When I was a girl this was one of my prayer sings...and it still is...

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Christmas 2010

Today I was taking photos while our residents opened their presents from Santa.....I knew that these pictures would mean something later to their spouses and family.....because one day they may not be with them anymore...and so a picture of their loved one in a joyful spirit would just be priceless.....but as I was consumed in the picture taking I had an epiphany about life.....

I was busily looking through the lens to get the accurate shot......I was capturing a moment.....that would later be very appreciated.....and then I thought...Krissy you are in this moment right now with these very special people for this very special moment in time....this moment will never be reproduced for you....so engross yourself in it...it is so good to take pictures for memories...but it is better to CARPE DIEM...seize every moment.....love largely...give graciously....forgive endlessly...enjoy life abundantly......etc etc.....

So I suddenly realize I could take pictures and enjoy the moment....so I carefully positioned my camera.....and stopped looking through the lens and look with my every own two eyes at this very precious moment......

What lens are you looking at life through....are you looking through a lens all the time.....a narrow view of life.....instead of using those amazing eyes GOD gave you...with peripheral and panoramic view....I pursue to do this more.....

I also this this translates to how we make choices....do we only live in the moment and let ourselves get carried away with how something only in that moment makes us feel....are we looking through a narrow lens not realizing that the actions and decisions we make each moment have effect on the rest of our lives........I hope that we consider this...to avoid pain...to live for something bigger than just little moments....yes of course some of the little moments are what makes this life so perfect......but also those little moments can destroy us too...there is caution in living impulsively especially if that leads to sin....

Looking at life....through a lens...through our own eyes...through Gods it really influences a lot of things......

Matthew 6:22-23 says something about the light of the body is the eye...if the eye is pure than the whole body will be...if it be evil the whole body will be evil......

So let us not be narrow in how we see each situation.....I think God wants us to see with spiritual eyes...He wants us to see that as we live out our days...they can have eternal impact on ourselves and everyone else around else.....so if we pursue what is right and we FOCUS on what is GODLY we will be godly....if we waver and let our narrow view/sight of a situation guide us ...we will get hurt and will hurt others....

I want God to give me HIS EYES....I want to see every situation in the light of eternity...I want people to experience my love and presence and know that as I act and live I am doing so with eternity in mind......I want to give myself to each day and moment as though tomorrow matters and eternity matters.......

I thank GOd for precious moments....like being on top of a mountain with a friend or sitting cuddle with your family on Christmas eve by fire with a near by tree twinkling......those matter and are priceless......BUT ALSO we have to remember that we are all faced with moments that test us too...moments that create a test of integrity....of character...of love...of eternal significance......and I HOPE THAT I pass those tests...and I hope those I love pass those tests...because God smiles on us when we do....he says....yes child you are learning you are becoming more like your daddy....of course when you dont.....he picks you up and is patient...but we do have to deal with the consequences...and then hopefully it becomes a way to grow in our faith....and to build something even more beautiful the next time....BUT the CLAUSE on that is that you have to have dependence on GOD for restoration to occur and to really learn and grow from those SINNING FALLING experiences..

If you followed me I am really impressed..hehe!

HARD NEWS to hear!

Psalms 1 :5-6

Sinners wont have an excuse on the day of judgment and they wont have a place with the people of GOD. The Lord protects everyone who follows him but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.


Psalm 2: 11-12
Serve and honor the LORD be glad and tremble. SHow respect to his son because if you dont the Lord might become furious and suddenly destroy you. But he blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.

Psalm 5:6
You destroy every liear and you despise....deceit.

The WORD OF GOD brings healing and hope to us....but also sometimes it shows us how wicked we are..............................LORD GOD help change our hearts and minds so that we do not act by ourselves...especially in those weak moments, challenging times, and times when faith and conviction in action is so necessary.....

HELP ME LORD> HEAL ME LORD>AMEN!

Some Beautiful Poems about Love!

All Wrapped Up In You
On the night I met you
My heart skipped a beatT
he sound of your voice
Knocked me off my feet
Looking into your eyes
Was like looking into heaven above
I knew the moment I met you
We would fall in love
When the storms of life were blowing
You showed me that you cared
You stood by me every step of the way
I knew then that you were the answer to my prayers
My search for love is overYou are my dream come true
God sent His love down from heaven
All wrapped up in you

To wake up in the morning
And know I'm safe
To go to bed at night
In his warm embrace
To laugh together, cry together
Dream together and mourn together
To have him kiss a nightmare away
To hear him say "I love you"
yet again today
To have his heart and soul
entwined with mine
To have space when I need some time
To breathe in his scent
And know his mind
To hold his hand
When the world is unkind
To see the smile in his eyes
And hear the love in his voice
When he holds our children close
I know I've made the right choice
Through the arguments and strife
And through the beauty of life
I'm proud to say...
He chose ME for a wife.

When I kiss your lips
I am kissing an angel
Your love has captured me
In your wings I am tangled
Keep me under your wings
Close to the beat of your heart
Don't ever let me goFrom your presence
I'll never depart
Your kisses are sweet, pure and heavenly
Kiss me forever, always and for eternity

Beloved

This is a beautiful song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listen Up Brandon Heath (With Lyrics)

How do we graciously love others when we were so exposed and vulnerable to our own past and present hurts? How can we lay down our own needs for the sake of the other? And is it necessary to do this in all instances or does God also want us to make wise relationship decisions to protect ourselves. I dont want to hurt but I do not want to hurt others to spare myself pain.

Healing hand of God - Jeremy Camp

Today Lord God I need Your healing. Yesterday was a day of brokenness. TOO much of me is shining through. Not enough of you is being seen. Heal my heart. That it can love again all of your children. Heal my mind. That it can know right from wrong. Heal my body. That it may run again!
By your stipes Lord, I am healed. Heal me Lord. Let me put your promises in my heart and let them change my life.

http://blog.arizonacityfest.com/2010/11/11/november-is-the-month-to-impact-hunger-in-arizona/

Crazy Love Chapter 9

What am I doing right now that requires faith?

When you are at the cusp of your own abilities and the awesome ways of Christ you are beginning to step into the faith zone! Faith is the belief in something much greater than yourself and the surrender of your life to that belief.
You dont really trust someone if you give only part of yourself to them or pull back each time you get closer. That is not really trusting in them or having faith in them. Faith is the confident belief or trust in the truth or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing that is not based on proof.

So I want to know....am I living in a place where faith is required of me? Am I surrendering my life to those beliefs?

I want to be brought to a place in my life that I recognize when faith is required. I want to choose life paths were faith is required of me. I believe that if I live a life that requires faith I will live an amazingly full life because I will be in pursuit of things I KNOW that I cannot do myself. I will have to trust someone else, GOD!

I want something greater our of life than what I can attain for myself! I want God to invade my life and saturate every facet of it with challenges and opportunities to live a truly FAITH FILLED LIFE! Lets go GOD!

A man named Great Grandpa Silvey and a question!

Tonight we went downtown and entered a world of artists and musicians. Christopher was so excited and had some much fun. Before we left we met one of the musicians who played his keyboard and he told the audience he would give a gold dollar to anyone who could answer his questions. Christopher aced the four part question. Where was Jesus born? What did Mary ride on? Where did Mary nad Joseph stay? What was Jesus placed in?(I thank God that He is putting the word into my little boys heart) Then he asked another question. How much time lapsed between the Old and New testament. I did not know the answer. So I looked it up...............

The answer is 400 years.

The history is very interesting and brings to light a lot of scripture.

Please read and enjoy all that I found out:


At the close of the book of Malachi in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is back again in the land of Palestine after the Babylonian captivity, but they are under the domination of the great world power of that day, Persia and the Medio-Persian empire. In Jerusalem, the temple had been restored, although it was a much smaller building than the one that Solomon had built and decorated in such marvelous glory.
Within the temple the line of Aaronic priests was still worshiping and carrying on the sacred rites as they had been ordered to do by the law of Moses. There was a direct line of descendancy in the priesthood that could be traced back to Aaron.
But the royal line of David had fallen on evil days. The people knew who the rightful successor to David was, and in the book of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, his name is given to us. It was Zerubbabel, the royal prince, yet there was no king on the throne of Israel, they were a puppet nation, under the domination of Persia. Nevertheless, although they were beset with weakness and formalism as the prophets have shown us, the people were united. There were no political schisms or factions among them, nor were they divided into groups or parties.
Now when you open the New Testament to the book of Matthew, you discover an entirely different atmosphere -- almost a different world. Rome is now the dominant power of the earth. The Roman legions have spread throughout the length and breadth of the civilized world. The center of power has shifted from the East to the West, to Rome. Palestine is still a puppet state -- the Jews never did regain their own sovereignty -- but now there is a king on the throne. But this king is the descendant of Esau instead of Jacob, and his name is Herod the Great. Furthermore, the high priests who now sit in the seat of religious authority in the nation are no longer from the line of Aaron. They cannot trace their descendancy back, rather, they are hired priests to whom the office is sold as political patronage.
The temple is still the center of Jewish worship, although the building has been partially destroyed and rebuilt about a half-dozen times since the close of the Old Testament. But now the synagogues that have sprung up in every Jewish city seem to be the center of Jewish life even more than the temple.
At this time the people of Israel were split into three major parties. Two of them, the Pharisees and Sadducees, were much more prominent than the third. The smaller group, the Essenes, could hardly be designated as a party. Not long ago, however, they came into great prominence in our time and took on new significance because they had stowed away some documents in caves overlooking the Dead Sea -- documents which were brought to light again by the accidental discovery of an Arab shepherd boy and are known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Now, what happened in these four hundred so-called "silent" years after the last of the inspired prophets spoke and the first of the New Testament writers began to write? You remember there is a word in Paul's letter to the Galatians that says, "When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law." (Gal. 4:4) In other words, the time of our Lord's birth was God's appointed hour, the moment for which God had been long preparing. Some of the exciting preparations took place during that time of "silence," however, and you will understand your New Testament much better if you understand something of the historic events during the time between the Testaments.
After Malachi had ceased his prophesying and the canon of the Old Testament closed -- that is, the number of the books in the Old Testament was fulfilled and the inspired prophets ceased to speak -- God allowed a period of time for the teachings of the Old Testament to penetrate throughout the world. During this time, he rearranged the scenes of history, much as a stage crew will rearrange the stage sets after the curtain has fallen, and when the curtain rises again there is an entirely new setting.
In about 435 B.C., when the prophet Malachi ceased his writing, the center of world power began to shift from the East to the West. Up to this time, Babylon had been the major world power, but this was soon succeeded by the Medio-Persian empire, as you remember from ancient history. This shift had been predicted by the prophet Daniel, who said that there would rise up a bear who was higher on one side than the other, signifying the division between Media and Persia, with the Persians the predominant ones (Dan. 7:5).
At the height of the Persian power there arose in the country of Macedonia (which we now know as Greece), north of the Black Sea, a man by the name of Philip of Macedon, who became a leader in his own country. He united the islands of Greece and became their ruler. His son was destined to become one of the great world leaders of all time, Alexander the Great. In 330 B.C. a tremendous battle between the Persians and the Greeks entirely altered the course of history. In that battle, Alexander, as a young man only twenty years old, led the armies of Greece in victory over the Persians and completely demolished the power of Persia. The center of world power then shifted farther west into Greece, and the Grecian empire was born.
A year after that historic battle, Alexander the Great led his armies down into the Syrian world toward Egypt. On the way, he planned to lay siege to the city of Jerusalem. As the victorious armies of the Greeks approached the city, word was brought to the Jews in Jerusalem that the armies were on their way. The high priest at that time, who was a godly old man by the name of Jaddua (who, by the way, is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Nehemiah) took the sacred writings of Daniel the prophet and, accompanied by a host of other priests dressed in white garments, went forth and met Alexander some distance outside the city.
All this is from the report of Josephus, the Jewish historian, who tells us that Alexander left his army and hurried to meet this body of priests. When he met them, he told the high priest that he had had a vision the night before in which God had shown him an old man, robed in a white garment, who would show him something of great significance to himself, according to the account, the high priest then opened the prophecies of Daniel and read them to Alexander.
In the prophecies Alexander was able to see the predictions that he would become that notable goat with the horn in his forehead, who would come from the West and smash the power of Medio-Persia and conquer the world. He was so overwhelmed by the accuracy of this prophecy and, of course, by the fact that it spoke about him, that he promised that he would save Jerusalem from siege, and sent the high priest back with honors. How true that account is, is very difficult at this distance in time to say; that, at any event, is the story.
Alexander died in 323 B.C. when he was only about thirty-three years old. He had drunk himself to death in the prime of his life, grieved because he had no more worlds to conquer. After his death, his empire was torn with dissension, because he had left no heir. His son had been murdered earlier, so there was no one to inherit the empire of Alexander.
After some time, however, the four generals that had led Alexander's armies divided his empire between them. Two of them are particularly noteworthy to us. One was Ptolemy, who gained Egypt and the northern African countries; the other was Seleucus, who gained Syria, to the north of Palestine. During this time Palestine was annexed by Egypt, and suffered greatly at the hands of Ptolemy. In fact, for the next one hundred years, Palestine was caught in the meat-grinder of the unending conflicts between Syria on the north and Egypt on the south.
Now if you have read the prophecies of Daniel, you will recall that Daniel was able, by inspiration, to give a very accurate and detailed account of the highlights of these years of conflict between the king of the North (Syria) and the king of the South (Egypt). The eleventh chapter of Daniel gives us a most amazingly accurate account of that which has long since been fulfilled. If you want to see just how accurate the prophecy is, I suggest you compare that chapter of Daniel with the historical record of what actually occurred during that time. H. A. Ironside's little book, The 400 Silent Years, gathers that up in some detail.
During this time Grecian influence was becoming strong in Palestine. A party arose among the Jews called the Hellenists, who were very eager to bring Grecian culture and thought into the nation and to liberalize some of the Jewish laws. This forced a split into two major parties. There were those who were strong Hebrew nationalist, who wanted to preserve everything according to the Mosaic order. They resisted all the foreign influences that were coming in to disrupt the old Jewish ways. This party became known as the Pharisees, which means "to separate." They were the separationists who insisted on preserving traditions. They grew stronger and stronger, becoming more legalistic and rigid in their requirements, until they became the target for some of the most scorching words our Lord ever spoke. They had become religious hypocrites, keeping the outward form of the law, but completely violating its spirit.
On the other hand, the Hellenists -- the Greek lovers -- became more and more influential in the politics of the land. They formed the party that was known in New Testament days as the Sadducees, the liberals. They turned away from the strict interpretation of the law and became the rationalists of their day, ceasing to believe in the supernatural in any way. We are told in the New Testament that they came again and again to the Lord with questions about the supernatural, like "What will happen to a woman who has been married to seven different men? In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?" (Matt. 22:23-33) They did not believe in a resurrection, but in these questions they were trying to put Jesus on the spot.
Now there was also a young rebel Jewish priest who married a Samaritan, went down to Samaria, and in rebellion against the Jewish laws, built a temple on Mount Gerizim that became a rival of the temple in Jerusalem. This caused intense, fanatical rivalry between the Jews and the Samaritans, and this rivalry is also reflected in the New Testament.
Also during this time, in Egypt, under the reign of one of the Ptolemies, the Hebrew scriptures were translated for the first time into another language, in about 284 B.C. A group of 70 scholars was called together by the Egyptian king to make a translation of the Hebrew scriptures. Book by book they translated the Old Testament into Greek. When they had finished, it was given the name of the Septuagint, which means 70, because of the number of translators. This became the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible. From it many of the quotations in the New Testament are derived. That is why New Testament quotations of Old Testament verses are sometimes in different words -- because they come from the Greek translation. The Septuagint is still in existence today, and is widely used in various parts of the world. It is still a very important document.
A little later on, about 203 B.C., a king named Antiochus the Great came into power in Syria, to the north of Palestine. He captured Jerusalem from the Egyptians and began the reign of Syrian power over Palestine. He had two sons, one of whom succeeded him and reigned only a few years. When he died, his brother took the throne. This man, named Antiochus Epiphanes, became one of the most vicious and violent persecutors of the Jews ever known. In fact, he is often called the Antichrist of the Old Testament, since he fulfills some of the predictions of Daniel concerning the coming of one who would be "a contemptible person" and "a vile king." His name (which he modestly bestowed upon himself) means "Antiochus the Illustrious." Nevertheless, some of his own courtiers evidently agreed more with the prophecies of Daniel, and they changed two letters in his title. from Epiphanes to Epipames, which means "the mad man."
His first act was to depose the high priest in Jerusalem. thus ending the long line of succession, beginning with Aaron and his sons through the many centuries of Jewish life. Onias the Third was the last of the hereditary line of priests. Antiochus Epiphanes sold the priesthood to Jason, who was not of the priestly line. Jason, in turn, was tricked by his younger brother Menelaus, who purchased the priesthood and then sold the golden vessels of the temple in order to make up the tribute money. Epiphanes overthrew the God-authorized line of priests. Then, and under his reign, the city of Jerusalem and all the religious rites of the Jews began to deteriorate as they came fully under the power of the Syrian king.
In 171 B.C. Antiochus invaded Egypt and once again Palestine was caught in the nutcracker of rivalry. Palestine is the most fought-over country in the world, and Jerusalem is the most captured city in all history. It has been pillaged, ravished, burned and destroyed more than 27 times in its history.
While Antiochus was in Egypt, it was reported that he had been killed in battle, and Jerusalem rejoiced. The people organized a revolt and overthrew Menelaus, the pseudo-priest. When report reached Antiochus (who was very much alive in Egypt) that Jerusalem was delighted at the report of his death, he organized his armies and swept like a fury back across the land, falling upon Jerusalem with terrible vengeance.
He overturned the city, regained his power, and guided by the treacherous Menelaus, intruded into the very Holy of Holies in the temple itself. Some 40,000 people were slain in three days of fighting during this terrible time. When he forced his way into the Holy of Holies, he destroyed the scrolls of the law and, to the absolute horror of the Jews, took a sow and offered it upon the sacred altar. Then with a broth made from the flesh of this unclean animal, he sprinkled everything in the temple, thus completely defiling and violating the sanctuary. It is impossible for us to grasp how horrifying this was to the Jews. They were simply appalled that anything like this could ever happen to their sacred temple.
It was that act of defiling the temple which is referred to by the Lord Jesus as the "desolating sacrilege" which Daniel had predicted (Matt. 24:15), and which also became a sign of the coming desolation of the temple when Antichrist himself will enter the temple, call himself God, and thus defile the temple in that time. As we know from the New Testament, that still lies in the future.
Daniel the prophet had said the sanctuary would be polluted for 2300 days. (Dan. 8:14) In exact accordance with that prophecy, it was exactly 2300 days -- six and a half years -- before the temple was cleansed. It was cleansed under the leadership of a man now famous in Jewish history, Judas Maccabaeus. He was one of the priestly line who, with his father and four brothers, rose up in revolt against the Syrian king. They captured the attention of the Israelites, summoned them to follow them into battle, and in a series of pitched battles in which they were always an overwhelming minority, overthrew the power of the Syrian kings, captured Jerusalem, and cleansed the temple. The day they cleansed the temple was named the Day of Dedication, and it occurred on the 25th day of December. On that date Jews still celebrate the Feast of Dedication each year.
The Maccabees, who were of the Asmonean family, began a line of high priests known as the Asmonean Dynasty. Their sons, for about the next three or four generations, ruled as priests in Jerusalem, all the time having to defend themselves against the constant assaults of the Syrian army who tried to recapture the city and the temple. During the days of the Maccabees there was a temporary overthrow of foreign domination, which is why the Jews look back to this time and regard it with such tremendous veneration.
During this time, one of the Asmonean priests made a league with the rising power in the West, Rome. He signed a treaty with the Senate of Rome, providing for help in the event of Syrian attack. Though the treaty was made in all earnestness and sincerity, it was this pact which introduced Rome into the picture and history of Israel.
As the battles between the two opposing forces waged hotter and hotter, Rome was watchful. Finally, the Governor of Idumea, a man named Antipater and a descendant of Esau, made a pact with two other neighboring kings and attacked Jerusalem to try to overthrow the authority of the Asmonean high priest. This battle raged so fiercely that finally Pompey, the Roman general, who happened to have an army in Damascus at the time, was besought by both parties to come and intervene. One side had a little more money than the other, and persuaded by that logical argument, Pompey came down from Damascus, entered the city of Jerusalem -- again with terrible slaughter -- overthrew the city and captured it for Rome. That was in 63 B.C. From that time on, Palestine was under the authority and power of Rome.
Now Pompey and the Roman Senate appointed Antipater as the Procurator of Judea, and he in turn made his two sons kings of Galilee and Judea. The son who became king of Judea is known to us a Herod the Great. ("Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?'" (Matt. 2:1, 2)
Meanwhile, the pagan empires around had been deteriorating and disintegrating. Their religions had fallen upon evil days. The people were sick of the polytheism and emptiness of their pagan faiths. The Jews had gone through times of pressure and had failed in their efforts to re-establish themselves, and had given up all hope. There was a growing air of expectancy that the only hope they had left was the coming at last of the promised Messiah. In the East, the oriental empires had come to the place where the wisdom and knowledge of the past had disintegrated and they too were looking for something. When the moment came when the star arose over Bethlehem, the wise men of the East who were looking for an answer to their problems saw it immediately and came out to seek the One it pointed to. Thus, "when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son."
It is amazing how God utilizes history to work out his purposes. Though we are living in the days that might be termed "the silence of God," when for almost 2,000 years there has been no inspired voice from God, we must look back -- even as they did during those 400 silent years -- upon the inspired record and realize that God has already said all that needs to be said, through the Old and New Testaments. God's purposes have not ended, for sure. He is working them out as fully now as he did in those days. Just as the world had come to a place of hopelessness then, and the One who would fulfill all their hopes came into their midst, so the world again is facing a time when despair is spreading widely across the earth. Hopelessness is rampant everywhere and in this time God is moving to bring to fulfillment all the prophetic words concerning the coming of his Son again into the world to establish his kingdom. How long? How close? Who knows? But what God has done in history, he will do again as we approach the end of "the silence of God."

CHILDHOOD

When I look into the eyes of my son.....I see his innocence. I see his imagination. I see His deep faith. I see his TRUST and HOPE in the world that he knows.


For some reason, God is breaking my heart! I am being broken as I deal with issues of child abuse.

I have been dealing with images of my past.

And then I have been reading watching and talking with individuals whom experienced the same kind of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse I experienced.

Lord God I thank you that I did not lose my faith. I thank you God that you sustained me and help me.

Last night while I was laying down with my husband, as he stroked my hair, and we talked about the little things of the day, I was overwhelmed. We have been married 7 years. I have a six year old son.

I thank the LORD that in his eyes I am a new creation.

I thank God that I am genuinely loved by my son. And unconditionally loved my husband.

I thank God for the healing power of LOVE!

I thank God that I could walk through FIRE and come out more refined. I thank God that I have a sensitive heart to pain, loss, and heartache. I hope that my testimony will minister to others.

I mostly hope that my story will bring GLORY to the LORD. It has to! THE LORD GOD IS A LIVING LOVING SAVING GOD. MY JESUS IS REAL!!!!! I KNOW HE IS!

I dont know why this is emerging again because I do not think these images and memories are coming forth because I need to DEAL with past hurts...but really I feel that I need to EXPLORE them as GOD prepares me to walk into a ministry that will allow me to HELP CHILDREN. AND TURN THEIR HEARTS TOWARDS GOD and HIS love!

John 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all recieved one blessing after another.

Thanksgiving is coming. What are you MOST thankful for? When I was in missionary training, one of my pastors mentors told me that if you ever struggle connecting with God.....take just a moment and begin telling him what you are thankful for!!!!Once you recognize all the blessings that have been given to you....it would be absurd not to feel connected to the SOURCE that gave you all these blessings.

Galatians 2:20
I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED with CHRIST and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son on God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When have you been most aware of your SALVATION? For me, it is in the midst of willfully sinning....or actually the moment after willfully sinning. Come on, we all do it, so it is not like I am confessing to something NO ONE ELSE does.
But you know what I mean, the moments that you come face to face with your SAVIOR....usually those are times of intense praise and worship but also STRONGLY those are those times in my life, in those weak moments, when I act carnally or in my own accord....those are those moments when I unmistakably see the face and outstretched hands of my Savior. I see Him on the Cross, regrettably, with my name on His lips....I am doing this for you...because as Paul said...WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU.

I am learning that when my heart is set on Christ, my influence grows and I begin pointing others to Christ. My thoughts are occupied with Christ's, my actions are closer to those of Jesus.

PSALM 103 Message
O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! 3-5 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence. 6-18 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said. 19-22 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are— everything and everyone made by God.
And you, O my soul, bless God!


Psalm 103 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 103
A psalm of David. 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
6 The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. 17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Psalm 103 (New King James Version)
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David. 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.[a] 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

It is so encouraging to read the WORD OF God, isnt it? It breathes life into my soul. My life. My heart.
Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him (me, Krissy Molander)

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my ROCK , and my Redeemer.

Thank you Jesus for moments with you.....I thank you for those times when my heart can be turned towards you and I can be that which you created me to be.....your daughter....I linger in your presence...it is so nice! Thank you Lord!

Some questions I must chew on a little bit:

How many good trees bear good fruit? How many bad trees bear bad fruit? How many good trees bear bad fruit?

What is the difference from being temporarily being influenced by religion versus being born again and being someone who truly fight their sins?????

In Hebrews 6, how can a field that recieves rain and sunshine ONLY produce thorns and thistles????? What happened?

What does the regenerated soul look like??

What is an apostate??Can a believer lose their salvation??

Day 15 and 16: The Quest

Day 15 quest challenge was to keep all your trash and take a picture of it. So I will post that tomorrow. I guess the point is that we waste a lot. Its kind of interesting because I have been thinking about trash a lot. We just moved into our home a few weeks ago and believe it or not we do not have a trash can. So we have been putting a trash bag on the door handle and then take it out once it is full or weve put something foul in it so the house doesnt stink.

Day 16 quest challenge was to research HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
http://www.dreamcenter.org/new/images/outreach/RescueProject/stats.pdf

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/globalissues-stp

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/globalissues-child-trafficking?Open&lpos=lft_txt_Child-Trafficking

Here is an amazing blog written by Jesse who works for WORLD VISION on a journey to learn more about and help prevent child trafficking.

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/globalissues-childprotection-jesse-blog

Quest Mission: Reaching out to Our Missionaries

Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, do right to all those who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8

Yesterday I was challenged to look at poverty in the world. Zimbabwe was the country that continued to come to my attention. Today my quest mission was to seek out people who are serving in this country, lift them up in prayer, begin communication with them, and ask them how I might help.

The first website that I found was the DIVINE WORLD MISSIONARIES- I was encouraged and surprised to see the diversity of missionaries invovled in this mission. They are from India, Indonesia, Ghana, Poland, Slovakia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Lord God lead and guide these faithful men of God....to carry your heart and mission into Zimbabwe: Alex Thomas, Gabriel Sasu, Krystian Taczyk, Oscar Melendres, Tadeusz Grenda, Zbigniew Oldynski, Frantisek Kantar, Marek Glodek, Macek Malicki, Levi Nartoyo, Matheus Mitch Ruron, Leonard Baa, Fransiskus Bhoka, Albertus Suyanto, Edmund Tue Wea, Ajit Kujur, Vincent Victor Mwiya, Edson Miambo, and Joe Ncube.

http://www.operationworld.org/country/zimo/owtext.html Here is some more information about Zimbabwe.

Here is a ministry that is attacking the effect of AIDS. http://www.ywamafrica.org/South_Central/Zimbabwe/Bulawayo/foh.htm

http://www.ywamafrica.org/South_Central/Zimbabwe/Bulawayo/staff-n.htm
Here are some of the immediate needs that they are looking for.

Lord God I thank you for these moments that I can look away from myself and my needs and look towards the needs of others. Lord when I think about the devastation of this country and start to realize the plight of these people....I AM OVERWHELMED! Only with your awesome power and wisdom can these large human issues be solved. But also I see God you looking at me and asking me what I think that I can do. LORD what can I do?

Right now I feel that I have been consumed with my current circumstance. I think we are all settle so now it is time to put my eyes back onto the WORLD.
Lets see...whats my plan. Okay well financially I am going to elicit the help of my very passionate, compassionate, energetic son Christopher. He is a dreamer like his mom, but I also see he has a little more follow through.....so we are going to start KEEPING OUR CHANGE to BRING CHANGE.

My goal would be to find at least 1 dollar a week to give to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe specifically.
Now that might not be that much but what about multiplication.........it is estimated that there are about 76.3 million households in America. So how much money could be infused into Zimbabwe in a years time. 52 time 76.3 millions households equals 3,967,600,000 Billion dollars. Can you imagine how that would be able to help ZIMBABWE. How it could change the AIDS epidemic and infuse jobs into the economy.......But more than money God needs soften hearts from his people to come alongside these children.....will you? With the help of my son I am going to make that step.....

Return to the Quest

Over the past month, I have been in the process of moving. I have been really sick the past week. I have acute tonsilitis and now some unexplainable chest pain/tightness. I am praying that I will be well soon. But I have felt extremely bad about not being able to continue on with the quest.

Day 11: Today was the challenge to research a country that is amongt the poorest in our our world. I found the top 10
1. Zimbabwe
2. Congo
3. Burundi
4. Liberia
5. Guinea- Bissau
6. Somalia
7. Central African Republic
8. Eritrea
9. Niger
10. Sierra Leon
These figures were based on GPA per capita


I am curious to find out how and why these 10 countries are the most vulnerable. I am intrigued to find out what missionaries and humanitarian aid workers are doing in these places to provide comfort, aid, and the GOOD NEWS.

Amongst the nations, that fall under the above mentioned prerequisite, the first criteria for judging is the standard of living, which includes life expectancy, calorie intake per capita, school enrollment rate and overall literacy rate. The next criteria is, how vulnerable is the nation's economy, which depends mainly on the agricultural production, export and import.So accordingly, the poorest country in the world is Zimbabwe. This southern African nation is the world's poorest country by a long way. Its GDP - per capita is less than $250. Political unrest and a totally collapsed economy are the main reasons for the failing of this one as a well to do nation. Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, was a British colony until, as late as 1980, when it gained independence. Current President Robert Mugabe was the one who pioneered the freedom movement in the 1970s and has held the country's highest office, till date. At the time of independence, Zimbabwe had a substantial white population. Even though blacks made up more than 90% of the population, whites held more than 80% of the top authoritarian posts and 70% of the country's commercially viable and highly fertile land. Mugabe earned a lot of black support, post independence, when he promised to redistribute the land amongst the majority race. This plan failed to materialize for almost two decades, until in 1999 when a rising unrest against Mugabe's regime forced him to take up the issue of land redistribution seriously. This was the beginning of Zimbabwe's decline. In 2000, Mugabe began to redistribute land to the blacks, adopting a compulsory land acquisition policy. The legality and legitimacy of this policy has time and again been challenged in the High court and Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. And in spite of several court rulings, the law implementing agencies have seldom acted according to the rulings on these issues. This acquisition of the cultivable land, continuous droughts and void of inputs and financial aid. This led to diminishing agricultural exports, which was traditionally a leading sector of Zimbabwe's exports. This resulted in Zimbabwe experiencing a severe hard-currency shortage, which in turn led to a sharp rise in inflation and continuous shortages of imported oil, coal and consumer goods. In 2004-05, the Mugabe regime initiated "Operation Murambatsvina", a purposeful effort to bring down the illegal markets and slums that had sprung up, mostly in towns and cities. This action was widely criticized by the opposition and international human rights bodies, who alleged that, this drive left a significant section of urban poor, homeless. The Zimbabwe government countered this allegation by describing it as an attempt to provide decent housing to the poor, although they failed to deliver any new dwelling to those who were forcibly evicted. Allegations of rampant rigging during a general election and the above mentioned operation led to Zimbabwe being suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations on charges of human rights abuses during the land redistribution and creating a non-democratic environment.Zimbabwe is currently facing deep economic and food crisis, described by UN observers as one of the worst since its independence. It has been widely attributed to the government's price control policies and land confiscations, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and a persistent drought engulfing the region have also made matters worse. Life expectancy has dramatically declined since the 1990s, for males, it has dropped from 60 to 37, and for females is even lower at 34 years which happens to be the lowest in the world. Consequently, the infant mortality rate has mounted from 53 to 81 deaths per 1,000 live births. According to an estimate, currently there about 1.8 million HIV +ve Zimbabweans.

http://www.financialjesus.com/interesting-economics/top-10-poorest-countries-in-the-world-2010/
Here is a link about some of these countries. Wow. In our little worlds we are so off base with what is reality..Lord God help me to be more sensitive to the plights of these your children.

Tucson Arizona and new beginnings.....

I needed some change. I needed a new perspective.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you know is not normal for your own character. I am going to be completely frank since this is my journal of my journey.....But in the last few months I have been disappointed, surprised and a little offended by my own actions and attitudes.
I am so glad to be in a new place to make new choices that will greatly impact my life.

I think that I went through some of these recent circumstances so that I could better relate to others and their struggles....

I will be even more honest.....The other night I was talking with one of my girls and she really poured her heart out and shared some things in her life that were really hard.....but God gave me the unique opportunity of telling her about experiences in my past. Just by letting her know that I had experienced certain things like she had...it helped to break down those walls.
Although those experiences that happen to me as a young girl were very hard..I was grateful in that moment that my sharing was actually bringing her closer to God. I pray that God will take these circumstances that I recently went through...that he would use these....to help others...and help me be more FOCUSED on the right things and ON GOD!

Lord forgive me of my sins. Forgive me of my foolishness. Forgive me for not always fixing my eyes on you.

My heart has a way to go.....but I think I am in a better place now......

I am so excited for this new job and experience. Be with Christopher. Be with Jason.

Prayer. Help us to find a home. Help us to find the right school for Christopher. Help us to find a vibrant church.
Until later.............................

30 hour famine

Tonight at 5pm Brian and I are not consuming food in order to raise awareness and money for WORLD HUNGER.
Did you know that there are 2.2 Billion children on our planet Earth and 1 Billion of them live in poverty.
Every day 22,000 children die from poverty, famine and water borne diseases.

My plan to take action is this: I will calculate the cost of each meal that I will miss over the next 30 hours an donate that specific amount to WORLD VISION.

Tonight, I donated 25 dollars because I calculated that it cost my family 24.81 dollars to eat a spaghetti dinner including bread, salad, drinks, and a fruit salad.

On the gift catalog I was able to purchase a Garden Kit for orphans including seeds, tools, and training for them to utilize.

We are in the process of packing up our house and moving to Tucson Arizona. Brian and I are going to complete the remainder of the quest once we have established our new residence and job there.

Prayers:
Pray for Sunny Glen Children's home- as they are in turbulent state- protect the children. purify this place. bring the specific people into this ministry that you know will be able to honor you and bring you glory through the work ther do.

Pray for a safe move to Tucson

Pray for a new home...that we will quickly find housing.
Pray for Christopher- that we will find him a great school to attend in Tucson. Protect his beautiful heart.

Praise:
Thank you for wonderful friends that we have found in Brian and Iesha Latham. We are so excited to be joining such a great ministry with them. As we live and serve alongside one another, may we continue to grow in our faith.
Use us to minister to others and encourage one another. Protect Micah and their unborn child. Bless them mightily and thank you for their faith and friendship..such a blessing!
Thank you for our new job at Gap ministries. Thank you for your provisions.
Thank you for the great weather these past few days.
Thank you for my wonderful son and superb husband.

There was a nice cold front that went through South Texas and the last three nights have been amazing. I have been trying to run more. I figured out that running the perimeter of Sunny Glen is exactly one mile long. I take my IPOD with me and crank up the HillSong music. Tonight I was running in the dark and I just had to raise my hand and praise the LORD while still running. I felt like I could run forever.

It was really nice just to have a moment alone with God. Thank you God for spending those moments with me and helping me along. I long to be in your arms and in your presence.

Genocide and chocolate cake!

I just finished watching Hotel Rwanda with my good friend Brian and my husband Jason. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKXHK74qLdg&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un0fx6LHA2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYwuXvA589A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGx-xU6TnU8&NR=1

Afterwards, Brian and I were discussing how we are responsible to act after being brought to light on how people all over the world are suffering.................

Are you familiar with words like ETHNIC CLEANSING and GENOCIDE?
In the movie a reporter tells Paul, the hotel manager, after sending a video clip of genocide happening before his very eyes: They(the rest of the world) will turn on their TVs and see this video....they will pause and make a comment like oh,aw,wow....and then return to their evening meal.
I just finished watching this movie and now I am sitting here on my computer while eating mouthwatering chocolate cake that jason bought me.....WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH ME?

Sometimes I wonder how we can all exist in a world where on one side of the world is dying from starvation and experiencing genocide while on the other side of the world people are eating chocolate cake!

Lord God may your kingdom come! I don't want to live in a world were CHOCOLATE CAKE AND GENOCIDE exists together.

Lord help me to grow in my faith, so that I may share the good news with all that will hear. Lord give me eyes to see the needs of those around me everyday and also those on the other side of the world.....LORD give me courage and bravery to stand up for injustice and give me ways to help end poverty....in small and LARGE ways.

I am very much enjoying this 6weeks quest with BRIAN. I love drawing attention to some really hard material......but I want to take more action.

Sometime this week Brian and I are going to walk a mile with an empty bucket, fill up that bucket and walk a mile back......because did you know that contaminated water kills a child every 15 seconds......many people are over a mile from any source of water and even that water is ridden with parasites and used as a toilet, washing machine, and bathing pool.

I NEED TO WAKE UP to the needs of those around me. HELP me Lord. BREAK MY HEART FOR WHAT BREAKS YOURS.

"You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no results."
Gandhi

This six week quest we are doing is so great for me. To take my attention off of my own life and focus on the world.
30,000 children die every day from hunger. It is a big number. And it is hard to wrap my head around the fact that that number ACTUALLY represent such a devastating fact


Here’s how I have ministered to the poor with my:
Head: Reading books like HOLE IN THE GOSPEL to really understand the facts of POVERTY
Heart: Praying!
Hands: I was a midwife if the Philippines helping bring babies into the world at a charity birthing center. I was a pre-med student who went to Africa and fell in love with children, holding them one by one in the orphanages.
Feet: Going to places of need: I distinctly remember walking through the slums of Nairobi with a new African friend, seeing the sewage overflowing in the streets and children playing soccer with rolled up plastic bags tied with string. My feet have taken me to Mexico, Philippines, Uganda, Rwanda,Burundi, Tanzania, Border of Texas.......to experience something my heart never lets me forget....

Here’s how I could minister to the poor in the FUTURE with my:
Head: Do more research to find out more about AIDS, POVERTY,FAMINE, learn more about each country and the people and cultures that are in each one.
Heart: Spend more earnest time in prayer. Be passionate and intentional about doing something to make a difference for all these little children. TAKE ACTION...use all that is in my heart and out it into tangible acts of love.
Hands: Give more of my money to these organizations. Find creative ways to raise money and awareness like running a marathon
Feet: Go! I want to go to MEXICO more. I want to take my family to Africa. I want to go to SOUTHEAST ASIA. I want to go to the APPALACHIAN mountians. I want my feet to find themselves in places of significance. I want to be unsettled in my thinking. I want to be uneasy to the point of having to take action. I want to expose my heart, my feet, my body, my family to the reality of this world's situation....the devastation of famine and poverty...but also be a LIGHT....
LORD GOD I am only here for a time...please help me to do work of significance.
I love this challenge.....I want to be saturated with this type of information and reality so that I cannot be complacent.

One of my favorite songs is ALBERTINE and she talks about this moment in life where her world changed...and she knew that she would never be the same...she couldnt forget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGx-xU6TnU8

OKAY now for confession time:

On Sunday, our intern came and did an inspection of our house. She immediately went to the refrigerator. For CPS regulations, we have to label all food with date and time opened and expiration dates. Some of the items that was open from the morning, such as a package of sausage and cheese were unlabeled, so she made me throw them away. Then therafter I went through the other refridgerator, and threw away left overs that I know my girls will not eat.....EVERYTIME I threw another piece of food in the trash I felt awful, uneasy, disgusted with myself.....tonight my husband made me macaroni and cheese and he didnt finish his...i couldnt let it sit there...because I couldnt come to terms with having to throw it out. I saw a picture in my head of a little boy with a swollen belly just looking at me......asking the question: how come you have so much leftover, and I have not had a meal in 2 weeks? I am struggling with these questions and issues. LORD I need to be a better steward of my money. I need to be more mindful of what is need and what is want. I need to THANK GOD everytime a piece of food touches my mouth or everytime I get the chance to drink a cold glass of NONPARASITIC water.

So in this challenge, I want to be changed. I want to change the way I do things. I want to change the way I see things. I want to INTENTIONAL and MINDFUL that they things I do here in NORTH AMERICA can impact people in AFRICA. I want to remind myself that the experiences I have, all the priveleges I get are not, what the rest of the world experiences. I am blessed.

GOD why did you take me from being the 8th child of a Mexican woman who could not buy her youngest milk(me) to being an American citizen with a great family, a job, and a roof over my head. I know it is not something that happened by accident.

Humble me more Lord and teach me how to love and give to your children more.

Lonestar - amazed

Babe, remember dancing to this song at prom my junior year. In that single moment, I knew no matter what happened in life, I was going to spend the rest of it with you.

"Bless The Broken Road" - Rascal Flatts Official Music Video

What is a FOREVER ROAD?

The forever road is the road you travel on with that one person in this universe God created you to share life with. The forever road is that road you travel on that takes you down though valleys and up to glorious mountain views. The forever road is a road that is filled with pot holes and romantic scenic winding roads. The forever road is that road that keeps going and never ends. The forever road is the road that sometime takes you through detours and passes you through quaint little towns with stop lights at every corner. The forever road is the road that take you through gleamering skyscrapers and over spaghetti bowl bridged highways.

The forever road is a journey that you take with the one person you love more than yourself. The forever road is a road that winds and weaves and leads to many adventures. The forever road is a road that takes you to new places and returns you home to those places where your heart becomes alive. The forever road is an amazing path that you take with the one that keeps you going, holds your hand, and sometimes even carries you because the hike is a little too arduous.
The forever road a beautiful journey that God has blessed me to walk, run, and skip with my beloved Jason Michael Alan Molander.
Many things change in life: where you live, where you work, where you play, where you worship........but I am grateful that I get to walk through life with someone.
Sometimes I am having an absolutely AWFUL, STRESSFUL day but I see him out of the corner of my eye, and I find peace because I know it will be alright...because I am not alone and I am sharing this moment with him.
Sometimes I am having the most glorious day and I feel like I am just going to burst with love and joy....I think that no one can ever grasp what I am feeling and thinking...because it is so sacred, so holy, so beautiful, so amazing, and then again I see him out of the corner of my eye, and I get that look from him....saying" I know honey, it is wonderful. "

Then I get those intimate moments with him, those moments when we are the only two people in the world.............and we are lost in each others glance, or in each others touch or embrace.
God that is a glorious feeling.

Thank you Jesus for 12 years of walking this forever road with my best friend. Thank you for 7 years of marriage. Thank you for 6 years being parents to our beautiful son. Thank you for every journey you take me on.......not because of the journey but becuase of the companion you have blessed me with to walk with and share these moments with.

As we continue on the next journey, maybe a new city and new ministry, Lord God I trust in you because I know that as long as I have Jason by my side I have nothing to fear, regret, or wonder.

Lord God, I have experienced your unconditional love through this man, Jason, this beautiful man, and I am in awe.

Help me to honor him. Thank you for all his love. Thank you for all that he does for me. That you for his selflessness. Thank you for how great a father he is. Thank you that he truly loves me and treasures my heart. Thank you for his constant protection. Thank you for showing me grace, by giving me such an amazing husband.

Here's to us babe...all the adventures, places, ministries, people that we will meet and experience together....I love this forever road we are on...............................thank you for holding me hand and walking with me so patiently and so lovingly.

Always and Forever yours, Krissy

Listen to the video I posted for you, love.

The challenge continues....

And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10

The dictionary defines "to spend" which is a verb, which requires action: is
1. To use up or put out; expend:
2. To pay out (money).
3. To wear out; exhaust:
4. To pass (time) in a specified manner or place:

I want to be known at the end of my life as having spent, used up,paid out, wore out, exhausted all of myself for the sake of others, especially those who need to be shown in a REAL TANGIBLE WAY the love of our FATHER.

I am very much enjoying and being inspired by this 42 day quest. I want to be intentional about reaching out and helping. My friend Brian and I are PASSIONATELY PURSUING this challenge.....please read his blog as well http://firefighter762.wordpress.com/. It is amazing to see his heart, how already he is being refined and molded, so that he can better serve His GOD and love HIS children. Thank you for showing your heart Brian and having GOD'S eyes.
.
Day 5 and 6 really challenges those types of motives and intentions. Yesterday, Brian and I read about the HUNGER. Every three seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.
We were asked if there was time we remember being hungry. I have had that rumbling feeling in my stomach but never to such a degree as many in the world experience. So how do I contemplate something I have no real reference to. Brian and I decided that we are going to do WORLD VISIONS 30 HOUR FAMINE. We are going to do them in a few short weeks. We wanted to make the biggest impact possiblt so we will be trying to recruit supporters to donate to WORLD VISION or another honorable organization like Samaritan's purse, Compassion, your local church, a church plant or anywhere that is mindful of the immediate and REAL needs of people.
We will be updating our blog and posting on facebook when we are going to actually do this day of famine. Our goal date is September 30th.
We hope to encourage people to donate and also participate with us in this task.

Day 6, which is today, challenges us to donate money to buy a chicken.

http://www.donate.worldvision.org/ You donate enought money for a whole farm if you would like or are able.

There is a great catalog of things that you can buy. Please take time to look through and donate if you are able.

Today was an amazing day. I cannot be too specific because of the particular subject manner, but I am so thankful to God for His great provisions. I feel that He is SPOILING me..but for a specific reason to carry me through to the next task. I CAN SEE YOUR JESUS and you are BEAUTIFUL...I am in awe.

Praise: I am thankful for three wonderful foster daughters and 4 foster grandkids. I am thankful for wonderful friends. I am thankful for great talks with dear friends. I m thankful for such an amazing son and husband. I am so BLESSED. I am thankful that He is walking and leading me. I am so excited and grateful for what is next to come. I pray that I will touch their lives and grow evermore in my faith.

I promise there is much more blogging to come...because there is so much more life to enjoy...there is so much more faith to live out....there is so much more joy to experience...there is so much more love to give...there is so much more adventure to have....there is so much more EVERYTHING...and I am so excited to see what MORE THERE is......

Let me live a life of abundant love so that I can give to others a similar love that flows from a fathers sincere heart!

Your daughter, Krissy
Stay tuned ....because some amazing things are about to happen................I will share as things are more revealed...................

Day Three and Day Four: THE QUEST....

Our foster daughter had her baby at 9:34pm by C-section on Monday night. I was able to be with her. The second we heard baby Z we both started crying. She is now home with us. As I write this he is sitting in my lap snoozing. He is so precious.

Day Three: If you could only pack five items to live off of, what would you pack. Would you carry with you something sentimental or practical?
My five items:
1. a sweater or blanket
2. My bible
3. a knife or something to protect me
4. water (something to hold my water)
5. a snack (something to hold food in)

Day Four: How rich am I?
Last year I made 22 dollars an hour as a practical nurse. Full time I was making more than Jason and I make currently in this ministry. But even when I calculate my salary I am in the top 11 percent of richest people in the world. My husband and I's salary together and we are in the top 3.75 percent.
In my previous job, my salary alone would put me in the top 1.72 percent and with Jason's salary added to it we would be in the top 0.91 percent.
This is very humbling

If you would like to figure out your own status go to this link http://www.globalrichlist.com/

Well as I continue in this quest I ask you Lord to challenge me and help me to grow as you desire. I pray that you will shift the focus off of things that I do not need to worry about and focus on the eternally significant. Also I pray that you will help me to be more mindful of others needs around me.

Thank you Lord for this study and this adventure.

Your daughter, Krissy

Day two: Without Water....but not hope!

I was so encouraged today because I had the opportunity to go to a very faith filled church service today!

The question that the pastor proposed today was this: Will you position yourself in the world in such a way that you are effecting the eternal destination of specific people's lives???

He made the stark illustration that when a person becomes a Christian, they are super zealous. But as they grow in their FAITH they start to insulate themself into a sort of HOLY HUDDLE. They wake up to the latest casting crowns song, followed by meeting their Christian friends at the local coffee shop, followed by going to church 5 nights a week for some sort of service......

It is so important for Christians do not do this....We are to shine the LIGHT OF JESUS to the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgDYMc76AYs Please watch this video!

God I ask that you challlenge me to be more intentional about reaching out to people in my life that may not know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

SO today Brian and I completed the day two challenge of the six week quest.

We both took our last sip of water at 4am and fasted from water until 7om this evening. I was very parched. It was 95 degrees with 100 percent humidity today. But overall, it was quite easy to complete the task. I think the main reason was because it was easy to abstain from something for a short amount of time knowing that after that set time...I again to INDULGE myself in that.
Brian and I debriefed tonight over our expereince and something kept coming back to me.
It wasnt that much of a sacrifice. I brushed my teeth with water. I didnt swallow the water but I still the amazing privileged to brush my teeth with non parasitic water. I took a shower...a regular hot shower. It was not a bucket shower. Jason did a load of my laundry today as well. WOW...I am just cheating...I didnt really even make the sacrifice. I wasnt suffering.

Here are some devastating facts. Every 21 seconds a precious child dies from a water related disease. That is most often times DIARRHEA. My friend's son has diarrhea right now...maybe just a little bug....but we would never imagine or expect him to die from it. This is the case to millions of people around the world.
1.1 billion people in our world do not have access to clean water.....how devastating. One thing this does for me.....makes me hit myself for making my stupid little problems take up my thought life....I should be spending my time figuring out solutions on how to save some lives.

So now as I sit here LORD contemplating the RIGHT things LORD...my eyes fixed heavenward....by the way thank you for acknowledging such a strange creature.....I want to really come up with some things of ACTION.
I pray that doing this six week quest with Brian that I will strengthen my faith, I will encourage others to make a difference, and I will strive to bring as many people as I can into the loving knowledge of JESUS!

PRAISE: My daughters were really excited to hear about the challenge I was doing and wanted me to tell them more. The relief housedad takled with me quite a while about God and life. My home is thriving..I am in love with each child in my home. I have a great friend in Brian. Jason and I are blessed by our friendship with the Lathams. We are being taken care of job wise. God is providing for us during uncertain times.

PRAYER: In the next few days, I am going to be making some drastic decisions about our lives. Lord please help us make the right decisions for the right reasons. I want to be in Your Will. Nothing else!

Tonight Brian and I started the first day of 42 days of the HOLE IN THE GOSPEL Quest!

Question: IS your Jesus God-size or travel-size??

My answer to this question was two fold. I feel God in my life. I feel that He like my best friend..we have conversations and fellowship together.

But also when I am out in nature, I am in awe. I am amazed. Christopher and I went to an aquarium last month and I was astounded by all the diversity.

Tomorrow we will accept the challenge of going 12 hours with no water.

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/learn/ways-we-help-water

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=GJubQzKYMGg

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=_fLuQUtiaoQ

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=77Mv8pauMKc

Walking in faith: THE CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!!!!

The first few words of the back cover instantly captivated me.

What does God expect of ys? Is our faith just about going to church, studying the Bible and avoiding the most serious sins- or does God expect more? Have we embraced the whole gospel or a gospel with a hole in it?

The book is The HOLE IS OUR GOSPEL...written by CEO of World Vision Richard Stearn.

My friend Derik bought this book and bible study for me while at the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Church in Chicago IL.

This study is not just an intraspective look at faith. It is a CHALLENGE to expand personal faith and translate that into how we relate to the poor.

For the next 42 days or so, I will be walking through this study with a dear friend of mine Brian. For the past month and a half, we have been working out and walking and talking. It has been very great to be encouraged by his faith and be challenge by his physical abilities. But we were talking about how we wanted to take the opportunity to use that time to HONOR God even more.

Our job requires a lot of us and sometimes it creates a sense of self-consumption. Jason and I have been enjoying our time at Sunny Glen, but also these are tumultuous, refining times for this place. We are suffering sometimes. I started to get consumed with the daily tasks of working in a children's home. My focus was started to shift in wrong directions, I was feeling fatigued and discouraged. It really bothered me because I knew that my little trial was so small compared to the real sufferings and challenges of those that live in physical and SPIRITUAL poverty everyday all over the world. I was really convicted and needed to wake myself up....and get my eyes checked!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided that the only way to see change was to change my attitude. In order to change my attitude I need to shift focus onto something greater and more important than myself.

I have always been very interested in POVERTY AND JUSTICE issues. I have seen a lot of suffering in the world like heartbreaking disease and famine.........

SO I will be writing and reflecting on this blog for the next 42 so days....as I walk through this journey with my friend. We really hope to grow in our faith...and we really hope that we might understand more and become even more compassionate to the needs of others.

We pray that God would INTERUPT our lives and INVADE our heart.

I am very excited for this opportunity and would encourage anyone who has a great Christian friend to join with them and proceed to complete this STUDY. It will be a great experience to share with someone else. I am fortunate to have a friend whom I share life with to walk through this journey with me. God please open our hearts and minds to the specific things you want to teach us. May this be more than just a Bible study....but a life changing experience.

Here is an excerpt from the introduction of the HOLE IN THE GOSPEL:

" We are carriers of the gospel- the good news that was meant to change the world. Belief is not enough. Worship is not enough. Personal moralities is not enough. ...God has always demanded more. ...When we commited ourselves to following Christ, we also committed to living lives in such a way that a watching world would catch a glimpse of God character- his mercy, his love, his justice."

LIVING OUT OUR FAITH PRIVATELY WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE AN OPTION!!!!

CHRIST HAS NO BODY ON EARTH BUT YOUR, No hands but yours, no feet but yours, yours are the eyes which CHRIST's compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with whish He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.
Saint Teresa of Avila

HERE's to the journey...................................................................................Thank you Brian for agreeing to walk through this with me. I know that it will be encouraging to us...and it will strengthen our faith and God will greatly bless our individual families if we are obedient to this challenge......Jason Christopher and I thank God for you, Iesha, and Micah DAILY...We thank God that we are at SUNNYGLEN with YALL and know that God has great plans for each of our families!!!!!!!!You are great friends to us! Thank you for the work you and your family are doing IN CHRIST! Be Blessed.

Learning to Praise God even when you are hemmed in with troubles!!!!!!

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

I thank you God that I opened my Bible today and found these verses. God I believe that you have already marked out a path for me. You are daily walking me into eternity.
I praise you Lord that you are with me...even when the path is unsteady.

Lord I am going to WAIT for you in alert expectancy. I know something is happening in my life. It is very powerful. You are require much faith from me. Lord am I able to stand strong. Job went through much pain and suffering and God was near him...even when his mind was searching for answers and he was going to his friends to be counseled and find wisdom...all those things failed him until he was really ready to RECIEVE the word from God that God had in his life in his hand. Can I have that faith? Can I pass the test? I pray that I will be faithful to you. I pray that I will let your WORD, your VOICE be like a loud thunderstorm, making all other noise fade away.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. (Romans 12:1-2 Message)

Remind me Lord that you have given me this day to live it out for you. I might just be doing laundry...but let me do it for you. Because if I do that in the simple tasks of life, I do believe that you will reward me by giving me greater tasks, kingdom tasks.....like telling children about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!!!Amen!

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Romans 12:9-21)

These passages are great personal challenges.

In regards to love. Many new people have come into my life in the past few months, friends and children. In these verses, it says to LOVE COMPLETELY....I was talking with one of my daughters today about loving others....a quote that I always remember is this: You NEVER lose by LOVING you always lose by HOLDING back. When you open your heart to someone there is such great potential to experience so many AMAZING blessings. To be connected to someone else is such an intense and emotional and raw way....it really wonderful. I have opened my heart to many people in the past few months. But because I loved so vulnerably.....it hurt when they left my life. For instance, one of my little foster daughters was taken away from me, from our home, the other day. It was so sudden.....and it hurt so much......But then I thought to myself.....is the pain not worth it.....should I have loved her and cared for her less....ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!She lit up my life for even that short amount of time. I will never forget her and I adored her so much. I was able to give her TRUE love. I was able to give of myself selflessly. Thank you Jesus for all those people you are bringing into my life and helping to teach me that it is okay to LOVE THEM COMPLETELY......that the pain will subside....and it is worth being vulnerable to experience such deep love.....I love all my friends and all my children. Thank you Jesus!

Now let's talk about the ENEMY thing:
I've never thought I had an enemy per say in my life.....well I do acknowledge that there is a small little devilish being on earth that wants to destroy us and keep us from knowing God's love for us......but recently I have felt attacked by people and external circumstances.

So I want to take the advise of these verses.....it is not worth my thoughts. It is not worth my mental health. It is not worth my physical well being. I refuse to let anyone drag me down. I proclaim that God has a great plan for my life, for my family and I will not let anythings distract me from PASSIONATELY PURSUING HIS WILL FOR MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y

Well, I wish I had profound words to say about the last few days and its unravelings.......but unfortunately I do not.

My heart is heavy. My eyes are a little red still. And my emotions are everywhere.

I am thankful for those wonderful people in my life that God has placed in my life during this season.
I love all the houseparents at our job. We make this place a family.
I am thankful for a new very dear friend that has come into my life. He is like a refreshing breeze on a saultry day! I could say more but I won't. I am just thankful for him and our time together. It is good to have a friend who helps keep your eyes focused on the LORD!

My grandfather died last week. I am in Iowa celebrating his life and legacy while also grieving his loss.....his absence. He always made me laugh and was the first man to ever love me unconditionally.( my husband being the second)

I am thankful for my children. I am so proud of Christopher and the little being he is becoming. I love my kiddos at SGCH. WE are becoming a family more and more everyday. I think of them all the time....being away from them seems unnatural.

My dear friends are going through a horrible experience. I am praying for them that they will not take their eyes off the LORD for a second. Life is being really awful to them.

God is teaching me a lot. He is stretching my heart and teaching me how to tolerate pain, loss, and let down....while also blessing me with new and wonderful expereinces.

I really feel that I am in God's will. I am thankful that I am able to walk with Him. I feel His presence in my life. I hear His whisper in my ear. I can look into His eyes and feel at peace even when there is chaos around me.

Lord, answer your servant......what do you desire me to do in my next breath, tomorrow, next week......
I honestly do not have any fears about my life...the only fear I would hold is to not be in your will.

I desire you to look at me Jesus and say:
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

I love you Lord....help me Lord....help me to speak words of encouragement....help me to be transparent...

Lord God, can you heal that part of my heart that is currently a little broken and bleeding.....I know my mistakes Lord.....but help me to grow from these situations. Someone hurt me deeply whom I never thought could or had the capacity to do. But I lean on you more because of this.


Lord forgive me of my sins. Help me to become more righteous and faithful to you.

Here s to whatever you have next for me. I love you I love you I love you.
Your daughter, Krissy

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax,and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.


After reading this, I am inspired! I pray that I can be adored by my children and my husband. I pray that the way that I care for them blesses their lives and that I make a difference in their daily lives.
We moved down to Texas the day after school got out, and tonight is the last night of summer. We spent all summer down here at Sunny Glen. We have had our challenges and adjustments, but overall we are so excited that we are here in this place.
I thank God that he has brought us here. My husband Jason is so amazing. He is such a blessing to me. He is so patient. He is so loving. Watching him and working side by side with him is such a wonderful gift. Also I love that we are here a a family. Sometimes this is hard and challenging because we sacrifice personal family time for the job, but also we are always together as a family. We are growing together. Christopher amazes me. He talks about God and everything with such maturity and confidence. Thank you Jesus for all that you are doing in his little life. He has such an amazing spirit. He loves you. He told me he loves you more than anyone in the world. That is beautiful! Protect him and help us to be able to give him all the time and attention he needs to grow into the amazing child, adult, and disciple.

Praise You In This Storm w/ Lyrics!!

I dedicate this song to the experiences I am currently living. Hurricanes tornades earthquakes rip through our lives.....these physical storms destroy houses....but also emotional and spiritual storms rip through our lives as well.......

It is our decision if while it is still RAINING....if we look up and still praise our SAVIOR!

The first time I heard this song a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer. I felt it was God asking me if was faith was STRONG even in the midst of this news.

This past week.....Jason and I have been greatly challenged. Our new job....has stretched us and our kids have tested us.....I cannot be specific...but I am really thankful this time ....it is amazing how CLOSE I feel to God right now!

Many times this week...I felt as if God should just intervene...get me out of this miserable situation....

But isnt it more amazing that He allowed me to go through it and (although not completely out of it) meets me on the other side telling me AGAIN.....I am with you...I never let go of you...I was carrying you...I was bearing more of it than you realized......when YOU KRISSY didnt have the strength...I (God) was there!- God says to me. I feel that and IT IS THE MOST AMAZING FAITH BUILDING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.

I completely trust that whenever I fall..God will be there to pick me up...I have learned that I do not have to depend on my own talents....strength...because I am insufficient...especially for KINGDOM work.

I have learned that when God sets your path before you...you are going to enter into an unknown territory...a land where you are not in control...and oh how good that is...it is scary at times....but I look at it like this....wouldnt you rather an experience pilot fly you home.....to your family...than someone who just have a few runs at a computer flight simulator program....I sure would!

I also thank God for the reminder that I DO WANT THIS LIFE..this new ministry and job! I was really sick of being complacent...settled....lazy....I want to be challenged and being a part of children's lives everyday....knowing that I may eventually have the opportunity to make eternal impacts.

I could take more naps...I could spend more time with my son (only).....I could make more money....I could be consumed with only my life and my family....I could not take risks....BUT what would I miss out on....that GOD has planned for me......more than I am willing to miss out on! I want to follow Him as long as I can.

Prayer: I pray that you will protect our family as we walk through this storm. I pray that you would be with SGCH as they experience a lot of growing pains. You know my concerns....but Lord I do surrender all to you....because everything I have and am belongs to you......even my family...even my years of schooling and licenses....YOU paid a great price for me...and I will forever honor you with my life!

Praise: Christopher told me the other day "Mom, I have always known Jesus. Even when I was a baby I remember seeing his face."