Run With Sparkle

Beach walk. Tortoise. Lots of Raccoons. Lazy River. Oreos. Root Beer Floats. Basketball games. 

Stomach bug. Star Wars marathon. Beach. Sand castles. Swimming pool. Hot tub. Pirate Dinner Theater.

Celebrating Mom’s birthday. Golf & Gator. Feeding Alligators. Ice cream. Oreos. Indoor playground. Comedy/ Magic show. 

Cousin- made forts. Wal-Mart run. Christmas presents. Great conversations. Great food. Devotions by Gigi & Connor. Visiting Venture through Facebook. Crazy 8s. Sand castles. Boogie boards. Hot tub. The Game of Things. Mario Kart. So thankful for so many memories.

We woke up to pancakes & eggs. Uncle Jon had made us all breakfast. We had a lot of fun playing with the cousins, the kids enjoyed the workout room (especially the treadmill, which yielded quite a few brush burns on little arms & legs), gave out our Christmas presents, & Nate’s back cracked a few times before getting on the road (the answer to my prayers...he was almost back to 100%).  Today we arrived in Cape Canaveral, FL and we got to spend time with Lola & Poppy, have dinner, visit the ocean & even swim a little in the pool. This is a beautiful resort and I just keep praising the Lord for the blessing of this trip. Psalm 22- I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.*(Hebrew says brothers, which is funny to me!) I will praise you among your assembled people. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the LORD will praise him... Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts wi...

Today we made it to Jacksonville, FL and spent a fun night with the cousins, Hannah & Emma, Uncle Jon & Aunt Aimee. It’s such a blessing to be around family! Psalm 21(Heather’s paraphrase)- How I rejoice in your strength, O LORD!        I shout with joy because you give me victory.  For you have given me my heart’s desire;        you have withheld nothing I requested... You have endowed me with eternal blessings        and given me the joy of your presence. Thank you, Father, for giving me victory over strongholds & over the enemy of my soul. Thank you for continually giving me my heart’s desires. I see my children falling more in love with you and loving each other, and, you know this is my heart’s desire for them & for us all! I praise you for the joy of your presence! Oh what joy comes from being yours, being known by You, getting to know your heart! I cried out to You tonight, asking you to heal Nate’s ...

What a refreshing day! Day 1- We drove 9 hours, arrived at the Jelley’s house in Brevard, NC, & spent a nice evening with them.  Today, November 20, was a fun day outside in nature! We hiked a steep mountain called John’s Rock with Richard Jelley & got an amazing view of God’s creation. We also visited a nearby waterfall, but, sadly, it was too cold to swim. We ended the day with church and more great conversation! Thank you, Jesus, for such a glorious day! Today’s Psalm-  May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.  May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.  May the LORD answer all your prayers. Lord, would you give me a heart after your heart? So much so that all of my heart’s desires are also Your desires. When my desires are out of alignment with Yours, Holy Spirit, would you check me? Remind me to press into you so that I can hear your heart! 

We love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, & strength. In everything, we give thanks. Our hearts are lifted to God at all times. We love every man as much as our own soul. We are pure in heart. God reigns alone in our lives. We obey all the commandments. We do all for the glory of God. We adorn the doctrine of God in all things...(taken from John Wesley) We forgive. We do the difficult. We love learning.

Love Jesus. Love family. Love the Church. Love the world. Run with sparkle. Jesus In. Jesus out.  Be thankful always. No complaining. Ever. Seek Out Adventure. Walk in Love, Joy, Peace. If not, stop walking & kneel. Surrender. Listen twice as much. Forgive. Obey. Be content. Take care of your temple. Smile. Be a great leader. Stay organized. Don’t bring in clutter. Clutter zaps your energy. Focus on what is good. Routines-Jesus time, morning routine, school routine

Right now, my praying isn’t led by tears and great pleading, like it has been in other seasons of life. And, that is okay. The Holy Spirit has to remind me of this. God still hears & is still answering. The Holy Spirit is interceding for me & I will keep claiming the promises for my kids & other people’s children.  Psalm 2:8 says,  “Only ask & I will give you the nations as your inheritance,  the whole earth as your possession!”  Lord, would give to me the children- my children, other people’s children & all of those whom You have placed a burden for on my heart...would you give them to me as my inheritance? When I get to Heaven I want to see them & see the fruit of their labor for You! That is enough, Lord, more than enough! Keep my eyes focused on this inheritance, not wavering from it!  Psalm 3- 1 O LORD, they have so many enemies; so many are against them. 2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue them!”  3 But you, O LORD, ar...

In the early years of motherhood I was caught in a pool of fear, unsure how to get out. The enemy had completely ensnared me using fear, lies, perfectionism. But, The Holy Spirit, through words of wisdom from a mentor, taught me to pray scripture. Why scripture? Because it is life-giving, sharper than a double edged sword, & God is the one who will see it come to fruition. He is the one responsible to make it happen. Yay! “The rain and snow come down from the heavens      and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow,      producing seed for the farmer      and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word,  I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to,  and it will prosper everywhere I send it.“ Isaiah 55:11 I began to cling to verse, “I will teach your children and great will be their peace.”  (Is. 54:13) and other verses that remind me that God loves my ki...