Our Christmas!!

I love giving my kids gifts. I love seeing there excitement and the sparkle in their eye when they receive that gift they've been asking for. I LOVE IT!!!! But, what I love more is that my kids are so thankful. I am not sure what we did to raise them this way. I don't know if it was teaching them to say "thank you". I don't know if it was teaching them that when people give you gifts, it is an act of love and they should be very grateful. I have no idea but what I do know is that I love how they were excited about every little thing and hugged and thanked everyone for every gift. I was so proud of Katelyn this Christmas because she even said to me that she would give up her Electric Scooter if she could see family members she hadn't seen in awhile. I saw how "stuff" didn't matter to her as much this year and I am so happy to see her little heart growing like that. We had a great Christmas and even though my dad was missing this year, I think he was honored by how much we loved on each other this year. I missed seeing him laugh when the kids did funny things and I missed buying him a gift. I know he had an amazing Christmas in heaven with His Savior and I will cling to that picture to get me through the first's. I thought I'd share some cute pictures of the kids opening presents and having fun.

                                           GUESS WHO GOT DRUMS?????

                                          He really is a drummer!!!! Loved them!!!

                                          Sissy even got in on the "rock" action

Katelyn got an Electric scooter that she loved and we snapped some pictures of her enjoying that.

I loved seeing my kids enjoying fun stuff. It makes me think of when our Heavenly Father blesses us sometimes with things we want. He loves to give us good gifts and I am sure it brings Him pleasure.

Merry Christmas!!

I just wanted to write and wish all of my friends and family a very Merry Christmas. We have so many that read this blog from far away and we are so glad we get to have this to share our family with you. This Christmas is so different because of so many changes. This will be my first Christmas without my dad and this is the first Christmas that Josh is not a pastor at a church. Now, the first difference is going to make this holiday sad but still praising the Lord. The second difference, I am actually loving.

For 10 years, Josh has been a pastor in a church so Christmas was a busy time. He was always gone to this special service and that special meeting. He would have youth parties and be gone so much even during this holiday. This year, not being a pastor, my husband has been home. We have had family worship times with a new book Josh bought for the kids. We have sung and made a gingerbread house. We even got the garage organized(that was NOT FUN). We have had fun at Christmas parties and having people over for dinner. We painted Katelyn's room, TOGETHER, as part of her Christmas. We have also had moments of driving each other crazy...hehe. With all that said, as much as my husband loved being a pastor and pouring into teenagers every chance he could, I am glad to have him home for this Christmas. Even with him working at his "normal" job, he has been home and I am so thankful to God for this amazing Christmas to not be busy "doing", but just spending time together worshipping the KING!!! I have no idea what next Christmas will look like but this Christmas, I am having so much fun with my family.

I pray that each of you take moments to remember what God did during this time. Sending His son to die, rise from the dead, and save us from ourselves is what this time means to me. I am so thankful that a Savior came for me when I deserved nothing. I pray that you have an amazing Christmas and wonderful New Year.

Things I Learned from Survivor!

I have always been a huge Survivor fan. There really are no shows that I get excited to watch or that make an effort to watch every week. I don't know what it is. It may be the fact that people are having live on an island with nothing and seem to make it to the end. It may be watching people from all walks of life coming together to live together and play a game. It may be the way you think one person will win and it ends up being someone you never thought. Or, it may be the challenges that I love to watch and how hard they are for people who are not eating and sleeping very well. This last season was a little different though.

This last season was filled with "religious people" or they called themselves " Christians". I am not their judge but the fruit is right there on the screen for we to see. I was kind of in awe of some of them that claimed the name of Christ, they even prayed constantly in large groups and even prayed for God to tell them " who to vote off", which I found funny because that meant they could blame their choices and backstabbing on " God's will". As I watched, I couldn't help but think that this was a perfect social experiment of Christians and the world. They claimed honor and integrity because they had personal relationships with Jesus. Then, they would curse and lie in the next breath. WOW, sound like the real world or what? It was a perfect display of how we can act sometimes. One player even admitted that he was willing to lay his honor aside in order to get to the end of the game. REALLY?? I see so many Christians laying aside everything they believe and know is true in order to "make it". I did it. As a teenager, I was "good" but still had times when I laid aside what I knew was God's calling on my life in order "to make it". I was quickly brought back to a place of repentance before ever leaving high school. THANK GOD!! I remember that feeling of feeling torn between right and wrong. It was so hard. I still have a hard time of laying aside my flesh and living by the Holy Spirit. The world is inviting at times but I have come to a place where what man thinks is fading. The more I learn and study about my Savior, I can't help but want my life to glorify Him. It is so hard to do that because I am sinful and walk in the flesh quite often. But, I know this: I don't want to have a Survivor mentality. I don't want to do whatever it takes to "make it", because that means laying aside what I know is truth. I don't want people to see me, I want them to see Jesus as all cost. Even if it means to the world I look like "I'm losing", I know in order to gain true, eternal LIFE, I must lose my life. Hollywood probably never thought by making Survivor, they would teach me to live closer to my Savior at all costs. God will be glorified in all things.

Let's Be Real Ladies!

I came across this blog and I just loved it. I loved it because my heart is for women to know their personal calling that God has made on their lives. I loved being part of a group of ladies when we met every Friday morning. We had mornings when we didn't even get to the study because we other concerns going on in our lives that we needed to talk about. I loved knowing I would have 2 hours of the Holy Spirit leading conversation where it needed to go for that day. I miss this time and I hope that God will lead my back to it one day. Lately, I am craved speaking to ladies about the things that they feel called to by God. But, I have had moments when I spoke about hard issues and deep Biblical truths, and was quickly hushed or the topic was changed very quickly. Those times made me very sad. Not sad because I had to stop talking but sad because we, Christians, don't want to talk about hard things, sad things, sinful things, and personal struggles. We like the cookie cutter look we portray and that makes me sad. Anyone who knows me knows I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. I have no problem discussing issues, big or small. I thought I would share this article for Christian women that are leading in women's ministries, ladies Bible studies, etc. Get ready, this isn't easy to read. It wasn't for me:

Dear Women's Ministry:

The world can give me cute cupcake designs and decorating tips, scrapbooking parties, casserole recipes, and other ways to pass the time. But truly, with my respect and love, may I be honest? If I wanted to learn how to decorate cupcakes, I would take a class in it. If I wanted to be educated on strategies for decorating my home inexpensively from Winners, I would just, you know, go to Winners. Or Pinterest.

But I'm here with you now because I want what the world cannot give me. We're choking on cutesy things and crafty bits, safe lady topics, and if one more person says that modest is hottest with a straight face, I may throw up. We are hungry for authenticity and vulnerability, not churchified life hacks from lady magazines. Some of us are drowning, suffocating, dying of thirst for want of the cold water of real community. We're trying really hard--after all, we keep showing up to your lady events, and we leave feeling just a bit empty. It's just more of the same every time.

The women of our world aren't looking for a safe place to cry about housework and ooh-and-ahhh over centerpieces. We're not all mothers, some of us work outside the home, some of us have kids, and others don't or won't or can't. Is womanhood only about wifehood and motherhood? What about those among us that are not wives and mothers? We're not all in the same season of life. We are - or should be - diverse image bearers of a Divine God!

We need Jesus. We are seeking deep spirituality. We are seeking fellow travelers. We are hungry for true community, a place to tell our stories and listen to another, to love well. But above all, point me to Jesus--not to the sale at the mall.

You know what I would have liked instead of decorating tips or a new recipe? I would have liked to pray together. I would have liked the women of the church to share their stories or wisdom with one another, no more celebrity speakers, please just hand the microphone to that lady over there that brought the apples. I would love to wrestle with some questions that don't have a one-paragraph answer in your study guide. I would like to do a Bible study that does not have pink or flowers on the cover. I would have liked to sign up to bring a meal for our elderly or drop off some clothes for a new baby or be informed about issues in our city where we can make space for God. I would like to organize and prioritize, to rabble-rouse and disturb the peace of the rest of the world on behalf of justice, truth, beauty, and love. I'd love to hear the prophetic voice of women in our church.

Please, may we be the place to detox from the world - its values, its entertainment, its priorities, its focus on appearances and materialism and consumerism?

So here is my suggestion: Please stop treating women's ministry like a Safe Club for the Little Ladies to Play Church.

We are smart. We are brave. We want to change the world. We run marathons to benefit our sisters, not so that we can lose weight. We have more to offer to the church than our mad decorating skills. I look around, and I can see that these women can offer strategic leadership, wisdom, counsel, and even, yes, teaching. We want to give and serve and make a difference. We want to be challenged. We want to read books and talk politics, theology, and current events. We want to wrestle through our theology. We want to listen to each other. We want to worship, we want to intercede for our sisters and weep with those who weep, rejoice with those that rejoice, to create life and art and justice with intention.

Let's be a community of women, gathered together to live more whole-heartedly, to sharpen, challenge, love, and inspire one another to then scatter back out to our worlds bearing the mandate to be women that love. Idelette McVicker wrote: 

Let us RISE to the questions of our time.

Let us SPEAK to the injustices in our world.

Let us MOVE the mountains of fear and intimidation.

Let us SHOUT down the walls that separate and divide.

Let us FILL the Earth with the fragrance of Love.

Let us be women who Love.

I'll bring the cupcakes next time (although they likely won't look as cute). 

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NO GIFTS!!!

My husband and I were having a conversation about some gifts we had left to buy. He informed me that he wanted to eventually go from buying gifts for people to giving money to missional things in their names. I was immediately like, " um, No". My husband continued to not understand why I would not want to give money to a child who needs food or have Bibles printed in different languages. That was not what I was saying. My heart is torn because I love seeing people open gifts I have gotten them. I love making things for people and maybe giving them something they have never seen. I love that feeling of giving. I still would want to give money to missional things but I also love buying small gifts for the people we love.

With all that said. I thought about my reaction some more and realized; giving money to an organization who is sending Bibles all over the world or helping people build a church in a desolate country, IS AN AMAZING GIFT. I can't be there to see a child get there dinner, a family get chickens to help feed their family, or a tribe get a Bible in their language. BUT, can you imagine what that would be like? Watching people open gifts with that magnitude. Some of them never having gotten anything given to them. I realized that watching the people I love open gifts was wonderful and still could happen but watching them open a card telling them that in their name, THEY FED A FAMILY, that is speechless. I am so glad I married a man that sees the importance of this type of giving. He always bring me back to what is good and what is necessary. I love him all the more. My heart is being shaped and molded into what God wants and that hurts most of the time. Learning something new can be hard sometimes. I do not like change and changing Christmas the way I've always done it will take some time.

So, in the years to come we are moving from buying needless gifts to making more gifts and donating money to needs that are necessary in the name of the one's we love. Thank you to my hubby for being the spiritual leader in our home and making these decisions. God knew I needed you!!!!

Diligence....

Katelyn and I are doing 10 weeks of Character studies for our Bible time. The first week is on Diligence. It is great because each day has a different passage out of the Bible that helps learn the meaning of the character trait. Today's lesson showed me something I never noticed. We read the story of Jonah. I know, I know, we've all read that story a million times and know exactly what happens: Jonah gets swallowed by  a whale( actually a big fish) because he did not listen to God. There was a little part I had missed though. In the beginning of the story, Jonah is on a ship trying to flee from God, which cracks me up. Flee from God??? Really?? Anyway, as the storm violently threw the ship back and forth, the ship's crew began to question why this was happening to them. They cast lots to see whose fault it was and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah admitted earlier that he was running from God. Now, he told them his God was the God who created the wind and sea. The ship's crew was immediately in fear of this God. They began to realize that this God must be the true God. "At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to Him.~ Jonah 1:16. Did you catch that??? EVEN IN JONAH'S DISOBEDIENCE, GOD WAS GLORIFIED!!! I had never paid close attention to that small verse. Even though Jonah was on the ship because he was disobeying, God still was glorified because these men feared Him and made vows to Him. They had realized the God that Jonah believed in was the true God. See, I would have thought opposite. I always feel that the more I disobey, the more people do not see Jesus. Guess what?? GOD CAN BE GLORIFIED WITHOUT YOUR HELP!!! WOW!!! That's humbling. Even in the midst of Jonah's disobedience, these men saw God and feared Him. he proved that He was in control of even the storm and could calm it if He wanted to.

I look at this two ways. Number 1: I see that God is bigger than I have ever been taught He is. He can do more than just what He does through me. Even when I mess up, say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, or flat out disobey, HE WILL BE GLORIFIED IN SOME WAY!!! Number 2: HE WANTS TO USE ME!!! God wanted to use Jonah. God could save Ninevah by Himself if he wanted to but He wanted to use Jonah more than Jonah could see. I think sometimes He just wants to see if we will obey and also that we grow and learn in being used. When Jonah repented and said He would go, God gave Him a second chance and because Jonah obeyed, Ninevah was spared. I pray everyday that even in my imperfections and sometimes disobedience, that God would be glorified. I also pray that when He wants to use me, I GO!!!! I surrender it all, give it all up, put all my "stuff" aside, give up my wants and desires,  lay my fear aside, put man's opinion of me out of my mind and follow the one true God who gives life.

Another Birthday!!!!

I can't believe I am about to have another birthday!! I still feel like I'm in my twenties, newly married and living on faith. This past year has been the hardest yet! Losing my dad and Josh and I  completely surrendering and walking in faith has deemed this a trying year. This time last year, I would have never imagined that all these things that have happened would have happened. Sometimes it still feels like a dream I will wake from and all will be the same. God had other plans. He already knew what I would go through, what my family would go through. He was in control from the beginning and is even now. I pray that this next year is full of miracles, rest, and worship of Him. I pray that I become a better wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend. I pray that I see my children's hearts grow in love for their Savior, family, and others. I pray for a refining fire to ignite my soul and create an urgency to see the lost saved. I pray that my family sees God do amazing things through our obedience in church planting. I pray that my daughter continues to excel at schooling but more than anything that her heart is constantly moving to the things of God. I pray that my entire family will feel God's peace as we journey without my amazing dad in the years we have left. Lastly, I pray for total surrender to the life God has called me to.

Thank you Lord for another year.

Is Joel Olsteen's preaching satanic???

I came across a message that John MacArthur preached about true religion. There are so many similarities between Satan's words to Jesus in the desert to many preachers today. John MacArthur just lays it out there about one pastor in particular. I had to share this with my friends because people are being led straight to hell with this prosperity and favor teaching. There is no preaching about the Savior and repentance. Here is a small portion of John MacArthur's sermon:

A few weeks ago there was an event here at Dodger Stadium with Joel Osteen, thirty-five thousand people at Dodger Stadium, something like that. He is now the largest, quote/unquote church...I’m using the word loosely...in America down in Houston. You need to understand that he is a pagan religionist in every sense. He’s a quasi-pantheist. Jesus is a footnote that satisfies his critics and deceives his followers. The idea of this whole thing is that men have the power in themselves to change their lives. In his definitive book, Your Best Life Now, he says...and that ought to be a dead giveaway since the only way this could be your best life is if you’re going to hell. He says that anyone can create by faith and words the dreams he desires...health, wealth, happiness, success...the list is always the same.

Here’s some quotes from his book Your Best Life Now. “If you develop an image of success, health, abundance, joy, peace, happiness, nothing on earth will be able to hold those things from you,” end quote. See, that’s....that’s the law of attraction that’s a part of this kind of system.

Here’s another quote, “All of us are born for earthly greatness. You were born to win.” Win what? “God wants you to live in abundance, you were born to be a champion. He wants to give you the desires of your heart.” “Before we were formed, He prepared us to live abundant lives, to be happy, healthy and whole. But when our thinking becomes contaminated, it’s no longer in line with God’s Word,” end quote. By the way, “God’s Word is not the Bible, God’s Word is that Word that comes to us mystically, spiritually, that tells us what we should want.”

Here’s another quote, “Get your thinking positive and He will bring your desires to pass. He regards you as a strong, courageous, successful person. You’re on your way to a new level of glory.” Hum...how do you get there? “Believe...he says...visualize, and speak out loud.” Same exact approach. Words release your power. Words give life to your dreams.

Here’s another quote. “Friend, there’s a miracle in your mouth.” I think Isaiah might object to that. He said, “I’m a man of unclean lips and I dwell amidst a people of unclean lips.”

Here’s Joel Osteen’s prayer. “I thank You, Father, that I have Your favor.” Wow! Did he meet the Pharisee in Luke 18, or what? “I thank You that I’m not like other people.”

Here’s another quote. “I know these principles are true because they work, for me and my wife.” Oh, so that’s the test of truth. Are you kidding? I know these things are true because they work for me and my wife? Sure, you’re at the top of the Ponzi scheme.

And then he said, “Even finding a perfect parking spot at the mall.” And I ask, “What about the little old lady you cut off to get into that parking? What about her dreams?” Maybe she was born to lose. I mean, it’s so silly, so bizarre.

He says, “God has already done everything He’s going to do, the ball’s in your court.” You have to take that part of God which exists in you and create your own reality.

What is the source of this? Where does this come from? Answer: Satan, this is satanic. This is satanic. This is not just off-centered, this is satanic.

Why do I say that? Because health, wealth, prosperity, the fulfillment of all your dreams and your desires, that’s what Satan always offers. That’s called temptation, based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That’s exactly what corrupt fallen unregenerate people want. That’s why it works so well, right? You can go right into Satan’s system, make everybody feel religious and turn their desires, their temptations into somehow honorable desires. I mean, what did Satan say to Jesus? Grab some satisfaction, why are You hungry? You need to eat. You need to be healthy, whole. Why would You let Yourself be unpopular? Dive off the temple corner, whew, everybody will be wowed. You’ll be the winner, You’ll be the champion. You’ll be the Messiah. They’ll hail You. And by the way, if You just look over the kingdoms of the world, I’ll give those to You, too.

That’s satanic. So the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, 1 John 2:15 to 17, it’s all a part of the world and it’s all passing away. And why are these false teachers so successful at what they do? Because they’re in cahoots with the devil. Why is Satan successful? Because his temptations, although they might appear noble on the outside, are in perfect accord with all the fallen, corrupt, selfish, proud, evil desires of sinners. This is a false kind of Christianity and a false view of God. God is the one who reserves the right to make you well. “Have not I made the blind and the lame and the halt, He says? Or to allow you to be sick? God has the right to make you prosperous or to give you little. God reserves the right to control the circumstances and events and experiences of your life for His own ends and His own purpose.”

False religion is the most heinous of all sins because it’s a violation of the great commandment, “Love the Lord your God, the true one, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength,” and false religion that borrows His name but creates a false God and borrows the name of Christ but creates a false Christ is the worst kind of blasphemy.

Comparing!!

Isn't that what we do? Compare ourselves to others. We see all the good things in someone's else's life and assume that we would be better if we had a life like theirs. A few months ago, I finally felt that I was comfortable in my own skin. I finally got to a point where I looked at other people's lives and realized I was called to the life I have by the Lord and for that reason alone I was blessed. Then, it seems to creep back in. Not all at one time but in small waves. I know we all think someone else has it better. I want to encourage all of you that comparing is discontentment. We also have no idea the things in other's lives that we think are so great. We do not know the past someone has had to go through to get where they are now. We don't know the daily struggles that person has that they can't seem to be set free from. We have no idea the issues that a person's deals with everyday whether physical, mental, or circumstantial. So, stop comparing. If you are walking with the Lord, He is all you need to compare your life to. Emulate Jesus and no one else. He is the picture we should constantly look at in comparison.
Sometimes we compare in other ways. We can compare in the other direction. We look at someone else and think we have it together better than them so we are living a more godly life. But what about when you compare your life to Jesus'? Now how godly do we look?? Isn't that what it's about though: LOOKING MORE LIKE JESUS!! I want to look and live like Him and no one else. That is much harder to do but oh so worth it.My life can be much sweeter with Him as my example.

A Morning at an Abortion Clinic

This past Saturday, my husband and I stood with other Christian men and women in front of an abortion clinic in Charlotte. I have never been to one and this experience left me speechless and I haven't stopped thinking about it. Since I am at a loss for words I thought I'd share what my husband blogged about after we went:

“Real men lay down their lives for their babies.”  This was the most soul-stirring thing I heard said yesterday while we stood outside the abortion mill on Latrobe in Charlotte.  It was profound for two reasons.  First, because it was said by a ten year old holding a microphone talking to a guy in his thirties as he walked his wife/girlfriend into the abortion mill.  And two, because it’s true.

The church in America feels good about itself because when the preacher stands against abortion we say “amen.”  When we go the the ballot boxes we check the box next to the candidate who is pro-life.  So, we’ve done our part right?  Yesterday, I watched at least thirty girls walk into that clinic in the span of two and a half hours.  Thirty babies, believed to be just tissue, had their lives snuffed out. At the very least these precious babies received a death threat from a “counselor” who’s main motive is to generate income for the mill.  (NC law requires a “counseling” session and 24-wait before abortion)

If you were alive in Nazi Germany in the 40′s, what would you have done to save the lives of millions of Jews being slaughtered on a daily basis?  The church doesn’t need to get nuts and vicious with those who perpetrate this disgusting crime.  The church needs to be a visible light of hope to women who are deceived into thinking that an abortion will make life better and erase a “mistake” they made or remove an inconvenience in their life.  Yesterday, we offered these girls free medical care, free cribs and clothing, a free baby shower, and love but their minds had already been made up.  The good news is that this past week eight babies were saved at the Latrobe mill because some girls wanted to hear that there is another way.

I know not everyone is wired for this.  Not everyone can get on a mic and preach the gospel of hope and confront people with their sin in order to proclaim to them that there is a Savior.  But, why couldn’t you show up at a clinic one Saturday a month and stand and pray and be a visible reminder to these girls that this sin cannot done in secret and there is another way of hope.  You can hand out brochures with information.  Is it really enough to just say “amen” when your preacher says abortion is wrong?

a Good Judge

We are still making our way through our God's Names book for our family Bible time. Today, we talked about God being the Judge. People all over the world say that God is loving and good. We tend to forget that He is also a Judge. He makes all the decisions and is in charge. God is a GOOD Judge. He judges on the heart. He doesn't judge whether you are smart, good-looking, wealthy, poor, male, or female. He judges your heart. I know that God is love but He is also just. He will bring justice in every situation and He determines what is justice. While we studied this today, we were also brought to the realization of heaven and hell. Because God is a good Judge, those places have to exist. There is no in between or a third choice. You go to heaven or hell when you die. If God is a good Judge and judges on a man's heart, then we all deserve hell. We were born in sin and imperfection. But then Jesus came and paid our ransom. God turned His back on His own Son so that we may live forever with Him in heaven. So many people want to say God is love but forget that He is also the Judge that decides which place we end up. He made a way but so many still make the decision to walk another way. Why?? The God of the universe made a way for us to be with Him forever and have a personal connection with Him in life. I don't get it sometimes. To me, there is no other decision to make or way to go. I am so thankful for Jesus taking my place on that cross. Every sin I have committed and will commit is forever forgiven. I will sin and I will fail, but I am made righteous in the eyes of my Judge. I am thankful for a good Judge. I am thankful for a Savior you paid my debt.

Grieving!

Yesterday morning, I went with my mom to a Holiday Grievance Seminar. It was a time to give us strategies, ideas, and encouragement on how to get through the holiday's without your loved one. We heard stories from others that about their specific loved ones and how special they were. I was so happy to be there with my mom. See, when my dad passed away in March, I had to keep going. I had two kids and had to keep homeschooling a trucking along to finish the school year. Because of that, I don't think I grieved the best way. I'd wait until night and just crash and cry. I would try and stay strong for mom and especially for my daughter Katelyn who has so many questions. I cried when she cried and held her when she needed holding. She did see my struggle, which I think is healthy for me and her. But, the bawling, anger, and frustration with it all came out when she wasn't looking. So, I didn't have all cry fests(which i probably should have) to heal and grieve. Going to this seminar helped me release a lot in a safe environment.

One of the breakout sessions was Writing. We had to write down words about things that were special to dad. We brought in pictures of him on all of his Harley's he had and built through his life. So some of my words described a motorcylce: heavy, loud, strong. And then describing my dad: Intelligent, teacher, carefree, loving,etc,. After we wrote those words we had to write a story with the words in it. It could be imaginary, real, not make sense, and so on. Well, I wrote a story and thought I'd share with all of you. It's short and is real but I have a different name and what I am going through is made to be another lesson. Enjoy!

        Nicole was taught to do many things by her father. She was taught how to fix things and work with her hands. But this new project and lesson was heavy. It was too much for her to handle and do. It made her sad and she wanted to shout very loud in frustration. She knew not to worry and to be carefree like her father. She wanted to be selfless and work on it alone so not to bother anyone else.
        Nicole knew she was taught by an intelligent teacher who had so much love for her. She didn't want to live with this hard project to do. She couldn't answer the questions or fix this one. Nicole had to do this new project without her father and loving teacher. She didn't know if she could do it.

Samuel Lucas.....our youngest rockstar.

I have no idea how it happened, but our little Samuel loves to drum more than any of you can even fathom. Everywhere we go, he drums. Eating out, he drums. At church, makes his way to the drums on stage, and drums. At home, pulls out pots and pans at least 3 times a day, and he drums. In his high chair with his fork, he drums. Playing trains, he drums. Riding in the car, he drums ( or plays air guitar and sometimes calls it banjo, depending on the type of music). I am amazed that he just wants to do drums ALL THE TIME!!! He is only 2 and none of us drum. He must have seen it at some point and completely fell in love with it. To be honest, he's actually pretty good. He keeps a beat, bobs his head, and taps his foot. Sometimes he makes up a song while doing and sometimes he's completely quiet.

This past Saturday afternoon, we heard the pots and pans being taken out and placed ever so perfectly from biggest to smallest, just the way he likes them. We heard the junk drawer open and 2 pencils being taken out. We decided we would capture a little bit on video this time. I love it so much that I had to share. Check out my youngest rockstar, because big sister is also all about rocking it out!!!

http://youtu.be/n5kpsYtLf0I
fyi: he has one of my headbands on his forehead. I guess that was for dramatis effect....LOL!!!!



......and here he is.....cutest drummer I know!!!

Psalm 127

Some of you were very interested in the post I did about our church learning a different Psalm every month by learning it to music (by Jamie Soles). This month we are learning Psalm 127. I thought I'd post Psalm 127 for those of you want to learn while we do.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. ¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
   the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
   the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
   and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
   for he grants sleep to^[a] those he loves.
 ³ Children are a heritage from the LORD,
   offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
   when they contend with their opponents in court.

I can't wait to learn this scripture and the meaning in each verse as we go through it each Sunday. It seems it is going to touch parents hearts with so much emphasis on children. VERY EXCITING!!!

It is not UNSEEN!!!

I have to admit(and my husband would agree) that I am capable of many pity parties in a week. Especially if its a week where I am not feeling well physically and can't get all the things done I want. I literally am moving all day long, mentally and physically(why am I not skinnier?) I wake up to a 2 year old screaming because that's how he tells us he's awake. From that moment on, it is one thing after another. Breakfast, Bible, Laundry, Math, Language, Changing diapers, Lunch, History, Science, Playing Trains, Singing ABC songs, Rocking to Sleep, Shower (maybe), Checking messages and e-mails, Picking up toys and whatever else gets thrown all over, and etc....etc....etc.... This week, I felt unappreciated. I saw all these things I do and know God has called me to do and I felt unseen. I wondered if anybody notices all that I do in a day. I wondered why I don't get sick days (although my husband stayed home to let me rest). I wondered if I didn't do any of it, would it get done. Lastly, I wondered if Josh and my children knew how much I do and sacrifice to make this house a home.

Finally, I came to a conclusion. I am never unseen by my Savior. He sees day and day out. He knows every struggle when teaching Math and every shirt I fold and refold. He sees when I am tired and when I  get frustrated at the dishwasher for not cleaning well. More than anything, He sees me!!! The good and the bad, the dirty and the clean, the wise and the unwise. He walks with me in it everyday. I am always seen and appreciated by Him and that is the only one I am working for. He is the audience and I am thankful for that. So while I had my pity party, I learned something about God. He gives me strength on those days and takes over when I can't handle any more. He also helps me to get up, suck it up, and work hard unto Him and not man. My husband and children do appreciate me but not more than Him!!!

the IMMODESTY of Halloween.

Ok. I just can't stay quiet on this subject. I have always been a person who speaks about modesty and the way girls and women should dress, especially if they claim to know Christ. So, those of you who read this can take it or leave it. God's word makes it very clear about the way we present ourselves:
     
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
~Romans 6:13~

Now, I know that some girls would say, " Hey, its not my sin, it's the sin of the guy looking". NOT TRUE!!!! Take Romans 14:21," It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do ANYTHING ELSE that will cause your BROTHER to fall." Sounds like it is the girl's sin too if you claim to live by scripture. When we cause our brother's to stumble which is the word, lust, we are sinning as well. I have never understood why girl's and women do not care about what we do to the men around us. More than anything, this is a heart issue. It is not a clothing or changing the outside issue. IT IS OUR HEARTS. Now, when I quote scripture, I am talking to those girl's and women who claim to know Christ. Are you dressing in a way that is honoring to the Lord? Can you honestly say it doesn't matter?

Now, to get back to Halloween. It seems like every year the costumes get closer and closer to women and even GIRL'S wearing the least amount of material as possible. Some of you would never where that on any other day but because its Halloween, GO FOR IT!!! The one time of year where I can just go crazy and not care what I am doing to the men around me, who by the way, may have wives or may be trying so hard to live a godly life. How disrespectful to God, yourself, those men, and the women they are married to. I wish so much that girl's and women understood the awesome way God sees them. He died for us. Is that not enough to bring us to a place of holiness and consideration of His word? We all have sin. I have things I struggle with daily. I am no where near perfect and never will be. I strive each day to live closer to my Savior and live in a way that pleases Him. But when we blatantly and consciously dress in a way that dishonors Him and cause those around us to sin, we are not living the incredible life God wants for us. I just want us, WOMEN, to see the impact we could have on the world when we actually live like Christians. When we follow His word, when we seek His face, and when we see ourselves and bodies as TEMPLES, then we can understand why what we wear matters. Why do we do it??? Ask yourself, why do you do it?? Attention, feel better about yourself?? Make a man wanna know your heart. I am so glad I am married to a man who loved my modesty and cherished that part of me. Halloween and any other day of the year is another day to show Christ to those around us. God should be honored and glorified EVERYDAY with how we present Him and Christianity.

 " Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING of you MIND. The you will be able to test and approve what is God's will-His good, pleasing, and perfect will." 
~Romans 12:2~

I could go on and on and if you wanna talk more, let me know. I'll leave you with a quote from Albert Einstein:
" If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes,...let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philiosophies....it would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped up inside it".

LOVE!!!!!!!

I read today about the Love we have been shown by Jesus' and how we should respond to that by the way we love others. John 15:11-12 says, " These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." I can love the people who are easy to love. I can love the people who deserve love. I can love people who I feel sorry for. It is very difficult to love the unlovable. It is also difficult to love those who have not shown love to me. As I read today, I understood that Jesus loved the unlovable and the people who hated Him. He was mocked, ridiculed, and laughed at by the very people that He came to die for. Now that's LOVE!!! Dying for the mockers. As, I continued to read, I came to a realization: Christians have a really hard time loving other Christians. Jealousy, pride, selfishness, and envy. Those are the reasons we don't love each other. Oh we say we do. We will even do ministry together in the name of love, but when it comes down to it, we do not SHOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO ONE ANOTHER!!! I have been the Christian who has not showed the love of Christ and numerous times been the Christian who is not shown the love of Christ by my Christian "friends". Why do we do it? Jesus preached about unity in the body of Christ. I think sometimes we let the human part of us that is imperfect and sinful take over and the Spirit is hushed and pushed aside. I find it so hard to push that sinful part aside on a daily basis. I am so imperfect and evil apart from Christ and the Holy Spirit living in me. I cannot love the way Christ loves if I am not constantly walking in the Spirit.

Josh and I are embarking on a crazy journey. We will and are already feeling the spiritual attacks that come along with following the Lord's call on our lives. We know there are so many more to come. More than anything, we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to come alongside us in this season of life. As I studied LOVE this morning, I thought of all the wonderful people that have loved us through some tough times and are still loving us through this crazy time. We need it, that's for sure. God has blessed us and continues to change things up and show us that He is in control. So, I leave you with this verse and pray you will walk in love this week.

    Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
                                                                                                                  1 John 4:7-8

Psalm 15

At our church, we learn a Psalm a month. It is put to music so we learn it very easily. The best part is that our kids are learning it too and we can listen to it in the car and sing it at home. I love this because as Christians, we should be memorizing scripture. Better than that, my children are memorizing the same scripture at the same time and they like it because they get to sing it. This month we are doing Psalm 15. Each Sunday, Bobby, one of the Pastor's goes over verse by verse what the scripture means. So, as we memorize it we are also learning what God is saying to us through David's prayers. I love doing this so much. I really started loving it when yesterday, after our Bible time, Katelyn grabbed her Bible and opened it to Psalm 15. She started singing the Psalm and asked us to join. So, we spent the beginning of our morning singing scripture. It was such a blessing to do this as a family and that my daughter took the initiative to start singing. It was wonderful. There have been lots of scripture set to music but I like these because it is word for word the verses. They don't take anything out or add to it. IT IS AWESOME!!!

The artist that makes these songs is named Jamie Soles. You can download his songs(scriptures) on Amazon for $.99. NOT BAD!!! He also has a website you can go to and pick different things: http://www.solmusic.ca/discography/pure-words.php. I hope that this will encourage you to be sharing Bible time and scriptures with your children. Singing with them is so much and fun and any age would love to sing these songs. When I think about doing these things with our children I remember Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and 9

     " And these words which I command to you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up....You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

My Mom.

I am so proud of my mom this weekend. Let me tell you a little about her. Mom and dad were always perfectly fine sitting at home all the time. They were best friend's and that is just the way they were. Well its been 6 months since dad passed away and mom is doing everything she can to let God take over all this hurt and pain. She is taking the steps to heal and have peace in the Lord. Well, my mom has also never flown in an airplane or been a very long distance away from home. Last Thursday, she FLEW to CALIFORNIA to visit some friends. I was worried the whole day that she was freaking out on the airplane or that it was making her anxious. When I talked to her after the flight, her first comment was," I loved it." Now, there may have been a bit of medical intervention to cause this ease and love of flying but nevertheless, she made it. Talking about coming out of your comfort zone.

I am so proud of her for taking this step and doing something so radical for her. I am amazed at how God is chasing my mom and just loving on her through the people in her life. These friends in California are lifelong friends and mom is blessed to have them. I am so glad mom took this step and now she knows she can and that its ok. Dad would be overjoyed to see her doing these things. I am so happy for you mom and the awesome things you are doing. I love you and can't wait for you to get home to hear all about it.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I have a homeschool friend, Ashley Hearn. I read her blog today and thought,  "WOW, I couldn't have said it better myself." So, instead of trying I thought I'd share her post with you. Thanks Ashley for your honesty.

 

 

The question I never thought I'd have to answer...

If you asked me 5 years ago when Grace started school if I would ever consider homeschooling, I would have laughed at you. Don't get me wrong, I had always deeply admired those that homeschooled. I just always thought that I was not someone who had what it took to do it; I didn't fit the "mold" of what I thought a homeschooling mom looked like. So, how is it that now here we are, 5 years down the road, doing the very thing that I thought was not even something I would've considered? As I look back over the past few months, and years really, I can see how God was preparing us for this even well before we ever knew it. He was preparing me, changing me and molding me into the very thing that I thought was impossible: the homeschool mom.

Over the last few months, I have been asked one question repeatedly: "So, why have you decided to homeschool your children?" While on the surface this seems like an easy enough question to answer, it actually can be quite complicated. I know that I should just answer honestly, but the people pleaser in me is always afraid that I might accidentally offend someone with my answer. First of all, the people asking are generally not people who homeschool. Other homeschoolers already know, without asking usually, why we've made this decision. So, that means the people who are asking have their children in either public or private school. Sometimes they are people I know well, and other times, they are people I hardly know at all. Unfortunately, I tend to respond differently depending upon who's asking. Even now as I am writing this, I am worried that my thoughts will offend someone who is reading! But, there is a true reason why we homeschool, and the truth is that it may not be politically correct. I could give you all the "safe" reasons that I typically offer such as, we needed more flexibility in our schedule...which is true. Or that I wanted to be more available to help Matt in his ministry...which is true. Or even the semi-safe reason of this is what we feel like God is asking us to do...which is also true. But the real reason goes far beyond these safe, but true answers.

The truth is, we are not trying to raise smart, well-rounded, socially acceptable kids. I am sure you are thinking, what in the world did she just say??? I know at first this might sound a little crazy, so let me explain. Our ultimate goal in raising and educating our children is that they become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The ultimate purpose in education, in our view, is not that we prepare them to get into a good college and get a good job, but that we prepare them for whatever God's calling is upon their lives. We want to raise children who are ready to follow Jesus, wherever He might lead them. Each day that I am home with my children, I have an opportunity to teach them math, reading, history and so on, but more than that, I have precious time to share with them the love of Jesus, His wonderful plans for their future and to help them see the benefits of living their lives for Jesus and not for themselves. Yes, I want them to be prepared for anything, so that does mean high academic standards, but it isn't the focus...it isn't the priority.

Please let me say that I know a lot of parents whose kids are in school (public and private) who are purposeful in teaching their children the very same principles. We just believe this is the best way for us to accomplish what we want for our children. Our ultimate reason for homeschool is perhaps best summed up in a verse I recently memorized for my Bible study. In Deuteronomy 11-18-19 it says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." We have such a long way to go in being the parents that God wants us to be. Everyday I stumble, when I don't have enough patience or when I lose my temper, or who knows what else. But everyday my prayer is that God will prune me, stripping away my imperfections so that my children might see Jesus in me...and that they too would fall in love with our wonderful, merciful Savior. That they would see that following Christ brings the ultimate reward beyond anything that this world can offer them.

So, there it is. The answer to the question I never thought I would have to answer. I have to say that even though it may be hard or even unpopular, I am so thankful that He has asked me to be a homeschool mom. I am so thankful for each day with my children, and I honestly wonder how we ever did anything else

Things I have learned while homeschooling.

I didn't realize that as I teach Katelyn everyday, I am also learning more than I ever did in school (or now I'm actually paying attention).

1. Learning is fun
2. Kangaroos babies are called Joeys and they nurse for 3 months before they are actually born.
3. The English language is full of so many rules that say, " Sometimes you do this....."
4. A.D. does not stand for After Death (of Jesus).
5. History starts at Adam and Eve.
6. Learning phonetically, my daughter spells and reads like an adult (needless to say, I didn't learn that way).
7. Our world map today is nothing like the way it looked before the Flood.
8. The word Dinosaur means " Big Lizard".
9. We learn so much from experimenting and serving our community.
10. I am my children's best teacher.
11. God knew my kids needed us as parents. It is my job to disciple and lay a foundation that will carry them through life.
12. I fall more in love with my kids everyday that I spend with them ( even on the crazy, whiny, disobedient, tiring, sassy, and complete disorder days......YES, WE HAVE THEM).

I could go on and on about Tubal-Cain in the Genesis who was an Ironmaker (more proof we didn't come from apes), Samuel learning from his big sister, and how God is walking with us everyday to point our children to Him. I am excited to be learning again and seeing my children learn along with me. I have had a blessed week and wanted to share. If I write about an awful week next week, remind of this.....LOL!!!!

I just love them.....

I love my little family and I know that I am so blessed. I thanked God for them while I was praying this morning. God says children are a heritage from the Lord. My husband is the love of my life and my biggest fan. I am one blessed woman.

When the Darkness Will Not Lift!

I suffered through Postpartum Depression with both of my children. After Katelyn's birth was much worse and I really did not feel like myself until she was about 2. It seemed to take over every aspect of me. I couldn't handle well the things I use to. I didn't sleep well and my view of things were irrational during this time. My husband bought me a book in the middle of this. It is by John Piper called: When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing what we can while we wait for God...and Joy. Well, I came across it the other day and started reading it again. You see, the last time I read it, I was in the midst of despair and irrational thinking. Now, that I am not in that place, it makes more sense and I see the truth that lies there. I wanted to share a little from it in hopes that if you are in the midst of depression or despair, you will be comforted by our Savior.

   
He has promised not to turn away. " Whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (John 6:37). By this       act of faith God will unite you to Jesus. You will be "in Him," and in Him you will be now and forever   loved. forgiven, righteous. The light will rise in your darkness in due time. God will hold onto you (Jude24). You will make it. This is His promise: "Those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified" (Rom.8:30). The glory is coming. In the meantime,"this slight momentary affliction is preparing us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Cor.4:17-18)                                              John Piper

So wherever you are, be comforted. Helplessness, desperation, apparent hopelessness, the breaking point for the overworked businessman, the outer limits of exasperation for the mother of three constantly crying children, the impossible expectations of too many classes in school, the grinding stress of lingering illness, the imminent attack of the powerful enemy: IF YOU ARE IN THE PIT, take heart. God sees you, hears you, and loves you. There is coming a day of release and comfort. Wait patiently for Him in the midst of this and you will see His glory more than you ever have.

Simplify

I feel like I need to simplify some things. I have simplified my schedule and it has made homeschooling a blast this year. I have simplified what I am involved in and have had rest in the Lord because of that. I don't want to be busy doing just for the sake of doing. I have decided to simplify other things. I want to simplify my dinners. I am cooking things that don't require all day cooking and using my crock pot a lot more. I want to simplify my daily homemaking schedule. I have a plan of doing 2 things on each day of the week so that each thing gets done easier and weekly (laundry, mopping, dusting, changing sheets, etc.). So far, it's working well. I want to simplify those who I surround myself with. This part is hard. I need people around me that are striving for the same goals and we can walk through life together with Jesus. Lastly, I want to simplify my view of God. God is bigger than the way I used to view Him. I feel that I have believed things about God because it was just what I was told to believe. I am beginning to see God like the Bible teaches Him to be, not man's view of Him. I want to remove the misconceptions of Him and see Him the way He intended me to all along. I know there are so many things that I need to simplify. This is just the beginning of a life-long process of growing closer and more intimate with my Savior. I see my imperfections everyday and I know I am loved anyway. I just want to live a life worthy of Christ. So, I will Simplify!!!!

I think I'm losing it!!

Ok. I was so excited this past weekend when Samuel just up and started going potty. We still had a busy weekend so he was still in a diaper most of the time. Today, I have keep him out of the diaper all day. NO ACCIDENTS!!! He tells me when he has to go and he even went and popped while I was doing math with Katelyn. He just came out and said, " I pooped". WHAT???? I was so excited and he has been getting stickers galore every time he goes. We just made a trip to Walmart to get Big Boy Underwear. Now I am watching him walk around in these underwear and I am overcome with sadness. As excited as I am, he is not a baby anymore. He climbs out of his crib, is going potty, and Big Boy Underwear???? AHHHH!!! I didn't think I'd be this way. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that we get to sleep through the night now and he tells us when he needs something. I am glad to see his personality and watch him learn. But I miss my chubby cheeked, bald baby boy!!! I remember when we first had Katelyn, people telling us to cherish it because she would grow so fast. At the time, my thoughts were, good, because then I can sleep again and she can talk and walk and it will just be easier. NOW, I get it. It has gone fast. I am so glad I am here to cherish every moment with them. I see everything they learn and do. I see when they cry and when they want to sing songs. I see when they get mad and frustrated. I want even those hard moments to be cherished and remembered. So, today, I am one sad momma but also a very proud one.

One of Those Days!!!

I HAVE HAD ONE OF THOSE DAYS!!! It has been awhile since my morning started off as bad as it did today. As I look back, my reaction to the things that were disturbing me may have made it worse...;). I have had plenty of mornings like this but this was different. The way I usually get after mornings like that was to remove something from my plate immediately. I try and get rid of the biggest stress asap, which usually is a bot of an overreacting mindset. If we bought a puppy and I started to stress, the puppy was gone by nightfall. If Homeschooling was sooo hard one day, my first thought was to stick Katelyn in school (even though God has called me to do it). If something in the house doesn't look right, I do everything in my power to change it: even if that means buying a new item or going crazy finding a replacement. I don't know why I do that. I don't know if it is an issue of comfort, contentment, or control. It could be all three. Now, back to this morning. As the morning started off dreadfully and I was totally stressed by 9am, I had not thoughts of changing anything. I didn't want to give up homeschooling. I didn't want to ship my kids off. I just pushed through and everything was back to calm by 12. Why is that? I HAVE NO IDEA!!!! God's grace, waking up before the kids and digging into the Word (which rarely happens when its quiet), or growing in the calling the Lord has for me. All I know is that I like feeling this way. I like seeing the stresses of the day as just that, STRESSES. They are not the end. They are not meant to break me (unless God wants them to). They are not my excuse to give up and throw in the towel. I am thankful that God keeps showing me my shortcomings so that I can grow closer to Him. He has so much for me and until I surrender all the craziness that is me, I will stay in chains. True freedom is my desire. Thought I'd share what I learned to day and let you in all my imperfections...haha.

Jesus' calling.....my calling!!!

God showed up this morning while I was reading. My reading was all about knowing your purpose that God has called you to, waiting on Him, and trusting His faithfulness. In this season of life, this was perfect for me to read today. I thought I would share some scripture that I read. Jesus knew His purpose. The prophet Isaiah foretold it centuries before His birth. Let this be our purpose as well:

" The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."                                                                

                                                                                                                   Isaiah 61:1-3

Here is a quote of encouragement:

Live everyday to fulfill your personal mission. God has a reason for whatever season you are living through right now. A season of loss or blessing? A season of activity or hibernation? A season for growth or incubation? You may think you're on a detour, but Go knows the best way for you to reach your destination.

                                                                                                               Barbara Johnson

When she thinks I'm not listening.....

 There are those days when you feel like you say the same thing over and over and no one is really listening. " Can we put the dirty clothes in the hamper which is only an inch from where you dropped them?" or " Can we throw trash away in the actual trash can instead of just leaving it on the counter?". Those are just a few of the thousands of things I feel I repeat every single day. There are days when I teach Katelyn what it means to have a happy heart while she obeys and that the way she talks to us should be respectful and loving because that honors God. I feel, most days, it goes in one ear and out the other. UNTIL....... the other day when she didn't know I was listening. She was with Samuel in his room changing his diaper and getting his clothes on so I could finish getting ready. I heard her say, " Samuel, show me how you can obey with a happy heart because that makes Jesus happy." and "Samuel, mommy is working hard in the house, we need to talk nicely to her because God put our parents in charge of us and they love us." WHAT????? SHE HEARS ME????? I wonder sometimes why she doesn't want me to know she hears me or if she does and now she's ready to pass it on to her little brother. Anybody who knows my children, they are loud (which I blame on my northern husband..hehe), busy, has never ending energy, strong-willed, and selfish. They were born sinners. Some of those things are just who they are and I need to cherish their personality with grace and patience. But some of those things are because they are sinners just like their parents. They are not perfect and never will be. That is why training and teaching them to love Jesus and others is our goal. When I realized that Katelyn was listening to me and was even applying it, I melted. I realized that all the time and effort I pour into her for the glory of God is worth it. It is my calling. This is the life God has called me to. There are days when I feel unheard, unappreciated, and invisible but God sees it all and then shows me glimpses of it in my children. I guess I wanted to encourage parents: THEY HEAR YOU!!!!! More than anything: THEY SEE YOU!!! Does what you say match up with what they see? This parenting thing is hard but joyful all at the same time. I will mess it up at times and have to apologize over and over, but my God promises that in my weakness, He is strong. Thank you Lord that she hears and sees me. Please let me see that as the High Calling that it is. Thank you for this life and for motherhood.

THIS IS CHURCH!!!!!

I saw this video and I can't stop thinking about it. This is my vision of what church should be. I have felt so busy doing " Programs and Productions" before in churches that I walked away exhausted and tired more than excited and glorifying God. WE ARE THE CHURCH....CHRISTIANS. The building is not, the programs are not, the music is not, the productions are not. Those are all great things but that is not all. If Jesus is not in the center and the reason behind it all, then you are not doing Biblical Church, you are doing Religion. I can't wait to begin the journey Josh and I are on and see amazing things God will do. I have to step aside though and let Jesus become first. This is hard to do. I hope this video impacts you and the way you view Christianity. Let today be the day you see people the way Jesus did.

Change is a Comin'

If any of you are like me, CHANGE SCARES YOU TO DEATH!!!! The lack of security that comes with change is terrifying to me. In the last 6 months, change has been all I have known. My life has been uprooted in many ways and God has seemed very quiet. But, change is a comin'. God has been spoken very loudly and we are ready. This time, I am more excited than scared. Oh the fear is there but I working through it with my Savior. That is all I will say. More to come!!!

No Eating Out!!!

" No Eating Out". Those are the words my husband said to me this morning. I LOVE TO EAT OUT!!!! I seriously could every meal. Josh and I have some changes coming or way and we must prepare to not spend money unnecessarily. So, in order to prepare, we are going this whole week with no eating out. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner AT HOME!!!! Now, some of you think this is no big deal because you do this every week. You are my hero if you do. I am not a fan of cooking and I like to get out. Now, because of this awesome website, crockpotgirls.com, I have our meals all planned out. If you have not gone to this website, you need to check it out. Anyway, i thought I'd share my plans for the week and hopefully some of you will be inspired to EAT AT HOME!!! These are just dinners because lunches can be the leftover's.

Monday: Chicken Casserole but took to eat at friends house for Labor day
Tuesday: BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Baked Beans, and Tater Tots
Wednesday: Pot Roast
Thursday: Bacon Ranch Chicken
Friday: Grandma's Pork Chops
Saturday: Crockpot Enchilada's
Sunday: Out

And yes, this is all going to cooked in the crockpot besides the baked beans and tater tots!!!! I will let you know how this goes. As the Crockpot girls say, " Happy Crocking!!!"

Frogs and Dirt...that's my girl!!!

This is what makes Katelyn happy.

If you can't tell, she caught a frog. I remember when she was born, everything I had for her was pink, lacy, fluffy, and lots of sparkle. I was so excited to have a girl and I couldn't wait to see her grow up wearing princesses dresses and picking out sparkly shoes. WELLLLLL, not so much. When she hit about age 3, she said to me one day, " Mommy, I don't wanna wear that big bow in my hair. It gets in my way when I play." And, it had begun. By age 4, anything pink, princcessy, or sparkly was out the door. She wanted a Superman Birthday cake and camo boots!!! I fought it for a long time. I'd beg and bribe. Then, all of a sudden I realized. She's AWESOME!!!! I am not prissy so why was I making her? I love going as many places as I can without shoes and you will always see my nails short and no polish. I love swimming in the dirty lake and grew up helping dad in his toolshed. Now, I don't claim to a tomboy. There are still parts of me that are very girly and I love pink. But, I see now, that my daughter was created to do awesome things. Whatever He has given her in interest and talent is what He will use in her life to do His will!!!! I LOVE HER!!!!! I never know what will come out of her mouth and she makes us laugh a lot. We have almost finished 3 weeks of homeschool and I am seeing even more the gifts and great things within her little heart. My job is to train and disciple her to know how to use those things for His glory!!!!

10 Talents!!!!

Someone said something to me today that has hit home.
         " You and Josh are 10 talent people, don't settle with doing 2 talent work".
WOW!!! First of all, what a compliment!! Second, how true is this? God has called us, gifted us, and sending us to do 10 talent work. Sometimes it is easier to settle for just 2 talent callings. They are usually comfortable, no risk's, tons of earthly security, and make the most sense to the people around us. Can you imagine what God would do if we gave it all up to do the 10 talent work of the Lord? Can you imagine to incredible things of Jesus we would witness? Can you imagine being right in the center of God's glory and miracle? I want so much to lose me if I get Him. I want to push aside comfort and stability if that is what He wants. I would never be happier then in His Will and man the awesome things I would see and be a part of.

So, I ask each of you. What is the calling God has on your life that is crazy and seems scary but is 10 talent work for Him? Are you settling in the comfort of religion and even church? Do you want to do the things God created you to do? Oh the glory that God is given when we get to this place of surrender and total depravity.