God Blows My Mind

Well Yesterday we recieved about 20 boxes from the man that is allowing us to keep our truck in his warehouse yard for free. He and his wife moved and were going to have a garage sale but did not have time. I went through those boxes yesterday and today and all but 5 were for kids: Kid toys, kid movies, kid books, kid clothes. It was so awesome we have so much for the outreach now with more on the way from other people who have said they have something for the event. God blows my mind. So now we are going to have a kids clothes table and a kids book table and Movie Table so before each kid receives a toy parents can be getting other stuff for them. Oh God is so good. Glory to Him!!!

God's Wants me to do What?!?!?

It is a funny thing to be called by God. Not funny ha-ha but More ironic. God that creator of heaven and universe wants you to do something or be part of something. All of it is a faith walk and with each thing he wants you to do it is so big that you can not possible do it on your own. You do not have enough resources, wisdom, ability to pull it off, WHY? Because He wants to do it with you to show how Great he is. For example: God has recently shown me that he wants to have a community outreach: Free Toy Give-AWAY for the community. Every child that comes will receive a toy. There will be skits to be funny but also to teach about the Love of God. There will be balloon animals, and facepainting and other things to love on each child that comes.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

I can't do this. I don't know how to get toys, I don't know how to pull people together to do skits (I never did skits growing up) well not church skits. Okay there was this one maybe two but I am not a pro at this. I don't face paint, I can't do balloon animals and it is with my church so the rule for this "Big Project" is to make every minstry be apart of it in some way shape or form.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

And on top of all that I wanted to have it in December for a Christmas thing and to give me time to get it all together BUT NO God said he wanted it September 9th to get all the glory.

I thought June 5th was a faith walk. June 5th God showed me another community outreach. Everything from the beginning was against me. There was something already planned on that date, we didn't have enough food a few weeks before, it was going to rain and rain and rain. But you know what everything worked out. God stopped the rain, brought in the food, supplied the entertainment, the speakers, the cookers, the servers, the people to reach out and more. All taken care of.

Once again I am here again with empty hands but a willing heart. I know I am not the only one that goes through this. There maybe things God wants you to do that seem too big and too great for you to do. Which you are CORRECT but with God he will do it with you and me every step of the way. He wants to use you to show how awesome he is so others will give Him praise and honor.

He is truly an amazing God we serve and I am honored (and even Frightened at times) to serve HIm. He expects a lot but makes sure that it will be exactly how He wants it to be.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

I love God even in times like these!!!
Dess

Family Vacation 2011

Joel and God blessed me to be able to go and see my family for a month. I have had the best time seeing my parents, my sister, my brother, and nephews as well as friends and loved ones. It has been a time that I will never forget.

This is my last full day in the great northwest. Every time I come up to see my family I learn a little bit more about myself and why I am the way that I am. I have come to realize I am from a group of people that are very quiet, avoid conflict, and do not rock the boat. And yes I can be loud and crazy but for the most part but I hate the boat being rocked and I despise conflict. Which gives me greater insight on why I am the way I am and see why it is so hard to change in some of these ways that God is asking me to change.

I have had the most wonderful time with my oldest sister Tammie though youare 12 years apart people ask us which one is older. UG really. She has two kids, one is in high school and has been married since I was 12. LOL I guess I will appreciate our young genes when I get older. But as of now a little anoyed that Tammie can pass for my younger sister.

My nephews have my heart. I think I was suckered in on the day they were born. Christopher is wild and crazy and says 20 jokes an hour. He likes to make people laugh and be goofy. He is more like my dad than any one I know. He makes me smile even when I don't want to. Dean is quiet and some times will not open his mouth when you want him to but I adore him like no other and wish I could spend every day with him. It is these two that is hardest to say goodbye to. It is these two that makes me want to cry with the thought of leaving this place.

My parents will always be my parents. There is no denying that. I look and talk like them even when I don't want to. I see my self more and more in them and realize that even though I do not spend a lot of time with them since leaving college I will still act and talk like them until the day I die. I was running to find a friend of mine in the school parking lot and a lady I have never seen before in my life stopped me dead in my tracks when she said "Your a Wendle girl aren't you." "yes yes I am how did you know" "Oh you look and act just like your sister Tammie" I adore my parents. I know they were hand picked just for me. I am who I am today because God placed me in their lives. He made the right choice and for this I am forever grateful.

My friends I grew up with have influenced my life too. They are the bright and beautiful in this life I live. Casey and I met up and ate out. We were laughing so hard I thought they were going to through us out for disturbing the peace. She is goofy and fun and yet hates conflict and rocking the boat as much as I do. Missy is the serious one that still makes me laugh and cry. I love her and her husband and cherish their friendships.

And last (though if I for got to mention you please know you are much loved and adored by me.) Scott and Shallan. They have come to mean so much more than a friday night card game duo. They are ones I look so forward to seeing and catching up with. Shallan spoke life into me that needed a new breath of fresh air. "Me Too" will always be a new concept to me from Shallan and Tammie.

Goodness I have had the most blessed time being here. I thank God and everyone for making it so wonderful. May the Lord bless you indeed for your kindness and love to me.

With all my love,
Dess

Spoiled by God

I was going through my closet today to put my shirts in color order. (that is about the only thing I really like organized other than that I am a mess freak Poor Joel) Any way I counted 16 shirts that I wear to look nice. 16!!!! Now to some of you you might think that is NOT a lot but if you truly think about it I wouldn't have to look the same twice in two weeks but by choice. And I am not even counting the shirts I wear for work or shirts I wear for pajamas. AND I have 3 cute jackets/coats and lots of cute shoes. NOT counting my work coat and shoes.

And yesterday I went on a date with God for lunch. It was my day off and in the morning God asked me to go on a date with him. So on our way to my favorite restaurant RED ROBIN to go on my dates with God I passed by a JC Penny's and God said after lunch I want to take you shopping for anything you want. "AnyTHING?" I thought. At first I was really apprehensive like God you know how much money is in our account and it really isn't the time to go shopping and I don't NEED anything. But He persisted and I knew that it was Trust issue. To trust Him with our finances. Because for me I would never ever buy any clothes at this moment in my life for a lot of reasons. A LOT!!! But after a wonderful lunch with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit I drove to JC Penny's and on my way there God kept saying "Get what ever you want. I want you to get what you WANT." Because I sure didn't need anything. I said just as I pulled up to park "I don't know what I want." He said "You will" And as soon as I stepped in the door I saw what I had been wanting in the back of my mind. I had thought about it a few days ago but pushed it out of my mind because of finances and knowing I had a lot in my closet. But what I saw was dresses for Easter. I had wanted a new Easter dress. And then I knew God wanted to bless me.

I tried on 10 and none worked they were either too short for my comfort or too showing in the cleavage range. I am very picky when it comes to modesty. God wired/created guys way different than girls. One time a group of guys told a group of us a girls when I was at Friend Ships (www.friendships.org) if we could be more careful what we wear so not to show any cleavage, midriff, and too much leg. From then on it was in my heart to always watch out for my brothers. It it is hard because so much clothes have at least one of those three if not all but it is worth it. SO then I tried on about 10 to 12 more and found one that was so wonderful. I am really excited to wear it and it was 50% off.

So any way I am saying all of this because one Joel and I do not make any money. We do not have a job that pays we rely solely on GOd. And Guess what he takes care of us above and beyond anything we could hope or imagine. Most the clothes in my closet someone happen to want to take me shopping one day and said buy as much and what ever you want. Then we have food food food over flowing. Do not have room enough to hold it all. We have totes and totes of food in the garage and freezers full and a fridge full. All our bills get paid. We FILL our car up with gas. Did you get that FILL the car not just 5 dollar not just 10 but all the way full.

God spoils not just with our needs but our wants. We are so blessed materially.

So I will leave you with this the point and motto of this whole entry:

"And this same God that takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:19

Out of Thin air :)

God can do whatever He wants to do when ever He wants to do it. He is God!!! He blows my mind.

It has been a tight month for personal finances. I am not saying this to say "Oh poor Joel, oh poor Dess" I am leading up to something so follow me. As I was saying things with finances have been tight. Not out of impulse buying by any means but out of obedience to God. There are things we need to buy because of our church and there are people that God has put on our hearts to help with straight finances or buy things for. Also it just so happen at the same time that we needed our every two year physical for our truckers license, not cheap by any means.

I have a balance in our bank account that I call ground zero where I have a certain balance that I like to keep at all times and if we pass it then we have over spent. It has not gone under that balance until now and again not because of impulse buying because we would have put a lid on that thing but out of sheer obedience to God, and needs. It started to worry me a little BUT I had to give it to God and say "You know our bank account and the exact dollar, you know what we will need in the future (gas, bills etc)"

We go to the mail 3 times a week Mon, Wed, and Fri. I had mentioned to Joel during the week that we were a bit low on our finances (I take care of our person finances he takes care of Supplying Needs finances) So on Thursday Joel went and picked up a donation and on the way home decided he would stop at the mail and see what God had up his sleeve. Turns out we got two letters in the mail that helped us out!!! Yeah God.

Then on Sunday our church had a 4pm service to celebrate 16 years!!! I had put my purse down under some ones seat because it was packed with people and I was running around for most of it. When service was over I grabbed my keys from a side pocket and felt something weird. I pulled it out and it was a thick folded thing of cash. AT first I thought I had left it there and forgot about it but when I went through it to see how much I saw two big bills. I sat there stunned and then terrified. "What if some one had thought it was their purse and put there money there." But then I thought "No that is silly my purse is very unique with the material of a down feather jacket." I sat there and went through the whole thing in my mind. "God we didn't tell any one how much in need we were in, only you truly knew. YOu saw our need and helped us. Did you do it out of thin air I mean you did make the earth out of nothing or did you send some one." Either way seemed just as crazy of an option. "And how did they know what pocket to put it in. God you have increased my faith tremendously just by helping us with out evening us breathing a word"

I just sat there. Several people came by and asked if I was okay. I guess I was concentrating pretty hard.

God truly is a God of detail. We gave a food box to someone and a day or two later they asked if we had their grocery list because everything they would have gone to the grocery store for was in the box. Another day last week we drove to a church to give food, the secretary we know and love came out to greet us said "how did you know we were in need" We shrugged and said "We didn't but God did and sent us!!" :)

I am seeing this over and over and over again God taking care of those who cry out to Him. He knows our needs, He knows how much we need, and what we need, and when we need it. We don't even have to breath a word to any one else because God knows and hears you. I am learning this more and more.

I am blown away by God and his love for me and everyone else. He truly does love us and want to take care of us.

God's love is bright and warm against all cold and bitterness!!!

Internet and Facebook

So the internet at the house works but it won't let us connect. So on our laptop, computer, and ipod we can't get the internet. So I am at the library trying to figure out paperwork for Supplying Needs. Very frustrating.

Also I was listening to the radio last week and it was talking about lent. I have never done lent in my life!!! The only thing I remember about lent is it is a catholic tradition (I think) and my Dad said for lent he is not smoking which my reply was always "But Dad you don't smoke" "Exactly why not give it up for lent then." was his reply. Any way on the radio the DJs were talking about what lent truly entails about giving up something that maybe more important to you than God. That really struck me and the first thing that came to my mind was Facebook. OH Facebook Facebook Facebook. I thought naw I don't want to give that up and I am not that addicted (ha) but the idea kept pestering me and I had peace about giving it up. Took me two days but finally on Monday I decided I would truly give it up for 40 days. OH my goodness I feel I am going crazy. It is really hard plus I never knew I was that "addicted" to it.

So if you don't see me on facebook for awhile and I haven't replied to you, YOU KNOW WHY.

:)
Dess

Ps with a lack of facebook I might actually be writing on this more!!! Hahahaha

RENO and GOD

Yeah crazy Title but they actually go hand in hand with this story.

My sister randomly texted on Friday saying she had a question for me and that she was in RENO. RENO did she not know that was only 3 hours away. I told her and she said we should come and see her NOW. So joel and I prayed and felt peace about going. We rearranged our schedule and left Saturday late afternoon and arrived at 7ish.

We spent the next day ALL day at Forrest bowling tournament, HENCE why were in RENO! Forrest and his family bowled 5 games then we went to another bowling alley where he bowled a 40 frame game. Which all of us thought was the coolest thing because every frame had a different challenge and obstacle. Like Sour grape frame which is you either get a strike or for each pin you miss you get -2. Bonus which is If you get a strike you get 10 extra points. Or Mulligan which is you get one free start over. It was so fun. We all loved watching it and Forrest and His Cousin loved playing it. They are bowling fools.

That evening we said good bye to everyone because they were getting up at 6 to have breakfast and then drive 14 hours to get home. But at 5:45am the Lord woke me up. I thought I just had to go to the bathroom but turns out He wanted me to go see my sister for breakfast. Him and I argued over it a bit. GUESS WHO ONE. YEP GOD!!! I went down and Surprised my sister. She was happy. But in the middle of breakfast I saw a man come into the restaurant that I had briefly talked to the night before. He was an older gentleman from 60-70 years of age. I felt the Lord all over this one, indicating He wanted me to talk to the gentleman after everyone had breakfast. I thought it would be brief a "good morning" "how are you" but it was anything but. I didn't even say good bye to my sister because I thought it would be brief. LOL Poor sister. She came back later and hugged me.

We started talking about, of course we got on, the subject of God. We talked a lot about God and twice he said stop you are making me feel bad. I just smiled and said I can't make you feel or think anything I am just sharing about my life and what God has done and what He has taught me. He said you are just trying to change me. Which I thought was hilarious because I wasn't trying to at all. I have learned and the Lord has made it loud and clear I Dess Butler can not change any one or save the world I can just share what God does in my life and it is up to the other person whether they let God in or not. We both had a wonderful time. He wasn't mad at all and enjoyed himself a lot. I guess I gave him a lot to think about.

I almost believe that God set that whole trip up just so God could pour his love on that man through me. I really believe that God cared enough about that man and where he is at to send me to share a little bit about my life and story of How God changed me and made me who I am today.

I am just in awe of God and all that He does to show His love for us.
Amazed,
Dess

PS We brought our camera but forgot batteries. Can you believe it. So disappointed. So much cool things to take a picture of!!! :( Maybe another time. lol