I Choose Jesus

And when the devil tries to back me into that dark place with black, black walls... i don't let him.


i take out my paint buckets of bright yellow paint, i fling them hard, splattering brightness into his awful and evil hole.


Next I take out the red paint, mark a bright red heart and a cross on the bright bright wall. and then that devil.... well he slinks away- because he knows he is forever defeated.


i will not back down.
i choose joy.
i choose hope.
i choose jesus.

Gentleness

"Can I tell you one of the Bible verses that’s been chasing me around lately?
It’s Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

When the Lord was handing out the gentleness gene in July of 1969, I forgot to stand in that line. Lots of people who were being fashioned at the same time as me got the gentleness gene.

Some people stood in line twice and got a double dose.

Me? Not so much."
To continue reading....go here:

http://www.incourage.me/2011/02/but-i-dont-feel-gentle.html

Pictures-Choosing Joy

even when winter threatens to hang on forever.....we enjoy the days where sun and warmth come out of hiding for a time.....and we choose joy.....and thankfulness for these moments....

melting snow and jumping in the puddles.....

thankful for these 3 little blessings who have rocked my world and forever changed who i am....

and learning to love again even when i mess up and lose my patience.....

and bask in the moments of crazy monkey businesses....and be thankful they are healthy....

and when valentine's crafts make messes....let the mess and enjoy the moment.....

and laugh at their silly crazy smiles.....and praise them for puzzle accomplishments....

and be so very thankful for the big and little people in my life.....for both jason alans ;)

i choose joy....in a dark world....

One Thing At a Time

"TAKE ONE THING AT A TIME!

God’s grace really is sufficient and He really does meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. As much as we want to see all that manna heaped up in a mountain of provision a week in advance alongside those upcoming demands,

His promise in Philippians 4:19 is to meet each one AT THE TIME WE NEED IT.

Thank You, Lord.

If we could learn to live in this present moment with this present provision, oh, man, life would be so much less stressful, wouldn’t it? "

~Beth Moore

Pictures-Aubrie's 1st Bday

We look for visions from heaven, for earthquakes and thunders of God's power, and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us.


If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we shall see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes when we learn that it is in the commonplace things that the Deity of Jesus Christ is realized.

~Oswald Chambers~

Broken Places...

http://www.incourage.me/2011/02/how-to-mend-all-your-broken-places.html


"Because when we remember how He blesses, loves us, when we recollect His goodnesses to us, we heal — we re-member.

In the remembering to give thanks, our broken places are re-membered — made whole.

When we re-member all His blessings, we re-member all our fractures and in giving thanks in the assembly, it’s our very souls that re-assemble. "

~Ann Voskamp

These Littles..

“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.”

~Henry Ward Beecher

Weekend Recap

What makes an amazing weekend.....

1--The hubby gets a 4 day weekend (well kind of, he had institute Friday so was still working)
2--Made some unplanned extra money Friday which is always a good feeling and huge blessing!
3--A date night out with good friends...amazing food at Biaggi's and saw the movie:
Just Go With It.....sooooooo very very funny ;)
4--Amazing conference on Saturday: Connecting Hearts with the Forgotten
5--Quality time with more close friends later on in day....and with the monkies....
6--Very very deep, heart to heart talks with the hubby
7--Trip to the grocery store to get ready for Aubrie's bday party
8--Warmer weather....lotsa sunshine!
9--Gobena Coffee
10-Close girlfriends that are a constant blessing/encouragement in my life...I am a better person because of them ;) many great talks this weekend....
11--Snuggling with the monkies
12--Church and our church family...and God meeting me right where I needed Him to
13--Worshiping together as The Body
14--Celebrating the life of a friend/relative that went to be with Jesus....and getting to see relatives/friends from across the miles
14--Quality time with more relatives and friends for Little Miss Aubrie's 1st Bday party
15--Massages
16--A very crowded houseful of loved ones ;)
17--Knowing the hubby doesn't have to work tomorrow ;)

The Forgotten

Today we learned:

In the United States alone...there are 500,000 children in the foster care system.

135,000 are children just wanting for families...500 in McLean County alone.

Today we learned that a child was taken away from his family because it was caught on a Walmart video camera ---a father ramming his shopping cart into his child and then running the shopping cart over the top of the child. Abused.....

Another child was left on someone's doorstep in a baby carrier with a note declaring that they just couldn't take care of them. The baby was later found in a home laying on top of a pile of dirty laundry, with no adult in the home. Abandoned....left alone......

Another child is covered in bruises....because of alcohol or drugs took control. Unloved...

A 4 year old girl screams and carries on with a temper tantrum for 45 minutes....unable to be reasoned with or consoled. Her parents took no time with her....neglected.

A 4 year old boy gets is taken from a home....wearing a dirty diaper, smelling dirty, and holding a cup full of rotten milk.

My heart can't take this....can yours?

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans... in their distress." James 1:27

Pictures-Valentine's Day 2011

In remembrance of Blake Hall

every kid on the team, friends and assistant coaches took a swipe....

what an awesome 5th grade team!!

Happy Aubrie Grace Day!

Aubrie Grace.... Noble, Bearlike, and full of Grace

1 year ago today you came into our lives and changed our lives forever.

1-You have been full of smiles since you were 2 mths old.

2-You started crawling at 7 mths.

3-You started walking at 10 mths.

4-You love to dance and raise your hands in the air.

5-You love Gabe and Ellie so much.

6-You have just as much determination if not more than them.

7-You seem to have the same exact allergies as Gabe but we are praying and believing you will outgrow them just like Gabe is.

8-You have just started throwing little temper tantrums.

9-You love your blankee and suck your thumb when you have it.

10- You hate any shirt that comes up on your neck....it makes you very very mad :(

11- You only have 2 little teeth.

12- You like to carry around stuffed animals and pat their backs.

13-You like to do things you are not supposed to....very very much.

14-You like to be right where your brother and sister are.

15-You are beautiful.

16-We love you so much....

17-We are so blessed that you are ours!

Happy Birthday lovebug!