As we continue to have this MAJOR snow storm here in the Baltimore area, it is snowing AGAIN now, we are expected to get another 18 inches or so, I am being constantly reminded of what it truly means to be washed whiter than snow. I love this verse!

Seeing all of this snow makes me realize how amazing our Lord is. WOW!  He, perfect and sinless, took all of our sin upon himself on that cross, so that WE, the ones who are dirty, filthy, and sinful, could be made clean, and seen white as snow through our Lord’s eyes. It is WAY cool.  Now, an even COOLER part about this verse (I was reminded by my a college classmate of this weather tidbit – we were both meteorology majors!) is tha tsnow is not really white. Did you know this? Snow is actually formed around small pieces of dirt! And, as we know, dirt is well, dirty. So, when the Lord says he will wash us white as snow, it REALLY is true! We REALLY are going to be whiter than snow! WAY AWESOME I just think it is so cool how even though snow LOOKS white we can be even WHITER! WOW! What an amazing God!

Here is another wonderful verse about being washed white as snow. God really loves us. He loves ALL of us. He wants ALL of us to be his children. I am humbled everyday by this fact.

Well, today, we are snowed in. Church has been cancelled and like NOTHING is open! But, it is very beautiful outside! The snow is like a fluffy white blanket on the ground I love it! snow is gorgeous. However, like I told a friend, ask me next winter if I still feel the same way haha, I may be tired of it by then, haha – but so far, it is nice to actually have COLD weather and snow in winter, rather than “cold” being 50 degrees. LOL.  So, since church is cancelled, we are having our neighbor over for church again. This is the church we watch. It is great. Watch along and leave comments! We love the pastor. He speaks such truth, yet is real and knows how to apply the message to make you feel like he is talking DIRECTLY to you. God truly gave him a gift!  http://www.lifechurch.tv/

Also, yesterday was GREAT! we met even MORE people in the building. One was in the computer room as we were coming out of the office (we were telling them YES! we will take the renovated apt on the penthouse level for only 150 more than we are paying now for an UNrenovated, that we have to move out of anyway, AND the people above us are noisy haha – so yay! a nice apt AND no one above us AND from our balcony we SHOULD be able to see the inner harbor!). He saw me wearing an Auburn sweatshirt! He is from Birmingham! HAHA. He had JUST gotten to the Baltimore area to see his parents the night before! Lucky him he got there BEFORE we all got snowed in! WOW, though, he was brave driving in the blizzard conditions. Anyway (names have been changed), his name is Vance. He was WAY cool! He was a welder and in construction for 15 years and is now trying to go back to learn drafting, so he can work for an architecture firm! LOL! He also worked for the car plants, and loves cars, which Andrews loves car stuff too, so they had something in common there – but when Andrew told Vance that HE was an architect, Vance was like ok wow! that is so weird, AND cool!  First, they have the Alabama connection, THEN  they have the love of cars connection, both are familiar with construction, and NOW they have the architecture connection. CRAZINESS! I definately think that this meeting was a God thing! WAY COOL! So, we will be hoping to continue building a friendship with him. He was so nice!

While they were talking, I met another young man from Saudia Arabia! He is here for undergrad school. He LOVED Katie. He loves kids and actually taught 5th grade back in Saudia Arabia! So, he was so good with Katie and Katie just adored him! she told him bye bye and “wuv you” haha! It was so sweet! She even held his hand and showed him the pretty balls on the table in the lounge (it is her FAVORITE area in the lounge. They are these black and white pearl looking decorative balls, she LOVES them!) and gave him high five. LOL. It was pretty precious. I really appreciated him getting down on her level and talking to her. What a great Saturday! We met many new people and had a GREAT time, even though we had to stay in the building God is GOOD!

So, that was out snowed in story! It was a GREAT day yesterday, and I am excited about today! She should be here in about 5 minutes! YAY for church at home! We can worship anywhere! God does NOT care where, he looks at our hearts. I mean, in the bible times, they had church outside! I would LOVE that, although not today. . .lol

By Brenton Brown Sometimes it feels as if the burdens of this life are just too heavy to bear.  Sometimes they weigh down on us so hard that the thought of anyone being able to carry them seems ludicrous. And then realizing that this kind of suffering is occurring across the world in thousands of cultures and millions of homes staggers and overwhelms us. Surely there are no hands strong enough to carry the weight of the world.

As a worship leader I have the privilege of traveling across the nations and listening to the growing anthem of worship rising to God from so many countries and cultures. I’ve looked out on people across the world who have endured enormous storms – from failing health to civil war to economic deprivation to acts of violence and terror to real hunger and real brokenness. And time and again I am surprised at the power of God to triumph over and transcend the most difficult circumstances life can bring. Worship rises from hearts placed in the most unbelievable circumstances on this planet. Are all these worshipers people of extraordinary faith? Perhaps they are. But what they definitely have in common is not the type of worshiper they are, but the type of God they worship. A God who can inspire inexplicable peace and joy in the middle of heartache and destruction.

One of the most extraordinary times of worship I remember is a small city hall packed full of Christians in a region of Eastern Europe called Kosova. A group of us from England and South Africa had traveled over to share what God had done in our country. I was expecting a room full of broken and destitute people. Women and children outnumbered the men due to the recent war, and there were many widows and orphans. The church in this predominantly Muslim region was not much more than 15 years old. But as the first notes of music sounded through that cold, neon lit hall, the place erupted in joyful, abandoned worship to the Lord. I can clearly remember hearing the sound of weeping and turning around to see my friend Marc James on the electric guitar in floods of tears, amazed at the power of God! While we were expecting brokenness God was revealing beauty and grace.

So cut to a hospital room in Southern California 6 years later. Again I can see a face so clearly.  But this time it’s the nurse holding the sonogram, searching for our daughter’s heartbeat and realizing with horror that that was a sound none of us would ever hear again. A week away from her due date, in what had been a very normal pregnancy, our little girl Grace died in the womb. My wife had spent the last 9 months preparing the most beautiful little nursery for her first-born child. Her parents were flying in from South Africa. Friends were emailing her tips and best wishes. Life held so much promise. But instead of looking forward to the first blush of parenthood, Jude was facing the nightmare of having to deliverer her first daughter, still born. It was a weight so crushing, so heavy, that it felt too hard for us to bear. I wondered if we were ever going to make it through the despair and sadness that filled our hearts that day. I will never forget the long list of friends I phoned to tell the awful news. At the start of life, death had arrived and taken our little girl.

I remember feeling so much despair and sadness in the following months that when I considered all the tragedy taking place on the earth I was overwhelmed.  I thought about how people across the globe were experiencing hardship and loss as great and greater than ours, and it left a gaping hole in my heart. We staggered beneath the weight of grief. We trudged through each day, numb with loss and bewildered.  But we also remembered the saints. We remembered the faces and the stories and accounts of God’s deliverance and comfort from saints across the earth. We remembered the songs of God’s faithfulness through testing. And slowly, like the passing of the seasons, we began to see that our God is not just a good friend in a difficult situation. He is also the Almighty, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Right now the entire universe rests upon the word of his power.  Can he bring beauty out of ashes? Can he turn tears into songs of joy. Are his hands strong enough to bear not just my burdens, but also the burdens of the whole earth, the heaviest burdens of our heart? Is He up to the task? Absolutely.  His Hands are strong enough. He can handle it. The creator of all things can heal what He has made. He can clean what has been stained. Through him all things are possible. He can bear the weight not just of my burdens but of yours too.

It really boggles the mind. But He can bear the weight of the world. He is an amazing, mind boggling God! His peace carried us through Grace’s death and continues to do so. His love, faithful as the dawn, has given rise to “Amazing God” and “Adoration,” songs that join a multitude of anthems of praise lifted by the cloud of witnesses across time and all across the earth. His hands are strong enough. He can heal the pain. He can clean the stain. He can turn our tears into songs of praise. He’s an amazing GOD.

You’re amazing God, You’re amazing God

You can bear the weight of every heavy heart

You can heal the pain, You can clean the stain

You can turn our tears into songs of praise

You’re amazing God

More information on Brenton can be found at www.BrentonBrown.com.  Full “Amazing God” and “Adoraton” lyrics and chords can be found at http://www.brentonbrown.com/songs.html.

Ok, so I said earlier that at times I wanted to “introduce” you to some of the people I meet in Towson and Baltimore.  Katie is busy watching “super why” on PBS (gosh I love them! LOL) so I have time to write a more serious blog! YAY! Ok, so, who doesn’t like spaghetti and meatballs? If you don’t, I think you may need serious help. I mean, it is SOOOO yummy! I love anything pasta really, but especially spaghetti! Katie does too! Anyway, so, this REALLY does have a point. . .all names in this story have been changed. . .

I want to introduce you to Sara. She is a sweet, bright, adorable and vibrant 1st grade girl who lives here in our building.  Everytime you see this girl, she will have a smile on her face, beaming her adorable pearly whites. She loves to help others and is, alot of the time, downstairs at the lobby desk seeing if she can help in any way.  She is polite, funny and can make you laugh, even if you are down.  She is just cute, just plain cute.  I have only talked with her a few times (but seen her alot around the building), but each time we have talked, she is happy, smiling, giggling, and always ready to share stories of her day, what she likes, and just fun little girl stuff to make anyone smile.  My other friends Nikki and Jan who work at the front desk know her better than I do, and know her background a lot more.  I have seen Sara around the building several times, and each time is see her she is smiling. I don’t think I have ever seen this girl NOT smiling. Seriously!

The other evening, Nikki shared with me a little of her story.  She lives with her brother and her mother.  Her mother is most of the time gone, either working, or whatever else she does, they don’t really know.  She is most of the time left to fend for herself.  Her brother is 12, but usually playing video games so he does not much pay attention to her either – though not on purpose I dont think, since most 12 year old boys DO like games, haha  Anyway, this broke my heart! Here is this little girl, barely 8 years old left to fend for herself most evenings. That explains why at 9 at night, I will go down to talk with Nikki or Jan and she will be down there talking with them as well.  She is SUCH a precious girl, you would NEVER know by seeing her that she has this happening in her life. You would never know by looking at her that she has a parent who doesn’t take care of her like she needs to be at such a young and impressionable age. 

2 nights ago, I went down to visit my friend Nikki, but Jan was working instead. Well, Sara was down there as well.  She was sitting behind the desk buzzing people in the building while Jan was using the restroom (See! she is ALWAYS helping people when I see her!). It was 8:30pm (her mom was still not home even though she got off work at 6).  When they got back, they went into the lounge/tv room right next to the front desk so Jan could eat.  Sara was watching TV and coloring. I came in to sit and talk with them.  Well, we discovered that Sara had not eaten dinner and was pretty hungry.  She even admitted that with a smile on her face and said, well I am hungry, but it’s ok.  Jan asked her, well do you want to go get something to eat now, or wait until your mom gets home? And she said “Oh, well we dont have any food anyway, so there isn’t anything for me to eat for dinner anyway.” that made me and Jan REALLY sad! We just looked at each other with tears in our eyes almost.  I told Sara – Sara, I am going upstairs, getting my purse, and we are going to get you some dinner, ok? She said, no, its ok, don’t worry. I asked her if she was hungry and she said, well ya. I said, ok, then we are getting you food ok? She said, ok. So, I took her across the street and we shared spaghetti and meatballs She really liked it! We had fun girl talk. I learned about her favorite classes (math, science and P.E.), that she enjoys music, what instrument she wants to learn (the flute) and other things.  She said something about church and someone at school talking about it.  I asked her if she has ever been and she said no that her mom never goes to church, so they don’t go.  She doesn’t know about Jesus or God, but does think they are real.  I told her if she ever wanted to come with us, she can and she smiled and seemed happy, but then acted nervous and asked, but what if it’s hard? I don’t know any of the answers. AWWW!!! I think someone had told her you had to know everything and that at church they make you answer all these questions and stuff. Poor thing! Anyway, I said, well can I share why I like church and why Jesus is special to me? Would that be ok? and she said yes. So, I did. She listened, but I don’t think she is quite old enough to understand.  Please Please please be praying for sweet sara.  One thing that broke my heart was I told her one reason I love Jesus is because He is my best friend and even when I feel lonely, I don’t have to be, because Jesus is ALWAYS with me. She looked up at me, smiled and said “wow, thats cool, I don’t like being lonely, I feel lonely alot” or something similar, I dont remember exactly, but it was SO sad!!! I know she probably feels this way because her mother is not around a lot.

So, there you go. This is Sara. I truly believe God gave me this opportunity. She may not be entirely ready, or old enought to totally understand, but a seed was planted. God is so good and this was so great. I love kids and I love encouraging them.  They are so ready, willing and eager, that they just soak anything up! There is a reason that Christ tells us to  have childlike faith. It is because children don’t QUESTION like adults to. They simply believe. Please be praying for Sara, and her family. Pray God will continue to use me in her life, and through that, my friends Nikki and Jan will come closer to Christ as well.

My heart sings and my spirit raise my arms in praise to you oh Lord my God!!

Oh God you are such an amazing God!!!

Oh Lord you are my amazing King!!!

I bow before you with humbled heart, mind, spirit and life!!

I bow before you in complete awe.

I am in awe that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords…

the King of my heart…Lord of my Life…

has showered blessings from heaven into my life this week.

Oh you have always taken care of me!

Oh mighty Lord…my heavenly daddy….

But in one week my life, my heart, my spirit have been transformed…

After so many years of living with your joy but the stress of the burdens of daily life heavy on my mind…

You have chosen to lift all of it…to shower us with your blessings! After years of working so hard to be a good steward of whatever we were given no matter how small…

Our lives are suddenly changed. In ways I never dreamed possible.

Thank you Lord for the roller coaster of emotions I have come through this week. And thank you Lord for easing the battle of my spirit and mind.

It is so hard to realize that this is all real!!!

But after the roller coaster has stopped I am settled into a peaceful…restful place.

Help us Lord to use your bounty for your glory…

The feeling of being able to take care of basic needs that seemed non-essential before…to feel like a regular person again.

Thank you Lord for settling things so that I no longer wonder…but know.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to travel this smoother road….It has been so long Lord…help me to enjoy the experience

I praise you Lord so much for everything we have! More than I ever dreamed and yet its just simple things…no longer living in need from day to day

the gift you have given us is indescribable. To some…no big deal….to me…you have changed my life.

Thank you Lord….Thank You!!!!

Thank you for scooping up your lowly daughter and brushing me off and setting me in this beautiful life that you have created.

You are amazing Lord.

You have once again…changed my life…and fashioned a plan so much better than I could have imagined for helping me to become whole again.

I am thrilled to be blessed by your design. My heart is full…my spirit at peace…I will always live in awe of you my King, my Savior, my God. Amen.

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Ok, so here we are, all bundled up! Katie loves the snow! She is totally mesmorized by it. She calls it “no” lol. She kept screaming ALL day at the window “OUT THERE!” (or really ou der, but we knew what she was saying!) So, we finally got out of the house, we had cabin fever.  It was also so pretty and being from the south, I dont get to enjoy snow much. I definately like to see it, taste it, feel it, and walk in it. It is so fluffy!!! So, although mommy couldn’t go on her “girl date” I had a great time here with my hubby and cutie patootie, Katie bug What a great day! God is GOOD!

Wow. So refreshing! I am not really talking about water, but that is something we see as refreshing, especially on a hot summer day! Well, I kind of feel like lately I have been given crisp, cold, water on a hot day. I told you that I would kind of tell you about some of the people I have met here. One thing I LOVE about the people here is their honesty. They are not afraid to tell you what they think, feel, etc. Sometimes, it can be intimidating, however, in the end, I think it is great. Being open and honest is the BEST way to get to know people and get a sense for their needs and desires and dreams. I have a really good friend I  have met here, Nicole.  We are doing a Bible study together on Monday nights. Last night was wonderful. She was so open and honest and unafraid to ask questions, no matter how “silly” she thought they were. I was the same way. Because we were unafraid to voice confusions and questions we both learned a lot about each other and about Christ. THAT is refreshing.  We were talking about one of the reasons we don’t always grow as Christians, is because we are all to afraid to be honest. We are afraid what people will think if we are. We are afraid they may think we are stupid, crazy, or just NOT a Christian (if we are REALLY honest about some struggles). But that is NOT what being a Christian is about AT ALL! We are meant to be open and honest. We are meant to help each other, encourage each other, teach each other, love each other, hold each other accountable, allow each other to confess. . .it is what Christ compels us to do! So, it is just SO refreshing that people around us have been SO open with us. It really helps us get to know people better, faster, and make TRUE relationships. It helps us know HOW to  help them and WHAT they need.  We are still meeting people everyday, and I hope we can continue being open and honest with those around us. . .

I have been thinking a lot lately about my blog. It needs a new direction, but I am not sure what that direction should be. I still want to share my life and what is going on in our lives, but in a differant way than just “talking” about it. I want to put some true meaning behind it.  Today it was not SUPER cold. It got to about 50. lol. So, I took Katie and puppy for a walk. I went a differant direction than I normall do and as I was walking around Towson, I started feeling amazed.  It is such a beautiful place. It has such character. Such personality. I cannot believe that the Lord brought us to this wonderful place. It then got me thinking how sometimes those most “beautiful” on the outisde, by wordly standards, are sometimes the people hurting the most on the inside. Yes, Towson is a beautiful city, but don’t let the beauty fool you. Don’t let the seemingly put together little town of bussiness men, college graduates, beautitful, put together stay at home moms make you think there is not a need. Towson has a need. There are many people here far from the Lord. Many people here who need the healing rain of Jesus Christ. So, that is what i am going to try and focus my blog on a lot of the time. I am really going to work harder at using each day to connect with someone and find out somthing about somebody i don’t know. The first person i did this with was a woman named Sadie.  I met her at Dunkin Donuts.  God really put a sense in me to talk to her, so i bought her breakfast for her and then asked her to join me to eat.  We talked quite awhile and out something tragic about her life. her son was murdered three year ago, and the killer was never found.  She calls the police department, but they never have any new leads, so she has given up hope almost. She shared with me how hard this was on her, the emotions she went through  and the ones she is STILL going through. She told me how she cannot feel she can truly say goodbye or let go until they find the killer. I told her I would be praying for her and we closed the morning in prayer. I prayed for her and we shared a very special moment. Christ really used that to show me that with Him i really CAN talk to people I don’ t know! When God orchestrates a situation for us, we don’t need to be afraid! He has already been there, and set up the words to say and the flow of the conversation. it was so amazing. I am stil praying for this PRECIOUS woman and I ask you to do the same. God Bless you!

it is so wierd that yet another Christmas has come and gone, isn’t it? We had a great one though! This was the first year we did not travel for either holiday, and while we missed family, it really was a nice break and wonderful to be able to enjoy it in our own home as our little family. most of the snow was still on the ground, so it was a BEAUTIFUL christmas! Of course, it started raining the yucky kind of rain Christmas night, but  the day was gorgeous! We were very blessed by our new friends and family in Christ from our church, yet again. We enjoyed wonderful food, friends, laughter, and made new memories for our lives here in Towson. It was great! Those are the best kind of presents! The kind that don’t wear out, you can’t use up, they cannot be taken from you, they cannot be destroyed, they won’t ever leave. Memories really do make the best gifts, and we made MANY gifts this Christmas I hope you and your families enjoyed a wonderful holiday as well! now, let’s all look forward to another new year! WOW, 2010. THAT IS NUTS! What are YOUR resoultions this year?

I know mine is to continue trusting more and worrying less. Sadly, i think this will ALWAYS be one, because it is the one I struggle with the most. another would be to not FREAK OUT just because our “schedule” is not exactly the same every day! HAHA! with kids, I know, I know, that rarely happens

God is awesome, let us continue to remember that this new year! GOD BLESS!

It is Christmas eve! I cannot believe another Christmas is here! AND, not to mention, this is my first WHITE CHRISTMAS!!! there is still alot of snow on the ground, and we may even get more tomorrow. We will see! it is beautiful here. The snow looks like a soft cloud, or a fluffy blanket. of course, it would be a REALLY cold blanket! HAHA. We just got home from our churches Christmas Eve service! It was beautiful. It was so fun. Anyway, I wanted to remind everyone “the reason”. The reason, we celebrate this blessed holiday! My daughter, katie, has a cute little book we bought her that tells us that reason SO clearly. We love what this little rhyme says. So, I am going to share it with you all! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What is Christmas?
by: Michelle Medlock Adams and picture by: Amy Wummer

“Just what is Christmas anyway? Why do we celebrate? Why is December 25 a very special date?
“Is it about the Christmas tree, with all the twinkling lights? Is it about the Christmas cards, the ones my mommy writes?”
“Is it about the mistletoe where mom and daddy kiss? Is it about the Christmas play the one we never miss?”
“Is Christmas about Christmas gifts? I love them very much. Is Christmas about Santa Claus? His beard is fun to touch.”
“Is Christmas about candy canes? I think they taste quite nice. Is Christmas about Santa’s list? They say he checks it twice.”
“Or maybe it’s about the food! Mom’s Christmas cookies rule! Or maybe it’s about the snow, white Christmases are cool!”
“Is it about Christmas songs, the ones we sing each year? Is it about the Christmas elves and Santa’s eight reindeer?”
“No, that’s not what Christmas is about!
“All of these things are really nice, and superduper fun, but Christmas is much more than that -
“It’s ALL about God’s son”
“God sent His son, Jesus Christ, from heaven up above. He came to earth to save the world -
God’s greatest gift of love”
“Ok, now I get it.”
“Santa Claus and Christmas trees and presents are ok,”
“But Jesus is the real reason we have a Christmas day”

I was thinking last night as I lay in bed. How will I EVER have enough room in my heart to love another child as much as I love Katie? How will I ever think another child is as beautiful as Katie? It is so AWESOME to me that God gives our hearts room to grow, room to swell. This is one thing that being swollen is a good thing. Sometimes things that are swollen hurt, and yes, sometimes I love my child so much that it hurts, but it is a good hurt. God loves all His children the same, and  He has room for ALL of us in His heart. Since we are created in His image, then that makes me have faith and beleive that God also allows us to love each child we are blessed with unconditionally. It is really amazing to think about isn’t it? I am so blessed by Katie. She is the most beautiful little girl in the world to me. She is smart, amazing, funny, cute, silly, loving, caring, affectionate, sometimes cranky, haha, but what women isn’t!? LOL! I am so proud of her. I am so blessed by the gift God gave me. I love her so very much. She is defiantely “sugar and spice and everything nice!” I am looking forward to God allowing me to love others He blesses us with this much. I WANT a swollen heart! On that note, WOW, the duggar family must have REALLY swollen hearts! Can you imagine loving 19 kids that much!!! that is crazy! their hearts must be HUGE God is so good!

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas! And, considering this weekend, it may happen! I think it may be my first White Christmas EVER! Being from Texas, uhhhh, snow “don’t really happen round those parts” haha.  I think the last BIG snow I remember was when I was about 4! It was not even that much either, lol. maybe 2 inches or less. i remember making the woosiest and smallest snowman, but I giggled with pride at my new found friend. Perhaps this year, my snowman can grow a little! hehe. It snowed here this weekend and it was SO pretty! There is still some snow on the ground! Katie loved it. She walked in the snow yesterday and got mad when I said it was time to go! I think she liked the crunch crunch noise it made. She called it no, haha. Close enough, right? She had a blast watching it fall from the sky. She stood at our sliding glass doors in wonder and amazment. It was so cute, special and heart warming.  I will never forget her face. little kids can teach us so much. They teach us, to love, to live, to be without fear, to have more love, more joy, more happiness, more hope, more peace. . .they teach us to continue dreaming! Having a little girl, i am understanding child like faith more each day. Katie doesn’t worry I won’t take care of her, she just has faith and trust that her mommy will give her what she needs. If me as her imperfect earthly mother gives her what she needs (food, clothes, drink, home) than how much better is our Heavenly Father at taking  care of us!? It was a very special and memorable weekend this weekend, and katie taught me a little bit more about myself and to continue dreaming!

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that made me laugh, but then made me think hmmmmm.  It said:

If you’re following me, then you’re lost too

Anyway, it just got me thinking.  How many times do we attempt to follow trends, celebrities, or even friends and family, and we end up “getting lost” along the way?  A lot of the time, the person we are attempting to follow has no idea what they are doing either!  They too are seeking the answer for life in something NOT worthwhile!  I hate to say this, but even churches do it!  THIS church tries to be like THAT church, then wonders why what worked for THAT church didn’t work for them!  I am also to blame! I know I do it.  Heck, I admit to doing it, yet I know I will still find myself doing it in the future.  I do it by playing the comparison game.  I compare Katie with other kids, I know, bad.  I compare life situations.  I compare circumstances.  I compare hardships and struggles.  The path that is right for some is not always what is right for us.  Even if the other path seems easier, (the one we are tempted to follow someone down) without Christ in it, it won’t be.  The Bible even talks about that.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

Thankfully, when we DO get off path, we have a loving Father always willing to help get us back on track.  We have a Savior who died for us so we don’t have to live life “lost.”  Thank the Lord!

So, I was looking back on old pictures of Katie tonight.  I was almost in tears at how much my little baby has grown.  I saw a picture of my friend Melanie after just having her baby, Anna, and how we visited her in the hospital.  Our girls are only 2 weeks apart!  Seeing how itty bitty Katie was in that picture made me teary.  I really really really want another little one.  I have a sense we may have another girl, so I am already thinking of names, hehe.  NO, we are not pregnant, yet, lol.  I am not QUITE ready   So anyway, looking at these pictures made me realize how much I love my daughter.  I love her so much it hurts.  I would do anything for her.  I never like seeing her in pain, like from getting shots, sad day , I never enjoy having to discipline her, I HATE IT!  There is a song in choir we are working on called “When I lay my Issac down.”  It is about sacrificing EVERYTHING to God, just as Abraham was about to sacrifice the thing he loved most in the world. . .his son.  I cannot imagine.  I do NOT think I could have done that at all.  I would have told God he was crazy if he asked me to sacrifice my daughter.  I do realize though, that Katie belongs to God.  God entrusted Katie to Andrew and me, and boy I am sure glad he did, we are so blessed.  She is a little bundle of joy.  I felt crappy yesterday, but having a sweetheart like that made me feel so much better.  ANYWAY, I realized how hard it would be for me to do as Abraham did.  For those of you who know the story, God did not allow him to sacrifice (kill) his son.  He stopped him and said do NOT lay a hand on that boy! God provided a ram.  God simply wanted to know that Abraham trusted Him enough.  However, there WAS someone who DID sacrifice his son, and there was NO ram.  God.  God sacrificed his only son for us.  US! WOW! having a child really makes that sink in.  I could NOT sacrifice Katie for billions of people I don’t know.  But God did, because he loves ALL of us, he knows about all of us.  He doesn’t just want to know who we are, He wants to KNOW us.  He wants a relationship with us, he wants to be our “father” too and for us to be His children.  I am so thankful for what Christ did for me.  I know I could not do it.  Thank you Lord for your sacrifice!  I love Katie so much it hurts.  God loves his son so much he allowed him to die for us, because Christ new it was the only way.  Christ knew in order for us to have a realtionship with his father he had to die and he was willing to come to Earth and do that.  That takes hurt to a whole other level.  I love Katie so much it hurts. Christ loves US so much HE was willing TO hurt. . .

I think I  had mentioned I was reading a book entitled “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer.  I don’t always agree with what she says, however, I KNOW I struggle with worry. . .BADLY.  I am very guiltly of not EVER thinking about what I think about.  I allow myself to get so worked up at everything.  I get worked up if things don’t seem the same day to day.  Well, other mothers, and dads, know that with kids this RARELY happens!  I still allow myself to think TOO much sometimes about things.  Not thinking ENOUGH about something can get us into trouble, however, so can thinking TOO MUCH!  I fall on the thinking too much catergory.  I let my mind come up with all sorts of junk that it makes my worry and anxiety more.  I start thinking the worst possible scenario’s, a lot.  That is unfair to me, Katie, Andrew, and frankly, everyone around me.  It is not a good witness because it is saying I cannot even trust the God and Savior I love and believe in.  That is not good.  I was really convicted yesterday at church.  The passage was about not showing favortism and teaching us God shows no favorites, so as Christians we need to love EVERYONE.  I realized that while we all struggle with judging at times, the way I am not living this passage is I tend to think God loves everyone else MORE than me.   That is why I think bad thoughts, dwell on negative, because in my mind I think God likes other more than me, so why would He desire to give me good things?  It is awful and I really need to change my thinking.  I need to start THINKING about what I think about.  A paragraph of a chapter in this book sums it up for me, and pretty much IS  me. 

” For most of my life, I didn’t think about what I was thinking about.  I simply thought whatever fell into my head.  I had no revelation that Satan could inject thoughts into my mind.  Much of what was in my head was either lies Satan was telling me or just plain nonsense – things that really were NOT spending my time thinking about.  The devil was controlling my life because he was controlling my thoughts.”

WOW ok, that hit me.  I know I wont be perfect overnight.  I am sure I will still annoy and irritate my darling husband to NO end some days with my obsessive worries, but I have GOT to stop letting negative thoughts consume me.  When I do, I am missing out on all the positive things in life.  Honestly, this is true no matter WHAT you believe, not matter WHAT faith you are.  If we always think negative thoughts, our lives will be negative.  You are what you think to a large degree.  I don’t want to be negative.  I want to be positive.  I am so SICK of worrying about dumb things.  I say I cannot control it, but with Christ I can.  I need to.  I must.  As my good friend tells me, “in the words of Yoda, there is NO TRY, only DO!’  Well, I NEED to do this.  No more trying, Emily.  In the words of Nike: JUST DO IT!

God wrote His autograph Upon the sky last night, In the stars I never saw A signature so bright! —Schoeberlein

John 1:3 ‘Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.’

Smarter than Einstein,

more eloquent than Shakespears,

kinder than Mother Teresa, 

Greatest of All

Our Creator – Jesus Christ

Studying the law of physics, I am awed at the ingenuity of God. Even the professors in colleges (whom I admire greatly for their incredible thinking skills and knowledge) have little idea about how God created the world and the brilliant laws that cause the world to survive. Not forgetting, He does not make any mistake! Not a single tiny careless one! 

So, may I continue to draw closer to God and grow in my faith that His ways are the best, not mine. Not by strength, not by might, but by the Spirit of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By 33 Miles

For the good news: Well, the meeting Andrew had went well.  He seems very upbeat and postive about it.  However, it is still just “potential” everything.  The firm seems to want to hire him, they are keeping in touch, they are trying to help him out with contract work, but nothing is truly set in stone yet.  So, that is the bad news.  We are both trying to have faith, but some days are harder than others.  We have great peace that moving was the right thing to do.  This is where God has called us.  This is where God wants us to be.  We have no doubts about that aspect.  However, sometimes it is hard to have faith when we see the money running out, bills piling on and unemployment quickly coming to an end. . .and still no secure job for Andrew.  Thankfully, his friend, a blessing he is (thank you buddy) has given Andrew some contract work.  So, he will be working this weekend and as crazy as it sounds, I am glad! lol.  Please be praying for us.  We could really use some big financial provisions that are only God sized, and could only be fullfilled by God.  But, as Christians, we know and believe (some days I have to remind myself of this) that God provides for His children.  He owns all.  It is nothing for him to help His children.  We need to ask and have faith that He will come through.  Thank you for your prayers.

OK! WOW! A lot has happened since my last post.  most people get our newsletter, so you will know what is going on.  For those who don’t, WE ARE MOVING!  We are currently packing up from here and going to be heading to Baltimore come Monday morning!  We found a wonderful deal on a great apartment.  Great price, Great ammenities, great location! If job in the downtown area, he could walk to work! Therefore, we would sell his car, pay off the family car, and then pay cash for a used one for Andrew.  NO CAR PAYMENTS!!! OH, how wonderful that would be!  So, be praying for that.  Andrew is ALMOST done with his tests.  He would have been on Monday, but the testing center messed up and the exam computer wouldn’t work!  SOOOO, now he gets to take it only a few days after getting to our new home. ARRRR.  OH WELL!  He is still waiting on 2, hopefully pass, letters.  So, be praying for that.  Also, katie has been increasingly more fussy (unless on Motrin or Tylenol), has a low grade fever, biting, drooling,  clear snot, pretty much all the teething signs, but who knows.  Hopefully it IS just the teeth and that she is not getting sick.  Please be praiyng that either way, it will be over with before Monday morning!  That would be great, if it is teething, for those pearly whites to pop on through so the car ride would at least be a LITTLE more enjoyable! HAHA. A crawling, pulling up, cruising and trying to walk 10.5 month old really doesn’t like to be cooped up in the first place, lol.  So, we are very excited.  nervous, and hoping for a job for andrew soon, but still excited.  We are finally moving to the place we have felt called too and desired to be for many years.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?  GOD IS GOOD!   Be praying for us:  safety in travel, no getting lost, finding a place to stay overnight halfway through, for Katie, for Andrew and myself to be loving and patient in this exciting, yet stressful time.  Thank you!

Well, Nana is gone and we are back to it just being the three of us.  I cannot believe that in only a matter of weeks, we will be moving on from here to another stage in our lives.  We have so many emotions when it comes to moving.  We have some we shouldn’t with the Lord with us, like a little fear, anxiety and worry.  However, we also have excitement, anticipation, enthusiasm for what’s ahead as well as relief.  I think both Andrew and I are thinking “THANK GOODNESS! IT IS FINALLY TIME TO MOVE ON!”  We are not saying that because we hate it here, or don’t have any good relationships, we do.  We have enjoyed this stage in life, it  has felt like home, and I have so many good friends I will deeply miss.  However, when God has been telling us something for quite some time, and we have wondered if we will ever ACTUALLY make it there, it is a great feeling to know we are making steps toward accomplishing His calling in our lives.  So, if any of you out there have a strong sense of something in your life, but have yet to see it fullfilled, don’t give up or lose hope.  If God has told you something, or put a STRONG desire in your heart for a certain purpose, you can rest assured that He WILL fullfill that!  God bless all of you faithful followers out there and thank you for your prayers!  We need them!

Ok wow.  This was a great message from Focus on the Family.  I don’t read everything by them, but I enjoy reading much of their stuff on marriage and family.  This was a great message.  Although it is talking about love with your spouse, I think you can apply this to ANY relationship in your life!  Check it out here.

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY ON-LINE READING

GOD BLESS! I hope each and every one of you enjoy your weekend.  Love on those around you.  I need to work on “keeping score” sometimes.  We all do it, don’t we?  Let’s challenge ourselves to try and not do that for one week.  Start small!  We can do it!  We can LEARN to love unconditionally, better.  We won’t ever be perfect at it, but with the Lord, we can ALWAYS improve. . .and some days, I REALLY need to improve.  I am sorry honey! I LOVE YOU!

For those of you Nascar fanatics (I am not one, though I have never TRULY given it a chance either, that is another post, another day) you know what this means.  Most people know what this means, thanks to Nicolos Cage in Gone in 60 seconds, or Vin Diesel in Fast and the Furious.  Anyways, we like things FAST.   We want things RIGHT then, RIGHT away and RIGHT to the point.  We don’t like having to wait a long time.  We want a “car” that goes from 0 to 60 in only a few seconds.  Well folks, back in the good old days when they had horse drawn carriages, I am pretty sure horses didn’t go zero to 60 very fast, geez, horses don’t even go 60 mph, do they?  Well, when it comes to God, sometimes His zero to 60 isn’t quite as fast as we want.  Sometimes He wants us to wait.  However, another way to see this is God can also go from “zero to 60″ when we least expect it.  When we feel like we have waited and things are hopeless, all of a sudden 3 seconds later, BOOM! Something  big happens and God comes through.  God most ALWAYS works that way!  We can feel like we are moseying along, feeling we are getting nowhere, then God goes full force on us and we are slammed backwards into the seat of our car! This is something from “Above the Line: Take One” by Karen Kingsbury, that I think sums up whyGod does this pretty well.

“That’s how He (God) likes to do things — at the last minute, so we’ll know for sure it wasn’t our brillance or our great plans or our hard work that brought about the miracle.  It’s Him.”

Sometimes right now, with only have 6 more weeks in our lease here and STILL no job for Andrew, it seems things are not coming together.  Some days it seems like “what the heck are we going to do”?  However, I have a feeling at just the last minute, God will pull a “Zero to 60″ on us and come through Big time!  He has done it before, He will do it again, and He will continue doing it until the end of the age, for us, for you, for everyone.  Just believe Him!