The Panera Bread Jesus Party

My kids dread dental appointments; as most kids do. However, the one thing that they look forward to is going to Panera Bread for lunch. It's become sort of a tradition. It doesn't even matter that the place is packed and insanely busy. The food is awesome and the staff and atmosphere is exceptionally terrific; which is why I'm composing this post. 

Contrary to what the media likes for you to believe, there is an abundance of Christian believers living their faith out loud (and unashamedly in the public). The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was a man, wearing a Christian t-shirt, sitting at a table with another man having lunch. Ironically, my kids picked a tiny table close to these men and sat down. I told them shortly after we got our food that we probably should have sat at a bigger table for the three of us, but we decided to stay there anyways. I'm glad we did! 

It wasn't long before I noticed just how thick the place was with fellow believers in Christ. All around me, I heard mentions of God, faith, and a guy who was even mentioning the well-known Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey. The Spirit was very strong in the room because the kids soon started having faith conversations with me too. 

As we were talking, I could hear the man in the Christian t-shirt talking about the Republican candidates for president. He mentioned that he liked Ben Carson and Scott Walker. I also heard him correctly identify the fact that Trump is getting all the publicity and the hype because he just tells it like it is and is resonating with some people because of their own frustration with the government. I agree. Who doesn't just want to run their mouth sometimes like Trump does no matter what comes out? 

I felt stirred by the Spirit to say something to this man as he went to leave. I barely had time to tell him how much I appreciated and agreed with his remarks because my kids immediately started telling him that they liked his shirt and the "More Jesus" words on the front. We learned that we both had recently married and were on the same journey of being blended families. He also shared that he is the proud father of a ten month old son and that his heart and desire for his son is for him to grow to know Christ. Amen! I couldn't agree more! I showed him the photo of Casey's baptism and Casey shared one of the verses he has memorized:  

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. - James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Gianna also shared a verse she knows (because she's had to write often when she disobeys and gets in trouble):

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" --which is the first commandment with a promise --"so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." - Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)

I was very delighted to learn that this man is Doug from the WFRN morning show. In fact, a Panera Bread employee recognized him as she was collecting dishes and heard our conversation. She had the brightest smile on her face and the light of Jesus in her eyes as she told him how excited she was to hear people talking about Christ and that she listened to his show every morning coming into work. I told her we were having a Jesus party at Panera Bread. ;) It's always an encouragement to me to encounter other strong and passionate believers like her (especially younger people her age which makes me feel hopeful about God's gospel continuing for many more generations). His love and His Word endures FOREVER! 

Taking time for a photo with Casey & Gianna

Before Doug left, he knelt down and put his hands on us to pray. I felt incredibly blessed because public boldness is something that I love to witness as well as be a part of. It is uplifting to me because even though I'm not a shy person when it comes to faith and prayer in public, some people are (I've had people say to me, at times, when I've offered them prayer: "Right now?! HERE?"). 

I know that every single one of us was blessed by this God ordained encounter. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit touched and blessed many hearts; and in a mighty and public way! God's Spirit is STILL alive and at work, everyone! My hope is that every believer was encouraged and that every non-believer was stirred with the kind of curiosity that will compel them to start seeking Jesus. The more we live out loud and share our God stories, the more we will witness the life-changing power of God in our lives, in others, and in the world around us. It is absolutely essential that we do this so love doesn't grow cold (Matthew 24:12-13) and our brothers and sisters in the faith are especially encouraged in these last days (Hebrews 10:24-25).

I am incredibly proud of my bold, enthusiastic, and loud children who don't know how to use their indoor voices no matter how often I remind them lol. Their testimonies about God (as well as random comments about Transformers and My Little Pony lol) was likely overheard by many who were blessed by it as a result. Maybe that's another reason why that verse from James is so important. When we take more time to listen, we have more time to learn and be blessed by what we may hear. When we are quick to speak, we can sometimes be less self-controlled and our emotions can burst like a dam (not just anger, but other things as well). It can often lead to uttering words we later regret. It makes me think of Mr. Trump because even though it feels great to speak our mind, it's not always very kind or wise (Proverbs 12:18). Doug and I agreed that a good-hearted, wise, and faith driven Christian man like Mike Huckabee would be a GREAT president. He's another guy that is bold and unashamed of his faith. Just like we've witnessed today, that's something that this world needs more of! I think it MIGHT have been in a Beth Moore Bible study that I once did where she said that God won't just change your life, He'll change your day (I found this old post in the process of looking for it and wow...do I need to re-read and apply this right now! This was no accident!). Yes, Lord, please! Change our lives, change America, but also change our days! Abundant, joyful, encouraging, and blessed days are for TODAY as well as tomorrow and every day after! 

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I encourage you to pass this story along to others, as well as your own God stories too (some of Casey's is in the video below if you want to watch his testimony from church!). Please, feel free to share this post on social media for others to read. Perhaps it may refresh a fellow brother or sister who feels that there's nothing good happening in the world and they feel weakened in their faith. Share your own stories in the comments below and/or post a link to your own God story from your blog! Maybe we can compile them into a future post or start a new blog where we're all sharing what God is doing! Giving praise and glory to God is POWERFUL, my friends! Spreading the truth of His power and goodness strikes mighty blows to the kingdom of darkness, so let's do some damage! Comment with an "Amen" if you agree and let's keep the Jesus party going! God bless you!

Ignite: Children's Sunday from Vineyard Community Church on Vimeo.

Simple Blessings

A few days ago, I got something in the mail. It was from my dear friend, Holly. Imagine my delight and surprise as I opened the gold envelope and found two little packages of limited edition coconut M&M’s and a note which read: “Simply because I think you ROCK! : ) Enjoy… Holly”

I was profoundly touched! You should have seen me! I was giggly and squealing with girly excitement. I had my hand to my heart and was like, “Awww!! She loves me!” On her blog, she had talked about those limited edition M&M’s and ever since then, I had been looking for them (but hadn’t found any). How thoughtful of her to send them to me (and to attach such a sweet note to them - and on HELLO KITTY PAPER, NO LESS!).

Words can’t describe what that meant to me! It was such a sweet, simple, kind, and thoughtful gesture. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a big deal to just anyone, but it encouraged me GREATLY and spoke love to my heart! It was exactly what I needed! It meant all the more to me because it was sort of “random.” It’s not my birthday, and it’s not quite Christmas. Yet, she took the time to listen to a little “nudge” to do something nice for a friend. Add to that the fact that she actually had to take the extra time to go to the post office, and probably wait in line in order to get that mailed, and I appreciate it even more (because I’m the type that tries to avoid the hassle of the post office). Those of you who are Moms totally understand why that is AWESOME!! So yeah, this little gift is a HUGE deal for me! My dear friend, who is a busy wife and Mom, sacrificed some valuable TIME! She thought of me, and went beyond just a “good intention” or a nice idea.

Simple things really do mean the most. Yet, we underestimate just how much our simple gestures and random acts of kindness mean to others. We even push it aside because we are just too darn busy! We don’t want to lift a finger unless we have to because it’s just not “convenient” for us to spare five minutes or more. So, we brush it off as “no big deal” and that it probably wouldn’t matter anyways - all because we don’t want to put forth some minimal effort. Thank the Lord for people like Holly; who genuinely cares more for others than herself! Though, what she did is easy enough for anyone to do, but as I mentioned, Moms like us are busy. We’re taking care of our families and barely take care of ourselves. So, to go out of our way (and maybe make a special trip to the post office) can be a bit of a chore; and who needs another “chore” on their endless to do list? Yet, she said “yes”….to me (and to God)! It was as if she said: “I thought of you and you are definitely worth my time. Here’s a little something that I know you’ll enjoy! I don‘t want you to miss out on some limited edition cand

y, in case you can‘t find it yourself. You deserve it! And, as an added bonus, I’ll even write my note on Hello Kitty paper just because I know you love it (and because I love YOU!).”

This is but one of the many “simple” blessings that I have experienced lately. One of the other

ones was when Casey brought me something he made at school. He sweetly said, “Merry Christmas, Mom!” and gave me a picture with those words on it. He had also drawn a Christmas tree, presents, and two stick figures (representing he and I) on it. I smiled and lavished my praise and thank-yous on him as he sheepishly grinned from ear to ear. He also saw to it to bring me two more pictures just like it lol. The best part is, I think he does it more for me than for the sake of praise and approval. He really does love to make me smile (though, I’m practically going to cry right now lol). I am so incredibly blessed!!

So, to my dear Holly, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!! Thank you for hearing me bang on my silver bowl (if you all don’t know what I’m talking about, please read my recent post: “Bowls of Steel”….and Mike Huckabee‘s book “A Simple Christmas“).

Grace and peace to all of you!! Here’s to hoping and praying that more people will be like Holly and hear the sounds of silver bowls (yeah, “Silver Bells” are overrated! LOL). Remember, you never know just how special your words and actions are to someone! Never underestimate just how much you can significantly impact another; and that often times, those simple things you think are “no big deal” are the BIGGEST deal of all!! God bless you all!! Merry Christmas!!

Newness Under the Son

When you have the "be still and know that He is God" moments, you realize that nothing else compares to the awesome wonder you have for who He is, all He does, and how He loves. When you soak up the grace that He pours out, the sorrows melt away and He fills you; really fills you. Nothing and no one else can do that; or even remotely come close.

If only the reality of those moments of clarity would embed themselves so incredibly deep that you never forget it for a second; never to be deceived by a deception of Satan who tries to steal your joy. However, in this world, it’s all too easy to forget. It’s all too easy to wander away from the presence of God and forget everything that is important. Life gets “complicated” because we don’t remember to keep it “simple”. We become like Solomon and start searching for something new to captivate us and then realize the simple truth that the only thing that never gets old is the true newness that only God can give you. Everything under the sun is vain and meaningless; it all gets old sooner or later. There is only one thing that is continually new (rather SOMEONE). It‘s Jesus! He is always refreshing, restoring, and fulfilling. He’s amazing! The more you get of Him, the better! He truly satisfies your heart’s desire and doesn’t leave you empty.

For some time now, it’s been on my heart to re-read (and re-post) something that I wrote last year. I always feel weird saying “I wrote”, though, because I don’t really feel like “I” ever write anything. I have no ability on my own to write anything worthwhile. If any blog has an impact, it’s because God did it. I can’t even tell you how often I am blessed (and re-blessed) as I read over the things that end up getting typed on this screen. When you just KNOW that God is teaching you something, and that you couldn’t have possibly come up with it on your own, that’s simply the greatest thing ever! I think that’s why He’s been nudging me to repost the following blog because He knows that I need the reminder just as much as anyone. I confess that I have been very stressed and depressed. That’s pretty typical for me during the winter, which is why I always dread October through about February. This year, it has seemed to be a little worse than normal, but I think I am starting to “snap out of it” like I usually do. It just takes prayer and perseverance (and the support of TOTALLY awesome friends! Thanks to all who have, and are, praying for me! I deeply appreciate it! Thank you for carrying me and helping me bear my burdens!).

I hope the following blog helps you as much as it did me. I also hope that you will consider reading “A Simple Christmas” by Mike Huckabee. It’s a short little book, but it’s very touching (as well as humorous). I was deeply moved and encouraged by it, and it was a great boost for me. May we all remember that true peace and joy really does come from the simple things; the things that don’t come from a store and all wrapped up with paper and bows. Grace and peace to you all!!! Merry Christmas!!

***

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV)

Do you ever feel like Solomon, like there is nothing new and that everything is just the same old thing? Does it seem like everything just repeats itself over and over again? Such is the case with me the older that I get (and I am only 27!). I find that there is nothing "new under the sun" and that everything just cycles and repeats in a monotonous routine. It's how I felt when beginning to write because I struggled to come up with something beautiful, inspiring, and focused on the reason for Christmas.

Though, the more I tried, the more cliché it seemed. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing cliché about Christ's birth and the miracle of what God has done for us. What I'm talking about is the tireless beat of the drum at this time of year. The whole "in the midst of your shopping, get-togethers, etc. don't forget that He's the reason for the season." I mean, don't we all know that by now? We are reminded of it every single year. Yet, everything repeats. We get through the holidays, celebrate a new year, and the seasons change, holidays come and go, and everything just keep going and repeating.

How do we stay fresh in a world that has gone stale? How do we find the "newness" under the sun? Well, my friends, I think that we need to think about things a little differently than Solomon. He was probably the wisest human to ever live, and yet, he seemed so empty. That is why he came to the conclusion that there was nothing "new" and that all had been done before because he had "been there, done that" so much. Hence, he became bored and discontent when there was seemingly nothing new left to discover or experience. So, of course there was "nothing new under the sun" because nothing under the sun can fulfill! ALL of it will grow cold and lose its luster! This world cannot offer us anything that lasts.

Thankfully, since Solomon's time, we have been blessed with something truly new: the new covenant! Now THAT would have been something for him to discover and experience! Maybe he wouldn't have been so bored if he could have had the renewal that all of us can have in Christ every day of our lives! Though, even with all this "newness" at our fingertips, we STILL get bored because we are still searching for fulfillment under the sun rather than the SON!

This concept provokes deep thoughts in my heart. It stirs me because I know that I get "bored" a lot. Though, I don't suppose there is much excuse for that when there is so much joy, fulfillment, and LIFE in Christ (which is FAR from boring)! Yet, we still get stuck in the temporal things and wonder why we are wasting away inside.

Christ never gets old, and the newness doesn't lose it's luster. It's our desire for him that sometimes wears away. We get busy, distracted, and overloaded with responsibilities (and even the blessings) of our lives. Just like Solomon, we can have so much and still be so bored and discontent. Dear friends, this need not be! Jesus said that he came to give us life to the fullest (John 10:10). Life isn't found in the temporal things, but the things that are unseen and non-material (2 Corinthians 4:18). The unseen things are what last, and what will fill us and bring us joy. These are the things of the Spirit; the untouchables that we cannot get our hands on, but fill us beyond measure! It's the loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled moments that bring us unfathomable renewal, and keep us from getting bored, apathetic, and on a downward spiral in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

I pray that we would do more than just "survive" the season and breeze through all the traditions, rituals, etc. I pray that we will remember the "Jesus is the reason for the season" mantra, but that it will truly sink into our hearts. I pray that the newness the Son brings will fill us up with gladness as we focus on the freshness that Jesus can bring to each moment of our lives; whether we have experienced them over and over again or not!!

Grace and peace to all of you!! Have a truly blessed Christmas as you celebrate the Son!!

Bowls of Steel

Some of the most moving and teachable moments come when you don’t expect them. In a way, it’s almost like a sneeze. It comes out of nowhere, but it wells up inside you and then demands to be released. Often times, it can be awkward (and sometimes painful) but you feel relieved for having gotten through it and releasing the impact of that moment.

I had such an experience today as I sat down to read “A Simple Christmas” by Mike Huckabee. As most of you know, I had the opportunity to meet him (again!) at his book signing in Indianapolis. This isn’t his first book, but it’s the first book of his that I have read (thus far). While waiting for his arrival, I eagerly began reading it. Some of his stories are little humorous while others are more serious. Today, I read one of those more somber stories and the impact of it kind of snuck up on me (but gave me much to ponder and reflect on).

Mike Huckabee really knows how to tell a story, and the story I just read had to do with his Uncle Garvin. He shared about the good times he and his sister had with him and how they always looked forward to his visits. Uncle Garvin was a bachelor, and fairly well off (and always dressed in a suit). He described him as having to answer to no one, and being very independent.

He said all of that changed when Uncle Garvin found out that he had cancer. In those days, it was pretty much a death sentence (and such was the case for him). Uncle Garvin ended up living with the Huckabees for the last few months of his life. Mike said it was such a difficult time. Being twelve years old, it was a hard adjustment to have to give up your room and help take care of a person who is having his life stolen from him before your very eyes. He said, “In so many ways, I became a man that year. I was forced to face the realities of death and the uncertainties of life. I saw life in its ugliest form, when a disease robs a person of his strength, his pride, his privacy, and his ability to choose even the simplest things. More than being robbed of my youth, I was endowed with an extra dose of maturity and adulthood the very year I would become a teenager, 1968.”

Though, as often times is the case, it’s the hardship that most shapes your character, deepens your faith, and molds you into a better person. He concluded the chapter with these words: “My sister and I didn’t get much that year for Christmas. We had been prepared to not expect much because all our resources needed to be used to care for Uncle Garvin and there really wasn’t time for much else. But in many ways, it was one of our most meaningful Christmas experiences ever, not because it was a happy one, but because it wasn’t. It was meaningful because through it we learned that the real meaning of Christmas is not giving toys but giving God’s grace in person to someone who is no longer in a position to give back. It was a very simple Christmas, and maybe the best one of all.”

The whole time I was reading that precious story, the tears were just streaming down my face. The way he recounts a story with such depth, detail, and emotion always touches my heart. He truly has a way of connecting with people, and it’s no doubt because of such wonderful people, like Uncle Garvin, that shaped his heart and life. Every experience, whether pleasant or painful, has developed his character and enabled him to “pay it forward” to others. I admire people like Mike Huckabee, because they never waste a moment. They cherish every experience and hide it in their hearts; sharing it at just the right moment with others so that their lives might be touched and blessed.

Oddly enough, my kids were watching an episode of “Arthur” on TV as I was reading that chapter. Amazingly, it happened to be an episode where the characters were dealing with the fact that their beloved school lunch-lady was battling cancer. One of the kids ended up writing to Lance Armstrong for help with coping with their friend’s disease. Lance made an appearance in the episode and offered his own advice and shared his story. I just found it stunning that God would bring two stories about cancer, perseverance, and love to my attention at the same time. I never saw it coming, and it was a tender and heart-wrenching moment for my sensitive heart, but it was such a blessing.

When you ponder and empathize with a person’s story, you open yourself up to sharing a portion of their pain. It changes you. It shapes you. It helps you to examine your own heart and gleam from their stories life lessons that can help you on your own journey. For me, it spoke richly of compassion, love, sacrifice, and faith. It also reminded me of my own “Uncle Garvin” (in my case, my Uncle Brett). Like Mike, I deeply enjoyed the few times a year I got to see my Uncle. He was a bachelor too, and was always doing his own thing. And, like Uncle Garvin, he struggled with the inevitable drawback of independence which is loneliness. Mike Huckabee said that Uncle Garvin would bang on a stainless-steel bowl with a wooden spoon in order to summon them to his room for whatever need he might have had at the moment. He said, “It would be years before I came to realize that he didn’t strike that bowl and have us running to his side simply because he wanted us to refresh his water, fiddle around with the covers on his bed, or rearrange the newspapers in the room. That bowl was a cry for something far more important; it was a call for the presence of another human being in that room so that he wouldn’t spend those awful and painful waking moments with a condition worse than a cancer --loneliness.”

These stories were a reminder to me of just how precious fellowship is and just how thankful I am for the blessed family and friends in my life who bring me so much joy! It also reminds me of just how great the need is to reach out to those that aren’t so blessed, and who are battling loneliness, grief, and illness. Some of them don’t have steel bowls to bang in order to be heard. For many, their cries are silent for whatever reason. They go unheard and unremembered; or we just become deafened to the sounds because we shut them out for any number of reasons. It reminds me of all the people I saw in the nursing home when I used to visit my great-grandmother in the last year or so of her life. They were aching for attention and fellowship; a simple smile, a kind word, a tender touch. My kids would excitedly run down the hallway as they smiled and watched. Some of them desperately begged them to stop because they wanted to talk to them, touch them, and look at them. Such simple things, but so necessary and fundamental! It was heartbreaking to watch them (and my Grandmother) sit there in the nursing home; just WAITING for those occasional opportunities for human contact and interaction. We underestimate just how precious and important it is! I’ll never forget how Grandma looked at me one time and said, “Never end up in a place like this.” Even though she was blessed more than probably most of the people there (because she had a lot of family that cared for her and visited her) it still had to be incredibly depressing and lonely. I can hardly imagine, and it makes me feel all the more blessed (and all the more guilty in the times I indulge in apathetic pity-parties in what I think are my “low” moments).

As we all approach the holidays, I will do more than remember these stories. I will try to make the most of every opportunity I have to answer the call of a banging bowl. Not only does it mean the world to those who are trying to sound the alarm with their wooden spoons, but it has an everlasting impact on oneself (just as Mike Huckabee shared). You never know if it’s going to be your last moment (or theirs). That’s why it’s important to make every moment count and to have the greatest impact possible! You never know when it’s going to end. For my family and I, Uncle Brett was taken so suddenly and tragically (by accident). For Mike Huckabee, it was gradual and they had to watch the process of death unfold before them each and every day. I don’t know which is more painfully difficult. I don’t think there is any way to compare because each situation is a unique horror all its own. Though, we all stand to gain the same opportunities, which are to grow in faith and maturity and to learn to appreciate and love both friends and strangers even more (which C.S. Lewis talks about in “A Grief Observed”. I HIGHLY recommend reading it!!).

Pain is a raw thing. Like anything that’s raw, it can be a hot and time consuming process to go through the heat and the flames that sear our hearts. But, as one of our pastors always says: “Feel the heat; face the fire; find the gold.” As we feel the heat and the pressure of each trying situation, we are obligated to face them. If we boldly confront the pain and embrace the gold we are meant to find in it, we will be all the richer for it. The heat isn’t a pleasant thing, but through it, we are refined and “steamed to perfection” and it “brings out the flavor” of our character into a better and more savory taste. We have more to offer the world after going through such times of testing, and it’s in that way that those times of pain can be a gift. Though, it’s up to us to make the most of it. It reminds me of a forward someone shared with me about an egg, a carrot, and some coffee grounds. Hot water does different things to each of them. Some are like the egg and they become hardened. Others are like the carrot and they become mushy and fall apart. Still others become like the coffee grounds in which the hot water brings out their flavor and the process ends up producing a beautiful end product. With each object, the effects of the hot water can’t be avoided or undone. The object will forever be changed after coming into contact with the hot water. The only choice we have in the matter is our reaction to the water. So, the question is, which of these three things will we choose to be?

Grace and peace to all of you, my dear friends!! May you all be blessed as you face each day! Every day is a wonderful new day that the Lord has made; one to rejoice and be glad of, regardless of our good or bad circumstances. We have the promise that everything will work out (Romans 8:28). Embrace it and believe it! Cherish every moment and make the most of every opportunity (and may you never look at a steel bowl or wooden spoon the same way again). Above all, allow each experience to shape you in a positive way that will glorify His Name! God bless you all!

Life is a Good Investment

Last Thursday, Mitch and I attended the Life Centers Banquet in Indianapolis. The banquet was lovely and well-organized. Many of my fellow Huck*Pac peeps were there as well! One of which was Shelley Ahlersmeyer, a coordinator for Huck*Pac. There were so many people at the banquet that I missed out on seeing her and several others, but she wrote a GREAT blog about all the details!! She also posted some good pictures as well!! Feel free to view her pictures as well as mine (you might have heard that I had an awesome dress!! Some of you may get the joke! LOL). And by the way, if you haven’t signed up for Huck*Pac, I encourage you to do so! Hopefully, you’ll be kind enough to sign up after making a contribution through my link so I can meet my fundraising goal (enter donor code: R27508) C’mon! Can I get 100 people to donate AT LEAST a buck to Huck to help get common sense hard-core conservatives elected so we can turn this country back around and going in the right direction again?! Thanks, I appreciate it! I thank you, Huckabee thanks you, and America will thank you!!!

Anyways, my thoughts on the banquet will likely reflect the feelings of other fellow Huckafans as well as the true patriots of America who still hold fast to the ideals of our forefathers; who declared that we all have the right to LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Mike Huckabee really drove that point home in his speech (which, as Shelley pointed out, he did without the use of notes or a teleprompter. Wow! Even the “president“ can‘t accomplish that!!). Mike Huckabee spoke straight from his heart and from the common sense wisdom that true Americans still adhere to. He talked about how precious, sacred, and valuable the basic right to life is for every human being; the fact that we are “created equal.” No one is worth any more or less than anybody else. He talked about how our forefathers rejected the ideas that people were defined by their status, name, property, etc. They wholeheartedly believed and declared that worth is given to each person by God; the Creator and giver of life. No other human has the right to say that you are worth more or less than anyone else!

Mike Huckabee also pointed out some other good facts. He talked about how this nation woke up to the realization that slavery was wrong and that no one could “own” anybody. We are now living in 2009, and we Americans can’t imagine how or why we ever participated in (and allowed) slavery to abound in this “free” nation. It’s a shameful and tragic component of our past that we aren’t proud of. Likewise, abortion is now a horrible stain of our past and present (but hopefully not our future). For some reason, we have tragically gone back to thinking that we “own” people again. We have been deceived and have repeated history in an even more diabolical way. Not only do we believe that we “own” the lives growing inside us, but that we have the “right” to control that life through a horrible thing deemed “choice.” As Mike Huckabee pointed out, we can use that “choice” to murder an innocent life just because they are an economical, social, or some otherwise named “burden.” As the state of this nation worsens, this “choice” has the potential to abound even more as people are pushed harder by blood-thirsty/money-hungry organizations like Planned Parenthood to end the lives of innocent children so they won’t have to deal with a “burden” in tough times such as this. Mike Huckabee urged all of us to pray hard and give whatever we could (time, money, resources, etc.) to fund ministries like the Life Centers so that women would have the “choice” to choose LIFE for herself and her child instead of tragedy for them both.

If that’s not enough to convince you, consider the ripple effect. If we allow the culture of death agenda to keep implanting itself into our society, we will see much more tragedy to come! Mike Huckabee said that the more life is cheapened, the less that anyone will matter and the generation behind us will be the ones terminating our lives as we sit in nursing homes waiting to die. Because of the “choices” we told them they have a “right” to make, it will broaden the scope of who is a “burden” and babies won’t be the only ones being killed. Mike Huckabee said that he wasn’t about to let his kids get off that easily and that he isn’t about to let someone come and do away with him when he’s sitting in a nursing home. Can you see where the degradation of life is headed? Soon, no one will be safe or protected (and we’ll be utterly defenseless as well, because they are trying to strip us of our right to bare arms!! Are ya’ll connecting the dots yet???).

We all may think that now isn’t the best time for us to give, but Mike said that there has never been a greater time than NOW! Planned Parenthood takes no holidays. They are in the market for death 24/7 - and Satan has them working overtime now! They’ll prey on women more than ever before; and they’ll use the economic conditions to push their agenda so they can profit off the deaths of the innocent ones. My dear brothers and sisters, we cannot allow this!! We must pray hard, as well as reach out to the scared and vulnerable women that need our help! We need to give of our hearts, our time, and even our money to help! Mike said that when he was a preacher, he always told people about how God loves a cheerful giver. Though, he said when you’re a politician, you’ll even accept money from a grouch. ;) Regardless of whether you’re an Oscar the Grouch or Mister Rogers, please consider opening your heart to giving in this crucial time. You can click on the link provided to donate to Life Centers (and/or feel free to donate to your local Crisis Pregnancy Center). In a world where investing is something people are scared to do, there is no risk in investing in something that lasts! Invest in the LIVES of PEOPLE!! The returns and yields are AMAZING; and your rewards are in heaven!!! God bless you!!

ATTENTION HOOSIERS: Here's Your Second Chance to Meet Mike Huckabee!

Attention Hoosier peeps!! If you missed seeing Mike Huckabee in Elkhart, you have a second chance!! Mike Huckabee will be the keynote speaker at the the "Celebration of Life" Banquet in Indianapolis on April 30th!! For all the details (and to register) please click on the link provided: 

http://www.lifecenters.com/events/2008-CoL-Banquet.php  

We've already registered!! We hope to see you there!!! :) Oh, and speaking of life, today was the Monthly Call for Life!! If you participated, THANK YOU!! God bless you!! If not, check out their website for how you can participate in the future: www.monthlycallforlife.com (And don't forget, pro-life t-shirt day/week is coming up!! See my March 2nd blog entry entitled "Important Information" to learn more!!). God bless you all!

I Met MIKE HUCKABEE!!!! :)

That’s right! I finally met Mike Huckabee!! This die-hard Huckagirl finally got to meet the man who should have been the Republican nominee for president (and in the white house right now cleaning up the mess that Obama is continuing to make worse!). Here are the details!!

Getting There; Getting Lost; Getting Surprised

After finding out through a HuckPac e-mail that Mike Huckabee was going to be in Elkhart to tape a special edition of his show, Mitch and I knew we had to be there!! It was the chance we had been waiting for! Even though Papaw and Mamaw weren’t available to watch the kids, we decided we would go anyways and take them with us (and PRAY that they would behave - especially Gianna!). So, at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, we piled into the van and headed to Elkhart! We got as far as Goshen when I realized that the Google directions were wrong - AGAIN (this always seems to happen! What is up with Google?!! We need a GPS!)!!! Good thing I have an Indiana map and was able to navigate ourselves the rest of the way! Though that still didn’t help us find the RV/Motor Home Hall of Fame once we got there! We had to stop at a 7/11 to get some help after driving around aimlessly for a while (good thing I included the “lost” factor with our travel time! LOL). A customer inside was gracious enough to give us directions and let us follow him towards the direction we needed to go!

The parking lot was set to open at 12:30 and the taping was to be at 2:30. I hoped that getting there at 11:30 was early enough!! Thankfully, it was!! Even despite waiting in the wrong area, they still let us in!!! So, we stood around outside (yeah, didn’t know it would be outside!) for a couple hours. Needless to say, the kids didn’t handle it too well - primarily diva Gianna! For some of the time, Mitch graciously volunteered to take them back to the van to watch movies on the DVD player. So, I got to stand outside the whole time and make new friends in the crowd; one of which was a myspace friend of mine whom I recognized as we were waiting around!! What a nice surprise! So, I got to meet Pam for the first time, as well as some friends of hers and so many others (including my county coordinator for HuckPac).

The Show

It was so exciting to see Mike Huckabee and be one of the many attending the taping of his show!! As always, he was witty as well as light-hearted. One of the lighter moments was when he asked for the two ladies who had been waiting since 6 or so in the morning to get in. He had promised them seating and wouldn’t you know it, they had front row seats!! He said that’s why no one wanted him in politics because he actually keeps his promises! Huck yeah! Gee, wouldn’t that be great right now?!! Poor America! Look what you’re missing! You passed over true treasure and voted for fool’s gold! That was smart!

In addition to Huckabee’s honesty, reliability, and friendly persona, he actually has common sense and knows how to talk facts (get a clue mainstream media!). He understands what this economy crisis is all about. He emphasized the fact that even though Elkhart has the highest unemployment rate around, they have what it takes to rebound and reinvent themselves!! Barack Obama may have visited Elkhart and pretended to care, but Mike Huckabee actually does! He highlighted the true spirit of Elkhart, and this nation. He allowed the residents of Elkhart to speak loud and proud. He also talked to local government and businessmen about stimulating real growth; and not through Obama’s ridiculous “stimulus” bill which gave precious little to the hardest hit town in the nation (how’s that for caring? If you’re going to throw OUR money around, why don’t you make good use out of it?? Put our money where your mouth is Obama!). Everyone talked about what they were doing to make Elkhart better and the overall tone was very positive and encouraging. Elkhart will rebound, and so will this country; but not from the efforts of “Uncle Sugar” (which is the term Mike Huckabee used to reference the federal government) but by US banding together and doing what WE can to make OUR lives better!! It’s “We the people” who are making the difference; not “they” the government.

Rockin’ Out After the Show

The show was great! I only wish that I could find it in its entirety online so I could see how it turned out (we don’t have cable or anything and I don’t know anyone who taped it). They got camera shots of everyone, so we were more than likely on TV. ;) I did find a few clips. In the first one, Huckabee is talking about his visit to Elkhart (and I was standing a few feet in front of him as he was doing that segment!). You can even hear my daughter’s voice in the background. She was getting tired and irritated and was saying “no” while impatiently waiting around. If you listen closely, you might be able to hear her at the part where the gal who’s talking to Huckabee is talking about how Elkhart “happened to be the town” where Obama talked about his economic stimulus plan not too long ago. The other video clip I found is one of Mike Huckabee rockin’ out with the “Little Elkharts” (comparable to Huckabee’s “Little Rockers” lol). I also uploaded a clip to YouTube of Mike Huckabee and the band doing a sound check before playing their songs. After they played, I screamed “I LIKE MIKE! WOOOHOO!!” and he smiled graciously as we all applauded and cheered!!

The High Point of the Day

Finally, the high point of the day came!! Several people were approaching Mike Huckabee after he had finished all the taping for the day. He was getting pictures taken with people and signing autographs. He was just about ready to call it a day and go inside to the Hall of Fame Museum when a lady I had been chattin’ it up with told me to be assertive and push through and get my turn. I told her I never have problems being assertive; just with being rude. ;) I didn’t want to pretend like I was more important than everyone else who was wanting the same opportunity. But, as he said good-bye at the last second, I impulsively called out “Mr. Huckabee,…Mr. Huckabee, PLEASE!! I came all the way from Bluffton!” as I ventured forward towards him. He immediately turned around and came right on back and said, “sure!” and Mitch took a picture of he and I as he asked how far the drive from Bluffton was. The rest is a blur because I was awe-struck and excited. I remember telling him that I had campaigned hard for him during his presidential run and that I cried so much when he dropped out lol. I can’t remember what all else I said (and in my flustered state, forgot to ask him for an autograph) but I was all smiles and everyone around me was smiling and taking pictures (including Pam!). Then, I gave Mike Hucakbee a big hug as I noticed the state troopers behind him. It was then that I was hoping that I didn’t somehow cross a line by giving him a hug lol. I just don’t think about those things - I’m a huggy person and I had just met a guy that I had always hoped to meet, greet, and thank!! Ha ha! Anyways, it was no problem! Mike Huckabee was all smiles! Everyone was warm, friendly, and in good spirits. That’s the kind of atmosphere Mike Huckabee always brings with him (we even caught him saying “ya’ll” LOL). He’s just as fun, friendly, and personable off camera as he is on!! People are priority to him - truly!! He’s the nicest guy you’d ever meet and he has a real heart for others!! He even bent down and said hi to Casey when I attempted to bring him forward to say hi. I told Casey to say, “I like Mike Huckabee” and he did! It was so cute!!

The Huckabee Afterglow

After finally meeting Mike Huckabee, I was just bouncing with boundless energy as the new friends I had encountered smiled, hugged, and congratulated me and said their good-byes. It was such a good day of fellowship, friends, and fun!! I was so excited to share it all with everyone! If I had had a way of blogging right that second, I would have LOL!! Instead, I called my parents and left messages on their machines. Later, when I came home and checked my machine, Mom was on there saying she couldn’t understand me because I was talking too fast (yes, Saundra, one of my “90 mph phone calls - or maybe even faster than that! LOL Don’t know, didn’t have a radar gun!).

It has been a long day so far, but we were still in the mood for some fun!! We had seen a Penguin Point restaurant and Mitch and I agreed that we had to eat there since we no longer had them in our area anymore. Oh, the nostalgia!!! However, on our way to finding it once again, we took a different route and missed it. We saw the sign to South Bend and thought, “why not, we’ve never been there! Let’s check it out while we’re up this way - just for good times!” So, we drove through South Bend and then through Mishawaka. We didn’t find anything neat, but we drove around in suburbia for a while before giving up, getting back on the highway, and driving back to Elkhart to find Penguin Point!

We finally made it to the restaurant and got something to eat. We were so hungry! I even got the classic “wedges and cheese” - something my Grandma always got when she and I were traveling about together when I was younger and we still had that place in our area (I took a picture of it for her lol). We also met some sweet ladies there who were from nearby Goshen. We just met all sorts of cool people that day! Indiana is the place for friendly folks and good times (so there Amy!! LOL).

Of course, what would all that celebration be without the kids finally getting some time to unwind. So, we had to go to the McDonald’s they saw that had a big Play Place. We went in, got them some ice cream, drank some coffee, and let them play a while. The silliness continued as they scampered around and Mitch and I took goofy pictures with the statue of Ronald McDonald sitting on the bench lol. The kids had their turn too; after Casey stopped crying and found his way out of the little rocket looking thing in the play area (the rocket moved and wobbled when you went inside, and it freaked him out!). We applauded him for being a big boy and making his way out; despite his pleas that we come get him. We nearly did, but knew that he was strong enough to conquer his little fear and be proud of himself for doing so! It’s just one of the moments where you know you have to let your child grow up a little bit and allow him to gain some confidence and assurance in knowing that he has what it takes to conquer a fear (ok, the “Wild At Heart” book that I just read rubbed off on me quite a bit! LOL). It was nice to see the look of surprise on his face as he overcame his fear and climbed out of the rocket unassisted. Then, he scurried through the tube, down the slide, and with a few tears still wet on his face, told us how he didn’t like that rocket! LOL

That’s All Folks!

Well, that pretty much it!! It was a grand adventure! We had a great time in Elkhart, and we are hoping and praying for their economic recovery (as well as the rest of this nation and all those that are hurting right now). I hope you like the links and videos. Feel free to check out my pictures from the day as well (I’ve also included pictures from Casey’s Chuck E. Cheese party on Friday - and I have this video clip from the party too!). Take notice of the t-shirts we were wearing (and be sure to get one for yourself to wear during pro-life t-shirt day/week!). I got a lot of feedback on that shirt already!! People are asking questions and how they can be involved!! Praise God! Awesome!!!

Grace and peace to all of you!! Remember, God is in control and better times are on the horizon!! Let’s stick close to each other and close to God!! “Uncle Sugar” isn’t the savior, but JESUS IS!!! Seek and find the answers in HIM!! God bless you all!!

"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over!"

The expression “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over!” rings remarkably true as I continue to pray hard for Mike Huckabee. I realize that there are many who have given up hope that we will have a good man of character in the white house to lead our country. However, hope is not dead because the dream lives on - a dream that CAN become a reality!! Neither John McCain nor Mike Huckabee have got the required number of delegates to get elected. And, while winning every state from now on won’t give him the number of delegates needed, there is hope that if he prevents McCain from getting the delegates HE needs….Mike can STILL WIN!!

My die-hard Huckabee supporter and fellow Hoosier, Pamm, posted a blog with an article which articulates just how real the possibility is that Mike can still win!! It’s very appropriately titled: “Don’t count your delegates before they’re hatched.” You have got to read this one, because according to the article, McCain will be backed into a corner very soon - especially money-wise!! Here are three important points stated in the article that I particularly loved:

“McCain cannot spend without risking violating the Federal Election Commission matching grant rules (he helped create). The limit is $54 million (until the convention in September), and he's "already spent $49 million.

He can't get out of the matching grant program because there isn't an FEC quorum to vote on it.
Knowingly violating the spending limit is a criminal offense that could put McCain at risk of stiff fines and up to five years in prison.”

And, as stated in the last bit of the article:

“THIS is the moment when we must surge with every ounce of strength, money and faith that we have, keeping my home state of Ohio's motto in mind: "With God ALL THINGS are possible." And when Gov. Mike Huckabee wins in Ohio and Texas, the remaining states (and funds) will follow … while John McCain stands around with his hands in his pockets unable to spend his money because of the rules he helped create.”

AMEN!! Let’s “get r done!“ We still have a voice people!! Don’t be duped into thinking that it’s all over!! IT’S NOT!!!! Be sure to read the article in its entirety for more!! It also includes a 31 second You Tube video of a couple who adopted two “snowflake babies.” For those of you that don’t know, snowflake babies are children that were once frozen embryos; embryos that could have been experimented on through destructive and ineffective stem-cell research (research that McCain has voted for…..so much for being pro-life eh?). The children in that video likely could have been inhumanely experimented on and then thrown away because of people like McCain giving the ok to snuffing out their lives - all in the name of “science.” This is one of the main reasons why I will NOT vote for McCain!! I’m for Mike Huckabee all the way!! He’s 100 percent pro-life and has ALWAYS been - not just when it’s been “convenient.” In fact, one of my favorite quotes of his is when he said: “I didn't become pro-life because of politics, I got into politics because I'm pro-life." AMEN!!! GOD BLESS YOU MIKE HUCKABEE!!!

Keep praying everyone!! Keep spreading the word about Mike!! Get involved!! DONATE!! Do whatever you can!! I am STILL a Huckabee Ranger and I am STILL offering to write a limerick or whatever else I can do if you would just donate to the campaign using my ranger code: R10165. ANY AMOUNT WILL HELP; EVEN IF IT’S JUST A BUCK FOR HUCK!! Even Mike has reminded us all just how far a “widow’s mite” can go!! Don’t forget about the “loaves and fishes” principle!!

C’mon everyone!! Where are all of God’s loud and proud people at?? Will we not stand together and say that this man of God is the one we want for our leader? Are we REALLY going to sit by and watch evil rise up in the white house? Wake up everyone!! Do you really want to be part of a generation that allowed the defeat of good and the rise of evil?? Are we really going to stand by and elect a president that will flush our morals down the tubes and keep killing our unborn, push for the desecration of marriage and of our Christian faith, and hand our nation over to Allah, “almighty” Islam, and to terrorists on a silver platter? Democracy is supposed to be a “We the people” kind of thing and if WE are still THE PEOPLE that speak for this nation, we ought to be speaking louder and stepping out in the faith we proclaim!! I know I am!! Is anybody with me??

AWESOME ANSWERS!!!

So many times, we take things for granted; like our health. With so many people coming down with colds and the flu (my kids included) I just wanted to take a break to praise God that I haven’t gotten anything!! I hope that I will be spared from catching my kids’ colds and that God would continue to keep me healthy - so I can keep up with everything!! My prayers go out to all of you who are battling illness or injury. May God’s blessings and healing be with you as you recover.

So, since our kids were sick, our plans for church changed a little today. We were both scheduled to give blood at the blood drive at church today. So, Mitch went first and I stayed home with the kids. Then, I went to church when he came home.

Today’s blood donation experience was rather pleasant!! As many of you may know from reading my past blogs, I usually have a difficult time of giving blood - if I even get to at all!! Often times, my iron is one point low and I get turned away. Or, once I give, I get nauseous, dizzy, etc. and just take FOREVER! However, today was a GREAT day!! I was one point above the minimum (praise God!) and gave my pint in an all new record for myself: eleven minutes lol. So, I was also excited because being so quick, I could still catch the last half of the service and hear the message. However, this was one of those Sundays in which they chose to switch it up. They did the message FIRST and THEN the worship time. So,…. sorry peeps!! I will have to wait until they upload the audio on the church website, for me to listen to, before I can blog about it. Anyways, that’s ok, because I never did get around to blogging about last week’s message (which I will blog about once I finish THIS blog lol). By the way, feel free to listen to any of the past sermons I have blogged about on the church website!! Chad’s parable of the sower series (entitled “Noise”) is now on the site in its entirety!! If you liked my blogs on that, you’ll love to hear Chad preaching it!

Ok,….anyways…..I got a little bit more to say today because after church, I went to a prayer appreciation lunch. Members of the prayer team all gathered together for lunch, sharing, and prayer. It was great because Kim, Alicia, and Chris all shared about the vision, goals, and experiences of the prayer team and how they hoped God was going to grow us in the many different areas! I just can’t wait to see what else God will do in peoples’ lives and I‘m happy to be a part of the team!!

One of the high points of the lunch was when Kim had a family testify about the power of prayer and the greatness of God through their tough times; as well as the better times that followed. They had stepped out in faith and moved to Life Church’s sister church when we did a church plant a few years ago. They were also going through some tough medical circumstances with their son who was at Riley Hospital and getting surgeries for Spina Bifida. They were wondering how they were going to be able to pay for all their bills and miraculously, they said that God found a way and when they got their bills, they were ZERO!! She thought there must have been some mistake, but no. The doctor (who is a believer as well) had their costs reduced and then, the hospital eventually just wrote everything off. AMAZING!! God sure does provide and He always makes a way!!

He also made a way for them to adopt a special needs child; a child with Spina Bifida just like their son. The biological parents already had two children and they didn’t want a third. They had considered abortion, but then decided not to go through with it. Then, when they found out that the baby was going to have disabilities, they considered it once again (yeah, that just made me cringe and want to vomit!). But, they decided they couldn’t because it was too expensive to get one and they would have to go out-of-state to get a partial birth abortion (I know… the thought is horrifying!). I just thank GOD that even though that these parents are believers, God saved this child and found a new family for this precious little girl that we got the pleasure of seeing at this prayer lunch today!! It was just amazing to see how God orchestrated the whole thing, saved the baby, and provided a grant to the family to adopt since the child has special needs. God just took care of everything!!

These were just some of the many blessings that I was privileged to hear about today!! I am just so thankful that through prayer, we can move the hand of God!! I too have seen MANY answers to prayer in my life and in the lives of others that I pray for, as well as the people who tell me their “God-stories“. It would take me DAYS to tell you about them all!!

I’m eager to see more answers to prayer, which is why I’m going to mention a few requests right now. Of course, I am still requesting prayer for Haley Chaney. She is making amazing progress considering her brain injuries, and will be entering rehab soon. You can find her updates on her care page (you will have to register to view it). But, to briefly update you, she is trying hard to sit up, stand, and even WALK! She isn’t talking yet, but she is making motions and gestures. She is just amazing everyone with that determined and willful spirit of hers!! She is a living breathing miracle!! Continue to pray for healing and her progress and that she would be completely restored!! She and the Chaney family greatly appreciate your prayers!!

Also, continue to pray for Alyssa Shutt and her family (Alyssa was the one driving the car). She’s having an especially rough time emotionally. This whole community has just been hit really hard. A lot of our youth have been suffering lately. I think Satan is desperately trying to silence and oppress the young generation that is rising up against him and that is why so many of our youth are being afflicted. Well, Jesus is Lord in our community!! Satan, you are not welcome here and we are praying against you!! You can’t touch this!! :P We will not be silenced, torn apart, or destroyed!! We are united in prayer and love!!

I also have a request that Chris brought up before the people at the lunch. A little boy named Alex has leukemia and his brother, Samuel, is going to provide him with the bone marrow transplant this Friday. So, be in prayer for that. I guess Chris also said that their father had died from leukemia. So, they have been through a lot already.

I also have two unnamed requests. One is the one that I brought up in a blog previously (which I don’t have any updates or progress on as of right now). And, the other one is another request of GREAT importance!!! I can’t mention specifics, but just pray for God’s provision, healing, and just for God to do MIRACLES!! God has brought about much progress recently, but much more prayer is needed!! So, I thank you for being in prayer about these urgent requests!! If circumstances get better and allow me to reveal the nature of these requests, I will be sure to disclose it and let you know what your prayers have done!!

And, my final request is that you be in prayer for Mike Huckabee today. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, a bunch of people have been rallying for prayer for Mike today. So, please remember him in your prayers!! I don’t care what anyone says about his “chances.” Republican nomination or not, he STILL gets my vote; even if it comes down to a write-in!! None of us have to compromise our principles and vote for someone who doesn’t represent whole-heartedly what we believe in!! We STILL have a voice!! Please, pray hard for him and that God would just amaze everyone by making a way for Mike to become president!! There is NO ONE better suited for the job. There is NO OTHER CANDIDATE that is 100% pro-life, pro-marriage/family, pro-faith and freedom, etc. (and he ALWAYS has been!! He has NEVER wavered, flip-flopped his beliefs, or changed his position right before running for election…..unlike McCain….please read his contradictions for yourself at the link provided).

Anyways, I’m thankful for all that God has done, is doing, and WILL do!! Prayer is awesome!! It really does wonders!! Let’s all keep tapping into God’s power so that we can keep seeing his awesome answers and miracles!! Keep praying and keeping the faith everyone!!! God bless you!!

Pray For Mike Huckabee On 2-24-08!!

I received the following message in a bulletin on myspace. So, I am passing it along!! Please, let’s all come together in prayer and pray extra hard for Mike Huckabee on February 24th (this coming Sunday)!! There is power in prayer - and in numbers!! People everywhere will be praying for Mike; please join in!! Let’s keep the hope alive and our faith going!! It’s like I have been telling everyone, “Faith is stronger than politics.“ Prayer does wonders!! Thanks and please pass this on!!!

*********

Join us February 24, 2008 as we pray for God to make a way for Mike Huckabee to become president. We believe Mike Huckabee is the best option to become president and we're asking God to make that happen. We're at a vital part in America's history and we believe Mike Huckabee is the right man to face the challenges our nation currently faces. We know any time God is brought into the equation, big questions get asked. Read our FAQ's below. If you have more questions, feel free to email the site. Please join us as we intercede for this nation, that the man we think is God's best will get elected.

FAQ's

Q. Why pray for Huckabee on 2-24-08?

A. Because we believe Mike Huckabee is the best option for America. We're calling on God to help elect the man we believe is the best option to be president in The United States Of America.

Q. Are you saying God has chosen Huckabee to be president?

A. That's not for us to say. All we're saying is that we think Huckabee is the best option for president and we're asking God to make that happen.Q. So you're saying God wants Huckabee to be president and you'll follow what ever Huckabee says and does because he is God's man?

A. Oh don't be silly. We're not proclaiming he's God's man, we're just saying we like the guy and we want him to be our president. Of course we won't blindly follow him, we didn't check our brains at the door.

Q, Aren't you shoving your beliefs down our throats?

A. Unless someone has a gun to your head and is forcing you to this site, of course not. And if they have a gun to your head, duck! You're free to pray or not to pray for Huckabee. You're free to go post on a blog or message board about how dumb this all seems to you. This is America, you can do that. And we can decide to pray for the guy we like.

Q. Isn't this all kind of theocratic and cult like?

A. No because we're not forcing you at the butt of a gun to pray for Huckabee. We're not proclaiming eternal damnation unless you support our guy. We're all free thinking people who believe Huckabee is the best man for the job. We also realize there are free thinking people who think he's the worst man for the job. So be it! We still want to pray for him.

Q. What if we pray and God doesn't do something miraculous to help Huckabee get elected?

A, Well then I guess he won't be elected, huh? At least we can't say we didn't try.

Q. Is this site run by the official Huckabee campaign?

A. No.

I Still Say "HUCK YEAH!!"

Tomorrow is the Wisconsin primary. As always, I am hoping and praying for a victory for Huckabee!!

I was especially encouraged to see so many on the Huckabee blogs continuing to believe and pray. I especially loved Pamm’s blog that really emphasized the importance of prayer and supporting Huckabee; a man of character and integrity (and the only one fit to lead this country). You’ll have to check that one out! It’s very moving and motivating!!
Also, I was just made aware of a petition that is encouraging John McCain to debate Mike Huckabee before his so-called nomination is set in stone. The petition states this:

“A Republican debate was scheduled to take place on February 28th, 2008. It was to be sponsored by the Ohio Republican Party. This debate has since been mysteriously cancelled. A rush to judgment has ensued following the Super Tuesday elections on February 5th in which more than 21 states held primaries or caucuses. Sen. John McCain gained an enormous advantage and squeezed out Gov. Mitt Romney. Gov. Mike Huckabee was left standing as the Party’s only other viable candidate. We believe:

1) Sen. McCain should earn the respect of the Republican base by debating Mike Huckabee in one or more formal Lincoln-Douglas style debates.

2) that failure to publicly engage Gov. Huckabee in debate before March 4th should be considered a gross attempt to grab the nomination without properly demonstrating a viable candidacy. Thus, we hereby petition Sen. McCain to accept an invitation to debate Mike Huckabee with all due haste and prove or disprove his worthiness.”

Time is crucial, so if you would, please sign this petition as soon as possible!! We still have a voice!! Let’s make it heard!! Thank you and don’t forget to pray for Mike Huckabee!!! Let’s step it up people!!!

Oh, by the way, check out this video “Huck Em All.” It totally rocks!! I loved it! CLEVER LYRICS AND RIGHT ON!!! Go, Mike, GO!! We still believe!! We’re praying for you!!!! 1.……2.……..3.…….MIKE HUCKABEE!!!!!

It Phases Me Not!!! I Still Believe!!!

I’m sure you have all heard the news that Romney endorsed John McCain and allocated his delegates to him. It makes me thoroughly sick, but then again, it’s Romney we are talking about. He wouldn’t know a good candidate if it hit him in the face (that’s not an invitation for Huckabee to do so either!! LOL). Also, my husband told me that George H.W. Bush plans on endorsing him as well - maybe he already has (I haven’t heard). Again, another sickening turn of events; but it’s to be expected considering that he’s the media‘s so-named “front runner.”

However, none of this is deterring my man Huckabee!!! He is still keeping the faith because we, his supporters, are keeping it too!!! In the short clip provided (thanks, Phil, for sending it my way - I needed that!!), Mike Huckabee articulates brilliantly why he is still running in this race. I must say, it brought tears to my eyes because it was like he was talking directly to me. He spoke of not letting his supporters down and giving other states the opportunity to have their voices heard and not being told who their nominee is until they have had a chance to speak (that means especially much to me considering that Indiana hasn’t had its primaries yet!!). He also spoke of the passion, dedication, and sacrifices of his supporters and those giving sacrificially of their time and money to keep him going. He said our encouragement is what is motivating him to keep going on. It truly blessed my heart and made me cry because I am one of those people that he spoke of (well, not by name…..but still!!). We have given sacrificially of our time and money; and have poured our whole-hearted support into this campaign. We are not willing that it should die!! It will NEVER die so long as I still have a voice - ha ha…..you know me!! ;) Like I said before, I will write-in my vote before I would ever vote for anyone else!!! Oh how I would LOVE to see Mike Huckabee win on write-in votes alone - if it came to that!! LOL Wouldn’t the media just drop over dead?!! Ha ha!!

Anyways, let’s keep the faith alive everyone!!! I know I will!!! Here’s my shout out…….1.….2.……3.…….MIKE HUCKABEEEEEEE!!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!! YEAH!!!!!!! HUCKAGIRL ALL THE WAY BABY!!!! I’M KEEPING THE FAITH AND PRAYING HARD!!!! DON’T GIVE UP MIKE!!!!! WE NEED YOU!!!!

Pray hard; stand strong; and BELIEVE!!!

Dear Friends,

I was made aware of this blog composed by Lou Engle; who is the one who organizes and leads “The Call.” As many of you may remember, I was at “The Call” in Nashville on 07/07/07 - which was also my 25th birthday. ;) It was a day that I will never forget!!

To refresh your memory, we were in prayer all day. We prayed, among many things, for an end to abortion and for God to forgive us for allowing this to happen and to heal our people and our land. Not one more woman or child should have to suffer!!

That is one of the many reasons I endorse Mike Huckabee. This is also why Lou Engle endorses him as well and why Dr. Dobson has too (though I wish he would have done so a looooooong time ago!!!).

Anyways, I am posting Lou Engle‘s statements. I totally agree with him!! I will write-in my vote for Huckabee if it comes to that!!! (Or, if Mike Huckabee is forced to run independently, I pray that we will all back him up in that case. No matter what, he gets my vote and no one else. PERIOD!!) I will NEVER vote for McCain!!!

I will keep believing for miracles!! It isn’t over yet!! Mike Huckabee is going to keep going on in this race!! He isn’t giving up and neither are we!!! In fact, Mike Huckabee said in his e-mail today: “I am truly humbled by the faith you have placed in me and reinvigorated for the race ahead. I have heard you clearly and we will not stop. We will keep fighting for our ideas and we will push our Party to do better.”

AMEN!!! Don’t stop believing everyone!!! And please, if you can, PLEASE donate to his campaign!! My offer still stands; I will write a limerick as a tribute to anyone who donates when they use my ranger code to do so at www.mikehuckabee.com R10165. God bless you everyone!! KEEP PRAYING HARD FOR MIKE!!!!

In his own words - Lou Engle:

I am speaking now for my own personal perspective and not from any ministry I lead.

This past several weeks I posted a video stating that I could never voted for John McCain because he had voted for the funding of embryonic stem cell research. I have made a vow that I would not be a participant in either the shedding of innocent blood or in the taking of any life at any stage. It is my conviction that fertilized embryos are living cells. As we know, today there are walking living human beings that were once embryonic stem cells that could have been killed for research purposes. I have received some excellent feedback both for and against concerning my video. One of the arguments against my stand is that science has now found a procedure that makes embryonic stem cell research a moot point. Therefore they say McCain will not have to face this issue according to this argument. Major Catholic leaders have come out and now endorse John McCain because of this supposedly closed issue. Because of this, I have withdrawn the video because I don’t believe that I could lay my convictions on others who will be faced with a major decision on whether their conscience could allow them to vote for McCain.

As for me, and not my ministry, I remain steadfast in my earlier conviction that I cannot vote for John McCain. I would like to include a part of James Dobson’s statement concerning McCain because there are obviously other issues involved. You may ask me, “Shouldn’t we vote for McCain because he is certainly better than Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama?” My answer is maybe you should, but I have been praying that God would drive the abortion issue like a wedge into this nation. Why should I take the wedge out by softening my stand? If the church came out in mass and united behind a true pro-life candidate, like Mike Huckabee, it would forever make a statement to the Republican Party that we are not yours we are God’s. Maybe it would be better to lose an election than to have another Missouri Compromise that keeps dumbing down the issue and will eventually bring us to divine judgment because we have ceased to become the conscience of the nation. What is better, a compromising Zedekiah, or a hostile Nebuchadnezzer? God was able to do more with the pagan king Nebuchadnezzer than he could with the compromising king of Judah. Maybe our thinking is all humanistic and we believe in politics more than the power of prayer.

Many of you have read my article on the five loaves and two fish candidate. You can read it again on my blog. I believe that the sudden surge of Huckabee and his confession that it was because of the prayers of the saints, could have been a sign and a test for the body of Christ to see whether or not we had eyes to see what we have been praying for, for so long. The brown bag container may have been just too much for us, and we stumbled over the simplicity of the voice. Here is a man, Mike Huckabee, that has stood for both a federal human life amendment and a federal marriage amendment arguing the brilliant case that to drive the issues to the states like John McCain would want to, is to make morality geographical. That is what slavery was! But no- we opted out and took the lie of elect-ability. There was no clear prophetic clarity in the body of Christ and so we settle for that which can neither give us a true plumb line of righteousness or a measuring line of justice and we perpetrate the ongoing moral confusion that threatens to drown this nation and bring about a complete collapse of character. (I am deeply concerned about the immigration issue and am praying that Huckabee would take much more of a compassionate stand for illegal immigrants. Still my stand of conscience is upon the foundations of life and marriage.)

But it is not over; the word was that if the church would pray the next president would come in a brown bag and his five loaves and two fish would be more than enough. Mitt Romney has dropped out of the race. If the church would rise up with one voice in prayer and in voting a Godly man whom I have had the privilege to personally spend time with now and who stands on the values of marriage and life upon which civilizations rise and fall could still be elected. And even yet if we pray God may do other things that no one could have expected. For He raises up kings and He brings them down. So I lay before you my convictions but I don’t lay them upon you. But here I stand I can do no other.

For America,

Lou Engle

Statement made by James Dobson on February 5, 2008:

"I'm deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, who voted for embryonic stem cell research to kill nascent human beings, who opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, and who has little regard for freedom of speech, who organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language… I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience.”

"But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country."

James Dobson’s endorsement of Huckabee on February 7, 2008:

“The remaining candidate for whom I could vote is Governor Huckabee,” Dobson said. “His unwavering positions on the social issues, notably the institution of marriage, the importance of faith and the sanctity of human life, resonate deeply with me and with many others … Obviously, the governor faces an uphill struggle, given the delegates already committed to Senator McCain. Nevertheless, I believe he is our best remaining choice for president of the United States.”

Lou Engle’s final statement:

“I have heard such scathing comments against James Dobson from the body of Christ for his stand. Be careful you may be among those who stone the prophets. The great abolitionist heroes of the past were not known nor are now heralded by history for their political equivocation.”

A Weekend To Remember: Day 2

Saturday began day two of my eventful weekend. Mitch and I went to a legislative action forum at Concordia Theological Seminary early in the morning. Indiana state senator David Long and representatives Randy Borror and Matt Bell were in attendance as well as Congressman Mark Souder. Senator Dennis Kruse arrived late to the forum where he made a few comments before he had to leave again.

The purpose of the forum was to educate and inform those in attendance about the pro-life legislation in Indiana as well as updates on progress. I won’t go into deep detail, but I will say we have some very fine men representing pro-life values!! Praise God for their dedication and commitment!! And, even though these men aren’t my personal local representatives, I sure do appreciate their leadership!! I appreciate that they took the time to meet with so many of us and that they take the time to assist in the mission of the Allen County Right to Life. Keep them in your prayers!

And, speaking of prayer, it is worth mentioning that my own state senator, David Ford, is currently battling cancer. It doesn’t look good, but he is doing much better than expected. Your prayers for yet another wonderful pro-life representative are needed!!

This meeting was a call to action. And, as evidenced here, being involved at a local level is vitally important!! If progress can be made at a local and state level, it paves the way for changes nationally. Therefore, it’s imperative that we get involved!! The men at the forum made it very clear that they want to hear from us and that they want our input and encouragement as well. So, make your voices heard!! That is what they are there for!! We need to let our strong convictions be a motivating force that leads us to action; and pray that our witness will inspire others to get involved as well!!

After the forum, I had a few other events of the day. Though, one in particular, I cannot publicly disclose at this point. Though, I will ask if I could please have your prayers for a certain unnamed request. It’s of great importance. When the time is right, I will be sure to share what this is all about, but I won’t be able to do so without your prayers!! The more you pray, the sooner the answers will come and when they do, THEN I will be able to share what the fruit of your prayers have done!!

Aside from my unnamed event, I have a couple more eventful things that I want to share. One being that I met one of the members of the Fort Wayne Sparkpeople group!! We met at the Olive Garden and had a great time talking and fellowshipping!! I look forward to meeting her again and to meeting others in the group!!

Well, day two rounded out well with a quick swim at the hotel pool (and I mean REALLY quick because the water was fairly cold!! LOL). Then, we went back to our room to watch the results of the primary voting. I was pleasantly unsurprised by Mike Huckabee’s victories. The media still didn’t see that one coming; even after all this time. LOL It’s rather humorous. Ha ha. Although, the way things are turning out so far, it still has people scoffing about Huckabee’s chances. Even Mark Souder sounded rather pessimistic at the forum earlier in the day when the election came up. He even said that he and others “can’t stand Huckabee.” I was surprised and disappointed by that, but what can you expect from a Washington politician? Regardless, however, Mark Souder has my respect. And, it motivated me all the more to support Huckabee no matter what!! My faith is stronger than their politics!! I’m a huck of a believer!! In fact, when I was getting my hair done for the banquet, there was a fellow who came in asking who’s “Huckabee Van” was out there (our van has bumper stickers and chalk paint all over it!). I proudly raised my hand and said, “MINE!“ I asked him if he was a supporter too and he said he was not. He said he was actually a supporter of Ron Paul and thought he was rather supportive; but after seeing my van, he realized what a true supporter was. Wow!! What a compliment!! It made me feel a little bad for laughing at him; though I had apologized for doing so. LOL Sorry, I couldn‘t help it. The very mention of Ron Paul makes me laugh. (Ok, I know there are people reading that may support Ron Paul - or some other candidate - and that’s ok. If you hate me for my political views, that’s fine. We are all entitled to believe what we want to and respectfully disagree without any harsh words or foul language. You all know how die-hard I am about Huckabee, by now).

Anyways, no one even thought Mike Huckabee would get this far; but he has!! And, there are those that still think that he doesn’t have a chance; but he DOES!! He is proving that time after time - especially now that Romney is out and Dr. Dobson has finally endorsed Mike Huckabee. These are HUGE answers to prayer that I had been praying for, as a matter of fact, and seeing God’s answers to my prayers is very encouraging to me!! God is great and He can make anything happen!! I believe in miracles and if that makes me naïve and foolish then so be it!! I’ll believe even when things don’t make sense!! After all, we know that God uses the foolish to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). So, if Mark Souder and others in the forum think I am a young naïve little “kid” so be it. I’m going to believe and support Mike Huckabee anyways; because it’s the right thing to do as a Christian.

Anyways, that was the end of the day on Saturday. I was disappointed by the fact that even though Mike Huckabee won Louisiana, he doesn’t even get the delegates since he didn’t get a 50% or better majority. (Yeah, and we all know why!! Same situation as was in South Carolina!!). They go “uncommitted” to the convention. Bummer! Well, at least he gets Kansas!!

I’ll remain hopeful and a die-hard Huckagirl no matter what!! There is always hope!!

This Just Keeps Getting Better!!! :)

Some of you may know by now that Mitt Romney has now dropped out of the race!! Praise God!!! When I heard the news, I screamed with glee and gave praise to God!! It’s yet another answer to prayer!!

But wait!! It gets better…….

The next best possible thing that could have happened finally did!! DR. DOBSON OF FOCUS ON THE FAMILY IS NOW ENDORSING MIKE HUCKABEE!!!! OH YEAH!!! WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!! The only thing I’m thinking, though, is “Yeah, it’s about time!!! If only he could have endorsed him sooner!! If he had, Huckabee could have had a lot better momentum and support and would have won a lot more delegates, I’m sure! Well, better late than never, right?? Of course, I think given the fact that Dr. Dobson has long since said he would never vote for John McCain, and the fact that Romney is a Mormon, that would have made it a no-brainer for him to support Huckabee and endorse him right from the start. Anyways, ’m just thankful that he has finally done so!!!

So, aside from the Biblical reasons to vote and support godly leadership - as emphasized perfectly in one of my friend’s blogs - Christians have more assurance and motivation to back Huckabee. Given that Dr. Dobson’s wisdom and influence is so powerful, this will be a great boost to the campaign and a big help for those that look to Dr. Dobson for guidance in making up their minds.

Also, here’s a heads up from another one of my friend’s blogs that clearly articulates some interesting points about the media, their agenda, and their role in the whole election scheme. ;) I think you will find it very enlightening!! Kudos to my new friend, fellow Hoosier, and Huckabee supporter for writing it!! ;)

Well, that’s the scoop for now!! I got to get going. I have a big weekend ahead of me (as explained in my earlier blog!). I pray you all have a blessed weekend!! I will have lots to talk about on Monday and plenty of pictures etc. to share!! Oh, and don’t forget to vote for Mike Huckabee if you are in one of the states having a primary tomorrow!!! Be a “Huck” of a believer!! ;) This Huckagirl has always believed, and will continue believing and praying for Huckabee to be our next commander in chief!! KEEP ON PRAYING AND KEEPING THE FAITH!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS MIKE HUCKABEE!!!

Blessed Victories!!

Last night, Mike Huckabee dumfounded the media with victories in Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Of course, the media still can’t understand why Mike Huckabee is in this race. They just can’t comprehend the power of prayer and God’s multiplication factor (as referenced by Huckabee in his speech when he talked about the “widow’s mite.” Be sure to watch the footage of his brilliant and inspiring speech!).

Needless to say, I’m not at all surprised by his victories; and the momentum that is once again building as true conservatives rally behind him. Anyone that has been blogging and advocating for Huckabee, as I have, knew that he was far from out of this race!! We have been working hard for the campaign and have been praying and fasting for him as well. In fact, there were two inspiring answers to prayer that I saw on Super Tuesday. One gal on a message board said she was going to vote for Romney. I prayed that God would change her mind, and amazingly, she came back later and said that she couldn’t bring herself to do it and voted for Huckabee instead! Then, I had another dear friend of mine tell me that she was undecided until she had a dream that she voted for Huckabee; so that is what she did!! AMAZING!! Only GOD could do that!! Keep praying everyone!!!

And, of course (if you are able), PLEASE donate to the campaign to keep things running smoothly and effectively; and also consider volunteering. As you already may know, I am a Huckabee Ranger and I am trying to raise AT LEAST $100.00 for the campaign. I have about $80.00 to raise yet. PLEASE help me out!! Click on the link I have provided, or go to www.mikehuckabee.com and click on “contribute” and enter my ranger code in the “donor or event code” box when you donate: R10165. PLEASE, ANY AMOUNT WILL HELP!! Can you at LEAST donate a BUCK FOR HUCK??!! And, my offer to recognize you and write a limerick for you on my blog still stands!! I have already written one!! Please, put me to work!! LOL Let me know when you donate, and I will “get r done!“ ;) Or, if any of you need a better incentive to donate to Mike Huckabee, let me know what you would like me to write or do in order to help get the funds coming in. Do you want me to make a video personally thanking your or singing a goofy song or what? What’s it going to take? LOL

Anyways, now that Super Tuesday is over, it’s time to concentrate on the next states that are voting. Kansas, Louisiana, and Washington are voting Saturday; and D.C. Maryland, and Virginia are voting Tuesday. Please be in prayer for these upcoming primaries and please volunteer and donate if you can!! I will likely try and make some calls for the campaign before I leave for my big weekend (I‘ll be posting a blog about the details of my upcoming weekend momentarily and will include a special personal video!!).

On that closing note, please check out these two little videos that I’m sure will make you smile (I know I did!). The first one is a video of Mike Huckabee with a special version of “High Hopes” being sung in the background. The other is a video with the song “Because of You” (which I found to be very inspiring!). Enjoy!! God bless you all and GOD BLESS MIKE HUCKABEE!!!!

Another Upcoming "Upset"

Well, the Super Bowl is now over!! Did you enjoy the game….or just the commercials? I must say that my personal favorite (aside from the e*trade baby commercials - see here and here) was the amazing commercial delivered by Pepsico. Please watch the video about the making of “Bob’s House” and then, watch the commercial in which the deaf community is celebrated and shared with the hearing world!! It especially made me proud considering I have a hearing impaired son and we frequently use sign language!! My kudos to Pepsico!! THANKS!!

Well, aside from that highlight, today is also the day before Super Tuesday. And, I received a very interesting e-mail from the Huckabee campaign connecting tomorrow’s primaries with the amazing events of last night (which I found particularly encouraging, motivating, and inspiring!):
“Heart. Commitment. Gutsy. The New York Giants exemplified these qualities this evening in what is being widely hailed as one of the greatest Super Bowl games in history and a titanic upset of the heavily favored New England Patriots.

For many long months against overwhelming odds, we have been working our way towards the White House in a similar fashion.

Our run has been long and difficult at times. Improbable. Yet here we are, still running strong together, heads held high, eyes forward into Super Tuesday. The media and our rivals want to make Tuesday the finish line for our campaign.

But if the media really understood our campaign and the issues we are fighting for: the Human Life Amendment, real border security, the FairTax and so much more, they would understand that we are here to stay.

America will see a second upset this week.”

Amen!! That’s for sure!! Congratulations to the New York Giants!! Despite the odds and the media favoritism, they triumphed over their opponents. And, it was especially sweet considering all the less than honorable tactics that the Patriots employed in order to get that far in the first place (yeah, ahem, cheating!!).

That will be the same case with Mike Huckabee as well. No matter who the media “favors” or who comes against him and criticizes him, Mike Huckabee will still run the race with integrity and the nation will be amazed when they once again realize that character prevails. No one wants cheaters and crooks to win; and if they do, that’s saying something about their own value system.

On that final note, I would like to encourage all who read this who live in the Super Tuesday states to go out and vote tomorrow - and vote for Mike Huckabee!!