My husband has applied for, interviewed and is now waiting for a response from an amazing job in Wyoming. We believe God has put this job in our path and that He has this all in His hands. We were supposed to hear from them today, but did not. If you can just take a moment to pray for Tim to GET this job, it would be so appreciated. This will be an answer to a long time prayer when he gets it. So say a prayer for a fellow brother tonight or tomorrow. This is a life changing job.
Thank you friends.
9/16/10
9/11/10
Updates
Thank you to all who prayed for us. Court went well, as far as we can tell. We STILL have not received the new order, and Gavin's mother has 21 days after the date they signed it, to object. We are still believing God has good plans for our family, and that includes our little Gavin!
Plans- wow. We are moving to Wyoming! We will be leaving in less than 3 weeks. Jobs are hopefully lining up, housing lining up and in the mean time we are selling everything! I've made $200 in the past 24 hours and that is before our yard sale this weekend! We are so blessed. God is good to us, even when we might not deserve it. He completely surprises me.
School starts this next week...which is a load all in itself. Packing, selling, storing, teaching, AHHHHHHHH....so much to do.
8/18/10
Calling All Prayer Warriors, RISE UP!
Tomorrow we face a battle in the court room. My 8 year old step-son, Gavin, is being fought for. His mother moved away two years ago, to Florida. She has removed herself from his life as much as possible. She calls to talk to him once every 2 months. She does not pay her child support. She does not communicate with us. However, she has filed for custody and asked that the courts remove Gavin from our home in Michigan and place him in her's in Florida.
She hasn't been the greatest mom. She has made really bad choices. I know she loves her son, but she herself is unaware of what it truly means to love someone.
We have faith in God. That He will fight for us. But thoughts keep lurking and creeping in. Have I been the best mom? No. Have I done all I can for Gavin? No. Could I have done better? Could his dad have been a better dad? Is this going to be punishment for the areas we have lacked in? Will she win? Will she be able to take Gavin into her home, where God is not even allowed to be? Will her new boyfriend slowly take over the role of dad?
Tomorrow we find out. Tomorrow we fight. Tomorrow she fights.
We love our little man. He has been in my home since he was a year old. For the past 7 years I have raised him and loved him. We teach him about God, to love and fear and obey. He has grown so much and loves so much and is happy here.
Pray for him. Pray for us. Pray that we have favor with the courts. Pray that Nikki, his mother, is unable to spew her wretched lies. Pray that the judge sees through all of her accusations and slander. Pray that Gavin is NOT removed from our home and that we can continue to raise him up in the ways of God.
The opposite outcome is too horrible to even imagine. Taking him from his home, from his family that he has seen every day, or at least every week for almost 8 years, and putting into a situation where he only sees us for weeks in the summer, would devastate him and us.
Pray for Nikki's salvation.
Pray pray pray pray pray...
Intercessors rise up. Weep for us. Plead for us. Stand on the promises that God has made to His people.
Thank you. I love you. Bless you.
She hasn't been the greatest mom. She has made really bad choices. I know she loves her son, but she herself is unaware of what it truly means to love someone.
We have faith in God. That He will fight for us. But thoughts keep lurking and creeping in. Have I been the best mom? No. Have I done all I can for Gavin? No. Could I have done better? Could his dad have been a better dad? Is this going to be punishment for the areas we have lacked in? Will she win? Will she be able to take Gavin into her home, where God is not even allowed to be? Will her new boyfriend slowly take over the role of dad?
Tomorrow we find out. Tomorrow we fight. Tomorrow she fights.
We love our little man. He has been in my home since he was a year old. For the past 7 years I have raised him and loved him. We teach him about God, to love and fear and obey. He has grown so much and loves so much and is happy here.
Pray for him. Pray for us. Pray that we have favor with the courts. Pray that Nikki, his mother, is unable to spew her wretched lies. Pray that the judge sees through all of her accusations and slander. Pray that Gavin is NOT removed from our home and that we can continue to raise him up in the ways of God.
The opposite outcome is too horrible to even imagine. Taking him from his home, from his family that he has seen every day, or at least every week for almost 8 years, and putting into a situation where he only sees us for weeks in the summer, would devastate him and us.
Pray for Nikki's salvation.
Pray pray pray pray pray...
Intercessors rise up. Weep for us. Plead for us. Stand on the promises that God has made to His people.
Thank you. I love you. Bless you.
8/9/10
The History of the Church: on the ROCK or on the rocks?
This is a great teaching from WildBranch Ministry. It's a free download and is an hour and 18 minutes long, but worth the time! If you are a believer in the Messiah Yahshua aka Jesus Christ, and don't know early church history, you NEED to listen to this. It will hopefully open your eyes and shed some light on some falsehoods that have been propagated by the man-made religious system that a lot of us have been in, come out of, or are now in.
8/3/10
The Simple Woman's Daybook
Outside my window...the lawn needs to mowed and I need to harvest my basil. It's warm, humid and overcast.
I am thinking...of how good this coffee tastes and how awesome it is that my hubby has taken the day off!
From the learning rooms...getting ready to look for curriculum. So many choices and I really need wisdom in this area.
From the kitchen...refrigerator pickles, roasted chicken with fresh rosemary from my garden. New potatoes with chives from the garden. And MORE zucchini bread. I love zucchini season.
I am wearing...black yoga pants, purple tank, black overshirt.
I am creating...a mess, as usual. I'm about to create an empty space in my living room and get rid of this ginormous entertainment center.
I am going...SHOPPING!!! I don't usually shop for anything but food, but a payment came in and we are buying the boys new shoes today! Praise God! Gavin's little toes are sticking out over the edge of his sandals :-)
I am currently reading...Torah Rediscovered- a great book by Ariel and D'vorah Berkowitz that says it is "Challenging centuries of misinterpretation and neglect" and I have to agree. This has been the first book I've read on Torah aside from the Word itself and I am finding out so much more than I ever thought I would and getting confirmation from what I discovered on my own in the Word. It's out of print, but I bought it used on Amazon for like $3.
I am hoping...that when we go to court on August 19th that the judge sees truth for truth and lies and deception for what they are.
I am hearing...the name Melatyah over and over again. Yah delivers...If I could choose a name for myself this would be it. It might not be the name that is written on the white stone that I hope to receive one day, but it speaks to me...
On my mind...so much...Court especially...we are in a custody situation right now with Tim's ex. Gavin is his son (I've been raising him with Tim since he was 1 year old). Gavin's mom is lost in a spiritual sense. She moved to Florida a year and a half ago to be with her new man and has not maintained contact with Gavin on a regular basis ever since. She has filed for custody and is requesting the courts to allow her to move Gavin down to Florida. We have faith that God will fight for us in this and that it won't be much of a battle at all...but the courts are strange...you never know. But I know MY GOD and HE is MIGHTY! But if ya'll could lift us up in prayer that would be very good.
Noticing that...the 20 pounds I lost before I went to Texas is slowly creeping back in. I need to get myself on track...working out...and take my calories back down. I need this weight off!
Around the house...more books were given to us so there's that...I really am dreaming of selling everything, buying an RV and taking off for a year on the road. This has become something both my husband and I feel we are being lead to do. Will we do it? Is it possible with the custody situation? Would the courts allow it? Well, if God is the one doing the leading and nudging...yes totally! That's both frightening and exciting at the same time. How awesome would that be???
One of my favorite things...reading under a blanket with a hot cup of creamed coffee and my two little pooches laying beside me. Doesn't sound like a good summer thing...but I welcome it at any season!
A few plans for the rest of the week...well, looking at curriculum. Preserving something. Working more in my poor neglected garden and finishing up the Michael Rood series on the Fall Feasts. Seeing some amazing insight in them!
8/1/10
Isaiah 51:4-8
Listen to Me, My people;
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
As a light of the peoples.
My righteousness is near,
My salvation has gone forth,
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait upon Me,
And on My arm they will trust.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished.
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people in whose heart is My law:
Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool;
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation from generation to generation.
Praise God for His word which is truth! I love having my eyes opened more and more every day to the truth of Torah.
Create in me a clean heart, Father. Break me and use me and cause me to seek You. Give me compassion, patience, gentleness and knowledge of love defined only by you. Help me speak your truth and help me to do it lovingly but without compromise. Father, forgive me for my disobedience and unbelief. Forgive my hardened heart. Forgive me for seeking my own ways. Father, may I bless you in this this walk and learn to walk just as your son walked.
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
As a light of the peoples.
My righteousness is near,
My salvation has gone forth,
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait upon Me,
And on My arm they will trust.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished.
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people in whose heart is My law:
Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool;
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation from generation to generation.
Praise God for His word which is truth! I love having my eyes opened more and more every day to the truth of Torah.
Create in me a clean heart, Father. Break me and use me and cause me to seek You. Give me compassion, patience, gentleness and knowledge of love defined only by you. Help me speak your truth and help me to do it lovingly but without compromise. Father, forgive me for my disobedience and unbelief. Forgive my hardened heart. Forgive me for seeking my own ways. Father, may I bless you in this this walk and learn to walk just as your son walked.
7/29/10
This is War - Paul Washer
This is convicting and encouraging. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...
7/28/10
Sin and Conviction
"You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."
No, this is true. I have not yet resisted to bloodshed, and I am indeed still striving against sin. I thought that if sin crept in, that I was doomed. I would punish myself, hide myself from God, and sit feeling condemned for days or weeks at a time.
Sin creeps in and tries to find a home within us. Temptation nudges the desire that lies dormant, seeking to awaken the lusts that have yet to be fully purged.
"But you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not depsise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourages every son whom He receives.' If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. By this reason I know that I am a son (daughter) and not illegitimate. I feel the weight of my sin. I see it as a loathsome thing. I hate it. It sickens me.
This should be encouraging! We are sons and daughters! While we should never treat sin lightly, we should rejoice in the fact that He has not left us when we feel convicted of our sins. TURN FROM YOUR SINS, REPENT, TURN BACK TO GOD.
Will we hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit calling out our sins? Will we humble ourselves enough to repent quickly? Will we endure the chastening that is sure to follow?
I found myself in sin about a month ago. It started out as a small nudge. At first I just ignored it and turned to God every time it would come to mind. Then the small nudge became a shove. The shove opened up the flood gates of my desire. My desire surfaced in my mind and I gave thought to a sinful act. I actually entertained the idea on more than one occasion. At the end of a very long week, going from a small nudge to a shove that lead to a sinful thought, I found myself hiding from God. I came down with a sickness that lasted another week. I slept for 4 days, almost continuously. When I woke up, all I could feel was the weight of my sin along with the weight of whatever sickness I had come down with. I was miserable, but I knew what I had to do.
I knew that I had sinned in my heart. The Holy Spirit was convicting me. Instead of acting in a repentant manner I opted for the "go and hide from God" thing which brought with it a horrible feeling of condemnation.
During my sickness, which I saw as chastisement from God for my sin, I forced myself to my knees. I prayed and opened up my bible to Hebrews 12. Within moments the condemnation I felt lifted and I was in a state of repentance.
"Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Will we allow our sins, the conviction of them, and the repentance that should come quickly, to train us thereby yielding the fruit of righteousness? Will we hide from God? We do this because of pride, but it is a humble spirit that is quickly moved to repentance. Will we sit and wallow in our self-centered despair when sin rears its ugly head and we fall? Or will we stand firm and feel encouraged, knowing that the Holy Spirit is indeed at work within us because we are feeling convicted? Will we be encouraged knowing that even though we may feel the chastisement of God it is only because He loves us and is dealing with us as sons? Will we be encouraged knowing that He is purifying us and chastising us for our profit so that we may become partakers of HIS holiness?
"Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed!"
*disclaimer: We should be finding ourselves with less and less sin in our lives as we keep following the path of righteousness. We will sin, but those sins should be few and far between and little in comparison to the sins we once had in our lives. God is doing a work in us and we need to yield to that work. We need to humble ourselves before him and be quick to repent.
No, this is true. I have not yet resisted to bloodshed, and I am indeed still striving against sin. I thought that if sin crept in, that I was doomed. I would punish myself, hide myself from God, and sit feeling condemned for days or weeks at a time.
Sin creeps in and tries to find a home within us. Temptation nudges the desire that lies dormant, seeking to awaken the lusts that have yet to be fully purged.
"But you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not depsise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourages every son whom He receives.' If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. By this reason I know that I am a son (daughter) and not illegitimate. I feel the weight of my sin. I see it as a loathsome thing. I hate it. It sickens me.
This should be encouraging! We are sons and daughters! While we should never treat sin lightly, we should rejoice in the fact that He has not left us when we feel convicted of our sins. TURN FROM YOUR SINS, REPENT, TURN BACK TO GOD.
Will we hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit calling out our sins? Will we humble ourselves enough to repent quickly? Will we endure the chastening that is sure to follow?
I found myself in sin about a month ago. It started out as a small nudge. At first I just ignored it and turned to God every time it would come to mind. Then the small nudge became a shove. The shove opened up the flood gates of my desire. My desire surfaced in my mind and I gave thought to a sinful act. I actually entertained the idea on more than one occasion. At the end of a very long week, going from a small nudge to a shove that lead to a sinful thought, I found myself hiding from God. I came down with a sickness that lasted another week. I slept for 4 days, almost continuously. When I woke up, all I could feel was the weight of my sin along with the weight of whatever sickness I had come down with. I was miserable, but I knew what I had to do.
I knew that I had sinned in my heart. The Holy Spirit was convicting me. Instead of acting in a repentant manner I opted for the "go and hide from God" thing which brought with it a horrible feeling of condemnation.
During my sickness, which I saw as chastisement from God for my sin, I forced myself to my knees. I prayed and opened up my bible to Hebrews 12. Within moments the condemnation I felt lifted and I was in a state of repentance.
"Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Will we allow our sins, the conviction of them, and the repentance that should come quickly, to train us thereby yielding the fruit of righteousness? Will we hide from God? We do this because of pride, but it is a humble spirit that is quickly moved to repentance. Will we sit and wallow in our self-centered despair when sin rears its ugly head and we fall? Or will we stand firm and feel encouraged, knowing that the Holy Spirit is indeed at work within us because we are feeling convicted? Will we be encouraged knowing that even though we may feel the chastisement of God it is only because He loves us and is dealing with us as sons? Will we be encouraged knowing that He is purifying us and chastising us for our profit so that we may become partakers of HIS holiness?
"Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed!"
*disclaimer: We should be finding ourselves with less and less sin in our lives as we keep following the path of righteousness. We will sin, but those sins should be few and far between and little in comparison to the sins we once had in our lives. God is doing a work in us and we need to yield to that work. We need to humble ourselves before him and be quick to repent.
6/21/10
A Simple Woman's Daybook
Outside my window…Noisy little league baseball practice at the diamond across the street...my least favorite noise.
I am thinking…about Tim's job and that he might get laid off soon. Trying not to think about this...
I am thankful for…My family (as in husband and children). No matter what situation we are in, we are always together, always loving each other, always supporting each other.
From the Learning Rooms … Finishing up our math and going through all the history books we just got for FREE! Feeling blessed in this area.
From the kitchen…I am going to try this recipe that I found for a Greek Chickpea soup. Making bread today and washing the old Atlas canning jars I found at the thrift store.
I am wearing…grey exercise pants and black tank.
I am creating…a clean office! I've got my boxes upon boxes emptied, and now I just have to get rid of some old books to make room for the new ones.
I am going…to Texas in three weeks! WOOHOO! I'm so excited to be going with such great ladies and really looking forward to a week away to just be Monica, not wife or mother. It will be refreshing and fun. I'm worried about money though...as usual. Wondering if I should really go because I'm unsure about Tim's employment.
I am currently reading…Hidden Prophecies in the Song of Moses and still reading The Screwtape Letters. READ THIS BOOK! It's so good.
I am hoping…that I can remain motivated in MANY areas of my life.
I am hearing…construction on the water tower by our house and men swearing at each other in Spanish, as well as kids screaming at baseball practice. Time for some music.
On my mind…So much. Am I dying to self? Really?
Noticing that…Life is consuming.
Around the house…Books to be put in their places. The coffee table is full of new learning books.
One of my favorite things…Coffee with girlfriends. I need a coffee date.
A few plans for the rest of the week...Starting summer school. Finishing Screwtape. Organizing the rest of the office and cleaning out bathroom cupboards. Putting away winter clothes. Hanging curtains in the boys room. Making a menu for Tim and prepping foods for when I am gone.
A picture thought to share...
Father's Day
I love this pic! My husband is so funny and just awesome. I am so glad he liked the shofar we got him and the new bath robe. I'd say he's looking like an Israelite! He would have looked more like it if he still had the full beard.
6/14/10
Creamy Walnut Sauce
I LOVE this sauce! Every now and again I want a thick creamy pasta sauce and this is a very healthy and delicious recipe.
Add the following ingredients to blender and blend together until smooth.
Serve with pasta and toss.
Great with Chicken as well.
2/3 c. walnut
2 cloves garlic
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 c. chicken stock
2 T. Parsley
1 t. lemon juice
2 t. walnut oil
If it is a little too thick, just add more stock.
Delicious! And the benefits of walnuts are amazing.
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