Memorizing Scripture V4:6

Psalm 119:37, "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in your way."

I chose this verse because I want to be more present with my boys and those that I am living life and not be consumed with Social Media. I love the phrase "revive me in your way". Jesus will give me new strength or energy and transform my life. I am going to put my phone away from the time I get home after school until the boys are in bed and be more conscious of my time on Social Media. I want to LIVE my life, be present, and revived by HIM!

Memorizing Scripture V4:4

Genesis 15:1, NKJV, "Do not be afraid, Kyndra, I AM your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

A shield protects, intercepts/deflects attacks, guards, and is a line of defense. I am so thankful I that God is my shield. I have nothing to fear!

"You crush the enemy

underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side."

Memorizing Scripture V4:3

Proverbs 3:3 "Let love (kindness) and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

Pastor David is in the middle of a series on kindness, and I love what he said, "You can't build love and faithfulness; we must let it grow in Him and be empowered by the Lord."

This is also my prayer for my boys. I want to live this verse out daily so my boys can see what that looks like. I am going to need to surrender daily to Him and put aside my flesh.

I am overwhelmed by your affection. Thank you for the greatness and kindness of your love.- Bryan and Katie Torwalt

Memorizing Scripture V4:2

This last week was a tough week for us. Brian passed out twice in 12 hours, so I took him in to the ER on Thursday the 5th. They admitted him immediately, and I spent the day with him. He had an okay night, and I went to work on Friday. After school, we spent the evening with him and then went home for bed. I got a text around 9 pm that scared me. I asked my friends to pray, and Sam and Steven insisted on coming to stay with the boys. I headed up to the hospital and just sat by Brian for a long time praying for healing.

We made it through the night. I barely slept laying on the hospital couch listening to worship music and praying!

Brian was released on Saturday, and the boys were SO happy to have him him!

 Lincoln had a really hard time with Daddy being gone.

Brian passed out again the next morning he was home. I was just exhausted and asked Sharon and Mel to come down. I took Monday off to stay with Brian. We weren't able to get into his cardiologist, but enjoyed a breakfast date and the day together. His parents got here Tuesday, and he saw his cardiologist on Wednesday.

 Brian has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). His heart medicine could have been lowering his blood pressure, along with not being well hydrated could have caused a few episodes. They are confident it is not related to a dangerous heart rhythm. They think hydration, higher sodium diet, exercise, and new heart medicine will greatly increase if not having another fainting episode. He has no restrictions and went back to work Friday.

I write all this to say to that I wouldn't have made it through such a trying week without reading and reciting God's word and promises over and over, and our family and friends praying for, encouraging, loving us and bringing us meals.

My second verse is Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear."

This verse spoke volumes to me this last week. He is a PRESENT help, right now, no waiting on Him! He is with me, with us, NOW in the midst of our troubles. What a comforting promises that brings great peace!

Memorizing Scripture V4:1

Once again I am taking part in Beth Moore's scripture memory team. I am doing with some girlfriends and am looking forward to growing closer to Jesus and them!

My first verse is Romans 12:2 NKJV, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

This is also going to be our family verse for the year. I want to start the year with our focus on Him and not the ways of the world. It is so easy to get caught up on the things the world says are important, I like the word transformed because it means to continually do something, radically changed, new form of worship. It is a continual process of denying self and choosing Him. I want to be radically changed and worship him with all I am.

I love this quote by Francis Chan, "We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness." I don't want to just live; I want to be intentional, follow hard after Jesus, and observe and be aware of all God is doing in my life.
I want to be TRANSFORMED!!

Memorizing Scripture V3:11

1 Samuel 3:10 "The Lord came and stood there, calling as other times, "Kyndra, Kyndra." Then Kyndra said, Speak, for your servant is listening."

I love replacing names in the Bible with my own name. Too often I am busy or just not really listening to what the Lord is saying to me, that just like Samuel I don't realize the Lord is calling me.

About 3 months ago, the Lord was calling me to put my application in for an Instructional Specialist job in my district. I knew he was calling me, but I was afraid. I did listen, and after a few months of not hearing anything (God was at work all the while) I got an interview. Last week I interviewed and got the job at a school right in our neighborhood. I am overwhelmed at God's faithfulness and goodness in our lives. He orchestrated everything so beautifully over the last 2 (really 10) years to lead me to where I am going to be next year. Honestly, I am nervous but know that God will lead me and know I will learn to trust on Him even more.

 I want to make sure I am listening, so I don't miss anything else God is saying to me!

Memorizing Scripture V3:10

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in ALL ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight."

I am trusting in the one who is greater, and I am at peace. There are a few big things on the calendar in the next week. Please pray for God's will and for him to be glorified. 

 I know His ways are better than mine. I love seeing the ways things come together when I trust him with ALL my heart. He makes me stronger!

Memorizing Scripture V3:9

Jeremiah 17:7 "But, blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him."

I love what my devotional said about confidence the other night. 

Insecurity says, I can't

Confidence in God says, I can because God will show me how!

I need this verse stamped on my heart. It's not my perfect performance that captures God's attention- it's my complete trust in and dependence on Him. 

Memorizing Scripture V3:8

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

I am a planner! I like to have a schedule of when things are going to happen, and I like to check things off of my to-do list. During this slow adoption process, I can't do any of that. 

I have learned, relearned, and am still trying to master waiting on the Lord. His timing is always perfect, and His plans are always better than mine!

Psalm 27:14 will be a great reminder to trust in the Lord's timing! He is SO faithful!

Please pray with us for the right timing and moving forward with the adoption process. Thank you!

Memorizing Scripture V3:7

Joshua 1:2

"Now then, (Hartzlers) get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give you. I will give you every place where you set your foot."

God is guiding us every step of the way in this adoption process. We are ready to cross the "Jordan" probably many "Jordans" with Him as our strength and song. We are ready to discover the Power of His Name, become more dependent on Him and less on our own abilities, and have our hearts stripped of any remnants of pride and judgement of others. He will be faithful like He has always been and take out to the other side, giving us what we need along the way, and never leave our side.

Later in this chapter He commands us several times to "Be strong and courageous." Thankful to serve a God who will be with me wherever I go.

Memorizing Scripture V3:6

Psalm 48:14 "For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end."

I am choosing to memorize this verse because I love the promise that God is God forever. In this world there are so many things that can change in an instant, but God is always constant and faithful. We are walking into the unknown in many areas of our lives, and I know God will guide us.

Memorizing Scripture V3:5

I am choosing to memorize Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe."

This last week was a bit trying. Our bikes were stolen from the garage, Lincoln was sick, then Brian, then Jackson, and a few other small things happened. In each circumstance I chose to praise Him and run to Him. When I did that peace and thankfulness filled my heart.

I love the embrace, closeness, and safety I fill in His arms. Run to Him today!

Memorizing Scripture V3:4

This time I am choosing to memorize Psalm 34:1- " I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord."

I love the visualization of this verse. All day long, every minute of my day, I should be enthusiastically praising His name and His name is always on my lips. My whole body is proud is proud of what the Lord has done for me. I should be one happy person full of a radiant light that comes from Him!

About a month or two months ago, Brian told me he was healed. He said he felt God heal him in church one day after he prayed. He hasn't taken his medicine since and is doing well. To God be the Glory! I can't write these words without smiling and thanking God again and again! I love sharing the good news that God healed my husband. 

God still performs miracles and deserves the praise and glory for that, but I also need to extol His name no matter what I am going through. If it is a rough day or week, I want to be praising His name, because you know what I found to be true? It is when I take the focus off myself and my problems and turn my eyes upon him and praise His name that the stress, bitterness, anger, whatever else melts away and I find peace and strength in His hands. 

I pray that I will live a life of continually praise to the only one who matters- Jesus Christ. I want my daily habit to be praise!

Memorizing Scripture V3:3

1 Chronicles 21:13- David said, "I am in distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for His  mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of me."

How many times in a day am I in distress (sorrow, pain, anxiety)?  When I am I want to rest in His hands of mercy and love. He is reaching out for me offering strength and comfort. All I have to do is fall into His hands. I love the word fall because I don't even have to do it gracefully. I can just drop, drop all I am doing and the burdens I am carrying and rest in His embrace.

I must submit to Him and offer all I am because I want all Jesus has to offer, not the ways of this world.

Memorizing Scripture V3:2

I am choosing to memorize Luke 10:42. 

"Kyndra, Kyndra,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I tend to want to do it all and do it all right away. I want to focus on the One that matters. He deserves my time and energy more than the "things" I need to get done or look at on Facebook (it is deleted off my phone).  I feel like this also has to do with living in the moment with my boys and being present when I am with them. I want to choose the better thing!

Memorizing Scripture V3:1

I am joining Beth Moore once again as she hosts Siesta Scripture Memory Team. The last two years I did it, I was really able to learn God's word. He always put the verses I needed most on my heart to memorize, even if I didn't know it at the time. 

My first verse is Jeremiah 29:13 because it is our family verse for 2015. "You will seek me and find me when you search for Me with all your heart." NASB

What a great way to start the year. If our hearts our focused on Jesus then so will be our thoughts, words, and actions. I know the more I seek Him, the more He reveals himself to me and shows me in the direction to go. My heart is also filled with joy, peace, and love that comes only from knowing Him. I will be able to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, person if I can live out Jeremiah 29:13.

I want to not only begin the new year seeking for Him, but each and every day of the year! I know it won't come easily every day and will require discipline and commitment. I want to worship, praise, and serve Him with all that I am because of what He has done for me. I pray that this year our family will seek Him and find Him so that we can grow closer to the one who made us, loves us, saves us, and forgives us and with each other.

 I can't wait to follow God and see the things He has in store for us in 2015! 

Memorizing Scripture V2:21

Proverbs 4:24 "When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." ....v26 "for the Lord is your security.

I am again amazed at the way the Lord works out and cares for every little detail. I had taken a personal day last Wednesday to go on a field trip with Jackson. We woke up to severe storms and the field trip was cancelled. Jackson was bummed. I also woke up with a 102.5 fever, achy body, and chills. I had mastitis. I wouldn't have been able to go on the field trip even if it hadn't rained. I already had a sub so no need to worry about getting sub plans done. Brian came home to take the boys to daycare and bring home my prescription my doctor had called in. The field trip is rescheduled and now Brian can come too!

When I lay down to go to sleep many things run through my mind; things I need to do, didn't do, what ifs but the great thing is that God is not worried about any of it, and I shouldn't be either.

Memorizing Scripture V2:20

Psalm 16:8 " I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Life is busy right now. The saying "The days are long, but the years are short" is so true. Each night I am exhausted. To be honest I know The Lord is the only reason I have strength and energy to accomplish what must get done. With Him I won't be shaken! I am so thankful for His faithfulness, mercy, and love he pours on me each day.

And just because he makes me smile!

Lincoln loves to try and help feed himself. Yummy peas and prunes!

Memorizing Scripture V2:18 & 19

I forgot to post my verse last time.

Lamentations 3:22

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Thankful for his faithfulness in my life. I need Him every moment, every hour of every day.

Proverbs 31:26

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness." NLT

What a great reminder as a wife, mother, and teacher. My words are powerful.

Memorizing Scripture V2:17

 

I am revisiting 2 verses this go around. They are verses I need to be saying all day long as I have a lot to get done in a day. Jackson has also been testing the water lately. I will be praying for the Lord to strengthen him and protect his heart from the evil one.

 

Psalm 54:4 "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the ONE who sustains me."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and protect you from the evil one."

 

Jackson's verse: James 1:19 "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow get angry."