I wanna hold you

I hear these words everyday, all day. With the arrival of a new baby sister, Lily has decided she too wants to be held like a baby, nursed, and carried again. At first, this really annoyed me. I had become aclimated to her independence, and already had my hands full.
One day, the Lord spoke to my heart and said “I have never told you no when you wanted me to hold you, to nurse you, or to carry you. Rather, I delight in our sweet moments together, no matter what the motive.”
He reminded me that “Lily will not ask this of you for long, and before you know it she will be too big to hold all together.”
I have learned to carry Dakota (I love my sling) and pick up Lily with the other hand. I give her the affection she is longing for, and then she hops down on her own to play. If I am nursing, I make room for her to crawl up in my lap with her water or smoothie. I take the time during Dakota’s morning nap to play and be with Lily — one on one. I have no idea how this will look as we have more children, but I guess I will learn as I go. The most important thing I can offer them now is to know they are loved by us, and by God. If I want them to learn to love one another and others well, I must lead by example.
Now when I am holding D, Lily says “I wanna hold you both of your girls.”
If the Lord can hold all his children all at once, I can hold my two.

Bobby took this way to early

My cup runneth over

I am drunk in His love.

Smitten in His presence.

Taken by His kindness.

Renewed by His strength.

In awe of His power.

Growing in His truth.

Encouraged by His promises.

Empowered by His revelation.

Captivated by His glory.

Tasting His goodness.

Enjoying His freedom.

Enthralled by His beauty.

In wonder of His creativity.

Blessed in His abundance.

Daniel Fast

My husband and I have just ended an incredible journey that many of you have been on as well. As a first fruit offering, we joined millions of others in a 21 day fast that is similar to the one found in the book of Daniel. (No meat, bread, sweets.)
The desire of my heart in this was just for more of my Lord. I was asking for His presence to be released in my life in greater and more tangible ways.
I knew the physical benefits of fasting would energize, cleanse, and heal my body, but I had no idea of the spiritual renewal I was in store for. Each day, I would pray and ask God to shed the spiritual waste. And He did. Day after day, as the cleansing and healing increased, I could feel myself getting “lighter”. I am not just talking about the 10 pounds that disappeared from my body, but the “junk” that clouded my mind. He showed me that this “junk” was keeping me from entering into the fullness of His Glory. As I died to my flesh and removed the daily barriers of distraction, I entered into a Holy Place where His presence is all consuming. This Holy Place does not just appear because of the act of fasting, but rather the state of humility that pleases God. The bible says, “That you will find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart” and that “He roams the Earth looking for those who’s hearts are pure before Him, that He may show himself mighty on their behalf”.
The motive of the fast was not, “What could God do for me ( although there were incredible breakthroughs)” Rather, the earnest desire for transfiguration.
In my comfortable life, I have learned there is much to lay aside in order to fully be emptied out, thus making room so that I may truly be filled up. At times, this means saying no. Whether it’s a committed fast or just a prompting, I sincerely believe we keep our lives so full and cluttered, there is no room or time for true intimacy with our Maker. Although there is so much freedom in Him and in fasting, I am becoming more sensitive to His leading – even in the smallest details of my day-to-day.
For my family, food is a huge part of our life. We love to eat healthy, and we eat very well. I take much time and effort to prepare healthy, homemade meals and snacks each day. Can this be a distraction? Yes. Can it become an idol? Of course it can.
To lay down a good thing for the sake of a greater thing takes discipline – from the Lord. Each time my mind wanders to what I do not have, I am reminded of what I do have, and how much greater He is.
My heart in sharing this is that our God is so faithful and good. He does not let the righteous go hungry, rather He gives us food, spiritual food, that many know nothing about.
Have you tasted it?
For most of us in America our pallets are so padded down that we do not know the taste of hunger. Fasting was not meant for just a once per year, but for the lifestyle of a believer.

Don’t think you can do it?

Think about His sacrifice for you.

Change your mind?

I challenge you to seek His presence this year like never before. Lay it all down, so that He may rise you up.

The Ocean

Some have never seen the ocean blue.
Some merely look at the horizon as they pass by.
Others stare and appreciate the beauty of the shore.
Some stay on the sand, others chose to swim.
Many wade in the shallow waters.
Brave souls venture out to the sand bar.
Yet there are a only a few not satisfied until the have seen the depths.
They pay the price and learn to dive.

It is there in the deep they encounter LIFE.

Train them while they are young..

Colorado Preparation

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

She who walks with the wise grows wise

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2: 3-5

I have learned…

I have learned to honor His voice above all others.

I have learned that what seems to be a good thing is not always the “best” thing.

That although we are called to serve, at times we are also called to say no.

I have learned to nurture my marriage above all other relationships.

I have learned to guard my time, and that time is more precious than any “thing”.

I have learned that one word can change a day, and that one prayer can change a life.

I have learned that a woman at rest is far more beautiful than a woman who is striving.

I have learned that nothing is more important than playing with my children, and nothing more fullfilling that seeing the fruit of my labor with them.

I have learned that unconditional love does not come naturally.

I have learned that money has nothing to do with the joy in my life.

I have learned that home truely is where the heart is.

That good friends grow closer during tough times.

I have learned that I don’t have to try and reach God; He is always right here.

I have learned that freedom is not universally understood.

I have learned not to judge others, for each person is lead differently.

I have learned that true worship pleases Him more than obedience, and intimacy more than knowlegde.

I have learned to be still, and to know.

I have learned that He is always good, and always faithful.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11

Merry Christmas

From South Florida

God Gave Us Coffee

I have decided there are three things necessary for me to “get going” each day.

God, Exercise, and Coffee.

I have found that if I take time to nurture myself, it makes the rest of the day easier and much more enjoyable.

Yes this means getting up before my little ones, but it’s so worth it! Sometimes just getting out of bed feels impossible, but once I am up and in the presence of my sustainer and best friend I have long forgotten the pain.

I love to get on the floor and stretch while I pray. This physical-mental-spiritual stimulation is a winning combo. Then I am awake enough to read my bible and not fall asleep (That is with my coffee in hand).

When my girls awake, I am filled, energized, and ready to embrace the day!

Now because I am a health advocate I have to say two things…
First, God gave us the coffee bean. Buy it organic (unpolluted) and don’t put poison in it!
Second, when we wake our bodies are dehydrated, so always drink at least 8oz of water before your coffee

Hope you got to see this too..

Cheers

This is how we spent “Black Friday”