The Hill Planet

The New adventures of Old Kelsey (2012 edition)

2012-02-24T10:50:00.008-08:00

It is 2012, yes this blur of year is just now getting into my mind that it is actually 2012. March 1st is next week! We have had a great start to the year with a kick off at Family Vacation, our College Retreat in January, over 500 people came this year. And now a shameless plug for Clint and all the speakers to go www.campusministryunited.com to hear.

Asher had his 9 month shots and check up. He did great, one shot and weighting 20lbs 8 oz. The boy is obviously starved!! Asher continues to get into everything crawling, waddling, charming and new to the list teething. We discovered at last last check up, one tooth and five on the way! Please be in prayer if one is bad then five is going to be CRAZY!

CLINT AND I ARE DEBT FREE!!! Took five years but we did it! Believe me if we can get out of debt than anyone can do it! It is truly a blessing to be free of bill collectors. Now we maybe we can finally go on a vacation!

Okay, now on to the HUGE life-style change......we are eating plants not animals in the Hill house. Just to clarify, we are not using the V word (vegan or vegetarian),like i could get Clint to go along with that! We still live in Texas (born & raised). We will always support the NRA(lol)! We do not support PETA, and are not apposed to hunting or fishing. In fact Clint loves to fish! We are still The Hill's! Just not eating meat.

What does eating plant-strong mean and why?
Lets start with the why, two years ago we discovered that Clint developed huge stomach issues, since then we have been trying to cut out on fried foods. Clint discovered he could not eat beef, chocolate, or milk during this time. So I cooked to fit his diet change. He still had the stomach issues, just not as bad. In the mean time, Clint's parents, living in New Mexico, started going to new doctor and were researching a plant based diet. We thought they were crazy!! But we watched the documentary "Forks over Knives" and the "Engine 2 diet"per their suggestion. Just two weeks within this change in their life-style, Clint's parents blood pressure lowered (back to a normal/healthy, not stroke number) and they lost tons of weight. So, Clint and I, more I than Clint at first, thought about it and decide to change as well. We started to eat plant-strong diet. And our lives have never been the same.

What is it? I mentioned two movies above, you can find them on Netflix. The basis is eating whole foods. Viewing all vegetables and fruits as power foods and main source of nutrition. Eating whole grains, non-dairy milks, and very little oil. No meats, cheese, eggs, milk from animals or refined sweeteners. It sounds crazy, but I have not eaten this good in FOREVER!!! And it is easy to cook! And we are Full and losing weight.

For the first time in my life I cooked stir-fry with out oil and GUESS WHAT...it didn't stick to the pan...try it!! I love cheese, but I do not miss it. Meat, I don't miss it. I am discovering vegetables that we never used to eat. Clint craved butternut squash, who is this guy?!?, and spaghetti squash yesterday! In the past, vegetables and fruits would blacken (not good) in the back of the fridge, not now! Clint ate a whole salad and I didnt have to remind him! He is eating and supporting this in a way I never thought he would. I'm so proud of him!

We will eat meat eventually I am sure, but we dont crave it like we thought. We have said as Christians and Americans everything in moderation. I have been questioning, What does this "moderation" really mean? I would say I have turned "moderation" is an every other day indulgence. I am beginning to think Moderation, differently. Moderation no is like once in three or four months or maybe even longer.

Did you know that everything you eat has protein in it? Yeah, I thought only meat had protein. That is what I learned in nutrition classes, AT A UNIVERSITY. I feel lied too! I get more protein in my diet ( believe me, I have been tracking), 65-80 grams, now than when i did when i ate meat! I also get more calcium than when I had milk in the fridge. I was never a huge fan of milk. I should have 100-200% RDA and I now get it!! Clint has no stomach problems. We shared a piece of chocolate cake on Valentine's Day to test it out! Nothing!! He feels great and is looking better than ever!

Asher is loving it!! New foods he loves: Broccoli, rice, beans, oranges, whole wheat bread sometimes with hummus or fruit jam, whole cooked peas and carrots. Soon to taste almond milk, cauliflower, tofu, and many others. He is starting to eat what we eat, not picky! Its beautiful to teach him this at such a young age.

What is God teaching us through this? I think He has given us a great opportunity to discover the different types of food that He created for us to eat. That we can change what we put in our bodies to become healthier, and because we are taking care of ourselves, we can serve him better! Food will always impact how our bodies function. Our bodies will tell us what we should be eating and when we should eat them.

God is crazy awesome! Clint and I are liking this new change in the way that we eat. Yes, it is different. But we still eat the entrees that we love just in different form. We have been eating this way since Super Bowl...we have had pizza, sloppy joes, chalpuas, tacos, burritos, spaghetti, lasagna, sandwiches, pancakes, oatmeal, breakfast sausage, red beans and rice. All these items with no oil, meat, cheese, or sugar!! All all great!! I know you are dieing for recipes...LOL....I have them if you are interested.

Again, we are still The Hill's, just skinnier more health conscious, and having more fun than ever!

2011 in the books......2012 here we come!!

2011-12-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2012 - A note from Clint

Yassas Friends and Family!

For the Hill Clan, 2011 was an awesome and Unforgettable year. First God blessed us the best gift in the whole world, the birth of our son Asher Blaze Hill. I may need to apologize to all our facebook friends for being bombarded by cute baby photos. Kels is still working at Texas Agri-Life Extension service as a Cancer Prevention Educator and I am still working as a Domestic Missionary at TAMU-CC. We are still in Corpus loving every minute we get to spend with CIA (Christians In Action).

Asher is getting huge. I had no idea the little guy would grow this fast. I have always heard you blink and your kids are grown, I had no idea how true that statement was. Asher is beginning to crawl, he notices his momma and reaches for her as much as possible, and beginning solid foods. Asher has never met a stranger. His smile can seem to melt the toughest of guys heart.

This past year Kelsey has started to sell car seat cover over Facebook. It has been widely popular. She enjoys every minute being a mommy. Kelsey has also started a blog and is enjoying writing about our adventures.

I, Clint, am in my 4 year working as the director of CIA here in Corpus at TAMU-CC. I had an incredible year. I have gotten to travel the country and talk about what Jesus is doing down in Corpus. For my birthday, Kelsey and Asher gave me a barbeque pit. I have found my hobby, I love to cook for a crowd. We have always loved to have people over hanging out, watching movies, or doing homework!

We are blessed to be surrounded by a group of people in Corpus that love the Lord and support the mission of winning souls for Christ. We know that God will continue to be with us in 2012. We are looking forward to new adventures, challenges, success and CRAZINESS!!

I pray that your family had a great 2011 and is also blessed during 2012. Let the FUN begin!!

Storytelling.......

2011-10-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

I recently was called to share my story in Grace Fellowship (where we attend church) new "Sharing Space" in the bulletin. Thank you Ana Walker!! This is a great idea!!
I was excited about this opportunity to share what God has done in my life. It flowed out when I was typing it. I thought I was just going to share it in the bulletin. However, telling my story became an everyday thing, after writing it out. A few weeks ago, I read my story in the "Crazy Beautiful" Ladies Study I taught, wrote it in the bulletin and emailed it to a friend. Each time Christ used "His Story" to His Glory in different ways.
In the ladies study, I shared my story because we were talking about Purity. I wanted the ladies to know in the class that I was a "dirty little girl' but Christ washed me clean. And He can do that for you too.
In the church bulletin, I felt that members know my husbands story and did not know mine. So I wrote my story to share where God has taken me on my journey.
In the email, I encouraged a friend to write and share her story with others. To show His Glory. She did and emailed it out the next day!!

I started to think what else has writing and sharing my story done for me:

I have nothing to hide which leaves me vulnerable. Christ was also vulnerable.
Stories give hope
An opportunity to share Christ with people
An opportunity to see what you have in common with others. (I talked to someone that had been to Italy, and we talked about our experiences.)
The weight on my shoulders feels lighter.
I realize that sharing my story prevents gossip from spreading because my story comes from me.
My story is powerful because it is about God.

Writing my story I realize that not even some of my family really know my story. But here it is:

I have been Clint’s bride, for 5 years, and Asher’s mother for 5 months. I love my life but this is how I got here. I grew up in a very, very small town. There were 200 students in one school grades K-12, teacher houses, and only one road, but there were 3 churches! There were 18 students in my graduating class. My mom was my 6^th grade teacher, and she knew when I was in trouble before I did. I grew up on a farm; dad was a farmer growing everything from cotton to carrots. I have two older sisters; yes, I am the baby of the family by 6 years! I guess you can say that I had a pretty "normal" growing up. We attended the Muleshoe Church of Christ, three times a week, faithfully. If we were leaving on vacation on Sunday, we still went to church until communion was served, whatever that means.

Growing up in a small town was not all that you think it would be. Starting my sophomore year, I started smoking and drinking which led to drugs. I believe that my whole senior year I was high or buzzed. I tried my hand at dealing drugs for a short while. During my junior year, there was a 5 acre field of marijuana, a mile away from the school; it was soon discovered by police. We would find huge black bags of "weed' on the side of the road and sell it to the next town. One Friday night the field was burned, during a football game! Crazy!! I felt so much peer pressure to sleep around during my high school years. My life style and behavior put me in dangerous situations and this lead to a rape, by a fellow partier. My actions left me feeling defeated, robbed and bitter at myself and others I felt unworthy and condemned. These feelings plagued me day after day, for years. I was so afraid and did not know how to go to God. I choose my behavior, I was insecure, lost and behaving like my friends all around me. Church youth group was just another place to gossip about how awesome the party was the night before. I was stuck in the fake life. Going to church but having no relationship with the Lord; living life on my terms.

I started college with the same actions. Receiving a MIP (Minor in Possession) on the first night of college. My parents were still in town from taking me to college. By age 20, I was disgusted with my life. I was sick and tired of running, keeping up with the many lies, being insecure in my own skin. I determined to make some changes in my life and I stopped smoking, drinking and drugs. Jesus started to become real to me; the Holy Spirit was doing surgery on my heart. I began to take notice of other women around me. They were different, secure with who they were. I was the opposite of most other college kids, because my party days were over! I was glad I was different. I was baptized in the fall semester, I attempted to find new friends, and stay away from any semblance of my former life. This did not happen until; I let God truly be the Lord of my life. I had to allow Christ to transform me from the inside outside. In 2004, I moved to Italy and started to be more active in my newly found Christian life. Things began to change in my heart; I started to stand up for myself. I let my yes be yes and my no be no. (Something the Italian culture is good at.) My confidence was growing as I allowed the Father to heal my wounds from the past. The Lord was changing me into a new person. I came back to the States in 2005, and attended Eastern New Mexico University to get my Consumer Sciences Degree (Home Economics). This is where God provided time in my life to seek Him with no distractions. I had no friends and my family was busy. I was in relationship with my Savior, not lonely, and truly satisfied and secure in Him. I cherish that time and have such fond memories! Toward the end of college, I saw Clint for the first time. He was leading a worship band. I always knew that I was going to marry a showman! We started dating at a college retreat, and were married within a year and 2 months.

In 2008 an unexpected turn of events happened. Clint received an unmistakable call to ministry. While we had no idea what that would look like, God knew exactly what he was doing in our lives. As the Lord began to lead us into campus ministry, I felt overwhelmed, digging my heels in the ground. As I faithfully follow my husband, as he follows the Lord I have experienced the joys and heartache of ministry. I have grown in ways I never would have expected. The Lord has brought me a deep sense of love for lost people and an evangelistic way of approaching life. He has walked me through being a role model and mentor for many college girls. Although, I’m not proud of my past life I have been able to share it with college girls who are thankful for the transparency. My life is crazy busy with the addition of our little son. We want Asher right in the middle of campus ministry.

Now, in 2011, I am continually being transformed in His image. And loving every moment….. I am blessed to be a daughter of Christ, Clint’s bride, Asher’s mom, CIA mommy, cancer educator (paying job), and living for the Glory of God. I love to share my family’s life and what we are doing on a daily basis through blogging.

If you take one thing away from this, let God have your story!! and share it, to show His Glory. And start writing your story!! It helps us see what God has done in our life.
(and for previous "The Hill Plant" blog readers, TV is back!!)

In 5 years where will you be........?

2011-10-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yeah, Friday, October 21st, Clint and I are celebrating 5 wonderful years in marriage!!! YAY!! So excited! It has been a crazy ride, full of blessings!
When we were preparing for the wedding I remember people asking, "Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?, or "What do you want your life to look like in 5 years?" We would answer like we had control over our life. You know you have done that too!! "I see us with a beautiful houses, dogs, kids, nice cars,......."
While we made it to 5 years....and this is where we are at....

Before we were married we decided that we did not want to live where we both grow up....so we live the farthest away but still in Texas!!
We always said the "5 year rule"as a time line to have children...God Blessed us on his time with Asher Blaze, happy, health 5 month old.
Own a house
Have two dogs
Both have great jobs
Still have students loans...but God willing will not soon!!
Have a wonderful family in Corpus
Have vehicles that run and praying they will continue....
Still no TV..."(if you have read the previous posts) I am LOVING IT!!

But more importantly, lessons learned....

God has shown us that life is a process
We have had to relearn many things
All battles do not have to be won
God before everything and Family next
Serving each other is hard but a must...it gets easier
Children are a blessing
Living in God's Will is alot better then your own way
God teachings and it is worth listening to the first time
Praying as a family is important
Sharing your life (nasty details) with others is worth it
Inviting people into you life in a HUGE BLESSING
Learning from others is beneficial
Applying lessons learned is HARD....but GREAT, all at the same time
Pride is EVIL!!
We NEVER stop learning and growing in Christ!!
Getting on your face to pray is Essential -(Learned this week!!)

So the question is not "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" We can list all the worldly things all day long, but it means NOTHING!! The Real Question is "What are we going to learn from God?" having a great passion for learning from the creator of Heaven and Earth, the Almighty Savior. Not where we want to be in 5 years but where does God want us to be in 5 years. I have full faith that we are where we are supposed to be and doing what He wants us to do. I do admit it looks weird and crazy at times. Other may look at us, thinking "Crazy People." The only answer that I have is GOD!! My favorite verse, learned from my mom (her favorite too.), Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." So TRUE!!

A week without.....

2011-10-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

So after the week of H^**, or "unusual blessings". The week started with "great" IRS news, LOL!!!, tv out, tire blown, etc. We were at the point it was getting comical and waiting for the next exciting thing to happen. And then the TV went out. We needed an $80 part to fix it! but it was just not the time.
So we decide to "ruff it" with out a TV for a week or more. I was thinking this is a great oppurtunity to blog. I knew that God was wanting to teach us something. And We were ready to LEARN!! God's little life lessons are FUN!, sometimes.....
TV out on Friday evening........Did not know what to do and where frustrated......had a long talk to get over whatever was in the air....
Saturday.....Clint was out all day, so Asher and I chilled around the house, read books, sewed car seat covers (that are for sale!!!)...discovered how I love to sew!!
Sunday.....Being Home does not happen...
Monday...Garage Cleaned out, Landry started, Got home from work, Asher took his afternoon nap, I sewed some more....and Clint read Hebrews out loud to me and we had great discussion...bath time...played a quick game of Rumicube.....Asher to bed...watch a show on the computer laying in bed....
Tuesday.....THE STOMACH VIRUS.......HIT HARD!!!
Wednesday - Friday.....Dealing with Stomach Bug...
Saturday....TV is at the doctors....they were impressed that we only have one tv in the house...asking what we are going to do with out a TV, the doctor had only heard of a couple families with one TV in the past 5 years!!

This concludes week #1 of H^**!!!! Having a bad week was not because the TV was out, that was a blessing. There has been more communication about the CRAZY times in the Hill House without the back ground noise of the TV. I am loving it!!!
Monday again with out a TV.....waiting to hear from the TV doctor.....
So what is the lesson that God is tell us during all the many things that are happening around us...to us!!
GOD IS IN CONTROL.....HE HAS BEEN PROVIDING FOR US AND WILL PROVIDE FOR US....WE MAY NOT BE OUT OF DEBT WHEN WE WANT......OR HAVE A TV....CAR....A "CHILL" LIFE.....BUT HE IS IN CONTROL....
All Praise to HIS Name!!

Changes....

2011-09-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Being a Mom!!! a working mom!!! I posted on Facebook that our meals one day we had Sausage/pancakes on a stick in the morning, fend for yourself at lunch and corn dogs for supper. The conclusion I came to..Life has changed on the Hill Planet. This is something "tenure" mom's tell you that will happen. And I responded "Yes, I know." and they were laughing inside "No, you don't". But the good news is I do know NOW!!
Things that have changed on Hill Planet: and enjoying every moment of it:

House is never clean, but we don't realize it until it smells.
Dogs we have Dogs.........poor girls!!
Thanks to Mark and Dee Hill we can do the amount of laundry, Effectively!!
Spit-up is wore with pride!!
Showers are optional, only if time allows.
All meals maybe on a stick....freezer section at the store is a new discovery.
Poop is an exciting thing
The instructions to store Human milk are posted on the freezer and full of it!!
"I Love you Stinky Face" is the new favorite book.
Furniture is moved out to fit, play toys!!
Camera's are stationed in every room in fear that we may miss something, CUTE!!
"Traveling Light" is not possible
Couponing is a MUST!!! and FUN!! - www.hip2save.com
And we are experiencing a true gift of GOD and what TRUE LOVE really is.....Sacrifice for others!!

Thank you God for the changes on HILL PLANET!!!

Over come...............

2011-07-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

So in the kitchen yesterday my wonderful hubby says, "you should talk about what you have had over come in your life." My response "What have I overcome?"
Last week I just caught up with the times and started to play "Words with Friends" I never started to play this game because I am a horrible speller. So I just chose my opponents, wisely!! First, I picked Tara, my 13 year old niece, then Clint, then Britt. Clint and Britt already know that I was a horrible speller...and I thought Tara would be on my level!! So here we go.....Clint beats me by 200+ points, however I did beat Britt but not by much. This is the point where Clint got the idea that I needed to talk about what I have overcame in my life.
This was also around the time I sent and email to the whole leadership unit team, commenting on a speaker from 2011 Campus Ministries United Workshop saying, "Happy Listneing, 'Love Tramps Everything'" LOL!! That night after I sent that email, Clint just comments quietly that I should double check emails that I sent out. I was so excited to be sharing with my family (CIA Corpus) what I have learned and ready for them to listen too!!
That night I was laying on the couch thinking, ok here it goes....everyone will notice that I made a HORRIBLE mistake, and again proclaiming that I can not read or spell. I wonder the comments that I will get..... To my surprise, I did not get any rude or HAHA comments replied back in the email. By now everyone knows that I am a horrible speller. Something that you should already know if you know me at all!! It was not a big surprise to anyone in the email that I can not spell, maybe they saw the heart behind the email!!
Through the years, I knew that something was off, I never could speller or write very well, no matter how hard I worked in school. I was in the special reading classes, but I always managed to go on to the next grade. I attended a very small school (graduated with 18) and all the teacher know me from birth. I think they just passed me with out saying anything,
My senior year in high school, I was tested and found out I did have dyslexia. So here is a huge time in anybodies life, to go to college or not? I just found out I "officially" could not spell!! But I attended college because that is what people do after high school in my family.
God has blessed my journey, now a college degree, a wonderful family, a great job, and a heart to follow Christ. I could not ask for anything different. God still works with all the weaknesses that I have, which is alot!! Christ is strong where we are weak!! Anything is possible with God!! Praising Him through all the storms, big or small!!
So why do I write a blog, I can not spell and grammar is horrible......Just remember God has a great sense of humor too!!

2 monthes already!!

2011-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Wow!! "Time Flies" - 'Seasoned' Mommy's warned me of this, but it never seemed like it was true until now!!
Asher Blaze Hill - Born on May 4, 2011, 9:07 am, 8 lbs. 7 oz. and now he is 2 months.
What an adventure........pregnancy and the birthing process is the most amazing thing.....the experience is proof that God is Great and ALIVE!!! So many things have to be in the right place at the right time to have a wonderful healthy, handsome baby boy in my arms for the first time!!!
We have friends that just found out they were expecting and I got a beautiful sono picture of a "Dot", and then I looked at Asher 12 lbs. now, and was amazed all over again that God is the best creator and prefector of life!!
By the first time that you throw up, you realize that your body is not yours from now on. But more than ever you are an instrument for God to use. He is "knitting together" a prefect baby in your womb!! Starting out the size of a sesame seed to a watermelon, all the way through the amazing process, God is right there with you.
All the way through pregnancy, I was so nervous about birth. The whole 10 cm thing is a little scary!! I would find myself sitting at my desk at work thinking, "How am I going to do this? ", "Will it go well?", "What if something goes wrong?", "What is the pain after wards?", "Should I get an epidural?" and many more question throughout the 9 months.
Ana Walker aka Sweetie or Momma Ana, gave my a list of scriptures that helped me keep my focus on God and not all the business around me during pregnancy and birth. Wow!! scripture is the most powerful thing!! As I would read the verses, a peace would come over me and all the questions that I had were answered, "I have you my child, I will take care of you." A feeling of being cradled in the arms of Jesus, comfort from the Almighty.
I prayed that I would have a healthy boy and a safe delivery. I know a "cloud of believers" were praying the same thing. He says "ask and you will receive", and Christ delivered what he promised, once again. After a safe delivery and a healthy baby we were home the next day!!
We were blessed to have family when we got home with a hot meal, and many hands to comfort Asher. Later that week Asher got to meet "The Williams Clan", four of his cousins. We had a great time.
Now starts truly a new chapter for the Hill Family. It takes a long while before it becomes real in your mind that you have a person to take care of. This could be because all the sleep that you miss out on...LOL!! But it is a blessing. Praise God!!

News!!

2010-10-22T12:49:00.001-07:00

I have always dreamed about the day when I become a mom!! When Clint and I got married we set the "5 year" rule. Meaning we would not have kids until we had been married for 5 years.
WELL, we all most made it!! Yesterday was our 4 year anniversary and I am 12 weeks prego!! So, next year this time we will have a 5 month old on our 5 year anniversary.
We are so excited! God did not follow the "5 year rule" that we had, I never expected Him to. He never follows our plans, thank goodness!! I tried that and it did not work very good. We both have a rush of emotions, happy, nervous, a little scared, overwhelmed, excited, joyous, crazy!! However, we both know that God has it and this would not be happening unless it was God's prefect will. That is so comforting.
So a little inside information for couples that are expecting a little one! A very wise women told me last week, get ready to find a "new normal"!! And that is so true.
Clint has been great being part of the "new normal." I have not been feeling the best, ok honestly like CRAP all the time. I feel like I can not do anything with out kneel at the "porcelain god". Here is a list of task Clint has been a great sport and taken over: Opening the fridge, cooking, watching dishes, clean anything with bleach, feeding the dogs, mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, etc. I know it seems that I don't do anything around the house and that is right. But I wish I could.
But it gets better.... this week I fixed my first meal and cleaned up!! It was great. We had pizza, salad, and lemon bars!! Yeah for me!! It is the small things in life!!
Life is going great!! The CIA peeps are amazing!! Opportunities to share the good new of Christ are happening everyday!! God is so Good!! Enjoying Life!!

Awesomeness

2010-07-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Clint and Kelsey are awesome! They are soo cool and God is doing so much in their lives! And to think, they get paid to be our friends! Wait a minute, lets rationalize this for a second.. Clint and Kelsey get paid to be our friends... really? .. Shouldn't we receive adequate compensation for our sufferings? I mean seriously. They make us sit on dog pillows when we come over and often time use red cups with movie characters on them to refer to us.. we dont even get to use our own names! And Kelsey has us line up and spoon feeds us the fruits of her garden.. which Im sure have been soaked in pesticides or have been claimed by Razzi and Zia.. And Clint makes us watch creepy one-camera, low-budget horror movies that make no sense .. forces us to watch them on his giant tv so we can receive the full effect of all the subliminal messaging that is sure to be present in these disaster films. Kelsey even makes us fart in front of them so they can claim us as family!

We've been trained to speak nothing but goodness from them but thankfully the zombie vaccine is starting to work.. I dont have much longer till it wears off! Someone help us!
Wow this didnt take long to deteriorate..

- A friend of Gnomee Hill

Here and There

2010-07-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

So it has been a while!! I feel like I have not been home in a long while, between week long trips and weekend trips, and over 2500 miles in the last two months. But I enjoyed every bit of it and learned so much about God and how his carries us on eagles wings. I have traveled and I am not tried, but more on fire for Him and his kingdom.

My Travels!!

Trip one at the end of May. In the plans for a long time to go to Tampa, FL to visit minster friends and see God's work in action and God made it happen. For a week, talking with them and seeing Godly people working for His kingdom, nothing bad about that!!
Trip two, Mid- June, to a mission trip in OK. I was a counselor in a cabin of 10, 12-16 year old girls. They taught me so much about alot stuff. But most of all how God works all over the world, in different situations, environments and beyond my understanding and knowledge. Growing up in a "happy" little church and I trained myself to but God in a box and that you only find God in a "happy" little church. But was I so wrong. God is everywhere. This is one of the things that you say and know but not always understand fully. But I got it!! God has tried showing me this time and time again but I got it now. After spending a week with the most wonderful kids from Tulsa, OK.
Trip Three, Searcy, AR, July. At CMU (Campus Ministries United) conference is where I learned to put what I learned over this summer and apply it. Spending time with mentors in FL, to a week in an un air-conditioned cabin on a bed of canvas, to a dorm at CMU conference at Harding University. Conclusion: IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!! Again, this is something that I know and knew before but I got it!! I have to get out of the box and be ok with God reaching in the box and moving stuff around. Because he is God, I don't need to know why!! (Read Leviticus, they did not know why!!) I have to be a light at a bible study and step out and tell my story for REALS!! Get ready to know the real, Kelsey!! Not that I have been telling lies, but I have not been sharing my story like I should. It is not my story, God created this strange story, that the world looks at and says, "How was she like that and now this." My answer "GOD!!" God is the reason I am who I am!! because he is who He is!! BEAUTIFUL!!
Also, "No more Samaritans", by the story in John about the women at the well. Jesus shows us that there should be no Samaritans in the world. Nobody that we should not show love and share God's story too, as Jesus shows us during his life.
Please go listen to the lessons from the 2009 and 2010 CMU conferences at www.campusministriesunited.com 2010 lessons will be up soon!!
When I keep my eyes open to the opportunities around me, WOW!! All the things you learn from travels, Jesus showed us that!!
I am still reading through the bible!! and it is great!! Ok Leviticus was a little rough, but so interesting. Now I am in Numbers!! I just got finished reading the story of Balaam. Ok everyone knows about the talking donkey. And if you don't, just FYI, there is a story of a talking donkey in the Bible (Numbers 22-24), and another reason it is the coolest book ever!!
While reading this story, I asked God, "Ok I have heard this story before, but I ask you to show me what I need to learn from it, now!!" and ask and you shall receive!! God showed me Balaam as a man trying to listen to God but did not get it until it was in his face, but when he got he did what he was taught. God came to Balaam three times through his donkey acting crazy(bc of God's angel), and Balaam still did not get it. He did not get it until the donkey talked. Wow!! talk about strange!! But I think, how many times has God been right there trying to show me something and pride, sin, not being in the word and not praying like I should got in the way. At the end of the story, Balaam come to the conclusion that God called Balaam to follow him with actions and in words. God's angel said, " Go with them but only say what I tell you to say - absolutely no other word." and he did!! God blessed him for that!! People looked at him strange but God never let him down!!
Now, here is my challenge to myself and others. Have a passion inside of you to learn about God and hold to what you know!! If you doubt God and think for one second that he is going to let you down. Think, "Has he ever let me down before?" and honestly answer that!! It will always come out to "No, when He has my "whole heart" I have been carried on eagles wings." Try it!!
Every morning!! Click Click!! and get ready for the ride of your life!! If you truly believe that God is with you in every turn and twist of your life, Why are you afraid? He is carrying you on eagles wings!!
Exodus 19:3 and Isaiah 40:27

Traveling

2010-06-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

So last week was a first!! Clint and I got to travel together, on a plane for the first time. It was great!! We had a restful time. Some fun and some play.
God blessed us with wonderful family in Tampa. God is so awesome when he puts people in your life so you can better know Him. Getting to be a part of a week where we got to watch and learn from God's people was amazing. When we are atone to the Spirit and let God be in control, taking every thing in that is around you. God shows some amazing things. Let Him be in control of your life, He will show off!!
By being a sponge this week, learning from the situations around me. I have been thinking about Hebrews 13 (what a good chapter). Just a few phases that stood out this time I read it (it is different every time I read the Word). Verse 21: "equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.", and verse 13 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." and in Matt. 28, "He is with us until the end of the age". I can not remember where this one is but it says God, "Never gives you what you can't handle".
I know that what we learned from this trip to Tampa, God was equipping us for His work. I love a Lord that knows me so well that He knows what I need and when I need it. Just a another example, that when He is in control of my life it is far far better than when I TRY to be in control. It never works, and I am not try, try and try anymore. I am dead!!!
He knows me beyond my understand and knowledge. Love it!!
Oh and we got to go to Disney World too!! Just a fun side note!!

Calm before the Storm!! Storms are Good!! (this time!)

2010-05-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have a feeling!! Do you ever have a feeling that God is fixen (in west Texas Fixen is a word) to do something BIG, HUGE, AMAZING, AWESOME and you are going to experience that. I am so thankful that I get to see God everyday his creation, nature, in the people around me, in His beautiful words.
I am so excited that God knows me and He loves me so much that He has known me since I was in my mothers womb, and has been in my life even when I did not even care or give Him the worship and praise that he desires and deserves. Now, God has my "Whole - Heart", all is His, all that I have. I look around my now and I see a roof and shelter that he provided for me, a husband that is teaching God's very words to another, clothes to wear, food to eat (even if ants get to it first, there is enough to share!!), and a wonderful family blood and not blood that show me Christ everyday.
And the best of all a God that cares about me and allows me, a sinner, to worship, talk to, discover, share with others, walk with, learn from, and see works in me life everyday!! He fights my battle and conquers!!
Thank you Lord, my Savior and my King for EVERYTHING!! Even the feeling that I have, I know that whatever it is, it is for your kingdom!! May all the Praise and Glory go to you!

Spring Garden

2010-04-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that I have my first garden!!! Now, I hope that I have some fruit from my garden. I am growing Okra, tomatoes, cantaloupe, green beans, squash, and basil. Right now I have tiny green beans, squash and tomatoes. I can not wait until I get to see the fruits of my labor!!
It is amazing watching How God provides for us? As I was planting the seeds a couple months ago, thinking how could this seed ever make fruit that provides for my family?
I know that I have felt this way in my walk with a relationship with Jesus. At a point, where I was thinking how could I ever get to the point when I am producing fruit for His Kingdom. What does producing fruit for the Lord mean? How do you do it? Am I able to do it?
I know now, that I can produce fruit for His Kingdom, however, I can only do it with Christ walking WITH me every day. Only with Him, can I start to beginning what producing fruit means, how to do it and He gives me the tools that I need to do it.
This week God has but people it my life that shared God's words for me to hear. I know that I need to be bold in my prayer life. All I have to do is ask Him and He will answer to His will. His will is always better than my imagination.
And to Love always, even when it is hard. Following the narrow road is a challenge and I can only do it with God.
How Jesus loves us, beyond our knowledge!! I Love it that way!!

2010-04-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Ok so this blog thing is crazy, and I don't know how is is going to go!! But here is goes. This week has been crazy. I had the opportunity to travel across south Texas. Port Lavaca to Cladwell and than back home to Corpus. WOW!!! God is amazing and looks to show the colors that He created in the beautiful wild flowers. Blue bonnets, Indian Paint brush (pink), purple, white, yellow and green!! Lord, thank you for the rain it is wonderful.
Also, this week on the TAMU-CC campus CIA(Christians in Action) is starting Humans V. Zombies(HVZ). HVZ is a EPIC game of tag that is six days long. We have about 180 students playing starting Monday. You can found the rules and details at http://tamucc.hvzsource.com.
This week I also decided to start reading the whole bible beginning to end. Wow!! I am reading out of the message bible, which is great!! The message bible that I am reading, has no verses marked. This makes you read the bible like a continuous story and not in chapters and verses. It is going great!! I am still in Genesis Chapter 42. I have had this feeling (Spirit) that I need to start reading the Holy Scriptures, so I am.
The one listen that has stuck out to me is that history repeats it self. With Abraham telling people that Sarah was his sister and then Issac does the same with Rebekah. Crazy!! I would say be open and honest about your past with others and your children to prevent the same thing happening again. This is a challenging thing to do. I have only recently told my mother what I have done through my life, and I will have to tell my story to my children, as well. I pray that they will not make the some mistake. However, I also pray that they learn from their mistakes, as I have through mine.
What a wonderful God we have to worship and walk with everyday. Praise Him!! Praise Him!! He lets us make mistakes and waits for us to learn from them, leads us through the storm and still loves us.

The First Blog

2010-04-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

So here it goes!!! My first blog!! I do come with a disclaimer, and a promise, you will find grammatical errors and misspellings in this blog and I would not have it any other way (it is just me)
So, I hope this to be a look inside the Planet of the Hill's. Interesting (sometimes, ok maybe a little boring) but busy, that is a guarantee. Clint and I have been married for 3 years and 5 months and no BABIES!! We do have two members of the family Razzi and Zia, they are our babies but they have four legs, hairy and we can leave them locked up in the back yard. For now that is ok with us. We are now in Corpus Christi, Texas. Clint working as a College Ministry Director and I am working with a state agency as a Cancer Prevention Coordinator. We love it down here in South Texas. God has lead us here to do His work in the community and TAMU-CC campus. Blindly we came to Corpus not knowing what God was up to and blindly following His will everyday. We like it that way.
We moved down to South Texas with only me having a job and praying Clint would get one some where in ministry or not. We needed something. And God provided a group of wonderful people that are Spirit filled and trusted God that when we walked in to the church for a reason. To serve the Lord!! and we were put to work!!
I am writing this blog to voice what God is doing in our life. Wow!! God is Amazing!! He has took us places that I could have not imagined (Hab. 1:5) and has been with us every step of the way and will continue as He has done in the past. We have been and will continue to be on a journey with God trough some crazy, weird, amazing, wonderful, sad, and AWESOME adventures. I hope you enjoy and that I can keep up with this!!