Rookie Mistake...

Soooo....Amber and I have never done the Black Friday shopping thing before. And this year was no different because we were in Tuscaloosa watching Bama hand Auburn a ballgame (a whole different story). BUT when we returned home that evening, we thought we would just head out to Target to see what, if anything, was left over from the morning madness. Boy, did we find stuff! And by stuff, I mean "covert information". So apparently, Target has a 2 DAY sale on Black Friday AND on Black Saturday (didn't know this existed, but I went with it). Leslie (our cashier at Target that Friday night) told us (under her breath I might add) that the same sale that took place on Friday would happen again in the morning, complete with a new shipment of merchandise. No way!, we exclaimed out of sheer excitement. (You see, my little sister had her heart set on a big screen LCD HDTV). New question: Well, what time do you open in the morning? Answer: 4:00am just like today! Leslie answered. Ugh. Well at least, we would get a good deal and we had nothing planned for Saturday except decorating for Christmas with mom. So, we resolved to camp out in the parking lot at 3:00am to beat the crowd and get Ambie's TV. Because what little sister wants, little sister gets.

2:30 came really early that next morning (and by next morning, I mean 4 hours later), but we were ready and out the door, coffee in hand, by 2:45. Ready for a TV, ready for adventure, not exactly ready to be disappointed...I'll let this video take it from here.

So, yeah. Target actually opened at 8:00am that morning. And after a 3 hour nap in the car, we were disappointed AGAIN once the rumors about a "new shipment" were dissolved by a really grumpy Electronics manager who told us that "all our tv's sold out yesterday, duh" (well, she didn't say duh, but her face did.) So here's my letter to Leslie:

Dear Leslie,

You helped us none today. Actually you made me get out of my warm, comfy bed and run to the car, and drive to Target only to realize that your information was incorrect. Not once, but twice. I'm tired. I'm cold. and I'm empty-handed. Oh, but not to worry, Walmart was happy to help us find a good deal on a TV at 9:00am when we headed over there after being shooed like a fly at a cookout at your store. Thank you again for nothing.

Your Disgruntled Customer,

Kaylie

P.S. Couldn't help but notice that you weren't there at 4am. Interesting...

Never Too Early...

I have recently had to defend my love for all-things-Christmas celebrated in November. "But its not even Thanksgiving yet! You can't be listening to Christmas music..." "Can't we enjoy Thanksgiving before we start buying Christmas gifts..." "Shouldn't you find a nice Turkey platter before you spend time looking for the perfect nativity scene?"

To that I say: Poppy cock! (I apologize if in some countries this is a curse. It only seemed fitting.)

I love Christmas music, and lights, and trees, and the smells, and the togetherness of Christmas. And I don't mind arguing with you about the desire to celebrate that in November (or October even :)

But this post was not meant to be a semi-serious rant...All jest aside, as I sit sipping my Chai in Starbucks, I am currently familiarizing myself with some songs that I will have the chance to sing alongside the Gaithers soon :) And in my study of the notes, the lyrics ended up ringing louder than the melody. And I realized that no matter when you decide to celebrate Christmas, it's never too early to do so. Because in the celebrating of Christmas, you are making much of Christ. The Christmas story is as relevant in March as it is in December...the manger is as beautiful when sung about in cold weather as it is in your car on a summer day. The message is the same: While we were lost, with no hope, God made a way. God sent His only Son to become an atonement for our sin. And Christ left heaven...put on flesh and dwelt among us so that He could live and die and live again for God to be glorified through a relationship between man and Himself. You see, the story of Mary, and Joseph, and the shepherds, and Jesus is so much bigger than the manger. It's a story of redemption. Of reconciliation. It's a tale of Sovereignty and grace. It's love in its purest form. This story is a story of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This story is about the day Christ came. Its about the day that He entered our world forever. And it's the only story worth telling. And it's never too early to start...

If you don't know the story, I'd love to tell you.

Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving :)

You Came Like a Winter Snow...

I have fallen madly in love with this song. And I thought it was time I shared it...Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi25lohx7Kw

"Winter Snow"

Could've come like a mighty storm

With all the strength of a hurricane

You could've come like a forest fire

With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave

Or an ocean to ravish our hearts

You could have come through like a roaring flood

To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow

You were quiet

You were soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning

No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind

It was still

It was small

It was hidden

You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Falling

To the earth below

You came falling

From the sky in the night

To the earth below

Being Still...

I am a woman of few words today. Shocking, I know. But my spirit is in desperate need of stillness. So I'm obliging. Taking breaths in slowly and meditating on Scripture intently. Join me?


Exodus 14: 13-14 "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Psalm 46: 9-11 "He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

1 Kings 19: 9-13: "And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."

Psalm 131: "My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore."

Philippians 4: 6-8: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Oh How I Love Thee...

I love the rain. And I always have. Maybe because it reminds me of so many beautiful things. Even when it's making me late because people don't know how to drive in it...even when my hair isn't quite hitting its A-game because of it...even when being half-wet and half-dry after running through it might be one of my top 5 worst feelings. It still has such beautiful implications.

It's a reminder of new beginnings. That the grime of life can be washed away. The dirtiest roads, the filthiest cars, are clean when the rain subsides. And I'm reminded of all the times that I had to walk through a storm only to come out on the other side with a clean heart. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

It's a reminder of growth. Of providence. Without the rain, some of our brothers' and sisters' lives are halted because their land is dry and thirsty. Much like our souls become after a long drought of selfishness and lack of eternal things. The rain brings much-needed fuel for growth. And is an answered prayer for many.

It soothes my spirit. Because I feel like when its rainy and cold, we're probably all thinking the same thing. That we'd love to crawl under a blanket and watch a movie by a fireplace. And as weird as that sounds, that brings me comfort. That the lull of the raindrops hitting the roof, and the hazy sky awakens our hearts to the desire to be in a still place.

And every time a drop falls from the sky, I am reminded of one of my favorite passages of Scripture. You'll find it in Hosea. Stubborn Israel resolves to turn their hearts back to the God who loves them. And He is faithful. Hosea 6:1-3:

"Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;

he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us;

on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

So, the next time the rains fall, be grateful. Let it remind you that God Almighty is the giver of all good things. Who longs to make you clean, and to see you grow...and He is always faithful.

You are loved.

K