A Post Script!

A Post Script to a previous post.

One day, I was at the local place that periodically hosts yard sales. As one who loves thrift shopping and never knowing what this location will have for sale, I stopped in.  To my surprise I found a cookbook from my (current) child's elementary school. The cookbook was from 28 years ago!

Intrigued, I picked up the cook book and purchased it. (Or maybe I should say, I'm a sucker for stuff?)  Once home I looked through the book. Imagine my surprise when I found the recipe for {my} peanut butter balls.  I then looked closer and imagine even more surprise when I realized WHO had placed the recipe!

At our Moms In Prayer group, we have some precious grandmas who join us. One precious grandma was integral in starting the group. In fact, I should be thanking her weekly because many years ago she approached the same church we still meet in to pray and asked to use the facilities. (Thankfully I don't have to have my house ready each week! Whew!)

I looked at the recipe and it was this precious grandma, who has been praying for all these years, who placed the recipe in the elementary school cookbook 28 years ago.

I can't wait to see how God continues to use these peanut butter balls!

Intercession Part 3

{Please see previous post here and here}

I'll be honest. I had googled the parents before. I was trying to see if there was any information on social media. Googled dad. Nothing. Googled mom. Nothing.

I was in the car during a trip several days later and decided to repeat my google search. Dad, well something but wasn't sure it was him.

Mom. Something. Wait. Is that a baptism testimony?

I looked closer. I read the story. I scrolled at the way to the bottom.  I looked at the name of the church.  Wait. Wait.

It looked semi-familiar. BUT I knew that MANY churches have the same name.

I decided to google something else. Sadly it was an obituary.

You see on March 17, 2018 our dear friends had lost their young son. It was a tragic situation.  God knew. God had a plan. God had a purpose.

I pulled up the obituary of this little 6 year old. I scrolled down, looking to see where the service was.

There it was: SAME CHURCH, SAME CITY.

You see, we had been to this church when our friends married. We had been to this church to hear them share about their life. Unfortunately we were unable to attend the funeral at the church.

But it was THE church.

Let me back up to the day my son's teammate passed away. March 27.  That afternoon I was a mess. I had received an email from our dear friends who are far away from us (literally across the world).  I replied and told them I could not read their email right now. I said,

I’m trying to read through your email, but the tears in my eyes prevent me.
You know all too well what it’s like to walk the path that (my son's) classmate’s parents are walking on today. (My son) had a classmate pass away this morning. In his college dorm, just down the hall from him.  (They) were friends from day one at college, both as classmates and teammates...
You know this painful walk of grief.  And it is never easy.
I’ll read the rest of your email later, but just wanted to share. We continue to pray for you.  

My dear friend replied a few days later that he would be praying.

It wasn't until a few days after that he would know he would be praying for a family that would walk the exact same journey he had walked IN THE EXACT same church!

We reached out to their family who lived in the area. (Ironically {read: God} we first met this family 21 years ago when my college student son was born!) They shared that they did not know the family of the college student who passed away, but they knew the pastor who would be doing the service.

How did God work?
He had our friend email us that day from across the world.  I replied and asked him to pray and he had no idea the funeral would be in his home church.
He didn't allow me to make the connection until after the service at the college.
He extended the prayer circle to this family who we had known for 21 years.

See the added post script here.

Intercession ~ Part 2

{See previous post for the beginning of this story}

They Can’t Imprison the Message

Philippians 1:12-21 (The Message)

12-14 I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.

15-17 It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.

18-21 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. (Phil. 1:12 MSG)

My son was devastated a the loss of his classmate and friend. However, prayers through Moms in Prayer and many others had gone before this time. God knew. He knew this would happen. It did not take Him by surprise that this young man, only 20 years old, would pass away in his dorm room.  God knew. And He had a plan and a purpose.

A service was planned for the team. This was a time for them to come together. At time to cry with one another.  

We started praying for this service. Others were praying.  My husband and I and our son's Fellowship of Christian Athlete mentor headed to the college for the service.  All the while we had been praying. Praying that God would use this tragedy. That  "Instead of being squelched, the Message (would) actually prosper."

When we arrived at the college we say a group of people outside the room where the service was to take place. I asked if they were family.  They responded that they were. I remember hugging the mother and letting her know I was so sorry. So sorry.

After all, we know there are few words to say, few words that offer comfort at this time.  

The team arrived and the service started.  The Pastor shared comforting words from the Bible and his own experience with losing a child. He also shared the story of Lazarus from John 11.  He shared that we are sad, we don't understand and we question why. He shared that through this time can gain comfort from the Bible, from friends and from the memories we have. He shared about Hope.   It was a powerful message.

Afterwards, there were college students just sitting there. Picture that: college students just sitting there. No phones, no where to rush off to. Just sitting. For some they had never know anyone who passed away. They were in shock. Someone who just two days ago was at practice with them.

I then had the opportunity to comfort some of the women and pray with them. 

My husband and I also had the opportunity to interact with a coach. A coach who we had seen at every event. Yet, we didn't know. We didn't know he too was a believer. We had a chance to interact with someone from the college who "found" {read: God} my son's Fellowship of Christian Athletes twitter account, and reached out to my son. Someone who I had been praying for prior to this evening, but never met.  

And finally we found out that the young man who passed away was a believer.  

But that's not all....(More here.)

Intercession ~ Part One

“What have you done to me?” Balak asked Balaam. “I brought you to curse my enemies, but look, you have only blessed them!” Numbers 23:11 (HCSB)

If you read through this story in Numbers 23, you will see the Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites.  However, Balaam, as per God's instruction in Numbers 22:12, was told:
Then God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

Did the Israelites know all of this was going on? Did they see God's hand of protection on them? God had his hand on them over and over and over and over again! Did they know that Balaam was interceding for them? {I don't think they did!}

Does God allow us to see His Hand of protection upon us? 

Sometimes.

And this is just one time.

I need to back up to May of 2017.  My son's senior year. He was all excited to head off to college. He couldn't wait. I was apprehensive.  Would it go well? Would it go will with me having him away?  Maybe I was more apprehensive about him leaving than he was about leaving.

I remember attending the spring leader's gathering my Moms in Prayer Area Coordinator was hosting.  I walked in and was introduced to someone whose name I had heard, Barb.  I also knew that she lived in the same county where my son's college was.   I remember walking over to her and saying, "I need to get to know you and we need to talk!" 

What a delightful time we had! She told me she was already praying for my son's college ~ as it's a school her Moms in Prayer group prays for.  She also let me know she knew the family of his track coach.  Oh how this blessed this apprehensive momma!

We later gathered together at her house - my whole crew of five kids and my husband to connect with her and her husband around their swimming pool.  She offered to help my son if he needed anything. [Not that an 18 year old college student would take her up on it!] 

Fast forward to February 2019.   I signed up to pray for my son's  college for the Collegiate Day of Prayer.  Guess who else had signed up to pray for his college? Barb!

March 27.  It was my usual day to pray with my high school/middle school Moms in Prayer group. We gather for one hour each week to pray for our children and schools.  This week was also the every-other-week time to gather and pray for my son's college along with two other moms. Except.  Those two other moms couldn't make it. I  already had this time set aside.  

I decided to contact my friend, Cindy, who works full-time. BUT, she recently had foot surgery. She would be off work for several weeks.  I had asked her to come to Moms in Prayer with me that day, but she wasn't able to leave the house.  Realizing no one could come to our  Moms in Prayer time, I decided to text and ask if I could come to Cindy's house.  She responded with a yes! My prayer sheet was already made and ready, so after praying for our high school and middle school, off I went to her house.

We had started praying and were following the four steps as outlined by Moms in Prayer.  We had finished praying for my son, and were praying for her son. Confession: I looked at my phone. I had just gotten a text from my son at college. It said:

I read the text to Cindy and we immediately started praying for my son.  I texted my son back to let him know that i was praying with Cindy and we were praying for him at that moment. Little did I know how big it would be. The next text I got from my son said:

I then called my son. Because what else is a mother to do?  

My son couldn't talk for very long. Cindy and I proceeded to pray.  We finished up and I asked her for some time just to sit on her couch and send texts/emails.  I tried to call my husband, but had to send texts due to his schedule.

My next text was to Barb. Who better to ask to intercede than Barb who had been praying for this college even before my son started attending? She proceeded to contact her Moms in Prayer group to "mobilize" the prayers! We also started to pray for a friend of hers who works a the college.  

The day unfolded with many texts, a few phone calls, many tears and many more prayers.  

What we learned is that my son's teammate and classmate had passed away in his sleep. No foul play.  Just never woke up.  20 years old.  The promise of his future and enjoying his time at the college were gone.  

Where did that leave us? With a saddened, hurt, broken, angry, desperate team.  Some students who had never experienced death.  

However, my son knew that this was part of a bigger story. He knew God has His hand on and still does have his hand on his college.

So he reached out to his coach, and his leaders for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

Now it "just so happens" {read: God!} that he also has a teammate whose dad is a pastor.  It also "just so happens" {read: God} that he lost a high school classmate in the fall of 2017.  And it "just so happens" {read: God} that his teammates pastor father did the funeral for that classmate. 

In ways only God can work, the pastor, coach, one FCA leader (who "just so happens" {read: God} to attend said Pastor's church) were all able to connect . They were all able to coordinate and a service at the college was starting to be planned.

 continued here

But think of all God did in preparation for this time:

I was praying with Cindy AT THE TIME I GOT THE TEXT.

Two friends couldn't be at Moms in Prayer, but God provided Cindy.

I met Barb almost two years prior.

Barb had been interceding for years for this college.  

Barb knew someone at the college who would have a direct impact on this situation.  

The Pastor had a daughter on the team. 

The Pastor had already done the service for one of my son's classmates

The FCA leader knew the Pastor.

More Jesus Less Chaos ~ Book Review

I recently had the opportunity to read Sacred Holidaysby Becky Kiser.  This author was new to me, but apparently has quite a Facebook and blog following. In fact, refining the holidays and making them sacred was something new for me to think about.  Granted, I have thought about holidays and family traditions, but this book does offer a new perspective!

In Sacred Holidays, Becky, encourages the reader to take baby steps. I appreciate the fact that she shares that one cannot do it all and high encourages baby steps!  I love her all or nothing mentality that she figts to overcome.  Becky shares, “I’m the person who is either 5 percent or 155 percent in.” (page 20). Hence the need for baby steps!  

Becky also offers grace for those who start to refine their holidays. I love the tagline of the book, “Less Chaos, More Jesus”.  Becky shares, “…be flexible, give yourself grace, and find the way that the Lord unfolds for you.” (page 43).

This book offers several practical (and I’m ALLabout practical!) tips of suggested holiday ideas.  It is balanced with the idea of not to overwhelm! I can’t wait to look up the summer bucket list on her website!  

Becky does touch on the sometimes Christian “controversial” topics of Santa, the Easter Bunny and Halloween.  It was interesting to read her take on each and possibly agree to disagree, which the author graciously allows.  

It was interesting to reflect on the fact that “While our culture is very much removing the celebration of Christ from Christmas, it has very little intention of removing Christmas.” (page 126).  How do that impact how Christians respond?

I enjoyed reading Sacred Holidaysand appreciated the new perspective it offered.  Becky writes, “My greatest advice to you , as it is throughout this book, is to ask the Lord what this holiday should look like for you. Remember that you are forming a sacred way and that won’t happen overnight and be done perfectly in one season. One baby step at a time, one year after another.” (page 126).

I was given a free copy of Sacred Holidays by Becky Kiser for my honest review. 

You've Got This (Because God's Got YOU!)

I recently had the opportunity to read You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You). I had never heard of KariAnne Wood nor her blog. I look forward to  checking out her blog as she references it for decorating tips in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed  You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You). This book is a short, small book of 52 devotionals to uplift and encourage you. And it does just that. These are basically short stories or potential blog posts that can be read in a quick amount of time. This book would make a great gift.

KariAnne is real and authentic in sharing while writing this book. She offers encouragement and hope and keeps it simple and honest. I enjoyed reading the stories of her single life, eventually married life and now parenting life. KariAnne shares many stories that are relatable to many, however, those who will relate most are mothers. 

I enjoyed reading You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You) and would recommend this small, encouraging quick read! I was given a free copy of You’ve Got This (Because God‘s Got You)for my honest review, which I was happy to do!

Warrior Moms ~ Prayers for the Battlefield!

I was recently blessed with the opportunity to read Prayers for the Battlefield by Heidi St. John.  First, I was unfamiliar with her work or her ministry.  However, I was quickly delighted by her writing. In Prayers for the Battlefield, Heidi shares relevance wisdom and insight from her journey of raising her children and launching them.  This book is relevant both to mothers who have young children as well as mothers who have already launched their children from the home. It is a quick simple read that offers amazing insight based on scripture.

When I start reading a book I have to make a decision, will I underlined in the book or not? I'm happy to say that this book was definitely a book to underline. In it, Heidi St. John offers is invaluable insight to all mothers. This book is a great reference to have handy when needed!

Heidi shares, "Parenting is faith work at every stage..." She also shares practical wisdom on having VICTORY through Jesus in your parenting.  Heidi shares that, "God put the right arrow with the right warrior" (Meaning the right child with the right mama!)

I was given a free copy of Prayers for the Battlefield by Heidi St. John for my honest review. I was happy to provide this review and will be recommending this book to others!

Case Keemun ~ Playing For More!

Playing For More shares the journey Case Keemun as he travels from a young man to the star football player he is now! And let me tell you what ~ his journey hasn’t always been easy. 

When looking at an NFL star, you’d think that things always went their way, especially on the football field. Case shares his ups and downs throughout life and his journey to where he is now. 

Disclaimer: I am a football mom. I do not understand the game as well as many and do not follow the NFL like some. However I did thoroughly enjoy Case’s book! What a gift to readers, both football fans and non football fans. As well as both young and old. 

I must also mention the huge influence Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has had on Case and his family. What a delight to read about the impact of FCA. 

I was very encouraged reading Playing For More and would recommend. I was given a free copy of Playing For More for my honest review which I have given! 

Delivery!

Around Christmas time I decided to start leaving water bottles and snacks for our delivery people.  FedEx, UPS, the mail carrier, the dry cleaners, etc.  I just try to keep snacks supplied in the bucket. Over winter this was just fine. Water bottles would even freeze. 

Then summer came! I wanted to keep it up but had no clue how. Then I decided to freeze a few water bottles. Anytime I know ~ or think I know ~ a package is coming I put out a frozen water bottle.  

Imagine my surprise today when I got this note.  

This really touched me because I know that delivery people are under a tight schedule. They must keep moving and don't have excess time to write notes. However, this driver took the time to write a note!

I realize this may not work for everyone. We have a great space for leaving packages.  I appreciate it when the delivery people take the time to do their job well.  I would encourage you to look for ways to bless those around you!

The Blessing of Blessing

 Many years ago I knew someone very well who worked for the township road crew. Through this experience I have learned the importance of blessing those who work on the road crew. Please note this applies to pretty much everyone we come in contact with!!!  However in order to keep it simple and real, this is one specific way to bless those who work for the road crew.

 To clarify I am talking about your local township (city, or boro) men and women who work on repairing the roads, plowing snow, cleaning out side gutters, painting lines, etc.

 This idea was further reinforced by Karen Ehman in her book Listen Love Repeat.

 When I see the road crew working nearby, I will either head to the grocery store quickly (if time allows) or try to plan ahead for the next day. I will stock up on drinks, cups (that I hopefully have on hand anyway) and possibly any other treats that I may want to give them.   Then I simply stop, and deliver them the cool refreshing drinks and treats. They especially appreciate this when they are working on a hot road, pouring blacktop on an extremely hot summer day!

 I just do this whenever time allows or God presents the opportunity.

 What I’m going to share next must be understood that it is definitely not my motive! This just happened as a byproduct of many times of stopping to deliver treats to the road crew.

 A few weeks ago our road bank needed mowed. I kept wanting to call the township and let them know that, when they had to chance it would be nice if they could mow it.  Sidenote: I completely understand they are busy and  I am the last person to ask for something, but this was a safety concern.

 I happened to be driving past the township maintenance building, and decided I would just stop in instead of calling to ask them to mow the road bank. So I stopped in and tried to find someone who was in charge. Before I knew it several of the guys are like,  “Aren’t you the lady on (such and such a) road? You bring the snacks!”  I said, “Absolutely! Let me know when you are coming again and I will make sure to have something for you” In fact one gentleman even remembered my first name. I was shocked!

 So, the next time you see the local township road crew think about considering getting them something small and just thanking them for their time and service! And don't hesitate to see who else you can share kindness with!

Brave Moms, Brave Kids Book Giveaway!!!!

Giveaway has ENDED! Congrats to Dawn!
I'm so excited! Not only is today my mom's birthday, BUT it's also the day of my giveaway!!!! Whoooo hooooo!!!

Brave Moms, Brave Kids by Lee Nienhuis can be purchased here. And remember preordering on Amazon is usually a good deal! I've found that's it a lower price on the day it releases and then the price goes UP.  (Remember if you preorder you will get the lowest price from the time you placed your order up until it ships. So if you preorder for $15.99 and the price drops to $12.99 you will get the lower price. Although last I checked the price was lower than that!!!!)

You can also find Brave Moms, Brave Kids at Target, Christian Book, Lifeway and Barnes and Nobles.

What do I love about Brave Moms, Brave Kids? Well, it challenged me! As a Moms in Prayer mom, and as a parent, it really made me think! And I loved the "how to" of parenting! I am not just about reading a book about doing.  I like a book the shares the practical "how to do"! Brave Moms, Brave Kids does just that!

For example: did you ever think about Daniel and his parents? Daniel was 14 when he was taken into captivity in Babylon.  How did his mom feel? (Devastated!? Heartbroken!?) BUT Daniel was able to stand firm in what he had been taught and surely in the wisdom his momma prayed for him.  In Daniel 5:14 it says, "I've heard about you (Daniel)  - that you're full of the Holy Spirit, that you've got a brilliant mind, that you are incredibly wise".

Oh may my children (and me!) be full of the Holy Spirit, have a brilliant mind and be incredibly wise!  In her book, Brave Moms, Brave Kids, Lee teaches you, along with scripture, how to  teach your children in a practical way! It's a practical momma parenting guide!

As I was reading this, I desperately wanted to purchase 50 more copies. There were so many mommas who I thought could benefit from this book.  If I had it my way, I would do just that! Yes, this book was THAT good!

So....here's YOUR chance to win (since I can't buy you all books! 😧)!

See below for your chance to win.

Leave a comment, or visit Lee's site. Update: Please bear with me as all this is new! I would love you to comment on how you have been a brave mom in parenting (something that has worked well or you've learned to do well) or a place where you need to be a brave mom in parenting! (All previous entries will count. And doing this through rafflecopter gets you an entry!)

Some details: The giveaway will close on January 25 at 12 a.m. So get your entry in before you go to bed on the 24th!  The winner's address will be given to Harvest House Publishers and the book will be mailed at the end of January. Good luck! I really wish you all could win. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brave Moms, Brave Kids

I'm so excited to be doing a giveaway on this blog on January 23! The giveaway is the new book by Lee Nienhuis called Brave Moms, Brave Kids.  I can't wait!

I was excited to be a part of this launch team and did receive a free book for my preview and review!

How was I impacted by this book?

Well, let me start with how I first met Lee.  Several years ago I was able to attend the Moms In Prayer Festival of Joy conference.  It was there that I heard a young mom speak of her journey praying for her children.

More recently I was able to go to an Unshaken Conference for Moms In Prayer and heard Lee speak again.  Then I "happened" upon an invitation to be on her launch team. (God!)

I love that this book is Bible based and reinforces what is shared at Moms In Prayer!


Here's my review:

Brave Moms, Brave Kids is a practical hands on guide for mothers of all children!

In Brave Moms, Brave Kids Lee Nienhuis shares honestly why we, as moms, need to be praying for our children, and not just for their salvation. Lee offers honest advice and wisdom for raising your children bathed in prayer. Lee gives you practical strategies for raising godly children who are heros and warriors for Jesus. Consider this book, paired with the Bible,  the hands on guide for spiritual parenting. 

Lee shares biblical insight on how to pray for and train your children to be Christ followers. Have you ever been taught how to teach your children how to know and obey God, how to value the Word of God, how to pray, the importance of self-control, relationships and service and perhaps most importantly their identity if Christ?  In Brave Moms, Brave Kids, Lee addresses each of those topics with a practical “how to”.  As a Moms In Prayer praying mom, Lee also shares the four steps of prayer that can be used to teach your children how to pray.

This book has challenged me in my faith and taught this mother of five much about godly  parenting. I highly recommend Brave Moms, Brave Kids.

I was offered a free copy of Brave Moms, Brave Kids for my honest review, but I have purchased one to give away as many can benefit from this excellent book!