Baby shower #2, Moving, Jesus Culture Cleveland.....

Well, in the past few weeks a ton has already happened. I had my second baby shower that my Sister in-law Jess and a friend Tammy did for me. I can't express my gratitude towards them for all they did. The shower was beyond my expectations and I'm so blessed to have so many family and friends who would gather around for me and my baby. There is no doubt that my baby girl is already so loved by so many!

In the mist times when we have no control over things, God always ends up blessing us for our faith and trusting in him. I lost my job this year as I stated before and this was so hard for me. I finally gave it up to God, trusting we would make more then enough. Well, in the mist of all this God totally has blessed us with a new amazing, bigger, cleaner, home for a price we can totally afford! I'm in utter awe of our God and how he does things. His ways are def not our ways and I'm so Glad! I have thought at times in the mist of moving 7 weeks before our baby girl comes, that I am nuts...But were almost done and things are beginning to look and feel like home. Just in time for a new addition to the Smith family.

We just returned from a Jesus Culture Conference in Cleveland, OH. 2,000 people showed up to gather to praise our God and ask for revival with-in ourselves that way we could go back into our communities and be used. It was amazing and God just really revived Joshua and I. Josh and I love working in Youth ministry. It's a passion in our hearts to see this generation arise with a passionate heart for God, his word and kingdom. On Saturday morning Josh and I went to a Youth leadership conference with about 100 other youth pastors/leaders from the U.S. Banning Liebscher and Sean Smith spoke. It was beyond amazing. God just spoke right to our hearts. Here are some points that just hit me:
-It the mist of every day life, Family, work, ministry..we sometimes forget to live in the moment. We are always futuristic which is awesomely good, but what about NOW? All we have is now. Be aware of the NOW in your life.
-Where are our students going to be in 20-30 years? Will they be a passionate follower of Christ? Raise the lid as a leader.
-Allow people to speak into your life. Access the wisdom and strength of others.
-You have to be willing no matter what to do whatever it takes even if family and friends don't follow.
-You can choose to be a good preacher(or whatever God has called you too) or you can choose to be a good daughter. God says you are a great Daughter. Your not going to preach (or whatever your called too in heaven) your going to be a daughter. My goal in life is to be a good daughter of Christ, not a good preacher, cook, organizer for ministry,etc.
-Don't entertain thoughts of unbelief.
-Maintain what God Builds.
-Lead together, isolation is a killer.

We have about 7 weeks left until our baby girl arrives.We're praying for earlier, but expecting later, so that we won't be disappointed. We would ask that you keep us in your prayers as we are both very excited but incredibly nervous about labor and delivery and recovery. Please pray that this would be a beautiful and special time and that it would go well and without any complications for baby or mommy.

A New Normal

So life has been insane the last few months-not a bad insane just a "new normal" insane. Shifting season insane. Josh started back at work in March and I was expected to do the same, but to come to find out she couldn't afford me any longer. With many emotions I didn't know how to feel. I was happy, I was angry and hurt. Over the last few weeks I have seen how much God is growing me in this season. Growing me into a better woman of God, a wife, and a Mother. I'm thankful for this time I have before my baby girl arrives. Sometimes, when things happen that "seem" bad, sometimes are really a hidden blessing. Joshua has been so supportive in this and has worked so hard for our family and often says "It's a honor to take care of my Girls". This one statement he made just put my heart a ease! What a wonderful husband God has blessed me with and wonderful father to our baby girl! All this is just becoming a "new normal" for me. Not working full time out side the home, going to be a mama. It's just all so wonderfully new!

I have about  8 weeks left until our baby girl arrives. Joshua and I are excited! I can't wait to hold her, to look into her eyes and to also see her tiny feet! To have our new member of our family! All so wonderful! Every night it seems to be around 3:30 am my baby girl awakens me and I watch her put on a show in my belly! She is wide awake rolling and kicking me and making my entire stomach shake like crazy! I just lay there and prayed over her. Prayed that she would walk with the lord all the days of her life. That she would bring much joy to all she knows even at a young age. I just keep falling more and more in love with her! How great is our God that he created love. Love to be endless! Amazing!

I had one of the two baby showers already given by my sister and my aunt and It was really good to spend time with family and to see some faces that I haven't seen in months! We were blessed with some wonderful gifts and I was so blessed by each person there!

XOXOXO,