A newborns conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth
tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small
and helpless?"

God said,"Your angel will be waiting for you, and will take
care of you."

The child further inquired,"But tell me, here in heaven I
don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you, and will also smile
for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to
understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet
words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your
angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will
teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said,"Your angel will defend you even if it means risking their
life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said,"Your angel will always talk to you about Me, and will
teach you the way to come back to Me; even though I will always
be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from
Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I
am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, " Mom."

Moms: "Train up your child in the way they should go, and
they will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:6

Moms: "Do not provoke your children; instead bring them up in
the training and instruction of the LORD" Ephesians 6:4


Thank you Lord, for allowing me to be a Mother. This is what I
have always wanted out of life, to be given a life that
I can teach, lead, and direct in your footsteps. Continue to give
all mothers around the world the love you give us :to be patient
with our children, to protect them and guide them at all times.
God, I lift Adalie Elizabeth Vanover to you. She is yours. Bless
her Jesus all the days of her life. May she be prosperous in life,
may she always be in your will, may she serve you all the days of
her life and may she never seek the world, but only seek your heart Father.
Send your angels concerning my daughter
to surround her.Cover her from the crown of her head to the soles
of her feet with
your precious blood that protects from all evil. I promise to do my
part Lord, and I know You will do yours. Thank you again for my
healthy beautiful daughter. I am forever in debt to you Lord for
such an amazing blessing. In Jesus powerful, amazing, glorious name
I pray, amen and amen.

I will follow you.

Fear. You are My personal struggle...but listen closely..
God has spoken to me. And when He speaks, you. must. listen.
I had never heard this song... It just played this morning
on my way to work and I knew. I knew. God was speaking...


God,
Let the waters rise....I will. follow. you.

Shouldn't we treat everyday like Valentines?

1 Corinthians 4-7

I want to take you back to Valentines Day 2009 when my husband
sent me on the most romantic scavengar hunt that consisted of: a
massage at the spa, whined & dined at a local Italian resturant,
then arrived at a beautiful hotel and picture this-- I opened the
door to a candle lit room, rose pedals leading to a bubble bath,
jazz music playing in the background and a gorgeous man staring at
me as I entered the room. ::Wow, looking back it was great and I
enjoy nice things, but goodness that was expensive lol::

This Valentines 2010 was the complete opposite--{a lot has changed
in a year I've simplified myself so much} It was spontaneous,
unplanned, and I think it is safe to say evena little
disorganized
{but all together made me laugh and was a really good time}
Now when I really really really,
think about it--the day made my heart smile just for the simple
fact that I have been mentally spared from being wrapped up in a superficial & overly expensive holiday.

In many eyes Valentines is a day of expressing your love, but
this Valentines I've changed my views in that everyday should be
like the 14th of February. As I sat in Church Sunday morning
(Valentines Morning) I realized so much more about love. True love. ::Sorry- just because a man
buys a woman a dozen roses and a box of chocolates that
does not prove he loves her:: Love is SO
much more than a box of chocolates on a traditional holiday. I
actually caught myself wondering if last year when Stephen out
did himself was it because it TRULY came from his heart or because
it was the proverbial thing to do? And when he surprised me did I
TRULY cry out of emotion and because I was suppose to or because
I saw how much he went through to do this for me? I realized that
our human love is so conditional and what's really gotten me to
wake up from this conditional love is knowing that there
is nothing we could have ever done or anything we
could ever do to move God...
to make Him love us anymore than He already does. His love-- it
isn't just showered and poured out on just one holiday like
Valentines, but He shows it 365 days a year. You see
our love is suppose to be unconditonal like the Lord's. He is
our greatest example and even calls us to love our own enemies!
What a challenge! He calls us to love all, and to love
deeply :not caring about skin color, race, or background.
How difficult can that be right?

Back to my Church story-Pastor Rowe taught me something valuable,
this past Sunday. He talked about how on days like Valentines we
go out of our way to express our love, but how everyday should be
treated like Valentines. He also made a point to say we should
treat more than just our spouses, family, friends with love-
I really liked that.

On the other hand-I get it, I do it's just a day
set apart to do something nice for your significant other because
people are busy, we work, we have kids, we have ball games, piano
lessons, church etc we can't always go "all out" & that point blank
is my issue. That love isn't based on gifts or romantic dates, but
all together the smallest, biggest, littlest, most insignificant
things you do for the person you love--to me that truly shows your
love for them.
EX:
I didn't wake up to breakfast in bed...
{but I wake up everyday to a man that adores me more and more each
day}
I didn't recieve a dozen pink roses... *my fave*
{but I wake up to the most amazing kisses before he heads off
to work}
I didn't recieve diamonds or pearls....
{but I have a man that shows me respect, works hard for his family
and is always faithful}

Lastly, I didn't recieve a long love letter.
{but I have a man that doesn't have to write what is on his heart.
He shows me in his everyday.}

So in the end--I am so thankful for a quiet Valentines this year.
I am thankful to even say what I have everyday.
God-You have shown your love for me in giving me Stephen, I
just know it.

But For the record, I am not anti-Valentines lol-I'm a woman,
I enjoy getting surprises every now and then of course!
I just realized the importance of shadowing God's love to all everyday and I really
do not need materials to be shown I am loved.
Love isn't a conditional thing, and I guess I've just now changed
that.

Building something Eternal

There are days when it's hard and I feel like I'm repeating
myself.. screaming at the top of my lungs..but no one is
listening...
{Ya I hear you Jesus you go through that everyday}..or what about
When I need a pat on the back someone is asking me to pat theirs?
{Yes Lord.... I know}
But-Is it ever ok to say what about me?
{I know Lord, it's always about you} But-There are days when I feel
like giving up...or what about when I need a shoulder to cry
on someone is crying on mine...what. about. me? There are even
days when I wonder what or who even cares...{then I realize Jesus,
that you do.} I may not be appreciated noticed....
but It's not about me that.... It's about...
Building. something. eternal.

Signed,
An imperfect lover of Christ

Marriage 101

So I have been asked to kinda talk a little bit about my life
in regards to marriage. So welcome to my Marriage 101 class :)
not that I'm a pro, butanyways ok,so when I was told this I
thought what do I write about? I don't
really know that I do anything special, but what I do know is I try
to be the best wife I can be, so to share what I do and then find
out it helped someone else then hey, that's awesome! Some people
spend their life trying to be the best they can be in all areas of
their life, that's great--I unfortuantely can't do that. I am the
type of person that has to focus on 2 or 3 things at a time to try
to perfect because other than that it's too much for me and I end
up neglecting one area. Three areas I can not, will not neglect is 1.)
My faith 2.) Wife duties 3.)Mommy duties. [not nessecarily in that
order]

So marriage, what can I say about marriage? It's the best/hardest relationship you'll ever form. My husband and I love each other
so much, but yes of course we argue. I had a friend recently tell
me, "I'm not a jealous person, but I do envy what you and Stephen have." You know honestly, I've never thought about what "we have" until
that day. To me it was normal? Doesn't everyone have a good marriage,
I mean they obviously married each other for a reason [they wanted
to be together] they must love one another? But then I realized that
it's not always the case. I am a bit naive. I'll admit. What has
worked for Stephen and I is team work, communication and leaving old dirt alone.
Always making sure that we know what one anothers needs are.
What area is it that I need to improve on, and what is it that
he needs to work on. When we notice that one of us isn't working
together, it causes tension & thickness in the air...Not my proudest moment,but i'll go ahead and admit-
Aahem, 8 times out of 10 I shut down when we start to bicker.
It's hard, I hate confrontation and I dislike knowing I made
him upset. Though it isn't long that we stay upset with one
another, because he is ALWAYS I mean always the first to approach
me about the situation & fix it- I just take it to heart. One thing,
we never do is name call. Ever. The way I see it, when you honor
and love your spouse to even think to call them a bad word is beyond
me. Sometimes people treat complete strangers and even enemies
better than they do the one person they will spend their rest
of their life with, the one they adore, the one they go home to,
make love to, & most importantly the one God gave them--
We should cherish our spouse. Now, I don't have all the answers
and I'm not the perfect wife, but I can't sleep at night knowing I didn't
give 100% effort that day to be the best wife I could be. I guess
I just love big.

I fear my husband. {doesn't that sound crazy! Lol} But in a
spiritual way- He is the head of the house and when I know I'm
purposely not on the same page with him and "just want to be mad"
the Lord convicts me.

A big lesson I continously learn is We have to trust our
spouse's-without that, you don't have much. Stephen has taught
me a lot about myself and a lot about life, I think thats why I
think so highly of him because he sets very high standards for
himself, his wife, and us as a family. He says he is lucky to
have me as his wife, but I know if anyone is lucky, it is me. One
another thing I know that I know that I know they need in a marriage
is their "man time" boy is this something I've learned to accept hah
even if it's playing video games, hunting, reading a book--{yes
ladies it's ok that they dont' want to spend every waking second
with you-they still love you lol.} When we were first married I
was so clingy and so almost 4 years later I've finally grown into
my own in the marriage.

Now Men, if you're reading this, a way to a womans heart just
like cooking, cleaning & taking care of the kiddos is a way to
your heart we have requirments as well :)
1.) Pray for your wife.
2.) Love her even when you don't like her-she is the woman God
gave you
3.) Your the man of the house, steer your family in the right
direction
4.) Never decieve your wife.
5.) Do little things for her like wash dishes or take out the
trash {when she doesn't ask you to! lol}
6.) when you ask what she wants to do for a evening and she
says something you don't nessecarily want to do, do it anyways
-we notice I promise!
7.) Never go to bed mad at her.
8.) Treat her like the queen she is, give her time alone take
the kids to the park and let her soak in a bath.
9.) Support your wife in all her dreams-believe in her.
10. Be appreciative-sometimes she has a lot on her plate that
she may not complain about to you.

Like I said, i'm not pro at this marriage stuff, I only know what my husband likes and dislikes, but that's the beauty of marriage-always learning one another, and never stop learning. The day you stop learning is the day you lose your best friend.
Pray for one another and keep God the center of your relationship. His foundation is unbreakable. Be an unbreakable couple and love...love big.

~Proud wife of Stephen Vanover<3

Freedom

There is so much I want to say right now, but I feel like
I have gathered my thoughts ordingly so I will do my best
to stay on topic. I believe that in my life I have kept so
much hidden, (yes I know even as much as it seems I share)
I've been in such a secret place that for once in my life,
I feel...delievered.
I've stuggled with feeling unworthy since I can remember.
And it wasn't until recently that freedom has reigned. When
I was in college before I went to bible school, I was given
a word of prophecy that I've kept a secret
--I was told that I was called to be more than average, and
I had better get ready because God was going to use me in
mighty ways.
Now Est,
hang on a second, this is what you're talking about.
Feeling unworthy to even say that because in my eyes
i'm a sinner, far from perfect and yet God chose me?
In the book of Exodus chapter 4 Moses stands before
the burning bush (God) If you read along it says God asks
Moses What is that in your hand?"
"A staff," Moses replied. Just a walking stick to help him
deal with the uneven journey of life. He saw no special
significance in it. God did not ask Moses what the object
was in his hand because God had never seen it before,
God is all knowing, but He asked so Moses could Identify
what it was in his hand. Stay with me. Now later down the
scripture God tells Moses to throw his staff
down and once the Lord gave commands on all Moses was to
do God asked him to then pick up his staff and so because
GOD had touched what was so insignificant to Moses--
he would now preform miraculous signs with it!! Verse 17.
Amazing! It makes sense. What I see when I look at what
is in my hands, I see nothing. No talents, no abilities,
but GOD has touched me, changed me, and now because I've
heard him loud and clear I will use my hands {what God gave me}
to reach the lost!
Satan has always found a way to shut me down, minimizing
the fire that is alive and burning deep within me, he
made me think "but remember this, remember that time,
or people are going to make fun of you, people want
you to fail." Well, Satan guess what buddy? YOU FAILED.
I am victorious, my God is above you or any other god,
you are a deciever and let me remind you that when Jesus
asked me back in 2004 if I would accept my calling,
I hesitated and you had me for a minute...but now-I
WILL GO, I will live the way I am destined to and
I will prosper not because of my ability or talents,
but because greater is HE that is in me, then he that
is in the world! Yes, that's you!! There I've said it,
I've declared it, In Jesus name-Amen and Amen. {man, I
feel like preaching!!}

This blog took a lot of courage for me. I experienced
this delieverence only a week ago and I wasn't sure how
to explain myself {talk good about myself}. I'm great at
talking about My flaws, My imperfections because the
enemy reminded me of them 24 hours a
day--but at Church this past Sunday Pastor Rowe called us
out! Stephen and I stood before him at the altar and he told
us-"It's your time." No more feeling unworthy, no more being
afraid, live a life of Victory.
You may ask well why put it on the internet for
all to see? To get attention? No. Entertainment?
Absolutely not. Then why? Because, I know many people out
there that may be embarrassed, ashamed, afraid- like I
was once, to be different. Because someone may know your
past, or you're told you're not good enough, smart enough
you know something I rebuke that in Jesus name!
Let me tell you something God is so amazing. When I was
touched at that altar I knew I would never be the same. And he can do that
for you!! I put myself out there to say what people are
really feeling deep down. I will GO, I'll be the one to stand,
I'll be the one to encourage people that it is ok to walk in confidence,
I'll be the one to help others speak life into their
valleys of death and I will always be careful to give
all glory and honor to God.

Lord, I know we are not to be labeled as average--we are
Christians called to a higher purpose and you have called
us to be your extended arms here on earth so others can
know you and experience you...I pray that every
eye that reads these words may feel you tugging at their hearts, Lord I pray you empty out all their feelings of unworthiness, shame of their past or present because your word says that in you
we are a new creature and all things in the past are made
new. Help me God in all areas in my life--for You are all
I'm living for. Thank you for delievering me last Sunday,
as I stood before you I knew I would never be the same.
You've WON Jesus, I will GO.

I love you but of course you already knew that.