"Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble." Proverbs 3:23

It has been a while since my last post. We have had an incredibly busy summer. Everything from weddings to cabin trips and anything in between that we could fit in. This past week we found out that an old high school friend past away in Iraq. He left behind a wife and two beautiful little boys ages 6 and 2. It got me thinking of the many fears a person has. These men and women that risk their lives on a daily basis so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy, have fears just like you and me! But they choose to put them aside for the greater cause of our nation. It made me stop and think of how thankful I am for their willingness to leave their families behind and potentially make the greatest sacrifice anyone could make. To lay down his life for his country. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13... I know that I am married to a marine and every day I wake up, I find a since of pride in that but also a humbling since of gratitude that has a small stale fear that follows. I know that my husband would give his all for his country and his family and friends. I thought of how fear dictates so much of our society and how in Christ there is no cause for fear. A couple months back we heard a great message preached on fears. I took notes because it made me think of my own personal fears that I have, and how many of them are really just to much focus on self. Pastor Scheving had said that "he who lives in fear will never be a free man." Our fear's make the wolf bigger than he really is. "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe" Proverbs 29:25... I love this verse. No matter what may happen to us we have nothing to fear as long as we have put our trust in the LORD :) Pastor Scheving also gave some statistics on people and their fears. You can see these and then put some of your fears in the percentage where they belong. 60% of things we fear really are not there. 20% of all fears are behind us in the past. 10% don't even really matter, they are so small. 5% are ones that we can't do anything about anyway...In a time when our country is at war, our economy is not the most stable, and people have fears that are out of control we need to turn our eyes upward to Christ and his peace and security that he offers to anyone that will accept his gift of salvation. As I think of this family and how much they must be going through, it really hits close to home. I even caught my self fearing the time when Joshua may have to deploy again. Now what good does that do me. We are on recruiting duty for at least another year and a half and if that time comes as it has twice before then I will turn my fears and worries over to the LORD just as I have in times past. To chase away our fears we must stop looking sloe on our self and ask ourselves, are my fears even real, and have faith. Faith...One should count each new day as a separate life. If we lived like each day was a whole new life we would see so much more wonder and joy through the foggy mist of discouragement, discontentment and fears. The Bible says that Pure Love casteth away all fears. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1John 4:18... Walk in love, it is such a powerful thing. You know they say the number one biggest fear is the fear of death. The fear of the unknown. You can know what lies ahead for you. God has not kept this a secret. He has already told us how we can know what happens after this life. There are 365 fear not's in the Bible. One for each day of the year if you need it. The only good fear that we can have is a reverential fear of the LORD and his holiness. "The fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26. As you read this I ask that you would remember this family in your thoughts and prayers and that you would count each day that is given to you as a blessing. That you would see the good in everything that this life has to offer. No matter what cards you have been dealt, there is always something to be thankful for. Let us place aside our fears and really start living!!!

Fear Not for tomorrow, for God is already there...
Love,
The Browns
(The above and below picture are of Titus. So young with no fears. He was standing on this toy truck thing and then lunged forward to jump. This is where most of my fears come from. Raising a boy...:) LOL... He is always jumping off of something.)

Love..."Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" Romans 13:10

This afternoon the kids and I went for a walk. Tatum had asked me earlier in the morning if we could take all the babies for a walk after lunch. (If you look at the pictures you will understand what I mean by all the babies...LOL.). That is our special thing. When we have a georgeous day such as this, we usually head out for an early afternoon stroll. The girls love to walk and admire all of the lovely homes around our neighborhood. I love watching them when we are out on our little adventures. They never fail to make me laugh. They walk and talk as if they were grown. Their Teany Tiny conversation, (as it seems to us), but truly is a big ordeal in their precious little world. So enthusiastic about everything around them. I just can't help but be overwhelmed with LOVE. As we walked and talked and admired the Beautiful back drop that the LORD has so graciously provided for us I thought of how magnificient God's LOVE is toward us. It is so great that we will never be able to fully comprehend it. To think that God sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins is so amazing. The Love that Jesus had for all man kind is mind blowing and extremly enormous. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 What an amazing promise to cling to. God does not want anyone to perish but for us all to have everlasting life. We just need to do our part in the deal. Which is so mineute when you look at everything he has done for us. I watched Tatum and Elyssa tend to their babies, it was the sweetest thing ever. Tatum's baby got fussy a few times so we had to stop so she could take her out and comfort her and Elyssa's baby slept most of the time. They were so adorable. They love their babies so much... They made sure that their every need was met and that they were enjoying the little walk that they were out on. I admired them and thought of how much Love can fix so many problems. Not just an emotional type of love but a true, deep, unconditional love. A love that is so strong that it could cover any wrong that has ever been done."Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love coverth all sins." Proverbs 10:12. Jesus Christ is so forgiving that no matter what we have done or who we are we can come to the throne of God humbly for forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9. Love is so powerful. As a mother I think of how much I love and adore my Children and how I would do anything for them. And then I think of God's love towards (us) his children and I can't help but want to have my cup overflowing with the compasionate love of Jesus Christ toward all men.

Love,
Brittany

This Little Light of Mine"Let your light so shine before men, thatthey may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mt 5:16

We have decided to change the name of our blog. We chose This Little Light of Mine because of the kiddos. They sing it all the time:) It is so sweet. We were driving one day and I think we listened to the Crown College Quartet sing it like 6 times. Then I thought what a cute name that would be for our blog. So there you have it. I think it is cute and sweet. And it reminds me of our little ones...
"THE LORD is my light and Salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Love,
Brittany

Thankfulness!"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know unto God."Phil 4:6

As I was reading my Bible this morning I was reading in Philippians and I was observing so much on being Thankful. The children were still sleeping so I jumped online to check my emails. I love to check friends blogs to see if they have posted any new pictures of their Kiddos or good stories. So I browsed a friend of mines. I read a blog that she had as one, that she follows and I didn't even get a chance to read that far before I was in tears. It went hand in hand with my devotion. Being thankful in any circumstance the LORD has given. The story was of a woman who had lost her new baby. He lived for 16 minutes. Her testimony is amazing! It is a perfect picture of what the LORD can do in our lives if we would let him. As I sat there so overcome with emotions, I was finding my self truly humbled, and thanking the LORD for the three children that he has given Joshua and I. I am so guilty of living like we have tomorrow and that every thing will just go on as normal. But none of us no for sure what lies ahead."Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14. Life is so precious and we all have so much to be thankful for. Even those who have had it the hardest. I thought of this young mother and how thankful she was to God that he even let her spend 16 little minutes with her beautiful baby boy. Of course she struggles. She is human, but the grace the LORD has given her is something that I want to have in my life. On the mountain tops and through the valleys I want to praise him."And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Luke 2:38. We are going to have loss and we are going to have gain. But, one thing I am learning as I grow in the LORD is everything is for a reason. There is no accident, by chance or even luck. Everything that happens in life is given by God as a divine growing experience. And I have learned he will never give us more than we can handle. For he knows us better than we even know our selves. "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:" Psalm 139:14a. I know times are hard with the economy, and with the world seeming out of control. With Christ there is nothing to fear when things get sticky. He has made us a promise and we can hold fast to his truths. First and foremost I am thankful for my salvation. I know that I am so undeserving but by the Grace of God he has saved me. I am thankful for the amazing Husband he has so graciously given me to walk this journey of life. I am Thankful for the three precious little children he has allowed us to raise to honor and glorify him, for our family, for our Church, for our health and on and on and on. "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" Ephesians 5:20. Have you counted your blessings? Whether big or small God has given them all :)"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice," Philippians 4:4

Love,
The Browns

Tatum...Such a big helper and so full of life....She is getting to that age where when you tell her to smile she forces it a little to much...

Sweet little Elyssa Faith... And let it be know she will tell you if you say her name wrong. It is pronounced with and E not A(lyssa)... LOL...

Titus (Bubba) Loves his big sister Elyssa's sun glasses... So cute :)

Faith..."NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Yesterday was a beautiful summer day. And there was no better way to end such a day then by watching a handful of Children play outside. Last night as we stood out in front of the Church with the Children running around so full of life. I was reminded of our Faith. I know you probably are wondering why Faith? It was amazing outside. The sky was a perfect blue, the wind was calm and there were some gigantic fluffy white clouds in the sky. I was reminded of the most amazing man, someone that so many people never come to know. Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to take part in his amazing creation. To live and breathe on this earth. I am truly grateful to such an amazing creator and for the precious gift of salvation that he offers to all who will believe. As the Children danced around without a care in the world I thought of how much faith these little children have. They don't ever think of where there next meal will come from, they just know it will be there, They don't worry if Mommy and Daddy Love them or if they will be warm at night. They know that they can run free because they have faith. As I watched them smile for a few pictures and jump and swing vicariously, my heart smiled. I thought of how many times the Bible says if we would just have faith. We don't even need a lot of it. In Matthew 17:20 the Bible says "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelif: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you." What a powerful verse. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in the world. And yet also one of the strongest. And here Jesus says if we have Faith the grain of a mustard seed. I was reminded of how many people fear tomorrow or what will happen. Instead of trusting in the LORD and knowing that everything is for a divine reason. When we put our Faith in the LORD Jesus Christ we do not have to fear. There is no need. I heard a pastor say once "Fear not for tomorrow for God is already there." How powerful that statement is. If we would only live that way, make that the motto for our life. "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God. How many times have we prayed a quick little prayer to get us through or out of what ever situation we were in. It does no good without the faith to back it up. Many people are praying to God and there prayers are not being heard because they have little faith. Or worse than that NO faith at all. Little Children have so much faith. They are born with it. They know God so closely. It is such a beautiful thing to see Children playing on the LORD's property and enjoying the splendor that he has given to us. "But Jesus said, Suffer little Children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the Kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 Once again Jesus uses an illustration of how are faith must be. We must come humbly to him with the faith of a little Child. I was so moved seeing them. They had no fears, all they saw was the simple essence of childhood... Faith is so simple and Powerful, yet so many people miss out on so much because of there lack of faith. (I am singing to my self on this too :)) I am thankful through such little things I can be reminded of Heaven and of the gifts that God has given us. I love how the LORD will show us so much through the Children that he has given us. They truly are the best gift that God could have chosen to give to a family...
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5

Love,
The Browns

Word of encouragement...

Today I got a very pleasant surprise. A call from one of our close friends Beverly Weiss. It was so good to hear from her because it has been about two months now since the last time we have talked. Her and her husband are on a three month mission trip to Botswana Africa. They are amazing people. I was thinking a lot today about the comforts that we have here in America and how we seem to just rush through our day. How many sermons have we heard on slowing down and letting God lead. It was such an encouragement to me to talk to her. Even though she is some what home sick she is still loving doing the LORD'S work. She is pregnant and sleeping on an air mattress for three months. What a tremendous encouragement she was to me...She is being selfless so that others can hear the good news of our LORD and savior. Bringing them hope in such a troubled land. My prayer for my self is that I will not forget how blessed we truly are to live in the land of the Free.

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."
Psalm 4:11

Summer Stories...

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth"
Psalm 34:1

As most of you know the girl's are going to be Flower Girls this summer in their Aunts wedding. So they love to play wedding like, all the time. So cute :) Every now and then they will ask Joshua and I if we will play wedding with them. On this particular day they asked me to dress up in the wedding dress. It was given to us by some friends. As you can see it is total 80's LOL.... I don't know how many times Josh and I got married that day. But it was a ton of fun... I think they will be the most professional flower girl's any wedding has ever seen. They are sure taking their Job seriously...:)



Tatum loves to take pictures. She was playing photographer. LOL... So here is Mommy and then Mommy with Titus...





Tatum and Elyssa were playing Mary and Joseph. Last Sunday Tatum made donkey ears in her Sunday school class so they had a pretend Joseph and Tatum was the Donkey and of course Elyssa was being Mary. It was HILARIOUS...


These are random Pictures of the Kids. Titus LOVES the green vacuum. Every time the closet opens he is there to try and take it out.