Friday, December 4, 2009

Become a MUIB Partner | Moms United in Business

Do you run an online Christian based organization, non-profit, blog or ministry?

Moms United in Business is dedicated to helping other Christian women grow their own organizations and ministries. We offer partnerships with Christian based organizations as our way of giving back to the online community and helping others spread the Good News!

Have you noticed that there seems to be a huge gap between the Christian online community and the online secular community? By coming together, it is our hope that we can have a dynamic presence online for the glory of God. After all, sharing the Christian faith and working in God's will is as good as it gets!

There is no cost involved in becoming a MUIB Partner. Read our newest post, Become a MUIB Partner | Moms United in Business for details.

I shy away from posting info about MUIB here on my personal blog, but felt led to share this with my readers. Please share with anyone you know that could benefit from a partnership with MUIB.

Myself and the MUIB team have been working behind the scenes as we move forward in our new direction. I am amazed daily at all that is happening within my own life personally, and with MUIB as well. God is an AWESOME God!

Love you all!

Wishing You an Abundance of Blessings,


Founder of Moms United in Business
Dedicated to Supporting You as a Christian, Mom and Business Professional

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Unspeakable Joy and a Letter to My Husband

Today has been a day filled with awe, gratitude and unspeakable joy. As I sit here to put into words how I feel within, I am having a difficult time, well....putting it into words (I know, I know...a feat in itself!).

I have been praying for us to find a church home. A place where we feel at "home". Where the fire that has been started within me can continue to grow. A place where, as a family, we can grow in our faith together. Having such an age span between our oldest and the 3 little ones, and being a homeschool family as well, we were having a difficult time finding a church home where all of us could grow.

Today my husband and I decided on a new church to visit, and off we went. Let me just say God MORE than answered our prayers of finding a church home, but my husband was saved today! My husband "officially" accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior!

Can I just stress again, unspeakable JOY???

I am just so excited I can barely contain it. Our oldest even turned to me and whispered, "Mama, I REALLY like him!", referring to the Pastor.

So, let me just take a moment to count these blessings. We found a new church home, our oldest was even moved by the preaching (no small task being a teen), and my husband was saved. I just do not think today could get any better!

A letter to my husband:

My Dearest Stephen,


I love you. I cannot even tell you how excited I am for you. Thank you for your support of me, of the new direction for our family. Many years ago as I prayed alone, I prayed for you. I did not know you at the time, did not know your name, as we had not yet met.


But I prayed. I prayed for your safety. I prayed for us to find one another. I prayed for our future, the joy of raising our children together, and I prayed we would raise our children in a home of Christian faith, filled with love. I prayed for a marriage where God was first, a husband I could pray with, study the Bible with, and grow with.


God has answered prayers, my love. He answered my call to Him when I hit my knees and begged Him to take over my life and live in my heart not too long ago. I personally had to learn patience, a lesson I am still working on. 

One thing the recent events in our lives has shown me is that God's plans are so much more than what we could ever imagine, and that His time is perfect. He does indeed answer all prayers. Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes the answer is wait.


I can honestly say, the wait has been more than worth it. Our lives are changed forever. Our children will be raised knowing the love of our Heavenly Father. They will have the spiritual foundation I have prayed for. We are taking this journey together, you and I. Unspeakable joy!



Love never fails. Those words had such meaning on our wedding day, but mean so much more today.
Love never fails.


143,
~Jenn

So, the journey continues. Our life circumstances are the same, yet my perception has changed dramatically. I was blind but now I see. I get that now. I finally understand.


Wishing You an Abundance of Blessings,

Monday, November 23, 2009

Fruit Loop Necklaces, Worth More than Diamonds

It's that time of year again! The holidays are here, and my to do list is getting longer and longer with each passing moment.

This year, Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning. While I have always cherished Thanksgiving, and honored the day by celebrating all I have to be thankful for, this year I am also celebrating my new journey. My new journey as a Christian.

Now, I have always been a "Christian", but this new journey deserves no other description other than I have truly been born again.

This year I am doing my very best to concentrate on the true meaning of the season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This year, it is all about honoring our Father, and taking the time to really appreciate the blessings in our lives.

I once would have described myself as "busy, but not productive". However, I am finding as I stay in constant prayer and ask for help in prioritizing, my life experience is changing.

Tonight after supper, I had our preschoolers sit around the table and talked to them about the Thanksgiving holiday and what it means to have a grateful heart. We then took out a box of Fruit Loops and some yarn, and made special necklaces the girls will be wearing for our Thanksgiving Dinner.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Angels Among Us

Today I wrote a Facebook update from my heart,

"There are indeed angels among us. I know, as they have impacted my life in ways I would have never imagined. I call them friends. Amazing how God sends "angels" your way, even if at the time you are unaware you need them. Saying a prayer of thanksgiving today for all of the angels in my life, especially those that arrived right on time (God's time, not mine!)."
 As we approach Thanksgiving, I am finding more and more blessings to be thankful for. It seems God really is sending messengers to help guide me in my new walk with Him.


Monday, November 16, 2009

Friendship Award



This award was given to me by Lee of Tossing it Out. Yeah! I am getting back into writing and the blogosphere, and have won my first award since my "big" comeback. Not sure how charming I really am, but always love connecting with other kindred spirits! Thanks Lee, for the award, but most of all for taking the time to read, comment and connect with me here at the MiniVan Mama blog.

Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman's Battle

One of the awesome benefits I have found in homeschooling, is the ability to teach Christian values, include character education, and the ability to have meaningful lessons and conversations with my daughter.

She will soon no longer be a tween, and will officially be a teen. I have always kept the lines of communication open with her, and have tried my best to instill Christian view points in reference to sexuality. I did an ok job, but there was definitely room for improvement.

Simple Homemade Cookies

I love to bake. I always have. I loved helping my Mama in the kitchen, especially around the holidays. However the first time I actually tried to do it alone, with the help of my best friend Jen in the 3rd grade was not my finest moment. Here is a post her mom recently sent to me in reference to this memory (I had forgotten all about this, and after you read it you will understand why. Not one of my best moments, lol):

"One of my first funny memories of you---You and Jen were both in the AG class at Collier school. One afternoon you came over to the house and the two of you were going to make cookies. The recipe said "Grease the bottom of the cookie sheet". You two-now, really you did this-TURNED the pan over and greased the bottom!!! No lie-I called your mother to come over and see what you guys had done-we laughed so hard we cried. You were so precious and Jen loved you so much-still does!"

Well, needless to say, this embarrassing moment did not deter me in my efforts to learn how to bake. It is actually something I am good at (now) and really love. My kids love having homemade cookies throughout the year, and we really make a big to do of baking cookies for Christmas.

Here is a very simple recipe for homemade cookies in a pinch. They are sort of like shortbread cookies/snickerdoodles, and are super easy to make. The kids and hubby request these often.


Simple Homemade Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla

sugar
cinnamon

Mix butter, brown sugar, flour and vanilla. The dough will have a crumbly consistency. Roll into 1 inch balls. Coat each dough ball in a separate mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Place on baking pan, and flatten balls with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

New Family Pics, Slideshow








Wishing You an Abundance of Blessings,


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Never Say Never

One lesson I have learned in my (almost) 36 years is to NEVER say never. This very valuable lesson also includes my discovery that God has a sense of humor. My life has always been a series of ironic events. Those that know me in "real" life have stated more than once that it is almost unbelievable how irony seems to follow me. It had become a constant companion in my day to day life.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Journey Continues

My life has changed. I have changed. Something deep within me has been completely and totally transformed. I see myself, my life, my husband, my children and my purpose in such a new light. I am thanking God for this each and every day.
 
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