Thanksgiving.... accomplished!
Christmas Decorating.... In progress!
Celebrating the True Reason for this wonderful Season.... Always!
Merry Christmas! May this Holiday Season be filled with Christ and His love for you!!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
To Be Thankful...
I love Thanksgiving!!!
Partly because it falls during my FAVORITE time of year...
The leaves are changing into beautiful hues of reds and oranges...
The air is intoxicated by the scent of warm fires and burning leaves...
It's a time of shedding and renewal...
It's a time to reflect in gratitude for the blessings in our lives.
(And of course ... I must mention ... FOOTBALL is in full swing!!)
I look back at where we were last year and I am so encouraged by the journey that God has taken our family!! I am so thankful that God, though appearing silent and not present at times, was ever so present and working "behind the scenes" to bring our family to where we are today!! It's a journey that I didn't enjoy and didn't embrace, but looking back, I am thankful for each step that He carried us through.
The strength that we as a family now possess will always be a reminder, should we enter any other seasons of challenge, that even when our earthly eyes cannot see the presence of God, He is in fact with us and most certainly working around us. I have learned to be thankful for the silence of God. It has strengthened my faith. It has made me realize that I don't always have to know what He is doing, I just have to trust that He IS doing.
This year, my heart is with those of you who find yourselves in a season of challenge or change...loss or loneliness. For those of you who are struggling to find those things in which to be thankful for. I know it isn't easy and words can seem void of true compassion. I just want to send loving encouragement out to you to hold true to the course. Keep your eyes focused on God and trust that He is with you and that He is working among you to bring you through your season to a new "spring". God never promised us that life would be easy...but He HAS promised that He will be with us, guide us, and provide for us as we stay in the shelter of His presence.
I truly wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and a season of peace and joy! Know that I sit here in prayer for you that He will reveal even a small ray of His light, if not illuminate your path, as a reminder that He is with you always!!!
In His Grip,
In His Grace!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
There Are No Words....
All I can say is that I miss you Major....Your time here....FAR too short..The questions...Still so many....The pain...Will always run deep....I will always always love you sweet boy....Always and forever you will be in my heart!!!
I can hardly breathe through the pain....it penetrates every ounce of my heart...I look at your cousins, Meg and Ash and the pain strengthens and overtakes my soul...To just say "I Miss You and I Love You"...doesn't express how my heart feels...I'm at a loss for words...The years do not make it easier...They make it more difficult...I cannot hide behind a smile and say that I'm okay...it's a paralyzing pain and grief...I am not okay...None of us are...I do NOT understand this...I LOVE YOU MAJOR...LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!!!!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Beyond Blessed By His Grace
I am BEYOND blessed to be sitting where I am today!!! The smiles that fill these precious faces light my heart up!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
"Jesus Loves Me...This I Know..."
The other afternoon, Ashley told me ~ "Mommy...I'm going to wait outside for Daddy to come home." She scurried out the front door. After a few moments, I went out to check on her. I spotted her sitting on the curb just at the end of our property. She looked so cute. So quietly, I walked over to where she was. I could hear her saying something. I didn't want her to know I was there. So, I got down, and crawled on my stomach until I could make out exactly what she was saying. She was singing...singing a sweet song to Jesus..
.
.
"Jesus loves me this I know...for the Bible tells me so...."
As a mommy, this made my heart swell with joy that at the tender age of three she knows who lives in her heart. She will tell you all on her own that "Jesus lives in her heart".... and I couldn't be more proud!!!
Monkey, mommy loves your sweet tender heart and how you love to sing songs to Jesus about the love in your heart for Him!!! I pray daily that your journey will always be rooted, grounded, and established in the love that God has for you!!! May your steps be guided by His truth and may your every bit of self esteem come from knowing Him as your Lord and Savior!!! I love you, Megan and Kory so much!!!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Surrounded By Love
Ah....what more can I say? When they lavish each other in sweet hugs and kisses, it makes my heart overflow with great joy!! I love you sweet kids!! Mommy loves you so much!!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Marriage ~ A Must Read
I ran across this story that was posted on a friends page on Facebook...Wow! It is truly a moving story about marriage...most of us know that it's not easy.
When you don't have Christ as the center, most marriages suffer a great deal when they could have been thriving and lavishing in the love of Christ. I had to post this on my blog as well. It truly is moving. So many men have sent me notes that this really moved them to tears so I pray that as I post this tonight, it will touch the heart of at least one person or couple who might find themselves struggling to "survive" in marriage.
May God bless you as you read this and may your hearts be changed and inspired! I love you all so much and thank you for the support and encouragement that you have been in my life throughout the years.
In His Grip!
Kristi
Marriage ~ A Must Read
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.
She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.
She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane.
When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.
She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.
On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.
I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.
Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into
tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.
My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. SO FIND TIME TO BE YOUR SPOUSE'S FRIEND AND DO THOSE LITTLE THINGS FOR EACH OTHER THAT BUILD INTIMACY. Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you.
If you do, you just might save a marriage.
MANY OF LIFE'S FAILURES ARE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REALIZE HOW CLOSE THEY WERE TO SUCCESS WHEN THEY GAVE UP.
A CHRIST-CENTERED MARRIAGE IS A MARRIAGE THAT IS SURE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:6
For those of you who are contemplating divorce… take a step back and think about the days in your relationship when you both actively pursued one another and you could say you were truly happy… remember when you looked forward to seeing your spouse, spending time with your spouse, and doing things for your spouse that you knew would make them smile… what happened?? When is the last time you did those things?
I CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO STOP BEING SELFISH AND TOO PRIDEFUL!! HUMBLE YOURSELVES AND START PURSUING YOUR TWO!!!!!! MAKE AN EFFORT TO MAKE EACH OTHER SMILE! YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW FAR A SMILE WILL GO!
HOW STRONG ARE YOU.... TOGETHER?? ARE YOU ABLE TO ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE? I KNOW YOU CAN!!!! GOD KNOWS YOU CAN! IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
When you don't have Christ as the center, most marriages suffer a great deal when they could have been thriving and lavishing in the love of Christ. I had to post this on my blog as well. It truly is moving. So many men have sent me notes that this really moved them to tears so I pray that as I post this tonight, it will touch the heart of at least one person or couple who might find themselves struggling to "survive" in marriage.
May God bless you as you read this and may your hearts be changed and inspired! I love you all so much and thank you for the support and encouragement that you have been in my life throughout the years.
In His Grip!
Kristi
Marriage ~ A Must Read
When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.
She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.
She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane.
When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.
She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.
On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.
I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.
Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into
tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.
At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.
My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. SO FIND TIME TO BE YOUR SPOUSE'S FRIEND AND DO THOSE LITTLE THINGS FOR EACH OTHER THAT BUILD INTIMACY. Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you.
If you do, you just might save a marriage.
MANY OF LIFE'S FAILURES ARE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REALIZE HOW CLOSE THEY WERE TO SUCCESS WHEN THEY GAVE UP.
A CHRIST-CENTERED MARRIAGE IS A MARRIAGE THAT IS SURE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:6
For those of you who are contemplating divorce… take a step back and think about the days in your relationship when you both actively pursued one another and you could say you were truly happy… remember when you looked forward to seeing your spouse, spending time with your spouse, and doing things for your spouse that you knew would make them smile… what happened?? When is the last time you did those things?
I CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO STOP BEING SELFISH AND TOO PRIDEFUL!! HUMBLE YOURSELVES AND START PURSUING YOUR TWO!!!!!! MAKE AN EFFORT TO MAKE EACH OTHER SMILE! YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW FAR A SMILE WILL GO!
HOW STRONG ARE YOU.... TOGETHER?? ARE YOU ABLE TO ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE? I KNOW YOU CAN!!!! GOD KNOWS YOU CAN! IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Perfect Love
Oh what an intense year it has been. That is in some ways an understatement. I've learned so much at the price of great pain. God has ever so faithfully taken my hand in this journey...not to make the journey easier, but to show me what I need to change in my life regardless of the end result.
My awesome friend Cheryl used to tell me about work that God was doing in her life. "Ah! It's so painful" ... we would talk about how God was revealing to each of us the "not so pretty" things about us and how we were going through a transformation process. I love Cheryl! She's always been so real and transparent. She has been a huge inspiration in my life! I remember the "garden" analogy we used to talk about...how if the weeds in the garden weren't removed, they'd take over the beauty of the garden...how they painfully needed to be weeded out. No one likes to weed a garden or a flower bed...it's grueling at times...but oh!! The beauty that is revealed...
My life's journey with God has been spent with a lot time "weeding" out of my life those things that weren't of Him. Has it always been easy? Oh no!! Some things I would hold on to and fight letting go of. But these days, life has taken a different course. It might sound odd...but I'm all about the pain...if it means I'm growing more into the likeness of Christ. I am FAR FAR from where I'd like to be...but this journey with God, this dance that He and I are in, is beautiful because my heart and mind and spirit are open to everything that He is showing me. I ask Him every day "Lord, reveal to me a clean and pure heart and teach me how to have that".
For a long time...my pursuit and dreams have ended with great heartache. I sought out everything that I wanted and went about my way to get it. My sense of self worth and fulfillment in life was always attached to someone or something. The pressure that it can put on someone to "fill" you is beyond what any human can provide. When we place that kind of pressure on someone, it can suffocate them...we only set them up for failure because not one of us is capable of filling another. God is the only One who can.
My journey away from that way of life is an ongoing one. I still have to remind myself that it is what I am in God's eyes that matters. My identity is not wrapped up in a relationship or in things but in the One who truly loves me beyond all others.
So, with that being said, I began reading a book about restoring relationships. I have realized very early in this book that two important things must exist before any progress can be made in reconciliation of any relationship...marriage, friendship, family relationships, etc....
#1 ~ We must love God above all others.... and #2 ~ We must love ourselves.
I've had it backwards for so long!! I loved others, then God, and rarely, myself. Ouch! In this book there is a "letter" of sorts that is written from the perspective from God talking to us, as His daughters about "Perfect Love".... so, without making this post any longer...I want to share this letter with you....
“Perfect Love….”
"My Precious Daughter....
Wait, not until you are first satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me can I bring you true love. You see, first you must give yourself totally and unreservedly to Me, discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found. Only then, will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have for you.
You will never be fully united with another until you are united with Me. Exclusive to anyone or anything else, I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow Me to bring it to you. You must keep watching and experiencing the satisfaction that I am, expecting Me to do the greatest of things. Most importantly, keep listening and learning the things I show you. Just wait…that’s all!
Don’t be anxious and don’t worry. Don’t look at the things others have received, or that I have given them. You just keep looking at Me, or you’ll miss what I am teaching you. Then, when you are ready, I’ll give you a love far more wonderful than any you will ever dream about.
Most of all, I want you to see in his flesh, a picture of your relationship with Me and enjoy the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you. “Believe it and be satisfied”
My daughter, until you are ready-I am working even this moment to have you both ready at the same time. Until you are both satisfied and content with me and the life I have prepared for you; you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me, thus, perfect Love.
Loving You Perfectly,
God”
My awesome friend Cheryl used to tell me about work that God was doing in her life. "Ah! It's so painful" ... we would talk about how God was revealing to each of us the "not so pretty" things about us and how we were going through a transformation process. I love Cheryl! She's always been so real and transparent. She has been a huge inspiration in my life! I remember the "garden" analogy we used to talk about...how if the weeds in the garden weren't removed, they'd take over the beauty of the garden...how they painfully needed to be weeded out. No one likes to weed a garden or a flower bed...it's grueling at times...but oh!! The beauty that is revealed...
My life's journey with God has been spent with a lot time "weeding" out of my life those things that weren't of Him. Has it always been easy? Oh no!! Some things I would hold on to and fight letting go of. But these days, life has taken a different course. It might sound odd...but I'm all about the pain...if it means I'm growing more into the likeness of Christ. I am FAR FAR from where I'd like to be...but this journey with God, this dance that He and I are in, is beautiful because my heart and mind and spirit are open to everything that He is showing me. I ask Him every day "Lord, reveal to me a clean and pure heart and teach me how to have that".
For a long time...my pursuit and dreams have ended with great heartache. I sought out everything that I wanted and went about my way to get it. My sense of self worth and fulfillment in life was always attached to someone or something. The pressure that it can put on someone to "fill" you is beyond what any human can provide. When we place that kind of pressure on someone, it can suffocate them...we only set them up for failure because not one of us is capable of filling another. God is the only One who can.
My journey away from that way of life is an ongoing one. I still have to remind myself that it is what I am in God's eyes that matters. My identity is not wrapped up in a relationship or in things but in the One who truly loves me beyond all others.
So, with that being said, I began reading a book about restoring relationships. I have realized very early in this book that two important things must exist before any progress can be made in reconciliation of any relationship...marriage, friendship, family relationships, etc....
#1 ~ We must love God above all others.... and #2 ~ We must love ourselves.
I've had it backwards for so long!! I loved others, then God, and rarely, myself. Ouch! In this book there is a "letter" of sorts that is written from the perspective from God talking to us, as His daughters about "Perfect Love".... so, without making this post any longer...I want to share this letter with you....
“Perfect Love….”
"My Precious Daughter....
Wait, not until you are first satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me can I bring you true love. You see, first you must give yourself totally and unreservedly to Me, discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found. Only then, will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have for you.
You will never be fully united with another until you are united with Me. Exclusive to anyone or anything else, I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow Me to bring it to you. You must keep watching and experiencing the satisfaction that I am, expecting Me to do the greatest of things. Most importantly, keep listening and learning the things I show you. Just wait…that’s all!
Don’t be anxious and don’t worry. Don’t look at the things others have received, or that I have given them. You just keep looking at Me, or you’ll miss what I am teaching you. Then, when you are ready, I’ll give you a love far more wonderful than any you will ever dream about.
Most of all, I want you to see in his flesh, a picture of your relationship with Me and enjoy the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you. “Believe it and be satisfied”
My daughter, until you are ready-I am working even this moment to have you both ready at the same time. Until you are both satisfied and content with me and the life I have prepared for you; you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me, thus, perfect Love.
Loving You Perfectly,
God”
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Ash's 1st Ride On Her Big Girl Bike!!
This is a PRECIOUS video that Daren sent me of Ash riding her "big girl bike" for the first time all the way down the street and back. It is so precious!!! I am soooo proud of you Ash!!! Way to go little girl!!!!!! You may be tiny...but someone forgot to tell you that...because there isn't a thing that you don't try and I LOVE the adventurous spirit that you have!!!! Mommy loves you sweet pea!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Papa & Kory Spend A Day Together...
AH! What a sweet memory that my dad made with Kory!
A few weeks back, Tinker AFB had their air show! My dad was so thoughtful to take Kory for the day to see one of his favorite modes of transportaion...air planes! He had a blast and continues to talk about all the "big jets", "tunder birdies", and "papa's air show".
Growing up as the daughter of an Air Force pilot, we spent experienced many great memories at Air Shows throughout the world and this great country. Now, that Daren and I are going through a painful divorce, I am so thankful that my daddy has taken time out of his busy schedule to do those special "guy things" with Kory.
My heart still breaks deeply that the kids have to endure the shuffle back and forth between my home and life at Daren's mom's house. It really started to show the effects on the kids in the past 3 weeks and reality tore my heart. I do my best to remain strong and never speak ill of the situation to the kids...but when they cry and ask "where daddy is?" it's so hard to not let my own tears spill from my eyes. This seems so unfair to them. All I know to do is pray that God will comfort their hearts and give me the right words to speak to help their tender hearts and minds understand that both their mommy and daddy love them. AS a mommy, it kills me to watch my little ones hurt and lack understanding. How do you explain to three little children what is going on in a way that they can understand?
They come back home to Mommy on Saturday and I can not wait to have their voices and laughter fill this quiet house up again. My life is not meant to be lived without them here...Their lives aren't meant to be filled with this drama and I just wish I could wave some sort of magic wand and take away all the uncertainty and fear that they are feeling!
Here are a "few" pictures of Kory and the day he spent with Papa enjoying all the air planes. Thank you dad for sharing this memory with Kory! I love you so much and apprciate what you do so that Kory can have the presence of you in his life!!
A HUGE day....made for one tired, precious, sweet little boy...memories that will last a life time...thank you Dad!! I love you!!
In His Grip~
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Role of The Christian Father
On FaceBook, there is a link you can subscribe to called "The Word of God". Daily you receive notes that encourage you as a Christian to live a life that exemplifies and honors Christ. It gives you real life situations and helps you learn how to make the best of who you are as a child of God.
Today's note particularly touched my heart. The role of a Christian father is so vitally important to our generation and our future generations. I have been so blessed that for 38 years I have had the worlds best dad!! His modesty will deny his greatness, but all that know him, know that he is a man who pursues God's heart. He is an amazing provider for our family and he has an unconditional love for all of us. So, I know it is a few days early, but I wanted to wish my daddy, John Rhodes, the best father's day and thank him for his continued love for me as his daughter. I love you Daddy!!
In His Grip~
Kristi
By The Word of God
Role of the Christian Father
Father’s day is a day to celebrate the goodness of fatherhood. This is a day when we remember and honor our father’s love and commitment. As children, have you thanked your father for his love toward you? We are thankful for fathers’ support, guidance and love. We thank God that He has blessed us with special fathers.
A father is a good provider. As long as he is capable, he is willing to labor hard to provide shelter for his family, and food on the table. However, I strongly believe that Christian fathers are not judged by how much they earn or how many material goods they can provide. What does matter to his children, is how he introduces, educates, and guides them to Jesus Christ and how good a faithful Christian role model he is.
Fathers are very important in God’s plan for the family. Fathers have a wonderful opportunity to encourage, to warn, to teach, to counsel, and to model the Christian life for their children. The most important job for fathers is found in Deuteronomy chapter 6 to teach their children to always love and obey God. Paul said that fathers should raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Christian fathers who do this will distinguish themselves from other fathers and will be obedient to God’s will. God desires that our children should be nurtured by fathers who love the Lord.
A man and his young son were climbing a mountain. They came to a place where the climbing was difficult and even dangerous. The father stopped to consider which way he should go. He heard the boy behind him say, “Choose the good path, Dad; I’m coming right behind you!”..As Christian fathers, are you doing your job? I am not talking about providing a cozy house, food for the table, and high education. By establishing the disciplines of worship, prayer, and Bible study in your own life, you’ll be prepared to integrate these into teachable moments with your children.
A father is the head of his family. A father does this, not out of insecurity, selfishness or pride, but out of the desire to be an obedient servant to God. (Ephesians 5:22) In this day and age when the concept of the family is under attack, and the role of the father is made light of, let us show our support of the institution of Fatherhood by loving and honoring our Fathers, and by being good Fathers; and by remembering and loving and honoring the greatest father of all - God the Father Almighty.
Today's note particularly touched my heart. The role of a Christian father is so vitally important to our generation and our future generations. I have been so blessed that for 38 years I have had the worlds best dad!! His modesty will deny his greatness, but all that know him, know that he is a man who pursues God's heart. He is an amazing provider for our family and he has an unconditional love for all of us. So, I know it is a few days early, but I wanted to wish my daddy, John Rhodes, the best father's day and thank him for his continued love for me as his daughter. I love you Daddy!!
In His Grip~
Kristi
By The Word of God
Role of the Christian Father
Father’s day is a day to celebrate the goodness of fatherhood. This is a day when we remember and honor our father’s love and commitment. As children, have you thanked your father for his love toward you? We are thankful for fathers’ support, guidance and love. We thank God that He has blessed us with special fathers.
A father is a good provider. As long as he is capable, he is willing to labor hard to provide shelter for his family, and food on the table. However, I strongly believe that Christian fathers are not judged by how much they earn or how many material goods they can provide. What does matter to his children, is how he introduces, educates, and guides them to Jesus Christ and how good a faithful Christian role model he is.
Fathers are very important in God’s plan for the family. Fathers have a wonderful opportunity to encourage, to warn, to teach, to counsel, and to model the Christian life for their children. The most important job for fathers is found in Deuteronomy chapter 6 to teach their children to always love and obey God. Paul said that fathers should raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Christian fathers who do this will distinguish themselves from other fathers and will be obedient to God’s will. God desires that our children should be nurtured by fathers who love the Lord.
A man and his young son were climbing a mountain. They came to a place where the climbing was difficult and even dangerous. The father stopped to consider which way he should go. He heard the boy behind him say, “Choose the good path, Dad; I’m coming right behind you!”..As Christian fathers, are you doing your job? I am not talking about providing a cozy house, food for the table, and high education. By establishing the disciplines of worship, prayer, and Bible study in your own life, you’ll be prepared to integrate these into teachable moments with your children.
A father is the head of his family. A father does this, not out of insecurity, selfishness or pride, but out of the desire to be an obedient servant to God. (Ephesians 5:22) In this day and age when the concept of the family is under attack, and the role of the father is made light of, let us show our support of the institution of Fatherhood by loving and honoring our Fathers, and by being good Fathers; and by remembering and loving and honoring the greatest father of all - God the Father Almighty.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Meg and Mommy
A silent tear fell from my eye as I was going through pictures the other day. As many of you know, I love pictures!! I love to capture moments in my children's lives of them being just them. They are my priceless treasures!
I ran across a picture of Megan when she was two and one of mommy when she was two. The similarity is truly amazing!!! So, for fun...I thought I would share this memory with you...
(Megan is on the Left and I am on the right...I love it!)
And then here below is a picture of us today! I love you Meggie. I love the miracle that you are! I know life is crazy difficult for your young mind to understand...and I promise I am trying to fix it. I love you, your sissy, and bubba! So, even when I fall short...know I'm trying my best!!
Forever Your Mommy and Forever my love!
I ran across a picture of Megan when she was two and one of mommy when she was two. The similarity is truly amazing!!! So, for fun...I thought I would share this memory with you...
(Megan is on the Left and I am on the right...I love it!)
And then here below is a picture of us today! I love you Meggie. I love the miracle that you are! I know life is crazy difficult for your young mind to understand...and I promise I am trying to fix it. I love you, your sissy, and bubba! So, even when I fall short...know I'm trying my best!!
Forever Your Mommy and Forever my love!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Total Forgiveness
Forgiveness. An act of selflessness that can be so hard to exercise. Forgiveness requires us to lay our pain aside and truly walk into forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us.
This can be an almost impossible task at times in our lives. When someone has hurt us or broken us, getting past it without bitterness requires that we do forgive them. I've learned that forgiveness doesn't mean that a relationship has to be reconciled...it means that the peace of Christ will consume our hearts over the pain or betrayal and bitterness will flee. It is the only way we will find freedom and release from the offense.
I chose not to share the details of the story behind the unforgiveness that I have harbored in my heart for over a year and a half at the destructive words spoken after one of the most devastating events in my life. But, however, I will share that these words cut like a knife deep into my heart leaving a scar. I have, to be honest, I hated the people that spoke them. I have carried this anger around and it has tainted so many other areas of my life and crept that negative energy into other relationships.
I thought that forgiveness meant condoning the actions that caused pain. It doesn't. It means the release of harbored pain and anger that can effect our emotions, our health, and our relationships with those that had nothing to do with the situation(s). It can also impose difficulty to forgive when the offender doesn't feel the slightest twinge of conscience.
I read recently a quote on forgiveness that states: "The ultimate proof of TOTAL forgiveness takes place when we sincerely petition the Father to let those who have hurt us off the hook - even if they have not hurt only us, but also those close to us". God mandates in His Scriptures that we forgive. Ephesians 4:32 "Be KIND and COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING EACH OTHER, just as Christ God forgave you."
Think of all the sins in our lives. Deliberate actions that go directly against what God asks us to do. But yet, He gave the ultimate price for our forgiveness. He GAVE His only Son to die for our sins so that we could live in His mercy and grace...so that we could walk as His forgiven children. He holds no grudge against those who honestly and earnestly petition forgiveness for our sins. If God gave His Son...can we not give our hearts? Can we not forgive each other and walk in love towards one another?
In reading R.T. Kendall's book 'Total Forgiveness' he explains through Scripture what forgiveness isn't. I think we get blinded by and fear the misconception of what forgiveness is and isn't. This can lead us to not move into forgiveness and the freedom that prevails.
Here is a list of what Mr. Kendall pens that forgiveness is NOT: (from pages 23 - 31 in his book, supported by Scriptures from God's word)
* Approval of what they did
* Excusing what they did
* Justifying what they did
* Pardoning what they did
* Reconciliation
* Denying what they did
* Blindness to what happened
* Forgetting
* Refusing to take the wrong seriously
* Pretending we are not hurt
And to help us understand what total forgiveness is, he helps by explaining through Scriptures how we can walk into this freedom from bondage to past hurts. Total forgiveness IS: (pages 31-46)
* Being aware of what someone has done and still forgiving them
* Choosing to keep no record of wrongs
* Refusing to punish
* Not telling what they did
* Being merciful
* Gracious
* Forgiveness is an inner condition
* It is the ABSENCE of bitterness
* Forgiving God (all of our bitterness is ultimately traceable to resentment of God
or unconscious anger that He would allow this pain to happen)
* Forgiving ourselves
I was relieved to see for once a true list that is backed by God's word that helped me to understand what total forgiveness is and is not. I have been so reluctant to forgive for fear of what it would mean, but now knowing what it is and isn't has opened my heart to explore the pain and earnestly kneel at the foot of the cross first to ask God to forgive my sins so that I could move into totally forgiving others and asking others to forgive me.
This is such a pivotal time in my life. There are many changes going on. Some I have no control over and others that I may be able to influence reconciliation by seeking forgiveness and walking in total forgiveness of others.
It by no means is easy. But I am determined to seek the depths of my heart to rid it of anything that causes me to walk in anything less than God's perfect peace that at times can surpass any understanding!
In His Grip ~
This can be an almost impossible task at times in our lives. When someone has hurt us or broken us, getting past it without bitterness requires that we do forgive them. I've learned that forgiveness doesn't mean that a relationship has to be reconciled...it means that the peace of Christ will consume our hearts over the pain or betrayal and bitterness will flee. It is the only way we will find freedom and release from the offense.
I chose not to share the details of the story behind the unforgiveness that I have harbored in my heart for over a year and a half at the destructive words spoken after one of the most devastating events in my life. But, however, I will share that these words cut like a knife deep into my heart leaving a scar. I have, to be honest, I hated the people that spoke them. I have carried this anger around and it has tainted so many other areas of my life and crept that negative energy into other relationships.
I thought that forgiveness meant condoning the actions that caused pain. It doesn't. It means the release of harbored pain and anger that can effect our emotions, our health, and our relationships with those that had nothing to do with the situation(s). It can also impose difficulty to forgive when the offender doesn't feel the slightest twinge of conscience.
I read recently a quote on forgiveness that states: "The ultimate proof of TOTAL forgiveness takes place when we sincerely petition the Father to let those who have hurt us off the hook - even if they have not hurt only us, but also those close to us". God mandates in His Scriptures that we forgive. Ephesians 4:32 "Be KIND and COMPASSIONATE to one another, FORGIVING EACH OTHER, just as Christ God forgave you."
Think of all the sins in our lives. Deliberate actions that go directly against what God asks us to do. But yet, He gave the ultimate price for our forgiveness. He GAVE His only Son to die for our sins so that we could live in His mercy and grace...so that we could walk as His forgiven children. He holds no grudge against those who honestly and earnestly petition forgiveness for our sins. If God gave His Son...can we not give our hearts? Can we not forgive each other and walk in love towards one another?
In reading R.T. Kendall's book 'Total Forgiveness' he explains through Scripture what forgiveness isn't. I think we get blinded by and fear the misconception of what forgiveness is and isn't. This can lead us to not move into forgiveness and the freedom that prevails.
Here is a list of what Mr. Kendall pens that forgiveness is NOT: (from pages 23 - 31 in his book, supported by Scriptures from God's word)
* Approval of what they did
* Excusing what they did
* Justifying what they did
* Pardoning what they did
* Reconciliation
* Denying what they did
* Blindness to what happened
* Forgetting
* Refusing to take the wrong seriously
* Pretending we are not hurt
And to help us understand what total forgiveness is, he helps by explaining through Scriptures how we can walk into this freedom from bondage to past hurts. Total forgiveness IS: (pages 31-46)
* Being aware of what someone has done and still forgiving them
* Choosing to keep no record of wrongs
* Refusing to punish
* Not telling what they did
* Being merciful
* Gracious
* Forgiveness is an inner condition
* It is the ABSENCE of bitterness
* Forgiving God (all of our bitterness is ultimately traceable to resentment of God
or unconscious anger that He would allow this pain to happen)
* Forgiving ourselves
I was relieved to see for once a true list that is backed by God's word that helped me to understand what total forgiveness is and is not. I have been so reluctant to forgive for fear of what it would mean, but now knowing what it is and isn't has opened my heart to explore the pain and earnestly kneel at the foot of the cross first to ask God to forgive my sins so that I could move into totally forgiving others and asking others to forgive me.
This is such a pivotal time in my life. There are many changes going on. Some I have no control over and others that I may be able to influence reconciliation by seeking forgiveness and walking in total forgiveness of others.
It by no means is easy. But I am determined to seek the depths of my heart to rid it of anything that causes me to walk in anything less than God's perfect peace that at times can surpass any understanding!
In His Grip ~
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