Have you ever had a secret?

I have a secret. Everyone has a secret. God has placed in each of us a secret. He has a special name for each of us. A name that He calls us and that only he calls us. It has taken me sometime to figure out how to hear him call me my name. My name is Triumphant, victorious one.

No matter how much I think that my name is "hopeless, worthless or nothing one". God declares over me that I am his victorious one and that I am triumphant.

When I was growing up I did not really fight for much. I was pretty easy to get along with and allowed myself to be trampled on again and again. Now I am not saying that I never fought, because I fought a bunch with my siblings. Unfortunately one of my issues in life that I am learning to overcome is the desire to please everyone. I didn't want to make people angry so I would do whatever they wanted me to. Many of my problems in life were caused or even started because I wanted to be accepted. I don't think that I have felt that I was victorious or triumphant as a child and if I did it was due to superficial victories that had no bearing on my life.
I was looking into the names that God calls me and was kinda freaked out. Being a person who is very laid back I was not impressed to see that the word victorious(in every definition that I could find) meant that someone had to be fighting in a battle and had to be the winner.
Definition:
1. Defeat of an enemy or opponent.
2. Success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle.
3. The state of having triumphed.
I know that as a Christian we are in a battle but sometimes one looses track of this when the army is invisible. I began to really notice the evidence of the attack but still did not realize the impact of what was really happening until recently.
I "think" I am not a warrior or a soldier but the more I search out the scriptures I am convinced that I am in an ongoing battle and fighting each and every moment.

I than began to search out the meaning for triumphant. This was very interesting.
definition:
1. Exulting in success or victory.
2. Victorious; conquering.
3. Archaic Triumphal.
4. Obsolete Magnificent; splendid.
When I imagine myself, I imagine a soldier who is tired and worn out and at first glance you see the tarnish and scuffs on the armor but looking closer you see the cuts and gashes that have pierced through and blood is flowing. Sometimes my head is hanging low and I have my helmet at my side, other times I am walking head tall. A closer look would show that there is a humongous angel standing behind me. I am so glad that God has that secret name for me.

What a sense of Humor

Wow, God sure has a sense of humor when he gave us children.
I am so thankful that He lets us see a little of Him each and every day.
Many times we think that God is quiet and stoic but He is an exciting God and displays it I think many times through our children.

Your Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is medium. In general, you prefer to have only one love interest. But it's not too hard for you to stay devoted! There's too much eye candy to keep you from wandering. Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is low. This doesn't mean you're a doormat, just balanced. You know a relationship is not about getting your way. And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom. Cynicism: Your cynicism is low. You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance. No matter how many times you've been hurt - you're never bitter. You believe in one true love, your perfect soulmate. And if you haven't found true love yet, you know you will soon. Independence: Your independence is low. This doesn't mean you're dependent in relationships.. It does mean that you don't have any problem sharing your life. In your opinion, the best part of being in love is being together.

The Five Variable Love Test

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Joy through Pain!

This time of the year it is very difficult to blog. So to all my expectant fans I apologize.

On the 14Th of September my world was rocked. I found out at 3:30 p.m. that my cousin, Jaime, who I grew up close to was murdered. Jaime was one year older than me. I don't remember not having her in my family. We were buds, and spent vacations and holidays together. I loved her, so much and it hurt when she decided to turn to drugs and other things and not live right. Funny thing though she still was my cousin.
When I was told, I remembered inhaling with such impact that it made me ill. I would never had imagined that something of this magnitude would have to happen to me and my family.

Immediately I desired to be near my extended family. One never knows how tragedies can effect people until you find yourself in one. I thought I was brave, courageous but it amazing how small and vulnerable you feel when these things happen.

I flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma which by the way was a fiasco. Then with my dad we continued on to Springfield, Missouri. The trip was comforting and helped for all of us to join and posture ourselves for what will come later.

The one thing that has stood firm regardless of the tragedies is that Jesus is still in control. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

There is more to the story than just the murder but you know God is into restoration and not destruction so I am going to give some insite on what I believe God is going to do now.

Xanderia is Jaime's youngest daughter. A thirteen month old ball of energy. Beautiful and sweeter than most baby girls who have had such a huge tragedy. I was told that she would be different than she was when I met her. Be praying for God to revamp her future and transform what was meant for evil into good. I will be posting a slide show for her.
Jaime's husband is alive and I believe that God can bring about his salvation as well as his entire family's. She also left behind four children and I expect God to use each one of them to bring about his plans and purposes. It doesn't matter what has happened because God has never been caught off guard and never is shorthanded. He always has a plan even when it looks like He doesn't. He is God and will always be......
I will be posting a slide show

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

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What is God's Will?

It is amazing all that God is doing right now...

I think that I have never been in this place in my life before and I may never be here again. I love my Jesus so much and am so just wanting to turn his heart.
Do you know that He wants us to woo him? I read a scripture the other day about how God asked us to turn our eyes away from him because we ravaged his heart. It is so wonderful to see that.

I know that life does not go as we plan but we need to want all that God has for us so much more than we want what we want. Sometimes when things don't go how we think they should but God has a completely different view point of what our life should be. I am honored that he would choose to make me into what He wants.

Not my will but your will be done.
God's plans and promises are not ever dead even when I finally reach heaven. I will hold that my God will do everything that He promises. Never will I forget all he wants for me.
Psalms 91.
OH, the painting is not mine.

TRUST!

I know that time after time I have said that I trust God, but it seems there is often a test.
My family was devastated by our previous miscarriage but I was so excited, no elated to find out that once again I was pregnant. According to the first dates I was eight weeks last Thursday.
I had an ultra sound that afternoon. I unfortunately went alone but was confident that this experience would be incredible.
I arrived for my appointment a few minutes early and had to wait awhile for the doctor to see me. Instead of excitement though I began to feel dread. What had been a great beginning felt odd to say the least. After waiting for about 1/2 hour the doctor came in.
The doctor sat down and spoke with me stating that all my tests had come back great and that I had no problems as far as she could see. Then came the ultra sound. The two pictures above are the ones I get to keep. I was amazed that they could see something so small. They measured and then re-measured. I was concerned. They were so quiet.
When we were done the doctor said "You are not eight weeks according to my calculations you are only 6 weeks and 4 days." This was not a problem because I knew that very often due dates change at the beginning.
The doctor than began to state that she was concerned because she couldn't see a heartbeat and that she should be able to at this stage. Due to the fact that I haven't had a child for six years this was disconcerting. She said that either her dates were wrong or that there was no heartbeat and if there was no heartbeat that the baby would miscarry. She suggested a blood count test and I agreed.
I was devastated once again. It was as if the whole world closed in. I walked slowly to the lab and waited my turn. As I sat, I began to cry. Searching my soul I thought God how can this be? All I heard was trust me. I began to pray and state. "God I trust you. I trust you. I trust you." I couldn't help myself, in tears I whispered, " I love you anyway. I love you. I love you. I love you."
I was called into the lab. Test was taken.
I broke down completely on the way to the car. Never had I felt so alone. Even though I knew that I trusted God I just couldn't control the emotions that ripped through my heart. Sobbing I called my mother. I can't remember ever hurting this bad. She told me to come straight to her and I did. What a wonderful momma! Mom called dad and dad was there to meet me also within minutes. God is good! We prayed and proclaimed God's destiny on my baby and the emotions subsided. I felt free.
I got to talk to my sister-in-law and she helped. She was such an encourager. She said, "The kids and I already prayed and we know that everything is alright. Don't worry."
That night I went to a prayer meeting and was asked if anything was wrong. You know, I wanted so badly to state all the bad and have a pity party but all I could hear in my head was "Trust me."
So instead of speaking what I had feared and heard over my child I spoke only what I heard God say.
Trust is definitely not easy but it is releasing everything you can't control into the hands of the controller. My Jesus. My Peace and my King.
No matter what the tests say my Jesus is holding my baby through everything.

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Baby News!

It is official!

Ray and I are having a baby! Alexis and Hannah are so excited. I am very excited yet nervous. I am 7 weeks and 2 days along. I will be updating the information as time progresses.


Isn't it amazing how God restores.


Our family is blessed. Not only am I expecting but Amy and Ben are expecting their fourth one week later.

God is so Good! Nothing compares to him.

Burn! Burn! Burn!

I went to this incredible women's retreat. Two to be truthful. It has been awesome to hear and see all that God has for the women of this generation.
Take up your arms and take your place! You have been called! You have been chosen, will you answer?
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Isaiah 61:1-7
I realized that in both women's meetings the premise was the same. It is our time. Will we choose to step into the place that God has called us to. It was said that it was not that women needed to step forward but that the men needed to take one step to the side so that the women could come to be by the man's side.
I was not prepared to be ministered to as much as I was these last two retreats.
At one retreat, we, women gained ground and moved closer to our King, and at another I was shown ways to step up and to move in the spirit.
Wow! Girls if there is one thing that I am realizing it is that we are in perilous times. Not only are we fighting for our lives but for our families and all the promises that God has given us. Don't let go and don't let them be stolen. Burn long and bright. Start to blaze and light the dead things ablaze to life.
All it takes is one spark. How does a forest fire begin?
Just one spark...

Alexis and Hannah's first haircut and photos!

Women's Retreat 2007

Wow! Isn't it funny how God works. I had such a difficult time with the week before the women's retreat and knew that something good had to happen.
It was amazing! I have never desired to go to a women's retreat for the other women. I enjoy my friends but often am intimidated and fearful of getting hurt when I get close to women. So retreats are not usually something I look forward to for the women.
This Year was different. I really desired to be with all the women of God. Thank you God for the changes that have happened in my life.
I love my sisters in Christ and am so happy to see the work that Holy Spirit is doing in their lives. I am a work in progress and feel that I am changing daily but it is hard. Things that I thought had been taken care of have suddenly popped out again.

Purify everything God!

Hannah Leanne Rice- January 10, 2002

These are pictures I found. They definitely bring back memories.

Alexis Leanne Rice- June 21, 2000

These are some pictures of Alexis from away back.

December 18, 1999

I would count this as one of my best days ever! Just a few Pictures to remember. I was so at peace.

It is a great day to praise the Lord!

This weekend was wonderful. I led in Jc Gang for the first time in a year. It was so encouraging to see the children move in the gifts of the spirit. I have prophesied and seen the spirit move but not with ones so young. God is truly moving in the children. I am so honored to be apart of what he is doing and to be apart of a wonderful team.

New blogspot posting!

I am starting a new site for just my art. This is for anyone who would like to contract me to paint one item or a card set. Please just enjoy what you see. This is a blessing that I have this talent even though I have never attended any art or drawing classes. Some of the things drawn or painted were my first time.
Thank you for taking the time to see my art at http://tinaspaintings.blogspot.com

MY TWO ANGELS

The girls are growing so fast. Here are some of them goofing off.

Oh What do you See?

This is a picture of all the Tice/Rice girls at Bodega Bay. This will be posted in the newspaper.

What is my choice

I am having a difficult time. It is the hardest thing to have a positive attitude. I am worried and stressed about everything. I keep thinking that there is something very wrong with me, but then I realize that it is my choice. My choice to look at the struggles in life and grin or ball up my fist. I know that some circumstances take awhile to change but think how much different I would feel if I took control of me. Hmmm. I am not liking this new kind of learning, because it seems that the more I look the more I need to change in me. Jesus make me like you.

Time can Heal all Wounds

It has been one week and two days since our baby passed on to Jesus. It has been very difficult to establish in my mind the truth of all that God says. I still struggle with why this had to happen and have only found peace in the Word of God that says, "All things work together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose."
Things have been getting back to normal. I am back at work full time and that helps because I don't think in dept about the issues at hand. I am at peace the majority of the time and have been grieving in my own way.
One of the things that I thank God for during this time is that I have never felt as near to God as I do right now. I remember when I was losing the baby that the one thing I asked God for is that He would be near to me. I was able to stand in the knowledge of that even when I felt completely devastated.
Saturday the night of my miscarriage I went to church because I really wanted to feel Jesus and did not want to have to try hard to enter His presence. He was there when I walked into the sanctuary. I wanted to have a song played that I knew would minister to me and sure enough it was played. I was overcome with grief, frustration, betrayal, anger, pity, and many other feelings and as the music began to play I broke. I could not speak or sing. I felt the feelings overwhelm my spirit and I was like an unbroken dam. The song went, " Like oil upon your feet, like wine for you to drink, like water from my heart, I pour my love on you. With praise like perfume I lavish mine on you till every drop is gone I pour my love on you."
I told God that I couldn't give him love because there was so much hurt and rage. He let me know that I could bring a sacrifice to him. He let me know that true sacrifice comes through pain and death. So in the middle of worship He said that I had enough energy to give him everything I had and that he would take it. I stood up and gave my King everything that I thought was worthless and it felt like a bomb exploded in my body. A release came like I have never experienced. If you have never given a sacrifice of praise, let me tell you, there is nothing like it. I have not felt that close to god ever. I will keep you updated on how things are in my life and my family.

Here are the Rice's

This Christmas the Rice girls were in the school talent showcase. These pictures are to display their beautiful talent.