Friday. Mercy weep over me.

Listening to Mercy Weep Over Me by Bebo Norman.

I've decided that I'm not completely finished listening to Christmas tunes. I am usually listening to one of my cds in the car, but whenever I switch over to XM I quickly tap button 4 for XM 103 Holly. (: What a JOY! This morning I heard Celine's Ave Maria and THEN when I pulled off the freeway, what'dya know, it's Mariah Carey's, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." I love that song. It's not like it's very deep or even super Jesus-like, but I sure do think it has a lot of hoppin' joy. (: In FACT, I think my entire car was rejoicing. When I turned to come in the back side of our lot, my turn signal click was right on beat. I had to smile. Sometimes I think Jesus is funny in how he blesses us. What a fun gift.

Last night, I went over to Lora T's for some pizza and a movie... I haven't been feeling well and that's another story... but it was so much fun. She invited our friends Isaiah and Jamera over to join her. They are incredible kids... You can see them at my flickr site in the Family Night set. I love how they are so hungry and although have a few words to say about church, loveee coming to New Song. It's so neat to see how the church has really brought these kids under its wings. Thank you Jesus for teaching us how to love.

Ohhh! And I just have to share... Last night my roommate Katie came into my room while I was reading and just poured out her heart with such vulnerability in her time of brokenness. It was so encouraging just seeing her broken before the Lord. I let her share her heart for awhile and she cried while laying beside me... After a few moments we were both silent. As we sat there, I could sense that we were both silently crying out to the Lord. "Meet us!" "We want to be filled by you! We are desperate for your Spirit to complete us." "We long to be known and to have you invade our hearts." "Come near!" It was so powerful and although it was only a few minutes, it left me with much peace.

My heart seems to be at a spot of longing for intimacy as well as adventure. It's not that I am saying, "I want to be married" or even longing for a physical or sexual fulfillment. My heart is just crying out - to be a part of something bigger than me. To be searched, discovered, given away. When I talked to Jesus about it the other day, he told me that my desire was not foreign or inappropriate... but that He too felt the same way. That there are unchartered areas of his own heart that have yet to be discovered. For us to lightly trod upon the untraveled paths and for us to take away the beauty we encounter. Whether it be a radiant flower or a stone we trip upon. *sigh* We truly are made in his image.

Well, I guess that's all. I think he's teaching me to be still again. To listen. To respond. I love you!

Merry Christmas!

I actually have a lot to say but will wait until tomorrow... (: Anyway, I love you. Blessings!

the Answer.

Last night I went to the Answer produced and performed by people at my church, New Song. I wish that the whole world could see this musical. What a raw and yet so exquisite look at the birth of Jesus and how He truly rescues us TODAY!!

The story is two fold including 4 people who are invited to church to see a Christmas play. They all come from different backgrounds, from a homeless woman to a pretty church boy. After singing their individual stories, a gal invites them to come to her church to watch a musical. They attend the show and sit behind a curtain on stage watching the Christmas play. The rest of the story unfolds as a more "traditional" manger scene and then 3 individuals who represent many stories of people today - broken, without hope, living with perfectionism come out and share their story. It's so neat because they have "normal" clothes on while the manger scene of about 10 people have their historical garb. These 3 "normals" interact with the "manger people", all the while the "manger people" perform a nativity scene about the birth of Jesus. It's just wild!!! Like 3 stories in one. I love it!! At the end the original 4 people who came to the show realize the hope of Jesus for THEIR lives TODAY and the impact of Jesus' birth. It's incredible. Anyway, you must see pictures to visualize. (: Blessings this Christmas.

Love,
Bethany

The four LOST people.


The invitation.


They came to the play. Seated and Greeted.


The Nativity Scene. (Julie plays Mary!!)


The Three Broken "normal ones" and The Nativity


Time disappears and Mary interacts with Erin Crain (normal)


The Same Jesus for all Generations


Hope for the original four who "came" to the play!


Honoring the music behind the play.


Anyway, Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Update!

Hi friends! I know it's been sooo long since I sat down and wrote a little update, but here I am!! Sitting on our maroon poofy or not so poofy couch in Iowa Falls Iowa. Oh yeah. (: The TV is on, my mom, Annika and Laura (sister in law) are playing the game Deal or No Deal. I just finished packing my bags and will head out tomorrow morning around 10:30 or so... It has been such an awesome trip to Iowa. The Lord IS changing my heart and I've had such a great time...

Wednesday afternoon, Kiara and Haley picked me up from the airport. It was so adorable, Kiara was wearing the cutest shirt ever - "Honey Bunny". She ran up to me so excited and gave me a big hug. What a sweetheart. We went to PF Changs for dinner with my not so helpful directions. Yummy though!! We arrived to the church right after 6:00pm. Kiara and I walked around the church where she found a bright pink and green Point of Grace shirt. She called it her "night gown"... Finally we got into the church and sat right near the front. The concert started at 7:00 p.m. and it was just dreamy!!!!! I haven't seen the girls for over 2 and a half years and it was such a treat. My smile never once faded. It felt surreal. And watching Kiara was so cute. She just adored them. And the girls were absolutely beautiful!! I found out that their dress designer is one of the designers from Project Runway. You've got to check out the pictures if you haven't already. After the concert we went out to talk to the girls. Kiara wanted them to "write their names on her shirt." And OHHH how she loved Leigh's dress. (: The girls were as excited to see me as I was them. I forgot how much I miss them and wish I could spend some time just talking. Anyway, we chatted for a few and snapped a couple of pictures...

Thursday I went with my grandma to get my hair trimmed and to go out for lunch. We went back to her house and hung out for the evening. Thursday night Ivy came over and we spent the evening together. We went out to Walmart and got some last minute Christmas presents.

Friday was SO much fun. I went to my Grandma's and met my cousin Sarah, her hubby Nathan, her two kids - Ida and Val, my aunt Lori and stepUncle Doug and my Grandma. We took tons of photos of her kiddos and family. Afterwards I went to my other grandma's and met my other aunt to celebrate.

It was a such a fun time just being with my family. At times in my life it's been so hard coming home and visiting with everyone. I know that it's mostly been my pride that has kept me from initiating in those relaitonships. But this time, it was so victorious!!! I know that Jesus has done so much in my life, but also he has done a great work in my family's too. In fact, last night I was up until 1:00 am talking to my cousins Ivy and Sarah about Jesus, spiritual warfare, God speaking, freedom and restoration. It was so encouraging and fun.

Today my third set of grandparents came to my house and we celebrated Christmas with my brother, sister in law, and sister (her girls). What a fun time. We ddi the whole presents deal and I watched 8 Below with my nieces. What a great time. I cried. Haha. Sweet movie and I think I'm in love with Paul Walker. (;

So here we are and I have my things packed. It's almost 9 p.m. central time and I am exhausted. I've been up late and getting up early everyday that I've been here. Still, I am excited for the week. Monday we have the Answer @Church - and a Christmas party at Parkland Chevrolet. I love my co-workers and miss my friends in Tacoma. Sometimes I get here and it's weird. Like Tacoma is an entire world away.

Alrighty, go see my pictures @ www.flickr.com/photos/bleev Enjoy!

A photo shoot day!!

Hey friends, what an incredible day it was today!! I had so much fun. I took family pictures for a couple of my faves and then got to photograph LUCY!! What a sweeeet baby!! I just have to share with you...



Guys, it was such an amazing weekend. We had a retreat with my roommates - at my house - but so refreshing. It was such a gift and more than anything I felt Jesus sharing his heart. Oh how much bigger his mind, goodness, and intentions for us are than what I can comprehend. It blows me away. I am in awe. And oh how his tenderness brings me to tears.

I'm going home this week - I can't believe it. It's the first time I've been home for Christmas in two years! Haley and I are taking Kiara to see Point of Grace. Haha, and it's been many years since I last saw them too. (: It's going to be a packed weekend. I can't wait to share pictures with you.

For now, here are a couple more from today!!

Love,
Bethany

Jackie's Birthday

Omigosh, these pictures are SOO fun!!!!! (:

It was so fun to celebrate Jackie!



And check out these beautiful candles with the fire in the background.




SOOO beautiful...

babies and birthday!

another whirlwind weekend!!! (: so fun though.

i spent the morning with my friend michal (who is a gal in my small group) and then went to julie cyr's baby shower. so fun - lots of mommas and babies! (:

bought a frame at jo-ann's and then shopped @Target with jackie... p.s. it was her birthday tonight which left me unable to purchase a gift for her. pictures from herrrr celebration to come!

p.p.s. reading a book called voices from the epidemic. aids doctors.

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