The End

Hello Everyone,

We have decided to close Abundant Lives as we have entered into a new chapter of our lives. Old things have passed away and God is making things new. It is a new season for our family. We no longer live in Atlanta, Georgia. We now live in sunny Arizona.

I started my own blog when we moved here about a month ago. It is called A HEART AT HOME. It has a daily scripture with prayer and devotion. There are also teachings about a woman's role in the home as well as just simple ideas for decorating, cooking, gift giving and other tidbits. www.ange-aheartathome.blogspot.com

Never minimize your place at home. It is the most powerful place you can be of influence for the next generations. Check out A Heart at Home. I would love to hear from you and would be encouraged to know you are enjoying it. It is my gift to you.

In Christ's Love,
Ange

We Met Some Neighbors

Just wanted to blog a quick update here in the Valley. I've noticed that the house we are living in has seemed so peaceful. All of the children have slept well here since the first night. Also I have even slept better here compared the home we lived in back East.

Yesterday evening Daniel,our 7 year old, accidentally threw his ball over the wall (the privacy fences here are concrete walls) into the neighbor's yard. So Daniel, Jamie, Joshua and I ventured over to the neighbor's house to ask if they could toss the ball back into our yard. Great timing! The mom and two of the children had just arrived home from the grocery store.

I introduced myself and the children to the family and found out they have 6 children ages 22 down to 10. They also home school. As we were chatting, the husband pulled up in the driveway. He is actually a lieutenant of the police department here. HA HA! No wonder I feel so safe here.

He went on to tell me they had been praying that a godly, home school family would move in next door. Well, they got their prayers answered. It was so neat. We were giving each other high fives in the driveway. They also have a son Kerry's age and a daughter Sara's age. Their youngest is only a year older than Jamie.

I will keep you posted on what is happening. Just wanted to share a quick update with you. LIVE! LAUGH! LOVE!

On the Wall-Yelling for Truth

A few days ago I joined Face Book as I thought it would be a great way to keep in touch with the folks back East. All of you who are familiar with Face Book know we do more than read our own messages on the wall. But don't we love to read what others have written on any and everyone elses wall? I admit, I am the first to poke around.

My eyes have been opened in a new way to just how this election has stirred our young people. I am a bit disturbed by the suspicion,distrust, and even skewed opinions of the younger generation. I realize that the older generation is just as
affected. However, I reckon as mom, the thoughts and hearts of our children is a concern of mine.

First of all, my heart is grieved that so many of us are affected by the media and other's opinions more than we are on the standard of what God's word says. The youth of this generation are so distrustful of authority. Where have we messed up parents? Where have we dropped the ball America?

One thing that does give me hope is the fact that our young people are becoming bold and outspoken about the issues of our country and of this upcoming election. I am encouraged and hopeful that God will direct this more toward Him and that He is training our young people to shout out the truth of God's heart. I am on my prayer wall watching it all and praying that we all will stop arguing our opinions and start standing and yelling for truth to prevail.

We need to be concerned about the downfall of the family, the warfare in the public schools, millions of babies dying and put a stop to striving to scrutinize every flaw we think we see in our candidates. I am not trying to minimize the fact that we should seek, research, and cry out for discernment about each candidate. Yes, God has given us the ability to make a choice here. But how many of us have stopped and asked the Lord, "Who do YOU want for our leaders Lord?" In spite of the character flaws, weaknesses, and mistakes, who would YOU, Lord, like to have in office in this country?

The thing that irks me is that we all tend to make assessments on our own opinion rather that picking up the word of God and simply making the right decision based on the standard of truth. WE must let go of what is in it for "me" and think about the next generation.

If abortion continues, a future godly president may be murdered in the womb of a deceived young mother. Who knows,maybe the person God ultimatley chose to be president these next years was aborted 40 years ago. Only He knows. However, we have to wake up,get on our designated walls,hold up the truth, and STOP being blind sighted by our own opinions.

This is my vent for the day...on the wall and shouting. "LET TRUTH PREVAIL"

IT AIN'T ABOUT ME!
IT AIN'T ABOUT WHAT THEY YAK ON TV.
IT AIN'T ABOUT THEM ARTICLES YOU READ.
IT AIN'T ABOUT THEM FRIENDS THAT YOU LET LEAD.
IT AIN'T ABOUT THE WEAKNESS OF MAN.
BUT IS ABOUT OUR CALL TO TAKE A STAND.
IT IS ABOUT THE DUTY TO DIG IN GOD"S WORD
AND STAND ON THE FOUNDATION
AND FIGHT WITH THAT SWORD.
IT'S ABOUT STAYING IN GOD'S FACE
GAZING UPON MERCY AND GRACE.
AND ASKING WHAT HE THINKS
ABOUT THIS UPCOMING RACE.
IT IS ABOUT TRUTH AND HONOR
AND THE HEART OF GOD
SO BABIES CAN LIVE
AND FAMILIES CAN LEAD
AND HIS CHURCH CAN BE THE EARTH'S AUTHORITY
JUST LIKE THE KING MEANT IT TO BE.
WHEN WILL WE BECOME SICK OF ALL THE MESS
AND RAGE AT THE EVIL
STEALING THE BEST?
IT IS UP TO US
GOD HOLDS OUT HIS HAND
WE MUST TAKE HOLD
WE MUST BE BOLD
WE MUST TAKE A STAND.
COMPLACENCY DIE!
UNGODLINESS CRY!
RISE UP TO YOUR PLACE.
AND YELL OUT THE TRUTH.
WAKE UP GROWN UPS!
TURN AROUND YOUTH!
TAKE YOUR PLACES ON THE WALL.
THIS IS ALL PAST DUE.
KEEP REMEMBERING IN AIN'T ABOUT YOU.
THE SIMPLE HEART OF A MOM,
HOLDING THE HEART OF GOD,
IS ON THE WALL,
YELLING FOR TRUTH.
FOR THE FUTURE OF ALL.

A Day in the Arizona Life

It has been exactly 2 weeks and three days since our sudden move from Atlanta to Phoenix. It is mind boggling to think about just how in control God is of our lives if we give Him the reigns. It has been difficult moving a family of 10 sixteen hundred miles away and it will take some time before this place begins to feel like home.

It has been lonely in a lot of ways for us all. However, I am watching the beauty of a family draw closer in relationship. If the Lord moved us out here just for that, this is significant and I am beyond grateful. Just a couple of months ago, I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart about the weightier matters of life-the demonstration of heart felt love and mercy. So many times we go running from here to there and we drift apart in our most important ties. God is into our relationship with Him and our relationship with family.

Relationships. God's favorite pass time. He will do anything to preserve them in a life submitted to Him. This brings me to what happened yesterday. We decided last week that we were going to visit a new church. I found the church on the Internet a couple of weeks before we moved from Atlanta. To be honest, the whole family was battling the negative attitude of having to go through the whole church hunt ordeal.

However, we did not let it get the best of us and we went. The church is called the Voyage Church. It is a new plant which started up a year ago and they meet in a movie theatre.

The thing that stood out the most was what happened as we were approaching the doors of the church/theatre. One of the men saw us coming and he actually left the doorway and started walking toward us. He met us halfway. Immediately he introduced himself and started talking to the children. He memorized their names...all eight of them before we even walked in the front door. After church we ended up walking with him and his wife out to the parking lot. We had great conversation. Not the surface stuff, but real stuff about family, faith, and relationships. Then he climbed into our van and told the children ,one by one, goodbye.

Because of this one man and one woman's kindness, we will be going back next week. Also the youth pastor called the teenagers the Saturday before. The leaders also made us feel very at home and welcome. We felt special and cared for. This is what our mission is....to reach others and share the gift of hospitality whether we are in our homes, church homes, or out about in the streets. We are already feeling more at home in Arizona because of a few people. Never estimate the seemingly small gestures of kindness that we are all able to give. We tend to make it so complicated at times...but complexity it not needed. The love of Jesus is simple. We just need to let Him fill us as we adore His beauty and His beauty will simply flow from us as a cascading waterfall.

There will be more updates coming...so if you are wondering what is new with us, just keep checking back. We miss you all and know that you are in our hearts always.

Love,
Ange

P.S. As I was just sitting here editing my blog, my four year daughter just came up to me and laid her hand on my heart and started praying for me. She has been doing this a lot lately. She keeps telling me that God will protect my heart. This was her prayer.

"Dear Lord,
I pray for Mommy's heart. That you will protect it. That you will heal it. That you will help her not to be sad. And keep her from a bad spirit. Amen.

Out of the mouth of babes God has ordained praise...so HE has ordained prayer and all the gifts HE has put within them even before the foundations of the earth were created. How great is our God!

A Must Read- The Shack

Several weeks ago my dear friend Betsy told me that I should read "The Shack",by WM. Paul Young. I knew I was getting ready to be very busy with the move. However, I went ahead and purchased the book and began reading it. I am glad I did. It is Sunday afternoon and I am sitting in my quiet chair as I have just finished the book.

This story touched my heart, challenged my mind, and revealed more about God than I could have imagined. It is ironic that one little creative work like this could be packed with so much truth and power. It is truly a message from the Lover of our souls crying for us to seek Him and learn who HE really is.

The story is about loss, grief,unforgiveness,confusion,and hopelessness. It will stir your core and show you that we all have a shack or two within our own hearts. Where is that deserted, cold and empty place in you? How did it get there? And why does there never seem to be any answers as to the inward questions of "Why?"

Did you know that within the very shack erected within you is an opportunity for you to find life and truth? But you have to go there. Someone is calling and is inviting you back to the "shack" Going there is excruciating, but a great surprise awaits you if you will only make the journey and walk through the door.

Your perspective of God will change as you will experience sides of Him you never knew existed. Your religious views will be shattered and your mindsets pulverized. He is real, relatable,tender,and affectionate. He knows the things you love and what you enjoy. His passion for you is like the breath of a thrusting wind. He does not push Himself upon you but only invites you into His arms. At the shack, you will find that the very place of pain is a refuge of fulfillment and healing. You will find yourself being carried in His arms as He knows you like no other knows you. You have heard it before, but you will truly know it after your stay in the Shack.

Go with Mack to the Shack, a simple family man who has experienced torrents of pain in his life. You will never be the same again. You will be changed as you sit and commune with the Lover of your Soul. He is calling and He is waiting. Let us go.

Deeply hidden within
nestled behind
gnarly twigs
iced vines, broken shingles
exists a bottomless floor
where uninvited sorrow
come to dwell.

It lays there only to catch death
Hope ceases, joy releases
never to return
life void of being recaptured
all is doomed, and nothing
ever to bloom again.

In the mind's eye
this is all there is
but obvious reality is not
truth's stance.

In the heart
the lies come,
distress hovers,
constantly as robbers
of life's treasures.
Then a shack forms.
In me, in you.
Time strolls
And the shack rots
But never disintegrates


Deceit never wins
in the hand
Of the Lover.
He scrutinizes
knows and redeems
He waits at the shack
where the evil one ravaged innocence
And hedged hope until it smothered.

The tattered and torn shack
where all seemed to end
Was where the Lover waited
to bind the shack within

Cascading tears water
Holding a seed
Of eternal life
In its crystal wealth
The Lover knows
what you need.
In the plot where
You only saw death
Life will meet you there
At the truest of depth.

Come to the shack
The Lover will build it again
He will fill it with joy
Beauty and life from His hand
That which was lost
You will find never was gone
And a ravaged heart
Was never alone.

(I wrote this poem as the story inspired me. You may not understand it unless you have read the book. However I pray that you will read the book and then tell your family and friends about it.
I realized that we all have heart held shacks in difficult seasons of our lives. But the shack is not the end. We must expect the Lover to be who He says He is no matter how He chooses to reveal Himself to us. He is good. He is good. He is good. As we truly learn of Him and of His tender mercies and touchable love, we learn more and more that He is good and kind. No matter what the pain you have suffered whether through death, abuse, sickness, betrayal, God is a good Father and He wants to show you that He is just that....simply good.)

More from the Valley of the Sun

Here are more photos. We took these this morning. When you wake up here it looks like this at 6:30 a.m. So of course everyone is getting up earlier. The pictures of the palm trees, the back yard and the dove were taken from the master bedroom picture window. This morning I was sitting in my "quiet time" chair by the window...praying for strength. The whole process has taken a toll on my body it seems. As I was praying and crying a little asking God to help me, this beautiful little dove (in photos above) landed on the wall. He just sat there very still for at least 10 minutes. I went and got all the children and showed them that it was God's message to us that He is with us and that He is helping us.

I was also reminded by the Lord this morning that we all tend to put too much pressure on ourselves...especially mothers. We need to learn to rest instead of being so restless thinking we should be doing more than we are doing.

After that moment we all went outside and just played in the sun. We spied a couple of butterflies and crickets. Then we googled to find out what crickets eat.They like to eat each other and they enjoy drinking beer and vinegar. We got a kick out of that.

Okay Moms ....stop pressing on yourself like I have been doing. The work is going no where...but the special moments with those precious little ones are as a vapor. Take every opportunity to embrace these rare moments with these priceless little gems.

Update from the Sunny Valley

Here are a few random photos from last weeks' move. The top picture is of John carrying the final box off of the truck. And he was still smiling! There are also a couple of photos of the house inside and out. The inside picture is of the dining area and kitchen. Our huge table is swallowed up in the spacious dining area...no more carpet there! We can sweep up the crumbs! Hallelujah. We will post more pictures of the house later with furniture.

The other pictures are of the outside. The children are enjoying this the most. And you see the spa. It has been great putting the little ones in there before bedtime. They are nice, limp, and go right to sleep! Smile.

Below that you see the pictures of some of the terrain on the drive over. Windmills in Texas and mountains galore from West Texas all the way to Arizona! It was a beautiful journey. Praise the Lord that the Cogburn school bus made it with no problems at all. God was faithful and His wind surely carried us here. There will be more updates. Keep checking. We miss and love you all.