Please don't forget!

I am going to try my hardest to type this without becoming a puddle on the floor. My husband Joe, almost lost his life numerous times while serving under our flag, so for him and countless others I am asking everyone of you to pause for a moment and say a prayer for the men and women who are in harms way protecting us. These brave warriors are fighting for our freedom to celebrate these upcoming holidays. As a former Army wife who proudly served along side her man for almost 8 years, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

My hubby's Christmas tree in his room while serving in Iraq

(Left to Right) Joe my hubby, Kevin Kochell, Michael

Being a warrior

Christian Sisters

What makes me weak?

My fears.
What makes me whole?

My God
What keeps me standing?

My faith.
What makes me compassionate?

My selflessness.
What makes me honest?

My integrity.
What sustains my mind?

My quest for knowledge.
What teaches me all lessons?

My mistakes.
What lift's my head high?

My pride, not arrogance.
What if I can't go on?

Not an option.
What makes me victorious?

My courage to climb.
What makes me competent?

My confidence .
What makes me sensual?

My insatiable essence.
What makes me beautiful?

My everything.
What makes me a woman?

My heart .
Who says I need love?

I do.
What empowers me?

My God & Me.
Who am I?

I AM A STRONG CHRISTIAN WOMAN!

( I did not write this)

I love this poem, or whatever you call it. It got my brain thinking again! I was watching a movie the other day and one thing struck my mind. I don't know the exact words that were said, but I remember the point. The point was this. We are not afraid of failing as much as we are afraid of succeeding. I know I am. I am afraid to do somethings in my life not because of failing, but because of the effort I will have to put into it and the fact that I will accomplish something and also that I am good enough to do the task. I am not talking about normal everyday tasks. I am talking about when someone asks you to something. I need to have more confidence in myself and believe in myself to accomplish what someone already knows I can do. I have been hearing a lot lately that we need to try and see ourselves the way God does. Obviously God thinks I am amazing and I need to believe that I am amazing too. So I am going to try my hardest this Christmas season and into the next year to believe in myself more. The Lord equipped me with the Spiritual gifts of service, mercy and hospitality. Also, my occupation is a wife, mother, and working in the lunch room at CCS (Country Christian) He knows I can operate in all areas of my life, not just a little bit in all of them. I want to be a warrior for Christ and accomplish all He has laid before me.

I will stand behind Obama, because I am a proud American!

This blog may rub some of you wrong and I am sorry that you will feel that way, I am not sorry what what I wrote. On November 4, 2008 our nation witnessed history. Barrack Obama, is going to become our first black president. That is so amazing! No I did not vote for the man, and I am a little nervous about his stand on some key issues, but that doesn't mean I cannot support the man. I choose to support him in prayer! I never in my life time thought that I would ever get to witness our country elect a black president. I am proud we did! I pray he will be the best president that God can make him be. I pray that he will join and rise this nation up, and not bring us down. Prayer changes things.

So I am asking you as nicely as I can to please SHUT UP with all the mouth vomit about Obama. Most of it is not true and if you believe everything you hear about him or what he is going to do you are a fool. All of us republicans need to put on our big girl panties and deal with this situation. I am tired of the racist comments, the comments about his family, how he is going to destroy Kenya, how he is gonna do this and that. The man hasn't even walked 5 minutes in Bush' shoes and I hope when he does he will think really hard about some of the decisions he wants to make. As Christians we need to get back to basics. Romans 13:1-2 states: Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resits the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. The Bible is very clear as to what we should do. Here is another verse that we need to cling to in this interesting times. Romans 12:9-13 states: Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
As believer's be need to quiet our mouths and hearts and get on our knees and pray. Philippians 4:6-7 states: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
As I close this I want to remind you of something we all know, but sometimes forget. God is still on the throne, He hasn't been knocked off. In the end He gets the victory! Satan has an extremely short leash and everything he destroys or seeks to destroy the Lord will build up again for His glory. No matter what color, or party our leaders are in, our God reigns forever and ever. So please I am asking all of you who truly love this wonderful country of ours stand behind our president. Cover him and his family with prayer. Do not be quick to judge. I was in that boat to, but my perspective has changed I hope yours does to! I leave you with this amazing video. I know you have heard this time and time again but really listen and see how much the Lord has done in the African American community since Dr. King made this speech! What a mighty God we serve!



I see no color, I hope you don't either! May the Lord continue to fulfill his plan for this great nation!

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.