South Daaaaaaaakota

This Labor day weekend Noah and I got to go on VACATION TO SOUTH DAKOTA!!! P.S. I really really love South Dakota.  We left Friday late afternoon and return Monday am (like 2:15am)!

We went with these wonderful ladies: (Katie J, Amy Plooster, Heather, Kayla, Keely, Mandy, Elle, Muje, and Annelise 

Group Photo taken on our last day at THE FALLS PARK! It as B E A UUUTIFUL there!

We went to the LIFE LIGHT FESTIVAL! There was a TON of stuff to do like listen to the greatest bands EVER and EAT and Play games etc!  It was on farm land so it was HUUUUUGE!

DAY ONE

We woke up at the Hilton Garden Inn and left to check out LIFELIGHT with the gang. At the fron of the Festival there were a lot of vendors; they sold Tshirts, cds, hats... etc! Everything was about THE LORD! There was a tshirt I almost got (and atleast should have taken a pic of that read: LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, MAKE DISCIPLES!)

I got Noah the "MISSION BALL" it shares the Gospel on it! So everytime we play soccer we have the opportunity (using the ball) to share the gospel and truth with whomever we play with! WHAT A GREAT TOOL! Noah and I were sooo excited to get it! It was $20.00 and with a purchase a ball gets donated to a child in another country, and the gospel is translated into their language!! I think it's such a powerfull tool, GOD CAN USE EVERYTHING!!!!

After we checked out a ton of booths we did a lot of this: 

(eating, chilln, talkin, and playing)

       

We listened to this great band called REILLY, you NEED to check them out. They are amazing, truly talented! Noah and I enjoyed them very much! http://www.myspace.com/reillytheband

After a long morning and afternoon in the sun walkin and what not, Muje, Noah and I went back to the Hotel for some of this:

(Noah did such a great job, oooo my tired little man)

        

After that we returned to the Festival for more fun and then went back to the hotel! Noah fell asleep and the Girls watched "Cant buy me love" on TV and fell asleep! 

DAY TWO(sunday)

coming soon.....

... cuz I tell ya what, HOMIE DON'T PLAY DAT!

"Genesis 1:1 says, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
That was Noah's memory verse for the week for school! Not to boast but, Noah already had that one down so I kinda felt like we cheated, but cooome ooooon now! :)

I love that my son is not being taught: " in the beginning, 12 to 14 billion years ago, the portion of the universe we can see today was only a few millimeters across. It has since expanded from this hot dense state into the vast and much cooler cosmos we currently inhabit. BANG, now here we are"

I also love that my son isn't being taught: The modern theory concerning the evolution of man proposes that humans and apes derive from an apelike ancestor that lived on earth a few million years ago. The theory states that man, through a combination of environmental and genetic factors, emerged as a species to produce the variety of ethnicities seen today, while modern apes evolved on a separate evolutionary pathway.

... cuz I tell ya what, HOMIE DON'T PLAY DAT!

Noah has heard different theories here and there by listening to me talk with people and while he's been with me sharing the gospel.  Even these two theories are an insult to my 5 year old boys' intelligence!!!
"People just want to do whatever they want, it's easy" is what Noah said about what he thinks about those who deny God. I don't exactly know if this is another thing that he has repeated that I have said or it he truly understands it. Either way, he's facing the right direction.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 is my favorite verse ...Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season to correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

In 2nd peter 2 is says ...there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

HOMEWORK

Just a quick post:

NOAH HAD HIS FIRST REAL  HOMEWORKD ASSIGNMENT LAST NIGHT, Sept 1, 2010! He didn't even need my help, but I still got to cheer him on at the table as he did it!

I love living life with my son!

I can't/can wait/will wait, for when Noah needs my help on his homework!

PROMISE I AM CLAIMING: Psalm 37:23-24 says,  If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;  though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

some "LITTLE" things

UNIFORMS

It's been nice having Noah wear uniforms! We already know what he's going to wear every morning, is saves so much time! They're nothing like the uniforms my brother and I wore when we attended our school in NYC. Noah just has to wear an ICA t-shirt/shirt/sweater/hoodie/vest  (  / = or, not all at the same time) and khakis!  He looks to stinkn cute!!!!! That reminds me, I ordered more shirts for him and they should be mailed today! Noah picked out black and light blue! I will post pics of him in his cure little clothes soon!

ROUTINE

I never thought I would be a fan of routines and schedules but since these are so imperative to have while raising a child, I have grown to love them and so has my little Noah! Noah wakes up at 6:45 and prays on the couch while I finish getting ready for work and make him breakfast. Breakfast is ready by 7am and he eats cheerfully and drinks his "power milk", while I make him his lunch! (it's so fun packing my son a lunch hehe). Then he washes up and changes his clothes, shoes on etc.! Then off to school he goes and I go to work! I have chosen to not drop him off a the door, I park and walk him into his classroom! I love praying with him on the way to school and holding his had till we get to his locker and put his lunch away, he isn't shy about givin his mama kisses at the door infront of his friends, I love that about him.

AFTER SCHOOL

I pick him and olivia up and we go get a fun snack (if no worm that day)! Go home; do homework and then we play and talk(finally hahah*see previous post*)!! Cook, eat dinner, he cleans up, showers, we read and he's in bed, sleeping my 7:50-8:15!

p.s. I LOVE MY LIFE, The Lord has been so good to us!

The Lord says,"I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

Proverbs 15:29-30 says,  The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

NOAH + Aug 23 = KINDERGARTEN

Noah started kindergarten last monday! It went really great, the preperation and the drop off and the pick up! he was totally ready for school and was super excited which made it way better for me! He is in his second week at ICA and I still can't believe that he goes to school! He is so big and he just keeps getting bigger(older).

I am so proud of him, he has been such an incredible blessing!! He loves going to school and has been doing really well on all of his work! The only problem we have run in to is his ability to talk up a storm! lol He is aware now that he just can't talk and sing whenever he wants. Sitting down and being quite is something I believe, with God's grace, he can do! This week he got introuble monday for talking but since then no "worms"! Ok, let me explain this worm thing... Everyday they have an apple next to their name and if they get introuble(for whatever the reason) they get a worm in their apple. Three worms in one day is grounds for going to the principals office! My son got 2 worms last week and a worm this monday!So far it's only been one worm on the days that he has gotten one. And he only has gotten worms for talking, so we are workn on that. No worms since monday so far, so he is growing in this area !! He prays everyday about being obedient to the teacher and only talking when the time is appropriate, and he does this all on his own!

I really love him!

On the first day of school they had an assembly and I was able to stay for that! I was reminded how wonderful Iowa Christian Academy really is! There is nowhere I would rather him be during the day (at this age) while I am at work!

They started the school year with prayer, worship and God's word. I left the first day pumped that he was in a Christ centered invironment, even though it was still really hard for me to leave him. And really hard to fight jealousy towards Mrs. Carlson, cuz she gets to teach and spend time with my son- what I wanted to do.  Again, letting go of my desires and yeilding to what God has offered!

I was also reminded what great friends I have.  I was able to go through this next step in life with RACHEL HODGES, an incredible woman who loves and fears the Lord. Olivia, her daughter, is in Noah's class and the Lord has been sooo good to us! I called my friend Bo on my way to work and she let me cry on the phone, we acctually cried together, she loves us so much! :)

I am so excited for this new chapter in our lives. Please continue to pray for Noah and I!

Psalm 94:18-19 say, When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Really... Really??? wait, really?

Since January of 2010 I have been praying for a job, and praying. Then praying and waiting and praying and waiting and trusting. Then praying, waiting, trusting, not trusting....
Not gonna lie, I had been very discouraged for weeks! Though I knoew that the Lord loves me and wants the best for me and that His timing is perfect, for some reason I thought I had room to complain or doubt.

Here is in exerpt from an email I sent to some friends earlier this summer....

I am asking for you guys to continue to pray for me. I don't have to be anxious for anything since philippians 4:5-7 is very clear: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
See, no need to be anxious, but I still am sometimes!
I have to remember to be thankful for all the things i have been doing while i haven't been working(since it's summer time and east high is out). Like being with my beautiful son all day long. That's the desire of my heart and it's a privilege to serve him and love him. I get to play outside, go to the beach, color, paint, make paper airplanes, go on prayer walks, get wet outside, get muddy after, make forts, be a super hero, eat popsicles, eat tropical sno, cook, clean, train, cuddle, talk, teach... etc. It's crazy how while I am writing this to you i'm crying. I LOVE my life. And I am so thankful for this opporunity to stay home with Noah.
I cry cuz I am so thankful and because I am sad that days with him will end and I need to get out there and work! Don't get me wrong, I love to work but it's just harder when you leave your biggest blessing to do so.
It's also been great to meet with people and serve them and love them and meet needs during the day with Noah! I have been with God's grace trying to make the best outa of everything opportunity!
But the reality is that I can't stay home and I need a full time job to provide. Sometimes I get into lil funks when I start feeling sorry for myself and start viewing my self like Satan wants me to, an unemployed single mom that can't provide for her child. I know it's a lie but I still believe it and feel bad if I enjoy my time with Noah. Then I get bitter towards the Lord that for some reason it's his fault i don't have a job or I did something to not be blessed with one. Or to not get used to it so it's not harder when I do get back to work. Sorry for the honesty but need you all to know where I am at. It takes a lot to beat my flesh every morning and to consider it pure joy when I face trails of many kinds. I have to pray before I get outa bed and set things straight- - I have been diligently working to find a job because I know that funds are very low and need to provide. I have a great son to spend the day with and a purpose that the Lord has set before me that is greater than anything and i shouldn't feel guilty to enjoy life. TIme with my son, people, and family. The truth really does set you free.
So I have been applying like crazy and nothing has been biting. I am pretty sure my resume has hit every insurance company in the greater Des Moines area. haha! not funny- still cryin!...

Thanks for taking the time to read that. 

I had diligently been looking for job for what seemed forever and through those months I really learned alot from the lord, it would take a whole lifetime to right about. ( Who knows, I just might)
So I will narrow it down to my top 3:
1. Trusting in Him isn't just saying that you trust Him
2. Being broken isn't wrong, that's when we see God's grace and faithfullness
3. I CAN'T START LIVING UNTIL I DIE. Meaning, putting to death my plans and what I think would be outstanding and living for His.

I prayed specifically that
I would find a job that....
1. I would be used at for his Kingdom and to bring ppl to know Him
2. Full Time
3. Benefits
4. I would by his grace be qualified for

JULY 23
I recieved an email reponse from HOANPC@aol.com. To my dismay I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!! Wait a sec, I had email them my resume MONTHS AGO, i thought to my self. I quickly refreshed my memory and realized it was a Law Firm. I quickly got discouraged because I thought I was for sure not going to get the Job. No eperience, no College Degree.... etc. Totally thought just another job I wasn't going to get.
I went to the interview that next day (a friday) and it went great! They didn't care that I had no legal experience and that I didn't have a college degree. They prefferred it, but they said that I seemed "teachable" just from the 20 minute interview. Richard interviewd me and was super excited about the idea of hiring me but couldn't do anything until he spoke with his partner Ron that wasn't in the office until Monday. So that meant waiting more.... it was okay, I have become a pro at waiting. I say that humbly, of course. :)
MONDAY
I waited all day monday. ALL DAY. Nothing. No email, not phone call. By 5 pm I hadn't heard anything and I thought they were long gone from the office already and that I didn't get it. I was leaving to go to the park with my son before bible study when..... ring! My phone rings! yes, yes in deed, I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I held in my excitment and told them that I would let them know if I excepted the offer in the Morning.
WHAT? Why didn't I just tell them yes right away?!
THIS IS WHY-
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
So BELIEVING that, I sought counsel. Even though I had waited since January for an opportunity like this doesn't mean I was desperate. I know the Lord, he's the reason I am not desperate.
I was advised from praying and from ppl that Love and Fear the Lord to go ahead and take it even though...
It was exaclty that I was praying for!

1. Not Full time
2. No Benefits
3. I was not "qualifed"
Just because it wasn't excalty that I was praying for didn't mean it wast right or even not from the Lord. In our own flesh even when seeking the Lord we might not know that to pray for. And, God knows what he's doing, and it's better for us if we LET him.

I TOOK THE JOB at Howes and Anderston, P.C. and started working that Wednesday! :)
THIS IS WHAT THE LORD PROVIDED FOR ME ( I didn't even pray for this much)
1. Work from 9-3 monday through Friday (Noah's school hours are from 8- 3:10)
2. Because of #1 I am able to take Noah to school and Pick him amd Olivia Hodges up from school   EVERDAY! EVERYDAY EVERYDAY!!!!!!! Yes, EVERYDAY.
3. On NO SCHOOL and EARLY OUTS Noah gets to go to work with me!
4. It is in WEST DES MOINES on ashworth my my house
5. It is in WEST DES MOINES on ashworth my my  Iowa Christian Academy
6. It pays just barely enought to get by...(more opporunities to Trust the Lord)
Proverbs 30:8-10
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'

I was talking to Meg one night (before I got this job) and she said "yvonne, for as long as you have waited, *sigh*, God has (better have) something incredible for you." Then she hugged me.

She was right, I was waiting for this incredible opportunity and I waited because I was being refined.  God NEVER MISSUSES ANYTHING OR MISSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ME MORE LIKE JESUS.
Psalm 38:15
I wait for you, O LORD;
you will answer, O Lord my God.

Wadup

So Summer is ending.... YAY??? I don't like to be THAT person that has a favorite season. I honestly look forward to all of them, cuz something great is always happening! Like during the summers we have EPICENTER and I look forward to that! Then in the fall we continue our bible studies and I love that too!!! Weather wise though, fall is wonderful!

1. I don't sweat as much
2. We see and experience all the fruit from our labor from the summer groups and epicenter!