Africa in my home.

I knew when I got home from Africa that I never, ever wanted to forget what God had worked out in me while I was there (and as I prepared to go). It changed my heart, my soul and my mind. Only if you've been can you fully understand that it gets in your soul.

So while the pictures below are of animals/scenery, it reminds me of greater sifting the Lord did within me. The thorn pictures, well, that's the kind of bush they used to make Jesus' crown.

A creative friend of mine made the collage below helping me think through which images I should include (I took like 700) and how to place them. I was soooo wowed and thankful for his help!

So this:


Turned into this:

Mississippi Children's Museum

This morning I was asked to join a client at the MS Children's Museum press conference and party. I have heard so much about this Museum from my sister-in-law, but really didn't know how cool it would be.

My first encounter with the Museum was at Mistletoe. Out of all of the vendors/stores, I stopped at their booth, begging them to let me buy this really cool toy they had. I just knew my niece and nephew would LOVE it (as would I). But they weren't for sale yet --- drats.

Needless to say, my interest was definitely perked for them -- they had such a cool, educational toy...and this morning, I was wowed. I felt like a kid as I went through each of the areas. I even fished for catfish (working with hand/eye coordination) with a 10yo. YES.

Here are a few more pictures for a sneak peak. Please go support this place. It's amazing!

My point exactly.

This week, aside from last night, I haven't gotten home until 10:00 every night. So when I get home at 10:00, I eat dinner, watch 30 minutes of TV, shower and by this time it's around 11:30. At this point, I'm crawling in bed, hopeful to be asleep by midnight. I've had to be at work early two of these days, so I've not rested much.

This, my friends, is exactly why I named the blog withallthatfreetime. I woke up this morning (after 8 hours of sleep) feeling like I haven't slept all week. And I haven't. It caught me. Hopeful to have some free time this weekend to work on projects -- but if ever there is a lull in the blog, it's because I have lost all creative juices OR I'm getting home every night at 10:00.

The life of a young busy person. One day I will miss this gogogogo lifestyle.

The white wall.

So I did it. I put stuff up on the white wall. I am pleased. I am sure it will be a working canvas, but for now, it makes me feel like it's somewhat put together.

The middle artwork is Caro drawing on moving paper -- I cut it out and framed it. The two small frames are pictures I took in Africa. The drawing of the man was done when I was in high school, and the small white frame has a verse in it.

A lifelong friend....and answered prayers.

This is my friend AH. We've been friends since the 3rd grade -- and she was my first friend at FPDS and Jackson when my family moved here. We've been through ALOT together -- one of my favorite stories to tell is when two men tried to break in when we were watching cartoons. Needless to say, the cops had to carry me out of the house [I was a HOT MESS].

She and her husband, Tommy, met at my brothers engagement party. Tommy went with me (he was my brother's roommate and like my other brother), and I recognized that they both noticed each other (it was clear there were sparks). Needless to say, they are now married and adopting a baby.

My sweet friend AH has let me walk this road with them. I got to participate in the references, sharing my love for the two of them and supporting this to the maximum. sheesh. I wouldn't have it any other way.

So it's been a great season of waiting for the two of them...until last night...they are adopting a little girl in two weeks (see AH's blog here). So much waiting and out of nowhere God answers the prayers. He moves swiftly and victoriously!

When I got the call last night regarding this, I wept. Hard. It's a story of God's true love and mercy for two of his own. A story of so much pain ultimately leading to the goodness of His heart. A sovereign God planned this perfectly, and many prayers are answered. Cannot wait to meet little ADS! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

A favorite friend.

This is my friend Laura. She is seriously one of my most favorite people. We've known each other for about two years -- served together numerous times, and she's one of those people that God put in my path and our friendship just clicked. I'm a few years older than her (AGE IS JUST A NUMBER PEOPLE), but she is wise beyond her years.

I got to see her Saturday and it truly was such a blessing. Whatever worries, trials, excitements we face, we can ramble on for a few hours, hug each other and know it'll be months, possibly years before we see each other again. But that's okay, because God gave us a sweet friendship, covered by his grace. Find friends like this...they remind you of the transparency and goodness of real friendships.

Extreme Home Makeover.

This is a product of me seeing something really cool on Extreme Home Makeover, pausing the TV and taking a screen shot with my phone.

I have one of these old window panes and this idea rocked my world. Doubt I'll go that extreme, but it's such a cool concept.