~ Blessed Beyond Measure ~

Today is my day off and as I was enjoying my quiet house and time in the Word after Matt left for work, thinking the kids were still sleeping, my door opened and in walked Callie and Caleb serving me breakfast in bed. Wow! I am honored! Today I get to spend some beautiful time homeschooling with the kids before taking Ben and Callie for their afternoon classes. I love this time with my kids and I cherish every second!

I feel extremely blessed this morning for all God is doing within our family. It has been a true test of faith saying "yes" to God when we went away from the "norm" but God has proved himself so faithful!

Be bold in your obedience to God! He will never lead you off track. His ways are perfect and his plan never fails. Though the road may seem challenging at times, those are opportunities to strengthen our faith and grow us closer to him.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

James 1:2-8 (MSG)

~ Overwhelmed at the Luncheon Meat Aisle ~

Saturday I needed to run to the store and get groceries for the week. Now, any other day this would be totally normal and routine but this particular day I was exhausted from an extremely draining week. You know those weeks that heading into it you have to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually because your schedule is full with back-to-back appointments and the list of things to get done exceeds the paper you wrote it on? Yes, that was my week. Sleep was an afterthought for the week and my brain was on sensory overload from the amount of balls games we had attended and cheers were still echoing in the deep crevices of my tired mind.

So I awaken Saturday morning, still in a daze, but trek off to the store to stock up our groceries. I went with my sweatpants on, big sloppy sweatshirt, and no makeup. Yes, I was a sight to behold. But my husband reminded me that we live in Burgaw so I looked like royalty. Haha! I believe in some twisted way that was a compliment! Lol!

My first big mistake was that I went with no list! Oh my goodness! Allison at the grocery store without a list, in a sleep deprived state; with the cheer "P-U-M-P pump it up" still resonating in her brain from the homecoming game the night before, is a recipe for disaster. What was going to be a quick trip became a long overwhelming nightmare! I found myself roaming aimlessly from aisle to aisle unable to concentrate and just about ready to cry in front of the luncheon meat. I gave myself a pep talk and pressed on the rest of the way. I returned home to find Matt was waiting and ready to unload the car. He was probably wondering how he would find me when I pulled into the driveway because I had given him the dramatic recap on the way home. He was there in typical "wonderful husband fashion" and gave me a big hug, then took over and put the groceries away so I could regain some composure.

My day did get better! It was just one of those moments when you find yourself completely drained and nothing left to give. It is rare that I have these moments, and believe me, I am not proud of it, but it is also a huge reminder that when life gets overwhelming I need to just take some time and sit at the feet of my Master! Those are times to let others to take some of the load off and get on my face before Almighty God and allow his Spirit to fill me to overflowing again. When I find the stresses of life taking over, I have to stop and refuel on God's Word. If I continued to drive my car and ignore that fuel light that comes on to warn me I'm getting low on gasoline, then I'm going to run out of gas and my car will stop. The same is true for me! If I continue going and ignore the "low fuel light" within me, then I'm going to run out and find myself stopped in front of the luncheon meat, again, ready to cry over whether I need bologna or honey ham! Lol!

I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father! He so graciously picks me up and holds me tight when I'm overwhelmed. He places his big "daddy" arms around me and holds me tight as he whispers his promises in my ear; those promises in His Word where he tells me he loves me! He takes me to scripture that reminds me that He is my portion and He is everything I need to make it through the difficult days. He promises to never leave me. He reminds me to lay my burden on him and he will carry it for me.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV84)

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalms 73:26 (NIV84)

"Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone."

Psalms 33:22 (NLT)

Oh, my sweet Father! How I love him so!

I don't know what you face today. It may sound strangely like my crazy day at the store or you may have your own twisted story to tell, but let me reassure you that God is there! He is waiting for you with open arms! He is ready to pick you up when you fall! He is ready to take each burden off your back and carry it for you. You just have to release it!

I am so grateful for a Father that loves me like that! In my weakness He is strong and I cannot fathom where I would be without him! I am so in love with him!

"I love you, Lord; you are my strength."

Psalms 18:1 (NLT)

~ Priority of Marriage ~

I am so thankful for my marriage! After almost 21 years, Matt and I have a wonderful marriage but that is because we work at it. Christ remains the center and we make our marriage a priority. When life gets busy and our schedules get overcrowded, sometimes we just have to call a “time out” and make time to spend with each other. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who recognizes when life is getting too crazy and will clear our calendars to wisk me away for a romantic weekend! Aside from our relationship with God, our marriage comes before any other relationship we have. What a great honor to be able to teach our kids the beauty and blessing of marriage and show them just how much their parents love each other.

Matt, I love you so much and I cannot wait for our weekend getaway! ♥

~ Rooted in Christ ~

"My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving."

Colossians 2:6-7 (MSG)

Wow! A powerful word from God this morning! It is straightforward and to the point, just the way I need it! Thank you, Paul, for being bold in preaching the Word! Don't ever doubt for a second that God won't show up when you need him! He is there, my friend, ALWAYS!

I am rooted in Christ! Hallelujah! Roots are very important to this point as plants draw their nourishment from the soil through their roots. We, as Christians, are rooted in Christ so, we draw our strength, our spiritual nourishment through him! Paul tells us here that its time to start living our faith in Christ. We are rooted in him so get out and GO! Submit to God daily, follow his example, and he will give us strength to continue the journey. Give thanks to him and praise his name!

Now, lets get this day started! Woohoo!

~ A Word of Encouragement ~

A word of encouragement this Wednesday morning! I know it's hard to get out of that warm bed on a cold morning and run out the door to a crowded schedule. It's hard realizing it will be about 9:00 tonight before my feet walk over the threshold of my home again but I also know that today is before me filled with possibilities to share the love of Christ with someone....anyone! There is a day before me to embrace all the God has for me! I can choose this day to be different, set apart to do the work of my Savior. I have the amazing opportunity, today, to give my life to God as an offering to be used for his glory! Wow! When I look at this day in that light, it makes me excited to head out and experience all that He has for me! I don't want to fit in with the world, I want to stand apart for Christ! I don't want to complain my day away. I want to be ready for all that God has in store for me!!!

I love this encouragement from Paul here in Romans. Read and be empowered today in the strength of God Almighty! Blessings~

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)

~ Taking Care of the Orphans ~

Adoption is something very near and dear to our hearts! It's been almost 6 years since we brought our precious Caleb home and imagining life any other way is just not possible. Adoption is an absolutely beautiful experience and many of my friends that have traveled the road of adoption would tell you the same thing. Is it an easy road? Most definitely not! But it is a journey like none other and the call to it will change your life!

Scripture is very clear on helping orphans. 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

James 1:27

God loves the orphan so much! His Word speaks to that very point!

“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless."

Exodus 22:22-24 

"Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. Your widows too can trust in me.” 

Jeremiah 49:11 

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:18 

We are to take care of the orphans! Many of us do that through sponsorship but there are those that travel the road toward taking in the orphans. Obeying the call of God in their lives to make these orphans part of their home. In God's divine providence, these orphans become orphans no more and belong to a family that will love them and care for them. God set the example for adoption! As I gave my life to Christ, he adopted me into his family. I am a child of the King! 

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–"

Ephesians 1:4-5 

Yes! He set the example! Hallelujah! I have seen many, many children, including my precious Caleb, enter their forever families and what a beautiful sight it is! But, there are many orphans still waiting. 

A dear friend and her husband, Andrea and Dustin Bestul, have already adopted 3 beautiful children from Ethiopia into their family with 3 biological children. They truly are an amazing family! But God has called them yet again to open their hearts and home to more children through adoption. Their story is inspiring and blessed my heart so deeply. You see, they have been called to pursue the adoption of a sibling set who have been abandoned without a family in the Philippines. This sibling set has SEVEN children! Yes, you read that correctly! Seven beautiful children ages 4-14 are in need of a home and this dear family has obeyed the call of God to bring them ALL into their home! Amazing! If you do the math, that will be 13 children! Wow! I am in awe! 

What I'm asking from you today is to pray with me in helping this dear family follow in obedience the call of God to bring these children home. International adoption comes with great expense and we can help. We can obey God's Word in helping the orphans by giving to this family. One way that would be a tremendous help right now is by giving gift cards for a fundraiser that is taking place next month. This is a quarter auction and all the proceeds will go to this family's adoption expenses. What they need are donations for the auction. Our family is donating gift cards to be auctioned off and I'm asking that you pray as well about donating some gift cards. If you feel led to give in any other way please contact me and I will see to it that they get it.

I truly have been blessed by this family! This is a link to their family blog so you can read more about their love for God and call that has been placed on their hearts.

http://thebestulfamily.blogspot.com/

Please take some time and pray for them and see how you could be used in bringing these precious children into this home where they will be loved and taken care of! You will be blessed by this family as I have and I praise God for them! 

If you have any questions or want to donate, please contact me or the Bestul family. Pray for them and for those children that are waiting! I believe we are going to see God do a miraculous work and just think, we can be a part of it!

Have a blessed day~

~ Walking a Different Street ~

"You cannot do what you've always done and expect different results. Do you want to see more of God evident in your life? Do you want to hear God's voice and experience more of his power? If you want to have a relationship with God that goes beyond the pew to the pavement of your everyday living then you've got to walk down a different street." ~ Priscilla Shirer

AMEN! I choose to walk a different street! The road is narrow and can get lonely at times because choosing this radical experience toward the abundant life God has promised from the mundane Christianity I would so easily experience has more uncertainty and calls for greater faith and dependence on God. It takes action out of my "comfort zone" and into an adventure led by the God of the universe! So, few people travel these roads and I will continue alone if I have to, but please know that every step in God's will is so worth it because it is full of his awesome abundance! Hallelujah!

Who's with me?

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10 (NKJV)

~ A Day at Home ~

What an unbelievably beautiful day it is going to be! I slept in this morning and then enjoyed conversation with my Caleb over a bowl of cereal. Sweet boy! Doing a little laundry today and getting the kids lesson plans done for the next couple of weeks. We are excited that Ben has now joined our homeschooling adventure! I love being home with my kiddos today resting up for the crazy, busy week ahead. Registration begins at the preschool tomorrow and it is homecoming week at WCA. Add in a couple of meetings and 3 nights of ball games and, yep, it's going to be busy. Lol! 

But today, I am going to enjoy being mom and wife as I do laundry and have dinner on the table when my hubby comes home from a long day of work. I am going to enjoy sweet, sweet time in the Word today and sit in the quietness of my prayer closet as I lift praises to my Father and go to the throne with requests and burdens of many. I am going to sit in the sunshine this afternoon and thank my God for the beautiful weather while I bask in the beauty of his creation. I am going to enjoy this day that he has granted to us! Another day filled with so many blessings and another day to give him praise! 

Please message me if you have requests or burdens that I can pray for today. It is truly an honor to pray and lift requests to my Father on your behalf. Prayer is something I take very seriously and if you ask me to pray, then that is exactly what I do! 

Well, it is time for my cup of coffee! Have a BEAUTIFUL day and I look forward to hearing from you! 

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

~ Be Still and Know That He is God ~

Yesterday was one of those days that at the end of it, your brain hurts. Haha! Anyone else know what I'm talking about here? It wasn't a bad day at all, just one of those days that are intense mentally and spiritually as burdens are shared and lifted to the Father on behalf of many people, including myself. I even told a dear friend last night as we were messaging each other encouragement that I needed to spend some time in silence and just be still before the Lord. I needed him to fill me up. When my cup runs dry and I have nothing left, that is when I have to be still and listen to my Father as he fills me with his Spirit back to overflowing. I have to allow his Word to sink down deep in my soul and nourish me back to where he wants me to be. Oh, how I love my Father! Sweet, sweet, time with him!

This morning, I do as I always do preparing for my time with him and opened up my iPad to my Bible app. The verse of the day was no coincidence. Lol!

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalms 46:10 (NKJV)

God shared it with me this morning! He reminded me that he is God, and I am not, and that I need to be still and quiet. He will be exalted over all the earth! He is in full control and his glory shines brightly over this whole earth! I'm so thankful he paused for me this morning and lavished his love on me! He is AMAZING God and I'm so in love with him!

~ Approaching Each Day ~

Well, I've been back in full swing for 2 days now and I do say, it has been great! It has been nice to be back among the living and non-sick and be thrust into the craziness that is reality. Lol! Though I'm very tired this morning and really would love to spend a couple more hours under the snuggly covers of my bed, I'm up and ready to face the day ahead! Every morning when our sleepy eyes awaken, we are given a choice. We can choose to either face the day with praise or we can choose to find the negative in everything around us. It is up to us how we approach this day.

I found this article several years ago and have posted it before but I really wanted to share it with you again. I don't know who wrote it but it speaks volumes. It is such an eye opener into how we look at each day we are blessed with. In uncertain and difficult times, we can be so tempted to complain the day away. But we are given the wonderful opportunity to choose happiness and joy! That is my choice and I hope will be yours too! I pray this blesses you today and encourages you to move forward in an attitude of praise, no matter what your circumstances are.

Approaching Each Day

By: Author Unknown

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new job relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to!

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with knowledge and adventure.

Today I can dejectedly murmur because I have housework to do or I can feel grateful for shelter for my mind, body, and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped, and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. And I shall decide what kind of day I shall have!

How will you live THIS DAY?

"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalms 118:24 (NKJV)

~ I'M FREE ~

I'M FREE!

Well, today is the day I get to break free from the sick house and reenter civilization! I did exactly as the doctor ordered and stayed confined in my home (other than driving Callie to school and back) for 6 days. My family has returned to being around me and the "UNCLEAN" sign has been removed from my bedroom door! I have kicked out the flu and deemed him unwelcome! Woohoo! Now back to reality.......

Okay, that last sentence should have made me extremely excited but then the reality of reality made me take a deep breath. Haha! Back to work, back to chauffeuring children around, back to practices and ball games, back to planning and cooking, back to bill paying, back to organizing schedules, back to laundry, back to cleaning....back to life! One more deep breath and lots of prayer and I am READY!

Though the flu was unpleasant and extremely difficult, God still gave me so many blessings in the midst of it. He reminded me how absolutely wonderful my family is! My husband and kids stepped up and got things done when mom was down. Callie and Caleb got their school work done without being asked, Callie helped make dinners, Caleb folded laundry, Ben and Matt took care of the bigger projects and Louie, well, he stayed by my side at all times. They made me cards, prayed for me, brought me drinks, and made sure I took my medicine and had my tissue box. They are amazing and I praise God for them all!

I am also thankful for the extra time in God's Word! My body was weak but my spirit was empowered! Empowered with scriptures that nourished my soul and gave praise to my God! Encouraged with scriptures hope and healing! In my weakness HE is strong!

"Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT)

"I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints."

Psalms 52:9 (NIV84)

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."

Psalms 62:5 (NIV84)

So, today I go back to the daily grind, but I do it with an attitude of praise! Praise for the wonderful opportunities in front of me! Opportunities to work alongside some beautiful sisters in Christ, opportunities to minister to precious preschoolers and their families, opportunities to serve my husband and children as the manager of our home, opportunities to be an encourager to those that are downhearted, opportunities to share the love of Christ in a lost and dying world! If that doesn't sound like excitement, then I don't know what does! It's all about HIM and I'm ready to go........

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Psalms 71:14 (NIV84)

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

Psalms 118:24, 28, 29 (NLT)

~ Audience of ONE ~

I sit here in my house alone on a Sunday morning. Well, not completely alone. My sweet golden retriever, Louie, is at my feet, where he often stays.  I was a little sad that I could not attend worship with my family this morning.  This flu virus has me at home for another two days.  I praise the Lord that I am feeling better and it took all that was in me not to get in that car with my family and head to church anyway but I am trying my hardest to heed the doctor’s (and others that have travelled the flu road before me) instructions and stay home until Tuesday. This flu virus is so widespread and nasty and the doctor was very adamant that I stay contained in my home until Tuesday. So here I sit.  Good thing I love my home!

Though I couldn’t attend worship at my usual place, SHBC, I was able to have my own worship service here.  This is not my typical choice for Sunday morning because I love being with the body of Christ.  God’s Word is clear in our need for worshiping together.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:25

But today is different, special. Today, my worship is alone for an audience of ONE!  Oh, how sweet it is!  I love to be in the presence of my Savior, just him and I.  His Word open on my lap and my head bowed in reverence to his sovereignty.  As I read through scripture I can openly talk to him and share how his Word touches my heart.  As I pray, I can lift my hands and my voice as I’m in his presence alone.  As he speaks to me, not in an audible voice, but deep in my spirit, I bask in the quietness of the room but even more so in his glorious presence that is so overwhelming!  True worship for the ONE TRUE GOD!  Worship so sweet as my love for him grows deeper and deeper!  HE really is all that I need!  All for him, my God and King! 

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

Psalm 63:1-8 (NLT)