Come on over!

 We have a new website/blog that has a ton of information of our new journey to be missionaries with the IHOP ministry--please come over and see us over here... :)

http://tuckerfamilylovesjesus.blogspot.com


Blessings today, everyone,

Love,

Gillian

Strings

 A love song for Jesus...

 May our hearts cry this out in every season...

From Every Family and  Nation...




 Strings ~ By Misty Edwards

I want to play the strings of Your heart God
Come play the strings of mine
I want to sing straight to Your heart God
Come sing straight to mine

Lord You have my heart(3x)
And I am searching for yours

Lord You have my thoughts(3x)
And I am searching for Yours

Lord You have my song(3x)
And I am searching for Yours

I'm so in love with You
I'm so in love with You
I'm so in love with You Jesus


Love, Gillian

Sweet Video of Daisy ~ Aday Launch Today!! ~ This is the Day the Lord has Made! We Will Rejoice and be Glad in it!!~ Our Homemade Designs to Support Full-Time Missions and Ministry Work for Our Family

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The adventure begins...

The Beginning of our Journey to Kansas City, MO.  Richard and Graham and Annie the dog :) drove in the Budget truck.  The other 5 children, Tigger the cat, and I rode in the Suburban...

Our home....in a box...on wheels...

We have been in Kansas City for two months today.  Since we pulled out onto the rode to drive out to become intercessory prayer missionaries and to pour ourselves into evangelism and justice service here, I have been trying to get my heart into words...I haven't yet so let me just write some impressions down to share where we are today...

We are awed beyond words at HOW GOOD it is to listen to God's voice carefully and then to jump up to obey with what we call among our family "first time obedience".




Well, in the photos above you can see us leaving sweet Tennessee that has been our home for the past 16 and a half years...we are excited and joyful...and HOT...oh, so HOT --just drippy and sore and tired from packing--we are EVER grateful to the Bonner,Pedicini, Couch, and Chaney families for loaning us your strong men!! and to Maria Lee and Eliana  for packing and encouragement and ALL the Dubois family for your incredible service and love, hugs, and cookies :) THANK YOU!!!!!  YOU just made our moving experience possible!! We just were OVERWHELMED  with friends and family that literally went beyond themselves on those HOT humid August days--I don't think I've ever been warmer--it was QUITE uncomfortable weather to work with!! But the guys were incredible--they jumped into the truck and got things organized and in a couple of hours it all was packed.  Heart-sickness of a very sweet but painful variety came on me as the packing made moving off to our new calling so real and now--seeing sweet Sarah and her precious children at my picnic table on that steamy days made the tears begin to flow--a picture of precious family that Christ has made for us faithfully and lovingly in the Nashville area--and having to say goodbye to so many sisters and brothers and littles that we love so dearly--it was tough--those last hugs and blessings...seeing those beautiful ones through tear- filled eyes...And like Dorthy....(in the W of Oz) it boils down at the end to the last goodbyes...to the "tin men"," the scarecrows",and the "lions" of your life--you know who you are, my precious ones!!--no ruby slippers to "click" me back now...

...and yet this over-riding, STRONG realization --I can just feel it--almost SEE it--of the golden-paved road we are all on together as believers on that road--bringing us home to the Kings' land...we are only separated for moments in our individual journeys until that day...

All packed, clothing absolutely SOAKED with perspiration and no clothing left to change into --its all packed!! Run into the house for a final look through...and to find an odd, forgotten (dry!) shirt of Richard's to pop on--he's so tall it drops to my knees...  Hug one last dear, dear friend, sister, and neighbor in the driveway...And then pack up all the excited littles and exhausted Ashley and Graham and Richard, our cat, our dog, and I into the car and our truck...we drive over to Tracy's home to say goodbye to family friends and our compadres in the adoption world...so many more we would have wanted to hug as well if time had allowed...Tracy and Jimmy so beautiful even in jammie wear :) greet us with hugs and lay hands on our overheated backs(bless them!) --they send us off with prayer--and Tracy in her gentle, wise way speaks life over us and ends with, "This has glory all over it. I feel like you all are getting into boats and going up to Jerusalem."  At that point my heart "pops" and the tears start flowing--they are unstoppable now...

"Sweet" grief--when you are in God's pocket and willingly laying something down for the wonder that He has placed before you-- is different than the pain of other grieving I have done through the years-sweet and salty...high and low, major and minor notes combining to make melody in the heart...

We spend the night at my parents' home that night--more precious people to say final goodbyes to...the next morning we awake to a birthday breckfast  #41 at my mother's table complete with balloons, and homemade necklaces and lays from the kids--how funny!--I'm decked out with them all as we walk out to the truck...Hard to squeeze parents goodbye who have moved to a region to be with you~ who have served and loved and cheered over every stage of our life in Franklin,Tn~ to be far away again....we already know what this pain is like...

We pile into the trucks and head down the road--the trip is smooth and cheerful.  The tears come again...for about the first 500 miles, as I watch Tennessee disapear sign post by sign post and then say goodbye to the Kentucky region...God presses image after image on my heart of all that He did in our journey in this area--faces, events,more faces,promises, promises fulfilled, scripture, sweet reminders, go before my eyes...so thankful  for the growth...for the pain..for the mundane and the joys... that made us who we are today...for the place where God brought two newly married, immature man and woman and brought them up so well ...I am overwhelmed, I am thankful, I am in pain... and I cry and I cry and I cry--"Its o.k. kids, Mommy's o.k....these are thankful, joyful tears..."  and they really are...

...It is now really dark...it is 3 am in the morning...We arrive in Kansas City, Mo...now expectant...really joyful...incredibly exhausted..hungry...without clothing--in all the packing my carefully packed overnight bags have been placed and locked in the big truck...and curious with a lot of excitement...a piece of a verse of scripture runs over and over in my head as I press out the tiredness of my hands on the wheel..."Here we are, Lord, "send us...in the name of your book it is written of us...we delight to do your will..."

We get out our stapled mapquest maps and direction notes and wind- down neighborhood streets in the ultra quiet of the early morning hours.  I am very aware of how loud the truck must be to the slumbering people we are passing by...

  We have been unable to make final contact with a real estate agent who has arranged our rental home for us--we have only seen it online and was hard to aquire--not many were available and phone tag has not gone well--it actually has been a very frustrating experience with such lack of detail and no one to just walk into an office and make things happen for us. Even while stopping at rest stops we have been trying to make contacts and it just has felt like running into a high obstacle ... its weird to experience this in the middle of so much confirmation that God is calling us out to Kansas City...

We arrive at the house and fumble for keys, for lights... and try to not wake the louder of the littles who would announce our presence and awake the block--or the one who just might wander off as we are checking things out inside....ack!;)..try to keep the animals from bolting too...

At this point...exhausted and now covered in OLD sweat and grime...as we open the door to our unforseen home...we are blasted with a STRONG odor of mold...

uh oh....

Richard and I each avoid eye contact as we bring the children in one by one and check out a home that is nothing like it was represented online..

.uh oh....

becomes

OH, NO!....

it doesn't have closets...the basement is open to the garage...it is not finished...this room is not heated...this place is DIRTY...and my throat is BURNING...the children that have had allergies and Asthma in the past begin to cough...we look at the truck...and look back at the house...

OH NO.....Lord,

what...WHAT are you wanting us to DO?...

We bring in the animals--poor Tigger is SOOOoooo stressed out---he meows a loud complaining cry over and over as he stalks around on the kitchen counter --picking his paws over sticky,dusty spots on the tan linoleum...my heart is crying in the same way, Tigger...!!

We drag in blankets and try to make clean beds on the floor--the kids all lined up like sleepy dominos in little lines all over this dreary floor...Rich and I squeeze onto a bit of blanket and hold hands and attempt to look at one another...our eyes are saying the same thing...

My husband who could sleep on a coal pile in the bright light of day--he can sleep anywhere, easily at any time--lies there wide eyed...

"I'm not going to get ANY sleep tonight, Gill--this is awful."

I can only cough--by this time my eyes and lungs are REALLY burning--"I'm going to only say awful things...we better pray instead of talk..." (to confess, all I am thinking is ...my birthday has just arrived --August 7th and here we lie in the grim of something else to deal with--' Crappy Birthday to me'!!) Yep--isn't that TERRIBLE?!  ....it was a necessary thing to keep the mouth shut....and to tell the heart to be quiet too--it can be so unfaithful and such a liar--especially when the body is weak and tired...

We start to pray and feel God's Presence come gently to us, we are calmed...we are able to think clearly....we make a plan for our escape from this home AND praise God that all the details for it dropped through and did not happen so that we could be saved from having to pay rent on something that would be dangerous for our family.  We make ourselves lie down for a LOOONG two hours and then hastily gather the family up and scoot out and shush the loud questions of the kids outside... before the neighborhood wakes up and maybe wonders about this truck "camping out" at the rental house down the street...

For the next 5 days...we are living at a hotel...searching during the days for a house to rent...life is complicated on two fronts...Tigger and Annie are still with us--we can't leave them in the hot weather --Missouri is hitting 100-110 heat index this week and so it is a constant problem to find them shade and to re-aircondition the car by driving it around--plus the fact that the dog LOVES the cat but the cat hates the dog...we are dealing with a cat box in the over-packed car (yikes!) plus the aromas of wet dog food in the heat ...I also am getting sick...I have cut myself on something on moving day on my arm and my leg and both cuts are getting very red and hot and a rash that looks like poison ivy is spreading all over my leg and arm--it is swollen and gets worse in heat until the tissues ache underneath--no escape from heat right now!!...

The kiddos are hanging in there SO well but are going stir crazy in the car...We are living off of snacks and fast foods and the breckfast bar at the hotel...and all our clothing has "run out"--its all packed in the big truck...really ready to settle...

We are spending all our time searching for a place to live...By night number 4 we consider looking for house farther away from the missions' base but this seems off for God has called us here to be a part of the IHOP ministry and to be far away from it would not make sense....  The eight of us kneel down between the hotel beds and lay it all out before God who has been so very present in this whole time and talk to our loving Father about our needs.  One of the children declares that we will have our answer in the morning.

  On the 5th morning Richard awakens and goes out of the hotel room to pray.  He comes back in the room , eyes bright. "God just told me to not look for houses far away from the missions base.  We are to look one more time."  (we have looked at newspaper and Craigslist ads many times each day--there's been nothing on there that we have not looked at) He tells us he is going down to the hotel computer and will be right back.

Remember the miracle when Jesus told the tired fishermen who had been fishing all night to lower the nets AGAIN..ONE MORE TIME...and they complain BUT they OBEY?...

We Looower... the nets ....ONE more TIME..not knowing why...just obeying God's word to us...and...

  Richard returns only 15 minutes later with a twinkle in his eye and a Craigslist rental listing in his hand.  This listing was put up a week ago but did not show the whole time we have been here!  And we know this for we have scoured these sites OVER and OVER...

  It looks perfect for us--and Richard reports that as it came up on the computer screen he got a holy stomach ache--"butterflies"--and knew in that moment God was handing us our new home--

and like that net bursting full of blessing, our good gift is overflowing with what we not only need but have desired--in fact if we had a wish list for everything we would desire in a smaller home--this one would have it and it is RIGHT in the heart of all of the action of the missions' base...  We look at it within 30 minutes and LOVE it--it is cottagy and warm and full of light...it will be PERFECT for hosting college seminary interns or a variety of people who come to IHOP to receive refreshment or to go to a conference...it has a large yard for the kids and we can divide the kids easily into the bedrooms--it is CLEAN and is freshly painted in all the colors of our poccessions in our Budget rental truck...the only catch is that we are to have a phone interview with the owner who only will allow people to live in this house that could be a real asset to the International House of Prayer Ministry.   Believing this is us, we have our interview with this incredible missionary who helped to start the missions' base,who helped to get 24/7 intercessory prayer started here, and who is involved in the specific ministry to help make a HUGE dent in human trafficing that Richard's heart has been strongly drawn to...
He says he needs to pray over this for a day...by the end of the day..he calls us back with joy,

"In prayer, God laid your family very strongly on my heart--you are the family for this property--and accepting you is making me so joyful that I'm giddy--I can't stop laughing--this is going to be a wonderful thing..."

the owner of the property then shares with us that there is a prophecy on this home--several times in prayer he and his wife have received word that whoever lives in this rental home on Grandview Road is going to be part of a grand vision of God's work in His Kingdom...and will be an integral part of the missions' base here in Kansas City...its a prayed over, launching pad for missionaries,used only for ministry through the years--we've been drawn into a legacy of service for Jesus here--Praise God for all the road blocks that narrowed the road to this point!  ....

We have to wait another half week until we can move in and in this time I am alone with the kids at the hotel while Richard has to go on a business trip.  My leg and arm get hotter and more swollen--the living in the car is getting past old...we are told by the hotel staff that morning at breckfast --me alone with all the kiddos-- that the police will be called on our animals and our trucks--and we immediately  drive off to find an animal kennel -- the first one we find has availability AND we are greeted at the desk by a joyful vet who loves Jesus and treats us like family--he gives us all the skinny of the area and proclaims the sweetness and goodness of God over us and sends us on our way--this adventure is so surreal--I mean, just walking into a vets office and having God-encounters!!--surely God's hand and favor is ALL over this move even in the midst of the itchy, the hot, the uncomfortable, the frustrating...there's a clear joyful Presence of God dancing all over this!!

We move into our cheerful cottage several days later and have such full,thankful hearts. ..No time to rest...Richard has to go back to work in Nashville--we have two homes to sell and a job to continue on in until God brings work here for Richard or another kind of support as we dive into ministry...and school has started at a missionary school called, The Daniel Academy...but that's another story to be shared...

.We are blown away...the ministry -side of our adventure has truly begun ...and it is SO much bigger than what we even expected--no wonder there has been great struggle to arrive here--this is huge stuff  Kingdom-wise --for EACH of the members of our family....but we will continue that part of the story in the next post...

Blessings to you all!!

Love, Gillian

Love Stitches...

Ava Aday Getting Ready for the Holidays in Her "Christmas Cheer" Peasant-Style Long-Sleeve Dress

Introductory Price of $22.O0

Bows and Bloomie-Aday Pants Custom-made in a variety of Fabrics and Ribbon Trim

Classic Bloomers are in White and in Gingham-- Blue, Red, Green, and Yellow

Introductory pricing of $3.50 per bow and $8.00 per Bloomie-Aday pant

Imagination Time in our Cottage Kitchen


Precious Jumper-Style Dress on Ava Aday

Introductory Sale Price of $22.00


We are LOVING our new home in Kansas City,MO~ We have moved in time for the kids to get established in a missions-oriented school and we are finding such joy in new ministry at the Missions Base of International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO ~~ only one BIG hole in all of this~~ Richard has remained back in Nashville for a short season to get all of our details in order--selling our home etc...How we miss him!! My mother, Karin G. and I have recently developed a cottage fashion business, called Daisy Aday :), to enable our finances to flow a bit faster to reunite our family and to support our new ministry here.  All the ladies in our family will be offering home-spun or stitched fashion items, accessories,and clothing. :)  I've been crocheting, Ashley's been making teen/ladies clothing, and my mother, Karin G., has made all sorts of little girls' dresses in several styles 2t to 12.  We'll display many of the items soon this week so check back in with us!  Dresses will be $22.00 and most accessories in the 10-20 dollar range--I know you'll love all of these "pretties" !! ...and JUST in time for Christmas shopping too!! Love to you all today!! :) Blessings!!

Love, Gillian :)

P.S. Pre-orders being taken in the blog comments section below and purchased on our Pay Pal here on the blog. Any questions taken in the comments section or at tuckergillian@gmail.com

" 'An He Came to Me"

WHY PRAY?

A true story from our week...

Yesterday we were driving to soccer practice for our two six year old "twins", Jack and Bruik when 4 year old Ava told us this...

"Mommy, it was dark last night and I was crying in my room."

You were crying? Oh, Ava I'm sorry. Why didn't you come and get me?

"I did somethin else Mommy. I got outa my bed and I got on my knees on the floor and I cried out to God.
An I got back in bed.
An I was still crying.

An Jesus came to my room.

He came to me.
An He said, 'Ava, why are you crying?'

An He had yellow on Him.

An He held my hand and we went into your room to check on you.
An Jesus was very bright."


Praises today to the God who sees us, hears our cries, and who comes to us!!


Psalm 34a

I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the Lord;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Fear the Lord, you his saints,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,

keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their cry;

the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all;

he protects all his bones,

not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

The Lord redeems his servants;

no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Blessings,

Gillian

Justice Loves Babies

Home: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
http://www.justicelovesbabies.com/Home.html




This is the next book I am reading to my children. I cried my way through it yesterday in the International House of Prayer bookstore. And I want it in every home that loves Jesus. The text is especially precious to my mama's heart.

My youngest children's mothers made life choices for them that saved not only their physical lives so that they could live and breathe and enjoy life on this Earth--but what I sense SO greatly is that their lives have been saved because Christ has a DESTINY for their lives.

Every life has a destiny

-- an original plan of Jesus for His glory and greatness and the Presence of Himself to shine on the Earth through that life.

Your children have a destiny

So do you.

I have been in awe of this thought lately.

It strikes me as I look in each of my six children's eyes, as I stroke their hair, as I hear their heart - felt prayers. It has always impacted my prayers for all my children as well.

Ava is my example of late, however. Her back story is here in the sidebar --read it if you have not before--but she was picked up from the dust of a street of Addis Ababa when she was just 9 months old. A noisy, precious, screaming baby, who the nannies named, Rakeb, "One who cries loudly." :)

More and more I see this physical saving act and our later adoption as only a shadow of a much greater purpose of the salvation of Jesus to not only come on her life but to flow out of it and to bring a multitude to Jesus through her precious life.

This has been prayed over her and God keeps pressing this on our hearts. Ava's still REALLY loud--there is constant language flowing out of this precious little girl. But what is also there is so glorious--a heart for her savior, Jesus--burning love and worship--all day!! Ava is a little songbird who God is POURING worship songs out of --we have been keeping the tape recorder close by.

And she is a worshiper.

Just the other day she was talking in her room and when she came out she said, "I've been talking to Jesus, Mommy and He told me that He is making a house for me!" She also makes up songs about biblical images that we have never taught her--this is the Holy Spirit's life just flowing through her--it is amazing.

She was singing yesterday about how the trees are "gonna clap their hands to you, Jesus, when you come back to get me an you just love the boys and the girls of the nations--cause the nations belong to you, Jesus"

This child.

She HEARS the voice of God.

We are told this will happen more and more before the return of Jesus--look in Joel 2--it is an exciting passage that says that before Jesus returns He is going to pour out His Spirit on all flesh and that we will experience dreams, encounters with Him, visions--this is not just something for those Eastern countries--those mysterious stories from "those far away places" we hear from across the world--God's voice is breaking in now. He is coming on those who worship Him with incredible Word and in power.

This little girl

who lay in the dust screaming,

now singing and proclaiming the goodness and power of the only Savior of the world.

Oh, my...

Oh, how amazing...

mysterious...

how

GOOD

our God is!!

I want to make sure to saturate myself in His Presence so that I too might enjoy Him and hear Him as my sweet Ava does.

The images in the video are reprsentative of some of our life here revolving around Jesus at a missions' base in Kansas City,Mo. The room with all the international flags is a 24 hour/7 days a week prayer room for intercession and worship.

My older children spend 4 hours a week enjoying the Lord there and the littles and I go in for shorter periods of time to worship and listen to the Lord and to dig into the Bible. Then they share their little pictures with me--"This is when God told me He likes to play tennis with me...this is God and this is me--God is giving me a hug...this is a shield--God is my sheild when the enemy speaks lies about things that are not true or good."...

The images of children in the video below praying are worshiping at our new school, The Daniel Academy, in the prayer room, and in the children's sunday school classroom. It's a little bit of Tucker show and Tell! :)

I am absolutely blown away with the POWER of children's prayers. Last week I was in a room full of about 50 children Kindergarten to 5th grade. This little girl, about 5 years old, --wiggly little girl--,having a hard time keeping still, with a lisp, got on her tiptoes to pray into a microphone in her teacher's hand. As she prayed, this little song came out, "Jesus, I love you, You really looooove us, Jesus." tiny little thing--shaky little voice--and I was literally about knocked off my feet with God's Presence that entered the room at the sound of her sweet voice--SO powerful!!

When these children pray you can feel the WEIGHT of God's Presence-- Place a child intentionally in the Presence of God and they will respond so naturally to Him--Give a child the weightier matters of Life to pray over-- and God will love to respond to their precious prayers...




A note from the author of Justice Loves Babies:


Justice Loves Babies is a precious children's story that emphasizes the worth of life and the impact of prayer. In this picture book the main character "Justice" refers to the child in his mother's womb "Destiny" as a living person. Justice eagerly waits for the birth of his sister Destiny and wants to help his father, who is a Doctor bring Destiny to life outside of the womb.


Justice is a little boy who loves babies. He is eagerly waiting for the birth of his sister, Destiny. He wants to be the first to hold her. Justice talks to Destiny every day in her mother's womb and prays that she would live and be strong.


Soon his father, who is a doctor, will help his mother bring Destiny into the world. But one night Justice has a dream about other babies who were not allowed to be born. "Not all babies get the chance to live like Destiny does," his mother tells him. "Never stop praying for the babies."


This story emphasizes the worth of life and the impact of prayer. Justice Loves Babies will change the way children treasure life by helping them understand that a life begins in the mother's womb. Like Justice, they can pray for Destinies to be born everywhere.


Help us spread this message of life!


- Darlene & Danielle Wibeto

Cross -Training

Watch videos at Vodpod and more of my videos

Hey, everyone!
This is an awesome teaching--a GIFT to you today!! :) Just drag the timer on the vod pod, after you hit play arrow, to 1:09 to the teaching part--this is from Hebrews 11 and 12 if you have your Bible nearby...or enjoy the worship too at the beginning :)...

This teaching is WELL worth the time it takes to hear it!!

Also WELL worth the effort it takes to work it into your walk--or should I say, "run race" in Jesus

May we grow in endurance as we face the race set before us.


Blessings--such blessings in Him!!

Love, Gillian

Whoa!! Stepping out into the ravine? Tucker journey update...

Did you know that when Abraham was called by God out of his family's land, he ended up traveling 1,200 miles ON FOOT to the promised land???

And then...
This "father of nations" spent the rest of his days living in tents--never again did he live over a solid foundation of a home.


That makes 550 miles to Kansas City in a large U-Haul truck and a loaded -down Suburban sound REALLY "cushie" :).

It actually makes our consideration-- in a family meeting the other night with Ashley and Graham-- (due to financial reasons) of fitting our family into a 2 bedroom apartment for the next season sound pretty good too!--But you can stop holding your breath--the apartment management companies would not allow our number of people due to fire codes!! Bummer!! :) That was pretty wild to figure out until we were told no. And, life away from stuff to fuss with seemed rather freeing for a moment too!!

SOoooo the question of late has been somewhat like, "When God has called you to something quite incredible-- when you have heard His voice and KNOW that you KNOW that you KNOW that He is saying, GO!!!!--How 'low' can you go?--How little could you live with or on? or what is so precious to you that you could not live without it or leave it behind?"

This is a VERY easy question for me to answer when we are talking about OTHER people's things. It was exceedingly easy in our family meeting as Graham was instructed that Bella the Python was a pocession that was not right for life in smaller digs!!--or at least sharing bedroom space with my babies or me! :)!!!

Simple, huh?

But when I saw the look in Graham's eye...

...and then, I "got" the same feeling the next day, as I began to fit our pocessions into a space that will be a fourth to a third the size of what we are used to now...

How are you doing packing away YOUR pretties, Gillian?

--I must say--my heart was deceptive,fleshy, and tantrumy--

It was not a pretty site--

Mommy clutching onto my clipboard with cartoon electricity coming out of my hair and dying to that Martha side (I'm refering to the one on T.V. --Ms. Stewart-- not the Biblical one--or maybe there is a sad comparison here!!for my HEART and SPIRIT DO call out to be a 'Mary'--NOT a Martha!!)

Until...

"Gillian, who do you say that I am?"
"Gillian, do you Trust me?"

God pressed on my heart yet again ...and all the fullness of Himself flooded my heart...I had to confess my ugly attitude to my kiddos and with our circumstances and kneel in the middle of our boxes and again make my testimony, "Here I am, God...I love you...I adore you...YOU are my life...send me into the center of your will...not only WHEREever it is but WHATever it is!! ....WHAT a journey we are about to embark on!! Bring on the packing tape and get on with the Craiglistings!!

I actually believe that God is a very generous Father who has amazing plans for His children--He does not leave the righteous forsaken--I proclaim without doubts that as our story unfolds our life in Him will be a testimony,a "proof" of how He loves to complete what He calls us to--and what provision and glories he has for His children that not only hear His voice but follow it.

And we already have praise reports about this as we step into the first part of our call to a new ministry, land, and life:

Two fridays ago, we received a call OUT of the BLUE--a beautiful,Godly family offered to rent our current home until we sell it--what a gift!!

The conversation started out with this phrase, "Hi, Gillian this is J., this is going to be a very unusual conversation." Immediately my ears and heart were pricked--God often calls us to things that are seemingly impossible and absolutely illogical so that He'll get all the credit and glory--"very unusual" sounded very "usual" kingdom-wise. :)

WELL!! the blessing was MUCH more than timing or finance or detail for as we sat in our living room with this PRECIOUS couple and their sweet family they told our story of calling--I mean, it was not the exact story--but EVERY other element was there.

This husband called to be a preacher,

mine called to be a pastor.

They do not know what the next step is except that the only word God has for sure given them is , "Stay"--the only word we have been given is, "GO".

They shared encouraging verses that were "our" verses.

And as S. answered Richard's question of "tell me how you KNOW that God has called you to this next step"--his answer was WORD for WORD what Richard says each time he speaks about this calling and the other times God has brought us on a journey.

"You know you are called when nothing else works and this is the ONLY thing you can do."

We laughed--probably too loud for where we were in this tender conversation--and almost fell out of our chairs--again--It was WORD for WORD what Richard says about calling because of his growth in Jesus. Sometimes God just talks out loud--and gives ALOT of repetition--we must be need of this teaching/parenting style of encouragement for He is literally hedging us in with Word to us about journey, will, following Him, continuing to press into seemingly blank areas so that He can reveal the next step of His will to us...

And then it was Richard's turn to answer the question...
And I have to tell you that he acted this out in our living room as he shared it. :)!!

One of Richard's favorite movies is "Indiana and the Temple of Doom".
Yeah, we were teens in the eighties!!

There is this one scene of a deep and wide ravine--Indiana is being pursued--he is going through a set of "tests" in this ancient area that reveal the way to treasure --each one with a biblical allusion (I loved that part of the movie too!)--at this ravine, he starts sweating and shaking--what is he to do...he looks down--the movie prop rock bounces all the Waaaay down to the depths--we hear its descent...--then he stands up- caaaarefully as he picks up his foot and mumbles, "Of course, the walk of Faith" He puts his foot down into...nothingness...and is jolted still--a stone step has appeared and is holding him up--of course the bad guys are showing up at this point too and Indiana (Harrison Ford) has to leap continually into the nothingness of the ravine as step after step appears only AFTER he has set his feet down. This is one of Richard's favorite pictures of faith--and you gotta see him acting it out for our friends in our livingroom!! No matter what the "test" or the "ravine" or the circumstance--God IS there and I believe God our Father is pleased with our faith that, knowing He is there,does NOT shrink back but banks our life on this and step out into what we cannot see. "Faith is EVIDENCE of what we cannot see" after all...

What is He calling your heart to?

Do you have a ravine in front of you?

We do.

I plan to keep stepping out and letting our Father catch us.

Even this morning we asked Him in tears for Faith that will walk forward into what we do not see.

...And away from those familiar banks...


We had a precious missionary mom in my home this week--a brand new friend who is being called by God with her husband to FRANKLIN in a very dramatic and unique way--God has sent an unusual amount of precious people (that I previously did not have a close relationship with) TO MY DOOR and TO MY PHONE over the past weeks--it has been mind-boggling how sweet He is and how much He is NOT going to let us withdraw from this calling!! B. sat on my livingroom sofa and I knew that she was speaking God's words to me when she said, "All my family lives in ---. This has been heart-breaking to even think of being apart from them--but how could I NOT? I really believe that, now, in this season, God is giving out special assignments to those that are seeking Him out in intercession--This is a really special time to listen to Him. He is getting His people ready--I am seeing so many example of this--moving those who are listening and obeying into position for where they will be most effective for the Great Global Harvest to come before He comes back."

So the rest of our week? What will it hold?

We can't see it yet. :) But we do know we will be hugging precious necks of those we have loved in the Nashville area for almost 20 years...

And crying sweet tears of love.

Thanking God for all He's done here and praising HIm in wonder for what He is bringing us to...

Squeezing my mom and dad REALLY tightly--this part of the call is achy--it literally hurts inside--

We will be finding little boys up to their necks in empty boxes

And catching them being pretty naughty--they think I've pack all the boundaries and rules in our boxes for some reason!!

Teens who are packing up a storm--so excited to grow and celebrate, and serve Jesus in their next school and ministry--you should hear their excitement and JOY!!

Ashley's guitar in packing breaks

Phrases like, "Man!! This room is full of boxes--its like BOXLAND in here!!--lets hideout!!"--from Anders and Jack

When are we going already?--Bruik

"I was made for for LOooooove."--Ava singing

Ashley--our word girl in the midst of the newprint for packing--"Its a win-win situation you get to pack up AND read the comics!!"

EVERYONE ELSE--"Hurry up, Ashley!"

Bella the Ball Python (I think I just like to type her name for effect!)
on her way to another abode--Graham found a buyer!! Mama's pretty happy about this!!

A thousand million last minute details...

If you can help us load the truck on Wednesday give us a shout!!--We are looking for helpers!!

But... we ain't walkin' 1,200 miles!--this isn't so bad!--Let's load er up and go already!!


How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you. Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty;

listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah

Look upon our shield, O God;

look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

the Lord bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

O Lord Almighty,

blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 84

Love, Gillian

Fountains in the Thirsty Places

Such sweet cousin love. Ava's about as big as M. but was carted around all over the place. :)



Site of the very first airplane flight--was a wonderful learning/appreciating experience!




The GIANT sand dunes of Nags Head, NC--amazing!! Brought back many memories--this is the beach I vacationed with each year growing up with my family.





How GOOD to belong to Him. It was such an incredible blessing to be among these Godly families--to see God creating an inheritance for Himself in yet ANOTHER generation who is turning their hearts to him. He truly blesses through the generations--how precious to belong to Him!!

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants



Allllmost there....! These dunes are SO high that people hand glide off of them--a real adventure.



...Made me think of the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years...and with so many children in tow...being led by a REAL cloud of the Spirit by day and His firey protection and warmth at night...a wonder...some of the cousins and I talked as we pushed our feet into the sand mountains about how PRECIOUS God's gift of water would have been--in the middle of the desert land...

No stainless steel water bottles clanking on these mama's backs
No beach swim to look forward to later in the day

BUT

Fountains out of DRY rock!

And bread blanketing the ground each morning...

So God provides for me

For us

In the midst of every season--dry or lush...

He carries us

He makes life flow when all we see before us is sand or a big Rock in our way.





Christ IS our LIVING stream in the desert...

He says:

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)


Jesus, thank you for the places you walk with us that make us so thirsty for you.




"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

Love to you all!
Gillian

Wherever you go--There you are ... :)

Hey, everyone! We just returned home last night from a trip to Outer Banks, NC (Nags Head) for a beach trip reunion with Richard's family. We'll post some photos of the beachy love this week--12 kiddos and 8 adults all shared an ocean front home this week--the kids were in cousin heaven!!


But first a smile--you know that ole quotation, "Wherever you go, there you are" ? Well, we had a FUN time with this with our Graham as we road through Graham North Carolina to and fro the beach. The "Mayor" of Graham had a fun time "surveying" his town :)!!--Next we'll need to plan a trip to "Jackson" Miss. and Perhaps to "Anderson" In.--perhaps an Ashley destination...SUGGESTIONS, anyone???...it was so much fun taking these photos--even for those of us with more unusual names!! :)



SWEET!!



The Water Tower that "called Graham's name" from the highway :)




Just Chillin' at Graham's Soda Shop








Graham, "the thinker" :)





Sweet kid--really sweet southern town--lots of fun ;)


Just a funny today--love to you all!
Blessings,
Gillian

The Cry of the Radical Heart

In my circles there has been alot of speech about the word, "radical"--this song speaks well about the working out of this word/theme.

What a RADICAL thing--to be captivated and personally known by the living God.

What would this mean to your life personally?
What if Jesus WAS the lens that you saw all of life out of?

Living Waters that would flow from you--

no striving to serve.

For the river of love straight from the living God would flow to the hearts of whoever we are around--

SPLASH!!

We would bring that awesome river with us wherever we go...

... to splash on whoever is in front of us.

No one would have to convince us with statistics or pain stories to go forth and love for love would simply be in residence in us and would lead us to what Christ's heart burned for.


Fire that no water could ever quench--no ministry burnout here--for the lovesick heart does not wear out by work--

"a lover will out- last a worker every time!!"


No offense toward "others who just don't 'get it' "

for as we are filled with love --

We realise that the strong love we have for the helpless/the hurting is overflow --

NOT from the production of our hearts and desires and will

but overflow

from God's heart

bursting out from inside of us.

We would realise that the SAME love that Christ gives to us,

He has for these same people--who may not as yet

"get it"

FOR

"OH HOW He LOVES the world"--

and this includes

the selfish,

the cynical,

the greedy--

the VERY unsaved ones--"those" ones--

you know...

the one whos picture just came up in your mind--

THAT one--

Oh how He loves--

THAT one

And how great a love they will have for Christ as they are forgiven much

For he who is forgiven much loves much!!

YES, with melting, passionate, self-sacreficing love Jesus would woo them to Himself as well...

JUST like He wooed me...

We EACH and ALL are targets for His love!

We would realise that the point of and definition of the gospel is not only US--not even only others or service to others or the labors of our hands but all about the GLORY of this incredible one,

--JESUS--

who fills all of eternity,

who's glory fills the Earth,

who is coming to reign soon,

yet who's love fills and lives in MY heart.

"How can it be? That you, Oh God should die for me?"
And yet He calls us His BELOVED...

Ah to be captivated by His beauty and glory--

It is what we are made for.

Our eyes are meant to behold HIm.
Our hands were made to bring glory back to Him.
Our relationships to bring glory to Him.
Adoption and other ministries to bring His glory back to Him through these precious lives.

HIM, HIM, HIM...

Jesus is worthy of all the focus, all the strength, all the drive of our lives---HE is what we were made for!


Everything else flows from this...--including the 2nd commandment--to love others as we love ourselves. Only after being captivated by our glorious Jesus personally could we ever love or serve well or have ANY purpose to "lay it all down" or "obey those harder sayings" --until we get this first glimpse and filling of Christs' love in our sight and our hearts.

And this takes action.
But action that brings life and direction.


Plunge into Him--He's waiting for you--like that Lovesick Dad waiting at the end of that dusty path--waiting for His beloved child to return home. To run into His arms is our first requirement--and everything else flows from this--it REALLY does!

Be Blessed be captivated by Glorious Jesus!!
Love, Gillian

OH... HOW......what I'm singing today...

Please enjoy this video as a gift from our family today...and if you have not yet read our "big announcement"--it is in the post before this one--surprise! :)
Love to you all!
Gillian

Big Announcement from the Tucker Family :)

Our Journey continues...



Hey, Everyone!

WELLL, if it has seemed to some--even those of you closest to our family-- that we have had something "under wraps" for a while--we have!

We have an announcement of sorts. :)

Our family is being sent to become missionaries through the International House of Prayer Ministry in Kansas City, Mo.

YES! As soon as we sell our home, we are packing up our six kiddos and are heading out to Missouri.

As we have sought after and journeyed with God this year, He has used International House of Prayer's podcasts,music, teachings,conference as a tool over and over to help us know Him more--to introduce us more and more to who He is and what our identity in Him is.

As we have been encouraged to dive into prayer, fasting, receiving of the Holy Spirit, deep times digging in the Word of God...We have been smitten with His heart, filled with His spirit. God's power and personality has been SO near. A fountain of revival, passion after His heart that has brought such power has sprung up among our family after we have "laid it all down", counted the cost, and have remained at His feet--there's just so much to the Presence of the Living God--we echo Psalm 27, what we truly desire most--each one of us is to seek His face--to enjoy Him in His holy place--this ONE thing we seek. Christ has made Himself our ONE THING this year.
He has been our reward.

He has brought other rewards--some of which you have witnessed here on our blog--like a flood of physical healings, restoration and salvation of our foster children's lives, and a literal,dramatic saving from the Nashville Flood. We have heard His voice and have received precious promises. We have delighted in finding Him in worship times that He overflowed to places like the local grocery stores--where He would bring us to people to lay hands on and pray for--this is just the tip of the ice berg--we are a people ON FIRE with the realness and the goodness of a very REAL God.

He saves,
He is SO loving--
He burns with holiness and glory.

He has revealed so much of our deepened and transformed hearts through a flow from secret,intimate times with Him-- Overall--this HAS BEEN A MIRACULOUS YEAR!! THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO GOING BACK!!

Soooooo....We have shared with a few close friends and family members about this new call and the next question of course is , "what will you be DOING there?..."

Firstly and most importantly, the most special thing about the ministry of the International House of Prayer can be gathered by its name--

We will be PRAYING.

10 years ago, a prayer meeting was established at IHOP that has been going on non-stop, 24/7 ever since. (There are prayer/worship/word teams that come into the prayer room in 2 hours blocks around the clock.)

And you know what?

If you spend THAT much time with God in intercession, adoration, and worship, He is going to share and download ALOT into your heart, mind, and will.

And He has.

Just some examples of how God has responded to a people who's hearts are tender to His heart are--

A ton of new music, straight from the heart of God, from the Word, from the Holy Spirit is flowing out of the prayer room--we have been incredibly touched by this precious gift.--

There have been incredible answers to prayers and petitions--much favor even in foreign nations--even among unsaved leaders for the sharing of the gospel.--

God's been so sweet in bringing His Presence among a people who are seeking HIm in this way--many other prayer furnaces that are bringing glory to God are being established all over the Earth as well--.

And the things that God's heart yearns after and beats for-- He has readily shared with people who are giving such focus and attention to HIm--

Now, ten years after establishing the prayer room, International House of Prayer also has an incredible Bible University to equip young people to find their identity in Christ, to restore broken lives,to be built up in God's living Word, the Bible--

Many times then these same young people that fall passionately in love with Jesus are bringing this love to their families, cities, and even specific nations. God has pressed justice movements as well--VERY strongly on the intercessors at International House of Prayer-

-as of course He naturally would--

For if you spend ALOT of time talking with a good friend--you are going to get to know his or her heart--

You will receive powerful awareness of God's glory and identity--

That God's heart truly beats after the lost, the hurting, the weak, the hungry, the orphaned, the widowed, the helpless...AND yes, YOU!

...and this is what has happened with people who spend hours with God during the week--He has talked back! ... He has answered the desires He has placed on hearts!

He has pressed specific movements so powerfully that now International House of Prayer has established --24/7 ACTS of justice to match the 24/7 ACTION of Prayer.

Those who are on staff are in the prayer room for 24 hours a week and are required to give 24 hours of service to justice.

And what is neat about this is that this requirement is actually is a perfect fit for the way we are already choosing to order our days and to what we are already pursuing after in God today.

We have found that justice (like our experiences with M and M--our foster kids this year-- and other such experiences) so MIGHTILY springs up from time with our Father--and this is the best way to enter in to justice, be it loving your neighbor down the street,caring for that specific person that He brings you to in the grocery line, feeding the hungry, or even adopting--for God then can send you just where He wants you--to the tasks He's uniquely set out for you before He made the world--as the Bible would say.

Now PLEASE don't get me wrong--we are NOT YET spending this type of time in prayer--24 hours a week-- with God --but we desire to. We actually found that much of the power behind our incredible year (and at all the other precious seasons in our life) has stemmed from an obedience to a time in prayer.

About a year ago this week, God told me clearly in a time with Him to give Him my Tuesdays and my Thursdays--to give them over to Him in fasting and prayer. No lunches out with friends, no hanging out on the computer ,let go of the hobbies during that time, no chatting on the phone,leaving the errands alone for a while, no catching up to get "ahead" while the kids were in school those mornings--

It was incredible--

Only God could lead you into such things for in the natural--how in the world could a mom of 8 children pull this off? BUT He knew...this was EXACTLY where I needed to be--

If I had NOT been on my knees and in worship and deep times in the Word and intercession I would not have had the specific direction and strength and Presence of the Holy Spirit's power that I DESPERATELY needed to parent all the issues and details and burden that this melding of kiddos brought to our lives this year.

(And I'm not the first by far that God has specifically given this calling to!--One of my heros is Susannah Wesley--mother to Charles and John who's sons God used in one of the most powerful awakenings the world has ever seen for Christ--Her TWELVE children knew that when mother pulled her apron over her head she was in intercession and was not to be interrupted--what fruit those prayers brought to the World!!)

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I would drop the little kids off at school, dress, start my dishwasher and laundry machines and then would "hit the carpet". Some mornings He led into worship, others into writing to HIm,other mornings He gave me new songs to sing to Him as I read certain parts of scripture to Him, others times specific Word for the people I was praying for, other times he astounded my heart with His very real nearness and word to me--

He's just SO real and near to us--ready to meet us when we come to seek Him out--its SOOO true. I've really lived and experienced this!!!!

By the time it was time to pick up the preschoolers and minister to all the other kiddos, I was completely prepared to serve in my home and had received instruction from God in how to parent for the day, where the needs in my home were, where He was sending us out into our community that day, how to love my husband best, how exactly He wanted me to apportion my time, my chores, my menu.--He's the real deal! He REALLY speaks to us. In worship--He healed me of thyroid disease,planter faciotis, a 5 pound tumor in my abdomen, and an achy tired body (among other things--I was a mess health-wise previously!--being sick took up so much of my time and thought, effort and energy)--I know He loved healing me--for I have learned that He loves us so, and delights in healing bodies. He is SO real.

As my life was being flooded with God's presence, we also witnessed God's Spirit fall on each of my children, on my husband, on our foster children, and on our family as a whole--its been a new and living way--immersion in Him brings such life--

This does not mean that we are not fun or that we do not live life in a natural way--we have laughed more and had more to give in this joyful season here--On the other hand, PLEASE don't think either that we have got things "all figured out" --my children can argue amongst themselves like any other siblings, we get cranky, we have to ask for forgiveness ALOT--:) But in the midst of much humanness we are getting SUCH an awareness that God not only loves us but that He likes us and that He has great things in store for us --that His glory is going to shine out of all of our "cracks" (we've got alot of them!) more and more until the "full light of day".

So we are already living this intercessory life that will be going on on this missions' base--and we are thrilled about that.

When we arrive, there will be a training phase via a wonderful Bible University on campus,to be trained to equip young people to seek the Lord with all their hearts, to be restored and healed emotionally and spiritually (restored--we will love counseling and loving on these teens and college age kids.--this is perfectly made for Richard's pastoring heart and mine as well)

Next the students are sent out to testify/bring the glory of Christ to the nations locally, nationally, and internationally in missions and Christ- centered and filled justice initiatives.

We are personally being called to be involved in justice initiatives that war against human trafficking and abortion. We greatly desire to tell people about Jesus--who He is --bringing the Gospel-to people that hunger for Him--who may have never been introduced to Him.

Most likely this will take our family out around this nation and to other destinations around the world in differing ways--this call is a launch pad for so much to come through the members of our family.

We are very excited to have found a ministry that matches our musical giftings--there is ALOT of music coming out of the International House of Prayer and we all will be diving into this.

We will have a greater platform to advocate for orphans-- There is an adoption ministry there on the mission's base that our hearts are smitten with-- and that we will be plunging in to support. Our hearts continue to beat wildly for God's saving heart for the helpless.

If you have been following our blog, you may have gotten the sense that this has been an incredible miracle year in our life this year. It has!!

Much of God's movement has been behind the scenes--some of which we really desire to share with you and will very soon--its been powerful, transforming,and it truly has knocked our socks off!! I promise to share more details SOON!! As we dove into the heart of God this year, He brought a call that is so perfectly tailored for us. There is MUCH behind the "anatomy" to this call that I have not been able to share here because it stems from intimate places with God and it would just take to long to express--some of this we will be sharing later--there are many cool stories that are FULL of miracles, word from God, neat confirmations--

We'll share some of them soon--but mostly, I think there are many more stories to come. Its like we are at the beginning point of a roller coaster ride--we are going up that first hill and are hearing and feeling the "click, click, click" of the ascent to the first tummy turning hill. This is going to be an incredible ride!!

So please, those of you who know us or love us from afar in the FB/ bloggy world--please pray for us. There is alot that is to come together in the next weeks. We totally trust that we are going to see powerfully movement from God as He completes the details to what He's called us to.

Things you can pray over for us or if led give to:

We need to sell our home before we go.

We will need to raise financial partnership--all the staff positions at IHOP are volunteer--not paid positions. To enter in fully to what we will be doing there we could not hold a full-time job in the market-place--we are thinking over part-time job options combined with a sending base of partners who are excited about what God is sending us out to.

We are raising education funding for our children as well. We will need to raise 11,000 dollars to send our children to a Christian school in the area--currently there is not a public school option for our children. 26 of the local schools in this area of MO have recently been closed down --we will be combining homeschooling with a Christian school that we have found that really supports people who come on staff at IHOP. The children only have 8,000 more dollars to raise in their education fund--contributions toward reaching this final goal can be reached via the chip in widgit on our blog or at tuckersplash.chipin.com They are excited about and Trusting God to reach their goal by August 8th.

That's ALOT! Stay posted--I believe we are all going to see God provide here in huge ways. If God is pressing on your heart in some way to give to what He is up to in our midst, please feel free to call us at 615-567-6633 or tuckergillian@comcast.net or please feel free to use our Pay Pal button on the side bar that is related to donations.

Even before some of you have heard our full story, you have contributed to our family by your love to us, your prayers over us, loving emails and kind comments, and donations --thank you--we treasure how God has been using you to bring out a "new thing" in our family. God's hug has been felt through your willingness and love.

Many Blessings and Love to You!
Love,
Gillian

A 5 minute gift to you about intimacy with God--so sweet!

Summery Times

Some shots of summer moments today!
Not even in order because I am such summery mode! :)
Hope you are having a wonderful summer!!

A quiet moment with Ashley..






Apples make great friends!!


All lined up and ready to ride. These horses were at a ranch just 40 minutes away from us--My mom treated us to an amazing adventure day to celebrate the beginning of summer.


Graham, Ashley, Anderson went on a one hour trail ride and then got to tend to the horses--such fun! Mom and I stayed back at the ranch and were given a horse to take the littles on rides--it was so great to have room to roam and to tend to these beautiful creatures for an afternoon.


Cutie Pa-tu-tie!



I love that there are still wide open spaces like this to enjoy.

O.k. That's nough--we are gettin pretty hot, Mom!!



Graham at Middle school Graduation with a fav. teacher. Come on High School!!

We all came out to cheer for # 38's 1st football scrimage--exciting as the Super Bowl!!





Blessings!
Love,
Gillian

Happy Birthday, Bruik!!

Happy Birthday to Bruik!!

Bruik has greeted the day today with "B" shaped pancakes and dancing with YELLOW (favorite color) crepe paper streamers after breakfast to chipmunk music ;)

--a fav. with the six year-olds in the house!!

We'll be making our way to Jump Zone and then the pool for a pool-side family birthday celebration. :)

Bruik, you bring us great JOY!

Bruik is giving, kind and a very loving,obedient son.

He's Jack's buddy,
Ava's example,
Daddy and Mommy's sweet companion,

And a delight to us all!

God has blessed Bruik with a bright mind that is learning to read and loves to create ALL sorts of wonderful magenet block and lego creations.

He also has been physically gifted--he is beautiful in action in any Sport!


Bruik has a sweet friendship with God. His prayers are such an example of simple conversing with a loving Father. Bruik has SUCH a real and tender love for God's Word (the Bible). He often asks to read with us. At night he snuggles with the Word either close by or in his arms. He trusts the Holy Spirit's power and can be the first to lay hands on the sick in our family or to trust in God's provision for us.

We see the light of Jesus shining on your precious life, Bruiky!




This is the blessing Bruik, our "Gift of God" has us sing over him each night. (his name means, "Gift of God"--see our post on the miracle of how his name came to be under this post in the labels--"naming Bruik") I just looked the blessing up--it is from Numbers 6:24-26 --it actually is the priestly blessing God told Moses to teach to Aaron to say over the Israelites.

Very fitting for this child who's heart beats after God.
Would you please pray these verses with us today for Bruik?...


The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

“‘“The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”’

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Love, Gillian