Summer Storms

Seasons are absolutely wonderful and sometimes sad. As I was reading this morning I was challenged by our summer season. Challenges are not bad they are learning moments for the development of character - Here let me explain why.

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life & peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God." Romans 8:5-8

Our Family . . . well has had a huge "storm" roll through recently that well . . .has left some marked scratches and some wounds. Storms sometimes can be like that sinful nature - if we are not careful. I Love watching electrical storms and even sometimes a thunderstorm. Yet, there are times during those storms there comes a warning and we should take cover. I also realize that some devastating storms hit and we didn't hear or see the warning until the storm is upon us. However, sometimes we play with those warnings thinking it won't hurt ME. I'm just looking at it, I can evade the inevitable. But we get burned, scratched, beaten up or even more severely. I said that I would catch everyone up to date with our lives 'after our storm' . . . so let's reminisce together.

June: VBS, a Full month of CAMPS; Camps at Mission Lake, Flaming Spirit and C.I.Y.. Many weeks that survived the extreme weather issues of: Tornado warnings, massive "BASEBALL" size hail, creeks that turn "RAGED RIVERS" in flash flooding, rain, Rain and MUCH MORE RAIN - Mud, Mud, and more MUD ;-P , then came the extreme HEAT & HUMIDITY that gave into home sickness for a few campers- that was an adventure in itself. WINDs of change, Souls surrendered in our home - a renewal of a LIFESTYLE for all seven of us. Then a great and wonderful renewal of hearts. And ROCKIE mountain experience that changed two others of our family in late June.

July Still in progress; Ultimate Frisbee-Taco Tuesdays-God Experience and small groups for the girls, another week to go deeper with our walk spiritually @ MLCC :-D, JJ & Rhapsody's wedding in St Louis, Family to support Barb/Nana in the BIX Run/Walk in Quad City area, possible reuniting with a Kindred - Joy H. than off to Colorado for 4 of us - oh how my soul yearns to breath the ROCKIE air, and go to my favorite "Spot" and roots to where I "talked" with Him. I have a deep yearning for that time.

August - has yet to come; Colorado and than to Illinois returning just days before school begins and a Kickoff to our second annual Fall Festival.

Now how does all this tie into the "storms". Storms transform. We have been transformed by the renewing of our minds. I've been living character building moments during the last 10 months that are MOUNTAINOUS. October 2008 - present well it's been strenuous, but rewarding as well. 25 years ago . . . and now; I still desire to have the Holy Spirit CONTROL my mind. March 18, 1984 and July 18, 2009 two life changing moments, Ones' that have led to Character building through the storms passing through all of my life. Now being the mother of five blessings from Heaven I know that storms come and pass. The effects are also evident and they create a new outlook on the scenery - ours hopefully through the spirit is of life and peace from Heaven :-D.

last picture taken by Carson Nurski -CIY Durango Colorado

Summer Rush

Summer 2009 is a Rush in many facets.



It is amazing how fast this summer is passing by. Hadassah is already 6 months. The girls hearts are changing. We've become tied together in a new light yet characteristically so uniquely different.

So much has happened in my life as well as my families lives. WOW!

Two young ladies are well . . . my prayers are being answered in HUGE MASSIVE TITLE WAVES, figuratively speaking and KENT well . . . that is a TITLE WAVE and me . . . . seems like a TSUNAMI!!! I'll update later. ;-D

FREEDOMS

America the Beautiful.
Amazing as it is how many of the US citizens reflect on what it cost to be "FREE".

Many women and men who defended our country and our liberties that may very well may be enslaving us to . . . idol worship maybe? I wonder.

I am FREE to proclaim that I am an American because our nation was founded on the fundamentals of Christianity and our allegiance to Jesus Christ, "One nation under GOD" the very thing that slowly is being taken away from us now the 21st Century citizen.

I am FREE to profess my faith so far. But how much longer? I wonder.
I am FREE because of those who fought in battles so that I could still be living in a country who lives for Christianity.

I am FREE to live because the Creator allows it. :-D

I am FREE from Sin because Jesus Christ died for them when I deserve death.
I am FREE to live in ETERNITY since I accepted him into my life.
I am FREE because HE is HOLY.

I am FREE. And for that I am thankful that Jesus Loves me and YOU so much that he died, he was buried, he rose again, and he went to prepare our home so that he could come back to get us - HIS BRIDE to take us with him. Are you FREE to follow him? Are you ready? He has extended the cup to you and to me to be his bride are you accepting it and coming? Come. Follow. BE FREE for all Eternity.

relfections of 17 and then some

The Majesty of His wonders . . . . make me say WOW and AWESOME and . . . I am speechless.

Wow . . . it is so wild to see the world through the girls eyes! I am sooooo very glad that they didn't grow up any other way than in Jesus Christ from the get go.

You know I remember going to Bible College and wondering, "What stories that everyone grew up on? What experiences of Jesus as a child in him? What, What, What? and Where?" I was like a sponge that was thrown away in the desert and being saturated didn't even seem possible until a rock climbing experience in Boulder Colorado with a bunch of "strangers" literally and figuratively speaking. They were 'different', I was looking, searching, and pondering their differences while loving the Rockies (since I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS - and ALWAYS WILL!!!) and the day's event. Yes it was the clear answer to hearing my "calling".

17 & 15 they returned from Colorado and "shinning"! Awed yet again be the splendor of God's Grace and Mercy now through my girls discovering God in a much deeper way than I did in those wonderful Mountains along the Rockies Majesty! They were literally breaking from from the world, sins that I have no clue was 'tying them down". Tues. night while I was prayer journaling for them, the Holy Spirit was already "Blowing and Burning" in their souls. He moved in where I will never be - Praise the Lord for that! My purpose to try my best to just be in Jesus and try my best to live it. I remember 17 for me was discovering Jesus for the first time. Falling deeply in love with him and beginning a metamorphosis that years later my 17 and 15 year old girls would get to know him on a vastly different yet the same way - TRUE LOVE - Agape Style! WOW!

You see . . . I have learned a lot over the past 7 months. Through some tough times yet while climbing the "rocks of life" there are always risks, but when fastened securely to Jesus Christ he knows the pains, the slipping, the falls, the hanging on for dear life and the TRUST that comes with the TRUTH of reality. The Hope and knowing He's not gone but as sure as those very Rocks I'm climbing. Yep my early teens seem to have seemed to re circle and make me remember again - It's NOT about ME! He is my sure foundation, The girls sure foundation and just like he called me, answered me and guides me he is doing the same for them the way HE knows is BEST!

June 2009 has been a year of renewal through the climbing experiances that have had some challenges, and some victories that exceeded my expectations. Thanks Yvonne for sharing the Love of Jesus Christ and Never stopping with a "no" response to anything! Because now even a third daughter surrendered her life to her allegiance to Jesus Christ by accepting Him into her life then being immersed. Yes life is full aroma of the wind.

Thank You Jesus for coming and asking me to follow. For I wouldn't have the joy of seeing the fruit of Your life. Amen.

The reflections of 17 . . . . and then some - Your AWESOME LORD!

"Your MUM" (mommy) :-) is praying

Oh the joys of being a "MUM"!

3 weeks into summer and I am joyful! Joyful that while Kent, Faith, Emily, Hadassah, and I along with Reagan the little girl we care for were at 3 camp weeks together, we endured the discovery of finding Christ in a different way in depths unfathomable. This Mum was praying for many things beginning with renewed vision.

Let me shine some light. I returned once again; after my "cave" moments since . . . well a very tough and difficult past in ministry and some healing now, to prayer journaling. Which I might add has been refreshing. My 98.8% Godincidence moments :-). Again this Mum - praying for protection from the world.

See while in week one not only did we endure severe weather, Mya and Tia were on their own serviving a Tornado Warning at another camp roughly almost 2 hours away in the opposite direction along with their own severe weather. During that time - Once again the prayer journaling began. 2 of my four requests answered. :-) Beyond my requests. Awaiting the other 2 to reveal the answers on God's perfect timing. All while discovering my true Love in a whole new way - which prepared me for something altogether breath taking. Over the past three weeks (and 3 and one half months) my knees have become very sore from bending toward Heaven. Yet I love Him for NEVER being late and being the "True Seeker" of me. For now I understand why he says that when I seek him with all my heart I shall find him (Jeremiah 29:11-ff) I shall find him. So again because of this simple truth - this MUM is praying again for Direction, Truth, Love and the wisdom to be discerning for our home individually and together.

The next week another severe weather week this time all of together except Mya. While we were dealing with the "Flash Flood" that we were spared the lives of two in particular - Praise the Lord our Abba Father God. in Less that 1 hour and 15 minutes we had a down pour that made a tiny weeny creek turn into a very bold, raging river brought some amazement. Were we ready for the outcome? Not fully - really just praiseworthy for mercy and grace in a dark evening. Amazing. Then in the wake of the outlook of possible F3 maybe F4 tornado weather praise Him for not allowing that to take place. WOW! more pray journaling yet incredible peace. Once a MUM the bended knees are Never the same for prayer is intensely keen and trusting upon the strength of Him alone. During this time . . . Faith realizes the raging waters with in and asks to rededicate her life to Jesus Christ because of a little girl who gave her life to her ministry to place the flowers in the vase up until 2-3 days before her return to Heaven.

Then this week incredible HEAT along with Humidity. Yikes. Yet more prayer. For again Mya and Tia are now in a location over 16 hours away discovering the only one who will Love them more than me. Again this Mum is praying!!! Praying for the drought of a life withering in the desert of the world. Parched yet not aware of the ramifications of death without truth that is absolute. This week, Faith found her Lord in a stronger walk to the point of wanting to relinquish her life to Jesus Christ. Baptized to begin a whole new life in the only one who matters 100%! "As a new born babe craves the pure milk of the word" I literally watched Hadassah - trust me with that nutrients the last three weeks much like I have been doing over the last three weeks gripping, gullping, grasping and gravitating for more with every breath of each prayer for the girls, my friends, those whom are difficult for me to pray for and for a renewed spirit. This Mum is STILL praying!

I am answering his call and . . . I am awaiting His BEST through being a Mum whole hearted, while still using the ventilator to have the pure oxygen from the Living Word that is Active and Living with the ability to breathe Him in deeply while exhaling Him even more so!