Annie, the enemy, and Daisy

It was early the other morning and we heard sudden barking coming from our front porch.  It was from Annie, our 1/2 Chihuahua, 1/2 Rat Terrier.  I have to post a picture because the one thing that just really stands out about this unexpected gift that came into our life, are the MASSIVE ears that come from the top of her little head. 

Annie barks only when she sees something worth talking about, so Brie got up to check things out.  When she went to the front window, she saw a huge coyote just below the hill.  The coyote was scouting Annie and considering all costs to taking her.  Brie called out to us and when she did, it startled the coyote.  He moved to the back of our yard, in the high weeded fields that slop to our back patio.  He assumed position to continue his considerations.  He literally had his eye on Annie, even though we were in close proximity.  He was huge.  In Texas our coyotes were skinny and appeared to be lacking  food.  Not this mountain coyote.  He was well fed, and Annie was his next meal. 

BUT, do you know what kept him from grabbing Annie and running off into the Gila National Forest?  Daisy's presence.  You see, sitting quietly right next to Annie, also watching the coyote, was our four-year-old boxer.  She didn't have to say a word, bulk up her chest or even chase the enemy away.  All she had to do was stand by her adopted sister! 

When I realized this, it reminded me of how we are to stand next to our brothers or sisters-in-Christ!  How, if by simply standing by their side when they are being prowled upon by the enemy, we could save a life.  We can give them strength hope, and a sense of security.  Just our presence!  We don't have to say a word, nor fluff our feathers.  All we have to do is let the enemy know that our dear friend/family member is not for the taking, so go elsewhere! 

I love this!  Thank you dear friend for the times that you've stood next to me while the enemy was lurking outside, waiting for a weak moment! 

A lesson in Black Range Mountains . . .

Before I forget what the Lord revealed to me during yesterday's drive, I must hurry and type it out.  It's 6:43 a.m., the girls are sleeping, but are sure to rise shortly.  I have my cup-of-coffee in tote, the scripture for today and so much to get out.  So without further delay...

We went to El Paso yesterday in hopes of shopping at Costco.  Options for bulk shopping in Silver City is a bit scarce, so we finally loaded up the car and headed to Texas.  It was so weird to cross the New Mexico/ Texas border and know that we were still about 10 hours away from our family and friends.  No chance for a visit yesterday, but it was fun to think we were on the same soil.

Anyway, we get to Costco and it was closed.  Us girls laughed silently because we knew how upset Andres was.  He thought it said they'd be open on-line, but instead of it being open on New Year's Day, it was New Year's Eve.  So, we dished out a bunch of grace, which wasn't hard to do because we LOVE to hit the road for a day trip, and we headed over to the Dollar Tree (which was a treat in itself), and had lunch at Taco Cabana. 

After our El Paso lunch and excursion to the Dollar Tree, we stopped by a mall, which only made us long for Silver City that much more.  We have realized on these little outings that we really don't miss mass shopping, cars or people.  We love our quiet town, with long conversations and odd stores to pick up things.  Well, on the way home, Andres took us the very scenic route, to surprise us girls.  I'm tellin' ya....us girls love a road trip.  We love stopping by for a  fountain drink, and snack of choice, and then taking off our shoes and looking out the window.  WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! 

The scenic route he took was down 152, after traveling a bit down 25.  We first drove through this quaint town of Hillsboro, NM, and then low and behold mountains!!  Aaahhhh.......there's nothing like the feeling of escalation.  I love hearing the low gears kick in, and the car revving up a bit more as it struggles to climb.  Up, up, and up we went.  We saw some of the most beautiful views of the Black Range Mountains.  It was amazing!! 

It was amazing, and then something began to happen.  The sun set quickly and there we were in the middle of this range of mountains, unfamiliar to us, and the further we climbed, we discovered snow/ice.  Now we were driving 10 miles an hour and with every sharp turn, I was just praying and even pushing out very gory thoughts that kept running through my mind.  All I could see was a HUGE black hole on either side of us.  It was so intense. When we got home, I looked up the stats for this mountain.  Parts of it reach 10,200 feet.  Yikes!  Here's a picture I found on-line and as any picture of creation, it doesn't really do it justice. 

That's when the Lord spoke.  He pointed out how relaxed the girls were.  In fact, they were having a great time.  Katie was putting on a puppet show for Sofie, with the Dollar Tree items she purchased, Brie was listening to her iPod while catching glimpses out her window and Sofie was just relaxed as anything.  You see, God wants to drive the vehicle of our life.  He is the safe, cautious driver of this vehicle I call Elizabeth Anne.  He never intended for me to sit up front with Him because the overall views of what would be ahead are way too intense.  It's somewhat scary, frightening, and given the chance I'd want to turn around.  He wants me to relax in the back, take in the views from the vantage point He has given me, and trust Him when we go up, or when we head down, are all the bends in the road that sometimes we take.  When I realized this, I realized how often we try to be His front seat passenger, and how little we enjoy the ride He takes us on.  We want to tell Him to slow down, be careful, watch out, not that way, what about here, can we stop and the list goes on. 

The girls had no idea of all the scary possibilities!!!  They loved our time in the Black Range Mountains, and they would not have settled for the flat surfaces through Highway 10. 

I love Him so much!  I thank Him for taking me on the adventurous drives of life and teaching me as we head through treacherous parts.  And I pray that I am never accustomed to the creation He has made for you and me. 

End of week 3 . . .

As we end our third week here in Silver City, I lay awake late into the night wondering if the Lord will begin to reveal a portion of His plan in the weeks ahead?!?  I am so afraid of staying the same ol' Elizabeth, doing the same ol' thing like back home.  We could've stayed in Mansfield, Texas if that's what we were going to do.  I don't want to fall into the same ol' pattern of things.  I want to experience Him in a new way, with new people, maybe even doing a new career.  I want to be fully alive in this quiet little town. 

We love it so much here!  We breathe deeper here, sleep harder, talk more, visit longer and the list goes on.  I have an ongoing list of people whom we've already met.  Each one so unique in his/her way.  They each have a story to tell.  I want to spend time with each person, family or group of people me meet.  They're so different from the groups I used to frequent my time with back in Mansfield.  Back home we wouldn't have crossed paths with the types of people we've had coffee with, eaten dinner with already, or have invited to come to our home.  It's so fun!  We get to talk art with the hippies, enjoy dinner with different religious groups, and talk politics with the most liberal of them all. 

Today at church (the one we're almost sure we're going to join), I was listening to the pastor and just drifting off into thoughts of how the Lord must see this area.  How does He see our neighbors? New church body? The kids who go to school with our girls?  Does He find favor with them for their service to this city?  Of course He does!  It makes attending a new church so much easier when you realize that these are our brothers and sisters-in-Christ, doing the Lord's work.  It really helps you see that the building is not the church, rather the ones who frequent it.  It makes you realize what a team effort it is to serve and spread the Gospel in your hometown. 

I love the rhythm here.  It almost feels twenty years behind, and though I'm sure it will become a hard adjustment down the road, it's endearing for now.  The Post Office is packed regularly because snail mail is still a big deal.  Fingerprinting for the district is done on card stock and then sent off to the state, after an approval from the accounting department has been given.  There's only one, maybe two, school buses for our girls' elementary school.  Most kids walk home and ride their bikes.  Our neighbors load up their RVs and caravan to see new parts of the country together.  The first meal brought to our house was homemade bread with homemade chicken noodle soup.  Kids wanted scooters, UNO attack, Barbie Holiday dolls, and binoculars for Christmas.  Only one mentioned an electronic device that frequented our classrooms back home.  It's just a few steps behind, and they like it that way here.  It gives you permission to pull your hair back, sip a cup of hot coffee, and just take in the views.

We climbed the mountain behind our house yesterday, which is a HUGE deal for us city folks.  I kept seeing HUGE mountain lion paw prints in the dirt and snow.  It took me a while to relax and to know that the eyes of the Lord were upon us and it was for this reason (for our enjoyment) that He even created the mountains and the creatures that call it home.  We climbed higher and higher.  We saw patches of pine trees, prairie fields, and even forests of cactus.  It was amazing to see all of it with pockets of snow.  We had such a great time.  When we got home, we thawed out a bit, and then went downtown for a cup of coffee and hot chocolates for the girls.  Of course me met some folks and they pulled up a few chairs and joined us for conversation.  We were there for three hours.  We left with a sense of knowing one another, as if an invite to return was already in place.  And the weird part was, we were spending time with non-believers.  That's been the best thing and the hardest thing to overcome.  We are doing what Jesus did through so much of His ministry, and yet it throws us off if we stop to think about it too long.  There have been times that I'm just too afraid to really get to know or even fellowship too long with non-believers because I'm afraid of the fine line that divides our eternity.  But, isn't that exactly what Jesus wants us to do? 

For now, I end this post, but I really want to frequent my ol' blog.  I haven't used it too much.  I can read in the past postings and see how the Lord had been preparing us for this journey for a long time now.  I can't believe that I sit in bed, writing, and we're now apart of the journey He was preparing.  I really want to document the journey for us to be reminded of His faithfulness, to see where He's leading us, and to leave the girls a piece of recorded faith trips.  Oh how I love the Lord, and oh how I want to see Him.  I am afraid that I may become lazy in my walk because I don't live in Bible land, but I just might find more of Him in such a case.  Either way, I love you Lord and I think you for this life You've given me.  Help me to lay down fearful thoughts, and to pick up and clothe myself with Your truths!  Forgive me for being silent towards you and not making you apart of my every day.  Help me take in all that you have around us.  The pine-clothed mountains, odd streets, ever passing deer, random falling snow, and the faces of so many new people.  I don't know what You have in store down the road, and I do not want to pull out of Silver City, without having made it a true home. 

Out of the Net

I promised a dear friend that I would type out the notes from a Beth Moore taping this past weekend. She could not attend for she was tending to her newly brought-home son, whom she adopted. Sweet friend, here are your notes.

Session I: Series "Out of the Net"

Psalm 25: 1-22

The "net" in the Old Testament was generally seen as a "bad" or a negative object. It was used for capturing something from the feet up or from dropping over some thing's head. It was used to entangle the prey in which it was set out for.

In Psalm 25: 15, it refers to the net by saying "My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net."

We focused on the word "pluck" because it is as if He yanks our entangled feet out of the net in which we entangled ourselves into, or we allowed someone else to entangle us into.

A "net" is anything that gets us trapped or entangled. It can be an ongoing attitude we've had towards a situation, it can be a habit that we cannot break, a friend that we cling to and/or they cannot let go of us, and so on.

I. A net is something you don't see coming.

Proverbs 1:17 "It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it."

A net is not placed for all to see. It's hidden.

II. A heart can twist into a net.

Ecces. 7:26 "And I find more bitter than death, the woman who is a trap, her heart a net, and her hands in chains."

Stay in the net long enough, then it will grow into you.

What does this "woman who is a trap" look like?
* She's really possessive.
* She won't let go.
* She wants to be loved; but if love runs out; she'll feel obligated.

Proverbs 29:5 says, "A man who flatters his friend (neighbor) spreads a net for his feet."

Flattery is different than encouragement. Flattery has deceit to it, and it has a cloak. When we flatter someone, we create a co-dependent person, and if we allow someone to continuously flatter us, they will become entangled into our hearts.

You can also feel like you're in a "net" with this "netty" person if you feel like they know too much personal information about you and you feel like you can't leave/end the friendship/relationship. Personally, as Elizabeth speaking, I have felt this when I was growing up, especially in my teen years. I would share my heart, and then become so anxious over the thought of ending a friendship with someone, in fear they would divulge all my junk.

I Peter 1:22 "By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart..."

III. Sometimes shame can knot up an insidious net.

Psalmist is asking the Lord to forgive him of "all" his sins (admitting his sin), but for the Lord to not bring "shame".

Shame is Satan's laughter morphed into a mortal emotion!!!! I am going to share this with our girls as they work through their lives because shame is an easy emotion to feel, and VERY hard one to break! It's as easy as eating a loaded, calorie lunch when you're counting points. Easy to enjoy it, but oh so hard to drop it.

Psalm 25:22 "Do not let my enemies laugh at me."

hiding leads to guilt which leads to shame.............hiding..................guilt............shame

hiding, guilt, and shame all keep us from looking up
Luke 21:28 "...straighten up and lift up your heads because your redemption is near."

Shame can even bring down your posture.

IV. We can rest in knowing that the Lord will pluck our feet from the net.

This ends the series "Out of the Net". This particular series will take three weeks to cover when it's shown in the Spring. It will be interesting to see where we are in the journey when it airs on television and see how it continues to apply.
Okay, I'm going to post a different posting for the next series. Kind of break it up a bit. Remember sweet friend, you can always hit print and use it for bathroom reading and/or to help you fall asleep at night. You know I love me some good notes, and comments in an e-mail or posting. With love I hit "publish post". I will begin the next set of notes after having a quick cup-of-coffee.

Content. . . not stagnant

To be content where He has me, is not to say that He's not moving. It simply means, in the staying, I keep moving. Moving about doing His work, talking with His children, and serving in His name. Serving. . . here. . . now.

 

Hot cocoa, Fall, and Praise...

 

A long time, no type!  And I mean, a long time.  I miss writing, and what I love about not sharing this blog with many (I think 3 know about this blog), it frees me to just go on and on about whatever and I don't have to worry about readers. 

It's raining outside, Andres took our two youngest to a birthday party, the movie Julie and Julia is playing in the background, Brie is working on homework, the candle is burning and I just sipped a cup of hot cocoa (via our new Keriug), topped with whip cream.  YUMM......  These are the kind of moments you wish you could take a picture and it really captures the feelings, aromas, and tastes.  We forget really what God provides in moments like these because they're rarely captured for future viewing.  So, maybe the best way to convey is writing about it. 

The Fall is coming and I can almost feel it completely.  Ten degrees lower, a fresh breeze of cool air through the window, and pumpkin patches would make it official.  Oh, how I do love the Fall!  There's something so sweet about it, and I can't quite put my finger on it.  Maybe it's because it's when Andres and I began our courtship and who can forget their first love.  Every girl remembers everything about the first time they truly fell in love.  They remember the weather, smells of perfume, foods they ate, places they visited and the endless conversations into the night (for us, it was to the point of falling asleep on the phone). 

Maybe it's the fact that Fall brings a sense of relief to the heat of the Texas summer.  It takes every ounce out of us Texans when temperatures rise, and the humidity comes.  It's like an added burden when you're already juggling so many things.  There's the kind of summer heat that comes with swimming pools, suntan lotion, hair pulled back and frozen treats (that's at the beginning), and then there's the summer heat that rolls into the late months of summer.  It's like an unwanted visitor that doesn't catch onto the clues of someone wanting it to leave.  Shouldn't summer leave when we put the Fall wreath on the front door, plant our mums and put a pumpkin on front door step?  Those are signs that we're ready for the new season.  I almost feel bad talking about God's creation, but surely He understands that we love our new seasons.

So, with praise, we watch the Fall season roll in, Summer roll out and Thanksgiving around the corner. 

Journal recap 1 . . .

Wow!  A bit of time goes by without me "blogging", and the whole thing is a new set up.  It might take some time to navigate this new format.  Either way, I just need to write.  I need to type out prayers, words of truth and scripture from the journal I just finished.  It's not really a journal, rather a collection of thoughts, sermons, prayers, and an occasional phone number of someone I meet at church.  No worries new friends, I won't be posting your name and number.  :)

Let me start with the back of the front cover.  It's says, "This journal was left on my front porch along with a pumpkin, by my mom.  It was exactly what I needed that day!!"  So, I will miss opening this journal because every time I would write in it, I thought of my mom.  I miss her terribly, and I can hardly wait to hug her neck when we arrive in Phoenix.  Just a short time away.

So, in no particular order, here's a list of things that just speak to me right now.

"When the enemy wants to attack, he tries to take our treasures, things we knew but now begin to question or doubt."

-Beth Moore taping
"We're all begging for something, and sometimes we beg for the lesser thing than we need." 

-Prayer- Lord, help me teach, raise and nurture our three girls only to release them to do for what you've created them to be.  Go, girls, and do what you were born to do!!! 

Love,
Beth

-Shaken Series (Brother Johnny)
*Knowing and Doing the Will of God.  "I just want God to make His will clear to me." This is not a true statement.  Sometimes God's will is clear and sometimes it's not.
*Out of Acts 15-16, Paul didn't want to take John mark, but Barnabas did.  Paul said John Mark needed to "grow up".  So, Paul takes Silas and Barnabas goes with John Mark (even though Paul and Barnabas were the best of friends).  But, through the separation of these friends, and even with whom they chose to go with, it impacted that entire region where they preached.  And guess what?!?  John Mark grows up, and because he was under Barnabas, he was encouraged.  Barnabas means "encourager"  AND........................AND Paul?  Well, Paul discovers and grows up Timothy to be his prototype.  God's will done, even though it wasn't clear.
*God's will is not a matter of personal preference.  Acts 15:1-5 
*God's will does not just involve me.  Paul found Timothy because God said "no" to Paul's prayer.

-Prayer- Good sweet morning Lord-

So much to write to you about.  I still haven't digested this past weekend with mom and all we learned.  And I have learned so much more since then...we're only on Monday morning.  Father, as I look out my dining room window and see a heavy sheet of fog, I am reminded that when we're in the Word and talking with You, we have huge fog lights that pierce the unclarity before us.  Though the world has cast before my family a day of fog; You have equipped me to see right in front of me which will guide me and keep me from most danger.  Thank you! 

Between my reading in "Jesus Calling" and "Hinds Feet in High Places", here are a few things that stand out-
            *  How twisted the world has become when people feel guilty about meeting the basic need-rest!  I want you, Elizabeth Anne, to blaze a trail for others who desire to live in my peaceful Presence. 
            *  Psalm 23:1-3  "...He leads me beside still waters.  He renews my strength (my life); He leads me along the right paths for His name sake.
           *  Luke 1:79  "...to shine on those who live in darkness...and to guide our feet into the way of Peace."
           *  Be courageous!  Isaiah 55:11  "So shall my My word be that goes forth out My mouth; it shall not return to me void-without producing any effect, useless- but it shall accomplish that which I (the Lord) please and purpose and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

To close, Lord, I pray for this Target position that You would have Your way, either way.  We DO NOT want to be out of Your will. 

Love,
Beth


More later.......