Cambodia 2011!!

 

Very exciting news...I'm going back to Cambodia!!

I will be sending out a support letter like the picture soon. If you would like to be included, please comment to let me know. I will be mailing and emailing this letter. I'm hoping for a HUGE group of supporters. I need prayer warriors and financial support. I'm very excited about this opportunity. And cannot wait to share it with you. 

Just to go back for a moment, read these blog entries from 2008. God really showed me A LOT! And I know he has even more in store for me this year. Praise Him!
Post Cambodia
Home Sweet Home

1.5 year update!

Hello friends,
Since Finn is approaching 1 1/2 years old, I thought it would be good to give an update. What better way then through pictures.

Here's Finn with his best friend, Savannah. He's watching Mickey Mouse - his new favorite show!

Here's Finn in his new class climbing - that's his new favorite act. And his best bud Will is behind him.

On Wednesdays, I'm home with Finn - in this picture he learning to color.

Look at that face lighting up while coloring, too cute!

Here is Finn outside just running on the deck

And here he is jumping from the deck. Finn makes me super nervous because he is all boy!

Finn is just enjoying exploring around the yard

Sitting at the table like a big boy and eating with a fork!

Finn, you are growing up way too fast!

I love you,
Mommy

New Beginnings

Well, today is a new day and I'm thankful for it. It's only 3:47 but I have not been nauseous all day so far. Praise the Lord! Maybe it's gone??? I will be 10 weeks on Wednesday so it could be going away, please God! So speaking of 10 weeks take a look at this picture...the baby is getting bigger which is exciting!

I'm hoping to soon love being pregnant. I know the last 4 weeks have been really tough but it will all be worth it when that sweet baby comes along.

Anyway, I have some things I'd love your help with. Over the next month, Gregory and I will start registering. I wanted to see what you think are the essentials. Please leave a comment and give me your opinion. Even if I don't know you, I'd love and value your advice.

Thanks so much in advance :)

My big opportunity is....

BEING A MOMMY!!!!!



That's right, I have a child growing inside me! And just think all those days of freaking out over fear. Silly me! I wrestled with trying to decide when to post this on my blog, facebook, twitter, etc. But finally decided that this is a life and it deserves to be celebrated. Instead of keeping this miracle of God a secret, I decided to tell everyone. My main reason was prayer. I'd rather you be praying right now for this baby's development than you not knowing. So please join me in prayer for this sweet child of God!

And most importantly-PRAISE THE LORD! I've been waiting on Him to bless us with a child and I couldn't be more excited!

Cry Out to Jesus...

This last week has been an end to three big things in my life. I don't feel ready for whatever God has in store for me. Then again, I do feel ready. I just have to trust Him and His perfect timing. The only thing I can do right now is cry out to Jesus. I heard this song by Third Day and I had forgotten how awesome it is. If you haven't heard it then check it out. Below are the words to the song. And then a small tribute to the 2 big things that ended last week.

Cry Out to Jesus
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

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This is a tribute to Sean. He has been the best manager I've ever had. And i'm so sad he is leaving the organization I work for. I just think it's funny that he gave me that coffee cup because he was actually the world's best boss! I will miss his vision, direction, and leadership. I'm praying for him, his wife, and daughter. They've had a lot of things happen to their family in the last 2 months so please lift them up if you can today. Sean taught me so much about being a leader, pushing for more, managing others, looking at the big picture, and keeping God and family before work. Sean grew me to be the employee I am today. I give him the credit for my success. He has made me a better person and I will miss him immensely at work. I was truly blessed to work for him for the last 21 months.
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Titus 2:3-5

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Saturday night was the celebration dinner for the year long discipleship group I was in called "Titus 2". I was mentored by an amazing woman of God-Regina Williams. She molded and stretched me in ways I didn't even know was possible. I have memorized almost 40 verses in the tablet of my heart. The biggest takeaways for me was how to have a successful quiet time, the importance of scripture memory, and an example of what true authentic community looks like. I praise God for knowing the perfect year for me to be in this group. I'm coming out of it a better Christian, wife, woman, daughter, friend, and hopefully mom someday!

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Thanks for listening...

Love-RW

Praying for you!

I have had my blog readers on my heart lately. I feel the need to write to tell you I am praying for each of you. I wanted to ask...

What can I specifically pray for you or praise God about?

I'm so thankful for you reading my life story.

Love-RW

Infinite Grace

Yes, that's me-i'm pretty tired! But i'm holding a ticket to the Women of Faith conference I went to with my mom this weekend. It was absolutely amazing! God's timing is so perfect. The topic was Infinite Grace and what better time to show that to me. Below are some notes from the conference that really stuck out to me. My favorite speaker was Patsy Clairmont. You can check out some of her stuff on YouTube.com. Also she has a blog and you can visit it-http://www.patsyclairmont-blog.com/ She is just a REAL women of true faith. Also, before I go into my notes I wanted to tell you about a series Andy just finished this week called "The Fives Things God uses to Grow your Faith". Today's sermon was on Pivotal Circumstances. I encourage you to watch the sermon http://www.fivethingsgoduses.com/pivotal Andy even mentions Ashly and Denny. I now see some good in that situation-God has used their story to touch over 20,000 people this Sunday. Praise the Lord!

OK, so I know you are ready to see what I learned this weekend! Here it goes-
The Pre-Conference "I Second that Emotion"
This was all about how woman have so many emotions. And we can't just wear them on our sleeves. We should be reminded that "Emotions don't have a brain they are only feelings." Patsy did a visual aid by using tangled up rubber bands. Sometimes as women we wake up all tangled. We must keep God on our minds at all times. Satan is out to devour us and he will get all up in your thoughts. The enemy comes into our thoughts to condemn you. As Christian women must be in the Word of God so we can be protected. Jan, another one of the speakers, spoke right to me as she said these words-"God has not forgotten you". Also, I was reminded that "we must do what we know to do and then trust God with the rest." What a concept-in good times it's so easy but in the low parts of life-that's when it's hard! Anyway, it was all very encouraging!

The Conference
It started off with some wonderful praise and worship from the worship team. One of the songs spoke to me and I have the words below. It's a beautiful song-so look it up when you can.

Rescue

You are the source of life, I cant be left behind
No one else will do, I will take hold of you
I need you Jesus, I need you Jesus
My heart is yours for life, I need your help in mine
No one else will do, I put my trust in you
I need you Jesus to come to my rescue where else could I go
There's no other name by which I am saved-capture me with grace
I will follow you, I will follow you
You are the source of life-I cant be left behind
No one else will do father, I will take hold of you
I need you Jesus to come to rescue where else could I go
There's no other name by which I am saved-capture me with grace
I will follow you, this world has nothing for me
This world has nothing for me, this world has nothing for me
This world has nothing for me this world has nothing for me,
I need you Jesus to come to rescue where else could I go
There's no other name by which I am saved- capture me with grace
Cause I need you Jesus to come to my rescue where else could I go
There's no other name by which I am saved capture me with grace
Capture me with grace, capture me with grace
I will follow you, I will follow you
This world has nothing for me, this world has nothing for me
I will follow you!

Now, doesn't that song just sum it all up for you! I need you Jesus to come to my rescue. That's exactly what I have been crying out. And here it is in a worship song. Max Lucado also spoke and he was great! My favorite quote of his was this- "John 3:16 is 26 words of hope beginning with God and ending with life." What a beautiful summary of truth! The next day we were taught about true grace. We all have weaknesses. And God will meet you in your weakness and fill in the gaps. My weakness is anxiety, fear, busyness, and lots more. But God always finds a way to show me a verse or speak to me through a friend. What is your weakness? Will you allow God to take over? If you feel abandoned-know that you are not! For encouragement you can read Isaiah 41.

To sum it all up-it's like my soul was refreshed and I needed that! I hope you enjoyed my summary. I will leave you with a video of "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen. I hadn't really listened to the words lately. I found this video with the words right on it. For me, this was a reminder of just how BIG God is. He knows every hair on my head and every thought in my mind. Praise be to HIM!

Thanks for reading! Sorry for such a LONG post-I had a lot to share with you all :)

Tell me how was your weekend???

In HIS mighty grip-
Rachael

Awesome Song...

I usually don't post this quickly but I just listened to this amazing song and I had to share the lyrics! It's called "The Light Will Come" by Phil Wickham. Its truly beautiful, look it up and give it a listen if you can :)

To the one with the wounded heart
The years fighting have left you scarred
Wait the light will come
To the one with the distant eyes
All this crying has left you dry
Wait the light will come
Wait the light will come
Lift your eyes
The sun has overcome the night
Come alive
As we shine in loves true light

Here is laughter beyond the tears
Here is courage to face your fears
Look the light has come
So rise you daughters and stand you sons
Claim the victory that Jesus won
Look the Light has come
Look the Light has come

Today=last day of Daniel fast

I must start with saying WOW, I cannot believe Greg and I officially made it through 26 days of fasting! We are so proud of ourselves and God totally showed up and taught us more than we could imagine! Today was the last full day of fasting and what a day. Through the fast we have learned how important it is to trust God with everything, depend on Him for strength when we don't have any left, and be very intentional about living a life that glorifies Him. I just pray we can take this clarity we have had during the fast into our life after the fast.

As for going back to eating we have a lil' plan for the weekend...
Friday
1-We are setting an alarm and waking up at 12:01am just to eat a small piece of chocolate
2-Greg is eating a yummy mexican lunch with his work friends
3-Rachael is having mini crab cakes at Ruby Tuesday for lunch with work friends
4-Dinner at California Pizza Kitchen
Saturday
1-homemade breakfast
2-lunch at Deckers in Cumming (delicious salads and sandwiches)
3-dinner at Rice (yes, SUSHI!)

After all those binges, I'm sure we will be sick the rest of the weekend :) Sounds fun, huh?

Busy, busy, busy...

That headline is my life these days! I wonder if I can ever catch up, slow down, or organize enough. I have a feeling this is just life and I must be very intentional if I want to slow down. I know I have an issue with saying yes to everything but I just want so badly to be involved with everything. I think the one big problem is I have been so busy at work. When I'm busy all day then I come home to dinner, bills, and family time-I feel completely overwhelmed. So the good news is our team has just hired 2 new staff members. These two staff will take some of the work load off of me and that should give me some air to breathe. Next is the web dept is hiring and once they hire someone that will take another load off! It's moving in the right direction so I must be more positive. I guess I'm just in a funk today. I definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed and satan attacked me all day. Let's hope tomorrow I wake up in a better mood! OK, life is calling so I better go. I just had to write a little something to say hello to my readers. Also, I'm pretty pumped about the things coming up this summer...
1-Gregory and I have decided to volunteer with assimilation at Browns Bridge (as married assimilators!)
2-We are almost done with our 4 week Daniel fast (and it has been amazing)
3-I have my division work retreat next week and then a Walkup family vacation
4-My mission trip to Cambodia is one month away from TODAY! (follow us at http://missionincambodia.blogspot.com)

Thanks for reading and being interested in my life!

Much love-
RW

Good news...

Monday is usually a pretty busy day.  But the first Monday of the month is crazy busy.  And today was no exception.  It started with All-Staff Meeting, then Admin division meeting, then check requests are due, then I look up and its 4:40 and I gotta leave for the day. But it was a good Monday.  I'm doing pretty good on the Daniel Fast.  Finding a new love for fruit :) But on a serious note, I am pretty honored...

I am now a manager for North Point Ministries.  I have always had a love for managing people.  Thats one reason I have a minor in Management.  But, I guess I just thought I wouldn't get that responsibility here at my current job.  Boy was I wrong!! The crazy thing is, when I was throwing around pros and cons of going to work for the church.  One of my cons was that I wouldn't have management in my role.  However, look now only a year later and God rewards me with this.  I am definitely humbled in the light of this new responsibility. 

Anyway, just wanted to share that piece of good news with whoever is reading :)

And if you have any good news today, comment it up...

Have a great evening-

RW

**Don't forget to follow the journey of preparation for the Cambodia trip at our new blog site http://missionincambodia.blogspot.com