Miko's Sweater

I had a great time knitting this sweater for Miko's first birthday (April 12th). Well, if I'm honest, there were some hiccups along the way. I admit there were moments of frustration when I needed to unravel parts of it to go back and fix spots that were messed up. And it definitely taught me a lesson in patience as I learned new knitting lingo and techniques through trial and error that I didn't know previously. But in the end I was so happy that I didn't give up. It felt great to see the finished product and to find out how much my sweet niece enjoys the lady bug buttons. 


Reflecting on this project makes me think about life walking with God. Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you have made a hundred mistakes? Well, this week I had one of those days. When this happens the temptation I am faced with is to beat myself up over all the wrong things I have done. And the devil's hope is that I would stay in that place of self condemnation. But God says in His Word, 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) 

We won't always get things right. We may fall from time to time. But God is right there to pick us up, brush us off and heal our wounds. In hard times I often don't see my circumstances from God's perspective. They can seem so big and overwhelming. But He always sees the big picture and will often use my circumstances to accomplish His good will for my life. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

When we give our lives to Him in full surrender, from that moment on, daily He takes delight in lovingly transforming us and molding us into what He created and desires for us to be. Sold out lovers for Jesus! As we surrender our pitfalls and mistakes at the foot of His cross He says, "You don't need to hold onto that anymore. It's already been paid for. You are forgiven." Period.


So I am learning day by day not to beat myself up for making mistakes. And to let go of anything I have done wrong in the past. Because He doesn't want me to hold onto those things. What He has for me is so much better. His plans for us are so much greater than we could ever hope for or imagine. The dreams we have are very small compared to the dreams He has for us. And in order for me to accomplish those dreams there's something important that needs to happen. 


Jesus wants to renew the way I think about Him and the way I think about myself. He wants me to see myself the way He sees me. And that process started a long time ago, but it will continue from day to day until the day Jesus comes back for us, His Bride. Each day my mind is transformed more and I see myself the way He sees me.... I am His beautiful creation. I am His daughter who He loves beyond words. I am His friend who He can confide in. I am His and He is mine.

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."          (Colossians 3:1-3, emphasis added) 

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."      (Romans 12:2, emphasis added)

Faith + Compassion=Miracles

I have been reading a book by Roberts Liardon called God's Generals. This book is about men and women who were used by God to bring revival to America and to other parts of the world. This book has stirred my faith so much and I want to answer the call that He has for my life. Here is an excerpt from the chapter about Smith Wigglesworth:

As I ministered in a prayer line years ago, a man came up to me with tears streaming down his face. He told me of the power he had experienced in the Voice of Healing revival meetings. The power of God in those meetings set him free. Then he said something I will never forget as long as I live: "Isn't there anybody who walks in the power like they did back then? Isn't there anybody who can set me free? Is there anyone like that today?"

Has the power that Smith Wigglesworth walked in left the earth? Did it go with him when he died? Of course not! The same power Wigglesworth operated in is here for us today, we don't need more power. We just need to use our faith and compassion for that power to operate. Wigglesworth operated in the boldest faith I have ever seen since the book of Acts, but that faith was ignited by compassion. Smith took God at His Word and moved by compassion for the people, and that combination produces miracles.

The challenge now comes to our generation. God has issued the call for men and women to invade cities and nations with the power of heaven. Will you answer the call of God? Will you dare to only believe? Is your heart so moved by compassion for the multitudes, that you will take God at His Word and step out? Let it be said of our generation, "...through faith [they] subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." (Hebrews 11:33,34.) Stir up the gift within you, and invade your home, your community, and your nation with the power of God. Let the will of heaven be done on earth - through you!

Each Moment

I feel very blessed when I sit back and look at the children the Lord has given us. As Samuel is growing and maturing I wonder what his desires will be as he gets older. Will he continue to love sports, playing instruments and reading stories with his Mommy? Right now he gets excited about the littlest things in life. Or should I say the things that seem small to me. Going to the library, watching a movie, getting a piece of candy, getting a new toy: all these things that seem small to me are exciting to him.

I feel the Lord is showing me through my son to enjoy the small things in life. Often I am looking forward to certain events. Or waiting for this tribulation or that trial to end. And when that event happens or that trial is over what then? The Lord wants me to take each moment as it comes. Looking for Him in the midst of it. Enjoying the moment with Him. No matter how insignifcant something may seem in my eyes, EVERYTHING is significant to Him.

I imagine a child trying to get his moms attention while she is glued to the t.v. or a book. The child says, "Hey mom, I want to show you something!" And the mom says, "Just a minute..."

Sometimes I see myself as that mom and God is trying to get my attention like the child. God is saying, "Look over here, Jessica I want to share this hidden treasure with you! Won't you pay attention for a moment so I can share it with you?"

God is in each moment and circumstance hoping that we will turn to Him, look into His eyes of love and draw near.

I want to pay attention. I don't want to miss one moment.

i try to unload the dishes before she gets there, but she's pretty fast

fuzzy hair

this is what he did when we told him to smile :)

The Rhythm of Life

When in rhythm there is an unstoppable fluidity, a harmony, a momentous unity. I have begun to run again these past two weeks and while doing so the Holy Spirit is teaching me with faint, yet intimate whispers about rhythm. Not only am I learning how to run and have fun while doing so, I am also learning life lessons as I run with the Teacher, Holy Spirit. While I run I am noticing the importance of my body staying in rhythm with itself. What I mean by this is whatever pattern of speed and pace I stride to, my arms too must move with my legs; not only the arms and legs, but my breathing, and state of mind as well. The stronger the fluidity and longer the harmony of my body in sync with itself, the greater vitality I seem to have as I run. The value of the run is maximized. Enjoyment, stamina, strength, and endurance are all working for me.

There is always opposition on runs, whether it is the terrain, climate, weather conditions, energy level of my body, or incline. But the more I seem to stay in a running rhythm the greater chance for success I put before myself. The less I am in rhythm the more I put extra resistance in my path. Such is the challenge of abiding in the rhythms of the Holy Spirit. When I am in rhythm with the Holy Spirit there is an unstoppable fluidity, a harmony, a momentous unity. When abiding in Spirit it is impossible for me not to fulfill my destiny.

The journey of my faith walk is similar to the terrain that is before me when I run. There are times that I run on flat pavement and other times up inclines or down them. There are times that I run at a slow pace and other times that I am flying with the wind. Christ is the author and the finisher of our faith, the journey before us is already established if we dare to partner with His leadership. There are season when I am moving in His Spirit at a steady pace with ease. There are other times that I am moving so fast downhill it is hard to keep my feet under myself. These are the times when Gods grace is pushing me forward, taking new ground in an accelerated time. Almost everything I touch prospers and I feel like, "how much more can I take?" At times there are mountains that stand before me and I am not only taking ground forward, but yet at the same time vertically. These are the times when my true grit is discovered, when the heart is revealed and faith is tested. I personally feel I am in one of these seasons at this present time. The pace is slow, the battle is on two fronts and my heart is ready to explode giving all I know how. The ground being won seems insignificant and I am tempted to give up and turn back around but that will be to no avail.

Rhythm, the secret to vitality, the path toward victory in God. The more I learn to stay in rhythm with the Holy Spirit the greater my potential is for enjoyment in God, victory, and ultimately fulfilling my destiny and making history. The less I am in rhythm the more unnecessary resistance I place before myself. God and the devil already are planning resistance in my life. Gods resistance is working good toward me and producing fruit. The devils resistance is set in my path to kill, steal, and destroy. I don't need anymore resistance! I believe this is sufficient.

Father, teach me how to in all things stay in rhythm with your Spirit. With your consuming fire burn away all of the mindsets, affections, and behaviors that hinder this dance of intimacy and friendship with your Spirit. Help me to surrender!

This was an excerpt from Cody's journal.

Hungry

I want to be hungry for more of God. But there are some things in my life that want to pull me away from that desire. When I feast on the things of this world, be it media, movies, books, t.v., facebook, etc...I find my hunger for God lessens. I feel like I get fat on these other things in my life. Sometimes to the point where they become idols. And when I walk away from them I realize they are not able to fill the hunger pains that are inside. The only One who can fulfill my hunger is Jesus.

"One of the greatest uses for Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time." -John Piper

Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39)

When I pour my time and energy into the things I listed above can I really do what the Lord has called me to do. I'm not saying that all forms of entertainment are bad. I think these things can be used for good. I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to cut back on these things in my life, so I can make more room for Him.

I heard this verse the other day and it struck me:

"I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:13

Do I treasure God's word more than food? I want my answer to be yes. I'm realizing how many times I check my email each day versus opening my Bible. Or how many times I check my facebook versus waiting on the Lord and seeking His face. I am waiting, checking, wondering when I will receive my awaited answer. Now I can see how much time I was wasting with these. How much time I could have been waiting on the Lord, seeking His face and reading His word. Communing with Him. Getting to know Him better. Receiving an answer from Him.

I like the following quote by Bill Johnson. He is the pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California:

"In the physical we become hungry by not eating. In the spiritual we become hungry by eating God's word. Eat (read) God's word and get in His presence and you will become hungry for more of Him."

It think it's time for me to turn off some distractions.

It's time for me to feast on His word.

It's time for me to wait for His voice.

It's time for me to set certain things aside for something greater.

Someone more powerful.

Someone more satifying.

I feel like He's drawn a line in the sand and is asking me to cross it and follow Him. I ask myself, "Am I willing to leave these things behind for Him?" He longs to be with me. And He longs to be with you also. He's waiting for us. He's hungry for us.

Will we be hungry for Him too?

Dream

Have you ever had dreams or aspirations? Is there something in your life that makes you feel alive when you do it? I hope the answer to these questions is yes. I believe that God places dreams and aspirations in us for a purpose. He gives us gifts and talents to bring Him pleasure. And what makes me feel the most alive is singing. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie Chariots of Fire based on the life of Eric Liddell. In the movie Eric says,

"I believe that God made me for a purpose...but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel HIS pleasure!"

I love to sing because when I sing to God I feel His pleasure and His presence. It's the most wonderful feeling I have ever experienced. I would sing all day long if I could. My dream is to be in full time ministry as a worship leader, traveling and sharing the gospel where the Lord would lead. And I would love to be with orphans. Loving those that are often forgotten by man, but never forsaken by God. I want to see lives changed for the King. I want to see souls won and set for eternity with my Lord.

The Lord reminded me a week ago that there is a time and a season for everything. That He finds pleasure in me when I sing. And He also finds pleasure in me when I take care of my children and cook meals for my family. He likes it when I share Jesus with someone I meet at the store. He delights in me when I clean the house and call a friend on the phone and encourage them. He likes it when I talk with Him throughout my day. He delights in me every moment. And He knows that I have dreams and aspirations. And He gave them to me for a purpose.

His plans for our lives are so much bigger then we could ever hope for or imagine. And if I strive in my own strength to make my dreams come true then I may miss what He had in store for me.

God is helping me to be content to set certain gifts on the shelf at present for the sake of my family. He is teaching me that He is more interested in what I am than in what I do. ~Sandra K. Strubhar

I write all of this in hopes that it would encourage you to keep dreaming. And continue enjoying His presence while you allow Him to take care of the rest.

5 Days Old

My parents planned on coming to visit us for the last week of July. With my due date being July 22nd I had prayed that Abigail would be born sometime while they were here. Little did I know that God was going to answer my prayer.

My parents arrived here on Sunday evening July 25th. Early Monday morning I woke up around 2 with labor contractions. I continued to labor at home until around 6:45 a.m. when my contractions were 4 minutes apart. My parents watched Samuel for us while we were at the hospital. This would be Samuel's first night away from me so it was such a blessing to know Samuel would be well taken care of and I know my parents enjoyed this one-on-one time with him as well. When we got to the hospital I found out I was 7 cm dilated. Cody was a big support for me throughout the labor process. He would massage my lower back during the contractions and dab my forehead with a wet wash cloth when I got hot. I also got to use a jacuzzi a couple time while going through labor. This helped me to relax during the contractions which helped my labor to progress. Once I began the pushing process, it took about an hour until Abigail was born. When she was born she was covered in meconium. The doctor said this happens to babies when they are under stress. She also had a knot in her umbilical cord. So we believe she may have not been getting as much nutrients during the last week or so.

Once Abigail was born I forgot about any discomfort or pain that I had experienced. When they laid her on my chest it took a little while to sink in that I had just given birth to our baby girl. It felt kind of surreal like someone else had just gone through the labor and the delivery. A couple hours later I felt this wave of thanksgiving come over me. I felt so grateful that I got to experience a natural birth without any complications or medication after having a c-section with Samuel. Doing a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) is against the policies at our hospital here in Cody, WY. I'm thankful the Lord provided me with a doctor that supported me in my decision to do a VBAC. I'm so thankful to Jesus for being my source of strength and for giving me grace through the labor and delivery.

We had a great time with my parents the remainder of the week. They were such a blessing to us helping with laundry, cooking meals, walking Toby, playing with Samuel and just being the great company that they are. I am so glad they got to be here to help us welcome Abigail into the world. Abigail is such a sweet baby. She is never fussy. She is very content as long as she has been fed and has a clean diaper. And Samuel loves her so much. If she is crying he will bring me her pacifier or blanket to try to comfort her. He also likes to hold her (with assistance) and gives her hugs and kisses. The week has seemed to fly by and my parents left this morning to head back to Missouri. I am so thankful to God for how He planned their arrival and Abigail's birth this week. I couldn't have planned it better myself.

"For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." Psalm 139:13-16

Our little sweet pea

Daddy's little girl

Love at first sight

Grandpa Bowler gave Samuel his first set of clubs and first golf lesson!

What a blessing it was to have them here the week of Abigail's birth.

Fun at the river

Abigail's first outing: Scenic drive on Chief Joseph Highway

What is eternal life?

And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

The glory, beauty, and holiness of eternity is not a detached, distant future event, but is our inheritance as sons and daughters of the living God that we have access to in the now. Our ideas of eternity do not have to be relegated to off in the distance hopes of lying on a cloud and playing a harp. On the contrary the heartbeat of eternity is experiential relationship with God in the present. When we sense, touch, place our hands on, taste and move in communion with the Holy Spirit we are thrust into eternal life now.

Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is at hand," when he walked on the planet with the sons of men. Everywhere Jesus went He released the fragrance of heaven on the earth, and manifested the eternal God in the now. Eternity was on display before the eyes of men and love commanded the atmosphere. Where Christ was, eternity was seen, heard, and felt. Yet eternity was still distant. Men and women who encountered Christ experienced eternity, but only a fuzzy glimpse of the outer rim. They could not perceive the inner workings of Christs being: His thoughts, opinions, the deep desires, the inner chambers of His heart. But I pose to you that through the cross the sons and daughters of God have access into the consuming fire of the eternal Gods heart; access into becoming one with the Maker of heaven and earth, the Father of Glory and His son Jesus Christ. We have access to experience eternity now!

Many today in the body of Christ are experiencing heaven on earth, being thrusted into the heartbeat of eternity through a deep abiding relationship in Christ. Not a knowing from a distance, not a knowing of the mind, but a rapturous experience that consumes mind, body and soul. A knowing that quenches and breeds a disdain for every pleasure not rooted in Christ. A knowing that creates a ravenous, everlasting hunger in their souls for more of Him. And yet, at the very same time there are many in the body of Christ who have more experiential encounter with their jobs, family, and temporal things of this passing earth than the One they were created to be in communion with. They are living as though in the distant future they hope to one day have access to eternity and Gods kingdom when it is Gods greatest desire to share Himself and His kingdom now for those who want Him. Due to the deception of a distant God they settle for the pleasures of the world and have little to no experience with eternity; little to no experience with Christ.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

Seeing things that have not been seen, hearing things that have not been heard, and understanding possibilities, emotions, realms, experiences, and ideas that have never been perceived by man. This is our portion: to know God. And this is our inheritance: to have eternal life in the one who laid down His life for us, Jesus Christ!!

Nothing besides Christ can satisfy the deep inner workings of our mind, body and souls. We were made for nothing less! Who is willing to surrender everything to know this Jesus, to know eternity? And what is worth not receiving Him? The further we surrender our body, soul and mind to be conformed to His likeness, the greater we taste of His glory, and the more we will encounter eternity!

And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

-Cody

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.

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