Days of Grace

Tuesday's Tool - Make Love, Not War

2012-02-14T00:00:00.001-06:00

Today is Valentine's Day! Yes I know I'm stating the obvious here! It's also week number two in our February challenge to show love to the people closest to us. How are your quiet times going? Have you been seeking God and finding Him? I have, and it's been awesome!

Along with seeking to find Jesus, I'm adding challenge #2. Are you ready? This challenge is aimed at showing your husband that his number 1 need is your priority this week! If you're wondering if I'm talking about the 'S' word... Yes, I am! Sex. There I said it! This challenge requires that you spend this next week making opportunities to making love to your husband. I'm challenging you to carve out time for intimacy in your marriage atleast 3 times over the next week!

Hehehe. Wouldn't it be great to start your day with Jesus and end it with your hubby? Have fun... wink!

Tuesday's Tool - Hide and Go Seek

2012-02-07T00:00:00.009-06:00

It's here! The month of luuuvvvv! Over the next 29 days, I thought it would be fun to throw out a few challenges to myself and fellow-sisters-who-read-the-blog; challenges that could make some positive luv changes in our lives and our families' lives. I hope you'll join me in this! First out of the barn....

Our relationships' with our Heavenly Father.

The challenge comes from Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Holman Christian Standard). The Message says of Jeremiah 29:13, "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

Whew! Hear that? When we want to find Him more than anything else, we won't be disappointed! I smell a challenge in that verse! Infact, it seems to me that God has set up a game of hide and seek!

So here's the challenge for this week: Spend 15 to 30 minutes every day seeking out God with all your (and my) heart. Grab your Bible and get it ready to read. Then, first chance you get, seek Him. Talk to Him. Tell Him what's happening in your life. Confess sin you've been hanging on too. Thank Him for His great love for you. Praise Him because He is a Mighty, Faithful God! Plant your eyes on His unfailing words and read through the Scriptures. Did you find Him? Do you see Him? Happy seeking.... wink!

Tuesday's Tool - Medicine for the Soul

2012-01-31T13:22:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine..."

My dear friend Cathy has a delightful heart! She finds the hilarious silver lining in every crazy situation that God sends her way. For example, one time she was fishing with her husband, Peter, in their john-boat. They had been sitting in lawn chairs inside the boat during the fishing trip. So when Peter cranked up the boat and took off, Cathy wasn't real 'secured' into the boat in her folding lawn chair. And it wasn't seconds later that she flew out of the boat, lawn chair and all, into the river. Well Peter said he immediately stopped the boat to turn around, anxiously awaiting Cathy's resurface! Within seconds she came to the top of the water and began laughing hysterically! And the one thing she was worried about was her flip flops floating down river!

Cathy laughs about most things. This is one of the reasons I love being around her! And because she is an iron-sharpens-iron kind of a friend, I started realizing my lack of laughter at life's little bumps in that road less traveled. Most of the time I get highly annoyed (and I probably would have at the boating incident.)

So yesterday morning I prayed for God to send me some of those silver lining situations that would bring much needed laughter into my very busy, very crazy days. I also prayed that He would help me see the funny in those situations. And then I waited to see what He would do... oh and did He bless me with some really great 'funnies'!

Here's one:

My sweet boy crawled over into the bathtub and joined his older sister for a second bathtime, fully clothed, diaper and all! I laughed and laughed! And later thanked the Lord for kids - and funny kids at that!

The Ellie Perspective

2012-01-26T13:48:00.000-06:00

My daughter Ellie is an amazing masterpiece of God. I love spending time with her - she's a lot like a flower, swaying in the breeze. Very carefree and very beautiful. She has such a tender heart too. Which leads me to this little story...

Yesterday, I watched her play with her babies throughout the day. Dressing them. Combing their hair. Strolling them around our home. At one point, she stopped to tell me that one was awake and one was asleep in the stroller. Occasionally I was the doctor or the helper with putting on a new baby outfit. One time I got to hold one while she was sleeping. (I can't ever remember their names!)

Anyway, yesterday evening, as I was cooking dinner, Ellie strolled through the kitchen and announced that she was teaching her babies a Bible verse. "Which one are they learning?" I asked curiously. "Let the little children come to me, Mark 10:14" she replied. And that was that. She strolled out of the kitchen and into the den and the reality of raising my children up in the Lord hit me again. Everything I do, good and bad, Christ centered and evil, is learned by my children. Everything. One day I will stand before the Lord and be held accountable for the seeds I sowed into their lives'. Phew. A heavy thought. But the truth.

So I praised God that my sweet Ellie was teaching her babies the Bible verse we were teaching her for the week, and not yelling at them for not picking up their toys! I say all this with a smile on my face. And I'm incredibly thankful that God is such a God of grace, gently loving me and correcting me as I go.

A Peek Into February

2012-01-25T13:12:00.000-06:00

Wow. January is almost over. The busyness of the holidays is long over. The kids are back in school. Life has returned to normal. And did I mention that January is almost over and done with? It's so important to make our days count. So often we fall into the habit of taking today and tomorrow for granted. We never give a thought to the idea that this might be the very last day that we kiss our husbands as they go off to work or give our children those sweet morning snuggles.

What if today was your last day? What would you do differently? I'm not trying to sound all doom and gloom here. But I think it's so important to live with this very real perspective. We can't forget to make the days count!

For the month of February, the weekly tools will be about purposing in our hearts to love. Each week I will put out a challenge for us to love in a way that stretches us beyond our comfort zones! Here is a peek...

Week 1: Loving God
Week 2: Loving your hubby
Week 3: Loving your children
Week 4: Loving yourself

I hope you drop by for a visit! Until then, Keep Pressing On!

Tuesday's Tool - Pride

2012-01-17T00:00:00.001-06:00

Pride.

A few years ago I heard a story of a woman who, during testimony time at her church, stood up and boasted that she was so thankful she didn't struggle with pride.

When I heard this story, I thought, 'everyone, every single human on the face of this earth, struggles with pride in some way or another'. In fact, I dare say that every sin can be traced back to a root sin of pride. I mean think about it. The originator of sin is Lucifer himself who was banished from Heaven because of his great pride problem: he wanted to be God. Then Lucifer/Satan/the serpent tempted Eve with the same pride problem he had in Heaven: if she ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil her eyes would be opened and she would be like God, knowing good and evil. She was tempted to be prideful and she fell for the serpent's lie. BAM. Sin has now entered the world. Pride was the beginning of who we now know as Satan. Pride was the beginning of sin entering the world. We are all born as sinners...So to say we don't have pride is really a prideful declaration!

Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We all have sin. Therefore we all struggle with pride in some form or fashion.

The irony in this woman's testimony is that it was her pride that caused her to believe that she didn't struggle with it!

One of the best tools my precious mentor passed on to me about pride was this: look at it like the Whac-A-Mole game. This is the game where the mole pops out of the hole and you have to smash it with a foam hammer. It's really a great stress reliever game if you've never tried it! Anyway, we need to view our pride as this game. It's always popping up somewhere in our lives and we need to be keenly aware and watching for it so we can smash it down! Once we have smashed it down in one area (and when I say smashing it down, I mean applying God's truths in the midst of the temptation) we need to be looking for it to pop up somewhere else.

If you have found yourself reading this blogpost, know that you have been prayed for. And my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would open our eyes to the wretched, stinky, prideful areas of sin in our lives.
Have some fun smashing!

Tuesday's Tool - Burden Bearer (Part 2)

2012-01-10T00:00:00.002-06:00

You know, if we are in Christ, we are called to be burden bearers. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 tells us that "He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction throught the comfort we ourselves receive from God." In other words, through all our difficult times, God comforts us. Then we are equipped to comfort those precious folks around us who are in tough times.

A few weeks ago I stopped by a local drugstore to pick up some medicine. As I paid for the Tylenol, the clerk began to tell me about a struggle she was going through. For 15 minutes I stood at the check out counter and listened to this desperate woman pour out her frustrations. I offered a few words of encouragement and told her I would be praying for her - and friends, she thanked me - for just listening.

She needed a burden bearer.

I praise God that because He has comforted me and carried my burdens in many a trial (often using brothers and sisters in Christ as well as total strangers), I can pass that burden bearing comfort right along!

Being a burden bearer to someone can look like so many things. It might be a listening ear, a financial gift, a helping hand, a free service (like babysitting), cooking a meal for a sick friend, giving your extra "stuff" to someone who has a great need for it, praying with someone, a hug, a card. This list could go on and on!

This past year every single one of these "comforts" that I listed above were done for us! I list them because God brought many burden bearers into our lives and circumstances in 2011. Yes, it was a very trialed year for us and God put those friends and family alongside us to carry the load with us - because were weary and the load was too heavy and we just couldn't carry it alone any longer.

Pray. And look for people around you who are in need of a burden bearer. They are all around us.

And to all our amazing friends and family who carried our burdens with us: thank you. I pray that you will have a greater understanding of God's presence, love and grace in your lives. Many of you made great sacrifices and we don't take that lightly. Thank you.

Tuesday's Tool - How to Keep Your New Years Resolutions

2012-01-03T10:39:00.000-06:00

Have you made those resolutions for this year yet? It's day 2 of 2012 and it's time to set some goals for this year (or atleast that's what everyone says to do!) Maybe some are leftover from last year that never got tackled or maybe some were just plain unsuccessful and you want to reattempt them! Or maybe you have some new resolutions set and you are ready to go for it!

So how do we avoid failing at keeping these goals that we set for ourselves each year? I believe there is one tool that we can apply to our goals and resolutions that keeps us from failing. Here it is...

Purposing in our hearts and minds to live out our resolutions just for today.

What does that mean and how do we do this? Well first, it's important to remember the tool that Jesus gives us in Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." So using this great tool we say "If all I have to worry about is today, how will I meet my resolutions for just this day?" We set ourselves up for failure when we look at having to live out our resolutions for the 366 days of 2012! The mountain seems too big to climb and so after a while (especially when we don't see the pounds coming off or we fall off the wagon and eat that entire box of oreos, or go a whole week without having a quiet time, or spend too much money at Hobby Lobby) we give up. However if we purpose in our hearts and minds to tackle the goals for only the present day, by the end of this year, your goals have been met and you are moving onto bigger and better goals!

Now practically sometimes it's wiser to do some planning the day before. Set yourself up to win for the next day. If your goal is healthy eating, plan your meals for the next day. If it's exercising, look at your schedule for the next day and find the best time for you to do your work out. If it's smoking, plan to smoke only a certain amount for the next day. If it's spending money, set a boundary for the next day and have a friend call you at the end of that day. If it's daily quiet times, plan to get up 30 minutes early and set your alarm clock. Then when you open your eyes the next morning, gear up your mind to meeting the goal for just that one day. Set yourself up to win.

It's also important to point out that sometimes meeting our daily goals requires tackling the day one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one meal at a time etc. But don't be discouraged by this. Keep purposing! Keep telling yourself "I just need to get through the next hour without that cookie, cigarette, etc..." Or I just need to focus on healthy eating at breakfast for right now. I'll tackle lunch at lunchtime."

And last, if you fail, do not give up! It's one tiny failure in the midst of many successes. I love the passage in Lamentations 3:22-23 which says that His mercies are new every morning, Great is His faithfulness! Friends, that's every single morning His mercies are new and His faithfulness is great! So if you blow it, purpose in your heart to rest in this verse, get up the next day and start fresh with God, with your goals, with your purposing...

Oh and one more thing and I'm ending this Tuesday's Tool with this: We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. (Philippians 4:13) Don't try to tackle your resolutions without the strength of your faithful Heavenly Father. He created you! And He knows you intimately. Pray about your goals, put them in His hands, pray for His strength and help and then...begin purposing.

Tuesday's Tool - Burden Bearer (Part 1)

2011-12-13T09:13:00.000-06:00

This year has been different from any other for our family. The six of us have endured some pretty relentless trials that I won't explain in great detail because I might bore you to death! So two weeks ago Bryan and I sat in sunday morning church weary and broken, still no end in sight to the trials. As the piano gently chimed the last few lines of the end-of-the-service song, Bryan prayed "God, your Word says that your burden is easy and your yoke is light but this burden is too much for me to carry."

Friends, we were at our absolute end, unable to go on anymore. I can say that we have never been at that point before. I mean, we've gone through tough times, but we'd never experienced the amount of despair that we felt. And as the church service was wrapping up and we were putting what I call our "A-game faces" back on, God did something amazing. He lightened our burden by sending a burden bearer to walk alongside us during this very difficult time. And for the first time in months, we breathed and we rested. The weight that had become too heavy was now being carried with us!

Where are you? What burdens are you carrying? Have the trials of life, the pits, the valleys, the storms (whatever you call them) worn you weary? Do you feel like you can't go on anymore?

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (As a side note, a yoke is a harness for 2 animals to pull a heavy load.)

an old oxen yoke

1 Peter 5:7 says "... casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

I love that word casting. It means "to throw with force." And that's what He's instructing us to do - to throw our burdens, our anxieties, and our despairs on Him. It is here that we find that much needed rest for our souls. He cares for you and me, He died for you and me, and He is the only One who can absolutely handle every burden we throw at His feet. He is the ultimate Burden Bearer. Throw it down!

Tuesday's Tool - Back to the Basics

2011-12-06T10:59:00.000-06:00

Ahhh... Christmas time. Rushing here and there to find those perfect gifts for loved ones. Frantically buying, wrapping, cooking, baking. Long lines in stores and stop lights. Attending Christmas parties and school holiday programs. Pulling out Christmas decor. Putting lights on the house. Decorating the tree. Wearing the ugly sweater because it's the one time of year everyone else wears their ugly sweater. No wonder everyone breaths a sigh of relief when it's all over.

And this coupled with busy schedules, work and everything else that we have to do, it's a wonder we don't all loose our minds. So often the one thing we cut out of our day is our time with Jesus.

So here's where I want to encourage you this week. In the midst of all our busyness, we have to cling to the basics of walking with Jesus: reading the Bible and talking to Him - daily. We cut this out of our schedule because it's the one thing that doesn't protest when we don't do it! But spending time with Jesus is the absolute most important thing we could do in our day. And without Him, we are blindly walking. Right now stop and spend some time with Him. You say "Well I don't have time today because....." but you had time to stop and read this blog, right?!

Here's a verse to get you started... Proverbs 3:5-6

Tuesday's Tool - Come Just As You Are

2011-10-31T19:42:00.001-05:00

You know that old hymn? 'Come just as you are.... hear the spirit call...'. Many times this song is played at the end of a sermon when the preacher is inviting people to give their lives' to Jesus. I love this hymn. It is a continual reminder to me that I don't have to put myself together before I go to God.

I'm just going to be really honest with you and share that over the last year of my life I had forgotten that amazing truth. I don't know why I forgot it. We've gone through significant changes in the last year. Maybe that's why. Regardless, somewhere along the way I dropped the tool that reminded me that I can go to Jesus broken, frazzled, angry, confused, selfish, completely empty, unable to carry the tiny load He's given me, prideful, jealous, ready to throw in the towel... in other words, just. as. I. am.

The results of me not applying this amazing Truth was this feeling that I couldn't go to God unless I cleaned the mess up first. That's like a pig trying to clean all the mud off of himself. It's impossible! Halfway into October I found myself angry and bitter toward God. I didn't want to talk to Him or spend time with Him; all the while, cloaking my demeanor with a fake dose of spirituality. Of course my husband and kids knew the real Jamie and Mommy. (Thank God for a family who loves me.)

Ohhh but the love of God. It goes beyond our messes and pride! My precious Father's relentless pursuit of me despite the horrid ugliness in my heart humbles me beyond measure. He is Love.

So friends and family, that's my tool for this week. The reminder to always keep this tightly snug in your toolbelt of Truth. Know that no matter what mess you're in, what your circumstances look like, where you're mind has been wandering to, what words your mouth has spoken, or the condition of your heart, you can approach your Creator, the Lover of your soul, your precious Heavenly Father with confidence and lay it all at His feet.

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you."
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
1 John 4:9 "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

'Come Just As You Are'... http://youtu.be/ujBvIkU0dlQ

Tuesday's Tool - Wart Removal

2011-10-24T21:52:00.001-05:00

When I was 24, I broke out with this bizarre flat wart virus all over my legs. It was HORRIBLE. Although the little warts were barely noticable, I was a newlywed and very concerned I would gross out by husband! I couldn't go to the dermatologist to get them all removed. There were way too many of them (like 100+). So I prayed for 9 months for God to make them go away. Then suddenly one day, they were gone.

Now I know that once you have a wart virus, it never goes away. It might lay dormant, but it's still in your blood system. And so I wondered if they would come back.

9 months ago it did.

I noticed a little flat wart on the back of my hand. So I googled flat wart cures thinking I would get a site with some good info on over-the-counter medicines. Here's what many sites recommended:

Take a tiny piece of cotton (from a cotton ball) and dip it in apple cider vinegar. Squeeze the cotton out and put it over the wart. Cover the wart with a spot bandaid, overnight. Then remove it in the morning. Repeat this every night for two to three weeks. You will notice the wart getting red and slightly inflamed. Don't mess with it! Continue to apply the vinegar each night until the wart literally comes off.

So I tried it and it works!! This is a painless, non-invasive, inexpensive (like a total of $3.00) option that you can use on yourself, your kids or your spouse.

Recently my son had a pretty big wart on his knee. I applied the vinegar for 2 nights and it peeled off a day later.

The warts are not supposed to return in the same spot, contrary to the results of over-the-counter remedies. Apparently the vinegar gets to the root of the problem. And I can say that so far this is true for me.

Tuesday's Tool - Homeskills

2011-10-18T09:25:00.002-05:00

I am not by nature a very organized person. If it wasn't for close friends who have equipped me with certain tools to help me declutter and become organized, I would most likely be a messy hoarder! I am not joking when I say this! (Thank you friends, you know who you are!) And so one of the challenges of having four kids is, you guessed it, organization.

When my mentor helped me get started on the path of homeschooling 4 years ago, one of the things she challenged me to do was to start Sarah off learning a homeskill a week. This varied anywhere from learning how to change the toilet paper roll, to sweeping, to cleaning mirrors, to cooking. Anything that needed to be learned and done in our home was deemed a 'homeskill.' At the time we had two kids. And so my 'not very organized' brain wasn't very intimidated by the homeskill task.

Fast forward four years.

Now we have three children more than capable of learning homeskills and one who is well on his way to that status! But with my more-than-lacking organizational skills, I have had a great deal of trouble coming up with a consistent plan as to how I can train my kids each week - and remember which homeskill I am teaching them. Now for all you organizers out there, I'm sure you've already come up with solutions for me! You're thinking "This is really simple Jamie, I can help you..." (And I appreciate that!) But recently God gave me the answer.... and I want to share it with you. It's really simple actually.

I read recently a few weeks ago in another blog, about a mother who had many children (like 8 or 9). Every week, she assigned a room to each child. The child was required to do everything that was needed to keep that room clean. When a new week started, the children rotated rooms so that everyone had the chance to learn and practice new homeskills.

What's great about this option is that all I have to remember is which child has which room. If a child has the kitchen they help me with dishes, cooking, sweeping, counter. If the den, vacuuming, dusting, toy pick-up. And so on. This has made a world of difference for us. I am able to train and teach them as they work alongside me. No chore charts to update. Very little reminding. No memorizing who has what homeskill(s). It's a great way to organize. Plus it gives me the option to train on multiple skills or just one, depending on the age and capability of each child!

So that's my tool for the week! God's blessings on your family!

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..."

I Stink...

2011-10-16T21:41:00.001-05:00

Lately my attitude has really stunk. I have been selfish, prideful, ungrateful, argumentative, gripey at my kids, complaining. I have had a rebellious heart. I have blamed everyone else for my sin issues. I have watered down and rationalized my sin and it has been festering and stinking. Humph!

This is such a snapshot into this past week for me. And all that I just wrote is utterly true, unfortunately. This week I acted like a brat before God. I refused to sit down and spend some time with him. I refused to bring my stinky bag of sin to His forgiving hands. I refused to walk in the freedom and grace for which He sacrificed and paid the price. And as I drove home from an errand run, with my kids being louder than normal in the back seat, overwhelmed by my stinky thoughtlife and attitude, it happened. It seems I was so distracted by my poopy thoughts that I failed to notice the small vehicle behind me. And as I realized that I had pulled too far into the intersection, I backed up without checking my mirrors. BUMP. Great. What will my husband think. I pulled off to the side of the road. Got out of the car. Checked to see if the driver was ok. It was a young, 20 something girl and she was (thankfully) ok. I quickly eyed her front bumper where a very obvious piece was missing. She explained that there was no need to exchange insurance information - her bumper was already damaged and she was fine. I thanked her and got back into my car. With hands shaking, I was having trouble processing what had just happened. She had given me an extreme amount of grace. GOD had given me an extreme amount of grace.

Later I spent some much needed time with my Savior. I confessed all my sin to Him and told Him all my struggles. I was so thankful for that minor car accident - it was what God used to draw me back to him. And I heard Him speak so clearly to me. "If you didn't live your life for Me it would be so much more unfathomably difficult. And if you chose to walk the path of deliberate sin, it would be so much more difficult."

I am eternally grateful to my precious Jesus for this freedom that I am able to walk. I am ashamed that many times I take it for granted. Sometimes I yell 'crucify him' and I spit in His face. But Praise God that Jesus' forgiveness is eternally sealed by His death and resurrection. Our sin didn't derail Him - doesn't derail Him. He has defeated it and we are healed! Isaiah 53:5b..."the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his woulds we are healed."

Legos...

2011-10-13T18:37:00.000-05:00

You know, legos are pretty great toys. My kids have had legos since they were 12 months old (the non-choking hazard ones of course!) My two older kids spend a great deal of time creating all kinds of all-terrain vehicles, boats, houses and other creations that always seem to amaze me. Today, however, I used legos in a new way. And I have to pass it on....

My 4 year old daughter was following me out to the car when her sweet little finger was closed in the door. I was already out to the car unloading groceries and had no idea that she was in the house screaming and stuck. (Breaks my heart to retell this.) Thankfully my 9 year old heard her screaming and ran to help her. By the time I got to her, her pointy finger was swollen, bruised and questionably broken. I started looking around the house for a popsicle stick to splint her finger, but had no luck. Then suddenly, there it was... a gigantic pile of legos. So I rummaged through all the tiny pieces and found a white, flat lego just a tad longer that the injured finger. Quickly, I grabbed some bandage tape and wrapped up the wound. Add a little ice and some cartoons and BAM! We were back in business!

Who needs finger splints when you have legos.....

Oh by the way, the finger was fine. I think the extra special bandage and some TLC made all the difference!

Tuesday's Tool - Happy Happy Joy Joy

2011-10-06T12:46:00.000-05:00

So I know it's Thursday and I'm just now posting Tuesday's Tool. I couldn't wait until next week to post this. I was reading my daughter's devotional book this morning and I was struck by the simplicity in this author's definition of the difference between happiness and joy.

this came out of the children's devotional book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young...

"Happiness depends on this world, on what is going on around you. Happiness is when you ace the test, or make the winning shot, or you're headed for a vacation at the beach with your best friend. It depends on everything being just right. Happiness is wonderful, but it lasts only a little while.

But Joy--true Joy--is something entirely different. Joy doesn't depend on this world, or whether you're having a good day; it depends on Me. Joy is knowing that I am in control, that I love you and will take care of you - evenwhen you flunk the test, or make the last out, or your family can't afford a vacation. Stay close to Me, and I'll give you My Joy in every situation."

Romans 12:2 says "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (NIV)
How about the New Living Translation version of this verse: "Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."

Isn't it so good that God doesn't expect us to be happy all the time? Instead His expectation of us is that we will be "joyful in hope" and that we would "be joyful always..." (1 Thess. 5:16) . You might be thinking "that's a tall order in my life right now, Jamie." By no means am I trying to water down anyone's difficult circumstances... I do want to point to the fact that we can be joyful always because our faith is rooted in God - who is Magnificient, Mighty to Save, All Powerful, All Knowing, Creator, Savior and Redeemer, Giver of Life, Holy of Holies, The One True God, King of kings and Lord of lords, our Defender, Full of Mercy and Grace, a Just Judge, our Shelter, our Shepherd, our Teacher, our Helper, Love in it's fullest and our hope is in Him!

God's Great Love

2011-09-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been thinking about God's love for us.... let me tell you why.

I few weeks ago my 5 year old son, who loves counting, began noticing yellow-green butterflies. We would be driving down the road and he would yell "Hey Mom, there's another one." So because God has created my son to love numbers, of course Andrew started counting them! Pretty soon I noticed, well I should say Andrew noticed, a continual flow of yellow-green butterflies. They were everywhere! In a 20 minute drive we would see around 10-15. And this was every time we would step outside the house. Many times they would just flutter around us while we'd be playing in the front yard. About the third or fourth day into the butterfly extravaganza, the Holy Spirit spoke so clearly to my heart. And so I shared with Andrew what God had shared with me --
God was putting those butterflies there for Andrew to count because He loved him and
He knew how much Andrew loved to count!
Well this fueled the fire for Andrew because now he knew that each one was fluttering by to be counted! It was also an opportunity for me to share God's great love for Andrew, with Andrew.

So today I got in the car to run an errand. Within minutes, one of my favorite songs came on the radio. As I worshipped the Lord, I realized that He had timed that song to bless me. He reminded me that His love for me is greater than I could ever imagine. (Here is the song) http://youtu.be/dsiDukXIeVY

So what about you, precious Friend? God loves you too! He blesses you too! And because God created us and knows us intimately, His blessings are tailor-made for each one of us. This week, look expectantly for God to show His great love for you. And if you found yourself reading this blog and you have never known His love for you, click on the tab "How To Be Saved" (at the top of the blog). Salvation from our sins through Jesus' death and resurrection is God's greatest expressions of love for us!

Storm Stories

2011-08-15T08:43:00.001-05:00

I am not a big fan of flying. I don't really know why... all my flying experiences have been good ones. I guess it's just the idea of being in a small space, high up in the air, and zero control over what actually happens to the aircraft! So yesterday evening I flew in an airplane and as always, I spent a good portion of the air time praying. Isn't it so good that we have a Heavenly Father who we can talk to anytime? Most of the flight was turbulent because we were flying through some severe thunderstorms. The lightening was magnificent. Flying parallel to the storm made the amazing lightening show even more beautiful. Flashing streaks silhouetted the ominous clouds. I was captivated. Then I heard God's voice...
I brought you up here to show you this.

I was in the midst of this storm seeing proof of a Mighty God.

Let me steer away from this story for a moment and tell you a personal story. Just like every other Believer in Christ being refined to the likeness of Christ, Bryan and I have been in and out of storms. And currently we are in a pretty tough one. God has been speaking loud and clear to us despite the raging circumstances around us. And I am so grateful for His voice - it's the rod and staff that are comforting me in this dark valley.

So back to the flight. I started thinking about all the 'storm stories' throughout Scripture. Each one, a revelation of God's mightiness... Jonah swallowed up by a whale, after a storm directs the ship mates to toss him overboard. Noah on a massive ark filled with 2 of every kind of animal, in a storm for 40 days and nights. Peter walking on the water toward Jesus in extreme wind conditions. The disciples watching Jesus calm a raging storm with the words 'Be still.'

They were in the midst of a storm seeing proof of a Mighty God.

How about you? Are you in a stormy season weary from the winds and waves, wondering how long the rain will fall and the winds will blow? Maybe you finally took a step of faith like Peter, walking confidently toward Jesus and you began to fix your eyes on the windy circumstances around you. Suddenly you are sinking. Maybe you, like Jonah, are running from God and He is using a storm to get your full attention. Or maybe the storm you are in is just a lesson in faith - that just as those circumstances are tossing you to and fro, God is saying 'Be still and know that I am God.' (Psalm 46:10). Whatever your situation, know this: God is Mighty. His hand is Mighty. His voice is Mighty. His plans are Mighty. So look for God's Mightiness in your storm. He has great plans for you friend.

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' - Jeremiah 29:11

Tuesday's Tool... A Change of Plans for August

2011-08-02T16:51:00.000-05:00

For the month of August, I will not be posting the Tuesday Tool. My apologies for inconviencing anyone. I will be posting regular blog posts however. And I can't wait to share with you what God has been teaching me!

Tuesday's Tool - Found Guilty

2011-07-26T16:46:00.000-05:00

So this week we are wrapping up part of the Finishing Faithful series by Dr. Johnny Hunt. I want to address the issue of "What do I do if I'm found guilty of adultery in my marriage?" Here are the tools from Dr. Hunt...

1. "Honest dialogue builds great strength"... being openly honest is key
2. "A good marriage is worth any amount of work you need to invest in it"...
3. "Shed the third party"...get him/her out of the picture and completely end that relationship.
4. Apology: this "is a friendship-preserver, an antidote for hatred-never a sign of weakness. It costs nothing but one's pride, always saves more than it costs, and is a device needed in every home."

I pray that these Dr. Hunt Fininshing Faithful tools have made your marriage stronger and provided necessary boundaries and safeguards. Your marriage is worth guarding and protecting, even if it's in a 'bad place.' If you need prayer for your marriage please leave me a comment or an email.

Hands that are full of good things!

2011-07-25T19:23:00.000-05:00

My friend Kelley sent this blog to me this evening. I was encouraged and convicted and then encouraged a little more... and so I have to share it with you! Before you click on the link, I just have to say that many times during my week people comment on my large number of children. They say things like:
"Bless your heart"
"You have your hands full"
"Just wait 'till they grow up"
"You think it's hard now, wait 'till their teenagers"
"You want mine (kids) too?"
I'm sure you can relate! And I'm sure you've heard your share of comments too! While I know that these are well meaning people who are merely stating their own parental experiences, this is one of those topics that really just gets under my skin! I think it's an 8th wonder of the world that someone would see a frazzled mother and say some of these things (and I normally look frazzled with spit up on my shoulder, smeared mascara from the Texas heat making me sweat profusely, and a grocery list paper clipped to a stack of coupons that Eli is eating). All that to say, here is the link!
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-a-calling-and-where-your-children-rank

Tuesday's Tool - Adultery Proofing our Marriages

2011-07-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Today we are going to look at what we can do to fight the temptation of adultery and build safeguards into our marriage. Just to remind you, this information came from a men's retreat that Bryan attended before we were married. The conference was called Finishing Faithful and was led by Dr. Johnny Hunt, the pastor of First Baptist Woodstock in Georgia.

The first step to fighting temptation in marriage...building your marriage relationship. 1.Dialogue with your wife (spouse) daily - like when you were dating! 2. Date weekly. 3. And depart monthly, or quarterly. I'm going to add a challenge to all you wonderful wives out there - be your husbands best friend. Do you remember when you were dating and everything you did together was fun? Continue in that attitude of light heartedness! Have a water gun fight with him in the back yard, do something that you know he loves to do and be excited about it! I will also add this - throw out the bedroom excuses. I will keep this G-rated and stop here, but you know what I mean by this!

Next step... walk with God. The closer we are to Jesus, the more repulsed we are toward sin.

Step three... count the cost. Adultery in marriage has incredibly damaging ripple effects. Multiple people are hurt (spouse, children, extended family), your integrity is now a thing of the past, your Christian testimony is marred, trust takes years to build back, and the list goes on and on....

Next week we will address the subject of "what if found guilty?" I am so grateful for the wisdom Dr. Hunt passed on into our marriage through this conference. My prayer is that this blesses your marriage as much as it has blessed mine!

Tuesday's Tool - The 12 Steps Affair Process

2011-07-12T09:05:00.003-05:00

Yes. You heard me right. Today I want to share a tool with you that God taught Bryan and I early on in our marriage. Let me explain.
We had only been married maybe a year or so and we were on our way to the lake for a weekend getaway with some friends. We popped a cassette tape (remember those?) into the tape deck. The tape series was by Dr. Johnny Hunt called 'Finishing Faithful' and Bryan really wanted to listen to them. As we listened to the messages, Dr. Hunt began to discuss how to lead your marriage into a divorce. He was teaching on how to divorce proof your marriage by making aware the steps that we often fall into without even noticing the slow fade. As we listened on, we were both heavily convicted - we were both at stage three and had no idea that we were only nine steps away from ending our brand new marriage.
That's what I want to share with you today. Here they are...
1. Readiness - being ripe for an affair. All the circumstances have made you ripe for the picking. 2 Samuel 11:1-2, 1 Kings 15:5
2. Alertness - A growing awareness of a particular person (1.thinking, 2.fantasizing, 3.dreaming)
3. Innocent Meeting - This is the stage where some flirtation can develop.
4. Intentional Meeting - At this point, the person enters a real danger zone.
5. Public Lingering - There is a growing interest in each other
6. Private Lingering - There is now a growing excitement in being together alone.
7. Purposeful Isolating - They plan time alone for "legitimate" purposes. At home there is a decrease in verbal and noverbal communication. The spouse spends all their time at work. If a man would rather work than be at home, there is something wrong.
8. Pleasurable Isolation - Relationship takes on a youthful aroma. We don't need friends of the opposite sex!
9. Affectionate Embracing - Secret longings for each other become intense. Increased physical contact with the person, decreased physical contact with the spouse.
10. Passionate Embracing - Rationalization... It is OK to them because their spouse no longer makes them feel this way. This is never ever an adequate excuse for sin.
11. Capitulation - They give in to sexual intercourse.
12. Acceptance - Mutual choice; the spouse is almost always aware by this time.

Pretty scary isn't it? The road to sin is a slow fade. The following two Tuesdays we will address what we can do to fight the temptation and what we can do if found guilty!

"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." James 1:13-15

Turning 1!

2011-07-07T12:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to you.....

First bite of cake...

Going back for seconds...

No thirds. Icing on the fingers caused some anxiety.
At that point, cupcake time was over.

So Daddy rescued him from his high chair and gave him some cake with ice cream!
Nothing like Daddy's arms. They make everything better :)

Out of all four of our kids first birthdays, Eli had the most fun opening presents!
He's just like his Daddy!

Boy + Ball = Contentment!

Bad Spot, Good God

2011-06-27T10:53:00.000-05:00

Continually throughout Scripture we see our favorite Bible heroes getting into a bad spot. There are the folks who find themselves in a bad spot because of their faith. Like Daniel. He ends up spending a night with some hungry lions, but survives because of God's amazing goodness. And then there is Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were put into a furnace - one that was so hot that even the guards who were in charge of making sure the prisoners were incinerated, burned up as well. And standing in the midst of the fire (literally), we actually see Jesus in the furnace with them. Oh and what about Job. He went through some seriously bad, bad spots! Why? Because God allowed the devil to sift Job. Sometimes our bad spots come from our own bad decisions. Like the woman at the well. She had been married and divorced 4 times, and her current man (number 5) wasn't even a husband. And in the midst of her bad spot, we see a picture of God's goodness. Jesus offers His healing grace to her spiritually dead heart. The Bible lists tons of examples of people in bad spots. And hands down, every time, we see God's goodness reaching out.

Child of God, have you ever found yourself in a bad spot? I'm guessing your answer is yes. We all have. Bad spots are inevitable. They come because we live in a fallen, sinful world. Sometimes bad spots are the result of persecution. Sometimes from God allowing us to be tested. Sometimes because we make dumb choices. If you answered 'Yes' to the bad spot question, I have great news for you! We serve a good God and He is right there with you in the midst of your bad spot. Your circumstances won't derail God. He is still in complete control, sitting unmoved on the throne! He is 100% aware of your struggles, persecutions and trials. In fact, we know that everything He allows is for our good (Psalm 84:11) God is a God of grace, mercy, healing, love. He is all powerful, all knowing. He is intricately involved with every detail of your life (He even knows the number of hairs on your head!) And the amazing thing is that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Friends, let me share with you that I am in a bad spot right now. I am broken. My bad spot is the result of God testing my faith. And this morning as I prayed about my bad spot, God reminded me of His Truth: He is right here with me. Do you hear what I'm saying? God, Creator of the universe, Author of salvation, Perfecter of faith, Giver of Eternal Life, Calmer of Storms is right here with me... and you! Hebrews 13:5 says "...Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."

If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then let me tell you friend that regardless of your circumstances, you are in a bad spot. You are living in a life of sin - but you don't have too. In fact, God offers a free gift of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life to everyone who asks and believes. On the left hand column of this blog are the steps you need to know to be forgiven of your sins and receive Jesus as YOUR Lord and Saviour! Scroll down to find "How To Be Saved".

I

Praying For Rain

2011-06-22T09:03:00.000-05:00

Texas has been in an extreme drought and it has not rained a drop over the last 2 months. Our poor grass is dying and my flowers are incredibly puny! Along with the weather, the Lord has been taking us through a spiritual drought. You know what I'm talking about here.... those times when we pray and seek, pray and seek, pray and seek and God remains silent. No rain, no answers. And we have needed both desperately.
Philippians 4:6-7 says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Now I need to point out that my 3 oldest children have been praying continually for rain, all the while watching out the window to see if God has made the rain come. I have enjoyed watching their little faces as they enter into prayer, eyes scrunched closed, talking to Jesus. My children have faith. In fact I am challenged in my own faith by their faith. They ask and then wait expectantly for God to answer.

And in fact, God did answer their prayers. It started 2 days ago with a small sprinkle in our backyard. Yesterday, it rained on our drive home from the grocery store. This morning it has been gently raining and raining, rolling thunder as the backdrop to the prayer answered. And each time my kids have leapt for joy at what God has done! James 5:17 says "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. " Verse 16 says "The effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much."

I have had to seriously reevaluate the amount of faith that I have in God. Along with all this praying, I have been studying Genesis 22 - the story of God's test for Abraham. Wow did Abraham have some faith! My little faith is really wrapped in the fact that I don't see God as a big God. I don't view him like my children see Him - capable of anything and everything, anytime. In my head I know He is able to do anything, but my heart struggles to believe what my head knows. And I know that my precious Father is allowing me to grow in this area! Praise God that He is always at work on me, chiseling away those rough edges around my heart and mind, making me more like Jesus...

Tuesday's Tool - NRT

2011-06-20T16:58:00.001-05:00

Our summer has been really busy and so I apologize for not getting a tool out there over the last few Tuesdays!

The tool for the day is NRT - next right thing. Many times in my life I have found myself in the midst of a difficult, faith stretching trial. And during those tough days when my mind is fighting the urge to crumble underneath the pressure of the trial, this tool helps me plow through my daily routine without getting overwhelmed with everything that has to be accomplished - like washing a dish, folding a shirt, teaching my kids, running an errand, hugging my husband. It seems so difficult to complete simple daily tasks when the refiners fire is hot and our minds are weary and worn from the trial. Doing the next right thing infront of me helps me survive those tough days.

I survived on this tool after I had Eli. My doctor had diagnosed me with good ol' post partum depression and I was fighting to stay afloat most days. If all I had to focus on was the next right thing, I wasn't too overwhelmed with the day.

Are you in a trial right now? If so, just focus on that one thing that needs to get done next. Is it a load of laundry, a hug for your child, putting chicken in the oven, reading a bedtime story? Trials are seasonal and seasons don't last forever, so it's OK if your house isn't in tiptop shape or the pile of paperwork at the office is a mile high. Eventually it will all get done.

Beach Fun!

2011-06-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

Ohhhh the beach! One of my favorite places to go! The salty air, the crashing waves, the sound of seagulls... and the seaweed. (cue the sound of the record stopping abruptly) Wait the seaweed?!?!! This past weekend we decided to spend a little time at a nearby beach. We weren't sure what they would look like considering the hurricane damage from a few years ago. And with the exception of large amounts of seaweed littering the beaches (and I mean mountains of seaweed), it wasn't too bad! Here are some pics...

This pic cracks me up! Both girls making unprompted silly poses!

My amazing hubby!!

These were pelicans flying over the water. We saw hundreds of these beautiful birds.

At one point, Ellie looked up and said "Mommy, look at the eagles!"

We didn't really go in the water, although it was very warm. And even standing in the surf, the seaweed would wrap around our ankles - a very creepy feeling!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

                                      If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
                                                    When I awake, I am still with You.
                                                             Psalm 139: 17-18

New Friends...

2011-06-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

When we left NC, we were really sad to leave some precious families that had treated us like family and made us feel at home even when we were miles away from our families. It was a tough time for us. We mourned the loss of so many amazing people (and sometimes still do). So this week a family from our church invited us over to spend the day with them. I can't tell you in words how much it blessed me, my husband and our kids to have the opportunity to get to know this family. They are amazing! They poured out so much love on (all of us) but especially our children! Thank you Mr. Peter, Mrs. Cathy, Ashley and Allison for your hospitality! We love you!

Mr. Peter and Eli

Mrs. Cathy, the kids and Audi (the dog)

Mr. Peter and Mrs. Cathy bought a swimming pool for the kids to play in...
Here is the kids with Ashley and Allison!

Family fun!

2011-06-02T11:28:00.000-05:00

The past 2 weeks have been exciting for our family! We received a really cool swingset as a gift from my sister and brother-in-law (thanks guys!!!). We had been praying about possibly getting a swingset, but felt like it wasn't the best time to purchase one. Then we got a call from my sister who wanted to give us their swingset! What a blessing! Here are some pics...

Bryan was assembling the swingset and Ellie was patiently waiting!

Sweet Ellie

Hugs while waiting for Daddy to finish.

Sarah enjoying the slide!

A few days ago, our youngest son started crawling... woohoo we weren't sure if he would ever hit that milestone considering he gets carried everywhere by his brother and sisters!

10 months old!

Recently we competed in a church scavenger hunt. We had to visit and take pictures at 25 different locations around our city. We had 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the hunt and we won by one stop! Here are some of our most "memorable" moments. We had to take a picture...

...helping a stranger load their groceries into their car.

...inside a playhouse.

...with a public official.

...in a tree.

...drinking from the same cup.

...spelling out a word. Do you see what it is?

...sitting at a table with some random people eating dinner.

The first and second place winners!

This morning we watched our oldest son bless his little sister by pushing her on the swing. She was having so much fun and he was enjoying 'serving' his sister. It was a great moment for us to see in our children!

And last, a few days ago we caught our son making statues out of his bacon and grits! It was pretty funny!

Tuesday's Tool - What Love is Not

2011-05-24T14:15:00.001-05:00

I am going to personalize today's blog as I cover the rest of the 'what love is nots'. God is taking me through a tough love situation with a friend right now where He is stretching me to show love beyond my own strength. And it is incredibly convicting to look at these 'is nots' and recognize the lack of love that I am actually showing my friend. To me the 'is nots' are like a thermometer or a measuring stick. I can easily show kindness and patience, but I have to really examine my own heart and see if I am doing some of these things that Paul describes as the opposite of love. So let's highlight what love is not. (I've covered the first 2 in previous blogs so I will pick up with the third 'is not'.) Love does/is not: note: I am adding in the words of different translations of the Bible.

conceited/arrogant/proud
act improperly/rude
selfish/self seeking
provoked/quick tempered
keep a record of wrongs/take into account a wrong suffered

Whew! Incredibly convicting!! I could spend all day studying each word, but they are what they are! We've all been treated this way by people and we've all treated someone this way. Nobody can love perfectly but Jesus. And so my prayer is that as we continue on loving others with the love of God, be it total strangers or our closest family members, that we would live out Phillipians 2:3 -"Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves." And that we would look to the perfect example that Jesus set for us. He was patient, kind, humble, a servant, just, honest, always reaching out to others, selfless, sacrificial. And these are just a few ways He shows us love!

Tuesday's Tool - Truth Proof

2011-05-16T21:37:00.000-05:00

Recently we had an exterminator check our home for pests - specifically termites. After a thorough search, we learned that we were proud owners of some termite nests! A few weeks later, the exterminator paid another visit to our house. But this time he was armed with a shovel and some bug killer. Over the next two hours, he diligently dug a small trench around the perimeter of our home, put in pesticides, and then filled the trench back up. Afterwards, he assured me that our home was officially bug proofed...for the next year atleast!

I started thinking about what we proof our lives against. We disease proof our bodies by eating good nutrition, taking vitamins and exercising. We baby proof our homes by putting in baby gates and outlet covers. But what about the importance of Truth proofing our minds and hearts. I can't tell you the number of times my lack of knowing God's Truth has hindered me from handling a situation the way He would want me to handle it. Jeremiah 17:9 says, ""The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" And then there are those times when I do know what His Word says, and in obedience and trust I follow God. By His grace, I am able to successfully navigate difficult situations because God's Word always leads us in the right direction.

So how do we Truth proof our hearts and minds?
1. Scripture memory is vital. Psalm 119:11 says, "Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." Learning what the Bible says and 'taking it to heart' is the beginning of Truth Proofing our hearts. The more Bible we get into our hearts, the more Truth we know to steer us away from sin and give us direction. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Hiding God's Word in our hearts puts a guard around our hearts.
2. Taking our thoughts captive is key. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." In 2 Corinthians, Paul discusses taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. By not allowing our minds to "go to those dark places" (and this is especially difficult when we are hormonal!!!) and keeping our thoughts focused on the things of God, we are Truth proofing our minds!

So that's the tool for the week! Find a few Bible verses and Truth Proof away!!!

Breaking Away From 'Love' For the Week....

2011-05-11T10:32:00.000-05:00

Ever since we've had Eli (10 months ago), we have all been adjusting to the demands of the baby. The kids have done well, but the fact is, my time has seemed to get shorter and the laundry has gotten larger. Many days they beg me to play with them and because of pure exhaustion, home school, housework, more housework and the caring of a baby, my time with them is very spread thin. So I have been making great attempts to sit down and play with my precious children, even if the housework gets neglected or the dinner is nothing more than PB&J's. And that's why there is no tool on love this week. Instead of preparing to write the blog, I sat down and learned how to play chess with my oldest daughter (really fun by the way!). Here are some pics of the kids from Easter that I've been meaning to post...

Before the egg hunt...

Ellie having a blast hunting!

Andrew's 1st bucket...

Andrew's 2nd "bucket"

Ellie is soooo happy with her finds!

Sarah is grabbing the last few eggs. No competitive nature in her at all....

Eli was 'done' when we got to the egg hunt. He was ready to go home and take a nap!

A content baby on Daddy's shoulders!

Bailey, Andrew and Ellie

Tuesday's Tool - The Is Nots and Does Nots of Love...Jealousy

2011-05-03T09:34:00.001-05:00

     Today we will begin looking at what love is not. The description of what love is not is sandwiched in between what love is...(yes I did just end in a preposition for all you English majors). So why would Paul write what love is not in his next 8 descriptions of agape love? Just as we look at synonyms and antonyms when we are trying to get a bigger picture of the definition of a word, Paul is giving the antonyms of love to give us a rounded idea.
     I want you to notice one thing about the next 8 descriptions of love - they can all be traced to selfishness and pride in our hearts.
     The first 'is not'... jealous. Love is not jealous. Other versions use the word envious. Covet is another word that comes to mind. What are we desiring in others that we don't have? Is it your friend's nice home? Your brother's new car? A co-workers job status? I'm being really surface here. How about when someone else's child receives an award that yours doesn't receive? Or when your husband dedicates his time to a ball game, but not to a date? Am I stepping on toes here? Mine sure are hurting! The bottom line is that our envy and jealousy reflects our lack of contentment with God. It's the "grass must be greener on the other side" syndrome. And if we fan the flames of that fire, our coveting behavior blocks our ability to show love to others. It builds a big wall that we can't get over. So how do we get past it? By admitting and confessing to God that we aren't content with where He has us in our life. Psalm 84:11 says "No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Friends, this is the truth that we put in place of that confessed jealousy. When we put this verse into action, we are resting in the knowing that if something was good for us, God would give it to us. And if it isn't in our lives, then it isn't what's best for us.
     So this week, let's ask God to reveal areas of jealousy. Once you see it, confess it and trust that God gives you only what is best for YOU! Then walk forward with the freedom to love your neighbor, all the while rejoicing with her over that blessing that God is giving her!

Tuesday's Tool - Love Is Kind

2011-04-25T21:49:00.000-05:00

As we continue in our word study of 1 Corinthians 13, we see the description of love as kind. The word kind means sympathetic, gentle and compassionate (Webster's New Dictionary). And when we look at the gospels, we see Jesus many times showing love through kind, gentle ways. He heals the sick, the lame, the blind. Feeds the hungry. Gently calls little children to sit in his lap. He continually shows people love through His kindness toward them.

My best friend Sarah is one of the most kind people that I know. She does an excellent job at showing her husband and children love through a kind, gentle and compassionate spirit. Everytime I hear her speak to her children - even when she is disciplining them - kindness resonates through her voice. My mother-in-law, Johanna, is the same. My kids know Grandma as a kind, gentle, loving woman. Why? Because she tailor makes her time with them so that they feel special and loved. She snuggles with them, cooks their favorite meals, and gives them her complete attention.

So what about you? I admit that as a mom of four, I don't show kindness as frequently as I should! My kindness tank runs out pretty quickly if I'm not focused on Christ. Suddenly I find myself responding to my family with harsh words. I have to back up and reevaluate my heart condition, asking God to help me love with kindness and not a mean spirit!

So precious friends, let's purpose in our minds and hearts to love the people around us with a kind, gentle spirit. Pray that God will open doors for you to shine His light through the kindness that you show the people closest to you and the total stranger standing next to you in the grocery store line!

Happy Resurrection Day!

2011-04-24T21:51:00.004-05:00

This past week a friend of mine gave my family those neat Resurrection Eggs that tell the story of Jesus. So on Good Friday I sat down with my kids and told them the story leading up to the death of Jesus, cracking open 11 of the 12 eggs. My 2 older children were tuned into the story and very curious about the contents of each egg, but my 3 year old was distracted with some toys sitting nearby. And then I came to the very last egg. I told the kids that what was inside the last egg was the EXACT thing that was in the tomb on the third day. All three kids quickly gave me their full attention and it was very quiet in the room. I continued to stress how the contents of this very last egg was exactly what was in that tomb. My 8 year old was almost yelling for me to open it - she couldn't wait to see what was inside!

Then I opened it.

And it was empty.

Sarah said "There's nothing inside Mommy." "Yes I know," I said. "And that's what was inside the tomb on the third day - nothing. It was empty!"

They thought it was pretty cool that the egg held only the surprise of the same emptiness that the tomb held! I can't imagine the surprise of the women at the tomb, the disciples, or the 500 people that Jesus revealed himself too! He had risen!
So today I praise God for a risen Saviour and Lord and a very empty tomb! That emptiness represents a deal sealed on our sin debt being paid once and for all.

The Purpose of the Cross

2011-04-22T10:16:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday my husband built a 16 foot long, 8 foot wide cross for our church Easter program. So I left the house Saturday morning before he started building it, and when I got home a couple hours later, it was completed. It had to be big enough for a man to be put up on it. And it was massive. It extended from the front of Bryan's truck to about 3 feet off the back of his truck bed. I drove up into our driveway and was captivated by the size of it. And then I asked him how he got it up onto his truck without help. "It was a major undertaking" he told me.

We stood there thinking about the cross that Jesus carried... for us. Imagine: Jesus had been beaten with a cat of nine tails, a whip with pieces of glass and metal shards tied to the ends. His body was literally missing flesh. A crown of thorns was mashed into his scalp and a robe was placed on his bleeding body. Then began the walk down the Via Dolorosa carrying his massive cross. The weight of the heavy wood bearing down on his bleeding back. Splinters adding insult to injury. The side of the cross hammering the crown of thorns even deeper into his head. People spitting on Him. Jesus, so exhausted, is unable to carry the load. So a man is pulled from the crowd to help carry the cross...

Precious Jesus, God in the flesh. At any moment he could have said "no more." But He didn't. He continued up the hill and let the soldiers nail him to the cross. Soldiers gambling for his garments. The crowd below yelling "crucify him" and a wooden sign above him (that stated KING OF THE JEWS), mocking him.

Jesus said in John 10:17“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18“No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Jesus, a perfect man, never knowing sin until our sin was placed on Him on the cross, made the choice to lay down His life for us 2,000 years ago. He chose to take our sin ... and pay the debt payment by His death. No one took it from Him. Not Herod, not Pilate, not the religious leaders, not the soldiers who crucified Him, and not us - the world. He gave His life up willingly so that we could have freedom from our sin.

So precious friends, Jesus died for you! Have you recognized that you are a sinner? If you know you are a sinner, then you are accountable for your sin. But here's the thing - your sin debt is too great for you to ever repay the price. And ultimately you (and me) derserve eternal death (yes I mean Hell) for our sin. BUT the good news is that Jesus HAS PAID YOUR DEBT! And all you have to do is ask for forgiveness of your sin and tell Him that you want Him to be Lord of your life. It's that simple. The Bible says that if you "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved" (1 John 1:9).

He loves you and me with dying love.

Growing in Godliness

2011-04-20T19:04:00.000-05:00

My precious and very inspired-by-God sister in Christ has recently written a Bible study called Knowing God Through His Names. Check out her blog site www.growingodliness.com/.

Tuesday's Tool - Love is Patient

2011-04-19T09:05:00.000-05:00

"Love is... patient..." (1 Corinthians 13). Oh patience. None of us really like this word because we know that to grow in this area requires us to be stretched more than we'd like! How many times I've been warned not to pray for patience because "God will take you up on this request and teach it to you"!! As I have been looking at my own heart to see if there is any patience in me, I have realized one thing.
A lack of patience is rooted in our expectations of people.

My oldest son gets so frustrated and impatient with his little sister when they play a game together. He expects her to play like a 5 year old. But she can't ever meet that expectation because she is three. This morning I heard her say (as he impatiently placed an expectation on her to rise above her three year old self), "I can't do that Andrew, I'm only three."

As wives, we get frustrated with our husbands because they don't do what we expect them to do. Fill in the blank here: It drives me crazy when my husband does/doesn't do _______! Why does it drive us crazy? Because we expect something different than what they are doing.

Think about the last time you were impatient with someone you love. What expectations or personal agenda did you bring to the table? When we strip away all our expectations and agendas, what is left is the freedom to love someone without getting frustrated. It is freedom to us and to the person we are loving!

I love how God inspired Paul to write patience as the first descriptive word for love. God knows that this is such a big hurdle for us. And the way over it requires that we remove our expectations. Once those are gone, we have a clear path to express patient love.

So the next time you find yourself getting impatient with someone, do a heart check. Ask yourself, "What am I expecting from this person right now?" Then push that expectation away and love that person with patient love!

Tuesday's Tool - Love Is....

2011-04-12T13:37:00.004-05:00

Over the next few weeks I have decided to dedicate Tuesday's Tool to exploring love. And what better verse to get a rounded and complete description of love than 1 Corinthians 13! Here is the passage...

4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (NASB)

So this week I want to look at the word Love. In this passage the word love is the greek word agape. "Agape means to choose to seek the best for others. This is a love based in the mind. We can chose to show agape love by actively thinking about, and deciding how we act toward other people. Agape is the word used when the Bible talks about Christian love for one another. Agape love is talking about our behavior towards others, not our feelings." (www.evangelical.us/love.html) These verses in Corinthians are describing a selfless, purposeful outreach of love toward others that begins in our minds.

Let's look at God's example of love first. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved (agaped) the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

When God gave Jesus to this sinful world, He had our best in mind. And when Jesus lived a perfect life, then got on the cross, taking on our sin and ultimately dying, He had our best in mind. Our Father agapes us so much that He wants us to have a relationship with Him. And He provided a way for that to be possible through the price that Jesus paid for our sin.

So how do we apply this? How do we agape others? We will explore, over the weeks to come, God's amazing description of love - and my hope is that as we learn the characteristics of love, it will deepen our understanding of not only the love God has for us, but also the love we can give to others.

Sunday School Party...

2011-04-11T15:43:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday we had the great oppotunity to have our Sunday School class over to our home for some food and fellowship! Here are some of the pics...

Here are the guys playing a fierce game of badmitton...

Sarah was the halftime show for the games! You'll have to see the result of all her halftime fun... (the last pic)

Great friends, great fellowship!

Such a beautiful combat girl!

(above) There were a few objections to me taking this picture!!!

As a fun bedtime routine, we tuck our kids in with a "snug as a bug in a rug!" Usually within seconds they wrestle out of their "cocoons" and give us big hugs and kisses! But after the party, our sweet girl (worn out from the fun) decided to stay nice and warm in her bug in a rug!

Tuesday's Tool - Praying Scripture

2011-04-05T16:20:00.001-05:00

Many of us have prayed scripture at some point in our lives as Christians. There is nothing more powerful to pray than God's own Words. When we pray God's Words (aka scripture from the Bible), we are asking Him according to His will. 1 john 5:14-15 says, "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."

Here are just a few verses we can cry out to God when we are interceeding in prayer for others....

Phillipians 4:6-7             Psalm 1:1-3                       Proverbs 20:7
Romans 15:13               Galatians 6:9                      Proverbs 18:15
Psalm 119:9-11             Ephesians 1:16-19             Proverbs 31

Like I said ...just a few! So lets ask the Author of the Bible according to His will and walk in the confidence that He hears us!!

Tuesday's Tool - God's Intention for Eve...and Us

2011-03-29T12:30:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 31:12 says, "She does him good and not evil All the days of her life." This verse is referring to a wife/husband relationship. As wives, what are our intentions toward our husbands? We either have an agenda to do good or to do evil. So let's look at the first woman God ever created... Eve. When God created Eve, He created her from Adam's rib. She was created for Adam's good: to give him fellowship and companionship and to be a help meet (which literally means "a help answering to him." -(Wycliffe Bible Commentary)) She would share his responsibilities in the Garden, respond to his nature with love and understanding AND co-operate with him in living and working out God's plan. (WBC) In other words, she completed him! Adam could now experience the joy of a family relationship.

BUT we all know how this story ends up. Sadly Eve gets "knowledge greed" and decides that the best thing is to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Bummer. Then, not only does she blow it, but then she tempts her husband (does him evil) and the result is catastrophic... sin now has entered the world.

Oh I'm so glad I'm not like Eve ... but wait ... I am! I started thinking about my intentions toward my husband. Do I do good and not evil ALL the days of my life toward my husband? Do I speak words of life to him, words of encouragement? Do I serve him, find ways to help him and take a load off of him? Do I meet his love language? Or do I slander my husband infront of people OR behind the scenes? Do I focus on my own selfish desires instead of his? Do I pursue my own agenda instead of supporting his? Do I tempt him with gossip and plant seeds of bitterness in his heart? Do I gripe at him when he makes a decision? Evil may seem like a strong word, but simply put, it's the opposite of good. And that's your measuring stick - if you are not doing going toward your husband, then you are doing evil. Period.

Let's purpose in our hearts to be a Proverbs 31 woman. Let's purpose to do good and not evil to our precious husbands whom God has allowed us to come alongside them and be a help meet. Will we blow it? Yes. If Eve did, we surely will. But we get up and press on in the grace of God...

Tongue Dung

2011-03-26T14:37:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had tongue dung before? You know what I'm talking about... You know, that conversation where half way through you realize that you need to shut up, but you fear that the damage is already done? That's what I call "tongue dung". Well this past week I was meeting with a sister in Christ, having some coffee, talking about life and Truth. In the midst of one of our conversations, I realized that I had a little tongue dung in my mouth. Immediately my mind started racing. Have I just offended my precious sister? Have I hurt her, made her feel angry, lost her trust? Our conversation moved on, but I feared that I had done some damage with my words.

Later that night I mulled over the conversation. The more I thought about what I had said, the worse I felt. (I wasn't taking my thoughts captive!) I prayed that God would forgive me and help me next time to really consider my words before they ever leave my mouth. Eventually I fell asleep, but with a plan to get in touch with my friend as soon as possible, the next day.

The next morning I woke up and left my friend a message on her phone. And then I waited. As the day went on, I had to practice resting in the truth that God is in control. All the while, my Father was hitting home the lessons: Be slow to speak, quick to listen... He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity... A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. My heart was humbled and broken.

That night I got in touch with my friend. I apologized for my blunder and asked for her to forgive me. Then I asked if I had offended her. "No" she said. "I haven't even thought twice about that." She explained that the reason she never returned my call was because she had left her phone at home.
I immediately knew that that was no mistake. God used that "suspense" to teach me the hard lesson: we are accountable for our words. James 3 talks about how the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it can do a forest fire worth of damage.

Now, after being greatly humbled and disciplined by my Heavenly Father, I am camping out on Psalm 19:14: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. This is the mouthwash that keeps tongue dung away!!!

Pictures Worth a Thousand Words....

2011-03-25T21:28:00.002-05:00

What do you think Eli was thinking? Post your thoughts in the comment section below...

...Baptism...

2011-03-20T17:03:00.004-05:00

Today we had the amazing priviledge of seeing Sarah follow through with baptism! She was so excited this morning and "couldn't wait" to get in the water! Bryan baptized her, (which was the very first baptism that he had performed-what a treat for him!) and so understandably he was concerned about being "emotional" about the baptism. So when it was time for Sarah to get in the water, she dove in!!! And although our church couldn't see Sarah swimming to Bryan, we could - and we were laughing! God is so awesome! That whole "diving in" experience got Bryan laughing and he was really able to share Sarah's testimony and follow through with the baptism without getting too choked up!! Sarah was so precious! I will always have the memory of her swimming to Bryan and then standing on the stool staring out into the congregation with that big beautiful smile on her face! Praise God for His amazing grace ways!

Here is Sarah and Katelyn (a new friend) before getting baptized!

(Above) Pastor Ken baptized Katelyn first. Then Sarah went into the water to meet Daddy!

(Below) After Sarah's swim!! ... Pastor Ken is introducing Bryan and Sarah...

I love this picture of Sarah!

Bryan is sharing Sarah's salvation story!

Getting ready to baptize her....

Celebrating the symbolism of Sarah's sin being washed away!!!

Praise God for His infinite blessings!!!

We Rejoice!!!!

2011-03-15T22:14:00.003-05:00

Today I gained a sister in Christ! My sweet eight year old, Sarah, recognized that she was a sinner and that she needed the forgiveness of Jesus! So we sat in the kitchen and she prayed and asked God into her heart and life!!! WooooHooooooOOOoo! We are rejoicing!!!!! She was so excited about the fact that she was no longer carrying her sin and that her heart was washed clean!

Later I shared with her that now she has the eyes of Jesus; that she is no longer dead, but ALIVE! I shared that when she looks at Scripture, it will be different than it was before today! So we got her devotional book out and looked up the March 15th devotion. The verse was Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord Your God is with you ... he will rejoice over you with singing" !!! We praised God that He had given her such an awesome verse on the first day of her new life with Jesus! Then Sarah looked at me and said "I think God is talking to me Mom".

Praise God! There are really no words to describe the joy in my heart right now! One day I will stand before my Father in Heaven and I will worship Him with Sarah right next to me. Awesome.

We celebrated tonight with a cake - here are some pictures of my new sister in Christ...

Tuesday's Tool - Respecting our Husbands

2011-03-15T11:10:00.003-05:00

Recently I was going through some notes that I took when I was in my mentor's (Louise Thornton) Bible study a few years ago. I came across a sentence that I wrote down that I had completely forgotten about! She was discussing honoring husbands and she said "You don't have to respect the man, just the position of the man." Wow. I thought about that for a while. So many times we get hung up on the question of "how do I respect my husband?" And ladies, respecting the position is how we do just that.

She then passed on some helpful tips that I want to share with you all. Concerning respecting our husbands, she counseled to:
1. Speak words of life only
2. Then shut up!!!
3. Say it to him only 1 time (this is in reference to giving our opinions, giving him information, sharing a conflict etc...)
4. Stop calling him at work
5. The #1 boundary to raising kids is respecting our husbands

Philippians 1:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always. Let your gentleness be evident to all."
We responed to God first by rejoicing in the Lord ALWAYS. Then we respond to the circumstances by letting our gentleness be evident to all. It's so much easier to have gentleness when we respond to God first!

I'm in the trenches with you all on this! The curse God put on Eve made it a challenge to our fleshly nature to honor our husbands. (The curse was that she would desire the position of the man). So let's respond to God first, then to our husbands, children, friends, co-workers.... in gentleness!

Fun at the Children's Museum...

2011-03-10T13:33:00.000-06:00

Recently we had the fun opportunity to spend a weekend with the Von Canon family - some friends of ours from North Carolina. We spent that Saturday at the Children's Museum in Houston and had so much fun! Here are some pics...

Ellie, Morgan, Sarah, Maggie and Andrew at Kidopolis... Here they were able to get jobs, earn money (play money of course), go shopping etc... It was so much fun!!!

Sarah, Andrew and Ellie playing 3-D Twister!

The kids had to build a bridge using only a piece of paper and 5 paper clips. The bridge that could hold the most washers won! And guess what?!?! Maggie won the competition!

We had such a fun time with our sweet friends! And we hope they come back soon!! (wink)

Tuesday's Tool - Discipline

2011-02-08T20:12:00.000-06:00

Today my kids lost the privilege of ... each other. For the last few days they have argued and bickered incessantly. And so today (thanks to the Holy Spirit for the idea) my kids lost the privilege of being able to enjoy each others company. Let me clarify the rules here: no hugging, no talking to each other, no playing together, zero interaction with each other. And it was painful.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. (Hebrews 12:11a)

Sarah and Ellie cried alot. Andrew went to his room to be alone. Eventually I found myself standing in the kitchen hugging 2 little girls brokenhearted over the fact that they couldn't hug each other.

...Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Heb 12:11b

Shortly after, Ellie (3) asked me if they could pray to God. Sarah seconded that immediately. So we let them pray together, but the consequence still stood. Andrew cleaned the bathrooms, made my bed, swept the garage and then... wait for it... made his sisters' beds. Within 30 minutes, I had helpers in the kitchen cooking dinner and all 3 kids had changed their attitudes from grumbling to gratitude.
Tough love. That is the Tuesday Tool for today. As parents, how many of us have avoided the proper discipline, training, consequences and correction? I have. Most of us have - be it fear or laziness or just not having any idea of how to handle the situation our kids present to us. But "dropping the parental ball" occasionally is no excuse to continually give in to our childrens' sin. We have to take the bull by the horns, get off our rear ends and seek God for wisdom on how to handle these precious children He has entrusted to us! You know, God doesn't hold back His discipline on us The Bible says that He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). And "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. (Job 5:17-18)

I recently watched a show where a 5 year old girl was allowed to run the house. Both parents admitted that they "let her do whatever she wants." Within a few minutes I turned the program off. Why? Because the girl was so out of control that I started getting stressed out watching her act so poorly.

So let's discipline our kids. And if you have no idea how to do this, look at our Heavenly Father - He is a perfect example to follow. By doing this, not only will we train our kids to make good choices, but we will also train them how to follow the Lord in complete, unwavering obedience.

Hebrews 12:10-11 (NASB) "10 For they [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

Tuesday's Tool - Forgetting the Past

2011-01-25T13:18:00.000-06:00

Here's the Tuesday's Tool ... and my apologies for not getting a tool out there over the last 2 weeks.

"When we confess our sins, God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever. And even though I cannot find a Scripture for it, I believe God then places a sign out there that says, 'No Fishing Allowed.'" -- Corrie ten Boom

I love this quote so much! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

So if you feel bogged down by past circumstances and sins remember that God is the God of the past and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, saved and forgiven by His blood, your sins (past, present and future) are completely forgiven!!! Praise God for that truth!

Fun Q&A With My Kids...

2011-01-20T12:37:00.000-06:00

My friend Mariel posted this on her blog and so I had to try this with my kids! It was so much fun to see their answers! They are in order from Ellie, my 3 year old, Andrew (5), and Sarah (8).

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
Bad choice [this is concerning her bad choices that she makes and gets spanks for!] (3), Permission to play my DS (5), Focus on your schoolwork (8)

2. What makes Mommy happy?
Flowers and butterflies [how perceptive] (3), sharing with me (5), vacations (8)

3. What makes Mommy sad?
Spankings [I always say "this makes me sad to have to spank you"] (3), Not going on vacations (5), our disobedience (8)

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
Toe tickles (3), Neck tickles (5), Silly songs [I have quite a number of goofy songs that I sing for my kids] (8)

5. What was Mommy like as a child?
I don't know (3), good and obeyed your mommy (5), a tomboy (8)

6. How old is Mommy?
4 (3), 5 (5), 34 (8)

7. How tall is Mommy?
4 (3), 34 (5), 10 feet tall [hmmm maybe we should review feet and inches again in school!](8)

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
Take a shower (3), shop (5), Tickle us (8)

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
Dance (3), Read my Bible (5), Talk on the phone (8)

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what would it be for?
??? (3), for being a good Mom (5), for God, and for painting (8)

11. What is Mommy really good at?
Giving the baby a bath (3), cooking (5), catching us doing bad stuff (8) [I laughed at this because I have prayed that God would help me catch my kids in sin so I can train them in the right way!]

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
obeying God (3) [hmmmm, I prayed for humility yesterday and God has answered!, being a rockstar (5), football player, bc you always take breaks when we play!! (8)

I will post the other 10 questions in a few days. I learned so much from these simple questions. I think I will use this periodically - it gave me a lot of insight!

Tuesday's Tool - Resolutions...

2011-01-04T15:36:00.000-06:00

The New Year brings such a newness to our lives; a feeling of anticipation of what's to come; a time when our hearts are intent on reaching set goals and we have such a feeling of "a fresh start". A couple things have come to mind and so this is the Tuesday's Tool...

First, Scripture says in Lamentations 3:23 that His mercies are new EVERY morning; GREAT is His faithfulness. And I love the New Living Translation's version of this verse "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." So as we move into the new year with that lightness in our steps, lets remember that each and every morning His mercies are fresh and new and that whether we hold to our goals for 2011, our Precious Father holds tightly to us - His faithfulness is Great! Isn't it awesome that we don't have to wait until January 2012, 2013, 2014... to have a fresh start?! We are able to have a fresh start daily! Praise God!

Second, what is it that God wants for you this year? A few years ago God began impressing on my heart to seek Him for what my new years resolution should be. He has given me 3 different resolutions to work on over the last 4 years. And this year I believe He has given me a new one! I look with anticipation toward this revelation from God because He is always faithful to bring it to fruition in my heart, mind and life. The last 2 years the theme has been "fishers-of-men" and He has been teaching me about reaching out to people in need of Jesus. I believe that He still wants me to continue with this one, but I'm tuning my ear to His voice for directions for this next year! Exciting stuff!

So friends, what is it that God has for you this year? Matthew 6:33 says we are to "Seek first the kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Seek Jesus ... Great is His faithfulness!!!

Tuesday's Tool - Decluttering Holiday Themed Stuff

2010-12-14T09:06:00.001-06:00

Yes I am revisiting this one (and probably will throughout the year!) because decluttering is so important. Why? Well for one, scripture says that God is not a God of disorder, but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33). And as we celebrate this season of peace, let's pursue an orderly peace in our homes.

I don't know about you, but as I began pulling out my Christmas decorations, I realized that I have a lot more "stuff" sitting in boxes than I am willing to actually display. My first inclination was to attempt to find a surface to display everything. But then the Holy Spirit gave me a picture in my head of what my home would look like if I displayed every Christmas decoration that I owned (And it looked like one of those 'What's Wrong With This Picture' games in kids magazines!!!) So at that moment I realized that it was time to let someone else be blessed with some of my holiday decor!

I know that most of us have adorned our homes, trees, yards and doors with Christmas decorations. So as the season wraps up and we begin taking down all those beautiful adornments, lets DECLUTTER and get rid of some of it. Don't waste time packing it all back up. Find an empty box, label it with the name of your favorite thrift store, and fill it up. It absolutely will bless someone who may not be able to afford new Christmas decorations. And hey, it's all about the giving, isn't it? Plus your husband will love the fact that he doesn't have to haul endless amounts of stuff up the attic ladder!

And last, I know that I'm revisiting this idea right smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season, but while your drinking apple cider by the fireplace listening to Hark the Herald Angels Sing, look around and think about the items that you can let go of. Make a mental plan. Then when you begin to take it all down, you're prepared to depart with certain items. And remember that you are creating peace in your home and blessing those around you!

Tuesday's Tool -Christmas Lights

2010-12-06T16:20:00.001-06:00

This tool came from our pastor this past Sunday morning...
All that being said, I have to confess that one of my favorite things about Christmas is not really that spiritual.

I absolutely love Christmas lights.

On the tree, the houses, the tacky yard decorations. Infact the more lit up and gaudy, the better for me! Ever since I was a kid, I have loved to turn off the lights in my living room and stare at the colorful Christmas tree.

Matthew 5:14 says “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. " (NASB)

So I really got to thinking about that application. Jesus tells us that WE are the lights of the world. We are the real Christmas lights. Think about that for a minute. Then put yourself in the middle of nowhere on a clear night looking at a city on a nearby hill. What does it look like? What does it provide for you?

It is clear and bright, shiny. It provides comfort and hope for a weary traveler. And that is what Jesus was telling us. Be clearly, brightly, shining Jesus. Be the hope and comfort for those weary travelers on their way to eternal death. A city on a hill can't be hidden.

So today my challenge and tool is for myself and you - lets be the Christmas lights for all the world to see. Shine Jesus and do it in a way that people see your good works and glorify God. Shine Jesus in the crazy Walmart Christmas lines. Shine Jesus when the grumbling shoppers bump into you. Shine Jesus around those family members that don't know the real meaning of Christmas. Serve the people around you. Lend a listening ear to a stranger. And tell people about the beautiful Christmas Light shining inside you.

Tuesday's Tool

2010-11-30T19:36:00.001-06:00

Last week we carved our turkeys and filled our bellies and it was quite enjoyable! And now the holiday season is officially upon us and we are completely saturated with commercials, adds, lights and people telling us to spend and buy, go to this festivity and to that celebration, eat this pie and that ham. And before we know it, the month of December will be over and what will we have done with our time? So my tool this week is really a personal challenge for myself and anyone who might join me in the endeavor to purposefully, with all our hearts, focus on what I believe our Heavenly Father would want us to do - carve out time, instead of turkeys and fill our hearts instead of our bellies!

Carve out time.  For our families and purposely spend extra time showing them love and tieing strings.
                         For our neighbors.
                         For our friends.
                         For the lost person who needs someone to lend an ear or a hand.
                         For a local charity.
You can fill in the blank with what God puts on your heart.

Fill our hearts. Meditate on scripture - Luke gives a great account of the birth of Jesus.
                        Memorize scripture. My friend and fellow blogger Mariel and her family are memorizing an entire passage of scripture during this Christmas season.
                        Be a good samaritan for someone (even if it is picking up a piece of trash that a stranger dropped, your Father sees all!)
                        Sing and worship God through the wonderful Christmas music that tells the story of Jesus birth.

Friends, this is what Christmas is all about and I'm purposing today to do just this. Over the next few weeks let me know how you carve out time and fill your hearts. And until then, Merry Christmas! Now I'm going to watch a Christmas show with my kids!

Tuesday's Tool

2010-11-23T22:41:00.000-06:00

My husband loves the Tuesday Tools that I post. It greatly disturbed him that I haven't listed any new ones under Tuesday's Tool for Your Toolbelt. I still can't figure out why my blog won't allow me to list multiple things in that sidebar. If you know what I'm doing wrong, let me know... Anyway, here is Tuesday's Tool...

Tie Strings. What? You ask?

I watched a How To Train Your Kids video by Michael Pearl. He is a little controversial in his parenting, but he and his godly wife Debbie did successfully raise 4 kids, so I really take to heart his advice. He suggests spending time with our kids doing things like cooking, dishes, laundry, gardening, yard cleanup, hunting, etc... which results in string tieing -aka bonding with our little ones. I have to admit that this is very challenging for me. I have to purpose in my heart to do this one. (yes, I'm pathetic - I have a hard time stopping my to-do list to spend time with my kids.) But I've noticed that even just a little tieing-of-the-strings goes a long way. Mr. Pearl notes that as parents we spend our energy disciplining our kids, which is what God wants us to do, but we miss the mark by not spending that quality time with our kids. So add this to your tool belt and go fold some laundry with your kids!

Making History

2010-11-22T19:51:00.000-06:00

Today I was etched in the minds of many people. Yes, I did something that had a lot of people talking. But before I tell you what I did, I just need to rewind the clock back a little...

Right now not 1, not 2, but all 4 of my kids are sick. I'm talkin' snot sickles, congested coughs, fever... So today I carted my kids down to the pediatrician's office, got them all checked out and dropped the presciptions by the drug store (there were 7). Later I ran to Walmart to do some grocery shopping (yes with sick kids - don't judge me it's supposed to rain for the next few days). While pushing one of those gigantic shopping carts that are made for people with multiple kids, I managed to load the cart up and check out.

Phew, I made it. Oh wait, I have to go pick up the meds.

So off I went to the drug store. I got in the drive-thru line and managed to make it to the front pretty quickly which impressed me because it was 5 o'clock and there were a lot of people in the line.

My groceries will survive. I will make it home in time to cook dinner.

And here is what you have been waiting for. Apparently my 7 medications required mixing upon pickup. And as minutes passed by I began to notice the cars piling up behind me. One by one, until the cars were 6 deep. I wondered how the people behind me were doing. I know I wouldn't have had much patience if I were behind me.

And I waited for about 20 minutes. Yes, you heard correctly. Then suddenly to my right I noticed a woman walking up. Soon I realized she was checking to see what in the world was happening that would hold up the line for that long. She had a "mean" face on and I have to admit, I was a little scared. I watched her walk back and notify the other cars before she got in her car, backed up and drove away. Later she appeared inside the drug store and she still had that scary mean face on!! (I'm laughing as I write this!) And I realized that the "lady in the blue van" is probably topic for discussions for a handful of lucky husbands this evening.

Maybe I'm giving myself too much credit.

Top 8

2010-11-21T16:28:00.000-06:00

Today I am writing about the simple things that bring a smile to my heart. Here are the top 8:
***Before you read this, please pick some elevator music to hum.

8. The incredible length of a snot sickle from my child's tiny nose.

7. The beauty of my children singing "shu fly" when they don't know anyone is listening and the amazement over how many times they can sing it without getting weary of the tune.

6. The 80 degree "fall" Texas weather.

5. The joy I get when I kill a mosquito.

4. The awe that I have when I see how much hair is falling out of my head from all the post pregnancy hormones, yet I still support the chia pet look.

3. The laughter that is produced when my children say things like "Mom, your arm smells like stinky salad" or "Mom, did you know that candy is healthy?"

2. The number of lizards that congregate daily in between my kitchen window and the screen.

1. How attracted I feel to my husband when he kills a bear in his hunting game with his bright orange Wii shotgun.

What are yours?!?!?!!!!

Family Milestones and Other Fun Moments...

2010-11-18T15:22:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to share a few fun pics of our family. Two weeks ago Bryan and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. Here is a very romantic picture of the two of us in Galveston... (!!!)

Andrew also completed his first season of soccer and received a very special soccer trophy.

Here is Andrew fighting off a cold ... with his soccer trophy!! Everywhere he goes, the trophy follows!

Eli had his first bite of babyfood. He ate it even though he wasn't very sure what we were putting in his mouth! This is before... what a look of anticipation!

Here is Eli during a "yummy" bite of rice cereal!!

And here is what Sarah looked like after she tried rice cereal!!!

Ellie enjoying her big sister role ... and Eli lovin' it!

Tracie and I took the kids to the park!

Male bonding time...

Sista love!!

Personal Prisons

2010-11-16T12:44:00.005-06:00

This past Sunday we studied about John the Baptist's imprisonment. I've read this passage so many times and had completely failed to grasp what Matthew 11 was about! John had prophecied about Jesus, baptized him, witnessed the dove descending on Jesus and heard God the Father say "This is my beloved son...." He had some seriously upclose and personal experiences with Jesus. I think we could safely assume that John the Baptist was confident that Jesus was God in the flesh. Fast forward some chapters and we see John now in prison. And John isn't a vision of faith here! He is now questioning whether Jesus is really the "Coming One". I think John's crisis of faith had two parts. One, what he had preached about the Messiah was not what Jesus seemed to be doing. John had preached judgement and Jesus was healing! John the Baptist had put Jesus in a box so to speak. His idea of Jesus wasn't turning out to be the way he thought it would be! Two, John the Baptist seemed to be having a faith problem. I have to wonder if he thought as he was hearing the reports coming in of people being healed, "if Jesus is really God then why in the world is he not getting me out of this prison!" Surely John wanted to be apart of Jesus' ministry, visually witnessing what He was doing; watching the lame walk, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lepers being cleansed. John knew that people were celebrating all the good Jesus was doing and he was missing out. I love what John did in the midst of his crisis - he called out to Jesus. And Jesus sent disciples back with an answer that was just what John needed to hear. God allowed John the Baptist to be in that prison the strengthen his faith; to make him sure of what he knew.

Are you in a prison today? I'm in one right now and it is dark, dank, difficult. It is lonely, scary, seemingly neverending. It is testing my faith and trust in God's love for me. It is pushing me to the end of me. There is no one with me in this prison cell. Just me and my experiences with God. I am hoping, asking Jesus to break me free and yet He leaves me here!! And I see His mighty hand working diligently in the lives of the people around me and I want to be apart of it!! But I can't.

Last night in my utter brokeness I cried out to God. I told Him everything that my brain could make into words. And this morning God sent a messenger back to me with a word to read Psalm 77. It was just what I needed to hear. I find it interesting that God didn't put this passage on my heart, but instead he used my husband as His messenger... just like John. And that comforted my heart and confirmed in my heart that God is 100% aware of my prison. He knows how long I will be in it and the purposes for which He will accomplish from it. He has a set-in-stone-before-the-creation-of-the-world plan to use this prison to refine my heart and make me more like Jesus.

So precious friends, if and when you find yourself suddenly in a prison, don't fret. Call out to Jesus. And rest knowing that He has you where He has you on purpose. And even if the walls of your personal prison prevent you from seeing and hearing Jesus, know that He is there. Seek Him to know how you can become more like Him in the midst of the prison. Stay teachable and humble. And rejoice in the midst of your trial. God never leaves us or forsakes us.

Andrew and the Beanstalk

2010-11-11T10:29:00.000-06:00

I stopped putting my kids one liners on my blog because the blog was having troubles. But I have to share this really cute one with you. Andrew, Sarah and Ellie have been planting "seeds" in our backyard. I'm not really sure what the seeds are - I think it's a mixture of acorns and leaf parts. But anyway, they are all very confident that their planting will reap a harvest! So today Andrew went outside to check his seeds. He wanted to see if they'd made any growth progress since yesterday. When he came back inside, he said "Mom I think that there's going to be a giant beanstalk in our backyard next time I go out there." He was so serious! I was about to laugh my head off! But with the most serious face, I agreed that he should continue to check the growth of his seeds for beanstalk progress!

I love the fall air. It beckons my kids to go outside and play. Last week Sarah and Andrew spent a lot of time out by our mailbox, digging. When I would go check the mail, I would see their creativity at work. Later I found out that they were building a dirt pile for the ants. And as they watched the ants march into the their homemade mound, they were so excited that they had created a home that was ant approved!

Tuesday's Tool

2010-11-02T12:47:00.000-05:00

2 Tools for the day...

1. VOTE!!!

2. Meal Plan. If you don't already do this, try it - it will save so much money and time. Sit down before you go grocery shopping and plan out 7 meals. Write down everything you'll need to prepare the meals. Be sure to check your pantry and freezer to see if you already have some of the items so you don't buy needlessly. Use the flyer from your favorite grocery store and coupons to help plan the meals. (Some of our local stores have advertised weekly "meal deals" that can really save money. I plan meals with fresh produce for the first part of the week and frozen or canned produce for the latter part of the week.) Then go to the store with your list and buy only what you have written down. Avoid the temptation to buy stuff that you don't need and don't go when you're hungry! Then keep the list of meals in a spot in the kitchen where you can refer to it when you're getting ready for that nights meal. Also you can peek at it to prepare for the following nights meal as well - ie if you need to thaw meat in the fridge, chop veggies, etc. This will save you from making multiple trips to the store, keep you from running out for fast food when you don't have anything ready, save you loads of money (a dinner at home can cost $10 for a family of 4; dinner out can cost 2-3 times that), and free up your mind from having to plan a meal last minute. Happy Planning!

Unshakable

2010-11-01T17:13:00.000-05:00

Today God put it so strongly on my heart to talk with Sarah about adversity and tragedy. I feel like it is the one thing that can really trip up a believer. We start to get disillusioned by the idea that life shouldn't be difficult. And then BAM. Something goes wrong - kids get sick, someone dies, car breaks down, a daddy looses his job. Then we angry and bitter at God because we think that He dropped the ball. The fact is that we live in a fallen, sinful world where things go wrong all the time. Yet God uses all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). The fact is that Jesus suffered and so we also share in His sufferings.

So today I was holding one of those glow sticks in my hands, fiddling with it to make it glow. Suddenly it split open and all that glowy goodness sprayed into my eyes and all over my face. Immediately it began burning fiercely. I couldn't open my eye. And after 20 minutes of eye washing, the burn had eased only slighly. A lot of things go through your head when your face and eye feels like it's on fire. But even in the midst of that I was comforted by the fact that God was in complete control and that even this bizarre experience was what was best for me. Did I understand why? Nope. But because of His truth (Psalm 84:11), I rested.

So I told Sarah (as she was studying about Joseph and the coat) that she needed to be prepared for adversity. And with the difficulty that God allows into her life, she could stand firm in the truth that He uses all things for good and that He has a plan in the midst of the tough times. Shortly after that conversation, she handed me her homeschool book for me to check her work. The verse she was studying was Romans 8:28. I was in awe at God's timing of that conversation and how in corresponded with the scripture she was studying.

You know, I want my kids to grow up sure of the Amazing God who saved them from their sins. I want them to stand firm in the storm - firm in the knowing that God is in complete control and that nothing can shake them when they are rooted in Christ. Because that is exactly how God wants us to be - feet firmly planted in His truth and love, resting in peace.

Tuesday's Tool

2010-09-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

Write Bible verses on notecards and hang them around your house. This is so good for mommys. Many days our alarm clock is our children and before we know it, it's 3pm and we haven't had a chance to sit before the Lord. You will find comfort, hope, edification and conviction through those verses while you're blowdrying your hair, washing a dish, vacuuming a room, etc.... And even if you have an amazing quiet time every morning, having those verses hanging in various rooms will keep your mind on the Lord throughout the day!

Summer Memories...

2010-09-08T13:44:00.002-05:00

This summer was so full of wonderful memories and people. We are so blessed!

Tuesday's Tool

2010-09-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

Make a husband/daddy list for your husband. As you go through the day, write down all the things that you need to discuss with him when he gets home. This will keep you from calling him all through the day when something happens. And it will give you some good connection time as you go over the events of the day. Sarah McNeill

Black and White Don't Make Gray

2010-09-03T08:39:00.001-05:00

Lately there have been a lot of grey areas in my life. For example, I went to get a battery for my minivan this week. The battery cost 94.95 but when the guy rang up the item, the total was 121.00. I'm sure the look on my face was one of bewilderment. How did a 95 dollar battery become 25 dollars more. The sales clerk reassured me that if I returned my old battery, I'd receive $12 back. 'How is that supposed to even things out?' I'm wondering. But with all the kids with me, I took his word and left the details up to my husband. A grey issue. Then there's the issues with my children. Someone hurts someone else and when I step in to deal with the situation, I can't get a clear answer of what just happened. A grey area. And this week we received a car insurance bill that had gone up almost $100 without an explanation. A grey area. I could sit here and list many grey areas in my life. Places where things aren't cut and dry, black and white. And I'm sure you could too.

Praise God that He is a black and white, cut and dry, right and wrong, no nonsense Heavenly Father! Can you imagine if God's Word was full of grey areas and all muddied up? If instead of setting clear boundaries for us, He made exceptions to sin? Wow. What life would be like - not good. But our loving God isn't like that. He says sin is sin, you either partake in it, or you don't. You choose to obey the Bible or you don't. You choose to love Him or you don't. You're either saved or your not. Simple.

I love that God is full of absolutes in this crazy world of grey areas. I love that we can absolutely take Him at His word. And that He will absolutely be faithful to what He tells us in Scripture. I love that He lays out clear guidelines for how we should act and what we can expect from Him, and Him from us.
          That when we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse
                     us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
          That He demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were sinners, Jesus died for us
                    (Romans 5:8)
          That if we confess with our mouths "Jesus is Lord" and believe in our hearts that God raised him
                    from the dead, we will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
          That His Word is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) That He
                    calls us to be holy because He is Holy (1Peter 1:15-16)
           In the 4th chapter of Ephesians, He tells us to be humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one
                    another in love (4:2); to speak truthfully to our neighbors (4:25); to not sin in our anger
                   (4:26); to not let unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for
                   building others up (4:29); to be kind and compassionate (4:32).
This is barely the beginning of all the hundreds of verses that spell it out for us. His Word is clear, precise, to the point. His boundaries are layed out. No mud. No grey. We either chose His way or our way. Simple. Thank God that there are no addendums or confusing legal attachments at the end of scripture that make exceptions to His Word. He is Faithful, Loving, Perfect, Holy. That's it. What a Mighty God we serve!

Helper

2010-08-21T15:50:00.000-05:00

You know I spend much of my day helping my children and husband. "Mommy will you help me get my sock on?" "Mommy will you help me brush my teeth?" "Jamie can you find the bill so I can pay it?" And the list goes on. This is part of my job, but lately I have been so tired. So I haven't jumped at being a helper with as much optimism as I know I should.

This morning I got up with Eli at 5:00. This was the 3rd time I had been up with him and so the sleep deprivation was really hitting. My kitchen was a disaster, the floors needed mopping and I had a load of dishes to do. So I put Eli down at 5:30 and since everyone was asleep, I knew I could get things done quickly. I pushed the sleep deprivation aside and went to work.

One hour later I was done. The kitchen looked great and I felt like I had accomplished something to completion - which doesn't happen much anymore. But all this came at the price of rest. And I found myself crying out to the Lord in utter exhaustion. And not just from that morning, but from the weeks of broken rest and very full, non-stop days, where naps are as scarce as rain in a desert!

I opened a devotional journal to a page that said Help (oh the humor of the Lord!) Listed was Psalm 121. I love this Psalm -- "I lift my eyes to the mountains, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Wow. What a passage. Mountains figuratively are all the things in my life that are too big for me to handle. And having this fourth baby along with all the responsibilities of wife and mother have been a mountain for me. Then the Holy Spirit said so clearly - your Fathers is the creator of the heavens and the earth, draw from His power; He is your Helper. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit gets through to my brain because I am so encouraged by this. God knows that I am a pooped out mama and He meets me where I am. He is my Helper and just like my family knows that they can rely on me for help, I can rely on God for help in everything.

Sarah is 8!

2010-08-12T16:15:00.001-05:00

Today my baby girl is 8 years old! Unbelievable. Eight years that have gone by in a blink. Time seems to slip through my fingers these days! Happy birthday Sarah - we love you!

Crazy Blessed Life

2010-08-06T16:09:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted more pictures of Eli. Life has been crazy lately, as it always is with a newborn baby. I don't even attempt a quiet time with the Lord right now. Instead I just leave my Bible open on the table and everytime I float by it, I read a snipet of the Word! God is so good! He meets me in that desperation and I always seem to place my eyes on a verse that refreshes my heart!

Eli is 1 month old now and weighs 9lb's 4oz and is 21 1/2 in long! He seems to be getting so big, so fast! Today he smiled a deliberate smile at me for the first time! Wow my heart melted! And yesterday Sarah held him until he went to sleep - it was a proud sister moment for her! She didn't know that her arms were such comforting ones!

And God has been providing an abundance of people who have been carrying the load with me. A friend has taken the kids on 2 different days for the entire day so that I could rest. My Mom-n-law hired a cleaning lady to come and clean our home. And many friends have provided delicious meals for us so that I didn't have to cook.

Bryan has been an amazing husband. After working long hours in the summer heat, he comes home and "takes over" by playing with the kids, helping me prepare dinner, and doing any other chore that still needs to be done. Many mornings I wake up to a freshly folded pile of laundry that Bryan did while I was trying to catch some shut eye!

We appreciate all your prayers and will try to post more pics soon!

Review of Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

2010-08-06T15:40:00.003-05:00

     Hi everyone ... I have been reading Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson and I have to admit that in the midst of having Eli, I haven't finished it yet. But I felt like I needed to go ahead and post a review of what I had already read due to the fact that Tyndale sent me the book months ago and I'm still reading.
     This brings me to the first point about this book: it is chalked full of awesome information about raising girls in today's society. I have been combing over the information slowly trying to remember all that I can! Dobson did a wonderful job gently, but frankly putting the truth out there about raising girls in a society where modesty and purity are a thing of the past. And I braced for a "getting raked over the coals because I'm doing so much wrong" rebuke, but instead, Dobson pours out the grace of Jesus on his readers.
     Point two: He has loaded the chapters with statistics. This, for me is extremely helpful when talking with family and friends on why we raise our kids the way we do.
     Point three: Bringing Up Girls "backed me up!" So many times I feel like I am on an island raising my girls. There is so much worldliness and lack of godliness in everything around us. And attempting to foster purity and Biblical truth leaves me feeling isolated because there aren't many people around me with the same beliefs. It is nice to know that Bryan and I are doing what is right, despite what the world is saying to us.
   Overall, reading this book has been incredibly reaffirming and has taught me so much about how to raise Sarah and Ellie. I highly recommend any parent(s) who is raising a girl to read this book.

Pictures of Eli ...

2010-07-18T15:57:00.001-05:00

Here are pics of Eli's first few days of life with his family!

Baby Elijah

2010-07-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know that Elijah 'Eli' Christopher King was born on July 6 at 12:52 pm. He was 7lb 12oz and 19 1/4" long. I will post some pictures on the blog in the next few days. Bryan has the camera (the kids are singing this morning in church), otherwise I would do it today.

The labor and delivery went wonderfully! I appreciate everyone's prayers. We found out, after the induction had officially begun, that I couldn't have an epidural due to a low platelet count. FYI - a low platelet count means that I would bleed longer; my body would have more trouble stopping the bleeding. So having an epidural would have put me at risk for a hematoma in the spine. And that would have resulted in spinal surgery and other complications. All that to say, I had to go through the labor and delivery without the glorious epidural and this is where everyone praying really bridged the gap for me.

Bryan and my sister Tracie stood next to me for 2 1/2 hours of tough contractions. And if it weren't for them, I'm not quite sure how that day would have gone! They were amazing coaches and provided comfort measures that helped me so much.

All that to say, Eli will be 2 weeks on Tuesday. It's hard to believe that 2 weeks have already passed. He is starting to make eye contact, has stronger neck muscles, and loves to snuggle! I can't imagine our lives without him. And Ellie thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread! She takes great pride in the fact that she is a big sister now and frequently kisses him on the head. It's nice because he ends up with pizza and cookies and all kids of yummy goodness on his noggin!!

So I will post pics soon. Love you all....

Healing God

2010-06-29T14:28:00.000-05:00

Two months ago Andrew, in all his boy ways, decided it a great idea to run and throw himself into our couch cushions - like a bull. We warned him and spanked him, and just when we thought his rear end had finally communicated with his brain, he did it again. But this time the results were much different. Bryan and I suddenly heard a loud scream erupt from Andrew's mouth followed by him clutching his neck. For the next minutes and hours we kept a close watch on him, but all seemed well.

A month later we started noticing Andrew's neck popping unusually when he would move it in normal motions. And the popping was so loud that we didn't have to sit near him to hear it.

So Bryan decided to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor.

A few days later we were sitting in the doctor's office while he assesed the neck problem. Then Dr. Bob looked at us and declared that Andrew had come inches away from dying that day he hit his head on the couch. He equated it to a person diving into a swimming pool and breaking his neck. We were shocked. Dr. Bob adjusted Andrew and warned him to never dive into anything again.

Fast forward a few days. I am driving down the road and it all hits me. Not only could I have buried my son that week, but God also quickly reminded me that Andrew belongs to Him. I am only a steward of what He has entrusted to me - our children, our money, belongings, home, my time ... this list goes on and on. God said so clearly to me "Andrew belongs to me and his life is in my hands."

Wow. I am speechless.

Yesterday I took Andrew back for xrays to determine if his neck had further damage. To the doctor's amazement, not only was Andrew's neck completely normal, but there were no fractures or breaks! I knew God had done a mighty thing!

So now I look at my little ones differently. I know that their days are numbered like mine. I spend more time focusing on them despite the busy daily routine. And I remind myself that these babies are not mine. They are entrusted to me for a period.

So I put this out to all my blog friends. God has entrusted your kids to you. Are you a good steward of your children? It's convicting isn't it? I am daily convicted by this thought. When you stand before your Maker, will He say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant?" So turn off the TV's, phones, radios and sit down and play with your kiddos. Teach them how to share, love each other, serve, give. Teach them a Bible verse. Spank them when they disobey - not in anger, but in love. Share the gospel with them. Tell them that Jesus loves them more than you could ever. Tell them they are nothing without Jesus. And hug and kiss them often. One day our children will be gone- either they'll move out of our homes, onto their lives, or they'll be taken to be with their Lord. And what will we hope that we did differently? Whatever that is,let's do it now. We'll have no regrets.

Baby Name and some other stuff!

2010-06-26T10:31:00.000-05:00

We have officially decided on naming this baby Elijah and calling him 'Eli'. And there is no taking this one back because our kids have all named something dear 'Eli' or 'Baby Eli'. It's interesting how my children perceive this baby growing in my tummy. Sarah has conversations with Eli - especially at night when we're tucking her into bed! Ellie played Pet Shops with baby Eli this morning, pretending that the pet shops were sliding off my belly! And Andrew? Having that sweet boy brain that he has, he is just really grateful that the numbers will be evened up in our house - 3 girls and 3 boys. And he is looking forward to playing cars with him. I have to admit that I cannot wait to see what life will be like when Eli comes.

I have to share this funny story about Sarah. She is really excited about Eli coming - more than she's ever been about her other siblings. And, call me crazy, but this seems to be recprocated by Eli. Every time she talks to him, he moves around like he can't wait to jump out and hug her! So I encourage Sarah - I say things like "Eli already loves you so much - look how much he moves around when you talk to him!" So one day recently Sarah came over to talk to him and wow was he moving. She layed her head on my tummy and I warned her - Eli might kick you, he's really moving around. I'm not kidding when I say that seconds later he kicked Sarah's cheek so hard that she sat up with the widest eyes and a look of amazement that this unseen brother had packed a 1-2 punch to her face! We laughed so much about it that day!

I am blessed - my Heavenly Father spoils me like crazy and I am so thankful for His unconditional love for me. I don't deserve any of what He gives me or has done for me. And although this life of mine is full of refining and difficulty, I count those blessings. They bring incredible joy knowing that while my Savior is making me more like Himself, He is pouring out His endless love on me.

God's Baby Provision - Part 1

2010-06-18T13:53:00.000-05:00

I accidentally erased this blog and I am so bummed out. So this is a rewrite of the first part of the God's Baby Provision Story - Part 1. If you've already read this, I am sorry for the repeat. I just needed to have this documented for my own blogging good!

Last September I called Bryan to let him know that he would be a daddy for the fourth time! We were both really surprised because we weren't planning for a fourth baby.

A week later, Bryan and I sat in my OB's office and with a piece of paper in hand stating the overall cost of having a baby. By the end of the visit, we had committed to paying $400 a month over 8 months. That wasn't including the lab work, glucose tests, or hospital bills. And those costs would end up bringing the bill to a few thousand more, atleast. Then there would be the seemingly endless baby items that we would need to buy. And we had given away everything baby except for our baby crib. (I'm being overly honest in this blog story because the details of it glorify what God has done.) I did not know how we would manage to pay for this baby. And so I sat next to Bryan wondering how we would climb this Mount Everest that our Father had set before us.

Now the 2009 year had been a productive year for Bryan's business. But I am not exaggerating when I say that literally the month we found out we were pregnant, Bryan's last job was coming to and end - with no more work in sight. And after much prayer God was not opening the doors for work. We had saved up a little nest egg that would provide for us for about 2 months, but that was it. And I knew that we were not financially equipped to tackle this mountain.

And so we looked to God to make the impossible, possible and we began this journey telling ourselves the Truth - that this precious baby was placed in our lives by His hands, that God is in the business of doing things that can't be done on normal human terms and that our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Little did I know all that God would do to blow our minds with His great love and provision.

Blueberry Picking

2010-06-15T17:12:00.002-05:00

Although I was raised a city girl, our North Carolina livin' gave me a taste of the country life! So when I discovered that we lived minutes away from a backroads blueberry farm, I was so excited!

This past week the kids and I went with some friends to the Griffin Berry Farm and picked fresh blueberries. Let me just give you the setting: It was 9 am and although the Texas heat is excrutiating right now, the day was overcast and the breeze was blowing. Considering the hundreds of 10-15 foot tall blueberry bushes, we were quite shaded and "cool" if there is such a thing on a summer day in Texas!

And boy did we pick some berries! The Griffins have a variety of bucket sizes and so the kids got to pick the size that fit their size! Sarah, Andrew and Ellie would load their buckets and dump them into mine. By the end of the trip we had gathered a gallon of fresh berries!! Woo hoo!!!!
So here are some pics... The family we went with is the Petry Family - Greta, Jenna, Braden and Collin. If anyone has a good blueberry recipe, send it to me!

Baby Provision - Part 3... God is amazing!

2010-06-14T16:16:00.000-05:00

Today was my 37 week checkup and Bryan accompanied me to the appointment. He has gone with me 3 times throughout the last 9 months - for the 1st appointment to meet the doctor, for the ultrasound, and then today. Why is all this relevant?

9 months ago we sat in my OB's office wondering how we would manage the next 9 months of doctor's bills. It was more than we could afford. I've shared this already so I won't repeat the story. But I was overwhelmed that day with what God had set before us.

Fast forward to today. Bryan is back in the office with me and I am paying the receptionist the very last payment. I sat back down next to my sweet husband and we praised God for all He has done! It was hard to not cry - my precious Father did it, He paid the bills for us.

I am still marveling over God's baby provision...

This story isn't over obviously. But I had to share the end to this chapter in the story.

God continues to grow me with trusting Him with our finances and our future. My prayer is that these little blogs are an encouragement to your walk - and that you stand in awe with me on how God provides everything that we need.

Peace in the Midst of Suffering...

2010-06-08T20:44:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago Bryan taught a Sunday School class on suffering. To me, suffering is like a raging storm, painful and difficult to navigate. It's overwhelming and consuming and feels like it's endless. It seems to be a reoccuring theme in our lives and in the lives of the people around us. I guess it will always be, considering that it's through suffering that we become more like our precious Jesus. And without going into all the suffering details, I will say that I had the quiet opportunity to experience the peace of my Heavenly Father in the midst of the storm.

Two days ago I got up early for a doctors appointment. I had a small window of time to get dressed and spend time with the Lord before my kids got up. I sat down and opened my Bible to Philippians 4:4. This passage is one of my favorites and I was grateful that Jesus led me to those scriptures so quickly. Verse 6 says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Verse 8 goes on to give us the tools we need to keep our minds at the feet of Jesus : Think on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praisworthy.

So to get His peace, we unload/pour out our hearts and minds to God. His peace then protects our hearts and minds. And then we meditate/dwell on the characteristics that verse 8 mentions.

I think this is the key in suffering. Pouring it out to Him. I don't do this enough and many times turn to people instead of God. Sure that's OK sometimes, but He is my Father and Creator and knows how to meet my needs better than anyone.

As I wrapped up my quiet time, I realized that rain was gently falling. I sat in total silence and listened to that peaceful, wonderful, refreshing rain. It was the most peace that I had physically felt in a long time.

God is so good that He would provide peace in so many ways. Sure the storms are still raging, but just for a little while I sat in calm. And it was wonderful.

Refining Fire

2010-05-25T09:43:00.000-05:00

I know God is always in the process of refininement. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

God almost always has us in a state of trials. I've started to learn to embrace them, as painful as they are, because it's at these times that I am crying out to God in my depravity and brokeness. And I know He is close. Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Of course He is always close to us. But in these intense fiery trials when I feel like I can't keep going, I sense the closeness of His presence. And I cling to Him.

And I almost dread coming out of the trial! Why? I know in "good times" it's harder for me to sit at the feet of Jesus. I fight the notion that I can do things without my Father. I'm just being honest here. Maybe some of you do well at sitting at His feet during less trialed times. My hat is off to you for that obedience friend! But I struggle - which has turned into a trial in itself! Even as I write this, God has shown me that He allows those seemingly easier times in my life to refine me as much as He does the trialed times. I am learning that I have to fight to cling to Him when the waterhose of life's difficulties is turned off. And all this requires discipline, which is where the refining lies for me in the easy times.

Hebrews 12:5...11 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines..." I love this next part. Verse 7 states "It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ... Skip to verse 10b "but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. (11)All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." PRAISE GOD!

Teachable Moments

2010-05-13T10:17:00.000-05:00

I had to blog this. This week, 3 different times, God has brought to my attention the importance of teachable moments with our children.
The first time was in a conversation with my best friend. She shared a story about a teachable moment with her daughter at a friends house.
The second time was during the Sunday School lesson when my husband pointed out very clearly the importance of teaching scripture to our kids and creatively getting it into their hearts.
The third time was with a friend at the park. Without getting into all the details, my little Andrew did something that was quite embarrassing and honestly I was horrified over the situation.

This morning I read in Acts 2. Peter is preaching a sermon to the men of Isreal. In verse 38 he says to them "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

I haven't studied this verse, but I think Peter meant people who are located far away ("afar off"). But the first thing that came to my mind was the far off generations that will come after us.

Immediately I remembered something my mentor told me a couple years ago concerning praying for my children. And maybe this is common knowledge among believers, but for me it was new news. She told me to pray salvation for my children and their children and their children and, well you get the point; all the way down the line until Christ returns.

And God brought to my mind that praying for my children's salvation means that there will be hundreds and thousands of teachable moments in their lives - all of which I need to take advantage. Because these teachable moments, ordained by God Himself, point to the cross. My precious friend Greta told me to ask God for those moments to happen right under my nose. Then I will be able to instill the truth into the situation.

As parents, we shy away from those moments because they can be embarassing, frustrating, annoying, repetitive and exhausting - to us. But as we pray for the salvation of our children, why don't we also ask God for those moments to happen so that we can instill in them the truth we want them to live by. And instead of taking them personally, let us thank God for each one and pray that He will give us His wisdom to pass on to our kids.

So this morning I prayed for my kids and yours - for teachable moment opportunities and for the salvation of our kids. I prayed that our kids would desire Christ as they grow up and that despite our stupidity as parents, God would instill in our hearts every tool we need to equip our kids and point them to the cross.

Going where?

2010-05-12T11:06:00.002-05:00

The other day I was driving down the road trying to get to a friends house. With my 3 kids in the back of the van being pretty quiet, you would have thought that I would have been paying attention to the road signs. Needless to say, I drove past my turn and had to turn around on another street. The kids started getting curious as to why mommy was turning around in an unfamiliar driveway. When I started to explain my mistake, my 2 year old started crying - I'm not talking about whimpering, but wailing! "What's wrong Ellie" I asked as I was trying to correct my driving mistake. Through torrential tears she says, "I don't want to go this way. I don't want to go this way." I was actually a little confused at first. Why would my child who has absolutely no sense of direction be giving me her opinion on where we needed to go? Especially since I had explained my mistake to them minutes before. She strongly continued on, "I want to go the other way." I started getting annoyed that she was dictating to me where to go when God spoke so loud to me. He said "You do the same thing. You throw a fit when I go down streets you don't want to go, even though it's the right way." I started thinking about how there was no difference between me and my child.
As believers, don't we stomp our feet and throw fits when God takes us down a path we don't want to go down, even though it's for our best - even though it gets us to the correct destination? We scream and kick the whole way despite the fact that His thoughts are NOT our thoughts and His ways are NOT our ways. We can't possibly fathom the good He has planned for us on the journey. He so desires that we just trust Him. He says to us, precious child "Trust in (Me) with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge (Me) and (I) will keep your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.
Just as I would have liked my little Ellie to sit quietly and trust that her mommy knew what was right, our Creator's goal for us is (as my mentor puts it) to sit back in His lap, eat our popcorn, and watch how He works it all out.

Acts 1 - God's in the Business of Details

2010-05-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

I am reading in the book of Acts right now and learning so much! For one, I never knew that Luke wrote this book. I love that God purposed him to write it because Luke is such a detail-oriented man. I never knew that the 11 disciples needed to fill the spot of Judas so that their number would be 12 again. And I still haven't completely figured out why 12- although Bryan told me it might be related to the 12 tribes of Israel, which makes sense. Also in Acts 1:20, Peter quotes Psalm 109:8 as the scripture confirmation that they needed to fill the 12th spot when it says "Let another take his office." So here we are in Acts1:15 and the disciples have narrowed the 12th position down to two possibilities: Joseph called Barsabas and Matthias. So (vs 24) they prayed "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." In verse 26 'they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias.'

I read this and wondered what these 2 men were thinking when the lots were being cast! God is so purposeful in everything He does. He fulfills every prophecy. He completes every sunrise. He navigated humanity with perfection. And He will complete everything He starts in us. As imperfect humans, we start so many things that we don't see through to the finish. But not our Heavenly Father. He sees every job through to the end with a complete purpose in mind.

Hebrews 12:2 ..."let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..."
Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Selah!

God's Baby Provision Part 2

2010-05-08T19:04:00.001-05:00

We rolled into the winter living off our savings until finally Bryan decided that we would go to North Carolina so he could do some work for his parents. I was wrapping up the first trimester. Quite honestly I didn't want to go on a 19 hour car trip with 3 children when I had to pee every hour and still lived on the edge of the nausea cliff. We were also staying in someone else's home, albeit it was vacant, but still... And after declaring that maybe the kids and I should stay back, Bryan decided that we would take the plundge and leave. Yes, all of us. This was a huge submission issue for me. I knew it was best to honor my husband, but I was so uncertain of how things were going to turn out. And for all my precious close friends, you know how much of a homebody I am. So this was a stretch! But I trusted God's leadership over my husband. And I am so glad I did because what was supposed to be a 2 week trip turned into an almost 2 month trip. I would have gone mad without Bryan with me for 2 months!!

So from January 2010 until Valentine's Day, we lived in North Carolina. And God provided for us financially. We also got to see precious family and friends, which was such a refreshment. And I went to a local OB doctor in Wilmington for a 17 week checkup and instead of paying the scheduled $400, I paid $100 for that visit. That was a huge relief.

Once back in Texas, I got a call from a friend who had a glider rocker she wanted to pass on to me. She had rocked all 3 of her babies in it so I knew it was a sentimental sacrifice for her to hand it over. (Thanks Greta!) When I arrived at her home to pick it up, I discovered a beautiful cherrywood glider with off white fabric, all in perfect shape! I was amazed!! What a gift! We moved that into our empty nursery and I sat in it and prayed to my Father, thanking Him for His great love for me.

A month later another friend called me to let me know she had some baby items that I was more than welcome to have. Now as a reminder, we needed, well ... everything. And we were recovering from the winter downfall. So we couldn't just go and buy whatever we needed. I went to her house one Saturday morning and loaded my van full of baby items. This included a changing table in brand new condition (side note: it was an exact match to the crib that we still had from Ellie), a very nice baby stroller with the car seat and base, 3 boxes of baby clothes, a baby bath, and an ENTIRE nursery bedding set. That included the bumper, sheets, curtains, a child's size chair, area rug, quilt, wall decor and lamp shade. God had blown my mind. Might I add that my friend (Thanks Kim!) also passed on 2 huge bags of clothes for Sarah, which we needed too. Infact I had told my mother-in-law and hour before Kim called me to let me know she had the items, that we were waiting on God to provide clothes for Sarah. And He did. Kim's side of this story? She had a yard sale and couldn't figure out why the crib sold, but not the changing table, stroller, car seat and bedding set. We stood in her driveway and laughed over God's amazing Sovereign hand!

I think one thing that is so great about God is that He cares about every detail of our lives. I forget this so often, but he regularly reminds me. If He knows the exact number of hairs on our heads, He is a God who pays close attention to the details of our lives. Anita Von Canon once shared with me that she loved when her 2 daughters had matching outfits! She told me how God would often indulge that sweet desire of her heart. Every time she was given clothes, there would be items that were matching - one in 2 different sizes, or 2 very similar items.

Psalm 139 opens with "O Lord, You have searched me and known me." This is so true. He is in the details of every second of our lives, every thought of our minds, every love of our heart, every tear that we cry, every hope that we have, every move that we make.

I close part 2 of this story with Psalm 139:5-6 "You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it."

motherhood in real time - A Poem

2010-05-07T16:19:00.003-05:00

up in the night
up for the day
breakfast to make
find time to pray

laundry piled up
3 loads to wash
bug in the kitchen!
crunch when it's squashed

unload clean dishes
dirty ones in
kitchen all cleaned up
snack time begins

homeschool in progress
teaching 2 kids
3rd one is quiet...
"Mom look what she did..."!

school is all done
lunch on the table
folding this laundry
will I be able?

nap time then play
finally feed dog
haven't sat down yet
I'll sleep like a log

clean up the toys
"Dad's almost home!"
dinner is ready
don't answer the phone

wash dirt off kids
pj's, then bed
pray with my babies
legs feel like lead

few minutes to talk
few minutes to hug
exhausted from work
2 bugs in a rug

now close my eyes
another day won
thanking my God
for what HE has done

Milking Cookies

2010-04-27T13:08:00.005-05:00

Today I was sitting at the table drinking my morning coffee, bleary-eyed and trying to wake up. My sweet Sarah looked at me from across the table and said "Hey Mom, did you know that Daddy taught us how to milk a cookie?" Now I know that many things can be milked, but usually they are living creatures. I didn't know if I should be impressed that Bryan could actually milk a cookie or questioning of his sanity. And all I could picture in my mind was Bryan attempting to milk a poor chocolate chip cookie with little milking parts attached to the underside of it. "Milk a cookie? What does that mean?" I asked in total confusion. "You know, like when you take your cookie and dip it in a glass of milk." I was relieved.

I am so thankful for my family. And I'm grateful that in those bleary-eyed mornings when I just want to drink a cup of coffee in quiet, God provides a pick-me-up laugh that awakens my heart and mind and reminds me that He loves me so, so much.

My Sweethearts...

2010-04-26T10:47:00.002-05:00

I had to post this pic - everyone smiled on cue, which rarely happens!!! Bryan was about to go out of town for his grandmother's funeral and we were sad that we couldn't go too. So we were having some bedtime tickles to turn the frowns into smiles!

Hearing Dad

2010-04-19T18:46:00.004-05:00

This picture is pretty self explanatory! However, I do want to share a really cool story about this baby. The other night Bryan and I were watching TV and the baby was practicing his kick boxing, which is usually what he does at night! So I called Bryan over to feel how strong he was kicking. Bryan started talking to him and he immediately calmed down and stopped kicking. It seemed like he was listening to his daddy's voice. Bryan went back to watching the movie and the baby started up again, kicking and punching away. So Bryan came back over and talked to him again. After a few seconds the kicking stopped! Bryan continued to talk to him and it was almost as if he was soothed to a sleep, because all was quiet in the womb after that!!

I love the simplicity of this story. "Wrestless" child hears from his Daddy and is calmed down. Isn't this how we are as children of God? If it's not, it's how God wants us to be! God wants us to pour it out to Him, over and over, no matter what it is. David sets a wonderful example for us in the Psalms when he records the countless times he cries out to his Heavenly Father, draining his heart of everything that is weighing him down. Likewise, we get restless and so we go to our precious Father and He calms us, speaking truth to our hearts. Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." I rest in the fact that if Jesus calmed the storms and the seas, He can surely calm our hearts.

God and a Hot Dog

2010-04-06T16:57:00.002-05:00

Today I was cutting a hot dog up for Ellie and I started thinking about God's Sovereign hand - how it's woven into everything. I don't know why, but every time I cut up hot dogs or grapes or any food that has been noted as a "choking hazard" for small children, I pray for safe food passage! I know that children die from hot dogs and so I pray for my kids - that they may swallow safely! Yes I realize this may come off as bizarre, but I do. So today as I was cutting the hot dog and praying, God reminded me that even in those small pieces of hot dog, He is Sovereign. He is in control of the size of the dogs and the way that it's swallowed and so on... What comfort!!! As a mom, I am concerned so much for my children (I've been told many times "wait 'till they get older")! And God in His perfect way that He speaks, comforted my heart to know that if He's involved in the size of the hot dog pieces, He's surely involved in every other area of their lives - big or small, amazing or unnoticable. And so when a 'squito' lands on Ellie and she screams like she's dying, He's in control. Or when a toy gets lost and we pray for God to find it, He's in control. Or when Sarah hits her head 4 times in 1 day, (like today) He is Sovereign. And I can rest that every situation He allows into our lives is approved by His hands.

Nails on a Cross

2010-04-02T12:30:00.002-05:00

Today is Good Friday. I think that today should be celebrated just as much as Sunday because the impact of Jesus' obediance in His life and death is the reason why I live and celebrate life. It's hard for me to think that 2000 years ago on this day Jesus was suffering for my sin. He was being beaten, spit on, falsely accused, and hung on a cross for me. I often think that if I would have been the only one with sin on this earth, I would have been the lone woman standing at the 3 crosses screaming "Crucify Him" and nailing those nails into His hands and feet. And He would have looked at me with loving, forgiving eyes and would have died just for me. It's hard for me that today is named Good Friday. Today is a painful day for me. I know that Jesus was dying, thinking of me, loving me and hoping that one day I would see that love.

So on that solemn note, at the encouragement of my mentor, our family did an activity that begins a yearly tradition: We made a cross out of scrap wood and nailed nails into it. Each of us, the knowledge of our sin and one nail each. I will say that putting the cross together was more difficult than putting my lone nail into the wood. The fact that I had to put those 2 pieces of wood together was so hard. It wasn't an option. It had to be done. It made me realize that the cross is written into our lives and it can't ever be taken out. It is there for good. And what Jesus did is there for good. Maybe that's why it's called Good Friday.

Sugar Cookie Fun With Sweet Friends!

2010-04-01T21:07:00.001-05:00

The day after the fair we had some precious families over for dinner, March Madness basketball and some sugar cookie decorating! What a blessing it was to have some new friends in our home! Here are some pics of the kids making some pretty awesome looking cookies! I was tempted to take a bite out of a few of them! I probably would have had a fight on my hands though!

Day At The Fair With Pop!

2010-04-01T18:30:00.001-05:00

This past weekend Pop (my dad) treated us to an all expense paid trip to the fair! We were all a bunch of kids in a candy store! Sarah was quite the dare devil and dragged Bryan onto some of the more sophisticated rides such as the Needle and the Big Kid swings! I was really glad I was pregnant so I didn't have to ride those rides!! Anyway, we gorged ourselves on delicious fair food and played lots of those games that take all your money, or I should say, all of Dad's money!! Bryan tried his arm at a little baseball-breaking-glass-plates-to-win-a-prize and won! Although he paid for that a few days later! The kids got to ride on ponies, pet some animals, eat lots of sugar and ride all kinds of fun rides! What a great memory for all of us- thanks Dad!

Sunday Best

2010-03-19T18:46:00.001-05:00

Grandma treated the kids to new Easter Sunday outfits! So here is a preview!! Thanks Grandma - we love you!

2010-03-01T15:09:00.002-06:00

A Trip To North Carolina...

2010-03-01T13:48:00.000-06:00

We spent 6 weeks in Wilmington at the beginning of this year and had quite a few fun adventures! Of course the best part was seeing Grandma, Papa, Hannah, Aunt Kimberly and Uncle Micah many times over the course of the 6 weeks. But we also got to spend time with precious friends - the Von Canons, the McNeills, the Thorntons. AND we got to go to the NC Aquarium, the beautiful Kure Beach - where Bryan proposed to me!, Monkey Joes (a jumping castle place) just to name a few. I also had the very unexpected chance to see and hold Shannon Oaks' new baby, which was such a pleasure! Overall is was a blessed adventure. I am so grateful that God allowed us to see and spend time with precious family and friends.

Ellie Talks To God...

2009-12-07T10:25:00.004-06:00

This weekend we were sitting at the dinner table having prayer time and Ellie told us that she wanted to pray. Usually Ellie's prayers come out as random words that don't make any sense (to us at least!). But this time she bowed her little head and said "Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so." My daughter's first prayer was praying truth out loud!! We praised her for doing such a great job. And I praise God that He is teaching our children to talk to Him. What a wonderful thing to start learning at age 2!

Snowing in Beaumont!!

2009-12-04T15:04:00.008-06:00

The kids have been praying and hoping that God would make it snow here in Texas and well, He did! The cool thing is that it wasn't supposed to snow until this evening (when it was dark and the kids wouldn't have been able to see it as well.) We are so spoiled rotten by our precious Heavenly Father's love for us that He would make it snow in an abundance, in the daytime! On a side note, the trees are just now changing colors here (which is my favorite thing about the fall in NC). So with the snow falling infront of the beautiful trees, this is probably our favorite day of weather since we've been here! I praise God for His miracles and great love! (Ellie isn't in these first pics because she is napping...)

Whale of a Tale...Some Fall Fun

2009-10-29T15:47:00.010-05:00

We participated in our church's trunk or treat Wednesday night and decided to decorate our minivan like the whale from Jonah and the Whale! We had a blast and actually won a prize! Sidenote: This will be the only prize our uncool, generic blue, family hauler will probably ever get! But hey, I guess it deserves it's 15 minutes of fame too!! The kids had so much fun filling their buckets with candy. We learned a little about our kids when they are offered the option of choosing which candy they want out of the bowl... Sarah - grabs handfuls. She knows this will be the only candy she'll get for free for another year, other than Christmas of course. Andrew - Chooses 2 candies, one for each hand. Very methodical about the choice too! Ellie - picks one candy and takes a lot of time deciding which one she wants! Incidentally, they give candy out the way they get it!!

We also carved our 2009 pumpkin which we affectionately named Harvey!! This was a lot of fun too. Harvey later went to the dentist and had his 2 front teeth pulled. This was necessary because Andrew was a little scared of the pumpkin and removing his teeth made him more "user friendly"!

Shedding Blood...

2009-10-22T11:00:00.002-05:00

Today Sarah said, after scratching a mosquito bite, "Oh no Mommy, I'm shedding blood." I looked at her to see if she was kidding, but no, she was serious!