My husband did something super sweet for the grown-up kid, and it for sure deserves its very own post.

He’s been preparing for this moment since the ultrasound tech said, “It’s a boy.” This man has been storing up tools for Maverick in our garage without the boy ever having a clue. He has [had] two separate chests out there that basically mirrored one another with what they held. Quite impressive, really. A few days before he moved out the husband gifted him with this, and it was a pretty special moment.

So. Many. Tools.

The thought behind this – when something goes wrong, and it will, Frank wants Maverick to be prepared to handle it. He wants him to be able to open up his tool chest and grab exactly what he needs when he needs it.

Such a good dad.

Makes me think of our Heavenly Father. Not only did Jesus go to prepare a place for us, but he is also steadily preparing us for when something goes wrong – because it will. He is daily giving us the tools that we need to be able to handle what this life throws at us. He wants us to be ready. He wants us to be able to walk over to our tool chest, grab what we need, and get to fixing.

He is giving us the tools. The specific tools that we need to fix specific things. He is looking out for us. He loves us and cares about our well-being.

What a good, good Father. A Father who loves His children more than anything. A Father who wants His children to be prepared. A Father who is storing up treasures in Heaven for us as well.

That’s love, y’all.
That’s love.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

In All Things, Love – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Dissatisfaction is such a nasty thing. It strips us of the joy given freely by Jesus Christ and robs us of the opportunity to be effective for the Kingdom. We can get so swallowed up in our current circumstances that they become our identity. We can’t always change the things going on in our lives, but we can change our own hearts and attitudes.

Sometimes, being a work-from-home mom of two (3 years and 1 year), I feel like I’m running a full circus, juggling three balls with a hula hoop around my neck! It gets wild, and at times, it’s easy to let my circumstances weigh me down. But every day, I have a choice. And let me tell you (even though you already know), it’s not always easy to choose a good attitude! He calls us to a higher standard than the world (preaching to myself here!). I’m so thankful we have the Word and the discernment of the Holy Spirit to navigate us through our lives.

Psalms 17:15 says, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” Jesus is all that we need. We can be satisfied in every season because He is who He says He is. He is love, and with true agape love, we can be kind, patient, put away envy, surrender our own ways, renew our joy, and bear all things!

It’s August, which means it’s back to school time. For some people that brings great joy, and for others it brings great headaches. But take heart, because summer is coming around again eventually.

In all seriousness though, even in the midst of the chaos of early morning alarms, packing lunches, drop off & pick up lines, and all of the other things, there is Jesus!

What great news this is!

Y’all, this month is a big month. We have a great opportunity to show Jesus to so many people.

For teachers, show Jesus.

For homeschool moms, show Jesus.

For students, show Jesus.

For administration, show Jesus.

For cafeteria staff, show Jesus.

In any grade at any school, there is gonna be a kid that has never heard the word Jesus. So speak it to them.

Now I know this can be a scary concept to some people. But really, you don’t always have to use words to share the Gospel with someone. It mainly takes faith, and your actions, and then maybe a few words after that.

I encourage you to challenge yourself this school year. Share the Gospel with one person a week. And then maybe two people a week. Keep going, and eventually it’ll be everyday. If everyone reading this takes this challenge, imagine how many people will receive hope by the start of the summer!!!

So start now! Go show Jesus, and go love on those kiddos this school year.

“Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel.”

Numbers 14:5

I watched a reel the other day about how in the book of Numbers Moses would fall on his face before the Lord when confronted by the Israelites. He didn’t clap back, argue or stomp off in a huff. His fight or flight response was to fall on his face before the Lord.

It made me think of fainting goats. (⬆️If you aren’t aware please, please google and watch some videos.)

Multiple times in Numbers (14:5, 16:22,16:44 and 20:6) Moses would just fall out in prayer and then God would give him clear direction. Moses would obey and then they would carry on…..until he didn’t…..until Moses struck the rock in anger and frustration.

My first take away from this reel was to pray to be a fainting goat. To be diligent and just fall out when confronted with unpleasantness. That is a good prayer, but I kept digging.

In Numbers 20:8-12 is the story of Moses’ downfall. He fell on his face, the Lord gave clear direction, but Moses did not follow the direction completely or treat God as holy and it cost him the promised land. He let anger and frustration win the day. How many times do I??

Being a fainting goat and going straight to the Lord is step one. Listening to what God says and being completely obedient is what makes us finish strong. Goats faint out of fear, but we need to faint out of faith and then put that faith in action.

What do you need to “faint” about today?

“If He never does anything else for me…”

Except this and that

And that and this

And on and on we list and list

Because the cross really wasn’t enough

What if day 41 comes

And the rain’s not done

Is God still good

Will your knees still bow

Will your hands still raise

To give the one who created you praise

“I surrender all”

Until all I have is surrender

Then all I want is my defender

But what happens when I’m the offender

The Lord is my Shepherd

I shall not want

Except what I don’t already have

He makes me lie down in green pastures

He leads me beside still waters

Until He calls you to walk on stormy seas

Peter

Seek Ye First the kingdom of Heaven

But when our boss at work gets more commitment than our pastor

Whose kingdom are we really building

The church isn’t inside the four walls

Yeah, But it ain’t in you either

Time to wake up church

Sound the alarm

Awaken the sleeping army

How can I win any wars when I let the enemy disarm me

He inhabits the praises of His people

We’re too busy being self absorbed to become anything lethal

Were feeble

Not regal

We stand covered in our white washed tombs claiming

“If he never does anything else for me…”

Except this and that

And that and this

And on and on we list and list

Because the cross really wasn’t enough

What if day 41 comes

And the rain’s not done

Is God still good

Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Our greatest directive…Go and make disciples. There is nothing more important than this. The Gospel, the good news of Jesus, is something we are supposed to share, not keep to ourselves.

Each summer, I have about 3 weeks off. Normally, I spend two of the three weeks at two different camps. The first week is spent at Super Summer Evangelism Camp. I attended this camp as a student which led to meeting my husband there. We have served on the Exec Staff for this camp since 2016. Our job is to teach students to know and share the Gospel. This year, I had an added bonus of being asked to teach a rally session for the camp about the Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism. My friend and leader, Jason Richards, called me in March to ask me to consider doing this. I agreed without hesitation.

When you start LOOKING for the Holy Spirit, He shows up everywhere. He’s always there, but we often get so distracted by our own lives that we don’t stop to pay attention.

The great commission is a directive, but it holds a promise, too. He will be with us ALWAYS. He doesn’t send us to do this on our own. The Holy Spirit provides His power, His opportunities, and His words.

I ask you, as I asked the students that day:

What keeps you from sharing the Gospel? What’s your fear? Or hangup?

Is it fear?

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

You are EMPOWERED by the King of kings!

Is it not knowing what to say?

“Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say.

For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”

Luke 12:11-12

The Holy Spirit will GIVE you what you should say.

Is it not knowing to whom or when to speak?

In Acts 8, we see that the Holy Spirit even creates the opportunities for you. In the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the Lord told Him where to go and what to do.

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.[d]) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this:

He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,

and as a lamb is silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth.

33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who will describe his generation?

For his life is taken from the earth.[e]

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” [f] 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing.

The Lord has provided for everything that we could possibly need in order to be empowered to share the Gospel. He has gone before you. He is present with you, and He will continue to work once you’ve completed your task. We don’t have to rely on our own wisdom or strength to share the Gospel. We have the Holy Spirit, and He is everything we need.

II Corinthians 1: 3–4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

What is comfort??

I know a lot about feeling comfortable. Chenille both robes, silky slippers, fluffy soft pillows, faux fur blankets, a mouth full of cheesy Chick Fil A macaroni., a warm sip of a vanilla latte…

Bruh!!!!…….not that meaning of COMFORT! Comfort means to come along beside someone to offer encouragement, through words or actions. This version of comfort originates from our Father, Jesus Christ, in the form of the Holy Spirit. As He comforts us, we are then equipped to offer the same comfort to the broken hearted. Haven’t we all needed some level of comforting when we’re suffering?? How does God use the Holy Spirit to comfort us … through His word and His people!! .

This verse speaks to two different types of people-”the comforted”, who feel peace as Jesus stands beside them in their storm , and the “need to be comforted” – broken hearted who desperately need comfort. To the comforted, the purpose of their tribulations and hard times has been revealed. This scripture says that God comforts us in our trials and storms so that we are prepared to comfort those who experience loneliness, depression, and heartache in their life. We’re able to give them comfort, that only comes from God. I love the way these two verses echo the word “comfort” five times. I think Paul does such a great job of making sure we don’t have any distractions when we read this verse. It’s a good verse to put to memory, not only so we can be comforted, but to remind us that God requires us to comfort those who are suffering.

When I was 20, my sister dealt with suicide ideation and severe depression. I remember planning my wedding day and hearing the question, “Mary, is it okay if I’m not in your wedding?” From then on I would wake up every morning, wondering would she be alive. I needed comfort to make it through each day. But, more than anything, I wanted to comfort her hurting heart. I found comfort in His word, praying His word, and listening to only worship music. I cried my heart out. Then my mom also became a victim of depression. It was hard dealing with this heavy heartache and the feelling that God had abandoned us. Somedays, I didn’t seek His encouragement through prayer, and I lost my trust in Him. I wanted God to hurry up and heal them. Please God restore my family, especially while I was counting down the days to my wedding. Meanwhile, He was working out his masterful plan; He was using me to comfort and encourage my sister and my mom until the doctors knew how to treat their illness. During the entire time of taking care of my mom and sister, the numerous mental hospital visits, hopeless phone calls, anxiety, and constant setbacks, God’s comfort poured into me. It was the only way I survived this storm.

A year later, their miraculous healing brought about restoration in all of us. After this tribulation passed, I sang praises and thanked God that I had been comforted by the Comforter. He took care of us all in His complete sovereignty!!

When I discovered this verse, II Corinthians 1: 3–4, I experienced clarity and was able to hear the Holy Spirit whisper “Comfort’ to me. It was an “A -Ha” moment for sure!!! I was able to rest knowing why I had to endure that trial… to feel God’s supreme comfort, mercy, and love. God comforted me over and over and continues to do it, so I am always equipped to comfort those who are suffering. Continually, God uses me to comfort women that are lonely, depressed, and hopeless. He gives me energy to befriend them and offer them the Living Water!! I give all the Glory to God for His unending supply of comfort!!!!!!! Amen!

From a very early age my mother and father taught me to always do the right thing. Do right to others even if they don’t do right back, to be respectful, and numerous other things.

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

Everyday we are at war. As Christians the devil is constantly tempting us with numerous things such as doubt, substance abuse, lust, and many other things. 

 Everyone loves when someone tells them they are proud of them. The last words my MiMi ever said to me were, “I’m so proud of you Mavo. I love you and I will see you soon.” I miss her everyday, and I know she is reading this now in Heaven.

A few months ago I went to my father’s company’s crawfish boil. As I was waiting in line a group of men walked up to me and introduced themselves and told me they worked with my dad. They proceeded to tell me that my dad talked about me all the time at his office and that he was so proud of me. It felt really good, and when I went back to sit down with my dad I almost brought it up but I decided not to. I thought back to the verse 2 Corinthians 7:4 which says, “Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”

When we bring glory to God He is proud of us. We should want to do the right thing and we should try every single day to be more like Jesus. We should want to surround ourselves with other Christians and try to bring people who aren’t Christians to God.

My parents did such an amazing job raising my sister Maggie and me. They each taught me certain things that will stick with me for as long as I live. My mom was the first woman I ever loved and whenever I was going down the wrong path she prayed every single day for me and still to this day she prays for me. I always watched my father and how he showed up for everything for us. He came to every game he possibly could come to, and if he couldn’t make it because of work he would call us after and listen to how it went.

They both prayed for my future spouse whenever I was just a kid. This past May I got engaged to my beautiful fiance Kelanie, and she brings out the best in me every single day. I know that God gave me them as my parents to prepare me for the real world. When I tell you I thank God for them I really do. They are hands down the best parents in the world. 

 I am about to move out of their house and into my own and start a new chapter in my life. Although I won’t see them everyday, the things they taught me will stay with me forever. My parents put God first in their marriage, and Kelanie and I will do the same. When we put God first He is proud of us.

Speaking to other people about Jesus makes Him so happy and proud and we should want that. My future father in law said, “You’re never too young for someone else to look up to you, so we should influence them with Jesus.” It is so true we should live for Jesus because someone will notice just like I did with my parents living for Jesus. As Christians we should all strive together to make God proud.

“Then I heard the Lord asking ,”Whom shall I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am Lord. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

EXCITED, anxious, EXCITED, nervous, EXCITED, overwhelmed…. Humbled, prayerful, covered in peace- AND, officially trying to not freak out 🥴. Lol, ALL the emotions of a very “human” momma. The momma that loves the Lord with her whole heart, has seen His face and love, trusts His Word, holds on to her faith for dear life – but, STILL, human.

All of a sudden your babies are basically grown, love Jesus, and want to GO OUT and tell others about Who He is.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age.” Matt. 28:19-20

This is what we pray for, what we want for our children. To see them love Christ more than anything, and to fall more in love with Him daily. When Emma, Piper, and Mac came to us and told us they wanted to go to Alaska that’s when all of those emotions came flooding in. We all started praying. Praying for guidance, direction, and of course- confirmation. And God, in all His glory, and His way, worked it all out and lined everything up. Long talks about missions, what to expect (the very real and raw), and gosh – them being SO FAR away! (YA’LL! My kids were closer to RUSSIA than to me!😬🫣)

Days, weeks, months of hard work, prayer, preparation, and so many moments asking God to calm nerves as it got closer and reality set in. So many days PRAISING GOD for an Ah-Mazing Youth/ Church leadership, Church family, and grateful for our community and village!

I knew myself what it was like to go on a mission trip. I knew all the different sides of it. The overwhelming emotions, the exhaustion, the nerves, and the very greatness of God unfolding before your eyes. The good, the bad, and the in between. But, it wasn’t me going this time … it was “my” babies and their friends – that are my babies!

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

“…. take up his cross and FOLLOW ME.” There is so much overwhelming spiritual joy in missions and following God’s call. There is also the very reality that taking up His cross and following Jesus is not easy. CHRIST’s mission was not easy, His life was not easy, spreading the gospel – not easy. As “momma”, I was so excited for the mission, the joy and refining they were going to take part in and experience. I was also, admittedly battling my flesh. Nervous about the possibilities that come with the mission- heartache, trials, tribulation, risk, rejection, safety … all the things. Even when we know that God teaches us our greatest lessons in the midst of “the hard” – it stinks watching your kid hurt, struggle, battling sadness, or fear.

God continually reminded me of WHO HE IS. Reminded me that they are HIS children – and so am I. And while they did experience some “hard” and unplanned hiccups- sickness (imagine being closer to Russia and sick lol 🫣🤪), spending days and hours with children sharing the gospel and crying because you don’t want to leave them, cancelled flights, being split from your sibling and church family to be put on different flights, AND up for 33 hours trying to get home – but – even with all that and more – they saw His face! And so did I and many others. They were His hands, His feet. They took up their cross to follow Him, and He was with them every step of the way. They fell more in love with Christ, with His people, and His mission. They went to Alaska to change lives – and they were embraced in Him changing theirs. I look at all their pics and see that Alaska was breathtaking- but Alaska with GOD was LIFE-GIVING.

3 John 1:4 “I could have no greater joy than to hear my children are following the truth.”