A look through 2012

A year full of being emptied.

 Gaining from loosing.

Seeking and finding.

Not understanding.

Going deeper & higher.

Realizing I am completely lost and finding myself in Him - again.

Meeting strangers in those I know as family.

and

Finding family instrangers along the way.

Discovering

 I have no tears left to cry.

After countless nights

  crying to sleep in Papa God's lap wondering, "Why?"

Thankfully 

2012 is now coming to a close.

I am fairly glad.

I know that all things will work out for my good.

But the majority of this last year has been far too heart wrenching and sad.

So I welcome this new year!

I am thankful for all the awesome - wonderful people God has placed around me and in my life this last year!

I leave you 

With these tid bits oflearning from 2012!

Believing 

Is a life long lesson of faith tested and tried.

Knowing 

Is a daily confidence that comes from learning how to abide. 

Peace 

Is the fruit of righteousness - Yeshua Savior - Messiah - King.

Truth 

Is freedom when found - free for all when sought above all else.

Forgiveness

Is needed by all - received by many - yet extended by far too few.

Love 

Is the greatest - most wonderful gift of all - and can only be received when given away.

Most of All

 Remember - things could always be worse.

So make time to be

click here to see 2012 in pictures

Shalom - I love you!

There is nothing I love more. NOTHING.

Than the Word of God.

I love God's Word - you know? 

No matter what is going on around me - no matter what I am going through.

 No matter how dark the hour may seem.
The Word of the Lord ALWAYS brings LIGHT into the situation!
Always brings me Hope and Joy!
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!

Lord I love you!
 Thank you for always being here always loving me, always being faithful, always. My friend that sticks closer than a brother. Making sure I am never alone!

Lord you are the life within me
Lord you are the breath I breath
Lord you are the very beating of my heart
Lord you are

Lord you are the song within me
Lord you are the melody I'm singing
Lord you are rhythm moving my heart beat
Lord you are

Everything to me and more
Lord you are
Everything to me and more
Lord you are
Everything to me and more
Lord you are
Everything to me and more
And I will sing to you this new song
And I will sing to you this new song
Because

Lord you are the life within me
Because
Lord you are the breath I breath
Because
Lord you are the very beating of my heart
Because
Lord you are the very song within me - and -
Lord you are the melody I'm singing - and -
Lord you are rhythm moving my heart beat
Yes....Lord....You are!

words and music by: AmyColleen Klapp

Copy right ©2010 All right reserved

Give me your gun - Do what I tell you - Bang Bang you're *******

A LITTLE GUN HISTORY - ANTI GUN HISTORY - GUN CONTROL HISTORY








In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. >From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. 

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total

 of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated. 

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

    

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. 

From 1964 to 1981, 

100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. 

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. 

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated

in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million. 

You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information. 

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens. 

Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late! 

The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson. 

With guns, we are 'citizens'. Without them, we are 'subjects'.

During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America

 because they knew most Americans were ARMED! 

If you value your freedom, please spread this anti-gun-control message to all of your friends. 

I may not see it - Still I know it will happen

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

King James Version

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.
American Standard Version

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

New International Version

Now faith is being sure we will get what we hope for. It is being sure of what we cannot see. 

New Life Version 

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.                        

New Living Translation

Paintings by: Janice Van Cronkhite

So life goes on. When I take a look around, nothing really looks any different. But I know things are and will continue to be different.

I know things are not the same today as they were yesterday.
I know tomorrow, things will be different than they are today.
Even if it doesn't SEEM that different.
Even if I can't SEE a difference.
I KNOW this to be true.

Why do I say this? -------- How do I know this? 
Simple 
Because God said so.

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."  Mark 11:24

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15

"So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." Luke 17:6

Yeah, so I take comfort in knowing and YOU SHOULD TOO, that God has my life situations in the palm of HIS HANDS and as I take pleasure to delight IN HIM He will (has) given (placed) His desires in my heart! 
All that I have prayed for will most certainly come to full fruition!

God Bless!!

Love you all!

Today I found...

More love...

More forgiveness...

More appreciation.....

More hope....

Than I ever knew was possible.

In the wake of a sheer satanic massacre...as I stood on the outside looking in.

As my chest grew tighter and tighter - as tear drops turned to tear streams washing over my face.

I found myself feeling sheer rage for this senseless act of evil. 

While at the same time today - through it - IN it - BECAUSE of it...

Today I found -  

More love...

More forgiveness...

More appreciation.....

More hope....

Than I ever knew was possible.....for my very own children.

I love you Joshua - I love you Jeremy - I love you Jacob - I love you Lauren - I love you Kelly!

With all my heart - always have and always will forever!

Up to the Son and back!

"I love you THIS much"

Yeah.....sure.

Life has its ups and downs.
This is no big revelation. I am certain everyone reading this would agree.
Just over the natural course of things.....ya know, interacting with nature and people.
So this being the case why, pray tell, do certain peoples have to make it THEIR VOCATION in life to have absolutely NO COMMON SENSE?
Just curious......

So, what would YOU do...

If you found out you had a potentially life threatening disease and you had people (family) in your life you had not heard from in a long time?

Just wondering.

Today is the day I felt

God's broken heart.

I drove through a part of town known for it's heavy population of conservative Jews.

I had been driving for some time. Singing and ministering to the Lord for a while. There was a very sweet, intimate spirit in the car. I love driving around by myself  I often do just to spend time alone with God. No one but me and the Lord. We have such intimate time together....unfettered.....It is truly awe inspiring.

Today as I drove, I took a different route. I drove a bit out of my normal  routine. Down a long winding road  Large homes and yards. It was beautiful . As I did,  it was if a heavy blanket came over me. I literally felt it almost crushing me. It made it hard to breath. At the time I was singing love songs and  ministering to the Lord. 

Soon  my love song became prophesy..."new songs" from Holy Spirit.... it wasn't too long after, my prophetic new songs turned into deep heavy wailing. My chest got tighter and I felt an insurmountable grief fill my spirit. I began to cry out with groaning - deep, loud  and on going. Tears streaming down my face.

 I knew instantly this - was not my grief. I also knew instantly whose grief it was. I began, as soon as it let up enough, to verbalize utterances of repentance and began to utter words of apology  to try in some meager, humble, and what seemed to me to be completely inadequate attempt, to comfort HE whose grief it was.

Then, as suddenly as I had come into this neighborhood I had found my way out of it.

The weight on my chest lifted. I was able to breath again.

The grief subsided. Leaving only tears dropping one at a time to fall from my eyes down my already bright red cheeks.

Me? I was left in a place of question. For the first time in 20 minutes able to speak and at the same time not feeling I had adequate words to convey my thoughts. Still I attempted. I spoke and I asked,

"Lord why have you allowed me to feel your pain? Why?"

I went on to say,

"I am so sorry so many do not recognize you, do not love you, all you have done for them. I am so sorry. I can not even begin to imagine how you feel. I know how "I" feel...In my small world...and the rejection I live with from my loved ones. THIS, this....the pain you have allowed me to experience....YOUR pain....YOU are perfect. YOU have done NOTHING but love and bless and give of yourself. Lord, WHY have you allowed me to experience this? To what end? WHAT can I do? Just me..."

That's when God broke my heart when He answered me. He said,

"My precious daughter. Nothing. I do not wish for you to do anything for me. Simply having you here with me. Sharing with me my heart. My sorrow, as a husband would share the sorrow of his beloved wife and a wife her beloved husband. To know that you would desire to sit with me and care how I feel about all my children and love me  that much.....this means more than you will ever realize. I love you."

Needless to say....I cried.....and that's when I realized that today is the day I felt God's broken heart. 

I will

You’re All There Is For Me

Foxes have their holes Lord. Birds they have their nest.

But you say you have no place to rest.

Still I’ll follow you. Where ever you may lead.

For my Lord you’re all there is for me.

Still there are times I wonder. Can I keep pressing on?

The river’s flood keeps rising;

The fire’s burning strong;

Lord how long?

“Fear not I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name.

My child, whom I have chosen,

Whom I formed and whom I’ve made.

Do not fear for I am with you.

I am the Lord Almighty God.

           Because you’re mine and I love you;

           You will survive against all odds;

           For, I am God.”

                                                                  I may not understand Lord; All you have for me.

                                                                  But you say don’t worry just believe.

                                                                  So I’ll follow you. Where ever you may lead.

                                                                  For my Lord you’re all there is for me.

                                                                  So let the river flow Lord. Let the fire burn.

                                                                  You are God Almighty.

                                                                  And I have your word.

                                                                  You are with me.

copyright ©2012 All rights reserved AmyColleen

Today I Cried

Well, it has been an interesting few days...weeks...WHO am I trying to kid here? It's more like months....YEPPERS, I have been on an emotional "roller" coaster.  Honesty, I have been doing really good about hiding it. Holding it all in. Until.....TODAY....Yep.....Today I cried.
It was the strangest thing. I don't know if it was hormones or left over anesthesia from my procedure yestetday. Both maybe? But the strangest thing happened today at Target. As I walked past the baby  girls clothes I just got so excited inside as I saw all the precious  little outfits. Then I rounded the corner and saw the baby boys section. Again, my heart just leaped! I thought to myself, "Oh if I only had grand babies to spoil!"
Then suddenly I remembered I did, but I didn't. My heart sunk....and I cried. Right there in public. Tears literally flowed...streamed....down my cheeks. I completely forgot why I came to Target...and left as quickly as I could. Trying not to be seen.
I have been so strong. All this time.
So I thought.
Then I went to Target and I cried.
Go figure.

Never have I ever ......

1-  Never have I ever - Gone a one single day without praying fervently at least three times a day for each one of my (beautiful-God given) children. My life *joys*!

2- Never have I ever - Eaten cows tongue. That is just *ewe*.

3- Never have I ever -  Believed for one second that fruit belongs MIXED IN yogurt. Another Ewe. I have a texture thing. I love yogurt, lemon, orange and lime only.

4- Never have I ever - Jumped out of an airplane. Flown in lots of them. All different sizes. Just never jumped out of one and have no desire to either.

5- Never have I ever -Told someone I loved them, when I didn't.

6- Never have I ever - Missed anyone more than I miss my three sons. Yeah. Never. Ever.

7- Never have I ever - Been to Ireland. Some place I so want to go.

8- Never have I ever - Seen my grand children Benjamin, Hannah, or Rachel. (not yet anyway. I am hoping, praying an believing that one day I will)

9- Never have I ever - Gone on a cruise. I have a "boat" thing. Boats don't like me From 14 ft to 32 ft sail boats...I seem to find my way into the water involuntarily! So, yeah, now I just "voluntarily" steer clear of them all together.

10- Never have I ever -Turned away a single sunflower, no not ever! I LOVE  sunflowers they are my all time favorite flowers!!

From Me to You

Just wanted to say,
"I love you!'
To my kids. My wonderful children. All five.
That's it.
Mum

Ramblings at 4 am - Peace

So its really early in the morning. Well for me anyway. I have been up since 4 am. 
So much running through my head....my heart. 

This has been a crazy 5 years.

Awe! Who am I kidding?

It has been a crazy life!
One of which I would not have been able to survive thus far without having my Lord by my side! *and I am not exaggerating either!
I honestly do not know how anyone can live without knowing the Lord.  (Personally)
Especially during these perilous times where hope seems harder and harder to come by. Families being driven apart at an unprecedented rate. True friendship nearly impossible to come by. Economies world wide collapsing. It is no wonder the suicide rate is so high and not only among adults but sadly, the highest it has ever been, among teenagers and even children!

The Lord tells us that men's hearts will fail them for fear of what is to come in these days....and in the NIV version in the Gospel of Luke 21 it puts it this way...." People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world...."

And here I sit. In perfect peace.

I have lived a long 51 years. My life has by no means been anyone's desired dream life. Not even mine. However, as each day passes - as I grow closer and closer to the Lord - I become more and more thankful for every day I have lived. I become more thankful for every event that has ever occurred in my life. Good and not so good and even the bad. Sounds crazy, huh? You may ask why....Well, because each and every day of my life - each and every event in my life - is a part of who I have become.

Romans 8:28 tells us -that
"....we know that God works all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Also in Ecclesiastes 3:11 - we are reminded that ...."GOD has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

I truly believe that we, God's creation, have lost sight of our total purpose of being created.
"To have relationship with God"
Since sin came into the world, and atonement needed to be made to bridge the gap created by our sin, it is reasonable that distraction is rampant. 

The sad part is that those of us who have the knowledge of this and who should be in relationship with God's son Jesus/Yeshua and should be following His directive (otherwise known as the great commission. Matthew 28:16-20) ....well...., we are not.  At least not to the degree that we should be.

I mean, come on now, just take a moment and *think* about it. 

God created us to have a relationship with Him. 

We messed up - and -  because we messed up we could no longer hang out with God 

- so - 

God made a way and  fixed that, through His Son Jesus/Yeshua. 

Soooo, those of us that have received that *awesome* revelation (Jesus) 

are expected to share that *awesome* revelation (Jesus) 

(the Great commission *below) 

with those that do not have it (the revelation/knowledge of Jesus/Yeshua) 

so that they may also have relationship with God their creator

 who loves them - with His whole heart and life 

which was the plan all along since the beginning of time!

Oh glory! 

So let us go ye therefore into our lil neck of the woods - postal code or whatever and spread some God love!

The Great Commission

Matthew 28

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Feed my cute little fish!!!

  Watch them as they follow your mouse hoping you will feed them by clicking the surface of the water.

So Cute!!

Public Statement

The sunshine in my life!

Just wanted to make a public statement of my love for my kids.

I hear day in and day out (which is really pretty sad if you think about it) 

how disappointed parents are with their children.

 I understand that as humans we can all do things that do not live up to the expectations placed on us by others. 
We all do that. 
Every one of us.

Children, parents alike.

It is so disheartening to me to see and hear such disappointment in families,
 where there should be love, forgiveness, encouragement and long suffering. 

I am by no means saying I am a perfect person or parent.

But I do love my children. I love them unconditionally without wavering. 

Anyone who knows me will tell you that is true.

Throughout every storm in our lives. 
Past, present (some still raging) and whatever is ahead.

I will always love each one.

and

I will never speak ill of them.

Something else that breaks my heart these days.

WHY do so many parents find it necessary to trash their children in public?

(Hypothetical question. I know the answer)

Well - I just wanted to take a moment and tell the world 
(as I know my kiddos don't usually read this) 
However if by chance one of them should...BONUS!
 :)

I love my kids! 

Through everything - I love you -always have and always will!

Joshua & Myra

Jeremy, Maria & kiddos

💛💙💜💙💙

Jacob, Sabrina and kiddos

💜💜

Lauren & Jared

💗

Kelly, Tim and kiddos

💜💙

YOU are MY Blessings from the Lord himself.

I am so blessed!

Love,  Mumsey

Time for a Family Reunion

Sometimes Memories Just Aren't Enough 

Well

Here I am sitting in my chair

"Remembering"

Sooo many things…..my mind going soooo many places….out of order the memories flashing through my mind…… they keep coming. The more I remember, the more I remember.

I remember when Jacob and Sabrina, Jeremy and Maria all came up for the holidays.

What a HOUSE FULL!!!.........Oh but sooooo W O N D E R F U L and soooo fulfilling!!!! 

Warm & Fuzzy kinda memory making stuff!!!

~then~

I remember when ~Joshua, Jeremy and Maria came up for the summer...”WOW”…

NOW - that was a funtabuloustime!! 

KINGS ISLAND and the Attack of the Klapp Klan & Taylor Tribe [heehee] I actually rode the new rides!!!! YIKES!!!!

~then~

[I glance around the corner to the "picture wall" and get a glimpse of all the years by gone by}

*tear  runs down my cheek*

I remember one by one - Joshua's High School Graduation,  Jeremy’s BLUE hair!!! [What a trip!] 

Oh MY!! -Then there’s D I S N E Y W O R L D …what a fun time!!!

 Driving ALL the way down to Sarasota in the little Hyundai with all four of us - Dan, Me, Lauren and Kelly! And all our luggage  :O)

[My tuschy still smarts!] 

Oh but I got some of the BEST family pictures ever, outta that trip!!! 

Oh what fun!

~then~

I see that adorable face….that oh so goofy, but adorable, JACOB face…not just once or twice but several places on my picture wall!!! [he can’t just smile in front of a camera]..I will never forget the very short two years Jacob spent with Dan, me and his sisters, full time…The time he spent with the MAG youth group….Those were some  good times. :O)

I remember Lauren and Kelly begging to stay “with Jacob” and be a part of the “rockin’ youth group” and NOW they ARE all grown up. Kelly is leading the youth group. Youth Group!

~Wow~ then as I look over towards the coffee table.~

The first  few photos I see are of Jeremy and I at the Zoo. Joe Photographer… :O)…Just the two of us…I will always remember that day….and then a picture of Crew Tower  in downtown Cincinnati as well. ......*sigh*......We took LOTS of pictures...[he is still the official family photographer.] I will never forget that day.

~And then~

Oh my! The  5 1/2 hour ride to Indiana that  should have only taken 2 hours! haha!!

Yep, something else I'll never forget, getting lost in Indiana with Joshua, Lauren, Kelly and Dan in the pouring down rain, so hard you could barley see 10 feet in front of you We were on our way to Uncle Jim’s “surprise” 50th” Birthday party…that turned out NOT to be a surprise.

It took us 5 ½ hrs to drive what should have taken 2 hours; this could have been avoided had we known it was NOT a surprise!!!!!

~then I see on the photo wall~

 The “Marx Bros” Jeremy and Jacob from Brandon’s wedding….[on my photo wall]too cute!

~Ohhhhhhh I remember~

I remember…..Shabbat dinner at the Ramsey's.  when Dan and I went to Florida for Jeremy and Joshua’s Graduation. :O) …The yummy food and wonderful company and playing games…. I remember all the GAZZION frogs at their house! [eeewwwweeeeeee....yukkko!]

~Then~

I remember flying to California with Lauren and Kelly…visiting all their Aunt’s and Uncles and Grampa….walking along the beach and finding shells…packing them ever so carefully to bring them home only to forget them.

~My goodness~

There are sooo many memories in these pictures on my walls! On my tables! All over my house!

It is simply amazing!

They all bring such *joy*

To my soul when I think on them!

I have pictures for each of my five children from the time they were born through now  - riddled throughout my home like colorful wall paper .

Each photo  bringing back memories from warm, fun, loving, joyous times.

I remember holding each and every one of my five beautiful children in my arms for the very first time. 

Only moments after their arrival into this world.

I remember welcoming them into this world and kissing them on their cute little heads.

I remember praying for them, each one, before they ever came into this world.

Loving them, singing to them, praying for God’s divine purpose to be fulfilled in their lives.

*sigh*

Now, they are all grown up.  

Families of their own - well 3 out of 5 of them so far. *sigh*

~~p a u s e ~~

Honestly

 there comes a time
 - though - 
when pictures  

on a wall 

 just isn't enough.

*sigh* [again]

Soooo, here I sit.

 Realizing that they, my children,  are all grown up.

 and

All I have left

, for the most part, 

are my memories.

I have come to the conclusion that

 sometimes

 memories sometimes just aren't 

enough.

~sigh~

I seriously think it's time for some more family time!

I mean seriously - It's been WAY too long!

There's grand-babies being born!

Time to  get together again

 after all

Sometimes

 Memories just aren't enough.