worship.

"worship in the chaos of life."

this might be my new favorite quote.

it came from our message at church on sunday from a series called "the most powerful thing we do".

when i heard it, i wanted to shout out "YES!!"

it resonated deep within me because this is something that i do!

i know i've mentioned it before, but i love music.

and music of the worship variety...my absolute favorite. 

there's nothing like turning on music that uplifts & encourages & comforts & allowing it to flood my heart & soul with truth.


i'd like to share with you some of the songs that i use to "worship in the chaos of life".

in those times when i need comforted, when i need to feel the Father's touch, i listen to this:

i love this song because i hear the Father so clearly inviting me into His arms.
to rest in the palm of His hand.
to find shelter in His wings.


there's also this one:

{please excuse the not so great video, there weren't a lot of choices for this one}

"i'm the only one who knows your heart's desries"
"and i know you through and through, there's no need to hide" 
these lines remind me that i am known by Him.
He knows me better than i know myself.


for the times i need to be reminded of God's faithfulness, i might choose this one:

"oh, my God He will not delay"
He ALWAYS shows up on time & i can always trust Him to do so!

when fear sets in,  i like this one: 

and sometimes, when i just don't have the words, this is a great one:

sometimes it's enough to just thank Him for the cross & His sacrifice.
to be reminded that He gives Amazing Grace each & every day.
and that because of the scars He bears, i have been given hope.

and when i just want to celebrate, i might choose this one:

i just LOVE this song!
this is one of those songs that i can't help but to belt out! 

seriously, i could go on & on!
a song for every occasion, but i'm pretty sure you get the idea!


worshiping in the chaos of life to me means facing the mess & the trials & the busyness & the craziness with hope in the One who has defeated the grave and allowing Him to reign in that chaos.

recently i read this & wanted to share it with you:

"Singing cheerful songs of blessing and glory and grace is an act that is good and right and often timely. But there is beautiful worship for all of us in recounting:
These are my afflictions. This is my God. He has the right to use my life how He deems and I will not respond as one who knows no hope. No matter the trial, I will not be prevailed upon. I will respond as a daughter who counts it an honor to identify with my Savior in suffering and sacrifice. When you pass by me, in any season, you can be certain that the blessing of the Lord is upon me."
   {SheReadsTruth}

this is what i aspire to be able to proclaim!

what about you?
what are some of your favorite songs to worship to in the chaos of life?

{insta}week

so i guess if sandy wreaks havoc on us this week, this could be my only post until we emerge from our storm shelter.

i did decide to go to the store last night to grab a few things just in case. 

you know, stacy's pita chips, life cereal, sandwich ready tuna packets, apples, oranges & bananas.

yeah, water too...the last 2 cases in the entire store!

i really didn't want to be one of those people though. 

people are crazy! 

here's a peak into my week:

anyone else love raking leaves?

yeah, me either.

i raked twice this week but you would never know!
maybe sandy will take care of them for me?

my cousin donated some cupcakes for the food pantry on tuesday, and since it was our trick or treat night {if you're not from around here, yes, it's weird}, i decided to decorate them to hand out.

i attempted to make my own frosting, which was "eh" in my opinion. 

i added some candy corn to redeem them!

just a few shots from she reads truth this week.

we just started a study on philippians.

good stuff!

everything is a step for this little one latley.

baskets, bins, mike's work bag, toys.

if it holds him, he climbs.

on thursday i got to go to the orange tour.

it's a one day conference that goes around to various cities throughout the country.

this one was held at national community church.

i'm thinking a separate post will come later with my thoughts on the day. 

we've been into homemade pizzas lately.

i love it because i can enjoy whatever creation i want with no sauce!

{yes, i'm a weirdo & don't like pizza because i don't like tomato sauce}

i attended a baby shower this weekend to which we had to bring our own tea cup.

i'm not much of a tea person, so i don't own tea cups, but my mom gave this to me a couple of years ago for such occasions. 

someone gave it to her when i was born, and i love it! 

this week i taught pre-k, and as i was preparing materials, i was so thankful for this awesome reminder!

and speaking of pre-k, this had to have been one of the sweetest things i've ever seen.

he was just sitting there "reading" his bible, tucked in his little cubby hole for the longest time. 

today our church celebrated its 5th birthday.

we started with just a handful of us in our pastor's living room, and have grown into an awesome community & family. 

we are so blessed to call this our church home.

1. we took the kids into "big church" this morning where we go to worship with glow sticks!

then tonight we had a party that was such a blast!

2. this is the closest that eli will get to halloween this year. doesn't he make such a cute cowboy?

3. we signed up for the cornhole tournament & we brought it! competitive much? we only won 2 games, but we did shut one team out, so that was cool. 

well, i guess we'll see what happens in the next few days! 

could be a week full of firsts:

first time losing power for multiple days. 

first time losing power for multiple days with a one year old.

first time existing on stacy's pita chips & almond butter sandwiches.

{except that the pita chips may or may not be finished off by tonight}

first time i won't be able to check instagram 86 times a day because my phone is dead.

oh boy! 

have a great week, and be safe if you're in the path of "frankenstorm".

{seriously, why do they do this?}