The life He has given me

I'm Nichelle Wirth. I’m 28 yrs old. I’m married to the love of my life, Anthony. We have been together for 9 yrs, married for 5 yrs. We have 2 beautiful daughters Alexa is 5 and Charlie is almost 3. We also have a bun in the oven which is due to come sometime in May 2011. I have always wanted to be a mom and wife for as long as I can remember so I’m definitely a happy girl

I was born and raised in southern California. Most of my life was in a small town called Temecula. I would def. say I am a california girl at heart. I love the beach. I’m pretty laid back. I love to laugh even if it’s at my own jokes and if my loud crazy laugh annoys people. I like to keep a positive attitude about things. I went to Christian school most of elementary, but after we moved quickly learned we couldn’t afford it anymore.

My parents divorced when I was 14. My dad was an alcoholic up until about 8 yrs ago and died as a Christian about 6 yrs ago. I didn’t see him after my parents divorced until he was on his death bed (He was 51 & I was 21). My mom took care of my brother, who is 4 yrs older than me, and me. She worked hard and struggled to provide for us, but she definitely did the best she could and I love her for that.

As a teenager I never really seeked church or Christianity but I did believed and prayed (in my time of need). I think people would have known me as a tomboy, flirt and crazy laugher. I never did drugs, and didn’t drink until I was 18 yrs old. I guess @ 18 I thought I was mature enough.

At 19 I met Anthony. This tattooed, pierced, long haired, metal head, who was very sarcastic, honest, confident and independent boy. At 1st I was not pleased w/ him but quickly became friends w/ him by hanging out and drinking w/ mutual friends. After awhile of hanging out I grew a crush on this cute boy. I still remember our 1st date. Boy did I fall head over heels for this boy. I learned quickly that he wasn’t just all the things I listed but also very sweet, romantic and loving. I think I fell in love w/him theday he asked me to be his girlfriend

.

(We never took serious pictures)

We moved in together 9 months later ( March of 2002) so he could go to college. After school we stayed w/ a friend for awhile. We got engaged Jan. 12th 2004 and bought a house in march. I got pregnant in Oct (which is when I stopped drinking).

Got married Feb 26th 2005 & had our first child Aug 14th 2005.

Our lives really changed right after our wedding.

Anthony’s brother, Gabe, (who was a Christian) lived w/ us since shortly after buying our house. He would talk to Anthony about God a lot. usually after he would get home late @ night and trying to avoid any party we may been having. The 2 of them would sit on the counter of our kitchen and get into heated debates both trying to point out their side. A little while before our wedding Anthony finally gave in and started going to a verse by verse study on Wed nights at Gabe’s church (which I didn’t know about cause I was working). Then a wk after our wedding Anthony and Gabe invited me to attend church and without even thinking I said “yes” and went. The following wk we went and the pastor did an alter call and being in the 1st Anthony literally stepped forward and gave his life to God. I can still hear the band playing ‘Here I am to worship’ while the pastor prayed over Anthony and the 2 of crying our eyes out. I don’t know when I became a Christian but I do know I did always believe I just never followed. On our way home neither of us spoke. I think we were both in an ‘ok now what’ kinda of thought.

We got home and threw away all cd’s, movies and alcohol and became involved in the church and became missionaries in July ( a month before alexa was born). Anthony became involved w/ Student Venture which was an on campus ministry & called him to raise support so he could focus more on the students.

I don’t know why it never seemed crazy to me that my husband was quitting his job and going to raise support right before having a baby. Matt 17:20 says if we have faith as small as a mustard seed than we could move mountains. I’m not saying I have that much faith. But I know Anthony & there’s no way he wouldn’t not provide for his family. Plus Matt 7:7-11.......vs 9 or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven givegood things to those who ask. Which just proves not to me anxious or worried about anything. So I guess it’s always been easy for me to rely on Anthony, to have faith in him, and be supportive. I knowhis heart and it’s after God, so shouldn’t my heart also be after God’s and following my husband. By God’s grace he has given us hearts to do ministry, to reach the lost and to spread the good news. Matt 28:19-20 Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing in the of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.......

So he did student Venture and a part time youth pastoring job until Feb 2008. Which is when we moved to Springfield, ma. Where’s that?

That’s what we thought when we first heard about it too. So months before March around Oct 27th 2007 (few days before our 2nd child was due) we moved from the house we owned to a house to rent.

we wanted something bigger and closer to his jobs.Then days after having Charlie we got approached by a friend to move to Springfield and help w/ a church. We always felt called to church plant, we just thought more like Northern california not on the other side of the map. After lots of prayer, talking, seeking, crying, etc we decided to move.

I will tell you moving was probably the hardest thing I’ve had to do. I had to leave my family which I have always found very important (and weren’t very supportive of us leaving), friends, a city I know and love. I had to take my 2 yr old and 4 mo to a place I’ve never been to, heard of, or even know what to expect. How can a mom take her babies away from a good life to move into a bedroom.

Literally when we1st moved here we all were in one room of our friends apt.

I clung to scripture. Nothing can comfort you like God when you are in a place alone, nowhere to go and not knowing anyone.

I really tried to just enjoy my time w/ my girls, while Anthony was trying to get a job, help @ the church etc, but I really was selfish just felt alone and sorry for my girls. Neither of us (Alexa or I) had friends or my mom to just lean on and call to hang out when we were bored.I have always found music to be very helpful no matter what mood I may be in. I could find a song to just medicate that emotion. There were a couple songs Jeremy Camp: Revive me and my desire and Duet 33:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, destroy, that really helped me to pull me out of the low place and made me realize I’m not here for me or for my girls. I am here to do God’s will not mine. It’s not about me.

It took me a couple months to really get it and about a yr to really come to realize that I am here to stay and make this my home, ( 1 yr in ma. post )

We have had a difficult journey @ times, like our last house was on the 2nd floor of a double family house. Our kitchen was barely a kitchen we had no oven or stove. Our bedroom didn’t really even have flooring we laid down a long carpet and the heating didn’t even really keep the second floor warm. The privacy was out the window cause our friend had his office on our floor too. But it was a home & our friend was nice enough to let us stay w/ him and even bought a building soon after we moved into their house and as soon as Anthony could fix the 3rd story apt up our friend allowed us to live here. Which is where we have been for about 15 months now. Also in the 1st couple yrs we did some church hopping to get to know other churches around here and have made some great friends over the time.

Things didn’t really work out between our friend & the church but we knew we were still here to start a church. So a year ago we started The City Church. Starting a church is a lot more than I could have imagined. It’s a slow process to get the word out about the church, to get people to come and even find help in so many things we didn’t even know we’d need help w/.

Most of the last yr I have felt blessed that God has called us to reach his people and have been willing to go and do what He has called us to. He has provided and taken care of in many ways that seem impossible. We have a had a place to live when we had no money, we have met friends that generously give the girls clothes as their kids grow out of them, free stuff for our house and in random things that we’ve needed. Also been blessed w/ random checks or donations right when we needed the most. I can’t thank God or the people that have helped us enough, but it’s a very humbling place when you live on a salary of support and actually need the help of others. So not only do we have to ask people, churches, organizations, etc to support us and what we doing (planting a church) but we have to show them that we are actually doing that.

Anthony works hard everyday working on his messages, reaching out to our congregation and people around us, making sure is family is provided for and taking time for us. He never really stops and he loves what he does, and it’s really hard not to love him. I see the passion and drive God has given to him and I get inspired by it. I thank God that he has given me a husband that doesn’t give up and doesn’t get discouraged in hard times. I think God has really blessed us w/ each other. It seems as soon as one of us may be having a hard time God gives us the strength to up lift the other, we’ve always been there for each other and find our marriage a blessing. God is faithful that is for sure.

I also have been blessed to be able to stay home w/ my children. Even though @ times when they want to go somewhere and we can’t afford it or anthony has the car I know they get sad, but I hope they will learn, as it has taken me time to learn, that life is about God. And they will see the good He has done instead of the hard times that we may have gone through. Honestly I think without the hard times we wouldn’t be where we are today and so passionate about God.

Through planting the church we have lost some friends, grown distant w/ others and miss like crazy some of the friends we would see at the other churches we went to. The girls have also been effected by this but it helps us pull closer as a family and the importance of life. We still try to stay in contact w/ as many as we can but it gets hard at times when there’s so many other things going on, like we started homeschooling Alexa, building friends in The City church, and doing activities w/ & throughout the church.

So this is our journey we are still on a road of battle but we know the outcome is more beautiful, rewarding, encouraging and greater than what we deserve (eternal life). I also know what He has gone through for me and how can I not tell others of is great love and the gospel. The song ‘How Deep the Father’s love’ comes to mind, if that song doesn’t break you I don’t know what will.

So I pray the girls will understand the gospel and will have a great passion for God, more than I have, and serve him full heartily. I pray they find Godly men to marry. I pray God continues the drive and passion in my husbands. I pray we keep seeing Gods love so we can pour it out into our marriage, our children, the lost and the church. And when this journey is done I pray God will say He knew me, and you have done well my good and faithful servant, not because I am great but because I did all things for the glory of Him. 2 Tim 4:1-7 vs 2 Preach the word: be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort w/ complete patience.......vs 5 As for you be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfilling your ministry.

Thank you God for being my rock, my strength, my fortress, you are all I need and I love you.

Thank you

I was recently asked by a good friend to write my story, something important or a life lesson. So I did. I just finished yesterday and she is going to post it on her blog. I too will also add a couple more personal things (since it's my blog and I don't care how long it is) & then add it to my blog. While writing my story of the journey God has taken me I broke down crying thinking of all the incredible blessings God has blessed my family and I w/. He has used many people in this area to help us in many ways and sometimes at times when I was not in a happy place in my life. So I really felt overwhelmed to send a (hopefully) short thank you to the people who have encouraged, inspired, helped, etc me to let them know they are special and hold a special place in my heart.

First I have to thank my wonderful husband for loving me and putting up w/ me. For encouraging me to read my Bible and to really be on board for this journey God has called us to.

For all the women that have greatly and generously given my girls or/& I clothes. It seems each season my kids grow faster and faster and whether you know it or not you have helped in a tremendous way (Danielle, Christie, Vanessa ladies from church etc)

For the people who have randomly thought of me through the day or when they see something have bought or donated to us. Whether something for our home, car seats, strollers, food, etc I could not be more appreciative. (Sarah, Danielle, julie Ladies @ new Generation)

People that have helped us move whether it was packing up the truck to move here, or the last 2 times we've moved.

To God and the women in ministry he has placed in my life. More than you may know you have probably inspired me to be a better women in Christ, wife, mother, etc. (Annette, Kristin, Bonnie, Melanie, Christie, Jessica, Kelly etc)It is nice to know there are women going through the same things I may be going through & be able to lean on for encouragement.

For the women that are willing to have play dates w/ my crazy kids and I, whether last min or planned. I love getting out of my house and appreciate the time spent w/ you: the laughs tears, inspiration, talks, etc (So many women, thank you)

For the people who have been willing to watch my crazies so that I can send time w/ my love. Babysitters are hard to find and hard to ask for so thank you (Danielle, Christie, Vanessa, Cindy, Luda my mom)

Everyone that has opened their door to us on the holidays and welcomed us. Being away from family can be hard around the holidays but you all have made it easier and great. (The Deida, The Royland, The Albitz, The Calisch families The Lively families)

To those who have supported us whether in prayer, mentoring, spiritually, financially, we appreciate it.

To Krystle who made me stir up all these emotions and make me think of doing this.

And for the women @ The City Church whether you know it or not I'm new to this Pastor's wife position. So I'm thanking you in advance for putting up w/ me. I pray I will get to know and become closer to all of you.

And God for all these people He has blessed us w/. May God bless you all, the way He has blessed us.

I know there are probably more but just know if we know you you have probably touched my life somehow whether you know it or not.