I know this is early, but...

Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you, moms for the way you sacrificially serve your Husbands and children! Your hard work does not go un-noticed!

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” (Proverbs 31:28-29)

Happy Birthday Karah Lee!

Happy Birthday Karah! Thanks for being the sweet and caring little sister you are! I hope you have lots of fun today! I love you!!!

Jeremiah 29:11-13- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.”

Last But Not Least....

....My mom and sisters!!!

Mom:
Proverbs 31:11, 12, 25-31- “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life…Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongues. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”

The scripture above pretty much sums up my mom. Just watching her go about her daily tasks spurs me on to grow in godliness. Her example of trusting God in all situations gives me the desire to do the same. She’s kind and uplifting and has been faithful to teach her daughters the ways of a Titus 2 woman. I don’t know where I’d be without her in my life!

Amber:
1 Corinthians 4:-7- “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Amber is a loving person! She is patient and kind (especially with me!). She walks with humility and rejoices with the truth at all times. Amber has shown me time and time again what it means/is to be a loving and kind person.

Victoria:
Habakkuk 3:18-19- “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord is my strength!”

Victoria is definitely the witty sister…. She’s always making someone laugh! With laughter comes joy and she brings it out of a lot of people, especially her family!

Karah:
Romans 12:9- “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection."

Karah is caring and loving towards all of God’s creation (like having a lizard for a pet!!!). She’ll give you a hug when you need it! When someone has a need, she is the first person to go get it… I’ve lately been noticing a servant’s heart in her.

All the single ladies, all the single ladies...

all the single ladies, all the single ladies, now put your hands
up! ;-)... Ok, now onto more serious things! :-p

Courtney Conrad:
Philippians 2:3- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Courtney is an unselfish and others oriented person. She always looks for ways to serve others and do what’s best for them, not herself.


Damaris Wells:
1 Corinthians 15:58- “…Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Damaris is steadfast in her relationship with God during the good and bad times. She is a steadfast friend!


Jenn Romanski:
Hebrews 12:1- Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Jenn is passionate to serve our Savior, worship and bring glory to His name. Jenn runs with endurance!

Sarah Jenkins:
Nehemiah 8:10- “For this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Sarah is always full of laughter and joy! It's contagious to people around her.



Lana Calabello:
Ephesians 4:29- “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Lana is such an encouraging friend. I’m spured on to grow in my relationship with God when I interact with her. Lana ALWAYS speaks kind and uplifting words!


Shyla Norful:
Psalm 27:4- “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

Shyla has faith to follow God’s will for her life and faith through difficult times.

Annsley Edwards:
Habakkuk 3:18-19- “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord is my strength!”

Annsley always has a smile on her face and lives with the joy of the Lord as her strength.


Girls, I am so very grateful to God for bringing each and every one of you into my life. God has used all of you to speak into my life, each in different ways. I pray that as we continue to walk side by side in our relationships with God and explore all He has in store for our futures that our relationships with each other will continue to grow in new ways that bring much glory to God! I love you all and count each and every one of you as a blessing!

Wives of Noble Character...

Shawna Crotsley:

1 Thessalonians 5:11- “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

An evidence of grace I’ve always noticed in Shawna is her encouraging and uplifting spirit, especially when someone is struggling with a particular sin issue and she notices them fighting to defeat it. She has always been faithful to ask her dear friends challenging questions. As an accountability partner, she speaks the truth and speaks it in love. Time and time again Shawna has opened up her home to my little sisters when my parents have gone out of town or just to give my mom a break. Shawna is constantly seeking ways to serve her husband and children.

Christine Edwards:

Psalm 28:7- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped….”

Christine is someone I’ve always admired. I’ve watched her walk through some very challenging circumstances and through them she always had her trust in our Father and remembered His faithfulness. Something I’ve greatly appreciated about Christine is the way she’s always reached out to the single girls at Church. She has been a HUGE source of encouragement to us all! Christine is a blast to hang out with! She constantly makes people laugh and is always laughing at herself. She is a woman of humility!

Colleen Moore:

Psalm 96:9- “Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness, tremble before him, all the earth!”

Over the past two years my relationship with Colleen has grown quite a bit. She’s another person I’ve watched walk through some very difficult circumstances and remembered God’s faithfulness through them. Colleen has always been faithful to ask how she can be praying for me. She’s been a huge encouragement to me through some recent circumstances I’ve gone through and am still walking through. She gives me honest opinions when I ask her for them! I absolutely LOVE to watch Colleen worship, whether it be in a home group setting or on a Sunday morning, she glistens with the joy of the Lord expressed in her worship and on her face. Colleen is a woman of passion!

Jean Glick:

Proverbs 31:30- “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Jean has been a steadfast example to me for many years now. One thing I’ve noticed in her is her faithful submission to her husband in and through everything. She has been a portrait of a godly wife and mother to me. Our families have always been very close and one thing I’ve greatly appreciated about her is not only how she’s reached out to Amber and I, but how she’s been a steadfast friend to my mom. She constantly encourages me to keep pursuing Christ and live for an audience of One. Jean is a beautiful example of a woman who fear’s the Lord!

Allie Olsen:

Ephesians 4:32- “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Allie is a kind, caring, and loving person. She is a mother of five kids all under the age of 10! She’s always joyful and never complains about the season of life she’s in. Her caring and kindred spirit overflows into all her children. Allie is always serving in some way! Whether it’s doing something for her husband or kids, being a home group leader’s wife, or serving at a Church event, she does it joyfully. Allie is a woman who extends much grace to others!

Ladies, thank you all for the examples you are of godly wives and mother’s and for selflessly serving your families and the Church. You all display examples of quiet and gentle spirits and spur me on to grow in godliness! It is a blessing to know each and every one of you!

Encouraging Others

Romans 12:10- “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Ephesians 4:29- “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

This week I’m going to take some time each day to encourage/honor the high school, single, and married ladies that have all been instruments of God’s grace working in and through my life. Today, here are two young ladies named, Lauren Eddy and Laura Watt:

Psalm 25:1- "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust..."

It is evident that Lauren is a young lady that trusts in the Sovereignty of God. I’ve watched her grow over the years and I’ve seen this evidence of grace more and more on display in her life, especially while her dad was deployed in Iraq. I can’t imagine how difficult that time must have been for her! Instead of complaining during the time her dad was away she chose to run into the arms of her Daddy in Heaven for comfort. During that trial I know there were many times she wanted to give up, but stayed strong and that was a wonderful example to those around her! Another thing I’ve noticed in Lauren is her servant’s heart specifically in the way she’s serves the Broka family time and time again by babysitting their kids or just going over to their house to help in whatever way she can. We need more girls like Lauren that have the heart she has to serve on a daily basis! She is an example to many!

Psalm 149:3- "Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!"

At a very young age I saw Laura as someone that had a passion for God, specifically through dance. There were many year’s that I had the privilege of dancing with her. Through those years and still today it has been a joy to watch her in class and on stage worshiping our Savior. The teachers at the studio have told me numerous times how grateful they are for Laura and the example she is to all the other girls in the dance company. It has been evident that she has a heart to reach out to these girls in the way she initiated and made an effort to put together a Bible study with her mom to invite these girls to. Having Laura in my home group I’ve noticed that she’s always been one who’s quick to confess sin to others and ask for prayer and accountability. She lives a life of humility! Laura has sacrificed many times to help her mom take care of her handicap sister Lindsay. She has been an example to many and I’m sure Lindsay see’s her heart for our Savior as well!

Lauren and Laura, It has been a joy to watch you girls grow in your relationships with the Lord. You’re both turning into beautiful God fearing young ladies and will be rewarded one day for the sacrifices you’re making in laying down your lives to serve in the Church and your families. Thanks for being so much fun to be around! You both have a special place in my heart and I pray for you daily! Keep pressing on in your relationships with God....you’re doing an outstanding job!

Happy Birthday Amber!

Dear Amberdee,

Words cannot express how grateful I am for you! We’ve gone through many things in this past year that we’ve had to lean whole heartedly on God and each other for support and encouragement. There have been times of laughter, times of pain and tears, we’ve made many memories that we’ll never forget, and have drawn much closer to each other as sisters.

Proverbs 31:30- “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” You truly are a God fearing woman. In this past year, I’ve watched you walk through many circumstances that I’ve never seen any one else walk through the way you have. Your constant fight for joy and desire to draw closer to God and be in His Word has spurred me on to do the same! The inward beauty you display of a gentle and quiet spirit has always been provoking to me!

Victoria, Karah, and I could not ask for a better “big sister” than you! Thanks for being a fun (and a little crazy at times :-p) person to hang out with! My prayer is that as we’re both growing older and have no idea what our future holds, that we can continue to grow in our relationship with each other, not just as sisters, but as best friends!

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Candace

Happy Birthday Victoria Joy!

Dear Toydy Be Doydy, :-p

When I think of you, I think of someone that’s fun, smart, witty, and energetic! Thanks so much for your joyful fun loving attitude you have daily and most of all for always making me laugh!
You‘re becoming one beautiful and godly young lady! I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for you in this coming year. Remember to ALWAYS listen to dad and mom… they know you best and they’re never wrong!

Happy Birthday little sis! Hope you’re having fun in Orlando and congratulations for going on your first upside down roller coaster!

I love you!

Love,
Your big sis

P.S. Your cake will be ready when you get home!

Happy Birthday Colleen!

Dear Colleen,

Ever since I was just a little girl living in Atlanta I've always noticed you as someone who trusts in our Savior and has a passion to serve Him. Yes, when I was six years old I saw you as a godly woman of biblical femininity and now thirteen years later, I see an even greater passion!

Thank you for your example of trusting God through very difficult times and for being faithful to follow Him and His will for your life. When I look into your life, I see humility and joy. Thank you for being one who quickly confesses sin to others in your desire to seek accountability and grow in godliness. The joy I see in you is not only an outward joy displayed on your beautiful smile, but an inner joy. A joy that is found in the Lord and a passion to serve and glorify His name. What an example those godly traits have been to me!

Colleen, YOU my friend have been and continue to be such a gift and encouragement to me, especially in this past year. Thank you for constantly asking how you can be praying for me! You have no idea how much you praying and asking how I’m doing has affected my life.

I pray in this coming year you experience joy inexpressible and God’s grace in a new and exciting way! I thank God for YOU! You are a treasured friend!

Happy Birthday!!!

Love,
Candace

Fun With the Olsen's

Last night I had the privilege of babysitting the Olsen kiddos. Here are some pictures we took:

Well, today I wanted to take some time to honor someone by the name of Allie Olsen =)…

Allie,

Thank you for the example you display daily of what a godly wife and mother looks like. You are a joy and a blessing to be around. Your example of a caring heart through the way you humbly interact with others is provoking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a smile on your beautiful face and you are always quick to ask others how they are doing.

With five kids all under the age of nine, you have quite the load at home, but that NEVER stops you from serving. Thank you for all you do to serve so faithfully in our church. You quickly go from being an encouraging home group leader’s wife to running around on a Sunday morning from the different children’s ministry classrooms making sure everything is running smoothly usually with one of your kids with you.

Never before have I heard you complain about the busy season of life you’re in with five young kids. As a single young lady, it is a blessing to have women like you in my life to watch as I am preparing myself for the day when I will be a wife and mother.

Thank you for the example of the godly, loving, and joyful person you are!

Why I Love My Dad

I know I’ve mentioned before that my dad is working very hard right now, but I don’t know that I’ve mentioned how much I appreciate him. Here’s a little glimpse of why I’m so grateful for him:

There has never been a day in my life that I haven’t witnessed my dad glorifying God in some way. Whether it be leading his family, correcting one of his children, speaking to a church congregation, the way he conducts business, etc. it’s always been evident that his hope rests in the Sovereignty of God. The thing I love most about my dad is that he fears the Lord. When saying something or making decisions he never fears what man will think of him and this is something that I have always admired!

In growing up, my family has faced many difficult circumstances that have been very hard to get through and are still facing them today. Whether it has been moving from state to state, business ventures failing, losing his mom out of no where, or the house we are in now and all the difficulties that have come with it, my dad has always been faithful to point our gaze straight to the cross and remind us of the work that Christ has accomplished. The best part about all of this is that you would never know my dad was in the midst of a trial because of his attitude towards it. In laying down his life to serve the Church or his family, dad has affected numerous lives in the way he lives out his life for the glory of God and the gospel.

He has always been a very FUN person to be around. He’s constantly making people laugh (even when things are hard for him)! And though my sisters and I make fun of him a lot for the way he protects his daughters, we are truly grateful we have a father that even cares to protect us!

Words cannot express how grateful I am to God for my dad. He is such a BLESSING! I know that when his time comes to go to heaven, he will receive one big crown. I love you, dad!

Speaking of a hard working father, I went to visit him the other day and he said, "Candace, I'm running out of gas." Hmmm.... I wonder why???

Now this is how you get the job done!

Who walks a pumpkin back and forth when you can throw it?

Here's a small glimpse....

Of my gratitude for you!

Hi Ladies!

Today I was thinking about how school has just started back up (or is starting soon) and most of you are home schooling your kids. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to you for your faithfulness to God and your children, especially during the school year. In growing up in a home school family I know how hard it is for a mom to stay strong and not want to give up. I can’t express the gratefulness I have in my heart for my parents deciding to home school me. My mom has been so patient and such an example through the years. I can only hope to be the same to my future children. This is coming from someone that most definitely DID NOT enjoy doing school. Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is anything wrong with private/public schools. I know there are many women that would love to be home schooling their children that can’t because of needing to serve your family in other ways. Know that the Lord sees your service to your family and you are glorifying Him!

The other night at my women’s accountability group there were many ladies that were feeling overwhelmed with this new school year coming up. There were also many ladies that were needing to hear direction from the Lord in certain circumstances. I was trying to think of a way I could encourage you all. The Lord has layed SEVERAL verses on my heart to share with you. I’m sure you’ve heard most of them before. Hopefully you’ll find them encouraging and uplifting. Each of you are a blessing to me! Know that I am praying for you all!

Lamentation 3:22-25- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great it Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seek Him.”

James 1:2-4, 12-“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

Matthew 11; 28-30-“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Psalm 9:9-10-“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5-“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the joy of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.”

Psalm 27:12-“Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Psalm 28:7-“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”

Psalm 34:8-“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 42:11-“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.”

Psalm 59:9, 16-“O my strength, I will watch for You, O God, You are my fortress. My God in His steadfast love will meet me. But I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning. For You have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”

Psalm 62:5-8-“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is in Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out Your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”