I would like you all to watch this! This is an awesome video. I am thankful that my children have such an awesome daddy to look up to!

Sweet Joy

JOY: the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.

What is joy to you? What brings you joy? Who brings you joy? How do you find joy? All these questions are important.

Ask them to yourself and see if you can have a positive answer. Joy has been on my mind and heart for a while. I have noticed that when people inquire about my Joe and his disability they kinda act sorry for me and speak in a hush voice. They seem to not want to ask questions about "it." Also, now that the Lord has allowed us to take a few steps back and struggle finacially for the next few years, while Joe is going school, I have noticed that people have the same reaction as with Joe's disability. They want to know our situation, but are afraid to ask out of fear of hurting or offending us. I say bring on all the questions even the ones you are afraid to ask. Know why? Because I am so stinkin JOYFUL it is almost humorous. I have Jesus. What more do I need in life? He is more then enough and He is my source of joy. He knew that the accident that took Spc. Stehle was going to happen, He also knew that what happened after in my life would be tough, but would result in joy. He opened the door wide and Joe has walked through it in obedience and stopped working full time to go to school full time. Our income is slashed almost in half because of this obedience, but again I have joy.

Matthew 6:25-27 states this:

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

then scroll down a bit further to verses 32-34:

For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

So why sweat it? It is not in my hands. The only thing I have control on is my relationship with Jesus. When our relationship is thriving then my faith grows and will continue to grow. I trust Him to meet all my needs and the needs of my family. He knows what they are and as long as I seeking hard after Him, listening, and obeying Him, then all will fall into place. That is what those verses are saying to me. Why sweat the small stuff that is happening here on the earth, I have something much greater waiting for me at the end of my journey. Heaven is looking good right now as our world is going down the tube. One thing I am looking forward to the most is actually two things tied for first , first is seeing my Jesus face to face, and second seeing my hubby healed ( if his healing isn't done on earth already, which is a whole blog in and of itself) I leave you with this hope. Next time when the world feels like it is crashing down around you ( yes, I have days like that too, I just try to not to let them bug me) Remember who is sitting on the throne of glory! I leave you with this:

Psalms 46:1 &10

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

To answer the questions I asked you at the begining of my post I have one answer for then all. My answer is JESUS! Do you have Jesus Joy?

Take time to relax!

Happy Birthday to me!

Some people in my life ask me why I choose to not "celebrate" my birthday. For those of you who don't know my birthday is November 8. On November 8, 2002 ( my 24th birthday) my husband Joe was hurt in a fatal tank accident ( Spc. Jonathan Stehle went to see Jesus that night). Joe's hurt ended up being Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or in plain English severe nerve damage in both of his legs. That night I almost lost my Joe. He was in freezing cold water for about 4 hours before he was pulled out. He suffered a mild form of hypothermia and he was struggling to gain feeling back in his legs. So now back to 2008, 6 wonderful and challenging years later. Last night I started to think about my birthday more. This year I will be 30. Right now where my life is, this is why I choose to not celebrate my birthday the way most people celebrate their big day.


1. I already received a great present. The Lord allowed my husband to live through the accident. Something we weren't to sure of at first.


2. Restoration. Joe and I were not getting along too well before he left for training in Oct/Nov 2002. When the accident happened that was our second chance to make our marriage work. I proved by choice to devote myself to my man. That sacrifice opened up many doors in mine and Joe's life together. 6 years later we are still together and going strong. Hallelujah!


3. Friendship. I fell in friendship love with the Oberholtzer family during that time. The love and support during that time was amazing. We are still really good friends today. They have continued to stand beside us.


Stacie Storrie. She is Jonathan Stehle's sister. I met her just when Joe and I needed her most. Only God can arrange a meeting like that. She is a devoted sister, wife, and mother. We are truly honored to have her in our lives. She has been a wonderful comfort and blessing. We have learned so much from from her.


Most importantly Joe. We became best friends through this whole ordeal. We have used our friendship that really started during that time period and gone back to that during the many other tough times we have been blessed to go through. That friendship bond is how I fell in love with Joe.

4. Testimony. We have an amazing story to share not just about the accident, even though most things started there. Through all the ups and downs be have been through I hope at least one person who will hear our story about what Christ has done in our lives will make that commitment for themselves to live their life for Jesus.

Now you know my reasons. Why would I or how could I receive a better present? Joe living through the night and all that has happened since is by far the one of the best presents ever. The best of course being the gift of Salvation. Most of my blessings began on November 8, 2002. No more pain on November 8th my perspective has been changed. I will try to celebrate the beauty that has come from the ashes.



FYI: Joe always says that we should give our moms a party on our birthday cause they are the ones who did the most work!

Spc. Jonathan Stehle, may your death continue to reach people and lead them in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Worthless

Worthless by Point Of Grace

I woke up today with a revelation

An introduction to the truthI knew the world was round

What goes up comes down

And maybe I

Finally got it figured out

Chorus

A moment is worthless

No meaning, purpose

Every breath is just wasted

If you are not the center of my world

I'm just drifting, barely existing

Every minute without you

Is worthless

You know the state of my condition

And yet you hold me anyway

So I won't take a step unless it's your direction

Where was I

Before I finally realized

Chorus

There's a void in my heart

Where it's empty and dark

Without You and Your love

Lord, I'm broken apart

I surrender my life

To be right where You are

I was listening to the song Worthless by Point of Grace and it was like the Lord was grabbing my heart. This song has really grabbed a hold of me this week. The Holy Spirit has really impressed upon me that I need to stop thinking about the world and what the reactions will be and focus completely on what the Lord thinks of me and my actions. When I do our budget, even if on paper it doesn't make sense but my Spirit is telling me to have faith and move forward then BY FAITH I will move. When Joe starts school on Monday and our income will almost not exist and it seems like an impossible situation I need to remember I do not serve a God who is impossible. Because as His word states. " I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." The Lord has opened the door for Joe to go school, this is His will for Joe's life and the life of our family. He will never ever put us in a situation and leave us with nothing. We will depend on Him with every ounce in us to make it through this. We will come out on top because my God reigns in my life and in this family! Like the song states "Every minute without You is worthless." I completely agree. I want to and am trying to live by faith. It will be hard, but I have a Saviour standing beside me holding my hand or who will carry me through when I am not able to walk anymore.

Just getting started

Hello friends,

I have decided that due to lack of time and craziness in our life, it is easier for me and sometime Joe to blog what is what going on in our lives instead of emailing you all. So I will start out by telling you a little about us, for those of you who do nopt know us that well. Joe and I have been married 8 1/2 years. Joe served in the Army for almost 8 years, but had to get out due to his disability (Just ask if you want to know his story). He would have made a career out the Army, but the Lord had different plans for him. I served as an Army wife 5 of those years and it was by far the most challenging thing I have ever accomplished. Joe is headed back to school in a couple weeks to get his degree in Computer Aided Drafting. It will take him two years to complete. I am so proud of him! I volunteer at Curtis' school as a lunch lady. I also am a stay at home mommy when I am not in the school kitchen. We have two very unique children. Curtis is 8 years old, and he looks just like his daddy. He is an amzing kid who has a heart for missions. He loves to raise money for the kids in Kenya with the help of Open Arms International. He is also involved in Ju Jitsu, which is a combination of submission wrestling, street fighting, and kick boxing. He is very good at fighting. He has three tounament fights coming up in winter/spring. He is a good student, and LOVES history and science. He tries to live his life for the Lord. I feel truely blessed to have this young man in my life. He melts my heart! Our other little person is our 3 year old Princess Shayla. She will tell you that she is going to marry prince charming one day. Right now her Daddy is her prince charming. She loves to dance and to try and do gymnastics. Her hero right now is Nastia Lukin and she thinks that when we go to London for the next Olympics that she is going to meet Nastia. So we will have to wait til 20012 to see if that happens. Shayla looks like me, but acts a lot like her aunt Katie. She can fill any room with laughter and joy. She makes friends very easily and is a people watcher. Both of our children have filled our heart with love and joy that I never that I could experience. So I am thankful to the Lord for allowing us to raise these kiddos!