Getting Ready For Brazil...

Wow!! I kinda feel like I did the time I signed up for the Camp Pen Mud Run...What have I gotten my self into...although very excited about the adventure.
I have Brazil Vocal practice every Tuesday evening. This past week we had it on Tuesday and Thursday going over 22 songs...yes I did say 22 in Portuguese no less...Have I said WHOA yet...this is so hard. Some how I have complete confidence that all will be learned and ready to go when it is time...which the time is rapidly approaching...I know it's God's peace...and I know with His supernatural help I will get these songs learned before heading out on this journey...
Pray for me if you think of me...I really need it...
B

Inspiration...

ox B

Colton's famous Quotes:

Mom...I'm seeing states everywhere...my poop was Oklahoma and my towel is Alaska!!!

Oh Colton...get dressed.

God and me..

God is so pulling and stretching me. Most of the time I find it difficult to walk in His calling because I feel sooo unworthy. Yes I know none of us are or ever will be but it's a battle I guess I have always grappled with.

I'm working at a job at my church that I know God opened the door for and His plan is continuously unfolding through that. I've begun leading worship at Koinonia He so graciously allows me to be used to usher His people into His glorious presence I stand in complete awe of Him. Then there is the whole Brazil thing that is a constant undercurrent. I have been asked to pray about giving my testimony while I'm there. I feel as inept to do all these things as I do about steering my son through puberty.

God continues to remind me that I am completely incapable of doing any of this without Him directing my every step. I know I can walk in confidence knowing that He is in complete control and ultimately I do...but I'm not living in that confidence.

I listened to a sermon a couple of days ago and she gave this fabulous analogy of who we are with Christ. She had a water bottle in her hand that she was actually drinking from and she held it up and said..."it's like this water bottle. When we become a Christ follower we poor ourselves out, she tipped over the bottle and tipped it back up, then we fill back up with the Holy Spirit but the bottle is the same." Now the sermon was on dieing to self. But that illustration really spoke to me and what I'm going through with my doubt of self. That God wants to change you and help you be more and more like Christ but He still made you to be you...and really we are responsible for learning who that is and for embracing it then ultimately doing it.

B

Puberty...

It's official...my son has hit puberty!!! I'm just not ready...and I grew up with girls...I feel a little inept...

So far I am able to keep a straight face...my tone has staid even and unsurprised...I am very matter of fact and accurate. My son feels he can tell me anything...so I guess so far so good.

Two of the latest questions:

What is a douche? and So mom...how big can I expect this thing to get???

Help...

Monday Prayer...

Praying for you today...feel free to leave your thoughts or requests...
B

I'm not a prude!!

I am soooo not a prude...this has gotten me into a little trouble and a little fun in my life. Lately it has caused me a bit of trouble. I have gotten too lacks when it comes to the music I'm letting my teenager listen to. I mean part of the problem is I like it too!! I love to get my groove on...I mean I hear the beats and I gotsta move...and babies gotta booty like wow oh wow babies got some boo...well, you probably shouldn't be able to finish that one and I know the party don't start till I walk innnnn...just get me goin...the next thing I know I'm leaning to the left with one hand on the steering wheal pooching my lips out bobbing my head looking like ya you know you want some of this...I mean what do you expect a from a girl from Paramount who married a guy from North L.B. (Long Beach)...but you know it's not good for the soul...in an effort to purify our minds and start over a couple of days ago we (me Brit and Colton) were heading out on a 45 min. drive and I thought here is my opportunity to begin the change. So I lay it out...if a song comes on about sex, alcohol or drugs change the station we're not listening to it...WOW!!! What a quiet ride...my teenager is not finding the fun but I'm feeling much better and I know God's a lot happier too...

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Brazil...

I am going to Brazil on a missions trip with my church!! I leave August 4 and will be home on the 15th. What an amazing journey God has me on. Let me give you a little back story. Last year when Darin and I were visiting churches we started feeling the pull toward Koinonia Christian Fellowship here in Hanford Cali. The very Sunday that God spoke to both of us telling us this was the place he had planned for us the missions team that had just come back from Brazil were giving their testimonies of the trip. I sat with tears rolling down my face as they spoke of the powerful movement of God while they were on this trip. While they shared I heard God's voice say..."you will have a testimony like this one day". I was kind of in one of those moments wondering is that really you God?? I was also rolling my eyes, on the inside of course, saying ya right. I just couldn't see it in the midst of my own personal storm in that moment. As I look over this past year I am amazed at God's continued faithfulness in my life and in his revealing His plan for me. As I heard the rumblings of the trip coming around this year I remembered what God had said but didn't really act on it. While minding my own business Sandy, the worship pastor at our church, asked me if I would consider being part of the team that was heading out to Brazil this year!!! What could I do but say yes...God is just incredible. It has been about 4 or 5 months since I made the commitment to go and I have embarked on a journey that leaves me feeling most of the time like I'm having an out of body experience...
God is full of surprises!!!
I will share more of my journey with you soon. This post is getting way too long.

B