January Facebook Posts

January 1--Beautiful promises for 2012--Happy New Year to you all! 2012 will bring us more opportunities to love Him and love others! Let's make it count! ♥

January 1--Each year I choose a one word focus for the New Year. I challenge you to do the same. Choose one word to study, to grow in, to draw you closer to His plan for your life.

Our family's word for 2012: HONOR. May we learn to HONOR God and HONOR each other in deeper ways. ♥

January 1--Yet another unexpected visit today. My dear Great Aunt Marian met up with us. She has inspired me since I was a child. At 80, she takes annual trips to Africa to care for 107 orphans in a home she and her late husband helped to build. She asked each of us to share about ourselves, our dreams, our passions...6 of her 10 great great nieces and nephews got to know her...wish the other four had been there. We are blessed to have her in our lives, paving the way...♥

 

January 2--Please “like” if you will pray today for my Great Aunt M and her 107 “grandchildren” in Africa. At age 80, she takes annual trips into Africa and raises funds for this ministry.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, let me know! If you cannot afford to do it alone, ask other friends or family members to co-sponsor with you! ♥

January 3--“Like” if you will say a prayer for “The City of Hope” and the 107 orphans who live there. Pray for sponsors for each one. If you would like to sponsor a child, message me for details.

 

January 3--(Worship Song—“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin)

 

January 5--Please "like" if you will pray for the workers at "City of Hope" in Tanzania. Pray that they will represent Jesus to the children who live there. Pray for deeper revelation of God's love, mercy and grace so they can offer the same to others. Pray for purity, intergrity and righteousness. ♥

 

January 5--"Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary

Nevertheless, we lay it at Your feet"

(Worship Song--"Emmanuel" by Casting Crowns)

 

January 5—“I was blessed with a visit from beautiful Hannah this evening. Abbey stopped by briefly, too. I love the girls so much!”

 

 

January 6--Thank You, Jesus, for Your blood! Thank You for washing my shame away, for cleansing me, for healing me and raising me up. ♥

(Worship Song--"O The Blood" by Kari Jobe)

 

January 7--All around us, people are hurting...open our eyes, Lord! Help us to SEE and to LOVE the way you do! ♥

 

(Song--"Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heathe)

 

January 7--Saturday morning at my house...cartoons with my boys, snuggles with the puppy. Life is good...

 

That crazy moment when I look up, expecting to see a grown man and realize the voice belongs to my boy...oh, how the years go by! ♥

 

January 8--TODAY! Calling all youth (grades 6-12)! We will meet at The Hub (see directions on this invitation). Let's make 2012 count as we discover our destiny and learn more about loving God and loving others!  Today, we will be watching "Courageous."

 

January 9--This song always fills my ♥ with HOPE...I've jammed to it many times, with two specific people on my mind...I've witnessed one find his "next thing" and my hope has soared for the other...God's plan is still GOOD, to bring HOPE and a FUTURE! Keep praying for those who need to find JESUS and their "next thing!" He hasn't given up on them, we should not either! ♥

 

(Song--"Next Thing You Know" by Matthew West)

January 9--Prayer focus for this week, my "Mama M" who serves COTN in the DR, ministering to Haitian refugees. I met this amazing lady in 1993 when we both served with NEWMissions in Leogane, Haiti. She is a missionary unlike any other that I have... met! She gives, gives, gives! She knows that Jesus is her Husband and puts all of her trust in Him. Please "like" if you will pray for this mighty warrior today. She needs our prayes, the battles rages around her, every single day! ♥

 

January 11--My ♥ aches for so many precious young people who are hurting tonight...Jesus, You are the only One who can heal what is broken...do what only You can do. Preserve lives, heal broken ♥'s, redeem shattered spirits...bring beauty from the ashes and raise these precious lives up to be mighty warriors for You...♥

 

January 11--"So I shout out Your name
From the rooftops I proclaim
I am Yours, I am Yours
All that I am
I place into Your loving hands
I am Yours, I am Yours!" ♥

(Worship Song--"Rooftops" by Jesus Culture)

January 11--Please "like" if you will pray for "Mama M" today. She asks that we pray for a little boy, seven years old, who is living in the streets. He has been kicked out of his home and Malou is trying to minister to him. When I asked her how I could pray for her, this is the request she made. She didn't asked for prayers for herself, but for someone else. That's just the way she is! ♥

 

January 11--Wearing my ORANGE today to in honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day!! Please "like" if you will PRAY for those who are trapped in slavery and ASK ANOTHER PERSON to pray today! Let's raise a mighty voice and declare, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

 

27 MILLION PEOPLE are trapped in human slavery. Can we even COMPREHEND that number? As someone said, don't try to grasp 27 million, just consider ONE (your daughter or son, your niece or nepehew, a child you teach)...and that is enough to BREAK OUR ♥'s! Let's RAISE A VOICE, BRING THIS HORROR INTO LIGHT AND LET'S DO OUR PART TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE!!!!!

For more info about how you can fight human trafficking in our world, check out International Justice Mission and Exodus Cry, in our state, check out Richmond Justice Initiative and in our town, check out Shenandoah Valley Justice Initiative. Thank God for the mighty men and women who are on the frontlines fighting to set the captives FREE!!!

 

January 11--In the midst of "yuck," this song came on the radio...what a powerful reminder! And, you can get a FREE ITunes download of this song on KLOVE.com! ♥

"All I know is I'm not home yet

This is not where I belong

Take the world and give me Jesus

This is not where I belong"

(Song--"Where I Belong" by Building 429)

 

January 11--D AND AND C FOUND MY PHONE, LAYING IN THE RAIN IN THE PARKING LOT AT MICHAEL'S! It is wet, but it does not appear to be crushed. So thankful that it didn't fall into the hands of someone who might harass my contacts!! WHEW!!!

 

As I shared on Sunday, I was challenged by "Jesus Calling" last week. She said we should always be ready, in any and every situation, to say "Jesus, I trust You." So, right in the middle of the freaking out about the phone, I took a deep breath and spoke those words. I drove back to one of the stores I have just left and retraced my steps. As I was approaching the store, I noticed a lady sitting in a car, waving frantically. I was scared, thinking she might be in trouble (and I had no cell phone to use to call for help). The door opened and a voice said, "Heather? It's me, ____." I almost wept when I realized who it was...she is a precious sister who is going through a really tough time right now. Sitting in her car, in the rain, she had just asked God to send a sister in Christ to minister to her...so we hugged, cried together, prayed, hugged some more...if I had not misplaced my cell phone, I would not have returned, and would have missed a divine appointment...does He care? About every detail, big and small...why yes, I think He DOES!! ♥

 

This lady lives an hour away and I've only met her face to face ONE other time...the fact that we were both there, and that she recognized me is also amazing!

 

January 12--HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY, CJ! "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 ♥

 

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY, JI! "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “ Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 ♥These are the life verses we chose for our boys when we chose their names. I pray that they will walk and talk with Jesus, all the days of their lives. I pray that He will lead them and teach them to become His hands, feet and ♥ to the world around them. I love you, Carson and Jordan! ♥ ♥

January 12--While this day is one of celebration for our family, it is also one that represents much sorrow to many others. Thinking of our beloved Haiti, as today marks the two year anniversary of the earthquake. Grateful to all those who serve faithfully in Haiti, including Haiti Family Ricardo Francois and Kendra Francois, NEWMissions (John Schaefer is serving there now, rebuilding schools), God's Littlest Angels, Malou (serving in the DR, ministering to Haitian refugees), Renee Rosen Edme and for so many others who work year after year to see hope restored. Praying for beauty to rise from the ashes! ♥

January 12--(Steps for Haiti) A wonderful way to support Haiti, rasie awareness of human slavery and unite with our own community! If you would like to join my team, please let me know! If you are already forming a team, let me know so I can pray for you! ♥

January 12--My favorite song that rose up from the devastation of the Haiti earthquake. We are listening. We do remember. Haiti, Jesus LOVE YOU! ♥

(Song--"Are You Listening?" by Kirk Franklin and Friends of Haiti)

 

January 13--In all things, at all times, I choose to say, "I trust You, Jesus."

"Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?" Psalm 56:3-4 (NJKV) ♥

 

January 13--18 kids, in a huge multipurpose room, 25 Nerf guns and 150+ Whistler darts...Happy Birthday, C and J! ♥

 

 

January 13--Renew Night!  TONIGHT! This event is for all youth, grades 6-12! Join us! ♥

(Later, awesome Renew Night! Sooooo good to see so many AWESOME youth! I cannot wait until June!)

 

January 16--If MLK were here today, I know his ♥ would ache for the 27,000 million slaves that suffer in our world. "Like" if you will share this video and raise a voice to set the captives FREE! As we expose this atrocity, as we pray against it and as we give of our resources to fight it, then, only then, will we see change come!

January 16--Many of my FB friends have posted the video mentioned in this blog. I ask you to read the words, verse by verse, and consider what the Word says. The Word always prevails.

Jesus hates FALSE religion, but true religion (see Isaiah 58) is His ♥.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/13/does-jesus-hate-religion-kinda-sorta-not-really/

 

January 18--I don't know any more than what this blog states. CE is a young man who needs our prayers! He went into Haiti to serve and was robbed and shot. Robberies and kidnappings are common, please pray for the safety of those who are in Haiti.

 

(Later, please "like" if you will PRAY for CE. See link to Caring Bridge on my wall. Chad is a young man who went to Haiti to serve and was robbed and shot. He was airlifted to Miami and went through surgery, please lift up this young man. Please pray for the safety of other missionaries in Haiti.)

January 18--"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17-18 (NKJV) ♥

 

January 19--Praying for healing rain to fall on all who need it...for physical healing, emotional healing, relational healing, spiritual healing...Onlly YOU can heal the broken places, Jesus. Do what only You can do. ♥

 

(Worship Song--"Healing Rain" by Michael W. Smilth)

 

January 19--There's nowhere else I'd rather be...I'm running to Your arms! ♥

(Worship Song--"Forever Reign" by Hillsong)

 

January 19--Please "like" if you will pray for CE today. He awaits another surgery and needs protection from infection. Also, pray for other missionaries who are in Haiti, for protection and WISDOM to know if/when danger is near.

 

January 19--(Steps for Haiti) This event blends several things I am passionate about--YOUTH UNITING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND END HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN HAITI!

If you'd like to JOIN MY TEAM OR SPONSER ME IN THIS WALK, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!! ♥

 

January 19--After the craziness of holidays, birthdays, sickness and "life," I feel a bit stressed...I look at this photo and remind myself...

"Self, THIS is what matters most." ♥

 

January 20--Read updates on CE. Please "like" if you are praying for this special young man.

Yesterday, he said, "Hi to everyone. I want to thank all of you for your many prayers. God has been so good to me. I am in his hands, and I know he will ta...ke care of me. I feel like my faith has been strengthened in so many ways. Continue to pray that God can use this situation for His glory. I really want Him to receive all the praise!

Also please pray for the 3 men in Haiti. Pray that somehow they would come to know Christ through this. They have a soul too. I want them to know that I have forgiven them and love them.

Thanks for praying for Rodney and Shawn and all the others in Haiti, too.

Sorry for the short posting, my body is still very week and I soon become exhausted

Thanks for all the encouraging messages!!!  --C"

January 20--Fun crop night! So happy that my sis, N, showed up. She knocked out 12 pages on her first try...that's just awesome.

D got to clean snow off of everyone's cars...yes, SNOW!

And, my bro stopped by with his three kiddos..and our craziest ran out in the snow...barefoot....memories. ♥

January 21--Day of rest. At home. Peace, quiet, nothing pressing...that's more like it! ♥

 

January 21--Please "like" if you will pray for CE and the E family. He was able to reunite with all of his siblings yesterday, that was a MIRACLE! God is moving!

 

January 22--(Sunday morning) Seek Him...He is waiting. ♥

 

January 23--The update on CE is below. God is working daily miracles for this precious young man! He was able to visit with the medical team that saved his life in Haiti! The team of doctors, from the US, were exactly where they needed to be a week ago. God is so good, He goes before us to make a way!

(Later, please pray for Chad Esh, the young man who was shot in Haiti last week. He just went through another surgery and is in severe pain. The family has felt our prayers and needs them now! Bless you all for praying!)

 

January 24--"Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed!" ♥

(Worship Song--"You'll Come” by Hillsong)

January 24--"For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NKJV) ♥

Do we really want to be like Jesus? Then we must be ready to endure grief and sorrow. Ignorance is bliss, wisdom is painful!

 

January 26--Jesus, I trust YOU. ♥

 

January 26--It's time to start planning for Harrisonburg Pregnancy Center's Walk for Life. JOIN OUR FAMILY! WALK WITH US! If you cannot attend the walk but want to donate to HPC, just click on our fundraising page and give! Let's move mountains and save lives together! ♥

 

January 28--Youth and parents! Do not delay! Are you planning to attend Renew 2012? Go to the website, print off registration forms, get your payment and turn it in ASAP! If you want to attend but your youth group is not planning to, let me know so we can make arrangements!

January 29--I love this song!

"Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound the of Your great name
All condemed feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name

Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
That all the world may praise Your great name

All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
Sick are healed, the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name." ♥

(Worship Song--Natalie Grant, "Your Great Name")

January 29--Worship Him...He alone is worthy! ♥

January 30--"As the day, so shall your strength be." Deut. 33:25 Thank You, God, for giving us exactly what we need for each new day. ♥

January 31--"My light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark." --Jesus Calling

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me..." Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) ♥