Taking a Trip!!!

Last week was a very busy week for me. Lots of preparing food, shopping for warm clothes,  packing clothes, cleaning the house, school,and some more shopping for some warm clothes.

 It was very hectic and busy, but I didn't mind because I was getting ready for our FAMILY VACATION!!!

Friday afternoon, My Man...AJ...and the rest of us loaded into the van...headed down the street, turned around  because I forgot something...did this twice, but we finally made it off the road

First night we drove to Satsuma, Alabama. Kids got a new toothbrush for the trip, they were really excited!...Here is Zechariah with his new train brush...
                                           



It was a late night, but the next morning we all were anxious to get up. We were on a mission.

With little giggles in the back, some playing animals...                            


                                                              Some "reading" books...

                                                                   Sleepy ones...

                                                     ... gazing  at my handsome husband...

                                                    and others were  making funny faces...
                                        


it was a nice ride to our first planned stop.

Montgomery, Alabama to see my sweet god-daughter, Alyssa. She recently moved there from down south in sunny Florida where I grew up. She is now going to a small college and I wanted to stop by and see her and her dorm and hear all about how she likes living up there.

It was a short visit but we enjoyed seeing her room as well as having lunch with some of her other family that was in town.  
                               

After lunch, we headed to a little oasis in the middle of the city where they showed us the project they are working on for the city. It's a garden with fresh produce. The kids enjoyed picking cucumbers, carrots, squash, and tasting fresh okra.

                                               

                                       While others were more interested in the trains going by.

                                                

                      After lunch, it was back on the road again. We crossed state line into Georgia...

                                          



                                                         and drove through downtown Atlanta...
                                           

  This place is CRAZY with traffic!!!  I tried taking pictures of the traffic but they all turned out blurry from the fast furry of it all!

Seeing all of the lights from the cars hurrying down the road reminded me of the Bible verse "Go to the Ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise" (Proverbs 6:6) It was very busy. I love how the Lord gently reminds be I need to be more busy and less idle.

Our next stop for the night was Taylors, South Carolina. We wanted to make sure we had a sound church to go to on Sunday. We attended Grace Baptist Church. I especially enjoyed Sunday school. The teacher taught about being a peacemaker in the church, and not a strife maker.

Service ended and we loaded up again. We wanted to get on the road to head to the church we wanted to attend that night.

But on the way, we decided to stop and take a little break and let some energy out. We all had had fun...
                                                    
                                                                       Running...

                                                                 playing ball,

                                                  looking at God's beautiful flowers,

                                                             finding "cool" sticks...

                                                            playing in the fallen leaves...

                                       

                                                                   climbing trees...
  

                                                        



                                         and Kaylyn acting like she was a tree losing leaves.

 Time passed and we needed to head to church.

We stopped in Melbane, North Carolina at Grace Reformed Baptist Church.

It was a very good message from 1 Thessalonians about love. There was much said, I was convicted in areas, but I was left with a question that I have been meditating on...Am I characterized by love? Do I show Christ's love to others? Oh how I fail, but my desire is to honor the Lord and grow more in this area.

After church, we headed to Richmond, Virginia for our next stop.
Crossing into Virginia was especially exciting because this was the first time the kids have been to this state!
                                       

 We were all hollering with joy!

 By this time, the weather has dropped at least 20 degrees. We went from sunny, warm Texas to "I think I'm gonna die it's so cold!"

This morning we woke up to freezing weather. Brrr!!! But hey, I won't complain, God gave the cold weather, I will be thankful. It's a great time to snuggle with My Man and the children.

Our drive today was beautiful. We were able to enjoy some of the fall colors our great God created. Even though it was at the tails end. I sat amazed looking at His creations. He has so blessed us in spite of our sin. We don't deserve to see or have anything pleasant due to our sin.

                             
                             
                                 
                                 


It has been some very late nights, and getting up early these past few days, the kids are tired, we are tired, but we have each been having a good time.

Today we saw some great places, but you'll have to wait to see where we are at! It's late, and I'm headed to bed to snuggle with AJ and pray. It's my favorite time of the "day". It's quite, dark, time with my Lord to pray for others. If I know you...be assured I have prayed for you these last couple of days or will be in the upcoming days.

                                                 Good night friends, until next time...

The Fruits Of the Spirit

Over the years, I have spoken with my children of my need for Christ. I speak of failures, I confess, and I tell them of God's great mercy and grace to me. I have told them if they ever see sin in my life I want them to lovingly come tell me. 

Sometimes I get a tap on the shoulder and a whisper in the ear, other times a child will bring me to another room to talk to me. My children have always been so kind and gentle with their words when they approach me with sin they see in my life.

The past few days I have been pondering in my heart the fruits of the Spirit and my role as a mommy. 

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22:23)

The Lord had already been convicting me on each one but two in particular. 

Faith.

I have failed my children in this area. I so often will tell them we are doing something and fail to make it come to pass. For example, Fridays are days off of school. I told the kids this year on Fridays we will have fun days together. Crafts, field trips, playing games, just some good 'ol time together enjoying one another. But when Friday rolls around, I look around and see something that needs to be done in the house saying to the kids we have to work instead. But truthfully, what I am doing is breaking my word to them, not being faithful, and telling them a house cleaned is better than quality time with them.

God is so faithful to me, in spite of the messiness of sin in my life. He doesn't send me away when I go to Him in prayer, when I come to worship Him on the Lord's Day.

So yesterday, I take each child to the side and read the Fruits to them. I tell them I want them to tell me the fruits they feel I am "not doing well".

Each child gave the same answer.

Temperance (Self control).

I knew I had already been failing with temperance. The Lord has been convicting me.

Each child said lately I have been harsh with they way I talk to them. They said for the past few weeks it seems like I get irritated a lot easier.

It is true. I have had a lot going on in my mind, I have prayed and confessed to the Lord. But when a moment arises, the kids are quarrelling, I snap at them. A job is not done, I get frusterated.

Just Monday I had a little temper tantrum. One of the children was practicing piano and I went to put the metrononme on for them.

No tick and no tocks. Just swaying back and forth.

I immediately call the rest of the children in and proceed to tell them I want all of their money, I tell them they will be working to pay for a new one. All with a harsh voice. One child was crying, the others just stood there.

See how sinful I am and in need of a great Savior!!!???!!!

Last night as AJ was fast asleep in the bed next to me, the kids were warm and snug in their beds, I cried out to my Lord, to once again, please forgive me. I cried for mercy. His strength. I prayed for Him to shine through me.

This morning I awoke, praying once again that I would show Christ to my children, in spite of the happenings of the day. I also woke up not feeling well.

Today, I have 5 tired children. Which any of you with younger ones know how a tired child can be. 

I thank God for the opportunity to be sanctified through this day. Persevering, not in my strength, but the Lord's, to make this a day with no harshness in my tone of voice. 

I sat with the children and we prayed confessing our need for Christ and His help today to be gentle and long-suffering with one another. 

So far, the kids have done well after our prayer time. Except one who is in the bedroom hopefully praying.

We shall see how the day goes. There is much to be done. We have company coming tomorrow for the weekend, and possibly one tonight. Next week we leave for family vacation. Lots of pressure to get things done.

But Ishall rejoice in the Lord and persevere. Repent. Pray. And continue to depend on the strength of the Lord, because in my own strength...I WILL fail!

Please pray for me. Pray I would be faithful to my children, have soft answers always. And more importantly, that I would honor the Lord.

How about you? How do you struggle as a mommy? When you read the Fruits of the Spirits, do you see your own failure? 

May we be in prayer for one another, going before the throne of God, loving and holding one another accountable as we "walk" this life "together" seeking to honor and glorify the Lord, growing more and more in our love for our great God, bearing much fruit of the Spirit for His glory.

By the way, remember that tamper tantrum over the metronome? It wasn't broken...just needed to be winded.

PERFECT!

This is an old post when from when I was pregnant with our Zechariah. These were some trying days but with God's peace, joy, and strength I longed to meet our little baby and live a life with our son...even if he  had problems physically and/or mentally....because I knew...in my heart he would be "perfect".


I dedicate this to my friend (you know who you are) who is struggling with the possibility of her young one having some problems.


  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." `~Philippians 4:6-7


11 weeks ago the Lord blessed AJ and I with a new child that is being knit in my womb. The weeks and days have been long with the never ending nausea, fatigue, and detest for most smells. This is a blessing though because I am in constant reminder that the Lord is forming a perfect child for our family.

The first question people ask me is, " Do you want a boy or girl?" I usually respond "whatever the Lord gives me I will be thankful". Then they proceed to say,"Well, as long as it is healthy, that is what matters." Although they have good intentions when they say this, the Lord placed on my heart last Wed., August 14th, WHAT IF THE BABY IS NOT HEALTHY?

So, What if the baby is not healthy?...
Does this mean the baby will be less special? What about less beautiful or handsome? A mess up by God? Not as lovable? A burden? Embarrassing?

God forbid!

I believe God placed this on my heart because 2 days ago I went to the dr. for a regular checkup. As Dr. Moore checked for a heartbeat he could not find one. After checking vaginally and still not able to find a heartbeat he ordered an ultrasound on me right then. He told me to be praying ( he is a fine christian). When I went into the room with Elijah, my youngest who is almost 18 months,
They found a heartbeat. Dr. Moore and I gave thanks to God. As he was leaving the room, the ultrasound lady tapped him on the leg and pointed to the screen. They looked for a bit, meanwhile Elijah is tired, hungry, teething, and sick which leads to a fussy baby. After a few minutes of them looking, Dr. Moore said they are looking at the head of the baby as it looks like it is swelling. They proceeded to look and discuss things with each other for about 15 min. I did not hear anything they said due to Elijah fussing. Dr. Moore said they want to do an U/S on me in 4 weeks to check the baby. To be praying. He said it could be nothing, but then again it could be something.

So here I am now 2 days later.

What does all of this mean? Well, after some research, it could mean different things. I won't go into detail but each one is not favorable to a "healthy" baby.

So again, what does all of this mean?

It means God is still in control. God is forming this wee one in my womb. Is this baby perfect? Spiritually, no, no one is perfect, but physically, yes, my "Little One" is perfect because God is forming the baby perfect in HIS sight. The world would say," Oh how terrible, what a sad thing", I say, MY GOD IS GOOD.

In God's Word He says in Romans 8:28 "And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose."

So, IF this baby is not perfect in the worlds eyes, I will not lose hope in my God and what He has preordained for AJ and I. We will rejoice in knowing that God is doing a good work in us. He is molding us according to HIS purpose in HIS way.

I am not foolish enough to know there will not be hard times emotionally. I will shed tears...I have already. I may grow weary at times. I may find it hard to smile at times thinking of my "Little One" who may suffer...

But I will keep my eyes on Christ. I will look to Him for my peace, comfort, and joy. And I will rejoice in the Lord, whatever the outcome of the next ultrasound, for I know.......our baby is being knitted by God's PERFECT hands and will be PERFECT according to Him.

Thank you God for our "Little One".

I Love you friend, please know we are praying for you in this time of uncertainty! Cast your care upon Christ...for He careth for you...and your little one!

Shatterred Dreams

Last week, My good and dear friend, Amy, texted me.

"Please pray for Rob! We're on our way to the hospital in an ambulance. He dove into the pool down the street and didn't come up. He's not real alert, not breathing well, and seems to have some spinal and neck issues!!!"

All day waiting, 5 hours of surgery, my dear friend learned her husband was paralyzed, chest down with no use of arms and legs.

"Complete paralysis" the dr. said, "which has less chance of recovery."

These words have rung in my head over and over for the last 8 days.

I began thinking of how this would affect the family dynamics. Ramps will need to be placed into the house, new van accessible for wheelchairs, a new table for them to sit at low enough for his chair to slide under, etc...

Through the initial shock and tears my husband and I shed while driving to Louisiana to be there to support our dear friends, one thing kept ringing in my ears louder than anything...

"God is in control. Before the foundations of this earth was formed, God ordained for Pastor Rob, on July 3, 2012, to dive into the pool and break his neck. All things happen for the good of God's children whom He loves.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

 God knew  Amy would be at Walmart, the kids would  witness their daddy not coming up for air. Their oldest few would pull him up, Cade, the oldest at age 12, would blow breaths of life into his blue daddy saving Rob with the help of God our Father in heaven.

It has been a long week  for my friends.  Sleepless nights, sinus issues, hard decisions to be made, not so nice nurses, broken dishwasher, need for constant oxygen, a/c stopped working, did I mention sleepless nights?

Many would look at this family and think of the shattered dreams.

Bike rides would end, camping would be harder, water parks would be no longer be a time of daddy walking up the steps to enjoy the excitement as they raced down water slides, adventuring through the woods behind their house...no more. Running through the water at the beach...no more. Hiking through the mountains...no more...

But I would say to those who consider their life full of shattered dreams...consider this...

Their life as it is now, has just begun.

Some physical dreams may be shattered but this is the beginning of Spiritual dreams they would never have imagined.

To grow in the Lord, spiritually, in news ways.

Learning to lean and depend on Christ deeper than they have ever had to.

 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Growing their faith, trusting in their great God and believing His Word.

Being humbled by the love and support of people from all over praying for them.

The strength our great God has given them in this time of weakness. Physically and spiritually.

^" Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." ~Isaiah 41:10

The opportunities that  continue to arise for them to share of God's goodness. People they would have never met...nurses, drs, therapists...

New ways each day to seek our Lord for their needs.

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."~1 Chronicles 16:11

Grow in patience. 

 ^" My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." ~James 1:2-3
 

Friends, it is ok to be sad, it is ok to hurt knowing the difficulty this trial has brought... this was a horrible accident, that will be filled with many trials, tears, hard times, disappointments and they will need our constant prayers,encouragement and help, but in the end, we are to  have faith in God's Word that He will be glorified in Rob's accident.We are to be encouraged to look and  see how the Lord will use this trial in the lives of this family (and ours) to draw them and others closer to Christ.

Yes, again, they will have some shattered dreams physically, but I know this family...growing spiritually is the most important thing  to them. And as hard as it may be for them, I know, without a doubt, they will suffer through this time trusting in God's Word that this is for their best.

If you would like to keep up with the progress of Pastor Rob and "meet" his family, check out their blog.

If the Lord places it on your heart to help them financially, go here.

Update on  Pastor Rob...He felt a tiny sensation in his foot the other day. We rejoice!!! The doctor has said he is now considered "incomplete paralysis". The story is not over... God may desire to show His great power and restoration. It will be a  hard time of therapy, but we are praying for Rob to be able to use his hands again, to stroke the tender heads of his children, hold his wife in his arms, and walk....if it be the Lord's will.

 

Brother Rob and Amy..."  we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light" (Col.1:10-12). We LOVE you, our brother and sister in Christ!!! Know that even though we are not close, you are near to our heart.

To God be the Glory...to God be the Glory....

Why?

I check my email. My eyes are drawn to "Tom White Dies of Suicide".

Tom White? But...wait...did I read that right? Yes, Tom White.

For those that don't know, Tom White is a former prisoner of Cuba for his beliefs in Christ and sharing the Gospel with this lost country. He also was the director of Voice of Martyrs for persecuted christians. I have his book, I know his story.

I open up my email and read of his death. And my heart saddens. My eyes burst in tears.

His wife.
His children.
Grandchildren.

They have lost their loved one.

Their pain. My heart hurts for them.
Questions they are asking themselves.


"Why?"
"How come he didn't talk to me?"
"Why didn't I see signs?"
"What was going through his mind?"
"Did he die right away? Or did he suffer?"

These questions are close to my heart for I asked myself the same ones when my sister killed herself.

My heart stopped when I recieved the call from my family that night. I thought it was a sick joke, but it was reality. I hung the phone up.

I lost my breath.

I prayed.

I ran to AJ's arms to cry out to my God.

"Oh Dear God in heaven, I don't know why this happened, but I know you have a reason. Be glorified, be glorified......help... help me dear God."

This was all I could say and was my cry for a long time in the deep pain I felt.

Oh the pain this family is feeling right now. If only I could get to them and hold them tight. Speak God's Word in their minds.  

Tell them to cling to the promise God gives us in His Word in Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you; never forsake you."

Suicide brings different thoughts to your mind unlike other deaths.

Tom chose to take his life. My sister chose to take her life. 

There are so many feelings that go with this horrible way of death. Too many to tell here. Some I wouldn't repeat except to my closest friends for "others" may find it strange.

But in the midst of the deep, dark, horrible pain there is hope.

Didn't feel like it, I just had to believe it. I had to remind myself daily. Sometimes minute by minute.I had to stay in God's Word.

Oh! And will you do me a favor? Don't judge him. Don't say he is in hell. Don't say he wasn't a true christian or he would have persevered. Don't say he wanted attention. Don't say he can't be forgiven.

These accusations hurt. They did me.

My sister is in heaven. I know because she loved the Lord. She was a young believer, but a believer. Once saved, Christ covers all sins, past, present, future.  If she killed herself for attention...that is an odd way to get attention since she is not here to get it. My sister persevered in her own way. Did she give up? Yes! But we all fail. The only difference, it was permanent for her. For Tom.

The White family is hurting right now. Will you join with me in praying for them?
Pray they will keep their eyes on Christ? Pray that others will surround that family and hold them up in God's Word when they feel too overwhelmed to think for themselves?

Will you pray for my family? The pain never goes away. Gets easier. But doesn't leave.

I'll always miss my sister.
Toms family will miss their dad, grandfather, husband.

So why did Tom take his life? Why did my sister?

There are accusations. There are stories. 

Some say they don't know, but I know why. 

God's Word tells me in His Word:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

That is why!

I know God has His reason. For my good. For the good of those in Tom's life that love the Lord.And I thank Him. He knows the best for me, Tom's family, and yours. I believe it. I trust it. And I have seen it.

So, in the midst of the pain this family is going through, my prayer is they will hold fast to God's Word. They will one day see how God has used this immense trial and God would be glorified from their mouths.

In Memory of a man who loved the Lord

and a girl...

Whom I still can't look at a picture of....

To God be the Glory.

Hello Again!!!

It's been a long time since I have blogged. I have had much that has gone on in my life the last 6 months. From illnesses, unexpected, sad, death of a cousin, trials of spiritual war, traveling, to just spending time with my beautiful family. It has been a long 6 months but good as I have seen the Lord work in my life. He has convicted me, He has grown me, He has chastened me. All glory to Christ our Savior.

I look forward to blogging again, and Lord willing, will be doing so on a more regular basis again. My goal is to do 1-2 posts a week. Though, I never know what the Lord will have planned for each day. 

I am excited  to catch up with all of you! Until then, may our Lord reach deep in your hearts and grow you in Him!


To God Be the Glory!!!
Christina

Update!

In July I posted the heartbreaking stories of the young lady who lost her hero...her father and my neighbor who lost his wife giving birth. Thank you to all who have called, e-mailed, asked about these two people. Thanks for praying!

Maelynn is doing ok. She was previous;y homeschooled but now is attending a school. She is loving it! I wish I could give more info. but I will leave it at please pray for her. It is a hard time for her. So much for a young girl to have to deal with at a young age. She is a sweet girl that my kids love. Please remember her. She needs our prayers......

My neighbor, Fernando, is doing as best to be expected.



Before I give an update, I would like to correct my info from my last post. It was second-hand.

The death of his wife was a difficult, tragic one.

They went to bed about 1 am, July 6th. At 3am he woke up to her having seizures in the bed. She was rushed to the hospital where they did an emergency c-section. Lisa was unconscious and he was not able to be there. Her heart was failing, kidneys, and eventually her lungs. Lisa lived for 18 hours. Which was a blessing. The condition she had, which Fernando didn't know in English, is rare. Most ladies and their babies die within 30 minutes. Instead of her fluid gushing out when her water broke, it went up. It is a condition most drs don't ever see in their practices. They only read about it.



Alicia was in PICU for a few weeks. Since returning home, Fernando has been her sole caregiver. Though he has had family with him, he has stated he wants to be the one to get up at night for her feedings, change her diaper, care for her like her mommy would have.

He has decided to sell his home and move to Pennsylvania to be with Lisa's parents. He left a week ago to live with his brother in San Antonio until his home sells.

Alicia is a doll. She is 3 months old now. She smiles, coos, has tummy time. Enjoys being outside.


Fernando...well...as you can imagine, this has been very tough on him. His heart aches. He longs to be sharing each milestone Alicia has with his beloved Lisa. He thinks of the joy she expressed about wanting to be a mother. But he is doing it alone...

Please pray for him. These days are very tough. I have seen the pain and tears in his eyes. The grief. The sadness in his voice. It is a hard journey. So many decisions to make. So many memories to be made without Lisa.

Please pray for the Lord to minister to his heart and give him a peace that can only be given by Christ. Pray for his house to sell quickly so he can be up near the resting place of his wife and surrounded by her family who supports and loves him.


I give thanks to you who has prayed on behalf of these 2 people. I do ask that you don't stop. This is just the beginning of hard journey for them. The holidays are coming up and birthdays will arrive. Times of grief will still be there.

Please pray with me that the Truth of God's Word would be made known unto them and Christ will be their strength in these great times of sadness...


Isaiah 40:18-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.