Maple Syrup Kisses

As my 6 year old, Caleb, swung his arms around me this morning and planted a giant maple syrup kiss on my cheek I was quickly reminded that I am blessed right where I am.
When I was 20 and three months into my beautiful new marriage I found out that I wouldn't be having drinks on my 21st Birthday like all my other friends. Instead, my hunky new husband and I would be indeed picking out names for the arrival of my firstborn. While all of my friends were off at college I remember thinking OK this is it. This is what I have waited my whole life for. Not to get a degree in fill in the blank....No, I was going to become a mommy. As a little girl I could never decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. These were the choices I would make on career day...Nurse and Teacher. As I think back to those days it brings me so much JOY to know that God was designing me to be the VERY thing He created me for...Mother. I get grumpy sometimes (a lot) and get in the ruts of life where I just want to complain about everything. But today when Caleb put his arms around me and I smelled the aroma of the maple syrup it made me giggle and smile. No, I do not have a college degree and I am not the most eloquent writer or speaker, but I am very thankful that my God would love me so much to give me a husband who takes care of me and guides me in the Truth; that He loves me and gives me these three blessings to teach and be a nurse to everyday. Treasuring these special moments and tucking them away to bring out on a rainy day.

A Pilgrims Journey

Every year during the thanksgiving season I am amazed and in awe of the Pilgrims and their journey to the New World. It was hard, rough and there was great loss. I often wonder if I would have been on that boat if I had been born in the 1600's. Their vision was clear and distinct. They wanted to be able to carry out the first commandment with freedom. To love their God with their whole heart. Being told when and where to do so just wasn't working for them. I hope I would be so bold.
As I was teaching the kids this week about their journey I asked them to draw what they would have taken on the boat. They drew things such as their doggies, water, blankets, pillows. As I looked at their drawing it really didn't dawn on me till later that they left one key item off of their drawings. The Bible. It made me realize our depravity and that we missed the point on the lesson of the Pilgrims. I can't blame the kids or even get mad at them for forgetting the Bible. They learn by example so somewhere I have fallen short, but God is good and gracious and is constantly TEACHING Shane and I. Do I treasure the Word of God like my life depended on it? I need to remind them (and me) that it is not just a book of rules that a mean and high pompous being created to make us mad. It is LIFE. And in it are the treasures and jewels of breathing in this life. I need to be on my knees asking the Lord to show me the way to teach my children the necessity of scripture. In this day and age it is very hard to disconnect from the distractions of life. Computers, Wii's, ipods, etc, but I am learning that in each era there was some type of distraction it is just going to get harder and harder to keep the eye on the prize. How do we as parents today do this? I know two things are key. I just need help reminding myself to put it into practice...Prayer and the Word. As John Piper says "the breath of the Christians life is prayer without it we will suffocate." I am going to be asking the Lord to help me and my family be pilgrims. To be able to stand up for what we believe and always seek the Cross for refuge and strength.
Praise God the pilgrims had focus. They also had the Holy spirit guiding them and they trusted the Word of God. Pilgrims were not perfect by any means, but they had great determination because they were constantly seeking His righteousness and knew they could not live under such a rule any longer. So, when I reteach the story of the Pilgrims and Indians today it is not going to be about a "happy peaceful feast." I will be teaching that their was sorrow, pain, and loss, but they trusted God remembered why they left England in the first place.
The word of God, prayer, and the spirit kept their eye on the prize as it should us today. I pray that you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving and that you will be amazed by our High and Holy King who loves us and adores us because of Christ! This is the greatest gift to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Be blessed!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Music does something to the soul...for me music is healing. It transports me most times back to a time that was precious in my life. I remember as a little girl loving to sing and perform. I can remember my dad taking me down to the local christian book store and let me pick out a new Kids Praise cassette tape and usually some stickers. I would be SO excited to rip the wrapper off of the cassette and put it into the tape player. I would listen to it over and over again to learn all the words. I am sure I drove my sister bonkers since she had to share a room with the soloist. :) Those times were so special and I will treasure them forever.

Growing up in the church I have heard the song Great is Thy Faithfulness quite a bit. We sing these hymns every week with almost no thought into what we are actually singing. These musical giants wrote some really powerful lyrics,but I have to admit I have been one of the ones in church wondering why we still sing these mundane and boring songs. I was so wrong! I will never be able to sing the words to this great song Great is Thy Faithfulness again without a truly thankful heart and adoration for my Savior. As I read and sang the words to this beautiful hymn on Sunday morning, every line meant so much more to me than it usually does; as if I was singing it for the first time. He has been so faithful in my life. Even in the darkest of hours, he truly does keep His promises. I know my blogs lately have been somewhat repetitive, but the Lord must know that I, like the sheep he refers to in scripture, need the constant reminder that He is faithful and He will not forsake me not matter how deep the valley gets. In the world we live in we can get caught up in the heaviness of it all forget so easily that He does have a purpose for the things we are going through. No matter how dark it gets....He is there in the midst of it all; shining His light and reminding us of His faithfulness. He was even with me when I was a little girl excited to get her praise tape and sing it at the top of my lungs with no care in the world. That just makes my heart smile.

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness. I pray that you are touched by the words just as I was and that you would have a renewed zeal for worship of our King.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.


Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

In the blink of an eye....

I wish that I had more time for this blogging thing. I so look forward to sitting down and journaling my thoughts and reflections about what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through our life. But with 3 kids that are all home schooled there is hardly time for that. Not that I am complaining because I have TRULY fell in love with homeschooling this year. The Lord has given me insight into my weakness' and really convicted me of my laziness in the area of organization. Don't get me wrong....I have a long way to go. I am a piler and I have a problem...I pile bills, books, junk, laundry. Whatever I can get my hands on I make into a pile. Not to mention this gets on Shane's last nerve. But I try to remind him that if I can find it in 10-15 minutes it is not disorder! :) All joking aside, I am so thankful that this year has gone a lot smoother than last year because of my preparedness and with lots and lots of PRAYER.

My kids are growing up at such an alarming-rapid pace that I can hardly breath. Last week, Jax my oldest, I saw in a different light. Seeing him step into that leader role that I have been praying about is bittersweet. He gets up does his chores and starts on his schoolwork. I thought we would never get here. He is also getting more confident about sports. It is really encouraging to see him to be excited to go to baseball practice. Praying fervently that God would use his sweet spirit to do mighty things for the kingdom!
Noelle is still a tough cookie, but the Lord works quickly and swiftly on her heart. She is quick to ask for forgiveness and what a marvelous thing this is to witness. About a week ago she asked me if she could look into being a Disney Channel star. (If she isn't my child I don't know who's she is) I asked her how she could glorify the Lord by being on T.V. she responded with "I could tell the director to make it Christian show." Sometimes I wish I still lived in that childlike perspective of the world. Well, for now you wont see her on the Disney Channel, but what you might see in the future is..."NB's Fashion House" where her line of clothing will be sold. :) Praying that the Lord will use her to lead women to do great things for the kingdom.
On to Caleb Michael, my baby....When I think about Caleb I think of pure sweetness. He is my love. He amazes me everyday. Caleb has such a excitement for everything he does that it makes you want to join in and do it too. Whether it be doing the moonwalk across the tile floor or playing the same level on Mario Bro's for the umpteenth time. He loves school as well and is constantly telling me "mom I like your school." Over the summer, at VBS, I think that Christ came into his life. Since then he has loved prayer and his prayers are so rich and beautiful. I cannot wait to see what the Lord does in Caleb's life! He is going to do Awesome things for the our God.

Life is certainly not easy for us. We are still chugging along in this crazy life. Most days we are just trying to keep our heads above the water. One piece of advice I have whether you do not have kids or you do... I ask you to pause and take the time sometimes to be thankful for the joys, hardship, and craziness of it all right where you are. The joys most of the time outweigh the all of the negatives. But in those times I am reminded that He is teaching me and molding me into the woman He wants me to be.

Looking forward to the next time I get to sit and be still. Taking a breath and knowing that He is.

I Believe You're My Portion

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe

And I believe you're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need.

These lyrics to Kari Jobe's song Healer have been running constantly in my head over the last couple of months. In June, we traveled up to PA. On the long journey I heard this song for the first time. As I listened to the words and heard the line- I believe you're my portion- I just fell apart. Because it was the first time I truly asked myself the question "Is Jesus enough?" If my biggest/darkest fear were to become a reality was I willing to say... "Jesus I know that this world is not my home and that right now YOU are enough--You are my portion." I was upset because I was afraid to say those words...But I sang them anyway reflecting and praying about the things that I hold too tightly to. My husband, my children, my parents,ect...
What was the Lord trying to teach me in this moment? Well, like a lot of the time in the busyness of life I forget about these teachable moldable moments. Months go on and here we are almost to the end of August. I was not aware that such darkness, sadness, and despair was right around the corner. He was preparing me to ask myself again, in a very real way, "am I your portion"?

Having my life completely turned upside down - I mean everything I have ever known to be tightly knitted suddenly begins to unravel in front of my eyes. I can't imagine not being able to see or understand that there is a greater purpose, a perfect plan unfolding just as He has decided - without this knowledge I would have completley lost my way. Having the anchor of knowing the Truth, God's truth - has saved me, not figuratively-literally. Trusting in what He says in His word has set me free and been my stronghold in the midst of my weakest hours. Not Shane, not my children, they have been instruments that the Lord has used to keep my focus on my joy. There have been days where I just cry out and ask why, but the Holy Spirit quickly reminds me that its not about my tempory plan or fleating happiness - it's about His perfect will and the everlasting joy He supplies by His promises.

---I have felt the presence of the Lord more now in my suffering than in any other time of my life.
---I have seen His people serve and love,unselfishly-love, like Christ.
---I have relearned that the Gospel message HAS to be preached to myself everyday.
---I have witnessed Isaiah 40:28-31 to be true...
God does keep his promises. He has not forsaken me, He is always there to comfort me in my sadness.
Though this world is full of pain and sorrow and is totally unpredictable - My Jesus is enough and He promises to hold me together - I believe this to be true. I know I cannot do it. I believe He accomplished all things for me in Christ. He is all I need.

If you are reading this and do not trust in the finished work of Christ and you feel alone and that you cannot do it....you're right - you can't, you never will. Christ did and He will NEVER leave you nor foresake you. He will always be there for you no matter what. He will be your portion as He has been mine if you belong to Him. BELIEVE THAT HE IS YOUR PORTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvIEJ_PmqJ8

Family Ties

This past week we traveled up to Pennsylvania to celebate Shane's grandmothers 80th birthday. What a wonderful sight to see 100's of family members gather to honor this great woman. As she was driven to the top of the driveway about 30 of her great grandchildren held up letters that read
H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y. As she got out of the car you could see the tears welling up in her eyes. It was such a special moment. As the day progressed they played games of guess the grandchild, feed the baby(sons and daughters of Grace fed eachother baby food while sitting in a adult diaper and wrapped in a bib)blindfolded. The grandkids also presented her with a beautiful scrapbook. Inside you would find a picture of each grandchild with a note to her about how special she has been to them. What a gift!
As I looked around and saw the hundreds of cousins, aunts, uncles playing horseshoes, catching up while reclining in a chair under a beautiful tree, or the little kids playing on the swingset I was reminded of how important family is. From this one couple came hundreds of family members and legacy. Grace and Richard had 12children. They have formed this unique bond that you really do not see in today's culture and can't even begin descibe unless you are in the midst of it. I am so thankful that I was able to be there for that special day. Grace was honored and put up on the pedestul that she deserved to be on.
It also made me realize that even though I am apart of this earthly family I am apart of a greater and bigger family. One that will never end and one that I can pass on to my children and to their children. A legacy that is eternal. God is a God of family. He is my abba...my daddy. He has a love for me that exceeds any earthly love that I can think of or imagine. Praise God for family!

Phew...Glad that Day is Over With....

Did you ever have one of those days that you wish just would have never happened? I am talking about the kind of day that even the slightest noise annoys you and makes you snap just like that? Well, that was today...I started out with such an accomplished morning. I swept, mopped, cleaned bathrooms, folded mounds and mounds of laundry, not exaggerating here, pack a little for the our upcoming trip, and managed to get a shower! If anyone would have observed me they would have put me in the running for mom of the year! But you know what happens when you thing YOU have it all together? BOOM! POW! KER PLUNK!! Everything goes wrong!! And I mean everything!!! I will not go into the lengthy details, but it was bad!

This is why I am so thankful for Holy Spirit. He quickly shows me how blessed I am, reveals my iniquities, and reminds me of my hope in Christ.
As I scooped up a sleeping 6 year old Caleb in my arms to take to bed, I just paused there for a minute and embraced the peace that he gave me at that moment. This is who I am in my Fathers arms. When I have a bad day and feel like I have said all the wrong things to my children or was truly a bad example to them. Or for that matter anyone who came in contact with me that day. I can remember that as quickly as I repent He scoops me up into His arms and whispers peace and this promise into my ear.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

I pray that I don't ever try to have it all together or give the appearance that I do because I can't and I never will in this life. But He promises me that I am being made into the likeness of Him and for that I am thankful. I have a hope even though I might forget for a time. Glory to His name Alone!

Others, Others, Others

Waking up this morning I felt rested, loved and adored. The Lord blessed our weekend with nice weather, family, and reflection. As I took Caleb to school my mood quickly turned to sadness. I tuned into a radio station that I do not often turn to and listened to the heartbreak of some moms who were hurting because of the hard mothers day that they had just experienced. One mother had recently gone through a divorce and the visit fell onto her ex-husbands weekend to have her 5 yr old. She said with tears in her voice, "he just wouldn't change the weekend with me, he is still very bitter." I sympathized with her and felt her pain. I cannot imagine being without my babies on Mothers Day. Hurt is all around us...Sadness....loneliness....the list can go on and on. Sometimes(most of the time) we get so caught up in our own life, that at the moment can be going great. We forget to look out, reach out and be that light that we are called to be. As I pulled into my driveway Miss Antoinette was walking her dog, an elderly neighbor that I chat with once in a while. She always comes up to me and comments on my home, children, or doggies. She asked me how my Mothers Day was and told her it was wonderful. She always cheers me up and makes me realize how blessed I am right where I am in my life right now. She ended the conversation with "getting old is for the birds." I giggled and told her to have a wonderful day...and she said "you too! you are always so sweet." The Lord really opened my eyes this morning and made me remember that this life is not all about me! Christ was always looking out for the needs of others. I need to smile more, love more and then love and smile some more. So, that others might see even a hint of Christ in me and that He would ultimately be glorified.

Along the way.....

This past weekend was very relaxing and reflective as Shane and I were able to get away for one night and travel to Georgia for a wedding. Saturday morning we woke up at 5 am at my parents house (who kept my children and puppy) to get on the road and make it there at a decent time to get ready for the festivities. As we drove we talked about homeschooling and the challenges of that particular subject for a while. We chatted about the children and the unique qualities that God has given each one. We got to our hotel in time to take a nice nap and enjoy some lunch before the wedding.
The ceremony was gorgeous with everything centered around Christ. There was beautiful worshipful music played and the scripture they the pastor referenced was John 14. It talks about how Christ went to prepare a place for us, his gorgeous bride. The pastor referenced back to Bible times where the soon to be husband would go to the father of the bride and put down a dowry for her, a payment. Then he would leave and go prepare a place by adding on a room for her and him to live. Days, weeks, maybe months would go by. If the bride-to be was nervous that he had forgotten about her all she had to do was to go and look at the payment and she then knew that he would be back to get her. It really made me realize what a wedding truly was and why He calls us His bride. We are His treasure because of what Christ has done on the cross. He went to prepare a place for us His beautiful blemish free bride and one day He is coming back for us. Along the way we may think that He has forgotten about us and months may turn into years-years may turn into decades-decades into centuries, but we only have to remember His payment and know that He will keep His promise.
The weekend is one I won't soon forget and I hope to revisit soon. Memories that I will hold in my heart forever.

Introducing...Pee Wee The latest addition to our family. He is fluffy, cuddly and oh so cute! The story behind Pee Wee is this....Noey and I occasionally google Yorkie images just to look at how cute they are. NEVER to actually purchase one. We were looking back in February at this one listing and came across the cutest one I had ever seen. So, I begged Shane to let me call the breeder to find out more info on this little guy. Now when I say I begged...I sent emails with pictures of Pee Wee captions saying "I need a mommy to nurture me" I left little notes about Pee Wee everywhere!! It was a conspiracy with me and the kids! Shane never had a chance. He eventually gave in and allowed us to email the breeder. The breeder and I chatted about the puppy having a common knee problem called Lateral Luxation. So, he didn't want to make us too excited about him because they just weren't sure about how "perfect" he would be. He mentioned that he would be willing to maybe let us adopt him because of his disability and the fact that he would need to be adopted by someone. We were thrilled! So, finally between months and months of emails with the breeder we finally received him. He flew first class( First class priority cargo that is) from Oklahoma on April 3 to become part of our family. He has been a good puppy so far. Just a couple of little accidents and things to adjust to. The best part is the vet tells us his knees look great and that he is perfect!!

Thankfullnes

As I awoke this morning I was in panic mode thinking about what the day had in store for me. My two oldest were going to take their year end evaluation test! I have been dreading these next three days for weeks! Did I teach them enough, did I pack in enough this year so they can go back to regular school next year, Did I?? Did I??? Did I??? As they walked into their classrooms each with their own grade levels tears filled my eyes and a sense of peace came over me like a waterfall. "Joelle, even if you haven't done enough its ok. This is why we are doing this." No, that was not the Holy Spirit talking to me, but my sister in law Sherry. Although, It definitely was a God thing that Sherry rode with me this morning. She can always calm me down. I am so thankful for God's grace through family and friendship. He gives us these tiny glimpses of the Kingdom through the little things that overwhelm us in our day to day life. Homeschooling is a challenge for me because I often don't rely on Him for my strength and wisdom. I try to do it all myself and then end up a blubbering mess telling people how much I hate it on facebook. ~LOL~ The truth is I really loved it this year and I am so thankful that God has given me this season in my life to stay home with my kids and to be able to do this. God's grace is awesome! So, grateful to be covered in it.

Gods grace is so amazing and wonderful! Last night was one of the most wonderful nights in a long time. Going through the in and outs of the daily grind and in my flesh forgetting all together the one who saved me; He wakes me from my stupor in the middle of the night to remind me who He is! It was around 2:30 am and I literally could not sleep. I kept thinking about my ailing grandfather and the fact that the Lord has not opened his eyes to the truth yet. I went straight to the couch and started at Romans 3:23. Remembering what He has done for me and realizing that Dandy NEEDS Christ more than anything right now. More than the pills that he must consume, more than the daily exercises that they make him do each morning, and yes even more than the nourishment of food. My God is a God of promise and family. So, my mission right now is to pray consistently for my grandfather. He saved the thief on the cross He can save Dandy! The words to J.J. Hellers song Your Hands rang in my head as I prayed this morning...

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
that you would take my pain away
-you would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
how to walk this weary land
Make straight the path that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
-Oh Lord before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth
you healed the broken lost and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry
One day you will set all things right
-yea one day you will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
they hold me still
Your hands that shaped the world

----That song reminds me that He is sovereign and even when things are unfathomable he is in control. He has Dandy in his hands. And that brings great comfort to me.
me. I am making it my mission to learn how to play this song on my guitar before this yr is over. :)


To learn more about JJ Heller go to

Where God has taken us.....

Life with Shane started when I first laid eyes on him in the 7th grade. The year was 1992. He was a little short kid with dark hair and beautiful eyes who always was causing mischief and making the teachers mad! I actually thought it was really cute, but I never told him that. Even though I really didn't have a crush on him I always had butterfly's when he was around. (Definitely looking back I know that was God tapping me on the shoulder saying "HELLO THAT'S THE ONE") Well, flash forward to the end of 10th grade and lo and behold I had a class with him and we made the connection! We have been together ever since.
Shane asked me to marry him when we were 19! And of course I said yes! We were both in college, but the thought of wedding planning and college was a little too much for me so I didn't sign up for fall classes. No, just kidding I really just knew in my heart that being a wife and mommy was all I ever wanted to be so the "college thing" had to be put on hold. The wedding planning went great and my parents gave me the wedding that I always dreamed of...we were married on July 31, 1999.
We settled into our new home and bought a puppynamed Chester because Shane was gone a lot taking classes at UCF and working. I was very lonely to say the least. But exactly 3 months after getting back from our honeymoon the Lord had a wonderful surprise for us! We found out that Jackson Allen was on his way.
Jackson arrived on July 21, 2000 and was a wonderful anniversary present to have. I remember leaving him with my mother in law and sister in law to go out for an anniversary dinner and I couldn't even finish my meal because I wanted to go check on him and make sure that everything was OK.
When Jax was 7 months old I found out that I was pregnant with Noelle Grace. I had no idea that I was pregnant and then finally being sick for a few days I got a pregnancy test and sure enough she was coming! That was the biggest shocker! I remember just laying on the bed and sobbing. Just feeling overwhelmed and emotional I heard the door bell ring and my sister in law had come over to tell me she was pregnant! That was a God send! My beautiful Noelle came along on December 5, 2001 and even though at times she can be very strong willed she has been such a joy to watch grow and nurture.
Caleb came along two yrs later on April 30, 2004. He is a sweet boy and was the best baby I could have asked for. The Lord showed his grace to me through Caleb. Having three children under 3 was tough, but we got through it depending on Him. Those first years of being newly married and young parents were very trying years, but now I would give anything even to go back for a moment and catch a glimpse of it. To hold them and smell that wonderful aroma of a newborn baby right after a bath, to chase after a toddler who has just learned how to walk, or to hear Jax call me "Joe" in his little baby voice. Older people used to tell me in the grocery store, when they would see how stressed I was, "those days don't last forever-enjoy them" , wow! Were they right on. I am so thankful for being able to be a mom and be there for my children. God has given me a wonderful responsibility. I pray I always treasure them and remember that He has given them to me for a specific purpose and that is to teach them all about him and to always point them back to the cross!