Scripture Memory Verses...

Good morning all...

In pondering this week's Scripture memory verse, and in taking into account those of you that have told me over the past few weeks that you have "fallen off the memory verse wagon," I have decided to not forego our verses, but relax them a little.

This should never be a chore, even though it should be a discipline...does that make sense? And as I was thinking about my life that is soon to be a life in Haiti, (where electricity and internet can be a challenge), I was wondering if I was even going to be able to keep it up on a regular basis...and then that made me a little anxious because I don't want to disappoint those that are expecting it...well, you can see how this is going for me. Anyways...

I've decided pre-Haiti to tell you that this blog will be my Haiti updates and journaling, it will be a place for my wonderful daughters to post how they are growing in their lives, it will be a place for you to keep in touch with me through your comments, and it will be a place for memory verses sometimes, but on no particular schedule, so as not to lead me to feel as if I am letting you down if I don't post one, and for anyone that needs to, to get caught up with the first half of the year!

Just like my physical strength training is going to change over the next couple of months, so will my spiritual strength training, I'm sure.

This weekend, enjoy your family, and those that God has placed in your life that you have claimed as family! Bask in all of the blessings that we enjoy in our country...and if you desire, share with me here some of what you have been learning through your own walk recently.

~kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #18

Good Afternoon, almost evening!

How are you today? How is your spiritual healthy? How is your spiritual weight training going? I'll be honest...I've had days when I've felt like I've been completely in the game and others where I have felt on a distant and faraway planet, spiritually speaking. I have allowed stress to get the best of me at moments, and turned my back on all I know to be true in my heart at others. There are times that I practice my memory verses and I feel that I am just going through the motions...other times I feel like they renew my spirit in a new way with each one that I practice.

How about you? Am I alone in this journey? I told someone this week that with all that is happening in our lives right now, I feel like the hills and valleys have leapt off the pages of being rolling and have moved straight into craggy, steep rocks as we ascend and descend. There are times that we see God clearly opening a door...not only a door, but a warehouse rolling door, and waving bright flags to show us through it. At other moments or situations, I don't always see a door...or one that I desperately wanted to believe was open is clearly closed. I can't help but know that He is in control, but I really want to see the other side of this tapestry. Anybody hear me on this?

Updates on the girls (since they aren't doing it themselves!)...

Kati arrived home last Monday, and we have been greatly enjoying our time with her! She and I went to lunch the other day and it was just so much fun to talk with her about her plans for the future. An awesome young woman that I am blessed to be related to...

Stephani has completed her 2 weeks of training for Group Workcamps in Estes Park, CO. Rough assignment, right? And today, she and her team of 3 others left Colorado to seek their first workcamp in China Grove, NC. They will spend tonight in Salina, KS, and apparently the Ryder truck they are using overheats about every 60-90 minutes....sounds like an exciting trip already! Here's a couple of photos from her:

and...

I think she had a great time there and will be anxious to get back there at the end of the summer. By the time the summer is over she and her team will have traveled from Denver to the east coast to northern Idaho...and many spots in between! What fun!

Adrianne is doing great! She and her friend Julie have a single focus: Haiti. Everything they do is planning for their trip to Haiti, planning their events with the children, planning the blog that is going to be soon redone...all Haiti, Haiti, Haiti. Here is a photo of her from yesterday at the Bowling for Haiti fundraiser that Amanda and Megan organized:

It was great fun and a big success!

So, there's a little catch up for you. As for me, I am struggling to keep up with:
1) Where my children are at a given moment
2) Where they will be the next day
3) Trying to keep up with my grad class
4) Trying to help Tom get ready to leave for Haiti on 6/26
5) Trying to plan for my trip with Kati to Delaware on 7/5
6) Planning for my 6 weeks in Haiti beginning 7/12 with Adrianne and Julie
7) And the other miscellaneous details of working full time, managing a home and being a wife a mother!

So prayers would be greatly appreciated for all of us as we travel somewhere in the next month, and not just a trip up north!

Let's get to this week's memory verse, shall we?

Several of you have shared with me how you've been blessed by the recent verses. Thanks for letting me know how our Father is working in your life...it's such an encouragement and blessing to me! You have no idea...

This week we continue that same passage of instructions:

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." 

Romans 12:11

I sort of feel like there is no explanation needed here, but give me a moment. If you read the first few paragraphs of this post, you know that I've have moments of lacking in zeal, fervor has been waning, and frankly, when that's happening, can I truly be serving? I think not. Not to my full capacity.

So, my sister-princess, this week we rise up with new energy, knowing Who is the strength behind our energy, and are renewed in zeal, spiritual fervor, and side by side, we serve the Lord. Who knows where our spiritual fervor and service will take us!? I invite you to share your stories here.

And please, if you are still reading, consider commenting here with your gmail address. It is so encouraging to me...and I am trying to make a plan for the future (not so distant) when I will be in Haiti and your responses will be my connection to my royal family here. I know it's a pain to get logged in, and, I may be changing that while I'm in Haiti to a different blog host, but for now, let's practice doing it here, if you don't mind. I'd also like to know that you continually encouraging each other...

Blessings...
kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #17

Good Afternoon Princesses!

I hope that where you are your weekend has been as great as mine has...beautiful weather and time with friends and family!

This is how my morning began:

...on the deck with my coffee and the fountain...

That was followed by church and Bible study, then breakfast with my better half and a snack with my better half and Adrianne because she got off work too late to join us for breakfast! Now I'm on to gardening and yard work...very nice!

Since I anticipate dirty hands and a smelly me for the rest of the day, I thought I'd take a moment to get this week's verse out to all of you. 

I heard from more than a couple of you this past week about our last memory verse, and you said that you were making it your goal to "love sincerely." I have to tell you that meditating on that verse completely changed my week! Did crummy stuff still happen? Yes! But in the midst of all of that I realized that I always have a choice and that choice can be to "Love sincerely, hate what is wrong and cling to what is good." It is my prayer that it made a difference for you, too!

This week we continue on with some instruction for our lives, and it is a continuation of the same passage from last week.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

Whew! Let the spiritual strength training continue! I might be able to slack off on the devotion in brotherly love part of that verse, but when it comes to honoring others above myself, it hits me smack between the eyes! How about you? I'm sure that most of you are better at this than I am, and I want to be like you. 

If, like me, you struggle with this, let's continue our strength training together, but please let me know you're with me! Just like you might have a walking buddy, I would like us to be spiritual workout buddies!

Have a blessed Memorial Day and a wonderful week!

kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #16

Good Monday Morning!

I hope that you enjoyed a beautiful weekend as we did here in Michigan! The reason for my tardiness with this post is that I spent every available moment this weekend working out in my yard. Yes, we tried to do 4 weeks of yard work in about a day and a half...we aren't done yet, but are getting there. My quest for this summer is to have our entire yard be low maintenance so that Adrianne can take care of it with minimal time and effort while Tom and I are in Haiti. So, some of the projects are, putting new mulch in the flower beds after extensive weekend and cleaning up of said beds, weeding and turning over the huge vegetable garden area that we only just dug up last spring...it will not be planted with veggies this year, but will be covered with grass seed...removing 4 of the raised bed frames. These have been in for 5 years and the wood is rotting, and since I won't be filling them with veggies, they are going. There will be one remaining raised bed in which I will plant a few herbs, one tomato plant and one cucumber plant. I am hopeful that when we return in late August, there will be just a few things there that I can add to my salad. :)

There is more weeding, mulching and reorgnization to do, but we made quite a dent in it this past weekend, so I'm happy with the progress!

This week's verse is convicting for me, and continues in our theme of God's instructions for us:

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

We will progress further through this passage in the weeks to come, but let's just wrap our minds around loving sincerely. Hating all that is evil, and clinging to what is good. I don't know about you, but I find myself not always loving with the sincerity that I should. Sometimes I'm just "nice," but without the love that should be present. Sometimes I'm not even nice...one would be hard pressed to see evidence of love in my actions. And, of course, there's the thoughts...my Father knows that my loving thoughts leave much to be desired. 

Do I hate what is evil? A lot of the time, but then again, it depends on your definition of evil...and, my fellow princesses, once we want to debate a definition of evil, we are avoiding the core issue. Sigh. That leaves me with clinging to what is good. The very word "cling" sounds tiring to me. Have you ever had to cling to anything? It's exhausting!...Which probably explains why I don't "cling to what is good" very well -- lack of stamina.

So, sister-princess...are you ready for a couple of weeks of spiritual weight lifting and cardio with me? Because that is where we are headed! We are going to add this spiritual work out to our physical work outs and have the stamina to hate evil and cling to what is good! Who's in with me?

(by the way, the article that went with this photo said that weight lifting can help women look and feel better. I'm thinking that if we are loving sincerely, hating what is evil and clinging to what is good, we will indeed look and feel better!)

Blessings on your week and let me know how your work outs are going...

kimberly

Scipture Memory Verse Week #15

Short and sweet...

Remember that we are focusing on God's Words of instruction to us, and last week we memorized about being "more than conquerors." So, the question is, what do you have to conquer, and what does He have to say about it?

If you read my previous blog post, this verse will be familiar to you:

"We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." ~Romans 8:26b

Now how can this be instruction, you ask? I guess it's a little bit of perceived instruction, but what I want you to take away from it is that you need to pray. Even if you don't know what to pray for, know that your words, your thoughts, your fears, your weeping, will be properly translated to our Father by the Spirit. And, that God answers prayer.

In the end, just do it. He's waiting.

~kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse, Week #14

Good Afternoon, Princess!

Happy Mother's Day to you that are mothers! What a wonderful day it can be, if you have children that on that this day let you know how much they love and appreciate you! Of course, we all know it in our hearts, already, right? But it can be fun to share this day with other moms, too.

This morning at church I watched more than one mom with young children that probably did get a thing out of the service due to the "big time wrestling" that was going on with her children in the church pew. Oh, how I remember those days! It seemed like my worship was just the act of getting myself and them ready for church, because by the time we were all inside the doors there wasn't much worship able to happen.

If you are a mom in that situation, I just want to encourage you now. God honors the fact that you do go through the actions of getting yourself and your little ones there. He knows that despite the fact that you might not even be able to hold a hymnal without someone knocking it out of your hands, that you are doing mighty things in the kingdom of God. You see, you are teaching your young children that going to church with the body of Christ is important...that it is the only place your heart wants to be on Sunday morning. It is a lesson that they will take to heart. Your strength and perseverance during these years is teaching life lessons to the next generation!

So, even though you might leave church feeling that you need a nap and a shower, know that you have fed your little ones His food that day. And, there will come a day when you can worship in a little more peace and quiet, and perhaps be an encouragement to another young mom.

I want to just take a moment today to say how richly blessed I am today to be a mother. God has not only blessed me with three amazing daughters that are now amazing young women, but He chose to bless me with four equally amazing step-children. Each of my kids has unique gifts, abilities and strengths that have been ordained by Him. I am thankful to be a part of their lives and so blessed to watch them all grow up into the people that God intends them to be.

I prayed for my children before they were conceived...and have spent so many hours in prayer over them Sometimes over their heads on the pillows when they were asleep, every night as I close my eyes and lift my heart to Him in worship and prayer, and an infinite number of those "breathed prayers" throughout my day when the folks around me think I am sighing, but I am actually quickly but fervently asking the Lord to be with them during their day.

I see each and every day now in miraculous was God's faithful answers to those prayers! Thank you, Lord Jesus! I shake my head in amazement, and utter a "breathed prayer" to Him of thanks, and continued blessing in their lives.

No mom could be more grateful or more proud than I am of my kids. And so humbled that I get to be their mom. Wow...

Onto the memory verse for this week. We start a new theme this week, entitled, "....so, what do You think...(instructions)." So often in our lives we ask the opinions of those around us about what we should order from the menu, wear for an occasion, or do over the upcoming weekend. But, I want to focus for a few weeks on committing to heart what our Father, the King has told us about what He thinks and His instructions for our lives.

So, we will start in the book of Romans, and hang out there for a bit. We start with this verse:

 ^"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." ~Romans 8:37

In your life, each and every day, do you feel like a conqueror? Do you let your feet hit the floor in the morning, before your first cup of coffee, tea, or diet coke, knowing that He has made you a conqueror of your day? Or, do you often get up just hoping that life doesn't smack you around too badly that day? (And, as one who has had my share of days living like that, wincing because I'm not sure who is going to hurt me next, I'm not condemning you...rather, I hug you...I just want more for you than that, so read on, sister....)


There's a lot to be said in this form of instruction. We are to start, live out moment by moment and finish our days as conquerors in HIM because He loves us and has ordained it to be so! Of course, this means being a conqueror as one that is striving to be in HIM, and walk in His Word...


Today and this week, I ask that you commit this verse to heart and instead of looking at live as beating you down, look to the One that has already claimed the victory for you! You are a conqueror as His daughter! Let it show...


Blessings,
kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse, Week #13

Good rainy afternoon, Princesses!

This particular Scripture memory post will be short since we are in the middle of a thunderstorm!

I hope that you are enjoying learning and taking to heart just how precious you are to our Father, the King. This verse concludes our focus on how He feels about you....He is crazy about you!

This verse also concludes this section of Scripture, so that you can feel proud that you have hidden your heart a rather long section of Scripture! Yay, you!

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you..." Isaiah 43:5a

I don't know about you, but there are many opportunities in my life for fear...on a daily basis with the little things, or in thinking about the bigger things...

I have a long way to go in overcoming this issue, but have learned so much from my Haiti friends, and in particular, Leonie Izidor. No matter the issue, you can just about mouth the words with her as she says, "It's ok. God is here." or "I know that God will provide." or "I don't know, but God knows."

If my friends in Haiti, with so many legitimate things to be fearful of (with eyes of sight), can be ever-mindful that He is never absent, perhaps I should take that lesson to heart and apply it to my not-so-scary life a little more!

Join with me this week in reflecting on our Father's love for us...a love so deep that He will never leave us!

Blessings,
kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #12

Good Morning, Princesses!
I pray that your weekend is being blessed by Him in too many ways for you to count! I know that mine has been, and it's only Sunday morning!
Since Friday, Tom, Adrianne and I have been involved in our first "Building Hope in Haiti" Conference. This is a group of people from New York to the Chicago area that are all working together to do just that...build hope in Haiti in many different ways. All I can say in the few moments I have before leaving for church is, "WOW!" What an amazing group of people, with an amazing heart for Haiti!
There will be more on this in posts to come, but for now just a couple of photos...

From left to right, Pastor Marky Kessa, President of the Ev. Lutheran Church of Haiti (and Leonie's brother), Leonie, and her son, Ezechias (Rachelle's husband, if you've been following for awhile!)

At the BHiH Conference, Leonie, Ezechias and Tom are presenting an update on the Children of Israel Orphanage, and giving a vision for the future.

Adrianne and Ezechias at dinner after the conference ended...(the margarita is NOT Adrianne's!)

Our group at dinner...big group!

Ok, time for leave for church, and then Leonie and I head right up to Central Michigan Univ. to hear Stephani's choir perform this afternoon, so on to the memory verse and more chatting later!

This week's verse continues our theme about how your Heavenly Father feels about you...(He adores you, in case you forgot...) So the verse for this week is a continuation of our passage in Isaiah:

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4

Another WOW, isn't it? Please take a moment to ponder each and every word in the first half of that verse...and reflect....and absorb...allow it to overwhelm you. You, dear sister, princess, are PRECIOUS and HONORED in the sight of the Holy One of Israel. The God that created the earth, the stars, and all of creation, created you and believes that you are precious and honored! I don't mean to pry, but when is the last time that someone told you that? And, then He throws in (as if the first part weren't enough), "and because I love you." Just in case you were wondering....

Ok, more on that later, time for church...to be in the presence of the One that thinks I (and you) am pretty cool. Woo hoo! Let's go give Him the honor, glory and worship He is worthy of...

Blessings...

kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse, Week #11

Howdy, Princesses!

First, if you think that we are on week #10, please read my previous post, and then, welcome to being a "Mary..." at least where this is concerened!

Our verse for this week continues our theme of what God thinks about you...and is again taken from Isaiah 43.

"For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior."  Isaiah 43:3a

This is a short and sweet verse, and it is the conclusion to the larger section we have been memorizing. The reason that it is important is because we need to remember just Who it is that adores us. This is the Lord, YOUR God. Oh, and He also happens to be the Holy One of Israel, YOUR Savior. Let  that knock your socks off as you reflect on it...HE is the one that thinks you are just so cool!

So, was the cashier at the grocery store a little snarly to you this week? Did your kids not appreciate all of the things you do for them? Did your boss seem to have the idea that you have no life outside the office, and the reason your planner has more room in it is so that you can be given more assignments???? Do not dismay...the God of the UNIVERSE thinks you are awesome, He adores you, and you have been created in His image. Let's put it all in perspective.

I know that I am going to try...how about you?
Blessings on your week, princess!
kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse, Week #9

Good late afternoon, princesses...

Well, as some of you know, my wonderful house guests from Haiti have been transported to their new home in Buffalo, NY! It has been a wild, crazy and wonderful week here at the Donnelly household. I still don't have much time to blog, as I put off my final project for my graduate class to do much more fun things to do like hold and play with babies, and now I have to face the reality that my final project is due Tuesday night!

With that, let's praise God for the fact that Tom had the opportunity and special blessing to baptize Gregory at our home last evening! Here is a photo of the happy God-parents:

Yes, that's right...Tom and I were chosen to be this precious little boy's God-parents! What a blessing! I can't WAIT to spend the rest of my spiritual life with that little guy and his family!

And here are the children that have loved on, and joined in this journey with Stephane and Gregory:

What blessings these little members of the Body of Christ have been to those boys! Words cannot express the love they shared with and showed those little boys while they were here! For anyone that says that one has to grow up to show the love of Christ, I will stand in bold opposition to this! There is a reason that Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto Me..." He knew the humble, selfless, power that was displayed in their love.

There are more photos to be shared, but I MUST get to that project! So, let's move on to the verse for this week:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

Ok, I know, I KNOW some of you are feeling like you are passing through the waters now! I KNOW that some of you feel that even though you are walking on your "tippy toes," the rivers are about to sweep over you! And for those of you that aren't there now, you either have been, or will be. I want to take you back to a moment in your childhood when you were somewhere between 6 and 10 years of age and you wandered into water that was getting to be too deep for you. You were perhaps playing and lost track of how deep the water was getting, or perhaps your parents weren't paying close attention and you wanted to see how far out you could go without getting caught...no matter the situation, most of us have found ourselves in a very real place where we were in water, on our toes, and could hardly keep our noses above the water. It's not a great feeling, because at the moment you aren't sure if you have enough control to get back to safe ground. One big wave and it could be all over...

Well, I also know that in your adult, princess life you have probably felt that way too, but not in a polka dot two-piece with ruffles on the behind. And, it's no less scary on dry ground, is it? Perhaps even more so...

Your Heavenly Father, the King, knew you since the beginning of time, and He has already been there. He is already the One holding your head up above the current and the waves...the One guiding your feet back to solid ground. Your Father, the King, tells you, "when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you..." HE is there.

So, no matter the struggle you face today, this week or this season....know that your Father is there to help you.

Why?
Because He adores you!

Blessings...
kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #9

Good afternoon Princesses!

Since I am today limited by simultaneous nap/video-interest time, (I am grateful that Gregory's nap is overlapping with Stephane's quiet time watching Tarzan in French!) this will indeed be short and sweet!

I pray that you are feeling loved and adored by your Father, the King! I pray that these memory verses are starting to sink in and stick with you to encourage you in your daily walk....

Your Father delights in showering His blessings upon you...what a remarkable thing if you stop and let that sink in a minute. The Creator of the universe is tickled when what He has created blesses you!

I thought of that today as I noticed the first daffodil blooming in my yard...He made it just for me to enjoy it! What an awesome God we serve!

Here are a couple of photos taken just now...

...yes, it is wet and cold, but they are starting to bloom!...

...and another lovely bloom, just for me to enjoy!...

So, our verse for this week reflects a little bit more just how crazy He is about you! It is again taken from the book of Isaiah...

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1b

You have been redeemed (bought back), summoned by name (have you ever been called by name by someone important? It makes you feel important, too), and lastly, that Kingly hug for all of us princesses, "you are Mine." Picture Him here holding you on His lap like a daddy holds his little girl. He is telling you it is all going to be ok, because He's your Daddy.

This week as you memorize this verse, picture yourself in the lap of your Daddy, your Abba Father. He holds you, redeemed you, called you by name and you are His.

Blessings...

kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #8

Well, my fellow princesses,

This is going to be short and sweet tonight! i have hardly had a second to use the restroom, much less blog and think creatively about spiritual things! My prayers are certainly breathed throughout each and every day, but honestly, at night these days, they are whispered as i crawl into bed, pull up the covers and quickly go into full sleep mode. I am having the time of my life caring for Stephane and Gregory now that Grandma Leonie returned to Haiti for the funeral of her cousin and brother-in-law, Pastor Louis. It just so happened that the funeral was the same day as the 5th anniversary of the passing of Leonie's husband, Pastor Israel Izidor. It was good for the family to be together as they grieved and celebrated the life of two very Spirit-led, influential men in the history of Haiti.

Since Leonie left on Thursday I have had the privilege of caring for the boys. What an honor and a blessing! And to say that I am tired is not a complaint, but only a statement of fact. This sort of tired happens anytime we find our life routines and patterns changed...and it's all good. I'm so happy and blessed to be used in this way. God is so good. Here are some recent photos:

Here is Stephane listening to a Curious George book read by his "cousin," Jacob.

And this sweet photo is after our first night with me in charge! He woke up early, we cuddled on the couch for awhile and he fell back asleep for a couple of hours....

And...after being absolutely TERRIFIED of the dogs, Stephane has found some ways to enjoy them...feeding his Cheerios to Rocky, and playing fetch with Max!

And Gregory was enthralled with the musicians that stopped by our table 

at the local Mexican restaurant!

So, with all of that you can see that life is busy, but so, so blessed!

With that, let me get to the Scripture memory verse for this week:

"For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Ok, what a blessing is that???? Holy cow, princesses...Do you ever wonder what your Heavenly Father thinks of you? He adores you! He will take your right hand and tells you not to fear because He will help you!

This makes me think of Stephane and how almost every experience is new to him. In Haiti he was well cared for, but frankly there are limited resources...so seeing dogs that are friendly, a cow at Cook's Dairy, a slide at a playground, or a million other things are outside of any experience he has ever had...well, they can be frightening at first. It is easy for us to think, "Boy, he really is afraid of a lot of things," but think about it...if you were plucked up out of your world and placed in an environment where everything was unfamiliar, wouldn't you be timid, too? I know I would...

That's where this Scripture verse is so powerful....you see, when Stephane encounters something new, he looks up to me to hold his hand, or just hold him. Period. That's all he wants. With that comfort, he can face the new thing with a little more security. It's security that is so simple for me to provide, and I'm so happy to do it...and it means the world to him. It helps him learn more about the world around him from safe arms.

Princess, that's the same thing your Father, the King, wants to offer you. He will hold your right hand through every situation. AND, He tells you not only not to fear, but that He will help you. It is easy for Him to do and He is eager to do it for you. WOW!

So, what are you facing today? Loss of a job? Family strife? An uncertain future? My prayer for you is that you allow Him, your Father, to hold your hand through this....allow His peace to fill you so that there is no fear, and know that help is on the way...whatever it is, He is already there.

Wow, again. What a blessing. I know that I need some hand-holding right now. How about you? Let's rely on Him together...

Finally, I cannot sign off here until I give the most minimal, but heart-felt thanks to my fellow princesses that are helping me care for the boys during this time! Tom just returned from Spain last evening, and he and Adrianne will leave for Haiti on Tuesday. I, of course, still have a fulltime job, lol, and therefore need load of help with the boys. My fellow princesses have stepped up to the plate and are offering more help than I ever imagined! I am so humbled and thankful. There aren't even words...for me to have to have to have the privilege of being in ministry with these women and to call them my friends is such a blessing. God is working miracles here...

Blessings...
kimberly

Scripture Memory Verse Week #7

Hello Princesses!

I have been praying for you and praying specifically that you are being blessed by doing these Scripture memory verses. I pray that you find them to be strengthening to your spirit, and a good reminder during your day, whatever comes your way!

Because I just posted a more lengthy blog entry, I'll just leave this one to be the verse:

"So do not fear, for I am with you, 

do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Isaiah 41:10

I will admit that over the past few weeks I have at times been fearful and dismayed. I know that's not how my Father, the King wants me to live, and I want to find a day when I don't allow those emotions to take root in my soul.

I am looking forward to putting this passage to heart and mind memory this week! It will be the tool that I call upon when I am feeling anxious, confused or sad.

I pray that as a fellow princess you do the same! God wants and plans the best for us! Let's embrace it with a Daddy-Daughter love!

Blessings!
kimberly

"tell me how You really feel...." (adored) Scripture Memory Verse #6

Good afternoon Princesses!

I hope that wherever you are, you have had a wonderful and restful weekend! Here in Michigan, we have had some of the first signs of spring...some of my early bulbs are just starting to peek through the ground in the sunnier parts of the garden, the sun has been shining brightly and melting the snow, and yesterday morning I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this sight...a sure sign of spring!

Yes, that's a hot air balloon that went right over our house!

I don't remember seeing them this early in the season before, but the weather has been beautiful, and it brought smiles to many faces to see a couple of hot air balloons going over early on a Saturday morning!

So, while I am realistic enough to know that there are quite a few overcast, cold, and most likely snowy days ahead, spring is sure to come sooner rather than later, and for that, I am quite happy.

This week we will start a new theme with our Scripture memory verses...if you will remember, our last theme was, "i am woman, hear me roar...." (strength) and all of our passages were based on our Source of strength.

This next theme is, "tell me how You really feel...." (adored). I'm sure that you have deduced that we will focus on the love that is lavishly poured out upon us from our Daddy, the King! If you can bask in that love, you will have to start to see the world from a different perspective. Who is it that is filling your cup?

This week's verse:

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you."

Isaiah 41:9

Have you ever felt far away from God? Maybe as a rebellious teen, maybe years ago, or perhaps as recently as last week or this afternoon? I must admit that I have been feeling a little distant, myself, lately. Certainly not because He has moved....but because my heart has moved. It's honest, it hurts, but it's true. But we've all been there, haven't we?

The good news is that no matter how far away we feel, we have been called by the One that adores us. He never moves away from us, and He never desires that our hearts are far from Him. 

And, what a gracious God we have, that all we have to do is call upon Him and we are restored.

If you are feeling distance today my fellow princess, I urge you to pray and read more of Isaiah chapter 41. You will find comfort there, and it's my prayer that you will feel a yearning to go back home to Him...shorten the distance and close the gap. I will be alongside you in prayer and on the journey.

blessings, my friends...and peace...

kimberly

Scripture memory verse #5...strength & song...

This week just FLEW by! My goodness...when I saw that my last post was almost a week ago, it's hard to believe! And that there hasn't been a free moment to post inbetween seems hard to believe as well, but it's so true!
What blessings and joy that have come from hosting our Haiti guests! Stephane and Gregory have really warmed up to all of us and are just having the fun living the life of a 3 yr old and 9 month old! They finally have both slept through the night the past 2 nights, for which we are especially grateful! Adults need their sleep, and getting it again is a wonderful thing....Leonie and Rachelle were such troopers all last week with them as they adjusted to a new home, and new climate, and dry conditions here in Michigan. The addition of a humidifier in their basement room was great for all of them!
Rachelle flew home yesterday to study for her boards, and was happily reunited with her husband of just 18 months, Ezekias. So now Leonie and our family cares for the boys, and we miss Rachelle's constant smiles a lot! We pray God's blessing on her studies!
Today Leonie had the opportunity to speak at Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene, the church of our dear pastor friend, Dave Gerber. Words cannot express what a tremendous blessing it was when the people of that congregation gathered around Leonie and our family and prayed over and for us as others were singing, "Amazing Grace." We are all still in awe of that time and those precious moments. Leonie has thanked us several times for taking her there this morning. God is indeed so good. And what a body of Christ that they would surround us and lift us up in that way! Pastor Dave even prayed over me that I might not have "too much Martha, and just enough Mary..." those of you that know my struggles understand the meaning of that prayer!
When we returned home from church, there was a lovely family waiting in our driveway...the adoptive family of Ludia, who was an orphan that knew Leonie from LesCayes. Christy, and Jon (parents) and sister Julianne came from Holt, MI to help Ludia connect with some of her Haiti history. We all had brunch together (remind me to tell you about my new crockpot - hero of the day!), and rekindled one old relationship, but developed so many new ones! WOW! God is so amazing! (Have I said that already? I am just humbled...) We are certain that we will be crossing paths again soon with Ludia and her family!

Ludia and Leonie

Our families (in part...minus our children, and their other 4 + 2 grandchildren,

 Stephane and Gregory!)

So, now it is time to share this week's Scripture memory verse. Very similar to last week's...I know that I need another reminder, and I'm praying that you do too. I think it's significant that these verses are repeated in God's Word to us...

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." 

Exodus 15:2

As we sang in church this morning, I peeked down at Leonie and she was singing along, but not mightily...there is that whole thing about translating, learning and a new melody, and figuring it all out before the song is over. So, her lips were moving, but there wasn't a lot of feeling being demonstrated. I was thinking about how it was when I worshipped in Haiti...the people around me were singing with such HUGE emotion (very different from most worship here in the states), but I didn't know the language or the songs, so I was just sort of moving my lips. Yet, when I observed Leonie in Haiti, she was worshipping, and I mean WORSHIPPING during those songs! 

And, thinking those things, in just a moment of time, the verse above came to my mind. The Lord is truly our strength AND our song...no matter where we find ourselves in a moment in time. The language and circumstances might be very different, but HE never changes. And when you throw in that He has become YOUR salvation...well...it doesn't really matter where you are, does it? He is the common denominator for all of us.

Let HIS strength be in YOUR song this week...because HE is YOUR salvation.

Praise God!

kimberly

Scripture memory verse, week 4

2-21-10

Hello fellow daughters of the King (aka princesses!)…

I pray that you have had a wonderful week and have enjoyed the sunshine (at least here in Michigan) the past two days! It is has been a beautiful sign of things to come, even if we know it’s still too far off to really think about. I’ve been wondering these past two days how it is for our friends from Haiti, never really warming up…God was gracious with this weather for them as a welcome, but it is still quite a change from their life.

Yesterday I was telling Leonie to enjoy the sun while it was out because it doesn’t shine very often in the winter here. She said, “It’s ok. Haiti was really getting to be too hot.” Now that’s a positive way to look at dressing in 4 or 5 layers, isn’t it??

We are having a wonderful time, as you can tell from my last post. To have these dear women of God in my home, not to mention these precious babies is such a blessing. (The dogs aren’t enjoying it too much, as Stephane seems to be terrified of dogs…Gregory just seems to scream because his big brother is unhappy….we are doing slow introductions, but for now, the dogs are just seeing a lot of the bedroom, the backyard and the dog park!)

So how are your memory verses coming along? You know…you can reply or comment to this blog…many of you make comments or email me about what I’ve written, but if you’d consider sharing a comment or two here, we just might create more of a community…

I know for me, I practice my verses on my way to work in the morning. It’s been a great way for me to start the day, and three verses really hasn’t been that challenging…I have a feeling that more practice will be needed as we add more verses. So, how’s it going for you? Easy? Challenging? Any stories to share of how and when God has used these verses in your life yet?

Just wondering…

This week’s verse is:

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

This verse comes to mind now as I think of the people of Haiti…while my friends did not lose anyone in their immediate family that I am aware of, they were not untouched by the death and destruction of the earthquake. They have had to relocate everything…moving the orphans to a new location where the orphanage needs to be completely built…traveling back to LesCayes in the evening to guard their belongings still remaining in the now unsafe orphanage and house that they used to reside in, but sleeping at night in tents in the refugee camp next door…and the rains have come to Haiti now….leaky tents, mud all around…no restrooms…children still wandering the streets of Port-au-Prince, alone, with no one caring for them.

While the U.S. media seems to have moved onto other topics…the Olympics, Tiger Woods apologizing…life as it is the new reality continues for the people of Haiti.

As I think of them, singing praises to their Lord in the streets only moments after the earthquake and everyday since, this verse comes to mind. We each have things that we grieve…losing a loved one…or a child. A romance that isn’t quite at romantic as it used to be…a childhood that never was…A job lost, or a job that is only that…a job, but not a passion. Yes, we all have things that we grieve, but can any of us imagine the reality of the grief of Haiti? I don’t think so…yet the people there sing praises to their God in the midst of their grief.

So, my fellow princesses…I invite you to sing..in the shower, in the car, with your kids…at your place of worship. But I also invite you to increase your singing…have you noticed that you can’t sing and stay in a bad mood? There’s something to that…the dear children of the Lord in Haiti know that. It’s part of what’s getting them through this, but all throughout their difficult history…the singing leads to joy, and the joy of the Lord is their strength.

Blessings on your week….

kimberly

Haiti Lives! and Scripture Verse Week #3

Happy (almost) Valentines Day, Princess!

I hope that as you enjoy this day where love is celebrated, that you remember the Source of all love…the One without Whom we would never experience true love. It is my prayer that today as you celebrate with your sweetie, that you are basking in love for each other that flows from Him.

The other night we had the Haiti Lives! Coffeehouse Benefit at our church. It was a bigger success than any of us could have imagined! What a mighty, faithful and loving God we serve.

This event was special to me because at a breakfast after church 1 month ago, my daughters Stephani and Adrianne told Tom and I that they had an idea to help our friends and loved ones in Haiti. They spoke of an event like was held on 2-12-10…Stephani went back up to school and later that afternoon Adrianne got on the phone with our pastor as some others about the idea. Later that week she was meeting with two dear friends of mine over lunch, and presented the idea to Chris and Barb. They are such wise and loving women, that they decided to offer suggestions and any help that Adrianne might need with the planning, but that it was her baby from that time forward.

I say that they are wise because they kept their “inner Marthas” from coming out and wanting to plan and check on each and every detail. I know for sure that my inner Martha would not have been as restrained…I just tried to follow their lead.

WOW! What an amazing and beautiful thing happened through that process! Adrianne, who has always been gracious enough to let someone else make the decisions and be in the spotlight, turned on her creativity and passion for the people of Haiti, and she COMPLETELY ROCKED! Not only were the details taken care of, but we had HUGE support from our church, the young adults that heard about it, and members of the community. It was an evening of fun, great music, great food, fellowship and just plain relaxing and having fun. Setting up extra tables and chairs as more people streamed in was such a joy! Praise God as His people turned out to support Haiti in yet another way, and support those that did the planning for this event!

Adrianne, always with a smile, even when the technology wasn't cooperating...

Tom worked the sound board all evening...Stephani provided encouragement and smiles...

Barb lovingly and graciously helped wherever needed...

Adrianne sang, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Stephani also sang, but it seems that no one (that I have found) took a still photo of her, but only video...if we find a photo, it will appear sometime in the future!

So, now that we are all still just enjoying the blessings of that evening, and as I turn my thoughts (and our household) to the friends that we will soon have staying with us from Haiti, I ponder this week’s memory verse:

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40:31

This verse is meaningful for this week on so many levels. It seems that everywhere around me, people that I know and love are struggling and hurting, whether it is with their self image, their marriage, their children, an illness, conflict in family…so much hurt right now. I’ve had the privilege of speaking with a few women about my husband’s advice of not letting the “what ifs” overwhelm you in times like this, but focusing on what you know for sure. What are those things? Certainly that your Heavenly Father thinks you are just awesome, that He has a plan for your life and for those you love, whether it makes sense to you or not, that He is always in control and has your best interest at heart…what else? Perhaps that you have a beautiful family, that you were raised in a loving household, that you have a job…etc., etc., etc. Concentrating on what you know for sure will not let the “what ifs” into you mind very much…if you find yourself in this situation, I pray that you will think about these things.

Anyways, this verse reminds us that our hope is in the Lord (not men, not doctors, not anything that will fail), and that He will renew our strength. We’ve all felt strong at different times in our lives…and at other times, we feel that the well is empty and we are weak. He is the filler of wells and will renew and restore your strength! Sisters, this is His work, and He loves to do it! Take a moment to take a deep breath and allow your spiritual well to be filled and your strength renewed.

I think too, of our Haiti friends…those we love and those we haven’t met yet, and pray that in light of the recent events and such devastation, that they would hope in the Lord and renew their strength as well.

You are loved. Whether you feel strong at this moment or not does not matter. Recognize where your strength comes from and allow it to wash over and through you.

Blessings on your week…

kimberly

Memory Verse One: 2-1-10

(for those of you that are interested in memorizing the Scripture verses with us, here is the first verse, from last week. AND, it's an easy one!)

Good Morning Princesses, and blessings on your new week and month!

This morning, we begin a new journey together…as sisters in the Lord…and, if you will, princesses of the King! (more on being a princess in an upcoming blog post!)

Thanks for standing side-by-side with me as we begin…you see, I start this not mainly as a service you, but a lesson in accountability for me! I need to be in the Word more! I need to be memorizing Scripture and holding those passages in my heart…so THANK YOU for humoring me and joining in this walk with me! I can’t WAIT to see what the Lord has in store for us this next 11 months!

I am going to group our weekly Scripture verses in themes…themes that seem important in my life, and I hope in your life, as well. The themes are titled by things that we might say to our spouse or to our friends, and then in parenthesis, the spiritual application.

So, this month, we begin with the theme,

“i am woman, hear me roar….” (strength)

Our verse for this week, is Philippians 4:13, which is,

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (NIV version)

Why this verse? This happens to be the theme verse for  my up and coming blog, which will be called “women of four13,” once it’s finished and pretty!  This verse has been a rock for me throughout my life. When life gets yucky (and we will discuss that in an upcoming theme), remember where the Source of your strength is…not in the things of this world…but in our Abba Father. He knows your needs before you do…and wants to and will meet every single one of them.

More on strength in the weeks to come…now on a technical note: if you have access to an ipod touch or an iphone and want to “have an app for that” to practice these verses, you can download the app “iflipr” for $4.95, and look for the group, “women of four13,” and you will get each week, the Scripture verse in a “flashcard” format that you can practice! Once you join, it will sync automatically so you never have to wonder if you’re current…very cool! I will be posting the weekly verse there each weekend for you!

If you don’t have access to that technology (or dislike that technology, lol), then I suggest you just purchase a spiral bound pack of index cards and copy the verse each week and carry it in your purse for practice.

Well, that’s certainly enough for one week!

Thanks again for partnering in this with me…I LOVE being with fellow princesses as we walk this road…

Feel free to forward this message to anyone else that might want to take this journey with us!

Blessings on your week my friends…remember that you are royalty!

Kimberly