you had to be there:
isaac points to a big blanket - "this is a blanky"... points to a small blanket - "but this is a blanky boo... because it's not big. it's small".. points to another small one -"this is a blanky boo too because it's small like the other one."
esther points to my chin - "chin" then my eyes - "eyes...." then she pauses... "your eyes are big... one two fee five seven..."
hahahaha should i be concerned???? she so funny
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
JW update
Yesterday was weird. Jennifer and Abbi came over early to help cook lunch and pray. The weather was good so the kids were great. Just as we finished praying, M and S showed up at the door.
Going back to the night before they visited... I prayed and pleaded with the LORD, and after I blogged, I felt led to look for another website that would give more insight to sharing the gospel with JWs. I found this. I was 1. excited 2. found guilty 3. encouraged. I was so excited because I knew there is hope in our God who reaches these people. I was found guilty because there were some things we knew not to do and had fallen into doing... like discussing doctrine. I was SO encouraged because the website says persevere.
See, the JWs might seem intimidating to us because they seem like they know what they are talking about and have answers for every single bible verse or doctrinal issue. What we have forgotten was that these JWs are NOT believers NOR are they doctrinally trained. They just spit out what they were taught!!! They were brainwashed into not thinking for themselves by the watchtower organization!!! So, that's why the most important things to do, are 1. pray for them by name 2. love them 3. plant a seed of doubt for the watch tower.
After I formed these thoughts in my mind, I now had another challenge. We have been meeting for 7 weeks! How do we undo these things we have already done, and ask for a new beginning???? Well, God had a plan as always because He is a good GOD.
We invited them in and as they sat down, the first thing we noticed was that they didn't start right away and didn't offer to pray. Instead, M said, "well this is going to be a short visit because we just don't feel like this study is going anywhere." It was like a punch in the face! We were all weird-ed out and didn't say anything as they explained. S said, "It's too bad because we really like you. But....Well, this is very out of the ordinary. We usually do these studies one on one and we go through our books. And after talking to a sister, we think our study is everywhere and is not fruitful. If any of you would like to continue, we will study with you one on one."..... awkward silence for about 5 seconds..... So, I said, "well we actually talked about this and agreed on sticking to your book. we also think that we are just everywhere and not focused. we all read chapter 1 and have questions for you." (We are planning to take the book apart and plant seeds of doubt in them about the Watchtower as much as God allows)
From there, we started talking about their book. We all felt God saying to wait whenever we wanted to go in deeper. We had little question. At around 11:45, i invited everyone to eat. so we ate, talked and M said, "I'm so glad you have decided to study our book." I am waiting and waiting for that moment still to plant that seed..... S said, " yes me too. We all have to keep learning because there are so many religions out there. My brother is a muslim and we are JW... and if we don't keep studying, we will not be able to discern the Word of God." DING DING DING!!!!! ( I know that muslims can't question their faith or their Imams) So I said, "Me too. I love being a Christian. I have a lot of muslim friends and I know they aren't even allowed to question their faith or their teachers. Our God is so good and we can doubt Him, question Him be mad at Him, and He will always reveal Himself through the Word and the Holy Spirit. Even Job (the book we discussed with them) questioned God and God was gracious towards him.......etc" JWs can't question the organization or their teachers... I have been praying that God will somehow use that to plant that seed.
God you are SO GOOD to us and to M and s. You ARE slow to anger and abounding in love. Continue to use us and help us to plant the seeds of doubt in M and S. Help us to show love toward them and show them that You are a different God than the one they claim to worship. Reveal Yourself through us and our testimonies. AMEN.
Going back to the night before they visited... I prayed and pleaded with the LORD, and after I blogged, I felt led to look for another website that would give more insight to sharing the gospel with JWs. I found this. I was 1. excited 2. found guilty 3. encouraged. I was so excited because I knew there is hope in our God who reaches these people. I was found guilty because there were some things we knew not to do and had fallen into doing... like discussing doctrine. I was SO encouraged because the website says persevere.
See, the JWs might seem intimidating to us because they seem like they know what they are talking about and have answers for every single bible verse or doctrinal issue. What we have forgotten was that these JWs are NOT believers NOR are they doctrinally trained. They just spit out what they were taught!!! They were brainwashed into not thinking for themselves by the watchtower organization!!! So, that's why the most important things to do, are 1. pray for them by name 2. love them 3. plant a seed of doubt for the watch tower.
After I formed these thoughts in my mind, I now had another challenge. We have been meeting for 7 weeks! How do we undo these things we have already done, and ask for a new beginning???? Well, God had a plan as always because He is a good GOD.
We invited them in and as they sat down, the first thing we noticed was that they didn't start right away and didn't offer to pray. Instead, M said, "well this is going to be a short visit because we just don't feel like this study is going anywhere." It was like a punch in the face! We were all weird-ed out and didn't say anything as they explained. S said, "It's too bad because we really like you. But....Well, this is very out of the ordinary. We usually do these studies one on one and we go through our books. And after talking to a sister, we think our study is everywhere and is not fruitful. If any of you would like to continue, we will study with you one on one."..... awkward silence for about 5 seconds..... So, I said, "well we actually talked about this and agreed on sticking to your book. we also think that we are just everywhere and not focused. we all read chapter 1 and have questions for you." (We are planning to take the book apart and plant seeds of doubt in them about the Watchtower as much as God allows)
From there, we started talking about their book. We all felt God saying to wait whenever we wanted to go in deeper. We had little question. At around 11:45, i invited everyone to eat. so we ate, talked and M said, "I'm so glad you have decided to study our book." I am waiting and waiting for that moment still to plant that seed..... S said, " yes me too. We all have to keep learning because there are so many religions out there. My brother is a muslim and we are JW... and if we don't keep studying, we will not be able to discern the Word of God." DING DING DING!!!!! ( I know that muslims can't question their faith or their Imams) So I said, "Me too. I love being a Christian. I have a lot of muslim friends and I know they aren't even allowed to question their faith or their teachers. Our God is so good and we can doubt Him, question Him be mad at Him, and He will always reveal Himself through the Word and the Holy Spirit. Even Job (the book we discussed with them) questioned God and God was gracious towards him.......etc" JWs can't question the organization or their teachers... I have been praying that God will somehow use that to plant that seed.
God you are SO GOOD to us and to M and s. You ARE slow to anger and abounding in love. Continue to use us and help us to plant the seeds of doubt in M and S. Help us to show love toward them and show them that You are a different God than the one they claim to worship. Reveal Yourself through us and our testimonies. AMEN.
Monday, May 9, 2011
daddyvotional 5 :)
My kids were so funny!! Thanks Honey!
fast forward to 3:23 for the kids' video for mother's day!
my answers: 1. sushi 2. mango 3. 29 4. trampoline or swimming 5. yellow 6. to smell - gardenias or to look at - tulips.
fast forward to 3:23 for the kids' video for mother's day!
my answers: 1. sushi 2. mango 3. 29 4. trampoline or swimming 5. yellow 6. to smell - gardenias or to look at - tulips.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
sigh
Im taking notes on the JW book and getting distracted and discouraged. Im tired and I feel like I have better things to do. How do you show love and truth to these people who were led astray? The Holy Spirit opens their eyes, but we have no idea how long we have. That's the hard part for me. Oh LORD, My God!! I need You. I have no strength left inside of me. I am downtrodden and have nowhere to turn. Guard this house, my heart, my head, my children, my friends, my marriage. I need Your angels at each door post of this house. Do not let any demonic activity into the house and we claim victory of M and S. LORD, heal them of their misled hearts and minds. Help us love them and not be annoyed and frustrated especially when we revisit each misunderstood passage. Open our eyes and ears to the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us to stay on course. Teach me how to stay connected with you during such event. Please build a wall of fire around this place and rescue us from the Evil one. I thank You for being here for us. I thank You for going before us in battle. Help us to remember that. Help us to be in tune with You. I love you LORD. AMEN.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A Call to Perseverance
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
This Monday was the toughest bible study we've had with M and S. It was just Jennifer and I cuz Abbie was out of town. It was a combination of different things 1. rainy day-8kids indoors 2. didn't have abbie 3. prayers were cut short because we didn't start early enough before they got here 4. they were re claiming the group by bringing their little booklet back on the table.....
We were totally caught of guard both physically and spiritually - a lesson for us to learn. We are planning to rip that book apart one chapter at a time. God will always have enough grace for us and turn "bad" things into good. We have to persevere and suck it up and keep on moving forward. He opened the door and He will be the one to close it whenever and however He chooses.
LORD, forgive us for not planning well and for being distracted. Forgive me for being so distracted this week. Help us reclaim M and S for you. Guide us to those scriptures that will cut through their souls. And Lord, we are tired and discouraged but Your strength will sustain us. We will live according to Your promises knowing that You love us and will complete Your work in us as we persevere, struggle, wrestle, pray, learn, and stand firm. Help me to focus on You and may the Holy Spirit continue to shine through me. AMEN.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
This Monday was the toughest bible study we've had with M and S. It was just Jennifer and I cuz Abbie was out of town. It was a combination of different things 1. rainy day-8kids indoors 2. didn't have abbie 3. prayers were cut short because we didn't start early enough before they got here 4. they were re claiming the group by bringing their little booklet back on the table.....
We were totally caught of guard both physically and spiritually - a lesson for us to learn. We are planning to rip that book apart one chapter at a time. God will always have enough grace for us and turn "bad" things into good. We have to persevere and suck it up and keep on moving forward. He opened the door and He will be the one to close it whenever and however He chooses.
LORD, forgive us for not planning well and for being distracted. Forgive me for being so distracted this week. Help us reclaim M and S for you. Guide us to those scriptures that will cut through their souls. And Lord, we are tired and discouraged but Your strength will sustain us. We will live according to Your promises knowing that You love us and will complete Your work in us as we persevere, struggle, wrestle, pray, learn, and stand firm. Help me to focus on You and may the Holy Spirit continue to shine through me. AMEN.
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