Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Important Announcement From The Browns.
Please take a seat, this will be hard to understand for you, but it's time to tell the truth....
Monday, January 9, 2012
Home...
Wake Forest. Home. I know that this quaint hilly city with dense forests and old homes with wrap around porches is now home. The cold and rain comfort me as I rest from the long drive, truck loading and unloading. I think back to hot, dry, flat Texas.
I don't live here yet. The places are not mine. The historic downtown, winding roads and friendly neighbors all belong to someone else. Yet.
How long does it take a place to be home? North Carolina has been my dream so long, that I fear to fall in love for the worry that it will be taken away or not the home, the place of settling and rest that my weary heart longs for.
I longed for the rain. The trees. The hills. Places to walk. Friends to request a cup of sugar from. Tiny wondrous shops, a world away from the harsh commercialism of the typical America consumer landscape.
The little apartment in with pine trees outside the window, wood floors and three rooms. Isn't mine yet. Though my things are towered against walls in crumpling boxes longing for relief from their long held loads. I look at the bland cardboard with the handwriting of moves past and I am not quite sure what they contain. It's not my home yet. Will it be my home? How long will it be before I say goodbye again?
As we unloaded, the crowd of strangers grew, toting boxes along the wooden stair case to the second floor home. I praised God for these people whose names I heartbreakingly could not keep track of. I praised Him for their love for Him and their willingness to haul loads for these strange people who had travelled from Texas.
Christ encourages me ....
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
I believe, this will be my resting place, and my home. For now, I will unpack the Kitchen and contract the beds. Then I will write down my 'to do' list and patiently watch and God reveals His glorious and sanctifying plan for this chapter of our lives.
Wake Forest. You are to be home.
I don't live here yet. The places are not mine. The historic downtown, winding roads and friendly neighbors all belong to someone else. Yet.
How long does it take a place to be home? North Carolina has been my dream so long, that I fear to fall in love for the worry that it will be taken away or not the home, the place of settling and rest that my weary heart longs for.
I longed for the rain. The trees. The hills. Places to walk. Friends to request a cup of sugar from. Tiny wondrous shops, a world away from the harsh commercialism of the typical America consumer landscape.
The little apartment in with pine trees outside the window, wood floors and three rooms. Isn't mine yet. Though my things are towered against walls in crumpling boxes longing for relief from their long held loads. I look at the bland cardboard with the handwriting of moves past and I am not quite sure what they contain. It's not my home yet. Will it be my home? How long will it be before I say goodbye again?
As we unloaded, the crowd of strangers grew, toting boxes along the wooden stair case to the second floor home. I praised God for these people whose names I heartbreakingly could not keep track of. I praised Him for their love for Him and their willingness to haul loads for these strange people who had travelled from Texas.
Christ encourages me ....
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
I believe, this will be my resting place, and my home. For now, I will unpack the Kitchen and contract the beds. Then I will write down my 'to do' list and patiently watch and God reveals His glorious and sanctifying plan for this chapter of our lives.
Wake Forest. You are to be home.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012...
2011, I cannot say I loved you. Yet, I know that when the dust settles, I will look back and be thankful for the hard times, that God allowed, to change me for the better. That the pain and anger of the past and the present was dealt with head on, so that I could find greater healing in the long run. Like Eustace the Dragon, you slowly tore off the scales. It was unpleasant and painful, but needed to happen, so that something more beautiful could emerge.
2011, Was the hardest year of my adult life where I suffered post-natal depression alone with little to no support system. The long days alone with my thoughts, prayers and battles.
2012. Though my hope is in Jesus Christ and His redeeming love, I do have a hope for you. That it will be a year that I learn to know the joy and peace of Jesus that transcends all understanding, in all circumstances.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12: 1-3
Here are two songs that I best relate to 2011...
HERE are several songs that I dedicate to 2012
I am sure there will be more :-)
Happy New Year!
2011, Was the hardest year of my adult life where I suffered post-natal depression alone with little to no support system. The long days alone with my thoughts, prayers and battles.
2012. Though my hope is in Jesus Christ and His redeeming love, I do have a hope for you. That it will be a year that I learn to know the joy and peace of Jesus that transcends all understanding, in all circumstances.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12: 1-3
Here are two songs that I best relate to 2011...
HERE are several songs that I dedicate to 2012
I am sure there will be more :-)
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
We're headed to SEBTS Wake Forest
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls,
We are heading to Wake Forest for Josh to attend Southwestern Theological Seminary. The goal: A Masters in Philosophy and possibly, continuing to complete the Masters of Divinity program in preparation for ministry. I write this note, as requested by many lovely dear friends, to alert you of how you can pray for us:
Pray that we have suitable housing assigned that also allows us to begin the 2 day drive on January 7th as we hoped. Orientation in on the 19th and we would like to have time for unpacking, settling and job hunting before school starts.
Pray for safety on the road. The longest I have ever driven personally, as a driver, was to Houston which is 276 miles. I believe this trip covers over 1200 miles and 7 states: Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Josh will drive the truck, I will follow with the three little ones in the car. I am nervous, but excited about getting to see so many new places on the drive.
Pray for Josh to be able to find a suitable job when we arrive. The school is fantastic about helping students find work and we have had lots of encouragment from friends. You can also pray for our projects and that the Lord will use them to fund us financially. I am launching my photography business, Josh is working on music and art. If you have prayed and feel like you would like to help out our journey, you can use this link http://www.gofundme.com/br8ns
Pray for adjustment for our children, that they can settle into the new surroundings and enjoy it. We've had a lot of change and we are hoping this is a stable home for several years. We have no intention to move again anytime soon!
Pray for God to lead us to a good church home, where we can be a part of a family of believers.
Pray for our preperations these next few weeks, that we would accomplish what is needed, that all the pieces of the puzzle would fall into place such!
Pray for our hearts and minds, that we continue, at all times to seek the Lord and keep our eyes on Jesus!
Also pray for Josh as he works to get The Christian Watershed Non-Profit in action. It's an issue so close to our hearts! The purpose of it is to raise awareness, increase involvement in issues of social justice, especially directly ministering to victims human trafficking. After working with victims of human trafficking, Josh and I have prayed and feel strongly that this is an area of ministry in which we are called.
Thank you so much for you prayers, we are so thankful for them. Please know that we pray for you and ask that you freely contact us to ask us to pray for you and your family.
We are heading to Wake Forest for Josh to attend Southwestern Theological Seminary. The goal: A Masters in Philosophy and possibly, continuing to complete the Masters of Divinity program in preparation for ministry. I write this note, as requested by many lovely dear friends, to alert you of how you can pray for us:
Pray that we have suitable housing assigned that also allows us to begin the 2 day drive on January 7th as we hoped. Orientation in on the 19th and we would like to have time for unpacking, settling and job hunting before school starts.
Pray for safety on the road. The longest I have ever driven personally, as a driver, was to Houston which is 276 miles. I believe this trip covers over 1200 miles and 7 states: Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Josh will drive the truck, I will follow with the three little ones in the car. I am nervous, but excited about getting to see so many new places on the drive.
Pray for Josh to be able to find a suitable job when we arrive. The school is fantastic about helping students find work and we have had lots of encouragment from friends. You can also pray for our projects and that the Lord will use them to fund us financially. I am launching my photography business, Josh is working on music and art. If you have prayed and feel like you would like to help out our journey, you can use this link http://www.gofundme.com/br8ns
Pray for adjustment for our children, that they can settle into the new surroundings and enjoy it. We've had a lot of change and we are hoping this is a stable home for several years. We have no intention to move again anytime soon!
Pray for God to lead us to a good church home, where we can be a part of a family of believers.
Pray for our preperations these next few weeks, that we would accomplish what is needed, that all the pieces of the puzzle would fall into place such!
Pray for our hearts and minds, that we continue, at all times to seek the Lord and keep our eyes on Jesus!
Also pray for Josh as he works to get The Christian Watershed Non-Profit in action. It's an issue so close to our hearts! The purpose of it is to raise awareness, increase involvement in issues of social justice, especially directly ministering to victims human trafficking. After working with victims of human trafficking, Josh and I have prayed and feel strongly that this is an area of ministry in which we are called.
Thank you so much for you prayers, we are so thankful for them. Please know that we pray for you and ask that you freely contact us to ask us to pray for you and your family.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Who you are.
We enter a time of year in which our lives can simultaneously be filled with the most wonderful of joy and the deepest of pain and sorrow. At Christmas, the problems we face, our personal challenges and the hurt that has been done towards us is somehow more magnified... a missing family member, a broken relationship, lack of money to participate in the commercial aspects of the season.
It is a season is which I believe, more of us ASK, Who am I? What is my life worth? Am I truly loved? Am I making the most of my life? Who is this Jesus, and does He truly have any relevance to my life in the here and now.
The answer is a resounding YES. Did you know, that you are precious to God? Do you know that you are made in His image and that HE, the God of the universe, HANDMADE and DESIGNED YOU. Yes YOU. He cares so much about every detail of your life. He cares if you are hurting, He cares if you are tired and weary.
It doesn't matter to Him, what you have done or where you have been. You are the apple of His eye, and as a mother welcomes home her wayward son, or a father embraces his daughter despite her mistakes, your heavenly Father's arms are open to you. He is waiting for YOU, to run into His arms.
Perhaps you, you have had some terrible wrongs done to you in life. Perhaps someone has done something to you or you have experienced something, so awful, that it influences you everyday and you cannot escape it. Do you know if breaks God's heart? Do you know that He wants to comfort you, to bring you healing?
GOD came to this earth as a mortal, tiny, child, because He loves you so much, that HE was willing to die for you. What other God, is there, that would be willing to be put through humiliation, beatings, mockery and a painful death, so that he could pay the debt of your failures and sin. So that, when you put your trust in HIM and make Him LORD in your life , you are are REMADE. You are NEW. Everything in the past is washed away. You are WHITE and PURE as snow.
That is not all. Not only are you remade, YOU are now the child of a KING. You are the son, or the daughter, of the greatest, most just, good, , king there ever was and ever will be. Nothing can change His love for you. This Christmas, accept the ultimate gift, the gift of LOVE. You are can apart of the family of God, and have a father that will never abandon or forsake you, that will always have your corner and fight for you.
You may wonder about me, about my faith, and this song below echo's the very thoughts and conflicts I have had... if you are lonely, empty, in pain, searching this Christmas... perhaps it will touch your heart...
It is a season is which I believe, more of us ASK, Who am I? What is my life worth? Am I truly loved? Am I making the most of my life? Who is this Jesus, and does He truly have any relevance to my life in the here and now.
The answer is a resounding YES. Did you know, that you are precious to God? Do you know that you are made in His image and that HE, the God of the universe, HANDMADE and DESIGNED YOU. Yes YOU. He cares so much about every detail of your life. He cares if you are hurting, He cares if you are tired and weary.
It doesn't matter to Him, what you have done or where you have been. You are the apple of His eye, and as a mother welcomes home her wayward son, or a father embraces his daughter despite her mistakes, your heavenly Father's arms are open to you. He is waiting for YOU, to run into His arms.
Perhaps you, you have had some terrible wrongs done to you in life. Perhaps someone has done something to you or you have experienced something, so awful, that it influences you everyday and you cannot escape it. Do you know if breaks God's heart? Do you know that He wants to comfort you, to bring you healing?
GOD came to this earth as a mortal, tiny, child, because He loves you so much, that HE was willing to die for you. What other God, is there, that would be willing to be put through humiliation, beatings, mockery and a painful death, so that he could pay the debt of your failures and sin. So that, when you put your trust in HIM and make Him LORD in your life , you are are REMADE. You are NEW. Everything in the past is washed away. You are WHITE and PURE as snow.
That is not all. Not only are you remade, YOU are now the child of a KING. You are the son, or the daughter, of the greatest, most just, good, , king there ever was and ever will be. Nothing can change His love for you. This Christmas, accept the ultimate gift, the gift of LOVE. You are can apart of the family of God, and have a father that will never abandon or forsake you, that will always have your corner and fight for you.
You may wonder about me, about my faith, and this song below echo's the very thoughts and conflicts I have had... if you are lonely, empty, in pain, searching this Christmas... perhaps it will touch your heart...
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The 1st Week of Advent
We have entered the 1st week of advent. Until a few years ago, the only thing I knew about advent was that as children, we always had advent calenders, with a door for each day, which hid a yummy chocolate!
As I sought and prayed over, ways to bring the focus to Christ more, in our family, during the Christmas season, I was introduced to Advent, as since our Decembers have been enriched, as our hearts and minds dwell on our Emmanuel, Christ among us.
Advent means 'coming', and in this season we prepare for the coming of our King. Jesus.
How sweet is the time spent together, with Daddy reading scripture, children listening in wonder, and then, lighting a candle. THIS is what I desire my children to remember, with presents, christmas trees and parties fading into the background,... and Christ, beautiful Lord, coming a new into our lives, more vivid and real, with each new advent!
If you like to begin recognizing advent in your home, here is a good resource for protestants! http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=32879&columnid=3881
I have not read the whole website, just this page, so I can't vouch for everything else on the website :-)
As I sought and prayed over, ways to bring the focus to Christ more, in our family, during the Christmas season, I was introduced to Advent, as since our Decembers have been enriched, as our hearts and minds dwell on our Emmanuel, Christ among us.
Advent means 'coming', and in this season we prepare for the coming of our King. Jesus.
How sweet is the time spent together, with Daddy reading scripture, children listening in wonder, and then, lighting a candle. THIS is what I desire my children to remember, with presents, christmas trees and parties fading into the background,... and Christ, beautiful Lord, coming a new into our lives, more vivid and real, with each new advent!
If you like to begin recognizing advent in your home, here is a good resource for protestants! http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=32879&columnid=3881
I have not read the whole website, just this page, so I can't vouch for everything else on the website :-)
30 Days of Thanks - Epic Blog Fail!
Well. I made it 15 days of blogging. Thankfully, my heart didn't stop giving thanks just because I didn't blog! So, I will close this chapter, now we have entered the season of Advent, and leave you with a few thanks that stand out!
I am thankful for....
Friends that pray for me and my family,
Sweet girls who are loving, affectionate and compassionate,
A wonderful husband desires to love me as Christ loves His bride - the Church,
A delightful little boy, who reminds me, as I look at him, of how amazing it is that Christ became flesh, a little baby boy, so small and vulnerable.
We had a lovely thanksgiving week. We spent our time reading Thanksgiving books, especially 'A Cranberry Thanksgiving'. We made Cranberry bread together, learned a new hymn together, learned about New England, Cranberrys are much more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)