Revelation of Love

(I totally put lotion on for this photo- dry hands ha ha!)

I don't know about you, but I am always asking God for a revelation of love, of His love for me.  I want to know how much he loves me, what he thinks and says about me, what I mean to him.  I am reading The Well by Mark Hall (Lead singer of Casting Crowns) and he said a great quote today:  "What is true about you is what God says about you."  I love that!

I was reading in Psalms recently and I came across chapter 136, in which the psalmist declares "His Love endures forever" 26 times!!  I remember reading it and thinking, ok I have got to look up some more on this "love of the God", because I am thinking it is pretty significant for him to say this over an over....What I am noticing is that people who know they are loved by God are mighty for his kingdom's cause. 

The apostle John always referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved.  I believe that it wasn't that John was the only one Jesus loved, but that he understood the love of Jesus.  He was loved just as much as any other disciple, he just "got it".  I want to get it.  All the other disciples scattered when Jesus was accused & taken captive, even Peter who said even if all else deny you, I never will.  (In essence He was boasting and  saying I love you Jesus, I don't know about these other guys, but I got your back.)  Well we know what happened, when the first hint of persecution came that night he was denying and lying!  But where was John at the crucifixion?  The disciple who said Jesus loves me....He was at the foot of the cross, following wholeheartedly his savior till the bitter end (as it seemed at the time).

I began to realize, I need to focus on Jesus' love for me.  I am human and "conditional", a lot of times I change based on circumstances.  What if I don't trust in my love for God, but I put my trust in His love for me?  Which, by the way His love for us NEVER CHANGES, it is UNCONDITIONAL, It ENDURES FOREVER, it NEVER FAILS.  I think the children's song "Jesus loves me" has got it right.  I need to be singing that a lot more and burn that truth into my mind.  Isn't it beautiful that one of the first songs that we teach children about Jesus is key to living victoriously as conquerors in Christ.  I pray that I am rooted and established in love, that I have a revelation of God's love daily, that I remember through everything : Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.

Paul encouraged the Ephesians by telling them how he was praying for them.  I now pray these verses for myself and others as God puts them on my heart:

"16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

That is what I am talking about!  I want to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  I want to sit at his feet and receive and grasp His love for me.  When I have a revelation of his love I have a revelation of Him, because "God IS Love" 1 John 4:8.  When you are filled with His love, you are filled with Him, and if you are filled you can pour out into others the same love you received.  "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19.  So if you are having a hard time loving someone, go to the throne of grace and receive His love for you and help for your time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

I pray that I receive a revelation of love, a fresh understanding of His love for me today, fill me up :)  Here is one of my favorite songs about his love for us:How He Loves

How to challenge a 4 year old....

My 4 year old son is a wonderful ball of energy, he brings so much to joy to my heart.  He is also the real life version of "Curious George"....VERY creative!  I frequently leave the room for 1 minute and come back to something very "interesting" going on....like piles of salt all over the living room floor or butter smeared on the white couch (ask me about that sometime.)  I was sharing these stories with a woman recently who suggested, "Maybe he is just bored.  Why don't you try challenging him a little?"  What a thought!!!!  So I went home that night and ordered some curriculum to work with him on.

Right now his favorite show is "Umi Zoomi", which I absolutely love because it is an interactive, educational program.  They have little math kits, so ordered this:

It came with an episode to watch, a book that tells the story of the movie, 2 work books with topics such as adding, counting, coloring, patterns, and shapes, also a stack of "mission cards" with activities you can do around the house to encourage math and learning, 2 pencils and an eraser.  

I also went to the Library the next day and checked out: 

My sister in law, Heidi, told me she read this to her daughter when she was 2.  I figured I would wait a bit for Drew- being a boy and having a shorter attention span, and so we are reading it at 4, he is doing great.  I hear that if you read to them above their reading level it increases their vocabulary.  Thought that was interesting.  Next we are doing "Mouse and the Motorcycle."

So we have been reading Charlotte's Web and doing his "work books", and I have noticed the "interesting incidents" going down.  Who would have thought challenging a child would help take away the desire for mischief?  So those are a few ideas of challenging a 4 year old, I would LOVE to hear your ideas!

God has got COFFEE!!

Last night we stopped by our family members' house.  We brought a 12 ounce bag of Starbucks coffee we had just purchased to try with them.  Before we left my husband and I both felt the Holy Spirit nudging us to leave the brand new package of fresh coffee with them.  I have to admit, at first I didn't want to leave it, isn't it funny how God a lot of times asks you to sacrifice something that you really value?  I know coffee isn't a big deal to most people, but it is to me, it doesn't come cheap....especially Starbucks, and I am on a grocery budget (the coffee was on sale this week, so I purchased 2 with a coupon).  So, anyways we left the coffee, and I was filled with joy as I gave it to them, it was great seeing their surprised faces, they were so thankful.  They too LOVE coffee.

Today I stopped by a friends house while on a walk.  She invited me in, offered me a hot cup of coffee and then said "Hey, do you want a bag of coffee?"  Seriously?!  I replied "Well, I don't need it..." To which she said, "Oh just take that brand new bag in there, it is the "Tribute" flavor by Starbucks, really good, and my husband is bringing us a new bag today, go ahead!"  I was excited beyond words.  Not only was this coffee free, but it was bigger (16 ounce) than the one we gave away.  God is good!  Just can't get enough of His grace!  Thank you Lord for hearing and delivering yet another desire of my heart....unbelievable!

The above story was my first post ^

AND now for the rest of the story....... TODAY we had a friend stop by our house and give us yet ANOTHER bag of coffee, this time it was $30.00 a pound and only sold at one Starbucks in Michigan!  We gave away 12 ounces and God gave us 24 ounces back.  The way he gives is so much better.  Thank you Jesus for blessing us once again!!

Let's go on a walk....

What does walking with God look like?  What does it look like for you?  I was doing a study on the fruit of the Spirit this summer and one person REALLY stuck out to me when we studied the word "faithfulness".  It was Enoch.  He is listed in the Hebrews "Hall of Faith" in chapter 11.   "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." Hebrews 11:5

Ok, Enoch obviously had a good relationship with God, I want to look at what he did.  What else does the word say about him?  "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.  And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.  Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years.   Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.  Genesis 5:21-24.  After reading that, I kinda thought, "That is it?  That seems simple..." Enoch walked with God.  He lived before the bible was written, so what did walking with God look like for him?  An interesting thought to ponder.  

When a parent and child are on a walk, the young person always has LOTS of questions for the adult.  They are in constant conversation.  Sometimes the kid gets tired and the parent picks them up and carries them through the "rough parts". The child relies fully on the parent to keep them safe and guide them carefully.  Both people are include in everything that is going on.  Ideally they are free from distractions and they can just spend time together, talking about everything.  The child takes what the parent says by faith, their words are true, and they trust them with their lives.


I want to walk like that with God.  I want to let Him pick me up and carry me when I feel too weak to continue.  I want to ask my daddy about EVERYTHING,  "Should I watch this show?" or "What do YOU want me to say right now, because I don't want to mess up?!"   When I don't hear an answer right away I want to go to His word, the bible and see what He says about my situation.  I want to go to trusted friends and family that walk with God for advice, I want  pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Eph 6:18).  I want to trust that He is leading me safely and commune with Him so much that I know his voice.   "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 "and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." John 10:4b

This is what walking with God looks like to me: including Him in every aspect of my life. Seeking his guidance with all my heart and soul in all decisions, because I really do want to know what he thinks about everything.


"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29


Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.Psalm 25:12

I want to walk with the living God, I want to ask and trust, I want to let Him lead, I want Him pick me up, I want to listen to Him teach and show me the way to take.  So, let's go on a walk......

Audience of One

I have always loved the song by Big Daddy Weave: AUDIENCE OF ONE. Do I really believe I have only one person to please, that my audience consists of one person?  How easily I find I can slip into the approval of everyone else but Him.  Recently God has been confirming to me over and over that I need to care about what He thinks above all else.  I was hanging out with a dear friend lately, who gave some great advice to her son.

He came up to us while we were sipping our sweet tea (this weather has been incredible).  "Mommy, they keep calling me the bad guy!"  To which she replied "Buddy, you know you are a good guy, so don't listen to what they say about you, just remember I say that you are a good.  Just ignore them, and know that you are a good guy, it doesn't matter what they say."  He ran off and played and decided not to listen to the false things that were being said.  God spoke to me. "You need to know that!  No matter what people say, know that I say you are a "good guy".  I am the only opinion that matters."  AMEN!!

I turned on the radio 3 days after that incident to find a fun song to rock out to with my kiddos.  We love turning the radio up and singing at the top of our lungs, even Emma joins in, with "good bye, good bye, good bye" LOL.  I found a sermon on and was just about to pop in a cd when the pastor said  "We live among a people starved for attention."  He said "They will get it any way they can, and that usually comes in the form of people pleasing.  People do whatever they can to fit in, to gain approval by whoever will accept them.  This is why people join gangs, fraternities, try drugs, gossip, among many other things..... they are starved for approval and to feel accepted and loved."  He finished by saying "Seeking the approval of other people enslaves you.  You are in chains to the last opinion you hear of you or person you are trying to please."  I thought it was so true and so interesting because God has been showing me just this week that His is the only approval we need.

I wanted to share a few verses I found on the subject:

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts....We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else 1 thess 2:4, 6a

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.... What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 2 cor 5:9&11

This week I have been making it my goal to live for Christ, for His purposes for me, to follow Him alone, and to throw off everything else.  I need approval from Him alone, and when I get that in my heart and mind, and put on my Helmet of Salvation the battle in my mind begins to cease.  To be approved by just one person is much more simple than pleasing everyone and being enslaved by their opinions of me.  I would rather just care about Jesus' opinion of me.  When my focus is on His validation alone there is glorious freedom.  "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Come to the Well

I heard this song for the first time yesterday:  The Well by Casting Crowns (Click the link and listen if you get a chance).  What a song!  Sometimes you feel dry in your walk with the LORD, we have ALL been there.  Go to Jesus.  He is ready to send a river into your desert.  Even Jesus said to the lady at the well:  "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10 

After I had Emma (who is almost 2 years old now) it was THE DRIEST period of my walk with God.  When you have a new born it is just hard adjusting, feeding, getting no sleep, no real schedule and in addition to all that I was chasing a toddler (a very curious and active one at that).  Praying was done out of necessity to survive & to stay awake, and I read the bible if I found time.  So, I know about the "desert".  

Jesus was there the whole time helping me through it all, sometimes I failed to see it at, but looking back I see His hand in everything.  Regardless of how you are feeling remember our God is the faithful God, trust that He is faithful to you.  Even if you feel like you aren't "doing good" in your spiritual walk, remember you are always good with God, if you are a believer in Jesus as the son of God and he is your LORD.  Start saying scripture out loud like: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21.  Which means in Christ, because of the cross we are "right with and approved by God".  Jesus is our lamb, our sacrifice to God to make atonement once and for all for ALL of our sin, past, present, future.  His divine blood was enough. Another one I like to confess when I am feeling condemned:  "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2  

Trusting in Jesus, as your Representative before God, and receiving his forgiveness and love frees you from guilt.  As you do this, realize your position with God is good, because of His son's obedience, water will begin flowing to your dry and weary land.  “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” John 7:38-39a  So come to the well, Jesus has an inexhaustible flow of living water to give out to those who are thirsty.  “…but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” John 4:14  

I regularly ask Jesus to send me that living water, fill me up with His Spirit and enable to me walk in step with Him.  Ask and believe in Jesus and get ready for the desert to turn into a fertile land!  “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness  and streams in the wasteland.   The wild animals honor me,   the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness   and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,  the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise......I, even I, am he who blots out  your transgressions, for my own sake,  and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:18-21 & vs 25  

I posted the song "The Well" on facebook yesterday, my friend Sierra shared with me that I would really like 2 other songs on the cd "Jesus Friend of Sinners" and "Spirit Wind".  Both are awesome, and I had you tube playing those songs over and over.  This afternoon the whole CD was on my front porch, dropped off "anonymously".  So cool! Thank you Lord for this precious gift!  

Cinnamon Ice Cream

We had friends over recently and they introduced us to cinnamon ice cream, wow, it is SO SO SO good! I encourage you to try it!  Today was VERY warm outside and I wanted to have a dessert that could cool us down, too bad I didn't buy ice cream this week!  Then I remembered: Oh, I have an ice cream maker!  I will just make some then!  I decided to make a recipe without eggs so it would be ready faster.  Here is what I tried, and it was delish!

Indgredients:
1 cup of whole milk
1 and 3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, pour into your ice cream maker and get ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes, freeze if you like it more firm.  Super easy, really tasty, ENJOY!

Unexpected Find!

When looking for a unique gift, run through your local Salvation Army.  I love the home good items, old platters, paintings, mugs, dish sets and decor that can be found there.  I was looking for a tea set for my friend for her birthday for a good price, I stopped at the "Sal" as my friend calls it.  Before going in I prayed that I could find a tea set Pot & tea cups, cute and a good price.  Here is what I found:

Perfectly her style, wasn't even expecting the creamer and sugar, and the whole set cost $10.00!!  Was so excited, I am all about the bargains :)

"HE.....BREWS"

Well you have probably figured out by now that I like coffee. You know God likes coffee too, I mean why else is there a book in the bible called "HE...BREWS?" Hahaha! I like to have an assortment of travel mugs on hand for drinking "joe" on the go.  Lately we have lost a few, and we were down to 2 travel mugs, they seemed to be always in the wash.  I mentioned to my husband that we needed to get more.  Just before my birthday back in January we were walking through the Christian book store and I noticed their new ceramic mugs with lids that had bible verses and thought "Oh, those are cute, I should get a few of those."  (However, I told no one.)

I have also had my eye on a set of regular coffee mugs that Starbucks carries.  They are the mugs that have the city names on them, I thought it would be neat to collect one from Charlotte, NC where I'm from, Chicago - my favorite big city, Detroit and wherever else we like to visit. I pointed them out to my friend Hillary last time we were at the "bucks".  I also pointed the write your own message mugs, so cute.  

For my birthday I received a Starbucks "write your own message" mug, and 2 of the travel mugs from the Christian book store.  I was so blessed and thankful to the LORD  whispering those desires of my heart to my friends & family.  Thank you Heidi, Hillary and Maria!  You guys blessed me more than ya know!

I was in Salvation Army two weeks later on the shelf with all the used mugs was a brand new Detroit Starbucks mug for .99 cents, that is what I am talking about.  Am I crazy enough to think my God put that there right for me??  YEP!!  They are still selling it in the store for $10.00!  I made coffee tonight and am sitting here drinking out of my Detroit cup as I type.  I was wondering what I was going to write about and then realized it was right in my hands.  Thank you God for blessing me with my mugs!  LOVE IT!

One Word From You

"You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal, but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." 1 Peter 1:23 

I was just thinking recently of how just one word or sentence from God can change your mood, your outlook, your day, your life!

Last week was an interesting week for me.  A few mishaps happened, encountered several instances of defiance and a little sibling fighting was wearing on me.  I was feeling overwhelmed emotionally, phyically, spiritually....every way you can feel overwhelmed... I decided to talk to the one who could do something about it.

"Dear Lord, my daddy, I need you today and everyday but especially today...." I went through the list of everything that was going on, as if He didn't already know, but there is something about saying it out loud, for me it just unloads and gets my issues out into the light.  I went on an on listing everything I could think of.  "I don't know how much I can take, I am stressed, drained, struggling, tired....... and when I got done saying all my issues God very calmly replied "I am greater still."  WOW!  First of all, isn't it amazing that He doesn't cut us off, he is patient with us and lets us talk all the time to Him and doesn't yawn or get bored or ignore us (we might not always hear our answer right away, but He is listening intently).  That small phrase changed everything, my spirit was lifted, I realized that nothing could happen to me that God couldn't do something about, He is in control.  Does He ever know what to say?!  He sure is greater, and He has got me, he has got my kids, he has got a plan, and it is good for me.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Today Drew discovered a new favorite song.  It is track by Aaron Crider called "Hallelu".  We were blessed to hear his incredible testimony at Live Live Church back in the fall.  In the song one line kept stuck out to me: "In the presence of the King, One time changes everything."  Amen to that.  So good, so true.  So I just wanted to encourage you with whatever you are facing, taking time to sit in the presence of the King of Kings: Jesus. Open his living word and see what He has to say about your situation.  Just a touch, just a whisper, just a word from Him will change you, change your circumstance, change your world.

Click here to hear MercyMe sing "WORD OF GOD SPEAK" - Great song about listening for His words.

God has got BERRIES!

I have preface this story with 2 things

1: My daughter Emma loves to eat, and she especially loves any kind of berry (blueberries are her favorite).  Back in the fall I was really wanting to buy berries for her, but they were SO EXPENSIVE and I couldn't justify spending $5.00 on a hand full of berries, when I could use that same amount and buy a whole bunch of bananas and a cantaloupe.

2: Also, few months ago I was hosting a family brunch.  I LOVE to entertain, and bake, so this was going to be a nice morning.  I really looked forward to having everyone over.  I planned my breakfast and went grocery shopping.  It was right before a holiday, so I was not planning to go out again.  Everyone was coming on Friday morning, and on Monday I realized I had forgotten to buy berries!  I make this dish called Pannu Kakku (click the link for my gluten-free version, I have a normal version too).  A finnish pancake recipe passed down through my husband's family.  I typically serve it with syrup, but to make it extra special you cook fresh berries mixed with sugar and a little cornstarch- to thicken it up, serve it warm over the pannu and top it with fresh whipped cream.  AMAZING!!

So, I had forgotten to buy berries and I thought to myself, well maybe I could have someone else bring them.....but then reasoned that they were probably all done with shopping as well and I didn't want to inconvenience anyone.  I told no one and decided to just serve it with syrup....oh well.

I had been feeling like a slacker in my walk with God, so that Tuesday when my kids were sleeping I spent some time with Jesus.  It was a great quiet time and I got up from my "Jesus time" feeling so refreshed.  (It is so amazing how just a few minutes with Him can change your day.)  As I walked into the next room to start my cleaning I noticed a car in my driveway.  A friend of the family was coming to my door.  I answered the door and she said "Here, I brought these for you, I can't talk I got a dentist appointment."  And she left.

I stood there holding a box of  4 huge containers of blueberries from Costco.  I walked inside and I heard God whisper "I knew you wanted berries."  AMEN!  I immediately busted into a song of praise (if you know me at all you will soon come to find out I randomly burst into song, or quote songs- that is why I LOVE the game ENCORE)  I sang "Lord I love the way you love me......God I praise you, you AMAZE me, take my life and let your light shine through.  Jesus, savior, friend of sinners fill me up cuz all I really want is MORE OF YOU!"  It wasn't just one itty bitty container that you buy at the normal grocery store, 4 HUGE containers!  I like the way God gives "pressed down, shaken and overflowing!"  I now had more than enough to make the special topping for breakfast, plenty for Emma to eat to her heart's content and gallon size zip-lock bag full to freeze.

I was so excited to share my miracle, and the little "desire of my heart" that God had given me.  I called my close friend and shared what God had done.  She said "Girl, if you need berries, God has got berries!"  It made me laugh and is so true.

As if that wasn't enough, the following day I had ANOTHER friend drop off 2 more containers of a different kind of berry!!!!  UNBELIEVABLE!  Neither lady knew about the other, and they had no idea I wanted berries.  God is just incredible!  So if you need berries, God has got berries.  


"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Thank you Costco!

Costco just started carrying these 2 items and I am SO thankful!  Great deals on both!

We try to buy Valencia Peanut butter when we can.  It is usually pretty expensive, but Costco has the best deal I have seen.  My Chiropractor says eat peanut butter made from valencia peanuts since they are less likely to carry the mold: aflatoxin.  Found these two sites that have a little information on that: 

http://www.africangreys.com/articles/nutrition/peanuts.htm 

http://www.ettlt.com/tag/peanut-butter/ 

I have also heard that grapeseed oil has one of the highest smoke point levels, so it takes a lot of heat to turn it into a trans-fatty acid.  I usually cook in butter, grapeseed oil or coconut oil.  This is also the best deal I have seen on this oil.  

Real Life Superheros

In the evening, as we put our kids down for the night, things get a lot quieter over here.  After a FULL day of running after toddlers, pushing swings, mediating, cooking, cleaning, reading books, changing diapers, and cooking and cleaning some more to have a break is so nice.  I put one child down and Andrew does the other.  Tonight the kids stayed up a little later than usual and I was looking forward to resting on the couch with my cup of coffee and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. (My favorite recipe: http://www.elook.org/recipes/dessert/18113.html)

Drew was in bed, but still awake and I was walking to the living room after putting Emma down.  I felt like I should go in and hug and kiss him again, but I thought "Oh, the couch, cookies and coffee are calling my name!"  I then reasoned "Yes, but how long will he be small like this?  How long will he want me to come in and kiss him goodnight?  (HOPEFULLY forever!  Even when he is married, ha, ok that might be a little much!)  And how much time is it really gonna take to just reassure him of my love and care for him?"  So I turned around and surprised him with another hug, kiss and butterfly kiss.  I began singing one of his favorite songs to him (and I change it slightly, hear the original version: COURAGEOUS )

"Hey Drew, you know what?   You are meant to be courageous, you are meant to lead the way, you WILL be the generation that finally breaks the chains. "  It hit me....his generation sure is!  They are the next generation of believers, and we are gearing them up for battle!  I then told him how the devil has so many people held in chains and they don't know about God's love for them.  I encouraged him to tell people that God loves them, battle the devil with his bible verses and start breaking those chains in Jesus' name.  He then said, "Mom, I am gonna be a superhero when I grow up!"  To which I replied, oh so excitedly " TRUE THAT!  You sure are, you will be fighting off the enemy and helping people."  It was such a special moment, and a revelation really to me, that we are raising little superheros.

Super means: very large or powerful, and Hero means: a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his/her brave deeds and noble qualities. As Christians we should be people who are distinguished, who are brave and noble, standing up for the ones who can't and we are full of power and love for others.  We have the Spirit of the living God living in us, that is what raised Jesus from the dead, that is some amazing power!!  And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. Romans 8:11  


I know sometimes I don't always "feel" like I have a very powerful thing going on inside of me.  I don't feel very strong at all, in fact a lot of times I "feel" very weak.  Well the truth is, by myself, I am pretty weak, and in my own strength I am not too strong, but when it comes to all the power I have available to me, I may not always feel it, but it is always there.  Sometimes you can't go with your feelings, go to God's word and the truth, to know the promises we have.  Even if I don't "feel" it, God's word is still REAL, CONSTANT and UNCHANGING.  Declare it, out loud!  God is so much bigger, and stronger and more powerful than ANYTHING we can ever face!  Jesus even said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33  PRAISE GOD!  Yes, we are going to face some tough stuff, but Jesus already overcame all of that and He is bigger. "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4. AMEN!!! Paul even said in Philippians:  I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.  Phil 3:10a  So do I!!  And Paul reminded Timothy:  "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:6-7.  He had to be reminded to "fan into flame" the power of the Holy Spirit.  

So anyways I came out of my son's room tonight all pumped thinking I am raising a little super hero.  Psalms evens says: ³ Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.  ⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Psalm 127: 3-4  I had often heard verse 4 and appreciated it, but I had never looked at it paired with the verse 5.  Comparing our children to arrows, weapons in our hands against our enemy?  You know, the arrow goes wherever the warrior points it.  I want to be sure I am pointing it in the right direction.  I am so glad I went in there to say goodnight to Drew again this evening, such a fun, teachable and inspirational moment.  We are called to be Superheros and to raise superheros, through the power of God :)

Check out this song about the greatest Superhero that ever lived:  It is called HERO  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyv1jUDLY3s

Bread for Bonnie

I wrote back in January about how exciting it has been walking with God.  I am not sure why people think Christians are boring?  I think it is an amazing adventure with the creator of the world!  Followers of Christ brave the amazon jungle to tell people about Christs love, they storm into brothels in the Philippines and rescue children from slavery, they randomly go up to hurting people and share the love of Christ- not knowing what reaction they will get, they change dirty diapers and vacuum under the kitchen table 3 times a day.....oh wait that last part was me.  But you know what it is exciting?  Being smack dab in the middle of the will of God.

Not all days seem as glorious as others, but it isn't our fame, or our glory that we seek, it is Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit, the trinity of the living God.  And we serve God just where we are at.  I heard a friend and Pastor say recently "It shouldn't be how do I fit God into my plan, it should be how does my life fit into His plan?"  - Jeremiah Roy  (Check out his latest sermon, for a great inspiration on Running the Race)


So one day we were on a walk and I saw a balloon on a mailbox in our neighborhood that read "It's a girl!"  Drew asked why it was there and I explained how the family must have had a "baby sissy".  We passed it a few times, but I didn't really think much of it.  A week later I heard a sermon that talked about Running the Race as if to win the prize.  Based off the verse: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 cor 9:24.  I felt like God was asking "How are you running girl?"  I thought not very good, LOL!!!  I started thinking, "What can I do?  I'll do whatever, but I am not really good at sharing the gospel, and I am pretty busy at home with the kids, so I don't have a lot of time."  I felt God tell me "Well, people brought food to you when you had a baby, why don't you take something to those people in your neighborhood and tell them "The LORD" told me to."  I excitedly thought "Yeah, let's do this!"  and at the same time "Wow, this is really out there, but if you want me to go, I will go."  

The next morning I got a phone call from my mother in law and she asked if she could take the kids for the morning.  She usually works Monday mornings and "randomly" (as if there is such a thing) had the day off.  I was like sure!  A nice relaxing morning sounds good to me!  She picked up the kids and I started thinking oh what can I do?  I had just received $20.00, and to a stay at home mom that is like GOLD!  "I know what I will do......I will take my little 20 bucks, buy myself a COFFEE (you know I love my coffee) and go to the mall, walk around and buy cute shirt (on sale of course!)   Immediately God whispered "Oh no you are not!  You are taking that money and buying some food for that family."  Well no wonder my mother in law took my kids, God was planning something!  "Ok, what should I buy?  It is breakfast time, donuts?"  He says "I am the bread of life."  So, bread it is!  

I pick up the bread, and drive to the house, only one problem, the balloon was gone and all the houses look the same!!!!!  Ha ha!  Now what?  I went to all 3 possible doors.  No one was home...what in the world?  I leave the bread and a note at the house I am pretty sure is theirs.  I checked back 3 times that day, bread was still there.  I came back the following day with the kids, still no one home!  Where are these people?  Are the going on vacation with a  new born?!  So I decided to try again soon.  

I kind of put it on the back burner, thinking "Well, I tried God, so maybe you weren't telling me to go?"  A week and half after the first attempt He said "Get some more bread and GO today".  I had both kids, they were hungry and I wanted to get home.  "But God!  I got the kids today, they are hungry, it is not going to be easy!!"  To which He replied "I didn't say it would be easy, but I did promise I would go with you."  Well that was all that I needed.

I went to the bakery, got both kids out of their car seats, take them in.  The owner ended up asking who the bread was for, and I had opportunity to share with her what God had laid on my heart.  She was touched and gave some food to my kids for free.  Can you believe that?  God knew they were hungry!  Praise Him.  I am just thankful and blessed at this point, and as I headed to this family's home I prayed they would be there.  I arrived, and they were home, yay!

I got my kids out of the car took them to the door, I figured that would break the ice.  A cute little red head boy met us at the door, his mom right behind.  She was SUPER skinny, and I thought "Ok, there is no way this girl just had a baby!"  Now what do I say?  "Hi, um.........are you the one that just had a baby?  I saw a balloon a few weeks ago??"  She knew what I was referring to, "Oh, ya know what... Our neighbor just became a Grandma."  At this point I am trying to figure out am if I supposed to meet these people or the neighbors God??  But I had a peace that this was the girl I was supposed to meet.  I then told her why I was there.  "Well, this is going to sound weird, but I was sitting at church a few weeks ago and I felt like God told me bring you bread and meet you, I am not sure why, but I am here, and my name is Amber, these are my kids."  Well I said it!  Now what is she thinking?!  "Oh, where do you go to church?"  I told her, and she began telling me how they are Christians, and just started a church plant.  Praise God!

This was one of the first really "out there" things I had done, putting my faith out there, "We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7  I wasn't sure how they were going to react, but I did know that God was with me "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Duet 31:6  And if God is leading you better believe it is going to be incredible!  The coolest thing was God used me just where I was at, and my kids got to come along and see the LORD do something great!

A week later I began hanging out with Bonnie, a wonderful Christian woman who points to Christ in all that she does.  She has a heart to serve the LORD and others.  She has a boy and a girl, just like me, and they are just about the same ages.  God is incredible!

She told me once "I know you said you didn't know why God sent you, but I do.  Two days before you came to my door my best friend who I love, and hang out with all the time told me she was moving to Georgia in 2 weeks.  I was devastated and really sad she was leaving!  I wondered who I was going to hang out with, and the God sent you to my door."  AMEN!  He sure knows what he is doing.  They had just ran out of bread that morning too and she told me her husband raised the bread over his head and exclaimed "Our manna from heaven!"  Hahaha!  Too funny!

Remember that COFFEE I had wanted to spend my $20.00 on?  Well turns out both John (her husband) and Bonnie work at places that serve coffee!  She frequently has me over for coffee, when I pick her up for our moms group she arrives at my car door with travel mugs of hot coffee, she has dropped caribou coffee drinks off at my house, brought us several pounds of coffee from starbucks and if I visit her at work, I get coffee.  "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

Mmmmmm Coffee

I am from the South, born and raised, a true GRITS (Girl Raised In The South- You know it :)  WORK IT! - That was for you Heidi- haha!)  And I do LOVE grits by way and so does Drew- it runs in the blood :)  Ok, anyways I will get back to my post about coffee :)  When I moved up here 9 years ago in the middle of the winter I was in complete shock about the weather. Salvation Army made some money off of me as it was the only place I could afford, and I needed a new wardrobe!  I quickly noticed that every where I went people were carrying little travel mugs and disposable cups filled with warm goodness.  I began to realize why so many people up here drank coffee, that is the only way you can stay warm!!  I decided to try some, DISGUSTING!!  OBVIOUSLY it must be an acquired taste- It is!

So I had to work my way into it.  The first drink I had that started to bridge the gap between non-coffee lover to now drinking it everyday BLACK (of all things) was a Vanilla Cooler from Caribou Coffee.  Just a hint of coffee flavor and icy deliciousness.  I started my coffee journey :)  I began trying different kinds of coffee, always with lots of sugar and creamer.  Eventually I married into an AMAZING family of coffee LOVERS.   My in-laws are a couple who have at least 2 pots on a day, 1 in the morning, 1 after dinner....maybe other times during the day as there is a "need".  My husband, and both my mother in law and father in law drink theirs black.  Oh the pressure!!  Just kidding, I still added my cream and sugar and didn't care in the slightest how others drank their coffee.  My sister-in-laws Juliet and Heidi are with me on the sweetness, in fact Heidi has her own blog where she has a very humorous post about a coffee experience, check it out: http://dearlylovedmist.blogspot.com/2011/10/4-cream-4-sugar.html

Anyways, I always heard the "black" drinkers talk about how good a cup of black coffee is with dessert.  I decided I would give it a try and see for myself.  I can remember how the dessert experience that evening went down.  It was October and I had made a fresh pumpkin pie.  I served us up some slices of orange colored wonderfulness and topped it with fresh whipped cream.  I poured my cup of black coffee and sat on the couch, weary of what was about to happen.  (Such drama for me- haha!  Obviously very momentous for me because I remember all the details.)  I took a bite of pie, and washed it down with a sip of medium-hot black strong coffee.  OH  MY WORD!  It was SO WONDERFUL.  The sweetness of the dessert paired with the strong taste of the coffee made the best combination!  What had I been missing?!  And a few days after that I found out I was pregnant with Emma, so I could only drink decaf, SO not the same intensity as regular.  The memory how good black coffee was with dessert was burned in my mind :)

I have really grown to love my coffee black- it was a process, took me years to acquire a taste for it.  If I am having black coffee with dessert I ALWAYS leave the sugar out, I just can't do sweet coffee with sweet dessert, I need something to balance and cut all the sugar.  However if no dessert is present you will catch me adding some heavy cream and sugar- it becomes my dessert.

I recently met a wonderful friend, Bonnie, her and her husband have both worked at Starbucks, and they have actually had us over for a coffee tasting, Morning Cup of Joe paired with a Cappucinno Cheese Cake (Recipe at:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/cappuccino-cheesecake.html?cm_src=RECIPESEARCH)  - to die for!  I hope to have a coffee tasting of my own soon!

So I love most things that have to do with coffee now, and recently I made Coffee Gelato, AMAZING!  Here are some pics of the process and recipe.  It really is fabulous, and pretty simple to make!  If you like consuming organic dairy, this is a super cheap way to have organic ice cream.

COFFEE GELATO
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
30 dark roast coffee beans
pinch of salt
6 egg yolks, slightly beaten

Add milk, cream, 1/2 of the sugar and the coffee beans to a heavy sauce pan. Cook on medium-high, whisking constantly until small bubbles appear around the edge of the pan.  In a separate bowl add the remaining sugar and egg yolks, whisk together until incorporated.  When the pan mixture begins to form the small bubbles take a ladle, fill it up with the milk mixture and pour it into the eggs & sugar and whisk quickly, then pour the egg mixture into the bowl.  Continue heating complete mixture, whisking constantly, until it is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and leaves a clear trail when a finger is drawn through it.  Remove from heat, and allow to cool to room temperature and place in the fridge, or if it is really cold take it out in the snow like I did :)  Cool in refrigerator at least 2 hours.  Pour through sieve once completely cooled and place mixture into an ice cream maker.  Follow machine's instructions and you will have GELATO in no time.  Very yummy!

I was cooking, so of course my helper came to my aid!

Original Recipe I  based mine off: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/coffee-scented-custard-gelato.html?cm_src=RECIPESEARCH

Be Still

Sometimes situations arise beyond your control.  I am a peacemaker at heart, so I love when everyone is getting along.  I always want to talk it out and find a solution, solve the problem and have everyone at peace.  Recently I was the one not at peace, I kept thinking, "Ok, what can I do?  What should I say? How can I fix this?"  My mind was racing and my heart was unsettled.  Finally I quieted down and decided to ask the right question.  "God what do YOU want me to do?" He responded with:  "Be Still, the battle belongs to the LORD."  

Um, SO not what I was expecting!  Well this is definitely not what I have ever done.  I am typically quick to speak and act.  Be Still?  Hmmm, "Ok God, if that is what you want me to do, I will give it a try." I was calmed down, and although the situation was still unresolved, I had that peace that passes all understanding. God has go this, and God has got me!

The first church service I attended after this we were singing a song with the lyrics: "I will wait for YOU to move, for your mighty hand to save, when the troubled waters rise YOU are my hiding place......Your walls our SALVATION your gates our PRAISE. My deliverer is the LORD " By Chris Tomlin Full Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OC5eh-9LyI

I had recently read that salvation in Hebrew is pronounced: "Yeshua", and Jesus in Hebrew is pronounced "Yeshua" That song had a whole new meaning for me that day.  Walls protect a city right?  My walls are JESUS!  He is my protector and deliverer.  I am not longer protecting myself.  The One who is great and mighty, who took the keys and the power of the devil away and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.  He is my victor, my champion, my warrior.  Jesus protecting me, is ALL I NEED.


I went home and looked up the verse that the song was written from, I thought I had just read it somewhere in Psalms, the first verse that google pulled up was:

"In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts." Isaiah 26:1


I thought it was SO AWESOME, because that day we were literally singing about God making our walls salvation, like it said in the verse!  Tonight as I searched for the verse again, this one came up:


"No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise."  Isaiah 60:18

When you have the peace of God, you aren't stressed and there is not destruction going on inside of you.  I am all about calling my walls Salvation/Jesus, and praising my God!

It is so nice to wait on the LORD to move, for Him to be my defense.  It takes a lot of pressure off me, and instead of me leading, He is leading me.  "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

This past Sunday at church we had a guest speaker.  Pastor Chris was burning up the pulpit!  Everyone I have talked to keeps saying AWESOME his message was- God was in the building let me tell you!  He spoke on  Jehosephat, an INCREDIBLE story.  If you have a chance to read the story check out: 2 Chronicles chapters 18-20  My quick version: Jehosephat is the king of Judah who the LORD was with.  And he decided to go and fight a battle, going ahead of God and not listening to His advice (taking matters into his own hands).  He is defeated, and humbled.  He realizes he needs God and pours his heart out to him in chapter 20.  He prays that The Lord will hear Him and Save him.  God responds with this:

 This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chron 20:15-17


When the Pastor read this passage I about fell out of my chair!  That is exactly what God has spoken to me- CONFIRMATION that I wasn't just making it up!  Sometimes God does in fact tell you to fight and he gives you the words and leads you in peace by his Spirit to do or say something, but there are other times that He wants to fight for you.  In the story he shared that Sunday, Jehosephat marched his army out to battle, the sang praise songs to God, the battle started, they did not lift a finger.  Their enemies started destroying each other.  AMAZING.  That is our God, He is something else!  

Sit at His Feet

It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day here in Michigan, with temperatures reaching the 60's.  I think I saw just about EVERYONE outside!  We were on a walk, and I was talking to my husband about this blog I said "I really want to be better about blogging, but I don't know if I have the time, or if that is what God wants me to right now?"  To which my husband replied "I don't know honey."  Love him!  A man of little words, I am the one with the words :)  I was wondering if God wanted me to write or not, and I thought I heard Him whisper "write" a few times today but wasn't sure if that was Him or me.  Tonight I got on Facebook and the first comment I read was friend of mine Joann, that I met in middle school, who said she had been inspired by my posting to start her own blog.  Thank you, those words meant more than you know, it is nice to have confirmation sometimes that this is exactly what God wants you doing.


Recently I had a lot of things on my mind (more than usual), worrying about this and that, wanting answers to all kinds of questions, pondering scriptures, beliefs, wanting wisdom, striving to be the wife God created me to be, being a kind mother, a good friend, an encouraging sister and daughter, seeking discipline advice and the thoughts went on and on.  I got on my knees and asked Jesus, what do I do?  I am so overwhelmed by all these cares.  To which he replied, in the still small voice that I have come to know and cherish " Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things, but ONE thing is needed, SIT AT MY FEET."  TRUE THAT, was the first thing I thought!  He was so so so right.  If you don't know the story I am referring to I will post it below so you can read the context this was originally written.

³⁸ Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with ^[q]all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-41

I found that as I was worrying about how to be the best this and that, how to serve Him best I wasn't letting Jesus do what he does best, be a SAVIOR.  I was not allowing Him to save me from my cares, the expectations of myself, the attacks of the devil.  As I literally sat down I asked God to wash over me with His love.  I began to receive from Him, instead of give, to sit and rest in His presence, instead of serve before Him. I let Him serve me - which was NEW for me.  Do you know what followed? INSTANT PEACE and an overwhelming sense of His LOVE for me. Praise the LORD!  It was almost as if God was like "It is ABOUT TIME- this is what I have been wanting to do! Now here ya go daughter."  

A week later I found this scripture: "¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:19-20 AMEN!

So if you are feeling stressed, worried, condemned (feeling like you did something wrong), under pressure to perform, go to the heavenly Father, He is the ONLY ONE who can set your heart at rest....because he is GREATER still!

Suddenly I felt like those problems and pressures were no big deal.  God has got this, God has got me!  But I am starting to notice that the more I bask in His presence, receive his LOVE and GRACE the more I am strengthened to face the day and to LOVE and serve others.  I would be unable to do that without first allowing Him to love me. "¹⁹ We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 

I hope to be able to take the time for Him to LET Him love me and be my savior DAILY.


GREAT SONG TO GO ALONG WITH THIS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ ONE THING REMAINS!