Happy Wordless Wednesday!!!

 

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'I Am' Study by The Preachers Wife lesson 1

Lesson One - I Am - Your Beauty
This Study is moving and powerful. If you would like to join in just click the button and find your way to lesson one. I'm actually coming in a month late but plan to catch up. Lisa truly is great in our Christ Jesus! What a mentor!

These are questions asked at the end of part one of this Bible Study I am participating in:

1. Are there any circumstances or relationships in your life where you can see God has intentionally placed you? What do you perceive may be at stake if you do or do not speak out for Him?

There are many circumstances and relationships that I look around and see that my walk with God matters in more ways than you would see at first glance. I know it is a God thing when a sweet lady at church that I barely knows walks up to me and begins to share that she suffers from depression and how she is in the midst of a battle. It is no coincidence that I battled depression and the Lord delivered me. I was able to share with her this victory. Even though I experience setbacks that is only more training. Showing me that God delivered me but I must walk in that deliverance. I must stand steadfast in my faith, in HIS WORD, and on His promises.

Children...there are so many of every age from 5-20. The Lord has blessed me with my home and even though I long to have more children from my womb the Lord fills my home overflowing with them. Some having tramatic childhoods and it amazes me how I can understand because I too have been there.

Strangers....the other day this little old man, sweating profusely and looking blind in one came by and rang the door bell. I was home alone with my two younger daughters. I was frightened at first. I answered my door, all the while asking God what He willed for us to do. The man said he had walked to his sisters house and she wasn't home, he thought he was having a heat stroke and he needed a ride home. My flesh said no, I heard the fear raging the what ifs, but I heard the calm voice of God saying help him. This scripture came to mind: Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. So I gave him a ride and when I arrived at his home his grandson ran out to help him. I praised my Lord.

My sister, my brother, my father, so many are watching me. At times I can almost feel as though they are just waiting for me to fall. And I do, but my Father always, always, always picks me up. I pray that is what they see.

What is at stake? Their souls? Their deliverance? Their freedom?


2. Can you honestly describe yourself as a woman with a 'yes' in her spirit? If not, what keeps you from this?

I can honestly say I try. But often times when I desire so strongly to say yes it is my own emotions that keep me from being a Yes spirit all of the time. Especially lately....I seem so tired, headaches, not being able to sleep at night then my body wanting to catch up when I have responsibilities to do. I have big plans in my mind. I dream big dreams. But it seems as though I lack the follow through. The things I accomplish seem to be the things that force themselves upon me. Like that old man, he was at my door and I had to do something, but if he had been an appointment at the nursing home I don't think I would have been so willing. It would have been easier to call and cancel. I don't know the name, fear? Laziness? I know I have battled it for a long time and it is one thing about myself that I really do not like at all and yet seem so helpless to change.


3. Do you recognize any circumstances in your life which could be described as an 'unrecurring event'? Have you ever said 'no' to one and watched God use someone else instead?

Oh yes, many times. It is a very disheartening feeling to know that God specifically called me to do something and when I said no someone else picked it up and ran with it. Seeing the success that the Lord was wanting to use me in. Sometimes its small things and I just didn't get it, I didn't recognize the importance of the situation or that it was the will of God. Sometimes its hard to know if its me or the Holy Spirit, other times you just know. Then sometimes its big things, and I know, but for whatever reason I decline the Lord. I would say Fear is a huge factor in this.


4. Are you in an emotionally and spiritually healthy place? If yes, how are you using this freedom to minister to others? If no, what do you feel is holding you in your Egypt?

Well this is one of those questions that has two answers. I am definitely in a better place than I was when I began but I'm not in as good of a place emotionally or spiritually as I once was. My biggest problem is the words I speak over myself, my life, my situations. Forgetting to see things through spiritual eyes and looking at things in the physical and allowing myself to be overwhelmed and stepping out of my faith. Habits. I've dealt with these all my life and had wonderful freedom and powerful deliverance for over a year and slowly habits crept back in. Little by little and then I wake up and wonder what happened. Its hard to get back once you've drifted. The annointing the power. I am on the upswing of stomping those habits out. Calling things that are not as though they were. Standing on God's promises even when they have yet to come to pass. Why oh why did I step back into Egypt?

I have to add to this. I know why satan is on me. I know why I am suffering so. I know that the Lord is trying to use me to help my sister but I have not been able to. By going back and rereading this part of the study it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks. God's timing is perfect. Read this.

I'm copying this from the I Am Bible Study linked above:
There are women in our midst who are dying - emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically. What are we going to do about it? How are we going to protect our sisters from the enemy? When are we going to stand firm and proclaim to Satan - Enough! You can not have her! My heart burns with indignation towards the enemy for the constant turmoil he places in our lives - the heartache, temptation, and oppression. Satan also understands the time concept and places obstacles to prevent us from possessing our lands of Promise - the place we can dwell unbound and able to bless. So his plan? Keep us spiritually and emotionally unhealthy. If we are weak, our hurting sisters our weaker. It is that simple. It is time to stand, to be the healthy ones, to be the women who will take our place between Satan and our broken sister until she is able to stand on her on.

My mother called this morning and my sister is in a deep deep bondage. Satan is after her life. Period. She is in a weak state and is believing the lies the enemy is feeding her. This is urgent. Please stand with me, stand in this gap with me as I pray for her.

My dear Abba Daddy, I come to You and I ask that You - God remove the veil from her eyes, the buffers from her ears. I bind the enemy in the mighty name of Jesus and I loose truth. I pray a hedge of protection around her and I ask You Father to commission angels to fight this spiritual battle going on around her now. Speak to her Lord so that she knows it is You. I ask too Lord that you send forth a laborer to speak to her, to show her Your love, comfort her heart. Thank-You Father in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

Fall Into Reading 2007

Well I love to read. I just love it! However I often find that life keeps me so busy that I end up backburnering (if that is a word) my reading time. So....I'm joining the challenge and making a list of books that I want to read. I may add some newbies in later but right now this is where I am. (I will post updates for October, November and December soon.)

September

1. Finish Anne of Green Gables By Lucy Maud Montgomery (finished!)

2. Continue in John The Beloved Disciple By Beth Moore (put away for now)

updating here: I read several chapters of Anne of Green Gables last night and I ended up in tears. I'm amazed at how I am drawn to Anne and how my heart feels her pain. I am planning to read this aloud to my girls soon. I think I may need to read the Little House series to them first but we shall see....sigh...

updating again 10-1-07: I finished Anne of Green Gables. I cannot believe how moved I was in reading this story. I am going to start the second book in the series next. My husband also bought me a new little hardback by Francine Rivers. I have already started it and it is simply amazing. I just love how Rivers has this way of bringing characters to life, especially bible characters. There are suppose to be four preceeding titles to the book that I have and I am in search of those in hardback also so that I will have the collection. I LOVE books!

October

3. Ann of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery (finished)

4. Silas ~ The Scribe ( the last book in The Sons of Encouragement Series, One of five men who quietly changed eternity) by Francine Rivers (finished)

November

5. Spirit Soul and Body by Lester Sumrall

6. The Hidden Power of Speaking in Tongues by Mahesh Chavda (finished)

7. The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting by Mahesh Chavda (finished)

December

8. Alien Entities by Lester Sumrall (finished)

9. Aaron ~ The Priest (the first book in The Sons of Encouragement Series, one of five men who quietly changed eternity) by Francine Rivers (finished)

10. Caleb~The Warrior (the second book in The Sons of Encouragement Series, one of five men who quietly changed eternity) by Francine Rivers (finished)

11. Jonathan~The Prince (the third book in The Sons of Encouragement Series, one of the five men who quietly changed eternity) by Francine Rivers (finished)

12. Amos~The Prophet (the fourth book in The Sons of Encouragement Series, one of the five men who quietly changed eternity) by Francine Rivers (finished)

(I know my list isn't compiled the way others are so that they can be checked off as I go. My apologies, I just wasn't prepared and enjoy adding to my list as I go.)

Thanks to Katrina at Callapidder Days for sponsoring this fun meme! If you want to go directly to the meme then just click the Fall Into Reading button above!

My Husband and I

 

This man that you see here with me is my soul mate. He is.....my other half, the half that completes me.....let me say that again....he completes me. Jerry McGuire could not have chosen more perfect words! :) I never dreamed that I would have someone that I would love so much and that they would return that love. Honestly, I never ever thought that I would find someone who could, who would love me as much as I loved them. Someone that I could trust in ANY situation, someone that would stand by me through the thick and the thin. I thought that a love like this only existed in fairy tales and romance novels.

I look back in the beginning of our relationship at some of the struggles we went through. Some of them coming from lack of maturity and an unwillingness to change. Both ramming our heads together determined that each of us would win that battle. I have to laugh because at that time we were not serving our Lord. My how our Father changes things! All things! In the last few years the relationship between my husband and myself has changed so dramatically. I know the change came because of the changes that the Lord has done in both of us.

When I read in His scriptures:

Genesis 2:20-24 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Mark 10:7-9 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

A helpmeet, bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, what POWERFUL words. So much more powerful to me now that I have experienced it. They two shall become one flesh. I use to read that and wonder how Lord? How will we ever be to a place that we will be one flesh? Its Jesus Christ and His love that bonds us together and creates one flesh between my husband Tony and myself. Without His love people are missing out because human love is so different than Christ love.

I also remember questioning God's love because all I knew was the love I had experienced. It is so hard to have an understanding of something that you do not understand and that you have never experienced. I could not understand God's love for me because I was not truly experiencing His love for me. In this journey of life I believe that is why the Lord lifts His hands back from us and allows to go through so many different things that make us cry out WHY Lord? Because we must experience them in order for us to KNOW so that our precious Father can use us to help His other sheep.

As I began to mature and grow in the Lord and experience deeper and deeper levels of His love, God's love, the love that I had for my husband grew into levels of depth that I could have never imagined. As my husband grew he experienced the same journey until one day I had a revelation of what our love really was. It wasn't of ourselves but of our Father. So much understanding flooded through me. Our wedding vows took on a whole new meaning. The power of those words that we vowed that day and later when we renewed them had grown. Oh, I meant them when I spoke them, I meant them every bit as much as I could at that point in my life, but my how much more they mean to me today. And to know that as great as this love is that I share with my husband, that I share with my Abba Daddy, it still does not compare to His love for me!

If you do not know this love that I speak of. Seek our Father out, He is persuing you, Be Still and Know that He is Lord (Psalms 46:10), King of Kings, the creator of all things. He created you for a very special purpose, don't miss it. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like to talk.

I pray God's greatest blessings on those who are reading this and I pray that your love grow stronger and stronger! It is my wish that everyone experience the greatness of our Lord! Jesus Christ, The One and Only!

Wordless Wednesday~Best Friends

 

This is my daughter Meadow and her best friend Lydia. The greatest thing is that Lydia's mother and I are best friends and have been our entire lives. My mom and her dad went to prom together! We had the same sitters growing up. Nothing has ever seperated us. It is so much fun watching Meadow and Lydia bonding and growing together. It is my prayer that they will be as close as Lydia's mother and I are. It is a great thing to have a very best friend. Someone that you know that knows your deepest secrets, has seen your best and your worst, and that nothing not time nor circumstance can seperate. Soul mates!

A Bend In The Road

I received this is an e-mail the other day and it definitely spoke where I have been. I just needed the reminder that even in the bend I am not forsaken nor alone. I do not know who to give credit to for writing this but wanted to pass it on in hopes that it may help someone else as much as it did me. I miss blogging and lots of my online friends, world and time but with our home schooling starting back full time and the depression that I have been in I haven't felt that I could encourage anyone here. I'll be back soon. A bend can only last so long! :)

Bend In The Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give
and we are sure that the song has ended.
When our day seems over
and the shadows fall
and the darkness of night has descended.
Where can we go to find the strength
to valiantly keep on trying
Where can we find the hand that will dry
the tears that the heart is crying.
There's but one place to go
and that is to God
and dropping all pretense and pride.
We can pour out our problems
without restraint
and gain strength with Him at our side.
And together we stand at life's crossroads
and view what we think is the end.
But God has a much bigger vision
and He tells us it's only a bend.
For the road goes on and is smoother
and the pause in the song is a rest.
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
is the sweetest and richest and best
So rest and relax and grow stronger
let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended
you've just come to a bend in the road.

The Middle Child-Sky

 

This is Sky. She is my middle daughter. The other day she mentioned that since I had been blogging that I had posted many pictures and stories about her sisters but none of her. I was stunned. I hadn't realized. Meadow is the baby and its so easy to post pictures of her without thinking. Plus she just had her sixth birthday. My baby is growing up.

Heaven has had me preoccupied with concern, emotions, and things I've never experienced before with her missions trip, and yet I never meant to leave my Sky out.

Look at her. She has beautiful green eyes. The only one in our family who doesn't have brown eyes. She has the biggest heart. She is so tender hearted. She is a whole lot like her mommy, yet at the same time she has this incredible sense of humor and loves to joke around. She gets this from her daddy, I know it didn't come from me because most of the time I am completely lacking in this area!

Sky is a daddy's girl all the way. She always has been. Those big ole eyes light up when they spot her daddy. She reminds me of Laura-half pint from The Little House on the Prairie. Her father often comments that if no one else misses him he knows for sure that Sky has!

Sky will be 12 in December and is changing into a young woman right before my very eyes. She is maturing so rapidly I want to scream, "STOP!" She is picking up chores around the house that have always been Heaven's. She is assuming a great deal of responsibility and I am so very proud of her. She tries so hard to please those around her. She never asks for much and is quite satisfied with spending time with her family and friends.

Sky is also my little baker. She loves cooking and baking goodies. She loves being in the kitchen. This is quite different from her older sister Heaven who struggles with following directions on the box..(sorry Heaven-you get this from your aunt Tammy!) Can you see my BIG GRIN?! Seriously though, Sky is always willing to do the grunt work. She is the one that you can depend on to take out the scraps, to feed and water the dogs, to play with her sister, to run down the steps to get me a water or her father his clothes out of the dryer.

So Sky, mommy wants you to know that it isn't because you aren't special to me or that I don't love you as much as I do the others. It isn't your fault that I have neglected you here, its mine. Forgive me dear one. I love you so much! You are very special to me and I want you to know that I notice all that you do, I'm just sorry that I have forgotten to tell you. Thank-You. Thank-You for working so hard, for never giving in or giving up, for always being willing, for being there for me and especially for simply being you.

Thankful Thursday: Heaven's Trip To Peru

 


Look at these smiling faces! Over 7,000 received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Not to mention the deliverance that took place within the teens who went. It is simply amazing how when we obey God and share His precious gospel that He in turn ministers as much to us as He does to those who are hearing His truth.

Heaven was a clown in the drama that they performed almost daily while in Peru. The little children loved it! They would come and try to peel the paint from her face and then some would wipe it on their own. They were so happy to see this ministry come in. Heaven was able to wash and clean lice from some of the children's hair and supply them hair bows and barrets. They went in and helped paint and clean up some of their homes. They ministered in private schools because while she was there the public schools were on strike. She said there were gun shots everywhere but she didn't want to worry me while she was in Lima.

She met great friends. She grew. She heard God's precious voice. She has had a hard time adjusting back to home. It is so easy sometimes to ask why them and not us.

Thank-You all for the prayers. They were answered. God moved. He's still moving. I am so Thankful today that He spoke to my Heaven and that He used her to further His Kingdom. I am so Thankful today for His protection, for His promises. We serve such a Great and Mighty God. He is so worthy of our Praise, our dedication, our love, our obedience. He is worth it all. Sunday at church we sang this song by Chris Tomlin called Glory in the Highest and I feel it fits in perfectly with what I feel right now. So sing with me on Thankful Thursday....





"Glory In The Highest"

You are the first
You go before
You are the last
Lord, You're the encore
Your name's in lights for all to see
The starry host declare Your glory

Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest

Apart from You there is no god
Light of the world
The Bright and Morning Star
Your name will shine for all to see
You are the one
You are my glory

And no one else could ever compare
To You, Lord
All the earth together declares ...
Glory in the highest ... to You, Lord

All the earth will sing Your praise
The moon and stars, the sun and rain
Every nation will proclaim
That You are God and You will reign

Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory to You, Lord
Glory, glory hallelujah
Hallelujah

For more Thankful Thursdays visit Sting My Heart! Have a Blessed Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday Happy Birthday To Meadow

 
My Wordless Wednesday isn't so wordless this week! I just have to share this. Meadow has been wanting a kitty cat for a really long time. Her dad isn't a cat lover and I think it may be safe to say he was the opposite of that. Since Meadow was old enough to talk she has asked for a kitten. At three she began praying for one. Over the years we have pleaded with daddy to give in but he just wouldn't. Then this year as Meadow was getting ready to turn six, and still asking for a kitten, something in my husband changed. Maybe he is getting soft in his old age, all is I know is that he decided to let us get Meadow a kitten for her birthday.

I hunted everywhere because Meadow wanted a white kitten. I finally came across these two little beauties and knew they were the ones. Imagine Tony's reaction when I called and asked permission for not just one kitten but two! I was SHOCKED when he replied, "I guess."

So, the day of Meadow's birthday Heaven and I went and picked up the kittens. One boy that I named Brodie and a girl for Meadow to name. I took them to the vet and brought them home in their pet taxi. We all gathered in Meadow's room and sat the kitten's taxi on her bed and closed her door. We called for Meadow to come in her room and when she opened her door she seen the kittens on her bed and gasped, "Are they real Mommy?!" We all just laughed! She named her little girl Gracie and then she screamed, "This is just like a dream mommy, I hope I don't wake up!"

This was one of the most memorable birthdays I've ever enjoyed. I told Meadow that God had heard and answered her prayers at the most perfect time! Because of her wait she appreciated them so much more. And her daddy knew he had just made his little princess the happiest princess in the world!

My baby girl is growing up. 6 Time truly does fly.

To view more Wordless Wednesday's visit 5 Minutes For Mom!

It's been a while

These last weeks have been so incredibly busy. I am so happy to have Heaven home and I have been strictly limiting my computer time. Heaven has had a hard time adjusting to being home. The missions trip really changed her a lot. She still has some jet lag but is more herself each day.

Meadow had a birthday this week and we had a small party for her here. I will post some pics later this week, hopefully tomorrow. Then we had a youth rally at our church and it was so awesome! There were several saved and many healed. The power of God was really moving. I'm very excited about what God is doing in our church and our community. Being friends with God makes life worthwhile, doesn't it? It gives life meaning, keeps life exciting. I just love my Lord!

I know this is short I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that all is well! Many Blessings!

One More Day

I can't believe how hard is has been these last two weeks! I also can't believe how hard we were attacked spiritually. We had to replace our water pump Sunday, the filter guy had to come out Monday and by Wednesday I had no water pressure again. Tonight I'm having to turn off the water to the toilets to do dishes and run a bath. My washer is acting up and its only one year old. My clothes are piling up and I don't function in a mess. I have to have my home fairly clean to feel good. My husband has driven almost 4,000 miles this week so I kind of feel like a single mom!

BUT....

I have a house full of kids! I have my Savannah-11 & Meadow-5, then the neighbor Nikki-5, and three of my friend's kids, Jessie-12, Amy-10, Caleb-11, Seth-7 & Lydia-5! I had to send little Olivia home last night. She is only one and she is a mess. A beautiful mess but a mess still the same. She is into everything! I'm sure you all remember that age with your children. Plus her mommy has her spoiled and she wanted her own bed!

So I have been busy but having fun. I love watching the kids play together. They have been in trees, playing dress up, helping me clean, watching movies, laughing crying.....you get the picture! And of all times my battery charger is missing to my camera so I couldn't take pictures and these were the perfect kodak days!

I'm tired. Sorry I haven't been able to participate in the memes or catch up on your blogs, I miss you all and pray all is well! And Heaven is coming home Sunday!

Heaven died!

Yep, that is how I felt when I received the message that said I died!

Here is Heaven's latest blog:
I died.

So last night´s talk was on dieing to yourself (I´m actually still breathing just to let you all know). Our speaker had us write down the things we needed to die to. Then she said if we were serious to walk to the front of the room and look at the dead person in the coffin before us. Slightly hesitant I walked forward and looked into the casket. Inside I seen my own reflection in a mirror. We were then seperated into teams and had our own ¨funerals¨. We stepped forward before our team and voiced what we were dying to. I died to unforgiveness to myself and other´s. I died to doubt. I died to my past. I died to my future. Mostly though I just died. When I come back it will no longer be me- It will be Him. It is all for Him and about Him... it all is Him.

It´s so easy to say I´m going to do nice things for God...I´m gonna play sports for Him, I´m gonna sing for Him... But that isn´t what we´re suppose to do. We are to simply surrender and do what HE wants us to do. We have to let go of our own wills and follow God´s. We have to die to our own independence and become dependent on Him.

Over 5,209 people have been saved so far. Tomorrow is our last ministry day. Be in prayer! I will be home soon!
end

I'm amazed at this! This trip has been so much more than I ever thought it would be for my daughter. Because of some things I had heard and then being told this wasn't *true* missions because the kids are staying in a resort and things like that somehow I think I thought those things would limit God. I can't get over myself sometimes! These kids that have gone on this Brio Missions Trip were in almost as much need as those Peruvians that have received Christ! God has worked miracles on both sides. 5000 saved!!! I'm simply amazed! Praising God!! wooohooooo! And I can't wait to see my daughter on Sunday!

I would also like to thank all of you reading who have supported my daughter and helped to enable her to take this trip. I know there are a whole lot of readers who don't know how to comment that helped to fund this trip. Some of you I have never even met. For all of you who donated, who prayed, who held me while I was so alone, those who talked with me late hours on the phone, Heaven's friends, my husband to each of you I offer a HUGE THANK-YOU!

Missions Updates from Heaven

Monday- Servant hood
Today was another work day! Yesterday I was extremely blah, but today I am doing very very well. I cleaned houses. This one women had her son go buy some juice and crackers for us. Then when we went to take a picture they changed clothes and fixed their hair up. It was the sweetest thing. Then in the other house we cleaned a girl had us listen to some of her music. It was neat that she shared that with us. We all danced around. I got a ton of pictures yet again. As the days pass you really get in touch with your servant heart. You realize that your true happiness comes in making other´s happy and helping them along in their lives. I´ve never felt more sure of the calling God has placed on my life. I can´t wait to come home and share this awesome experience with everyone! I love and miss ya´ll soooooooooooooo much!!


People without a purpose..
So I have ten minutes :( Today we didn´t work, we only performed. We went to like three different places. It was a great day though. Last night we had a concert... we´re having another one tonight. I have failed to mention that over 2,000 people have been saved on this trip so far, not counting the people from today.

I also forgot to mention something I seen yesterday. There was this woman stroking her fingers through her little daughter´s hair. I watched her as she studied her hand and the top of the girl´s head. I wondered what she was thinking... Was she thinking of the girl´s future? Whether it be ten years from then or five minutes. All people feel the same things and I know mother´s in Amereica trouble theirselves with worrisome thoughts all the time. I just can´t imagine how much worse this mother´s thoughts must be to be living where they are living. Please keep these people in your prayers. They have nothing and yet they give everything. Everyone receives the message from the drama so well... they all want to believe and accept Jesus. They all want a promise of love... of hope... of eternal life... of life at all... of a purpose.

I encourage everyone to take a step back from your choas and veiw your life from the outside. See what characteristics of Christ you are missing and all the wrong ones you could do without.

Keep me in your prayers I´ll be home in less than 5 days!

More updates from Heaven

Things have been chaotic at my house. Our water quit Saturday morning, a man came to replace our pump Sunday, and then the water wasn't coming through the filteration system. We have incredibly bad water with lots of iron in it. So today another man is suppose to be coming to fix that. I am at a friends house. I am going to copy the latest two blogs from Heaven. Her experiences are keeping me going! I am so happy for her!

First update
Last night at our little metting thing that I cannot spell or pronounce everyone seemed to be breaking down and crying. This one girl confessed in front of everyone all this bad stuff that she had been experiencing... many teens did. They came forth and in front of all 600 kids they poured out their hearts. You´d have to be pretty cold hearted to not cry after each testimony was shared. We broke up into groups and prayed then went back into praise and worship. The night was great. I also bought some great pajama pants that were like an XL.. yeah so they´re way too big but they are really comfortable and they were only ten dollars. I´m flying home in them, yes yes.

After that I was talked into going to this Christian dance club they have here. It´s completely crazy but I can assure you it´s supervised (to mom and dad). It´s mostly just goofy dancing. Anyways it´s goober fun (used that word for Aubrey) and I def slept good last night.

Today topped yesterday. We did the same stuff but we all switched jobs. I was washing, drying and fixing different kid´s hair. You could see the lice on their scalps. It was so pitiful. I´ve taken loads of pics and will post them all when I get back home. Many were saved again today. The kids were wonderful. I love how they pull the paint off my face with their tiny fingers. I´ve definitely found another portion of God´s amazing love.

I would like to encourage everyone to search out their hearts and see where you are in your walk with God. Are you ancle deep in the ocean? Knee deep? Waste deep? Or are you in over your head swimming in God´s love? Jump in and have faith in our Creator.. seek an intimate love realtionship with Him. We could never be perfect but we should strive to be obedient.
I love and miss everyone!!!!!!!!

Next Update
So last night was great.... same routine as the night before. We had our wroship service and a talk. Then we headed to the dance club again which was as much fun as it was the night before, if not then more.

Today we had a church service. It was great. I have to admit it was my least favorite talk. But when it was over I felt more of God´s presence then in any other service we´ve had. I felt God pulling me and calling me. I felt Him changing me. I dedicated all my gifts and all my life to His glory. One of my new friends Nina began to ask me what God wanted me to do... When I went to answer her I was overwhelmed in actually voicing what the Lord had spoken to me. God is so amazing. His voice is so clear... if only we will listen.

Before I came on this trip I had many people pray over me and mention things about my hands and what the Lord would do with them. Then at our first service back in Miami God got more specific with me and gave me full confirmation. Then two nights ago God spoke to me directly again and said, ¨Heaven, they are not your hands.¨ I realized then that everything about me isn´t about me... it´s all about Him, it all is Him. Every action I make, every word I speak... I have to completely die to my flesh and live for my Lord and Savior who gave His life for me. The changes God is making in me are radical. They are consuming, but in a good way. God is working and I am finally fully surrendering to what He has called me to do. I´m ready to take up my cross and go through this walk of life to glorify my Jesus. end..

I am simply in awe of the growth that Heaven is experiences with Christ. I really have so much more inside of me to say but will have to do it later. Please continue to pray over Heaven, pray protection, For God to lead, and for annointing. Thanks-You.

First Day in the Mission Field

Heaven was able to send me a short e-mail telling me to read her blog. I'm going to copy and paste it here. I can't stop the tears! This trip is going to change her life. You know I have been homeschooling six years now going into my seventh and I communicate a LOT with people online, it struct me hard tonight that most of my contact with my daughter would be online as she fills the call the Lord has placed on her life. It is so wonderful and so incredibly sad all at the same time! Isn't that what they call bittersweet? Thankfully I still have another year with her at home. *sigh* Well...here it is..

This is the e-mail
I love you both mommy and daddy. I´m gonna try to wrtie a blog about my
wonderful day so ya´ll can read it. Then I won´t have to type so much stuff
over and over. Thank you both so much for all ya´ll have done. I love you
guys and miss you bunches! Tell everyone I miss them and love them too
especially Savannah and Meadow. ANd sorry if there´s typos the keyboard is
in spanish.
heaven
This is the blog
So today was out first ministry day. And may I say it was indescribable. Nothing could ever amount to the beauty I witnessed. After performing our drama everyone was emersed into the crowd to lead the people to Christ. We´ve been taught some phrases and knew what to say... I found myself in the middle of a large group of young children wanting to pray and receive Jesus into their hearts. I got a translater and bowed my head as the children repeated after her. Can we say cold chills? Then we were able to play games and run around with them. I am a clown in our drama and the kids just went crazy touching my costume and smearing the paint on my face. They were so in awe of us all dressed up so silly. As I was getting onto the bus some kids came up and hugged me and kissed my cheek. It was precious and definitely a moment I will never forget. The harder part was leaving. The children ran after us and jumped and waved until we got back to the main road. On the way back to the resort the sun finally came out. It´s been overcast since we got here. So I´ll just say.. the sun came out today... physically and spiritually.

By the way... I miss everyone a whole lot and have been homesick this whole time. I´ve really wanted to come home. But today showed me my purpose to being here and has made my desire for missions grow even stronger. I´m prepared to stay now. Not that I would have a choice. Hehe.

blogger reflection award

Karen from Surviving Motherhood a dear sweet Christian sister, that the Lord has blessed me with, has given me this blogger reflection award. This is my very first award and I am so very honored! Astonished I am!

Karen said, "I love Jenileigh, not just because she says nice things to me, but because she loves her girls so much. When I am feeling frustrated with my children I can visit Jenileigh and (after I giggle at the silly pictures) renew my perspective. Her love for her girls is infectious and helps me see past the petty frustrations and realized once again how blessed I am."

I never dreamed of or even ever knew that there were such things as blogger awards when I started blogging, much less that I would ever receive one. When I began blogging it was for me a journal to keep of our life. In the beginning I had thought it would be more about homeschooling but the Lord has led me to use it as a place to share our life through Him. I share the good and the bad. I have great days and then there are those that you don't like to mention! I just open up and share what is in my heart. My girls and my precious husband they are my life. I have never planned out a blog I just sit down and allow the Lord to pour out what He wills. There are times that I myself am astonished at what I have learned and then there are times that I feel my blogs have little point. So is life. Although everything has a point even if we never realize what it is.

I also never knew that blogging would open me up to whole new world. A whole new family. A family with such love and dedication always there and always uplifting you with such support. How grateful I am that I receive many more blessings than I feel I share. God is like that though isn't He? He multiplies back to us everything we give to Him. How Great is Our God!!!

I am ever so thankful that the Lord has used me to touch my friend Karen in such a deep way. She has in return brought great encouragement and knowledge to me. Much love that I am amazed can be felt online.

Now I know I am suppose to pass this on to five other bloggers. At this time however I hope that it will be fine if I just say a mighty Thank-You. Thank-you Karen for sharing this with me. I simply haven't been blogging long enough to pass this on to five other bloggers and the few that I would send it on to already have it! So just know that I am blessed by and grateful for all of YOU!

Heaven Leigh

 

Here is the e-mail I received from my dearest Heaven in Peru!

Mommy,
As it turns out it is two dollars for every fifteen minutes and its in spanish! I miss you guys so much and would kind of like to come home. I know everything is going to be fine and God's will is being done. Nothing new so far besides we are in Peru. Our resort is beautiful and quiet too. Tomorrow we go out on our first mission. Please keep us in your prayers. I love you all so much and will do my best to call. I'm healthy and fine. Don't worry about me whatsoever! And you've only pushed me when I need it mom. I love you with all of my heart.
Heaven

This e-mail rested my heart some! I had told her to make sure she clearly stated if she was healthy and fine or not so she did! LOL! She said it was really loud in Miami with all of them together so I know she is thankful it is more quiet where they are now. I cried of course when I read the part of her *kind of* liking to come home. It is just so hard letting go. I can't believe she will be 18 next year! My how time flies.

Please continue prayer for Heaven and the other girls, leaders and trainers. The Lord led my husband to pray for Him to protect, lead and annoint her. Only 10 more days!!!

Pictures are up for Monday and Tuesday so far, but sadly none of Heaven. I think she hides when they take pictures! Check them out here:
Brio Missions PERUve iT!!! Teen Missions 2007

Fire Works on the 4th

Jenileigh's hubby here again just wanting to take a moment to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my beloved wife and thank her for the many years love we have shared. It was 14 years ago today on a beautiful 4th of July that we took our vows in front of many loved ones and even some that said "They will never last" Well we are here to say we have and we continue to do so!!!! Every 4th of July when the fireworks go off it reminds me of that special day.(and that I gotta run to the store:p)
My prayer is: Father God I thank You today over all days for sending me the greatest blessing of my life, my wife. Lord I ask that You continue to lead guide and direct the path that we as one walk. I ask that You be a light unto our path that we may not stumble. Thank You for blessing our marriage with many children and much love. Father I give You all the praise, In Jesus name, Amen

Come Follow Me

Well she is gone. The day was sort of tense for all of us. Trying not to cry knowing that if one did we would all start! Excited too about the adventure that lies ahead of Heaven and Balei. I am so thankful that Heaven's friend Balei is going on this trip with Heaven and that they didn't have to fly to Miami alone. They held hands as the plane took off and there was a gentleman who didn't speak English very well that laughed at them. They have landed and will be in training until late Wednesday night when they will be flying into Peru.

As we were driving to the airport I had random thoughts running through my mind. I was thinking that I had lost my mind and wondering how in this world I could allow my 16 year old baby to leave the country. Then I had the fleeting thought that I couldn't do that, nope no way....not alone. As a matter of fact if left up to me she wouldn't be going at all. This wasn't about me though, this was about Christ our Savior and He is the one who called her and He was the one equipping me and strengthening me to send her off. He was the one who kept me from changing my mind. Because after all it is because of Him that we are here, because of Him that we live, because of Him that we can face our tomorrows. I wouldn't want to take one step without Him.

As we approached the airport I felt like losing it, so I opened the book that I am reading now by Beth Moore called John the Beloved Disciple. I haven't read alot of it lately, I just haven't had the time and to be honest I simply haven't felt led. For some reason this morning before we left I picked it up to take with me to the airport. Then at the moment that I felt as though I were going to lose it the Lord led me to open it and read. This is what I read.

Begin quote-

Jesus walked up to the four fishermen at the shore. How do you picture Christ's expression and demeanor as He called them to follow Him? How do you think Peter and Andrew felt about Jesus also stopping by the second boat and calling James and John? Keep in mind the partnership they shared in business. Do you think the sight of Peter and Andrew accompanying Christ had any kind of impact on the response of James and John?

Mark 1:20 tells us, "Without delay he called them {James and John}, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him." How do you think Zebedee reacted? Just so you're exploring all the options, keep in mind that Zebedee probably had some familiarity with Jesus. At the same time, don't forget he was a strong Jewish father with his own plans for his sons. What do you think?

I'm so glad God chose to include the names of James and John's father in Scripture. He wasn't just any man. He wasn't just any father. He was Zebedee. He had a name. He had feelings. He had plans. He was probably close enough to each of his sons' births to hear Salome, his young, inexperienced wife, cry out in pain. He probably wept when he was told he had a son. And then another. No doubt, he praised God for such grace. Daughters were loved, but every man needed a son to carry on the family line, after all.

Two fine sons. That's what Zebedee had. He named them himself. They played in his shadow until they were old enough to work; and if I know anything about teenage boys, they still played plenty behind his back even when they were suppose to be working. Just about the time Zebedee grew exasperated with them, he'd look in their faces and see himself.

At the time when Christ called James and John, I have a feeling they had never been more pleasure or more support. Life is curious. Just about the time you get to reap some of the fruit of your parenting labors, the young, flourishing tree gets planted elsewhere.

Keith and I are in the season of life I'm describing. Our daughters have never been more delightful, never been any easier to care for, and never had more to offer in terms of company and stimulating conversation. The summers of their college years have been great fun, and we never secretly wanted to push them back to school or down the aisle. They are simply very little trouble right now. I wonder if Zebedee felt the same way about young adult sons.

Just when Zeb was reaping a harvest of parental rewards, James and John jumped ship. All he had to show for it was a slimy fishing net. What would happen to the business? What about Zebedee and Sons? No matter how Zebedee felt, I have a pretty good feeling God had great compassion on him. After all, He knew how Zebedee felt when John had to be called away from his father's side in order to fulfill his destiny.

Chances are pretty good Zebedee thought their sudden departure was a phase and they'd get over it. Glory to God, they never did. Once we let Jesus Christ really get to us, we never get over Him. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
End quote from Beth Moore's book John the Beloved Disciple from chapter 4.

Tears streamed down my face as I heard my Father speak directly to me. I wasn't the first one to go through this and He knew exactly what I was going through and was WITH me every step of the way. Not only was I not the first one to go through this but here He took me through another man's journey, a father who lost not one but two sons. He brought to life Scriptures I had read but didn't know existed. How is that possible? That we can read the same word over and over and then that one day the blinders are removed and He gives us revelation knowledge. It comes only through Him.

He knew that I felt like I was losing my daughter, the daughter that I have so faithfully raised in His word and done my very best to train up in the way she should go. He knew that I felt like we were so bonded and so close but now somehow I was left alone, abandoned. He knew in secret how I honestly felt as though I was losing her to Him and how part of me rejoiced but part of me was screaming wanting to hold on. He also knew how I wondered if this were just a fleeting phase that would pass and that deep down inside how I knew that it wouldn't.

Let me tell you what He spoke most boldly to me. It was this, yes, I am not the first, and no, I will not be the last and yet it does not make me and my pain any less important to Him. My pain was the same as Zebedee's. My pain was real. I wasn't just any woman. I wasn't just any mother. I had a name. I had plans. My Father spoke to me and told me that He knew my pain, He understood it and He let me know in a mighty way that He was right here holding my hand. He is my comforter. He reassured me that I was not losing her but gaining her, that He was sharing her with me and that we are going to be with Him in eternity and that in reality we would never lose one another. He reminded me that we are on a journey and this is but another path that must be taken.

I heard His voice saying, "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Wednesday night this week in the class that I teach our lesson was called " A Call to Follow." Our memory verse was Mark 1:17 "Come, follow me,"Jesus said,"and I will make you fishers of men." The Lord had been preparing me before time and I didn't even know it. I thought I was teaching my children but in reality my Father was also teaching me. I just didn't recognize Him. My prayer is that I recognize my Father more and more everyday. He is always in control, there are no coincidences. He loves us more than we could ever know or realize.

Don't you hear Him? Don't you hear His call? "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men!"

One more day

One more day till my oldest baby leaves. I can't believe how hard it has been to get ready. Her big bag can only weigh 50lbs so we had to take out this and take out that! We took it to UPS and had it weighed and it was 50.25. Whew!

I have peace and even joy about her leaving. I know that God is getting ready to use her. I can't wait for her return to hear about all of the wonderful details. God is so good.

We are getting ready to go to a 4th of July Celebration with our church at a couple's place from our church. We have massive fire works to set off tonight. We are going to be cooking out and enjoying great fellowship. I can't wait and I'll be back to share later.

Please be in prayer for Heaven and for the missions team she is going with. Here is a link to the page where updates should be posted. It has some misprinted information currently so I hope they update soon!

Brio Missions PERUve iT!!! Teen Missions 2007

Heaven is leaving

Well I worked on another blog entry today and published it but it isn't showing up on my page. I'm confused as to what exactly is going on with it. It isn't a draft, it specifically says its published but where it is I just don't know.

Heaven is leaving Monday. I know all the things I'm suppose to know but still yet I'm struggling with her leaving. She has grown up so fast and life it feels as though its just passing me by at times. I look into the mirror each day and I see this old body aging and yet inside I still feel like this little girl. Some days I'm screaming to get out and for time to just stop and stand still for a little while and give me some time to catch up with myself but it never happens. I'm highly emotional, tears just come whenever they choose whether I want them to or not. I feel quite silly at times since I know my Father, His comfort and His word and yet I feel as though I'm out here in the middle of no where with no control. And maybe that is what is wrong, no control. And yet I wouldn't even know what that was like because I've never had control, He has always had control. That should bring me peace though. Nothing is making sense to me. I sleep but I don't rest. I eat but I don't get full. I'm ok and yet I don't feel ok. So I look around and check, and sure enough I'm fine. How can I feel so many things at once? How can I be so happy and so proud of my daughter, so thankful that she is listening to God and fulfilling her purpose and yet feel so lost? This flesh is heavy at times.

I'll post more about her trip and link some information on it as it becomes available.