Flat Tire Blessing

You may remember a few months ago when I posted about my hubby starting a new job. Well that didn't work out so well. It was about an hour away and the cost of gas was weighing on us. But we received such a huge blessing out of the time that my hubby worked there. 

We had watched a message given by Gil Bates awhile back where he was talking about how his family didn't make all prayer requests public. I thought that was crazy, but my husband said why not? So we decided at that point to keep some prayer requests just between us and God. One of the requests that we were quietly keeping was our need for new tires. Our tires were in bad shape and it was going to be a huge issue come winter. But we just continued to pray about it quietly as a family. 

One evening when my husband was on his way home from work he got a flat tire. It was a Wednesday so the girls and I were waiting for him to come so we could go to church. While changing the flat my hubby ran into problem after problem. The jack broke and the truck fell and it was just all bad. Then a man stopped to help him, followed by another man. The two men helped him and also told him he needed to get new tires. Once they were all finished my husband gave them Gospel tracts. Actually they weren't just small tracts they were the complete books of John and Romans. Everyone went their separate ways and we didn't make it to church that night. My hubby text our pastor to let him know what was going on, because we pretty much never miss church, and then we had dinner. 

About a week later our pastor text my husband and told him that he needed him to go and get a quote from a local tire shop, because someone wanted to bless us! He wouldn't tell us who, but it didn't matter, we were completely shocked and blown away by what was happening that we just began to thank and praise God. A few more weeks had gone by but nothing had come of the text. After thinking maybe it wasn't going to happen our pastor reminded my hubby of the flat tire incident and told him it was someone who helped. Which led to even more thanks, because it was clear that every step of the way God had orchestrated what was happening. We all know that God is in control, but on those rare occasions that He allows us a glimpse into what He is doing it just makes it that much more real.

It was about a week later that we did in fact get an entire set of new tires, as well as get a broken piece fixed on the truck. Turns out one of the men that helped my husband was a Christian and God had placed it on his heart to do this for my husband. Our church information was on the tract that my husband gave him and so he contacted the church to find out who my husband was. If my husband hadn't of let our pastor know about the flat tire situation, if he hadn't of given the man a tract, if God hadn't of been in control then we'd still have bad tires and not be safe going into the winter. But God knows what we have need of and He takes care of His own. 

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Luke 12:29-31

Don't Be Selfish

On our way home the other night we passed by a man with a homeless sign. We didn't have any money to give so we gave him a tract.

The following night we passed back by the same man. Instead of just going home we stopped. My husband spoke with the man and shared the Gospel with him.

This past week we've been attending a missions conference at our church. And this is exactly what it's about! Taking the time to talk to people and tell them about our Savior. It would of been easier to just go home. But instead the girls and I sat in the car waiting. Not knowing how long it would take, but knowing that no matter the out come God could use it for His glory.

YHVH could of called us home the moment we got saved, but He didn't. There are still so many more that need to hear about how good He is and what He came to earth to do for us! We're so accustomed to having everything for ourselves. We don't even realize how incredibly selfish it is to hear the Gospel over and over again, while many have never heard it even once.

I challenge you to pray and ask God who He'd have to share His word with. Then aim to share the Gospel more times in a week than you hear it.

...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. -Mark 16:15

*In case you were wondering the man didn't get saved, but we've continued to check up on him and tell him of God's love.

2 years and counting...

Two years ago today I was blessed to have been able to marry my very best friend! The Lord has blessed us beyond measure and I am so thankful to be called his wife. The day my hubby proposed to me I was heading to his apartment after I had left church one morning. When I arrived he had this posted on the door:

Anyone else would have figured it out, but not me. I read it and just though "yes he was reading his Bible today!" lol. I rushed in and headed straight for the bathroom. While I was in there he slipped a card under the door. The card said "Thinking of you" on the front, had some kind words, and Romans 12:12 printed in it. "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer". For those that don't know, that was me! I wanted so badly to get married. Once I got saved I felt so much pressure to get married because I didn't want to continue on the path we were on. We had one child together and I was supposed to move in with him after he got his apartment. Once I got saved I knew I couldn't do that. But I so desperately wanted our family together. So even though living at home was hard I withstood it, even though it seemed so far away I was in prayer. I would visit and clean and decorate as though it was my home, just hoping and getting excited for the day it would be. 

Aside from what was already printed in the card he wrote: "Your unwavering & insurmountable show of love and affection has never gone unnoticed. And I never want to be noticed with out you by my side. -HB"

You'd think I would of surely figured it out by now, right? Nope. I just though awww how sweet. I came out of the bathroom and told him how sweet I thought the card was and I thanked him. Then all of a sudden he dropped down on one knee! I was so shocked and even then I couldn't believe it was really happening! Obviously I said yes and the rest is history :o)

We were married 3 months later and we've been growing together in the Lord ever since! Happy Anniversary Browning, I love you! 

Sweet and Not Bitter

Ok it's confession time... 


I had a terrible week. I was mean to my husband and although I worked really hard at being involved with my children, my heart wasn't in it. My girls had a fun week, and they had mommy's attention. But I was on edge, and not as patient with them as I could of been. 


I tried to be nice to my hubby, I tried to just act like everything was fine. Then he'd do something like turn the TV, on when I was trying to keep it off, and I'd feel like he was the worst husband ever. Yes I know I was being completely irrational. But it seemed like no matter how hard I tried, he just couldn't do anything right. I prayed on it, I sought God on it, and I asked for strength. Nothing. I asked God to show me why I was so bitter, and to help me to forsake it. Nothing. I resolved to just smile through it........ That didn't last long. 


Then one night while I was cooking dinner I was listening to a radio show on Revive Our Hearts called A God-Sized Picture of Marriage and the speaker, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, was explaining the point of marriage. She said:

"Now, I don’t know why you got married or what your hopes and expectations were that day, or what they may be today years later, but I have news—in case you haven’t discovered it already—and that is that marriage is not first and foremost about you. It’s not that you can’t enjoy a happy and blessed marriage. You can, and I believe that pleases the Lord for you to do that. But the greatest blessings of marriage come as a byproduct of seeking something else. 

You see, marriage was intended by God to display in neon His covenant love. It’s supposed to be a Technicolor picture of redemption. Your marriage is supposed to point people to Christ. It’s supposed to draw them like a magnet to the gospel, to know the love of God, to see that love lived out in two imperfect people who have a great God at the heart of their marriage."

Well that just pierced my heart. I was NOT treating my husband with the respect that he deserves. I was short with him, and I was rude. That's not the way to point anyone to Christ. That was showing selfishness, not love. I was marring the picture. 

Now my husband, on the other hand, was dealing with my attitude and not being rude back to me. He was doing his part. But that's not the way a relationship is supposed to work, we're BOTH supposed to be doing our parts. 

He wasn't happy because he knew I was unhappy. And you know, I still don't know why I was so upset with him to begin with. But I know what ever it was, it wasn't dealt with immediately and I allowed it to fester and create a break down in our relationship. I was being selfish and making it about me. When really, ultimately, it's about God!

The scriptures say, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" -Proverbs 16:3

So while we do love our husbands because they are sweet, and handsome. We're supposed to love them even when they aren't so sweet and when their actions make them slightly less handsome; even if it is just in our heads. 

Being a wife is a "job" appointed by God, and we are supposed to act appropriately regardless of our feelings. So I've purposed to commit my works unto the Lord. I've gone to my husband and expressed the issues I was having and we're doing better. I still have my moments but they are way less often, and by the grace of God I am being much sweeter. My goal is to bring forth sweet water and not bitter! Because after all I can't do both. James 3:11-18 says:

"Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ¹² Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. ¹³ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. ¹⁶ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

I know it won't be easy but I can choose to love "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -Romans 5:5 

Our Anniversary Day!

The day started out slow and I was convinced it was going to be uneventful. We woke up to the tail end of the storm and were just extremely thankful to have power! Many in our area are still without power still today. YHVH really sparred us from the effects of the storm.

Once the storm was officially over, hubs made the decision for us to try to get to church if it was possible. So he called and the van was able to come pick us up! We needed a few things so he went out to get them and I got the girls ready to go. When hubs came back home he had some fresh picked flowers for me. :o) I love flowers.

Then we went to church and got to fellowship and get prayer over our marriage and our family. But even more exciting than that..... We signed our ketubah!!!! So exciting! Its all I really wanted for this anniversary!

First hubby :o)

Then me :o)

(we also had our pastor sign and two witnesses)

The way we designed it, we have on one side our vows to each other in poem form and then on the other side our actual personal vows that we wrote to each other.

Our vows:

I, *Husband*, promise to love, honor, and protect Tewauna all the days of my life. I promise to always lead her in truth and provide for her. I promise to always be understanding and compassionate putting her needs before my own desires. I promise to guide our family in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. I will train up our children in the way they should go and love them unconditionally. I promise to remain faithful to her until the day of my death. Through the enabling grace of God I will carry out these promises.

I, Tewauna, promise to love, honor, and obey *Husband* submitting to him as unto the Lord, putting his needs before my own desires. I promise to be his confidant and helper in all things. I promise to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to always give to my family with all my heart, mind, and soul. I promise to live out our marriage covenant until the day of my death, forsaking all others and giving myself only to him. These promises I will carry out through God’s enabling grace.

The other portion read:

I join you to me forever. I join you to me in everlasting faithfulness. I will be your loving friend as you are mine. Set me as a seal upon your heart, like the seal upon your hand, for love is stronger than death. And I will cherish you honor you, uphold and sustain you in all truth and sincerity.I will respect you and the divine image within you. I take you to be mine in love and tenderness. May my love for you last forever.May we be consecrated, one to the other, by these rings. Let our hearts be united in faith and hope. May our hearts beat as one in times of gladness as in times of saddness. Let our home be built on The Word of God and loving-kindness. May our home be rich in wisdom and reverence.

And here is a picture of our ketubah :o)

We had so much fun making this together and I'm just excited that we got to share the moment with our church family. Now to find a frame big enough....

A year ago today.....

A year ago today I legally gave my heart to my beloved husband. I say legally because he's had my heart long before then. We made promises to each other in the past, but this one is documented!

We got married at our church in a small ceremony. And I really do mean small. It was our pastor, his wife, and four of their children. Our then 1 1/2 year old daughter was our flower girl. My family was away and hubby's family lives out of state.

We initially had a big wedding planned, but then I got pregnant. Obviously we were struggling with not being married so we decided it was probably not best to keep waiting.

Sometimes I wish we had an amazing courtship story of being pure and saving our first kiss for our wedding. But we don't. I just pray our children will learn from our mistakes and not make the same ones.

This first year of marriage has had its ups and downs. We've definitely had to spend a lot of time getting used to actually being married. Plus having two children. We certainly didn't do any of this the easy way.

Nonetheless I am extremely thankful for my husband and excited for the future that's ahead of us. He brightens my life and is the secret behind my smile. I pray that this next year we are able to draw closer to each other by drawing closer to YHVH.

We don't have any exciting plans. We're actually under a hurricane AND a tornado watch. We are one of the many families on the East Coast in the path of Irene. If you are also please know you are in our prayers.

We did plan to renew our vows and sign a nice pretty ketubah (that we designed) but with the impending storm I'm not sure if we'll make it to church. (We still have no car, so it all depends on if someone can pick us up)

As for now our plans are just to make it through the storm. But at least we'll be together :o)

10 things I love about my husband

1. He is saved by grace through FAITH!

2. He is a great leader. He always does his best to make sure he doesn't steer us wrong. He only wants the best for us and he works hard, and prays even harder, to provide it.

3. He is an amazing father. He loves his girls and you can tell when he spends time with them. Its written all over his face as he looks at them and dripping from every word he says.

4. He's the perfect protector. He's always watching out for me. He checks for ice before I walk and helps me out of the car. He's always on the look out to make sure the girls and I are safe. He even does the laundry so I won't have to go into the basement of our apartment alone!

5. He is a happy helper. My dear sweet hubby is a strong man and so any chance he gets to use his muscles he does! He joyfully helps others especially with physical labor. But he just as happily will help with things that don't involve physical strength, like helping an elderly lady down the steps. That was one of the first things I noticed and loved about him. He's just an all around nice guy.

6. He is talented. My husband is an artist. He mostly does graphic design, but his drawings and sketches blow me away. YHVH truely blessed him with am amazing talent. I could watch him design all day.

7. He is loyal. If my husband makes a commitment he honors it. If for any reason he can't he does his best to come up with a compromise or another way to honor his commitments. He's such a dedicated man and he is wise. He never paints himself into a corner, which helps him be able to keep his word. He's also very loyal to his parents and siblings. Even though we are his main priority, he makes sure to take time to help them how ever he can. He has younger brothers and he tries to set a good example for them. I love to watch him interact with them. He's an all about family kind of man. 

8. He's fun. I like to have a good time and so does my hubby. We have an easy time enjoying each other, even though sometimes life gets in the way. He gets me. He laughs at my jokes and he can always make me smile. He's a big kid at heart and so am I.

9. He loves me. Someone once told me that love is a choice. Yes we can fall in love, but real love is a choice we make. Well I know my hubby made that choice and he stands by it everyday. We've been together for almost 4 years. That may seem like a short amount of time to some, but with everything we've been through its really shaped our relationship. There where times, he could of walked away. But he never has. He has never turned his back on me, not even for a second. When I say times got hard, times got REALLY HARD! My whole family knew he would marry me just because he was sticking around despite the drama. We've been through the fire, and by the grace and strength of YHVH, we made it out to the other side stronger than ever. They say that the strongest metals are made in the hottest fires; well that's us. We're like titanium or carbon 40 :o)

10. He's so handsome how can I help but love him! Ok I know this seems a bit superficial BUT he's handsome from the inside out. So really its deep lol. But seriously my husband is a very attractive man and I love to look at him. He has such a heart for YHVH and such passion for life. When I look at him I see my present, and my future. I see who I want my (future) sons to be like. I see the type of man I want my daughters to marry. And I see the greatest blessing God has given me.