Over Now -

A few posts back I spoke of this season. I know, for a fact, that I am not the only one going through it. There are a few I can name: Wilsons, McClendons, Capertons...those are just a few. I fully believe that we are here to learn, grow, and be prepared for the glory of the Lord. Now, I don't believe God brings, sickness, unemployment, disease or poverty. These are results of our fallen world. I cannot speak for any of the afore mentioned people, but this season I have felt God close but I feel He has been very quiet. So to fill the silence sometimes I just put in a CD and listen. I was listening to a CD by Needtobreathe called Daylight. There is a song called Over Now. Part of it says,

There is a feeling that you won't make all you have in store,
This is just a season, you deserve much more.
Lift up your head, look out the window, cause it's almost over now.
Take back the time, your fear has stolen, cause it's almost over now.

This song was, I think, God reassuring me through His quietness. I pray it is encouragement to anyone going through a hard season. God's plans have purpose. Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies...waiting for hindsight...

New Pics!!!

Here are some new pics taken by the great and amazing Mandi Scoggin, for Erica's magazine Au Courant!!

I'm back -

It has been exactly 9 months and 6 days since my last blog. (This is what that sounds like to me, Dear Mary full of grace it has been 9 months and 6 days since my last confession.) I felt like blogging was taking up too much of my life. I am sad to say that I fell out of the practice of it quite easily. But looking back I realized that was an outlet that caused me to write more often that I have without it, and for that reason (and a strange dream from Kelly Bruce) I am back. (Please, hold your applause until the end :)

I have seen many types of blogs. There are the very spiritual teaching blogs. The blogs that detail the journey of ...whatever...losing weight, stop smoking, houses remodeled. You know what I mean. Don't get me wrong...all good. Just not for me. Not saying I will never do one of those things, just that I see this as different all together.

In 2009 I got a prophetic word from a friend that when I turned 31, big stuff was going to happen , good stuff. I heard from countless people that this next year was OUR year.

It has been a while so let me catch you up

About 9 months ago our family started on a new journey. We will call it, owning your own business. (picture me throwing up as I type it) We had recently bought a house, which I had desired for a looooooonnngg time. So here we are, spending days lounging by my new pool, the kids running around our beautiful yard all summer, enjoying space and comfort and my heart full of thankfulness that God finally saw fit to answer my prayers (or moans). Things are good. I mean really good. And you know what God is good too. I am on staff at my church and experiencing great growth. I am finding my true identity. I am embracing myself and loving myself for the first time in a long time. Billy is getting lots of jobs for his new business. I have started a new workout program that I love and guess what: it's working. My kids are happy, my mom is a happy, I am happy and Billy is happy (or so I think).

A little time goes by.

Billy now informs me that money is getting tight and we need to be careful what we spend. Hey, I am on board with that. (As long as it doesn't affect me idea of my perfect comfortable new life) My mom informs me that she is having some pain in her abdomen. (my thinking...she is going to be fine, just needs some medicine) Then as Christmas arrives I find that money being tight has moved to money being GONE. We prepare the kids for a lean Christmas. They cry and are sad, but alas we make it through and they were blessed, as were we. Not because we got stuff, but because God is Good.

Then we go from "money's tight", to "money's gone" to "we are in debt." So we start unloading stuff. Dish network - gone. Internet - gone (Have to say we had to get that one back, sheesh who can live without the Internet). Home phone - gone. New great workout - gone :( Cars - traded in. Eating out - gone. Buying whatever I need whenever I need it - gone. You get the picture. Diagnoses comes back from the Dr. - cancer. Billy's business - goes under. Now we are faced with a number of things. One of things was reconciling the "GOOD" God I talk about to my actual reality. I was scared, angry, insecure just to start with. This has led me to finding out some truths I really needed to learn.

1. God is always good.
~Even when my circumstances are not.
2. Billy is not the problem. I am.
~I have found in the midst of this situation I have too may times, reacted in a way that is not very encouraging and secretly in my heart blamed him.
3. Billy is not my source. God is.
~I have learned to have faith in every one of these circumstances.
4.I love my husband
~I have learned again that we have a "no matter what" marriage.

So where are we now...We are both looking for jobs. Mom is on her third round of Chemo coming this Wednesday. We are still in a lot of debt. I am going to have to put Maddie in daycare when I find a job. We are trying to keep our house, that is still uncertain. We are praying everyday for the provision of the Lord. We are on a journey to become whole and that hurts. On every level of relationship (mom, husband, kids, family, friends) God is calling me to go deeper. This is our season of loss.

But, I have gained so much. I think it will be easier to distinguish that in hindsight. Oh, I can't wait for hindsight. But until then I will say God is always good to me!!! I really believe it. Even in loss, God is still always good. I know there are many of you have much more tragic stories than mine, but that is just it. This in mine. Anyway, I don't even know if anyone will read this. You have probably all removed me from you list. I wonder if this is like the tree analogy. If a blog is written and no one reads it, is it still a blog??

Okay, so I know I said I wasn't blogging anymore, but because Rachel called me out specifically I figured this is a pretty safe one. So here I go...

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. Moving into a bigger house
2. Money never being an issue
3. Mexicooooooooo!!!!
4. Publishing my first book
5. All of my kids being in school (I know this sounds terrible)
6. Being the perfect size that God intended me to be
7. Publishing my second book
8. Seeing KLF reflect what is at the heart of who we are in it's fullness

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Go one day without my computer
2. Wear shorts
3. Travel everywhere with Billy (this may should have gone in the above section)
4. Sing
5. Keep the laundry done and put away
6. Give my children everything they have ever wanted (probably not a good idea)
7. Go to the movies once a week
8. Become addicted to exercise

8 Shows I am Currently Watching:

1.American Idol
2. Biggest Loser
I will soon be watching
3. Wipeout
4. So you think you can dance
5.
6.
7.
8.

Okay, I will tag ....ummm....someone please do this :)

Family Pics

Well Helloooooo -

I am so tired of looking at that post from 1986. I thought to myself, surely I could think of something else to write about. So here goes; an update of sorts.

My and Kristina have been planning the BFW. Pam and Joann have been big helps. I am really excited. But I want to see something happen. I want the traditional "If you are leading something big, you will be attacked" scenario to die. I am so tired of this being the norm. We have had all sorts of crap happen. I don't really want to give you the gory details. Let's just say I am tired. I know this BFW is going to be powerful. The best yet. I can say that because every one is better than the last. That is to God's credit. So anyway, I am really excited. Just a few weeks left.

Mom has gotten a not-so-great report back from the oncologist. I don't receive it. I am believing for long life for my mother. Have faith with me, that is all I can say right now.

I just started the P90X. I am on day five. It is pretty much suckfest. It is so hard. But I like to work hard. It's is the eating that is a *&@%. (I am not sure what you will find if you follow this.) I spend most of my time being sore and tired. But I think it will pass in about 90 days. I am hoping for good, FAST results. What can I say, I come form the microwave generation.

Maddie has been sick. She had the flu and some crud after. Bailey has has a cough. Paige, me and Blaise had a stomach bug about a week ago. Just to give you a glimpse Blaise threw up and had diarrhea in her bed, never woke up, just rolled around in it until the next morning. Yeah, I know: gross. Almost everyone is better know.

Sunday night has been good. It went from about 30 or 40 people to aver a hundred every Sunday night. What Brandon talked about this past Sunday night was life changing. If you weren't there I highly encourage you to get the CD. It was so powerful. Jason has also taught of some great Kingdom principles also. Again, CD's available.

The book is coming along well. I am about ready for the first edit to get the initial book proposal ready. Just pray for me. Julia emailed me this week after a pretty long absence on my part. I have spent so much time for the BFW I haven't written much. It was good to here she is still interested.

I don't even want to talk about the house. All is going well, it is just that every time I say anything . . . well you know. Let's just say - soon. Okay, let's just say that.

Well, I will leave you with as few recent pictures.

Maddie's getting into everything, as you can see. She keeps me busy!!

We have been having lots of fire. I pray they are prophetic pictures of a fire God has started.

Paige was in a show at the Paramount. She was gorgeous and thinks she has found her calling.

Maddie's first attempt at string cheese.

Maddie and her gorgeous daddy (isn't he hot?). She wasn't feeling well, so they were cuddling.

P.S. Don't plan to hear a lot from me from blog world. I really want to be wise with all my time. While I love all of your blogs. I think I need to invest in some specific area. But, I may sneak in every now and again.

Cancellation of debts

At the beginning of 2008, Billy and I began the year with about $90,000-$100,000 of debt. We have had debt our entire marriage. This year we began to declare that we would be debt free in 2008, except for our school loans of course.

Early in the year I began to see the number 5 everywhere. I would glance at the clock and it would be 5:55. I got bills in that were $55.55. All.The.Time. Then I read in one of Bill Johnson's books that God revealed to him this was the cancellation of debts. We began to buckle down and pay off everything we could. But we still had the big ones. School, 2 vehicles, a land payment, some small medical bills and credit cards. Then, as most of you know, in April the church paid all $29,000 of our school loans off. This was a turning point in our mentality. What was previously impossible, now seemed more realistic. Next we paid off out credit cards and all other small bills. Then our suburban finally sold. Then as the last few months of the year came and went, so did our debt. The truck, which again seemed like an impossible situation, was sold. The land payment is gone. Medical bills gone. All we owe is a small amount on our van now. We went from being a slave to debt to pretty much debt free.

It really is true that we hold the power of life and death in our tongue. As we continued to declare, "Debt free in 2008" we sat back and was wowed by God's goodness.

Now my faith is increased. I have even bigger things to declare in 2009. What are you declaring for 2009?

"Twas the Night Before Christmas -

It is late, I am waiting for one more little girl to go to sleep so I can put the finishing touches on the Christmas presents. But, while I wait I have thought about how blessed I really am. I have a wonderful husband, 5 beautiful and healthy little girls, my needs are all met, I am beginning a promising career as a writer, I love my church body, I have some of the best friends a girl could want, and Jesus is crazy about me. God is forever exceeding my expectations. Every time I think, "There is no way," or "I don't see how it can work out," God comes through again. You would think I would quit thinking those absurd thoughts. But, as I take inventory of my life I am left with the wonderful assurance that God loves me and He is good. These two statements are what I want to base my life from. If I never believed anything but these two things, life would be good. I know it is early for new year's resolutions, but I already have a few. So here are some things I want for 2009:

*To live everyday from "God is good and He loves me."
*To write something everyday.
*To love more deeply than I ever have.
*To concentrate on the important things and let the fluff fall away.
*To take care of what has been given to me in the most excellent way.
*To let go of all bitterness, pain, wounds, disappointments and unmet expectations.

I am sure there is more. But this is more than enough to keep me busy through at least April.

Well, I am off to finish up. Blaise is finally asleep. I pray that God blows every one of your expectations away with His goodness.

Blaise's Angel -

Last night we were winding down for the night. The three older girls were all asleep. I was feeding Maddie a bottle when Blaise walked into the living room. She has something in her hand, but I couldn't tell what it was. Blaise is getting to the age that she doesn't do crazy dangerous things anymore. She is three now and she is smart, so I don't worry so much anymore. But, last night, she gave me quite a shocker. She came around the couch and told me "Mom, look what I did." I got up and looked and she had stuck a metal key into an outlet in the living room. Now, mind you, it had outlet covers on it. She just stuck it in under it and stuck it right into the outlet. In the outlet that just happens to be the only outlet in the house that doesn't work. I then proceeded to freak out and scare her until she cried, which wasn't my plan, I was just so overwhelmed with what could have happened. I put Maddie to bed and just held Blaise for a long time. She calmed down and informed me that I was "in big trouble" for scaring her. I apologized again, but thought to myself it was worth it if she would never do that again.


Thank you Jesus for always protecting my children. Your blood is enough!

Billy George Hafner IV

So, if I were to have had a boy, do you think this is what he would have looked like?

** For those of you who are not sure, this is Maddie with blue pj's and paci **

The battle of the century!

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the fight we have all been waiting for. I am Bob, along with my fellow announcer, Jim.

In this corner weighing in at 450 pounds, consisting of 12 loads of white, darks, jeans, colors, greys/tans and towels is the the dreaded laundry. In this corner, weighing, none of your beeswax, is Francesca.

Now, Jim, Francesca may have a poor record against this competitor, but I think she has potential. She has only won 120 out of the 46,831 times they have met, but this could be her day.

Ding!!!

As the bell rings we see Francesca coming out swinging, but she has had a problem with her stamina in the past. We will see if she has improved any. Now the laundry's biggest defense is it's sheer mass. It has the ability to make the bravest of fighters cower in the corner, thumb in mouth, in the fetal position.

Ding!!!

Now, in Round 1, Francesca managed to take out the easiest in the laundry's arsenal, the jeans and towels, but let us see if she can manage the colors. It is amazing how many little shirts can fit into one load, Bob. She is trying to get ready for the next round. Here is where we have seen her go downhill. Let's see what she has got left.

Ding!!!

She is getting winded, I am not sure she has enough gas to see it through. Oh, and she goes down. Well, that was a short fight, Jim. I thought she would make it to the 3rd round. But this TKO was brutal. She will have to spend ALL her spare time training for the rematch.

Better luck to her next time.

Life -

Things have been pretty quiet in blogville. I have missed reading about what is going on in your lives. So here are a few things going on here.

My mom is doing better and then again she isn't. The tumor is gone and her chemo is done. She only has about five radiation treatments left. But she is back in the hospital again. She couldn't keep any liquids down or any of her medicine yesterday so I took her back to the hospital and she will be there until tomorrow. I fully believe that she is healed. I am just ready for her treatments to be finished so she will begin to feel better again. It is hard seeing her so weak and tired all the time. But it won't be long until she is better than before.

The fast is going pretty good. I have had many victories and a couple of defeats. But over all it has been good for me. I am determined to stop living by what feels good or even right. I will not be ruled by anything but the love of God. I am on a mission to learn to be completely satisfied with the Lord. Not food or entertainment, not praise of man or positions. I want to know what it is to be satisfied only by God. I can take comfort during this time in Hebrews 2:17-18

"Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertain to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."

Jesus partook in humanity so I could partake in divinity. Amazing.

Maddie is getting so big. She is sitting up and eating off of her highchair tray. She is saying dada and other sounds. She loves her sisters and is a joy to our family. People have told me that she brings peace to those who hold her. Madeline means high tower. I declare that she will be a place of refuge for those who need it.

Billy is amazing. I can't put it in this post because there is too much to tell. I am finding in this twelfth year of marriage things I have wanted from the beginning. The way of the Kingdom is peculiar indeed. He who loses his life will find it. He who gives will receive. It is a paradigm that I want to know in a deeper way.

For those of you who haven't heard, the house inspection came back a disaster. So, I will continue to wait. I am cool with it. I just want God's will in God's timing.

Sunday night training has been really good. I can see every week, people's lives being changed by the prophetic. It really is powerful. There are words that I have gotten that will be nuggets I stand on for years to come.

So, there are some updates. Not anything really new, just life.

30 years old!!!

Well, yesterday was my 30th birthday. First I had Coffee, with no coffee, with my friends. I then did laundry and cleaned house all day and got ready for Marriage Life Group. It looked to be just like any other day. I noticed the first curious thing when Billy asked me what I was going to wear to life group. I thought this was an interesting question, but I just thought maybe Kathy was planning a little something so I dressed up a little. So, Chass got to the house to keep the kids, and I gathered up my notebooks and stuff for life group and walked outside and there was a LIMO!! Can you believe how sweet Billy Is. Anyway, when I got in the limo it got even better. Pam and Elliott, and Cody and Ashley, were waiting inside for me. We went to the movies and saw Fireproof. It was really good. You have to get by the initial cheesy factor, but after that I really liked it. We went out to dinner and then came home. It was my first official night out without Maddie since she has been born. That is six and a half months. That is a long time. But what a way to do it. I had such a good time. And tonight I have more birthday fun. So this is like a birthday weekend instead of just one day. I am amazed at Billy lately. But that will be another post for another day.

I need a vacation. I have heard it said that getting away is a necessity, running away is stupid. I think if you don't do the first, you end up wanting to do the second. Anyway, I would love to make a break for it. Maybe even just for a few days. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would it be?

Telemarketers ...sheesh!!

Phone rings. I pick it up and look at it. I don’t recognize the number but decide to answer it anyway.

Me: Hello?

Telemarketer: Hello, may I speak to Billy Hafner?

Me: I’m sorry he is not available, can I help you?

TM: Can you tell me who takes care of the electric bill?

Me: I do.

TM: Great, you are just who I need to talk to. (Like we are best friends) I am with First Choice Electric and I want to talk to you about your electric service.

Now, this guy sounded so excited I thought I would go with it for a while and see where we ended.

Me: Okay.

TM: Now, who do you currently have service with?

Me: Reliant.

TM: And do you know if you have a fixed rate or a variable rate.

Me: Ummm … I am not sure…I think a fixed rate.

TM: Well do you think or do you know? (At this point I am thinking this guy is getting a little too cocky.)

Me: Well, I am not sure.

TM: Well, do you have a monthly service change.

Me: I don’t think so.

TM: (Smugly) Then you have a variable rate. Which means they can change you rate from month to month.

Me: Ohh.

TM: I think we can offer you a better rate, can you give me your zip code.

Me: 79510

TM: Okay, give me just a second…oh this is the best rate I have seen all day (I am sure he says that to all the girls) 14.1 cent per kwh.

Me: Okay (as I am sliding over to my computer to pull up my current rates and plans)

TM: You would have a $4.95 charge per month plus being billed for your kwh.

Me: Okay.

TM: So, if you used about 1000 KWH you would have a bill of about $140 per month.

Me: (pulling up my account)

TM: Oh, I’m sorry is that too brainy for you (are you kidding me?)

Me: (deciding I am going to take control of this conversation) No, that is not too brainy for me, I was just thinking that 1000 kwh is an extremely low per month average.

TM: Well that is just an average.

Me: Now tell me, do you have online services?

TM: Oh, you would ask me that, I just started…I think so.

Me: Well do you think or do you know?

TM: (nervous chuckle) Here let me ask…(he is mumbling in the background) yes we do, we have a $3.00 charge to pay by over the Internet or phone.

Me: Do you have other hidden fees applied?

TM: Well, we do have a cancellation fee of $295, if you cancel before your contract is up.

Me: That is pretty steep. So I have a monthly charge and a charge for paying online.

TM: Yes.

Me: I am sorry, what did you say your name was?

TM: Bill

Me: Well Bill, this is my problem, reliant has a rate of 13.5 cents per kwh, no monthly service change and no fee to pay online.

Bill: (laughing) Are you trying to talk me down.

Me: Well, if you are only offering 14.1, I can do better than that with my current provider.

Bill: (still laughing) Are you a used car salesman?

Me: No, I am a stay at home mom, but I do a lot of negotiating.

Bill: Well, I guess you won’t be interested in switching.

Me: No, I guess not.

Bill: Well, okay, I guess that is all, have a good day.

Me: You too!!

Update -

I am so tired of seeing that last post, so I decided I had to write something. So...where to begin.

We are in the process of buying a house, yes again. We are waiting to hear something from the seller's mortgage company. If that goes through and the inspection goes well, it should be a go. But, you know as well as I do, that you never know with us. The house needs some work, but could be a great investment property.

Mom's treatments are going well. She has had hardly any side effects from her Chemo. She should be leaving the hospital tomorrow. She has five rounds of radiation left and one round of chemo left. She will go back into the hospital to do the chemo. During this time she is going to be staying with Gary and Andrea Cheek. They have an extra room and bath. She will have some space and quiet to rest and get well. It was such an amazing thing for them to offer. God is going to bless them tremendously.

We kicked off Sunday night training last night. I though it went well. I received some pretty amazing words. Some that I will remember for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to the next 8 weeks.

Everyday I am further amazed at Brandon's leadership ability. The beauty is that he remains humble and transparent. I love how he empowers people to be their best and wants people to have an outlet. He is not interested in holding people down or insecure about what it means to him if they are successful. He wants them to be successful. Everyone is needed, this is the mentality. I love it.

Had a little scare today. I have had two dreams that I was pregnant. Pam had a dream that I was pregnant. I still haven't started my period from when I had Maddie (sorry boys). Billy's vasectomy is Friday. Would that be ironic or what if I were to find out I was pregnant the week of his surgery. Well, all is well. I am not. I was extremely relieved.

We are going through Marriage Life Group. We just started and I have found more things coming to the surface in my heart than I have in a long time. I think it is good though. I want to have a heart that is more concerned about meeting my husbands needs than my own. I know when I truly do this, all my needs will be met too. That is just the way God operates. If we are trying to get for ourselves we lose. But if we give of ourselves we will get. It is a great paradigm.

Avery was asked to be the princess in the homecoming procession at Friday Nights game. She will wear a fancy dress and carry the homecoming crown on a pillow for the new queen. She is super excited. Paige is also going to that game with a boy and his parents. Yikes, I know. We know them well and he is a sweet boy. But we have made it clear they are not boyfriend/girlfriend. But he did buy her a mum.

It has been a pretty hard last few weeks. Billy has been working out of town and with mom gone I have been a single mother. Just a shout out to the single moms I know, Jennifer and Amanda, I don't know how you do it. I only had to do it for two weeks and that was plenty. I pray God would give you strength and endurance to be both mom and dad.

Well, Me and Billy turn 30 on Oct 23 and Nov 29, respectively. I am excited about my 30's. I am believing they are going to be better than my 20's.

Well, laundry is calling my name. I should answer it. That is some of the things going on here.

Faith -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For those of you who have not heard - My mother had some tests ran and got back an initial bad report. We are waiting to hear about a biopsy and a ct scan. I am asking all of you to put every bit of faith you have in prayer for her. We hope to hear something soon. I am praying for a good report. Please join me.

Thanks

***Update - Mom got a call with the results. It tested positive for cancer. She will start having app. and treatments almost immediately. Please continue to pray.

I need a miracle in the coming months. I need the heavens to open and the glory and the favor of the Lord to rest on Billy and I. I need resource and laborers and healing and open doors and relationships mended and blessings. I need God to come thru big for me. I am looking forward to telling you how He does it.

Suckfest!!

Computer crashed. Not very conducive for this aspiring writer.

Bring the Rain!!

It was Friday, cloudy, as I listlessly surfed the Internet. I used to sit down at my computer with anticipation at what would pour out of me. But lately, every time I sat down and looked at my screen … nothing. I was frustrated and felt very dry in this area. As I scrolled through house plans on houseplans.com, my phone let out a familiar beep. I turned it over and to my surprise saw Aaron Laughlin’s number. That’s not right; I thought to myself, he is in California at the School of the Prophets conference. But it was Aaron, and this is what the text message said:

“Holy Spirit, I call on you to pull out the creative writing ideas in Fran today! You will step out of the dryness today and into the rain, that is the word of the Lord.”

As I read these words something broke over me, I wept into my hands as the feelings of lethargy fell off of me. I looked out the window, wanting to run out in the rain. I wanted this oppressiveness to be washed off of me. I wanted the weight of the message that couldn’t get out, to be rinsed off of my shoulders. But, the clouds had begun to clear and it looked like no rain in sight.

I opened the current thing I was writing. I looked at it with determination. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit I began typing had more done in ten minutes than I had accomplished in the past 3 months.

As I typed I continued to look out the window, waiting for a rain drop to fall. But as more time passed, the bluer the sky got. Then, my phone beeped again, Aaron said this:

“I had a picture of you actually dancing in the rain. Next time it rains I think there is something prophetic there.”

I felt that very thing. I responded with:

“Just waiting for the first drop!”

But as the night went on, there was no rain. As I laid my head on my pillow I thought of rain. And as I drifted off to sleep I dreamt of myself dancing in the rain.

I looked at the clock in my room. It said 9:24 am. It was so dark; I had slept later than I had planned. I laid there for a minute until my ears recognized the familiar pitter pat on my metal roof. It was raining. I jumped up and got dressed. I opened the door and what welcomed me was wonderful. In the weeks of summer, with highs around 100, everyday, it was a cool 65 degrees outside with a steady rain falling. I stepped out of the dryness of my home onto my wet porch. I spread my arms wide and threw my head back as the rain poured over my face. I ran down the stairs into the puddles awaiting me, and as a child, splashed through each of them. I thanked the Lord for the rain, and that I was not made to live in the desert. I declared and prophesied over myself and thanked God that the wells within me would never run dry. I would always have something to write about. As I twirled and splashed around, ignoring the cars driving by, I began to feel the weight slide off. I was sure it ended up in the muddy puddles at my feet. Before too long three of my five daughters were out splashing around with me. As we danced and twirled we prayed and prophesied over each other and others in my family. I prophesied greatness over each of them and myself and Billy.

Bailey jumped in to each puddle with gusto. She squished in through her toes and soon her fingers. As she pranced around covered in rain and mud she said that Blaise would be a great leader. Paige would sing songs to people and they would know God was real and good. Billy was a king among men. Avery would love the Lord always. We would have a great house where people would come. Grandma’s paintings would go all over the world and would be joy to the world.

After about 30 minutes, we were wet and a little cold, but invigorated. The rain began to pick up and the wind howled. Blaise began to shiver a little and I knew our time was done. Avery took one more run through, as we rinsed off our muddy feet. You could still see muddy holes, shaped like feet, scattered through the front drive. As I looked out into that mud I thought of how they would probably remember this moment for years to come. And one day, maybe they would take their own children by the hand and jump through mud puddles until they were too tired to do it again. Then maybe they would take their own kids in the house and wrap them with robes and tell them they were robes of royalty. And them maybe they would make them the most chocolaty hot chocolate ever.

I really hope so!