A Mosaic of Moments

Shifting

2012-01-21T04:13:00.000-08:00

I feel a shifting.

As if the very plates beneath the earth were moving.

Causing an earthquake of epic proportion.

Reminding me of who I was and renewing who I am.

Tearing down the walls of compromise and avoidance.

Leaving room for movement,

Into the vast unknown,

Where the limitless power of an infinite God

Rebuilds His desires, His dreams, His design.

His will transcending our selfish ambition.

Remodeled, redesigned

An old place made new.

Thank you Starbucks Guy! :)

2012-01-01T21:52:00.001-08:00

This morning I went to return a can of green tea that I received for Christmas. I don't like green tea so I wanted to exchange it for Awake tea at Starbucks. So I went through the drive through and asked if I could just exchange it. (I didnt' have receipt because it was a gift, but it was not opened.)

Well, the guy at the window preceded to tell me about their store policies asking me if the can had been opened......yada yada......yada yada.... and informed me that they weren't allowed to put it back on the shelf. I told him it was no big deal, that I could just give it to a friend who likes green tea, no big deal.

He said, "Just hold on a second".

The dude comes back with a can of Awake tea. He decided to buy the Awake tea and give it to me and just keep the green tea for himself.

He upheld the store policies but went out of his way to make my day and give me my Awake tea.

I was just shocked. And incredibly blessed.

What a great way to start off 2012!

"Tis the Season of Transition"

2011-12-28T20:19:00.000-08:00

Wow! I didn't realize it has been so long since I blogged. So much has happened the last few months. First off, I had the awesome opportunity to go to Rome, Italy. It was incredible. We celebrated 20 years of marriage.

Then, Master's Commission started. I love the class this year. Here's me with some of our amazing students!

Our Romanian directors, Pastors Florin and Liz Cucu, were in for two months of training. It was a joy to be able to work with them on this side of the planet.

Life has been crazy and busy! Our family is undergoing lots of transitions. First off, Josiah, has made it to double digits. He turned 10 years old a couple of weeks ago. Tyler turned 15 years old. And has completely passed me up in height.

Josiah also played tackle football for the first time this fall - or rather- he was on crutches for three weeks for a blood clot in his knee and then he broke his hand. But he had fun- or so he says.

Tomorrow, my oldest daughter is leaving for Romania for 9 months to do missions work. I am so excited for her. I'll probably blog about that more later.

Keep me in prayer. Lots going on.

"You Are Not Bigger Than Me"

2011-08-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

Here I am pictured with my ADULT child. Yes! My first born turned 18 years old this month. And if I do say so myself, neither one of us are looking to shabby either. Haha!

Time really does go by soooo fast. You really do have to take as much in as possible.

One of my favorite memories of Autumn was being called into school for a parent/teacher conference when she was 4 years old. The teacher felt like she needed to be held back in K4 (K4 mind you). Not because of her academics, which were excelling, but because of her "lack of confidence". Haha! (If you know Autumn at all you know how foolish this sounds.) Anyway..

The reason they felt like she "lacked confidence" was because of this:

One day at recess she went up to the biggest kid on the playground and got up in his face and said "You think you are bigger than me, but you are not!"

Now granted - that may sound a little strange- but what they didn't know was that every day we would instill certain spiritual concepts into her. At this particular time we were reminding her that she was a spirit, who had a soul, who simply dwelt in a rather petite body. And that there was nothing to big for her to take on if God was in her and on her side. That whatever He called her to, she could handle.

Obviously this was playing out in the natural!

And I have enjoyed watching her throughout her life look into the face of "big things" and say "you are not bigger than me". And I cannot wait to see what "big" things God will use her to conquer in her lifetime.

Just OBEY!

2011-08-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

Just obey! That’s all. When God tells you to do something- just do it!

Why, oh why, do we question God’s call on our life? Why, oh why, do we question God’s wisdom in giving us certain commands? And why, oh why, do we question His call to use us?

This is a typical conversation I have had over the years of discipling people:

Person: “God told me to do this.”

Me: “Well ok. Do it.”

Person: “Well I’m not sure if it’s just me. I’m not very good at this. I’m not the best at that. I don’t know how to do this. I’m not sure if it is God or me.”

Me: (In my head, not out loud) “Are you serious? The God of the universe has commanded you to do something and you are going to NOT obey Him? Wouldn’t He know what you are and are not capable of. Or more importantly ---doesn’t He know who He is? Foolish! ?”

Me: (In my out loud voice.) “OK well, God equips who He calls. Just trust in Him.”

Person: “I know but…..” “BUT”…..

It’s time we find our confidence in God and not in our self! The cold hard fact is this: YOU ARE NOT ADEQUATE IN YOUR SELF!!!!!!!!!!

How’s that for a self-confidence booster. I’m sure I won’t ever be asked to speak for any self-confidence seminars. LOL

Not adequate. Not sufficient. Not acceptable. Not enough. We are none of these things in our self. But with God “all things are possible” and in “our weaknesses He shows up strong”.

To me that is the most comforting truth in regards to this. I can have God-confidence when God commands me to do something, when He commands me to be someone because He will show up in my weaknesses ---which are many. His grace will empower me. Because His grace is more than favor, it's empowerment!!!

He makes us more than adequate! More than sufficient! More than acceptable! More than enough!

Now, I can’t say that I am actually at the point where I gladly boast about my weaknesses like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, but it sure is fun to watch God do amazing things in me and through me that I cannot do without Him. Scary sometimes--- but fun!

(From Mosaic Moments June/July Edition)

Summer SAS Retreat

2011-07-25T19:00:00.001-07:00

Well here is the one picture we took together as a group. It's the no make-up, comfy clothes, sun touched, shopped 'til we dropped, 'el natural look! LOL

I had a great time this weekend with XMC alumni ladies. We baked in the sun, swam in the wonderful waters, shopped at the Tangler Outlet, and ate out at several terrific restaurants!

On a higher spiritual note, God reminded us of three things:
Remember
Know
Expect

This is one of the ways I try to live my life out each day:

Remember - to remember who He has been and all He has done in my life: my Savior, my Healer, my Deliver, my Lover, my Father, and the list goes on and on!

Know- know who He is today and who I am in Him today in this moment- in the now- in my present circumstance and situation- that He is active and alive, involved in the here and now.

Expect- expect Him to continue to lead me into MORE- no matter the cost- that abundant precious life He desires us to live in.

So I am refreshed and definitely sunburnt!

Radical and Erasing Hell

2011-07-06T18:19:00.001-07:00

I finished these two books this week!

Radical is a must read! This book reminds me of the many many lessons and truths God revealed to me and my family when we lived overseas in Romania as missionaries. It re-awakened so much in me. So much!

It's so easy to get accustomed to comforts and conveniences. I am reminded today that just because something has been given to me does not mean it is for me.

While we lived in Romania I felt as though I were in a boot camp of sorts. God's boot camp. He stripped away so much of my American Christian mentalities. A battle raged inside of me while we lived there. The battle: American Christianity verses Christianity (Christ-likeness). And the battle seems to go on today...

This book reminded me to check and re-check how much culture is playing a part in the way I live out this life God has given me.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan was just o.k. in my opinion. It seems to basically be a rebuttal to Rob Bell's Book, Love Wins, which has caused so much controversy. It was an easy read. I finished it in a couple hours. There's lots of Scriptures throughout the book. Toward the end of the book Chan emphasizes the sovereignty of God. And that section was very thought provoking to me.

Re-thinking This Self Denial Thingy

2011-06-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

"Your self denial can be a very powerful force in the lives of others." That's what popped into my mind the moment I woke up two days ago. I've been meditating on it a bit since then. After meditating, I googled "what is self-denial".

Meditate- pray-google- it's what I do!

And behold- the great works of Charles Finney popped up. A lecture on what "self-denial is NOT" came up.

I only read the first part of it- because quite frankly - I was like "uuuggghhhh- better re-think this whole self-denial thingy".

Self-denial is not breaking off a sin because you do not like the consequence of it - that is looking out for your self interest.

Self- denial is not giving something you have no use for to others- that is simply giving your trash to someone else.

Self-denial is not giving up an indulgence that is harmful to me in regards to health, wealth, my reputation, etc. - ---I don't know about this one. Dieting seems to be quite self denying to me! Haha!

But self-denial IS denial of self that leads to the greater good of someone else to the glory of God.

It's quite interesting to me how much I can "get it wrong". Even when I think I'm doing right- my motives and intentions could be totally wrong.

What a thought: Self denial can be a powerful force in SOMEONE else' life.

I wonder how much of my "self-denial" has been for personal gain? And how much of it actually is giving glory to God?

Do You Want a Cow or God?

2011-06-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Do you want a cow or God? This is the question I asked our XMC student body yesterday? Sometimes I seem to want a cow. I'm thankful that God refuses to allow me to kneel at the feet of Big Beef.

In Exodus 32 (one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible) we read that the Israelites made a golden calf and worshipped it after encountering the one true God. They had seen God's delivering power (setting them free from the Egyptians), seen great miracles (Red Sea parting), been provided for daily by the Word of God (food from heaven), etc. etc. Yet they still preferred to worship a golden calf?

It sounds so dumb! I think I actually called them idiots out loud. ....but it seems that I am constantly trying to worship a cow. No, I don't have a golden calf set up in my house. But it's so easy to create a "cow". Sometimes before you know it, it seems like it just "popped out of the fire" (like Aaron said in the Bible).

After all the cow was tangible. To them it was God in their mind; they called it God - the one that delivered them from Egypt. They offered to it, they sacrificed for it, they sang praise to it. They worshiped it.

But it was also limited, not living, created,very small. And much easier to grasp.

I think we set up cows sometimes in our life. We try to dumb down God, to make Him into something He is not. We set up a whole structure of worship with do's and do nots so that we can worship like we want. And our faith that once was daily dependent upon a living God becomes a ritualistic worship to one of our own creations.

We make God limited in our minds. Or we try to mix or old life in with our new life. (One of the Egyptian gods was a calf)......which is completely unacceptable. (over 3,000 men were killed for it)

Again, I'm thankful God won't let me settle for Big Beef. And that He is not content with remaining small and limited in my mind.

Almost Done!

2011-05-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

This has been an incredibly busy month. I had an emergency appendectomy, went to our annual End of the Year Beach Retreat, hosted XMC Experience Week for over 40 young men and women from around the nation, and now we are preparing for XMC Graduation this weekend.

I have to be honest, this is a bitter-sweet time. I love this class. I'm happy they are transitioning into a new season of life, but I've enjoyed our time together so much this past year!

I am especially amazed at the young women that God is raising up (pictured here). This is a picture of our First Year female students who will be graduating this Sunday night. They are some of the strongest most beautiful God-fearing women I have ever encountered in my twenty years of ministry. I cannot wait to see what God does in and through them in the days ahead! They will change this world! They are worshippers, they have hearts to fight the injustices of our generation and right wrongs, they are relational, pure, encouragers, and God-confident. And brave! They are not only learning to walk out the liberty God has for them but they are fiercely embracing it.

They have blessed my life tremendously!

Proud Momma! Muffins and Flower Power!

2011-04-20T19:39:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday two lovely ladies fulfilled visions that God placed within their hearts and ministered to over 200 elderly people in our local nursing homes.

Linzee, my ten year old daughter, organized Muffins for Mawmaw, baking and selling muffins to buy socks for the elderly. You can read all about it at www.crosstraininginternational.blogspot.com .

Deanna, an amazing 17 year old young lady who is very close to our family, organized Pots of Joy. Over forty people came together Friday night to paint flower pots and plant flowers. The purpose of these Pots of Joy were to brighten up the rooms of the elderly and bring JOY to their hearts. And that's just what they did!

We had the opportunity to share God's love and pray with several people. One particular lady just kept saying over and over "how beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful".

I'm so proud of these two girls for loving God and loving people!

(You can see pictures on my facebook sight.)

Permission Given

2011-04-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

I went to lunch yesterday with one of my favorite young women of God. We were just catching up on all God has been doing in our lives.

As we were chatting and eating chips and salsa, bragging on God, the Lord reminded me of something.

The way you live your life gives others permission to live theirs a certain way.

When you dream, you give others permission to dream.

When you step out in faith, you give others permission to step out in faith.

When you “DO”, you give others permission to “DO”.

Now obviously, God has already given us faith and permission to DREAM and a command to DO. But there is something (almost like an anointing) that is released when you step out in faith and dream and do. It’s contagious. It’s inspiring. It’s God’s empowerment at work!

Think about it - when you hear someone tell you a story of how they’ve always wanted to _______, so they just decided to do _______, and then they did ______! Doesn’t it help release you to do what’s in your heart to do.

Doesn’t it make you feel a little less crazy for daring to dream! Doesn’t it push you to take that step of faith and do it!

What does your life give others permission to do? What does your life release?

Lioness Arising=Book Review

2011-03-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

Well I read a lot! So I thought I would post my thoughts on books on Thursdays.

Lioness Arising is a very good book! Lisa Bevere received a vision from the Lord years ago that included a magnificent image of a lioness. Throughout the book she uses a lioness as a "fierce and tender model for women". She highlights our strength and our ability to protect. She challenges us to not shrink back but to rise up and make a difference in our world. I enjoyed it because she doesn't focus on the problems or weaknesses we may have, but she builds upon the strength that God has given us. So many "women's" books focus 2/3 of the book on problems, which I don't like. So this is refreshing.

I personally suggest reading Fight Like a Girl first if you have never read any of her books. This book is great for women of all ages including teens. It helps to lay a solid foundation of who God has created you to be. It also encourages women to not merely "accept" that they are women but to EMBRACE it in all its greatness.

Another book I read by Lisa Bevere is Nurture . I would encourage women who are in full time ministry or leading other women in their community

to read this. Especially if you have young woman under your leadership.

What is Your Dream for the World?

2011-03-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

(This is a section from a newsletter I write for XMC ladies.)

I think this is where I spend most of my time dreaming. I really want to see God’s kingdom come down here on earth. I want to see the captive set free. I want to see the Good News preached to all. I want to see those who need water have fresh clean water. I want to see those who are hungry have food, and those who are naked receive clothing. I want to see those sick healed, and those who are blind receive sight. I have a dream of heaven.

Heaven here on earth.

And it is His dream.

His lovely dream for His world.

What an amazing God we serve.

Let’s make His dream come true.

Broken Dreams

2011-03-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I sat watching my kids swim in Steamboat, Colorado. I was praying and jotting down some notes for Mosaic Moments, a newsletter for women I write, when I was captivated by the landscape outside the pool room. The snow-covered mountains were breathtaking. The beautiful trees were perfectly white and green. It was gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. I began to tell God how beautiful it was when I was caught off guard by this swelling feeling of sadness arising in my heart. Suddenly my eyes filled with tears as God spoke to me. Basically He said that what I was gazing at, all though awe inspiring to me, was His fallen dream. He said that what I was seeing was simply echoes and shadows of what He intended for me to live in and what I will live in one day.

God HAD a dream!

And His dream was broken.

I never looked at things from this perspective. He dreamed of man and woman walking with Him in a garden. Innocent, naked, free.

In Genesis 6:6 it says, “So the LORD was sorry He ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke His heart.”

But as I sat, tears welling up, He reminded me again-

“I HAVE a dream!”

God will have His way.

He is in the business of making His dream come to past.

There will be a new heaven and a new earth one day.

We will dwell with Him forever.

There are many things I drew from this time with the Lord, but one of the things that most stand out to me now is this-

Even God’s dream is marked with some challenges.

He has had to sacrifice all, persist continuously, love, and trust.

But broken dreams are worth restoring!

Elephant Impact

2011-03-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

impact

God’s dream is for us to make an impact on our world. He desires for our God- empowered influence to have a strong affect on all those we come in contact with.

Think about this- If a bunny rabbit hopped across my backyard, I may be able to tell he was there by a few small imprints on the ground, but if an elephant walked across my backyard it would be quite evident. He would leave giant footprints, probably knock down a tree or two, and completely change the landscape of my yard. There would be no doubt an elephant was there. Things would be different.

God desires us to leave an undeniable impact on our world. He wants us to leave giant footprints where we walk, to knock down an enemy or two, and to completely change the “landscape” of our community.

Check Out Our Missions Organization

2011-03-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

Several months ago my husband and I re-activated or missions organization, Crosstraining International, that we founded in 2003. Over the past few months God has stirred within our hearts an urgency to reach the nations like never before. For updates about what we are doing please check out our blog at www.crosstraininginternational.blogspot.com and become a follower.

These Boots Were Made for Walking

2011-03-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

These boots were made for walking and not tubing on the snow!

We ended our Mid-West Tour by ministering at Skate Church in Steamboat, Colorado. (Check out XMC Masters on facebook for pics.) God moved mightily that night. It was amazing.

But before that we spent an evening tubing down the mountain in the snow. It was a blast as you can tell by the look of my favorite boots. They clocked us at 39 miles an hour. It was great. My boots got ripped up when I put them down to stop myself from flying over the edge. (But incase you were wondering - the fun was sooo worth it! I love tubing!)

This tour was filled with so much fun and ministry opportunities. So many connections were made. It was all around awesome. But I am sooooo glad to be home! :)

One of the things that I enjoyed witnessing the most on tour was when God used my Linzee Bug. Linzee met this cute little 12 year old girl the night we were ministering in Denver.

At the end of service, during the alter call, Linzee could tell the little girl had something on her heart. She leaned over and whispered asking her if she felt something in her heart. She said yes. Linzee said, "Well that's Jesus. You should go on up there and pray." After a little more chatting, the little girl listened and went up.

One hour later this little girl, Linzee Bug, and several XMC ladies were still sitting around crying and praising God. I won't go into the details surrounding this precious child, but she has known much rejection and pain. It was such a privilege to watch healing take place in her right before our eyes.

Her mother asked me to meet Linzee on Sunday. She told me that the only reason her daughter went up to the alters was because the "little girl in glasses" told her she should go. She said "My daughter got saved that night and I'm so thankful."

On a funny side-note: when all the girls were sitting around crying, Josiah comes up to me and says "Oh my gosh, Mom, how much water do they have in them? They're crying an ocean. Somebody needs to get them a bucket!"

Gotta love JOJO!

Mid West Tour PERSONAL Update

2011-02-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

So this week I climbed a mountain and discovered I am in fact a lioness. I met a Rabbi who is also a cowboy and artist. Attended a Messianic Jewish Erev Shabbat service. Watched God use my little girl Linzee to minister during an XMC service. (Which I'll blog about on another day.) And now I sit in Steamboat, Colorado waiting anxiously for a day off tomorrow to go skiing in the mountains.

It began with "Fitness Hour" for XMC and the Marcell ladies. We decided to go on a hike. And about three hours later we finally got to our destination. I decided to climb up the mountain a little further with the kids verses crawling on the ice as shown below. Sometimes you gotta go a different route so that the little ones with you can keep up. (The picture below is Me, Mason- one of the coolest 4 year olds ever, and Linzee.)

This is a picture of several students crawling in front of us. None of us were prepared for how much ice would cover the paths.

About half way through the hike Linzee and I had a moment---in this moment we knew we were lionesses. We made it through several parts of ice and were taking a rest in the snow. We knew we were beasting this hike. Me- the oldest woman and her- the youngest girl. Could you hear us roaring? 'Cause we in fact ROARED!

This is when we made it to the top of our destination. (She wanted to make a silly face--- we made the same face without knowing it.)

This is the mountain we climbed. Hiking is definitely for me. I love it!

Friday night Autumn, Geneva (an XMC student), and I headed to a Messianic Jewish church with XMC alumni Amanda Dauzat. And it was awesome. Very different, but very familiar. So rich in heritage and culture. The Rabbi was totally different than I expected. His name is Rabbi Burt. Yes, Burt! (Pictured with us below.) Not what I thought a Rabbi's name would be. He was a for real cowboy, and he plays the violin beautifully. My favorite parts of the service included all the interaction with the children. The children danced around the church, helped serve communion, and at the very end of service- the fathers lifted their prayer shawls over their families as the Rabbi pronounced the blessing. The people who did not have parental covering present came and stood under a friend of the families' covering. It was very powerful and inspiring! It looked like little blue and white tent coverings all over that room.

This morning I took Tyler back to the doctor while XMC ministered at Dakota Ridge Church in Littleton, Colorado. He's still sick. We are praying he gets better for tomorrow- he really wants to snowboard. Then we headed to Steamboat, Colorado for a day of fun! And now I will retire for some much needed rest!

Just Do It Scared!

2011-02-20T21:32:00.001-08:00

This week Josiah overcame a fear. Now keep in mind this is the same kid who grabbed a wasp in his hand so it would sting him to see if it would hurt!

But for some reason he could not get himself to jump off the monkey bars at this playground. It was ridiculous- it was only about 4 feet off the ground. But for some reason he just could not do it. And it was tripping him out.

After several attempts and me saying over and over again- "Come on, you can do this!" He squats down and says "Mom, I gotta figure out how to make myself not scared so I can do this".

Being the wise momma that I am I reminded him that you can't always make the feeling of fear go away-- sometimes you just got to jump scared. "Just do it scared". A missionary to Siberia once said this in a service I was in. She said "Just do it scared."

Whatever God calls you to do- don't wait for fear to leave. Just do it scared!!!

And that's what Jojo did.

Tour- First Week!!!

2011-02-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

This has been a crazy few days! The whole Marcell Family and XMC have been on the road for six days already! So much has happened!

My girls and I were blessed to meet one of my favorite woman preachers, Lisa Bevere. She spoke a powerful word to us. I encourage you to check out her book Lioness Arising. It's fantastic! I'm almost done with it! Linzee also had the opportunity to meet Lisa's husband, John Bevere. He encouraged her in her ministry to the elderly. John Bevere also was the guest speaker at MC Conference; he delivered an amazing message on GRACE- our empowerment!

Our XMC had the privilege of performing our Step routine from our new Tour at MC Conference! They were excellent! Their passion was strong, and they were fierce! It was great!

This was one of the best, most refreshing conferences I've been too.

On Wednesday night we ministered at a youth group. Though we faced a lot of technical issues, God showed up and many lives were touched to the glory of God. The response was awesome- over half the room responded to this message of Faith, Hope, Love, and Justice.

The students are also making great memories! Here we are washing clothes at a laundry matt! (Hey alumni- does this picture look familiar?!?)

And others are making not so great memories! My poor kids are sick! :( Autumn has the flu, and Jojo has an ear infection!

Tomorrow we leave for our next stop- Jenks, Oklahoma!

Pray for us, that God would use us mightily to minister His message of hope and healing to all we come in contact with! (And pray for our health and safe travel as well!)

Rejected!

2011-02-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

Rejected!

Made to feel inadequate and not up to standards.

What an ugly word that can cause an ugly result!

A couple weeks ago I spoke to our XMC students about rejection. Most of our students do not come from nurturing homes with Godly heritages, and the enemy has tried to use rejection to hold them back from being who they are created to be in God.

Rejection can be a very powerful force in a person's life. If accepted it can completely destroy a person's image of themselves. They may begin to feel like they cannot be or do anything right! Especially if the people who reject them are those who are suppose to love them most.

As I was praying and meditating on what to teach, the Holy Spirit showed me something. He pointed out that Jesus is rejected EVERYDAY by many, many people. But this rejection NEVER stops Him from being who HE IS!

Think about that- that's powerful! He never stops being who He is simply because someone has rejected Him!

Rejection is only powerful in our lives if we accept the spirit behind it. The truth is that we are inadequate and fall below God's standards. But I have learned to rejoice in my inadequacies and my weaknesses. Because in my weakness God is made strong. God is the only one who has right to reject us- yet He doesn't! He embraces us in all our imperfections!

Maybe you have been rejected by someone. Let me ask you a few questions:

What makes their standard something you should obtain to? What makes their estimation of you truth?

If God accepts you than why would you exalt their opinions above His and buy into the spirit of rejection that they are pushing on you!

Let me encourage you -

Don't let someone else's opinions of you hold you back from being who YOU ARE in Him!!

Vacations Make Me Sick!

2011-02-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

Just joking! But as this vacation rapidly comes to an end, I realized that I was also sick during my last vacation. Maybe I'm allergic to rest!

Tonight, Shawn and I went watch a movie, I really needed to get out the house. I've become quite reacquainted with my recliner since Monday night. I've been sitting in it watching movies, reading Lioness Arising, eating chicken soup, chili, gumbo, and using 5 boxes of Vicks tissues. Completely chilling!

But tomorrow- it's back to work I go! We have one week before we leave for Tour. The plan is for our whole family to travel and minister with XMC on the road until March 4th. It's been about two years since all the Marcells evangelized together away from home. (I think our missions trip to Guatemala in 2009 was the last time---above pic.) My kids are pumped.

There will be lots of praying, planning, packing, and preparing this next week. Keep us in your prayers!

Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History

2011-02-02T05:52:00.000-08:00

"Well-behaved women rarely make history."

~Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Love the quote.

It reminds me of some of the true women of God in the Bible: Jael, Rahab, Abigail.

Killing an enemy with a tent peg, a prostitute, a wife who circumvented her husband. Desperate times calling for wild actions.

Early in my Christian walk and ministry there seemed there was much more focus on "domesticating" me than any other thing. There was a long list of the "don'ts". Everything seemed to be so focused on what I could not do and changing my behavior....complete behavior modification.

I remember several situations that happened early on while working in the church that really, in my opinion, is just ridiculous. Lots of bad counsel.

I remember the first church we worked at. I was instructed by someone that I must wear dresses to church, but not too fitted since I was thin. I was told I needed to have long hair. I was told to watch what I said and how I said it.

At the second church we ministered at I was told that SHORT hair was more appropriate because I had a child and was a mother. It was threatened that I would be taken before the Sunday School committee if I wore shorts again to check the mail box. It was preferred that if I worked that I babysit in the home. Because after all, this was more appropriate for an Associate/Youth Pastor's wife, to stay at home and manage the home.

It's a funny thing to me. I don't remember anyone asking me what God had put in my heart to do. Honestly, the only question I remember being asked was if I could sing or play piano. 'Cause after all, this would compliment my husband's ministry. And when that was a clear "NO", that was the end of the conversation.

I love the above quote because I know something is awakening in the body of Christ. And I am reminded that "God does not show Himself limitless to make us limited." (Lisa Bevere) And though God changes our behavior as we die to self, (this is a must of true discipleship), He did not save us for the purpose of "DONTs" but for the "DOs". Nor did He save us for mankind to tame us. In fact He desires to make us dangerous and a little mis-behaved!!!

We live in desperate times screaming for wild actions from the people of God!

Let me remind you today. Especially you young Christians. You live in an awesome time. "This is God's year to act!". Focus more on the "DOs"!!!!

"God's Spirit is on me; He's chosen Me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, sent Me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!" (Luke 4:18-19)

This is what was upon Jesus, and now rest upon us!

I pray you are labeled "dangerous" by the forces of darkness!

I pray you are labeled "misbehaved" by a society that expects you to conform to its norm!

I pray His limitlessness demands you live beyond your limits!

Africa Team Update

2011-01-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

Update from our Africa Team from missionary Mikey Cheshier:

He and the team made it to their base camp for their duration of their stay there. It isn't where we normally stay and he said that the trip there was long and hard. When they got there they had to cut grass to make a place for them to stay. Their camp was set up and they were eating a late dinner and all about to rest for ministery tomorrow. They are encouraging churches that are struggeling way up in the Loita hills. He asked for prayer. 150 salvations today.

A True Wonder Woman! Stephanie Elmore

2011-01-19T19:33:00.000-08:00

So in the MOSAIC MOMENTS Issue 3- WONDER WOMAN, I highlighted several XMC alumni who are truly Wonder Woman in my opinion. They inspire me so much that I thought I would share their articles with you as well.

This is Stephanie Elmore- Class of 2007

In January of 2010 my life was forever changed. I stepped foot onto the beautiful terrain of Africa. It was there that I embraced some of the most precious children on this planet. As I walked down the dirt streets of Kenya, children surrounded me as they danced and sang praises to God. I saw such joy and peace upon their faces. It was as if their smiles radiated a glow about them. I still hear their little voices echoing within the chambers of my heart today. And I know that I am now ruined for the ordinary.

God called me at the age of sixteen to the people of Africa. At the time, this continent all the way across the world seemed so far out of reach. Since that divine calling, it has been prophesied three times over my life that I was called to reach the children of Africa. And after seven years of holding dearly to the vision God has given me, it is a wondrous thing to see Him bring it to pass.

Each day my heart is drawn closer and closer to our great God and His vision for the children of Africa, especially the Masai children. So here I am, on this wondrous journey, stepping out in faith and believing God for what He says will come to pass. Mike and Marigold Cheshier (missionaries to Africa) have asked me to join them in reaching the Masai children. I leave this January and will be home (God willing) in March. I will be establishing Children Ministry in the current churches under the Cheshiers’ care as well as training the Masai leaders in the importance of ministering to children.

I’m not exactly sure what the future holds for me. This has been a challenging time of transition. I have had to lay down my job and trust others to take care of my “personal” things back home while I am away. But even though there has been difficulty and a lot of denial of self-control, I am in wonder that I am now “Living the Dream” that God placed in my heart. We talked so much about that in XMC. Let me encourage you in the Lord- God is faithful- whatever dream He placed inside of you- be faithful- step out- and LIVE IT!!!

Living the Dream,

Stephanie

!A True Wonder Woman is an Answer!

2011-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Genesis 2:18 God had a situation. He had created a circumstance that He said was “not good”. But then He quickly came up with a solution. And that solution was the Wonder Woman. After she was created, God looked over all His creation and said “very good”.

Wow. Amazing. This always makes me sit in wonder.

The world will tell you that you are a problem. That women are gossips and sexual manipulators. That we cause problems. That we are weak. But that is not who God says we are. He says that we are what made His creation go from not good to very good. We are not only an answer to a dilemma He had, but we are an answer to a world today that so desperately needs us.

Let me remind you today that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Read Psalm 139 again and meditate on it. This Psalm is beautiful. It makes me sit in wonder of our Creator, but it also makes me sit in wonder of who He has created me to be in Him. Between knowing that I am in fact an answer and that He thinks upon me so much- it just blows my mind. I am in awe. I love being a woman!

Now, the theme song from Wonder Woman tv series (you can hear it on youtube) sounds ridiculous when you listen to it, but the words of the song…I kind of like them. I’m not sure about the satin tights and all, but the rest of it reminds me of Isaiah 58:6-14. Listed in that Scripture are works of wonder that God desires us to do. This world is waiting for us to take a stand and “do the magic we can do”. To fight for those who are victims of injustice. To be an instrument of peace where there is conflict. To go to dark areas and shine.

But not only is the world waiting for A True Wonder Woman to arise--------God is waiting!

Wonder Woman Theme Song:

Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman. All the world's waiting for you, and the power you possess. In your satin tights, fighting for your rights, And the old Red, White and Blue.

Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman. Now the world is ready for you, and the wonders you can do.

Make a hawk a dove, stop a war with love, make a liar tell the truth.

Wonder Woman, get us out from under, Wonder Woman. All our hopes are pinned on you. And the magic that you do.

Stop a bullet cold, make the Axis fall, change their minds, and change the world.

Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman. You're a wonder, Wonder Woman.

!Taken Captive by Truth!

2011-01-15T21:14:00.000-08:00

Our comic book heroine- she carried the Lasso of Truth. This lasso had incredible strength and was virtually unbreakable. Anyone bound by it had to tell the truth. It provided a ring of protective fire for people to protect them. If by some chance the rope was momentarily broken, reality came to be dictated by whatever people believed it to be.

!Taken Captive by Truth!

“Make them holy by Your Truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth.”

John 17:17 (NLT)

When held captive by this lasso, the captive has no choice but to speak truth. What a powerful weapon. Just think of what you could do with that! Those of you married, could wrap it around your husband, then you would really know once and for all if he thought “those pants” made you look fat. Oh, what I could do with a weapon like that!

But on a serious side, I want to remind you today that you possess a weapon of truth much more powerful than even the Lasso of Truth. That weapon is the precious Word of God.

I love the Word of God. It empowers you! When you read it, it jumps right back out at you and reads you. It challenges our thoughts, helping us tear down all those thoughts that try and exalt themselves against the knowledge of our God, reminding us to think as He thinks. It reveals truth to us, truth that sets us free.

I want to remind you today that God SPOKE the universe into existence. The Word of God when uttered in faith can produce life out of death, something out of nothing, it can fill what is empty, bring form to the formless, and light to the darkness.

This lasso also provided a ring of protective fire. Are you surrounding yourself with Truth? Are you allowing the Word of God to sanctify you? To burn away areas of your life needing to be cleansed? To protect you?

Oh how awesome is the Word of God! I encourage you this year to lasso yourself to TRUTH!

!Boomerang!

2011-01-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most amazing things about being a daughter of the Most High God is that you in fact are a daughter of the Most High God. The Creator’s creation. Stop and think about that. You are His!

I love to think upon this. I belong. I am wanted and cherished, loved and adored. Sometimes I just sit in awe that God loves me so much. That I belong to the God of the universe and that He takes time to look upon me. To gaze at me, sing over me, and speak to me. I am His!

Our comic book heroine, she wore a tiara. Her tiara was often thrown as a weapon, a dagger of sorts, but then it would boomerang right back to her.
One of the strongest weapons you have as a daughter of God is to have full understanding of WHOSE YOU ARE!

You are the daughter of the Most High God, the King over all.

Which means you are the King’s daughter.

Let this truth surround your thoughts- as a tiara of sorts.

A tiara is placed on a daughter’s head because of WHOM she is born to.

It does not make her a princess, it is a symbol of her birthright.

She is not common – she is royalty.

It is something that will never leave you- even if you were to try and toss it away- it will boomerang right back to you!

Wonder Woman

2011-01-12T20:24:00.000-08:00

Well I just finished Issue 3 of MOSAIC MOMENTS, a newsletter that I send out to our XMC lady alumni and present students. I had a lot of fun doing this issue in particular. So I thought I would share some of the articles over the next few days! Hope you enjoy!

Aaaaahhhh! Wonder Woman! Ok. I am not a huge comic book fan. Actually I really don’t like them. I may in fact detest them. But I do remember Wonder Woman from a long ago place in my childhood. I was about three to five years old when the Wonder Woman TV series aired, but yet I remember it. It must have left quite an impression on me!

I remember her fabulous clanking bracelets, the way she stood strong, and her tiara, and her lasso of truth. I remember she always kicked the bad guys butt. Great stuff! Very empowering.

But as I was doing some research on Wonder Woman I realized that she was actually birthed out of the feminist movement. According to the wikipedia on the internet, Wonder Woman was birthed in the heart of William Marston’s wife. Marston wanted to create a new comic book superhero who would triumph not with fist or firepower but with love. His wife said “Fine, but make her a woman.” Matson actually wrote "Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world”. He went on to say (NOW YOU MAY WANT TO SIT DOWN LADIES BEFORE YOU READ THIS NEXT QUOTE!),” Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength, and power. Not wanting to be girls, they don't want to be tender, submissive, peace-loving as good women are. Women's strong qualities have become despised because of their weakness. The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.”

Needless to say, this IRKS me. LOL. Obviously. Who decided that tenderness, submission, and peace-loving are weaknesses. In my opinion, submission can be quite the challenge, requiring strength from the Most High God Himself. Now granted, Mr. Marston seems to want to propel women in general to a place of superiority above man. (Which we are not!) But come on!

One of the saddest things about that statement to me is that I believe women buy into some of these lies still today. It’s like some women want to run away from who they are to be something that they are not created to be. They despise the precious qualities they possess and seek to become something that will strip them of their true strengths. The truth is that women are in fact a force to be reckoned with, they are strong and powerful, but these possessions lie in the strength of their gentleness, their submissive attitudes, and their peaceful actions.

The true Wonder Woman is not a created comic book heroine. She is the creation of the Creator. And oh, what a wonder she is!

News from Romania!

2010-12-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Our baby is born after 8 years! Master's Commission Romania (MCR) is officially launched and we can not wait to see what God will do in and through the men and women of God who have partnered with us to reach the nation of Romania for Jesus! Here are some updates I received from the team there:

Tuesday- Ok... here is the update for the day! We had a powerful prayer time this morning in the building that houses the dorms, you could sense the presence of the Lord, than we began to work on the building, painting two bathrooms and the exterior of the building where repairs were done. After that we cleaned the whole house top to bottom removing all the building debris, wheel-barreled a pile of rocks and sand down a muddy road(its rainy and cold by the way), shopped for things that the students will need to live there. Tomorrow we will meet all day on programmatic issues as well as pray for the Romanian students that arrive on Thursday morning. Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness!!!

Thursday- 7 students join Master's Commission. (Picture will be posted when Shawn arrives back home from States). We began MCR with our Face to Face Retreat. This is a time of challenge and great reflection for each individual. Things are going well. We were able to skype with XMC this morning. We introduced our MCR team and both prayed for each other. It is so amazing to see the vision God has given you come to pass! Amazing!

Friday- Retreat going great. I am reminded of how differently people process things in different nations. But one truth is obvious. The TRUTH of God's Word is alive and relevant in every nation having power to reach the heart of each person no matter the cultural differences.

Saturday- (Shawn phoned in a little while ago.) Half the team made it to their destination. The other half is with Shawn and will have to stay overnight in Brasov. A horrible snow storm is keeping them from Targoviste. Please pray for their safety and that the snow will slow down enough for them to travel safely in the morning.

MOSAIC- A Little PINK Party

2010-11-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday XMC hosted A Little PINK Party to celebrate life and to hear the story of breast cancer survivor, Kathie Daniel. We had a display of the most delicious and cutest snacks, thanks to several fabulous ladies (thanks Deanna, Lizzy, and Mrs. Norma!).We worshiped together and then Kathie shared her story. She did a beautiful job! And what an amazing testimony! The thing that stood out to me most is how God speaks so clearly to His daughters in the MOMENT of their need. He restores hope and increases our faith with one Word of promise! What an amazing God He is!!! And what a HEALER He is! I'm so glad Kathie is "alive and kickin" today, as she puts it. And I'm so thankful to be able to praise God on behalf of what He's done in her life. Thanks Kathie for stepping out of your comfort zone and honoring God by telling what He's done for you!!!

Chronological Bible

2010-10-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

This past summer I read the Chronological Bible. And I have to say I think it's one of the best layouts for reading the Bible. I found that I was able to "see" things in my head like a movie reading it in this format. I don't know if it's because of the repetition of things in the New Testament or the fact that different Psalms are inserted periodically throughout the Hebrew Scriptures that help create "the mood" and emotions of the events, but it made a significant difference for me in reading it.

The funny thing is that when I began reading it I felt like I might be doing something wrong. It seemed strange to have things "out of order". So I prayed about it, and God revealed to me how easily we can get so caught up in "religious ways". Since I have always read the Bible printed the "regular way", I'd become so accustomed to that flow that it "unnerved" me a bit knowing someone moved around the Scriptures. Sounds silly now, but it bothered me a lot at the time.

It also made me question the "normal" religious things I do. As to why I do them. Are they mere traditions that have been passed down to me from some outside source or are they founded in truth? Amazing how aspects of daily devotions or reading God's Word can become religious.

Anyway, just thought I'd drop a note and say the Chronological Bible is way cool!!!

And on an even happier note, I recently received my REVIVAL BIBLE. I've been waiting on this Bible for quite a while. I got one of the first 5,000 copies printed. I just began reading it and it's awesome.

Little Thing---Big Mess

2010-10-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Oh, why do we say things we shouldn't say?!?

This morning I read the book of James. And once again I am reminded of how such a little thing like --the tongue--- can cause such a big mess! Why is something so small so hard to control?

For years I've been working on controlling my mouth! And if people really knew what was going on in my mind sometimes---they would know what a feat this is!!!

However....this does not seem to be what God is dealing with me on this morning particularly...He isn't seeming to challenge me on what I'm holding back and NOT saying in the negative (death) since as much as what I'm holding back and NOT saying (life) in a truth since.

You see, I think if I played football I would play on the offensive side before the defensive side. God has wired my nature in such a way that I like to advance things, push forward, get to the end and actually "make the touchdown". But for some reason, this just doesn't carry over into this area of my life.

I take the defensive approach with my tongue---holding back cursings, swearings (just to be real), ugly comments, etc. ...the list goes on and on.

But I seem to only be getting half of this right. I have got to release blessings, truth, encouragement, honor, etc...the list should go on and on.

When we only operate in partial truth than we miss out.

I like the way the Message Bible reads on this one in Proverbs 18:21 "Words kill, words give life, they're either poison or fruit----you choose."

I don't want to just hold back poison---I want to give life.

Aim Higher

2010-08-26T21:58:00.001-07:00

This summer I've been watching Robin Hood on Netflix. It's funny and I like it. There's lots of robbing from the crooked rich folks and giving to the poor. Lots of sword fights and lots of perfect arrow shooting by Robin Hood.

Anyway, the other day I was watching a DVD with Winkie Pratney on it. He was talking about SIN. He said that sin is often said to be "when we miss the mark", when we fall short of what God's standard is. And that's true. I've heard that before.

But then he went on to ask "Do you know why you fall short when you shoot an arrow?"

It's because you don't aim high enough.... It's because you don't aim high enough.

You see for an arrow to fall just right and hit the target exactly where it is suppose to you have to aim higher up. When it falls short you've aimed to low.

How intriguing!

How often do I sin simply because I have not aimed high enough?

Now, because I've been watching Robin Hood it was easy for me to picture this. When Robin aims-- he stands ready for battle, he looks at his target, but then he looks and aims up before releasing the arrow.

Maybe if I remember to look up to the Most High before I release the "arrows" within my hands, maybe I won't fall short and I'll hit the mark!

Thoughts

2010-08-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Lately, some things have been burning on my heart. And here is the compilation of some of them:

God is not content with servants, but with sons and daughters.

I believe that there is a growing discontent being ignited by the Holy Spirit in God's people. A discontent which will cause God's chosen to say "I'm not satisfied with anything less than my inheritance in Christ."
A people that will stand and say "Enough is enough! I want more. I want all that my heritage in Christ gives me."
A people that will say "I'm gonna get mine."

Holiness, righteousness, blessing, and empowerment by grace are not a thing of the past but for today.

And I believe that when members of the body of Christ get a hold of this, that the world will run to them, because they will be different and set apart. They won't be mimicking or clinging to the world. But they will shine brightly with a newness of light. They will be divine.

I am a Walmart Snob!

2010-08-15T21:26:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I feel I am somewhat of a "snob" when it comes to Walmart. But I am OK with it.

I cannot stand going to Walmart! But tonight at 10:45pm I decided to venture out to Walmart to get a house phone on my way to pick Autumn up from work. Truth be told I would have gone to Target, but it was closed.

And I'm telling you I could write a book on the things that happen to me at Walmart. Tonight I'm standing in the self check line because the only cashier check out line is clear across the store--- and I'm just waiting.

Then I hear the woman in front of me -the crazy lady- mumbling to herself. The next thing I know she's yelling "EXCUSE ME". So I naturally look around to see who she's talking to. Then I realize her eyes are popping out of her head looking at me. I said, "Are you talking to me?" She says, "I need to enter my pin." I said, "Yeah and?" Then she rolls her eyes and begins to finish checking out. Then she points her big finger at the conveyer belt thing and tells me I need to be standing behind it. I said, "Are you serious? I can't even read the pin pad from where I'm at".

I did not move. Crazy lady!

Then she rolled her eyes again and proceed to yank her receipt out the machine and walk off.

Seriously, is there some checkout protocol that I'm unaware of? I mean I was at least 3-4 full feet away from her near the back of the belt, half asleep, and staring into space.

On a precious trip I was waiting and waiting and waiting in line only to turn around and see a grown man salivating all over a Cosmopolitan magazine. For real!

Anyway, I've probably only gone to Walmart 5 times since January, and I think that's my quota for the year.

Baptism

2010-08-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight our church had a service called Submerged where over 70 people were baptized. I so enjoyed watching and hearing each person's statement of faith.

But I was quickly reminded of another baptism service that I had been in. Years ago, when we were in Romania, Shawn preached on baptism and held a service. I remember there was so much controversy and tension when Shawn spoke on baptism. You see, baptism, is considered a STRONG statement in Romania.

It was o.k. to come to the church and worship, but to be baptized was a whole other matter. I wonder if that's why Jesus said to go into the world baptizing...because it is the outward evidence of an inner commitment...it is a strong statement...

I remember one girl in particular decided to follow Christ and be baptized only to go home and be beaten for it. To be persecuted by her own family for choosing to abandon the Greek Orthodox faith and live for Jesus according to His Words.

To be honest, I didn't really understand "what the big deal" was at the time. I thought if she was already coming to church and was worshipping with us why would her parents get so upset when she was baptized.

But baptism IS a strong statement. It's truly a statement of dying to yourself....it's saying "hey world, i'm dead to my old life, I'm turning my back on what was and living for Him and what's new... " It's drawing a line in the sand and taking a stand....

I doubt tonight that anyone was beaten when they went home for being baptized (at least I pray not) but two things are for sure: Lines were drawn in the sand and oh how Heaven must have rejoiced tonight!

Thank You God for my DVDs!

2010-06-26T19:56:00.001-07:00

My DVDs are found! This may sound a little crazy, but I'm thankful because I really believe God helped me find them. This is exactly what happened. :)

This past week I lost some very important DVDs to me, The 21st Century Reformation video series by Winkie Pratney. I began studying from them months ago but decided to put them away until summer when I had a little more time to focus.

Well when I went to get them the other day I could not find them. I looked everywhere. And was so sad that I lost them.

Well today, I saw a post about them on facebook, and I literally pouted. I said "God, You know where they are. Where are they?"
Suddenly I had an impulse to go to my closet and look behind a shelf behind a polka dotted bag. Then I thought "they are in that box". And behold: they were in that box!.

Coincidence?! I don't think so!

I'm thankful and not pouting anymore! I have read Winkie Pratney's books and listened to him since I was a teenager. I always feel convicted but empowered when I listen to him speak. I cannot wait to dive into this stuff.

The Definition of Pride- Prayerlessness

2010-06-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

"Why are you so prideful Nichole?". I was reminded of this question that the Lord asked me sometime ago this past week while I was reading another person's blog.

His blog was about prayer. It said:
How we connect to God is through prayer. But how often do many of us pray, every day, every hour? Or is it when we reach the limit of our resources that we decide to pray? It is not bad to pray in time of crisis. One of God’s most amazing attributes is that He is humble enough to accept people when they turn to him in sheer desperation even when they have been ignoring Him for years. Desperation prayers have been the beginning of spiritual life for many people. But by themselves such prayers are not sufficient to sustain spiritual life. Many of us fall into a pattern where the only time we pray are the times when we are prompted by crisis or pain; the rest of the time we rely on our own strength and cleverness. That pattern points to what we really believe about prayer. In most ordinary moments we are not convinced that prayer really changes things.

This is so true! There have been times in my life when I have had a sick child and times when I have been sick where all I could do was pray. I prayed all day and all night for healing and answers.

But in my "ordinary" days when there is no great crisis (or maybe I should more appropriately say no great crisis that I am concerned with) I don't pray the quality of prayers as I do when I am in need nor by any means the quantity.

I would ask the question "why do I do this" but I already know the answer. It is pride. It's because I "pray for real" when I FEEL I am in need and can't do things on my own. But the truth is I need God in my ordinary moments too. Operating in His strength is much better than depending on my own strength.

I have seen God answer prayer in a "bad moment" turning everything from bad to good. I wonder what He would do with a "good moment" when my lack of prayer reflects that I feel that I don't need Him, if I prayed with as much intensity and as often as when I feel like I need to pray.

On Assignment in Africa

2010-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

This year in Master's Commission, I led the Mission's Institute. And I could not be more proud of my students who pursued God and ministry. They have traveled to more nations preaching the Gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus than any other class. Between all of us we have gone to Guatemala, Africa, Germany, Canada, and Romania. All in the last eight months. They also have continued to serve weekly in our community at The Pregnancy Center, the Nursing Home, the Bridge, The Heart for Children, and Crosstown. It's been a joy to watch how God stretches and brings everything around in its proper time and place.

Some of them are moving on after graduation, some are getting married, some are going straight into full time ministry, others are pursuing their education. I love how God gives people purpose as they seek Him and His will for their lives.

One student will actually not be here for graduation. He (Aaron-pictured here) will be on assignment in Africa. It's a cool story actually. During this past year I felt like God wanted Aaron to go to Africa, and he thought so as well. But when it came time to go in January he did not have the funds. We both prayed, the whole Institute prayed, but God had closed the door. Then as I was praying about the next trip, the month of May popped in my mind over and over. But that didn't make sense to me because I knew that if a team went in May then they would miss graduation. However, the Lord told me that I have the wrong mentality and that ministry does not stop when graduation happens.

Then I got a call from the missionary in Africa saying that Aaron could go in May. Well he prayed about it, and we discussed it and felt this was God's timing. And then God provided the finances. Why God did not allow him to go in January with the whole team, only He knows. But I cannot wait to here why God has Aaron going now. I cannot wait to here what the Lord will do in and through him.

Please keep him in prayer! That God will use him mightily to reach people for His glory. He will be going out into the bush to reach the unreached, preaching the Gospel. He is also suppose to go to an area suffering with famine to deliver food. Pray for his protection but that God will place him in places where the miraculous may occur!

Daily Advertiser- Romania Missions

2010-04-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

(The ladies and I on the Missions Trip in front of a castle.)

Update in the Daily Advertiser:

Missionaries from Crossroads Church are back from Romania after the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland and resultant cloud of ash over Europe forced delays in flight plans for thousands of travelers.

Most in the travel party of 19 are back in south Louisiana, while some moved right into further work in Canada. The return trip forced new arrangements for all of them.

"It was an incredible experience," said Nicole Marcell, wife of Crossroads Student Ministries Pastor Shawn Marcell. "There is so much work, such an opportunity to partner with the church there.

"You just take a deep breath, stay and get back to work."

The couple had their 8-year-old son Josiah with them on the trip as the missionaries visited homes and worked with children's ministries, visited shut-ins, conducted sidewalk Sunday school sessions and produced videos for youth.

"We visited a paralyzed man who hadn't seen a child for years," Marcell said. "Josiah held his hand and gave him a hug, and the man started weeping. There were no words, but you could feel the healing happening. It was really cool."

One sobering aspect of the trip was helping a home for victims of the sex trafficking industry.

"Hollywood has an image of what that industry is like, and it's not like that at all," Nicole Marcell said. "We also remodeled a home for abused and abandoned and minor children."

The Marcells formerly lived in Romania, and so knew some of the challenges ahead.

"They really need a message of hope and purpose," Marcell said. "Their economy is really bad, and they need to know things can change. There is also true poverty and a lack of proper health care. Some live in homes we would consider unfit.

"They welcomed us. They weren't hostile at all. They like our Western philosophy. We can come partner with them and show them how to do things differently."

The notion of repenting sins, accepting Christ as a savior and salvation are foreign in many homes.

"They worship and follow without the assurance of a reward," Marcell said. "It's typical in that area of Romania."

With so much to do, a couple of extra weeks of work seemed like a small price to pay to go home

Romania Romania!

2010-04-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well we are still in Romania. Another day! We are fixing to send 7 more people to airport to see if they will make their flights out or not. Doesn't look promising though.

But we are embracing it here. God knows where we are and where we are NOT!

I've had some extra time to think about the work we've done and the things we've seen the past two weeks. The things that most stand out to me:

Sex Trafficking- I don't really have a clue about this injustice. I think Hollywood has influenced my brain way too much on this issue. I need to pray to get a hold of this....seriously. My mind just can't grasp the depth of the depravity in this. I'm overwhelmed.

The house we are opening for abused women- right on track. One step at a time! God definitely is at work on behalf of His daughters in this nation. I feel an excitement and anticipation about what is coming!!!! And am very thankful to be a part of it.

The "shut ins"- we ministered to several people who have not left their one room homes in years. How raw the human need! Only the compassion of Christ, the presence of the living God, can shine in such darkness!

God still needs the BODY-- in Doecesti, a village, God is using a business man to minister to the kids weekly. He's not a "pastor" officially, but he is pastoring a mighty army of children warriors for the kingdom of God in his own backyard. What a powerful ministry- you don't have to be a paid minister on staff to advance the kingdom of God.

And I really am glad I have a washing machine and dryer at home. It is a blessing that I seem to take for granted. (Thanks Nica for washing my clothes while we are stranded here!!!)

Missions-Romania

2010-04-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

This week I got one of the best kisses of my life.

While we were visitng families two days ago, bringing food and ministering the Gospel, we entered a home where there was a man who had been partially paralized by a stroke for over ten years. He could not get out of bed. He could fling his arms around and move his thumbs and head, but that seemed to be it. He also could not speak; he is mute.

As we began to speak to him to tell him the Good News he began to weep uncontrollably. We prayed with him and he made the sign of the cross across his chest as best as he could...as he wept. You could tell and sense that he was experiencing God.

Then he saw Josiah, my 8 year old son. His eyes locked on him and he reached for him. Jojo stood there and held his hand for some time. The man just stared at him. According to the woman who let us into the room to see this man, this man had not seen a child in many many years...forever she said.

Then Jojo gave him a hug (which for Jojo is definitely stepping out of his comfort zone). The man began to weep and weep. The Spirit of God was so strong in the room.
It's like healing was taking place in that very moment.

When we were leaving I kissed him on the cheek (as is the custom here and thanked him for letting us come). He grabbed my hand with his crippled hand and picked up his head, tipped his head to me, and kissed my hand saying thank you with his eyes. There was such strength and dignity in his eyes. It was absolutely a precious God-moment for me, that I pray I never forget. One of the best kisses of my life. Because a voiceless man spoke so much to me in that moment....that people are awaiting to hear the Good News of God and the very sight of a believer of God- even if he is only 8 years old- can be the best thing they have seen in ages, that love and compassion still minister life and the Word of God is hope to the hopeless, and that our God still appoints divine moments and times for us to step in to if only we will obey His call.

Mission-Romania II

2010-04-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been very full with ministry!

Micro Kids went very well. It was so good to be ministering to the children. They were so excited.

We have continued to do work on the home for abused women that we are opening. The house looks amazing.
We ministered in two church services (Pastor Gigi's and Pastor Mihaj's church). God truly moved during the services. There were deep times of worship and prayer. The church is alive and well, but struggling here. So we encouraged them and saw many people set free and delivered. We also met with each Pastor and their families for many hours speaking encouragement to them.
Today we are going to some of the poorest homes in this area and delivering food and preaching the Gospel and praying for the families.

Tonight we will be doing training with the leadership team of the church here.

And tomorrow we head to another city to do evangelism and preach in the church there.

The Romanian team has been wonderful organizing things for us and also in ministering right along side of us.
But this morning one of our team members was hit by a car (a hit and run). She appears o.k.....but we are awaiting her x-rays to see if her legs are broken. So please pray for her. The man who hit her has been caught.

Mission-Romania

2010-04-08T10:27:00.001-07:00

Well we spent two days in a home filled with girls that have been rescued from sex trafficking. And I left with this---church we need to pray and then we need to act. There is a desperate need in our world for the church to arise and be the church to these young woman.
The stories are tragic. The scars, both physical and emotional, are quite evident.
I am so angry and frustrated. I don't even know how to process all this.
Over a year ago God put this injustice on my heart to pray about. And we have prayed about it and done JUSTICE teachings to help make people aware. However, it is extremely different to put a face to a story. And now ---not just to pray about an injustice but pray about the one who has suffered at the hand of this injustice.

Tomorrow we will be doing construction on the home we are opening for women and children who have been abused or abandoned by their husband. Another desperate need in this country....

Wide Open- Romania

2010-04-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning we leave for Romania. I am so excited! It's been about five years since I've been there...since I lived there as a missionary. And that's just crazy when you think about it.

What God keeps impressing on me as I pray for this trip is to be "wide open". To be wide open to what He is doing, what He is saying, and where He is leading. To be wide open to recognizing the needs of the people in Romania today, the needs of that nation today, and especially the needs of the church there today.

It's so hard when you travel as a missionary to separate your American mentality from just your Christian mentality. It's hard to remember that what works here in the States may not be the solution for a nation across the world.

But one thing that is the same is the human need for salvation and healing. Maybe that's why Jesus' disciples seemed to focus mostly on preaching the Good News and healing the sick. Hhmmmm...

I cannot wait to meet the new people God will have us minister to and to see our old friends.

I'll keep you posted during the next couple of weeks.

We Are Opening a Home for Women!

2010-03-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about our upcoming missions trip to Romania. God has given us an amazing privilege of opening a home for women and children who are victims of domestic violence or abandonment. We've been praying and working on this for a little while now and things are starting to come to fruition. (The picture here is of the counseling room in the home. It was just remodeled.)

When we lived in Romania we always felt there was a need for a home like this. We personally saw and heard of a lot of abuse while we were there. And I would preach about it being wrong and not God's desire when I did women's ministry there. But the question afterwards always remained the same, "Where do we go?". There was no place for them to leave there situation behind and start over in safety, no place for them to heal.

Now this is going to take some time. But the process is definitely underway. I cannot wait to see how God orchestrates this whole thing. This is an answer to an extremely big need in Romania. And I feel honored to be a part of it. We are opening this home through our missions organization Crosstraining International.

As many of you know Crosstraining International is the non-profit missions organization Shawn and I started back in 2002. We are so happy about planting this type of ministry. We will be working with Nici- a beautiful woman of God. (Pictured here.) Part of this trip I will be spending time teaching and encouraging her in the Lord. She will be our hands, feet, and heart on the ground there.

We also will be visiting girls coming out of sex trafficking that our being housed in a transitional home. And we look forward to seeing what God will have us do in this great need.

We will be doing other things in Romania as well: encouraging the members of the church we planted while we lived in Romania, working in Gypsy villages, doing street evangelism. Simply preaching the Gospel and being the Gospel.

Please pray for us and the team as well as our children we are leaving behind. (This is the first time Shawn and I are traveling out of the country together without all of our children with us---Jojo will be with us.)

God is not content with servants!

2010-03-18T18:48:00.001-07:00

Today as I was driving to pick up lunch from Jason's Deli with one of my favorite ladies in the world (shout out to ya Nikki!) I had one of those moments when something came out of my mouth that shocked me.

Now most of the time when that happens I've said something I shouldn't have, but today I said something that completely ministered to me. I said, "Nikki, God isn't content to have just servants, He desires sons and daughters."

What a powerful statement! It's funny how God can pop up on you and actually use your mouth for good. LOL

Because I am so work driven I think I sometimes forget that God cares more about me than about what I do. But I love that He takes the time to remind me.

God desires to hear us speak about the things on our heart. When I get busy, I know I often focus on praying about things that I am doing, but again God gently reminds me...that He wants to know what's in my heart, how I feel and what I'm thinking. He desires a real conversation of speaking and listening on both parts.

Pretty cool!

Beyond Awareness Into Action

2010-03-13T20:16:00.000-08:00

One of my most favorite things to do is to organize and host an outreach that moves people beyond awareness into action.

My heart is often overwhelmed by the injustices I see in our world. But it is not enough to be overwhelmed with the knowledge of something. We must purpose in our hearts to DO something. To be a voice for those who cannot speak. To be strength for those who are weak.

The Spirit often reminds me that when Christ was full of compassion He moved to action. He had a passion that moved Him to action, a passion that comes to, a "come-passion". He moved toward people in need. He came and touched the untouchable, He healed the ill, and He set free those in captivity.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ we must ACT like Christ. We cannot just stay in a place of awareness, we must move in action to meet a need in someone. We must ACT on behalf of those who suffer at the hands of injustice.

We must love God and love His people!

Jesus-A Ghost!

2010-03-10T20:34:00.001-08:00

Remember the passage that talks about Jesus walking on water. Well today I realized something- that the disciples didn't recognize Jesus on the water. They thought He was a ghost! (As one translation puts it.) Now, I have read that before, but never really thought about it from the following perspective.

Jesus was coming straight toward the disciples yet they did not know who He was- they exclaimed that He was a ghost- an enemy of sorts, something to fear. However, Jesus quickly corrected them revealing that it was in fact Him.

I wonder how many times Jesus comes to us and we don't recognize Him. How many times does He come to us in a different way, something that seems uncommon or unnatural- and we automatically assume that He is the enemy. How many times we respond in fear because the way He is coming is unknown and new.

I pray that God gives me eyes to see Him wherever and however He chooses to approach me. And that I don't automatically think He is the enemy just because He chooses to approach me in a "different, uncommon way".

A Day of Rest??? What's That?

2010-03-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

Over the past few years God has really been dealing with me about embracing Sabbath. A day filled with the awe and wonder of God, the warmth of family, and rest for a weary body....a time to engage the Creator and reflect on the joys of His creations. But every week I find this incredibly hard to do.

I have great intentions to meditate and rest but it seems that my best intentions are often stopped dead in their tracks before they become actions. They are stopped by phones ringing, text messages beeping, knocks on the door, and "emergency" emails needing immediate answers.

How in the world in this day and age, when we have so many devices to distract us, are we suppose to rest...just rest?

Well, that is a rhetorical question-
I know the answer. It is to withdraw and get away from these distractions. That's how Jesus did it. He went to private places to pray and spend time with God. He took time to refresh and rest.

I'm thinking if God Himself withdrew to rest, I probably need to figure this out.....

YES!

2010-03-03T20:32:00.000-08:00

YES!
What a powerful word!
Today as I was praying God reminded me of something He showed me a long time ago.
Years ago, when we were parenting young children, God challenged me to change my parenting. Instead of having a home centered around NO, He challenged me to have a home centered around YES.
Let's face it, when you are parenting small children, or teenagers, you may find yourself saying NO a thousand times a day. But how many times do we say YES!
Think about it: God always speaks about what you CAN do and not what you CAN'T do. Right from the beginning in the Garden of Eden, God gives us three core callings for us to walk in and He gives only one thing not to do. Throughout His Word He communicates the blessings that follow when you walk in the YES areas, then after that the curses for the NO areas.
As parents we should do the same.
So the questions for today: What are the YES areas in my home and life? What are the YES areas for my children to pursue?

A Journey of Healing

2010-01-31T16:43:00.001-08:00

You know I've been praying for healing for my heart and several other issues for years now.

Over 7 years ago I had a rapid heart episode in Walmart. At the time most people who knew me that knew about it told me I was probably overwhelmed and anxious because at the time we were going back and forth to Romania. So truthfully, I didn't worry too much about it. But over the last 3 years the rapid heart beat episodes had gotten worse. I went to several doctors who wanted me to start anti-depressants for depression, blood pressure medication, and other stuff. Well I wouldn't begin the medicine because I wasn't depressed. I even asked one doctor to recommend a diet to help. He literally told me it wouldn't help and that I needed to be on medication because I was a middle aged woman with alot going on. I can't explain the level of frustration I was at. I was then tested for "going deaf" and for TMJ...only to be told again I was too stressed with too much on my plate.

Long story short, I would wake up at night with rapid heart when I would roll over in bed. So i KNEW i was not anxious and that something was wrong but could not figure it out. I even had an ER trip and went to a cardiologist for a full work up. Only to find out my heart was in good health and strong. Which Praise God for that diagnosis but the problem was still persisting.

Well I kept seeking God and praying for healing. And I got it in an unexpected way.

Thankfully, this past summer I literally almost went into cardiac arrest/coma and died at my home one night. My limbs were numb then losing feeling completely. Then my hands began to cripple up. My heart was at 220 bpm. And I was having a heck of a time communicating verbally. Now I know that doesn't sound like something to be thankful for but.. because of that the ambulance lady who came to the house recorded an EKG strip of what was going on which led me to another Doctor who diagnosed me correctly, with SVT, who then fixed my heart through heart ablation.

Through these experiences some spiritual things began to take root in my heart during this time.
1. God is God and I am not. I can't even control the heart in my own body.
2. That bad things happen, we live in a fallen world, and that when bad things happen they have nothing to do with God's love for me.
3. Sometimes God says "yes", but "not in this way". Which in truth was the hardest for me to take in. I have seen God's sovereign healing in my life at other times. So I know personally that He is a healer. But this time He chose to use a different method.
4. We will die one day. And we don't know what day that will be.

I am not thankful that I was sick, but I am thankful for what has come out of it. And I am thankful that God's presence was very much real to me through every episode.

Because this heart problem was taken care of I was able to begin to separate some of the other issues I was having. I was experiencing huge mood swings, dry mouth, fatigue, itching, hot flashes....all the stuff you get when you get to menopause but I'm only 37 so..........hormones gone mad. LOL ...... and long story short... at the end of last year my doctor suggested that I go on a one-month anti-fungus diet. And by God's grace I have completed it. Whoohoo! I used the Doug Kaufman book for guidelines....

This diet was basically suggested because I am trying to get off of HRT. Now that my heart is healed we are able to see that some of the symptoms I have had are related to something other than what the doctors thought. And I constantly seem to have some strange things happening. So my doctor didn't really know what was wrong with me so...and really didn't feel like I was at menopause just yet...so he wanted me to try the diet.

And I'm really glad I did. One of the major benefits is that this diet cleanses your body and you lose some serious weight. But outside of weight loss the thing I have noticed the most is the clearness of mind and sight. I can see so much better and my thoughts are not as foggy as they use to be. I also have been off of HRT for several days now and seem to be doing good...so I'm praying I am healed of that as well. I also feel way less anxious than I was feeling. Interesting, huh?

The diet however did not give me an energy boost. But I'm sure as I add some more carbs into my diet that my energy will pick up.

I decided to do the diet for several reasons:
1.I wanted God to know that I am serious about getting healed and feeling whole so I can carry out the plans He has for me. It's hard to ask God for healing when I don't put focus on taking care of the body I live in.

2. I wanted myself to know I am serious. LOL

3. I really wanted my doctor to know that I am serious so that he would continue to be patient and work with me. (We've been working issues out for almost 2 years now. How I wish he would have suggested the diet 2 years ago.)

I learned some practical things on this diet as well:
1.Treats should remain treats. Not just because they are bad for you but because when you eat treats all the time you don't enjoy them as much. They are no longer treats but a regular supply of bad food. I want to enjoy my treats. I'm gonna save my peppermint mochas from Starbucks for around once a week instead of several times a week.

2. I need to slow down and sit when I eat. This diet forced me to prepare certain foods which required me to set aside time to eat my food calmly. I haven't done that in years. I'm so busy I eat standing, running, in the car, while working, etc. This is not good for digestion. After about two weeks of the diet I noticed I wasn't as anxious when I ate anymore. Crazy.

3. Sugar is in almost every food you buy in the store. Sugar and corn that is. No wonder our moods are all over the place...

4. God is faithful. And He helps you out when you are trying to take care of the temple He dwells in.

Seriously, I know if I can do this diet anybody can do this diet or any disciplined diet.

The past few years have truly been a journey of healing for me.......but I finally feel like I'm seeing a light at the end of a long tunnel. Thank You Jesus!

News from Africa

2010-01-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

The team will be starting their journey back to Lafayette tomorrow, Tuesday, at about 2pm our time. They have had the time of their lives. Last night which was 3am their time, I text them the Saints game updates. They stayed up and celebrated with the Masai as the Saints WON!!!! WHO DAT!!!

But they still have another day of powerful ministry ahead. And they need our prayers:

Text from Mike (my brother-in-law): Made it to Nairobi safe, sleeping under mosquito nets, going to orphanages tomorrow....has been demon possession there.

Africa Update from Shawn

2010-01-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

Got a short text from Shawn today: Another day filled with reaching the unreached. Went souvenir shopping. Safari tomorrow......

Just a side note from me: According to Mrs. Marigold, the missionary we are working with there, our team is like the "pioneer" team. We are going into unreached territory to bring the Good News of the Gospel and see people come to Jesus. There is another team following us that will be going to these places to pray and appoint pastors in the villages we have gone to so that discipleship continues and works for the Lord like churches or outreaches are established. Let's continue to pray that our team will bring light into dark areas.

The picture on this post is Mike and Marigold Cheshier, the couple hosting our team. Let's continue to pray for them as well.

AFRICA UPDATE

2010-01-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

Posting for Shawn: Africa is amazing. Words cannot express it. Everyone is healthy and doing great. Last night we hunted wilder beast and zebra. And a lion killed a wilder beast right outside of camp last night. Monkies run around us on the fence. And today we went to a school and ministered to over 600 people. Almost all responded to Christ. We also went to Masai villages. Their houses are made of manure and hay and sticks. The children were very skinny (like you see on t.v.). We ministered and prayed with them as well. We also prayed for healing for many many. Tomorrow, myself, and a few of the guys will be walking 3-4 miles cutting through the Bush to minister. Please keep us all in prayer. It's incredible. You can feel the Spirit of God here tremendously. All you have to depend on here is God.

Tyler's Covenant Dinner

2009-12-20T17:51:00.000-08:00

What a great night we had this past week. One of the absolute best things we have done as parents is to hold a "Covenant Dinner" for our kids as they turn 13 years of age. (Similar to a bar mitzvah)

Trust me, I am not bragging on us. This idea came from God and really takes root in our Ancient roots. But we've done this with two of our children and both have stated that it was "life-changing" for them.

We start on their 12th birthday speaking to them about their teenage years and life goals. Encouraging them throughout the year to pray and seek God and to begin to purpose in their heart WHO they will serve, who they will be, and how they will complete what is in their heart to do. It's a long process involving lots of conversations over the year. But I find that through the process their faith becomes their "own", deeper rooted in their heart, and they begin to find out who they are. It's also a time where they ask us "real" questions and we point them to the Word of God. They begin to separate what is revelation to them and what has just been "told" to them. (It's true...we can get our kids to do what we say...but I don't just want kids who behave Godly...I want Godly kids.)

Then on their 13th birthday we hold a dinner inviting family and friends. We speak life over them, let them share their covenant vows and teenage goals, then proclaim a blessing over them, then we anoint them and pray for them as a group.

Autumn, our first daughter, had more of a formal event. Tyler, wanted a home-centered dinner. Both very different but very much the same.

One thing I have noticed is that that "funk"...that thing pre-teens have going on- where they seem to constantly have attitude....vanishes instantly. I'm not sure if it's because we as parents begin to treat them differently in this "new stage" of life, or because they begin to view themselves differently....or maybe its simply that God honors young hearts that honor Him and begins to remove what is not of Him...or maybe it's the combination working together. In Ecclesiastes 4 it does talk about a cord of three not being easily broken----the parents, the child, and God Himself....that's a cord that will not break.

But I'm just saying..one of the best God inspired ideas yet.

Mission: Love God Love People

2009-11-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

~~~Love God Love People~~~
I think that best sums up what our mission is as believers on this planet.

Every time I go to Casa Alelujah in Guatemala:
I am reminded that this Christian walk is not as hard as we sometimes make it. God simply wants us to love Him with our whole heart and to love our neighbor as ourself.

I am reminded that needs and wants are very different.

I am reminded that "touch" is vitally important to those who have been abandoned, rejected, and left without comfort and guidance.

I am reminded that true religion is about giving to those who can not always give back.

I am reminded that I need reminders.

I get so busy sometimes "working" to build God's kingdom and I forget that God's kingdom doesn't always function the way a business would. God's kingdom is built in love.....

In playing.

In running.

In laughing.

In hugs.

In patience.

In rest.

In leading.

In sharing your time.

In feeding those who cannot feed themselves.

In sharing your bread together.

In coming together in unity for His purpose.

The Marcells Are On the Road Again

2009-11-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

The Marcells are going "on the road again". Yeah! Monday morning we leave for Guatemala. We are taking another XMC team to Guatemala, but this time all my kids are coming with me too. It is the first time we have been on the foreign mission field all together since we moved back from Romania.

It's strange when I think about it. We lived about half of Josiah's life in another country, in another culture.

Today we sat a table and figured out that this will be the fifth country he has been to since he was born. He's traveled more in his short life than most people travel their whole lives.

I feel very blessed to be able to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel", but I feel especially blessed that I have children who also embrace this challenge and "go" with me.

Thanks Duggar Family

2009-11-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

We recently have been blessed with a new addition to our family...Deanna.

We are so happy to have her join our family. It's a joy to have another young woman of God in the Marcell household. (And I am thankful that God keeps on expanding our household without me actually physically expanding....haha.)

Now...one thing that also continues to grow within our family is the number of loads of clothes we do a day. Seriously, it's ridiculous. We must wash three or four loads a day. That's just the regular day to day clothes. It's not counting the bed sheets when we change them or the cleaning towels when we scrub the house. So when you add up the dollars.... it's a crazy amount we were spending on laundry detergent and fabric softener. Notice...I said "WERE spending".

Because thanks to the Duggar Family, you know the family with like 18 kids and one on the way, I now have homemade laundry detergent and fabric softener that works great and is CHEAP!!!. I used their recipe on line with a few modifications and now I will spend in six months what I spent in about 2 weeks. Amazing!!!!

I also tried a recipe on their website...Tater Tot Casserole....and it was YUM! It's like a Shepherd's Pie on steroids. It's so good. My family loved it. (All but Jojo anyway.)

YAAHH Duggars!

Simple Faith

2009-09-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was preparing for a teaching for our first year students. As I was studying "faith" I was jotting down a note that said that faith was believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. That His intent is good toward me and that He will answer me.

Linzee walks in and says "Mom, look what I found. I don't remember writing this. Do you remember me writing this? I felt like I should give this to you."

The paper (which is backwards on the photo because I don't have a scanner at my house) says:

"Words can make a big difference in peoples live. God loves you. God will help me."

That's faith. Simple faith.

Believe in God's Words- they'll make a difference in your life.
God loves you-His intent toward you is good.
God will help you-He will answer!

The Negotiator

2009-09-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

Josiah and I have a deal. He gets paid $.10 a minute to brush my hair. That's like $6.00 an hour. Well tonight he decided that this was not sufficient pay. He decided we wanted $.20 a minute. Which is like double the price. So we went back and forth, back and forth. As we were doing this, I noticed.......this kid got skills. He was suddenly adding (which he does know how to do), but then he was multiplying and dividing.
Where did he learn this?

A Last First Tooth

2009-04-23T18:59:00.001-07:00

Not one but two teeth in one night! Well, this is our last "first tooth" to pull out of the mouth of one of our kids. Happiness and sadness all at the same time! They grow so fast!

Guatemala Spring 2009

2009-03-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

Last week I spent the week in Guatemala City, Guatemala at Casa Para Ninos Aleluya. I led a team of 9 people. It was simply amazing. This was my second time going and I can't wait to go back.

There are so many thoughts still going through my head. I'm still processing in my heart and spirit all that God showed me and spoke to me. But here are some of my thoughts for now:

One thing that stands out the most about this place is that you get to see what happens when the BODY of Christ (without doctrinal boundaries) comes together to minister. There is no way one person could build this place. This ministry is definately built by God through His people. Everyone that passes through seems to contribute a part of what happens there. A little work here, a little work there, hugs here, hugs there. ....it's a very cool place. It causes you to dream bigger.

Last year this little boy just rocked and banged his head against a wall while we were there. He wouldn't really connect with anyone on our team. But this year he was running, laughing, and playing. It was so awesome to see the transition.

The little boy we sponsor, Gabriel, didn't seem to have any emotion last year. This year, he too, was laughing, playing..and even throwing a temper tantrum. It was cool.

I met a 15 year old boy this past week whose story moved my life. I was talking to him and asked him how old he was...he said he was 15. (He spoke broken english.)..Then I asked him how long he had been living at Casa. He said 15. I thought he misunderstood me. So I explained my question. He said he understood, but that he came to Casa when he was a small baby and had been there 15 years.

Wow.

This huge ministry suddenly became small to me. Autumn, my first child, is 15 years old. So in that moment I realized that this boy spent HIS entire life here. Autumn's entire life. I can't even imagine that. Now don't get me wrong...he is cared for tremendously compared to what his life could have been. But wow.....15 years. ...15 years....

I'm hoping to go back in November, God willing.

Monumental Moment

2009-01-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

This week in the Marcell Home we have reached another MONUMENTAL MOMENT!!! Tyler has begun to shave. And I have chosen to completely humiliate him by posting these pics. (Check out Josiah's face in the bottom right corner.)

Lady Contentment

2009-01-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

As I was preparing for the next session in my "A Heart for Home" series with my MC ladies, I was praying and thinking about what one main nugget of wisdom I could give concerning "What kind of woman they would fill their home with." What kind of woman will they be? And the thing that kept coming to mind was this one word ...CONTENTMENT.

You see before a woman operated in the relationship role of a wife and mother, she was first alone with God. Alone as a woman, and with God. Think about that: so many women keep themselves so captivated by activity that they cannot be alone with God. They fill their lives with activity and their minds with "clutter". We need to be good with being "alone with God". Now I'm not just talking about prayer times and quiet times. I'm talking about being able to be alone and enjoy who you are and who you are in Him.

Contentment.

Contentment is to be satisfied, independent of external circumstances, content with one's lot, to be grateful.

We should be satisfied with who we are, where we are at, and what we have.

So many woman struggle with who they are physically. But my take on this is, just love yourself and embrace who you are. Now if you are overweight and it is a health issue or you just don't like it, change it. But if you are constantly wishing you had straight hair instead of frizzy hair. Or a smaller nose instead of that big 'ol schnauzer then thank God that you live in a time where you can alter these things without very intrusive methods. But never should we let changing things like these be the driving force in our lives. We must love ourself so we can love others.

And discontentment in this area can lead to serious problems later in your marriage in the area of intimacy. (Think about it: who really wants to "sleep" with someone who is always pointing out their negative areas or hiding in the dark under the sheets.)

Being content with where you are in life is also a key. Women go through so many seasons of life, but few embrace where they are today. But we need to enjoy where we are in life. Because if you are always looking ahead just trying to get through then you will eventually be in the future looking back, regretting all the missed precious moments of the season you were so anxious to get out of.

This area can also cause conflict in a marriage. A woman discontent in this area is very unhappy. (Think about it: would you really want to come home to an unhappy person every day)

Also, being discontent with what you have will always leave you seeking more. Then you will never be satisfied.

I find that this is a huge source of marital friction. Why? Because I think when a wife is discontent with what she has a husband will feel inadequate or at worse a failure in providing for his wife. And this hits him where it hurts.

Contentment.

To be content women we must also stay independent of external circumstances. What do I mean by that? We must not let things like our environment or what other people say and do regarding us control our emotions. We cannot let our environment control us.

This means we must have a source of strength in knowing we are God's and that He provides all that we have need of. And that He knows what's up and what's going on all around us.

When we allow our emotions, our minds, our wills to be controlled by external circumstances then it is very difficult to lead a Spirit-led life. Because when external circumstances control us we adapt to our environment. We need to rest in God and be content in the fact that He knows "what is up".

Remember: What happens in another's life is not an indication that God loves you more or less than them.

I've watched people not even be able to rejoice in their friends "good things" because they are internally upset that God hadn't blessed them that way also. And that is sad - so sad!

We must be content with our "lot in life". Acts 17:26-28 is one of my most favorite passages of Scripture because it points out that God Himself determined for us the set time and exact place where we should live. So that perhaps we would reach out for Him and find Him. That in itself tells me that the "grass is not greener on the other side".

And finally, discontent people are ungrateful people. And ungrateful people are frustrating annoying people. Thankfulness is a sign of contentment. Appreciative of all God is to us and all He has done in us and for us.

Content people are whole people! Whole woman. And what better woman should you fill your home with?!

Hot Dogs, Hotties, and Hot Fudge Sundaes

2009-01-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

This past week in our XMC Girls Discipleship class we discussed what characteristics to look for in a husband (your Hottie). It was a fun class with themed food, HOT dogs, HOT tamales, HOT fries, and HOT fudge sundaes. ('Cause you gotta have food mixed in with the fun when a bunch of women get together.)

What is interesting is that there is not much in the Bible that I could find regarding the subject of "picking your husband". In 1 Corinthians 7:39 it points out that that particular women was free to marry ANYONE she wished, as long as he was a man of God. Then in Genesis God formed Eve for Adam. And we also find in Genesis 24 that God answered a prayer for a spouse.

So basically what we came up with was that when "picking" your husband:

1. A woman had a choice.

2. God answered prayer.

3. God formed a particular woman for a particular man.

Some good advice appears to be:

Let God continue to form you into the woman He has created you to be. Pray about your future spouse. Then make a wise choice.

Then we made a "T-chart". I use "T-charts" a lot in my life. Basically you draw a T on a paper. On one side you put a (+) for the positives and on one side you put a (-) for negatives. Then you pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance. Then you write down the positives and negatives of whatever you are facing. In this case I had them write what they ABSOLUTELY wanted in a man, then what they ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT live with in a man. It was fun. (I, before I was married, wanted a man who was bold and ambitious. A guy who liked to try new things. But I could not live with a lazy man. I can't stand me a lazy man. Now there were other qualities I wanted. But those were at the very top of the list.)

I also used "Hollywood Characters" to illustrate points. And discussed the character traits when they are established in God and then if they are not abandoned to God. For example:

Indiana Jones: The Adventurous Man

An Adventurous Man is a seeker. He is an explorer and is not afraid to follow hard after something. And what a great trait to have in a man of God. However, an Adventurous Man not rooted in God could have a discontent spirit always leading him to pursue things outside of marital boundaries.

Mr. Miyagi: The Disciplined Man

What a great quality to look for in a man. A disciplined man will have an ordered life and probably exhibit self-control. However, not rooted in God, can become a perfectionist and be critical.

Bozo: The Funny Man
Who doesn't like to laugh? Maybe humor is on the top of your list. What a great thing for a man of God, to bring joy to hearts. However, if not founded in Christ, can become worldly and an offense to the Spirit led heart.

Tim the Tool Man: The Handy Man
Technically, Tim the Tool Man doesn't always fix things, but you get the point. This can be a great quality. There's always something to fix. But this trait too can become strained. Sometimes "listening" and not fixing is needed in a relationship.

Anyway, we went through about 15 "types" of guys. Looking at different qualities and characteristics. It was so much fun. And I think it really helped them to think a little bit more about what kind of man they should pray for.

A Heart for Home

2009-01-11T17:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I am so exited about starting our Session of girls discipleship classes and events for our XMC ladies. This past week was "A Heart for Home". We met at my home and I held a class and we ate soup and salad and homemade chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. It was fun! I enjoy hanging out with them so much.

Here's what we talked about:

(Now keep in mind, they are all single young women that have yet to embark on marriage, raising children, or having their own home.)

In Genesis 1 we read that God took what was formless and formed it. He took what was empty and filled it. He created. He purposed and fashioned what He spoke into existence. And He created an environment where a family could live and rest. As the daughters of the Most High we can follow in His steps and purpose and fashion what is unseen now to become something very tangible in the future. By faith every daughter of God can build a home.

You see a house is a place where people exist. But a home is a created environment where people live and love and respect dwell.

I asked the ladies what they thought of when they thought of a "home". Comfort, warmth, security, and family were the sort of words that came forth. Then I asked them what they thought of when they thought of the home they grew up in. "Insecurity, cold, lost, and dysfunctional were the words they said. (I have been in ministry for many years now. And I think this is one of the recurring things that sadden me the most. Most of our students come from homes that are far from what God originally designed.)

I am so thankful to God, that it doesn't matter where or who you come from---a new line of heritage can be established in and through you.

So then I had them draw pictures of what their homes and families would look like in the future if they could design them. That was fun and interesting! Some wanted two kids, some eight.

But I think it got their brains working and thinking. And it got mine thinking as well. I realized how blessed I am. Because I've gotten pretty much all I wanted.

Before I was married I had a list for my future home. I shared it with the ladies to give them some "ideas". Here was my list:

1. I wanted a home where people LIVED not just existed.

2. I wanted a place where potential was maximized, not sitting like a caged bird.

3. I wanted a home where affection is displayed.

4. I wanted a home where prayer and worship were not a stranger.

5. I wanted a home where my husband and I liked and enjoyed each other's company; where laughter was a daily thing.

6. I wanted a home that had consistency.

7. I wanted a home where everyone was known.

I am so thankful to God, that He has answered those wants.

Plan, prepare, and pray. That's the best advice I can give to young ladies before they begin this part of their life. Because you can create anything you want according to God's will because of Him and the authority given to us.

(That picture on top was done by my friend Nikki. It's our family. )

Book Review: Lies Women Believe

2008-11-29T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished reading Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss. And overall I recommend reading the book, especially for younger Christians or Christians who seem to continually struggle in gaining victory. However, I do not agree with every thing in the book.(But what book will be totally accurate outside of the Bible.) But I do think she addresses primary issues of discipleship that can be helpful to a new female believer. (And truthfully half the book could be read and applied to a man's life as well...but, I doubt any males will read it because all the examples are of women and their related issues.)

Chapters 2 through 5, and chapter 8, to me, are the highlights. It seems lately almost every book I am reading (well, actually almost everything I am reading and hearing) is dealing with God's goodness. That He is good, and that we have "wrong" mentalities of Him. And that we need to press in to Him and His Word to understand His character. Also, we need an understanding of the Cross, sin, and ourselves as a NEW creation. (She deals a little with all that in the first few chapters.) But she deals with all subjects in relation to women, thus the title, Lies WOMEN Believe.

Funny thing: in my book pages 225-256 are double printed; it's in the book twice. I thought I was tripping when I read it. I was thinking to myself..."I've already read this, where have I read this before???...."But I DID already read it. About 30 minutes before in the same book. Crazy.

One of the next books I'm reading is by Gloria Copeland, God's Master Plan for Your Life. Yes, I am going ol' school. But I started it last night, and I must say. I'm really liking it so far. I'll let you know...

Bragging on my Baby Again!

2008-11-26T16:08:00.000-08:00

Linzee went with her Daddy and Eric (one of our XMC kids) today to pass out cookies to the "old people", as she puts it. She made their day. I'm so proud of her heart.

Set to go inside the room.

Miss Adrian (I think). The lady who guided her.

Sharing more than cookies! Sharing some love!

Sha, the little ol' man.

I like this picture. I think it says it all.

All done! Her favorite part was "seeing all the nice people".

It Makes a Momma Proud!

2008-11-25T18:30:00.001-08:00

Last week my Linzee Bug asked me if she could bake cookies and sell them to raise money for her Missions Box for church. (Kids are asked to fill this little box up with coins and to bring to church for foreign missions.) I said, "Sure." But then about a minute later she came back to me and said that she felt in her heart that she should bake cookies and give to the homeless here in our city. Long story short, she really meant the "old people at the nursing home". I realized Josiah and Linzee really meant the nursing home instead of the homeless shelter because they kept saying they needed to make soft cookies and give soft candy for the people because they don't have teeth. So tonight we made about 75 cookie/candy packs for the nursing home.

Linzee Bug in her Chef Outfit.

We are very messy cooks. Josiah is putting on the blue sprinkles.

All their hard work! Makes a Momma Proud!

May have eaten a few too many cookies!

Snickers Doodle

2008-11-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

Well, our new Golden Doodle has arrived! Snickers is his name. He's almost 3 months old.

Who is My Neighbor?

2008-11-21T19:52:00.000-08:00

Beware: This is a really long post. I decided to put the whole "Lesson 2" from the Cocoa Mix in one post. Because the Cocoa Mix officially ended for this semester last night. (I'll post pictures soon. We had a blast!) So I thought, I'll just post the rest of the lessons in "one blog" segments. Because you can read and stop as you wish anyway.

(Please read Luke 10:25-37)

Thought for today: The real question is not "who is my neighbor?". The real question is "will you be his neighbor?"

As a woman of God, you have a vital role in the community. And God desires that His people, His women, help those in need. God demands compassion with action.

In this text we notice that an expert in the law is trying to test Jesus by asking Him about eternal life. We also see that this lawyer knows how to answer. He answered Jesus correctly when Jesus posed a question to Him. But this man wasn't really just asking a question, he was looking to justify himself.

OK...so when I read this story one of the first questions I asked myself was "why didn’t this lawyer just stop when Jesus said he answered correctly."

Maybe he knew in his heart that he could not fully obey this command.
Maybe he didn’t like certain people, or groups of people.
Maybe he had prejudices and discriminations within his heart toward someone in particular that kept him from loving his neighbor as himself.
Whatever was going on through his mind at this time it seems he was hoping to find a loophole in this command.

But Jesus is just so classically cool.
He can take a question and change the complete perspective of it. He can come at it at a totally different angle. And show you the truth in your heart.

So he takes this man’s question and goes at it another way by telling a story.

In verse 30 He says that a man as he is coming down from Jerusalem to Jericho, falls among robbers, who strip him of his clothing, wound him, and depart, leaving him for half dead.

Lets look at this for a moment from a spiritual perspective.
We know that according to the Word of God in John 10:10 that the enemy, satan, comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
You see satan’s work in this man's life had left him for dead.
Stripped and beaten down.
Stripped of his clothing.

Think about clothing.
Clothing is our covering. It hides are shameful areas. It’s our physical protection.
The enemies of this man had left him uncovered. He was experiencing shame, pain, hurt.
He was left for dead.
Hopeless and alone.
What a picture!
What a sad situation to find yourself in.
You see the Word says that he fell among thieves. You see this man did not find himself in this situation because of a choice he made. It was an injustice that had befallen on him.
Just a bad circumstance.
A really bad circumstance.

You see Jesus answers a man looking to justify himself with a story of injustice that falls upon a person of a people's group that was looked upon as dogs in that day. Jesus was answering this man, but not the way he wanted Him too, I suspect.

In verses 31 & 32 We see two men: a priest and a Levite heading home to Jericho. They were most probably fulfilling their duties at the temple in Jerusalem and were now heading home where over 12,000 priest lived (according to some studies I did).
This terrain they were traveling on was difficult.

They were in a difficult season. Probably tired and ready just to get home.

Now the Word says that by “chance” the priest came down that road. And he saw this wounded man, and he passed by on the other side.Then in v 32 it says that the Levite, when he arrived at the place, that he came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

Think about this: they had been serving at the temple. They had been experiencing God’s mercy and grace firsthand and probably should have been humble and grateful, willing to help.
But they did not.

The Word says they both walked on the other side. They both saw what was going on. They both were aware of this person’s need. They were both aware of this injustice that had been done to this man.

Aware but made no attempt of action except for the action of avoidance.

Understand: Avoiding something does not make it non-existent or us any less accountable for how we handle it.
You see these were church people, serving God in the call of God on their lives. But missing the heart of God.

God desires relationship and restoration more than rituals.

Your position of service in the temple as a mother of God should never replace your pity toward those in need outside the temple.

How many times in your life have you been aware but made no attempt of action except to avoid and have offered up a pathetic prayer for God to send someone else.

Nobody knows why the priest and Levite walked on the other side. Why they chose to ignore the need.
Maybe they were consumed in the difficult steps they faced before them as they themselves were trying to make their way home.
Maybe they were just plain ‘ol tired.
Whatever the case, thank God for the next part of this story that Jesus told.
Because tragically this story could have ended in death physically or at worst spiritually from something as simple as avoidance.

In verse 33-35 it says a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed,[a] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’

Thank God for the Samaritan.
From the Word we see that the Samaritan was journeying. He was on a journey. He had a destination. He had a purpose.

The priest by “chance”, by coincidence was along this path. But the Samaritan was on a journey. Journey means to travel, voyage, tour, go.
He was on the “go”.
He, when he saw this need, had compassion for him.
Compassion - is passion that comes too.
It is passion in action.
It’s when strong feeling produces an action for something.
So the Samaritan saw this man. And he was moved with compassion.
And he demonstrated love in action.
He didn’t just “love” him by “wanting” or “wishing” him to be better. He didn’t just love him by good intention, or offering up some pathetic prayer.
He loved him by wanting his utmost best, and then giving him his utmost best.

The Word of God says he went to him.
How beautiful.
How beautiful the ministry of the Samaritan.

The Samaritan wasn’t focused on his difficult journey home.
He was walking the same hard terrain as the priest and Levite, but his focus changed from the difficult steps he faced to this need. This injustice that lay before him in the body of a wounded brother.

When he came to him the first things it said he did was he “covered his wounds”. He applied bandages to the areas of hurt and pain. He poured oil and wine. Healing agents.
He didn’t fault the man for his circumstance or situation. He didn’t begin to lecture him about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He just began to meet the most significant injuries first. He stopped the bleeding. By covering and healing.
Then the Word says he put him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Do you realize that when he put him on his own animal, this meant he now had to actually walk by foot on this hard terrain. So this made his own journey a little more difficult as well as a little slower.
He wasn’t going to get to the comfort of home as soon as he would have if he had not stopped.

Then the most beautiful thing I see in these acts of compassion by the Samaritan is that the Word says "and he took care of him" until the next day.
You see he walked through the darkness with this man. He tended to him through the night.
The Samaritan covered his shame, his hurt, his pain. He protected him. And he stayed with him so that he would not be alone. He brought restoration to this man.
Not only did he do this but the next morning he "wrote a check" for the inn keeper to care for him when he no longer could.

Working in non-profits for most of my adult life I meet so many people who just write checks. We need to write checks. Of course. As we see even laid out here in this story. But you cannot just write checks, you yourself must meet needs.
There are times when you must be a “sender” (one who pays financially) and times when you must be a “spender” (one who spends herself on others)

Then the Samaritan said he would pay the extra expense as well when he returned.

He didn’t just want to meet the needs, but he wanted to go the extra mile.

Remember: Jesus was talking to the lawyer. And He was changing the perspective of the question.

Now after Jesus told this story, He asked the lawyer, so which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?
And the lawyer said the one who showed mercy on the needy.
Then Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.

Why….because the real question is not who is my neighbor. The real question is Will you be his neighbor?

You see, what’s really cool about this story is that Jesus is the Samaritan in our lives.
He saw us and looked at us, and moved with passion for us, He left his place, came to us and restored us.
He has covered us with His blood and filled us with His Holy Spirit.
We are not alone.

And we as the mothers of God, we should do as He has done for us, and bring restoration to the needy around us.

Practicals!

2008-11-20T21:23:00.000-08:00

Today, I am closing out this teaching: Elizabeth's Encouragement from the Cocoa Mix.

Here are some practical ways to be a “Mother and Daughter of God”?

1. To be a Mother of God you must “understand your purpose”.

Mary and Elizabeth were appointed by God for the miraculous. You are appointed by God for the miraculous. God strongly desires to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him. God wants to show Himself strong for you!
God has a promise for you.

From the time you received the promise of salvation from God you became a woman of God who could pass on life to others.
As a Mother of God you are required to bring forth life. This is your purpose.

2. To be a Mother of God you must “pass on what you know”.

Maybe you think, "I don't know enough to share".

Well, look at it this way. If all you know is "A...B....C...D" then just share "A....B....C....D". That's all. It's simple. We just have to be willing then engage.

3. To be a Daughter of God you must “run to someone who knows more than you and keep learning”.

Find someone who has the favor of God, who has visible fruit of God’s promise in their life, and run to them. Find women who are “visited” by God. Women who are living outside of the norm and embracing with joy the abnormal in their lives. You need someone to recognize what God has planted inside of you so that they can encourage you and speak life over you.

.....Well that's it for this teaching. I will be blogging another teaching from the Cocoa Mix soon: Who is My Neighbor?

Mississippi Mud

2008-11-18T18:55:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite desserts for the holidays. It's so rich and yummy!!! Enjoy.

Cake Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 cup softened oleo (not margarine, butter)
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup unsifted flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 jar (7oz) marshmellow creme

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan (glass preferably). Mix on medium speed eggs, oleo, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour, cocoa, and salt. Spread in pan. Bake for 35 - 45 minutes.

While this is baking make frosting about 5 minutes before cake is done. (You want it warm when cake is done.)

Frosting Ingredients:
1/3 cup oleo (butter not margarine)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cup confectioner sugar

Melt oleo. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add cocoa, milk, vanilla, and sugar.
Stir.

When cake is done crumble in a glass bowl. (You may need to lose gloves or a spoon because it is VERY hot.) Then drop dots of the marshmellow creme on top of crumble cake. Then drizzle frosting all over the cake and marshmellow mixture.

Enjoy! (You can also just layer it: cake, marshmellow creme, frosting. The picture is that way. The crumble is more fun looking to me.)

Connection

2008-11-15T17:08:00.000-08:00

To continue....

Elizabeth and Mary.

Elizabeth and Mary had a lot going on at this time. There was a little miracle here, a little miracle there, the miraculous seemed to be happening everywhere.

But I want to focus on a great wonder going on between both of these ladies. Something that I think we can all learn from.

Remember in verse 24 Elizabeth went into seclusion.

Notice that Elizabeth came out of seclusion when Mary connected with her. Elizabeth's pregnancy, her miracle from God, the life inside of her bubbled over, and even her baby jumped for joy.

Again, Elizabeth received Mary with honor and joy. Not competition and jealousy. And though Elizabeth was withdrawn for a time and God's promise was hidden from the world ---God's promises were made manifest when Mary and Elizabeth connected.

There was no more hiding all that God was doing. And why should there have been.

Women need connection --from the older blue haired ladies to the younger blue haired ladies.

Confirmation and comfort lead to connection.

Competition and jealousy lead to disconnection.

Now how does all this apply to us?

Well, we are all Mary and Elizabeth. And often times we are both at the same time. We all have experienced God's goodness firsthand. And we all, each day, have the opportunity to believe God's Word and willingly obey it so that the promises of God might be manifested in our lives.

And we all have the opportunity to connect with someone and be part of the release of the promises of God. We can choose to compete with the women around us who God is blessing. We can be jealous of the hand of God in others' lives. Or we can confirm and comfort those around us. And celebrate His blessing in our life.

Mary and Elizabeth's connection led to a celebration of life.

A celebration of life.

Connection...... connection is critical in my opinion. The mothers of God need to connect with the daughters of God so that all the world can see the living tangible evidence that God is alive and moving....especially in His women.

So let's connect and ........and celebrate.

Book Review: JESUS WANTS TO SAVE CHRISTIANS

2008-11-12T15:51:00.001-08:00

Well, I finished reading Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell a couple of days ago. I waited to write my opinion about it because I wanted to think on it.

The thing I love the most about Rob Bell's writings is that it does challenge me to think, to process, to pray, and to study the Scripture. I like books that challenge my "way of life", my thoughts, my beliefs...because in the end I know that testing who I am and what I believe is good. Because if my beliefs are founded in truth, God's truth, they will hold. So I don't have to fear being challenged.

This book; however, was a great disappointment to me. I really enjoyed Velvet Elvis and Sex God by Rob Bell. I learned a lot from those books. I was convicted yet uplifted. This book just left me with a headache. I feel like the book is mostly opinions rather than truth. (Although there is some truth in it.)

And I feel like it was somewhat anti-American, anti-Iraq war, and anti-church. Which is fine, because in America you are allowed to have an opinion...(I suppose)...however, it was not necessarily convicting to me or uplifting. Problems were pointed out over and over again (like we need problems pointed out....I think most of us know the problems) but little solution was offered.

I learned overseas when we were in Romania for a few years that sometimes Americans (well, this American anyway) combines Christianity and politics a little too much. I also have different opinions on the Iraq war. But when you begin to criticize the church ---you gotta start being careful.

The church is the BRIDE of Christ. It's one thing for God to rebuke the church , but when you start talking about the faults in another "man's" bride---look out.

I think the book could have been so much better with more solutions given. It was a frustrating piece of work. I don't recommend reading it.

True Beauty!

2008-11-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

Ok. To continue with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wasn't only joyful that Mary came to her, but she also felt privileged to be the one to whom Mary came to. She said, "Why am I so honored?"

Then Elizabeth does exactly what a mother of God needs to do for the daughters of God.

She begins to speak life over Mary, telling her she is blessed. She encourages her faith in God's Word.

Elizabeth operates as a mother of God in Mary's life.

She recognized what God had planted inside of Mary, and she nurtured her and the promise by speaking life over her.

Elizabeth was a beautiful woman of grace!

Remember: Elizabeth had been known as barren.

What a life to live at this time in history. Having children was how you showed love toward your husband, it was the accepted evidence of God's love and blessing for you, it was your future, your legacy. Resentment could have definitely taken root in Elizabeth's heart.

She was barren.

And God controls birth.

Elizabeth could have told Mary about all the suffering and humiliation she endured because she was barren. After all, Mary was enduring shame and suffering for being pregnant out of wedlock. They could have connected in their hardship.

But Elizabeth didn't do that. Instead she chose to boast in the Lord and pass on the joy of having a promise fulfilled.

What a woman of grace! Focused on the future. Focused on the promises of God and not her past circumstances.

That is true beauty

True beauty.

Nurture

2008-11-09T19:46:00.001-08:00

Well I finished reading Nurture by Lisa Bevere. Overall I loved it. I think the best audience for the book is a person who has a heart for woman's ministry or girl's discipleship.

For me personally, I found it laid out some very valuable information on how best to organize and "word" what is in my heart. My favorite chapter is chapter 7, Mentor or Mother. I strongly believe that its our responsibility and joy as the mothers of God to mother not only our daughters, but the daughters of this generation who are desperately in need of someone to teach them and to help bring forth life in them. And she just hits the nail on the head in that chapter.

It's a good book.

Next book I'm reading is Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell. I'll let you know what my fabulous thoughts are when I'm done reading it...

In Joy!

2008-11-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

Women Love Chocolate!

Women Love to Laugh!

Women Love to Talk!

My Women (Autumn and Linzee) Love to Hang Out with their Friends and Eat!

Thought you might like to see some pics from the Cocoa Mix. We are having a great time!

Well on to today's word:

Elizabeth...aahhh Elizabeth. I have fallen completely in love with Elizabeth in this story.

Let's remember first that Mary is receiving and embracing the promise of God for her life. But let me also remind you that Mary was a young single girl at this time in history. Much shame was attached to a woman who conceived a child out of wedlock. (I wonder how many "virgins" claimed that God had visited them and they were going to give birth to the Messiah.)

We also know that Mary's fiance, Joseph would have broken off his engagement with her had God not intervened.

So I can imagine life for Mary was great, exciting, new, blessed...and extremely tough.

But that's where Elizabeth comes in.

In verse 42 of Luke chapter 1 Elizabeth receives Mary with JOY! When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth met her with JOY not JEALOUSY.

She wasn't saying..."well why didn't I get to bear the Christ...if I'm good enough to bear the one who proclaims His arrival..why would God choose this lowly servant girl over me. After all, my husband is gone for weeks at a time serving in His temple. I keep all of God's commandments and walk righteously."

Elizabeth wasn't pouting or comparing her blessing to Mary's blessing. She simply was rejoicing at this promise coming to pass in Mary.

She didn't feel the need to compete with Mary. Because it's not about competition..it is about ..

Confirmation

Comfort

and Celebration.

What a beautiful woman Elizabeth was!

Think about it - when you hear that a sister or a daughter in the Lord is blessed...are you truly happy for them. Or does your heart fill with envy. Do you immediately feel the need to begin to show and tell all God is doing in your life to "out do" your sister? Or do you REJOICE in this time of great promise in her life?

Do you receive her news with joy?

I love Elizabeth. She was not threatened by the blessing in Mary's life. On the contrary, she was full of joy, and through her joy she became part of the blessing in Mary's life.

It's amazing what happens when the older women of God (the mothers of God), who are full of God's promises, connect with the daughters of God, who are walking in the blessing of God.....

We'll talk more about that later.

Mary had parents?

2008-11-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

Today I want to talk about another thing that I noticed about Mary. Something that intrigues me.

I noticed that the Word does not really say anything about Mary's mother. We know she had parents. But where were they? Who were they? I guess we won't know the answer to these questions until heaven if God wants us to know.

But one thing we know for sure is that Mary's parents did not limit God's hand on her life.

Their parenting skills, their role in her life, whether good or bad made no impact on God's promises coming true in her life. God was much bigger than the circumstances of her life. Her circumstances were apparently irrelevant, not her character, her purity, but her circumstances.

Maybe she had great parents who raised her in the Jewish customs and laws of God. Maybe they were horrible. Either way, they are not mentioned.

There's one MAJOR thing that I pray the women of God get a hold of--that you need to get a hold of---It doesn't matter where or who you've come from - when God looks your way, and you receive His living Word in faith and are willing to obey - His promises will be fulfilled in your life.

It doesn't matter what your natural legacy or heritage is. When you become a child of the Most High God a new line of heritage is established in and through you. You become part of the family of God. You are now in the family of God because of the blood of Christ

All that God is and all that God has for you is yours.

Thank God that we have new life in Christ. That we can become more than we naturally inherited from our parents. (Even if and especially if they were good parents. Imagine coming from a good family, with good parents, then having an even better life than they had.)

And also, think about the fact that we can produce children who can walk even stronger than we have. Children that can go far beyond where we go.

Amen!

Book Review: THE SHACK

2008-11-04T20:35:00.001-08:00

Well, I am interrupting my Cocoa Mix teachings and thoughts to insert my thoughts about a popular novel: The Shack.

I'll start with what I enjoyed first. I enjoyed the author's attempt at an artistic description of the Holy Spirit. It's very hard to convey the Holy Spirit in a tangible way, so I really enjoyed this author's attempt at painting a "moving" picture of the Holy Spirit through an Asian female gardner. I thought it was pretty cool. And my mind could totally grasp his outlook and perception.

Now on to another thought: There was one main thing that stands out of the book that challenged me to look deep within. And that is that "often times we doubt God's goodness". There have been a few times in my life that I have had circumstances and things that I have dealt with that I just didn't understand. And I became angry with God. After reading this novel, I really reflected on those things once again. And realized that I had gotten to this place in my mind that I was like..."I'm not sure why You, God, ALLOWED this to happen, but I'll wait to find out in heaven." But now, I am thinking, God is good. Bad things do just happen because we live in a fallen world. And I really don't need to wait to heaven. God is good and His intent is good toward me. And you know the sad part is, that when you are angry with God, you can't connect with God, and what you need most in those times of questioning is your Father God. God is good, God is good. There is peace in that.

Now for what I didn't like: Several concepts are presented as fact and are unbiblical. I feel like the author tried to tackle way too many topics in this book. He could have wrote three books at least covering all these topics. It was a bit of exhaustive information.

And lastly, the book was kind of wordy to me.

I would not recommend this book to young believers. But I think for people who are walking through a traumatic experience this book could possibly be a "awakening" to God's goodness.

Let them touch your pregnant belly!

2008-11-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Mary.

We're talking about possible motivations for Mary to hurry to Elizabeth.

Thought: Maybe Mary needed to see that what was IMPOSSIBLE was POSSIBLE. Not what SEEMS impossible but what ACTUALLY is impossible, is possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)

Maybe Mary needed comfort - again not competition - but comfort and encouragement from another woman.

Maybe she desired to just talk to someone who was also visited by God.

Think about it. Elizabeth was living an impossibility out beyond her own natural limitations. Remember, she was now in her 6th month of pregnancy. She would be showing! Her belly would be poking out. She would be plump and round.

Remember Mary was willing and believed what God said would come to pass in her. She believed God's Word.

But she was young and just starting out on this part of her walk with God. But Elizabeth, her extended family, her elder, carried the promise of God alive inside of her.

She was a walking confirmation that God's promise is true. She was the physical, tangible evidence of the impossible being made possible.

How young women need the older women of God, the mothers of God, who have the promises of God alive in their life to encourage them. To be available for them to hurry to. To be living, tangible examples of the impossible made possible. Examples that they look to, run to, and seek counsel from.

Our daughters need to see the manifestation of God's promises in the lives of our Mothers. Manifestations that are as noticeable as a plump round pregnant belly. That announces to the world that it is full of life, purpose, vision, and destiny. But most importantly that it is full of the Creator because what's inside is His creation.

Today, don't hide what God is doing in and through you. Poke your "belly" out and let the daughters of God see what God is birthing through you. Let them "touch" your belly and ask questions about the process, about what it's like to carry life in you and let it pass through you. Because they are following not so far behind us.

How About some Confirmation Instead of Competition!

2008-11-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to look at a few things I noticed in Mary. Let's start from verse 30. The Scripture says that Mary HURRIED to see Elizabeth.

This statement brought many things to my mind as I read it. One of the main questions I asked myself was: Why did Mary hurry to Elizabeth?

Nothing is a mistake in Scripture. So "HURRIED' means something, and so does this recorded exchange between Elizabeth and Mary.

So let's think about it.

Imagine for a moment that you are Mary. What would you be thinking? God has given you a promise of what is to come...of what He is going to do IN and THROUGH you.

You have believed God's Word and received it.

But now a few days have gone by.

I wonder if human nature kicked in and Mary just needed some confirmation. I wonder if maybe Mary was running to see the miracle in Elizabeth.

We know that Mary did not doubt God's Word but maybe she began to doubt HERSELF.

Maybe she wondered if what she heard and saw REALLY was what she heard and saw.

Maybe Mary simply began to doubt herself. (I know I've been in situations where I really thought God spoke something great to me, a promise, an answer, only to shrug it off thinking "surely, He didn't mean me.".)

Let me ask you a question: Has God ever spoken a promise, an answer, to you that seems to good to be true? And at first you receive it whole heartedly, but then you start questioning yourself.

Have you allowed the enemy or your reasoning skills or your own insecurities to drown out the promise of God in your life?

How often mighty woman of God, has He spoken a promise to you, for it only to be ended before it even truly begins?

Maybe you can think of a time, maybe you can think of ten times. But make it the last time you can think of. From this day forth, let's both take God at His Word....not just for others, but for ourself.

Let me encourage you- don't limit God's work in your life - don't doubt His Word for YOU. He can use YOU -yes YOU - to move in and through.

After all, God is faithful, if He calls you He equips you. It's really not about you at all- but about Him in you. That way He gets all the glory!!!

Now to continue in the Word: remember the angel, Gabriel, told Mary about a miracle in verse 36: Elizabeth, her BARREN relative, was 6 months pregnant. (I believe that the angel spoke to Mary with excitement. Notice there is an exclamation point at the end of that statement in the Bible (!)).

Through this encounter with this angel, Mary was directed to her relative Elizabeth. Now we must remember that this angle did not speak on his own accord. He was God's messenger, sent by God with a specific word for Mary. And through that word, Mary was directed to a "Mother" of God. (Her elder.)

You see Elizabeth was very important at this time in Mary's life.

Maybe Mary needed confirmation.

Women sometimes need confirmation as a source of encouragement from other women.

They don't need COMPETITION, but CONFIRMATION. Let me say it again....women don't need COMPETITION from other women.

Why do women compete sooooooooo much with each other. Confirmation and encouragement are so much better to give and to receive.

Tomorrow I want to think about a few more possible motives for Mary hurrying to Elizabeth. But for today...know that God had a promise for YOU, and He can and will move through YOU if you believe in Him. Also, think about the women in your life. Do you compete or confirm them? Also, do you have someone as a "Mother of God" that you are running to? Are you available for someone to run to?

Fizzies

2008-11-02T18:30:00.000-08:00

This has been one of the "hits" at the Cocoa Mix and it's so easy to make!

Ingredients:
Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
A & W Cream Soda
Whipped Cream
Cherries
Chocolate Chips

Drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of a clear cup. Add one or two scoops of ice cream. Fill glass 3/4 full with cream soda. Top with whip cream and cherry. Throw some chocolate chips on top for fun! Enjoy!

Life Giver

2008-10-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

Today, I want to set up the teaching for the next few days. So I will lay some groundwork with quite a bit of Scripture. Please read the Scriptures and meditate on them, and over the next few days believe that God will show you how this all applies to you specifically.

~We must understand that we are to be life givers. You are to be a life giver.

As a mother of God and a daughter of God we must be “a life giver”. We must bring companionship and nurture to our sisters in Christ and also to the world. But just as important we must know how to be a life giver. You must know and be a life giver.

Now you may be thinking o.k. but “what does this mean” and “how do I do this”? How do I be a “life giver”? It sounds cool and all but “what does it entail”? “I am glad I’m an answer and that I make something good, but how does this all work”?

Well I believe that part of the answer to that question is found in the first chapter of Luke.

Let me say here, that I looooooooove the story of Elizabeth and Mary. Mary inspires me with her faith and passionate embrace of God’s will. But Elizabeth, wow, I’ve completely fallen in love with her. What a woman of grace!!!! And I think you will fall in love with both of them as we study this.

You see before Jesus was born there was a couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth.
They were both old in age and were righteous in God’s eye. (Imagine that! To be righteous in God’s eyes.)The Scriptures say they were careful to obey all of the Lord’s commands and regulations. And it is also noted that they had no children.
Zechariah served as a Jewish High Priest. But Elizabeth was known to her family and friends as barren.

One day while Zechariah was doing his priestly duties an angel appeared and told him that God had heard his prayers & he would have a son.But Zechariah doubted. He doubted the Word of God. And because of his doubt his speech was taken away.

It’s a funny thing: the way we sometimes are. Why do we pray for God to answer us, only not to believe when we get what we ask for from God?

But despite Zechariah’s doubt, God’s Word came to pass and Zechariah was answered. And this is where I want to insert the Scripture for your reading.

(Now I know the following is a long section of Scripture, but please read it and mediate on it. It is the foundation for the teachings to come the next few days.)

Luke 1:23-25, 35-45
23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.[f]” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

In these passages I believe we find some fundamental principles of being a mother of God, a nurturer, a life giver. And over the next few days I will be sharing what I received from these passages.

To be continued......also tomorrow I will pass on a recipe of one of the chocolate dishes at the Cocoa Mix. It's very delicious!!!

It's time for YOU to stand up and do that which in in YOU to do!

2008-10-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today I am posting part of my first teaching from the Cocoa Mix. I hope you enjoy.

Over the past few years my heart has strongly developed a desire to see a community of mothers and daughters, sisters and grandmothers, and especially aunties who are strong in the Lord arise.

A community of women united, who are close in spirit and relationship.

A community where a woman of God, where YOU a woman of God, can be nurtured to become the mother of God that He has appointed and anointed you to become.

You see God has placed a strong desire in me, personally, to raise up Godly daughters and sons. Not only within my “natural physically birthed” family, but in the spiritual as well.

And I believe that every created woman including you, shares this same appointment, anointing, and assignment.

Am I saying we all have to birth natural children. No. But I believe that we are all required to operate as a Mother of God in whatever season of life we are in.

Often times, people think of a mother as one who heals boo boos, or rubs your back when you are coughing or one who shows you sympathy. But being a mother of God is much more than that!

Let’s think back to Genesis for a moment. In Genesis we are told the origin of woman. And we read that from the beginning God said that it was not good for man to be alone. So He made woman…. Think about that…. From the onset woman was created for relationship.

But as you continue reading through the beginning chapters of Genesis you will discover that woman was also created to bring forth life.

Life physically, life emotionally and life spiritually.

You see Eve received the command from God to be fruitful, to multiply, fill the earth, and to reign. The original woman of God was the nurturer of ALL living things. She was commanded to look after, protect, care for, and tend to. Even before she physically birthed anyone.

And I believe that we, you and I, as the women of God, the daughters of God, today- we also share this mandate – today in our generation, in our world; both in the natural and in the spiritual.

You see God is so cool, and being a woman of God is completelyawesome! Because you can be a mother of God and a daughter of God at anytime. It doesn’t matter if you are 15, 35, or 85 years old, and it doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in.

You are at a place where you can be a Mother of God. You can look after, care for, protect, or tend to – something. (There is always somebody younger than you or someone who has not walked where you’ve already walked.)

You see woman was not placed on this earth as a second thought. You were not placed here as a second thought!

The first woman was created as an answer. You are an answer!

And God used the first woman’s presence to bring companionship and correction to something that was not good. You make something good!

You are a mother of God. You are an answer, you make something good, and you can nurture someone or something. Do I need say more!

You know God is really amazing and cool because a woman not only is a mother but a daughter at any age at any season of life.

And as a daughter you can turn to your Father any time you need Him, or want Him.

God is so much to us. He is our Father, Lord, Healer, Deliverer, our Answer.

But you are also so much to Him. You are mothers, sisters, daughters, teachers, ambassadors, leaders, friends. But most importantly you are part of His choice to bring companionship and nurture to this world.

As a daughter of God; as a disciple of Jesus you may birth natural children, but you are also called and anointed to birth spiritual ones.

It’s time for God’s women, God’s mothers, it’s time for you, to stand up and do that which is in you to do. To bring companionship and nurture to other daughters of the Most High and to a world who so desperately needs it.

To be continued….

Cocoa Mix

2008-10-25T19:07:00.001-07:00

The Cocoa Mix - Ingredient List

Inspiration

Connection

Chocolate

Mix above ingredients in a room full of women for two hours, continue mixing and a community of women who are fearless for His name and cause will arise. (The Cocoa Mix is a small to large group of women ages 13-99 that meets twice a month.)

Well, I am finally getting some time to blog. Master's Commission is well under way, and this year is rocking so far! We have been blessed with an absolutely amazing group of students. I cannot wait to see all that God will do in and through them this year. Exciting stuff!!!

Anyway, these last few months I have been and am so happy about some things that God (and my husband) are inspiring and "making time" for me to do. I have been leading a small group at church called the Cocoa Mix. Basically the group is about women being inspired to greater relationship with God, about women connecting with each other, and about building a community of women who will become a much needed voice to each other and the world.

We have a short time of worship (thanks to some of my amazing friends and "daughters"), I teach from the Word of God, and then all of us women folk get together and just hang out and chat over a room full of chocolate (thanks to Nicole, Jacklyn, and Stephanie who cook just about everything we eat and drink - fizzy shots ladies!!! yum!!!)

It's been absolutely great! I have met a lot of women in the church and have just loved hanging out with them listening to some jazz tunes. There is something extraordinarily beautiful that appears when you get a room full of women together who are hungry for the Word of God and relationship with each other.

One thing that's been very cool to me personally is that my 15 year old daughter last Wednesday said "Mom, you need to teach on Wisdom being personified as a woman in the Bible." So I told her that I already had my notes done for my teaching and that I was actually teaching that. She was overwhelmed. She was saying things like "oh my gosh, the Spirit spoke the same thing to me that He spoke to you. God is telling us the same things. That is awesome!" I wanted to say" You are right this is awesome, my 15 year old daughter is hearing from God, we are in unity, and she is embracing her role as a woman of God in the body of Christ."

So cool! So cool!

You know it's so awesome to be able to have two nights a month where my daughters can come with me to an event and we can together worship and celebrate our femininity. That's been one of the biggest blessings of the whole thing.

Anyway, several women have requested that I post the teachings from the Cocoa Mix on my blog. So over the next few days I am going to start segmenting them out and posting them. Too bad I can't post a sample of the chocolate dishes we get to try.

Busy Week!

2008-07-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm sitting in a very nice room on Lake Grapevine in Texas at the Gaylord Hotel. Tonight, there literally was a fireworks show inside the hotel. That's how big it is. It is fabulous!!!

These past few days have been awesome. We (Shawn and I and Beau and Lauren) are at a Director's Retreat for Master's Commission. It has been quite a refreshing time. Being around Pastor Lloyd Zeigler and his team always challenges you to reach beyond the norm and expect the unexpected.

We've made lots of new friends. "Family" within the body of Christ is strongly stressed at these retreats. And its cool because it's not just talk; you really do feel as though you are with family. It's an awesome network.

Tomorrow we are going to Fellowship Church for a tour and for service. Can't wait to be a part of worshipping with them.

Then we will head back home on Sunday. Can't wait to see my kiddos. (Yes! We are kid free.) It's been great, but I miss them.

The Wiggles!

2008-07-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

Just as soon as I wrote that school was going great yesterday the Wiggles hit. Jojo just could not stay still today. I had him run around the house, do pushups, and sit ups. All to no avail. We finally had to stop class and just decide to wait until tomorrow. He was crazy today. I've also lost most of my voice again. So teaching without volume is near impossible. Hopefully it will come back by tomorrow....we shall see.

The Giver

2008-07-10T20:40:00.001-07:00

Well school has begun. And things are actually going great! Which I am really excited about. Everyone is working hard, and there's been no complaining. Thank the good Lord.

A couple of weeks ago I looked up the public school required reading list online for Lafayette Parish schools. Tyler and Autumn are going to be reading through the books on this list on top of all their Christian curriculum. Our first book is The Giver. I read through it this past week. It's a fairly interesting book about an "utopia" community. But they deal with so many topics: from government controlled childbirth to arranged marriages to euthanasia. I'm having a really good time working through and discussing these topics with the kids. It's cool to see where your kids are really at with certain topics that you don't normally discuss on a day to day basis.

One of the concepts presented in this book that they are frustrated with is that the people of this utopian society have no choice. My kids were fired up: they are very absolute in the fact that even though freedom of choices may bring about pain (if a person makes the wrong choice) freedom also brings about individuality and LIFE; therefore, God's plan is best.

The story also takes place in a colorless society; but my kids haven't quite figured that out yet. I'm curious to see if it will remind them of living in Romania. There was so little color because years of communism still hung upon the culture. Everything was beige. Blah!!!

Well Saturday we are trying something new. We are going fig picking with some good friends of ours and then we will attempt to can the figs. We will see how that goes!

...And School Begins

2008-06-27T20:52:00.001-07:00

Well, ring the bell, we are about to begin our new school year. Yes, we homeschool in the summer time and take a break from Thanksgiving to mid-January. We will be tackling 10th grade, 6th grade, 3rd grade, and 1st grade. So today we worked for 9 hours re-organizing everything. I also cleaned out my closet, which is bigger than my office at work, and made me an office/study area. I'm really happy about this. But I still have about 6 hours of re-organizing and finding books tomorrow. Blah!!!!

Every year we measure each child on the laundry room wall to see how much they have grown. They grow so fast! Time goes so fast.

Each year I pray and seek God on what the school year should look like for us as a family and for each child. This year I feel like God is leading me to relax more and really spend time with each one of my children focusing on their "hearts"..their character. ... (and to hit the fundamentals hard). To use life as it comes are way to teach. We can learn so much outside of the "classroom" if we just take the time to sit and talk about situations.

I can not wait to see what God will do this school session.

XMC End of Year Retreat

2008-05-26T18:15:00.001-07:00

XMC class of 2008 will be graduating this weekend. It's been an awesome year. Last week we held our End of the Year Retreat at Gulf Shores, AL. It was a great retreat. Very relaxing. It's something we do annually with the students a couple of weeks before they graduate. It's also an awesome time of connecting with each other. First year students have a moment on the beach with the whole class and staff where they can share all that God had done in them and for them during the year. It's so good to hear them boast on God and each other as they reflect.

One night we were walking on the beach chasing after Ghost Crabs. And the presence of God just overwhlemed me. I had to just stop a moment and thank Him. Thank Him for health, kindness, and the fact that He desires so strongly to have relationship with us. As I was looking at the moon and the ocean, I felt as though I were partaking in communion. The Spirit was so present. It was a very cool moment. God is always close, but in that moment He FELT so close.

East Coast Tour!

2008-05-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

I finally downloaded our pictures from East Coast Tour. We were able to tour with XMC (Crossroads Master's Commission) this year. We saw God do some amazing things. The team shared the Gospel in several states. We saw many many salvations and deliverances. We went to Washington DC for the first time. We got to see the Rocky statue in Baltimore! We also went to New York for the first time. I think I had the most fun in Chinatown! But all Josiah wanted to do was go to McDonalds. And here's Josiah and Linzee in Times Square. And Tyler's first trip on a Subway. And us in Cental Park. Going to the Poconos was completely unexpected. Tubing down the mountain is the absolute most fun I've ever had in the snow. I'm so thankful we live in a country where we can travel. FREEDOM!!!

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2008-05-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

Back from Guatemala!

2008-05-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

What an experience! Just got back from Guatemala. The orphanage was amazing. There were moments where you felt like Jesus Himself walked by you. God definately has some big angels posted all around. They had over 400 kids there when we visited. We were able to just hang out with them and love on them everyday. One of the things that stood out most was the way the older kids cared for the younger ones. There was some bickering between children, but I would say there was about 80% more love shown. Daily I watched kids take a cookie and split it into 4 or 8 pieces (depending on how many children were around) to share. I also saw several kids roller blading on one skate instead of two, just so someone else could play. The older kids were the ones who ministered in the children churches. They were teaching the younger ones the ways of God.

I became particualy close to two children. Out of 400 kids I picked a boy and a girl to ask about sponsoring. Four days after I picked them I found out they were brother and sister. That was cool! I could have picked any boy and girl, but I felt like God led me to those in particular. ...and they were brother and sister. Angela is four and Gabriel is about 21 months.

They are precious!

We also moved piles of dirt with shovels to level the ground, painted beds for the new Gringo (American) dorms, moved leaves infested with spiders for compost, removed lice from children, and began categorizing the Christmas presents for later this year.

It was great! God willing I'll be going back to visit this year.

GO!

2008-04-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

I will be leaving at 5:00am Monday morning. I am taking a team of 17 people to Guatemala to visit Casa Para Ninos. It's an orphanage with about 500 kids. I am so excited. I've had an interest in this orphanage for years. I can't wait to serve and love on these kids. Pray for us!

Priority Jenga!

2008-04-22T18:42:00.001-07:00

I have a JENGA block sitting on my desk that I got earlier this year at a workshop. It was part of a message given by Josh Mayo. Basically, we were to write the names of our spouse and children on one JENGA block: the point was to remind us that if we don't keep our priorities in place, then the whole JENGA thing will fall down around us. Lots of wisdom rests with this one JENGA block that sits on my desk.

This past month has been very difficult. I saw four doctors in one week. Only to discover that STRESS can kick your butt! Did you get that: STRESS CAN KICK YOUR BUTT! And I have been forced to not only "let some things go", but to "give some things" away. Well, easier said then done! But through this process I've had to (and still am) re-prioritizing my life.

How have I done this?
1. Hanging out with Jesus. Just some good 'ol fashion prayer time.
2. Breathing. Hey, did you know we need oxygen!
3. Eating all my veggies. God's planet produces pretty good stuff...and it's natural.
4. Pumping the iron. Instead of screaming into a pillow, I've decided to punch the air with a dumbbell in each hand.
5. Saying NO! Limits....now that's a new idea!

But, as a side note.....well rather the main note.....I've not had any symptoms really since last Sunday night. The Spirit led me to start fasting. On the very first day of the fast (a partial one at that) Shawn and I went to hear John Bevere in Lake Charles. On the way there my ears started popping. It was very difficult to sit through service, but at the end he prayed for healing for everyone in the building.

I believe that God definately wants me to use some JENGA wisdom, but I think He graciously just healed me. And I am so thankful.

Jenga!

2008-04-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have a JENGA block sitting on my desk that I got earlier this year at a workshop.