Flood waters fixed!?!?

Well, this past week... Thanks to Trent and his crew of amazing friends and family, the flood waters should be done washing away my yard. Thanks guys!! I cannot even express how appreciative and gratetful I am for the help, time, and energy that they put into this project! I am amazed by the work that they did! It looks awesome and I am still in awe of all that they did to help me out! This was the first project at my home that I did not participate it! And I feel guilty for not helping out more!









THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! You guys are the BEST!!!!!

Sin

Some recent events in my church have really caused me to stop, look a little closer, and ask some questions about sin.

I know that we are all human and we all sin. But how do we get to a point where our sins own us and we forget that they are sin? How do good people, Christians (raised in a Christian home), Leaders in a church fall into sin and not even realize it or think that it isn't a sin? And even more important than why, HOW do we prevent from falling into that same trap from the devil?

Acts 20:28 "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with his own blood."

I have been thinking about this a lot and I know that accountability is very important. (but what happens when the person that is holding you accountable, falls into the same sin, right along side of you?) I know that staying in a close relationship with Jesus is very important-- Praying, staying in The Bible. But what else? I have a hard time believing that leaders in the church, who are teaching The Bible to others, are not in The Word. What else can we do?

Galatians 6:1 "Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Right along with accountability comes confrontation. I have learned how difficult this can be. But as difficult as it is, it is so important. Nothing in life that is worth doing or having is ever easy. I truly believe that if sin is confronted early on, it can be overcome. But the longer it goes on, the harder it is to break away and be restored without having to live with the consequences.

God is GREAT and I know that even throughout these challenging times, He is in control. He will work it all out for his good. Going through these tough times will help our church to become a stronger, more faithful and more truthful church. We will learn from this! He will be given glory and praise, even during these times!

Flood waters

Saturday night during a massive rainstorm, big t and I were almost washed away by a flood in my backyard. I was wishing we had spent the day building an ark.

For the last four years I have been trying to figure out what was causing the erosion problem in the back yard and along the side of my house. I have done numorous things to fix it (I built a retaining wall, got gutter helmets, and other things) and nothing has worked. So, during the rainstorm on Saturday I dragged big t outside with me to see what was happening. This is what we saw:


It was amazing! Absolutely insane! I still cannot believe what we saw. Anyone want to come fishing in my rapid river? If we get anymore rain I am going to need a boat to get out of my house!

I clearly see what the problem is... but I still don't know what to do to fix it!!! Any ideas??

A Mother's Love

After spending a week in Spain with my sister and her son I realized how incredible a mother's love is. She is an awesome mom and I am so blessed to have her as a sister. I saw my sister in a way that I had never saw her. She was incredible! I saw an amazing example of the sacrifices that wonderful mothers make for their children. Nothing in her life matters to her more than her son. Her plans and her agendas do not matter, all that matters is her son and what is best for him. Her life has forever been changed (for the better) because of this beautiful child of hers.

A mother's love is an awesome example of dying to self-- giving up all selfishness-- living everyday for her child, not for herself. Amazing!

I know that God calls each of us to do the same when it comes to our relationship with Him. To be in obedience with Him we must die to ourselves and live each day, each moment, for Him alone! What we want doesn't matter, our plans don't matter, our agendas don't matter, only his plan and purpose for us matters! I pray for God to help me to remember this each day, each moment, because I know that I have a long way to go! I have lived a long time on my own, doing whatever I want, whenever I want. I am selfish, I have plans, and agendas, and things that I want to do. And even if some of these things are God's will for me, I need to remember that it is still in his timing, not mine, that I will accomplish these things! God is great!