I began to think the other day about how each of us are on a pursuit that we our self didn't even really realize that we were on. Something inside of us desires to find that which is lost from a young age we begin doing this without even needing to be told how or what to do you will see a child begin to play hide and go seek. What is it inside of us that desires to reclaim that which we had at one time. It is as though we have this yearning from a young age that there is something missing in our life.

The other Sunday I preached a message called Found. Click here , listen, and realize that the hunt you have been on all your life is over.

Big Steps in New places

I remember the night Bryan and I went out on our first date...We were sitting in his old white Ford pickup truck (sounds like something out of a country song huh?). We began to talk about where we were heading in life and what were our goals. Bryan at that time told me that all he ever wanted was to be in full time ministry. Months later after we got to know each other more and more I realized that this wasn't just a dream of his, but a passion.

Time went on and bills came. We decided that while waiting for that dream to happen he needed a different career then at the lumber yard. So he went to fire school just a few short months after we got married. Then there were the multiple applications to get on at a fire department. Lots of time passes and we still aren't able to be full time at the church. Inside him though the dream was very much alive.


As far as I can remember all I have known is shift work, fire uniforms, smells of smoke after a long night, Bryan missing Christmas, birthdays etc. This has been my life for I don't know how long.

Our church has grown so much in these last few years. We knew that he would go full time at the church soon....Bryan came to me and told me by October 1st he would leave the fire department. Not long after Pastor came to us just a few months ago and said it is time!

WOW! Here we were on the verge of everything we had prayed for the last 9 years. So many emotions came upon me as Bryan worked his last shift last Thursday. Happiness, joy, sadness, and a little fear of the unknown. I felt like we were taking one huge leap off of a cliff not knowing what was below, but knowing that God was going to take care of us.

Sunday morning at church it was a normal service. Our anniversary was last Tuesday. I love love love love the song "Then" by Brad Paisley after Bryan showed it to me a few months ago. In fact it is the ringer on my cell phone when he calls :)

Right there before everyone he begins singing this song to me. You want to talk about cry! I was in a heap! How faithful God is! So many people go through life never finding happiness and here I am with joy over flowing in mine! Not only have I seen God's faith fullness in every area of our life, but I also have an amazing husband that after all these years is still head over heels for me!

How blessed I am! How thankful I am to be going on this wonderful journey of life with the most amazing guy in the world! I love him more today than ever!

Why am I blogging this? To brag on me? NO! To inspire you! God is no respecter of persons what He has done for me He can do for you too!! Just get a purpose and a dream in your heart and go for it! Don't worry about the details God will take care of those a long the way!

I am a winner!!!

I know this sounds totally silly, but when I first started blogging I couldn't think of why or even who would want to read my blog. I mean really I was never a writer in school. I am sure it is apparent that my grammar isn't always perfect.

So why did I start blogging?

I had asked Joyce Meyer "How do you recommend me getting my name out there to start getting more preaching jobs?"

Her reply to my question "Start blogging. It makes you study and put messages together like you are already at your goal in life. With you doing that people will start reading like you and before you know it you will be getting invites to preach."

So I started.

Now I get sometimes 40 plus hits in a day! That is so amazing! So not only do you precious Chiks read my blog but Laurie Anna gave me this award on top of it all! How much that blesses my heart I can't quiet say! :D

This award (Originally written in the Portuguese language of Isabel at Maison Douce) focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world. Here's the definition of the award:

"Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

How sweet is that definition??? That she thought of me really blesses me!

So now for my people that are receiving the award from me:

1. Family Life Church: Even though we don't have a "blog" on our church site my Pastors are the reason that I even have this blog! Stop by our church site listen to the messages and grow in the Lord. If you are looking to make a change in your life this is your best first step!

2. CHIK TEAM: These girls are the reason that Chik is as amazing as it is! How wonderful my life is because each one of them are in it!

3. RuthAnn: She is the most amazing inspiring blogger out there! She is reaching women like no tomorrow, and is so down to earth! From the first time I read her blog I felt like I had known her all my life. Then when she e-mailed me I knew she was my long lost girlfriend! I love you my girlfriend!

4. Carrie: This is a lady that has been through so much in her life. Her love for Jesus radiates everywhere she goes. There are some people it doesn't matter how long it has been since you last saw each other, you just pick right up where you left off! You ROCK girl!

5. Leslie: Even though she is new to the bloggy world she is doing an AMAZING job! Stop over and fall in love with her! She is a mommy of two beautiful babies and she just is real about life!

6. Benny Perez: I met Pastor Benny when at YFN a few years back. The way Pastor Benny ministers and operates in the things of the spirit always stir me up for more of God and push me to grow more in the Lord.

7. Counting your Blessings: Wheather she is writing a word of inspiration or just showing cute pictures of her latest pictures of what she has going on you will always leave her blog with a smile on your face!

8. Patti V: This lady will blow you away with her creativity. She never ceases to amaze me with the things she comes up with and does! She is one of the most out of the box people I have ever met! (I say that in a great way)

So Chiks take a few moments and check out these blogs! You will love love love all of them!

Hope your day is warm and peaceful!

Crystal Sparks