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A Testimony from Quarantine

I have to give a testimony. So much has changed these last few months. Josh’s Prius died and we got a new (used) car. The boys had three different viruses at once, and Landon was almost hospitalized as a result. They were really sick! Wyatt shredded his leg climbing over a fence. Then, COVID-19 came, the boys got sick, and they were tested. Praise God the tests were negative! I proceeded to pull the boys out of public school for a few reasons after the quarantine. So, I had to create my own school with free curriculum online until next year when they start at a homeschool charter again. When I finally adapted to working out at home, I became pregnant and was put on bed rest due to complications. I went to the ER three weekends in a row with an ectopic scare, and then cramping and other symptoms. While they found a heartbeat and I was told my symptoms are normal, going through them is an entirely different experience. Then, I have to face the reality that this is the first baby my m
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Behind the Scenes

This isolation has made me think about my past. I can see how the Lord is refining me in this situation, although it’s hard to endure. But, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I’m hoping that talking about it will help bring closure. Josh and I made some bad decisions together in our past. Some of those bad decisions were friendships that we tried to maintain despite the fact that those friendships were leading us into sin. Josh and I had been going to church, but I question whether we were even really saved at that point in our lives. But there came a time when the Lord started to convict Josh and me about our sin, which led us to start digging for the truth. We discovered the foundation of our faith, which is based upon the verse Ephesians 2:8-9 which says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works
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Seasons come, seasons go

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I'm back! I had to put this blog and basically all social media on the back burner for awhile. Something was seriously wrong, and I couldn't put my finger on it. Even though we just bought a house and I should be happy, I had never been more depressed in my life. Well...on a routine blood test to check my thyroid levels, it was discovered that they were low and I needed to go back on medication. It's scary to step out on a limb and share this so openly. But, it's also such a relief to know that my depression wasn't onset by anything other than my thyroid. Can you believe it? I should have known. But I was in such a fog that it didn't even occur to me at the time. It didn't help that I had a complete weight loss stall in January due to these levels, as well. I was really letting negative thoughts take hold of my mind, and I wanted to throw in the towel so badly. I can't tell you that things are perfect now. But I'm slowly coming back to my normal and
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The Grief Bug

Is my mom looking down at me from Heaven? Honestly, I'd like to hope not. I don't want her to see me in my sadness. I'd like to think that Heaven is a happy place. How can she be happy if she sees that I'm missing her? " The Bible doesn’t specifically say that people in heaven  cannot  look down on us, so we can’t be dogmatic. However, it is unlikely that they can. People in heaven are likely preoccupied with other things such as worshipping God and enjoying the glories of heaven." (Source:  Can people in heaven look down and see us? ) Josh and I finally bought a house. The circumstances surrounding the process were very complex. Our plans were to wait a couple years. But our living situation was, for lack of better words, unsafe. By the grace of God, he opened up the doors for us and we literally had a house fall into our laps. While our reasons for moving don't matter, it should be a happy time in my life. Other than our children being born, this is one
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SOAP Jeremiah 29:11

S: “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 O: “God thinks about us. In Psalm 40, David pondered the thoughts of God upon His people: Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order, if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered (Psalm 40:5; see also Psalm 139:17-18).” (Guzik) “God’s thoughts run upon his children, the children of affliction, especially, as a father’s do upon his dear children.” (Trapp) “The Lord not only thinks of you, but towards you. His thoughts are all drifting your way.” (Spurgeon) “Brethren, we cannot know the thoughts of the Lord because they are too high for our conception, or too deep for our understanding, yet the Lord knows them.” (Spurgeon) “God has a future and a hope for His people even when they suffer in exile, even when they hurt under deserved discipline or judgment. It is the devil’s deception
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SOAP example

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Recently while doing SOAP, I've been focusing on God's Attributes. With Christmas coming up, I decided to find some verses on "Immanuel," or God with us. Here's the verses I'm using:  Immanuel
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FAQ

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How do I study the Bible, other than just reading it? I get asked this a lot. There are lots of different ways. One way is by reading free text commentary by David Guzik on Blue Letter Bible. Before I go further, realize this is only commentary and not the Bible itself. Please weigh commentary against the Bible itself and see where the Holy Spirit leads you. How do I pray scripturally? I use the SOAP method. This can also be used to understand the word better and apply it to your life. Here's a great blog post on how to do the SOAP method:  How to SOAP What do I do if I have a question about the Bible? I usually go to Got Questions . Again, please weigh all of this against the Bible.
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