Bebo

Bebo Norman that is.

Ahhhh, I just ADORE his music....love, love, love it.  He was one of my very first favorite contemporary Christian artists years ago, and he stills ranks right up there close to the top.  I love his music, but I love his testimony even more that is on his website:

One of the things I am most thankful for in playing music for a living is that it was never my intention. I am an accidental musician, at best, who sort of stumbled uncomfortably onto this journey half-protesting and with great trepidation. Admittedly, much of my fear was based in the mystery of the unknown and the lack of control of things, much like any graduating college student heading out into the real world, but quite a bit more was based in the fact that I never quite felt “cut out” for this sort of work. I always felt like a bit of an imposter…like I would some day, inevitably, be “found out” and everyone would realize that all this time I was just pretending to be a songwriter, just posing as an artist...All I know for certain is that music was meant to be part of the story God was choosing to tell for me, whether I planned it or not. I was just a college kid with a Biology Degree and firm sites set on absolutely nothing apart from medical school. But I also wrote songs. My own little “personal therapy sessions,” as I like to call them, were never really intended for use outside of my living room walls. But thanks to a few close friends who quite literally forced me to face the possibility of “seeing what would happen” with music, here I am today. A 1-year “experiment” before planning to apply for medical school has turned into a 15-year career of writing and playing songs. I can say with all honesty that I have no idea how it happened. People ask me all the time how to “get started” in music and I have to tell them that I quite literally don’t know. I can say this. It was not comfortable for me. It was not my dream. It was not my life’s ambition. I was afraid. I was insecure. I was not up for the task. But I believe that God was. I believe that God saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I believe there was a Spirit flowing in a certain direction and I knew only enough to not try to swim against it...What I know to be true is that, for whatever reason, God is for us and He chooses to use us. And He wants to use us right where we are.

Thank you, Lord for knowing what is best for us even we don't have a clue what You're doing! 

I of course have to share one of Bebo's songs, and I could post every single one of them I just love them so much.  Bebo has a way of sharing his heart so personally in his songs.  "Nothing Without You" is one of my all time favs...enjoy!! 

Get Out Of That Pit

I have been listening to one of my very favorite authors and teachers of the Word...none other than Beth Moore!!...on CD in my car the past few days. 

I got the book, "Get Out Of That Pit" book on CDs back in the summer, but God knew my heart wouldn't be ready to listen until now. I popped it in yesterday, and have been taking a little extra time driving because I don't want to turn it off!!  I actually have the book too, and read it about 6 years ago...but, oh how I needed to hear Beth's words of wisdom and Bible teaching about God's deliverance for me once again! 

If you are looking for a book to read (and, are willing for your heart to be pierced and "toes to be stepped on") this one is great!!

My View From Here...

Snow and ice are every where you look!  I've decided instead of grumbling about the inconvenience of it, to embrace the beauty and enjoy the time the Lord has forced us to stay home and relax.  And, it is sooo very beautiful!!  From the...

Icicles hanging off the eaves of the house...

to the thick blanket of snow hovering over our back door steps...

to the frozen pool...anyone up for ice skating or maybe a polar bear plunge??

 

To the snowflakes trickling down again... 

 to everything captured in a shell of ice...

to snow finding a home in any place possible...

And, quietly sneaking closer and closer to our front door (no worries, friends...I learned my lesson last year - all these pictures were taken while standing on the porch!!)

 

 All the cold outside makes staying inside and sipping on some hot chocolate taste even better! 

Hope where ever you may be you are embracing the beauty of the season :)

National Champs!!!!

Can I just say...

WARRRRRRRRRRRR EAGLE, HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

It is GREAT to be an Auburn Tiger today!!!!!  Auburn played a great game against Oregon, with us on the edge of our seats (and lots of yelling, clapping, and jumping around) the whole game.  After lots of controversy, lots of obstacles, and lots of bashing, Auburn played their hearts out and all their hard work throughout the season paid off to become the National Champs! 

photo credit

Long before we even knew snow would be in the forecast for the day, Brad and I had planned to stay home for the game, and watch it here.  As soon as I took down my Christmas decor, I put my Auburn stuff back out.  Come rain, hail, sleet, or snow we support the ORANGE and BLUE!!!! WAR EAGLE!!

...but we mainly wanted to watch the game at home because Brad and I can scream and holler and dance around like fools in the comfort of our own home instead of trying to somewhat hold our composer when watching with others! HA! 

I cooked most of the afternoon so we had a spread of "game food" to snack on throughout the game...yum!!  I made several dips - Tomato Horseradish Dip, Creamy Corn Dip, and Hot Cheese Dip; stuffed mushrooms (sooo good!!), Hot Olive Cheese Bread, and one of Brad's favs - Chex Mix. 

We were BEYOND WORDS excited at the end of the game...I think we scared poor little Ellie to death with all the cheering and celebrating! :)  I'm so proud for our team, our school, and the Auburn Family!

WAR EAGLE!

First Snow of 2011!!

Have you heard the entire South East is covered in snow?? 

Across North Alabama, there is between 6-12 inches of snow...I know, I know - to most of the country that doesn't seem like a whole lot to write about.  But, in the South, that's a WHOLE LOT to write about!!  Pretty much everything is closed - schools, banks, businesses.  Even Brad's company closed due to severe driving conditions. 

We've had a blast getting to be home, and play :)  We took a little walk around our neighborhood and everything was just so pretty!!

There were lots out tubing and sledding, and a few were trying to build snowmen (it's not good snow for snowman building though...way too icy).

Miss Ellie Jane liked this snow lots better than the snow we had at Christmas.  There is a thick sheet of ice on top of the snow, so she could run and not sink down into the snow...she was so funny running around!! 

 

We've spent the rest of the day staying warm in the house, and getting ready for the BIG GAME tonight!!!!  Can't wait to watch our Tigers!! :)

Sleepy, Sleepy, Sleepy

Hey y'all!  I hope everyone has had a great week back in to their regular routine after the holiday break.  Brad and I have had a HARD TIME getting in bed and getting up in the mornings :-/  We have collapsed when we've gotten home and have been completely useless in the evenings! 

I think even little Ellie Jane has had a hard time getting back on a routine...she had gotten used to getting to go with us (which is her most FAV thing to do - GO and ride!) throughout the holidays and she's been cooped up in the house all week.  When we get home, she doesn't let us out of her sight! HA! 

Have y'all been watching all the Bowl Games??  WE HAVE!  We've been so proud of the SEC (and, I was so disappointed for Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl).  But, the B.I.G. game is on Monday...can't WAIT to watch our Tigers play for the National Championship against the Ducks!!!!  WOOHOO!!!!! 

We've got plans for the weekend to finish up some projects we've been working on in the house...I can't wait to show y'all some pics of what all we've been doing! 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

2010 Reflections

Are we for sure 2010 is already over??  Wow, it came and went fast!  As I looked back at posts and pictures from this past year, I realized what a good year it had been.  Lots of fun, happy memories; lots of celebration of life; lots of heart searching and learning; lots of love.  Yep, 2010 was a pretty good year for the Powells.  This time last year I made a commitment to finding JOY in my life, and it was definitely a joyous year!!  Thanks for sticking around to read about our lives...I pray that 2011 will AMAZING for each of you and your families. 

Our year in snapshots...



 

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy New Year!!!