8.08.2010

The Green Monster

WE INTERRUPT THIS DAY 2 Of BRYSONS VENEZ TRIP TO BRING YOU BREAKING NEWS!

The green monster is on the loose and coming to a tub near you! Thanks Kehnley for reminding this mama what can happen when you leave a 3 yr old in the bath with tub crayons and paint while you dress a clean baby sister in the next room...
YIKES!

8.07.2010

Day 1: Pray for Safe travel!

When I dropped Bry off at the airport I was able to keep it together, didnt have the ugly cry face til AFTER i drove away :). But for real, he strapped on his "big bear backpack" and gave me the a "hang-ten" hand and then was on his way! the most hilarious part is that he packed mostly fishing pants and no rinse soap...if something ever happened to me I think he's outfit the girls in windbreakers and head out with Bear Grills on all his adventures like a crazy groupie!

Anyway, hopefully we never have to see pictures of that! lol

He told me that there were 20 ppl along with their crew that were on the flight as well from Tallowood Bapt. "Looks like the bapt. are taking the plane over!" were His words. Right now he's probably on his route to whatever town they will be in and leaving Caracas.

This what I felt the Lord was pressing on my heart to pray for today...
Day 1 Travel
Pray for safe travel to each village, town and city for the members on their team and encounters along the way that might lead to Christ

Col. 4:3 says...
"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ"

Christ IS a mystery, one that I have loved uncovering and I am hoping that it will be revealed to those going and receiving. It certainly happens that when we try to share Him with others we learn more of Him ourselves.

2 Corn. 2:17 says...
"Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."

I pray that they would know these ppl are coming out of a love for God and others and they would know how deep the Fathers love is for them that they might be encouraged and renewed!

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As far as us here at home, we spent the day at Fancy and Papa's house swimming, playing and just enjoying their company. Every time I began to miss Bry I just prayed for him in different ways. I know that everyone out there who is deeply in love thinks that their relationship is unlike any other, and its true if you have a great love...there is just nothing to describe what it's really like to be married to some one you have been in love with most your life, like us. Going through this preparation for this trip its stirred so many emotions in us both.. one of them is just the realization of how beyond blessed we are to have a love like ours, to be so passionately in love and to be so close, he's my best friend, but more than that he's the companion that God picked especially for me. Some people don't believe in "the one" they think that there are plenty of ppl you could be with, it just so happens this person through circumstances ended up being the one...I disagree I know there is no one like him, there is no one who could compare in my life. He's been the love of my life for 13 years...and to think that there are moments I haven't cherished with him breaks my heart. This trip has opened my eyes to how much I need to make it a priority to show him just how precious he is to me, how much I adore him and I don't ever want to waste a day that I might have to just know him more. 13 years of caring about a person and learning them and sharing the most life changing moments together and yet there is still something in me that gets all caught up when I see him! I miss him like crazy. But then again, the Holy spirit keeps reminding me that I neglect to show my love for the Lord, my allegiance to Him, and i am convicted of the time i spend on other things rather than knowing Him more... I have missed having a heart that chases after Him and His word. So even as I think of Bry and miss him, my heart is caught up in my Love for God instead and I am taking this time to stoke those embers that have grown dim over the past months and take my focus off the things that have distracted me all this time and just consider God's unending love for me, I know there are others out there who need to do the same. Don't wait...

8.06.2010

Vomos Venez...Praying Bryson through the mission field

It's currently 12:25, I'm so exhausted I can barely stand to keep my eyes awake to write this post but Bry leaves for Venezuela tomorrow on his first of many mission trips. Its been a crazy few months leading up to his departure tomorrow. We've been hit with a lot of things, a lot of distractions, a lot of trials, but God has been faithful and fully involved in all of it showing us His will. Even in the midst of much opposition, however, he is still going and i am still 100% positive it's what God desires most. Prior to him even stepping foot on a plane, he's had the opportunity to share the love of Christ and the calling of Him on his life and heart with people at work and family, it's been a long time since we both have had this passion for boldness in this way.



Our hearts have been bruised and broken again for the lost!The quickest way that the enemy could distract us from that calling was to make us busy in our own lives... and it certainly happened! But I am so grateful for Bryson's fervor to go and to share the gospel, to teach and to encourage.... it's truly been the compass of our home. There are a few events I want to record so I don't forget in the Lord prepping and preparing this trip for us.

1. we knew we didnt have the funds for this trip or anything around it and God provided above and beyond what we had ever hoped, up until the last day with some very real and random ways for us to have all angels of this trip provided for financially

2. Bry had a chance the day after finding out he was on the evangelism team to run into a pair of Mormon's with Ronnie (what are the chances of that.. those poor guys didnt know what they were getting themselves into) and Bry was able to really engage in some tough and probing conversations that was just a little prep course before he left for Venz.

3. Sadie went to the emergency room and we both learned not only that all we have is His.... but also the power of prayer!

4. From that God has changed our perspective on the things we have and where certain things used to be higher on our importance or priority line up, they have dropped way down behind cherishing moments we have with each other and our girls!

5. Conversations at Brys work have been circulating and deep talks of the Lord as well: biblical moral parallels, the "mission field" at large, and prayers towards service for us and the members of our church.

6. Sharing total trust and faith in Christ with family members and friends.

7. I have personally faced a lot of mental battle with this trip coming and as it got closer the thoughts got tougher to face. I was in total peace when the trip came up and as weeks began to get closer to the departure date the enemy really attacked me and I have learned the power of God's word to diminish all fear and learned more about God's heart for the world to know Him!

Some of these are really vague, but they have all been prepping and preparing us for the next 10 days. I felt called by the Lord to share some scripture that God not only used to comfort me but He used to share with me His good, and perfect plans AND what to be praying over Bry for each day that he is away. I hope that those of you who know and love us would join in with me.

8. This morning before Bry is to leave he was telling Kehnley that he was going to go on a trip to tell people in another part of the world about Jesus and His love for them and she responded in all her infinate 3 year old wisdom... "Dad, you gotta go what God tells you".

Today I feel great and at peace that things are going to transpire that God will have His glory known in more of the world because of Bry's faithfulness and not being swayed by much opposition... but I am still going to miss him and try my hardest to keep an attitude of gratitude even in the toughest moments whether here or there! We most likely won't be able to communicate over the next 10 days, but I know that the spirit goes between us and will guide our hearts on what to pray, the Lord has already laid certain things for certain days to be praying over, will you join me?

Day 1 Travel
Pray for safe travel to each village, town and city for the members on their team and encounters along the way that might lead to Christ
Col. 4:3, 2 Corinth 2:17,

Day 2 Hearts
Pray for the hearts of those who have gone to do God's work, for those who are left to wait and see, and for those waiting for salvation that don't yet know how near it is!
2 Corinth 4:6, John 17:3, John 10:16, Jer 24:7,

Day 3 Banishing fear
Fear for us here, fear for those who are doing God's will in Venezuela, around the world, and those who are being attacked in many ways by the enemy even as we pray
Ps 112:6-7, Rom. 8:28-32,

Day 4 Protection and Shield
Where ever they go, whatever they are doing pray a hedge of protection around them, angels guarding them and watching them, let them feel the presence of the mighty hand of God covering them
Ps 119:114, Ps 91:9-11

Day 5 Giving light to those living in darkness
Pray that God will unveil the eyes of the lost, that the people who know what truth is when they hear it and that they will accept this light that leave no darkness to fear anymore
John 11:9-10, Isaiah 50:10, 1 Pt 2:9-10

Day 6 Boldness
Pray for an ever increasing boldness to overcome those who are working on behalf of the Lord, let a steadfast fight be put in their spirit to speak God's word at all times
Ps. 138:3, Mark 16:15

Day 7 Strength to endure
Pray for weak hands and bodies and minds to be strengthened by God, let their will not be deterred and let them hold fast to God's purpose for them
2 Corinth 4:8, 1 Cor. 4:12-13, Isaiah 40:29-31

Day 8 Spreading of the Gospel
Pray God let the gospel reach those who will carry it on to others who might not know God, let it reach all the ends of the earth as God desires
Col. 4:3, John 12:32, 1 Corinth 1:17

Day 9 Thanksgiving
Pray thanking God for the lives who will be forever changed, for God's glory being shared and reveled and for doing all He said He would do, He is so faithful!
1 Tim 2:1,3-4, Jn 2:1b-2, 2 Corn 4:15

Day 10 Obedience
Pray for continual trust and obedience for those who are just now hearing God's voice for the first time and those who have been listening to Him for years, let them not turn away from their maker. Make their feet ready for whatever comes next!
James 2:17, Ps 67, 1 Jn 3:16-18

7.26.2010

My Smiley girl

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Sadie you are 5 months, actually almost 6 and you are growing so fast and becoming so mobile I am sure I will have less and less time to remember all the fun little details about you right now!
Like your favorite sound we make is like a car bumping down the road or an airplane flying. You also love anything that squeaks at you, we lost your FAVORITE duck at the grocery store one day on a long trip...I looked everywhere and Kehnley did too but we just had to leave without it (Kehnley said that maybe another kid would be happy to get it)

You love to be snuggled, I hope that never changes.
You love to sit in your highchair and chew on ice!
You love your karaoke machine and to pull yourself up on it like you are big enough to stand up! Silly girl!
You love to look at yourself in the mirror and laugh
You love your sissy's toys, and shes getting better at sharing one thing at a time :)
You love your swing daddy put up outside
You love to sleep in your bed, but love it even more when mommy holds your hand or daddy pats your back
Your favorite toy is the snail that crawls and has a rolling stacker on its back
Your favorite food is carrots! And apples too!
You love to smile at everything
You love to wear headbands and bows, you never even take them off!
You love to bounce and dance with daddy, Kehnley and me! I like your moves :)
You LOVE you passy... its your fav thing, you smile when you see it, grab it, pop it in, take it from mommy, suck on it all the time, chew on the back of it, you'll even steal other baby's if it looks like yours!
Some of your tricks are: at the first of the month you started sitting up, and being able to stay there!
this week you started crawling! At first it was a rock, then a rock and crawl one leg then drag on your belly, a bit of the worm lol. But now its a full crawl, lucky for me, you're not too fast yet, but you DO body surf over the play mat with sides that used to keep you contained.
Looks like we're gonna have to break out the pack and play
You dont watch much tv but your favorite show is Sesame Street...thanks to sister! :)

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Sadie you are so precious! We love you so much...


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7.15.2010

New Face!

I am in desperate need of a new banner but it wont happen til Kristin takes our fam pics in a few months, cant wait... in the mean time enjoy this little video, this is for you daddy! We taped this the day after "daddy day" and saved it for the perfect time.

As I think of how you will be gone for ten whole days to Venezuela in just a few weeks, I am trying to not freak out and just pray for your impact there in the name of our Lord and also your safe return! You ARE an amazing man, when you start to feel the weight of the world and the stresses of your life away from home watch this and know how lucky we are to have you. K is right on!
I love you so much, more than I can even show...


7.08.2010

Update on Sadie...

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement, Sadie woke up at 3 am with a tight chest and breathing problems, she started getting frantic, as did I, she was not responding and so we took her to the ER, she is doing better now and after breathing treatments and a steroid treatment and seeing her doc what started as bronchial spasms and possible pre-asthmatic symptoms became a viral infection that got into her lungs. Besides a sore throat and a lack of sleep she is doing MUCH better. We are at home resting, trying to anyway, and thankful for my brother Justin who came to be with us and for Bry's rents who took care of Kehnley all day. This is def. a day I will never forget!

It puts life into perspective when you almost loose one...

I have never seen a dad drive that fast or myself pray so hard in my life. This was the verse that I read at midnight just 3 hrs before all this went down... I had know idea what it would mean to me today.

Psalm 8
"O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens ! From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength... When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained ; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty ! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands ; You have put all things under his feet, ... O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth !"

You have given us these little people to look after, yet we know VERY well, that we are just overseers of what is already yours. We have no control that you don't give us, we have no way to save...only you can. As I held her body laying next to her in that hospital bed I thought of how fragile life is and all i could think was why didn't I hold her last night a little longer, I looked into Brysons red eyes and know he was thinking the same. I thought back to my frantic panic of what to do those seemingly long minutes before we drove to the hospital begging God to answer our questions, keep her with us, and help her breath. There have been a lot of scares with our girls lately: Kehnley passing out from a heat stroke at the park, getting an allergic reaction at the store and almost being unable to breath herself, and now this. I am fully aware that each day we have with them is a gift. And I am honored to think that God has given us one more, for whatever reason, He has favor on us. Humbled by David's words in the psalm when he says "and the son of man that you care for him? YET you make him a little lower than God and you crown HIM with glory and majesty" God does care for us. I learned that today. God cares for me, for my family, for my children and it's not that I deserve it... it's because He is majestic and awesome. Another translation says "O Lord, O Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to give you praise." She has taught me to give Him praise.... thank you Sadie, I knew the day you were born that you would teach me things about God I never knew.

Enjoy your loved ones today and if you don't think God cares for you...ask Him to show you, and He will! "For God so LOVED the world, He gave HIS only son, that everyone who believes might not perish but have eternal life {with Him.}" John 3:16


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7.01.2010

My Sweet Sister-friend

I am pretty sure she started calling ME that first but this is a tribute to my sweet sister friend. She is a best friend and one of my roommates from college and really to me a sister, i never had a sister of my own and she is one to me! She and I have fought like sisters, cried together like sisters, encouraged each other like sisters, laughed and traveled and listened late at night... but mostly we have shared moments together as sisters in the Christ.

She is soon to be a mom of her own and today is HER birthday. She is going to be an amazing mom for SO many reasons I can barely type them all but I will post the top 30... just a random number, no reason for it at all :)
1. she is loving
2. she is tenderhearted to those with special needs
3. she is wise and can share her life lessons
4. she is funny and laughs all the time
5. she is a prayer warrior and will blanket her home in it!
6. she is sentimental and thoughtful, the girl never forgets a date
7. she writes the best cards and letters and mails them in the REAL mail box :)
8. she loves to snuggle...lol and the best running buddy you could ask for
9. she has a fascination to see new things and go new places, she will explore the world with you
10. she is SO trusting, gullible others have said, but its the most amazing quality because she never meets a person she doesn't like
11. she is playful and will have amazing made up days full of imaginary friends
12. she can SHOP! let me tell you, you will never have a need for anything
13. she knows the Lord and will share His word
14. she loves to sing, in the car, in the house, on voice mails, she will fill your ears with musical hits from all decades lol
15. she loves movies and getting a blanket and popcorn ( that goes everywhere) and watching them in the rain
16. she gives the best hugs
17. she knows just the right things to say to cure a hard day
18. she is the most encouraging person i know always lifting you up before herself
19. she is brave and will do things you never thought she would do for such a small thing!
20. shes accommodating and always a great host
21. she will help you have PERFECT speech :)
22. she will aways have candy close near by
23.she'll play with your hair!
24.she can talk on the phone for hours
25.she can take you to any coffee shop in a 20 mil. radius!
26.she wont hesitate to show you how much she loves you and tell you too
27.she will make you an amazing s'more or teach you how to Rollerblade like a champ
28.she can light up your day with her smile
29.she is a wonderful friend and will always support you no matter what crazy things you do or say or think up...she's got your back
30. she will make you a better person just by knowing her!

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