Do you remember this series?

I have made the transition to my new blog Tales From the Little White House and am having fun with it :) Still working on little details but that is ok!

I did however, finally write a third part to my LONG AGO series that I started about Jason and I.

Check it out:

Our Story-Our Christmas 2010-Engagement

and see how we actually ended up engaged :)



And the baby is a.........

Well, the day has come. Today I found out that we are indeed having a...........well. If you really want to find out I figured I would use this opportunity to switch over from this blog to my new blog-Tales From the Little White House!

Many of you may wonder why I have decided to transfer over there at this point in my life and the answeer is really quite simple. I am entering a new chapter in my life and while I absolutely love this blog I felt led to move on to another one (just as I am moving on in my life). I thought it would be neat (since I am going to be writing my very first post on my new blog) to re-visit the very first blog post that I did for this blog. You can check that out here: No Compromise. I wrote that in 2008. I am amazed at the journey the Lord has taken me on since then! :)

And now onto the new chapter in this adventure-

Click on the picture below to visit my new blog and to find out what our little one is! :)

Please don't forget to follow my new blog as well :) I will still be reminding you all on here when I update so you can switch over later :)

Blessings!

Changes In Life Right Now

Whew! It seems like lately there have been and will be a lot of life changes that will be happening! Some off the top of my head?

Well, in about four months I will be a Mama. Like-my child will be here. Wow. Big change there! But oh what an exciting one at that!!!!

I have already started working on my new blog! Do any of you have suggestions? I am going for a simpler overall theme (just because I am not finding a background that I have absolutely fallen in love with) and so I am trying more classy-more grown-up? I don't know. Thoughts or suggestions on that? The site will be ready to launch soon though. I am just trying to figure out how to transition smoothly (like if I should bring posts over from this blog that I absolutely love etc...). Any thoughts on that?

I am really getting excited about changes in the area of our little family going more natural! A big part of my other blog will be recipes and adventures and we step out in that way. I am super excited and have stories to share! :)

One thing I want to start doing more is my photography! I love taking pictures and did for a while but then life got busy and I just kind of let it go. Now, I am picking it up again and loving it! Our friends had a baby this past week and we went and saw her when she was less than 24 hours old. Here are some pictures I got of her:

Jason was the first to hold her and was so tender with her! He was just in awe of how perfect she was! It was so sweet to watch him with her! He is going to be an amazing Daddy! :)

I also wanted to mention that my amazing friend Rebecca asked me to let you all know that that even though she is no longer blogging at A Rather Unusual Maiden for God since she got married she is still blogging! You can find her blog at Butterfly Days :) Check it out! :)

Well, I have so many things that I want to blog about! Sour Dough, bread making, an amazing gift from Katie's Mercentile that came in the mail (whole post coming on that one), our experiances thus far with transitioning to a more natural life style, Jason's experiance with inventing a smoothie, some things the Lord is teaching me and some recipes :)

What are your thoughts? Should that be new blog content?

Have a blessed Sunday :)

My Salvation Story

My amazing friend Callie over at Through Clouded Glass is hosting a Salvation story link up today!

When she mentioned the idea I was actually surprised when I realize that I had never actually written my testimony and how that Lord came into my life. Until now.

I was raised in a Christian home. My Dad was a committed christian and my parents strove to raise us in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I was in church from the time I was out of the hospital (almost). That was my life.

When I was six years old however, I realized that something was missing in my life. That even though I had a wonderful christian family I was personally not like them.

So, one day I was sitting on my bed in my room just thinking and all the sudden I realized that Jesus was missing. That I was not good enough to make it to heaven on my own. So I asked my Dad to come upstairs and told him I wanted Jesus in my life. He prayed with me and at that moment I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Even at that young age I knew that something was different in my life and that difference was Jesus.

It wasn't until I was about 10 years old that that decision I had made became truly real to me. I went through some hardships that year and started turning to Jesus for comfort. I realized that people would fail me but Jesus was always there.

In the years that followed Jesus became more and more real to me. Instead of being merely a religion my relationship with Jesus became just that-a relationship.

When I was 15 years old I went through a time where I said all the right words and did all the right things but on the inside I was dying. I knew that my relationship with Jesus was faltering and it scared me to death. Thank the Lord for being faithful and at the end of that year I chose HIM. I was sick of riding on the fence trying to be in the world but also be a Christian. It just did not work.

When I was just 17 I went to a small community college and found my walk with the Lord truly being challenged once again. As the year progressed I was working constantly, going to school and honestly-the Lord went on the back burner. I felt the Lord really impressing on me to prioritize and make Him first once again and stop using my busyness as an excuse. I refused. Telling myself and Jesus that I would at some point just not right now.

Until one day the Lord kind of took my feet out from under me (literally). I was riding our horse and fell-landing on my foot and hearing a distinct crack then feeling absolutely nothing. That started a year of illness that included my foot being broken at least twice. Being in a walking cast for two months. Numbness and blurriness of vision that made them think for about a month while I was getting the tests done) that I might have multiple sclerosis. Multiple ER visits. And always the unknown. Going from specialist to specialist. Being told something is definitely wrong with you but we don't know what it is. Then being sent to another specialist. Praise God that after a year we found out that all my problems had stemmed from a very bad diet (hence why I am becoming more passionate about natural foods etc). However, that year God truly became my sustainer. He was my Daddy God. And I began in that year to go to Him in surrender about everything and anything. I had to rely totally on Him. And that became SUCH a huge blessing!

I could go on with all the places my life has gone since then but a lot of you already know it. I was in a relationship that we called a "courtship" and praise God He brought me out of that using my parents. They were not controlling. They were not domineering. They knew things about that person that I did not know the extent of at the time. Because of that they had the COURAGE to step in and tell me the truth and I broke off the relationship which I praise God for!

The reason I praise God for it is because two weeks to the day that I surrendered to what I knew the Lord was telling me I went to a Bible study and met...Jason. A year and two months later to the day we met we got married. We then moved to Florida and here we are today.

One thing I am learning now is that the enemy will use distractions to get my eyes off my Jesus. I am going through a period in my spiritual walk where I have allowed my eyes to get off Jesus using busyness as an excuse. Always though, I am amazed at how gracious and forgiving He is. To think that He loves me in spite of me! With all my faults, sin, attitudes, etc. Jesus Christ still loves me. And I am still God's child.

My life is full. Why? Because God has never once forsaken me along the way. He didn't promise it would be easy. But-He did promise He would be with us every step of the way!

I am in love. With my Savior. My relationship with Him is just that- a relationship that has different phases and chapters. Different lessons to learn. One thing that will never change though is His love for me and oh how comforting that is to know!

Do you know Jesus today? Do you have a relationship with Him? What are you so thankful for that He has done in your life? What can you praise Him for today?

Am I fulfilling the purpose God has for me?

(Source)



You know those times in your life when God just really convicts you and shows you some things that He wants you to change?

"Then they can urge the younger women to

 love their husbands and children,

 to be self-controlled

 and pure,

 to be busy at home,

to be kind,

 and to be subject to their husbands,

 so that no one will malign the word of God."

Titus 2:4-5

The Lord just really amazed me with this verse within the last few weeks. Yes, I had read it before but you know that 21st time time you read something and it just seems as though the Lord put it there just for you?

Well, I really starting thinking about being busy at home. And the Lord began to convict me about some things. Things like how I manage my time, moving to a more natural way of living, making my home a haven etc.

Because of these things I have been stepping out and trying new things. Is it because I am radical that I am moving towards a more natural life style? No. Is it because I think I am better then others. Absolutely not!

My desire from that comes from previous experiance. I lived an unhealthy life style and as a result was extremely sick for a year. I wrecked my body from poor nutrition etc. So now I KNOW what certain foods do to me and the effect they can have on the body and yet-I had started eating them again. WHAT? It didn't make sense!

Then the Lord showed me that not only am I responsible before Him for myself but now for my child as well! Whew. That was a revelation! Not really but in a sense it was!

So, I have been making that transition (once again) to more of a natural way of living. I already have stories and will be sharing more with all of you here.

Something was still missing though.

Then, once again I realized something. I have been trying to live for the Lord but without HIM in the picture. What? Honestly, I have really been struggling with making time to actually spend time with my Savior. To go before HIM and seek HIS face. To spend time in prayer and meditation on His Word. The excuse? Well, I am busy. The problem is-when this baby comes I will be even busier! And I do not want to sacrifice my relationship with Jesus! He needs to be FIRST! Priority. Over all things. Even...ministry. Facebook and blogging (huge distractions for me sigh).

In the Word we are called to do all things to the glory and honor of God. Well, I am realizing all things entails-laundry, house cleaning, cooking, etc. The little things that may seem so mundane and yet God wants us to do them for HIM!

I am a paper keeper. Especially in my Bible (much to my husband's chagrin!) and a few days ago I found a paper I had saved that had a bunch of notes from a sermon.

It is dated August 16, 2009:

Am I fulfilling my duty? Am I an unworthy servant who is just doing what I am told to do? Has God told me what to do with my life (yes I am to be a wife and Mama right now serving God and ministering alongside my husband)? If He hasn't-why?

We are servants of Christ...we need to do what He tells us to do. If we can not hear Him...if we do not know what His will is...we need to spend more time with Him. Am I investing the talents God has given to me? I need to be using my gifts for God's honor and glory alone.

Am I walking with the Master? Am I spending time with my Master so that I know His will for me and also His love for me. Am I allowing my hands to get weak instead  of asking God to strengthen me and stopping and putting my hands together and asking God to help me.

Funny how just random thoughts from years ago God can use to convict once again. I want to live my life for Christ. But I have just been trying to fit Him in it when it is convenient for me. It seems as though this is a continual battle for me to center my life around HIM. But I believe that is part of the journey.

Oh how thankful I am that my Heavenly Father is so patient and forgiving. How thankful I am that He receives me with open arms.

I want to be all I can be for my Master-Jesus Christ. Right now that involves being a keeper at home and soon being a Mama to my child. Trying to do all that though without Jesus-does not work.

Give me Jesus...truly I just want Him once again.

I feel as though I am at the beginning of yet another journey! I am thinking about possibly starting a new blog as I feel I am moving into a new chapter of my life. What are your thoughts?

Also, if you have any fun tips, advice, favorite blogs about healthy, more natural living I would LOVE to hear them! :)

May the Lord richly bless you!



What if I have messed up too many times?

So really quick because I have to go get ready for church I just wanted to share a passage of Scripture I read for my early morning devotions that really encouraged me!

Sometimes it is hard, especially if we have made a lot of mistakes in our past, to think that God would still love us. Would still save us. Yet, this is what HE has to say about it in His Word:

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (pretty much sums what we are as human beings!)
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. "
Titus 3:3-7

What a glorious reminder! It is not works that we have done! We can never be good enough to be saved or be bad enough to not be saved! IT IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY HE SAVED US!

What an awesome God we serve! :)

That brought a smile to my face this morning and I hope to yours too :)

Blessings!

A Guest Post from Cari :)

I am so very excited for this post! A while back I asked readers if they would be interested in doing a guest post and Cari wrote me and said she would :) What a blessing this article is and I am so excited to share it with you. Please visit Cari's blog over at

The Blog of a Writing Maiden.

As always if you are interested in doing a guest post just let me know your email in a comment and we can get it set up :)

And now Cari's post:

The Lord has made us to be creatures with souls and emotions, like Himself.  With this comes a desire for friendship and relationship.  But, so often, we can easily develop negative feelings towards people: anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy.  Even in our own families, it can be easy to find fault and to get in arguments.

I'd challenge you to consider: we live for a very short time.  We will soon be dead.  It is a simple fact of life, and we do not have long upon this earth to really love each other.  Our lives should be focused on preferring others, and serving the Lord, but instead, we easily get caught up in what other people are doing and how they compare to ourselves.  Our lives should be taken over with a servant's heart, but in reality our hearts want to serve ourselves.

            
I believe the Lord has been teaching me recently about how I view and treat those in my own family.  If someone does not do something up to the standard I would wish, I sometimes get upset with them.  I think I am trying to confront them in a biblical way, pointing out their faults in love, but that is not really the case.  In reality, I think I was really just trying to convict them of what I thought were sins in their lives (and they may have been).  But, I was not pointing anything out with biblical love.  I was irritated with them, and was just trying to get them to change into how I wanted them.
                 
They may have faults, and sins they are struggling with, but you see, God does not call me (or anyone else) to be the Holy Spirit.  It is not our jobs to convict people of their wrongdoings.  That is not to say we can never point them out.  But, for single young ladies like myself, I think we should really be striving to focus wholly on the Lord and OUR relationship with HIM.  Instead of focusing on others' shortcomings, we should be focusing on our own, and repenting from them.
                
I might easily avoid something which another struggles with each day.  And that is their struggle, which the Lord will work with them on.  He doesn't need my help; He knows fully what He's doing, and what is the best approach for that person.  I might not struggle with that thing they're struggling with, but I have many other struggles.  And my struggles are not theirs.
     
I think it's important to have understanding for each other and I believe that is a part of having brotherly love.   Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;" We need to understand that we are each going to have a different walk, and we are each going to have our own unique struggles.  I believe this is where forbearance comes in as well.
             
I know I still do not completely grasp all of this; it is all so profound (not what I'm saying, but what I was trying to explain).  The way God's love works, and the way He wants us to live is so complex even in its simpleness.  I really think I'm just scratching the surface of the iceberg in what I'm learning now, and when I die, I really think I'll only have made a small dent.  Even when I begin to think I know what love is, I'm just catching a small beam of it, and looking at it in awe, when the whole of it is so magnificent and bright in its glory.
            
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
         
May the Lord be praised!  He is patient with us, even when He looks down here to earth and sees us messing up our relationships, and blundering around with clouded vision.  He loves us anyways, and He is still willing to teach us, over and over again, how to love like He does.  He is patient with our feeble efforts to understand Him and His love - He is awesome!  His might is really unspeakable, isn't it?  "For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods." Psalm 96:4

Super Quick! :)

The washer just finished and I need to switch the clothes over!

 We just graduated from our amazing parenting class and the Women's Pregnancy Center after (over) 12 weeks! That was bittersweet for sure! I met so many amazing women there and it was such a blessing from God! We got a brand new, in the box, pack and play and it is ADORABLE!!! We are doing a Noah's Ark theme and it even coordinates with that! :)

Tomorrow (Lord willing) I will be posting a first of guest posts! I am so excited for it and hope you all come back and read it :) Also, if any of you are interested in doing a guest post just comment with your email and I can get back to you :)

Today is the day Jason and I get a small taste of HOME! His sister and her husband are visiting from NY and we are going to have lunch with them. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I can hardly wait to spend time with them :) It seems like we haven't seen family in forever (when in reality it is just a few months but it feels like forever).

Any ideas for cheap, fun Christmas gifts? Jason and I set a limit of $20 to spend on each other and we are trying to be as creative as possible to make it stretch! It is a fun twist that is for sure :)

Do any of you do cross stitching? I have fallen in love with it all over again! It is very relaxing to me and makes me feel productive :)

Well, I am off to make myself look half way presentable! Lol :) Just to leave you with something visual-here is a picture of me last week at 17 weeks pregnant! And yes I missed that update. Ahem. Cough. We will just gloss over that!

Have a blessed day! :)

Some Walk for Life Pictures :)

The walk for life is finally here! We are so excited for this day!

It was freezing out and because it is not supposed to be cold in Fl. (ahem)
I had not brought warm shoes.
So, I wore Jason's.

An adorable balloon monkey my amazing husband made :)

 
Waiting to go onstage and juggle :)

The amazing director of the pregnancy center that has made such an impact
on Jason and I personally. She has such a sweet spirit and is such an amazing woman of God!

Lugging his big bag up there!

 He had to juggle AND talk into the mic! He did a great job! :)

 And they are off!!! :)

Hot chocolate. Did I mention it was freezing?

 I have NEVER liked hot chocolate and yet-I actually drank the whole thing...Wow.

The baby from my view! :)

Remember how I had to wear Jason's shoes because it was so cold?

The Kids loved the balloons!

My amazing husband :)

The sun peeking through the spanish moss :)

Just like a picture Jason took of me with his sister Sarah

way before we were even dating

. Sigh,  he wouldn't even hug the tree though just made me think he was!!!

 Our little and growing family :)♥

Beautiful birds on the pond as we
walked around.

It was a really good day :) God did some awesome things and there was a huge turnout! Thank you all so much for your support! May the Lord richly bless :) And there were some current pictures just to keep you up to date ;) 

What about a woman that got pregnant after a rape?

Note: This post contains some mature content. Reader discretion may be advised.

So many of my late posts have been about abortion. Some of them have been in answer to some comments that I have received which is what this post is about as well. I received a comment this morning that asked a question. The question was this:

"One thing that you did not address, though, are babies conceived through incest or rape. Would you support abortion in those cases? What about these types of pregnancies in minors? I feel so strongly that these are cases where abortion is justified and I adamantly oppose further legislation of abortion specifically for this reason. The progression of the pregnancy poses far more damage to the "mother" than destruction of the fetus, in my opinion. Would you be willing to expand your dialogue to these types of pregnancies? (or at least share the opinion of your "pregnancy center")"

I knew what my stand was about this but I thought that I would let these women speak for themselves. Please take the time to watch this video and see what women who got pregnant through rape have to say:

I found this video  while browsing the internet looking for women's stories and found a website headed up by a woman named Rebecca Kiessling. Please visit her website here: RebeccaKiessling.com.

Not only is Rebecca a pro-life advocate but she is a child that was conceived by a rapist. One thing that she said in her personal testimony that really stuck me was this:

"Please understand that whenever you identify yourself as being “pro-choice,” or whenever you make that exception for rape, what that really translates into is you being able to stand before me, look me in the eye, and say to me, "I think your mother should have been able to abort you.” That’s a pretty powerful statement. I would never say anything like that to someone."

Go HERE to read the rest of her story.

"I think your Mother should have been able to abort you." Would we ever truly look some one in the face and say that!?! I do not believe we could conceive being that rude and hurtful to someone and yet, so many people are saying that today. Even some Christians have fallen for the lie straight from the devil that a rape or illness or whatever (fill in the blank) can some how justify knowingly taking another human being's life (even though that baby had absolutely no choice in the matter).

Rebecca also shared these insights (as a child that was spared an abortion):

"I’m so thankful my life was spared, but a lot of well-meaning Christians would say things to me like, ”Well you see, God really meant for you to be here!” Or others may say, "You were meant to be here." But I know that God intends for every unborn child to be given the same opportunity to be born, and I can’t sit contentedly saying, “Well, at least my life was spared.” Or, “I deserved it. Look what I’ve done with my life.” And millions of others didn’t? I can’t do that. Can you? Can you just sit there and say, “At least I was wanted . . . at least I’m alive” or just, “Whatever!”? Is that really the kind of person who you want to be? Cold-hearted? A facade of compassion on the exterior, but stone-cold and vacated from within? Do you claim to care about women but couldn't care less about me because I stand as a reminder of something you'd rather not face and that you'd hate for others to consider either? Do I not fit your agenda?

 In law school, I’d also have classmates say things to me like, “Oh well! If you’d been aborted, you wouldn’t be here today, and you wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so what does it matter?” Believe it or not, some of the top pro-abortion philosophers use that same kind of argument: “The fetus never knows what hits him, so there’s no such fetus to miss his life.” So I guess as long as you stab someone in the back while he’s sleeping, then it’s okay, because he doesn’t know what hits him?! I’d explain to my classmates how their same logic would justify me killing you today, because you wouldn’t be here tomorrow, and you wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so what does it matter?" And they’d just stand there with their jaws dropped. It’s amazing what a little logic can do, when you really think this thing through -- like we were supposed to be doing in law school -- and consider what we’re really talking about: there are lives who are not here today because they were aborted. It’s like the old saying: “If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?” Well, yeah! And if a baby is aborted, and no one else is around to know about it, does it matter? The answer is, YES! Their lives matter. My life matters. Your life matters and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!"

Rebecca is not the only survivor from being conceived in rape. Here is another video that shares men and women's perspectives that were conceived in rape:

I asked my husband his thoughts and this is what he had to share:

Two wrongs do not make a right. To kill the innocent is never ok. Many people wish to be compassionate and perceive themselves to be compassionate yet they have fallen for the world's lie that just because a baby comes from a traumatic experience that the Mother will live the rest of their lives with negative feelings towards their child because of that. When, in reality, just like in the first video three women proved that wrong and many other women have also as well as .

A simple illustration about how pathetic the world's logic is concerning this is:

If a friend of yours attacks or breaks a law that hurts me in some way it is then justifiable for me to have you destroyed/killed just so I won't be reminded as often of the horrible thing that your friend did to me.

Pretty lame huh? And yet this is a lie that so many people believe!

This is proven not only in these videos but also in the stories of real life women and their children. Below is a link to multiple women's life stories who became pregnant by rape. Some on the positive side trusted God and chose to give their child a chance at life and were blessed through. Sadly, others chose to not trust God or were forced or bought into the lie that having an abortion would solve their problem. Tragically, it did not and these women who shared so candidly regret that decision to this day HOWEVER, God took that guilt and shame and gave them hope in and through Jesus Christ. Today all of these women are testimony to what God can do. And how truly, Jesus Christ can make beauty out of even the worst of ashes. 

 Please click HERE to go and read these amazing stories from both sides (you will have to scroll down).

This all together only leads to this: The Word of God is the only firm foundation. You can believe it and prove it right or you can not believe it and still prove it right meaning-the destruction of human life is never the only or right answer. Difficult situations will arise however even in these difficult situations destroying a innocent life will never solve the problem.

Is there hope after an abortion? Absolutely! Jesus Christ is that hope!  And if anything is taken from this post I would pray it be this: whether or not you have been raped, molested, aborted a baby, been abused, and the list could go on and on-there is that hope in Jesus Christ!!!! And it is for each and every one of us! The Bible says: "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Many people heave a sigh of relief and think well I am a good person. Whew. I have never murdered or committed adultery. I am not as bad as ___________ (fill in the blank). Yet, Jesus said if you look in lust you have committed adultery and that hating someone in your heart is the same as murder. That convicts me! We are all guilty with that kind of standard! None of us can live up to it! But that is ok. "God commended His love toward us in this-that while we were still sinners Christ DIED for us." (Rom. 5:8). He took that guilt! He took our shame! He took our sins on His shoulders. He paid our fine. He took our judgement! What glorious HOPE AND TRUTH IS IN THAT! And it is for everyone!

My prayer is that God's love and Word would reach all who do not know Him as their personal Savior. That they would realize that God can take ashes and make beauty out of them. Just like these women whose testimonies we heard about how God took a horrific situation and made something beautiful out of it-their child.

Does abortion really have to be the only option?

I received a comment on my previous post "Would You Help Fight Against Abortion" this morning and thought I would share both the comment and my response with all of you:

"Anonymous said...

I assume the Pregnancy Center also provides free prenatal vitamins? Free labor and delivery hospitalization? Emotional and financial support to those who are kicked out of their homes? Counseling for rape and incest victims who are pregnant with their attackers child? Food, clothing and shelter for the baby and mom? Early childhood intervention where necessary?

Thanks. You reminded me that my yearly contribution to Planned Parenthood is overdue."

My response is this:

Anonymous-

Yes they do actually provide free prenatal vitamins. I have been given them personally.

 As for the free labor and delivery hospitalization they give the resources to people who have no money or good enough insurance for labor and delivery as well as prenatal care. You can then go through these FREE resources (as my husband and I did) and choose the ones that are best for you. God has so provided for us in this way through them helping us even know where to go.

One of the biggest things the center offers is emotional support through counseling and then also they do what ever they can to help those who do not have a good living situation. I know a lady personally that they helped get into some apartments at a church when she was 6 months pregnant and had no place to go. The director herself came to help her get settled and make sure everything was taken care of financially.

 Not only is there also counseling for rape and incest victims but they also offer amazing adoption support groups and resources so that if the mother chooses to she can give her baby to a couple/family who desperately wants a child. I also know a mother who used that service and is very at peace with her situation and her child is in a wonderful home.

Food, shelter and clothing for the baby and mom-they have so many resources and will work tirelessly to make sure that you and your child are ok. I already mentioned the shelter. As for food and clothing they again help you get plugged in to amazing resources as well as have a 12 week parenting class where you earn baby bucks and use those for diapers, clothes, baby necessities, and at the end receive a FREE brand new pack and play.

As for early childhood interventions there are many resources available for that as well. I am involved in a program where I can earn points and can redeem them for things like clothes and diapers and wipes and any baby need you would have until my child is over two years old!

Many girls are told that abortion is their "only" option. That they could never handle a baby. That it would wreck their lives etc...the pregnancy center also offers post abortion counseling for girls that felt they had no other choice, did not know about these amazing resources, had the abortion and are now dealing with horrible regret and guilt that plagues them for YEARS. They help them see that there is healing and redemption in Jesus Christ! That their sins can be washed away. That He will forgive them and take their guilt.

If anything adoption is always an option. And there are so many FREE resources for girls if they choose life and choose to keep their babies.

Yes, I say babies. Because that is what they are. I saw my son at 9 weeks. He was wiggling all over and his heart was beating. At five weeks his heart STARTED to beat. At six weeks blood began to course through his body. At 7 weeks hands and feet had emerged and his liver was churning out red blood cells (until the marrow formed and could take over). I could go week by week until right now and it would show from the beginning what an amazing miracle is taking place in a BABY. (Source: babycenter.com)

I do not judge these girls at all that have abortions. I pity them because most of them are given no other option. One nurse I know of (from a friend who was there) TURNED THE ULTRASOUND SCREEN AWAY so an 18 year old girl could not see her 11 week old twins MOVING and see their hearts beating. Why? Because they were giving her abortion as her ONLY option.

Another AMAZING resource the pregnancy center gives one FREE is an ultrasound. Last year 64 women came in sure that abortion was their only hope. The ladies at the center listened to them, counciled them, and then said , "Why don't we put you on the ultrasound machine just to make sure that you are indeed pregnant." When they did and these women saw their baby THEIR child moving and their heart beating and SAW that they are in fact a beautiful little person ALL 64 of them CHOSE LIFE and kept their little ones.

Am I saying that it will be easy? No it is not always easy BUT I do know that there are so many people out there who love God and love unborn babies and will do WHATEVER they can to help and support and encourage.

My husband and I have been amazed at how the Lord has provided for us! He is faithful!
There are other choices out there.

Abortion never has to be the only option.

That is my response.

Many of you have seen  my recent posts about the Walk for Life. This is the reason I do it. Jason and I have personally been so blessed with help of even knowing where to go and what to do next. When I first walked into those doors I had no idea where to really start. We were so overwhelmed by love and people that cared so much for us and our baby it just instantly put me to ease.

Here is another challenge though for all of us that my amazing friend Missie from over at Hidden Valley Simplicity commented on that same post:

"Last year I pleaded with a young woman to not abort her baby. She ended up NOT doing so and fell in love at her first ultrasound. Now, her and the baby are like family to us. One of my big things is, if we are going to cry out against abortion, we must---MUST---then help the women raise their babies after they are born!!! It's one thing to save a life. It's another to get involved in that life. It takes time and sacrifice but it's not enough to just prevent abortion. . . we have to do all we can to help that Mama give her child the best life possible, esp when circumstances are not giving Mama any support (financially, emotionally, etc). Are we willing to be there when the baby won't stop screaming at 2:00 a.m.??? Will we let the Mama and her baby be in our home frequently, just hanging out when we love our solitude and privacy, because she needs someone to be there for her? Will we buy things for them when the job the Mama has isn't quite enough for rent, clothes, formula, and diapers?"

What an amazing story but also what weighty questions that I had to ask myself! Are we willing to not just sit in church shouting out amens and hallelujahs when someone stands up and speaks out against abortion. Are we willing to actually walk the walk and do the hard things? To get out of our comfort zones. To serve and to love and to give as Jesus did?

(Source)



According to the website this picture is found on-this is a 12 week old baby.

"The baby has all of the parts necessary to experience pain, including nerves, spinal cord, and thalamus. Vocal cords are complete. The baby can suck its thumb. "

Is this little ones life worth it to us? Not only in the womb but like Missie, challenged us, outside the womb as well?

What can we do as women of God? How can we make a difference? For each of us it will be different but one thing we can all do is pray. Pray for these little lives. Pray for their Mama's. Pray to be the hands and feet to make a difference, even if it isn't in a glamorous way. Look around and see who are around us. Do you know a young single Mom? What are ways that you can help her and encourage her? Do you know a young pregnant girl? How can you encourage her and support her? Sometimes we all just need a true friend.

These involve doing.

Going.

Stepping out of that comfort zone.

Are we willing to stop just talking about it and start doing hard things for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

These lives are all so precious to Jesus-both the babies and Mama's. Do we tell them that? Do we show them that?

Or do we judge?

Proverbs 31:8-9 says this:

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."

These little ones can not speak for themselves and a lot of these Mama's are destitute, poor and needy.

How can we make a difference for Jesus Christ in these girls lives today?

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

TODAY Jason and I are participating in the Women's Pregnancy Centers Walk for Life (which I wrote about Here). Would you consider giving even if it is just a dollar? We all say we hate abortion yet, this place literally stops abortions. Last year it stopped 64 babies from being slaughtered and with our help may stop more this year. Are you willing to give up a few dollars to SAVE BABIES LIVES?

If you want to give (again even if it is just a dollar) just go to our page (Jason and Katy) and you can make an online donation by clicking on the link below. Jason will be juggling and doing balloon animals and I will be...support lol :) I will post pictures soon Lord willing :)

As always, if you can not give PLEASE pray for us and the walk today that we would be a shining testimony of God's love. It is so special to be walking this Walk for Life with my little one snug inside me :) AND it is FREEZING HERE IN FLORIDA so I am wearing maternity jeans although they are a bit big/baggy still lol :) THEY ARE WARM!!! :)

Is it warm or cold where you are today?

Here is the link to our fundraising page: Jason and Katy's Fundraising Page ;)

BRRRRRRR....I am going to make some HOT tea I think to get me through this morning (it is not even 8am yet yipes).

Fact #1: I am NOT a morning person.

Fact #2: I am strange when I have to be ;)

Hope you all have a great day!! :)

As I wait for the fax to go through...

I am sitting in the office waiting for a fax that I am sending to go through. Since it is 28 pages it is taking a while so I thought why not just update my blog for fun?

So what has been going on in my life lately? Hmmm, let me think:

I found this picture on my computer the other night :) What sweet memories it brings back! It is hard to believe we have been married for over five months. It seems like forever but in a very very good way! I thought I loved him on our wedding day but I am realizing that I really didn't know what love was yet! I am learning more each and every day :)

Ok, so I am not faxing anymore. Just to let you know.

So one of the things I love about my husband is how hard he works! Yesterday and today he has been working on making our front porch nicer :) He painted it and it turned out in an awesome way:

To some it may just seem like a porch but to me it is a labor of love :) And wow it looks SO much better then it did before!!! :)

So then Jason decided to tackle some of the very out of control bushes that were around the porch. He hacked. He chopped. And then did each some more. He was labor and I was management. Well, and picture taker ;)



I am one blessed girl :) I love my husband so very very much and yes my love is amazingly handsome :)

 I am so thankful that the Lord worked in my life the way He did and that He also showed me how wrong I had been in wearing my purity like a badge on my sleeve (thinking I was better just because I didn't do________________________).  God has taught me so much in my relationship with Jason. We did not court and we really didn't date. Does that make sense? Not really! :) God took two people and brought them together in such an amazing way I can not believe it!

We were best friends, God showed him I was the one he was going to marry, we became better friends,



The first picture we ever had taken together.

 he asked me to be in a relationship,

The night he asked me to be in a relationship with him :)

we got engaged-

Christmas Day 2010-The night we got engaged :)

and then one year and two months to the day after we met we got married.

May 28, 2011-the day I married the love of my life :)

 Not what I had in mind for MY plan of how my love life was going to go. God had such a bigger plan. Such a better plan. Wow. :)

Well, that was random. But that is ok :) Now I am off to read the Word with my husband. What is something you can brag on your husband about?  I would love to hear :) Blessings!