Laughter in the Window

The only sibling I have ever had died as an infant before I was even born. Therefore, it's safe to say, I have always been an only child. I've never had that person constantly with me to fight with, play with, argue with or laugh with all my life. I have never understood that "bond" that people talk about having with their brother or sister. And, just ask David, I never learned to share. I never learned what it feels like to know that I always had a best friend at a moment's notice. So, when I first had Belle and David was talking about having another one, it about blew my mind. I mean, I knew I didn't want her to be like me and be alone all her life because I could tell almost immediately she was not cut from the "loner" rock. But at the same time, I was so scared. I have seen so many sibling relationships not make it thru the years. So, from the time I found out I was pregnant with Luke, I began praying. Praying that they would love each other unconditionally ALL their lives!

Fast forward to a few days ago when I was cleaning out Luke's closet. Luke has the toy chest his grandpa made for Belle in front of his window in his room and he just loves to climb up on it and attempt to destroy my blinds just to catch a glimpse of our "busy" street. So, to keep them occupied, as they had both just awoke from a nap, I raised the blinds. They proceeded to sit in the window for right at an hour and laugh hysterically at each other! I ran to grab my camera and got a few shots and a video of it.

Who knew they could be that funny?

Down right belly laughing!


Not sure how much more Belle can take!

As I look at these pictures I just fall in love with these kids all over again. I can hear their belly laughing piercing thru all of the troubles of my mind and pains in my heart. They remind me that the things of this world are only temporary. They are brother and sister...to be there for each other at all times. To give the other one a hug when they need it and stern talking to when they need it (and trust me...they tell each other what they think). These pictures and this sound have just blessed me so much that I had to share. Sit back and let the giggles wash away all of your worries....


**Edited Addition: We should be likewise as brothers and sisters in the Kingdom, too, right? Be an encouragement to each other...give each other a hug when they need it...tell them the truth when they need it...Edify each other and Glorify Christ, right? So why don't we?

Let's go for a walk

In the "Do you love God" post I talked about walking a crucified life with Christ and that I would share a story with you about that later. Later is now because I have been asked about it a couple of times.

If you can't tell by now, I am in the middle of a Beth Moore study. She has a way of taking those same Bible truths we have been told and not only bring them into a new light, but then give the commission to take that and run with it. A few weeks ago we were studying on God's rule and how our walk should be with Him. Beth wrote this imagery based on 1 Corinthians 2:9 and it gripped me. I had almost forgotten about it until the "crucified walk" talk. Now, as I read it again, I am so convicted...

Imagine going to heaven and standing by God as He lovingly shows you the calendar of His plan for your earthly life. It begins with the day you are born. Once you received Christ as Savior, every day that follows is outlined in red. You see footprints walking through each day of each week of your life. On many of the days, two sets of footprints appear. You inquire: "Father, are those my footprints on the calendar every day and is the second set of prints when you joined me?" He answers, "No, my precious Child. The consistent foot prints on your calendar are Mine. The second set of footprints are when you joined me."
"Where were you going, Father?"
"To the destiny I planned for you, hoping you'd follow."
"But, Father, where are my footprints all those times?"
He answers, "Sometimes you went back to look at old resentments and habits while I was still going forward, hoping you'd join Me. Sometimes, you departed from My path and chose your own calendar instead. Other times, your footprints can even be seen on another person's calendar because you though you liked their plan better. At other times, you simply stopped because you would not let go of something you could not take to the next day."
"But, Father, we ended up OK even if I didn't walk with You every day, didn't we?"
He holds you close and smiles, "Yes, Child, we ended up OK. But, you see, OK was never what I had in mind for you."
"Father, what are those golden treasure boxes on certain days?"
"Blessings, My child, I had for you along the way. Those that are open are those you received. Those still closed were days you did not walk with me."

Father, forgive me! How many unopened boxes do I have...

So, Here's the Rules

I love my daughter and her comments sometimes. I've mentioned before that I just know (and claim) that she is the next Beth Moore and in a blog pretty soon I'll share why (Beth, don't worry about the competition yet...she's only 4). But this week she has just blown me away with the simplistic insight she shared with the family.

On our way home from school Monday Belle shared with me that she had gone for a walk with one of her friends. When I asked her where she walked to she replied, "Just in the grass". I told her that she knows she is never to go off the porch or past the playground. She wondered why. So, I told her that someone could take her and she would never see us again. "Why would someone do that?" Well, because they don't know Jesus. "What would they do to me?" Bad things that would make you very sad. "They would never let me see you again?" Nope. "What would make someone do that Momma?" I don't know baby. "Mean People." We rode along for a little while and a light seemed to dawn inside her precious little head. "Momma, I know why someone would do that. It's sin! It's always about the sin!" Billie, pick up your jaw before it pops out of socket. She is so right...It's always about the sin!

So that night she approaches me and her Daddy. "Ok...so here's the rules." First of all, I about doubled over in pain from laughing because she was so serious. But she shared them with us very matter-of-factly then walked out of the room with a thumbs-up and a smile on her face. Over the next couple of days, thru sharing these rules with other friends, she has them modified and down pat. Ok, so here's the new rules:

1. Love God!
2. Obey your parents (amen sister!)
3. Don't sin
4. Love and be nice to your little brother
5. Keep your hands to yourself
6. Pick up your toys
7. Be nice

That just about covers everything in life, doesn't it? I mean if we #1 love God, agapao Him, everything else falls into place...obedience, love for one another, servanthood, etc. What other rules are needed? I take #4...love and be nice to your little brother and turn it into love and be nice to your brothers and sisters...both blood and in Christ. They all boil down to being an example too. Seven simple rules that if everyone would follow, this world would be a much better place.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. " --Mark 10:15-16

Pray On, Momma...

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mothers, Grandmothers, or Mothers at heart! I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday!

Mine was probably one of the hardest Mother's Days I have had in my short 5 MDs. My son woke up still cranky from being on his antibiotic and my daughter woke up with a mouth on her. Wait up...isn't this supposed to be a day to honor me?!?!? I mean, didn't I labor for hours and hours to deserve this day? Haven't I made it thru some tough times just so they would never know it? I mean, didn't they both draw me the cutest Mother's Day gift? But as the day wore on, more and more piled on top of me that I about said to myself, "Well...this Mother's Day is officially ruined." But later that night, while sitting on the swing watching my kiddos play, God spoke to my heart. Every day is Mother's Day! This is part of being a mother! The good and the bad. The easy and the not-so-easy. The fun and the not-so-fun. None of that other stuff mattered...this was another day day that my kids LOVE me!

I choose as a mother to not be like my mother was. I choose as a mother to handle situations and not just ignore them. I choose as a mother to do what is in the best interest of my kids. And one day they will understand, but right now they just know me as the "fixer" of all that is wrong. They turn to me when all of their attempts at something fails. They turn to me when they are hurting...big or small. And guess what? I am learning that I am a good Momma! Do you know how long it has taken me to get to that? People tell me all the time how great of a mother I am and I just laugh and say thank you but walk away in disbelief. But I am! God is blessing my children as a blessing to me as a Momma. God is working that out in me.

And isn't that just what God wants from us? To come to Him with it all? He is the Almighty Fixer! Healer...Protector...Provider...Lover of my soul! You name it and He is it! He only wants the best for us, just like a Momma. Sometimes He has to discipline us to get us to be the person He wants us to become, just like a Momma. Sometimes we rebel, just like a child. But God is always faithful to us, just like a Momma. And every day is "God's Day"...just like every day is "Mother's Day".

So instead of "Happy Mother's Day", I'll take "Happy Mothering!" I'm so thankful for my kiddos and what God is doing and is going to do in them. I mean, that little boy praise Him to "Shackles" by Mary-Mary like no one I've ever seen! And that Isabella...I'm already claiming she will be the next Beth Moore. Where does stuff like that come from? God...and a praying Momma. So all of you Mommas out there, hear this...you may have a tough day...it may be the funnest day ever...but no matter what, you are a light for those babies and your hard work and prayers will pay off in the heavenlies!

Pray on!

Do You Love God?

Beth Moore has been teaching on this in my Bible Study and God has been working it out in me, so time to use this blog for one of its intended purposes...to share with you what God is doing in this vessel.

Well, of course I do! I'm saved, silly. He is mine and I am His. I am thankful for Him. I have a great respect and reverence for Him. No, not phileo love (meaning brotherly love) but do you agapao Him? God tells us in Mark 12:3 that our protos, or priority, is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength." How do we identify that kind of love? Beth has helped to break it down and tell us:

1. Does He regularly circulate into my thoughts? Often, sometimes, or rarely...
2. Am I often drawn to spend time with Him? Not, and I disciplined enough to stay caught up in my Bible Study and prayer...am I drawn? Often, sometimes, or rarely...
3. Does my life demonstrate a love for God? Often, sometimes, or rarely...
4. Do I often just enjoy God? Often, sometimes, or rarely...
5. Do I find relief or satisfaction int he obedient life? Often, sometimes, or rarely...
6. Do you persevere and be patient with God? Often, sometimes, or rarely...
7. Do you make a fool of yourself for Him? Often, sometimes, or rarely...

Wow! As I answered those questions I realized I don't think I agapao Him. Something that God showed me thru scanning my own heart about the above was that thru everything I have dealt with as a child and never thought this type of love was possible, IT IS! And God not only is so crazy about me, but so is David. God has given David that supernatural ability to agapao! I know David loves God, but David is also a tangible picture of God's love for me! Trust me...David does make a fool out of himself for me...ask anyone. But God revealed to me a deeper love I can also seek for David and even my kids! Hallelujah!

Satan's scheme is to try and deceive us into believing that either God doesn't love us or that we love God when we really don't agapao Him. Isn't that silly? Why are we so deceived? Beth used the story of Peter being questioned about his love for Jesus out of John 21:15-25. Jesus asks Peter if he agapao'd Him. Peter says that he phileo'd Jesus. Jesus asks the same question again and Peter replies with the same again. Jesus finally concedes with basically, "Ok, Peter...you can Phileo me, but without agapao love for me, you cannot walk the crucified life." Ouch! That cut me to the core! I can either live the life of just saying, "Yes, I'm a Christian and yes, I love God." But then I will miss out on all of the "above and beyond I could ever imagine" for myself. It's time to take God and my walk with Him seriously. I want to walk the crucified life with Him. (I'll share a story with you on that later.) Do you? Beth says, "God gives any believer what she asks in His will" and we just read that priority is to love Him, so that is His will. So, "therefore ask God diligently and daily for the supernatural ability to love Him." I've started this on Sunday and have been amazed at what God has done and is doing thru that very simple prayer. Will you join with me and become a fool for Christ?

My Family

Being a mother has been the greatest and most rewarding job I have ever had. Sure, it gets tough at times, but it is worth it. These moments, even the one of me in the most physical pain a woman can feel, are a testimony to what I was created for. Worship! And being a mother, a Godly mother, is a form of my worship to God. Worship means anything that tells God you love him…what could tell him that more than taking partnership with Him in bringing another child into this world to take on the Great Commission? In the words of a great Christian artist, “This is a moment made for Worshipping!” And that is exactly what David and I have done immediately upon the birth of both of these children.

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of having a family…but this is far beyond what I ever could have imagined! God has blessed me with a husband who is a picture of Him and what He wants for my life. I love David only 2nd to God and I love the child of God that he is and support and backbone he is for our family. God also saw fit to give me Isabella, and what a blessing. She has taught me so much about faith and trust in the Lord, and to this point she is only 4 years old. She has also taught me so much about unbridled love, one for another. I can do no wrong in her eyes, even when I am having to discipline her. Then there is Lukey. He is teaching me to not take things so seriously. He is a picture of God's Word telling us to come to Him as little children. God, Thank You, for this most precious gift. The gift of love…the gift of laughter…the gift of passion…the gift of life. The gift I call My Family!

For this Child I prayed

I finally had my family...something I was beginning to think was never going to happen. When belle was about 3 months old, we discovered I was losing another baby that I never even knew I was pregnant with. The Dr. confirmed it so we were very careful not to let that happen again. As David began to talk of another baby, I panicked. First of all, I did not want to lose another baby (o, ye of little faith) and second...how in the world could anything compare to the love I had for Belle? But thru lots of prayer, I finally agreed it was time. We began the fertility treatments again and it was months of tests and pills....tests and pills. Every month I would go into the Dr on a certain day for them to do blood work and tell me if my levels said Yes or No to getting preggo that month. In March of 2006 I was told the same thing I was told every other month...it is not possible this month. Oh, but God must have been chuckling at those Drs (I believe God has a GREAT sense of humor sometimes.) It was time to start my medicines again, but they will not prescribe them to me without me having taken a pregnancy test. So, I ran on my lunch break to get a cheap-o one so I could pick the meds up on my way home. I came back up to work and took it. It was an immediate positive. After about 15 mins of suffering from dry-mouth (from it hanging open that long) I called Dave. "Honey...are driving? Please pull over."

More tests confirmed that I was, but that my levels were again pointing toward losing this child as well. We cried out to God...cried out with friends and family...cried out with our church to protect this little one inside of me. And He did! Isaiah Luke Overstreet was born December 23, 2006. What do you think? Looks like another funny little miracle staring you in the face, huh?


So, what does all of this come down to? GOD IS GOOD! ALL the time! and ALL the time...GOD IS GOOD!

"Sing O Barren Woman..."

That's what I was...barren. In many ways. Many people do know my testimony, but many do not and since I have alluded to it many times, I now have a great venue to share it. This isn't my full testimony of God's Grace and Mercy on my life...this is just the chapter entitled: "Sing O Barren Woman"

How to make this short enough and yet still be a witness....

In June of 1999, we had been married a year and decided to start seriously considering having a baby. It was easy, right? Get off of birth control and bam...9 months later you have a wrinkly little crying version of you and your husband. That's what we attempted to do. But as the months wore on, we realized we might want to make sure everything was ok. Now, as a teenage girl, I was always told that I would more than likely never be able to have children but was never told why. It didn't effect me then because I didn't want kids then. As this time came back to my mind, we made an appointment to see a Christan doctor. He said, "Nothing is impossible with God!" After a series of tests and a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), he sent me on my way with fertility drugs. Finally, in June of 2000, we were pregnant. The ultrasound was great, but my hCg levels were not what they needed to be. They put me on supplements, but it didn't help. Four weeks later we peered into the black and white monitor and blinked really fast in hopes that the dark spot in the middle would blink back. But it didn't. Taylor Jordan went on to Heaven and waits for me there.

Still reeling from one of the hardest days of my life, and instructed to wait at least 3 months before trying again, we went on vacation. While on vacation in August, we were blessed with another disguised dose of grace. God mercifully ushered this baby into Glory earlier than the first. Then again in May of 2001 He welcomed the 3rd Overstreet baby. I think He knew my heart couldn't take getting to know these precious ones any longer than I already had. You Momma's out there know what I'm talking about...it's instantaneous! The moment you know they are in there, you begin to imagine so many things and you know that child. My clinic blessed me with a book called, "Mommy, Please Don't Cry." It was one of the most healing times for me. I had to learn to lean on God and know that He has a plan for me.

In November of 2001, I was still in the "why" phase. All my life all I wanted was to grow up and have a family and be the kinda of parent that my real mother was not. So here I was, married with 3 children I couldn't hold. I went to church one night when we were still having Wednesday night services in homes. When prayer request time came up, I just raised my hand and asked for prayer for a physical healing. Not a soul there knew about my baby troubles as we had just started attending. The pastor asked that we all remember all of the requests put before us, but he just felt right now we all needed to lay hands on me and pray for my request. And God did it! On February 4, 2002 I found out I was pregnant. Of course, I was nervous, but God blessed me and gave me a perfect pregnancy all the way thru. Isabella Faith Overstreet was born on September 30th, 2002. Isn't this the sweetest miracle:


Faith...the substance of things hoped for...the evidence of things unseen. She helped build our faith for the next chapter of our journey...

More later....

Who Are We, Anyway....

Good question. It's funny...the first thing that comes to my mind is a t-shirt that we have that on the front has one of those sticker nametags that says "Hello! My name is:" In the name spot it says, "I Am Not". That's who we are...we are not, but we know I AM! This little family has been thru some struggles. I don't pretend that you haven't either. Some of you may have had it worse. But in our own little world of struggles, we can truly say, "We are not!" That is because God is the only one who could have seen us thru this vapor we call life.

Beyond that, we have been married for 9 years (next month) and have a 4-year-old daughter named Isabella...1-year-old son named Luke...and a 7-year-old JRT named Sissy. So needless to say, things are a little crazy each day in our home. These children are true blessings and actually miracles for us. I'll share that story maybe later.

Our lives consist of work, church and that crazy household. David works for our church as the Worship Leader and at NAPA. I work for Blue Cross, and no I cannot do anything about your insurance. But thanks for asking. We attend Fresh Start Church as our local avenue of The Body...our family. But it is so interesting when people ask us, "What religion are you?" We both come from a very diverse background of denominations. We have family that are at all different kinds of churches, and therefore have attended many different kinds even being a part of FSC. So what "religion" are we? We are God's children! Why people get so hung up on their theology being 100% right and everyone else being 100% wrong, I will never understand. THAT is what causes division in The Body...the ENTIRE body.

Ok. So off of that soapbox and shew all of the bubbles away. We have wonderful families that are so supportive of us on an almost daily basis. David's family lives almost 3 hours away, but we try to see them as much as time possibly allows us. My family lives about an hour away and we see them just about as much. But they love us and support us without fail and we can rely on that!

Well...I think I've probably bored you enough with all of this. Anything else you want to know? Otherwise, I'll have to think on what my next post will be about...

And She Caves

You know...I thoroughly enjoy reading other blogger's sites...even people I have never met a day in my life. But I have always said, "That would just take too much time for me, and time is a precious commodity in my life." I mean, I already send out en masse once a month to just about every person I know that has an e-mail address a monthly update on our family. Wouldn't this really be easier? Yes! It would. It will also be an avenue to just write some things that I have been feeling lately as God has been stoking the embers of my Spirit that I have tried so faithfully snuff out thru my own shortcomings. It will also be an avenue where my husband, if he so chooses, can write some of his amazing revelations from God. Don't worry...I'll still send out my monthly updates to those you who don't have time for this sort of thing either. I haven't totally gone off my rocker...yet...

So, for those of you who have no clue who we are but find yourself beginning to read this blog...I'll tell you more later....

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