Kailee Stephens

It seems like yesterday that there was the excitement and expectation of a new baby. And not only a new baby, but my first baby. For years I had dreamed of motherhood and what it would be like and how great it would feel to grow a baby inside my womb, experience the painful moments of life, and then nurture it to adulthood. Well, having been a mom now for 3 years, life with little ones has me much. Motherhood has been all I thought I would be and everything I thought it wouldn’t be as well….both in the best ways. I think I get saved every day being a mother, being so face-to-face with my weak humanity. I love it. What a wonderful way for me to meet the Lord, know the Lord and grow in the Lord.

Emerson Kate entered the world on February 1, 2008 and what a joy she has been! She has the most exuberant love for life. Her name means strong leader, and this is truly what she is, even at a young age. Her sister Finley, loves to follow her and do exactly what her big sister does. Emerson loves to listen and be taught new things…her excitement and passion for the little things make me truly appreciate life too. She has taught me so much and I’m so thankful for her little life. While in the womb, she received a prophetic word of carrying a “Katherine Kuhlman” anointing, a healing anointing….and every day her little heart grows in compassion for the hurts of others. Emerson is my prophetic singer too-if asked to pray for something/someone, she sings over them. I’m so grateful for the things the Lord is doing in her heart, and mine as we grow in life together.

Happy Birthday Emme Kate!

I find the ending of a year is one that is filled with reflection and introspection; its a time to look back at the year that was and look forward to the new year yet to come. It seems that in some aspects 2009 passed by so quickly and in others so slowly. What is true is that the time passes by imperceptibly, changing like the seasons. At the same time we are preparing for the transition into a new year, a year filled with potential, with hope and inevitably as always with change. Writer Kathleen R. Fischer reminds that in order to change we have to be willing to let go and even die a little to move forward.

At every point in the human journey we find that we have to let go in order to move forward; and letting go means dying a little. In the process we are being created anew, awakened afresh to the source of our being

We need to be able to let go of the old in order to embrace the new.

Psychologist Catherine Sanders proposed three questions for people that help in managing the transition to a new year (life).

1. What do you want to take from your old life (year) into your new one?

2. What do you want to leave behind?

3. What do you need to add?

I ask myself all these questions among others to better myself for the coming year and all it holds. There is so much hope in the “newness” of a new year, new expectations and goals, new life skills, new growth. In my reflection of 2009, I have chosen to overlook my struggles, unwanted changes, or times of discouragement and focus of the ever-present Holy Spirit who has faithfully walked beside me the entire year. Although I may have not felt Him in every moment and may have even doubted sometimes-I focus on Him. I focus on the indwelling God who guides and shapes my walk of life by the minute, daily, & yearly.

Holy Spirit, guide me into all truth this year. Amen.

Salvation is a great mystery. We know the commandments of Christ, and our weakness both in keeping those commandments faithfully, as well as our weakness before temptation in almost any form. How do we get from here to there?

This is indeed the great mystery. Jesus is the answer. By his death and resurrection, he made for all a path to salvation and there is no salvation outside of him. Salvation, is by definition, union with Christ. Its an inner transformation in which we are united with God, and through him and the work of grace are changed into the fullness of what we are created to be.

But again, the path from here to there is somewhat a mystery. We do not know what is needed, moment by moment for our salvation other than saying we need Jesus. How we need him is the mystery…

My kids have always been pretty good about eating what is placed in front of them….from buttered spinach to to sautéed eggplant to raw bell peppers. But recently I have been trying to introduce different flavors and textures. With all the sickness going around, I have been vigilant in making sure my family is pumped with vitamins and getting healthy meals and rest.

So this past week I tried making ordinary and familiar meals with seasonal vegetables. So far I’ve tried homemade macaroni and cheese with winter squash mixed in and parmesan risotto with butternut squash….the result was great- My husband said “mmmm creamy” I even made vegetarian cheese quesadillas with a puree of seasonal veggies.

So, my healthy additions to meals has been working and thankfully, my family is staying healthy thru this crazy sick season.

Any more healthy and creative ideas?

Phewww…..This summer has brought along so many changes and transitions for me. I am hoping to start blogging again regularly.

Summer Review:
We had a wonderful and eventful summer, along with the daily routine of work, ministry and family, there were also some key highlights.