This song just breathed new life into my soul this morning when it swept across pandora! I don’t know why this morning is different, maybe it’s so many things going on in my own heart and around me, maybe it’s the hope of life. Maybe it’s a combo of all of these, regardless, I hope that it’s lyrics, that even it’s melody would speak to the depths of your soul!

Happy Sunday, be refreshed and encouraged in Jesus!

[youtube width="480" height="390"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJCYHPPqmE0[/youtube]

For lyrics, go here.

I’ve been reading articles today about blog optimization, and blog followers, and how to run a successful one. I think in this case, it really starts with my readers. So what do you want to see more of here?

I’ve created this nifty little poll, this will help me narrow my focus and give YOU more of what you want to read here. Please pick your top 3.

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If there is something not listed that you’d like to read more about, please comment below. Thanks for being a reader of kellycain.com!

I am in love, LOVE, with Amy Butler’s fabrics.

I am doing some nursery pre-planning, and ikea trip prep, and I’ve almost wanted every single Amy Butler fabric I’ve laid eyes on. Here are a couple I’m swooning over.

Watch out for the full nursery plan, in about a month!

This is what I am encouraged by today:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:22-26

It feels painful. But it’s undeniable when it’s happening. That feeling of discomfort, for awhile, or for a long time. The kind of change I’m talking about comes from within, not external circumstances with change. But that kind of gut-level, heart-level deep kind of change that comes along every now and then & makes you re-evaluate, and re-examine life as you know it.

I was recently with a group of women who were talking about how they couldn’t pick out circumstances in their lives, like when someone asks you a question, for example, “What was a pivotal point in your walk with God?” They would come up blank. I don’t know if it’s some kind of grand flaw, or a blessing in disquise, but I’ve always been so introspective, so self-aware, that at times it’s really painful. I know when I’m “not myself.” I know when I am completely myself. I even know the in-betweens.

A lot of it is necessary to go through life to know the “triggers” to read the internal “gauges.” In a book that truly changed my life, called Changes that Heal, he talks about how there is a formula for change.

conflict + time = change

Interestingly enough, in my Beth Moore study (mentioned in this post) she talks about this formula, in the life of David, how the dynasty of Saul (over time) grew weaker and the kingdom of David was growing stronger. Bringing about the Lord’s promise.

In my life lately there has been a bit of conflict, with my health, wrestling with the Lord, and more that I’d rather not mention. It’s so comforting to know that this conflict, will bring about change in my heart and my life. As I am formed closer into His image, as I was created.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Becoming what we already are in Christ, what a glorious and painful process!

I can’t tell you how many blog posts I’ve written… or started writing about this week, and the events that have transpired. I know several of you read my “password protected post” which was not in anyway shape or form an attempt to gain more readers, or a marketing ploy (as I was accused of) but was simply because I did not want the whole free world (aka all of facebook) if they chose to have access to some very personal details of my life. I would have sent an email, but I have a feeling, that less of you would have read it, there is something about anything hidden that makes us even more intrigued.

This week has been a doozy for me emotionally, the ups and the downs, and the consistency of nausea.

This morning during my Beth Moore study, on David, Seeking a Heart Like His, which I absolutely love. (more on that later) I had the chance to process through all of my emotions that I experienced on Monday during the biopsy.

1. The unexpected. It has been said, to “expect the unexpected.” Which, I feel like I do a pretty good job of in the daily of life, but on this very day, it was a scary reality.

2. The release. I had been thinking about it for so long, well, since December (which is a long time to think about a biopsy) and I knew that at the end of the day I was going to be okay with the result no matter what it was, malignant or benign. That God, in His goodness, would carry me through and that He would work it together for good. And that, more than that, I needed to let go, and give it all to God. I am His anyway. Completely.

Today’s message was so good. It was about God, His goodness, remembering what He has done for us, and to believe that He is Good! We camped out in 2 Sam 7:28 for quite awhile, I was captivated by the thought of the Davidic covenant, the promise of a new leader, the lineage of Christ!

For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

We talked through this verse, quite a bit.

1. HE is God.

2. His word is TRUTH. meaning it is TRUE. not only that, but the NIV says, His words are TRUSTWORTHY.

3. He has promised GOOD THINGS.

In all of this, I was so thankful, for these basic foundational truths of my walk with God. The clarity of it. And how this week, these 3 things were made real in my life, and I’m so thankful. The result of the test was good. Everything is fine. Cancer free!

If you were a part of this journey with me in prayer, you have NO idea how God used you. I hope I shed a little bit of light on it in this post. Thank you so very much.

I know I shouldn’t do a “happy valentine’s day” post. The mixed emotions on valentine’s day are almost more than religion or politics. But let’s face it, we’re all victims of commercialization, of assigned meaning, of pink and red candy hearts, and store displays (that whopped us in the face the day after Christmas!)

Assigned meaning? Yes. What I mean by that is, this is just a day, a beautiful one in fact, sunshine is streaming in my window as I write. (this fact alone is enough to celebrate even if you don’t celebrate this Hallmark day) The reason that this day brings baggage with it is what we’ve done to ourselves, it’s our own fault.

Valentine’s Day has often been criticised as just an excuse for consumerism, an opportunity for businesses. Consequently, the well-meaning tradition of sending Valentine cards has also been unfairly stained by cynics everywhere, as if it is Hallmark’s fault that people are only sending cards perfunctorily, without thought at all, but just to get over the holiday. Indeed, Valentine’s Day is the second largest card-exchanging holiday next to Christmas, making Hallmark the unmistakable industry leader. – The Not so Mushy Statistics

I once read a statistic that more break ups occur on or around Valentine’s day than any other day! How about that for the day of love. And for those that are happily in a relationship, this day brings about a weird pressure. We’re supposed to celebrate our love? More than any other day? I’m just not sure exactly how Hallmark wants me to do that.

Here are some more interesting Valentine’s day statistics:

• 85% of all Valentine cards are bought by women.

• 73% of flowers are bought by men, and only 27% are by women.

• Chocolate and candy sales reach profits of $1,011 billion during Valentines.

• Approximately one in four Americans do not celebrate the holiday at all. And 15% of American women (and even men) send flowers to themselves on Valentine’s Day.

But the more realistic, and what happened to me was, yesterday, in a store, I glanced at the flowers, and glanced at Jeremy and he said, “you want flowers?” And we left with flowers. I think we bought them together. With our joint checking account. Which category does that fall into?

In the end, I’m happy about an occasion that promotes the consumption of chocolate hearts and other confectionery treats.

I’m also excited about the fact that, the day after valentine’s all of these treats are on sale for 50-75% off. That’s something to be glad about.

Also, this free music from amazon. Who could pass that up?

So, suck it up, celebrate the good things. Go out for fondue, or don’t. But don’t be bitter, it’s the most unattractive quality you could possess.

For the past 2 days I’ve been tweaking, adding plugins, and trying to get my site where I’d like it.

Here are a few things that have changed.

1. The background color, probably the most obvious. Not sure that I’ll keep it this color, but for now, I’m liking it and how it makes the other colors pop!

2. The title fonts (posts & widgets) – I wanted something a little more girly, but not over the top. So Desyrel it was.

3. The picture – I added my personal picture and updated my mini bio on the about page.

4. Disqus for commenting, I wanted something a bit more interactive, so I stepped it up in this area and went with Disqus.

5. The header – I wanted something more robust and identifiable. I’ve wavered too long in this category.

6. The tag line – After reading John 10:10 – it seems like life to the full, is more correct than to the fullest, so I’ve updated this bit.

7. The header and footer are now grey, instead of black. Softens the page a bit.

8. Networked blogs – I added a little widget to the side, that connects with facebook. This will also help promote the blog via facebook.

What do you think? Anything you would add or take away?

in just a few short weeks I’ll get to find out if we’re having a boy or a girl (so yes, we are finding out!) Yippee! So, what do you think…
Is it a …

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