He Cares About the Little Things!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

God is good: All the time! All the time: God is good! I type this a little slower than I've typed before! I now have a bandaged finger, bulky with white gauze- in the way of my typical home keys- This finger now boasts being able to strike 2 keys at once! Its humility comes from striking the wrong keys! haha!

Three days ago, I decided, while slicing cucumbers on my mandolin- that it wasn't working right, so I reached my hand past the safety guard, and off went the entire layer of skin from my finger! Yuck!

I frantically searched for my phone, and called my friend and cousin Shelly. No one I know well lives terribly close to me, so despite having 2 children under 2, I tried her- she's a nurse. Typically Shelly is at home at this time, boys napping, cookies in the oven... But today was different!

Shelly and her mother-in-law, Beth, were actually less than 15 minute from my house, just paying for their items at Children's Place. She came right over! She was so gracious, and Beth was able to stay out in the car with the boys while Shelly came in to see the trauma. She took checked on me and then called doctor who sent me to the Emergency Room. After a short discussion, we decided to go to an ER different than where I might usually go. Beth took the older boy, Jacob, home. Baby Benjamin came with us. He was so good in the ER!!!

The nurses were so sweet! We were the only ones there! The nurses told us how unusually empty it was that day!

I was sheduled to take a meal to my other cousin ( Beth's daughter) that evening before a meeting I had scheduled. Prior to the injury, I just felt like I should cancel the meeting, so I did. But I still had the meal. I had made the baked ziti earlier that day, so it was ready to go- just didn't have any cucumbers for the salad! ;) So, as we drove back Shelly called Beth to check on Jacob, and who was at her house? Her daughter! So all I had to do was drive Shelly back to her car (we drove mine, so Beth could take Jacob back to her house) - and drop off the meal there! God is so good! He had every detail worked out! A perfect timing in line at Children's Place- Shelly said that after she got in line, several others lined up behind her. Perfect timing and an empty waiting room and we picked the right hospital!! Rebecca being at Beth's house, so I could give her the meal, without making another trip! ...and I'm sure there are more! But just trust in Jesus! He is so good, and He cares for you!

It used to be so easy...

In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. 1 Samuel 18:14

We know that God chose David because he was a man who would love Him. David really did have a heart for God! And as he takes on the Philisitnes we can see how much he also had faith in God! Not only was God with him, but he trusted that God was with him.

I have been so blessed, that as I work and pray to and for the Lord, I feel such a feeling of excitement! I cannot wait to see what He has for me. I pray and pray, and sometimes I feel like there's no answer.


When I think back to the beginning of my ministry in JEWELS, I see God's hand upon all of it! I am amazed! But I wonder when I heard God. I probably should've kept a journal, but it was all so effortless. As JEWELS grows, I find myself becoming anxious... really searching for God to show me the way.

I wonder if I'm overthinking things. I don't remember praying this hard before. Is this a good thing? I don't know. I think I'm so sure that all of what has happened before was so God and so good, that I don't want to get in His way now.

Often I pray, Lord, just be with me! And I think this is such a lame prayer... that's all I can think to say to the Creator of the Universe?!?!?!? But when I read about David today I found a great comfort in knowing that all of his success was simply because: "THE LORD WAS WITH HIM!"

So, where do I go from here? What do I take from this? I guess that the Lord is with me. And I need to just love him. I need to trust him. I need to follow his leading...and wait quietly until he says. Maybe I am just overthinking- maybe I'll just know...It used to be so easy...when all I knew how to do was trust...

Lord, bring me back to my childlike faith. Help me to know and to trust you and search You but not search for every answer. Help me to know that you are with me, and that you have chosen me to lead JEWELS because of the love we share. Lord, I give the glory to you. Show me your way, and I will rest in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Answered Prayer

As you may know, I am speaking (God-willing) at the Embrace: Worship for Women on November 12th. I have been praying and praying about what God wants me to speak on specifically! So, I emailed this prayer request to a friend 2 days ago!

Dear Yvonne,
I need to have a purpose for whatever I'm saying...please pray for me to have discernment... I really don't want to miss God's mark, and I'm in total reliance on Him! Pray that I don't keep asking him and that I just wait on Him so that I don't speak over His voice.

I desire perfect clarity!!! I cannot do this on my own! And I love it...but it takes some major patience, trust and quiet on my part!
Thanks for praying!

So, as I continued to pray, I just still haven't heard anything! I have been focused on organizing the house, getting rid of stuff and trying to make more room in our modest 900 square foot house. There just isn't alot of storage... so I'm making room! This is good for me, because I often hear God when I'm doing mundane tasks such as these. But, yesterday I ended up being on the phone with my little brother for much of the morning, and therefore, wasn't very quiet.

I packed up the Trailblazer preparing to take it to the Salvation Army, grabbed my camera to take a picture of the full SUV so Jon could see that I really did get rid of a lot of stuff! I proudly closed the door behind me, and went to get in the car. "Where are my keys?" I thought to myself. I peeked in the window and there they were, on the countertop.

Well- prayer answered. I got some quiet time. I set up a chair outback and propped up my feet for probably about 2 hours, and I sat still. I prayed. I still don't know what I'm going to talk about, but I was able to pray for Embrace, for the people involved, and the guests coming. I was able to unload all of it. So, now...I'm just waiting on Him. And he said to me,

"Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. Ezekial 3:10

Dear Lord
Help me to listen carefully and take to heart Your words. Help me to discern Your voice and fulfill Your will!
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Thanks for praying Yvonne!

Hell and a God of Grace

Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better." Samuel 16:15

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that so many people believe in heaven but not hell. The reason being that God is merciful, a God of unlimited grace-He wouldn't possibly be so mean enough to send people to hell.

Okay, I get that, but then why do the same people believe that God punishes us on earth. I believe that there are consequences of sin, but not punishment after repentence. Anyway... people believe in ghosts, haunted houses, evil on earth, punishment, but not Hell.

God doesn't choose to send people to hell. People by denying Christ, go to hell. I realize this is not a popular subject or a nice thing to think about, but it's the truth and we need to acknowledge it. Deciding to ignore it is denying the supremacy, and the sovereignty of God- not to mention it's declaring that the death of Christ was unnecessary!

We need to get this! We need to take the whole Bible as truth! It's true! If God allows evil to enter our lives here (for the sake of His kingdom and glory), why would we think that he would'nt allow us to live eternally in hell. He gives us a choice. It's our choice. So makethe choice for eternal salvation. And if you continue to deny Him- beware.

I say all of this in love. I don't want people to be blinded or to miss the whole truth! I want to see you in Heaven. And so I tell you this not to scare or threat but to tell you that God is a God of Infinite Grace! We just need to believe and trust and have faith in the Father and death of His Son Jesus Christ and then we will be delivered.


Revelation 20:15 (New International Version)
15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

More info:
http://www.gotquestions.org/evil-spirit-Saul.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-life.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-doctrine-salvation.html

Compassion Challenged

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1 Colossians 3:12

Cancer: the word of the day yesterday. After my 74 year-old grandmother was admitted to the hospital with back pain, she was now being discharged with orders to see an oncologist. A tumor was found surrounded by "mushy" bones and in place of a completely worn away vertebrae. "We believe it's cancer. There's a chance there isn't, but it doesn't look good!"

My active grandma went from happy and healthy to despair in just a few short days. Plagued with the thoughts of what our new journey would entail tears filled our eyes, hopelessness filled our hearts, and our minds couldn't bear to take in the pain she may endure in her last days.

As my mom cried out to me with the despondent news, I replied with a sigh and searched for hope and truth, and said, "Well, mom the pain won't last forever!"

Where was my compassion? Did I acknowledge the fear, the pain, the emptiness that filled our hearts and minds? How cliche! What I said was true, but it wasn't compassionate. By saying what I said I showed complete disregard for how many family was feeling at that very moment. When my mom pointed it out to me, I became so very convicted.

In my struggle with infertility remarks such as: "It will happen when it's time!" open the floodgates of negative emotions including loneliness, anger, and a feeling that says, "No one gets this! No one really cares to try to understand!" And it certainly is not received as compassion defined as "a tender feeling."

I'm frustrated with the Christian Cliches. "There's a reason for everything!" "It will happen when it's time!" " He's in a better place now!"

We all know these things! And quite frankly, they're lacking compassion. I believe as Christians we need to start showing the love and compassion of Christ. Start saying things like, "I know it must really hurt!" "I know this is scary!" "I know you miss your loved one!" "I can't pretend to understand your pain, but can I pray for you!?" "What can I do to help?" OR We could just listen, and pray.

Dear Jesus,
Help us to be compassionate. Help us not to forget that you give us hope, but you also taught us to be compassionate. Help us not to be so focused on the future, that we forget to meet people where they're at- where they're hurting. We thank you that you are a compassionate God who loves us! Make us more like you!
In Jesus' name. Amen.

After His Own Heart

“’You acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command’” (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

When I look back nearly 2 years ago, I find it so hard to believe that God would chose me to lead such an extraordinary group of women at our church. Living in sin, lost in the world, unsure of who I even was were issues that plagued me. I was seeking God, trying to make new friends, trying to get this "God-thing" figured out. I had been walking in the woods, and was looking for the way out.

I was far from who I would have chosen to lead this group. But as I look at 1 Samuel I see something so important- the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people!

As I look back I see that the only way JEWELS could have ever worked is if I trusted in Him! I didn't know much. I prayed, but I was kind of in the kindergarten of Christianity. The only way I could've led was to seek after God's heart. And so two years later- here we are.

We've gone from a minimum of 2 at a Bible Study to a maximum of 18 at a Bible Study! That's a 900% increase! Not because of me, but because of God.

Interstingly, I find that as I grow and learn more, it becomes increasingly important for me to maintain the real focus. As I grow more confident in my skills and abilities, it becomes more common for me to think I can do it on my own.

Thanks to a great team of leaders, I am always reminded that God is sovereign in control.

I guess, God is just pointing this out to me over and over again and I am drawn to it because I desire to fulfill His purpose for my life, and not my own. I desire to see his 900% improvements rather than my minor influence. I yearn for more of him and less of me. And I must admit... it takes a conscious effort, an awareness, and much prayer. I pray that my work is not done in vein and my motive for having a ministry that thrives on changed lives remains pure and about Him.

As you know more, and read more, are you forgetting God? Are you becoming proud? Be careful! It's so easy to forget the one who brought you here.

Dear Jesus,
Please help me to remain humble! Thank you for the work you are doing in JEWELS and in my life. I pray for the JEWELS group! Give them an undying love for your Word, and for You. Instill in them a deep desire to be obedient and honor you in ALL they do! Lord, protect us from the enemy! Keep us safe in your loving arms! But let us come out of our comfort zones to where you want us to be. Ignite a fire in our group, Jesus. Not for just the friendships with eachother, but with you! And Lord, help me to be a woman after your own heart.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.

All Things for Good?

So, as I read 1 Samuel 8-10 today I could really see how God works all things for good according to His plan. Christians say this all the time... but I wonder in the midst of all that's going on, all that seems wrong, all that seems foolish, or even sinful- even when we claim it- do we trust it?

Do we go about saying, "God makes all thing good..." without really believing, or even just hoping it's true. Do you really see God's good in every circumstance?

Yesterday, our well pump broke, so we had no water when I woke up yesterday morning. I have learned to stay pretty calm about these things by now- living in an old house- these things happen. I could have been angry and annoyed, after all, I was inconvenienced- and let's be real, much of America despise being inconvenienced. I had to go to work (the only day in 3 weeks that I had to go to work), and I couldn't shower.

But good came out of it! I have been wanting to go back to the gym- but it's been one of those things, where I just kept putting it off... embarrassed at the weight I'd gained since I had been there last. Because we had no water, though, I decided it would be a great day to sign up- go to the gym, and shower there!

This doesn't seem important, but I know God wants me to take better care of my body, and I felt like it was a shove to get going! To give God my health means to take care of the body he's given me. And- I struggle with that!

So, appreciate your inconvenience today! What good came out of it! Sometimes we can't see it- maybe running late allowed you to miss an accident- or maybe forgetting an appointment at the doctor results in seeing a doctor later who has more wisdom... sometimes we don't get to see it. Will we trust? I hope so!