Praise in the Suffering

A good friend is on my mind today. She is going through some persuction at her job for Jesus' name. I say, "Praise God!" for we know that we should rejoice when we suffer for His Name!

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” ~ 1 Peter 4:12-16

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” ~ 1 Peter 3:13-18

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and good name in the sight God and man." ~Proverbs 3:3-4

The Bible considers us "aliens in this world" (1 Peter 2:11). It's so great to be happy that people look at you as "different". If they didn't, something wouldn't be right! If you fit into the world and with lost people, you may want to take a look at your relationship with Christ.

Sometimes, I so wish I was allowed to preach! I’m getting’ all fired as I type this up! Na, maybe I don’t want all that responsibility, but this is good stuff! ;) I so need to be in women's ministry!!! - Maybe one day.....?!?!

To my dear friend and sister in Christ, I love you and am so proud of you!! Remain strong and steadfast! May God be with you!

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:8-9

The Hardman Family

Hey Guys,

Please be in prayer for the Hardman family. Ben Hardman was our pastor at our church in Louisville, and our families have become quite close during the past year. For at least a year, we have watched them go through the process of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. We were able to rejoice with them last week in the finalizing of the adoption. I've just found out though, that one judge didn't sign the papers in court, and now for some reason, they may not be able to adopt at all. So, they've gone from waiting for a really long time to get a daughter, to finally having one, only to lose her, and now they're fighting to get her back. They will be back in court on February 10th, and that's the date that they will know for sure if they'll be able to adopt baby Claire.

Please join us in prayer for this family.

You can read more at benhardman.org

Power In Prayer!

Yesterday I recieved a phone call from Sarah. This was our conversation:

"Nicole, do you know a Mary Miller?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Well, I recieved a phone call this morning and she said that they were in a prayer meeting and they were praying for you guys. When talking to her dad and praying with him, they've decided to completely replace all your carpet in your house and clean up the outside for you, for free!!!"

I of course burst into tears and couldn't say anything but, "Really?? That is so awesome!!"

PRAISE GOD!!!!

There is power in prayer!! When I spoke to Mary on the phone later that afternoon, she told us how they were intensly praying for us. There's a difference in saying, "you'll be praying for someone" and actually rallying together a group to pray instensly for a particular person / people / situation. It brings so much comfort, confidence, reassurance, and encouragement to me knowing that their are families out there truely seeking God and praying for our family right now!

God works in wonderful ways! And provides like no other!!! I am so grateful for Mary's dad reaching out to us and helping us!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Some Updates:

Whoa! Things have been busy. Right now, I don't even have time to get any pics on here, but just to catch everyone up....

The weekend of the 16th, we were in Shelbyville for the boys big Birthday Celebration with family and friends. It was so great!! I loved being with family and friends again. It was also so fun seeing the boys with all their friends - some of whom they hadn't seen in 6 months! Opening presents was mass chaos, but it was great!

That same weekend we also met with Sarah to sign papers on our house to get it up on the market. When we arrived Friday night, I dropped Dan off at the house to get started on painting, when we came upon a huge stumbling point. The house was a complete disaster. I mean unspeakable disaster and utter grossness! It was bad. So Dan had to spend the entire night cleaning the house. He ended up having a sleepness night, then meeting Sarah for the paper work and a birthday party that afternoon. He was pooped!

This past Friday night, was the women's ministry on campus. The focus was on missions! It was... interesting! For dinner, we had all international foods. There were dishes from Israel, Russia, South Africa, Asia, Italy, and Mexico. The Italy and Mexico dishes were great!! Lasagna and enchiladas are right up my alley! The Russian, South Africa, and Israel dishes were a bit different. I did go ahead and try all dishes. I figured if I'm going to be on the mission field one day, this is a safe place to try these foods. One South African dish was white rice, then you pour this peanut butter / chicken soup stuff over it. Sounds gross, but actually, it wasn't bad. An Israel dish was tortillas, filled with sour cream, tomatos, chicken, and this grass looking stuff - yes, it looked just like grass. Yeah, I only took about 3 bites of that dish. :/ A Russian dessert was this pancake looking thing, (like a pancake, but really, really thin) and you pour over this icing glaze. Y U M M O!! I'll need to go to Russia one day for some dessert!

After dinner we played a game to show how to work together, and how each person brings a different piece to the body of Christ. There were teams of 5. Each person got something different. Straws - the kind that stretch at the top, a pack of chewing gum, toothpicks, mini marshmellows, and raw spegettie noodles. The objective: Build the tallest standing tower using all material at hand in 10 minutes. Well, we begin with my friend Dottie chewing away at the gum. It was a hilarious moment! While the rest of the members and I begin putting the straws in the mini marshmellows, and stacking them up. We start making two mini towers and connect them to the top - imagine the Ifle Tower shape. To strengthen the straws, we stuff them with the noodles, and puncture the straws with the toothpicks to hold it all together. The bottom - Dottie's chewed up gum and more noodles in a tee-pee shape. Yeah, I wouldn't touch that part - I'm way too much of a germ freak! But, we had a strong foundation!! The end result? WE WON!!! With the tallest standing tower coming in at 4 foot 2 inches tall!! It was great!

Saturday we made yet another trip up to Shelbyville to work on the house some more. We had a Painting Party!!! The morning began with Dan and I cleaning a bit more, me crying because I've been totally stressed out with this whole thing, and some prayer time. Late morning / early afternoon, Devon and Mickey arrive with paint brushes in hands!! Mickey and Dan painted the walls, while Devon and I did all the edging. Mickey also was nice enough to do all of the trim work around the ceiling for us. We were able to finish all the paint work by about 8ish. After that, we tackled the doors, and baseboards with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers! I love these things! Mary also stopped by for a bit and helped Devon and I with the edging work. There was one point where I had the opportunity to really open up for the first time to sisters in Christ about the fear and the stress that I have been facing with all of this. I had really become a bit angry and bitter with God, because there's this guy at work who put his home on the market and is selling his truck, in the same week that Dan and I put the house up for sell, and trying to sell his truck, and this guy's house has sold already, and his truck has sold also! I'm like, "God, what the heck?!?! Why is he recieving the blessings, but not us?" I mean, it's so bad that Dan and I are talking about foreclosure and bankruptcy if the house doesn't sell quick enough. And if we do that, Dan wouldn't qualify for Pell Grants any more, and it may hurt our adoption one day. And I had become very upset with God.

After Mary had left the house, she called me and spoke true wisdom and encouragement to me. She told me that whatever happens is God's will. No matter what it is. Whether it sells, whether is forecloses. HE IS IN CONTROL!! I so needed that reminder. I had lost site of that. I hate how I allowed Satan to throw me off course, and off focus of Him. But I can now say that I finally have peace with this whole house thing!

"God, thank you for Mary's obediance to You. For her loving spirit, and boldness to remind me that You are in complete control. You know the plans You have for us, You know the future, and whatever happens is Your will. You will never leave us. Thank you for Devon and Mickey's willingness to help. To sacrifice their Saturday and weekend plans to help us.

Whatever happens, I will trust You and Your plans, even though it may be painful. I will still love You and obey You. You are still God. Thank You Jesus for seeing us through this."

We ended up on Sunday with a completly clean, painted house!!
It officially goes on the market today, Monday!

Thank you Devon, Mickey, and Mary! Without you all, we couldn't have done it!! You all will never know how grateful we are to you guys for your help!

We arrived back home on Sunday afternoon with a flood. Yes, a flood. (If you were to ask Nicholas though, it's chocolate milk!!!) All the way from somewhere between Corbin and Barborsville and through Pineville. Everything was completly flooded. The road to campus was covered in spots, and the creek was almost touching the bridge leading up to our cottage. Our cottage is high enough up on a hill, that it's ok. However one of the homes close to the creek is very close to being flooded. Water is just about a foot away from their home. The rain has stopped for now, but it is SNOWING outside now. Man, this weather is crazy!

I'll try to get some birthday pics up soon. But until next time,

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." ~ Galations 6:9

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber." ~ Psalm 121:1-3

Go Zachary!!!

This week Zachary recieved his first report card, and he is doing so great in school! He recieved all 1's and 2's (A's and B's) in all areas! We were so proud! Today, the state did reading tests at his elementary school. Zachary's test results show that he reads at a second grade level!!! AWEE!! MY BABY!! I am one proud mama right now! He is so smart!
Go, Zachary, Go!!

Please Pray

Hey Guys. So, I think Satan is throwing out another attack. Dan and I are in need of some huge prayer right now. Looks like we will be selling our home. Actually, it will be on the market this week! In August, God provided us a way to rent our home, and now He has closed that door. The renting thing has fallen through. Now, we are needing to catch up the mortgage, complete projects, and fix repairs to get it ready to sell. Financially, we know it is impossible for us to do these things, however, I know nothing is impossible with my God. In the past 6 months, I have seen Him provide in ways that I have never experienced. I know He is still with us through this struggle. Please pray that God will provide financially, and will comfort emotionally through this stress.

Thanks guys! Love you all!

Nicole

PRAISE GOD!!!

YAY!! After being on campus for 6 months, DAN FINALLY HAS A JOB!!!!! With a few seniors leaving campus, that opened up some positions! Dan will be working part - time in between classes on the maintenance crew. And just in time for our new financial struggle that has been thrown at us. We'll still be short each month, but hey, it's something!! God is already providing!! THANK YOU JESUS!!

What is Impossible?

Hey Guys. So a new challenge has very recently been thrown at us. (More details to come very soon.) I am very scared. Dan has complete peace with God about it. But mine just isn't there yet. I am finding some comfort in this:

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Luke 1:37
For nothing is impossible with God."

Luke 18:27
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Please pray for us, that God will come through. I know He is faithful, and that He is always with us. I think Satan is just trying to discourage me. Please just pray. Thanks guys!

TRUCK FOR SALE!!

Ok, here's the deal! Our truck HAS GOT TO GO!!! Some unexpected financial issues have come up, and we have got to sell our truck. So please, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!

Here are the details:
2008 Dodge Ram
Four Door
32,000 Miles
6 Cylinder
Stick Shift
Great on Gas!! - It really is! It actually gets better gas milage than my car!! :)
Asking price: $15,000
Kelly Blue Book Value: $16,000

Thanks guys! And please, try hard for us!