Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas 2008...


Dear Family and Friends,

What a wonderful and gracious Lord we serve! Every day we find ourselves standing in awe at the amazing works of our Almighty God. It has been a priceless blessing to know that so many faithful friends have been lifting our family, ministry, and education up before the Lord in prayer. All of you have been an immense encouragement to us through your prayers, letters, and phone calls, and we are sincerely grateful for each one of you.

It is hard to believe another year has already come to an end! It has been a calendar of tremendous blessing and change in both of our lives. We had a beautiful wedding on June 14th and a lovely honeymoon in North Carolina and Georgia. We brought all of Stephanie’s belongings with us, including her beautiful piano! We had a wonderful, relaxing two weeks and then headed down to Dallas to settle into our new home and life together.

In July we found out that we will be parents come March! What a delightful surprise and blessing. Children are truly a gift and heritage from the Lord and it has been wonderful growing closer together as a couple during this time of waiting for our little boy to enter the world.

Michael: From January to December, God has been daily increasing our faith and building our trust in His great power. Oh the depths of Christ’s rich love and mercy. Marrying my dear Stephanie is more marvelous than I ever could have imagined. And now to be expecting our very own little son in just a few months! I am simply overwhelmed by the numerous gifts God has bestowed so immeasurably upon us. The past year of education at Dallas Theological Seminary has also been one of exciting concepts and further understanding of God and His matchless Word. Having this opportunity to be trained and mentored by such godly and humble men is truly an answer to pray and a great privilege. My constant prayer is that God would enable me to be faithful to utilize all I learn for His great glory alone.

Throughout the year God has brought along various opportunities for us to reach out with His Gospel. In September I enjoyed sharing from the Word of God and preaching His Good News to those in an inner-city mission here in Dallas. The month of October came with a couple of opportunities to temporarily assist in the music ministry at a congregation located in the suburbs of Dallas, pastored by a friend of mine from school. And earlier this month, Stephanie and I enjoyed leading a large Bible study group in a joyous time of carol singing.

The Lord has continued to meet our needs through several jobs and the gracious benevolence of His people. I have now been working as the security/hospitality coordinator at Dallas Bible Church for more than a year, and also enjoy doing part-time sales work for Tommy Nelson’s Song of Solomon Bible Resources.


Stephanie: I feel so blessed to be married to an amazing, godly man who loves and takes care of me. I never dreamed marriage could be so wonderful. God has taught me so much since June, but the biggest lesson I have learned is living a life of Faith. It is wonderful to see God providing every single day and knowing that He holds me in the palm of His hand and will never let me go. I am blessed beyond measure with my husband and baby boy. We are both so excited about little “Peanut” coming in March and are having fun preparing for him, praying for him, and talking to him.

I started teaching piano in September and all my students so far are from DTS. I thoroughly enjoy every single one of the wonderful children I teach. I also started working as a part-time nanny in September for two little girls, three year old Graydon and ten month old Riley. It has been fun, and an opportunity for me to temporarily serve a family in need. Riley has hip dysplasia and was put in a half body cast in the beginning of October to correct her condition. Thankfully she is a happy, contented baby and has done very well! The job has now ended, and I definitely miss working with these precious girls. I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know some Seminary wives and am excited about upcoming activities with the school and starting a Bible study with them.


We are really enjoying getting involved in our new church, Redeemer Bible and look forward to joining the fellowship there soon, and being able to minister in various capacities, including the choir. God has been so gracious and faithful. We both are so very excited to see what He holds in our future and how He will yet again show His power in and through our lives. We thank the Lord for your friendship, love and prayers! May the Lord bless and keep you in this next year as you continue to seek Him in every capacity of your life.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love in Christ,

Michael, Stephanie, & Baby

Please Pray For:
• A safe delivery of our baby boy this coming March and good health for his mommy.
• The upcoming semester at Dallas Seminary, that the Lord would grant wisdom, focus, concentration, and blessing in all the studies.
• The Lord to open up doors of opportunity for ministry during the next year in abundant ways.
• Much needed financial provision for seminary tuition and related expenses.

3909 Swiss Ave. Box 188 • Dallas, TX 75204 • MBreznau@yahoo.com

Sunday, December 21, 2008

27 weeks...


This picture is from Dec. 17th. :-) I am almost 28 weeks now.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Six Beautiful Months...


It is hard to believe that today we celebrate our 6 month anniversary!

I am so glad I married you. You are the one who makes my heart uplift, skip a beat, smile, laugh, and be joyful. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see you!

You always care for me so much... rubbing my feet, helping me around the apartment, buying me little surprises every once in a while, talking heart-to-heart, giving me hugs, rubbing my neck, and oh yes, I love your kisses. :-D ;-)

I love you Michael with all my heart and I know that 6 months ago was the most special day of my life. I look forward to growing old with you honey!



~All I Ask of You~
No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
my words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you...

Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime...
Say you need me with you now and always...
Promise me that all you say is true
that's all I ask of you

Let me be your shelter
let me be your light
You're safe, No one will find you
your fears are far behind you...

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night
and you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me...

Then say you'll share with me
one love, one lifetime
let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you...
anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me, that's all I ask of you...

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...
say the word and I will follow you...
Share each day with me,
each night, each morning...
Say you love me...

You know I do...

Love me - that's all I ask of you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me - that's all I ask of you...

Friday, December 12, 2008

And the Blessings continue to pour out...

I am simply amazed by how it just continues. :-)

*Blessing Number Five*
We found a beautiful Dining Room Set for only $25.00! I will post a picture after we pick it up. We have been eating on a card table, so this is so nice.

*Blessing Number Six*
Someone here at school anonymously put $40 in a card and put it in Michael's school box. :-D

*Blessing Number Seven*
The same couple who are giving us the crib and changing table offered us the 700 square foot apartment above their garage rent free. :-D They have done it for DTS students in the past. We are praying about it and weighing the pro's and con's. Just because something sounds wonderful doesn't mean we want to jump into it without first making sure it is what God wants us to do. I will keep you updated!

*Blessing Number Eight*
Someone anonymously sent me a me a gift card in the mail. I opened the envelope and there was no note or anything, just a gift card for $200 for Destination Maternity! It said Merry Christmas, but otherwise no clue as to who sent it. I had bought a coat at Target, but if I can one at DM later today, then I will just take back the one to Target. :-D Whoever it was, I am VERY grateful!

Isn't the Lord wonderful?

The words to this beautiful Hymn says it all...
"I Stand Amazed"
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Beauty of His Blessings...

Sometimes it is hard to put into writing how God works in miraculous ways... trying to find the words to accurately describe our awe and reverence of His power. So many times I feel that I lack faith and trust. He always comes through, but yet I still doubt.

Let me tell you God's latest working in our life. :-)

*Blessing Number One*
On Saturday we only had a little bit in our bank account and rent was due and we needed groceries. Times are hard for everyone and two of my family's hadn't yet paid me (they are struggling just as much as we are) and Michael wouldn't get his paycheck until the 12th. We started praying and crying out to Him for help. I ended up playing the piano for Lauren and Adam Bell to sing at the Couples Christmas Conference at the Dallas Training Center Saturday night. To my complete surprise, they gave me a gift card to "Le Madeline" as a thank you. We went there on Sunday for lunch and what a treat!

Monday morning came and Michael went and talked to the finance department and asked that they hold our check until our paychecks came in on friday and they graciously agreed to that.

*Blessing Number Two*
Michael yet again won second place at his work and so we got another $50 gift card to a restaurant. :-D We will be celebrating our 6 month anniversary with it. :-D

Blessing Number Three... and what a miracle it is!
We were asked to lead a Christmas Carol sing-a-long at this Bible study that meets at the church where Michael works. Michael led and I played the piano. These people are really godly and truly have a close relationship with the Lord that is so encouraging to see and hear about. About a 100 people come to this Bible Study.

We finished and were about to walk off stage but Mr. S. (the leader) said, "Don't go quite yet, we have a little something for you". He then pulls out a card and opens it and reads it "O come all ye faithful... on your first Christmas together, may you remember His first Christmas". He then says "here is $100 bill for each of you". We were not expecting anything at all so we were shocked!

He then continued... "AND these two young people are really hard working and are EACH working two jobs... here is another $100 for each job" What... now it was up to $600?

And he still continues... "AND she is pregnant, so here is ANOTHER $200" and then he digs in his pocket... and says "aha, another $200 for you!" :-D I was completely overwhelmed and crying at this point. :-) $1,000! The Lord knew our need before we did and provided it for us. We can now pay for rent, AND I can buy some much needed winter clothes. There were so many things I needed...a winter coat, pants, boots, etc. for MI and I idn't have anything...but God knew all along!

*Blessing Number Four*
A lady came up to me after the Bible Study and gave us a crib and changing table! She had some more stuff for us too!

I have never had my faith tested like I have since June. Growing up in a middle class family where we weren't poor, but we weren't rich, my dad had a steady job at (GTE) verizon for 25 years. My faith has increased and grown in boundless ways since June. Sure it is been hard in some ways since June, but I wouldn't trade one single moment of it. Not only have I grown in MY faith, but we have grown closer together.

Thank you Lord for not only your provision, but your great mercy for us! I love you and I praise You!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Update on my health...

I went to the doctor with my midwife this past week so I could get another opinion on the swelling and weight gain. He gave me a glowing report and said he does NOT believe I am heading into PreClampsia. Praise the Lord! He believes the weight gain is familial, but the swelling is never good so I still need to be careful but not worry about it (if I know I am doing what i am supposed to). He was VERY pleased at the very strict (but definitely doable) diet my midwife had put me on and told me to keep up the good work. He encouraged me to exercise more, but said that everything I was doing was right on track! I even lost a pound since my last pre-natal on nov. 20th (which is good because it was water weight and I have been drinking 3 quarts every day so it is good! Don't worry I am not trying to lose weight, just trying not to gain anymore weight until the very last.) He gave us the go ahead to travel!

God provided money for us to go to Lapeer, Michigan for Christmas! I am so excited. :-D We will be there December 18-Jan.4. We are both really looking forward to it! Praise the Lord for His provision. :-) We hope to see some of y'all while we are there!

Hopefully this will get to be my first White Christmas ever!!!!!

God is so good!

About Me

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My name is Stephanie and I grew up in Florida. I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon. Even though I never had any formal training, I am well known for my vibrant style. I enjoy painting murals, drawing wall art, colorful stationary & invitations, and many other artistic projects. I am currently working on writing and illustrating my first book.

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