Does God Really Know Me?

I recently had a person ask me "Does God really know each of us individually and does He really care about what takes place in our lives?" Of course my answer was YES! However my beleif doesnt make up the mind of someone who lacks faith. I went on to proclaim that God's word tells me so. He asked if I believed in God's word and again my answer was a big YES....

Over the past couple of days I have ran what he said through my mind. I asked myself "how is it I beleive  and he doesn't?" I came to the conclusion that the Lord's sovereign hand and mercy is upon my life and I will rejoice because the blinders have been lifted off of my eyes. The one thing that I find so amazing is that even though the Lord does not have to give me nuggets of truth showing me he cares, He does. I love that about him. :-) Let me share a quick story.

My children Have never gone to a public school ever, they went to a christian school and then over the past 2 years have been home schooled through an awesome charter school. My son has an IEP through the school district and they offer him the services that he needs. Any who I felt led by the Lord to allow him to go to public school for his first year of kindergarten (this was huge for me). As he has almost finished up his first week of school I have realized that prayer is what is going to get me through this and prayer is what will help me and get me through homeschooling my girls (Because apart from Him I can do nothing). My prayer everyday has been that my son would meet a christian kid. A little boy that he could be buddies with and not be influenced in a negative way.

All week there has been nothing, no sign of new friends except today. Isaiah said there was a little boy who has been asking to be his friend, I felt  peace and  I was encouraging my son to be his pal. When I seen the little boy tonight at back to school night I had that same sense of peace that Isaiah could hangout with him and it would be a good thing. Okay, to wrap up this story as we were leaving tonight  we ran into the family of the little boy in whom was befriending Isaiah and to my amazement they are friends to my brother in law and sister. They attend a local Calvary Chapel and are an amazing family who follows after Jesus. At that moment Isaiah and his new little buddy connected well! Boy was I blown away! God heard my prayers and answered then according to His will and purpose.

So often as moms we want to fix our kids and their situations because they are our babies and when they hurt we hurt. But remember they are His babies first and He loves them more then we do. I think often living as a control freak we take control over our families and don't truly rely on the Lord to do what He wants to do. What a testimony this is for my family, showing us that God cares!!! He is a God of detail and love. His promises are true and real. We recite scripture and read it so nonchalantly yet I don't think we realize just how amazing this God is that we serve. This God in whom calls us friend and son or daughter.

Isaiah is radically loved by His Father in Heaven, Isaiah is known by his maker, and Gods thoughts are always good for Isaiah. And dear friend they are not just on and for Isaiah, they are on and for you and me as well. We serve an indescribable God in whom we can not even fathom.

so to my friend who is struggling with faith and believing in whom you are in Christ Jesus, would you rest in the promises of His word that tell you just how much He loves you.

I wanted to leave you with words from God for you:

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; They outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake you are still with me!

                                                                                                        Psalm 139:17-18

You made all the inner most parts of my body and knit me together in my Mothers womb

                                                                                                         Psalm 139:13

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

                                                       Psalm 139 139:15-16

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

                                                   Jeremiah 29:11

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me.

                                            Isaiah 49:15-16

Baked Potato Casserole

Okay, so most of you who know me know that I try to eat pretty good and clean. And I am not a fan of bacon, however my children are. Sometimes I do let them eat stuff like this. I had 20 extra baked potatoes from yesterday so I needed to do something with them. This was the something I did. :-) and no I am not going to eat this but it did smell good while it was cooking ;-)
It's super simple and easy....

• 8 potatoes already baked then once they cool slice them up like chips and place them on the bottom of the pan
• Next slice a few pieces of butter and place on the potatoes
• Then place the one lb. Bacon already cooked (to preference) all on the top of the potatoes
• Then place cheese all across the top
• Then place the one head of cut up steamed brocoli all across the top
• And if you want add some more cheese.
• Finally bake it for about 20 minutes in the oven at 350°

Oh and you can add sour cream and green onion when it's served

That's it friends,  it's super simple and unhealthy lol, please don't eat like this every day. Enjoy!

Be The Kind Of Woman...

I don't know about you but I know I can not make it through my day without Jesus. Friend do you know you Have an enemy who seeks to destroy you and your family. Now, I do not want to give him any credit because he deserves none. However, I do want to make you aware of him.

We all want to be a difference maker. We all as woman want be a light in our work places and of course in our homes. We can do none of these things without Jesus. So often we try to do all of these great things in our own strength and we fail... I know this because this is something from time to time I try. (Silly me) Of course the enemy is not scared of me in my own strength because I have none. I do know though that he is completely fearful and trembles at the Lord's strength.

Today and everyday I want to shake this world around me with the love of Jesus. I pray that this is your heart as well. Don't forget Jesus before your feet hit the floor. Make Him part of your routine in the morning. Wake up an extra 20 minutes early to read and ask for His power and strength to get through your day. Pray over your home and your children, they too are apart of this great battle we are in. Jesus says in John 15:5;

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will
 produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Friend, today and everyday would you invite Jesus into your day and spend time with Him before you get up. When you do this you will be the Kind of woman who is known by the enemy of making a difference for the kingdom of the Lord!

Santa Fe Zucchini Boats

I am in a clean eating challenge with  http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/BRITTANYKOLBECK and this was a dinner meal on the menu. It was delicious!

INGREDIENTS
{For the filling}

· 12 oz 93% lean ground turkey

· 3/4 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained

· 3/4 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen

· 1 hot pickled serrano pepper, chopped (or jalepeño) more to taste

· 1 large diced tomato

· 1 cloves garlic, minced

· 1/4 cup chopped onion

· 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

· 1 tsp cumin

· Himalayan salt to taste

 {For the zucchini}

• 5 medium zucchini (7 oz each), cut in half lengthwise

• 1/2 cup jarred mild salsa

• 15 tbsp shredded reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese

 DIRECTIONS

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Preheat oven to 400°F.

 Using a small spoon, hollow out the center of the zucchini halves, leaving 1/4-inch thick shell on each half. Chop the scooped out flesh of the zucchini in small pieces and set aside 3/4 of a cup to add to the turkey filling, (squeeze excess water with a paper towel) discarding the rest or save to use in another recipe. Drop zucchini halves in boiling water and cook 1 minute. Remove from water.

 In a large skillet brown the turkey and season with salt. When the turkey is browned, add onion, garlic, black beans, cilantro, serrano pepper, diced tomatoes, reserved zucchini and cumin. Mix well and simmer on low, covered for 20 minutes. Remove lid, add corn and simmer an additional 5 minutes or until all the liquid reduces.

Place the salsa in the bottom of a large baking dish (or two medium size dishes) and place the hollowed out zucchini cut side up in the dish. Using a spoon, fill the hollowed zucchini boats dividing the filling equally, about 1/3 cup in each, pressing firmly. Top each with 1 1/2 tablespoons of shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until cheese is melted and cooked all the way through.

Sweetly Broken

If I were to tell you that serving the Lord has been a walk in the park I'd be lying. However, I must tell you that choosing to follow after His will daily is the best choice that I have ever made.

There have been moments on this journey the past 7 years where I felt like I was not going to make it. The heart surgery that the Lord was taking me through seemed to hard to bare and yet I sit here writing on this blog declaring His goodness even through the darkest moments of my life.

My heart was broken when my family broke a part, I truly thought I would spend the rest of my life with my husband. It's crazy to think that just 4 years ago  I walked through the biggest storm of my life a day and days to come after where I felt as if I couldn't get up and walk or even function. My heart was broken, I was broken... How could these plans of mine have failed. Surely the Lords goodness was going to put my plans back together again. To my surprise He didn't. As a matter of fact the days and weeks to come and even that year got harder and harder and my heart didn't seem to feel any better.

People and their opinions and advice only made me more and more bitter and angry as if they really knew what I was going through. During that time that I was broken the Lord was still doing a good work, as a matter of fact the best work that could have ever happened to me. I realized that the Lord had allowed my brokenness to bring me and my life to a place of complete surrender and submission. I was learning what it was like to be sweetly broken wholly surrendered. Being honest there were plenty of days I didn't feel his hand over me and there were days I felt depressed and miserable but because feelings are just fickle I knew deep within He was there. That storm that had flooded my life was bigger then I probably seen and that was because He never left me during the most difficult times. He remained my source of breathe when I couldn't breathe and the moments I couldn't get up off of my knees He was the one who gave me the strength to get back up and continue walking...

Friend we do not ever know why the Lord calls us to certain things or allows us to go through hardship but what we do know is that He is using it all for His glory and our good. I can not sit here and say that I know exactly why He allowed me to go through that storm but what I do know is He has turned all of it for good. 4 months after my family was broken the Lord gave me my life scripture of Genesis 50:20 He told me that He had always and would always have angels ascending and descending on my behalf and He told me that He was going to use my brokenness for His glory and my good and sweet friends He surely has!

Maybe as you read this you are thinking of the great storm that you are in right now and you find yourself wondering "why?" May I just encourage you to keep your faith. Even when you can not see or feel Him I want you to know He is there, He has been there and He will ALWAYS be there! Think of Joseph who did nothing wrong and yet he was sold into slavery by his own brothers and then thrown into a prison cell for years. He did nothing to deserve what he had to face and yet the Lord is sovereign and all knowing and those trials and the suffering he endured were not in vain. God had a plan and just like He had a plan for the life of Joseph He also has a great plan for you and I. Friend, would you say today  regardless of what is to come that you will choose to follow after the heart of God!

When We Skip Our TAWG

Wow, I had a busy week. It has been non stop each day filled with birthday parties, reunions, family activities, cleaning, laundry and dropping off and picking up. I am exhausted to say the least. I am a busy woman and I am okay with that, however there comes a point when we all need rest.

Ever since I was a little girl I can remember looking for my next adventure hoping to be able to go for a cruise or get out of the house. Let's just say I am still that way. Now that I am an adult and my little ones are not so little we get to get up and go a lot. Today as I am feeling so tired I am reflecting on how I got to this point of exhaustion....

As I looked back on the past 5 days I realized I lacked something. I lacked my time alone with the Lord. I read my bible everyday, I prayed and went to church. But I have realized I never set time aside to sit in the presence of my creator. The fact that we have the opportunity everyday to enter into the Holy of Holies and meet with our creator is amazing. The other night at bible study we were talking about and learning how there are 3 types of believers. You have the Outer Court believer (saved but never experience's a meaningful relationship with Christ)  the Holy Place believer (lives off of feelings and emotions rather then the Lords will) and finally the Holy of Holies believer ( They seek after and rest in the presence of the Lord just as the Lord designed it to be). Overall I know where my relationship with the Lord is and there is no other place I would rather be then in the presence of my Savior. When I am there I have peace and contentment. When I have met with Him then my faith is strengthened because I know who He is and I see that He is faithful!

We have an enemy (hoping you know this) Who seeks to destroy you and I. He of course can not do this as we walk in the victory and strength of Jesus. He knows this but he also has tricks that he uses to cause us to weaken and become tired and distracted so he can come in for the kill....

So what  distracts you from entering into the presence of the Lord on a daily basis? Is it your job? Your kids? Your husbands? Crafts? shopping? your phone? your business?.. Just like I answered what distracts me only you can answer this for you, remember to be honest, this way you can confess your idols and cast them before the Lord.

I realized that over the past 5 days I had been distracted. Yes, a time filled with a nephew I have not seen in 11 years and a time filled with a French exchange student and yes even time spent with my children is wonderful. As all of these things are definitely a gift from God I must never place them before my time with Him and I must take a moment to rest just as the Lord commands in commandment number 4. He knows what we need which is why He commanded it.

As I make my way along this journey unto the promise land I am learning and always growing. Today I will take heed to what the Lord has whispered in my ear. I'd also like to encourage you to be certain that you do not place anything before your time alone with the Lord, you need it! I need it! May we realize that nothing not even our own children should be placed before Him!

Out From The Land Of Slavery

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.                                                                                                                                Exodus 20:2

Did you know that when the bible mentions Egypt it is a picture of the world. Many times when we hear that people such as Abraham went to Egypt for things it is a picture of him entering the world to receive something.

Just yesterday I was able to get a glimpse back into my life before I was saved, a time when I was caught in the slavery of this world. So often as I have been on this journey to the promise land of rest I forget just how ugly life use to be. I forget that I was a slave to so many things of this world.

Life is good serving the Lord, even on the hard days I know I have been set free. Why is it then that we seem to look back or try and go back as if there is something good for us there? If there was anything good there then the Lord would have allowed us to stay and would have had no reason to set us free from the slavery we were in. I think of the Israelites and their journey.... We Christians easily comment on their life and how silly and stupid they were to have been so whiny and rebellious. Which they were, I agree! However we too are the same. When our journey to the promise land gets tough we begin to whine and cry. Sometimes we even act out in rebellion because we are angry or we don’t understand. Just like the Lord was doing something in the lives of the Israelites each time they faced trials and struggles, He is doing the same in ours lives as well.

Yesterday, I went looking to the world for an answer to a problem I had. I have been praying about something and I lost trust in my Father that He would provide for this need. I believed the lies of the enemy that the Lord wasn't going to work it out. How silly right? Anyway, I went to the world and got bit. God took me from this very thing and as I got a glimpse of it I remembered why it was the Lord delivered me.

Can I encourage you today? Don’t look back into the land of slavery that you were delivered from. Even on your hardest day it is still better then what you came from. When you feel tempted to even think of those days of the world, remind yourself of this scripture;

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing; Forgetting the past and looking forward on what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling.
                                                                            Philippians 3:13


Stay focused friend He is faithful and HE WILL ALWAYS BE FAITHFUL!

Living Water

I do not know about you but for many years I labored in vain. I gave so much of my life to this world. I tried my hardest to live the "American Dream". I had a list of things I needed to achieve and have in order to be happy and content. I'd work more, buy more and was trying so hard to be a better me. I bought self help books and was trying to unlock the key and meaning to life. I looked for it in my family and that even failed me. No matter where I looked I still found nothing to fill the void in my heart. I just felt more and more empty. Finally I came to a place where I said "there must be more then this to life, otherwise life just isn't worth living!" Yes I had thoughts of suicide and I already was walking in self destructive behaviors such as an eating disorder and engaging in alcohol to the point of no remembrance.
 This world lies to us and convinces us that things and ourselves can bring satisfaction, I am here to tell you they don't! True satisfaction come's from the one who offers living water. Water, that will cause us to never grow thirsty again. This water will cause us to not want to drink from the fountain of this world that for many years has ripped us off. Rather this water brings contentment and a life that will last into eternity.
I just feel like someone needs to know that they can freely come and drink from the fountain of living water and be forgiven In Christ Jesus! The enemy has beaten you up long enough, you do not have to take the beating any longer. You don't have to hide behind the lies of this world. It is okay to accept that you or anyone else can not bring you happiness and satisfaction! To my friend who is sick and tired of being sick and tired then this invitation is for you.

"Come You to the water you who thirst and you'll thirst no more!" -Jesus

A Few New Recipe's

It is so important to feed our Spirit. Just like our flesh needs food to keep alive so does our Spirit. Never forget that...... Just as I feed my Spirit the good stuff (God's word) I too like to take care of this body the Lord has given me temporarily.  I am finding new ways to feed my family clean and healthy. I wanted to share these with you. I know often we think it's more expensive to eat healthy but we don't always have to eat the most expensive products out there to eat right. For instance a lot of these items I already had in my home as I pick up when I go to the store at the beginning of the week. Here is a delicious shrimp cocktail minus the jalapeño (kid friendly)
http://www.orovillecrossfit.com/paleo-recipe-of-the-day-mexican-shrimp-cocktail/

Below is what I made last night. A friend shared this recipe with me.

Turkey Chili  

Serves 6-8 

(1 Cup Serving)

1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey

½ a medium yellow onion

2-4 tsp minced garlic

2 tbsp. Chili powder

2 tbsp. Cumin

2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (Caution for Heat)

1 tbsp. organic tomato paste

1 roasted red & yellow pepper cut & diced

3-4 cans of white beans no sodium

14 oz. of organic tomato puree

Seriously guys I am a single mom so I know what it's like to live on a budget, or to watch what I spend.  Each meal probably cost me 10-13 bucks

Happy eating friends

You Can't Take My Joy Devil

Have you ever woken up and just felt blah? Not that you had done anything wrong but you just felt yourself in a funk... That is how I work up on this beautiful Monday. Over this weekend I definitely felt the enemy begin his attack. I clung to God's word and reminded myself that I live by faith not by sight. As I was trying to get out of my house to enjoy the day with my kids it was as if the grouchiness got worse. Then I even found myself getting grouchier because I was grouchy lol.... So by now you can imagine that my hormones are raging. I was finding every reason to justify how I was feeling, I thought about what I was dealing with, I thought about the fact that I had a lot on my plate and that I was a woman and had every right to feel this way....

Why was I so bothered by the fact that I was being robbed of my morning then? If you have ever experienced God's joy and peace then you know that you don't ever want to live with out it. That's how I feel anyway. I know that No matter what I am facing or up against in this life I have a reason to sing in the rain and dance in the storm. I know I have an inward reason to feel that everlasting joy that the bible speaks about. That is why I was feeling so bothered why I didn't have peace and joy. 

I finally made it out of my house which was a great thing, however I still couldn't shake the grouchiness. Finally I heard the Lord say "pray to me, ask me to take this away". The light went off in my brain and I said "kids let's pray." I asked the Lord to take this ugliness and oppression that I was feeling away, and allow me to have a day filled with joy so that I can shine for Jesus to my kids, our French student who is living with us and as well as the people who I would come across throughout this beautiful Monday. Friends within moments I felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders, I felt peace and joy again and it felt great!!!

The Lord tells us that whatever we ask in His name it will be given to us and I believe this to be true. I do not believe in name it and claim it or that if you ask to be rich then you shall have it. Rather Jesus was speaking of heavenly things such as wisdom and knowledge and things that will glorify our Father in heaven. The enemy is out to steal kill and destroy and that goes for stealing our joy to destroy our day and our relationships around us. My children seen my ugliness and they seen how I was restless this morning and that my morning lacked peace and joy. I can not take back how I acted while I chose to walk in my flesh. I am so thankful for the Lord's whisper and reminder that I needed Him to fight this spiritual battle for me. I needed the Lord to send His angel's to fight off the enemy who was attacking me. I am blessed to have  a French student living with us for 3 weeks, however the enemy doesn't like that the Lord has opened up the opportunity to share the gospel with a girl who has never heard the truth before.I  realize that she is watching our lives and through our lives she can see Jesus shining through, or she can see us not walking in the Spirit and see our flesh.

Sisters do not let the enemy steal your peace and joy which is a gift from the Father. You have every reason to wake up in the morning and sing praises to the king and thank Him for another day, even in the midst of a storm. I am so thankful the Lord delivered me from that ugly funk this morning. My children, our French student and myself  had a Spirit filled joyful day. We smiled and waved to so many people and we gave thanks to the Lord for every good thing even our parking spots we found at the beach. We serve a good God! To God be the Glory!

Baptized By My Son

 The other day I was swimming with my children. We were just laughing having a great time. I felt Isaiah grab me and try and dunk me under the water, I did not know what he was doing. Then I heard him say mom, you are baptized In Jesus name lol. This photo reminded me of what he was doing. Happy to know that those are the games he chooses to to play. Have a blessed weekend everyone!

A Promise For Your Family

I dropped my daughter off at her first small group bible study last night. As I drove away I felt a sense of overwhelming joy. The Lord impressed upon my heart how blessed I am that there is a young woman 22 years old who has the desire to pour out into my daughter.....

So often we look around at this world we live in and it's hard not to think of all the negative. Everyday it seems as though some teen or young adult has committed a mass murder and or killed someone from a drunk driving accident. It's unlikely to hear that young woman and men are choosing to stay pure until marriage. And it seems as though this world even encourages drugs in any form we'd like them in to call them acceptable. For mothers with young children and pre-teens this can be disturbing and discouraging. The only hope I have ever found in raising my children is in Christ Jesus. I am grateful for the promise in Proverbs 22:6 NLT "Direct your children onto the right path , and when they are older, they will not leave." 

This is a good promise sisters! This means that all of our days pouring into our children and raising them right in Jesus will not be empty. They will follow after the ways of the Lord.

This young lady who is disciplining my daughter and 2 other girls has been poured into herself. Her parents or someone special in her life raised her and directed her in the right path. Someone took the time to invest in her life and because of this she is now answering the call to pour out and direct other young children.  It is a beautiful thing. Pondering what I seen last night a few things were placed on my heart;

1. To the parent or guardian raising their children on that right path, don't give up! Keep encouraging, leading by example and teaching them the ways of the Lord. Don't stop the family devotionals and don't start compromising with this world. The enemy and this world want to rob you of your children! Stand strong in Christ Jesus! You will see the fruit of your labor and the mercy our Father will show your family.

and,

2. What can we do to use the gifts God has given us to pour out into people around us? I realize everyone has different dynamics in their family and not every family can and will serve in the same way. That is the cool thing about our Lord. He created each family different, How can you or your family use what the Lord has given you to serve and pour out into others around you?

and lastly,

3. Rejoice in the victories you see in your children's lives.... It has been a prayer of mine that as Amaya come's to the age of accountability I have asked the Lord That she grows in Him. I have asked that she would fall in love with Jesus in her own relationship with Him. I am seeing Him slowly lovingly show her just who He is. For that I will rejoice!

Sweet Sister do not lose heart in raising your sons and daughters and don't believe the lie that you are too busy or unequipped to reach out to others. In your own strength this is impossible but with God all things are possible!

What Is Too Much Caffeine?

I was chatting with a few mothers this weekend about caffeine and how some mothers freely offer it to their children and others don't all together. I was surprised as I seen 3 children all under the age of 10 in a store drinking an adult size cold coffee. As I was sharing this with these gals they began to express their surprise with the trend now a days for our young teens to want a certain coffee drink all the time. I have an 11 year old who will often ask to go to this coffee house to get a treat. Hmmm, I remember despising the smell of coffee as a young child. Matter of fact my when my parents brewed their daily pot coffee the smell of it made me sick. The left over grinds on the counter reminded me of the bitterness I felt for coffee lol. Kids were not supposed to like the smell right? So why is it now that this new generation of kids has a love for coffee. Has a trend and style to drink coffee turned into an addiction? We know ladies that coffee is addicting. I sadly love my cup or 2 I drink a day. The smell of it makes me smile. I wanted to share a few reasons kids maybe should not drink too much caffeine through coffee and or soft drinks as well as eat it through chocolate. I, in no means want to tell you how to raise your children and tell you what is right or wrong because I as a mom am so far from perfect. If were to be honest, I would tell you my son loved Soda and sneaks sips of my coffee here and there. However becoming more aware that its not good for his health is driving me to encourage drinking less of the sugary caffeinated items and encourage and pump in more water. I must say it is working with consistency.

Too much caffeine in kids can have these side affects.

• jitteriness and nervousness
• upset stomach
• headaches
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty sleeping
• increased heart rate
• increased blood pressure    

That's just a few ways that caffeine is affecting our children when they consume too much of it. If children are half our size and consume the same amount of caffeine that we do, what does that look like for their overall health? One fun fact I found in my research is that caffeine DOES NOT stunt growth. No research has proof to that statement. People who are short such as myself can place no blame on caffeine. We simply were created this short by our beautiful Creator. 

Just in case you were wondering...

1 chocolate bar contains 70 mg

1 cup of coffee contains 95 mg

1 cup of soda 12 fl oz contains

 29-34 mg