Brush with Death

We had a beautiful weekend here in North Dallas: The sun was shining, birds were singing a new spring song, the breeze caught your hair and the underside of your shirt and pulled them up toward blue skies. After a morning of shotgun/clay shooting with his dad, Nick had lunch with me at The Hope Center (where I was attending a Biblical Counseling Institute seminar on suicide prevention). He was so pumped up about the morning of shooting, about the weather, and he had an itch to test drive motorcycles. I didn't see the point as we would not be able to afford one for several more years, but he was so excited I didn't want to steal his joy of the ride.

I finished up my conference at 5pm. I thought about swinging by the mall to treat myself to a pedicure and manicure: the weather was calling out for a pair of flops and cute, pastel painted toes! Something told me, "no, go home." So, I did. I got home excited to hear about the rest of my husbands fun-filled man day. When I got home, I saw him on the couch with the first aid kit out. I could tell something was wrong, but I joked, "what, did you fall down the stairs?" "No," he said, "I wrecked!"

I can't begin to tell you all of the thoughts and emotions that went through my mind! As he recounted the story of how the bike threw him, how he watched as the concrete came to meet his face, and of how onlookers just sat by, I was so grateful for his life, for each breath he took as he retold his story! My husband just had a brush with death!! I could have been a widow 8 months into marriage! We could have so quickly lost our dreams of a long life together, of raising a family together. But I wasn't widowed. There was still hope of our future. Thank God he is alive!

Psalm 91:9-16: The LORD Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones. You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes. The Lord says, "If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you. You will live a long life and see my saving power."

I am so thankful that my husband knows Jesus as his personal savior. Had he died this weekend, I know he'd be in heaven awaiting my arrival, praising the King of Kings for all eternity! I'm so grateful, that the Lord spared his life, though, that angels softened the blow of the concrete, that not a bone was broken in that wreck! The Lord has great plans for Nick, of this I am sure (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.").

We have been accepted to the CARES team and will be placed in an apartment community in order to build relationships, build community, and share the gospel of Christ. I am sure God has a great harvest in store for Nick and I and I look forward to what our future holds.

Over the next few months, please pray for us in the following ways:
1) That the Lord would be preparing an apartment community for us where we can build our ministry and build our family. Specifically, we need a 3 BR apartment in a community that accepts large pets (for Charlie the dog)
2) That the Lord would be preparing a harvest, preparing the hearts of those who are there at the apartment community. That the Holy Spirit would be moving in their hearts, that they would be open to building relationship and hearing the good news
3) That the Lord would be preparing Nick and I's hearts and fortifying us as we venture into a new and exciting ministry opportunity--I am so wanting MORE of the Holy Spirit, of the Lord, of church and of fellowship. I am so thirsty right now!
4)That the expenses of the motorcycle crash not be more than what we can bear financially, emotionally, etc
5) That my caseload at Christian Counseling Associates and Burson Counseling continue to grow and expand so that they would be able support our financial need without my having to keep this 3rd job (Activities Coordinator at Skyway Villas)
6) That the Lord would be healing my body/mind/heart and preparing my body/mind/heart for pregnancy; that we would be blessed with a healthy, happy baby (babies) in the Lord's perfect timing!

Thanks friends! We love you and are so thankful for you! (1 Thess. 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers)

First Day of Spring? Seriously?

I woke up this morning to find 8 inches of snow on the ground. Do I need to remind everyone, I live in Plano, TX? Snow? On the first day of Spring? In Texas? According to the weatherman, tomorrow's outlook is sunny with a high of 65! I guess Texas is more like Indiana than I would have imagined!Our cat Sam is just as confused as we are!

A sweet surprise!

I was so excited that my brother Josh was coming for a visit! We'd planned it for a couple months, and despite my uneasiness about his request, we kept his trip a secret from my dad, who Josh believed would be upset for not saving his money. Nick took me to the airport and we both waited in anticipation! My brother came, lots of hugs, smiles, and excitement as he described airline stories of people who tried to stuff their too big luggage into the too small upper bin. As I'm listening, an arm reaches around my neck! I was being attacked! I turned around to face whoever it was and found the sweetest surprise! My mom and dad standing there in the Dallas airport! My mom and Josh had been planning this all along--surprise my dad (he didn't know he was coming to Dallas until they got to the Indy airport) and surprise me! What a blessing the trip was!





Friday: Nick & I took the fam to Perot Systems/Dell for the official tour--it's like a museum in that place! Then off to Central Market for lunch and grocery shopping. We stocked up on artisan cheeses, salami, ciabata and french breads, and some chianti to make sangria. That evening we headed to Urban Crust for dinner and drinks. Later that night we broke out the guitars and jammed out. Even Charlie joined in!





Saturday: Dressed in St. Patty's Day green, we headed to Downtown Plano's train stop and rode the train to Mockingbird station. Then, we spent the morning and afternoon enjoying the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Greenville Ave. We even met up with Stephanie, Jason, and Joel! Sunday we enjoyed a dinner with Nick's parents (pics to come), Monday we threw a massive cookout (no pics) and Tuesday we lounged around, enjoying the last moment's of family time. I did not want to take them back to the airport! Thanks Nick, Mom, and Josh for a great surprise! Dad and I were definitely surprised!

Coming Soon.....Joshua Greene!

That's right! My little bro is spending his Spring Break in Dallas, TX visiting me! I am so pumped! Visit soon to see pics and posting about the visit!

Do not let your heart envy...ouch, that's rough!

I was sitting in church on Sunday and, though I hate to admit it, I wasn't paying complete attention to the preaching. It was on parenting, and because of my field, I've done a lot of work with parenting and wasn't feeling all that captivated or motivated to focus. Also, I must admit, I was starting to throw myself a little pity party, complete with hats, noisemakers, balloons and streamers, over my recent miscarriage. It seemed, in that moment, like all the world's unwed women were getting pregnant, but I wasn't despite being in a marriage that was God honoring.

The Lord immediately led me to Proverbs 23:17 (which sat across the page from some verse the rest of the congregation was reading on parenting) which reads "Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off."

Wow! Exactly what I needed to hear! Surely there is a future and the Lord will not cut off my hope (of having a family, complete with little babies to raise up with Nick) as long as I am living in fear of Him. And I'm pretty sure in this instance the "fear" of the Lord is referring to the Hebrew word "yirah", which denotes piety, awe, and reverence rather than abject terror, as mentioned in Isaiah 2:10, 19 and 21. So, thank you Jesus, for meeting me where I'm at!

When it rains, it pours...Ephesians 3:14-20

Be careful what you pray--God answers prayers! In January, when I realized that client's were not flocking to my private practice (I'm a mental health counselor and had signed a contract with a Christian Counseling agency/private practice...but no clients since I signed on in Oct and I was to begin paying them monthly rent for the office space! according to the contract). In my desire to help my husband financially I have been praying and claiming the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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 saints, 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."

I prayed the Lord would grow my private practice, that He would do more than I could ask for or imagine for myself. That He would provide a steady stream of income, and a way for Nick and I to save for our future family. PRAYER ANSWERED! The LORD PROVIDED!


This Monday, March 1, I had an interview in McKinney, TX for an Activity Coordinator position through a faith-based non-profit (Texas Interfaith) who ministers to the needs of impoverished persons by giving them affordable housing and providing on-site programs like resume/cover letter workshops, after school tutoring, etc. Well, I GOT THE JOB and started training that very same day! The next day, I got a call from Christian Counseling Associates and scheduled 2 more clients. The next day, I got a call from Burson Counseling (I work there too, but had no clients) and was scheduled with another client. So in 3 days I went from nothing....to 3 money producing jobs! I rushed to Office Depot and bought a day planner to keep it all straight!

AND on top of all of this, Nick and I had an interview on March 5, for a ministry opportunity. We interviewed for a CARES Team position (Apartment Life, Christian non-profit) which would allow us to plan events and activities for an apartment community with the goal to share the gospel and bring people into a saving, or deeper, relationship with Jesus Christ. It requires 10 hours/week from each of us fir at least 2 years, with the possibility to extend a third year. In exchange, we would be given a 2-3 bedroom apartment to live in at minimal cost (under $500/month), giving us the opportunity to save the difference! The interview went very well! We got the job! And, we should hear about apartment communities that have openings for a CARES team within the next month or so.

We decided against the first time homebuyer's incentive ($8,000) and stepped out on faith. God met us there and has given us the opportunity to be a missionary team in our own country! We're not clear on God's long term plans for us, but we know He has prepared a place for us and we continue to trust in Him!

Talk about God's provision!!! I am totally overwhelmed by His blessings! When it rains, it pours! And thank the Lord for this pouring out of His love! When I claimed the Ephesians 3 passage, I didn't realize I would go from no job to 4 jobs within a week's time and be encouraged by 3/4 of them to share Christ's love! How cool!

My season of rest and growth

As many of you know, I (Brooke) have been unemployed since July 12, 2009. In the season of unemployment, the Lord has taught me so many valuable lessons:

First, He helped me through my job loss by identifying my true identity as that of a Child of His, a saint in His Kingdom, a sister to Christ. He reminded me that my identity is not my profession/position, my possessions, or to the pleasures of this earth as many would have us believe (See Matthew 4:1–10). He drew me closer to Himself and kept me in an uncomfortable place of dependence on my husband and on Him until I was resting peacefully in His Truth, and relying on Him, rather than myself, for my provisions (Ezekial 16:19, Jonah 4:6).

Second, He revealed to me His plans and intentions for how we are to handle our anger, hurt feelings, and conflicts. This was difficult as most who know me would tell you that I'm the first to get fired up and directly confront (*directly approaching is biblical) and tell the world about it (not biblical)! But, in the pain and grief of a lost relationship, the Lord brought me to a place of peace through his Word and He helped me to keep my mouth shut, despite wanting to defend myself or blame the other person. While asking friends, family, and others for advice are the standard in this world, I found I needed to recognize that the Lord is the source of true wisdom. We need to filter everything through the truth of Scripture. (Read Matthew 18:15-35, Romans 12:1-17, Jeremiah 9:24, & Lamentations 3:22-24, Ephesians 4:26, Psalm 4:4-5, Matthew 5:44).

In January, Nick and I discovered we were pregnant, only later to lose the baby (at about 6 weeks); I've never experienced something more heartbreaking! But the Lord, again was faithful and met me with His peace (Phillipians 4:7)...and it did completely surpass my understanding! He also reminded me in Jeremiah 29 that only He knows "the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD." He has spoken words of encouragement through Nick on so many occasions. The sadness comes and goes in waves, the feeling of loss is still there, but God's peace is bigger and takes up more room in my heart now. The Lord is healing my body, and we pray that in His timing, He will bless us with children whom we can raise up to know Him and impact their world for the Kingdom!

Lastly, Nick and I have been living very tightly since our wedding day. Many wedding details (and honeymoon) were put on a credit card (uh oh) and the reality of that debt, as well as wedding vendor's "final bills," hit about September (wawahwah). We have been faithfully frugal, and have not withheld the Lord's portion (10% of our first! Dueteronomy 14:22, Leviticus 27:30) from Him, despite having to pull from savings, and make the hard choice of not participating in the giving of gifts--to ourselves, our family, and friends during the holiday (and birthday and valentine's and...) season. Plus, we're living on just one income! It's hard to trust "the Lord will provide" when you're eating Ramen noodles! lol. But, He does provide! A late wedding gift paid for unexpected bills in the Fall. Our tax return paid for our car's repairs. And in this fallow season, I've learned the art of cutting coupons, shopping at 2-3 stores for the best deals, and how to say no to luxuries like Feta Cheese and pine nuts.

And, now, having brought me to this place of trusting in Him fully, the Lord has closed the door on this season of rest. Be careful what you pray for--He answers prayers! In my desire to help my husband financially I have been praying and claiming the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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 saints, 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."

I prayed the Lord would grow my private practice, that He would do more than I could ask for or imagine for myself. That He would provide a steady stream of income, and a way for Nick and I to save for our future family. PRAYER ANSWERED! The LORD PROVIDED! (see my blog note, when it rains, it pours!)

I'm so blessed! Not because of what I have, or what I do, but because the Lord loves me, and provides for me, and will never leave or forsake me despite my stubborn ways and despite it taking me longer to learn these lessons than most.