Are YOU ready?

Curt Collins in Joshua Tree tonight

Curt Collins - Another Day video

Come see him at oneeighty ministries in Joshua Tree tonight!

Four More Years

My husband re-enlisted today. 4 more years.... and then... who knows? Sure he could re-enlist again but this enlistment is significant because it puts us a few months over him being in for 20 years when this enlistment is through. That is huge! For years he has often told people he still doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up- but I think he ought to begin considering it- since he has 4 years left to decide!

I am so proud of him, his dedication and commitment to the Corps, I am thankful God brought us together and continues to grow us both as the years pass by.

<><>

A message just for me…

God knew I was ready to give up, give up on homeschooling, give up on church, maybe even already given up walking with Him day by day and keeping my eyes fixed on Christ.

So on Sunday, as we arose, the climate was different. Everyone woke up by 7, chores were done, the kids ate breakfast, all before 8! No hassles- strange. Today there was no fellowship as it was cancelled because of my “needing to rest”…. Which freed us up, we knew we all still needed a church message. So we all got dressed, quickly and without any discord. And we went to church. the church we had left to go into ministry elsewhere. The church with the Pastor that counselled us when things began to unravel while in ministry at that other church. The church the kids & I had longed to return to for the past few months.

The message was written just for me.

It was a passage from Hebrews 12:1-3

“ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

And here is what I realized. I was ready to give up the race, ready to give up on life, maybe even ready to give up and perhaps even compromise in my walk with Christ- but that is not what Christ wants of me. My focus has been “off” a bit, funny how a series of trials can completely derail a Christian – even one like me who seems to generally have it together …yeah right! So I am refocusing back on HIM! And I know that seems simple, but it really is simple. I need to focus and study Christ in order to get the rest of our lives back in order.

Today was exhausting and challenging and exciting all at the same time. I truly felt welcomed back into the arms of a family today, despite any apprehension any of us felt as we drove into the parking lot of our old church. God truly directed our steps throughout the day, I will continue to pray for his will in all this, not our own.

Hope you celebrated the Lord’s Day with the One who calls you His own!

<><

Jennifer

Sign My Guestbook- although it won't let me tell you that I am NOT in San Francisco

picture time again

She is gonna kill me!
Arianna sporting the ever fashionable Mr Potatohead Mustache!
This Little girl LOVES spaghetti!
Almost as much as she loves her daddy!
Recycled Birdhouse by Justyn
Recycled birdhouse by Micah
Arianna made one too with MaryRachael
and this photo of Kiah was too cute not to add in!
He slept through the birdhouse making

Life out here has not stopped, although it seemed to stand still for a little while. While we are continuing to let God heal us here are a few photos... thank you for all your well wishes and prayers- they have meant so very much to us!

Who am I?

CHRISTIAN WOMEN
by Maya Angelou'

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Pretty is as Pretty does.... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

To post, or not to post....

The hurt is very fresh. This morning I went to the hospital - for a routine OB appt. and learned that the baby is no longer alive inside of me. I know I am only 11 weeks along, but the pain is very real. A while back a friends blog led me to a fellow blogger and VERY special lady named Angie : you can get to her blog by clicking http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ (she is also in my sidebar under Bring the rain). What an amazing story she has to share. Bring a box of tissues.

I KNOW God led me to this site those months back, now. We did have a scare several weeks ago already with the baby, but after several ultrasounds there was hope, and peace. Today, there was no concern for if the baby was ok ... until the doctor quickly turned the screen away and began searching for a heartbeat. Then he turned on the colors that show heat, movement anything. And nothing. So my heart is very heavy. Frank and I are hurting. The kids are hurting. And tonight while that little life is still inside me, it is not alive. Now we wait for God to take this little person or til Monday when I reconsult the doctor.

Please pray for us this weekend, and in the coming weeks. That God will mend the holes in our hearts.
I havn't figured out how to post a video or a song quite yet. But I can leave you the words to a song by Mercy Me that I have listening to throughout the day.





Bring The Rain Lyrics
Artist(Band):MercyMe

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rai

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy

Back to school & life

Hi. again.

I used to get frustrated with folks that blogged that didn't update regularly. I don't anymore. Life gets busy and the next thing I know there certainly isn't

enough energy to pour into a blog posting. I guess it has certainly made me more understanding in that regard.

School with the kids has had a fairly good start this year. Mostly the kids have been trying to be more attentive. I am actually attempting to stick to a pretty rigid schedule (and if you know me- you know that is certainly not my style) . We also started our Character Bible studies in the morning again. After a lot of prayer we chose to begin (again) with responsibility. We started out studying Adam and Eve and how they had to choose to be responsible for the choices they made that led to their leaving the Garden of Eden- despite the consequences.

Tabby's puppies are getting pretty big. They are 3 and a half weeks old now. We even found a home for one already ( although she can't move in with them til she is big enough!)

Labor Day weekend around here was almost normal. Frank did catch a 4 ft red racer (a snake) and a big swift (lizard) that's been hanging out on the side of the house all summer ( and seemed to be uncatchable).

Things are busy as always out here. God is real and is always with us & we are reminded daily that He never leaves us or forsakes us.

OHHHH.. one more thing. We started our country unit study. The next few weeks we will be studying Mexico- and there is this TERRIFIC missionary family in Mexico that has a blog: The Lockwoods http://lockwoodfamily.blogspot.com/
Please pray for them and their ministry as we do.

Here are a few photos! MaryRachael wanted to show you our cute puppies! Frank holding the snake, My pretty girls!! and last but certainly not least Kiah sporting the ever fashionable Mr Potato head mustache!!

also KUDOS to all you fellow bloggers out there...this is trickier than I thought. Eventually I will have a link list to all the incredible blogs I read!
<><
Jennifer