our newest addition

to our lovely home....

Arista Jasmine (4 days old)

July 22nd

7 lbs. 10 oz.

21 inches

song of the Bride (maternity shots)

The Lord gave me a vision on what to do for my maternity photos and I am absolutely stunned at how beautiful they turned out. As i was coming home from work one day I heard the Lord whisper ".....the song of the Bride" and i saw a picture of myself all dressed in white, pregnant, worshipping on the beach's horizon. Thanks to LOVELIKETHIS PHOTOGRAPHY we were able to bring to life the vision I had.......

fifteen facts

1. I prefer pictures with my husband if I can help it. We're one.

2. My favorite thing to talk about is my love for Jesus. If your uncomfortable talking about God, then you'll probably be uncomfortable talking to me.

3. I absolutely LOVE people. Though I'm not completely extroverted all the time. I have a real genuine desire to see people know they are loved, accepted and have purpose.

4. A passion, and somewhat hobby of mine is "back to the basics" simple living through natural parenting, green living and eating whole foods. It's a spiritual journey of sorts and i share a lot of experiences with it on my blog.

5. I have a real respect and honor for children. I believe in the next generation. My own children have made me a better person and given me an incredible amount of freedom in my own walk with God.

6. I grew up in Port Huron, MI where my family still resides. I moved to Rochester, NY on pure faith because God told me to.

7. I'm in the middle of recording a CD, named "the Song of the Bride", which I'm hoping will be ready by Christmas.

8. I'm an honest and loyal person. I live out what I believe and I back up what I say with action. Hypocrisy and apathy really grieves me.

9. I use to give piano and voice lessons before I had children.....maybe one day I'll pick up again :-)

10. I'm also a licensed cosmetologist. I currently still work one day a week at a salon and spa as a hair stylist.

11. I was a figure skater for 12 years and then my last two years on the ice I played women's hockey. LOL. I mostly left figure skating because of the politics involved (even though I loved it). And hockey just met a love I had to be on the ice. I'm really a non-violent person ;)

12. I'm a hippy at heart. I would love to live in a commute with a bunch of God-loving, radical-living, purpose-driven families and share everything. But then I wake up and realize not everyone's like that hahahaha.

13. I don't get offended very easily. I learned how to not take things personally, especially these last few years being in ministry.

14. I love love love coffee!!! I really have tried to stop. But the taste and smell are just too much. Nothing like a good book and a hot cup of coffee.

15. If I were to leave the earth today to be with the Lord the one thing I would want people to remember me by is that I was real and genuine in my love for people and my love for Jesus. To have the confidence of knowing you lived your life to its greatest potential in God is most gratifying for me.

3 documentaries in 3 days ...video blog!

I must say I don't recommend watching three documentaries in three days.....it can get a little overwhelming. But I was so hungry to learn. And being that I'm expecting any day now I couldn't help myself to just want to soak up as much information as possible before the BIG DAY!

All three were certainly biased documentaries advocating for home-birth, but also very good, educational and informative resources for women who desire something more for their birthing experiences.

My favorite of the three by far was The Business of Being Born. The other two, also good, were Pregnant in America and Orgasmic Birth.

.....I apologize for the loud music at one point that covers my voice. I noticed after it was uploaded. I'll get better at this video blogging thing......I promise :-)

Day 14

So I'm on the second week of eating no processed foods. And things have been, yes, difficult, but also really refreshing. Check out DAY 1 to see why I'm doing a no-processed foods fast.

But I do have a confession. I have tweaked it alittle :-)

I had some friends/family make me dinner in the last week or two of being pregnant. And I always think that is so thoughtful, so I decided that my dinners would be flexible. Although now I know its possible to eat an unprocessed diet, it still is a lot of work.

The hardest part has been my breakfast. I've really given into the whole cereal and milk thing every morning. Mainly cuz its fast, easily assessable and provided for me by WIC. My mornings now have mainly consisted of organic yogurt and fruit, and occasionally oatmeal with natural peanut butter (also WIC provided) and raw sugar. I did attempt home-made wheat bread last week...which turned out just "ok". Bread makers I find are not usually the best way to make your bread. Though they do a great job on the dough its best just to use your own oven when it comes to the baking. The bread I made was hearty so it tasted more bagel like than bread like....still none-the-less, great for toasting. I really wanted to make my granola this week, but things have been just getting plain hard awaiting the coming of the baby.

BUT I'm super excited. It can be any day now as I am 39 weeks and 1 day today. And God has been extremely faithful in extending grace to my body and this new diet. I was surprised to find I had actually dropped 2 pounds from my last mid-wife appt, and I think its the unprocessed foods for sure.....baby bump at this point is only growing! And God has been speaking really clear to Brandon a lot lately on strategic ways on going about prayer for this city. This has been a huge break-through for us and those involved in the BURN. We first recognize the importance of our roles as intercessors, but it never stops there. We must also continue to ask God to teach us how to pray, and how to ultimately be purposeful in our prayers so they carry out long-lasting fruit.

So overall, we have found this fast to be really incredible for our family. Brandon's been talking long-term goals as well since we both have felt extremely healthy while on this diet. Lord knows! :-)

Thanks everyone...for those who stand with us, pray with us and love us. We really have been blessed with an amazing family of God...both here locally and those who stand with us over distance. We have such a high honor for those whom we are relationship with. We believe covenant is certainly the "breaking" anointing that brings about Christ's transformed love in us and others. Love IS where it's at!

Come away

~ received during Sunday morning worship ~

Whom did you come to see?

What have you come seeking?

Do you know I am every good thing?

I am faithful.

I am the I AM who brings life to your being.

Does your heart ache?

Does your belly hunger?

Is your soul thirsty?

Is it Me you want?

This is what I desire....that you would not be a double-minded people.

That you would forsake all other lovers.

That you would say "yes" in your heart to Me and abandon yourself.

Follow Me, lose yourself in Me.

Come unto Me, and I will come unto you

and I will reign in your hearts and bring living rain to all the dead and dry places.

Taste and see my goodness.

I will feed your bellies with truth.

I will satisfy your thirst with water.

I will fill your souls with my healing Spirit.

Your worship is like honey.

Your praise is like a life-bringing harvest.

Your promises to Me are like a river that never ceases to dance.

Come, Come away with Me.....

Choose Me.

I have already chosen you.....