Author: Mihaela Echols

As we are on this crazy journey of life together we see how God has been faithful to us. I write on our family journey through parenthood and adoption.

Frisbee Tournament 2016

Mihaela Echols12 Comments

On May 21st, 2016 Peter had a wish to help a friend…..

His story is found here: See You On The Field

We ended up raising $1,930 for him with 12 teams, lunch, and some donations.

13246334_883189658458556_8320251662545876077_o

(First round teams gathered to hear the rules)

13235245_883189698458552_8359473165989967054_o.jpg

Although it began to rain that wasn’t even half of our worries. We had sprinklers on the field going off right before we started our first round. But we did not let it stop the frisbee spirit. We used garbage barrels and covered them when they would go off every couple of hours. Every one had a great attitude about it and kept playing. We were thinking about 8 teams would show up considering this is our first year but God is good and he provided more than what we could ask for. The week of there were three more teams who registered making it 12 as of the night before.

20160521_103129

As the day went on we got to see how much fun everyone was having even off the field. Peter was walking around meeting new people when he wasn’t playing. Down to the very last game the positive attitude was still there for everyone.

“This became so much more than what I could’ve ever imagine. I could not thank all who helped out enough for all your hard work. It took on a life on its own Saturday. Praise God! I am very excited to see what next year will look like. ” -Peter

 

13227161_10156907582355092_5084359985078942134_n

The winning team! ( The Kung Führers)

Anticipating CHRISTmas

Mihaela Echols23 Comments

Do you remember being a child around  Christmas?

Do you remember the giddy feeling you’d get as soon as you’d see those presents under the Christmas tree?

All the wonder and curiosity of what’s inside danced in your mind. And that is why this family celebrates Christmas this way.

Instead of hiding the gifts the parents would  put them under the tree weeks ahead. The children would sit by them pointing and chatting about them. They weren’t allowed to touch them or pick them up until Christmas. Now imagine with me all the wonder and excitement as a child while the gifts scream ‘open me!’ as they sit under the tree.

photo-1448832945950-bc85f82891bd.jpg

They didn’t teach this as patience. They had a far greater lesson in mind.  

Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

2 Corinthians   “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

How we anticipate the gifts of Christmas is how we should anticipate being with Christ in heaven someday. The Bible tells us bits and pieces giving us an idea of what heaven will be like, but we will never fully know until we are there. Just like the gifts they had an idea of what was underneath the bows and colorful wrapping paper. There’s still the anticipation of seeing. 

A family tradition presented as a greater lesson.  

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

What Is A Christian?

Mihaela Echols31 Comments

 

Christian.

What does that word even mean?

Do we know who we are in Christ?

 The Bible makes a clear distinction. Either friends with God and an enemy of the world or friends with the world and an enemy of God.

James 4:1-4

“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendships with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” 

So again we should ask ourselves…

What is a Christian?

What should our lives reflect?

Where is a Christian’s ultimate meaning, joy, purpose, and significance found?

12565580_502034493255129_6124683960885756575_n

 When I think of the meaning of Christian I think of for what it is; someone who is genuine, loving, believing, and active in their faith. This person has a relationship with Christ that is real and when you think about that person, those thoughts are the first to come into your head. So therefore that person believes in the Bible and it’s truths. They would then have to come to the conclusion of the God-head three in one, new birth, sanctification, and many other realities found in the Bible. Some people within the Christian community would say they are “radicalists” but I think Christ would beg to differ. The Holy Spirit through Paul writes to us.

Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Christ’s ministry from the time he started out preaching the Gospel did not conform himself to the world but to save it. He acted in accordance with God’s will and presented his body as a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. In fact he was the perfect sacrifice for the world. Christ never boasted in his own deity and used it to for his own gain. 

John 10:37-38

“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father”

AMFPQPAV06

His whole life was a reflection of a perfect spotless sacrifice for the whole world. No more debt in our hands for our sins that we can not do enough good deeds for. Although we will never be perfect we should strive to be perfect. Christ is perfect and we should strive to be like him daily. What does that look like? Picking up our cross living a spirit filled life dedicated to Christ to the best of our ability and letting God lead us.

Romans 8:9-15

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you , though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (This is the change I am hinting at) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh- for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.(This was what I was referencing early when I said ‘picking up your cross daily’) For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

 

At the end of the day Christ must be the ultimate source of meaning, fulfillment, joy, etc. because if He is not am we are probably finding that in work, family, ministry or any other number of things in our lives. But that is not what Christ wants. Although, those all are good things, they fall short of the perfect being who will never fail you or stop loving you. When you give your life to Christ the mounting change of who you are from flesh to spirit is nothing short of a miracle. That would lead us as Christians to serve Christ and worship him through Spirit not serving our fleshly desires.

1st Peter 1:14-19

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written,”You shall be holy, for I am holy.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or god from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

 

By: Peter Echols

The Mouth Of This Lion

Romans Reality

Build Don’t Break

Mihaela Echols44 Comments

    As a newlyweds Peter and I have been working on surrounding ourselves in a community of encouragement. These next few years are years of preparation as we expand on our family. Although I’m an introvert I am learning how important it  really is to have a good community.

   We have come to realize if someone is not uplifting us they will not be uplifting for our children.  Even if they are family. Of course we live in a world where our children will hear every name in the book and be let down.  But it doesn’t have to be from the people we choose to spend the majority of our time with.

    Peter already is surrounded by a lot of chaos and unhealthy people at his job, but when he goes and meets up with other godly men he is encouraged.

Proverbs 27:17  As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

    Our Church family is encouraging in our walk with Christ but once a week for a few hours is not consistent enough. Dropping in and leaving isn’t going to make the community it’s about building relationships. It’s about: praying for one another, helping with specific needs, teaming up in ministry, fellowship out side of Church, and comforting and celebrating with one another.

Hebrews 10:23-24  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

 

More writings on boundaries:

Could I Get A little Privacy?

Dear Embarrasing Parents

Sayanara Heartache

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bold Chef

Mihaela Echols49 Comments

Very few people know this about me…I do not like cooking. When I was younger I used to tell my mom that I was going to have to marry Doctor slash Chef that way everything’s taken care of. Of course it made perfect sense in a fourteen year old’s mind. As much as it was a joke the idea of cooking was still horrible to me. 

But slowly each day with my husbands encouragement I’m becoming more confident.

    This is an insecurity God is working on in me. It has honestly been one of the toughest parts of being a newly wed. But because of our work schedules I am the main cook in our house. 

20160413_182216

Sometimes Peter helps me chop up veggies or check on the food to help me keep going. Many times I want to throw in the apron and call it quits. 

For those who know Peter he is known as the picky eater. I haven’t witnessed it yet with my cooking. 

    Since we have been married I have made soup for the first time and used the crock pot. I’ve been trying different recipes but I keep them similar.

    I set a meal plan so I’m only shopping twice a month (that way I don’t feel like I’m always always at the store) and stick to our budget. There were times when there would be a week left until the next month and I would have to get creative.  Luckily cooking allows that. 

Slowly each day I am becoming more confident as God is working out the insecurities in me.

 

What Peter Teaches Me

He Understands My Heart

Is It Just A Honeymoon Season?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Letters To God

Mihaela Echols47 Comments

I’ve experienced:

Loss

Regret

Hurt

Victories

and Love

just like anyone else.

Tears stream down my face as I as read through my old prayer journals and see how faithful God has been throughout my life.

I started writing letters to God when I was fifteen; I’m twenty-five now. As the years went on I started really getting into the prayer journals; I started decorating mine or buying really nice ones. I would keep one on me that way if I would get alone time I could just take it out and write. This is how I find time with God.

As the ink hits the paper so my heart opens to him. This is where I meet him for quiet time. This is how I am still before him. I discover things that have been on my heart that I didn’t know where there until I would write them down. Writing out prayers has helped me think out all the insecurities I had then and have now. I as continue so seek him he will be forever faithful. He is always on the other end waiting for his letter. 

20160325_140026

How do you spend time with him?

 

 

Dear Former Body

He Understands My Heart

Romans Reality

Prayer At Work

Tear Up Your Bible

I Am Overwhelmed

 

 

 

 

See You On The Field

Mihaela Echols7 Comments

    One night after praying for Samiton Peter was telling me how he wanted to support him more. Peter and Samiton met in Malawi back in 2015. They became very close and after getting to know Samiton and hearing his heart for wanting to learn Peter told him he would like to support him in going to college. 

THAT’S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. 

That night we made a web chart of who is in our community and different ways we could raise support. 

We knew asking our church as a first resort was not the best idea because of how much they already pour into other ministries. We are also hoping to expand our ministry partners. So plotting to figure out something else this idea of combining ultimate frisbee and supporting Samiton with a large community of different friend groups came to our minds. The idea seemed like a worthwhile shot so we brainstormed some ideas to get the ball rolling.

    “I made some calls and formed a core team to help me plan this out. It is awesome to see friends come together who share a common heart for serving and ministry.  As the time gets closer I get more excited because I know God has been  showing me that all it takes is a few people who love him, want to serve and he does the rest. At the end of the day my hearts desire to support Samiton comes from my walk with Christ. After going and seeing the radically different world they live in I thought to myself ‘I took so much for granted’. This friend of mine Samiton humbled me in many ways and I could not come back from that experience radically changed wanting to continue to help.” 

-Peter

 

See you on the field!

 

Peters  Malawi story: A Different World

Find event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1678619989044476/

Could I Get A little Privacy?

Mihaela Echols42 Comments

    I believe there is a privacy that many have forgotten and have used social media or  conversations as a personal journal. Boundaries are crossed that many don’t even know they have crossed. Then every party involved leave at what a could of been an encouraging time, but instead had a gossip session.

    I used to feel guilty for listening to someone “vent” on their marriage issues, financial issues or way to personal issues that I never should of never known about in the first place. I felt like if I didn’t listen to them I wasn’t being a good friend, but by listening to them  I wasn’t. It’s not my job to hear or know someone on a level where God knows them. That is where God needs to be and they are putting me there.

   God asks us to Guard our hearts through out scripture and we must do the same for them by watching what we share as well. 

    Don’t get me wrong I love keeping up with peoples lives and hearing if someone got a new pet, a new baby, or if they share their hobbies on facebook. But I honestly do cringe and scroll when too much media sharing is seen.  Sometimes I wish I could just scroll past in conversations with other women….

 I have learned I can! 

 I have approached my friends in saying “I’m learning about this new thing about myself. I listen to my friends vent thinking I should be a good friend but then leave feeling horrible because too much is shared.”  

The conversation we the have is clean, and encouraging. Both of our hearts are protected and God is glorified.

 

Read more here:

The Mouth Of This Lion

Dear Embarrasing Parents

Who Are You Glorifying?

 

 

 

 

Learning From The Youth

Mihaela Echols16 Comments

The more I hang out with these kids the more I learn on how to be a good parent. I am very open with these kids asking them questions that I hope to note and carry for mine and Peters when they are teens.

I know some kids just say bad stuff about their parents for attention. But I’m talking about the kids who stay out of trouble but still have broken hearts. You never see it on their faces. It’s when I get the rare opportunity to hear their heart because I am that person who won’t judge them and will just sit and listen.

All they want is for someone to listen.

Sometimes my heart breaks and I hope to never hear the same words from my own.

Peter and I have talked about being open with our kids from the start. Discussing why they might want to dye there hair blue could be a topic that some parents won’t even want at the table. But for us that topic seems so minor. We want the heavy and real topics that could ache our hearts if our kids for some reason does not want to follow the Lord and ask them why. We want the real relationship where we can openly pray with them.

I don’t want my kids to hide their tears from me. I want more attention then their journal gets. If I have to find out our my kid has thoughts of suicide in a journal, then Peter and I have failed as parents.

I am learning that even if our kids are raised in a Christian home they still make their own choices. We cannot control them. We can only manage and pray. At the end of the day they are accountable to God and lifes consequences.

As we seek God pray for us when it will be our turn to become parents.

 

Dear Embarrassing Parents

Daughter, I’m Here Now

 

 

 

 

What Peter Teaches Me

Mihaela Echols44 Comments

Alright I’m going to be honest from the get go. This is a post about me bragging about my husband.

When Peter and I are loafing at home he will catch me staring at him from time to time not only because I’m attracted to him but because I also admire him. Come on ladies admit it we all stare at our husbands.  From dating to engaged and now married I have learned so much by just watching him. 

By him carefully responding to others and myself even when hes upset I’ve learned to hold my emotions and tongue a little bit better. 

His generous heart as taught me that although God provides, he give us opportunities to bless those around us.

When I walk outside of the room late Saturday mornings I find him reading the Bible. Some times as I’m falling asleep I’ll roll over and find him praying even though we had just prayed together. His humble heart has taught me to pray with out ceasing even when we are sailing along peacefully. His time management has made me ask myself about the priorities in my life. 

I thank God for the opportunity I get to love some one and be loved by someone who loves him so much.

https://hylaandpeterechols.com/2016/01/16/he-understands-my-heart/

https://hylaandpeterechols.com/2015/11/10/is-it-just-a-honeymoon-season/

https://hylaandpeterechols.com/2014/12/12/the-gentlemen/