Humphries Nation

Dec 30, 2010

The Nation in 2010

December 30, 2010 By Mariah Leave a Comment

I thought I would take us back to some of my favorite posts this year. I was happy to see that some of my most popular, number wise, turned out not to be my favorites.

This pretty much wraps up our nation in 2010::

January:: From the Mouth of Babes

February:: Business to Blogger

March:: Monday Rant

April:: Bubble Momma

May:: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

June:: Say Wah??

July:: Things I Learned From My Mother

August:: What Does 12 Mean?

September:: I Blog Because…

October:: Mariah. Pt 3

November:: How Twitter Helps My Small Business

December:: Bah Humbugers

Filed Under: Random Tagged With: Christianity, Clay, Growing Up, Hannah, Humphries Nation, Jula Studio, Juliane, parenthood, Photography, Raising Children

Apr 29, 2010

What if…

April 29, 2010 By Mariah 5 Comments

Some words, by themselves, hold no real weight. But when you put those words together, they can create this opening a can of worms effect.

I have all these web friends that I have never met “in real life” and may never meet. But there are those, if we lived closer, I would shoot the breeze with them in person over coffee. Bonnie from Faith Barista is one of those people. She recently gave a challenge.

What if.

That’s it. What. If.

No big deal, right?

What if I left early to get the Starbucks I really want. Would I still have a headache?

What if I took a different road to work. Would I find a faster route?

What if I worked from the moment I got there to the moment I left at 5:00pm. How much more would I accomplish?

What if.

What if I stripped off all the labels I allow people to place on me. What would be left? What could Mariah become?

What if I did not give my daughter the right direction in our mommy daughter talk. What will the words I said and the tone I used do to her fragile emotions? Have I built her up or broken her down?

What if my mom did not have Rheumatoid Arthritis. What kind of person would I be now?

What if she would not have been in a wheelchair. Would I still have been embarrassed by her at times? Would I care about people in wheelchairs? Would I still get fired up when people who are not “physically” handicapped park in the handicapped spots?

What if my mom would not have died one week before I graduated from High School.

What if my dad did not move to Texas after she died.

What if, on a visit to see him, I would not have met a guy from Detroit named Amos.

What if I would have taken that major modeling opportunity in Milan Italy that would have broken off our engagement.

What if.

What if my 6 year old daughter would have died last September when she was in that PICU. Would I still love God? Would my faith be stronger or weaker?

What if I thanked my dad more for being patient with me when I was a child. Funny how your parents get smarter as you become a parent, right?

What if I let go of the anger I feel when I hear about my husbands name being slandered by others who call themselves spiritual. Would I feel the strong urge to call them out on the their hypocrisy?

What if I gave the homeless man the change from my car.

What if I let go of the pain from close friendships that have ended. Would I be able to build new, stronger ones?

What if I really treat others like I want to be treated. What kind of impact would I have?

What if I loved my neighbor more than I love myself.

What if everyone else did the same.

What if I live every day for Christ and stand boldly for the Lord I follow…What would happen then?

Filed Under: Random Tagged With: Christianity, Growing Up, Spirituality

Apr 2, 2010

Passion on Good Friday

April 2, 2010 By Mariah Leave a Comment

Passion. It is a strong word, is it not? When something just takes over you and you live for it. And sometimes you would die for it as well.

If you know me at all you have figured out I am a Christian. I am not afraid to talk about my Savior on this blog and I have dedicated my life to serving Him. Some would call that crazy. That’s cool. Go ahead. I do not mind.

But today is Good Friday. One of the most important events happened today. It is not the most important day of the Christian faith. That will be on Sunday. But today I reflect on His death. His pain. His giving of His life for every stupid, arrogant, selfish thing I have done and will do. Today is a day I reflect the fact that I have placed Him on a cross. Not a group of people, not a city, not a nation. Me. Mariah. A stupid sinner. In need of a Savior.

I know this movie is so controversial. I’m not here to promote The Passion of the Christ. But out of the entire movie, the most influential moment, for me, came in the first few minutes. When Jesus is at the point where He knows what He must do. But if there is another way, can we go that route God? He is in the garden. My favorite scene. Why? Here I can see that transition from possible fear to complete resolve. The last moment of the video gives me chills. It shows His Passion. For us. The sinners. No matter the cost. Tonight I will watch a cross be built at a worship service. And I will think of me being the one building it.

But Sunday’s around the corner baby!

Filed Under: Random Tagged With: Christianity, Spirituality

Mar 17, 2010

I Heart Nicol Sponberg

March 17, 2010 By Mariah 4 Comments

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When I met Nicol, what, over 11 years ago, she had just recorded (or was in the process of recording) the first album for Selah. I had heard her voice for a while as a backup singer to my previous fave, Cindy Morgan. I was instantly in awe of Nic’s voice. Since day one she has been my “shower voice.” I have belted out every song she has sung and when I close my eyes, I sound just like her:) And when she closes her eyes, I’m sure my voice is in her head! HA! But really, there is so much depth and emotion in the words she sings and I love it. If you have never heard her sing, get out from under that rock because you have missed out on a great blessing and you need to go NOW to listen…well, right after you read my post about her:) But then, yes. Run to her albums! STAT.

I had loved her voice, but then I got to meet her and became a Nicol fan for life! People, she is beautiful, inside and out. Even when Dove awards came, interviews were done, and popularity arrived, she never treated people differently. I appreciate that about Nicol. She is genuine in an in-genuine world. That is rare today. Now do not get me wrong. I am not one that is going to exaggerate my relationship with someone. So I am not saying I am on Nicol’s speed dial (Nicol, call me:), but I know her enough to know what I am talking about here. She. Is. The. Real. Deal.

She has been through so much in her life and I admire her greatly. Her journey from a girl living in Africa to an artist and mother is amazing. I admire her family more than I could ever put on screen. LOVE them!

Nicol has lived through some amazing highs and struggled through the deepest valley. She has suffered great loss and through her brokenness, she has emerged stronger. Only Christ can take our broken hearts, bodies, and spirit to renew our strength through Him. To bring us through our despair to fill us again with His peace.

Nicol is an amazing, humble woman who just happens to be able to sing like a freakin mug! That’s Mariah speak for she rocks. I cannot wait to see what the Lord does with Greg and Nicol. Good things to come my friends!

Major Reason for the Blog post: She has a new EP that you can get on itunes. Yes, I already bought it and listened to it over and over and told my kiddos to hush so I could listen to it again! She will blow you away. Be sure to listen to her previous music and from Selah as well. Hello! Awesome.

Filed Under: Random Tagged With: Christianity, Music, Spirituality