Little Mommy

Little Aubrey loves, loves, loves every one of her baby dolls. You would think she would just be attached to a particular one, but she is attached to them all! We have so much fun watching her be such a mom to her babies. She will walk around the house and try to go places with literally 5 or 6 dolls in her arms. We want both our girls to follow the plan God has for their lives, and never want to place an expectation on them that would interfere with that plan. It would not take us by surprise, however, if God's plan for Aubrey included running an orphanage! She is so concerned for every doll.

Throughout the day, she sees to it that they get their naps. This weekend I was cleaning the house, preparing for our life group that we host in our home every 2nd & 4th Sunday night of the month. As I cleaned, I discoverd sleeping babies EVERYWHERE! I posted a few pics just for fun.

These babies are on opposite sides of the Moses basket,
both carefully tucked in with a blanket.

These two are having a little nap together on the floor.

When babies go missing, I've learned to check the cabinets.
I guess they make for a cozy little dark place.

These two are having cheerios for a snack.

Aubrey gets to eat what they don't. :-)

Aubrey is right with me while I'm cutting the bell pepper for our fajitas at Home Life Group.
So are her babies.

She's one happy little mommy.

We wish everyone a fantastic week. God Bless!
~Josh & Jill

Winter Camp

A few things we are so excited about over Winter Camp next weekend:

1. Giving our students the opportunity to retreat and experience God's presence.

2. Early morning walks and private devotion spent with God.

3. The chance to be with other youth ministers around the state that we only see at events like this.

4. The fact that the weather will be nice. November is like a Michigan summer in Louisiana!

5. The time we'll get to focus on ministering to our incredible students! As much as we love the precious girls God has given us to train up, we cherish the times we get to minister with undivided attention.
Below we have posted a few pics of our incredible students we'll be with at camp.

Each Wednesday, we split into Connect Groups for
small group time.

We've got some Godly girls in our bunch!

A little confession: I had actually posted a few more pictures, but got a little too happy with the backspace key and deleted them! I am not blog savvy enough to get them back without having to nearly start over, so we're a few pictures short of what we would have been! Sorry if you're a student and were really hoping to see your picture on here! Hopefully we will have opportunity to update the blog with pictures during Winter Camp of what's going on! If not, we will get pictures up shortly after! Love you all!

Progress

I was wishing so much today that the girls were big enough to take a picture of how Boston looked during our leash walking training session! I would have LOVED to post a picture. I was so proud of him. He did not flop like a fish one time! (If you haven't read our previous blogs, you may be feeling a little lost. Saturday's blog tells the story of our episodes with Boston, our Brittany Spaniel, and the leash!) I have come to the conclusion there is something about a leash that just terrifies him. When we began working with him today, he immediately put both front paws on that leash like he was ready for the dog dance show. Then he moved one paw to my back jean pocket with the other paw still on the leash. Then with both paws wrapped around my leg he kept up with me. This was when I realized he must really be scared. It reminded me so much of when the girls hug on my leg when they are feeling insecure about something. Finally, after several laps around our small yard, he WALKED! All fours! The girls gave him lots of encouragement and treats. I think we'll be taking a nice family walk really soon, and maybe even a trip to the park... all five of us!

Happy Monday

I'd like to take a moment to say "Happy Monday" to all our readers out there. This morning the girls are playing well (the reason I am able to blog right now... smile) and we have our radio station, miracle 89.1 playing because we want to catch our pastor sharing a one minute devotional on the radio. Last Monday was the launch of the new radio ministry, and since we haven't slowed down to catch it yet, we decided today is the day. Pastor shares a one minute devotional on the radio each day, three times a day. We are so thankful for what God has done in our midst at Gateway Church, and are full of anticipation to see what He has in store for the weeks, months, and years to come!

Yesterday we had a special service in which our pastor began a series called, "How Does Anyone Stay Married Fifty Years?" At the end, every couple in the building stood at the front and renewed marriage vows. It was a special moment between Josh and me, but also was a special moment to look around and see all the married couples God has drawn into our church. Just a year ago, our church was devastated and in state of absolute emergency. From a business standpoint, and for all practical purposes, the church should not have survived. Yesterday we had over 300 people for the first time in over a year! God is so good.

If you are interested in the one minute devotionals that our Pastor has written, you can click on our link to the Gateway Church website and there is a place for you to sign up to receive a devotional each day via email. We love you, and thank you for all the prayers you lifted before our Heavenly Father in our time of need. As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of a scripture God spoke to me in February. It has sustained Josh and me and it is our prayer that it will do the same for you.

"He is your constant source of stability. He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him." Isaiah 33:6

Born to be Free

Somehow October slipped away from us before we could blink twice! We were so busy last month potty training little Aubrey, and I am proud to announce that we have been in big girl undies on errands in town, at church nursery, home, and even bedtime through the night for an entire two weeks! No more diapers, no more pull-ups, Aubrey is officially a big girl and we couldn't be more proud of her! This would make me a little sad to think of our "baby" being all grown up, but the thought of how we can put all that extra diaper money to good use cheers me right up!
In the midst of potty training a very busy little two year old girl, we've made an effort to go on evening walks with our Brittany Spaniel puppy, Boston. The first time we tried to walk Boston with a leash he would not have it. Feeling a little sorry for him in how hard it must be to be such a little guy living in a strange home, we decided not to push the issue right away. We got in the habit of taking walks where the neighborhood is still developing, and there is minimal traffic. He does a pretty good job of just keeping up with us leash free. Today I must have felt up to a new challenge. I decided to go out in the yard with the girls and put that leash on Boston, who has doubled in size since our last "training" session, and teach him to walk. The moment he saw the leash, he took off running trying desparately not to get caught by the woman with the leash. Once I finally harnessed him, he refused to walk. I had to literally drag him, and even then he flipped around like a fish out of water trying to get free. At one point he had both front paws holding the leash and was walking on his hind legs. It looked like some kind of dance you see in those dog shows on TV. Later in the day, we braved a walk down the street. Even though I'm embarrassed to admit it, this was his first real training session. He didn't catch on very well. We drug him around the neighborhood. The girls found it so funny. You should have seen him when he saw the fence leading to the back yard. He couldn't wait to get inside it and detach the leash.
I guess the whole adventure reminded me of us, and our longing for freedom. I really couldn't blame Boston for not wanting to be on a leash, but I wanted for him to understand that this was his ticket to leaving the confinement of the back yard. If he would walk with us, and obey our commands, a trip to the park with the girls would be a lot of fun. So far, he's staying home when we go to the park. Hopefully training session two will bring more progress.
We can be the same way at times, can't we? So often it's the difficult things, the trials, the testing, that are the very things that free us. At the time all we can see is the restriction of the leash, but if we'll allow God to teach us, and follow His guidance, we may just get to take a trip to the park!

Vacation Time

We spent last week finding solitude with family. Just thought we'd share a few pics of our time away!

We found a little "no kid" time to ride.

Just the two of us

Kylee and her cousin Jaden. They had a blast together!

Josh & his brother, Jason
Our two little nephews, Jaden and Braden

Aubrey & Pawpaw

Kylee & Jaden
They look like they could be brother and sister!

Four cousins
We could not get them to look at the camera for anything!

Going on a boat ride

This was the aftermath of the boat ride!

Jill & the girls

Water!

She's not looking too sure of this.

The girls and their Pawpaw

Boston

True love

I thought this was cute!

My Miracle List

Today I was blessed with some wonderful quiet time with my Jesus while my precious little bundles of energy took a nice, long nap. As I spent time in prayer, reflection, and the Word, I felt compelled to go open up a journal in which I haven't written in quite some time, and pray over the names of people I have written in that journal. At the top of the page of people with prayer needs, I had written the scripture,

"Carry each other's burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

When I read that scripture, I was flooded with emotion as I remembered why God had at one time impressed that verse so deeply in my heart. You see, the law of Christ that verse talks about is the principle of love. And to love people is what ministry is all about. I had made it my prayer that I would truly love people, whether I felt loved by them in return or not. How do we love? According to Galatians 6:2 we carry each other's burdens. So as the Lord puts a name on my heart, or I am aware of a need, I write it in my journal, and pray over the names often.

Today when I opened the journal and began to read the names and the needs, I began to realize that several of them had been met! Not just one or two, but several! I was not asking God to meet a need, but praising Him for the miracles He had given!

One miracle was a baby born healthy through a pregnancy that doctors said would likely terminate early.

Another miracle was a teenager in our youth group who had been praying for boldness! I've seen her go after God with everything and reach out to others around her without fear!

A marriage that could have easily come to a screeching halt months ago is now thriving as the couple is more in love with each other than ever. Not only are they in love with each other, but with Jesus and the call of God on their lives! They are now pursuing full time ministry!

One precious grandmother that I love very much has believed and waited for years for her children and grandchildren to commit to God. One of her grandsons is now serving God and on a path to freedom, wholeness, and ministry!

A former student of ours had rebelled against God and turned his back on anything to do with God. Now he interns with us and is pursuing God's call to full time ministry on his life.

I had prayed in the altar several months ago with a student whose mom had been to the doctor for a routine check up only for them to find a mass that could be cancerous. The report? No cancer! Completely healed in Jesus' name!

This same girl was believing and trusting God for quite sometime for restoration in her relationship with her father. One day she came to the altar again, but not to pray about it again. She shared how God had put a peace in her heart that she is in her father's life for such a time as this and that God has given her the strength to love him... and her new stepmom! Not just love, but love well.

These are not just things I've seen God accomplish over the past months. These were things I've seen God accomplish that were ON MY LIST! I got so excited as I began drawing circles around the things that were accomplished through the mighty, loving, work of God!

Let me leave a challenge with you to create a list if you do not already have one. Carry the burden of someone else, and watch what God will do with that! Not only will their need be met, but the love of God will grow in you heart!