For to us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon his shoulder.

And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.  (Isaiah 9:6)

Dear Family and Friends,

            Before I begin my annual Christmas letter, I first want to dedicate this Christmas letter to my beloved aunt, Anne Marie Delacono, who recently passed away on December 6, 2013. She truly was a special lady who lived her life solely for the joy of others and dedication to her family. She left a lasting legacy to those who knew her.  She will always be a treasured part of my heart.  I’m left richer having known her. Aunt Anne Marie, this one’s for you!

            The year 2013 will be taking its final bow soon, and 2014 will take center stage. What a year it has been for our family! I was debating if I was going to write a Christmas letter this year but then realized that my letters each year have turned into memoirs for our family.  I think there is something significant about sharing memories with our children, family and friends.   It’s not until we take the time to reflect on the events, trials and victories of the past season that we can begin to see God faithfully at work in our lives and give Him the praise He deserves!

For me, Christmas is the time of year that should stir our hearts in memories, thanksgiving and love as we contemplate the true gift given to us 2000 years ago in the form of a baby swaddled in a manger.  As I began to meditate on this scene and its true meaning in my own life, the Lord kept having me go back to the following words from the verse above: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  In this scripture we find the message of Christmas. Isaiah the prophet gave five awe inspiring names of God that were meant to awaken us, encourage us and challenge us with hope each year.  How has the gift of Jesus changed your life this past year? I’m hoping as I share just a few highlights of how God revealed Himself to us this year, that it prompts you, too, to stir the memory of His gift of life to you!

How WONDERFUL our God is that He graced us with the safe return of our Soldier, Craig, from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan.  He gave our family the grace to make it a year without our hero. We are so grateful for God’s faithfulness and protection. Craig and I also just celebrated 11 years of marriage together and continue to grow strong in our marriage.

 As our EVERLASTING FATHER who created all things, God allowed our first grandson, Hayden, to turn one. He is walking and running around, healthy and strong.  Kayla is working full time as a bank teller in Illinois and continues to pursue her nursing degree. I’m proud of the obstacles she has been able to overcome and how God is molding her into a beautiful mother and woman.

As COUNSELOR, God has continued to lead us to homeschool Ana and Nate, who are now 5 and 6 years old.  Nate played soccer for the first time this year and ruled the field with his happy go lucky self.  His motivation to show up was for the ice cream after each game.   Ana bikes the open roads with her dad weekly and continues to be creative in her own ways. She is a beauty and I marvel at how sweet spirited she is! She is very much a giver at heart.  Justin is attending a small private Christian school and is doing well academically.  He also played soccer this year and scored a number of goals.  He will be headed to Africa this coming summer on a mission trip for the Watoto Orphans. We continue to enjoy his silly antics and sense of humor.

Our PRINCE OF PEACE, Jesus, was just that, as He gave us the peace and grace needed to be together with other family members throughout the year. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas in July in Savannah.  Also, we headed to Ohio, Orlando and Tybee Island. There is nothing like having more than a dozen people together in one small space at any given time—that challenges the Jesus in you-lol!  More so, He was our peace as we lost our sweet Aunt Anne Marie earlier this month. Our peace came from knowing that she was in the presence of her heavenly Father where there is no more pain and suffering—only perfect love! We look forward to seeing her again one day!

 Since returning home, Craig, has been given the opportunity to be Executive Officer of the 2-3 General Support Aviation Battalion on Hunter Army Airfield, GA. He has also recently taken up a new hobby in biking. He likes to rock his BRIGHT yellow cycling jersey for the whole world to see (even the blind!) and wear his crazy helmet. I secretly think that he thinks he is training for the Olympics!-lol

I’m still serving at PWOC and was recently given the position of President due to our former President needing to step down. I’m trying to find balance with all of my duties in ministry and family, but God has been gracious.  As far as writing goes, I was given another opportunity to have one of my stories published this year in a book called, God Meets Needs. I haven’t finished writing the bible study I’ve been desiring to write yet, but in due season! Lastly, Craig and I continue to teach bible study classes out of our home together.  We just finished up a six-week study called the Art of Marriage. There is nothing more fulfilling then to see people’s lives changed through God’s Word!

As you can see, God has been MIGHTY GOD to us! He continues to lavish us with blessings, health, and favor.  We gladly say goodbye to 2013 and all the old things that have passed away! We readily welcome in 2014 because we know God will be with us, faithfully revealing the depths of His love and meticulous plan for each of us.

In closing, we pray each of you will have a beautiful season ahead, filled with many reasons to rejoice and give thanks. We encourage you to forget what lies behind you and press onward towards the prize, which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus!

With all our love,

The Blow Family (Craig, Kimchi, Justin, Nate, Ana and gizmo)

Waiting...

Behind my house sits a quiet lagoon that is full of wild life.  I enjoy sitting on my back porch watching the Egrets fly over, frogs croaking and fish jumping.  It’s become an outdoor sanctuary with God for me.   I’ve missed this place since we moved and it is so good to have my tamien( Greek word meaning secret place-Matthew 6: 6) back again.

For the past couple of months, I’ve noticed a young boy who is about 12 years old fishing daily.  In fact, he’s out there several times a day for long hours at a time. I’ve seen him catch a few fish and some turtles too.  However, what strikes me the most about this young man is his tenacity to wait on his catch!  He never seems to grow impatient or bored.  He just sits day after, hour by hour and minute my minute waiting for something exciting to jump his line. Mostly, I’ve noticed he does it with such joy in his heart as if there was nothing more important to him.

I smile when I think about this because it reminds me of how I should be with God.  Like this young man, I too, need to be just as tenacious in my waiting on the Lord to complete great things in my life.  Just like this young man, I should know that without a shadow of a doubt something good is going to come in my waiting or if you will, jump on my line if I throw my prayer line out there! 

 Watching him these past weeks has really been a joy and a  great reminder that waiting on God is sometimes challenging , but that the hope of Him meeting me in that place far outweighs anything my flesh could endure.

As I close, I’m reminded of Psalm 130:

Waiting For the LORD Brings Redemption

1Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O LORD.

2Lord, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.

5I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope.

6My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

7Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption.

8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

What is it that you are waiting on God for today? Finances? A renewed marriage or relationship? Healing or a new promotion?  Do you find yourself patiently and joyfully anticipating His answer to your need or are you weary in your wait?  I pray that your wait is one of great anticipation as Hope does not disappoint. Wait on Him today with a newness that makes you persevere to things you never dreamed of. Hope compels us to persevere for the things of God--  He’s SO worth the wait!

Teddy Bear Hugs

Unless, you're a military wife, it's hard to explain the feelings that stir inside of you before a deployment.  It doesn't matter how many deployments you've been through, it still tugs at your heart as if it was the first time!   For me the hardest part of the deployment are the weeks just before my soldier leaves. There is this anxious anticipation building.  I begin to ask God to  prepare my heart and mind for the dreaded goodbye. Without realizing it, I begin a countdown in my head and heart to the precious days we have left together as a family.  Ask any military spouse and I can guarantee you they do the same thing.

As I write this, my husband is preparing a message to the kids that he will later record for them inside their deployments bears that we bought them at Build a Bear store today.  What's more comforting than hearing their father's voice to help comfort them when they need that extra love and encouragement? 

The truth is, even as an adult, I'm not that much different   I'm one of those military wives who sleeps with her hubby's t-shirt after he leaves just so that I can smell his scent and feel a little closer to him.  Silly, huh? Judge me if you want, but until you've faced a long deployment, you don't realize the loneliness and vulnerability that you feel at times. Anything helps, even a smelly old t-shirt!-lol...However, I've learned to lean on something more secure than Hanes T-shirts these days.  I have God as my husband while my soldier is away. 

In the end, I'm no different than my sweet precious children.  I too, need that comfort of hearing daddy's voice telling me he loves me and that everything will be okay.  Thankfully, I have a supportive and loving earthly dad who does that but I'm even more grateful that my Father in heaven is the one who foresees what I need even before I ask and brings me that peace and comfort in abundance.

I may not have a bear to squeeze and listen to, but I have a God who I can call on and He will speak His truth's right into the depths of my heart that will sustain me this year! Even now, I can smile knowing full well that "Daddy" is there for me and my kiddos. After all His word promises to be close to the broken hearted and sometimes during a deployment your heart does break as you miss your loved one and your family is split apart for a time. I can honestly say that deployments are what you make of them.  I won't like, they are not easy but they can be the best year if you choose to allow it to be because you and your family grow in ways you never dreamed possible because God is in the midst of it all.  In a way, He truly is that squeezable teddy bear that can instantly bring us comfort!

To those of you facing a deployment or are currently in one now, know that you are not alone.  You have many sisters across the globe in your position.  Be strong and courageous.  I pray that your Heavenly Father will speak a comforting word to you today as you serve and sacrifice your spouses for this nation's freedom.  Remember that your making a difference as you spend this year raising your family alone.  God sees the sacrifice and He will bless you for it!:D

Be brave fearless warriors--love you all!:D

Thanks!

I just wanted to take the time to thank you all for supporting me with my writing.  However, I am feeling a shift in my spirit and feel like I need to lay it down for a season...I don't know what the Lord wants to do with me, but I do know that I am to wait before Him and listen patiently..:)
Be blessed and go forth in Victory:)

Are you Dead or Alive?

 Are You Dead or Alive?

This past weekend we celebrated Easter, or what I like to call Resurrection Day.  For me, it is an exciting time spiritually because it is a reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross. It also gives me an opportunity to reflect on my walk with God and what areas I still need to work on.  In a way, I take the death of Jesus as a symbolic gesture of what sin, old habits,unforgiveness, thoughts or past mistakes that I too would like to put to death for the new season to come.  The fact that Jesus was able to overcome physical death allows me to have hope that I too can overcome my physical challenges daily when I choose Him to help me.  

            In Deuteronomy 30:11 it says, “Now what I have commanded you is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”  When I read this scripture it helps me to know that God never asks us to do anything we can’t do without His help. We all can use some improvement in areas of our life that may tempt us to veer away from God at times.  It may not be habitual sin, but rather small choices that can hinder us from having complete victory daily.  For example, maybe you spend too much time watching tv, rather than being more productive with your time.  I’ve been guilty myself of watching not so life giving shows allowing it to fill my mind with junk and discouragement.  Maybe food, shopping or Facebook are issues that keep hindering you in ways from doing what God needs you to do. Facebook is a huge distracter these days for a lot of people, including myself if I don’t keep myself accountable.  In other words, we have to make sure we keep ourselves balanced and aligned with God’s will for our lives.  Too much of anything can be harmful.  Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. 

            Romans 12:1 says” Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice-holy and pleasing to God.” What areas in your life do you need to be put to death so that God can be glorified more?  What areas can you sacrifice to God so that it can become pleasing to Him this season: your marriage, finances,broken relationships, thoughts, emotions, health, job, your past, or any habitual sin?  Whatever it is, remember that the Lord’s hand is never too short to reach in and help you (Numbers 11:23) When Jesus resurrected, so did we—as new creations in Him!  So are you willing to out your flesh to death so you can be made alive today in Christ? Thank you, God, for your promises to help us become new daily. Give us the confidence we need to be victorious on this Monday as we begin our week in you, celebrating that our Redeemer lives!

Make Your Bed!

“Make your bed!”  I use to hear this from my mother when I was younger constantly. I would  then sigh deeply and make it with an attitude, thinking the whole time, what’s the point?  Needless to say, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree and I get the same reaction when I tell my children to do it.  Today, as I made my own bed, I pondered the importance behind this simple task.  Why is making your bed so important? Maybe I am asking this question because this week has been a week where I have been struggling with my flesh, including, making my bed.  Let’s get real, who really cares if your bed is made, because how many people go into your room when they visit? Or, as my son would so boldly ask, “Won’t I be just getting back in it tonight, so why bother?”  It’s tempting to just shut the door and not bother.  Trust me, I’ve done it a few times, but this is what I’ve learned about making the bed, it’s a small discipline that has payoffs later…

             Let me explain, in Hebrew 12:11 it says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Learning to make my bed in the morning is a symbolic gesture of me choosing to overcome my flesh.  Isn’t this what leading a disciplined life is all about—killing the flesh?  For some reason, it sets the precedence in my mind for the rest of  the day.  In other words, if I train my flesh from the start of the day, it makes it easier for me to continue to choose so throughout the day.  Some may argue, but I’m sticking with what I know works best for me.  No one knows or probably doesn’t care if you make your bed, but the way I see it is God sees and knows all.  Are you willing to be faithful with small things that may not seem to matter in the big picture?   What you do and don’t do matter.  Don’t get me wrong, the Kingdom of God is not going to crumble apart if you don’t make your bed.  However, it’s  not about the bed, it about a disciplined  mindset, a disciplined choice, a disciplined way of life that produces  fruit later.   Ask any great athlete or successful person how they achieved their goals and I can almost guarantee it began with small disciplines that led to greater ones along the way.

Are you lacking in the area of small disciplines that could help you get to greater ones? Do you have the tendency to only do the big things and skip the small things? If so, what small habits can you begin to help place you on the path to a disciplined life in God?  It’s been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step, or perhaps one made bed..So, go make your bed!

His Name was Aaron...

The room was crowded, filled with many faces, each one scarfing down the food before them.  For some of them, it was their only meal for days.   As I scanned the tables, I saw him.    His head was bowed low as he ate slowly, as if it was painful with each swallow.  He was barely hanging on for life.  His dark hair appeared messy and he wore a  torn sweater with a white collared shirt just peeking through.  He was deep in thought, quiet and humbled.  My heart filled with compassion for this young man as I watched him.  It’s never easy to serve at the homeless shelter.  The faces of suffering and pain are almost too much to bear sometimes, but I know that this is where the Lord changes lives. So, I swallowed back my tears and kept serving, hoping to be used in some small way.  Lord, just help me be a light of hope here tonight.
            Then, like a soft breeze came a whisper from the Lord, Tell him he’s my creation, remind him how much I love him and purposed him specifically with a bright, powerful mind, remind him that he is mine and I have made him with promise.  He is smart—remind him!  Tears began to fill my eyes as I felt the love of God for this young homeless man fill me up, so much that it propelled me towards him.   At first I was taken aback by what God was nudging me to do, but love moved me!
            I pulled out the chair in front of him and nervously sat down.  He looked up with his deep brown eyes and quickly looked down again.  I swallowed and asked him his name.  His name was Aaron.  I boldly spoke to him the same words God had just given me for him.  I could tell he was taken back and speechless.  Then his eyes filled with tears and a huge smile appeared on his face, yet no words were spoken from his mouth.  The other homeless men got quiet around us.  In fact, one of them whispered, “Boy, that is weird, man!”   Aaron laughed gently but did not speak.  Instead he grinned from ear to ear.
            He knew…He remembered….. In that moment he was loved!  It was as if Holy Spirit touched him right there and healed him.  His smile said it all as his countenance changed before my eyes.  I said it again, “Aaron you are smart and God has purposed you and will use you—trust Him!”  He looked at me and I could tell that it was received.
            I then walked away with tears falling from my own eyes.  I was just touched by God through Aaron!  My heart was filled with so much joy and promise for a man that I didn't know.  But God knew Him!  His name was Aaron…
            Please pray for Aaron tonight.  He is a young man from the Kansas City Rescue Mission that I had the honor to meet tonight.  Like you and like me, he is has a destiny in Christ Jesus and a prayer for him tonight from you could empower him to that place….Thanks for listeningJ

Move Over Easter Bunny and Cadbury Eggs--There is Something Sweeter!

Easter is fast approaching and for most people it will be a celebration of families getting together, backyard egg hunts, egg decorating, pretty dresses, chocolate filled candy and possibly a sunrise Easter service.  Tradition has it that Cadbury Eggs hit the grocery store shelves at this time too. Who can resist those creamy little delicacies, right? To boot, there are egg coloring kits of all kinds available now.  I marvel at the neat decorations they have for coloring eggs: stickers, sparkles, color dye, paint, markers, glitter-you name it, at the local supermarkets and stores.  It beats the old way we use to color eggs…Wait a minute!  Oh, that’s right, I was robbed of that joy because my mom bought us only plastic eggs because she didn’t like the mess of coloring eggs.  I forgive you, mom, because now I understand-- I have kids of my own!-lol

            Speaking of which….Kids and Easter…How do you celebrate Easter in your home? What does it mean to you? What kind of message are you sending to the next generation? All of these questions have been floating around in my head over the past couple of weeks.  Actually, more so then ever as I look at the world we live in today where there seems to be no respect for anything.  Morals and traditions are at a loss and found to be controversial and unacceptable.  Like most Christians, I’ve been trying to reflect on the true meaning of this season-Jesus!  However, this year I really examined the traditions that were past down to me and how I’ve either incorporated them into my own children’s lives or not.  I grew up Catholic but today I claim to be a non-denominational Christian.  Bottom line for me is Jesus!  I simply love Him and take seriously the responsibility I have to pass the heritage of Christ to my kids.

            Exodus 12:14 says," This is the day you are to commemorate;for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as festival to the Lord a lasting ordinance."  This passage is talking about remembering the Passover where God went through Egypt and wiped out all the first born children because of the sin of Pharaoh and the people. But He saved the Israelites  who honored Him and placed blood above their doors. It’s supposed to be a time of thanksgiving and reflection of the grace and provision God has given us throughout the ages.  Last night while reading this with my family, my oldest son, asks me why God would do such a horrific thing.  To him it seemed unfair. His question was reasonable for an eleven year old.  Of course, I gently explained the character of God and how this was an act of judgment done in love. Father's discipline their children in love.  Ugh-not an easy thing to explain, right? Hopefully, by the time Easter season is over with and we get through the resurrection scriptures, God will reveal that love to Him more.  However, I was tickled pink for the conversation because although it was a tough question to answer, the fact remains that God was being talked about in our home. His name was being remembered, even if the questions were hard.   At the end of the day, this is what God wants for each of His children’s children—to remember Him through the generations!  Passover and Easter is a time to remember that God promised to take us out of slavery, set us free, redeem us and take us unto Him.   It is our responsibility to remember and talk about Christ and the inheritance God gave to us through the shedding of His blood with our children.

              Is Easter a time of celebrating  Easter sales ,trying to find the perfect dress attire for your kids or is it about the gift of life being handed to you by God? We will still have fun with some traditions.  However, Easter Bunny and Cadburry Eggs will have to move over because there is something sweeter to celebrate—Jesus! He will be filling my kid’s bellies and memories for years to come and hopefully generations thereafter…

Powerful Thoughts...

I read this from the book "Uncommon" by Tony Dungy.  Thought it was worth sharing....

Be careful how you speak to yourself; be careful how you think of yourself;be careful how you conduct yourself;be careful how you develop yourself.

"What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true." Job 3:25

What will you speak to yourself today? What will you think of yourself today? How will you conduct yourself today? How will you develop yourself today?

Growing Children and Ourselves

“Mommy, I can do it all by myself!”  I sighed as I allowed my strong willed ,three year old daughter finish the task that I tried helping her with.  More and more, I keep hearing her declare her independence.  It takes me back to my 18 year old who was just like her.    People tried telling  me how quickly the time goes by.  Now that I am facing my oldest child's  graduation next month, I am seeing it first hand.  So,  I am trying to savor these moments as much as I can.   Although, I know it is part of her maturing stage, I still can’t help but wonder what lies ahead in her need to be independent.  Trust me, I know the drill as I have raised one daughter already.  I am currently in the middle of raising another pre-teen and two toddlers following close behind.  Taking a deep breath, I say a quiet prayer asking God to give me the strength to help shape my precious Diva in the making, without losing my mind in the process.  I kiss her gently and say, “Go for it, girlie!” Do I have the strength? Will I make mistakes like I did with my oldest daughter? Will all my children become the Godly men and women they were purposed to be?  The answer to all those questions is –yes, yes, yes!  The answer is yes because God is in control and not me—thank god.

 After being a parent for almost 19 years now, I’ve learned a thing or two about the subject, myself and God.  First of all, I don’t have all the answers!  So, there won’t be another well meaning parent book out there to buy.  Thank God, huh?( I have enough of those to parent all the nations and then some!)  Mistakes are part of the growing process for parents and children.  In fact, my children have taught me more about myself than any one person I know. Let’s just say they are raising their mother well!   Secondly, God created each one of my kids with a purpose .  As their mother, it is up to me to help them find it and encourage them in it.  Sometimes as a parent letting them be who they are is hard.  We tend to have expectations for our children but I’ve learned the hard way, God’s plan for them is the best one out there!  The sooner I submit my parenting to His parenting, the easier it is for all of us.  Thirdly, my children will become who God created them to be one way or another. There may be bumps in the road and it may take longer than anticipated, but God is faithful in His parenting even when I am not.  His promises over them will not come back null and void—the Word is in them, right?  I’ve learned to lean on Him to fill in the gaps of grace, love, mercy and wisdom. 

                Trusting God with our children is a daily struggle.  However, it has been one that has allowed me to see God in new ways, building my own faith along the way.  There are so many unknowns out there and so many questions I still have when it comes to parenting. I don’t always get the answer right away which leads me waiting patiently for God to answer  when He knows I am ready to hear it!-lol 

                Parenting my children's  heart is my goal these days.  When I choose to do this first, I find that everything else falls into place.  Placing the values of God upon their hearts and minds ,naturally shape our children into who they need to be in this world.  However, that doesn’t mean that it will happen overnight—patience and persistence are key!  I will admit, I don’t have all the details worked out, but I know the One who does.   It takes faith to raise a child-great faith! Psalm 103:17-18 says, “ But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s Children-with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey his precepts. “  I can’t help but smile and be comforted when I read that promise.  As long as I commit to teach my children about God’s love and faithfulness, all that is good is passed down through the generations.  Even if at times it appears otherwise.  Faith is the substance of things not seen but yet hoped for, right?  So, if today I have a three year old , rebellious daughter who decides to  be the next  great Van Gogh by painting  a whole container of yogurt to express her creative side( she did this while I wrote this blog-how fitting!)  or a back talking eleven year old, who demands that doing laundry is child slavery and should be punishable by law,  it is all good, right?   One can only hope and I choose to put that hope in the Lord today!

                Where is your hope today when it comes to your children?  Do you trust God with their faith and lives?  If not, begin today by knowing that the love of a thousand generations for God began with one parent teaching it!