Our God Is Stronger!

When you set out on a journey, on a path that God has drawn out for you, when you step into the spiritual realm of faith, there will be war. In 6 days I will be boarding a plane to Haiti. Haiti is one of the most underprivileged, impoverished, almost hopeless, countries in the world. As myself and 11 other godly women have set out on this faith journey, fear has tried to creep in. Fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of sickness, fear of leaving family, friends, children, and husband's. Fear, if given into breeds hopelessness. We, however, being the redeemed of God have a TRUE hope. Not the hope of men, not the hope of scholars, not the hope of the wise, not the wisdom that the world grasps for. God is hope and His love is a banner over us.

I have been studying the life of Moses for the last few months. Moses is a revered man, respected by religious elite, held at a high esteem by the Jewish nation, and looked to as a strong man of God, but Moses feared. He had a speech impediment that kept him from proclaiming the truths of God. God in fact became frustrated with Moses because he kept saying he couldn't speak. So God allowed Aaron to speak for him. Moses feared the people. In Exodus chapter 17 he said, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" Fear is part of our flesh and our nature, but we are overcomers of fear by the power of God. We are not delivered again unto fear, but to hope, peace, and love.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. We should have a reverent fear of God. He says in the Bible not to fear man, but to fear Him because He is able to destroy both the body and soul in hell. Our sovereign God is in control, when we rest in Him we will not fear. So many people like to stir up our natural fears. I have heard aren't you afraid to die? What if a hurricane hits? What will happen to your children? etc. God has numbered my days, they are written in His book. I have no fear because I know  who I serve, who my redemption is, and where I will go after this body has stopped. I have peace knowing He has my story written.

In Exodus chapter 18 it goes on to tell the story of a war between Israel and Amalek. During the battle Moses held his hands in the air with the rod of God in his hand as God commanded him to do. His hands became weak and began to hang down. Aaron and Hur sat him down on a stone and held up his hands. Moses obeyed, his friends came along side him and bore his burden with him, but God was in control of the battle. He has this! He knows our innermost parts, the very hairs of our heads are cataloged in His book, He loves us and cares for us. He will protect us.

We are in a spiritual battle one that can't be seen with the human eye. God in His wisdom has equipped us to fight without fear. We are not on the battlefield without armor. We have the helmet of salvation to protect our minds from the voice of the enemy. satan taunts us and feeds us lies, but we are the Lord's, sealed, kept, protected from the evil one. The breastplate of righteousness to protect our vital organs. We have Jesus' righteousness to protect our innermost parts. When God looks at us He sees the righteousness of His son, and we are protected by HIS righteousness. We have the shoes of peace. These shoes have sharp nails designed to give us a firm footing on even the most rugged terrain. We are ready to GO and spread the gospel of peace without fear of losing our footing. The belt of truth is the truth of God's word. He has equipped us with the ability to plan and prepare for battle. We know the strategy of the enemy, we see where the battle lines are drawn, and we know the ONE who fights for us. We have the shield of faith so that we may quench the fiery darts of the enemy, and the sword of the spirit to fight back.

With this knowledge we must PREPARE, BELIEVE, and STAND. Fearlessly going and doing what God has called us to do. Knowing that He is the life giver, the life sustainer, the life protector, and He is our peace. Jehovah Nessi goes before us and fights for us. Praise be to God! All glory and power are HIS!

Through Peace Comes Praise!

Sam has been asking for a pair of airwalks for months now. Eli received a pair for his second birthday and Sam has wanted some since then. He has thanked me over and over for the shoes. This morning during our morning worship he began to expound the scripture from a 4 year olds point of view. He said that we must put on our strong shoes, cover our bellies with armor, cover our heads with a helmet, and take up our sword to fight the enemy. My eyes began to brim with tears because he is listening. His daddy is preaching through the armor of God at church. Next week he will be preaching on the shoes of peace. 

I started thinking about the shoes. Peace- A condition or sense of harmony, well-being, and prosperity. The biblical concept means more than the absence of hostility, and it is more than a psychological state. (Holman Bible Dictionary) When we put on our shoes of peace we can move about in the assurance of Christ. The world can't give peace, it brings the opposite of peace, it brings worry and doubt. 

Sam couldn't wait to put on his new shoes. As soon as we got into the car he put them on and he hasn't taken them off. We too must put on the shoes of peace. We can walk in peace knowing that our messiah is the Prince of Peace. Peace is not a easy, feel good, 70's feeling, it is a confidence in our maker. We can engage in warfare knowing the war has been fought and won.

5 days of thanks....catching up...

Day 18: A Gift, Shared, Saved, Surrendered-The gift of grace....we share....we are saved by it....and we surrender to it. So thankful for His grace that He bestowed on me a sinner.

Day 19: 3 Gifts Unexpected- Donated gifts from Merck for Haiti. A garage full of donations, too many to count. Meals prepared by friends.

Day 20: 3 Gifts Unconventional- Sitting on the couch in quiet reflection. The gift of a doctor referring my husband to someone more qualified. Dreams of my babies in Haiti.

Day 21: 3 Gifts Undervalued- My children. This world says they are a burden, to me they are a blessing. My home. It may not be "big" enough by the world's standards, but to me it is a home and a refuge. Time. The gift of time, it ticks by so quickly, we don't value that it is passing.

Day 22: A Gift Silent, Still, Strong- My husband. He is a rock when I am weak. He is the stronger vessel that protects my heart and my emotions. The voice of reason that lovingly pulls me in when I am taken captive by my emotions. He was at peace when the doctor's were going into his heart to make it new. He was my silent strength and peace throughout my fear. 

Sewing A New Patch In Our Family Quilt: The Beautiful Ugly

Day 17: 3 Gifts Ugly-Beautiful

One of the most ugly-beautiful things is adoption so I reposted my post titled The Beautiful Ugly. Adoption is the most Ugly-beautiful story I know. We once were ugly, but now we are made beautiful in His sight. How amazing is His love. My baby boy Eli, orphaned, cherished, loved.....ugly-beautiful. My babies in Haiti, orphaned, abused, neglected, rescued, nourished, chosen.....the ugly-beautiful.



Sewing A New Patch In Our Family Quilt: The Beautiful Ugly: I have sat down multiple times to write a feel good blog, full of love, an exciting story of adoption, but that's not the story. I have to t...

Burning For God

Tomorrow's thanks is for 3 gift's that burn. When I think of the word burn, I think of passion, I think of refinement, I think of my God that is a consuming fire. I posted the statement below on my facebook page under www.roomforgraceintl.org. It is a place where you can go and donate money for orphans. It explains my burning passion for orphans.

“I've been doing a joy dare given by Ann VosKamp on her blog. It is 31 days of thanks throughout the month of October. Tomorrow is 3 Gifts that burn. Orphans burn my soul, they make me passionate, I'm filled with a burning desire to help them. If we are following the example of God left in scripture we ALL should be burning for orphans. In America we are rich! It amazes me when I ask someone to donate and they tell me they're broke as they are texting on their Iphone, their kid is playing on their Ipad, and they live in a house that could be a home for several orphans! I have nothing against enjoying blessings from the Lord, but He has always made provision for the orphan, poor, and widow. In the Old Testament when farmers would pluck grain they were instructed by God to leave some for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. In the New Testament He said that a PURE religion is to care for widows and orphans. We become PURE through the fire. Allow God to ignite a passion in you for these children. Burn with a fervency to HELP the least of these! PLEASE GIVE! It doesn't take much to make a difference!”


I burn with passion for my family. I was watching as my husband explained the shoes of peace to my children. Sam sat in his lap rubbing his beard, Lily on my lap, her lanky body curled up like a infant. The light from the lamp shining down as the Spirit of God shone down. I burn with a passion and desire to raise godly children. Children that are willing to do the will of God. Not just hearers of the word, but doers.  Not Christians that "know" the word, but Christians that KNOW the WORD! The Word that is God!


I burn with a desire that those around me would be ignited to serve. That the passion in my heart for Christ would not be contained, but that it would spread like a wildfire. I want the stagnant, pew sitting, lazy Christian to rise up and burn for Christ. If we would come together what a GREAT fire we could kindle.


This joy dare is changing me! It is reminding me daily of the God I serve. Not just learning about Him but living for HIM. Dying to myself daily and learning to sacrifice and serve like Him. Allowing Him to consume me and burn away everything that is not of Him.

3 Gifts read, 3 Gifts said, 3 Gifts re-read....

Days 13, 14, 15 of thanks....


3 Gifts read- Orphanology, The Connected Child, Adopted For Life

3 Gifts said- Sam, "God is light, in Him there is no darkness." Coming home to my four old quoting this verse. Lily, "Mom, I'm so glad you're home!" Jeremy, "A pure heart needs to be protected with the breastplate of rightness. We should guard our heart like a guard would guard a prisoner."

3 Gifts re-read- John 1, A card from a friend, Love letters from my kids.

Choosing to SEE....OH God OPEN Our Eyes!

I wonder if? I wonder if the preachers that mount the pulpit every Sunday and bring home a salary of $80,000 per year, if the Doctor making $150,000 would give instead of spend, if the everyday person, everyday Christian would SEE. What would happen?

Don't close your eyes!

Haiti is 864 miles from Florida!

These are children made in the image of a Holy God!

"When you feed the least of these you feed me!," JESUS

Days 11 and 12

Day 11:

3 Gifts of Change-

This joy dare is changing me. I'm thankful for the much needed change. When you take your eyes off your circumstances and praise for everything, joy becomes who you are. My attitude has changed. 

The gift of the changing seasons. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the crisp air, falling leaves, and the beauty of God's color changing. 

Sanctification changing me. I'm so thankful that God doesn't leave me spiritually stagnant. He changes me and grows me into someone that looks more like him.  

Day 12: A Gift Small, Smaller, Smallest

Okay, so I COULD NOT wait until tomorrow! My gift today is a gift received in the mail from Haiti. My Rebekah and my Stephen's handprints. How precious! Praising God for the gift of small, smaller, and smallest hands.  

3 things praised for, 3 Hard Eucharisto

10 days, I've made it 10 days into Ann Voskamp's challenge of finding joy everyday. I usually give up on this sort of thing, life too busy, house too messy, kids too clingy. I wanted to do this, to finish something I started that seemed so easy at first. It's not so easy for our flesh to always find the joy in the everyday mundane, but this challenge is teaching me true JOY.

Day 9: 3 Things praised for.

October 9th just so happened to be my 9th wedding anniversary. My first praise of the day is for my marriage. I feel so undeserving at times to have such a happy marriage. I remember years ago, at least 18 years ago, I wrote a list of what I wanted in a husband. The number one thing was that he would love God. My husband LOVES God! For that I'm so thankful! Number 2 was that he would lead our family. I for so long took care of myself. I moved out of my parent's home when I was 17 years old and took care of myself until I met Jeremy. He leads our family, and I cherish that. Number 3 was that he would love me unconditionally. Boy does he ever! I'm not easy to love and I'm sure not easy to live with at times, but he loves me in spite of me! Number 4: that he would be a good daddy. He is a wonderful father to our children. He plays with them, prays with them, and teaches them to love the Lord. I praise for my husband.

I praise for these sweet little dresses hand stitched and sewn for the baby girls in Haiti. I've never met the woman that made them, but I praise for her too!

I praise the Lord for calling us to Seoul Korea to adopt our son. It's just 17 days away from our family day!

Day 10: Hard Eucharisto

Hard thanks is having children in Haiti and knowing it will be awhile before they come home. They are so close, yet so far away. The unknown is so hard. Hard is going there in November, kissing them, hugging them, singing to them, leaving them behind. Hard thanks is leaving the children that God has ordained to be mine in a foreign country.  

Hard thanks is an upcoming surgery for the man I love and cherish. Thanking God and submitting to His perfect plan and will. Thanking Him for directing us to the right surgeon and the right hospital. 

Hard thanks is pressing through and pressing on when the days are tough. Thanking when my flesh is weak....that is Hard Eucharisto. 

Days 7 and 8

Day 7:

A Gift Baked, Stirred, Eaten

Happy Birthday Hunny!!!

Day 8:  3 Gifts Prayed For.

A godly husband

Healthy children

A warm home  

Days Of Thanks.......day 5 and 6

Day 5: 3 Gift's returned

Giving Hope Rescue Mission has given the children of Haiti hope. We through many donations were able to return the gift of hope by supporting Giving Hope.

Boxes full of gifts needed......

Teaching a daughter to forgive and the gift of forgiveness returned. 

The letter says, "I love you and I have to tell you something. I'm sorry for being grumpy about school. One time I was grumpy in my mind about math when we came home from Daniel's. Will you forgive me? Put here. 

The gift of repentance given and returned....

The gift of love given and returned...

Day 6: 3 gifts redeemed. 

My life, a sinful life, apart from God, radically redeemed. 

Having the sin of divorce in my past, wearing it like a scarlet letter around my neck for many years. A marriage now redeemed by Christ. A wonderful godly husband that leads me and loves me. Redeemed....

A history of hurt. A dream of hope and redemption. A family redeemed...

Days 3 and 4

Gifts.....4 days into His gifts of grace.....



Day 3: A gift caught, let go, mid-way....

Yesterday I had caught joy, mid-way through a tough morning, I let go. I had some important paperwork to update and print, I sat here at the computer for hours trying to get it done, to my dismay, no such luck. Working on an old computer can lead to frustration. My joy, I chose to let go. It happens so easily, just a little bit of trial, and we let it go. How can I hold on to His joy? Keep counting......


Day 4: 3 Gifts Reaped:

1. My Lily serving me breakfast and cleaning out the garage for her dad yesterday. We teach them to serve, and when they chose to serve on their own, we reap a blessing.

2. Sewing into a marriage and reaping 9 blessed years. Our anniversary is on the 9th.

3. Reaping the gifts of my salvation. Joy, peace, and love.

Day 2

Day 2 of Thanks: 3 things falling.....

Baby Birds falling from their home. The opportunity to tell my kids that God knew when they fell. He knows each time a bird falls, so how much more does He know them. 

Falling in love with a little Haitian boy I've never met.

Falling in love with a little Haitian girl. She melts my heart! 

3 Things Orange And More Thanks On A Dreary Monday....

October 1st the start of a new month. While reading Ann VosKamp's blog on this dreary Monday I decided to take her challenge. She has written down 31 ways of thanks for the month of October. I needed to be reminded today to thank everyday for the gifts of God. 

Day One: 

The dare for today was to give thanks for 3 things orange. At first I thought this may be hard, Lily was able to name 3 immediately. So as I was looking around and thinking of gift's I started thinking of the last few weeks. I have been discouraged with my abilities to homeschool my children. I start comparing, start worrying, start doubting. I LOVE being home with my children! God reminded me why He called our family to learn at home. He gave me the verse in John 14:23- "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him." Lily wrote, "Build your house on the rock."  (See Picture Below) I have been given a gift, a gift to teach my children how to serve, how to love, how to grow in grace, and the gift to build our house upon the rock of Jesus Christ.      

Thankful For Homeschool

Orange Pencils 

Orange Giraffes sent from a daughter far away.

Glue,Orange Crayons, Orange Leaves, Orange in Books, and

Orange Cheese Crackers

Teaching our children how to serve the orphan.

Thank you Father for your gifts of grace.