Job 2:10

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of excitement. God is so good. We moved out of our apartment to spring valley (by walmart) and have thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of a dishwasher, washer/dryer/ and garbage disposal. Having a workout room and a pool a few steps away is just an amazing perk. God totally provided with this apartment. Our cost difference is only a few dollars more because of the lowered utilities. The extra plus is that kauzie can be here! WOO HOO!!
God has also provided by having his people be so generous to us without even knowing there was a need. He would put us on the hearts of people who were walking with him. Thank you for being in tuned with what Jesus was saying to you.
We have written down the numerous ways in which God provides and we are overwhelmed. Our- or mainly my stresses were just a little thing for the Lord who has all! He is just so good and I am just in awe of the way he loves and cares for Ty and me.
Tyler also just began a new job- He's now working at Sara Lee in Bentonville. The job is overwhelming (as any new job would be) but I know that after a few weeks, Ty and his massive talents will conquer this job.
I can't stress enough about how good God is. He is revealing himself to me more and more. Wow.

Last night something dreadful happened.

It was inevitable.

We knew it would happen eventually.

It still stinks.

We have had our little dog Kauzie (short for Kosmo Kramer) since November. He is a quiet, adorable, sweet, almost perfect dog . He hardly ever barks, poops outside, sleeps next to ty and I. Quite frankly he is our child.

The apartments that we are living in doesnn't allow pets (oops) and because the apartment was switching management we figured we'd be ok having our little dog live with us. The apartment was built in the 60's and still has that great dirt brown shag carpet. Kauzie can do not harm to this apartment. It's pretty rough. But the price is good for us.

But the bad news came last night when we found out that our manager was told about the dog. So after a talk with him we think we have to move. He didn't say move out now but he said we can't live hear and have a dog. Dang it!

Kauzie is our little therapy. He makes us laugh and gives me something to take care of.

And so today we're apartment shopping. We need that job to come soon! Pray for us would you?

and so we wait....

So Tyler and I are still waiting patiently to hear about job news. Living with no income is tricky- especially when student loan payments start soon!

I kind of wonder if God is letting us live in limbo for awhile. I know that he is just waiting for me to be patient and content with the unknown before he shows us a job! My dad always says the coolest thing to try and calm my ever worrying spirit- Psalms 119:105 talks about the word of God being a light unto my path- now, aside from being a verse that was memorized in awanas for extra awana shares this verse is loaded with encouragement for ty and my present situation. the verse talks about lighting our path- not about lighting our entire journey at the present moment. The lord guides us with just enough to get us to the next step. It causes us to always trust and rely on him. This resonates so true. Having grown up in the country- being far from lights- it's easy to think about not being able to see at all. But having that flashlight gives you enough light to watch where you step.

We know that God will provide! AMEN!!!

My First Brisket :)

So after careful consideration I knew it was time.

I researched.

I talked to the experts.

I bought all the supplies.

I decided it was time to cook my first piece of meat that cost over 15.00.

Ty and I went to walmart on Sunday to get our usual groceries.  I decided that I wanted to cook a brisket in the way that melts in your mouth.   Being a loyal follower of food networks Guy Ferrari I knew that brisket was completely something that I could do.   We talked to the butcher; got the right kind of meat; followed the butcher to the spices where he showed me what to buy; purchased all the ingredients; and brought it all home.  

Early this morning (Wed) I woke up and did the necessary steps. Trimmed the fat, completed the rub, and sealed it up for the start of the 8 hour low and slow cooking.

It went in at 200 degrees and came out 8 hours later.

IT IS DELICIOUS!!!

10lbs of meat for 15 bucks gives us 15 meals.  that's 1 dollar a meal!!!

WOO HOOOO> we're so doing this again!!

oh the waiting game....

Why after a job interview do we have to wait!!?!?!

TY and I are both waiting to hear back about jobs.  TY interviewed with Sara Lee. Me with Quail Ridge Living Center.

Ty has a way better chance of getting his then I do with mine.  

But until we know... WE WAIT!!

what vicki taught me about being a warrior...

Thank you, Jesus for speaking through Vicki on Monday and how you want us to use the armor that you’ve given us. Thank you for telling me how to vanquish Satan’s darts. Thank you for making me worthless, nothing, and useless. I love the fact that the only reason I’m something special is because of Jesus and what he did for me. It is so great to know that because Jesus is why I’m special I am unbreakable. It takes off SO much pressure to realize this! Jesus helps me to do what Vicki says with the armor.

Eph 6:11-18

11Put on the whole amour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole amour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Vicki’s prayer is that I can be a mighty warrior- The battle we have is not for our physical body but for our mind. It’s those phrases that Satan throws at us such as, “you are not good enough.” “ You are fat” you are worthless “ you will not amount to anything.” “ You don’t have a job YET!!!” Those are the principalities, powers, and rules of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. TO stand against those you have given us these things

1.The belt of truth- this is where we take our mess of a life- and pull it up to hold it together with that belt. (in bible times they would wear robes that would tangle at thier feet- the would "girt their loins" meaning take thier robe and fasten it with their belt to be in a place where they could run better)- the truth is that we are nothing- notta- zip. But because JESUS makes us something we can fight without tripping on our faults- when Satan says that we are worthless- dog gone it we are! It is because of JESUS and his gift of life we are something. So when Satan says it agree! But follow it with, but Jesus made me something!

2. Breast plate of righteousness- this is where at the beginning of the day- when we choose to do what is right WHATEVER THE COST. This righteousness- is intimate. It is near our heart. We CHOOSE to do what is right. We learn and know what our weaknesses are- judging, snootiness, lying, and deceit. WE tackle it by picturing those moments when we could choose to do the mean thing or choose to do what is right.

3. Gospel of peace- this peace comes from the knowledge that because of the gospel- because of Jesus laying down his life- we have peace with a MIGHTY and fearful God. He becomes our ally and our father who we healthily fear because of our acceptance of his son. We have PEACE because of that gospel.

4. Shield of faith. This is the beautiful instrument that Jesus has given us to fight with. This is what helps us to vanquish the darts that Satan throws at us. When the dart of despair comes our shield of truth reminds us that God will never leave us nor forsake us (josh 1:9) when the dart of negativity comes we remember the truth that God knit us together PERFECTLY in our momma’s womb. On and on the truth will block us from Satan’s darts!

5. That helmet of salvation- ooo what a prize! This represents the reminder that we have already won this battle with Satan and his goons! Vicki’s name is not Victoria but she will be victorious because of her savior. She believes this to be true! When I put on that helmet of salvation it shows me that I am already saved. I can look at the trials of my day and laugh and the ease they are compared to the battle for my life that has been given to Jesus. I already have the win! We already have beat Satan. He knows his future and we know ours. Ours is SO much better!

6. finally we have the sword of the truth. This is the only offensive weapon. This is where we can build the attack- by meditating and believing and learning God’s word, we can get the advantage with Satan. Then in Ephesians, we are told to pray, pray, pray! We need to communicate with our chief warrior in this battle- keep an ear out for his command.

Vicki challenged us to pray and choose these things (the armor)

I will be true
I will be righteous
I will remember my peace with you
I will believe
I will remember that I am already a winner
I will meditate on your words
I will discuss everything with you.
Now I am prepared for my day.

WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE DAY!!!!!!

God is so good!

Isaac's going to state!

This past weekend, Tyler, Shelby, Kauzie and I made our way up to Nebraska for one of the busiest, most exciting, and tense weekends of the year for Nebraska wrestling fans. It's known as districts. Not everyone can make it through the weekend with their sanity. And not everyone understands why it is what it is. Districts is a time where all the goals and hard work of a wrestler are put to the test. This meet determines who is going to state.

On Friday, the four of us drove the long 9 hours only to get home at 1:30 in the morning. We woke up about 7:30, got ready and went to Sutton for the second day of competition. My little brother Isaac, a freshman, was ready for the day having only to win the first match to qualify for state. His competitor was a little boy from Sutton. They had faced earlier in the season and finished with the Sutton kid winning by points. We all anticipated the match being one of the closest of the meet because of Isaac's improvement through the season. The minutes before the match made the three Elge/Dees women more nervous then anyone in the gym. Isaac wrestled with heart, strength, wisdom, tenacity, and every other adjective that your can imagine. Isaac ended up only losing by 2 points which left him with the nervousness of knowing that he had to win the next match or be eliminated- he knew that if he didn't win the next one then his season would be over. He ended up dominating that match and finishing 3rd after beating a high plains little boy in the finals. On the way home from the meet Tyler shared that he now knows exactly why wrestling is one of the passions of the Elge family. He was able to see that we are who we are because of wrestling.

We were all so proud of Isaac and his talent- but more then that we were able to see the character of this 15 year old man. He was one of the few who shook hands with those who finised higher then him as a sign that he respected them. There was no ego on the back of Isaac. He showed me how much more character shines then my all-to-quick-to-judge-and-criticize mouth. I learned along with Tyler why wrestling is more then a sport.