New Birth

Today my heart is full for two reasons:

1.) My friend Amber had her baby this week and... "it's a boy!" All of my friends having babies lately have been having girls so it is nice change it up a little bit.

Isn't Caleb Matthew handsome? :)

2.) One of the guys that is on David's Golf Committe for his tournament this June gave his life to Christ last week!!!! David was so excited that when he called me he must have been talking a mile a minute {I adore my husband}.

It is the first time that we have seen the fruit of our labor here in Parker and let me tell you, it makes everything worth it..everything! I know the Lord is doing many things here that I have yet to even see.

Lord you are SO good.

Twitter (Blog-style)

Right now I am...

• Sitting here on the computer catching up on all your blogs--what fun people you are!
• Warm because Turbo is snoozing on my lap
• Scouring the Internet looking for a simply devine homemade chocolate cake recipe to take to our friends house for dinner
• Anxiously watching my blackberry and sending it subliminal messages: "don't you buzz or ring or do anything for the next two days...do you understand me??? It is Easter and you better make sure I don't get called out!"
• Trying to figure out why Tiger Woods isn't kicking butt in the Master's because he truly is the best golfer EVER!
• Hoping that someone will buy our old desk and bookcase so I can finish decorating the office already.
• Thinking about how much my bathroom needs to be cleaned.
• Wishing I could go to Express and buy a new outfit that would only cost me $25, ha!

But most of all..I am thankful that Christ died for me and that He purchased my freedom (at such a high price) so that I could hear His voice and spend eternity safe in His love.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Sold

On March 24th it was official, the sale of our house that is. It was rather, what shall I say, anti-climactic. I was never quite convinced that it was going to happen and didn't even believe it until the money was in our checking account. I kept thinking something would go wrong.

We put our house up FOR SALE in September (as most of you know) and had been begging the Lord for months and months to sell it in the "terrible" market. David and I were both commuting to Denver (since January) and it was putting somewhat of a strain on our marriage. I needed to be in Denver to do my job and he needed to be in Denver to be able to minister effectively. We essentially felt trapped and unable to go forward in the new calling He had placed on our lives.

Truthfully there were times when I felt like the Lord was mocking us because it all didn't make sense. Especially when our next door neighbor put her house up for sale, when there were houses identical to ours in worse condition that sold for more money, when foreclosures went on the market for SO CHEAP! Then there were all the weekends we spent looking for houses up in Denver to buy so that when ours sold we would have somewhere to move and each house that we were even remotely interested in sold (yes, in this market).

We kept pleading with God to show us what to do and then a miracle happened that allowed us to rent up here in Denver while our house was still on the market within our budget. So we found a great condo in Parker and moved on Valentine's Day.

Then, the next week a lady put an offer on our town home! Not even kidding...the next week!

Of course at that point, I was moved, already unpacked and had accepted that we were going to be renting. I had made peace with the fact that the Lord would take care of us (He already had). I had let go and trusted without stress, without fear, without worry and that is when it happened.

Now I don't think that is the "formula" for getting God to do what I wanted but I must say that I did learn a lot through the 6 months. The biggest lesson I learned was that what I treasured most wasn't that God sold the house but that He stayed by me through the trial and He taught me valuable truths about Himself and my relationship with him. Now, I have a greater understanding of how He communicates with me and my relationship with Him is better for that experience as hard as it was for me at times.

That is the short story about the "house" and what happened. I thought I would need a house to make a home...I thought "that" was the next step for us. But truthfully, I am content in our condo--I like the location, I like the layout, I like the people we rent from and most importantly, David and I can do what the Lord has called us to do.

Thank you to everyone who stood with us during this time and offered up prayers and encouragement on our behalf. You were all such a blessing!

I am waiting for the walls in our condo to be painted to post pictures of our new place...more to come soon.

Pick a Number!

Okay, lets play a little blog game...

Pick a number between 1 and 3

Picked yet????

Now please go to the corresponding number on the list below and if you have time, please say a prayer for that person/family. I have changed the names of those that the Lord has placed on my heart so that they can remain anonymous. However, the Lord knows whom I have in mind.

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer. I know that the more people that approach the throne of God on behalf of another, the more it power of the Holy Spirit is activated. In turn, I promise to pray for you if you would like to send me a prayer request at dafarmer06@aol.com.

**The List***

1. The "biggest family ever" has lost their home to mold this past October. They have 9 children total and had to leave all their belongings in the house and move to a different state to receive treatment for all the diseases that they acquired as a result of the mold. Please pray for their health, their finances and that their family would become closer in this time of trial

2. A lady "Ann" that I know has just been advised by the police to get a divorce from her abusive husband of 10 years and to file a restraining order. Ann is true follower of Christ and has never felt peace about this decision until now. Please pray for her safety and the direction of the Lord during this process. Divorce is never something that she wanted and she now struggles will feelings of failure.

3. My dear friend "Heidi" is going for a doctor's appointment this week to see if she may have breast cancer. She is only in her early 30's but her family has a history of cancer. She is such a giving person that always puts others before herself. Please pray for peace in her heart, that she would feel the Lord standing next to her as she walks through this week. Pray also for healing in her body.

A Rollercoaster???

My job often requires that I travel throughout the states of Colorado and Wyoming to different hospitals. Most times we drive but since Grand Junction is about 4-5 hours from Denver and time is of the essence in organ donation, we have to fly.

Sound's glamorous doesn't it?

Not when you {loathe, hate, detest} dislike flying...

You see, something happened to me between the age of 20-25. Not only did I get married, graduated from college, start my career, and become a {dog} mom but I developed a very {rational} embarrassing fear of flying. I don't know when or how I developed this new quality but David is quite aware as I always have a death grip on his hand as we fly to various destinations. Even the slightest jolt sends me into convulsions because I am certain that the plane is about to plunge nose first into the ground.

When I think about it rationally, I know the statistics of me dying in a car crash is much higher than in a plane but it doesn't seem to help when I am actually up in the air.

Nevertheless, I must fly for my job and I must keep it all together. This week I experienced my first and second fly-out. Here is a picture of us me and my co-workers before the flight...

Obviously I survived since I am writing this post but it was not without a few pesky anxiety attacks. Before take-off I warned them all that I could, at any moment, feel the need to grab their hand with my notorious death-grip. They were very understanding as we took off in the little tin can with wings. Most of the flight was spent convincing me of what each bump and alarm noise meant as I did Lamaze breathing. hee, hee, whoooo, hee, hee, whooo...

24 hours later I was on my way home and the cab driver from the hospital to the airport told me to "pretend it's a roller coaster" during all the drops. I am sorry Mr. Cab-driver but there are a few differences between planes suspended thousands of feet up in the sky and roller coasters that are on tracks, bolted to the ground and inspected daily.

And between me and you, I also HATE roller coasters so his advice really didn't give me the warm fuzzies.

Like I said earlier, this week was not only my first fly-out but my second. What did I learn from these experiences? My fears may be a little bit unhealthy. The Lord is obviously trying to help understand that this is an area in which I haven't trusted Him. God is good that way, He is always teaching us. This may sound cliche but I realized I am afraid of is dying in a plane crash.

I don't want to die... and often times I feel more in control when have the illusion of control. When I am driving the car, I feel like I can prevent the crash. When I am running, I can prevent disease. But really, when it is my day to meet him, it will be my day. Whether I am in sky or sitting here writing this blog.

Hopefully this new realization will help me enjoy the next flight a little more. :)

Finding the one...

I know many of you ladies are out there still trying to find the "one."
Oh how I sympathize.

While I have already found my man, I too am looking still looking for the "one."
And by the one, I am referring to the person that eventually will buy our townhome.

Let me explain:

You: wait for potential suiters to pursue you
I: wait for potential buyers to schedule showings

You: buy a new outfit, do your hair just right, paint your nails, and pray that it will be your last, first date
I: paint the walls, shampoo the carpet, dust, mop and pray that this will be the last, first showing

You: go out to the movies or a nice resturaunt or a concert or to Starbucks
I: grab Turbo and stratigically park my car behind a tree down the street. Then I lower my seat low enough not to be seen but high enough to spy on the prospective buyer

You: return home and process the good and the bad from the date
I: return home and check all my booby traps to see if they looked behind the shower curtain or in the laundry room or in the dishwasher (all clues to see if they were interested)

You: (assuming you like the guy) wait by the phone for him to call
I: wait by the phone for an offer

He: may not have felt the same, or already have a girlfriend, or just want to be friends, or....
They: may want the parking space a little closer, or the laundry room a little bigger, or the price a little lower, or one less stair, or one more bathroom, or....

Then my friends, we must start the cycle all over again.
Just to find THE ONE

Have faith girls...

Someday your prince and my buyer WILL come!

Our "New Life"

Well today was our last "offical" Sunday at our Colorado Springs church.

New Life Church (maybe you have heard of it on Oprah, or Larry King, or maybe HBO?)

Ahem!

I remember the first time I knew that it was the place that God wanted me to attend. Will you join me for a walk down memory lane...

The year was 2001 and I had just graduated high school. I had been to the youth group at New Life a few times before (not experiences that I would like to re-live so we will continue on...). This particular Sundy, it clicked. I was hungry for the presence of God and loved worship... New Life excelled at both of these. The messages challenged me, the worship ushered me into His presence, the community was rich...I was home.

Over the past 8 years, I walked through the church doors in many different states--I can remember low points and high points. I have wept, laughed, prayed, worshipped, made friends, met my husband, lost friends... There have been times that I contemplated leaving but never felt the Lord allow me to go. There were times I could not have imagined a better church.

Over the last few months, I have felt the ties being cut. Or maybe it was just David and I chosing to pull back. If I sit and dwell on leaving this church, tears fill my eyes. So much invested, so many memories...it has been a pleasure to be counted with this congregation through all our trials.

Goodbye my sweet church.

and on a happier note,

Hello Denver United!
How appropriate that New Life would plant a church in Denver during the very season that God has called us to serve there. :)

That is why today is not so sad.

He Suffered

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

What power, what truth there is in those words.
Today I read that verse and saw something new, something I hadn't registered before.

"He suffered"

It wasn't like it was easy for Jesus to say "no!" to temptation.
The sin pulled at him, trying to make him captive.

It wasn't some magical gene mutation that only the Son of God had.
He had a choice.

It wasn't as if He did it to show us He was better.
He endured so He could help.

Even then back then God knew that I depend on it.

House Shopping

Last Saturday we went shopping for our new house! We still need our townhome to sell but we wanted to check out some houses in Denver so we would know what we wanted. It was quite the experience seeing how some people choose to live and show their houses. Trash everywhere, beat up walls, crazy colors and then they want you to pay 270,000! No way!

Here are two of our favorite houses. The first one is my FAVORITE! I am such a porch girl--love them, need them! Just imagine white rocking chairs, hot chai tea, a blanket (depending where you live) and a great book ...perfect! The garage is in the back of the house (which I love) and it is brand new (fun!). The second one is in a better part of town, has a good layout, and is very clean (even though it has been lived in it). We don't really need a three car garage but it is the same price as the other house so we won't complain. Both houses have 3 bedrooms so there will be plenty of room for our friends to visit (hint! hint!).

1.)Porch House


2.) Great-Area House


I know you can't judge a book by it's cover but which one is your favorite? Would you like either of them?

He Speaks

During the recent months, I have truly wanted to hear the Lord speak to me that this is truly His will about us believing for Him to sell our house. He has already done many miracles in this new season (my job for one) yet I still need Him to reassure me. So I did what any child would do, I asked Him to give me a word.

Now I was a bit unsure how He would speak to me but I knew that He would. I always fear that I will read the Bible looking for Him to say something and that my mind will create a message from the Lord from my own understanding. So I just began to pray and ask Him to speak very clearly...HE DID!

On Monday, I was at one of my hospitals speaking to some staff about organ donation. While I was on the elevator, around floor 8 or 9, an older looking man (probably in the range of 50-70 years old) got on the elevator.

~

I smiled.

He smiled and said hello.

Then he said "do you take gifts from strangers?"

"Only if it isn't candy." (me trying to be funny of course)

He said "well here, keep this if you like it."

It was fake coin with a verse from Matthew 28:20

Jesus said, " I am with you always..."

"I would like to keep it, thank you!"

The messenger gets off the elevator

~

It was MY message from the Lord telling me that He is with us through this process.

Oh how it comforted me.

If you are needing a word from the Lord in some area of your life.

Don't hesitate to ask.

He will answer.

Then you will have peace.

Our FCA family

Last weekend we had the pleasure of going on a all-expense paid retreat to Keystone. Not only was it beautiful up there but it was a great time of rest, relaxation, and relationship building. We ate great food, played lots of games, had massages (the girls) and played golf (the boys).

--Our FCA Family--

--Lee and Julie--

(David's boss)

--Rex and Vicki--

--Eric and Michelle--

--David and Ali--

Sundays = Bronco Apparel :)

Little Miracles

I want to share a story with you-- one of the many God-stories that have been happening lately in our lives. David is now working with FCA in the South Denver area. I am proud of my man that he has such a heart for the lost and the faith to believe that God can move mountains.

FCA relies on many different types of partnerships to reach the lost. Well David (loving Chick-Fil-A) and knowing how generous they are with helping non-profit organizations was praying for the Lord to help him find a connection with the owner of a Chick-fil-A in the South Denver area. Well this Sunday the Lord gave him that connection.

Each Sunday David meets with high school kids to disciple them. This Sunday only one guy came to the Bible Study. He is a swimmer and has a desire to improve his relationship with God. At the end of the night, David and him began talking about their lives. Oddly enough this kid's dad is the owner of the Chick-Fil-A in the South Denver area!!!!! Tomorrow morning David has a meeting with him and God is even blessing him with a free breakfast. :)

I hope that this is can be as encouraging for you as it is for me. When you believe and ask, the Lord answers. If He has called you somewhere or called you to do something, be specific about your requests. He will open doors for you to answer your calling.

Random Ramblings

• Today we had our second official showing of the house (in the week that it has been on the market). God is so faithful! The first guy didn't like the laundry room location which happens to be next to the bathroom. I wish I could correct him because it is more of a laundry closet than room. However, I can understand and this is the kind of market where you can be picky... I plan to be picky myself. :)

• I am really enjoying the fact that the house must be "show ready" at any time. This is the type of environment where my perfectionist tendencies are truly able to shine! Therefore my husband must also go along with it (all in the name of a quick sale of course...) and allow me to complain about any crumb he drops on the kitchen floor. I know, I should enjoy it while it lasts.

• My friend Heather is interviewing for a job at Donor Alliance (where I work) and I am SO excited. She is such a sweet, genuine person. I love her heart for others and look forward to spending more time around her.

• I have several names for my dog: Turbo (his actual name), Turbinator (his superhero name), Turb (don't mistake this one for TURD...), Turby (given to him by my sister-in-law Lori), poochy-poo (in a baby voice, of course).

• I absolutely love this new Crystal Light that we got yesterday. I tried it at my friend Cassie's house and I practically drank the whole pitcher. I got some at Wal-mart (yes I shop there, I am a woman on a budget!) and I am addicted. You should know that my addictions come in phases. I absolutely love something, then consume it whenever and wherever possible until I never want to see it again. We shall see how long this love with Crystal Light Strawberry-Orange-Banana lasts!

• I am going to go do my wifely duties now...laundry, emptying the dishwasher, taking a nap with Turbo (shh, don't tell David) and playing some Mario Cart (another addiction I can't seem to shake. Maybe I should read a book instead of shooting flying turtles at Luigi and Mario...na!)

Our BIG news...

WE ARE MOVING!

Today our house officially went on the market and now the waiting begins and praying continues.

It feels like we have arrived since much of the last month has centered on getting the house sell-ready. We have been interviewing realtors, fixing our bathtub, cleaning the carpet, painting, cleaning, painting, going to Home Depot, painting, going back to Home Depot, getting cracks fixed, painting, PRAYING and cleaning. David and I are ready to get back into the rhythm of life but we know that this is just the beginning of the moving process. :)

About 6 months ago, the Lord starting moving in David's heart about joining FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) full time. Translation: he would retire from teaching (hey now, he taught for 4 years...that's a loooooog time people, ha!) and go into their school of sports ministry (really an internship) for 1 year then to be hired on staff. The great part about this is that he needed to complete a 3 month internship this past summer and FCA worked perfectly for this. Well, to make a long story short, David and I truly felt the Lord's leading about all of this and he applied.

FCA is pretty saturated down here in the Springs and there is a great need in South Denver. You guessed it...that's where we are headed. It has been a leap of faith but with each leap I feel the arms of a strong Savior holding us up. The great thing about FCA is that it is full-time ministry. Therefore, we call upon those that we know, those that have been called to be Kings to support ministry and in turn make it financially possible for us to live this life. So many of you have supported us, again, a testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord. Thank you!

One other blessing has been my job. Donor Alliance is based out of Denver (coincidence, I think not) and they were amazingly wonderful in making a position for me up there. When our house sells, I will be able to transition to an Organ Recovery Coordinator, which is a very nice promotion for a nurse like me. I give all the credit to the Lord because David and I have been believing for a miracle like this for months. David told me countless times to keep believing for the Lord to open the door and He did.

Now I have more faith to believe for the sale of our home. There are 3 others for sale just like ours in our complex and we all know about the economy. However, God has told us to move, He has opened doors, and I look forward to the post I will write when He sells our home.

Patiently waiting....on day 1.