Heather and Jay's Wedding!

Samuel with Grandpa George

If you'd like to view more photos click, *here*.

We had a great trip to Chicago this weekend for my sister's wedding. We had started saving for the trip ahead of time. Then unexpectedly, a family gave us $500 for our trip and another family said they felt led to give $200. The Lord provided the finances we needed. Thank you, Jesus! We left early morning Wednesday the 21st and got there Thursday evening. We had a great time on our drive listening to music and teachings on our ipod. When we hit the Chicago city limits we were in heavy traffic. But in the midst of that I just started laughing for no reason. Then I realized the Lord was filling me with joy and I couldn't stop laughing for about 10 minutes. (I experienced this laughter again on our way back to Wyoming, right before hitting traffic in Minnesota.) This made our drive through about an hours worth of traffic very enjoyable. When we got to Chicago Cody dropped me off at Birthway's while he spent the evening with Jay and another friend Michael. I went to Heather's Blessing Way Party where we had some food and blessings were given. Afterward we went bowling! I haven't bowled in at least a year and a half. I bowled a 145! I was surprised by how well I did. It was fun to have a ladies night out with Heather and her friends. Then on Friday night we had the wedding rehearsal and dinner which was Chicago style hot dogs (yummy). My Mom, Dad, brother, Tim and sister-in-law, Tara arrived in Chicago that night. It was so great to have the whole family together again.

Heather and Jay's wedding was on Saturday. The wedding started at 3 pm at my sisters church. It was a beautiful wedding. Instead of having the minister do traditional vows they had friends read excerpts from different books for the vows. Then Heather and Jay shared vows spoken from their hearts. While they lit the unity candle, I sang a song called, "My Romance." For the benediction I sang, "The Gathering of Spirits" with two lovely ladies who have beautiful voices. It was an honor to get to be a part of Heather and Jay's special day. They had tied their rings to a ball and Samuel was the ring bearer. The plan was for Samuel to throw the ball to Jay. Samuel did throw the ball and it bounced at Jay's feet. He did a great job :) The wedding reception was a lot of fun. It's one of the best receptions I've ever been to. They had a Mexican buffet and a dessert buffet. The food was delicious. They also had a live karaoke band and sooo many of Heather and Jay's friends sing professionally. The talent would definitely have been competition for American Idol. The reception went from 5-midnight. Samuel had a great time dancing and hanging out with the other kids. He eventually fell asleep in my arms around 11. The next day Jay's mom, Annie had a buffet put together at the hotel from 10:30-12. It was sad to say good-bye to my family. The weekend seemed to go by so fast. But I am thankful for the time we got to spend together. I am 28 weeks and I know the next couple months are going to go fast. My parents and sister plan on coming out to see us when Abigail is born, so it won't be long before we'll get to see each other again!

On our trip back to Wyoming, we ate at Outback Steak House that night for dinner. As we were leaving the restaurant we noticed a lady sitting outside on a bench. She looked like she had been crying. We talked with her and found out she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship and had run out of gas. We got to encourage her, pray with her and helped her get some gas. I love living for God. It's so enjoyable to partner with Him.

This Man

Melodies flowing from the sky

Make my heart sing and then I start to unwind.

Heavenly songs that can come only from above

Fill my ears with such a beautiful song.

Such longings in my heart that I cannot put to words,

He replaces them with sounds we've never heard.

How these songs have come so easily

Is the result of a Man I haven't seen.

His love envelopes me in warmth that never ceases.

I know His love is real because He picks up all my broken pieces.

When He looks at me He says I am beautiful

Even when I can't see anything of beauty in me.

His thoughts toward me are more then the sands of the sea

How can my mind comprehend this reality?

His mercies extend beyond the ocean waves

And much farther than my eyes can see.

He says there is no one like me,

But, I say that there is no one like Him.

25 Days

We took a drive about 30 miles outside of Cody, yesterday. We went down some windy roads that we hadn't ventured on before and this is what we saw!

I have some very cool news to share with you that happened a few days ago! To tell the full story of what happened, I will go back to March 12th....

On March 12th, Cody was in prayer and heard the Lord say "25 days." He wasn't sure what the Lord was referring to, but wrote it in his journal and since had forgotten about it. Last week, while outside during a break at work he found $20 on the ground. Then another guy found $5 on the ground. Cody thought to himself, that equals $25. Then he heard the Lord speak to him, "I am reminding you of the 25 days." So when he got home he looked in his journal and counted 25 days from when the Lord had spoken that to him the first time. Then Cody shared all of this with me and said that the 25th day would be Tuesday, April 6th. So when Tuesday came around we both had an expectancy that God was going to do something really cool! Tuesday night, I went over to Bob and Cindy's (the couple who owns the RV we are living in) to give them back a pot that I had borrowed. Cindy told me that a person who is currently renting from them will be moving out May 26th. And she thought of us and was wondering if we would be interested in renting from them! It is a 3 bedroom home that they built. There's a dishwasher, fridge, and washer and dryer. They said they could even help us furnish the place because they have a lot of extra things that they don't need. She has dishes, pots and pans, a bed for Samuel, an infant swing, and a queen size bed just to name a few items. They also have a garden and Cindy said we could have a spot in the garden if we would like! I've been wanting to do some gardening, so I'm excited.

I am in awe once again at the goodness of our Heavenly Father. He has blessed us beyond our expectations! He is always faithful to provide what we need in His perfect timing. We are so thankful for all that He has done and is going to continue to do.

Boy or Girl?!

Baby Morris' side profile

A week of great news... On Friday, we moved into a RV that a friend isn't using right now. It is on our friends property and has running water, a shower, toilet, stove and is just the right size for us. We have enjoyed our time so far in our new "home." Samuel especially likes having a big yard to run around in, a bike, a swing and lots of new toys to play with. That same day Cody turned in an application to a BBQ restaurant called Bubba's. On Sunday, Cody was called in for an interview. His first day of work was Monday, yesterday! He is a line cook and will also do some dish washing. It looks like he will work 6 days a week, for 35-37 hours. It will be a change not to have dinner every night together, but we are thankful for this new job and will cherish the time we do have together. Tomorrow we will celebrate that on March 17th, four years ago, Cody proposed to me! It's hard to believe we will have been married four years in June. Time has flown by fast.

I had my 21 week check up yesterday. I couldn't wait any longer and decided to find out if we're going to have a boy or girl. I asked my doctor to write it down on a piece of paper so that Cody and I could find out at the same time after he got off work. So, last night after Cody got home from work and Samuel had fallen asleep, we opened up the envelope that read, "It is..." on the outside....and inside we found a little green sticky note that read....GIRL!! We were both surprised! We thought we were going to have another boy, but we were very excited to find out we are going to have a girl.

Cody, Wyoming

This is our view as we drive to Yellowstone, which is 50 miles east of Cody, WY

Going for a walk by the river

We have been in Cody, WY for a little over a month now. The Lord has done great things so far. Over a month ago, we felt the Lord lead us here, not knowing anything about the town or what lay ahead for us. Through prayer we believe the Lord wants us to have a home here and invest in the family. So far, we have met great people in various churches. A wonderful family has opened up their home to us and we are staying with them while we are looking for a place of our own. Cody, WY has a great library with a fun children's room that has blocks and fun things for Samuel to do. They also have a child development group come a couple times a month to do activities with kids Samuel's age. He loves doing the crafts and being around other kids. Samuel has been talking more and seems to be changing more everyday. He loves doing things by himself or with others and he is starting to tell me more often when he needs to go potty!! This is exciting! I'm glad he is starting to show more interest in the potty. I am 20 weeks now and feeling good. We got to see our baby on ultrasound a few weeks ago and it looks like baby is healthy! Praise the Lord! I have been feeling the baby move more too and that is fun. Cody is also applying for jobs. He would love to work on a ranch or do something outdoors. We are praying for the Lord to open the doors that need to be open. Since we have been in Cody, we have had quite a few opportunities to share the gospel and/or pray with people.

One afternoon Cody was sitting in a parking lot talking on the phone. After he got off the phone he noticed a woman in a car parked near him. His heart started to hurt and he felt the Lord lead him to go talk to her. He asked her if she had any heart problems or knew anyone with heart problems. Tears started to come down her face and she said her grandson, Sam, was in the hospital with holes in his heart. Cody prayed with this woman for Sam and we believe he was healed.

During this time of waiting for what the Lord has for us, I have been reading Andrew Murray's book, "Waiting on God". In the past few weeks, I have begun to find enjoyment in waiting with God. Here is an excerpt from his book that I want to share:

It is as we know how blessed the waiting on God has become to our own souls, that we will confidently hope in the blessing to come on the church around us. The keyword of all our expectations will be, He has said, "All they who wait on Me will not be ashamed." (Isa 49:23) From what He has done in us, we will trust Him to do mighty things around us. "Blessed are all they that wait for him." (Isa 30:18) Yes, blessed even now in the waiting. The promised blessings for ourselves, or for others, may tarry. The unutterable blessedness of knowing and having Him who has promised--the divine Blesser, the living Fountain of the coming blessings--is even now ours. Do let this truth acquire full possession of your souls, that waiting on God is itself the highest privilege of man, the highest blessedness of His redeemed child.

Even as the sunshine enters with its light and warmth, with its beauty and blessing, into every little blade of grass that rises upward out of the cold earth, so the everlasting God meets, in the greatness and the tenderness of His love, each waiting child, to shine in his heart "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). Read these words again, until your heart learns to know what God waits to do to you. Who can measure the difference between the great sun and that little blade of grass? And yet, the grass has all of the sun it can need or hold.

Do you believe that in waiting on God, His greatness and your littleness suit and meet each other most wonderfully. Just bow in emptiness and poverty and utter weakness, in humility and meekness, and surrender to His will before His great glory, and be still. As you wait on Him, God draws near. He will reveal Himself as the God who will mightily fulfill His every promise. And, let your heart continually take up the song: "Blessed are all they that wait for him."

Back Home

The Lord has continued to do miraculous things in the lives of people on the streets of Seattle. For those who haven't known, Cody and a friend hitch hiked up the west coast and the Lord led them to Seattle. Cody had been gone about 40 days traveling up the west coast, sharing the gospel and ministering to the homeless and drug addicts in Seattle. Though it was cold and rainy for much of Cody's time in Seattle, the Lord gave him a heart of compassion for the homeless and he is thankful for the opportunity he got to live like they live for a moment.

One weekend, our good friend Steve flew into Seattle to see his brother and do work on his brothers house. He was able to contact Cody and Cody helped Steve work on his brothers property that weekend. Steve's brother welcomed Cody to stay in his home and Cody was thankful to be in a warm place, take a warm shower and sleep on a comfy couch. The Lord also provided a plane ticket for Cody to get back to California which we were very thankful for. Samuel and I picked up Cody at the San Jose Airport Tuesday, the 19th! We were all excited to see each other and Cody was amazed by how much Samuel has changed over the past month. He is saying so many new words and putting together 3 and 4 words to make phrases. Our time apart has caused us to fall more in love with the Lord and with each other.

I also got to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time on Tuesday. It was strong and didn't take long for the nurse to find it. I'm at 14 1/2 weeks and definately starting to show! I'm excited to be in the 2nd trimester!

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.