God is faithfull in the easy and hard times!

Philippians 4:8

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center you mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

     The Verse above has been such a great help the last few months. Did you know you can choose what you think on? Well you can! Isn't that great news?

     When I started to make a conscious effort to start thinking on only good and positive things it was difficult. I didn't realize how negative and anxious I had allowed my mind to become over the years. No wonder I wasn't enjoying my life and always stress, upset and angry ALL the time.

     Back in April I went through one of the most scariest things I've ever been through. All the stress, anger and negative thoughts all piled up on me and I just crashed. And by crashed I mean I started having crazy panic attacks daily, and a form of depression tried to attach itself to me. I couldn't see the point in life, I felt numb to everything except the anxiety that was I was physically starting to feel in my body. I couldn't eat, sleep or think straight. I lost 9lbs in two weeks, do to irritable bowels, and not being able to eat anything. I knew I was in a fight for my life. 

     So that's when I started to getting into the God's Word to find verses to help me. I needed somewhere to start and something to give me hope about my future because I just physically hurt and was just warn out. I looked up some amazing verses about hope, peace and not being anxious and wrote them on note cards. I meditated on them day and night. I slept in the living room with the Christian network on so I was getting the Word of God fed into me day and night. I found that as I did that I began slowly began to walk out of all anxiety and hopelessness I was feeling.

     God slowly began showing me all he had planned for me and wanted me to do. He started showing me my life was not being wasted and that He had great and exciting plans for my life. I started to slowly hope and dream again about my future and all he wants me to do.  

     I can honestly say that I am doing SO much better just in this short time. Praise be to God. I found renewing my mind in God's Word is what I needed it gives me such strength. Because in the name of Jesus all fear and anxiety have to leave. There is healing power in HIS beautiful name. God is so good!

     This was not an easy thing for me to share. But I am determined more now then ever to share the good news of Christ. He brought me out of a deep darkness and into his glorious light. And he will do the same for anyone else who just takes Him at his word and trusts in his unfailing love.

Love,
   Casey

Fun First half of the year

   The first half of 2017 has been amazing. There has been some extremely rough patches but by the goodness and grace of God we have and will always make it through them. There has also been some extremely fun and peaceful patches which I do not take for granted. Through the rough patches from this year I have been able to grow, learn and really press into what God wants me to do with my life. But I am not going to go into that in this blog that is for another time. This one is just an update on my sweet family. Lets start with the youngest first.

Autumn:
   Sweet girl is now 13 months old. She is crawling, standing and starting to walk. I believe she will be walking full time by the end of this month, (July) beginning of next month(August). She has a ton of teeth. I have stopped putting my finger in her mouth to check because she bits...lol. She is so sweet and always has us laughing. Her hair is finally long enough that I can put a spout ponytail in. The only word she really says is daddy. Besides eating her favorite thing to do is playing with big brother. And although it's not always easy for them to play together I am proud of how well they do.

Bryson:
   Handsome boy is now 3 years old. He is doing a fantastic job potty training. I am really proud of him for not having any accidents but maybe two this last month. He got a Trike for his birthday and really enjoys riding it all over the neighborhood when we go for walks. One new thing that he has a lot of fun doing is digging in the dirt and filling the back of his Trike with it. It's such a joy to watch him discover and learn new things. He is sensitive, loving and getting a little sassy (but we are keeping it under control). He's always aloud to express his feelings but he needs to do it an a respectful manner. That what we are working on right now.

Zack and I:
   WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! We bought the house we've been renting for about 4 years back in May. It turned out to be such a blessing and God's hand was in the whole process. It was awesome to watch God move in such a big way. So this summer we are hoping to do a few improvements to make it more OUR HOME. We are so excited. God has also had His hand on Zack's painting business. Zack has had such a blessed first half of the year. And we are so thankful to God for that. And as for me I am doing well. I had a bump in road a couple months ago but by the grace of God I have came out stronger and more determined then ever to live my life to the fullest. Now I am working on a few things I believe God has called me to do and I am so excited for what the future holds. Zack and I also just celebrated our 5 year anniversary. We took a mini vacation to Olympic National Park. It was a lot of fun.

   So in conclusion God is so good and doing great things in my family. We are all happy, healthy and thankful for what the future holds. Thank you for taking the time to read this! I pray God blesses the rest of your day with great things.

Love you guys,
   Casey