Congratulations, Jonathan!

There is now another Mrs. Powers in my family!

Click on the title to see my brother looking very handsome with his new wife.

kitchen Makover: Before and After!

Against the rules? Yup. Worth losing my deposit for? Yup!

I Like Farmer's Markets

Practice hasn't made me perfect yet!

MMMMMMmmm...

I just baked a couple loaves of banana bread, and it smells soooo good! I am wearing a sweater today because it is so chilly. As much as I love summer (well, spring actually), I'm excited to have the fresh air. I'm going to do some painting now, and hopefully get someone to come over later and watch Pride and Prejudice with me!

Feel New

Warm Laughter

Bright Tears

Redemption

Fresh Breeze

Seeking After

Many Years

True Forgiveness

Parting Seas

Soft Rain

Puddle Splashing

Wash Corruption

On My Knees

This is my FAVORITE :)

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

The LORD performs righteous deeds, And judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us; Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; And its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant, And who remember His precepts to do them. The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!



I love to read this over and over again...to make it MINE!

Wonderful Reunion and Return Home

Luke and I are home now. It was a wonderful week for me. It has also been an amazing time back with my husband.

The last thing I did in Michigan was to hook up with my dear friend Katie and her husband, Joe. Katie just returned from Iraq two weeks ago. She has become one of my greatest encouragements...through her positive attitude and her visible desire to reach people through a Christ-like way of living. It was so good to laugh with her like old times. Here is a gorgeous marble chess set she brought back from Iraq for me! Thanks, Katie!

Just a little disappointed

Does it sometimes seem like friends choose to let go of each other? I'm beginning to realize that I can remain faithful to my special people, but they still may drift away. It's hard in this busy here-and-now culture to cultivate relationships over long distances and long periods of time. And it really takes effort on both sides. I think I'm also realizing that I'm okay with it. Not because I want to let friends go, so to speak, but because I've matured enough to let friends choose for themselves. I've especially had my eyes opened as I grow spiritually...and am not able to take my friends on that journey with me; I've tried. But I can honestly say that I will not stop praying for each one to become like Jesus and experience the glory of God in their souls.