Behind The Scenes

Framily: n. 1. a friend that is like family 2. family that is like a friend 3. friend that you are technically related to 4. friend & family

This  definition will help you immensely as you read the remainder of this blog post.

What you are about to see is a picture of my framily Erin, and I  at beautiful Camp Ida-Haven in McCall, Idaho. The occasion was Jaimie and Sam's (other framily of ours) wedding. Erin being the beautiful mom that she is, is holding water bottles for her two kids. Perhaps you noticed the sunglasses on my head; it was a gorgeous, warm, sunny day... a perfect day for a wedding in the mountains. And then there are our smiles...

... of course I was excited to see Erin... she being like a big sister/friend/cousin (and I'm not just saying this because she might kill me for using this picture)... we live in different states and our lives are very busy so we don't visit much. Erin was indeed part of the reason for my smile. The other reason for our smiles were caused by what you don't see in the picture. It was the picture-taker (photographer) that created our genuine, almost laughing smiles.

Our framily Blaine Kenney, was the reason to blame for our smiles. It was not the first or last time he was guilty of such crimes. Blaine was a man of many gifts, but perhaps the gift I cherished the most was his ability to make me (and others) smile.

Unfortunately, I have to use past tense words such as, was and had, because Blaine passed away on October 20, 2011... just one day short of two months after the above picture was taken.

Blaine's delight was delighting in others. He was delighted to take our picture. When one knows that she is delighted in... one can't help but smile. Let me say that again, "When one knows that she is delighted in... one can't help but smile."  99% of my interactions with Blaine resulted in a smile.

His genuine love for our Heavenly Father and other human beings reeked from him like a fresh cut pine tree... his genuine loved lingered in the air... which created an atmosphere that one couldn't help but (**long exhale here**) SMILE.

I was also the thankful frequent recipient to Blaine's quick and to the point advice; that often included or  was sometimes limited to, "Let's pray".  Which I would often smile and say "Ok" (What else are you going to say?!?!).

My unedited picture of Faith and Blaine... same day and place as the picture above.

Volumes have been wrote about Blaine's accomplishments while on this earth, and I most certainly  recommend that they be read, but you'll have to wait until you get to heaven to read them. One volume will be titled "Adoring Husband" and another "Proud & Loving Father" and yet another "Teacher"... "Framily"... I know exactly the volume that I'm going to check out once there... It's going to be titled "Behind the Scenes" and the subtitle will read "True Stories of When Blaine Changed Lives One Smile at a Time". It's a good thing I'll have eternity to read it a because it is going to take me a while...... it will have hundreds of chapters... one of which will be of... me.

 "And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." John 17:3 (NLT)

There is only one way to that I, or anyone else, will ever get to see/hear Blaine again... You need to know Blaine's Friend/Father (framily)... just like Jesus said in John 17:3. 

***Reader, you may have never known Blaine, but I can promise you that he cared about you. And I can promise you that he would want nothing more than to see your SMILE in Heaven. So if you don't know Blaine's Heavenly Father (mine and Erin's Heavenly Father too) like framily... then please message me and I'd be happy to introduce to Him (or get you connected with someone who can introduce you).***

Thanks for reading and if you have a minute please feel free to share (by commenting below) how Blaine has blessed you... or if you didn't know Blaine, share how you intend on helping someone smile today (or comment on both).

Oh and don't forget that "..God is love..." 1 John 4:16 

11 Ways to Achieve Ultimate Peace in Just 90 Days

Recently I have experienced ~PEACE~ in a way that I never have before. Are you curious how YOU also can experience **ULTIMATE PEACE**? Well you have come to the right place... Included in this blog... are 11 ways to achieve PEACE.

#1. Be sure to have a mentor in your life. Someone that encourages you and cares about you. I found that the best type of mentor is the friend that is kinda like a "Grandpa-teacher-forever young at heart-down to earth-can communicate with you by just looks, no words needed-go to for advice" type. Establish a lasting relationship with this person. Then, when you least expect it.... BRAIN TUMOR. Yep your mentor needs to be diagnosed with a brain tumor. And then... DIE within two weeks of diagnosis.

#2. Two days after your mentors funeral... rush to you friends side after you receive a phone call form her in which she states that she has been .:SEVERELY BURNED:. Arrive at friends side... determine instantly that she needs to go to the hospital.. not in a personal car but VIA AMBULANCE. Then convince her five children that it's ok to leave their MOMMA'S SIDE <3 Drive children away before they see their momma taken out on a stretcher...

#3. (I realize that this may seem really depressing but please keep reading... there is a happy ending. I PROMISE.) Upon your return from taking children to a burn unit five hours away so they can see their mother<<<<<<<<<VOMIT VIOLENTLY.. preferably while sitting on the toilet (not because it's comfy but because it catches other fluids coming from other ORPHEUS simultaneously as you VOMIT VIOLENTLY.)  Don't do this just once. Do this at least twice an hour for 12 HOURS STRAIGHT>>>>>>>>

#4. Invite an 18 year old to move into your ONE BEDROOM HOUSE. Why you ask? PEACE of course. And because this option is the BEST OPTION. PERIOD.... pErIoD.

#5. Fight off a HORRIBLE UPPER RESPIRATORY nastiness. LOSE FIGHT. SHARE WITH HUSBAND. Repeat once or TWICE.

#6.  MULTI-TASK. No I don't think you understand... I mean MULTI-TASK... Make sure you are on multiple committees, involved in groups...Even better LEAD THEM. Be the treasurer of something. DO book-keeping for a business... better yet YOUR BUSINESS. Go to meetings... church meetings, work meetings... dog meetings.... at least 5 nights a week for a month. Because you never know... someone's SALVATION might depend on YOU ATTENDING A MEETING. Go to school... Scratch that.. GO TO COLLEGE. laundry. dishes. MINISTRY. No ministrieS. Wife/husband. Daughter/son. Family. Bills. FrIeNdS? And work part time (minimum).

#7. Oh yeah. I almost forgot. While you are loading your mentor in the car so he can get treatment for his brain tumor in the big city... GET AN URGENT CALL saying your mother is in the EMERGENCY RoOm with a kidney stone attack. And then get a phone call a few days later from your mother... letting you know that she has LOST HER JOB... again...

#8. Watch the news. Once a month is plenty.

#9.  Have lots of FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES... so that you can pray about their CRISIS. Because after-all who doesn't have something HORRIBLE going on in their life somehow (right this very second)?

#10. Don't sleep or exercise. Not by choice but by SURVIVAL.

#11. KEEP YOUR FAITH IN JESUS DESPITE STEPS 1-10 (or actually IN-SPITE). <<<You saw this coming, didn't you?>>>

Numbers 1-10 happened to me in less than 90 days. I purposely made what happened sound horrible. It was HORRIBLE. AWFUL. AWFULLY HORRIBLE. Truth is, some of them were much worse and much more involved than I described. #1 and #2 especially.  And I realize that there are people in this world (possibly billions) that experience life much worse (maybe even a BILLION times WORSE) for ****YEARS**** (compared to my wimpy 90 days).

The God that I believe in... is a God of LOVE.... out-of-this-world-love... crazy lOVE... more than your first-love LOVE. Therefore, I do not believe that God causes horrible, awful, or awfully horrible things to happen. I just don't believe it. And I never will. Plus I believe a thorough Bible study would prove as much (this statement is based on the premises that you're open to such a  Bible study). ###1 John 4:16 for starters.### (No, not everyone has to believe the same way I do. And no, I don't think you are wrong for believing different. Please grant me the same grace.)

But I do believe He (note the capital H) allows things to happen... (the word consequences would be added to this conversation... a conversation that I don't want to finish here... Well not now anyway).

God allowed me to reach a place where I *LITERALLY* could NoT worry anymore. Simply COULD NOT worry. Excuse me... I CAN NOT worry. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and several other "ally"s (or is it "allies") I just couldn't or can't do it any longer.

I reached a place where I  MUST pray "God, this is your problem. You can handle (blank). I can not." yeah, sure I sometimes add in "Use me if need be" Or "show me what I can do." but ultimately it's now "All You" Capital Y because I'm talking to the Big Guy Upstairs. The least I can do is give HIM some capitals (He may not care but I do. RESPECT)

Finally... the point to this long blog post.... "⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 ⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Phillipians 4:6-9

I gotta tell ya, I wouldn't trade this peace for anything. Not even to have my friend Blaine (see #1) back (as huge tears well up in my eyes). I'm praying that this peace LASTS. I realize that means God might allow more horrible in my life to maintain this reliance and peace. And I'm ok with that, that's what i've signed up for... whatever it takes.

Listen, I want to hear from YOU THE READER! What has God allowed in your life to give you PEACE? How is God working in your life NOW? What is your source of encouragement? Please answer these questions by commenting below. Got prayer requests? 

 Thanks for reading and God Bless!

http://wearethatfamily.com/features/works-for-me-wednesday/

Receiving and Giving

Today, June 22, 2011 is my 26th birthday.  The day is nearly over,  it's 23:26 to be exact and I'm sitting here reflecting on what makes a birthday so special. In my reflection I've decided that; what makes my birthday special has changed over the years. 

Growing up in Seattle, I can remember a couple of different years that my birthday landed on the last day of school. On one said occasion, my dad picked my brother and me up from school and took us to Wild Waves (a water park). If you would have asked me on that day, "What makes Birthdays special?" I would have said, "Wild Waves!" (I was maybe 8 or 9???).

The same thing could have happened today and my answer would be "My Dad and my Brother." And of course today, I would care a lot more about what I look like in a swimsuit than I did as a kid.  I guess that's a part of growing up; as you grow older, your priorities and your perspective changes... for better or worse. What once meant a lot, no longer does, and vis a versa. 

There's an aspect of birthdays that has been special for me since I was young girl (eek now I'm a young woman, side note) and that aspect is cards. My Great Aunt Anna May would send my brother and I a card for every occasion (at least it seemed like it as a kid). You name it... St. Patrick's Day... Thanksgiving... it seems like we would get a card, often with stickers, and sometimes; like on our birthday, we would get money too. Her hand writing fascinated me. The way she shaped her V for Vanessa especially fascinated me. Her "V"s are the reason why I sign my name the way I do today. Anna May is also to blame for my obsession with stickers, and why nearly every piece of mail I send has a sticker to seal the envelope (whether the envelope needs a seal or not).  More on this obsession in just a minute.....

As a kid in elementary school, notes and letters were a "secret" world that our teachers and parents weren't suppose to know about. I have a shoe box full of notes similar to the one George Strait sings about in his song "Check Yes or No". 

Age and high school, of course, changed the content of the notes, letters and cards. 

Across the world, and in the middle of "nowhere" in Zimbabwe, letters from my boyfriend (now husband) were.... well.... priceless. 

Today, on my birthday, I got the pleasure of reading several birthday cards. Cards are apart of what make birthdays special for me.  I realize now, that cards, are one thing that have more importance to me with each passing year. 

This board is in our bedroom. Some of the cards are from my birthday last year which will likely be replaced soon. Beckett's birth announcement is in the upper right hand corner of the board... I will display that for a long time to come... mostly because I still can't believe his mom and I are old enough to be married,  let alone parents. Plus he's adorable. There's also a card on this board that we got on our first anniversary. The card was one of very few for our first anniversary. It came from a 90+ lady from our church. Some of the cards are from me to Ryan and from Ryan to me.

This board is by our desk. I'm going to call this my reminder board. The board itself was a bridal shower gift from one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Ellingson. The colors of the board happen to be the inspiration for the coloring schemes in our dinning room and living room. There's a picture of my best friend Eun & I at her wedding. I don't get to see her very often... except for everyday in this picture. :) Just to the left of that is Caleb's birthday party invitation... it is there because that is a pile of invitations etc I need to buy or send gifts for.  I've bought and gave Caleb his gift already but I don't want to move it yet cause it's so cute... he's so cute! Then there's some scriptures that Toni has printed on cute paper for me. There is also a thank you from a young lady in the youth Sabbath School class that my husband leads.  Then there's business numbers and addresses for easy reference also.

I bought this Blessings card holder from Blessings Unlimited, it mostly holds pictures we received at Christmas time. But there's also some baby announcements and a really special card that was given to me from my Dad.

I also got this card holder from Blessings Unlimited. It sits on our kitchen table.  I think the next picture summaries  nicley.

I think this one is self explanatory. 

Back to that obsession I mentioned earlier... 

I enJOY sending cards etc at least 10 times as much as receiving them. And as you probably gathered from the past several photos, I REALLY ENJOY RECEIVING snail mail. For example, checking the mail is my favorite chore (we have a PO Box).  

The next several photos are of my obsession... 

Careful these pictures may be hazardous to your health... 

You have been warned....

Here are all of my card organizers in one photo. I currently have 6. I really need 7. ;)

This box contains cards for specific times of year, such as Valentines Day,  Fathers Day, etc. It also hold a few cards for  baby related occasions. At the bottom of this card organizer box is a little drawer which holds most of my stickers. 

Stickers! 

This box is overflowing... this situation, along with "Everyday Encouragement {A Giveaway!}",  have inspired me... more on the my inspiration in a "minute" :) 

The "God is love" box is for my card ministry at church. The Birthday box is for... you guessed it... you're quick! I guess I should mention that these boxes are also from BlEsSiNgS UnLiMiTeD

<3

On your left you see "My Holiday Plans" notebook. That notebook contains my Christmas card list, which is now somewhere between 300 and 400 people long. My friend/blank box is also too full.... insert more inspiration here! To the very far right is a box of random envelopes. 

Here is my perpetual calendar... it's full of special dates and special people. It lives next to my desk also, to the left of my "reminder board".

Here is my special day calendar for my card ministry at church.

Colored pens, return address labels are also apart of the obsession. 

And here are the stamps that i will be purchasing next. Yet another important detail that goes into my "obsession".

Inspiration time.... because of my overflowing boxes, the (in)courage giveaway, my 26th birthday, and the Holy Spirit teaching me the importance of taking TIME for others... I have decided..... (pause for effect)....... to send one card a day (I'm allowing one day off a week).  I don't imagine that any movies will be made due to this new endeavor, but I do imagine this being a really good thing. Here's to making EVERYDAY special... 

God is love,

Vanessa

PS. Please ignore typos... it's late... and it's my birthday! ;)

PSS. Here are some "greeting cards" from God:

II Corinthians 8:2, TLB. "Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others."

II Corinthians 9:7, NIV. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

II Corinthians 8:12, TLB. "If you are really eager to give, then it isn't important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven't."


Luke 12:48, NIV. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Luke 6:38, TLB. "For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you."

John 3:16, TLB. "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Proverbs 17:17, TLB. "A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."

John 15:15, NIV. "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you."

Philippians 2:3-4, TLB. "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing."

Proverbs 27:9-10, TLB. "Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father's. Then you won't need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need."

Proverbs 27:6, TLB. "Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!"

Lessons From a Saint

The snow does two things to my dog:

1.  Brings out the dirt in my dog.
2. Makes him really happy.

Interestingly enough, spending time with Jesus does the same things to me...

1. Brings out the dirt (sin) in my life.
2. Makes me really happy. 

When comparing the sparkling white snow to my beautiful dog, I can't help but instantly notice how dirty my dog is. And while it is always apparent that he is a dirty boy, the snow really makes it stand out! The snow turns BROWN wherever Poco Bear (that's my dog's name) gets up from where he lays in the snow. And every time this happens I shudder at the thought of the dirt that is brought into my house because of my dog. 

The more time that I spend with Jesus, either by reading the Bible, or in my discipleship group, or worshiping at church, or in prayer... well you get the idea... When I submerge myself in Him, my dirt (sin) becomes really noticeable to me. And yes, this fact makes me shudder, but it also gives me a joy that I don't think I will ever be able to describe (well at least on this planet).... which leads me nicely to my next point... 

You would think Poco (that's what we call him for short) was a puppy if you saw him play or go for a hike in the snow. Reality is, he is 9 or 10 which is really old for a Saint Bernard. X-rays have shown that his hips aren't even really like hips anymore. But the way he bounces around and pretends to pounce and wants to play... you would never know that he is an "old man". Sometimes he will want outside at three in the morning just so he can lay in the snow.  During the summer months, when my husband and I go for hikes in the mountains, Poco will spot a patch of snow and sprint for it... then roll in it... and then beg us to play in the snow with him. The snow gives my dog a joy like nothing else can.

You would have to visit with my friends and family that have known me since before I became a Christian to begin to get a sense of the joy that God has brought into my life. But that would just scratch the surface. As I sit here at my computer, contemplating how to get across to you (the reader) the joy that God has brought into my life... I come to this conclusion: God gives me a joy like nothing else can. NOTHING. That's right; joy. Joy despite all of this worlds "dirt" and the "dirt" in my life.           JOY. 

If this dirt and joy thing is a new concept for you... then may I suggest going outside... 

look up at the stars...

and God will take care of the rest. 

I promise.

And for you Bible junkies:

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." Psalm 16:8-11 (New Living Translation) 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes You sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24 (TLB)

 "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you." Psalm 51:7-12 (New Living Translation)

 "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment." Psalm 32:1-6 (New Living Translation)

 "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 (TLB) 

 "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out." This is God's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool. If you'll willingly obey, you'll feast like kings. But if you're willful and stubborn, you'll die like dogs." That's right. God says so. Isaiah 1:18-20 (The Message)

God is love,
Vanessa


PS. Listen to:

•  "Beautiful Like This" by Josh Wilson
• "Let It Go" by Tenth Avenue North
• "All The Pretty Things" by Tenth Avenue North

PSS. GOD IS LOVE!!!!!!

Tongue of Fire

The School Fire of 2005 will forever be apart of my memory.

Legend has it that the fire started by a tree limb falling into a power line. The fire was quickly called into dispatch by many campers/fishermen. The fire's location was the Tucanon drainage (a popular camping and fishing location), which is just outside Pomeroy, Washington. Local Forrest Service employees were able to respond quickly.

Legend also has it, however, that the fire fighters weren't aggressive in putting out the now large bon-fire size fire because of 1) fear of being electrocuted and 2) the work (money) they could potentially get out of a larger fire.

The fire (that was originally the size of a tree limb) spread and spread, reaching 50,000 acres as the crow flies. The fire became so large, so quickly, that by the next day, August 6, 2005, the plume that was produced by the fire could be seen  from La Grande, Oregon (about 150 miles away). The fire crew that Ryan and I worked for stayed on that single fire for 2 months (which is why I will never forget it).

13 million was spent on the fire. 215 structures were damaged/lost in the fires destruction. Over 1000 people were employed by this single fire.

The School fire is what comes to my mind when I read "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." in James 3:5.

"Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:4-6

"A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverb 16:27-28

As noted above, I have personally experienced what kind of destruction can result from a small spark. To think that my tongue (or your tongue) can cause the same kind of destruction...

So what else does the Bible say about my (and your) tongue? What does the Bible say about words...

Consider the third commandment, which forbids the misuse of a word... Granted the word is God's name, but still, it makes me believe that God doesn't take words lightly:

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Exodus 20:7

I believe that God would like our words to be pleasing:

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,  LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Who wants good days? I do!

"Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good;  seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:12-14

Would you like to be considered to be righteous or a viper? Just sayin'!

^"The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." Psalm 37:30-31

^"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. " Matthew 12:34

"Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense." Proverbs 10:18-21

Destruction or protection. The choice is yours.

"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

 "Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

"The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

"Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity." Proverbs 21:23

Use words to help others not harm them.

"The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger." Proverbs 25:11 (The Message)

"The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed." Isaiah 50:4

"I was just joking around." "I'm just teasing." "I'm not being serious, lighten up!"

 "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Ephesians 5:4

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6 

As a Christian, you are a representation of your God, your religion, and your church.

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." James 1:26

And finally, in case your mother never taught you this:

"If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all!" See Proverbs 13:3 above again

While I and many others have experienced the destruction a forest fire can create... EVERYONE has experienced the destruction of the tongue.... God calls us to be like fire fighters and put out the fire that is our tongue. Use the above Bible verses and the Holy Spirit as your tools and water.... and then can you do me a favor??? Let me know how your life is changed by doing so...
Because this is a lesson that God has been trying to teach me for the past few months... 

The power in words can build up or tear down—
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say. —Fitzhugh

God is love,
Vanessa

PS. Check out "Forest Fire" by Josh Wilson.

For more information and to see pictures of the School Fire you can go to http://199.134.225.53/archived_2005/school_fire/index.html and scroll down. Or you can go to http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/fire/school.shtml

#2 Genuine

    My husband and I spent this past weekend in the Wallowa Mountains with our friends (3 other couples and their babies). It was a fun and relaxing weekend away from home and away from cell phone service. Plus to top it off, my favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, won the superbowl!

The 8 of us adults decided to play my new favorite game called “Imaginiff” while waiting for the football game to start. To explain how the game is played I will quote the back of the box: “To Win: It’s simple! Just imagine what the other players are most like. The most popular answers will advance to win.” 

It was all fun and games until this question came up, “Imaginiff… we were interviewing for a new job. Which player would most likely arrive to the interview fashionably late?”

 All eight players including my husband and I voted for none other than…. You guessed it…. Me. While to date I have never been late to an interview, I have basically been late to any and every other occasion. Not only did everyone vote for me, but nearly everyone was also able to tell a story that involved me being late. I didn’t try to deny any of it (obviously since I voted for myself) because it was oh so very true. And also very humbling and… embarrassing.

As much as I would like to pretend that this is a recent problem, it isn’t. Tardiness is a trait that I have possessed basically all of my life. It isn’t something I’m proud of, in fact, I hate it. Seriously!

So we are sitting around the table and I’m trying to put myself back together after being blown with a reality check and I say, “Maybe that can be one of my new year’s resolutions next year…” then someone jokes “Yeah because you would hate to change that this year…” and then I explained “I’m already working on way to much right now. I have like 15 goals….” (What I thinking was, “I can’t handle another character builder, God is already working overtime on me right now.) Then the play in the game that seemed to last 15 minutes but was more like 90 seconds ended and we all went on to the next question.

Later that night... after the Packers won the Superbowl... after visiting with my friends and loving on their babies... after the poker game... after getting my P.J.s on and my face washed etc… I spent sometime with the Lord…like I do almost every night before I go to bed.

I was actually desperately searching for some answers (in the Bible) as to why I’ve been called to fervently pray for friend and to also allow Jesus to love this person through me while simultaneously setting my personal desires and hesitations aside… which by the way is much much much harder than it sounds (as if that sounds easy).

            I was becoming frustrated because instead of hearing from the Lord I heard nothing except my repeated questions over and over. In desperation I started reviewing my prayer journal, which holds my prayers, quotes from the Bible and other books that have “spoken” to me… in a nutshell my prayer journal is basically a recording of my conversations with God (by the way I highly recommend you keep such a journal). 

  So there I am lying on our bed, which is upstairs of our beautiful cabin. My headphones are on... listening to Matthew West, Josh Wilson, Jars of Clay, and Jeremy Riddle (so I won’t get distracted by what’s going on downstairs)…. To my complete joy… words of wisdom are jumping off the pages that I had filled (actually God gets the credit)…

• Micah 6:8,  Ephesians 1: 4&5, Ephesians 4:14-16 and basically the entire chapter, Isaiah 49:16
•  And then I was reminded how I really want to pray for that Ted Williams guy (how is he doing anyway? :) )
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
•   “Jan. 2, 2011 Dear Heavenly Father, Ryan and I are driving mountain roads and are going to discuss our goals for the year... you are invited to join our conversation. Ryan’s goals: 1) Closer walk with God 2) Out of debt 3) Spend more time with each other in the mountains and or fishing. (And then we came up with an action plan for each of Ryan’s goals) `Vanessa’s goals: 1) Spend more time with Grandma Ryder 2) Be a better home/school leader. 3) Designate time for mom/dad 4) Eat better 5) Draw closer to Jesus 6) Be on time – especially to church 7) Keep Sabbath better 8) Exercise more 9) Study the Sabbath School lesson together 10) More pure 11) Put our business receipts in daily – latest weekly 12) An unmentionable 13) Be a better friend 14) As least 2 souls for Christ 15) Better wife”
• James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 10:5
• “It might come as a surprise that Christ asks our permission to come in and heal, but he is kind, and the door is shut from the inside, and healing never comes against our will. In order to experience his healing, we must also give him permission to come in to the places we have so long shut to anyone. Will you let me hear you?” pg. 100 from the book Captivating.
•  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Reading my journal entries had really helped put things into perspective for me. 

I was gently reminded that being on time is a new year’s resolution for THIS year. And while I’m doing horrible at goals # 1,3,11 and ok at 2, 7, 9, 10, 13, 15…and pretty good at #4, 8…  I’m soaring in the #5 department.

And because of my #5 goal I’m feverishly praying for my friend and learning to love this person UNCONDITIONALY. And because of this mission Jesus has sent me on… I’m learning so much about our Heavenly Father… in fact… I’m being romanced by God. (Never thought I could or would say that)… I’m falling in love with God in a way that I have fallen in love with my husband (in addition to all the other ways I have grown to love God). And because of this growing love I can apply

• Revelation 21:5
• 2 Cor 5:17
• Matthew 19:26

…to myself and my goals… 

Who knows maybe God will change my tardiness.

Or maybe my 16^th goal, that I added a week or so ago... to become like more Enoch (check out chapter 6 of Patriarchs and Prophets)...Will come to pass and God will take me home where there is no such thing as time or tardiness.

Or maybe Jesus will come and we can all go home.

Thanks to those who love me despite my frequent lateness and to those who read this entire thing!

GOD IS LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!