It's SNOWING!!!

To some, snow is no big deal...BUT to us here in Texas, every flurry counts!

I am very thankful today to watch the snow fall. Not a lot is coming down, but there is still hope for more. My children have been asking to go somewhere where it snows, and hopefully they will see it the rest of today.

I love that I have a God who gives us the desires of our hearts when we serve him. He is a GOOD God! Even the flurries remind me today!

Hopefully we'll get some pictures...
Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Baptism

On Monday Nights, we have Bible Study in our home. We are truly blessed by the families that join us. Last week we gave testimony about when we had heard God in our lives. Everyone shared great testimony, even the youngest, my 6 year old daughter.

She has been asking to be baptised for about a year now and last week as she explained that her heart was thump thumping and she knew she needed to be baptised, everyone was touched. She is quite animated when she talks!

Yesterday, as we were preparing for Bible Study and straightening from the weekend, my husband told me that he was going to baptize her that evening. As we sat for lunch, he told Hallie. What a GREAT smile came over her face!

The rest of the day Hallie was on cloud nine! Dancing around and so joyful. She even sand "I'm going to be baptized, baptized!" Too cute.

After Bible Study, with friends and family gathered around, Hallie was baptised. Right before we started, I asked Hallie one more time WHY she was being baptized and with a huge smile on her face she replied...

"Because I love Jesus!"

Daddy Baptizing our Daughter

Big Brother so proud of his little Sister!

Merry Christmas to you all! What a wonderful Savior we serve!

Trading Peace for Fear...WHY?

I am reminded today of how important God's peace is in my life. What a blessing it is to be called sons and daughters of the most High God!

We have been working through a situation with a family member that has had her peace stolen from her. Satan is the devour! He comes to Kill, Steal and Destroy!

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly." John 10:10.

Psalm 71:5-8 said God is our hope and our strong refuge. I want so much for her to know the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). For her to be able to REST in Christ's peace. For apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:6). Especially live a life absent from debilitation fear.

The Lord is GOOD! He doesn't want us to live in fear. Fear of other's opinions, fear of death, fear of being alone, fear of spiders, heights... Fear of commitment and the list goes on.

If you are living in FEAR, stop and pray. Speak to the fear in the Mighty Name of Jesus and tell it to LEAVE. Ask that the Peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind. Jesus gave us the power to do that! James 4:7 says "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." We are set free from having to live in fear!

Take hold of that truth and be bold! "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Katie

Ending Well

Today was my 13th wedding anniversary. As I am sitting here savouring the sweet smell of the bouquet of flowers he sent me today, he is putting away the last of the laundry! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

Today held preparations for our evening Bible study. Not too much to do, the house was in order, just the bathrooms and floors needed to be gone over after a busy 4 days of entertaining. Nothing too time consuming or difficult to accomplish.

We have only been in our home about 3 months, and there is still organizing to do. Today, I cleaned out a closet, the refrigerator (that smelled really bad!!! Still don't quite know what it was!), cleaned the utility/mud room, cleaned the car, and did ALL the laundry! Whew! I was just going to sweep and go over the bathrooms!

The great thing about getting everything put in place wasn't the finding a place, it was the peace I had while I was doing it! You know "whistle while you work"? Well, praying is SO much better! As I was going about daily life, I wasn't short with the kids because I was busy. I wasn't exhausted, granted my feet did hurt from standing on the tile all day, but I still had plenty of energy to delight in our friends as they came for Bible study. It was my attitude that made the difference. More than that, it was my perspective. God even cares and will help me get through the mundane tasks of LIFE:

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

As time for Bible study drew nigh, we began anticipating digging into the Word and fellowshipping with friends and family. What a great time we had! I love to be around people that love the Lord! It edifies the spirit within me and prods me on in my walk with God. Tonight we shared testimonies about when we had heard from God. What a great blessing it was to hear children and adults telling how they had heard from God and what their responses had been. What a great and loving God we serve!

Being able to open our home to friends and family these last few days has been the fruition of our hearts desire. What a great ending to a great day!

Katie

Gifts from the Heart...

Today, the homeschool group our family is involved in, had a Gift Making Day.  The point was to reitterate that Christmas isn't just about getting, more importantly, it is about giving.

We began by reading the account of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12.

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him."And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet,

'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER, WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"  

Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him." And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.   And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way."

So WHY do we give gifts?  Do we do it out of tradition, or obligation? Is it our pride or insecurities that lead us to give to keep up appearance? This season, I urge you to take a few minutes and ask yourself WHY.  Talk with your family and encourage even the youngest to give something this year, whether it be a handmade gift or even the gift of time. Use gift giving as a catalyst to discuss the TRUE reason we celebrate CHRISTmas! You will be truly blessed!

Merry Christmas!
Katie

Don't Go It Alone!

After a long day shopping, we got a phone call about 10ish from my son. My children are both spending a couple of days at their Grammy's new house! They were totally excited! But there was much distress in his voice.

He called because he was scared! The loudness of suburbia was just a little much for him. He was worried about not being safe. The wonderful thing about this was what transpired as a result of his fears.

He called his Dad, and after a very ginger, understanding few yeses and nos, Jason prayed over him. He prayed the sweetest prayer, never making our son feel stupid or like a baby or that his fears were totally invalid. After they prayed Payton told his dad that he wanted to call because it made him feel like he was coming in our room (a place of refuge to him when fear has attacked).

You see, his fear was REAL to him. No matter how silly or foolish a child's fear sounds to us, the fact IS... it is REAL to them. I pray that when my children come to me, I will have the wisdom to speak to them out of love and compassion.

Last night could have been very different for my son! He could have tried to go it alone, per say. Not calling and being afraid, ALONE. But instead he called for reinforcements and slept peacefully all night.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."Matthew 18:20

We need to all remember that God puts people in out lives to help along this journey. If you are having problems, pray to God, have a friend go before the throne with you.

GOD IS GOOD!

Katie