Introducing our oldest...

Jasmine Holly Rogers

She is 6 years and 3 months - and Her name means “Night blooming flower" – double flower because her middle name also means flower.

We feel that she was our night blooming flower because she bloomed (or was born) when our life (in Christ) was completely dark…it was night in our faith. Have you ever smelled fresh blooming Jasmine at night? It’s a gorgeous scent - and she is what brought us to our “senses” (or “Scents-es”!!!!) and woke us up so we could start a brand new life in Christ.


I’d describe Jasmine as a “quiet-sensitive-gentle” spirit. She just has the biggest heart and is lovely to be with. She has grown up so much in this past year and is really beginning to mature in so many areas. She is actually quite obedient, and really quite disciplined in all she does.

Jasmine’s love language is MOST CERTAINLY ‘words of affirmation’. She is just the best at compliments, encouragement and kind words. She almost always has something positive to say about people.


:.: Her favorite TV shows are Art Attack on Disney and the cartoon version of Mr. Bean!

:.: Her DEFINITE favorite past-time right now is SWIMMING. She’d swim for hours and hours if she could. I guess it’s a new found skill and she can’t get enough.


:.: She loves school. I’m proud to say that she is really maturing in that area too. She’s just learning heaps and keeping up pretty well. This is SUCH good news, because last year at this time I was one WORRIED mom. Her teacher said she wasn’t doing well and needed to be held back for one year. Not a real biggie when you’re 5, so I’m glad we did it NOW.

:.: She’s a fantastic big sister. She really tries to help out and she is rarely the instigator of problems! She especially loves to blow kisses on Brianna’s big “Goodge” belly.

:.: Her favorite breakfast is Organic Fruit Loops. Her favorite lunch is “Cheese sandwich with JUST cheese and butter please”. Her favorite dinner is definitely going out to Jaspa’s for pizza. The one vegetable that she’ll eat and loves is Broccoli.

:.: Jasmine used to suck her thumb – from the time she was 4 months old (when I VERY FOOLISHLY took the dummy away from her) until she turned 5. At which point she said “Dad, I think it’s time I stop sucking my thumb now” And she did (with a little help from that disgusting ‘Bite-x’ stuff.) Now she has a dummy in her bed, with her soft t-shirt which she’s slept with since she was 3 1/2 . She doesn’t suck on the dummy though… she chews on it. Strange but true!!!!!

:.: Jasmine lost her first tooth in April this year! Cute :)

:.: FUNNY WAYS OF TALKING…..I was sitting at the table getting frustrated with the girls because they weren’t obeying. I said “Oh, why does it have to be SO DIFFICULT with you guys”. Jasmine says “Mommy it’s because you have difficult children!”

The other day she said… “So when I get to be like a grandma or another one of those other ‘old things’ will I have wrinkly hands?”

Sometimes I’ll say “Oh, good job Jasmine”. But maybe I’m semi-distracted and just telling her that while I’m doing other things… she’ll say to me, “Um, mommy, can you say it a little louder and more like you mean it?”

Jasmine you are precious to me. I know that God’s spirit is shining through you brightly. I belive that because of your extreme sensitivity you are going to speak prophetically to many people. You are going to see visions and dream amazing dreams. Go get ‘em Presh!


This picture was taken in Australia with her beloved friend Sophia Pesavento - April 2006.

FORGET the past...NEW things ahead

18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

19 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.

Three times in one week this verse has been brought to my attention, through pastors, speakers, leaders. Hmmmmmm.

We were praying on FRIDAY NIGHT for the Discovery Bay Friday Night VINE SERVICE and this verse was highlighted. Since this was the third time this week I'd read it or heard it mentioned I figured I'd better sit up and take notice. God's speaking!!!!!

I think it's hard to forget the past because as humans... WE ARE BUILT ON MEMORIES. But I guess God is trying to tell us that we shouldn't rely on that as our reality. HE IS DOING A NEW THING. Wow.

I want the "streams in the wasteland". That is such a great picture of what it is to quench our thristy land.

God, you are amazing....BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ruled out by emotion

So, it's just one of those days when I feel... OFF.

What is it about those days when you just can't seem to get your mind, body and soul to override the emotions. It's like one day your emotions say "TODAY, I AM IN CONTROL."

I hate these days. I feel like I am outside my own body watching myself...watching me yell at my little girls (who are just acting like 6, 3 and 1 year olds!)...watching me get overly angry because I couldn't catch that bowl of cereal before it hit the floor in a huge mess...watching me get very irritated at my poor unsuspecting hubby who's just trying to ask a few questions from across the Pacific Ocean.

I keep praying

"God I know I'm not suppose to feel this way. I am in desperate need of your JOY and PEACE."

But.... JOY IS A CHOICE isn't it?

Sometimes it's the hardest choice for me to make.

A change of circumstance is usuall what can snap me out of it... a change of scenery... change of venue... change of surroundings. (Unfortunately this isn't always possible!!!)

God reminded me of this amazing scripture (Psalm 139:23-24):

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

So Heavenly Father, I ask you to purge my emotions of all my anxious, strange reactions that don't line up with your word.

Maybe someday I'll get to where I can overcome my anxious thoughts and emotions as soon as it's recognized; to choose JOY...HIS way...RIGHT AWAY.

For now I'm thankful for his AMAZING GRACE.