PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: I apologize for the earlier accidental posting for those of you who subscribe to receive emails when I update. I was TRYING to embed a video into the blog and for some reason it doesn’t seem to work. In my heightened state of aggravation, I’m so relieved I chose not to type out a bunch of profanities that would then in turn end up getting sent out all over the place. Awkward!
Despite the rain and the return of the cold weather, and despite the fact that someone little in our household received a synagis shot (to prevent RSV) it was a good day. Her terrible sadness only lasted a few minutes and then she was back to squealing again. Nothing a baff couldn’t cure!
There are the moments throughout the day when fear and worry start to trickle in with the sound of the raindrops on the roof, but I am quick to recall the message at church this past weekend. Specifically the story of a family who CLEARLY has the power of the Holy Spirit fueling their every breath.
I was attempting to embed the video of the weekend service into this posting, but the code keeps deleting when I save it.
So since that won’t work CLICK THIS. Please, please, please, PLEASE watch at least the few minutes of the story starting at minute 9:30. The entire service is AWESOME and I strongly encourage you to watch it when you have an hour to spare.
I was so incredibly moved by this family’s story in so many ways. Were someone to have explained this story to me without the luxury of a video to share, I might have envisioned a nerdy 80s televangelist looking guy whose wife was a homely little churchmouse in ruffles and a full-length denim skirt — people I couldn’t possibly relate to or have anything in common with. Not that there is anything wrong with nerdy 80s televangelist guys or homely little churchmice in ruffles. (In fact, I think I might be the reigning queen of homeliness these days in my stone washed denim sweatpants. Judge not… )
My point is, we can make excuses to stay caught up in our familiar way of life by assuming that people who really open up to the power of the Holy Spirit (such as these people in the video) are some “strange religious weirdos” / “people I could not possibly relate to” / “people that don’t want to have any fun”. Those excuses don’t hold up when I see things like this. I see the love in their eyes, I hear the passion in his voice when he talks about his kids, his wife. I see something “other worldly”.
I think God knew that I’m much too much of a procrastinator and an excuse maker to actually go out and take on that kind of responsibility on my own. But ultimately He knew that my family and I would be CRAZY BLESSED by suddenly having our lives drastically altered from what it once was. Life is not easy or comfortable for us, but through our struggles and through our days of uncertainty we find ourselves drawing closer and closer to the Creator, the one true God, our Savior and Lord. He strengthens me with power through his Spirit in my inner being.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
ALEISA, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT VIDEO. AT FIRST I THOUGHT, YEA I WILL WATCH A LITTLE OF IT, BUT ONCE I STARTED WATCHING IT, I COULD NOT STOP. I WATCHED THE ENTIRE VIDEO AND WAS TRULY BLESSED. I CANNOT GRASP THE THOUGHT THAT THE FAMILY IN THE VIDEO CHOSE (CHOSE) TO HAVE A CHILD THAT WAS NOT “PERFECT”. WHAT IS “PERFECT”, NONE OF US ARE PERFECT. ONLY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, IS PERFECT. GOODNESS HE HAS CHOSEN TO BE FATHER TO ALL OF US. CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING AS MANY CHILDREN AS GOD HAS, AND HE WATCHES OVER AND TAKES CARE OF EACH ONE OF US. IN MY EYES LITTLE NORA ROSE IS PERFECT!!!! I KNOW THAT LIFE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH FOR YOU GUYS, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WOULD NOT TRADE HER FOR ANY OTHER BABY IN THE UNIVERSE. THE LOVE YOUR FAMILY SHARES IS JUST AMAZING. GOD CHOSE THE VERY BEST FAMILY TO GIVE NORA TO, KNOWING THAT SHE WOULD BE LOVED BEYOND COMPARE. IT IS SUCH A BLESSING TO READ YOUR BLOG DAILY AND TO SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY PICTURES THAT YOU POST. I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AGAIN FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH ALL OF US OUT HERE. NOW FOR TODAY’S PICTURES, I LOVE THE ONE OF THE KIDS AT THE TABLE AND LITTLE NORA RIGHT THEIR WITH THEM. ALL THE PICTURES OF NORA ARE SO ADORABLE. SHE IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL. WELL, AS USUAL MY HUBBY AND SON ARE SOUND ASLEEP AND HERE I AM STILL GOING STRONG, BUT TRYING TO BE QUIET SO NOT TO WAKE THEM. SO GUESS I WILL CALL IT A DAY, AND GET SOME SLEEP MYSELF. HOPE YOU ALL GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP. LOVE YOU ALL. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
Haha, I’m cracking up envisioning the churchmouse in ruffles and full length skirt !!!.
I’ll watch the video when I have a moment.
Love Nornor sticking her tongue out when she’s content !. Sooo sweet !!. Muaahh 🙂
Thanks Aleisa! I really want to watch this video. Have a great day!
Love how God orchestrated you to be sitting right there in the front row of that service! I was sitting a few rows back with some friends who hadn’t attended before. What a perfect and powerful reinforcement of your battle charge for the Kingdom!
Wow. Thank you for sharing this amazing story. What an inspiring family doing such awesome things.
Wow! Chills for me as God is speaking to me through you. I am at Disney this week with my family but have been ‘stuck’ in the room yesterday and today with my 3 year old who has a stomach bug. Yesterday I started reading Max Lucado’s book ‘Grace’. I just got through a few pages- all about how God lives in us. I thought it was very interesting but wasn’t particularly moved until the video you pointed me to on the EXACT SAME TOPIC. It is not a coincidence that I have been forced with some downtime the past two days, the book and now your post. Thanking God for the way he works and for you and your blog. Wow. And for cute Miss Nora. 🙂
Alesia,
Your family, faith and words are so genuine and inspiring…I thank you for your raw, humble and honest sharing of emotion with us; & of course the pictures…oh, the sweet pictures!!! I wondered if I may ask a personal question. My husband works with a gentleman: he & his wife are expecting their second child, a girl, this Friday. Their sweet baby has Heterotaxy Syndrome, (numerous severe heart defects) and perhaps other issues as well. As their journey is about to unfold, what gift may we give them that would celebrate the birth of their daughter? What held great meaning to you at that point? We are more of acquaintances, but our faith & compassion run deep. My family and I will continue to pray for your amazing family as you continue your journey…your strength is immeasurable!
With Great Sincerity and Blessings,
Lori