Getting Ready for Bed

I have a Human Anatomy and Physiology Exam coming up. I've been studying all week. Late nights make for tired days and headaches but I know that the studying will pay off. I have really stuck to my plan of putting more time into my school work and my grades are proving it. Not much longer now. A mere 5 more weeks until the end of this semester! I'm so excited!

I am also on pins and needles to hear from the college on whether or not I'm accepted to the RN program. We won't hear anything until April and it feels like years even though it's barely days away. I know that God's will - will be done. So, accepted or declined, I march forward. I still plan a full summer of classes either way and I will reapply in the Fall if I am declined. I like the anticipation. I love setting goals for myself. During my homeschooling years, I would always set goals for the girls but somehow, it never occurred to me to set big goals for myself. I'm enjoying it. I know the Lord is going to use this goal in the missions field and the excitement is often hard to contain. Not my time Lord but YOURS. Patience and perseverance is what I'm learning. Pushing in and pushing forward. Running this race.

It's 6:30 am in Uganda as I write this tonight. I am preparing for bed and for another day at work, more studies, more people to pray over, another day with my family and they-the people of Uganda- are just waking up. Or waking up soon. They are forever on my heart. I pray tonight for the Lord to prepare the way for Savannah on this missions trip. I pray for the Lord to prepare the hearts of the people of Uganda and for this ministry team heading their way this summer. I pray the Lord grow this team and change these teens. A forever change. I pray that the Lord continue to build the pathway that is leading us to help those in Uganda. I pray that the Lord anoint our hands and feet. That souls be harvested, tummies be fed, and bodies be held. Yes, held. How I long to hug those people.

I have opportunity to serve everyday. Everyday in the dentist office the Lord reveals a lonely soul, someone I can bless with His love through a hug or a smile. He reveals needs and opportunity as I lay hands on patients and pray quietly. While the Dr. assesses their need - my Father is fulfilling it. I love that the Lord uses us mightily wherever we are. No work is small work in God's business.

Yet, I feel this calling.

If you are reading this intercess for Uganda tonight. I pray that you hear and know the path the Lord has set before you. One step at a time. One day a time. In the right direction.

Self-Control

Such a great week and then boom. I suppose it was a test? I had an epic fail. I get so upset with myself when I lose my temper and let my tongue lash out. It burdens my heart so bad that all I can do now is cry. Of course my conviction is so strong I don't leave things on a sour note and I immediately pray, repent and then apologize to my precious friend. Sometimes lack of sleep and a huge stress load overloads your emotions and you lose control of your flesh. I'm still maturing. I'm not there yet.

I cried out to my Father, why do I do this? Why can I not recognize it BEFORE it happens instead of realizing it after it's too late.

I praise Him for His forgiveness. He told me, He said, "Jennifer, you are human. You will stumble, you may fall, but the important thing here is that you caught it immediately. Not days later or weeks later. You may not see the improvement, but it's there. You are growing. I forgive you. Do not be so hard on yourself. I've already forgotten it. I love you my daughter. Stop expecting perfection of yourself. Allow me to work in you. I will strengthen you."

He gave me the scripture that Paul shared about his own flesh.

Romans 7:15 "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." English Standard Version

How true this is. Tomorrow is a new day. I will not repeat the same mistake again. Now, I'm going to snuggle in His arms and rest in His peace and awaken refreshed and new tomorrow. Selah

It's 5 am and I'm not lonely

Little Treyton couldn't sleep. He awoke wanting to watch Barney and just crying his little heart out, snubs included. I sang, "Jesus Loves Me" until the crying subsided and then I cuddled him all the way to the den. I gladly played a Barney episode from Netflix. Nothing in this world beats hearing him saying with great joy, "Tank-u Mimi!" Mmm all the hugs and kisses a Mimi could ever hope for. Such a sweet little guy. Thank-You Father God for answering my prayer in a way I never seen coming. This grandson fills me with such joy. I know You are going to use him to do great things. Just like His mommy and His Mimi. Mimi may be a little late but it took this journey in my life to lead me to this exact moment. I thank-You for never giving up on me, for loving me ever so much, and for the beautiful opportunity of serving. Serving You, my husband, my family, my boss, my family, my friends, strangers-that feel like family-that become family- as I hug them and pray for them. I love serving. Even at 5 am.

My heart is Swelling

My heart is swelling. Swelling with thankfulness. I thank God not only for every good thing in my life which is everything but also for every bad thing that I've ever been through or that has ever happened to me. I've done bad in my life as well. I know what I've been, I know what I am, and I know what I want to be. Today I read this:

Anyone who looks at themselves honestly knows they have nothing to offer God. It’s what God offers us that changes things. ~Not a Fan

How true I know this is. I am nothing without Christ. My mind and my flesh is so selfish. It's not that I try to be selfish or that I want to be. It's just the way I've been. I'm tired of that. I want to give. God is giving me a vision and it's so beautiful.

One day at time, one step at a time, it's coming.

Savannah Sky's mission trip has reawakened my soul and my desire to serve. Right now, missions in terms of third world countries, is not something that is possible for me. But I don't have to wait to serve. I am serving now, every day, every person, every thing, every prayer. My heart is so full. It's been so long. Way too long. I'm on fire. Big things are going to happen. They aren't going to happen because of me. I'll have nothing to do with it actually. God is moving. His time. His plan.

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

I adore You, perfect, faithful God.

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from heat.

I adore You God, my refuge, my shelter, my hiding place.

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine - the best of meats and the finest of wines.

I adore You, extravagant, gift-lavishing Father.

On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers nations; He will swallow up death forever.

I adore you Oh, God! Our redeemer and Savior!

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth.

I adore you, Oh God my comfort, the lifter of my head.

In that day we will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted Him and He saved us! This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

I adore You, Lord, my trustworthy, promise-keeping Savior.

          ~Katie Davis

PRAISE!!

I passed the HESI entrance exam to the RN program! Glory be to God! Woohoo!

Now, prayer for the acceptance letter! 

Help Send Savannah Sky to East Africa!

My daughter Savannah Sky Bowman has been led to go on a missions trip to Africa through Global Expeditions. 

Sponsor Savannah Sky for one day in Africa at only $97. We only need 53 people to donate 97$ to raise the monies needed to send Savannah on her mission trip. Sew seed into God's Kingdom. It will be multiplied back to you. It's okay if you don't have $97, if you could just find it in your heart to donate $1 God will multiply that $1 a hundred fold. 

We have 3 pledges to support Savannah for 1 day so far!  

Read about her trip here:

East Africa 

Donate to her trip here:

Donations to send Savannah Sky to East Africa 

You will need to enter her missionary number. 

ID # is 2667301

This is Savannah Sky's Daily Pledge

The Declaration of a World Changer!

Today, I will live honorably through my thoughts, actions and speech.

I choose to be full of faith.

I will not only be a hearer but a doer of the world of God. 

I will serve before I demand.

I will love and not hate.

I will give before I take.

Today, I choose to make a difference in the world and be a part of something bigger than myself. 

I choose to dedicate my life to prayer and ask God 

for His miraculous power and the courage to do the impossible! 

I will make Godly relationships a priority in my life, 

as I esteem others higher than myself. 

TODAY, 

I will live my life in such a way that I will change the 

WORLD!

"The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" — Luke 10:2 (New King James Version)

 

Praying Psalm 91

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD,

“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,“ says the LORD, ”I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation” (NIV).

I use to pray this every single morning and every single night over my home and family. I actually had a tape that I would play, where people would join me in praying this over our property, home and family. It was a very powerful time of prayer for me. I love the part that says, "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge." I look at my back piece and see my sparrows and I am comforted knowing my Father is my protector. I am comforted knowing His love for me is so strong. Pray out loud with me, for your self and your family if you will. Of course the Lord hears our hearts but praying out loud is a powerful tool!

Father I speak Psalms 91 over my home and family. (Read it aloud now) I stand firmly on Your word and Your promises. I thank You for warmth and protection. In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind my body, soul and spirit to the will and purposes of God.  I bind myself to the truth of God.  I bind myself to the awareness of the power of the blood of Jesus working in my life every day.  I bind my mind to the mind of Christ so I can have the thoughts, purposes and feelings of His mind and heart in me.  I bind my feet to the paths you have ordained for me to walk, God, that my steps will be strong and steady.  I bind myself of the work of the cross with all its mercy, truth, love, power, forgiveness and dying to self.  I know that this is where the power to become a new creature in Christ, lies. Lord, I repent of having wrong attitudes and thoughts; I renounce them now and ask your forgiveness.  I loose every old, wrong, pattern of thinking, attitude, idea, desire, belief, habit and behavior that may still be working in me.  I tear down, crush, smash and destroy every stronghold I have erected to protect them.  I bind myself to the attitudes of Jesus Christ. Father, I loose the power and the effects of any harsh or hard words, or any word curses, spoken about me, to me or by me.  I loose any stronghold thinking still connected to them.  I loose all generational bondage thinking from myself.  Thank you, Jesus, that you have promised that whatever I bind and loose on earth that is in accordance with the will of the Father, will be bound and loosed in heaven. I bind up every force of evil that has set itself against my husband, our marriage, our children, our ministry and the call on our lives that God has revealed and has yet to reveal to us and I loose the Powers of God: warring angels, ministering angels, and the Holy Spirit against this attack that we have authority over in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Uncovered

Uncovered- not covered; revealed or bare

Sometimes it's hard for a person to be real. I use to try to be so perfect in the eyes of the world, believing that I had to fit in or be as good as those around me. I thought the path to God was earning my way, I thought the way to growth was what our ministry became. How wrong I was. My husband and I have been through some very rough waters in churches over the years. We were hurt so deeply and I can remember asking God over and over, "Why, Lord?" "Why, when we were trying to hard to serve You."

Now, after several years, I can hear the answer of the Lord clear as a bell. "You are searching for Me on the wrong path and in the wrong places. I've led you down this rutted road so that you would discover the way to Me."

God is a God of mercy and grace. I will never deserve His love and forgiveness and yet it is there. It is mine for the receiving. I heard a saying just last week that really struck my heart deeply. It said, "You only receive as much love as you think you deserve." How true this is. We often spend so much time thinking how undeserving we are, stopping ourselves from receiving fully from the Lord.

I've found my Father, He's been there all along. I do not live to impress anyone, I live to obey His word and His call on my life. I set aside all fear of what I myself cannot do and I choose to be more than satisfied with what the Lord calls me to do and prepares me to follow through with. I am far from perfection, but as long as I obey His voice I know that I live in His will.

Things have changed. No longer do we seek to follow man or religion, laws or to be accepted. Doors are opening and our ministry is taking off in ways we never could have foreseen. The Lord knew all along the direction we would take. He was leading us and guiding us all along. He was teaching us to follow Him. To hear His voice.

I have no question for Him. Only the desire to be used by Him to bless others and see souls set free from the bondage of the enemy.

I live behind no pretenses, there is no mask that I hide behind, no hidden secrets, everything I've ever done, lived or been, the Lord Jesus has delivered me from and I gladly share and use that so that others know they are not alone and that there is hope in our Father. The One who breaks chains and sets the captive free. I am so thankful to not only know Him but for the opportunity to live for Him. I have no unforgiveness in my heart any longer. I am full to the brim with His peace and ever lasting love.

If you are reading this, know that I love you. I am praying for you. I pray the Lord reach deep down inside of your heart and bring you back to Him. I pray He enable you to forgive yourself, as I have had to forgive myself for my own mistakes. I pray that He speak and you hear Him daily, today and in every day to come.

If we are living a life outside of the will of God, living in willing sin, advertising that sin does not make that lifestyle okay with the Lord. Trying to prove that someone else is wrong does not in turn justify or make you right. That isn't living without a mask. That is just using sin as a mask and being proud of it. To live free beyond the mask is to say, "The Lord Jesus has delivered me from gossip, from alcohol, from depression, from oppression, from having to compete with you, from sexual bondages, from jealousy and discontentment! The Lord Jesus has set me free! And not only has He set me free, that I might use my testimony to help others, He has also restored and redeemed!" -And to live a life that shows it. Yes, I will make mistakes but here I am, uncovered and bare. Watch me because my testimony is being lived and it shows. I'm not just being heard, but know that I do have a voice and I will use all I have for His glory!

He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 KJV

 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Luke 12:2 KJV

 If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

I AM FREE INDEED! IN JESUS CHRIST NAME I AM FREE INDEED! PRAISE GOD ALMIGHTY I AM FREE INDEED! 

DO YOU WANT FREEDOM? CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD! 

Another Daughter in Missions!

My daughter Savannah Sky Bowman has been led to go on a missions trip to Africa through Global Expeditions. 

  I would like to ask everyone to please cover this trip and my daughter in your prayers and anyone who would like to donate to help send her to send me a message for address. All donations are tax deductable. Make checks out to KOTKEM, Keys of the Kingdom Evangelistic Ministries.  Sky is also looking for churches to share her testimony in. The Lord has led her to go on a missions trip and she would love to share the vision He has given her with you and your church family. Please send me a message if you are interested in hearing her speak! Even if you are too far away for her to come to you I can mail you a copy of her personal testimony and how the Lord has called her into the mission field! 

Read all about the trip here: 

East Africa Journey

And most importantly please put Sky on your prayer lists everywhere! I pray a hedge of protection around my daughter and I pray that the Lord's perfect will be done in her life. Agree with me in prayer in Jesus mighty name! We appreciate your prayers more than anything. I just know the Lord is going to open the flood gates of heaven for souls to be saved!

Chocolate Chai Tea

Have you tried it? It's divine. Hot, cold, iced...it doesn't matter. It's simply divine. It's also what has fed me over these past few weeks. I have never in my entire life dreamed that my days would be this full. This busy. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is only by God's grace that I can continue to put one foot in front of the other, one step at a time, and I'm making progress. Through Christ. I'm making progress. I know better than anyone else in the world that I could never make it without Christ. I stumble, falter, cave, crash and crumble without my Father.

Sometimes I do all of those with Him, but, He's there to pick me up.

My mother in law is doing some better. She is still struggling with her short term memory and if you are a prayer warrior please, I ask that you intercess for her. She is a precious woman. She has always provided for me and my family. She enabled me to stay at home and home school for so long without having to seek full-time employment. She has always made a way so that my children have never had to do without. She is one person that I look at and can see her sacrifices. So selfless. Willing to do without so that someone else might have more. She is very special. We love her so much. It is my prayer that the Lord heal her wholly. I admire her and will honor and care for her, just as she has me, in anyway that I can.

Treyton. Oh my little grandson. My fiesty little man. Mimi, loves him more than she ever knew possible. The hours we sit in the floor with crayons coloring, side by side, bonding. "Tank-U Mimi." Those are my favorite words to hear. He says them every time he hands me a different colored crayon. He's been a sick little booger for a while. He started vomiting February 17th and it has continued on and off since then. We've been to many Dr.s, specialists and they are running numerous tests. We are waiting. Patiently waiting. They have him on Zophran three times a day to keep him from vomiting. He eats little and drinks a lot! I'm thankful for his thirst because it is what has kept him out of the hospital and from being dehydrated. The results from his GI x-ray were positive so far! The Dr. is going to blow them up and double check them but so far so good. We just pray that the Lord reveal what is going on in his little body and enable the Dr.s to treat him effectively.

Work. I love my job. I really do. Dental Assisting is a very rewarding position. I love the job pace, the people, the variety, the medical feel, the office work and the sweet friends I work with. I am especially thankful for the friends the Lord has placed in my path. God is so good and so faithful. The drawback to my job is having to work full-time while attending college full-time. It really is a full load. This coupled with being a wife, mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. There are days I really wonder how I'm making it but then I hear that soft whisper, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I'm midway through my semester and so far my grades are up! I'm very proud of my achievements. I have had a career change. I can't remember if I have shared it here or not but I have decided to proceed into the ADN program. The reason I decided not to go forth with the Dental Hygiene program is because of our area and job availability. Jobs are so far and few between and I want to go into a profession that will have lots of opportunity. I haven't fully decided which direction in Nursing I will specialize in but I have lots of ideas floating around through my head.

The exciting part. I have already applied to the RN program at one of our local community colleges. I'm very excited. I go to take the HESI Entrance Exam on Monday the 19th of March. I will find out if I am accepted into the program in mid April. If I am accepted, I have a few classes to take this summer and then I will start the nursing program in the Fall. I will be coming out of work and only going to school full-time until I finish the program. I am so thankful for this. It will be nice to have the extra time to focus and study. It will also be nice to be IN my program of study instead of just taking all of these prerequisites.

However, if I do not get in this time, it will not be a big deal. I will continue to take classes and work through the fall semester and I will be applying to the RN program at a different school in October. If accepted then, class will start in January of 2013 and I'll proceed as mentioned above.

Right now we are working on paying off all extra debt. God is blessing us greatly.

Meadow is doing wonderful in school. I'm very proud of her. She is growing up so quickly, right before my eyes.

Sky is doing fabulous at home in her studies and keeping sweet Treyton at times for Heaven as well. This has been so good for her. I can see Sky maturing and the Lord working in her. I love how the Lord works. It took me so long to realize it. I use to believe I had to preach and force, laying down the law. The Lord has taught me that it is only by His grace and not by my works that He moves. I can't force His hand in anything. I let go of Sky and began praying a long, long time ago. The Lord is moving in her mind, her heart and her life and I'm very excited to see what He has in store for her.

Tony and I are closer than ever. The Lord knows what we've been through but he has led and taught us. I am so thankful for my precious husband. He is the love of my life. My best friend.

This is a long update. It's long over due as well. My life is not perfect. I am not perfect. BUT I serve a perfect God! I love Him and I belong to Him and that alone is what makes all of the difference in my life. He alone is the reason that I am where I am and that I have what I have. I give Him all the praise honor and glory.

And fellow bloggers, I appreciate you reading. Those who know me, those who don't. I just want you to lift our family before our Father in prayer. Pray that His will alone be done in our lives! In return, I pray that the Lord bless you, I know the Father knows your need and that He provide mightily. He is mighty to save!

Now, I'm ready for an iced cold glass of Chocolate Chai Tea!

Praising God

I praise God for His mercy and grace. His blessed forgiveness. I thank Him that He never stops working on me.

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband trust in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12

My Heart Felt Prayer

at this time:

"Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."

- Psalm 51:10-12

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ADVISE!

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ADVISE!

"He who heeds counsel is wise."  Proverbs 12:15 NKJV.

When someone comes to you with a personal problem, ask them the following questions:

• What do you think caused the problem?
• What have you done about it?
• What Scriptures are you standing on?
• What do you think I might be able to do, that you haven't already done?

These questions will help you weed out those who genuinely want help from those who only want attention.  Some people see prayer as a magic wand; they think you can wave it over them and their problem will just go away, then they can go back to living their lives the way they please. 

Here's another situation.  Someone may say, "The doctor has suggested surgery.  What should I do?"  Unless you're a doctor, be very careful what you advise.  If God has spoken to someone and they have faith that He will heal them, don't throw cold water on them.  So what should you do?  Jesus said, "If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" Mathew 18:19 NKJV.  The real question is, are they standing on their faith or yours?  You can teach people God's Word, but you can't force them to come up to your level of faith until they're ready.  Sometimes people may be ready and all they're seeking is confirmation.  The Bible says:  "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things" 1 John 2:20 NKJV.  But unless God has let you "know". be careful what you advise!

(copied from The Word For You Today)