Swimming!

So we busted out the pool today! The water was was a wee-bit chilly. The pool is also rather tiny, as you can tell, but it was great!  I like to describe the experience as swimming in a pool smaller than a bath tub, outside, in cold water full of grass and baby pee... but it was wonderful! :)

Farwell Facebook

Hey everyone! I am attempting to leave the Facebook world... I will try to give updates and pictures here every so often to stay in touch with family and close friends.

Henry is growing every single day! We are anxiously counting down the days until his birthday on June 18th! Unbelievable!

Here are a few fun pics from our bath the other night ... :)

I am still here

God showed me this morning that I am not very grateful. I tell him "thanks for my family and your love and..." But, how much more should I simply say thank-you? I was reading Thessalonians 5 and ran across...

"Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Jesus." --Thessalonians 5:16-18

This made me think of Phillipians 4:6

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and thanksgiving, submit your requests to God."

Twice God mentions thanksgiving when talking about praying and submitting your needs. May I should give thanking God more a try!



Daughter, 
I am watching out for you! I will never leave nor forsake you. As my son was on the cross, I was thinking about you and the life we would spend together in eternity. Forgive my beloved, just as I forgave you. Jesus never defended himself or tried to justify himself to those who lead him to his death. No, my son walked in union with me and fulfilled my will. I see you my daughter. I have not forgotten you. And, I know you are hurting. Hang in there, beloved. There is more to come. Just like now, I will be here to refresh and encourage you always. I won't leave you, and I will always be here to talk. Know in your heart, Rachelle, that you are worth loving. You were worth every drop of blood and every tear that was shed. Not once did I rethink giving my son for you. 
Love, 
Your Faithful Savior 

I'm trading my sorrows

I'm trading my sorrows... Yes Lord... I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord. 

I wonder... If my identity is in Jesus, and I feel lost as to who I am, then I guess I don't know Jesus very well. 

Savior, forgive my stubbornness, wash me. Break down my barricade I ask! 

Satisfaction

Why do I feel as if I am never satisfied? Am I just a product of my society? Am I not seeking the pure and whole satisfaction found in Christ? Always wanting something more, something different....
I can't possibly be being used where I am now, I just don't feel right about where I am, I don't feel happy...

My daughter listen to yourself... I, I, I... no, you are not finding your full, pure satisfaction in me. I am all, ALL, that you need. No one, nothing else. Why do you not accept this? You know this, I know you do, but you refuse to accept it. Why?

Why? Why do I keep searching when I know that You, my Savior and Creator, is waiting right there- arms wide open, waiting to bestow on me what I have been seeking for.

Remember, I know you: I know what is best for you. You do not. Rest my child, and be sure that even though you do not see the purpose, that does not mean there isn't one. Be patient and rest. 

How much longer? Lord, please, how much longer?

Until I know your ready. And that's going to start with a little trust, my dear. You seek what you want in people: Seek in me, and you will find!




                           _______________________________________________________


Praise the Lord for his patience with me: For his never ending, never failing love. Grace that goes beyond comprehension- beyond explanation. You are holy Savior! 




I am in Virginia visiting my sisters... I could not have been blessed more! How dear they are to me. I learn so much from just being with them, watching them, laughing with them; and how dear it is to hug them! How precious are my sisters! Praise Jesus for their love and them being in my life!

OH what I've learned from my dog

My dog is sitting at my feet, BEGGING for attention. "Please Rachelle, just pet me for a minute. I'll never ask for anything ever again!" lies.... it's all a lie... of course he'll be begging for attention again the moment I stop petting him. But I wonder...

What if we sat at God's feet the way that Charlie sits at mine? Lovingly, just wanting to be with him. Just pleading for more quality time. I imagine that God would be elated if his children did this. He loves to bestow his affection on us, we just don't slow down enough to receive it. Yes, Charlie's main priority in life is to follow my footsteps back in forth throughout the apartment, he doesn't have work, school, or any other priorities... but it's his pureness in heart. All he wants is one more minute together, one more stroke on his head, or one more belly pat. Oh my child, just spend time with me. You don't have to drop everything and kneel where you are, just let me spend your day with you. Talk with me throughout your day. Share your thoughts and emotions. I follow you everywhere you go throughout your day, never forget that. 

Wholly Patient

       I have had so much on my mind lately that I've wanted to talk about, and now that I am sitting here actually typing, none of it is coming to me... of course. I was sitting in church yesterday and thought about the phrase, 'holy boldness.' What do I have to lose? I have been going to this really small church that I love, and yesterday I went back to the church I grew up in, which is a very large Presbyterian church. During the prayer people were asked to come forward if they wished to lay hands on and pray for a missionary that was visiting yesterday. I was rather disappointed at the fact that we all just stood there and put our hands on him, we did not get the chance to pray for him. Yes, I understand that this is a large church that needs to stick to a schedule, but really...? And I understand that we are praying in our hearts. I guess I just missed my small church where whoever wants has the chance to pray and share what is on their heart. Aren't we denying the body growth when we don't share? So Lord, give me a holy boldness to step forward and share, to go up front and be a testimony to you. Give me wholly boldness in every part of my life to never be shy.
       What do you do when there is something you have wanted for so long and you're sure it's God's will  and then to realize that it may never happen? I mean this mostly considering two different aspects of my life. For the longest time all I have wanted is to get married and move out of Wichita. I am a girl who does relatively well with change and likes to mix things up every couple of years. Maybe what I have is really just a problem with contentment. I have been dating the same guy for 5 years, 9 months, and 20 days (give or take a few weeks :) and I have lived in Wichita for almost 12 years (give or take a few months) I'm ready for the next step! However, I think I'm gonna have to wait...