Run With Sparkle

“ Heal me, Lord and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved, for you are the one that I praise.”  Jeremiah 17:14      My little Ury boy has struggled with warts for as long as I can remember. I took him to the Dr. last winter and got berated for not bringing him in sooner. He has so many warts that the doctor said it would take months of visits to remove the warts. I didn’t go back after the first wart the doctor “removed” didn’t go away. I tried everything I could find. Every over the counter medicine, every oil, every vitamin. I would try it long enough to see if ANY of the warts would go away, but when none of them did, and more would grow, I’d stop the treatment. I was at my wits end. This past May I was very consistent with Oregano Oil and Lysine for about a month and then stopped because of our busy schedule and summer trips, etc. In August, I had gone to the Poconos to teach at a youth camp, leaving Ury, Zeke, & Elijah with Daddy.  I had been st...

Today marks 20 weeks of pregnancy with baby #6. I am so beyond thankful for how good I’ve been feeling & the blessing of this pregnancy. I continue to feel good enough to run 4.5 miles & workout few days a week. I’m enjoying, for the most part, my pregnant body & the changes that come with it.  Thank you, Jesus...I really can’t say thank you enough.  I’ve been on the other side of pregnancy with much difficulty & I’m so thankful for every day that I feel good! In May I was sick in bed with Strep throat and in a prayer conversation with the Lord felt that I heard Him tell me why I was hesitant to have any more kids. “It’s because you don’t trust me.” When I came to term with the truth of that statement, I was ready for another baby. There were so many different levels of fear in this area that I had to surrender to Jesus. What about my horrible hormones, the lack of energy due to exhaustion & weight gain, Sciatica problems, what about finances, a new van? Th...

Isaiah 40:11- “He will gently lead the mother sheep with her young.”  I was sitting at the pool on vacation in Jacksonville, FL, a little terrified. No, tremendously terrified over the news I had just received. A positive pregnancy test. I had 2 beautiful babies, but I was a mess of a mother.  I had told Jesus that I would have more if He’d help me & He obviously would.  Now, at the pool, I asked for a promise...a promise that I would be able to handle three babies.  I picked up where I had left off in Isaiah & read “He will gently lead  Heather  with  her  young.” A few years later at a Titus Women’s retreat (with baby #5 in tow) I would learn that the word for “gently lead” is the Hebrew word,  nahal.  Nahal (from Strong’s Concordance) means to protect, sustain, carry, feed, guide, lead, TO RUN WITH A SPARKLE. How precious is that? The picture I see is of a little lamb being gently led and able to skip, hop, and ru...

At the Discipleship Summit this year Jesus kept telling me in multiple ways to be a better listener... 1. He was a great listener! Isaiah 53-"He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, but he did not say anything." 2. Most of the time when I talk, I regret what I said 3. It's a way to be a servant 4. I can learn alot from other people 5. Listening is the best form of counseling...my response can be prayer! As the Lord began to challenge me with this, I began asking to help me with questions to ask people... In the hot tub that afternoon I met an amazing missionary woman who began asking me about my kiddos. Not only did she ask me about their ages, but she also asked what each of their personalities were like. I had to really think about that question. She was genuinely interested in me and it felt amazing! This is going to take alot of effort, but through the power of the Holy Spirit it can be done! I am trusting that this will change my relationships,  even with my...

Color coordinating girls A close up :) Jaime came to visit, too! Emma's 7th Birthday Party at the Y! Face painting Mom worked hard while she was here! Elijah pondering life at the Discipleship Summit in Wilmot, Ohio Look at that face! Elijah enjoyed Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood while Mommy worked on Venture Kids planning! What a blessing it was to be able to go to the Summit this year!  I tried to get out of it because of all of the sickness at home, but I am so glad God didn't let me.  He met me, even though I spent most of the time out of the sessions and in the room with Eli.   Once again, He reminded me that He is enough...for joyful mothering, sacrifical marriage, victorious living.   His Spirit is in me...what more could I need?  I am Holy because of this fact.   So, I go home in confidence...and with great peace!

Happy Easter!!! We woke up to great excitement over the realization that today was the day Jesus rose from the dead and Zekey was born! :)  Isaiah worked hard on this special birthday crown for our newly 3 year old! Everyone was happy to pose for pictures....thank you for making Mommy so stinkin' happy! Big Boy! Elijah is so loved at Venture! The birthday boy and his brother rule the nursery! Teething on Miss Gwen! The woman who literally brought Elijah into this world....we LOVE our midwife, Rachel! Awesome friends and partners in ministry! Our amazing Hawkins family! New to Venture, but completely apart of the family...the Brodes! Getting ready for our Easter picture....and, of course, photo bombers! Ury and Elijah didn't understand what, "Say cheese!" meant! Friends! Zekey's Easter birthday celebration! A Knight's castle for ...