Just Love...

Today I took Summer and Micah to go see the movie "Bolt". There was a nice movie before the movie with Tow Mater...Micah really enjoyed that! He has been absolutely crazy about "Cars" since he saw it when he was 3. Now he is 5 and I am frustrated that they still haven't come out with a "Cars 2". Anywho, we got 5 min. into the "Bolt" movie and my kids felt like it was too intense and scary. Wanting to avoid nightmares tonight, we left and of course I was pretty upset that I just spent money to see a 10 min. clip of a cars movie. So as we were walking out we decided to jump in the "Marley and Me" movie that was right next door. I wanted to see it anyway after seeing previews. I am still in awe of what a great movie it was! It has been so long since I have appreciated a great movie. We laughed hysterically and then ended up crying uncontrollably. It hit too close to home. I mean, watching that movie was almost like watching my own life (minus the fact that I don't look like Jennifer Aniston :( and the fact that God is not in their lives). But besides that..so many things lined up. We have had crazy dogs and we currently have a 9 week old puppy.

What is staying with me is how much dogs really impact your life. Not everyone's life..some can't stand dogs or don't want pets. That's fine if that is not your thing. But for someone that absolutely loves their dog and feels like their dog is a part of your family, you will need to bring an entire box of tissues if you see the movie.

My favorite part was the very end. They were saying Dogs just love. They don't care if you are rich or poor. They are just there loving you unconditionally. Wouldn't it be nice if people were more like that? God must have given us dogs to show us what it is like to really love people. No pretenses, just love. Not selfishness, just love. Not hurtful, just love. If only we could love like that as humans. Enjoy your loved ones while they are here...just love.

Discipline

So you probably cringed as you read the title to this entry. Nobody likes the big “D” word. Our small group is going through Advent. This week we were talking about peace. One point is that when you are going through life's different trials you tend to pray for “peace”. But the ultimate peace is being right with God. It's not a thing you pray for, it is a thing you have when you are right with God. I had said that being right with God requires discipline. My relationship with God should not be an emotional thing depending on the moment. So many times I am guilty of not reading His Word and not praying simply because I don't feel like it. But those things are a discipline not an emotion. The outcome of spending time with God will be a stronger walk with Him. So that is true peace. When the hard times come you will be walking in the Spirit and peace will be your natural reaction. But most are not in fellowship with Christ enough and then the difficult times come and they hit their knees and beg God to intervene. If you lack discipline you are setting yourself up for failure. Practice discipline and experience peace!

Two Years!!!

Today I am reflecting on the past two years. Why two years? Two years ago on December 1 we arrived in Fayetteville (Atlanta), Georgia ready to start our lives over. I have only lived in Central and South Florida my whole life. We didn't know a soul. And it was cold. There would be too many stories to tell that led us up to that point. I've been told I should write a book. It was so different from anything I had ever known.

The first noticeable thing as we got out of the van was the cold, crisp air. But the next thing I noticed was the beauty. About thirty minutes before we got to our rental home we drove through winding Georgia roads and the sun was beginning to set. The trees were almost bare for winter (which was a very different thing for me to see) but it was absolutely beautiful. The nature in Georgia is just incredible. It isn't rare to see deer, rabbits, chipmunks and foxes. Most people can't stand some of these animals but I LOVE them. I love to watch them. I admit I am a nature freak...from the trees to the animals, I just really enjoy being in the middle of them. It's all about perspective. I am used to Palm trees. But I never considered them beautiful. When people would visit south Florida they were just in awe of the Palm trees. But I take notice of all the oak, maple, pear and others that actually change colors!

My next reality was to notice what the culture was like. It was different from what I was used to. The people were so incredibly nice! As we ran into Chick Fil A (another huge cultural thing around here), a teenage boy opened the door for me. I said, “Thank you.” He said, “Your welcome, Ma'am.” I was stunned. I remember the slow pace too. I naturally like to do everything fast. I'm in a hurry even when I'm not. People drive here like they have nowhere to be at no specific time. Horns do not honk and you never hear loud base music playing from the car next to you (which is an every stop light thing in Florida!). I remember thinking how this place was just so quiet.

At the time my kids were ages 6, 3 ½, and 15 months. And even though they were noisy, it was a very quiet time of life. I wasn't going to run into anyone in the grocery store that I knew, I wasn't going to get together with any friends, and everything was new and different. Looking back now, I see purpose in that. This was the turning point in life. It is when you feel most alone the Holy Spirit becomes so real. It ended up being a really neat time. We grew together as a family as we became so dependent on God.

So as I look back on two years, it almost feels like ten! Since that lonely point two years ago, we are a different family. I am amazed that in such a short amount of time we have matured to a different level. There were definitely bumps along the way and it's not always roses, but in this short period of time God has started His work in us. It is also so exciting how He is using Atlanta as the area that we will be ministering in for years to come. As we were driving out of Florida two years ago I would have never guessed that this was the way it was going to go. As we changed churches a couple of times back then I would have never guessed God's plan would begin to unfold as certain people have crossed our paths. I am so grateful for these past two years. I instantly fell in love with Atlanta and now I know why! This is the place that we will pour ourselves into over the next several years. These are the people we want to reach out to. This is our mission field. All that and the Braves! :)

Seek God, He promises to direct your paths. I can tell you He has directed ours down to every intricate detail. And I am thanking Him for all the little stepping stones the past two years have brought. I can hardly wait to see what December 1 looks like next year! I am still not used to the cooler weather but I have slowed down quite a bit!

Thought for today...

It has been so long since I have blogged last. Partly because there is SO much going on that it can sometimes be overwhelming to think how to write (or blog) it down! So I am going to try today! I also realize I have never written "Prevention Part 2" but that is coming...

We just finished up our last class last night, Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey). So many great principles over the last few months. Most weeks you were taking notes like crazy with so many things to apply. I appreciated that they were things we could grasp and start doing that day. I feel so great knowing there is a valid plan we can use to honor God with our money. Last night's DVD session was my favorite. Like I said before, usually your taking notes and getting a lot of "meat and potatoes". But last night Ramsey was summing up the 13 weeks by speaking to the heart.

Sometimes as Christians we can compartmentalize our lives. You talk about your work life, family life, social life, and spiritual life. What is that? Does God look at all this and separate it? No way. It is all one and when we really believe this it can be transforming. A true Christ follower brings Jesus into all aspects of life. He is there in the midst of every decision and situation, whether it is big or small. Walking in the Spirit allows you to blend all these areas and live out your faith. That is one reason I am so passionate about health. There is not a difference between your spiritual life and physical life. God is looking to be acknowledged and honored...even in the small stuff.

I Corinthians 6 talks about your physical body. If you get the chance read this whole chapter from the Message Bible. These are the verses that talk about your body being the temple. Often times you can read something hundreds of times but you read it in a different way and have a light bulb moment. But let me quote the last part of chapter 6 out of the message. "Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see you can't live however you please, squandering what God has paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body."

Allow that to really sink in. God looks at you and just sees YOU. He wants all of you and doesn't want to just be included in your "spiritual life"...especially since there is no such thing! He wants to be with YOU, all of you. If your heart is right then that will spill over into decisions you never even thought were about God. The way you handle money, relationships, exercise, eating, marriage, and family matters are just a result of how you are including God in every moment.

browns mill church

Well, it is finally here! We have a temporary web site up for the church we will be launching early next year. Go and visit the site and sign up for the newsletter. This is a very exciting day for us! I am just speechless...

www.brownsmillchurch.com/

Please pray about your involvement...God is doing incredible things. I appreciate your prayers so much!

Happy and Sad

Let me tell you about my conversation I had last night with Summer. We were on our way to her softball game and out of the blue she says, "It's weird because I feel happy and sad about moving to plant a church." My response was, "I feel the exact same way!" I thought it was interesting that she had really been thinking about this the past few days. I dropped the bomb on her Sunday night. She was really quiet about it. Of course she said she didn't want to leave Spring Hill (her school) and her best friend that lives two doors down. So I told her it was okay to feel sad but to enjoy them while she has them. And then I quickly told her all the "perks" about moving even though I only half believe them myself right now.

Truth is, when I think of moving I get really sad too! For almost 2 yrs. this is what we have known. We have been incredibly blessed from every angle. I guess we have become well rooted here in Fayetteville. Oh and then I won't even go into thinking about the details of a move including moving boxes. When I think of moving boxes I feel ill. We have been through so much transition in such a small amount of time with too many "moving" stories to tell-most have been blocked out of my mind forever. Will I be able to do this once more?

Of course I will. It doesn't matter how much we have moved in the past or how many bad moving experiences we've had. When I focus too much on those things it makes this all about me. It can easily make my selfishness turn into self pity. The past is the past. Not one of those moves were like this one we are about to take.

With this move we are completely surrendered to our Father and when you are seeking Him with your whole heart, He actually DOES direct you (that's a promise!). What a different perspective knowing this big change is ahead. But the best thing is the perspective of wanting to get into that community to show people how they can know the Jesus we love so much.

I've been so over concerned about how Summer is going to react and feel. But the fact that she admits that she is sad to move away but happy--just the fact that she is a little happy about it means that God is working in her too. God is calling Tim and I to this ministry so that means He is calling Summer, Micah, and Jake as well. This is the happy part about it all! God is going to use us as a family to accomplish His will. Such happiness comes over me when I feel like I am doing exactly what He has created me to do.

So along with all the other emotions, just like Summer I am both happy and sad, but mostly happy because God is growing the desire to move once more. That in itself is a miracle. I just won't think about packing and moving vans until I absolutely have too!

Let the journey begin!

I know this post is supposed to be prevention part 2 but I can't resist sharing what has been happening especially over the weekend. Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you can barely put into words what your experiencing? That is how I feel today so I will do my best! I have already mentioned on some posts about us getting ready to plant a church. Some of you know the details of that and some don't so I am going to back up to explain some things!
For years we have known that there was going to be a special way God wanted to use us. As we have been searching and praying about what that could be there has always been a spiritual discontentment. Tim has had incredible opportunities to be involved in ministries that are making huge impacts for the kingdom. With every ministry opportunity that has come our way we have felt humbled to be a part of such great movements. However, there has been the underlying feeling of knowing that whatever we were currently doing, God had something else in mind. It has not been easy as a wife to watch my husband wrestle with this. Every job change I heard him say that he knew it would be temporary until God revealed what He really wanted him to be doing. To live like this is very frustrating. I wanted so bad for him to figure out what his true purpose was and to do it.
You've heard it said many time before...God's timing is not always ours. During these years of frustration, He was shaping Tim into the person He needed to be. He was using each ministry opportunity as a stepping stone to what we are about to do. It is easy to see now that we needed all these experiences to even be capable of allowing God to use us in this way. And He has even used our mistakes. How else are you really able to learn? How else would you really be able to relate and reach out to people if you haven't really been there yourself?
Fast forward now to around spring of this year. God starts stirring Tim's heart once again except this time he addresses it. We start to unpack this possible calling of God to be church planters. As time went on through the summer the feeling of God calling us out got stronger. We even admitted to some close friends that God may be taking us in this direction. Every pastor and leader that Tim met with to talk to about this confirmed this call.
But you do know the difference of saying God may be calling you to something or God is calling you to something. We had never fully crossed that bridge of saying that we are really going to pursue what God is telling us to do. Fear, doubt, uncertainty among many other scary things set in and make you think that this isn't really what you should be doing.
But I will also never forget the day we finally crossed that bridge. This was one of the best days of my life because I knew this was God's plan for us. In fact, I knew months before but how do you tell your husband, "Can you just make this decision??? Can't you tell that this is God calling us to do this? Don't you know you are supposed to be a pastor???" Of course I had to just wait for God to reveal this to him. But the day he did I was so elated. I couldn't wait to tell anyone. But I didn't tell anyone for a few weeks and even then it went a little something like this: I don't know any details, I don't know where and with who or anything else. All I know is that God wants us to plant a church.
After surrendering to this call Tim began to meet with a good friend that actually were a part of our small group. This was in August. It was a divine appointment because it just so happened that God was having them (Kevin and Suzanne) go through some of the same feelings, that spiritual discontentment and knowing God is leading you to do something else. It is amazing how God started working. God melded our hearts together for the passion of a very specific mission. From then on it has been a roller coaster. But when the four of us came together knowing that this was God's purpose, doors flew open. It feels like every day something happens as more confirmation. Do we have the details yet? No. But things are happening so fast and God is showing us very specific things. Our church model is almost completed and our church name is Brownsmill Church. We know the area we will be serving in, Newnan (still Atlanta, about 30 min. west of where we are now). In future posts I will explain why we chose the name and location. Today it just feels awesome that we know the direction to take and who we are taking it with. There is no better feeling than knowing you are walking smack dab in the center of God's will. There are some great times ahead and some challenging ones but thank you for wanting to be a part of our journey! Let the journey begin!!!!

Prevention Part One

Most people will be diagnosed with a major illness in their 40's on up. It is interesting that most do not know how they got that disease and will just blame old age. It does not have to be this way. This is what my mission is all about, spreading hope. You see, God gave us our bodies to take care of. He has supplied us with everything we need to take good care of ourselves. I am not saying that every case is the same. We have many examples in the Bible that tell us that God can allow suffering for His purposes. These few paragraphs are not to say it is God's will for EVERYONE to be healthy. But He equips us for what we need to at least try. So my words today are about prevention.

Statistics say that 2/3 of all cancer is diet and lifestyle related. That screams prevention! I am hopeful to find the cure just like anyone else. But it looks like for most cancers the cure is staring us right in the face...Prevention! So what does prevention look like? That will be a loaded answer coming but here are just a few things I have seen through research. Once you have studied this stuff long enough you begin to feel like it is just common sense. However, America doesn't get it. Obesity is an epidemic and there are too many fad diets to count.

Almost every time I talk about this I have someone say, “Yeah well my grandma smoked three packs of cigarettes a day and lived on donuts! She lived until she was 92! You might as well enjoy life and all the food God put here!” Statements like these are twisted in so many ways. First, God didn't make cigarettes and donuts so grandma was eating man-made food. Plus, you don't know how she felt on a daily basis, probably run down with headaches and an addiction that took her focus off God. Again, no hate mail...I'm sure your grandma was loved and special. I don't know how she lived as long as she did. The point is that although you may have inherited good genes you still have to be aware of steps you can take to combat the illness. I am not just talking about a major negative diagnosis you receive when you are much older. I am talking about the day to day as well....feeling energetic and focused, knowing you are honoring God in your choices, headache and addiction free. It is possible that the past is making you feel the pain you are feeling today.

So how do we prevent illness? I am not the biggest expert but I do speak from experience. My whole family (husband, myself and kids) used to like many battle the flu every year. Along with that, chronic colds and horrible Bronchitis. Let me repeat, EVERY YEAR. Most people run to get a pointless flu shot while I have discovered what has kept us sick free for over 2 years is prevention. It is not an accident that we live a very healthy lifestyle and haven't been sick. Prevention involves keeping your immune system up. We have gotten itty bitty colds. The last time I was sick with a cold was last Christmas. My immune system was down because I allowed stress to consume me. I didn't sleep hardly at all for 5 days and we were not eating the way we normally do. So that was my last cold. It is almost November! But I am thankful we haven't had the flu in years! That excites me and I just want to share it with everybody because I feel like I have information that can help!

My pastor said a few months back during a service (he was talking about salvation and needing Jesus): “What if you had a cure for cancer and you didn't share it? That would be wrong of you to not share something that you know would help so many people. Jesus is the answer and you need to share Him with others, otherwise it would be wrong of you to not share when you have the answer for so many people.” So many truths lie in that short statement. It would be wrong for me to not share this information with people because it can help not only your health but your everyday life that snowballs into other people's lives and effects your God given purpose. Prevention is the key and over the next few posts I will list ways prevention can play a part in helping you be healthy physically.

Betcha didn't know.....

Here are some things about me maybe you didn't know!

*I still do not own a real cell phone. I think I'm the last one on the planet but I have one in my purse for emergencies only!

*I absolutely love cheese w/ everything and on everything!

*I love animals and want to cry when I see something dead on the side of the road.

*I wish I had a cow, for a pet and milk.

*I love to rearrange the furniture in my house then do it again in a few months.

*I cannot stand those leeches that are sometimes on the sidewalk. I actually get sick to my stomach just thinking about them and their snot trail.

*I have a fetish when it comes to dark water. I will not go swimming at night or in deep water that is dark enough to not really know what is swimming beneath.

*I really miss the show “King of Queens”.

*I do not have enough time to watch TV nowadays.

*I have never been a huge cat lover but I love my Moe sooooo much!

*I refused to listen to country music in high school because it seemed like a fad, but now I LOVE it!

*When I was 12 I was the biggest New Kids on the Block fan. I had the posters, pins, even a scrapbook I made about them. I loved Jordan. I'm not impressed at all with their comeback.

*I don't like beans not because of their taste but for their muddy texture!

*I do not like to play card games, don't know why. I only like creative games like “Apples to Apples” or “Balderdash”, etc.

*I miss Chris Farley.

*My sensitive stomach is motivation for me to eat healthy.

*I have never been to another country. My dream is to go to Israel and stand on the Mount of Olives.

*Fall is my favorite time of the year since I have moved to a place that has seasons.

*Denominational issues get under my skin.

*I really miss the beach!!!

*I can exist on 8 hours of sleep but would thrive on 10-12. The 10-12 hours never happens!

*I thought Crocs were the ugliest thing ever when they first came out. Now I wish I had a pair!

*I am soooo tired of moving. And that is putting it mildly.

*I get elated helping people with health issues. I feel God's pleasure when I get to share this message with those that want to hear!

*I am excited, scared, nervous, and happy to be in the center of God's will....church planting.

*Tim wrote songs and sang them to me at night on the beach when we were dating.

*We have a positive view of Amway.

*I LOVE Little House on the Prairie! I watched that show religiously when I was a kid. I was able to get some of the seasons this summer at the library. Summer and I watched them all summer long.

*I was sort of a tomboy when I was little. We had 3 wheelers and rode them all the time, jumping canals.

That's all for now...anyone have any of these in common with me?

Holding Hands...

I had so many errands to run today. Tim took Micah and Summer to school this morning and a few minutes after they left, there it was. Summer had left her lunch box on the counter. Not a big deal, I had to go out anyway to run a number of errands so I would just drop it off on my way. We arrive at the school and are getting out of the van and Jake says, "Can you hold hand?" I reach out and stick out my index finger and he grabs hold of it--which is the only way he likes to hold hands. As we were walking together he is talking away and I just got kind of deep in thought. When will the day come when he no longer will hold onto my finger like this? It will not be long before I am dropping him off at school like the other two. When is he going to say words the right way (for example: decor-oceans for decorations or hoopo for hippo, etc)? When will he be too old for me to sing Jesus Loves Me to him for nap and bedtime? When will I no longer see him suck his thumb while cuddling with his toy elephant he's in love with named "Ellie"? I could really go on and on. I am sad for when this day comes because it comes when you don't really notice. I am soon going to have no babies in the house! What will this be like? It is all I have known for eight years. Too often I am caught saying, "I can't wait for...." and usually it is for the kids to be a little older so we can do more together as a family. But in just a blink it's all going to be changed. Today I am going to live in the moment. Just being thankful for this exact day I am in. The process of church planting is constantly having us making plans for the future. Not that there's anything wrong with a little preparation. It just becomes a problem when that is the entire focus. I want to take advantage of every moment, today. Well, not every moment...I could really do without the tantrums in parking lots :)

A Little Perspective....

The next time you are having a bad day, the next time you feel alone, the next time you wonder what the future holds, the next time you are frustrated with the economy, election, weather, the kids, your spouse, money problems or anything that life throws your way....

watch this video and gain a little perspective.....



What love my Jesus has for me and you. My heart aches for not giving Him my undivided attention. I see this video and it reminds me of my need for Him as my Father, best friend, provider, shelter, protector, MY JESUS.

Granola

Homemade Granola

If you have never made your own granola, you are missing out! This is a weekly staple in our house. It makes a great healthy snack. Store bought granola can be pricey and I have found that I already have all the ingredients on hand. So I thought I would share my recipe with everyone.

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup nuts (optional)
1/4 cup sesame seeds (optional)
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4-1/2 cup honey
flax seed (optional)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 cup orange juice (optional)

Mix all together and spread out on a cookie sheet. Bake 35 min. at 300 degrees. Make sure you stir it every 10 min. so that it doesn't burn. Optional: After baking you can add raisins, dried fruit or seeds to taste. Enjoy!

Daniel

My mind is all over the place. I have so much to say and I hope it translates well. Here goes one of my many entries on health! I have so much to write about on this topic but will stick to what I am feeling at the moment! This past week I have been studying the book of Daniel. In fact, not too long ago I got home from my ladies Bible study. We always have great discussion around the table. I love digging into the Word together and then hearing how it applies to our life! I have studied Daniel before (Beth Moore—awesome!) but am currently doing a study where we study every book of the Bible. Every week we will go to the next book and so now we are in Daniel. It has been great to get a deeper understanding of how the Bible all fits together.

Let me give a brief summary of something impacting from Daniel: (taken from chapter 1) Daniel was to serve in the king's palace. He insisted on not defiling his body. Defiling his body would be to partake of the same food everyone else was eating in the palace. God had special laws that forbid His people to eat unclean meats (pork, shellfish, wine, etc.). These meats God calls “detestable”. The Israelites were spared all kinds of diseases and illnesses by obeying these dietary laws. Daniel asked permission from the chief official to eat vegetables and water. The official thought he would get in trouble because Daniel and his men would be very malnourished. Daniel insisted that they test this for ten days. All was agreed upon and at the end of the ten days the Bible says that Daniel and his men looked healthier and better nourished than any of the men that ate the unclean meats. I have in my notes that as a result of Daniel's obedience God gave him health, wisdom and understanding. Under that I have that trusting the Sovereign God brings God's power.

For once I would love someone, a pastor, a teacher, anyone, to camp out on this chapter. As new testament believers we are free from this law that forbids us to eat unclean meats. However, people use that as a crutch that will allow them to eat these unhealthy things. God didn't just pull things out of the air to forbid them to eat. He gave a very specific list of things that to this day if consumed brings about high cholestorol, unstable blood pressure, illness (from a low immune system), and obesity (which that alone leads to a number of things but the highest on the list is heart disease). They were unclean thousands of years ago when God called them detestable and they are not any better now! Is it a sin to eat unclean meats? No. Christ came and freed us from this law. But if you want to be healthy and lower your chances of disease it would be a good idea to try to eliminate these things from your lifestyle. It's very common for Americans to have bacon and eggs for breakfast and then a ham sandwich for lunch followed by a pork chop dinner. And we are wondering why as a nation we are suffering from obesity.

Here are some quick facts about pork: Pigs eat everything and anything including their own waste and young. Disease and toxins get into their bloodstream and are released into their flesh. Pigs don't sweat which is a way to release toxins. Research has shown that people that live too close to pig farms have been sick because of dangerous gases. 70% of pork contains parasites. If you press down on a pig's hoof green pus comes out. Think of that next time you make a ham sandwich.

I understand the point in Daniel was that he was obedient and God honored that. I just get frustrated when we fail to know the whole context. Another side note is that Daniel's diet of eating only vegetables and water for 10 days is a great detox plan. But I will have to go into that at another time!

Please no hate emails! :) This is why I have a blog. I just want to educate and share what I am learning!

Everywhere you go, everything you do, everything you hear is about our suffering economy.

We are taking a Dave Ramsey course on Wednesday nights. It has been so great having a plan for our finances. It is exciting to be eliminating debt and building our savings. I love paying cash for everything. We have learned so much in the past 6 weeks. I am a detailed person so I like having everything in it's place. We have been able to teach our children the same principals. I believe it honors God when we are being good stewards of our money (just like our health-but that's for another day!).

Everything we have is Gods...our money, our health, our children, our marriage. What's interesting is that we can be so neglectful in realizing that every choice we make regarding these areas is our act of worship to Him. It will change your whole perspective on life when you are living a life of worship. It's not that you are making decisions in a legalistic kind of way but in a way that says you want to honor God in your choices. It's a "here's all of me" kind of attitude.

So what can I do today about the economy? Blame the president? Blame Americans for being ignorant? Feel hopeless? Be fearful? I don't like what's going on in the economy either. However, Jesus paid quite a price for us to trust Him completely. I refuse to get entangled in fear over something God is in complete control of. Today I choose to trust in His provision and live as many moments as possible as an act of worship! ...Romans 12:1

My First Post!

I had a hard time wanting to start a blog. I tend to not want to do things just because everyone else is doing it and it is the popular thing to do. But then life started getting incredibly crazy and I realized I should be keeping track of everything God is doing. I don't want to forget "the good ole' days" which I believe I am in now. I want to be able to look back and be amazed at the things that God did. Plus, I am hoping that some of my experiences will help others.

I will talk about health related issues and topics because that is a passion of mine. I feel like I am on a mission to help people understand how the spiritual is intertwined with the physical. I love to talk about what the Bible says about our health. I am a Certified Biblical Health Coach and have been studying this area for a few years, I have much to share!

I will also be taking you on the journey with me as we go through the process of being church planters. We are at the very beginning of this process and I feel the need to be very transparent about it. I'm sure there will be days of feeling like I am on cloud 9 because of how God is working. There will also be days full of doubt and frustration. We have been told by all other planter's that we will have every trial thrown at us and it will be the hardest time in our lives. So I am aware and ready to take it on by Tim's side!

And you will soon realize how much I love to talk about my family. My kids are at the age that you want to push the "pause" button. They say and do way to many cute things, I just don't want to forget in a few years. Any mother knows that you have good days and bad but you could never love them less. It is a great example of how our Father God loves us unconditionally no matter how many times we mess up!

I have so many balls up in the air and my biggest desire is to live a life of balance. So come back and visit often because you never know what topic I will be talking about on any given day!