PRAY

PLEASE PRAY FOR ANGIE AKEMAN!

She is a wonderful woman with such a strong heart for the Lord, her precious special daughter, husband, family, and friends. I have had the privilege of meeting her through the Johnson family and she has become such an inspiration to me. She is VERY sick in the hospital right now and is having a difficult time fighting whatever it is that is wrong with her. She is having horrible headaches, nausea, high blood pressure, etc for unknown reasons. Her and her family are in desperate need for prayer right now!

Visit her daughter's website to learn more about this family and what is going on right now!

Also, I would like to say thank you to those that continue to bless me this week! It is incredible how faithful He is in times of need as long as you are cheerfully giving to Him as He asks! He listens to our prayers and cares SO much! I am still trying to wrap my mind around this unfailing incredible love of His. It is so so beautiful to me!

THANK YOU!!!

Today was an exciting day...GOOD news and I just wanted to share...

FINANCIAL AID CAME THROUGH!!!!!!!!!

For all of you that have been praying for me and this whole financial situation, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!! It means so much to me to know that I have wonderful friends and family that crowd around me during tough times and remind me of the amazing blessings He can store upon me!! I was awarded money to cover the entire cost of my tuition, books, and some left over to save for next semester (not much, but it will get me started at least!)! God is SO faithful and He definitely blessed me beyond measure in this situation and all it took was faithful obedience, discipline, and prayer! Again, thank you SO much to those of you that have encouraged me and prayed for me these past few weeks! Praying for an awesome fall semester and guidance in my steps to follow!!!

Much Love!!!

~Allie

Jackson's 3rd Birthday!

On August 13, 2010 my little brother, Jackson, turned 3 years old! He has gotten so big, so fast! Here are some pictures of his special day and his party!!

the proud birthday boy with his birthday balloon!

we took him to dimples cupcakes downtown to get a birthday cupcake!

he picked the strawberry shortcake cupcake yumm!

momma with her kids!

the family!

my beautiful mother and I! LOVE!

Jackson didn't want to have anything to do with his food until he got to ride the "horsey"

shootin some hoops!

skeeball was more dangerous than it should have been thanks to Jack!

hmmm...do we have a country boy on our hands? haha

thank the Lord he is only 3 and has many more years to practice!

toy story birthday cake!

make a wish!

he loved all of his presents...a little spoiled! :)

family at the birthday party!

I love you crocodile!! Happy Birthday big boy!!! Love, Alligator :)

Crazy Love

I am currently reading this book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. If you have never read it, I HIGHLY recommend it. Now, I am not usually one to say that books are "life-changing" for me, but this book has challenged me in new ways never imagined before. The book is mainly about what it means to be madly in love with our Creator. As I read this book, I begin to notice how many things I let go un-noticed. For example, did you know that there are about 3,000 different species of trees within one square mile of the Amazon jungle? I sure didn't. I am far too guilty of letting the beauty of my surroundings go un-noticed. I am guilty of a lot of things. God certainly didn't have to put 3,000 different species of trees within this one square mile of the jungle, but He did. He had a reason for doing so, and that is miraculous. Just as He has a reason for each and every one of us to be here.

Another area I have been challenged in is the area of being a cheerful giver. Another thing I find myself guilty of is not always being faithful in my tithing. The verse Malachi 3:10 states " 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.'" How crazy is it that HE allows US to test Him??? We should be the ones tested, but this is the one place in the Bible that He challenges us to give cheerfully and test His faithfulness. Speaking of testing, at the moment I am stressing about how I am going to get financial aid for my classes in the fall, let alone my classes in the spring. The whole process of being awarded anything has been very time consuming and complicated. I was told that my award letter would come Friday, but have yet to receive anything or get any answers from anyone. The main reason I am worried is because my tuition is due on Wednesday! I am having faith that the Lord will provide, and trying my best to leave it to Him. But as most of you I'm sure are aware of, the flesh part of me is struggling with this. Prayers GREATLY appreciated!!!!

As of tomorrow, due to getting my finances more organized so that I can practice being a cheerful giver, I have made a new budget that I will begin following. First thing I will do once I get paid, is set aside my money to give to the church. I am praying that I experience much growth and discipline in this. I am praying that I can wholeheartedly give of my time, energy, and money. I am praying that daily His love overwhelms me!

Hope you all are having a wonderful week so far! Much love!!!