Thoughts.....

**It is 9:54 PM- I am exhausted- but my brain won't shut off. Don't you hate it when that happens? I have so many questions, quandaries, and thoughts about my life.

**I wish that God had a Google feature that you could type in any question to him and he would send you to the right website for your life.

**I have always wished my girls were born with instruction manuals. I was sure that they were born with them and the Dr threw them away in jest- thinking she would add some adventure to my life. Then I come to find out that no ones kids are born with instruction manuals. I still want one- but don't feel quite so ripped off.

**I am never good with change. I am really uptight about clutter, things in their spot, and things organized. I am about to go through some huge changes and if I think about it I sometimes feel like I can't breathe.

**I still look away and get tears in my eyes when I see people that are disfigured begging for money. I am 40 and I pray that never changes.

**When I was little my only goal in life was to build an orphanage. I turn 41 on Wednesday and still no orphanage. Today while Emma was putting a blanket on a sleeping house guest I told her that she was going to be a great Mom. She said- well I am going to have to be- because I am going to have an orphanage. I stopped and caught my breath. I wondered if this is how David felt when he was told that he could not build the temple, but later Solomon did.

**Family is always first to me-outside of God. I will drop everything for my family.

**I am so proud of my brother and his family and all that they have done for the Lord. It amazed me how Steve works to make life easier for his family. He has an inverter since the power is always off. He then has a generator if the inverter is burned out. He has a back up water source if the water goes out. He even has flashlights. I don't think we even have one that works. He is such a wonderful Dad and Husband. I am so proud of all five of them and would do anything for them. Leaving him at the airport still brings tears to my eyes. Did I mention I love them?

**I love my friends with all of my hearts. I would do anything for them. I have moved so much in my life that I always am afraid that I will loose friends. You never loose true friends. They always stay in the same spot- your heart.

**I hate packing. I told myself to not worry about it until Monday and I am sticking to it. Well I was going to stick to it until I got a call that someone had a ticket emergency- Two hours later I realized that I was not going to get packing done. My sweet husband told me that Sundays are a day of rest. Don't you love it when someone gives you that "Get out of jail free" card.

**I dread packing. Oh I'm sorry I guess I mentioned that :)

**I ate a burrito the size of a premie baby today. Really I am still full 8 hours later.

**I hate peanut butter and jelly together. Only peanut butter for me.

**I am obsessed with minute manicure scrub. It is amazing. I even put it on my feet. Um- I forgot it has so much oil in it. Guess who bit the dust and slipped in the tub this morning? Guilty! My tailbone hurts but my feet look great.

**I hate charlie horses- or leg cramps. I have had them three nights in a row. I need to eat more bananas.

**If you were eating ice cream with me- I would order pralines and cream.

**My dermatologist name is Dr. Slaughter. I see him tomorrow. Does that make you nervous? It does me.

**I often switch thoughts in the middle of conversations. Only a handful of my friends understand this and can flow with my random brain.

**I re-fold towels that my husband or kids have folded. See I need to let things go- I can't. Today I told myself to let the towels go and caught myself being transported into the bathroom to re-fold. I wonder if there is anti-folding medicine. I need to check into it.

**I don't get Nascar. Will they pay me huge amount of money to drive in circles around my neighborhood? If so I am in!

Okay- now that I have my random thoughts out of my head I get head off to bed. Good Night Bloggy Buddies. I have to read your blogs tomorrow. I am so behind.

Things I have forgotten about the Dominican Republic.....

1. It is hot here.

2. There is little to no air conditioning!

3. You always hear road noise.

4. It is hot here.

5. Every time your car stops at the stop light some is trying to sell you various items ranging from goldfish in tanks, hula hoops, puppies, oranges, peanuts, guava, mango, cell phone charges, cell phone covers, etc.

6. The people are so warm and wonderful.

7. I still can communicate in Spanish. It like clicks when I get back here. When I am in the US I don't use it AT ALL. Last night and today- understood and spoke some. Strange but true.

8. The lines of motorcycles that are taxis waiting to be rented. Seeing three to four people on one motorcycle = normal.

9. Converting money in your head constantly. Multiplying all prices by 3 to get the actual price.

10. There are NO FREE refills of drinks anywhere else but in the US :)

11. Traffic- this is a blog in itself. The tiny little mini vans and trucks that looks like they are Tonka trucks, the way that two lanes becomes a super highway, and the way that everyone pulls in front of you without fear or dread!

12. How everyone waits until you put the trash outside and then runs to go through it!

13. You don't drink the water while brushing your teeth, taking a shower (who does that anyway). My job used to always be to fill the ice trays etc. I went right back to it today without a second thought!

These are the things that I have forgotten about life here- but now that I am here- it all is normal again- isn't it strange how your brain works.

I love love love it here- Do I have to leave? Yes- the girls and John are at home- Otherwise- you might have to fight me!

Love you blogging buddies!

Birthday Weekend, Scooter Girl, and Early Morning Flights

I am currently sitting at the Miami airport- for the next 7 hours waiting for my flight to Santo Domingo. I am going to work and hang out I guess ????

Seanna turned 10 this weekend. I am so proud of her. She is such a grown-up ten-ager. She really applies herself to everything that she does. She gets straight A's and is in gifted classes in her school. Even more importantly she loves God and really is sensitive to HIM! She is my sweetie and I love her, love her , love her! We went to Olive Garden with John's sister and brother in law and our nephew. Her birthday was actually on Sunday and we had church. We went to Zaxbys with friends and then came home. That night we had a meeting. So we told her that Saturday was her day of celebration.

Emma has suddenly taking a HUGE liking to her scooter. She is not really coordinated with it- and comes in daily with new areas of pavement burn or cuts and scrapes on her legs. On Friday she had a huge patch of road burn and did not even cry. She said - Mom is is just a part of my sport. I have to know that that. Smile. She is so cute flying down the road with her pig-tails following her. I now call her scooter girl.

My flight left out at 6:10 this morning to Miami. A friend of ours offered to spend the night before and then take me to the airport. Really I am not used to such extravagance. Last night we had a torrential shower. She forgot that her sun-roof was open so today we had soggy seats. We rolled into the airport with about 4 beach towels per seat. I think I was sitting on Tinkerbell, Strawberry Shortcake, and frogs. I made it to the gate just as they were boarding. I hate cutting it that tight. I had not counted on the 20 mile long security line or the man who was checking in a dog in front of me. The lady checking him in had never checked in a dog before and took 15 minutes (yes I did time it but refused to huff) maybe I did a tiny bit.

When I got to Miami we took the wonderful shuttle bus to the terminal- the bus was full, people pushing, shoving etc. I ran to the bathroom and was next in line. As I went to the next stall a larger than life lady quickly pushed me to the side- as in with her hands and went into the stall. I said- "Are you for real?" You could have just asked for it if you needed it that bad. She had already shut her stall. She opened her stall and glared at me and slammed it shut again. I then got the giggles as I always do at inappropriate times and was seeing myself having a shakedown in the Miami airport bathroom.

I hope you all had a great weekend. What a quick Memorial Day.

Love you all- Next blog will be from Santo Domingo.

Please leave a comment for a fellow blogger today

Tiffany Bracken is a MK wife that lives in Taiwan. She also has two little MKs. This week her little Ethan fell and had to have four pins put in his leg. Tiffany is a trooper in every sense of the word- but YOUR WORDS of encouragement could mean the world to her right now.

Here is her blog. She is an excellent writer and right now could use a cool sip of encouragement from you!

http://deputationaldiary.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reaching out-

I am off to Costco and Target to get supplies for my brother. I fly out to the Dominican Republic at 6:00 AM- Yucky time to leave

CMN

Why oh Why?

I don't understand why these things happen to me- other than I must amuse all of 2 of you that read my blog.

Sunday is Seanna's Birthday. I was rushing to get to school at lunch and take her cupcakes to her class. I had purchased a brown t-shirt the day before and had a tank top on under it. I ran to the car with my tank top on- shoved my shirt on over it as I placed the cupcakes in the back of the car.

When I got to school I saw the principal right away. He and I talked and I noticed he kept looking at the left side of my chest the whole time we were talking. I could not believe it. What was his problem? When I walked away I looked down and I had a huge clear XL sticker on my left side- right in a prominent spot.

Well I guess he now knows what size t-shirt I wear :)

Random Thoughts, Updates, and Words...

1. I have gone from being a regular daily blogger to a random blogger (which I said I would never do. Kudos to Lori Sabin who is a daily blogger. I remain jealous of her writing, her grasp of the English language, and her beautiful curly hair (which she hates).

2. We are moving to Arkansas in about 3-6 weeks. We have decided to put our house up for rent and for sale at the same time- whoever gets here first wins!

3. Sometimes I get tired of seeing people with their "Think Green" bags at the grocery store. I have the canvas bags too- just don't always bring them. When they look down on me and my tiny plastic bundles I want to snatch their little canvas bags out of their arms. Don't judge me.

4. Seanna had yet another meltdown at Wal-mart. This is just another sign that I need to stay away from that store. She left to go to the bathroom. I told her that we would not leave our aisle. She remained gone for 30 minutes. Emma at that point was sobbing just knowing that someone had taken her sister. Seanna was fine- just needed longer time in the bathroom. She then was crying because Emma was crying. They were both sobbing by the soap dispenser and another lady looked at me and shook her head at me- like I had done something to both of them.

5. Yesterday while at my wonderful Dr. Apt- I was taken to the same room where I was told that I had lost the baby. My blood pressure and pulse were through the roof. I could not calm myself down. When I was leaving the office I sat down in the lobby for a minute. I was sitting next to a pregnant lady that was about to have her baby at any second. I looked over at her and she had a pink and purple folder with ribbons and kitties on it. This was such a funny and odd sight to me that I had to leave immediately. I did not want the lady to think that I was laughing at her. I think the Lord send the hugely pregnant lady with the strange folder just to cheer me up- Thanks God- I needed that.

6. I have been without a laptop that works for the past two weeks. I got my laptop on Saturday and worked on transferring files for the past two days. I find out last night that when the person put Microsoft Windows on it- he wiped out everything else- as in my video, sound, camera etc. This is non-essential to work stuff- but frustrating. I went to bed at 12:30 AM and tried not to think about it.

7. Seanna turns 10 on Sunday- double digits. Where has the time gone? She acts like she is 15 but still- my little girl- 10. She is opting for Olive Garden and wants an Nintendo DSI. She is always organized and concise about her Birthdays. I miss her being little.

8. Emma fell 5 times yesterday. Yes I counted. I could not figure out why she kept coming in with bloody knees, scrapes, asphalt burn etc. I went outside. She was using her scooter to go down a steep hill. She thought it would be cool.

9. Textured walls makes my skin crawl. It freaks me out. Why can't we all have smooth walls?

10. I tried to help a Sr Citizen take her cart back at the Grocery Store this past week. She looked at me and said- What you think I can't push a cart? It has wheels.

11. I am going to the Dominican Republic next week to see my Brother and his family. I leave on Tuesday and come back on Friday Night like at 11:30 at night. The next day is the Church's Family Fun Day- then Sunday will be Pentecost Sunday. Crazy busy week- but I need to see my brother.

12. It makes me sad that more people read my blog daily than read www.upwithmks.com.
What to do? Ideas? When I post I get about 100 readers daily- Upwithmks gets about 30-40 per day. I feel like I am failing.

13. I am scared of floral couches.

14. Onetime I fell asleep on a couch covered with plastic and woke up and I was stuck to the couch. It was in Nevis and I was 8 years old. I later drank a sprite in a bottle and remember that I was dripping with sweat.

15. I never look at people in caskets. I look at the lid and that is it. I step back a little bit and most people don't know. Now- my secret is out.

16. I am allergic to pineapples, strawberries, all seafood and freshwater fish. This all happened when I was 23. I carry an epi-pen as my throat closes up. When my body was developing this allergy one time I ate shrimp fried rice at a mall and passed out. I came to to find a crowd and mall security trying to revive me. I did not know where I was. I was late to get back to my job at the Fort Buchanan.

17. It freaks me out when adults that are in love talk "baby" talk to each other.

18. Just say no to comb-overs

19. I love the word amazing. I know this because now I have an 8 year old and an almost 10 year old that say it all of the time.

20. God amazes me. He really does. I think that sometimes we get so caught up in the idols of our own expectations we miss out on what he really has for our lives. Lay down the idol already- he is going to blow your socks off. {Or flip flops whatever you wear}.

Here sir- can you take these rocks and give me a ticket?

I recall a time when I was on AIM in Martinique. I was there for two weeks- teaching teens how to teach other teens a youth related Bible study.

While I was there- Matthew Ritchie their MK was only 7 or 8 years old. He was always in imagination land and spent a lot of his time digging in the back yard. Each day he found his special rocks and stones and put them in his backpack. He was very careful with each one of them. He cleaned them, laid them out, cherished them, and categorized them. One day I asked him what he was saving those for and he said that he was going to turn them into Air France in exchange for a ticket to Wisconsin so he could visit his grandparents.

The day that I left I noticed that he was really excited. I was really starting to take it personally until I realized that he had his backpack in tow. He was on a mission. When we got to the "Liat" counter he asked if I would go over to the Air France counter with him. I quickly checked in and went with him. When his turn came in line he was ready to go. He pulled out his rocks, set them on the counter, and told the agent- Can you take these rocks and give me a ticket? I could see that his face was beaming with pride over his huge treasure. The man asked what his destination was. He told him that he needed to go to Wisconsin to see his grandparents. The agent was amazing and really let him down gently. He typed things into the computer, would pick up a rock or two but finally ended up telling him that they had to use only cash or credit cards for all tickets now.

I can still see his huge sad eyes that were close to tears as he left the airport with his rocks. He just could not believe that they did not see the value in those beautiful rocks.

I was reminded of those rocks this week while praying. You see I have a rock- it's a 2300 square foot , two story rock- called a house. Our home has been on the market since July of 2008. I have prayed over it, I have fasted for it to sell, I have walked around it seven times, I have declared it gone, I have cried, I have lost sleep over it- but do you know what? Today in prayer I realized it is nothing but a huge rock. It has no value. I repented heavily today before the Lord and asked his forgiveness for so much obsession, prayer, begging and pleading over something so useless. Think about it- it does not have a soul, it does not need ministering to- it is an object. An object that has kept my family safe, dry, and housed- but still an object.

Today I lifted my "rock" up to the Lord and said- I am done. This has been the silliest waist of time ever. God please forgive me- when I could have been praying for others I have prayed over this "rock".

Today I prayed as I normally do over the Willougbhys, for MKs with severe needs, for friends that are going through situations, for family members that need healing, for revival in our cities, for friends that are far from him, for situations in homes, for real needs. I refused to pray over my "rock". My rock is now just an object left squarely where it belongs- in his hands.

How many times have we neglected those in need because we are collecting our "rocks" and holding onto them. We are polishing them, admiring them, cleaning them, putting them carefully in our back backs all the while there are people around us bleeding, hurting and crying out to us. I can not take back the time squandered on my "rock" but I can redeem tomorrow.

How about you? What "rocks" are you holding onto? Have you been feeling burdened down lately? You might want to check out your backpack and see what you are toting around- you just might find some rocks!

Where does HIS WORD live in your house?

So lately I have been so upset about the fact that our children- children raised in church- raised with Godly parents don't know basic Bible stories. Yet those same children know every Disney star, current singer, and even scores of their favorite basketball team all year.

I don't want to sound "preachy" or that I am a soap box- but maybe I am. My heart has been so burdened about this. I am not telling you HOW to raise your children- I just know that this has hit me so hard and fast in my OWN face that I am doing something about it - in my own family. The decision as to what you do in your house is up to you.

I fear that we somehow one day are going to held responsible for this. Last night I was at Kids Church- and then had a meeting. I got home at 10:00- I told the girls to run up to bed and to say their prayers. I did not have dinner yet so I was pretty wiped out- I sat ate a sandwich and tried to catch up on John's day. Emma called out to me from upstairs. Mom we have not read our daily Bible together (this is a daily Bible story book for her age). I said that is okay Emma - I will do it when you get home from school tomorrow.

I sat there and ate my sandwich and tears began to flow. I thought if it would have been her calling me up there to study for a last minute quiz for school- I would have been up there. If she would have had an urgent physical need- I would have dropped my sandwich and helped her. Since it was just the WORD of GOD- I pushed it off till the next day.

God forgive me- Forgive us. Forgive our slothful selfish nature. How did our worlds get so upside down?

Tonight as we read and talked and prayed- we talked about the ark of the covenant and it entering into Jerusalem with David. She and Seanna talked about how that was David doing his own victory lap. After I turned off their lights and turned on their nightlights I left their rooms. I prayed over each of them silently as I left them. I DON'T WANT their Sunday School teacher to teach them those things- AS A MOTHER- I want to put that into them. I WANT TO SHARE HIS WORD with them.

I have been working in Children's Ministry since I was 15. That is a long time. Okay- So I am old- get over it. I remember one time a parent telling me that it was my responsibility to teach her child the Bible- and not hers. I turned back and looked at her and said- really how does that work? Because I only have them for 45 minutes a week- and you have them for all of the rest. I probably had to repent later for that sour remark. But the words still ring true.

At our church we have a program called "Stepping Stones". Each year -each age group has either scriptures, or things from the Bible that they have to tell their teachers to be promoted. I am always amazed at the excuses each week why kids don't know them. I realize we are busy people- but WE HAVE time for what we FEEL is important in our homes.

Again- I am not preaching to you- I am REMINDING myself that the Word of God will not be second to anything in my house. That HIS principles, Prayer, and the Word will always have priority.

I know that that the man is the spiritual leader of the household- but the woman does set the spiritual tone, or atmosphere. I am determined to crank it up like never before.

I even hesitate to blog this as I don't want this to come across as being weird or that I feel like we all need to be floating on our spiritual clouds. I just want this to resound in my own heart. This blog is really meant to be a sounding board for things to get into my own head and heart. I want the girls to have a record later on in their life that they had a mother that was serious about teaching them the things of God.

You and I don't know what God has in store for our children-
What if in your house tonight is:

The next missionary
The next evangelist
The next Doctor
The next Lawyer
The next store clerk
The next school teacher

Whatever they are called to be- they are called first of all to be Christians. If it is not a priority our lives - how can we ever expect it to be in theirs?

God- take away my selfish nature- fill me with your daily grace.

You have to be a daily priority for my family!

My Mother- Nancy Shirley

How does God ever figure out how to give us the right Moms? I think when he chose Nancy Shirley for me he looked down from heaven and said...

Hmm- Cylinda by nature is going to be goofy, disorganized, crazy, a people person, carefree, and did I mention goofy? Let's give her to Nancy Shirley to normalize her life.

When people meet me they have one opinion of me- it usually is that I am outgoing, crazy, and like to have fun. That would be my true nature coming out- which is more like my Dad- Lloyd Shirley.

When people work on projects with me or REALLY get to know me -they think I am organized, a list maker, a great teacher, perfectionist, and a work-a-holic. That would be all of the Nancy Shirley training years coming through.

My Mom is amazing and is my best friend. We are polar opposites- but I have learned to embrace her great qualities and some of her obsessive ones and that has made me - well me.

My Mom is loving, nurturing, a card giver, a listener, an encourager, a great sounding board, fun loving, intelligent, gracious, logical, and have I mentioned an excellent speaker and teacher?

She loves reading and dives into books when and if she has time. She is a giver of hospitality and an excellent cook. She is a great housekeeper, and makes everyone who enters her home feel so well cared for they don't want to leave.

I can still see her cleaning and organizing our home before we would have guest coming from the US. She would polish everything.

The Bible School students would beg her to make her "Sloppy Joes", and homemade donuts. She makes the best German potato salad, BBQ ribs, pies, potato salad, and more.

I think that some people read the Bible and that is great. Others know the Bible and that is even better. My Mom has Lived the Bible in front of me and that is priceless. I can not recall a time in my life where my mom has ever criticized anyone. That has always amazed me because there have been times when our family was under attack- specifically my father and she prayerfully kept her mouth shut and let the Lord do the work- and HE always did.

My mother is a hard worker. I can still see her shoveling gravel into the cement mixer when they were building the Bible School in St. Croix. She learned how to drive a stick-shift truck on the farm. She drove the tractors, milked the cows, gathered hay bails, and lent a hand to whatever was needed. She was never afraid to hop on the back of my Dad's motorcycles and later in life enjoyed her convertible to the fullest - even gleaning a few speeding tickets. Did I mention she likes to drive?

She has always been my Dad's best friend. I can still hear them talking till late in the night when we would go to bed. To a little girl there was nothing like hearing your Mom and Dad talking in the next room, sharing dreams, laughing, and discussing the events of the day.

She always put Steve and myself first. She saved grocery money one time just so that I could have my favorite shoes from Kinney Shoe Store.

She knew the wisdom in raising Steve and I as unique individuals. Steve was a 4.0 student. He was his class valedictorian and succeeded at whatever he applied himself towards. I was a straight B- C student that had little interest in studying. I was fully interested in student government, drama club, yearbook, and more. She celebrated our differences and made each of us feel like we were exceeding.

When my path became blurry- as it often did. She committed to praying with me for HIS direction. I remember one summer I applied for a job at about 20 places in Winona, MN. I even got turned down to be a maid at a Holiday Inn. My Mom finally called me and said- maybe the Lord wants you to come "home" this summer to St. Croix. I went home and ended up working at two jobs. I decided to stay on longer and that was when Hurricane Hugo happened. If I would not have been with them there is no telling what would have happened to my dad that fateful night. My Mom had wisdom enough to let me know there might be another plan for me.

My Mom has always been a prayer warrior- like her mother and can quickly call on the name of Jesus in any situation, and has prayed me out of many situations.

My Mom has always celebrated with me. She has spurred me on to pursue working with MK Ministries, she has encouraged me to write (however she does not read my blogs), and she gets misty eyed when I tell her anything that God has done in our lives.

I only hope that I will be half Mom to my girls that Nancy Shirley has been to me. I thank God that he chose her as my Mom. I can't imagine my life any better!

My husband is....

The Chief

Bug Catcher
Toilet plunger
Math Explainer
Logic Giver
Tickler

of our household. Tonight he had just gotten done with a huge project at work and was wanting to rest. Emma called him because she had a "double emergency" that he had to take care of immediatly

The Emergency?

The toilet was plugged
AND
a mosquito was in her room
ALL AT ONCE

I don't know how John is going to take the pressure! It might be too much:)

Love is the color Green

Emma has a new love- a lizard by the name of Izzie. We discovered her about two weeks ago. She comes home from school and runs to find her. The first day that Emma held her was the end of Izzie and Emma share time. Now Izzie runs into the prickly bush and flees! Emma tries to shake the bush and wait for her to get out!

Izzie is facinated by John. When he comes home she looks back and forth and back and forth at him. It must be the tall thing.

I remember playing with lizards by the hours in St. Croix. Troy and I would chase them, catch them and place them on our earlobes. But alas I have blogged about that before.

She cried when I told her it was time to come in- she wanted to spend more time with Izzie. Love is freely given in this household, it comes in many colors, but right now it is shown most vividly in the color of green.

Do you have a Missy in your life?

I do- Her name is Missy Mathis

She is nothing short of incredible. She is not the loud one in the crowd. She is the quiet one that has a great smile. As a friend -she is a listener, a caregiver, a burden bearer, and a lifter of your loads. She gives smiles, sends cards at the the right time, and gives long distance hugs. She has a knack of making all of the people around her feeling like a million dollars.

Today is Missy's Birthday.

Missy I want to let you know that I feel truly blessed that God used Everyone's Connected to bring you back in my life. When no one else read my blog -you did. I remember when I was going to quit blogging (I did not tell anyone) and you wrote a note to me that said that my blog had ministered to you personally in a situation. I cried that day. To think that God would use my tiny words to minister from North Carolina all the way to Illinois. But that is how you are- you are an encourager, a strength giver, and a true friend.

When I lost the baby you reached out to me in a way that I can't even describe. I still remember calling you after that horrible Drs visit and how your words gave strength. You are a true healing friend. When when we lost John's Mom you checked on me daily.

I know that your life has not been easy. You have lost many that have been close to you- yet you still are big enough to reach other to others. When the average would have given up, looked inward, and shut down- you still reach out and love others.

I thank you for being you. An amazing Mom, a wonderful wife- but most of all a woman of God.

Your Birthday gift is late- it is being mailed out tomorrow- but my wishes to you are going out today. Don't ever think of yourself as normal, average, just ordinary.
Those are words will never describe you- for you are a true treasure to all those that meet you!

So today I want to tell you Happy Birthday Missy! I love you- You are a true friend!

The sound of their prayers.....

I love to hear the sound of my two girls

Laughing
Teasing
Singing
Squealing
Yelling
Talking
Snorting
Whispering
Yelping

But the my favorite sound is the sound of their prayers. I hope that when I get old they can say one thing about me- My Mom taught us how to pray.

Both of my girls are so sensitive to God- both in unique ways. Emma I think has the gift of intercession. She reminds me of myself at that age. Seanna on the other hand I feel has the gift of faith. She is so solid, so absolute- if God said it- he will do it.

Nightly we pray

For our families
Our friends
For those that are in need
A close friend of our family is starting treatment soon.
For Barb and Steve Willoughby (Emma calls them the Willerbees)
For Greyley and Indigo (Emma has added them both to her nightly prayers)
For our house to sell
This week for Pastor Lesh Johnson- a friend who was in a horrible accident this week.
For Jessica Black's husband- Jimmie Bowen
and others.....

So many needs.

The other night Emma said wait Momma. I am trying to get tears to come out but I am so tired. Do you think that Jesus knows that I want the tears to come out? I think my tears are already asleep. I said I think that Jesus totally understands Emma.

Seanna prays for something and it is done. There is no need to beg, plead, repeat, question- it is over- God will do it.

They both have taught me so much about prayer, about compassion, about crying out to Him. You see each day the best sound that I can hear from either of them is the sound of their prayers. The sound of them calling out to God.

God make them Godly Women
May they always know to go to you first
To seek you daily
Use them in a mighty way
To touch others lives
Make them women of faith
of prayer
of purpose
seal their hearts in you
Help them to be leaders of their generation
To walk unabashedly in your presence.

Immersed

So have you ever been immersed in something? I have been immersed in life lately.

The house being on the market (getting ready for showings in a flash)

MK Ministries (Re-Entry program, lots of needs, my computer crashing)

My Computer Crashing (Oh did I mention that already :) I have been speaking to people from every country but the US- I am currently waiting on my new one)

My Hubby (super stressed out with work- working on midnight cut-overs a lot)

My Girls (school is almost out, raising them to be Godly ladies)

I am immersed in life.
No turning back.
No coming up for air.
I wouldn't have it any differently.

But am I fully immersed in Him?
In caring for others?
For stopping to minister to those that need me?

I have been earnestly praying as of late that I would seek him first and daily
That my motives
My cries
My thoughts
My visions
My desires
Would all be based in Him.
Not the regular Christan Swim- but to be fully immersed in Him.


I don't want to dabble in Christianity
I want to dive in
To throw out the life ring- let it go
and to really ride his waves

It is a scary, weird, lonely, exciting, strange feeling.

Is there a time in our walk with God that we have turn our back on safe Christianity? The kind that is great for Sundays but quickly forgotten on Mondays?

I know what I am to do.
I know the areas that he has been dealing with me on.
I am scared out of my mind to do them.
But unless I fully immerse myself in him
His Words
His Commands
I won't be happy anyway
I have to do it
Plunge in
Tred His Water

Proverbs 16- The Message

1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.

2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
God probes for what is good.

3 Put God in charge of your work,
then what you've planned will take place.

4 God made everything with a place and purpose;
even the wicked are included—but for judgment.

5 God can't stomach arrogance or pretense;
believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place.

6 Guilt is banished through love and truth;
Fear-of-God deflects evil.

7 When God approves of your life,
even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.

8 Far better to be right and poor
than to be wrong and rich.

9 We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it.

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There is such a deep calling in the spirit right now for us to get to the next level.
Put aside your self
Your plans
Dive in
Get fully immersed
See what he has in store for you

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it!