Sunday, December 12, 2010

People Break


Yesterday I took a break from people. not my family, of course, but from my cell phone and everyone outside of my house. It was wonderful. I made Christmas ornaments with my two girls and made lunch with my son, talked to my husband and did not answer my cell phone all day. May I advise you to do the same. Just for a day though. I like my friends and extended family so I answered my phone today...a little.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Birthday Love!

Yesterday was my Doodle Bugs birthday party. She turned three in November but the Thanksgiving stuff was so hectic I did not want her party getting lost in the shuffle so I waited until things died down a bit for everyone. This season gets so crazy and busy. Wish it didn't but I am learning to enjoy it anyway. She is three now and apparently that means she is supposed to get three of everything. Three strawberries, three Mickey Mouse cheeses and three candy canes. Don't worry did not give her three of the later. She had so much fun! The thing I noticed about the whole night though was that when she opened her gifts it was not so much about the gift as it was about actually opening the gift. She just had fun. Which was my whole goal. She felt loved and special.
The older I get the more important it is for my kids to know that we love them. To speak their individual language. They are all so different, so intricate. I love to watch them to see what is important to them. Sam loves time, Lili loves it when we make her something, Abigail loves pink. God loves us like that. He sees us and who we are and loves us there. He does it everyday. I want so much for my children and to know that they are loved individually by the King of Kings for who they are and that He speaks their language is all I could ask for . It is God's Birthday love. He gives them a party everyday. It says He rejoices over us with singing Zephaniah 3:17. He loves you that way too! Happy Birthday Abigail!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Love You God


This time of year is so sweet. I love the cold. I love hot chocolate and anything that smells like cinnamon. That smell just evokes Christmas to me. Sweet yet tangy. Full of fragrance. If I smell it even when it's not Christmas time I still think of Christmas. God is like the smell of cinnamon. He gives you little reminders that He is right there. Sometimes it is the smell of the air right after it rains or a beautiful sunset. More often than not for me, it is in an embrace from my husband or children. I just feel like He is hugging me. Maybe because when I was young, they are what I asked God for the most. A family that loves me and that I love beyond understanding. I hope this Christmas that God gives you a little or big reminder that He is always there. He will never leave you or forsake you...

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Comments

Ok so I fixed the comments portion on my blog. So all of you who would like to comment, please feel free to do so. Thanks.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Upside Down


For those of you who don't know, I take all of the pics on my blog. My friend has been encouraging me to put my pics out there so here you go. I just took this of my friends little boy. I love it. Not just because of the beauty of the child and the composition but because I often feel upside down. Been feeling it for a little while now. But, you know, upside down can be fun. It can be a blast. It is all about perspective. I choose to change my perspective and let these upside down days be fun. A unique learning experience. Take all that is upside down in your life and change your perspective. Swing with it. Fly. Laugh a little! Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

My Provider


My husband is a teacher. He was a teacher then he was a sawmill owner. Now, he is a teacher and a sawmill owner. Neither of which pay much. He teaches for a small Christian private school that is just into it's second year of existence. That being said we do not make a lot teaching. I am the music teacher and he is the math science teacher for 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade. This is his first year of teaching since 2001. We prayed a whole lot about whether or not he should take this job, knowing that the pay was not much and that it would be crazy for a while. We felt the peace of God and still do.
Daily, David and his students take prayer requests and write them down and pray over them until they get answered. They ask for many things and so does David. He often asks for prayer for our finances and the kids are faithful to pray for that. One of my students , however, came to me to talk about it though and she was greatly distressed about the fact that we don't make a lot of money. It was a good opportunity to talk to her about God, My Provider. I told her that we were not doing what we were doing for the money and that God was always faithful to provide because we were doing what He was telling us to do. She still had a worried look. She asked me what we were going to do about school for our kids someday. You know, how were we going to pay for the best schools etc. I told her that if God wanted my children in those schools, He would provide the money to send them there. He is My Provider. He has been and He always will be. Even if , someday, we end up millionaires, He is our Provider. We don't find peace in money. I mean it is nice to have around but my peace is supposed to be in God.
I got tested the other day in that. I went to check an account and my heart sank. We had very little in it and almost went to the land of despair. But I checked myself and talked to God. I told Him that it was just money and that I would not let money or the lack there of steal my peace. Later that night I went to hear a speaker for the volunteers of our church. He talked about this woman who was in his Bible school. He felt like someone in his class had prayed for 500.00 that morning so he asked if there was anyone that had. A woman raised her hand. He took out a fifty dollar bill, which was all he had on him at the time, and said ,"there is 500.00 in this 50.00. Don't limit God and see what He does. On her way home she stopped at the grocery store to pick up groceries. While she was standing in the check out line, she noticed a family in front of her that could not pay for their groceries. Feeling God's leading she handed them the 50.00. When she got home that night, a person she knew met her at the door. This person told her that they felt like they were supposed to give her 500.00 dollars! God increased her gift in a mighty way and was her Provider.
That night I went home to my husband inspired and peaceful. One our friends was there just hanging out with him and I started telling them what the message was about and how we don't need to measure our success by how much money we make because God is in control of that. He is our Provider. I also told them how I did not let the enemy steal my peace that morning when I saw the depressing balance in our savings account. Not long after I finished telling them this did our friend pull a card out of their pocket and hand it to us. Inside was a really encouraging note to my sweet husband and a check made out for 500.00! I love my Provider! by the way, my handsome and talented son took that picture above.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

What I am thankful for


I call this picture. All I Need to Be Thankful For
This picture was taken this last week on our trip to the coast. I looked down and saw all that I loved most in the world on the jetty and felt unbelieveably greatful. Thank You, Lord, for giving me what really matters... LOVE.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Love Came Down

Have you ever been through a time that is just hurts, You know that God is in everything that is happening and that He has a plan and that you have total peace about...but it hurts. That is what me and my husband David are going through right now. Peaceful pain. I guess it could be worse. It could be pain with no peace. Thank You Jesus for being our peace in every situation. I just call on You and You are there to hold me and my sweet husband. Anybody out there that is having painful peace right now? I pray for the Lord to sustain you and make you whole in every area of your life. Stay in the peace. We do have a choice. Blessings and peace.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Now


I was just reading one of my favorite blogs and she was having a converstaion with her husband about her career. She said to him" it's now or never" and he replied to her, "it's now." "It's now." WOW! Profound and simple but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Everything that we have in the whole world is right now. That is it. What are you going to do with "now"?
Right before I read this blog I was putting my little 2 year old angel to bed. I read to her a nightly Bible story and then covered her up and sang to her the medly of songs I always sing to her. There are times because of my lack of "alone time" that I rush through this process but tonight I just lingered and looked at the most beautiful little person and enjoyed all that God has given me. I did what I wanted to do with "now". What will you do with "now"? It is all you have. It is all that God has placed in front of you. Enjoy.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Learning


Has it really been over a month since I last posted. So much has happened in one month. My children started school again. I started teaching music again. I found out I was healthy and paid quite a lot to find that out. But my husband just looks at me and touches my face and says. Isn't it wonderful that you are o.k. ? He loves me. I like that.
I lead worship for a women's retreat and found some of my confidence for doing that kind of thing return to me. Not so much confidence in myself, but in God being able to use me like that again. Again, my husband supported me through the whole thing. Love him.
I have learned that I cannot possibly do everything. From grave mistakes that I made last year. Loading my boat so full of stuff I had to do that I did not even have time to see the beauty right in front of me. I don't do well in that environment. I know this aboout myself now and, while I realize that being stretched is sometimes a growing experience, when it is not God stretching you but you stretching you because you simply took too much on, it just hurts you and those around you. Kind of freeing to embrace that.
I have learned that I have still not dealt with my anger issues that I had when I was younger. I just stuufed them. Anybody ever do this? They just come bubbling to the surface and shock takes you over. Not fun. When I got prayed for about this issue, this sweet lady told me that it was bubbling to the surface because God wanted me to deal with it and get it out of my life. Probably true. Unless you see something you cannot face it. I kind of like prettier things bubbling up out of me though. Just because I like pretty things. Things that sparkle. Things that shine. One more thing to work on but I know His grace is sufficient for that.
I have learned that I love to hear my two year olds feet thunder across the wood floor in my house because of the life that she holds in that tiny little body. She just makes me want to live and experience life every day. She is never still except when she sleeps. I love this about her even when I am exhausted from it. Ha!
You should try this. Write down the things you have learned in the last month. It will amaze you. Many people in the Word called Jesus Teacher. Why should we think it stopped when He ascended into heaven. He has so many things that He wants to show us about Him, His creation and about ourselves. Why? Because He wants to know you and , without a doubt, wants you to know Him. Try it.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

All Things are Possible


23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

I have heard this verse so many times in the last two weeks. Think God is trying to tell me something? Ha! It has been ringing in my ears by the tune of a song that one of my friends wrote. My two year old has been singing the same song in the back seat...randomly. I heard it on a sermon that my best friend encouraged me to listen to. I hear it in God's still small voice. He says, "but with me all things are possible." I think that I like the b-u-t. I feel like Peter right now. Looking at the impossible storm while walking on the water. I almost start to sink into the waves and then I catch a glimpse of his face, unmoved and serene. His eyes look through me and seem to say, " but with Me all things are possible."

Then i come to him with my b-u-t. But God the doctor is saying this. but God I don't think this relationship will ever be mended. But God we don't have the money to fix this.... The list goes on and on in my mind of all of the things that I am looking at now, standing in the ocean of worry instead of peace. Then i catch a glimpse of His eyes.

My best friend ,when she was in labor with her second child, was hitting transition, which can be very painful. We had all been helping her through the pain of delivery up until that point and , honestly, she had been doing a wonderful job of handling the pain. When she got to transition and the baby was saying, "let me out of here!" all she wanted to see was her husbands face. It was very amusing to all of us at the time because she was looking at him and saying, All I want to see are his eyes, his face, etc. She was so focused on his face that she got through the pain and was able to beautifully deliver her first little boy into the world.

It was amusing at the time but now I find that it is inspiring to me. i should be like that every day. I should be so focused on Jesus that I walk on the water over my problems. I believe with God all things are possible. Just my two cents...


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Peace


O.k. so I finally feel like I have worked through some things that I have needed to for a long time. Things that have held me back and made me bitter. Things that have corrupted and hurt the person that I know I am. Finally, I feel peaceful. Like I have overcome these things that have done nothing but destroy. Peaceful.
I am a sensitive person. Full of a lot of flaws. I have learned to embrace some of those flaws and also learned that some of them have to go. One of them is allowing other peoples words to steal my peace. I find I can be walking along completely peaceful and content in that fact and someone can say one word and I am in turmoil. I mean that one word can totally destroy the peace that I have been enjoying. The peace that only God can give.
Now, I am learning that God is always able to give me this peace.One of my friends describes it like a waterfall. Always falling and beautiful. Totally refreshing and constructive. Healing and washing away all that is not of God. Everything that is not peaceful gets washed into the water. It is always there. It is up to me to step under that peace and stay there. Or it is up to me to step out from under it and let the troubles of this world weigh me down again. It is up to me.
When people speak to me and one word can change how I feel it is not their fault it is mine if I let what they have said steal my peace. In essence they have not stolen my peace, I have stepped out from under it and lost it all on my own.
I have been practicing lately. Every time that happens to imagine myself stepping right back into that wonderful waterfall and not allowing a word or an action steal my peace. One of the last things that Jesus said before He left this earth was, " Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled..." John 14:27. I think that says it all. He left it here. It is always here. He never changes so it is that way even this day. He love me. He gave His peace. It is up to me to stay in it.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Music


All of my life music has been a part of me. I was born singing. I think i actually came out of the womb singing. I have recordings that my dad and mom took of me at 18 months old singing on key and knowing every word. I am not bragging , it is just such an enormous part of the person I am. When you have something in your life that is as big as music is to me. You know, something that is just so much a part of you , you would not even begin to know how to tell someone to do it for themselves. I started teaching music at the small Christian school that my children attend. I actually started to panic because I had no idea how to tell them about music. Because ,with me, music just is.
Yesterday we went to a small concert of a Christian recording artist that I had listened to when I was a child. His style is so melodic and so edifying I would close my eyes and just listen. Beautiful music is like water to a weary soul.
As a mom with three precious and very amazing children, I don't get to feed that part of myself as much as I would like. I felt refreshed from the music and refreshed by getting to spend time with my sweet husband. I just want to encourage you to feed those parts of you that you might feel have died. Those things in you like art and music. Or maybe you have the gift of conversation and have not talked to a human in days. Go talk to someone.For my nine year old, it is birdwatching. He loves to photograph and draw and watch birds. For my friend, it is writing. She is a very gifted writer. For my husband, it is playing the piano or hunting. Getting out in nature and just soaking up God's beautiful creation.Edify yourself. You will feel more refreshed and more able to run the race. Psalm 45:1 "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite verses for the king"
I think the Psalmist was referring to a gift that God had given to him. Getting to recite his poetry was a way to feed his soul.His heart was stirred by it. He was refreshed by it. If you love to paint, go paint something. If you love to sing , go sing or hear someone sing. If you love to garden, go plant something.
Just my two cents...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Hebrews 12


The whole of Hebrews 12 is so good. Especially when you read from the Message version of the New Testament. I know, I know. Some of you might not like that translation but it is so easy to read and it is in our everyday language that we use today. I read the first part of Hebrews 12 last night and it meant so much more to me now, that I have seen what things like discontentedness can do. In the message it says "strip down, start running and never quit! No extra spiritual fat or parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we are in." Parasitic sins? Who has some of those. I know I do. It sometimes feels like they are stuck to me with Gorilla Glue and I can't get them off.
I was having serious problems with discontentedness. It was causing discord in my family and in my own life with Christ. God was so faithful to reveal this to me one day while I was working through something with my husband. Here's how it goes....Discontentedness breeds bitterness and bitterness breeds contempt and contempt breeds conflict. Any of those things sound like something true or lovely or anything that God says that we are supposed to think about? No way! It made havoc with my life. BUT GOD.... oh I love those to words... in all of His amazing faithfulness, revealed what that parasitic sin was in my life. He shined His light on it and made it shrivel up just like the wicked witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Sorry for that analogy but I could not think of a better one.His light broke me free and ever since that day I feel lighter and more peaceful. More able to run the race that Jesus ran for all of us. He ran it and did it perfectly. Now, I know we are not perfect but I so strive to run that race free of those things that have tried to weigh me down. Those parasitic sins that just breed more sin and then render you useless. Think about that. If the enemy can weigh you down, you can't run and if you cannot run, you cannot do the amazing things that God Himself has called you to do. I love it when His light hits me and reveals those things that try to weigh me down. When we can see them it makes it soooooooo much easier to flick them off and keep running.
See you at the finish line!

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Other Side


What is the other side? To those moving up in years it is when they cross over to be with Jesus in heaven. For some it is their side of a conflict. For others it is the water on the other side of the desert they have been walking through. The desert. Figuratively it is used a lot to describe lonely and dry times in our walk with the Lord. Times when we don't see Him but trust that He is there. Those times are filled with battles that we feel too tired to fight.Yet somehow we find the stregnth to fight them. Plain and simple I have learned that the strength that we find has not come from us. He is and always will be our strength.
From childhood, fear was a very large part of my life. I feard what would happen to me when i grew up, I feared the dark, I feared what people thought of me. There are still those days that I am paralyzed with fear of the unknown or irrational things that could happen. Might happen.
Those are interesting words...could...might. There is nothing concrete about those words at all. There is nothing about those words that can gaurantee me anything. I like the word "will". In John 14:14 it says,"You may ask Me for anything in My name and I WILL do it." Yeah, I think that "will" is a really great word. I can trust in those words. So as a person that is learning that coming to the other side is a constant thing in her life. Because, let's face it, our lives are moving pictures. They don't stop for us. They are changing everyday. It is a beautiful thing. I just have to relinquish the control and enjoy the change. Fight when I have to and trust that He is always with me, not just on the other side but right where I am.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Broken and Better For It

This week I went up to North Texas to visit family. I did not sleep very much. Every time I would close my eyes I felt like there was a weight that would come and press itself down on my chest. Then thoughts would fill my mind about all that is going on right now in my life and my families life. I just felt like I could not hold anymore. I finally broke a couple of days ago. I had to lay down. I had not slept in so long. I thought I would take a short nap while two year old slept. I did not get a nap. Instead, I got a flood of tears and emotions and feelings that I had been holding inside for a long time came rushing out faster than I could hold them in. I called my friend. I just needed someone to hear what a "great" person I was. She was faithful. Proverbs 27:6 says" The wounds of a friend are faithful". I heard her speak the truth to me and with the truth comes revelation. It just confirmed all of the things I had already been thinking.
SO ...finally broken. Yea!!!!!!!! It felt so good to just break and give it all to God. I had been trapped by my feelings and desires. That rainbow that I talked about in my last post. I was trapped by my own rainbow! Funny? A little. But still trapped. Not trapped anymore. I am now aware. Aware that what may seem like a rainbow can bind you and hurt the people that love you most. Thank you friend for the truth and thank you God for the precious hand that pressed on my chest every night so that I could not ignore the glaring trap that I was in. Thank You Jesus for the healing balm that you placed in my heart after it was broken.
You know the funny thing is. I was so attached to that rainbow I was talking about that I could not see all the dreams that I have been praying so long for are coming true. Maybe not how I saw them panning out but God knows how they are supposed to be. Not me. Crazy control freak! Got to work on that. Maybe next time...

Monday, June 28, 2010

Death of a Vision


Today was a day of letting go of all the things that I thought were before me and surrendering to those things that are already in view and that are ahead of me. I don't know if any of you have been through this but laying down and surrendering are so hard for me. I am a stubborn girl. Not the best of traits but, hey, if you knew what I had been through in my life you would understand. I don't give up easily and I grieve when I have to. Today was a day of giving up. Not necessarily a bad thing but still very painful. One good thing it brought was peace to me and peace to my sweet husband that has been putting up with me while I go through this "fun" process.
The only way I can put it is.... my family and I drove up to the top of this beautiful, green hill with the purpose to eat and see the sun set. Just before we got there there was a wonderful thunderstorm so many of the clouds from that storm still resided at the top of the hill. We ate and looked for birds and played frisbee. My husband and two older children went exploring while me and the two year old stayed behind to see the exquisite rainbow that had appeared out of nowhere. Two year old suggested that we take a walk. While we were walking, the rainbow started to fade causing my precious girl sadness because she was convinced that that rainbow was her rainbow and no one elses. She kept crying "my rainbow, my rainbow." While she was looking at the rainbow, I was looking at the most golden sunset I have seen in a very long time. It was in the completely opposite direction.So full of color and light I felt like I could touch it. Little one looked up at me with her big hazel eyes and lifted her arms and saying "carry me". Gladly, I picked her up in my arms and began to whisper in her ear,"you know, God made those pink clouds just for you. All of those beautiful, pink, cotton candy clouds are all yours." WE turned our back to the rainbow as she said her goodbye to something fading, and walked toward the pink (which is her favorite color), cotton candy clouds with many more colors than were in the rainbow.
God was faithful to point out to me about this time that my dreams and visions are fading and He has put something so much more beautiful in front of me. It may not be what I thought it would be but it is so much better and full of light and the best part is that He will carry me to the new thing if I let Him.
This is what I read last night :Isaiah 43:18-19 " Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Let go of those things that are fading and climb into the arms of your Father who will carry you to all of those New Things.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Faith


I was asked how God gives me strength. If He gives it to me through vitamins or just good vibrations. Hmmmmm.....I have been thinking about how to explain a God that is unexplainable. One that would give His only son to die on a cross so that I did not have to bear the burden of sin on my life. But knowing that some of you need an answer out there (now keep in mind that I am no expert on this, it is just my own personal experience with my Creator), I say it has to do with two things. Me walking toward Him and Him walking toward me. I step out, toward Him, in faith and trust that He will hear me and He walks toward me by answering my request. He loves me and wants to help. Doesn't any parent?
Honestly, I felt horrible Saturday night and really did not want to do the dancing and singing but I asked God for strength and as soon as I got onto that stage I felt revived and energized. It required faith and God answered me with what I needed. I stepped and God breathed His life into me. In Hebrews 11:1 it says" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Any of you out there who want to step in His direction? I know that it is hard for some of us to get our minds around a Big God who is all powerful and distant. While I do believe that God is all powerful, I do not believe that there is any part of Him that wishes to be distant and unreachable. Since the fall of man He has been trying to reestablish the connection that He lost when Adam decided to take that fateful bite of forbidden fruit. I believe He restored that connection through His perfect Son, Jesus. He longs to be close to us again to walk with us and talk with us.
It may sound simple and illogical but that is my two cents and I believe it with all my heart.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Kind a Funny

Well, WOW! I find it really funny that the day after I write about getting my strength from God I get sick. I was walking around on the last day of VBS (Splash Day!), which is my favorite day, by the way, and my friend Tammy looked at me and immediately sent me home. I was sad and relieved because I could not figure out why I was so tired. When I got home I had a fever of 102. At least I knew why i was sooooooo tired. I kind of laughed and went to bed. Knowing Friday night I would have to go back and do all of my "cheerleader" moves on stage once again.
I did it! It was awesome and the kids loved it and we all had a great time. I even enjoyed it through my fog of Advil and fever. God truly was my strength last night. Thank You God for always lifting me up. Anyway, it was kind a funny. Note to all who read this... Your faith will be tested. Haha! Just my two cents...

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Happy Birthday My Sweet Lili! and I Need Him


It is my precious Lili's 7th Birthday today! She is so beautiful and sweet I wanted to give 7 attributes that make her great so here goes...
1. She is heaven minded. She will choose God every time even if it's a toy or item. She will choose the toy or item with a Scripture verse on it over a nicer item.
2. She is so creative. She is always doing art projects and thinking out of any box. I love it!
3. She is bold. She will tell anyone what she believes and why she believes it.
4. She is kind. She does not ever say a bad word about anyone.
5. She is loving. She will look at someone who has been nasty to her and forgive them immediately and tell them, she loves them all in one breath.
6. She is peaceful. Very little ruffles her feathers. Even during scary storms she is singing.
7. She is mine. Thank you God!!!! She is our precious girl!!!!!!

Ok so we have been doing Vacation Bible School all week at church. I get to do the worship which involves channeling my inner cheerleader and singing about 4 hours out of the day. Can anyone say cardio? It has been so fun and has gotten to the point they don't have to ask me if I will be there next year anymore. They know that I will do it. I enjoy it.
The one thing I do not enjoy is the complete exhaustion all of us feel at the end of the week. However,one thing that has come to me out of this complete exhaustion has been that, as I am singing these fun worship songs about God and gyrating on stage, I am meaning the words that I sing. I have found myself closing my eyes and crying out to Him for His strength and His energy. You know what? It comes to me. Just when I think that I cant do that dance move one more time or I can't jump one more time. I have the strength to do it. I remember when I went on choir tour when I was a teen. We sang this song that says:
"His strength is perfect
When our strength is gone
He'll carry us when we can't carry on
Raised in His power
The weak become strong
His strength is perfect
His strength is perfect

His strength has been all that I have has this week and it has been enough. It has driven me closer to Him to have nothing but His strength to call on. There are so many times that I think it is me getting me through hard situations but it's not and never has been. He carries me. He even carries me through Vacation Bible School (why do they call it that?)week. To some they would say that was a small thing to go through. Believe me, in my life I have been through much more than that, but He cares about every little detail of my life. Ask Jesus to carry you. He will. He loves you and wants to be your strength. Just thought you would like to know...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Trying

Right now I am just going through a time of great growing. You know the times like when you were a kid and could really feel those growing pains. I have been having a lot of growning pains as of late and would like for them to stop. There are so many things in life that creep back up just when you think that you have completely overcome them .It doesn't feel good. You look at yourself and really don't like who you see. The main thing that God keeps reminding me is that if I don't like what I see I can just change it. I don't have to hit myself over the head. He tells me, there is therefore now no condemnation for all who are in Christ Jesus. That is one of the things I do not like about myself. Guilt. That was taken care of on the cross completely paid for. Every timeI feel that, I hear God saying I already took care of that for you. Don't dredge up the old dead and buried stuff, it can no longer weigh you down. I don't know if any of you ever feel this way but just thought I would share what's on my heart.
There was a song I heard about fifteen years ago and I sing it almost every day in my head. The words are:
Don't let the past keep holding you back
Don't lose the dream in which you believe
I long to do deep within you
Something new

I guess these growing pains are to push me into the "something new" of my life. If you are having any growing pains, know that there is something new. A place beyond the past that God has for you. The past was dealt with on the cross and all that is ahead is the new.
Phillippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Hang on....

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Pic of the Day:Best Pic of Abigail So Far


I fnally figured out the trick to getting good pics of 2 year old. Bribery! It works everytime. Just thought you would like to know.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Field Day and the Creek!





Yesterday was field day at School and, boy, did we have a great time. The tug of war was very dramtic as you can see. Then we went to the creek for the first time this year. It had been so long since we had been down there. We had all missed it. We had a great time and ate some delicious hot dogs. Even though school is not officially over, it felt like summer had begun. Oh, Lili's team came in third and Sam's team came in fourth. They had a blast but I don't think I have ever seen Sam this tired.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Before Pics of the House






Ok here are some before pics of our house and yes I have been busy which is why you are not seeing after pics yet. We are in it and the walls have been painted. Thank you all of you that helped me with that tremendous task. All I have to say is two coats of oil based primer and two coats of paint to every wall in my house. I actually had a fit about the donut people not puting my chocolate glazed donut in our order when I was finished painting. I don't think I have ever been that tired and completely out of it. Seriously, I acted like a two year old the day after that was over. It took me eight days of solid painting morning til night. It is now light and airy but the trim has not been painted yet sooooooo you will have to wait for the after pics. It may be a year until I can look at another paint can. Just kiddin. I have already got some stuff taped and ready to go. Still get nauseous when I look at a paint can though. Ta ta for now.

Monday, May 3, 2010

New House

Well it is just the best thing! God dropped a beautiful house into our lap. I mean totally blessed our socks off! We have a lot of work to do. I mean a lot but it is ours and I can toally do it for that reason. This is the first house that I have owned that I can honestly say I am doing for me and my family. Every house we have owned has been for the buyer. Well, what would a buyer want. This is just a little place for us to hang our hats. So now we hang our hats on Bluebonnet St.! I have always loved that street and even knew the people who once owned our house. It has a massive backyard for the kids and me. I love to garden and a big garage for David and all of his tools. God hit this one out of the park. I will post before and after pics so you can see how it developes. Apparently you wont see them today because my pics menue is refusing to popup. Will try later.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Pic of the Day:More Beach

As promised more pics of the beach. I know that you were just dying for more.





Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Pic of the Day:Beach






Here are some favorite pics of the beach. We has so much fun! The one of David is of him dancing like a crazy man on the beach. The beautiful children are mine. I know. I know. What can I say. We throw pretty offspring. We played and went to the Sancastle Festival. That was cool. I watched Abigail grimmace everytime she had to touch the sand.We finally got her over the whole dirt thing. More later...

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Pic of the Day:Sunny Day


So the other day was a sunny day! It was one of the first warm, sunny days of the year. Abigail and I went out onto a huge concrete slab I call the launch pad. Why do I call it the launch pad you ask? Because it looks like a launch pad. That's why. We had a picnic a just laid in the sun. It was great! I got inspired my little firefly running all over the "launchpad" so I decided to take our picture. Well, being that I have been up since four forty five this morn, I am going to cut this short. I do need to say that I am so glad that my friend is OK and that she and I are going to kick butt in a race very soon. Love you friend!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pic of the Day:Another One?

9 years old

5 years old

My only son came to David and I today and told us that he felt like he was supposed to be a missionary. I asked him where he had heard this and he said nowhere. He felt like he was supposed to travel the world and tell people about God because he did not want to see them go to hell. He was trying to be so strong and I could see his lips trembling. His eyes welled up with tears. I asked him why he was crying. He said that he did not know why. I don't know about you but when I really feel God pulling at my heart to do something...I cry. He is so strong. So solid. Not perfect but he has a very kind heart.
When we get on to him about a certain fault, he is often harder on himself then we are on him. I love him. He and I are so much alike. We both detest change. We are both creative but lack imagination sometimes. He loves so deeply. If he loves you, he will love you forever and you can't change his mind. He is so strong-willed and many times , when he was young, I questioned about the greatness of that character trait. I can't tell you how many times I had to leave a grocery basket full of food in the middle of Wal- Mart because he threw a fit about something he wanted. I am talking two hour long battle with Sam over whether or not he should eat his green beans. Long story short...he ate the beans.
Through all of this, he has learned obedience. Samuel understands the difference between doing what we want to do and doing what is right. I love him for that. He is growing so fast. I hugged him and told him that no matter what he chose to do I hoped that it was what God was saying. My beautiful son is becoming a man before my eyes. I know that he is only 9 but, if you know him, he does not make decisions lightly and he is not likely to change his mind. All I can do is pray for my little missionaries and ask the Lord to take them where He wants them. I learned obedience from my son today.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Pic of the Day:Last Pics From Spring Break

Abigail Delighted With Her Ice Cream
The Beautiful Redbuds At The Botanical Gardens
My Love And My Little Loves
Me And The Dreamer
Abigail and David Playing With The Duckies In The Fountain

These are our pics from The Botanical Gardens . We all went. My mother in law and father in law and sister in law. husband and all 3 kids and me. How did that happen? It just worked out so beautifully. Then we went to Freddy's and ate the bestest hamburgers and fries. Abigail got her own custard and ,as you can see from the pic ,was delighted. We had a wonderful time at one of my favorite places. I love being with flowers and seeing the beauty that God created for us to enjoy. I loved being with my family most of all. It was such a great day!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Pic of the Day:Spring Break Pics






Here are some of the latest pics that we have gotten of the kids Spring Break. Samuel took the one of the butterfly. I love it so much am using it as my screensaver! So far, we have gone to a little town and fished and looked for rocks on the banks of the River, the kids including Carlye, Nathanael and Noah and David along with our friend and the kids teacher went fishing and Sam saw a rare Green Kingfisher. That is a bird if you do not know. I will explain more later. We have gone rollerskating. I am sure my friend will email me the pics of that because I am holding the ones of her kids on the river hostage until she ante's up her hilarious rollerskating pics. Ha! I love having them home and not having to rush everything. It has been a blessing.