Three Little Blessings- Our Journey together
Jessica Rowell Photography
Jessica Rowell Photography
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Praising God!
Yesterday was an amazing day! First, it was my precious Mom's Birthday. I am so thankful for her life and pray God continues to bless her life and health. I love her so much! I am also blessed to have the opportunity to work with such awesome sisters and brothers in Christ! It touches my heart to see people seeing needs of people in the community and pitching in as a team to fill those needs. As a bible class for the past quarter Kevin has led us through a study on Radical by David Platt- Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. WOW! What a challenge. In this study the author continues to challenge us with questions that are life changing. The first song " I Refuse"on my blog playlist is the idea of this. For example, Have we turned Jesus Christ into what we want him to be, out of convenience to us, our lives and our "American Dream?" Did Jesus really mean everything he said? If so, are living that out in that manner? Another challenge for me that sounds like a no brainer is the concept of EVERYTHING I have is GOD'S. He has so richly blessed me with it. He can easily take it away. Am I giving till it hurts when there are so many in need? Do I really realize what it is like to live in countries like Egypt and Algeria where the mention of Christ and Christianity could result in extreme persecution and even death of me and my family? Am I taking serious the Great Commission when Jesus says "GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you?" I thought I was trying my best to do these things in my life but I have been uncomfortably challenged to examine myself and re-evaluate the way I am doing things. If you haven't seen or read this book I highly recommend it to you. I believe if we get comfortable where we are in our walk it means we have stopped striving to grow.
Going back to my original praise... I have seen God working and being glorified in the hearts of others. I believe it is because of this study that helped us realize we cant ignore the teachings of Jesus and depend on someone else to do them. We are all spoken to as missionaries sent out to carry out the Great Commission everyday in our daily walk. I have watched sisters and brothers in Christ take initiative like I have never seen before. I have watched people selflessly see needs and fill them for others. I am so blessed to have fellowship with this community of believers that are working towards living out the Great Commission for real! I pray this momentum only grows and spreads.
Two families were in need yesterday and willing people where excited to fill those needs. One family was in the middle of extreme home repairs and their first child came 10 weeks early. They needed help to get their home back in order to prepare for their baby when she is able to come home form the NICU.
The other family has lost everything they own due to financial struggles. They are a family of 6 that has been living in a hotel room since last June. Then they lost their 4 year old daughter in October from a severe asthma attack. They have been in shock and struggling to make it through her death. They finally were able to get a rental home yesterday. They moved into a home with nothing. It was completely empty. Our Christian sisters and brothers have dug in and pooled together given and purchased items to furnish their home. From beds, sheets, dishes,cleaning supplies, a washer, dryer, and a refrigerator of food . They are in still in need of food items and household things like towels and such but we still have so many people that want to help!
I am loving watching work being done to further HIS Kingdom!
Praise God! Let His Glory be seen through this by all!
Going back to my original praise... I have seen God working and being glorified in the hearts of others. I believe it is because of this study that helped us realize we cant ignore the teachings of Jesus and depend on someone else to do them. We are all spoken to as missionaries sent out to carry out the Great Commission everyday in our daily walk. I have watched sisters and brothers in Christ take initiative like I have never seen before. I have watched people selflessly see needs and fill them for others. I am so blessed to have fellowship with this community of believers that are working towards living out the Great Commission for real! I pray this momentum only grows and spreads.
Two families were in need yesterday and willing people where excited to fill those needs. One family was in the middle of extreme home repairs and their first child came 10 weeks early. They needed help to get their home back in order to prepare for their baby when she is able to come home form the NICU.
The other family has lost everything they own due to financial struggles. They are a family of 6 that has been living in a hotel room since last June. Then they lost their 4 year old daughter in October from a severe asthma attack. They have been in shock and struggling to make it through her death. They finally were able to get a rental home yesterday. They moved into a home with nothing. It was completely empty. Our Christian sisters and brothers have dug in and pooled together given and purchased items to furnish their home. From beds, sheets, dishes,cleaning supplies, a washer, dryer, and a refrigerator of food . They are in still in need of food items and household things like towels and such but we still have so many people that want to help!
I am loving watching work being done to further HIS Kingdom!
Praise God! Let His Glory be seen through this by all!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Word of God Speak!
I am so moved to blog about this. I love the Word of GOD!!! I have committed to journey with my precious hubby, my mom, and some good friends by reading through the Bible this year. Wow! It has so richly blessed my life already. I am enjoying every minute of it. I have studied the Bible both on my own and with a studybook in various classes and it has blessed me but I highly recommend the One Year Bible.
It is so organized and keeps me on track. I am enjoying it so much. I am able to put pieces together on my own and enjoy it chronologically. I tried doing this study before about 5 years ago and got discouraged and got behind and quite. This time I am so excited about it and it is even more exciting to be doing it with people I love and that will hold me accountable.
I have already seen it working in my life. Convicting me in the areas of my life that I am weak and encouraging me to do better. All areas of my life are blessed when I am in the Word daily. Everything else in life seems to find its place in order of importance and it is easier to see God's plan for me when I am studying it everyday. This is a lifestlye I want to teach my children. I want them to make time to study the Bible on their own on a daily basis. As a family we teach our children the Bible and we have daily family devotionals but I don't want that to be it for my children. I don't want them to rely on Kevin and I to teach them about the relationship they need to develop with God. Of course I want to coach them on it, but I want it to theirs. I want them to desire to have a relationship with God. I want to help guide and lead them as they develope their faith in our Creator.
It is so organized and keeps me on track. I am enjoying it so much. I am able to put pieces together on my own and enjoy it chronologically. I tried doing this study before about 5 years ago and got discouraged and got behind and quite. This time I am so excited about it and it is even more exciting to be doing it with people I love and that will hold me accountable.
I have already seen it working in my life. Convicting me in the areas of my life that I am weak and encouraging me to do better. All areas of my life are blessed when I am in the Word daily. Everything else in life seems to find its place in order of importance and it is easier to see God's plan for me when I am studying it everyday. This is a lifestlye I want to teach my children. I want them to make time to study the Bible on their own on a daily basis. As a family we teach our children the Bible and we have daily family devotionals but I don't want that to be it for my children. I don't want them to rely on Kevin and I to teach them about the relationship they need to develop with God. Of course I want to coach them on it, but I want it to theirs. I want them to desire to have a relationship with God. I want to help guide and lead them as they develope their faith in our Creator.
A week with the flu...
Wow! Its been quite a while since I've posted. Shame on me I haven't even gotten Christmas pictures up. Well nothing like a week with the flu to slow you down. Mya started acting fussy last Sunday evening after we left small group. She woke up Monday morning with a fever and I thought she just had a little virus. By Tuesday Madi and Kevin both felt pretty bad. Mya seemed to be showing signs of improving on Wednesday while Kev and Madi were pretty sick. Mya started acting sick again on Thursday while Zoe started running fever. My poor family. They are miserable. We've all been camped out in the living room both day and night just watching movies, sleeping, and reading. The girls are so bored and ready to be up and playing again but their little bodies just haven't fully recovered. Kevin has had it the worst of all. His fever has been the highest and he has had more extreme symptoms such as chills, shaking and extreme headaches.
So far I haven't gotten it. I have prayed so hard for my family to feel better soon and for me not to get it so I can take care of my family. Kevin went to the doctor on Friday and he confirmed he had the flu. He gave Kevin and I both tamiflu which we started taking immediately. I am hoping if I get it at all it will only be a mild case. I don't feel 100% but I think it maybe that I am exhausted. The girls haven't slept well this entire week and I have been up late with them and up during the night. I feel like I maybe getting a sinus infection but hopefully not the flu.
I am so ready for us all to feel better.This was a beautiful weekend. We opened the windows and let the fresh air in. We were all pretty disappointed to be sick and shut in this weekend. We were supposed to help out Saturday morning with the Angelfood Ministry and then we had plans to go to Chocolate Fantasy at the Oak Court Mall for my cousins Heather's Birthday (It is a yearly tradition). Then we were supposed to go to a princess birthday party. Then Kevin was supposed to preach on Sunday and I had a wedding shower to go to. We really missed out on alot. I am just so thankful God has kept me well so I could take care of my sweet husband and our precious children. Hopefully tomorrow will be better for everyone.
So far I haven't gotten it. I have prayed so hard for my family to feel better soon and for me not to get it so I can take care of my family. Kevin went to the doctor on Friday and he confirmed he had the flu. He gave Kevin and I both tamiflu which we started taking immediately. I am hoping if I get it at all it will only be a mild case. I don't feel 100% but I think it maybe that I am exhausted. The girls haven't slept well this entire week and I have been up late with them and up during the night. I feel like I maybe getting a sinus infection but hopefully not the flu.
I am so ready for us all to feel better.This was a beautiful weekend. We opened the windows and let the fresh air in. We were all pretty disappointed to be sick and shut in this weekend. We were supposed to help out Saturday morning with the Angelfood Ministry and then we had plans to go to Chocolate Fantasy at the Oak Court Mall for my cousins Heather's Birthday (It is a yearly tradition). Then we were supposed to go to a princess birthday party. Then Kevin was supposed to preach on Sunday and I had a wedding shower to go to. We really missed out on alot. I am just so thankful God has kept me well so I could take care of my sweet husband and our precious children. Hopefully tomorrow will be better for everyone.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
How amazing is our Creator!
Wow! We are with my family in Florida this week and having a wonderful time! Hope to blog about our time here but I am totally moved to glorify my God at this time!
I am so thankful to have been able to view the amazing work of our God in the wee hours of the morning this morning. It was the total lunar eclipse during the winter solstice. It was absolutely amazing. Felt so moved to praise our God! He is indescribable. I got to view this rare sight on my Bday with a few of my favorite people in the world, which made this bday tops on the list of most exciting bdays! Kevin, Madi, Mom, Heather and I stayed up to marvel at this amazing sight. It was so cool to be able to experience that with Madi. Hopefully it will be something she never forgets. The moon was amazing in its fullness. We walked out Mom and Dad's front door, looked up and there it was. It was like God created the perfect show for our viewing. I was so thankful to be here and be able to enjoy the eclipse. If we would have been home we would have not been able to see it because of the weather. It was beautiful as the shadow of the earth eventually blocked the direct light from the sun. It created a beautiful reddish tint on the moon. In addition to the eclipse, the stars were so bright and shining. The sky was perfectly clear and my parents live away from most city lights so the stars were bright and beautiful. I am so thankful to worship my Creator, the creator of all the earth. How blessed I am to be a daughter of the Most High. Thank you God for the ways you continue to amaze me!
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
I am so thankful to have been able to view the amazing work of our God in the wee hours of the morning this morning. It was the total lunar eclipse during the winter solstice. It was absolutely amazing. Felt so moved to praise our God! He is indescribable. I got to view this rare sight on my Bday with a few of my favorite people in the world, which made this bday tops on the list of most exciting bdays! Kevin, Madi, Mom, Heather and I stayed up to marvel at this amazing sight. It was so cool to be able to experience that with Madi. Hopefully it will be something she never forgets. The moon was amazing in its fullness. We walked out Mom and Dad's front door, looked up and there it was. It was like God created the perfect show for our viewing. I was so thankful to be here and be able to enjoy the eclipse. If we would have been home we would have not been able to see it because of the weather. It was beautiful as the shadow of the earth eventually blocked the direct light from the sun. It created a beautiful reddish tint on the moon. In addition to the eclipse, the stars were so bright and shining. The sky was perfectly clear and my parents live away from most city lights so the stars were bright and beautiful. I am so thankful to worship my Creator, the creator of all the earth. How blessed I am to be a daughter of the Most High. Thank you God for the ways you continue to amaze me!
Psalm 147:4 (New International Version, ©2010)
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Psalm 136:9 (New International Version, ©2010)
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
Psalm 8:3 (New International Version, ©2010)
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
Hope I can post some pics soon! It was amazing.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
Psalm 8:3 (New International Version, ©2010)
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
Hope I can post some pics soon! It was amazing.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Finally Finished and Ready to Enjoy Christmas!
Wow! It has been a whirlwind. Thank the Lord for the strength, energy and endurance for helping me do all I have had to do in order to finish all the last minute things to get ready for Christmas. It may sound silly but I have talked to God many times this past week about helping me to accomplish everything I need to accomplish. HE IS FAITHFUL even through the small requests. I am ever so thankful for my precious, wonderful, amazing husband for being so supportive and patient with me even when I am acting in a tizzy. I love him! I am also thankful for my sweet babies for being so patient with me this week while I have been glued to the computer trying to finish up their Shutterfly books. It takes forever to do 3 at a time!
I feel like a heavy burden is lifted off of my shoulders! I can now enjoy the rest of the Christmas season. Don't get me wrong. I still have lots of packing and wrapping to get done but at least the girls can help me. They love to wrap presents.
We will be leaving on Friday morning to go to FL to spend a week with my mom, dad, sisters, niece, nephews and the rest of the family. I am so excited to be able to spend time with them. The girls are thrilled to see their cousins. They have never met my new nephew Audi, so it will be fun. I do dread the L O N G drive down there with three precious children. And did I mention Mya is potty training? HUMMM! How many potty breaks will we take? :) We will just have to laugh! Once we get there it is all about relaxing and spending quality family time! I can't wait. Then of course, we can look forward to getting back here and waiting on the BIG man to come ; ) Well, I better go to bed. NITE!
I feel like a heavy burden is lifted off of my shoulders! I can now enjoy the rest of the Christmas season. Don't get me wrong. I still have lots of packing and wrapping to get done but at least the girls can help me. They love to wrap presents.
We will be leaving on Friday morning to go to FL to spend a week with my mom, dad, sisters, niece, nephews and the rest of the family. I am so excited to be able to spend time with them. The girls are thrilled to see their cousins. They have never met my new nephew Audi, so it will be fun. I do dread the L O N G drive down there with three precious children. And did I mention Mya is potty training? HUMMM! How many potty breaks will we take? :) We will just have to laugh! Once we get there it is all about relaxing and spending quality family time! I can't wait. Then of course, we can look forward to getting back here and waiting on the BIG man to come ; ) Well, I better go to bed. NITE!
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