breaking the hush

I am so grateful for my security and hope in Christ!! I am grateful for a spiritual outlook that outweighs any thing or circumstance that I see with my physical eyes. Today was a wonderful day. I am truly blessed! Thank you to my family for your visits, the gifts and cards. I could not ask for more sacrificial parents and supportive sisters. Today was a special day. And thank you to my friends for your thoughts and prayers. Thank you especially to the men at the Gurney Unit who have become friends and some, even brothers, for the dinner, the cake, and the bruises…just kidding;) I love you all!

***Welcome to the world, Jett Xander Jackson. You are hope for new life and a fresh start! It is an honor to share this day with you!

***To the woman whom has seen a lot and will see much more. Thank you for instilling the values you did in my father. You are so strong and have much more life to live. Happy Birthday, Lena Mae Quinney! I love you Mamaw!!

There are people in your life that you meet, get to know, create memories with, grow to love, and will never forget, no matter how much time you spend apart. To two of these people in my life, I wish a very happy birthday!! I love you and miss you, Celina Rios-Rubio and Ruby Thomas!!

Hebrews tells us to entertain strangers because we could be entertaining angels. Well, she’s by far not a stranger, but if there was one person that I actually know and enjoyed much entertainment with, that I could pin as having the most angelic qualities as the average person would see it, it would have to be my friend, Angie! Any person in this woman’s life should consider themselves blessed. I know that I have said it before and will say it again. Angie is a better friend to anyone than they are to her, myself included! I believe it is impossible to outdo her selfless love, generosity, compassion, and support that she shows to anyone who has captured a piece of her heart.

***Thank you Angie for being a part of my life and making sure it stays that way! You are a God sent to so many and I wish you a wonderful birthday and a year flooded from a much deserved waterfall!! I love you and miss you, Angie Dawn Shipman!!!

I was going to let today go without writing anything, but for some reason it just doesn’t feel right. For any of you that know me closely, or who were ever there, knows that today marks the 13th anniversary of my salvation. This still sounds odd to me, being brought up in a pastor’s home and knowing who Jesus was practically my whole life. Because of being 30 now, this revelation happened when I was 17. It’s hard for me really to explain the years prior to this. I was very confused growing up—I was just lost really. But thirteen years ago, God showed His sovereignty and perfect timing and there was a hunger growing inside of me. He placed me around people that had incredible testimonies and this made the hunger burn. There was something so real about them. He wrapped it all up with the perfect message at the perfect time (Thank you Dr. Jones)! Has it been perfect since then, by no means! But there is something about a real revelation of God’s love that started me on a path that obviously has had its setbacks, but kept me walking and talking with the real Jesus and no longer just reading and hearing about Him!

**To my friend whom I love and miss not seeing your family grow. I cherish your friendship and look forward to many more years! I pray that this is your best year yet! Happy Birthday, Jack Daniel Frost!!

***To the man that will never stop surprising me with his talents or with his overwhelming love for people. I have so many times questioned man as being capable of loving unconditionally, but when I think if you and your wife, it is hard not to make a believer out of me! I hope you have another wonderful year. To one of the coolest guys I know: I love you and miss you both! Happy Birthday, Gabriel Jones!!

I know it seems like I probably give more shout outs for birthdays or other reasons on here than actually writing on deep philosophical ideas, but I guess you can say that I’m simple like that and I love people—especially those that have been an intrical part of my life—the bad and good parts of it! So here goes another;)!!

***To the couple who opened their home to me for a month when I literally had no where else to stay. I don’t think you could have come through got me in a more perfect way. At a time when I felt so rejected, you accepted me, no questions asked, to show the true face of Christ! An Osaka gift card will never be enough! Thank you, William and Stacy. Happy Birthday Stacy—the plan that God has for you has just blossomed in comparison to the hearts reached through your ministry! Your obedience to Him is inspirational! I love you!

Today is the anniversary of a 13 year friendship I have had with one of the greatest men I know. It was our first day of college and a meeting that would change my life forever. The earliest parts of my relationship with the Lord were guided by this man—who was just a teenager at the time, wise beyond his years. Over the next months and years, he poured into me everything he knew—most importantly, he taught me how to love selflessly as Jesus would! He showed me how to listen to the Lord, how to really hear Him and most significantly, obey Him. Once, I remember Him saying that he thought somehow God was always speaking, but we weren’t always listening. There are so many things that he gave me that are vital to my spirituality today and that I still, 13 years later, speak into men that I mentor. His passion for others is contagious. He poured into others expecting them to succeed in all areas of life even surpassing himself.

***To the man that I could never truly show my love and gratitude for in words or actions. I know you will see your reward plenty in eternity. Brother, I miss you and love you! Happy Birthday Nelz Samuel!

**Happy Birthday to you as well, “the Nigerian Goddess;)” Viema “V” Emmanuel

You know, God doesn’t have to show His love for us more than He already has by sending His Son, but He chooses to continually pour His love on us in ways that we can grasp. There’s another Harvesters song that has been running through my head for almost two weeks…

“Didn’t I wake you up this morning, clothed in your right mind?
And when you walked upon a problem, didn’t I step right in on time?
When you were weak along life’s journey, my angels covered you, so you would know just how much I loved you.
Didn’t I put food on your table? And I showed up when the bills were due.
When those pains were wracking your body, didn’t I send healing down to you?
When you were lost in sin and sorrow, I died to set you free, so you would know just how much I love you.”

It seems like such a simple message, something we shouldn’t forget—God’s love. Yet, every time this song was sung, there was such an incredible response. I believe it could have been due to the anointing because of the deeply personal relationship the soloist had with the Lord and it showed, but I really believe that these people, us, just needed a little reminder. Because you know God doesn’t HAVE to show His love but why wouldn’t He? And when we are having our stupid human moments, sometimes we just don’t always think of those things He has done or even give credit where credit is due. So when we walk upon another problem, we should glean on the previous and see what God did and understand that there is a pattern with God and to trust that.

When I first went to county almost two years ago, I began to write down everything the Lord had done for me – this was an impossible task but it opened my eyes to see that He was not through with me. In fact, when I think of what He’s done even since that task, it is so overwhelming that I tear up. Then I am reminded of His promises for my future and I realize there is a pattern. All my past cares, concerns, and struggles have been taken care of with His perfect sovereignty and why should the pattern change now?

***Angie—I have thought about you and your family a lot and am praying for you—how could I not with your voice running through my head for several days now! I miss you and hope all is well!

***To the young lady who I have shared so many great memories with—who was there in good and bad times and who has always shown unconditional love to me. As you read this blog, remember God’s love for you and His promises for your future! Happy Birthday Rebecca Lilley!! I love and miss you!!!

I believe that I have mentioned in a previous blog that obedience is better than sacrifice, but sometimes God requires both! Well, Shanell and Andrea came to see me the other day and told me about a friend of mine from college. Apparently my niece’s teacher is best friends with her. Small world;) Any how, they told me that my friend, Kari, just had a two weekend garage sale to sell all of her stuff and then she would be leaving for India to stay a few months. She then told her friend that is she doesn’t see her after that, she knows that she decided to stay.

The first thing I asked my sisters was if they got a chance to go to her garage sale—she has impeccable taste!

The last time I believe I really got to speak to Kari, was several years ago when she called off her wedding. You see, Kari hasn’t had a problem in the past obeying, even if it means sacrifice. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Kari misses it every once in a while like the rest of us, but when you desire God and His will for you more than self, even when you have put yourself in self-seeking situations, He will not neglect you. I know that it was hard for Kari to cancel that wedding, her plans and dreams, but I also know that she hasn’t regretted it; that God’s plans were bigger than hers!

I admired Kari in school for her prophetic spirit, her closeness to the Lord, and I admired her for the sacrifice she made in obeying the Lord after going so far into that engagement. And now it comes at no surprise to me that she would willingly obey the Lord in selling EVERYTHING she has to follow a God-speaking heart which has always burned for the Indian culture and people.

***Kari, I am so proud of you-I look to you as an example in my own life that nothing beats obedience to God. No matter the momentary emotions-He and His will are bigger than those emotions. No regrets come from walking in complete and immediate obedience. I love you and miss you. I think about you and pray for you more than you know and I won’t stop! Grace and peace with you in India!

***To the woman who is amused by the details most of us take for granted. Who sets goals and never misses, who jumps into life full force and fearless, and who was first to reach out when I needed it the most. Happy Birthday Carrie Angel Shrank-I love and miss you terribly!

This website and the entry of these blogs would be absolutely impossible without the work and support of my sister. I can not begin to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support that I receive from Andrea, from these acts of service (and believe me, deciphering my hand writing is no small feat), to her intercession in prayer and encouraging words. Believe me Andrea, nothing you do for me or sacrifice you make goes unnoticed. When my faith seems to be weak, yours is there to hold me up, when I am too tired, you don’t hesitate to stand in my place! Andrea, the Lord has promised me that he would bless those that ‘meet my needs’ through all of this! I can only begin to tell you what is coming your way, the waiting is over and the reaping is near! I love you and hope that you have the best birthday yet! I couldn’t ask for greater support!

***To the woman whose growth has shot beyond preconceptions, who knows that God’s grace is enough to walk through the fire and who is daily learning that dreams really can and do come true…God dreams;) Just wait!

Happy Birthday Andrea Leigh Quinney! I love you and miss you!