Marci

Best momma ever...

2009-11-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

Arwen had her baby and was changing her baby as I was changing little Lincoln.

me: "Okay, he is going to eat now..."

Arwen: "My baby is hungry too..."

me: "Okay we can feed them together! Do you need to go get your bottle for your baby?"

Arwen with an air of indignation: "My baby does NOT drink from bottles... she drinks from my milks!"(Milks are Arwen's term for breast :)

We sit together and feed our babies :)

Pics are Arwen and her new baby brother... she is such a great big sister and a great momma!

Splinters

2009-10-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so yesterday morning Arwen comes into the bathroom where I was getting ready and very matter of factly proclaims, "I don't let moms (as if she has more than one) get out my splinters... I just let the Lord do it"

Where does she come up with this stuff?

I told her well maybe God likes it if you let your mom (emphasis on the one) help you get splinters out... I asked her if she had a splinter...

She replied, "No, (she doesn't have any splinters) but I just like for the Lord do it..."

Arwen the beautiful!

2009-07-23T21:46:00.001-07:00

BABY BOY!!

2009-07-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Just realized that I haven't let some of you know that I am having a baby boy... we will be seeing his beautiful face sometime at the end of October/beginning of Nov. Arwen and Aiden can hardly wait!

Aiden is 5...

2009-07-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

We had one of the best birthday's ever... Aiden had the typical cake, ice-cream and presents, but those were not even close to the highlights.

It began by Richard talking about how the Jewish people initiate their boys at five to the Word by writing a scripture with flour and honey and letting the students lick the honey off to remind them that the words of Yahweh are sweet like honey. He then began to share with Aiden and his family the importance of Aiden entering his youth and where he was to go during this important time to seek wisdom. Then Aiden stood before his family and answered questions concerning Jesus and Jesus' plan for his life. All those at the party blessed him...

It was intense, stunning and glorious! Check out some of the scenes...

Having trouble getting your PJ's on...

2009-04-14T20:52:00.001-07:00

Well one day Aiden and Arwen did too... but then the fam came up with a great little rap... it now works every time... feel free to use :)

Worship

2009-04-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Famous Brother...

2009-03-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

My littlest bro is famous :) Great job brother. This is back before all the fame when life was simpler :)

New Baby!!

2009-03-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hurray!!! New Baby coming soon. :)

Aiden and Arwen are so excited. Aiden has told me that he is going to teach him how to play with legos and playmobiles.

Arwen said she is going to teach her how to play dress up, princess and how to go potty :)

This morning Aiden and Arwen had a great time talking to my belly telling their youngest sibling all the fun things they were going to do together when he/she comes out :) Aiden even read the baby a story. So fun!

Aiden questions

2008-12-15T22:18:00.001-08:00

I will never be able to look at this sign without a big grin remembering...

Aiden on a walk today saw this sign and said "Dad, how come they don't let P's here?

I love him.

The Call on Saturday...

2008-08-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Randy had this article posted on his blog but in case you missed it...

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Imagine a huge Christian rock concert where the names of the speakers and bands are not announced ahead of time. Instead of a mosh pit, the grounds are filled with twentysomethings with their arms lifted high, lost in worship, repentance, prayer or a combination of all three.

The Call, a combination revival and repentance fest, is coming to town, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 16. Get this: There will be no food sold at the gathering...

Read the rest of the article...

Creating Space for God...

2008-07-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Discipline is the other side of discipleship. Discipleship without discipline is like waiting to run in the marathon without ever practicing. Discipline without discipleship is like always practicing for the marathon but never participating.

It is important, however, to realize that discipline in the spiritual life is not the same as discipline in sports. Discipline in sports is the concentrated effort to master the body so that it can obey the mind better.

Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance.

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God. Solitude requires discipline, worship requires discipline, caring for other requires discipline. They all ask us to set apart a time and a place where God's gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to. - Henri Nouwen

Really... you have to read...

2008-07-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It by David Batstone

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
So Saturday night is date night and last night Richard took me to borders so that I could check this book out. We sat at a little table while I drank coffee and he read the first two chapters to me.

We were hooked, or at least I was... I am the night watch in the family he is the morning so though he was interested was also very sleepy.

I went to the prayer room to finish the book and pray! This book is incredibly sobering, informative, and well written... the only thing that could have been more moving was is if Lou Engle was reading certain key lines from Abolitionist referred to in the book out loud to me... though Richard did read a few key lines in a Lou voice with motions and all... (let the Lou fans understand)

Don't read in a place you can't cry out to the Righteous King...

View all my reviews.

biker babies... well not so baby anymore...

2008-06-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Aunt Ellen we have great photos of the kiddos on our new roommates sweet ride :)

Kingdom likened unto a wedding...

2008-06-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

I was wondering what kind of man John must have been in order to be chosen to receive the Revelation of Jesus. That question led me to begin reading the Gospel of John… I was struck afresh with John’s passion and zeal for Jesus - The Word becoming Flesh.

Also, I couldn't help but begin to feel what John must have felt during the wedding of Cana... which sparked another MCV posting...

MCV John 1-2 (Marci's creative Version)

I was born in the days when the wine of God had been long gone… so long gone, that most had begun to regard our history as fables or exaggerations to give hope to a tired nation. I grew up among a thirsty, confused, disappointed “chosen” people...

One day, almost from nowhere came a man crying out in the wilderness,

“Make straight the way of the Lord…”

John, called the Baptizer, claimed he was a fulfillment of the words of Isaiah the prophet.

The first time I heard this Baptizer teach, a burning in my heart and a pain caused me to physically fall to my knees… I couldn’t help it. I could remember hearing the stories of Abraham, Moses, and David all my life. I grew up wanting to believe, wanting to be like David… I had longed for the God I had heard of, but not yet seen, to once again pour out His glory…

I watched Jesus as he reclined at the table laughing with the other disciples and his family…

The Baptizer had called this man

“The Lamb of God”

… he said Jesus was the one he had been talking about… that we should follow him and I had heard the voice and seen the dove… so we left our beloved Baptizer and followed his cousin.

All of us, fresh disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, had followed Jesus to a relative's wedding. On the third day of this feast I felt quiet, unsure of my decision to leave John the Baptist… Jesus conversation with the others and my wonderings were interrupted by an obvious dilemma between the bridegroom and a servant in corner of the room behind our table.

We all turned to see the bridegroom’s face drawn tight and red… his finger pointed at a pale servant. It was obvious that the groom was trying to hide the content of the discussion but anyone looking could see the heated emotion. The servant seemed to shrink out of the room and then Mary got up and went after the servant.

Mary came back quickly and spoke to Jesus,

“They have no wine”

She looked directly at him when she spoke and her tone suggested he do something about it.

“Mom, what does this have to do with me… It is not yet my time.”

I had no idea how to interpret this exchange. Obviously I was missing something and me being me did not want to be on the outside of whatever was happening. I started to ask Jesus but Mary got up and told the servant waiting on us,

“Do whatever he says” pointing to Jesus.

Again, I had missed something… Jesus had just said “no”, hadn’t he?

My mouth opened again to get to the bottom of this… but, then Jesus stood, smiled wide and looked at each of us and walked out of the room. Something about the way he looked at us caused us to quickly go after him.

Jesus was standing outside with the servants,

“Fill the Jars with water” He pointed to the empty jars that were used during our purification rites.

The desperate servants quickly filled full the jars with water. Peter stepped forward to ask Jesus what he was going to do but Jesus held up his hand... His faced had changed -he seemed very serious all of a sudden about this wine that had run dry.

The filling of the jars was intense labor and the sounds of the water being poured out drowned the noise of the feast inside.

Jesus kept silent, his eyes fixed on the filling of the jars... the mood of our teacher had changed. The servant poured in a final bucket and water overflowed the brim of the jar.

Jesus then commanded the servant, “Now, draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.”

I was really confused and felt awkward about all that had transpired in the last 15 minutes. I just mustered up the boldness, to again, attempt to ask Jesus what was going on when the Master of the feast called to the bridegroom,

“everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now."

Suddenly my stomach turned upside down, and I ran out. I fell down behind the building weeping filled with knowing that the Glory of God had been manifested to me… to us. Even as I began to believe more revelation flooded my soul.

Hadn’t John told me that he would baptize me with water and then God himself would baptize and fill me with the Spirit of God… John had said that this was the lamb that would take away the sin of the world…

How long had I vigorously washed myself with water from those same kinds of Jars, hoping to feel clean and close to God but left with clean hands and a disappointed heart.

John had told me that the former glory of Moses would seem small compared to what was to come... the best wine was yet to be served...

Weeping I called out to God,

“I believe. I believe. God, I believe.”

Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ...

2008-05-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants --things which must shortly take place. And He sent it by His Angel to His servant John... Revelation 1:1

Just wondering why God chooses this process ...

From the Father to Jesus then through His angel then to John then on to the churches... why the middle man... God, this process... I mean the wisdom of man is to be efficient, save time and energy by skipping the middle man... why do You do it this way?

I think he would answers me something like:

I am not like man. My leadership and efficiency is geared toward another age. An inside out upside down kingdom.

I like the “mess” of people.

I sent out the newly ordained 12 disciples to do the “stuff” (healing, miracles, cast out demons raise the dead and preach the gospel) even before the were mature they would all deny me and even one of those would betray me unto death.

I like partnership even before it is perfected. I want all to enter into the kingdom and partake of the rulership over the earth...

I am working towards an equally yoked bride and friend not just servants that don’t know what their master is doing.

I am secure in my dominion over heaven and earth and so I freely love...

My wisdom in leadership is completely other than the lofty thoughts of man, the self-serving ideas of your world. The world looks to the efficiency of this age alone. They strive for first, control, best, looking how to promote themselves. This is not the way of the Kingdom. The first will be last. The greatest serves... the greatest makes others great.

“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” (Mat 5:5)

MCV (Marci's Creative Version)

2007-11-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

Meditation on Luke 5:1-11:

The people were pushing and crowding their way in. “I am about to get pushed into the water if I don’t find a better place to talk from” Jesus thought to himself.

There were so many, all straining to hear what He had to say. His forehead wrinkled in concentration. He knew some were just there to ridicule. Some were just there because of all the rumors that had been spreading lately. He continued to scan the crowd and tried not to remember all the different titles he had been given in the last few weeks.

Then he saw her and his heart leapt with joy and thanksgiving to His Father. The prostitute carefully hiding her face from the crowd under her shawl was here again today. She was one of the few in this large crowd that was hungry for the bread that only he could give.

As he was looking around for a place to stand he saw Simon and his brother.

“Ugghhh… let’s get these nets in and clean. We are obviously done for the day.” Simon spit the words out frustrated and hungry.

Jesus almost laughed out loud at Simon’s outburst, remembering again how much he loved Simon’s passion and zeal. Jesus’ smile widened as a perfect idea entered his mind. Under his breath Jesus whispered, “Oh Simon, I know how to win you… you just wait…”

“Hey Simon! Could I use your boat for a bit to talk to these people?” Jesus yelled over the voices of the crowd.

Simon, looks at Jesus. A few days ago, Simon was listening to this new teacher and something about what he said caused a churning in Simon. Simon wasn't convinced it was a good churning and he wasn’t sure what to think about this Jesus. But, Simon didn’t think he evil as some were saying. Simon nodded, “Sure, why not? Old thing is not doing me any good today.”

Simon went back to cleaning the nets and tried to pretend he was working, not listening to the new teacher…

Simon’s heart burned as Jesus spoke but his mind reminded him that it was just another day, and the prophecy about the Messiah was given over 400 years ago.

He laughed at himself at actually entertaining any thought that this new man was “the One.” If he was “the one” would he actually be using a poor fisherman’s boat to talk to the people? Everybody knew "the One" was a mighty king and would reign on David's throne...

Simon was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t realize that Jesus had stopped talking and that many of the people in the crowd had left. He saw Jesus walking toward him.

“Simon, take your boats out again and put your nets into the deep water to catch the fish for today.”

Jesus said this so matter of fact that Simon, was at first startled and confused, then angry at such arrogance… Wasn’t this guy a carpenter’s son? What did he know about fishing. Simon had been fishing since He could walk. No, even since before he could walk his dad had taken him out into the deep waters to fish... "Who was this guy?" Simon thought to himself.

Simon, tried to stifle his anger but remain authoritative,
“Teacher, we have worked all night and we didn’t catch anything.”

Jesus locked Simon’s gaze and held it. Only seconds went by but it felt like minutes for Simon.

Some unspoken, deep unto deep trust, love, and intense power came from his eyes and beckoned Simon’s heart and soul. Simon didn’t know what to think and he was completely unsettled by the whole thing. He thought about running but where would he go… Simon, when he could find his voice said, “Okay, teacher if that is what you say, I will do it…

Plato said if you want to govern a nation and you have to choose between art and politics, choose art.”

2007-11-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Richard and I do not usually go to movies together on date night because most movies are not worth seeing. But, this week we were so excited to go see Bella. It was absolutely stunning. My heart was moved and shaken to the core for real. I laughed, and cried. Great art is supposed to do that...

Check out an excerpt from an article (the full article is a pdf file. To read lick on the word "article" and then choose the box on the left that is titled Eduardo Verastegui and 'Bella' by Anita Crane July - August 2007) relaying the story of the main actor. His testimony and stance for righteousness is unbelievable.

When I asked Eduardo to guide young artists on the limits of compromise, he was absolutely clear. He said, “I won’t do anything that will offend God. Period.“When you kill somebody in the movies, you’re not killing anyone. But when you kiss someone, it’s really a kiss,” Eduardo stressed. “In sex scenes, you’re really half naked. So I would recommend that people be careful, because you are working with fire and you’re gonna get burned.

Don’t risk yourself for some role. I know because I did it. And I’m telling you, 12 years of that was nothing but emptiness, pain and suffering.” Eduardo described sex scenes as what they are: “legal adultery.” And because a kiss is sacred, he vows to kiss no woman unless she’s his wife. “Every single person in Hollywood, including hardcore Catholics, told me I wouldn’t work,” Eduardo admitted.

“So if changing my path to follow Christ means that I will never work, thanks be to God. I’m free, because you know what? I wasn’t born to be a movie star. I was born to be a saint, just like you. And this is not going to get in my way. Or God will make it happen in a way that I don’t have to compromise.”

Not by chance or circumstance...

2007-11-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. - Acts 1:23-26

We are getting a glimpse here of the most godly men on the planet at this time in history and the way they interact with God when making decisions. Does anyone else find their method slightly strange?

The way they decide to best go about this really big decision is to
1. Use reasonable wisdom to set a criteria for who it should be
2. Then they pick out 2 of the 120 (or however many fit that criteria)
3. Then they give God a choice of picking one out of the two that they chose from the 120.

I’m thinking, “Uh, Guys, shouldn't God get the bigger picking pool… ”

They get to pick from 120 or so, and God gets to pick from 2?
Hmmmm… why not let God pick from the 120 to begin with… I mean they cast lots in the end anyway.

Jesus, in the 40 days after His resurrection, when he was expounding on the Kingdom must have really hit hard that His people have a bigger part than they can even imagine in the shaping, influencing and bringing of the Kingdom.

This makes me excited all over again about life, my real decisions that God honors, and intercession, partnership with God to bring the Kingdom... I mean won't God bring about Justice for us, who cry out day and night to Him?

The Creator, King of all the earth is backing this thing... giving us real ownership.

As Lou says, "Let's be History Makers"...

Beloved, Let's change things forever!
Amen. Let's stand. :)

I call her "mom" but Jesus calls her friend and He tells her things...

2007-10-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

So my mom started a family email journal and we write stuff and the whole family gets it (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc...) This is what my mom wrote to the whole family recently and I wanted to post it for the world to see or at least the like 3 of you that may read my blog :) I call her "mom" but Jesus calls her friend and He has revealed His heart to her...

As you all know - I like to read and I am consistently looking at new books to see what is out there. It has become more and more alarming to me to see a strong trend of books on the idea that belief in God is harmful - individually and to our society.

Here is a book from the best seller list: Equally comedic and insightful, Letting Go of God. Anyone who thinks that Julia Sweeney is just the comedian who played "Pat" on Saturday Night Live, doesn't know Julia Sweeney. Letting Go of God, an elegantly written and beautifully performed monologue about her loss of faith. It made me laugh - a lot - and think even more. Far from being an angry atheistic creed, it is an uplifting journey of the heart.

Here is a website that is blatantly against God. Not fun to read through but it shows how direct the fight has become to wipe out Christianity. Godisimaginary.com

I realize that there are some crazy beliefs out there and also that organized religion has been harmful many times. But there is a strong movement away from God and toward the darker side of spirituality. I noticed a huge outbreak of novels about vampires. You may have heard that Anne Rice became a believer and gave up writing about vampires. It seems that Satan's response to that has been to raise up 100's of people writing about vampires. Many of them are sexual and involve a woman meeting the man of her dreams who just happens to be a vampire. We all have a longing for more - for something beyond us - something supernatural. As God becomes less and less a good option - people are moving toward the dark side of spirituality.

The picture I have is that we are again before the tree of Life and being offered the apple. Satan is offering the lie of all knowledge - that we don't need God, in fact we can be God -we can have the power ourselves without waiting for God or without letting him hamper our ideas or desires.

Not taking the apple, the other option we are offered, is so against our culture. Submitting, waiting, trusting, believing – these all go against our culture of having what we want when we want it. Eve didn’t want to wait – she didn’t want to learn through relationship – waiting till the evening for God to speak with her – she wanted it all immediately. How much easier it would be if we could just eat and apple and have all the knowledge we need down-loaded to us. God could do that - but instead he chose relationships - he wants to spend time with us -teaching us - helping us grow.

I used to read the account of Sodom and Gomorra and wonder how a society could get that way, so off course, so self centered that all they cared about was what fed their desires. I am beginning to understand for I am seeing it happen all around me. People choose to believe the things that allow them to do what they want to do. - As God becomes more of a liability and people lean more into their own selfish desires and pursuits - we move into the days of Sodom and the days of Noah - where God was broken hearted by the people he made and judgment came.

I am writing this because I am concerned that we stay diligent - that we know the times - like the sons of Issachar. How easy is could be to become one of the 5 virgins who had run out of oil. I feel urgency in my prayers - that we guard our spirits - that we make sure of our hearts. The spiritual atmosphere is quickly changing in our country. It is moving from knowing and trusting God to trusting in our selves and our dark nature. How did England go from a Great Awakening to a country that does not believe in God? It can happen here and is well on the way. I feel that we have to be sure of our own personal pursuit and knowledge of our God - not just church activities but our own response to him. As Evan used to tell me - we must know God so deeply that we understand what he is doing in these difficult times so that we will not be offended by him. This scripture from Ezekiel keeps coming to me. .

Judgment on Persistent Unfaithfulness - Ezekiel 14

12 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: 13 “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD. 15 “If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, 16 even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate. 17 “Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, ‘Sword, go through the land,’ and I cut off man and beast from it, 18 even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered. 19 “Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, 20 even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”

It is vital that we be able to stand even if we have to stand on our own. Things could change very quickly and we could lose our support systems – we have to be know what we believe and whom we believe in.

poop...

2007-10-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

I know some significant time has elapsed since my last post but some things move a person to write again. In my case, its poop.

I never really had to think much about poop until I started having babies. All of a sudden I started having to carry another whole bag with me wherever I went just in case there was poop. I got used to that after a while and even stopped noticing the extra amounts of time that I had to dwell on poop.

Poop has once again caught my attention.

In my 6th or 7th hour of sleep Aiden lets me know that he has to poop. Sleep ends and the day begins with poop.

Later, that morning poop surfaced again. Literally. My basement flooded through the floor drain. Apparently tree roots had conspired against me and decided it would be amusing to stop the normal flow of water and sewage that usually politely leaves my house. Aiden's morning treasure was amidst some other lovely expressions of human waste floating around my basement.

Bible verse: God doesn't like to step in poop...

Det. 23:12 - 14 “Also you shall have a place outside the camp, where you may go out; and you shall have an implement among your equipment, and when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and turn and cover your refuse. For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp...

mishap turned date...

2007-04-03T18:43:00.000-07:00

So what really could have made a day, not so happy -turned out to give me time for a much needed spontaneous adventure with my husband... :)

We were working at the FSM office together -which is difficult in itself because we only have one laptop... one laptop between 2 jobs when the IHOP world is connected through email... and we work at a school which means sylabus, storing grades... etc...

Anyway, then the cord to the laptop breaks or short circuts or something because the computer will not charge and we are in the red warning zone as far as battery power goes... We decide our only recourse is to travel to the MAC store together... to put into use my three year warranty... Which was my idea to get... Richard was against it... but, I pressed for it :) ... not that I rubbed it in too much ... but we are receiving a new keyboard, battery and power cord all for free!!!

And the best part it is I was able to take a 1.5 hour fun errand with my husband... Oh man, I love him so much!

i cussed... Grammy, if you are reading this... there was a really good reason... :)

2007-03-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I was having an intense meeting with a student discussing whether or not he should stay in school or drop to audit.

I began to ask questions... It came out through the course of our talking that he has had this cycle of doing something, going hard, getting overwhelmed and quiting... probbing deeper into this subject I found out his step dad had repeatedly told him starting in 6th grade that he did "everything half-a**" ...

Anyway, after hearing some of his story I asked Richard and Karen (fellow fsm worker) to pray with me for him. We wanted to pray and ask God to break off the curses spoken against him and give him power through the Holy Spirit to follow through on the call of God over his life...

So, you know I am feeling the fire, for real my hands are on fire, and I am going after that thing and all of a sudden I find my sentence leading to the breaking off of that phrase and I say, more like stumble over the phrase... very awkardly... because I am not good at cussing -never really did that... the three of them break out laughing at me (Richard starts the laughing -because he is watching me pray and sees my face as I try to get that phrase out...) I could have probably rearraged my words and not said it but they came out to fast...

I sheepishly admitt that I am not a good cusser. They laughed even harder and Richard points out that I am only good at cussing at him on certain choice occassions... I plead the 5th on that one and we go back to praying.

Once everyone has had their good laugh at marci... :) we recover and Karen, Richard and I all get some really key prophetic words for the guy and the Power of the Holy Spirit hits him and he is weeping -intense. I love intense!!!

Major stuff went down and anyway long story short he wants to stay and knows God is working in his life to bring redemption and bring to completion the good work He started.

Then we put some "Power of the Focused Life" (one of my favorite Mike B. teachings) into action and made a schedule to plan out how to get him caught up with his work.

Ahhhhhh.... all in a day's work...(actually that was just the afternoon) pretty sweet!

Puppet Challenge...

2007-02-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

So... i am so very tired but I miss you guys and wanted to share my victory :)

Richard and I had a "who can make the coolest sock puppet real quick to stop crying babies contest" I won -hands down.

(This is probably because I organized all the craft like items and know where they are... but that is a minor detail that creative genius could have overcome...)

Got milk?

2007-02-17T19:29:00.000-08:00

Evan sent me this link today... I laughed :)

For real... best cookies ever... you have to try

2007-02-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

Delicious Cookies are the perfect way to tell someone you love them on Valentine's day...

Marci’s Famous Cookies... (I didn't make this up or anything but I am famous for eating them...)

2c. Butter
2c. White Sugar
2c. Brown Sugar

Beat together until oh so smooth…then add:

4 eggs
2tsp. vanilla

Beat that together until smooth…
Mix in a separate bowl:

5c. oats
4c. all-purpose flour
2tsp. baking powder
2tsp. baking soda
1tsp. salt

Combine the oats/flour bowl with the butter/sugar bowl and mix until well combined. It’s pretty dry so you’ll have to work at it.
Mix in the following:

3c. pecans
10 oz. chocolate chips
10 oz. peanut butter chips

Now cook them at 350 degrees until they’re done. Should take about 8-10 minutes.

Let me know what you think... :)

A proud mom...

2007-02-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

It was finally warm enough for me to brave the outdoors and so I took the kids to the backyard. It was kind of exciting because it looked totally different without snow and the kids were finding stuff from christmas that had been burried underneath the snow for the last two weeks. It was like getting new toys all over again.

Aiden was playing with trains and I was convincing Arwen to not put things like dirt, rocks or the random charcoal pieces she found in her mouth. (Aiden recently decided to decorate the lawn by scattering the charcoal and then it snowed so we couldn't see them... Arwen was doing a great job finding them all for me :)

So, then I hear Aiden and he is saying to his toy Thomas train characters "okay, we are going to the House of prayer... to the house of prayer lets go..." and he is taking all his little trains on their journey to the house of prayer! Then after a few minutes of that he says "Okay, it is time to go get a latte!" ... going to get a latte"

I am stunned at the annointing and genius of my son :) It makes me proud!

So, folks you heard it from the mouth of babes...to the prayer room and then get the latte... or reverse the order if needed! :)

Servants only

2007-01-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

Revelation 1:1
This is the Revelation of Jesus of Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-Things which must shortly take place.

This great mystery is not reserved for scholars or prophets. This great treasure is not entailed away to a lineage of earthly kings. This peering into the heart of the uncreated, all-powerful God is restricted to all but the meek and obedient servants.

Revelation is given to the servants -funny how it so equals the playing field -making this possible for the billions… yet at the same time so few will say “yes”…

I want to say “YES!”…

“God designed our Spirit to long after greatness… God invites us to greatness without regard to our outward achievements or the size of ministry impact. Rather, it is based on the development of our inner man in love, meekness, and revelation or in righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit.“ -Mike Bickle

Mt 20:26-27
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.

It's been a long time...

2007-01-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hey friends... thanks for having mercy and loving me despite my writing lull.
I am looking foward to being back and reading all of your blogs :)

Check out these Arwen Justice Lewellen who turned 1 years old this month...

Mark 11

2006-12-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

Mark 11
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again. And His disciples heard it.

My first reaction to this is “ummmm”… now, I know that God is not like a man who throws a tantrum because He can’t immediately get what he wants. And Jesus doesn’t just get angry and kill things for no reason. So why does He curse that tree?

So I pray… God, why did you do that? Verses come to mind…

Matthew 25:29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

Revelation 3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Then the picture of Jesus, hungry… going to look for food.

He spots a tree… the leaves are plenty and green. A tree that by all appearances should have fruit. When He gets there -though having the appearance of fruit it has none.

So He shocks the disciples and curses the tree.

He sets an imprint upon their hearts of quick and speedy justice for the fruitless trees.

… from Him who does not have even what He does have will be taken away.

So, while Richard is cooking dinner that night (yummy) I ask him about it because He has been studying Mark with commentaries and stuff. He tells me that fig trees -before they have the actual fig fruit have some kind of pre-fruit that is edible. If the fig tree has these than it will bear the true fig in due season, if it does not have these than there will be no figs that season.

Richard also lets me know that Mark, sort of sandwiches truths together as a literary technique to emphasize the meaning of particular truths… Look at the events that sandwich the fig tree scene…

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“ Hosanna!
‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

This crowd has correct language… from a distance the leaves look green but they shout words that have no corresponding reality in their hearts … they crucify Jesus just a minute later.

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

The temple -the place of worship... the place designed for meeting with God had nothing of substance to offer the people. God has zeal concerning His house and having shepherds that are able to feed His people. He is not interested in a place with a name that assumes life -but is dead.

straight and narrow way...

2006-11-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

Peter wants to know...
what he will get for all his giving up of stuff…

Matthew 19:27-30 -
He says, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

What I like about this passage:

Peter's question is not thrown out by Jesus...
Jesus doesn’t say "get behind me satan for selfishly thinking of what you are going to get by following me".
No, Jesus validates his question and encourages these kinds of thoughts by answering Peter with something far greater than anything he could have expected in this age or the age to come.

The exchange rate is really great “…will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life”

Things that make me tremble in this passage:
We do have to leave things. We exchange the cares of this life for eternal glory - pretty sweet deal! But to set our face like flint, set our hearts on the pilgrimage and believe in the unseen… the narrow way… there are few who choose this way.

There really are first and last in heaven... there are more and less and degrees. Yes, every one is happy for eternity but storing of treasure in heaven is real. Some store more than others. I ask for wisdom to store treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy.

Newest member of the family

2006-11-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

No Fly Is Safe here... dumm dum dummm...

2006-11-04T18:19:00.000-08:00

hotdogs and bee stings...

2006-10-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

So we had the bunches of FSM students, (let's just say 21 hotdogs wasn't near enough) over today after class.

We were having lots of fun until I heard this screaming coming from outside. Aiden was obviously hurt but I couldn't figure out what had happened. Katchen said he was drinking his apple juice and then started crying. Uh Oh - Immediately I think Bee sting. He kept putting his hand in his mouth and crying. I decided to try to look in his mouth and there it was -the back half of a bee stuck in his cheek!

"Ahhhh, Richard he has a stinger in his cheek"
"I will get the tweezers"
"Someone help me hold 'em down"
"Pull his mouth open... keep him still.."

Poor Aiden. Ice cream stopped the crying :)

Turn the hearts of the fathers to the children...

2006-10-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

Malachi 4:5-6

Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

My heart was moved with a glimmer of revelation concerning this verse when talking to an older (older in IHOP world is like over 25 but this woman was over 30 - which I know is not old but it is just not 20) mother of 6 who has moved here with her family to go to the Forerunner School of Ministry because God told her to come.

As we began to talk, she asked me if she belonged here since most everyone is under 25. Immediately the Holy Spirit whispered into my heart Malachi 4:5-6. At that instant I understood more meaning in this verse. (I know there is so much more to it... but it is a beginning for me)

In the past, it seems that each time the emerging generation has been given "fire and zeal" from the Holy Spirit for the things of God the “Adults” in the church have not stood with them.

I believe God is raising up a generation of young adults that are zealous and at the same time raising up spiritual mothers and fathers that not only cheer and uphold these crazy ideas of abandonment to God and His purposes through prayer, fasting, love of the Bible, and power demonstrations but actually lead the way in their own zeal and humility. These parents in the natural and the Spirit are not so concerned with position and authority that they can't bear to see someone younger teach, preach, or lead. They have eyes for what the Father is doing in the earth to prepare the Bride for the coming of the Son and these parents are friends of the Bridegroom.

I have this picture of Aiden running. And now that he can run he thinks he is super fast and really his legs do move in rapid speed and he loves it. Then when I begin to chase and gain and even pass him he squeals with delight and picks up the pace in a way he didn't even know he could. He will soon out run me -or at least push me to my limit.

God is raising up the parents that don't shun or squelch the move of God but actually provoke the young ones to jealousy with their wisdom and zeal.

God is calling Fathers and Mothers, Forerunners to the Forerunners, who see the hand of God upon the rising generation and are excited! Parents who see the young ones beginning to run and who join in and set new standards for the race.

Good news for Harry

2006-09-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

As a household we have been praying that Harry and His family would come to know Jesus... we have been making some real progress... We are asking our God and Father for Harry and we believe God has been softening Harry's heart. Hurray! Please join us. :)

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."

2006-09-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”... The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men. To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside. They have together become corrupt...

Me and the morning don’t really like each other -unless I’m able to stay in bed or Starbucks is involved. Since neither is necessarily good as a habit, I go to the YMCA.

Going to the YMCA first thing in the morning is more of an attempt to wake up and let the babies play than sweat (I still label it workout so it looks good on my schedule :)

So anyway last week ended up not just waking my flesh but in a divine setup I was awakened to see to the epitome of evil in a “sweet old man”. (I know you are raising your eye brows at me right now... but I am for real...)

So, at the end of my workout I was doing a cool down on the bike and this seemingly sweet old man, named Harry, came and sat next to me. He was friendly enough and we made small talk. Then he asked why I came to kansas city. I told him how richard and I came to be a part of the International House of Prayer.

He smiled and nodded and said that his wife was catholic and he was nothing...

I couldn't pass up that opening and wonderful opportunity...

me: so you don’t believe in anything...

Harry: No... and you only believe because someone you trusted told you that you needed to believe... I don’t need religion so that I can explain things I can’t understand...

me: no, I don’t believe because someone told me. I believe because I have felt and seen power in Jesus and through the Bible...

Harry: (condecending chuckle...) Well, Most of the world doesn’t believe like you... you think they are all wrong and you are right?

me: yes.

Harry: Well, every religion helps people to explain things they can’t understand and to make them feel good about life... the Bible contradicts itself anyway. I don’t need God. I don’t want to change your mind... I mean it is really great that you believe in that stuff and I don’t want to burst your bubble...

me: No, you can’t change my mind and I am not interested in a lie to help me cope with life. I am interested in truth. The Bible doesn’t contradict itself. And any religion won’t do. Jesus is the only way to God. The alternative is death.

Harry: So, you believe in hell too?

me: Yes.

Harry: (More condesending chuckles) really... what is hell and why would somebody go there?

me: Unless you believe in Jesus and follow him you will go to hell. Hell is eternal separation from God and a place of torment forever.

Harry: (smiling) I don’t care if I go to Hell.

Me: You will care. It is a place of torment and agony forever.

Harry: So your religion has scared you into believing if you don’t believe the Bible you will go to hell. Don’t be scared. I am not scared. I don’t care about being separated from God... I don’t even know Him. Look, I am separated from Him now and I am fine.

Me: My religion has not scared me into believing anything. I want to be with God when I die. You are fine now because God is merciful and the reality of your sin and the depravity of the human heart has not yet fully been revealed. But when you die there is nothing that will separate you from the full reality of your sin and you will suffer in torment for eternity.

Harry: (Laughing at me) You know what hell is?

me: what?

Harry: Hell, is a fine place where the grass is green and you get to do whatever you want... see it is not so bad.

me: You are wrong. What will say before God when you die and you are wrong?

Harry: I don’t think about that. I don’t believe in God.

me: What if you are wrong?

Harry: I’m not...

Luke 12:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

John 3:35-36 (New King James Version)
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Psalm 9:17-19
The wicked shall be turned to hell,
And all the nations that forget God...
Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in your sight.
Put them in Fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know
themselves to be but men.

Psalm 10:3-13
For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts...
He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten; He hides his face; He will never see”...
Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart “You will not require an account”

I love my brothers...

2006-09-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

okay, I just have to take a moment and let everyone know that I have the best brother's ever...
Isaac is in a band that was asked to open for Violet Burning -that is a huge deal!

And check out these pics of Evan and the fish he caught... I quote Ellen

"80lb 7ft BLUE MARLIN that took 30 minutes to reel in when we went deep sea fishing! What a stud!"

I also heard that Evan and Ellen let couple stay in their hotel room during the hurricane threat when they were on their honeymoon and they stayed up all night explaining to them about the Bridal paradigm and the End of the Age...

Isaac we would love to see a comment on what is happening in the band right now...
Ev and El if either of you would leave a comment with the "girl version" (that is the code words for DETAILED STORY in my family)of the hurricane story... we want to hear or read... :)

There have been some momentous occasions in the past month or so...

2006-09-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

Most important! Evan and Ellen are married... Arwen and I were there and it was beautiful... When we saw them after the wedding they were talking about how great everything was and it so touched my heart to hear them be most excited about how God was exalted as the heavenly Bridegroom!

Everyone there had so much fun. Randy did the message and it was amazing... Jenny, Caleb and John did the music and it was not only perfect but also anointed! All my family was there and my mom had the most perfect party dress ever...

Other exciting news:

Richard and I are both full time IHOP -Well, we were before but now -No more UPS for Richard!! Richard’s last day of UPS was last Thursday...

Hurray!!!!

Can you tell I am loving it? We are both working and teaching at the school and loving spending strength in prayer and fasting for God’s purposes to be accomplished in the earth. The students this semester are so hungry for God and His Word -and there is lots of them :) The Writing Class we teach together has over 70 students! The first day of class Richard took almost the two hours to lay out why christians should be rigorous in their writing, thinking and speech. I watched amazed as he talked and their faces lit up and they took notes vigorously. It was one of those moments when as his wife I am just like "who is this wonderful man..."

He had students come up after class thanking him after class for getting them excited about a writing class. One guy came up and said that Richard almost moved him to tears and said, I quote "I didn't know I was going to feel God in the writing class"...

Other great Household news:
We have 2 amazing women, Cassie and Angela (19 years old) living with us. Cassie is in her first year at the Forerunner School of Ministry and Angela graduated from the OneThing Internship and is now on staff at IHOP. They have instantly won us over and are now an integral part of the family. They each work 25 hours in exchange for room and board. They do everything from laundry to various admin to teaching Aiden how to dance, pray, worship and say “waaazzzzup”... We love them! We are loving being with them on their journey for God and His purposes for their life.

if you like Revelation... check it...

2006-08-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

When you pull this up go to Audio then click on the song - Biblical lyrical

So sorry...

2006-08-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

I am sorry I haven't posted on mine or your blog! I love you guys it has just been crazy... I can't wait to fill you in!

Loved and Lovely... 7 months, 1 day...

2006-08-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry to leave you hanging...

2006-08-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for that last post to be so vauge...

So the preceeding night, morning and into mid-afternoon was the

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, God, can you hear me... what are you doing..."

The post afternoon and now evening is

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH God, I can't believe you hear me! Your plans are better than mine!"

Psalm 56:8-13
8 You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
9 When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
10 In God (I will praise His word),
In the LORD (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;
I will render praises to You,
13 For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living

God is my friend. I bow down and kiss the Son. Amen. Let's stand.

i have to get this out

2006-08-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! deep breath... okay... i just wanted to share with you how i am feeling today.

This is richard fixing the dryer for me...

2006-08-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Whatever he did back there... I think it worked... Hurray!! i love my husband!!

THERE'S SOMETHIN' BIGGER GOIN' ON... SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ME...

2006-07-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with Katchin and she directed me to CNN.com.

God is talking... He is clear about what is on His heart right now... check out one of CNN's top headlines.

Psalm 83
1 Do not keep silent, O God!
Do not hold Your peace,
And do not be still, O God!
2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. Selah

9 Deal with them as with Midian,
As with Sisera,
As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon,
10 Who perished at En Dor,
Who became as refuse on the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb,
Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves
The pastures of God for a possession.”

13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust,
Like the chaff before the wind!
14 As the fire burns the woods,
And as the flame sets the mountains on fire,
15 So pursue them with Your tempest,
And frighten them with Your storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame,
That they may seek Your name, O LORD.
17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever;
Yes, let them be put to shame and perish,
18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth.

What remains...

2006-07-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Our car was found abandoned by the Grandview Police department.

The car was without...

1. Driver's side window
2. License plates (2)
3. Car seats (2)
4. Stroller
5. Sliker's The End-times Simplified book
6. Half the rear-view mirror
7. Half the left-back break light
8. Keys

Added to the Car...

1. A Plethora of Green Day Stickers
2. Paint (apparently they hit a something green on the right, and something white on the left)
3. 3 or 4 new dents (including the one they apparently made by using a crowbar to open the door even though all 4 doors were unlocked... That is right, all doors unlocked but they still broke the window and used the crowbar...

Re-arranged in the Car...

1. The dome light (laying on the floor)
2. The radio station was blaring when I turned on the car to 105 something
3. Some wires and fuses... (the car died on me twice bringing it home from the tow company... the odometer flashing "fuse"...)

So, Richard and I prayed God would grant us justice by encountering the culprits in some cool, dramatic way and bringing them into His kingdom and making them end-time apostles...

Maybe it will happen when they read "The End-times simplified"... :)

This really happened

2006-07-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

Friday morning - 7am (getting ready to leave for work at the YMCA)...

"Hey Richard, can you put the babies in the car?"

"Sure..."

2 minutes later, Richard is standing in the doorway with babies...

"Honey, can you hurry and get them in the car..."

"Marci... where is the car?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... where is the car?"

"You're kidding me?"

"No... There is no car in the driveway..."

This really happened... yes, our car was stolen.

"For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off..." Proverbs 23:18

2006-07-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

In Acts, after Jesus reappears to the disciples, they ask Him,

“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus is not thinking, "You guys just still can't get it..."

He doesn't say, "why are you still thinking about that... "

He leaves them with...

And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Basically leaning in saying,
"Now guys, I am not going to tell you the exact day or the hour, (It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out...) it is not tomorrow... I mean the Father has that all planned out but let me just say that when you go and the Holy Spirit comes upon you eventually everyone will hear... "
He smiles at that last part because He knows that they remember what He said in their last end time discussion...

They are remembering when Jesus told them earlier - (Matthew 24:14)
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

Jesus is not saying stop thinking about when the Kingdom is going to be restored... instead He is baiting them. He's letting them know some things have to happen first but then the Kingdom will come...

And to fan the growing flame...

As they stared into the empty sky after watching Him ascend into heaven... The Angels remind them -
"This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

the Kingdom is coming... Jesus is returning as a Mighty King...

It is good and righteous for me to remember and live to hasten the day of it's coming...

Unless you become like a little child...

2006-07-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

I figured out that Aiden can say much more than he lets on... I just have to say "Aiden, can you say ______" and usually he can repeat or give a really close variation. So, Aiden and I had read our Bible story before bed and were getting ready to pray and I said "Aiden, can you say, Jesus?" He repeated "daaad!" "Can you say, 'God' ?" thinking that might be easier to say... "Daaad..." "That's right Aiden... God is your dad..."

I love my husband

2006-07-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

One of the most favorite things i love about my Husband is the way He listens and learns from the Bible. This month, after coming home from his prayer room time, he has given my heart excitement and significant revelation concerning the end-time move of God. Check out this post.

HOW IS IT JULY ALREADY?

2006-07-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of that Misty song... Time. Time... is ticking by...

John, Lindsey and the rest of their band left this morning for cornerstone... having them for only one day was way too short. We grilled brautwurst, had CiCi's and John treated us all to Cars. Aiden loved watching the big screen... Arwen not so much.

Did anyone catch Matt Candler, in exhorting us all for the bridegroom fast, say "don't just fast chocolate..." Can anybody say "ouch"... I will take the rebuke to heart.

"Whenever Two or more are gathered in His name..."

2006-06-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, so if anyone needs a prayer answered may I suggest the Lewellen household as the place to go! We have 7 other people not including Richard, Aiden, or Arwen living with us right now... We (Aiden, Richard, Arwen and me) are in the bedroom smiling that we can hear the whispers of the 5 teens in the living room right now talking about how much fun their first day of the Summer Teen Intership at IHOP was...

The best part is that Richard's brother's christian punk band is coming to stay at our house on their way to play at Cornerstone... that adds another 4 people...

I know what you are thinking... and I am sorry, but there is no room or floorspace availabe... but, come to think of it, the goats rarely use their goat pen...

So, though there is no room or floorspace there is a sort of manger available for use...

Hallelujah. Amen. Let's stand.

2006-06-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Randy made me smile in the comment he made to the last post and it got me thinking...

Since being in Kansas City and listening to all our great teachers here, I have decided that I can't wait to say at least the following 3 things in some fiery annointed message...
(Please read with appropriate fervor and the appropriate pointer finger/thumb hand motion...)
1. Yea
2. Beloved
3. Hallelujah. Amen. Let's stand.

Trouble on the Farm...

2006-06-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

They look so cute... But...

The Lewellen Local and Organic Farm has had some setbacks... All the peaches have been stolen by the neighborhood squirrels and the goats have started jumping the fence so they can come to the front door and try to get in the house.

Are the farming days coming to an end????? Baker may be scoring two great goats... Stay tuned.

Treasure Hunting

2006-06-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

I just finished my last day of "table facilitator" for the very first Omega Intensive. My group was amazing and at the end of the week they gave me a card with a gift certificate to the Forerunner Bookstore!! Hurray!

Really, I should have been the one giving out the presents... I had so much fun!!! And though I am totally in love with the babies, it was nice to have a few days in a row talking with people that have mastered, at least to some degree, the English language :)

It was also so fun to get to be back in a project ministry setting with the Bohlender's and Danielle... Randy offered to pull on my pant leg and Danielle said she would gladly dribble food on my shirt to make feel comfortable if I started to feel too out of place. I have such wonderful friends.

On Tuesday I had so much fun that I came home and got in a water fight with Aiden and the goats.

I won! (The advantage wasn't all in my favor... Aiden can be quite merciless with the hose- I was soaked)

Wednesday morning during worship before the first session I had one of those special Holy Spirit presents. I experienced excitement, real tummy fluttering excitement over the mystery of God and His plan for us, for me.

I felt this high of being human and chosen for God. The concept of God being fascinating gripped me...
This God loves me and has a plan, a mystery He wants me to solve...
He has given me a treasure map (bible) with the ultimate treasure as the prize (Himself)... it is not too high and it is not too low... The mystery is complex, mind-bending, thrilling, yet totally attainable. The journey is wrought with dragons, love, war, power. He is perfect in His drawing and capturing of my heart. His ideas and strategies are brilliant.

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Classic Aidenisms...

2006-06-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

So, Richard and I are in the grocery store... Suddenly something grabs Aiden's attention and he yells "DOWN!" Richard and I both scour and Richard says in a very fatherly tone,
"Aiden, what do you say? Aiden doesn't miss a beat...
"I want down!" Richard suppressing a laugh says,
"No, you say please..."
"PEASS!"

I love my kids :)

To see more of Aiden and Richard check out the new imovie...

Arwen Justice Lewellen

2006-06-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

Bella (my mom) sent new dresses for the princess and Ellen sent a digital camera in the package...
so watch out folks, I am a camera fool now!! My babies are stars! :)

Let the truth be spoken...

2006-06-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have a certain friend that though she is very wonderful has made a grave mistake and I feel it is my duty to correct her. Normally, I may in the spirit of Matthew 5,6, and 7 say "so what? Someone made an incorrect assumption... No need to point it out." But then there are those times when injustice must be called out and dealt with. This may well be my longest post ever but believe me this erroneous rumor calls for some "words" if you know what I mean... My friend posted this comment to Kelsey's blog "Chocolate may not be good for the body..." Look at some of these facts I found on the internet and Let the truth be told:

1. Chocolate has Flavonoids... I am not making this up!
Flavonoids provide important protective benefits to plants, such as in repairing damage and shielding from environmental toxins. When we consume plant-based foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this ÂantioxidantÂ power. Antioxidants are believed to help the bodyÂs cells resist damage caused by free radicals, formed by normal bodily processes such as breathing or environmental contaminants like cigarette smoke. When the body lacks adequate levels of antioxidants, free radical damage ensues, leading to increases in LDL-cholesterol oxidation and plaque formation on arterial walls.
2. For centuries, chocolate has been used to treat diseases and maladies such as depression. The U.S. government officially recognized its virtues in World War II, making the chocolate candy bar standard issue for the military.
3. Chocolate has exceptional nutritional qualities, being a high energy food in a small volume. It not only contains carbohydrates, fats, and vegetable proteins, but also has large quantities of potassium and magnesium, some calcium and sodium, and vitamins A1, B1, B2, D, and E.

Chocolate contains a number of other substances in small, but effective, quantities:

Theobromine, which stimulates the central nervous system, facilitates muscular exertion, acts as a diuretic and appetite stimulant.

Caffeine, which increases resistance to fatigue, intellectual activity, and watchfulness. An average size chocolate bar contains approximately 6 mg of caffeine, compared to 100-150 mg in a cup of coffee.

Phenylethylamine, which is the chemical released in our bodies when we fall in love and is chemically similar to amphetamines, therefore acting as a psycho-stimulant.

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that increases the production of serotonin, an anti-depressant and natural stress-reducer. In fact, a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain may trigger cravings for starches, sweet foods and chocolate.

Endorphins, natural opiates that are released by the brain in increased amounts when eating chocolate, thereby elevating one's mood and reducing pain.

Phenols,which are also found in red wine, tea, fruits and vegetables, and may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

4. Fortunately, scientists are beginning to disprove some common myths about the dangers of eating too much chocolate. For example, it is not true that eating chocolate can cause acne or make it worse. Nor is chocolate the threat to healthy teeth that it was once thought to be. While both cocoa and chocolate contain sugar, they also have properties that work against sugar's tendency to produce the oral bacteria that eventually leads to dental decay. In fact, researchers at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, have concluded that milk chocolate is one of the snack foods that is least likely to contribute to tooth decay, since it contains phosphate and other minerals.
5. "Chocolate contains up to four times the anti-oxidants found in tea." In fact, that was the conclusion of a recent study by Holland's National Institute of Public Health and Environment. Researchers found that chocolate - specifically dark chocolate - contains 53.5 mg of catechins per 100 grams. (Catechins are the powerful anti-oxidants that fight against cancer-causing cells and help prevent heart disease). By contrast, 100 ml of black tea contains a mere 13.9 mg of catechins.

Conclusion...
Chocolate is good for the body!
Another Happy Ending Folks!

Is God trying to tell me something...

2006-06-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

Matthew 26:2 (New King James Version)
“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

How many times had this been spoken to the disciples by Jesus, the OT prophets.... I mean not in cryptic lanuage... "the Son of Man will be delievered up to be crucified."
Somehow they interpreted that to mean... what?

When I read it I think how in the world are the disciples confused during the last 48 hours of Jesus' life... then it occurs to me to think about me and the way I respond to the fact that THE KING IS COMING... SOON. The message is really clear. I need to live from the perspective of eternity and pay attention... I know He has spoken and is speaking...

Help... I'm thinking... I'm thinking...

2006-06-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

My brother, Evan and his wife to be let me in on this... I know you will laugh...
check it out

The last man standing is the last one left believing...

2006-06-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

I had a dream a couple years ago... in the dream there was a huge book of martrys that had died during the last days on earth. Me and some others were excitedly reading all the stories of how people had not loved their lives even unto death. Then we came to a story about a teacher. Everyone who was reading became really sad because this was the story of a teacher in the end times that though he had ploclaimed correct theology (that the end was coming, we would be here, and that some would give their lives) he denied Christ to save his life.

The story told about how he had trumpted the end-time message in theory but did not daily die to his flesh and so he could not ultimately give his body over to death. When asked if he wanted to live and deny Christ, he nodded yes. He walked away with a deep frown...knowing what he had done. In the dream, the tragedy of what he had done in light of the joy over the martyrs stood in such weighty contraast and we mourned over this story.

Last week a strange phrase kept resounding in my heart "The last man standing is the last one left believing..."
I thought "ummm... wierd phrase..." As I began to ponder it I felt the urging of the Holy Spirit saying if you want to be able to stand at the end of the age you have to be believing in the invisible. I began to pray to believe... to have the eyes of my heart enlighted to see what is real, what is invisible. I don't want to be weighed down by the cares of this world...

This week, I am facing the hard thing. The idea gets intensely practical and everything I do shows what I really believe to be true...

Richard thinks I'm the weird eater...

2006-06-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Not liking tomatoes is not too weird but I admit I do have strange insatiable cravings when pregnant...
This was Richards post in December last year right before I had Arwen...

You see the ice...you glance around nervously. You want the ice. There is a group of people who have identified themselves as ice-addicts.

They LOVE the ice...

My wife is one. This strange obsession began with her first pregancy when she was not satisfied with normal foods. We went to Sonic, a hamburger drive-through, and got a large cup of ice. Their ice is special to ice-lovers. It is soft and small, just perfect for crushing in repeated joy.

Sonic is glad to accommodate by selling 7 lb bags for $1.34 though price varies by location. We go through a bag every two days.

Today is Christmas day. Sonic is closed and the last bit of ice dust fell away out of our bag. We had nothing. Donning our thinking cap and making use of Google-we contacted the local hospital, also a good source of ice. "Sure, you can come fill up your bucket."

The comments between us:

marci Lewellen said...
i love ice. i am not ashamed... there are much worse and more costly addictions. i am also glad that ice is fat free. I have to admit though that i wish i didn't crave it as much as i do. I mean like typing right now takes two hands and I have to stop every sentence (sometimes mid sentence) and chug. addictions are not efficient.
The other not so great factor is that it is winter. I have to wear layers and get under covers with the heat up to comfortably consume my 7lbs every 2 days. (I admit that I try to ration and that I really could eat the whole bag a day but then we would be broke, nothing would get done, and our gas bill would be out of control.

12:48 PM

richard said...
I'm proud of you, baby! Keep the fight.

MY SON... the iron-gut

2006-06-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

At first Richard and I couldn’t figure out why Aiden would shun veggies and go for dirt, dog poop, (yes, he actually came to me gagging with a whole mouth full… at which point we both started gagging), goat water.

We went to a strange looking farm about 2 hours away to pick out our new baby goats.

When we drove up to the house, we knew we were in the right place because the sticker you see above was on the back of the van in the driveway. When we went into the goat pen there were lots of goats to choose from. During the course of our search for the perfect Lewellen goats, Aiden decides to taste goat poop and then wash it down with the tub of water that all the other fellow goats are drinking out of… I almost gagged again…

A pattern began to emerge…

More recently, we were at my mom’s for the weekend and his favorite drinking spot became the bird bath… he’d wake up, stagger outside looking for his brew, dip his head into the bath and come up saying, “Ahh.”

The data was in. Richard and I began to contemplate over the simple question “Why all the weirdness with food and drink?” We realized he was probably just preparing his digestive system for the nations. Silly us… didn’t we know he would be about His Father’s business?

Revelation

2006-05-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

I want not to just read Revelation. I want to feel Revelation. This is my attempt of capturing Revelation 1:1a so that I can feel the word.

Revelation 1:1a
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the things that must happen soon…

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The uncovering of things hidden in the Father’s heart since before the beginning of earth.

Things which must happen soon.

The prophecy of Daniel and the mystery concerning the “latter days”, when God of Heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed and He will break into pieces every other kingdom, is no longer called “latter days”

These mysterious “latter days” spoken of by the prophets and long awaited by the people of God are now revealed and will happen soon.

Revelation is for our day and our time.

This is the Revelation given by the Father…
The secrets
whispered
dreamed of
in the Trinity
suddenly known!

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ…
The unveiling of
a supreme
mighty King.
A man
in the line of David.
The One
Worthy to Judge
capable to make war
and lay waste all His enemies.

This is Revelation given by the Father…
A peering into what awaits the Bride.
A peering into what awaits me.
A tasting of Eternity.

What had been concealed is known.
What I am made for is known.
Why I am here has been made known.

The mysterious “latter days” whispered
of by the prophets and long awaited
by the people of God
ARE NOW
REVEALED
AND MUST HAPPEN SOON.

slacker

2006-05-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been a major slacker in the blog department lately. I went on vacation and was totally engrossed in family and babies. I was informed that I didn't use proper blog etiquette and let you know that I would be gone and to check back in a week... Sorry. Next time I will be more polite :)

Peachy

2006-05-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

After reading Kelsey's last post I decided to share our family tree story...

There is something about trees... a tree seems to have lots of mirrors into our creator and his creation. So many scriptures with trees. And since we did not have even one tree in our yard we decided to fork over $20 bucks at wally world in order to plant our first tree! A prophetic declaration of putting down roots in Kansas city. It is a beautiful peach tree that satisfied both Richard's stipulation that it be fruit bearing and mine that it have a season of flowering. And we actually already have peaches growing. Most are slightly larger than golf balls and some almost as big as a tennis ball.

So soon we will not only have fresh yummy local organic goat milk but also local organic peaches... Baker, you better watch out... :)

Must Hear...

2006-05-18T07:04:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday while cleaning, I was encouraged in the Lord... I know that could sound like an oxymoron... But, lately the Lord has been meeting me in the cleaning...
The other day while doing dishes I listened to Kelsey bohlender talk on "equiping for the end times" on their new website under the teaching section... (sorry, i don't know how to work links and stuff yet) It touched me... and I experienced the sweetness of the Holy Spirit's presence.
Thanks Kels.

Put this on your list of DON'T DO...

2006-05-18T06:37:00.000-07:00

NEVER take your almost two year old baby boy and 4 month old baby girl on a trip BY YOURSELF, on a plane, when you have to wake up at 6, get on a plane by 8, fly to Chicago, have a 2 hour lay over then take a 2 hour plane to New York, then a 2 hour drive to your destination...

Because if you did that your kids may scream the entire time (something they seemed to have bottled up and have reserved just for the inopportune time on the airplane) and a flight attendant may actually come and tell you to "get control of your kids"... Okay, well she may not say it like that because she had good flight attendant training, but you would know what she meant...

Well, we made it... Aiden, Arwen and I are with the fam...

My family is so entertaining

2006-05-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

This one is a picture of Richard trying to be a good dad to the "kids" showing them how to go from milk to backyard ruffage... yes, folks he eating leaves for the goats!

what is really going on at the Lewellen's

2006-05-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

Short and Quick:

Richard and I have been in the place of wrestling with the Lord and Him hemming us in. We have been asking the questions and waiting for answers.

Where are we supposed to be? What are we supposed to do? We want you... How and where should we be to find you most, God?

It sounds romantic but it is painful... Especially in the everyday, everyday stuff.

Without a clear vision marci hates life... I am a very black/white sort of person... It is so hard for me to "wait"... I know it is a vital learning of the kingdom.

We have felt God asking us to reup and even intensify our calling to the International House of Prayer and specifically to the FSM. We are here for the next years of our life. We are going to officially raise support, something we have never done. We are setting our hearts... We are excited to be called here with people so passionate for God, wise, and loving.

The girl version: (that is what my family calls the detailed version of the story :)

We had originally decided not to officially raise support because even though we loved the vision of IHOP we still weren't sure how long we would be here and what specific roles God had for us here. We wanted to wait and be sure and let Richard work to provide for most of the income. Thankfully, God still put us on people's heart at just the right times and money came in when we needed it most.

Since we have been in Kansas City (almost three years -came straight from our honeymoon) Richard has worked full time or more in jobs that have maybe not been big money makers but that have allowed him to have a flexible schedule so that he could fulfill 50 hours at the House of Prayer. He has been providing for his family and learning many things like extreme discipline in time management, humility and any and all of those traits Jesus called "blessed" in the Sermon on the Mount. He is an amazing man of God.

In the last 6 months or so God has been stirring the desires of heart... poking and prodding us. He has been in every way financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically bringing us into the desperate cry... His perfect leadership working in us to make changes and decisions. He really is so good at the sifting, and molding of our hearts. Besides the stress in the areas I mentioned many options had come up... We thought about stopping the "staff" and pursuing more of a Joseph company sort of mindset- Richard was asked to help start a bakery in Mansfield TX, we thought about moving to Cincinnati and letting Richard pursue his Masters and PHD(my parents live there and the idea of having my mom with me with the 2 babies was a big draw) were asked to help start a church plant in Boston, and asked to start a church plant in Tennessee. So many choices... things that were exciting...

We began praying (actually it more groaning and sighing, fighting to just not be discouraged)

So, through many sessions of tears and intense discussions between Richard, me, God those wiser than us, and the Lord's divine hand we have decided God has us here. We are setting our hearts...

I am so thankful...

boggle

2006-05-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

I love playing games... most any game will do as long as their is good old fashion compettion involved. Boggle happens to be one of my favorite games and since I am Richard's favorite he plays with me. The problem is that before we were married I used to smoke 'em in the game but something changed on our honeymoon as we played boggle on the beach in Miami. He beat me that day and since I have not won one game... Folk's that's over 2 years of playing boggle at least a 4x times a month... (Now, before you shake your head in pity... I didn't always lose by like a landslide or anything... well sometimes... but most times it was close...)

And then Jesus had favor on me yesterday... and I won... I mean I really won. Big time smokin'

Tonight we play again.

Unless, of course he is too afraid that my winning may be the downfall of his champion streak...

Will I win again? Dummm Dummm...

My boy is a genius!!

2006-05-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Aiden can read!!
Not even two yet and he can read...
Fiery and brilliant -that is my boy !!!
okay well, really he can just point out the O's in a word and say "E, I, O" ... (mostly cause he likes the Old Macdonald song)...but still he knows his "O"...

We are fighting today for costly grace...

2006-05-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Protestant theologian who opposed Hitler and was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate him. He loved Jesus and the movie shows how that love would not let him close his eyes to the evil as so many others in his position. His resistance cost him his own life in the last days of the Nazi regime. "He courageously denounced Hitler's anti-Semitic agenda and urged Germany's Christian churches to defend the Jews in their hour of need. He conducted his often lonely mission in the name of Christian morality while many others made an expedient peace with the Nazis."

I loved watching how God orchestrated his early events, schooling and experiences to prepare him to recognize the evil in his time.

In his book "The cost of Discipleship" bonhoeffer writes,

"Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting today for costly grace...

Cheap grace is represented as the Church's inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner.

In Cheap Grace...Grace alone does everything, they say, and so everything can remain as it was before... the world goes on in the same old way... Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world's standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin... Let the christian beware of rebelling against the free and boundless grace of God... Let him not attempt to erect a new religion of the letter by endeavoring to live a fife of obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ! The world has been justified by grace. Therefore - let him live like the rest of the world! ... Let him be comforted and rest assured in his possession of this grace - for grace alone does everything. Instead of following Christ, let the Christian enjoy the consolations of his grace! That is what we mean by Cheap Grace!

Cheap Grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. ...

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemn sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of Son; 'ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon His Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered Him up for us. Costly grace is the incarnation of God."

PS... I don't think we should assassinate people :)

telemarketing

2006-05-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

okay, so if you have ever tried to call our house you would usually have the annoying task of begining to talk on our answering machine before we would pick up. We get way too many companies asking us to sign up for credit cards, satilite tv, siding for our house and the list goes on. These people are crazy no matter how many times you politely try to hang up... they just don't take "no" for an answer. Lately, if I happen to pick up before the answering machine and they begin to keep pressing me after I have already said "no" I politely tell them that "I am really not interested. I am going to hang up now. bye"... I feel bad but what can you do.

A few days ago when I heard the phone ring I thought I would get it before the machine just in case it was someone we wanted to talk to... to my dismay it was a solicitation for the Kansas city Star Paper. The conversation went:

marci: Hello
solicitor: Hi... are your parents home?
long 3 sec silence... I didn't know what to say....
marci: uhhh, this is my house.... (totally dumb response but I was totally caught off guard.)
The guy didn't miss a beat...The rest of the conversation was typical...

After I got off the phone I thought about how now that I am beginning to blog the wierdos and strange things that happen day to day that could be annoying or frustrating are really good because they give you something to blog about.

sick

2006-05-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

Me, Aiden, and Arwen are all stuffed with gunk, sore throats and coughing :( Richard never gets sick... he says it's "the annointing" :) I smiled today thinking about how sweet Revelation 21:4 is -"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

It started last Friday (last week) when Aiden crawled up in my lap laid his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes. I knew immediately something was up. Aiden will be two at the end of may and cuddling at this point is not his thing. He would rather you dance, sing Old Macdonald had a "chow" (that is Aiden for cow) EIEIO or start to pray so he can shout AAAYYMAN at the top of his lungs over and over. It usually takes Aiden about an hour laying in bed thinking, waiting for his eyelids to finally become so heavy that he can't open them back up before he goes to sleep.

But there he was all snuggled up on my lap, head on my chest, asleep after a record two minutes! I almost attributed the sudden change to my excellent mothering skills in finding the perfect balance of diet, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to enable easy peaceful sleep. To my disappointment, when I rested my cheek to his head, I realized he was having the beginnings of a fever.

I sighed, praying he would feel better after a good nap. That was at 1pm on Friday. Around 4pm richard decided to try and wake him up. Aiden had a 103.6 fever and after drinking a sip of water and taking medicine wanted to sleep some more. He slept until 7am the next day and when we went to the doctor a throat culture confirmed that he had strep throat.

The doctor began to ask if Aiden attended day care or the like... "no" was my answer. She, the doctor, to my suprise wouldn't drop the question. She seemed adamant that he must have been somewhere where there are a bunch of kids since he was sick. The "Y" was the only thing I could think of and she was happy to have solved the issue, "oh yes, it must have been the Y". She was so sure that Aiden could not have gotten strep unless he had been with a group of other kids. I left wondering, where does that first kid get it... I mean strep isn't just spontaneously generated by 3 or more kids with toys right?

I affect God. Things are not what they seem.

2006-05-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Some of you may be wondering why I have Ted Dekker as a link on my blog...

Well, it seems God is wanting me to see. To see reality. God is energizing me to "run the race to win" by opening my eyes to see The Prize of The Ages.

The reality that there is, for real, a Throne set in heaven, and One sat (and sits) on the Throne. (Rev. 4:22) Mike's sermon notes from 4/21
"John sees a real Person on the Throne at the governmental center of the universe. A Person with fiery emotions, a vast intellect and who possesses all power, and is 100% observant as He watches over and cares for us. He is a Person who sees, cares, remembers and feels joy or sadness related to our responses to Him. What happens in our life and heart affect His heart. He feels our pain, sees our value, and plans our welfare. We are not alone; we will live together with Him. There is One who desires meaningful partnership with His inferiors."

I affect God. When I am tired and want to stay sleeping but wake up for love to feed Arwen -I make God smile. I can pray and God listens and kings of nations are humbled. Even though I see dimly and get tired but decide to believe anyway -I move His heart and angels and demons move. Hello! Is anyone caught off guard by this. Things are not what they seem. Everything matters. Wisdom will be justified. Love changes everything.

What does Ted have to do with this? I have been greatly encouraged by "The Circle Trilogy", "The Martyr's series", "A boy called blessed" and "A man called Blessed". All of these have reminded and encouraged me to see. To not become easily entangled with the cares of this life. My treasure is in heaven.

Petting zoo and circus

2006-05-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

so, not only do we have a petting zoo but my husband performs circus tricks for the neighbors. That white van in the pic belongs to someone across the street like five houses down. We don't know them but they actually slowed down and practically stopped to watch Richard perform. I hope we are not the cause for more crazy ihop rumors...

Goats help boy cope with ADHD

2006-05-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

BY JANE PRENDERGAST | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER:
Behind a two-story house on a quiet cul-de-sac here in Clermont County, a boy jumps on a trampoline with his goats.

Two goats. They're David Valentine's 4-H projects, his pets. He lets D.J. and Blessing in the house to watch television, feeds them Tums and shares his sunflower seeds.

The 2½-year-old caramel pygmy and the 18-month-old American Alpine are also the only things that help the 12-year-old manage his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, David's mother, Patty, insists.

See Goats are therapy! Thanks Angela for the link :)

Goats

2006-04-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

Goats. We have them! They are so stinking cute and the best part is that since they have begun eating the paint off my house we are forced to repaint. Some of you would not be happy but I can't wait to not have to describe my residence as the puke yellow sorta white salmon no very faded squash color house. Hopefully, the paint eating faze will wane as they grow and they will start eating the dandelions that the goat guru website said they loved :)

So really, why does the seemingly normal suburban Lewellen family have goats? (well, I guess most of you know we are not normal! if you think we are normal you are looking from very far away) Having goats is one of Richard life goals. You are thinking "no" but I am serious. We have each written out a couple notebook pages, well at least one notebook page, of things we want to have done or accomplished before standing in front of Jesus. (Thank you Mike Bickle for the Power of the Focused Life series) Having goats and chickens is one of Richard's things. Did I worry that everyone would think us crazy? Of Course! But how could I stand in the way of his dream. My only stipulation was that we get them as babies so that by the time they are able to butt us over they won't want to. :) Plus, the babies are real cute.

Thankfully we have great neighbors and Karli Vennable (some of you may know and smile) says the constant "baaaing" makes her kinda happy giving her the sense that she is living the simple relaxed country life.

You should come by and see Jane and Lizzy (They are named after the famous Pride and Prejudice Characters) (SIDE NOTE: the book and A&E version are much better than the "new" one). If you come over at 8am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm, and or 7:45pm you can join in the fun of bottle feeding the little kids :)

Tales of Chocolate...

2006-04-30T19:15:00.001-07:00

The other day a concerned fellow mother stopped me to see how I was doing with 2 babies. We shared the bonding experience of being in similar life seasons until we began talking about fasting. She was concerned about me because nursing plus chasing an almost 2 year old can be quite exhausting. I proceeded to explain that I only fast chocolate on my fasting days... to my embarrassment she almost started laughing because I think maybe she thought I was kidding. I was serious. This is a great feat in my baby diaper filled world. She quickly recovered herself and to a less observant peer may have succeeded in pulling herself together before I knew. But I was looking her straight in the eyes like any good communicator and the nonverbal crack, up-turn and balk of the mouth though quickly brought back together was a dead give away...

Marina

2005-04-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

17 year old beautiful, troubled Marina walked through the Crisis Pregnancy Center doors. I greeted her and asked if she needed a pregnancy test. She did. Obviously on edge and fidgiting with her ball cap she followed me to the counseling room. As soon as i closed the door, "My hair is a mess... I don't know what to, where to start... I don't know if I am pregnant but something is not right. I haven't been myself lately... my friends want to beat me up, I haven't had my period... but, i don't know if I am pregnant or if this has something to do with my liver, I have a bad liver... uhh i don't even know where to start, i have so many problems. I don't like the guy that i am with. i don't want to have anything to do with him..."
"Lord, help" i whispered in my spirit. "Do you know Jesus, Marina?"
"Yes, well I mean that is part of the problem, my whole family used to go to church together... this isn't supposed to be happening to me... i mean, we all went to church untill my grandfather died and my grandma moved to Flordia... we don't go anymore"
"But, you believe in Jesus?"
"Yes...I" interrupting her I said "okay, lets first pray and ask God to be with us..." I took her hands and tears trickled down her face...

truth?

2005-03-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

So my question is: why is the mainstream media not reporting the evidence that is against Michael... for instance that the police first on the scene at the time of her accident thought there had been a homicide, or that the first doctor to examine her thought that she had been strangled, or that she had unexplained broken bones not caused by falling in a heart attack, or the nurses that have sworn under penalty of perjury that Michael repeatedly refused Terri therapy and said things like "isn't that B**** dead yet?"... the "facts" go on and on...

Why is the media so intent on portraying Michael as a caring husband? Why wait 7 years to even begin to state adamantly that Terri didn't want to live... and what about the first trial when Michael sued trying to get 25 million and he restated his vows on the stand saying he was going to give her the best help she could get.. Did he ever try to give her the best... evidence seems to point out that when Michael received the money he made sure no therapy was given (nurses testified that he clearly stated he was going to be rich and blew up at a nurse that was giving therapy to Terri)... and started sleeping with other women... Something stinks... why cover this up??? Isn't there enough evidence to at least suspect that maybe Michael is not what he is trying to say he is... maybe he never wanted her to get therapy so that she could never tell what really happened? There is more to this story ... someone please start telling all the truth!

Fine day to start blogging

2005-03-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

It is officially my first posting...now if i only knew what to say...