Geese & The Bridge

(from my last "Mom 2 Mom...devotional thoughts for Bridge Moms")

I've been thinking lately about how geese remind me of The Bridge. Sounds odd, I know. Let me explain. Have you ever wondered why geese fly in a "V" formation? Research shows that these birds use this formation to conserve energy. They are able to glide more often. And, the V formation reduces the air resistance, enabling the geese to fly long distances - up to 70% farther than if they flew alone. It was also found that the geese take turns leading a the front of the V. As one bird gets tired, they can drop back and another will take its place at the front. That's incredible teamwork and support!

In so many ways, I see GEESE in the people of The Bridge. We have Connection groups that pray, study the Bible, go out to eat, and look out or each other when life gets difficult. It takes a small army to get The Bridge up and running on Sunday mornings as we transform the building from a school to a church - and back again. What profoundly impresses me, though, is the JOY that I see on the faces around me as we serve together. There's something in the DNA of our church that makes people say "it's not all about me". We are all on this spiritual journey together. There are times when some of us are weak and tired, and our friends are there with support and love. That is what being the church, a spiritual family, is about. And, that is what makes me so proud to call The Bridge my church family.

"Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another" (Heb. 10:25).

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (Gal. 6:2-3).

Only Grace

Every now and then a song comes along that seems to epitomize my thoughts and feelings... and this song becomes my anthem, so to speak, for a period of time. For a long time I was hooked on the praise song "In Christ Alone". I still love it.

However, there is a song that I am now captivated by -"Only Grace" by Matthew West. I think what I am drawn to the most is how this song reminds me of why Mike and I started The Bridge. A place free of judgement. We love our community so much, and our hearts ache for them to see the love that God has for them. So many have come to our church without any church background. Others are de-churched... they have been burned by church in the past. They are finding a place of acceptance. Most importantly, they are finding Christ. It is only by grace...the grace that I don't deserve, but that God pours on me... and you. Beyond amazing.

I have the lyrics below, and if you would like to hear the song, play the video below (someone made up this video, it’s not the artist’s video for the song - but it's really great).

Only Grace - by Matthew West

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday
Has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

Chorus:There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

Chorus

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, Get back up
Get back up again

Chorus: (2x’s)

Fear the Mountaineers!!

I have to give a shout out to my alum, Appalachian State, for making history today in their defeat over Michigan - in Ann Arbor. App is the first EVER division 1-AA school to defeat a ranked division 1-A school. Michigan WAS ranked #5 in the nation.

Perhaps my mountaineers will finally get more national attention! As if winning the last 2 national 1-AA championships weren't enough! Woohoo! Go App!

Why I can't wait 'til autumn...

I love the fall and everything about it. I just get absolutely giddy with the sunny and crisp weather. No humidity. Beautiful leaf colors. The State Fair - and fair foods! Fat pumpkins. Hiking and camping. And, of course the football games...

Mike has been talking about it for over a month... reading football pre-season magazines and watching ESPN specials. He's quite obsessed. And, fortunately for him, he married a wife that fully appreciates the sport and will enthusiastically sit with him to cheer on our teams! I come from a long line of college football fanatics. Yes, even the women. My grandmothers wore their Tennessee orange every game day. Life stops briefly when the games on. I know tons of great tailgating recipes. I get it.

My family made sure that Mike got fully outfitted with Tennessee paraphernalia (mugs, shirts, pajamas, golf balls, golf shirts, flags, jackets, etc) as soon as we started dating... which seems to have the effect that they desired...he's now a fulfledged Vols fan, in addition to our beloved 'Heels. (Which is completely possible - they are in different conferences and VERY RARELY play each other).

So, while I still have to wait a bit for the rest of the signs of fall , football season starts this weekend. "IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN....." the windley house!

The Project

I had this ingenius idea... I'm switching Jackson to the guest room and giving him a full size bed. His room will now become a playroom/office space. Our rarely used guest room will now get maximum use of space. Guest will sleep in his bed when they come. So, I've been getting jackson's new room ready. New bedspread, fixed up a chest, clearing out closets... and now painted. Here's where the mayhem began.

I decided to give my big boy a really cool big boy room - one that he won't grow out of in 3 years. We painted the base color (Carolina Blue, of course) and I decided to put fun racing stripes around the room horizontally. I researched online, got the needed supplies, measured and taped (very tedious), and began to paint the first stripe.

It looked great until I pulled the painter's tape up... no one (including the Internet) mentioned how badly the paint would bleed through the tape. A horrible mess.

More horrible, however, was when I was assessing the damage a spot of paint had, unbeknownst to me, gotten on my shorts. And I rubbed it against the brand new bedspread - twice. Great.

I have tried countless internet suggestions on how to get it out - no luck. (suggestions welcome)So, out I went to buy a replacement while they were still in stock and on sale.

I now am trying a new technique (found on the internet - underlying theme going on here). Seems to work so far. So, hopefully the room will be done by the end of the weekend. And this "quick" little project (ha) will end. Pictures to follow... hopefully.

Recipe: MoJoes (aka roasted potatoes)

It has been a while since I have put up a recipe...I've been asked for this recipe a couple of times lately, so I thought I'd post it. Mike goes crazy for these. Recipe comes from my aunt Genie and has been a family favorite since I can remember. No, I don't know how it got the name.

MoJoes

8-10 medium potatoes
1/4 C oil
8 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
garlic powder (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
Seasoning Salt (to taste)

Wash and leave skins on potatoes. Slice lengthwise into 8ths and pat dry with paper towel. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Place on a cookie sheet (w/ a lip on it so the oil doesn't drip in your oven) or large baking dish in a single row. Bake for 1 hour @350 degrees.

Cool Picture

This is a picture of my grandparents - Tate Irvin ("T.I.") and Imogene Reasor, that my mom sent to me. I think this picture is so beautiful. They look so in love.

Doesn't it look like a postcard?

Interesting...what do you think?

So, I took a what hairstyle is right for you quiz...what do you think?

Your Ideal Hairstyle:

All One Length, Side Part

What Women's Hairstyle Is Right For You?

All together now...

Can I just say that I have been lovin' the 2 new shows "Singing Bee" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics"! (except I am not a fan of the scantily clad Honey Bees that dance - what is the purpose??) I think I enjoy these shows due to all the great tunes that I haven't heard in a while. You should see me singing along on my sofa....Culture Club, the Beatles, the Bangles, Stevie Wonder, Blondie, Boyz II Men, Garth Brooks... you name it. I think I should apply...ha!

Ladies Night Out

A big group of women from The Bridge hit the town tonight -- coffee and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. YUM-O! It was so much fun and I really enjoyed chatting with the women of our church!! In fact, I think I liked meeting and talking to these women even MORE than the cheesecake - and that's hard to beat!! I love you, ladies! Let's do a recipe swap soon!!