What Do the Kids Do?

It's been an amazing adventure having the kids involved in the prayer room. We had a Children's Prayer Watch going for quite a while, and for the past 2 years Nick has been teaching a music class/Harp & Bowl training on Friday mornings for homeschooled kids 9 and up that includes a full intercession prayer watch. Just over the past month, this watch has grown to include younger kids in a cross-breed of the CPW and an intercession watch. The older kids have been patient and gracious, and the younger kids are so excited to be a part of the prayer room! Last week, in an effort to promote the Children's Equipping Center at OHOP, they recorded many of the children involved on Fridays in a short version of what they do. This was produced into a short promo video that I'd like to share with you here. I'm just thrilled that all of our children got to participate and get to serve God in this way. I am also blessed by my husband's heart to raise up this generation of young ones to be forerunners and ministers in the House of Prayer.

24/7 Orlando

Nick's been super busy all week praying, worshiping, helping out at the week-long prayer meeting here in Orlando. Several ministries and churches in the area got together and planned this week of prayer for the city. They've laid down their business-as-usual and come together day and night, pressing in, believing for God to truly take this city as His own. They're also praying for the United States as well as the nations. Special prayers were spoken over Japan. There are songs being sung and words declared through Jesus Christ RIGHT NOW!

This morning, Nick was there from 6am until 1pm. We had a great family lunch and then he had to take a nap. A NAP? Yes.
He's at the night-watch. He went back at 11 this evening and he'll be there till around 7 or 8 in the morning. I've asked him to bring donuts home for the kids. ;)

Then, we're all going in as a family - that's right ALL 9 of us! - from 6pm to midnight. We're bringing blankets for the little ones to crash. I'm so excited that we are able to do this together. Hopefully, I'll have some fun flip-video footage to share!

Missing Dad...

Well, Nick had to fly to Nebraska on Tuesday to be with family following the sudden death of his stepsister, Janice. We have been praying, not only for his safety, but that he would be a blessing to his family during this difficult time and be a minister of the gospel while he's there. It's been a long week, but God has kept us safe and mostly happy. I think the grace has lifted. Good thing he's coming home tomorrow.
The volume level has risen steadily throughout the week and today Sabina was really acting like a pill at church. "I don't wanna be at OHOP! I don't wanna be at OHOP..."  "Well, where do you want to go?"  "At church." "Sweetie, OHOP is church." Then, she had a meltdown as we left. Proceeded by the adventure her 4-yr-old brother Luca decided to try in her room (shared with her sisters) of opening the window and attempting to climb out onto the roof over the garage WITH his little sister. Then, no one wanted to go to sleep tonight.
I think we're at the end of our "no daddy" rope. We miss you, Nick! Fly home on wings of angels!!!
(Y'all pray too, bring him home quickly and safely, Lord!)

Our House - Long Overdue Video!

Here's the long-awaited 3rd video of work on our house and moving in. We were so grateful for the help we had but truly believe that God was training us up through this process. A lot of things that we thought were lined up fell through, but we had many Christians volunteer their time, skills, and sweat for us as well. Plus, Nick learned that he CAN work with power tools and install a wood-laminate floor! We have learned and lived with a lot over the past few months and have so much left to do! Sabina's 3rd birthday was on moving day, so we shared (store bought!) cupcakes on the porch and got her a special balloon. I have to give a shout-out to the Dykraff family who generously donated carpeting for our bedrooms, as well as Dr. Bob Richardson and family who donated toward the (big project!) flooring. In addition, I have to give a big virtual hug to Rebecca Johnson who brought her homeschooling family over to paint primer- you are an inspiration! I'm just sorry Nick didn't get that on video. We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and prayers.

Thank you, Jesus! (and some of your amazing people)

Things are really moving along with the house. Even though A LOT of things haven't gone according to "plan" (and we can't be too surprised at that) I'm so excited about the changes already made. On Saturday morning, Nick left with Antonio and Rocky to start working at the house. I was planning on joining them an hour or so later after a friend arrived to watch our little ones, however she fell ill during the night and couldn't come. I was disappointed, but Nick assured me that I didn't want to be there. While bagging trash, they'd disturbed something with a smell so foul that he almost lost his breakfast. So, I contented myself with working at home on packing and enjoying some near-quiet since only the 3 little ones were home playing; regular updates made me feel that I was kept in the loop while praying.
I am so excited about all the progress they made! Sorry it's taken so long to get the video up from last Saturday. I have to say a special THANK YOU to Carlos, Jeremy, Juan, Luis, Matt D., Matt P., and of course my boys Antonio, Rocky & Nick. You are all awesome men of God and I am so honored to call you friends.
As I've put my own hand in a few days this week, I know just how hard they all worked and I stand in awe of them! I scrubbed bleach water over some of the walls and started fussing about the blister I was getting. (More of a callous really.) Nick just laughed at me and said it was a good thing I wasn't there on Saturday. I know I'm a girl...