Agnus Dei

First of all, I checked Nic's facebook status this morning and it said that Sarah's CT scan and MRI turned out pretty good and that she had a better evening last night.  Thank you Lord.  I will continue posting updates as I get information...thank you for praying.

I have been searching for this song on My Playlist forever.  I have been putting in all kinds of names...search words...and nothing.  So today, I head over to the K-Love website to look at songs and I find a song by the band Third Day.  I type in a search for all songs by Third Day and see the song titled Agnus Dei.  What in the world is that?  Well I listened...and as God would have it, it was the song I have been looking for!

Of course I couldn't find it...I was looking for all the wrong things!  I needed to understand what Agnus Dei meant so I went to the dictionary for help...

Agnus Dei~a Latin term meaning Lamb of God, and was originally used to refer to Jesus Christ in his role of the perfect sacrificial offering that atones for the sins of humanity in Christian theology, harkening back to ancient Jewish Temple sacrifices. The phrase "Agnus Dei" refers to several uses of this image.

The search words I had been using were...Worthy is the Lamb.  Isn't that funny?  I was using the very definition of the words, but getting nothing.  How frustrating!!!

Sometimes I think that God makes us wait to find things until He thinks we are ready.  I give Him total credit for the things that happen in my life and I know that He was either waiting on my heart to be ready to understand the concept of this song, or He was laughing at me...and chances are, He wasn't laughing at me.  He was telling me to be patient...to be still.

The words to this song are so powerful...yet so simple.

Alleluia, alleluia
For our Lord god Almighty reigns
Alleluia, alleluia
For our Lord God Almighty reigns
Holy, Holy are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the lamb
Worthy is the lamb
You are Holy, Holy are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the lamb
Worthy is the lamb
Amen

Worthy is the Lamb. In the book of Revelations, John writes in Revelation of the song that the angels were singing. They sing that Jesus is the lamb who was slain who was counted as worthy to receive many things like power, wisdom and praise. (Gospel.com) 

In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"  Revelations 5:12



Isn't that cool?  We are singing the same words that the angels sang in reference to the Son of God who would be slain for our transgressions...for our sins.  Worthy is the Lamb of our love...of our trust...of our lives.  Don't you think?  Have a blessed day all!  Happy Friday!

Amy

Prayers for Sarah

Just got word from a friend of Sarah's that she is going back in for an MRI.  She is having more headaches.  Thank you!
Amy

If you want me to

Song~If you want me to, Ginny Owens

This week has brought forth many emotions for me.  I don't know Nic and Sarah well at all.  Nic is my son's teacher and I have passed Sarah a few times at school, but don't truly know them.  I am learning about them through this process and I am so proud to know that Nic is Tanner's teacher.  I told someone yesterday that it is a blessing to have a God loving man teaching my child when school doesn't really allow God to be around.  I know they don't talk about God in class, but I do know that his actions reflect Christ.

In blogging about their story and posting updates, it got me thinking.  Would I be willing to go through the valley if God asked me to?  I am sure that had you asked Nic and Sarah a week ago if this would be ideal for their lives, they would have answered No.  But in reading Nic's note the other day, I am pretty sure they are embracing the path that God has given them...and even sharing His love in the process.  I am willing to put myself out there every day with  my faith.  I write what is on my heart.  I am proud to be a Christ loving woman.  I am proud to say that I am changing my life and making Him the foundation in everything I do.  But am I willing to say YES LORD! to the bad times?  Am I willing to accept and embrace the broken path that might be in front of me?  I can't say that I am.  Does that make me ashamed?  No.  It simply means that I need to work that much harder to trust in the Lord with ALL of my heart...not just the side that says...I trust you when things are going well.  I heard someone say the other day that we are never "there" with our faith.  That our faith is a journey and when we reach the point when we think we are "there", we fall.  Satan doesn't just strike those who are far from Christ.  He comes full on at those who are strong in their relationship with Him.  He attacks us in the best of times.

I thought this song was perfect for this question in my mind.  Do I trust Him.  Am I willing to do whatever it takes for the Lord?  Am I willing to shout it from the mountain tops?  YES LORD!  But am I willing to walk through the valley to get to the mountain tops?  If He wants me to...

Lord, be with us as we make the decision to trust you day in and day out.  Be with us as we become more willing to follow your heart rather than trying to understand your hand.  Help us Lord to know that you are with us...no matter what.
Amen

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

God is so Good

This is a letter that Nic put on facebook late last night.  His faith is undeniable.  Read and pray for them.  And know that God is with you every step of the way.  He is in the valley and on the mountain top...and I am so glad.  Thank you Nic for sharing your heart.  Take time today and listen to this song.  Healer, by Kari Jobe.  God is so Good...

I have seen posts, texts and emails and have heard of HUNDREDS of people that are praying for Sarah and our family. AMEN. If Sarah would want one thing to come from this situation, it would be for everyone (from her husband, to someone who just happens to stumble upon this letter) to come closer to God. She would not want prayers specifically for her, but that everyone would just pray more, and God be glorified during this time.



There are many examples where God has guided this whole situation. For example, after debating, Sarah and I decided to go back to the exact same ER that we just left an hour earlier from with a clear CT scan. When we arrived the second time, they did another CT scan and found the bleeding in the brain. There just happened to be a hospital a few miles away that have the best Neuro surgeons within hundreds of miles. We get a doctor on call that happens to get bothered by the fact that no one can find a reason for the bleeding after 2 days, and spends his extra time looking at Sarah’s charts and CT scans over and over. That doctor happened to run into THE best brain specialist around and was willing to ask the specialist for help. The specialist just happens to be free at the time, sat down, and looked at Sarah’s info. He finds a blood clot that no one else probably would have found. He is experienced enough to find it even though the clot is in a very rare spot. (This hospital sees about 4 people a year with a clot in this place. Vein not artery) . The specialist then tells us he has NEVER seen just one clot (usually many) in this spot in the brain. He goes on to say that none of his doctor friends around the country would believe him if he told them about this ONE clot in this spot. Yet, he still has confidence in his findings and abilities to carry on the treatment path for Sarah. Today a family friend, who happens to be a doctor and has been advising with all the doctors here at the hospital, went to eat lunch with his sister for the first time in 15 years at a neighborhood deli. The lead doctor on Sarah case happens to walk in the same deli at the same time and they discuss her case over lunch. These are just a few examples of how God has worked in Sarah’s situation. There are many more (incredible Christian nurses, as little damage as possible from the stroke, etc…)


I hope that everyone who has said that they were praying for us have done so and have been blessed by it. I hope that Sarah’s one wish has come true and people have grown closer to the Lord because of this situation. Please, if you do not know God and his power, come see us and talk to us. If there is anything that I have learned from this obstacle, it is no one knows how much time you have.


In God’s Love,


Nic

Yes, Jesus Loves Me

Quick update on Sarah...she was able so get in a wheelchair yesterday and her boys were brought up to the hospital.  She was able to hold the baby and hug her two year old.  Vision is still gone, but her speech had improved.  Keep praying for a full recovery for her...I know her family appreciates the prayers so much.

I started a new bible study yesterday called He Speaks To Me, by Priscilla Shirer.  As life would have it, I put in the DVD yesterday morning and could hardly hear the TV over the kids.  So I stopped.  I then tried to watch it again over lunch.  No luck.  I started getting frustrated and just asked God to come and make this a priority in my heart right now.  As I have said before, I tend to shy away from anything that requires a commitment.  So at naptime, I put the DVD in my laptop and Priscilla and I cleaned the kitchen together.  We had two baseball games last night so I haven't had time to get to the workbook, but if anything great comes out of the workbook, I'll be sure to share it later today.

Childlike Faith...

Priscilla started talking about this girl Ryan that had been at a conference she spoke at.  Ryan was publicly worshiping God.  Hands in the air, loudly singing...all out worshiping God.  She was autistic.  "She was a 2 year old, trapped in a 17 year old's body".  She was not hindered by the what others would think thing because she didn't know better.  This lead Priscilla to talk about having childlike faith.

I was amazed as I listened to how much she was connecting to the bible.  Bible studies are so great for me personally because I just don't know the bible like I should.  I believe...I have faith...I know that God is in my heart...but knowing the word is difficult for me. 

Luke 18:16
Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven to belongs to such as these.

God knows that children are such innocent creatures.  We as children were so dependent on our parents...and not just as children, but as babies.  As babies we are dependent on our parent's every move.  We knew they would feed us the right foods, and put us to  bed at the right times.  We TRUSTED them to take care of us...never doubting them...never questioning their motives or their plan.  God wants us to be like that in our live for Him.  He wants us to know that He will never take us where He is not.  He wants us to know that He will direct us in the path that He Himself has designed for us.  He wants us to FULL OUT TRUST HIM. 

I was thinking about our oldest son Brett...and how he is nearing the lovely age of 11.  He has already started rolling his eyes and sighing when asked to do his chores.  He throws up his hands and stomps down the stairs when he doesn't get his way.  But in public, he chooses to be less obvious because others are watching and he doesn't want to be embarrassed.  I thought of his faith and his personality.  He is not one to raise his hands in worship...but as a child, he was less inhibited by what others thought.  Are we too late?  Have we lost the opportunity to share with him the importance of keeping that childlike relationship with God?  No way.  I am 32 and learning every single day. 

Take time to reevaluate your relationship with Christ and revert back to your childhood. Remember when singing the loudest and talking about God was so great.  Remember when you said that God loves you and no one looked at you funny.  Try to care less about what others think and give Him your full and complete trust.  Remember that He loves us...so much...and that the little ones belong to Him.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Faith and Hope

It doesn't matter what you've heard

Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

I was listening to the radio yesterday and this song came on.  I have heard it so many times here recently, but yesterday it seemed more relevant. As I got updates yesterday about Sarah, I tried to write so you all could see and pray.  But there were moments when I didn't want to type another word.  It just seems so unfair that this young, sweet family would be going through such a rough time.  In comparison to what?  I don't know.  I just think it seems unfair.  I don't know why they are going through this...but...they are believers.  They have a huge support system with family, church family, their school family...etc.  I can't even imagine how many people were praying for them yesterday and it makes my heart so happy to know that even though they are in the middle of their storm, they have so many supporting them.  Talk about hope...God hears us all and He is with them and us as we pray.  As the songs says...Hope that doesn't ever end...even if the sky is falling.  For so many...Nic and Sarah included...I am sure their sky does seem to be falling.  But miracles CAN happen.  God has a plan.  We will continue to pray for the Hope and the miracles of His promise.  Please keep them in your prayers in the days, weeks and months to come.  I will continue to update as new information is there.  I am starting a new bible study and I am so excited to share what I learn with you.  And again...thank you thank you thank you for praying for the Slayton Family.   Today is a new day for all of us...that's what Faith can do.

Have a Blessed Day.
Amy

Update from Nic

I am copying this update from Nic Slayton (Sarah's husband/Tanner's teacher) from facebook.  Please continue to pray for her recovery.  I know that God is with them.  Thank you so much for following and for praying. 

First of all, thank you to everyone for all the wonderful comments and outpouring that has been shown. Just seeing all the posts, blogs and comments has been a blessing to us. Sarah had the angiogram this morning, which is a CT scan with dye to see contrast. A specialist found a clot yesterday evening. He couldn't get ...all the way to the clot to see if he could remove it carefully. Continued

It did show that the bleeding didn't get worse from yesterday. Also showed a little blood flow around the clot which is good. Best case scenario he thinks that with a weak blood thinner for a couple weeks, she might get out of Neuro Critical Care and to a regular ICU room. Then maybe a few more weeks she can come home.... That is if the blood will dissipate and bleeding has stopped. Continued...

She will be on stronger thinner for 6 months after that and have to get a MRI in a few months when the blood is gone to see if they can find a cause to all of this. That is best case probably. She is still in an extremely dangerous situation as more problems can arise at any time. Her vision is very bad right now. Hope...fully in 6 months and with therapy it will all return. Thank you again everyone. God Bless. Nic

Update on Sarah

Checked out clot with angeogram.  Will start blood thinner and pray that it heals itself in a week or two.  Then six weeks of stronger thinner.  MRI in 3 months to check for a tumor.  Very slow healing process. 

Update from a friend on Sarah's condition.

Update on Sarah

Okay all...Sarah is through surgery and all went well.  She was talking after surgery so that is good news!  Proof that the power of prayer is simply Amazing. Thank you Lord!

Amy

Update on Sarah

Got a message that Sarah is in surgery now.  Please pray for them.
Amy

Update on Sarah

Heard from a friend that Sarah is dealing with a blood clot in the brain.  The following is a post from Sarah's facebook page.  Sarah's sister is updating it as they find out information on her condition.  Please be with them in prayer.

Dr will try to unblock the clock. There is a risk of stroke and massive hemorrhage. The Dr feels confident though


7 hours ago via Facebook for Android · Comment ·LikeUnlike.Write a comment....

Sarah Jo Harmon-Slayton Amy again. Sarah is diagnosed with dural venus thrombosis. She has a rare situation that the Dr has never seen. Angiogram 8am. Please pray then.
 
Thank you and please continue to pray.
Amy

God...I know you are there

Whenever something bad happens, we tend to question His presence in our lives.  And not just our lives, but in the lives of those around us as well.  I can't tell you enough how over the past year, I have learned to understand His presence.  The fact of the matter is, He is always there.  He is always with us.  He never leaves our side.  He comforts us when we need comfort.  He sits with us when we cannot sleep.  He asks us to lay our burdens on Him and He takes care of our problems.   His answers may not always be our first request, but He has a plan for each and every one of us.

Whenever bad things happen, we tend to wonder what is to happen next.  We ask...What can we do to help?  We make phone calls and check facebook...hoping there will be some kind of an update.  We scurry around trying to plan meals and find ways to help.  All wonderful things to do when someone is in need...but we first should drop to our knees and pray.  Pray that God will take care of the sick...the poor...the hungry...the homeless...the sad...the lonely.  It is so easy to fall into the trap of carrying those burdens ourselves and as I have quoted PR before..."There are no scars on your hands".  There is no reason we should be the ones carrying the weight of other people's troubles.  God carries those for us.  I am so very guilty of getting over involved...especially when I think someone needs my help.  But I was reminded last night that the best thing I can do for people is to pray.  Give it to God and if and when my physical help is needed, be available.  Well that sort of makes me feel like I am sitting on my hands.  But he is right...too much help can create chaos and chaos can create more stress.  So I'll pray my hardest today that God is right there with them and that He is doing what is in His plans.  Trust.  Trust Him.  Know that He is always there.

I had posted this song awhile back, but it gives me such peace when stressful things are happening around us.  Mercy Me, Here With Me

I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

Lord, let those in need feel your touch today.  Let them see the wonder of your beauty in their time of need.  You are Amazing and I know that you are there for me always.  Show those who doubt...touch them...and lead them to you.  Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Please continue to pray for Sarah and Nic Slayton.  (Tanner's teacher)  Sarah is recovering from two strokes and has bleeding on the brain.  She and Nic have a two year old named Cooper and a two week old baby named Parker.  Please pray for their family in their time of need.  Thank you.

Healer

I believe that you're my healer
I believe that you are all I need
I believe that you're my healer
I believer that you are enough for me
Jesus you're all I need

Healer, Kari Jobe

We got news yesterday that a teacher in our school district was put in the hospital with headache symptoms.  She teaches at the elementary school and just recently had a new baby.  They also have a two year old.  Her husband is also a teacher at the elementary school and just happens to be the teacher of Tanner...our middle son.  I wanted to pass this on because they are in a situation right now that needs hope.  It has been told to me that she has suffered two strokes and is recovering slowly.  They are a good family and are in need of some major prayers.  Please lift Sarah up tonight as she is going through this awful experience.  Please lift her husband (Nic) up as he is unsure of the outcome and worried for his wife and children.  Please lift up their little ones as they go through the next few days depending on the arms of others.  And please know that Jesus is the ultimate healer.  He knows her path and we have to trust that she is safe with Him.  Please, please, please be with them in prayer. 

Thank you,
Amy

Be Humble

The definition of humble~Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful

Losing a baseball game can be more than humbling.  When you get run ruled, you are all kinds of things.  Embarrassed, disappointed, frustrated...and the list goes on.

What Coach and I have decided in having the boys play  sports is that we want the sports to teach them life lessons...not just how to play the game.  Our oldest son's team won an entire tournament last weekend and we were all excited.  Then they stepped onto the field and lost miserably to a team in a league game the very next week.  They played a game this morning and did so great!  Then played a game at 3:30 and lost their tail feathers.  It was not pretty.  And to say the least, they were humbled.

I think humility is such an important part of someone's character.  I think you'll agree with me when I say that NO ONE is perfect.  We all have positives and we all have negatives.  We all have good days and we all have bad days.  We all have been blessed with special talents, and sometimes we just don't use them well.  But no matter how we play the game, God is always there.  He wants us to be tried.  He wants us to celebrate in our successes and wants us to learn from our defeat.  There will be plenty of defeat in our lives.  There will be loss after loss in sports.  It is so important that the boys learn how to move past the bad moments that happen in this life.  And how they react to the defeat means everything to us.  I know it is important to God too.  Deuteronomy 8:2 says

Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (speaking of Moses wandering in the wilderness for forty years)

He wants us to be defeated so that he can see the content of our hearts.  It isn't how many times we fall, but how we get back up.  No one wants to lose.  No one wants to struggle.  But God wants to see us handle each loss with grace and humility.  Keep your head up and know that others are watching your reaction to defeat.  It is all about how we rise...not how hard we fall.  Have a blessed day!
Amy

Baseball

8:30am game in Augusta so I'll post later.  Have a wonderful day!

Amy

Coincidence? I think not.

'We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose.' Romans 8:28

I am a firm believer in His presence in our day to day lives.  For several years now, I have been trying to give Him the credit He deserves for the little things that amaze me.  When I first stumbled upon the Kyrie Foundation website...it wasn't by chance.  The friendships I have made and the direction I have gone with the foundation was not at all by some amazing coincidence.  It was divine intervention.  He directed me that day to do all that I did and I am forever thankful. 

There are moments in life when we just sit and think...wait, did that just happen?  WOW!!!  I can remember just the other day thinking...That was totally God just now.  I like to think that he does these things to make us remember that He is there and in control.  When bad things happen, we tend to let that doubt sneak into our hearts.  But if you are open to feeling His daily touch, you'll see what I mean.  Little incidents that happen throughout the day will remind you that He is there.  I said yesterday that we are just too busy sometimes to remember.  And sometimes we are too busy to notice.

Yesterday, after writing the post about realizing and remembering I received several emails and comments.  Mostly people just telling me how they could relate to that in a very specific way.  I don't think for a second that it is coincidence when I write something and someone can relate.  I feel like God puts the words on my heart and leads someone to read them that will understand or maybe that needs to feel Him.  My new friend JoAnne said that she couldn't believe how the last few posts had related directly to her.  I know for a fact that God is working in our lives at the same time.  I don't always understand why He does the things He does...but I do know this.  I hear him saying...I am here.  I am present.  I am showing you that even though I am in charge of the whole world...you are important to me.  You are going in the right direction.

It is amazing what you can hear Him saying when you are open to His touch.

Happy Friday!
Amy

Taking the Time

There are moments in life when we overlook things.  Not intentionally.  Not maliciously.  We just absent mindedly overlook things.  If I were ever famous, I would be famous for this. 

I have learned that it is so very important to take time out to realize what is going on around you.  We tend to get so wrapped up in our own lives that we overlook the needs of others.  I am not talking about big needs either.  I am just talking about the little times in our lives when we just need a friend...or a family member to walk through the door and listen.

Yesterday was the first anniversary of my Mom losing one of her best friends to cancer.  Sherry was an amazing person and we miss her dearly.  But we decided last year when she passed that we would celebrate her in some way on her birthday each year.  As life would have it, we were all busy that day so we went out last night for a little girl time to celebrate her life.  Mom, Chele, our friend Stephanie and I sat and visited and had a great time.  We just spent time together.  And I have a feeling that was exactly what Mom needed to get through the day.  We didn't dwell on the sadness...we just enjoyed one another.  Sometimes we just need to take time out to do things like that to make the sad days seem brighter.  Losing Sherry was so hard...but knowing we'll see her again someday makes it just a little easier to be away from her.

I am writing this today because I think it is so very important to just realize.  We need to realize when our lives are too busy.  We need to realize when others are in need.  We need to be sensitive to the experiences of others when we stand on a soap box and tell the world why we feel the way we feel.  We need to remember that even in our very best days, others may be having a terrible day.  We need to be observant and take time for others.  We tend to focus on ourselves so much that we forget others around us may need a hug or encouraging words.  God is there for us no matter what kind of day we are having...a good friend reminded me of that yesterday.  And it is so true.  He knows when we are happy and he knows when we are sad. 

I know personally, we get so wrapped up in school, sports, and life that I forget to make phone calls to important family members.  I forget to send birthday cards.  I forget to say...I'm thinking of you today.  And I am trying to correct that because I know that God NEVER forgets me.  In being more like Christ...I need to be better at remembering.  I think the more you love with His heart, the easier that will be. 

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

By Your Side

Yesterday my oldest son Brett decided to be like his Mom.  I think I may have mentioned on here before that I am a smidge uncoordinated and I used to fall down alot.  Brett was on a field trip and was touring a KC135.  He fell inside the plane and cut his leg.  He was carried out of the plane and handled by paramedics (standard with injuries on the flight line) and then given patches by the pilot and boom operator of the plane.  I got a call from his teacher who happens to be a good friend of mine.  She said she thought he'd be fine, but she would bring him home from school instead of him having to walk.  When they got home and unwrapped his injury, it was not good.  Long story short, he ended up going to the Dr. to get it 'fixed'.  I won't be sharing any details as they make me nauseous and severely light headed.  He was wrapped up and came home telling me how much better he felt and thought he could go ahead and play his baseball game.  Uhmmmmm....No.

Before the visit to the Dr.'s office, a friend of mine was here helping me clean out his wound. (And by helping me of course I mean doing it because I was trying not to pass out)  She poured peroxide over it and I stood in a tense position next to Brett.  I am sure my face didn't spell support because I don't handle blood well.  But I was trying to be there for him the best I could.  I can remember when all three of the boys had their stitches...I would be crouched down on the floor hanging onto their hand while my sister or husband was up with the Dr. doing the real hard job.  My injured child would be fighting the help because they were afraid.  It is so hard seeing your children in pain and afraid.  You just want to say..."Don't fight it...this is going to make you feel better."  But they don't want to hear that.

I know what you are thinking...What kind of Mother are you?  Well, the kind that will fall straight over if I see too much of anything.  I have told my kids that even though I am a total wimp...I'll always be there for them.  I will always be by their side, holding their hand...even if I have my eyes closed and my head between my knees.  Poor kids...thank goodness for Aunt Chele, Daddy, Kenzi, and Mrs. Ward. 

Having God in our lives is like that too.  He is always by our side.  When we are hurt or injured...He is right there.  When we feel like no one is around...He is there.  When we feel like we can't take another step because we are too hurt (physically or emotionally)...He carries us.  That is just one of the things He does for us. 

Tenth Avenue North has a song called By Your Side.  I have added it to the playlist today and wanted to leave you with a few lyrics from the song. 

I'll Be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
Please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Have a Blessed Day All!
Amy

Hope

Psalms 62:5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

Hope~To desire something with confident expectations of its fulfillment

Last week I wrote a post about all of the sadness that was surrounding me.  After talking with my Mom later that day, I decided I wanted to follow up that post with another one.

That day, so much sadness filled my heart for those around me.  It seemed everywhere I turned, there was heartache and pain.  But I wanted to share with you a few things that have happened since I wrote that post that to me are the definition of  Hope.

I spoke of the Goddard Family and I wanted you to understand the true goodness that came from their fundraiser on Saturday morning.  This family has had it rough.  If you have not had a chance to read their story, please do.  They are a strong, Christian family in need.  You can read their story here.

On Saturday morning, there was a pancake and sausage feed put together by some friends and family to raise money for the family to help with the bills and the looming forclosure on their home.  They raised...

$40,000 !!!

Isn't that amazing?  This family was in need and so many people stepped up and helped.  There were countless donations from businesses and families for a silent auction.  There were volunteers that made it all possible.  There were people who were called to attend that probably didn't even know them...but they went.  All to do good for someone in need.  And were they fulfilled?  Oh no doubt.

Last night at Andover Central, the girls softball team did a 'Hit for the Cure' fundraiser and the proceeds went to the Kyrie Foundation and to a teacher at their school who had just recently been diagnosed with cancer.  This group of teenage girls helped in the planning and putting together of this event in Hopes of doing something good.  To raise money to help in the research of pediatric brain cancer.  As a 32 year old Mother and friend of the Mother who lost her 19 month old daughter to cancer...I was fulfilled at just their efforts.  These girls have so much to do with their teenage time...and to be putting their efforts towards raising money for cancer research?  Amazing.  The baseball team wore pink undershirts to support the cause as well.  I am telling you...Hope is there.

Sadness is all around us, but it is followed by Hope.  Hope that the Goddard Family will be able to get some peace and be able to enjoy their Mother and each other without the stress of financial 'stuff'.  Hope that the Kyrie Foundation WILL find a cure for pediatric brain cancer.  Hope that along the way, there will be people who do good for others in His name and are fulfilled.  Hope that they'll know that behind every painful moment there are moments of clarity and purpose. 

Today I am full of Hope that there is sunshine after the rain.  And I am telling you...there is nothing better than getting involved and doing something good for someone else...just because.  Not for money.  Not for repayment.  Not for any reason other than God says we should.  Do unto others...

Happy Day All!
Amy

Never Goin' Back

Last night I asked you to think about what has happened in your life since you met Jesus. 

I met Jesus when I was very young.  Chele and I have gone to church for as long as I can remember.  But I accepted Him into my heart at an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) conference when I was in the seventh grade.  In thinking back, I was twelve years old.  I was moved by something that was said and remember thinking...YES Lord!  Come into my heart and make me a better person.  Of course...I was twelve.  I was on the very edge of becoming a teenage girl and I am pretty sure I was NOT a good person to my parents.  I believe I was not the best student and find it quite ironic that I was brought to Christ through an event that was lead by a group called Christian 'athletes'.   But I knew at that moment that I loved God.  So I said yes.

What has happened in my life since that moment?  Oh not much...
Just friendships, boyfriends, cheerleading, Homecoming, Prom, Graduation, College, Sorority, more friendships, meeting Coach, falling in love, more College, Engagement, Wedding, 1st anniversary immediately followed by Brett, new home, Tanner, soccer, t-ball, school programs, new job for Coach, new minivan, Brady, sports...sports...sports...AND here we are.

So many things in our lives have happened.  So many things in MY life have happened.  They haven't all been rainbows and sunshine...I just chose to list some of the positives in my life since I accepted Him into my heart.

The second question PR asked was what is happening in your life now?

I believe His point to the sermon was this.  When Jesus called His diciples to follow Him...he asked them to give up what they were doing and come with Him.  Gladly they did.  Matthew 4:18,19

18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

They left everything they knew and followed Him on the biggest fishing trip ever.  However, when Jesus died and had risen to Heaven...they went back to doing what they had done before.  Fishing.

John 21: 4-7
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"

Jesus came back to remind them of what he had left them doing.  He had come and they followed Him.  He then died and they stopped doing His work.  He came back to show them that He was still in fact the wonderful, merciful Savior.  John 21: 18, 19

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Follow Me...even when you cannot see me...Follow Me.  Even when you cannot see where you are going...Follow Me.  Even when you think you cannot make it...Follow Me. 

For me, Jesus has never been a physical presence.  I was not alive to see Him in the flesh.  But in the years since I accepted Him into my heart, I have felt Him for sure.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is there and that He is real.  I can feel Him helping me to fill my net.  I can hear him instructing me from the heart.  I know that He is with me.  I have been fishing in the land of the empty nets...(PR) and it is not fun.  I have been there AFTER accepting Him into my heart and can remember thinking...what a crock!  I asked Him into my heart and look at this mess!  He didn't help me at all.  But the truth is, He has been there all along.  I just recently chose to start listening to Him.  I am now casting my net where He tells me to and am loving the results.

Accept Him.  Love Him.  Follow Him.  Even when you can't see Him...keep on keepin' on. 

The song PR used in our sermon is by the Afters called Never Goin' Back to Okay.  Basically it talks about how excited we are when we accept Him into our lives and then how easily we settle for going back to ok.  Just going back to the way it was.  If you have Him in your heart and you follow Him daily...you'll never want to go back.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Thanks PR for the awesome message.  You rock!

We Interrupt this Blog for Baseball Season

Hi Ya'll!  I would like to apologize to anyone out there who checks this daily.  I have been up and moving since 7am.  We went to church, then home to change and off to the fourth game of the weekend, starting at noon.  We won that game and played at 4pm...in the rain...for the championship.

Guess what...

WE WON!!!

I say we, but of course I am referring to my son's baseball team.  I like to take a small part in that win because I gave birth to him and washed his disgusting socks.

So church...was...AWESOME today.  PR had a great message and I can't wait to share my take on it with you.  However...tonight, I am spent.  I am going to leave you with this thought...

What has happened in your life since you met Jesus?

Think about it and I'll share with you in the morning.

If I haven't said it lately, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this blog.  It is my hope that it touches someone...anyone...the way He wants you to be touched.  I can only hope that you hear Him through these posts...and find a way to laugh at our life along the way!

Happy Sunday Evening all!

Amy

Give Me Your Eyes

The definition of perspective is~a view or vista.  Everyone has different views on things.  And perspective can come into play with just about any topic.  People have different views on where they grocery shop and why.  People have different views on what school their kids should attend and why.  People have different views about where they buy their pizza and why. 

It is so important to remember that when having a discussion with someone about...really anything.  Why would you live in Mulvane, KS?  Well...why would you not?  Everyone has their own reasons for what they do and with Jesus in our hearts, we should try harder to understand where they might be coming from.  I have a terrible habit of trying to convince people otherwise when they have a negative attitude about something I think is very positive.  But I am learning through His eyes that perspectives are usually based on experience.  And those experiences can lead to some very strong viewpoints.  I need to let other opinions be and know that it is all a matter of perspective.  I have to remember that a lot of what makes me who I am is the experiences that I have had that have brought me to this very point. 

I am not saying never try to help someone see your perspective.  I am just saying to remember there might be a path behind them that you cannot see that has brought them to that point of their own.  And pray for them.  If it is something you feel passionate about...pray for Him to soften their hearts and to open their eyes to what they cannot see. 

I thought this song would be appropriate as we could all do a better job of seeing things through His eyes somedays.   It is called Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath.

Off to the baseball tournament all!  Have a blessed Day!
Amy

And so it begins....

Romans 5: 3-5

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Baseball.  Baseball.  Baseball.  From now until the end of the July, our lives will be consumed with Baseball.  I have been talking lately about finding the right balance and juggling.  Baseball season confirms our need for balance.  I have a dry erase plate that I write sayings on and in the spring I like to write...

We interrupt this family for BASEBALL SEASON!!!

It is just so true.  If you need us, you can find us at Southwest Boys Club or West Urban about any night of the week.  I've been making lists of things to pack for the games.  I've been packing a bag for Brady to keep him busy during the games.  I have been putting lawn chairs and blankets in the back of the van and making sure we have sunscreen, bug spray, antibacterial hand gel and a first aid kit.  I have been stocking up on sunflower seeds and Big League Chew.  (Gum, that is)

I am so excited to sit and watch the boys do their thing.  I love watching Coach be in his element with our own kids.  So often he gets to share that gift with other kids and when the boys play, we get to share in what he is all about.  I love to yell for the boys and hug them after the game...win or lose. 

I think God feels like that about our lives too.  He loves to watch us do things that we love to do.  He is there cheering us on...encouraging us...supporting us...loving us.  Win or lose.  Sometimes in life, things don't turn out the way we intend.  But God has a plan.  He gives us losses to learn from.  He gives us wins to celebrate and to remember his goodness.  That is the way He works.  Happiness is there for us to feel His goodness.  To remember His hope and His promise.  Sadness is there for us to live through, learn from and to know that His sacrifice was not for nothing.  It was for everything.  I have been talking a lot about balance lately and it is so very important to find the strength in both.  Happiness and Sadness.  The mountains and the valleys.  They are so very different in our lives, but teach us something so important. 

Enjoy the sunshine...the happiness.  Live in it.  Love from it.  And don't hide under an umbrella from the rain in our lives either.  Let it wash you.  Let it teach you.  And know that the Son is never far from the storm.

Have a Blessed Weekend.  GO JAGS!!!

Amy

Healing Hands

Yesterday was a rough day for me spiritually.  I got word early in the morning of my college friend's daughter and from there I struggled to recover.  I have been working on a juggling act of sadness and normal life.  I am not very good at it, but somehow yesterday I still got some laundry done, packed lunches, made dinner, did some Kyrie foundation planning, and got Tanner to practice only three minutes late.  (oops)  But my heart was heavy all day long.  I started to think of all the sadness.  I was burdened with all the illness.  I started thinking about all the families in need.  I went to Kelly's Korner for some inspiration and her post was full of more prayer requests for more sick people.  Moms of small children battling cancer.  I could only get through two stories before I had to shut it off.  I read on facebook of a friend whose son is battling cystic fibrosis.  Not knowing much about that disease, I decided to do some research on the internet to better understand his illness.  Her little boy is 4.  She also posted about a 7 year old boy that had been battling the disease and had taken a turn for the worse.  She was asking for prayers for them.  My cousin's wife Tanya is leading a team for the March of Dimes this weekend and I am so proud of her for doing that.  She is a neonatal nurse at St. Joseph and sick babies are part of her world.  She faces it daily and she decided to take part in something to benefit this cause.  Lacie Thome, Kyrie's Mom is taking part in a fundraiser for the Goddard family this weekend.  Their story is almost too much to take.  They have seven children.  Their Father passed away recently of a heart attack.  Mom has been battling cancer since 2002 and just recently had brain surgery.  The Dad had no life insurance and they are flooded with medical bills. 

I watched a news story on this family and one of their daughters said something about other people having heavier crosses than ours when asked how they are getting through...WOW.  When I heard that I thought to myself...Really Amy?  You are upset because your jeans don't fit and your three year old won't take a nap?

It seemed everywhere I turned, I found sadness.  I thought for a moment..."God, what is going on?" Why all the sadness?  Why all the heartache?  Why the small children with illness?  Why the Mothers with cancer?  Why the families in the midst of financial struggles?  Why the children having to grow up so fast to help take care of the parents who are ill?  What are you doing up there?"  My mind gets so clouded with doubt sometimes and it frustrates me.  I have come so far in my relationship with Him.  I have gained trust in His plan.  I have blessings each day that remind me that He is near.  He is activly taking part in my life.  He is watching and guiding my every move.  He knows my every thought.  And then things like a friend losing his little girl happen and I think...Where were you God?

His answer is just so obvious to me.  The song by the David Crowder band is the best I could come up with today.  I am feeling such grief on a  fractional level compared to what these families in need are feeling.  And my prayer is not for me to understand ANY of it.  My prayer is for God to wrap His healing hands around their broken hearts.  My prayer is that He gives them the Peace that surpasses understanding.  And the healing will come with prayers from each and everyone of you.  We all know that WE can't save the world.  We cannot make things better.  We cannot join every charity and visit every family in need.  Even though I would do that for a living if I could.  Sometimes we give so much of ourselves, we have nothing left to give the ones who need us the most.  That is why I said I am juggling.  I want to help.  I want to help so many.  But I also have to be available to love and support the ones that are so near and dear to my heart. 
So for now, I will pray for all of those in need.  I will pray for the sick.  I will pray for the needy.  I will pray for those who have lost.  I will pray for those who are starting their battle with an illness.  I will pray for those who have lost a job.  I will pray for those who are celebrating the first anniversary of losing their best friend.  I will pray for those who haven't found Him yet.  I will pray for those who are struggling in their marriages.  I will pray...as hard as I can...because that is the very best thing I can do.  And I will pray that they know he is sitting right there beside them in their darkest hour.  I will pray that they know he is wiping their tears as He wipes away His own.  I will know that my hurt is His hurt.  I will know that their pain is His pain.  I will know that their healing is in His Hands...and I will trust Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight.  Proverbs 3: 5-6

I want you to take the time to really listen to the words of this song today.  All that I can say by David Crowder Band.  Wrap your mind and heart around the fact that He is there with us in our valley and that we don't have to suffer alone. 

Please also take the time to pray for anyone you know that is in need.  The power of prayer is amazing!

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Prayers Please

Hi all.  I got word this morning that a friend of mine from college lost his 23 month old daughter to AML Leukemia yesterday.  I don't know much about the story, but I know they have set up a caringbridge site for her story.  I am asking for prayers for their family as they go through this incredibly difficult time.  CJ and Anna Knoblock and their daughter Morgan.  You can read her story here.  Thank you for lifting them up.  I know they are in need.


Blessings,
Amy

Broken

Can You take me by the hand?

Can You use me as I am?
Break me into who You want me to be


When the time is finally right
Will You open up my eyes
And show me everything You want me to see?
This life is not my own


To God alone be the glory
To God alone be the praise
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for You
The glory is Yours alone
Yours alone


Everything I say and do.  Ugh.  Let it be all for you.  I am trying Lord.  The Glory and Praise part I feel like I have down.  I know He is behind everything in my life.  Every step.  Every breath.  He is there.  He prepared those moments for me.  And I fully give Him credit for the things I've learned over the last four months in writing this blog.  But the 'Everthing I say and do' part tends to haunt me from time to time.  I know for a fact that everything I say and do doesn't reflect Him.  A lot of it does.  More of it reflects Him than it did a year ago...but I also know I am not all the way there yet.  I have those moments where I slip back into the old, bitter, jealous, ugly hearted me.  I say things immediately followed by a 'Sorry God'.  I am sure that God is up there saying something like I say to the boys...Amy, if you don't mean it, don't say it.  And don't take that tone with me young lady.  Right...I am really sorry this time.  Then don't let it keep happening.  Do unto others.

I think it is so great in this song that it says 'Break me into what you want me to be'.  I don't know how many times in the last few weeks I have referred to being broken in coming to Christ.  And I don't mean coming to Him for salvation.  But just simply 'coming' to Him.  Getting on your knees and praying to Him in a state of broken-ness.  Lord...I've made a mess of my life...and I need You.  I need Your help. 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

Oh that saying is so hickish.  It just sounds funny when you use the word 'ain't' in a sentence.  And I am pretty sure the controversy still goes on if it is even a word.  Anyway...that saying is so true.  Why would God fix us if we weren't broken?  We are all broken in some way.  We go to Him in our times of need because of the choices we've made.  He says I will fix you...I will make you whole again...I will make you the way you are supposed to be...not the way you think you should be.  Are you ready ?  We have to respond in a way that says...Break me into what you want me to be.  Make me whole so that I can be who you designed me to be.  The transformation is incredible if you are willing to give Him alone the Glory.

Have a great day everyone!  We made it to Wednesday!
Amy

Step Out

Have you ever felt so uneasy about something that you decided not to do it?  Or you went ahead and did it, but did it with such little effort that you failed miserably?  Rest assured you are not the only one.  People have been doubting the Lord for some time now. 

Matthew 14:30
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"


Sometimes when the Lord asks us to step out of our comfort zone...we say "No thank you".  Or, we say..."Fine, if I have to".  When we take on that attitude with the commands he gives, we will no doubt sink.  He says everyday to trust Him in our lives.  We do...but do we all the way?  Do we trust Him with every decision?  Do we fully give our concerns and our worries to Him?  If not, we should start.  It is a lot easier to trust Him when we aren't weighed down by all that doubt. 

27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."


28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

29"Come," he said

Peter challenged Jesus by saying, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."  So Jesus said..."Come".  Peter believed for a short while it would work.  But the wind came up and he became afraid.  He let the doubt fill his mind and heart and he fell into the water.  It happens to all of us.  We let the fear and doubt creep in, and all of a sudden, we are sinking.  God says, I am here to pull you out.  Just ask.  Or better yet...Just believe in me.

Someone once told me worrying is like saying..."I don't trust you"...to God.  I would not want to say that to His face.  Believing in God is about taking risks and proving your trust in Him.  It is about sharing His love with others.  Are you willing to step out?

Have a great day!
Amy

In Control

God gives you just enough time to do His will. If you always feel behind, you're trying to do more than he intended.

This is a quote that was sent to me by my friend Trista.  Someone posted it on her facebook page and she thought it might be relevant in my life.  Thanks friend...I just love you.

In the past few weeks, I've been searching for things to make my life feel significant. I am not sure where the discontentment came from.  I can't quite put my finger on the exact moment that I decided..."this is just not enough".  But, I have come to a new realization and I wanted to share it with you.  I think I've talked about this a time or two and now that I am experiencing it, I thought I would share.

Have you ever played the telephone game?  Where one person whispers something and then they whisper it to the next person and on and on...until the saying finally gets to the end and it is nothing like where it began?  Sometimes I feel like that is me deciphering God's messages.  By the time I get done trying to decode what everyone is telling me, the message from God is a jumbled mess.  I have found here lately that I need a direct line to God...and I found that through prayer.  I have been listening intently to the direction he wants me to go...and to be honest, I was already headed that way.  I was looking too far ahead and at too many turns and forks in the road.  God says to us...Don't get ahead of me...I've got this.  And sometimes I just run ahead with my plan.  I try to make something out of nothing.  I try to read the 'signs' but I blow past them trying to get to the end of my journey.  And it is just that...a journey.  It isn't a destination that I am trying to get to right now.  God has already promised me the destination...it is the journey I must travel to learn all that I need to know for when I get there.  AND...God has me put in other people's journey.  He has little ol' me helping others down their paths.  Not guiding them.  No way...(no scars)...but helping shed light on their path so that they may see their steps more clearly. 

So, God is in control.  As I said yesterday, I am laying 'Me' down and giving Him complete control.  No more confusion.  No more stress over what is to come.  Just be the best 'Me' I can be doing the best work He can find for me.  I will be the best Mom, Wife, Sister, Daughter and Friend I can be.  I don't need a label.  I don't need a job.  I don't need a makeover...well...that one is totally stretching it, but for the purpose of being what God wants me to be...I am good.  I  just need to be Me...and at the same time be His.  That I can totally do.

Have a Happy Monday Friends!
Amy

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

So Long Self

I have been hearing the words of songs lately that have just really worked on my heart.  I know I've heard these words before, but never have I understood the meaning of them until just recently.

There is a song by Mercy Me called...So Long Self and I wanted you to read the words below.

So long, self

Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self

And then I recently added the song 'Lead Me To The Cross' to the playlist and the words in it are as follows.

Lead me to the cross

Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

Finally, the words to the song Beautiful by Kari Jobe...Love Love Love this song.

Here, before your altar
I am letting go of all I've held
Of every motive
Of every burden
Everything that's of myself

The first time I heard Lead Me To the Cross, I had to check the lyrics because I thought...surely that doesn't say Lord I Lay Me Down.  But it did.  So I let that thought process in my mind for awhile and have become to to truly and completely understand it.

God wants us to completely rid ourselves of ...basically ourselves.  The things that are wrong in our lives, the poor choices we have made, the ugliness in our hearts.  He wants us to lay it all down and rid ourselves of that burden.  All the bad and ugly come from choices we've made without Him.  I still make those poor decisions.  I still say ugly things.  But as I said before...it isn't without the sting of hearing Him say...Choose differently daughter.  I am making conscious decisions to do the right thing because I am letting Him be in charge of my thougths.  I am making good choices because I am loving others with His love.  I have to let the old Amy go.  She has been weighing me down for some time now and it is time to say So Long Self.  I am giving myself fully to the Lord so that he can do His work through me.  What an awesome thought!  Think about it friends.  And allow God to flow through your new identity.  Don't get me wrong...I am still Amy...but I am becoming such a better hearted person all because I have given Him the reigns.  So long Self.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

There's No Crying in Baseball

One of the movies I used to love to watch was A League of Their Own.  I just laugh when I watch the part of the woman crying from an error as her coach yells at her..."THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!!"  Women were picked to play baseball while the men were away at war.  And it makes me laugh because for me...and me ONLY...I cannot take the place of a man.  I know there are women out there with the

Anything He can do I can do BETTER...I can do anything BETTER than Him

attitude.  And I love that...but it is just something I don't possess.  I can't swing a bat.  I can't change a tire.  I can't field a ground ball.  I don't discipline my kids the way their Dad does...Dad's just have that scare about them that Mom doesn't have.  One of my favorite stories of Coach and his parents was his Mom coming in to get him out of bed in the mornings.   Coach said she'd come in and try to quietly wake him.  She'd scratch his back...and politely ask him to get up.  (I do the same thing to our oldest so this just cracks me up.)  Then she'd get annoyed with the fact that he hadn't gotten up...and raise her voice a bit more.  Finally, she'd start to really let him have it...nothing.  Coach would just lay there.  But his Dad...who had MS...and couldn't get out of bed without assistance, and needed his scooter to get around in...would simply YELL FROM THE BED and Coach would get up.  Explain that to me please?  The man couldn't get to Coach without an extreme amount of effort, yet Coach knew to get up.  See what I mean?  And it is just so darn true.           

Anyway...my point is this.  I have a very emotional relationship with Christ.  Just last night I was on the phone with my Mom because she bought me the Kari Jobe CD and I was listening to a song that just brought me to tears.  I don't know  if it was the day I had had or just the words of the song reminding me of how much I love Jesus...I just was overcome with emotion.  Not everyone is like that.  Not everyone lets their emotions engulf them to the point of no control.  I do it quite frequently.  Some people keep those moments private...and that is okay too.  No one is better than anyone else for the way they relate to God.  No Man is better than any Woman...No Woman is better than any Woman...No Man is better than any Man.  In God's eyes we are all equal.  And so even though there is No Crying in Baseball...let your emotions go when you are expressing yourself to God.  And know that no way is wrong...or better than the other.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Sink or Swim

It’s sink or swim.
I’m drowning within you.
Somebody rescue me.
‘Cause I’m goin’ against the stream.
I fell in love with somebody like you.
And I know yeah that you wanted me to.
You told me who I was.
But I don’t want to.
No, I don’t want to.
I don’t wan to.
I don’t wanna’ drown.

Have you ever started down a new path and thought...there is NO WAY I am going to make this.  A new job?  A new baby?  Going back to school?  Making any kind of change in your life can be so overwhelming.  I can remember when we found out we were going to have our third child, Brady.  We had made some plans to not have anymore children.  Seem as if God had things going differently in His mind and we now have three kids instead of two.
 
After I took that test...I cried.  I was sick to my stomach.  I was pacing and crying and questioning God...not because we didn't want that baby,  we had just completely made ourselves comfortable with NOT having anymore babies.  And what a blessing he has become in our lives.  We chose to swim.
 
When Coach decided to make a job change shortly after we had our middle son Tanner, we were so afraid.  He had a comfortable job with an absolutely wonderful group of people.  But he wasn't happy.  Teaching and Coaching were his passion and he wasn't doing that.  So he applied for a job and ended his career at the City of Derby.  That change was so hard for all of us.  Coach especially.  He worried...he tends to do that...and he over prepared.  He didn't sleep for the first two weeks of school.  We had to adjust to a new pay schedule and a new pay amount.  But he was so very happy to be where he knew in his heart he was always meant to be.  He chose to swim.
 
Learning to trust God more can be like that too.  Our lives change.  Our perspectives change.  Sometimes, our circle of friends can even change.  Change is hard.  We have to walk the walk along with the talk.  God wants us to learn and live out what he is teaching us.  People sometimes doubt.  But we have to know that the change within us is good.  And that we cannot fix the hearts of those around us...only God can make that change.  We also must choose to swim.  Being a Christian is not an easy task.  He holds us accountable for the good, the bad and the ugly.  When I am choosing to be ugly, He is there...stinging my heart...saying...Do unto to others Daughter.  Sometimes I want to say...But GOD...they were mean to me too!  He won't have it.  So we have to make it right because He is in there...and that can be soooo difficult sometimes.  Swim.
 
Sometimes being a Christian can feel like you are all alone out in the middle of a swirling ocean.  The waters wash over you...you panic...there is no one to help you breathe.  But that is where we are wrong.  We don't need to thrash around in the water because He is there.  Simply believing and trusting Him will keep us afloat.  But doubting Him and worrying about things out of our control, causes us to sink straight to the bottom.  Give Him the credit He deserves and swim.
 
Have a Happy Friday!  Woo Hoo!
Amy
 
Song is Drown by Chasen

Baby Steps

Matthew 25:31-40

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.


34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

I heard a little clip of this verse on WayFM radio yesterday and it caught my attention.  The DJ was talking about doing small things to help in a big way.  The example he used was doing something small like sending cards to the Mothers of ill children.  It doesn't take a lot of time, but does big things to help the heart of a Mother whose child is constantly fighting a battle that seems so uphill.  I thought about my friend Lacie and how she must have felt when they were fighting Kyrie's battle.  Not to discredit Jordan...Kyrie's Dad...but as a Mom, I can whole heartedly relate to what she must have been feeling.  I thought...that is so true.  When I first heard of Kyrie's story, I wanted to help.  I wanted to help in a big way.  But I am learning that helping doesn't always have to be a BIG job.  We can help in small ways that lead to BIG results.  I have always had a 'take on the world' kind of attitude when it came to charity.  I have unrealistic expectations of what purpose I can serve in helping a worthy cause.  I can hear God whispering...Baby Steps Amy...Baby Steps.  He is telling me constantly to just do my part.  We can not take on the part of others.  We cannot be all the parts...but we are extensions of His body.  We are part of his hands.  We are the part that touches people in the smallest way leaving the biggest impressions.  I am also learning that being a part of something is understanding your role and working together with others to make the 'whole' a success.

We have to be like that in our life with God.  We are simply a part of His majesty.  We are not the whole thing.  We cannot fix the broken.  We cannot make the sad people happy.  We cannot heal the sick.  As PR says..."there are no scars on our hands".  So true PR, so true.  But we can take little actions to make a big difference.  In our church home, in our own homes, in our schools, in our circle of friends...simply by doing the right thing.  Jesus said...

'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

You are right God...you are right.  We serve Him by serving others here.  We love Him by loving others here.  He forgives us as we forgive others here.  Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine...you did for me.

Treat others as you would treat Him.  Love, serve, forgive...and as you do it, know you are taking baby steps...leaving BIG impressions...and strengthening a relationship with God.

Have a blessed day!
Amy

Healing Rain

Rain can be so theraputic.  There is just something about waking up in the early morning to the sound of raindrops on your window.  There is something about sitting on the couch and watching the rain fall onto the sidewalk.  I love to hear the soft rolls of thunder (the loud ones...not sa much) and see the lightening (when it is far away in the sky).  We have lots of thunderstorms here in Kansas and there are the ones you enjoy and the ones that make you wonder if you'll have a house in the morning.  But usually after a rain, things look better.  The grass is greener, the trees are blooming, and the sidewalk and streets are clean.  Any dirt that had been tracked onto the path by my three little men, has been washed away after a storm.  And when we go for long periods of time without rain, things become dry and not so pretty.  The ground becomes hard and thirsty.  The grass becomes brittle and brown.  The flowers wilt and wither.  The earth needs to be watered...and guess who knows that? God.  He brings the rain in His timing...just like he does everything else.  There are times when we are overwhelmed with life when I will just pray for rain so practices will be cancelled, and we can all have an evening together...at home.  When those prayers go unanswered, it only shows me that life is in His hands.  And when He does bring the rain, it is such a nice surprise and when we need it more than even we realize.

The song Healing Rain by Michael W. Smith really brings this point home.  The Lord knows when we need to be rained on.  He knows that His rain is spiritual and it brings peace and healing to so many.

Healing rain is coming down


It's coming nearer to this old town

Rich and poor, weak and strong

It's bringing mercy, it won't be long



Healing rain is coming down

It's coming closer to the lost and found

Tears of joy, and tears of shame

Are washed forever in Jesus' name
 
Let the healing rain wash you forever in His name.  Allow the rain drops to signify something bigger.  A cleansing from God that says...I have washed you and you are clean.  I have forgiven you and I love you.  It is amazing what we see through His eyes when we have Him in our hearts.
 
Have a blessed day!
Amy

Play Ball

I have a husband who I kindly refer to as "Coach".  He has this season that comes around every year and he becomes giddy.  (For those of you who know Coach...as giddy as he can get) 

BASEBALL SEASON

He is a High School coach, he helps out with both of the boys teams and absolutely LOVES the game.  He has so many memories of watching Baseball with his Dad.  In fact, our first son is named after Coach and his Dad's favorite players when Coach was growing up.

George Brett & Ryne Sanberg

There is something about the sound of a baseball game on the radio or tv that just makes you feel good.  You know it is almost summer.  You know the school year is coming to a close and things are about to change.  There is a smell in the air that just smells like baseball...I can't describe it, but it is just there.

I love baseball because Coach loves it so much.  The Boys love baseball because Coach loves it so much.  And they have grown to love it in their own hearts as well from playing the game.  Coach loves baseball for the same reasons.  He loves baseball because he enjoyed playing the game, and it was something that his Dad had a passion for.  It was something they did together.  They talked "situaions" which I once was reprimanded for calling "scenarios"...oops. 

Baseball is something that I used to know nothing about.  I am NOT a sports girl...not at all.  But God thought it would be good to bless me with three sports loving boys.  Because they love this game, I now love the game.  I am learning to understand it...and the season has begun to excite me the same way it excites all of my boys.

Loving God is like that too.  If we love God...and have a relationship with Him...others will see that in our lives.  They'll want to know why we are so passionate about Him.  They'll want to know why we have a joyful heart.  They'll want to learn more and eventually, they'll love Him too.  There are a lot of people out there who know nothing about God.  For those of us who were moved to tears last Friday at the Good Friday service...and then excited beyond words when we left church on Sunday...we have to share that with others.  Not in a forceful way.  But in a way that says..."I've got something I think you might like...watch and see His love impact others through me."  And you don't have to say it with words...but show them His love.  Actions speak so much louder than words. 

Coach loves Baseball.  Coach loves God.  I love Coach and the way he loves.  It is contagious.  I want to know more about baseball so that I can understand and relate to the boys.  We need to be the Christian example to others so they'll want to know more about Him.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

What He Wants

Proverbs 18:24

A man with many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Yesterday Tanner and I attended the Sunrise Service for our church put on by our Youth.  They did a skit and it was just soooo good! 

Three young girls were standing around being 'normal' and Jesus walks up.  They immediately make their body like a cross and start throwing out random bible verses, songs and quotes about the Almighty God...Lord and Savior.

Jesus tries to talk to them, but they are too busy being 'Good Christians' to notice.  He tries to make conversation and they just keep singing His praises.  So Jesus says...if that is all you want from me, fine.  And He made His body like the cross and stood silently...ignoring the girls.

Eventually, Jesus went on to make real conversation with one of the girls and made her realize how well He knows her...really, truly knows her. 

The skit hit home for me and they did such an Awesome job.

How many times do we focus on singing Him praises and not just having a relationship with Him?  Both are equally important.  He is the Almighty God...Maker of Heaven and Earth, Savior and Lord...Awesome God!  But He is also our friend.  He wants to be the all knowing and all powerful...and the relatable God.  He wants us to know that even though He made the sun and the stars, He also made our hearts.  He knows what makes us happy, what makes us sad...and the next steps we are going to take.  He sits with us when we cry and He smiles when we laugh.

So the next time you have a little quiet time with God, try just talking to Him like He's your best friend.  Knowing that He knows more than we give Him credit for.

Have a great day!
Amy

He Arose

This morning my sweet Tanner comes in at 5 am sharp.  "I had a bad dream", he says.  Okay, well buddy...it is too ealry so go back to bed.  I could tell by the look in his eyes that the Easter Bunny hadn't come yet. 

Nuts.

The "Easter Bunny" forgot to set all of its goodies out last night.  Silly Rabbit. So I hurried him back to bed and quickly woke the "Easter Bunny's Husband" to help.  The baskets were stuffed quickly and quietly on the floor of the "Easter Bunny's" bathroom. 

Mission Accomplished.

No dreams squashed here this year.  But as the I sat there, I was reminded of what the day was really about.  They (The Nelson Boys) are so excited for the eggs, and the candy...and the stuff of Easter.  They have no idea how special this day really is in the life of a Christian.  However...at lunch yesterday, I asked them the meaning of Easter and both Brett and Tanner knew it was when Jesus rose from the dead.  Brady still thinks it is all about the Bunny. 

I love the looks on their faces when they wake up and find that the Easter bunny left them special somethings.  They are filled with wonder and excitement.  And I can imagine that when they truly find Jesus and accept Him into their hearts, they'll have that same look on the inside on Easter morning...I know I do.

He Arose!!!  He Arose!!!  Hallelujah CHRIST AROSE!

Happy Easter everyone!

Amy

The next day...

We attended our Good Friday service last night and it was so very moving.  At the end of the service, they revealed a huge cross with the crown of thorns hanging from the top.  The praise band sang 'Were You There' and the song 'Wonderful Cross' which I have added to the playlist for today. (Chris Tomlin)

We left in silence and in the dark.  We walked to our cars and it was much like the atmosphere following a funeral. 
I remember the days after losing my Grandma Katie.  We all just walked around in a daze.  Things needed to be done, but no one wanted to get back to normal.  I was in college and had to go back the day after her service.  That was a long drive...and an even longer next week.  We lost my Uncle Bobby just a couple of years ago and I can remember the same thing.  Days after losing him, we all still felt the sting of grief.  You could see it in the eyes of my Granny and Grandpa and Mom.  They were present with all of us, but their minds and hearts were elsewhere.

I can imagine that is the image from the day after Jesus died.  Many of the followers wandering around aimlessly.  Trying to deal with the sting of grief.  Trying to understand just why He was put to death.  Why this Savior whom they had come to love so much, was now dead. They'd given up everything to travel with Him...to follow Him...to love Him.  And now he was gone.

Today is so relevant in the story of Jesus' death and ressurection.  They did not know He would be coming back.  They did not know that all of the events that had taken place were predetermined by God.  They did not know that the man they loved would die...not to be taken FROM them, but to bring salvation TO them.  They did not know.  They didn't know that when He washed their feet, He was giving them a glimpse of what was to come as far as their salvation was concerned...how cool is that?  It is just about the best surprise EVER! 

Today, don't forget the sadness that was brought about last night,but get excited for the good news of tomorrow!  We already know what happens...we  already know the ending...and it is AWESOME!

One of my dear friends is being baptized tomorrow.  Shannon, I am so proud of you and am praying for you.  What a blessing to hear God's call and to answer on such a marvelous day.  Your story is so amazing and I think it is so great that you came to this decision at just the perfect time.  In His timing.  Love you friend!

Have a blessed day!
Amy

Lead me to the Cross

You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross

Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

I found this song yesterday and added it to the playlist.  I think it describes today perfectly.  It is slow...meaningful...and it allows us to close our eyes and put ourselves in that very 'shadow of the cross' that Pastor Rick keeps speaking of. 

The things we have in common with Jesus are few.  He became flesh...we are flesh.  He LOVED His Father.  We Love His Father.  But are we willing to love him the way Jesus loved him?  Are we willing to go beyond the barriers that keep us from coming to the cross?  Last night at our Maunday Thursday service, we took little purple pieces of paper and were instructed to write down the one thing that is keeping us from fully coming to the cross.  We were to 'nail' (thumbtack) our piece of paper to the actual cross at the front of the church before we took communion.  That is kind of rough.  First of all...you have to be completely honest with yourself and with God.  What are the things that keep you from coming ALL THE WAY  to Him.  What are the things that keep you from worshiping him the way He wants us to worship.  What are the things that keep you from Fully loving Him the way He loves us?  What are the things that keep us from forgiving others the way He has forgiven us? 

Ugh.

Think about that as you go about your day today.  If you were there and you witnessed what happened to Jesus on this very day, what would you lay at the foot of the cross that said, Jesus...I am yours.  What would your piece of paper say?

I think that we all need to say a little prayer that says what this song is saying to us today.  Lord, Lead me to the Cross where your love poured out.  Bring me to my knees Lord I lay me down.  Me being the things that hold us back from him.  Me being the moments that we are almost there with him and then selfishly, we back away.  Rid me Lord of Myself, I belong to you.  Lead me to the cross. 

I think it is safe to say we could write our names down on that piece of paper and God would know what we mean.  Rid me of myself Lord.  The selfishness.  The unforgiving heart.  The untruth.  The lack of faith.  The worry.  And Lead me to You.

Happy Good Friday!
Amy

Good Grief

For anyone who knows Brady Michael...this picture will not surprise you at all.  Yes...he is standing on our kitchen counter.  I put him up there so that when I took the picture, all could see how hilarious he looked.  As I remember, it was Easter Sunday one year ago.  We were all rushing around trying to make sure we were ready in time to get to church.  Brady wanted to get dressed, but we were all ignoring him.  Trying so hard to make everything perfect.  Apparently Brady got tired of waiting, so he decided to do it himself.  If I remember correctly, the "My do it Myself" phase started that very day and has yet to end. 

Everything is "My do it!"  It is so very frustrating to know that he doesn't want my help anymore.  He is the very child who could do nothing without me three years ago.  I did everything I could possibly think of and more for him.  Now, he wants no assistance in anything...even when clearly he needs my help.

God works like that in our lives as well.  When we are clearly a mess...head in the arm hole of life...God knows we need him.  It is sometimes obvious to everyone but us.  Like Brady, we don't always recognize the need for help.  We are perfectly happy...as was he...with the mess we have made.  But God and everyone else knows, you cannot go to church with no pants and your head in the arm hole.  It just doesn't work that way.  You have to have your life straightened out.  And that is why we ask Him for help.  We need to check the mirror sometimes to see the problems within ourselves.  And then we need to go to Him and beg him to help us get things back in order. 

Lord...be with those of us  who sometimes can't see the mess we've made.  Help all of us to straighten up and follow you.

Have a Blessed Day!

Amy