Just something God has been teaching me: From Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

"He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10

"Faith grows during storms. These are just four little words, but what significance they have to someone who has endured life-threatening storms!

   Faith is that God-given ability that, when excersized, brings the unseen into plain view. It deals with the supernatural and makes the impossible things possible. And yes, it grows during the storms- that is, it grows through disturbances in the spiritual atmosphere. Storms are caused by the conflicts between the physical elements, and the storms of the spiritual world are conflicts with supernatural, hostile elements. And it is in this atmosphere of conflict that faith finds most fertile soil and grows most rapidly to maturity.

  The strongest trees are found not in the thick shelter of the forest but out in the open, where winds from every direction bear down upon them. The fierce winds bend and twist them until they become giant in stature. These are the trees that toolmakers seek for handles for their tools, because of the wood's great strength.

  It is the same in the spiritual world. Remember, when you see a person of great spiritual stature, the road you must travel to walk with him is not one where the sun always shines and wildflowers always bloom. Instead, the way is steep, rocky, and narrow path, where the winds of hell will try to knock you off your feet, and where sharp rocks will cut you, prickly thorns will scratch your face, and poisonous snakes will slither and hiss all around you.

  The path of faith is one of sorrow and joy, suffering and healing comfort, tears and smiles, trials and victories, conflicts and triumphs, and also hardships, dangers, beatings, persecutions, misunderstandings, trouble and distress. Yet "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37).

  Yes, "in all these"-even during storms, when the winds are the most intense- "we are more than conquerors." You maybe tempted to run from the ordeal of a fierce storm of testing, but head straight for it! God is there to meet you in the center of each trial. And He will whisper to you His secrets, which will bring you out with a radiant face and such an invincible faith that all the demons of hell will never be able to shake it. E.A. Kilbourne."


You can always trust God... no matter what happens and no matter what it looks like. God is always good so everything he does must be as well! Hope this was encouraging and that you have a great day trusting God!

 Michigan- on our way to PA! (More pix to follow!)

Great to see Britt and Ariel..and Phillip's hand :)

We thought Phillip looked soooo cute with his bib, and Abby had this awesome homemade ring of sorts!

A cabin reunion- Lydia, me, Sarah and Abby

What can I say...they are weird!!!!

Here is part of the group that went to Culvers
(Might I add the first one like in MI!!!)
L-R- Lydia Burtt, Carly Smith, Mary Burtt, Sarah Anger, Ariel Mills,
Bekah Krawiec,and, me!

It was great seeing all my friends out there...and creating a few on the way! :)

I know it has been over a year (at least) since I posted anything- so bear with me! Hopefully over the next few months I will update you on my family and all the fun that is involved with that :)! I am sorry about the randomness of this post and I will follow up with more pictures. I could only fit so many on! :)

2011 Kid's Picture

Joe's First Catch

Random Christmas Pic

The Threesome
(Don't mind Jake wearing his coat, our house is normally about 50 degrees in the morning:)

 

:)

She likes it!!!!

He does too! We laughed so hard at how big those look in the pic!

I love that face!

What can I say? My bad side exists!

Joe Street Preaching down at Marquette University

Jen, Christi, and Kris back together for a bit (at Culver's, like usual :)

Saying goodbye to the Hollandsworth's
L-R: Abby Spurgeon, Anna H., Beth H. Beth A., Leah Krawiec, Sarah H.

The Taylor Fellowship. Ps. I'm like a HUGE Taylor Fan! :)
(1st Semester)

My Chey-girl and Me

My awesome Zeteo volleyball team:
L-R: Greta Ibarra, Anna H., me, Beth H., Sarah H., Beth A.



A tearful goodbye

Here are some recent pics from this Semester!

My Friends


Christi and Me

Two of my brothers Steve and Dan

My youngest Bro. Joseph

Abbey and Me

My Sister and I at Lake MI

Joe and Me

Christi and I at the Basketball Games

Beth, Chris, and Kris at Basketball

Another Zoo Trip!!! July 27,2010

We went to the Zoo with my Uncle Mark and Linda Allen and our cousins Sara,Dianne, and Alyssa Boehme! They live in LaCrosse WI so we don't see them much! We had a blast! Here are some Pics!!! Aunt Linda and Uncle Mark

Alyssa, Sara , and Dianne feeding Goats

Uncle Mark and Joe

oooh scary stuff!

Dianne made a new friend at the zoo

Aunt Linda and Sara

Here we are getting ready for a choochoo ride!

Me and Dianne

Joe and Alyssa

; Here's the Clan L-R: top:Bethany Sara, Steve, Dan

Bottom: Joe,Kris,Dianne,and Alyssa

Joe and Me having fun!!!

Flanders Zoo Trip

Megan and Me!!

The Boys: L-R- Andrew, Caleb, Luke and Micah

Look out Caleb's Driving!!!!!

Lukey and Me!

I had a lotta fun taking those rascals to the zoo July 5, 2010.

They were sooo much fun and I loved to babysit them and play with them!

Miss you guys alot!!!!!!!!!!!!