I just heard the most amazing song just a bit ago. If ever I could write a song, this is it. It's like someone went in and wrote my heart. Here's the lyrics:







"Bring The Rain" by Mercy Me

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Ok, FINALLY an actual blog from Franny :)

Just celebrated my oldest son's 12th birthday. It was a lot of fun and totally different this year. You see, every year we've always thrown him a party with all his friends from school complete with games and goodie bags. Well, now this guys in Jr. High and he's not up for all the kiddie parties like he used to be. So we opted to do something he would like. He decided to take a few friends to Legoland (if you know Ethan you know that Lego's are his FAVORITE thing)on his actual birthday November 8th.

One of his friends he invited couldn't make it (his partner in crime where Lego's are concerned - they so share the same passion) however his other friend since elementary school came with us. We had so much fun! Here's a few pic's of us and the guys there.








Then that evening Jeff presented to him the one gift he's been waiting to give to him. His very own sword. It's Froto Baggins sword "Sting" from Lord of the Rings. Jeff presented this to him representing the beginning of Ethan's journey into becoming a man.



Ethan's been in a discipleship class at church since the beginning of the school year and Jeff is taking him under his wing as well in raising him up to be a Godly man and helping him understand what it REALLY means to be a man. It's not about being "macho" but instead it's being controlled by the Lord and following in Christ's image. Giving him this sword was very memorable to both Jeff and Ethan. Garret as well cause he can't wait to get his own sword. :)



Then the following weekend we went up to visit Jeff's side of the family and have a family get together (early Thanksgiving and birthday party for Ethan combined). This was a great time for everyone to see Ethan (and the rest of us) and to catch up on life for the past year. It was really good to see everyone ESPECIALLY the newest addition to the Lowry family, baby Makayala Faith!!!! She's so so so tiny and adorable. :)








Well there's a snapshot into what's been happening...a very very small snapshot. :) Mre to come hopefully in the near future.


OH! I almost forgot. The reason I haven't been blogging recently is cause I've been working on our ministries new website.. It's finally finished (a few things still to come on it though) and up and going. Here's the address:

www.totallycommittedministries.org

Please visit and let me know your thoughts! :) :)

Please watch this and pass it a long to as many people as possible. Yeah it's almost 10 minutes but it's GOOOOOODD!!!!!!

Just thought I'd post this here for a good Halloween laugh. :) :) :)


In The Know: Has Halloween Become Overcommercialized?

Obama truths! (I know, kinda weird hearing those together huh)

I know I know, another video. Soon, I'll write some original stuff however, life is too focused on what's ahead with this election. I've joined my church in a 40 day fast (half way through it now) in focusing on our nation and our city/state (Prop 8). With all that, I've been seeing a lot of videos and reading articles regarding the democratic nominee Obama. Here's a very good video, from a DEMOCRAT regarding some interesting, EYE OPENING (at least it should be but for some reason Obama has many mesmerised) facts regarding Obama. Watch then please, PLEASE pass along to as many as possible. It's frusterating that media isn't showing this...although not totally surprising.

I was just checking out my friends blog (http://dogyarnknit.blogspot.com) and saw this hilarious video on it. I know, I haven't really put much up here as far as the Lowry news and all, but life has gotten a bit busy with Totally Committed and all this last month. Hopefully I'll post some family news soon. Til then, check out this video! I so needed a laugh. Thanks Jennifer for finding this and sharing on your blog. :) :)

SNL Palin and Clinton sketch


OH man, this is so stinkin funny! Warning though, a few off color comments, it is SNL. :)

I would so love to be apart of this sometime! This video is hilarious!!!

Just for a quick testimony, my husband has been out of work for 2 months now (laid off). He was the main "bread winner" of the family so this was going to hit hard. However, a month before all this, we had prayed and agreed in prayer to totally 100% trust the Lord in our finances. God loves to give us these opportunities doesn't He! So here we are, having to now trust Him 100% to provide for us. At first, I was ok. Then I hit a spell of worry and trying to figure it all out myself, then I had to swallow my pride that I didn't realize was there and learn its ok to ask those around you for help. And now, to trusting the Lord to work miracles or things are going to start getting shut off and such. So now, in this place of trusting for our everything, I prayed 2 weeks ago, laying it all down at the feet of my Savior. I've never felt such peace in the middle of such turmoil.

Last week (here's the amazing God part....are you ready???) I received an envelope in the mail at work addressed specifically to me. Thinking it was work related, I set it aside for a moment. Then, feeling the tug of the Lord, I open it...finding a cashiers check in it made out to ME FOR $1000!!!!! I wanted to cry, faint, jump up and down, shout to the Lord of Lords all at the same time! There was nothing on the envelope or inside stating who it could’ve been from. All that was with the cashiers check was scriptures stating to give without expecting anything in return and when you give to not let your right hand know what your left is doing. When I showed my husband, he was in utter awe of God's greatness. You see, the word of the Lord says in Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ". I had been telling myself for weeks, muttering under my breath, "I'm more important than the birds" just to help keep my mind on the love of Christ. This check and so many other blessings have truly shown that I am more important than the birds. :) We are still in the middle of this trial, but I have trust in the love of my Father that He has something amazing planned out for us.

The story behind this song is amazing. I'm putting the video of the song up first - then watch the story after. You'll want to go back and worship with the first video again I'm sure. God is good, so good. Sorry I haven't been blogging much. Jeff's still laid off (2 months now) and most of my energy has been towards my family and their needs. God is so so so good though. He's been meeting our needs for the past 2 months through different people and differnt situations. Please though as you think of us, keep us in your prayers.

Beautiful way to begin summer break!



It was a beautiful day. Thursday's are my half day so after I finished work, I headed out to La Jolla beach. I had been there before to go kayaking (which I totally loved0 and thought it would be good just to hang out there as well. The day couldn't have been more beautful! the waves were a decent height, not too big to make a mom worry too much (although there were a few times I couldn't see my guys and had a panic attack just to find out they were right in front of me...hehehehehehe)



Ethan made this wonderful sand creation - volcano with little pools all around to catch the lava...and some houses and such that were destroyed and villages gone, little shell people in devistation....you know how the little boys mind works. :) It was cool to look at and it's a good thing I snapped this picture just before a wandering 1 1/2 year old came over and decided to stick 2 fists right through the top of the volcano. I could almost feel my son's pain but he carefully and nicely lifted the child off his volcano, as the not-paying -attention mother came over and was like "Oh, silly boy...hahahahahahaha". I was thinking "HELLO! Are you even WATCHING your child that's RIGHT BY THE OCEAN!!!!!" Goodness. Ethan rebuilt, good as new.



Then Garret decided to take up skim boarding. That was cool to watch. He didn't do too well at first, got a little frustrated then kinda got the hang of it towards the end. It probably would've been easier for him earlier in the day but the tide was coming up and not giving good conditions for skim boarding. Also, there was this cute little kid that was stuck to his side and didn't give him much room to throw out the board, but Garret made a break for it every so often.



It was a bright, bright sunshiny day let me tell ya. I'm a bit crispy, but ok (don't have pic's for that part, sorry). There was a bright glare off the ocean and even though I applied, and REAPPLIED the lotion, it was to no avail. Hoping it'll turn into a beautiful tan and not a peely mess. Thank you Lord for providing a wonderful day for my family to enjoy your beauty.

My big guy graduated!! He's officially a Jr HighER!!! YAY!!!!!!

I can't say enough how proud I am of Ethan. He worked really hard this year and it's paid off. I know he struggled a lot but he pulled through. We're really looking forward to Jr. High. Here's a few snap shots of the big guy on his bug day. :)

Here's a good family shot - my mom and dad, Jeff, Garret, Ethan and me. :)




Me and him afterwards.




Him seeing his grad present - a nice BMX bike and helmet.




Him on his awesomely cool bike




Just him. He's the coolest let me tell ya. :)

What a GREAT ending to an AMAZING Pony League baseball season!!!!





The day started with Ethan's team playing the Rangers. Even though they lost, I have to say they played some great ball and every single one of them advanced in their own skills from when they first started back in February. Here's some highlights of Ethan's playing:



His first up to bat, first pitch the guy hit a double into left field!!!! It was an awesome wonderful solid hit and got an RBI from it as well. Great job Ethan!

Then in the last inning he finally got the nerve up to play 2nd base, and he did a great job. Although one of the throws was from Brandon who throws like 80 miles and hour. It tipped of Ethan's glove right into his left eye. Praise the Lord no major damage and he shook it off nicely and finished the game like a trooper.






In between their game and the closing ceremony, Josh Bard from the San Diego Padres came out to encourage the kids and so some autographs. It was really enjoyable and he had a great spirit about him (real laid back and polite). Here's some pic's of my guys with Josh Bard.






Then the ceremonies began. Garret's team got first place in their Pinto Division.




Here's Garret with his daddy. :)



Over all this was a great time and had a wonderful season. Looking forward to my boys contuning and improving their skills over the summer for next spring season. :)

Dirt even looks rich to me....

Good title of a book? I was thinking of the saying "Poorer than dirt" and that title came to me. Not that our family is there yet, God has been merciful. Just with all my recent events lately (Jeff got laid off) I've been trying to think of some great money saving tips and more specifically, fun free things for us to do as a family during the summer. Sooooo, I'm going to start looking and blogging and writing some cost effective, free events families can do during this time of recession. :) Here's a few fun ideas I have for free events (or very low cost) for the summer:




1. Check with your local church - There's always something going on there for kids and families. Especially with summer upon us there's VBS, summer camps (sometimes the church sponsors kids to go free).
2. Right in your own backyard - Ok, you're already paying for that chunk of land you live on (and if you're in California you're REALLY paying for that chunk). Use it to it's fullest. Can't afford gas right now so put the car keys away and set up camp in your back yard. Good weather permitting you can just sleep under the stars, pull out the BBQ and make some smores :)
3. Family nights - This is a great way to either ramp up what you got going or start it up. Grab some old favorites and even some new ones and pop some pop corn. Don't have any board games? Can afford any new ones?? This is where it gets fun. Get together with some friends or neighbors and work on the board game swap. Every week trade what you have with theirs and try out some different types of games without having to spend a dime. It's a great way to get to know your neighbors better as they may have to teach you how to play the new game. :)



4. Go for a walk. Yeah sounds simple but when was the last time you did it? Might see some things have changed around you, even for the better. It's 100% free and good for your health as well.



5. EAT AT HOME!! I can't begin to tell you how much money I've saved since doing this and how much more healthier my family is because of it. We still go out every once in a while and that's ok, but now it's to better restaurants with healthier choices. It's great to share a meal as well - good on the pocket book and the belly. America's portions are out of control and one meal out is really enough for two. :)



6. Go to the park, beach, mall, etc. Yeah, you're thinking "Hey, that costs money" - not really. Most communities have a park within a few miles from where you live. It won't even take you one gallon of gas to get there an back and guess what, yup..it's FREE to play there. Some of us are blessed to live near the beach and again, it's FREE. "What about parking??" Ok, STOP COMPLAINING! :) Park where it's free and walk. Again, great for the pocket book and your belly (and other parts of the body). :)Window shopping at the mall is always fun and I found it safest to do when I was lowest on money. Easy to say no when you got nothing anyways. Malls are also air conditioned so you can save some money by enjoying their air, not yours that you pay for at home.



7. Schools - A lot of schools have summer programs that include crafting, hobbies, sports, etc. Some even offer low cost or free lunches. Check with your local district and see what's on schedule for the summer.
8. Community - Oh yeah, right where you live there's SOMETHING going on. for example, where I live there's always some kind of sport to watch (Pony baseball, soccer, etc.) and they're free to attend. You may not be watching Adrian Gonzales hit his next home run, but you could be seeing the next Padre play right in front of you. A lot of communities also have concerts in the park, dog shows, arts and crafts, car shows, ALL KINDS of things to keep revenue coming in for the city. The events themselves are free (or very very cheap). Just keep in mind not to get to close to the vender's, they're not free. :)



9. Story time - Even though the imagination is priceless, it won't actually cost you money out of your budget. Sit around and start a story, then pass it to the next person, then after a few thoughts, they pass it along, and so on and so on until you get this hilarious monstrous story that you and your family will be laughing about for years to come. Creating memories are always the best things money can't buy.
10. Giving - yeah yeah yeah, you're thinking I'm talking money again. Silly people. I'm talking about giving of time. See how you can help volunteer at a local school, organization or your community, It's all local so you may even be able to walk there (and NOT use the gas up) and your time will benefit so many lives. Making a difference in this life is also a wonderful thing that costs you nothing, but gives SO MUCH. It's such a blessing to see your children giving as well and it'll help get them to understand the "bigger picture" in this life.




Ok well there's just a few that were rattling around in my noggin. I think I'll go home tonight and see which one my guys want to start off with. :) If any of you have some great ideas, please send them my way and share them with others as well. :)

Potato Chip Rock

This post is just for Christy :)

This rock hung over a huge drop but was thin like a potato chip. Here's us standing by it and then a side shot too. It was cool :)

Laminin!!!!!!!

Never thought I would get so excited over it but watch this video. It may seem long but trust me, it'll grab your attention. Just hang on and see God's AMAZING hand in this. :)

Ok, I promise, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth....well, not totally. :)


Crazy times int he life, don't always have time to blog and fill the world in. Here's some happenings of this life. Let's see, where to start....BIRTHDAY!!!!!


Had an AWESOME birthday this year. Went to a Padres game Saturday April 26th and they won (one of the few they actually won this year). It was wonderful. Sunday on my actual birthday our church did something called Faith in Action. We basically met at the church but then went out into the community and did different projects around our area. I decided to help out at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve. We planted about 20 oak trees, it was great. :)



Then, a few days after on a Wednesday, my bestest friend EVER kidnapped me and we went hiking Mt. Woodson. Then after that amazing constant UPHILL hike, we went for facials, massages and pedi's at a local day spa. Ahhhhhhhhhh. I was told though my husband planned the day and had my friend carry it out. :) Thank you all for a wonderfully planned birthday.

More life moment's to come...next up will be mother's day. :)

Oh wow, totally haven't updated in forever. I wonder if anyone even reads these things. If you are all still out there, please comment and let me know you're reading.

Ok, latest adventure. I have been desiring to go hiking for the past year now. I live in a very beautiful place that has a ton of hiking trails right in my back yard (figuratively speaking of course cause I currently live in an apartment...wish I had a back yard). A few weeks ago, I had Good Friday off and so did my boys. My son, my best friend Christy and I decided today is the day to check out Iron Mountain. We had no idea what we would find.



It was beautiful. On Friday we went about 1/2 the way (I had some little legs behind me). Last minute my oldest son's tummy wasn't feeling good so he stayed home but my youngest went. I was so proud of him. He didn't complain really. Only at the very end and we were all ready for the car that day - it was our first hike and it had gotten a little bit warm.



So my husband, my best friend and I had off the following Monday. This was the day to make it to the top. We set out at about 7am (cause we didn't want to get caught in the heat) This was my husband's first hike ever and mine and my best friends as far as going all the way to the top. Riley Christy's dog joined us as well - he has this terrible habit of eating all the cats food and thus is a little thick in the middle. He needed this as much as the rest of us. :)



Here Are some photos of us almost to the top (2 mile mark). Getting excited cause I know the view is going to be wonderful!!!





I have to say I'm hooked on hiking. Ready for the next trail. There's so much of God's creation to marvel at that sitting on the sofa just won't do anymore.

So excited!!!!

Ok, I'm finally telling about this here (so much keeps happening in life and I just don't have enough time to write it all for you to see.) Well, here's the latest. We've been praying and working towards starting the ministry God birthed in our hearts years ago. Now, with my husband and my best friend, we have offically started Totally Committed Ministries!!!!! Oh yeah, it's final. All that's left is this BIG OL fee to the IRS to finalize the 501c3. Please visit our website at www.totallycommittedministries.org . We're all very excited to see where God wants to take it all. Please continue to lift us up in prayer regarding financial support and speaking engagements. More to come on the personal life I promise....

HAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! I laughed so hard I cried!!!!

Oh my goodness, oral surgery. Just had it Friday. Can actually function today but yesterday was a different story. I was feeling better today until I talked with my oral surgeon and he actually explained all that he did in my mouth. With all the bone taking out and then bone re grafting, I'm wondering how I am not more a mess than I am. Thank the Lord he was able to save to much and help me prepare for a healthier tomorrow regarding my mouth.

I was so nervous going into it all. You can ask those that were around me, the fear about consumed me. My husband got on the Ransomed Heart forums and got a prayer thread goin for me. My best friend prayed over me, my kids, a lot of people. But then, I found myself the morning of my surgery totally scared. "Why Lord, why should I be scared?" No reason really. My best friend put it so plainly to me the night before. She said the Lord doesn't warn us out of fear. Fear is a devise of the enemy. God does give us warning but not using fear as a tactic. He will warn but with a sense of peace behind it all. So I evaluated where this feeling of dread was coming from. Fear. So that ruled out God's warning and showed me really, its just Satan taking a stab at my heart, AGAIN.

9:30am, Friday morning. They're strapping all the electrodes to my body and monitoring my heart before the general anaesthesia is given to me. Then I realized something significant, something amazing...PEACE. I had no worry, no fear, NOTHING. It was just me and my Lord there for about an hour, talking. I was filled with so much peace and had a wonderful nap to boot. :)

HOWEVER after the nap, it's been icky. Yesterday was the worst and I'm getting better but still very swollen. So please continue the prayer and remember, God's way isn't through fear, but peace. :)

I know it's been a long, long, LONG while since I posted. I will post more again soon (I have I think Christmas, Garret's birthday and Jeff's Colorado trip to update) and I will get there soon. For now though, check this clip out!!!




I'm so excited about this moving coming out!!! Can't wait!