Yesterday I settled the matter - I would get to the park and run in the morning. We belong to the YMCA here in Abilene. It is such an awesome facility for families. The membership is so reasonable too. I know many people who pay more for a single membership then we do for a family rate. Every day I can drop the kids off for "play group" for up to 2 hours as part of our membership. I can workout inside, take a group class or run outside on the paths. Other benefits are sports teams for kids. Harrison is going to take swim lessons in June for 4 weeks and in the fall he will be registered for flag football! I cannot wait for this! I am so excited to see 3 year-olds chasing each other around, too fun!
So this morning I stuck to my plan and after breakfast we headed to the Y for play group. The kids literally run in they're so excited, which makes it much easier on me to go get some mommy time in. I re-started a couch-to-5K program today, which is awesome. I select the songs from my ipod and it adds it to the 5K program and a voice prompt coach will tell me when to walk and when to run. Kinda cool, huh? It's also very easy. Just follow the instructions.
Sort of like with Jesus. Just tune in, listen to the voice prompts and follow the instructions! Except I find Jesus WAY more fun than exercise!
I passed an older gentleman with his beautiful silver Schnauzer on the path and in passing said "She is really well behaved", and I didn't hear his response but then what I did hear him say was "What Lola wants, Lola gets". He smiled and we both continued on our ways. Immediately the Lord said to me "What you desire deep within your heart, you will have". I began declaring a job at home in Abilene for my husband, for him to be better paid than what he is now, and for him to be involved at church, and for Mike to be happy.
I continued on and soon I noticed a man walking about 1/4 of a mile ahead of me . He was walking briskly but obviously having a difficult time with it. I was listening to "People Get Ready" by Misty Edwards. If you think Jesus music can't get your heart rate going, think again! Woooooooo!
While I was watching this man struggle a holy compassion swept over me and I started declaring that God would heal him, muscle would heal, ligaments would regenerate, and that his leg would even grow out and all pain would leave! By the time I caught up to him we were approaching a bench and I stopped him and asked him about his leg. His name is Alex and he used to be a runner. He was in an accident a long time ago and injured his leg, and that he also has arthritis in his leg. I asked him if his life would be better and would he be happy if he could run pain free again? He said "Oh yes!" Then I asked him if he was ok with me putting my hands on his injured leg and praying for it. He sat on the bench and stretched out his leg, I prayed just as Jesus had prompted me just moments before. I felt led to declare that if he'd ever been told that one leg is shorter than the other that his other leg would grow out and be even with the other. He just sat in stunned silence and when I was done he had tears of gratitude in his eyes. Alex then told me that he felt heat from my hand on his leg while I was praying. I told him God wanted to bless him today and then I kept on with my run. About 3/4 of a mile down the path I stopped to stretch and he passed by me and stopped to say that a lot of the pain had left and he really felt better! A second time he marvelled that he had felt "energy" go from my hand to his leg. I smiled and said "God wanted to meet with you today" and he continued on, grinning ear to ear. Isn't God great!??
Not only did I exercise my body this morning but my faith. God is so good and I am so blessed to be part of how he wants to change the world, one heart at a time.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Radically New
If you know me at all, you will know that I have very little of a life outside of my church, church friends, and my service in the church. I am not boasting about this at all, it is merely a fact about myself. I have chosen this path because it is my sole (and soul!) desire to see revival fires burn throughout America and even all of North America; to radically change the way we "do" life, family, and church.
I've been listening to a lot of teachings lately. As many as I can get my hands on really. I am hungry for more of God. To learn His ways, how to recognize Him, hear Him, to walk with Him and talk with Him. To help me I've also been reading lots of books, too. You'd be surprised how God can radically change your life when you cut out all the junk- tv shows, radio, modern entertainment.
I read something very recently from a book by Ruth Ward Heflin published in 1999 called River Glory. This passage put into words exactly how I've been feeling for awhile:
"God is doing new things, and I like that. I have had many wonderful experiences in Him, but unless I am touched in a new way in every service, unless God reveals something to me that I have not known before, unless I have a fresh insight, unless I feel the quickening of His Spirit in new ways, I am not satisfied. I am determined to keep reaching into the eternal realm of the Spirit of God, I insist on stepping into new liberty, I refuse to take a single step backward, and I continue to claim new territory in God.
God is doing things differently than we could have anticipated. He is sending revival in His own way and is calling for a people who will accept revival on His terms."
I am learning how to see and experience revival on Gods terms. It's not necessarily going to look like what I want, but He knows what is best! He knows what we truly need.
I encourage you to experience something new in Christ today. If you don't pray, maybe start there. Talk to God. He wants a relationship with you. Did you know he calls you friend?
Do you worship God at home? Maybe put some music on and praise Him. Let God take you into a deep place of worship with Him.
Do something new. Do something radically new. Ask Him to take you there. Do not be satisfied with the status quo, because just look around you. It's obviously not working. It's not working for you, your family, your city, or the nation. My prayer for you today is that you to experience more of what God has for you today.
Bless you!
Friday, April 15, 2011
C is for Cookies!
I have such a sweet friend, her name is Laura. She is so sweet & kind and loves the Lord. We minister together on Sunday nights at Champions Church. Her husband also works in the wind energy industry, so we have lots in common. This last Tuesday I was unable to attend my regular Tuesday afternoon/evening ministry and prayer times, so Laura invited us over, but specifically invited Harrison over to bake cookies! Can you guess how excited he was?!
We arrived around 10:45 am and had a great time talking while the kids watched a video and explored Laura's home. Her house is beautiful! They live on an acre plot in a very small development on Steamboat Mountain, just out of Abilene. The area is about as perfect as it gets around here. They are blessed!
Soon Harrison was ready to make some cookies, so I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:
We arrived around 10:45 am and had a great time talking while the kids watched a video and explored Laura's home. Her house is beautiful! They live on an acre plot in a very small development on Steamboat Mountain, just out of Abilene. The area is about as perfect as it gets around here. They are blessed!
Soon Harrison was ready to make some cookies, so I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:
Harrison was thrilled that they were using butter! He took
a big bite out of the first stick!
So proud to be the big helper
Quality control
Enjoying lunch and his dessert!
We stayed all day and had a wonderful time. Harrison and Heidi both napped, although not as good a normal, but not bad considering it was the first time in someone elses home in a long time. I always have fun with Laura and she is such a gracious host. She's a wonderful Grandma to her 3 grandsons, and misses them terribly, so it is good for Heidi and Harrison to visit with her. They already have 3 more recipes lined up for the next few visits!
In other news, there are really bad wild fires raging fairly close to home. Homes have burned to the ground, and over half a million acres has burned up. In San Angelo, where we once lived, the fires are really close to town and people are being evacuated. A small town outside of Abilene called Rotan was evacuated yesterday due to another grass fire. The grass is tall, the ground is dry, the humidity is very low, and the winds are crazy, non of which helps. The temperatures are forecasted to soar to 100F on Monday & 98F on Tuesday. Praying for rain, safety and relief for all involved.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Solitary Confinement
Ugh. Yesterday morning I was snuggling with Harrison, like we usually do first thing in the morning. He is generally wide awake before I've had the chance to crack my eyelids, so he comes into my room and snuggles for a bit. I love it. I love the intimacy of holding my baby boy and I also love waking up slowly. And peacefully, I might add.
Rewind to Friday morning- he had woke up with a few raised bumps around his mouth and I thought "Oh no, I've passed my fever blister to him!!" Heidi Jo was also developing a diaper rash that was beginning to look a little like a yeast infection she had before, but I didn't tie the two together.
Back to Saturday morning. Once I rolled out of bed and washed my face, finally gaining some alertness I was rudely awakened to the fact that not only bumps but blisters had formed all over Harrisons body. Then came a text from a dear friend saying that she had recognized the bumps on Friday and cautioned me that Hand, Foot & Mouth disease was going around. Oh dear! I cannot tell you how fast we got dressed, skipped breakfast and headed straight to the walk-in clinic!
Yes, the doctor confirmed it was in fact HFM, but also noted that the kids were showing signs of secondary infection that if not stopped could lead to staph or encephalitis infections. So she prescribed an antibiotic and an anti-fungal for Heidi's diaper rash. $80 later (for the visit, and medicine) we were home and resting, recovering and healing.
Today is Sunday. We are stuck home alone, trying to make the best of it. I'm so grateful God created me as a social creature. I love my family, I love my friends. I was born to be in community with others. It's tough being alone, isolated. I will be happy and grateful when this is behind h
Thankfully Heidi's rash is already looking better and the blisters on Harrison's body are already drying up. They are still hurting and itching and I feel terrible for him. They are on the soles and tops of his feet, knees, thighs, palm of his hands, his face and even his ears. Today the challenge is to keep him from scratching and making them bleed. Wish me luck!
Thank you Jesus for healing my children so quickly! Here's to freedom and fellowship again soon!
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
Rewind to Friday morning- he had woke up with a few raised bumps around his mouth and I thought "Oh no, I've passed my fever blister to him!!" Heidi Jo was also developing a diaper rash that was beginning to look a little like a yeast infection she had before, but I didn't tie the two together.
Back to Saturday morning. Once I rolled out of bed and washed my face, finally gaining some alertness I was rudely awakened to the fact that not only bumps but blisters had formed all over Harrisons body. Then came a text from a dear friend saying that she had recognized the bumps on Friday and cautioned me that Hand, Foot & Mouth disease was going around. Oh dear! I cannot tell you how fast we got dressed, skipped breakfast and headed straight to the walk-in clinic!
Yes, the doctor confirmed it was in fact HFM, but also noted that the kids were showing signs of secondary infection that if not stopped could lead to staph or encephalitis infections. So she prescribed an antibiotic and an anti-fungal for Heidi's diaper rash. $80 later (for the visit, and medicine) we were home and resting, recovering and healing.
Today is Sunday. We are stuck home alone, trying to make the best of it. I'm so grateful God created me as a social creature. I love my family, I love my friends. I was born to be in community with others. It's tough being alone, isolated. I will be happy and grateful when this is behind h
Thankfully Heidi's rash is already looking better and the blisters on Harrison's body are already drying up. They are still hurting and itching and I feel terrible for him. They are on the soles and tops of his feet, knees, thighs, palm of his hands, his face and even his ears. Today the challenge is to keep him from scratching and making them bleed. Wish me luck!
Thank you Jesus for healing my children so quickly! Here's to freedom and fellowship again soon!
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
Friday, April 8, 2011
Slowing Down
I'm so grateful that the weather has been really wonderful now that spring has officially arrived! I've been able to spend some much needed time outside with Harrison and Heidi nearly every day, getting our vitamin D. We are blessed too to have a special play date twice a week at our house and twice at a friends house, and it has done wonders to help the kids transition with Daddy being gone and giving Mommy a rest. God is so good, He knows just what we need and when we need it!
I cannot believe that Harrison is going to turn 3 next month! Wow! He is such a great little man - he really is. He has become very protective of his little sister, which I love, and he is just stretching himself in leaps and bounds. He is trying so hard to learn his alphabet and can count to 20 most days. He loves to sing songs and create. He is still all boy though and loves to crash and destroy too! I just love everything about the boy of God he is becoming!
Ms. Heidi Jo is still not walking. She can walk several steps at a time by herself but just refuses to. I know it will happen all in her own time but she is 24 pounds now and getting a little hard to carry around!! She is funny in her very own way, and definitely steals the show with her little scrunched up nose smiles. She is so happy and content - I truly count myself blessed!
Mike is doing well in Colorado. He is working 12 hour shifts at night, so we generally get to see him online or talk once a day in the late afternoon before he goes to work. It is hard, dirty work repairing the steam generators, but I think he is enjoying putting his hands to work. I know the Lord will bless the fruit of his labor!
I'm doing great too! My life has become a little more busy then I'd like it to be, so I'm trying to find that balance again. I am loving ministering freedom and healing to whomever the Lord brings across my path, and I am really, really enjoying the study Made to Crave with some friends. Not too much else happening in our family life, just really savoring our slow pace of life. It really is wonderful when you can slow down enough to enjoy the little joys in life like family.
A big hello to Grammy, Grampa, Uncle Blair and Aunty Dan in Canada. We miss you all and love you very much! Harrison and Heidi both send big hugs and sloppy kisses!!
Love,
The Burnett Bunch
My handsome hubby & I
Heidi safely at work!
Car ride!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Joy
How are you doing these days? Are you happy? Is your happy based on circumstances? Mood swings? Is it based on whether your children are obeying that day or not? Would you say it's temporary or permanent? Did you know that you can replace the momentary happiness with permanent joy and peace? "Really? How?" you ask.
To keep it really simple, the root of it is a choice. But trust me, I know you may be thinking "she's really over simplifying this." When supper's about to burn on the stove, your little children are hungry and crying- even tugging at your leg, the phone is ringing and you can't think straight- it may be hard to believe that there can be joy instead of chaos.
Well, I was tested in my own joy this morning. Mike left yesterday to work the next two months in Colorado. The potential "stress" of functioning like a single mom could have been enough to put me in a foul mood, but I didn't let it. I knew I could walk in peace knowing it would be great. Being so richly blessed our book/bible study last night helped me to also keep my eyes focused on the right things. Our conversation last night absolutely prepared me for what happened this morning. (There is never a coincidence with the Lord!)
Last night we were discussing a verse in 1 Peter 2:11 that says "Dear friends, I urge you to abstain from fleshly lusts (or sinful desires), which wage war against your soul." Of course last night's discussion was in the context of eating and over-indulging etc. Today I was thinking about this verse applied little differently.
Our morning started off very well. The children slept until 8 am, which for me was wonderful since I was up late making sure Mike arrived at his destination safely. I decided to take the kids out for breakfast and to drop off the recycling while we were out too. After all that was done, I was noticing how dirty our van was from the rain last week, so we headed to the car wash. While in line for the car wash our van quit driving. It was running and in drive but not going any where! I chose not to panic (especially with 2 little ones in the van with me). I prayed and asked Jesus to make sure I could get them home safely. It wouldn't go even after shifting it back into park and then drive again. I turned it off, started it again and it drove... for a few blocks. I lost power again as we were approaching a major intersection by the freeway. I calmly turned it off again, while deciding to permanently leave my flashers going, and restarted it and made it another 4-5 blocks. I had to restart it 3 times just to get home, but we safely made it home.
I could be overwhelmed right now seeing that we don't really have to money to even repair the van right now, but I have made the choice to stay calm, relaxed and even joyful about the situation. You know why? Because God is BIGGER. The enemy of our soul has an assignment on this earth: to steal, kill, and destroy. He sees the impact that our family is having in the Kingdom and wants to steal our joy and blessings but it is not going to work.
Within 30 minutes of literally rolling/coasting into the driveway I had a plan on how to check the van myself, several recommendations of a mechanic to take it to, and two people offering a temporary replacement vehicle for us to borrow while ours gets taken care of. Isn't God amazing? What would have happened had I just cried or got angry? One thing for sure: my kids would have followed my example. Also, I would have been focused more on my problem instead of God's solution. I know because I have been there before and made the wrong choice. I let war rage in my soul before. It stinks. It really stinks! This time I wasn't going to give into my fleshly desire to just have a melt down.
Today I chose peace. Today I chose joy. Today I chose God. Because everything starts and end with Him. Today I am grateful for my Father in Heaven who always has good things in store for me, who overflows my heart with joy, regardless of what is happening around me.
To keep it really simple, the root of it is a choice. But trust me, I know you may be thinking "she's really over simplifying this." When supper's about to burn on the stove, your little children are hungry and crying- even tugging at your leg, the phone is ringing and you can't think straight- it may be hard to believe that there can be joy instead of chaos.
Well, I was tested in my own joy this morning. Mike left yesterday to work the next two months in Colorado. The potential "stress" of functioning like a single mom could have been enough to put me in a foul mood, but I didn't let it. I knew I could walk in peace knowing it would be great. Being so richly blessed our book/bible study last night helped me to also keep my eyes focused on the right things. Our conversation last night absolutely prepared me for what happened this morning. (There is never a coincidence with the Lord!)
Last night we were discussing a verse in 1 Peter 2:11 that says "Dear friends, I urge you to abstain from fleshly lusts (or sinful desires), which wage war against your soul." Of course last night's discussion was in the context of eating and over-indulging etc. Today I was thinking about this verse applied little differently.
Our morning started off very well. The children slept until 8 am, which for me was wonderful since I was up late making sure Mike arrived at his destination safely. I decided to take the kids out for breakfast and to drop off the recycling while we were out too. After all that was done, I was noticing how dirty our van was from the rain last week, so we headed to the car wash. While in line for the car wash our van quit driving. It was running and in drive but not going any where! I chose not to panic (especially with 2 little ones in the van with me). I prayed and asked Jesus to make sure I could get them home safely. It wouldn't go even after shifting it back into park and then drive again. I turned it off, started it again and it drove... for a few blocks. I lost power again as we were approaching a major intersection by the freeway. I calmly turned it off again, while deciding to permanently leave my flashers going, and restarted it and made it another 4-5 blocks. I had to restart it 3 times just to get home, but we safely made it home.
I could be overwhelmed right now seeing that we don't really have to money to even repair the van right now, but I have made the choice to stay calm, relaxed and even joyful about the situation. You know why? Because God is BIGGER. The enemy of our soul has an assignment on this earth: to steal, kill, and destroy. He sees the impact that our family is having in the Kingdom and wants to steal our joy and blessings but it is not going to work.
Within 30 minutes of literally rolling/coasting into the driveway I had a plan on how to check the van myself, several recommendations of a mechanic to take it to, and two people offering a temporary replacement vehicle for us to borrow while ours gets taken care of. Isn't God amazing? What would have happened had I just cried or got angry? One thing for sure: my kids would have followed my example. Also, I would have been focused more on my problem instead of God's solution. I know because I have been there before and made the wrong choice. I let war rage in my soul before. It stinks. It really stinks! This time I wasn't going to give into my fleshly desire to just have a melt down.
Today I chose peace. Today I chose joy. Today I chose God. Because everything starts and end with Him. Today I am grateful for my Father in Heaven who always has good things in store for me, who overflows my heart with joy, regardless of what is happening around me.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Crave God
Wow, so last post I shared a few thoughts about a new book I "devoured" called "Made to Crave" and it turns out many ladies I know and love have had similar feelings about food that I do. So.... tomorrow (Friday, April 1) we are starting a small group study!! I ordered the DVD study set and study guide book and about 10 lovely ladies and I are going to walk out our victory over food together! So exciting! I look forward to sharing our encouraging encounters with you.
The first week's title is: From Deprivation to Empowerment
In other news, Mike is headed to Colorado until the end of May. Praise God! He will be doing maintenance and repair of steam turbine units outside of Denver. We know that this is not his "career" position that we are believing God for, but it is our provision for right now. We are believing that in the meantime another position will open up for him to be home more permanently. God is so good and faithful!
Harrison and Heidi are doing great! We are being blessed with lots of opportunities to have friends over while other Moms work, or so they can simply have some down time. There is an airforce base here in Abilene and quite a few families from our church are part of the airforce, so I find I have much in common with them because we understand what it's like for our husbands to be away for long periods of time. I try my very best to spot those needs and open our home.
The first week's title is: From Deprivation to Empowerment
In other news, Mike is headed to Colorado until the end of May. Praise God! He will be doing maintenance and repair of steam turbine units outside of Denver. We know that this is not his "career" position that we are believing God for, but it is our provision for right now. We are believing that in the meantime another position will open up for him to be home more permanently. God is so good and faithful!
Harrison and Heidi are doing great! We are being blessed with lots of opportunities to have friends over while other Moms work, or so they can simply have some down time. There is an airforce base here in Abilene and quite a few families from our church are part of the airforce, so I find I have much in common with them because we understand what it's like for our husbands to be away for long periods of time. I try my very best to spot those needs and open our home.
Harrison & Adam
Joseph, Harrison, Adam, Heidi & Megan
having fun at the water table
Heidi at Stroller Moms
Harrison and his new Lightening McQueen pool
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