I was asked how hubby and I met, so here goes the story……

It was April of 98 and a young singles group started at church. I decided to check it out. That was the first time I met hubby. He was the first guy to introduce himself to me. The next week he drove all the way to church where I was waiting, to tell me that class wasn’t meeting. I thought that was so sweet. We went out for about a week or two and then I told him, I just wanted to be friends. I broke his heart, but he remained my friend and watched as I dated a few other guys (lending a shoulder when needed).

Then about September, I realized I felt more for him. I told him and he told me, he did not feel the same. So, I moved on and dated one of his old friends for about three months. For those three months Brent and I did not speak. When that relationship was at its end, he called to check on me (my dad prompted him). (You see my dad always called him the best son-in-law he never had)

After that, we talked all the time. But we did not date. Then end of April 99, I started to get real jealous of one of his girl friends. I could not figure out why I felt that way and then it smacked me silly. I was so in LOVE with him, it was making me crazy that he spent so much time with this chick. Then he stinking kissed me!! And it seriously took my breath away; I could not even walk straight into the apartment. My brother was in the kitchen when I walked in. He looked at me, I looked at him and, my brother said, did Brent kiss you?? I smiled and nodded my head.

In May we decided to start dating again. Then we had a misunderstanding and we broke up for a week. I sent him a really cruel poem I had wrote him and he sent a reply. I laughed and cried when I read his response and knew it was not over between us. That night before we talked, I prayed. I knew that night, God revealed it to me, he was my future hubby. We got engaged in August and eloped in September. Here we are 7 ½ yrs, two kids, later. He is totally my other half, we are one flesh, he completes me.

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, he is my man.

helmschick    -- out

Love is being married to your best friend.

Love is re-inventing ways to convey your appreciation for each other everyday.

Love is snuggling with your husband on the couch after a long day.

Love is ironing your husband's shirts.

This is my foot.
This is what my foot looks like when a stainless steel pot jumped of my washer and landed on it!

Growing Pains - a sweet grief paved path to wisdom

I’m so thankful for Godly counsel. It helps with the growing pains.

For me, letting go is one of the hardest things to do, when all we want to do is protect the ones we love. Lets face it, advice can be given till we are tired and blue, but everyone has their own free will. I certainly don’t want to run anyone’s life. Living my own life is a full time job and I don’t have all the answers. We need to be free to make our own decisions for better or for worse. We all need confidence and faith, but sometimes we need to fall flat on our face.

 When we are in pieces, we have to rely on God to pull us together. Brokenness helps shape our character. We have to trust and be obedient to His lead, no matter how difficult the task. We all have to grow up, whether it is tragedy that moves us, or just revelation and conviction. Don’t hide in shame. Don’t waste time. Be committed to the change. Follow where God leads whatever it takes. The growing pains are worth the end result. It's amazing what can be revealed beyond the sweet tears of grief. How sometimes more is revealed in these moments then we ever could have concieved and we become so much better for it.

10 years ago........

Ten years ago today my grandfather passed away, I called him PapPap. He was a one of a kind. I miss him.

Ten years ago I had no idea what to expect in life or where it would lead.

Today I wonder where will I be ten years from now?

 I was twelve or thirteen, my brother, Mike, was nine or ten when we got saved. It was a Wednesday night and bedtime. My Father, my brothers, and I met in my brothers’ room for prayer. We had been at church that night and my youth pastor had talked a lot about being saved. So, I asked dad what it meant. Dad explained it to us and both Mike and I prayed the prayer asking Jesus into our hearts, with dad leading us. (My baby brother, Spenser, was three or four at the time. He doesn’t remember the event.)

I can’t really pin point the exact moment I began to drift, but soon I was a float. I stayed that way for three to four year, until my valley seemed to sink lower. Two years and ten months ago I rededicated my life to Christ and I have never been the same. Then last year I was baptized.

Mike got baptized not to long after the night we both got saved. I don’t know if Mike can pin point the exact moment he began to drift either, but last year Mike rededicated his life to Christ and got baptized. Having been through two losses, he could have turned bitter but, Mike felt the love of Christ instead and embraced it with all his heart. He was also able to comfort a friend and endure a third loss.

I’m so grateful to God for pursuing us. When both Mike and I asked questions and wanted more wisdom, God paved the way. In both our lives He placed a mature Christian to help us. God is so good.

 I’m so grateful that mom and dad got us involved in church. I’m so grateful that dad led us to Christ. Having been on the path once, made it easier for us to recognize that path again later. It is so important for us to plant that seed with our children. To train them in the way they should go. As they learn how to deal in this life and make decisions they need to be able to recognize the correct path, so when they do make a mistake or take a wrong turn, they will not depart from it.  

Peace, Love, &(most importantly) Jesus,

helmschick  --out

One of the best years yet! Ever heard the song, Story of Life, by Sierra? One of the first Christian music cds I bought for myself. I love that song, especially the chorus. I do feel like my life is a book with new chapters waiting to be written.

 This year has been a very exciting year. Really the past three years have been quite exciting. I love knowing Jesus. I love that He continues to mold me. I’m refurbished, constantly. I love that He teaches me and guides me. I love glimpses of His works and just plain goodness. He constantly encourages me and I know He has never forgotten me. God has blessed me in so many ways. I remain forever grateful.

This year has been all about relying on Him. Really every year deals with relying on Him. But, this year especially has been about me being “dependent” on Him in all things. I use to be extremely codependent on my husband, until my world got rocked and my house of sand done sunk.( This happened almost three years ago.) So, learning to be codependent on God started a while ago.

This year I’ve had quite a few lonely moments. My husband has been working extra hard this year and hasn’t had a lot of spare time, until the latter half of this year. I ‘ve made some new friends this year as well, but we all have families of our own to tend to during the week. So, I’ve found myself with some spare time and not a lot of people to share it with. And it has been so good for me. Learning to be still and quiet is difficult if you fight it, but if you just do it, it is so refreshing.

If you just do what you can with what ya got and rely on Him, it can be a really great adventure. Even in the stillness, there is adventure!

Here are a few verses that have surfaced this year:

Psalm 25:4-5

Psalm 46:10

Hebrews 12:1

Isaiah 30:15

Proverbs 3:5

Psalm 34:8

Hope ya’ll had a wonderful Christmas!

Happy New YEAR!

helmschick -- out

 Anyone want to go to the dentist with me and hold my hand?? My jaw is killing me. It has been for a week, but not wanting to be a wimp or over react, I put it off. Yes, that's right you've guessed it. It can be ignored NO longer for now I'm in tears. So, if you think of me or the dentist today, please say a prayer. I'm scared and not sure if its more for fear of the price or fear of dental work. It's prolly a good combo.

Thanks!

helmschick --out

EDIT ADD**

Well, I guess all I get for Christmas is my wisdom teeth extracted, my wisdom teeth extracted, my wisdom teeth extracted. Doesn't that bite? The good news is, I only have three. But one is infected. OWEEE!