So, the Lord has led us for various reasons in this season out of our marriage group. Knowing how much we need community, Biblical community, and other couples who are willing to fight together in truth, love and in pursuit for holiness and intimacy in marriage, we are starting our own group. Through our various recovery's and journey's, we have been impacted by a host of programs and a host of people. We have gleaned so much from each different one that God has brought our way, so we are starting one with friends we are already in community with and share our lives with.
We are not professional counselors, nor do we claim to be. We simply are a couple who has experienced healing and miracles in our own lives and marriage. We feel the Lord has guided our steps thus far with the folks who want to do this and both have a willingness to share what we know andwhat we've learned from others.
Our prayer is that this will be fruitful. That God will put a hedge before and behind us and we will continue to obey as God opens and closes doors. Above all, that our actions and words will be cloaked with humility. Pride is a silent creeper, and while I am well aware we don't have all the answers... all we really have to offer is our experience, strength and hope...I never want that to become an issue. I don't have it all figured out by any stretch. All I have is where I was and where I am now and a bounty of fabulous mentors who have coached me through my journey. Join in praying with us that the Holy Spirit will speak in and through us and that the gates of hell will be rattled by couples going to battle for deep intimacy in their marriages and relationships!
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2012
Friday, April 06, 2012
Shine His Light
I continue to grow and learn more each and every day. More about myself, more about Jesus and more about those around me. Not that I've figured it out, there is no such thing, but becoming a new creation each day, I feel it this season. I've come so far and have SO far to go. The further I get into walking with Jesus daily, the more I realize how little I know or understand how much he really loves and cares for me. My Bible study this season has been Biblical Community, speaking truth to one another and learning to love women who have all different strengths and weaknesses. It is a safe place and so uplifting. No doubt it came at the perfect time.
I spent the morning with my best friend from high school and her two babes. It is a such a gift to have such a friend. She has grown and changed and has become and is becoming...I have too. We are so very different, always have been, but it is a gift. To know and be known. To give and receive and receive and give, isn't this the heartbeat of a deep friendship?! So I am filled with gratitude as my baby and her eldest played around our feet. The sun shone down on her wee one and the birds chirped in the background as we talked about being a mama, our own mother's, friendship and more. It was a good morning.
This morning started out good, not all mornings do. Ironically, it is Good Friday and as I drove my banshee's to school I reminded them of this day. Last night we read 'The Last Supper' and today I tried my best to drill in their hearts the meaning of this day. As they walk their public school halls and sit in their classes, no mention of Jesus death on the cross will be acknowledged. It is my job to make sure they remember, that they know, to live daily with intention with my children in all I do and say. My prayer is they remember through-out the day, a Savior many years ago hung on a cross for them and that their lights shine forth and they tell of the one who rescued them. This has been our theme this year being in public school, "Let your lights shine" we tell them. Tell your friends about Jesus. Tell your friends about Good Friday...tell them, tell them, tell them. Live with intention. Let your little light shine....
I pray my light shines as well. That I am a beacon in the darkness, a light of humble hope, peace that overflows from the inside out and joy that bubbles over from Tink's cottage. That we look different and act different. That we share our 'Rescue Story' from the pit and all of hell shutters as our God is magnified and acknowledged for all His power and glory he bestowed on us. He chose us, we did not choose him. A verse that we have framed that reminds us that it is Him and not us...
"God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness, " has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor 4:6
I spent the morning with my best friend from high school and her two babes. It is a such a gift to have such a friend. She has grown and changed and has become and is becoming...I have too. We are so very different, always have been, but it is a gift. To know and be known. To give and receive and receive and give, isn't this the heartbeat of a deep friendship?! So I am filled with gratitude as my baby and her eldest played around our feet. The sun shone down on her wee one and the birds chirped in the background as we talked about being a mama, our own mother's, friendship and more. It was a good morning.
This morning started out good, not all mornings do. Ironically, it is Good Friday and as I drove my banshee's to school I reminded them of this day. Last night we read 'The Last Supper' and today I tried my best to drill in their hearts the meaning of this day. As they walk their public school halls and sit in their classes, no mention of Jesus death on the cross will be acknowledged. It is my job to make sure they remember, that they know, to live daily with intention with my children in all I do and say. My prayer is they remember through-out the day, a Savior many years ago hung on a cross for them and that their lights shine forth and they tell of the one who rescued them. This has been our theme this year being in public school, "Let your lights shine" we tell them. Tell your friends about Jesus. Tell your friends about Good Friday...tell them, tell them, tell them. Live with intention. Let your little light shine....
I pray my light shines as well. That I am a beacon in the darkness, a light of humble hope, peace that overflows from the inside out and joy that bubbles over from Tink's cottage. That we look different and act different. That we share our 'Rescue Story' from the pit and all of hell shutters as our God is magnified and acknowledged for all His power and glory he bestowed on us. He chose us, we did not choose him. A verse that we have framed that reminds us that it is Him and not us...
"God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness, " has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor 4:6
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Capture Your Thoughts
In a conversation I had with one of my FIT Girls, which btw LIKE us on Facebook if you read this blog, we need fans and help spreading the word! It is going great and we are growing (slowly) and women are losing weight and getting healthy!!
Anyhoo, back to something I said that struck her when she was telling me she was at the bottom of the group in her fitness level. Don't we all feel that way in some form and fashion in our life, if we are being honest with ourselves and each other!? And here is the truth that I need drilled in my head over and over and over...A reminder, which is quite simple, BUT so easily I forget!
Satan came to steal, kill and destroy. He plants seeds of defeat when we compare ourselves to others. Capturing my thoughts looks like, for me, that I refuse to believe the enemy's lies that 'I am any less or any greater than someone else'. When I refuse to buy lies from the enemy, I am set free!
Anyhoo, back to something I said that struck her when she was telling me she was at the bottom of the group in her fitness level. Don't we all feel that way in some form and fashion in our life, if we are being honest with ourselves and each other!? And here is the truth that I need drilled in my head over and over and over...A reminder, which is quite simple, BUT so easily I forget!
Satan came to steal, kill and destroy. He plants seeds of defeat when we compare ourselves to others. Capturing my thoughts looks like, for me, that I refuse to believe the enemy's lies that 'I am any less or any greater than someone else'. When I refuse to buy lies from the enemy, I am set free!
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Sand Castle Specialists
We officially need a certificate. Sand Odyssey is a one man gig and he taught us how to build sand castle's. Of course I knew his life story before I left, but (again) I will spare you the details. He is a handy dandy with sand that is for sure and we learned a lot of tricks. For future beach trips we will be taking a small block of wood (that makes great stairs), scrapers, a paint brush, long metal strips the size of paint stirrers roughly, funnels and lots of buckets.
It was so fun! Seaside posted on their FB wall they were having it that afternoon for free, so of course we made our way to check it out. My banshee's loved it and it was very hands on. If you are heading down to 30A area anytime soon, see if he is offering another class.
Mr. Sand Odyssey was very impressed with how well behaved Bubby was for being only 3.
I smiled and nodded and stated "just avoid giving him ice cream".
These two look more like each other than they do their own siblings!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Grove By The Sea..lots of pics (and ode to Bubby)
We stayed at a new place Grove by the sea, roughly a mile from Seaside, it came with bikes (a lot were broken) but nonetheless my parents lived on the two that worked most of the time. We enjoyed the house and neighborhood pool. Seas the Day was the home's name and that we did daily!
Of course we have to bring excitement with us wherever we go and 9-1-1 was almost dialed, but we found the eldest banshee just before I dialed the last 1. I will spare you the details, but we all assumed the others had him. No one had him, we couldn't find him and he had been seen last on the neighborhood playground. He was found with palm tree bark in one hand and stick in the other on the side of the road, looking lost and pitiful. He was brave though, I on the other hand bawled like he had died ONCE we found him and never want to lose him again.
He stated he kept telling himself he was on an adventure, to have fun and just prayed to God the whole time. Thankfully, he held it together better than me :) and that we still are a party of five.
Unfortunately, we did NOT lose Bubby. I am kidding, but he was a handful on Tuesday and I did not see the beach or the pool for a whole day. I decided to document a melt-down so like any healthy parent I can remind him, when he is older, of his horrible, horrific day we had to stay home while at the beach.
We did get to the beach and the fun times ensued.
BFF Cousins. Does it get any better than that?!
Bubby showing Emily how he can twirl his hair. I am sure growing up in the North and not typically seeing Jon-Jon's on boys, she might think Bubby is.... well, unique. Hud wore the Jon-Jon's til he was 5, not really, but almost. I am thinking with Bubby's love for the camera, twirling hair and batting eye talent, along with walking on his tip-toes as we all shout Tinkerbell, the Jon-Jon's might need to be retired very, very soon.
He is a fierce little guy if you lick his ice cream. He doesn't have major come aparts typically, but don't mess with his ice cream. The real melt-down ensued shortly after this, he was just starting to realize I might be coming to "help" him before it came crashing down in his lap. He wasn't happy. Wasn't happy at all.
Random, but I love my sister's ruffled bag.
She is going to sell them for $50. Aren't they adorable!
She made them from her daughter's old skirt scraps.
Bubby scoots around the neighborhood, loving life.
Tiny seahorse my niece found on our walk. So sad, but so cool!
Granddaddy and Bubby have a bond
They do too!
Loving being a "wave crasher"
I am having a hard time finding words for this entry.
As I stood in front of this ginormous body of water and the glowing sun-orb, I watched it as it disappeared and the ocean seemed to swallow it up. After riding for 4+ hours and beginning the anticipated trip of the season to our beloved gulf, that engulfs my heart and soul every.single.time, the banshee's and our cousins were filled to the tip top of their souls with pure joy. As I age, my appreciation grows tenfold. I am swept away by the beauty and white, soft sand under my feet, by simple laughter, time that seems to stand still and I want to bottle the moment. I captured it in pictures, but pictures will not do it justice and my soul is reminded again that even though we are home tonight, tucked tight in our own beds, we are so far from 'home'.
Longing for heaven...
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Spring Break Musings & Radical Dreams
The week has been full and good. Our sweet friends from Tulsa who are in town came for dinner. They are brave and courageous people who loved me well IN my valley and fought for my soul. It was a delight be with them again, even though it was not enough time and there are 1087 more things to say. Also, yesterday my best friend of 19 years had her second baby and he is precious. Caleb Harrison Rodgers. She has walked multiple valley's with me and will have a special crown in heaven for it.
I have had a quiet house for almost 24 hours, the banshee's made their exit to Grandmama's house for the night and she is nothing less than a saint. I was a bear yesterday, and think the multiple games of Clue Jr., art in the park day that we did with friends and kickball games late into the night have worn me slap out. The children's allergies are in full swing up in here, and I dusted Tinks Cottage with coconut oil and lemon the other day (pictures to come) so I am getting to enjoy a clean house and no children. It feels foreign.
This week my road to sanctification has been all about money. How we have none. How we need some. Pity party's. Fear. Greed. You name it...I've struggled with it. I am learning it IS the root of all evil. I feel like God has freed me in so many ways of my intimacy disorder in relationships, just from recognizing some things, repenting and doing a new dance. I feel some freedom from codependency with people in general. So, with that, not that it was easy nor that I am cured, but seeing old patterns become new has given me a desire to see freedom in other area's.
The verse that continues to come to mind is "Godliness with contentment is GREAT gain". So, I am hopeful that God will fulfill all His promises and my fear of economic insecurity will be washed away, not meaning we will have more, but I will be content with what we have. God knows exactly how much money we need in our checking account and when I live in that knowledge, fully live there in my mind, it slowly sinks to my heart. He cares for me, we have never gone without and have always had an abundance full of exactly what we need.
So, I dreamt about Disney World. I went there as a child and loved it, all my friends talk about its magic, and I've longed to take the banshee's there knowing they would be ecstatic. We don't have extra money like that though, so we've never gone. It's been on my list of things to do. In my dream I feel the rush of seeing the princess castle, riding the thingy that propels you at high rates of speed into the park and I am IN Disney World. The banshee's are filled with screams and delight, we all are. The emotions and feelings are so vivid. It is everything and more we thought it would be. After a fun filled, magical day we are riding in the thingy that propels you at high speeds, now out of the park. I am so in love with Disney, I start planning our trip to come again, I MUST come back.
In that moment, a veil was lifted from my eyes and God was there in Spirit showing me perhaps a different plan for us, planting a different desire within. All of a sudden, I turn and I see my children in a slum, a dirt slum, with other children that are dirty and thin, crouched down, helping and talking to them. All I know is that when I woke up and talked to the hubs about it, I had tears in my eyes and knew my dream of going to Disney had been changed.
I am not saying I will never go to Disney nor judge anyone who chooses to go, AT ALL, that is not the point of this. I think for me, and after talking to the hubs, my goal now is to take my children to a different country to be with hurting, hungry people who need to be given some Good News and hope. Where there is no "magic". Where there are no princess castles, snow cones, fast thrilling rides and face painting. It was as if seeing all this in my dream made me question "what I am really doing here? I mean really doing here on this earth" What am I going to portray to my children when we do get extra money? In the end, when my children are telling me goodbye, I doubt they will say, "thank you mother for taking us to Disney" they might, but I doubt it. My hope is they would say "you taught us how to love others. You taught us to spend our money caring for the ones who have none, the orphans, the widows." Not , "thank God you got us to the magic kingdom". Kind of puts it all in the proper perspective.
It made me sad on all levels. I say one thing with my mouth, but my desires are far from what I say.
So, praying to be sanctified and content and wise with our finances when we do have more. God continues to twist and turn me, at times I feel like a pretzel, into a new creation on all accounts. He is molding me into something I NEVER thought I'd be, nor desired to be, but now long to be. His. Completely His alone. Sanctification all along the long, weary road to the promised land.
I have had a quiet house for almost 24 hours, the banshee's made their exit to Grandmama's house for the night and she is nothing less than a saint. I was a bear yesterday, and think the multiple games of Clue Jr., art in the park day that we did with friends and kickball games late into the night have worn me slap out. The children's allergies are in full swing up in here, and I dusted Tinks Cottage with coconut oil and lemon the other day (pictures to come) so I am getting to enjoy a clean house and no children. It feels foreign.
This week my road to sanctification has been all about money. How we have none. How we need some. Pity party's. Fear. Greed. You name it...I've struggled with it. I am learning it IS the root of all evil. I feel like God has freed me in so many ways of my intimacy disorder in relationships, just from recognizing some things, repenting and doing a new dance. I feel some freedom from codependency with people in general. So, with that, not that it was easy nor that I am cured, but seeing old patterns become new has given me a desire to see freedom in other area's.
The verse that continues to come to mind is "Godliness with contentment is GREAT gain". So, I am hopeful that God will fulfill all His promises and my fear of economic insecurity will be washed away, not meaning we will have more, but I will be content with what we have. God knows exactly how much money we need in our checking account and when I live in that knowledge, fully live there in my mind, it slowly sinks to my heart. He cares for me, we have never gone without and have always had an abundance full of exactly what we need.
So, I dreamt about Disney World. I went there as a child and loved it, all my friends talk about its magic, and I've longed to take the banshee's there knowing they would be ecstatic. We don't have extra money like that though, so we've never gone. It's been on my list of things to do. In my dream I feel the rush of seeing the princess castle, riding the thingy that propels you at high rates of speed into the park and I am IN Disney World. The banshee's are filled with screams and delight, we all are. The emotions and feelings are so vivid. It is everything and more we thought it would be. After a fun filled, magical day we are riding in the thingy that propels you at high speeds, now out of the park. I am so in love with Disney, I start planning our trip to come again, I MUST come back.
In that moment, a veil was lifted from my eyes and God was there in Spirit showing me perhaps a different plan for us, planting a different desire within. All of a sudden, I turn and I see my children in a slum, a dirt slum, with other children that are dirty and thin, crouched down, helping and talking to them. All I know is that when I woke up and talked to the hubs about it, I had tears in my eyes and knew my dream of going to Disney had been changed.
I am not saying I will never go to Disney nor judge anyone who chooses to go, AT ALL, that is not the point of this. I think for me, and after talking to the hubs, my goal now is to take my children to a different country to be with hurting, hungry people who need to be given some Good News and hope. Where there is no "magic". Where there are no princess castles, snow cones, fast thrilling rides and face painting. It was as if seeing all this in my dream made me question "what I am really doing here? I mean really doing here on this earth" What am I going to portray to my children when we do get extra money? In the end, when my children are telling me goodbye, I doubt they will say, "thank you mother for taking us to Disney" they might, but I doubt it. My hope is they would say "you taught us how to love others. You taught us to spend our money caring for the ones who have none, the orphans, the widows." Not , "thank God you got us to the magic kingdom". Kind of puts it all in the proper perspective.
It made me sad on all levels. I say one thing with my mouth, but my desires are far from what I say.
So, praying to be sanctified and content and wise with our finances when we do have more. God continues to twist and turn me, at times I feel like a pretzel, into a new creation on all accounts. He is molding me into something I NEVER thought I'd be, nor desired to be, but now long to be. His. Completely His alone. Sanctification all along the long, weary road to the promised land.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Picture Dump & Ramblings
Magical Days.
My check in word in our marriage group tonight was....full, satisfied.
And I am.
The banshees ran back and forth between Tinks cottage and our neighbors backyard and down two houses to another friends. They were dirty, hot and worn out as we strolled back home after dinner. We had an impromtu cook out enjoyed the crickets and banshee screams and laughter late into the moon filled night. If this is how an 'almost spring' weekend is, I can't wait for summer.
If you haven't heard, I am so thankful for this Tinkerbell cottage, small and humble, but bursting at the seams with sweaty, dirty, happy children. Community makes it all worth it.
Ice Skating Lessons with her bestie.
Need to work on bringing DOWN the sass.
Our 1980 fridge turned into white board for some theology lessons.
I have it video taped somewhere her explaining her words and drawings.
Love my Gal.
Our Good Ole Bubby!
We've been having potty party's and he has had A LOT of jelly beans here lately. We are gonna have to detox him from those, but I am officially done with DAY diapers!
We are so proud of Jr. Can I get a fist pump?!
MH's besties mama gave me this green mirror.
A little paint helped her. It is amazing what paint can change.
Mr. Federal Marshal. (rated PG-13)
I clearly forgot to tell you the exciting "Cops" episode that went down right before we jumped in our car for Puerto Rico. I was packing and trying on clothes as hubs monitored the banshees and encouraged me to speed it up. I was in white pants with BLACK undies, one shoe on, a sports bra under a fancy
shirt and half of my hair in a side pony tail. The hubs calmly walks back to the room, looks me in the eye and as if he was telling me dinner is ready and this is what he says..."there is a Federal Marshal in our backyard and you might want to ask him some questions...."
What in the...? So out I run, side ponytail, white pants with black panies, one shoe and a sports bra with a fancy off the shoulder shirt. Sure enough, a man with a BULLET PROOF vest is talking to my kids as they jump on the trampoline AS IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG!!! I felt so disoriented, my mind had been on clothes and already in Puerto Rico, and I barely mumbled the words "what is going on?" I hear Mr. Federal Marshal say "their is a fugitive in your woods that we are about to catch, we have a way of tracking him". I am now running around my yard (with my get-up attire on) trying to catch the banshee's and make sure no one gets caught in a crossfire?! My sweet neighbor comes outside holding your little daschund and like any good southern women would do, if she saw federal marshal's running around with glocks and bullet proof vest on ,as the children play under their feet yells calmly in her sweet southern voice "can I help you?"... Our neighbor behind us thought the construction workers had come to hang a swing and yelled to the man in her backyard, "you know where to hang it?". He turned around in a BULLET PROFF vest with POLICE written in all caps, imagine her surprise, and said "Ma'am I am a FEDERAL Marshal."
I thought we had moved OUT of the ghetto?!
The fugitive was finally caught, Mr. Federal Marshal called me while en route to ATL, and my mom was a saint and agreed she'd keep the doors locked and that God would protect them as we left her not knowing if the fugitive was hiding right in front of our noses. I now have a federal Marshal's cell # plugged in my phone for life!
What in the...? So out I run, side ponytail, white pants with black panies, one shoe and a sports bra with a fancy off the shoulder shirt. Sure enough, a man with a BULLET PROOF vest is talking to my kids as they jump on the trampoline AS IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG!!! I felt so disoriented, my mind had been on clothes and already in Puerto Rico, and I barely mumbled the words "what is going on?" I hear Mr. Federal Marshal say "their is a fugitive in your woods that we are about to catch, we have a way of tracking him". I am now running around my yard (with my get-up attire on) trying to catch the banshee's and make sure no one gets caught in a crossfire?! My sweet neighbor comes outside holding your little daschund and like any good southern women would do, if she saw federal marshal's running around with glocks and bullet proof vest on ,as the children play under their feet yells calmly in her sweet southern voice "can I help you?"... Our neighbor behind us thought the construction workers had come to hang a swing and yelled to the man in her backyard, "you know where to hang it?". He turned around in a BULLET PROFF vest with POLICE written in all caps, imagine her surprise, and said "Ma'am I am a FEDERAL Marshal."
I thought we had moved OUT of the ghetto?!
The fugitive was finally caught, Mr. Federal Marshal called me while en route to ATL, and my mom was a saint and agreed she'd keep the doors locked and that God would protect them as we left her not knowing if the fugitive was hiding right in front of our noses. I now have a federal Marshal's cell # plugged in my phone for life!
It is never dull around here. I managed to snap a photo of the Feds walking away. I almost asked if I could get a picture of them in action and document that this really happened. The hubs was grateful I refrained.
If anyone needs a Federal Marshal for anyone reason, call me up!
If anyone needs a Federal Marshal for anyone reason, call me up!
Rain rolling in over the Rain forest
Warm days, crazy hair and naked toddlers.
Yard work fun!
Hard to believe this was a week ago.
A workout with the Hubs near the beach.
Loved every minute of it (and it always helps when I get beat him :))
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
His Faithfulness
If this doesn't speak of God and His faithfulness and miracles, I am not sure what else does. I spoke with my sweet friend Mohana today who spoke of her mother who was sent home a couple of weeks ago with little to no hope of living...and now has been given a report now that her heart is 90% better. The Doctor was very surprised.
Mohana is from Chile and has faith like a solid rock. She is an encouragement and testimony to my life. Here is an email her husband sent out to our Church Plant about God answering prayers. What a testimony of God's faithfulness. What a reminder that it is not about money, status, earthly treasures, but about living a life trusting in Him and His goodness.
This is the stuff that matters.
Mohana is from Chile and has faith like a solid rock. She is an encouragement and testimony to my life. Here is an email her husband sent out to our Church Plant about God answering prayers. What a testimony of God's faithfulness. What a reminder that it is not about money, status, earthly treasures, but about living a life trusting in Him and His goodness.
This is the stuff that matters.
Hey Friends,
We just wanted to let you know that we are deeply grateful and humbled by the generosity you have shown towards Mohana's mom (Manuela) during her recent health struggles.
Manuela has been in poor health for many years, struggling with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other things. She is a widow, unable to work, and has an income around $150 per month. The medications she needs cost around $400 per month. We help her as much as we are able, but after she had a heart attack a couple weeks ago, the medical expenses became too great for us to handle on our own. When we sent an email to Brian Goessling on Monday, we were desperately asking for prayers that God would provide for Manuela's immediate physical needs. Our Great God answered by providing through this community more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Yesterday by God's grace Manuela was able to visit her doctor, complete several diagnostic tests, and buy medications that she very much needed. Just one week ago, Manuela's doctor had predicted that she would only be able to live a few more weeks because of the condition of her heart. Today he was encouraged at the results of her tests, and he now thinks that she could live a few more years! She still has a long road ahead, but we are hopeful.
I am amazed when I consider how this little, brand new body of believers in Homewood, Alabama, is already making an impact on another continent to the Glory of God. Not only is Manuela greatly encouraged by your faithfulness and generosity, but she is testifying to God's goodness to everyone she sees, especially her doctors. And Mohana's brother, a nonbeliever, is paying very close attention to all these things.
We have even seen our own faith and that of our children grow this week. On Tuesday afternoon, we gathered with our children and prayed that God would somehow provide the resources for Mohana's mom to visit the doctor and buy medicine. We asked our son Isaiah if he thought God would provide. He very honestly said "I don't know." Imagine our amazement when someone from Christ Fellowship knocked on our door a few hours later with more than she needed! I wish you could have seen our boys' faces! Never has 2 Timothy 2:13 felt more real: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
We thank the Lord for you guys and how He is showing His great love through you to the nations. May He continue to bless you richly!
Love,
The Shulls
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. -James 1:27
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Puerto Rico
It was ridiculous and delusional.
In my mind my children were already orphaned before we had taken off. Delusional. I got a grip, read my Bible and relaxed once we hit the friendly skies. (the picture in the far bottom left is a picture from the friendly sky of clouds over the ocean. It was breathtaking.)
The trip was fun. Lots and lots of fun and so relaxing. The hubs and I hardly argued and I prayed daily to be present. To enjoy the daily bread I was being given. A husband who was engaging and loved me, beautiful landscapes and time to recharge my marriage and myself. Not to live in the past nor in the future. It is amazing how I "go" there in my mind. Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy and the battle begins in the mind. I used to surrender to those thoughts and run with them, but I am learning more and more daily to just lay them down, hit the pause button, and surrender to MY God who is so much bigger than Satan.
Back to paradise...We went hiking in the Rain forest, which sounds awesome right?! Do not be fooled. It was a total tourist trap and we had P. Diddy along with us for the ride. Yes, some girls decided they would play him on their phone and do lunges as we walked through the rain forest. The saving grace was the view and once we were able to break free from the P Diddy gals we were able to listen to the amazing sounds of nature.
That hubs is really becoming a Godly man and I say this to encourage, not boast. To proclaim all God has done. He has started praying with me often. Praying with him before felt so vulnerable and awkward at times, but the more courage he has in leading me (and the more I let him), the more peaceful and the more natural it all feels. Before I always felt like such a fraud, a fake, a phony. My heart did not feel filled with the Lord, so praying and proclaiming Him did not come naturally. I still feel very timid when it comes to proclaiming Him to the lost, but I hope that will come as I continue to be sanctified.
This trip the Lord showed me Isaiah 61, "The Year of The Lord's Favor". I love the whole chapter, but a couple of verses that stand out are...
v.4
"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated for generations...." because that is what has happened. Generational sins on both sides have been broken in us individually and our marriage.
v.7
"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance.....and everlasting joy will be theirs." We should be walking around full of gloom and doom, BUT instead we have been set free and restored to God and each other, which I think is a living miracle of His grace He STILL bestows.
Anyways, this trip was that. A trip of blessing bestowed to us. We still struggle and there are days I don't feel like getting out of bed, I don't feel like being married nor having banshee's. Luckily, they are few and far between, but nevertheless I STILL have those days. Life is so much better when I abide in Him and His word, but there is no arrival of getting there and staying there. It is a journey mixed with victories AND defeat. Joy and sorrow. Now back to life and embracing reality. Re-entry can be messy! Thank God for coffee.
*The pictures of the hubs standing in front of "beautiful" scenery are blown-up photo's, we were for sure the "Ricky Bobby's" from Alabama. He got a great big kick out of posing. Really he thought it was hilarious. I have dozens of them that I will spare you from scrolling through!
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
capturing my thoughts
Some days I go back and forth between blogging here and sharing my struggles, my victories, my sorrows and my joys for fear that I will be misunderstood or judged. Most days I do not live there, but I have had moments of thinking maybe I should just go back to the scrapbook mentality and blog our life in pictures, not printed out words that record our messy life, what it was, what it is and what we dream. And then I remember my mother's words "people are not thinking about you, they are thinking about themselves" and it makes me feel better, so I keep on blogging. Thanks mom!
I love writing, but hate proof reading (so typically I just don't ;)), and pray that my experience, strength and hope can encourage that someone who may need it. I have a handful, a teeny tiny handful, of people who encourage me about writing here and so I just keep sharing my stuff- past, present and future- and pray it sheds light on your own journey. Writing is therapy as well and helps me recount, on paper, all God has done and is doing. An act of worship... proclaiming Him throughout all the mess. So to my audience, my little audience that I am ever so grateful for, thank you, thank you for coming back and encouraging me and continuing to read even though there are multiple, multiple grammatical errors in every.single.post. and almost sentence. I wish I cared, but I don't!
Now Moving on...
My latest revelation is teaching my banshee's to capture their thoughts. In light of the latest storms on Friday, we packed up and headed to the Grands with our Dollar Tree stash and bags ready for the "big" one. Tinks Cottage is nestled on a hill near the woods and has no basement. It makes me extremely nervous when there are storms threats ever since last April. In prepping the banshee's, especially Sally Weather (aka MH), for the weather that would be arriving during their school day, I started explaining what taking every thought captive looks like and giving examples like "when you start thinking thoughts about the storms coming and tornado's....STOP....and instead start thinking, or saying aloud facts about God. "He is my father. He can be trusted. He loves me. He cares for me"...." In having this teaching moment I feel like it actually challenged me to do the same. I am realizing more and more how it all starts in your thoughts, I buy into Satan's lies about me and about others every single day. I am becoming more and more aware of the battle we are in.
My Bible study I am in is amazing. The women have all had spiritual awakenings of some sort...changes, testimony's....they believe, really believe and take God's word seriously. They have stories of healing, redemption and blessing. It has been so filling and they present a walk with God in such a hands on way and give you tools on how to live and walk with the Lord and others. It truly is the most authentic women's group I have ever experienced. Another gift along the journey.
For now I am signing off. The next few days the Hubs and I are off to Puerto Rico, doesn't that sound fancy and expensive?! Heavens knows we could never afford to jet off to such a tropical place and are heading down with the Hubs work. Yes and thank you! Can't wait for the silence...and beach, especially the silence. I am a little concerned bc I hate planes. I've been praying, please say your prayers. I would love to get a prescription for some strong medication but I have Jesus, right!! And will make it. And pray. And capture my thoughts. overandoverandover.
I love writing, but hate proof reading (so typically I just don't ;)), and pray that my experience, strength and hope can encourage that someone who may need it. I have a handful, a teeny tiny handful, of people who encourage me about writing here and so I just keep sharing my stuff- past, present and future- and pray it sheds light on your own journey. Writing is therapy as well and helps me recount, on paper, all God has done and is doing. An act of worship... proclaiming Him throughout all the mess. So to my audience, my little audience that I am ever so grateful for, thank you, thank you for coming back and encouraging me and continuing to read even though there are multiple, multiple grammatical errors in every.single.post. and almost sentence. I wish I cared, but I don't!
Now Moving on...
My latest revelation is teaching my banshee's to capture their thoughts. In light of the latest storms on Friday, we packed up and headed to the Grands with our Dollar Tree stash and bags ready for the "big" one. Tinks Cottage is nestled on a hill near the woods and has no basement. It makes me extremely nervous when there are storms threats ever since last April. In prepping the banshee's, especially Sally Weather (aka MH), for the weather that would be arriving during their school day, I started explaining what taking every thought captive looks like and giving examples like "when you start thinking thoughts about the storms coming and tornado's....STOP....and instead start thinking, or saying aloud facts about God. "He is my father. He can be trusted. He loves me. He cares for me"...." In having this teaching moment I feel like it actually challenged me to do the same. I am realizing more and more how it all starts in your thoughts, I buy into Satan's lies about me and about others every single day. I am becoming more and more aware of the battle we are in.
My Bible study I am in is amazing. The women have all had spiritual awakenings of some sort...changes, testimony's....they believe, really believe and take God's word seriously. They have stories of healing, redemption and blessing. It has been so filling and they present a walk with God in such a hands on way and give you tools on how to live and walk with the Lord and others. It truly is the most authentic women's group I have ever experienced. Another gift along the journey.
For now I am signing off. The next few days the Hubs and I are off to Puerto Rico, doesn't that sound fancy and expensive?! Heavens knows we could never afford to jet off to such a tropical place and are heading down with the Hubs work. Yes and thank you! Can't wait for the silence...and beach, especially the silence. I am a little concerned bc I hate planes. I've been praying, please say your prayers. I would love to get a prescription for some strong medication but I have Jesus, right!! And will make it. And pray. And capture my thoughts. overandoverandover.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Embracing the days
I am embracing these days, not in a self pep talk way, but it's coming natural lately.
A slow pace, yet very filled life. I feel like we are on a cruise, due to all the activities we have to choose from. We can be at the Baptist Family Life Center 2 blocks from our house in three minutes flat ...walking...to enjoy working out, their game room, pool tables...whatever you may.
Our neighbors beside and behind are enough entertainment alone. Yesterday I sat in the neighbors kitchen waiting on the storm (which luckily dodged us) with three other mama's and our 15 children in the backyard. It sounds almost dangerous. My children come in most days sweating, wet, muddy and out of breath. No doubt this is what they were made for. Life is flowing out of them and God has granted us a season of pure joy, that we anticipated and waited for on our journey.
I think we made the right decision to rent Tink's cottage. I purged today again, so my love affair with her is back. It went south there for a while amongst the clothes, toys and crapola that we have accumulated.
Walks to the park...love the weather.
Puss in Boots. How'd you guess?
"I came to dance"
Dance parties are part of our daily routine now, thank you spotify.
Friends
Hud reads Bible stories to O.
Enjoying the weather
Little Tiger who LOVES his PJ's!
Family (and neighbor) time
Goose reads to the boys
We've tried to be more intentional about unplugging and engaging. Face to face. With each other and our neighbors and friends. I am realizing how I need to slow down and just BE.
My neighbors do community well, as I sat in one of their kitchens, no great huge conversation took place, no special shindig was or ever is planned, they just really enjoy each other.
I have watched them since I've moved in and they, at some point during the day, (every.single.day.) they exercise together, are in and out of each other's houses and cars and they have a plethora of children, a total of 11 between them. They really live life well together.
I think they have something very sacred that few have and many long for.... their own tribe in a way.
I am taking notes.
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