Thank You God for Motherhood

Hello world! One exhausted mama here. Coffee is my new best friend and sleep is a long lost friend I wish I could connect with more. Laundry and I get together every weekend. She is an annoying but necessary friendship... what are ya going to do? My brain no longer comprehends silence, or peace and quite. I'm singing Elmo songs and Baby Einstein music continuously. Oh! My child clapping her hands was the most exciting part of my week! =D It was her most exciting part too. 

This is where we are on our parenthood journey right now. A place where the words "I'll babysit!" are tear conjuring on a hard day. A place where, some nights she sleeps just fine but then she will go three nights in a row of waking up every couple of hours just because she is lonely.... 

Can I just say by the way, playing peek-a-boo with my daughter is the greatest thing on the planet. She hides behind a doorway, or hides part of her face with her tiny little hand and starts playing with you. That smile.... priceless. 

I can think of nothing on this earth I would rather be than her mom. We can have a really horrible day. She will be constantly screaming, irritable and everything. I can be at my wits end.... but then I sit down to rock her to sleep for the night.... she snuggles into me.... and I tear up..... This little girl is MY daughter.... I take a few moments to thank God for such a wonderful blessing and then sit there to soak up the snuggles before bed. 

So here we are. She is almost a year old (time please stop!!), and I am still in awe of the blessing God has bestowed on us. She will be walking so very soon. She has a tooth! She can clap, play peek-a-boo, blow kisses (when she wants) and I am still constantly amazed. Her smile melts my heart. 

There are days where motherhood can be so hard (as I know many already know), but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't stop and thank God for allowing me the privilege of getting to be her mother. For the good and the bad. The ups and downs. The laundry, the dishes, the mess, the exhaustion and the annoying little songs in my head. 

Thank you God for motherhood and all that comes with it!

La la la la, la la la la, Elmo's world.... wait... sorry... 

-Kelcy J.

 

Wow/Change

I can't believe it has really been so long since I last posted. There were times that I sat down and typed something up but then I would never finish it or post it... Having a baby has made time pass super fast and made very little time for doing things like this but now we are finally getting some sort of schedule (if you can really call it that) and she is currently taking a nap:) SUCCESS!

So anyway, we had a baby.... wow. My husband and I continuously look at this precious little girl and ask each other how we made such a beautiful little girl to which the other answers "but God"... If you are on my Facebook than you have seen just how beautiful our sweet little daughter is.

People have been asking me how I'm doing and the short of it.... I'm doing okay, mostly tired, extremely happy, but a little sad. The long.... well.... I have good days and bad days.... My blood pressure is too high and then too low a day later, I ended up with postpartum depression so sometimes I feel really down and sad, but at the same time I'm overcome with happiness every time I look at our little girl. I mean.... I didn't know it was possible to love something so tiny so much!

So, with all of that being said, we are taking steps to fix my blood pressure and my PPD, and other than that I'm just enjoying the ride, thanking God continuously for this sweet little gift he has given us.

In other news, we are getting ready to go back to the gym and while I didn't exactly hit my goal weight, at my last doctors appointment I had lost 40 pounds from the beginning of the year. I only gained 10 pounds during my pregnancy (shocker, I know) and then the weight came pouring off after little girl was out! However, I am setting my goal once again, and going to work hard to finish achieving it over the next year.

My word this year was change and oh boy did God give us change. We, of course, had our plans for change.... changing our physical health and our spiritual health, but we never could have imagined the change God had in store for us.... the change of becoming parents....

A lot has happened over this last year, some good things.... but some.... pretty bad things as well... I will say though... if it weren't for God we wouldn't have gotten through any of it, and we wouldn't be handling parenthood very well, I'm sure. Here we are though.

I'm so thankful for the changes that God has brought about this year. Some things I'm a little more thankful for, like becoming a mom... other things I'm thankful that one day God may allow me to see why he brought such changes about... either way, I'm thankful. I look forward to seeing what word He places on my heart for 2019 and what comes from it.

Well anyway, thanks for reading. Hopefully my next post will be sooner rather than later, but who knows...

God bless,
Kelcy J.

SURPRISE!!!

So I wanted to start by saying thanks to everyone who has been praying about the opportunity I mentioned in my last post. God, however, had other plans and allowed that opportunity to fall through. We were upset at first. We were really hoping things would work out but God's plans are better than ours and not long after he said "I have something better" he showed us that something better.

I've waited to post this so that I could go ahead and let you all know that my husband and I are expecting a sweet little blessing in October of this year =D That's right.... WE'RE PREGNANT!!!

We were just as surprised as I'm sure some of you are but we are thrilled nonetheless. I would've posted on here sooner but things, as I'm sure many of you can imagine, have been a little crazy and a lot busy since finding out. I have had more doctors appointments than I would like to have had due to some problems I was having and I'm learning quickly that this doctor will probably be my new best friend by the end of these nine months.

Anyway, we are super excited to start this chapter of our lives together. The gym took a little bit of a back burner position once I found out because we didn't know whether or not my doctor was going to let me continue working out the way that I have been. Much to my surprise everything seems to point to a healthy pregnancy (other than my diabetes which I am now checking several times a day), so I can start working out again and I can't wait. I have missed it. Now if I can just get my husband to calm down and understand that doc says I'm okay, so I'm okay. He has been so super protective since we found out:) It's hilarious.

So now we wait. Wait for the next appointment. Wait for the next ultrasound. Get everything ready and wait some more. Everyone keeps saying these nine months will be over before I know it but so far it's passing at a normal rate.... oh well.

A new journey is beginning and I think I need to get all the sleep I can before it truly does.

Goodnight!
-Kelcy J.

PROGRESS IS HAPPENING!!!

That's right! PROGRESS! =D I am so excited to let everyone know that our hard work at the gym has started paying off! People have been telling me that I've lost weight and while I appreciated the compliments I didn't see it and couldn't believe it. Well.... I got on a scale and I have lost..... 20 POUNDS!!!!! That's right! 20 POUNDS!!!!

I was ecstatic after I was told the scale was indeed right. I thought it was broken! Nope! I may not see it looking at the pictures but they say the person losing won't see it for a while so I'll just have to trust the scales and others on this one.

For those of you keeping up, that means I now have 110 more pounds to lose out of my 130 pound goal. I am so excited and though I do want to lose weight this journey is worth it if only for how much better I feel.

Our journey to change has continued on quite a path since the first day of the New Year. We have been doing our Bible study at night along with reading The 5 Love Languages; we have been regularly going to the gym and working hard while there; we have been eating better for the most part (we are not perfect); we have been at church every Sunday and have only missed our class twice; and a few other changes have made their way into our lives by the grace of God that we will keep off of the blog (sorry!).

In other news! I would like everyone that reads this to be praying for a change that the Lord may bring into our lives this year that we are incredibly excited and nervous for! We aren't really talking to anyone about it except a few people that we have praying with us and those that have brought this opportunity to our attention. The Lord knows the cries of our hearts in this area and we are simply praying that He will allow everything to work out in our favor. Thank you in advance for the prayers, hopefully we will have answers soon!

As always I appreciate the continued support. I apologize for not being able to post a lot in the last several weeks, it's been incredibly busy. I can't wait to have another update about my weight for you all! I'm feeling good and going to keep working hard =D

I won't bore you with all of the pictures in between, however here is the most recent gym picture of Charles and I :) Sorry it's a bit fuzzy, the little seal band in my Lifeproof is loose and managed to come over the camera a bit. God bless!

Until next time!
-Kelcy J.

Let's Do This!

My husband and I have agreed to make a resolution. Starting New Year's we will get up early in the mornings to head to the gym and spend time working out together. Our intention is to do this very often throughout the week. We will change our diet. We will get more rest than we are getting now. We will lose weight, and get healthy. I know some of ya'll might be coming across this post and thinking that you've heard this same resolution hundreds of times. I mean what could be more cliche than a resolution to lose weight and be healthy? However, we are dead serious.

My husband doesn't yet have a weight loss goal in mind (not that he is in serious need of one), but I do. I want to spend the next year losing 130 pounds. I know that this will not be easy but I know that it is possible. After I lose it, I am going to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For those of you who don't know, I am a diabetic. I don't have to take insulin but I am on medication for it. Part of my goal is getting healthy enough to come off of my diabetes medication (with the doctors approval of course). It's not going to be easy. In fact, I know there are going to be days where it is really going to suck. There are going to be days where my depression fights to keep me in bed, and my anxiety tries to convince me to stay away from a gym full of people.... but I am going to get up. I am going to go. I am going to reach my goals.

Along with getting physically healthy, I am going to get spiritually healthy as well. If you know me than you know we haven't been in church as much as we should this past year. We stopped going to our Sunday school, I don't read my Bible every day, and I don't talk to God near as much as I used to. That is going to change but unlike the eating, that is changing NOW. I know that I am not perfect, but I know what I can be for God and I haven't been that this past year. So it's time for a change.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

So, now that you have been filled in I would love to hear any tips as far as eating healthy, making the most out of scheduling, making the most out of working out, etc. So please leave anything you have to say in the comments below. 

I haven't decided quite how I am going to go about it yet, but I may try to make a post every now and then about how things are going with our journey. Stay tuned and I will keep you updated!

As always, all your support is greatly appreciated. Please share with everyone and follow. Practice makes perfect and I will be trying to make my posts better all the time. 

-Kelcy J.

God Is In Control

I haven't really posted anything about this since we got the news, and today I sit here with a lot of worry in the hospital waiting room as my dad has surgery. A few weeks ago we received the news that my dad has cancer. I'm not sure exactly what kind of cancer but today they are placing a port in his chest and taking out a good portion from his neck. I don't know all of the medical mumbo jumbo of what is happening today all I know is that this surgery is incredibly risky. So as I sit here with my family I keep reminding myself that God is in control.

I'm sure anyone who has been in this kind of position knows how hard it is not to be fearful, and how hard it is not to worry. This is my dad. So as many of you can imagine I am very concerned. I am very scared. I am very worried. I'm not the only one. My family is sitting here, probably feeling the same way.

So what is the point of this blog? To ask you to pray. Pray for my dad and the doctors working on him. Pray for my mom as she waits to see the man she has been married to for 25 years come out of surgery. Pray for me and my sister as we wait to see our dad. Things like this are never easy, but luckily my family knows who is in control and who is seated on the throne. Everything is going to be okay. But would you please still pray:)

All of your prayers are appreciated.

-Kelcy J.

Quick Post About the Thunderstorm

If you've been reading this blog long enough or if you know me well enough, then you probably know how much I love thunderstorms. In fact, if you are in one of the previously mentioned categories you are actually probably sick of hearing (or reading) about my love of thunderstorms and it's okay. I get it. I know I mention it a good bit.

Tonight, I wasn't expecting a thunderstorm and ended up in Yogurt Mountain for a good while waiting out what I think was probably the worst of it. Now, as I get ready to go to bed, I listen to the sounds of thunder roll across the skies. I watch as my window lights up over and over with the magnificent flashes of lightning and I am at peace.

As I said in the title, this is a quick post, because I mentioned above I am going to bed. However, I wanted to be sure to share a verse that I've shared before out of Job. Well... more like a passage.

"My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder--the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks. God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power." - Job 37:1-5 (NLT)

I know I am among many that sleep peacefully during thunderstorms but I pray tonight that everyone, whether you usually sleep peacefully during thunderstorms or not, would rest easy with this verse on their hearts. May the Lord bless you richly. Goodnight:)

It's My Birthday!!!!!

That's right! I am officially an A-D-U-L-T! Look out world... can you tell I'm just the slightest bit bored?

Well, anyway... so today I hit adult age legally however after having already started the "adulting" portion of my life...  ya know, paying bills, cleaning the apartment, working....etc... I just wanted to make a public service announcement to every young person dying to become an adult....

SLOW DOWN!!! It's not all it's cracked up to be and your going to miss the time when you weren't the one paying for the power you used, the hot water you used, or the gas to fuel your transportation. When you buy that first grocery bill and read your total be sure you have someone you trust standing close so that they can catch you because it's going to be A LOT.

I'm not saying that being an adult is 100% miserable all of the time, but I am saying that it's a big time wake up call that your parents are trying so hard to prepare you for with all of that advice you keep ignoring...

So I repeat... SLOW DOWN. Spend every second you have enjoying your childhood and don't waste a minute of it. Listen to your parent. Learn responsibility, but right now... have fun. Don't run head first towards your adulthood because I promise you you'll wish you hadn't.

Am I happy? Absolutely!!! I am getting ready to marry my best friend! I am moving towards the "I do's" with each passing day.

Now... to my original point of this post (hence the title of this post) IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I have been alive for 21 years today. God brought me into the world screaming and crying knowing the plans He had for me. Knowing that I would one day meet Charles and be planning our wedding. Knowing that I would start Great News Ministries. Knowing that I would be writing to you all right now on this blog...

He knew all of the crap I would go through before coming to know Him as my Savior and Redeemer on April 4, 2012 and He knew that I would be spending today knowing that He has allowed me to be on this earth for 21 years and spend the last 4 years of those 21 in service to Him.

God continuously blesses me beyond anything and everything I could ever hope and imagine, and I pray that He will help me to serve Him with all I've got for as long as I've got:)

Crazy. Random. Nervous Post O_O

It always seems that my posts have more and more time in between them, but life is busy as I am sure most of you know all too well. There has been a lot going on since I last posted. School, wedding plans, trying to get a place to live so that we aren't homeless after the wedding... 

I am sitting here as I type awaiting a phone call that will tell me whether or not Charles and I have gotten an apartment. I don't think I have ever been so nervous for anything in my entire life. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Don't get me wrong, I know that if it's in God's will and apart of His plan it will all work out... however, I can't help but be nervous and hope and pray that it is in His will and that this phone call would hurry up and come and be good news.

Can you see my stress yet? Can you almost see the gray hairs this has created on my almost 21 year old head? This has been an ongoing super stress since Thursday of this past week. I am sick to my stomach, and I feel like my head won't stop spinning until the phone rings... then again that might make it spin faster until they tell me yes or no... 

You know the nervous I'm talking about, right? That, crawling-out-of-your-skin kind of nervous. 

I just looked at the clock and it is 8:52AM.... Their offices open at 8.... I hope they don't wait all day.... 

You all think I am crazy right now for typing this all up in a blog, but let me tell you it's helping. This post may be all over the place but hopefully it will make me feel better. 

I know what you're thinking though... You're wondering if I am going to write this post until they call.... well, I would like to say yes because that would mean they were going to call in the next few minutes however my answer would be, of course not! That would be insane! 

I am actually about to stop writing now... however... while we already have a small army of people praying for this to work out, we would love for that army to be enlarged. So will you pray with us... please? Pray that God would allow this all to go well... 

Thank you for putting up with this crazy post (if you made it this far, that is). May God bless you all with a wonderfully awesome day! Will hopefully post again soon (prayerfully with good news!)

-Kelcy

God Is Good

GOD IS GOOD.

A simple yet profound fact that can never be properly stated in mere human words. God is so very good. I have been seeing His goodness more and in the in's and out's of my days recently. My mentor told me one time a few months ago at the beginning of a meeting about how she was in the habit of telling people that she is good when asked how she is doing. She said that there is nothing good about her (and this is coming from a woman who radiates the glory of God's Spirit in her), but she is right. Only God is good. This truth that she spoke didn't really convict me until about a month later when someone asked me how I was and I responded with "I'm good." Two simple words but oh how convicted I became in that one moment. From that moment on a friend has been trying to help me and has even started trying to catch herself when asked how we are, we try to respond with we are "well" rather than "good" because as previously stated, there is nothing good about us.

It's a bit amusing, I will admit, when we are walking around and we slip up and say we are good because we immediately realize it and try to remember it, and then five seconds later...

Thoughts: You're not good, you're well, well, well, you're well...
Random Person: Hey! How are you?
Me: I'm good! (face-palm)
Thoughts: WELL!!! I'M WELL!
[walks away shaking head]

I'm not saying everyone has to do this, that is simply a conviction I felt on my heart that day and I have been trying to make that change every since. So with that being said, if you ever ask me how I am doing and I respond with "good" then say I'm "well", just know that I am still trying and God is still working on me:)

Anyway, as I said, GOD IS GOOD. It doesn't matter what circumstances you are in, it doesn't matter if you're in the valley or on the mountain top, He is still good. He is good in the good times and the bad. He is good in tragedy, uncertainty, and the unknown. He is good in sickness and health. He is good in life and death. He is good in joy and in sorrow. He is good during your healing. He is good during your stress. He is good when your finances are not. He is good when you are living pay check to pay check. He is good when you don't know what to do. He is good even when you are deep in the depths of sin... God's goodness isn't dependent on you... He is good because that is who God is. He is the Good Shepherd and the Good Father. He is good in everything He does. You're sick? He is still good. You're hurting? He's still good. You don't know where your next meal is coming from? He's still good. The doctor just told you it's cancer... HE'S STILL GOOD... No matter what, He will always be good.

You see there is nothing, absolutely nothing good about you (or me) at all. Even the things you or others would consider to be "good" about you, they are still not truly good. But God, IS goodness. Everything about Him is good. Everything about Him oozes goodness. Even in your storm...

So just remember as you go through out every day... as you wake up no knowing what the day holds for you, God has got you, God knows what your day is going to bring and He is GOOD, in ALL circumstances. Love you friend!

In Christ,
Kelcy

Front Porch Sanctuary/Fourth of July

In the past few weeks I have found such comfort in the few days that I have been able to sit out on my front porch just me, my dog and Jesus. It has felt so nice these past few weeks and the peace outside is just wonderful (except for when Bear decides to start barking). I love places where you can get away from the world in a way and just be alone with Jesus. Some of my favorite places to do this are places I have mentioned before such as church sanctuaries, the beach and a little chapel in Ecuador. Well, now my front porch on nice days in the summer has been added to this. The scenery is beautiful, the sounds of nature are calming and the best is when we have a nice thunderstorm:)

Today there is a mix of noises that aren't nature but are definitely natural in America. With it being the fourth of July you can hear families gathering, patriotic country music playing and oh the smells of food being grilled. As I write this, five minutes ago it was pouring down rain and now it is beautifully sunny and seemingly perfect for cooking out.

Anyway, my times on the porch I feel are so very nice, there is very little to distract or disturb me, there is a gentle breeze blowing, and of course (as I've already mentioned) the peace and quite. The other day (actually the first day that I decided to sit out here) I spent the entire day out here, I only when in to cook dinner later that after noon and then came back out side. It was such an amazing day spent having quite time. God spoke through His Word, through the book Charles and I are reading together, and just simply through time of prayer. I know God is everywhere but there is just something special about meeting with Him at these places:)

So all that being said, as previously stated, today is the fourth of July. One of the many sounds I hear right now is our American flag that's hanging off of our porch waving back and forth in the wind. What a great reminder today is of the freedoms we have as Americans. A great example at the moment is free speech... the freedom that I have to write this blog and Great News. Freedom of religion also comes to mind. The freedom to go to church, pray and live out our faith in public with out fear of being arrested which is a privilege we have that a lot of other countries do not.

As you go throughout your day thank God for the freedoms that He has provided you as an American. Spend time with your family and praise God for all He has given you. God bless you all today my friends and may God bless and have mercy on America in these last days.

If He Created That....

Due to being home I joined my family going to the beach. If you have been reading my blogs on here from the beginning, you probably saw the one from last year where I said a little bit about my quite time on the beach. Well, yesterday evening as the sun was getting lower I went out and had my first beach quite time since we got here. It was beautiful and quite eye opening. When I went down there I took my Bible and my journal (and believe me was it hard to open my Bible in that wind). After having set there for probably 10 or 15 minutes I felt God whisper. Now before I tell you what He said, let me share with you this:

For some time now I have been working on seeing myself and everyone around me as the beautiful masterpiece that God has created us to be. Sometimes (more often than not) it is much easier for me to see others as a masterpiece before I can see myself as a masterpiece however I know that is a problem and have been trying to fix it.

With that being said I looked at the waves and the sunset and thought about how beautiful it was, then it hit me... If God created that water, those waves, that beach, that sunset and all of the beauty that is held in each (and He did) than don't you think He made you even more beautiful because while those things are not made in His image, WE ARE.

Don't get me wrong we are not perfect, only God is perfect. Perfection for us, will not be obtained until Jesus returns. However, God did create us as masterpieces. His Word even says so;

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." -Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

You see, we are His masterpiece! My point in saying all of this is that we should first realize that we are HIS and that He calls us His masterpiece. Then with each person that we come into contact with we should see him/her as the masterpiece that he/she is and treat them that way.

So the next time you are at a breathtaking sight whether that for you is a sunset on the beach or the Grand Canyon, remember that yes God created that and all of the beauty that is held in those things, but friend... He also created you and He calls you masterpiece. :) Love you friend!

In Christ,
Kelcy

So it's been a while...

Other than the t-shirt post, it's been a while. So much going on trying to get ready to go to Ecuador, having the blessing of being apart of a few ministries that have been busy, and then of course school. I don't have a whole lot of time to just blog any more. So today, it's time to take the time. The birds are chirping, the sun is out and beautiful, and Jesus is alive =D

Whose happy to have warm weather? I know I am! Not gonna lie, I was seriously getting a bit tired of the cold. Besides, now we are getting into my favorite kind of weather.... thunderstorms:) If you have been reading my blog since the beginning you probably saw my post that talked about my love for thunderstorms, if you haven't seen that blog, well... by the way.... I love thunderstorms =D There is just something so nice, peaceful, and even calming about thunderstorms. Yes, that's right, I find loud booms of thunder, calming. Now, to be perfectly clear, I don't really like being out in thunderstorms. I would rather be at home where I can enjoy it. But in all I thoroughly enjoy thunderstorms.

I'm sure that's enough said about thunderstorms so anyway, I can truly say that I have missed writing. Well.... I miss writing here. I have done PLENTY of writing in the last seven weeks. Between school papers and Great News, my writing is almost constant. Don't get me wrong, I love writing for Great News, but there is something that is special (in a different way) about getting to write here. Something that makes me feel connected to people that probably could care less about my life, but for some reason or another choose to read about it any way. My prayer is that you find something about my post to brighten your day and shine a little Jesus into your life. Even if it just makes you feel like someone gets you (surely there are more crazy people like me out there) ;). It's a very rare occasion that I communicate with my readers unless they are my mom, or my friends. Yet, somehow... I still feel connected to you all. I've shared my passions, desires, dreams, hurts, pains, tears and fears with you. I have shared some exciting moments, and some... not so exciting moments. One of the greatest things I get to do by writing this blog is share some really awesome God moments in my life. So I feel connected to you all. Some of you I may see daily and I just don't know that you read my blog, if so, I love you friend:) Some of you, may be people I have never before met but though I haven't seen you, don't know you, and will probably never meet you, because you read these posts, you are apart of my life, you have crossed my path and you are my neighbor and I love you as well:). To some of you this may seem random but with all that I just said it should now make since. Writing to you is like writing to a friend I haven't seen in a while. Someone who I need to have lunch with and catch up with. So, that being said, let me catch you up on some things that God has been doing in my life.

In just the last few months sometimes through people that I have the privilege of getting to sit under and be poured into by, sometimes through everyday friends, sometimes through church leaders, and sometimes through just spending time alone with God He has taught me the truth and depth of His forgiveness. The beauty of His MANY names (some that I had never heard before now). He has deepened and enriched my prayer life, teaching me to truly "Pray with out ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He has taught me to see not only others but also myself as the masterpiece He has created us all to be. In the last few months God has been teaching me continuously, and still is teaching me, all of these things and so much more:)

One of the many names He has is a word that we have heard often growing up, whether it be because of school or church, and that is "teacher". God is my Teacher. He is teaching me day in and day out new things. He is renewing and transforming my mind so that I can be more like Him every day. Now He doesn't do this by setting up a time for us to have a class together in which I sit down and He teaches me with a chalkboard (of coarse, I'm sure you already knew that). Instead He is using those that He has placed in my life, His Word, His Spirit, and the words of some incredible songs He has written through His people. I have enjoyed and am continuing to enjoy His teachings in my life. And I am loving the way that He is revealing Himself to me as Teacher.

Something else that He has allowed me the privilege of doing is going to Ecuador for a little over five weeks this summer. I get to intern and be apart of a ministry over there that I absolutely love and while I can't wait to get back, there is two other names that God has been having to reveal to me lately and press onto my heart. Fear-taker, and Jehovah-Shalom my peace. Because to be quite honest I'm a little nervous. Who wouldn't be their first time leaving the country for this amount of time, or for that matter this only being their second time out of the country. Please don't misunderstand me, I know that God has given me this opportunity and I can't wait to see what all He has planned for me there, but as a human, I am nervous. God will protect me and I know that, but I'm a little nervous. So that being said please pray that God will press even further into my heart these two names. I am so thankful for you all because even though I may never meet a lot of you as I said before, you are my friends and I love each of you. Most of you seeing this are praying and for that I am far more grateful than you will ever know.

Well, you are caught up now I guess. Hopefully it won't take too long for me to write you again:) I pray that God is continually blessing you each and every day my friend:)

Love in Christ,
Kelcy:)

So It Finally Snowed...

So after a lot of off and on talk about snow, it finally came. Every one was prepared (if they paid attention), schools closed, businesses closed, even churches canceled services in preparation for the "snow storm" of 2015. My neighborhood is covered in a beautiful blanket of white snow. As my family and I headed outside I looked around and couldn't help but take in the beautiful scenery that reminded me of my sins being cleansed. "Washed whiter than snow."

If you know me and you have been around me in the last week, you know that I have been praying pretty hard for no snow. If you are asking why, please understand that this was literally like a dream week for me. Since I fell in-love with Jesus I have wanted a week of church every night. This week I would have only had one night with out a church service. Also if you are reading this and you have seen me sincerely praying for no snow please know, GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL! His will was for there to be snow, so the snow came. I pray that everyone has taken the time off today to rest in the Lord. God provided you time to be at home with your families so I pray that you took advantage of the blessing, and spent it well. I spent it sleeping in preparation for BLAST, my churches discipleship weekend that starts Friday (please be in prayer for the leaders, staff, and students).

Tomorrow is a new day. His mercies are new every morning, so start yours with Jesus. Spend time in The Word. Worship Him. Maybe even have your quite time outside if time allows and it's not too terribly cold for you to do so. Remember that God is faithful and that He is mighty in power. Everything is in His timing and not ours. Thank God for the blessings of the day, and serve Him faithfully in everything you do. This is a short post but I thought I would just say something about the very beautiful snow fall, and the even more beautiful reminder of the forgiveness of our sins;) May the Lord bless you with an awesome rest of the night in Him and a joyful beginning to a new day in the morning.

A New Season of Life

Well, it's time for new a season to begin. Not like Spring though I'm sure some of you are ready for that. No, the season I'm talking about is a life season. Somewhere around the end of this month and the first of next month I will be dropping down to a substitute position at my job (by choice). Between school, ministry, and church I really don't have time for my job. I am going into ministry so I feel that this is really the best decision. Oh, don't worry, there will be no lazing around I still have plenty to do. Between my quite time with the Lord and my required readings for school there will be plenty of studying going on, on top of continuing whats left of the bible study with my co-workers, fundraising for Ecuador (click on that button by the way), Great News (which I hope to start back with soon), class assignments (which includes a 15-slide power point on Genesis 1-2 this week), church, and SUB25 (which is our 25 and under ministry at church).

Don't get me wrong I love my job, however the daycare is a "for now" job, not a "forever" career. Before anyone starts calling me crazy, and telling me I should think this through, I have. A lot of prayer and thought has went into this decision and it comes down to the fact that if I don't drop down to a sub, my grades will start to suffer and my health will start to suffer. I am getting worn down and something had to go and after a lot of prayer the only reasonable thing to let go of was my position at the daycare. I will admit to having worries about this decision, but because I know that this is where the Lord is leading me right now I trust that He will provide for all of my needs.

Quite honestly, I am looking forward to the time that I will have to be able to do all of my readings for school (which is a total of 16 reads this week), read more of my bible, and spend more time doing ministry focused things such as starting Great News back up with devotionals. I look forward to what the Lord is about to do in my life. With that being said, there are things that I will miss about not being in a consistent position at the daycare, like for example being able to regularly go to the sanctuary and just sit alone in the quite with God. Another thing I will miss will be seeing the amazing kids that are in my class and on my hallway. While I don't always get along with each of the kids (face it, they are 2's to 3's) I still love each and every one of them. Finally, I will miss my co-workers. In at least the last six months I have had the blessing of getting to have some awesome God conversations with some of these girls and even just getting to see God do different things in some of their lives. And while it hasn't always worked out, I've even been able to  do a bible study with them.. Each place that the Lord has put me since I have been at the daycare has had some purpose or another. From buggy rides to water days (which, just saying, I really dislike water days), and everything in between God has had a purpose.

So now I would like to ask that you would all pray. Pray for God to guide and direct my every step. Pray for Him to open new doors during this season of my life and maybe even for Him to reveal Himself to me in a new (to me) way. I can't wait to share this journey with you as the Lord allows, and I pray that He will bless each and every person reading this with an awesome day in Him. I'm done rambling now:)

-Kelcy

Can I Share My Heart With You?

My heart is so heavy as I write this.... I have sat debating and praying over whether or not to post anything but I have seen so much negativity towards true Christians, that my heart is broken and as I type tears are pouring down my face....

Let me start with this. This started because of everything going on with homosexuality so I am sorry to drop this on those of you that didn't already know, but if you do know me than you know I used to be gay. Living very "happily" (I was seriously miserable) in the homosexual lifestyle. I tell you this because I want you to know that God saved my life. I was lost, broken, living in sin and God found me, picked me up and changed me. It was not an easy process by any means but here I am, living my life to the best of my ability for God by His grace and for His glory. I won't pretend to know all about what is going on in the political world. Quite frankly I haven't had time, and if you know me, you know just how true that is. I know that Birmingham is allowing gay marriage now. I know that a lot of people are angry over this. I can't promise that this will be the most well written post but I am going to try my best to get my point across and I pray that anyone reading this will allow the Lord to use this post to speak to your heart and break your heart as He has mine tonight.

Simply put... hate is NOT of the Bible or of God. While I am by NO MEANS saying that those in same-sex marriages are in the right, I am saying that God loves those men and women just as much as He loves you or me. His love is unfailing. HE IS LOVE! THAT IS WHO HE IS!!! However, they are living in sin, they are breaking God's heart and as Christians, we are to reach out to them in love and try to show them the light. We are not to do this hatefully. We are not to throw scripture at them angrily and tell them that they are going to hell. We are to love on them.

Below are some screen shots of a "rant" on Facebook. I want to be clear, some of the things that are said I agree with (some I don't), it is mostly the tone in which it is being said that I disagree with. Also, names were blocked to protect identities.

There is a lot that could be discussed about this thread, but I will only address a few things. First and foremost, this is not the way to approach anyone. There is a difference between passionate and hateful and this is hateful. Now as for the question "Is it affecting your life?" I want to say this, and I pray that it convicts everyone reading this and challenges you as well, as a Christian, it should affect my life. No, it is not my place or anybody else's to judge, but I should be continuously praying for those people and doing what I can to reach out to them in love so that maybe they will hear the truth, know the love of God and turn to Him. "Y'all need to stay in y'alls own relationship with God they have theirs under control", on this I would like to say that if they are in a homosexual relationship, odds are they don't have a relationship with God to be in control of. You CAN NOT be in a relationship with God and yet still be doing something that He is plainly against. Yes, all sin is equal. But whatever sin it is, it is still sin. Finally, the last thing that I would like to address in this thread is the next to last comment. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 in the New Living Translation says, "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people    none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." See the problem is, if no one steps in, how can they turn from their sin and be saved? Christianity is not just  personal... 

1 John 2:3-4 (NKJV):

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him."

When you know about God, you will read the Bible because it's something you feel you are supposed to do, you may even claim to be a Christian.... but when you really know God... you will read and keep His word because you are driven, and compelled to do so out of the deep love you will have for Him because He saved you....

I know that many people who read this post are not going to like it. You are going to be angry and probably delete me from your friends list or whatever but can I be honest? While I love you, it won't shake my life or my faith if you hit the delete button. I will be praying because I sincerely want you to know the true, unfailing love of Christ.... I'm praying for you, I love you and I thank God for you because you are His masterpiece and while I many not necessarily get along with you He loves you and so I will too. May your heart be opened... there is not really anything else for me to say...

In Christ,

Kelcy

Ecuador!!!! (and puppy update)

So, as I'm sure you have already noticed, there is a little widget to the right of your screen that says "Go Fund Me". Last month I started the process of filling out an application to be an intern in Ecuador. If you know me, you know how badly I have wanted to get back to Ecuador, if you don't know me, scroll down and there will probably be a post or two talking about it:)

Either way, after almost two years, God has opened a door! However, I need money to go and it is an amount that I can in no way raise on my own in the short amount of time that I have to raise it. What I am asking you to do is very important. Please take some time and pray, asking God what (if anything) he would have you donate. Then as He lays a number on your heart, I pray that you would come back to this page and click the "gofundme" button to donate that amount. It may be $5 it may be $50 or more. Whatever God lays on your heart. Thank you so much!!!! May the Lord bless you richly!!!


By the way, just a quick little update on Bear. He is a HUGE 2.1 pounds as of the last vet visit and is actually on his way to the vet again today:) He has settled in quite well and is a mostly loving puppy:) Also if you didn't see it this past Sunday, Bear was actually the Fox6 pet pick:) Here are some pictures:)

Before he came to live with us

Charles and Bear<3

Bear "chillin" with mom. Also this was his Fox6 Pet Pic:)

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

So it's a new year. So much has happened in this past year and I honestly feel like it just started. I don't know how your 2014 was but mine was full of heart break, surprises, changes and some amazing moments and I don't think there is a thing I would change because even the bad was made good somehow or another by the Lord. I had the opportunity to lead an amazing group of girls during BLAST (a discipleship weekend at my church) which I hope to be able to do again here in just a few months. Just before that I went through a week of loss where I was hit one right after another with three different deaths over the period of one week. As you all know I started college this past year and while it has been an adventure I truly believe that God has been glorified in my school work and I can't wait to see where He takes me on this unbelievable journey. If you know me than you probably know that I have never been a big fan of change. So when brother Mark came down into my Sunday school one morning to tell us that we were not only getting new teachers but changing EVERYTHING that we normally did, you can imagine that I was one of many that was not too happy. I stuck it out for a little while gave it all a shot and now I couldn't be happier with the change. The Lord is opening up so many opportunities for me through these changes as well as in other areas of my life. Let's also not forget that it wasn't too long ago in the year that I started writing this blog and quite honestly it has turned out better than I expected it to. PEOPLE ACTUALLY READ THIS STUFF! Can you believe it??? =D

I have to say that I truly believe God has started speaking to me more about things in the last six months than the rest of this past year. He has opened up an opportunity for me to overcome somethings with the help of an amazing accountability partner, He has opened my eyes to a few things that He might have for me down the road, He even gave me an amazing boyfriend. Obviously I am not writing out everything because that would be a post far too long to publish but I wanted to share some of these things with you. My pastor has been saying that He is believing 2015 will be a big year for Gardendale First Baptist and I agree with him. I also believe that God is going to do even greater things this year for our college ministry (SUB25), for Great News, through the bible study He has allowed us to start on my hallway at the daycare, and in my life personally. I can't wait to see what He does.

I pray that whoever is reading this will have an amazing new year! That God will open your ears and your eyes to whatever He has for you and that you will claim it as the child of God you are. Don't let anyone stop you from getting what God has in store for you! May the Lord bless you exceeding abundantly!! =D

-Kelcy

The Flu and Christmas

That's right. I said it. The flu. I have been sick with the flu for three days now. I am tired, I am achy, I am dizzy, and this is NOT fun. I honestly think this is my first experience with the flu and quite frankly I would prefer that it be my last but something tells me, since I do work at a daycare, that's probably wishful thinking. I have had two kids go home in the last two weeks with high fevers of 102.9 and 103.3. Both were crying, really red faced, and shaking. I know how they feel because I think I have experienced their pain in the last three days. Friday I left work with a fever of 102.2. Crashed at a friends house because 1. The plan was for us to have a Christmas movie night and 2. There was no way I could drive home with how dizzy I was. Everyone at church knows that I must have been sick even if they weren't told simply because if you know me, you pretty much don't expect me to be out of church unless I am near death or in the hospital, in fact I would rather be in church anyway but even I felt bad enough that I decided (without being forced) to stay home from church). On a brighter note as we are about to be officially in the week of Christmas I feel decently better than yesterday with only a slight fever, dizziness, and I am very sleepy. 

Now some of you just looked at that last part about being sleepy and are saying to me (your computer screen really) "STOP BLOGGING AND GO TO BED, YOU'RE SICK!" I would probably agree with this accept I have slept away most of the day after watching the church live stream, and if I don't stay up for a few hours I will be up a half a dozen times tonight even with NyQuil, and if I am up a half a dozen times tonight I will be miserable tomorrow. Sadly, with all of this going on I have to call into work tomorrow, believe it or not, while many of you think that should be a good thing I am actually kind of sad about it. However, I would never wish the way I have felt on my worst enemy therefore I would rather say home and get better than pass it on to people I care about. 

Finally, the part of the post I was looking most forward too. As you go about your last minute plans to prepare for Christmas, be it groceries or gifts, stop and take a moment these next few days to be still before the Lord, quite your heart before Him, worship, and remember that the whole reason we celebrate Christmas is because CHRIST came to earth. May the Lord bless you all richly this CHRISTmas season! Love you all! 

In Christ,
Kelcy

P.S. Please keep my family and me in your prayers so that we who are sick may be healed and the one who isn't (mom) may remain completely healthy! In Jesus' name!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Well ladies and gentlemen the week of Thanksgiving is finally upon us. NOW it is okay to fully decorate for Christmas! Our tree is up and decorated (though I will be honest, we did it about a week ago), I have my room partially decorated (which I am excited about because I have never really decorated my room for Christmas before) and I am sure soon we will all break out the Christmas goodies. Now, as many of you know I posted about a week or so ago that it was FREEZING!!! However, if you went outside yesterday it was almost 80 degrees!!! That's Alabama weather for you, it makes absolutely no since...

So Thursday we will all have the opportunity to gather with family and/or friends and celebrate all that we are thankful for. God has blessed me with so much that the thought of all I am thankful for is overwhelming. What about you? What are you thankful for most this year? Here is my top 20 list, not really in any particular order:

1. I am thankful for my God
2. I am thankful for my family
3. I am thankful for my church (GFBC)
4. I am so very very VERY thankful for my worship family at GFBC, my heart is overwhelmed every time I have the opportunity to come together with such an amazing army of God.
5. I am thankful for the worship leaders at GFBC, those three amazing people are on fire for God and so very encouraging to the rest of the worship ministry. 
6. I am thankful for my friends, (they keep me sane... or make me weirder... yeah probably that one)
7. I am very thankful for the sweet guy that God has just recently brought into my life:)
8. I am thankful for my pastor and for the passion he has for the Lord
9. I am thankful to be a student at a pretty awesome school (Grand Canyon University)
10. I am thankful to live in a country where I can own as many bibles as I do and use every one of them publicly
11. I am thankful for my job
12. I am thankful for my co-workers
13. I am thankful for good God conversations
14. I am thankful for a roof over my head
15. I am thankful for the passion and love God has put in my heart for Him. 
16. I am thankful for the passion and love God has put in my heart for worship. 
17. I am thankful for Great News!!!!!
18. I am thankful for the gift God has given me to write.
19. I am thankful for the gift God has given me to play and sing music.
20. I am thankful for you. For each person that passes through on here or on my Great News!!!!! blog (or Facebook) and takes the time to read, like or even share the (sometimes crazy) things that the Lord lays on my heart. Thank You!!!

God has blessed me so richly and I promise you these aren't even all of the things I am thankful for. I pray that you will take time this week to sit down and make your top 20 list. Meditate on the blessings in your life:)

On a final note I want to make everyone that is not on my Facebook or in my life aware of the new change as far as my schooling. As most of you know I have been pursuing my degree which was B.A. in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies. This past week the Lord touched my heart on the way to work about the love He has placed on my heart for music, the gifts He has given me to play and sing music, and the heart He has given me for worship. I prayed about this for a few days and received an email from my school letting me know that they have added a new program to their Christian Studies programs. Before I go any further you should know that I was told before I ever enrolled that there were no worship classes for online students. The new program is the same degree except instead of the Emphasis being Biblical Studies it is Worship Leadership and it is for online students! This past week I changed my Emphasis to Worship Leadership. To say that I am nervous would be grossly understated. I have no idea where God is going to take me with this but I trust Him and will follow Him wherever He leads. Now some of you may be wondering and I want you to know that I feel no leading to walk away from Great News!!!!! or public speaking, but I feel like this is just something that God has added and while I'm nervous, I am also very excited to see what He does.

I hope you all have the most amazingly, richly blessed Thanksgiving in the Lord!!!! Count your blessings this week and be sure to thank God now and every day for everything He has given you. God bless you my friends! I love you all =D HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!