Nov. 4, 2009 - Count Your Blessings, Name Them One By One

I wanted to share a blessing that happened this week.  I want to have record of it so when I sometimes forget how God blesses us even in the little ways I can be reminded.  Jay and I have been wanting to get bunkbeds for the girls since before we moved to this new house last March.  Cost and getting exactly what I want have been the two inhibitors.  I want wooden bunkbeds that have a twin on top, full on bottom with drawers underneath.  This way it will fit all three girls and eliminate other dressers in their room.  We have found several we like from Craigs list and Jay can even make them (which would be awesome).  The added expense comes in with the mattresses they add $150-$300 to the cost.  So we have been praying, saving and holding off.  Let me go back also, in the mean time we got rid of Savannah's toddler bed when we moved and the two girls have been sleeping on a blow up mattress or on the hide a bed in the playroom (they actually love sleeping there).

A few weeks ago a friend from church asked us if we wanted a twin mattress in good condition that they no longer needed.  Awesome score one!  Then just yesterday Jay was getting ready to leave for band practice and one of the guys he picks up told him to make sure the surburban was cleared out and all seats down because he and his mom had an early Christmas gift for us.  Well we had no idea what it could be.  I waited patiently impatiently and finally called Jay.  He told me they gave him a queen size mattress.  (Jay never mentioned to them about us needing a bed for the girls) I have to be honest here my first reaction was "a queen size mattress what are we going to do with this?  It would be a bed for the girls but God, you know we are wanting bunkbeds and need a full size mattress".  I immediately repented and started thanking God for this provision and said even though I don't understand I will be thankful and I truly was and thanked God through out the day.  Jay finally got home around 7:30pm and unloaded the bed (mattress, box springs and frame) as he brought it in I thought it looked rather small for being a queen and told Jay.  He said they said it was a queen.  So we set it up and I got out some queen size sheets and they were too big!  What???  I got some full size sheets and they fit perfectly.  Jay and I were so excited.  We now have the two mattresses we need for the bunk beds.  Now Jay can either make them or we will continue to save to get them.  The girls were excited to sleep on the bed!  Thank you Lord!!!  It is all in His perfect timing we just need to continue to pray and have faith and know that God provides everytime.

I hope this encourages you all to continue to wait on the Lord and His timing and to accept gifts from the Lord even when it might not be what we think we need or want.  It was an excellent reminder for me!

Oct. 17, 2009 - Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands was finally here!!  It has been a long anticipated, prayed and preped for event.  It was an an awesome night of praise, fellowship, food and fun.  Seven bands competed for two awards one was best hymnal transformation and the other was audience favorite.  Jay and several other men have put in long hours building the stage, setting lighting and planning this outreach event.  We had around 400 people attend.  The Wednesday before hand during church we all went out to the stage an Pastor Don dedicated it and we all prayed over it and God is continuing to answer our prayers from this event.  Everyone has had such positive comments and can't wait for the next one.

The stage

 Me and my honey.  I worked at a booth we set up for Awana selling soda, candy and chips to help fund our Awana store.

 Our booth

Air One even came out and set up a booth

The judges.  It was so awesome that one of the judges was Jay's highschool youth and choir pastor.  That was very exciting for Jay.

 Hot dog booth and bouncer

Two of my girls enjoying the music.  Anastasia helped at a booth that was having a rockband competition.

Announcing the winners.

Jun. 23, 2009 - Please Join Me in Praying

My heart is so heavy and I am reaching out to all of you who read my blog to please join me in praying for several of my friend's children.  I posted the above picture because I have seen it many times before and brings a smile to my face and I need but these are some heavy duty prayer requests. 

1) Please pray for one of my best friends, Tina and her son Danny.  He will be 11 next month and has been getting tested for possible lymphoma cancer.  There is a tumor in his leg and they have not ruled out bone infection or lymphoma cancer yet.  It is looking like cancer.  They have been on a wild roller coaster of ups and downs this last month while trying to get testing and concrete answers and they still have to play the waiting game.  Please pray for calmness, pray that it is only a bone infection (which is still serious but a lot better than cancer) pray for God's protection around their family. You can read about his story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dantheman

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Jerimiah 29:11

2)  Please pray for friends of our from our old chuch the Erwin family and their daughter Natalie.  She is 14 and was recently diagnosed with a form of leukeima.  She was just in the hospital again this weekend because of some complications.  You can visit her blog by clicking on the button on the right side of my blog that says We pray 4 U NPE.

 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."  Psalm 28:7

3) Please pray for for close friends of my sister in law their names are Mike and Sherry and their baby (Grace) she was born with a heart deformity and at 5 mos. old has had two surgeries already.  I cannot locate the address of her blog but I will find it soon and post it here.  Get ready for a box of tissues but it is also a wonderful yet heart wrenching testimony that Mike and Sherry share as well.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. 
    I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

 Psalm 139:13-14

4) Please also pray for my friends Matt and Lisa and their son Chris he is 17 and is coming up on his one year mark of chemo for fighting lymphoma cancer that was discovered last summer.  I just recently saw Lisa and it has been a very long year for them.  At the beginning of this diagnosis I know that Chris received Christ as his savior and I am sure the Lord's strength has been getting him through this rough time.  Please pray the cancer stays in remission.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.  Psalm 107:19-20

Last but not least pray for this new baby I am carrying.  We go for the ultra sound July 6th.  I have no reason to be concerned but I always am until this ultra sound.  We are just praying for a healthy baby and it doesn't matter to us boy or girl.  God already has that determined and it is in His plan.

Thanks for praying!

Apr. 19, 2009 - The Bible and the TV Guide

They lie on the table, side by side
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.

One is well worn, but cherished with pride
(Not the Bible, but the TV Guide.)

One is used daily to help folks decide.
(No not the Bible; it's the TV Guide.)

As the pages are turned, what shall they see
Oh, what does it matter?.....turn on the TV.

Then confusion reigns, they can't all agree
on what they shall watch on the old TV.

So they open the book in which they confide
(No, not the Bible.....it's the TV Guide.)

The Word of God is seldom read.
Maybe a verse e'er they fall into bed.

Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be...
not from reading the Bible - from watching TV.

So then back to the table, side by side,
lay the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.

No time for prayer....no time for the Word.
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.

But forgiveness of sin so full and free
is found in the Bible...........not on TV.

Jan. 22, 2009 - God's Timing

Isn't God's timing always better than our own!  Then why do I still push for my timing???  For once though I am not pushing for my timing but I am trying to stand back and watch God move and work.  He has been doing a work in our family for the last couple of years and preparing our hearts for our journey.  I mentioned in my New Year's post about moving and Jay getting a Worship pastor position.  Well things have been CRAZY around here but in a good way.  As a family we have grown and stretched and learned so much in the last couple of years.  I truly believe now we are ready for God to move us forward.  As much as I don't want to admit and as hard as it was God had to allow us to struggle as we did with our finances (or lack there of ) and our house.  But He is so good and has an amazing plan for everyone's lives. 

So what is God doing you ask???  He is helping bring to fruition a seed He planted long ago in my husband.  My husband has a heart and passion for ministry that he  burried and ran from for too long.  Now God is opening doors and we are running, not walking, through them.  Jay has a full time job working for University of Phoenix and he is going to school (on-line).  He will graduate in May and we can't wait!!!!  Now add to that plate part time worship pastor.   He is so excited to do this and it is fun to watch him fullfilling this long time passion and using the gifts and talents that the Lord has given him.  God's timing that we are waiting on now and not pushing is us actually moving into the community where the church is (almost an hour away). The church eventually (sooner than later) wants to bring him on full time.  When this happens he can quit at UOP, which is not his passion!  But we don't want to complain about it especially when so many people are with out jobs right now.  So we are waiting on God's timing and there is truly a comfort and peace with that. So please continue to pray for us during this process.

 Are you waiting on God's timing for something?

Dec. 21, 2008 - DECEMBER 21st

December 21st has become an important day for our family.  Five years ago on this special day we had Joshua's baby dedication, Anastasia went forward to accept Christ and it was Jay's mom's last Sunday in church.  Fastforward five years and this year December 21st fell on a Sunday again and as it all works out this is Jay's first official Sunday as a worship pastor.  We spent this Sunday with our now old church and pastor.  He recognized Jay in church and let our congregation know where we were going.

What a journey this has been.  Jay was called into the ministry long ago but ran.  Now for the past 2 years he has been seeking this calling again and waiting on God's timing (which is usually not our own  but oh so much better)  Jay thought for sure we would be called out of state but instead we are going to Casa Grand.  The way God works out the details is amazing to watch.  Jay and Pastor Don are a great fit and with God leading they will do great things together to minister to others.  I am so excited for my husband and to watch the spark of passion come back as he is using his gifts and talents for the Lord.  We will definetly enjoy the journey God is about to take our family on.

PS: We found out also that it was on December 21st five years ago that Pastor Don led his first service at the church in Casa Grand where we are going.  Isn't God amazing?!

Nov. 4, 2008 - Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

Knowing the outcome of the election now I  am really trying to rest in these assurances.

Jun. 27, 2008 - What is your Cardboard Testimony?

This is a very powerful video by a church on changed lives.  They used cardboard pieces to write short before and after testimonies.  It made me cry.

Check it out at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

May. 22, 2008 - Our prayers go out to the Steven Curtis Chapman Family

We heard the news today like I am sure many of you have about Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Marie Sue she was only 5 years old.  She died last night in a tragic accident.  We of course don't know them personally but have been so touched over the past years by his music and thier outreach for orphans and adoption.  Please  join us in praying for this family for peace and comfort and espically for their son who was involved in the accident.

 We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.  [Romans 12.15]  

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080522/TUNEIN/80522121

May. 14, 2008 - Praying for my Children

Mother's Day gave me time to reflect on the awesome responsibility that God has placed before me with my children.  I feel so incompetent a lot of the time that I try spend time before the Lord praying for guidance, grace and mercy.  It makes a huge difference when I seek the Lord than when I just try to do it on my own.  Unfortunately I try to do it too much on my own.  You would think I would learn more quickly.  God has been so good in blessing us with 4 soon to be 5 great and wonderful children.  Jay and I 's goal as parents is to raise them to be adults who love and serve The Lord.

In order to do this as I shared before I think praying over my children is so important and I love the book The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian.  Well I also came across this great article from a friend's blog.  Bob Hostetler  http://www.bobhostetler.com/writing/bestof001.html has come up with a list of character traits  to pray for our children.  There are 31 so you can pray one each day of the month.  I thought this was really cool.  Here is his list:

1 salvation "Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

2 growth in grace "I pray that they may 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ'" (2 Peter 3:18).

3 love "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to 'live a life of love,' through the Spirit who dwells in them" (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22).

4 honesty and integrity " May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection" (Psalm 25:21, NLT).

5 self-control " Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be 'alert and self-controlled' in all they do" (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6 a love for God's Word " May my children grow to find your Word 'more precious than gold, than much pure gold; [and] sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb'" (Psalm 19:10).

7 justice " God, help my children to love justice as you do and to 'act justly' in all they do" (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8).

8 mercy " May my children always 'be merciful, as [their] Father is merciful'" (Luke 6:36).

9 respect (for self, others, authority) " Father, grant that my children may 'show proper respect to everyone,' as your Word commands" (1 Peter 2:17a).

10 strong, Biblical self-esteem " Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are 'God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus'" (Ephesians 2:10).

11 faithfulness "' Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],' but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts" (Proverbs 3:3).

12 courage "May my children always 'Be strong and courageous' in their character and in their actions" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

13 purity "'Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,' and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions" (Psalm 51:10).

14 kindness "Lord, may my children 'always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else'" (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

15 generosity "Grant that my children may 'be generous and willing to share [and so] lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age'" (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

16 peace, peaceability "Father, let my children 'make every effort to do what leads to peace'" (Romans 14:19).

17 joy " May my children be filled 'with the joy given by the Holy Spirit'" (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

18 perseverance " Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to 'run with perseverance the race marked out for [them]'" (Hebrews 12:1).

19 humility " God, please cultivate in my children the ability to 'show true humility toward all'" (Titus 3:2).

20 compassion " Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion" (Colossians 3:12).

21 responsibility " Grant that my children may learn responsibility, 'for each one should carry his own load'" (Galatians 6:5).

22 contentment " Father, teach my children 'the secret of being content in any and every situation. . . . through him who gives [them] strength'" (Philippians 4:12-13).

23 faith " I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them" (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40).

24 a servant heart " God, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, 'as to the Lord, and not to men'" (Ephesians 6:7, KJV).

25 hope " May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

26 the willingness and ability to work hard " Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, 'as working for the Lord, not for men'" (Colossians 3:23).

27 a passion for God " Lord, please instill in my children a soul that "followeth hard after thee," a heart that clings passionately to you (Psalm 63:8, KJV).

28 self-discipline " Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire 'a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair'" (Proverbs 1:3).

29 prayerfulness " Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18).

30 gratitude " Help my children to live lives that are always 'overflowing with thankfulness,' 'always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ'" (Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:20).

31 a heart for missions " Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3).

Take the challenge with me and starting today (May 14th) pray these for your children for the next month.  God is faithful all the time!!

Apr. 13, 2008 - A Faith like Abraham's

In Sunday school today the lesson really hit home for me.  We have been studying in Genesis and the story of Abraham.  Today we talked about Abraham's test of sacraficing his only son.  Talk about a test of faith!!!    Of course God dispises human sacrafice. Obviously this was a test of Abraham's devotion to God. It required that Abraham give up the most precious thing to him, other than his relationship with God.  Throughout this whole journey you can see eveidence of Abraham's faith in the way that he obeyed.   And then his obedience is rewarded. 

Jay mentioned in class that Abraham is the only person who has even an inkling of what God did for us through Christ in that God sacraficed his only Son for us.  All of this really made me reflect on my precious children, my gifts from God.  How do I react to tests?  I can honestly say I have grown in this area. Meaning I haven grown because of numerous tests of faith this past year alone!!!  I of course still have more room to grow and I seek God first.  I am not always patient with His timing but I know He will see me through and He will provide.  Tests are strictly for us not for God.  I believe they are  to strengthen and grow our character.

How do you handle God's tests?