Just Nuggets

A Braedan Update

It's been awhile since I've given all you family an update on B!

The latest and greatest is that we've been focused on having him read and like it more.  He's a good reader... but he'd rather be throwing a football with his dad or playing with Legos.

So... we got serious.  We decided he will be reading a book a week and then taking an "AR TEST" from school that he can do at home on the computer.  If he gets a certain amount of books read and 80% or higher on the book quizzes... he will get an award and treat at the end of the school year.

Now, his first rebuttal statement was, "But I don't want an award and treat." 

We said, "Well, that's okay... if you don't want the award and treat at the end, when they give it to you just say 'thanks, but no thanks" and go back to your seat.  It will be okay."   :)

We surely wouldn't want him to get an award and sugar he didn't want.  :)

I trekked over to the library and got some books.  I didn't realize the books he has to read are AT LEAST 150 pages.  Basically, he went from reading 20 minutes a day to reading an entire book in 6 days.

Can I just tell you... he hasn't complained.  I've written the pages he needs to read on a sticky and he has been known, now, to get up in the morning (on weekends) and read his pages for the day.

And, he got a 90% on this last test.

Oh, forgot to mention, his dad is paying him $2 for each book read and a quiz grade of 90% or higher.  He gets $1 for a book read and 80% quiz grade.  AND... (this might be why he reads now) if he gets below an 80% on his quiz grade... he owes us $1.

That might have been what got his head in the game.  (Thank you Leticia for this GREAT idea!)

Money.  The power it has is crazy.  Its literally a piece of paper.  Funny.

Waiting!

I need to tattoo the below saying where I can see it daily! 

I wonder why it is... that I think God needs MY help to accomplish what He's promised?  Why do I think that I am some sort of super-woman... and God depends on ME to accomplish His purposes?  I wonder if I will get this before I die?

I can be the instrument God uses if I don't get ahead of His timing and do it in my own strength or with my OWN plan.

We can all be used as amazing instruments in God's ultimate, amazing, supernatural plan... if we just hold tight... and wait.  Wait on Him.  We can either do it in our own strength and have it turn out half-ass or not turn out at all... OR wait on Him... and watch it unfold with His perfect grace and favor!

We have some great examples in the Bible... which makes me feel SO good! 

Abraham was promised a child that was going to bring him descendants that numbered the stars in the sky!  But, he waited and waited and waited... and no child.  So, they took matters into their own hands.  His own wife said, "go have a kid with my helper, Hagar."  So, he did.  (Wow, Old Testament ways were so different than today huh?  Then, again, if I really think about that comment, maybe not.)  This was not God's plan.  And, God's plan ultimately came to pass and was amazing!

Rebekah had to trick Isaac that Jacob was Esau to get the blessing, even though he was promised the blessing from birth. They took matters into their own hands, even though God promised this blessing to Jacob.  They just couldn't wait, I guess.

Our story is SO MUCH BETTER AND AMAZING... if we just wait on God's timing.  I have to remember this over and over and over.

Side Note:  I know I did one thing right... I did wait for my husband... 39 years.  I could have made some things happen before that, but didn't (or tried and God protected me HA).  My marriage worked out more amazing than I could have ever imagined.  I need to remember THAT story when I'm tired of waiting on the others!  HA

My Heart is Changing!

So, in my last post, I said I was going to give away a jacket on Friday when I was out and about... and then give away jacketS on Saturday with one of my bestie's who was in town!

It turned out very interesting.  I'm new at this so... I really, really, really have to depend on God.  I don't know where to go... who not to offend... etc.  And, come to find out, I have to learn to LISTEN too.  

Friday, it was SO cold... 30 degrees WITH the wind chill made it about 20+.

I'm driving down a main street and I look over and this guy is one of those "wave your arms and sign to direct your attention to a business" guys... and he has this very thin costume on and no jacket or gloves.  His face and hands are bright red.

Come to find out, it was someone I knew.  So, I give his step dad a call and leave a message... "Yeah, your step son it standing out on the street, working, FREEEEZING with no jacket or gloves on with red skin."

He called me later to thank me for the call... he was able to bring him a jacket.

Not that this is going to surprise you in the least... but... THIS WAS THE DAY I WAS GOING TO GIVE AWAY A JACKET!!!!!

I forgot.

So, after our friend called it dawned on me... OMg... I was supposed to give a jacket away today.  But, instead, I called my friend to let him know.  I'm so lame.  I forgot.

I called our friend back and asked him if I could bring him a jacket, but come to find out, I didn't have one big enough to fit him and he, as he said earlier, had already done it.  That made me feel a little less LAME!  But, just a little.

DAY TWO... I'm a little more on the ball!

One of my bestie's from Nashville came all the way out to visit!  So, I had done my homework and one of the families we delivered the tree and meal to, needed jackets.  I got the right sizes... dug around in the generous pile of NEW jackets my mother in love bought for the "mission" and we were off.

We had BRAND NEW JACKETS for these beautiful people... AND BONUS... my friend speaks Spanish.  

We got over there and they cautiously opened the door.  Surprised to see us again, they pointed over in the corner, where the Christmas tree was still standing, and said it's so pretty they want to leave it up.  (My thought was... well, a dried up tree doesn't belong in the kitchen... but that's just me.  I leave burners on all the time on accident.)

We zipped the little girl up in her new jacket and I think she might have slept in it last night.  She is the reason why, I probably will continue to go over there.  She is precious... a little fireball... will do something amazing with her life... I can tell.

This was the interesting part.  I, of course, don't know a lick of Spanish, so I'm standing there, like a dumb person, smiling, while my friend is talking away.  

Come to find out the mom thought we were there with jackets to get her to join our Church.  She had kept asking me where our Church was.  And, my heart really was pure, come to find out, because I was thinking, we are here to bless you with jackets... not tell you where to go to Church.  

I mean, why on earth would anyone just deliver jackets to those who needed them?  We must have an ulterior motive.  Right?

Sad.

I love my friend and she knows our heart.  She said, "We are only here because God put your family on our heart to give you these jackets and He loves you.  There is no other reason."

The lady was relieved and then we departed.

Again, sad.

Sad that we couldn't just GIVE a gift.  She thought we wanted something in return.

I hope she really experienced that love from our visit.  I hope she was sitting down later and thought about it and really just smiled.

People, myself included, have ruined the genuineness of just loving others, expecting nothing in return.  My heart is changing for people.  I don't feel like I expect anything when I give to others, however, I'm not sure.  I'm loving giving it away... and walking away with a pure heart, that I had no other intentions.  That feels good for sure.  

And, that's what God has called us to do.  People will know HIM... by our love.  And, THAT is my ulterior motive.  My prayer is that through loving others, without maybe even saying a word, they will know the powerful and amazing God Who created us all.

beINVOLVED... who knew that giving away a jacket or two or five, would cause so much revelation!  I hope in the next five years, we will have books to fill with stories about how God loving us and us loving others... impacted SO many people and changed lives!

It's never too late to donate to any of our beINVOLVED causes OR let us know if you know anyone in Roswell that has a need!  Go for it!  

Move on over...

I am loving reading Genesis.  Okay, I must admit, I'm a tad behind in my One Year Bible reading... which has really turned into my One Year Old Testament reading.

I've decided to just get through the Old Testament in a year.  It's thrilling!  And, I'm loving all these encouraging stories.  Plus, it keeps my CSI mind reeling with all the gross stuff too.  (I'm trying to lay off a little CSI and NCIS more now... because when I walk my dog next to the trees and slopes... I keep glancing over... expecting to find a body.  And, that's just NOT right!)

Genesis 24 is SO encouraging!  It has a lot to do with asking God... and a lot to do with letting God lead you.

Abraham's helper is sent out by Abraham to go find his son, Isaac, a wife.  So, can you imagine the guy riding on his camel... with 10 others in tow... and he's like... okay... I know what area to go to... and I know what area to stay away from... but how in the world out of all these women am I to find the right wife.

Ahhh... yes... I'll pray to my master's God.  (I don't know if he believed in God or not, but I'm sure, after his request was answered speedily... he surely did!)

So, he throws down a sort of fleece with God (love it).  If a woman comes out and I ask her for a drink of water (he was hanging out by the well of the city) and she offers me her water AND THEN asks if she can also water ALL my TEN camels... THIS IS THE WOMAN.

That was his "sort of" fleece.

Now, how much water can a camel drink?  And, 10 camels?  That's a lot of water to offer to get for some guys camels.

However, it unfolds, quickly, just like that.

Before you know it, Eleazar's (Abraham's helper... who was actually his eldest servant at his house) prayer was answered, it went down perfectly like he asked and he was humping it over to Rebekah's parents home... to meet the family.  Oh, and before all that, Eleazar had to make sure she was a woman from the right lineage.  Which, she was.  Whew. 

And, it was all incestuous at that time... because ALL people came from Noah and his kids right?  So, this was like Lot's sisters grand-daughter or something like that.  But, I digress.

The one line that gets me is: 

Genesis 24:27b ~ I being in the way, the Lord led me.

So, basically Eleazar took a giant faith step.  He went out... (remember, sandals and camels and long walks in the desert to other lands... wasn't like 30 minutes down 85 or the 405) and then thought, I need God's help here... made that fleece... it was answered speedily... and then... found himself walking home with Rebekah.

But, in the middle of all that it says he bowed down and worshipped the Lord.  Probably right next to the well, after Rebekah told him the good news of her lineage.  :)

AM I STEPPING OUT IN FAITH THESE DAYS AND LETTING GOD LEAD ME?

I find that we pray... then kick back and let God do His thing when He's saying, "Hey, thanks for the prayers, can you actually BELIEVE what you are asking me and take that BABY step... and have a LITTLE faith?  Then... watch what I can do!"

I know God can do whatever He wants to do even if we're lazy and have no faith.  However, how much more will He do if we actually BELIEVE and take that tiny step of faith?

WHAT AM I DOING TODAY, TO TAKE THAT STEP OF FAITH?

Well, we have a zillion coats to give away.  It's 24 degrees outside.  I don't want to venture out there myself... WITH a coat.  But, I'm going to.  Today, I will give at least ONE away.  (I being in the way, the Lord WILL lead me!)

And, tomorrow... one of my besties will be here... and we will certainly give away some more!

That is what I am doing, today.  My little step of faith that with my EYES FULLY OPEN God will lead me where I should go.

I'm sure it will be a great story.  Stay tuned!

 

Hard or Harder? | The Little Big Show -

I’ve thought, I’ve read and I’ve heard building a ministry is the most difficult proposition in the world.  There are countless books, blogs and publications written on launching ministries and planting churches.  The “How To” resources seem almost limitless.

via littlebigshow.me

Thought this was a really great blog post... thought I'd share! Enjoy!

Perfect Faith

It doesn't exist.

And that, makes me very happy.

Can you imagine if God called us to live perfect lives?  Yikes.

Sometimes I think certain people would like that from us.  I know I've expected it out of others at times.

Abraham is used as the Bibles classic example of a man of faith.  He is known as "the father who believes."  How awesome is that?!  He messed up so much... but the Bible says, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness."  (James 2:23)

REFRESHING!

It's so awesome to read about ALL Abrahams blunders and know that God still loved him,  still stood by His promises to him, still was very gracious and patient with him.

I love how Abraham, not only once, but TWICE, told two different Kings that his wife was his sister, because he feared they would take his life if they found out his BEAUTIFUL wife, was actually his wife.  Crazy.  His fear over-powered the fact that his wife, was HIS wife.  He was willing to take the chance and give her to the kings to spare his own life.

And, God spared them both times.  He spared Abraham's life and he spared Sarah's humiliation.  In the midst of our fear and our not so wise decisions, God can still spare us!  And, He does!

Thank God He is gracious and patient with US too... not just the crazy people in the Bible.

I find it funny that Abraham had faith for the really BIG things... like when God told him to sacrifice his ONLY son... but then when it came to things like telling a King his wife was actually his wife... he didn't trust God to take care of that situation.

Abraham trusted God with a lot of the BIG... but not always the little.

I find myself relating to him quite a bit these days.  I find myself trusting God for the BIGGEST thing in our life... building this Church and building this ministry, beINVOLVED.  Trusting God for some pretty crazy things... because heck, it does not make ANY sense whatsoever.

BUT... we need new tires on our truck and I find myself wracking my brain how this is going to work.  How we can afford them?  What if they blow out before we save up the money?... etc, etc, etc.

God wants our small stuff too.  He wants it all!

All God asks for is that we have Faith in Him.  Not perfect Faith... just Faith.  As small as a mustard seed, actually.  When we have Faith and Believe... we are made righteous.  No works can give us righteousness.  Doing the right "thing" won't give us righteousness.  Looking the right way, won't give us righteousness.  Saying the right thing, won't give us righteousness.  Reading the Bible and praying, won't give us righteousness.  It is a gift... by having faith and believing in our living, loving God. 

That's it. 

Plain and Simple.

Matthew 17:20 ~ So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

James 2:23 ~ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.

 

Instagr.am Photos from the past month!!

I've been lagging in the iPhone photo department lately!

My office is moving (and this sign is posted in my new "digs" area).  Well, MY office isn't moving.  MY office is still in my home!  But, the entire office is moving about 10 minutes away from my house.  It's REALLY nice... but it's a lot farther.  I still go in about 1 day a week... so not THAT bad!  And, it has a helicopter landing pad... so if I get a copter anytime soon... that 10 minute commute could go down to 2.  :)

The first 2012 photo!  My husband looks great at least.  Happy New Year!

Got the surprise of the year when Jason sent me out to LA to watch Trishee get married.  It was literally a 24 hour trip (with 12 waking hours spent in LA).  He used the last of his miles and the last of his Marriot points!  What a GUY!

Lori, me and Mel!  Got to see these two while at the wedding!  Good times!!!!

Got to meet THIS guy for the first time while at the wedding.  Jagur.  Cutest 3 month old!  Melanie & John know how to reproduce!  WooT!

My new slippers to wear around the cold house.  LOVE THEM!

Braedan... trying to be patient before opening gifts at Nana and Papa's!

Two of my favorite people in the world... that I also got to see at the wedding!

The CPOP... trying to get in the Christmas spirit!

CPOP.  My favorite time of the day... when he's content and taking a nap!

 

Just Launched

My brand new PHOTOGRAPHY website!

I built it myself!  Okay, maybe I had some templates to help me out!  However, how cool is this?

Go check it out AND tell ALL your friends!

JUST NUGGETS PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE

 

Perfect... for your CALL?

Thank God we don't have to be.

What is your call?  Your purpose? 

Side note:  if you're having one heck of a time figuring this out and this question frustrates you to no end... seriously... read:  The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett.   As much as books these days are getting a little ridiculous... it is one of the most IMPACTful books during this season... and you won't be disappointed!

Abram... is a perfect example!  God made a huge covenant with him!  Did he fulfill his call just perfect?  HARDLY! 

Love that!

Have you killed someone?  (maybe not with a gun but with your words?)

You're forgiven.  Get over it.

Have you had too much to drink at certain times to just deal with stuff?

You're forgiven.  Get over it.

Have you been a terrible parent?

You're forgiven.  Get over it.

Have you had a hard time liking yourself?

You're forgiven.  Get over it.

Have you hated?  Or, are you hating right now?

You're forgiven.  Get over it.

Do you hold on to control?

You're forgiven.  Get over it.

GET OVER IT.  BECAUSE JESUS IS OVER IT.

Abram... for GOODNESS SAKES... told his WIFE (the gal he was married to) to pretend she was his sister when they were in Pharaoh's home.  Why?  So Pharaoh would treat him well, because his wife was BEAUTIFUL.  So, if Pharaoh thinks Abram's wife is his sister... Pharaoh can then do what he wants with her?  WHAT WAS ABRAM THINKING?????  But, no.  God spares Abram and sends a plague and then Pharaoh catches on.  He even asked Abram... "What were you thinking?  What if I took your WIFE as my own?" 

Hello!

God still stood by his Word/Covenant with Abram.  In the midst of all his blunders.  And, that Pharaoh one... was one of MANY!!!

Love that!

Get over your sin... your blunders... your issues!  God still has your CALL right in the palm of His hand.  He sees past our stuff and you can TRUST HIM to continue on.  You can TRUST HIM to heal your stuff.  You can plain and simply TRUST HIM!

What are you waiting for?

How much more does He have for me and you today?

Abram did dumb things... just like me. (however, gosh, I'd never pretend Jason was my brother, no matter how good looking he is!  HA)  He is an awesome example of Who our living, loving God is!

Gods covenant with Abram (in case you wanted to read it yourself):

Genesis 12: 1-3 ~ Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Don't be overwhelmed by your call.  Just day by day... move forward.  God WILL reveal as He sees fit.. He will give you the necessary "tools" to make it happen (you don't even need to worry about money) and He will be there to LEAN on... when you take things into your own hands... and realize you can't do it alone!

WooT!

Don't let Noah be the only example! What is YOUR call?

I love how God (in Genesis 5) uses Noah... and how Noah is such a great example to us today.

1.  To be obedient to our call.  What has God asked you to do lately?  Are you?

Noah was told to build an ark.  WHAT?  Can you imagine?  I don't think he lived by water.  Nor were there any floods back then.  But, because "Noah walked with God" and God knew Noah had a heart for Him, he told Noah to do something... that was completely and utterly out of his limits... and he did.  He had to fully trust in the living, loving God.  He was ridiculed.  He was mocked.  He was hated.  BUT... he was LOVED!

2.  God is full of grace and love.  Even when He hates what He sees around Him.

It took Noah 100 years to build the ark.  And, all the while, he "preached" to the people around him what was going to happen.  What a GREAT heart our Lord has.  Even though He wanted to destroy humankind, whom He created, because of their wickedness... He gave the world at that time... 100 years to come to know Him. They had ONE HUNDRED years (give or take) to turn from their wicked ways.

It doesn't sound like anyone did. 

If you have a call on your life that God has asked YOU to do... don't be discouraged!!  No matter how long it takes, there is a GREAT reason.  Don't think about quick results... think about how GREAT the results will be in GOD'S TIMING!

It's all about Him.  His timing.  Being obedient to the call He has on your life!  You won't miss out if you're really trusting, following and obeying Him!  And, it will turn out the BEST if you are!

And, in the midst... display the grace and love He has for us, on others!  You will certainly be blessed!

WooT!

Goodbye 2011... HELLO (with arms wide open) 2012!

My motto for the year...

 

I want my eyes, ears and heart to be fully open to the people in my community.  To my neighbors.  To the people on the street.  I want all prejudices and judgments to flee from my mind.  I want my love for my husband, son and dog to grow!  And, along with that, my love for people to be pure and just... pure.  I want to love the gal in the ragged clothes with no place to call home to be the same as a friend who has fine clothes and a place to live and has life together.  I want my focus to shift... LESS on me and MORE to those around me.

 

EYES FULLY OPEN

 

My verse for the year is: 

Matthew 22: 37-40:

Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

 

I loved my motto for 2011.  2011 will be a slice of Heaven.  And my verse was: Matthew 6:33:  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

It was a year of building some new foundations.  It taught us a lot.  We made some HUGE changes in our lives.  And, we've been obedient to our call... as hard as sometimes it is.  It's also very exciting!  And, we have come to depend on God in ways... we never knew were possible.  We've seen miracles in our home that only make us depend on our living, loving God even more.  How cool that we don't have to live life in our own strength... and the impossible happened.  I have more peace than I have ever had... and my faith has grown in ways I didn't know it could.  It will always be a journey.  I love that we never "arrive" per say.  But, we are always seeking and growing and learning and believing in more of the impossible and we see it done in our lives!

Our dreams for 2012 are way beyond us.  And, that's what's so cool about them.  They will unfold before our eyes... and they will be amazing stories to tell!

So... 2012... we welcome you with open arms... eyes fully open... you will be a year of the impossible.  And, I will be sharing those amazing stories... so stay tuned!

 

This was my FIRST photo of the NEW YEAR!  Bringing in the new year with this guy... my amazing and amazing and amazing husband! 

Happy New Year! 

I hope 2012 is a GREAT year of major miracles and blessings in your life!

 

An overwhelming gift... from a MOTHER...

I love ALL my gifts I get each year.

I appreciate them more... TODAY... as all my gifts were much needed and I am very thankful for such giving people in my life.  My parents... all my in-loves (laws)... my husband FIRST AND FOREMOST... etc, etc, etc.

One certain gift given this year overwhelmed me... because of TWO reasons...

1.  It was from my dog.  Literally.  I mean... come on.  I not only have the CPOP (cutest puppy on the planet), but he is also an ARTIST!  Who knew?!

2.  I am overwhelmed by the love of a mom (and her son).  And, I wish EVERY SINGLE STEP MOM could feel the same about their step kids mom!

Yes. 

Crazy.

I.

Know.

So very opposite of what the world tells you to feel.  But, I cannot for one minute imagine life any different.

Side note: This is why I need to continue to write my book:  "FAKE" MOM.  It is going to be SO very helpful for all those step moms out there who have a lot of bitterness and actually for those moms out there who do too.

So... here is the gift... from Kellie and Braedan and Trigger... that really means so much!

Yes.  Those are Trigger's paws... he painted with some black paint on my favorite color, green, canvas.  What talent eh?

Thanks Kellie and Braedan for a very meaningful gift! 

(and, consider this your thank you card)

THE Card...

...that I would have sent out IF... (you can fill in the blank)

We hope you have a great Christmas & New Year!

Just for fun, look up where the "Christmas Tree" originated.  Pretty interesting.

And, don't forget to figure out what your "motto" will be for 2012!  (Mine will be revealed soon!)

Front

Back

And, let's be honest... this isn't what I would have mailed out... but... I love messing around with Illustrator... my fonts... my photography... and this is what I came up with!!

An appropriate time to use the statement: "OH!MY!GOD!"

Wednesday night.  Thursday night.  Friday night.

Our ministry... along with those who gave financially... reached out to three families that didn't have a Christmas tree or dinner budget.

beINVOLVED (the "reach out" part of Audacious Faith) gave THREE Christmas trees, lights and stands; THREE Christmas TURKEY meals; a Bible and Matthew Barnett's new book:  The Cause Within You, to a few different families.

Well, you know how God works.  He's always just perfectly ON TIME.  Not on mine though.

Believe it or not... the easiest part was receiving the money (still need $80 if you'd still like to be a part) and buying the "goods."  Finding the families?  Not so much.  

Not until THE day of delivery... a couple hours before the time we wanted to deliver... did things swing into motion, realizing, people with no Christmas trees don't just stand on the street corner to tell you.

Thank goodness God doesn't depend on ME!  It wouldn't have panned out so much.  I would have had all three families chosen by Wednesday night... times given that we were going to show up at their doors and a big to-do list CHECK OFF by 9pm.

Nope.

We had ONE family on Wednesday night.  We got there 30 minutes later than planned because of the Christmas tree (wait time... turned into blessing time) pick up.  So, 7:30 turned into 8pm.  But, low and behold, their 5 year old had to go to bed.  She was sleeping when we got there.  How much BETTER for her... to wake up to a TREE with LIGHTS in the morning?  OMG!

And, we ended up hanging out for about 30-45 minutes... chatting... laughing... crying and praying with this amazing family!  OMG!

Then... the next family we blessed only needed a meal.  Then, our neighbor (right in front of our noses) needed a tree.  Our other neighbor needed lights.  And, after receiving brand new lights from a friend at work who over heard what we were doing, we still had a tree, lights and meal left to give.

Braedan... our AMAZING, AMAZING good hearted red head... went to school and asked his teacher if she knew anyone who could use a tree and meal.  She knew her neighbor could.  So, Friday night we went over to her neighbors and blessed them with the goods.

This 2nd graders face... when she opened the door... will aways be grained in my head.  She jumped up and down and yelled, "A Christmas tree with lights!!!"  We set it up and were on our way.

I'm leaving out SO many details!!!!

I'm blown away!

My eyes have been opened a small bit to the NEED of our community.  Doing this "hands on" was so up my alley... but also so hard.  I love to give... but, in the past I've liked to give and not be hassled with the details.  Not anymore!

OH!MY!GOD!  Our God is truly amazing.  How He provides.  How He loves.  How He died for us!  How He teaches us by His perfect example how to do this on earth too.  It's NEVER too late to love your neighbor!

If you'd like to give to this cause... we are still in need of $80 measily dollars. 

Go HERE  to give! 

And, if you'd like to give to FUTURE, beINVOLVED ministry things in 2012... just earmark your "gift" for that part of our ministry.  We'll make sure it gets used in our community!

A special THANKS to ALL of you who GAVE.  No matter if it was $50 or $5... it all added up and we were able to buy a ton of GREAT stuff!

We aren't done yet!  We have plenty more to do... as 2012 is going to be a GREAT year!

It's MAGICAL!

As I was making B breakfast this morning... he came down and was enthralled in this letter that his elf, Mitch, wrote him.  (aka Jason) 

He read with intent and laughter and belief.

Then, while eating breakfast, he was glancing over the letter again (like an old man does while eating his cereal) and getting to certain parts he would get a big smile on his face (like reading something from a dear friend)!  Then, he re-read a part to me... because he thought it was so funny.

I asked B if he really believes in an elf.  He said, "If you believe... it's real."

He also told me the other day that two boys in his class DON'T believe... so they won't be getting an elf or anything from Santa.

Kids.  So genuine.

I have been in a couple conversations with adults lately... about some terrible health issues that have happened to them or to someone they love.  I BELIEVE in healing!  I BELIEVE in a living, loving God... Who created the universe and our bodies and loves us.  I BELIEVE He heals... just as simple as he created.  As I was reminding these adults of this... that we BELIEVE in a healing God... they said, "Well, this is pretty much un-fixable.  This is a really bad situation."

Let's make sure we are BELIEVING in the right Person!  God, Who created the entire universe... Who created our amazing bodies that no only heal themselves at times, but accept miracles too!  Who came to this earth and healed and forgave and loved... does the same... TODAY... for YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES.  (I don't care if it's a dog!)

I love the honestly and vulnerability of small children.  And, I'm totally grateful that Braedan believes in this stuff for a time... but ultimately, he believes in a living, loving God... who he never outgrows!

If you can believe in the magic of Christmas from a "worldly" perspective... how much more can we BELIEVE in The God... that did EVERYTHING for us?

BELIEVE IN YOUR MIRACLE!  Become that child again, with childlike FAITH! 

Isaiah 58:8 ~ And... here is a letter from God... directly to us!  Let's BELIEVE!

EXPRESS CHRISTMAS

**You'll only get this blog title if you watch Modern Family!**

We've actually named this awesome opportunity to bless our community: Operation Christmas Tree.

 We are sponsoring this through our Church.

I am getting the WORD out via every possible way... and so can you!

God is a BIG God and has put a BIG opportunity in our midst.  Helping our Roswell community in need.

We are blessing 3 families... buying them a Christmas Tree & lights... a Christmas dinner (turkey, stuffing, etc)... a Bible... an encouraging book, The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett... AND... delivering next Wednesday the 14th!

If you'd like to donate $1 or $5 or $10 or $20... please do so (info below)!  I figured if everyone sent in $5... we'd raise $300 for OP easy!

We will be delivering it next Wednesday... and this is just the BEGINNING of what we will be doing in our Community as a Church!

If you donate... you'll get a GREAT email after the deliveries... with how it all unfolded!

If you'd like to be a part of the DELIVERY on the 14th, let me know.

And... if you know a family in need, tell me that too... we don't have them picked yet!  And, who knows... you are ALL generous people... if we can bless 10 families because of the abundance... we will!


Link to giving:  http://bestirred.tumblr.com/online-giving

Mail checks to:  Audacious Faith, PO Box 767322, Roswell, GA 30076

Tax Deductible

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

It's a MONUMENTAL year!

The next decade!

We hope and pray this next decade is filled with abundance... more wisdom... health and joy!

love... carissa, jason, braedan and trigger

Dung (and I didn't mean to write "dang")

This blog post is called Dung.  Because, that is what it's about.  And, it makes me laugh that I was reading to Braedan not too long ago and used this word and HE KNEW WHAT IT MEANT!  What?

We had another flood.  I didn't take photos, because it would make you barf.  I think all the dung we've dunged poop we've pooped over the last week... came up in our shower... and decided to flood the first level.

It could have been worse.  We could have a basement.  It could have happened on our second level.  We could have walked downstairs in the morning, instead of the middle of the night (to get water, ironically enough) to find an even bigger mess.  It could have happened when we were in California.  It could have happened AFTER I cleaned the floors.  Needless to say, they are clean now, thanks to my fabulous hubby!

I do, however, wish it happened on a weekday.  Plumbers charge a lot less on the NON-weekends!

Oh well.  What do you do?  You laugh.  You remember back to when it happened in the big house and then it's really not a big deal compared to having to get $7000 worth of hardwoods done.  

Water.

It sure likes us.

 

Judge Judy

Besides sports... I think Judge Judy is one of my dads favorite shows.

Judge Judy.  She makes $30mil a year.  Go figure.

I guess Braedan wanted to watch cartoons and my dad wanted to watch Judge Judy.  My dad won.  Braedan was not happy.  (this I heard through the grapevine.)

The next morning... probably one of the funniest things I heard while in CA was when I overheard Braedan, up early as usual, walking down the hall with my dad (like 7am or so) asking, "Papa, do you think Judge Judy is on now?"

He better not be watching Judge Judy!  Ever.  Again.  Until he's 36.

 

Thank You... PARENTS

Here are some great photos of our trip, with the entire family! 

(Probably should have posted this FIRST... however... going through 200 photos I took for everyone... limits my blogging time!  Plus, if you love to blog, like I do... your creative juices flow... when they flow.  I can't just blog something I've not yet conjured up perfectly, in my mind.)

We were ALL together for Thanksgiving!  My sisters family on the right... parents in the middle!

I guess the joke was on me.  However... whatever these peeps are laughing at... it made for a GREAT photo!

Awww...

The only way I can get my mom in a photo... take a photo of her far away and crop!  :)

My parents and all their grandkids!

Braedan and all the cousins.  (okay... 2 of the girls aren't... but he calls everyone his cousins or wishes everyone was... so we're going with it!)

B and my nieces and nephew (his real - by marriage - cousins)!

B & cousin Trent in Manhattan Beach!

 

Thank You... PARENTS... for making this California trip happen!  Without all those DELTA miles... where would we be?

Thank You... PARENTS... for taking us out to eat over and over and over again... even when you wanted to cook for us.  HA  ;)

Thank You... PARENTS... for letting us drive your car 80mph on those amazing freeways you have!

Thank You... PARENTS... for taking us to Old Navy to buy a Christmas gift you forgot to get for someone else... and then walking out with... an AWESOME puffy jacket... for me!  (it's cold here and it's perfect for walking the dog!)

Thank You... PARENTS... for giving up your space... for a WHOLE ENTIRE WEEK... so we could get in your way in your kitchen... in your bathroom... in your living space!

Thank You... PARENTS... for raising me in California... so that I can always say I'm a CA GIRL...

Thank You... PARENTS... for always being the BEST people I know... and being a great example of what it really means to give & love UNCONDITIONALLY!  I will never live up to either of you... however... you do have 30 years on me!  ;)