Myrrh

My dear friend, Stephanie and I were talking the other day about Myrrh and how Esther used it in her beauty treatments. I told her I had some notes on this and sure enough I sat down to do my devotion the other day and my notes were right there. It is so great when the Lord does that, it usually means He wants to get my attention and it was good timing for me to reread them. So here they are Stephanie and anyone else who wants to know:

When Esther went through her beauty purifications, she soaked for six months in myrrh (Esther 2:12). This process opened up her pores. Once her pores were opened, she began to soak in more pleasing spices. Because of her time in the myrrh, these spices became a part of her very skin. When you are in a desert season, soaking in myrrh, know that God can use it to open your heart in a way that would not have been possible without the myrrh. Once your heart is completely open, He will have access to fill your heart with more of Himself, so His beautiful spices will become apart of your very being.

merry christmas

Since we didn't send out Christmas cards this year. I am sending my greetings to all through this blog this year. I pray that your Christmas is filled with hope, comfort and adoration. I have so many emotions inside of me this Christmas that it is would be impossible to even try to describe them. I am trying to fix my eyes and the behold the One who this season is truly about: Jesus.

Enjoy some pictures below from Christmas with my family that we celebrated already at thanksgiving time. Also, I found a great website yesterday that allows you to downloads free background papers and cool extras... ribbon, buttons, letters, frames etc. Click on the link to view it for all you love to design scrapbooks and other fun things: http://www.shabbyprincess.com/

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

So tomorrow is my parents 40th Anniversary. My sister and I planned a surprise for them while they were here in Kansas City over Thanksgiving. We blindfolded them and took them to the chapel where they got married since they use to live here in Kansas City. It was a lot of fun (you can see pictures below). We each spoke blessings over them and prayed for them. One thing we highlighted was the stories in the Bible that had to do with forty years. It was amazing at how many there are and how most of them had some sort of victory or breakthrough after forty years such as: Noah was in the boat for forty day before the rain stopped; Moses was on the mountain for forty days when he got the 10 commandments; The Israelities were in the desert for 40 years before they entered the promise land, David reigned for 40 years with wars and then Solomon reigned in peace for 40 years; Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before he started his ministry; After Jesus was raised from the dead he appeared to his disciples and many others for 40 days before He ascended into heaven.  Right now my parents should be landing in New Zealand what a glorious way to begin this new season for them. Have fun Mom and Dad. I love you.

Immersion

This past Sunday 16 people of our community decided to be immersed. Why, you ask since most of them have already been baptized (immersed). In Jewish tradition people did immersions for lots of reasons and one is for a change of season and repentance. Many of us have felt that our understanding of seeing that we as Gentiles are truly grafted into Israel (Rms 11:17) and the implications of what that really means, is a big change of life season. We repented of any anti-Semitism and replacement theology, we said the Shema and confessed Jesus (Yeshua) as our messiah. Then we had a member of our community who is a Messanic Jew (a Jewish person who believes in Jesus) pray a blessing over us. I have to say, I felt a joy and a refreshment afterwards that I haven't felt in a long time. Here are some pictures from the night. For those of you from the community if you want to see more pictures or copy them to your computer you can click on the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/kingdomlivingchurch/Immersion?feat=directlink (you can thank allison for taking the pictures)
also you can click on the picture below to make it large and if you click on individual pictures they will enlarge as well.

Highlighting on one of these pictures:

My husband, he so reminded me of Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof as he looked up and talked to G-d just like Tevye did often in the movie. It was classic especially since the night was focused on Israel.

To worry or not to worry

Many of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha. The Lord showed me a new perspective on it this year. In the past, I have heard messages on this portion of scripture that Martha was in the wrong because she was so busy, whereas Mary was right because she took time to be with the Lord. However, if you look closely at this passage Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter. He says, "you are worried and upset about many things.." He is addressing the attitude of her heart not the fact that she was so busy.

Luke 10:38-39

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Lately even when I have been taking the time to "sit at the Lord's feet" and listen like Mary did, the condition of my heart is the same as Martha's "worried and upset about many things." Once I realized this, I repented and asked the Lord to change my heart. I am a work in process right now. Here are some practical ways I am going to try to walk this out. I guess I am writing this out for accountablity purposes for myself (maybe someone else might find it helpful I don't know).


1) Turn the deep cry in my heart towards intercession for the people I am concerned about instead of asking the questions of "why".

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

2) Try to focus on the day itself and not all of the impending decisions that need to made by making out a check list for just this day and a seperate one all the others.

Matthew 6:34

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

3) When I get stressed instead of eatting food, to read the psalms aloud until the craving goes away.

Psalm 34:8

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Family Pictures

So this week has been a little busy to say the least with my parents, gram, and my sister and her four beautiful girls here. Not to mention, my gram's brother and two daughters came down from Omaha and my sister's in-laws and her sister in-law and her two kids came down from Iowa for a couple of days before Thanksgiving. We celebrated my parent's 40th anniversary, Christmas on thanksgiving morning, then Thanksgiving in the afternoon, and of course we did lots of fun things in the KC area. It was a blessing to get to be with everyone even if I am exhausted right now as I type this. So for now I will just post pictures from the photo shoot that Maasen took of our family. If your are looking for a good photographer you should contact her http://maasenphotography.blogspot.com/ Thanks again Maasen.

Dassah on the move

Hadassah is going to be 7 months tomorrow I can hardly believe it. Here are few things she has been up to lately. She got her two bottom teeth right before her 6th month b-day.

She can scoot and is starting to even take some steps crawling you will see on the video but often it turns into her sitting herself up. She can hold on standing up but not pull herself to standing yet. She loves playing with toys and is still full of smiles. However, she still doesn't sleep through the night. I guess she is following her brother since he didn't sleep through the night till 9 months.

Noah's dream

It is often that Noah will ask us: "Can I go to heaven and play with Wyatt and Jesus?"
I think it is interesting how in his spirit he knows it is somehow better to be in heaven then to ask for Wyatt to come back here. Too be honest I still struggle with this concept. I would love to go to heaven and be with those I love there but then I would miss those I love here. I feel torn. So basically it pushs me to pray and prepare the way for Jesus to come back more because then we will all be together.

On Wyatt's birthday, Noah asked this and Paul said what are you going to do when you see him, are you going to tackle him?" Noah said, "Yes and then I am going to tackle Jesus and they will laugh".

So the other morning we were having breakfast and here was our dialogue

Noah: Mama, when I was laying in my bed I had a dream
Me: What kind of dream?
Noah: A Jesus loves me dream
Me: Did you see Jesus
Noah: Yes
Me: What was He wearing?
Noah: He was wearing purple
Me: Was He happy or sad?
Noah: He was sad because the soldiers were going to take him away and have him die on the cross, then He took my hand and we went into this big barn. Their were horses and lots of toys there.
Me: Did you see anyone else in the barn?
Noah: Yes Wyatt was there and we were playing with Buzz, Woody, Bullseye and Jessie

That is all of the dream I can remember of what he said for right now. Paul said Noah told him some other things too later on maybe he will add them on the comments.

But what really stands out to me that I didn't even put together until Tom said it is that the Lord answered his desire to play with Wyatt in heaven by giving him a dream about it.

Taking pictures

 Okay I admit it when I am sad, stressed, or need to wind down: I either take pictures, look at pictures, make scrapbook pages with pictures or post pictures on my blog. At least I am multitasking today by making a scrapbook page and then posting it on my blog.  I managed to get out of the house the other day since the kids scheadules were off and they were both awake at the same time during the day. So we went to the Park and took some photos before all the fall leaves are gone.

The best paragraphs I have read in a long time

I have just starting reading The Cry by Patricia Juster. It has been really good. Below are the best paragraphs I have read in a long time, so much so that I am taking the time to write them out for this blog.

"As stated before, The Cry happens when we realize that we are powerless to change the course of what has happened to us in the past or to prevent harm from a present impending danger. How can one bring back from the dead the life of a loved one, or get back virginity, or procure his or her own rescue when overpowered by greater forces? Therefore, The Cry often comes with a ripping and tearing as when a woman gives birth. We are told that Jesus let out a deep cry when He died on the cross, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. (Matthew 27:50-54)

What power was in His cry! It was a cry of faith to the only One who could save. It was the release of His soul into the hands of His loving Father. A way was made for us to enter into initmate fellowship with God through this act.We are told in Hebrews that we can come boldly to the throne of God because Jesus made a way through His flesh that is called the veil. A veil seperated the holy of holies from the Holy Place. This veil, His body, was torn and bloodied for our freedom. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us throug the curtain, that is , his body" (Hebrews 10:19-20)

Could it possibly be that at the point where we release our "cry" giving up our hold on self-protection, that the curtain of our hearts is rent and a way is open for the greater intimacy with God?  Perhaps there are veils that hide or block us from seeing Jesus as He really is, and these veils need to be torn in two.  (pg.37-38)

The Lord is our Shepherd, and we have no lack or deprivation. He is the Supplier of our soul's food, and we no longer have to manage our own lives or the lives of others in an attempt to protect ourselves from pain. How grateful I am to God for He is preparing me for the difficult days ahead, and has taught me how to abide under the shadow of His wings. He is releasing faith for yielding to The Cry not just to relieve my own pain but also to cry over the pain of others and intercede for their deliverance. Also, I know that this tool of intercession will be used in the face of impending judgment where corporately those who have come to this place of freedom can cry out in faith to the merciful God to spare His people or to repent on behalf of a people group as did Ezra, Nehemiah, or Daniel. "Lord, we have sinned and deserve death, but you are a merciful and gracious God who loves righteousness and justice. In wrath, remember mercy!"

Perhaps you are one of those God is preparing as a type of Esther (whether you're a man or woman) to stand before the king and to cry out for the lives of others... (pg. 39)

I believe that you will receive sight as you patiently embrace your suffering, turning from all pointing of the finger at others. As you run into the arms of your Savior and pour out your heart to Him, the veil will be ripped in two. Then you will see Jesus in greater glory. It is only in His presence tthat you will receive comfort and understanding. He is faithful . And will come through for you as He has for millions before you. (pg. 40)

These are just a few treasures I have found already from this book. If you want to get a copy you can order it at http://www.tikkunamerica.org/pattysbooks.php

The girl with the yellow hat

This isn't just any yellow hat.. it was Kate's first handmade hat and it fits just perfect. Thanks!

p.s. thanks for the super cute coat Ang and Aliya

Wyatt's 5th birthday today

Wyatt: Your presence is missed daily...
We long for the day when we get to play again.

A good morning.

Thanks mom... for the fun package and making my morning a little extra special. I love the mug and egg maker! super cute! What a great way to remind me of His steadfast love (with the daisies) in the morning.

p.s. yes, Susan my mug has your delicious pear tea in it with half and half.. thanks again!

Any ideas?

Since Harrison's cross country season has ended and he doesn't have practice anymore after school, we decided to implement: Family Fun Night on Mondays. This Monday we took the kids to the mall to JUMP. They had a blast. Here are some pictures and a video.

So here is where I need your help.. do you have any ideas on fun things we can do as a family preferably that are not that expensive and which both a 3 year old and a 13 year old would enjoy? If so, I would love to hear them. thanks

Enjoying the fall weather

Behold the Eternal

Oh to behold the Eternal

From generation to generation you stay the same

Two prophets, both in exile, yet hundreds of years apart... behold the Eternal

May this be an encouragement to all who feel like they are in some sort of exile... may you see His Throne and be in Awe.

Ezekiel 1: 25-28

Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.  I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.  Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Revelation 4: 1-11
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.


In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being."



While I was posting this I was listening to IHOP mistry edward and to my surprise she started singing about this... God is so infinite and intimate.
If you want to listen to it:
http://www.ihop.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000066807
in the search area type in misty edward then click on the 6pm oct. 18 and move the play area to 51 minutes and enjoy

The impact of a day

Eight years ago today, I met Art Olson at Panera.  Below is a picture of us at the booth we met at. When I went to look for this picture tonight to scan it in, I found the church bulletin that he wrote his number on underneath it from that day. Wow, it took me back just to see his handwriting.   

So today, I went just like I have every year on this day since I met Art to Panera. It was a tradition we started as a married couple to go there on this day, get a chai tea " our favorite" and remember how the Lord brought us together. Even though he is not here, I still carry on this tradition and remember and thank the Lord for bringing Art and I together. Becasue the truth is even if I knew that the Lord was going to take him to be with Him only a year after being married, I would have wanted to marry him and enjoy the time I had with him.

It was harder today than some of the years in the past, maybe because of everything that has happened this year, or because I was just in Chicago or maybe just because I simply miss him. Most likely it is a combination of all three. Sitting there with the kids tonight, I thought of all the people who smiled at me or commented on the kids, how they had no idea of why I was really there tonight. It is a surreal feeling. I thought about how different my life is now and how much I have changed during these last 8 years. A weird thing happened, my saddness turned into thanksgiving as I prayed for our food, I thanked the Lord for allowing Art and I to meet and for being with me these last 8 years. I was reminded how every breath is a gift and to treasure the time I still do have with those who I love that are here with me. My fears of losing my children, husband, parents, extended family and friends started to subside for a moment as I allowed thanksgiving to replace my fears.  Because the truth is, we don't know what each day holds.

The other day, I found the pen of the funeral director's company we had in Italy who helped us with Art. The name of his company says "enjoy your life" in Italian. Daily this is a battle it seems to just enjoy life, but today I am going to start giving thanks to the Lord for at least 5 things every day before I go to sleep.

When I think of things I miss about Art it is his Sensitivity, his Passion, his Smile, his Intensity, his Hair, his Laugh  and his Touch so in light of these I am thankful for... 

1) I am thankful for Paul's sensitivity and Passion for the Lord, who so graciously listened to me tonight and looked at pictures with me and reminded me that "Art is still real"

2) I am thankful for Hadassah's smile

3) I am thankful for Noah's Intensity, crazy hair, and his laughter

  

4) I am thankful that I am still in touch with Art's family because when I hug his mom, it is like hugging part of him.

5) I am thankful for getting the privledge to tell a precious couple who has been coming to our community, Art and I's story tonight since we were sharing our testimonies with them. Yes, there were tears but it felt good especially on a day like today to keep Art's memory alive and tell someone just how wonderful he is so they can look forward to meeting him some day.

Bath time

 

 "I love taking baths in the kitchen sink..." says Hadassah with her cute little smile

  

"Now my hair is all clean and brushed"

"Have I mentioned I love my tongue"



"This is how I get ready for bed since I refuse to take a pacifier"



"My mom loves my eyelashes in this picture because they remind her of my Papa"

meme & granddaddy

For those of you who don't know my parents, also known as Meme and Grandddaddy by the kiddos, bought a house only a couple doors down from us. It is so wonderful to have them so close. This visit they drove up and stayed for almost 3 weeks. Lots of the time consisted of buying things for the house and making one decision after another. We are overwhelmed at their investment in our family life as well as our ministry. They are letting Paul use one of the rooms in the house as an office and they are remodeling the basement of their house for us to use for Kingdom Living meetings. It was great having them at our services and Bible studies while they were in town.

Outside of the housing projects, we went to the Plaza Art festival...

 We celebrated my dad's birthday... the boys picked out a funny card and added their own sound effects. I even got to take my dad out to breakfast just the two of us because I have an amazing husband who watched the kids for me.

They even got to watch Harrison run cross country. We were so proud of him he really picked up his speed at the end of the race.

(I love this picture with the sun shining on him)

I love the way Hadassah is looking at Harrison

We did manage to go to one resturant with the kids and it sure was an adventure.. Here is a picture and some videos from it... (it was one of those times you would not have wanted to be the people sitting near us)

They left this morning and I miss them already... but look forward to seeing them and the whole family at Thanksgiving here in Kansas City.

Things I love about Chicago!

1) Shopping at Anthropology with Oma! It is so much fun to shop with her! She has great taste and is full of smiles, laughs and compliments. Thanks again for everything. I have been enjoying my new clothes (I got several comments on the skinny jeans)!
2) Eatting at Art and I's favorite resturant Wild Fire. I was so glad Art's dad is feeling better and was able to join us and meet Hadassah. She was quite taken with him.
3) Walking around downtown and being able to find several unique non chain resturants to eat at that have outside seating. I enjoyed a beautiful Italian dinner with a dear friend of my Leslie and her fiance Adam. It was so good to catch up after not seeing each other for four years.
4) The parks... in the midst of the busy city there are some amazing parks to get away from everything. This visit I went to the newly done millenium park. The have a cool cloud gate structure which is like a mirror that shows the reflection of the city and those around it... (can you find me in it ? )

( don't worry this picture is not risky my mom is holding her up from behind)
Hadassah enjoyed the park too!
5) The river... I love the fact that Chicago has so much water around it with the river in the middle of the city and lake shore on the outside of it. One of my favorite things to do when I lived there was to ride my bike or rollerblake by lake shore drive. Here I am with my adorable mom.
6) The skyline and the history of the city. I sometimes try to imagine what it would be like to live in the city in different time periods. Maybe that is why I like the skyline because each building tells a story of history and having them together is kind of like having a scrapbook of Chicago in a weird sort of way.