
filled by the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only one who is never
overwhelmed by the depth and length of our need. 
-Beth Moore, Praying God's Word

PRAY

Just throwing a quick shout out for some prayers! In just a few short hours I'll be spending the weekend with a bunch of other ladies - seeking after God's face and asking Him to speak to our hearts. Please pray that God shows up in mighty ways this weekend at REVEAL!

All My Love,
Suz

Choices

Hello friends! I cannot wait to share with you tonight!!

If you will, take the next few moments... and let the thoughts that have been invading my heart, crowd your head.

For the past few months, I have had the joy and heartache of learning a lot about the relationships that I have been steeping myself in, and I urge you to learn from what God has been teaching me.

You see, God has been validating to me the concept that "Your friends and your relationships determine the direction and the quality of your life." Let me repeat that just in case you let it slip by without really letting it sink in: Your relationships determine the direction and the quality of your life.

I have had this overwhelming desire to share this thought recently because I have a person in my life right now who I can clearly see making bad choices...and at the root of those choices not only lies sin, but lies the influence of a "special someone" in their life. You see, what this person doesn't realize is that from the outside looking in, I can clearly see how their life has changed direction in the last few months - and how their relationship carries so much influence that it is taking them down a path that is anything but what God desires.

Now, let me ask you this question: How often do we seek the advice/approval/you-name-it of others without ever seeking out what God would want for us? Pretty often, right? I believe that's where my friend is - seeking the approval of people before, and maybe even in the place of, God.

We get told over and over and over again that we are supposed to ask others for help and enlist a team to help us do things in life... but I don't care how wise that person is - no one trumps God. Should we go to others? Yes. Should we seek wise council? Absolutely.  But not until we first seek after the council of the creator of wisdom. You see, when we first seek God's answers, we will be more able to discern wise from unwise council.

Scripture says it perfectly...

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

~1 Corinthians 15:33

I don't think it could be stated more clearly.
Your friends determine the direction and quality of your life. 

So, when you are looking for that "special someone" or when you are considering a relationship with anyone, I urge you to ask yourself these questions:

1.) Does this person have a relationship with Christ?

2.) Does their life reflect that they have a relationship with Him?

If number 1.) is a "No"... then run.
If number 2.) is a "No"... then that means that number 1.) is probably also a "No" and they either lied to you, or don't understand what the point of number 1.) is... and you should run.  

I pray daily that God will pour out His blessings on these words... that these posts will encourage you. Know this - You have a Father who looks at you with longing and desires to love you more than you could ever believe, ask for, or imagine.

~With All My Love

Joey

Hello friends!

I had the joy of spending the last few days at a Christian Music Festival called the ALIVE Festival, and let me tell you - it was a blast! We spent six days camping and worshiping with friends, leaders, and students from our student leadership team. I had the opportunity to hear incredible stories, famous speakers, and worship with some of the most amazing bands like Hillsong United, Switchfoot, Skillet, and Tenth Avenue North.  Trust me, I could go on and on and on and on about all the Godly conversations and inspired moments that happened during those six days... but I really have only one thing that struck my heart so hard that I just had to share with you all... and his name is Joey.

Now, Joey is only 11, but let me tell you he taught me so much in the few days that we got to spend with him and his family at ALIVE.  He didn't quote any scriptures or even try to show me how "Godly" he is. What Joey did, was love me.

And what's funny, is that he never once told me that he loved me. 

He showed me.  

You see, from spending just a few days with Joey I know for a fact that he loves to share what he has with people. And sharing with others (especially food! haha) is his way of telling you that he cares for you.  I kid you not, every time I saw Joey he was offering me some of his fries, an extra cookie, or a bite of his dessert. And his biggest joy, was the moment you said Yes! and scarfed down that french fry! You can read it all over his face. You can see it in his eyes. God has given this 11 year old a heart that is seeking to show people love by sharing what he has.... and being around that kind of pure, i-want-nothing-back-from-you kind of love is more than just fun, it's healing.

What I learned from Joey this week is that God's love is pure, and when we are able to show others a pure, non-judgmental love... how much easier will it be for them to see Christ in us?  We have the ability to really show other people we love them. I think we just often get so distracted or consumed with ourselves, that we will miss the opportunities that God places right in front of us.

Joey had an opportunity to show me he loves me this week - simply by sharing his life with me, and straight up treating me like a friend... and he took advantage of his opportunity. As a result, I walked away from every moment spent with him feeling like I was loved, respected, and accepted. WOW! How much of God's grace I felt through an 11 year old. I can't say it enough, wow....

So let's turn the tables.  We each have 24 hours in a day (roughly 16 of them spent awake). What are we doing with those hours? We all have a love language. What is yours? We each have family, friends, and co-workers that we are spending time with every day. What kind of an impression are we leaving on those people? 

I think what I'm getting to is this... We can learn something from Joey if we are willing to look into our hearts and inspect our actions. Do me a favor, and ask yourself today the questions I presented above. Ask God to show you in what areas your heart needs to be molded. And if we're lucky, we might just end up a little bit more like Joey.

Mad Love,
~Susan

Royal Renewal

What a day...

Today I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed (okay, not really...) at 4am to watch Kate Middleton wed Prince William.  I know, I'm crazy - but something in me just leaps at the idea of a Royal Romance. I loved watching every second of the ceremony, and seeing how the bride just shinned in the presence of her love, her friends, and her family.  Every detail of the day planned out and made to be just as she desired - how wonderful it was to wait in anticipation of this day, and then to watch it all come together so beautifully... you can't help but be excited for these two loves that you don't even know.

 

As I was watching the event unfold so many things came to mind. Of course, at first I was enveloped in the beauty of the church, the exquisite dresses of the congregation and royal party, and the sheer beauty that Kate wore on her face as she walked down the isle to her destiny.  But soon after I took a breath, I was very deeply moved by something entirely different.  As the Royal couple were taking their vows, you could hear the enormous applause and roaring of the crowds outside of Westminster Abbey... and as they did, my heart too exploded with joy. I found myself in complete shock at how moved I was for this couple that I don't even know, but as I sat and continued to watch the day unfold it became so clear to me how much joy is contagious.

I can't help but liken the excitement of the London crowds to how it must be in Heaven when one of God's children finally ask Him to be the Lord of their life.  Though the angels have much more to rejoice about, I believe God's heart is warmed at the sight of a crowd of strangers being so encouraging to their fellow man and woman.

Maybe we can use this day to remind us of how we are supposed to support and love those around us.  It is so easy to look at people and automatically see the things we don't like. It is so easy to judge. It is so easy to think of ourselves first and put ourselves on a pedestal. But if just for a day we can look at others and rejoice in their wins, love them unconditionally, and see them as Christ does - we will experience a renewal in our hearts. We will feel the joy of the Lord.

My hope is that this Royal day brings both you and I a Royal Renewal.