A Love Story

Recently, a man by the name of Pat Robertson made national news when he declared that it's okay to divorce your spouse if he/she suffers from Alzheimer's or Dementia. He justifies his stance by stating that these conditions are "a kind of death". This idea is in direct contrast with the picture of marriage we find in the Bible. At the heart of a Christ-centered marriage lies the vow to remain faithful "in sickness and in health".

Let me share with you a beautiful story that portrays this truth.

A very dear friend of mine has traveled the heartbreaking journey through dementia. His wife was diagnosed with vascular dementia nearly five years ago and from beginning he has been the picture of what it means to honor your spouse. My friend cared for his wife as much as possible, until the disease reached a point where outside help was needed. 

His wife was eventually placed in a nursing home where she could receive the care she needed.

While this time of his life has been the hardest he has ever faced, it has allowed his love for Jesus and for his wife to shine, even through the darkest days. 

My friend made a promise to his wife on their wedding day many years ago, and he has kept that promise- even amidst the loss caused by dementia.

The Bible instructs husbands to "love your wife as yourself" and I've never seen this lived out quite like I have with my friend. Despite the pain of seeing his sweetheart gradually declining, he never left her side. He could have justified leaving- or not visiting her so often- because it was so painful, or because she didn't recognize him. In doing so, though, he would have been putting himself first. In a marriage, your spouse comes first and my friend knew this truth. He put her needs above his regardless of the fact that his heart broke daily for the love of his life. 

I've watched my friend navigate life without his love by his side. I've seen his heart on the many morning runs we've had as he shared his struggles, yet he never once considered leaving her side. You see, when he made that vow so many years ago, he didn't know this battle would one day come. He vowed to love his wife regardless of what the future held, and that is exactly what he has done.

My dear friend lost his precious wife last week. He honored her until the very end. He loved her to the fullest. He did so much for her even though she had no way of knowing- at least not on this side of heaven. She now knows the depth of her husband's love and devotion to her, how he honored his promise to stay by her side even during her darkest times. 

 

I know she is smiling down at the man who truly loved her as he loves himself.

In a world where marriage is no longer sacred, love stories like this give us hope and set an example for the way we are called to love- deeply and regardless of what life may bring our way.

Our Gorgeous Girl

She is stunning inside and out :) Love our beautiful baby!

On another note: a big thank you to everyone who has been praying for myself and my mission team. I am home safely and feel like I am finally settled and caught up. I hope to start sharing all the amazing stories from Nicaragua soon!

To sum it up in one sentence: I was born to be a missionary. 

Stay tuned!

Prayer Partners

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good

news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim

salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God Reigns.’”

Isaiah 52:7

Early on Saturday our mission team will fly to Nicaragua to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm asking that you join our team as prayer partners and lift up our team and the people of Nicaragua during the week of August 2 - August 9. Words cannot describe how excited I feel and how much I am looking forward to experiencing God move in mighty ways on the mission field. This is a very busy week for me- preparing not only to leave out Friday afternoon for Nicaragua, but also preparing for the start of school next week{which I will miss}. If I don't post anything this week, please be understanding. I am working on setting up guest posts from some of my dearest friends for next week while I am out of pocket! Please continue to check back regularly :)

1. Pray that God will be glorified by every aspect of our trip. We are going to share the Gospel and bring glory to God alone. Pray that our actions and words will bring glory and honor to God alone.

2. Pray that each of us, as well as the nationals with whom we work and share with, would have a personal and powerful encounter with God. Pray that the Holy Spirit not only moves in our midst, but moves through us and in us, forever changing our lives.

3. Pray that the unconditional love of Jesus would radiate in and through each of our lives. We are going as the hands and feet of Christ to love on His people and share His Word. Pray that in all we say and do, we represent Love.

4. That God would place a hedge of protection around the entire trip. Please lift up our travels and pray that we will arrive home safely.

5. Satan would be bound from anything that distracts anyone from hearing the voice of God in the area where we'll be sharing.

6. All participating on this trip would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. May every step we take and every word we speak be in response to the Spirit's leading and not our own.

7. God's Word would be proclaimed with power and produce life changing transformations.

8. God would give us strength and good health throughout the trip.

9. Pray that God will protect and provide for family members back home. This trip is not just about us, but also includes our family we leave behind who will be lifting us up in prayer. Please pray that the Lord will send them peace while their loves ones are so very far away.

10. God would give wisdom to those speaking and teaching, and listening ears to the people we come in contact with during our mission.

11. Divine appointments, both with those we share with as well as others we might encounter while traveling.

12. All team members and translators would be bold and creative in sharing our faith.

13. Pray that we would make quick adjustments to time and cultural changes.

14. Pray that revival would break out with the people to whom we minister, as well as within our own hearts.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers! I cannot wait to share with you the amazing ways God is going to move in Nicaragua!

 

Knees to the Earth

This has been a favorite of mine for years, but for the last two days it has been on my mind and heart constantly. It is one of my favorite worship songs and I can never listen to it without raising my hands and losing myself in worship of my beautiful Savior.

Wonderful Savior
My heart belongs to Thee
I will remember always
The blood You shed for me
Wonderful Savior
My heart will know Your worth
So I will embrace You always
As I walk this earth

(chorus)
Be blessed, be loved, be lifted high
Be treasured here, be glorified
I owe my life to You oh Lord
Here I am

Beautiful Jesus
How may I bless Your heart?
Knees to the earth
I bow down to everything You are
Beautiful Jesus
You are my only worth
So I will embrace You always
As I walk this earth

We are often the ones seeking for Jesus to bless us, to lift us high, to touch our hearts. Sometimes though, we need to return the favor. We need to look for ways to touch His heart, to love Him back, to lift His name on high. We need to remember to bless Jesus' heart.

Do something today to touch Jesus and show Him love in return for all He is for you.
 

A Bit of Happy

 Love this :) 

Happy Monday, Lovelies!

 

It's Revival Time

The Pentecostal Camp Meeting Revival starts today and this girl is oh so very excited! My soul sister, T, and I have always gone together and though I won't divulge personal tidbits, let me just say that during this week long revival I have seen God move in the most amazing ways.

I cannot wait to spend this week immersed in worship and prayer with others who are on fire for the Lord. I'm very much looking forward to my cup being filled so that I can splash everyone in Nicaragua with Jesus :)

If you are local, the Pentecostal Camp Meeting Revival starts today {July 20} and continues every evening through Friday. The services start at 7:00 pm nightly and it is located at the little blue camp located on Hwy 17 south {if you are headed to Toxey, it's on a hill on the left about halfway between Butler and Toxey}. If you are interested and not sure about the location, etc., contact me. We have a group meeting up each evening and you are welcome to join our little caravan.

You don't have to attend every night. Just one night of their amazing worship and prayer is enough to saturate your soul and set you on fire for Jesus. Please don't let the denomination hinder you either- Jesus is Jesus no matter what you call yourself. I attend a Baptist church and yet I love love love this annual Pentecostal revival. My husband and I consider ourselves 'Bapticostals' of sorts.

Hope to see you there!

That Fall Feeling

When I stepped out onto our back porch to feed Louie this morning, I had to remind myself that it is indeed still July- and not October.

Today feels like Fall.

And while I'm still enjoying this fun season, today's cool temps and Autumn atmosphere have me dreaming of my favorite season- Fall.

I checked the forecast and it looks as if we will be enjoying these much cooler temps through the weekend. Fabulous! Maybe we can actually get outside and play without fear of heat strokes.

Unfortunately for us, the wee one and I are a bit under the weather- yucky runny nose for her, a sore throat for me. Hopefully our day indoors, lounging in pajamas, and taking it easy will be just the ticket to getting us back to 100% by the weekend.

I'm thinking these cooler temps are calling for a day of fishing with Mary Grace in our back yard. It's still on our Summer Bucket List waiting to be checked off.

Enjoy the break from the heat, my friends!

Weekend Recap

We kicked off the weekend Friday afternoon with the Summer Reading Program's awards ceremony. Sweet Mary Grace read 42 books this summer and received a little goody bag with loads of candy and trinkets. Making memories with this precious little one! My husband joined us too, but I forgot to snap a pic of him and Mary Grace. Bad mom alert :)

Friday evening the hubs and I built a 'fort' in the middle of our living room and the rest of the night revolved around that one spot. Movies are much better when paired with popcorn eaten inside your secret fort :)

Saturday I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker for the Youth Girl's weekend retreat. I shared my testimony with the group and enjoyed some good fellowship with a precious group of young girls!

After lunch my hubby ran to town to pick up a new kiddie pool. The last one was damaged during an episode with the lawnmower. We switched it up and put this pool on the porch rather than by the swing set. Best decision ever. The little one can now splash and play without fear of sunburn or mom and dad having a heat stroke. Fabulous! Bob's mom stopped by for a few minutes- just in time to help set up the new pool ;)

 

Saturday night we ventured back to the Youth retreat to enjoy some amazing worship music, prayer time, and more fellowship with friends. A rain shower required we move indoors, but that didn't stop us from having an awesome time! We left refreshed, renewed, and in awe of our God.

By this point, sweet girl was oh so tired. Even as sleepy as she clearly is in the clip, she was still trying to dance a little :) And yes, that's her lovey in her mouth and her 'cake' as she calls her blanket around her shoulders {when she's tired, those two are a must!}

Sunday was our usual routine of Sunday School and church. It was our turn to take nursery duty so we got to spend an hour loving on some of the cutest babies you could ever imagine! Love spending time loving on those sweet little ones :) Sunday night it was back to evening worship followed by an early bedtime of 8:00 for all of us!

This morning Mary Grace and I ventured to see my sweet friend, Shelly. She is always a breath of fresh air and so encouraging! Love our coffee chats together .

Right now the wee one is napping, I've sent my article to my editor, and all the chores are caught up. Looks like the next two hours will be spent in a good book.

Happy Monday, Lovelies!

 

A Day With Sweet KK

Those of you that follow along will remember that my best friend, Chickadee, was expecting a sweet baby girl. If I were not such a horrible blogger then you'd know that she had her gorgeous bundle of joy in mid-June.

Anywho.... I spent Saturday with this precious girl and her sweet Mommy. We did some shopping and had a fun lunch with just us girls.

She is the sweetest thing, ya'll! I wanted to kidnap her :) She is so sweet and yummy- I could just eat her alive!

Finding Canaan

The last year has been a rainbow of so many things. While they were not all pleasant, they were still so very beautiful because of what they have blossomed into. I treasure this past year more than any other in my life. It was a year of growing deeper in my faith, of being at home with my most precious blessing- Mary Grace, of letting Jesus be the balm to heal my heart and set all things straight.

God began calling me to deeper waters with Him in January of 2011. While I loved Him and served Him, there were so many areas of my heart and life that were off limits.

My career, for instance, was one of them.

Oh, how I wish I could sit with you over a cup of coffee and tell you about the last three years... or even more so the last two months.

I would tell you that after wandering in the desert for so long, unable to see the solution that was right in front of me, after chasing and chasing, I finally gave it all to Jesus and vowed to follow Him in all areas of my life. I would tell you that I am now crossing over Jordan.

I prayed last Summer for the Lord to give me faith. A deep faith that is steadfast, unmoveable.

He heard my prayer. He closed so many doors - friendships, my career, my idea of how my life should be orchestrated.

It hurt. Oh, sweet friend, how it hurt.

The potter's wheel is never an easy place to find yourself. The pruning season is always painful as you watch branch after branch fall away.....friends, jobs, homes, future plans, goals, dreams.

Once I was pruned, Winter came along. I felt that for a period I needed to belong to God alone. To dedicated my every spare minute, dream, and longing to Him. To seek refuge, solace, and joy in my Father.

If you are there now, hold steady. You see, beloved, the pruning hurts. Winter feels like a dead time in your life.

But on the horizon you will see Spring. You will wake up one morning, and without realizing it was happening, you will see so many beautiful things have bloomed in your life- in your heart.

Jesus knows in order for us to bloom, we have to be pruned. He knows the beauty that is in store, we are only asked to have faith in His plan and His timing.

I've wandered through the desert. I've allowed Jesus to prune from my life relationships, dreams, and ideas. I've begged Him to change my heart and my life. I've prayed for direction, for new beginnings.

He held my hand through it all, and He holds it now as I enter Canaan.

I have a faith in Jesus unlike anything I could have imagined. I've found Canaan.

I know what it means to find joy in Jesus, regardless of the circumstances in your life. I'm crossing over Jordan.

I know there is truly abundance of life found in the sacrifice- in giving it all to the One who gave His all for you. The land of milk and honey is worth the sacrifice.

As Paul says in Philippians, I know what it means to have little and to have plenty. I have found a way to be content in all things, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Just as Spring brings with it rain showers, the Lord is showering unbelievable blessings down upon me. One in particular is an amazing new job that He has blessed me with. Oh, I wish I could tell you the story of how Jesus moved in my midst in the most amazing and tangible way- on an ordinary day in mid-May. Of how He answered nearly every prayer I'd prayed during this year in less than two hours on that beautiful May morning.

The verse in Exodus 14:14 is so very fitting- "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." I did absolutely nothing apart from simply obeying a call He placed on my heart.

 

And another in Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He makes all things beautiful in its time." All things- not just one area, but every area. Not just my career and job, but it is so much more than that. There is not a single corner of my heart and life that He has not transformed over this past year.

So, my friend, if you find yourself wandering in the desert, or being pruned, or in the dead of Winter- hold fast to the One who cares for you, and believe that Canaan is coming.

If you are in the midst of the desert, or just now leaving Egypt, I'd love to commit your journey to prayer! 

Here's to finding Canaan

 

A Happy From My Hubby

My sweet husband bought me the cutest necklace for Nicaragua. It's the country of Nicaragua along with the Scripture the Lord laid on my heart for this trip {Isaiah 61:1-3}.

I think he's a keeper :)

Nostalgic Kreations did an amazing job and I cannot wait to shop their site and find more lovelies! They also do custom work, like my necklace, so you can create personalized lovelies for yourself or as gifts. 

 

 

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
    for the Lord has anointed me
    to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
    and to proclaim that captives will be released
    and prisoners will be freed.

  He has sent me to tell those who mourn
    that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
    and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 

 To all who mourn in Israel,
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory."

Isaiah 61:1-3

July Fourth Festivities

We had the traditional All-American celebration complete with BBQ and a fireworks show.

We ate way to much BBQ chicken, Boston Butt, and ice cream. After eating lunch, we spent the afternoon at the shop letting Mary Grace enjoy a few sparklers {supervised, of course}. Then we headed to town for the annual fireworks show. We had a blast and it's such a fun event to attend. They always pass out watermelon, popsicles, American flags, patriotic pinwheels, and red/blue leis. If you live in our small town and haven't been, you're missing out! Plus, it's completely free!

Last year Mary Grace was terrified of the loud noise and fireworks. Luckily for us, this year she was such a big girl and enjoyed every minute of the show. She talked about the big 'boom pop pops' all weekend!

My sweet mini!

My loves!

Popsicle time!

Family pic :)