Finally....

Wow! I can't believe it's taken this long to get a blog up and running. (As if that's the first time that statement has been written...but seriously....) Trust me, it's not from lack of desire, for I have found much comfort and encouragement in blogs that God has brought into my life over the past few months, as well as much laughter at just knowing that my life is not the only life that feels beyond crazy at times. My greatest desire in doing this is to hopefully share a part of our life with the hope that it will reach someone and give them just a glimpse at what God is doing in the Cole Family life.

I think from time to time we forget the power of a word spoken (or typed) into some one's life. Words have the ability to fill you up to a point that your "cup runneth over" but, on the flip side, they can cut deep into the heart forever leaving a mark. This blog is started with the intention and purpose of sharing what God is doing in our life & with the prayer that our journey, now & in the future, will encourage someone in their walk with God. There will more than likely be day's where the rain will pour and days where the Son shines so bright it will be next to impossible to find words to accurately express the joy. Nonetheless, I will do my best to write only that which I feel can truly uplift another person. Nothing ever written in this blog is with intention to cause pain. It's mearly through our trials in life that we want to offer hope in Christ, strength that comes from His Word, and peace that only can come from God.

We are not a perfect family. We don't pretend to be so. Neither do we want to come across as "all knowing". The journey that God has placed you on and the journey that He has guided us through would never be the same. That is what makes the body of Christ so valuable, so unique. Everything that we have been through is a testimony of God's mercy and grace. We do not deserve the life that God has blessed us with....it's truly a picture of his unmerited favor. We did NOTHING...we just believed & even in our un-belief, during seasons of walking in the wilderness...our parents, brother's and sister's, and other friends and loved one's, covered our lives in prayer. God was faithful in His promise that not one prayer that is sent up to Him will ever come back void. But, here is where most people think God isn't there. His answers are not always answers that we want, nor in the timely manner in which we desire them. But I promise you with every part of my heart...He still answers.

So, as we open our lives to you, whomever you are and whatever season of life you find yourself in, our greatest desire is to reveal to you the love of Christ & how a life surrendered to Him, is a more abundant life that what this world has to offer. And, that through the blood He shed on the cross, a love was born that today still exists. I have no idea what the future holds for this blog. It may just be for this season in our lives or it may be a legacy that we will be able to leave for generations of Cole children to come. All I do know is that God is the author of my life...and through the years, you will see His handwriting, His grace, and His mercy that has brought me here to where I am today. May His love fill your heart...I look forward to sharing this crazy wonderful life with you and getting to know this great body of Christ that is an honor to be a part of!!

In His Grip,

Kristi