Not all Super Heroes wear capes....

Who is your favorite super hero? Batman or Superman? Or what about Spiderman and Wolverine? Personally, my favorite super hero is the American Soldier. This super hero doesn't wear a cape, but he does proudly wear a patch of the American Flag on the right shoulder of his uniform; he has tattoos on his body-- initials of his brothers who died during combat; he carries scars on his heart and nightmares in his dreams. He obeys commands without question and misses his son's 2nd birthday in order to protect the people of the United States. This super hero happens to be my husband, SGT Jonathan Windsor-- a simple human man with a heart of gold.

Another super hero signs up for the Army Reserve, but then decides that he would rather be active duty and volunteers to go to Afghanistan. He volunteers to leave his family and friends in order to fulfill that basic need of serving and protecting that lies within him. This super hero happens to be my little "brother", SPC Corey Lee.

I have always considered myself an American Patriot-- proud of our country and everything it stands for. But now that I carry the title of Army Wife, the words "patriot" and "super hero" have completely different meanings! I now feel that they are one in the same for these brave American Soldiers. These Patriots are truly Super Heroes.

Thank you to all of our past and present Super Heroes stationed around the world. Thank you for your sacrifice and humble spirits to keep our country and others protected. Our freedom would be non-existent without you. I know that war sometimes doesn't make sense and the death of your brothers and sisters cannot be replaced, but I thank you anyway. In every hardship or loss that you go through, I encourage you to grow from it. Continue to allow yourself to be molded into that Patriot Super Hero. Not a lot of us get to experience the type of strength and honor that you get to go through-- for many of us, it takes years for us to learn what you might learn in just one week of combat. I encourage you to stay strong and be brave. Look to the greatest and most Patriotic Super Hero of all-- Jesus Christ. He made the ultimate sacrifice for you and I, simply out of love. When you are afraid, look to Him and accept His love, for His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18)!

A-HA!!!

So I've had a HUUUGE A-HA moment!

After four months off, and not even completing my last blog series (my sincere apologies!), I've been inspired and determined to write again! McPIFP originally started as a pay-it-foward project or something like a "mercy ministry", but as you saw, it drastically changed. I'm okay with this and I hope you are, too. I've decided to "come back" and write about my experiences as a woman of God. I may lose some readers (if I really even had that many... but one likes to dream! HaHa!) and I'm okay with that. I believe that God has designed this blog for His glory and for His ministry. I believe that He wants to use my experiences and my journey as a testimony of His love, faithfulness, and grace. The desire to share His goodness is burning in my heart right now. I'm struggling with even organizing my thoughts, because there's so much I want to say. Oh this is SO much fun and it feels SO GOOD to be back! =)

Here's the "A-HA!"

I have a white board on my wall in my apartment that was orginally designed to be used for studying. I still use it for that, but now I put scriptures on it that speak to my spirit that I want to study. I see this white board any time I walk through my apartment and it's been a great way for me to memorize certain scriptures and claim them over my life. The most recent one that I have is Psalms 34:4-5 I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. WOW! Those who look to Him for help will be RADIANT with joy! Those who look to Him for help will SHINE BRIGHTLY! Oh, when I first read this, my spirit leapt with desire! Oh, how badly I wanted to be radiant with joy! So I would read this scripture and claim it over my life, but my joy wasn't coming. I couldn't understand why. I was looking to the Lord for help and I was seeking Him, but I still wasn't joyful. Now FYI... this was during a particularly down time for me. I'll admit something to you that is kind of personal and my deepest fear. I don't even like speaking it, because it has no control over my life anymore. But my deepest fear WAS not being able to get pregnant/concieve. Anyone who knows my heart, knows that all I've ever wanted to be was a mother. I love children and I need them in my life. I've been wanting to be a mom since I was 16! So, now being almost 28 years old and still not being a mother hasn't been very pleasant for me. I've overcome it and have remained hopeful that all of my desires will come to pass. But it's amazing, isn't it, how that tricky old devil likes to grab a hold of your biggest weakness/fear, and make you think about nothing else?! Well, that's what happened to me after I learned that I had not concieved shortly after marrying my husband in December. It's not like we were "trying" to get pregnant, but I was shocked with how utterly disappointed I was when I didn't concieve. All my dreams were coming true at that moment... marrying this amazing man that God had designed for me.. so surely I was going to concieve right away, too? Surely God would immediately bless us! Right?! Apparently not, and I am SO okay with that. But the devil took hold of that disappointment in my heart and he made me think of nothing else, except for that ice cold fear that I would never have kids. It's an absurd fear, really... and I know that, but it still gripped me none-the-less.

I couldn't seem to understand why I wasn't getting over this fear and why I couldn't find my joy again. So when I found this verse, I kept it on my dry erase board for awhile just looking at it over and over again as I would walk around my apartment. I prayed to the Lord and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Okay, Lord.... I'm ready to be freed from this fear. I'm praying to you... where is my radiant joy? As I started reading more of the Psalms, I saw how David and Asaph would pray to the Lord. Honestly... they whined and moaned and told God their fears and frustrations. They simply talked to Him as a friend. Now I've always been a believer that talks to God as my friend.... BUT... have you ever noticed that when you're scared of something, you try to ignore it and pretend it's not there versus trying to deal with it?? Well, that's exactly what I was doing with my fear. I was telling God that I didn't want it, but I wasn't TALKING to him and praying to Him. I wasn't "venting" to Him or crying out to Him, as I would do to a friend. I wasn't being real because I was ashamed of this fear. It goest against everything in His word, so there was NO reason for it to have a place in my spirit. So... A-HA!!! There it was! The moment that I realized that God wants us to talk to Him as a friend. He is our Heavenly father... our daddy. A daddy who we can go to and vent and cry and share our fears and frustrations. He actually desires that relationship from us! Not just when things are going great and we're having our daily prayer times, but he ESPECIALLY wants us to talk to Him when we're angry, or hurt, or scared. Because, I believe... this is when He really moves in our lives. These are the times where He reveals more of Himself to us; where He speaks to us; and where He gives us testimonies of His grace and promises; where He fills us with hope; where our faith increases; this is when miracles happen!

So I prayed to the Lord and He answered me, FREEING me from all my fears! As soon as I started "venting", I was immediately stopped by His voice and was given a promise. He spoke to me that day and took away that absurd fear that was ruling my life. And guess what happened?! I was filled with RADIANT JOY! Just like that! =)

He wants to do this same thing in your life, friends! He loves you SO much and is just waiting for you to "vent" and whine to him, so He can speak into your life. Literally.. He's just waiting. I barely vented one sentence, before He stopped me with His truth. He was just waiting for me to be real, and to cry out, and to tell Him my fears. I encourage you to talk to God today. Be real with Him and yourself, and simply talk. You'll be amazed at how quickly His radiant joy comes upon you. =)

I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from

all my fears. Those who look to him for help will

be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will

darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in

my suffering, and He heard me. He set me

free from all my fears.

Psalms 34: 4-6

5 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Love all the little children

Remember that old children's song that we grew up to in church?..... "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world...." Well for this week's goal (the week of Thankgiving), I find myself being VERY thankful for all the kiddos in my life! I could be having a rough morning or dealing with some stress-filled personal issues... but oh boy... when I walk into a classroom and see those little precious faces eager to learn.. WOW! My heart just does a flip-flop! Or when a little boy is crying his heart out because his kitty got ran over that morning... I don't have time for my stress. That little boy needs a hug and I give that to him, while fighting back my own tears; or when I walk into a room full of family and friends that I love, the first face that I seek out is my little Chloe Bear's; or when a child let's a fart slip out in the middle of calendar time and even though I'm supposed to be professional, I simply can't help laughing out loud along with all the kiddos! ;) Or when I see previous students who run up to me and almost tackle me down to the ground with such a big hug! I LOVE children, and I'm not sure how I ever survived by not being around them all the time. It amazes me that I almost missed my calling in this life, but I am SO thankful that I didn't. One of these days, I'll be a mother to my own children, and I know I'll develop an even deeper love and connection to all the little ones in my life. =)

Jesus ESPECIALLY loved the little children! Here's why: In Matthew 18, His disciples asked, "Which of us is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Instead of answering right away, Jesus called a small child over to them (I like to picture Jesus picking the child up and cuddling him on his lap, like my dad used to do with me) and then He said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck."

WHOA!!! (Joey Lawrence style... Ha! ha!) Did you just read that? First of all... Jesus said that unless we turn from our sins and become humble as little children, that we will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Secondly... He says that anyone who welcomes a little child is welcoming Him. Wow! And lastly... wow... it shows our Savior speaking very passionately in regards to one of us causing a child to lose faith. If we become as humble as a child, we will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven... so how important is it that we teach our children about Jesus? Children will naturally believe and see through eyes of faith, but we MUST help them keep that faith.... especially as they mature and most especially in this day and age.

Obviously, as I go into my profession of teaching in the public school system, I won't be able to openly profess the message of Jesus, but what I can do is show them LOVE. I can pray for these kiddos and I can ask that through their eyes of faith, they will see and feel the love of Jesus through me. In every hug, in every smile, in every correction or re-direction, in every praise/compliment, etc. Wherever you're at... and however you keep in contact with the children in your life, I challenge you to LOVE them. If you're not able to be around the children in your lives very much, don't forget that PRAYING for them is crucial to expressing your love. Pray for protection, blessings, favor, and pray God's promises over their lives. If you are blessed to be around the children in your life, then maybe just making extra time or giving an extra hug or praise would be a good way to show love. I am convinced that just as it is human nature to want to be accepted, how much more is it that children will want to be accepted? And loved? And what better way to show them our love, than by telling them about our SAVIOR'S love-- the greatest love of all!

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving! xoxoxoxox

6 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Forgive

In John 8, while Jesus was teaching to a crowd at the Mount of Olives, the religious leaders dragged an adulterous woman in front of the crowd to test His philosophies. The law of Moses said to stone her, but they wanted to know what Jesus would say instead. Here it is, "All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!" After He said that, all of the accusers slipped away one by one until it was only Jesus and the adulterous woman left in the middle of the crowd. He asked her, "Whare are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No Lord", she said. Then Jesus said (I love these words!), "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." Now THAT'S forgiveness!

So most definitely... Jesus forgave while He was on this earth, but of course, that hasn't stopped and won't ever stop! If we were made in the image of God, we should practice forgiveness as well. For it says, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15) And it says again in Colossians, "You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."(vs. 13) I know this can be a hard concept to grasp... especially because I know many of us have been deeply hurt or offended in this life, BUT God's word says that we MUST, or are obligated to, make allowance for each other's faults. It's not an option... it's a commandment.

So this week.... be like Jesus and forgive! Search your hearts and ask God to reveal to you who you need to offer forgiveness. Remember.... forgiveness is not forgetting what happened or acting like it never happened, but it's the first step to relieving your heart of bitterness and anger. If you are still hurt, after you take the step to forgive, this is when the Holy Spirit will finally kick in and start the healing process. But first.. you must let go and forgive.

I am here for anyone specifically who needs prayer in this area. Honestly. =) This can be a hard thing to do, but again, but it's not an option and we are supposed to live like Jesus. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

I love you all! Sorry this is late and have a great week! =)

7 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Turn the other cheek

You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.' But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too."

-- Matthew 5:38-39

One thing we know is that Jesus went above and beyond while He was living on this earth! He was totally radical! He taught on completely radical and contradictory issues that didn't make sense to our worldy views. Even now, as the Holy Spirit resides within us, so many miracles and healings and situations occur, that we STILL can't seem to wrap our minds around! People step out in faith after receiving a word from the Lord, and when it looks totally crazy to the rest of the world, they keep moving forward and keep their eyes on Jesus. Why? Because His Word and His promises are truth.

I have learned that if I want to truly live for God, that I must be ready to do and say what seems weird and crazy to our human perceptions. I must give when others take; I must help when others abuse; I must love when others hate; I must let go when others hold on; I must seek the light when others seek darkness; I must see through eyes of faith when others see through their own; I must turn the other cheek when others fight.

While Jesus was on this earth... He was cast out of cities; He was beaten and whipped; He was betrayed and denied by His own friends; and He was given a public crucifixion right along side two criminals. Jesus experienced torment and humiliation, but He did it simply because He LOVES us. God loves us--- a love that we can choose to have in our own lives. When we turn the other cheek, we do it because of love; because that's what Jesus would do. =)

I don't think this picture needs an explanation.... pretty sure we're all familiar with Cousin Eddie from "Christmas Vacation". Hahahahaha!

I hope you all have a blessed and enriched week.

Praying for you!

xoxoxoxox

8 Weeks 'Til Christmas

Goal: Pray for the sick

So... concentrate really hard and see if you can think of at least 3 people you know that are currently sick and/or enduring the flu season. Umm yeah.... unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I can name more than 3! Thankfully, I myself, have been staying generally healthy, but it's only by the grace of God and my strong immune system. Thank you Jesus! =)

For this week's goal, I'm asking you to simply pray for the sick. As we know... when Jesus walked this earth, He actually physically healed the sick, but since we're not the son of God, then we can at least pray. =) There is power in prayer. Like I mentioned before, I can unfortunately think of more than 3 people... friends, family, students, peers, etc... who could use some supernatural strength right now. Aside from His sacrificial death on the cross, I believe that Jesus is most renowned for His healings, so I thought it only appropriate that I include this in my countdown 'til Christmas.

As you're driving to work, or in the shower, or straightening your hair, or working out, or even laying down before bed... think of at least 3 people in your life that you can breathe a prayer for this week. Pray for healing and strength and a supernatural refreshing over that person; or even if that certain friend or family member is heart sick.. then pray for that sort of healing as well. Jesus didn't limit His healings to just the physical, so why should we limit our prayers? =)

I hope you all have a FABULOUS week! It's time to start getting into the Christmas spirit! Yay for 98.1 and 102.1 for already playing the Christmas music! I love it! And oh yeah... for each blog, I'm also gonna include a picture from several of my favorite Christmas movies. This one is obviously from the orginial "Rudolph"... love it, love it, love it!

Love you all! =)

McPIFP Goal for Week #36

Hi Friends & Family!

So I've decided to do something a little different for these next few weeks before Christmas... and yes... there's only a FEW weeks left! Appoximately NINE weeks, actually! Don't stress... this is a happy thing! =) For all who know me... doing a Christmas-themed blog shouldn't surprise you. I love the Christmas season... everything about it! The music, the lights, the trees, the smells, the Christmas movies, the family time, the shopping, the baking, the wrapping gifts... EVERYTHING about it! I even love the traffic and crazy shoppers! And I'm especially excited about it this year! ;) But most importantly.. I love that we all take time to acknowledge our Saviour's birth. It's funny to me that we take away so much of the Christ-meaning behind this holiday... changing all the signs to "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"; changing our schools' Christmas breaks to Winter breaks; company Christmas parties to Holiday parties, etc. Our society changes things to make sure it's PC (politically correct), but yet, CHRISTmas is still a national holiday. No matter how much our society tries to downgrade the meaning behind this "holiday" season... I find it hilarious that we all still celebrate it! Businesses and schools are closed; we all take the time off to spend with family and friends; And we are all, in our own unique way-- PC or not-- celebrating Jesus's birth... not Santa Claus... but JESUS.

We all know the popular song, "The 12 Days of Christmas", right? Well... I'm going to do something simliar, except this blog series will be "The 8 Weeks 'Til Christmas". In honor of Jesus's birthday and in honor of His life here on earth, I'm going to pick a 'Jesus quality' to emulate each week before Christmas. No matter who you are or what you celebrate, HE is the reason for the season! Jesus is truth and He is life! For this week's intro.. I encourage you to allow Him to become real to you. Open your hearts and minds to what He wants to do in your life this holiday season. EXPECT good things! They will happen!

I love you all!
XOXOXOXO