Something I Love

I thought I would every-so-often write about a few things that I use often or that I can't live without. Some will be frivolous while others are lasting.  I'll start with one that's lasting. 

For Christmas, my mom and dad got me the devotional Jesus Calling.  I have come to cherish the moments that I get to sit down and soak in the words that the Lord has for me each day through this small book.

There is rarely a day when I read that I don't feel God's very voice speaking to me through it.  And today was no exception.

Today is Sunday.  I look forward to Sunday mornings because I get to be among friends and worship with my fellow believers.  Sunday's revive me.  It's a set aside time to worship the Lord and talk with others about what you're learning from him. And as a mom of young kids, to have a time carved out to do this is priceless.

Well, unfortunately we've had a lot of sickness this winter in our family.  Often times I find myself sitting at home on Sundays (and many other days).  And today is one of those days.  Brianna is cranky and sick.  I was annoyed and disappointed.  And thoughts like this started to creep in...

Why am I the one who always has to stay home?  I'm always home!

I always have to miss out on things because of the kids being sick.

Why do I even try to make plans!

My life sucks!

Yes, my thought life becomes a bit dramatic...So, after I got the baby down for a nap, I made a conscious decision (even though my house was a mess and I desperately wanted to clean it) to sit down and spend some time with the Lord.  I opened Jesus Calling and this is what I read...

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Be on guard against the pit of self-pity.  When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face.  Don't even go near the edge of the pit.  Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down.  It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it.  That is why I tell you to be on guard.

...When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself.  Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit.  Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me.  Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross...Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

 

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Motherhood takes endurance.  Lots of it.  And there are days when I am very, very weary of it.  But, I want to run this race of motherhood with perseverance and without living in the pit of self-pity.  I spend way too much time in that pit.  The Lord has marked out this race that's set before me.  I want to honor and praise him and thank Him for it, even when I think I can't run anymore.

 

 

Lord thank you for this quiet morning that I got to spend with you. I praise you that I got to rock my baby and spend time with her without interruption.  Thank you that she's sleeping now. And thank you for your gentle words of reprimand that were intended to mold me and shape me into the woman you want me to be.  Your woman.  Help me to run this race you set before me with a thankful heart.



Turning One

My little monkey turned 1 today! 

On this beautiful snowy day!

 

 

 

 

  

 Happy Birthday Brianna!

We're so thankful God gave us you.

 Love you!

Nonsense

Sometimes it's hard to nail down a specific topic for my blog, especially when I have so much nonsense rolling around my head all the time.  So for now, I'll just share the nonsense.


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Now that I have school age kids, I've come to a very sad realization.... 

Valentine's Day has become about kids. 

I spent so much more time in thought and prepping for Valentine's parties than I did about my "sweetheart."  In fact, at about 2:30 in the afternoon on Valentines Day I frantically texted my sisters for ideas to get my husband....

Is this not an outrage?

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I have recently enrolled myself in a power yoga class that the college is offering.  Naturally, I try to get a place toward the back of the class so the college kids don't have to observe the "old girl in class" trying to bend in ways that I can't.  By doing this, the one thing I have observed is that college girls' butts are impossibly high.  It's really unfair.

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I am a working girl now.  Well, actually I only work one day a week at the Pharmacy for my husband.  And I cherish it.  More than the job deserves.  I count pills.  None-the-less, I anticipate being amongst grown ups once a week almost as much as I look forward to watching Downton Abbey on Sunday nights.

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After being lit on fire by a number of four letter obscenities from an offended neighbor, I've come to this conclusion...if my dog gets out one more time, I will shoot it myself.  Then I won't need an "$@?#ing leash".

Dedication Verses

A few months ago we got Bri dedicated. If you don't know what that means, it's basically getting up in front of the church and promising to raise your child for the Lord.  I'm not going to lie, just thinking about getting up in front of a couple hundred people practically gives me hives.  Sheesh, what we won't do for our kids, am I right? 

Well, we've done this with all 3 of the girls now. And each time we've done a dedication, it feels more significant it to me.

Maybe it's because I have a few years of parenting under my belt now and I realize just how valuable it is to train my kids and teach them how to love and serve the Lord.  And to promise - in front of others and the Lord - to do just that.  For me, dedication has become a huge commitment....not just something I should do because that's what church people do.

As is custom in our church, for each dedication we chose some scripture to "give" to our children to guide them in life.  When preparing for Brianna's dedication, I looked back at what we chose for the older girls and I just found myself being thankful we had done this.  Maybe I'm just sentimental, but I love how they have a verse that's "theirs" from the time they were born.  One that was prayed for them and over them.  And still is. 

Here's what we chose for each of our girls:

Rylie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

(This verse was one of our favorites and felt like if we had to pick one verse for our first child to live by in the Bible, this would be it!)

Austyn

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

(Out of all the verses I've put to memory, the Lord brings this one to my mind most often.  We thought it would be a great verse for Austyn to be able to turn to in every stage of life.)

Brianna

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them was meant to be. 
Psalm 139:13-16

(We chose this for her because, as our third child, we wanted her to know she was created uniquely and wonderfully by God.  Also, the Lord really laid this verse on my heart while I was pregnant with her.)

Our verse/promise to our girls from us

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:16-19a