Identical Visions- The Cauldron

Today when a few of us met for prayer at church I kept seeing a picture in my mind and hearing the words "God disrupt our plans, stir up the stagnation. Let us not rely on our own plans and knowledge" And I saw a big black pot like a cauldron with a goopy top (like it was stagnant) and a stick coming out the top. Like God wanted to stir it.
I held on to it for a few minutes, not sure whether to pray about it out loud, or to hold it to myself and pray it through. Finally I spoke it out, giving it to the Lord and praying for His will. When I said the big pot, the gal across from me said that she had been seeing a picture in her mind of a large cauldron and God stirring it up for a couple weeks now and didn't know what it was. The cauldron in her vision was sitting on top of books (not the Bible). I think the books represent the part that I heard not to rely on our own knowledge or plans. She got goosebumps, and we both really were amazed how God spoke to us about the same exact thing so specifically.
Lord show us Your will, show us how to pray for this hour!

God Speaks Without Me Hearing Him

One of my friends found out she was pregnant and had a baby shower in another state. She is a good friend but I didn't send her a present in time for the shower. Acually something kept me from doing it and I didn't know what. I felt a little guilty. It wasn't that I didn't have a present, I have gifts for her; lots of pretty baby girl gifts! Even after her shower I asked for her address and still never sent it, then told her I would wait until I see her this summer after the baby was born to give it to her in person. She had a very pretty girl name all choosen, and the ultralsound had let her know it was a girl for sure. Well she just had her baby a couple of days ago and shock! It is a boy! Now I know why something didn't let me send the gifts. It was Holy Spirit in me, communicating through my thoughts.

Even in our fleeting lives, the little details, like when I sent a gift can be controlled by Him!

Vision of Birth

Our adoption journey was filled with miracles. This is the story of one that often raises my faith and that of others.

We had been waiting for our referral for a number of months and was expecting a call soon. I was at church March 1, 2009.

 The worship time was lovely and I was concentrating on God and His goodness, raising my hands slightly with my eyes closed.  Suddenly and unexpectedly I saw in my spirit an outline of the continent of Africa. Then zoom, to an outline of Ethiopia. Zoom again to a small white house. All of a sudden I saw inside the house. There was a woman giving birth and holding a child to her chest. It was just a few seconds. Immediately the thought came that that was my child.

I told my husband about it and wrote in my journal: " I wonder if our daughter is going to be born the first week of March."
We were quite encouraged and excited to find out over a month later, when we did get the exciting call that yes!

Our girls were born March 6th, the Friday after I saw the vision. 

Homeschool Treasure Find!

Once in awhile I come across sometimes seemingly by accident that is so fun and educational to compliment our homeschool program. I homeschool my 6 and 4 year old boys. My 6 year old is doing remarkably well and is starting 2nd grade work this summer. (He would have been graduating kindergarten now). My friend told me that studies show that most homeschool kids are two grades ahead. I wouldn't have believed it except it is happening to us! Learning can happen so fast when there is so few students and I can go as far as they want on a subject.
Anyway back to my original post. At the library I checked out a audio story series called Rabbit Ears, "American Tall Tales." My kids loved listening to the dramatized Johnny Apple Seed, Mose the Fireman and Stormalong the tough saltwater sailor from Cape Cod (the latter is read by John Candy! I haven't heard his voice in years).
 I don't recommend the one about Rip Van Winkle, it was too weird and kinda creepy. The others have been excellent and helped the boys to understand other parts of the country, and the way people lived long ago when the ideas for these stories were first said around campfires or by grandpas surrounded by grandchildren.  A big bonus is that they are well written so we have the increase in vocabulary.

Amazingly Beautiful

The sunset tonight was beautiful; red, orange, bright pure yellow. Amazingly beautiful.  I looked at all the houses around shut up tight and all the blinds closed; no one was seeing it. I was alone at the end of the street gazing unto the mountains silhouetted against this stunning brightness. God is showing His glory all around. It takes my breath away and leads me to pray. Praise you Creator of Heaven and Earth, Painter of the Sunsets.  

"For Your faithful love is higher then than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth."

Psalm 108:4-5

"Spring Garden" painting on Etsy

Rwanda: God Places the Orphans in Families

I am overjoyed about hearing of the Rwanda adoption program just starting through All God's Children International. These children are victims of extreme poverty and most have been abandoned. Many are dropped in outhouses when they are born and saintly people rescue them and place them in bags in front of a St. Theresa's orphanage. The sweet nuns from India tirelessly love and care for these sweet innocent ones and nurse them sweetly back to health. There tough beginning makes the start of life very difficult but love is so powerful. All love comes from God. God bless these sweet women making this their life's work. Saving these precious children. More information can be found in this beautiful article: Rwanda's Orphans . Pray for these babies.

"Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

"I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you." John 14:18

To Speak or Act on Behalf of God

 Isn't that what the prophetic is? That is the definition of the prophetic according to Patricia King in this great, short, teaching clip: You Can Prophesy on XPMEDIA.COM. I love that I can proclaim the word of God and prophesy over my future, my friends, family, strangers on the street, people God puts on my heart (often strangers) leaders, nations. . .It is very exciting! Living a prophetic life isn't something so strange or spooky. It starts with believing God's Word and declaring it over your situation and choosing to believe the Word over your circumstances.  
For I will declare, "Faithful love is built up forever; You established Your faithfulness in the heavens."
Psalm 89:2

Wisdom

Happy is the man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold onto her are happy. Proverbs 3:13-18

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:3

This painting I did last weekend live during a beautiful worship service at Christ Church Kirkland. I had the privilege of attending a conference they hosted on the prophetic arts. I learned so much. The visual arts teacher was Rik Berry (his website has been down a couple days I hope it is back up soon). What an amazing artist and teacher.  

How Dreams Help Me Help Others- One Example

About three weeks ago I heard a phrase in a dream about a woman I know at church. I don't see her very often outside of Sunday morning and since it was such a strange phrase I kept it to myself. I saw her briefly on a Sunday morning 2 weeks ago and said to her in passing. "I had a dream about you the other night." She said "Oh yeah does it have to do with this?" Well I had no idea she was desiring or thinking about what she said. So I wondered, what is the dream about Lord and what are you up to here? There seemed to be no correlation, but I wasn't concerned about it. The next Sunday my prayer meeting ended earlier then usual so I went to the nursery to help and there she was. As we got to talking I understood what my dream meant and told her about it. Since what she is walking into I am intimately acquainted with I had some advice and we were able to pray together. Without the dream though it may not have come up. It was a key that helped me and maybe helped her to know that God is in control.  

Photo courtesy of my 6 year old son.

Protected

"For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11 

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