::A Day Back In October::

These photo's are long overdue, but back in October a bunch of friends spent a night with our hubby's doing something we all enjoy... listening to Switchfoot. Jarrett and I were new to St. Louis at this time so since the concert was at Lindenwood University, our friends decided we eat dinner at Trailhead downtown St. Charles before the concert. Well, the wait was 2 hours so we walked next door to Millstream. The menu looked great and the outdoor seating next to the fire looked even better. As we were walking down to be seated were laughed when we saw who we were dining with that night... none other that Jon, Tim, & Chad... of Switchfoot!

They were kind and chatted and let us take some photo's. Now, most of you know that Amber is their #1 fan of all time yet her face in the photo's makes me cry laughing every time I look.... she's trying to pretend she's not at all amused!!! hehehe!! Love you Ambie!

What a fun night. The food, friends & music were all amazing.

Love,

Erin

::Crazy Love::

Hi Friends!

I know it's been a while and I promise that a post about my Ecuador trip will soon follow, but this blog has been waiting patiently. I actually finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan while in Ecuador and I wanted to jot down some of my favorite parts just in case some of you were wondering if you should pick up the book or not... PICK IT UP!!!

After Radical, I read Ten Ways To Destroy The Imagination Of Your Child by Anthony Esolen and that is another blog of its own, but lets just say I appreciated Francis Chan much more after that one! Anyway, here are some of the things that really spoke to my heart:

• The core problem isn't the fact that we're lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to "fit" Him into their lives in some small way. We forget that God NEVER has an identity crisis. He knows what He's great and deserves to be the center of our lives. Jesus came humbly as a servant, but He never begs us to give Him some small part of ourselves. He commands EVERYTHING from His followers.
• God's art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like.
• We forget that we already have everything we need in Him.
• To the Jews, saying something three times demonstrated its perfection, so to call God "Holy, Holy Holy" is to say that He is perfectly set apart, with nothing and no one to compare Him to. That is what is means to be "holy."
• It takes a lot for us to comprehend God's total hatred for sin. We make excuses like, "Yes, I am prideful at times, but everyone struggles with pride." However, God says in Proverbs 8:13, "I hate pride and arrogance." You and I are not allowed to tell Him how much He can hate it. He can hate and punish it as severely as His justice demands.
• When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family. my job- I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a "right" to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.
• Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
• Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.
• Both worry and stress reek of arrogance.
• The point of your life is to point to Him.
• In about fifty years (give or take a couple decades), no one will remember you. Everyone you know will be dead. Certainly no One will care what job you had, what car you drove, what school you attended, or what clothes you wore.
• Sadly, many people die while living selfishly. Their funerals are filled by individuals who stretch the truth in order to create a semblance of a meaningful life. Nobody would dare say an unkind word at the funeral; there is an unspoken obligation to come up with something nice to say about the person who died. But sometimes we secretly think the same thing: He really wan't that great of a person.
• Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him - frequently and zealously. Jesus didn't command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." He called this the "first and greatest commandment" (Matt. 22:37-38). The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love.
• If God's mercy didn't exist there would be no hope.
• The greatest good on this earth is God. Period. God's one goal for us is Himself.
• (Talking about the parable of the good/ bad soil) Do not assume you are good soil.
• Has your relationship with God actually changed the way you live? Do you see evidence of God's kingdom in your life? Or are you choking it out slowly by spending too much time, energy, money, and thought on the things of this world?
• LUKEWARM PEOPLE think about life on earth much more often that eternity in heaven.
• LUKE WARM PEOPLE ask, "How far can I go before it's considered a sin?" instead of, "How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?"
• To put it plainly, churchgoers who are "lukewarm" are not Christians. We will not see them in heaven.
• Jesus says in Revelation 3:15-18, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
• Let's face it. We're willing to make changes in our lives only if we think it affects our salvation. This is why I have so many people ask me questions like, Can I divorce my wife and still go to heaven? Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Am I a Christian even though I am having sex with my partner? If I commit suicide, can I still go to heaven? If I'm ashamed to talk about Christ is He really gong to deny knowing me?
• These questions are tragic because they reveal much about the state of our hearts. They demonstrate that out concern in more about going to heaven than loving the King. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). And our question quickly becomes even more unthinkable: Can I go to heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus?
• James 2:19 says, "You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." God doesn't just want us to have a good theology; He wants us to know and love Him. First John 2:3-4 says, "We know that we have come to know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
• Call me crazy, but I think those verses mean that the person who claims to know God but doesn't obey His commands is a liar and that the truth really isn't in him.
• Leftovers are not merely inadequate; from God's point of view (His is the only one who matters), they're evil. Let's stop calling it a "busy schedule" or "bills" or forgetfulness." It's called evil.
• As Tim Kizziar said, "Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.
• God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measure out lives by how we love.
• If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming or actively following Him we automatically begin to be swept downstream
• We are on a never-ending downward escalator, putting up with perturbed looks from everyone else who is gradually moving downward.
• Nothing should concern us more than out relationship with God; it's about eternity and nothing compares with that. God is not someone who can be tacked on to our lives.
• We disgust God when we weigh and compare Him against the things of this world. It makes Him sick when we actually decide those things are better for us than God Himself.
• Are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter unless it it about loving God and loving the people He has made?
• Is loving God - and by extension loving people - what you are about?
• Something mysterious even supernatural must happen in order for genuine love for God to grow in our hearts. The Holy Spirit must move in our lives.
• As we begin to focus more on Christ, loving Him and others becomes more natural. As long as we are pursuing Him we are satisfied in Him. It is when we stop actively loving Him that we find ourselves restless and gravitating towards other means of fulfillment.
• But He has overcome the world. So take heart, keep on, fight the good fight, pray continuously, and do not grow weary. There is nothing better than giving up everything and stepping into a passionate love relationship with God, the God of the universe who made galaxies, leaves, laughter, and me and you.
• The promise that our troubles are "achieving for us an eternal glory" seems hard to believe in the midst of the mess.
• David Livingston, a missionary to Africa during the 1800's once said during a speech to students at Cambridge University, "People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa... I never made a sacrifice. We ought not to talk of 'sacrifice' when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father's throne on high to give Himself for us."
• There really is a God who forgives everything and loves endlessly.
• Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.
• 1 John 3:16-20 - Jesus is saying that we show tangible love for God in how we care for the poor and those who are suffering. He expects us to treat the poor and desperate as if they were Christ Himself.
• Giving that is not motivated by love is worth nothing.
• The concepts of downsizing so that others might upgrade is biblical, beautiful...and nearly unheard of.
• God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.

Love and Blessings,

Erin

Ecuador

Dear Family and Friends,

I want to share with you an opportunity that I have to go to Ecuador March 25 - April 1. Since the beginning of the year I have been praying that the Lord would open up the doors for me to serve on some sort of oversees mission project and last week the opportunity presented itself.

I will be going with our church and team of 30 to support an organization called Compassion Connection in their efforts to support indigenous church planters by fostering community relationships so that they can accomplish their goals for the gospel. The focus of our international efforts is all about those serving in Ecuador full time and not on our team going. We are only a shot in the arm for the work of Christ that is already happening there. Most of our time will be spent an Amazon village called Tena - a river town where we will be involved with Bible and leadership training and church planting. Tena is about five hours east from Quito, in the Amazon Rain Forest area.

I am so excited for this opportunity that the Lord has placed before me. The timing of it is perfect since the trip is planned during Jarrett’s Spring Break! He is excited and looking forward to having the kids to himself for the week!

I have to raise $1,000.00 of support by March 14, which is only 3 weeks away. If you feel led to give I would greatly appreciate it. I have $100 towards the trip so I still have a big chunk left! Not only do I need financial support, but people to commit to prayer for our team and trip.

If you feel led to give in any way you can send a check to:

Erin Reardon

7286 Hazelcrest Drive.

Hazelwood, MO 63042

I love and truly appreciate each one of you.

Love and Blessings,

Erin

And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

Exodus 34:10

RADICAL:: Part 2

Last week I wrote about some of my favorite parts from Radical by David Platt. The following are the rest of my fav's:

• I realize there is never going to come a day when I stand before God and he looks at me and says, 'I wish you would have kept more for yourself.' I'm confident that God will take care of me.
• A quote about John Wesley - [Wesley] had just finished buying some pictures for his room when one of the chambermaids came to his door. It was a Winter day and he noticed that she had only a thin linen gown to wear for protection against the cold. He reached into his pocket to give her some money for a coat and found he had little left. It struck him that the Lord was not pleased with how he had spent his money. He asked himself: "Will Thy Master say, 'Well done, good and faithful steward?' Thou hast adorned thy walls with the money that might have screened this poor creature from the cold! O justice! O mercy! Are not these pictures the blood of this poor maid?"
• Why not begin operation under the idea that God has given us excess, not so we could have more, but so we could give more?
• In 1Timothy 6, Paul tells Timothy to command the rich "to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." This, Paul says, is the key to being free from the deadly nature of wealth and possessions. Give. Give generously, abundantly, and sacrificially. Give not because your stuff is bad. Give because Christ is in you. Give because your heart has been captured by a Savior who has produced in you "overflowing joy," Welling up in "rich generosity."
• "What do you want me to do God?" The answer is clear. The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples, particularly those who have never even heard Jesus.
• [In regards to the SS United States] We seem to have turned the church as troop carrier into the church as luxury liner. We seem to have organized ourselves, not to engage in battle for the souls of people around the world, but to indulge in ourselves in the peaceful comforts of the world.
• Jesus reminded his disciples that their safety was not found in the comforts of this world but in the control of a sovereign God over this world.
• From the story of Job to Paul's description of Satan's attack in his life in 2 Corinthians 12, we see how Satan not only acts within the sovereign permission of God but also end up accomplishing the sovereign purposes of God. INdeed, this is what the Cross is all about. Satan's strategy to defeat the Son of God only served to provide salvation for sinners.
• The key is realizing-and believing- that this world is not our home.
• This, we remember, is the great reward of the gospel: God himself. When we risk out lives to run after Christ, we discover the safety that is found only in his sovereignty, the security that is found only in his love, and the satisfaction that is found only in his presence.
• Real success is found in radical sacrifice. Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of God. The purpose of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we live. Meaning is found in community, not individualism,; joy is found in generosity, not materialism; and truth is found in Christ, not universalism. Ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy.
• We express enthusiasm, emotion, and affection for football and other sports, and it begs the question, what would happen in our culture if the church prayed with such passion? What would happen in Jesus dominated out affections more than the superficial trivialities that garner our affection?
• In our quest for the extraordinary, we often overlook the importance of the ordinary, and I'm proposing that a radical lifestyle actually begins with an extraordinary commitment to ordinary practices that have marked Christians who have affected the world throughout history.
• God has created us for community with one another, and the community we were created for is called the church.
• If we are going to live in radical obedience to Christ, we will need the church to do it. We will need to show one another how to give liberally, go urgently, and live dangerously. When we sacrifice our resources for the poor and then face unexpected and unforeseen needs in our lives, we will need brothers and sisters to help us stand. In the process we will learn to depend on one another according to God's design. The global purpose of Christ was never intended to be accomplished by individuals. We are a global people whose family spans the nations. So first and foremost, I encourage you to be done with church hopping and shopping in a me-centered cultural milieu and to commit your life to a people who need you and whom you need.
• You and I have an average of about seventy or eighty years on this earth. During these years we are bombarded with the temporary. Make money. Get stuff. Be comfortable. Live well. Have fun. In the middle of it all, we get blinded to the eternal. But it's there. You and I stand on the porch of eternity. Both of us will soon stand before God to give an account for our stewardship of the time, the resources, the gifts, and ultimately the gospel he has entrusted to us. When that day comes, I am convinced we will not wish we had given more of ourselves to living the American dream. We will not wish we had made more money, acquired more stuff, lived more comfortably, taken more vacations, watched more television, pursued greater retirement, or been more successful in the eyes of the world. Instead we will wish we had given more of ourselves to living for the day when ever nation, tribe, people, and language will bow around the throne and sing praises of the Savior who delights in radical obedience and the God who deserves eternal worship.

Love,

Erin

RADICAL

I just finished my first book of the year:: RADICAL by David Platt. It was an amazing book to open the year with. It definitely was what my heart needed to hear causing me to think and re-focus my heart, desires and intentions. I'm one who reads books, underlines all the things I really liked and found helpful only to never go back and put them all on paper. So, here is me putting "on paper" all the "quotes" from RADICAL that I found really good. And maybe you're wondering if you should pick up the book. If so, here are some of my favorite things:

• My biggest fear, even now, is that I will Here Jesus' words and walk away content to settle for less than radical obedience to him.
• Yes, you are abandoning everything you have, but you are also gaining more than you could have in any other way. So with JOY - with JOY! - you sell it all, you abandon it all. Why? Because you have found something worth losing everything else for.
• The revelation of God in the gospel is good. I invite you to receive it. Maybe to trust in the Christ of the gospel for the first time and for the first time to receive a new heart, a heart that is not only cleansed of sin but that now longs for him. Or maybe simply to recover a passion for God's Word - his radical revelation of himself - and discover once again the reward that is found in simply knowing and experiencing him.
• We have seen how the American dream radically differs from the call of Jesus and the essence of the gospel.
• While the goal of the American dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God.
• He intentionally puts people in situations where they come face to face with their need for him. In the process he powerfully demonstrated his ability to provide everything his people need in ways they could have never mustered up or imagined. And in the end, he makes much of his own name.
• Think about it his way. Maybe you are going through a struggle in your life. A tragedy strikes you or someone close to you, and you are hurting. So you go to God in prayer, and you ask him to comfort you. Do you realize what God does? He doesn't give you comfort. Instead he gives you the Holy Spirit, who is called the Comforter. The Holy Spirit literally comes to dwell in you and puts the very comfort of Christ inside you as you walk through your pain. Suppose another time you are making a big decision in your life and you need help. So you ask God for help. But he doesn't answer you with guidance. Instead he answers by sending the Holy Spirit who is our Guide. God sends the Helper, who will live in you and not only tell you what decision to make but also to enable you to make that decision. Yet another time you need discernment, and God gives you the Spirit of wisdom. At other times you need strength and God gives you the Spirit of power. Still other times you ask God for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control and he gives you the Spirit who makes all these things a reality in your life.
• God our Father delights in this. HE delights in giving us Himself.
• Would you say right now that your life is marked right now for the desperation for the Spirit of God?
• The message of Biblical Christianity is "God loves me so that I might make him - his ways, his salvation, his glory, and his greatness-know among all nations." In this God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around him, We are not the end of the gospel; God is.
• Where in the Bible is missions ever identified as an optional program in the church? We were all created by God, saved from our sins, and blessed by God to make his glory known in all the world. Indeed, Jesus himself has not merely called us to go to all nations; he has created us and commanded us to go to all nations. We have taken the command though and reduced it to a calling - something that only a few people receive.
• Now, we know that each of us has different gifts, different skills, different passions, and different callings from God., God has gifted you and me in different ways. This was undoubtedly the case with the disciples. Peter and Paul had different callings. James and John had different callings. However, each follower of Christ in the New Testament, regardless of his or her calling, was intended to take up the mantle of proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth. That's the reason why he gave each of them his Spirit and why he gave them all the same plan: make disciples of all nations.
• Jesus reminds me that disciples are not mass-produced. Disciples of Jesus- genuine, committed, self-sacrificing followers of Christ - are not made overnight.
• Disciple making is not a call for others to come to us to hear the gospel but a command for us to go to others to share the gospel. A command for us to be gospel-living, gospel-speaking people at every moment and in every context where we find ourselves.
• Disciple making is not about a program or an event but about a relationship.
• Being a part of a community of faith involved being exposed to the life of Christ in others. To whom can you deliberately, intentionally, and sacrificially, show the life of Christ in this way? This is foundational in making disciples, and we will multiply the gospel only when we allow others to get close enough to us to see the life of Christ in action.
• When we realize we have the responsibility to teach the Word, it changes everything about how we hear the Word.
• According to Jesus, you can tell someone is a follower of Christ by the fruit of his or her life, and the writers of the New Testament show us that the fruit of faith in Christ involves material concern for the poor. Caring for the poor is one natural overflow and a necessary evidence of the presence of Christ in our hearts. If there is no sign of caring for the poor in our lives, then there is reason to at least question whether Christ is in our hearts.

I will finish today with a story (from the book) that really spoke to me.

• Isn't the hidden assumption among many Christians in our culture that if we follow God, things will go well for us materially? Such thinking is an explicit in "health and wealth" teaching, and it is implicit in the lives of Christians whose use of possessions looks virtually the same as that of our non-Christian neighbors. One evening I was meeting with an underground house church overseas, and we were discussing various issues in Scripture. A woman who lived in the city and knew some English shared, "I have a television, and every once in a while I am able to get stations from the United States," she said, "Some of these stations have church services on them. I see the preachers, and they are dressed in nice clothes, and they are preaching in very nice buildings. Some of them even tell me that if I have faith, I too can have nice things." She paused before continuing. "When I come to our church meetings, I look around, and most of us are very poor, and we are meeting here at great risk to our lives." Then she looked at me and asked, "Does this mean we do not have enough faith?"

Love,

Erin

A New Year:: Probe Your Heart

Happy New Year Friends!

My resolve this year is to read more, watch less t.v., blog more, journal more and pray more. I'm so thankful for a fresh beginning this year more than ever. I found a great Bible reading plan that I'm SO excited about... it's called:: The Chronological Bible Reading Plan. Essentially it takes your through the Bible in chronological order! I've always wanted to do it and this year is the time to start! If that plan doesn't seem interesting for you or you want some different ideas HERE are many other Bible reading plans.

Right now I'm reading Radical. I'm almost done. I was riding the bike at the gym today and got through a few more chapters, came home and canceled our cable!! We now just have basic. Don't get me wrong. I am NOT saying that watching t.v. is bad, but for us/ me I don't want to watch mindless television and at this point in the game we could be saving some extra money.

Last year I posted some questions to think about. Don Whitney says, "Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going."

"The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings."

I want to challenge you along with myself to spend some quiet time with the Lord and think on these questions.

1. What's the one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently for this year?
8. What's the most important way you will. by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing you could do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

What one question stood out to you? As my mother in law says, LOL :: lots of love :: !!!!

Love,

Erin

Today Is The Day

Download today. All proceeds will be going towards His Voice Global building a 4th orphanage in southern Sudan.

Love,

Erin

Will you be ONE?

November 16th is fast approaching. On this day you can forever change lives in Southern Sudan. Download Actions Speak Louder on itunes and 100% of the proceeds will go to HIS VOICE GLOBAL to build a fourth orphanage.

Love,

Erin

ONE Reason To Get Back to Blogging

All it takes is one. All it took was one strand of E.coli to be processed into one hamburger patty, to make it to one burger king, to one mom, whose one son, took one bite and the one life he had would then be over. All it took was a series of one events to lead to one of the biggest recalls on beef. Because of one situation America has never been the same.

In 2001, one man, Vernon burger, who had, one passion, that being Jesus, took one trip, to Southern Sudan and connected with one bishop, who was trying to love and spread the gospel to many who were orphaned by the civil war. Since that one trip in 2001, HIS VOICE GLOBAL has been in an ongoing relationship with the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church), 10 years and three orphanages later they seek to continue the movement to open a fourth.

You might ask the question what makes this place so special? Sudan was in war for over 20 years before signing a peace agreement in 2006. Until the peace agreement this was the longest civil war to date in human history, leaving over 2 million dead and many children without parents. So what makes this place unique!?!? Many things but one is there are many who have teamed up, like HIS VOICE GLOBAL and The Village Church, to be a gospel centered presence through proclamation and practice. While The Village Church has sent many teams to train pastors, equip leaders and love the children in these orphanages in Yei, HIS VOICE GLOBAL was the door that God used to bring a gospel centered presence from the west into this area of the world. Now there is an opportunity for you to be a part of this continued movement of Christ in this region for as little as a dollar.

This past September a group of 13 from all walks of life from Reach Records, The village Church, Red Revolution, Collision Records and HIS VOICE GLOBAL partnered under The Village banner to go and minister to those in Southern Sudan. They ministered through teaching, medical, music, and loving children who were victims of the Civil War that now live in one of the three Orphanages sponsored by HIS VOICE GLOBAL. Moved by the fruit there and continued need, Tedashii, Lecrae (Reach Records artist), Swoope (Collision Records artist) and Jai teamed up to do a single to raise awareness and funds for a fourth orphanage in Southern Sudan. The single, which is slated to be released November 16th under new label Collision Records is called Actions Speak Louder. This single and symbol seen above calls believers to move beyond awareness and put their prayers in motion, to quote the song. The symbol inspired by the scriptures that say a strand of three cords are not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12), the exclamation points showing the immediate nature of the call to apply the gospel (Luke 4:18-19), the highlight of one exclamation point showing the power of one to change and lead others and the patch like design showing the reality that there is strength in numbers, calling believers to action, an action beyond themselves.

So leading up to this date will you be the one to blog, the one to tweet, the one to put a twibbon on your twitter account (see the twibbon below click on the link to support), the one to Facebook, the one to lead and allow you actions to speak as loud as your words. The average number of songs downloaded per day are close to 10,000,000 yes that is correct 10 million. Come November 16th HIS VOICE GLOBAL only needs over 250,000 one’s to download this amazing song (which is not even 10% of the daily average) to complete and have a fourth self sustaining orphanage. We are not asking you to change your lifestyle just point your efforts toward something that will last. The amazing thing about this whole campaign is that 100 percent of the profits from the song will go toward this fourth orphanage. All it takes is one!!!

Thanks for coming back and I promise more to come!!

Love,

Erin

Museum Glory

For all of you in the "burbs" of Chi-town this is a must visit - The Frankfort Children's Museum. I went for the first time with my friend Ryan and 2 of her 4 kids!

It was great - I mean, the museum wasn't spectacular, BUT what I loved was that the kids could play, paint, color, craft, read, draw, play dress up, and there was NO clean up whatsoever!~ It was the most amazing place I have ever been!! What an amazing concept! There was even a face painting station where the mommy's could paint their children's faces! Very cute!

Another tip - they are closed on Monday's for cleaning so if you are the first ones in on Tuesday you have a sanitary, non germ infested play-haven awaiting!

Happy Playing!

Where is your favorite kid-friendly place to visit?

Love,

Erin

Is It Summer Yet?

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for summer. Two days of 80 degrees is all I need to get ready. We already broke out the whale pool since the big pool doesn't open for another 3 weeks!! We love our whale pool! The kids were also blessed with a new toy from Grandpa and Gigi!! Thanks you guys! We LOVE it! Here's to praying this summer is a lot warmer and a lot longer than last year!!

Love,

Erin

Husband + Hillsong = PERFECT Night

This past Saturday night was a very unexpected one. I had gotten tickets for Jarrett and I to go to Hillsong together about 2 months ago. Well, the time came and we didn't know how we were going to make it work with the kids, but the Lord made it happen!! We have been needing a night out for a while now and the night couldn't have been better.

The concert was at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates so we had a bit of a drive. We stopped on our way and had dinner and Sangria at Big Bowl - my fav!! We left early so we could enjoy our dinner and relax for a bit!! After dinner, we went next door to Woodfield Mall and walked around for a bit and found ourselves at The Cheesecake Factory for dessert!

On the way out, we stopped at Nordstrom and I used a gift card from Christmas to buy a new pair of my favorite black pants! They are a little pricey, but I got my first pair my Senior year in high school and I just now needed a new pair. They are SO comfortable and SO worth the extra $!!

Since the concert didn't start until 8:00 p.m., we got a quick Starbucks and we were on our way!

Every time I go to a Hillsong concert, I feel like I maybe get a teeny tiny glimpse of heaven. There are so many different ages and races all there to worship the One and Only God. It's a beautiful thing! I would be one to stand in the center so I have room to jump around, but my darling husband will go to concerts on a seat-only basis!! I'm thankful he goes with me!!

Speaking of jumping around, since having my two darling babes, I haven't been able to jump around at concerts like I maybe would like to - all you mom's out there know what I mean!! I have to say this concert was a little better! My calf muscles got a good work out though!! I was doing calf raises in leu of jumping around!

To my surprise, Marty Sampson led a LOT of songs that night - personally, I think he's the best!! Don't get me wrong - I really like Joel and J.D., but Marty is our favorite!! If you don't have his album check it out here. You need to own it!!

The night was incredible. We sang, Tear Down These Walls, You Hold Me Now, Arms Open Wide, and With Everything just to name a few!

When we were singing You Hold Me Now I couldn't help but notice a girl two rows back from me with her arms outstretched - she had no hair left from what seemed to be some intensive chemo treatments. She looked just like the sister from the movie My Sister's Keeper. As soon as I saw her I started weeping. I really couldn't help it. There are times I think life is hard and I've got it bad, but I don't. My heart was also heavy that night for Megan Moss so I was crying out to the Lord on her behalf that night. Praise God on our way home that night we found out she had a heart waiting for her! Here are the lyrics to the song:

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace

All my fears swept away
In the light of your embrace
When Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence here to hold
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

In this life fin'lly stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails

When You're name is lifted high
And forever praises last
For the glory of Your Name
I'll be livin' for the day

When the world has finally cease
All creation rest in peace
Let these songs of heaven rise to you alone

No weepingr, no hurt or pain
No suff'ring You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your name

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

No weeping, no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sickening
No hiding You hold me now,
You hold me now

It was an incredible night. I'm so thankful that Jarrett and I were able to spend some much needed time together and that I was able to participate in an amazing time of worship!

P.S. Don't wear your cute new shoes (that I got for $45 might I add) the night you will be walking a lot. I have a nice blister, but it was worth it!!

Love,

Erin

Two More...

This past week has been full of surprises! My mom used to show paint horses - she did it until her 20's so my dad thought it would be a good idea to get her back on a horse. I have Rusty, but she is quite the cranky horse and I wouldn't dare get on her unless she has been lunged or ridden for over 6 hours!!!! To say the least, Dean and my Uncle Bob went on a trip to Ohio this past Saturday and came back not with one, but two surprises!! Uncle Dean thought Eden and Dean needed a pony! We now have two new members of the family - Beau and Petey the pony!

On Friday, Grandpa came home with a F-150 Power Wheel for Eden and Uriah. They have had a blast!!

Enjoy some pics!

Petey, Rusty, & Beau

Eden & Rusty

Petey Eden, Uncle Bob, & Beau

Beau Petey

Love,

Erin

Answered Prayer

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Sorry I haven't written sooner, but it's been crazy!

Tuesday, my mom was bonded out of jail. It was a crazy event in and of itself. The last time I saw her in jail was on the 7th. We were there for 30 minutes and she wasn't responding at all. She maybe talked for 2 minutes total and had a number of anxiety attacks while I was there. She said she had no hope and that she would never see the light of day again. It was heartbreaking - probably the hardest it's been since this all happened.

So that was Sunday afternoon. Monday, my dad talked with the attorney and they decided it was time to try and get my mom out. We started the paperwork on Tuesday and were told that it was going to take at least 6 - 8 hours to get the paperwork started and it looked like she would be ready by 9am on Wednesday. At 6:30 p.m. that night, my friend Ryan and I were driving to Orland to do a little shopping and I got a phone call. It was my mom asking who posted her bond and was anyone there to pick her up. I was in shock. No one called like they said and it was only 3 hours after we started the paperwork. I immediately called my dad and he was on his way. They ended up kicking her out because they said they were closing. So there was my mom - wandering around downtown Joliet in her jail garb with her plastic bag full of a Bible and all the sweet cards people sent her. When Jarrett, my dad, & Dean got there they found her walking with a strange man. She said he was bringing her to his car so she could use his phone. That's when they found her. Thank you Lord.

I had so many emotions running through my head. I was SO grateful, excited, and nervous all at the same time. I thought I had 12 more hours to prepare for everything, but God's timing is perfect. She was home and so grateful. Still a bit numb - you could tell she was not herself, but rightly so. Once we got her showered and settled, she wanted a BBQ Chicken Pizza from Chicago Dough Company, a Hansen's Root Beer, & a Venti Soy Chai Tea Latte.

We had dinner as a family. Eden couldn't have been happier to see my mom. She was attached from the moment she first saw her again. It almost brought me to tears because I felt it was the Lord's way of saying, "Gaye, I love you more than this."

The following day we took her to a rehab clinic where she is now. The first night was really hard. She had a lot of anxiety. My dad ended up staying with her until 10:30p.m. when she fell asleep.

The first 2 1/2 days were really hard on her. She was not wanting to participate and was making mention of wanting her life to be over. She was/ is having a hard time with hope. forgiveness and the Lord's unending, unswerving love.

We feel there are A TON of attacks/oppression from the enemy on her thoughts and mind. Please pray for protection over her mind and that she would just claim the name and blood of Jesus over herself. I ask that you pray that for her as well.

The last 2 days we have seen a small improvement. Thank you Lord. She has been working a bit more with her therapist. And that's all that it is going to take - A small step each day.

We have been able to see her every day since she's been there. My dad has been so loyal and loving towards my mom.

Tomorrow is Monday - the new work week. Please be praying that my mom will make some good improvements this week, but most of all pray that she would find her strength in Jesus.

I'm sorry if this is all over the place. I'm sure there are some things/ details I have left out. If you think of anything and want to ask, feel free.

I hope you find comfort like I have in the lyrics of a song by Brooke Frasier.

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness, or trial, or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conquerer and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship


I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here


This is my prayer in the harvest
Where favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

I cannot say it enough how much I appreciate all the prayers, love, & support everyone has shown. If I could give each one of you a hug, I would!

Clinging to the Cross,

Erin

A Bump In The Road

My 3 year old babe!

As some of you know our life has taken an unexpected turn... please bear with me as I try to pen some of my thoughts/ journey. Let this be my journal...

Monday, February 15, 2010... I hadn't heard from my mom all day. I had called lots - both her cell and my grams house... I called around 1:00 seeing if she wanted to run to Target with me... the kids were napping and Jarrett was home so I thought we could have some mother - daughter time. I was just going to drive by my grandma's to get her, but since she didn't answer, I figured they had gone out somewhere. Thank you Lord for causing me to keep on driving.

I continued to call because she was supposed to be over first thing in the morning to stay with the kids for the day and overnight. Jarrett and I had an overnight trip planned for sometime now. We were going to the city for some Switchfoot and a night in the city. The Lord had other plans.

By 8:30p.m. still no answer. Dean was home from school for some odd reason that night and I said, "I haven't heard from mom all day and I think something's wrong. Can you ride with me to grandma's?" We got in the car and went over. For some of you who don't know, my grandma broke her femur in September. She had a 1 month stay in the hospital and she was out. She almost passed twice while in there, but the Lord had other plans.

When it was time to leave my mom decided to move in with my grams. Grams was one who was set in her ways so moving in with my mom wasn't an option! My mom packed some things and gladly moved in with her mom. She was an only child so she carried the full responsibility.

When we arrived at my grams, her parking lot was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape and I saw in the distance my grandma's garage door open... WHAT??? I was instantly sick. Dean asked me what was going on.... I asked an officer, what's going on and he told me there was a homicide. I told him that is my grandma's house and my mom lived there. He waved us through.

We were met by a detective. I kept asking was it a double homicide? Did someone break in overnight? Finally he decided to tell me my grandma was killed. Where's my mom? Is she okay? He told us it would be better if we could go down to the station.

There in the small town I grew up in I found out information I thought was impossible. Was I dreaming? Is this real? Why hadn't anyone called us at 2:30p.m. when they found all this out? Why had the media known before us?

Weird, but almost instantaneously I knew the Lord was in control. Maybe that sounds a bit ridiculous, but I did.

Two anti-depressants, one anxiety medication, and one sleep aid - namely Ambien... lack of sleep, stress, and a combination of sin and the enemy... enough to do someone in - that being my mom... someone who I love more than words.

That night only 3 hours of sleep took place on my part. As I tossed and turned, I thought, "Lord if this is how it's going to be, I don't know how I'm going to handle this..." And as I awoke that morning John 8:32 was in my head ..."and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In that moment I felt the Lord saying to me, by turning herself in, the first step was taken in being "set free." Things could have ended up a lot different, but they didn't. And in those dark moments, the Lord did not leave my mom. He was there and He still is there.

Two days later my sweet princess turned 3. I will never forget her 3rd birthday. Amber and Vernon drove up for less than 1 day just to love us. Thank you sweet friends. And in between those 2 days we planned my grams funeral. Things I never dreamed to be doing. But praise be to God that we were able to get things set so we could take a day and spend it as a family...

Jules was on a flight less than 24 hours later keeping life at home somewhat normal for the kids. Jules, I love you more than I know how to express. Life would be so different without you. Eden was starting to not enjoy all the "meetings" mommy had to go to, but the kids were resilient.

We had a beautiful 2 days remembering the life of my grandma. Over 400 people came to show their love and support for her, my mom, and our family. THANK YOU ALL. I was so overwhelmed by all your love and support. Friends drove in from near and far. One pregnant with a 2 year old who is full of life. Eight hours in 1 day... that is LOVE. Friendship is one of God's greatest gifts. Friends who I haven't seen in over 10 years showed up to give a hug and lend a shoulder to cry on... and through all of this, I had my amazing husband standing by my side strong and sure... unmovable. Unshakable love... overwhelmed by the love of Jesus.

Crazy how the Lord orchestrated all of this before the beginning of time... we buried my grams, had a luncheon provided by an amazing body of believers, and I was 2 hours from seeing my mom for the first time. Nerves... wow... Love...LOve..LOVe...LOVE.... that's all that was going through my head.

A court order went through hours earlier for me to have a contact visit with my mom. I was able to hold her hands, hug her, and look in her eyes and tell her that I/we love her more than ever. People near and far love her and are praying for her and supporting her. She was grateful.

One week went by and Dean and I were able to have another contact visit with her. She was so grateful to see her kids again. She looked better. She missed us and was longing for a Root Beer.

Three days went by and I had my first video conference with her. She was having a hard day. She was visibly sad. They moved her at midnight from the medical side to general population. I think things were setting in. It was awful seeing my mom so sad. My heart was breaking for her, yet I trust this is where the Lord has her.

I immediately called my dad and he set up a video conference for the following day. He saw her Wednesday. She was able to feel his love and support. Thank you Jesus.

This has brought our family closer together than ever and through it all I have fallen deeper in love with Jesus. He is GREATER. He will NEVER fail, and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). Friends, He is so much BIGGER. He THRIVES in situations like these. His glory shines all around, brighter than ever before. May people see it and grab a hold of it for the first time. May Jesus be my mom's everything. And may Jesus meet her right where she is.

Please pray for my mom.

Pray for wisdom.

Pray that God would be honored and glorified through it all.

This song has been my hearts song through this all. The lyrics echo the song in my heart - Alleluia, Sing by David Crowder Band

Like calm comes to a sea
Like snowfall quietly
You come to me
Like justice to the weak
Like a flood rising
You come, You come to me

And it feels like it's almost here

Alleluia majesty
Alleluia risen king
Alleluia angels sing
Like springtime to winter's hush
Like laughter to solemnness
Like a sun rising up
You come, You come to us

Alleluia majesty
Alleluia king of kings
Alleluia angels sing
Like a song rising up
In your heart filling up
Like a heart's not enough
For this love, for this love

To sing of love, to sing of love
To sing of love, love, love
Alleluia majesty
Alleluia king of kings
Alleluia angels sing

Alleluia sing!

Thanks for listening.

I honestly love each and every one of you. I pray that I can blog often and share what the Lord is doing and just to get some thoughts out!

In Him and For Him,

Erin