*Friday Update* on Kidney Transplant (Kristin & Joseph) July 31, 2008

My hands are shaking i’m so excited! God is so incredibly awesome! Wait till you hear this…

I just spoke with Kristin on the phone and she told me that everything went better than better. His body accepted the kidney right away and it started working. Not only that but Kristin said she thinks he’s doing better than even she is. “smile” So well that he’s escaped having to be in the ICU and they’ve cut his estimated hospital stay in half! Both of them are really doing well. Kristin said that she’s sore at the moment but all is great! She sounded wonderful!

I’m so overcome with happiness i am certain this smile is gonna crack my face in half. I appreciate your prayers for them more than you’ll ever know. I think it’s just like the Lord to connect all of us (you my readers & me) together. Here’s my verse for us all:

Psalm 84:11- No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Let’s all just give a huge shout out to the Almighty once again -he answers precious prayers! I’m planning on seeing Kristin over the next day or so. Anyone wanting to leave any support notes may do so in my comments section and i’ll get them up there to Kristin & Joseph.

Yoga Poses Samuel Style July 30, 2008

     I’ve been working on my speaking book- slowly, but surely. I have had to chose a story out of several options to practice telling… out loud. Of the options, I selected the story of Hannah & Samuel. Because of that i’ve been reading over this story and seeing what the Lord wants to teach me or speak to me about through it. I’d like to share with you some thoughts…

     Let’s talk about Hannah. A woman who had no luck with getting pregnant and was deeply sorrowed by this. So deeply that Eli heard her crying bitterly as she prayed and thought she was drunk! Her plea to the Lord was “If you see my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son I will G-I-V-E  him back to you.” Let’s ponder that. Remember the day you held your child for the first time, looked into their eyes and learned a new kind of love? Now imagine that before you ever saw them you would commit their entire life- the good years, the lost years, maybe some more lost years- to the God of the Universe.  Hannah explained to Eli that she was crying out in great anguish and sorrow. Eli told her, ”Go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of Him.” Hannah left and she was no longer sad. Later, Hannah gave birth to a baby boy, Samuel. Hannah waited until the the baby was weaned (somewhere between birth to five years) then she took him to the Tabernacle. Her words were “… and leave him there with the Lord permanently.” Notice that word PERMANENTLY. As in you can’t change your mind, come back, and take him home in a day or two.  

     After delivering young Samuel to Eli at the Tabernacle Hannah prays a prayer of Praise to the Lord. Rejoicing in the Lord! This was an act of exercising her faith. Think it’s difficult to praise the Lord if you have fully surrendered your child to Him? I imagine if i dropped my child off i’d be thinking of the myriad of things that Eli would need to know and then after leaving i’d be heart broken, lost, who knows what else. Instead precious Hannah praises the Lord for the gift and trusts Him to care for her son. 

     Samuel learned to serve the Lord by helping Eli. One night while Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle the Lord called out to him by name. Samuel kept going to Eli every time he heard his name until finally Eli realizes it’s the Lord calling Samuel. Then he tells Samuel to say, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” Now i’m imagining Samuel being about 8-10 years old when this is happening. How incredible is that! I wish i could have heard the Lord speaking to me then. Samuel hears a message the Lord gives to him and then the Lord uses Samuel to speak to Eli.

     A mother gives up what she wants the most, what she loves the most to the Lord for his purposes, complete care, and desires. I’m sure we all have a “Samuel” or three or four in our lives that we ought to give over to the Lord. Something we want(ed) so desperately like Hannah. In this case, I relinquish my heart, my thoughts, all my desires, my days, my writing, my speaking, and my need for control. I’m making no plans to come back and take over. I’m exercising my faith. Call this yoga pose ”Listening Ear.” Imagine the possibilities if we gave up our Samuel’s to God and watched what He does with them all. How much greater the return! In the notes of this awesome new bible i bought it says this: Learning to discern the direction of the Lord requires a humble desire to be led, a willingness to be corrected and repent, and a growing sensitivity to His “voice.” Cool huh?!

     Now let me see if i can get my leg pulled back around from behind my neck. “Ummm guys… I’m stuck…. HELP! What a minutes maybe if i can unstick my finger from the keyboard keys i can get loose.”

Not what i expected at all- “A Cardboard Testimony” July 29, 2008

My eyes are welled up with tears over this video. I’m not sure what to say except you have to see this for yourself. What an incrediblly awesome and powerful way to share what God has done for us all!

If you don’t watch this i promise you’ll be sorry. Thank you “Blessed” for putting this up on your blog where i got to see it.

So what’s your cardboard testimony???

Big Request July 28, 2008

Good Morning All!

I have a huge request to ask of you. Please, please, please take a moment to pray for a young woman named, Kristin and her fiance. On Wednesday, July 30 she will be giving the gift of extended healthy ”life” to her fiance by sharing a kidney with him via organ transplantation. If you’d like to leave a quick, short/ long, and appreciated note of encouragement to them please do so under this post in the comments area.

This precious girl works at the dermatology office i go to and i’ve had the pleasure of the Lord crossing our paths with purpose. I’m excited to have the opportunity to pray for them and see how the Lord is at work in their lives even before they have come to know Him personally. I believe the Lord is increasing their testimony through this adventure and sacrifice. I pray to be able to watch it all unfold bit by bit.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement for them!! You may continue to comment to this post until the middle of next week (August 6th) because i’m sure they’ll both still be at the hospital until at least then. So in case you miss this post for a few days, you can still add a note and i’ll wait to print it for them until then. 

PS- I only posted this up yesterday and sent out the e-mail last night. I’m so greatful for your response in love and support to them. My eyes are just filled with tears of happiness!! You all are the best crew of readers i could ever ask for!

I’ve been tagged by Threshold Moments Ya’ll! July 28, 2008

Well, I’ve been tagged by my girlfriend Starr over at Threshold Moments! Here’s what i’ve got to do- Tell you six random things about me then go tag someone else! Here we go…

Here are the six random things about me, Heather- “the Mouth behind the Moose”:

1) I’m obsessed with to-do lists in a bad, bad way. I make to-do lists for to-do lists. I make my hubby check off the things on his to-do lists. I’m trying to overcome this with the Lord’s help. Hopefully, He’ll deliver me soon!

2) I am a great napper! I have created something called “Family Nap-time” of which my hubby, cats, and I do very often from 12-2.

3) My sin on Christ on the cross was probably the heaviest! Because of that i’m floored that He loves me still and would consider me to speak His words.

4) I always wanted to marry someone with red hair & freckles because I thought they made the cutest babies. God answered that prayer of marriage to my precious red/brown haired and very, very freckled love- Barry Gene.

5)  I won a blue ribbon in a (Redneck) Kite Contest when i was 14. My kite was the biggest, went the highest, and i’m sure was the ugliest. This was all my dad’s idea of course. We heard of the contest last minute. So in a half hour we managed to construct a LARGE kite out of cane poles, duct tape, and Hefty’s yard waste garbage bags. Then we dug out this HUGE roll of twine, as big around as my waist, and headed for the contest. Once we got it up there in the air next to all the fancy kites we laughed because we were convinced  it could have floated off into the milky way with as much twine as was on that roll. We laughed, won, and then strutted around town for the day with that blue ribbon. Now you know how i wound up with a pride issue later in life. “Smile” 

6) If i could have any house in the world of any kind it would be a wood framed home built between 1880-1925 with heart-pine floors, fireplaces, built-in’s, the original weighted doors in all rooms, hand poured plaster moldings, lots & lots of windows, and very heavily molded. I would also like it to have a creak in the floors. Obviously, you can tell that I have put a lot of thought into that! I am a firm believer that the skill and sweat equity put into this era of homes is mind boggling. The craftsmanship of the millwork gives me the chills. In my opinion this ought to be every designers dream come true.

Now your job is to visit the list below of dynamic blogs I am about to tag. Each of these blogs I am blessed by day-after-day. I’m confident you will be too! All you have to do to get to them is click on their blog names and it’ll open them up in a new window!

1.  Starr @ Threshold Moments- Starr became one of my bloggy friends from the She Speaks Conference. I must say she is absolutely the cutest mom ever! I enjoy her immensely. Her posts are so precious!
2. Cheri @ Seven Branches – Cheri is also a lovely woman i met @ She Speaks. I had the pleasure of getting to sit with her at all our main sessions each day. I love her posts and have been quite moved by them and their thought provoking power. Prepare to be blessed!
3. Pamela (Mrs. Joe B) @ In His Graces – This is one awesome mom of many teenagers! I have gotten advice from her and smiled so many times during her posts as you see her humbleness. Scroll down her posts to read about her & the hubby’s adventures at Camp. They were leaders in cabins at a youth camp!
4. Lynn & Dineen @ Spiritually Unequal Marriage - This is the most visited blog by me! I love the discussions and the real life knowledge these two women share about being in a spiritually unequal marriage. It’s a tough to be in that situation but these women lay it all out there. Get ready for a blessing!!!!!
5. Leila @ Write From The Heart – First, i have to say that she has the most adorable grandbaby. An she’s got pics all over the site of her! Leila also hosts a bible study via bloggy world on Lysa Terkursts Book “What happens when women say yes to God!” Check her out!!

Happy Blog Surfing,

Heather

Weekend Fun @ Tarpon Springs, FL July 20, 2008

We hope that you all will enjoy this short slide show of our weekend! The parents and us went up to Tarpon Springs to the Greek Village where the sponge docks are- and of course the FOOD! It was a great time! Have a look at the village, boats, and sponges of course. Oh… and a fine redneck couple driving around in their version of the Redneck Yacht Club Mobile.

“Mommy! I see God!!” July 18, 2008

      These are the words Barry and I heard a three year old little boy announce to everyone in earshot at lunch today. The excitement in his little voice as he exclaimed to the entire section of starving customers that he SAW God stopped us all mid-chew and had us turning around to look where his little chubby fingers were pointing! It was at a picture on the wall of Christ looking up into the heavens in prayer.

      I couldn’t help but smile before i turned around because isn’t that the desire of all our hearts- To see Jesus day-after-day. Do we get as excited as this little boy at the sight of Lord in our days? No wonder the Lord wanted us to have childlike faith. Where we realize we are totally helpless without Him and eternally dependant on Him. We’d all wind up like that little blue-eyed boy. “Did… did ya see that! Did you see God?!”

     As the days go by, i’m striving to change what excites me. I want to become a little kid all over again. To learn to trust the Lord in all things and  be consciously seeking Him in all the moments of my days.  I want to just spend my days hanging out in the presence of the Lord no matter where i am physically.

     I believe the Lord used that little boy today to help me focus my desires. Because people are searching as evidenced by the heads turned to see where the boy SAW God. If people weren’t interested in finding Him or knowing Him why did they turn around? My next thought following the turn around was i wonder how many of those people at the other tables were lost people. How many of them need to meet Him? As we know there are a lot of lost people searching… how many of us are telling? We need to be equipped with scripture, able to hear the Lord, and prayed up for Him to speak through us to these searching ones. If we went to Wal-Mart Friday night about 6:30 PM stood down aisle 7 and yelled, “I SEE GOD!” equipped with His Word and prayed up… Who knows we might have a revival in the land!

Matthew 18:1-5 “… Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me.”

Time to convert to childlike ways! 

 

 

 

Gift to Self- “Discover God Study Bible Go Deeper” July 18, 2008

Don’t you love those kinds of gifts?!

I went out Sunday and bought myself the new Discover  God   Study  Bible. This one is the neater than any of the others i own. Not to mention it weights about 10lbs! That ought to be an indication of all the awesomeness in there for me to learn. This Bible has a built-in study in the front and then there are ton’s of footnotes and learning’s in the bottom of each page. The built-in study is like none i’ve ever seen before! It also has a Mac-Daddy concordance too! It’s in the New Living Translation for anyone interested.

I had gone out in search of an Amplified but didn’t like what i found and well I own all the other bibles i think.  I would highly recommend this study bible to anyone looking for a new one or for purchasing to give to a new believer. I’m really impressed with what i’ve enjoyed learning out of it so far. It’s easy to read and understand.

Here, have a peek into the sweet smelling pages…

Good To Great In God’s Eyes- The Series July 14, 2008

     I’ve been listening to something really incredible.  I had to share it with you all. It’s a series called “Good to Great in God’s Eye’s” By Chip Ingrim. I was directed to this by my prayer warrior Judi! <Thanks Judi!!!> You can print off the message notes too or listen to other teachings by him. But i promise you you will be blessed by what you hear.

Good To Great In God’s Eyes  <– Click there for getting straight to his on line messages.

The Series (In order):

• Think Great Thoughts
• Read Great Books
• Pursue Great People *awesome!
• Dream Great Dreams
• Pray Great Prayers
• Take Great Risks *awesome!
• Make Great Sacrifices *awesome!
• Enjoy Great Moments
• Empower Great People
• Develop Great Habits

     Honestly, they are all too great! Chip has a beautiful way of teaching that i find very encouraging and not condeming. In otherwords i feel like i can walk away and start practicing it immediately. You’ll be hooked if you hear them!

‘Moving My Feet’ July 14, 2008

     Since returning home from She Speaks I’ve been praying for the Lord to direct me as to the next steps to take. I admit I got busy at home and slacked off starting anything. I was in a sort of funk because I’m still questioning exactly who I’d be speaking too.

     I have kept asking, “Lord! If you have called me to speak & write I know you will speak through me to whomever. BUT… I’m wondering who the genre of people will be.”  I don’t want to figure it all out. Although i would like to practice. I have spoken several times in my life already, but never preparedto thoroughly teach a message and never thought about how what i’m saying ought to be geared towards the type of individual listening. I believe that God is a God of order & preparation. Where I am right now is a part of that preparation. I’m good at talking- maybe too good actually. Thinking about what i say before i say it is a whole other story.

     The other night i laid in my bed praying for this, that, and the other before trying to fall asleep. All  with my husband watching a very loud NASCAR race in the next room and yelling “Woo-Hoo.” Difficult, yes i know! <This is the perfect time to go in and ask him for anything because of course he’s not paying attention and will answer, “Yes, Love.”> I laid there in the bed just praying and started to fall asleep. Then these words started popping into my head and i could visualize myself talking about them. The words given to me were what i believe to be a foundation for which to structure a message the Lord wants to share around. I was so excited that now i had the lights on and my pen out scribbling down notes down on pieces of paper. I got so pumped that i could not fall asleep till about 2 AM.

     On Thursday I started to read my Art of Storytelling book and work on the first chapter in it. Very fun and challenging! I’m sure i’ll learn a lot from the pages of it over the next several months.

     God is just so cool! I think it’s so neat to know that He wants to give us those desires when we are fully submitted to Him- Like my asking for something, anything to help me step forward. Technically, the next time i ever speak before a group of people will be the first time I’ve spoken for Him knowing that this moment and more like it are what He created me to do. Part of what He planned for me 27 plus years ago and it took me all of those years to get broken, humbled, surrendered, over myself, and prepared for Him. Prepared for Him to raise me up into a woman that He can use to share a message and my testimony given by Him meant to touch the hearts of His people in only a way that He can. I’m humbled to be one of the many chosen for this calling. My hearts other desire is for everyone to know this same moment i’m totally loving. The moment when you have leapt from your boat into the Christ life. Where else do we find this unexplainable joy, happiness, peace, and purpose for all that we’ve experienced than when we get closer to the Lord and further away from ourselves?!

     In my mind, i’m picturing when i was pre-accident and could actually jump. I spent the summer of my 15 year old life at the county pool. I have always been somewhat fearless so diving 90MPH off the high dive and doing triple flips was the highlight of my days. I remember running down to the end of the board, throwing all my weight down, and  springing my body off the diving board out into the air where you felt like you were doing the impossible. Then you splash into the water laughing, climb outta the pool, and do it all over again because you can’t get enough of it! This is a picture of how i feel i am with the Lord right now. I’m running away from myself, throwing my weight onto his shoulders, and the letting Him thrust me forward into where He planned all along.