Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Hebrews 10:36 has been my anchor lately. I’ve written it on photos of my scar and legs, because I need the constant reminder: “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” — Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) Those two words, patient endurance, carry so much weight. They sound so simple until you’re in the middle of the process. Healing has a way of showing us what those words really mean. It’s the patient part that stretches me, waiting for progress, waiting for strength, waiting for normal. And it’s the endurance part that builds me, pushing through the pain, the swelling, the setbacks, and still choosing to believe that better days are coming. This season has reminded me that both can exist together. I can be grateful and frustrated. Strong and sore. Hopeful and tired. Healing is not linear, but it is purposeful. God is using every ache and every delay to shape me into someone stronger, not just physically bu...

  What a perfect fall day! The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and I knew it was time to take a few more literal steps in this healing journey. So, Baylee and I packed up the crutches and headed to the levee... well she drove me there because that would have been a walk just getting their.   Now, when I say I walked a trail, don’t picture some long, scenic marathon moment. We’re talking maybe 1/6 of a mile  which to some might sound small, but to me?  It felt like victory and freedom!  There I was, crutching my way along this brand new little path, feeling the breeze and hearing the water nearby. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be outside again surrounded by a few trees starting to show their fall colors and the calm ripple of the river beside me. There’s just something about the water that draws me closer to God’s presence. When I finally sat on a small bridge and just breathed , I felt it deep in my soul, that peace that only comes from Him...

In the newest Berenstain Bear Living Lights title,  The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Pets , Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear love their pets Little Lady, Gracie, Swish, and Cutsie … they are just like part of the Bear family. So when Preacher Brown holds a special Blessing of the Pets service on Sunday, the Bear family joins in. But what starts as a peaceful gathering of Bear Country neighbors and their animal friends on the lawn of the Chapel—including dogs, cats, rats, goats, and even a snake or two—ends up needing a little heavenly intervention. My Review: This new Berenstain Bear book is being released today March 7th!   I'm not going to lie I was a little worried at where this story would go since our Bible does not say a whole lot about pets and heaven, etc etc.   At the beginning it did have Proverbs 12:10- The righteous care for the needs of their animals. An appropriate scripture to start us out with.  The book introduces that the church...

I know I mentioned that last week we were blessed when someone Ding Dong Ditched us and left us a basket of goodies.  This week another couple from our church stopped by and had all the back to school shopping done for my kids.  My son is not in school yet but they still made sure he got a backpack and some other supplies.  :)   I was blessed beyond words and my kids were so happy.  They each of them the back pack they were eyeing up.   God sure is providing all that we need during this transition as the new pastors.   So how have you been blessed lately?  Or how have you been a blessing to someone else?   Pass on a blessing to someone near you.  :)

I really liked how Rick Warren wrote this devo so I wanted to share it with all of you!   Have you ever watched a food advertisement on television and suddenly felt you were hungry? Have you ever heard someone cough and immediately felt the need to clear your throat? Ever watched someone release a big yawn and felt the urge to yawn yourself? This is the power of suggestion working within your mind. We naturally move toward whatever our attention is focused on. The more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you. This is why repeating, "I must stop eating too much or stop smoking or stop lusting" is a self-defeating strategy. It keeps you focused on what you don't want. It's like announcing, "I'm never going to do what my mom did." You are setting yourself up to repeat it. Temptation begins by capturing your attention. What gets your attention arouses your emotions. Then your emotions activate your behavior, and you act on wha...

It was a fun weekend as I headed back to Iowa to our soon to be new home, new church, new ministries.    My husband has been traveling back and forth each week.  This weekend we had our pastor go and they taught on honor together and it was awesome. The message above is worth listening too and I know your time is precious. Please take some time to listen to it and learn a little bit more about honor and how you can apply it to home, work, and well EVERYWHERE. 

Over the last few months God has opened the door for my family to step out of youth ministry and step into a senior pastor position.  In February we headed down to Iowa to check out the church and then we were back again at the beginning of April.  The decision is not an easy one to make.  Our family has truly been blessed  being here is the norther part of Wisconsin the last 4 years.  We have a great church, great friends, nice house things here are comfortable and fun but when God calls you somewhere you go even when it might not make sense or be easy- step out in FAITH- Put my trust in HIM!  One hard aspect is obviously saying good-bye to many great friends we have made here.  The other part is selling our house we just bought a year ago.  I love our house here but I know the plans that God has for my family are calling us to move.   Last night I needed to share my heart regarding us leaving at church.  It o...

Time to spotlight another Children's Bible!  From the bestselling Author, Tracy Harrast Pens, a colorful new learning bible helps new and young readers.   About " My Learn to Read Bible "- This Spring brings the arrival of a new animated storybook Bible from  bestselling author Tracy Harrast, which contains a learn-to-read aspect for children ages 4-7.    Unique to this genre,  MY LEARN TO READ BIBLE (Zonderkidz; $19.99; March 2013) incorporates the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) of the Bible with the rebus method of teaching – a popular learning technique using special symbols in place of words to help children expand their vocabulary and acquire more confidence in their reading. The book includes a glossary introducing 50 iconic Biblical images found in the text—such as an angel, a baby, a cross—and simple terms from everyday life like tree and bread . My Review-  Praise God!  Tonight we read the first chapter and...

I love finding books that incorporate faith with another life passion.  It is easy to see that Joseph has a deep relationship with Papa God but also has a love and desire for his motorcycle.   I may not be a biker or even a biker babe for that matter,  but my husband did own a couple of bikes for a short season and maybe when we can afford a good bike rather then a bike constantly needing fixing we can make it happen for him.  My husband sold his bikes after a small accident which you can read about in my post titled,  Thank You Jesus for Protecting Him .   I know my husband deep down somewhere would like to have a bike again some day so it was a good eye opener to read Joseph's book and hear about his journey to getting a bike.  The humor he involved in telling his story is awesome!  Reading this book allowed me to think about my husband in another form when it comes to the topic of motor bikes!   Beyond the stories from ...

"Hey Mom, I just drew Jesus on the cross on the iPad!   Dearest Daughter, Technology has come so far but it thrills me that you have shared your faith with the technology!  :) YAY! 

Today as I was driving home from work and enjoying listening to the radio this verse just hit me on the head.                                              James 4:8a- "Draw near to God and He will Draw near to you."    I have had so many people young and old tell me some of these things, "Where is God, I don't feel him anymore."  "I don't think I'm a christian anymore because God is so distant."  "Why is this happening in my life, where is God."   That is something most of us have asked at some point. You don’t need to experience this alone. Reading Living Church of God reviews and other resources across faiths and denominations, you can always find somewhere to fit in and worship together. Now my immediate response is, "those are all lies from the enemy wanting you to feel those things."  Which I do believe is true but when I sit and thi...

I know one prayer I have often for my children is for their future spouse.  I know the person that my son or daughter will marry is a women or man that will be in love with Jesus.  Today on facebook I saw a post that some of you might have seen on my page.  It said, "A women's heart should be so hidden in God, that a man has to seek Him to find her."  Go check out the picture HERE !   It really got me thinking about my prayers for my children and how I can make sure my daughter but also my son are keeping their relationship with God a top priority all throughout their life.  Since my husband and I are youth pastors we see many times the teen age relationships that fall apart but also see the students relationship with Jesus suffer as well.  It is a burden on my heart for my children to make sure I teach, nurture, and model a relationship with Jesus as a number 1 priority! How do you teach your children to put Jesus at the top of the Priority ...

I kept reminding myself who I am in Christ and rebuking illness that has hit my family.  We are visiting my dad and the last thing I wanted was for any of us to get sick.  I woke up yesterday morning and had a gut ache that would come and go.  Last night my daughter threw up a couple times and did not sleep well.  She is doing much better.  Then as I was texting my husband who is home he got sick too, but he had it the worst.  He threw up 9 times!  ICKY!  So we are believing and praying for all of us to get better and for no germs to infect anyone else!!