Friday, July 27, 2012

"Praying for someone I don't even know."

I had mapped out the morning with the children: first we'd go to Wal-Mart (We really need a fish tank pump/filter thingy), then to Game Stop, and lastly to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter's (CHKD) Thrift Store to unload the trunk of our van that was full of old and forgotten 'treasures.' The plan was set, baby bag packed, children excited and we were off. Only one thing, we had forgotten to pray for our Treasure Hunt or a God Encounter, as we call it.

We were driving along when I realized that although I couldn't pray with my eyes closed, the kids could! So I told them to close their eyes and wait for the Lord to show them someone or something that would guide us to who God wanted us to pray for.

With my eyes open and driving I began to pray. "Lord, show us the lost. Show us who needs a touch from you today. Set our hearts on fire for sharing the Good News where ever we are and where ever we go. Show us Lord. Give us a vision, a picture of the person who needs you."

We waited and then said, "Amen."

We all saw something:

I saw an African American woman who was wearing a navy-blue shirt and slightly large.

One son said, "I saw blue eyes."

One daughter said, "I saw pink pebbles and a ship with a flag."

One daughter said, "I saw a man wearing a hat."

My other son said, "I saw a yellow and black flashing light."

And my three year old said, "I saw a cart. Just one cart."

Okay, we saw alot and really couldn't make any sense of it. Were we going to pray for a crowd of people? Were we going to be praying for alot of individual people? It didn't matter to us- with expectant hearts we approached Wal-Mart and it's shoppers ready to pray.

We walked straight to the fish area/pet center of the store. I allowed the five younger ones to spy the fish in the tanks while my eldest and I went to try and figure out which pump we needed. As I turned into the aisle I saw endless pumps and no idea which one I needed. I started reading box upon box, but knew that my time was limited by how entertaining the fish were going to be for my five children. I looked around for a worker- there was no one. So, being the New Yorker that I am, I simply looked up at the ceiling, and called out into to the store, "Does anyone work in the pet center!" and "Can anyone help me in the fish aisle?"

(Okay, say it. I know you want to. Go ahead- say it. "She's a nut!")

Well, a few moments later a worker turned into the aisle. (Now you're thinkin'-huh? yelling out into the open does work and maybe I'll try next time ;) She was not a happy worker, but someone to help me. As she approached me I saw my vision. "An African American woman wearing a navy blue shirt and slightly large." I turned my face away from her to ask the Lord if she was the one and as my eyes landed on the shelf to my left I saw a bag of, "pink pebbles." I knew.

She walked up to me and asked me what exactly I needed, but as I started to tell her I couldn't get the awe of actually staring at a woman that I had seen before I ever walked into the store. I stopped my mouth from talking about fish pumps and said, "Can we not talk about fish pumps right now? I have to tell you and you may not believe this, but on our way out today we prayed for God to show us who He wanted to touch and I saw you." I then asked her if there was anything that my kids and I could pray for her? I no sooner asked her when she began pouring her need for financial help.

I asked her, her name, the kids gathered around and we began to pray. I prayed something like, "Dear Jesus I thank you for Jessica. I thank you that you created her and only you know the amount of hairs on her head and the desires of her heart. She didn't even have to pray for someone, a complete stranger, to pray for her because You knew her thoughts and what she needed. That is just how much you love Jessica. So, Lord, we ask for a financial blessing to fall on Jessica now. We pray that you would open up a new job or a substantial raise, but whatever it is however you want to bless her we pray that you would do it. We thank you Lord in advance for loving Jessica and taking care of her. Amen."

She looked at me and said, "You don't know how badly I needed that today."
I said, "That's right, I didn't, but God did." and smiled.

Then she scooped me up in her arms and hugged me. It was truly...I'm at a loss for words.

She wiped her eyes and then said, "Okay, how can I help you?"

END OF PART ONE

Well, we finished our Wal-Mart outing and headed for Game Stop, but we did not see anyone there to pray for. We got back in the car and hoped to find someone who needed prayer at CHKD. We went in, dropped off all our stuff and walk around looking for God's special someone. And like always I found a few things we needed so we headed toward the counter to check out. While standing in the line I noticed that just one person was ahead of me and thought of what my son had said, "I saw one cart. Just one cart." I wondered if she was the one we were to pray for. I watched her talking to the check-out girl and felt she was too busy to stop and ask if she would like us to pray for her.  Standing in line seemed like FOR-ever! The children were all buzzing around me and I really just couldn't wait to be mobile again. Then an older gentleman walked up to me and asked, "Do you babysit allll these children every day?" I said, "Yes, but I don't get paid." I explained how they were mine. He then smiled and walked back to the doorway of the store- I think he was just waiting for his wife to finish shopping so they could leave.

When I had been checked out I gathered the kids and looked up at the elderly man again and realized he was wearing a hat. I told the children and they all stood beside me as I approached him. I told him my name and told him our story. He then told us his name, Mr. Jones, and when I asked him if we could pray for him he immediately said yes. He told me he was eighty-two years old and wanted prayer for good health. We all bowed our heads and I began to pray. I prayed and thanked God for Mr. William Jones' life and for the many years that God had already given him. I then asked the Lord to bless him with many more years, more years to see his great-grandchildren all grow up. I also prayed for his wife, for her good health and long life. When we finished I opened my eyes and saw that his wife was standing and agreeing with us in prayer and this very same woman was the woman in line ahead of me with the 'one cart.'

We said goodbye and left. As we were walking to the van my son said to me, "Mommy, I feel so good praying for someone I don't even know."  I said, "Me too."

I am not a missionary. I do not travel to far away countries and share the gospel. I do not go to tribal nations and translate the Bible into their language. I am not an evangelist. I am, though a woman, a mommy, who loves Jesus and feels His love for others. He wants so many to know His love. He wants so many to know that they are not forgotten by Him and  I am so blessed to be a mere vessel. 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Just a Good Day

Today was simply a good day. I was home...and for me there really is no place I'd rather be-ever. I'm not a hermit by any means, but whenever I go out it seems the goal then becomes to get home. And so today I was home.

We did our routine cleaning stuff and put my little one down for her morning nap. The kids and I then met up in the kitchen to perform the science experiment that they have begged me to do. So there I was, in the kitchen with the kids making slime!  They couldn't have been happier and I couldn't have been more grossed out. They thanked me over and over again for they knew it was hard for me. (I don't like slimy things and now all six children have their own container of slime!)

After that my girls decided to clean their room as perfectly as the boys did- so off they went and I had time with my three sons and youngest daughter. The boys and my little girl were up at the table playing with their slime while different books on tape/cd were being played.  After some time I decided to clean out the kitchen cabinets. I honestly don't remember when I took on this project last, but it was a sweet time because we were all together in the same room doing what we each wanted and there was a peace.

 Next was lunch and a special movie and after that was nap time. After the girls rest time was over they wanted to finish cleaning their room and asked me if I could help them. We sat in there and went from under the bed, to the closet, dressers and then to ideas of changing the room around. We had a good, sweet and productive time together. My girls are really growing up. They were able to say goodbye to their 'treasures' of old pop sickle sticks that reminded them of their date with their daddy, or old stuffies they really don't love anymore (they were demoted to the crawl space) and generally being very clear on what they like and don't like. It was, for me, a really sweet time.

Meanwhile my hubby had left work and while he got the oil changed on the car he went food shopping for us. (Really love and appreciate my man). Then I get this precious phone call from him saying, "The kids really need a pet. Maybe I could bring home some fish for them."  (OHHHH, how  I wanted to squeeze him. The love and heart that he has for our children thrills my heart and body). I said yes, got off the phone and told the kids that daddy was bringing home a good surprise!

How they waited at the door for the next half hour. One would go upstairs and yell down, "Is daddy home yet!" Then another would say, "I'm just getting my Lego's-call me if daddy drives up." I kept looking too. Then the yelps and shrieks when one saw the little red car turn the corner and approach our home. The screen door flew open and out they all went. Hugs, kisses and greetings were given and not one word to their father about, "Where's the surprise?" or "What have you brought us?"  Just, "Can I help unload the car."  Then the moment came when he handed my three year old a bag of water with fish in it! The jumping up and down was quite a sight and something to behold.

I got a huge bowl and hubs poured out the fish into the bowl. The children peered into it marveling at their fish.  It was too precious. They love their fish and I love my hubby. 

Next was making dinner. Hubby had wanted to grill-(he told me so when he called from the store), but I knew he'd feel overwhelmed with another task, so, I surprised him by preparing the meat and veggies. (I love when we move as a team). It was all running perfectly.

After dinner was clean-up, setting the table for breakfast and then getting ready to go out. There was a woman's meeting at the church and I really wanted to go. I ran up got dressed, ready, gave kisses and hugs and left. It was a wonderful night and was blessed by all the woman who attended.

On days like this one I sit back in awe at all that the Lord has done and how very blessed I am. 
I love my husband and he loves me.
I love each one of my children and am so thankful that we chose life.
I love this house. It holds so many memories that I hope to never forget.
I love you Lord - Thank you for it all.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Forever Easter-Day 5!

Today was the final day of 
"Forever Easter" Godly Girls Camp 2012.
We read about who saw Jesus and 
what Jesus did after He rose from the grave
 and appeared on the earth.
We read how Jesus walked with the men on the road to Emmaus,
His meeting with his apostles in the upper room
and talking with more than 500 people 
over a period of forty days on earth.
We also read about what
 happened after Jesus ascended into heaven.

In the book of Acts 
we read how Peter shared the Good News
and how about 3,000
people came to Christ that very day.

I shared with them how we have been charged
to go forth into all the earth 
spreading the Gospel to all people.

We all took turns praying for someone we know 
that doesn't know Jesus.



Our snack at tea time
was cupcakes and bunnies
with a sign that read,
"Nobunny loves you like Jesus."



It is always good to be reminded
that Jesus loves you.


After our snack time
I showed the girls what we were going to make today.
Bunny chocolates!

I taught them how to make chocolate
in the shape of bunnies
and then how to package them
to give away.
The packaging read,
"Nobunny loves you like Jesus"-
something they themselves had just received.

I asked them to use this craft project
as a gift, or an evangelical tool,
to give to someone who doesn't know that Jesus loves them.


First we melted the pink chocolates...


then the purple chocolate
using double boilers.

Then pouring the melted chocolate
into squeezable bottles
they got straight to work!


It was clean, sanitary,


and they all could do it!




even my twenty-three month old!!!


Once the chocolate was in the mold
they had to 'pat' it down.


Once that was done,
it was put into the freezer and...
Voila! Chocolate bunnies!!!






The groups of girls made at least three trays of chocolate each!


We've learned that
-God calls us to be His witnesses by following close to Him
-God calls us to 'wash the feet' and serve all people.
-God died for all our sin and loves us so very much.
-God rose from the dead and has given us the victory
-and God has called each one us, no matter our age,
to tell everyone, everywhere, boldly about the perfect love of Jesus!


It has been an incredible week!
I am so blessed and proud of all my girls!
See you all next year!!!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Forever Easter-Day 4 -HE LIVES!!!



Today was the day that I taught on 
the empty tomb--Jesus' Resurrection!!!
Never was there such a truth told with such excitement!
...an earthquake, soldiers falling like dead men, the stone rolled away,
an angel, an empty tomb!!!
The most glorious day in all of history!!!

We celebrated Christ's Resurrection 
in our Bible time,
in our snack time,
and in our Craft time!
Today I taught the girls how to blow out ordinary eggs,
and create decoupage.

The empty egg reminds us of the empty tomb!!!


First we took pins and poked a hole in the top
and bottom of each egg.


Then we had to blow out the eggs themselves!
(Most of them thought it was plain gross- and I couldn't blame them).



Even my boy had to try!


Everyone got busy blowing out eggs,
and decorating them. 




I believe they had alot of fun.



Even my three year old decided to 
decoupage his egg!












Here they are!
Some were able to make up to four eggs!!!
It was a new craft for them to learn 
and hopefully one that they will share with their families 
when they are grown.


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Forever Easter - Day 3

Day 3 - The Crucifixion.
We gathered together to read and talk about the saddest day in history-
the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we read about Jesus' betrayers, mockers, and abusers
one girl said, "This story is scary."
I agreed, but one thing we know,
that the apostles didn't,
is that Jesus rose again!!!


It is so hard to talk about all that Jesus endured,
but to know and remember that He 
did it all willingly out of His love for us
changes the story from being sad to
glorious!!


Look at the joy He has brought to me!!!


So, for snack time
my kids made 'cross' cookies!!!


Our craft time today was to design and paint
and use 'rub-ons' on their ceramic cross.


Here we are-
all twelve us!


Their first task was to design on paper all that 
they wanted to paint and decorate 
their cross with.


Everyone was hard at work...


and then the painting began!


Joy wanted to paint too-
I chose crayons and paper instead!




The finished product!