More than Him? July 29, 2008
Posted by lesli in infertility journey, inspiration.1 comment so far
In my quiet time today God asked me this question…
“Do you fear any person or anything more than God?”
As I sat there and thought about this question my gut hurt. Yep, I do Lord. I fear lots of things. Fear has really reared its ugly head in my life over the past 3 years. Fear of cancer, fear of losing my husband, fear of losing another member of my family, fear of never having children of my own, fear of giving up on my dreams….anybody been there?
So as I prepare for my surgery this Friday I wanted to share something with you that has helped me a great deal to lay down my fears in the area of having children. Our infertility story is like thousands of couples out there right now. We know that we are not alone. But this prayer has helped me put things in perspective and lay down my fears…day in and day out. This is from an awesome book I read recently called, Hannah’s Hope. I hope it encourages you in some way…to lay down whatever fear you have and know that God is in complete control of our individual circumstances. Whatever our desire…our first love must always for Him and to know Him. He alone can satifsy us….He is more than enough.
Thank you all so much for your prayers! Have a great week!
“Lord, help me to know that You are enough. Take my eyes off myself. Take my eyes off the child I desire. Help me to delight myself in You. Mold the desires of my heart to be in line with Your will. I don’t want to need to be a mother more than I need to be your humble, obedient child. I don’t want wanting to have a baby to be a stumbling block between You and me anymore.
I want to give this desire, this drive, this ache up to You. Help me not to snatch it back as I so often do with the burdens I place in Your hands. Help me to truly be content with Your will and Your timing.
You know that I still desire a baby — someone to mold, teach, train, shape, guide and help to grow in You. But until the day You give me that joyous blessing, help me to grow in You. Let me reach out to those around me. Let me witness and minister to the children You place in my path.
Lord, if adoption is the path You would have us take, prepart our hearts and prepare the child who will share our home. If adoption is not Your will for our lives, keep me from pushing ahead of Your plan. Help me to stay submitted to my husband’s will, and to Your will. If we are headed in the wrong direciton, change our hearts.
Thank you for lifting my burden. Help me to keep You first! Let me seek Your face daily, and let me know that you are enough!
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12
a summer with preteens July 25, 2008
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Here are some pictures of a few of our summer events in the wacky world of preteen ministry! Also, I am happy to announce that ITK is filming a whole new set of videos that will premiere this fall. Can they get any crazier, cheesier??? We shall see!! Stay tuned!
Family Cookout & Swim Party at the Grauman’s!
Jesse in action
Guy’s Fellowship at ELEVATE
2008 VBX
God is always at work July 23, 2008
Posted by lesli in infertility journey, praise, updates.add a comment
So, my surgery date has been scheduled for Friday, August 1. Honestly I am a little nervous, but God is giving me grace and I know that He will go with me on this journey! Please pray that all goes well and that if they find anything, that it can be treated and hopefully improve our chances of conceiving 
Also, for anyone out there needing some encouragement and support on your infertility journey or the loss of a child, miscarriage, etc. I know that this is a big need. Our church is starting a support group for couples on Sunday, August 10 at 4:30pm. I don’t have a room # yet, but for more info call the Care Ministeries Office at 577-4222. How awesome is that? Jess and I will probably be there is you need a friend to go with you
BEACH REACH 08
BEACH REACH 08
Ben and a group of about 40 of our high school students are in Wilmington, NC this week ministering to people there doing some construction and VBS in the evenings…AKA–BEACH REACH 08. See pics above. You can read their updates here…http://www.shbchsblog.com/ . Also another team member in my office, Leena, is serving with a team in Kenya this week. Leena is our Women’s Ministry Director. Pray for their safety as Kenya has had periods of unrest over the last few months.
Ben, Sara & Eli
Church plants in TN are growing. Our High School pastor, Ben and his wife Sara have just announced that they will be starting a church in Morristown, TN over the next few months. Arrowhead church will be a brand new church for the thousands of unchurched in Hamblen County. It is bittersweet because I have worked with Ben for 4 years now and he is an incredible pastor and a dynamic leader. I, along with the rest of our staff and student ministry is going to miss him terribly. But on the flip side, I am really very excited because Morristown is practically like my home town. I have lots of family there and it holds many special memories for me from my childhood. I can see this new church plant being exactly what that area needs and no one better to lead it than Ben and Sara. GOD IS AMAZING and we all are anticipating great things from Arrowhead Church. I will try and post the web site and other stuff when I get it.
We also met an awesome couple last night who are in the planning stages of starting a new church in North Knoxville called The Ridge. The Layne’s are very excited about meeting the needs of the unchurched in this rapidly expanding area of Knoxville. How exciting is that?
So, Jesse and I are really excited that God is moving so much in this area and are encouraged by those around us who are stepping out on faith to answer the call. We also can’t hardly wait for our celebration service on 8-24 here at Sevier Heights as we unveil the finished construction here!!! WOW is all I can say. So much to be praising God for. He is always at work!
coffee news for callie July 21, 2008
Posted by lesli in family, praise.1 comment so far
Even though Callie got some bad news last week about her diagnosis of Diabetes, this week she can praise the Lord for a new job! Callie has been looking for a new job for a while now, and God has provided something awesome.
Liquid Highway is a coffee place that Callie would insist that we always go to when we came to Greenville to visit her. They have this one drink called a Milky Way that is AMAZING. Anyway, little did she know that her passion for coffee would eventually be her next career. She has accepted their offer to become a store manager and will be doing some marketing and PR work too.
The awesome thing is that this place isn’t just another coffee shop. They actually support several mission organizations with their profits. You can read more about their mission on their website: http://www.liquidhighway.com/ How incredible is that?
We are so proud of our little bug in Greenville and praise the Lord for His provisions!
hungry for something? July 17, 2008
Posted by lesli in family, inspiration.3 comments
Jesse and I have embarked on a new adventure over the past two weeks. Some good friends of ours shared with us about a Bible study all about eating habits. Setting Captives Free is a ministry that provides this study online and totally free. We have been blown away by this study already and have learned so much. Food has been a huge idol in my life. I look forward to it, depend on it and look to it to satisfy so many times and totally ignore my time with the Lord. So many times I go to the pantry to get a snack, and it hits me now…I AM NOT EVEN HUNGRY!!! Why am I eating then? Habit, I am bored, etc. The eating plan has really been adjustment, but we can already see how God is teaching us to depend on him when we are weak. Thanks E & B for sharing this great study with us.
As God has been allowing to learn these things, we find out yesterday that Jesse’s sister Callie has been diagnosed with Diabetes. They think it is the type 2, but will run more tests to see. So now she too will have to focus in on her food choices and begin to change some things. We talked with her last night and she was pretty shaken up. But she will rise to the challenge and we will support her 110%. So God is really showing us all as a family how powerful food is, and what changes we need to make to honor him with it.
a decision July 14, 2008
Posted by lesli in infertility journey, updates.1 comment so far
After much prayer, God confirmed our decision about surgery through some awesome friends and family. Jesse and I have decided that I will go ahead and have the laproscopy done to check for endometriosis. My dr. told me Friday that the chance of me having endometriosis is in the high 90s. God has given us peace about the insurance issue, so we are ready to go forward. PRAISE!
God always works on His timetable, but He never leaves in the dark. The way He confirmed this was really awesome and I can’t thank Him enough for the chance to learn more about this process. So many women struggle to concieve and God has given me a heart of compassion for them and what I once took for granted. He has taught me to realize the wonder, beauty and blessing of bringing life into the world. Never again will I see children or parenthood the same. His marvelous power is displayed in every little detail of the human life. I am in awe His power and humbled to see the opportunities He has given us as women to share in HIS creation.
Whatever happens, we know that God is taking care of us. In the meantime I love Jesse more and more everyday and I cherish the time that we have had together just as a couple in our marriage. God is good…in all things…in all times!
happy birthday rachel July 11, 2008
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Today my precious niece Rachel, turns 3 years old. She is having a Hello Kitty party with friends and family. Hope you have a extra special day and we love you sweet girl!!!
cardboard testimonies July 10, 2008
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You gotta see this:
