Happy 2nd birthday Samuel!

To know that the God of the universe put on flesh and came to the earth in the form of a baby is amazing. How our minds can wrap around this fact and mystery is the result of faith. Faith that alone comes from God and indeed is a gift from Him. As we continue to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the many gifts that He has given us, I reflected on the things that I am thankful for. I am thankful for my family: a wonderful husband and a beautiful son who both remind me to live life to the fullest everyday. I am thankful to have been so blessed to know two wonderful, gifted and loving men, Caleb Morris and Grandpa Black, who we miss dearly. I am thankful for a group of supportive and praying family and friends that helped me cope through my miscarriage. And I am thankful to find out a month ago that I am pregnant! The baby is due toward the end of July. But what I am most thankful for is the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. My faith in Jesus Christ is what my life is centered and grounded on. My Jesus Christ gives my life meaning and gives my life purpose. It is in Jesus that I find faith, hope, and love. Here is an excerpt from my journal:

God, You are awesome in holiness. You are beautiful in majesty. Your heart is full of love and is overflowing. Your compassion is transcendent and has no limit. Your mercy is good and your justice is right. Your kindness is pure and your goodness is unfailing. Your joy is my strength and my salvation. Your peace surpasses understanding. Your patience is mind boggling. Your self- control is powerful. Your humility is friendly and your faithfulness is constant. Your truth is righteous and Your righteousness is truth. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You call me Your friend. Your grace abounds. Your fire is consuming. Your Spirit is my Comforter and Your Son is my Savior. You are the Bright and Morning Star and Your light outshines the sun. Your message is love and Your way is the cross.

Snow Days

I like peanut butter!

Our Big Helper

It snowed 8-9 inches here in Placerville, CA yesterday. They haven't had this much snow in the past 10-15 years. It was beautiful to look at and fun to play in, but difficult for people needing to get on the road and drive to work. At the Morris household we were without power for the day, so we heated water on top of the wood stove and in the evening we had a candlelit dinner.

I've been reading a book by Joni Eareckson Tada, "A Step Further", and one of the things she shares is how God taught her the way she reacts and handles trials can have an effect on the people around her. She said, "We are onstage. Others are watching. We can do our part well, building up the entire audience. Or we can ad-lib by acting out our own bitter feelings and bring dishonor to the Playwright. The choice is ours." As a result of a diving accident, Joni became paralyzed at 17 and for a few years after her accident she battled with depression, suicidal thoughts and wondered, "Why me, God?" But over the years the Lord has revealed to her that in God's Kingdom nothing happens by"accident," the Lord has a purpose for everything. She has been able to minister to people who are paralyzed and have other handicaps that I may not be able to as effectively as she does. And the Lord has made her more like Christ through it. Throughout her book, she has reminded me not to remain glum and discouraged whenever a trial comes, but to count it pure joy. And to know that the Lord has allowed this trial in my life for His good and for His purpose. Even when you feel hopeless, He will use your trials whatever they may be, to make you more like Christ. Refining and molding you into the beautiful creation of God that you were made to be.

Only

Samuel's first time driving a battery operated vehicle!

In Iowa for Grandpa Black's funeral

Here is something that the Holy Spirit placed in Cody's spirit a couple months ago. May we all glean from the knowledge of Gods love.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son..."

God gave the most valuable and precious thing in His heart away, His only Son. The reward of the only Son being given is an eternal inheritance of more sons and daughters than can be counted in the image of Gods only son Christ Jesus. Christ the seed died that many would live. Greater intimacy comes with the cost of suffering with Christ and His Father in giving away our only or last.
I feel the Spirit encouraging you and I to give away our "only's." Lord help us to give away everything for the gospel; to give away as you require, to give our only time in the day for us to do something for ourselves, to give away our only piece of bread to one who has no bread, to give away our only income to someone who has none, to give away our only vehicle, to give away our only dream, to give away our last worldly comfort, to give away our only time for rest, to give away our only opportunity to eat, to give away our only reputation in order that another may gain honor, to give away our only bed to a man who has no bed, to give away my only house to those who have no house, to give away my only winter coat to a man who needs one, to give away our only source of comfort that another may be comforted, to give away our only son or our only daughter for the gospel, to give away our only life and only death to Jesus.

I started to think of Keith Greens song, I Pledge My Head for the Gospel: " I pledge my head for the gospel, I pledge my wife for the gospel, I pledge my son for the gospel."

Unless a man loses his life he will not find it. May God give us the desire and courage to suffer for love. For in this, in the cross, is the deepest mysteries of Gods love.

Great is Thy Faithful

Towards the end of September the Lord told us to decline the property management job that we had been in training for. After we told the owners of the property that we would not be taking the position the Lord began giving us words, confirmations and dreams about going to North Carolina. During this time the Lord told us to give our van away to a friend, so we did. A few days later we were given a 2002 Mazda Protege. God is so good! The gas mileage has been a blessing on this trip.

On October 12th we left and when we got to NC a couple days later we were led to a big worship gathering in downtown Charlotte. It was great getting to worship the Lord with some of the body of believers in Charlotte. The next day the Lord led us to Morningstar Ministries, in Fort Mill, SC, and revealed ways we can be praying for this ministry. Then we were led to the beach in Jacksonville, Florida where Samuel had a great day playing in the sand and splashing in the water. He has been so good traveling. And brings a smile to so many peoples faces.

That night, the Lord told us to go to Texas. We knew we didn't have enough gas or money to make it to Texas, but we wanted to be obedient so we started driving that way. Along the way, I got to share the gospel with a cashier at a gas station and talked about the Lords faithfulness to provide for us.

Our next stop was Defuniak Springs, Florida where we heard about a service that would be held at the Defuniak House of Prayer. That night we went to the service and were refreshed and encouraged by the body of Christ. The guest speaker prophesied over Cody and confirmed many prophecies that have been spoken to him in the past. I experienced the Lords presence in a powerful way that I haven't before. And know my relationship with the Lord will never be the same after that night. After the service people offered a place for us to stay, took us out to dinner and we were given money from 3 different people that totaled $130. God has been so faithful to provide for us when we need it.

This brought us to Missouri City, Texas where the Lord brought us the opportunity to share the gospel with 8 young adults. They all came from Christian homes, but none of them were serving the Lord. They all seemed receptive to the gospel and Cody got to pray with them. One young man had a cyst on his wrist and was going to have surgery on it that week. While Cody was praying for him, he pulled his hand away and said, "I have never felt anything like that before." His cyst started to go down! Praise Jesus, He loves to heal us! After that the Lord led us to a Spanish Pentecostal Church in Galveston, TX where we had a great time of worship. Even though I could only understand a few words during the service I enjoyed the passionate worship and preaching.

The Lord continued to direct us west and while in Tonopah, Arizona, the Lord had us meet Nick. Nick is one of the most humble, compassionate men I have ever met. He was so generous and wanted to help us on our journey in anyway he possibly could. He gave us food and $10, wishing he had more to give. He loved the Lord and wept at the mention of His name. His tears were not tears of sadness, but of joy for the salvation he has received in Jesus. Seeing the way that Nick lives, made me want to love people and serve them in anyway that I can. When I watched the way he talked with others and gave what he had to give, it made me think of Jesus.

As we were driving, we felt the Lord leading us to see Cody's family in California. Grandpa Black (Laurie's dad) graduated to heaven the evening of October 19th. Please pray for her and her family, as they are missing her son and now her father.

We arrived in Placerville yesterday and got to surprise Laurie at her work. We aren't sure how long the Lord will have us here, but it is a blessing to get to spend time with family and rest after a couple weeks on the road. Thank you Jesus for your goodness and faithfulness.

We love you Caleb!

We received a call from Cody's dad, the morning of Tuesday, August 4th. He told us that Caleb, Cody's younger brother, had passed away on Monday, August 3rd. We were able to fly to California the day we found out. For those who did not have the priviledge of meeting or knowing Caleb, he was a wonderful person. He graduated to heaven at the age of 25 and was just a few months younger than me. He was like the younger brother that I had always wanted to have. I only knew him for a little over 3 years but, I was blessed to have known him for the time that I did. Caleb fought a battle for 10 years with addictions to alcohol and drugs. Even though I miss him dearly, I am comforted in knowing that he is at peace and experiencing great joy in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Caleb had so many gifts and talents. He had everything that you would want in a friend. I will always remember how funny he was. He always had a quick wit and it seemed to take no effort at all for him to make us all laugh. He was one of the funniest people I have ever met. He was also very kind and loving. He would greet you with a warm smile and a hug and would always tell you he loved you before he said good-bye. He was also very appreciative and considerate, never forgetting to show how thankful he was. He was easy to talk to and a great listener. It didn't matter who he met: a prince or a pauper, he was able to talk with the person and make them feel comfortable and valued. He was a simple person in that he didn't need many material things like the most expensive clothes or furniture or cars. He valued the important things like family and friends. He had a great love for music and I always enjoyed listening to him play the guitar. He also had a love for the outdoors and would go flyfishing and camping with his dad.

Cody got to go snowboarding with Caleb in December. Caleb was having painful knee problems, but Cody felt the Lord say that he would heal his brother's knee if they went snowboarding. So on Cody's birthday, Caleb was still experiencing pain as they drove to the ski resort. But once they starting snowboarding Caleb was healed and felt no pain! He didn't experience pain in his knees after that! The last time we saw Caleb was while we were in California in May. Cody got to go camping and kayaking with him. Cody said it was one of the best times he had with Caleb. Looking back I am so glad that we got to see Caleb the times that we did this year while we were in California. I think it was the hand of the Lord letting us share those memories with Caleb, before he took him home.

If Caleb didn't know it while he was here, I know he now knows how great and vast the Father's love is for him. I was blessed to get to be a part of his life for the time that I did. And I will continue to be blessed by the memories that are shared about him in the years to come. Even though I miss him, I have the joy and promise of seeing him again when the Lord calls me home.

Big Brother Samuel

That's right, you read the title correctly! As they would say in the good old days, "I am with child!" Cody and I are excited for Samuel to have a little brother or sister. Samuel loves to help me do things around the house, so I think he will be a great big brother. Our baby is due around the 2nd week of March. I haven't been experiencing very much morning sickness so far, so that is a blessing. As long as I eat a little bit throughout the day, I seem to do great. Samuel is still an active little man and loves to play outside.

We are now living in Grandview, Mo right next to Kansas City. There is a trail that is really nice to take Samuel for a walk through. The trail has a lot of trees and open fields. It reminds me of my grandmas old farm. There is also a library within walking distance where I can get internet access to make this post. We were also offered a managing position recently. We are going to start managing the apartments where we live at the beginning of September. We are excited for what the Lord is going to do in the coming months.

just hangin out

Samuel climbed in the dryer!

We both changed our hair recently...Cody's is blue and I put a blonde streak in mine.

Chosen

"You're not allowed in our tree house,” shout those from within
Silly grins and devilish looks, the torrents of shame crash in

The door is slammed closed, and the seat is taken
You're not picked for the team, rejection is awakened

Too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall
Ugly puts another brick in the wall

Not enough talent, you're never going to make it
Throw the towel in, it's time you learn to fake it

“Misfit, Outcast, Weirdo,” whisper the posse of exclusions brigade
Noses held high, forearms folded, condemnations facade

Deception lowers its anchor when majority is more than one
Egos erupt, visions blow up, and consciences go numb

If you did a thousand things right, what was wrong would be seen
You're not a citizen of this world, Love is calling and has made you clean

There is a shout heard on high from heavens gates
With tears in His eyes your Savior is pleading, "You're not too late"

"Though ten thousand have pushed you away and failed you before
You're invited into My kingdom and I will share it with you forevermore"

"One million wrong turns is not one too many
I see you spotless, I forgot that you have made any"

"Through My eyes I've never seen you make a mistake
Love always catches you in tender arms of grace"

"The apple of My eye, the favorite in My sight
You have been chosen through adoption, a Kings son by right"

"Cherished above all creation, My obsession will never end
You are My treasure, the one I jealously defend"

"No one can snatch you away from My arms of love
I give you My peace and counsel, My Spirit from above"

"In faith turn your back on this world that has abused you
I am your Father in heaven and I am here to choose you"

Back in the 'Burg

This is the picture our friend entered in the photography contest for Testify magazine.

This is our new van the Lord provided for us. Can you guess what the side says??

We are back in Missouri! Cody, Samuel and I arrived about 2 weeks ago. We have enjoyed spending time with friends and family we haven't seen in about 6 months.

For those who don't know we gave our Ford escort away before we left Missouri in December. We believed the Lord would provide a vehicle for us when we needed one and He did! Before we parted from our friends that we had been traveling with the past 5 months they saidthe Lord wanted them to give us their van! The same day they told us this, they received a call from a friend who said they felt led to buy their family a car! How awesome is our God!

A few days ago while Cody was in prayer one morning in the van, he began to smell coffee in the Spirit. There was no coffee to be found. Soon after he was given a vision of the coffee shop down town. The Lord told us to go there, so we did. When we pulled into a parking space there was a woman knocking on the window of our van. Cody got out and found out that she had been sitting at the coffee shop reading her bible. She wanted to enter a magazine photography contest and felt like seeing our van was a sign that she should still enter it since that day was the deadline and she had no pictures yet. We hung out with her and her kids all day. She took us out to lunch, snapped photos, and we had the privilege of ministering to her. Talk about a divine appointment!!

Samuel is 18 months now!! I can't believe he's already 1 1/2! Cody recently taught him to say "ouch" when he gets a boo-boo. He will say it and lift up his pant legs to show the scrapes on his knees. If I say "moo" or "ruff ruff" he can imitate me. And if he's playing with a car he will go "vroom vroom." He can point to his nose if we ask him where his nose is. He's also really good at waving and will wave at people driving by when we go for a walk. If he wants to go outside he will bring me his shoes and sit on my lap, so we can put them on. He is also doing really well at following directions. I will ask him to give me something and he can do it. He also likes to help me load and unload the dishwasher and put clothes in the dryer. We went to a friends house last night for a bible study and our friend gave Samuel a bike that was too small for their son. Samuel loves riding his new bike and being outside.

Arizona Sun

Samuel loves anything with wheels...

The biggest tumble weed I've ever seen!! It was rolling down the middle of the road by the house!

This is the water park I take Samuel to. It's only about a mile away.

A little late in posting, but this video is from Samuel's 1st birthday party at my parents house in December. Check out those moves, he's got rhythm.

Arizona

We have been in Arizona for about a month now. We came to Chandler, AZ to bring some friends back here and are staying at Julian's brothers house. I always had a desire to see the place where my brother was born. (I love you, Tim!) One of the things we have done with the kids is go to the Phoenix Zoo. Samuel's favorite part was the area made especially for kids with things to climb on. Cody and I also went to the movies and saw The Cross. I think everyone should see this movie. It is a documentary about Arthur Blessitt. Arthur answered the Lords call on his life to walk around the world carrying a cross on his shoulder. He traveled to every country on every continent. He started in 1969 and walked through the last country this year. He shared the gospel along the way with the people he met. It was a really powerful movie and I just wanted to love people and tell them about Jesus after I saw it. Sharing the gospel with people has been a struggle for me in the past. Because I have been afraid that I wouldn't have the right words or that they would reject me. The truth is that God says if we open our mouth He will fill it. And if someone rejects me for telling them that Jesus loves them, they aren't really rejecting me, they are rejecting God. So, if it doesn't hurt to share the gospel with someone, why not do it? I don't know when Jesus is coming back, but I believe He is coming sooner than the majority of the Church believes. I want to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone that I meet because I don't know where their soul is headed. People get ready, Jesus is coming! The harvest is ripe and the workers are few. The Lord is good and I love getting to work with Him here on earth. I want to encourage you not to be afraid to share Jesus with someone. You may be the vessel the Lord uses to offer them eternal life.

Yesterday the Lord helped me talk to 4 people about Jesus and it was awesome! Afterwards I realized that it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be in the first place. Two of the people spoke Spanish and no English so this was a bit of a challenge. Amongst all of the other broken up Spanish I told them, "Jesus Christo amor tu." I hope they understood what I was trying to tell them:) Meeting these two Spanish guys really gave me a renewed desire to learn Spanish again. Earlier that day I wished that I had a Spanish book and the Lord provided one for me later that day. I found one sitting in the middle of the road. Someone must have thrown it out their car window!

Samuel is 16 months old. He can shake his head "no" and he loves to jabber on the phone. He likes to follow the other kids around and be where the action is at. And at the same time, he isn't afraid to venture off by himself. He loves anything with wheels, skateboards, tricycles, skooters, stollers...if it has wheels he either wants to push it or ride it. He also likes to throw balls, run after them and has even caught a football. He has a total of 12 teeth and but doesn't like to sit still and eat for too long, cause he would rather be on his feet doing something :) He helped me put some silverware in the dishwasher yesterday. He also likes to play in water. Yesterday was the first time he would get in the swimming pool with mom and dad. He will let me walk in the pool while holding him in my arms. Unfortunately, he got his first bee stings yesterday at the pool. He reached out and pick up the bee, and got stung in his right pointer finger. His finger did swell up, but Daddy was able to get it out with tweezers and he was ready to go play again.

It has been 4 months since we left Missouri with a couple suitcases and Samuel's carseat. The Lord has been faithful to take care of us as we go on this journey with Him. We have never gone a day without food in our bellies, a roof over our heads and every other need met. God is awesome and greatly to be praised.

Below I have included a poem that Cody wrote a couple weeks ago.


Shifting shadows and abstract voices
Rule the insanity of deceits choices.
Pride parades itself in fiction, fantasy, and make belief;
The absence of love and the enemy of reality.
Truth is love and love is truth,
Constant, unshakable, the plumb line is truth.
Hope, peace, and grace are fragrances of love;
Pillars of the kingdom reigning above.
Love inhabits eternity;
Three in one harmonizing the holy symphony.
Burning passions and embedded impossibilities;
Love's highest calling was dying on a rugged tree.

Love was embodied in the helplessness of an infants cry;
The genesis of Love's mission to lay down and die.
There was no injustice He did not taste;
Compassion raged against the hatred of the human race.
Love lived to die that we might love;
Like a lamb to the slaughter He came from heaven above.
Like an unmovable stone, He tarried on sufferings road;
Bent on mercy He carried the fullness of sins load.
Love chose the cross to display His power;
Death, hell and the grave vanquished in the same hour.
Three days underground love buried the curse of mans sin;
Like a jealous warrior, Love was the victor and rose again.
Love's name is Jesus the Christ;
The beloved Son of God, who spilled His blood at ransoms price.
If you ever face the lie that you are not loved this day;
The proof is at the cross where Loves body did lay.

15 Months and Counting

Samuel is 15 months old today! Can you believe it. He is becoming more handsome everyday and looking more and more like his daddy! We are amazed at all the things he can do and look forward to watching him learn how to make more sounds. Samuel has moved on from "baby food" for the most part. He has 10 teeth fully in and two more working there way through. He can walk really fast and looks like he's almost running sometimes. He has a friend named Selah who had her 1st birthday yesterday. They are becoming best buds. They both like to listen to music and dance. They will go up to the stereo and turn it up really loud. Then they dance. Samuel's favorite move is to sway his head back and forth like a lion. One day Samuel even took her hand, dancing to the music he bounced up and down. They can be affectionate too. They sometimes give eachother hugs and Selah gave him a kiss on the cheek yesterday. We'll keep you updated on their relationship :)

Through prayer Cody and Julian felt led to apply at Google. They are applying through our friend Teresa's department. She overseas the department that is scanning a ton of books. Google wants to have books available online for the public. So that is what her department is doing. It seems like monotonous work, but they can listen to music on an ipod and there is no dress code! They have completed the online application and are going to do the online test next. We will keep you posted. In the past couple weeks I have started home schooling an 11 year old girl who is staying with us. It is a fun challenge to plan lessons and think of things that will be fun, but educational for her to do each day. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we do Math, Spelling, Reading and Language Arts. On Tuesday and Thursday she joins with Liam (Rachelle's 7 yr old) for Science, History and Geography. Rachelle teaches Science, I do History and we teach Geography together. This week we have been learning about South America in Geography. I enjoy teaching and look forward to homeschooling Samuel.

First Day at the Beach

Vera, Moses and Samuel

Cody got back from his trip to Phoenix, AZ on Sunday, February 8th, early in the morning. I woke up to him standing over me. It was a wonderful surprise! The day before they got back Rachelle and I took the kids to the beach. We had a great time. Samuel loves to get in water and was not afraid to walk right in. He didn't even mind that it was a little cold. I was glad that I brought an extra set of clothes because he fell in and got soaked. I let him go around in his diaper for a while after he fell in. Then when he fell in the water again, I gave him some dry clothes. And as you might be wondering...yes, he did try to eat the sand :0)

February 13-16, we went to the World Christian Conference at the Alliance Redwoods. The conference was put on by the World Christian Fellowship (WCF). The WCF seeks to enable and mobilize Asian American Christians and those who closely identify with the Asian American world view to fulfill their calling. Our friend Albert was heading up the children's ministry and Cody and I volunteered to help. We had a great time hanging out and doing crafts and activities with the children while their parents went to the different sessions throughout the day. One of the speakers I got to hear was Michele Rickett. She is the Founder of Sisters of Service, an innovative ministry that informs, mobilizes, and equips advocates for global outreach to women and children in the least Christian regions. She has worked with women and children who have been victims to human trafficking and sex trade. My heart was moved as I listened to her share testimonies of women and children who are victims to this in other countries and even in the U.S.A. I want to look into this more and see how I can help these women and children who are coming out of such horrible situations.

Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose

The Adventure Begins....

Could this be Samuel in 2 years ??

Samuel with Christmas present from Great Grandma and Grandpa Black.

Enjoying his birthday cake at Great Grandma Morris' on Christmas Eve.

Samuel drinking from a straw celebrating his birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Bowler's.

We had a great time with Cody's family for Christmas and New Year's. It was nice to have an extended visit with them and they enjoyed getting to spend time with Samuel. He has changed a lot over the past month. Samuel not only likes to take his blocks out of the container, he also likes to put them back in! Samuel likes to pick up objects and bring them to me. He knows how to feed himself with a spoon also! He doesn't always get it in every time, but he is doing a great job learning. One of Samuel's new nick names is "The Climber" because that's his new favorite thing to do. If it's there, he'll try and climb it. Today he had fun climbing on the chairs and then onto the kitchen table!! So, do not leave him alone in a room! Once he gets onto the table he likes to pick up things and throw them off!

Before leaving to come to California to see Cody's family we felt we were going to be staying here longer than we had originally thought. Not knowing exactly how long we would be in California, we felt led to end our lease at our apartment. We also felt the Lord leading us to give away many of our things. We gave the majority of our furniture to a friend who is a manager of an apartment complex. They plan on opening apartments to the homeless and discipling them.

Samuel and I are staying with some friends in San Jose while Cody and Julian are traveling down southern California to Arizona right now. They are sharing the gospel along the way and seeing people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In one testimony, they went to a skate park and were sharing the gospel with some teenagers. The majority of them were resistant to it, but one of them stuck around after the others left. He said that he felt like the reason they came all the way from Kansas City to California was to tell him about Jesus. He made a decision that day to live his life for the Lord!

Even though it is hard sometimes to be apart from Cody, I know the Lord has a purpose for it. With Cody being on this trip, the Lord has revealed to me how much I depend on Cody. I long to spend more time with the Lord and long to hear His voice. I am learning how to trust in the Lord in all things and He is teaching me how to hear His voice in greater ways. He has also been using this time to prune and refine my heart and reveal things that I didn't realize were in my heart.

I have found that as we have left our home and the majority of our belongings behind that I am left with Jesus. It's true that at the end of it all, all we have is Jesus. He is all we will have when we die and He is ultimately all that we can hold onto in this life. I desire to be filled with His love in such a way that when I meet other people, His love spills out of me and they are consumed by His love for them.

Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matthew 19:21

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "...everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Matthew 19:27, 29, and 30