In Jesus Name

Most of us end our prayers with "in Jesus name". I think its something we do because we grew up hearing it from our parents or we hear it from people at church.

Lately, I've been very convicted about using that phrase so flippantly. I have been guilty of using it without truly paying attention to what I'm saying or using it as a "wish", almost like a genie in a bottle kinda thing. Because God's Word tells us that we can ask anything in His name and we will receive it, right? What this actually means is that we can ask anything in His name that falls in line with His will. For us to know His will, we have to be in relationship with Him. If you have been in this place of relationship with Him, you KNOW when you are asking for something that He has laid on your heart compared to asking for something YOU want.

When I pray using "in Jesus name", I am signing HIS name to something. I want to be very reverent in using His name! I want to remember who He truly is...all His glory and holiness. I also want to be respectful of His will and plan. I think I can safely say that most people (if not ALL) do not like when someone speaks for them. I know that my husband would never appreciate me asking a friend of his for something and saying it was for him, when it isn't something my husband actually wants. Or, how many of you, as a child, asked your dad for something and after he told you "no", you said, "mom said it was okay." How mad would your mom get that you used her name to get what you wanted? This is was I've been convicted about: to not use Jesus' name just to get something that I really want.

This morning as I was praying, I realized one area of my life that I can always pray that over: signing His name to my prayer for protection over my marriage. Because my husband and I entered into a covenant with God, I can sign His name to my prayer when I pray that this union will be protected "until death do us part". No matter the circumstance or how either on of us feels in a certain moment of life, God will always take the side of our marriage. He will always defend it and fight for it.

I am so thankful to have this promise with me.

(linked up at Imparting Grace for "Grace at Home" series)

This Christmas

Things I've been praying for the last few weeks.

~people who are living paycheck to paycheck and can't give their family the Christmas they really want.

~people who are enslaved to debt and having to put everything on a credit card this Christmas, knowing they will be beyond stressed to pay it off.

~people who are missing the entire point of Christmas...the gift our Savior, Jesus Christ.

~wives and moms that are spending Christmas without their husband who is in another country fighting for our freedom.

~parents who desperately desire for their kids to be at home on Christmas day

~couples who are trying to get pregnant and living on a 28-day cycle, with every cycle ending in tears and hopelessness

~a friend who is waiting for her adoption numbers to change so they are closer to having their child(ren) come HOME

~my multiple friends who have a parent with some kind of illness

~a friend who could find out some disappointed medical news

~multiple people I know who are job hunting at probably the worst time of year

~a friend's preemie who has his ups and downs, but trying so hard to be home in time for Christmas

~the elderly who sit in their house all alone staring at 4 walls. The loneliness they feel. Unloved. Under-appreciated. Helpless.

This is deemed "the most wonderful time of the year", yet people hurt more this time than most any other time of the year. Whether its something I've listed above or facing the loss of a loved one and this is the first Christmas without them (it could even be the 2nd, 5th, 10th, or 20th) or it could be something completely unbeknown-st to anyone else. It all hurts the same. The trees may be up and decorated, the lights on the house and around town are sparkly and beautiful, the Christmas music playing loudly wherever you go, the joys of buying presents, all the pretty gifts wrapped and ready for people to tear into, the holiday parties, the meals, etc. None of these things make the hard things in life go away. It may put a mask on our trials for a few weeks, but the they are still there waiting on us. Weighing us down. Chains that we carry. Burdens that seem to heavy to bear.

Christmas is truly about our Savior, the Prince of PEACE! If we really take a step back from the hustle and bustle and what society says we "should" be doing/celebrating, then we can maybe put this season into perspective. We celebrate a man in a red suit who brings gifts that only offer temporal gratification, instead of completely focusing our eyes on the One who brings eternal freedom from everything this world offers or throws at us. I'm not here to debate if people should or should not celebrate "santa" b/c that is each person's/family's personal choice. My point is that our main focus should be Jesus Christ. Not the presents under the tree. Not how much we are spending on the people on our list. Not worrying about making everyone happy this year. Its simply celebrating the greatest gift of all!

Somewhere in between Thanksgiving and New Years, we get lost in our "to-do" lists. We forget what we're really doing. We forget why we really celebrate. Everything becomes so self-oriented masked by buying gifts for other people. We truly lose sight of those around us that are hurting b/c we don't have time to worry about it until after the holidays are over. And, for most of us, we forget until we are the person hurting and then we desperately want others to be there for us. Life is too hard for us to "forget".

As I've been praying for my friends and family, I've made a point to be very thankful this Christmas season as well.

What I've been thankful for the last few weeks:
~we aren't enslaved to credit card debt (Thank the good Lord! This is difficult for all of us!)
~the time I get to spend with my husband
~having a present for every person on our list
~being able to give back to our community and children across the world
~my husband and I are on the same team
~restoration in many relationships

There are definitely some days I feel like we're missing out. I LOVE being able to buy presents for people and just buy anything I see that I know someone would like. I love going to the mall and seeing all the pretty clothes and stuff that I'd love to fill my house and closets with. I would love to take a trip for New Years. This year, those things just aren't in the cards. However, I have to keep my thought-life and desires in check. Those are not things that God wants us to desire. Are those things bad? No! What is bad is when things of this world drive our heart and we become disappointed or angry b/c we can't have what we want. This year, I'm making the choice to celebrate Christ. Not be discouraged by what we can't do or things that I feel limited in, but to take every second and appreciate the One True Gift Christmas celebrates...the life of Christ.

Let's not forget those around us that are hurting and living with life-circumstances that seem unbearable.

Let's take the time to serve those in need.

Let's take the time to be thankful for our lives and the blessings God has given us.

Most of all, let's not forget what we really celebrate this season. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful is my favorite Christmas carol. It just happened to be what our sermon was about this past Sunday. Take a look at this video...

Come FAITHFUL. Come joyful and triumphant. Come BEHOLD HIM. Come ADORE HIM.

Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And, the government will be upon His shoulder.
And, His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Powerful Relationship Building Prayer

Prayer is a powerful way to build relationships. Most of us use it as some sort of complaining session or to let God know our "wish list". However, it can be an incredible way to bring you closer to God, as well as the people you are praying for. When we pray, we get participate in what God is doing.

This year, I started something new. I asked some of my close girlfriends to send me a verse that I could use to pray for them with. I wrote them in a notebook and keep it with me. Whenever I am at a stoplight or just have some extra time, I read through them, praying for my friends. I can't wait to get to the end of the year and see how God has moved in their lives.

For our families, I picked 10 verses. When I do this again, I won't pick 10...its was a little overwhelming. I just prayed one or two and then the next time, I moved onto the next two. There were 10 for Ken and I, 10 for my immediate family, and 10 for Ken's immediate family. Prayer was a way for us to be "close" without living in the same place.

I've also had the privilege of praying for a friend of mine that was pregnant. She had some complications for pretty much her entire pregnancy. She was eventually put on full bed rest, which turned to being at the hospital (an hour away from her home) for the remainder of her pregnancy. They wanted her to get to at least 25 weeks before they would even think about delivering. There was something almost every week that I was able to pray for...between finances, her husband having to me "mom" and dad, each hospital visit, her safety, the baby's safety, traveling, their other 3 kids, etc. God brought their sweet baby boy into the world while she was only 26 week and 5 days pregnant. This baby is a miracle (all babies are actually miracles!) and an answer to multiple prayers. It was something that brought a body of believers together to pray for something that we all got to get a glimpse of God's awesome sovereignty! Baby Boy is doing so well and each day he is getting stronger and growing is just another answer to prayer. What I love about this is that I have grown closer to my friends just by being able to pray for them. I'm thankful for the friendship!

One of my favorite books is "The Power of a Praying Wife". I count it a joy and privilege that I get to pray for my husband. My most favorite thing she touches on in the first chapter is that my main prayer is that God will change MY heart! Not make my husband change, but that I would change! I love that! All too often, we ask God to give us "my way". How is that working out for you? I know it doesn't work for me. I've asked God soooo many times for Him to give me my way...and then I realize HIS way is so much better!!! So, now that I'm married, I pray for my heart to change, knowing God's plan is perfect. The book continues with each chapter being a different area of your husband's life which you can pray for. There are 30 short chapters so that you can pray for him daily for one month. (If you are looking for a devotional for couples, there is also "The Power of a Praying Husband". A husband and wife can go through the books at the same time. "Praying Husband" only has 20 chapters and I will list them in parenthesis next to the chapters below IF they're different from the "Praying Wife" book.). Here are the things it says to pray for:

1. His wife (Her husband)
2. His work (Her spirit)
3. His finances (Her emotions)
4. His sexuality (Her motherhood)
5. His affection (Her moods)
6. His temptations (Her marriage)
7. His mind (Her submission)
8. His fears (Her relationships)
9. His purpose (Her priorities)
10. His choices (Her beauty)
11. His health (Her sexuality)
12. His protection (Her fears)
13. His trials (Her purpose)
14. His integrity (Her trust)
15. His reputation (Her protection)
16. His priorities (Her desires)
17. His relationships (Her work)
18. His fatherhood (Her deliverance)
19. His past (Her obedience)
20. His attitude (Her future...this is the last chapter)
21. His marriage
22. His emotions
23. His walk
24. His talk
25. His repentance
26. His deliverance
27. His obedience
28. His self-image
29. His faith
30. His future

I encourage each one of you to start praying! I didn't pray for a long time...just here and there. Small talk. When I was in my mid-20's I met a woman who is an incredible prayer warrior. I wanted to be like that...I just didn't think it was my gift. Then I realized, its not a gift, its a discipline. So, I just decided to do it! Now, I NEVER tell someone that I will pray for them if I can't. Even if its on facebook and I comment that I will pray...I pray that exact moment. I don't want to do it and then forget about it. I was very convicted about telling people I would pray just b/c it was what sounded good...that's lying! I was tired of lying to people. Plus, I wanted to pray on their behalf.

Get involved in peoples' lives! Participate! Be moved by what God will show you!

***click here to see all 31 days of relationships posts***

Oklahoma State University

Please be praying for these families tonight as OSU Men's Basketball will honor their sons, husbands, brothers, and fathers. The plane crash was a terrible tragedy and, even 10 years later, is still very dear to the hearts of the OSU Athletic Family.

Tomorrow marks the 10th year since these men left this earth.

Timing

Most of the time, I don't question God's will in the "big picture". I feel I have a pretty good understanding of grace, salvation, that earth is my temporary home, that I am to be a light to this world, the end-times, etc.

What I do struggle with, most of the time, is God's timing. It is rarely my timing. That is a good thing. I can't imagine the things I would have messed up if I had gotten "my way". I got married A LOT later than I had originally planned, but I wouldn't change one single thing about it. It was hard and I heard a lot of encouragement, but it worked out perfectly. Of course, b/c God was in control. I was so worried about my age...and not finding anyone...and if I did, would we be able to have kids before we were too old....and so on. I realized that all of that was out of my control, so I just needed to be content with where I was and with God's timing. As I've gotten older, its been really fun to see other couples and their lives and when they got married and had kids. Ken and I are on the exact plan God has for us.

Lately, my biggest question/struggle is why my house won't sell. Its stressful and frustrating. And some days I even feel like God is punishing me. For what? I don't know. I truly thought I was making the right decision 4 years ago when I bought my house....but now I second guess it. Why won't it sell???? There is nothing wrong with it! For me, its discouraging b/c I have so much sentiment wrapped up in it that I don't understand why people don't just LOVE it!

We are at a loss for what to do next. Leave it on the market? Rent it? Sell it "by owner"? Just when we though it was all figured out, everything fell through and we are back at square-one.

God has taught me many things in my past about His character and His timing. I'm trying very hard to apply what I've learned to this situation. I wish this burden would be lifted from us. I just have to trust that whatever He is working is best. Here is what I know:

~His timing is ALWAYS perfect.
~His plan is ALWAYS best.
~He knows me (and Ken & I) better than I know myself.
~He goes exceedingly, abundantly above anything I could ever imagine!
~If we knew the outcome or what to do all the time, there wouldn't be a need to trust Him or have a relationship with Him.
~He will NEVER leave me or forsake me!
~He has NEVER failed me!

Addison Road

My cousin, Travis (he's in the gray sweater vest), is apart of the Christian music band, Addison Road. I've posted about one of their songs, Hope Now, here.

They are in need of prayer and support right now. While on tour with Sanctus Real, they have encountered some difficulties. They were graciously given an RV to travel in for this tour, but almost immediately started having "car-troubles". To make a long story short....it caught on fire and pretty much exploded.

Thankfully no one was hurt, but they have lost a lot! Jenny, the lead singer (and one of my blog friends), and her husband (also in the band) had packed the majority of their apartment and life in this RV and they have lost it all. The band also lost equipment that was needed for their tour and their career.

To read the entire story from the band members, click here and here.

Please, if you can help....financially or by prayer....it is greatfully appreciated!

Its been a day...

Disappointment.

Defeat.

Anger.

Frustration.

Sadness.

Loss of a dream.

All of these things, Ken and I felt today. Ever since we started dating, I knew it was a dream of his to be a pilot. We started planning for this dream to come true. We decided he should take aviation through the university b/c we can take out school loans instead of paying up front, out of pocket. We thought everything was falling into place. He got the perfect work schedule to be able to attend class. He was accepted to OSU. He was accepted into the aviation program. He got his books. He had his flight physical. He attended his first class. He had his first flight lab meeting. He was awarded financial aid. I was so excited for him on Monday night, I went out and got him a card to congratulate him on going for his dream, I got him and ice cream cake and took him to dinner. I got my hopes up too! I was already planning when I could go take pictures of his first flight! I hadn’t quite gotten to the point to where I was excited to fly…but I was SO excited for him! And then at a meeting he found out that before he could fly he had to have all the money up front. We were under the impression that financial aid covered that. And it did. We went to financial aid to make sure he was going to get enough money to pay for it all. However, after talking to them we realized that he has utilized all the financial aid possible through the other university he is attending right now. We both felt completely defeated walking out of the financial aid office. Neither of us said a word. Over lunch, we tried to come up with ANY way possible to pull this off, but he finally said that he wasn’t going to run us into the ground financially to pursue this. As a “fixer” and a wife who hates to see her husband disappointed, I was fine with taking out a loan so he could pursue this dream, but in my submission I also knew that he was right. He dropped his ground school class and flight lab when we got home.

The disappointment is clear! To let go of something that you’ve dreamt of for so long! To have it in the palm of your hand and then have it taken from you! To attend class, get excited and then to be let down.

Defeat. This was our future! We had so many ideas and places we could go. Plans for our family and our future just gone in a matter of minutes. We are back to square one. We are back to a place we were trying to get out of. We both feel like we just can’t get ahead!!!

Anger. Most of you probably don’t want to hear me say this, but I was mad at God! I don’t understand why he would let Ken get his hopes up and then just snatch it from him. Through this entire process we both had a complete peace about it. We both really felt this was where God was going to take us. I’m mad that I had to see his disappointment. I’m mad that we got so far in the process just to see it taken away.

Frustration. We’re back to square one. Have I said that already? I’m frustrated that we have to come up with a “Plan B”…I liked our “Plan A”!!!! I’m frustrated that we are stuck where we are for awhile. I’m frustrated b/c I feel like God isn’t “listening” or doesn’t “understand” what we are wanting.

Sadness. I’m sad to that we’ve only been married three months and my husband is going through this. I’m sad that what we thought was a good plan for our family, turned out to not be THE plan. I’m sad that we went most of the day not talking b/c we didn’t want to talk about it. I’m sad Ken is having to give up on this dream…for now.

Loss of a dream. We had to let go of a dream today. We had to lay it at the foot of God’s throne and walk away. I know this may sound dramatic to those of you who haven’t been through this, but for those of you who have…you know what I mean when I say we truly mourned the loss today. We had to walk away from something that is completely out of our control…something that we can’t fix. Something that only God is in control of.

I love my God! He is absolutely wonderful, absolutely gracious, absolutely loving, and absolutely perfect!!! His timing is wonderful, gracious, loving and perfect! I’ve learned that my “Plan A” isn’t usually God’s PLAN! He doesn’t have a “Plan A” or a “Plan B”. I’ve also learned in all my life, that when I’m disappointed in the way things are going, God’s plan is ALWAYS so much better than I could have imagined! It brings me back to what I learned at the “Deeper Still” conference (which I’ve been wanting to blog about since I got back). Pricsilla Shirer taught on:

Ephesians 3:20-21:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

I love the way she broke it down for us (her notes are in italics)–
~ “Now” – the time – The time is NOW to consider the greatness of God! What’s impossible to you? Connect the able-ness of God to your personal impossible prison. Do you get so discouraged in your praying that you are now expecting God to NOT answer??? God can, right in the middle of what you’re in, do above what we can even think. Bring together God’s ability and your “now”-ness!!!

Do I honestly think that God isn’t going to lead us or answer us? Do I honestly think that He isn’t going to do what’s best for us? I know He hasn’t forgotten us! I know He hasn’t stopped listening to us! We have to connect His able-ness to our future! And know…and BELIEVE…that He will provide.

~ “to Him” – turning – NOW is the time to TURN to Him! A deliberate choice to adjust your vision. Don’t fix your eyes on your circumstances or the details of your trials/impossible situation. Fix your eyes on Him! Purposefully, consciously fixing your attention on Him!!! Open your eyes and get a great angle of God, so He’s SO big that it minimizes your problems. Psalm 46:10 says “The activity of our faith is rest”. We wouldn’t be so stressed out or frustrated or try to control everybody/everything if we REALLY rest in Him and live life as we know we are in the palm of His hands!

Our eyes should be fixing on Him! Its not easy…its purposeful and conscious! To let God be SO big, that my problems become so small! I’m a fixer!!! To let go of the control I THINK I have is hard. We are in the palm of His hands!!! I need to release my need to control and trust Him alone. Trust that He will use us beyond what we could imagine.

~ “who is able to do” – the truth – GOD IS ABLE!!!! God has power to completely change everything going on around you! Power isn’t something God has….Power is WHO God IS!!!! God is “able to do” FOR YOU! It is possible to walk with Him and have a relationship with Him and still not BELIEVE He can do “it” for YOU!

Believe that He can and will DO for us!!! His blessings and plans aren’t just for others…but they are for Ken and I! We just have to trust, pray and wait for His timing. AND, allow Him to use us where He has us right now!

~ “exceedingly and abundantly above” – transcendence – God is NOT a greater version of us (humans). He is in a class all His own!!! God does BEYOND what you already think is “beyond”! He goes beyond our imagination! He exceeds our expectations!!! This should change your prayer life! You’re not going before a “weakling”, but before THE GOD who has dynamite power!!! We all put God in a box. God isn’t contained to that little box b/c He is still working and moving!!! Don’t put a lid on that box!!!! Your box is ONLY what you know of Him up to this point in your life.

My God does exceedingly, abundantly ABOVE!!!!! He goes “beyond the beyond”!!!! He abundantly exceeds our expectations!!!! Our expectation was flight school…and one day Ken being a pilot. What is His plan? We don’t know…but we know it will be exceedingly and abundantly ABOVE our plan!

~ “all that we ask or think” – totality – If it concerns you, it concerns God! Are you trusting Him with the little things that make a difference to you? The best a human can do is sympathize with you….and sometimes their sympathy runs out.

God’s love and understanding NEVER run out! Today tested my trust in Him. I felt like He wasn’t listening or didn’t understand…but HE DOES! He just sees more than I can! He knows more about us than we do. He has gone before us and knows how we can be best used for Him. We have to trust Him. Take this dream and lay it at His feet! This dream makes a difference to us….that means its important to Him!

~ “according to the power that works in us” – turbo-power – all the previous parts of this verse depend on this POWER that’s inside the believer! The Holy Spirit – who is FULLY God…His grandeur, His glory, His power…lives inside you! Its possible to not completely use the full potential of the Holy Spirit. Cooperate with His purposes!

We are called to cooperate with Him and His purposes!!! For some reason, flight school isn’t the plan right now. We still continue to hope and pray and dream that it will be one day...but for now, we will choose to follow where God is leading. We will choose to be used where we are right now. We will choose to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us….growing us and using us! We will choose to be obedient…and the hard part is to not question His actions. To be content with where we are.

~ “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” – tribute!

Our lives are a tribute to Christ! Our lives and how we live them reveals our Savior to others. May Ken’s and my life be a tribute to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior...to ALL generations. If nothing else, I hope that we can use this to teach our children! I pray this situation will also bring opportunity for us to glorify God. We don’t understand what He is doing, but we do trust what He is doing.

“Believing that He CAN is our business; Whether or not He WILL do it (His sovereignty) is His business!!!" He loves us!!!

God IS ABLE!!! And He is able to SURPRISE!

I am waiting for our surprise!

Psalm 145:17
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.”

Our Moms

Ken and I went to Tulsa last Tuesday to visit his mom and grandma. We had gone on Sunday to see everyone, but we wanted to see his mom again before she went back to Minnesota and visit his grandma after her surgery. When we got to Tulsa, Ken's mom and my mom were having lunch at The Cheesecake Factory....so we decided to crash! :) They had already eaten but we all visited, Ken and I ate and then had dessert together. YUM!!!

After Cheesecake Factory, we took Sandie (Ken's mom) back to the hospital and sat with Grandma for awhile. She was in really good spirits and seemed to be doing really well. We also got to visit with some family that we didn't see on Sunday.

We also visited with some of my family and had dinner with my mom and nephew. She and Cade had been shopping for his birthday, so they joined us before we headed back to Stillwater. We had a really nice time...and we've realized we have been to Tulsa every weekend this month....and last Tuesday. We are also heading there again today. Its fun to visit family and friends. :)

Here are the updates on our grandmothers:

Thursday we found out that Ken's grandma had some internal bleeding and they had to give her two units of blood. And, unfortunately, she also got pneumonia. They had her on medicine for that and were trying to maintain her hemoglobin levels. Once her health was maintained, they would send her home. Sandie also ran into some problems getting home b/c she was flying stand-by and every flight was booked from Friday until the following Tuesday. She was going to have to sit in the airport from 5am until they could get her on a flight. She flew out today and will hopefully make it home by this evening. Grandma is still in the hospital and hopefully going home soon!

My grandmother had her exploratory surgery on Tuesday afternoon. When they got in there, they could tell the cancer had already started to spread and it had been there so long, it had the texture of a football. The doctor said that at this point it is too late for surgery....she is already at a stage 4. So, the next thing they are going to do is chemo. They want to do this so she can live as long as possible. If the chemo is successful, she has 1-2 years. If its not successful, they are giving her about 3 months. After her surgery, she was doing VERY well. She was strong and in good spirits....walking around and sitting up on her own. They said she didn't need physical therapy if she continued to do this. Her dr. is out of town this weekend, so she will get to stay at MD Anderson through Monday or Tuesday. As of yesterday, she was having some stomach problems and was throwing up. Hopefully that will get worked out today and she will start feeling better soon.

Your prayers are so appreciated!

Updates

I have an update on Ken's grandmother and my grandmother.

Ken's grandmother went in for surgery this morning. We spent some time with her yesterday in Tulsa. It was good to talk to her! Ken's mom came in from Minnesota and we were able to see her too. Anyway---the surgery was this morning and it went better than expected. I think we will know more as the days go by and the dr's get to talk with her.

My grandmother found out that the mass is cancerous and they were prepping her for surgery last week. They realized the mass was bigger and more aggressive than originally thought and sent her to MD Anderson in Houston. They were trying to run some tests on her today and because of the size of the mass were unable to get the scope down her. So they are doing exploratory surgery tomorrow. My dad left for Houston this afternoon to be with her.

If you are reading this and think of it, please say a prayer for both our grandmothers!

MARCH MADNESS!!!

March Madness is HERE!!! This is one of my favorite months of the year!!!! It might be my favorite "holiday" next to Christmas! :) We have one week left before Big 12 Tournament is upon us....and then, THE BIG DANCE is here!!!! If I could, I would take off every Thursday and Friday just to watch basketball ALL day (Michelle, I don't need you rubbing it in that you are a stay-at-home-mom...now I know the real reason...haha!)!!!! And, I am hoping my Cowboys are invited to the dance this year....and to really dream big???? That they would be the "Cinderella" team!!!

Outside of basketball, I start getting spring fever REALLY badly! In my head, it should be SPRING everyday!!!! This week I am spoiled b/c the weather is going to be in the 70's and 80's and I am so excited (Sorry Judith)! The one thing I dread is that last horrible, horrible freeze we seem to get every year around Easter. I am ready to bring out my spring clothes and be done with the heavy sweaters!!!! Can I get an "AMEN"?????

This month seems pretty quiet. I am sure I can find away to stay busy, but not really that much going on. I know Spring Break is coming quickly....but sadly to say, that doesn't affect me anymore...except for having a very quiet week at work. I am sad to report that Ken's grandmother will be having surgery next week, AND I think my grandmother will be having surgery in the coming weeks. I am praying daily that they go well and God brings them through this! I have a girl's night-sleep over planned at my house, a friend's wedding, and I'm singing at church at the end of the month. Ken had company in town this last week. It was so fun to meet one of his long-time best friends. We had a good time together....and its my hope that he might reside in Stillwater someday. :) Thats about it for this month as I look ahead at what is planned.

I am just still totally excited that its March Madness!!!! Woo-Hoo!!!!!

A Prayer Request

I don't really know where to begin and its hard to tell the story since its not my own. I am going to try to be as sensitive as possible and not give out too much detail b/c I don't want to be disrespectful to the family....however, the family needs as much prayer as they can get!

Aimee's (my sister-in-law) brother and wife, Bryan and Stephanie, were pregnant and lost their little baby over the weekend. Stephanie was full-term and was to go in for her c-section tomorrow (Febraury 24th). They named her Tatum Olivia Johnson and she weighed 6lbs 1oz.

PLEASE be praying for them! They were three days away from meeting their little girl and now they are a planning a funeral for two days after her scheduled birth. Please pray that they will find the peace that passes understanding. Pray that they will seek the Lord of all things and not turn from Him in anger. Please pray for them as they grieve the loss and move into this "new-normal" life ahead of them. Please pray that in EVERYTHING they will get to a place where they will praise Him in this storm!

Praise You In This Storm
by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.


And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm I remember


When I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You
And raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You
And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away


And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm


I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth


And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

#20

November 20 - Today (Thursday) was a pretty emotional day. My friend Crystal passed away early in the morning. While I will miss her terribly, I am SO thankful that she is not suffering anymore. I know there is a lot of pain in her family and friends without her here, but she was in so much pain and her kids were having to see it everyday. I am so thankful that she is now walking with the Lord!!!

Also, Ruger got really sick on Tuesday and I had to take him to the vet Wednesday morning. What I thought was going to be an easy fix, has turned into two nights at the vet....and last night he was on fluids. I am thankful for the dr's being so thorough. I would have taked him home yesterday, but I am thankful that I can trust them to care for him. (I have a feeling that my #21 thankfulness will be that he gets to come home...I miss him dearly!).

And, I know its silly, but I am thankful for OSU Basketball. I absolutely LOVE it!!! Tia and I got to go the game against TU last night....and we won!!! I worked in the men's basketball office (for Coach Eddie Sutton) when I was in college, so it holds a special place in my heart. Its great entertainment and I love OSU! :) I am thankful that I get to use my parent's tickets when they don't come.

God's Goodness

November 13 - Yesterday I was able to spend time with Crystal, my friend that has cancer. People from our church have been going to her house in shifts to help with whatever they can. Some are even just sitting with her and keeping her company. Last night, I was able to spend some time there. It was hard for me to see her not as her usual self, but I am so very thankful to have been able to spend some time with her. She can't talk much, but she was in good spirits and sat in the living room with me, her daughter, a friend, and another girl from church while we talked and laughed.

I have something else to be thankful for from yesterday too. Our pastor's daughter, Katherine, suffered a head injury yesterday. She had to be life-flighted to St. Francis and had surgery there last night to remove blood clotting and stop the bleeding. The 2 hour surgery ended up taking only about 45 minutes. The surgeon said it was MUCH better than originally thought. The surgery went very well and Katherine is doing great. She was up talking this morning, just like normal! I am so thankful for her and the dr's that were over her....and the prayers of our church family!!!

Day 6...

November 6 ~ Richa!!! Richa is the most amazing, talented person who does my hair! Now you might be thinking that I am thankful that she does such a fabulous job on my hair...and I am b/c I am ecstatic everytime I leave her....which happened yesterday (on the 6th). However, the reason I am thankful for her is b/c I am thankful for her life. I'm not going to go into detail b/c I would probably explain it incorrectly, so here is just a very small explaination. Richa recently had complications with her pregnancy and lost her baby mid/late-second tri-mester. While in the hospital, Richa had a heart attack during her procedure of delivering the baby. They did CPR on her for an hour and half before they stopped and just started praying over her. Miraculously she survived!!! She suffered from an embolism (hopefully I am saying all of this right) and came through everything amazingly! Not only did she survive, but she can walk, talk, and remember everything!!! God is SO good and gracious! She is back at work and I was so thankful to see her yesterday! And, PRAISE THE LORD, she can still have kids! :) I just love her and can't wait to see how God uses her!