My blogging break has come to an end and I’m excited to be back!I am refreshed and ready to put some words on the screen.This break was a bit unexpected, but I am glad it worked out well. Honestly, during this summer I found myself sad and my spirit heavy. There was and still is so much going on in this world that is very troublesome. Wars are being fought on every corner of the globe both physically and spiritually. My last post was a cry of my heart and I simply said all I could. I had to just take time to sit and pray and be still. Writing about life, motherhood and living out your callings seemed small amidst the chaos of this world.So I took a break. Cleared my head. Engaged in my other passions – Summertime and reading!

I had a post ready to write about Father’s day today. After the Charleston shooting my head isn’t in it.I’m heartbroken.I’m fearful.My heart is so heavy.I’m weary.My children are playing in the neighborhood pool while my son is at swim practice. They are so innocent. So fun. So full of joy and laughter.Other mothers are nearby laughing and sharing stories. I sit at a nearby table under an umbrella and tears pour down my face hidden by my oversize sunglasses. I wipe my tears away quickly, but I don’t care if anyone sees me crying. My heart is overwhelmed and the only release is through tears.

This year has been filled with an outpouring of God’s love on my life in ways I hadn't imagined or expected.He called me to step out of the boat and in many ways and in my obedience I have seen life flourish in my faith, my walk and in my daily life.These last few months I have been doing a lot of reflection over what was spoken to me during and after IF: Gathering. The Lord impressed upon me shortly after If that I needed to “get my house in order.” I’ll be honest, as soon as I felt those words in my spirit I immediately thought, “Oh my goodness, I’m going to die!”Yeah, I went there! Forget about trusting God and believing I am safe and well covered by God.After I finally got a hold of my imagination and started casting it out, I realized that God is preparing me for life, not death!Life abundant.

When God calls you out of the boat, you put your foot in the water and you walk.Why do you doubt?Why do I doubt?A few weeks ago I stepped out of the boat. I said yes to a desire…a dream.I knew the Lord was calling me and I had to follow.And it scared me. It scares me still.I’m not sure what scares me. The unknown, of course. The thought of failing…absolutely. The thought of succeeding…that too. The expectations? The work?The risk.

I’m spending a beautiful weekend on a beach in Florida. It’s chilly, for a cold front just came into the sunshine state, but even still, nothing beats the beach.I can hear the waves hit the shore and I see people waking on the sand. The water sparkles like chrystal and it’s blue waters goes beyond the eye can see into the horizon.I wonder, as I sit in the quiet of my room. My mind wanders and I wonder.All perspective is in my heart and minds eye. The beauty of life is striking and in the calm of the sea I can survey my life, past, present and future and I can wonder and know and believe.The Word teaches us the way we are to live, the truths we are to pursue, All we must stay away from and all we must seek and find.In the quiet reflections of this moment, I want to live for the right now. The moments of daily life; yes, even the monotonous and mundane, because after all this life that has come before, I have learned that the monotonous and mundane life is where grace is found. The quiet, daily living is where I come to serve and where I lose myself and become more like my Savior.

Here's where I am: I'm thirsty. I'm hungry. I am so passionate about my God right now.I'm desperate. I need Him. I want to be consumed. I want to be filled and poured out and filled again and it's intense.I have never experienced such an intense desire for God like this.It's unquenchable and oh my God, I want to be parched.I want to be thirsty. I want to run this race gasping for more of Him, reaching for Him and desperate.I want to press in and keep going.Where are you? Are you passionate about God? Do you want to be?

This life is a figth.As believers we are fighters. We fight for our marriages, for our children, for our finances, for the lost and for the poor.We fight for our daily salvation…fighting for righteousness and against temptations and spiritual battles.All this fighting is for good. It’s a good fight of faith.We are pursuing godliness and peace in all of this. But the battle isn't over. It still wages harsh and deep into the night and in order to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy, we must have eyes to know and see the truth.Paul instructs Timothy saying, "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected..." 1 Timothy 1:18-19.

In 1st Timothy, Paul urges Timothy that "petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (2:1-2 NIV).Setting a time of prayer aside during my day can be rather difficult. I struggle with waking up each morning earlier than my little people, one of whom asks daily as she peeks over the bed "Mama, is the sun awake?" And many times I start the day rushed, overwhelmed and behind. The breakfast, early cleaning routines and school mornings, despite their monotony, catch me by surprise every day and before I know it, the day is half done and my prayer time has lapsed.I find myself breathing out breath prayers throughout the day; many in desperation, others come as quick thoughts upon my heart and others in genuine intercession.From the "God help!" to the, :Lord I am about to lose it with this child, please pour your grace and patience…lots of patience!" Or it may be "father bless my friend wherever she is and in whatever she is doing since you brought her name into my heart." Or even, "Father pour our favor on my husband in this moment, wherever he is and with whom ever he deals with or talks to today."Breath prayers.

I am blessed to be a third generation believer raising another generation of believers.My husband is also a third generation believer. Together our greatest desire is to raise another generation that is greater and stronger.[dt_gap height="10" /]My mother was raised by parents who were missionaries and church planters throughout central america and south Texas. Their love for Jesus, devotion and legacy continues in the lives of my mother, aunts, uncles, cousins and our children.My father’s father and mother came to know and serve Jesus a little later in life and my father and his sister began a real relationship with Jesus in their early twenties with faith to move mountains and a desire for more of Him. They committed their lives fully to Him from that day forward.My husbands family, refugees from Cuba during Castro's regime became believers later in life as well. It was the witness of one person, and the conversion of one family member that changed the course of the entire family…aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers….generations changed because one person said yes to Jesus.Generations saved.[