UGH!

Holy Moly!!! Where has the year gone!! It will be October tomorrow... TOMORROW! That means that Aimee is 18...ugh, the end of the first grading period of her senior year...ugh, her senior season of volleyball is almost over...ugh.


Do you sense a theme here?!?! Honestly, I know she must grow up but does it have to happen SO fast? I look at Cole and can't believe who he even is anymore, his voice has changed, he's hairy, and he's tall....ugh!!!


It's starting to get colder...ugh. I detest cold weather, Ed LOVES snow. I think he is crazy!!! I say give me 90 degree weather anyday!!!


I am glad of one thing though....even though we change God does not. He remains the same; yesterday, today and tomorrow!!

Watermark - Captivate Us

Awesome video and song. The song was introduced to me by a pilgrim, Brandy who had the voice of an angel, she was on the walk that we worked!


Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee
Captivate us Lord Jesus set our eyes on You
Devastate us with your presence falling down
And rushing river draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus with You


Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw us closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to thee
Captivate us Lord Jesus set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence falling down
And rushing river draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus with You


And let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of your face
And let every chain be broken from me
As I'm bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy Your burden is light
You're full of wisdom power and might
And every eye will see You
And captivate captivate us Lord Jesus with You
Captivate us ah ah

Just a couple of funny stories!

So, I get a text from Lauren on Thursday night (kinda late) wanting to know my mom's cell number. I told her and she said you won't believe what I'm doing? I said what, she said your mom forgot her underwear so I'm going to get her some and calling it "butt agape". Oh my goodness.... I laughed SO hard I was crying. I said well... my mom wears granny panties... to which she replied "I now know that".... My mom was working the Walk to Emmaus and must have forgot the "unmentionables". She also forgot ALL of her makeup, hair stuff etc... in the men's bathroom the whole weekend so any men that went in there got quite a surprise!!!

Yesterday in church, I felt Ed's arm go around me and I thought aww Pastor must have really spoken to him and he is letting me know he appreciates me etc.... Uhhh not quite, he kept fidgeting and I said what are you doing to which he replied "My hands are cold". He was trying to put them in the hood of my sweater!!! Sheesh!!

Happy Birthday Aimee!!

The day has arrived.... that dreaded 18th birthday! While it saddens me that my kids are growing up I am also proud of who they are becoming. Aimee has such a heart for God and it shows in all she does.

I have a confession...

I am not good at reading the Bible...


Ahhh.... That being said, I try my best to read the Bible everyday & most of the time I do. However, I'm the kind of person who needs direction. It's hard for me to just pick it up & read it.


So this week what I have been doing is I took all the notes that I took from this past weekend & wrote down all the scriptures. I have been taking one set a day & journaling using those verses. I've also wrote commentary on them as well as anything that I wrote down relating to it.


It has helped me to stay on track. I need a "lesson plan" to keep me on track. What is your stragety for reading God's word??

500th Post and second God moment!

Wow! Hard to believe this is my 500th post!!! YAY me!!!


As I said before I gave a talk on Friday on Priorities. We pick a prayer partner way back when to pray for us as we are giving the talk well I pick none other than Lauren Biggs! As we were in the prayer room praying my kids both prayed out loud and I must say it was awesome!! While I went to give my talk, Lauren stayed back in the prayer room and prayed the whole time I was gone. When we got back they prayed over me again basically thanking God for using me as his instrument. After we got out of the room Lauren approached me and handed me a piece of paper with writing all over it in every different direction. Have I said I have OCD??? Well I was a little overwhelmed looking at it until she explained it to me. Those were words that God had given her while she was praying. I looked it over and put it up. That night I got it out and looked at it again.



When I got home on Sunday I noticed she had names of 4 of the pilgrims on it. As I read their names I got "God-bumps". Those EXACT 4 ladies each at one time or another approached me to talk/pray. I text Laur and told her and she said "NO WAY.. WOW".



I LOVE it that God gives us confirmation and cares about EVERY detail!! I know all 4 of those women had life changing experiences, not from anything I had done or said BUT only by God!!

First God Moment.....

Months ago when we started out first formation for this walk we found out what our jobs would be. As speakers you have to pick 2 songs, one before your talk and one after. A dear friend of mine was chosen to gice a talk and a few days after the first formation God spoke to my heart that this song was for her.


I texted her and told her. She had not heard of it but said she would listen to it. A couple of days later she text me back and said you have NO idea how perfect this is for me. She said she listened to it on her way to work and sobbed.


I knew some of her story but not all of it. After hearing her talk I got chills.... this song was perfect for it. God is good!!!


Love ya Kathy =)


I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

Whew!! Boy am I tired BUT it is a good tired. I had the wonderful opportunity to work the Walk to Emmaus this weekend. It is a refreshing, renewing experience not only for the pilgrims attending but the team as well. A verse that came to mind this morning is:


"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" 2 Corinthians 5:17


I had the opportunity to give a talk on Priorities. I was blessed in that Cole and Aimee came down to hear it. They along with a clergy member and my prayer partner (Lauren Biggs, how lucky was I ?!?!) prayed over me. My kids BOTH said the most awesome prayers both before and after my talk. One of the clergy told me I had amazing Christian kids. Ahhhh what every parent wants to hear!! It did my heart good. Aimee also came back to help me clean up etc.... I didn't know she was going to be there so that was a nice surprise. It's always nice to feel needed and wanted after you have been gone for a few days!!



Anyway, God showed up in a big way (as he usually does when we are expecting). Lauren asked me last night what my favorite part of the weekend was and I honestly couldn't pinpoint a certain part. I had the opportunity to work this team with the Ya Ya's so that made is so much more special!!! It was an awesome team!


I heard several talks/sermons that spoke to me but one in particular on "self". To quote lyrics from a song that was sang:


I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do

What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

(chorus)
I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

Honesty becomes me [There's nothing left to lose]
The secrets that did run me [In Your presence are defused]
Pride has no position [And riches have no worth]
The fame that once did cover me [Has been sentenced to this Earth]
Has been sentenced to this Earth

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

This has been a week of great emotion. Stress, fear, anger, joy, celebrations. You name the emotion I think I have experienced it!



Tomorrow I leave for the Walk to Emmaus #39. We have prepared for this for months now and it's time to put it in action. I always get so excited about these weekends because God changes lives!! I feel as though I have so much more to prepare and feel like I am forgetting something. I hate that feeling!! Last walk I worked I forgot towels.... towels?? sheesh my Ed had to bring the to me. Wonder what it will be this time!!



Pray that my bills get paid this week!! I have never left Ed to pay them but he is getting that experience this weekend! I have laid out the envelopes and wrote instructions on how he is to pay them online.... Oh this is a big risk!! I have faith in him though!!



Please be praying for the walk this weekend. Pray for the team, the pilgrims and all the families left at home.




Oh and before I forget.... Congrats to Lauren and Seth on their engagement!!!

Whispers in your ear

Seems as we go through life we go through various stages. We travel on smooth sailing, life is going good then all of the sudden we are smacked right in the face.


BUT


How do you handle it when that happens?



While I can, most of the time, determine where my hurts, fear, frustration, & anger comes from it can still be crippling. I know the ole scum dog lurks & waits for just the right moment to start whispering in my ear. Placing seeds of doubt & fear. Until yesterday I never knew how strong his attacks could be. While I sensed it, & began to pray (along with the help of some dear friends) it still hurt. The fear I was hit with still today has me volunerable BUT I know who my God is & I know at the right time he will stand in my place to endure my struggles. The ole scum dog will not win the battles against me. While they are hard I know there is a plan & purpose for it. If God chooses to reveal it to me, great. If not I will still praise Him!



I leave you with an old hymn that brings me great comfort. Ed & I have often sang this together. Put you trust in Jesus & lean on HIS understanding.


Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, let me stand I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone

Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near. When my life is almost gone, Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall. Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.


When the darkness appears and the night draws near, and the day is past and gone. At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand, take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.


Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, let me stand I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

Who pushes you?

Who pushes you to be more in this life? Who inspires you to grow more in Christ?


I have been blessed with so many wonderful, beautiful christian friends BUT the people who make me want to strive for more with God are my kids.


Cole & Aimee inspire me to be a better person, to live out my life in service to Jesus!


While I have done things that I'm not proud of, many times those being things I have said that I cannot get back, I also know that I cannot focus on those things. I must take responsibility for them, ask forgiveness for those I have offended & move on. I'm sure I've taught my kids a lot of lessons of things NOT to do or speak but they also see that I have changed.


I want more.... More of God. I want to live a life of Joy, of freedom in Christ. I have just the people in my life that help me get that, but there is more to it. We must SHARE what we have with this dying world. Seek to save the lost....


Who pushes you to be a better person??

Interesting Quotes

"We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You've probably heard the expression 'I believe in God, just not organized religion'. I don't think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live." — Francis Chan (Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God)



"I believe He wants us to love others so much that we go to extremes to help them." — Francis Chan (Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God)



"Has your relationship with God changed the way you live your life?" — Francis Chan



"The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time. " — Francis Chan

Tuesday Tunes

Not To Us - Chris Tomlin


The cross before me the world behind
No turning back, raise the banner high
It's not for me, it's all for You

Let the heavens shake and split the sky
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It's not for us, it's all for You

[Chorus:]
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory

Our hearts unfold before Your throne
The only place for those who know
It's not for us, It's all for You

Send Your holy fire on this offering
Let our worship burn for the world to see
It's not for us, It's all for You

[Chorus]

The earth is shaking, the mountains shouting
It's all for You
The waves are crashing, the sun is raging
It's all for You
The universe spinning and singing
It's all for You
The children dancing, dancing, dancing
It's all for You, It's all for You

My all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
My all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
My all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory

CellPhone

Ed's dad was here a couple of weeks ago for Lana's surgery. It's always good to see him & the kids just adore him! I got a kick out of him at Cole's soccer game. He was yelling & everything.


While he was here we gave him a cellphone. This was his first one. It was so cute, a 60+ man with his first cellphone. I told Ed he would never figure it out! Well last week he sent me a blank text message (on accident I'm sure) well I replied to it & tonight he called me & said "I got your text message". I laughed & said just now?!?! He said well I haven't figured it out quite yet.


He is loving this phone & calls us now more than ever since we convinced him it's not going to cost hundreds of dollars.


Technology.... What would we do without it??

So, in my Missions mailbox at church today was a magazine that was folded over to an article titled "Looking for the blessings".


There was a section highlighted that reads; "look for blessings when the situation seems hopeless, such as what the Israelites experienced when they were slaves in Egypt. However, in the midst of their hopelessness, they celebrated the Passover. The Passover was much more than a ritual; it was God's way of blessing them in the midst of a crisis."


Wonder who put that in my box?!?!? =)

Moses

The story of Moses and the Israelites has always fascinated me.... I guess it is because all to often I see the similarities between them and us. I emailed my Pastor yesterday and here is what I said:


Hey Pastor!! Had to share. I was thinking about the Israelites today & God showed me how it related to our church. Don't chuckle just yet! =) They prayed for deliverance, God sent them a deliverer. We prayed for more of God, he sent us you. They murmured against Moses, he prayed. What are they going to drink or eat. God provided. The church murmurs against you & what do you do? Pray! Praise is God's language, complaining in the enemy's. We will continue to stand firm for God & you Pastor are our leader in whom we love.


This was her reply:


Do I look like Moses??? I hope not but I sure do want to be faithful and obedient to God even when my people build a golden calf. Thanks for the words of encouragement. The next 2 months are important for prayer as we have staff evaluations, Charge conference, and meet with D.S. Tom True to work with leaders and conflicts. God has shown me that He will provide. My issue is what to do, who to visit, continually setting priorities, and accomplishing all that needs to be done. Disciple is done and I look forward to Confirmation class. New members will be joining Oct. 4. ten!!! PTL Blessings and joy, Pastor Jeanne



Have I said how much I LOVE this woman?!?! She is so faithful and always seeking God's counsel. Now on to Moses... and no not Pastor Jeanne, the imposter!!



There are several things we can learn from Moses.



1. Personal Relationship With God - I won’t go into all the different reasons people are afraid to establish a personal relationship with the Lord. But suffice to say, this is what God really wants, and if you would be willing enter in without any fear like Moses did, this will then be the beginning of a new and adventurous life with the Lord.



2. Moses Was an Excellent Representative for God - The Bible says we are to be ambassadors for Christ. We are His representatives. One of the most amazing things about the story of Moses is that Moses stayed true, loyal and faithful to God the Father during the entire 40 year journey in the wilderness. The Bible says that the Israelites were constantly complaining, moaning and bellyaching about their lot. Not enough food, not enough water, not enough this, not enough that. The Bible says that they lacked for nothing. God made sure they had enough manna raining down from heaven on a daily basis to keep them properly fed. They also had no problems with God providing adequate shelter and protection for them. Still this was not enough. And remember, every one of the Israelite men 20 years and older did not make it into the Promised Land due to their lack of faith and failing to follow God fully.



3. The Tabernacle - God Will Lead You on a Daily Basis. One of the most amazing things that occurred in the Israelites 40 year journey into the wilderness was the building of a tabernacle to house the manifest presence of God. Once this tabernacle had been built, God’s manifest presence came down in the form of a cloud during the day and fire by night. During the day, the cloud would lift off and the Israelites would then follow the cloud to wherever God was going to lead them to that day.



4. God Will Fight Battles For You When Needed - This story is a perfect example showing the extreme lengths and intensity to which God will go for you if He is forced to fight and engage with an enemy standing in your way.
God was wanting His people delivered from their slavery to the Egyptians and He was not going to take no for an answer. God threw 10 powerful judgments at the Pharaoh in order to break him so that he would let His people go. Finally, after breaking on the last judgment, the Pharaoh agrees to let God’s people go.
However, after initially letting them go, the Pharaoh all of a sudden changes his mind and starts back after them. The Israelites then get caught before the Red Sea. God then parts the Red Sea with a dry ground mass so they can safely cross over to the other side.



5. The Wilderness Experience - The 40-year wilderness experience that God put the Israelites through is something that He does to some of His own. In the story of Moses, the main reason He did it was to test the Israelites - to see if they would hold fast to Him, to see if they would follow Him fully, and to see if they would follow all of His laws and commandments.

6. Don’t Always Be Questioning God - There is a time to question God - to press in and seek after answers from Him. The Bible says to ask - and you shall receive. Seek - and you will find. However, there is also a time not to question God and to accept whatever He is telling you!

Jonny Diaz 'A More Beautiful You'

This song is awesome!! Every teenager should read the lyrics!!!


Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight


Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are


There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you


Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead


Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are


So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl


There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you


Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead


Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are