This really spoke to me today and wanted to share and reflect on it!

God's Plan-
God has been making arrangements for your part in His plan long before you were born.  He is never unprepared.  Your past does not surprise Him.  Your present does not worry Him.  Your future is not a mystery to Him.  No one is second-class laborer in His harvest.  You are precious to Him.  He is the Almighty, you are His beloved child, and we are all part of the wonderful tapestry of His eternal purpose!

I think often we all get stuck in a rut, and forget how much we are loved.  We often try and find peace and comfort in all the wrong places.  We may try finding comfort by abusing drugs or alcohol.  Some may find it in holding onto bitterness, anger and control.  Where others may find themselves in a deep dark depression.  I know for me, I use to land in the middle of all the categories I listed.  I still struggle with a few, but that is what makes me human.  What makes me different today, from 5, 6, 7 and 10 years ago, is today I know the love of our Eternal Father.... Yes I sin every single day.  We all do.  It is not place to judge you or anyone else.  It is my job to strive to make each day better, to live each day stronger, and to remember that God does have a plan far greater then I could ever imagine..... A plan that was partially exposed to me in June while I was in El Salvador..... Something I still have yet to figure out....
Just always remember... You are loved! You are loved more then you could ever imaging, and what you did yesterday, that is yesterday!
 Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Good Bye El Salvador

Is hard to believe we are winding down and back to packing mode so we can leave for the airport at 3 AM…. I have to say, everyday God touched me in ways I never imagined.  Today we hiked up a volcano, (try and do that in MO lol) and it was breathtaking! 

Tonight’s church service was indescribable.  I think I cried more tonight then I have in a long time.  They were not tears of sorrow; no they were tears of joy, thanks, and praises.  Before heading out on this trip I had no idea what to really except.  I can honestly say I am forever changed. 

I know I am sinner, I am not perfect, I make mistakes and I have struggles.  But this week I was reminded over and over again that I am loved more than I can ever imagine!  You know we go to church on Sunday and Wednesday in our nice air conditioned buildings.  We drive our nice cars and are able to eat before we get there.  Here we sat, sweat dripping from our heads singing and praising the Lord.  It was amazing! I can’t wait to come back! El Salvador holds a special place in my heart!  I will be back, and I can wait to hug each one of the kids and parents I met this week!  El Salvador I am grateful for this trip! And I am so thankful to all those who helped to get me here! I will forever be grateful!

In a few hours I will be leaving on a jet plane! I can’t wait to hug all my boys!!!!

Jules

El Salvador Day 4

What a day!  I have to say when we leave early Saturday morning a piece of my heart will stay behind here in El Salvador.  Today was so amazing.  The excitement the kids had at the 2 schools we went to where we did the JRA kid’s camp experience was indescribable.  I will be honest, 100% honest, being here, seeing what we are seeing, how these kids live and still have a smile on their faces.  It really makes you look at your own life, and how you live it. 

I feel so blessed to be part of a church that pours into missions the way they do!  To actually see where the money is going, has gone and will continue to go to is an experience all in itself!  I would encourage everyone at some point in their life to go on a mission trip! 

Today was jam packed full of going to more schools and reaching more kids.  When we were leaving the first school, I had a little girl ask me to pray with her, when I asked her what for (Ok the translator lol) she said that she wanted me to pray for her brother, and that he would ask Jesus in his heart.  I asked her what was going on (again the translator comes in here) and she tells me her brother his part of a gang, or the drug cartel.  So myself and another one of our team members laid hands on her and prayed for her and with her.  As we were leaving, she came to the bus at least 5 times and hugged me from the window; finally I had to get off the bus to give her another hug.  She told me thank you (in English) and that she loved me in (again in English).  That moment made me want to pack her in my suitcase and bring her home with me!  Then we head to the next school, and same thing, little girl hugs me as we were leaving and tells “I love you forever”.  Again, another one I wish I could just pack in my suitcase and bring them home.  But, I know I can’t, but what I can do is continue to pray for them, continue to support missions over here, and continue to come back on future mission trips.  There is something special about this place that I cannot explain, but I do know I will be back!

Tomorrow we are going to hike a volcano, and in the evening attend a miracle service!  I have to say I am excited about both!

Please continue to keep our team in your prayers! It has been a journey I will always remember! 

Jules 

What a Day!

What a day! It has been AWESOME!  Every day we are here I fall in love more and more with the country of El Salvador!  So far today we have done 3, yes 3 school assemblies.  It was the coolest thing to watch school kids worship the Lord!  Granted there were many who were not as receptive; over all it was a great day that once again will forever change my life!

We played a lot of soccer today lol!  Go figure, and I loved every minute of it! The majority of this morning and this afternoon was us going to the 3 different schools.  Tonight we are having a kid’s crusade at the church, which should be another fun filled night!

Words cannot begin to explain what God has been doing in my heart.  I have experienced things in the last 24 hours that I will never be able to put into words.  I am extremely grateful for this opportunity God has given me, and I cannot wait to come back again and again!   I am hoping to have some pictures posted soon!  Love you all and keep the prayers coming for the James River Kids team! 

Jules

Day one a success!

I don’t even know where to start today!  What a day it has been….  In just one day God has laid so much on my heart!  I can honestly say when someone tells you that you will never be the same after a mission trip, they are spot on!  We walked through local streets this afternoon handing out invitations to the children, and I have to say it wasn’t that my heart was breaking as much for them, as it was for me, and my selfish ways.  For the things I have at home and the things my kids have.  I watched little boys play marbles; kids get excited over a sucker, a hug, and so much more.  This morning children’s pastors came from miles away, many walked to come to the conference that we put on for them today.  I think the most memorable pat of today for me was the prayer time we had with them…  I cannot even do it justice to try and tell you about it, all I can say, for me, it was life changing! 

We take so much for granted in the states.  So much!  We are spoiled; many are greedy, and selfish!  I am personally guilty of all of those things.  I bought a pair of sunglasses at the airport because I left mine at home; today we met the little girl whose picture is on our shirts.  She was so kind and sweet.  So I gave her the sunglasses as a gift…. I wish I had a box of toys, sunglasses, and whatever else I could get through customs to hand out.  To see their faces light up was priceless!  I found myself questioning my own character. 

Being here has been, and I know will continue to be a blessing….  Today has been amazing!  Tomorrow we get to go to a school and then again on Thursday I believe.  What’s crazy is here, the schools say please, come, come and share the Gospel with these kids!  A country with not a lot of material things and they are not scared to share the Gospel!  I think we could all learn from those who have less.  It’s too easy to sit back and forget that not everyone has a Wal-Mart or McDonalds on every corner.  There are people who carry water for miles, just so they can have fresh water, and I complain when the kids use all the hot water and I have to wait for a shower…  I can honestly say my life will forever be changed for the better!  I look forward to the day when I can bring the boys here! 
Until tomorrow have a great night!!!

Julie

El Salvador Day one - Travel Day!

It’s hard to believe that just 2 days ago Josh and I were married!  Now I am on a plane, ok plane 2 of 3 for El Salvador!  I am so excited to be going on my first mission trip.  I can already feel God working in my own heart; I can only imagine how the next several days will play out!  I never in a million years would have imagined 1 that I would actually go on a mission trip, and 2 that I would marry my best friend! The man whom I have known since grade school!  It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of how much I love him, how blessed I am that God crossed our paths and that he just doesn’t love me, but he loves my boys!

I use to laugh when people said they were married to their best friend.  Today I know exactly what they mean when they say that!  I know Josh tells me he is the lucky one… But I am the lucky one!  He is my rock, my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, my companion and the list goes on.  When I am doubtful in my faith he is quick to remind me that God has a plan, to trust in that plan and look at the good in every situation, person, thing and so much more. 

Often in life we get off the beaten path.  We allow others to dictate our lives; we allow the devil to grab a hold of our souls.  We make mistakes, and with many of those come consequences.  But how awesome is it that we have a Father who loves us more!  For so long I fought that I was worth loving!  That my sins were too great to ever have the life God intended for me to have.  I am far from perfect, we all are, but I am better today than I was yesterday!  

I look back to that day in the summer of 2006 when I sat with my friends Dorynda and Lisa in Doyndas office at Evangel.  For the first time in my life someone looked me in the eyes and told me that Jesus loved me! His intent for my life was not one of heart ache, pain and again the list goes on.  NO, His plan was for good!  We cried, and then another first, as they prayed over me!  Since that day God has placed so many people in my path!  There have been times when I have slipped, and stumbled along the way.  Every time I have felt Him pick me back up, whipping the dirt from knees, kissing my forehead and telling me to get up.  That we all fall down in life, it is how we chose to get up that defines who we are! 

I am the first to say I make mistakes, I struggle with the devil for the aisle more times than not.  But today I look in the mirror, and I can see hope that once was lost, dreams that were forgotten, and a passion that was once gone! 

God has laid a lot on my heart.   A lot of things in regards to missions, to helping those less fortunate and being bold in who I am.  Does that mean I am perfect???? NO! What it means is that I can say I am not perfect, that I sin every day that I struggle everyday just like the next person.  What’s amazing about all of it though, I have a Father who sacrificed His only son so I could live! So I could make mistakes and learn from them, so I could open my heart to all the plans that He has for not only me but my family! 

Just sitting here on this plane, my heart is so heavy.  I am praying God helps me to be strong and that not only does He do a work in the lives of the people of El Salvador but He does a work in my life, and the loves of our entire team! 

Stay tuned as I will post at least once a day to my blog in regards to how things are going and what we are doing!  For all of those who have helped to make this trip a reality for me; thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!  I could not have done this if not for all of you, whether it was prayers, donations or words of support.  Thank you, all of you!!! 

Until next time! Have a fabulous day!!!!

A little Something for the day!

"Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home." -C.S.Lewis

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” Corrie ten Boom


Each day is a brand new opportunity to be Jesus to the world. - R. Falcon Better Tomorrows


And my favorite one on of the day!
  Character 
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved."

 Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Dear Family and Friends- I hope that 2013 is shaping up to be a great year for all of you! On June 3rd 2013 a group from the Children’s ministry at James River Assembly will be heading to El Salvador! We will be partnering with missionaries, Kenton and Elsie Moody, to further the vision God has placed on their hearts. This particular trip excites me because of the variety of activities we will be a part of, and the lasting impact we can make. In just a few short days we will have the opportunity to: • Encourage and equip national children’s ministry leaders in a one day mini-conference. • Engage children in a school setting through morning and afternoon crusades • Give children a 5 star kid’s camp experience in one of the Moody’s refuge projects. • Minister to parents and families through evening services. • Potential of assembling and leaving behind a playground in one of the projects. • Experience the culture and hospitality of the El Salvador people in the market place and on a mountain tour. As many of you know, mission trips are not cheap. I am reaching out to you in hopes that you could help sponsor me so I can go on this once in a lifetime trip. Over the past few years God has laid on my heart to someday be a part of such an amazing opportunity. Obviously I cannot do this without the support and help from others! All donations can be tax deductible. Below is the layout as to how I have to pay the fees. February 3rd $200.00 Deposit due (non-refundable) Update- This goal has been met! February 24nd Application & $312.50 Update - This Goal has been met! March 24th $ 312.50 Installment due Update - This goal is 75% met! April 21st $ 312.50 Installment due May 19th $312.50 Installment due / Lunch Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions. My Cell phone is 417-229-0789 and my email is jules.browning@gmail.com or jubrowning@jackhenry.com Thank you all in advance! Much Love! Julie Kelly-

Time to get back to the blogging

I am not going to chat it up about how long it has been since my last blog, instead I am a back in business and be ready to follow a crazy ride! LOL! 15 years ago this May I walked across the football field of Neosho HS and received my diploma. The world was at my fingertips. Unfortunately, like many teens I found myself lost in a world of chaos and confusion. It wasn't until we had our first son that it really hit me. I didn't “have” to go back to school; I HAD to go back to school. I had to make a better life for my family. For most people who have the desire to go to school, there is not a lot to really stress over. Well for me, this is where it began to get a little tricky. When I was in the 3rd grade (1989) I was hit by a minivan in front of my parents’ house. The Mini Van was traveling between 45-50 MPH, in a 25 MPH residential neighborhood. As a result of the accident I suffered a traumatic brain injury, causing me to have lifelong learning disabilities. When I was 18 college seemed impossible. One teacher believed in me enough to research, to see if there was a way for me to go to college. She and I spent an entire weekend in a small classroom at our high school, and I took the ACT verbally; because she believed in me, I began to believe in myself. Every child, every student, and every person deserves a chance. I could have easily said “I can’t” and moved on with my life. Instead I chose to look the devil in the eyes, grab life by the horns and say “I can and I will!” Recently I made the decision to pursue my master’s degree, and it was the easiest decision I have made in years. Before my time in the degree completion program at Evangel University, I was lost. I was broken. The faculty and staff invested in not only my education, but my well-being, helping me to find my way home. In September 2006 I truly received Jesus in my life. It was a true result of the faculty and staff at Evangel. I have since grown as a person, mother and employee. I am the co-founder of the Aurora United Soccer Club, a Christian outreach program for the children of Lawrence County; the added benefit - they get to play soccer, and hear the Gospel along the way. I currently serve on the Aurora Parks board, the employee relationship committee with Jack Henry & Associates as well as volunteer in the children’s ministry at James River Assembly. My passion is finding the lost, and bringing them home! Non of which I would be doing today, if not for the boldness of others. Often we sit back and say to ourselves "I will let someone else do it". But what if that someone else never shows up? What if someone else never steps up to the occasion? It would be so easy for me to sit back and say "well you were all right, I am not going to amount to much more then a factory worker" (please do not take offense to that phrase, that is just what I was told). Or.... and I say or with passion! I could stand face to face with the devil, laugh at him, and persevere! Arise to the challenge! Refuse to take NO for an answer, refuse to settle for anything but what God has for me! So I have to study a little different, so school is a little harder for me. BIG DEAL! The question is how bad do I want it? How bad do you want it? People, excuses are just that! A hand out is just that! Refuse to allow the bad to out weigh the good! Refuse to let anyone tell you that you are anything less then great! Dream, believe and overcome!

Life in the eyes of a child.....

I will be the first to admit the last year has been full of ups and downs. One constant has always kept me going though... I never imagined how much of a blessing your children could be until God blessed me with my two "little men". It never fails that they keep me on my toes. From the typical brother fights, to the moments they still want to crawl in bed with me to watch a movie. Today was no different. After a very busy summer, we finally had a chance to sit down and relax this afternoon all to find the Karate kid marathon on TV. So once the movie time was over what do I find my boys doing???? It started with them playing in the sprinkler outside, and ended with the neighbor and all 3 of them wearing baseball helmets while they practiced there karate moves they learned earlier in the day watching one of the best movies of all time... As I sat back and watched them laugh, and carry on, it reminded me how life through the eyes of a child is far from the view a mother has... They have no worries, no fear, and can laugh endlessly as they play. Granted I cannot always look at life the way they do... I can always count on them to make me smile!

A Strength Like No Other

I looked in the mirror today
I know it was me
It looked like me
Yet it wasn’t me
I saw a soul lost in chaos
A heart broken
Shattered by anger & Resentment
I was lost
I lost the part of me who was strong
Brave
Determined
Fearless
Devoted
The fighter deep down inside of me
Gone……
I hit the ground
My knees digging deep into the floor
Not just asking
But begging
Begging God for a strength that only He could provide
Courage, determination, wisdom
And a back bone bigger than life itself.
Prayed for peace
Comfort
Closure

Guidance

I looked in the mirror today
I saw ME
Strong
Courageous
Confident
I saw me
A daughter
Mother
Sister
Friend
I saw what God has been telling me all along!
I am a princess, His princess

Devotion I wanted to share!

This was a good devotion this morning so I wanted to pass it on… I have added the scripture from The Message…. Have a great day!


None Of These Things Move Me

ACTS 20:24 NKJ
24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24
The Message (MSG)

22-24"But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.

Some believers are tempted to give up on their faith in God whenever the least thing seems to go wrong in their lives.

The apostle Paul suffered many things: beatings, stoning, and shipwreck -- yet he called them "light afflictions."

2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 NKJ
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2 Corinthians 4:17
The Message (MSG)

16-18So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 NKJ
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed –

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The Message (MSG)

7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!


We are in a battle for the hearts and souls of men. The devil is against us. While we know our victory is sure, we should not expect to never face obstacles or difficulties.

2 TIMOTHY 2:3 NKJ
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:3
The Message (MSG)

Doing Your Best for God
1-7So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.

If this life was all there was, this would not be a wise way to live. But there is a life in heaven and a future world. We would be foolish to live as if this life is all there is.

So we should not forget eternity and focus only on the present.

We must hold on to our faith in God, no matter how things seem to be going at the present. Because of our limited understanding, our ability to evaluate things accurately is limited. Our wonderful Lord Jesus can be trusted. He loved us enough to die in our stead, so we could go free. Why would He lie to us?

We must be determined not to be moved by things our enemy does to get us off our faith in God's Word.

SAY THIS: I'm not moved by what I see. I'm not moved by what I feel. I'm moved only by what I believe, and I believe the Word of God.

Life is a Journey

The past several months, well years if I am going to be truly honest have been a journey that I have often question the out come. I have hit rock bottom along the way and found myself facing my fears face to face. It wasn't until I realized, realized that I cannot change someone and someone cannot change me that I really began to step out in faith. I was listening to Klove today and this was there scripture for the day. I don't know about you but this was one of those aha moments and I wanted to share it.

Revelation 21:6
The Message (MSG)
6-8Then he said, "It's happened. I'm A to Z. I'm the Beginning, I'm the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I'll be God to them, they'll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it's Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!"

We are truly nothing without Him in our lives. If we walk without faith we are simply saying we are the driver and He is the passenger when in reality He should always be the driver, He is our life coach, the Bible is our play book! We are on His team, from the day we say YES we want you in our life, from that moment we surrender all we have to be on the best team that exist! gods team is better then any world series championship, super bowel victory or Olympic gold medal. He is giving us a chance and opportunity for eternal life,. I realized over the past several months that I wasn't putting all my faith in Him. I wasn't lifting my hands up and saying God I give it all to you! I had to dig down deep, pray for courage, strength and wisdom. Then I gave it all to Him and did with the old child philosophy of NO TAKE BACK! I was giving it to Him and surrendering all I had.
I have to say once I did that, it was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. I have found when I pray I can do so with sincerity and with purpose.
Remember to live everyday with purpose, with heart and with passion!

This Crazy Life

Every day I sit at my computer before work and I read a quote that a good friend sent me several years ago. "there is nothing that is so chaotic that God cannot bring something surpassingly great out of it! It happened at creation, it happened at the cross, an it is happening today!"
We all face situations in our lives at some point where we question our faith, our self worth and so on. For me the past several years have been a roller coaster ride full ups and downs. But the one constant that has always been there is our amazing God who loves not only me but you! He watches over me, you, your kids, your kids kids and so on. My point is that yeah I know my life is crazy right now. I would have to say is hectic. But I am happy! I am finding strength that I thought I lost so many years ago. I thought the fighter inside of me was long gone. But through faith, hope and lots of prayers I have a strength I never knew was there! I am standing up tall proud and full of hope! I might get knocked down but I WILL GET UP AGAIN! So world look out because Julie Kelly is BACK!

You are important!

You Are Important!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22,27 NKJ 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body of Christ.

The devil wants you to think your part does not matter, so you will slack off.

But your part IS important. Your prayers are important. Your giving is important. Your witness to others is important.

It is easy to believe a famous person who ministers to thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed -- including you!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you are doing. God knows.

Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for Oral Roberts to be healed of tuberculosis. Do you know their names? God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts!

No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is significant.

Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God where you are.

Too many Christians think preachers are supposed to do all the work in the Body of Christ. Preachers may be likened to a mouth. A mouth is important. But a mouth is not more important than our hidden, internal organs. We don't see the liver and kidneys working. However, you could live without a mouth capable of speech, but not without functioning kidneys or liver.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT 22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.

A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.

Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil convince you otherwise.

Maybe all you can do is pray, but that is most important.

Obey God and be faithful where you are. You are needed or God would not have placed you there.

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The Ups and Downs in this crazy life

We are coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my Papa Jacks death. As I reflect back on this past year, and the events that have taken place; I find it sometimes.... Hard.... To understand the very purpose we are all here. Shortly after we lost our Papa, we lost my dad’s brother, my Uncle Greg. Then in February, we lost my mom’s brother, my Uncle Mike... Now we have lost a longtime family friend, my Uncle Stan from the devastating tornado that ripped through Joplin on May 22nd. This weekend we will say goodbye. We will continue to pick up the pieces, continue to help others rebuild their lives, homes and futures.
Still I sit here finding it hard to understand. I guess I miss the simplicity of life from when you are a kid. Granted we all wanted to grow up so fast; being a kid.... Well it was easy. My biggest worry in the summer was where I was going to ride my bike that day, or whose yard I was going to mow, and lastly was getting to that nights softball games. Now days, there is a mortgage, a car payment or 2, bills, bills and bills... LOL! Not that I am complaining, but for some reason when we are a kid, we don’t over analyze things and situations. We live in the moment, and most of the time we don’t worry about how others really view us. Kids typically speak from the heart, and never hold back...
I thought I would share something a friend of mine gave me a few years ago, it hangs in my cubicle and I read it daily….
Gods Plan
“Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “
God has a plan for your life. He brought you into this world to fulfill this plan. It is the best plan that anyone could ever make for you. It is a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory and you the greatest good. From the beginning of each day until its end, God is working out his plan.
As you follow God’s plan for your life, you do so by faith. It is important to remember that he is the Guide and you are the follower. He does not need to bring you into His planning room as a consultant to help Him decide what is best for your life. God has called you to trust Him and to take the next step of obedience according to His will. God has said “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know, I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

Last I always read this quote when I am down in the dumps so to speak...
There is nothing that is so chaotic that God cannot bring something surpassingly great out of it. It happened at creation, it happened at the cross and it is happening today!

Great Site to see before and after tornado

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389737/Joplin-MO-tornado-At-89-dead-twister-cuts-4-mile-swathe-Missouri-town.html

The link above shows some really good before and after pictures from the May 22 tornado that hit Joplin.

My Uncle Stan......

I was 4 years old.... I wanted to play soccer just like my sisters, but at the time you were supposed to be 5. I remember my dad along with his side kick, Uncle Stan coming home from the draft to tell me I got to play! Talk about excited!
Many have asked if Uncle Stan was my mom’s brother, and I just pause and smile... No, he was not, and he was not my dad’s brother. He was my parent’s best friend for more than 30 years. He lived on our couch, well I am not for sure how long it was, but it was for a good chunk of time... And let me tell you, the man could cook! I remember him using our oven to make homemade deer jerky…
I think by the time I hit double digits I was taller than him, and I will never forget when he married Jan, because she was like 6 foot, and poor Uncle Stan was, well, not 6 foot...
My sisters and I all have our own memories of him... For me, I will always remember the fishing trips. He would get us day old fried chicken, and off we went... For the longest time I thought the only way you could eat fried chicken was cold... I mean heck that was the only time I ever remember eating it as a kid. LOL! For Paula it was the purple cows she remembers. You know a scoop of vanilla ice cream and grape juice.... For Wendy it was that little MG car he had, and he would literally take all 3 of us kids in it... Lucky Wendy, she always got the seat! LOL! Paula and I were typically crammed in the back; you know where you are not supposed to be seeing the car is a 2 seater... But those were also the times when a kid could walk in to the store at 8 and by your parents a pack of cigarettes, you didn’t get a ticket for not having a seat belt on, and it was never out of the ordinary to see a group of kids in the back of a truck....
Our Uncle Stan was big teddy bear! We will always love you! You will forever be in our hearts. Thank you for the memories, most of thank you for being Uncle Stan to 3 little girls! And thank you for being the friend to my mom and dad that you always were! I know Grandma Kirk is smiling right now having you by her side! Play a game of boggle with her, and tell her we all say hello! Love you Uncle Stan! To the moon and back! Love ya!

what a game!

Hats off to my little man Dakota! Last night he went 2 for 2 and one walk! We are so proud that he over came his fear of the ball and put the ball in play! He was on cloud 9 all night! We love you Kota!

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Crazy days of Summer!

I cannot believe it has been soooooooooooo long since my last post... It seems that the days and nights just keep running together!
We are full swing into baseball! Both boys are playing yet again! I love this time of year. I could sit and watch baseball 24/7.... It amazes me though how different our children can be. Hunter loves baseball. He eats and breaths baseball. It could be 2 hours from game time and he is fully decked out from head to toe... Now Dakota, yes he is another story. He is the little boy in left or right field looking up at the stars.... Still I love watching them just having fun... Granted I would love for both my kids to be the diehard athletes that Darren and I once were... And wish we still were... I know deep down that each child has to be themselves. For Dakota he is smart, he loves music, loves science and math. He wants to play the guitar. He plays sports because his friends play. He doesn’t play to be the star, and he is ok with that... I am ok with that. Hunter, he is my outdoor kid. Loves fishing, sports and getting dirty! I guess his names suites him well!
All in all, summer is off to a great start! We have church camp in July and that is all Dakota talks about! I am not sure I am ready seeing I will be completely worn out after the fact. I think I need a training program just to get ready for camp... LOL!
Until next time!!!! (Which will be a lot sooner)
And now we are off to the ball fields!