I have this freedom - let it ring

So today, I tried on a couple of swimsuits . I haven't done this since God pulled me from that yucky bondage almost 2 years ago.  It's a thing that triggers a yucky attitude to my precious body that God has blessed me with. But I wanted to, I was ready:) 

  So, I grabbed a way cute one piece and didn't worry about the size that I grabbed. Peyton came in with me because my girl adores anything to do with new clothing :)  I slipped the suit on and looked in the big dressing room mirror and I smiled. Sure it was a little snug in the thighs, (someday I will move past the jr section racks;) ) my thighs had some beautiful little dimples - as this runs in my family, but I looked and I beamed. I was content in what I saw:). Peyton loved it and I told her how I loved how cute and modest it was but still totally stylish and cute. And she agreed. You can never start to young with teaching your littles modesty;). But at the same time, I want my girl to grow up loving her body- no matter what size or shape she is blessed with. 

  I took the suit off and put it back on the rack and we went on with our shopping. We went and grabbed some coffee and some chips and headed out to do our fun things of the day.

  A couple years or even last year I would have planned out my whole day- week, heck month, on how to not eat and over exercise  in order to "like" what I saw in the mirror and I may have talked to my daughter about it and even said- yuck, I look gross. But, now in this freedom I now live, I was able to leave Target with other things on my mind like my kids, God, my studly man at home working so hard for us to be able make a fun trip to the zoo and pay for my kiddos dental work today. 

  With freedom brings- well- freedom. Freedoms definition is as follows:

  the state of being free or at liberty rather than inconfinement or under physicalrestraint:

exemption from external control,interference, regulation, 

Oh my goodness, I have freedom over the bondage of this sin and it's such a huge relief. Complete freedom of external control and internal control-which truly has lead to a more grateful and content mind set.

  

Coming Soon to Tillamook Oregon! IFGathering 2016

Wow! Can I just say Wow?!!? That is the word to explain what God can do when you tell Him yes.
  As you all know, I was blessed to attend IFGathering 2015, in Salem Oregon, this past February. My precious friend, Amybeth, had invited me to attend the year before and I saved that date for the WHOLE year with massive excitement and anticipation.  To be totally honest, my soul was in need of some attention and I was way thrilled to have a little weekend get away with my bestie. Jesus, Coffee, Pizza, Hotel room, and Amybeth basically sums up my idea of the BEST-TIME-EVER. 
   Little did I know what God was gonna do in my heart that weekend. Basically, it hasn't stopped since.  I've been praying, and studying, and searching, and waiting to see what God was stirring inside me. I knew He was calling me to something bigger. That weekend, I had a little tug that said, "This would be so cool to host in Tillamook." And I thought, "but no, I can't do it. That will be way to much for me." But I prayed, talked with some friends, prayed, and waited.   About a month ago I told Amybeth what my thoughts were and she said this, "Krista, no way. The leader here was wondering if you would be interested in Hosting IF in Tillamook. How cool. And girl, Im praying about co leading with you!"  
  So, here we go Tillamook Oregon!! IF is coming to Tillamook. Please save these dates! February 5-6.  Times and location details will be provided later but save those dates for now!

  What is if?    
        We exist to gather, equip and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose.

Vision 

If:Gather

Our 2-day gathering each year brings together women from all over the world to humbly seek God and to equip them to better live out their callings. We seek to model, resource, & empower women so that they create fresh, honest spaces in their local contexts to wrestle with essential questions of faith like: IF God is real… THEN what? We call them IF:Locals. The makeup and mechanics of each IF:Local is unique. There are monthly and annual opportunities to gather with women for prayer, for convening at dinner tables, for processing of Scripture, and for dreaming about what God can do through the laying down of our lives in obedience.

If:Equip We have created a free, simple equipping tool for reading the Bible daily. By providing easy online access to scripture, insight from thought leaders in our generation, and a like-hearted community, we hope IF:Equip will prepare women around the world to know God more deeply and to live out their purposes. We aim to release more holistic equipping materials in 2015.

If:Unleash

We believe in women uniting for healing and reconciliation in homes, neighborhoods and local churches around the world. By partnering with other non-profit organizations and coming specifically alongside women, fostering relationships and utilizing our God-given gifts, we believe that our generation could not only transform hearts but leave a tangible impact on the entire world.

     Check out this link for more details:  IFGathering

 Jennnie Allen is the founder of IFGathering and I just think she is so so so great. She shares that the Lord has called her to "Disciple her generation."  Love seeing my generation stepping up! Check her out Here .

My precious friend Jocelyn has shared her love for IF Here. This woman is incrediable and I'm so thrilled to get to spend some time with her face to face in September at our IFLocal Leaders Conference. This social media friendship is totally over-rated:)

We love Jesus and our child's teacher believes in evolution .

Our son Logan is a 3rd grader this year at our local elementary school.  He's been in the public school system for 4 years now. He came home this year and expressed to us that his teacher believes in evolution.  No, we didn't even bat an eye about pulling Logan out of that class. Let me back up just a little bit.

   When Jason and I became parents, we both were very certain that our kids would go to public school. We both had gone to public school and had also been raised in good Christian homes. Our experience with the public school system had been really good.  We had not felt the pull in any other way for our kids schooling. Once Logan began kindergarten , I was surrounded by a lot of people who had either gone the Christian school route or chose to homeschool their kids. I felt very alone as a Christian sending my kid to public school. Even at times , I felt judged. I started second guessing our choice. Am I doing the right thing, will my kids be safe, and am I failing? I didn't have a core group of friends on this same path as I was at this time. So I looked for a book or a blog of some mom or dad who went the publics school route. I had a hard time finding any blogs! The only blogs I could find were these blogs of these super human, super moms who homeschooled. Which lead me to be even more discouraged. 

 I finally stumbled across a book called "Going public," by David and Kelli Pritchard.  This couple has lead a Young Life group out of Tacoma Washington for years.  So this meant that I finally found a great Christian family whom had sent their kids to the public school and wrote a book about it!!:) I was so thrilled. I ordered and read it in a week!

  What I loved about this book was that the key point of it had everything starting at home!! In our homes, we are to train our kiddos, teach them TRUTH, and get them prepared for life! I felt relieved, refreshed , and content with Jason and my choice in putting our munchkins into the public school.

 Shortly after that, Jason knew he wanted Logan (age 6) to start reading and studying on creation. This was super important for Jason as this is his passion. He love studying truths and backing up the creation story that we believe from the word of God. We ordered a kids version of "Answers in Genisis," by Ken Ham.  " The Answers book for kids." Logan soaked them in and this became a habit for he and Jason every night. (Side note- we just began these books with our daughter Peyton who is now 6.)

  Fast forward to this school year. When Logan came home and told us this about his teacher, the first thing I asked Logan was what he thought about that?Logan was  concerned for his teachers belief. He said the bible is true and he believes in creation. He couldnt believe we came from apes and that we just " happened ." During his whole school year, Logan and I have had many talks on the way to school concerning creation and theology.  As well as talks about this amazing, all powerful God who also wants a personal relationship with us. But we also had a lot of talks about respecting his teacher, even though he doesn't always agree with him on things. Logan later went on to write a paper on "Anti- Evolution," in which he got a 100%. His teacher didn't agree with its points but as Logan had shown him respect all year, his teacher showed him the same respect.

  I understand that some may not agree with our choices in the area of public school or allowing Logan to stay in a class that the teacher taught and believed in evolution. We feel so strongly that our kids need to be raised at home in the truth and trained for the world.  We are pretty set on having this take place as they are still living under our roof.  But please know that we don't take this calling lightly !   Our kids are covered in prayer daily and nightly. I believe so much that the Lord wants them to be the little lights in their classrooms and it really gives me a satisfying joy when I think about it .  Our kids attend the public school but there is no doubt that our kids are "homeschooled" in Biblical truths. 

 "One of the most inportant armaments you must give your children as you send them out the door to the public school is a relationship with God that fills theirs minds" 

  " Let it be said about ourselves and our children here in free North America, that we love God more than normal." - (going public- David and Kelli Pritchard

*****side note:I know other parents have a different calling in the area of homeschooling or private school for their kids . I think it would be so amazing if we as parents fully back each other up in whatever schooling choice we make for our kiddos. How cool would that be?? Let's do it :)

A step in becoming a better mom.

 I've been a mommy for 10 years this coming September. Growing up, all I ever want to be was a wife and a mommy. I'm still so thankful that the Lord has allowed that for me! But- in both mommy hood and wifeyhood, it has been revealed to me how much I really had no clue to what that totally meant in a broader spectrum.

  I had a friend make a comment about one of my littles a month or so ago and it took me off guard. I wanted to just defend my kid and also say, what in the world are you talking about and you have no right to comment on my kiddo that way. I was a little miffed for a while. The "I don't ever wanna hurt someone's feelings" came out in me again and I said nothing. 

  Later that night a big light went off in my head. My heart hurt a little and my stomach was all tied in knots. The reason that person said those things is because I had shared some of my struggles and said things about my kid. My precious kiddo whom I love so very much and would never ever want to crush. 

  I realized that to some point, in my struggle of mommy hood, I had started slandering my own child. I didn't mean to.  I was really searching for wisdom to some point, but none the less- I had! I had allowed my opinion on situations to cause others  to view my kid differently, when frankly this kid is totally normal. 

  As the weeks have followed and I have asked a few friends to hold me accountable, I have made the point of not saying anything about either of my kids that I could not say infront of them. It has been so helpful and has completely changed my heart in so many ways concerning my kids!! 

  I'm always learning, growing, and changing in this crazy life. I just hope that passing on this little bit of wisdom that I have recognized in my own life, can help another amazing mama walking this journey of parenthood :)

Operation Stay-Cation.

 Jason and I have been planning a fun little get away for this spring break. Jason took the   whole week off and I was cramming homes into bulk days. Then life happened and we had to change plans and stay home. I really know better than to make plans and really as much as I wanted to get away and travel - my heart is always more content at home. 

  We decided to make the best of it and try and enjoy this beautiful place we call home! 

We went up to Beaverton on Monday . Enjoyed our favorite restaurant and went to see Cinderella. A sweet movie. My favorite line was:

------Cinderella wisdom--------

My precious friend Amybeth surprised me and planted flowers in my front boxes. I have a black thumb and she is amazing  at growing things .  Felt very special to be served by her.  

 I love cousins and I love friends and I love when friends are like cousins

💛💛

Headed to the beach

What an incredible day at Happy Camp.

Little bit of swimming at our local pool. The best part about swimming at home is you have friends at the pool- even when you don't invite them:)

 The most important thing to me is my family and even though we would have loved to get out of town, relax by the pool in the sun somewhere - being home ended up being just what we needed for our spring break 2015- aka- operation staycation.

A Few Moments

So- my kids really like to play with my camera phone and I love seeing what they have chosen to share with me:)

Makes me smile- so so much.

Logan was involved in his very first science fair and received a first place ribbon! Way to go dude!

We headed up to Wilsonville to visit my older brother Mj and celebrate his 35th bday. It's strange to be writing that age! Time flies. You are the only friend 

that I've  known my entire life -love you bro.

More *peyton moments*

A precious sight for me as I was dusting at one of my clients homes! Made my whole day.

We are having an incredible winter. I sitting out in the sunshine soaking up  the rays as I type this!🙌🙌

Sending off a bday card to grandpa Mark

 I love and hate daylight savings- my love is that the kids play outside til bedtime!!

Peyton had her first friend sleep over with her school and church buddy, Sheridan Thank you Jesus for such a precious little friend for sis.

A random windy Sunday afternoon took down our ball hoop and gave Jason and the kids some entertainment ! "Who can Stand on one leg in the 75 mph wind ." Note that mommy was inside- dry and warm.

Had a sweet visitor this week while her mama was away!

.....and more pey;)

I've been enjoying this sweet little author. Sarah Jio. All her books are based in Seattle and are really cute, simple, light reads. Just what I need after a long day of  Life.

 

 Please be praying for my hubs - it's been a rough winter for him with some health stuff. We would totally appreciate the prayers .

 Thanks for stopping in.

Laying Aside Every Weight and Stregthening My Weak Knees.

 I woke up this morning with the intent of getting up early . But I stayed with my normal routine of hitting my snooze button way to many times and leaving myself about 10 min to get ready before the kids had to be woken up.  I reached for my phone to officially turn off the snooze . Then I went straight to my email.  Thankfully I had showered the night before due to kicking boxing and a late night cleaning job. That bought me some time to read my IF:Equip for the day.  We are going through the book of Hebrews and it's just so so good.
  I read my stuff and went along with my morning, in which I could always use the extra time that I officially set my alarm for. But instead I'm literally running out the door for work and dropping the kids off at school.  After the drop offs and on my way to my first job of the day, I just have this yucky feeling in my heart. Some past sins and struggles were boiling up and I had to turn the radio off and just pray. That God would clear my heart and cleanse my mind and keep teaching me to love people .
  Growing up, my dad constantly would say to me (as I was stomping off) Krista-don't be so offended!  Oh, those words would get me- and offend me even more! But my dad was speaking this truth to me.  I was offended and I still so easily get offended .  I catch myself saying in my head "Krista! Don't be so offended!!" Because I really do see myself as being entitled to things~at times I feel that  I am more righteous because I'm walking with Jesus ~ that my words are wise ~ I get judgemental.
  Then, I get offended when things don't go my way, or I'm not included in something, or by words people may say. I'm so nice to you, why aren't you nice back or even acknowledging my exsistence.  So I react in my heart, offended . And sometimes I let me words just flow instead of praying about them or evaluating my feelings first!
  I want to be better about reviewing situation from other peoples views and shoes. Checking first that maybe their response had nothing to do with me in the first place.  And with the mind set that, this could be just ME. And that is humbling and hard to swallow at times. That I actually could be the problem and my sensitive heart just took it the wrong way. I tend to blame things on everyone or everything other than myself.
   I clean for doctor and his wife and we get into theological discussions here and there. One week we were talking about the statement "the devil made me do it." And Gene told me, "I feel like those words are  just the best excuse for Christians;  when really our finger should be pointing to ourselves  and saying- 'no-I made me do it.' "
  And truly my response is my responsiblity. In my mood of being offended. I'm am responsible for how I am reacting to the events in my life. Not so and so , who had offended me once again.  Just little ol' me.
  As I grow closer to my Savior and He shows me the things that need to be cleaned out, I find myself just on my knees. In confession of these things, sometimes He says, yes, I will take these battles away ! And sometimes He tells me, your heart isn't ready for me to take them and I want to keep growing you through it.   As hard as that is, I just keep thinking of this verse! And this verse just happened to by my IfEquip verse today as well!
  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of  wintesses, let us also LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, and SIN WHICH CLINGS so closley, and let us RUN with endurance the race that is set before us......Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your WEAK KNEES, and make straight paths for your feet,  so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed" Hebrews  12:1, 12, 13
   (READ all of Hebrews 12:1-17)

I just keep running to Him. To His word. And He keeps showing me how to lay aside every weight and every sin the clings to me so very closely. And I just keep running. Because I know that in the end, He is there is strengthen my drooping hands and my weak knees . He will make straight my path and I will be healed.  I just can't imagine anything better than that.