Fire Walking

The last few days have been crazy to say the least. I read Isaiah 43 this morning and it really hit me...so I'm sharing it :)

Isaiah 43: 1-3

But now, this is what the Lord says-
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
And when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.


We are His--called by His name--precious and honored in His sight--redeemed--Loved!

God doesn't promise life to be all sunshine and rainbows--puppies and cookies and pink lemonade. We will encounter difficulties. Life can be messy. Things won't always go our way. But do not fear! When you're in the middle of a raging river, you will not be swept under....doesn't say that you won't get wet or have a hard time making it to the other side. Some fire will need to be crossed, but you won't get burned...doesn't mean it won't be hot or that you won't be scared out of your mind!

Difficulties will come and go, but God will bring us through! So, take a deep breath in and step on out---the water's fine!

Fears and Tears

Jamie left for Kidzlink camp early early this morning....he didn't want to hug goodbye in front of his buddies...instead I got "peace out"! (to which I grabbed him in my arms and gave him the biggest slobbery kiss ever!)

No Bugs on Me! (after seeing them check all of the lovely girls with long, long hair, I'm pretty glad that I just have to deal with that nice soft freshly sheared buzz cut!)
No bumpy school buses for these kids! (coach all the way---with in flight/bus movies too!) Their cabins have air conditioning, the camp has indoor and outdoor pools, a skate park, a lake filled with blow up toys, rock walls and zip lines......He's never going to want to come home!!!!
So, off he went for the week. I cried in the parking lot. I'm not a mommy mom. My new favorite saying for the boys is Suck It Up Buttercup (thanks Green Girl!). We live in a man house, no drama or tears! But there I was, crying with that pit of your stomach dread. What if something happened? What if he goes to the bathroom at McD's and they leave him miles from home? Does he know our phone number? What if he gets hurt....or worse? Could I make it to St. Louis in time? Ahhhh...seriously, WTH!!! He went last year, so why am I a mess this year?!? It's not like this is the first camp ever....and I absolutely love the Kidzlink staff (they are the best kids church EVER)!

The service this weekend was on Truth. Battling those lies that the Devil likes to creep into your mind, debilitating you, making you want to run for cover and hold your babies close. The truth---Jamie will be fine...better than fine, he'll be fantastic! He's going to learn so much about God and grow deeper in his faith. We are so blessed to have him as a son. And we all are going to have a fun week just hanging as a family of 4 for the moment! Corey and Riley will get more one on one and it's going to be good!

Do you guys read Ann Voskamp? Seriously, check her post today! I was in tears (again...what is wrong with me?!? I feel like the Grinch growing a heart!) It's about Peter fishing all night and getting nothing, then Jesus says to go back out and their nets were overflowing. Life is hard, but if we trust in God's leading blessings will overflow our lives. Got me thinking big time. Jim is planning a pretty big trip next month to scope out a possible job. It's scary. A big move would be involved...kiss that comfort zone goodbye. So many questions....like how do you know it's God's leading and not your own head making you think it's God...or how do you know if God is holding you back or Satan sabotaging your path? Lots of prayer going out for this trip! (Jim will be going alone, so I have to totally let go of that whole control issue and trust Him to be lead....ahhhhhhh...)

Anyway, have a great week...we're super busy, so I might not be around much for the next couple of weeks, but I'll be back (I feel like the terminator!)

Feelin' Old ;)

My birthday's this weekend and I saw this on my cousin's facebook page----cracked me up! How in the world did I get this old? Seriously, 32 is how old I remember my MOM! Not me...I'm still 20...yep....uh huh!

Have a Fantastic Weekend!