www.blueletterbible.org

htttp://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether

   I love words- there is great joy for me to see the meaning of a word and thus be able to apply it to my life.

   My Knight and I are definitely running a race, to be honest, we have been running pretty much non-stop for the past 11 years.   Perhaps before that we began to set the course, perhaps we walked out the course, gingerly enjoying the scenery around us.  However, when we began our adoption of 'Princess Sparky'  (our Hungarian beauty) (12) our pace picked up and since then our life truly has been at "run" pace. 

   I enjoy the "run", when I lived in my previous house I started running (funny, that is when our first adoption started).  When I ran I prayed, I longed to find time to run-as I ran I spoke to my Father, many times he spoke to me.  It was very intimate, something I began to crave.  As I ran I began to 'plot' how I could make my run longer, how I could add to my time of prayer.  I began to rack up the miles each week- the same is true in my spiritual run as a believer.

    I love the "go" of the race-I love it when you get into the rhythm of the run-it becomes poetry.  But first you have to work past the cramps, the pain, the urge to quit and stop the run.  It requires determination mentally and physically, also true of our lives as believers. 

    Presently Bruce and I are 'plotting" our race's course- we have BIG decisions to make in regards to our current adoption.  I am living so my life is in rhythm with my Maker, the Holy Spirit guides me on the path, as I align my will (by surrender) to His.   The race is heavily blanketed with prayer as we set our eyes on following our leader the Holy Spirit, who fearlessly goes before us, marking the Way!  How exciting to set pace with God's perfect and pleasing will (it's like running and seeing the most beautiful sights as you glide past, enjoying them as they pass before your eyes anew-never knowing what grand exchange will occur at your next turn in the road).

   May He receive the glory!

                    Kimmie

                                                     http://homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether

   Over the course of time, as some of you already know, I have suffered from infertility.  Truly an ugly word, my doctors polished it up and called it ,"secondary infertility"...to describe that I had birthed one child, but no longer had that ability, for whatever reason. 

    Recently in prayer God directed me to Isaiah 54...it used that ugly word, not infertility, but BARREN.  It used to be awful if someone used that word within my earshot, if my Pastor used the word in his message I would find myself holding back the tears, often a few would sneak past, as I tried to squeeze the others into their secret hiding place.

    The word barren is so cold, so empty, so hopeless, so heavy and weighty to me.  In the beginning I refused to accept it, but as time wore on and a few years became many, actually I stopped counting as it was just to painful to consider myself as truly barren.

     Now I can't explain to you the longing my heart has had for a baby, it is deep and it never goes away.  I have prayed and asked God to remove the desire from me, but it continues to grow stronger, sometimes it grips me to the point  that I think I will wash away with the tears. 

        My last four adoptions have not been babies, though they were what God had for us, His will, not mine.  Before my 'three' joined us,  we actually got down to #1 on our agency's waiting list, got the phone call for 2 infant boys and after prayer, realized that they were not ours.  Again I had to pack up my dream, dismantle the newly painted crib and walk the path which God had for me.  My youngest four needed a mama and papa, though they didn't come teeny-tiny...(God did send the boys in diapers..so I got to potty train ;-)  -they became my babies,big babies mind you, but babies...however my heart still longs for a baby to hold and rock, to nurse, to burb, to wipe the spit-up off their cheek-I have a closet full of cloth diapers waiting.   Can't explain it-don't think I will try.

  Again Bruce and I are on a new adventure (my husband terms it season), I hope God will answer my prayer for a baby.  I know regardless that he will bind up my heartaches and hold me close.  You see I know his plans for me are for my good, truly His desire is what I want- I need to surrender mine and trust him to lead me down paths of righteousness for his namesake.  I am praying for strength, for sometimes my heart feels weak, I wonder how many more tears will fall and why.  Sometimes the Why's don't get answered this side of heaven, I know that, but I keep asking Him.

  Is. 54 :1-3 (though I recommend reading the entire chapter!)

“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than the children of her who is married (not barren),” says the Lord.
2“Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
and your offspring will possess the nations
and will people the desolate cities.

http://www.blueletterbible.org

   Hmm, time to enlarge myself (by the grace of God, of course).  The Holy Spirit has been whispering it to me for months now..."Enlarge yourself, enlarge yourself."   At first I was angry when I heard, "enlarge yourself"-it meant surrender, to which I thought I had. I thought my surrender was enough, but God is requiring more.  I have surrendered the anger, confessed it to God and now I am ready to again release ~ not holding back, my life, my desires and trust in God's plan. 

                    New surrender-for a new season, let's GO!

 I covet your prayers, help me not be a "weanie" but a warrior for Him.* (Doug your term 'weanie' has deeply influenced my life! ha!) 

In His arms;

Kimmie

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦    Eph. 5:10   ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

                            And find out what pleases the Lord.

   I rejoice greatly that I don't have to walk alone, that as a born-again believer I can walk being Spirit led. It brings a peace that is indescribable, to which I am so thankful.  Becoming Spirit led is a 'process', it is a submitting continually into the hands of God, a never ending process in this life we are given.

    I begin each day thanking God for another day and asking Him for opportunities to bring him glory.  I have been praying also for increase, more opportunities to be able to share my knowledge and love for him.

   I want to know what pleases him, more than I already know.  What pleases him in general, but what pleases him right now in my life. I guess that requires hearing him whisper, having a super sensitivity to his voice and his leading.  I believe he speaks and that we can hear him-whether audibly or the audible inaudible voice within.  I also believe that because 'I believe' and have faith, that I will hear him. 

   I am but a leaky vessel, continually it is my confession to God. Certainly we all should be 'leakers'-but I guess my prayer is that so often what I spend time putting in, doesn't come out when I need it, but has leaked out due to lack of care. I want to be a, 'careful leaker' I guess.  I want to leak at the right time, knowing full well that my vessel continually needs filling.  Filling can only happen by me intentionally choosing to be filled, where is my time going, how am I using the time He has given me?  What am I being filled with ?  Stuff of this world?  I am not of this world, I am from a different Kingdom and my leaking should be evident to that.

    I am keeping a journal and writing down what I feel I am learning from the Lord and what he is currently speaking to me.  Somedays I do a lot of writing, somedays I just ponder what he has already spoken to me.  Always I am waiting and listening for Him. Listening, I am learning, is not an inactive thing, but one that takes effort.  I looked up effort and this is what I found;

EF'FORT, n. [L. fortis. See Force.] A straining; an exertion of strength; endeavor; strenuous exertion to accomplish an object; applicable to physical or intellectual power.

(Noah Webster 1828 dictionary)

  I long to hear his voice clearly, to have eyes that can see him, to have a heart that is tender to his calling, feet that are ready to go where he sends me, arms that are willing to do his work, the mind of Christ, and a constant willingness to do his will~whether convenient or not, for the moment or for the long haul.

  I think I am obedient and willing, sometimes probably more so than others.  I want to always  be willing and obedient, as this, is the life that God will chose to use for his purposes and plans.  I want to do all he destined me for-not missing anything because I chose what pleased, 'Kimmie' instead of Him.

  As I seek him, I find Him, as I pursue him, He leads me.  As He leads me, He fills me with his desires and His perfect peace. 

    Generally I am peace-filled, sometimes I take my eyes and heart off of him and I become clouded with my own agenda, my own desires.  I become less peaceful, more selfish, less hungry for Him or his desires.  It is a daily battle, a spirtual battle, but one I will valiantly fight for as long as I have breath. 

    The devil wants to offer me his ways, his plans and his agenda.  He wants me to not be filled with peace or to seek after the heart of the Father for my life. Luckily, as I follow Jesus, I am getting wiser and wiser to the devils sneaky, conniving schemes.  I am getting quicker at identifying the 'source', growing in wisdom and discernment as I cling to the vine.

  As I follow and the Holy Spirit leads me, I am in turn able to lead my little ones.  I desire that they would know his voice, that they would choose daily to follow him and love him with all their hearts.  I believe and trust that they will, because you live what you know.  We live what we see and experience, applying God's truth is essential for our increase and our spiritual growth.

Psalm 115:14

  I personally am counting on it!  How about you?

                                                               Kimmie

   Quite the interesting title-on a Christian web blog site~...

        ~ well really this particular entry isn't for those who already know Jesus, but for those who may be searching. Someone who is hungry, but doesn't know where to find the food. I happen to know Jesus, and would be happy to share all that I know. I really felt the Holy Spirit leading me to share the basics to salvation~ eternal life with God.

   I was thinking that my space here, really isn't about just my family and our homeschooling. Truly, it is about a much larger scope-our faith and who (not what) our faith is in. JESUS!

  If you do not know Jesus and you just 'found' my blog-            'Well, welcome and let me introduce you to Jesus! It will be a life changing meeting, if your heart is willing & open to finding him!'

  Jesus is God's one and only Son-how do I know that or anything that I am about to share?  Well the bible tells us-it was given as our "while on earth instruction manual ;-)"  It is infallible-all of it is true. 

 John 3:16

  'For God so loved the world (us! you and me) that He gave his only Son (Jesus) that whoever would (those who choose) to believe in Him (who he is and what he came to do for us) would not perish (die-eternal separation, due to sin) BUT (the good news!) would have eternal life.'  (parenthesis mine)

Now you may wonder, what is sin?  Well, the bible tells us that sin is our wrong conduct or behavior that 'misses the mark' of God's holiness.  All of us are sinners, there is none that is good enough to earn their way into heaven.

Romans 3:23

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

also...

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin (the penalty, the results) is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Jesus is our way to God-He is the WAY!

John 14:6

"Jesus answered,' I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me.' "

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (bible-the Word),...he was buried...he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

 The Father God loves us so much- Jesus loves us too...God made a way for us to be with him (now and always!) through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. (when he rose from the dead).  There is no other way-Jesus is the way.

~ Would you like to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?  Would you like a new life?  A changed forever life?  Well the starting point to that is submitting (giving) your life to Christ (Jesus).  Will you trust Him?

Romans 10:9

" If you confess (say-speak-tell) with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Want to pray right now?  I will pray with you....

Dear  Father God,

  I know I am a sinner and I need your forgivenness.  I truly believe that you sent Jesus to die for my sin and that He rose from the dead.  I desire to turn (repent) from my sin and now invite you to come into my heart and life.  Come and be my Lord and Savior, lead me by your Holy Spirit, everyday. I want to trust you with all of my life from now on. Jesus help me to follow you.

In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

I am so happy for you!  Welcome to the family- you are now adopted by God, through Jesus into the family of God! Probably one of the reasons  I love adoption(s) so much- God loved me and you so much he adopted us-he calls us his sons and daughters!

  Eph. 1:5     

   His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.

Glory to His Name~

Kimmie

ps-as a new believer you need to get a bible, there are online versions you can use  (see my links-Blue Letter Bible is my personal favorite), but buy a hand held copy too!  I read many versions...but New Internation Version (NIV) is one my pastor recommends. Start reading the Gospels...Matthew, Mark, Luke or John... As a baby believer you need fellowship with other believers-pray so God can help you find the right church~ for you (and your family!) I am praying for you-that your faith would grow and that you too will lead many others to Jesus.  ;-) Be blessed

   Hmmm, I began to see this blogging adventure as a swim, not that I am much of a swimmer, but today as I was reading through the help pages here at homeschoolblogger, well I realized that I am out way deep.  Kind of like when you are feeling all confident and swim out past the floating dock, you get way out, wave to your friends and then the feeling comes that, 'Hey, you can't touch the bottom, even with your biggest toe stretched out as far as it could possible reach.' 

  Guess I tried to jump into this blogging thing, but have discovered that I may not have the skill that is required to do the job as I would like to.  Frustrating really.  I have thought that this really is a swim, that I probably don't have time for, not really in a lazy time here at the homestead.  Life is very busy, lots of little faces looking to me to fill their time and to direct their every moment.  In reality I know that the time never seems perfect to begin anything, there are always 'reasons' not to.

   I also know that there is power in words, so I don't want to use words like frustrated, anxious, nervous...I know that God doesn't call us to anything if He won't enable us to do it.  I also know that he never calls us to mediocracy, so the thought of not trying to figure things out just doesn't seem quite right either. 

  Then I realized that God never asked me to try to touch the bottom.  He has led me to this means of sharing our lives and that He will...WILL enable me to do that as He sees best.  I don't have to be an olympic swimmer just yet, though he is requiring me to do it at my best and does want me to do it with the right heart attitude. 

  I need to be willing and obedient if I want to eat the good of the land.  My God shall supply all my needs (not necessarily wants ;-) according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Is. 1:19

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land

 I am thankful for the Word , that I can apply it to all areas of my life...thank you Jesus for giving me a story to share and this opportunity in which to do it!

Col. 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 I can't swim the entire race today either, just as far as I can go for today.  I have to surrender myself, give all that I have, no putting toes down in the race (funny, I just saw me standing at the lake saying the same thing to my kids...reminding them that they can't "swim" if they are trying their feet on the bottom! LOL) ...so guess I learned a little something about myself today, wonder what tomorrow will hold!

In His loving Grip;

Kimmie

  James 1:4

  So let it grow (patience), for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

  I like a challenge, but I have to admit that I am not huge on time-suckers.  Not sure any of us should be embracers of, 'timesuckers.'  I know that to most everything there is a learning curve, and also a level of patience involved of course, but still I am hoping that this new adventure is one that will be smooth, without to much turbulence. 

   I was feeling ,'all up to the challenge,' and then the reality struck, that I have very little time to "learn" the how to's.  My husband came home and had to come to my rescue with my new adventure.  I hadn't even made it a full 24 hours and I had to call in my Knight.  He was able to change the picture, which I guess is called avatar?  He worked on it for quite awhile before he was able to switch out the rocking chair picture with the picture of Bruce and I.  I guess there are many things we don't know when it comes to computers and such, hopefully I will get the swing of it and not need to ask for so much help. 

  Looking forward to being able to put some pictures into the entries, but really don't have time to figure it out right now.  Hopefully wisdom will kick in and it will all run smoothly! Perhaps I should have begun with prayer, always the best way to start.  I have a friend in Canada who years ago sent me a gift, it still hangs in my house as a constant reminder.  It is a little folk art sign, which says, " A day hemmed in prayer, seldom unravels."  How true and today I will begin by asking the Holy Spirit to help me with my "how to's."  We are told in scripture that our BEST teacher is the Holy Spirit and that He will teach us ALL things.  HMMM, sounds like Kimmie still has a lot to learn.  Thank you Holy Spirit, for the reminder!

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Kimmie