Emergency Trip To Josiah and Abi's House! :)

The week of February 26th turned out to be a hectic but rewarding one!!! One of seeing God's faithfulness and His hand on Asher David's life yet once again! He surely must have big plans for this lil' dude with all the things the enemy has thrown at him, and yet every time God has proven Himself faithful to deliver!!! On Sunday the 26th of February we received a call requesting prayer for little Asher...he had contacted RSV a severe respiratory infection for babies and was coughing and congested and having trouble breathing. However on Monday Asher had to be admitted to the hospital and Abi called if someone could come down to HELP! :) Josiah needed to work, Joanna needed someone to stay at the house with her, and Abi was exhausted and in need of some moral support and encouragement!

The adorable little face that greeted me every day! :)

Thus me and mom packed are bags and headed to Milford, Nebraska. Mom to be moral support for Abi and stay at the hospital with her while Abi dealt with the ups and downs of a baby that was struggling to breath and awake much of the night, and me to nanny my favorite little niece! :)

My darling little "Skipper" having bath time...her FAVORITE!

Me and Joanna had a BLAST together while Grandma, Abi, and Asher spent long hours at the hospital! We played together, laughed, ate good food, watched, Charlotte's Web (Joanna's favorite movie), and went to the park together! Children are SUCH a blessing from the Lord! They teach us to enjoy the simple things in life!

Little robed beauty after bath time! :)

Wednesday night February 29th Josiah, me and Joanna all loaded up in Josiah's work truck to go visit Asher. Joanna was ecstatic to be riding in Daddy's truck! She surely is a girl after my own heart...she LOVES trucks! :)
Daddy talking to his little man! It was SO SPECIAL to see Asher perk up despite his labored breathing when Josiah talked to him! SO precious!
Getting one of his breathing treatments to help him cough up all his flem....he was SUCH a little trooper!!!

Not looking so perky, but hanging in there oxygen tubes, wires and all! :)

Poor lil' guy!

He managed a smile for Auntie Beep Beep though! :) It warmed my heart to see that adorable little smile on his chubby cheeks again!!! ;)
Joanna was overjoyed to see Asher and wanted to get up in his face and kiss and love on him, but since Abi wouldn't let her because of germs she settled for holding his hand...Such a good big sister!!!!
It was SO GOOD to see lil' Asher, but since he wasn't ready to come home quite yet me and Joanna went home and settled into another day of being together...which we don't mind AT ALL! :) In fact we LOVE it! ;) Thursday morning Joanna was playing with her blankie and I tied it around her head like a nun. When I was little I used to play I was a nun all the time after I saw the Sound of Music...Joanna looked very cute in her little habit! :)
Joanna was in seventh heaven when I allowed her to sleep with me the first night I was there, but she was a bit naughty and squirmed and talked and played for FOREVER, so the next night she ended up in her crib! :)

Not a very good fake sleeper! :)

On Thursday the 1st of March the long awaited event arrived...Asher's homecoming! :) After chest x-rays Thursday morning and the Doctor signing papers Asher was finally declared fit to return home! We were all rejoicing in the Lord's faithfulness to bring Asher through this trial and safely home once again!!!

Mommy overjoyed to be bringing Asher home after a rugged four days of stress and little sleep!

Not to happy about being in his car seat!!! I'm sure that face ISN'T because he misses the hospital! :)

Content once he's being snuggled by Auntie Beep Beep! ;) He's such a cuddly little guy! :)

Even though the events weren't what I would have wished for the need for me to spend two whole days alone with my favorite little niece was one that I loved fulfilling! We had SO MUCH fun! :) But even more amazing than getting to spend two days with my ADORABLE little niece was seeing God come through on behalf of my nephew and watching Him live through my sister Abi!!! When Asher first got RSV and had to be admitted to the hospital I was sort of upset at God. I didn't understand why He didn't just keep Asher from getting RSV in the first place, nor why He was letting my sis, and bro-in-law walk through this! But observing Abi through the whole trial of Asher's RSV totally changed my perspective and challenged and humbled me! You see instead of having a "Why me" attitude my dear sister had a "Why not me attitude!" When I talked to her about what she was walking through she'd just humbly state that she just wanted to learn whatever God had for her through this, even if it was just to rejoice and choose joy in the midst of suffering! I found myself broken before the Lord over this thought! How many times do we ask God to grow us, mold us, and shape us into someone more like Him and then shake our fist in His face when He sends the very things that are going to accomplish that into our lives?! How many times do we grumble and complain, doubt and question in the midst of suffering instead of embracing the path our Savoir calls us to...one of allowing His joy to shine through us in the moments of our deepest pain and trial! I've been through some pretty difficult trials in my life and I know what it's like to totally lose the right perspective in the midst of it all, but sometimes we just need to step back and gain His perspective...for that's the only one that counts! As I thought about this I thought of the times that God's brought trials into my life and I haven't responded in the way His word instructs me to...with joy, and I purposed in my heart by His grace to gain a new perspective the next time around! Thank-you dear sis for reminding me that when we face a trial we're not supposed to try to figure out WHY the particular trial has been sent our way, but instead to embrace the cross He calls us to bear! The cross of His unearthly joy on the road paved with suffering! Love ya sis! <3

But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christs

sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you

also may be glad with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 4:13

Therefore let those who suffer according to

the will of God commit their souls to Him in

doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

1 Peter 4:19

fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in

hope, patient in tribulation, continuing

steadfastly in prayer;

Romans 12:11-12

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

Flame Training Update 2

Just because I can I'm uploading this video as well! ;) Those who train horses will probably glean more from this video, but feel free to watch it and just enjoy seeing what I do on a daily basis! I'm SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL that God has allowed me to work a job that I totally LOVE! :) Great is His faithfulness!

Flame Training Update 1

Thought all you horse lovers out there, and non horse lovers who enjoy keeping up with my life might enjoy an update on how my current horse training project Flame is coming along. God has been so good to me and has brought just the ideas and insights I've needed most at the perfect moment...because of His goodness Flame is "coming along" GREAT! I give God ALL the glory for where Flame is at in his training! As you can see through this video he is a TOTAL sweetheart! I love him to pieces!! Sorry the video recorded a little dark! Enjoy and leave me a comment as to what you think! :)

Birthday Outing Tradition

Anna giving my sister Anna her expert opinion on bridesmaid dress patterns! :)

The weekend of February 10th-12th was a very special and fun filled one for me!!! My dear friend Anna made the long trek out to the Rehm Ranch to spend the weekend celebrating my birthday with me through, shopping, eating good food, and sweet times of deep conversations! :) We started this tradition several years ago and have carried it on faithfully through the years. It's perfect because our birthdays are spaced almost exactly six months apart and so every six months we take each other out to eat and go shopping and get all caught up on each other's lives again! ;)
The trip was twofold in that Anna hauled all her bridesmaid dress patterns along and schemed with my Anna as to what pattern's look was the closest to the look my Anna was looking for! :)
She also managed to sneak in a haircut Friday night, and looked cuter than ever for our shopping and dinner out expedition on Saturday! :)
In the past I've always made the trek into Omaha and we've spent the day together shopping and enjoying the delicous flavors of the food of one of the resturants in Omaha. This time however I asked Anna what she thought of heading out to the Rehm Ranch. It had been SO LONG since she'd spent the night at my house and I thought it would be fun to spend our weekend together at the Rehm Ranch, Anna agreed and the plan was set in motion!
Prior to Anna coming I'd schemed up a plan for the weekend. Friday night was spent at my house relaxing, laughing, reconnecting, and just hanging out. Saturday we headed out in the cold February weather for the quaint town of Carrol, Iowa.
The first shop we stopped at was a thrift store that had ooddles and ooddles of plaques with fun, inspirational, hilarious and cute quotes on them. Me and Anna probably spent thirty minutes just reading them and smiling and laughing!

Unfortunately our camera's battery died at the thrift store and so we were unable to document the rest of our afternoon! :( Me and Anna were SO BUMMED! Next time we'll make sure our camera is fully charged!!! The rest of the afternoon was spent browsing cute unique shops and dreaming of what it would be like if we could own the darling dresses that cost $50! We also ran some errands that needed running and then headed over to a fancy restaurant that served amazing food. After enjoying our supper we headed for home. On our way out of town we stopped to get some fuel and were to tempted by the coffee shop attached to the gas station to resist. We ordered a fancy coffee to share and were not disappointed! It was delicious! The perfect choice for the close to zero degree weather! Anna decided that smaller towns are so unique and fun that we should pick a different small town to visit each time our birthday outing rolls around...I wholeheartedly agree! I'd prefer a small town to the big city any day! ;)

Highlights from our time spent together:

: : Deep heart to heart conversations : : Singing in the car together : : Shopping : : Eating Reese's Candy Together : : Sipping coffee in the kitchen in the morning and talking : : Good finds at the thrift store we went to : : Anna helping me do my horse chores Saturday morning : : Looking for wedding hair dos together : : laughing : : teasing : : Sharing with each other how the Lord's been working in our lives and the list goes on and on!!! :) : :

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens

the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

This is truly what you do for me Anna and I'm SO GRATEFUL! Thank-you for the incredible friend you are to me! Love you Anna! <3

Flame Of Fire

Ready to go do a photo shoot!:)

I promised I would share with you the most amazing story of God's hand in bringing Flame and Sonador into my life and I am SO EXCITED to FINALLY find the time to sit down and share it with you! I hope that through this testimony you will be encouraged to wholeheartedly seek God's direction in your life and then walk in the way He leads with confidence...For truly He IS a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!

"Come on Buddy...Let's Go!"

This story began to unfold early in the fall of 2011...although I assure you I did not realize that at the time! When I returned home from my missions trip to Romania my heart was burning and aching violently at the same time. My life had been touched and changed dramatically through God sending me on that trip and I wanted to go back, I wanted to spend more time with my brothers and sisters in Romania, I wanted to see those precious children's faces again, and I didn't want to be back in the U.S! I was confused and unsure as to what God was doing and many dreams and desires filled my heart as to what I'd like to do in the upcoming year! The only thing I knew to do in this time of uncertainty was to take my broken bleeding heart before the Lord and cry out for His direction...thus the fall of 2011 found me spending countless hours on my knees broken and searching for clarity and direction!

"Whoa buddy...not so fast!" :)

As I did this slowly the Father began to melt my heart of stone and speak to me! I began to realize that it wasn't about where I was or the emotion I was experiencing at the moment, but rather loving and serving Him with my WHOLE heart wherever I was! We all know this right?! Well I knew it, but this fall and winter I went from knowing it to experiencing this truth in my heart! Then in this place of acceptance the Father started to speak to my heart about a ranch in Bend, Oregon- - Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch that rescues abused horses and through prayer and love nurtures them back to wholeness and then lets these very horses minister to abused and broken children.

Still my heart wasn't quite ready to hear about going there...I was willing to obey, but still I wondered why God had let me love so fully in Romania only to hurt so desperately! Once again the fire of God's truth began to melt the ice of my heart. The Holy Spirit brought to mind how He'd placed the dream of working at this ranch one day in my heart all the way back when I was fifteen years old and it's been growing ever since! I guess I had gotten a bit discouraged that I'd not seen that dream come to fulfillment yet and thus latched on to the idea of my life course going a different direction! But God's Spirit would not allow it! He spoke to me this fall that He had not given me this dream and nurtured it through the years to allow it to die! He would bring it to completion!
"Okay God...so what now?!" Still I felt confused and unsure after God revealed this to me! Being the dreamer I am I assumed that God meant I'd be heading to the ranch in the spring of 2012, but yet I didn't feel complete peace or specific leading about it! So once again I was driven to my knees by the realization there was nothing else to do! After many prayers, tears of frustration, and days of agony wondering what God was asking me to do this year the Holy Spirit began to gently and quietly lead once again. By December God had clearly showed me that I was to remain at home yet another year and save money to purchase a car and move to Bend, Oregon. The Lord had also revealed to me that my income would be coming in through piano lessons and training horses! I was confident about the piano lessons, but I was like, "God how are you going to bring me horses to train?! I'm not that well known as a horse trainer...how's the word going to get out about me?!" I never should have wasted the time fretting when I serve a God as AWESOME and POWERFUL as our God! I didn't give it to much more thought though and I set my heart to obey the Lord and stay home yet another year!
Well God wasn't through yet in guiding me and giving me confidence in the way He had for me to walk! How AMAZING our God is! At the end of December our whole family (excluding the lovebirds) attended a conference in Kansas City, Kansas called One Thing. The speakers shared powerful truths and the worship times opened your heart as you communed personally with the Lord...it was INCREDIBLE! The last day/evening of the conference was immensely powerful! The room was charged with the presence of the Lord and the speaker was delivering a Spirit led message. The message was on Psalm 139 and how each of us has a divine destiny! We are not an accident! God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives...Psalm 139: 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. The ONLY person who can make your life line up with the book God's written for your life is YOU! We must each seek Him individually so that we may rightly fulfill the things He has planned for us!
I sat captivated as I thought how well this sermon fit my search for God's direction in my life this fall...but the story doesn't end there! At the end of his sermon the speaker suddenly took a different turn and touched on how dreams can be prophetic. I know some of you may not agree with what I'm about to share, and that's okay! You don't have to agree with it I'm simply going to share the Lord's working in my life and what He's been revealing to me! The speaker shared that we often treat dreams as trivial, cute, or funny when often God is speaking to us through dreams! He then shared many stories of how God had been using dreams powerfully in his life and the lives of those he knew. Then before ending he prayed over the whole crowd that that night, and in the coming weeks and months God would release dreams of visions and destiny in the lives of those gathered there. Well I didn't want to wait for the coming weeks and months for God to release these dreams upon me! I went back to our cousins house that night and as I lay in bed waiting for sleep to claim me for it's own I cried out to God to give me a dream THAT NIGHT! Soon my exhausted body gave way to sleep and the night quickly slipped away!
When I awoke the next morning I was severely disappointed I couldn't remember having dreamed about anything at all! Inwardly I prayed "Lord open my ear to hear as the learned! Did You give me any dreams last night?!" Instantly I remembered that I had indeed dreamed and very quickly I realized that what I had dreamed did indeed hold significance! In my dream I was standing watching someone I knew saddle a very young horse, the horse was acting up and I was concerned for the girls safety. I asked her if she'd ever ridden the horse before and she replied, "No, I just got him and he's only one and a half years old." I then told her that it wasn't safe for her to ride him in that case, but if she brought him over to my round pen I'd work with him and get him safe for her to get on. She readily agreed and we headed over to the round pen. As I was working this young horse in the round pen a horse friend of mine walked up and told me that somebody had contacted them asking them to train four horses for them...the friend then went on to tell me that they didn't have the time and should give those people my phone number!
My dream was twofold...later in the day I remembered that there'd been another part to the dream! In the other half of my dream there was a small dog that was being chased by a great big Great Dane. The Great Dane was snarling at it and trying to hurt it...in desperation as it was fleeing the little dog ran out into the street...I saw it and ran out and defended it from oncoming cars and the Great Dane. I was overwhelmed and overjoyed as I realized the ramifications of my dream that day! 1. God was going to supply me with plenty of horses to train this year and I could fully trust Him as He'd led me clearly to walk down this path. 2. One day God WILL fulfill my dream of working on the ranch and I will defend and rescue animals protecting the "underdog" as I work with hurting children and animals alike! This is where God's clear direction coming to fruition comes in. About a week after I got back from the One Thing conference one of our neighbors drove on the yard. He told me that he'd read in the Christmas letter of one of the people I'd trained a horse for this fall that I trained horses. He then shared with me that he owned two almost five year old registered quarter horses that were COMPLETELY untrained and he wondered if I'd be interested in training them! He said he didn't want to pay me for training them, but that if I broke both of them to ride I could pick which one I wanted to keep for my own! I was blown away by his offer! Especially after I showed their papers to a very horse savvy gentleman in our community and he told me they were two very well bred horses! Then I took him over to see them and he told me they were two very well built horses! :) Still I fervently sought the Lord in prayer wanting to be sure this was His will for me...when God gave me the go ahead I contacted the owner and said I'd take him up on his offer! Flame has been here for a week now and I can already see God working as I seek His guidance to tame this wild bronc! I find myself marveling daily at the story God has already written for my life...as I allow my life to match up with His story for me how beautiful it is!!! I would encourage you dear friends young and old alike don't grow weary as you wait on the Lord! He WILL show you the way, and truly the only place you want to be is in the center of His will!!! There you will find such peace, joy and confidence before the Father that you will be overwhelmed and overjoyed at the same time! He is a good God, and He LOVES to give good gifts! Passionately seek His will for your life today and may He clearly show you the way!!!! "Lord, catch me up in your story! All my life for Your glory!!!!!!"

'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your young

men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

Acts 2:17

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;

My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

Psalm 16:7

For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:29

Flame and Sonador

Introducing Flame of Fire...Flame for short! :)

And Sonador Destiny--Pronounced Sone-ya-dor and called Sona ( pronounced Sone-ya) for short. Meaning Dreamer...full name meaning Dreamer Destiny! :) More of the story coming SOON!

These pictures are being posted for my "horsey friends" who are aching to see pictures of my new "projects!" :) More pictures and the story of God's incredible working in giving me these two well bred horses to train will be coming SOON!!!

L.O.V.E. that girl already! ;)

Flame is currently at the Rehm Ranch and Sonador will be arriving in two months! *Excited Grin!!!!* :)

CAN'T WAIT to share the full story with you of how God brought these beauties into my life! I know these pictures aren't the best and Sonador has cockle-burrs in her mane, but at least they give you an idea of what I'm SOOOOO EXCITED about! Leave a comment and stay tuned for more pictures SOON!:-D

Legacy Five Des Moines, IA. January 20th 2012

Whenever January rolls around in the Rehm household the anticipation starts to build!!! :) January ALWAYS means our annual trip to Des Moines to see Legacy Five sing in concert! Often we'll also see them other places throughout the year, but EVERY January a group of us heads to Des Moines for an evening of fun, laughter, incredible music, and encouragement! This year our group ended up being rather small by default, but it was still LOADS of fun! :) There was going to be seven of us going, but my dear friend Lakota got sick last minute and my bro-in-law to be Aaron couldn't get off work in time so neither him nor Anna ended up coming! :( Thus an excited group of four jumped in the mini van and headed for Des Moines....me, mom, Julia and our dear friend Emily Schmidt.
And oh the treat we were in for!!! There's absolutely nothing in the whole wide world like the sound of four guys voices blending together in four part harmony in praise to our awesome King!!! Can you tell I LOVE southern gospel style music?!?!?!? ;)

Introducing Gas Gaches Legacy Five's Tenor...

and Scott Fowler the lead singer...

Scott Howard the baritone...

Glenn Dustin the bass...

Trey Ivy the pianist *who I wish I could play like!* :)

These guys are TOTALLY awesome! I ALWAYS walk away from their concerts challenged, and encouraged to love Jesus more and to stand up boldly for Him!
I love the pure joy on their faces when they sing about Him coming back...the anticipation, the excitement at the thought of the first time we see His face!!!!
The special smile that lights up their eyes when they sing about the day He saved them by His grace...it adds SO MUCH to the words because they're singing with their heart!
I've been to concerts where it was all about the show and trying to draw people in....it's not that way at all with Legacy Five! It's all about Jesus Christ and worshiping and exalting Him! These guys walk with the Lord is 100% real and it's SO AWESOME to see their genuineness in a world that's become totally consumed with entertainment instead of worship!

One day we're gonna see Him (Jesus) face to face...what a glorious day!

Faithful to the finish...faithful to the cross!!

Gus hitting the high notes...

and Glenn hitting the low notes!!! :)

I LOVE it when they all get in a circle and sing "at" each other! :)

Yep that's Howie...the group comedian! This guy is absolutely HILARIOUS! He could have a show all his own! :) He had us all in stitches Friday night!!!

Oh and then did I mention when him and Glenn Dustin get going...it just gets even funnier! Those two are quite the duo!!! :)

I love it when Scott Fowler sits down on the edge of the stage...gets eye level with the crowd and talks about what's on his heart that night! This year he shared about a woman who accidently bought tickets to one of their concerts. She meant to go to an entirely different concert, but the person who sold her tickets must have misunderstood and sold her tickets to the Legacy Five concert. Of course after hearing this story I KNOW that our merciful and loving Savior orchestrated the entire thing! This woman was a Muslim and at the intermission she walked up to Scott and asked him why everybody at the concert was SO HAPPY! Scott ended up getting to share the gospel with her and keep up with her over the course of two years. The woman and her daughter ended up both getting saved and returned to the middle east to visit family. Through the witness of this woman and her daughter to date (at least those they know of) twenty eight people have come to Christ in the middle east because of this woman who got saved through stumbling upon a Legacy Five concert! Oh in what wonderful ways our God is working in the world today! How humbling to think what a domino effect just one person yielding their life to Christ can make!

This years concert was no exception to any other! All we'd anticipated was fulfilled! We laughed, we cried as our hearts were touched, we sang along in pure joy, and were refreshed by the truths shared in song! It was Emily's first time to get the privilege of seeing Legacy Five perform and she absolutely loved them! We had a blast on the way home re-hashing our favorite parts of the concert and funny things that individuals said and did! ;)
This picture was just to hilarious not to post...sorry girls!:-P I snapped this when we made a bathroom run during intermission as well as a water break! :)

Emily, mom, and Julia visiting after the concert

Gus Gaches and Glenn Dustin "manning" the product table

Jewels and Em with the fun and amazing lead singer Scott Fowler

My favorite lead singer in the whole world! :)

Yep...you guessed it my favorite bass singer in the whole world! ;) It's completely insane how low this guy can go! I love it when you can feel the vibration of his voice as he hits the low notes! The group teasingly calls him the "Freak of Nature!" :)

Gotta post the attempted "self portrait" picture of the three of us with Julia controlling the camera! Lol :-D Poor Em...she kind of chopped you out!:-P

"Mom help...we'd like a NICE picture of the three of us!!!" LOL ;)

Yep...sisters...gotta love it!:-D

It was SO AMAZING to get to see my favorite southern gospel group in concert again! I also LOVED getting to spend the evening out with my mom, my sis, and Emily! We had SO MUCH fun! On the way home we grabbed some coffees and hot chocolate at a gas station and talked all the way home...well almost... Julia and Em faded out on us at the very end! :) It's evenings like these that I just feel SO OVERWHELMED by all the blessings I enjoy! Living in a free country where we can enjoy worshiping God in song, having a family who loves God, and friends who love Him and love spending time with you! Wow! Lord I am SO THANKFUL! I'm going to leave you with the lyrics to the last song Legacy Five sang that night! I absolutely love this song! I just wish you could hear it!;)

Til We Meet Again

We've shared some laughter and yes sometimes we've cried

We've made some memories as we've walked side by side

But now we've reached the place where the road divides

And now the time has come when we must say goodbye

Chorus

Til we meet again, til we meet again

God be with you til we meet again

Til we meet again, til we meet again

God be with you til we meet again

We've shared a heartbeat, a passion and a call

To work for Jesus we're prepared to give our all

And we don't know today what tomorrow holds

But God will be with us wherever we may go

Chorus

Bridge

And if on earth we meet somewhere

What a joy that it will be

But if we never do I'll look for you in Heaven at His feet.

Chorus

This song really touched my heart that night as I though of my dear sis and best friend Anna getting married in just FOUR SHORT months! What a comfort to know that when she leaves the precious Lord who lives inside of me goes with her til we meet again! Because of this no matter what I know that it will ALL be happy in the end!