The other night my husband said "I have something for you to blog about." (Side note: I am so thankful for a husband who supports even my blogging, it's just too cool!) He proceeded to tell me about our daughter getting a boo boo the night before. She was crying and said "Daddy, get the Bible", he said "why baby", she said "because it makes me feel better". What a sweet reminder that His Word truly is the answer. We waste valuable time pondering our problems, consulting others, worrying, I'll say that one twice WORRYING, over analyzing, playing situations out in our minds, etc... But what really brings resolution and revival is His Word.

(I realize this post in similar to my last, I figured you all wouldn't mind another reminder to spend some time with our Heavenly Father.)

Mark 10:15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Let's enter His kingdom like a child, let's believe with a childlike faith untainted by the world that He can do anything and I do mean ANYTHING! Let's invite Him to hold us in His arms, lay His hands on us and bless us.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Do Not Disturb

I have a very dear friend who told me the neatest story about how she was curious what her husband had experienced at one of their church functions which was for men only. She wanted to question him about it but clearly heard God inform her that her husband had a "do not disturb sign up" because God was spending time with him. What a powerful message.

This story touched my heart in more ways then one. It reminded me that God desires to be in a relationship with each of us, to spend time with us?

Do you hang your do not disturb sign up for Him? I know I could hang my do not disturb sign up much more often. I challenge you today to hang that sign and soak Him up, chat with Him, share your heart with Him. It will change your life!

p.s. If you have not read "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge please do so! I don't want to say too much about it because I want you to be so curious that you run out, purchase it and start reading it right away. BUT be prepared, it's extremely thought provoking and if you will allow God to do so, He will use it to clean you out and refresh your soul! PLEASE come back and share you thoughts with me as you read it! ENJOY!

"Feeling blessed"

(Danielle, this post is dedicated to you for your sweet reminder that I need to be better at posting :-)

One beautiful Sunday afternoon my husband, daughter and myself were riding to the mall for lunch following an awesome service at Open Door Ministries. I was riding along feeling happy and at ease as I posted "feeling blessed" from my blackberry on facebook (no I wasn't driving Oprah). Almost as soon as I hit "send" I yelled at my hubby to watch out because the driver in front of us slammed on their breaks to turn into the mall, of course my hubby responded that he'd already seen it and he had it under control. Our attitudes went from content and peaceful to tense and snippy in literally two seconds. From that point on we were quiet and on edge with one another the rest of the day. Even my daughter informed us that we should not be arguing, oops... note to self, don't argue in front of the kids, pretty sure I've heard that one in some parenting book somewhere!

Why does this happen? How can moods go from good to bad so quickly? How should we have handled this situation?

The fact of the matter is the enemy sneaks in any chance he gets, we have to be on guard at all times. I wish I could say that I am like God and always "slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8 God is referred to this many times in the Bible, why can't we be more like Him instead of being quick to anger and abounding in hate. Yes, I used the word HATE because when we do not love we hate. I love and adore my husband, I would never want him to feel hatred from me but I bet he did on this particular afternoon. Not only did he more than likely feel hatred from me my daughter witnessed it. I was not a very good example for her and what I pray she will be like as a wife one day.

As I sit here pondering this I am motivated to respond better. I am encouraged to persevere through irritable moments and come out at least trying to maintain a positive attitude. I understand life is not always rainbows and sunshines, I so know that. But like my mom has told me my entire life, our response is what makes or breaks the situation at hand.

Twas the week after Christmas

So how are you feeling on this Monday after Christmas?? Overwhelmed with cleaning and organizing like me? Why in the world do we pack so much in during Christmas break that we are exhausted afterwards?!?! I am serious, WHY? My house is a wreck but filled with all neat things that we received for Christmas (which we are very thankful for) but what do we do with it all? I guess this isn't a very encouraging message today but it's something that is weighing on me so I needed to get it off my chest.

Do you make a new years resolution? Well I haven't spoken one out loud for the past few years but I must admit that in my head I always think weight loss, organization and be on time (my Hubby will love that one). But do I follow through? Not usually. We rush rush rush all year, smack right into Christmas then rush into the new year. Will you join me in slowing down? My husband and I came up with a plan last night to hit one room at a time and not try to tackle the whole house at one time, but it's tough to stay in one room, are any of you that way? I start cleaning or straightening one room then end up in another and after a while the whole house is in chaos... I'm REALLY going to try this one room at a time deal!

As far as the weight loss resolution, well that one is still in my head but honestly I'm depending on God to help me through it. I've asked that He change my heart towards working out and eating right and that He makes both of those things part of my normal routine, although I know it will take a lot of work on my part as well.

Being on time - well I'll put it this way, my Husband has had a watch for years that he actually wears but it says 12:15 ALL THE TIME. It's kinda funny! I got his watch repaired for Christmas and sent him on a hunt to find it. Here's the little riddle that went along with it:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Mommy and Abigail were sneaky as a mouse… Daddy thought all was lost but he’ll soon know that we have it all under control.
The stockings were hung, presents under the tree, Abigail and Mommy came up with a clever scheme. Daddy was out shopping while Mommy and Abigail continued their plan, they were excited with visions of Daddy figuring out their scam. Daddy arrived home and called out by name, now Mommy, now Abigail and quickly they came, to greet him at the door so he wouldn’t spoil the surprise, soon he will know that his gift had arrived. With a tree full of presents and Santa Claus too, Abigail’s gift will make Daddy shout WOOHOO! We love you Daddy and want to help you in 2010 to follow through with your resolution to be on time again and again…

So with all this said, I hope you will enter this week with a peace even if your house is a wreck like mine. Tackle one room at a time and take a deep breath as you ease into 2010! Blessings to you all during the New Year!

Clean Out Your Closet

I was cleaning out my daughter's room last year around this time and found myself COMPLETELY overwhelmed! I don't know about you but I hate sorting through clothes, toys, nick knacks or really any kind of cleaning in general. SO this particular Saturday was not my favorite. As I put stuff aside to donate, packed clothes away for our next baby, threw A LOT of junk (I'll call what it is) in the trashcan I felt refreshed and powerful. God spoke to me about the holiday season and how we need to "clean out our closet" to prepare our hearts for the season. We need to allow our hearts to receive the true meaning of the season. Thanksgiving is meant for celebrating what we are THANKFUL for, what are you thankful for? CHRISTmas is meant for celebrating Christ's birth not Santa popping in late on Christmas eve with a bag full of goodies. Although the goodies are fun and exciting we should be excited about what God did for us when He sent His one and only Son to earth for one purpose only, US!

How do we "clean out our closet"?

#1. Figure out what separates us from God. Me personally, I get separated by busyness - that's a HUGE one for me. I once heard Sheri Rose Shephard say something like this at a conference at Open Door... the devil might not be able to take away God, he might not be able to break our faith BUT he can make us busy – that’s a trick of the enemy. That is powerful to me, I get sucked in to my busy schedule so easily then there's no time for God, no time during this season to be truly thankful. Tricky enemy! So figure out what prevents you from spending time with God, get rid of whatever it is or make some changes to your schedule, learn to say NO.

#2. Stay focused on HIM. Remain in His Word, have quiet time! Romans 12:1 says Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your act of worship. 2 DO NOT CONFORM any longer to the pattern of the 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. Do not conform to the world friends, be transformed by His Word, accept His good, pleasing and perfect will for your life.

#3. PRAY... PRAY... PRAY!!! I think that pretty much speaks for itself!

James 4:4 says You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. HATRED toward God, wow! I personally want to be a friend of the Lord not the world, what about you!

Separate yourself from the world during this beautiful time of the year, stay focused on HIM and pray my sweet friends. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, CHRISTmas and New Year!

How to overcome...

I said I'd share how I overcome in my last post... since then I hit a mental block as to how I should put it into words. One of my best friends just sent these scriptures to me as encouragement. I found it very fitting to use this as my blog post as to "how I overcome". God blesses us with particular friends to help get us through difficult situations. Through His Word, His strength when we have none and His blessing of positive friends and family I overcome.

I hope these scriptures bless and encourage you as much as they did me:

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope
Psalm 147:11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Proverbs 24:14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Jeremiah 29:11 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.
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Romans 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
1 Timothy 4:10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Hebrews 11:1 [ By Faith ] Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

(Love & appreciate you Angie!)

Do you struggle??

Ok, today is a let's get real day... A fellow blogger asked me when I first started blogging what I wanted my blog to be based on, what I wanted the theme to be, well I really want this blog to be about encouragement for myself and others. A place where I can go and share God inspired thoughts and stories with my friends.

I also want it to be about honesty...SO today I need encouragement! I'm putting this out there in the hopes that some of you will see this and realize that you are not the only one with struggles and that together, with God's help, we can get through. My husband said something on Sunday that has stuck with me this week, "God does not want to hurt us". That's SO TRUE! I have gotten sucked in recently to being all about me and my struggles and what's making me sad but God does not want to hurt me, He wants to bless me. If I can stay there in my mind, I'm at ease but is that an easy place to stay? (Feel free to comment about that!)

I truly feel like the Hubbard house has been under attack, the enemy found a few windows for a sneak attack but we are shutting those windows! I'm sure some of you are curious as to what our struggles have been, well we've been dealing with the loss of our cat, Downy, who was in my life for about fifteen years. She was my girl! We all loved her very much. She was very sick for months before we had to put her to sleep but the last few weeks were awful. I'm sure some of you do not connect with animals and I understand that, but the Hubbard family does so this made for a very sad and emotional time at our house. Another BIG thing that we are dealing with right now is our infertility. I've never blogged about this but to sum our situation up, my husband and I have been trying to have another baby for a little over three years. We conceived our sweet Abigail with no trying at all, we were off birth control for three months, did what we needed to do :-) and Abigail came into the world thirty-seven weeks later. We are considered an "infertility mystery", on paper we should be able to have as many children as we want. For the last three years I've found comfort in God's plan being perfect and have said over and over that we want what God wants, it's true - we TOTALLY want what God wants. But to be honest with you, I haven't been able to find comfort in that for the past month or so. I've prayed all along that I would not be the girl who couldn't go to baby showers or be happy for friends and family that were expecting. I'm sad to report that I am kinda that girl right now. It's awful, I feel guilty for feeling this way. BUT I know that I am human and that those feelings are normal and ok to experience. I have prayed for and been there for girlfriends going through the same stage, I receive that it is ok and in my heart of hearts, I do trust that the Lord's plan is perfect. I haven't really been mad through this wait but I am in a bit of an irritated state right now. My poor hubby and daughter, they have been dealing with an ill wife/mommy recently. Please pray for me and my family!

SO... those are two big things I've been dealing with, a death and not getting my way. Very normal things for any of us to have to deal with. But it's hard isn't it?!?! Let's stop here for today, I'd love to hear what your struggles are and what helps you overcome.

The next post will be how I overcome... God is ABLE, I'll start with that!