ENOUGH SAID!

PRAYER REQUEST

I think the flu is officially here. We have a few of our boys sick and I was vomiting yesterday and today. When you have this many people in one house, you have a lot of germs floating around. One of the boys had to be picked up from school today and I am taking him to the doctor tomorrow. He has so much congestion and just feels horrible. Please pray for wellness on the campus. We could all use your prayers. I hope you and your family are well. God bless you!

                     GOD IS GOOD AND HE DOES HEAL!

A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

We watched the movie "A thief in the night" with the boys last night. I haven't seen it since I was about 12 years old. It still has the same impact on me today as it did when I was a little girl. It starts out with people that arent' saved and some come to know Christ. Then the rapture happens. It shows the one woman left in bed alone and the lawn mower running with no one holding it. Then it shows that there really is no place to hide. The new government numbers your forehead or your hand and if you refuse, you die. If you have not seen it, I would say get on the Internet and order it. It's worth watching and it will make you think twice about how you are living you life. The boys really enjoyed it and want me to get the series for them. Life impacting movies. Get prepared.....because God is coming back!

HAVE YOU BEEN FORGIVEN?

Have you been.......forgiven?

He was thrown down on the ground,
he was beaten and then bound,
to a cross that stood so tall
to be made fun of by them all.
The sweat dripping off his brow from the heat,
the nails driven in his hand's and feet,
the pain he endured to set us free
and after all....he forgave you and me.
We don't deserve what he has to give.
We can only try and repay by the way we choose to live.
Spread the word...Jesus is coming back soon!
Are you prepared? Start spreading the news.
Jesus died for you and for me.
I'm a sinner, but he set me free.
He arose again to give us life in eternity,
with his father in paradise....come go with me.
All you need do is ask and you will be forgiven.
No work's, no deed's no hard living.
He's never asked us for all that much,
but the price was high that he paid for us.
He's waiting to be invited into your heart to live,
after what he's been through, it's the least we can give.
Just ask and invite him in,
he will be with you until the end.
Jesus, I'm a sinner this I know,
I've no place to turn, no place to go.
Come and live in me, be my Savior I pray,
Until God calls me home with him on that glorious day!
                By: Denise Rochester

NO GOD.....NO PEACE

Have you been missing peace in your life? Do you get up day to day and wonder if you will make it through this one? Are you miserable? Do you think nobody cares? KNOW GOD...KNOW PEACE!

Our countries are fighting and I believe that God's coming is very soon. It's hard to find peace when your countries are at war. But we also are at war in our own home's. We battle with the devil or conviction everyday. We are at war in our own communities. God said; In the end friend will turn on friend and family will turn on family. But you have a promise for eternal peace from God. Our world as we know it, will never see peace again. The only peace you will be able to find is in your heart and is the peace of God.

THE MIND OF A SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE;
                                                 Romans 8:6

God's coming is soon. You can see his signs everywhere. I hope that you are a child of his and your name has been written in the book of life. God desires peace in our lives and I know I want peace in mine. Do you know how to get that peace? The kind of peace that only God can give you? Not the kind where you go sit in a quiet room and think, wow, what peace. I'm talking about the kind of peace that God has promised us, and God never fails on a promise.

THEREFORE, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE GAINED ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE IN WHICH WE NOW STAND.
                                             Romans 5:1

By faith and prayer God can bring peace to your life. The steps I use are ADMIT, COMMIT AND FORGET.
ADMIT: Admit that you are a sinner, that Christ died for you to save you from your sins and give you an eternal life in Heaven with him.
COMMIT: Commit your life to God. Work for his glory and be a witness to others.
FORGET:   (This was a big one for me to overcome) Forget about who you were before you accepted
Christ in your life. God forgot about those sins when you prayed for forgiveness of them. When
your feeling guilty and say God, how can you take me knowing I did that? God said; Did what?
Because God already forgot about that sin when you prayed forgiveness of it.

You have to believe that there is power in prayer. God answers prayers! He may not answer them like you want him to, but God will answer them in HIS time and for HIS will. Pray for peace in your heart and expect it!

PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE YOU. I DO NOT GIVE TO YOU AS THE WORLD GIVES. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED AND DO NOT BE AFRAID.
                                                            John 14:27

God desires peace for you as much as you desire peace for yourself.

YOU WILL KEEP IN PERFECT PEACE HIM WHOSE MIND IS STEADFAST, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU. TRUST IN THE LORD FOREVER, FOR THE LORD, IS THE ROCK ETERNAL.
                                                            Isaiah 26:3-4

You can even find peace with someone your at odds with. Pray and trust in God.

WHEN A MAN'S WAYS ARE PLEASING TO THE LORD, HE MAKES EVEN HIS ENEMIES LIVE AT PEACE WITH HIM.                    Proverbs 16:7

I encourage you if you are searching for peace in your life and the lives of your family, call on God. He is the God of peace and he knows all your struggles. He has already fixed them for you. He is just waiting on your prayer. Get in your Bible. There are so many verses on peace and how you can receive peace from God. If you truly search for peace and salvation...God just needs you to come to him in prayer, and I believe we don't have much more time before God returns. You have to call on him now...before it's too late.

GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER'S SON, WILL BE WITH US IN TRUTH AND LOVE.
                                                                   2 John 1:3

MERCY, PEACE AND LOVE BE YOURS IN ABUNDANCE.    Jude 1:2

THE GOD OF PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN

                                           Romans 15:33

WORRYING IS A WASTE OF TIME!

I know it's easier to say than it is to do. We all worry even though God tells us not to. I suppose sometimes we think we can take care of everything ourselves. That's what gets us in trouble. We had some children leave this week and I found myself worrying about them and their care. God reminded me that they were his children and he would take care of it, I need not worry about it. I can remember when my dad was alive. If I had a problem that I was worrying about and took the problem to my dad, most of the time he would say; Denise, don't worry. I will take care of it. I remember that I would feel so much better after he said that. Because I trusted my daddy enough to know that if he said he would take care of it, he was going to take care of it. Well, my heavenly father has so much more power and authority than my earthly father had. Why can't I take it to God and then just let it go because he has said, I will take care of it. I should have so much faith in God and know that he took care of the problem years before I was born. No matter how much I worry about it, God already handled it for me. All I need to do is pray and turn it over to my Savior, then let it go. He is in control of all.

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUEST TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.                                  PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7


I encourage you, whatever you are worrying about...give it to God.  Pray and then know that you have left your problem in good hands. God already had it worked out before you even asked.

FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU,' DECLARES THE LORD, 'PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. THEN YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND COME AND PRAY TO ME, AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU,' DECLARES THE LORD, 'AND WILL BRING YOU BACK FROM CAPTIVITY.
                                                                  JEREMIAH 29:11-14

WHO OF YOU BY WORRYING CAN ADD A SINGLE HOUR TO YOUR LIFE?
                                                    MATTHEW 25:27

I really enjoyed spending time with my mom yesterday. I wished I could spend more time with her than I get to. When I got home with the boys, I just couldn't help but think that they can't have that time with their mom's. I wondered when the phone rings if they all are thinking, I hope it's for me. Today I encourage you to make a phone call  to someone you love. Go ahead, pick up the phone and call that special someone just to say, I love you. They are probably hoping you will call. God bless you!

My mom had her tests ran today. Her Colonoscopy came back fine. Her EGD revealed a bacteria infection in her stomach. They are going to biopsy the bacteria to see how it comes back. They did an ultrasound of her gallbladder and lower abdomen. We have not gotten those results back yet, but we are expecting every thing to come back fine. Thank you for the prayers. We are praising God that she is well. On the other hand, Gary had a hard time with the boys while I was gone. He said Ethan would not get up and he could not get him to get dressed. One of the boys was giving him a hard time and one of the other boys missed the bus! I said; Well, its nice to know you can't live without me. :) He was a little frustrated this morning but he was moving through. I don't think he enjoyed being a single daddy, if only for one day. :) It's nice to know that your needed. I love you all and appreciate your prayers and concern. I hope you have a great day. God bless you!

The guys had a blast at Winter Jam! Everyone came home very excited and said it was a lot of fun. The new guy in the cottage said that he had a great time and that there was sooo many people there! I'm glad we have good Christian bands that will come and help us worship through song. I am on my way to spend the night with my mom tonight. She is having some procedures done tomorrow so please keep her in your prayers. I know we serve a mighty God and he is in control. God Bless you and I hope you have an awesome week!

WINTER JAM 2011

We are on our way to Winter Jam today. A night full of praise, music and worshiping our Lord and Savior. During Winter Jam many people come to know Christ. Pray that tonight will be all for God's glory and there will be hundreds that decide to follow our God. God is AWESOME! How could you not want to be part of his family. Hope to see you there!

GOSSIP-THE ULTIMATE POISON

Did you know that it doesn't take much to start a rumor. Whatever you say always seems to catch back up with you in one way or the other. I can say that the hardest thing for me is keeping my mouth shut. I am so guilty of speaking what I think...before I think. I pray that the Lord helps me work on taming my tongue. I don't want to be a poison in his ministry and I don't want to hurt some one's feelings by a vicious rumor. I pray that the Lord helps me work on keeping my mouth shut! May I not open my mouth unless I have something positive to say.

God says if it offends thee, cut it off. I know that's not realistic in our times now, but it sure would put a stop to a lot of trouble uh.

If we truly have a heart for God, we will bridle our tongue. God says our religion is WORTHLESS if we do not bridle our tongue. WORTHLESS! Lord I pray that you will forgive me for the words I spoke just today. I pray that you help me bridle my tongue and not participate in poisoning your ministry.

You know they say that children say what is on their minds. They say it but mean not harm in it. We say what's on our minds but often we say it to hurt someone else. I pray that God will not let my heart feel what my mouth can not reveal.

I don't want anyone to ever say about me; Well don't tell her, the whole world will find out. And it's probably happened. I'm not proud to say it but it's probably true. Sad but true. I just pray that I can be the type of Christian I desire and God desires me to be. I want to help, not hurt and I don't want to say anything that I will be sorry for in the future. I pray for a heart and tongue for Jesus.

I don't want to hurt anyone with my actions or my words. I also do not want to be the person that causes someone else to not come to Christ. Lord please make and mold me as you please for I desire to be more like you!

I SAID 'I WILL WATCH MY WAYS AND KEEP MY TONGUE FROM SIN;

I WILL PUT A MUZZLE ON MY MOUTH AS LONG AS THE WICKED ARE IN MY PRESENCE.'

PSALM 39:1 

My prayer is that God helps me put a muzzle on my mouth at ALL TIMES!

DADDY-SON FISHING TRIP

Gary and Ethan went fishing today. I had to sneak down there with Izzie and see what was going on. They didn't end up catching any fish but they did have some quality time together. That was worth more than all the fish in the world!

                                                                      

                                                    

 

                                             
                     

      

                                             My precious smiling son!

                 And the day ended with Izzie in the bathtub covered in mud!

Nothing more beautiful than a father and son spending time together. That is something that can never be replaced!

A PERFECT DAY!

PRAYER REQUEST

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY MOM. SHE IS HAVING SOME PROCEDURES DONE ON MONDAY AND SHE IS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT. BUT WE KNOW GOD IS IN ULTIMATE CONTROL  AND EVERYTHING WILL BE DONE TO HIS WILL AND HIS GLORY. I KNOW THAT GOD IS NOT DONE WITH MY MOM YET THOUGH. SHE IS A BLESSING TO MANY FRIENDS AND LOVES HER CHURCH. GOD ALSO KNOWS THAT I NEED MY MOM SO I KNOW HE WILL TAKE CARE OF HER AND I WILL BE THERE TO HOLD HER HAND ALL THE WAY THROUGH. LOVE YOU MOM!

THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR ETHAN, THANK YOU! HE IS DOING SO MUCH BETTER NOW AND SEEMS TO BE ADJUSTING WELL. I LOVE SEEING HIM SMILE!

MAGGIE AND IZZIE

These are my babies. Well, Maggie is my baby and Izzie is Lyndsie's baby. Maggie is 9 yrs old and we have had her since she was just a few weeks old. Lyndsie got Izzie for Christmas (the little white one) and she is about 5 months old now. They are sweet dogs and like our kids, as you can tell. Don't tell Maggie, but she doesn't know shes a dog. LOL
It's amazing how you can take a child in a bad mood and give them a dog to hold and all the sudden everything is better. God made animals for a very good reason.!

We are on our way to watch one of the boys play his first soccer game. I am really excited. I have never seen a live soccer game. I'm even more excited because this morning this kid was supposed to leave. He did not want to be here and he requested to leave. Gary and I (and several others) asked him to not go. We can see this kid slowly making progress. We told him we loved him and he was worth being loved. We just let him know that he would be missed if he left. Of course we have our own selfish reasons for not wanting to see him leave. He is not saved and we didn't want to see a kid walk away that did not come to know Christ while he was here. I know eventually it's going to happen, but I don't like it and I didn't want it to happen to him. Please pray for him. We hope God puts so much conviction on him that he can't sleep! Until then.....we will watch him play soccer.

HAPPY RETIREMENT!!

Our precious friends just finished their last day as house parents at ABC Homes. They have been an inspiration to children for 16 years. Can you imagine giving 16 years of your life dedicated to kayos and kids running in and out all day every minute?? They did and they loved it. We had a great retirement party with them and some wonderful people showed up to let them them how much they appreciate what they have stood for. It was truly amazing. The average time for being a house parent is 2 years and they were here for 16 years. That says a lot! I have only known them for 5 months but I have really come to love them. They have been great for Gary and me to talk to and have been a great mentors for us. They are so wise to the ministry and so understanding with the kids. We love you Mr. Floyd and Mrs. Jane and we wish you the best in your future. Slow down now, enjoy the quiet and enjoy being with each other. Spend extra time with God and remember us little people when you are out having a great time. We love you dearly and we will miss you more than you will ever know.
Love, Gary and Denise

Enjoy your time with one another. We will keep you in our prayers as you search for what God has planned for you next.......even if it is sitting on the beach reading his word.