I Like Big Hats and I Cannot Lie

This past weekend Michael and I took the Kiss the Sky shop to it's first Arts & Crafts fair, Big Hat Days in Clovis, CA.

Backstory~
In December I took Kiss the Sky to two boutiques. Neither was financially profitable for us. I sat at one of them griping to God all-the-live-long-day, "We have to sell something! We have to make money!"  By the time we packed up I was in a defeated, grumpy mood. 

  And right then my booth neighbor (who didn't know of my inner-ick) said to me, "you shared the message with everyone that walked by today." I think I snarled at her with a "What!??!" 

At that the Spirit had a few words to speak to me, "Denise, remember who you are. You love the Word. You desire to lead people to Kiss the Sky."   Yes.  That is who I am.

It was at that time that I heard about Big Hat Days, and that 140,000 people attend each year. 

140,000 people that we could potentially share the message with. 

Michael and I (who work 4 jobs- 1 full time for Michael, and 3 businesses from home together- just barely keeping our heads above water financially) really wrestled with investing $1,000 in a booth with product.  I'm telling you we don't have the extra dough to spare. 

BUT GOD.

We also talked about how if money wasn't an issue we'd want to go to Big Hat Days. We'd want to go and "be light, shine, be generous with our lives, prompt people to open up with God."  And after a lot of discussion back and forth, the money-fear lost it's grip on us, and we DECIDED to go for it! 

 AND BIG HAT DAYS WAS A.MAZ.ING!!!

For one, Michael and I had an unbelievable time serving the Love of our life, Jesus, together. 

We realized that God had used us as worship leaders at the event, as the pieces in our booth prompted people to share the significance the words or lyrics held for them.  I wish you could have been there to consume all the God-stories with us! 

We were off-the-hook-blessed by not only the community of people that attend Big Hat Days, but also by the community of vendors. The guys to the right of us vend 46 weekends a year, and the couple to the left of us have been vending for 28 years!! They were both so generous, encouraging, and inspiring to us first timers. 

 Layne & Elise (who've been vending for 28 years) were our favorites!

I wanted to kidnap and bring them home.

  
Finally, we were both surprised that we did not even think about  money, which tells me that Mighty God was at work because that is something that would have stressed us out!

With joy-filled tears I expressed to Michael that, "my Spirit is so happy."  And I think it's happy because I gave into the gifts that God has given me~  The gifts of loving the Lord my God, and lifting Him up above all other things.  The gift of leading worship; prompting others to "come toward to kiss" the Lord.  The gift of loving on people by listening to stories, while praising and praying for the Savior to rebuild and restore lives. And the gift of being Light and shining well who Jesus is (I also looovvveeeddd watching Michael use his many gifts, too).

We had such a blast, that we're seriously considering taking Kiss the Sky to a couple more festivals this year?!!  

One last thing- we broke even on sales, making just enough to cover our costs. I think that was God's plan for us this time 'round. I think He wanted to fill our souls with riches that are too many to count rather than our bank accounts. 

Live in Peace,

It {Really} Is Well

(Scroll to the bottom of page to listen to an upbeat version of "It Is Well"  while you visit)

Because of this day, 

Good Friday, 

It {really} is well with my soul. 

For whether my world is right-side-up or upside-down, 

I'VE. GOT. GOD!  

I've got hands-down all I need and want in Him...

"It is well with my soul." 

Because of my Savior, 

not just a bit of my sin, but all-the-nasty-ick-of-it 

"is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more! 

Praise the Lord, 

Praise the Lord,

O my soul!"

Live in Peace,

It Is Well canvas available in the Kiss the Sky shop.

Hard to Swallow

"Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him.  Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.  Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."  

 1 Peter 4: 1-2 (The Message)

For the last week I have read these two verses multiple times a day.  Because I'm suffering with quiet a bit of physical discomfort again I'm sure this next week I'll be found doing the same.

As I read I find myself thinking of Revelations 10:10, which calls believers to "eat this book."  I'm biting and chewing and finding these words hard to swallow.

Once when I was 6 I didn't want to eat peas so I packed my suitcase and ran away. I was bound for Tori Johnson's house. I was certain her mother would NEVER force me to consume the icky little green vegetable.  I'd like to run away from these words. But I'm no longer 6, and like them or not- I know I need to eat them. 

 So I'm biting into "Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him."  The truth is when I hurt I don't want to redirect my focus toward Jesus, and what he went through (for me).  Because I'm in self-preservation mode I don't want to tune my thoughts to his.  But now more than ever I should be in Jesus-preservation mode. I need more of him and less of me. 

I'm chewing on, "think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way."  These words are the most bitter in my mouth.  Did you notice that "sufferings" is plural?  I'm always blindsided when I suffer again.   "Again" leaves a nasty taste in my mouth- entitlement.  Entitlement tells me that I've been through enough suffering, and deserve a "get out of jail free" card.  Entitlement causes me to be a 39 yr old toddler throwing a fit of 'I want' and 'I need' and 'I deserve' my "OWN WAY!!!!!"

I'm swallowing- "Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."  "Tyrannized by what you want." Yeah, that's me lately.  And the more out-of-control I feel physically the more I grasp for control of something-anything.  I absolutely lose sight of pursuing what God wants, and as a result am oppressed by more than just pain.  

When I was 6 I imagined Tori Johnson's mother would never make me eat peas.  In my little girl mind I decided her to be what I wanted her to be (shortly after the runaway incident, Tori's mother made me eat tomato soup, which is far worse than having to eat peas).   And if I'm honest, the thing that makes me the maddest in this suffering(s) is that God is not like my 6 yr old image of Tori Johnson's mother.  At some point I decided that He would never make me go through hard things, and every time I experience suffering I get ticked off at Him for not being the God I decided He would be.

I have to die to that way of thinking... "learn to think like him."  I have to.

Live in Peace,

3/15/74

 I wonder if the Spirit joyfully whispered in my almost 4 month old curly ear, 

"He's here!" 

on 3/15/74.

 Love, 

I believe He did. 

I am certain that at 

5:15 p.m. 

on March 15th, 1974 

this baby girl 

squealed with delight

as 

"it's a boy!" 

was announced in a hospital room 50 miles away. 

For

my most-treasured friend, 

the one I would most intimately share my 

life,

love,

home,

and Savior with,

was here. 

 So today

Michael Alexander Jones,

I celebrate you,

and the Author of life 

Who so generously 

 wrote you

for me.

  

Happy Birthday!!

(originally posted March 15, 2011) 

Riding Shotgun

"Riding shotgun refers to the practice of sitting alongside the driver of a moving vehicle."

Life has been moving full speed ahead lately.
Here' s a whole lot of what's been riding in the "passenger seat" lately~
 

Dinner with the family who generously invited me to live with them when I was 18, and who I've not seen for almost 20 years- the Springstons! 

Bill, Nancy, daughter Julie, and granddaughter Ellie, who all reside out of state, were in my corner of the world for an evening. Stealing a bit of time with my beloved Springston's was a treat!  Pop over and say "Hi" to Julie at her new craft blog. 

Fancy Valentine's dinner

 Shout out to Alan and Kyra Lohuis, who went all out to gift a community with a lovely Valentine's Dinner- complete with hors d' oeuvres,  gifts, an incredible catered meal, and topped off with encouraging words on marraige from pastor, Pj Lewis with wife Sheiri. 

Alan and Kyra cause me to think of Matthew 5:16 from The Message,"Keep open house; be generous with  your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

 8th grade girl slumber party

 Junk food, Just Dance, "I Never,"  sharpie-marker- hair- coloring, and a projected-on-the-wall-movie was just a bit of what induced giggling among this fantastic bunch of girls. 

And I must exclaim that  "Emilie is the best big sister EVER!" She was happy to have the little sister hang out with her gal pals. 

 

(I was informed  that coloring hair with sharpie markers is "no big deal," and that "the color only lasts 3-4 days."  Thinking I might try it to cover my grays "crown of splendor.")

Three rounds and counting of Zycam, cough syrup, cough drops, vapor rub, humidifiers, and tissue.

We'd all like to kick this bug out of the "passenger seat," and to the curb! 

Putting finishing good-enough-for-now touches 
on our new family room

As you can see we've been busy getting walls up, primed and painted. The ceiling now has canned lights and a new ceiling fan.  The concrete  floors are painted with Home Depot's  Wet Cement floor paint.   The color on the walls- which we LOVE- is BEHR'S Agave.  We have lots of things planned: wood floors, baseboards, window treatments, cheery pillows, art for the walls, covering the wall (bottom right) from floor to ceiling with framed photos.  BUT mostly what we have planned is to ENJOY this cozy FAMILY room together.

A birthday celebration for Josie

 our game lover wanted a gamingpalooza day, and was beyond thrilled to have the hours of her special day filled playing Farkle, Clue, Scatergories, and Apples to Apples.

Josie requested to make her own birthday dessert, Nerd cupcakes. She baked, I cleaned- the perfect arrangement. 

Her final request was to watch home videos from the projector.  Life sized memories of the day she was born, while snuggling my 11 yr old was hands-down the BEST way to cherish the journey of being her mommy. 

And finally, watching Downton Abbey, season 3.  

Last night's season finale... sad.

If you watched it, and are in need of a Downton Abbey pick-me-up, the following video will do just that. 

 

  What's riding shotgun in your life these days?

   

Live in Peace!

 

Because You're Awesome

Happy 11th Birthday to you, Josie Jo!

You are the coolest kid.  I am in no way worried about offending your older brother and sister by saying this. They're in 100% agreement. We all think you are extraordinary!

 You change the temperature of this home with your contagious Joy!  11 years ago you arrived illuminating Joy. It's been a Joy ride with you ever since! 

 My heart skips a beat when you sing!  I'm so glad that you are finding your voice... your beautiful voice.  You encourage me to keep finding mine (at this moment you are singing Journey's, "Don't Stop Believing"). 

Hands down my favorite thing about you is how you adore your big sister. You two are so good to each other.  I'd bet I'm more blessed by your sweet relationship with each other than you two are (let's start scheming a plan together to deter Emilie from going to high school next fall).  

 We are spoiled by the way you take charge in the kitchen.  That's you're space, and you are thrilled to treat us all with baked goods, or to serve us with sous chefing.  Please don't ever move out. 

You are thoughtful.  I delight in the sweet nuggets you share that the Spirit is stirring in you. This mommy, who wants more than anything for you to Love the LORD your God, is blessed to hear of the Truth you know and love.

 My heart for you has become your heart for me.  You are intentional about making sure I  know I am loved and beautiful just as I am. Your kisses and constant reminders nudge me to rest in Love. 

Please don't ever stop wearing tutu's and mismatched socks- promise to never start taking yourself too seriously.  We need your silly and easy goingness.

 Your hand in mine is the yummiest... melts me like butter.

Hello, Miss Competitive!  You are fierce when playing games.  I like seeing this sassy I'm-gonna-take-everyone-down competitiveness in you.

Until this last year your daddy was the witty one in the family.  Lately, your sense of humor trumps his, and has us both busting up!  

I admire your confidence. When we ask why you do or think this or that you declare, "Because I'm awesome."  You believe it, delight in who you are, and you ♥ being fabulous.  Girlfriend, don't ever lose your awesome!  EVER.  You glorify God in this way, causing others (especially Emilie and I) to embrace that God made them extraordinary, too, and that we honor Him by delighting in what He has fearfully and wonderfully made in us.

I am 11 yrs grateful that God lets me be your mommy.  
I love you... and yes, "you are my favorite" (unless Noah or Emilie is reading this, in which case they are my favorite...but not really (wink).  

With "skubajuauian" love (infinity x infinity), 
Mommy

(photos taken recently, when Josie dressed up for a friend's Red Carpet birthday party)