What I Did This Summer

Learned Algebra 2


Algebra, Algebra, Algebra!!!!


Not So Classic's dream come true


Canned zuchinni

Began volunteering at Lifeline

Watched lovely flowers bloom

Spied a blimp as it flew over my house

Marveled at the beauty of Creation

Rejoiced for the Little Blue Metro

Lots of cooking and baking, of course!

Celebrated my Dear Mother's 80th Birthday

Made homemade spaghetti sauce

Cheered Fire in the triathlon

Attended "Burn" Youth Conference

The remainder of my summer was spent eating bon bons with my feet propped up while napping away the day...NOT!!!!

Hope your summer was great!

We're starting school on Monday, yeah, two more years to go!!!

With Much Love...
Beautiful Grace

Predator and Prey: The Mosquito and The Spider

This mosquito found itself caught in the spider's web outside my kitchen window yesterday morning. The spider is difficult to see as its brown body blends with the brown tree trunk. Look carefully.

I watched as the much larger prey fought to free itself from the spider's web. The spider would occasionally approach the mosquito using its silk to anchor its leg to the sticky trap.

About an hour went by when Fire noticed the mosquito had finally freed itself from the web.

Not so with the Tomato Horn Worm which I posted about earlier. Once the parasitic eggs of the Braconid Wasp are attached to the worm, it will eventually die.

Predator and Prey: The Tomato Horn Worm and The Braconid Wasp

This Tomato Horn Worm was found in my garden. Follow the link to see why there is a predator and prey shown in this picture. Creation is amazing, because its Creator is AMAZING!!!

Triathlon Triumph

A Foggy Welcome

Fire Waiting For His Turn

Speedy Swimmer

Thank You, Pastor Steve!


Shoes On, Let's Go Transition: Swim to Bike
Off Fire GoesGetting Ready to Dismount

Thank you all for praying!

Fire had no problems at all with his heart. During the run he dealt with come pretty nasty cramps, but his heart behaved!!! Thank You, Jesus!!!

Also, I was in peace the entire time. Thank You, Jesus!!!

New Beginnings: Jesus Encircles Our Heart

"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." John 15:5 (Amplified)

My mother-in-law, June, gave me this vine many years ago. As it began to grow, I started training it to climb my kitchen wall.

After much time, the vine grew across the first wall of my kitchen. My sons said it would be cool if the plant would grow enough to encircle the entire kitchen.

The vine continued to grow until it stretched across the archway Strongman built for me.

More growth occurred until the vine extended over the top of my kitchen cabinets. Notice, there aren't many leaves on this portion of the vine. The plant's position impeded the light from reaching that particular portion of the vine and the leaves turned yellow, shriveled and fell off. Jesus, is Light and "... apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." We are like the leaves. Our spirits shrivel up without consistant bathing in His holy Light.

The vine has traveled across another wall, and draped itself over my kitchen clock.

The last portion of my kitchen is traversed by the vine.

Saturday, August 8, 2009, the two ends of the vine met just above the sliding glass door which faces the east. The vine has completely encircled my kitchen. I choose to believe this vine represents Jesus who encircles my kitchen, symbolic of the heart of my family.

For the LORD’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. Deuteronomy 32:9 & 10 (New King James Version)

Not only do I love the fact that Jesus, the True Vine, is encircling the heart of my family, instructing us and keeping us, but my spirit leaps at the fact that my physical vine completely encircled my kitchen on 8/8/09. The number eight symbolizes new beginnings.

Last year, the Lord had promised "a new beginning." If you remember reading the post, "The Appointed Time: A Prayer Request," you know that God had promised me a specific day for resolution of a particular circumstance that I had been dealing with since 2001.

I began a fast to prepare myself for the date the Lord ingrained in my spirit seven years earlier. Yet, the long-awaited, "Appointed Time" came and went with no visible, physical resolution. BUT I continued to trust Jesus!

Deep in my spirit, I believe that the long-awaited resolution will occur soon. If I am wrong in what I believe, then I will continue to cling to and trust in Jesus!

I write my out of my heart in this matter, because I know you also have circumstances and situations which weigh heavily on you.

Jesus, my precious Jesus, is acquainted with your tears.

He has heard your prayers.

Jesus knows your heart.

Keep on clinging to Him, crying out, and praying. The atmosphere is changing, resolution is on the way! In the great and mighty name of King Jesus! AMEN!!!!

With Much Love...

Fire Update

Dear Faithful Prayers,

I just got off the phone with the cardiologist. He saw three PVC (premature ventricular complexes) in 24 hours on the heart monitor strip. Basically, the bottom part of his heart (ventricles) beats too soon. He wants Fire to be scheduled for a stress test and a long term heart monitor, BUT there are no restrictions at this point as long as Fire promises to stop immediately, if his heart is doing anything "funny." If you think of him on Saturday morning (triathlon day), please pray. He tends to push himself too hard sometimes.

Also if you think of me, pray. It's hard being a Mommy and a nurse, when your son is almost 16 years old. ;)

Thank you so much for any prayers you offer on our behalf.

With Much Love...

Beautiful Grace

Please Pray for Fire

Dear Faithful Prayers,

Yesterday Fire came to me complaining his heart was racing, and he had been doing only mild physical activity at the time (passing a nerf football to his Consecrated and Strongman). I checked his pulse and his heart was beating at 182 beats/ minute. He said that when it started, he had chest pain.

He saw his pediatrician this morning who sent him immediately to a pediatric cardiologist. He had an echocardiogram and EKG; both were great. He currently is wearing a 24 hour heart monitor to try to record any abnormal rhythms.

As many of you know, Fire has a triathlon to compete in next Saturday. The cardiologist said it would be ok as long as the halter monitor was normal. He did stress that if it happened during the competition he was to stop immediately. Yesterday, was the first I heard about this occurrence. Apparently, it has happened previously, but Fire didn't think anything about it, so he didn't say anything to me.

I'd appreciate any prayers you would offer on behalf of my son.

You ALL mean so much to me and my family! We are BLESSED!!!!

With Much Love...

Beautiful Grace :)

My Personal Times and Seasons Named by Weeks

In one of her past posts, my friend, Lidj, at Crown of Beauty, encouraged her readers to name the weeks. It has been an awesome way to consider what God has revealed through the situations and circumstances in which I find myself or those whose my life connects with on a weekly basis. I share them with you knowing that I am not alone in the trials and triumphs of this earthly life. May my personal times and seasons be a blessing and encouragement to you!

With Much Love...
Beautiful Grace :)


4/4/09 "Spring is a Time for War"

4/11/09 "Be Careful of the Marshy Land"

4/18/09 "Letting the Dream Die"

4/25/09 "Heal the Wounds of Those Who Hurt You"

5/2/09 "Snuff Out the Pilot Light of Fear"

5/9/09 "Stand Up"

5/16/09 "Jesus, Our Protector and Guide"

5/23/09 "The King Desires My Beauty"

5/30/09 "Consider the Heights and Return"

6/6/09 "Hear and Speak: The Message Impacts"

6/13/09 "Harvest the Fruit Grown in the Dark Place"

6/20/09 "Full Circle Faith"

6/27/09 "Abba, Who Are You?"

7/4/09 "Disclosure, The Past Converges With the Present"

7/11/09 "Wearing Glasses of Fear, Idolatry and Jealousy Cause One to See a Distorted Reality"

7/18/09 "Though My Enemies Surround Me, I will Speak Words of Life"

7/25/09 "Trust Me, and I Will Shoot the Arrows"

8/1/09 "Do Not Yield to the Spirit of Man, Only Yield to the Spirit of God"

Book Review: The Shack

The Shack by William P. Young is the retelling of one man's experience with God- the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This experience doesn't hold to "traditional" mindsets about Who God is and our man-made definitions of Him.

When I began to read about the alternative forms in which God manifested Himself, I wasn't sure if I would continue reading the book. The Holy Spirit prompted me to continue reading and give it a chance.

The Shack is not a book on theology; it is one man's personal experience with God, the God Who loves enough to go through fantastical lengths to accomplish healing, forgiveness and restoration.

In You Do I Trust

In You Do I Trust

Beautiful Grace

8/5/09 2:30 am

You alone do I trust, my God.

In You do I trust!

No hope in man's ways,

His power limited by You.

All Powerful One,

Who do I have to trust but You?

The enemies of my soul taunt me with many lies,

My countenance dulls at hearing the banter.

Rise up in me, Oh, Spirit of the living God,

For it is You Who delivers and no one else!

Rise up, Oh, my God and King!

Subdue the voices which assault my mind.

Your strength made perfect in my great weakness.

Oh, how I need You, Lord, at all times!

Stir my soul, Lord, with remembrances of past,

How you had acted on my behalf.

Anoint my speech,

So I may declare Your works,

To those You place before me!

I yield my soul to You, Lord.

None other may have dominion over me,

For You are my King!

I will declare Your mighty deeds.

I will speak of Your great Love.

I will warn of Your fierce holiness.

But only will I do these things,

As I am empowered by Your Spirit!

Your handmaiden seeks to be filled.

Your friend desires Your companionship.

Your Bride longs for Your touch.

Hold me, Abba, don't let me go.

In my knowing of You,

Allow me to be blanketed in Peace.

I will love You through eternity!

You alone do I trust, my God.
In You do I trust!

Dear Readers,

Please pray for our family. Strongman was permanently laid off from his job yesterday. Jesus has ALWAYS provided for us, but we need to know our part. Pray that our part would be clear. Pray for Strongman as he feels he has let me down. God is our Provider!

With Much Love...
Beautiful Grace

Praise God: Ben Update and The Panama Team Returns

I'm a little late in getting this post out, sorry!

We had our annual church picnic on Wednesday night and guess who was there? BEN!!!!! He has been discharged from the hospital that morning. He currently is taking antibiotics five times a day and in a week or so will have another CT scan to determine if the infection has cleared. If not, he will need to have surgery to "clean him out." He looks good with that sparkle in his eye, like you never know what practical joke he'll do next.

Please continue to pray for Ben. We want him to be completely free from infection without the need for surgery. He told me he felt good but was tired. Pray that the Lord would give him wisdom in the activities he involves himself. I personally believe he pushes himself a little too much.

Around 9 pm on Wednesday night as the picnic was winding down, we saw the church bus pull into the parking lot. The Panama team was home!!!!! Yeah, God!!!!! It was beautiful as a mass of people descended upon the bus and as the youth exited the bus, they were swarmed with many hugs and kisses!!!! It was a beautiful moment, full of God's Love. AWESOME! I haven't heard any specific God-stories yet, but I will soon.

I Am For Life

Most Beautiful Grace readers are aware of my nursing background, but not the details as to the particular specialties of nursing, in which I had practiced...geriatrics, infection control, quality assurance, and postpartum/neonatal nursing all grace the pages of my professional resume.

Although employed in nursing for twenty years, I never quite considered myself a nurse. However, I did consider myself to be a spiritual one, and it was during these years while physically nursing, that I received my spiritual nursing assignment- to stand up for life, especially to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves.

While working as a postpartal/neonatal nurse, I cared for a woman who had been used, abused and lied to by this world's system under the guise of a woman's right to choose. This woman had been given the impression that abortion, used as a form of birth control, had no lasting effects. I don't remember the number of elective abortive procedures to which this woman submitted herself, but I do remember the number was staggering.

When this woman married and decided to begin a family, all of her pregnancies ended in miscarriage. So much damage had been done to her cervix that it was no longer capable of "holding" a pregnancy. When she became pregnant again, her obstetricians performed a cervical cerclage, a procedure "in which the cervix is sewn closed during the pregnancy" from the American Preganancy Association.

Her pregnancy seemed to progress normally, and she began the laboring process. But all was not well and the child was born dead! It was after this horrific experience that I cared for the woman, and I remember sitting by her bed, holding her hand, and weeping with her as she repeated over and over, "No one ever told me the consequences of abortion."

I was angry because this woman was deceived, and I was saddened because not only was the woman's destiny altered, but also the destinies of children meant to be were snuffed out.

That day God implanted in me the desire to serve women who find themselves in the difficult situation of an unplanned pregnancy, and stand up for life...not only the unborn child's life, but the life-emotional, physical and spiritual of the woman carrying that child.

I have offered my service to the local crisis pregnancy center where I will volunteer on a weekly basis. What's most awesome is that the executive director said they had been praying for a nurse to get involved with the ministry. I love when Jesus' will is confirmed clearly!

Dear Jesus, empower us to stand up for life. Cause Your heart to be manifested through us through compassionate words and actions. Do not allow us to be silent because of social pressure, but anoint us to speak the truth always in Love! All for You, Jesus!!! AMEN!!!

Ben Update: Praise Jesus!!!

I stopped at the hospital to see Ben today after church, and he is feeling MUCH BETTER! They're allowing him to eat Italian Ice...Yeah, Jesus!! Ben did not have a fever today and is hungry for chocolate milk and chocolate chip cookies (although that wouldn't be a good idea to start off eating with those types of foods, I told him).

He is receiving IV antibiotics, and the doctors are saying (according to Ben) that they want to treat him with antibiotics first to see if that will resolve the infection, if it doesn't totally clear then they will have to surgically go in and clean the infection out, maybe needing to take some of his intestine. NO, to surgery in Jesus name!!! Ben is his old sparkling, get into trouble, joyful self. As I was leaving Bruce, Cassie and Mickayla were coming in to see him. I'm sure more good news is to follow!!!

Urgent Prayer for Ben!

Some of the youth from Fuel Ministry is in Panama now. Ben, who is part of the mission's team, had an emergency appendectomy last Thursday the 9th and was cleared by his doctors to go on the 13th to Panama. The doctors in Panama feel he has an infection and want him to come home, but initially were not sure if he is well enough to travel. They received the OK to send Ben back to the US where he will be immediately transported to the hospital.



Ben has been used mightily by God in supernatural healing and street witnessing. Please pray for Ben. He is an awesome, on fire for God, young man and my friend.

Appreciate you all!



With Much Love...

Beautiful Grace



Posted below are the e-mail communications that I directly received!


Update quick before we leave for catalina...

ben, beth, and jeremiah were at the hospital last night until about 5 this am...they found a huge mass in ben´s stomach and he has been cleared to fly home, which is happening as i type. he is flying alone, and needs prayer for peace as well as healing of course.

love and thanks to all!


Hey all...we are here in Panama and I´m not sure if you´ve heard, but Ben is in a hospital here. He has been very sick the whole time we´ve been down here and today we took him to a clinic to be checked out, they said he had an infection and needed to go home immediately. We contacted his doctor in the states and then Beth and Jeremiah took him to a hospital here to make sure he isn´t sick bad enough to warrant an emergency. They said he might not be well enough to get on the plane so they are giving him a cat scan and maybe other tests. We have had several times of prayer for his healing and if you could also be praying that this works out in the best way possible for the team, the leaders, and ben himself that would be awesome! Also, we are supposed to be leaving tomorrow at 9am for Santa Catalina.

thanks everyone!!!

There is a Mixture that I Need to Separate Out of the Midst of My People, My Bride

Dear Readers,

Just yesterday morning I asked Jesus to continue transforming my heart. I specifically asked Him to do heart surgery, removing any part of my heart not like His. He reminded me that Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs me on just how He performs His heart surgery by using

"...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Let's grab hold of Jesus, knowing He loves us enough to sift out any mixture in our hearts. WE WILL BE A BRIDE WITHOUT SPOT AND WITHOUT WRINKLE!

With Much Love...

Beautiful Grace

Carmen Burnham

Conquerors in Christ Ministries

Email: VanquishedFoes@aol.com

Reprinted from the Elijah List

"And His brightness was like the sunlight; rays streamed from His hand and there (in the sunlike splendor) was the hiding place of His power."—Habakkuk 3:4

While in prayer, I often listen to the Rivera's CD "Live Soaking Sessions 1." My favorite track, "Show Me Your Face," started playing. I often cry in deep longing before the Lord, "Show Me Your face." The cry of my heart is ever deepening tears and longing to see Him face to face.

During that song, I experienced a visitation of the Lord's face upon mine. I was beholding Him. I heard, "We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him." Face to face, I was experiencing a greater osmosis of internal transformation at a deeper level than ever before. As we take the time to behold Him, the face of our internal countenance becomes the likeness of Him to the point that we manifest what we see the Father doing.

The Covenant Bride

Down through the corridors of the ages has existed the COVENANT of the Priestly Bride. She is the Bride that has longed for the manifestation of the Messiah. His manifested name for this age is the King of Glory. Once she realizes her identity, she keeps herself from the defilement of the world and fights for righteousness like the generals of old: Debra, Daniel, Samuel, the sons of Zadok and Elijah, to name a few.

She recognizes and prepares for the time of visitation with Him. For He is the One for whom her soul has craved above all else. The preparation is a separation and a consecration that leads to such purification. This happens because she spends so much time in His presence in which she is becoming like Him. She knows much of Him through her inner experiences of Him. She so desires to be like Him that she surrenders her being totally to the workings of His Spirit, unconditionally.

Whatever the cost, she perceives it is worth her everything. She loves not her life unto death. She does not bargain with Him to hold onto any golden calves or falsehoods of self or even normal needs. She knows that anything else is fool's gold. As a result, she is a fashioned weapon in the Hand of His Glory. He will give you power to stand against the forces of Hell, a dominion power that drives evil out.

There is an unveiling of truths within the Priestly Bride. It will result in the greatest movement of the Holy Spirit in this age. The forces of satan are trying to bring confusion, deception and despair. There is a tremendous raging for the mind of Believers everywhere. How do we overcome? The Bible states, "We overcome satan by the Blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony and we love not our life unto death."

We are in a season of receiving greater dimensions of these Truths, as well as in the season of God putting the missing pieces together.

"My Church Shall See My Power and My Glory that Has Not Been Seen for Many Generations and the World Has Never Known"

The Prophetic Word from the Lord: "My Church shall see My Power and My Glory—power that has not been seen for many generations and power the world has never known. There is a tidal wave of My glory coming. There is an anointing coming that many have longed for. It will be a collective anointing of the old and the new, the known and the unknown.

"It will hit and it will collide with the kingdom of darkness as the lightning strikes forth from the east to the west. Many will collide with My anointing as Paul did on the road to Damascus. Many will experience the molecules of the miraculous invading, permeating their very beings, healing their spirits, restoring their souls, driving out illness, disease and the demonic.

"There MUST be an invasion of My dominion power that will turn the world upside down. There will be an invasion through the brilliant radiations of My Divine nature that stirs the heart awake. It will resurrect My Divine DNA within the spirit, soul and body to rise to the power of My Ascension Glory. It will shine like the sun to expose this present darkness. There will be explosions of My almightiness that sets the captives free on every level, every dimension.

"Who will carry this glory? He that overcomes!

"I Am Preparing My Bride in the Secret Place"

"I am preparing My Bride in the secret place, in the hidden place, for the enemy must not see and must not look upon what I am doing, whom I am preparing.

"Those who will allow Me to draw them away into the Bridal chamber and allow Me to shake from them what must be shaken will come forth and carry what has never been seen—those who can believe Me for the unexpected movement in kings and kingdom—then those who carry My heart and My word without mixture will come forth.

"There is a mixture that I need to separate out of the midst of My people, My Bride. Oh, My people let Me wash your eyes, the eyes of your heart, with the precious Blood of My Son so you can overcome. Let Me invade the deepest recesses of your innermost being to heal, to expose and to deal with those things that are not of Me and not like Me. I will remove the thorns, thistles and calluses that have been unknowingly imbedded in your heart.

"Do not be afraid of My surgical Holy Spirit hand, for My hands are filled with healing love. I will never hurt you. I will never leave you. I will work with you very tenderly, there in the secret place. This secret place feels like you are once again in the wilderness, but it is indeed My room of operation. My hand is not shortened like a man's hand. My hands hold the fullness of your destiny. Did I not say, "A bruised reed He would not break and a dimly flicker flame He would not quench"?

"So is My Servant, so AM I to you as you yield to My inner workings. I take great joy, great delight in your heart of liquid gold. I am creating within your heart a combustion chamber of My Divine Glory, for this is the hour of My Divine Manifestation."

Carmen Burnham
Conquerors in Christ Ministries

Prophetic Word

THE TRUMPET

by Bill Burns -- July 14, 2009:

I have spoken to you in My word and I have said bless and do not curse. I say unto you, My People, in this season it is going to become very dangerous for you to loose curses against others. For I am going to show you the attitudes and intentions of your heart by bringing that very curse back upon yourselves. So heed these words and walk rightly. Do not allow your attitudes to become curses or your words to become curses. For surely the door of the enemy will be opened against you and great suffering will occur in these days, says the Lord. For I have seen the intentions in the hearts of My people and I have seen the strife and the contention and I have seen their judgments and I have witnessed their jealousies but no longer in these days will I allow those thoughts, those words, to be curses to be sent to My beloved, but indeed they shall be returned and bring affliction upon your own house -- not because I do not love you but so you may know what you are doing, says the Lord.

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND

by Marsha Burns -- July 14, 2009:

Open your heart to Me so that I can bring healing and restoration to your soul and spirit. Do not harbor your grief and wounding, but allow Me to carry the burden. Have I not said that I will perfect those things that concern you? That is not just a happy thought or a distant hope. It is a promise for right now, but you must release those things to Me for the promise to be fulfilled in your life. Let go and let Me build up what has been torn down, says the Lord.

Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Mom Update: Blessed Assurance

Dear Faithful Prayers,

I just returned from two of Mom's doctor appointments. The first was her pacemaker checkup with the diagnosis of normally functioning pacemaker and normal heart rhythm. Yeah, God!!!

The second checkup was with the infectious disease doctor who "signed Mom off," meaning her leg looks so good that she no longer needs to be followed by them. Yeah, God!!!

Mom started drinking two Boost nutrient shakes a day, and although she still complains of being "peppless," she definitely is getting around much better than before. Yeah, God!!!

She has an appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow, and I am planning to ask to have her blood pressure medication, Norvasc discontinued, as her blood pressure has been running on the low normal side. This may contribute to her fatigue.

Thankfulness bubbles up inside me for not only my Dear, Sweet Mother, but for my awesome earthly Dad who has the gift of making any atmosphere light. I attempted to instruct him on the current style of dress in which an undershirt worn under a top shirt is meant to stick out.

"No way" my Dad replied. I need that shirt tucked in to keep my suspenders from rubbing my skin."

To which I replied, "Suspenders are out of date."

Dad immediately said, "They're (the suspenders) my blessed assurance," as he and mom began singing to the chorus of "Blessed Assurance."

"Blessed assurance, suspenders are mine. Holding my pants up all the day long!!!!"

I just love my parents!!!

Thank You, Jesus!!!! You are Wonderful!!!!

Thank you ALL for praying!!!

With Much Love...

June Update

June was discharged from the ER yesterday afternoon. She has been told she needs to have a colonoscopy, but she did not need to stay in the hospital because her blood counts were good and there was no further bleeding. She ate supper with us last night and said she had cramping in her intestines. Obviously, something is not working correctly in her intestinal system. I'm thankful she didn't need to be admitted to the hospital though.

Thanks for your prayers,
Beautiful Grace :)

Prayer Request

Hi, Praying Bloggers,

I just got off the phone with my mother in law, June. She was directed by her physician to call 911 as she is bleeding from her bowels. She is taking Coumadin, so bleeding can be a serious thing. June is a very fearful person naturally, so I would ask that Jesus would not only minister healing to her, but also peace. Please pray in this regard.

Thanks so much,
Beautiful Grace :)

My Dear Teasing Husband

Yesterday was my birthday, and Strongman teasingly wrote not only words of love on my birthday card, but also an algebra problem.

If you figure it out, then you will know how old I am. ;)

(90/4)2 = ?

Strongman also took me out for dinner!

I am blessed!!!!>

More Blooms: The Beauty of Creation and How We Are Like Flowers

This large, yellow beauty is a zucchini flower.

It only blooms a day or two

before it curls up and whithers away.This flower was opened fully in the morning,

but I didn't take the picture immediately.

When I returned, the petals had already closed.

The flower had completed the task for which it was created.

My rose bush needs trimmed,

but even in its wild state it is still beautiful!

Do you see the sweet basil framing

the lower left hand side of the picture?

Amazing, how God speaks!

As I was typing this post, I felt God say we who have given our lives to Jesus are like flowers. We each were created with a specific and unique purpose.

A flower's primary functions is in the reproduction of a plant.

Once the flower's purpose is fulfilled, it dies, but the seeds it produced insures that the next generation will continue on.

We are to bloom, showing forth the beauty and glory of the awesome God Who created us. The seeds within us will insure that our children, whether physical or spiritual, continue on in the Lord.

The rose bush speaks of those who have not yet submitted their lives to Jesus. These people are beautiful but wild in their ways. They are full of thorns which may injure those who attempt to get close to them.

The sweet basil represents the Holy Spirit,

Who woos and calls and draws with bands of love.

Hosea 11:4 (Amplified Bible)
"I drew them with cords of a man,

with bands of love, and I was to them as one who lifts up and eases the yoke over their cheeks, and I bent down to them and gently laid food before them."

Romans 5:8 (Amplified Bible)
"But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us."

Let us see each other's beauty, and encourage each one in their God-given destinies. Let us not become offended by the thorns!!!

Mom Update: Praise Report

Dear Faithful Prayers,

Mom saw two specialists yesterday and received two good reports!!!! Thank You, Jesus!!! The infectious disease doctor gave the order to discontinue IV antibiotics, oral antibiotics, and Mom's PICC line was removed!!!! Oh, Yea!!! The kidney doctor reported that Mom's remaining kidney is stable!!! Oh, Yea!!!! He also decreased one of Mom's blood pressure meds!!!! Oh, Yea!!!

I would ask for continued prayer for Mom as this last incident has left her extremely fatigued, and her gait is unsteady. Her protein level is a little low, so please prayer she is "less picky" about the meat she eats and uses wisdom with her salt intake.

We had a surprise 80th birthday party for Mom on Sunday evening, and I must say it caused life to spring up in her!!!! We took turns blessing Mom by telling a good memory of Mom or of speaking of how her life has impacted us. Our words carry the power of life!!!!!!

I bless you all in the name of Jesus and ask that He would pour Himself out to you today in power and love!!!

All for Jesus,
Beautiful Grace :)

Happy 80th Birthday: Honoring Mom

Happy 80th birthday to a woman who has given us an example of a godly wife and mother. This honorable woman has served her children, her husband, her neighbors, and friends. Her servant-heart has modeled what a Christian should be.

Shining Star

(Great Granddaughter)

"I want to run a marathon in your honor."

Love After 61 Years of Marriage!

From left to Right:

Ballerina Beauty (Great Granddaughter),

Girly Girl (Granddaughter)

and Soccer Sensation (Great Granddaughter)

helping Nana blow out the birthday candles.

Plain and Simple, AKA Simply Beautiful,

(Daughter-in-Love)

"You are one of the most generous people I know."

"You have treated me like a daughter,

and I think of you as a Mother."

Tender-Hearted One

(Grand Daughter)

"I remember eating baby rice cereal every time I came to visit."

Back Row, Left to Right: Plain and Simple's DSH (Son), Sissy AJ (Daughter), Big Bro (Son), Beautiful Grace (Daughter).

Front Row, Left to Right: Dear Sweet Mother, Sissy AM (Daughter), Singing Plumber Dad (Husband).

Girly Girl

(Granddaughter)

" Thank you for having my Daddy."

Sissy AJ

(Daughter)

"You never said a thing when Terry and his brother ate all your food."

Great/Grand Children

Sunshine

(Great Grand Daughter)

"Thanks for putting up with Pappy,"

referring to her grandfather, Big Bro.

Loving Singing

(Granddaughter)

"You French braided my hair even when your fingers hurt."

Plain and Simple's DSH

(Son)

"You always made homemade costumes out of boxes...R2D2, Mr. Peanut."

Mom Update: Persevering Love

Dear Faithful Prayers,

Mom was discharged to home this past Monday, the 22nd on IV antibiotics. I have been administering the medications through her PICC line, and all has been going well. (Thank you Jesus that I have the skills to care for my beloved Mother). Mom's leg is looking good, with the exception of the swelling that is her "normal" baseline. (Yay, Jesus!)

She has appointments on Tuesday to see both the infectious disease doctor (he will determine if the IV antibiotics can be discontinued) and the kidney doctor, who will insure Mom's remaining kidney is functioning properly.

I am concerned about Mom's gait. She is weaker and more unstable while walking. Yesterday, as we were walking into her doctor's appointment she started to lose her balance. If I hadn't been walking beside her and grabbed her, she would have fallen. Previous to getting out of the car she hit her leg on my book bag and gave herself a skin tear on her sore leg.
:( Because of the Heparin (an anti clotting drug) used to keep her PICC line open, she bled quite a bit.

Also, when listening to Mom's heart two days ago, I heard an abnormal rhythm, which Mom's family doctor was concerned about.

Please pray for:

• Resolved infection
• Steady gait
• No More injuries to Mom's leg
• Protection for Mom's remaining kidney
• Life to Mom's heart
• Strength for all of us
• Multiplied time for as I have not had the time lately to prepare for Fire's next year of school

Thanks again for any prayers you offer on behalf of my Mother! Oh, and by the way, we are planning a surprise party for Mom's 80th birthday on Sunday night. Please pray that she feels well enough to enjoy it.

You ALL mean so very much to me! I am so thankful that Jesus has brought you into my life!!!!

With Much Love and Gratitude...
Beautiful Grace :)

State Prayer

Did you know that William Penn intended for Pennsylvania to be "the seed" for our nation?Join us on September 26th in order to pray for God's dream to be made manifest in Pennsylvania!Watch this Holy Spirit empowered video promo for the upcoming state prayer event.

Brandon, thanks for using your talent to glorify God!!!

This is a state-wide day of worship and prayer on September 26th 2009, at City Island from 12:00-6:00. Everyone is welcome!For more information visit, http://www.paawake.org/.There is also a hotline: 717-724-8182

WITHOUT PROPHETIC REVELATION WE PERISH!

Chuch Pierce
6/19/2009

The Spirit of the Lord is saying: "Many of you see the change ahead but are not sure that you have the strength to make the change. But I am a God who can cause a joy to rise in you. Begin to praise as you release the last of your strength to Me, and I will come down and empower you in a new, unexpected way. You need new strength to establish your new nest. I have eggs for the future that must be hatched and must be sat upon. I have revelation that must be released that will hatch out. I give you the strength now to sit on the nest and wait for My empowerment before you rise to move forward.

"I am going to bring a vision to you that will show you things that you have prayed for that have not been completed. You will say, 'Lord, why am I seeing that?' You will be seeing what you are seeing because now you will have the strength to see. Many details and vision have been waiting for you to see. I am causing things that have been stored deep in your spirit to come alive. You will say, 'Why am I having that vision?' It is because I am giving you the strength to see things that you once prayed about come into their fullness. This vision will give you the faith to pray again.

"I am releasing a spiritual wind from heaven. Today, I speak into the earth. Breathe in this spiritual wind. There is a stirring deep within you. Breathe in this spiritual wind that I might stir deep within. Breathe in My supernatural wind that I might stir deep within and cause vision that you have waited to see manifest before you. Breathe in My wind, for I am sending a wind from heaven. This is a sovereign, supernatural wind. You have endured the heat of the moment and the season. Now the spiritual wind is coming. Breathe in that spiritual wind. Breathe in My wind. Let it carry you. Breathe in My wind. Let it lift you up. You will see and know the course you need. The wind is causing the trees of the forest to bind and open up the way you will go. Breathe in this spiritual wind. It is unlocking that which you have longed to see. Breathe in the wind, that it might unlock that which has not been stirred. Now is the time for stirring My love. Your course has been set. Your course has been unlocked. Breathe in My wind of My love. Breathe in My wind of love.

"You have prevailed for this course, but until now, the time to unlock was not. I have not felt pleased to stir the love. You have been trying to stir My love and muster up your vision. Now I am sending a wind that will realign and restore and awaken the eggs that you have been sitting on. I am sending a wind to create a nest and blow one old nest that you have been sitting on away and give you a new nest to sit on. I'm sending a wind deep within and it pleases Me to awaken My love."

LeAnn Squier released in song:

It couldn't be by might or by power.

It had to be by the wind of My Spirit.

It couldn't be by your might.

It couldn't be by your power.

It had to be by the wind of My Spirit.

I had to breathe on your rivers.

It had to be Me that blew on your flame.

It had to be My wind.

My wind awakens the dawn.

My wind contends with the darkness of night until the day breaks open.

My wind awakens the dawn and puts the darkness to flight.

All of creation awakens to the sound of my breeze.

Trust in, rely upon and lean into My wind.

Let it carry you.

Trust in, rely upon and lean into My wind.

Your loss has caused your love to dwindle through the season of the past.

But hear what I say to You.

You will bear My fruit again.

It will multiply in the season you are now in.

It pleases Me to awaken now.

There is an awakening wind of heaven that is coming

To overcome in the atmosphere that you have been prevailing against.

Now My awakening wind is coming in.

My awakening wind will now contend.

I am being pleased to send an awaking wind that will contend."

John Dickson released in song:

I have drawn you to My chamber.

Now the winter is past.

I am sending My wind to awaken you.

Come away, My beloved.

The winter has past and the spring winds have come.

Come away, My beloved.

I am blowing the smoke from the battlefield.

I am blowing the darkness away.

I am blowing the smoke from the battlefield.

And I am blowing in My light.

Let there be light!

Let there be light!

Let there be light!

That which was swirling around your head

And blocking your vision -

I am blowing it away.

Now you will see clearly,

for My path is lighting up before you.

"You are like Jacob who struggled and felt cheated. Now My wind is coming and that creative idea will multiply. That path will form. I will allow you to see things that you asked Me to see. I will give you signs that things you prayed for are awakening. It will be like spring in the midst of summer. Religious forces contended with you and you lost many battles in your contending. Because you're still here, I'm sending an awakening wind that will contend.

"I put a call deep within you when I formed you in the womb. You said, 'Lord what was my purpose?' You tried this path and that path and another path. Now the awakening wind that will contend is coming to blow on you again. You will say, 'Now I see why I was positioned here. Now I see how I was captured and I endured.' You will see the awakening wind. It pleases Me to send this wind that will awaken My love. It pleases Me now to send My wind that will awaken My love within you again. You have contended with My word and you have sought My Spirit, but now I will awaken My love.

"You have depleted a storehouse in your waiting. But in the depletion of this storehouse you have obeyed Me. In your obeying of giving up and enduring, giving away, and not holding back, I will now reward you and even the world around you will bless you in new ways. It will be hard for you to receive the blessings that this awakening wind is blowing. I am blowing My awakening wind that will contend and cause your love to come alive.

"Many are waiting for this awakening to come. Many are in a slumber from their hurts from the past season. In the slumber from the hurts and wounds from the enemy, you will now rise up with new strength. You will enter into a place that you could not enter into in the last season. Now you will rise up and mount up. You will come from behind. You will lay on My love and My bed of love wind will cause you to enter in. You will shout, 'Awakening has come!' I have saved you for this time of awakening. My wind will contend and My love will come alive in you again."

God Story: Full Circle Faith

In May of 2005, during my annual mammogram, the radiologist noted an area of suspicion. An ultrasound was performed and a solid mass, approximately the size of a pea, was seen. A biopsy was performed with the pathology report stating the tissue was a papilloma, which can be benign or malignant. I was referred to a surgeon, who recommended surgical removal of the mass to definitively rule out cancer.

During that time, I was ministering to a friend who had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. The evil one did the best he could to steal my peace; he would lie to me saying because I was ministering to my friend, I would also suffer with the same disease. I am happy to report, that even though I was concerned, I was not fearful!! Yeah, God!!!

The Youth had just returned from a missions trip to Brazil and were set to minister in prayer for the Wednesday evening service. Wednesday morning I felt Jesus tell me to have two specific members of the Brazil team pray for healing. The power of Jesus surged through my body causing me to "fall" to the floor. For about a half hour, I shook. I knew God had healed the mass. God is to be praised!!!

The next day I called the surgeon's office and told them that God had healed me. They instructed me to come in as scheduled and they would do an ultrasound prior to the surgery.

Friday morning I reported to the pre-op unit and met the nurse who would be preparing me for the procedure. I told her the story of God's touch, and she listened intently encouraging me to speak with the surgeon.

The surgeon assured me that an ultrasound would be done prior to the surgery, so I continued with the process. The next thing I knew, I was waking up from the anesthesia with a large dressing over my breast. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. :(

A few days later, I received a phone call from the surgeon's office with the pathology report of the tissue removed; the diagnosis, fibroandenoma, the culprit in the common benign breast disorder, fibrocystic disease...no mention of papillary lesion!!!! The Great Physician had removed it Himself!!!

I asked the Lord why the surgery was necessary. I felt He said, "It was for the surgeon's sake." My surgeon tried to explain why the tissue she removed from my breast did not contain the papilloma. I reminded her that God had healed me and told her God said it was for her sake. The surgeon say first hand the healing power of Jesus!!! AWESOME JESUS!!!

This past Monday while visiting my Mom at the hospital, I recognized the face of the woman who had been my pre-op nurse, and excitedly asked her if she remembered caring for me several years ago. She didn't remember until I described myself as, that crazy, holy-roller lady who wanted an ultrasound to prove God had healed her of the suspicious mass. Her eyes lit up and said, what happened. I told her what the pathology report said and she replied, "I was listening to you back then, but now I'm really listening to you."

Later while thinking about this nurse, I felt the Lord say, "Full Circle Faith." Sometimes, God allows us to see the beginning of a thing, as well as, the end of it. The nurse saw the beginning and the end, and it will be a catalyst for spiritual transformation in her life. In Jesus name!!!!

Jesus, you ways are so much higher than mine. Going through the discomfort of surgery was nothing compared to the seeds of faith planted in the surgeon's and nurse's hearts!!! Holy Spirit, cause them to remember how you acted on my behalf and use that memory to draw them to You!!! In the great name of the risen Healer and Savior, Jesus!!!! AMEN!!!!!

By the way...ALL of my mammograms since 2005 have been normal!!!! ;)

Mom Update

Dear Prayers,

As you know, Mom saw the infectious disease doctor this morning(actually, his nurse practitioner). Anyway, the concern is that Mom's leg doesn't appear to have improved much since she was discharged from the hospital back on May 30th. Because of this lack of resolution of the infection, Mom has been readmitted to the hospital to determine if the infection has spread to her bone.

Obviously, this new turn of events needs to be OVERTURNED BY PRAYER!!!

Thank you all for caring!!!!

With Much Love...
Beautiful Grace

Tennis Anyone?

Anyone who doubted my sanity will have their suspicions confirmed after reading this post!

As a teen, I loved playing tennis, and, at least by my estimation, was fairly skilled at the fast-paced sport.

Jump forward, forty years...I still love playing tennis, BUT, and that's a BIG BUT, am forty years older- weaker muscles, and an more "mature" brain with its resulting slower reflexes.

Because of the love of the game, I challenged three of our neighborhood boys, ages 15, 16, & 17 to a match! Not thinking, I did not change my attire to match the pre-summer weather-black shirt and black jogging pants, yikes!!!!

We began our fun with a doubles match, but quickly gave up that idea, because I am not accustomed to playing with a partner. We decided to play singles- winners playing winners and losers playing losers in a best out of three competition.

Needless to say, I came in fourth place, BUT those young men knew this old lady was there!!!!

I am thankful that the guys agreed to play with the old lady. ;)

I wonder if I'll be able to get out of bed tomorrow? Sanity check!

Mom Update: Persevering Prayer

Dear Prayers,

Praise God that Mom was able to attend CCC services on Saturday evening!! At the end of the service, she came forward with me to the altar where she (me too) was bathed in God's love. :)

Mom's leg still does not look healed. She was not discharged from SLV on Sunday as originally planned, because her infectious disease doctor wanted to examine her first. That appointment is scheduled for early Tuesday morning.

Early Sunday morning sometime after 5 am, Mom fell while walking to the bathroom and cut her infected leg on the metal base of her IV pole. :(

I visited her this morning while she was with the speech therapist who asked her about her weekend. Mom really had to think before she could remember the events of the weekend. :(

These last several weeks have been tiring and difficult for Mom, Dad and the rest of our family. I am soooo thankful that I have the freedom to be involved with overseeing Mom's care!!! :)

Please continue to pray for healing, strength, peace and wisdom for all concerned.

You are ALL an AWESOME BLESSING!!!!

With Much Love...
Beautiful Grace :)

June Beauty

This beauty bloomed over the weekend.

I planted this pink lily to replace an azalea bush that died last year.

Just Because, A Dinner For Two

Just Because,

the flowers are beautiful,
I haven't used the china in awhile,
there was spring mix to be used,
rice is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates,
your eyes lit up when shrimp creole was mentioned while watching Deep Space Nine the other night,
shrimp was on sale,


you work hard to provide for our family,
and we were alone last night

Just because, I love you

Thank you, Strongman, for all you do!

The Little Blue Metro That Could...Again

A long while since "Once upon a time..."

When the little blue metro carried the family of four here and there and everywhere. The little, blue metro carried over hill, over dale and over Peter's Mountain regularly in rain, in snow, in fog, and in sleet.

Now, a new assignment for the faithful blue metro- to carry his brother, over hill, over dale, as well as over Peter's Mountain and the Susquehanna River. To art school they go, day after day in weather stormy or fair.

The two, man and machine, brave the difficulties of life on roads traveled more, and again, OH, NO,...squeal, crunch, OUCH! Oh, little blue metro, how much more can you take?

But the little blue metro, fixed once again, continues his faithful service to his brother- the man.

You're beautiful, and just like new. Thank you, blue metro, we do love you!

The Little Blue Metro That Could (Part One)

The Little Blue Metro That Could, The Conintuing Saga (Part Three)