B R E A T H E . . . .

So much is happening all at once, & I feel like I can barely breathe the past two days.  Our family is facing incredible changes.  Ones that will take us away from the place we've lived for 20 years; from family, close friends, & many adopted kids :[  It means starting a whole new life in a brand new place.

I cling to God's promises:

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 118:6 - The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

How do you pack 20 years up in boxes & say goodbye to people that mean the world to you?  The ones who support you on the super hard days are suddenly going to be so far away.

After My Dear Friend, Marianne prayed with me this morning, I realized it's because Jesus is our VERY Best Friend & no matter where we go He will always be there with us.  We just have to have FAITH:

F-antastic

A-dventure

I-n

T-rusting

H-im 

Jesus - Thanks for always being there for us - no matter where we are in life.

If you need someone to pray for you, please leave a comment on this post.  Please pray for the Lord's perfect will in the life of my family.

Simply Living By Faith, Stacey

In Memory Of James :o]

On Wednesday, January 4th at 6:24 PM - James Arkenau went home to be with Jesus.  His Dad called and said, "Are you sitting down, Stacey?"  I was in shock just hearing those words.  He went on to tell me that James was crossing the highway & a tractor trailer hit him. I felt like someone had just punched me right in the stomach & I just couldn't stop crying enough to even breathe. 

My first thoughts were how could you take this 17 year old young man that we all love so much, Lord?  How can we live our life without him? 

You see he has been living with us three days a week for the past year and a half or so, as he is in my sons band - Forever Is Forever.  We have LOVED having him in our home.  He's part of the family.  Now he's gone and the void of him not being here is soo very painful.

As each day passes by since the accident, I am seeing a glimpse of the Lord's plan for taking James home early. In two weeks at least 9 people have come to know Jesus as their Lord & Savior.  There were soo many at his Memorial Service that will be forever touched.  There were two Shows in Memory of James this past Friday & Saturday. 

We will never forget you, James <3  You left footprints on our hearts forever.  My heart mourns you terribly, but I know that you accepted Jesus & to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord.

I'm so blessed to have soo many beautiful Memories of you stored in my heart.  I loved taking walks with you, taking pictures of the sky & nature, packing & unpacking the truck for shows, trying to get a shot of you mid air whenever you guys played at shows, mostly I just loved your presence in our home.  Wish I could have one more of your HUGE {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} - one day soon I will =]

I Will Love You Forever & Forever
You Will Never Be Forgotten <3
Momma Reich :o]
xoxoxo

The Way Life Changes =]

Hello Friends,

It's hard to believe it's almost been one year since our lives were turned upside down due to the loss of my husbands business.  We have learned sooo very much & I just wanted to share with you some of the things that have changed in our lives:

1)  We learned we were living beyond our means:  The Lord taught us greatly & is still teaching us today how important it is to live within our means.  That means if you don't have money to purchase a big item, then save the money to do so.  It makes you think really hard about how much you truly need something while saving for it.  I've been saying to my boys lately & myself:  Is it a WANT, NEED, OR DESIRE.  That really helps me to put things into perspective.

2)  We've learned we are spending waay to much money on eating out:  It's amazing how much you can spend at McDonald's on Unsweet Tea.  One Dollar sounds like so little, but truly if I have one tea each day of the week it's around $7.70 per week.  Now keep in mind that's just for me.  My son always wants a sweet tea - so double that price.  We were just discussing this week how we need to make a weekly menu, so that we know what we are having each day of the week.  Then we can shop for just what we need for that week.

3)  We've learned how important it is to save money with coupons:  WOW is all I can say about coupons.  I've been blessed in finding coupons in soo many places.  Each trip to Martin's Food Store I save between 40 - 50% off with coupons while also earning free gas points.  A couple months ago we paid $1.66 for 27 gallons of gas!  We were just elated.  The best part is that we were buying things that we use to get these points and used coupons on top of that.  It's a LOT of work, but soo worth it at the check-out.

4)  We've learned the importance of family & close friends:  When facing losing your income, health insurance, having to do Chapter 7, & going on food assistance you never realize how precious your family & friends are to you.  They have been an INCREDIBLE support to us during this time.  We wouldn't be here today without them.  They have helped us by praying for us, by sending us anonymous cashier checks in the mail, by calling to check on us, by showing us love, & support.  It truly makes you think about what is most important in this life.  It's given us even more of a desire to help others.

5) We've learned to receive graciously:  One of the most difficult things that my husband & I have had to learn is to take help from others.  We were always the ones helping others.  Now the Lord put us in a situation where we had to receive.  WOW - it's beyond humbling to do. I have learned that I can still give to others & it doesn't have to be only by financial means.

Please share ways that the Lord has helped you in difficult times.  Thanks soo much for taking the time to read my post today.

Resting In Christ,
Stacey =]

Faith Quotes

Photo Taken By:

Stacey Reich - My New Tattoo

Faith is not without worry or care, but faith

is fear that has said a prayer.  -Author Unknown

Faith is like radar that sees through the fog.
-Corrie Ten Boom

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered.
And lo, no one was there.  -Author Unknown

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can
take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or
by the handle of faith.  -Author Unknown

Weave in faith and God will find the thread. 
-Author Unknown

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.
-Author Unknown

Simple Crock Pot Chicken

1 Can Of Chicken Broth
1 Package Of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
4 Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Can Of Cream Of Chicken Soup
1 Cup Of White Wine
Pepper To Taste

-In crockpot first add can of chicken broth
-Stir In Lipton Onion Soup Mix
-Add Your Chicken Breasts
-Add Cream Of Chicken
-Add Cup Of White Wine
-Add A Sprinkle Of Pepper To Taste

Cook on medium to high (depending on your crockpot).  I cook mine all afternoon so we can have it for dinner.  I break it up into smaller pieces when it gets tender.  This way it serves the many kids that are eating over with us :)  Serve over white rice or noodles!  This is a recipe I made up myself & my family LOVES it :]

Blessings From Jesus

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Today I met a new client for a job.  As I drove to her house, my heart was very heavy & I was praying to Jesus on the way to help me to have Faith in Him. 

I arrived at her home & the first thing she said to me is - let's pray.  I burst into tears because that's exactly what I needed to do.  I went on to tell her how much I needed to pray this morning, as I had some difficult news the day before.  She prayed first & then I prayed.  She's been suffering for many years with Lyme's Disease.  Something that we have wondered if my son has.  She was such an Encouragement to me.  God - Thank You Soo Very Much for sending this precious lady my way today.  I pray that I can be a blessing to her - just like she was to me =]

It's truly AWESOME how if in all the little ways we contine to ask Jesus for His help, He sends exactly what we need - just when we need it. 

Thank you Jesus for working in my life today!
Love - Stacey

Thankfulness

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Hello Friends,

Today I'm thinking of all that I have to be thankful for!  It's soo easy to get caught up in the thinking of all that we don't have.  Sometimes it can consume us.

When you're ready to go to sleep each night stop & think about all the things you have to be thankful for as a prayer to the Lord.  You will be soo amazed at the every day blessings we sometimes take for granted :)

Here are a few of mine:

My Precious Jesus
Awesome Family
Friends That Make Our Heart Smile :)
Home That Shelters Us
Food To Eat
Water For Showers, Dishwashing, Laundry, & Drinking
A Comfy Bed To Sleep In Every Night
Our Computer That Helps Us Communicate & Learn
Phones That Let Us Hear A Loved Ones Voice
Cars For Transportation
Money That Pays Our Bills

Have A Great Day :)
Stacey