Life is Crazy.... Sometimes.

The past 2 days I added 3 cakes on top of my other craziness. I LOVE making cakes, love it! It is just extremely time consuming...... Trying to home school both my kids, spend time with  my gracious heavenly Father who allows me to do all my craziness, gymnastics, cook, clean, exercise, be a wife, friend, answer phone calls AND make cakes is not the best combination. BUT I do it, sometimes.

Yesterday was I was up early enough to have coffee with Eli, get my cake baked before the kids woke up. Well, I got most of the cake baking done before Elijah graced us with his presence, "Good Morning Mom." Let the juggling begin...

So we got breakfast, started school and I was going to start making my icing and I had another cake to bake. There are a few subjects Elijah can do now on his own which makes days like this easier, although I still need to check his work and I don't really like to stop my work to check it but that is life. When I get going on a project I tend to get focused and don't want interruptions. Interruptions-ha, that just comes with kids.... can't run from it. Elijah was done with his few things, Miley was up, ate her breakfast and waiting for Elijah to take a break so they could play... make a mess and play some more. At this point Elijah opted to take some work to open gym and working on it there instead of sitting there for an hour watching Miley. Which turned out to not be a great decision, I think he'd rather watch Miley. So next time- finish work before leaving.

Normally on a school day, the kids have to get up, eat, get dressed, take their medicine and brush their teeth, just like that would have to if they went to a traditional school. The great part about home schooling is sometimes it is just easier to say, "we can get ready later."

I finished making the icing and needed to run to Hobby Lobby. I needed dye, cake base and a cake box. So we got ready and left early enough to run into the store before open gym. Hobby Lobby did not have it so off to Michaels, we have 15 min before open gym starts.... we made it! Michael's didn't have what I needed either. So I called Eli, "I am a little overwhelmed I have a lot to do and not enough time." Needless to say my prince in his white jeep came to open gym with Miley so I could drive the 25 minutes 1 way to the cake store to get maroon and gold dye. BLAH!

We got home about the same time, made lunch... I was able to finish the cake in time to run it to the church, to take Elijah to gymnastics, come home clean up my cake mess, go back watch Elijah for 30 minutes, we let him leave early to go to church, done with church and needed to re-bake the cake I made earlier... missed a step, oops! And finally the day is over.... are you tired?? I am and I didn't even add in ALL the details of today.

Here is today's cake:

I feel like our school day lacked because of craziness of today but life is crazy and we need to learn to fit things in there when we can. I was bummed I did not get to run on the treadmill today but hey there is tomorrow! Or is there???

Tomorrow!! Today!
About the same routine as yesterday, got up early enough to have coffee and started working on the ASU cake that I really was unsure of what I really wanted to do with. Elijah was up before me today, which happens a lot. He is a boy after his daddy's heart, when they sun starts rising so does their sweet souls.
This morning, he ate a bowl of cereal, yep! We do not normally do cereal anymore, I just don't feel it is a well rounded meal. Especially, in the morning, when you need to break the fast of the night and refuel for the day.

Anyways, I started working on the cake at 8:30 made lunch around 12 for the family, Eli came home for lunch and finished the cake and all the cleaning by 1:30... now we need to finish school. Elijah finished a few subjects at the kitchen table next me. He worked on school while I was working on cake.....When he finished, Miley anxiously waiting, they play and boy did they make a mess.

Here's Today's Cake and the Kid's Mess...

OH YEAH looks like a tornado hit... but they had fun! I can guarantee they will NOT have fun when it is time to clean, after we finally finish school today! And tomorrow when I finish cake #3 this may happen again... or maybe we wont clean today....

The moral of my days is as follows - Jesus was probably busier than any of us, people always wanted something from him. We know from scripture that he performed miracles, people sought after him for prayer, even a touch, he was constantly teaching, helping, he always poured out over and over and over...... BUT- yep the all caps- BUT he always made it a priority to spend alone time with the Lord, to be filled up so he can pour out. Jesus was not driven by the world's neediness but led by God himself. Something we NEED/MUST take hold of.... spending time with God daily, is needed to help clear our mind! Or as Eli stated in his sermon this past Sunday a quote by Oswald Chambers, "Simplicity is the key to seeing clearly."

The best way, the only way to have a clear perspective is to allow God to guide us. Jesus shows us this in the midst of his teaching Matthew 14:22-34, He is teaching the multitudes and sends them away so he can go to the mountain top to pray, ALONE!!! I bet there were people that were frustrated and wanted him to stay
around. I can hear them "Jesus! Messiah! We have questions, heals us, feed us don't leave us!" Jesus did not cave to the pressure of the world but made it a point to be alone, in his understanding he knew that this would help others in the long run more than they could understand in the middle of their 'crisis' for lack of better words. When feeling overwhelmed, too much to do- we can easily cave into the feeling of crisis instead of taking a deep breath and leaning INTO the Lord.

HELLO!!! We have no excuse.

He follows his prayer time with the infamous story of Peter. The boat was drifting off the weather was not cooperating, and Jesus called out to Peter to walk to him on the water and  Peter in all his humanly form,  doubting took his eyes off the Lord and begin to sink.

I think we all feel like we are sinking no matter how 'busy' we really are when our eyes are not fixed on the Lord.
Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Ok now I'm here typing on this blog and need to finish school with Elijah so we can clean their rooms..... putting my teacher hat on and getting to work!  As I am sitting here and it's now 2:15 I am remembering I signed up to take 4 liters of Mountain Dew to Aspire for the coaches dinner, suppose to be there by 4pm... I am so glad I did not sign up for cooking or anything  that was more time consuming!! (I didn't sign up for cooking because I don't have crock pot, lucky me today!)

Don't forget to spend sometime with the one who desires you most!

Miley and #2

I have been wanting to start this blog, mainly to be able to write down things about our family.... a scrapbook. So today I decided to start, here we go-

Instead of trying to play catch up on our life, I am starting here and will fill in the details when necessary. Today during school, my second year of homeschooling Elijah. I home schooled him half-time last year and full time this year. He went to school 2 days a week for electives and I did the core at home with him. This year he is full time. So the need for being creative, field trips and time management and planning is needed more than ever. Not only is this my first year but Miley is starting preschool, so trying to find the balance of 2 kids, different grades and life well.... it's going.....
I have found that some subjects I can combine, great advice from another home school mom. This has been fun! For example, during Elijah's reading we read together and than I ask questions appropriate to there age. This can be interesting at times, especially when Miley answers questions that were meant for Elijah :/

Elijah reading to Miley 

Miley reading the ABC's to Elijah..... 

Elijah started a unit on plants so Miley join's in on the science lesson also! Amazing what she can learn.

Today!!! Oh TODAY!!!! During school, Elijah was about half-way done with his day and I started preschool with Miley. We were working on numbers, specifically number 2. We practice tracing, than tracing dots, and lastly trying to write the letter by herself. The curve at the top of #2 was challenging her, she kept writing it backwards and bless her heart she was getting frustrated and had some tears flowing down her cheek. At this point Elijah stopped practicing his bible verse that he was memorizing, walked over to Miley's desk and said, "You can do it Miley I believe in you." THIS MY FRIENDS is why I LOVE homeschooling!!! It is these moments that make the frustrating moments worth it and believe me there are definitely frustrating moments.
I told Miley to practice writing a few more #2's and I began to listen to Elijah recite his verse to me. When Elijah was finished I looked back over to Miley and she had wrote a beautiful #2! So yes- you know it-  we did the happy dance, celebrating together. I love that I was able to be apart of this moment, thank you Lord for this opportunity.

Most importantly, the lesson for my family today was encouragement. A verse that rings in my heart after today.....
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact as you are doing.
I believe that we can take the life Christ desires for us, encouraging each other to live into the holiness of God, even in 'small' things such as being able to write the number 2!

My kids teach me everyday. SHH!!! Don't tell them.

Job 3

Job 3  Wow!  My heart was saddened for Job in the chapter. The reference In my bible describes this chapter like this:    "Job's very existence, which has been a joy to him because of God's favor, is now his intolerable burden. He is as close as he will ever come to cursing God, but he does not do it. "  In conversation with my husband, he brought me to this passage. Hosea 6:1-3   "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3 NIV) I would love to have been there to encourage Job. But I am here now to encourage those that God brings along my path.   I want to restate verse 1 in Hosea 6...., "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. (Hosea 6:1 NIV)

Job 2

Job 2  I'm definitely seeing a pattern already and I am only in the 2nd chapter. So maybe that's not a pattern but oh well.    1 why does Satan always appear with the angels.   2 Satan still has limitation..... From God.    3 Why do we always see troubled times as punishment for sin instead of trial.    4 Why does satan always provoke the wife in hopes to make the husband denounce the Lord.  Chapter 1:6 and 2:1 the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan came with them....      This is interesting to me. I have pondered on this, whether it is important or not, well it's in there twice.  After a brief conversation with my dad about this topic.... He cleared this up some.  We don't have much explanation other than the fact that this clearly shows us that satan has access to God also but is limited.  In chapter one we know that Gods allows Satan to test Job but limits him. Satan is not to lay hands on Job personally 1:12 again, 2:6. Satan is now given the power to lay Hands on.... Or well 'skin for skin' vs 4-5 but he is instructed by God to not take his life.  The most interesting is the end of the chapter, Job is still alive! Ha! Even Satan obeys the Lord.  And yet WE struggle daily to follow.  The most striking lesson from this piece of history is that sometimes what feels like 'punishment' is maybe God's way of growing us closer to him but also maybe an amount of reassurance that he hears us, he recognizes the faith that we have demonstrated in our own lives. I don't know why bad things happen but I know that God knows what we can handle.  1 Cor 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 be joyful always, pray continually, in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. I can look back many times in my life and I have felt like Job.  In fact, I remember sitting at the doctors about 4 years ago sand he asked me, 'I bet you can relate to Job right now'.  This struck me to the bone and has never left my mind since.  So of course I was prompted to study who Job was and why in the world could I possibly have related to this person.   So it only took 1 chapter to figure it out.  I was sick and felt like nothing was helping but to seek the Lord and wait upon, praise him and not loose faith......amazing how some years later, feeling much better, a different season of my life, learning from the life of Job again.  Love how the Lord can teach us something new every time we read a scripture.   Many of us have felt like Job,,, probably everyone we are just not aware of it.  The very first woman fail into the lies..... She ate that fruit and offered to her man. Well here in chapter 2 again, we see the wife being used vs 9 'curse God and die!'. Holy crap! What in the world was his wife thinking?? Probably what some people have felt like at different times. There have been moments in my life I would much rather be with my heavenly father than deal with some of the sufferings on earth..... Than it's only a half a second thought and I am reminded of the love the Lord has for me and the purpose my life holds. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 NIV) So why this may be my own personal conviction and maybe yours, this a reminder to me that I need to be careful with my words and actions. And that even when sometimes we may think we are being helpful to our husbands, we may be steering him the wrong direction.  Reminding me of the importance of staying connected to the Holy Spirit personally, that we cannot give Satan even an inch in our life! 

Job chapter 1

My journey with Job Chapter 1 So as I began Job today a few thoughts came to mind. It reminded me of my feelings after I saw the movie 'The Help' after the movie I hoped that if i lived during that time I would like think I would have been like Skeeter....I would have been the one that would have made a a difference, gone against the norm that wasn't right .....Of course I compare that to my walk with the Lord and let's face it - being a believer and a follower is more and more frowned upon. And most likely will continue that way. As our faith is tested we will continue to stand for what I believe is right when the world is slowly trying to take God out of everything.    Another thing chapter 1 reminded of was a conversation I recently had with someone at church. About the 'end times '  Up for debate all throughout different churches is whether God will take his children before the final 7 years, half way thru or will we be here to experience all the revelations.  I am not here to discuss it but Job 1 reminded me of when everything falls apart which it will feel that way in the end times, will I still throw myself down and praise the Lord, will I still rejoice in knowing he has my life planned out, will I not blame him for the hard times in my life? End times or not everyday is a new day, a new day to test my faith and prove myself worthy of being called Gods child.  Is my faith so strong that even the Lord himself will attest to it.   There is no doubt that Job is a man of God.  We learn this right away in the first chapter   'Job was blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil' vs 1.  If someone wrote about my life Would they say this?  The first chapter is enough for me to bathe in for awhile. The conversation between God and Satan, wow! God was positive that Satan would not be able to break Job. He waS so confident that Job was God fearing  that he actually gave satan authority to well, basically test Job. In any area that Satan could think of, other than he was not allowed to lay hands on Job himself vs 12. Seriously!? Most of the time we can be broken because of circumstances around us that are not direct hit to us but indirect hits.  So true, if you ask me after reading the first chapter most people would have broke after chapter 1.  But not Job! He rips his cloths off, falls on the ground and worships. vs 21.  In the first tests alone he lost his animals and his family.....   I guarantee most people would be mad at the Lord and feel like asking 'Where in the world are you God??.'  And we would place blame on the Lord instead of looking toward him for help. After going through devastation in our lives would we still be still and know that God has a plan Jeremiah 29:13.  Or would we run to everything trying to find answers that will never fullfill the missing piece.  Lord, please continue to strengthen my faith everyday.  So that in the deepest of circumstances I will fall down and worship you!  Psalm 123: 1 I lift my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned  in heaven.  

God's Child

Today 9-26-11 we went and saw the Ortho for Elijah’s foot and today is St Jude’s day at Chili’s (so eat out!) …. and this is what I am reminded of….

Elijah’s appointment was at Cardon’s Childrens Hospital and Miley see’s a specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. When we walked in to Cardon’s my heart was overwhelmed by the facility. Not because of its beauty or size but because of the children, children that are hurting, sick and some who live with a constant reminder that they may never be ‘perfect’ to the world.

If you have ever spent any time around children who are sick, or have a disability (which I really don’t like using that word either, I’ll explain more in a bit) 1 thing that seems to always amaze me is their zeal for life, this unexplained happiness and the smiles that light up a room. I have always felt they must have some special touch and a secret door to the wonders of God’s beauty and grace.

Growing up I spent a lot of time in the hospital so I may be a little more sensitive in these matters.  Anytime I walk among the halls of a children’s hospital I find myself in constant prayer but also a constant reminder of how much God loves us. He loves every part of us, even our ‘worldly imperfections’ because in God’s eye we were created in perfection. Exactly how he designed us and will use every part to glorify His name. Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I always reflect back to being a kid and my doctors, nurse and many friends that would spend their days with me in the hospital keeping me busy. Tasha Myers, Brent Erickson, Cheryl Anglin, Justin Ross, Brian Morgan, Cameron Raber… and this list could go on and forgive me is I left some out.  I have memories of them hanging out, keeping me busy and sharing a lot of laughs. My poor parents watch “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory probably 1000 times because for whatever reason that movie always gave me great laughter.

I think of the choices that my parents had to make when I was 8 years old. My doctor gave them 2 choices: 1. I was going to live in Denver at the National Jewish facility because they are the best or 2 move to Arizona and try the dry heat. So why some people complain about the heat - - I praise the Lord for providing a place my family can live, breathe, and serve our heavenly Father.

My parents had a choice that was not easy. Leaving everything. Family. Friends. Jobs. Everything they ever knew to venture out west in hopes I would live longer than the dr’s said. Well let’s just say my God is a whole lot bigger than any doctor… but I am thankful for them and opportunities. And for the record I am 29 years old now, 21 years more than the dr’s had in mind for me.

When I think about to those ‘sick’ times in my life, I knew I couldn’t breathe, my back muscles would ache from working my lungs so hard I always had this urge to overcome. That urge was the “Holy Spirit” had I recognized when I was little I may have been delivering people out of darkness in those hospitals but God had plans and those plans were in his timing.

To me, God has healed me. Do I struggle from time to time- yes! But he has given me life and breath to speak His word, share his love and reach out to people. He has blessed me with an amazing husband and 2 beautiful children.  Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Back to the word ‘disability’ I don’t look at these things as something that will hold someone back but I look at them as a gift, as a way of reaching people, that I might never have been able to, or somewhat understand their position if I had not been there. 2 Corinthians 12: Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

 There have been 2 friends in my life that have blessed me and continued to remind me of God’s strength even still. My 2 friends with their ‘gifts’ showed more trust in the Lord and His plans for the lives than seems possible, who still continue to have an impact on my life…..these 2 friends have went on to be with our heavenly Father and someday we will all dance together!  Miss you Ladies, Robin and Shauna.

God uses doctors and nurses, who I am grateful for. I am grateful for facilities like Phoenix Childrens, Cardon’s, St Jude’s who gives kids a chance in life. I am more thankful to God who is our ultimate healer. What that looks like for everyone I cannot say, I just know what it looks like for me.

Next time you meet a child who has a ‘gift’ pray for God’s protection and strength. Pray that in all situations we learn to glorify his name. Pray that God will teach us through whom he desires and that we will have open hearts and minds.

And that we may smile like a child even when life is hard.

2 Corinthians 5

Awaiting the New Body

 1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I pray for all those children that they may learn to trust and hope in the Lord, My nephew: Hayden, Nora’s: Laynee-bug, my daughter: Miley and the list could continue on, all my allergy moms, asthma moms…. May these children and every child walk in your ways Father and trust in God’s great plans.

Deceitful me...

This past couple weeks I have felt down and out and when that happens I seemed to ‘listen’ more. I have been battling the frustrations of pain and nausea, miserable. A trip to the E.R and upper scope later everything is healthy and they are thinking it’s my gallbladder but this is not why I am writing today. During this period, of my fleshly weakness I began to doubt myself and my relationship with my Father, my Love. I heard many different things from the father of lies such as, ‘He doesn’t care about you enough, you must not be His child or why would you be in so much pain, etc…” I think you get the point because I’m rather positive that we have all been there.

In my weakness “I” allowed these thoughts to radiate in my mind, I allowed them to make me question myself and my relationship with Jesus. And I woke up and decided NOPE, Not in my life and not in mind: I am Christ’s daughter; he loves me no matter what my circumstances are and does not desire me to be down and out.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
So when the enemy tries to bring us down, to make us feel unworthy, don’t allow it! We have to know in our knower (My dad always says that) that we were made new in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

NOW THAT IS FREEDOM!!

I would say that I am very confident in knowing where my relationship with Christ is, every day is another opportunity to glorify His name in my life. Why I needed to be reminded of this is beside me, but it is refreshing to overview some of my favorite verses, my favorite thoughts to be soaked into my mind and renew them in my life.

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The last verse is a new favorite because to walk in the joy and peace that my Savior offers is better than swimming in a river of chocolate!
May the Lord fill your heart mind, body and soul with His peace and Joy this day, which is a gift. I pray you will walk in His light and bear much fruit for God’s kingdom. And when satan provokes on the deceitful self, may you remember that God gave us a Spirit of POWER to walk in peace in Christ name.

It’s a choice…. Daily I choose to pick up my cross and walk in freedom.

Empowerment

9-1-11
Where in the world has this year went is it really Spetember??? OK now that that is out here we go….

Empowerment!
My eyes have recently been open to all the overly ‘neediness’ around us, in our society and even in our churches. Do we have needs, absolutely and I am not discounting the needs that are truly needs- do you follow?? Have we forgotten to teach our children the difference between wants and needs??? We/I probably need a reminder also.

What in the world has happened to doing something, feeling like you have achieved and then challenging ourselves to something great.….. As God’s children, heir’s to His kingdom we need to walk in great and accomplish. Knowing that His blessings are more than we can imagine, we win!

Romans 8:16-27 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

So from now all you can call me Princes Britney.... OK back to my blog….

Stop falling down on our knees in defeat! Stop relying on the world and start relying more on God. If/when we get caught up in depending on others we take God off his Throne and say we hold these other things in a higher value. Really what does the world have to offer more/better than what God has to offer?

In Christ we have the power to overcome!
Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I know this to be true: if we would walk in the victory that God has already claimed we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. If we try to do it on our own, we will fail miserably every time.

Matthew 6: 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Hint: The Key word first…. Now read that verse again emphasizing the word FIRST!

Lord, please take me to a place, remind me, thump me on my head to always come to you first, A MW - Britney, as a family and as your servants open to your answers.

Lately...

I have not posted a blog in a long time; lately I have been so inspired to write again, about what? Not sure but I’m just going to start.
A brief catch over the past year, Eli just celebrated his 1 year at New Hope which has become in saturated with servants and has become a church family to us. Elijah is tearing it up gymnastics, he thrives! He is so focused, loves it and truly has a talent. He also started soccer last night- he is quit the busy bee. Miley is growing too fast, she is very smart and when she puts her mind to something wow! Her imagination runs crazy it’s pure joy listening to her play with her babies or “Sthisters.”
My crazy adventures have been full of fun, trying times but most importantly God has taught me to give him my schedule and be obedient to do the things he’s asked me and learn to say no to things….
This past year I have been running the children’s department at church, running our woman’s ministry, I started homeschooling Elijah this year and all the other things that fall in line with being a mom and being me. I am still decorating cakes and my new love and joy is cooking from scratch. I have begun to bake, cook and prepare from scratch…and store/freeze. I can now walk into a grocery store and completely bypass the frozen section and the canned food isle, and boxed food isles… it is a great feeling for me to know what is in my family’s food (and safest for Miley). And I am thankful that God has given me time to be able to accomplish this. I understand that is not for everyone so by no means am I patting myself on the back or saying its wrong of others. I am merely just talking about me and my family personally. I have a lot to learn in this area but every day is a new adventure.
One of my biggest ‘projects’ has been homeschooling. When Eli and I started to talk about this as a real option I truly doubted myself. And I still do! If it were not for my Savior I still probably could not accomplish this. If he calls- he will equip (Even in homeschooling). Elijah is in an enrichment program so he goes to school 2 days a week for all the ‘electives.’ When I have him at home we do the core work, wow, it is absolutely amazing how much his young mind can absorb. I think most of the time he’s really teaching me- yes….I think I’m learning more than him! Crazy right??!! I am learning more than how to classify a sentence but to be patient, loving and really listen….and really enjoy the time I get to spend with him.
Let’s get serious… Boring yes but God had shown me a ton lately! And it’s always personal. I don’t blog to brag on my family but to share what I am learning and how I am growing in my relationship with my Father, My savior!
I always hear people talk about who they most represent in the bible but I have always felt like I couldn’t narrow it down to 1 person and/or at different points in my life I have resemble the heart of different biblical people. Right now, I have been on what I called my Romans road…. I have been engulfed in Romans and Corinthians written by the apostle Paul. Reevaluated every aspect of my life and asking God to reveal to me the areas I need more of Him. Less of me and more of you! Very cliché but so true, Paul’s heart amazes me! He tells it like it is and truth and nothing more or less.
I think the church in general is hurting, we are so caught up in trying to please people in the world that we are forgetting to preach/teach gospel- even if it offends. I am not referring to all churches but many and if we are not completely surrendering to the Lord than who are we surrendering to- the world? We can argue all day over what style our church should be implementing but in the end it pointless and does nothing but cause dimension in the church. Paul lays it out there, exactly what our church should look like. If I could sum it up, I do it like this ‘We need to be open to allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our church without any restrictions! No matter what denomination you are.
Don’t believe me? Pick up the bible and read it for yourself. The Holy Spirit is the most vital gifts he gives us now and we shut him out of our lives because we are afraid of what he may do.
I have had this weight on my shoulder of not wanting anything but Gods word. I don’t want extra workbooks I just want to pick up my bible and dig in, praying that God will reveal to me what he desires for my life, my family’s life.
This has become my daily prayer from Francis Chan’s Book The Forgotten God, page 37, “I want to consistently live with an awareness of His strength. I want to be different today from yesterday as the fruit of the Spirit becomes more manifest in me. I want to live so that I am truly submitted to the Spirit’s leading on a daily basis. Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true. I don’t want to keep crawling when I have the ability TO FLY.” (All caps on fly is my emphasis.) AMEN~

My prayer and the church of God’s prayer, may the Holy Spirit be free to run wild in our lives.

Change

I have not been blogging for awhile, obviously, because God was working in me and in my family. The past couple months have been full of change and continuously challenging us to get plugged into God and allow Him and only Him to light the path more than ever before. God showed me there would be a time again that I could continue sharing my ‘madness’ but for that moment, it was one-on-one time.

Let’s start back in May 2010, Eli was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene. Very exciting - it was the most powerful service I have even been in – where God Himself was there - no doubt in my mind. During the Ordination, all of the Ordained Elders in the church laid hands over Eli and myself and prayed for us… I wish there were words to express the feeling of some of the Holiest men of God surrounding us and lifting up their voices on our behalf. It was an amazing powerful choir of prayers…. I walked away from that feeling as though I had been baptized and cleansed deep down to my very inner parts. And asking myself, can I get that every day!!!!!!

A few weeks before the Ordination the Lead Pastor in our Church resigned, which is always interesting to see where God will take the church from that point on.

We began to seek God and what that meant for our family and he told us to ‘stay the course.’ So that is exactly what we continually focused on. The call and where God had us - pressing on into the ministries that were already in place. It could have been very easy to live in the unknown and veer off track - but God was clear, press on and ‘stay the course.’

June 23, 2010 we had our first interview as a family, for the Lead Pastorate position at New Hope. I remember standing there with Eli before we walked into Paradise Bakery and we entered into prayer, only asking God that His plans be engaged no matter what that meant, staying, leaving…. It was in His hands and with that came the most overwhelming peace.

That night, after the interview, the secretary of the Board called Eli and extended the call to him as Lead Pastor. Very exciting but yet full of so many emotions…..

They announced us as the candidate for Pastoral Family on June 27, 2010, voted July 11, 2010 and Eli was installed as Lead Pastor July 25th 2010 of New Hope Church.

That morning before the vote, we were asked by numerous people if we were nervous. It was a unique situation as we were already a part of the church and being there though all this. Regardless, I can honestly say we weren’t. The outcome of all of the transition in our life has always been and will always be Gods will - PERIOD. And with that comes more peace than words can express.

When I started this blog I wasn’t sure specifically where I was going with it... now I do! As our family begins this new chapter in our lives, I ask that you would commit to praying for us, our church family and the future - that will always rest in the path that God has laid.

God has a Plan

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New Living Translation)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

God's Hands

The last few days have been extremely trying on us, it’s never easy when your baby is sick. We got home early A.M. and I laid in bed wide awake knowing that I needed to make sure Miley got her meds in 2 hours… I found myself surrounded in God’s presence, thankful that he always gets us through. As I lay there watching Miley sleep peacefully and watching her little lungs work so hard to take one simple breath, her little ribs would surface with each inhale. God allowed me to see his hands, Gods hands. He showed me his strong hands that were her lungs helping her breathe. He took away the worry that I had for her and of all the hard work her little body had to do, that most people take for granted.

It is the hardest thing as a mom, watching your little one struggle to breathe and there is nothing that I can physically do to make it any easier. I am beyond thankful that God gives us discernment in situations. It was in one of these moments that God took me to James 1:2-3 “When trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

It’s in these moments when we feel so weak that satan tries to beat us up the most. He began to flood my thoughts with sorrow and comments that people have made, if only I never had kids they would not have to suffer. God began to speak louder reminding me that He sent His son for great purpose knowing that he would suffer in the end. Wow, put life in perspective a little. The point is, God may choose to heal Miley completely, he may choose to heal you completely, but what I know is He turns everything to point to him. Romans 12:2 “2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Miley’s life has great purpose, as does mine, as does yours- we have to find it and all we have to do is seek God.

We can rise above everything the world says is crappy and be thankful for that gifts that God gives us, bringing me to my favorite verses: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (The Message) “7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

It’s really April?

That’s amazing to me- where in the world did the month of March go to???? I traveled a lot for me, busy,busy, busy with Elijah's school, gymnastics, swim class, church, friends, birthday’s etc… Visitor’s from out of town and many other activities that accompanied this past month to go by so fast.

I must say, that in the midst of the craziness of March- I realized one thing to be exact. Spending daily time in God’s word in an absolute must- I don’t know how I would survive without the comfort and wisdom that from it. There were many days that the ‘need to be done’ seemed to easily get in the way but in reality – spending time with God must be the first 'need' in our daily list of ‘to do’s.’

I woke up this morning not knowing what I was going to read next, hello, the light bulb went on…. We are in the midst of Holy Week. So I began in Matthew in Judas betrayed Jesus and Jesus was sent to Pilate for his conviction and I realized something for the first time. Jesus was amazingly calm- OF COURSE HE WAS! Why wouldn’t he be – if anyone had God's peace and hope it was Him. That’s what I desire is God’s will, which comes with a peace and hope that is unexplainable in words. I am positive it was not an easy road for Jesus, we know this in chapter 26: 39 When Jesus asked God to ‘take this cup.” He knew what was coming- but yet he still did it, for me.

And you.

My bible references verse 39 by saying, “Jesus did not die serenely as many martyrs have. He was no mere martyr; he was the Lamb of God bearing the penalty of the sins of the entire human race. The wrath of God was turned loose on him. Only this can adequately explain what took place in Gethsemane.”

Tomorrow I continue on the Journey to the cross….

I am thankful that somebody loved me enough to die for me.

Day 31 - Chapter 31

Day 31 - Chapter 31

Proverbs 31: 30“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised”.

Have you ever met someone who is amazingly beautiful on the outside until you get to know them, not only does the inner self seem ugly, but their out appearance seems to be less appealing as well. I know that when God radiant’s in your life you are amazingly beautiful inside and out. Society says that we must act, look and dress a certain way to maintain respect from others. We have allowed the world to shape our minds into believing this. Instead we need to get back to what God says, we are beautiful because he made us and we begin to shine with his love that pours out from us into others- that’s what makes us beautiful!

Psalms 139:13-16
oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God - your breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration- what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book you watched me grow
from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared,
before I'd even live one day

When we walk in Gods light- we shine with it. Like John Wesley says, “Catch on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.”
I began to study Proverbs 31, 6 months before I got married. I wanted to become the wife, mom and child that God has created me to be. This is always and will be forever a work in progress, thankfully! I love and appreciate that God continues to teach me, be patient with me and love me always.
I remember the first time I read this chapter- ah! That’s a lot to live up to??? Any modern day woman can see that. But what I discovered is; that it is more than possible as long as follow the path that God has set out for us – than it’s an amazingly peaceful journey - to be exactly who God created me to be.

This chapter- in modern day society, most likely, offends many women. That’s because we have taken God out of the picture. We have allowed to few, feminist, to speak for all woman and claim that we want equality for men and women – they fear the word submit. I look at the word submit as another way of saying, respect. Some of my friends joke about me, that I belong in the 50’s because I am so old fashion…. I don’t look at it as being old fashion but as being who God created Britney to be as a wife and a mom and most importantly His child.

Wives and Husbands Ephesians 5:22- 33

22Wives, submit to your husband’s as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

See how amazingly, loving this is… I know that if you marry a godly man that your hearts will be the same as God, which only means that the submitting to your husband, is submitting to God… And you read the passage above, your husband will than love you as God loves you and nothing less.

Day 30 - Chapter 30

Day 30 – Chapter 30

Flawless; a great way to describe God’s word; without imperfections- 100% perfect. The NIV bible states verses 5-6, 5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Compared to the message bible, “5-6 The believer replied, "Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help. So don't second-guess him; he might take you to task and show up your lies."
After I read both these versions I feel like I have been handed the most comforting piece of advice- God’s words are flawless and perfect… in every situation.
The second part, verse 6, I believe to be very important. We can so easily look at the Bible and read it how we want to, interpret it how we went, we can make the bible say anything we want to but it’s important that we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through God’s word even if its something we might not want to hear.

The couple verses- I loved! Play with fire- the chances of you possibly getting burned??? Verse 32-33, ” 32-33 If you're dumb enough to call attention to yourself by offending people and making rude gestures, Don't be surprised if someone bloodies your nose. Churned milk turns into butter; riled emotions turn into fist fights.”
Pretty much speaks for itself.

Day 29 - Chapter 29

Day 29 – Chapter 29

There is only verse that stands out to me in this chapter that I want to blog about.
Verse 18, caught my attention in the NIV version- but I than read in the message, which is what I’m going to type, “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals they are most blessed.”

There are many, many, many people in the world right now who have no idea what God is doing… even Christians. Mostly, because they are not looking- or don’t know to look. It is our job to show them and help them understand by knowing Gods word… the second part to this verse. When we/they seek God and his will is when the true blessing are given. If do not Know God or know his plans than we surly can’t recognize the blessings.

We need to be the ones giving a hopeless world searching for answers, searching for hope for their future – and we can’t do this if we do not know God and His word.

Compassion of a 5 year old

We recently watched “Blindside.” Our daughter was in bed and Elijah (Our 5 year old boy) sat on the couch next to Eli and watched very intently, about 30 minutes into the movie I happened to glance at Elijah, thinking he was asleep, only to realize he was full of tears. His little eyes were red with puffyness and we proceeded to ask him whats wrong. Elijah told us he was upset, he didn’t understand why ‘Michael’ didn’t have a home or a family. My heart broke as I realized the amount of sincere concern for Elijah had for ‘Michael.’ My first thought of course was, ‘maybe he shouldn’t be watching this.’ But God was quick to remind me to use this situation to teach Elijah. So we began to tell Elijah that there are people like ‘Michael’ who do not have homes, and are hungry and cold. His little heart broke. Than Eli told Elijah that this new family was goin to help him and give him food and a place to live, which seemd to bring Elijah to some amount of peace.

We continued to watch the movie now with Elijah’s little compassionate heart in mind. When it came to the part where none of the kids were friendly to ‘Michael’ and he sat by himself, Elijah begin to tear up again- he couldn’t even talk his heart borke so bad for ‘Michael.’ And he began to asked us why ‘Michael’ didn’t have any friends? We took this oppurtunity this time to tell Elijah that is why it is very important we don’t judge or mistreat people, we don’t know their stories, where they come from, or even that fact they are hurting.

Again, Elijah was completely heart broken when ‘Michaels’ new mom found his biological mom and we discussed with Elijah how people make bad choices and than are not able to care for their families, that it is important to be reminded of the blessing that God gave us with a home, food and cloths- the Needs, not the Wants. Elijah had the hardest time understanding how a Mom didn't want her son- he is fortunate enough to having loving parents and reality to a 5 year old- not every kid has that.

I experienced Christ love and compassion Friday night through my 5 year old son. God calls us, his children to:
Matthew 25:40-45 (The Message)

37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

41-43"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

44"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'

45"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'

My 5 year put a new prespective on this lesson for me. I saw the heart break and the compassion that I know Jesus has for the ‘least of these for me’ Lord break my heart and continue to pour out your passion in my life so I may see you in all

Day 26, 27 - Chapter 26, 27

Day 26, 27 – Chapter 26, 27

Wow, I have no excuse other than I just didn’t blog….. but I can sincerely say that God wil showing me some amazing things and shaping my heart everyday- I can’t get enough.

Day 26 - Chapter 26

Right away in the verse 5, “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” I think we spend a lot of time, reassuring people who are off track verses being straight up with them and telling them, ‘your wrong.’That is not easy but if we don’t help them see the light who will?

This chapter continue to go on discussing the the topic in great detail, basically not to play into people who are not speaking the Gods truth- their choices and lifestyle only lead to destruction. Verse 20, “Without wood a fire goes out, witout gosspi a quarrel dies down.”

In an early chapter I talked about our words. Our words hurt deeply and once we put them out there we can’t take them back. We can seek forgiveness but the words have already been impressed upon the persons heart. Verse 22, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels, they go down to a man’s innermost parts.”

Day 27 – Chapter 27

A verse that I have always pondered is 6, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy mulitple kisses.” Isn’t it amazing how we are so easily quick to forgive people we trust and move on like nothing ever happened. But wow, if someone crossses us that we already have built up some ‘tension’ with, it seems to be impossible to let go of their harmful words or actions. I have great news though- it is easy my friend when God’s love is in you!

We absolutely need to surround ourselves with people who will ‘sharpen us’ in a positive way in Christ. Vs 17, “You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” We seem to think we can be bigger than allowing the people around us affect our relationship with Christ but the bottom line is that is does affect us. That doesn’t mean we cannot be friends with the world, we our called to love them and reach out to them. Jesus was the ulitimate example of reaching out to those in need- but it is vital to remember who is close circle of friends were, the disciples, they knew God and walked with Him.

Day 25 - Chapter 25

Day 25 – Chapter 25
Wow, I can’t believe I only have 6 more days left….. not sure where the time went but I need to start praying about what God had for me next!
After reading the first 15 verses in chapter 25 my first thought was, “Well here’s a manual on how to be a friend.” We need that sometimes- a reminder!
8 Don't jump to conclusions—there may be
a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

9-10 In the heat of an argument,
don't betray confidences;
Word is sure to get around,
and no one will trust you.

11-12 The right word at the right time
is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
And a wise friend's timely reprimand
is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

13 Reliable friends who do what they say
are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain
is the person who talks big but never produces.

15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference;
gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses

If we could get this right- can you imagine how many friends we would have!

We continue on reading the chapter and it continues on talking about, basically, ‘to much of a good thing is bad!’

Day 24 - Chapter 24

Day 24 – Chapter 24

Getting personal- that’s how a couple of the verses felt in chapter 24. I love getting personal and intimate with God has he continues to shape me into the woman he has created me to be.

Verse 10, “If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength.” The past couple of years having been trying for us as a family there have been many adjustments/changes in our lives. At first every little thing felt like it would break me. And God begin to do a new thing in my heart- he kept saying, “Seek me first” and then next little thing would happen and felt like it broke me again and God would say, “Seek me first.” I finally got to the place in my life where I said, “Ok God- you first!” So when the next little things came…. I went right to God’s word- and prayed for guidance and direction. WOW!!!! What a burden lifted off my shoulders. There was a major event in our life this past year that could have caused me to go into a major chaotic state, but instead I finally handed 100% of it to God and the weight of the worry and stress was relieved. I realized that I can’t do anything about this situation anyways- but God CAN! So many of us say we know God can do- anything is possible (Phil 4:13) but we fail to show it in our actions and in our choices. “1 Peter 5:7 cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

And ending this section with on of my favorite verses, 2 Corinthians 12:9 (The Message)

7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

I want and continually am being made strong in Christ, the ‘little/big’ things in life are much easier to deal- I still have my moments of weakness but I am grateful enough to know where my hope lies… which brings me to verse 15-16 in Chapter 24, Don’t interfere with good people’s lives; don’t try to get the best of them. No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their face.”