John 8:12

Good evening!

John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Webster says that light means something that makes vision possible. I couldn't describe Jesus any better than that. He is the One thing that makes vision possible. You never realize how blind you are until you finally come to know Him. You never realize all the things you are missing that you couldn't see before without Him. You never realize how bad your eyesight is until you go to the best Optometrist in the world! Do you need vision? Go see the Great Light of the World!

Psalm 146:6-10

Good morning!

Psalm 146:6-10: ...He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.  The LORD frees prisoners. The LORD opens [the eyes of] the blind. The LORD raises up those who are oppressed. The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. The LORD reigns forever; Zion, your God [reigns] for all generations. Hallelujah!


This just put a spring in my step, as my Pastor would say, when I read this!  You see, I have been exploited and I have been hungry.  I have been a prisoner and I have been blind.  I have been oppressed and felt like a foreigner in my own body.  But God brought me justice and fed me with His Word!  He opened my eyes and raised me up.  He loves me and protects me.  He will continue to frustrate the ways of the wicked who seek to do my family harm.  Don't you just feel like proclaiming, "The LORD reigns forever!  He reigns for all generations.  Hallelujah!"

I love The Message version of this too so I will close with that. 

He always does what he says—
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.


God's in charge—always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!

Isaiah 65:17-20

Good evening!

Isaiah 65:17-20: "For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.  Then be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy, and its people to be a delight.  I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people.  The sound of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her.  In her, a nursing infant will no longer live only a few days, or an old man not live out his days."

Oh my heart is heavy today.  I follow a photographer who lives in Hawaii and I've always loved her work on her blog.  She helps other photographers and gives tutorials on different subjects.  She's always been a help to me, even though I don't know her personally.  She has 3 beautiful boys and she became pregnant again last year with another boy!  His name was Gavin and he was born healthy and sweet and I enjoyed seeing pictures of him.  And then, around Christmas time, he was put in the hospital.  He contracted RSV and then Pertussis.  He was very sick and was getting worse.  He was beginning to suffer and yet I still really believed he would recover.  He would get well.  He would go home.  He would grow up and rough house with his brothers.  He would be their sweet baby boy and be spoiled.

Never did I expect to read this.  Please join me in praying for this family as they face their worst fears and live their worst nightmare.  Their lives will never be the same. 

My prayer is that Gavin's short life will live longer than any one dreamed possible.  I pray he can help other women be more aware and educated about illnesses, vaccinations and medical care for their children.  I pray he will help all of us to cherish our children even more, realizing that life is short.  You never know what tomorrow will bring.  It could bring life...it could bring death. 

But rejoice!  One day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  One day, rejoicing will be heard when there once was crying.  The worst pain imaginable of losing a sweet little baby will not be able to be found.  Babies will grow to be men who live out their days as they were meant to.  Oh Lord come quickly!

So while you are praying for this family, trust what God says in verse 24 of the same chapter.  "Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear."  He knows what this family needs and will answer even before they call out to Him.  And while they cry out to Him to help them survive this tragedy, He will hear them and be everything they need Him to be. 

Sending you love and praying for peace that passes all understanding Natalie.  God be with you and your family.  Gavin is with his Savior; he is loved...he is whole...he is perfect. 

Revelation 21: 5

Good evening and Happy New Year!

Revelation 21: 5: Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true."


For whatever reason, I am looking forward to this new year of 2010 than any other year I can remember. I think the last couple years have been such a blur for me. I was in survival mode, raising newborn, then infant, and now toddler triplets. I now have terrible two's to deal with but for the most part, we've got it down. Three doesn't scare us so much anymore. We just roll with the punches and as a team, Kris and I figure a way to handle things. I don't stress about them as much anymore and life seems to have settled down. Those are scary words to type...I may be jinxing myself here!

So with all of that said, 2010 looms shiny and bright in front of me. The unknown no longer scares me...it's now an exciting surprise! I believe change is gonna come...He is making everything new. His words are faithful and true. Miracles will be plentiful. Blessings will flow freely. Businesses will grow and be fruitful. Ministries will expand like wildfire and what was once a small group will reach worldwide. Love will break down walls and infuse hearts. Passions will increase...wisdom will guide us...favor will flow. New is coming.

What "new" thing are you waiting for? Write it down because His word is faithful and true! Have a safe New Year and I can't wait to start another year of Quick Word's with you. It's such a blessing for me to share with you in this blog and I hope this is only the beginning!

Luke 2:16-20

Good morning and Merry Christmas!!

Luke 2:16-20: So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.



God's greatest miracle and plan for the world came that night in the form of a sweet baby boy. His plans are perfect, His ways are always right, and what He says always comes to pass, exactly like He said it would.

I loved watching my almost 2 year old children opening their presents and having fun with their toys. But the true meaning of Christmas isn't about how many gifts you have under the tree. It's about Jesus, it's about telling other about Jesus, it's about spreading His Word! I know my kids will be so excited every Christmas morning to see what the big man in red brought them. But I also want them to be excited about the miracle of Jesus' birth, His ministry during His life and His victory over death. I am so thankful for the greatest gift of all...Jesus!


I pray you have a peaceful and joyful Christmas with your family this year. I hope you spend time remembering the miracle of this day and all that it means.

I have so much to be thankful for...I will glorify and praise Him for all He has done, from that first Christmas to this one!

Luke 2:8-12

Good morning!

Luke 2:8-12: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."


I remember getting the call that my nephew was being born. I rushed to the hospital to find the rest of my family waiting outside my sister in law's room. We weren't allowed in but we knew it was going to happen soon. Hayden was the first grandchild. My first nephew. I had no kids at the time and I was so excited to meet him. We were all huddled together...quietly listening through the door. We heard the doctor, "One more push!" We hear Diane lightly moan....and then there is Hayden! Nothing like a newborn cry! We all busted out in laughter, tears, and cheers! His birth was such good news to our family and he brought us great joy.

So when I think of these shepherds, working all night with their flock, I wonder if they were waiting for their Savior to come. Wondering when it might be. Hearing rumors and hoping that He would come in their lifetime. All of a sudden, the glory of God shone around them and the news they had longed to hear was being spoken...to them! The ultimate baby shower was being held not too far away and God was inviting them! Can you just imagine the anticipation they felt as they walked towards that manger? There is just nothing more precious than seeing a sleeping, wrapped up, peaceful newborn baby. The innocence and sweetness is overwhelming. I cried as soon as I saw little Hayden, all wrapped up. His little button nose, pink cheeks and pouty little mouth. Love overtook me just looking at him. Can you imagine how quickly the strength left the shepherds knees as they stood there, staring at Christ the Lord?

The miracle continues tomorrow...

Luke 2: 4-7

Good morning!

Luke 2: 4-7: So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.


God's plans and His ways and His thoughts and His actions are always good and perfect, even if they don't make sense to us! I imagine Mary was pretty troubled to know that while she was about to pop, they had to journey to Bethlehem to take part in a census. Riding on a donkey is not how I want to be spending the last days of my pregnancy! There was no birth plan, there was no hospital. There was no hotel with comfy rooms for them to stay in. Mary had no insurance to pay for an epideral! It was her and Joseph together, a team trusting in God that He knew what He was doing. God brought them to exactly where He wanted them. Prophecy was being fulfilled. God brought those two together to accomplish His will. Everything came together so perfectly, yet while it was all happening, it seemed so unsettling and unknown. There was no colorful fanfare, no party, no triumphant entry. Jesus was not born in a palace, wrapped in the finest of linens and taken care of by His own staff of servants. There was no paparazzi...He didn't make the front page of the news...He was not the talk of the town. God brought the greatest miracle of all out of the lowliest of circumstances. A few select were told and were allowed to witness Jesus' first night of His life.

The greatest thing I have learned from reading about Mary and Joseph is that they went with the flow. They trusted the will of God and believed they were being used for a purpose. They were the perfect example of servants. As Mary held her first born son for the first time, I imagine she also knew she was staring at her Savior. Even though there was no room for them in the inn and they were stuck outside in a stable where they animals were kept, she was full of love and peace! She wrapped her baby up and placed him in a manager. The star was shining bright. They were coming to worship Him. It was beginning! Stay tuned...

Isaiah 9:6-7: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.