Today Is The Day

Download today. All proceeds will be going towards His Voice Global building a 4th orphanage in southern Sudan.

Love,

Erin

Will you be ONE?

November 16th is fast approaching. On this day you can forever change lives in Southern Sudan. Download Actions Speak Louder on itunes and 100% of the proceeds will go to HIS VOICE GLOBAL to build a fourth orphanage.

Love,

Erin

ONE Reason To Get Back to Blogging

All it takes is one. All it took was one strand of E.coli to be processed into one hamburger patty, to make it to one burger king, to one mom, whose one son, took one bite and the one life he had would then be over. All it took was a series of one events to lead to one of the biggest recalls on beef. Because of one situation America has never been the same.

In 2001, one man, Vernon burger, who had, one passion, that being Jesus, took one trip, to Southern Sudan and connected with one bishop, who was trying to love and spread the gospel to many who were orphaned by the civil war. Since that one trip in 2001, HIS VOICE GLOBAL has been in an ongoing relationship with the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church), 10 years and three orphanages later they seek to continue the movement to open a fourth.

You might ask the question what makes this place so special? Sudan was in war for over 20 years before signing a peace agreement in 2006. Until the peace agreement this was the longest civil war to date in human history, leaving over 2 million dead and many children without parents. So what makes this place unique!?!? Many things but one is there are many who have teamed up, like HIS VOICE GLOBAL and The Village Church, to be a gospel centered presence through proclamation and practice. While The Village Church has sent many teams to train pastors, equip leaders and love the children in these orphanages in Yei, HIS VOICE GLOBAL was the door that God used to bring a gospel centered presence from the west into this area of the world. Now there is an opportunity for you to be a part of this continued movement of Christ in this region for as little as a dollar.

This past September a group of 13 from all walks of life from Reach Records, The village Church, Red Revolution, Collision Records and HIS VOICE GLOBAL partnered under The Village banner to go and minister to those in Southern Sudan. They ministered through teaching, medical, music, and loving children who were victims of the Civil War that now live in one of the three Orphanages sponsored by HIS VOICE GLOBAL. Moved by the fruit there and continued need, Tedashii, Lecrae (Reach Records artist), Swoope (Collision Records artist) and Jai teamed up to do a single to raise awareness and funds for a fourth orphanage in Southern Sudan. The single, which is slated to be released November 16th under new label Collision Records is called Actions Speak Louder. This single and symbol seen above calls believers to move beyond awareness and put their prayers in motion, to quote the song. The symbol inspired by the scriptures that say a strand of three cords are not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12), the exclamation points showing the immediate nature of the call to apply the gospel (Luke 4:18-19), the highlight of one exclamation point showing the power of one to change and lead others and the patch like design showing the reality that there is strength in numbers, calling believers to action, an action beyond themselves.

So leading up to this date will you be the one to blog, the one to tweet, the one to put a twibbon on your twitter account (see the twibbon below click on the link to support), the one to Facebook, the one to lead and allow you actions to speak as loud as your words. The average number of songs downloaded per day are close to 10,000,000 yes that is correct 10 million. Come November 16th HIS VOICE GLOBAL only needs over 250,000 one’s to download this amazing song (which is not even 10% of the daily average) to complete and have a fourth self sustaining orphanage. We are not asking you to change your lifestyle just point your efforts toward something that will last. The amazing thing about this whole campaign is that 100 percent of the profits from the song will go toward this fourth orphanage. All it takes is one!!!

Thanks for coming back and I promise more to come!!

Love,

Erin

Museum Glory

For all of you in the "burbs" of Chi-town this is a must visit - The Frankfort Children's Museum. I went for the first time with my friend Ryan and 2 of her 4 kids!

It was great - I mean, the museum wasn't spectacular, BUT what I loved was that the kids could play, paint, color, craft, read, draw, play dress up, and there was NO clean up whatsoever!~ It was the most amazing place I have ever been!! What an amazing concept! There was even a face painting station where the mommy's could paint their children's faces! Very cute!

Another tip - they are closed on Monday's for cleaning so if you are the first ones in on Tuesday you have a sanitary, non germ infested play-haven awaiting!

Happy Playing!

Where is your favorite kid-friendly place to visit?

Love,

Erin

Is It Summer Yet?

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for summer. Two days of 80 degrees is all I need to get ready. We already broke out the whale pool since the big pool doesn't open for another 3 weeks!! We love our whale pool! The kids were also blessed with a new toy from Grandpa and Gigi!! Thanks you guys! We LOVE it! Here's to praying this summer is a lot warmer and a lot longer than last year!!

Love,

Erin

Husband + Hillsong = PERFECT Night

This past Saturday night was a very unexpected one. I had gotten tickets for Jarrett and I to go to Hillsong together about 2 months ago. Well, the time came and we didn't know how we were going to make it work with the kids, but the Lord made it happen!! We have been needing a night out for a while now and the night couldn't have been better.

The concert was at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates so we had a bit of a drive. We stopped on our way and had dinner and Sangria at Big Bowl - my fav!! We left early so we could enjoy our dinner and relax for a bit!! After dinner, we went next door to Woodfield Mall and walked around for a bit and found ourselves at The Cheesecake Factory for dessert!

On the way out, we stopped at Nordstrom and I used a gift card from Christmas to buy a new pair of my favorite black pants! They are a little pricey, but I got my first pair my Senior year in high school and I just now needed a new pair. They are SO comfortable and SO worth the extra $!!

Since the concert didn't start until 8:00 p.m., we got a quick Starbucks and we were on our way!

Every time I go to a Hillsong concert, I feel like I maybe get a teeny tiny glimpse of heaven. There are so many different ages and races all there to worship the One and Only God. It's a beautiful thing! I would be one to stand in the center so I have room to jump around, but my darling husband will go to concerts on a seat-only basis!! I'm thankful he goes with me!!

Speaking of jumping around, since having my two darling babes, I haven't been able to jump around at concerts like I maybe would like to - all you mom's out there know what I mean!! I have to say this concert was a little better! My calf muscles got a good work out though!! I was doing calf raises in leu of jumping around!

To my surprise, Marty Sampson led a LOT of songs that night - personally, I think he's the best!! Don't get me wrong - I really like Joel and J.D., but Marty is our favorite!! If you don't have his album check it out here. You need to own it!!

The night was incredible. We sang, Tear Down These Walls, You Hold Me Now, Arms Open Wide, and With Everything just to name a few!

When we were singing You Hold Me Now I couldn't help but notice a girl two rows back from me with her arms outstretched - she had no hair left from what seemed to be some intensive chemo treatments. She looked just like the sister from the movie My Sister's Keeper. As soon as I saw her I started weeping. I really couldn't help it. There are times I think life is hard and I've got it bad, but I don't. My heart was also heavy that night for Megan Moss so I was crying out to the Lord on her behalf that night. Praise God on our way home that night we found out she had a heart waiting for her! Here are the lyrics to the song:

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace

All my fears swept away
In the light of your embrace
When Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence here to hold
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

In this life fin'lly stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails

When You're name is lifted high
And forever praises last
For the glory of Your Name
I'll be livin' for the day

When the world has finally cease
All creation rest in peace
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weepingr, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

It was an incredible night. I'm so thankful that Jarrett and I were able to spend some much needed time together and that I was able to participate in an amazing time of worship!

P.S. Don't wear your cute new shoes (that I got for $45 might I add) the night you will be walking a lot. I have a nice blister, but it was worth it!!

Love,

Erin

Two More...

This past week has been full of surprises! My mom used to show paint horses - she did it until her 20's so my dad thought it would be a good idea to get her back on a horse. I have Rusty, but she is quite the cranky horse and I wouldn't dare get on her unless she has been lunged or ridden for over 6 hours!!!! To say the least, Dean and my Uncle Bob went on a trip to Ohio this past Saturday and came back not with one, but two surprises!! Uncle Dean thought Eden and Dean needed a pony! We now have two new members of the family - Beau and Petey the pony!

On Friday, Grandpa came home with a F-150 Power Wheel for Eden and Uriah. They have had a blast!!

Enjoy some pics!

Petey, Rusty, & Beau

Eden & Rusty

Petey Eden, Uncle Bob, & Beau

Beau Petey

Love,

Erin