Top 9 of 2009

Here are the TOP 9 things that we've experienced this past year:

9. 1st trip ever to New Jersey ~ Atlantic City
8. Thanksgiving 2009 - we were able to be with extended family
7. Christmas 2009 - we were able to go to Florida and be with extended family
6. Joining the LifeGate Church team (church plant here in Lexington, KY)
5. Cyndi's promotion/moving to KY
4. Jeremiah & Micaiah's first visit to Disney World
3. Buying our very first house
2. The birth of our son, Micaiah Jacob Brown (2.2.09)
1. Blessed beyond measure by the King of kings

Okay, those are some pretty big highlights for us...I can only imagine what 2010 is going to bring. What are your top highlights from this past year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's Elf Time Again

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I Love Thanksgiving

Every year I'm reminded just how much I love my family. Thanksgiving is a time we all get together and celebrate. We celebrate life, we celebrate family, and everything else God has given us. So what am I thankful for?

I am so blessed to have an amazing, beautiful, and very Godly wife. Not to mention she is a genius! Seriously, this year she has accomplished more than many people do in a lifetime.

I am thankful for the cutest, most loving little boy that anyone can ask for. Micaiah has been just a blessing to Cyndi and I. To know that God has an amazing thoughtful plan for this guy's life just blows my mind. I never knew I could love anyone other than Cyndi so much. Cyndi has amazed me in the role of being a Mom...it just makes me love her even more.

I'm so blessed to have a unique family that is so full of fun, joy, and loads of drama. It is right that you can't choose your family and I don't think I ever would want to. I am also blessed to have such awesome friends. Really, my friends tend to be a lot like my family to me.

God, thank you for such an awesome life! Thank you for blessing me beyond belief and when storms come along, thank you for being there to protect us! Happy Thanksgiving!

Random Thoughts and Updates

Okay so we've been busy not only in the Brown household but also at LifeGate Church.

Here are just a few randoms and updates:

• We keep seeing more and more new faces at LifeGate...God is doing something BIG and we're gonna bust some major barriers real soon.
• Doing a series at church called The Blessed Life. I'm being blown away by it. GREAT REMINDER that our money is not ours, everything we have is God's and He allows us to use it, but He does require 10% back to Him.
• Spent some time at KY prayer focus group this week. Pastor Larry Stockstill was there and blew me away!
• Micaiah is 9 months old and completely mobile, will probably be walking soon and eating table foods...where has the time gone.
• Classes are going GREAT. Being challenged deeply but loving it.
• My friends the Nelms' are in the country (they are missionaries in Nicaragua) and coming to visit us soon!
• Been trying to figure out some fundraising for LifeGate and for a trip I'm taking to Jamaica in January
• My wife turned 26 this month. By the way she is such an encourager!!!
• Finally, God has been turning my world upside down with such a passion for people's lives to be radically changed for Jesus. Not only those who are far from God, but those who may have forgotten about His calling on their lives!!

I love what God is doing!!!

Sooner than you think

One of my favorite times of year is the month from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This is a time where I can't get enough of my family, some traditions, and the opportunity to reflect. This year I'm a little more giddy, I guess you would say, about Christmas. It will be Micaiah's first and Cyndi and mine first as parents.

We've decided to continue some of our families traditions like opening one gift on Christmas Eve (which is always PJ's...that is Cyndi's family), and we will be going to the Sunshine state for a few days (that comes from my side). We've also decided to create some of our own traditions. By the way, I'm going to go nuts decorating our house! But in case you are wondering there is

Christmas Countdown - Christmas Layouts

til Christmas!!!

Pumpkin Patch

This week we took Micaiah to his very first experience at a pumpkin patch.

Thanks Ashley and Jamie for getting us out to the orchard!!!

Finals

This week I've been working to complete my first quarter as a full time student (once again). I've been working towards my Master of Divinity and this week is finals. So my plan is to finish this week strong and be back to the blogging world next week.

I've enjoyed being in seminary and am really striving towards excellence. My goal is to finish with a 4.0 and if this quarter is any indication of what is to come, I'm on track for that goal!

Dreams

As a kid I used to have some of the craziest dreams. Dreams sometimes can seem so real!

The other night I had one of those vivid dreams that ended up, not only waking up Cyndi, but me as well. So what did I dream? I dreamt that I was fighting demons. That's right Jeremiah the Demon Slayer! I was running around, in my dream, proclaiming the name of Jesus and fighting off these demons. I guess my proclaiming the name of Jesus got a little loud in real life because I woke Cyndi up.

The next morning when I awoke, I was reminded that every day we are fighting off demons. We are in a battle and it is important to be prepared!!

Judas: Follower of Jesus

I'm currently writing a paper/project for my New Testament class in which I am taking a look in the life of Judas. It is a series of 4 lessons that point out several ideas. The first of which is Judas as a Follower of Jesus.

The reality is that Jesus chose Judas Iscariot to be one of His twelve inner close disciples (Luke 6:12-16). Judas faithfully followed Jesus.

But what did it take to follow Jesus?

1. One had to give up their regular ordinary lives Luke 5:1-11

2. Commitment - in that day a disciple would follow their teacher everywhere to learn as much as possible.

3. Following Jesus took precedence over anything else Matthew 8:18-22

It took a lot to follow Jesus, but what exactly does it mean to follow Him? Mark 8:34 makes this clear.

1. Deny Yourself - seek God's will and submit to it

2. Take Up Your Cross - take the daily struggles, persecutions, and anything that may come your way and endure them.

3. Follow Jesus - pledge your loyalty to Him.

Now many people would argue that Judas truly didn't follow Jesus because of His betrayal. However, I would say especially in the beginning Judas did. A little later we will discuss what went wrong.

So what are your thoughts? Do you think Judas should have been chosen? Did he have what it took to follow Jesus? Did he actually follow Jesus?

Happy Birthday

Okay, so today is a very special day. It's my Mom's birthday.

She turns...let see, if my Grandpa is only 39 then my Mom must be at least 29 again today. Boy am I catching up to her or what!

My Mom also shares her birthday with her older brother, my uncle Ricky (seen in the picture here) and my cousin Sarah. So Happy Birthday to you all. My Mom is the coolest Mom you'll ever meet (sorry Cathy, you're the coolest Mom-in-law). So Mom, here is to another many more years of you playing softball, going to National Bowling Tournaments, being Zach's biggest cheerleader, being Mallory's biggest supporter, and being my biggest teacher! Happy Birthday!

Happy 8 months

8 months ago today, I became a Dad. It has been an amazing journey so far. I cannot believe how fast kids grow. Just a quickie today...Happy 8 month Birthday Micaiah Jacob Brown

I Love This

It's October 1st and I must say I love it!

Where has this year gone? Back in February I spent a snowy winter in Indiana as Cyndi and I waited for Micaiah to get here. And then we went back home to Charleston, for our "spring" like weather...which is a mild summer to be honest.

Over the last couple of years I have really found myself missing having four seasons, especially fall. Now that we are in KY, I remember why I missed it so much. The changing of the leaves, the cooler temps (chilly but not too cold), and the smell of the air also has a "fallness" to it. I just love it!

I never thought I would end up in KY but obviously God has bigger plans. And since He has us here, I am going to enjoy every single season, love every moment of it, and embrace it with my family. Now that fall is here, that means winter is just around the corner...so I may need to pick up a snow shovel at Lowe's while I am there.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Recently, I listened to a sermon in which I was very excited about hearing. The church that I was specifically listening to is being used by God and I AM PUMPED ABOUT IT!!! It has been an extremely long time since I've listened to one of their Pastor's messages and so I decided that since God is doing amazing things there, something must be happening. So I downloaded a sermon from iTunes. While listening to this sermon I will be honest with you...I got pissed off. The pastor calls out a former youth pastor who resigned and says from the stage that he should have fired him. WOW!! Really? My thoughts were, can't people make mistakes and can't we let things go. And then I moved on to how in the world is God allowing this church to be used? Someone needs to give them a reality check and then something blew me away...

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

God spoke to me through Job 38-39. He goes through this conversation with Job basically saying who do you think you are? I've created everything for my purpose and you may not understand it but know your place. And Job answers in Job 40:4, "I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers?"

So who do I think I am that I would try and question what God is doing? God keep using me as Your tool. That's right I'm a TOOL!!! And help me to not question what you are using others to do!

A New Milestone in Micaiah's Life

7 months ago I had no idea what how to be a Daddy. To be honest with you, I still don't. I just know I've got two people so close to me that I am responsible for protecting. God chose to allow Cyndi and I to raise up Micaiah and boy am I learning a lot of new things.

Recently, Micaiah has reached a new milestone in his 7 months...he started crawling. It's been coming for awhile, but just the other day he decided it was time. And we caught a little bit on video.

Is There Tension Between God's Moral Purity and His Love?

Every week in my Theology class at my seminary I am always challenged with thought provoking questions. So I figured I would put this week's up here to challenge you. I will post my answer in the next few days...so comment, get your friends to comment. And if you're wondering I've already turned in my answers to my professor.

So here's the question:

Some have contended that there is tension between God's moral purity and His love. How would you respond to such a charge?

When Life Gets Busy...cry to yo Mama

Life is always busy for everyone. I used to complain that I didn't have enough time to get things done. That was until a great professor of mine used to correct me that everyone has enough time. God was perfect in giving us 24 hours in a day. We each get 24 hours a day, so saying that we don't have enough time isn't accurate. It would be a matter of prioritizing.

Anyway, I've began working towards obtaining my Master's of Divinity (MDiv), something I've really wanted to do since I was 16. Cyndi is in the process of finishing her MBA. As a matter of fact she is writing her Master's Thesis paper and when its done, she will be done!! Plus we have a very active 7 month old.

Since Cyndi is trying to finish this paper, we've decided that Micaiah and I have to get out of the house, out of the city, and out of the state, so that way she can concentrate and just get it done. So, Micaiah and I are taking a week of vacation (for him because I will be studying all week) and going to Nay Nay and Pops house (my parents). I'm glad that my parents are close enough that we can do this and my wife is going to have no distractions...PRAY for her! :)

Quick Vent About One of My Favorite Shows

I am a huge fan of CBS' Big Brother. Have been since season 1. I honestly have even toyed with the idea of trying out for the show, but haven't really gotten the guts to do so.

With every season, comes a new cast of personalities, drama, competition and whatever Big Brother decides to throw in there.

Well, the last few nights of Big Brother have been full of drama and have really irritated me! I wish people would realize this is a game. A GAME!!!! Not life or death, not something extremely serious. A GAME. It truly shows poor character if you refuse to abide by the rules THAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR AND AGREED TOO...

Furthermore, I totally agree with the Producer's decision to boot Chima out. I hate to say this but she should have counted herself lucky and privileged to be chosen out of millions to play this game.

Okay, that its...can't wait to see who is evicted on Thursday and see what Big Brother has for us next.

Welcome to the World Charlotte Grace Moschella

We've been waiting 9 months and finally she is here! Our friends Mark & Courtney Moschella welcomed Charlotte Grace to the world yesterday. Mommy and Baby are doing great. Charlotte entered in at 7lbs 8oz (really making me realize Micaiah was a BIG BOY!!). Dad and Big Sister, Cassidy, are overjoyed that the wait is over. But, here come the long nights Dad and Sis!

Here are some photos of Charlotte and Mommy.

Be sure to leave comments to Congratulate the happy family!

5 Things You Should Be Doing For The Church (part 2)

#2. Praying for the Leadership God Has Put in Place

I think many times people get to pray for the pastor's of their church and the ministry leaders. God has placed them in that position with that authority for a particular reason and its essential to cover them in your prayers.

Many times people get frustrated and ticked off at the decisions leaders make for the church, but instead of getting ticked off, you should be praying for them. Obviously they are making a decision for a reason. So what if they think that switching to contemporary style of worship will improve the ability to reach more people. So what if there is no longer your Grandma's organ and drums are now in the Sanctuary (guess what there were drums in the Bible and I haven't found a single mention of an organ yet). God presents his vision for the church through the Sr. Pastor and unless that Sr. Pastor is living against God's Word, your job is to follow that vision. Now, if God has given you clear vision on how the church should be ran...GO START ANOTHER CHURCH. But I promise you if you can't be a follower, you can NEVER be a LEADER!

5 Things You Should Be Doing For The Church (part 1)

Lately, I have really been seeking what God wants from me as a Pastor and even more importantly what does He want from His Church. As I've been praying and seeking His Word, I've come to the realization that God desires us to get up off of our rear ends and be His Bride, His Followers, HIS CHURCH!

So what can you be doing for the Church? This is both for your local church as well as the entire family of God. So you should be...

#1. Praying for People

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results -James 5:16

I really think that James is very clear when he says that we NEED to be praying for people. I believe this is not just for fellow Christians, but definitely for those who don't believe. Why? Well it is clear that there is POWER in prayer and the results are going to be wonderful or as one translation puts it the results are something to be reckoned with.

I Love Movies

One of my favorite things to do is to pop some popcorn, snuggle up on our couch with my wife and relax, entertaining ourselves with a nice movie. We also love going to see movies at the theatre.

I tend to be an extreme critic of movies that I see. For instance the latest installment of the Harry Potter (and the Half-Blood Prince) film is good, but not great. This has a lot to do because it is missing a lot of key action elements and most likely has to do with the PG rating. However it was good.

There is one director/producer in particular that I have been following since I was a wee lad. This probably has to do with the fact that he directed my favorite movie as a kid, Batman. That's right with the original movie Batman of Michael Keaton, aka Beetlejuice aka Jack Frost (for the younger crowd). This director/producer is Tim Burton.

Mr. Burton has produced a wide variety of films with sort of a dark twist. Movies such as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factor, and Sweeney Todd just to name a few. One thing that Tim has really done well is put his signature on his films. This signature tends to be a dark, over exaggeration of characters, film shots, and even music. However, one other signature tends to be with the actors he works with. You can almost always find Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's films, or even Helena Bonham Carter and even more recently Alan Rickman (both of which can be found in the Potter films).

All in all I thoroughly enjoy Tim Burton's dark, twisted, and highly entertaining films. I look forward to his next film set to release in 2010, his take on Alice in Wonderland should be quite interesting. Of course it will be, with Johnny Depp taking on the role of the Mad Hatter it is sure to be an experience.

be back soon

i know i haven't been a faithful blogger, but I am going to get better. I've been learning some great new tools and been revamping a few things and so I am taking a few days (possibly weeks) to re-do everything. SEE YOU SOON!

Love My House

It has been so awesome to be a home owner. Definitely a new experience and I've been loving doing little fix ups and creating a nice yard. Cyndi and I started putting together a list of things we've wanted for our house if and when we get some money.

Things like:

• A Lawn Mower a thanks Mom & Dad!
• A Snow Blower (yes, it will snow this winter)
• A Big Screen TV
• Organizers for the Garage
• A Dining Table a thanks Mom & Dad!

Obviously there are some more, but those are just a few. God has truly blessed us! I love that my family is going to grow in the Lord and we have our house to do it!

Side note: our very good friends The Moschella's will be welcoming Charlotte in about a month! Oh, and Happy Birthday Jamie Engler and Courtney Moschella!

Coming to an End

Well, Cyndi, Micaiah and I are sitting here at the Sharaton in Charleston, SC.

Why in the world are we back in Charleston if we just moved to Lexington? Well tomorrow morning at 10am we meet before a judge and Micaiah Jacob Smith will officially become Micaiah Jacob Brown. The end of the adoption process is almost over.

When asked to consider taking my cousin and making him my son, we had no hesitation in saying yes. I love my family and would do anything for them! However, we never knew that it would be this long of a process and this expensive. BUT its all good! God has provided and is still taking care of us.

Right now Micaiah is sprawled out on our King sized bed (I think he likes it better than his pack and play).

We are so excited! Cyndi's family is also driving up for the weekend to be a part of this special time in our life. We are so blessed to have been called to be this little guy's parents! Thank you to all of you who have prayed and who have been such a big part of his and our lives!

Loving Where God is Leading

I've always had a some sort of desire to be a part of a church plant or even possibly planting a church. This desire has definitely come from God because I used to tell God that I never would be a pastor. Then He called me to ministry. Then I said I would never go on the mission field. Then He sent me to Jamaica. Then I used to say I would never plant a church. Now, God has led us to LifeGate Church.

God has placed us here in Lexington, Ky and has led us to an amazing church. LifeGate Church has been the vision of Ashley Wilson for a while and realty was launched back in February. Over the past few weeks, Cyndi and I have really been getting to know Ashley and his wife Jamie and their awesome kids.

God is doing something big and I believe whole heartedly that He is going to use LifeGate Church in a mighty way. I love this journey that He has placed us on.

My Wife is Amazing

When I met Cyndi seven years ago, I never realized how much I would grow to love her more every day.  One thing I absolutely love about my wife is how incredibly intelligent and independent she is.  My wife has accomplished something that very few have ever done in such a short amount of time.

My wife has been out of college for 3 years now and in that time she has completed her Master's Degree.  She has been promoted from an Admissions Officer to Admissions Manager to Campus Director in just 3 short years.  What an honor to be given to her at 25 years.  This shows me that not only does she have the drive to succeed professionally, but her company trusts her.  She loves Strayer University and loves her job and it shows.  Another great accomplishment she has achieved is one of my favorites...she is the best Mom anyone could have (sorry Mom, Cyndi beats you out).  Since Micaiah has been born I have see my beautiful wife develop into the best mother.  I have always known of her compassion, her love, and her kindness, but to see bestowed upon our little boy absolutely knocks my socks off.

One thing that does drive me nuts is when people look so down upon this successful business woman because of her age or because they just may have something up their rear end.  I'd bet money any day that my wife would out work anyone, anytime!!  So to those of you who have ever said that she is lazy, or that she is unprofessional, or have just plainly said anything negative about this amazing woman of God, POO ON YOU!!!

Happy Anniversary

Today is my parents' 21st Wedding Anniversary.  June 3, 1988 they tied the knot and I got to witness it!  

Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary!  I love you guys and hope you have fun seeing Ron White for your Mom's Day/Birthday/Anniversary gift!  Thank you for showing me how to parent, and how to be a husband!

I'm Back...Here's What's Happening

Ok, so I've taken some time away from my blog due to an extremely busy schedule.

Here's what's been going on:

At the beginning of May, Micaiah and I drove to Lexington, KY to be with Cyndi.  She then had to fly to Delaware for a training, so Caiah and I drove to Ft. Wayne to visit the college Cyndi and I went to.  The following weekend, Micaiah and I drove back to Ft. Wayne in order for me to perform a wedding.  Immediately after the wedding we drove back to Lexington where I dropped Caiah off with Cyndi and I drove to Charleston.

Cyndi's Mom came to Lexington to help out while I was in Charleston with the movers.  The movers packed everything and headed to Lexington on May 20.  The unloaded everything in our house (that we closed on May 11) on May 21.  Cyndi and I then left for one of my best friend John's wedding in Midland, MI on the 26th.  Cyn and I were both in the wedding and what an awesome wedding it was!  Very special and screamed John and Jamie throughout the entire ceremony and reception.  Now the are off somewhere in the Caribbean.

Cyndi, Micaiah, and I are finally home and will be until we drive back to Charleston at the end of the month for his adoption finalization!

So I'm back to blogging and have some great thoughts and idears coming soon...so stay tuned!

Blogging Sabbatical

Ok so, I'm taking almost a month log blogging sabbatical starting this evening.  With us relocating, and all of the weddings/traveling we are doing, I just won't have time.  I am also going to take some time to think about some blogging ideas I have.  SO...I will be back in June.  If you would like to leave some ideas of blogs you would like me to write about...feel free!

5 Things The Church Needs to Learn from Disney

I had a blast at Disney World, but I could not help to think of some of the things that today's Church could take from the Magic Kingdom!

5.   Greeters who smile and actually make being there fun!

4.  Crowds!  That's right lots of people from every where.  Heaven is going to be like that...LOTS of crowds and from many different denominations!

3. First time visitor packets!  Disney gave first time visitors really cool buttons and made visitors feel like honored guests! NOT OUTSIDERS!

2. Disney isn't afraid to spend a little bit of money to get more people in the door to experience Disney.  I'm not saying that Churches today need to start spending Billions of dollars but I am saying that we shouldn't be afraid to spend a little bit if it's going to get people an opportunity to hear about Jesus.

1.  Disney celebrates with a BIG party and in BIG ways, every day!  Churches need to do the same. GO BIG OR GO HOME!

I'm Such A Big Kid

Yes, I sure am.  I'm loving every minute of being a Dad.  One of the fun parts though is my excuse to play with toys!  Or even go to Disney World!

That's right its official...we are taking Micaiah to Disney next week.  Okay so he's only two months old and won't remember any of it, but he gets in free and will make for some great photo opportunities!

Okay, I'll be honest.  We are going to Disney for me.  I've never been and Cyndi has a conference there next week, Micaiah is visiting Grandparents and I have complained enough about going.  So we are!  We're going to be celebrating quite a bit while there.  Celebrating Cyndi's promotion, Micaiah, my birthday, our new house, and our anniversary.  It's going to be a great time!!

The Thorn

Last night, Cyndi and I had the opportunity to go to our church to see their version of the Passion Story.  The play was called The Thorn.  I must say it was probably the best acting/special effects/and story that I have ever seen.  

As I was watching the story a few thoughts came to mind:

• I still am amazed that God would give HIS only son as a sacrifice for someone like me
• I was thinking of Micaiah a lot and praying that Jesus uses Him and that he serves Jesus with everything he has.
• I am so blessed with a wife that loves Jesus so much!
• I am so in awe through the fact that Jesus suffered so much, He could have easily ended it with one word.  But He didn't.

I am so blessed by the fact that I'm forgiven!  Happy Easter!

Being a Dad

I've always known that at some point in my life I wanted to be a Dad.

Other than my Jesus, and my wife, Cyndi, I never thought it would be possible to love someone so much that you would litterally do anything for them.    I've had a great example of what an awesome Dad is like!  I hope I'm half of the man, and great Dad he has been!  

But, I've thoroughly enjoyed being a Dad so far.  It's been great spending every night praying with him, and over him.  And I'm not a morning person, but its been fun getting up every morning to feed him, while Cyndi sleeps in.

God, thank you for choosing me to be Micaiah's Dad.  May he grow to love you and serve you!  Teach me to continue to love like you! - Amen

Tested Faith

I've just finished reading through the Book of Genesis.  I love reading when God started it all!

But this past Sunday, God laid a few things on my heart...

As like every Sunday we headed off to church.  This Sunday was different.  This Sunday we had Micaiah!  He was a first time guest at Seacoast Church at the James Island Campus.  The hospitality volunteers were incredible!  They didn't miss a beat...one even prayed with Micaiah before the service even started.  Everything was great.  However, towards the end of our Sr. Pastor's sermon, Micaiah started getting a little fussy and so I headed out of earshot.  

As I was standing with him, and getting him to calm, it hit me!  How could God send His one and only Son and sacrifice Him?  How could He give Him up to die?  And for who?  You?  Then I was reminded of Abraham, who led Isaac to the wilderness to be sacrificed.  It was then that I was thinking, Abe you had to be crazy!  God, how could you?  I am holding my son in my arms and I don't think that I could EVER sacrifice Him!  I know there is a lot to be said about Abraham's faith, but it was then that I realized I WANT and NEED FAITH LIKE THAT!  So much faith to KNOW that God would protect my son if I was willing to risk his life.  Faith that KNOWS that God would protect everything if I am willing to RISK everything.  That's my prayer even this evening is that God you would make me trust you more and more and KNOW that if You ask me to do something, You will provide!

On another note, once our worship leader started leading, Micaiah calmed right down!  I'm going to have to ask Marshal to record an album just for Micaiah to calm him during some fussy times!

Hidden Talents

So, Micaiah already has some hidden talents...not too many people can touch their toes to their nose. Boy do I love this guy!

Why I Love Skype

I have known about and have even been using skype for years.  skype is an interactive video conferencing program that is absolutely free.  Very recently I have realized how much skype has been a big tool for me and my family and so here are a few reasons why I love skype:

• Allows me to communicate with my friends overseas (got some in Australia, Nicaragua and Jamaica).
• Allows for conference calling to get a lot of friends together in one big conversation.  I wish more of my friends had skype.  Think of the possibilities if Randis, Kyle, Brian and I were all in on one conversation.
• Allows us to see our family when they are states apart.
• It's FREE!
• THE BEST IS IT ALLOWS ME TO SEE MY SON AND WIFE EVERYDAY THEY ARE APART FROM ME!

What a great application!  Check it out:  www.skype.com.  When you download it.  Add me I'm jeremiahjb.  GET SKYPING!

He's Not Even 3 Weeks Old.

Okay, I'm pretty sure 3 week old babies aren't supposed to be doing this.

I can't believe that even the day he was born he was able to hold his head up and now he is rolling from his stomach to his back all by himself...what in the world!

Roller Coaster

I love roller coasters! One of my favorite summer time activities is to go to an amusement park and hit up every single roller coaster.  My favorite amusement park is known as the roller coaster capital of the world...CEDAR POINT!  They boast the largest and fastest some of the biggest coasters ever.  It seems like they set world records every summer for their newest ride.  I tell Cyndi all the time if we ever live within a couple hours of Cedar Point I will own season passes!

Currently I am on an emotional roller coaster.  Every day news changes in the adoption process.  One minute we don't have to do something, the next we do etc, etc.  I am trying to be strong, for Cyndi, for Micaiah and even for myself.  It's hard sometimes!  

I know that when Caiah is finally home to SC and he is Micaiah Jacob Brown it will all be worth it, but sometimes its hard to keep the end in sight!

GOD is soooo GOOD!

I'm sitting here looking at my son and just thanking God for such a great gift!  He's just a little over one week old and he has been used by God in so many ways!  How can a week old little boy be used by God?  Oh believe me they can!

Here are a couple of ways that God has used Micaiah:

• I have been humbled at the fact that God would choose a hyperactive person like me to take care of such a delicate person.
• Micaiah is a living miracle.  He could have been another statistic to the abortion rate.  However, God has other plans.
• God is using Micaiah to teach many of us to just TRUST HIM!!  God has the entire adoption process in His hands and we just have to trust Him to be God and do His thing!

As Cyndi and I travel back to Charleston tomorrow, part of us is staying in Fort Wayne, but we hold firm to the fact that GOD IS IN CONTROL!

One Great Photo of Micaiah

My sister was taking a picture of Micaiah and here is what she snapped

Want to visit Micaiah, or Cyndi and I while we are in IN?

We would love for anyone and everyone who wants to come and visit, with Micaiah or would like to spend some time with Cyndi and I, to do so. 

If you want to see Micaiah, then...

1. You must be willing to come to my parents' house in New Haven.  Caiah isn't quite 16 and he can't drive to you.

2.  You must be willing to wash your hands...I know some people may be allergic to water but we do have some stuff the hospital gave us to prevent germage.

3. We ask that you just don't show up to my parents.  If there is anyway you can, either call me, email me, send me a message on here or FACEBOOK.

4. We are still also at the mercy of the Indiana courts, so if we have to cancel on you coming to see Micaiah, please don't be offended.  We will reschedule.

If you want to hang out with Cyndi and Jeremiah, then...

1.  We are up for having Dinner (we are on a very limited budget) but would be willing to go to dinner as long as Grandma Cathy and Nay Nay (my mom) is willing and available to watch Micaiah.

2. If you want to come see us in New Haven just let us know!

WE WANT TO SEE ANYONE AND EVERYONE THAT WE CAN!!!

we also ask that no gift other than donations towards the adoption be given if possible (while we are in Indiana, we do have to drive back to SC and don't have space for a lot of gifts).  if writing a check please make it payable to Jeremiah Brown and in the notes/memo section write "The Micaiah Fund"

The Joys of Adoption

I have always been told adoption is so expensive and it can be a very long process...I never really knew until now!

When we were asked to adopt my 18 year old cousin's unborn baby, we couldn't say no.  So I hired a lawyer in Charleston, SC and thought everything was being taken care of by him.  Needless to say two days before we were to travel to Indiana, I come to find out that nothing has been done.  

So I hired a lawyer in Indiana who knew Indiana law and knew what needed to be done!  Let me tell you, this man is awesome!  God is really opening the doors and showing us some really awesome things through this entire process.  But there are some worries and we aren't completely out of the dark.  We have no idea when anything is going to go through and we can't leave Indiana until everything goes through.  SO PLEASE PRAY!  We also have had a lot more added expenses, now having to hire another lawyer, and general costs, etc.  But if you would like to contribute to what we are calling the Micaiah Fund please contact me and let me know.

The biggest need is PRAYER!!  Pray that everything goes through with the adoption and fast!  Pray that Cyndi and I are the parents that God wants us to be.  Pray for Micaiah!  Also pray for Megan, she has some great goals in mind and God can really use her. 

Well that's about all for now.

More Fam Pics with Micaiah

Nay Nay and Cai Cai

Auntie Mallory and Micaiah

More Pics with Family

Zach, My Dad, and Micaiah

Uncle Zach and Micaiah

Mommy and Micaiah

Grandma and Micaiah

Pics of Caiah

Mommy, Daddy, and Caiah

Micaiah Jacob Brown

Introducing...

Micaiah Jacob Brown

Born: February 2, 2009 at 3:24am

8lbs 5oz

21" long

10 Things I Loved About the SuperBowl

10. The Twitter smack talk!

9. The World Famous J-Baby's Wings

8. 3-D on live TV

7. The E-Trade's Baby commercials..."take these broken wings" I LOVE IT!

6. Learned a bit about Larry Fitzgerald's story...AWESOME!

5. The competitiveness between the two best teams this year!

4. EXCITED for some movies coming out.  Transformers, Fast and Furious, AND Star Trek

3. James Harrison makes the longest TD in Super Bowl history with no time left!  100 yards for Defensive Player of the year 

2. Hanging out with my family and watching their favorite team (my second favorite).

1. Pittsburgh Steelers WIN Super Bowl 43

Back Home in Indiana

Well, Cyndi and I made back home in Indiana and we were greeted by this...

It really is cool to be home and to be greeting our baby soon.  As we get news on what's going on with the baby we will definitely pass along the news!  Thanks for being a part of the journey.

Get Naked for Jesus

Interesting title eh?  But as I was reading through the book of Genesis and the Creation account it hit me.

Genesis 3, tells us that when Adam and Eve sinned they realized they were naked and ashamed of it.  So they hid! God looked for them (although He already knew what happened) and asked why they were hiding.  Adam, said "God we are naked and we are ashamed."  And then the blame game began.

What I realized reading through this is that God created them naked for a reason.  Because it's within the nakedness that nothing can be hidden.  I believe that being naked before God means that we are willing to be so transparent and so open that there is nothing hidden from God.  What's cool is that when Adam confessed to God what he and Eve had done, God provided for them.  He clothed them!

So are you willing to put aside yourself and be completely naked for Jesus!  What a revolution that would create!

Lessons in the Air

I enjoy flying and seem to know quite a bit about getting through an airport. I also know how to spot weather while flying. As I was mid-flight from Charleston to Washington D.C. I happened to notice the clouds

It was a perfectly clear and absolutely picture perfect morning. The kind you wish that you were an artist so that you could paint the picture. Midnight blue sky, with twinkles of stars. The sun just beginning to come over the horizon. And then the clouds appeared.

Dark, thick, and very uninviting. I knew we had to go through them to get where we needed to go, but I knew that turbulence would be inevitable. Sure enough on came the turbulence.

I was reminded of points in life when life seemed to be so good, so clear, and so calm. But the clouds appear and things get a little shaky. Jesus is there! He knows exactly how and when to calm the storm. He did it for the disciples while they were out on their boat, and he does it for his children when they need Him!

If your going through a storm, let Jesus calm it. If life is fine and dandy, let Jesus have it because a storm is just around the corner.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Piercing

I've had several people over the past several years ask my about my piercing that I have through my ear.  I have a very good explanation for it and thought it was time to share with some of you.  It is very personal and very spiritual for me...so here's the reason behind my one (AND ONLY) piercing.

I've always wanted my ear pierced, don't know why, just did.  I guess because a lot of my friends growing up had theirs done and my parents would never let me get it done.  SO I turned 18 my parents were away on a mini vacation and I went to my cousins house and she pierced my cartilage.  I seriously did it to tick my parents off, but when my parents got home...my Mom looked at me and she decided that she kind of liked it!  So, I did what any good kid would do who was trying to get under their parents skin, I took it out.

That was that.

2002 rolls around and I happened to stumble across Exodus 21:5-6.  When reading this it kind of caught my attention so I started researching what in the world was going on.  At the time I had been a Christian for about 7 years.  I discovered that Slaves served for seven years and if their master had been very good to them they could choose to stay with them.  If they stayed their ear was pierced.  I decided that I wanted to make a commitment to my Master!  My Master has been real good to me so I pierced my ear.  

I actually had an allergic reaction to the type of metal that my ear was pierced with so I took it out for a couple of years. Cyndi encouraged me to get it done again around our one year anniversary so I did.  Plain and simple I like it, it means a lot to me.  My Master is still good!

My Year So Far

2009 is in full swing and I am being blown away!

I decided that I was going to read the entire Bible in 2009.  It is something that I have never done and it is a BIG challenge for me.  So I logged onto my YouVersion account to take part in their New Year's Resolution - Read the Whole Bible!  And I am having a blast reading.  I am currently going through the books of Genesis, Psalm, and Matthew.  It is amazing to see how each book actually fits together in God's plans for His people (I will post more on this later).

Cyndi and I have been so blessed by friend's and family already this year.  In just a few short weeks we are going to be welcoming either Micaiah Jacob Brown or Peyton Renee Lee Brown into our home.  The blessings of clothes, crib, car seats, etc. are just so overwhelming.  We see how God truly works everything out for His good and I cannot wait to meet this little one that God is entrusting us with.

I'm also working on a project in which I need the help of anyone and everyone who is married. I am looking for your comments/stories/observations in married life that could be relayed to individuals just starting out in their first year of marriage.   They can be funny stories, serious moments, things that you have learned along the way, etc.  ANYTHING!  You can either post them in a response to my blog or email me, facebook me, or twitter to me!

I am having so much fun and have already been blessed in 2009...I cannot wait to see what GOD is going to do this year!