*Thankful for a laptop computer so that I may sit in my most comfy chair and chat with my husband.
*Thankful that the baby inside me is doing well and that he/she is measuring correctly.
*Thankful for nap time---quiet time in my otherwise very loud home.
*Thankful for an abundant amount of hugs and kisses from all my children.
*Thankful for breakfast family devotionals that end up convicting me.
*Thankful for peace and prosperity in my walk with God.
*Thankful that my devoted husband lavishes his love to me from far distances.
*Thankful for being renewed today by friendships missed.
*Thankful to be in the second trimester.
*Thankful to have a new outlook.
Family of Warriors
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Friday, 15 April 2011
The Journey of Gratitude Continues...
109. Thankful that I have been able to send my hubby 3 packages in the last week. One for stuff he needed. One for our Anniversary that will be this Monday. And the last one was for Easter.
110. ME has dropped her bottle...yay!
111. ME took her first nap in her crib today. She slept for about an hour and a half.
112. I ate comfort food tonight--meatloaf, potatoes and green beans-one of my Mom's favorites.
113. God showed me what is wrong with my sweet son Micah and how to handle the issue at hand.
114. Cuddle time on the couch has been super sweet as I have been feeling bad.
115. I finally had the energy to dust my entertainment center with more than a swifter.
116. Stephen has been saying the sweetest things to me and coming up to me for kisses and hugs.
117. Having 2 children ill makes one slow down.
118. As I was doing ME's hair today, she combed her doll's hair. Pretty special moment.
119. Yesterday, I was able to supervise Kaleb while he made banana nut bread. I am so glad I have a son who loves to cook.
120. My husband calls me religiously everyday two times a day. I am grateful that he deems me important enough to call me on his busy days.
121. Joshua has really loved playing outside on our playground. His enthusiasm helps to encourage all the children to play outside.
110. ME has dropped her bottle...yay!
111. ME took her first nap in her crib today. She slept for about an hour and a half.
112. I ate comfort food tonight--meatloaf, potatoes and green beans-one of my Mom's favorites.
113. God showed me what is wrong with my sweet son Micah and how to handle the issue at hand.
114. Cuddle time on the couch has been super sweet as I have been feeling bad.
115. I finally had the energy to dust my entertainment center with more than a swifter.
116. Stephen has been saying the sweetest things to me and coming up to me for kisses and hugs.
117. Having 2 children ill makes one slow down.
118. As I was doing ME's hair today, she combed her doll's hair. Pretty special moment.
119. Yesterday, I was able to supervise Kaleb while he made banana nut bread. I am so glad I have a son who loves to cook.
120. My husband calls me religiously everyday two times a day. I am grateful that he deems me important enough to call me on his busy days.
121. Joshua has really loved playing outside on our playground. His enthusiasm helps to encourage all the children to play outside.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Loneliness
*Warning...this is like a journal entry. My blog for now will be utilized in a way for me to communicate my heart.*
My soul cries out.
My soul yearns for one more thing.
As I search my heart and allow God to refine me, I am faced with some harsh realities. Sadly the reality is about me and it is producing a new perspective on life. As I began this journey, I noticed quite quickly that some changes were needed. I believe with all my heart that these changes were going to be painful. No doubt that it is going to hurt to the core of my being, but in the end it will be worth it.
As I ponder these harsh realities, I am asking myself some questions.
Who really knows me?
Who do I allow to know my heart?
What do I readily share?
What is the purpose of my friendships?
How do I get renewed?
I came to the conclusion that I can be in a room full of people and yet feel alone. It isn't that I don't believe I have friends...it is just the closeness that I am yearning . I miss praying with my friends. I miss the accountability of friends. I miss being sharpened by friends. I miss their encouragement.
So, as I sit at my computer and contemplate life, I have decided that life for now will be lonely for this outgoing girl.. I need time to heal. I need time to refocus. I need time to restructure my thoughts. In short, I just need time...that is what this sabbatical is all about. A time to heal my heart.
My soul cries out.
My soul yearns for one more thing.
As I search my heart and allow God to refine me, I am faced with some harsh realities. Sadly the reality is about me and it is producing a new perspective on life. As I began this journey, I noticed quite quickly that some changes were needed. I believe with all my heart that these changes were going to be painful. No doubt that it is going to hurt to the core of my being, but in the end it will be worth it.
As I ponder these harsh realities, I am asking myself some questions.
Who really knows me?
Who do I allow to know my heart?
What do I readily share?
What is the purpose of my friendships?
How do I get renewed?
I came to the conclusion that I can be in a room full of people and yet feel alone. It isn't that I don't believe I have friends...it is just the closeness that I am yearning . I miss praying with my friends. I miss the accountability of friends. I miss being sharpened by friends. I miss their encouragement.
So, as I sit at my computer and contemplate life, I have decided that life for now will be lonely for this outgoing girl.. I need time to heal. I need time to refocus. I need time to restructure my thoughts. In short, I just need time...that is what this sabbatical is all about. A time to heal my heart.
Time for a Break
I decided earlier this year that I was going to take a break from teaching Bible study this summer. It makes me quite sad at times, but I know the rest is needed. I completely enjoy teaching sweet ladies about God. It is my passion in life and most times I am astonished the way God uses the studies to teach me. It is an awesome pleasure of watching ladies' lives changed in some phenomenal ways.
But lately I noticed some issues. It may just be pregnancy or maybe I allowed some of the gossip about me to get to my heart. Regardless, I know that God is calling me to rest in Him. I need to refocus and rejuvenate myself through spending time with God. My desire is to see what He wants for me and what I need to work on in the coming months.
So, you might be asking why am I telling you this? In short, I want the accountability. My ladies kept me accountable. I do not want to grow lazy. I want to stay fresh and revived. I want a fresh wind Spiritually. I yearn to listen to God and to share it just differently. I am choosing to blog what God is teaching me.
So, are you ready for the journey. I think it is going to be fun.
Now to plan where to start....hmmmm....
But lately I noticed some issues. It may just be pregnancy or maybe I allowed some of the gossip about me to get to my heart. Regardless, I know that God is calling me to rest in Him. I need to refocus and rejuvenate myself through spending time with God. My desire is to see what He wants for me and what I need to work on in the coming months.
So, you might be asking why am I telling you this? In short, I want the accountability. My ladies kept me accountable. I do not want to grow lazy. I want to stay fresh and revived. I want a fresh wind Spiritually. I yearn to listen to God and to share it just differently. I am choosing to blog what God is teaching me.
So, are you ready for the journey. I think it is going to be fun.
Now to plan where to start....hmmmm....
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Thursday, 17 March 2011
My Journey to One Thousand Gifts...
So, lately things are a bit dreary around here. Mark is gone for his 4 month deployment and the kids and I have had the fevers and snot junk. To say in the least my attitude has not been the best. To combat the "bad" attitude I am going to give God the sacrifice of thanks. I am following Ann Vankamp's book One Thousand Gifts. I strongly suggest it to all my friends. It will change your life and your perspective.
102. Little girl listening to music and dancing.
103. Micah's full body hug at midnight.
104. Sweet friends visiting from afar.
105. A fb chat with an old friend.
106. Snow cones on a cool day.
107. Phone calls from the love of my life.
108. Little boys who can ride faster because their bikes are new.
I feel better already.
102. Little girl listening to music and dancing.
103. Micah's full body hug at midnight.
104. Sweet friends visiting from afar.
105. A fb chat with an old friend.
106. Snow cones on a cool day.
107. Phone calls from the love of my life.
108. Little boys who can ride faster because their bikes are new.
I feel better already.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Thinking Out Loud
So, I have been contemplating some deep questions lately. One of the most prevalent question on my heart is what would my response be if I knew something tragic would happen in 6 months. Tragic events in this case would be loss of a child or Mark. It could even be severe damage by a disease or accident to myself or immediate family.
I think my initial response would be extreme despair. I would cry and beg God to change His mind. I would probably make some physical changes too. I would sit with my child until he/she fell asleep every night. I wouldn't homeschool any longer. Our days would be filled with fun and memory making activities.
If I was loosing Mark, I would probably cater to his every desire. I would want him to tell me his dreams for each child. I would write his wisdom down for our children to learn from in years to come. I would embrace every hug and kiss completely differently.
In essence, I think I would embrace life more fully. Recently a young man was told he had 6 months to live. His response is telling anyone and everyone who will listen about the saving grace of God.
I would hope my response would be the same.
Sadly, God's Word is very clear that we will have many troubles in this world. Thankfully, God has also said that He has overcome this world. So, I guess at some point in time we will all have a tragedy that will come into our lives at some point in time.
As I get older, I realize the only real true thing in life is God. It is God that get me through each obstacle. It is God who comforts me through the night. It is God's Word that is alive and active in me that makes the attitude change...not the situation. My hopes is that I can prepare now for the sorrows later. I want to memorize His word and be grateful daily for His provisions. I want to have something to grasp onto in my deepest despair.
In contemplating this situation, maybe the real response to any grief should always be to fall in love with Jesus way before the sorrow comes my way.
I think my initial response would be extreme despair. I would cry and beg God to change His mind. I would probably make some physical changes too. I would sit with my child until he/she fell asleep every night. I wouldn't homeschool any longer. Our days would be filled with fun and memory making activities.
If I was loosing Mark, I would probably cater to his every desire. I would want him to tell me his dreams for each child. I would write his wisdom down for our children to learn from in years to come. I would embrace every hug and kiss completely differently.
In essence, I think I would embrace life more fully. Recently a young man was told he had 6 months to live. His response is telling anyone and everyone who will listen about the saving grace of God.
I would hope my response would be the same.
Sadly, God's Word is very clear that we will have many troubles in this world. Thankfully, God has also said that He has overcome this world. So, I guess at some point in time we will all have a tragedy that will come into our lives at some point in time.
As I get older, I realize the only real true thing in life is God. It is God that get me through each obstacle. It is God who comforts me through the night. It is God's Word that is alive and active in me that makes the attitude change...not the situation. My hopes is that I can prepare now for the sorrows later. I want to memorize His word and be grateful daily for His provisions. I want to have something to grasp onto in my deepest despair.
In contemplating this situation, maybe the real response to any grief should always be to fall in love with Jesus way before the sorrow comes my way.
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