The Loose Tooth

We all have to loose our teeth. God used this normal event in each of our lives to teach me something about His "normal" event of growing up. Graciously, instead of a 2x4 in the noggin, God has been giving me a heads-up when there's something I need to especially pay attention to...and last night was another one of those times. ( I was joking with a friend this morning, sometimes it is with a 2x4, and other times it is just a 1x3! haha~ Thankful for the times it is a whisper!!!!!)

My 5yr old daughter, who has not lost her first tooth yet asks me, "Mom? How does your teeth come out?" Followed by, "Can you still talk when you loose all of them?" I heard the small whisper from the Holy Spirit telling me to listen to myself...I thought, okay...what could possibly be for me here?! So, I did. I just finished the conversation without hesitation of pre-occupation of what I was saying and had what was a normal conversation about loosing our teeth.

God gives you all your teeth, these are your Baby Teeth and the Adult Teeth are waiting to come out. You already have them. You will loose one at a time.Once the Adult Tooth is ready, it begins to put pressure onto the Baby Tooth that it will take it's place. Your gums will be swollen, sore and you will feel uncomfortable for a short while, then as the Adult Tooth moves in, the Baby Tooth loosens and wiggles it way gradually out of it's hold. Sometimes it simply falls out while other times it hangs on a tiny vein and must be firmly removed. If the Baby Tooth won't wiggle through, it may have to be forced out (extracted.)

We Googled a diagram x-ray of the jaws so she could see the whole picture. Half way through talking about this normal, regular, common conversation, I got it. This was for me too. It amazes me how creative God is~again~with His illustrations! So often the physical is a training for our spiritual. I find this to be true with me anyway. 

Here is what God said to me. "I will give you everything you need. You already have what you need. I will not give you more than you can bear. When the "new growth" is emerging, it will take time. It is a process. It very well may be uncomfortable, possibly painful, but remember this too shall pass. It is temporary pain for a eternal goal. The "old" will slowly move out, be patient and don't rush it by attempting to yank it out too soon for that will make the healing process longer. Now, it may be necessary for Me to remove a stronghold quickly,  I have the authority, in my perfect timing to immediately remove it. It willl be for the better. Trust my timing. All your baby roots will be replaced slowly, orderly by more mature and stronger roots. Don't be afraid to loose your teeth. I am in control. I have everything you need, relax and trust me."

 Dear God,



As You reveal areas within me that need to be uprooted, help me to stand on Your promises that You will never give me more than I can bear, You will never leave me or forsake me, all things work for the good and our momentary sufferings/trials are for Your eternal glory. Lord, may my thoughts be Yours. Jesus, my Rescuer, I cling to You with trusting and yet trembling hands. I trust You to lead me in paths of righteousness. Your love is more than I can comprehend or imagine. Help me to receive...receive not only Your rescue, Your help, Your grace, but Your love.


Thank You Father God for loving me beyond what I deserve. Thank You for the tangible glimpes of Your love for me through friends. What a gift, an undeserving gift~ to be loved just as you are, without judgement, fear or obligation. This is how You love me. Help me receive and accept the fact that this kind of love is real and available for even me. This kind of love is rare. Forgive my unbelief. GIve me courage to believe, to trust, to receive.


Thank You Lord God for Your faithfulness to do what You say You can and will do. Thank You for Your unconditional Love, Your Light that leads and Your grace that sustains me. I love You!!!! I praise Your name and no other. You are everything I want. You are all that I need. I surrender. Refine me. Cleanse me. In Jesus' sweet and beautiful name, amen.

I Want the Unwanted

Meet "The Girls"

This is Princess (left) and Bow (right).



Almost 2 weeks ago, these sweet little abandon girls made their way into our family. Unfortunatly, we are not able to keep them. Our 9 year old Beagle has been pretty patient with them but I think she is ready for her space back.

These puppies were about 9 weeks old when we found them wondering the streets. I am an animal lover and cannot just casually walk by a hurting animal. Just cannot do it. I have rescued several dogs before (even a bird...oh and a clan of baby Wood Ducks!) With all the previous resuces I have been able to get them to a rescue agency or their owner within 2 days. Not so this time. The vet believes they are a lab/pit mix so they were probably dumped.

Here I was thinking I was helping these sweet, grateful sisters out but actually, they have helped me and my family. God has used this rescue to teach me about rescue and relationship. I could go on and on, but I am going to attempt to simply express the many ways God has touched me through these sisters.

A cord of three is stronger and not easily broken. Had these girls seperated from eachother, they would not have been able to help eachother. It's so cute to see them cuddle up on the blanket intertwined, keeping warm, and probably feeling safe.

There is no comfort when you are alone. If you lead an isolated, closed off life, it will be hard to receive comfort in your time of need because you have created a barrier no one can cross into. We need eachother's encouragement and comfort. Also, God is our comfort and if we turn to Him He is faithful to rescue & redeem.

When the world spits you out for who you are, remember God loves you unconditionally and accepts you completely.

With a real, genuine Sister, you can relax and rest in their fellowship, knowing you have someone to cuddle with when it gets cold and dark outside.

You don't have to be something you are not with your Sister. Inside you are the same spirit. Learn to look at the heart and don't judge something from the outside.

You cannot just go around pooping and peeing wherever you wish. Respect for others...have self-control in word and deed.

Patience~young hearts do not yet have wisdom of mature hearts.

It is such a blessing to give. I also see the joy on the one receiving.

Your accepting help can make the difference between life and death.

Helping others often requires sacrifice on our part.

Be so full of joy and thankfulness that you cannot help but jump!

I could go and on, but I won't. There is so much I have learned. In summary, I have been reminded how much God loves me and wants me to trust and rest in His protection and provision. I recognize the blessing and importance of helping others in their time of need. On the flip side, I also realize the importance of receiving help when in need. My life may depend upon it.

Just as I took the puppies to the vet to be evaluated and see what help they needed, so also must I submit my heart, soul and mind to God and ask Him to help me, cleanse me, grow me. Our God is so patient. I think most of us live a greater part of our life like a puppy~ no self-control, chewing everything up, laying waste wherever we please without care of it's effects, doing as we please. I wonder if God ever wonders When will she get it? Isn't she paying attemtion to my trainings?

Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
I Thess 5:16-19
God, thank You for rescuing me and providing for my every need. Because of You, I have life. Lord God, forgive my immature behavior, clean my heart and soul. Give me courage to not only love others but to receive love from others. Thank You for the gift of friendship which keeps us warm in heart and spirit. Your sacrifice for me is so great, God help me to live a life worthy and pleasing of Your gift to me. May my spirit continue to jump for joy in thanksgiving for all that You have done and been for me. With abandoned self, rescued by You, amen.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Praying a sweet blessing of prosperity over you girls! I will miss you greatly!!!

Bicycle Lessons

Today, I decided to go on a bike ride instead of going to the gym. We have gone as a family plenty of times but it has been a while! In hind-sight, with the strong winds today, the resistance was probably a bit much for to undertake. I shamfully admit that I have only been to the gym maybe once in the past month. I am out of condition to say the least! Last year, my Cardiologist even told me, "You need to work out 5-6 times a week to get your heart in shape." Well, I did good for several months making it 3-4 times a week, but then school began and I have not found my routine, still!

Anyhoo, the weather is gorgeous here in Houston, so I loaded up my 3yr old (42lbs) into the bike trailer (40lbs), aired up the tires and headed out. The path leads us across the lake and through some nicely wooded paths. Once we make it to the other side, we stop for water and turtle watching and head back towards the house with one quick stop at a local playground.

Everything was going pretty good until I got to the bridge to cross the lake. My heart was pounding and the resistance of the wind was causing me to really push hard. Wisdom told me to crouch down on the handle bars. It helped to bow down. It was easier to make it across without the resistance. We finally made it to the other side and took our water and turtle break only to find ourselves walking through a big patch of burrs. Those are evil little prickles and they really hurt to remove! OUCH! We soon returned to the bike and made the journey back.

I thought since the wind was against us going there, it would be pushing us along on the way back....nope! Somehow it was against me BOTH directions. Can't explain it. By the time I made it back to the playground I thought I was about to die. My heart was paliptating (aka freaking out) and my chest was tight. It was then that I thought, "Hmmm, maybe next time I will check the wind speeds!" I did notice some really beautiful flowers and berries on the ride back as I attempted to distract myself.

I called my husband just in case I actually did pass out. I wasn't sure for the first 15 minutes or so, yikes! Needless to say, I won't be doing any marathons any time soon! haha

I learned some lessons about life today:

* You never know until you try.
* When resistance comes, it is easier to get where you are going if you bow down instead of chest puffed up.
* Resistence comes when you least expect it and it can come from any direction.
* When you feel like giving up, gird up courage and don't stop. Be persistant, show loyalty. Be strong.
* Life is not always easy. There will be unexpected, painful moments that must be dealt with one at a time.
* Also true, expect the unexpected...you can find beauty in the midst of the ordinary.
* If you need help, get it!

Yes, I made it home, thank God!! I am glad for today. Even though it was exhausting and a bit frightening at the end, it was well worth the journey. I exercised both my physical muscles and my spiritual muscles of courage, endurance, faith, hope, rest and strength. It was a good work out!

In the Shadow of a Tree

This morning as I was driving my son to his little pre-k, I began to take notice of every shadow each tree made. Knowing how God likes to use visuals with me, I immediately asked God, "Yes??" What He revealed to me as I passed hundreds of trees on my drive I am not even sure I can write in words but I would like to share it with you, so I will do my best...

Each tree casts it's own shadow. It is simple: The small skinny tree casts a tiny, scantily shadow; whereas the large oak tree casts a massive and very dense shadow. Unfortunately, our property lost 2 of the 4 of it's mighty trees over the past few years with the last one taken down just a few months ago. THAT tree was the hardest to loose because it was the only tree in our front yard and it provided the Mommy shade! My kids are too young still to play out front by themselves, so it is necessary for me to sit out there with them. No big deal, I just grabbed a chair and sat under the shade. Well, now there is no more shade and it is miserable to have to sit outside for an hour!


Ahhh, shade! Lovely & bearable.

 With shade, it is more comfortable and it makes it easier to be outside. It is shelter from the heat. Your body, your drink, your cell phone...it all stays cooled off under the protection of the shade. Without shade, it is more work, you need sunscreen, hats, glasses, Thermos container for your drink, and a towel or something to cover up the cell phone to protect it from the intense heat-not to mention your ear from the burn when you attempt to answer it! (Yes, it was hot! Remember, this is Texas!)

No Shade here!! "Sweating-it" is guaranteed!

After studying the shadows, praying attention to their sizes, shapes and densities, the Creator of this landscape taught me something. Big tree = Big Shade. Big Shade = Big Protection. It was if He was asking me, "How big am I?" I am thinking "pretty big." "I can cover all of you," He said. Wooooah...I had to stop and think for a minute. As I looked over my circumstances, heart areas and spirit, I realized that maybe I hadn't allowed God to grow big enough to cover me. Am I not receiving from Him all that I could, or should? Here He stands offering me full shade and protection and yet I am satisfied with my little umbrella?

How big is God? He holds the world in His hands! How big have I allowed Him to be over me? As a Believer we have been given the seed of Christ, the Holy Spirit to dwell within each of us. How big is your/our God tree? Is it a little seedling that we have placed over our needs area? Did we just ask Him to bless this one little area and forgive this other little one over here? Or, do we have a medium sized Tree ~ we sorta-kinda attempted to nourish it when we feel like it and often do remember to spend some bits of time taking care of it?

Or, have you allowed your "Tree" to take root and grow bigger and bigger as as result of your commitment and dedication to nourishing what was once just a little seed? God wants to bless you and be your refuge and shelter. The bigger we allow God to be in our lives, the bigger His shade will be over us. The greater our protection from the heat (evil.) I don't know about you, but I want God's protection over every area in my life and not just parts of it.

But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy ; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5: 11-12

There was a long part of my walk with God that I would say He was this portable umbrella I carried around so that when rain came, I could just pop it up whenever I needed it. Today, God is a mighty Tree of Life for me. When rain, heat or sun comes out, I know I am protected. I don't need to run around seeking shelter or carry around my temporary shelters. No matter if it is storming or sun shining beautiful, I am protected. No longer do I need to waste time worrying about the weather. I have rest knowing that God is my absolute Shelter and I am provided for under Him.

Having said that, even though I am consumed by Him and He is a mighty tower for me, He has shown me today that I am still holding onto a few umbrellas, attempting to cover (take care of myself) that which He is desiring to cover. Thank God for gentle correction. Thank God for His compassion.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

There is nothing in your life God cannot protect or rescue you from. He doesn't want to give you momentary shade. He doesn't want to give you partial shade. God is forever! He is Big! Allow Him to take root in you and receive His full protection and provision! It is much easier to find rest in the shadow of the Almighty than in the scorching heat outside of Him!

Father God, Creator of ALL things and their shadows, God I am asking that You help me to toss out the umbrellas I have placed over my life, in my heart, soul and mind. God, all I need is Your shelter. Forgive me for minimizing You. Help me to trust You. Lead the time I spend with You, enriching my soil allowing You to be bigger and greater in my life, covering all of me. God, grant me protection from the storms. Bless me with favor and provisions on lovely days. May Your shadow be so huge there is room to share with others passing by. You are all I need. You are my Shelter. You are my Refuge. You are a very Big God with a very big shadow. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us even through Your creation. My all in all, amen!   

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

LOVE & GRACE

Why do I do that which I don't want to do? Why sometimes does it feel like such a HUGE gap between my heart and my head? My flesh and spirit have had some good, knock-down, drag-out fights over the years.

I worship the Lord of All, I am His child! God saves, He redeems. He shelters. He rescues. He gives strength. God loves us. He is sooooo very patient, merciful and gracious. He is sooo much bigger than ANY CIRCUMSTANCE we face!

My spirit is strong within me and I feel it, and yet, my flesh often consumes me. I can feel so courageous and cowaardly at the same time...maybe it's the hope for courage in my weakness. Maybe I need to get back on my counselor's couch...heehee

If I empty myself each morning to be filled back up again, it takes a strong discipline to control what I allow to fill me. I must surrender myself before GOD so that my flesh has no room. What does that look like for me? For me, it means BEFORE MY FEET HIT THE FLOOR in the morning, acknowledging that God is The God, my Loving Father, my Savior and Redeemer, my Healer and Leader for the day. Worshiping Him in truth and stepping into my day with the right mind-set, knowing who I am waking up for.

For those of you who have followed my blog from the beginning, you know my story, my testimony of God's saving grace and compassion (well, I hope you have found that throughout my sharing to be evident.) as He has delivered me fron the bondage of Fear. He certainly is far from done with me on MANY other areas, but I have been released from the consuming and controlling fear. Yes, I still get anxious and nervous when it comes to certain things.

Maybe this is my stubborness mixed with my desire to be set completely free, but I have asked God to give me "opportunities to grow", to challenge myself (gently please!!) in learning how to overcome circumstances or things that make me anxious- elevators, heights, boats, planes, high bridges, being away from home, conflicts, sharing my heart with others.....just to name a few! And He has- time after time, whether I was "in the mood" for it or not!! I find myself looking upwards and just laughing cuz He has a funny sense of humor in His funny ways He has provided me these opportunities!

Just this past weekend, I found myself facing a few anxiety-producing situations and I will share jone with you.It was on the plane. Okay, when you are peaceful and in a happy place, you wouldn't think of moving and disrupting the flow, right? Well, it was a 4 hour flight and after 2 hours I had to go! Yes, like-GO....potty! I did not want to get out of my bubble, all was good and I was afraid that I would loose my calmness. So, I waited another hour, but then I really had to GO! My husband said he would go with me, and just as we unbuckled our belts the Fasten Seat Belts warning came on for upcoming turbulance. Greeeeaaaat! The Stewardess walked by and we asked if we could still get up and go and she replied, "It will be at your own risks." Two years ago, that would have induced an anxiety attack in a second! Turbulance plus "your own risk." BUT OFF WE WENT!!! Bound and determined to go. I have made the decision to not be bound but live and do what I need to do!

This was probably only the 2nd time in my life I had used an airplane bathroom. It scares me, really! The flushing-power could pull down a human and dump you into the skies below!!! Maybe if it was quieter it wouldn't be so terrifying. So, I did it....my famous Warrior Pee! Trusting God, even in THIS, to protect my mind.

It sounds so silly to most, but when you are afraid, going against logic is a no-no. But my faith is fueling my trust where I am trusting for my peace and grace to provide in every circumstance!

I am so thankful to be out of that life where Fear dictated everything, how I felt and what I did. The truth HAS set me free and it can set you free too! The truth is found in God's word. Whatever you are facing, you will find your hope, strength, encouragement, peace and grace in God. Sure, you can try temporary pleasures but nothing will set you free except for God. Pills, alcohol, food, starvation are temporary fixes, unhealthy ones at that. You can also, run away and ignore your feelings, only to have to face them when you are done running.

Freedom is only found through and in Christ Jesus. He is Healer. He will be your Comforter, your Protector. Choose to trust Him despite what your flesh thinks or feels. I could go on and on but I have another post to finish up.

Your tomorrow's healing and help can begin today. Start now! TRUST GOD's LOVE & GRACE!!!

Seek first the Kingdom of God. Matt 6:33