Prayer for Another School Year

Where did the summer go? It seems like yesterday when the new school year was upon us with Baylee entering second grade and Nathan in kindergarten yet now, another year has gone by and both kids are moving into new classrooms, new grade levels, with new teachers.

As always, the first Friday before school starts, Jon and I open our home to friends, teachers, and strangers that all love the Lord and value the power of prayer and who are dedicated to starting the school year, covering the campus, faculty, volunteers, curriculum, and kids in prayer. I wouldn’t want to start it any other way!

This year, God brought so many new people to our group; around thirty including four teachers… it was touching! I am humbled with how many believers send their kids to Edu Prize. I am richly blessed to have a home that can host such a vital evening and a husband that has shares the same passion as I do.

Here’s to a great 2009-2010 school year! May all of us continue to pray daily for our children and the school year, as if we were gathered together in our family room.

“Lord, I thank you for the men and women who dedicate their lives to educating children. I ask you to bless them with strength, joy, great health, clarity of thinking, and strong ethics. I pray they are fruitful in every way. Please give them wisdom, patience, love, insight, endurance, joy, support, and creativity. I pray your supernatural love for each student can pour out through each teacher, allowing every child’s heart and life to count in the eyes of all the teachers, volunteers, peers, and facility.

Please sharpen the minds of our students, making them eager to learn more and give you the glory in their success. Build godly character in them. Please draw our children to You. Let them see their need of You and surrender their precious lives to You. Help them let go of what others think and to love the unlovely and be a friend to many. Help our children to obey You even when it's hard.

Thank You in advance for the work you're going to do in our teachers and students' lives this year, Lord. I pray all of these things in the strong and mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!"

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right and his ears are open to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

(Thank you to the Keller family for watching our kiddos so it could be an "adult only", peaceful night. They had a super time!)

My Prayer Hike

This morning I woke at 4AM to meet with five gals from my prayer group to hike Usery Mountain in Mesa. We vowed to one another that once we exited the car all the way until we returned to it again, we’d stay totally silent, not talking to one another at all. The task was challenging, yet so rewarding! Three hours of alone time with God was wonderful. As I first took route on the trail, I found myself asking Christ for things (“Bless this person, help this other one, and don’t forget so and so…”) until He spoke to me, “Kymberly…just enjoy me!” So from that step on, I just praised him for all his qualities, (“Lord, thank you for always being here for me, thank you for being an unchangeable God, I praise you for your justice and grace…”).

Once I hit the top of the mountain where the Wind Cave is located, Diane, our amazing prayer group leader, gave us an envelope to open. Inside was a lovely letter as if it was written by Christ. It started out, “Come away my beloved. You do not need to make your path like a snow plow, for I say unto you, I go before you. I shall engineer circumstances on your behalf. I am your husband, and I will protect you and care for you, and make full provision for you.

“I know your need, and I am concerned for you: for your peace, for your health, for your strength. I cannot use a tired body, and you need to take time to renew your energies, both spiritual and physical. I am the God of Battle, but I am also the One who said: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. And Jesus said, Come apart and rest a little while.

“I will teach you even as I taught Moses on the back side of the desert, and as I taught Paul in Arabia. So will I teach you. Thus it shall be a constructive period, and not in any sense wasted time. But as the summer course to the school teacher, it is vital to you in order that you may fully be qualified for your ministry…” (more followed)

I sat, read the letter, and meditated on the words, read from my Bible, then found myself breaking out in song to him for the thirty minutes I sat there overlooking the valley and watching the sun shed its full light.

Coming down from the mountain, God have me another thought. With the full light upon the path, it was so much more beautiful than as I had headed up in some darkness. Isn’t that so true?! With Christ (He is the Light), you see things in such different perspective and beauty. Oh how we all need to see his Light!

I didn't miss talking or listening to others speak. I very rarely ever get to rest in silence, yet it’s in the silence when we can really hear loud and clear what God has to say to us!

Chapter Four...Channel Islands Vacation...A Song & My LORD

One of my favorite sites to look at in the entire world is the sun setting on the ocean. I could do it nightly and it would never grow old or mundane. As I was snapping this shot enjoying the vast of the waters ahead and the magnificent colors of the sky, the lyrics to “Ocean” by Ten Shekel Shirt came to mind and I couldn’t help but sing it to my precious, remarkable Creator and Lord…


Lately, I've been thinking about You
And lately, I've been dreaming of You
And lately, I can't get You out of my head
Get You out of my head

(chorus)
There's something about the ocean
Makes me rise up and praise
Something about the heavens
Makes me stand in awe again
Something about the sunrise
Reminds me of Your faithfulness
Something about the ocean
And I'm lost in love again

I'll sing until I sense a smile
Upon Your great and lovely face
And till I know Your glory's in this place
Your glory's in this place

A Successful Splash!

A new adventure awaits us this summer as we cheer Baylee on while competing in one of our city’s swim teams. To us as parents, it is obvious how much Baylee will grow as an athlete and person through this all. Perseverance and courage will be the big words around here, I just know it!

She had a fantastic first meet wearing her camouflaged swimsuit she hand picked as a constant reminder to be “Strong and courageous”…much like a soldier has to be. It was so cool having friends Baylee was competing with and against along the way today!

Baylee’s key verse in action: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” Philippians 4:13

(Coach Bryn and Baylee. He's so fantastic to reluctant athletes!)

(Maggie, Baylee, Kaelan, Emma V, Matthew, and Landon)

(Baylee, Matthew, and Landon)

Easter Reflections

After our family dinner, we stopped by Cosmo’s Dog Park where Johnny’s memorial bench is (I love this place). We brought new flowers and just spent some time reflecting there. My brother’s life was such an answer to earnest prayer when he finally came into a personal relationship with our Savior about six years before his death. It was then that God opened his eyes and Johnny realized that Christ’s final words, “It is finished” meant that the payment for Johnny’s sins (and ours) past, present, and future were taken care of by the King. No shame is needed when we fail, just total gratitude and awe to Jesus. Whenever you feel like you’ve failed, remember Easter morning when a new life has begun…because each day is new for you too!

Resurrection Rolls

We absolutely LOVE the Easter cookie recipe/devotional we take part in each year, however we added a new component this season that helps add to our Easter breakfast. And I have to report, this is a “Keeper” for the Kempiak Party of Five! Besides being very yummy, the devotional totally complimented the other.

Ingredients:

Crescent rolls

Melted butter

Marshmallows

Cinnamon & sugar

Preheat oven to 350 .
1. Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. Read Matthew 27: 57-61

2. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.

3. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.

4. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.

5. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.

6. Place in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb---pretend like it was three days!)

7. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

8. Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit.Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.

-Unknown Author

Easter Story Cookies

Tonight on “Easter Eve”, before laying the kids in bed, we had one more family devotional that we have yet to miss since they were born. With the Bible opened to the Gospels and many baking ingredients, we began reading about the Roman soldiers arresting our Savior (John 19:1-3) and went through the story all the way to Jesus’ resurrection and the empty tomb ( Matthew 28:1-9). Each ingredient for the cookies unveil part of the truth of Easter with scripture to read and once done, the next morning, your family has a bunch of cookies to enjoy and a tangible reminder of what was read the night before, the reason we Christians celebrate this day with such awe.

Here's the recipe to get your family started on this special season of “life” and the incredible power of Christ and his love, something much more fulfilling than chocolate bunnies and jelly beans!

You will need:
1 cup pretzels (this is a YUMMY new part this year...in the past it's been pecans)
1 tsp. distilled white vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch salt
1 cup sugar

As well as:
Large zipper baggie, wooden spoon, packing tape, and the most important of all "THE WORD OF GOD" (Bible).

Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Preheat oven to 300°F.

Step one- Place pretzels in zipper baggie and let your children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Illustration- Explain that, after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.


Step two- Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.


Illustration- Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.


Step three- Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.Illustration-

Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.



Step four- Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.

Illustration- Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Read Luke 23:27.

Step five- Add 1cup sugar.

Illustration- Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Step six- Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.

Illustration- Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Step seven- Fold in broken nuts (pretzels). Drop by teaspoons (approximately 24) onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.

Illustration- Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Step eight- Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF!! Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.

Illustration- Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Step Nine- GO TO BED!

Illustration- Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

Step ten- On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!

Illustration-On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

By making these cookies and having other Easter traditions I've come up with for our family, it's allowed me to teach our kids how marvelous this season really is. By doing so, my kids can clearly decipher the difference this Christian holiday has over how the “world” tends to shape it with its distortion.

(If you’ve never truly understood what Christ did on the cross for His people and the power and importance of his resurrection, I’d love to share it with you. This can be the most significant Easter’s ever for you!)

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities and with his stripes, we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Good Friday

“As for you, you meant evil against me,

but God meant it for good.”

Genesis 50:20

With reflection, today we celebrate the somberness of Good Friday. For the first time ever, I took the kids to Canaan in the Desert, a prayer garden in Phoenix run by a lovely set of nuns (since 1968). There, we went from station to station for two hours, with Bible in hand. As we stopped and saw the sculptures and scripture displayed starting from the birth of Christ to his glorious resurrection, we read it from God’s Word, then prayed specifically about that portion of God’s story. It was so peaceful there and I felt so wrapped up in emotion, a day the kids and I will hopefully never forget. (We sure missed Jon being able to join us). Praise God we know the “end of the story” and know Easter is just 3 days away!





(It gave me chills. The kids got slightly ahead of me to this station and as I approached, there they were kneeling beside each cross praying! I love this photo and want to blow it up for my walls.)



(Afterwards we went to our church’s Good Friday service then off to another, taking communion, and praising God for his mighty plan that amazingly included us. WOW!)

Celebrating Maundy Thursday

We’re having great devotionals this Holy Week! Today is Maundy Thursday (which comes from the Latin word mandatum meaning command). It’s a very important day so we embrace it and celebrate it to the fullest. A lot clustered on this day before his arrest; the Passover meal, the institution of communion, the betrayal of Judas, and Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsamane.

Before sharing what we did, here’s what we studied, meditated on, discussed, and prayed over (in a condensed version ♥):
In the upper room that Thursday evening, Jesus and his disciples were ready to eat their evening Passover meal. Knowing Jesus was in some sort of danger and that he’d be leaving them soon, a somber feeling illuminated the room, I’m sure. Then comes Jesus, he pulled out a basin of water, removed His outer garment, wrapped a towel around his waist and began washing the feet of each disciple. Traditionally houseguests would enter with unclean feet which would then be cleaned by the household slave. Amazing if you ask me! Here’s the Creator of the Universe, the King of kings, the Son of God gently, lovingly washing the soiled feet of the disciples. What an example of serving others, even those that don’t care for us, like Judas to Jesus. Jesus knew fully about Judas’ upcoming betrayal yet he still washed his feet, neither out of an “I’ll show him” attitude nor a “Kill him with kindness attitude” but instead, out of an agape love involving giving and sacrifice. Would I be able to do that? Would you?

It was that night when Jesus spoke this command that we’ve memorized, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (The Kempiak Party of Five noticed the command of love…it’s not a suggestion or option to love…it’s a command, even if love is not returned.)

So tonight, we ate our version of a Passover meal then one by one, prayed for those that are harder to love; those who have hurt us, those we have hurt. Afterwards, we washed each others’ feet, being humble enough to serve others. It was a very touching night and a great new found tradition!

Inauguration Day

Today, before school began and over breakfast of blueberries, raspberries, and vanilla yogurt with red, white, and blue sprinkles, the kids and I (along with millions of others) were able to watch Barack Obama change history before our eyes as he became the 44th President of the United States. Writing this, I am still in awe that the very same balcony he stood on to take his oath, using Lincoln’s bible, was built by slaves. Now look how far we’ve come as a nation! What an exciting, emotional time.

Eventually the Baylee and Nathan had to head off to school, so then it was up to Owen and me to set up for our family’s Inauguration Ball, the Kempiak Party of Five style. We set up more patriotic decorations around the house, made cupcakes, got music set, and our bibles and stationary out. Evening came and we all got dressed up and danced the night away (missing daddy since he had to work). Taking breaks from time to time, we focused our energies on other things. We sat down with heart-felt prayers for our new president and his family, “Lord we ask that you protect the Obama family and pour your wisdom and compassion on them all. Guide them, love them, and unite our country. Give President Obama a desire to seek you in all things and to have a humble, servant’s heart. May compassion spill over in everything he does.”

We danced some more then wrote to the “First family,” congratulating them, encouraging them, and thanking them for the next four year commitment they’ve just embarked on. Each kid chose a scripture they thought would encourage the Obama family, it was precious to see what they came up with.

Today, for me, it makes no difference how anyone voted. God in His sovereignty has appointed this day and our new president needs our continued prayers. "This is good, and pleases God our Savior." 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

(I wish I would have kept copies of the goodbye/thank you letters we wrote to former President George W. Bush last week, along with the letters from tonight for our new president.)

An Isaiah Month, I Guess

I’ve been asked what Bible verses I am memorizing this January so I thought I’d share. Again, what a pick is what speaks to my heart and what I am trying to grow in/through.

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 40:31
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.”

On the Nineteenth Day of Christmas

A favored pastime for my kiddos is playing dress up. All December long, the three of them have been reenacting the true Christmas story in full costume, whether they have an audience or not. Today, I grabbed a few photos of them to remember how very precious they are and tell them when they are older what great knowledge they had in the gospels at such a young age and how much it ministered to my soul. How precious it is to hear God’s Word, out of the mouth of babes!

On the Eighteenth Day of Christmas

This year for Christmas, our family is trying hard to look outside in our world to see a deeper need than small unneeded gifts to fill up our home and our loved ones homes. Our dear friends the Kellers told us of an organization called, FH (Food for the Hungry) that does just that! We’ve been touched deeply through this organization and have made donations in three different family names, in place of a Christmas gift to hold or use. Jon's parents, his brother and sister in law in California, and our family are now proud “givers”, knowing that 3 pigs have been bought for 3 needy families in another country.

Why a pig? Well, it’s been told that one sow can produce up to 20 piglets each year. In just six months, each piglet can grow up to 200 pounds. And the income from selling a piglet can make the difference between life and death for a poor family. Just think, a pig can provide valuable protein for malnourished children too.

We gave this pig ornament, as a reminder each year that each family has brought hope and help to hard places, loving selflessly, caring greatly, and showing that Christmas can indeed still change the world! I know our kids are so excited every time they walk past the pig on the tree. I hope the other two homes will be too when they open up their ornament and document sharing the news!

Where Were You 5,478 Days Ago?

5,478 days ago I was saying "I do" and being introduced to many as Mrs. Jonathan Kempiak. Today, my sweet husband and I are celebrating fifteen years of marriage, it's hard to believe! Has it really been that long?

I'm so glad he picked me out of all the girls who were after him all those years ago! (Yes, there were A LOT!!) I can't imagine being married to anyone else.
I’ve been asked what makes us happily married after 15 years, it's simple…it’s God! We both rely on Him daily and love Him more than each other (or ourselves).


Jon is my best friend; he has no ill wishes for me, and only wants me to succeed, thus when I am hurt by him or offended, I try to see his heart and remind myself that he too makes mistakes and isn’t intentionally trying to hurt me (nor can read my mind). He does the same when I hurt him.

Jon's the best husband and Daddy to our three precious blessings.

God knew how much I needed him, and I never cease thanking God every day for bringing him into my life and arms!

Happy Anniversary, Honey. Here's to many, many more! I love you babe!♥♥