Rise and Swine

Well, we had the ultrasound yesterday!  All seven of us piled into a room anxiously awaiting the gender reveal.  For the first time ever the doctors were unable to let us know.  Everyone was so disappointed.  They tried and tried but the baby refused to let us get a peek.  I'm scheduled for another ultrasound the end of March...maybe I'll have news for you all then.  Until then... Jessie

  ~My handsome man~ ~Grandma with her children ~ ~Grandma with her grandchildren~   ~Family~ Tears for a life lived well Goodbye...for now ~Going h ome...   The best place in the world~ Until then... Jessie

These next few months are going to be interesting... In 11 days we find out if we're having a boy or a girl!  Everyone is SOOOOOO excited!!! My husband's company has gone live in Canada, so he will be there most of February and March. =(  I'm excited for him though.  He had never been to Canada before and now he will get to tour the country end to end.  Thankfully, we survived the first week of him being gone and we will have him home for a bit before he leaves again. Friday afternoon we received the news that my his grandfather had passed away.  So, tomorrow morning we will head on out to South Dakota for the funeral.  Please pray for our safe travel, for my husband and the rest of his family during this time.  My mom will be staying at our house with the kids so please keep her in your prayers too. Until then... Jessie

When the giants of life seem too big and fear surrounds...remember... if God is for you nothing can be against you.  Be fearless and do what He has called you to do. Until then... Jessie

Hey there !  I know it's been forever.  Many of you have ask how I'm doing so I wanted to give a quick update.  I really haven't dropped off the face of the earth but time does fly when your havin' fun!  Our family had a wonderful holiday season but I have to admit I couldn't wait to start the new year.  As soon as Christmas had passed I tore down the festive decor and began to declutter.  I guess my nesting instincts have already kicked in. =)  I've been going room to room organizing, deep cleaning and driving my family crazy.  I figure by the time Spring blows in I'll be too big to climb ladders and such...so I better get my house in order now. The nursery is coming along.  At first, my hubby was going to move his office to Audrey's play house so we could use the spare room for a nursery.  The space would have worked very well.  However, Audrey still loves to play out there so I decided it would be best for her to share a room w...

Until then... Jessie

Pulling the door closed, I had stepped out of the comforts of my home into the chilly night.  The journey ahead unclear.  I drove for what seemed an eternity still with many miles ahead.  The path was dark. The crescent shimmer suspended in the black, lit only a few steps before me.  Looking closer at the night light - I could see the outline of it's whole but it had been eclipsed in darkness...all but this one sliver.  There was one...many steps ahead...and one... many steps behind but in the middle of this stretch it was only me. Alone. I began to sing.  Sing out at the top of my lungs. Peace settled my heart. I understand this physical journey is parallel to my spiritual one.  This path He has ask me to walk has not been easy.  Unclear at times with only enough light for the next step. Sometimes not even that. Darkness. Pure darkness that required a step of faith. He always caught me. In Him I've become whole.  Yet, darkn...

I only have one hour.  I know this...only one hour of quiet while I wait for her ballet lesson to get over.  The blank page stares back at me with the same emptiness that has seized my mind.  In less than 48 hours I'll be speaking to a room full of teen girls.  Hurting girls.  My session: The lies we believe and the TRUTH of God.  I have nothing.  Nothing.  Not one word.  It's not that I don't understand the topic.  It's that I understand it all too well.  I've believed more of  Satan's lies than I would ever care to admit.  My mind is spinning.  I'm exhausted but most of all...I'm fearful. Fear of public speaking?  No.  I LOVE speaking and teaching...it's what God has called me to do...I know this without any doubt.  The problem is I've allowed myself to be intimidated about teaching.  I know the words spoken were lies, still a few of those lies took up residence within my heart.  Now I'm s...

 Hey y'all!  This post is soooo late but I had a bit of trouble the last week of September.  I kinda.. almost.. passed out in the freezer section at the store.  My husband and kids insisted I go to the doctor the following day and sure enough, I was in trouble.  My blood pressure decided to go crazy on me.  I'm doing better now.  The EKG was normal, I can see, no more nose bleeds and my head doesn't feel like it's going to explode.   Thank you to all those who have been praying!  I'm on medication now and it's helping...but my pressure is still really high.  I'm still very dizzy and feeling out there so driving and standing are difficult sometimes. However, this weekend I'm supposed to be speaking at a youth conference in Colorado Springs.  I LOVE speaking to youth because they're usually more honest than adults and we can just get down to business.  I've been really excited about it for the last month...then all this happen...

 How are all of you?  We've been canning and canning and more canning at the Lutz farm but in just a few days we should be done.  =) Woohoooo!  I can't wait to just sit back, relax and enjoy this fall season...it's my favorite time of year you know.  Even with all the busyness that surrounds we've been enjoying life though.  My most treasured gift this week, was celebrating my baby girl's birthday!  I can't believe she's already 7!  Time slips by so quickly...doesn't it?  A moment is just a moment...then it's gone forever.  I know we're entering in upon the holiday season and very soon life will be full of craziness.  I just want to encourage you - don't forget to slow down, take time to breathe, remember what...or who... is REALLY important.  Enjoy life...you only get one chance. 3 Gifts Ugly - Beautiful  Fighting with my husband Being wrong Words that sting A Gift Fixed, Folded, Freckled Restored rel...

Good morning everyone!  This post will be short... as I'm still buried under a pile of potatoes! =) Here are my gifts for the week.  Are any of you counting with me???   3 Gifts moving Their tiny feet scurrying about A van that's working again The laughing duck outside our window 3 Hard Eucharisteo Loving my enemies Remembering lessons taught, through betrayal Facing my fears instead of running 3 Gifts in His word The promise of a rainbow He will NEVER leave or forsake me Truth, Freedom, Comfort A Gift Scented, Scrawled, Started The distinct aroma of cow... on the way to ballet =) Words of love Planning for an intense weekend 3 Gifts Drawn Healing for her heart Wisdom from a friend Our dreams 3 Gifts Paired A pumpkin patch, joyful kids, and lots of dirt... all make for a wonderful day 3 gifts shared Many hands...to make the work go faster Stories and laughter Big bear hugs Until then... Jessie

Now THAT'S a cute pair of shoes!!! It was a day of celebration and I couldn't wait to get to the party!  I slipped on a pair of my favorite shoes, took one final glance in the mirror, hopped in the car and headed on out.  Stepping upon the pavement, I took one leap and my shoe broke!  Horrified I looked down and quickly realized I was now 4 inches closer to the ground.  Now, you have to understand - I'm a few inches too tall to be cute and petite and many inches from being anything else.  I'm...well...short.  I know, I know, I can't really change my package but it bugs me.  Really...it does.  So, I came up with a solution - cute heels.  It's the best of both worlds.  I get to rock a pair of fabulous shoes AND appear taller. =) Back to my story, quite rattled by this wardrobe malfunction I wanted to run home.  Silly I know. After taking a few minutes to compose myself... I made the choice to walk into the room with ...

Hey everyone!  I hope y'all had a wonderful week.  It's been busy 'round here.  Canning season has begun, and right now I'm drowning in a sea of peaches!  I'm thankful for all the yummy food... but I'll be pleased when it's done and I can sit back and enjoy the changing seasons.  How about you...have you started any canning? Well, last week I wrote a post about Ann's joy dare for September if you haven't read it yet you can find it here http://riseandswine-withjessie.blogspot.com/2012/09/ugly-into-beauty.html   I knew the minute I decided to take the challenge I was asking for trouble.  Sure enough, anything that could go wrong did.  However, each time I was frustrated or discouraged I would remember the gifts I wrote down and it put a smile on my face.  If you've decided to do this challenge with me I hope you've been blessed as well.  AND - if you are keeping a journal of your gifts please share them...it would encourage so many....

For years I've kept a gratitude journal.  Looking back upon the inked words I know they have been the light my heart needed on some very dark days.  Keeping perspective is hard when all of life comes crashing down but if we stop for just a moment...think for just a moment...we see we've been blessed with so much. Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts has challenged each of us to give thanks.  Asking us to remember our blessings even in the midst of the storm.  Sounds easy enough.  Right?  Yet it's not.  To do this we must make a choice.  I must make a choice.  It must be done with intentionality.  I must pursue the search, actively seek beyond the ugliness of this world to the beauty God showers upon me each and every day. Over time, a truly grateful heart is formed.  Thankfulness becomes a habit and the lens I view the world through becomes brighter, happier, content.  If you want your children to love well...be happy...

THANK YOU for all your prayers!!! Sammy, made it through surgery and seems to be doing well!!!  Please continue to pray for her recovery.   Here is an update from Kim: "Sammy is awake this morning, with a beautiful smile that is lighting up my day..YES I'm still crying with relief, and great joy in my heart, my baby girl is a fighter and of course we say it's the GERMAN in her..she is slow today but she is doing what the doctors are asking her to do...The first thing she asked for when she woke up was her daddy...and apple juice..she is being transferred from ICU to the oncology floor, with a MRI later today to see if they got all the tumor, but she is doing great, OUR GOD IS SO GOOD...I will keep you posted on her progress, Jack and I thank you all for your prayers, hugs, and the laughter we shared in the waiting room, I do not know how I could of made it through yesterday without all of you..I'm sending hugs to everyone..love you."  Until then...

At times, life just feels hard.  There are days I just want to give up!  When that happens I need to remember....remember to not look at the storm that surrounds or give into my feelings rather remember His promises.  Hold onto truth.  God uses many things to remind me of this... but it cuts clean through when He's chosen my child to break my hardened heart. I didn't expect to read this on her page when I opened FB today but it's the truth my heart needed to hear.  Perhaps it's what you need too. Ally, THANK YOU for being so strong...so brave...so in love with Jesus and so patient with me.  I love you!!! A year ago today, I became a follower of Christ. Everything in my life has changed from that point. The band Worth Dying For says it far better than I can: I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, sl...

A bit ago I ask you to pray for our friends Jack and Kim you can read about it here when there is not answer to why Sammy, has not been doing well, so they have moved the surgery up to this Wednesday August 29th at 11:30 am.   Please keep her, her family and the doctors in your prayers.  And please share this prayer request with your friends and churches...the more people praying the better. Until then... Jessie

The house was silent, as the souls that lie therein remained in peaceful slumber.  Curling into the deep seat of the wooden rocker I pulled the tattered quilt around my frame, as if it were a mother's embrace.  Slowly, the tears began to fall.  My heart...a mother's heart... had been ripped wide.  Nothing remained but emptiness.  As much as I attempted to bury the pain...deny it's existence...I could not. Upon the wooden boards the steady creaking of the rocker hums a lullaby.  I sink deep into the memories as I unfold the rows laid across my lap.  Rows of stitching.  Uneven.  Yet each thread intentional, woven with love.  I take another look.  Over time the quilt has lost it's shape...it's firmness.  No longer a perfect square, rather a bit stretched...soft...comforting.  The bright hues that once adorned have long since faded.  Many nights of wrapping sick children...being scrubbed clean upon the washboard and hun...

Sometimes... life just weighs heavy.  Today, our friends received some devastating news.  They have graciously allowed me to share a bit of their story so we can get as many people praying as possible.  Almost 9 years ago Kim and Jack lost their little boy Jonathan to a brain tumor.  He was such a light to all who knew him.  It's been a rough journey for them...still they hold onto God ...and their faith has amazed me at times. Two years ago they received the news that their little girl Sammy was suffering with the same illness.  For the last few years her brain tumor has been stable.  However, today's MRI confirmed that the tumor has grown, and if she doesn't  have it removed she'll become very ill and die.  Surgery is the only option but it comes with great risk.  As you can imagine Jack, Kim, their son, 2 older daughters along with Sammy are feeling every emotion possible.  PLEASE keep this family in your prayers that God wou...

A farmer knows prior to his vision of a bountiful harvest or the planting of seed, he must first tend to the soil.   It must be rich and nourishing to produce and even after the seeds have been planted the toiling process continues.  First the earth must be tilled, removing any roots and breaking up the hardened clumps until it has become soft and pliable.  Then the Gardener must nourish the seeds with rich food and provide a protective covering to guard from the harsh winds and beating rays that are sure to visit. At times the plant may require pruning.  This process is harsh...the plant may be ugly for a time... but it always grows back with more strength..more fruit. Most of all, the Gardener must have patience.  In the end, if all this has been done correctly, he will be blessed as he watches his crop become more abundant. I love gardening and every year the kids and I spend several weeks carefully planning every detail.  However, I kne...