spring time snow

When you live in Oklahoma, one thing is for sure....the weather will never disappoint you. My family pays pretty close attention to the forecast...My husband is a weather nerd of sorts ;)Anyway, I saw that we were being forecast to have snow over the weekend but at the time were in the midst of 70 degree temps so honestly didn't think it was possible. I even texted my daughter on Thurs. that we were suppose to get 6 in. of snow on Saturday followed with a baahahahahahaha. Well the joke was on me. I didn't do the usual run to the store and stock up thanks to my menu planning and mostly I just didn't think it was going to happen. When I stop to think of it....It is mostly when I think that way that the storms come and in this case....come it did. We woke up Saturday morning and it was snowing, then thundering then very quickly it became blizzard like conditions. The visibility was awful. My daughter had to work early and brian had planned on driving her but bc it wasn't doint anything nor did it look like it was going to do much he went ahead and let her drive. Well they (her boss) figured out the weather was turning bad so he decided to send her home early....at this point it was still just the light snow. So Brian told her to drive safe and that quickly....it turned into a blizzard. We were praying and pacing the kitchen. We didn't want to call her since she shouldn't be driving and talking but this was serious! Brian was ready to get in his car and go rescue his princess :) We ended up calling her and she was in fact scared to death, had almost run off into a ditch and truly couldn't see the lanes but she made it home safe and sound PRAISE THE LORD!!
The rest of the day was wonderful, we had family time, we played in the snow and then went to housechurch. As I reflect on the day and the snow I felt the Lord saying to me "Loren, My love is like the snow....it covers you like a blanket. And just like you doubted it coming, it came. It was slow, then full force but steady all throughout the day. That is how my love for my children is.... a steady and beautiful love whether you can see it or feel it, it is there" ALWAYS.

Here is few pics that just spoke to me







and here is some fun we had make a springtime snowman


God is sooo good, His love ....may it cover you all the days of your life!

Going to the Throne with confidence

Prayers. That beautiful word and its meaning has changed soo very much for me these past few years. When Brian and I stepped out of the traditional church and began going to a home church prayer at the point in my life was something we may do on occasion, for ourselves, or for others or even going to the altar to be "prayed for" At times when we were a part of a street ministry we would pray over others and God would give us downloads for those individuals and it blessed me as much as it gave hope and encouragement to them.
But when we got into our house church setting everything changed ....for me. It was so very intimate, quiet at times so that everyone knew what was being prayed and I went from a "Prayer warrior" to basically a silent pray-er....Why? FEAR. would I pray right? would I hear from God? and pray His will and NOT MINE? I am a very emotional and open person and usually people are drawn to tell me personal things. Over this past year God has done some amazing teaching in my Spirit and my heart. My desire (which he gives us the desires of our heart) truly was to pray His will and not what I thought they needed bc of the personal things I knew for people so FOR ME this meant....being still, and listening. It has been almost 1 year since I have been at home "not working" I must be honest and say at first it KILLED me to be away from my friends, clients but God has filled that whole with so much love that He has for me teaching me who I am in him, what my new ministry looks like and a new level of trust for each new season we walk through with Him holding our hands. I have learned that truly I can dialogue with the Lord every minute of every day because He is here with me wherever I go. Sometimes, I just sit with my checklist of whys?? sometimes I mourn over the marriages that have been broken and the addictions that people fall prey too. Lord, why are so many afraid to walk through the fire? To persevere as your Word tell us too. To understand that You love us soo much and want those wounds healed but in order to be healed they must bring it out into the light, some must confess, some must repent....Lord knows I did! We all struggle but when we humble ourselves and PRAY, God says he will heal our land. That can mean....our lives, our homes, our marriages and our childrens marriages. Its endless because Gods love for us and the work only He can do for us is above anything we can ask or imagine.
The Lord longs to have intimacy with us and for us to be transparent with one another. Only He knows and searches our hearts. He hears us even before we ask, think, or cry out....He is with us and longs to teach, to listen, to discipline, to help us out of the miry clay and set us on solid ground. He truly is a Father who adores each and every one of us.

menu march 23-28

monday -Cereal bc i am so behind and had noooo food :)

tuesday- dads burgers and homemade fries

wednesday- beans and cornbread

thursday- grilled chicken salad and garlic biscuits

friday-chicken spaghetti, salad and breadsticks

spring break 09'

We had a week that was full of most every emotion possible and we have seen Gods hand at work in soo many lives. We began the week with intentions of going to Dallas on Tues. evening after the meeting Brian had at work for the potential sale of his company. It took alot longer than we had thought and the emotional drain was also more than we had considered soo needless to say we decided at the last minute not to go anywhere out of town. Soo I began asking the Lord for some fun and creative ideas to do with our kids and in the voice of Emeril "BAM" IT hit me.....Take the kids and play a family game of "amazing race" OHHH my goodness it just flowed! The Lord and I dialogued back & forth, I then called my mom and asked her if she could prepare a course and how we could not receive the Next clue until we emailed the completed task along with picture. She did an amazing job and we had soo much fun! It was girls against guys and I quickly figured out why in the show they have taxis bc OMG the competitiveness comes out and you want to drive like crazy!! LOL. The game was cut short when we received a call that Brians mom had been taken to the hospital. She has C.O.P.D. and her oxygen levels were at a very dangerous level. She was transported to Tulsa and the dr says she has a bit of pnuemonia and will be there until mon or tues. We are happy she is improving but also know that with this kind of sickness (copd) we need nothing short of a miracle healing.

My brother had been planning his girlfriends 30th surprise party for about a month now and the day finally arrived! She was soo surprised and so many of her friends & family came to celebrate with her! It was fun seeing the joy in her eyes and the love in my brothers eyes. He truly did an amazing job!



Well I am going to leave you with some of the pics from our amazing race and also my garden that we transplanted into planters....yep you can call me FARMER MCGHEE :)

One More WEEK til Spring Break!! We are all looking very much forward to having a week off from school and work! This will be a quick and very busy week (which ones aren't anymore?)

This weekend I planted some herbs and some veggies thanks to the help and encouragement of Nicole! I will be amazed to see any sprouts from them and like her will find it to be a miracle if I get anything to grow but am hopeful and found it very peaceful just planting all of them! We even did a strawberry basket so I really hope that will be a success!

Menu this week is as follows:

Monday: sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese

Tuesday: tuna casserole salad and biscuits

Wednesday: Youth --snacks on your own

Thurs: Grilled chicken, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole

Friday: Potato Bar-make your own, and a salad

Have a Blessed week!

The Word.

Scripture tells us in Hebrew 4:12: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any tw0-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

WOW! that is a powerful scripture. Only God is able to discern our thoughts, motives, intentions. Our heart is truly bare before Him every day all day long. I know so many times when I have been given a prophetic word it seems they discuss "my heart" for the Lord. I LOVE the Lord and His Word. I have really been trying lately to apply that scripture to all that I do. To see....who I am in Christ, what His will is for me and my family. It is so exciting to understand the spiritual authority He has given us as wives, mothers and just women overall. We are His daughters, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1pet 2:9)To say He called me out of darkness in my sanguine personality would not be NEAR ENOUGH but to shout from the rooftops to all of His children "hey!! if He can do this for me, Ohhhhh how He can do it for you too!"

Gods word is so powerful, so alive, my SWORD! Even as I type this I feel the power of Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. (eph3:20)
The Word is a gift.....it encourages, directs, convicts, leads, guides, searches our hearts and our ways, washes over us with hope, shares stories that we can relate with or look to. To me, the never ending mystery of this book , the sheer fact that I can pick it up and read a scripture one day and learn something and do the same thing 2 months later learn something completely new astounds me! The Holy Spirit leads me into all truth, He teaches me through so many avenues and speaks the same way as well. I am ever grateful to my Father, my Saviour and my Holy Spirit for they came to give me Life and Life abundantly through their presence and their Word!

May it speak to you as well.

Today Brian is off. We are hoping that Jantzen's final gift will be arriving today, a trampoline! He has been unbelievably patient and truly has no idea what kind he is getting. Brian found an awesome tramp with some really cool additions so we are thrilled and can't wait for it to arrive. Jantzen lives on his trampoline and I am so thankful for the weather forecast this week because he will really be able to enjoy it! can't wait to post a pic!

This weeks menu will be:

Monday- Baked chicken, rice and green beans

Tuesday- mexican meatloaf, rice and beans

Wednesday- Lasagna, salad and bread

Thursday- grilled chicken salad, biscuits

Friday-possibly Kristas bday dinner!

Read the post down below FIRST! I WENT BEYOND AND DIDN'T KNOW i HAD A LIMIT

We all laughed and the lady introducing said "No, this is a little boy!" He just looked again at Jantzen and said again in all seriousness. "well....she sure is pretty!" Jantzen just turned his head looking at me across the room and said "And, he is NOT kidding" we have continued to laugh and laugh about Pastor Bob. Well we were at the end of the circle of people and finally there sat Glynna, the lady they made the blanket for. Her head was down and she had no expression but easily showed her frustration. Jantz was introduced to her and they gave her the bag, Jantzen had to help her totally just getting the blanket out was a difficult task. They laid this beautiful blanket across her lap and asked her "Isn't it beautiful?" She said flat out "NO"
Jantz was not in the least offended but just lovingly smoothed it over her legs. Well, then the activity director who was doing all the introducing started to read the cards the kids had made for her. That is when the tears and wave of emotion began to flow. You see, Glynna was a author for childrens books and LOVES children. She was always found in a school "reading to them" and I just experienced such a powerful lesson as I watched all of this play out how Gods grace and how reaping and sowing play out in this life we choose to live. God chose Glynna of all these people to receive this gift. made by the loving hands of children and to hear the words of the children themselves wishing her well and for her to enjoy their labor now. Glynna gave her heart to children and now these children gave theirs to her. That is God, a loving father watching over all of us, whispering, providing, loving and caring for each of His. Jantzen was so grateful for this experience as was I. As I walked out with him, knowing we will return. I just looked at him and said The Favor of the Lord is upon you, in a mighty way, and I am soo blessed to be your mother. He looked at me and said...I didn't come here just for me....I knew you needed to smile mom. The depths of my sons heart is beyond anything I can understand but I know that He has a servants heart, like Davids. I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Friday- I was able to spend the evening with Brian, we went to dinner. I sat and listened about his week. This journey began 2 yrs ago with the possibility that his company would sell and my husband does NOT like change. He has worked for this company over 30yrs. I have literally watch Gods hand and my husbands trust move, grow deeper and wider with each day, month and year. He explained things to me last night about how he knows he has done everything he can do, within the company and also spiritually we have seen some pretty amazing miracles, and both of us know now why the timing has been sooooo long. But to hear my husband say...The realization that this still might not happen and I am ok either way still as I type this just moves me to the core. It is one of the things I learned about in Bible study this week that Beth Moore gave us an exericise to do about fear. fill in the blanks" Well if -------happens then I will------.
there are so many things to which we could write but brians #1 would probably been; If I lose my job then I will be a failure, or I will die. I know men have such a problem with their jobs being their identity but you see that is PART of what has been broken off of Brian. He knows his identity is in Christ, he knows that God is our provider, he knows that we will be ok because we are together and have each other. He knows God will keep us....no matter what.

There are so many other things, seriously that I could type about but these are the highlites to me. I am soo humbled even as I type them out. God is so ....beyond words. truly nothing I can say will suffice. My heart overflows!

Wow I knew this week would fly and it very much did but it was one of those weeks that in my flesh I thought would be slow and honestly hard to make it through but God did amazing and wonderful things each and every day!! His Holy Spirit truly lead me with strength and peace that passed ALL understanding, even in the midst of the enemies attacks on our health, time and thoughts, GOD REIGNED AND WAS OH SO VICTORIOUS! When a person who "knows" the Lord goes throughout their day and just converses with and about their Abba Daddy or Lord it is a natural thing to them but when you have conversation with others who don't "know" Him they think it strange or say to themselves "why do they talk like that?" Well here are just a FEW of the highlites where our God covered me with His wings or Hid me behind His Cross or just gave me peace in the midst of the storm.

Sunday-Jen got sick, fever, throat all the signs of possible flu. We had leadership over here and prayed over her and God poured and washed over her touching her heart, mind, and body. She was back at school by Wed. and felt better by Tues.
Wednesday was youth and also a VERY busy day but each minute the Lord had planned in detail! I picked Jantzen up from school and he asked me to drive across the street to the ALZHEIMERS NURSING HOME, I was finishing up a conversation on the phone and so I just did what he asked and when I finished I asked why we were here. He explained that the blanket that his class had crocheted for a patient here at the facility was finished and a woman had come to receive it for her and that Jantzen wanted to meet her. I honestly did everything I could to keep us from going in and I really can't explain why because our family has a SERIOUS heart for the elderly and adore them but anyway after I came up with every reason why and Jantzen just continued to say "well, we can try" we went in. Immediately to our right, there sat the woman who had come to the school to receive the blanket. She asked me is she could help us and I explained that Jantz was a student who participated in making the blanket for their patient and that he wanted to me her. She was aghast (sp?) and with tear in her eyes she proceeded to explain what we might see as we walked back to meet with some of these people. She explained how we were to "LOVE THEM WHERE THEY WERE. " She told Jantzen that like when he was a baby and I loved him even though he couldn't walk or talk that that's what we were to do. I immediately said to Jantzen, Just like the Lord loves us.....right where we are. So as we continue behind locked/secure door after another we finally come upon a group of elderly people playing ball. (throwing a soft big ball one to another, for exercise) Well she proceeded to announce who Jantzen was and why he was here. She had the gift bag in hand and began introducing Jantzen to each member in the circle, and told Jantz something special about each one of them. "This is Frank, he served in WWII, as frank whispers "tell him I served in France". Then there was Shirley who immediately grabs Jantzen as if to pull herself up with his strength, He says you don't have to get up, She looks him straight in the eye and says "Oh yes, I gotta PEE!!" omg it was hilarious. He continues on meeting these most precious children of God and gets to this sweet, in my best Beth Moore voice possible "I MEAN SWEET, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT?" man, he is introduced as their "Pastor" His name of Bob. He smiles the MOST precious smile and with all seriousness in him looks at Jantz and says "Well, she is such a pretty little girl

Is it really Monday already!! Wow! I really am READY for Spring Break!!!

Menu:

Monday-Pork chops, green bean casserole, salad

Tuesday-Pigs in a blanket, mac & cheese

Wednesday- Snacks on your own---YOUTH---

Thursday- Baked chicken, salad, corn on the cob

Friday- Out to eat-anywhere I don't care! :0) or maybe just order in

This is going to be a crazy week, Brian will not be home at all because he is traveling and having business meetings from sun up to sun down this week! Gods grace will carry us each day though!