Sunday, April 26, 2009

..............The Prayers of a Child

Does it really get any better than hearing your children pray? Is anything more powerful? I think not! My son has always been a prayer warrior. What I mean by that is he has always had faith in prayer: that it is necessary and effective. Lately, my daughter has shown some maturity in her prayer life. When they pray, they fully believe that God is real, that He is listening, and that their prayers will be answered one way or another. Yesterday in the car Macie begins to explain to me that she wants to go to the altar on Sunday to pray. I tried to explain to her that praying at the altar is not a planned event, that it is not done for "show", and that the Holy Spirit would guide her at the right time for that kind of praying. She asked that if she wanted to do that, would it be okay with me. I said yes, but she needed to be careful about her motives. So, today I totally anticipated her heading to the front so that "her friends could gather around her" as she put it yesterday. Well, the invitation started, but instead of a tug from Macie I hear Cody whisper, "Mom, can you go with me to the front so I can pray about our new home?" I knew instantly it was God leading the three of us to His altar. The wonderful thing about it is that we gathered and bowed before Him, my children led us in prayer. I didn't say a word. God had not led me to the altar, but my sweet children. They both prayed and I treasured the moment in my heart.

As my family continues to face hardships, including a new diagnosis of prostate cancer in my stepfather's life, I rest in the freedom and privilege of prayer. And who did I ask first to begin to pray? My little prayer warriors!!

I encourage you to teach your children to pray, not by script or etiquette or design, but by faith. Let them hear you communicate with your Savior. Let them see your complete assurance of your audience, the Creator of the universe and show them that it is totally appropriate to share everything with God and to hold nothing back. Remind them consistently that there is nothing unimportant to Him and He should always be our source for answers. Let them see you bowed before God.

Friday, April 24, 2009

...........It's a New Day for the Hudler's

Hi Everyone,
I post with a joyous heart tonight as we signed the final copy of a new contract for our next home today. This has been a long time coming and we feel like it is a new day for us. Many may react with, "wow, already". But, understand we have been praying for our next home for more than 2 years and God made it clear to us both what house it would be as soon as we were free from the other one. He is blessing us in so many ways in this new home. It is nothing grand or spectacular to the average person, but believe me it is full of my heart's desires. God is granting so many things I have longed for in the waiting. This place has 2 toilets and a dishwasher: never again will I take those things for granted. But it's not just the obvious. He is giving me a place to renew old hobbies, sewing and drawing. Most of my friends do not know that I do either because I haven't had the opportunity or space since we moved here. He is giving Jeff a wired, very large and separate workshop. Most do not know that Jeff is an amateur woodworker because he has not seen his woodworking tools in 2 years. We will have a separate school room which we have never had except for a short 3 mo. time period last school year. He is giving us ample space for guests and gatherings, which is something very important to us. And the blessings go on and on. GOD IS GOOD.

So many of you have prayed us through this entire journey. There have been so many bumps in the road. I can not express my gratitude for all the encouragement you have given us. Now we can finally say that we are truly North Carolinians!

I also wanted to post about Brannon. He had another surgery yesterday to repair some things that had gone wrong with the ostomy. This little guy has been through so much. This is the 4th surgery since the fall. Please continue to pray for his healing, and specifically pain control.

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Wait is Over!

Yes, the wait is over! I still have not been able to truly process that we no longer own a home in SC. I think it will set in tomorrow. But, none the less, God has delivered us!!

Thank you to everyone who has been to the Throne on our behalf over the past 2 years. We appreciate every prayer lifted regarding this journey we have been on.

Now, we search for our own home in NC. WhooHoo!!!!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Ok,.......it is like we are sitting at the table, having not had a meal in a while, and we can smell the food. Our mouths are watering and our stomachs are turning in great anticipation of the feast yet to come.

This is how I feel tonight.

We got the call today. Our closing is scheduled for Monday at 11am! We are 4 days away from a 2 1/2 year journey coming to a close. My heart wants to rejoice but I hesitate until I walk away, literally and figuratively closing that door behind me.

Tomorrow the wood inspection will be done. There is nothing else left.

So, we have to make it through this weekend, and then we feast!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Amazing Scripture about an Amazing God

Before I fill this post with scripture I want to say that I am amazed by God. Nothing I ever feel, think, imagine or do compares to Him. No problem I ever face or anxiety I ever experience is out of His command. Today I have been reminded that He goes before me, consumes me, and waits in the wind behind me. And because of that, He is completely sufficient in my life.


Isaiah 40:12-31
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? 13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? 14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales: behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. 16 Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless. 18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? 19 As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, a Goldsmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith fashions chains of silver. 20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering selects a tree that does not rot: He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman to prepare an idol that will not totter. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23 It is He who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. 24 Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble. 25 "To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. 26 lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Rest, friends, in the greatness of God!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Mistakes

I often find myself regretting something I've said or done. Actually, it is usually something I've said. I have that disease called spill mouth. If you are fortunate enough to not know anything about it, I'll be happy to fill you in. It is a syndrome in which one momentarily, and unexpectedly loses complete control of their tongue. It results in inconsiderate words, nonsense talk, and flat out rudeness (also exemplifies selfish pride). Typically I am able to live a normal life without the influence of this disease in my daily activities. However, I had a relapse last night. No need to go into details, because who really wants to tell on themselves, but I have recovered today. The good news about this illness is that there is a cure! It is called discernment and is administered straight into the heart by the Holy Spirit. If can be painful but is a sure fix.

Okay, seriously. If you know me at all you know that I am a very transparent person. Unfortunately transparency can bite you in the butt sometimes. I think I am too honest at times with the people I love and I end up causing them to be uncomfortable in one way or another. This has always been a struggle for me. BTW--if you have ever been affected by this I apologize to you now. Please forgive me and know that it is completely unintentional.
So, as I lay in bed last night trying desperately to fall asleep, I was recounting the night and thinking about 2 particular instances that I wished I could change. That led me to think about God and how much He has to put up with in my life. As my blog title suggest, it is truly my desire for others to see Christ in me, and to learn who He is through my life. I hate it when I mess up because I realize that it is a moment that I'm only confirming my self instead of Him.
I was reminded of how I completely don't deserve the salvation that He has given me in Christ.

Romans 6:23 says " For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I'm so grateful for the FREE gift of eternal life. If I had to earn it I would be in serious trouble. If you have ever thought that you aren't good enough for God, read the next verse:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Well I have absolutely nothing to boast about except what God has done. And I'm so thankful that my piddly works don't matter much to God when it comes to my salvation. He demands my belief, but not my accomplishments. Hopefully, the works that I do are confirming who He is to me and causing others to be interested in Him, but it is good that they aren't the key to my eternity.
I hope you realize that God has a gift for you, and it cost you nothing. Christ already paid the price. So take it, and be free!!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Roots

I know I seem a little manic the way I keep changing my blog look. I just can't find the one that really fits me. I'm gonna settle with this for a while so hope its somewhat appealing.

So the Lord has been tugging at me about my nonstop complaining on this blog. I feel like I haven't really ministered to anyone and that I have just used it as a source for venting. I promise to go back to the roots of this blog which were to share a bit of God with my readers. At least to who He is to me.

So stay tuned and please forgive my self-centeredness!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hello

Hi Hudler Fans, all 2 of you! I know some of you are wondering what's going on with us and the house and babies and all that. I've been waiting to post hoping that I would have some news, but since it's been a while I figure it's time to give an update.

The house:
We have not closed yet. Contract is still in effect. Underwriter STILL has the loan and we are waiting for final approval and then a closing to be scheduled.
We have started to look at houses and have some really good choices so that has been encouraging. As soon as we close I will post it so all will know!

Babies:
We have definitely settled on Jeff having a reversal done, however, who knew the expenses of that? Not us!
So for now it's on hold until we get settled with house stuff.

Brannon:
He is doing well though still struggling with set backs. He homeschools with us every day and it is going very well. He has made one very significant improvement that was not expected so we are so thankful for that.

If you feel led, please continue to pray for the closing as we long everyday for it to happen. When I say we I mean all 4 of us. We are so ready to celebrate!