An afternoon tea.

I hosted a fellowship at my house in Oct. This is the

second of many I pray that will naturally develop

into a time of devotional and Bible study time.

This is the setup after the Devonshire cream and jam were consumed as

well as the finger sandwiches. I had made 16 scones; only

4 were left!

Our intimate group of ladies on a Thursday afternoon.

Tiff, Michelle, Kate, and Caroline.

Kate, Michelle and me on a walk after tea!

I had the privilege of being a part of and serving in healthy women's Bible studies for the past 10 years. I came here imagining that we would head in the direction of starting one here sooner than later. I knew it would start small, but it would be in His timing or not at all.

Of course with with the challenges of life being as they are, I have waited.

Well, being here for almost 2 years in Feb. of 09, I can tell you first hand that having a formal study has not been on the agenda. As Joey and I have sought the Lord, we see the need to draw the brethren together outside of a formal setting and create an opportunity for fellowship.

Joey is faithfully teaching the Word to the body, but we see the need for outside friendships to be made. Of course no one can force relationships, but we can create atmosphere that encourages it. So that is the heart behind these hang-out times.

It is such a joy to look around a room and see people engaging in conversation. There is always the nervous twitch in my stomach when I think about having people over and wondering if I will have to carry the conversation. Of course that is stupid and the Lord always takes care of it.

That day flowed so nicely and there was great joy shared by all.

I love these ladies and the ones who were not there as well. My heart

desires to be a blessing to all, but to encourage the

woman in their walks with God especially. What a wonderful

opportunity to serve the Lord this way! It truly is amazing.

Little somethings...

My amazing family of five!!!

I know...Jordan wasn't happy, but the

rest of us were!

I am praisin the Lord for every good and perfect gift!

I love it when I wake up and find myself thanking the Lord

for the life I live.

My last post was from a heart that has been very overwhelmed

and drowning in a sea of self-pity.

I allowed my circumstances to dictate

how I was feeling and my heart was failing.

My husband took me aside and shared his heart with me

and encouraged me to get alone with the Lord.

Taking his advice, I found my soul refreshed and

ready for the days ahead.

My circumstances have not changed, but my perspective has.

Instead of viewing certain things in my life as a burden,

I now see them as opportunities for the Lord to use me.

To perfect for His glory and eternal purpose.

I have the chance to pour into three little people

and teach them the ways of the Lord. I have the chance to teach them to

read and write and why things float and why the elephant has wrinkles.

I get to love my husband more everyday and serve him in all the ways the Lord puts on my heart. I am a blessed woman who misses so much by pushing these things aside so often.

I hate regrets and pray I will have fewer and fewer the older I get.

I truly want to be a woman after God's own heart.

So I will continue to pursue His will and trust in His ways.

I will not let down and give up when the pressure is on.

I will trust in His promises...He who has begun a good work in me

will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ!

Our God is an AWEsome God! Don't you forget it!

Blessings to you and yours on this fine day.

Are you overewhelmed?

There are days when I wonder if life will ever give me a break; if I will forever be doing what I am doing for the rest of my life. Living at a pace that I believe God never intended for His creation to abide by. It is in those moments, especially lately that I can then fall back on how good my God is. How good He is to remind me that we do have an eternal rest that we can have right now. There is nothing out of control for Him. There is nothing to difficult for Him. He often times sits back and waits for us to realize that we can't do it on our own and need Him to sustain us through lifes ups and downs and every day hastle that seem daunting at times.

I yearn for sweet fellowship and sancuary with my Lord that I can't get from this life. The place of escape that allows me to be recharged and geared up for the next day of ministry. The next day of homeschooling with a busy 17 month old. The next day of serving. The next day of loving my family and friends so much that it hurts. I know that my God cares. I know that He holds me with His righteous right hand.

I know, as my mom so faithfully shared with me just the other day from Deuteronomy 33:12 that,

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long;

And he shall dwell between His shoulders."

I am His beloved and He is mine! He shelters me in the most difficult times and reminds me daily. I just need to take the time to hear Him and rest in His promises. And I am covered by His ever loving, secure arms! Can't you hear His heartbeat in this verse? I can, and I love that I can be in that secure place even when the world is in shambles. Even when my heart is overwhelmed (which it has been as of late) I will run to the Rock that is higher than I!

Oh Lord, I need your mercy and your grace. May I rest in the shadow of your wings. May I not look at life as something to get through, but as something to embrace as an opportunity to know You more as I serve others who come into my sphere. Thank You for giving me life and that I can have it more abundantly!

You are so wonderful and gracious! Praise His name and be blessed!

Okay, so this is where we analyze the 15 month old as he enters the "I want your cell phone now" phase. All of my kids have gone through this stage of life because they have a parent like most who is on it alot! So it is natural to see this and want one too. Of course this want is not limited to the cell only, but the house phone as well. So to accomidate I remove one battery thinking that will cool his desire for a while until he figures out there is no beeping or flashing lights on the phone. At least he's descent enough to find another interest for a short while til he comes around for a snack and the phone that I have now attached to my ear! Don't put anything past little people...they understand more than they can communicate.

But It makes me laugh to think that I never went through this phase because I didn't even know what a cell phone was.

My poor mom never had to deal with this tantrum phase, God bless her!

Anyhow, thought I'd share a mother-son moment with the #3 child who wants his way now...remember that this is right before bedtime to be fair. He is a very good little man, but with a sin nature like all of us. :)

Have fun!

Prayer Warrior.

My mom and dad are two of the most amazing people in my life. As their daughter I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I have watched them deal with two wayward children with strong wills, many job lay offs, recessions, church splits and countless other disappointments or opportunities for the Lord to stretch and grow them up.
My mom has always been a prayer warrior who asked Chad and I every morning if we had, "put out armour on, and have you read your Word today?"
She knew that the enemy was out for blood. Especially kids that loved God.
We got so used to hearing those two questions that we grew numb and began to say "yes" just to get out the door in the morning. Wow how stupid and clueless were we?

She never stopped praying for us though. That was the one thing I could always count on her for...her prayers for me. Even when I was angry and bitter she still loved me and prayed for me. I want to be that kind of mom. To love my kids to the cross.

She told me one time that she would pray that God would do whatever He had to do to save my brother and me. She didn't care what it took just so we wouldn't go to hell. I understand that desperation now that I have kids of my own.

I am currently reading a book called Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp. The first four chapters have been really good. The premise is to alert parent's to the understanding that to deal with wrong behaviour is to deal with the heart . God wants our heart's and since we are to discipline our kids to love the Lord and to serve Him then we must direct them to the source of love, Jesus. We discipline and teach our kids to obey not because we need to be respected, but because God needs to be obeyed and respected.
Anyways...I have been touched. Joey and I are teaching our kids these things, but it was so good to put it in my face the way this book has. It is encouraging and stirring me up to be a better parent.

I want to love more passionate and completely. I want to do away with my frustration with my kids and relax more. I want them to understand the fear of the Lord and realize how precious the gift of Jesus is. I want them to possess their salvation for their own and not ride on the coattails of their parent's. I don't want them to ever despise the blessing they have of growing up as "PK" missionary kids. I pray they grab the opportunities they will have to pour into people and love them as Christ loves us.

Please Lord, help me to surrender my short comings over to you. Be all that I need to raise these three for You. May I find my hiding place in You when my heart is overwhelmed. Give me the grace to understand their minds and hearts, may I take the time to know their strengths and weaknesses. There is nothing impossible with You, so I ask now that You would keep them in perfect peace as they keep their minds fixed on You and keep them from a rebellious heart.
May they see my mistakes as stepping stones for growth and not as excuses for adventuring from the Truth. May they desire to emulate the Christ in me and not the flesh about me.
Thank You Lord for being a keeping God. I love you with my life. Amen.

encouragement for today

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;...

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Be still and know that I am God;...

There is no want for those who fear the Lord.

Be blessed today and rest in Him.

He is surrounding you with His angels and

has a close eye on all your

comings and goings.

Just be STILL!

Don't ever forget!!!

" Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs." Is. 61:7

This passage is to the Jews, but we can possess this promise as well. Thank you Lord for your blessings on our life. Even though we may experience hardship and pain, you will give us a double portion as we pursue your truths. May we remember that we can have everlasting joy when we set our sights on you!

Be blessed today and know that the Lord of heaven and earth sees you as His glorious bride. He can't wait to spend time with you!


God bless!