Just for fun

If you know my love for Mt Dew you understand my excitement for these pictures a friend sent me :o) It's GrEAT!

Overcome!

Recently in my study time God has really been speaking to me about being an overcomer. I want to be one of those people who doesn't let anything stand in my way! Pushing through any trial with full confidence in God. He is always faithful. Not only does overcoming make life more fulfilling but God has so many great promises for overcomers.

Revelation 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." (I wonder what my new name would be?)

Revelation 3:11-12 "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name."

Revelation 3:21 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."

Another one of my favorite verses is Romans 8:35-39

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Lifes troubles don't separate us from Christ (although some may choose to separate themselves) trials can make you closer to God. Don't let yourself be shaken. In my all of my life experiences God has been so faithful, and sometimes when outside circumstances don't look like God is there, the peace inside of me is more than I can describe. I don't want to be a victim of life... I want to be more than a conqueror!

Bossy?

I will still finish the Philippines trip info, just waiting to upload more pics and wanted to blog about Isaac before I forgot about it. 

The other night while Isaac was praying before bed he said "...and God help Mom and Dad to not be bossy." So when he finished his prayer I talked to him about how it is Mom and Dad's job to "be bossy" because we care about him and we are helping him to grow into the man God created him to be.  The next night he started to pray "... and God help Dad and Mom to not... to not...." then he looked up at me and said, "Mom when you boss me I grow?" Yes, He kept praying, "and God help Allie (his sister) to not be bossy..." 

Isaac is learning about the importance of discipline in his life that is required for growth and sacrifice (sometimes we have to give up things we want for more important things.)

 I am reminded that our walk with God is the same. Growth comes with discipline and determination.  I was reading a quote of a friends blog today that reminded me of the scripture in Matthew where it talks about the Kingdom of God forcefully advancing and violent people attack it! or take it by force! That's what I want, sheer determination not just accepting the discipline but desperately seeking growth and God's will for my life and those around me.

Home again Home again...

So unfortunately the internet at our hotel stopped working the last couple days of our stay so there is much more to blog about but I wanted everyone to know that we made it home safely after 30 or so hours of travel. All of our time has been spent with our kiddos since we've been home so hopefully tomorrow I'll start to get back into the swing of things around here. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have been able to go on the trip. It was very humbling and encouraging in the Lord. It is amazing to me how many times my heart can attach itself to people and places and yet still have room for more. God is truly an awesome God and my prayer is that I will be used for His glory all of my life. I will try to finish writing about the trip soon. Thanks to everyone who prayed and supported us financially. We couldn't have done it without you. 

Pictures from Friday

Thursday & Friday

Thursday we all planned to have time to go down the street to call home but once again plans changed a little and we left an hour early so we didn't have a chance. We all miss everyone horribly but God is continuing to do awesome things in us and through us here. In the afternoon we rode a jeepnee up the mountian (we're talking crazy 4x4ing it) for a couple hours and stopped at another remote village that is has just purchased the land for their church and are currently meeting in a house that was probably 10x10 with about 20 adults. Very tight quarters. We had a outreach in the middle of the village with tons of kids and some parents. Kent shared the gospel message for the kids and Chris for the adults. We fed everyone. It was raining on and off but the kids surrounded us it was so much fun. We had a powerful time of prayer there praying for healing and strength and growth. Many committed their life to Christ, now we are praying that God continues to grow the church so that these people can be discipled. It was dark by the time we left but the night was still young we rode back down the mountain for an hour and a half and headed straight to the police academy where we ministered. It was so awesome to hear the police cadets praising and worshiping God. They were so orderly they would all say amen at the same time it was a very uplifting time, at the end of the evening they even sang a song that said Philippines for Christ, and PNP (Philippine National Police) is for Christ. How powerful is that!
Today (Friday) we left at 8 and drove up to another mountain church to dedicate it. This was the church that our church sponsored. The church is growing and being very fruitful. They are still trusting God for a floor and enclosing the walls. We had yet another awesome service and time of prayer. (I got to hold a little baby who we prayed for and are trusting God healed of lung issues) We celebrated thanksgiving there then drove to another little church an hour down the road and had another service and prayer time and snack, then drove another hour and a half to a Pastors house where we met with all of the pastors under Pastor Dan and had an awesome meeting. We prayed together and encouraged each other in the faith as the body of Christ. It was amazing to hear some of their hearts and testimonies. It has been a long day and is very late now so I should go :o)
PS. Pictures are from Thursday, one is our view standing on the church property looking down at the house the church is currently meeting in. I will hopefully upload pics from today(friday) tomorrow.

Allie's Dress

Yesterday was a very special moment for me to look up and see a little girl wearing one of Allie's dresses. What a beautiful little girl. What a blessing it is to give where there is need.