Tomorrow's the Day.

We've been counting down for six months. You see, in January, a family in the church contacted us about the possiblility of renting their home when our lease was up. It is a dream house at a dream price and we are so excited to move in and do real ministry in our home again. Our two bedroom condo has been just a season in our life to get us to San Antonio. It's so neat to see it all boxed back up with bare walls again. No remorse in my heart this move, only upward and onward.

There have been a few snags on the other end of this move, so please be praying for the transition for everyone involved. We know God is in this (that has been very apparent from the very beginnning) and He'll work everything out according to His plan.

Meanwhile, we officially started a week's vacation this morning. And ironically, an alarm that our sweet Sarah helpfully packed, started beeping at 5:45am from the deep recesses of a box in our bedroom. Rob's my hero, he dug in the dark till he found it and disabled it. But there was no falling back asleep for me, I had a hard enough time disengaging last night, but now daylight is about to burn and my list is at least a mile long, starting with cleaning the oven (boo) and toilets (double boo). The best part of this day is that Bart and Jen and the kiddos will be here about noon. (double yay!)

Will post pics on the other side. Blessings!

A Power Leak

After over a year of living a Spirit-filled life, I am still amazed by the power made available to me through the Holy Spirit. I can see why the Word refers to it as a gift, because that is the truest expression. Each time I exercise this gift, I am humbled by it again, and I wind up being disappointed in myself for not using it more often!

I had a really rough day yesterday. And this morning I set out determined not to repeat it. So after I dropped Rob and the kids off at work I started my usual ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) structured prayer. I've been determined not to allow this prayer to become flat or routine, so I just started praising God for all He is and all He's done. I didn't get too far in this process before I realized that mere english wasn't going to satisfy my need to praise Him, so soon my heavenly language soon poured forth. Immediately the car was filled with such peace and I just felt the stress and strain I'd been walking with the past few days melt away.

Why did I wait so long? How come we forget to recharge and let the power just leak out of our lives. I picture a helium balloon with a slow leak. Pretty quick we are hanging at three feet looking sad and wondering how we got there. When we are supposed to be scraping the ceiling, busting with life and purpose - TO PROCLAIM HIS GLORY!

I think so many people have bought into the lie that they can only receive from God at the altar, or in a camp or revival service. They don't realize, that once you've been filled, you can use that gift any time. And you should! Some of my most incredible moments with God have been in the privacy of my own bedroom or in the car while I am driving down the road. (I like to think there is a supernatural hedge of protection around me when I'm driving in that condition) The hangup that snares most people is that you have to set aside time to truly seek Him.

As soon as I felt like I could, I began praying, in English, to confess my lack of dependence on the Lord. I realized that I had drifted from the power source. Sure, I had done my bible readings, and said lots of breath prayers in the past few days. But I hadn't lingered, and I certainly hadn't experienced that vital fresh touch from the Spirit.

You might think, "well, Anna, you are a pentecostal pastor's wife, you have to live a Spirit-filled life in order to be effective." And I couldn't agree more. But ironically, where I needed the touch the most is in the mommy aspect of my life. I realized this morning that I can't possibly hope to raise these children successfully in my own strength. And once again, I am so grateful for supernatural access to the throne of God.

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from your the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:18-20