Friends

Friends came over today and I loved being with them. 3 generations during this visit and it was sweet! OM goodness I actually forgot to take pictures!!! :-( They made me realize how grateful I am to many of you for your presence in my Life). You are NO MISTAKE! Your a masterpiece created by the CREATOR who blessed me with YOU!

Anyway I am so glad that my visit with my friends today was not like the friends I have been reading for my daily reading lately. Jobs' friends . . . wow were they harsh. I am reading in the New Living Translation and I am amazed at . . . well their forthright attitudes. It almost breaks my heart. Sure there are qualities they bring up about the Lord however, they also just show their human error.

I enjoy my friends. We laugh together, share one another's joys as well as burdens, some have been around to see my children born and others to be there when one went to be with the Lord, some shared practical jokes, as well as my shared prayers, and some have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ through our lives with one another. There are those whom I've known for many years and others whom have just entered my life and they all are important. Some know me quite well (YIKES ;-} ) and others whom are just getting to know me. Some have known me most of my life and see where I've come from ;-( before I knew Jesus and others who've known me after Jesus. Some have the joy of sharing in our yet new beginning again with "HaSa" through all these steps of my life I am grateful for my friends. I even married my dearest friend :-) (Love You B!) Friends - are family and Family are friends - They/YOU are a part of who I am - so Thank You~!

Faithful
Respectful
Itimate (In To Me U Shall See)
Everlasting
Near
Dependable
Sincere

All tuckered Out

Today was a full and HOT one! Literally it was so very Hot outside! The SJSD buildings all had to have had little ones and others sweating like crazy! ;-0

My student is a charmer and I love what I do. Other little ones are just now figuring out that we are with child :-)! That is a fun one! HaSa is starting to move like never before. Maybe my temp was a bit too warm - who knows! ;-p

The "babies" love that we are in the same building because they get a few little "perks" getting to come in the building with me and being "helpers". They will probably really enjoy it later when it gets below zero or close to the freezing temperatures - UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now (literally) a storm is brewing in. Well . . . tonight is a family night and well . . . we are going to have a good time. Even though a bit tuckered out from a full week and heat.

Joy of "HaSa" and Girls

Well . . . here it is!

"As a mother comforts her CHILD, so will I comfort you;" Isaiah 66:13.

We are with one normal size child, all organs are healthy and we are excited! So You it is one precious gift and not two (although it would have been easier for a playmate :-) ).

Okay the last three mornings have been a huge BLESSING. We have a worship time and Devotional time before we all leave our separate ways. The wonderful thing about it is that the little girl whom I have been watching for the last 3 years went home and told her mom (whom we have been witnessing to) "We Sing and hear about Jesus Mommy!!!" and her mom told me about it when she dropped her off very early in the morning! :-) God is Good ALL THE TIME!!!

Well . . . My student is going to be work but I am looking forward to the year. I enjoy the teacher I work with (and greatly miss Adriana - my teacher last school term)! Both are great ladies to co work with!

"Love so Amazing, Love so Amazing . . . ." Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin ~ we sang that this morning and to hear the girls sing in harmony while Kent played the guitar was AMAZING and AWESOME!!! (I can hardly wait for HEAVEN!!!) Well have a Great morning!

Love is Amazing and can be used anywhere you go or do. You want to be LOVED don't you? So go ahead and share it and tell me what it did for you today. :-)

Okay . . . Twins or No Twins?!!!

Well, our sonogram revealed that we are going to KEEP the same Due Date: January 3, 2009. Also very Healthy in all the major organs - YES!!! About whether or not we are with TWINs or NO TWINs you will have the opportunity to discover our news through scripture. Here it is . . . Isaiah 66:13 (Kent's idea-we used NIV translation) :-) and No gender either. Although it was VERY TEMPTING . . . I closed my eyes and said "NO - I don't want to know" so we'll all have to wait until January 3 or around then. :-)

Blessings to you all!

Tell me what you discovered about our NEWS! :-)

Reflections

Good Morning!
What a Wonderful weekend. Excitement is real. I had some appointments with My Family this weekend and it was very well worth every minute. As Mya, Tia, Faith and Emily grow up I realize that I have been BLESSED! Ministry with Kent for the soon 21 years of Marriage :-) has been a ride never to be forgotten through every experience! Our family is growing all around us; immediate & spiritually. When we left our homes and become ONE we answered the call to ministry knowing it would be a LIFETIME experience of being "grafted in" with those we ministered with and to in every circumstance which is something I will continually reflect (over the years) and PRAISE the mighty King of Kings - knowing that life is precious! Our ministries have brought many growth spurts and many aches - all for the BEST of the Kingdom.

Everyone has a purpose for being a part of our lives and there are those yet to come still. Those from our past and present have made our soil of life rich through every circumstance weaved in our life's tapestry. Those yet to come we thank the Lord for their touch and thread in our lives because it will help complete our lives.

God is Good ALL the time and for that I sing Praise because in Jesus there is HOPE no matter the world's influence because He is TRUE to the end of this life I live. Thank you Jesus Christ for the sacrifice you have given so that I may live and share. I only pray that this year is a Harvest that is a huge bumper crop.

Live a Life for Him and there is true HOPE in every circumstance through JOY!

Hurry up and . . . WHAT?

Well . . . today was full of surprises! Yes, the new year has started for me and it was a JOY to be in the building that my children have been a part of for years. The only hard part is that I received a phone call message that needed attending but I had to hurry up and wait.

My doctor appointment I have been waiting for- for two months- to discover if we are having twins or not had been postponed until monday LATE afternoon. The funny thing is that it has allowed me to get to see Faith sing at the opening ceremony for our district! :-)

So Now waiting isn't always so bad - :-).

Faith - we will all be there to support you! Then Monday we get the exciting new of many "Firsts" for the family, the First day of school, our first sonogram, find out if we are going to have two or one. It is going to be exciting! Great things come from waiting just a few more days.

What? Wait? This time is okay for me. Although many family and friends are getting to have to wait with us and it is suspenseful for all. But I'll let you all know late night MONDAY.

1 . . . 2. . .Days to go

One day left and back to SJSD in a new location! Kind of . . . sort of . . . okay so I am in a new building as far as occupation however in the same building I've been highly active in for 9 school terms - I guess until today I really didn't realize how long that truly has been. I am totally thrilled to be in this building. I'll miss my past co workers but relationships last for a very long time - PRAISE THE LORD! It will be a new expericnce working at M.T. Elementary but rewarding to be in the building I've trusted for a very long time.

Two days left and . . . . drum roll we will finally get to "see" if we are plural or single. Meaning yes yesterday at a School appreciation breakfast at our church Kent announced to them that we may be with "2". Those who are on staff at NA School were in AWE, so was I but now there is a joy to share with our "family". I still don't really desire to "find out boy/girl" just if we are having a large baby, farther along baby (to see "HaSa's" face earlier), or two "Babies" (in the vanacular "Uncle Beck" uses :-) which I had a surprise hug from Him and "Auntie Joan" while I was in a meeting luncheon at 54th Street grill. Boy was I blind since they sat literally at the table RIGHT NEXT TO ME oops - I'm glad they can laugh that I am blind)!!! Anyway 2 days and I pray for a Healthy - 10 fingers and 10 Toes and a strong heart beat. Yep, that is what I excitedly anticipate in two mornings from now!

This is all as easy as 1 . . . 2 . . . 3. ". . . and if I knew ALL the MYSTERIES of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't LOVE others, what good would I be? . . . If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't LOVE others, I would be of no value whatsoever." I Corinthinans 12:2b-3 (NLT Daily reading). Boy - Love - still have a long way to LEARN about it but eagerly 1 . . . 2 . . .baby steps at a time and working on it continually. 1 . . . 2 . . . days to go but I'll live for TODAY because who knows what TOMORROW will bring, I may be HOME :-)!!!

How about it?!!!

I love this time of the seasons - OLYMPICS! This is the first time in a very long time that we haven't been able to witness the events of the world. Athletes - train, persevere, strain for a split Na no second against time to be the Gold, Silver or Bronze medalist! I love the stories! I love the stamina! I love the underdogs! I love the unusual making titles and buffeting their bodies!

How about it? Phelps! 8 Gold so far! Amazing. Oh and how about Dara Torres (love her name! :-) since it is very close to my Maiden name) a fifth time Olympian at the age of 41 and taking home medals! I love Swimming competitions - I truly enjoy the games! They press on straining towards the prize. I only wish they used that same platform to spread the Gospel toward the most AWESOME medal/ Crown ever - One that Last for all Eternity. How about it?

They could do it, so can we. . . what are we/ am I willing to strain and train to lay that Diadem at the feet of the KING - HOW ABOUT IT?!

Gearing up

A new day to begin. The house is quiet; everyone accept Faith and I are gone. While I've been catching up on my friends many have had their new babies and one more is getting ready.

Sarah - little boy, Joy - little boy, Susan - newborn little boy, I just found out Amy - little boy (sonogram results) who is nearing the end, gearing up to see his face. With all these little men - WOW maybe we'll have a little boy tooooooo! I don't know. But there are a few of us left (unless I discover another little blessing coming).

Okay so here is the wonderful news. - I shared with a friend, "I feel like the Elizabeth among all these young Mary's." I even have two family members getting ready to have little ones, My youngest (12 years younger) brother and his wife, and my neice. We are right in the middle of their babies. I'm gearing up to remain young by starting all over again. The joy of LIFE is incredible. All these boys and the four of us left I haven't heard yet. Gabriel (brother) believes it is a boy. Shannon-? Sasha - ? US - well . . . this baby feels like a leaper. Maybe "HaSa" will have a virtical jump like their daddy :-)!

All I do know is that our entire family is gearing up for the completion of our family. I've been Blessed seven times by God through Kent and the children and my quiver is full. For that I REJOICE! Now I am gearing up for how the Lord will take my family and use their feet for the gospel message - the only REAL TRUTH for life. Where will they all go? What is their "CALL"? Gearing up for their future has been rich - now I eagerly await the answers. I know He is calling them and I can hardly wait to see where their feet will take them all. 24 years after finally answering the Lord and gearing up for my unknown future - I've been BLESSED and look forward to walking to what lies ahead - a bountiful HARVEST!!!

Psalm 139 :-)

Endurance

Encouraging to Endure!

This morning was a day of endurance! I love this season of XC (cross country running)! It has been a pleasure for 5 years and today was no different. Running into old friends (parents & co workers) we were able to exercise while watching the timed mile for XC members. Everyone is very encouraging to one another. Barnabas in the making of 2008! Everyone ALWAYS encourages each other to "Keep it UP!!!" They are wonderful to one another a true "FAMILY" support sport! I LOVE IT! Because of this group over the last 5 years I have been encouraged yet once again. When going to a meet you'll never see just one team cheering only their team they cheer on EVERYONE to endure to the end! You see the most incredible things take place of helping one another. Teams, coaches, parents, fans all encouraging every runner to FINISH - there are NEVER any losers EVER! It is an endurance run that is against T - I - M - E and some day one of my dreams will take place because of what I have watched over all these years.

What are we to endure . . . to FINISH to the End? Maybe it's time to contemplate that and how we will achieve it.

Plan, process, proceed and endure - YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Changing of Seasons

My walk (which is usually with Kent at night) early this morning was a peaceful and ponder moment. As The humidity was slight and a cool breeze with perfect hues of every color of the coming change of seasons I had time to think. I had already eaten breakfast with Kent & the "babies" (which really aren't the 'BABIES' any longer) and read about Nehemiah's perseverance to rebuild the wall. Thus it gave inspiration to take an early morning walk.

Okay enough rambling. Changing of seasons is beginning in many ways ~ especially in our home. Mya and Tia are now both registered for Sr. High - YIKES! Kent has great vision rekindled after Sunday our mission team shared "sermon" and we visited with Ronnie and Darlene Epps until almost 4 p.m. over a meal. I am beginning a NEW position in a different elementary school. So the "babies" and I will all be in the same building at different grade levels. And last but definitely not last we will find out in a week and a half if we are carrying twins or not. :-) Mya is also going Through a new transition herself with Chaz leaving to college. He is a great guy who has been a spiritual pillar who encourages her, and whom we approve of :-) (He's a KEEPER!). Not only are we seeing the changing of seasons but so are our lives experiencing the changing of seasons!

The girls are growing up sooooo very quickly. Our ministry is "happening" and it is going through growing pains of change. Kent and I are "beginning from the beginning again" very soon. The "babies" will pass on their baton. Changing of Seasons . . . I do enjoy them and this morning it was refreshing just to ENJOY everything around me and to reflected and also cast a vision for what God has possibilities for futures.

It is time for us to update our family picture and to remember the joy of the changing of seasons of our lives. It really is but a mist. I just Thank the Lord for the Joys given from Heaven in creation and giving yet another moment to live them together. I have prayed for YEARS for these changing seasons in my life and those who are, and have been a part of it and those yet to come. Now as I reflect I am very thankful for each season, even the difficult ones because it has developed our character to be stronger in HIM!

Refreshed

Wow . . . did I ever sleep soundly. There is so much to PRAISE this morning!!! A new day to celebrate life in every way. Psalm 32: 8-ff; "The Lord says, I will guide you along the BEST pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like the senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So REJOICE in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey HIM! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

After a good nights rest one feels refreshed, and that is how I feel. A new day to live for him and give it everything to glorify His name. Whom will I see this day? How will I be for Him today? When I surrender everything to him he is my hiding place and he is the one who protects me from touble. Thank you Lord for surrounding me with songs of VICTORY!

Are you refreshed today? How so? If not what will it take to get there? Maybe just stop, ponder and start over again then you will be able to Jump into HIS refreshing waters and have some great laughter in Him reguardless the outcome! Go ahead Jump in and be REFRESHED!

It is soooooo worth living for him! Isn't it worth a try? Share your refreshment with others and maybe they'll just "jump in and be refreshed with you! It is so fun to share life together even thru situations of all kinds to help each other through and experience true JOY!

Life has been good to celebrate each moment, even when a tide may be just rolling in! Go ahead take the Leap of Faith and be truly REFRESHED each and every day - you have nothing to loose!!!

Good or Evil

What can I say other than the world has a very warped vision. I just went on a date night with Kent to see a movie. The Dark Knight. I was confronted with Jesus Christ in a different "light" - through evaluating this movie. I liked Batman Begins but this one . . . My heart broke at the message the world accepts so easily. It can all seem so dark.

Was it a sin to watch the movie - no but was it something to edify Jesus Christ? No. It is just that our mind is an incredible thing that NEVER forgets anything. Greater than ANY computer or any type of technology I couldn't help but think . . . scripture.

I thought of how the human heart is deceitful above all things who can fathom it. . . (Jeremiah) and many things through out scripture. I can't help but think of how I/we must be careful of how we live, and what we watch. Ephesians 5 puts it best. "Be VERY careful, then, how you live-not as UNWISE but as WISE, making the most of every opportunity, because the days ARE EVIL. Therefore (what is it there for?) do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD'S will is. . .." keep reading his TRUTH.

Mankind is so searching for Jesus Christ and will put anything in HIS place in the void of our lives to fill it, even though we are designed to be complete ONLY IN HIM, Life is full of mixed messages. But the only message that really matters is the fact the Jesus Christ came to be the ONLY one who can save me, us! He is the only HERO ever to fulfill that vacuum of emptiness with in our heart and soul. Until we can grasp Jesus . . . we keep trying to fill it with anything and still fill the void. The Dark Knight . . . he was empty trying to fill the chaos of Gotham. He . . . needed the true PEACE and really never found it and never really gave true answers for anyone around him or in his life. I know it is just a movie. But what is the underlying message? Does good victor? Hum . . .. Was there any "trust" left in any thing? or anyone for that matter?

All I know with all my heart is that after watching this fictional film; is that I am glad that my real HERO is Victorious and I know the outcome. Now more than anything I know I don't want those who are in the circles I am in to Die for all eternity. The world is Evil BUT the Good is in the "Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ" and I will . . ."submit to one another out of the reverence for Christ." No matter my outcome because one day I am going HOME with the VICTOR and I am going to take as many as I can with me for all eternity! GOOD WILL FULLY PREVAIL, and there is no "joking" about that! . . . I know and believe that with all my heart despite the wickedness of mans' heart we need and grasp the Love of Christ if we are just willing to. Because Jesus desires NONE to perish! I pray their eyes will be open to see HIS GOOD through His TRUTH and not the evil of this world reguardless of what the "world" shares so openly.

Love . . . really?

What is it you/I really LOVE? Spouse? Children? Career? Money? Retirement? WHAT? Oh sure for a believer in Jesus Christ we are to "Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and then to Love your Neighbor as yourself". But are we? Am I!?

Love . . . . really . . . . here is what we experienced!

Last week I found myself amazed at a TEAM I truly grew to LOVE. There were 23 of us and we varied from 12-76 years of age. There was NOT one conflict, unrest, we were ONE in the Spirit, Purpose, Goals - LOVE! Agape was sooooo very evident in the lives of the 33 people (counting the home saints who worked there) I lived with during the week. It was AMAZING! I have taken many trips and I must say I have never experienced what took place last week. God truly humbled me in an incredible way - for that I will ALWAYS be eternally grateful!

Love began with Him the day last year He placed the passion and vision to find a way to get to the Dominican. Love revealed itself when some said it couldn't be done for various reasons. Love poured over when 3 beautiful senior saints said they felt the drive to come on this TEAM and be a part regardless their age. Love overflowed when the funding was astronomical beyond our wildest dream and left us with blessings beyond reason. Love became evident from the time we met @ 3 am and were challenged with the devotion of the two seat er bicycle for our journey. Who would be our Love and Controller for the week? Others, Ourselves, or Jesus Christ our Lord?

We were in areas that were just four years ago very hostile to Rick and Carie Bernard and now thru Love the "people" of the Banjo (spelling?) are open to the teams who come to share the Love of Jesus with them. Jesus is now becoming real slowly but very realistically. Are there hardships that come with Love? YES.

Senor Juan Antonio and Senora Maria live it every day yet Love Never Fails to get them thru another moment in time to extend HIS LOVE to those who are willing to receive what they are willing to give freely! The small church in a community of of 10K people in a very small area is just amazingly know by actions of LOVE~!!!

Also the Refugee area where the peoples run to be "Blessed and prayed for" is heart rendering.

Love - once rejected now accepted four almost five years later because it is sincere. They know we came in Love, to pray with them, to bless them, to give simply medicines - LOVE! Rick had shared that when they first came to this refugee area (that has been here over five years now) was NOT accepting of them at first. The got out of their van and had to leave in 2-3 minutes because of the hostility then next time 5 minutes. They never gave up. Now there are times when the "missionaries" leave they ask, "you leave now? why?" Oh there are still times when the "witch doctors do not approve and the missionaries have to leave quickly but we were blessed to have an opportunity to pray with a few who were very ill. Some allowed us to pray IN their homes which could hardly have more than 8-10 people at a time in them. They were full of disease yet they are LOVELY to touch, pray even hold!

The biggest blessing to Love this particular day was to pray over a baby who had her "red ribbon witch doctor bracelet on" As my Team partner was ill from kidney stones the mother came over to us sitting outside the bus and allowed us to pray over her baby. We both prayed for God to remove that wrist band held so sacredly dear to that family and make her a PILLAR for the Lord of Lords and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ some day. As I was praying for her from the top of her head and over every limb she literally began to smile when we sang "Holiness . . . " over her. She grinned the largest grin and the mother began saying something very quickly at that very same time the child in my womb began moving. Sherri and I couldn't contain our praise and kept singing! It was an AWESOME God moment for all seven us around this child. I know in my heart the LOVE of GOD is real to that little girl and We will see her in Heaven when we are home together. To hear her story of the bracelet being removed as a testimony to Jesus Christ!

Love -the thought of Love has far exceed more than all I could ever ask or imagine! My life . . . is but a whisper than can never truly experience the vastness of LOVE. Every time I begin to wonder if "this is it" I realize there is so much more to yet live and experience. Christ Loves so much yet I still can not fully fathom just how much! LOVE - It causes my heart to ache in a huge Jesus kind of way! I long to keep spreading the gospel to all those around me. I hurt literally when I think of my own earthly father now surrendering his life, heart, soul and mind over to him yet I keep praying for God's Love through Jesus Christ to penetrate his heart. Someday my daddy will come to know him! I pray for the ones the Holy Spirit will allow me to share Jesus' true Love and they turn from the world of sin. I am grateful for the 23 TEAM members I grew to Love who have left a huge imprint on my heart never to be erased!!! I LOVE missions work. It is thru Jesus Christ and his LOVE that it is all around me everyday whether my children, my Missouri next door neighbor or my neighbor around the world. May He grant me yet just one more opportunity to LOVE . . . REALLY LOVE one more for HIM!!!!

So Won't YOU LOVE . . . REALLY? We will see it.

Psalm 27:13-ff

"Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD'S goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."