Daughter of the King of Kings

2011-08-31T06:11:00.003-05:00

Kade's First Day at Mrs. Carols
Latest happenings in Childress
1. Drew started flag football practice on Monday. He is on the Cowboys' team!
2. Drew moved his color UP at school. A very big accomplishment! He was so proud!

Funny Things the Boys' Say
Drew- "Mom, my soccer ball went over the fence."
Me- "Mrs. Melonie is having a party. You can go get it tomorrow."
Drew- "Mom, how would you feel if you threw your lipstick over the fence, and I wouldn't let you go get it?"

August 2011

2011-08-11T18:11:00.004-05:00

Drew lost his first tooth. His adult tooth has almost totally grown in behind it. I took this picture of him after his tooth came out, and he said, "I didn't know I have a mole on my face."
We put his tooth in a box for the tooth fairy and he asked two questions:
1. Does the Tooth Fairy have little hands?
2. Where does the Tooth Fairy take all the teeth?

We went to the Rangers' game for vacation.

The boys' favorite part was the fireworks after the home run.

We had awesome seats.

Summer Sweetness

2011-06-29T14:05:00.005-05:00

On Wednesday mornings we go over to Lala and Sich's to let Lala take a little break. The boys love taking care of Reese and Truett.
Drew, Truett, and Kade before Truett's bath. Of course Kade has a picture in his hands. He LOVES to color and "make lists". His "list" is usually lined-paper packed with rows and rows of teeny-tiny squiggly marks.
Drew and Reese before her bath.
Kade and Princess Reese after her bath.

Look at that face...need I say more???

The boys loved Truett's frog towel, but Truett...not so much! Last Saturday night Drew and Kade took Nanny on a date to Dairy Queen and the movies.

We watched Cars 2 at the Ritz in Wellington. Lala and Sich enjoyed a "big-night out on the town" while Nonni and PaPa watched the babies. I am pretty sure I saw Lala doze off once during the Cars movie ;) Who can blame her?

Summer Fun 2011

2011-06-22T20:52:00.007-05:00

Skating at a birthday party in May.
Kade and I worked on learning how to skate for a long time...now looking back, I think I should have worn steel-toed boots :) Kade eventually took off his skates and ran around the floor in his socks.
Drew's favorite part of the party was when they did the limbo. He loved when they turned off the lights, turned the black lights on, and cranked up the music.
Kindergarten graduation

Drew received the "Best-speller" award

My master bedroom a few weeks ago while we were in the middle of the remodel.A few before pictures of the shower/bathroom.

An after picture :) I can't wait to decorate :)Our "new" shower/bathroom. Ronnie did all the work himself. He amazes me! He moved the door to the middle of the room and installed a pocket door. He also moved the shower back 14" to make more room in the bathroom. This is phase one of the complete remodel. We have a long road ahead of us, but I know it will be worth it! Gallagher Reunion in Perrin, Texas .

We had a blast playing putt-putt, riding the train, swimming, and playing pool volleyball. We can't wait to go back next year!

Putt-Putt golf with Nana and Unlce Ronny at 8:00 in the morning!

Spring Update

2011-04-28T12:35:00.018-05:00

After living in Levelland for six years, we said good-bye on Thursday April 14th! It was harder to say good-bye than I thought it would be. I was so upset I couldn't even really say, "Good-bye" to my friends and students. It was easier to just slip away and say, "I will see you later." I am so thankful God allowed us to live there for six sweet years and for the life-long friends I made during that time. Drew and his buddies (Brigthon, Jeffery, Drew and Nolan)My helper ;)Kade and his buddies (Kade, Payton, Trey, Brier, and Logan)My Kindergarten class at LCSIt took the largest U-haul and three trailer loads to move all our stuff. Easter 2011 - probably the sweetest Easter we have ever shared. We went an ate an AMAZING meal at my sister-in-law's house with my NEW niece and nephew. Her parents (Pops and Sita) made a prime rib roast.

Yum!!!! Yum!!!

It was so good to be with family. I can't explain how wonderful it has been moving to Childress. The stress of moving has been so hard, but we are loving living within walking distance of Rich, Charla and the twins. Drew and Kade are loving seeing Nonni and Papa at church too. Everyone in Childress has been INCREDIBLY friendly and welcoming. I just feel so blessed. The egg hunt

Caprock Canyon - a field trip with Childress Elementary

Kade loves posing for the camera and doing tricks. On the way back to Childress from Turkey, Texas, I got lost. We left before the bus left, and I took the road to Memphis instead of the "right" road. Kade told me, "Mom, you should have stayed with the teacher." :)Drew's new class and new teacher, Miss Stewart April 18th

My niece, Reese Kathleen My nephew, Truett Zeldon

Charla made us all shirts for the big day...they were a HUGE hit at the hospital and so fun to wear!

The boys were troopers. We left Childress at 3:30 in the morning and arrived in Lubbock around 7:00. The babies were born at 7:46/7:47. After we held Reese, we went to pick-up another load in Levelland and didn't get back to Childress until 10:30 that night. Talk about 2 tired little boys.

Reese - eyes wide open

Truett - 7 pounds 5 ounces

Reese - 6 pounds 4 ounces

Ronnie and Reese

Truett and Reese right after they were born

look at that face...so sweet

Drew wrote a note at the hospital that said, "I love my noo kuis."

Charla's parents

Randy Houser Performs In God's Time (Live)

2011-03-16T09:16:00.000-05:00

Randy Houser Performs In God's Time (Live)

2011-03-15T10:04:00.023-05:00

I saw the video in the post above on Jerri's blog and was so encouraged. I haven't written much on this blog lately because I have been going through a very difficult time.

Ronnie and I have been living apart for 4+ months now. In October he took a job as a CED in Paducah which marked the beginning of this long journey. He works there Monday-Friday and then we see him on the weekend. Selling our home and buying a house in the small town of Childress has proven to be no easy task. Add in with that two little boys who cry every Monday when Daddy is gone, feeling the pressure and loneliness of being a single mom Monday-Friday, my Paw-Paw being sick, the unstable job market in Texas for teachers and...need I say more?

Ronnie has been dreaming about moving back to Childress (and the land his family has there) since 1994. I wanted to move so we could raise our boys in the country and be closer to family (I have a niece and nephew due next month:) This journey has been hard. I have cried more tears in the last 4 months than in the last 4 years.

I feel like we are in the wilderness on our way to the Promise Land, but we don't know when the road will end.

Why is not knowing "when" the hardest part???

It is especially hard for me because I am a planner. I love to make lists and dream about the future. My SIL says I make her laugh when I call her in July to ask about Christmas. LOL!!!
I don't apologize for who God created to me to be, BUT is there a point where a person can turn a gift from God into an obstacle in faith?

I am embarrassed to admit my attitude hasn't been much better than that of the Israelites. I have complained. I have felt sorry for myself. I have doubted God. I have been ugly to my family. I have never felt so alone in a trial. Ronnie and I are WEARY. My faith has been stretched in a way it has never been before. In 30 years, I have never had to trust God like this. I am asking God to make a way where there seems to be no way AND do it TODAY. And when my faith has been stretched to the max, I have had to ask myself the hard question, "Who do I REALLY have faith in? God? Ronnie? Myself? Our plans? Our TIMING?"

During this trial, I have taken a long look at myself through the mirror of God's Word, and I am humbled. How many times does God say, "Fear not!" I am humbled by questions like, "Do I really believe God is who He says He is? Do I really believe that God loves ME, hears ME, and will do what He has promised to do? Do I really believe He still loves me even when I am not so lovely?"

Do I really believe what I say I believe? Well, actions speak louder than words. Have I acted any differently in this trial than a non-believer? I am ashamed to confess I have not. I have worried. I have tried to find the solution on my own. I have been depressed, but I am so thankful God's compassions are new every morning.

Through this extremely painful trial (that is not over yet) God has taught me to

- not assume I know what tomorrow holds

- take one day at a time

- not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough troubles of it's own

- BELIEVE IT IS OKAY TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS COMING NEXT (deep sigh). I think my desire to know what is coming next stems from the mind-set that if I know what is coming next I can control my life. I have been studying God's Name, Adonai. It is a beautiful name. If I say my life really belongs to Adonai, does it matter what is coming next? Do I trust my Abba Father?

- be grateful for who/what is right in front of you - my Nana always told me when times get tough to count my blessings. She is so wise. It is impossible to be depressed when I meditate on all my blessings - Jesus has restored me, my husband is an amazing godly man with a great job, our house sold, I have 2 healthy boys, my parents found a great church home, my sister-in-law is having twins, my brother got a HUGE promotion, I have already been invited to a Bible Study in Childress...

But, yesterday was a hard day. A house we thought we had bought in Childress might not be ours any more. After I dropped off the kids with my parents, I cried, prayed, and sang praise songs at the top of my lungs for a long time. In all my pain, I experienced God's love and power yesterday on I-20. I know MY REDEEMER LIVES. I went from sobbing to laughing. God is the ONLY ONE who can lift me out of a deep pit of fear, pain, and worry and turn it all into peaceful, confident, unspeakable joy.

I had/have an amazing supernatural peace. If we buy the house, GREAT! If we live in an apartment, GREAT! It doesn't matter. On the way home I heard the song, "My Chains Are Gone, I've Been Set Free" and I knew in my heart I was finally free from the worry and cares of this trial.

I called Ronnie last night and we talked about God in way we never have before. God is working in Him as much as He is working in me. We are growing closer to God, together. What an amazing blessing!!! I don't want to miss the glory of God during this time.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS COMING NEXT, and that is okay because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is El Shaddai, more than enough for me. Deut 31:6 says that My God will personally go ahead of me, He will neither fail me nor abandon me. Jer 29:11 says He has good plans for my family. Romans 8 says God uses all things for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. I believe God's Word is true for me!!! I am thankful for the valleys and troubles in life because they always bring me face to face with my Savior.

MIRACLES HAPPEN IN GOD'S TIME!!!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-03T16:28:00.015-06:00

One of the boys' favorite traditions is making Christmas cookies. Concentration :)
I think Kade enjoyed eating the cookies most of all:)
"Mmm.."

Santa visited us early this year because Ronnie is commuting every week from Childress.

We will be moving as soon as we find a place to live.

On "our early" Christmas Eve, the boys opened PJ's, and we played
the game, Toy Story Kerplunk!After we played a few games, we loaded up for another Christmas tradition,

looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning - great memories :)

There was a lot of hammering on Christmas morning at the Jenkins' house ;)

Kade was really into Toy Story this year...can you tell?

He has been asking since May for "Woooo-dee" (a.k.a. Woody).

The Jenkins' clan

Upper-cut

Papa acting silly

Sich, Lala, and my neice, Reese, and nephew, Truett.

Charla is due in mid-April.

I am so excited!!! I am going to be an aunt!!!

I don't know what I want Truett and Reese to call me, have any ideas???

Feel free to leave me suggestions....

I just know we are going to have fun times next Christmas.

Drew and Kade snapping green beans with Nanny

I had a great time cooking Christmas dinner with Nanny and Nonni.

Lots of laughs...

Drew and Kade love Nanny!!!

Nonni, Nanny, and Ronnie

My cute hubby and me!!!

New Bobcat jerseys from Lala and Sich :)I didn't take very many pictures at my mom's this year at Christmas, because my Pawpaw was in the hospital. He had surgery today, and all is well!!!

God is so faithful and good!

I did capture Chad and Drew putting together a Lego tractor combine. The box said it was for 5-12 year olds, but after 2+ hours of assembly and a lot of sweat ,Chad was questioning the age range 5-12. LOL!

My little Kaders turned 4 on the 2nd of January.

Time is flying by too fast...it makes me a little sad. We had a little party for him at Nana and Pop's after Christmas. Then on the 1st we took Kade and Drew out to eat Mexican food and watch Narnia 3. (Kade has been carrying a sword since we watched all the sword fighting in Narnia on Saturday:) On his birthday we cooked at big dinner at home, and I made him a cake. A pitiful cake...

(deep sigh)

Decorating cakes is not my thing, but Kade really like it.

Happy New Years!

Christmas Program

2010-12-15T18:59:00.003-06:00

The Pre-school and Kindergarten classes of LCS presented

Starry Starry Night, a Christmas play.

Drew: one of the wise men
Kade: a horse in the manger
The kids did so well.
Nonnie made Kade's horse costume. He was ADORABLE!!! He was going to be a duroc pig at first, but changed his mind last minute. He put on his costume for the first time and was so proud!!! He called Nonni on the phone and said, "You a good Nonni!"

Christmas Parade on the Square

2010-12-13T15:31:00.003-06:00

The Christmas parade on the square was so sweet. I just love the feeling of "small town", USA. We rode the Levelland Christian School float and sang Christmas carols.

Thanksgiving Feast at LCS

2010-11-22T19:43:00.004-06:00

Drew said he was thankful for "my dad and we get to move to the country. I am thankful for my playground, my fort, Eva, my brother, my mom gives me candy, playing the wii, and my house."
Kade told his teacher, "I am thankful for my mama."

I am thankful for this sweet face...

and this sweet face.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Cute Story

2010-11-09T18:57:00.004-06:00

Ronnie and I have been attending Experience Life Church in Lubbock. Two weeks ago, they baptized 50 people. In the service we attend, we saw 10 of those baptisms. It was AMAZING!!! Drew and Kade were so fired up!

So, I wasn't surprised a couple of nights ago when I heard Drew in the bath tub telling Kade, "I baptize you my brother, Kade, in the name of Jesus."

Then I heard Kade say, "I baptize you my broder, Drew, in name of Jesus."

This went on for 15+ minutes until I heard Drew start to cry. I went in there to investigate the problem, and this was the story I was told.

Drew - "Mom, Kade is drowning me."

Kade - "No, I not. I baptizing you."

Drew - "Mom, tell Kade it isn't baptizing unless I hold my nose. Kade put me under the water when I wasn't holding my nose. That isn't baptizing. That is drowning."

LOL ;) Precious moments! Now we all know the difference in baptizing and drowning! ;)

October's Events

2010-11-01T19:49:00.005-05:00

===Drew's sixth birthday party===

Drew wanted to invite 4 friends over to ride bikes, play football, and decorate cupcakes. It ended up being a really fun and cheap party!Playing outside Watching Drew's new movie, How To Train A Dragon.
Decorating cupcakes in our undies! :)

Halloween 2010

Sweet faces ;)

Eventful Friday

2010-09-25T12:35:00.007-05:00

On Friday the Kindergarten class went to the Corn Maze in Lubbock. They had a blast!!!Drew and Kade loved picking out pumpkins. Our "corn teacher" showed us all the products that contained corn. I was surprised to see batteries and Crayolas in her pile. She said corn produces over 3500 products. Hmm...
Kade was really listening :)

Before our adventures started at the Corn Maze, the Kindergarten class went to sing for the residents of Hickory House. What is it about listening to children sing and touching little chubby hands that makes older people smile? Some residents clapped and some cried as the children sang "Standing on the Promises of God".

What a great day!!!

Guest Blogger - My Salty Sister from Salt Creek Ranch

2010-09-14T21:59:00.003-05:00

My dear, sweet friend, Jerri, posted this on her blog today. Her words encouraged me and stirred my spirit, and I wanted to share them with you today.

"September 11th 2010 we spent the day at our friends ranch and celebrated the day and our friendships both old and new, but we can never forget what happened on this day nine years ago.
Never.

Like most Americans we can each tell you where we were, what we were doing, how we felt and still feel about the events that took place in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.
It changed me personally and profoundly but mostly, about my faith. I watched in horror and unbelief the events of that morning and realized that if I was going to be attacked for my faith then my faith needed to be real and authentically lived out.
I was saved and baptized as a young girl of about 12 yrs old (don't know for sure, I don't think it was written down) but after that, I seem to live through a long season of drifting away and then walking in sin. At the age of 28 I gave my life to the Lord.
Alone in my living room, I prayed the sinner's prayer with Pat Robertson on TV. That may sound strange but that is how it happened. I was desperately seeking God and in faith I prayed. The following Saturday while making the bed I remember just desperately wanting to be forgiven for all that I had done in my life and I literally fell on my knees and cried out loud to God "help me". During this time I used to stand in the line at the grocery store and watch the other women there. I realized that the women I admired looked nothing like me. They were neatly dress, their hair was fixed, they were confident and happy (looking anyway). None of them looked like they had a dirty house at home. I, on the other hand was a wrinkled disheveled mess, my hair a mess, the kids were a mess and the house was a huge mess!
On that Saturday morning, after I had been on my knees for a while I got up, dried my tears, and went on about my day. I can distinctly remember how my mind seemed to be screaming at me, you can't do this, you will never be loved, you can never be . . . you fill in the blanks - but my heart seemed restful and at peace. I realize now that God was quieting my mind and changing my heart.
I made more mistakes through the years and I was still looking for a church to call home. If you had known me during this time you would not have thought of me as a Christian. I was uneducated on the Word of God.
During the summer of 2001, I found a bible study called Breaking Free written by Beth Moore. I boldly and uncharacteristically for me, asked if I could join the group doing this study. The lady I asked said, "if you will do all the homework and come, you can join us".
I did that homework. I dug into the Word like never before. A couple of times when I had to miss the weekly meetings she let me borrow the videos to watch at home. It was during these times that the Holy Spirit washed me the most. There was just something about being at home and alone, I was free to cry as hard and as long as I needed to, that set me free and to finally understand . . . no believe, that not only could God forgive me but that He did forgive me and that I needed to forgive myself.
See I had asked God for forgiveness many many times in the past but I never believed that I could really be forgiven and I could never forgive myself. It was during this study in the summer of 2001 that God's truth broke through all my shame and I was finally set free from the chains that had been bound around me since the summer of my 16th year.
In October of that same year just after 9/11 I attended a walk to Emmauus, there I realized that Jesus was not something too far away for me to reach out and grab a hold of. He is Holy, He is high and lifted up but He is not unapproachable. His Word is true, His promises are true and He is Truth.
I pray each day that I live a life worthy of the One who died for me and that I show everyone who I meet the love that has set me free and can and will do the same for them. Some plant, some water, and some harvest. You never know what the Holy Spirit is doing in someones life and just how close they are to turning their lives over to God or maybe running from Him a little longer, a little farther or forever.
I can never forget where I came from and I will never forget the God who set me free, who hides me in the shadow of His wings, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light, whose peace surpasses understanding, whose voice calls out my name, who set my feet on solid rock and who promises to never leave me or forsake me. His name is Emmanuel - God with us. He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega. He is the Ancient of Days and He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the Name above all Names. He is Jesus.
And that is what September the 11th 2001 means to me."

Tea Party at LCS

2010-09-10T19:42:00.004-05:00

For letter T week we had a Tea Party at school. The girls wore tiaras and the boys wore top hats and ties. It was so fun! We read from Fancy Nancy's book on Tea Party etiquette. The boys pulled the chairs out for the girls, and all the students learned how to hold a tea cup with the pinkie finger lifted up ;) Fancy Nancy taught us a few words in French, how to put a napkin in our laps to eat, etc. It was so much fun!!! I love my job and this sweet, sweet group of kiddos!

First Day of School

2010-08-24T18:10:00.007-05:00

Kade's first day in Preschool - 3.

He was all dressed-up with his Spiderman backpack!

Little Man

Drew's first day in Kindergarten.

For those of you who don't know...I am Drew's teacher this year!

The first day of class was really confusing for him.

He couldn't figure out what to call me:

"Mama"

"Mrs. Mama"

"Mama Jenkins"

and finally with Emma's help he called me

"Mrs. Jenkins"

LOL

Vacation 2010 - Sea World, San Antonio

Kade in the pool at the hotel

It was 2 feet deep on one end, and the boys LOVED playing in the water without their life jackets. I bet we stayed down there for 3+ hours.We went out to eat on the River Walk at Acenar.

Sea World.

Our last day in San Antonio we went to the Children's Museum (HUGE HIT WITH THE BOYS) and the Rain Forest Cafe. The boys loved the ball factory they had at the museum. When we sat down to eat at the Rain Forest Cafe', Drew grabbed my face and turned my head towards the elephants that were making noise. He said, "Mama, you gotta check this out!"

Before we left town we stopped by the Alamo Dome to watch the Cowboys' Training Camp.

Drew wasn't really impressed because nobody was tackling hard or making touchdowns. ;)

4th of July in Childress with Nonni an PaPa.

"Wait for it...wait for it..." ;)

Kade, Nanny, Nonni, and Drew

PawPaw's Surprise 80th Birthday Party

2010-06-24T21:02:00.007-05:00

Fun times at Nana and Pop's house!

Nana and Pops let the boys pick out a surprise at Wal-Mart. Drew picked out goggles for the swimming pool (green of course :), and Kade picked out that Spiderman watch. The watch had an awesome bonus because it came in a lunch box. That little guy was so excited. He packed business cards, sticky notes, a dollar bill, his watch accessories, etc. in that lunch box and toted it all weekend!
Fun on the hay bales with Uncle Chad

Kade stayed pretty close to me.

Chad's new girlfriend, Ryan.

We really, really enjoyed getting to meet her.
Going to feed the fish and check the cows.

Pops actually let Kade steer the whole way down the dirt road.

I think Drew and the dog had motion sickness ;)

My PawPaw

Chad and PawPaw

The grand-kids (except Cody-16) and the great-grands!!!

The kids

Billy, Anita (my mom), PawPaw, Nana, and Monite

Fun in the pool!

I looked at Kade the other day and realized he has five or six freckles on his nose.

They are so cute!

Memories

2010-06-10T10:38:00.009-05:00

I wanted to write this post to "document" all the cute things Drew and Kade are doing-

Kade:
* Ronnie was changing his tire, and to our surprise he started riding his bike with NO TRAINING WHEELS. He did so well! BUT THEN, he had a fall on the dirt road behind our house, and he decided we needed to put them back on.

* Kade pretends to be a dog for hours a day. He licks, he rolls over, he pretends to pee, and he likes to have his belly rubbed. He has even made-up his own dog language. "Rush, rush," means yes. One ugly "ROUGH" with his nose wrinkled means no.

* When I ask Kade to do something he winds up his arms and legs and says, "Yes Mam Momma, rock and roll ('wock and woll')!"

* Kade has a little temper problem. He is happy 95% of the time, but when he gets mad, he is really mad. Usually his frustration involves Drew. He scrunches his nose, turns bright red, and in the cutest accent (which is a weird mix of Australian and west Texas hick) screams, "Stop it, Drew." We all can't help but laugh. Especially Drew.

Drew:
* Drew is reading 3-letter CVC words. He amazes me.

* Drew loves "Skippy Jon Jones" books. We found them at the library. They are about a little cat who thinks he is a chihuahua, and he talks with a Mexican accent. Ronnie can read them so well, and Drew cannot stop laughing.

* Drew was eating a piece of ice the other day, and it got stuck to his lip. When he ripped it off, he pulled half his lip off with it. He cried so hard. (Deep sigh). Hard lessons learned :)

* The other day we were talking about birthdays. I was telling Drew when you turn 16 you can drive a car, and when you turn 18 you go to college and move away. He didn't like that idea. I told him he would eventually have to move out one day when he married. He said, "No, I will just marry you, Mama." Kade said, " I want to marry Lala." Then a few hours later, we retold the story to Daddy. Drew still wanted to marry me, but Kade said, "I want to marry Nana; hers sends me M&M's!" LOL!

Ronnie:

*The boys think Ronnie is a super star. Seriously! When we eat dinner, they push their chairs up right next to his. I am on the other side of the round table all by myself. They fight over who gets to sit by him, and tease the poor boy who has to sit by silly old Mama. When we go to Casa Ole, they sit on each side of him in the booth. I sit on the other-side all by myself. The other day we went for a bike ride, and Drew said, "My daddy can do cool tricks on his bike. He is so awesome."

*Ronnie was leaving to go to Childress the other weekend to help his parents, and Drew and Kade were pretty bummed. I put them to bed, and a few minutes later Drew walked in the room. I asked him what was wrong. He said, "I made up a song about my daddy." He sang, " I love my daddy so much. I am going to miss him when he's on vacation. I am going to miss him. I am going to miss him. I am going to miss him when we go to the movies."

* Ronnie took the boys shopping for my 30th birthday present. They picked out some Bath and Body Works lotion and a coffee mug. But the best part was they wrapped my present in Spiderman paper and put a pink bow on it. So sweet!

They are growing up too fast!

Our summer has officially begun. We have been swimming a lot already, and we are leaving for Nana's house in a few days. PawPaw Bill is having a surprise 80th birthday party.

The summer Bible study at my house is going great. We are studying prayer, and I am AMAZED at what God is doing. The first thing we talked about was forgiveness.

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part" Matt 6:14-15 MES.

and , "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear": Psalm 66:18 NKJV.

God gave me this amazing picture of what happens when we don't forgive. It is like our kids locking themselves in a room. They cry. They bang on the door. They ask for help. They wonder why the parent isn't helping them. However, they have locked the door from their side. No matter how much we, as parents, want to help them, the child has to unlock the door from his/her side. Forgiveness unlocks the door! In the Bible study, I am seeing marriages restored. Hearts are healing. Only God can do that, and I am so humbled He is allowing me to be part of it! We have had 24 women come and about 45 kiddos. I can't wait to see what happens in the next 6 weeks.

Sunday, about a dozen high school girls are coming over to the house for Titus Two Sunday. We are cooking lasagna, cheese biscuits, and strawberry shortcake - all from scratch. There are a couple of other "older ladies" participating. (Yes, I am now included in the 'older lady' category ;) The premise of Titus Two Sundays is getting older women to mentor the younger girls in the church. We switch houses each Sunday, cook with the girls, and talk about the issues they have questions about. I think it is a great idea!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

Last Tball Game for 2010

2010-05-20T08:51:00.008-05:00

Wow, May is flying by.

Between celebrating Mother's Day, my 30th Birthday, our 8th anniversary, and Pre-K graduation, Ronnie and I have been going non-stop.

My friend Debbie took these "candids" at Drew's last game. I am amazed she was able to get these great pics through a fence, but the girl has "skills" ;) !!! Ha!

You can go to her website to see more of her work: www.debbieblackshearphotography.blogspot.com

my absolute favorite pic- I love it!

"Go Bubba! Go!"

Drew's biggest fan!

My other favorite pic! Look at that face ;)!

Bad, Bad Blogger

2010-04-29T11:09:00.013-05:00

We've been super busy.
Here is a snapshot of what's been going on in my life:
*I have been observing PreK 3 and PreK 4 teachers in Lubbock and at Levelland Christian School, because I am going back to work in August. I will be teaching PreK 3 and PreK 4 at the Christian School M-F from 8 until 12. So excited!

*Last Saturday I went to an amazing brunch at FHC in Lubbock.

The theme: "How to be a fashionable woman of God."

Before we listened to Nancy Defrusne speak, the women put on a fashion show.

Here are the 2 things I loved that are "in" this summer:

Feather headbands - I have to get one of these!

Jeggings (Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings)

They were super cute on the models!!!

*Two weeks ago the boys and I went to Experience Life Church. This church started in some one's home with just a handful of people in 2007. Now, they are running 3,000 each week. They had over 400 baptisms last year alone. WOW!!! They said at their last prayer meeting 356+ attended. I have been itching since Easter to go check it out!!! There were tons of young people crowded into that roller skating rink (they don't have a building yet). With their hands in the air an their hearts open to God, the next generation was worshipping God. During the song, "Hosanna", I was so moved by God's Presence that I cried as we sang:

"I see a generation, rising up to take it's place with selfless faith."

God is moving in the this generation.

*I am going again this Saturday, and after church I have a really "hot" date with my two favorite little men at Casa 'Ole.

Green sauce here we come!!!

*I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago to get my blood work done. I was having headaches, and with my big birthday approaching

(I am turning the big 3-0),

I thought I better get it checked. The results weren't bad, but they could have been better. My bad cholesterol was high, and I have hypoglycemia. So I have been hitting the gym every morning at 5 a.m. for the past 4 weeks. Last week I made it 5 out of 7 days, but this week I made it 6 times! I actually did over 20 miles on the elliptical machine this week.

Yea...go me! (Hey, I need all the encouragement I can get! ;)

When I went to weigh in last night, I was so encouraged to see I had lost 2.2 lbs.

*I have been reading a lot to the boys lately. One of their new favorites is,

"May There Always Be Sunshine."
We sing/read it.
"May there always be sunshine.
May there always be blue skies.
May there always be Mamas.
May there always be me.
May there always be colors.
May there always be birthdays..."
Drew and Kade kept adding their own lyrics Monday night after we finished the book...
"May there always be hay bales.

May there always be horses.

May there always be tractors.
May there always be pick-ups.
May there always be fishing.

May there always be boats.

May there always be Eva.

May there always be 'Halloweenie'.

May there always be candy.
May there always be swimming.
May there always be Emma (Drew's friend at school)
May there always be Sissy (Drew's stuffed animal)
May there always be Jesus.
May there always be Christmas."
It was Kade's turn to sing the next lyric.

He quit sucking his thumb, and I could see the wheels in his head turning.

His eyes opened really big, he held up his hand, and said,

"May there always be thumbs."

It was so precious!

It was one of those moments you want to bottle-up and keep forever.

DISCLAIMER FOR ALL READERS:
Yes, Kade is 3.

Yes, he still sucks his thumb.

Yes, I know he will have to have braces.

NO, I DON'T CARE BECAUSE HE IS ONE HAPPY 3-YEAR OLD!

LOL ;)

*I set our TIVO for Oprah's show today!!! Our good friends, Jeanne and Johnny Mac, are going to be interviewed about B.U.S.T., Buckle-up and stop texting. They lost their daughter, Alex, this past fall in a car accident. They love the Lord, and I know God will be glorified in them today!

*I have been studying and praying about the upcoming Bible Study at my house this summer. At first I didn't want to do it (just being honest ;). I mean this is my last summer before going back to work; I was really wanting to lay by the pool, work on my tan, and read.

No responsibilities.

No expectations.

Plus, I kept thinking, "Who am I to teach anyone about prayer? I am not a scholared Bible teacher. I am not ordained. I am just..."

BUT GOD...

But God impressed it on my heart that He would equip those He has called.

I knew HE was calling me.

So, it came down to me choosing obediece or fear.

I chose obedience.

When it comes to "new ideas", USUALLY I am the one who jumps in with two feet, and THEN I ask God for His opinion AFTER-the-fact.

(Just in case you are wondering...it doesn't work so well when you do it that way!)

This time it was God leading me. I started to have a stirring in my spirit that I needed to share a testimony about prayer in my Sunday school class. Within two weeks I knew, that I knew, I needed to share with more than just my Sunday School class. See, 4 years ago, I would have told you that prayer was boring. I didn't like to do it. I prayed once or twice a month because I thought that was what good Christians were "suppose" to do. Or I would pray/cry when I was mad at Ronnie, while asking the Lord to, "Fix him God. Show him how wrong he is!"

(you are smiling right now because you know what I am talking about ;)

Anyway,

4 years ago I would have told you that my prayer life consisted of me giving God my laundry list of gimmies and trying not to fall asleep half-way into it. Since then, I have walked through some really dark valleys with God...actually I take that back.

God carried me through those deep valleys.

Through those hard times, God taught me about prayer. The revelation God has given me about prayer is the most precious, priceless gift I have ever received. Prayer isn't just asking for our circumstances to change; it is God's invitation and earthly license to work in our lives. Real prayer involves a lot of listening. Real prayer leads me into God's Presence. Real prayer takes me into the throne room where I am face-to-face with my Beloved. When I am "there" with Him,

I am NEVER BORED.

God has done so much in my life; I can't wait to share it! So, this summer, if you are in Levelland around 9:30, and you desire to go deeper with God through prayer, come on over. Bring the kiddos, your swimming gear, and a sack lunch. We are going to get into the Word, take a little swim with the kids, and picnic in the back yard. Hopefully (fingers crossed) the kiddos will be so worn-out after the morning, that they will nap at least 2 hours in the afternoon. ;)
So, this is what I was reading yesterday about prayer and forgiveness. What do you think?
Matthew 5, Message:
1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:...
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. ...
11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven....
21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23-24"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25-26"Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine...
38-42"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

Easter Pictures

2010-04-06T08:45:00.011-05:00

I took this picture last Wednesday before the Easter party at Drew's school.

He was not happy about taking pictures.

He said, "I'm going to be late Mom!"

I told him, "I am your mama, and I will take as many pictures as I want to!"

LOL!

Nana and Pops stayed to watch the hunt.

Drew was so proud to have them there. He told all his friends, "There's my nana and pops. See my nana...the one with the hair!"

Ha!

I told my mom it could have been worse.

He could have said, "There is my nana...the one with the big rear!" ;) Each child had his/her name on 14 eggs. The challenge was to find the eggs with their name on them. Kade's eggs had red dots. He picked red, go figure? ;)

Kade was checking for his red dot!

My mom bought those cute blue outfits for the boys!!! Thanks Nana!

We were able to use her "old lady" discount at Bealls, because it was the last Tuesday of the month!

I was able to buy the boys 4 really nice pairs of shoes for $65. Not bad! Drew found an egg with his name on it.

___________________

On Saturday went went to South Plains Church's Egg Drop.

At least 1000 people gathered for this community wide event.

It was amazing.

The youth leader led the kids in praise and worship; the boys loved the singing and dancing.

Then he asked the children, "What is Easter about?"

Of course, Drew was the one who yelled out, "It's about Jesus dying on the cross!"

My son LOVES to talk!

(He comes by it naturally! :)

After the short service, the kids were separated by age into 3 different fields for the egg hunt.

We were waiting and watching for the helicopter that was coming to drop the eggs.

"Where is the helicopter?"
He has on his new shoes! Snazzy huh? :)
The helicopter flew in and dropped the eggs, and the kids were let loose.

We couldn't figure out why Kade wouldn't pick up any eggs.?.

The parents were not allowed to cross the line to help the children, so Ronnie and I kept yelling, "Pick up the eggs son! Pick them up! Put them INTO your basket!"

He looked at us with confusion and said,

"Where are my eggs?"

By the time Ronnie and I figured out the problem, the eggs were gone.

He was looking for eggs with his red dot on them.

Poor little guy.

Amazing Love

2010-04-02T11:51:00.000-05:00

First T-ball Game

2010-03-31T08:53:00.014-05:00

Introducing #7 on the Texas Rangers...

(drum roll, please!)

Drew Jenkins.

We had our very first game last night, or as he likes to call it "the sandlot"!
His baseball face.

We bought Kade a Texas Rangers shirt too.On the back of his shirt we put his name and the #3. Too cute!

"Which way is first base Drew?"
The first swing!
The first hit.
The first time he made it on base.
Nana and Pops came to watch his first game.

Drew's biggest fan ;)

Chelsea, Holly, Ryan, Cash and Mikah came to yell for the Rangers.

(Drew has a lot of people who love him!)
First time on the field, Drew played first base.
Before the game, Drew's Coach, Hoyt called me. He remembered my parents were going to be in town this week, so he put Drew at first base and pitcher. He wanted my parents to get to see Drew get tons of action. I was shocked that he remembered and cared enough to arrange that. We are very blessed to have him as a coach.

I have been teaching him to STEP and through.

It is a little over-emphasized right now ;)

I don't know if we won our not. I don't think there was more than 6 outs total in 3 full innings.

LOL!

I am glad there is no score in T-ball!

Kader Tater

2010-03-23T06:41:00.002-05:00

Debbie took these pictures Sunday evening. Kade was taking Mikah on a little tractor ride.
Do you see the bruise on his head?
That poor little guy is always hitting his head on something. The bump initially came from falling into the wall Saturday. Yesterday, he fell into the entertainment center and hit his head in the same exact spot.

On a lighter note...

2010-03-22T12:50:00.005-05:00

Our first fishing trip of the year. We went the weekend before Spring Break. The sunshine felt so good!
Lake Allen Henry - Post, Texas
Daddy's first fish of the season.
Drew's first "catch" of the year.

(Ronnie actually caught it, but Drew reeled it in.)
Our view from the boat.

The book I was reading on the lake.

(It is a must read!!!)

Why God? My attempt to answer Dan's question

2010-03-17T17:01:00.017-05:00

I received this comment yesterday on my previous post:

"I don't understand this undying love for Jesus... Is it something people choose to believe in because they need hope in their lives? As though they don't believe enough in themselves that they can do things on their own/with the help of a tangible being (ie- a friend, family member, etc..)?It's an honest question, so don't tear me up over it, but what is the reason that people go to god in their lives? Can't they just be good people in their own eyes and not need a higher power suggesting they do so or get thrown down to (you know where)?"

I am so thankful for this question. Thank you for your courage and honesty Dan, and this blog will always be a safe place to ask those questions. Please forgive me because my reply will not be a great theological answer on the "Case for Christ". But, I would love to share my "God-story" with you.

I grew up knowing there was a God, but I didn't have a relationship with Him. I saw Him as a judge on a thrown who would love to squash me with His heavenly fly swatter every time I did something wrong. (And if you read the G-rated version of my testimony HERE, you would know I was afraid of being slapped quite often;). I also grew up not liking Christians. I saw them every Sunday going to church, and then not living any differently from me Monday through Saturday. They complained. They were miserable. Some of them were mean. They looked down on me for not going to church every Sunday. In my mind they were hypocrites.

To get back to your question, at that time in my life, I actually had a lot of hope in myself. I believed if I worked hard enough and studied hard enough I would be happy. I believed my level of accomplishments equated to my level of worth. I thought making good grades at a good college, getting a good internship, and stepping into a big-time career with a big salary would make me happy, secure, and content. I accomplished everything I set out to accomplish and more. I jumped through every hoop and chased every carrot the world dangled in front of me, but every time I accomplished another goal, the joy was short lived. The emptiness would creep back into my heart. I remember being so frustrated with myself when the feeling of "needing and wanting more" would return, because "I" COULD NOT make it go away. That was the one thing "I" could not fix. I felt like something was wrong with "me". Why wasn't "I" enough for myself? "I" was doing all I could, and still I couldn't hang onto any lasting peace. I always needed to do more and be more.

I had wonderful people in my life. I have great, loving, encouraging parents. I had sweet, loyal, fun friends. I even had a really sweet boyfriend my first two years at A&M, but after our break-up, I realized I had a serious problem.

I was hateful.

It was impossible to satisfy me.

And I hated myself for it.

Do you know what I wanted more than anything in the whole world?

I wanted to be loved. I had a desire to rest in the security of unconditional love. My parents love wasn't enough. My friends companionship wasn't enough. Even the love of a boy wasn't enough. I just kept thinking, "If anybody knew the "real me", they wouldn't love me anymore. If they knew my fears, my dark ugly thoughts, or the past mistakes I kept hidden, they would all leave me." At the same time, I also had a desire to be fully KNOWN, inside and out. I was constantly trying to fill the hole that was inside of my heart. I craved WHOLENESS. Relationships and accomplishments where not filling the spot. Sure I would be happy and at peace for awhile, but eventually the "high" would wear off. Then I'd find myself back at square one again, wanting and needing to be more.

The summer after the bad break-up, I started searching for something to make the emptiness go away. I had everything in life going for me. I was never without friends or calls from "suitors", yet I had never known such lonliness. On the outside I looked bright and shiny, but on the inside I was so unsettled. I started wondering if love and true happiness were even attainable anymore?

Then I started noticing married couples who were REALLY in-love. The reason I mention that is because I was surprised to find the common denominator between them was their love for God. I was surprised by their joy and peace because they were different from the Christians I knew growing-up. I'd hear them talking about their relationship with God, not their religion. Over the next two years, God started whooing me into a relationship with Him. I started reading a book called, The Purpose Driven Life. Then in September of 2000, I met Ronnie. He was a Christian, and God started using him to break down all the misconceptions I had about a relationship with God. We married in May of 2002, and God continued placing friends and co-workers in my life who testified to me about His love and not His judgement. But I still would not surrender all my control to God. I had so much hope in MY way, MY plans, MY abilities, and I was unwilling to surrender it. I was a control freak. I was afraid of being vulnerable.

But in January of 2003, my husband walked out on me. He couldn't take the pressure anymore. I expected him to be my everything. I had placed him in a relational pressure cooker. I needed him to make me happy, read my mind, and meet all my emotional needs. I wanted him to be "the man" in our relationship, yet I wanted him to be at my beck and call. Ronnie couldn't convince me he loved me because I didn't love myself. I felt so unworthy of love. My insecurity was too much for him. He couldn't take it, and he left.

That was the night I hit my knees and told God, "my way" wasn't working. I was tired of doing it my way. I was tired of depending on other people to fill me up. I was tired of always wanting and needing more. I was tired of the restlessness. I was tired of the emptiness. I was tired of being a victim to the circumstances in my life. I hit my knees and told God to take it all. I surrendered it all to Him. That was the moment I was born-again. That was the moment I experience the Living God.

See, I had always known Jesus died for my sins, but that night I allowed Him to become Lord of my life. You see, Dan, God knows EVERYTHING. He created me. He knit me together in my mother's womb. He watched me make every disgusting mistake in my life. He has heard my ugly thoughts. He knows every fear,

AND HE STILL LOVES ME.

He loves me so much, He would have sent His only Son to die, even if I was the only one who needed saving.

That is REAL LOVE, Unconditional Love!

The exciting thing I want to tell you, Dan, is He loves you that much too!!! Your question on this blog was not a coincidence. God is whooing you. He is calling you into a relationship with Him. It has nothing to do with being good. God, the Father, sent His Son to die for us when we were all covered in sin. Jesus, who is all powerful, took on human flesh. He was beaten and spit on by the very children He came to save. He didn't do it so we could have a religion or to force us to be good. He did it all because He desires a loving relationship with us. He desires a relationship with YOU!

The day I surrendered the hope I had in "my way" and "my ability" and placed it all in Him, I experienced true WHOLENESS for the first time in my life. Now I know the emptiness in my life was my "God spot" aching to be filled. He filled it with true lasting peace, real joy, sweet rest, and LOVE. I can't explain it logically because faith cannot be explained to our mind. Faith is confirmed in our spirit. But, I can tell you, Dan, God is real.

I have experienced Him.

HE IS ALIVE.

I am fulfilled by His love everyday. My hope in Him is not a wish, but an expectation. He has always comes through. Yes, I still have hard times because I live in a fallen world, but I've never hit rock bottom since the day I gave it to Him because His love shields me. His compassion never fails.

HE IS ENOUGH FOR ME.

His grace and salvation are free and do not hinge on my behavior or performance. Thank God, because I miss the mark daily. My love for Jesus is not about religion, being good, going to church, or staying out of hell. My love for Jesus comes from His AMAZING love for me.

He has freed me to be the person I was created to be.

At times, He was all I had. He has never left me. He has never quit loving me. HIS unconditional love has led to me into security and wholeness like the I have never known. He has redeemed my marriage, restored broken relationships in my life, wiped away every trace of guilt from my past, and taken away fears. I cannot stop praising His Name because He never stops amazing me.

I want to apologize to you, Dan, for every Christian who has hurt you and judged you. I apologize for every time we, as children of God, have acted in ways that do not reflect the One True God. God is LOVE, and sometimes Christians act very unlovely. Please don't let our imperfections and our failures to love like Jesus make you doubt that God is real.

If you have more questions about God, please click HERE.

If you have any questions for me, please feel free to email me at
mommy10_19_04@yahoo.com

Readers, if you would like to leave a word of encouragement for Dan or other viewers, I urge you to leave a comment about what God has done in your life.

Fear Raised It's Ugly Head

2010-03-12T14:14:00.012-06:00

Yesterday I had rough day.

We all have fears.
Some people fear death.
Some people fear the economy.
Your probably fear (fill in the blank).

95% of my fears are wrapped up in those two amazing, sweet, beautiful boys you see posted all over my blog. I love them so much; I feel like I am going to explode sometimes. But I can't protect them from the pain. I can't make their decisions for them. I can't choose the path they will take. That scares the C.R.U.D. out of me.

I fear for their safety in this mean world.
I fear for their purity in a society where young men are constantly taunted with images that threaten to create strongholds in their lives.
I fear for the shortcomings I have as their mother. I told my mom, nobody gave me a book that tells me the right things to do for my two sons, in my town, in this generation. I am not always the mother they need me to be. I get tired. I am selfish, and sometimes the last thing I want to do some nights is read another bedtime story.

But my biggest fear, the fear that threatens to swallow me whole, is the fear that my boys will grow up and not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
This fear is a the slippery slope that lands me in the pit every time.
It makes my stomach hurt.
It makes my arm pits sweat.
It turns me into a crazy woman who pretends to play the "what if" game as if I am God.

It makes me do the "ugly cry"

(you know what I mean ;).

Ugh...I should know better.

Back to yesterday.

The time is coming for my first baby to start Kindergarten.
(Deep sigh)
I would love to home school my boys
(especially when I watch 19 kids and Counting :),
BUT...
I am called to teach, and Drew is a social butterfly (that boy has the gift to gab and enjoys a good conversation ;)
Where did he get that from? Hmm...
I have taught in public schools and in a private school. Before my experience at Levelland Christian School, my opinion was, "Public school was good enough for me. It will be good enough for my boys. I turned out alright, and you can't keep your kids sheltered forever."

Then I taught for a year and a half at LCS.
I knew God was saying this was a fit for my family.
After 4 years of knowing (I mean I KNEW in my bones) that Drew would attend Kindergarten at LCS, I opened the door to doubt yesterday. It started with some false news that might affect my son's classroom teacher next year, topped off with a little more drama when I asked another parent, "What do you think about _____?"

Big mistake.

Just a little side note here...why do we as Christian Mama's feel like we need to ask another Mama, "What do you think?" We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us that leads, guides, and directs us on a path for OUR CHILDREN. What is right for Drew might not be right for another child. AND ONLY GOD KNOWS THAT.

Anyway...
After listening to a few opinions from different people, my head started spinning. What do I do? Sundown ISD? Levelland Christian School? Whiteface ISD? Levelland ISD? Should we build a concrete fort out in no-man's land and home-school them there :)? I was speaking out of both sides of my mouth; I felt anxiety and fear erupting inside of me.
I was talking and acting like a crazy woman.

I want my son to have the best education, but the most important thing to me is for him to become a godly man. I am more concerned with character than SAT score. I am more concerned with good friends and community than art, music, and athletic programs.

Because I know from personal experience, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M on a full scholarship doesn't add up to a hill of beans if you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Period.
I kept saying to my friend, Holly, "I want to put Drew and Kade in the best possible environment, so they can make the best decisions possible." Let's be honest, I am almost 30 years old, and if I get around other women who gossip, complain about their husbands, talk trashy, etc. it eventually rubs off on me. How can I expect my 5 year old to not be "influenced" when he will be spending more time at school than at home?
I finally got so worked up last night that I vomited all my anxieties on Ronnie and had him worked up by the time dinner rolled around.
When I finally got quiet enough while I was washing dishes, God spoke to my heart...

"Do you trust me Dawn?"

"Do you believe I have good plans for you, Ronnie, Drew and Kade?"

"Yes, God I trust you. I love you, forgive me."
You see, the reality might be we live in an crazy world. The reality might be that I "choose" the wrong school, BUT the TRUTH is only found in God's Word. Our realities can change. Our circumstances can change, but GOD'S Word is the same yesterday, today, AND TOMORROW.
His Word says He will finish the work He has begun in Drew and Kade.
Then, not 5 minutes later, I received a call from the administrator at the Christian school. She offered me the Pre-K position for the 2010-2011 school year. It will be Monday-Friday, 8-12, and I get to be with/near my boys the whole time!!!

God is faithful, even when I am not.

Today, I read the second to last chapter in Beth Moore's new book, So Long Insecurity. She tells a story about a time in her life when she was overcome with fear and the conversation God had with her...

"Child (Beth), tell me your worst fears."

As she poured her heart out to Him, she expected to hear Him tell her none of it would ever happen, but instead He said,

"Let's say those things happen...picture yourself going through the whole process of one of your worst fears becoming a reality. Get all the way to the other side of if. What do you see there? What then?"

Beth goes on to say,

That's when I figured out what God was after. He and I both knew what I would do. I would be devastated at first...But I knew that finally I'd go face down before God just as I have a hundred other times, accept His grace and mercy, believe Him to take up my cause and work it ALL TOGETHER FOR GOOD, and then I would get up and choose to live...It was as if He (God) said, "As long as you're going to borrow trouble on the future, why don't you just go ahead and borrow the grace to go with it and see yourself back up on your feet defying the enemy's odds...just as you and I have done a dozen other times."
I felt like I had a V8 moment.

In this world Drew and Kade are going to stumble. They are going to make mistakes, suffer pain and rejection, fall short of the glory of God, take the bumpy road, and disappoint Ronnie and me. It will probably happen many times, but in 2 Cor 4:7-8 it says it is through all our cracks and imperfections that the greatness of God's faithfulness shines through.

Drew and Kade might not always have the "best teacher", "best youth leader", "best coach", "best school", but it will be in the valleys where they will grow closer to God. It is through the trials that they will develop character, compassion, thankfulness, empathy, patience, endurance, and self-control.

So I had to ask myself, "Do I trust God? Do I believe His Word is true?"

And in the end, if my biggest fears come to pass and they decide to say, "No," to a relationship with the Lord. I will, like Beth Moore, be DEVASTATED, but I know the power of my Jesus. When I get face to face with Him, the tidal waves of pain and sorrow never hit with the full force of the storm. He holds them back. He lifts my head, and I continue to walk in the magnificence of His grace and His love. I know this because I have experienced it.

It is a reality in my life.

You know what the interesting thing is?
If I would have never experienced pain, regret, shame, loss, or rejection I would not have the intimate relationship with my Mighty God. I would not know Him as my Hero!
Why would I want to keep my boys from knowing Him in this way?

Beth goes on to say, so many times we are asking ourselves,
"What will I do if...?"

Instead we need to ask the following,
"What will God do if...?"

His Word answers that He will:

perfect everything that concerns you (Ps 138:8)
work all things together for your good (Rom 8:28)
fight this battle for you (2 Chron 20:15)
equip you with diving power (2 Chron 10:4)
meet all your needs according to My glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19)
give you grace that is perfectly sufficient (2 Cor 12:9)
be your power in weakness (2 Cor 12:9)
do immeasurable more than all you could ASK or THINK according to the power that is at work within you (Eph 3:20).

As children of God we are called to be different. When others worry, we are suppose to trust. When others fear, we are suppose to stand on the Promises of God.

So I guess my question to you today is, "What do you fear?"

Bankruptcy, divorce, death, illness, rejection, failure...

Well, let's just say the worst of the worst comes true in your life. What then?

If you have experienced the love and grace of God as your Savior you can say,

"If _________, THEN GOD."

Say it. "Then God!" Do you feel the peace washing over you? Jesus Christ is the lifter of our heads. His Spirit lives inside of us. When we look through the eyes of faith, fear cannot enslave us. The chains are broken. We are free!

I Have A Great Neighbor

2010-03-08T14:21:00.007-06:00

February 20th, on my way home from a conference, I called to see how Ronnie and the boys were holding up. To my surprise, Drew had leaped over a huge milestone while I was away.

I was incredibly sad that I missed it, but so grateful my amazing neighbor, Debbie, caught it on camera for me.

Since we are on the subject of bikes, I have a story.
Last week while the boys were outside riding bikes, Ronnie talked me into riding his bike. I am not much of a "bike-rider".
One reason is because I am so uncoordinated, and the second reason is that I had a really, really embarrassing fall my freshman year at A&M on my bike.
Let's just say I bet those four cute boys are still laughing at my expense. ;) But...
Ronnie talked me into getting on his bike, and taking it for a ride. I was doing great for the first 15 minutes; laughing, racing, and taking in the neighborhood with my two favorite boys.
UNTIL...
I ran over Drew.
Yeah, you read right...I ran over my son with that silly bike.
Sheesh...
We were pretending to "crash"
(I mean my boys love tackling, crashing, and anything that has to do with destruction),
and Drew fell off his bike right in front of me.
I tried to stop.
I tried to go around him.
Instead, my front wheel and I ran right COMPLETELY over his left shoulder.
(in front of 6 + of our neighbors I might add)
He cried.
I held back tears.
I picked him up while Ronnie applied the bandages, and we had the following conversation.

Me: "Drew, Mama is so sorry."
Drew (with big tears running down his face):
"Mom, why did you run over me?"
Me: "Well, Daddy made me ride his bike, so it's really his fault ;)"
Drew: "Dad, is it your fault?"
Ronnie: "No, I think it's your fault Drew. You fell off your bike right in front of Mama's wheel."
Drew: "It can't be my fault Daddy."
Ronnie: "Why?"
Drew: "Because I am the one who is hurt silly."

Well I guess this disqualifies me for the "Mother of the Year".
(Deep sigh)

Titus 2 Woman and Guest Blogger: Pastor Daphne Delay

2010-03-02T10:04:00.012-06:00

I met Mrs. Daphne 3 1/2 years ago on my Walk to Emmaus. Her personal testimony and love of God's Word was contagious; it was a fire that lit a spark within me. She gave me hope that even though I was saved later in life, it was never too late to know God through His Word. God has used Mrs. Daphne in my life in MIGHTY WAYS through her audio teachings, books, devotionals, conferences, and personal words of encouragement. She will FOREVER be part of my FAITH story, and I thank God for placing this Titus 2 Woman in my life. Here is a little bio I copied off her website:

"Daphne Delay knows first-hand what unworthiness, guilt, and condemnation can do to a believer. Not being raised in a Christian home, she carried all her insecurities from the world into her walk with God when she was born-again at the age of 21. After several years of struggling as a Christian, God planted her in front of the mirror and told her to tell the girl looking back that she loved her and forgave her. It was then Daphne realized God had not been withholding Himself or His promises from her – she had simply been ignorant of her righteousness in Christ.Through the years, God has developed a gift in Daphne to teach and minister His Word to others concerning righteousness in a simple and easy-to-grasp-and-apply approach. What she once thought was a “Daphne” problem, God revealed it as a “believer” problem – one that can and must be overcome in order to bring in the end-time harvest! Mirror Ministries was launched in 2003 by Daphne Delay with the release of her first book, Take A Closer Look, which explains righteousness interwoven with her own testimony. The mission of Mirror Ministries is to spread the message of righteousness to the Body of Christ in order to help believers walk in their God-given authority. Daphne believes one of the biggest hindrances to advancing the Kingdom of God is a lack of understanding by the believer of who they are in Christ.Mirror Ministries is located in Seminole, Texas, where Daphne serves alongside her husband, Tod Delay, who is the Senior Pastor of Family Harvest Church. They have three beautiful children: Emily, Benjamin, and Christopher."

Now, so you can get a little taste of her writing, here is this week's devotional:

PROTECT THE BRIDGE

Forgiveness. The very thing that will set us free is often the very thing we withhold the longest. In many ways, I believe it's because we don't understand why forgiveness is so important. In our mind, we think if we forgive it is the same as saying what the other person did was okay. But that's not true. It is never okay to hurt another. Forgiveness is simply God's opportunity to heal our brokenness.

Jesus gave us this instruction: "And whenever you stand praying, if you have ought against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11:25-26). The word forgive means to release, let it go, dismiss it, cancel it, and give up resentment. Easier said than done, huh? When we have been deeply wounded by another, it's hard to let it go. Even if we wanted to, our flesh (and broken heart) struggle with the pain of it.

What we fail to understand is that those who choose not to forgive burn the bridge over which they themselves must pass. In the beginning, there was a great valley of separation between God and man. In an act of great love and mercy, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to be the bridge between our separation. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Jesus laid down His life and restored our access to God. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). He became the bridge which crossed the valley of separation and brought forgiveness from God to mankind.

And now, Jesus declares we must do the same. I must admit, I have wrestled with this at times wondering how God could expect us to be like Him and extend such forgiveness. After all, we are only human, right? But then I thought about it again: when we fail to forgive we burn the bridge over which we ourselves must pass. Jesus is the bridge between me and God. And everything I have need of is in God. In most cases, when I've been hurt and wounded, what I need most is comfort, peace, and healing. Yet when I refuse to forgive, I have burned the bridge which carries comfort, peace, and healing to me. No wonder it remains hard until I relent and forgive.

Another thing we fail to realize is forgiveness is an act of our will, not a feeling. Sometimes, we must grit our teeth and do it anyway. If we wait until we "feel" like forgiving, we never will. Forgiveness is two parts faith. First, it is faith in God's Word. We forgive because His Word instructs us to do so and we trust that He always has our best interest in mind. Second, forgiveness is faith that someone can change. In the moment, that may be hard to believe but we must remember we are not the person we once were. "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Every person can change through the power of God. No one is without hope.

And when Jesus said forgive "...that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses," He was referring to our failings and shortcomings. None of us have arrived. I may be the one hurt today, but tomorrow the roles could be reversed and I'm the one who hurt another. In that hour, I will need forgiveness from God and man. David said it well when he declared, "Against You, and You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight" (Psalm 51: 4). When we hurt another person, we have sinned against God as well. We need His forgiveness lest we find ourselves separated from everything His presence gives us (hope, peace, joy, healing, safety, etc.).

And lastly, we must understand forgiveness is required for any little thing. That is what the word "ought" means in the original language. "Whenever you stand praying, if you have [any little thing] against anyone, forgive him..." Why? Because those little hurts are like small bombs slowly attacking the bridge you must cross. It's not always the big bomb which destroys the bridge. A small bomb targeted just right can do the same job as a big one. So release it, let it go, dismiss it, cancel it, and give up the resentment. In the end, your act of faith has protected the bridge.
Until next time...Daphne Delay

Sign-up HERE to receive Daphne's weekly devotions.

Are you joyful?

2010-02-24T09:35:00.013-06:00

Last weekend I attended a conference in Ceta Canyon.

"You Can't Steal My Joy"

was hosted by Daphne Delay and Family Harvest Church!

(play the You Tube video below if you want to hear our theme song by Mandisa)

I went expecting to spend time in God's Presence.

I received a thousand times more.

I watched friends get saved, marriages get restored, girls go to another level with the Lord, and more!

In the first session Daphne showed us the number one way to keep our joy:

Psalm 16:11 AMP

"You will show me the path of life;

in Your presence is fullness of joy,

at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

***IN HIS PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY***

You see joy comes from being in relationship with God, face-to-face with Him. That is why anyone who is legalistic and set on following the rules will never be filled with the full joy of a RELATIONSHIP with God (2 Cor 3).

Joy doesn't come from our circumstances or our situation in life.

So many women, me included, blame others for "stealing our joy".

We blame our husbands, our location, our parents, our job, our pants size,

our bank account, even our kids and their busy schedules for robbing us.

But in reality, it is our choice.

We choose to give it away.

Some might say, "What do I have to be joyful about. Look at my life."

Michel, another speaker, posed this question,

"If all God ever did was to send Jesus to redeem you and restore you into right standing with HIM, wouldn't that be enough to shout for joy for the rest of your days?"

"Is it enough?"

That is the question I have been asking myself.

Neh 8:10 says the joy from what God has done in our lives is our strength, rock, and fortress. How often do we remember what He has done, or are we like ungrateful children who forget the moment the "new" wears off the blessing or gift?

When we choose to allow self-pity, ungratefulness, offense, and bitterness get a foot into the door of our thinking we walk outside of God's protection.

Instead of walking through the valley of the shadow of death,

we stop, sit down, and pitch a tent.

Don't believe me?

Just ask the Israelites who roamed in the wilderness for 40 years complaining instead of walking out the 11 day trip.

Hmm...

"Am I walking, or am I hanging out in the tent named

'poor me'?"

Another question I have been asking myself.

God says we will all endure trials (John 16:33), but He has already won the victory. What matters is how we respond to the trial because our attitude determines how long we stay in the shadow of death. Some people never reach their promise land because they have been walking around the same mountain for many, many years with a bad attitude.

Having joy is a choice because God says you can walk through the trial with joy and peace.

How we react to problems is suppose to us apart from unbelievers.

Proverbs 24:10 in the MSG says

"If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place."

OUCH!

It is our strength, not self-pity, it is our victory, not defeat that is the sweet-smelling fragrance that draws in the lost (2 Cor 2:14). It is an attitude of thankfulness, joy, confidence, peace, and love that causes the lost to stop, observe, and say, "I want what they have."

"Am I living that way? Am I a liability or an asset to the Kingdom of God?"

4 Posts In One

2010-02-18T10:00:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day Get-Away

Last weekend we with two other couples on our second annual Valentine's Day trip to Ruidoso.

Our cabin...the view was AMAZING.

The boys had to haul all the luggage up three levels. Between all the huffing and puffing they kept saying, "Me no breafe. Me no breafe." They blamed it on the thin air, but the girls joked it was because they are getting old and out of shape.

Just the beginning of a weekend FULL OF LAUGHTER!!! Cody and Misty Johnson
Ryan and Holly Crutcher

Our friends Haylee and Chance (at the end of the table) met us at the steak resteraunt.

We got there Friday around 12, checked-in, and played Rummie until dinner. After dinner we went to the Inn of the Mountian Gods and played a little Black Jack.

Saturday the boys went skiing (supposedly it was the best snow they'd ever seen!)

The girls went shopping on Saturday morning after we got pedicures!

My three new purchases. The jacket was only $13, and I love my two new scarfs.

Saturday night we were all tired, so we ordered pizza and played Scattegories. I laughed so hard, I almost...well, let's just say I laughed really hard. Sunday morning we ate at the Log Cabin and headed home where Ronnie and I spent the rest of the night relaxing and eating Chinese.

****************

The BIG Purchase

Monday we met his mom to get the boys in Floydada.

THANKS NONNI FOR THE AMAZING WEEKEND AWAY!!!

Then on our way back through Lubbock we bought our first king-sized bed!

It's a Simmons Beauty Rest, World-Class with a Visco top, and unless you have been bed shopping none of that means anything ;)

We got the bed on clearance; it was $1100 off. I bought the bedding at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and it was 50% off. It isn't the "bedding of my dreams", but the price was right ;)

*******************

Valentine's Day Party 2/11/10

My first Valentine's Day present from Drew, two bracelets. I haven't taken them off!

Drew's Valentine's Day party at school was a "dress-up" day.

He is holding vitamins because it was "v" show-and-tell too!

Drew mixed, cut, and decorated these cookies for his friends all by himself

(except for the oven and icing!)

He was so proud.

Kade decorated this cookie with M&M's and sprinkles.

Drew's first Valentine's Day cards.

Drew was so excited that Ronnie came to his party. When Ronnie walked in Kade ran all the way across the room yelling, "Daddy!" Then Ronnie picked him up Kade asked, "How was work Daddy?"

Drew's teacher, Mrs. Sonya

The goodies

*****************
Monster Truck Rally

January 31, 2010

Cash Crutcher

The boys loved it...can you tell?

2010-02-09T21:50:00.001-06:00

Opportunity!!!

2010-02-09T14:05:00.006-06:00

You can go to Holly's blog, click HERE, to see pictures of Drew and Kade at Cash's 2nd Birthday party.

**************

Remember I posted about this book a few days ago???

If you want to join Beth, 2200+ other women, and me in discussing her new book,

So Long Insecurity, on-line click HERE!

Hope you'll join us!

Out of the mouth of babes...

2010-02-03T12:41:00.008-06:00

Conversation at lunch with Drew as the rain is POURING down:

Me: Sorry we didn't have an umbrella for school today Drew.

Look at my hair, it's a mess.

Oh, the rain is coming down...we won't be able to play with Eva today!

I don't know where our umbrella is?!?

We'll have to buy another...

Drew: Mom, don't you remember?

God says to be thankful in everything.

(1 Thes. 5:18)

Me: Good Word Drew!!! Preach it little buddy!

New book on my list

2010-02-02T13:54:00.003-06:00

Go here to read more about the book.

Click here to read the first chapter.

I am going to buy it today!!!

Thank you Beth!!!

Not what I thought...

2010-01-30T13:27:00.007-06:00

I thought I would spend the weekend in Ceta Canyon (near Happy, Texas) at a women's retreat, but...

a snow/ice storm hit Thursday morning. So I spent two days in the house with my two boys. Kade spent most of his time doing puzzles (his new "thing"), and Drew showed me how to figure out if a number is even or odd (a new skill learned at Pre-school).

We cuddled.

We watched movies.

We played games.

Good stuff....especially because the conference is going to be rescheduled.

I thought last weekend we'd spend the majority of our time home relaxing, but...

we ended up taking the boys to see The Chipmunk movie, eating at Joe's Crab Shack, and bed shopping.

Ugh...bed shopping.

I feel like I need another degree just to figure out what bed is "best".

We have a queen size bed right now, and it's time for a K.I.N.G!

Anybody know what I mean?

So, if you have any tips on finding the perfect bed (under $2,000), leave me a comment.

Sunday we went to church at Second Baptist, took a nap, and I woke-up to the strangest thing.

Ronnie doing the dishes.
My man does a lot of things.

He works.

He pays all the bills.

He can fix ANYTHING.

He gives the kids baths.

He does all the yard work.

He vacuums,

but never in our 10+ years of knowing each other have I ever seen him do the dishes. Strange things are happening...never a dull moment, and I love it!

Anyway.

Sunday evening, we went back to church for the couple's Bible Study on the Secrets of the Vine. We went to Lubbock after church let out to get some kind of toilet part to fix our bathroom potty (like I said, my man can fix ANYTHING).

Drew requested "green sauce", so we ate at Casa Ole' in the booth next to Texas Tech's new football coach, Tuberville. Not that big of a deal for this Aggie girl, but I threw that in there for all my Red Raider readers. LOL!!!

I just finished the DVD/book series,

The True You: Reclaiming Health and Wholeness for your Mind, Body, and Spirit.

I have to admit, the information presented is still swirling around in my head.

You just don't hear much Biblical teaching on wholeness in your body and wholeness in your soul.

I don't know why?

Seems like most women have either emotional or physical issues...

Can you imagine what a witness Christian women could be to the world if we were healthy physically and emotionally??!!!???

I am just saying...hmmm!

Beth Moore, one of the presenters, had us draw a triangle on our paper.

At the top of the triangle she asked us to write "spirit".

At the bottom, we were to write "body" and "soul" on each end.

She went on to say that we are a three-part being, body, soul, and spirit.

If any of those three areas are not whole/healthy, or if we allow ourselves to become carnally-minded with our body or our soul taking the place as "boss" at the top of our "triangle", we will not be whole. We will not be able to live the Zoe, abundant life, Jesus died and rose again to give us.

1 Thess. 5:23 in the Messages says, "May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ."

So much more to say, but I need to go get dressed for the Monster Truck Rally tonight.

Short As Possible

2010-01-19T09:26:00.009-06:00

My Weekend in as few words as possible...

1. Friday - conference with Drew's teacher (he's doing great) & girl's night-out: 4 girlfriends, Johnny Carinos, laughs, and the new movie, Lovely Bones.

2. Saturday - time alone to clean house (so enjoyable & relaxing), grilling burgers, Wii Tennis, bike rides

3. Sunday - River of Life Fellowship (possibly our new church home?), fajitas on the grill, Cowboy football :(, the Season Premiere of 24

4. Monday - 3-day weekend, ironing, reading, making place mats for Emmaus, left-overs, no make-up, more 24

5. Today- 2 miles, babysitting Cash, making Nana Jo's banana pudding, naps, Emmaus Community meeting in Brownfield

Other random things...

1. Been reading this book and this book . I think the second book will be incredibly valuable with mothering two boys and teaching (when I do go back).

2. Can't wait until next weekend!!! I'm heading to Ceta Canyon for the "Can't Steal My Joy" Women's Conference 2010.

3. Been walking at 6 every morning for the last 2 weeks (averaging 3 miles) and will be doing this for the next 30 days...yikes I am already sore!

4. This is my new favorite preacher/teacher. His teaching on being thankful is incredibly anointed. He has challenged me to quit talking about three things: what I don't have, what I don't know, and what I can't do. It has been hard...I didn't realize what was coming out of my mouth. To see some of more of his food for thought go HERE.

Funny Story:
Drew and Kade were in the tub, and I heard some splashing. I went in there and saw red on Kade's back. They were probably wrestling, but honestly who knows??? The following conversation took place:
Me: "Drew, what happened to Kade's back?"
Drew: "Maybe it was the sun?"
Me: "No. It wasn't the sun, because it has been cloudy all day."
Drew (now rubbing Kade's back): "Well mom, Kade is covered in the blood of Jesus."
Me: "Well yes he is, but did you slap his back."
Drew: "Yes I did."

Lots of pictures and a few laughs too!

2010-01-05T08:52:00.017-06:00

Before Christmas fun!

This was actually my first time to make gingerbread houses.

CRUNCH!!!

One of our family traditions is every year the boys and I decorate sugar cookies. This year I laid out the icing and sprinkles and let them do whatever they wanted to do. You can see Drew really enjoyed his creative freedom, but Kade just wanted to lick the icing and eat the sprinkles.

We pretended the 23rd was Christmas Eve because we wanted to get down to my mom's by the 24th. After we made a birthday cake for Jesus, we ate dinner and opened gifts. Another tradition we have is on Christmas Eve the boys get Christmas PJ's and a board game. After we played the game, I Spy, we loaded up in Ronnie's truck in our Christmas "jamas" to go look at Christmas lights. The snow started to fall, and Drew said, "This is the best day ever!" The boys agreed to quickly go to bed after we got home, and about 10 minutes later they heard Santa (a.k.a. our neighbor, Royce) saying, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" outside the window with sleigh bells ringing. We woke up to 5 inches of snow on the ground the next morning. Our travel plans to Austin were delayed for a few hours, so the boys could play in the snow. (We don't get that much snow in West Texas very often!)

After a 10 1/2 hour car ride with two boys, the puppy, and a car load full of "stuff", we were SO relieved to see Nana and Pop's house. Of course, we had to open gifts first thing. Drew and Kade got baseball gear and bounce-back racers from mom and dad. My brother, Chad, got them a Wii. Mom, Chad, Ronnie, and I played Wii tennis together the next day. It was so much fun, and we got so "into the game". Chad is so competitive; when I looked back at him during one of the games I saw he was dripping with sweat. Ronnie told him he needed to get a head band. Then I got a mental picture of Chad playing Wii in his full tennis gear and could not quit laughing!!!

Bounce-back Racers...great gift!

Then on Sunday we went to church with my grandparents, Nana Jo and PawPaw Bill, and twin cousins, Cayla and Cole. After church everyone gathered at Nana Jo's for Kade's Birthday party.

It was an incredibly sweet day.

After the party, Ronnie helped my PawPaw fix his tractor, and the boys watched twin goats being born. It was fun and educational :)

Drew and Kade loved Nana Jo's house.

Kade, Cole, and Cayla

Nana and Kade with his new red tractor.

PawPaw Bill, Kade and Drew.

Nana, Kade and Nana Jo

Chad, Drew, and Kade

CHEESE!!! I L.O.V.E this picture!

I can't believe my baby boy turned 3.

He loved the ice-cream cake Nana bought for him.
Don't laugh at the drool.

Sometime it takes wind and water to put out a fire. LOL!

Wooden puzzles from Nana
Tools from Cayla and Cole

I think the three best Christmas gifts I got this year are the new PJ's and post-it note holder from my mom, and new work-out clothes from Ronnie.

Hey, it's the little things in life, right!!?!

But, my favorite Christmas gift ever is this quilt my Nana made for me.

It is BEAUTIFUL!

I LOVE IT!

She made my brother and cousin, Aaron, memory quilts with pictures. They are amazing!!! My brother even teared-up a little. She is incredibly talented and one of the most giving women I have ever known!

Okay I have to share a few Christmas stories that might make you laugh.

Story #1
Drew loves anything sweet.
He ate A LOT of Christmas cookies, and after we got home from my mom's he came into the living room that night with his hands on his hips and a sad face.
Me: "What's wrong Drew?"
Drew: "Mom, here's the deal. No more cookies at Christmas because I have bad diarrhea."
Ronnie and I couldn't quit laughing!

Story #2
Kade got a Spiderman watch from Santa.
I asked him a few days ago, "What time is it Kade?"
He looked at his watch, looked at me with a serious face, and said,
"This is the day the Lord has made."
Ha!

Story #3
I couldn't find Drew the other night after supper. I looked outside.
I looked in his room.
Nothing.
Finally I walked into his bathroom to find him brushing Eva's, our new puppy, teeth
with MY NEW TOOTHBRUSH. I guess nothing is off limits in this house!!!

Story #4
We were bowling on the Wii a few nights ago.
Kade bowled a strike, turned around and said,
"Oh SNAP!"
(FYI - "Snap" is the new word for "cool"...or at least I think it is ;)! Kade and Drew picked it up from the movie, Bolt!)

Our Top Ten List for 2009-Updated

2009-12-16T09:00:00.008-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010 from Levelland, Texas!!!

Our friend Debbie took these pictures of Drew and Kade. She amazes me; they look great on our Christmas card. You can check out her work, HERE.

The Jenkins’Top Ten List for 2009

(Most our "top 10 things" are linked back to the original post from my blog this year. If you'd like to read more, just click on the red word.)

#10) We had a blast on our camping/fishing trips to the Quartz Mountains in Oklahoma. Drew caught two Walleye & a Striper Fish on his red racer fishing pole.

#9) We loved our vacation to Sea World San Antonio, the Zoo, & Sonora caverns. #8) The boys enjoyed their first ever drive-in movie and Monster Truck Rally.
#7) Drew started Pre-K at Levelland Christian School. With Drew at School on MWF mornings, Kade & I are enjoying our time alone. At least once a week we go to Lubbock to shop, play, and go out to eat (we call it our “date”).
(Drew's first day of school. )

#6) Ronnie & I were able to get away twice this year. We went to Ruidoso on Valentine’s Day with 3 other couples. In August we traveled to College Station to watch the first Aggie game.

#5) Speaking of football, how sweet it was to watch the Aggies beat the Red Raiders this year. Whoop!

#4) The high light of Ronnie’s year was the 8 lb. Bass he caught at Lake Allen Henry.

#3) I loved being able to work a Walk to Emmaus this year in Stanton. I also went on a girl’s trip to Oklahoma City for the Deeper Still Conference with Beth Moore.

#2) Kade potty trained in the spring, so we bought him a new bike (some may call that a bribe, but whatever ;) Ha! The boys and I have spent many, many hours riding bikes in the cotton fields behind our house. To read a story about the boys, click HERE.I think it is my favorite part of the entire day (except bedtime…LOL!) #1) The holidays get more exciting as the boys get older (Drew just turned 5, & Kade will be 3 in January...to read the CUTEST story about Kade, click HERE. To read a cute story about Drew, click HERE.) The boys dress-up like cowboys for Halloween, & we actually had a huge pumpkin vine behind our house.

(This vine put off over 10 pumpkins.)

Santa came early this year & brought Drew and Kade a Texas Heeler (½ Heeler, ½ Aussie). Her name is Eva.

(The dog house Ronnie built; it even has a window in the back!)

This song brought me to tears; I pray you enjoy it!

“How many kings, stepped down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? How many Gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that has torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only ONE did that for me.”

Merry Christmas from our family to yours and Happy New Year!

What an AMAZING weekend

2009-12-08T12:16:00.010-06:00

Friday morning I left for Oklahoma City with my favorite girls... Charla and Belinda. I think the drive there was exactly what I needed. I have had the hardest time lately completing one single thought before my mind jumps to the next thought. It has been so frustrating! So, for over 30 minutes on our drive there, I just stared out the window, relaxed, took a deep breath, and waited for a Word from God. He gave me one (Prov 13:12), restored my hope, and the rest of the weekend was just icing on the cake.
We went to the Deeper Still Conference to see Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer. Those ladies did just that, took us deeper still into God's Word as we studied His Promises to us. I was SO excited to see Beth Moore (her teachings have helped me in so many ways the last few years), but Priscilla BLEW ME AWAY. Seriously, she was AMAZING.
Travis Cottrell's praise band led us during worship. We were ushered into God's Presence during worship songs like "Revelation." We sat in remembrance during Christmas songs. We laughed while Kay, Beth, and Priscilla rapped. We clapped our hands and stomped our feet during the "southern gospel performance" at the end. I wish my mom could have been there with me...she would have LOVED it!
I cried. I laughed. I sang (loudly and extremely off key ;)

DeeperStill Oklahoma City from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

We stayed in this amazing hotel... in a room like this. I valet parked for the first time, and WOW, that was money well spent!

We ate here Friday night before the conference. I ate the most amazing Asian Salad, and I drank the best ever vanilla honey latte.

Sunday morning Santa came early to bring Drew and Kade their new puppy, Eva.She hasn't had a moment of rest since then.

She is a 9 week-old, Texas Heeler (1/2 Mini Aussie and 1/2 Blue Heeler).
The boys are in love, and I am a little smitten with her too!

Struggling for Silence

2009-12-03T08:20:00.008-06:00

I have been unsettled the last few weeks.

Dissatisfied and restless are good words.

I am just anxious to be alone.

ALONE WITH GOD.

Why is that so hard sometimes?

Struggling for the noise of my life to quiet down.

Struggling to be still.

Struggling to quit talking.

Quit thinking.

Struggling for silence.

SILENCE in my heart.

SILENCE IN MY MIND.

Struggling, wrestling, mustering up all my strength and FAILING.

Failing to find time to spend with God.

And when I make time, failing to be still and quiet enough to hear from Him.

Once you've been in the TRUE PRESENCE of God there is NO WHERE you would rather be than "THERE" in His Presence.

NO WHERE.

So I have been asking myself, "Self, why aren't you THERE? Why can't you get THERE?"

Tons of excuses come to mind, but I guess it boils down to priorities and choices.
And whatever the "reason" is, when I am not "THERE" I am not happy.

I am not peaceful.

I am not joyful.

I am not so fun to be around.

This morning I just wanted to get back "THERE".

This morning I sat down to read God's Word and my mind was so distracted, I started to cry, and God gave me this,

"Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,'

says the LORD Almighty...

The words I have spoken to you

are spirit and they are life

(Zech 4:6, John 6:63)."

I rolled those verses around in my mind. "Not by your might Dawn, but by My Spirit. My Words are Spirit and they are life to you Dawn."

My problem was diagnosed.

The medicine was sitting on the end table.

THE WORD.

With all of our "holiday activities" I haven't spent enough time with God the last few weeks. The holiday bussle has disrupted my "routine." Zeph 3:17 says it is God's love that quiets my heart.

I was starving my spirit man, and Jesus said in Matthew 4:4,

"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Jesus didn't die to give me religion.

He died to give me a relationship, and I don't know about you, but I can't have a relationship with anyone if I don't spend quality time listening, talking, and learning about them.

I cried out for forgiveness. I cried out for Help. I spoke His Word over myself.

I remember that even though I screw up DAILY, I am still the "apple of His eye".

Even though I reject him He still "delights over me with singing."

I just praised Him for those TRUTHS.

I praised HIM for loving me even when I give Him every reason not to.

Immediately, I was THERE.

THERE in His Presence.

My mind was quiet, and the noise was gone.

Silence.

Rest.

Peace.

You don't have to be super-spiritual or have a special call on your life to enter into God's Power or His Presence. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).

I got this analogy from Lynne Hammond's book, The Master is Calling:

"Just as your city has a huge generator that supplies electricity you can tap into by simply plugging in a cord, God has a similar system. His throne is like a huge, spiritual generator from which the river of life flows. (See Rev 22:1.) As we worship we plug into that generator, and power (or life) begins to flow in us. That's why God wants us to worship - not because He needs us to make Him feel good about Himself but because He wants us to plug into His power! You're ALWAYS plugged in somewhere. In fact, you are plugged in something right now. You might be plugged into what your mind is thinking. You might be plugged into your circumstances. If you're sick, you might be plugged into your doctor's diagnosis. But if you want to get the power of God flowing, you'll have to UNPLUG from those places and plug into the throne of God through praise."

My mind was not just plugged into one thing; it was plugged into one of those power strips. I was plugged into thinking about: Christmas lists, travel plans, a meeting my sister-in-law is having tonight, worrying for my sweet friend's husband, what Fox News was saying about our economy and the Middle East, budgets, outfits, tomorrow, etc.

My mind was plugged into these things, and I wasn't receiving anything but noise. My mind was running around like a two-year-old jumping on the couch and doing/thinking whatever it wanted to. I needed God's power to strenghten my inner man so I could tell my mind to, "BE QUIET."

God's Word tells us how to find peace and satisfaction, but He loves us so much He gives us a free will. It is a choice.

It is my choice.

Isaiah 26:3, "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."

***On a side note I heard an interesting definition from John Bevere - "Idolatry is what we give our strength to or what we draw our strength from." Hmm...

What are you plugged into?

Today...

2009-12-01T13:02:00.008-06:00

Today, Kade watched snow fall for the first time. The boys played in it until their hands got too cold.

Today, the boys told me to write this letter…
Santa,
My name is Drew, and my brother’s name is Kade. We want a puppy dog for Christmas. Kade wants hay, a red hay baler, dirt, and snow. I want dog toys, dog food, and dog water. We love you- Drew and Kade
Today, I can finally quit making phone calls and searching Craig's List for Santa. Last night we finalized the plans, and the boys are getting her for Christmas. Drew wants to name her Eva. Kade wants to name her Rice Crispy. Wish "Santa" good luck trying to take care of her for 3 weeks until Christmas. Any volunteers? LOL!

Today, I am wishing it was Friday. I am going with my sister-in-law and friend, Belinda, to Oklahoma City. I can’t wait to visit and laugh with the girls, go Christmas shopping, and spend time in God's Presence. You can check it out here.

Today, I woke-up, and while I was fellowshipping with God, I felt dry. I felt like I couldn't break through the veil and step into His Presence; I DON'T LIKE FEELING THAT WAY (especially because I know it is a "feeling" and not the "Truth"). I have been struggling with that "feeling" for the last week. Today God showed me Isaiah 58:11; I prayed it. I clung to it, and God manifested it in my heart this morning.
"The Lord will guide you (Dawn) continually, giving you (Dawn) water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You (Dawn) will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

Today I think you will be blessed if you read what Charla said about worry HERE.

Merry Christmas...I mean Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T10:12:00.007-06:00

Wow, I haven't been a very good blogger. The holiday bussle started last week with:

*the Thanksgiving feast at Drew's school

*a field trip to sing at the nursing home

(isn't it amazing how older people light up when they see a child's face?)

*going to the Drive-In to see Blind Side

*the Scentsy, Uppercase Living, and jewelry party at my friend, Haylee's, house

*baking cookies

*packing to go to Childress

*trying to figure out how to use my new cell phone

*making my Christmas list (and checking it twice)

*looking for a Christmas puppy

*writing my Christmas letter

AND

putting up the Christmas tree. I know it isn't Thanksgiving yet, but...

Drew and Kade have been asking to put up the Christmas tree since Halloween. I gave in Monday morning, and we put it up. By lunch I was kicking myself in the rear for doing it without Ronnie, but Drew and Kade's excitement made up for my exhaustion. Their favorite part was putting up the ornaments...I think Kade is still "rearranging" them as I type. Ha! Yesterday, we decided to wrap Nana's presents. Kade wrapped his first, and I told him to go put it under the tree. Drew and I worked on wrapping his, and then I walked with him over to put it under the Christmas tree. I looked, and looked, but couldn't find Kade's present. I asked him, "Kade where did you put your present." He pointed to the back yard and said, "Under the trees." Ha!!! I love it!
I wanted to put something pretty (but cheap) on my coffee table. I rummaged around in my ornaments, picked some cotton, and viola!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends.

My Week

2009-11-13T21:34:00.023-06:00

Last weekend, I had the privilege to serve on the Emmaus team

for the women's walk in Stanton, Texas.

Wondering what a Walk to Emmaus is? Click HERE.
To say, "The walk was amazing," is an understatement.
Two women gave their lives to the Lord.

Hearts were healed, relationships were restored,

and freedom was found as God's grace and peace were made real to women.
His LOVE was tangible.

You could see it, touch it, smell it, feel it.
What I love about Emmaus is that it isn't about religion.

I don't like being around religion.

Emmaus isn't about following religious rules and putting on your "good girl" face.
It's about getting real.

I didn't know "churched women" had "pasts" and still struggle "being good" too.

See, I lived A LOT of life before I was saved at the age of 22.

When I went on my walk, I needed people to be real.

I needed someone to say I was not too "stained" to become a useful vessel in God's KINGDOM.

Emmaus is about God's love, and His power to set you FREE!!!

Free from past mistakes; FREE from present trials.

It's about GRACE, UPON GRACE, UPON GRACE.
It is about real women having the courage to testify about what God's love has done in their lives.

Nobody needs to go on a Walk to Emmaus,
but everyone DESERVES to go.
__________________________
Then when we got back we heard about Alex's fatal car accident.

(I wish I could have uploaded a picture of her, but you can go here to see her beautiful face.)

Our family knew Alex through the Kairos Prison Ministry. You don't usually meet girls like Alex: seventeen years old, on fire for the Lord, talented, beautiful, joyful, funny, smart, and yet she was even more than that. I remember the first time I met her I went up to her mom, Jeanne, and asked, "What have you and Johnny done to raise this girl so well?"

I am not going to lie and say I understand this tragedy.
I don't understand it.
It isn't fair.
My heart is bleeding for her mom and dad.

BUT GOD,

But God is still God.
God is who HE says HE IS.
GOD can do what HE says He can do.
I think the biggest tragedy during times like this is people asking,
"Why did God take Alex away?"
Well, God did not take Alex.
This was not God's will.

(John 10:10 makes this very clear.)
In her father's words,

"Alex was going down a road her mom and I forbid her to go down. Alex was driving too fast. Alex was texting and not wearing her seat belt."
God's love for Alex AND you AND me is so great that He gives us all a free will.

FREEDOM TO MAKE CHOICES.
Free will to not follow the laws that keep us safe.

Free will to choose HIM or reject HIM.

BUT GOD,

But God works all things out for good for those who love HIM,

and

Alex loved God!!!

(Romans 8:28)

During her funeral today over 800 people joined together to celebrate her life.

Not one questioned where she is right now.

NOT ONE.

She wasn't ashamed of the Good News.

Over 20 people gave their life to the Lord during this celebration of Alex's life.

How many people do you know who have led 20 people to the Lord in their lifetime?

God is already working this tragedy out for good.

And if you still don't believe God is real...you should go talk to Alex's mom, Jeanne.

Do you know any mother who has the strength to walk in and out of her daughter's funeral with a smile on her face, praising her God?

I do.

Alex's mom.

Oh...God is real.

God is MIGHTY to save.

This week I have experienced moments were joy was exploding inside my heart, and moments where grief and sorrow caused so many tears to fall I felt dehydrated.

BUT GOD...

But God is stable.

He is an immovable rock,

and when I abide and cling to Him,

His grace and love elevate me above "yo-yo Christianity."

The storm's life throws my way are powerless to move me.

The ups and the downs can't enslave me,

can't steal my joy,

and can't cause me to question God's goodness.

When you know the TRUTH the TRUTH will set you free.

I am walking by faith, not by sight.

When I walk by FAITH, I have to remind myself that my feelings don't get a vote.

BUT GOD...

In honor of Alex's life, I'd like to ask each of you a question.

Let's get real and honest with each other for just a moment, because none of us are promised tomorrow.

Can you draw up in your mind the day you gave your entire life to Jesus Christ?

James 2:19

"You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."

Giving your life to Christ is more than knowing ABOUT God.

IT'S MORE THAN KNOWING THERE IS A "BIG MAN" UPSTAIRS, because God's Word says even the demons believe there is a God.

Can you picture the day in your mind where your relationship with Jesus began?

Unfortunately, sitting in a church pew for 20 years does not mean you have a relationship with Jesus.

Can you picture the very moment when you realized Jesus really loves you? Has there been a moment in your life where you surrendered it all to HIM, and said, "It all for you Jesus."

Romans 10:9-10

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Do you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that when you leave this earth you will be with the Lord?

If you can, great; please pray for Alex's family right now.

If you can't draw up that picture or have any questions...

IT IS NOT TOO LATE.

Don't believe the lie that you can "out sin" God.

HIS SON WOULD HAVE DIED EVEN IF YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE.

Please email me at mommy10_19_04@yahoo.com and allow me the privilege of telling you about Alex's God.

He loves Alex,

AND

He loves you TOO.

Romans 8:28-39, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them...What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything for us... Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Drew's prayer for Alex's family,

"Oh Father God, you are a big God. You are so strong. We don't have to be afraid of that mean ol' snake. We are the boss of that mean snake, and we tell that snake to leave Alex's mommy and daddy alone. We stomp on him. We say, "Jesus," and that snake has to run away. Oh Father God, thank you for our super power because we are on God's team. We are the winners. Thank you for our muscles. Thank you we don't have to be afraid, because we are on God's team. Help us to kill those ol' Goliafs (aka- Goliaths). In Jesus Name, Amen."

Halloween

2009-10-31T20:24:00.010-05:00

Happy Halloween from the Jenkins boys.

Nonni made Drew and Kade's chaps and vests.

Aren't they amazing? The boys were so proud.

Kade told everyone, "Happy Halloweenie!" Ha!
Kade loved his gun.

Mom suggested we paint mustaches on the boys.

Ronnie painted them on with my eye liner.

They turned out so stinkin' cute.

Kade was enjoying smiling for the camera!

Drew was giving all of his candy away to people at their houses and to the kids that passed by.
Drew and our neighbor, Christian.
Decorating pumpkins was fun and really, really messy!

Ronnie's amazing pumpkin he drew and cut free-handed. My pumpkin. (deep sigh) The candy.

Drew had Pajama Day Monday at school for Drug Free Week.

Nonni made these Thomas the Train PJ's for his special day.

Happy 5th Birthday Drew Ryan!

2009-10-20T09:33:00.015-05:00

Yesterday my baby turned 5. It was a little emotional for me. Time is flying by too fast.

I sometimes wish I could freeze the boys at this age because they are so stinkin' fun. It seems like it was just yesterday (literally) that we brought him home.

Drew was born October 19, and he weighed in at a hefty 10 pounds 3 ounces. Dr Rauth asked the nurses to bring the scales into the O.R., so she could weigh him herself.
Here he is at 3 months.

6 months
After church on Sunday, we met Nonni, PaPa, Nanny, LaLa, and Sich at Main Event in Lubbock for a family birthday party!

Drew's been counting down the days until his birthday since July.

Drew invited his new "best friend", Nolan, to go bowling with us.

Nolan gave Drew a John Deere Combine. Drew was so excited he could not even speak.
Thanks Nolan!

The boys loved bowling (the little boys and the "bigger" boys too =) I didn't know PaPa was such an expert bowler! Pretty impressive!

Watching Kade, Drew, and Nolan bowl was cracking me up.

Thanks for the hay bales and fork Nana and Pops!

Drew has been asking for this hay baler since last March! We've been "cutting and baling" a lot of carpet around here the last 2 days =) Ha!

Drew's first set of spurs. Thanks Uncle Sich!

We all went to eat at Casa Ole' after we bowled. Drew loves thier "green sauce". Nonni made him a Wall-E cookie cake! He loved it! Thanks Nonni!Cheese!!!
Monday morning was Drew's actual birthday. He requested a "green" biscuit!I put a few pictures from his actual "birth" day on the kitchen table. He was laughing at the picture Ronnie took of me right before we went in for the C-Section. To say I was "a little" on the large/swollen side is an understatement. Drew thought that was pretty funny!
Nonni, Nanny, Daddy, Kader Taters and I took another Wall-E cookie cake up to Drew's school to celebrate his birthday with his school friends.
Nonni made party bags for all of Drew's class mates.

Then after school we ate lunch and headed to Lubbock.

Drew requested we go to the "park where baby Mikah lives". It is the park by Covenant Lakeside where they deliver the babies.

Drew' s new John Deere boots!

Kade had a pretty good time too!

I love this picture!

After the park Drew went to Toys 'R Us and used the birthday money Aunt "T" and Nana Jo gave him to buy a Tonka Crane, and he used the rest to buy Kade an "I Spy" book. Then we went to eat at Logan's. Drew decided to forgo the meal and just pig out on the hot rolls and butter. I think he ate at least five. He is a boy after my own heart =) Ha! After dinner we headed over to Market Street to get a few groceries, and then we ended the night with frozen custard from Sheridan's. Drew said it was the, "best day ever!"

What do I know?

2009-10-14T14:47:00.000-05:00

Kade

2009-10-12T08:00:00.003-05:00

One woman's weed is...another woman's treasure.

Kade loves to pick flowers for me, but I don't know if "pick" is a good word.

He pulls up the entire plant up, roots and all!

I do not know what he enjoys the most: hunting the weed (I mean flower =), pulling the flower, or giving me his gift.

HE is my gift.

Last night Kade told me,

"Mama I love you this much."

Then he spread his arms, as far apart as they would stretch, and finished by whispering,

"I love you more than all the M&M's and 5 Shamu's."

Priceless.

Treasured.

A moment I want to bottle-up and save forever.

A few really cute things about Kade

***He loves to wear "jeams" (jeans).

He wears them all the time

(evidence in the picture below)

The boys wanted to take a picture with all the pumpkins from our vine.

Drew is in real PJ's; Kade dressed himself in "his" version of PJ's =).

***Kade loves to eat M&M's. He and I always get M&M's on Mondays while Drew is at school. When we walk in Wal-Mart he starts saying,

"I am happy, happy, happy!"

***Kade loves the color red:

red pick-ups, red band-aids, red monster trucks,

the red plane on "Jay, Jay the Jet Plane,

red shirts, red crayons, and red boots.

***He loves to ride his bike, and he is incredibly fast for a 2 year-old. It cracks me up when he tries to pop "wheelies" like his daddy.

***He loves horses.

***Lately, he has been pretending (for hours) to be a dog.

He barks.

He crawls.

He licks (the licking grosses me out =)

***When Kade gets really excited or happy, he dances in a circle and says, "Gooda, gooda, goob eye." None of us have any idea what he is talking about, but we love hearing/seeing him do it.

"I praise you (God, Creator, THE ONE who gave life it's name) because (Kade is) fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:14 (Emphasis Mine)

It's a long one, BUT I think it is one of the best revelations God has ever given me!!!

2009-10-09T08:00:00.006-05:00

Paul showed us what God wants for every believer in Eph 1, Eph 3, Phil 1, and Col 1, also called Paul's Prayers. Eph 3:16 - 19 (AMP),

"May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Verse 16 stands out first, “strengthened…in the inner man”.
Strengthen is defined by Webster’s, “to be make strong (ability to do, endure, power, toughness, solidity, power to resist attack).”
The only way to stay strong and take your place in Christ is to stay hooked up to the power source. John 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the bridge that reconnects us with the Father, so we can live life. When we hook up the The Vine we form the "ultimate union" as described by Kenyon in his book, In Christ Realities.

God gave me this analogy:
We all need water. Water makes up over 80% of our body. What is the first thing the hospital does when a person in need of attention enters the hospital? They HOOK them Up to an IV bag. An IV bag hydrates sick people because we need water for many reasons.

One is to flush impurities out of our body. I like what Kenyon said, “…to be rooted and grounded in love is to remove all self.” Yes, Lord remove every impurity from this world, and remove every impurity that is not of YOU! Anything that is not of God, anything that is not pure, true, noble, good, lovely, and praiseworthy, is toxic to the body. What is toxic to your life? For me it is myself. You know the selfish mentality, "What about me? What about my needs? What about what I deserve?" It's toxic, but when I get "hooked up" the Living Water flushes out those impure thoughts and leaves me hydrated.

Water also makes up a large part of the blood which transports “life”, nourishment, and oxygen to every cell in our bodies. The blood of Jesus provides life, protection, and promises to us. If you have never studied the blood covenant, I suggest Joyce Meyer's book, "The Word, The Name, The Blood."

The third function of water is to regulate body temperature. I love this one! Jesus did not like "religious people". Rev 3:16 God says, "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Staying hooked up to the Life allows God to keep me on fire for Him!!!

The fourth function of water is to cushion our joints, and prevent shock to them. In this world we will face circumstances that "shock", jolt, bounce, and knock us down. When we are connected to the Vine, the storm seasons in life cannot shake us. In fact they get shorter as God's peace covers the believer like a warm blanket. God brings you right through that Storm so you can dance in the rain.

Finally, water is extremely critical in lymph system which supplies antibodies for our defense against disease. Jesus left us His name, and in His name we have all authority against disease, worry, concern, etc. Complete protection!

The more rooted and grounded we become in God, who is Love, the larger the connection, our stem, becomes to the Life Source. I love the way the Amplified says, “securely “ in verse 17. However, I think sometimes our connection can get leaks in them.

Back to my analogy: I can picture a sick, dehydrated person whose line to their IV bag has holes. The liquid becomes diverted, and God cannot get them any peace, joy, grace, or love. It is not God who leaves or forgets us; it is us has the problem with our line. I do not want any links in my relationship with God; I want all that God has to give me! I do not want doubt, unforgiveness, bitterness, worry, busyness, selfishness, strife, or gossip poking tiny holes in my Life-line. Who is poking the holes? Not your husband, not your co-workers, not your children, and certainly not God. We need to look in the mirror sweet sisters, we are the ones poking the holes as we allow doubt, unforgiveness, bitterness, worry, etc. into our lives. It is us we swings the door of opportunity wide open to the enemy whose only purpose is to steal your joy, kill your enthusiasm, and destroy your purpose.

John 4:14, “But those who drink the water I give (the Living Water) will never be thirsty (will never go look for another life source) again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (Emphasis mine)

Ephesians 3 goes onto say Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge will allow us to be “filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God”
“Filled”- Greek Strong's Number: 4137
Transliteration: pleroo
definition: to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

Do you enjoy being full? I do! This is The Truth, The Reality, The Way, The Life, Jesus came to give abundantly. I know by experience it is true; so full of God’s love, God’s grace, God’s wisdom, God’s strength, God’s Divine Presence, God’s Living Water that nothing is left wanting. Nothing!!! No fight with my husband, no problem at church, nothing can steal the joy and peace that guard's my mind in Christ Jesus.

It is us; it is me, who turns away from the life source. Sometimes we literally get up and unhook our IV from the Zoë bag and go plug ourselves into the world’s false promises.

Romans 1:25 (NLT) says, “They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen!”

Kenyon is right. The love at the bar isn’t real, the peace from a “buzz” doesn’t last, and the joy from new things is short-lived. Satan tries to counterfeit and pervert the promises of God, because He has never had an original idea. His promises, the life he offers, leaves people dehydrated, malnourished, and dead.

We know we are hooked up to the wrong source when we can’t get full. We can’t do that “thing” enough. I can’t eat enough. I can’t shop enough. I can’t get enough love. I can’t get enough affirmation. When we can’t get full, when we are desperate for anything, we need to run for God, THE FILLER.

I LOVE THE WORD BECAUSE IT TRULY SATISFIES and FILLS!!!

Psalm 90:14 (NLT)
“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”
Psalm 63:1-5 (NIV)
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Satisfy - Hebrew Strong's Number: 7646
Transliteration: saba`
definition: to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited, to be satiated the filling and overfilling of appetites and desires.

I am staying hooked up to the LIFE because His love is “better than life.” He is my Interceder, Knight in shining armor, Umpire, Advocate, Encourager, Lord, Friend, Lover of my soul. Knowing that love and knowing it is flowing through me satisfies my every appetite, need, and desire.
How is your connection?
What do you do personally to keep "the ultimate union" strong?
(If you'd like a copy of Paul's Prayers, leave me a comment with your email address. )

In Christ Realities - Part 2

2009-10-06T10:41:00.012-05:00

The revelation I have received about my translation from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light has helped me to realize who I am in Christ. I am a visual person. God has given me a the picture of first being a child of satan, ruled by my sense knowledge, and bound in the chains of separation from God. Before I was saved, nothing was ever "enough" for me.
New clothes were not enough.
Marrying a wonderful man was not enough.
A great job was not enough.
It was if I was walking around confused in darkness trying to grasp for anything that looked like hope, love, or peace. I just wanted to be satisfied and content. Each time I reached out for something I thought was "real", I realized it was all a lie. I was always looking for something to fill the empty void in my heart, but what I did not realize was that spot was my "God spot".
I want to go off on a small rabbit trail.
Do you know how you get a callus?
A callus is formed when a place on the body is exposed to an extreme amount of friction and/or exposed to increased amount of pressure. Our skin cells go into over drive to create a "band-aid" to protect us from future pain. The callus does not heal the sore. It just covers it up, making it insensitive to it's environment.

Deut 30:6 (The Message)
"God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live."

Before God saved me, my heart was so covered with calluses that I was not even living. Satan had dominion over me, and all I knew was his lies about my inadequacies, my failures, my lack, and my loneliness. My 5 senses, my emotions, my feelings ruled my life, but God decided before the World was created to send His Son to shed His blood for ME. He called me by name before the stars started to shine, and planned to rescue ME. He brought Light to my life and showed me the Truth. He tore off the "band-aids" covering my wounds, and healed me COMPLETELY. The Truth set me free and filled me with hope, love, and peace! The TRUTH is who I am in Christ. The TRUTH is I am HIS OWN special, chosen treasure. (Deut 7:6) The TRUTH SET ME FREE! I am not ashamed of my failures, because in Christ God has worked them all out for His good. I am not ashamed of my inadequacies, because in Christ they qualify me for the HELP of the Holy Ghost. I am no longer lonely or empty, because in Christ my God spot is filled.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (Amplified Bible)
“But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].”

I have always dreamed of a knight in shining armor, what about you? We have all been rescued by Jesus and been given an amazing gift, an new identity in Christ. That new identity makes us citizens of heaven with new rights, privileges, and authority. We haves His Wisdom, His Righteousness, His Consecration, His Redemption. I can walk into the Holy of Holies anytime, and not even smell like sin. I can be in the Presence of God, and I can hear His Voice. That is life. That is the life I have in Christ. I don’t have to travel to a temple to fellowship with my Creator; I just have to be still. The Spirit of the Great I AM lives inside of me, inside of every believer. True revelation knowledge of this news should cause every believer, regardless of their present circumstances, to be smiling from ear to ear!

This is the GOOD NEWS.

The GOOD NEWS isn't religion.

The GOOD NEWS isn't about denomination.

The GOOD NEWS has nothing to do with sin and people being "good"!

The GOOD NEWS is about our restored relationship with God.

The GOOD NEWS is the fact that Jesus tore the curtain, and we can fellowship with God anytime.

The GOOD NEWS IS about the JEALOUS LOVE MY GOD HAS FOR ME and YOU regardless of our past!!!

I am smiling from ear to ear, how about you?

Part 3 coming Thursday!

Part 1 - In Christ Realities

2009-10-04T08:13:00.008-05:00

In Christ we are:

*justified (Rom 3:24)

*no condemnation awaits us (Rom 8:1)

*set free from power of sin (Rom 8:)

*sanctified (1 Cor 1:2)

*pure and holy, as if we never sinned (1 Cor 1:30)

*given new life (1 Cor 15:22)

*made right with God, our righteousness is in HIM (2 Cor 5:21)

*one in Christ with other believers (Gal 3:28)

*have ALREADY BEEN GIVEN every spiritual blessing, benefit (Eph 1:3)

*adopted into family of God (Eph 1:5,6)

*forgiven (Eph 1:7)

*identified as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)

*have ALREADY BEEN RAISED to sit with Christ in the heavenly realm (Eph 2:6)

*are God's Masterpiece, His Mona Lisa (Eph 2:10)

*can walk boldly and confidently into God's Presence (Eph 3:12)

*Made complete in Christ (Col 2:10)

*Have eternal glory (2 Tim 2:10)

What we have in Him we have to receive by Knowledge.

2 Peter 1:2-4 (Message)
“Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.”

I have heard the New Testament called the “Living Will” of God. It talks about every spiritual benefit, right, privilege, gift, and authority we have ALREADY been given in HIM as believers. It is impossible to operate in the power God has left us with if we live in ignorance. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge...”

The reason I chose the Message’s translation in 1 Peter is because of the word “experience.”
Being in the Word is not about head knowledge, it is about heart change.
Spending time with God means you experience Him; you experience the power and faithfulness of His promises. As His daughter, the first time I ACTED on my head knowledge and told the devil to leave, my heart changed because it worked. The first time I obeyed God and loved the unlovely, my heart was flooded with light and LIFE, and my heart changed. My inner man has gained strength because as revelation increases, as God’s nature increases, and LIFE increases in my life, I decrease (John 3:30). I have experienced it; I can testify to it! It is real! The more we allow Christ (The Word) to dwell in our hearts the more we are “swallowed up, immersed, and overwhelmed” (Kenyon) in Love, Zoë, Light, Truth, and the very nature of God. I like Mark Hankins illustration of us becoming pioneers, blazing the trail into the deep uncharted places of God.

Sign me up!

The deeper I go, the more knowledge I act upon, the more of His Living Will I take as my personal possession. For example, if my grandmother leaves me a diamond ring, I have to first know I own the ring. If a millionaire doesn't know he has any money he will continue to live as a pauper.

No thank you, I want what is mine!

However, the true joy from the ring does not come into fullness until I go, take action, and possess what is mine. The words “I can’t” and “God did not give ‘that gift', 'that faith', or 'that ability' to me,” are red flags that we need to go pick up THE WILL and see what God has given us.

God is no respector of persons.

Jesus did not die just so I can get my ticket to Heaven. He died to give me life and life more abundantly; He died so I can reign in this life (Rom 5:17). I want to unwrap every gift He died to give me, because I cannot be truly grateful for something I do not know is mine.

I love this quote by Smith Wigglesworth, “If a thing is in the Bible, then it is so; it is not even to be prayed about; it is to be received and acted upon."

QUESTIONS:

Which REALITY "IN Christ" makes you the most grateful?

Which REALITY "IN Christ" are you going to ask God to help you "unwrap" and totally receive as your own?

Part 2 is coming soon!!!

Important: Moms, You Are Being Called to Stand Up For Your Kids!

2009-10-02T20:14:00.004-05:00

I just became a member of http://www.asamom.org/
It is time I stand up for my children's future.
I am a patriot.
I am a conservative Christian.
I am tired of corrupt Republicans and Democrats.
I am proud of the amazing country my grandfathers and father fought to protect.
I am an American.
I am a mother.
I want Drew and Kade to experience America's freedom.
It is time.
Will you stand-up with me?
(If you join, you can help spread the word by leaving a post on your blog!)
***I will get to my In Christ Realities paper tomorrow! (I know you are all dying in anticipation=) Ha!