War Binder: Mission Birth

At my most recent prenatal appointment I was given some exciting and scary news! 

That I might get to try a VBAC instead of being set for a 3rd c-section! To me this news was thrilling and very scary! When I told my husband he was very supportive but he did voice concerns about my emotional state should things not go the way I imagined.

So I was inspired.. maybe a better word is moved.. to put together a War Binder focused solely on my the birth of my baby with the intent of reminding me to always trust God's plan, His will, and His way on all things. I needed something to remind me of the peace found in the Lord when o give all my worries and concerns to Him.

Thus... a miniature war binder was born. It includes affirmations, prayers, and verses to encourage me and guide me on a path with the Lord as I finish this pregnancy journey. I try to read it daily in order to embody the Lord in this experience!

Here is a video walk through of the journal! I hope it helps you as much as it is helping me!

Have you Heard the Good News in Psalm 32??

Let's just take a minute to soak this in...

Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sin is put out of sight!
² Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,^[b]
    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
³ When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.
⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
    that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
⁷ For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.
    You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

¹⁰ Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
¹¹ So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Is that not the most joyful good news?! Just meditate on David's words for a moment. What joy for those who have been forgiven?! Whose records have been cleared of guilt!! When you pray for forgiveness, you are protected from sorrow and surrounded with victory in the Lord!! Just like that, God FORGIVES you! Not cause you earned it or did anything special. Nope. You just asked for forgiveness, with reverence to God's almighty power to save given through the sacflraficial blood of the perfect lamb of Jesus Christ, and in an instant you are surrounded with the Lord's unfailing love!!

Does it get any better than that?!

Can I get an Amen?!

Bible Walk - Month One

I finally did it!!!!

I made it all the way through MONTH ONE of my one year Bible. It only took me like 4 months, but I did it!!!!

Today before I was ready to start the second month, I decided to do a walk through of what I had read and journaled as a refresher, review, and reviver. I wanted to remember what all I had read and make sure I didn't miss any golden nuggets, which in fact, I did.

As I turned the pages of the first month, I was intrigued by the evolution of my journaling. I definitely became more brave with my pictures and expressions as I progressed - which is very exciting to think what I'll be doing by the time I finish reading the whole Bible :)

But the really exciting thing is my growth as a believer. You know how they say the more time you spend with Lord, the more you appreciate who He is and the more your eyes are opened to your own wickedness and the wicked ways of the world... I can safely say this is 100% true, at least in my experience!

I feel like I walk taller and just generally feel better knowing better who my Heavenly Father is and who I am in Him!!

HERE is a link to my Bible Walk video. Enjoy :)

God is Faithful to Listen and Hear

Yesterday was a whirlwind for me.

I woke up just devastated. My husband and I have been rocky in our relationship lately, and some days I am less emotionally stable to deal with it - I blame pregnancy hormones.

Anyways, yesterday was one of those days where I couldn't cope. So I decided I was going to fast for the morning and lose myself in prayer! (Before you panic, I only fasted until 2, but I drank water all morning to prevent dehydration.) I sat down in front of my prayer journal and wept as I wrote a pleasing prayer to the Lord, pleading for Him to soften my husbands heart, to turn my hubby's heart towards the Lord that it might be soft towards me. And then I asked for a sign. I asked the Lord to show me He was working by making my husband open minded again to conversation about the baby's name.

Then I rested. Rested in faith the God is good. Rested in the faith that only God can change a heart.

And you know what?! Last night my husband and I had about an hour talk about what to name the baby. He isn't ready to change his selection but he was willing to have the conversation.

Praise the Lord!

We finally had a decent conversation where we could both talk happily. And God answered my prayer with sign I asked for. My husband and I had a real talk about what has been bothering me, as well. It was a beautiful experience.

God is Faithful when we are Faithful.

I am including a great post from Forst 15 to go along with my story:)

Praying in Faith 

https://www.first15.org/06/14/praying-in-faith/

Traveling War Room

Anyone who sees me on a daily basis knows I carry I massive amount of goodies with me on a daily basis. I have at least 2 bags, sometimes a small box, and a carrying case - my traveling war room!!

Since I seem to have more free time at work than at home these days, I have assembled a traveling kit of worship and prayer! And it is an all day source of happiness for me!

So I decided to make a video about it and share it with you:)

Enjoy!! Please feel free to post any questions you may have.

https://youtu.be/mc8gVEWxjX8