DANDELION SEEDS - Scattering inspiration one seed at a time... - Homeschool Blogger

(Trying to) Get my act together for the holidays (again)...

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 21:46:00 -0500

So, in light of trying to "get my act together" ONCE AGAIN during the holidays, as I sit here writing this post, my printer is feverishly at work making my Holiday Planner that will give me some direction and guidance to the holiday season I've always dreamed of... or, at least, that's what I'm hoping for... tee hee...

I posted on this last year... and honestly, I even got some of it done, but "life" got out of control and I didn't do as well as I'd hoped... so, I'm at it again this year... giving it my best shot and another try knowing that if at first you don't succeed... TRY, TRY AGAIN! (Which is probably more of my "life verse"... tee hee)

If you struggle through the holidays, please feel free to join me by buying your own copy of Sheri Graham's Holiday Planner (which includes Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree Devotional that I LOVE), or stop back here and read how things are going on my blog... maybe through some encouragement, we can make it through the holidays together!

23 days AFTER our move...

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:43:00 -0500

Well, we're starting to settle in and things are becoming "normal" for the first time in a long time. I think it's agreed that everyone loves the new house (which helps considering this is our first move and the house is quite a bit smaller than what we moved from). We were blessed with new bunks for the kids (3 sets) and so the kids really liked coming to a new house with that surprise!

We still have a few boxes to take care of... Mike's "office" is in the living room as well as my homeschool boxes and books for everyone (which we had to downsize to only the essentials and the rest went into storage). Other than that, everything is unpacked in the house and functioning! (I will be sharing video soon.)

We have some things in storage that I would like to come into the house (some frames to hang of the kids and stuff) and one day I want to go and organize the storage shed (as things pretty much just got stacked in there since it was dark when we were unloading. That will be a good feeling when that's done and I really know where everything is (I bought hair dye before moving and with all the boxes at home unpacked, we STILL never found them so they MUST be in storage... another disadvantage to unloading a trailer at night... tee hee).

I had a "down day" yesterday, and I 'spose it was just because now that the house is more in order, there's less taking up my time (until we start school in October) and so the reality of knowing no one really set in and I was feeling alone (I know I'm never alone... but that's just how I felt). So, another day... another feeling... and I know it's all just a part of this very big experience we've been called to be a part of here in Detroit Lakes, MN!

The weather has been beautiful (which only adds to being on the lake) and Mike and I are enjoying having tea in the mornings on the deck. We're anxious for the next steps now as we begin to make plans and meet people in the area. Prayers are appreciated for those to come forward who will be a part of our launch team for the church plant.

We are currently working on the church website which will have more info. and keep everyone posted there as well. Thanks so much for all your prayers during our whole packing and moving process! Things are going better and we are all glad to finally be "home"!

You can read more about things in our VERY LATE September newsletter... (wonder what I've been doing? tee hee...)

Day 2: Releasing My Child into God's Hands

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:22:00 -0500

MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Parent"
Chapter 2: Releasing My Child into God's Hands

As I shared in my thoughts on the previous chapter, I really struggled with worry and fear when I first became a mom. Stormie shares in this chapter, that she too, worried after becoming a mom until she decided to give her son over to God completely:

...whenever I had fear about anything, I immediately took it as a sign to pray until I felt peace. If I didn't have peace right away, the I prayed about it with one or more prayer partners until I did. Daily I released my son to God and asked Him to be in charge of his life. This took the pressure off me and parenting became much more enjoyable. -Stormie OMartian (p.34)

We only hinder what God has in store for our children when we "meddle" and try to hold on too tightly to our children. We can do it all "in the name of love"... but that's like saying we don't believe God loves our children more than us and knows what's best for them, even more than we do (which we know better).

We don't want to limit what God can do in our children by clutching them to ourselves and trying to parent them alone. If we're not positive that God is in control of our children's lives, we'll be ruled by fear. And the only way to be sure that God is in control is to surrender our hold and allow Him to full access to their lives. The way to do that is to live according to His Word and His ways and pray to Him about everything. We can trust God to take care of our children even better than we can. -Stormie OMartian (p.35)

The reality is this:

We can't be everywhere. But God can. We can't see everything. But God can. We can't know everything. But God can. No matter what age our children are, releasing them into God's hands is a sign of our faith and trust in Him and is the first step toward making a difference in their lives. Prayer for our children begins there. -Stormie OMartian (p.36)

Releasing our children may not always be easy... but there is no one we can trust more than the One who created our children in the womb!

Dear Heavenly Father, I give You my children again today. I know You know what's best for them in all circumstances, and even when I don't understand, I know You are always in control. When I cannot be with my children, I know You still are there and I take comfort in knowing that. Lord, please teach me how to pray for each one of my children. Each one is uniquely created by You for a purpose. Please help me to know how to help them grow in the gifts You have given them. I seek You to raise these children instead of listening to what the world may say about parenting. I chose to partner with You and ask that You are at the center of my husband and I as we parent and raise the children You've given us. Help us to raise them in a way that brings honor to You. I pray for parenting to bring joy and happiness instead of fear or worry. I trust You and rest in knowing that You love my children even more than I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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It's not too late to join us as we pray for our children! You can check out more about it by clicking the following link: S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for praying parents... Please share a link to your blog post if you've made one on this chapter!

Day 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part II

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:37:00 -0500

MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Parent"
Chapter 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part II

I grew up praying every night before bed, sometimes before a meal, and whenever there was something bad going on. I knew very little about praising God or thanking Him for anything... my prayers were basically out of fear of something happening, and there wasn't any kind of "relationship" with the Lord. So, when I started having children, my prayers remained similar... "protect them from this"... "help them with that"... "keep them safe"...

Prayer is much more than just giving a list of desires to God, as if He were the great Sugar Daddy/Santa Claus in the sky. Prayer is acknowledging and experience the presence of God and inviting His presence into our lives and circumstances. It's seeking the presence of God and releasing the power of God which gives us the means to overcome any problem. -Stormie OMartian (p.19)

When I began to understand prayer more and realized that God not only loved my children more than me, but had a plan and knew what was best for them, I began to change the way I prayed. Instead of praying for what I WANTED for them... I began praying for me to know what it was that God created them for and for the wisdom to know how to guide them best. SO MUCH changed after that... did I still pray for protection? You better believe it! But now I was working WITH God for the best for my children... and God and I became a team in raising them. You see, as much as my husband and I can talk about and decided how we'll raise our children... GOD KNOWS what He created our children to be... so He already has the answers... we just have to seek Him to know what to do. I don't have to try and figure out what each child would be best at... what career they should go into... or even what they should do after they leave home... Those are NOT my decisions to make.

Now, I'd like to tell you that I've been happy with all of the ways in which God has answered my prayers and that I've always gotten my way... but that's just not the case. I've questioned God and cried over the answers He's given to some of the prayers for my children. No parent wants to see their child hurt or in pain, and yet, there have been times in which I've had to endure such an answer. Some I have later understood, and others I may never understand... but one thing I must always remember is that God has a purpose for each of my children and He is preparing them every day through every experience for THEIR future, and it is that future that I approach the very throne of God on their behalf.

It's not enough t o pray only for the concerns of the moment; we need to pray for the future, and we need to pray against the effects of past events. -Stormie OMartian (p.21)

I have also had our share of unanswered prayers in another way, as I've prayed for my step-son to make the "right" choices or been hurt by his words.

Possibly the hardest part of praying for our children is waiting for our prayers to be answered... Sometimes, in spite of all we've done for them and all our prayers for them, our children make poor choices and then reap the consequences. Those time are hard for a parent to watch, no matter how old the child... Instead of giving up, resolve to be even more committed to prayer... Stand strong and say, "I've only begun to fight," keeping in mind that your part of the fight is to pray. God actually fights the battle. Remember, too, that your fight is not with your child, it's with the devil He is your enemy, not your child. Stand strong in prayer until you see a breakthrough in your child's life. -Stormie OMartian (p.27-28)

Another thing I think is so important to remember when praying for our children is to be aware of our hearts when praying about our children...

If you have anger of unforgiveness toward God or your child --- yes, even loving parents can have these feelings --- tell God in total honesty. If you feel disappointment and hopelessness, state it clearly. Don't live with negative emotions and guilt that can separate you from God. Share all of your feelings honestly with Him and then ask Him to forgive you and show you what your next step should be. Above all, don't let any disappointment over unanswered prayer cause you to stop praying. -Stormie OMartian (p.28)

Stormie mentions making a list for her children that she would add to about specific prayer requests as they arose. I recently bought a notebook for each child that I am going to write in to my children for them to have later in life. In it, I want to include prayers I pray for them. I'm excited to start this and since I have so many children, one thing I want to do is to write in their notebook on the date they were born on (since each of them have a different birth date). I still plan on writing when there are things that arise, but this will help me to set time aside as well.

Whether you write your prayers for your children to read later in life or keep a list, the point is simply to be covering your children in prayer. I know that we have went through some very scary and difficult times with our children, but knowing that I'd covered the situation in prayer, I knew that God was in control and that things were playing out as they should. There is a peace in that that only comes from God.

It's never too late (or too early) to start praying for your children...

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for the gift of my children! I am so glad that Your plan prevailed over mine to never have children. You have blessed me and taught me so much through being a mother and I pray that I will be the mother You desire me to be. Help me to know what each of my children were created for and never let my wants or desires for them to supercede Your plans for them. Give me wisdom, patience, and love on a daily (and sometimes minute to minute) basis as I raise these precious lives You've entrusted me with. I also pray that You would make sure my husband and I are unified in our decisions on our children. Lord, I don't always understand the way You answer my prayers... but I know that You are always at work. I pray that You would give me peace even through the storms of parenting. I give You back my precious children, Joseph, Nikolas, Izak, Gabrielle, Izabella, Jediah, Judah and Ezra as well as the unborn life inside me and trust You to make me the mom that each of them needs. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Day 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part I

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:44:00 -0500

MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Parent"
Chapter 1: Becoming a Praying Parent

It's the best of jobs. It's the most difficult of jobs. It can bring you the greatest joy. It can cause the greatest pain. There is nothings as fulfilling and exhilarating. There's nothing so depleting and exhausting. No area of your life can make you feel more liek a success when everything is going well. No area of your life can make you feel more like a failure when things go wrong. PARENTING! -Stormie OMartian (p.15)

Stormie doesn't waste any time in bringing us all together as parents huh? We've all experienced "those days" and it's comforting to know that even though we may have different lives, when it comes to parenting, there are still some very common factors we all share, regardless of the amount of children, how we raise them, or even our ages. Being a parent brings us together in so many ways...

My first experience of being a "mom" was actually with my step-son at the ripe old age of... 18. I was just out of high school and if you ask anyone that knew me from back then... well, I was NEVER going to have children so I was a LITTLE inexperienced. (I can even count on one hand how many kids I ever babysat for.) I had NO desire to "settle" for being a mom... and I had much "bigger" plans for MY future...

...and then everything changed... and somehow my life took on a different look... and I found myself in VERY unfamiliar and unrehearsed territory...

There's something "special" about being a step-parent, and I learned the true meaning of love and hurt in short order. The more I fell in love with my husband, the more I fell in love with his son... and my heart ached when we would take Joe back to his mom's every other weekend. I thought I would die the first summer that Joe left us after he'd come to stay with us and then went back to his mom's for the school year (they lived an hour away). I didn't know how I was going to handle being a mom and the hurt that came with it.

I began to realize, however, that because of my love for Joe and the man I'd married, that I wanted to have children... to leave something behind that showed our love for each other, and so we got pregnant with our first child, Nikolas. I can honestly say, I had NO idea that we would have as many children as we do now... (which is another story for another time) but just as with becoming a parent to begin with, I'm so glad and thankful that it's God's plan that prevailed and not my own.

I can add to that statement, that if it weren't for God and my relationship with Him, I never would have had so many children. After my first couple of kids, along with a step-son I didn't see all the time, I realized that being a parent was a daunting task and one I just couldn't control like I thought. I worried constantly about them getting sick or hurt, and since I was at home full-time (with the exception of owning a pawn shop with Mike that I would bring the kids to a few days a week) I put a lot of pressure on myself to be "the best mom" there was because so many people thought I'd settled for less by being "just a mom".

But everything about being a mom was new to me... it's just not a role I'd ever pictured myself in... and so I tried so hard to be "perfect" and get it right...

We try to do the best we can raising our children. Then, just when we think we've got the parenting terrain all figured out, we suddenly find ourselves in new territory again as each new age and stage presents another set of challenges. Sometimes we sail through smoothly. Sometimes we encounter tempests and tidal waves. Sometimes we get so tired that we just want to give up --- let the storm take us where it will... (but) we don't have to be tossed and turned by these winds of change. Our children's lives don't ever have to be left to chance.

We don't have to pace the floor anxiously, biting our nails, gnawing our knuckles, dreading the terrible twos or torturous teen. We don't have to live in fear of what each new phase of development may bring, what dangers might be lurking behind every corner. Nor do we have to be perfect parents. We can start right now --- this very minute, in fact --- making a positive difference in our child's future. It's never too early and never too late. It doesn't matter if the child is three days old and perfect, or thirty years old and going through a third divorce because of an alcohol problem. At every stage of their lives our children need and will greatly benefit from our prayers. The key is not trying to do it all be ourselves all at once, but rather turning to the expert parent of all time --- our Father God --- for help. Then, taking one step at a time, we must cover every detail of our child's life in prayer. There is great power in doing that, far beyond what most people imagine. In fact, don't ever under-estimate the power of a praying parent. -Stormie OMartian (p.15-16)

When I read those words for the first time and it sank into my heart... I knew I had a lot of work to do... because in order for me to experience freedom in parenting... I needed to release my children to the One who gave them to me... and THAT wasn't going to be easy. I mean, I knew God was in charge... I knew that He loved my children... but as much as I'd dedicated their lives to the Lord, I was still holding on just enough for myself.

Day by day, one prayer at a time, I gave my children back to the Lord and opened myself up to what God wanted me to teach them and train them for... and it WAS freeing. It wasn't that I loved my children less, but instead, experienced more understanding of God's love not only for my children, but me as well.

But that realization was only the first step... then I had to learn HOW to pray for my children... and THAT was even more eye opening...

Part II coming soon...

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Better Together...

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:25:00 -0500

Here are some pictures we took in our backyard before we moved...

3 days BEFORE our move...

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:07:00 -0500

Well, here it is... actual footage of what our house looked like 3 days BEFORE our move...>

Our life in Detroit Lakes...

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:07:00 -0500

S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days... praying for your ADULT children

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:59:00 -0500

S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for parents...
Before Beginning...
What Every Parent of an Adult Child Needs to Know

Pray that your adult children will...

Day 1: See God Pour Out His Spirit upon Them
Day 2: Develop a Heart for God, His Word, and His Ways
Day 3: Grow in Wisdom, Discernment, and Revelation
Day 4: Find Freedom, Restoration, and Wholeness
Day 5: Understand God's Purpose for Their Lives
Day 6: Work Successfully and Have Financial Stability
Day 7: Have a Sound Mind and Right Attitude
Day 8: Resist Evil Influences and Destructive Behavior
Day 9: Avoid All Sexual Pollution and Temptation
Day 10: Experience Good Health and God's Healing
Day 11: Enjoy and Successful Marriage and Raise Godly Children
Day 12: Maintain Strong and Fulfilling Relationships
Day 13: Be Protected and Survive Tough Times
Day 14: Walk into the Future God Has for Them

S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days... praying for your children

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:56:00 -0500

S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for parents...
Before Beginning...
Day 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part I
Day 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part II
Day 2: Releasing My Child into God's Hands
Day 3: Securing Protection from Harm
Day 4: Feeling Loved and Accepted
Day 5: Establishing an Eternal Future
Day 6: Honoring Parents and Resisting Rebellion
Day 7: Maintaining Good Family Relationships
Day 8: Attracting Godly Friends and Role Models
Day 9: Developing a Hunger for the Things of God
Day 10: Being the Person God Created
Day 11: Following Truth, Rejecting Lies
Day 12: Enjoying a Life of Health and Healing
Day 13: Having the Motivation for Proper Body Care
Day 14: Instilling the Desire to Learn
Day 15: Identifying God-Given Gifts and Talents
Day 16: Learning to Speak Life
Day 17: Staying Attracted to Holiness and Purity
Day 18: Praying Through a Child's Room
Day 19: Enjoying Freedom from Fear
Day 20: Receiving a Sound Mind
Day 21: Inviting the Joy of the Lord
Day 22: Destroying an Inheritance of Family Bondage
Day 23: Avoiding Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Addictions
Day 24: Rejecting Sexual Immorality
Day 25: Finding the Perfect Mate
Day 26: Living Free of Unforgiveness
Day 27: Walking in Repentence
Day 28: Breaking Down Ungodly Strongholds
Day 29: Seeking Wisdom and Discernment
Day 30: Growing in Faith

We're FINALLY here!

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 21:26:00 -0500

I feel like there's SO much to catch everyone up on... life has been anything BUT boring, slow, or uneventful!

I don't have much time still to devote to the internet with so much going on, but I will try to do little updates, with the hope that eventually I will be caught up (and so will you then)!

We are officially moved into our new home in Detroit Lakes, MN and I LOVE it! We have spent LOTS of time unpacking and trying to fit into our much smaller space. Everything is NEEDING to be functional for 9 people (with the 10th one joining us in December). We are making use of EVERY space available to us, with the majority of our things (the ones that didn't get "purged" before the move) going into storage.

We are making progress slowly but surely with each passing day and I'm falling in love with living on the lake. We were so blessed to have found this house and that they let us come... dog and all! It is the ONLY place I contacted (out of several) that said "yes" to us renting!

Your prayers for our continued adjustments are appreciated. The kids are doing well, but they have their moments of missing friends. It has been a growing time for us all and we're looking forward to the last box being emptied! So far the boys' and girls' rooms, bathroom, hallway (with linen closet), and laundry room are finished. The rest of the boxes were moved into the kitchen tonight so we could finish the living room. Tomorrow is another day, and with it, another morning latte with my Beloved, and breakfast, lunch and supper with my children on the deck overlooking the lake. With all the chaos and pressures of life right now, our surroundings have helped us to enjoy each moment as we adjust to this new "land" we've been called to!

I will post pictures of our life here soon as well as post my prayers and thoughts on S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for parents...

Before beginning... (S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for parents...)

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:38:00 -0500

MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Parent" and "The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children"

With everything going on in our life right now... well, I have to admit, our kids are certainly getting "the short end of the stick". We knew we'd be moving to plant a church... we knew it would be difficult (physically, emotionally, logistically), but I can honestly say that we still weren't prepared for what packing up our home after 17 years and 8 children later would REALLY entail... to say it's been crazy, chaotic and stressful would be an understatement!

So, for me (and my kids!), bringing this book out again (I've read it once before) couldn't have come at a better time. I am also excited about reading Stormie's new book for parents of adult children, as my step-son just turned 21 today and I feel needs to be covered in prayer more now than ever before.

I remember the first time I read The Power of a Praying Parent and how I became VERY aware of how I believed I could some how protect my children from everything... that everything that happened and didn't happen was up to me. I lived with so much fear of something bad happening... and took credit for everything "done right"... and then I realized that these children (I believe I had 3 or 4 at the time) were not mine... but GOD'S and that He had chosen me to raise them to know Him, love Him and serve Him. I also accepted that He loved them even more than me, and that ultimately, He was in control and not me... that He knew why He created them and I was just supposed to guide them...

While it took some time to "release" them fully to the Lord, the joy I felt after that was amazing... I no longer lived in fear but instead, trusted the Lord to guide me to raise the precious gifts He'd given me in my children. I turn them over EVERY DAY to Him... it's still not easy. I find myself wanting to take charge and do it my way... but I know He knows best and knows the plans He has for them... and praying for them helps me to release them and to grow closer to Him as well.

Please join us for the month of September as we pray for our children! You can check out more about it by clicking the following link: S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for parents...

AUGUST 2009 newsletter

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:22:00 -0500

I just realized, in the chaos of... life right now... I never did post our August newsletter... so, here it is... September's will be out soon!

August eXperience church Newsletter

Countdown... 17 days

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 07:34:00 -0500

I have to apologize for how horrible I've been at keeping you posted on things here... it's just been crazy and honestly, I had no idea how tough this was going to be... I mean, people move all the time, right? So, once again, I was less prepared than I'd hoped to be and spending all my time purging and packing.

We move September 1st and after that, I will have time to share a series of WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION and open my blog up to answering any questions you might have about me, family, homeschooling, church planting, marriage, SHMILY, etc! (And heavy on the etc.! I will answer anything!)

So, for now if you'd like to keep up on what's going on, I am still facebooking pretty regularly so you can keep updated there... otherwise, I will "see" you soon!... Only 17 MORE DAYS until I'm sitting on my deck, sipping tea with my hubby overlooking the lake...

Yeah... I can hardly wait!

(And if you haven't checked it out already, join us for S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for parents... starting September 1st!)

Please pray for Benny...

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:23:00 -0500

Things have been crazy here and life has taken on another speed as we continue on this roller coaster ride...

...but sometimes something happens... and your world stops for a moment...

...a tragic accident... bad news... the unthinkable happens...

...and you pause long enough to pray a little hard... hug a loved one longer...

...and you remember that time is precious... valuable... and fleeting.

Friends of ours started New Song Ministries about 5 years ago to reach out to the broken people in the Brainerd area. During that time they have put their time and money into a vision that God gave them to show the love of Jesus... and that God loves EVERYONE.

God had called them to move to Nebraska to minister there and the moving date was for Thursday...

...tomorrow...

...they would be on their way to a new start... a fresh beginning...

But instead of moving to Nebraska, Richard and Jenny are moving into a hospital room to be close to their 4 year old son who was struck by a car while riding his bike on Tuesday...

...just two days ago... everything changed.

Benny (their 4 year old son) was taken to North Memorial by helicopter and was unconscious with multiple injuries... the most serious concern being that of his head. Since then, Richard and Jenny have been riding a roller coaster they never envisioned as they watch and pray for their precious son.

Tomorrow they will not be moving to Nebraska...

...but instead, they will wait as their little boy has another CATscan at 5am (CST) to see how he is doing after surgery today that took a chunk of his skull to relieve pressure from the swelling. Benny has a broken leg as well, but his head is the biggest concern and Richard and Jenny have been told that it will be touch and go for the next 5 to 7 days.

Please pray for Benny's healing...

...for Richard and Jenny Castro as they endure this horrible time...

...for their other son, AJ who is 6...

...for the doctors, nurses, and everyone that Benny comes into contact with making big decisions for this little boy...

There is a Caring Bridge site for Benny if you would like to go there and let the family know you are praying. You can also keep updated on what's happening by signing up to receive any updates. Thanks so much for praying!

*UPDATE from Jenny Thursday morning around 8:45am:

Today the doctor's report is the same. Ben is being kept stable. It's just a matter of waiting on the swelling. Benny had a bit of a grip on my fingers while i held his hand this morning. He does have movement in his arms, legs, head. ...He wiggles. The nurses have reported him opening his eyes on occasion.

COUNTDOWN... 22 days

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:46:00 -0500

There are 22 days until we move...

...22 days until we wake up in a different place...

It seems as though I've been waiting for this since I graduated from high school (yes, I'm STILL in the same town), and while I look forward to this stage finally being done (packing is the absolute WORST), I wonder if I'll miss this once I'm gone since I have no time now to really process any of what's going on...

There are 22 days until we are closer to where God is leading us...

...and time just keeps ticking away...

Please pray for Stellan...

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:54:00 -0500

I "met" MckMama through the blogsphere awhile back and I wanted to share with you an update as her son, Stellan, is needing fervent prayer... I've posted the following videos (along with dates so you can learn more if you haven't heard about Stellan), as well as her most recent blog post, "No matter what". You can also follow her if you twitter at MckMama where she updates what is happening so you can pray...

Take a moment to listen to their story... share with others through your blog, facebook, twitter, church... anywhere... let their life change yours... and your heart.

In-Depth: Sharing Stellan's Story (May 19, 2009):

Baby Stellan in Intensive Care (July 27th, 2009):

Please pray for Stellan, his parents, and his siblings, as well as the doctors to know what to do next... and please pray for a miracle...

July newsletter

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:59:00 -0500

I'm so excited that we're going to be making our newsletter available online for everyone to be updated on eXperience church! To read all about it, check out the eXperience church July newsletter!

Thanks for joining us in our journey!

COUNTDOWN... 46 days

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:06:00 -0500

I'm finding that packing isn't really a big deal... it's the maintaining the house WHILE you're packing that is an almost impossible task (especially with a large family)! But even harder than that is another obstacle that I just can't seem to get over... myself.

You see, I am a person who gets lost in the details, and so this whole "packing up my life to move somewhere else" is a pretty overwhelming task. For example, I go into a room... let's say, the bedroom... where I subconsciously decide I MUST begin in a place where no one but me will ever know I've done anything... like under the bed. It all needs to get done, and I can't help myself when I walk into a room... and EVERY room is like this.

I was VERY blessed the other day when a couple of young gals took my younger kids for 3 hours! I got so much done... not much packing, but was able to get my upstairs back in order again which felt so good (and impressed the hubby too)! They've even said they would come at least once a week, so I'm looking forward to getting more done without having to stop to "play mom". tee hee...

So, things are moving... and as I slowly get things done, I'm praying for God to give me patience to make it through and the wisdom to know what to do each day. Please keep the kids in prayer too, as they watch me pack up the only life they've ever known and we're starting to see them showing their anxieties in different ways.

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Check out CHURCH PLANTING to read more about us getting ready to move to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota!

S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days... praying for your husband

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:07:00 -0500