Praises of a Wife and Mommy

One of the sweetest gifts God has given me during this season of healing has been worship. Music has always had a way of reaching deep into the soul, but in this journey of injury, surgery, and recovery, I’ve experienced it in a whole new way. I’ve been especially encouraged by artists who have walked through their own valleys and allowed their pain to become praise. Forest Frank and David Crowder—both of whom have walked through healing journeys—teamed up to write a song that has touched me deeply. Seeing the Body of Christ come together in unity, sharing testimonies of God’s goodness even in pain, has been a powerful reminder that we are never alone. During the long days of waiting and the restless nights, I’ve had these songs on repeat: Forest Frank – Lemonade This song reminded me that God can take even the sourest seasons of life and bring something sweet out of them.   Forest Frank – Selah  “Selah” became a pause button for my heart—an invitation to rest, breathe, ...

My church, We have been pastoring for five years in a small town and small church.  However a new wave of excitement is hitting us.  A new expectation and experience for people.  God’s love is all around and we are so blessed to have him use us in our small town.  

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!   This year we made Oreo pancakes and we all loved them.  Fairly simple recipe and it was easier for me since my husband helped make the whipped topping.  Yum!!!   I love this tradition that we have and my Pinterest pancake board is filled with ideas.  We have tried so many different kinds of pancakes over the years and always seem to love them all.  

 HAPPY EASTER!!! He is ALIVE!  He has Risen!  Happy Ressurection day!   I hope you took some time to reflect on all the goodness that comes with Jesus and his awesome love for us and his sacrifice but also his victory!!!    AMEN! My dad and sister traveled the 6 hours south to come see us for Easter!  It is always enjoyable but also exhausting when family comes for a visit.  My heart broke a little bit t his week as I felt some tension between my sister and I.  To be honest, I felt some persecution from her.  I know that is a big word and most the time you think of Christians overseas who face death for believing and living for Christ.   It is nothing of that nature but I did feel my sister trying to belittle the way I parent my children.  I didn't stop and let her know my feelings... I didn't argue.... I bit my tongue and prayed.  Prayed that she would have God encounter that would transform her life and...

I found this scripture very encouraging this week.   Habakkuk would have been one of those people who always had a hop in his step and a half full type of personality... in my opinion.  Habakkuk was wise in this moment as he had pure joy even when the Babylonians invaded- he understood that he could lose it all but would still find joy in the Lord.   "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation." What a lesson we all could hear as we are putting our fancy Christmas trees and expensive gifts.   Don't allow these things to distant you from praising and rejoicing our giver of true gifts- Jesus!   It seems that many people think they need the next best thing to find joy- they are chasing material items that leave them unsatisfied.   Habakkuk shows us that no matter we should focus on getting our Joy from God and when we praise and rejoice him even through the tough stuff we can be joyful in knowing our salvatio...

Life can sometimes get so busy and our attention can be pulled in so many directions. Jesus promises to be with us always so stay focused and listen for him to guide you in every area of your life. God tune our hearts to hear clearly from you

The  Read and Play Baby Bible  offers parents priceless opportunities to cuddle up with their child and enjoy time together learning about God’s Word. With 22 fun stories written just for little ones and activities like tickling bellies and singing along with David and his harp, children will learn that God loves and cares about them. The  Read and Play Baby Bible  fill story time with lots of love, hugs, and kisses. My Review: My children are no longer babies however I really enjoyed this and very happy to that I got this book for free from Zondervan for an exchange of an honest review.  What I really liked about this book is the little things it tells you to do to engage your baby.  I actually did this with my 5 and 9 year old and they were giggling non stop because of the tickles and me calling them my baby.  I am very excited to give this book to someone who is expecting!   I know they will love it! This Bible also had many more stor...

Mary Engelbreit presents A Night of Great Joy, a delightful picture book that celebrates the joyful season of Christmas. This book tells the story of the nativity through the performance of a children’s Christmas pageant. With adorable illustrations and simple storytelling, Engelbreit paints a wonderful picture of the night that Jesus was born. A Night of Great Joy recalls that fateful night with wonder and awe. From the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem to the gathering of many before the baby Jesus, this holiday treasure leads children through the tale of the birth of Jesus, guiding them with the star of Bethlehem. Mary Engelbreit, New York Times bestselling illustrator of the blockbuster Christmas classic The Night Before Christmas, brings readers a new holiday picture book that’s sure to become a family favorite. My Review: This book had me giggling because of the pictures.   As you read the story and imagine the story like a narrator in a play and then look...

Ready for your first “real” Bible? Great! You’ll love how you can read this Bible all by yourself. The print is easy to read and  The Beginner’s Bible ®art is fun and will help you better understand the stories in the Bible. Features include: Presentation page so you can make this Bible your own. Complete text of the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) of the Bible—written for kids just like you! Large print is easy to read. 20 full-color pages of  The Beginner’s Bible  illustrations help you better understand the stories. 66 book introductions and outlines explain who wrote each book of the Bible and what you will discover as you read. Dictionary of key Bible words will help you when you come to a word you don’t know. Reading plan of 150 famous Bible stories will give you a great overview of God’s Word. Brand new vibrant, three-dimensional art. My Review: I bet some of you are won...

Written for children ages four to eight, Christmas Love Letters from God cleverly combines both prose and poetry as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolds. The book includes seven stories, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the visit of the wise men. Following each story, the child will find his or her own letter from God, folded into a small envelope attached to the page. Each letter begins with a space in which to write the child’s name, so each one can be specially addressed to the child. Written as if God is speaking, each personalized message gives the young reader a sense of wonder as they discover anew the Christmas holiday and the birth of Jesus. A very special Bible verse, entitled God’s Perfect Promise, also accompanies each story and letter as God’s personal words of love, promise, and hope. My Review: I have reviewed other "Love Letter" books and I adore them.  My kids enjoy having a letter just for them each time.    This version is a goo...

Get ready to follow Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. They are in a hurry! Mary is expecting the baby Jesus and they need your help to find many things along the way. This holiday board book is perfect for young children who will love finding the 48 objects hidden on the pages while reading the classic story of Christmas, accurately retold and with scripture references. On your mark, Ready-Set-Find! My Review: This adorable board book will be the perfect stocking stuffer this Christmas!   The creative portion of this book is the seek and find pictures on each page while you still to read about the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Birth!   The art is absolutely adorable, as they use cartoon like characters.   This is a book that is geared for younger children from infant to 4.  I do have a 5 and 9 year though and we still had fun searching for the pictures as well as enjoying the story.   This book is also a great addition to any Christmas rou...

Today the kids and I took a walk and handed out three Easter baskets with a great little message and an invitation to our church for Easter.   Thanks Fab n Free for the free printable.  My husband did change the printable into one that we could leave in a basket instead of hiding eggs in some strangers yard.   We moved to our neighborhood about a year ago and sadly we still do not know many neighbors.  So we said a prayer before we left and we had fun leaving some baskets for some neighbors.   The main idea that comes across on the sheet is "JESUS IS RISEN."  The wording on the sheet said, "You've been EGGED, there are 12 eggs in this basket but don't get discouraged when you find the empty egg because it's a simple reminder that Jesus' tomb is empty for HE IS RISEN.   Happy Easter"   This was such a simple way to share our Faith!  I encourage each of you to find simple yet practical ways to share the Love of Christ...

"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! 

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 ...

So are you loving???  Loving like Jesus??  

I was so excited when I was talking with a local lady who has her own bakery that she runs out of her house. I had friends bless us with buying Selah's amazing Tangled birthday cake so I  was curious how much it would cost for a Happy Birthday Jesus cake.   So we are excited to dig in tomorrow and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.   Look at this awesome cake (only $15)!!!!  :)  Plus I know it already tastes awesome it is the same flavor as my daughters cake.  :)                             

From my amazing HUBBY:   I wrote this song while I was praying about Gods  heart  for Christmas. Written/Played by: Rev. Anthony C. S. Flanigan Audio mixing: Mark Belanger Video Recording: Tyler Kaetterhenry If anyone would like to cover this please first contact me, I would love to give you permission. Here are the lyrics: Verse B C#m A E Everybody's got their first Christmas Eve,  The day before they met their Lord on bended knee This year all I'm asking for, Lord all I pray, Is that someone might have their very first Christmas Day Pre-Chorus A B E C#m That they would know You and see You and seek Your Face, To be loved by and saved by Your redeeming Grace That they would be touched by and changed by Your great fame A B E Oh' that they would know your name, Oh' that they would know your name. Chorus C#m A E B Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Every knee will bow down and tongue confess, Salvation was born our first Christmas. ...