First week of school...

A lot of people have been asking how my first week of school went.  I can say it went good, but not as great as I thought it would go.  I was very sick the week before school started and still hadn't gotten over it when the first day came along.
I don't know what this sickness was, but it took everything out of me!  I had no energy, I just wanted to curl up and sleep.  At times I felt like I literally couldn't keep my eyes open.  It was very hard to focus on anything.  So when I logged onto my online courses for the first time and saw all the info to take it, I got a bit overwhelmed.  I couldn't process it all.  It made me very anxious.  I went to my first on campus class that night and it went smoothly.  Ben had dinner ready when I got home, which made everything better. 
After a few days, I started feeling much better and was able to actually comprehend what I was reading and get organized with all of my courses.  I felt much better about everything! 
So all in all my first week was good. 

I really think I'm going to enjoy school.  I have evening classes at the campus two nights a week, which is nice for me to get out of the house and have a break from the computer at home.  In one of my classes I have a test every week (my first test is actually tonight) so that should be interesting.  But I feel confident about it and am really looking forward to everything. 
It's going to take some getting used to, not only for me but for Ben and the kids as well.  It has been 10 years since I was in school and I wasn't a wife and Mommy then.  I know I can do it and with my supportive husband here encouraging me, it will make things much easier!

On a side note...
I took the kids to school this morning, as usual, and on the way back home I started thinking about how much our lives have changed in the last few months. 
6 months ago it never would have crossed our minds that we would be living in Gainesville.  I know Ben never thought he could or would be happy attending a "big church", let alone being able to serve on the Worship Team.  I never thought about going back to college before moving here.  I know our kids didn't think they could or would be happy anywhere but in Bushnell. 
6 months ago our lives were kind of upside down and we didn't know where God was leading us.  We just knew that He was in control and that was all that mattered. 
So when I was driving home this morning thinking about all of this, I just became so overwhelmed by God's love and faithfulness.  For the first time, Ben and I completely gave up EVERYTHING to Him.  We wanted nothing more than His will.  We put our lives in His capable hands and this is where He led us. 
Here, where every single person in this family is the happiest that I have ever seen!  I have seen a change and growth in this family in the last few months...there are no words to explain my joy.
Whenever I hear someone ask Ben, "How are you liking Gainesville?"  and he answers, "I love it!  It feels like home. It is home",  I can't help but smile, because that is exactly how I feel, and I know that is only because we listened to God and this is His plan for us. 

I know I might talk about it a lot, but after everything we've gone through and everything we've seen God do...I can't help but be excited and share how good He is!!

I am so overwhelmed by God's love and faithfulness!  My heart is so unbelievably full!

Looking forward...

I can't believe this year is just about over!  It has definitely been a year full of trials and blessings...trials that turned into blessings.  I recently came across a 'Note' that I wrote on my facebook after Ben was let go from his job last year.  It was dated 12/29/10 (which was 2 days after he was fired)...

"My faith has grown so much over the past couple of years.  I used to be a worrier.  I used to stress and get emotional over every little thing that went wrong.  And that's just it, it went wrong...if it wasn't what WE had planned, then it was wrong and scary.  I always knew that God is in control and deep down I knew that it would all be okay.  But still for some reason I always doubted and I always thought of the worst possible scenarios.  But as time has passed and I have grown in my walk with God, I have found myself knowing that things always work out for God's plan. That He has never failed me and promises never to. 

So now I can say without any hesitation that after Ben was unexpectedly "let go" from his job on Monday that we are going to be okay.  More than okay, we are counting this as a huge blessing! 

A few years ago if this would've happened, I know I would be a wreck right now.  Not knowing what the future holds, not knowing how our family is going to be provided for.  Just not knowing. 

Here's a little back story to how life has been for us since Ben started work at RAC...
    If you don't already know, Ben worked for RAC for over 8 years...he got hired a month before we got married.  They have always required their employees be scheduled a minimum of 50 hours a week.  He moved up to management level pretty quickly, which was just more demanding of his time.  Which was more time away from his family.  He has always worked from 8 or 9am until at least 8 or 9pm, five days a week (which included every Saturday).  We have always eaten dinner as a family when Ben got home from work at around 9 or 10 pm.  So of course our kids have always stayed up at night until around 11pm (even on school nights) so that they could have at least an hour with their Daddy every night before bed. 
When Brayden started t-ball last year for the first time, Ben had to sneak out from work early every game night so that he could catch the last 10-15 minutes of his games. 
Not to mention how stressful, mentally and physically demanding it was.  Poor Ben, that's all I can say.
I used to beg him to search for other jobs so that we had him home more and so that our kids could have more of a normal schedule.  But when he's been with this job for so long and it pays the bills so well, it is scary to leave and not know if anything different will work out or not. And of course, when would he ever have the time.

I have prayed almost every night for years now that God would do something with Ben's job.  That he would open doors and that something would change so that we could be happier as a family.  I believe that God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, and Lord knows that we both have desired this change for some time now! 
That's why we are believing that this is a huge blessing for our family!  We know that God will provide for us and that he has something so much better in store for our family.  This has to be the answer to my prayers, finally!  We don't know what the future holds, but we know that it will all work out according to His perfect plan.

Psalm 37:3-5

Ben told me today that he hasn't felt this good in a very long time...how many people can say that after just being fired from their job.  ;)

Thank you everyone who have offered their prayers and kind words, it means a lot.  And if anyone knows of any great jobs out there...we are all ears!"

It's amazing to me how we had no clue what was next for us.  But we had faith and God provided so much more than we could have imagined!  

After much prayer and moving around, God opened a door and we came to Gainesville.  We have gotten so much confirmation that we are where God wants us!  We are so unbelievably happy and blessed.  I can honestly say that this has been the best thing that has happened to this family.  

We have grown so much already and are continuing to grow together as a family and together in God.  

This wife and mommy can't imagine being more happier than I am right now!

I just can't wait to see what 2012 holds for us!!  I have a feeling that it is going to be a GREAT year!!

 Happy New Year everyone and God bless!!!

A Work in Progess...

It has been a while since I've blogged.  I think I got a bit discouraged since my last blog post, only at myself though.  I think I got carried away and didn't really look at what I was doing.  


I'm a firm believer that pushing your own convictions on other people is very counter-productive and not an effective way to reach others.  But I think I recently, not intentionally, did that very thing in my last blog post about Halloween.  When I started out writing that post, my intentions were to inform. 
Obviously, I personally want nothing to do with Halloween.  I feel strongly about that, but I know tons of other Christians feel completely different.  I really just wanted to share and inform, but I know that my post was not written in the most effective way.  I used a lot of quotes that I found and really liked...I thought they were great, but I didn't think about how other people might take it.


I honestly really feel like we should all do our best to research and pray about every matter and then, with the Holy Spirit's help, decide for ourselves if it is something that we should or should not be doing or participating in (and how that might effect our personal walk with Christ).  Because everyone's relationship and walk is different.


I grew up in a church that was FULL of a lot of ridiculous rules.  Rules that really were not Biblical at all, just stuff that, in my opinion were personal convictions being taught from the pulpit.  
I was taught that if we didn't follow these rules and do what was considered 'right' in their eyes then we were living in sin, "backsliding", and needed to have some serious 'altar time'.  
Then of course there was always tons of judgements and talking amongst the congregation as to if 'so and so' was living by the guidelines.  There was a knew "heathen" to talk about each week.  
You can only imagine how difficult that was as a teenager trying to find her way in life.  It left me very hurt and confused.  
When I finally left that church I ran from those rules and from God.  It took me a few years to find my way back to Him.  When I finally did, I really didn't know right from wrong anymore.  Because of what I was taught I didn't know what to believe or even who I was.  When I started going to a different church (same denomination) I couldn't understand why things were so very different there.  
It was very difficult for me and took me a good while to find the truth for myself.  


My point here is that I never want to be someone who forces my personal feelings or convictions onto anyone.  I know how destructive that can be.  I know that some things might be considered a temptation to someone, but not to the next person.  Anything can be turned into an idol or an addiction, that's where our faith and help from God really comes into play.  
It really all depends on your personal strengths, weaknesses, and your walk with God.  So when we feel strongly that we shouldn't participate in certain things, that doesn't mean that everyone else who serves God shouldn't participate too.  I think that if we are seeking God and want His will, then He will let us know what is right and wrong for our lives.  The only thing we have to do is search His word, really pray about it, and be open to Him. 


I am still a work in progress, as we all are.  The reason why I started blogging was to somehow grow in my personal walk and maybe even help others along the way.  I think that this is a big lesson for myself. 

As for me and my house...(some Halloween truth)

I just want to start out by saying that I am NOT writing for any one specific person. 

I know a lot of people that take their kids out on Halloween to trick or treat, but do not have one specific person in mind when writing this.  

This is just a subject that I feel passionate about and wanted to share my thoughts.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord...and teach our children all truths about this world, including halloween.  This should be a no-brainer for Christians.   But unfortunately it is not.

- Celebrate: to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities

                     to make known publicly; proclaim

                     to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.

                     to perform a religious ceremony

I know a lot of people who say that they don't "celebrate" Halloween.  They dress their kids up in cute costumes and take them around a safe neighborhood to collect some candy.  They are not participating in anything evil and their intentions are good, so it's okay, right?  

Anton Lavey was the founder of the Church of Satan and the author of  'The Satanic Bible'.  Here is a quote of his out of 'The Satanic Bible'...

"After one's own Birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (6 months before Halloween) and Halloween."  

A quote from Tom Sanguinet, a former high priest in Wicca...

"The modern holiday that we call Halloween has its origins in the full moon closest to Nov. 1st, the witches new year.  It is a time when the spirits (demons) are supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting planet Earth.  Halloween is purely and absolutely evil, and there's nothing we ever have, or will do, to make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus."

Halloween was originally a deeply occultic pagan holiday and it remains so today.  It is a holiday that celebrates death and contacting the dead.  Nearly all of the "Halloween traditions" that are observed today have their roots in ancient pagan practices. 

In the Middle Ages, the Catholics tried to "Christianize" these practices, but the truth is that when you put a pig in a dress it is still a pig.

On Halloween night, once again this year there will be Satanic rituals held all over the world, there will be animal sacrifices to various "gods" and there will even be human sacrifices.

Halloween has always been one of the biggest days of the year for those involved in Wicca, witchcraft and Satanism.

Where in the Bible does it say that Christians should regard that day as special?

Origins of 'Treat or Treat':

To obtain sacrifices offered to spirits and the god of the dead, druid priests would go from house to house asking for fatted calves, black sheep, and human beings.  Those who gave were promised prosperity, and those who refused to give were threatened and cursed.  

Every time your child chants 'Trick of Treat', he/she is repeating an age old pagan festival.  He/she is partaking in an age old pagan festival of death.

Origins of 'Jack-o-Lantern':

They served as a signal to mark those farms and homes that supported the druids' religion and thus were seeking the "treat" when the terror of Halloween began.  

The World Book Encyclopedia says:

"The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face of the Jack-o-lantern is an ancient symbol of a damned soul."

Dance of Death:

While people and animals were screaming in agony, being burnt to death, the druids and their followers would dress in costumes made of animal skins and heads.  They would dance and jump in the hopes of warding off the 'evil' spirits that were coming.  This is where wearing of costumes was originated. 

A woman by the name of Carol Kornacki practiced witchcraft for over 6 years.  She is now an Evangelical Christian.  Here is an excerpt from her blog:

"Halloween.  A nice innocent holiday celebrated by the masses?  I don't think so!  Everything about the holiday is death and darkness.

I practiced witchcraft for six years.  I can personally tell you that the night of October 31st was one of the highest celebrated of the year.  It is the night of "Samhein the god of the dead."  It is believed that on this night, Diana the goddess of fertility goes to sleep and the grim reaper, Samhein would awake.  He would summon the spirits of the nether world to come up and torment the farmers and the peasants that lived in Britain at the time. 

The Druids, a blood drinking priesthood would dress up in ghoulish costumes and roan the countryside threatening the villagers that, if they did not produce a virgin by midnight of the 31st they would cause havoc, the cows would not give their milk and the fields would not produce their crops.  (Hence, the costumes and the mantra "trick or treat" that our children utter as the collect their candies)  That night a carved squash would be placed on the front porch of the victim's home with a piece of human fat burning inside.  That's where we get our carved pumpkins.  A hexagram would be placed on the front door in blood.  During the night there would be fear in the hearts of the farmers. 

It is believed by those who practice witchcraft that, on Halloween night the veil between the living and the dead is thinner so spirit travel and necromancy, (communication with the dead) is practiced hardily.  Bone fires, (what we refer to as bonfires) were also big.  Humans would be burnt alive in wicker baskets offered to the god of the dead.  Apple dunking was considered divination.  Skeletons, black spiders, bats, ghosts, spirits, death, and horror are all part of the celebration of the "Night of Death"!

In modern times the holiday has changed little.  Let's look at it realistically.  First of all it is a known fact that animal shelters will do an early and complete lockdown because animals are stolen, usually found sacrificed.  The candy that our precious children collect will have to be closely investigated due to the tampering that goes on.  Razors, poison, and other evil goodies have been reported every year.  How pitiful!!  In some wooded area's blood will be found from some unfortunate victim.  It is a fact that it is a night of orgies.  You would be surprised how seriously those who practice Satanism view this night.  Come on folks let's be real.  Isn't there enough death and darkness in the world today?  

Aren't our precious children seeing enough?  Should those who are Christians be more protective of their loved one?  Shouldn't we find an alternative?  I HAVE SAID IT MORE THEN ONCE, I WILL GLADLY SAY IT AGAIN, YOU DON'T SEE WITCHES SHOWING UP ON CHRISTMAS TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR WONDERFUL SAVIOR, SO WHY DO WE CELEBRATE THE NIGHT OF DEATH FOR THE GOD OF DEATH?"

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

3 John 1:11

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

As Christians we should be living our lives with God on our minds at all times.  In everything we do, we should be asking ourselves if it is pleasing to Christ.  

*Can you actually with a clear mind after reading these things say that God doesn't mind???*

I know that a lot of Christians think it's okay because they don't participate in any of the evil aspects of this holiday, but the fact remains that the soul purpose in which this 'holiday' was created is to glorify Satan.  This day is the highest holiday to many Wiccans and Satanists still today and they still perform those same ancient satanic rituals.  So why as Christians, who follow and love Jesus Christ, want ANYTHING to do with this day?  

You can not redeem Halloween.  It is a day of celebration that comes from darkness and evil 4,000 years old.

I think a lot of people choose to take their kids trick or treating or participate in Halloween to some level, simply because they want to.  We need to start putting Christ first and thinking about what is pleasing to Him and not what is pleasing to us. 

Life is good and only getting better...

Life is becoming pretty busy for us here in Gainesville.  But we can finally say, with all the craziness, we definitely feel like we are HOME! 


The kids are busy at school and church.  They love their school and have homework due every night instead of once a week like they did at their old school.  They are involved at church every Wednesday for the children's Christmas musical.  They are really excited about that.  They also have a lot of fun activities and get togethers coming up with their small groups in Children's church.  

Mikayla has a play that the 3rd grade class is going to be putting on at school.  She is a sheep in 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' and has a small speaking part.  She is also getting a pen pal from South Korea and is super excited about that. 
Brayden is doing sooo good in school and is looking forward to t-ball starting in the Spring.  He wants to join football and basketball too, but we don't want to put too much on his/our plates at once. 
Aslyn is enjoying Mommy time (for now) while the kids are at school.  We are trying to get her to try out the Toddler class at church, but so far she has not wanted to stay.  So she sits in with us, for now.  

Ben is doing really well at work and is starting to see positive changes at his branch. 
He just recently started playing bass full time on the worship team at our church on Sundays.  God really opened the doors for him to get involved right away.  The opportunity really just fell in his lap!  It is a huge answer to prayer because Ben was really worried that he wouldn't have the opportunity to be involved in music at a bigger church.  He is really loving it and enjoys being able to learn and be pushed to grow.  His playing has already improved so much in such a short amount of time. 

Ben and I are involved in a class every Wednesday that is for newcomers of the church.  It is basically a class that they offer for anyone who wants to learn more about the church and what they are all about.  Helps people to get more plugged into the church and everything they have to offer.  After we are done with that, then we will be joining a microchurch (small group) that meets once a week.  We are really excited about getting involved and seeing what God has in store for us.

I am currently working on a healthier me and through that, I have developed a new fondness for food and cooking.  Occasionally I will be posting some new yummy recipes that I try out.
My life also will become very busy in the next few months.  After a lot of prayer, discussion, research, prayer, thinking, and more prayer, we decided that I will be starting school in January.  I will be a full time student at Santa Fe College studying to get my Associates of Science degree in Health Services Management.  I'm super excited and one of the best parts is around the time I graduate, Aslyn will be starting kindergarten.  So I will be ready to either get out there and start a career or continue on to get my Bachelor's degree.  
I am still praying and searching for God to reveal to me that special way that I can serve Him better.

God is so good and our lives just seem to be falling nicely into place here in Gainesville!  Our Pastor told us in one of our Wednesday classes that they really just want people to feel like they belong there. 
That is exactly how Ben and I are starting to feel.  It's exciting for me because for so long I haven't felt like "I belong", and now, in such a short period of time that is changing.
Life is good and only getting better.
 

Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalm 37:4

So much has changed for us this year, but the biggest change has been our walk with Christ.  Our faith has grown tremendously, our focus has changed, our priorities.  We have grown so much.  God has done and is still doing a work in this family and it's amazing what happens when we allow Him to. 
I have said it before and I will continue to say it, because I think there are so many people that need to grasp it...
It is so incredible what happens when we pray for God's will to be done in our lives, but actually truly mean it. 

Those dang kids...

Kids:

Always wanting SOMETHING

Always complaining

Always doubting

Always in need of correction

Always stumbling

Always trying to justify their actions

Always asking tons of questions

Always in need of a lesson

Always forgetting what they've been told

Always angry or upset when they don't get their way

Always disobeying

Always in need of me, even when they think they aren't.


Always talking-
Never listening

Never happy with, "because I said so"


Never careful of how they act or what they say in front of other people

Never wanting to put in the work to get the reward

Never thinking of others first

Never thinking of me first.


I wonder if this is how God sees His children (us) some times.  I know that my kids drive me nuts at times, but they are still just kids!  I wonder how disappointed God is with us when we are grown adults acting the way we act.  We are still just kids in the eyes of God.  I know that if God didn't have perfect patience then He would be so frustrated all the time with us.  He'd probably want to knock us right up side the head and yell, "what's the matter with you?!?"  Maybe He does in His own way...

Just something I was thinking about.  I strive to be more of an adult in the eyes of God.  I know that we are not perfect and we will probably always be "just kids", but the point is that we should always be trying. 

Loving God, loving life...

I just wanted to start this blog by saying how absolutely amazing my God is! 

We are pretty much all settled in.  We love the town, our home, and the kids love their school.

We started going to a church that we are really enjoying.  There is so many things that we can become involved with and we are so excited to see what God has in store for us.  We are already seeing Him move with opportunities that are starting to come open, that we didn't think would be possible especially so soon!  So much is falling into place for us already.  I have felt for a long time that God has so much planned for my little family and I finally feel like we are on the right track. 

It is so amazing what happens when you begin to pray for God's will in every aspect of your life.  I mean, when you pray it and REALLY want it, and allow Him to move.  It's like a complete change in thought process.  It's incredible to see the changes and growth that is happening in this family.  I am so thankful and happy!  And to know that this is just the beginning is so unbelievably exciting! 

 "When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in the light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly, many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears." - Rick Warren

That is exactly how I feel.  I have just come to a point in my life where I don't want anything that isn't what God has laid out for me.  I find myself CONSTANTLY asking for God's will to be done.  I only want what He wants for me and my family...everything else is pointless.  You know it's one thing to say that you want His will, but when you really truly mean it and give everything over to Him...everything changes.
Jeremiah 29:13 has a whole new meaning to me now...
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I've known that Bible verse ever since I was a little girl, but only now am I really beginning to understand what it really means.

I am just very thankful and excited right now for everything that God is doing.
I ask that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.  This is only the beginning of this chapter in our lives.  Please pray that we continue to stay in God's perfect will.
I am at a point right now where my goal is that in the very near future God will begin to use me in a special way to minister to others.  I am praying and seeking revelation in what He has planned for me personally.  Please pray that God's purpose will be revealed to me and that I will know exactly the best way to begin to serve Him better.

With all that being said, I've added a few new family photos that we recently shot...enjoy!