6.22.2010

it is well

i have a lot on my mind. it's one of those times when i don't really know where to begin. i could ramble on and on with useless words that only skim the surface of the real issues at hand. how much is too much? isn't that an age old question. what can you say without saying more than you should? i need wisdom.

i believe in the sovereignty of the Almighty. i believe that He was, is, and is to come. if I could keep this at the forefront of my mind at all times, a lot of my problems would be avoided. instead, i choose to become bogged down with life's petty trials and end up immersed in an ocean of insignificant worry. instead of riding the waves with the skill of a california surfer, i am being pulled down by a powerful under current. i refuse to let this happen. i will not let my spirit be quenched  or the fire in my heart be put out. why should i?

there is truth in every bit of criticism. it's learning how to decipher the truth, learn from it, and push away the useless extra that proves to be a challenge. i tend to be an extremist. this can be both good and bad. taking things way too much to heart is one of my downfalls. because of this flaw, i can find myself on really high highs and very low lows. pleasing people is also of great concern to me. however, i'm learning more everyday that although God uses people to shape character in my life, my number one goal is to please Him. yes, i want to learn from criticism, but i want my eyes to remain fixed on running the race set before me.

not everyone that you meet in this life is going to love you, no matter how nice, beautiful, smart, talented, etc. you are. Jesus met with plenty of people in His life who harbored great animosity towards Him. as long as your life is in line with the Word, you have nothing to worry about. it's not about the situations you find yourself in, it's about your reaction to them. i am asking the Lord to fill my heart with love and compassion towards everyone i meet, regardless of their feelings about me. the joy of the Lord is my strength. with His help, i will choose to view the circumstances of my life as divinely appointed and make it my mission to give Him praise in some  ALL things. it truly is well with my soul.

 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:32-36


song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAAsjzapuWs
the author penned this song after receiving a telegram from his wife that read "saved alone." his four daughters had drowned when their ship sank on its way to England. he left new york at once to join his distraught wife. however, he asked the captain to come notify him when they reached the same spot where the previous ship had sunk. after he had seen the burial waters of his daughters, horatio spafford returned to his cabin where he wrote the words to this famous hymn.

6.12.2010

i survived a nyc cab ride

i love nyc. cliche, but true. the following is an account of our recent adventure in the big apple. our little southern family busted up in there with true class and a lotta laughs. definitely an affair to remember.

let me preface this story with one VERY important fact: i LOVE  hate to fly. i start to get nervous a few days before departure and usually don't settle down until we are safely on the ground. yes, i realize that it is the safest form of travel, but for some reason, i can't get that to register in my brain. consequently, it is a severe battle of mind vs. reality. mind usually wins. : o

airports greatly amuse me. you see all walks/forms of life. sometimes i feel as if the terminal is a whole world in and of itself. i mean, you see things there that you don't see anywhere else. i haven't quite figured out the reason for this phenomena, but i am working on it. here we are in baltimore during our layover. don't let my smile fool you.




don't you just love the person on the plane who comes and sits right in the middle of two people??? oh yeah, and don't forget the crying baby, the horrible body odor smells, the guy with his crack showing, and the snoring man. just a few of the many joys of flying.

another phenomena of the airport terminal is the random celebrity sightings that tend to occur. so, when i saw my girl sarah, i couldn't resist asking for a photo. she very graciously agreed.


just when i thought all my troubles were over after we landed safely at the laguardia airport, we stepped into a cab. PEOPLE OF AMERICA, THIS IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. how is a poor southern girl like me supposed to handle this insanity??? one driver thought it would be nifty to try and read a novel while driving us in the rain across manhattan. i must have aged twenty years that night. also, why do the cab driver ids look more like mugshots? um, scary.


stepping off the subway into times square is an unparalleled experience. although i have been to nyc once before, it still had a jaw dropping effect. we met some friends on our flight that we randomly bumped into out in the city. of course this called for a photo.


speaking of the subway, can i mention that if you are riding it around 1 am, it's probably going to be a bit sketchy? besides touching nostrils with the person next to you, you may receive some heckling. when a few rather interesting (i'm being kind) young men announced that there was more room on a jammed packed subway than there was in jail, an uneasiness started to settle in our stomachs. it got worse when they stated how much they loved blondes because golden hair was angel hair. never had kolson been more grateful for her brunette head.

the subway ride back into town the next morning was much more pleasant. my sisters looked like living dolls.







since we had limited time, mama d made the executive decision to do the red apple bus tour. good call mama d! we enjoyed seeing the sites of the city atop a double decker bus.


our first stop was chinatown. i must admit, i felt like a foreigner. i may have stuck out just a tiny bit. we ate at a delightful little restaurant located in one of the many basements of the region. i felt like i was in a suspense film going down the stairs to get inside.



when you're eating the sodium filled chinese food, it is of utmost importance that you don't get TOO thirsty.


one day, i am making a shopping trip only to nyc. that day will have to come when i have a few grand lying around waiting to be spent. get back with me in the year 2085. this store makes my heart skip a beat.



central park doesn't get old. it is a thing of beauty. i never cease to be amazed by God's creation and handiwork.





i would be remiss if i didn't mention the whole reason for our trip: TAPING A TV SHOW WITH DINO! for those of you who don't know, dino is a world renowned christian pianist. his show, the dino show, airs on tbn. we were extremely touched by his love for the Lord and desire to bring Him glory. His beautiful wife, cheryl, is also a wonderful, godly woman. together, this powerful couple is making a stand for our Lord. it was a privilege to be a part of their ministry. stay tuned for air dates!


we have seen firsthand, the sovereignty of God. He led us through times of trial and uncertainty into times of great joy. i do not know what tomorrow holds, but i know Who holds tomorrow. please pray for our family as we continue to seek His will for our lives. check out our website www.lambfamilymusic.com for more information and for our itinerary. visit our facebook page, the lamb family violin ensemble and become a fan!

coming soon: my sisters' and my favorite beauty products and summer styling suggestions.



song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjWJEeVpBw
i love love love broadway. we went to a charming diner in the city where the waiters and waitresses sang broadway songs for the customers. I WAS ENTHRALLED. of course i had to make a request. this is the song i selected. it is from one of my favorite shows: hairpsray.

6.04.2010

i just call you mine

isn't he precious???
i seriously don' know what i would do without him. he loves me in spite of my crazy ideas and insane notions. i am blessed to call him mine.

the rest of the beach trip was wonderful. i hated to leave. but doesn't that happen on every vacation? i seriously had ice cream every night. did someone say OUT OF CONTROL??? my new reality includes far less sugar. or at least i hope it does. here are a few pictures from our night at the hangout: a super fun new place at orange beach.

the girls



gorgeous sisters




the gang




we scampered over to birmingham last sunday to watch the tide play in the sec baseball champioship. even though the outcome wasn't good, we still enjoyed ourselves.


memorial day was spent in atlanta with one of my best friends. we have weathered many storms together. she will always be close to my heart. if you live in the atlanta area and need a hair stylist, look her up at www.paragonyoursalon.com. her name is mallory.


i also attended my very first braves game on memorial day. shout out to the world, THE BRAVES ARE MAKING A COMEBACK! we had a blast, and it's so nice to see our team doing well.

let me just say that obedience really is the best choice. i can attest from personal experience that when i finally let go and surrender to Him, my life is filled with true peace and joy. why does it always take me so long to remember this??? He desires truth in the inward parts. and that is the goal for my life.

a side note: if any of you feel like giving me a present some time, this is what i've REALLY been wanting:



may the peace of Christ fill your hearts as you seek to do His will.

song of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p15MZXnsWpY&feature=related