It's Fall Y'all!

To say I've neglected this blog is an understatement. I really really miss writing on here, but life is just packed out. I have so many things that I think.. "Man, I really want to write about that" but then I don't. Bad, Kailey! 

*** I will tell you that an update about how we are growing our family will come soon, I promise. 

*** School is still going fabulous. We are settling into a schedule, which is so nice. 

*** Dru and I are leading a marriage small group this semester, which is too fun. We are doing a curriculum called, Love & Respect. HIGHLY recommend it! 

*** My sister, bro-in-law, and sweet baby niece are doing fabulous. Their church launched last month. It is growing and doing great. 

*** Pumpkin spice lattes have made their appearance at Starbucks. I basically can't contain my excitement. 

*** I am reading a new book, You Are Not What You Weigh, pretty sure it's legit, but will definitely write when I finish it. 

*** Dru and I are still moving in the direction of organic, non processed eating. Proving to be difficult now that school is back in, but we are definitely doing our best. 

I think that it for now.... Catch you on the flip side :) 

Much love! 

KB

All things new.

Gosh, I'm finally getting this written on here! I've wanted to blog everyday, but I just couldn't get my thoughts together {in a good way}. The Lord is speaking all the time {through friends, random conversations, and my quiet time.} 

Of course, the sermon today was right on point. Part of it is exactly what's been going on in my heart. 

We sang a new song at Highlands written by the awesome John Larson.... & it's about making all things new. The song really touched my heart so deeply because that's what this summer has been all about for me. God has redeemed me and given me such joy.

Pastor Chris started a new series today.... can I just say that I look forward to hearing from him each Sunday? He's such a great teacher & he is living to further the kingdom. 

The message was about close encounters & Jacob's encounter with Jesus. 

{Watch tonight @ 6:00p.m. if ya can!}

Until you have an encounter with Jesus you can not fully understand His love for you. You must experience it. Not someone else, YOU. It's very difficult to love and trust Him if you've never encountered  His presence and love. 

I was in need of an encounter with Him this summer. I needed to meet with Him. I needed to know that He had not forgotten me. I needed to know that He had plan. BUT, I had to get there by taking control myself, so that He would be all that I had. It was said today, that either we must take the initiative, or God will allow events to happen that will bring us to our knees, so that He is all we have.

God did this. He allowed me to go through the events from February to April, through procedures and meds, knowing that none of them would get me the end results that I longed so desperately for. He knew. And even though I, so stubbornly & selfishly, made those decisions, He was ready, waiting to embrace me & forgive me for taking things into my own hands. {What a gracious and loving Father we have.} 

 I have encountered the Living God & He has made all things new. 

There were three points that PC made in part 2 of the message. They outlined perfectly what has taken place in my life because of this encounter with Jesus.  

1. A new strength. 

I am strengthened because I am not relying on my own power to get me through each day. It is the opposite of what we think. We think that if we try and try and try some more on our own, we will get more done. NOT TRUE! It's only when we rely on Him and are weak that we receive His perfect strength.

It says in Isaiah 40:29-31, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; BUT those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

2. A new identity. 

When you have an encounter with God, you are given a new name. He has given me a new name. I am a new creation, a new wife, a new daughter, a new friend. I'm able to be all of these things because I encountered His presence. 

It says in Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 

3. A new joy. 

When you have an encounter with the Lord, you are filled with a new joy. A joy that is overflowing & unexplainable. I can definitely say that He has given me this joy. It is so deep in my soul and I pray that it can be seen by others. This is the gospel. People will wonder what is causing this joy... They will wonder & you will be able to tell them... Jesus did this. 

In Psalm 16:11, the Bible says, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." 

Whoa.

Long post. 

Sorry about that. 

Props to you for reading all of it. 

The Lord is good.... So good.  

Hope each of you are having a blessed day... If you haven't spent some time with Jesus today, I encourage you to do it. You won't regret it. 

Much LOVE! 

Sit & Listen

I know I've said that we are definitely on a break from meds/procedures and not really sure we will go back to them (ever)... but I really needed the Lord to reassure me that I was hearing correctly. I wouldn't want to miss anything that He has to say regarding this or anything else for that matter...

Cue Sunday morning at church:

I know I've said it over and over again, but I feel the Lord moving and stirring my spirit more than I have in a long time. (I'm so grateful for this.) Yesterday's message really was just what pushed me over the edge (in a good way) to seek the Lord more than ever.

Along with the message yesterday, I've decided to not get out of the bed until I've sat and talked to Jesus. I just need to SIT in His presence and listen.

This morning I read from my Jesus Calling devo and whoa. I had tears in my eyes as I read. The title was "Rest in Me, My Child"... that pretty much sums it up. I didn't really need to read it, that confirmed our decision to not plan meds or procedures and just rest.

Here is what's been going on in my heart:

If I'm being completely honest I jumped into the procedures without hearing the words "go ahead" from the Lord. Not a good plan, people. And since one of the reasons I went on a break in the first place was to clear my mind, body, and soul; I knew that hearing the Lord loud and clear again was at the tip top of my list of things that I wanted to happen over the past month. I needed to get rid of everything pulling at me and just rest in Him. While I know that I did that, school is something that was pulling at me. Another thing that was pulling at me was the fact that I was literally carrying around 30 extra pounds, which was definitely bringin' me down (figuratively and literally!) Dru and I also needed to reconnect on many levels and recover from the past three months of complete exhaustion.

Now that over a month has past since I said goodbye to many things holding me down... I'm extremely proud to say that I've lost 18 pounds and on my way to losing the other 12 and it's summertime, which you know. I feel so much lighter, in more ways than one, and I also feel more like myself than I have in months.

And while those things are fabulous, over the past few days, I am continuing to feel that stirring. I have felt that tug on my heart. (You people that have a relationship with Him know exactly what I'm talking about.) He is so gentle, and all He wants is for His children to sit at His feet and spend some time with Him. I am there, friends. I am at His feet.

He is drawing me near and I am listening.

I am in Love with my Savior.

New cycle, New hope

It has been a fabulously relaxing and refreshing Saturday. I absolutely love spending uninterrupted time with my husband. He is truly my best friend. 

Usually George puts me on the bench, so-to-speak, as far as life goes. I was pretty much out of commission today, but have been taking my meds. They have helped me so much, but I still need that darn heating pad. I really wish I didn't have to rely on them to get through it, but I'll do what I've gotta do. My RE did mention surgery again to remove any endometriosis that is lingering around. Hopefully, I will get prego and not have to do that! 

Today is CD 2, which means that I started clomid today. I will take it until CD 6 (same as last cycle). I have my RE appt on Monday at 3:00 in the afternoon. I was not able to get in touch with my RE's office on Friday, so I just went ahead and starting clomid. I hope that was the right decision. I am going to ask him if there's anything else we can try this cycle to up our chances of conceiving this time! I hope he's got something :) 

I will be leaving my school babies around 11:30 on Monday and I won't see them until Wednesday because I have AMSTI training on Tuesday. They will be in good hands though :) 

Looking forward to church tomorrow! It's our last Sunday in this building... next Sunday we will be in our new building!! :)) So exciting! 

Have a great night :) 

KB