It has been awhile since I have posted here, but I thought this is one I wanted to be sure to make the time to stop and write.
Today is my 13th wedding anniversary. It seems weird to me sometimes that I have been married 13 years, I don't quite feel old enough to have that many years under my belt. :) When Chris and I got married we were basically just kids...I didn't think so at the time but in reality we were. When we got married you have this vision of what your life will be like how great and magically marriage will be, we can thank good ole romantic movies for that. When you are in a marriage, yeah life is great, but then life is not so great at times. Over the past 13 years we have had some really great times and some not so great times. But the key to a marriage I think is that you realize that and just because you are going through a bad time doesn't mean what you have is no longer good or worth fighting for. I read a really good quote that said " A great marriage is made up of 2 really good forgivers". I loved that the moment I read that because it is the truth. You have to be willing to forgive each other in order for your marriage to survive.
I consider my marriage one of the biggest blessings I have in my life. I have loved and grown with Chris over the past 17 years(including dating). We have discovered our dreams together, made mistakes together, MOVED alot together, had two beautiful girls together, cried together, laughed together and supported and encouraged each other. He is my best friend who knows me better than anyone else. I am thankful for the man he has become and will continue to be. He seeks God first in all that he does, he is a wonderful father to our girls. Loves them and does anything for them.
I am so thankful for the life God has given to Chris and I and for all the ups and downs we have gone through. God willing we will have many more years of love between us!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Blessing 43: Salvation of a Child
Katie has been asking questions about being saved and what it means to accept Jesus into your heart. When questions come up we would explain and shortly after I would just pray that the Lord continue to guide her heart to eventually know when it would be time for her to accept Him as her savior.
Last night as I was putting Katie to be she was telling me about how people in the Old Testament would sacrifice animals to God. I asked her if she new what that meant and she said they would kill the animal for God. I asked her if she knew why...she said no, so I explained to her that it was what they had to do to seek forgiveness from God for their sins. Side note (what is funny about this conversation is that Chris and I were talking about this just the other day). Anyway, I went on to explain to her that we no longer do that because Jesus was that sacrifice for us. He died on the cross and the blood he shed was his was of covering our sins so that all we have to is just ask for forgiveness and believe in Jesus and we will be saved.
That was pretty much the end of the conversation....she looked as if she was thinking and mulling it over. She laid down and she said her prayers and I prayed for her as well. Maybe about 5 minutes later she came into my room with tears coming down her cheeks and she said she just did something. I asked what she did and she said, "I just asked Jesus to come into my heart". I then had tears coming down my checks. I asked her, I asked her why she is crying...she said I don't know, I just felt like it was time to ask him and I just prayed he would forgive me of my sins and live in my heart. I gave her a big hug and told her that she just made the best and most important decision of her entire life. We went down stairs and told daddy right away...shortly after a phone call to Nana and Papaw was made. She was so excited and thrilled. She kept saying....I am a Christian now. :)
I can tell you that I haven't had so much joy in my heart for her except for the day she was born. It honestly felt like the same emotions I had when I saw her for the very first time....I guess in a way it was seeing her for the very first time again...this time it was just in her new life as a Christian.
Today...I am beyond blessed and thankful that I love and serve a savior who not only hears my prayers of wanting my children to accept him a their Savior but who gently guides them to that decision. I love that when Katie felt Jesus calling and tugging at her heart that she followed His lead and opened that door.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it
Last night as I was putting Katie to be she was telling me about how people in the Old Testament would sacrifice animals to God. I asked her if she new what that meant and she said they would kill the animal for God. I asked her if she knew why...she said no, so I explained to her that it was what they had to do to seek forgiveness from God for their sins. Side note (what is funny about this conversation is that Chris and I were talking about this just the other day). Anyway, I went on to explain to her that we no longer do that because Jesus was that sacrifice for us. He died on the cross and the blood he shed was his was of covering our sins so that all we have to is just ask for forgiveness and believe in Jesus and we will be saved.
That was pretty much the end of the conversation....she looked as if she was thinking and mulling it over. She laid down and she said her prayers and I prayed for her as well. Maybe about 5 minutes later she came into my room with tears coming down her cheeks and she said she just did something. I asked what she did and she said, "I just asked Jesus to come into my heart". I then had tears coming down my checks. I asked her, I asked her why she is crying...she said I don't know, I just felt like it was time to ask him and I just prayed he would forgive me of my sins and live in my heart. I gave her a big hug and told her that she just made the best and most important decision of her entire life. We went down stairs and told daddy right away...shortly after a phone call to Nana and Papaw was made. She was so excited and thrilled. She kept saying....I am a Christian now. :)
I can tell you that I haven't had so much joy in my heart for her except for the day she was born. It honestly felt like the same emotions I had when I saw her for the very first time....I guess in a way it was seeing her for the very first time again...this time it was just in her new life as a Christian.
Today...I am beyond blessed and thankful that I love and serve a savior who not only hears my prayers of wanting my children to accept him a their Savior but who gently guides them to that decision. I love that when Katie felt Jesus calling and tugging at her heart that she followed His lead and opened that door.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Blessing 42: He is Risen
Happy Easter! Today I am thankful, grateful, humbled and blessed to know that my Savior is alive and sitting at the right hand of our father. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us, He carried all our past, present and future sins away. He did all of this so that we could have a way back to our father. Without his sacrifice we would all perish. The bible says the wages for sin is death, but if we believe in Jesus and know he is the one and only son of God then we will not perish but have eternal life. Don't know about you but I am thankful to know that we my time is done here on earth, I will not perish. I will be with my savior forever. The bible also says that each of us have it in us to seek Jesus...we are all seeking Him whether we acknowledge it or not. We all are looking for something to save us. Some just think they can do it on there own. The bible specifically says we cannot, we have to give our life to Jesus in order to be saved. I hope today that if you have not given your life to Him, that you will seek to know Jesus. Let him fill your void, let Him be you hope, your future, your friend. The one who can get you through anything. Life is so much sweeter when you choose to let Him lead your life.
I pray you have had a blessed Easter and took time to acknowledge and celebrate what happened on this day. He is alive and well, just like He said he would be.
There is beauty in the cross by Jonny Diaz, click here
I pray you have had a blessed Easter and took time to acknowledge and celebrate what happened on this day. He is alive and well, just like He said he would be.
There is beauty in the cross by Jonny Diaz, click here
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Blessing 41: From There to Here
I know I have been bad about keeping up with my thankful post...I just hit another bloggers lull. Not that I didn't have things to write about, but just not taking the time to write them. But this one got me wanting to blog again. I have a few others to post and might be out of order...so bare with me.
The other day Chris and I were taking a trip down memory lane. About where we started out when we got married and where we are now. We talked about the rented "house" on Copeland street in Knoxville. I put house in parenthesis because this house should have been condemned. It was falling apart and every morning I was always greeting by those HORRIBLE spider crickets. If you have never seen ones of these be thankful for that. They are big in size and jump everywhere. It gives me the willies to think about them. This house was what we could afford at the time and when we moved in it wasn't in the best shape but it went down hill quickly. So we soon realized we needed to move and ventured out to buying our first home. I remember how beyond happy I was to be getting a brand new home. No bugs greeting me in the morning! Life was great!. From here on out, with ALL of our moves God has always provided us with the ability to buy a home, one that would give security and safety to our family.
As Chris and were on this trip down memory lane I realized just how blessed we are. There are some kids that live in house like the first one we lived in. I couldn't imagine having our girls live there but if it meant they had a roof over them and it was what we could afford then we would. By no means do I think we are too good to live in that situation....it just truly humbles me to think of where we started off at and where we are now and how God has so faithfully provided for us. It makes me appreciate the comforts that I have, the beautiful home I have, my girls can sleep peacefully each night in security and safety.
Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)
The other day Chris and I were taking a trip down memory lane. About where we started out when we got married and where we are now. We talked about the rented "house" on Copeland street in Knoxville. I put house in parenthesis because this house should have been condemned. It was falling apart and every morning I was always greeting by those HORRIBLE spider crickets. If you have never seen ones of these be thankful for that. They are big in size and jump everywhere. It gives me the willies to think about them. This house was what we could afford at the time and when we moved in it wasn't in the best shape but it went down hill quickly. So we soon realized we needed to move and ventured out to buying our first home. I remember how beyond happy I was to be getting a brand new home. No bugs greeting me in the morning! Life was great!. From here on out, with ALL of our moves God has always provided us with the ability to buy a home, one that would give security and safety to our family.
As Chris and were on this trip down memory lane I realized just how blessed we are. There are some kids that live in house like the first one we lived in. I couldn't imagine having our girls live there but if it meant they had a roof over them and it was what we could afford then we would. By no means do I think we are too good to live in that situation....it just truly humbles me to think of where we started off at and where we are now and how God has so faithfully provided for us. It makes me appreciate the comforts that I have, the beautiful home I have, my girls can sleep peacefully each night in security and safety.
Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Blessing 40: Running with my Friend
Running is a challenge to say the least. Trying to find the time, motivation and energy to run. This time around my running has been on my own, not running with a group. In a way this obstacle that I knew would be hard has had its own blessing. I found that I wasn't running alone....Jesus has been there every step of the way. Moments I find that I mentally just want to quit...I talk to him, I resite a bible verse and I find his strength...moments of pain...I pray for him to make them go away and he does. People can say oh, that is just simply mind over matter. No it's not....I find so much strength and ability to carry on by just allowing Him to lead me on my run then me trying to accomplish on my own. Th fact that I am 4 days out from running a half marathon that I only started training for 10 weeks ago is a miracle in itself. So everything about this run is to give God all the glory and for being the friend I needed to make this far.
Phillipines 4:13 ...I can do all thing through Christ who gives me strength.
Lord I love you more than words can express..you are everything to me!
Phillipines 4:13 ...I can do all thing through Christ who gives me strength.
Lord I love you more than words can express..you are everything to me!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Blessing 39: This is Not My Home
There are times when it just seems like so much bad is happening and happening to good people. It saddens me and breaks my heart. Today I read about how the little baby found in the field after the tornado died. Her grandmother had to decided to take her off life support....how horrific is that????? This little girls family died in the tornados. Her grandmother said her only comfort was that they were all together now. I cried as I read her story of her recapping her grandchilds final moments and last breath.
Several weeks ago there was a family in our area whose house burnt down. They had 8 children and three died in the fire. The rest of the family has been in the hospital. All of them our out except the mom, she is still in ICU. I drive past there home at least twice a week and my heart hurts for them. I see the three crosses in their front yard and it just seems unthinkable to have your child or children taken away.
It makes me frustrated at times, I don't understand, but I know I am not suppose to understand.
I believe and never doubt even in times of not understanding...everything is done so that God is given glory. We may not see how but we are to turn to Jesus in the moments of sadness and grief and just let Him do what he so willing wants to do. Heal your heart, help you understand that He will carry those who are hurting the most.
But the one thing that I find the most comfort in is knowing, this home we have on earth is not our home. This world of evil, pain,sadness, and hurt will end and God will fulfill his promise. The clouds will part, the trumpets will sound and our Lord And Savior will return. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess....you are Lord. I can tell you I can't wait for that day. Jesus came to the earth to overcome death...so that we don't have to live forever in a world of evil. We have to trench through it now but our reward is coming.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 NASB)
A song by Jeremy Camp called Overcome has been on my play list lots lately. I thought I would share.
Click here
Several weeks ago there was a family in our area whose house burnt down. They had 8 children and three died in the fire. The rest of the family has been in the hospital. All of them our out except the mom, she is still in ICU. I drive past there home at least twice a week and my heart hurts for them. I see the three crosses in their front yard and it just seems unthinkable to have your child or children taken away.
It makes me frustrated at times, I don't understand, but I know I am not suppose to understand.
I believe and never doubt even in times of not understanding...everything is done so that God is given glory. We may not see how but we are to turn to Jesus in the moments of sadness and grief and just let Him do what he so willing wants to do. Heal your heart, help you understand that He will carry those who are hurting the most.
But the one thing that I find the most comfort in is knowing, this home we have on earth is not our home. This world of evil, pain,sadness, and hurt will end and God will fulfill his promise. The clouds will part, the trumpets will sound and our Lord And Savior will return. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess....you are Lord. I can tell you I can't wait for that day. Jesus came to the earth to overcome death...so that we don't have to live forever in a world of evil. We have to trench through it now but our reward is coming.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 NASB)
A song by Jeremy Camp called Overcome has been on my play list lots lately. I thought I would share.
Click here
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Blessing 38: Breanna Faith
Five years ago today God made our family complete by given us our 2nd most precious gift a tiny little Breanna. I call her munchkin all the time, because she has always been tiny..she is the lightweight of the family that is for sure, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in personality because she has lots of that.
Bree is so special in so many ways, but I know that she has a heart of love. Everyone that gets to know her says, she is so sweet and loves to love on everyone. Everyday at her preschool she goes in and gives all the teacher hugs. :) Everyday, I get numerous hugs and kisses from her. Her heart to love and her ability to make me laugh is truly her gifts in life. When she is happy she is full of so much joy, but on the other hand when she is not happy...well...let's just say she has a strong will to let you know she is not happy.
She is getting so smart and is learning so much in preschool. She can write most of her numbers, her full name, she loves to draw, play with Katie or anyone for that matter, she loves books and games. She is now very, very excited that she will soon be a Kindergartner. Me on the other hand...not quite ready for that but with prayer I am know God will get me there.
Happy Birthday sweet Bree! We are so thankful to be your mommy and daddy and couldn't imagine life without you smile, hugs or kisses.
Bree is so special in so many ways, but I know that she has a heart of love. Everyone that gets to know her says, she is so sweet and loves to love on everyone. Everyday at her preschool she goes in and gives all the teacher hugs. :) Everyday, I get numerous hugs and kisses from her. Her heart to love and her ability to make me laugh is truly her gifts in life. When she is happy she is full of so much joy, but on the other hand when she is not happy...well...let's just say she has a strong will to let you know she is not happy.
She is getting so smart and is learning so much in preschool. She can write most of her numbers, her full name, she loves to draw, play with Katie or anyone for that matter, she loves books and games. She is now very, very excited that she will soon be a Kindergartner. Me on the other hand...not quite ready for that but with prayer I am know God will get me there.
Happy Birthday sweet Bree! We are so thankful to be your mommy and daddy and couldn't imagine life without you smile, hugs or kisses.
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