Nurture by Nature

Our Little Sprout Logan is 3!

Logan has been asking since Landan's birthday... "Mommy, is it my birthday yet?"  I would say no, not yet.  In 2 more months it will be.  Then the countdown for him was on.  In April I began getting some ideas together for some cute themes.  One day we were sitting down having lunch and a cute idea popped in my head.  He loves nature just like I do... how about something outside where we can dig in the dirt, play with bugs, and really have fun.  Just as I was thinking that a little preview commercial came on called "dirtgirlworld" she even had a little ladybug flutter around. Then I knew that would be his party this year.... little sprouts!  We just had this great park put in next to Landan's school.  It was close by and perfect! 

We were out for a walk one Sunday afternoon and saw a ladybug fly by.  I asked God, just how are ladybugs born? what is their cycle?  The very next day we were out again for a walk and as we came back to our driveway, Cory was in the front yard picking up a few weeds by the oak trees.  He began pulling up a weed (or so he thought) and said "come here and look at this".  We all walked over and looked in his hand.  It was an acorn that had sprouted up and had began to grow.  He picked up a total of 7 baby sprouts.  He planted them in a orange bucket and placed them in some good soil and made sure they would get plenty of sunlight.  Logan began calling them his "little sprouts" and wanted to water them daily.  He talks to them and has had so much fun watching them grow each day. 

The very same day that we saw the baby oak sprouts... just a few minutes later actually,  I looked down at our pansies in our front yard and saw little black and red caterpillar looking bugs that were crawling around the leaves and flowers.  I began looking closer and showed them to Landan and Logan.  They looked and asked what they were.  Then, as I got even closer, I saw little cocoons all over the leaves and thought... Really?  Then saw a few ladybugs flutter around the leaves and I just knew they were stages of lady bugs.  Too many to even count in different stages!  I was amazed and was thanking God because I had just asked him the day before what a ladybug cycle was.  He not only showed me, but allowed us to enjoy watching the ladybug process.  I will write more about this later.

Logan's birthday party morning came and as he woke up he had the biggest smile on his face and said "Yes!"  He was ready for the fun!  Friends and family arrived at the park and we celebrated his 3rd birthday.  We had a bug hunt with their butterfly nets, grew bugs from capsules (which took a lot of patience for the little ones), guessed how many acorns?, played on the parachute, ate yummy caterpillar, ladybug, & froggy cupcakes, and lots more.  We had a buggin' good time! 

We had a special surprise for the mommies!  Cory is so amazing and hand painted 42 little terra cotta planters just as I had dreamed them to be.  He asked me how I wanted them? ... I said spray painted red and then sponge little black dots on them.  He asked me where I had seen this? I said God gave me the idea.  I could tell he was really having fun painting them.  Logan wanted to help out, so I gave him a sponge and some black paint.  He started painting little black dots on the red, then as I was getting some things packed up for his party the next day... I turned around and his whole arms were covered in black paint. He smiled so big and we could not help but laugh.  Took some cute pics of course, then into the tub (baffy waffy- or shower wower- ala LoLo) Scrubbed and then scrubbed some more to get all that paint off.  The next morning Cory went to the Flower Market to buy 2 flats of flowers.  He arrived at the party with flowers in hand and said he had picked the "Impatients" flowers.  I smiled so big and wanted to kiss him because he is so perfect!  He thinks of everything!  I sooo love him! 

So each "little sprout" picked a ladybug flower pot and picked their color of "impatient" flower and placed the flower in the soil and then sprinkled with water. They also had wild flower seeds and they planted them in little green flower pots too.  The ladybug flower pot with their "impatient" flowers were handed to their mommy with a card that read... "Happy Mother's Day from your little sprout".... "I love you little lady!" The sprouts each had hands on fun making their mommy something extra special for all the tender, love and care that they pour out daily to their little ones.  We brought the orange bucket with the 7 little acorn sprouts to show everyone how much they had grown and told them the story.  We had a little sign on the front that read... Starts with a little seed, add sunshine, raindrops and water, lots of love, patience, nurture, and watch me grow....  Just as these little acorn sprouts are growing daily... our little sprouts that God has blessed us with are growing daily too!  They began as a little seed and have been sprouting, growing, and learning with us by their side loving, nurturing, and cheering them on with every step they make.  Some are little steps and some are bigger steps, and some are in between. I pray that we can give them all the love, patience and grace that they need during these sprouting years! 

When you look me in the eyes....

Just wanted to remember this song that Landan said was "Our song".  I remember one night about 2 1/2 years ago we were out in the hot tub, just me and him and we were laughing and singing and dancing. Then this Jonas Brothers song came on and he said, Mom, this is our song.... we have been to 2 Jonas Brothers concerts so far, and when we hear our song, it makes me smile :)!! So here is our song and I dedicate this to Landan today...

If the heart is always searching,
Can you ever find a home?
I've been looking for that someone,
I'll never make it on my own
Dreams can't take the place of loving you,
There's gotta be a million reasons why it's true.

When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.

How long will I be waiting,
To be with you again
Gonna tell you that I love you,
In the best way that I can.
I can't take a day without you here,
You're the light that makes my darkness disappear.

When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.

More and more, I start to realize,
I can reach my tomorrow,
I can hold my head up high,
And it's all because you're by my side.

When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When I hold you in my arms,
I know that it's forever.
I just gotta let you know,
I never wanna let you go.

When you look me in the eyes.

And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes. ~ Jonas Brothers

"I love you Little Man!" - love Mom- i love to look into your beautiful brown eyes!

My Baby is 10!!

Our baby turned ten yesterday!! (10- double digits :) I wrote him a little note last night before dinner and had a little set-up of some of his favorite things as a center piece on our table.  I had a little collage of pictures of him as a baby and turning one... such a little cutie!  The note read... "Little Man~ Time  flying by so fast!  Ten years has gone by so quickly.  When they first placed you in my arms at the hospital, you were so tiny.  Then you grew and grew... I remember your first birthday party- little circus clown.... you loved stuffed animals~ now those animals have been traded in for i-Pod, airsoft guns, skateboards and big boy toys... I love you so much! and I am so proud of you!!"

We had such a fun birthday celebration weekend!  Started out on Friday by taking huge cupcakes (his request) to his class and sharing the fun with all his friends and having subway.  His teacher, Mrs. Hunter, raised her eyebrows and was like- whoa- when I brought the huge box of cubcakes inside.  I told her the students deserved them after all the hard work from the taks test!  She agreed!  She is such a super teacher- so thankful for her this year!  Then on Saturday, we woke up and started decorating and building forts for the Spy Guy/ Gi Joe Party.  Landan and Paytan (his cousin) are only a year and a day apart, so we have had their birthday parties together some years. They chose this year to have a nerf battle and to choose teams so we had Landan's Spy Guys and Paytan's Gi Joe's.  We had about 24 boys here to celebrate and share in all the fun.  Some of the highlights were when the spy guys put on their spy glasses and mustaches for disguise. I laughed so hard at this... Landan put on his glasses, hat and mustache and pulled his pants up really high and kept walking around saying "Y-ellow " *for hello  The whole crowd could not stop laughing. I will post pics so you can get a glimpse of how hilarious this was.  The teams had to go through basic training before the battle- laser beam trips, bomb diffuse, missles and grenade training, parachutes, spy car chase, fingerprints and more. After the training, they were ready for their mission.  We went next door to the open lot and the boys had a battle.  The forts were awesome!  Cory and Landan had spray painted the boards, had grafiti- the spy's rok! , drilled holes to stick guns through, really camo'ed out and they both looked so cool!  They played many nerf battles and capturing the flag... they really had so much fun! Then they came in for cake and ice cream.  Time to open presents-this boy wanted cash money, money, money (one of his favorite songs by fred)... and money was what he got!  (side note: I remember his 2nd Christmas waiting in line to see Ho Ho and my sister Sharla asked Landan what he wanted, he said "amana" which meant money for him.  He started out early!)  Anyways he got lots of cash, gift cards to game stop, and more.  Party was a success!!

He woke up early on March 7th! Birthday time!!  Him and his best friend opened up the window upstairs in his room and started shooting his co2 pistol air soft guns out the window- it was cold and rainy outside so they decide to play indoors for a while.  We went upstairs and wished him a happy birthday (we actually did at midnight last night too :) and his request for breakfast was Krispy Kreme donuts- who can resist those?  Dad went to the donut shop for us and while he was gone, I got the secret mission set up.  Landan had one more gift to open, and I wanted it to be hard for him to find- so I created clues for him to search and find his present.  His first clue was a little missle that gave instructions for mission.  He searched through the house and had about 10 clues before he found the bag with a (faux) diamond that said...  a safe place to go... then he knew where it was hiding.  He pulled out the big bag, it was wrapped "tight" with lots of crepe paper, black string, was really hard to get inside the bag- he tore into it and kept saying what is it?  It was his snyper/ M-16 rifle he wanted!  So happy!!  We went to church, then he requested B-J's pizza for lunch.  yum!  Came back home and launched model rockets in the rain with Dad- so much fun!!! We celebrated over and over this weekend!  Logan launched a large black US air force rocket and after countdown it took off and it went way out of sight and then we were not able to recover it... he said, "My rocket went to heaven"- so sweet!  All in all, it was 3 days of fun, fun, fun!  Party times are such joy and celebrations- I love planning, decorating and watching my little ones enjoy their parties!  Celebrate, Holiday- we're gonna have a celebration, all across the world, in every nation" Logan's favorite song.. just had to add that in there - hee hee

So last night as I was getting Landan's little collage together and reflecting back over these 10 years.  Such joy and special treasured memories in my heart bring tears to my eyes.  I know my baby has to grow up... it's part of life and I love it... just tender sometimes to see them becoming so independent and maturing.  I told him the story about the sonogram day when the dr. was looking to see if he was a boy or a girl? and he said, oh,- there's a little turtle. and how we were so excited he was a little boy. & how when I was pregnant with him and watched a movie called "a cool dry place" and the mama told a little story how she wanted to keep her baby safe and dry from the rain while on a picnic and she placed him in a little ice chest to keep him dry.  I cried and cried during that movie. She called her little boy- little man.  That stuck with me and I knew that I wanted my little boy to be my little man and that has always been his nick name- no matter how old he gets, he will alwasy be my little man.  I will always pray for his protection and for him to be safe and sound... no matter the storms that he goes through in life.  May he always know that his Heavenly Father loves him with an everlasting love and that he is always safe in His arms.  And that his parents and little brother love him more than he could possibly grasp.  No matter what, always and forever! 

This morning, I went to wake him up and said rise and shine.  He began getting ready for Sky Ranch camp today.  He will be going with the 4th grade and this prepares them for intermediate school- that word "independence" comes up again :) I had asked him at the beginning of the year if he wanted me to go along as a chaperone, and he said "No offense Mom, but I want to go alone with my classmates and it is for my "independence" so that I can be ready for 5th grade." I took that comment so well, and did not get offended at all- I am so proud of him.  He is growing up to be such a fine young man!  So handsome, so witty, so confident and outgoing, my list can go on and on and on.... We were standing on the curb this morning waiting for his friend Luke and his mom to pick him up (he said it would be easier that way so I didn't cry at the bus:)... He gave me the sweetest hug and kiss and held me tight.  I gave him a kiss for each morning, noon and night that he will be away... and looking into his big brown beautiful eyes I just wanted time to stand still for a moment... He looks older this morning.... something about it. I asked him last night as i tucked him into bed and we read all his birthday cards if he felt older- he said no, not really.  I will miss him as he is away at camp, but I know that he will be having the time of his life and that God is watching over him :)

Apple of my Eye

Just had to share this... so sweet! Last night Logan and I were cuddled up on the couch watching one of his cartoons.  Cory walked by and heard a little commercial talking about apple of my eye.  He looked at Logan and said "you are the apple of my eye Logan!"  He just looked at him and smiled. 

This morning we woke up and I was making Logan's breakfast.  He took a few bites and looked at me with the biggest smile and said "You're the apple in my mouth" then looked at me with a puzzled look.  Before I could say anything he looked at me and said "You're the apple in my eye!"  (i knew what he was trying to say...) I was so touched and hugged him so tightly.  He totally made my morning!  He then gave me butterfly kisses and ladybug hugs.  Moments like these are so sweet and I want to treasure always! Many times today he has looked at me and said "Mommy, you're the apple of my eye!" love it!

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings     Psalm 17:8

Thanksgiving

We celebrated with many families over the Thanksgiving holiday's.  Went to Velvette and Roger's for Duffy's Thanksgiving and had so much fun!  All the kids had a baseball game in the front yard and the parents and even grandparents joined in.  They were all lauging and having fun... Great food and I was touched when they asked Cory to bless the food :)  He said a very sweet and thankful prayer.  Then we had Thanksgiving at Jennifer and Mike's for Lehman's Thanksgiving.  (i actually had to miss this one because i was at the Embrace Grace baby shower).  Logan kept talking about his cousins when he came home and all the kittie cats and dogs he was able to play with.  I heard the food was really yummy too and they had a great time.  (luckily, the dinners and lunches are spread out and not all on the same day) Next was Thanksgiving at my Mom's house. This year was a little different for my Mom because she is used to having all her family up from East Texas there to celebrate and most of all our Grandma Pierson.  She was not able to make it for the trip this year, she has been in rehab and a home for almost a year.  We sent our love out to her and my Mom went and visited her the next day.  My Mom made the lunch so special for us and we really enjoyed the fun times outside.  Cory, Landan, Logan and Paytan were doing tricks on the trampoline.  Summer even joined in and had to do some flips.  We all laughed and enjoyed the day together.  We looked in the backyard in a tree and saw a little birds nest... Logan wanted to see if there were any eggs in it.  Then, we headed out to Aunt Cassie and Uncle Charlie's for our final Thanksgiving family dinner.  All the cousins were playing outside and swinging from the tree and having so much fun together.  Aunt Dianna was taking family pictures of each individual family outside by the stone wall. Aunts were looking over the sales papers and making lists of where to shop the next day.  Guys were watching the Cowboy game.  Thankful times together... so happy for all of our family!!

We left and headed out to the deer lease that night.  Logan kept talking about the camper and could not wait to get there.  We started unloading truck and Landan went back in the kids room and yelled out "Mom, come here!"  I ran in and he had a ladybug he had found on the window.  (Now, if you are new to my blog- you have to understand that ladybugs are very special to me... I am even called ladybug girl.) God sends many ladybugs to me and each one is special and I treasure them.  This month alone, He sent probably over a hundred fifty again at different times flying around our window at our house and side of the house.  I get so excited and know that He is looking out for my family and His wings cover us!  The next morning we woke up and that same ladybug was flying around.  I was having my quiet time and reading my bible and the lady bug flew over and Logan was playing with it, then it started crawling over my bible... it was so cool!  Then we went outside and I still had my bible in my hands, flipped open to my daily devotion for Nov. 25-26 and a honey bee flew over and started crawling on the same page where the ladybug had flown.  (the honey bee represents my friend Amy- she leads Embrace Grace with me... she has been told that she is like a bee and polintates everything she touches- so sweet)... then a few minutes later a butterfly flew over my head (my friend Sacha is butterfly girl) and seriously a few minutes later a dragonfly flew over my head (my friend Alicia is dragonfly girl)... this was all within a 10 minute time frame.  love it!!  Those of you that were at the baby shower heard me talk a little bit about how us girls are intercessors and pray together and things happen! 

We had so much fun at the deer lease.  Hanging out, relaxing, enjoying the quietness, going out on four wheeler and scouting the area.  I even had some time to scrapbook a little- i have missed this so much!  Landan and Logan walked hand in hand out to the field and were searching for boy treasures.  They looked so cute.  We took pictures of the boys by the barn (which we used for our Christmas cards this year) Landan was on his four wheeler, and Cory had me and Logan on the back of a four wheeler and we set out across the wheat field.  Logan could not wait to get out and see what he could see... He said, "come on Daddy! let's go!!"  It was really funny because after a while, the bumpy ride put Logan right to sleep.  He was sleeping peacefully in my arms and I started thinking about Mary and baby Jesus riding on the back of a donkey...  How hard that must have been holding on, but God gave them the strength and ability to make it.  I told Cory a little bit about what I was thinking and he said "meet Pepe my little mule"... (the four wheeler) lol. 

A funny story... we were out one night in the middle of no where at the lease on the golf cart and Cory had a jackrabbit call.  It was dark all around a us and we had a spot light.  He wanted to call in the coyotes.  He kept calling with the loud jackrabbit sound and all of a sudden we heard packs on both sides of us from a distance away.  Landan was in the back and he jumped up so fast and ran up front to sit with us.  Logan was sitting in between us and the jackrabbit call sound was extremely loud... we looked down and his little head kept bobbing.  He had fallen asleep to the loud sound of the jackrabbit call.  We never had the coyotes come up close enough to the golf cart for the boys to get a shot at them.  We always laugh about that night when Landan got spooked and Logan fell asleep hunting for coyotes. lol

We watched the moon while making smores and Landan noticed a big halo around the moon. We all stood and admired it for a long time.  I love this about Cory... he sits out in his deer blind and watches the sunset and soaks up the beauty.  He kept calling on the walkie talkie- "look out at the sunset now. See all the pinks and blues"... Love it!!  He is teaching our boys to enjoy and take time to notice the beautiful nature all around us. 

We are so thankful for all the times we spend as a family together.  We have each other and the love and bond that we have is so tightly woven together.  We are thankful for this year and all the years we have had and that we have all that we ever need... God protecting and providing for us, Jesus by our side, the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us... and each other.  May you be blessed today and every day!!

Showers of Blessings

"I will make a covenant of peace with my people... I will bless my people and their homes... And in the proper season I will send the showers they need.  There will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 33:25-26(my daily devotion for November 16) very fitting!

Sharla, my sister, is expecting her 2nd baby and having a little boy. His name is Haydan Fenix (go to www.haydanfenixhill.com for a sneek peak. We had a special baby shower at our house for her this past Saturday the 14th.  She looked so gorgeous!!  Her tummy is absolutely precious and I just can't help but rub it!  He is due on Jan. 14th!  We are all so excited and can not wait to hold him and love on him.  His name Haydan means green pastures.  I made a cute frame with Psalm 23 and the beginning read.. The Lord is my shepherd, Haydan will not be in want.  He make me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters... it was so sweet.  I also found this adorable little lamb bible- had soft lamb fleece on the outside- one of the sweetest little bibles I have ever seen.  Our family had so much fun laughing and celebrating this new precious life on the way.

The very next day- November 15th was the Embrace Grace Baby Shower. We arrived at Paradise Cove and started getting everything set up.  Angel was already there hanging up butterflies (so cute!) She decorated the entry, tables and everything looked amazing!!  We are so thankful she has come to us and we are hoping she will decorate for each Embrace Grace shower!  Busy little hands were all decorating and getting everything in place.  We had so much fun!  The cake arrived and I could not stop admiring it.  It was a 3 tier white cake with glitter shimmering butterflies-so pretty! 

Guests started arriving and began meeting each girl and mingling with everyone.  We had a private room set up for the girls to hear prophetic words spoken over them.  They were a little apprehensive at first, but once they started hearing words spoken over them that was really right on with who they were and how they truly felt- it was like kisses from heaven.  Many of us were in tears as we heard how God sees them and the plans He has for them.

I was absolutely in awe and felt like my jaw kept dropping, as I looked out and saw everyone seated around and about to have worship time.  The beautiful faces, such joy and delight was glowing in the room!  We began singing You are For Me by Kari Jobe, then A Baby Changes Everything by Faith Hill.  I started getting emotional as I looked out at all the women gathered together to celebrate these precious lives.  There was at least 100 women, probably more.  To see them worshipping and their hearts of love was so moving, I began crying. I was trying to hold it together.  I saw Alicia and she nodded to me as if to say "it's ok- you are doing great" then saw Deana and she nodded too.  About halfway through the song my Mom walked in the room and as we made eye contact and she walked up, we embraced and I have to say it was one of the sweetest moments that I have shared with her. Just typing this right now is bringing tears to my eyes.  She held me close and I cried in her arms, I was completely overwhelmed by the feeling of gratitude, thankfulness, and seeing dreams & visions coming true that God had placed in our hearts.  A moment like this will last a lifetime- my Mom said the same thing.  She will treasure it always!  It was if at that moment, even though I see her alot, it was as if I was seeing her for the first time, or it had been ages since I had seen her last (I know that might sound a little weird) but that was the feeling that I had. 

I shared a little bit about Embrace Grace and what we have done this semester.  Then I shared about the theme of the shower.  Butterflies have 5 stages and the biblical number 5 means grace.  This is very significant.  The stages of butterflies are: egg- baby, caterpillar- feeding stage- job of caterpillar is to eat and eat, cocoon/pupa- transition stage- hanging upside down in total darkness- suspended on a branch- hidden in leaves, it's dark. It may look like nothing is going on, but big changes are happening inside! Emerging- breaks out of cocoon and New- beautiful butterfly- spread your wings and fly.

So many Transformations... are being made!  We brought Painted Ladies to class the first few weeks and talked about Hope and dreams and were able to watch the stages – watched from little egg- to caterpillar, then in the cocoon and then new adult.  We had a butterfly release and Landan and Logan took them outside and opened up the netting to let them fly, but Trace and Taylor (the 2 butterflies they named) were so comfy and cozy in their habitat they didn't want to fly away.  Landan placed one on his finger and then it finally flew away.  Very relatable to how we grow and when it is time to fly, we sometimes need a little help or extra boost. 

Butterfly effect- monarch butterfly- flapping of wings can change the effects of the wind thousands of miles away.As you begin to spread your wings and fly, think about how the flapping of your wings can change the world around you. Throughout your family, friends, community... The words that you speak, the light that you shine... the effects and changes of your one life can change the world! One little heartbeat, one little life at a time.

During the time that I was sharing, Amy called out to me look Salina.  As I looked out the windows, there was the most beautiful glow overlooking the archway where weddings take place.  Everyone was noticing how beautiful it was, I feel it was God's glory shining down!  Then a little bit later, there were over a hundred real butterflies fluttering around by the back windows.  He loves us!!  I just love His nature and how He pours out  His love on us!

All the girls gathered together and Sacha prayed a powerful prayer of protection and covering over them and their precious babies. All the women gathered around the mommies and placed their hands on them.  It was a sweet moment.  Then it was time for presents.  Each table was full of so many gifts!  The girls were so blessed and so thankful!  We were Overwhelmed by Grace- as Pastor Robert shared a few months ago. So thankful!  Then all the girls gathered around their beautiful butterfly cake.  They loved it so much and it was almost too pretty to eat!  They felt super special! 

After gifts and cake, while looking out across the lake, the sky began to get dark.  In a matter of minutes the rain began pouring down so hard and quickly.  Many of the guests and ladies tried to rush and get gifts in the girls cars before the rain started, but came in completely drenched.  We were truly showered at this shower.  The rain settled down after a while.  They were able to get safely in their cars and take home all their amazing gifts. 

Went to Encounter service afterward and Pastor Tom spoke about Thanksgiving and many from the congregation shared how thankful they were and how God had brought them through a situation over the past year.  Many thanks were for healings, jobs, freedom and comfort during a trying time. So thankful Daddy- I will treasure all of this forever! 

Many thanks to all who volunteered, donated, and blessed our beautiful mommies!  We are very grateful and love each and every one of you!  Babies say thank you too!

Thankful Heart

I am so touched and really in awe of how much my Daddy loves His ladies!!  When He birthed the idea of showering young mothers with love and presents with Amy and I at Pink Impact 2008... we knew He was up to something BIG!  At that point we didn't know the details, just that He had placed the idea in our hearts at the same time and we waited on Him to show us His plans.  We had a meeting with Pastor Arnita and shared our hearts about this passion that God had placed in us for single pregnant women. The first word that kept coming to us was Grace... After prayer and researching different names for our group- Amy thought of Embrace Grace. It just fit so perfectly!  Some time after we had the name decided, we found a book written by Liz Curtis Higgs that was designed and written so beautifully that it was as if God had written the book specifically for these ladies.

We are now on our 3rd semester and have been blessed with each and every lady that has been in our group.  We have learned and grown together, built friendships, encouraged one another, embraced freedom, and seen each lady being transformed into who God is creating them to be.  It is truly beautiful to watch them blooming and blossoming into motherhood! 

Embrace Grace has been planning the baby shower for our 8 mommies this semester and so many ladies wanted to be a part of it. From the life groups that wanted to bless the ladies with gifts, to the prophetic team that would come to speak loving words to the ladies, Tina from Paradise Cove donated her beautiful venue located on Lake Grapevine with a gorgeous view, Angel said she would love to decorate, Susan and Sacha made beautiful butterfly necklaces for favors, Amy, her mom, Janet, and her sister Jennifer would make beautiful flower arrangements, ladies got together to put all the favors & programs together, Amy's mom's friend donated the most gorgeous cake, Allie worked on the lists of groups donating, the list goes on and there are so many hands that had a special part in making the dream and vision that God gave us to come true! 

All the mommies were counting down the days until their shower...

Thankful, So thankful for each one that shared their time, prayer and special loving hands into this event!

Heart of Worship

What I am about to type is something that I am so excited about- very passionate about and just have to share with you!  This song has been in my head for weeks now "I'm coming back to the heart of worship, cause it's all about You, it's all about You Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the things I made it..." I have been wanting to blog this but haven't had the time and now I know why it was meant to wait to share.

My sweet sister friends and I sat togther at Encounter service on Sunday night (10/18).  Pastor David shared about Worship.  He shared such an amazing message and we all needed to hear it and practice it!  He said that worship isn't just when we sing a song.  It is really how we engage and enter in daily, not just at church.  Forms of worship are- clapping, singing, raising our hands, bowing and humbling ourselves, singing a new song, playing instruments, dancing, sharing with someone how much God loves us and what He has done for us, and so much more!  We began to enter into worship after the message and he asked us to all come forward and stand up front and in the aisle and to really enter in.  & Then...

10/18/09 journal entry... Baskets? Baskets? During worship I sensed Him telling me something as I knelt down.  He said the baskets had been filled on August 1- day of new beginnings- the day that Amy, Alicia, Sacha, Deana, April and I were gathered around the fountain praising and worshipping you.  Sharing our hearts.  Taking back our plunder that the enemy had stolen.  So the baskets were filled on that day at the fountain, but they had not been released yet.  You were waiting for the right time, the right moment... waiting, just waiting for the assembly, our church body to gather together and worship as never before.  Praising you, shouting for you, dancing for you, honoring and adoring you! The new mantle was set in place tonight.  The baskets were multiplied today and sent home with each family.  Prayers and incense- the special aromatherapy that you loved us to pour on You, was filled inside the baskets, along with Your peace, provision, protection, prosperity, pleasure, all plunder that was taken away.  All of your treasures that have been stored up and waiting for this day- this moment.  Today is the day the baskets were sent home.  They are pouring out and overflowing throughout our church body.  During worship, the baskets were filled as our hands were raised in submission and fully surrendered to you.  Yes, Daddy I receive it!  Yes, I believe it!  I trust you. Baskets have been released.  Your over and abundance poured out on your children.  We receive, we receive!  Can I share this on my blog?  Yes, of course I want you to.  This is how the word is spread.  People will hear, believe and obey.  They will receive the release.  Thank you Daddy!  You are so good to us!

10/19/09 Confirmation... I was reading my daily devotion bible and I was a day behind.  I was laying in bed and began reading and was amazed and excited about what I read.  I knew it was confirmation to what I had felt the day before.  look at what I saw...

Daily Devotion from October 18th- from Jeremiah 32:37-41,44 But this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says "I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury.  I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.  And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.  And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them.  I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will  never leave me.  I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.... For someday I will restore prosperity to them."

Will you receive your basket?  For more of this story- look at the post from August 1- Baskets Filled... I believe!!  We will receive!!

Hearts of Clay

Embrace Grace class - bought pink clay from Hobby Lobby. It was so hard... put in small bags and gave to each girl along with red clay that was very soft.  Gave them heart cutter's to cut out heart from red clay. (i love using visuals at class!- God always gives the best ideas!!) 

 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
   like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
   purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

You turn things upside down,
   as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
   Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
   "He did not make me"?
   Can the pot say of the potter,
   "He knows nothing"? Isaiah 29:16

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
   We are the clay, you are the potter;
   we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Our hearts, like this pink clay, can become hardened towards our parents, siblings, boyfriends, or even God. These hurts may be recent, or you may have carried them around for a really long time. We start to put up walls around our hearts to prevent us from getting hurt or feeling the pain or stings again. It begins with a little brick, then another because those words really hurt, and before you know it there is this huge wall that you can not see over, crawl over, or even get through. There is this space between you and this person or God that prevents you from really connecting. Embracing the truth, admitting that the offense may have been wrong on either party, and then releasing them may seem impossible to do right now. With God's help and reading His truth (the word), in time, the bricks and hardness will begin to crumble and soften. Sometimes it takes squeezing, pressing, rolling, holding and molding to soften the clay, the same is true with our hearts.

My prayer is that your heart will be softened and refined. God is shaping, molding, and refining us to become the mother that He wants us to be for our babies. The love and tenderness that comes when our hearts are softened is so precious. I pray that you do not lose heart during this process. Ask for His guidance and to lead you through this softening and forming, He is waiting to help you. Your heart will be your treasure!

After class, I came home and tucked the boys in bed, they were all 3 fast asleep on the couch when I walked in- so sweet and peaceful.  Then a thought came in my head- look at destiny in bloom.com.  So I went the the site- which is my favorite by the way!! There is always an encouraing and uplifting story to relate to.  It was as if my Daddy had written these words at the exact moment- confirming what He had already shown me. It was all about "Heart Confidence"  and had just posted a few hours before. The scriptures were amazing and just what I needed.  I am quoting them each day now!   When you have a chance- please go to  www.destinyinbloom.com and check it out!  Another amazing story I loved recently and enjoyed every minute was Holy Spirit Spa.  Be encouraged... you will love it!  Thanks to Marrissa Star and all the lovely ladies that share their hearts on this blooming blog!

Transition

This word just keeps popping up!  Transition is here and I feel it is time!  The number 11 for me is very significant.  Let me share something that my Daddy showed me!

I was driving to my Dr.'s visit at the Heart Place for sono on my leg (remember I had the chest pains- but have not had any pain since the 11th day)... I left our driveway and soon after saw a butterfly fluttering.  I thought- oh, how sweet, you are showing me a sign of new beginnings.  Then on Hwy 114, began to see more.  I started counting... 2, 3, 4 butterflies, 5, 6, 7... now remember I am on the highway and driving really fast- they just kept fluttering right in my view... felt Holy Spirit hovering over me.  I was listening to my Healing cd by Holly Wagner and quoting scriptures with her declaring my healing.  My favorite verse that she said- Nahum 1:9- Affliction will not arise a 2nd time.  I am claiming that right now!  Ok, so then 8 butterflies, oh my! 8- new beginnings- this is so fun! 9...Then exited Hwy and headed towards Dallas, was stopped at a red light and was singing the song..."I am running, running after You, You've become my soul's delight..." decided to open up my sunroof to look up to Heaven and just as I pushed the cover back and looked up... I saw a ladybug fly over me.  God, you are giving me so many signs and showing me how much you love me!  Was on Pearl Street and saw the 10th butterfly.  Turned on the street in front of Baylor Hospital- and saw the 11th Butterfly.  At this point I was almost in tears.  I pulled into parking space and lifted my eyes.  I said thank you and I knew that He was showing me Transition is here!  The 11th butterfly... 11 means transition/ stop... This was too good!

I  walked in with confidence to the Heart Place and just knew that the results were going to be perfect!

A few days later, my Mom and I went to an amazing special event presenting my life group leader - Kerrie Oles - she has just written her first book and this was the premier night!  It was held at Hope Church. We walked in and ladies were walking around with chocolates and dressed so beautifully.  Dance Revolution Team was there and they danced beautifully to a song about Grace.  Then Kerrie got up to speak.  I almost got choked up because she said she had already had her night planned of what she was going to share, she had it down.  But for some reason this past week, God had been sharing with her what He wanted to be shared that night.  The words TRANSITION came up on the screen.  She gave a definition and started sharing some of her story.  So many confirmations... my Mom and I went with an expectant heart... and we Received more than we could have asked for!  I would love to share everything that Kerrie spoke- but instead you have to read her book.  It is called "Invisible Chains- Discovering the freedom of God's grace".  Let me just tell you that once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down.  You will absolutely love it and I am sooo excited that she is coming to our Embrace Grace class on November 2 and will be sharing with our ladies about these chains that keep us bound. This in itself is such a "God thing" and we are so thankful for her coming to share with us! 

She asked if ladies needed to come up front for prayer.  My Mom went down and Kerrie prayed with her.  My Mom said- I don't even know what to say... she said God knows.  Such freedom happened I feel with so many ladies there.  Chains be broken... hearts be free.  Then the pastor's wife stood up and said, "I don't think God is finished yet."  He still wants to do some work.  She mentioned the word "confidence" and I knew that was my cue.  You see, during the time of my chest pains and other attacks, the enemy tried to rob me of my confidence for a little while. Especially when I went to class and began sharing with our girls at Embrace Grace. It was finally broken the Monday before this event (4 days prior) and I took back my confidence!  I felt that I needed to seal this new confidence in prayer and agreement with someone.  The lady that prayed with me was so precious.  I briefly shared with her the confirmation of Transition andwhat God had been revealing to me. I also told her my confidence had been robbed- but now is back to stay!  We joined hands and she kept saying transformation & transition... confidence has been restored... very strong prayer.  I told her if she only knew...so thankful!