Truth to Table

To say life is chaotic, stressful and filled to the brim is a bit of an understatement right now. Andy has been working long hours and the kids have been keeping me on my toes, not to mention that Spring in our home is one of the busiest seasons. Do I dare say it again... life is full.

Because of this I am constantly trying to fine ways to quickly go deep in studying God's word. I do great for awhile but then find myself in limbo searching for the next study or word of encouragement. I literally stumbled across this amazing resource called Truth to Table.

I follow Bianca Juarez Olthoff on social media and she posted the link to a series on this website that she had just finished on the Psalms. As I dug more into the website I found so many amazing and refreshing devotionals and sermons. Pop on over to their website and take a look for yourself.

I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.

Carving Pumpkins

A few years ago, I heard an amazing sermon on the Jack-o-lantern. It explored the significance of it and what it truly represents. Since then I have never looked at a carved pumpkin the same. In all our ugly, Christ still wants us!

Our pastor talked about how we need to look for ways to be ambassadors for Christ no matter what we are doing or where we are. He started out carving a pumpkin and began talking about how, when you think about it, we as humans are a lot alike. We are gross, smelly and pretty empty inside. When Christ gets a hold of us and cleans us out, He begins forming us into His likeness. Then, he started carving the face of the pumpkin... he described how we all have an appearance or emotion, sometimes silly, sometimes sad, sometimes happy and this makes us who we are. When he finished the face and closed the top of the pumpkin, he reminded us that we are dark inside. We are empty, giving nothing to those we come into contact with.

He then put a candle in the center of the pumpkin. The flame was burning bright and strong. It gave off the most beautiful glow. As he turned the lights out, he explained that with Christ we can be a light to the world. No matter if the world around us is cold and dark and ugly.

So, as your walking around your neighborhood or simply handing out candy at home, remember the carved pumpkin, remember the simple truth of Christ. He is our light, even when we are gross, empty and all kinds of ugly. He is there to redeem us!

Gifts and Giving Back

A friend of mine brought over the sweetest gift after our girl arrived. Well, let me rephrase that, she brought over many gifts for us as they were purging and packing for their next life adventure {you can learn more about their amazing, crazy, exciting journey here} but this one made my heart melt.

In the bag there was the most amazing book for our boy and a beautiful onesie for our sweet girl. All in the name of an organization, Chosen and Dearly Loved. Come to find out my friend and the founders of the organization have know each other for some time now.

Chosen & Dearly Loved believes that every child is valuable, and whenever possible, belongs in a loving permanent family. Our mission is to love and care for children with special needs: those often the most likely to become orphans and least likely to be adopted. We are currently working to help care for rescued children in orphanages, engage local communities on their behalf, preserve families where possible, and support adoptive families when adoption is best. 

Our hope is to devise new strategies that increase awareness and participation on behalf of orphans with special needs, and we believe everyone can play a part in helping these children live a better story. Together we can confront one of the biggest and most heart-breaking challenges of our time, and experience profound joy and purpose by doing so. Together we can make a life-changing difference – one child at a time. Each child is worth it!

How awesome is that? If God places it on your heart to find out more or shop some super cute stuff you can discover for yourself here. 

Get Out There! #shesharestruth

If you are anything like me, there has been more than one occasion that you have felt unworthy or not gifted enough to share God's love to the world. Thoughts like I don't know what to say, They won't listen to me, or even what if they ask me a question I can't answer?, have gone through my head over and over again. Through a lot of studying the Bible and learning from watching others, I have come to realize that everyone story isn't the same, our personalities are different or our gifts/talents mold the way we share our stories.

Will you take a sigh of relief with me? How refreshing it is to know that when we share about our personal experiences with Christ and what he has done for us, He will use them in ways that we could never imagine. He will put people in our life that need to hear the good news the way only we can tell it.

So, get out there... share your story. Let God do the rest! If that means a quick conversation in line at the coffee shop, or in the grocery store checkout line... do it.

From experience} The less I worried about the perfect opportunity or the right way to say something, the more opportunities I had to share a piece of my heart.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) explains it perfectly. It says...
Each time he said, My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

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Want to learn more about #shesharestruth? Visit SheReadsTruth.com

SUNDAY IS COMING.

Death stings... but there is hope! Sunday is coming. 

This is not goodbye.

With the passing of my Grandpa a few weeks ago, I have been thinking a lot about the hope I have knowing that I will see him again. That this is not goodbye. I also think about family and friends that may not have found that hope yet and don’t share my same excitement or longing for heaven. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am fully human and I pray that I will be around for a long while longer. There is so much that I still want to do, see and experience. But, when my time comes, I have overwhelming peace and know that I will be with Jesus for eternity!

I have been reading through the blog, She Reads Truth and a challenge was given to all who were willing to take it. They titled it, She Shares Truth. Every week, they give you a passage of the Bible to read and dig into. Then, they challenge you to write your thoughts about the passage on your personal blog or Facebook page. I thought this was an amazing opportunity to dig into God’s Word, so I took them up on the challenge. So, check back frequently for my take on these passages. I can’t wait to see what I find!

This week the assigned passage was Psalm 130. Again it was a great reminder of the hope I have. The hope we ALL have. How refreshing. 

I love that in our darkest moments God hears our cries, our pleas for Him. That even in our worst filth, if we ask Him, He cancels our debts and FORGIVES! Friends, there is hope in Him. A hope of everlasting life in Heaven. Once you pray to let Jesus come and live in you, that can never be taken away. What peace! 

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”

Don't delay! Jesus is waiting, with open arms. RUN to Him.

2014 & New Lessons to Learn.

I can't believe it is already 2014. Not sure where 2013 went... As I start settling in to a new year and new routine I am constantly reminded of God's faithfulness. His promise to meet us where we are at and teach us through our struggles and insecurities. So refreshing isn't it?

A good friend told me about some Beth Moore ebooks that were free on Amazon. Yes... free!
I went and downloaded as many as I could and in my mind randomly choose a dad by day study to start the year with. (The one I am reading through is Beth Moore's Believing God, Day by Day) I might have thought it was random, but God sure didn't. He knew that that particular Bible study would stretch and challenge me in all the ways I needed. Thank you Jesus for working in the midst of what I thought was "randomness".

The whole mission of this study is to truly believe God is/does what He says He is/does. Throughout my life I have always wanted to control every situation... and the older I have gotten, the worse it is.

I want 2014 to be different. I want to be able to live out my life in a way that shows others I believe and trust everything about Christ. Believe and trust His plan for my life. That He is in control.

While I was out running errands today, the song Lift My Life Up from Unspoken came on the radio. It is the perfect song for me this year. Take a look at the lyrics.

You brought me this far
So why would I question you now
You have provided 
So why would I start to doubt
I’ve never been stranded
Abandoned or left here to fight alone hope your leading me home
So I’m giving you control

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way in me
Have your way in me
If peace is a river
Then let it sweep over me
I’m under fire
I know it’s refining me
When I hear you calling out
I follow now wherever the road may go
I know you’re leading me home

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way in me
Have your way in me

Take my life and let it be all for you
Take my life and let it be all for you

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever

All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way with me
Have your way with me

Take my life and let it be all for you

So thankful to be the daughter of a King that never leaves me stranded or abandoned. What peace. How refreshing? 

As I begin 2014 I have so much to be taught... and I'm excited for what I am going to learn. 

Nicaragua Vision Trip 2013

A few weeks ago, Andy had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua with 4 other guys from our church. It was an amazing experience for him and I can't wait for you to hear more about it! Here are a few highlights from his time there. Thank you to those of you who supported his trip as well as bathed him in prayer while he was there. He felt it! 

_______________________________

My trip to Nicaragua had many impacts on me, some evident now and some I'm sure I will see down the road.  We had the opportunity to witness three church services during our time.  The first service we saw, three people came to know Christ.  Immediately following the service, one of the brand new believers offered up his land to be used as the site of a new church.  This land was literally everything the man owned, he gave it all for the sake of Christ.  Nicaragua is the 2nd second poorest country, only to Haiti, in the western Hemisphere.  It was evident to us everywhere we went.  People lived on one meal a day, a tortilla.  Homes were made out of bamboo and thatch roofs.  Some people we met, had not had a meal in days.  These were the poor of the poor, struggling to live and yet so alive in Christ.  Willing to give up everything to follow him.  I was reminded how poor my faith can be in comparison to the way these people live out theirs.  The verses in Luke came to mind, 6:20-21, "Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,“God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.  God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.  God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh." I like how the Message puts it, "You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.  God’s kingdom is there for the finding.  You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.  Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal".  

On the second day we had the opportunity to visit the Bethlehem Farm.  Here we saw how Juan Carlos, our missionary, brings boys and girls from the ages of 12 to 18 off the streets and teaches them some invaluable lessons.  Some of these kids had been on their own since the age of 6.  They were literally scrapping by to survive on the street.  Juan Carlos finds them and brings them to the farm were he teaches them the Gospel and trains them in a skill, woodworking, metalworking, and pottery to name a few.  These kids not only get their physical needs met but their spiritual needs as well.  They now have a place to sleep, meals three times a day, and a skill.  This camp was impressive, but even more so the change in these kids lives.  Many were thieves, involved in gangs, doing drugs, getting drunk, even killing to survive, then Juan Carlos, through the camp, helps them set their lives on a path that is narrow, rough, but following Christ.  The message Jesus gives about the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep in search of the lost one surfaced as a popular theme.  It is their mission to go and look for the one lost sheep, and it is ours too. 

The reminders of not putting our value in monetary things, searching for those that are lost became the cornerstones of our trip.  We came back with compassion for the people of Nicaragua and a challenge for our own.  Our goal is to return to Nicaragua in the near future and partner along side our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters in laboring for the Gospel.  It was a great trip, one that was filled with emotions of joy for what Christ is doing, sadness for the poverty on many levels, excitement for what is going on and anticipation for what is to come.  

-Andy

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If you would like more information about Juan Carlos and his work in Nicaragua, click here. 

our life as we know it.

I realized it had been awhile since I've posted and update. These past few weeks have been a bit crazy! It seems as soon as summer hits, it's non stop. Before I get too much more behind, I thought I would update you all on life as we know it.

At the end of May, Andy and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. I am more in love with him everyday and so blessed by him. Looking forward to 100 more!

Over Memorial day weekend we got brave and decided to take Levi on his first camping trip. We were planning on camping up in Deckers by the Colorado Trail, but all of the campsites were full so we had to settle on camping at my parents property. It actually went perfect and was better to do our "dry run" there... now we feel better about actually going to a real campsite!

A few weekends ago, some of Andy's family came to visit (really only to meet Levi!) We all headed up to the Georgetown Loop Railroad. I had never been, so it was fun to experience that. We also had the opportunity to tour the Lebanon Mine when we were up there as well.

Our church, Pathmakers, had our first successful VBS last week. It was so fun to be able to put one on and have kids to participate in it. I was blessed by it for sure and I know this is the first of many awesome VBS weeks to come! (Levi did awesome too. He loved watching the BIG kids run around and napped like a pro when I was leading games!)

For Fathers Day the Lautenbachs and Denlingers invaded the ColorRun! It was so fun. Andy's dad babysat Levi so we could all run. It was an experience to say the least! I am still trying to get the color out of my hair, clothes... you get the point!

Well, that pretty much sums up the last few weeks of our life.
Until next time....

Call to Prayer for Selah

Some of you may have seen some of my posts of Facebook, but for those who haven't I wanted to ask 
for your prayers here as well. Please pray for Selah. Her parents are serving as missionaries in Rwanda. Yesterday, Selah was in an accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and two skull fractures. She is currently in the ICU.

Here is the link to find out the latest information from the World Venture Prayer Wall.
Updates on Selah


Thank you for your prayers! God is good.... all the time.

Being with Jesus

With a newborn it is sometimes hard to find time for a shower... let alone time with God. It seems like right when I sit down to dig into a devotional or pull out my Bible for a quick quiet time, our boy wakes up. I am surprised he isn't beckoning for me now. I know that it is Satan's way of distracting me and not giving me the opportunity to spend much needed time with Jesus.

but. I won't give in. I am determined to find God time even if laundry isn't done, dinner isn't made, or my teeth aren't brushed... it will happen. 

I've decided to get up a little earlier, when Levi is taking his early morning nap, and instead of turning on the Today Show... I will open my Bible. I know then, I won't be interrupted and I will begin my day with God! How awesome is that?

Our pastor is challenging us to read through one of the gospels, during our current sermons series at church (learn more about Pathmakers here). So, this is where I am going to start. I am reading through Mark. Even after reading through the parables and accounts countless times, I seem to get something new out of them every time I read them. I love how God teaches me different and new things through the same passages. It always seems to speak to right where I am in my life journey. I love that!

so... will you join me?

Now through Easter, I challenge you to pick a Gospel and dig into it. Find one that you may not have paid much attention to or glanced over in the past. I know you will be blessed. 

I can't wait to see what God has for me!

A little over 5 weeks later.

Don't ask me where these past 5 weeks went... I won't be able to tell you. Yes, I won't lie, some parts have seemed like forever (when Levi won't stop crying or we can't figure out how to handle something) but then I blink and realize that episode was long gone. There are so many things that he is already outgrown. Those little newborn noises and first weeks have passed and now we are loving on an almost 6 week old. Crazy!

Like everything in life, we anticipate. I was so anxious for this little one to get here and am always look forward to the next milestone, but it is so easy to forget the day to day adventures that melt my heart. The moments that I will never get back. For example, when he is lying on the changing table at 3am and he makes a cute little smily face. Even though we are both half asleep... and I wish I was not up at 3am, I am learning how to cherish those moments. Believe me, I am not perfect in any way... and there are still plenty of times that both Levi and I are crying because we don't know what else to do. But, I know before long he will be sleeping through the night and those moments will become memories!

Christmas is coming at us full force. I love this time of the year and this year is especially precious because it reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior, more than ever. When I am holding our boy in my arms and would not give a second thought to sacrificing my life for his... I am reminded that this is just a glimpse of the love that Christ has for us, His children. He loves us so much that He sent His son to this earth to be born, live and die for ME! I don't know about you... but there is no greater sacrifice then that.

John 3:16 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only son; that whoever believes in Him will NOT perish but have everlasting life"



My baby is up and needing me. Have to run!

go to God not Google!

So many times with the issues that i may be facing, i tend to go to Google for the answers... because that of course is going to tell me everything i need to know and how i can make it better... NOT! actually, in all reality, i find that i get wrapped up in the "what ifs" and "worst case scenarios" and forget who is really the author of my life story. i forget who my maker is. THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE! 

yeah, that's a little wakeup call. sometimes i tend to ignore the Bible sitting next to my computer or better yet, the conversation that i could stop and have with my creator! 

once i realized that i was going to Google for all of the wrong reasons... worry, fear, doubt... and knew that i had to go to God for my strength and comfort, it became easier and easier to set the computer aside and spend time listening to God's truths. 

so, i challenge you... next time you are worried, frustrated or unsure of what the future my hold... go to God. He knows you inside and out and His plan for you is better than any fix you will find on Google!

image from  pinterest.com

don't go it alone

It is so refreshing to be encouraged by the people that we tend to spend the most time with. I love the relationships that i have with a few wonderful Christian women. i know i can always count on them to greet me with a smile and meet me right where i am at. No matter how stressful the day is or the millions of tasks at hand, i know that i can always count on them for encouragement and I also pray that i am that encouragement to them as well.

while thanking God about the amazing relationships i have with these godly women, it got me pondering how important fellowshipping is in life... how important a community of believers is to our existence on earth. God did not want us to face trials alone. That is why He has created a desire in us to crave fellowship with other beleivers.

The Bible states in Philippians 2:4, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take interest in others too"

I love the quote by Julie Barnhill, author of Exquisite Hope, that says, "One thing i know for sure: We were never created to go it alone... if we attempt to face life complexities alone, out heart and hole with shrivel. God has created us for community - for belonging."

Do you have a support system of woman around you? Is there someone that you know you can count on for encouragement no matter what?


If you answered no to either of these questions, i pray that you would seek God to bring someone into your life that you can have that kind of relationship with. someone that can meet you where you are at.

concerts and coffee

This past Friday, Andy's sister Rachel played at her first concert at Solid Grounds. The coffee shop is a great location for new, upcoming artists to showcase their talents. Rachel had recorded her second Cd and the proceeds from her sales went to a project to help the women of Sudan. These women are in charge of harvesting and milling the grain by hand. With the help of this mill grinder, these women will be able to process grain a lot faster and bring more income in for their families. If you would like more information about how you can help, I would love to connect you with Rachel.

Here are a few pictures from the night.

tebowing...

check out this great link by 9 news Drew Soicher: 
Drew Soicher-Tebowing Commentary

regardless of how you feel about Tim Tebow and how he plays the game, i thought that this was a great reminder that instead of always criticizing people we should be evaluating ourselves first. 


think about it... we would not be mocking him if he won every game he started, we would not be mocking him if he was the hero of those games... but instead just because he had not pulled out the wins we make fun of his character. 


even if you do not look up to him for his game, look up to him for his heart and the kind of man he is.

what are your thoughts?

pathmakers

"doing church" over the last few months has been an amazing journey of faith, friendship and trust in what God wants us to do. In previous posts I have written about our struggle to find a home church were we feel like we can serve in the way Christ wants for us. about 8 months ago God showed us that he wanted us to help plant a church in South Castle Rock. we really prayed about it and felt that this was the right thing for us.

so, we started meeting, planning, praying and preparing for September. finally it is all coming together. this was our second week meeting at south elementary, and we are so excited to see what God is already doing! 

church planting is not something that is new for either Andy or I, but doing it on our owe as "grown ups" has definitely been a great experience. 

take a look at our church website, and if you don't have a church you call home we would love to see you!

check it out: www.pathmakerschurch.com

the stuff

Isn't it funny how God uses the stuff that drives us insane to teach us little life lessons! Pretty genius right? Well, He is the Creator of the universe. I should expect no less...

Check it out... so true!

This Is The Stuff | Francesca Battistelli

yet to be unveiled

Lately God has been teaching me a lot about trusting in Him no matter the cost. He has been reminding me that I don't have all of the answers and that I know nothing compared to the plans that He has for my life. It is just a matter of listening to this and really taking it to heart.

As some of you know, my job at the wedding venue I was working for this past summer was seasonal, I was so blessed to have some time off and get my life organized after a crazy long summer. This spring I was expecting to step back in the same routine and work at the venue again... why did I think that was going to work and be so easy. I should know by know that God likes to shake things up and push me to reexamine our relationship and truly fall back to His arms again, trusting Him with my everything.

I still have the opportunity to do a few events for the venue this summer and I am very blessed for that, it is just a matter of what else I should do considering that I will need more income other than the six or so events.

Who knows if this has ever happened to you but, it seems like when for months and months I have been looking for opportunities, God LOVES to throw a bunch of them my way all at once. It is overwhelming to me that I have a handful of opportunities around me that each fit me uniquely. To me this is another reminder of Christ's UNFAILING LOVE. He knew that I would need time after the crazy summer to recharge, He knew that I would enjoy having time home during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years to spend baking, shopping and spending time with the ones I love. Then, He knew that the beginning of January I would start to get restless and need something to do.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN. All I know is that God has a plan, a path that is already laid out for me ready to be unveiled. My job is to be faithful to His leading and ready to trust that He has something out there for me greater than I could ever imagine.

Through this past month one song has stood out to me that has been my rock when I don't know how much more I can take. The song is I WILL FOLLOW by Chris Tomlin. I have posted it on the blog under HANDY'S FAVORITES, so take a listen (the lyrics are below in case you want to follow along).

As you listen to/read these words, I challenge you to ask yourself if you could follow Christ's lead no matter what, no matter if that means to change your occupation, move to another city, sell all of your belongings, or even LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST. How is He moving,

HOW WILL YOU FOLLOW HIM?

: lyrics "I Will Follow" - Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go Where you stay, I'll stay When you move, I'll move I will follow...
All your ways are good All your ways are sure I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side High above my life I will trust in you alone
Where you go, I'll go Where you stay, I'll stay When you move, I'll move I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love How you serve I'll serve If this life I lose, I will follow you I will follow you
Light unto the world Light unto my life I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek Knowing I will find All I need in you alone, in you alone
In you there's life everlasting In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy and I will follow.

HAPPY 2.0.1.1.

Over the last few months Andy and I have been inspired by the MTV show The Buried Life. In this documentary four young men have come up with 100 things that they want to accomplish before they die. Also, for every item that the guys cross off of their list, they help someone in the city they are filming in do the same thing. At the end of every episode they always ask the question, what do you want to do before you die?

Of course this got us thinking about what things we wanted accomplish and how we could make an impact in our lifetime or for that matter in the upcoming year. Our plan is to make a list of things we want to do before we die and how we can make an impact for our world.

Our challenge for you is to do the same thing. As you welcome in 2011, think about what you would like to accomplish in your lifetime and how you could impact your neighborhood, workplace, learning environment, city, state, country and world for the better.

We plan on sharing some of the highlights from our list, and look forward to hearing yours!

Happy New Year!