holding to a promise

I have been overwhelmed with the amount of pain and suffering in this world.  A day has not gone by in the past week where we have not received a call or watched on the news about a death or horrible disaster.  I cannot help but be reminded of the following promise in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7...


"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."


and another beautiful promise in Revelation 21 for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior:


"They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life."


The upcoming series at Compass is called the "The Great Question".  Patrick has been writing and studying through the book of Job and I think this series could not come at more opportune time.  I'm looking forward to hearing from God's Word and how the powerful story of Job can relate to us today.

The Great Question Promo from Compass Christian Church on Vimeo.




Also, head over to this link if you want more information on how to help those devastated by the Joplin tornadoes.  I'm thankful that my extended Stone family in Joplin is safe, but there are so many people who need our help!!
{Joplin Tornado Info}

party/wedding ideas

candy favors from {here} using frappuccino bottles (clean, spray paint tops, and add handmade labels)

 handmade garter from {here}

so precious {here}

party hats {here}

diy chiffon tulle flower {here}

sweet memory

Patrick and I searched through old emails to find this picture.  Almost three years ago, a lady from  Munfordville, Kentucky sent us 5 pictures of dark golden retriever puppies.  All of the puppies were adorable, but I knew this one was ours...

...because her paws were crossed so sweetly.  To this day, Vali still lounges with her paws crossed, reminding us of her very first photograph :)

Happy Mother's Day

(repost from {here})

God, be kind to mothers
with cookie jars to fill,
and funny lullabies to sing
when dusk blows down the hill!
Who scrub the small children's faces
when early school bells ring;
and let a boy bring puppies home,
or bugs, or anything.

God, be kind to mothers
when it is candle-time
and children's rounded voices
say prayers in ordered rhyme.
May there be special blessings
at night, when houses sleep,
on all the mothers everywhere
who have child hearts to keep.
                                                 Helen Welshimer


Happy Mother's Day to to my mom, mother-in-law, Nana Stone and Grandma Judy... and to so many other "mothers" that have shaped my life.  I am so thankful for your godly example and love.

derby time

Wish I was back in my Old Kentucky Home celebrating the 137th Kentucky Derby and wearing a beautiful hat!  Saw this one online from today's Oaks and Loved it:

Although the hat I wore to the Derby last time was a little large and continuously flew off in the faces of innocent bystanders... oops.  Not sure which horse I will be cheering for tomorrow, but I think Shackleford is a beautiful horse (and the jockey is Jesus- haha)

In honor of Kentucky Oaks and Derby, here is a yummy Derby Pie recipe given to me from my mother-in-law... Enjoy!!
1- 8 in unbaked pie crust
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp bourbon
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter and add sugar gradually.  Add beaten eggs, syrup, salt and vanilla.  Add choc. chips, nuts and bourbon stirring until well mixed.  Pour into pie crust and bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes.  (If crust browns too rapidly, cover with foil.)

love this hat from {here}

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