tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63231909607704958132024-03-18T23:57:03.961-04:00Raggedy To RetroThe Adventures of Ann and Andy
in the little house that became a home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-77154615178498948472014-04-11T21:41:00.001-04:002014-04-11T21:41:54.873-04:00An Amazing Promise: Ivy's Birth StoryIt's time to do this. Because time... it passes quickly. Life gets busy and in the blink of an eye you realize ten months have passed. Minutes and moments fly by and you wonder, "Will I be able to remember it all?" Probably not, but I'll share what I do remember. Ten amazing months! Amazingly blessed with our little love Ivy. It's time to share our story. Time to share how God orchestrated this beautiful blessing in our life, and how her voice completes the harmony in our home.<br />
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This is the Story of Ivy Lucille</h3>
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I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I never imagined I'd be blessed with another baby. Life and the mistakes along the way had me on a path where the possibility of being a Mother again seemed so distant it was unreachable. Guess what? God knew my heart. He knew that longing deep within for another child to love, and more importantly, for a wonderful man to share my life with. Three years ago, I had neither. I may be a procrastinator. My timing is usually terrible, but God? Yeah, God's timing is always, ALWAYS perfect!</div>
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Most people reading this will already know that God placed Andy in our lives at the perfect time. He's a wonderful father for Abrianna and Jaden. He's the love of my life and the man God ordained to lead our home. He too, had a desire to have a baby. Shortly after our marriage in March of 2012 we started talking about a baby.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We started trying in August of 2012. On September 27, 2012 I met Andy at the fire station with 2 positive tests in my pockets. About 10 minutes after I shared the news that we were expecting, he and I saw the most beautiful full rainbow. It was a sunny day with no rain. The world defines a rainbow as "an arch of color formed in the sky under certain circumstances, caused by the refraction and dispersion of the sun's light through rain or water droplets in the atmosphere." God defines it as a PROMISE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What a beautiful promise too! It was His promises that carried me through when fear snuck in and when I couldn't hold down anything. My pregnancy was physically difficult, but I was blessed to have a wonderful network of friends who pointed me towards the Father when I felt low.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My pregnancy was defined as high risk. As a result we had the opportunity to witness God's amazing creation of life from the beginning. I remember how frightened we were one night when I began bleeding and the rush of relief upon seeing our little one doing </span>somersaults on the ultrasound<span style="font-family: inherit;"> at 12 weeks gestation. From then on we had several ultrasounds. One of my favorite images is of Ivy's hand when I was about 5 months along. </span></div>
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An Amazing Birth Day</h3>
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Due to complications my second child was born by Cesarean. There was a possibility that those same complications could re-occur when it came time for Ivy to be born. We were advised that a second cesarean might be the best option. My hearts desire was to have a successful VBAC and give birth naturally. My doctor would only consider a trial of labor if everything went well. We prayed and diligently went to the hospital at least twice a week for monitoring in the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy.<br />
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At my 39 week appointment it was time to discuss the options. If I went past 40 weeks the doctor would feel less and less comfortable with a trial of labor. We could schedule a c section or induce. Still praying and believing that I would have a VBAC we scheduled the induction for my due date. <br />
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On May 29, 2012, Andy and I went to the hospital and got settled in for our last night before having the baby. In the morning, the doctor arrived and we went over how the induction would proceed. Then they started the pitocin drip. It didn't take long before I was having contractions. At 9 am the doctor returned and decided to break my water. Then the contractions got intense!<br />
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I had planned on an epidural. For me, it was a good choice because should the trial of labor end in Cesarean I didn't want to be put under general anesthesia. I wanted to be there, to be present and enjoy the birth of my last baby. I wanted it to be a great experience for Andy as well. So, while we waited for an epidural we listened to Klove. I wanted to put my trust and focus on God when the pain came. The plan was to listen to songs and focus on them.<br />
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What actually happened though was quite different. Each time a contraction began the words of Psalm 23 began to scroll through my mind.<br />
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<i>The Lord is my Shepherd</i></div>
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<i>I shall not want</i></div>
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<i>He makes me lie down in green pastures</i></div>
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<i> He restores my soul...</i></div>
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<i>Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death</i></div>
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<i>I will fear no evil</i></div>
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<i>For You are with Me</i></div>
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What a comfort. I'll confess at times I felt like and nearly thought I was dying. When those words came to mind I knew I wasn't alone. </div>
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We turned off the music. I didn't need it. Around 11 am my Mom arrived with Abrianna, Jaden, and my brother Josiah. I wanted them there. They were as much a part of this as anyone else and I wanted them to be there with me during labor and to have the opportunity to meet their baby sister as soon as she arrived. Right after Mom and the children arrived, the nurse came in to tell us that the anesthesiologist was there to administer the epidural. Once that was over, everyone came back in and I was able to chat with the kids. </div>
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I'm so glad they were there. Abrianna was such a good little labor coach. She stayed close to me, gave me ice and held my hand during contractions. At 5 pm, I didn't even realize that I was in transition until the nurses came into the room and told me to roll onto my left side because the baby was having heart deceleration. They checked and sure enough it was go time! </div>
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As soon as the doctor arrived we were ready to go. Josiah took the little kids to the waiting area and I was told to start pushing. This required a whole new level of concentration and focus. Make it or break it, if she wasn't born soon we would be going to the OR. One of the things that I had wanted during my pregnancy was for the baby to have a birth song. My plan had been to make sure music was playing when it was time to push. Whatever was playing when she was born would be her song. Um, yeah in that moment the last thing I thought about was turning on the radio. I didn't have to though. Wanna know what was on repeat in my head? </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">20 minutes of pushing. It felt like forever at the time. That anxiousness. Waiting to see her for the first time. Feeling so spent, so out of control, and so very much in need of the Lords help and presence. What a perfect song for Him to place in my heart at that moment! "Lord, I need you. Oh I need you, Every Hour I need You..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">20 minutes of pushing and there she was at 5:23 pm without the need for a C-section. Praise God! 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">She was so beautiful, so worth every minute, every tear, every prayer, every moment of waiting.....the beginning of a new and wonderful adventure. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-38685750170003126772013-07-05T20:47:00.001-04:002013-07-05T20:47:02.365-04:00Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-23762425603412894512013-01-15T12:44:00.000-05:002013-01-15T12:44:20.747-05:00Redeeming Childbirth Book Review In my last post I alluded to a great new ministry that I was so excited to be a part of. Today I want to share that ministry with you. I've been so blessed to be included as a part of the launch team for Angie Tolpin's new book <a href="http://redeemingchildbirth.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">Redeeming Childbirth.</a><br />
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Most who know me know that I'm an avid reader. As with my other two pregnancies, when I learned I was expecting this baby I gathered every book I had on the subject of pregnancy and childbirth. I've read so many of the classics and like most expectant mom's I searched for more. Pregnancy is such an uncertain season in a woman's life. The joy of bringing forth a new life is often dimmed by the uncertainty of the unknown. It's no surprise that women hungrily devour every morsel of information they can get, hoping to provide answers to the questions keeping them awake at night. <br />
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I'm not just talking about questions like "Can I eat this or that?" or "How much weight should I gain?" or "When should I call my doctor?" I'm talking about real deep seeded fears and feelings that arise during impending parenthood such as"Can I really do this?" "Will I be a good mom?" and "Does anyone really understand or care how I'm feeling?" I'm talking about feeling helpless and hopeless when you can't hold down food or physically care for the children you already have. What about the crippling anxiety that something might go wrong. Where does an expectant mom go to deal with these feelings?<br />
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There are thousands of books on pregnancy and childbirth. Redeeming Childbirth is the first to provide women with the tools and encouragement to prepare for birth and life as a mom by pointing them to the never failing love of our Creator and Lord. Angie lovingly guides women to seek the Savior in this time and to find rest in Him. <br />
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One of my favorite songs right now talks about finding God no matter where we are, seeking him in the season and circumstance we are in. I love that Redeeming Childbirth encourages women to do just that. To know that birth doesn't have to be a time of fear. It can even be a time of ministry to others as we allow God to be Glorified in our pregnancies, labor and delivery. <br />
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It's not just for expectant mom's either. God wants the church to be unified in supporting expectant families through this season. Every woman who has or who hopes to have children will benefit from reading this book. I'm so excited that Angie has included chapters that instruct Titus 2 women in how to promote unity and encourage expectant mothers in a Godly way. I also want to note that 10% of profits from sales will be going to provide free copies of this book to Pregnancy Resource Centers and Women's Health Professionals as an evangelistic effort. <br />
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I'm so excited about this week and I hope you will join in celebrating the launch of <a href="http://redeemingchildbirth.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">Redeeming Childbirth.</a> As the week goes on, I hope to be able to blog more and share more with you about how this book is personally ministering to my heart. <br />
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In the meantime I want let you in on some of the exciting things taking place this week.<br />
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GIVEAWAYS!!!! That's right! To celebrate the launch week there are some great giveaways going on this week at <a href="http://redeemingchildbirth.com/" target="_blank">Redeemingchildbirth.com</a> including a Mini-Ipad giveaway. There will also be a Twitter Party tonight with more great prizes at #RedeemingChildbirth you can find more info and RSVP <a href="http://redeemingchildbirth.com/launch-day-twitter-party/" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-27604164676812215292012-12-13T09:42:00.000-05:002012-12-13T09:42:04.032-05:00The only way to fix a crumbly Heart...is to let it Break. Fantastically blessed...that is in fact what I am. Aren't we all? Just the act of breathing is a blessing in itself. It should be easy to follow God, to stand in the face of trials, to train our focus solely on Him. We however are weak, we can't do it alone. Just as we should come to Him freely like children, so also can we (if we allow ourselves) be distracted like a child noticing the sparkling pebble on the beach rather than the coming wave. Even a gift from God can be distracting....How? Let me tell you.<br />
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First off I must apologize to those who read and support this blog. I should never have neglected to post for such a long time. Long story short...Andy and I are expecting a child this coming spring. Fantastically blessed right? I'd like to say we planned it. We did, to an extent. We planned to stop preventing pregnancy in August. WE thought it would take a while, God had other plans. Five weeks later we were announcing the news. I felt amazing! I was certain this pregnancy was going to be easy. Since that time, we've been to the ER three times, I've been put on medication for nausea, practically stopped working due to rest restrictions, and we've seen our precious little miracle 5x via ultrasound. <br />
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If you ask my husband he would no doubt agree that I do not make a good sick person. I'm not grumpy, but I am whiny. Going from working full time to barely holding down food, well I didn't take it so well. Instead of finding joy in this season of life that I am in, I started thinking of myself as sick and I couldn't wait for it to end. I was terrified that something would go wrong with the pregnancy. I was missing church, losing my focus, and I had a terrible case of the "Poor Me's." Dangerous territory....<br />
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<em>For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.</em><br />
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Romans 1:21<br />
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I was struggling miserably. I had so much support from family and friends and for that I'm thankful, but inside I was crumbling. How could I sing, how could I blog or minister to others when some days I wasn't up to lifting my head from the pillow? I felt so far away from God. Physically broken and mentally worse. I let how I felt distract me from what and where I should be. <br />
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<em>And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.</em><br />
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Colossians 3:17<br />
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"Whatever you do...." Yep, that means even on the days that I'm not feeling so good and the only thing I get done is to get out of bed or maybe not even that. Every moment of life should be spent giving thanks, doing whatever I can for the Glory of the Lord. No one likes to be ill, no one likes to feel broken for any reason, but what if we could use that brokeness to minister to someone else? What if we let God use our battles (no matter what it might be) to reveal Himself to others? <br />
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I was hiding behind walls that I put up....fear, anger, depression, worry, feeling alone....but I wasn't alone. My heart was crying out and just like always even when I didn't have the words, God knew what I needed to hear. I was watching a television show when I heard this song and everything I was holding in broke apart......<br />
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<em>Come to me,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23488A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23488B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> <span class="text Matt-11-29" id="en-NIV-23489"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23489C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.</span></span></em><br />
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Matthew 11:28-29<br />
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Rest...I already feel better. In the past week I've been finding such wonderful rest in Him. I've been recieving so much encouragement from friends online. I've also been introduced to a new ministry for women that is nothing short of amazing. I'm so excited to be a part of it and I will share more soon. God's timing is perfect and His ways are perfect. I recieved just what I needed at just the right time and you can too...<br />
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<em>But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for
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Deuteronomy 4:29 </blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-6258180281772828232012-09-23T18:54:00.000-04:002012-09-23T18:54:39.306-04:00Testing, Testing..... I feel like it's been forever since I last posted. It's been 12 days. My oh my, how much can happen in that short amount of time? Where shall I start? Today is one of those days when I'm sitting down without a clue what to blog about. I just know that I need to do it. I need to keep this up...and I need to share what God is doing for us. Tomorrow will make 6 months that Andy and I have been married. It's been amazing so far and we are so blessed. That doesn't mean we haven't shared a bump or two in the road. Our biggest struggles have been blending our family and finances. <br />
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Finances...I thought that I had it pretty much covered. I mean, I've done ok for the kids and myself in the past. It's always been a struggle but we got by, God has always provided our needs, and I shouldered a lot on my own. In the past I've been burned a lot when it comes to money, so letting go and letting Andy take the lead has been hard for me. He took on so much when we married and he has never let us down as a provider. He does worry. Right now, we are paying more out in bills than either of us has ever done. The amount may seem minuscule to some, but to us, it's a big deal. Andy's paycheck covers the major bills, but we had nothing left over. We've been praying for a breakthrough with my job situation. Something had to give.<br />
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A few weeks ago, during one of our discussions about finances (which seem to be at least 10x a day now), I brought up the topic of tithing. At the time, the idea of putting in 10% almost seemed impossible. Andy was so stressed and worried about how we were going to make our finances work. So I asked how he felt about giving 10% and explained that it's the only place in the bible where God says that we can test him. (Not that we need to test God to know that He is good!)<br />
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<em>Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.</em><br />
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Malachi 3:10<br />
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So, we decided to try it. This week something happened. I got a call to work as a long term substitute. A huge blessing in itself. Even though we aren't sure how long I'll be in this position it's a break for us and I've been promised at least a few weeks of work, possibly the rest of the school year. It's not going to be easy, it's probably going to be the most challenging position I've had yet. I'm going to need to rely on God more than ever before for physical and mental strength. We are so excited though. <br />
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The next thing that happened was we were offered a deal that will allow us to purchase a family vehicle at a price and monthly payment amount we can handle. About a month ago, Andy and I had talked about buying it, but we just couldn't find a way to get the extra money to buy it straight out or even to put a down payment on it. I'm so excited about how much we have seen God's blessing pouring out in our life. It can only get better. <br />
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I'm not saying that by tithing we're gonna get rich etc. No not at all, I do believe that the more we trust God with our finances, the more secure we will be. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to teach us about stewardship, giving, and trusting him to provide what we need. There's no need to worry, if we worry about bills and money..then we probably aren't doing it right. <br />
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<em>Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23291A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> before you ask him.</em><br />
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Matthew 6:8<br />
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<em> Do not be anxious about anything,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.</em><br />
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Philippians 4:6 </blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-37915209574467250382012-09-11T11:04:00.000-04:002012-09-11T11:21:12.547-04:00Beauty from Ashes: Remembering 9-11<br />
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<em>The Spirit<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> of the Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> is on me,<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-1">because the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has anointed<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> me</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-1">to proclaim good news<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> to the poor.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></span></em><br />
<em><span class="text Isa-61-1">He has sent me to<span style="color: #ffd966;"> bind up<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> the brokenhearted</span>,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-1">to proclaim <span style="color: #ffd966;">freedom<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> for the captives<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18845H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-1">and release from darkness for the prisoners,</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-2" id="en-NIV-18846"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>to proclaim the year of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s favor<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-2">and the day of vengeance<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> of our God,</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-2">to <span style="color: #ffd966;">comfort<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> all who mourn</span>,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18846L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3" id="en-NIV-18847">and provide for those who grieve in Zion—</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">to <span style="color: #ffd966;">bestow on them a crown<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> of beauty</span></span><br /><span style="color: #ffd966;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-3">instead of ashes,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">the oil<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> of joy</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-3">instead of mourning,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">and a garment of praise</span></span></em><br />
<em><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: #ffd966;"></span></span><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span style="color: #ffd966;">instead of a spirit of despair</span>.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">They will be called oaks of righteousness,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Isa-61-3">a planting<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18847Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-61-3"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"></span></span></span><span class="indent-1"><em>for the display of his splendor.</em></span></div>
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Isaiah 61:1-3</blockquote>
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I remember.... the two words that are present in our hearts today on yet another anniversary of September 11. Nearly every facebook status I've seen this morning begins this way, or even without words by the sharing of thousands of memorials and photos of the event we all wish had never happened. It did happen though, and in the years since so much has transpired in our country and in our lives.<br />
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I'm not going to bore you with a personal account of where I was and how I felt. Instead I'm going to share my thoughts this morning. At our church each year we have sort of a challenge. A word is chosen that we kind of make the theme for the year. Last year, that word was Joy. (I'm still a little stuck on it as you might be able to tell.) This year the word was Memories. Not memories as in memories of child hood or family, birthdays etc. When someone says Memories, we are supposed to say "I Remember" and think of all that God has done for us and brought us through. <br />
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I Remember....<br />
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11 years ago when the towers fell I was a senior in high school. I wasn't a mother, a wife, a teachers aide, a Sunday school teacher, or any of the other hats I wear today. I had no idea where I was going or what I would be, in truth most days I still don't. <br />
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I remember the pain of that day, and wondering like most, what was to come. As a country we mourned for those who were lost, but if you are like me, that mourning was more about the loss of the control and security we felt than about the individual lives lost. How can you truly mourn for people that you have never met. We all felt pain, but here in WV most of us weren't personally close enough to the tragedy to really feel the loss. My feelings haven't changed much in 11 years. It's still hard to personally envision all that happened on that day. I will say that in the past year I've gained a better grasp because personally, I've seen the brotherhood of Men and Women who are willing to lift each other up, stand in the gap, and when needed die for others. <br />
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<em> Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.</em> <br />
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James 15:13</blockquote>
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In 2001, I knew a few firemen...mostly old guys who had been running calls for years. They were people I saw in the community, usually only recognized as a volunteer by the black boxes at their side ( boxes that I only recognized because my Dad is a radio guy who works on stuff like that.) Sometimes, driving by a wreck I would see a face or two I knew. That was the extent of it, I couldn't identify with the immensity of the fact that 343 firefighters gave their lives in the line of duty on Sept 11. To be honest, I didn't even know the exact number. <br />
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In 2011, ten years after the tragedy I finally started to "get it." On Sept. 11, 2011 Andy met my kids for the first time, not as my boyfriend (that came a few days later), but just as a friend saying Hi at a festival. He drove past us in a fire engine, smiling and waving at the Flatwoods Day's parade. I didn't realize it, but God was starting something amazing for us. In the year since, I've learned more and seen more than I ever imagined I would about the fire service. I've learned the number lost (you can't be around firemen long without hearing the number 343). I've felt the anxious grip on my heart, when my husband runs out the door not knowing what he'll find when he gets to a scene. I've also seen first hand how this truly is a brotherhood. How guys who have never met and who live on opposite sides of the country can bump it each other in a gas station, online, or on vacation and instantly be able to talk for hours like best friends. No where, not even in churches, have I ever seen that kind of instant respect and encouragement for each other. I don't know how it was before 9-11 but I can help but to think that some of that respect comes from the sacrifice of 343 people who were willing to set the example that all emergency responders follow today. I'm not just saying all this because I married a fireman (granted Andy had no clue he would be called to the fire serve in 2001). Perhaps it took this experience for me to see it though, Firefighters, EMS, and Law Enforcement. It is a ministry in itself and a calling that God certainly creates some amazing people for. God has amazing plans for all of us, that is worth remembering.<br />
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I remember.... <br />
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God has promised us that beauty can come from the ashes. From 2001 on there have been so many moments of mourning and despair that aren't even related to the tragedy. We've all experienced personal trials....and many of us have been brought out of them. In my life from the ashes of a painful marriage, came the Joy of two beautiful children, a Greater walk with God, and now...a great husband.. Every time I've been held captive and wounded in my life I have been set free by a Loving God who cares more for me than I can even imagine. It's good to remember the pain of the past, but only so far as to see where you've come from it God has too many blessings in store for those who seek him...why should we be discouraged?<br />
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Lastly, I want to share the first news I heard this morning. September 11, 2012. One of my closest friends called me to share the news that her much anticipated newborn daughter had arrived! At 5:31 am Lexi Jolene came into the world at 9 lb 4 oz, and 20 in long. What an amazing morning! What Joy and celebration! <br />
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Every good and perfect gift is from above,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30284AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30284AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> who does not change<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30284AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> like shifting shadows.</blockquote>
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<em> </em>James 1:17<br />
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Today I challenge you to remember.We will never forget the events of September 11, 2001 but also do not forget the Memories since and how far God has brought you. Remember the ones who died for others on that day they deserve our respect, but do not forget the One that died for you for and for the world. Do not forget the children who are blessings from the Lord, do not forget the trials he has brought you through, and do not forget the good things he has in store for those who accept his great mercy and love. Do not forget His promises. .<br />
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<em>"And they <strong>remembered</strong> that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer."</em> </blockquote>
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Psalm 78:35<br />
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What has He done for you? What do you remember?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-38753728624893704462012-09-05T18:24:00.000-04:002012-09-05T18:24:00.451-04:00Fish Guts in the Belly of the Whale? Or a Nice view Ocean Side? <blockquote class="tr_bq">
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"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."</h3>
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Jeremiah 29:11</div>
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Most of you who know me locally, know that I've been seeking a new job. I love the current one, however if I don't get more hours or move into a full time position I'm not sure how much longer I can stay there. Money is tight and a more stable income on my part would go along way towards helping our situation. So I've been looking. I've got a few applications in here and there and a few of them look promising but my prayer has been that God would put me where He want's me. Today I recieved another answer. The letter in the mailbox was a resounding NO! The job I wanted...well I wasn't the chosen applicant. <br />
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My first reaction was very human...and very common in the face of rejection. I was disappointed. Left to it's own devices the disappointment I felt could turn very quickly to anger and lead into bitterness and discouragement. I was hoping for the job, I wanted it, I had started thinking about what it would be like when I had it......there's a lot of ME in those statements. Had I recieved the letter without prayer in the waiting time....I would have been angry just as Jonah was angry when God didn't do what he expected. <br />
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<em>"But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry........But the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” </em>Jonah 4: 1,4<br />
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<em>"Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." </em>Psalm 37:8<strong><br /> </strong><br />I was reminded very quickly that my prayer wasn't for the job itself, but for God to put me where I was supposed to be. Yes, I could be mad about it, but where would that get me? I would lose a friend and maybe even an opportunity later on. I realized it's just God's way of saying "Not that one, I have another plan for you." <br />
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Jeremiah 29:11 is honestly one of my favorite verses. On days like today it lifts me up to know that God is ready and waiting to guide my steps if I will seek Him. His plans are good. An answer of No from anyone, and the feeling of rejection regardless of the reason is upsetting, but it's not the end.<br />
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<em>“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever”</em> Isaiah 32:17<br />
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I can have peace because I am confident that God will provide for our needs. He has done so over and over again. There isn't any need to put a question mark there. I trust that God can and will supply.<br />
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<em>"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." </em>Phillipians 4:19<br />
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So...this we know. God has a plan, His plans are Good, and God will provide. Just remember that His plan isn't always the one we think it should be. We may have to give up on a dream, let go of a relationship, swallow our pride, or sometimes even change directions altogether. God's way's are higher than ours. If we aren't willing to let go of our plans and listen for His, we'll never know the JOY and PEACE that He want's us to walk in. The Bible doesn't say it will be easy...or that we will always agree with where God is leading us. Jonah spent time smelling some nasty fish guts because of his disobedience and even afterward he never really agreed with or understood what God wanted to do through him...I think I'd rather follow God's direction and maybe get to hang out on the beach a bit. If ya know what I mean. =)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-69909467873650297442012-09-02T23:43:00.001-04:002012-09-02T23:43:34.803-04:00Tripping Over Stinky Suitcases"Once bitten, twice shy." Have you ever heard it? I'm sure you have. The gist of it is, that once we've been hurt, Trust is an incredibly hard thing to give. We throw the blame around without realizing that much of the problem was ourselves to begin with. A lot of times the "bite" is the result of not trusting in the first place. For example, ladies we are supposed to trust God for the man that we are going to marry. Sometimes though, like in my case (2 failed marriages)....we jump in head first looking for love without trusting God or his timing. As a result, kind of like Eve listening to the serpent (we all know how that turned out), we get bit. From that point on it's hard to trust anyone including God. We struggle with the illusion that we have control over our lives and we desperately try to maintain and cling to whatever control we feel we have. We don't open ourselves up to trust easily...and if we aren't careful, the cycle of jumping in and getting hurt will continue. <br />
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With that said, let me tell you what's on my mind today. I love my husband, and I absolutely believe that God has placed him in my life and that, Andy is the man that God planned for me. The problem I run into, is that I still have some suitcases laying around, full of baggage from my previous marriages and past experiences. Sometimes, those suitcases make it hard for me to trust my Husband. Even though I know that Andy always tries his best to act in the best interest of this family, I find myself struggling with the fear that is packed up in those suitcases. The fear that sits by the doorway of my heart, that I sometimes trip over on my way to trusting Andy.<br />
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Today was a case in point, I felt like the suitcases weren't even going to let me through the door. They were piled up almost to the point where I couldn't see past them. Andy and my Dad were checking out the Subaru and testing it out planning to get it cleaned up and possibly legal for us to drive. I've been praying for us to be able to get a car. You can't know our family without knowing that right now transportation is a big concern for us. I should have been excited. I should have been happy at the possibility of anything to drive and granted I loved the Subaru when I drove it before. Instead...I was angry and frustrated. <br />
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Andy was so excited, if you know my husband, well you know that he can get a little loopy when he's excited about something. He was talking non-stop about the car. Meanwhile, I was getting more aggravated by the minute. Here's a little of what was going through my head. "How many times have I told him what's wrong and why the car was parked in the first place? How do these men expect a car that has sit in the yard for almost 2 yrs to be reliable? Doesn't he realize that getting it legal is a waste of money? Yes it's a nice car, but it's never going to run as good as it used to and it might blow up on us and leave us stranded. I can't believe he's even considering driving it!" No, I didn't say any of this out loud but boy was it going through my mind. Andy was happy as a lark, and I seriously just wanted to smack him.<br />
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Then later while I was doing dishes...I heard another voice in my head. "Why aren't you trusting your husband?"...... Me, "He doesn't know all of the stuff that's wrong with that car! I've had so much more experience with it, I've told him all about it but he doesn't listen. He wasn't even around here when it was parked." Then I heard it again..."Don't you trust Me?" <br />
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Um, how do you put this. I was busted. Here's the thing I learned. Trusting Andy isn't really so much about trusting him as a person. He is human and he does and will make mistakes. However, if I don't trust my husband to lead our home and to make decisions for our family...then to put it bluntly...I'm not trusting God. <br />
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<em>"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, <strong>as unto the Lord</strong>."</em> Ephesians 5:22<br />
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<em>"Love is patient,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28670I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28670J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> <span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> it is not easily angered,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> it keeps no record of wrongs.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span> </em><span><em>Love does not delight in evil<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28672N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> but rejoices with the truth.<sup class="versenum"> </sup>It always protects, <strong>always trusts</strong>, always hopes, always perseveres."</em> 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7</span><br />
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As I said above, I absolutely believe that God has put Andy in my life. If I believe that, then I have to believe that God is going to work through my husband to provide for and to direct our family. That's a hard pill to swallow for a girl with a stack of unpacked suitcases. What about those suitcases anyways? If they are getting in the way of my ability to trust my husband then they are certainly getting in the way of my ability to trust God. <br />
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<em>"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding." </em>Proverbs 3:5<br />
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Lean not unto thine own understanding. My own understanding, all the hurt and the pain of the past, all of the anger and the "He said this, and He did that's" from previous relationships. All of the disappointments and understanding I have of how unreliable the world is. That's what's in those suitcases and every time I stumble over them I'm reminded of what's inside.<br />
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You know the worst part about old suitcases when they've been left sitting around and not cleaned out for ages? They STINK! I know this because I just bought some vintage suitcases for decoration and storage for the new place, but when I got home I realized that I can't put anything new in them, until I clean out the old nasty smell. So basically in life it's the same. I can't fill up my suitcases with good things (Joy, Trust, Respect, Grace) unless I let go of, and let God clean out the bad stuff. I have to trade my pain and disappointments in, for His mercy so that I can fully rely on God, and as a reflection of that rely on my husband. <br />
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So I'm gonna try this God's way. I'm going to keep my mouth shut (as hard as it may be), and when I'm handed the keys to the Subaru I'm going to get in and drive without packing up the suitcases for the ride. After all, God created the most amazing universe with such intricate attention to detail that science will never be able to understand or explain it all. Surely, He's a better mechanic than anyone else. How else would you explain a car that's been sitting for so long starting up on the first try?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-14862311624837296482012-09-01T11:37:00.002-04:002012-09-01T11:37:41.914-04:00An A+ in Kindergarten Doesn't Mean a Girl Won't Need a Little Help Sometimes.<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you ever been told that you are smart? Of course you have! We've all been praised by teachers, parents, etc at some point or another. We all know what it means to be smart, intelligent, quick witted....whatever you want to call it. Being smart is a good thing, but at the same time it can be a lot of pressure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've felt the pressure from kindergarten on. Being labeled as "smart" meant I was expected to have good grades, do well, excel in school, make good choices. Whenever I made a bad choice (and there have been a few) I heard the same thing from everyone "Ann, you're too smart for that!" WAIT a minute though! Whoever said that being intelligent meant you were gonna make good choices? So what's the deal? What else does a smart girl need besides "smarts?" The answer is WISDOM!</span><br />
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It's totally possible to be smart without wisdom. It doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with you, just that there is always room to grow. We are constantly learning from experience, and there are so many things that just aren't taught in school. That includes most of the necessary knowledge needed to be successful as an adult...finances and budgets, parenting, major life choices, and marriage just aren't covered. In the midst of everyday life all of these things seem to crash in around you. When the plate is full you have to figure out what to tackle first and how to balance it all without disaster.<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Right now...Andy and I have so much on our plate that wisdom is something I really need. Honestly, I'm crying out for it for both of us. We need direction, and the good judgement that only comes from following God's plan for your life. So I've been reading a little about wisdom and how to find it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">In the bible we read about Solomon, and how when he was given the option to ask for anything from God, he asked for wisdom to be able to lead Israel the way God wanted it to be done. As a result, Solomon was granted wisdom as well as being the richest and most respected king of his time. Not a bad deal and if Solomon can ask God for wisdom, why can't I? I'm not saying I expect the same results. As far as I know God hasn't directed me to rule over a country, but I am called to be a home maker. To keep and guide my home in the ways of the Lord. Andy and I have the responsibility of caring for what we have, making decisions, and raising our children God's way. So why not ask, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.</em> Mark 11:24</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I can ask, and I believe that God will answer that prayer, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to get wisdom by sitting around hoping it soaks in like sunshine warming the ground.</span><br />
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<span class="auto-style20"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.</em> Proverbs 8:35-36</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="auto-style20"><span class="auto-style20"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. </em>Proverbs 3:13-14</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="auto-style20"><span class="auto-style20" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="auto-style20"><span class="auto-style20" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Notice that the Proverbs say "Whoever FINDS wisdom." To find something...you have to look for it as well as ask! To find wisdom, we must seek it in the Word of God and in Prayer. </span></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; </span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Prov-2-2" id="en-KJV-16436"><em>So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;</em></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Prov-2-3" id="en-KJV-16437" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><em>Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;</em></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-2-4" id="en-KJV-16438" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><em>If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;</em></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-2-5" id="en-KJV-16439" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><em>Then shalt thou understand the fear of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and find the knowledge of God.</em></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-2-6" id="en-KJV-16440"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>For the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. </em>Proverbs 2:1-6</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-2-6" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Wisdom is gift that God wants us to have. He wants us to come to Him and seek his direction for our lives. </span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-2-6"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.</em> James 1:5</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Every day I'm learning more about the Lord and more about His plan for us. It's so exciting to see that, even though right now we have so many physical needs that it's hard to see past them, God is doing something great in our lives! That's just how God works. When we seek him, we will find the most incredible changes occur in our lives. Solomon didn't ask for wealth, or fame but it came along with what God wanted for his life. I don't know everything God is planning for us, I just know that whatever that plan is...it's beyond what I could imagine. I also know that God has promised us something special. (I'll probably share at a later date). I'm just so excited about where things are going...God is Good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-36484578512372140632012-08-27T23:54:00.001-04:002012-08-27T23:54:11.392-04:00The Taste of Joy in the Salt of My TearsDo you know how it is when you get busy with life and distractions and you realized you've put something off for days? Yeah, that's pretty much what happened with me. Today my husband asked "Have you posted anything on your blog lately?" Oops! I honestly didn't know he was missing it. Anyways...It's just been a crazy, fun, busy week. So much is changing. I guess that's a sure sign fall is on it's way. School started last week, Jaden started soccer, I had a job interview, we attended a cookout with Andy's family, and there are some awesome changes going on at church. <br />
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That being said. I have been super emotional. I mean, I may as well have a tissue in my hands all the time. It's been a crazy roller coaster couple of weeks. Usually when I cry it's not in public so much...unless I'm at church. Then the dam breaks every now and again. The guys at church always tease me about being a crier. Usually, I hold it together...but sometimes, I just well up and the tears come. Like, I seriously should figure out a way to install a tissue box on my mic stand. <br />
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So, why do we cry? I mean...yeah we are under stress and that is part of it. Some of my tears lately have been a direct result of stress or being upset about something. Sometimes though, it's for no reason at all (that I know of). Other times they are tears of joy or sometimes even worship and surrender. It's hard to define.<br />
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Sunday at church, well it was amazing. We can plan all we want to, but sometimes God just throws in that little surprise that shakes us up and moves us to worship. That's kind of what happens to me when I sing and tears come. Sometimes, I just get so caught up and wrapped up in how Amazing God is and what He is doing in my life. Sometimes I can't just sing...I don't know how else to explain it. It's like my throat closes up and all I can do is let the tears flow and I have little to no control over it. I can say this. God always does something incredible in those moments. I walk away so completely full and refreshed.<br />
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In the past I've been told that I should "tone it down" and "don't cry so much" or to "get a hold of myself." If I were to be completely honest, I would tell you that I've tried. In no way do I want to stand in front of people bawling and letting my makeup and snot run everywhere! Nope, not at all. You can ask my husband and he will tell you that even at home when I cry I prefer to hide my face. There is nowhere, and no way to hide when I'm on a stage singing and the tears come. <br />
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He created me that way. I can't define it, but for some reason, God has put this propensity for tears into my life. The bible says that we are created in His image. I'm also reminded of the scripture that nearly every one learns by preschool age (because it's the shortest). The Lord understands how it feels to cry.<br />
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<strong><em>"Jesus Wept"</em> John 11:35</strong><br />
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It makes sense in a way. Tears are cleansing and they are evidence of our heart's cry for Him. I remember this chorus from an old southern gospel song.<br />
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Your tears are touching God when you cry them from your heart. Yes he knows when you're broken inside. Inside there's a feeling, only God knows the burdens that you bear and your tears are touching God when you cry.</blockquote>
It's like opening up every part of me and letting God work on the parts that need fixing or letting him take care of whatever burden is there. Everything that needs to go is washed away and the only thing that remains is Joy. The rest of the people in the room are like spectators in the operating room gallery. I think in those moments it's not just me God is working on, sometimes the tears are for someone else entirely and I may not even know it. But God does and the result is the same.<br />
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<strong><em>"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."</em> Psalm 126:5</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Joy, must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness
and Pleasure. Joy has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with
them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again...I doubt
whether anyone who <u>has tasted it would ever</u>, if both were in his power,
<u>exchange it for all the</u> <u>pleasures in the world</u>. But Joy is never
in our power and pleasure often is."
C.S. Lewis<strong> </strong></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><em>"In Your presence is fullness of
Joy!"</em> Psalm 16:11</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em>"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life:
weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."</em> Psalm 30:5</strong><br />
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The tears may come, but they are only temporary. God wants us to be filled with Joy and that's exactly what we get when we let go and allow ourselves to be broken before Him and cry out in surrender. If getting all snotty and gross in front of everyone is what it takes to get me closer to God. I'll take it. I'll say this to you...if God gets a hold of you and the tears come...just go with it. Don't be afraid to surrender no matter where you are or who is around you. I promise, that when you let go and let God pick up your broken pieces you will experience JOY! <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-73623435738669194322012-08-21T18:28:00.001-04:002012-08-21T18:28:32.643-04:00Sometimes to Heal, You have to HurtStruggle, pain, trials, the need for healing.....we all hurt, we all face something. The past few days have been hard for me. I haven't felt well or been myself. I've been in pain, irritable, and tired. The weekend was long and busy, and I just felt like I wasn't keeping up, but I didn't know why. I thought something was wrong...I just didn't know what. Today I had a regular check-up scheduled, I mentioned how I'd been feeling and as it turns out I have an infection. Praying that the meds will work quickly so I can get back to normal. So there ya go...a small struggle with an easy solution. The rest of the visit....not so much.<br />
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The doctor wants me to have some tests run by a specialist. It's nothing major or lifethreatening and they don't suspect any big issues that are...immediate. However, the test itself doesn't sound pleasant. The end result, depending on the outcome of the test, is medication or outpatient surgery. Not exactly what I wanted to hear because pain, well it isn't so fun, and I have a condition that sometimes makes healing take longer than what may be considered "normal" for most people. <br />
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What I heard on the way home though, helped me. I was listening to The Message on xm radio. They were doing an interview with Tenth Avenue North, one of my favorite Christian groups about their new album The Struggle. The lead singer Mike Donehey was talking about a song on the new album and how the lyric on the bridge of the song was so relevant to him. It just resonated with me. The lyric comes from the book of Hosea.<br />
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<em>"Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence"</em> Hosea 6: 1-2<br />
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<em>He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us.</em> Jesus is referred to as the Great Physician, but what does a physician do? A trip to the doctor is associated with healing and prevention of illness...but sometimes it hurts. We learn this from infancy on. A vaccination hurts intially, no one enjoys getting a shot, but the protection that small amount of pain provides is worth it in the long run. <br />
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What about the bigger things? What about when other more painful treatments are needed? What about surgery, chemo, or the fracture that has to be re-set? All of these treatments are accompanied by pain. To repair a heart, the doctor must first cut you open. There must be some pain, before there can be healing. <em>He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds.</em> <br />
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I'm reminded of what the receptionist told me earlier when I expressed my concerns about the test they want to do. She told me that everyone she's talked to has said that while it's not pleasant in the beginning the end result is worth it. <br />
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It's the same for us when God allows pain and trials in our lives. So many times we get complacent. Just as we avoid going to the doctor unless we are sick, we don't go to God for the regular checkups we need. We don't seek Him daily, but only when we are hurting or sick or we come up against trials that leave us no choice but to cry out for the Physician. Pain has a way of bringing us back to God like nothing else. Sometimes it's necessary for us to endure a trial, so we can be closer to him. <em>He will restore us, that we may live in his presence.</em><br />
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So what is it that needs treatment in your life? Maybe it's pride that must be cut out, maybe old emotional wounds and factures from the past need to be re-broken so they can heal correctly, maybe you are needing a physical healing. Whatever it is, we can find rest in the fact that Jesus came to heal those hurts. We can trust through the pain we feel, that the end result, will be worth the struggle. <br />
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Finally, I want to share the song that inspired this post. It's not been officially released yet so this was the best video I could find. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-21519935125142620932012-08-17T17:43:00.001-04:002012-08-17T17:49:10.425-04:00Leaning on Him When the Wait Gets Longer.We've got so much on our plate right now. As I've said before, we've been finding so many things that will cost more and take more time in the house to fix. Additionally, there are things that our family needs, that we needed yesterday....like a car for instance, that we have been trying to figure out. It's so easy to get caught up in all of that....lack of finances, what we need, what we dream about, what we needed yesterday and still don't have. Things we have to tackle one at a time.<br />
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Last night, Andy and I talked about an issue we've found with the floors in the trailer. Basically, the stuff that's there isn't going to work for us. It's too thin, doesn't match up to the walls, and 2 heating vents were covered when it was put down. In the long run, if we want it to last, we need to do it right.<br />
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We've also been talking about how a project like this can either strengthen or tear apart a marriage. Neither of us are willing to allow it to drive a wedge between us. So that means that all of the frustration, worry, impatience etc....needs to be let go and we need to allow God to be at the center of every decision we make. For better or worse, we need to do it right.<br />
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So, are you seeing a theme here? If you want things to last, they have to be done correctly. Doing it half way and rushing, just doesn't work because in the end, things tend to fall apart. Ever hear the phrase "Haste makes Waste?"<br />
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<em>"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."</em> Proverbs 21:5<br />
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<em>"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."</em> Proverbs 16:9<br />
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How many times do we rush and worry and make our own plans? I'm so guilty of it. When we first decided to take on this project, I had a million ideas, goals, and plans running through my head. I wanted to be done, and moving before school started (2 days from now). Patience is most definitely not my strong point. I know that I need to trust in the Lord. I also know that trusting requires me to wait on His timing. He knows what He's doing. What do we do though when our flesh is in a hurry? What happens when God's timing takes too long? How can we know that things are going to work out and that our needs will be met? First we've got to trust that he Has a plan.<br />
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<em>"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."</em> Jeremiah 29:11<br />
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Sarah struggled with patience as well. She wanted a baby so badly, and it seemed like it would never happen. I understand that urgency, and the disappointment she no doubt felt when the years passed by. Still...nothing was impossible for God.<br />
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<em>"Is anything too hard for the <span class="sc">Lord</span>? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”</em> Genesis 18:14<br />
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<em>"And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him."</em> Genesis 21:2<br />
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Impatience is a weakness, worry is a weakness....but they aren't insurmountable. We can allow God to perfect and refine us through those weaknesses. I think right now....I'm in that place. I'm learning patience. Andy and I are learning how to rely on God through this experience.<br />
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<em>"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."</em> 2 Corinthians 12:9 <br />
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Finally, we can trust that our needs, when we are trusting in Him, will be supplied.<br />
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<em>"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus."</em> Philippians 4:19<br />
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With that being said, I know that realistically this project will take more time than expected. I also know that God has a plan for us. Building a home together is going to be a step in building our marriage. Regardless of how quickly it comes together, or how long we might wait, we want to do it right. We want to trust in His timing.<br />
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<em>"He has made everything beautiful in it's time."</em> Ecclesiastes 3:11<br />
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We don't always know what God is doing behind the scenes, or why we have to wait. All I know is that I don't want to miss a chance to Glorify Him through the waiting. To allow our experience and our struggle to minister to someone else. <br />
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For Sarah, the wait was painful. She knew that God had promised her husband children. Still she hurt, and she tried to make it happen on her own. She had to learn trust the hard way, she had to learn through her mistakes (letting her servant have a child with her husband). She laughed with disbelief when the Lord said that he would allow her to conceive. When Issac was born, she laughed with JOY. <br />
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Her story was important and passed down because later on, her story helped others understand and trust what God was doing in their lives . In Luke we can read about Elizabeth who also conceived later on in life. Her husband doubted the promise that she would have a child, but she did not. She rejoiced in what the Lord had done for her. She was also there to mentor Mary when she needed the understanding of a Godly woman. In fact, the angel that informed Mary of God's plan to use her, also informed Mary of Elizabeth's pregnancy, to illustrate to her that <em>"Nothing is impossible with God."</em> (Luke 1). <br />
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That's what I want to lean on. Nothing is Impossible with God. Sometimes, you just have to wait a little bit for it. I want to share our story with you so that, maybe through our stumbling and learning process, you can learn to lean on Him too.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-87596377347449338652012-08-16T09:35:00.000-04:002012-08-16T09:38:10.230-04:00Do Everything...Yes, That Means Laundry!In this house, Andy's day off means we'd better get things done while he's here to help with them. Yesterday, we used the truck to move some more things out of the trailer for my Uncle and Grandpa. We got everything out that they needed except for just a couple odds and ends. Long story short, knowing that they have what they wanted to keep, I was able to get in the house and really get to work. The four of us went over to start cleaning yesterday afternoon. The kids were so excited to help with whatever they could. I gave them rags and windex and they started on windows. We all worked on bagging up trash. So much of what is left needs to be thrown away! What I'm most excited about though, is that today is bulk trash day. We were able to take the old couch and the bed over to the road for the trash pickup today. Things already look much cleaner. In all work there is profit. <br />
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Today, the plan is to do some building here in our current home. Thursdays are Andy's longest day at work. He goes in from open to close and then after work, he has the weekly training/meetings at the fire house. We won't see him till late tonight. His one request before leaving this morning was that I work on our bedroom. <br />
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Our bedroom is the least visible in the house. By that I mean that you can't see in, from the living room or the hall. You have to actually turn the corner and go in the room. Our bed is the biggest "flat" area in the house so it's often used for folding laundry. The problem is.....this girl...doesn't like to fold. I don't mind washing and drying so much. That's simple enough. For some reason though, I just can't seem to keep up with folding the laundry and forget about ironing! <br />
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So this morning when my husband requested that I tackle our room....my mind went to the huge mountain of clothes at the foot of our bed! It's gonna take a while to fold it. Just thinking about it...ugh. Did I mention that I hate folding laundry? I would rather do just about any other household chore. The dishes don't bring as much dread as laundry. Cleaning the bathroom is almost preferable.(Abrianna cleaned our bathroom last night by the way without being asked to. Love that kid!) <br />
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So in regards to laundry...I have a lesson to learn.<br />
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<em>"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."</em> Proverbs 31:12<br />
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Ok, I'm called to be my husbands helpmate right? I should be the one making his life easier. The man doesn't complain about the laundry at all. In fact, he washes his own clothes most of the time. It's not neccessarily a "harmful" thing for him to do, but I'm sure there is a better use for his time. So I need to step it up right? My keeping the laundry done, and put away would certainly do him and the children good. <br />
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<em>"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do." </em>Hebrews 6:10<br />
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<em>"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." </em>Colossians 3:23-24<br />
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Ok, here is a new perspective. By serving my family and getting this mountain of laundry folded (and the rest of it washed, dried, and folded) and whatever other housework needs done, I'm actually serving the Lord! I can do this laundry for His Glory! I don't even have to do it alone. <br />
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I want to share this prayer from Sharon Wheeless over at <a href="http://sharonwheeless.blogspot.com/2010/11/laundry-prayer.html">Knit Together.</a> I love her blog by the way. <br />
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Dear Lord,</div>
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I hate laundry. I hate the noise of the washer, the endless folding, and the fact that if I don't get the clothes out of the dryer fast enough they are wrinkled. Oh, and I also hate ironing. I am bewildered when I wash, dry and fold all day and still there is more laundry to be done.</div>
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But Lord, I thank you that I have a family and that my family and I have clothes to wear. Thank you for clean water in which to wash our clothes. Thank you for the noisy machine that does most of the work for me. Thank you for the dryer that fluffs out the wrinkles when I am too lazy to yank them out fast enough. Oh, and thanks for the house we live in with its roof and its closets. Thanks for giving me just enough hard work to make me appreciate all you have given me, but not so much that I can't get it all done. Thank you for reminding me every day that all of this is to be done unto You.</div>
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Thank you, Lord for laundry.</div>
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Amen,</blockquote>
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I'm probably going to print this prayer out and frame it near the washer. No doubt I'll need some reminding now and then. But as I'm typing this, half of the mountain has already been folded. This like any other challange is do-able. I'm gonna put on some Christian music and get back to work. We might even get some work done at the other trailer today. I'm excited.<br />
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Finally, I'll leave you with this last reminder.... (I might need to watch it when the laundry moutain gets too big). <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-57163071397067045022012-08-14T23:05:00.000-04:002012-08-14T23:07:45.520-04:00Building a Home x 2First of all I want to say a big thank you to everyone who is reading and supporting us. I've had so much positive feedback about the blog. Your encouragement keeps me going.<br />
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I have already indicated that I'm a bit overwhelmed by all that needs to be done to fix up the trailer. In my "perfect world" we would have it all done and be able to move in before winter sets in. That is my expectation however, and may or may not be Gods plan. So I'm going to have to roll with it, and let things get done as they can be done. In the meantime, I have a job to do. <br />
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<em>"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her
hands."</em> Proverbs 14:1<br />
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I have a house to be building. I'm not just talking about the one we are going to fix up. I'm talking about the home we are in now. Serving my family and making sure their needs are met. Making the house we have right now a home is of chief importance. I can't get caught up in the plans we have for the new house and neglect what we have. I can not allow myself to get stressed out and let it affect the comfort level in my home. My family needs a restful place to come back to as we work on the other place. Neglect is not an option.<br />
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I've seen first hand what neglect can do. Yesterday, I was so worked up with my fears and worries about what our current home needed, that I failed to see the big picture. This house has never, even on it's worst days, been as much in need of care as the one we are getting ready to work on. Even though it's years newer than the house we are in now, several things are falling apart and there is so much cleaning to be done. Every time I walk over to take stock of what needs to be done I find more that needs doing. <br />
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Yesterday I asked, "Where do we start?" I had a lot of good answers and basically it boiled down to doing one thing at a time. Today I found some motivation in this scripture.<br />
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<em>"All hard work brings a profit, </em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-14-23"><em>but mere talk leads only to poverty."</em> Proverbs 14:23</span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-14-23">All work brings profit. Therefore, even if it's just a little at a time, we are still getting somewhere. I'm going to need to hold fast to that in the days to come. There is a lot of work to do! </span></span><br />
<br />Today I was drowning in all that needed to be done. The thought of keeping up my home and building another (and all that it needed) was wearing on me fast. Then, Abby and Jaden started helping pick up things here and there. They were so excited to be working on the new place. They didn't care about all the things I saw. They were excited about the skylight in the bathroom and the thought of watching shooting stars from the tub! They were bubbling over with merry hearts and it was contagious!<br />
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<em>"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."</em> Proverbs 17:22<br />
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Finding the JOY, in the work is what I need. I'm going to keep praying for the strength to do it, and the motivation, time management, and merry heart I need. Right now the end result seems so far away, but I know that eventually, when we are settled in the new house and things are fixed and comfortable there. It will be worth it!<br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-14-23">"Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures." - Discipline: The Glad Surrender</span></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-47572044131165397612012-08-13T21:39:00.001-04:002012-08-13T21:40:23.397-04:00Where Do We Start?Overwhelmed. I know I've talked about it. I even know that I'm not supposed to worry about anything. We've covered it. I also know that sometimes life just seems to crash in all at once. Sometimes (all the time really) we need the strength of the Father to deal with it. Today has been one of those days. I'm not going to share a lesson, I'm going to share a request for prayer. <br />
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I've talked about how we've been waiting for the previous occupants to move out so that we can start work on the trailer. We have waited and waited, and in that time I've tried to prepare for what needs to be done. I knew there was a lot of cleaning to be done. Cleaning and I aren't exactly on good terms either. I struggle with it. <br />
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Well over the weekend the move began, them moving out I mean. Praise the Lord. It's almost time to get in there and get the dirty work done. However, today when I took a good look at what was needed, I felt it. That creeping up of doubt, fear, anxiety whatever you want to call it. There is so much to be done and it isn't going to be cheap. The wondering began, "How are we ever going to do this?" <br />
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I know that we have a fantastic support system. So many people have offered to help out in so many ways. I know that we aren't alone in this. When needed they will be here to help.<br />
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Those thoughts though, led me to another area I struggle with. My house is a mess! I struggle so much with it, and that has been used against me in the past. When my children were young, their Father used to berate me and tell me all the time that the house wasn't clean enough. He would constantly threaten to report it to CPS, and say the kids should be taken. He was right, it wasn't clean or perfect like a showplace, but those words left scars. We don't get a lot of company and whenever I know that someone is coming, I panic. I can't rest until I've done a whirlwind clean around the house. Even then, after I've straightened up, I'm nervous and fearful.<br />
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Lately we've been sorting for a yard sale, trying to de-clutter and prepare for when we can move. Sorting though leads to a mess. There are piles of stuff everywhere that are earmarked to leave the house. Also at this time, we have several boxes of my husbands belongings that were sent home after my in-laws moved. We are trying to sort that as well. In short. The house is a wreck. We barely have room to walk through it this week. The task of clearing it all out is overwhelming. Add the possibility of visitors coming to help with the other place and you've got one messed up girl. <br />
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I'm not sure where to start with the mess. The only thing I know is that I'm gonna need to rely on God a lot. I'm going to need strength both physically and mentally. I'm going to find strength in these promises, and I hope that you my friends will lift us up in prayer. We're gonna need all we can get. <br />
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<em>"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."</em> Phillipians 4:13<br />
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<em>"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." </em>2 Timothy 1:7<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-77240889018516714722012-08-13T00:37:00.000-04:002012-08-13T00:44:38.867-04:00I Wish I May...Find More Of Him TodayHave you ever watched a pot of potatoes just as it begins to boil? The boil starts slow and then suddenly it's bubbling over everywhere! That's kind of what happens with the ideas for this blog. I won't even be thinking about what to write and then suddenly it hits me and I can't wait until it's here, written down, and posted. Tonight, I had to wait. The topic was swirling around in my brain, but as it always does parenting took precedence. It's ok though, because the Lord used that time to clarify what He laid on my heart. What my children needed, (like all children) was my time. They also needed a lesson on shooting stars. <br />
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I've been reading about parenting this week and one of the main themes that is sticking out in my mind is the importance of spending time with the kids, creating memories, and searching for "teachable" moments within that time. I'll defer to this scripture in support of my hopes for the time I spend with them. <br />
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<em>"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."</em> Proverbs 22:6<br />
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It's not just the Sunday morning teaching that is important though. We have to look for moments, and also create time when we can point out to our children just how great God is. <br />
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With that being said, I want to talk about our experience the last two nights. Jaden and Abby have both been talking about wanting to see a shooting star. Shooting stars, or if you prefer the technical term, meteors are spectacular to see. As a child, I was fascinated with astronomy and loved watching the starts at night and looking through my telescope. I was excited knowing that the Perseid Meteor Shower was approaching. I couldn't wait to surprise my children with a trip outside after dark with piles of pillows and blankets so that we could find a comfy spot on the trampoline to watch the night sky. So, last night, and tonight, that is exactly what we did and with all that quiet time outside, we had a chance to talk. <br />
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The reason my kids were so excited about finally seeing a shooting star? Yep, they wanted to make a wish. Wishing is something we are all "taught" by society. From our first birthday candles, to the genie in Aladdin's cave, to the coin dropped in a fountain our children are bombarded by ways to "make a wish." On TV, often times these wishes come true, which leads kids to believe that if they make a wish, then whatever they have wished for will come true as well. Unfortunately, things don't really work that way. <br />
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For example, today I overheard the sweetest little girl talking about how she wished her mommy could come home with her. I have heard similar statements from my own children with regards to their biological dad. We as adults realize the complexity of these situations, and although we know that nothing is impossible with God, we know that some wishes just aren't going to come true, or at least not like we expect them to.<br />
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So what is a wish? Here it is from the Merriam-Webster dictionary for Student (aka the simple version)<br />
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Main Entry: <b>wish</b><br />
Pronunciation: <tt>wish</tt><br />
Function: <i>verb</i><br />
<b>1</b> <b>:</b> to have a desire <b>:</b> long for <b>: <a href="http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=want">WANT</a></b> <<i>wish</i> you were here> <<i>wish</i> for a puppy><br />
<b>2</b> <b>:</b> to form or express a desire concerning <<i>wished</i> them a happy New Year><br />
<b>3</b> <b>:</b> to request by expressing a desire <I <i>wish</i> you to go now<br />
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The word that sticks out to me here is DESIRE. To wish is to desire something, to crave it, to yearn, to hunger, to long for it. That sounds a bit more familiar doesn't it? More attainable perhaps? The bible has a lot to say about desire and more importantly desiring God. <br />
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<em>"Delight thyself also in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>: and he shall give thee the <span style="color: #ffd966;">desires</span> of thine heart."</em> Psalm 37:4<br />
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“<em>Blessed are those who <span style="color: #ffd966;">hunger</span> and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."</em> Matthew 5:6<br />
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<em>"But <span style="color: #ffd966;">seek ye</span> first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"</em> Matthew 6:33<br />
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That's what I wanted to point out to my children. The problem isn't the wish itself. To make a wish is in it's own way an act of faith. Teaching our children to have faith, well that's a good thing. The problem is what we are wishing on! A penny in a fountain isn't good enough, and a shooting star no matter how beautiful isn't going to do it either. Our faith and our desires must be placed in the hands of the One who created the stars. Anything less than this leads to disappointment.<br />
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<em>"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."</em> Hebrews 11:1<br />
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<em>"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."</em> Hebrews 11:6<br />
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So, when Jaden asked me. "Mommy, can a shooting star make your wish come true?" I had a chance, to not only enjoy the beauty of the meteors falling around us. I had a chance to teach my children about God. To teach them that we can't place our trust in the physical things. That when we desire something, or have need of something the ONLY real option we have is prayer. <br />
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<em>"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: <span class="text Matt-7-8" id="en-KJV-23325">For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. </span><span class="text Matt-7-9" id="en-KJV-23326">Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? </span><span class="text Matt-7-10" id="en-KJV-23327">Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?</span></em><span class="text Matt-7-11" id="en-KJV-23328"><em><sup class="versenum"> </sup>If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"</em> Matthew 7:7-11</span><br />
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We've spent two nights talking about how, although the shooting stars are beautiful and created by God, they can't grant wishes. I'm sure by now both of my children will tell you that instead of wishing on something, it's better to talk to Jesus about it. Sometimes it takes a physical illustration to demonstrate faith and to understand the Lord. What I want you to take away from this is. Our desires (I don't mean temptations)aren't all bad. it's good to have goals, hopes, dreams for the future. <br />
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But.....Are you wishing on a job that just isn't going to fulfill your needs? Are you expecting something from your spouse that he or she just can't fulfill? Are you tossing pennies in a well with no bottom by sinking dollar after dollar into a slot machine or lottery tickets, just hoping for that big break? If these are the things your are wishing on....STOP!<br />
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God is the only One that can fill the voids in our lives. He is the star we should be wishing on. Our chief desire should always be to seek and find more of God. That's a wish that can and will always come true if we make it. All you have to do is ask, seek, and knock. It will be given to you! (No shooting stars required.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-35573375215691269642012-08-10T22:44:00.002-04:002012-08-10T22:50:15.711-04:00Sometimes...You Need to Hear a StoryI just love how on the days when we are feeling a little discouraged, God knows exactly what we need. Today was no exception. We are still dealing with a long work week for Andy, and some stress on the job front. I looked into some other options for my own employment and the news was encouraging. Not a for sure thing, but encouraging because there are some possibilities for increasing my hours. <br />
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Today I also had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful couple. I love talking to people who have more experience in life than I do. There is something so encouraging about talking with folks who have been through similar trials and who enjoy similar things. My last post talked about looking past the labels and finding friendship. Today I found a friend in the sweetest little lady. I won't reveal her age because, ladies of course don't appreciate the spreading of that information, but I will say that she and her husband have enjoyed 65 years of marriage and they are going strong. <br />
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I stopped by their home today lured by the signs stating "garage sale." I'm a sucker for sales and although I knew who the home belonged to I'd never really had a chance to speak with the couple. As I browsed the selection of items, I talked with her about my goal of creating a kitchen inspired by those of the 40s and 50s. <br />
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One of the things I love about antiques is that unlike new things, they all have a story. People love to share these stories if you take the time to listen. As soon as I mentioned my love of antiques and my recent purchase of cabinets from the 40s, my new friend just lit up. She started telling me about the cabinet she had that was her mothers before her and about her collection of antiques. She had seemed so quiet when I first stopped, but now she was bubbling over. I was invited inside her home so that I could see her treasures. What a privilege it was!<br />
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She and her husband have such a beautiful home, and her collection of glassware and antique furniture is extensive but uncluttered. I loved her stories. Many of the items in her home were passed down from her mother, they were obviously loved and well cared for. What touched me the most though, was the little things, bits and pieces of her collections that she pointed out specifically because her husband had bought them for her. They were proudly displayed in their home like a patchwork quilt pieced from the years they've been blessed to be together. <br />
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From the Singer sewing machine that he purchased for her in 1955 that still works like new, to the room he had added on just for her to enjoy, everything she pointed out that he had done for her just spoke to me. It wasn't that I loved the porcelain figures or the glass bowls. It was the love that was shown through them, her in being so proud of the little things he had picked up for her, and his willingness to choose carefully the items she would most enjoy. It was clear that after 65 years they were still best friends and still enjoying life together. <br />
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She and I talked a bit about marriage too. She repeated the old adage about never going to bed angry and I loved how she talked about how important it was to let go of the days' frustrations to start fresh each morning in marriage, and how important prayer was. (Definitely, summing up what the Lord's been telling me this week). She also shared how her husband struggled with his role as provider and finding the right job when they were first married. She shared how he worried and how she too wished she could do more to help him with that burden. <br />
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We laughed and we cried together and when I left, I was happier. I felt prepared to deal with whatever my husband would need from me when I got home. This evening is was, the ok to cancel plans that would involve spending money because it was needed elsewhere. I was ok with it though because I remembered another thing my sweet friend had said. "I don't keep antiques just because they are old, and I only keep the things I love." I think that statement applies to just about everything, not just clutter, or collections, or finances. It's about what's important and what we treasure. In the case of my friends they clearly treasured their marriage and placed God at the center of it, and they have been blessed. I'm reminded of this verse. <br />
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<em>"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."</em> Matthew 6:21<br />
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What do you treasure? Are you hanging on to the past or to the clutter in your life because it's old? Are you laying up treasures on earth focusing on money, or material things? Or, are you focusing on the things of God and the blessings of love and family? I needed the reminder today that even though material things might have value to society they don't hold a candle to the true value of being able to trust in God. I can find joy knowing He's got it covered, we're going to be ok regardless of the troubles we are facing.<br />
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<em>"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,"</em> James 1:2<br />
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Who knows! Maybe someday, if it's his will, I can share 65 years of memories with a newlywed needing encouragement. =)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-33354683614218392392012-08-09T08:51:00.000-04:002012-08-09T08:51:04.284-04:00Putting Love Into Action: The Call to PrayOops! I missed a day, things got crazy here yesterday. Well you know how it goes sometimes. It was grocery day and there was a good bit of child wrangling (parenting) to be done. I want to point out that I did not miss my devotion time though so, Yay me! =)<br />
<br />I love how the Lord works sometimes in our lives, and especially how everyday the things that He puts on my heart correspond with what others are learning and feeling. Spiritually speaking, yesterday was eventful for me. In addition to daily time in the Word, I've been trying to put prayer at the top of my to do list. When you grow up in church it's easy to know that we are instructed to pray continually.....<br />
<br /><em>"Rejoice always, <span class="text 1Thess-5-17" id="en-NIV-29639">pray continually,</span></em><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NIV-29640"><em><sup class="versenum"> </sup>give thanks in all circumstances; <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29640C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." </em>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 </span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18"><em>"And pray in the Spirit <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29356AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> on all occasions <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29356AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> with all kinds of prayers and requests. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29356AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup> With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29356AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup> for all the Lord’s people." </em>Ephesians 6:18</span><br />
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<span class="text 1Thess-5-18">....but how do we put that into action? First of all, staying in the Word daily has helped me to keep God at the forefront in my mind. It's much easier to continually pray when I'm focused on it, and hopefully in time, it will be a habit as well. I'm not saying I didn't pray before, but I find that it's easier now. </span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18">The wonderful thing about prayer is that it doesn't have to be complicated. I don't have to be educated in all the Thees and Thous to pray....I just have to acknowledge Him. (remember Proverbs 3:6) He knows the needs and the cries of my heart before I ever voice them. I can trust that any and all conversation with my Heavenly Father is heard, and why wouldn't I want to talk to him? Conversation builds a relationship, and I'm definitely seeking to build my relationship with God. I'm also feeling the call to prayer.</span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18">One of my main focuses in prayer has been to learn how to pray for my husband. Reading A Woman After God's Own Heart has prompted me to be more vigilant in this. Another great book that has been extremely helpful is The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. A dear friend loaned it to me and I've got to say it's been so helpful in guiding my prayer for Andy especially on days when trials are present. (I love this book so much, that I'm probably going to need to replace my friends copy, this one is looking a bit raggedy and I'd hate to return it that way.)</span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18">Yesterday, was one of those days for Andy and I. Normally, he calls me on his break just to chat for a minute, say I love you, and we hang up. I don't hear from him most of the day. Yesterday though, he called me 4-5 times. It's been a rough week for him, physically he's been in pain. It's also been a stressful week for all the guys at work because they've been getting ready for a visit from a district supervisor. Like most jobs, when the "Big Boss" is expected, co-workers tend to get a little pushy and a little cranky with each other. That was kind of the case this week and Andy was working overtime yesterday on what was supposed to be his day off. </span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18">I knew when the first call came early, that something wasn't going right. He was so worn down and discouraged and physically hurting. My husband is a strong man, he's endured more than some people could ever imagine. When I hear pain in his voice no matter the cause, I feel the urge to protect him (I'm not saying he needs me to). Andy calls it my "Mama Bear Instinct." I count it as a blessing and a testament to our relationship that he feels that no matter what he can call me for encouragement or to vent. Yesterday though, I felt helpless. I wanted so badly to help him, to protect him from hurt, and to make it better. I couldn't though. Sometimes, it's hard to be Mama Bear. I can't keep the world away from my family and I can't protect them from every situation. The only resource I had to use.....was prayer. </span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18">I can't even begin to describe how I cried out to God yesterday. All of my Mama Bear concern, anger, and pain came pouring out. I curled up on the couch with the copy of The Power of a Praying Wife. I prayed for my husband and every aspect of his life. I prayed for his co-workers as well. I didn't stop praying and crying until I felt peace. Even then, the rest of the day I continued to pray. I let him know that I was praying too. My final call from him yesterday, he was happier. He was still tired, his back was still hurting, but he sounded like his burden was a little lighter. He was also allowed to clock out a half hour earlier than normal to go home. </span><br />
<br /><span class="text 1Thess-5-18">We aren't quite through this week yet, and Andy is still physically so worn out he could probably sleep for a week, but he left for work this morning with a smile. I'm still praying for him (I ask that you will as well). The peace is there this morning though, that's the power of prayer.</span><br />
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<span class="text 1Thess-5-18">Last night I was talking to a friend about all of the ways that I know Andy loves me and the kids. I don't mean how many times he says the words (which is a lot). I mean how I see his love in his actions. I've never known love so present in action. I feel it in our home. I see it in the slump of his shoulders when he's worked tirelessly all day to provide for us. I see it in the way he holds my children when they need a hug. I see it in the way he tries so hard to help my parents. I see when I wake up to find that the laundry is done. I see it when he faithfully attends church every week even though sometimes Sunday is his only day off. I see it when he's home, every evening on time and not out hanging out or getting into trouble. I see so many ways that my husband puts his love in action, how can I not want to do the same for him? </span><br />
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The most important way I can do that is prayer. There is no greater way I can love my husband than by lifting him up to the One who made him! I have to pray and do it daily, continually. I can't be there every minute of the day with him, but God is, and will be. I have to trust the plans that he has for Andy and for us. I'm going to do the same for my children. So I'm starting now....will you pray with me? <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-87140223389513353272012-08-07T14:24:00.000-04:002012-08-07T14:24:17.904-04:00Looking past the LabelsToday's post is a bit earlier than normal. I'm just bubbling over with JOY today with the blessing of new friendship. I want to share something I've learned with you. What a blessing it is to have Friendship in our lives! CS Lewis wrote,<span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: black;">“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” <span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">But how often are we missing that moment and missing the blessings that follow? </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">So many times we allow a "reputation," labels, appearances, or a comment made by another person to color our perception of another people before we even meet them. As a result we don't extend to them the trust or love that we should. We put up walls before there is even a reason for them, without reason or merit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."</em> John 15:12</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">A commandment! That doesn't mean we aren't to be cautious about who we befriend (lest we be led astray). It does mean that we should extend the same courtesy that Christ does to us when meeting and dealing with others. We never know how an act of kindness or an offer of friendship will change our lives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have
entertained angels without knowing it."</em> Hebrews 13:2</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">This past year I've learned a thing or two about the extension of kindness and how important it is to not allow "Labels" to influence how I treat people. Case in point...my husband.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">Andy and I went to the same high school. At that time we didn't really know each other at all....no impressions, no labels. A few years later, I was in an abusive marriage with two children (in the process of divorce). At that time, Andy and I were working together at the same restaurant, I worked up front while he worked the grill. I let labels influence how I treated him. A friend of mine put it clearly when she described him this way "he is zany and goofy and people write him off." That's exactly what I did! I wrote him off, and I treated him horribly. Here is an example.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"> My husband is so incredibly passionate about his involvement with the fire department. It's no secret. At the time he and I worked together, he had just joined the FD. He was super excited and "gung ho" about it. That's all he talked about. My home was in the same "district" as the department he's a part of. I can vividly remember standing by the warmer on busy days while waiting for an order to be made and saying, "I thought firemen were supposed to be fast, if you can't make a sandwich faster than that, then I hope I never need to call the FD to my house!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"> HORRIBLE!!!!!!</span> Just writing it brings me to tears. No one, deserves to be treated that way! I can't believe he ever considered me as a friend let alone dated me after that!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">For years afterward I followed the same judgemental path. Andy and I got along as friends of a sort but I still didn't take him seriously. August 5th of 2011 (yes just a year ago) he and I became friends on Facebook and my perception changed. I'm so thankful that God opened my eyes to how wrong I was, and yes I have since apologized to Andy for how mean I was in the past. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">My point about labels and friendship doesn't just apply to my spouse though. I'm beginning to think of this past year as a time for new friendship. I've been blessed to develop closer friendships with so many acquaintances I had "written" off. Many because I didn't feel we would have anything in common. It saddens me to think of the time I've missed and the friendships I've lost and missed out on because my heart was hard to others. I can't change how I've behaved in the past but I can change how I respond in the future.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"><em><span class="text Eph-4-20" id="en-ESV-29276">"But that is not the way you learned Christ!—</span><span class="text Eph-4-21" id="en-ESV-29277">assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,</span> <span class="text Eph-4-22" id="en-ESV-29278">to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,</span> <span class="text Eph-4-23" id="en-ESV-29279">and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,</span></em><span class="text Eph-4-24" id="en-ESV-29280"><em>and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." </em>Ephesians 4:20-24</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">I'm so glad that God offers us the opportunity to put on a "new" self and walk in his Grace. I'll be much more aware of the possibility of friendship in the future. I will rejoice for the friendships I have and those yet to come.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel." </em>Proverbs 27:9</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;">And I'll leave you with this quote:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on
any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come
out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling
safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but
pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain
that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and
then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away." ~Dinah Craik, <i>A Life
for a Life</i>, 1859</span></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-89541815818122218812012-08-06T23:15:00.003-04:002012-08-06T23:15:51.548-04:00A Father's LoveIt's been a long day, or at least it seems that way. Andy and I were awakened at 4am by Abby after she had a nightmare. It was one of those that nightmares that is vague and not quite real enough to describe but terrifying. She wouldn't stop crying last night. This evening, well you guessed it, she won't go to bed. We're working on it.....<br />
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Last night didn't turn out the way a normal middle of the night awakening would. I felt an urgency in my heart, that what Abby needed was to stay awake and just spend time with me talking. I have failed my children so many times and in so many ways. Last night though, I think I got it right. <br />
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We talked about lots of things, random things, but things that she needed to get off her chest. Most importantly I had the chance to really apologize for the past. My little girl is growing...so quickly. She's desperately searching for love and she desperately needs to know that she is cared for. Don't we all feel that way though? <br />
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This precious child has never really known what it's like to have a Dad who loves her and who longs to spend time with her. Andy is trying to bridge that gap. I've encouraged him to find ways to spend time with her. With Jaden it's been easy for him to find ways to communicate. Not so with Abby, so he's been working on including her when running errands, and in daily conversation. <br />
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Last night, Abby asked me if she could take Andy's last name as her own. Step-parent adoption is something that Andy and I have discussed and are praying about. Andy wants to be the kid's father in every way, but he also wants them to want to be adopted. We haven't approached the kids with the idea and yet they keep bringing it up on their own. Last night, I explained a little bit about how adoption works and what it would mean to Abby. She still wanted to, so I told her it would be best if she talked to Andy about it as well (she'd only talked to me privately). <br />
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After talking with her, I witnessed what I can only imagine might be an illustration of how God longs to have us come to him. My daughter went to the kitchen and tentatively asked my husband. "Can I be adopted?" His response was "Who would be adopting you?" She pointed to him and smiled and then he wrapped his arms around her and said "Of course I would love to adopt you, Papa loves you Abby." <br />
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As I sat there crying watching her curl up in his lap, it occurred to me how simple it is for those of us who are searching for love to find it. We simply have to accept the love that our Heavenly Father is longing to give us. Just like my husband, he is waiting to be asked. He is waiting for us to open up and allow him to lavish us with his love and to guide us and correct us as we grow. I won't be posting scriptures along with this post because I don't think I could possibly explain how the Father loves us any better than He who has written the ultimate love letter to his children. So I will leave you with this link...I pray that you will read it and know how truly LOVED you are.<br />
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<a href="http://fathersloveletter.com/text.html">Father's Love Letter</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-6227794080618991792012-08-05T22:03:00.002-04:002012-08-05T22:03:56.608-04:00After His HeartWow, what an exciting week! I'm typing that joyfully because God is using this blog to bring about some changes here in our home and in my heart. The biggest change for me has been accountability. I don't know who is reading this blog, I'm not sure that it even matters. I do know though that I need to keep posting because I feel the need to spend time in the Word each day before I post. I did miss yesterday because Saturday nights I have practice at church. We always have fun in worship at practice and yesterday was no exception. <br />
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Today I've been reading about serving and submission. I have to say....even as I write this I'm screwing up. God is working on me, and I'm learning....slowly.<br />
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I want more than anything for our marriage to be as God designed it to be. I want to learn how to be the wife that God has called me to be to my husband. I also want to earnestly seek the Lord and build my relationship with Him. I've been reading a book by Elizabeth George titled A Woman After God's Own Heart. I've been expanding on the chapters I read by searching more in depth into the relative scriptures in my bible and attempting to follow the challenges in the book. Today mostly focused on Ephesians 5.<br />
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<em>"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29327AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup> as you do to the Lord."</em> Ephesians 5:22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup><br />
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<em><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">"</span></sup>However, each one of you also must love his wife <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29338AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></sup> as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."</em> Ephesians 5:33<br />
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The author in the book I've been reading put it this way. The scriptures say we are to submit to our husbands as we would <em>to the Lord</em>. By submitting to the man God blessed me with, I'm actually honoring God! Modern thinking has so many women struggling with submission. Society (and the devil) wants us to believe that submitting to our husbands is outdated thinking. God designed marriage with the husband at the head for a reason. It's not my job to question that, it's my job to trust that God is using Andy and his decisions to fullfill his purpose for our family. I'm working on it....old habits die hard so they say. I believe that God can show me how to follow his instructions and I want to follow them. Today showed me that it's not hard to submit, and it's also not hard to screw up. <br />
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One of the challenges I read today about submission instructed women to respond positively to their husbands by. A. saying nothing (if you have something negative to say) B. responding with a single positive word. In the midst of my reading this chapter my husband asked me a question. My single word response was "Ok." That simple little word led to an absolutely wonderful afternoon with my husband. We've had such fun talking and hanging out today. I love it! I love being married to my best friend. Most people who know me also know that this is not my first marriage. It is however, the first time I have every felt so lighthearted and so much like a newlywed is expected to feel. <br />
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I did screw up today though, a few minutes ago to be exact. I have such a hard time with writing sometimes. I can't concentrate with distractions, and as I began writing this post my husband turned on the radio. I will confess that I was a bit snappy and the atmosphere completely changed as soon as the words were out of my mouth. It's kind of like baking I guess. Sometimes a little too much or too little of one ingredient can spoil the whole batch. Things can be going so well and then one small word can change everything.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"A gentle answer <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16809A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> turns away wrath, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16809B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> </em><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><em> </em></span><span class="text Prov-15-1"><em>but a harsh word stirs up anger."</em></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-15-1"> Proverbs 15:1</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-15-1">My tone was harsh....and I was shown just how quickly all of my attempts at respect and submitting can be undermined. A teaching moment no doubt. I was quick to apologize to my husband and he quick to forgive. He's such a sweet heart and such a goofball. The old fashioned country he put on wasn't intended to grate on my nerves at all. It had a different purpose all together. He wanted to dance with me in our kitchen! ( How many blessings do we miss out on by being unkind to our spouse?) He told me as we danced to an old Willie Nelson song, "I like old country because...back then they really knew how to write a good love song." </span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-15-1">I think, no....I know that my husband is right. There is nothing wrong with an "Old fashioned" kind of love. That's part of what this whole idea of doing a retro home is about. We don't want a modern home with "modern" morals. We want to embrace the plan God has for our marriage like our Grandparents did. I can certainly work on submission and service because I've been blessed with a husband who loves me! I have to let him be who God wants him to be.....and I have to learn to be who I need to be and I'm longing to be known as A Woman After God's Own Heart.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-4008351039571059922012-08-02T22:38:00.001-04:002012-08-02T22:38:38.462-04:00Brinner Biscuits and the importance of Bread.Supper time....It's been a few hours. I'm starting to enjoy the time afterwards. Once the dishes are done I can get some "me" time. Remember how I said that I needed more time in the Word? I'm thinking those after supper hours might be just the right time. The kids are getting ready for bed and winding down and Andy takes his turn with the laptop. I can read and think a bit. Tonight, I was reading and I thought about biscuits. <br />
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We had breakfast for dinner this evening. Brinner is what my husband calls it. I'm in need of a trip to the grocery store and the options were.....slim. That's how brinner made it's way to the table. Bacon, eggs, hash browns and biscuits were on the menu tonight because that's what was in the cupboard to make. Biscuits are a go-to meal stretcher in this house.<br />
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I love making biscuits. I use the recipe my Mama gave me. It's not really much of a recipe, just a list of ingredients that you "eyeball" to get the right amounts. I couldn't give you measurements if I tried and even though they are pretty good, I haven't quite matched my Mom's version yet.<br />
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There is something about cooking from scratch that I love. It's a feeling you get when you have dough up to your elbows and flour on your face. It's an expression of Love to me. There is truth in the old story about Mom's secret ingredient being Love. It is, and it isn't a secret at all. Love is pretty much what it's all about anyways. The scripture says:<br />
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<em>"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."</em> Romans 5:8<br />
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<em>"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."</em> John 15:13<br />
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Love, especially God's love is Powerful. We know this because He sent his Son so that we might live. So that we could have eternal life. This past Sunday was Communion Sunday. Abby and Jaden, after coming to the Lord and being baptised, finally got a chance to participate in the Lord's Supper. I loved how simply the message explained to them, and to the adults present what it was all about. As children we learn that the Bread represents the Body of Christ, and we are instructed to remember.<br />
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That's what happened when I was making the biscuits. I remembered the Bread. The Body that was broken for us. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;"><em><span style="color: black;">"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread
of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me
shall never thirst."</span></em> </span>John 6.35</span> <br />
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Bread is a pretty big deal when you think about it. We are so richly blessed today that bread is taken for granted. Why did Jesus compare himself to bread? Simply because it's essential, bread is a staple in nearly any culture. It's a penny stretching meal that sustains us when there's no meat to be had. I read a quote in one of Christy Jordan's posts recently where she was talking about the depression and something her Grandmother had said. <br />
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“Mama always said many a family would have starved to death back</div>
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then if not for biscuits and gravy.”</div>
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The bread was their salvation. Just as bread is essential to our physical body (the preventor of starvation and death you might say), Jesus is essential to our spiritual body, the bread that nourishes our very souls. I'm never going to look at a batch of biscuits the same way again. </div>
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The best part is, the love doesn't have to stop with our family or our church. Most cooks I know tend to make just a bit too much and there is always enough to share. I'm always delivering biscuits to someone when I make them because we always have extra. In the same way, God wants us to share the Bread of Live by sharing the Love of Christ. We don't have to worry about running out of Bread. There is always enough. He's up to his elbows in biscuit dough waiting to feed the hungry masses. We just have to invite them over for Brinner. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-79046919714375235972012-08-01T21:48:00.000-04:002012-08-01T21:48:00.474-04:00An Ounce of Prevention.It's kind of funny how when you think no one is paying attention they are. I wasn't sure anyone was reading until my Mama asked me where today's post was. Here it is almost 9pm and I'm just now sitting down to write. To be honest, I wasn't even sure what to write about. Then, like other times, it comes...that still small voice, the spark of an idea, or a thought that comes from the Lord. <em>"Write about this...."</em> Honestly though, my answer is as always, "but Lord, I don't even know where to go with that?" It doesn't stop there though, because there it is again, that little nudge that says "<em>Just start writing and it will come."</em> Remember a few days ago when I talked about how He directs our paths? Yep, it's kind of like that. So here it is, our topic for today: Rust.<br />
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Rust has been on my mind daily this week. In preparation for this move, we have been blessed with so many things. A table, chairs, and cabinets just to name a few. (I will no doubt talk about each of them individually at some point). So what's the common denominator these blessings share? They are all experiencing various stages of rust. <br />
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Rust requires three things to occur. Iron, oxygen, and moisture react and cause the unsightly corrosion we call rust. Generally, we associate rust with neglect. Like most problems we face, it's best to prevent it before it becomes an issue. Sometimes though, we acquire an item that hasn't been loved for a while. Something that is a little corroded and in need of tender loving care. I'm thinking maybe that's how we look when we come to the Lord.....sometimes we have rusting hearts.<br />
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David wrote "<em>Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."</em> Psalm 51:10 <br />
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David was called a Man after God's own heart. Still he screwed up, he was human, and he got caught up in sin. In the Psalm 51 he was earnestly pleading to the Lord to remove the rust in his life. Remember what I said about prevention? Rust doesn't occur overnight. It starts small, a bubble here and there under the paint.<br />
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In our lives it's the same. Maybe we were offended by something another person said. Maybe in the midst of temptation we thought "It's ok, to compromise now, because no one will know." Perhaps our friendships are leading us down a road we shouldn't be on, or we've simply slacked in our daily time with the Lord. Whatever it is in our lives that starts the corrosion be it spiritual neglect, sin, or unforgiveness: when allowed to continue....it's gonna rust. <br />
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Rust isn't easy to remove either. I've been doing my research and in order to restore the items I have, it's going to take work. Lots of time, and lots of elbow grease, and steel wool. Some of the rust is so bad that to remove it, it may need to be cut out. Sounds painful right? It is. When we have rust in our life it's probably gonna take a little time and maybe even some pain to remove it. If we let it go, rust will eventually bring death. The good news is that there is hope. <br />
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<em>"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"—and you forgave the guilt of my sin." </em>Psalm 32: 3-5<br />
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HE IS THERE! Ready and waiting to remove the rust from our lives. That's not to say that we don't need to put forth some effort too. First and foremost we have to acknowledge the issue.We can ask the Lord to remove whatever is rusting in us and draw strength and restoration from him.<br />
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<em>"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."</em> Romans 6:23<br />
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<em>"Therefore ... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress..." </em>Hebrews 12: 1<br />
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Once we remove the rust, it's time to cover up the bare metal. To protect from, and to prevent future corrosion we've got to have the spiritual equivalent of Rustoleum. We need the Word of God in our lives daily. I struggle with this personally, devotional time is something that I need to make more time for. I get too caught up in plans, frustrations, and little stuff that wears down my paint. I think, like the other posts so far that's what the small voice is saying to me. Working on removing the rust isn't enough. Prevention is key, and that's what the Word is there for. That's what spending time with God and developing a prayer life and relationship is about. Finding the strength to resist the problems in the first place, and help removing the things that are starting to bubble up. <br />
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<em>"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." </em>Psalm 28:7<br />
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So I ask you.....Is there rust in your life? <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-86845452552670717232012-07-31T17:27:00.002-04:002012-07-31T17:27:28.277-04:00One Day at a Time<strong>"<span class="line line-s" id="line_3">I'm only human I'm just a woman, </span><span class="line line-s" id="line_4">Help me believe in what I can be and all that I am, </span>Show me the stairway I have to climb, Lord for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time".....</strong><br />
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<span class="line line-s hover">The old song is in my head today. It's been one of those days when things seem so overwhelming. I'm not the most patient person. I'm not saying that I expect prayers to be answered immediately, but I tend to get distracted in the time in between. When Andy and I were planning our wedding, I started praying about our home. I've always known that this trailer wouldn't last forever. This particular trailer was made in 1970. It's been a good one, but Andy and I knew we'd need to move on soon or sink some serious money into repairs here. I think they define it as a "money pit." Right now we've got holes in the roof, holes in the floor.....well you get the idea. </span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover">So we started talking and I started praying. I prayed for the home that the Lord wanted us to have. I thought at the very least that we could upgrade to something bigger, 3 bedrooms maybe? </span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover"><em>"For my thoughts <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18749A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> are not your thoughts,<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-55-8">neither are your ways my ways,” <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18749B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> </span></span></em><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8"><em>declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</em> Isaiah 55:8 </span></span></span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover"><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8">Soon after I started praying the answer came. My Uncle and Grandpa were planning to move. They asked Andy and I if we would be interested in taking over the payments for the 1998 model trailer that is just across the yard from the one we are in. The catch? It's still 2 bedrooms, and the trailer needs a lot of work. Wait, I did ask for bigger, right? Our current home is 12x60 the 98 model is 14x60. It's not much bigger, it seems small, but remembering that the Lords ways are not our own, we said we'd take it. Then the waiting started.</span></span></span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover"><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8">I wanted so badly to jump in head first, to start scrubbing, painting, and renovating. You know the story about the grasshopper and the ant? I understood the Ant's haste in preparation for winter. I wanted everything done by the time school started. Fast forward a few months. School is scheduled to start in 20 days. Here I am, still waiting, and according to my nature, worrying. </span></span></span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover"><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8"><em>"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than
food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying
can add a single hour to his life?"</em> Matt 6:25-27 </span></span></span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover"><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8">I need to stop. I try to stop getting anxious about this move, stop being overwhelmed by it all. The Lord's timing is perfect right? </span></span></span><br />
<br /><span class="line line-s hover"><span class="right"><span class="text Isa-55-8"><em>Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God" </em>Philippians 4:6 </span></span></span><br />
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It's pretty clear that worry isn't something God wants in my vocabulary. So I'm going to keep on singing. "One day at a time, Sweet Jesus..." If all I can do is pray and sing to keep my mind from worry then that's what I'll do. Prayerfully, Praising, and Trusting that he's got it covered. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323190960770495813.post-47449506013842194472012-07-30T12:31:00.011-04:002012-07-30T22:02:04.318-04:00A Blessed Life: remembering the past and looking to the future.So, this is it. My first official post here on Raggedy to Retro. Honestly, I'll let you know here and now, that my thoughts are almost always random. I'm not a writer, nor will I ever claim to be. I do want to share some of my musings and experiences though, hence the decision to create this blog.<br />
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I'll start with the most recent event here in our little community. Memories of Falls Mill. For my whole life pretty much, this community reunion has been an annual event. My favorite part has always been spending time with my Great Aunts Shirley, Vi, and Ellie. What classy, beautiful, smart women they are! All of them have inspired me throughout my life. They have supported me and lifted me up, always encouraging me to do better and to live up to my potential. Unfortunately, Ellie recently suffered a stroke so the sisters weren't able to attend the reunion. Boy, did we miss them! <br />
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With my aunts and their families not in attendance, the reunion seemed small. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with my time there. That's when I met Clara and Irene. Married to distant cousins of mine, these two ladies were the highlight of my day. We sat and talked for what seemed like hours about antiques, family, and all of the blessings we've had so far. What I love about reunions like ours is the opportunity to witness first hand the blessings that come from the Lord. Generations gathered and sharing news of new births, memories of the past, and celebrating the lives of those who are no longer with us. It's inspiring to me.<br />
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I had hoped to share my own blessing with my Aunts, by introducing them to Andy. What a year it's been! The Lord has truly brought change in my life, and I couldn't wait to share it with them. I did get to introduce Andy to Clara. She shared with us how she and her husband have been married 63 years. Like us they started with very little. We can only hope to be so blessed in life and in our marriage as she and her husband have been. At the time I'm writing this we have been married 4 months. 63 years is a long time, and in this day it's hard to imagine such longevity in a marriage. It's something Andy and I look forward to, and Lord willing we will get there.<br />
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Today I'm thinking on Proverbs 3:6 "<em>In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" ...</em>a pretty good scripture to start with isn't it? So as we start this journey together, I hope we can all remember to put the Lord first and rely on his direction. I know that in life, in marriage, in writng this blog, and in building our home His direction is going to be essential. My prayer is that we can learn and grow in the Lord, strengthening our family unit through this process. I also hope that maybe the Lord will use this blog not only to speak into my life, but to bless others as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17642135956620403347noreply@blogger.com0