All to Him I Owe

I hear the Savior say, 
Thy strength indeed is small! 
Child of weakness, watch and pray, 
Find in Me thine all in all 

Jesus paid it all 
All to Him I owe 
Sin had left a crimson stain 
He washed it white as snow 

Lord, now indeed I find 
Thy power, and Thine alone, 
Can change the leper's spots 
And melt the heart of stone 

Jesus paid it all 
All to Him I owe 
Sin had left a crimson stain 
He washed it white as snow 


And when before the throne 
I stand in Him complete 
Jesus died my soul to save 
My lips shall still repeat 

Jesus paid it all 
All to Him I owe 
Sin had left a crimson stain 
He washed it white as snow 



-Jesus Paid it All-  
Kirk Franklin




.What a great reminder.  

Searching

Kasey and I have been busy in our search for a home.  This is definitely a trying time, and if you ever think about us, please be in prayer that we would be patient and let God will lead us where He wants us to be.   We know that God has an awesome plan for us, and we trust fully and completely that He is faithful.  The Bible says, "You, Lord, are compassionate and gracious.  Slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness."   Kasey and I are learning to daily rely on Christ and His blessings that He bestows upon us.  We are so incredibly blessed to have family and friends who are so supportive of us and our journey to finding a place to call home.  We love you guys!  We will keep you posted on what God provides for us in the future.  It's uncertain but exciting all at the same time!

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Comforting Word

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—  for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Psalms 138:8 NLT

Cruising

We just returned from cruising with my side of the family to the Mexican Rivera. We went to places like Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallerta.   It was an amazing time just to spend with my parents and siblings.  I loved being with my husband for a whole week more than anything.  With school almost over, I have been soooo busy and rarely get to see him, but I was thrilled to spend a whole week with him all to myself!  It was awesome just relaxing by the pool and joking around with him.  We had so much fun!!  Cruising is definitely THE LIFE.  The food is incredible, the boat is insane, and time with my family I would never trade for anything!  <3

*One Year Photo Shoot*

Special thanks to Melissa Weins for such awesome photography!

Check her out @ Melissa Kathleen Photography

One Year Down.

Yesterday we celebrated our One Year Wedding Anniversary!!  Kasey made me breakfast and we exchanged gifts of "paper."   I had to sit through class all day 9am-5pm but after we were able to enjoy an AMAZING dinner at Gabbi's Restaurant in the Orange Circle.  It was such a delicious meal...we definitely found a new favorite dining place!  Then we swung by our local Walgreens and found these precious gems...

What can I say?...Kasey thinks I am pretty incredible. I think that he is pretty amazing too! 

Marriage Rocks!  

today

"Because with every action, comment, conversation, we have the choice to invite Heaven or Hell to Earth."
— Rob Bell

Hope

My supervisor told me today that there is a possibility that there is a clinical job opening at our site that I can get paid to do AND get my clinical hours to count for school and my future MFT license.  I would be working at Project HOPE  providing therapeutic services (including play therapy!) to children who are homeless who do not know what hope is.    She said the only thing they are waiting on is for the grant to go through so that funds will be available to provide a salary for the person they hire. I truly believe that God created me to instill hope in others and I pray that this is an opportunity where He will use me.  I hope and pray that my supervisors recommendations find the hiring team pleased!  Please pray that those funds go through so that I can start to help Kasey provide financially for our little family! 

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

You make all things work together for my good

Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.


http://projecthopeschool.org/

For Kasey

What is a husband? He is the one who, with a touch, can bring back the starlight and glow of years long ago. At least he hopes he can - don't disappoint him.
-- Alan Beck

I would say that the surest measure of a man's or a woman's maturity is the harmony, style, joy, and dignity he creates in his marriage, and the pleasure and inspiration he provides for his spouse.
-- Benjamin McLane Spock

When a man and a woman have an overwhelming passion for each other, it seems to me, in spite of such obstacles dividing them as parents or husband, that they belong to each other in the name of Nature, and are lovers by Divine right, in spite of human convention or the laws.
-- Sébastien-Roch Nicolas De Chamfort

That quiet mutual gaze of a trusting husband and wife is like the first moment of rest or refuge from a great weariness or a great danger--not to be interfered with by speech or action which would distract the sensations from the fresh enjoyment of repose.
-- George Eliot

When a wife has a good husband it is easily seen in her face.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I have an amazing husband! I love you Kasey.

Prayer

This weeks theme will be the power of prayer. For all of you who know Doug Kensrue, and even if you don't...please pray without ceasing for him this week.  He has a tumor in his brain that is pressing on his communication center in his frontal lobe.  Pray that his family has a peace that surpasses all understanding throughout this week as they prepare Doug for surgery tonight or Wednesday.  Pray for the Doctors to have patience and steady hands.  Pray for the Doctors wisdom.  Pray for the family to feel love and support from those surrounding them.  God is MIGHTY TO SAVE AND TO HEAL.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). 

Surprise Folsom!

This past weekend we had a much needed semi-vacation to Folsom in Northern California.  We went up to surprise our friend Todd for his 40th birthday.  It was gorgeous weather and we fell in love with Folsom all over again.  Kasey, Kris and Jamie got a chance to dirt bike on the track and I had a chance to sit and be still, which is something I rarely let myself do.  It was a restful yet tiring weekend, filled with good laughs, conversation and especially good food!  We were even able to go to this awesome church in Folsom called Lakeside.  This church is a sister church of Ethos in San Diego and Mosaic in LA.  They had awesome worship and it pretty much sealed the deal for my dreams to move up to Folsom (simply a dream that we are assessing the reality to).  It was so nice to just sit and be with eachother for the 8 hour drive up and down, and throughout the whole weekend.  It's crazy how sometimes we don't realize how little we allow ourselves to miss the other when we are on fast forward through the routine of life.  This weekend I fell in love with Kasey all over again, and it was the best!  Things I learned from our trip are that it is okay to sit and be still.  Thats the beauty of vacations.  It is okay to fall in love over and over again.  Thats the beauty of marriage. Its okay to get caught up in the moment and dream. Thats the beauty of life.


*picture of Folsom Lake at sunset

What did He do for you?

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross you broke my shame and sinfuless you rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny through the storm and through the fire there is truth that sets me free
 Jesus Christ who lives in me
You are stronger you are stronger
Sin is broken you have saved me it is written Christ is risen Jesus you are Lord of all
No beginning and no end You're my hope and my defense
 you came to seek and save the lost you paid it all upon the cross

So let your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher be lifted higher

.prayer.

"When I am praying the most eloquently, I am getting the least accomplished in my prayer life. But when I stop getting eloquent and give God less theology and shut up and just gaze upward and wait for God to speak to my heart He speaks with such power that I have to grab a pencil and a notebook and take notes on what God is saying to my heart." -AW Tozer

Thought for today

Truth

aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. aim at earth and you get neither. - CS Lewis

JAM Winter Camp

So as most of you know, Kasey and I are on Jr. High Staff at our church.  This past weekend, we went up to Forest Home Christian Camp for Winter camp with over 80 Jr. High kids.  Needless to say, we are just now recovering, 5 days later...  =)  We had such a blast hanging out with the kids, worshiping, praying with the kids, playing fun games, and falling deeper in love with Jesus.  Our theme was "The Wedding Feast."  

We talked about the parable in Matthew chapter 22 where the King throws a wedding feast.  All are invited to this feast; but not all are welcomed in.  The main point of this story is that the guests MUST be wearing the special wedding clothes; the Host's clothe.  In this story, Nate (the youth pastor) described the King as God.  God invites everyone to "the feast" (Heaven), but you have to be wearing the "host's clothes" (the righteousness of God).  

We explained to the kids that the GREAT EXCHANGE was when Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins.  Jesus took on ALL our sin (past, present, and future) and exchanged our "filthy rags/ filthy lives" with "pure robes" (the clothes of righteousness).  By this example of amazing love and forgiveness, we are JUSTIFIED through Christ.  This means we "move from guilty to guilt free."  

When we are justified, we must CONFESS our sin.  This means we must admit we are wrong.  Second, we must REPENT of our sin.  This means we must turn away from our sin.  Last, we must have faith.  Faith that Jesus Christ loves and forgives us.  When we are justified through Christ, we can have a HOPE THAT IS GREATER THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD.  We can have hope that we will spend ETERNITY with our Lord in heaven.  Heaven is a perfect place filled with joy and happiness.  There will be no more pain, tears, anger, stress, anxiety, hurt, disease, burdens. Instead, there will be pure and unconditional LOVE. 

 I think the best part about this is it does not matter what you have done.  It does not matter how unworthy of love you feel you are.  GOD LOVES YOU and He WILL FORGIVE YOU.  No matter what.  No matter what.   If you have any questions about this idea of perfect love... please talk to me or Kasey.  We would love to take you out and chat about it!  =)

here are some awesome pictures from our weekend.

Kasey and I led "TEAM BLACK" (and won)

All the Kids and Staff...note the passion and commitment to the team colors.

Our "awkward Prom" photo at the dress up "Wedding Feast" on Saturday night  =)

Voyagers- Junior High Ministry

In Memory

In Memory of Ed Lucas.  An amazing man, who we all cherished and loved.  His last words to Kasey and I were "I love you guys."  This pretty much sums up the huge amount of love that this man had for others, especially Kasey's Nana.  We love you Ed.  You are dancing on clouds in heaven.

Cabin in Green Valley

Hello friends, So our busy lives have caught up to us, so we decided to take a vacay with our Bible Study group, plus others to my grandparents cozy cabin in Green Valley Lake.  It was such a needed time to relax, eat and enjoy friends all weekend.  Roxy loved her first snow experience and ran and hopped through the snow like a little rabbit.  Kasey and our friend Scott created a snow cave in the burme in front of the house and slept in it on Saturday night (which scared their wives of course).  I was able to learn to crochet and made a couple of beanies, while enjoying conversation with good friends.  We sledded and hiked through the snow during the days when it wasn't too stormy.  When it was stormy we played tons of board games, because who can go up to the cabin and not enjoy a friendly game of Settlers of Catan?!  (Kasey wanted me to add in that he won)  lol...  It was such a beautiful weekend, with SO MUCH SNOW!  We even had to dig ourselves out on Sunday because so much snow fell on Saturday night.  =)  We all just loved it!  Thanks Mom Mom and Grandad!  Here are some pictures for you all to see what an awesome time we had!  

Family Photos

Some of the pictures we took in the park for this year...

2010

Happy New Year from the Kellers!  

Ten Things to live by:  (Thanks to Kurt for the link)

1. Put God First- Seek Him, Read His Word, Pray, Serve, Give…
2. Make Family a Top Priority- This should be a “No Brainer,” unfortunately it’s often neglected.  Involve your family, make time for your family, have a family night… Be The Family!
3. Set SMART Goals- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based.  
4. Simplify- Stop making things so difficult, do what’s right and do what’s necessary.
5. Don’t Talk About It… Be About It- If you say that you’re going to do something, Do It!
6. Get Accountability- Share your goals, visions and desires with someone and ask them to hold you accountable.  Don’t just ask them for accountability, let them truly hold you accountable.
7. Assessment- Re-valuate and assess the status of the various aspects of your life.  Evaluate monthly and make necessary adjustments at-least quarterly.
8. Try Something New- Get out of your comfort zone and try something, do something and fail at something.  Life is change and Failure is inevitable.
9. Just Say No- Not only should you say “No” to drugs but there are plenty of things that you have said “Yes” to in the past, that you need to say “No” to in the future.
10. dream BIG. think BIGGER.- This is my mantra for 2010 and it is my new tag-line for my blog re-brand, which will be completed any day now.  Thinking is the next step after dreaming and is the action of making your dreams reality.

God Bless.