My Closest Friend...

Life is crazy sometimes... how God lays out our life before us and knows every step, decision, word, thought, and more.  When I choose to sit back and faithfully watch it roll out before me, it amazes me.  I only wish I would watch what He is DOING more often than I do instead of having to look back to see what He has DONE... looking back instead of forward.  Either way, to see His creativity at work and worked out usually leaves me in awe.  Such is the case here.  Originally I wrote the blog below about a week and a half ago before leaving on vacation with my family.  The daily dose of "Jesus Calling" struck my heart and stayed close to me.  I quickly wrote down one sentence from the devotional and followed it up with some thoughts I was processing.  A few days later, sitting on the deck looking out over part of His marvelous creation I marveled at His beauty (still on vacation so this creation is the Lake of the Ozarks).  "Jesus Calling":  this day a precious gift... prepared a way... eagerly await... rejoice when you glance My way... sing praise songs to Me.

"Let us come to Him with thanksgiving.

Let us sing psalms of praise to Him."

~*Psalm 95:3*~

Today I sit reading and my heart reflects on so much that has happened over the course of a few short weeks.  God has demonstrated His love and protection in so many ways.  He has shown me how He has prepared a way.  Have I given that gift of thanksgiving and worship back to Him?  This devotional, "Jesus Calling" was a gift... and has hit so many rough spots in my life.  I see it... read it... think about... do I do it?  Today's challenge:  "Practice praising and thanking Me continually throughout this day".

Psalm 100

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before Him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are His.

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving;

go into His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and His faithfulness continues to each generation."

The purpose of me writing this was to share with you the thoughts I wrote down on the morning of June 23rd before my family left on vacation... and to tie it to all of the above and to what is shown further down and to share some of the gifts I have been given =).
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6.23.12

Every Step of the Way

"LET MY LOVE STREAM THROUGH YOU, WASHING AWAY FEAR AND DISTRUST."

God's spirit can be grieved.  I try to imagine Him as a friend walking with me, side by side, every step of the way.  I hate seeing others in pain and anguish, hurting.  I hate seeing the hurt in their eyes and the pain in their voice... especially if I am the cause of it.
Is it something I have done that has caused the pain and hurt?  Is it an action by you, distrust, a lack of faith, a destructive step, something I could have prevented, causing this pain.  It is not just harm done to this friend that could be hurting them but maybe it is harm done to me... harm done to me caused by me... this friend does not like to see me hurting.
He hurts when I hurt, cries when I cry, laughs when I laugh, and shares in every moment of my life... has it planned out for me.  It is True Love.
Give your heart and life to Him.  Watch your steps and your words.  Be mindful of your actions and your thoughts.  Let the pain, anger, frustrations, sorrow, insecurity, shame, laughter, joy, thanksgiving, worship, and love fade into His glory.
Recognize His Presence.  Trust in His Promises.  Live in His Love.  Have faith that He has already won.  Listen to His Word.  Bask in the glory of the One who saves.  Allow His soothing whispers to comfort.  Let His mighty arms wrap around you.  Let His gentleness blanket you.  Let His strength shield you.  Let Light guide you... every step of the way.  He is there.  He is with you... loving, soothing, caressing, protecting, surrounding, comforting, holding, providing.  He is always there... every step of the way.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BPXh2L1k&feature=youtu.be

Happy 4th of July everybody!! =)

Protection & Rescue

It has been a while and life has been crazy... somewhat overwhelming.  Recently a sister gave me a devotional called "Jesus Calling"... absolutely amazing devo if you are looking for one.  This morning it hit the mark, not just with the devotional itself but also one of the verses included in the devo.  The verse comes from Psalm 18.  I will be honest in saying that I have forgotten how much I LOVE this Psalm.  I look at it and wish I would have come back to it more often than what I have. The reassurance given from... from being overwhelmed and overpowered by life to conquering all because of the strength that only God can give.

I remember when I first started meeting with a mentor of mine.  I was worried whether God would really protect and rescue me when life was overpowering.  She read me Psalm 18.  All I can remember is sitting there in tears as I listened to how "angry" God can be when evil attacks full force... and how jealous God is for us... that He would step down off of His throne to trample the evil that is persecuting one He loves and to rescue us.  

"He opened the heavens and came down..." Psalm 18:9.

How often does the Bible say God stepped down from His throne... step down to do ANYTHING, let alone rescue a sinner like myself? (If you have the answer to this, feel free to let me know what it is!!!)  I'm talking God the Father leaving His throne because He loves me so much... He is the protection and rescuer.  He rescues and then He strengthens.  He destroys evil surround me and then builds up and helps fight the ongoing battles.  God's protection is limitless for those who love Him.

Throughout this passage, David characterizes God as:
1.) A Rock: cannot be moved by harm.
2.) A Fortress: safety where the enemy cannot follow.
3.) A shield: separation between us and the enemy.
4.) A Power that Saves:  symbol of mightiness that saves.
5.) A Place of Safety: high above and out of the reach of the enemy.

God is not a crutch for the weak... His power shines through our weakness.  He is our protector.  When trouble overwhelms us, God is steadiness.  At times I know I feel as though I am drowning in "troubles"... or worries.  But I know God is the one who can pick me up, rescue me, steady me, and provide the peace and strength needed to keep on keeping on.  Trouble in this world will never end... even the trouble that seems minuscule for some compared to what it could or will be.  God strengthens to keep going and fighting.

God does not eliminate, trials, troubles, and challenges; He gives us the strength to make it THROUGH when we turn to Him.  Deliverance THROUGH, not FROM, trials.  If trials, mountains, valleys, troubles, rough roads, or obstacles did not exist, how would we grow?  God and all of His glory is the key to survival.  We do not go at it alone... He is always there, every step of the way!! :)
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"For I hold you by your right hand—
    I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
    ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you."

~*Isaiah 41:13*~

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For theLord your God is with you wherever you go."

~*Joshua 1:9*~

Ambassadors

"So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”"

~*2 Corinthians 5:20*~

Ambassador:  An authorized messenger or representative.

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Who am I representing?  I have come to this realization recently of the fact that I represent something much bigger and much more important than anything my mind could ever wrap itself around.  It was not until recently how hard this reality hit me.  Who do I represent?  In the work place?  In life?  Through my words and actions?  I say "I am a Christian" but what image am I giving as a Christian?  A few simple phrases and I now see what that may look like (good or bad) to the people around me.  Have you ever noticed that some non-Christians are quicker to call you out on some behaviors than Christians are?  I often wonder why that is.  Why give them a reason to call one out on anything?  I know we are "only human".  I know I am not "perfect" (I know... shocking isn't it?) but I can live for Christ and work for Him as an ambassador, a representative, for the Cross and what happened there.

At work I have recently discussed "perception" with my supervisor.  It is amazing how some people can see a situation only how they want to see it instead of how it truly may be... I am guilty of it.  The discussion was about being careful how you say something and what you are doing.  This "perception" speech can apply to any area of life.  A coworker saw a coffee mug sitting on the table in our office.  When she asked who it belonged to she quickly answered her own question by saying she saw the word "Christian" on the much so she should have known it was mine.  What perception might she have of Christianity because of me and how do my words and actions influence her view?  Every now and then a guy at work will jump in to the middle of a conversation and most of the time, without missing a beat (and hopefully jokingly), will say "That's not very Christian of you Sharina."  It happens... I slip up but whether he heard the whole conversation or not, and even if he took something out of context, how careful am I with my words?

Who am I representing?  Satan can cause me to slip up with temptation... but there is always a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).  Ultimately, it is my choice to sin.  The little voice in my head says "Don't do it" or "Don't say it because you know it isn't right"... but I choose whether or not to follow up.  The temptation may be there and that may not be my fault, but what do I do with that temptation?  Do I take those thoughts captive and force them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5-6)?  Or do I allow the temptation of something grow into sin (James 1:14-15)?  I may not have caused the temptation itself but am I choosing to dwell or act on that temptation?  Most of the time if that is the case, my words reflect that sin... when I dwell I begin vomiting words and thoughts that do not represent in any way what I should be living for.

We are called to be ambassadors of Christ.  We are chosen to be a representation of the King... how CRAZY of a thought is that?  We are chosen to represent the reason for life... chosen to do great things for the Creator who put us here to do those things He planned for us long before we were even born (Psalm 139:16; Jeremiah 29:11; & Romans 8:28).  Are my words and actions a good representation of who I am living for?  In my work, am I working wholeheartedly as though I am doing this work for God (Colossians 3:23 & 1 Corinthians 15:58)?  Good questions to ask myself from now on before I act or speak.  Chosen as an ambassador for Christ.  What a wonderful thought to have written on the hearts belonging to Him.

Another Beautiful Day...

I sit here, another beautiful Saturday morning... reflecting.  SOOOO blessed by the peace and time to spend with on most Saturday mornings.  Reflecting... purpose and service have been on the scrolling marquee of my brain lately.  It is obvious to some the definitions of the words purpose and service.  To some, though, it is not as obvious when trying to find the perfect "fit" for one's purpose and service.  I am surrounded by it.  I realize that I can honestly say that it is a struggle for me.  I realize my struggle often comes from my own stubbornness... me trying to figure it out instead of waiting patiently with open ears for God.  Somebody recently called me out on my stubbornness which usually brings a few things to light in my life... they are usually right to call me out and I appreciate it.  But even with the stubbornness, somewhere part of that something has broken off.  I can't really explain it, obviously if I am calling it "that something" but it is awesome to reflect over the recent happenings of my life.

I am completely blessed by the service of others... we all are at some point if we sit and think about it.  I sit here watching two gentlemen mow our lawn... serving for a church ministry maybe they are familiar with or know exists... but maybe not.  I didn't ask needless to say.  I wonder if they realize the service they are providing.  I look at the happenings within the ministry God will use this house for.  I have seen the change and the growth and the service being provided to this ministry.  I see service in all directions... all around me.  I just finished reading through Isaiah 61.  I am getting this beautiful, real life picture of what it might mean to have an "ancient city" rebuilt in modern day.  I have a live picture of what it looks like to have "foreigners" serving, tending, and caring.  It is absolutely beautiful.  Within Isaiah 61 God reveals promises and feelings for us that I have never taken the time to think about in depth.  A crown of beauty for ashes... oaks of righteousness.  Both decently familiar as God did something completely stellar and blew my mind with verses one through three of this passage.  *(I'll tell you the story at the end)*

The rest of that passage... the other promises are promises I have not paid much attention to because I've often gotten stuck on the first three verses.

-Priests of the LORD --> Ministers of God
-Feed on "treasures" --> Boast in HIS riches
-Share in honor --> Honor and love replaces shame and dishonor
-A double portion of prosperity --> Everlasting joy in HIM
-Suffering for His sake --> A faithful reward and everlasting covenant

Then there is a portion of this scripture that strikes some heart chords in me:  verses 10 and 11.

"¹⁰ I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
    For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
    and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit
    or a bride with her jewels.
¹¹ The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
    Everyone will praise him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
    with plants springing up everywhere."

It is more than amazing to think of feeling the way this passage describes feeling:  OVERWHELMED by the Lord... feeling like a wedding day (yes I've dreamt of what that may feel like some day).  And honestly God promises SO MUCH MORE... and that just BLOWS MY MIND!!!!  It is a beautiful sight to look around at those who serve.  I sat at an "Appreciation Dessert" gathering last night (Friday) at my church.  It was beautiful to see those involved in service in our church and to think that I am a part of that.  A little bit of God revealing purpose and service... I wonder when/if I have/will stop trying to figure it out.  I have my times of struggle, wondering what God has for me or what He wants me to do with my life... the question of "purpose" shows its ugly face every now and then.  It is in the times that I'm not necessarily "thinking" and that stubbornness breaks down a little bit that I can see "purpose and service" happening.  It takes help breaking down my stubbornness and I am grateful for those who help me.  I can see that part of "something" breaking away.

I still cannot define that something... and I don't think I am talking about my stubbornness but maybe I am and I don't realize it.  I learn about it in me by watching the service in those around me and in listening to and learning from them.  The stubbornness usually needs a kick in the rear by somebody before I will do some service... like singing for the worship team at my church.  I am blessed by those willing to call me out and challenge me to get up and share a gift God has given.  Who knew I would love it?  Then again, why would God have me serve in a way I didn't love?  I love to write... I pray it "serves" somebody for a greater purpose than just something to read.  What I have been stubborn in and not faithful with is the small things:  The little "notes" sent in an email or text to somebody struggling; a not written and handed over with a book and encouragement.  I see I need to be faithful in the small things (Luke 16:10-12).  God is showing me... He is teaching me... and I can see beauty in learning and listening.
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*"Oaks of Righteousness" Awesomeness*
Here are the series of God showing me something:

-Saturday March 24, 2012: Text a few people asking for the reference to the Oaks of Righteousness passage.  I write about it that morning in my blog... Crowns of Beauty.

-Sunday March 25, 2012:  First time to help sing and lead worship at church.  Micah has me read Isaiah 61:1-3 to the congregation... Oaks of Righteousness passage.

-Monday March 26, 2012:  Breakfast with God Devotional = Taproots... how if you cut the taproot of a plant/tree it'll live but may not grow.  Challenges to be planted in the Word, firmly rooted in God, and relying on Him for nourishment.  Then I start reading Chapter 11 of "A Confident Heart".  The verse that starts the chapter --> Isaiah 61:3 --> Planted for His splendor --> Oaks of Righteousness.

-A week later on Monday, April 2, 2012 --> Encouraging Word from K-Love that is sent to my inbox: "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance."  ~*Isaiah 61:7*~

-Thursday April 5, 2012 --> Quiet Moments with God devotional starts off with Isaiah 61:3.  Realization hits that I should stop trying to "figure it out" and let God just SHOW me why He keeps taking me back to this passage.

-Monday April 9, 2012 --> "Who Holds the Key to Your Heart?" Chapter 2 starts with Isaiah 61:1-3 as the lead in to the chapter.

Little Signs of Life

I am surrounded and blessed beyond belief.  Here I sit on the patio, another Saturday morning, shirt, capris and flip flops, eating "breakfast" at 11:15 in the morning.  I am enjoying the slightest breeze and the green that surrounds me... marveling at how creative and awesome God is.  I look to my right and see green with little specs of yellow from the dandelions.  It is also so easy to take notice of the beautiful bright red tulips that help my attention and focus for some time last night and this morning. 

No picture could do justice to just how wonderful God has made the real thing.  I look straight ahead and see so many different shades of green and purple crawling up the side of the hill that borders the yard.  Yesterday a colleague and I took notice to how wonderful and beautiful red buds are.  I can't help but notice, not just the red buds adding to the color, but the bright greens and whites sprouting up on the branches of trees all around me.  So amazing to me that all of this can exist in one small setting.  God is the only way this can exist and I am blessed to enjoy His creative gift.  And to think that this is just the TINIEST taste of everything that exists in creation.  It makes me curious to see what else He has made far beyond what my young eyes have seen.  I have to smile at the thought of it all... and enjoy watching little signs of life all around me from the greens and the purples, the birds singing and the squirrels that distract and entertain me.

And my mind wonders to how all of this, all of this grand beauty around me, how does it all pertain to me?  How awesome is it that God gives this gift and we share in it?  How often do I take it all for granted and pay no attention to His beauty surrounding me?  How often do I do this, not just with the natural beauty of this earth, but with the beauty of the people around me as well?  At one point this week I had read a line in one of my devotionals:  "You are precious to God."  How many people around me know this?  Have I ever told any body how precious they truly were, encouraging them to believe it?  Most of us have access to the truths of being precious to God... but what about those who do not have that access or who do but don't explore it?  Do they know that God sees them as precious?  Maybe we have tried to tell them and they just haven't listened; what then?  Here is a question I have been challenged by:  what would it look like to SHOW them?  Walk out what Jesus walked out... when people didn't LISTEN to Him, God SHOWED them how much He loved them and how precious they truly were.  Jesus hung on a cross, endured that pain as a human even though He was God, and He did it for each and every person.

An example of walking it out is given.  An example of how important it is to walk something out is given.  Recently I wrote "Valued Behaviors".  Also, I've heard a phrase "Do as I say, not as I do".  But should it not be "Do as I say AND as I do"?  What would it look like to do what Jesus says AND what He has done?  Lately I have been working on "memorizing" the GTM values and the behaviors that define them.  A colleague recently thought out loud, asking why it was so important to have them memorized... somewhat seemingly frustrated with having "homework".  I was thinking along the same lines at first, asking the same question.  Let's face it, we all could use a little work everywhere in our lives.  I ask why, then turn around and get frustrated when others aren't doing something listed under our company values.  Do as I say and as I do?  Not so much for me there.  Why should I expect others to live it out when I had been choosing not to?  Isn't that called being a hypocrite?  But God has blessed me with a boss who, even if she may not have all the behaviors memorized (I have faith she does but let's just say she doesn't), she is a boss who is willing to walk out what she wants her employees to walk out.  And we are willing to follow (most of us) simply because she is willing to do what she asks us to do.

God has blessed all of us with an example in Christ Jesus, who did what most of us are not willing to do.  Do as I say and as I do.  He wants his followers to follow... and they will because He was willing to do what He has asked us to do.  He loved with word and action.  He wants us to live with word and action.  God sees ALL of us as precious regardless of where we are in life.  He wants us to see others as precious as well.  He tells us just how precious we are to Him and He has shown it to us as well.  It is written all over Scripture:

"... you are precious to me. You are honored and I love you." ~*Isaiah 43:4*~

"For we are God's masterpiece..." ~*Ephesians 2:10*~

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." ~*John 3:16*~

God has crowned us with crowns of beauty and glory for His purpose:

"...he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory." ~*Isaiah 61:3*~

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." ~*James 1:12*~

We are all precious to God.  I am still sitting here in awe of the creation that surrounds me.  I see God's beauty lad out in front of me.  My ears hear the songs of Him who made this all.  My heart smiles.  My mind can't help but wonder how precious I am to God... that if He made all of this awesomeness and beauty and He loves it and takes care of it, how much more does He love me and how precious does He consider me?  The beauty of the flowers that sparkle red in the sunshine with morning dew and the beautiful greens and purples of the buds and leaves on the trees... the blanket of green grass with small patches of yellow... all precious and beautiful to our Creator.  And He loves me more than that and created me to be more beautiful than the beauty that surrounds me?  My heart and being is in awe and speechless.

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²⁵ “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
²⁸ And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, ²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
³¹ So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
³⁴ So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

~*Matthew 6:25-34*~

Valued Actions

You can memorize it and “know it”.

Don’t forget to live it and show it.

Walk it out so that others see it and share it and do it too.

           

There is something there that I sometimes fail to grab on to.  How often do I simply cling to the knowledge of something as opposed to hanging on to that knowledge AND IT’S MEANING?  Knowing a word does not mean I know or understand its definition.  Maybe I know the definition and maybe I can say “I know this word and what it means.”  My next question then becomes, do I know what it looks like to put that meaning in action?  Do I understand or visualize what it would look like to walk it out?

Recently at my job the company Vision, Mission, and Values of the company have been given a face lift.  They changed; do I know them?  A challenge followed to memorize them… memorize ALL of them, the vision, mission, and all nine values.  AWESOME!!!  BUT what do I do with that once that step has been taken?  Take it a step further and look in to the behaviors that define those values (behaviors that are given and do not have to be sought out).  So the next step?  Knowing what those values mean by learning the behaviors… not just committing them to memory but “committing them to heart” as my boss likes to say.

Recently I had a day at work that I was alone and working on a pretty repetitive project by myself.  So what do I do?  I get to work on memorizing those behaviors!!  It raised questions for me:  Why is it so important for me to know these so well?  What is the significance of committing these, not only to memory, but more importantly to heart?  What would it look like to walk these out?  These behaviors, they can be a stretch for some… especially if my pride gets in the way.  They are difficult to walk out but they are there for the purpose of growth.  They are there for the growth of a body not just one part of it, making the body stronger as a whole.  Not just growth for one employee, but growth for a company whose motto right now is “3XN4” (3 times growth in 4 years).

It is awesome for me when this thought process carries over into my life outside of work.  It is beautiful how God can take something from work and turn it in to spiritual growth.  The passage Matthew 7:21 through 29 comes to my mind.  It starts in verse 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me ‘Lord!  Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in Heaven will enter.”  I can talk it up but will I walk it out?  For example:  I could go to church and memorize scripture but what does that mean for me?  I could have those values of “doing what’s right”, being in community, and memorizing what Scripture says, but how is that impacting how I act?  Am I walking that out and committing it to heart or is it all just head knowledge? 

After the “religious looking” try to justify why they should be allowed into Heaven, Jesus follows by saying in verse 23, “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you.  Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”  We can SOUND spiritual, but is there a relationship with Jesus present?  Actions and looks can only get you so far.  I imagine God waiting at the gates of Heaven asking why He should let me in.  I can say “I memorized Scripture” and blurt out some verses.  Do you think He is going to pat me on the back and let me in just because I memorize Scripture?  I imagine Him asking if I had shown that I knew what Scripture MEANS and if I actually walked it out as opposed to just “knowing it”.

God’s values and behaviors are prominently scattered and blotched through Scripture.  A picture that comes to my mind is one similar to a painting that a friend of mine had painted.  You take a clean sheet of canvas and some colors.  You start with one color and splatter it on the canvas.  You know that color separate from the others… what happens next?  You add one more color and splatter it to the canvas… and another and another until you have this VISUALLY perfect masterpiece.  You saw it as an idea in your head and others may not have known the beauty you knew but as the painting comes around, others see it too!!  It is complete and perfect, not just to the artist, but to the spectators as well. 

So when we commit to Christ and take a bit of God’s will and splatter it throughout our lives and take more and splatter it, WE begin to see the masterpiece God has created.  He knew we were His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10) but it took that added color in our lives for us to see it.  We don’t just KNOW what God’s will and word says, we splatter it throughout our lives so that others see it too.

You can memorize it and “know it”.

Don’t forget to live it and show it.

Walk it out so that others see it and share it and do it too.

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This is where I am blessed to spend time with Jesus on Saturday mornings :-)

Through My Eyes...

Yesterday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL... March 1st... and it is 70 degrees in Kansas?  I decided to take a stroll up Stagg Hill which sits on the east side of my yard... it turned into quite an adventure (mostly because I like to climb on things and the rocks were calling my name!!!).  But it also turned into an awesome time with God as He painted picture after marvelous picture right before my eyes :).  SO... I wanted to share a few of those pictures with you... cameras do not do justice to what it actually looked like (especially when my phone is the camera)... but I hope it blesses your eyes the way it did mine!!  God's creativity is absolutely wonderful!!!