The Burrell Crew

Layers of Blessings

2011-05-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Layered lemon dessert.

Layered pudding delight with cherry sauce.

Layered chocolate anything! (Is your mouth watering yet?)

The thing about layered desserts is that, as the cook, you just keep piling on the goodies. God's promises are a little like that too. All last week I have been exploring the promises of His presence recorded for us in the scriptures. As I think about my response to these promises, the verse that suggests an appropriate response to the promises adds a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry!

Look at Psalm 95:2, it says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song". Did you catch it? Not only does scripture promise us God's presence, it also invites us to come--to come intentionally--into His presence. Think of that! You're invited!

Of course, God is present everywhere, all the time. But He invites us to come into His presence on purpose, responding to His goodness in our lives, especially His goodness to us in Jesus, our Savior. We can come, as the psalm says, "with thanksgiving...with music and son."

What's behind this invitation? Does the God of the universe need our worship? Absolutely not! He invites us because we need to do it!

As we worship, he reminds us of His forgiveness and His love for us.
As we worship, He works His Word more deeply int o our hearts so that it can strengthen and encourage us.
As we worship, He assures us that we're not alone. He's present with us--and we belong to His family.

God's promises are sure, no matter where we stand in history, no matter what our stage in life!

More to Life

2011-03-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10, NKJV

There is more to life . . .

than being healthy,

than being happy,

than being problem free,

than being comfortable,

than feeling good, than getting what we want,

than being healed.

There is more to life even than living!

And the "more to life" is the development of our faith to the extent that our very lives display God's glory!

Jesus does not protect those He loves from bad things happening but uses bad things to fulfill His greater plan. He is glad, not that we suffer, but that we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and display His glory, which is the fulfillment of the very purpose for our existence. Don't settle for less than more!

Blessings,

where's she been?

2011-03-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

hello friends. i am alive, just in case anyone out there still reads this and was wondering, where did she disappear too?? i realize i have been mia for about 3 months now. life has been full of twists and turns, all of which God is in charge of, but this woman just needed a break. but, guess what? i'm back. so there. i was gone but now im back and i can do that cuz its my blog:)

check back later this week for an update and some current pics of the chillins! love to all!!

What will you do on new years eve?

2010-12-31T07:38:00.001-08:00

Thou hast made the moon to mark the seasons, the sun knows it’s time for setting.
Psalm 104:19 RSV

Today is the last day of 2010. Tomorrow dawns a brand new year! Are you ready for it? Well, before the New Year is upon us, here’s an important reminder: Don’t overlook today! Today, you were handed from God 24 hours to live life to the fullest. That's 1440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. Sometimes we get so busy and distracted we miss the fact that each rising, sun brings new opportunities and adventures on this planet we call Earth. God gives us one new day at a time so that we aren't distracted by the future or paralyzed by the past. So, today may be the last day of the year, but today is also the first day of the rest of your life. Make the most of today! Enjoy God's gift to you on this New Year's Eve. You can accomplish a great deal with the 1440 minutes in a day. Today, stop and take advantage of all that God has provided for you.

The greatest commodity you have at your fingertips is time. Everyone has the same amount of time to use or waste today. The happiness in your life depends on how you use your time. Periodically I need to take an evaluation of how I am using my time. This little list helps me keep perspective:

Take time to THINK — it is the source of power.
Take time to PLAY — it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to be FRIENDLY — it is the road to happiness.
Take time to LOVE — it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to READ — it is a fountain of wisdom.
Take time to PRAY — it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to LAUGH — it is the music of the soul.
Take time to GIVE — it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to WORK — it is the price of success.

Happy New Year!!!

merry christmas to you!

2010-12-24T09:45:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From All Of Us...

Carly, Chris, Kailey, and Lauryn Burrell

Baby Jesus

2010-12-21T06:14:00.000-08:00

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

We are tempted to keep the baby Jesus tucked safely away in a manger, far removed from daily life. Such a sweet little baby cradled on a bed of straw, surrounded by livestock, smiled upon approvingly by Mary and Joseph, and adored by shepherds and wise men warms our hearts and is not very threatening. He makes no demands of us regarding our priorities, attitudes, lifestyles, and commitments. But an adult Jesus who teaches and heals and performs miracles; who challenges and confronts us with demands of God's kingdom; who is crucified, dies, is sealed in a borrowed tomb, and then rises from the dead on the third day challenges everything that we know about life on earth.

That sweet little baby whose birth was heralded by angels grew up to be a man, and not just any man, but the God/man who fully embodied and demonstrated God's radical, irrepressible, never-ending love in human terms that we can understand. It is this image of Jesus that commands ultimate devotion.

Now you and I are personally involved because we know the true story of Jesus. That baby's humble beginning is only the first chapter in a drama that has yet to be completed. By entering into our consciousness, his story has become a part of our history. That baby is now known as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We call him Jesus (Savior) because he saves his people- those who look to him and trust him- from their sin as well as their bondage to sin.

The shepherds and wise men paid tribute to him. Millions upon millions of people have committed their lives to him. And by His grace I will be more intentionally committed to being one of those faithful followers!

What Christmas is All About

2010-12-17T08:19:00.000-08:00

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11

One of my favorite Christmas television specials of all-time is A Charlie Brown Christmas. In the cartoon, Charlie Brown wrestles with the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of a world that seems overloaded with commercialism. First appearing in 1965, the issues Charlie Brown grapples with ring just as true today as they did over 40 years ago.

In one scene, Charlie Brown is so frustrated, he yells, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” To answer, Charlie’s friend Linus steps out onto the auditorium stage and recites the Christmas story straight from the Gospel of Luke. It seems so simple. Yet today, many people celebrate the holiday for a lot of reasons, and some have nothing to do with the birth of Christ, like family traditions, a day off from work, a time of gift-giving, Santa Claus, parties, and so on. Commercialism and materialism is a part of the fabric of Christmas celebrations in our society. It’s easy to forget that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be
all glory given;
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
(from O Come, All Ye Faithful)

Make this one of your best Christmases by choosing to make the birth of Jesus the primary motivation for your celebrations.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!!

Becoming a Pearl

2010-11-30T06:27:00.000-08:00

Becoming a Pearl
By Kelly McFadden

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4
It takes an oyster somewhere between three and six years to produce a perfect pearl. The process begins with a small piece of sand or other irritant entering the oyster. The oyster then coats it with layers of nacre which, after years of this process, we come to know as a pearl, like we see on necklaces in jewelry stores.

Like the sand in an oyster, God uses a little irritation in our life to create beauty. A friend once told me that she never prayed for her children to be happy. For if they were always happy, she said, how would they ever develop character and experience personal growth?

Going through trying times is not pleasant, and James does not tell us to pretend we are happy in the midst of it, but to consider it an opportunity for joy. God gives us a promise that we can “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3b-4). It is through the hurt, pain and ugliness that, oftentimes, God creates beauty in each of us. Without the irritation, God cannot create in us a beautiful final product.

It is said that not all oysters produce perfect pearls naturally. In every three tons of oysters, you are likely to find only three or four that make a perfect pearl. When we embrace the struggle or irritation in our lives, God uses it to make us into something beautiful. When we run from or ignore our pain it is hard for us to learn from it and see God’s hand in it. Embracing the rough times and trusting God will ultimately help you become all God is training you to be.

St louis Vacation Pictures

2010-09-02T11:44:00.001-07:00

calamity to calm

2010-06-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Father, this day has too much responsibility for me. My head spins with frustration. My life is full of calamity. Help me to gain Your perspective. When my footing begins to slip, let me cling to You, my Fortress. Instill Your direction in my cluttered mind. When I am weak, lend me Your quiet, confident strength; when impatient, grant me Your patience. If I fail, help me not to keep punishing myself, but to leave it in Your hands and go on.

Teach me to eliminate those things that are unnecessary and to concentrate on the essentials. Help me slow down enough to take time for myself and You. Keep my thoughts accurate, my hands sure, and my feet swift in doing Your will. Remind me of my limitations, Lord. Keep my step close behind-not in front- of You and protect me with Your strong hands.

At the days end, I will lie down and reflect on all I have learned. I will recall how much You have helped me. I will praise You with great joy as I drift to sleep nestled in the protection of Your mighty wings.

Kailey's Preschool Graduation

2010-05-20T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last night was a fun night for Kailey. She was excited all day along about her graduation ceremony. It was a cute ceremony. They sang several songs that they had practiced through out the school year. They said the Pledge of Allegiance, signed the entire alphabet, and quoted John 3:16. Very cute! Kailey was full of smiles the first half of the ceremony but the last part she started to get shy and had her hands in her mouth and was covering her eyes. It was precious. Of course I was full of tears. It was an emotional experience for me. My baby is growing up so fast. They read the book entitled, Let Me Hold You Longer, written by Karen Kingsbury. If you are a mom of young kids you should read it. It reminds us how we always celebrate the "firsts" in our child's life; the first laugh, the first time they walk, the first day of school, the first date, etc. but this book reminds us to cherish their "lasts" too...the last time they ask you to rock them, the last time they crawl into bed with you, etc. It was really good! The lighting was not good for pictures but here are a few moments we captured.

it's mine

2010-05-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the LORD. See to it that no on misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Hebrews 12:14

If you’ve ever witnessed a group of toddlers at play, then you have experienced the “Toddler’s Rules of Toys.” If this isn’t familiar to you, allow me to explain. In a toddler’s world, it goes something like this:

If I have a toy, it’s mine.
If you have a toy I want, it’s mine.
If I have a toy and put it down, and you pick it up, it’s mine.
If you have a toy I want and you put it down, it’s mine.
If you head toward a toy I might want to play with, it’s mine.
In fact, it’s all mine!

While there are many amusing versions of this poem, it is doused in truth. And, while it might be a bit humorous to watch in a toddler, it’s absolutely appalling to see in adults. In the book of Hebrews, the author exhorts the reader to make every effort to live in peace with everyone. But, in order to follow that instruction, all ideas regarding “me” and “mine” must be put aside, because the truth is, living at peace with all people requires a tremendous amount of energy, humility and maturity. And, if you think this was an isolated event, consider Paul’s words to the church in Philippi, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

As Christ’s followers, we should find that serving others is becoming more and more second nature.

Mothers Day

2010-05-10T06:16:00.001-07:00

Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Spit on.
Chewed on.
Pottied on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much love or so much pain before I was a Mom.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
— Author unknown.

The To-Do List

2010-05-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:12-13

I like to make “to-do lists.” I am most definitely a list person... Pick up groceries, drop off dry cleaning, buy gift for a friend, etc. When things get busy, it helps to have a list I can refer to that reminds me of all I need to get done. All the “to-dos” are compiled on a sticky note or pad of paper so I can (with great satisfaction) check each item off as I complete it.

Throughout the Bible, there are a variety of “to-dos” for Christians concerning how we are called to treat each other. They are referred to as the “one anothers.” Here are a few of them:

Romans 12:16 - Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 15:7 - Accept one another.
1 Corinthians 12:25 - Care for one another.
Galatians 5:13 - Serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:15 - Don’t spitefully hurt one another.
Galatians 5:26 - Don’t provoke or envy one another.
Galatians 6:2 - Carry one another’s burdens.
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another.
Ephesians 4:32 - Forgive one another.
Colossians 3:9 - Don’t lie to one another.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 - Comfort one another.
Titus 3:3 - Don’t hate one another.
Hebrews 3:13 - Encourage one another.
James 5:9 - Don’t bear grudges against one another.
James 5:16 - Pray for one another.

When the day gets busy and time gets short, I must admit, these things tend to get put on the bottom of my priorities sometimes. I tend to focus on myself and how others should be treating me, not on how I am treating and reaching out to others. However, as Christians, the “one anothers” list is one of the most important “to-do” lists to have on hand. All of these are ways we show each other love and respect. It is how God has called us to treat one another.

phone tag

2010-04-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

Psalm 139:1-4

I love phone technology. I’m not talking about today’s smart phones, but I’m talking about simpler features like caller ID and voice mail. They are great! If someone calls me and either I don’t want to talk to them, don’t recognize the number, or simply don’t have time to talk, I can silence my ringer and send them straight to voice mail and hear what they have to say later. Then, when I call others back, they can do the same to me. I think my longest game of phone tag lasted almost three months…

Despite my love for technology, I am so thankful that with the Lord, there is no phone tag, no voice mail, and no need for caller ID. When we cry out to the Lord, He knows who is calling and in fact He is waiting for us to do just that. I love the praise song, “He Knows My Name.” The chorus goes like this: He knows my name, he knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls and He hears me when I call. God answers every time. There is no three-month wait, no deciding He doesn’t feel like talking to us, no secretary screening calls, and no deciding He doesn’t have the time.

For me, there are times I wish God would let my call roll into His voice mail… especially when I need to confess my sins. And, there are a variety of things that hold us back from calling out to Him. Maybe you’re embarrassed because you haven’t been making the right decisions, or perhaps you haven’t talked to Him in a while, or feel like you only call to Him when you need something, or maybe you just aren’t sure where to start.

Know this: He knows your name. He has searched you inside and out and knows everything about you; nothing you say will surprise Him. And what’s even better is that the Bible tells us there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. Nothing. So you don’t need to worry that He doesn’t love you anymore and doesn’t want to hear from you. He’s waiting.

my purpose

2010-02-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

i often ask myself the question, "why do i get up in the morning?" in answering this question, i am reminded daily that my purpose in to get up, set my heart, mind, and soul before the Lord, ans walk through the day trusting in His grace and yielding to His plan for my life. this is easy to write but not easy to do.

i don't like life when i'm hurt, when people won't do what i think they should do, when people i love make wrong decisions, when i'm denied what i think is best. as i look at that last sentence, it is full of "i's". that is the key to understanding my purpose-it is not my purpose or my life-it is God's purpose and God's life.

i don't want to just "make it" through life trying to grab or manipulate a little peace and happiness as i can. i want the very best that God has to offer while i am here, and i want to offer Him my very best, no matter what my circumstances might be.

i want to stay focused on the things that are eternal; Go, Himself, His Word, and people. i want my abiding to grow deeper and deeper so that as others observe my life, they will give glory to God. i want to have the compassion and boldness of Christ in relating to others. this is the precious fruit of His Spirit, and it is given only as i abide.

i get up in the morning to be conformed to the image of Christ. what will i give in order for God to accomplish His purpose in me? all that i have and all that i am.

"There is nothing quite as exhilarating as getting out of bed in the morning, going back into the world, and knowing why. Enthusiasm is derived from the certainty that for this I was born, and I am doing it! It is thrilling knowledge that I am fulfilling God's intended purpose for me."
Bill Hull

can you imagine.

2010-02-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

i found these pictures online and wanted to share...

this is a woman getting ready to go into a public bathroom in downtown houston...

now that you have seen the outside view, have a peek inside! it is made entirely out of oneway glass-no one can see in but you can see everything going on around you. could you? would you? i think not!

imagine you are at a party on the 10th floor of a high rise...
and then you have to use the bathroom...
and you step into this bathroom...with the floor painted like this! can you imagine?!

i heart coffee.

2010-02-18T16:04:00.000-08:00

mmmmmmm....i do love me a good cup of coffee. of course, not just plain, black coffee but fixed up with some kind of flavored creamer. there is something about sitting down and sipping on that warm, tasty treat. more than anything i think i enjoy it because my hubby does. it doesn't matter the time of day, if chris gets an itch to make coffee, he will, and he always fixes mine just right. thanks babe, i love that about you!

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens | CMA Resources

2010-02-17T16:14:00.001-08:00

This is a book I am adding to my list. Anyone read it yet?

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens | CMA Resources

Posted using ShareThis

what i would tell them

2010-02-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

WHAT I WOULD TELL THEM:
(If I knew what to say.)
You are a miracle.
And I have to love you this fiercely: So that you can feel it even after you leave for school, or even while you are asleep, or even after your childhood becomes a memory.
You’ll forget all this when you grow up.
But it’s okay.
Being a mother means having your heart broken.
And it means loving and losing and falling apart and coming back together.
And it’s the best there is.
And also, sometimes, the worst.
Sometimes you won’t have anyone to talk to.
Sometimes you’ll wonder if you’ve forgotten who you are.
But you must remember this: What you’re doing matters.
And you have to be brave with your life so that others can be brave with theirs.
And nurturing the good in this world is nothing short of a privilege.
That’s why I have to love you this way.
So I can give what I have to you.
So that you can carry it in your body and pass it on.
I have watched you sleep.
I’ve kissed you a million times.
And I know something that you don’t, yet:
You are writing the story of your only life every single minute of every day.
And my greatest hope for you, sweet child, is that I can teach you how to write a good one.

a stirring.

2010-01-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

There is so much going on around me~ some I am very aware of and some I am not. The Lord has been speaking to me about my purposeful existence and what that means for me. My spirit has been wrestling with this concept all week, fighting for self, when that is the opposite of my purpose.I can no longer do it on my own. Jim Cymbala,says in his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, "the devil in not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift our hearts to God." He likes to whisper to me, "don't call, don't ask, don't depend on God to do great things- you'll get along just fine if you just rely on your own cleverness and energy. Well guess what...I'm all out. I don't want to do things on my own. I want my Fathers leading, I want to experience God's closeness, I want to focus vertically rather than horizontally, reaching to Him rather than reaching out on my own. I have been brought to my knees and forced to look into the mirror at my futile attempts to do the work of the Holy Spirit. My heart has been ignited with a fresh fire to experience God's mercy, power, and love as though for the first time!

a little late.

2010-01-29T06:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, we celebrated Lauryn's birthday! And i finally have picture here to prove it.

The Last Drop

2010-01-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

Do you ever notice perfume in the air? The waft that lingers after a friend leaves the room? Or, a promise of spring coming from the lilac candle in the living room? Pass by a stranger, and if she’s wearing your mother’s old scent, you’re immediately transported to another place and another time.

Three of the four gospels record a tender moment between the Lord Jesus and his friend, Mary of Bethany, a short time before Christ’ death. While He’s at dinner, Mary arrives and proceeds to pour an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on his head. This is a rather unexpected turn of events, to say the least. The gospel of John adds that she also poured the perfume on his feet, then wiped them with her, apparently, unbound hair.

I’ve been thinking about that moment, trying to play it out in my mind. I wonder where Mary got the perfume; how long had she had it? I wonder what she did the first time the thought came to her to pour her perfume out over Jesus’ feet. Did she push it aside, thinking it would be crazy? Did she busy herself with something—anything—else to make the thought go away? What went through her mind as she resolved to follow through? I have to imagine that the walk from where the perfume was kept to the point at which she fell at Jesus’ feet felt, regardless of the distance, as if it were an endless journey. I even wonder how long the fragrance lingered in the home following that evening as a reminder of what she had done.

She did what she could, when she should, with all that she had…regardless of what those around her murmured. And her Savior read her heart. Turning to those around them, He prophesies, “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

The Scriptures tell us that God prepares us in advance for good works in Christ. He gives us the design, the desire, the resources and His results. May we follow Marys' example, pouring out our all for Him. May we, in fact, be “to God the aroma of Christ” and the fragrance of life to those around us.

Shedding

2010-01-08T09:26:00.001-08:00

I don't have much time right now to sit down and fill you in on all the emotions and thoughts I have had over the last 12 days, so I will just stick with the basics until I can return to gather my thoughts.

I lost 6 pounds int he first week!

I am still shedding the pounds!

I feel good!

My clothes are fitting loose!

And....

Only 4 days left until I weigh in again and start phase 2!

Love to all!

The New Year is Here!

2010-01-03T12:58:00.000-08:00

Ready or not...here it is...2010! I don't know about you but I am SO ready! Bring it on! I read this devotional the other day and I thought it was well worth sharing. I found it to be refreshing especially as we lift up our bold prayer requests to God for the coming year.

Even though we assume you are very familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, we recommend a different, perhaps novel, approach to this wonderful passage: rather than looking at it as a series of commands, consider looking at it first as a sneak preview of what we'll see when we finally gaze upon [Jesus] "face to face" (1 Cor. 13:12). Rather than automatically asking, "What does this passage tell me to do?" let's ask, "What do these verses tell me about God's love for me through Christ?" We have taken the liberty to paraphrase the passage with that emphasis to help you see what we mean:

As the author of language and as God's Living Word, Jesus can speak in the tongues of men and angels, and yet he condescends to speak simple words that nourish, soothe, and delight our souls. He knows the past and the future, understands all mysteries and knowledge; has all faith and reigns as Ruler over all; and yet, his love caused him to humble himself and remove our mountain of sin. Because of his love, we who are nothing have become "beloved." He gave away what was rightfully his, humbled himself, and delivered up his body to be burned in the scorching furnace of the wrath of his Father.

Jesus is patient and kind; he doesn't envy and boast. When faced with Satan's temptation to prove his Godhead in the wilderness and on the cross, he never showed off his power. He was utterly humble. He wasn't arrogant or rude, railing on the disciples, deserting them because of their selfish ambition. He isn't arrogant or rude with us either. When standing before his accusers he didn't insist that they treat him with respect, nor did he proudly demand their accolades. He was silent, like a lamb before her shearers. The humble King of heaven wore a crown of thorns and a purple cloak. He is never irritable or resentful, picking away at every little foible he sees. In love, his blood covers our multitudinous sins.

He doesn't gleefully rejoice when you sin, glad to finally have an opportunity to give you your comeuppance. He rejoices when you believe the truth, not simply the truth about you--that you are sinful and flawed--but also the truth about him--that he loves and welcomes you. Out of love for you, he bears all things. He has unflinching faith and hope in your transformation because he knows the power of his love. He knows that one day he will bring you to be with himself. He has endured and continues to endure all things out of love for you. His love never ends. Never.

Ten zillion years from now, when he has had time to really see what sort of person you are, his love won't have worn out. In fact, he knows you through and through right now and loves you all the same. Your shameful secrets cannot shock or repel him. His love never ends. One day we will see him face-to-face and then we will fully understand, for the first time, what real love looks like.

Victory

2010-01-02T10:56:00.001-08:00

I am continuing to have success, praise the Lord! I have not weighed in again-I am trying to hold off until Monday so the number lost will seem a little bigger to me. I can tell though that my clothes are fitting different. I feel different too! It's amazing how just a few pounds can make such a big difference.

We went to a friends house last night to play cards/games and of course eat and neither Chris or myself slipped on our eating plan. We stuck to it and it wasn't that difficult-we felt victorious!

Looking forward to Monday...

Love to all!

I Am on Day 4

2009-12-31T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hello! I am so excited about how well I have been doing. I know it is only day 4, but usually at this point I have at least cheated once or twice. And I am happy to report that I have not cheated one time! I know you really aren't supposed to weigh in but one time a week- I had to do it early though. This morning I am 4 pounds lighter. Not a big number but it hasn't even been 4 complete days!!! I mentioned in an earlier post that I introduced a new work out and let me just say it has been hard and I am sore, but after I am done it feels really nice to know that I am making my body my slave instead of the other way around!

Love to all!

I forgot to mention that last night with dinner I made Broiled Tomatoes and they are delicious! Where have they been all my life. You gotta try them!

2 large tomatoes
drizzle with Olive oil
sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper
top with fresh low fat Parmesan cheese

Broil for about 7 minutes until well browned...Enjoy!

Surviving Day One

2009-12-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I wanted to give you an update and let you know how my first day went on my journey to weight loss. It was pretty rough. Not terribly bad but I am pretty sure that I thought about food all day long. How lame is that?! It wasn't that I was hungry, I just thought about everything that I knew I couldn't have. Here are what my meals looked like yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1 slice of canadian bacon and a cup of coffee

Snack: 2 slices of cheese and 2 pieces of low fat turkey lunch meat

Lunch: Chilled tuna, Cottage cheese, and radishes

Snack: Cucumber slices

Dinner: Grilled chicken salad w/ low sugar dressing

I also drank more water than I think I ever have. I am encouraged today because I feel good. I don't have that full/bloated feeling that I usually have. And if I start feeling hungry than I eat. I am going to the store this afternoon to get some sugar free fudge pops and sugar free jello. These are allowed during this first phase and I think it will help satisfy my sweet tooth. Today I am also incorporating a new work out. We went to Wal-mart and got it. It is called The Biggest Loser Boot Camp Workout. I am excited to see the results from this! How is it going for you? I know several of you have contacted me to let me know that you will be doing some sort of weight loss plan with me- I think that is awesome! I cannot wait to hear how you are doing!! Stay strong!

My Weight Loss Journey

2009-12-28T07:12:00.000-08:00

I am going to be brutally honest here, at the risk of embarrassing myself. I have struggled with fluctuating weight for years. I have tried many diets, most of them fads, and have not stuck to any of them for long. Well, this time I am serious. My weight is beginning to effect my health and this time I am not only losing weight for myself but for my family as well.I have the support of my husband as he is taking the journey with me. That will be a big help! I will be journaling my progress here and would love to read your encouraging comments. I would appreciate and covet your prayer as we dive head first into this journey.

My immediate goal is to lose 13 pounds in the first 2 weeks(as predicted in the plan we are following) and then 2-3 pounds each additional week. My short term goal is to have lost 37-40 pounds by the first week of April (which is my birthday, and yes, I will celebrate in a big way!)

Love to all! And I look forward to taking this journey with you. If any of you are inspired to join me on this challenge, let me know as I would love to do this together!

2009-12-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about a quote I read, "A baby is God's opinion that life should go on." I have been privileged to bring 2 of my own children into this world and have had many opportunities to rejoice with other parents when their children were born. Every birth is a miracle, and every newborn baby is a bundle of potential. Each and every child's life holds innumerable promises that are yet to be fulfilled. We may understand the biological process, there is something wonderfully mysterious and sacred about giving birth. Yes, labor and delivery are accompanied by pain and discomfort. But the end result is the gift of a new life that makes all the discomfort worthwhile.

How much more miraculous must the birth of Jesus have seemed to Joseph and Mary on that first holy night. This child was to have a destiny unlike any other. Surely Joseph and Mary must have wondered what all of this could possibly mean as they looked down at the tiny infant sleeping peacefully in the manger. "The birth of your first child will change your life like nothing else, " a wise person told me when our oldest daughter was born. But the birth of God's Son has made an immeasurable difference in all of us. And we have yet to explore the full implication of His birth.

How true are the words of the song 4Him sings, "this is such a strange way, to save the world."

A Good Read, A Moving Read

2009-09-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have been disciplining myself to read more than I have been. I love to read but have not been taking the time to do it.

This week I am reading a book written by Henry Blackaby, called Holiness; God's Plan for Fullness of Life. He is discussing 3 truths for God's people; The loss of the fear of God, Seeing sin from God's perspective, and the highway of holiness. This book has stirred me and I have been finding myself falling to my face in true repentance and seeking revival in my life. I am understanding the urgency toward true revival and spiritual awakening in this nation and across the world-for the glory of God. He asks the question, "If revival in America depended on your prayer life, would there be a revival?" If we have to say no, then we have to make the CHOICE to change our prayer life. Our life and our nation is a reflection of the choices we have made. That is one of the reasons why this kind of message has a sense of urgency about it. There is a lot at stake. In fact, eternity is at stake for many in our nation. He says that in our church alone there are enough of God's people-if they are serious with God-to turn the course of our nation. There were only 120 people in the Upper Room who were wholly yielded Jesus (Acts 1:15). God used those 120 people to turn the entire Roman Empire upside down!

So I have been asking myself, and now I ask you- What could God do through your life? Do you sense that America needs the mighty touch of God? Do you believe God could work through your life as he has done with others? Would you be willing to make the kind of choices required by God to be that kind of person? Your responses to these questions will be a reflection of the choices you have made concerning your Lord.

Dinner Guests

2009-09-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well, where do I begin? Last night we invited a couple from our church over for dinner. This was the first time since we moved here to have dinner guests in our home, so naturally, I was a little nervous. I wanted to make a nice impression and welcome this nice couple into our home. They arrived and things were going smooth. The girls were getting more and more wound up as the night went on; it was finally time to sit down and eat dinner, we blessed the food and started filling our plates full of the beautiful spaghetti and homemade meatballs we had worked on all day. After one bite of eating, the phone rang. It was another couple form our church who had been in a car accident and needed help getting home from the hospital. So Chris immediately left and went to go pick them up and see what he could do to help them. Praise the Lord they were doing ok after a pretty nasty accident. So here is where the "fun" began...as soon as the girls knew Chris was long gone they started acting up, out of control! I was so embarrassed! They were screaming, reaching in the bowl of noodles with their hands, trying to take their shirts off at the table...it was not pretty! At one point I went to talk with Kailey in her room and came back to the kitchen to find Lauryn buck naked dancing around the table while our poor guests were trying to finish their meal. Oh, I was livid with them. As soon as dinner was over, Chris got home. We immediately put the girls to bed and the rest of the evening was fine but, oh my...I was an absolute mess! It was an interesting evening. I will be surprised if anyone else from our church will accept a dinner invitation to our home. I hope so, but I can't blame them after last nights "entertainment".

I think we made an impression, just not the one I was wanting to make. Oh the joys of the terrible twos and (i haven't quite thought of the right expression)a four year old! I love my job as a full time mom and I love my girls so much, but some days I wish I could clock out and go on vacation. :)

Where Could I Go From Your Spirit

2009-09-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today I read this scripture and was blessed! Take a minute to read it, Psalm 139:1-18.

This is such an awesome Psalm. So much is said here. God knows everything about us, He has searched us thoroughly and understands and knows all our thoughts. He knows how we will respond to things. Nothing we do or say could ever surprise Him. There is nowhere we can go to get away from Him, or to hide from Him. He knows where we are at all times. I find that quite comforting to know. He loves us so much that He would be that concerned for us. He is always there to guide us and to lead us (v: 10).

He knit us together in our mothers womb. We were woven together in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery] (v: 15). I love that description. We are like a beautiful embroidery the Lord has woven. He saw our unformed substance while we were being formed in the womb. All our days were written in His book, before we were even born (v: 16). How very special we are to the Lord. He has such an awesome plan for each of us. We are not here by accident. We have a purpose and a destiny in God. We are here for a reason. God has a dream and a vision that He has placed in each one of us, to fulfill.

How precious are His thoughts toward us. They out number the sand (v: 17-18). Isn’t that incredible? God must think about us all the time. This really struck me as I was reading this passage. To know we are on God’s mind that much. That He could care and be concerned with our lives that much, is such a comforting thing to know. What love is that!

May we today have a deeper sense of God’s presence with us wherever we may be, wherever we may go, whatever we may be doing today. Take comfort in knowing that God is thinking of you and is always with you.

Back to blogging...

2009-08-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, I forgot how much I enjoyed blogging! There have been so many times over the past month where I thought, I should blog about that...but obviously I didn't. A lot has happened and a lot has changed since my last post. Those of you closest to me please overlook this as I clue in the rest of my blogger friends.

Chris and I have been praying for direction of the Holy Spirit over the last 3 years, specifically as to where He would lead us to minister. It seemed at times, like my pastor has said before, like the heavens were silent. But just recently God has poured open the heavens and clearly showed us where we are to be! And we could not be more thrilled!!!

To make a long, but interesting and exciting story, short, several weeks ago we (Chris) accepted the full time senior pastor position at the Nazarene church in Sedalia, MO. We moved here last week and are still trying to get settled in. The church has been through many tough times over the last few years but has had time to heal and is looking forward to seeing what Jesus will do now! And we are too!!

Please keep Chris and the girls and I and the Sedalia church in your prayers.

And I promise to try and do better at keeping you on the up and up...

Lots of Love!

Catch Up

2009-06-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ok~ I know some of you are wanting to know what has been going on with Kailey over the last week. So, here is a condensed version of what took place...she was without her medication for a little over 2 weeks and was starting to show signs of inflammation in her joints. Because we have no insurance, we were looking at paying around $2000 out of pocket for one months supply of her medication. That was impossible for us to do. But not impossible for God! He sent someone our way that was willing to cut a check right there for the full amount!!! God is good! We were absolutely amazed at how God was providing this for us! Well, it turns out that we were given the name of a person from Children's Mercy Hospital(where Kailey goes for her DR. appointments)who wanted to speak with us. So we made an appointment to see her and when we got there she told us how Kailey's nurse had told her what was going on and she had all of the paperwork ready for us to sign to apply for emergency assistance. Within 1 hour we were able to pick up Kailey's meds at no cost to us and go home. I still get goosebumps when I think about what happened. The generosity of the people willing to give us $2000-no questions asked, is what Christian brotherhood is about! Even though we did not have to take that money, we were so blessed at their willingness and Gods provision. We serve a MIGHTY GOD!

Happy Annivrsary...

2009-06-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

to us! Christopher Jason Burrell became my husband at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2001, at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Church of the Nazarene. After honeymooning in St. Louis we embarked on an adventure that has gone on now for 8 years and that has given us two beautiful children, many good friends, and many great experiences.

The name "Chris" means "bearer of Christ," Over the years that I have been with Chris, he has never let this meaning down. He has been a "bearer of Christ" to everyone that we meet. And I love him for that!

Thank you Chris for the last 8 years...it has been quite a ride! I love you so very much!

Chris's mom and dad are coming into town today and have volunteered to watch the kids so we can go out to dinner to celebrate.

Boundless

2009-06-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Job 11:7-9 (New International Version)

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave —what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea."

Today has been one whirlwind of a day. I have been reminded just how much Jesus loves me and how much He is concerned for the things that concern me! I am not able to wrap my mind around His goodness and His perfect ways...and that is ok, I am just THANKFUL!

For those of you who follow this blog and are aware of our families present concerns (that I just posted 2 days ago) please know that God has answered these prayers above and beyond... My heart is rejoicing today! I will write more as soon as I can put my thoughts together.

Pray With Us...

2009-06-13T05:52:00.001-07:00

Warning: This post is being written after a long, emotional, sleepless night!
As a mother, I want to take care of my children. I want to prevent anything harmful or scary or bad from happening in their lives. Sometimes I am not able to do that. In many situations it is out of my control.

I am at a point in my life where I am beginning to understand that my children are not my own. They do not not belong to me but to my Loving Father. And I am so thankful for this! I can scramble around trying to do everything I know of to "fix" the problem and it still wouldn't be the perfect solution.It is hard to step back in these situations. This is where my faith needs to kick in on overdrive and I need to place my children at the feet of Jesus.

Recently, as many of you know, Chris was laid off from his job. Well aside from the obvious lack of paycheck, we also lost our health insurance. Many of you also know that Kailey, our almost 4 year old daughter, battles with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. She requires 2 shots weekly to help minimize the inflammation and pain of her joints. The medication that she takes also requires her to have lab drawn every other month to ensure that her liver enzymes are not elevated. All of which is not possible while being uninsured. There is more to the story but I will save you from all the details...I say all of this to ask you to pray with Kailey's dad and I. We have applied for assistance but it is hard to say how long the approval process may take. Please pray that Kailey's body will stay strong while we wait on the approval and then please pray that we will be approved.

I know my Jesus will take care of Kailey and will supply our every need. HE has proven Himself to our family many times! Thank you in advance for agreeing in prayer with us. We love you all!

Truths That Keep Their Promises

2009-06-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth." Psalm 86:15

If there is one thing I know for sure, that is the world is searching for truth. We look everywhere. Our magazines, television, commercials, newspapers, and politicians are supposed to be truth tellers, but many of them are exposed for their lack of honesty. Never in my life have I been so exposed to so much news about people who are supposed to tell the truth, but are on trial on charges that they were not being honest to their company and their shareholders.

Fortunately I know one truth-teller who is never wrong; the Trinity-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. If anyone of these tells you something, you CAN believe it because they aren't capable of telling a lie.

When you are trying to figure out who is or isn't speaking truth, ask this simple question; "Which one agrees with the promises of Scripture?" Turn to God's Word to compare what you are hearing to His truth. The more time we can spend in Scripture, the more discerning we will be as we make choices, face big and small decisions, and try to live a righteous life.

Thank you Lord, for being a promise-keeper!

Learning to Wait

2009-05-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

When I was a child, I remember my parents telling me to wait until Saturday, wait until Christmas, or wait until you are older. It was always, "Wait, Wait." I have found this to be one of the hardest words to hear. In John 11:6, Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to return home because their brother, Lazarus, was sick and near death. But Jesus waited 2 days before He returned to Judea. I'm sure that they must have asked the question, "Where is God when I need Him?" Throughout Scripture we are told to wait and be patient:
~ "Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them" Isaiah 30:18.
~ "Don't be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you...Yes, wait and he will help you" Psalm 27:14.
~ "It is better to be patient than powerful" Proverbs 16:32
~ "A patient man has great understanding" Proverbs 14:29
~ "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful" Romans 12:12

During the last several years, waiting has been a difficult aspect. I think waiting is a struggle for most people. When things are going well, we wait for them to get better. When times are hard, we wait for circumstances to improve. We wait for good things in anticipation and frustration. And when we are sick or in trouble, he waiting can be more excruciating. We should not be surprised that so many passages in the Bible speak about enduring and being patient. Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble. He didn't specifically add that a lot of our trouble would involve waiting.

Why is waiting so hard? Sometimes we are in a hurry because we want the outcome so badly. We just have to know. Another reason I think waiting is so hard is that it takes away our illusion of control. Our spirit rebels against this reminder that our time and agenda are not our own. A lot of life is outside of our power and control.

When we faithfully endure, we develop the character and virtue of waiting. I have found that the more I learn from waiting, the stronger my faith becomes. One of the greatest lessons we can learn is that God does not abandon us, He does not forsake us, and when we are waiting for answers, change, healing, and hope, He is with us.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!!!

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a shout out to all the amazing and wonderful mothers I know. We are blessed!! Happy Mother's Day!

32 Reasons...

2009-05-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

I thought I would dedicate this entry to my husband. Today he is celebrating his 32nd birthday. Happy Birthday Chris!!! I have been blessed to be apart of his amazing life for 11 years. There are so many reasons why I love him but today, in honor of the 32 years he has lived, I will list 32 reasons why I love him.

1. For always making me laugh
2. Desiring to be a better man
3. For letting me sleep in on Saturdays...
4. And always making the coffee just right
5. For giving me two of the most precious gifts, Kailey and Lauryn
6. For amazing foot rubs
7. Putting our family above himself
8. For being okay with cereal for supper on crazy nights
9. His spontaneity (that I do not always deal well with but I am thankful for)
10. For challenging me
11. For encouraging me
12. For a shoulder to cry on...
13. And a strong arm to hold me up
14. For his prayers
15. For thinking I am beautiful even when I am not trying to be
16. For wanting to go shopping with me
17. For being the most generous person I know
18. For his big heart
19. For never giving up
20. For watching HGTV with me
21. For falling asleep on the couch during every movie (even though he will deny this to the end!)
22. Let's face it, He's a hottie
23. My family is important to him
24. He teaches me to have more fun
25. He respects and cherishes me
26. His smile brightens my day
27. He loves to play with his kids
28. Did I mention he was hot?!
29. He understands the importance of chips and salsa
30. The way he holds my hand
31. For wanting to make me feel special
32. I love him for who he is!

My prayer...

2009-05-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

Father God, push away all the negative thoughts that attack my worth. Let me learn from Your Word about the worth I have in You. Amen.

Loving this song...

2009-04-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Praise You in This Storm
Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Having Joy in Your Heart

2009-04-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God." Psalm 40:3

What would our life be without joy? We would be like a violin out of tune...such harsh sounds. Life wihtout joy is like a boneout of joint; it doesn't function properly, and it gives pain with each movement. We cannot do anything well without joy. Joy causes us to greet one another when the circumstances of life casue us to think, "I don't want to meet anyone today. Let me roll around in my own pity."

Lack of joy causes heartache within our own personal life, but it also overflows into the lives around us. What does it really mean to have joy in our life? Happiness and fun are good, but they come and go with circumstances. Joy, however, is felt beyond our circumstances. Joy can be experienced even when times are difficult.

Joy is an attitude we have toward life's experiences. It is a treasure of the heart, a comforting knowing of God's intimate presence. As we view the events of our life, we cab choose to be resentful to God for letting certain things happen to us, or we can choose an attitude of gratitude and a commitment to joy. Joy is by far the best choice.

We have joy when we are serving God and doing what He wants for our lives. We have joy when we learn to take our circumstances and the ups and downs of life in stride and use all situations to bring glory to God. We lighten our load in life and draw other people to us by having a joyful heart. When we have joy in the Lord, we begin to see life from God's point of view, and we realize that things have never looked so beautiful, so peaceful, so amazing.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

An Eternal Perspective

2009-04-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

You are my refuge and my shield, and your promises are my only source of hope.Psalm 119:114

It is amazing how divided our country is. We are split 50/50 in almost all facets of life-all the way from our political choices to the culture we want. We can't understand how certain people think the way they do, and they can't understand the way we think. We have become a country of people who are "in your face". But I look upward!

People have asked me how I can be so upbeat when so many things around me are so negative. I guess it is because of my perspective on life. Through scripture and life experiences, I have come to trust that God has a master plan for my life. He knew my beginning, and He knows the events of my end. His words give me so much comfort. I have learned that I can count on His promises. When the scriptures tell me that God is my shield and that His promises are my only source of hope, I believe it. God's character is one of honor, trust, and reliability that I can bank on for my life.

God's word brings me light on a foggy day, it brings me hope when I become discouraged, and it helps me not to make a mountain out of a molehill. His word gives me the right perspective on life. I know that my time on earth is so short, and my time with Him after this earthly experience will be for eternity. I have conquered death through Christ- it has no sting' it is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).

Let God Light Your Path

2009-03-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

I get upset with myself when I act so very human. I know what I should do, but often I find that I lose sight of my Provider. My spirit becomes gloomy and I don't want that to be a part of me. I must continually trust in God. I need to let Jesus's light and my present situations lead me to the truth that will put me in the presence of God. I want to follow the path that God is lighting for me!

Oooops!!!

2009-03-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

I am getting so far behind in posting the Love Dare challenges. Sorry!!! Life has been happening and has not allowed much time on the computer with the exception of my classes, which are kicking my tail right now! But...I have the big picture in mind! My eyes are heavy right now so I will post today's challenge and go to bed. We will be traveling to Iowa this week so I may not do too much blogging. Please keep my family in your prayers...more on this later!

DARE #11
What needs does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile.

I missed a post

2009-03-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry,yesterday got away from me and I did not post Dare #6. It was...

Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of area where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

That was kind of a tough one to do. I am always irritated with something, so it was a complete mind frame change. A much needed one!

Dare #7 says...

For today's dare, get 2 sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan each day. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.

Sleepless Nights

2009-03-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Hello, my friends! I would like to start out by thanking all of you who continue to check my blog no matter how boring it may get at times. I am inspired by the fact that people care about what is going on in my world. So, YOU, motivate me! Thanks! Ok, so, I need your suggestions, my daughters have shared a room for quite some time now and adjusted very well. About 3 weeks ago we put Lauryn, our 2 year old, in a big girl bed. For the first week and a half she did perfect but now, she is up and down about 8-10 times all through the night. It is really frustrating and I am not sure what to do to resolve the problem. Any suggestions? I ended up in bed with her last night at 2 in the morning just so we could all sleep, but I am not one to do that. I DO NOT want to start a habit. Well,let me know what you think on the matter. Thanks!

Love Dare #5
Ask your spouse to tell you 3 things that cause him or her to become uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

Dare #4

2009-03-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

I Am Tired!

2009-03-09T18:48:00.001-07:00

Today was one of those days...from the time I woke up until now, almost 9pm, I did not have an opportunity to sit down. That alone is enough to make someone tired. Today was not only physically draining but emotionally draining for me as well. Things are getting a little tense around the house as the talk of layoff continues to surface and just plain trying to figure out what the right move for our family is. I feel like we have been praying for the last 3 years for some kind of direction and we get no where but another dead end. I am emotionally exhausted from this way of living. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to seek Gods will for our family.

The Love Dare is going good. It has been fun! Here was today's challenge:

Love Dare #3

Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into it will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today".

Dare #2

2009-03-08T13:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my first day of the Love Dare challenge. Dare #1 forced me to stop and think before speaking to Chris. I need practice with this. So far, so good! Here is the Dare for today, day 2.

In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, so atleast one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Love Dare

2009-03-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Chris and I spent our Valentines Day snuggled up on the couch watching the movie Fireproof. I enjoyed the movie, despite the streams of tears that were flowing down my face. If you are married or are contemplating marriage, you should see this movie. It speaks volumes! The movie depicts a couple on the verge of divorce. The husband is encouraged by his father to take the Love Dare as a final investment in their marriage. He agrees and it changes both of their lives and marriage. Chris and I are approaching 8 years of marriage this summer. Unlike the movie, we are very happily married. I believe that in this day and age where nothing is sacred, it is vital to invest ourselves in our marriage. SO...I have decided to participate in the 40 day Love Dare. I am going to post the "daily dare" here each day so that if anyone wants to join me on this journey, you can! If you are going to participate, leave me a comment so I know who of my friends are joining me!

DARE #1

The first part of this dare is simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.

2009-02-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres,
Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

I want to wish everyone a happy valentines day! I hope that you are surrounded today by the people you love and who love you! Have a great weekend!!

Thankful Thursday (adopted from a sweet friend)

2009-02-12T08:23:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for so much! But my heart is overjoyed today with love for my family! I feel fortunate to be the mom to these 2 beautiful and sweet little girls. They have grown up so fast. Alot has changed since this picture! Too many days go by that are filled with the chaos and business of life and I do not ever want them to question my love for them!

I am also thankful for my husband. He is such an amazing man who does everything he can to take care of us. He is a wonderful leader and example of Christ's love to our family. He is an amazing daddy.

I am also thankful for the rest of my family...my mom and dad, my brothers and sister, and all of my in-laws! I love you all so much!!!!!!

Maltipoo

2009-02-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the dog we might be getting. Aren't they cute! I am still trying to convince myself that having a dog in the house will be fine. I will admit my house is not always spotless, but I am a bit of a germ freak and so this is a huge step for me. I know the girls would love to have a puppy to play with and so would Chris! We will see what happens...

The Stuff of Hope

2009-02-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

I am just now finding the time to sit at my computer but I knew I had to share about this weeks sermon at church. It still amazes me how I can sit in a church full of people and feel like the sermon was speaking just to me! Except in this case, I knew it was speaking to my husband too. I knew it was even before I looked over at him and saw the tears building in his eyes. The sermon was titled, "The Stuff of Hope". Our pastor used scripture taken from Hebrews 11:1-12:3.Faith is the "stuff" of hope. He asked us to think about what we hope for? What a loaded question, right?! I have so many things that I hope for but so many of them are frivolous. But some of them are not! He also asked us, "Who writes the narrative of your hope?" He talked about how easy it is to transfer the location of our faith/hope from God to ourselves. Usually we find ourselves doing this when we are at those places in life when we are wondering in the desert, questioning Gods guidance or direction. Asking God, what have I done wrong to get to this point? But that is not how Christianity works! God is still in control in the hard times too and has us there to teach us and grow us. And the part that really hit home for me was reminding us that God is a God that knows His way around the desert-He's been there before! And God has a track record of doing great things with His people in the desert. God is still the God of the desert!!! SO, if there is anyone out there like us that feels like they are wondering aimlessly in the desert, take heart and know that God knows His way around the desert and He is still right beside you!

Searching for Preschools

2009-01-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is a shout out to all of you moms of preschoolers in the Olathe/Shawnee/Overland Park area. Help!!! I need some tips and advice on finding an awesome preschool for my sweet Kailey. I have started checking into a few places but I would love some feedback on any preschools that you would recommend. I am brand new to this and would appreciate any and all info you can give me, like price, location, when to enroll...all that good stuff! Let's have it!

Sleep and Not Worry

2009-01-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

There was this man who owed his next-door neighbor a hundred dollars. The bill was due the next day but he only had $30. That night the man was so anxious about the next morning that his tossing and turning kept his wife awake. Finally, exasperated, she got out of bed, threw open the window, and yelled to the neighbor, "Hey, Ruben! About the hundred bucks-he ain't got it! Now," she said to her husband, "let him worry!" And they went to sleep.

Have you ever tossed and turned because you are worrying about some issue in life? Perhaps your child? Your husband? A job? A mistake you made? This worry keeps replaying itself in your head. You lose your train of thought, and become stressed out. Sound familiar? It is all to familiar to me!

Now when those thoughts creep into your mind, think on this psalm so you can relax and go to sleep. When God says to cast your burden upon Him and He will sustain you, He means every word of that promise. Remember, God is not capable of breaking His promises.

I have prayed more in the last 3 years than I've ever prayed. During this journey, God and I have become close. I've meekly prayed, I've prayed with anger, with tears, with a pitched voice, with petitions, with praise, and of course with thanksgiving. God has heard me each time and has sustained me. He will sustain you too. Not only that, he will work out the problem that's plaguing you, no matter what it is. God delights in being our God. Let's not rob Him of the joy He gets from shouldering our burden for us. He truly wants to help.

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."

Visit from my Dad

2009-01-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

My Dad flew in from Nashville last week! We had a nice weekend. Most of our time was spent at home catching up. It was so nice to see him again. It didn't take the girls very long to warm up to him. Kailey remembered him from pictures and Lauryn met him for the first time! Here are some of the pictures we got.

Time For An Update

2009-01-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

I am frequently apologizing for the lack of posting on my part, so I won't this time but please know that I think about it much more often than I write! That really doesn't change a whole lot, does it?! Anyway, we are ALIVE!! Like everyone else, we have been recovering and getting the house back to order after all of the holiday partying. Chris has been working alot of hours and there is talk of even more required hours. This stresses me out...completely. I am one that enjoys my family and actually looks forward to spending time with my husband. The idea of only seeing him about 5-6 hours out of the week is not my idea of quality family time and thinking about taking care of the girls all of that time frazzles me! I just finished a two week break from school and it has been really hard to get back into my groove. It was nice not having to think about writing a paper or researching anything over that break. But, back to reality, and back to my 2 year plan...graduating! The girls are doing great! We are getting ready to celebrate Lauryn's 2nd Birthday. I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone. My baby is growing up so quickly!

I am being yelled at to get upstairs...gotta run!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

We want to wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I hope everyone has a relaxing, enjoyable time this Christmas and is able to experience the true and lasting reason for Christmas. Love to all!!

The Burrell's

Chris, Carly, Kailey, and Lauryn

My Thoughts Today

2008-12-11T06:27:00.000-08:00

Everyday, it seems like I am reminded that we are living in a time when integrity is being challenged. I think in order for us to walk everyday with integrity of heart, we must possess a heart that has been molded and shaped after God's own heart. He is the Potter we are the clay. I think our heart controls the integrity of the whole body. How our heart goes, so goes our character. Over the last month God has been showing me scripture and teaching me about the heart:
~ God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)
~ Serve Him with your whole heart (1 Chronicles 28:9)
~ He knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:21)
~ Create in me a clean heart (Psalm 51:10)
~ Thy word have I treasured in my heart (Psalm 119:11)
~ A joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22)
~ Love the Lord wih all your heart (Mark 12:30)
~ With the heart man believes (Romans 10:10)
~ Make melody with your heart (Ephesians 5:19)
~ Draw near with a sincere heart (Hebrews 10:22)

We Are Still Among the Living...I Think?!

2008-12-10T15:07:00.001-08:00

Our family, like many others this time of year, has been fighting nasty colds for the last month. This is my excuse for not blogging in almost a MONTH Taking care of my family is always a full time job but it is especially difficult when nobody is feeling well! Hopefully we will all be on the mend shortly. More later...just wanted you to know we are still alive, I think!

I need your help!

2008-11-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, so those of you who truly know me, know that I am NOT one to enjoy debating ANYTHING!! It is not in me and I hate doing it. It makes me nervous just thinking about it. But, as you know I have gone back to school. The course I am in right now is Ethics:Health Care and Social Responsibility. And of course, one of our first assignments is to debate over the topic of technology and prolonging life. So, this is where you all come in!!!! I have been assigned to debate FOR technology and prolonging life. If any of you have any great input or resources that I could get online I would really appreciate it. I need to get a rough outline and annotated bibliography created this week. This is proving to be even more difficult because, honestly, I have never really given this any thought (kind of embarrasing to admit that) I look forward to hearing your comments! Thank you in advance for helping with this! Love to all!!!

An Exhausting Morning

2008-11-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

I am so tired this afternoon and so are the girls. We had to get up early this morning to take Chris to work so we could have the van because today was Kailey's appointment at Childrens Mercy in KC. We left the house at 5:45am so he could be to work by 6:30am. Ugghhh...it makes me even more tired thinking about it. But, the good news is, we had another great report on Kailey's condition. Her doctor continues to be impressed with how well she is doing. God blessed us with an amazing pediatric rheumatologist! They do not get any better than Dr. Becker. Kailey loves her too but does not love going to the appointments because she knows what happens there. She is such a brave and smart little girl!

Not alot has happenned since i posted last. I am still busy as ever with school. Somedays I feel a little selfish taking the time to go back to school becasue it really does require alot of my time. Time that I feel I should spend wih my family instead of in front of the computer but, I know it will benefit my family in the future. So, no second thoughts on the matter!

Well, Lauryn is standing at my side crying, "hold me" so I better finish here. Thank you to all who check in on our life!

Aunt Mary Ellen

2008-10-30T10:19:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures of my sister with the girls.

2008-10-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

I hesitated to post this but after prayerful consideration, I decided to do it. I am not one to create conflict or opposition, i usually do everythin in my powerto avoid it. But I cannot apologize if this article offends anyone as I truly believe this is important for us to understand as christians. This was an article I read from the
Heart of the Matter website listed above. What do you all think?

Halloween for Christians?
Oct 23rd, 2008 | By Robin | www.heartofthematteronline.comIt’s that time of year again. Vampires, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons will be haunting our doorways. American retailers celebrate a 5 billion dollar a year candy, card and costume business ($1.5 billion in Canada).

But, Halloween is not just a time for cornstalks, pumpkins, apples and cute and not-so-cute costumes. There is much, much more. Before deciding to celebrate or not celebrate any holiday, it is important to understand the history of that holiday.

Before we look at the history and what the Bible says about pagan holidays answer these questions:

How would you feel if your spouse kept photos of his or her former girlfriend of boyfriend?

How would you feel if he or she celebrated an anniversary of special times with another after marrying you?

Our God is a jealous God demanding exclusive devotion (Exodus 20:5). Do you think He cares if you encourage your children to partake in a holiday that honors Satan, the god of this world?

Halloween’s History
Halloween’s roots come from the ancient Celts, a tribe living about 2,000 years ago in the areas that are now Ireland, Great Britain and northern France.

The Celts were first described as a fierce, warlike, terrifying people, many of whom would have strings of human heads tied on their bridles. Halloween was their main holiday, called Samhain. It was a festival that honored the Samhain, the Celtic lord of death. The celebration marked the beginning of the season of cold, darkness, and decay. The Celts related this with human death; they believed the Samhain allowed souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for that evening. On the evening of the festival, the Druids, the priest and teachers of the Celts, ordered the people to put out their hearth fires.

The Druids built a huge New Year’s bonfire of oak branches, which they considered sacrificed. They burned animals, crops, and even human beings as sacrifices. Then each family re-lit their hearth fire from the New Year’s fire. The lighted jack-o’-lanterns used today are symbols of fires and torches. During the celebration people wore costumes made of animal heads and skins. They told fortunes by examining the remains of the sacrifices.

These pagan Celts believed that evil spirits lurked about as the sun god grew pale and the Samhain grew stronger. The Celts believed the evil spirits would come to your house and you would have to treat them or they would trick you.

The Romans conquered the Celts in A.D. 43 and ruled what is now Great Britain for about 400 years. During this period, two Roman autumn festivals were combined with the Celtic festival of Samhain. Both pagan rituals, one of them, called Feraila, was held in late October to honor the dead. The other festival honored Pomona, the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees. Apples became associated with Halloween because of this festival.

Regional Halloween customs developed among various groups of Celts. In Ireland, for example, people begged for food in a parade that honored Muck Olla, their sun god. The leader of the parade wore a white robe and the head of an animal. In England, families sat by the fire and told stories while they ate treats such as apples and nuts.

Halloween in the United States
In the United States, many early American settlers brought with them various customs such as the above. However, because of Christianity among so many of the settlers, Halloween celebrations were not celebrated until the 1800’s when several immigrants from Ireland and Scotland introduced their Halloween customs. They brought various beliefs about ghosts and witches with them. Other groups added their own cultural influences to Halloween customs. German immigrants brought a vivid witchcraft lore, and Haitian and African peoples brought their native voodoo beliefs about black cats, fire, and witchcraft.

All Saints Day, a day the seventh century church set aside for remembering early Christians who died for their beliefs, was first celebrated in the month of May. By the year 900 the date was combined with the pagan rituals to be celebrated November 1. Another name for All Saints Day was All Hallows. October 31 was known as All Hallows Eve which was shortened to Halloween.

The church made a grave mistake trying to combine pagan worship with Christianity. This is not scriptural! Because of that unwise decision, Halloween remains a holiday in America today.

Scriptures warn us that the sins of the fathers are visited upon the third and fourth generations. You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me. Exodus 20:5.

Those who disregard God’s warning and make contact with occult spirits risk terrible repercussions in the form of misery, sickness, insanity and even early death.

Why do people living in this age, especially Christians, desire to be a part of any pagan worship? This pagan belief, even celebrated by Christian churches, celebrates the union of gods and a goddess in the universe that supposedly control the seasons, bring fertility to crops and animals, and bestow magical powers on their followers.

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically mention Halloween by name, it makes it very clear that the origins and practices of Halloween (adapting pagan customs or borrowing the ways of those who worship a false god and using them to worship the true God) are detestable to God. Deuteronomy 12:29-32. The Bible clearly teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium, or spiritist or who consults the dead. Deuteronomy 18:9-11

Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be imitators of God. Our Lord Jesus would not go to a party to honor the feast of the Samhain. Moses did not come down from Mount Sinai and combine the Israelites Passover holiday with the idol worship that was going on. Allowing children to dress as witches and sorcerers or hanging evil decorations in our windows is imitating that which is evil.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.

The verse says, “come out from among them, says the Lord.” Does that mean come out from among them–but don’t deprive your children from all that fun and candy — celebrate the same pagan ritual in your church building? The Bible is very clear about Christians being involved in such celebrations. Ephesians 5:8-11 says,

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Halloween is more than childish fun.Witches have eight special holidays during the year. Halloween is their day above all days. Witchcraft is not child’s play. It is an abomination to the Lord. Johanna Michaleson, former occultist and author of The Beautiful Side of Evil said, “For a true Christian to participate in the ancient trappings of Halloween is as incongruous as for a committed Satanist coming from blood sacrifices on Christmas Eve to set up a nativity scene in his living room singing Silent Night, Holy Night with sincere devotion to baby Jesus!”

One thing Halloween should not be for the Christian is a time of fear. It should be a time to rejoice in the fact that The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8). This is a time of spiritual warfare. October 31 should be spent in prayer for the community and children; a time of worship by singing praise to the Lord. This can be a good time to teach our children to sacrifice by not sharing in the rituals because you love the Lord. Whatever your family decides to do on this day, ask yourself, “Does it glorify the Lord?”
…they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Leviticus 17:7.

Halloween and Purim?
Someone recently mentioned they thought Halloween came from the holiday Purim. It is true children dress up during Purim to reenact the story of Esther but it has nothing to do with Halloween. Halloween is centuries older and Purim costumes are Bible characters. Purim is observed on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar (February-March). It is a celebration of the deliverance of the Persian Jews over one of the most dastardly plots in history to exterminate the Jewish people. The book of Esther tells the story.

Schaake's Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we spent the day with my sister-n-law and her family along with two other couples and their families. We all had such a nice time. It was so nice to be with family and friends! We started the day off with lunch then we all headed over to the pumpkin patch. When we got there we took a hay rack ride out to the pumpkin patch. We all jumped off and started the search for the perfect pumpkins. This was our first experience at a pumpkin patch-so we were not as rehearsed at picking them, but we did pretty good. Lauryn found a small one that was just her size though she insisted on calling it an apple! There were several activities to do there, like a maze and a pumpkin sling shot. They also have a little barn full of crafts and homemade goodies. They had several booths set up selling roasting ears, kettle corn, and slushies (which were really good and only $.75). Lots of fun!!! After that, we all went back to relax, watch football and eat dinner. It was long overdue for us to get together and we had such a good time!
For some reason, blogger is not letting me label the pictures. You probably recognize our girls and the two other beautiful girls are Jordan and Rachelle, our nieces. My sister-n-law Kim is in the red shirt holding Lauryn and the little boy is Tim and Holly's little guy, Ethan. I think that covers all the pics on here! Thanks for checking in!

Pictures From Last Week

2008-10-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

The weather has been beautiful, perfect for long days at the park. That is where we spent most of our time last week. We had picnics, played at the playground, rode our bikes, went on treasure hunts, and learned about flowers, leaves, and bugs! The girls would rather be outside than do anything else so they were happy...most of the time.Every time Kailey would see something new, she would ask, "Did Jesus make this too?" It was a sweet learning moment! We wanted to get some cute pictures of the girls while we were at Heritage Park. This is what Chris and I were able to capture.

Ouchy

2008-10-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

This is how Lauryn woke up yesterday morning. The doctor said it was an allergic reaction of some kind. That's the brilliant, educated answers doctors give when they don't really have an explanation. I get so irritated with them! Anyway, he said to give her benadryl and call if it gets worse. It is starting to look a little better, at least we can actually see part of her eye tonight. She is such a good sport and doesn't let much stop her from dancing and playing! Please say a prayer for her tonight! Thanks.

Becoming a Wise Person

2008-10-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

How does a person get wise? This is a question that people have been asking for centuries. In the Book of Proverbs, we find verse after verse which attempts to answer that basic question of life. Prov. 1:7 gives an answer to that question when it states: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." The whole theme of Proverbs is that the fear of the Lord is the starting point and essence of wisdom. To me, the phrase, "fear of the Lord" means a reverence for God expressed in submission to His will. Wisdom is not aquired by a secret prescribed formula but through a right relationship with God. I intend to dig into the depths of the Bible to discover the riches of God's wisdom for my life even more. Wisdom calls us to use the knowledge we have to take a proper course of action. If we have knowledge and don't act upon that knowledge, it is the same as not knowing at all. Knowing Christ gives us a source of wisdom in all that we do!

The reason that I am writing about this tonight is that my heart is heavy for wisdom to guide my children in this day and age. I want to show them the importance and joy of direct interaction with the Lord.

My Hat, My Hat...

2008-10-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is Lauryn and her hat! This is the hat that she has had attached to her head for the last week-notice that she is still in her pj's in this picture. That is because the first thing she asks for in the morning is "my hat, my hat" and not mommy(kinda sad but I'll get over it). And she purposefully puts it on this way too. I have tried to put it on differently and it makes her mad, yeah, I guess she has an eye for style even at her young age?! Or not! It is so cute to see her walk around all day with this hat on. She let me take some pictures this time, but still no smile for the camera. One of these days I will capture her sweet smile. Until then, we have the hat!

My Sister

2008-09-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

This is my beautiful sister Mary Ellen, I think most people call her Mary, but growing up she was Mary Ellen to me and it will always be that way! Sorry sis! I am so very excited...she is planning a trip to come here later this month. I cannot remember the last time that we were able to spend some quality time together. It is long over due, for sure. I am so proud of her and I wanted to introduce her to all of you! I love you sis!

2008-09-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, thanks to Jenn for the name and artist of this song, I have found the lyrics and I wanted to share them. I know some people may not have heard the song. I love it! I was talking to Chris this morning when he got home from work, telling him about it and he just laughed and said he heard the song for the first time on his way home and he was in tears listening to how it explained how his heart was feeling to. I think the Lord is doing some big things in a lot of people to build His kingdom. I am blessed and honored to be used of Him~ although it is not the easiest thing at times.

"Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)"

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

Chaos

2008-09-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

I am probably way behind in the times but I have just recently heard a song on K-love (i don't even know who sings it. if you know the name or artist please tell me) that talks about having the feeling of chaos in their heart but knowing that God is doing something bigger inside...something to that effect, anyway, I cannot listen to that song without being moved. That song explains perfectly what I have been feeling the last 2 weeks. I have not even been able to put it into words but tht song does it. Inside, my heart feels like chaos. Tons of different emotions, and situations, and people tugging on my heart...but God is doing something bigger in me...wow, I am so thankful for that. Today I am also thankful that Gods love is not dependent upon my circumstance. My pastor said this several weeks ago and I cannot shake that thought. Honestly, it's hard for me to even wrap my mind around. Wherever I am in life, HIS love is still there. No matter what. I am really not trying to feel sorry for myself here but just thinking outloud. It's just that sometimes life seems so lonely. I try to reach out to people/my friends/even family and sometimes it just feels like a one way deal. I constantly feel like I am draining myself for others that I care about and get no response. I guess that is what Jesus may feel like... Does anyone else ever feel this way? Like I said before though, I am thankful that no matter what I have the love of my heavenly Father and He is as close as the mention of His name. Sorry for the confusion of this entry, but I needed to get some things out... Love you all!

2008-09-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I forgot to give details about that sweet baby picture I posted. Lily Patricia is my new neice. She was born on Wednesday to my brother Josh and sister in law Jessica in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I cannot wait to go meet her. We love you Lily! Congrats Josh, Jess, Connor, and Caleb!

Welcome Lily Patricia...We love you!

2008-09-12T05:59:00.001-07:00

Exhaustion

2008-09-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

This week has taught me a valuable lesson...one being that the word "no" can be an anointed word(i have heard my mom say this on numerous occasions) and two regardless of what i would like to believe, i have limitations and I am not super mom! This has been a week that I have taken on way to much. I have had several friends whom I love dearly ask things of me and several events that I have committed to, school projects and the list goes on and on of stuff and people that I have been responsible for this week and I am exhausted. I had a horrible evening yesterday because I had to tell one of my friends that I could longer help her out with child care and I felt terrible. I know they were disappointed and probably feeling overwhelmed. I want to be super mom and super friend all of the time but it is not possible! I get myself in situations all of the time..I say yes and really think that I will be able to balance everything and then after a while of trying I am not successful and I end up letting people down. One of these days I will learn...I hope. So, if anybody knows of someone that is looking to provide child care full time M-F, please let me know so that I can pass that info on to my friends. Obviously, they are looking for someone that we would trust our kids to and could feel confident they are getting the best care possible. Thanks for listening to me vent.

Crazy 4 Candles

2008-09-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! i just ordered a Strudel and Spice candle from here and I can not wait to get it!

The Power of Naps

2008-09-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

Naptime is a beautiful thing! It is my time to do chores, answer emails, blog, and just veg if I want. But it has been a struggle around our house for a while. Kailey is trying to outgrow her nap and mom is trying VERY hard to keep it going! She wants to rest on the couch and watch a movie or look at books. That all sounds fine but it only lasts about 5 minutes and then she is up following me around the house and come 3:30 she is a bear! So today, I had a brilliant idea! I asked her if she wanted to take a nap with me? To my suprise she said YES. We slept and snuggled for an hour and a half. It was nice to sleep, but it made my day that she wanted to snuggle up next to me. I have missed that! I'm not sure that will work everyday but today it did! And i am feeling recharged. Also, can i just say that I am loving this fall like weather. It has been sorta dreary with all of the rain but the cool temps are great. I am so ready for the leaves to change, for apple cider, carving pumpkins, warm soup, and my very favorite...flannel sheets!

I want to send out a huge thanks for those of you who constantly check in here and leave me comments. I really look foward to reading them and hearing from you! THANK YOU!!!

It Has Been One of Those Days...

2008-09-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

Flint Hills Trail Ride and Camping Trip

2008-09-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

We went camping and trail riding over the holiday weekend. It was a fun, relaxing time. We went with Chris's mom and dad, brother Brent and nephew Gavin. Chris and the girls and I stayed in a tent (i didn't get a picture of that) and the girls did fabulous. This was Lauryn's first camping trip and probably the first one Kailey remembers. We took her to the mountains and camped out when she was 6 months old. Anyway, the weekend went very well! It was really hot and not a lot of shade but we had a creek nearby to cool off in. That was a life saver. The girls both loved it and Kailey thought it was pretty fun getting to swim in her clothes. Chris was able to ride for 2 days and I am glad! He loves to be in the saddle and does not get to do it as often as he would like. It is a big stress reliever for him. How that is possible, I'll never know, but I am glad he has an out. I enjoyed being outside and with family and away from the stresses of life! Lauryn is not too sure about the horses but Kailey is going to make quite the pretty little cowgirl. Thanks mom and dad for inviting us!

Snuggle-Buggle

2008-08-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Kailey: "Mom, can we sit by each other and snuggle-buggle while we watch our video?"

Me: "Sure honey, but be nice and leave your sister alone."
Me: "What part of be nice and leave your sister alone did you not understand?"
That is about all I have tonight. I have been sitting in front of the computer for 2 hours now studying and I think it's safe to say that my brain is fried. I am headed for the shower and then to bed. Thanks for checking in...

2008-08-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it official, I have been admitted and enrolled as a full time student at the University of Phoenix online. It is a 2 year accelerated BA of Science in Health Administration degree program. My first day of class is scheduled for Tuesday. I am thrilled that I can complete my dream of finishing my degree but I am extremely anxious about being in school again, this time with a family! I know i will be able to do the school work, I just have to find a way to pay my existing balance on our comcast package before they cancel our service and I have no internet...long story short...we were set up on a payment plan and they will no longer honor payment plans so the balance has to be paid in full by tomorrow and the money is not in the bank. So, seriously, all of you prayer warriors out there who read this, please be in prayer with us. We need a miracle or a laptop that I can use to take to a WIFI place...ok, enough about that before I get sick! (as you can probably tell I am struggling with faith in this area)

We had a great weekend...beautiful weather and lots of family time! Friday night some of our good friends came over, Saturday we spent the day outside and then that night I helped Chris put together the initial stages of his blog. You can check it out here or under my blog list called CROSSROADS! He is excited about it! We both have so much to learn still. After that we popped some popcorn and watched The Notebook. Sunday we went to church and had a great service, Then we went and looked at model homes and dreamed of the day we will own one! We both enjoy doing that! Then, we went home for lunch, outside play and ....much needed naps for all of us!

I need to sign off now, the girls are supposed to be napping but, the sound of Kailey's bed on the hardwoods tells me otherwise. Thanks for checking in and for praying with me about the whole computer thing...make sure to leave me a comment...it's what keeps me going!

Ride the Sushi Train

2008-08-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

I went out last week with my friend Rachel. We have known each other since 7th grade. We were best friends for along time and then ended up going separate ways but we have reconnected now. It has been fun getting to know her all over again at a different place in our lives. Any way, we went to Sakura's Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar. This is the neatest little place. We sat at the Sushi Bar where the train went around the bar with an assortment of fresh sushi. I was hesitant at first...couldn't get past the whole raw thing. But I did it! I ate sushi! And I loved it! Chris thought I was crazy but now he wants to go back with me and check it out. It was so much fun! It really helped that Rachel knew quite a bit about what was being served on each plate. We tried some new ones, some we liked and some...not so much! Thanks Rach for a fun night!

Bloom Where You are Planted

2008-08-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Flowers always lift my spirits. The beautiful colors and interesting shapes and lovely scents stir my heart with gratitude. Over the years there have been lots of different occasions where Chris has surprised me with a fresh bouquet on the dining room table. To me, fresh flowers are such a simple way of saying, "God's love lives here and I cherish my home". I was thinking about this today as I was sitting at my dining room table enjoying my coffee and quiet time. I thought to myself, "Do you realize that God has planted you right where you are? Oh, there will still be change ahead, you can be sure of that. But God has planted me in my situation, in my relationships, in my home, in my circumstances so that I can blossom into His woman who says, "Gods love lives here" with my words and with my actions. I want the Lords joy and peace to permeate the walls of my home and my heart with a spirit of loveliness that only Christ Himself can give!
Here is my prayer today~ God, I see your gentle touch on my life each day. You are the master Gardener, tending to the garden of my life. Thank you for what you are creating.

Party!!!

2008-08-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Well, here they are... pictures of Kailey's 3rd Birthday! This was her first big B-day party that she had with some of her little friends! I think she really had a good time. I was very pleased with the service that we had at Chuck E. Cheese. We would definitely choose to go back again.

Cupcakes that I made

Kailey and her Daddy clapping to the Birthday song with Chuck E. Cheese

Chris was the designated "climb into the tunnel with the kiddos" guy! What a good daddy!!!
This is Kailey's sweet friend Nevaeh in the tunnel
Lauryn was terrified from the moment we walked in the building. She hung close to familiar faces...grama and papa!
Here is a group picture of all the little friends(those that were brave enough to be with Chuck E. Cheese)

The Birthday girl with a great BIG smile! We love you so much Kailey Bug!!!

The girls dancing
Eating the yummy pizza
Kailey and daddy with Chuck E. Cheese

Thanks to everyone who help make Kailey's Birthday so special!!!

2008-08-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

I am a Child of God...

And as such, I am loved far beyond my comprehension.

Nothing~no life circumstance, no set back or failure,

no heartache or pain

can separate me from His everlasting love.

Nothing can make me less in His eyes. I am His.

I am cherished. Throughout the trials I face in life,

I am protected, guided and watched over

by He who knows all,

sees all, and above all,

loves me unfailingly.

Deborah Simmons

Chris bought this poem for me a couple of years ago for mothers day and he had it put in a beautiful frame. I have it hung in our home where I am sure to walk by it several times a day. Some days it is easy to read and others I can hardly make it all the way through...regardless of my feelings any particular day, this poem captures a truth that is so amazing! I am loved unfailingly by THE ONE who knows all and sees all. And I am forever grateful...

Kailey's Birthday

2008-07-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Kailey's 3rd Birthday yesterday! I think she had alot of fun. We started the day out with belgian waffles with eggs and ham (kailey's fav.) then we moved right in to opening gifts and cake. Yes, my daughter ate chocolate cake at 8 inthe morning!!! I couldn't believe we were letting her do that but we needed to celebrate with daddy before he had to go to bed(night shift this week). After daddy went to bed, Kailey's Nonny (auntie kim) took her to Chik-fil-a for lunch and to play. We had to make one pit stop at Childrens Mercy for a DR appointment. I was dreading that because she was to have lab drawn but her DR jsut couldn't bear to do that to her on her BDAY so...that made Kailey very, very happy!!!! And me too! Everything went great there and then we headed to Nonny's house to play outside and ended it with a fried ice cream celebration at Jose Peppers. The girls were both exhuasted and ready for bed at 7:30. We will continue the celebrating on Saturday at Chuck E Cheese!

Last Weekend...

2008-06-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

was sooo nice just not long enough! Some of our really good friends from the Phoenix area came into town. Saturday night we went to the Theatre in the Park. It was very relaxing and a lot of fun and all of the kiddos did great! Earlier that day Chris and the girls and I went to the Gardner pool. It was nice to see Chris get to relax and spend some good quality time with the girls after he has been working sooooo much! They love their daddy! and so do I!! He has been so great and hasn't complained one time about the long hours he has to work with his new job. I know he is exhausted at the end of the day or night whichever schedule he is on but he will do what ever it takes to take care of his family and that is just one of the reasons I love him so much. I could go on and on...

The girls have really been learning to play very well together...most of the time. Kailey is really growing into the big sister role and Lauryn looks up to her and wants to mimic everything she does. I try explaining that concept to Kailey and she says, "Mom, Lauryn's a baby. She can't be like me. I have to teach her." I think she might just understand! Well, i need to go make a grocery list, unload the dishwasher, and fold some more laundry then I think I will go to bed early tonight and try to catch up on my sleep. I don't sleep very well when Chris is working nights. I think i feel kinda guilty... lata!

Melanie and I

Kaitlyn, Alan, and Kailey
Lauryn and Chris
Lauryn, Chris, and Kailey at the pool
Chris and the girls going down a slide at the pool(look at Kailey's tongue!)

Lauryn~I love this picture for some reason

Lauryn is actually sitting still long enough to let Kailey hold her

Cedar Rapids Iowa Flooding

2008-06-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my hometown that is now almost completely underwater. Several of my family members still live in Cedar Rapids. They are all safe but some have had to evacuate their homes. I just can't believe this. You see things like this in the movies but this is way to close to home. Please keep them in your prayers!!!!

work water sandbag flood evacuation emergency work... - Photos, Pictures, Images - msnbc.com

Psalm 9:1-2

2008-06-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

"I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."

Ok, so yesterday was a really good day. We did absolutely nothing but play outside and sit by the pool all afternoon and most of the morning too! The girls love to be outside as much as possible and they love to play with their friend and neighbor Nevaeh, which works out great because I love to spend time with Nevaeh's mommy, Marietta. They are such an awesome family and they are very special to us! Anyway, Marietta and I were talking about life and how much we have to be thankful for but sometimes we just get an attitude about things. So, interestingly enough (it always works this way) Chris left me a note on the table this morning before he left for work and it was a challenge to read the above scripture and to only THANK the Lord for things today; not asking Him for anything, and to write them down. So I did that! And it was great! Here is what I came up with today but there are so many more...

my salvation
my amazing husband
my girls
family
the Fulk family
sunshine and popsicles
my flowerbed in the backyard
my home
good health
Chris's employment
Weekends
Our new church home
Being a stay at home mom
candles, coffee, and cable tv
prayer
my comfy bed
clean laundry
Chris letting me sleep in on his days off
the sounds of Kailey and Lauryn's laughter
my dishwasher
peace in my heart
selling the dodge van
a working van
chips and salsa
my husbands love
the fact that Jesus is as close as the mention of his name
my dinner china that has been packed up for the last 3 years
sleeping close to my husband
music
lunchables
quiet time

Summer Fun

2008-06-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun pictures of our activities this summer...so far~there will be lots more to come!!!
Here is Kailey at the Wichita zoo putting on her "turtle face"
Kailey and Grama Burrell
Lauryn going down the BIG slide
Kailey and Lauryn going down the slide at the park
Kailey making cookies for her daddy

This is Kailey with her sweet friend Nevaeh. They love to play together!
Kailey sitting on Grama Burrells porch waiting for everyone to get home
Kailey, Lauryn, and me a the zoo
Kailey watching the penguins~this was her favorite part of the zoo
Lauryn and daddy sharing ice cream~this was there favorite part of the zoo!

Since I Have the Time...

2008-05-31T10:43:00.001-07:00

i thought i would catch you all up on the burrell household but as it so often happens with 2 little ones under the age of 3, i will have to try again later... one is now crying for me to get them out of bed.

and i'm out.

Kailey's Answers

2008-05-30T07:27:00.000-07:00

This kid questionnaire has been going around on some fellow bloggers blogs so I decided to ask Kailey these questions. I thought she would probably be way to young to answer them but she actually did really, really good! Pretty cute...

1. Who is your favorite person?
Grama Ceedy and Grama Burrell

2. What is your favorite food that mommy cooks?
Chicken

3. What do you usually pray for?
papa to feel better and rice

4. What is your favorite place to eat out?
Chuck-e-cheese

5. What is the silliest thing your daddy does?
play the game ride the horsey

6. How do your parents know so much?
too much

7. Who is Jesus?
He loves me

8. What is the most important rule?
Not to say no

9. What is the yuckiest food and why?
Vinegar, cuz I don't like it

10. Who are you going to marry?
my daddy

11. What are you going to name your children?
ummm...3

12. What is the best thing about grandparents?
chocolate and horses

13. What is your favorite toy?
my phone

Serenity

2008-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

Many things in life can't be altered without a great deal of pain or money. That is a sobering thought for many of us who like snappy remedies for pesky problems. But we can do something.
We can belly up to our problems, face then head-on, and ask God to help us find contentment in spite of them. He will help us put unchangeable things into perspective. I have started asking God to give me "new eyes" to find contentment in all circumstances.

2008-05-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

Something about motherhood tends to catapult a woman into a search for true spirituality. Maybe it has something to do with having a small human tugging at you shirt asking (in essence), "So mommy, I get up in the morning, eat a bowl of oatmeal, play with my friends, read bedtime stories, and go to sleep. And then I get up and do it all over again. What's the point?"

Well, maybe they are not quite that straight to the point but they do cut to the chase with pointed questions sometimes, like: "Why is my fish floating upside down? and, Why did my fish go potty with you and not come back? Does he need some of my prune juice?"

I have known my fair share of party-girls-turned mamma's who are suddenly ready to shelve their party glasses and get serious with God. And those of us who have been at it a while may yearn to break free from the daily grind and recaptures a sense of purpose in our lives. Instead our days are filled with the whines of snot-nosed munchkins (God love'em) who are bent on pushing our buttons with the accuracy of a smart bomb. What I am trying to get at is that no matter where we are at in our spiritual lives, most mothers eventually realize that spirituality is not an optional component of life. I remember after Kailey was born the first time I truly felt conflicted with what I knew I should feel. I wanted to have good thoughts, kind words, and appropriate feelings bouncing around in my goody-two=shoes self, but that wasn't always the case. One morning, not too long ago, I felt that my life had been knocked into the No-Mans-Land of Mediocrity. I sat down with my journal and a cup of coffee. With eyes brimming, i uttered, "Dear God, show me what's going on." In the quietness of those moments, I began to write. I felt as if God were telling me, "Stop condemning yourself and come here. You have to be completely open with Me-whether your feelings are light or dark. You have to trust me with them." I could literally visualize God saying , "Come here," with open arms and the smile of acceptance. Since then, God has been taking me on an inner journey and has begun to set me free from many gray clouds that have colored my life.
SO, i post all of this to encourage any other young mommas out there who are struggling with these same issues. Whatever has you feeling on the spiritual ropes, you can be sure that God wants you to come out a winner through the power of His love and acceptance.