He is ABLE!

Nothing is hopeless.

Nothing is broken beyond repair.

Nothing has been done that cannot be forgiven.

Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.

Who you are now is not the person you always have to be.

What you have done does not define you, the love of the Messiah, Jesus, defines you.

You are worth more than abuse.

You are worth more than your mistakes!

You are worth the blood of the son of the living God!

Don't let Satan weigh you down with doubt and fear!

Gather your courage, cast off what has been holding you back and run for the cross!

Don't look back, just trust. Trust God.

In sin you were a slave, in your mistakes you are chained. In the love and salvation of Christ your chains hit the ground. Jesus frees you from your mistakes, He frees you from your shame, He frees your mind, He frees your heart from pain, He frees your soul from death!

NOTHING is too big! Your ocean of worry is a puddle at the feet of the Almighty God!

He has a voice like thunder and creation bows at His command, and that same voice is calling YOU home. God wants YOU. All of you.
He is ABLE!




God is going to fulfill every promise to you. Don't give up on God because God won't give up on you. God is not a man that he should lie. He is on the way. He's standing by. If you know it say He is able!

Today's blog is inspired by this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkaFVCd_zf0

9 Nutty Years ...or... The Importance of Selflessness

Tonight I'm laying in bed watching Everybody Loves Raymond in my nice clean room. Everything's been disinfected from our 70th round of illnesses this fall, it smells wonderful and Lysol-ly. Kitchen's clean. Living room's clean. Laundry is half done (this is a big deal as I typically only do a big round of laundry once a month and random loads during the week. I refer to the former task). My children have worn me out this weekend. We kicked things off with a fun IHop breakfast yesterday and went out with a Nick Jr and cereal marathon this evening. We've chased, talked, built a fort of quilts on the bunk bed, did school work, read, laughed, told knock knock jokes, called Daddy every two minutes and dealt with Levi's "eye farmer" growing the crop of corn that looks suspiciously like pink eye to me (round 71 of illness). In between I've cleaned everything and disinfected it all. And somehow, here I lay in bed... nothing to do. Nobody to talk to, as Jon called around 8 my time to say goodnight. Kids are sleeping. Dogs are knocked out on the bed with me. Peace and quiet. Yep.




This sucks. I hate having no one to talk to. No wait. I hate not having my husband to talk to. I did much better last year while he was away, I adjusted. Knowing he will be back in 15 hours makes it harder to be content. I have no one to do our normal do nothing with and he's so close to coming home which makes me feel extra chatty.

This January marks our 9th wedding anniversary. April marks 10 years I've been with the man. Gosh, to be 18 and elope. How crazy. I see 18 year olds now and it makes me laugh, you really know nothing (and I'm sure my Dad looks at me at 27 and thinks the same thing). I don't recommend this to ANYONE. At all. Someone asked my advice as a 18 year old fiancee, thinking I would lend my support to her decision. I think my reaction was, "Listen to your parents, you're too young." But hey at that age, when you make up your mind, no one is going to talk you out of it. Why?

You want what you want when you want it. You are still used to living with your parents and being taken care of which makes you selfish, through no fault of your own. Everyone is at that age. I was. You have made up your mind to be a bride/groom and that's it. That's why any marriage fails I think, selfishness. But that's just my opinion. I was too selfish at 18 to love my husband (boyfriend at the time) enough to walk away. If I had loved him with a selfless love I would have recognized that by marrying him so young I was robbing him of a lot of experiences and practically guaranteeing tough times ahead. If I had loved him selflessly, I would have waited to see where the next few years would take us. But...I was 18, and selfish.

Selfishness is something I continued to struggle with for the next ohhh...4 years or so. Tragically, selfish people don't know they are selfish. They think they are wise and doing what's best for everyone involved and they can tick off twenty reasons why they aren't selfish they're smarter than you. Anyway...for four years I sucked at marriage. For four years I clung to what I like to call "worldview" - worldview tells you to be a strong woman and not let your husband do this that or the other. Worldview tells you to pick every battle. Worldview tells you that everything has to mean something! Worldview tells you that you must form unshakable opinions and change the world!! Worldview tells you there are things called "dealbreakers" in marriage.

Then the rug got pulled out from under me. In a BIG way. I was humbled by God. And I realized that my husband was the only person I had. The end.

Selfless love demands that you put your head down and push on. My 18 year old self was all about "follow your heart!" My 27 year old self knows I may feel one thing one day and another emotion another day. I know my heart only wants to follow what's easiest and makes it happy. But what makes it happy is sometimes extremely harmful to the person I'm married to. So, you need to build your foundation on what God says you need to do. No matter how you're feeling. This has gotten me through the last 5 years with success.

It's been a hard, wonderful, ridiculous, crazy, tons of work 9 years. At 18 I thought, and they lived happily ever after. Today I think... and they lived through it all, failed and succeeded, messed up and made it right, together after.

Let me not sell myself too short. I married a man who possessed qualities that would one day (I'm pretty sure by luck and not by 18 year old wisdom) save me from myself. He and I had growing up to do, but not a ton. We strengthen each other, we learn from each other....and all of that has to do with the fact that we have very similar senses of humor and God. We don't take things too seriously, we're both Pollyanna'd about life (young folks, that's where you can see the good in almost everything), and we never put our marriage out there in that obnoxious sort of way. We have never claimed to know how to make a marriage work because there isn't a formula. There are seasons of our marriage where we frustrate the heck out of each other... but instead of throwing in the towel we push forward.

Nine years later I have this to show for my marriage: two gorgeous, wonderful children who are the stars in my crown... and a man who makes the ordinary sweeter than honey. For nine years I've been by his side, putting away his underwear, cooking him dinner, raising his children, helping him find the car keys I misplaced again, sitting next to him in the church pew, apologizing, laughing and yeah, even arguing. I wouldn't trade a moment of it for the world because each day our relationship ripens a little sweeter on the tree. I love it all, I love the bads and the goods. I love it because it's us.

Worldview tells you to chase perfection and equality in your marriage. Godview has taught me it's ok to fall asleep with your two year old between you and barf on your shirt. Godview has taught me it's ok to be a servant to him and to my family (no guys not like french maid). The most important ministry I will ever pursue is within the walls of my home. My sweet mother in law taught me this.

For thirty one years she was married to the world's most imperfect person. But she loved every second of it. She covered him, she gave everything she had to her family. She didn't have a job with prestige, she wasn't famous, she wasn't wealthy. She was selfless. She gave it all to her family and laid her treasure in heaven. Today there is a legacy in all of us whose lives she touched. I've never been more content as I am today. Knowing that by serving my family and laying my treasures in heaven I am investing in the things that will last.


Thank God he comes home tomorrow.

The Ground Your Feet Stand Upon

When the world is so uncertain. Really trying to cope with the goodbyes right now. Since I was a kid I've had issues with goodbyes. I don't like when things change. Yet my life is ever-changing. I feel like I am never in one constant for more than a few years, or in some cases, a few days. 

Even though I know the world is changing I know where my feet are planted. I know God is holding me up and whispering His truth, even through the uncertainty. 

My proclamation is this... God and God alone, through His son, the Messiah-- Jesus Christ-- has saved me. He continues to come for my heart. He never leaves me forsaken. He is my only constant. He is my only savior. Even through my worst, most ugly mistakes, He came for me. Not only did He deliver me from the wilderness, but He walked with me every step of the way. He is truth for my heart. 

If I never have an opportunity to build my ministry I won't stop proclaiming this. If it's tiny little tiles on the mosaic of someone's faith, I will be at peace with this. I don't need anything official. God has given me more. I'll just keep going.  

 I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what He's trusted me to do right to the end. 2 Timothy 1:12

More than loss...

^{All I can think to pray today is that when the world sees me stumble or fall that you may also see the victory of Jesus over my life when I stand back up again.  Each time I'm knocked down I promise you I will get back up again, stronger in the belief that God will make it right. I don't care if I fall once or one million times. I've come to learn that a life of extreme limitless faith is one that also invites Satan to knock you down, but let me profess that my God is bigger than the fall. He fought the long and weary battle for my soul, carried me out of my ignorance and changed my hardened heart. I've seen what he's taken me through, and I know where He will deliver me to. He has given me His precious and loving son and the Holy Spirit as a deposit until he comes back for me. I refuse to let Satan steal the joy that fills my life because of my Deliverer, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God. I know that one day I will hold another child in my arms. I refuse to believe that I won't. I reject the doubt.} 

See my faith and see my God. He is mighty and unbreakable.

Love to all...

one of the daughters of the Most-High God.

^2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

 ^5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. 1 James 1:2-8 (the Message)

1 Peter 1 (The Message)

 ^1-2I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!

A New Life

 ^3-5What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

 ^6-7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

 ^8-9You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.

 ^10-12The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!

A Future in God

 ^13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

 ¹⁷You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

 ^18-21Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

 ^22-25Now that you've cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! 

Joy, Happiness, Negativity and Facebook.

Do you know the difference between joy and happiness? There's a difference. Read on to find out what it is! 

I love facebook. It is a really awesome way for me to keep up with all my friends and family who live far away, and for a mom who is largely stuck in the house it provides me a way to interact with the outside world. It can be fun, funny, encouraging and uplifting. Yes, sometimes it sure can. But mostly (unfortunately) facebook comes with a price... you get a very powerful and unpleasant super power.  The power to read people's minds. It makes me impressed with some and disappointed in others. It makes me laugh at the inner comic in a lot of people (who knew quiet so-and-so was funny?) and shake my head with how quickly people can sink to a nasty level. 

It can infect people faster than a walk through a 19th century tuberculosis ward. If it plants the infectious negativity seed in your heart, it can root a plant that flowers with anger, insensitivity, meanness, judgement, hopelessness, discontent, and rudeness. With the click of a mouse not only can you post a snarky wall post about your neighbor, but you can post a plethora of negative news stories from various websites. You can post a song about how much life sucks. Before long you have dozens of "likes" on one of these things from people who feel the same way. 

You can announce "I'm doing some major cleaning of my friends list, some of you people are out of here!" and then maybe five-ten minutes later post, "well if you can read this post you made the cut! You're still my friend!" ... wow... what a wonderful way to either make people beg for your friendship or feel really bad when you delete them. 

You can vent your emotion so easily... 

Bad day at work? "MY BOSS IS FROM HELL!" 

Breakup with your girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse: "I can do better than you dirtbag!" (It's really hard for me to write something nastier, bear with me, but you know--- you have read something along those lines)

Or ...no need to raise your hand, have you ever read (or posted) : "AGH! I just spilled a Wendy's frosty on my crotch! FML!" (Forget my life... the somewhat kinder sister of what most people mean, which is F*** my life!) So you're saying your life is worthless.  

How many times a day do we read: I hate __________. 

Not clear enough? Breathe easy--you always have the option of posting a nasty picture or sign. 

One of my favorite Facebook techniques is the following: a status that simply says " :( " Obviously you're upset...am I supposed to ask? Am I not supposed to ask? Am I supposed to like this? What this says to me is pay attention to me please but be utterly confused as to what I mean. Usually what I post back is this: :) But it isn't long before someone has posted below me: What's wrong? and soon it comes out --- everything from I'm out of milk to I got into a car accident... but I definitely need to air this in front of everyone. I'm not sure how I feel about this but since I have the forum, let me just ask... can we get together and agree to elaborate or just hold it in?

Facebook can give you the illusion those profiles aren't connected to real people. It makes it easy for us to vent. Here's the problem with venting... when you vent to someone like a close friend or a husband, most of the time they can see the whole picture (a rough day, a series of rough days, striking out time and time again) on Facebook people don't see that. What we see is: "Going to visit my Grandma!" and later, "My family is so messed up! I hate them!" Pretty soon distant great-aunt Sally sees this and gets upset and calls Grandma and says, "Hey, Marcy just posted on Facebook that she hates you!" Maybe what really happened was that drunk Uncle Billy came and did something silly and it was really aggravating and made you mad, but what we all just saw was Marcy hates Grandma. That seed of negativity blossomed into anger which got picked and placed in the vase of drama. 

Emotion is real. It's intense, it gets the better of us. Maybe it's only a flash and in a few minutes, hours, days, it's over. It's easy to move on. But when it's put on display in the forum of Facebook, guess what, it's there to be referenced for all eternity. Even if you delete it because we all have that sweet print screen function and pretty soon your private thoughts are being laughed at by millions on Failbook, and now your negativity has just reached exponential levels.

I'm not trying to single any one person out at all... I'm not trying to anger someone.... but I am trying to point out that your powers can be used for evil OR for good. 

This is my resolution... From this day forward I'm not posting anything negative. My thoughts, no matter it be in what I like or what I say, will be rephrased to show the positive. Even if I'm disappointed or angry. Instead of venting, I will simply say, "wow today was really discouraging, prayers please." If my emotion ever specifically involves another person (especially if I am friends with them on Facebook) I am not going to post it unless it's positive. Period. No exceptions. 

I will keep my snarkiness to a minimum. 

I will not post articles or thoughts on politics (or comment or like others thoughts)... it's just annoying to those who don't agree with my opinions, it's confusing for those who don't share my moral beliefs, and it's just boring to a lot of people.  

I am not going to post any song, video, or picture that is negative. 

I'm not going to make any broad generalizations--- because as soon as you make a generalization about restless leg syndrome, one of your friends for sure will be hurt because they, too, suffer from RLS. 

I'm not going to criticize others, reprimand others or argue with others on Facebook. If I have a problem, I'm going to be woman enough to go see that person face to face and make it right. 

I'm not going to post an article that can lead to people assessing "the problem of the world today" or "the problem with this generation or that generation" .... why? because your opinion will be offensive to someone. I guarantee it. 

I'm going to make my wall a positive place, a place of encouragement. 

Examine your own profile, I challenge you... are you guilty of perpetuating a negative feeling? I am sometimes. Are you guilty of using facebook for just fluff? (Justin Bieber is so hot!) There's nothing wrong with fluff, but what if we used it to achieve a purpose?

My friends Facebook can be a really powerful tool for a Christian (or just a positive person for that matter). With one click you can plant a seed of positivity. One that can bloom into thankfulness, grace, joy, kindness, peace, encouragement, comfort, love, strength. 

Now... I know I cannot please everyone, but I'm going to strive to be true to God. As a Christian I think a lot of people force this idea of "you have to change the world!" on you. First of all, the one who came to change the world has been and gone and risen (and it wasn't me!). His name is Jesus btw, if you want to know more, see me. ;) I would like to think of myself as a tiny little tile on the mosaic of His movement. I am not the source of anyone's faith. I am a tiny tile on the mosaic of a lot of people's faith.

Happiness is a good, fleeting feeling. Joy is a perpetual emotion. One comes from something light and momentary, one comes from the one above (I believe, anyway).  The more we find ways to uplift each other, the more people know the nature of God. God is not out to zap people with lightning bolts... God is at the very core joy. God is love.

favorite things part 1! (for the ladies or for clueless husbands who buy for the ladies)

It's almost the Holiday season, and most certainly, it is the time of the year when you begin your Christmas shopping. I came across an article on Oprah's favorite things... I always like to peruse what her selections are and this year I was super disappointed. Mostly because I can't really afford anything on the list (265 dollars for pajamas? 458 dollars for a robe? a robe?!)  So I'm making my own list, with things within my budget... and if they're within my budget they are probably within yours. So enjoy! And remember, by following this list, you'll also be as cool as this chick (or lame, you know, either/or).

A Beautiful Life Hair- Honey do Shampoo ($30 set)

For: Your sister, your aunt, your wife, your girlfriend, your mom...anyone who is a sucker for retro animal packaging (like me) and a yummy honey scent. And it's sulfate free, guaranteed to keep your un-natural, but still fabulous, flaming red hair bright. Plus it's 30 dollars, so to me that qualifies this as a gift...not a stocking stuffer. ;)

Forever 21's Fuzzy Sequined Slippers - $6.80

For: Any woman whose feet are perpetually cold, like mine. 

These slippers are on my feet right now and I wear them all day everyday while I am in the house. They are warm, ultra soft and the sequins are super cute. Plus, they are machine washable which is a plus when your kids toss one in the toilet. Great stocking stuffer! 

Puff the Magic Dragon Bookends ($39, Barnes and Noble)

For: Anyone who likes kitschy/campy/totally awesome decor in their home. Puff the Magic Dragon enthusiasts.

I love these, wouldn't they look awesome on your bookshelf? I think so. Jackie Paper is on the other side too!  

Silver Personalized Birthstone Necklace - ($29-35 Pottery Barn Kids)

For: Moms with impeccable taste. 

Husbands, sons, daughters... this is an investment piece. Meaning, you buy the components separately. I know, I don't really love that either. But, it is a really tasteful, elegant piece of jewelry. Silver initial pendants (of her kids) and birthstone charms takes this beyond "some necklace" and gives it meaning. She'll love it. 

Rocky Top Soap ($6 per bar) 

For: Women who want a great skincare product 

Unscented, all natural, handmade soaps manufactured by a bearded man from Maine (this is how I know it's legit). I love bar soap, it's the only thing that keeps my skin soft, clear (no zits), and it's actually better for you (bacteria grows in your shower gel bottle, no joke). This will leave your skin softer than it's ever been, which is important if you live in Arizona or just for the winter months. I love the Pumpkin and Carrot soaps, but there is a ton of choices. 

Jean Arthur Comedy Collection - ($34.99) 

For: All Women, Everywhere. 

Are you sick of seeing half-naked actresses getting by on their looks? Escape to a time when talent was necessary and fall in love with Jean. Jean is one of my top five favorite actresses (Jean Arthur, Irene Dunne, Barbara Stanwyck, Rosalind Russell, Lucille Ball). I fell in love with her after watching her performance in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and You Can't Take it With You. Show your woman that you can make an intelligent gift choice this year. These movies are a great starter to introduce her to one of the greatest actresses of all time. 

Cath Kidston Sewing Baskets and Travel kits ($32-80)

For: the crafter! 

I am an enthusiastic crocheter myself, but for a moment let me just talk about the wonder that is Cath Kidston. I love everything in the store. Everything. Buy me anything from there, down to the wallpaper and I will be guaranteed to love you for life. Why? Cath Kidston is the perfect amount of homespun, whimsy, and retro. All things that are basically synonyms for my name. These sewing baskets are great, but I also love the kits. Why? Because I want to see all women get in touch with their inner crocheter.

Classically Cool Sunglasses ($11.99)

For: Anyone who wants to rock a look like this blogger.

These are my exact sunglasses... except mine are lavender (and kind of cooler!) but nonetheless, I love these!

Somewhere...

Day after tomorrow I get to go home to see my mother and my sister. :) It's been two years coming, and I am so thankful that the Lord is blessing me with the trip.

I've been thinking today about loss and gain. I've lost a great many things in a year. But in a year I've gained a great many things. The dearest of which is the knowledge that the love of my Father is always surrounding me. It follows me and carries me along. No one can separate us.

There are things in this life that you can pursue that will bring momentary steadiness of nerves, momentary satisfaction. But God surrounds us with a peace that repeats and repeats His love. Each moment that passes is a continued pledge over you, that no matter where you are He deeply loves you. How blessed I can consider myself that He continues to hold me close to Him and knows me better than I know myself.

I love my husband, I love my children, I love my family, all are from my Father. He has fixed what is broken beyond what any physician can heal.

When I was a little girl, I loved the movie the Wizard of Oz. I dreamed of going over the rainbow like Judy Garland and being in a place of peace, somewhere prepared just for me. I know, and can rest happily in the knowledge that as long as my faith and love of Christ continues there is that place for me. A place in heaven with my Father, and a place where I will only ever know love. I know I have two twin girls there waiting for me. I know those of my family who've gone on before me are there.

I know that the son of God, Jesus Christ, is there. The One who gave it all for me, so that I may be where He is.

And when you think about it, how can there ever be loss when you have gained it all?


See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! - 1 John 3:1