Running in the right direction

I have been on the ‘move’ more than usual lately.  Whether this is running while I play tennis, jogging in the neighborhood, ‘speed mowing’, or taking the dog on a long walks.  I am on a mission to 

be more active + eat healthy = GET FIT!  I know some people are naturally inclined to exercise; I would NOT class myself as one of these ‘people’.  I do it for a few reasons…mainly because I know it is good for me.  The other part of the equation is the competitive gene that won’t let me quit. 

There are some days that I wish I didn’t have this gene,

but it is part of God’s great design.

What got me on the fitness kick THIS time, was a recent purchase.  I bought a jawbone UP bracelet band, https://jawbone.com/up.  This band gives you feedback on how many steps you take a day (mileage), calories burned, sleep pattern, etc.  After the first week of wearing the band on vacation and consistently not meeting my daily goal of 10,000 steps per day (the AHA recommendation for a healthy heart lifestyle), my competitive gene kicked in.  I could not take ONE MORE day of not reaching my goal.  Since we got back from vacation, I have not been able to sit still.  I have yet to have a day that I did not meet my goal and even reached an all time high of 27,000 steps – OH YEAH!

Now, of course I want to beat that goal…

The point is…sometimes we need an incentive. 

We need something to drive us. 

We need something to get us ‘moving’. 

We need something to give feedback and hold us accountable.

This morning during my run and time with the Lord, a thought occurred to me.  

What if I had a band that would give me feedback on my time in The Word?  

A band that would give me an equivalency to my devotional time.  

With this feedback, would it drive me to spend more time with the Lord?

I like to think YES.

Well, it is unlikely that this band will be invented.  

But we all have this type of measuring bands already.  My life, my actions, my words- do they reflect God’s truth? This feedback is in direct proportion to how much time I spend daily in the word.  My friends are one of the greatest assets for accountability.  If I stumble, I know they wont just pick me up but they will give me the push to get going again.  And most importantly, the best band any of us could have is the Holy Spirit.  

He spoke to me today and clearly said, 

“Run Mitzi, keep running to Me, and this time….don't stop!” 

Celebrate life!

My living room is a fort of tents.

 My kitchen is a school room.

My bedroom is a haven of lovies, kleenex,

tiny shoes and drink cups.
I look around the house

&

I am THANKFUL

for the change that has happened to move my

house to A HOME.

Six years ago today,

The Lord blessed our family of 3 to a family of 4.

After fertility treatment and years of loss,

followed by complete surrender to God's timing,

our GREAT and AWESOME God brought
fourth the life of our son!
He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children. 

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113:9

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above

James 1:17

 

 

 

Today we celebrate the six amazing years of Brenon's life.

Our hearts are full of gratitude,

God is SO good.

Thursday's Thoughts..

If your plate is too full,

remember

you can always have left overs!

 

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

 

 

When the to-do list is never ending,

the unexpected always seems to happen,

and the tensions are high,

quit trying to fit it ALL in......

let God prioritize your days!

 

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.

 

 

 

Changing my morning

I woke up yesterday morning already cranky. I think of myself as being a morning person, but NOT today. I could blame it on lack of sleep, that might be a good excuse but I think there was more to it. Everything seemed to irritate me as I started my day.
{scornful}

I couldn't find the right outfit to wear. Then, the dog took forever to go to the bathroom as I stood in the freezing cold rain to let him out. Then the kids were moving so slow to come down for breakfast. Then my husband knocked over a full glass onto my daughters notebook. At this point, I felt the wicked one speak out of my mouth!

{chaffed}

My morning had begun with an attitude of discontent...

As I went about my day, I could feel the gears slowly turn around. As I spent time with my son, taking care of the chores, and going through the to-do list, I unconsciously felt my attitude begin to shift.

 

{Others - self = God}
 

My mother in law called mid-day to ask if she could pick up my daughter from school for me. This small act of kindness continued to soften my heart. Then that night, I had ladies night. Wouldn't you know that our speaker talked about our daily time with The Lord.  When asked if we had spent time with God that morning, I of course raised my hand. I had read scripture that morning. I had prayed with my kids. I had even done a bible lesson with my son, I should get extra points, right?!

Wrong...

God reminded me that it is the attitude of worship not a box to check off my list.

My morning and day had not started with Him, my day started with an attitude of self.

As I woke up extra early THIS morning at 4am, I was pointed to

Psalm 1:1-6

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord ,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

 

The Lord woke me up even earlier today than the day before, showing me that my attitude was not due to lack of sleep! He did not let my attitude veer off course this time. He has held my thoughts captive, turning me from my previous days' ungodly attitude. 

Lord, I pray you will encourage me to delight in your presence, to ponder your words throughout my days, keep me from the self focused ways that lead to expressions of discontent.

The Remote control

The Remote control
Do you find that there is a battle in your house for who gets control
of the remote?

There is an unspoken understanding in our house.

If my husband and I are watching tv, HE has the remote.

If my kids are perched in front of the tv,

my daughter has the remote tightly clutched in her hands
the entire program!

She doesn't let go of it, for fear that she might
lose her control of this valuable item.

Is this something you can relate to?

Control is a very interesting thing!

If its not the remote,

maybe it is something else that you like to control.
We did an interesting exercise this morning,

listing the items that we (as a family) 'like' to control.
My daughter's list- her DS, her hamster, her cat, her brother, and herself
My son's list- iPod and Mario
My husband's list was very frank and honest...Everything!
(people, work, computer, car)
My response was more than I would like to admit,

but change happens amongst the brutal honesty.
My list...I like to control schedules, responses of others, our
children's study habits and behavior, cleanliness of the house, the
way in which things are done, the eating habits of my family,
...pretty much everything around me.

So, this leads me to the question, why do I feel so compelled to control?

I think to better understand the question,

it would be helpful to know the definition of control.
Control is the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events, to manipulate something to achieve the desired outcome.
So then the better question to ask,

what does the bible say about the 'need to control'?
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the
Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21 ESV)

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing
outside HIS control. At present, we do not yet see everything in
subjection to him. (Hebrews 2:8 ESV)

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of
the calling with which you were called, (Ephesians 4:1 NKJV)
Be humble (happy to lift others around you).
Be gentle (power under control)
Be patient (willing to wait as others grow) -

can't really be this way if I am trying to manipulate the outcome huh?
Bear with one another in love

(willing to put up with imperfections)-hmm, that would mean give up control huh?
Do you see differences as a gift rather than a division?

Ephesians 4:17-5:20
Do not give over to your senses (whatever feels good).
Repent, and turn to Christ, putting away and putting on.
List of things to put off, and to put on:
Falsehood (embellishing), speak truth/transparency
No unwholesome talk sarcasm, only encouraging words
No impurity or greed, put on holiness
Put off selfishness, put on SUBMISSION!
We have a fallen nature to dominate.

Jesus did not come to be served but to be a servant to all.
Who am I not to serve others?

Submission to who?
Wives to husbands- (just as Christ is to the Church)
Why?

Because you trust God's order.
We usually don't submit because we 'think' we know better!

Now isn't that the truth!

However, a life of submission is showing respect!
Submission does not mean you are not worthy, it shows honor.
Husbands to wives and wives to husbands.
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
(Ephesians 5:33 NKJV)

Children to parents- first time every time, but don't ask for more
than they can give. (don't exasperate your children)
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring
them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV)Christians who submit to others in reverence to Christ are living worthy of their calling.
While giving up the remote may be easy enough to give up,

control of everything else isn't as easy to let go!
Lord, I pray you will take the reigns in my life and I will sit in the backseat and know that you are in control of ALL things.

Sickness

This week, we have had the flu. 
It started with my husband.  Last Friday, he was in bed at 4pm and honestly, I am not sure he got out of bed all weekend.  Followed by Saturday, my son spiked a fever and then on Sunday my daughter was next...I knew it was going to be a long week!
 

Ironically enough, through fevers, cough, and lack of sleep,

I have really enjoyed the time just being with the kids.

It was nice to snuggle all day EVERY day this week and just take care of them.  However, despite the comfort of having the kids home more, I have been heavy in prayer all week for God's healing hand.  As a parent, you never enjoy seeing your child suffer, whether it is a simple cold or a serious illness. 

Today, as I watched the news reports and update on the Connecticut shooting, I was reminded of just how much sickness we have in the world. Saddened, a loss for words, tears streaming,

just a mom reminded of how fragile life can be...

 

Again, I am heavy in prayer for God's healing hand

for our world...full of sickness!

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

Confessions of a proud Mom

Today was one of those 'mountain top' Mommy days! My daughter came home with a folder full of papers with excellent grades. I poured out the praise! I was glowing with joy that all her hard work had paid off!

I was determined to display her work for positive reinforcement. I broke out the magnets and starting putting the papers on the refrigerator. 

It was at this time I felt convicted. 

 

I took all her excellent papers down and just stared at them. Then I did what I knew was right. I put her first test of the year on the refrigerator. The test that made her cry the second week of school. 

 

I put her failing test paper up on the refrigerator!

WHY? 

Why would I be so mean or cruel to do something like that?
It was because of this failing test that made her work so hard. This test had motivated her. This test had taught her how to set aside time each day to study. This test taught her time management skills.  It taught her to 'schedule' her time.

This failing test proved to be the reason I am proud!

She let God take a really bad thing and make it good! 

That is what He does for us!

He takes our ugly awful mess and turns it into a work of art.

This is why I am proud!

To God be the glory in ALL things!

Bullseye

Have you ever gone to church or read and article and thought, "Was this intended just for me?"  It is sometimes eery because the message is a bullseye to your heart.  That was the case when I opened and read my devotional email today.  So, I thought I would pass it along, maybe it was written for you too?!

Wednesday's Word is a resource of Paul Tripp Ministries. For more information about Paul Tripp Ministries, visit www.paultripp.com

Head Bowed and Hand Open

I wake up every day with a plan. I know exactly what I want to accomplish, how I want to accomplish it, and when I hope to complete it. I think ahead about the things I need to accomplish and how they need to be approached. I envision the end when I'm in the middle of the process. I naturally think schedules and deadlines and assign myself completion points because it helps me to work more efficiently.
I like being busy and I don't mind the pressure of being responsible for what seems more than I can do. I go to bed rehearsing what needs to be done and I wake up with the list corrected and in better order. I don't mind getting up early and staying up late. I wake up every day with an agenda. There's never a day when I don't have a plan.
Now, you're probably thinking, "Paul's poor wife! This man is obsessed!" I am committed to responsible living and I don't think responsible people have a lot of free time. But there's a problem with all of this. I do make a really good pseudo-sovereign. You know, I love me and have a wonderful plan for my life. And I can struggle with the sovereign God whom I claim to serve, but who's not signed on to do everything he can to make my plan work.
Here's where our agendas tend to conflict. While I'm investing my energies to make sure my work is complete, he's exercising his grace to make sure I'm complete. While I'm working toward success, he's working towards my holiness. While I'm committed to a disciplined and orderly day, he's committed to use whatever's needed to advance his work in and through me.
But it's not even that simple or obvious. The reason it's so easy for me to be snookered by my own self-sovereignty is that the bulk of what I'm doing is work for the kingdom. I tell myself that it's all about God, his kingdom, and his glory.
You see, the problem with the kingdom of self is that it's a costume kingdom. It so deftly masquerades as the kingdom of God. So self- aggrandizing plans for success masquerade as godly discipline. Impatience with others masquerades as a leader's zeal for the kingdom of God. Holding too firmly onto personal plans masquerades as godly focus.
It's quite easy to think you're serving God when you're actually serving yourself. It's quite easy to confuse your plan with God's plan. It's quite easy to praise the fact that God‘s in charge while living as if you are. It's quite possible to thinking you're building his kingdom when actually you're using his building materials to erect your own little kingdom. It's quite possible to do all of this because the kingdom of self so easily morphs into the shape of the kingdom of God.
This is why we need more than a system of redemption. This is why we need more than theology and rules. This is why we need more than a set of wisdom principles. This is why we need a Redeemer.
What we need to be rescued from the most is us! We need to be freed from our hold on us. We need to be freed from our desire to dominate us. We need to be liberated from imprisonment to our agenda for us. We need a Redeemer because our greatest struggle in life exists inside of us and not outside of us.
So once more today I confess to my allegiance to me. Once more I confess to my desire for self-sovereignty. Once more I pry open my hands and let go of the tight grip I have on my life. Once more I entrust my day, my schedule, my plans, and my life into the hands of the One who’s sovereign. Once more I rest in his power, wisdom, grace, faithfulness, and love. Sure, I keep planning, but with the hope that each day I'll do it more and more with my head bowed before his glory and my hand open to his will.
God bless

Paul David Tripp

Tissues please...

Well...today was the first day of school.  This year is full of transitions for both kids (and Mom)!  My daughter moves from a 3 day/2day program of home school and school curriculum to a 5 day program. While my son enters into Kindergarten!

This morning was full of excitement! We went out to the car and double checked backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.  As we were checking off the list, my daughter looked through her supplies in her backpack and noticed the box of tissues for her desk.  The tissues were in a green box with what looked to be robots.  She quickly asked if I had put this in the wrong bag and had another box for her. 
At this moment, I wanted to say, "No, I bought the value pack and 2 went in Brenon's backpack, and these are yours, nevermind the color." But I thought how those very LITTLE things can seem to REALLY matter, and especially on the first day of school. 

I called my neighbor at the early hour of 7am! (You know you have good neighbors when you can call that early) I asked her if she had a pink 'girly' looking box of tissues that I could trade out with mine.  To my delight, she did! She had a pink box with purple flowers! My daughter was thrilled.

We were then on our way to school.  As we drove, we took turns praying for our day.  It was at this time my daughter expressed her heart of gratitude.  I have often heard the expression, "Don't sweat the small stuff", and this is all so true. 

But sometimes...it IS the small things that can make all the difference in the big picture. 

My neighbor didn't feel like it was a fair trade since I gave her a large economy box of tissues and she gave me a small size.  She insists on bringing another box to make it an even trade.  I have to say- I just might need that extra box. 

Seeing God's handy work in my kids just might bring a few tears to my eyes as we go through yet another milestone.

 God is in all the little details!

Are unicorns real?

On a dreary rainy day, it gave us a great time to pull out the 'activity jar'!

Our first activity was, 'research a topic on the Internet'.
Each of my kids picked a topic. Brenon's choice was,

'how does your brain work?'

Great question, but after getting into the complex explanation of the central nervous system, I lost my five year old's attention.
Then, it was my daughter's turn to pick a topic.

Kendall's topic to research, 'Are unicorns real?'

Again, a great question. At the first google, we just found the answer No.  It was at this time my daughter rebuked that unicorns are mentioned in the bible. 
So, we went to God's word for the truth.
This is what we found,

God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
Numbers 23:21-23
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
Numbers 24:7-9
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
Deuteronomy 33:16-18

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
Job 39:8-10
Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
Psalm 22:20-22
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Psalm 29:5-7

But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Psalm 92:9-11
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
Isaiah 34:6-8

Interesting findings and as my daughter said best,

"God's word is ALWAYS true!"

Now, onto our second activity....make colored pasta. 

10,000 + moments

Life is filled with moments.

We tend to concentrate our energies on the big monumental events. But really our lives are truly shaped by the 10,000+ moments that shape who we really are and defines not only our character but reveals our faith.

It is easy to look past these moments and let them slip by unnoticed. However, once you really begin to take note, you begin to grasp God's hand at work in you and those around you.

I have had many moments just in the past couple days, and a few worth sharing.
1. The flip flops This week, I am director of one of the hallways at VBS at my church. I need to get there early to get everything together and organized. As we are loading up in the car, I remind the kids to get their 'stuff'. We leave in plenty of time to not feel rushed. However, as we step out of the car, one child has NO shoes on! 

This is one of those very minor moments-

how will you respond?

With anger and ugly words or gracious and resourceful?
Lucky for me and my shoeless child, God had prepared my heart. One, two phone calls and we had shoes delivered!
Responding with grace is not always easy to do but it reveals Christ's love every time.

2. The correct change? We went to the movies today,  
$1 summer movies.

So, total cost for me and the kids, $3. I gave the cashier $5. We were in conversation before she gave me the change. She then handed me the tickets and $17.

As I walked into the theatre I kept second guessing myself, did I give her a $5 or a $20?

 I just wasn't sure.

The kids wanted candy and popcorn, but frugal mom said 'no'. Then, the thought crossed my mind, 'spend the extra money on treats for the kids'.

Needless to say, they didn't get extra treats!

After the movie, I couldn't take it anymore...

I asked the front manager if they could check their register to see if it was off by $15.

After ten minutes of my kids wanting to leave, yes indeed- the register was short and I gave them back the money that I had improperly been given. I thought the manager and the cashier were going to pass out. It was the right thing to do and a great teaching moment for the kids (and the employees at the theatre).

3. Unnecessary damage As we got out of the movie, I received a phone call from my husband stating that our SeaDoo had been stolen. I rushed home and found that our SeaDoo was vandalized to the point that it was inoperable and left abandoned floating down the lake. Two workers on a barge spent over an hour recovering it and were kind enough to bring it back to our dock. They had also found our jackets, wet suit, and boat cushion that was stolen as well. It is at this moment, you can let Satan win and fill your heart  with anger and bitterness or truly give it up to the Lord and see His great hand of protection. My kids and I prayed for the person that did this to our property, we also prayed for His great hand in protecting our family from harm, and praised God for the kind hearted men that helped me recover our stolen items.

It is at this time of being violated

that you take up your armor and stand firm. 

SuperMom Syndrome

We seem to be in a time of the SuperMom.

Super busy lives, super committed, super dedicated, And last but not least Super Stretched to the limit.

I will admit, I set the bar for myself to become a SuperMom. I really wanted that title. I wanted to be the mom that volunteered for everything, helping at school, at church, and on whatever sporting event my kids happened to be playing. These all sound like great ambitions.

And, isn't that the goal anyhow? To be everything to everybody?

  It really does sound appealing and for some of you that can pull it off without flinching, you do have my respect!

However, I have found in my short 9 years of parenting that the more I stretch myself, the less effective I become. When I volunteer for all these great things, I have great intentions. The problem lies in the fact that it steals hours from my priorities. I find myself curbing my time with my kids to be behind the computer, I drive from point A to point B forgetting half the items I need, I find my stress level rise, and lose my temper and patience too quickly.

Most importantly I over commit and under deliver.

These variables don't add up to SuperMom!

The good news is, God has been speaking to my heart.

When you fall on your face or even just have a small stumble along the way, God is so good at giving you a good reality check on what is really important. I am thankful to step back and re-evaluate my priorities.

Pride and Ambition have to be given a backseat in order for God to drive the Mom bus on the correct path!

Does this mean that I have to say no to everything?

No!

But it does mean using my time well in keeping aligned with my God centered priorities.

I may have really wanted to be SuperMom

but I will take the title of simply Mom.

Please forgive me if I say no,

if I try and fail,

& even if I commit and disappoint you!

I know I will fall,

I  know I will stumble,

But for now the only stretching I want to do

is to stretch my arms around my kids

And just be there!

Bittersweet Sacrifice

We are on a car ride to church when it was exclaimed from the backseat, "someone wrote on the seat"!  Then the mystery began...

Who did it? 

This debate ended abruptly for our church service and lunch but no worries, it resurfaced from the backseat on the way home.  As we arrived home, no one in the backseat department volunteered guilt to the said graffiti.  Since someone had to be punished for the violation, we choose to spank both in hopes that the guilty party would step forward.

Indeed, someone DID step forward!

My son spoke up and said, "I did it".  Daddy then proceeded to spank him.  As this process unfolded, my daughter held her head low and "just couldn't watch".  As I probed in a little further, I found that my son had stepped forward and taken the blame for something his sister had done!

In one instance, I was so proud that my son would take it upon himself to carry someone else's burden.  He kept saying, "I just don't want her to get in trouble". 

And in the same instance was so sad that my daughter would allow him to take the blame for something she did. 

In every instance of parent-child discipline, we have a choice...to discipline and move on, or to recognize God's great hand at work.

So many lessons learned from such a simple act...

Putting yourself before others, humility, repentance, loving kindness, forgiveness...

I am so thankful to have these 'God moments' to look back on and see the the refinement in my children.









Core values

Core values
My husband's company, Claris networks has core values.   These aren't just words that look nice on paper or impressive on a plaque. The core values reflect how they live and breathe on a daily basis.  It is an amazing place to work, upholding not only ethical work conduct but truly 'networking' with the community. 
Having such a great workplace has reinforced our own family values.  We have some simple motives in our home, love God and love others. There are so many other values that take root from these simple rules - respect, patience, kindness, honor, generosity just to name a few. 
Galatians  22-25,  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

We teach these values and attempt to try our best to model them before our children. However,  it is when tested that these values hold true and really shine.  On a recent business trip with my husband, that was just the case. 

I had a long relaxing day by the beach while my husband sat in meetings all day.  At the end of the day, we both looked forward to reconnecting over dinner. On this particular evening, there was an arranged dinner with the said organization.  I had gotten ready and anxiously awaited my husband's arrival.  We briefly caught up on the day's events and went on our way to dinner.  We were delighted to find out that the dinner was held in the penthouse of the hotel. The view was incredible. We walked into the room, and soon were caught in conversation.  I was abruptly interrupted and informed that spouses were NOT invited to this event. This information was a shocking surprise considering that detail was not communicated in the agenda for the evening and all past events would indicate otherwise. 
It was my immediate thought that this is a business trip, I would just enjoy dining alone and meet up with my husband after the event. 
But it was at this time, I was shown a great deal of respect. My husband stated his disappointment in the poor communication of the details for the evening. After which, he took my arm and said, " where would you like to eat dinner dear?"   
It was at this time that he stood firm in placing value on respect and  family first! Something to not take lightly. 
While this may seem like a little thing and somewhat insignificant, it is in these small moments that the heart is truly revealed.  It is at this time when protecting the fabric of your marriage and family is so important. 
1 Corinthians  16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
Do your actions match your value system?  When put to the test, is your initial response that which reflects honor, respect, and love?

No words

I was talking to a friend last week that informed me of a mutual friend of ours which is now battling throat cancer. She told me about how most days she can not speak and on the days she can speak, it is only a whisper. We talked about how difficult that must be and the challenge of discipling the children with no voice. I made the comment this might be a good test of my discipline ability (in other words self control in not yelling to get the kids to listen).

I have prayed for our mutual friend throughout the past week, for her healing, patience, comfort, and strength.

God has heard my prayers, I woke up this morning with a very sore throat, raw to be exact, and
NO VOICE!

I woke up thinking, praying for my friend - knowing that my voice will come back but feeling at least for one day what she must struggle with EVERY day. As I packed the kids lunches, I noticed a kindness and understanding from my kids, I prayed she would feel this same feeling from her own children. On the way to school, we always pray, but since I couldn't, the children got a chance to lead and have their voice
heard instead of mine, I prayed my friend would also find comfort in her children's words. As the children got the wiggles in the car and I became frustrated with the inability to speak loudly (yell) at them, I prayed for my friend to be filled with patience that only the Lord could provide. Then I arrived at my bible study fellowship, after explaining several times why I could not speak, I prayed for my friend to be filled with encouragement and support. It was then time to start singing hymns. At this time I realized that even though my singing
voice is a whole lot less that desirable, it was part of my worship. I smiled and mouthed the words, praying for my friend to be filled with whole hearted worship that no words could ever speak as loud as she
could feel!

God is so good at all times.

If you ever want to know how someone feels, pray for them!

Talent Show

My son came home from school very excited about his first day.  He filled me in on the activities of the day.  He began searching through his room and gathering up his toys.  When I asked him what he was doing, he said he needed to bring something to the talent show!

 I was thinking to myself, isnt that a little ambitious to have a "talent show" on the second day of school?!  But I thought, well maybe the teacher just wants to get them excited about their new class. 

So, I let him go through the toys and pick out what he wanted to bring.

The next day, we are dressed and ready on time.  We head out for school, first to drop off my oldest, then my youngest.  As we are half way to my daughter's school, my son declares that we have forgotten his supplies for his "talent show".  I knew I wasn't going back home, so I told him that he had many talents- we could come up with something else.  It didnt take long before my son came up with a Plan B.
He asked if I could bring in his favorite CD (Toby Mac) so he could dance for his class! To this idea, I thought well...I think I need to walk in and talk to the teacher.  When I got into the classroom, I asked his teacher about the "talent show", she just looked at me with a blank stare unsure of what I was talking about.  Then she began to smile and informed me that they had just talked about the Fruits of the Spirt and how God gifts us with TALENTS.  Apparently this discussion had made quite an impression on my son.  So, when I told her about his idea...she ran with it! 
As I pulled up to pick him up from school, his teacher had a glowing smile.  She informed me that not only did he dance for the class, he even performed with his air guitar.  She proudly said, "Well, at least I know he was listening to our talk about fruits of the spirt, he just took it to a whole new level". 

What a great way to start his first week of Pre-School!

Hedge of Protection

This was not a planned post, it is not often that I am up at 1:45am.  However, the last few nights were different, lead by circumstance....
Two nights ago we had SEVERE thunderstorms AGAIN (this seems to be happening on a more regular basis) and a tornado touch down only one mile from our house.  We were awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds outside our window.  We had a hard time going back to sleep and debated taking the kids to sleep in the basement.  We prayed for the Lord's hedge of protection, for safety and the Lord's security over us.  It wasn't long before we were drifting back to sleep, comforted by His Word. He answers prayers in MIGHTY ways.

Tonight, we were awakened by a different storm.  

We received a call from the neighbors to inform us that they had caught an intruder on their property. We were startled to say the least. This was not the first time we had petty theft in our neighborhood. However, this was the first time someone was caught in the act. We  got up and checked everything outside.  There was no damage to ours or our neighbors' property.  The intruder had been caught in time.  I began to feel an overwhelming comfort of God's hedge of protection around us!  I pulled out God's sword of truth: 

Ephesians 6:11-20~

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Thank you Lord for not only protecting us but for planting the seed in our hearts to pray for our enemies. 



It is Summer, and I told myself that I was going to have a more more 'relaxed' schedule. 

Well...that hasnt happened yet! 

I also planned to allow myself some grace with my early morning devotions.  However, the Lord has had other plans!  I have still been waking up right on cue at 6am.  I dont always get out of bed, and sometimes God and I have a conversation about the wake up call.  I have tried to debate changing the wake up call to a later time but I havent won that battle. 

So, I gave in and resumed my early morning devotion time. 

I have to admit, I didn't have a 'plan'.  So, I got up, turned on my lamp and stared at my bible. I began to pray that God would give me clear direction and lead me in His Word.  I honestly just let my fingers flip until the bible flopped open.  I almost cried when I saw where it landed.

The Lord had lead me to Psalm 98- A song of praise. 

Sing a new song to the Lord,

for he has done wonderful deeds.

His right hand has won a mighty victory;

his holy arm has shown his saving power! 

The Lord has announced his victory

and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

 He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.

The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth;

break out in praise and sing for joy!

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and melodious song,

with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.

Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the earth and all living things join in.

Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!

Let the hills sing out their songs of joy

before the Lord.

For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with justice,

and the nations with fairness.

Here I was trying to be slack when I KNOW deep in my heart the Lord is worthy of my praise!  How could I not devote myself fully?  Acknowledging God and what He has done fills me with a thankful spirit.  As I start my day in His Word, I recognize the daily blessings more readily!

The Lord gave me a very clear message.  While it may be summer, the kids are out of school and there are all kinds of fun things to do- the Lord still desires my whole hearted worship! 

Camp TaPaWinGo, 4th day of camp

There is no greater value than teaching children to love and serve the Lord. 

It is such a priveledge to plant His word into the hearts of our next generation.


  To give to children is to give to Him

Matthew 10:42

Children are the most valuable fruit in the kingdom
 ~Psalm 128

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, 3rd day of camp

Only one way to say it...Slip N Slide!

Planting God's seed one smile at a time!