Spring forth

Whiter than snow

On this Good Friday, we took the family to enjoy God's beautiful creation.  We went on a hike with the kids in the Smoky Mountains.  When we left for the hike, the sun was shining and it looked like perfect weather.

As we climbed in elevation, we were treated to snow flurries and trails covered in snow.  It was a beautiful scene.  We would have never guessed that at the end of March, we would be treated to snow covered trails. 

But, God always has a great way of giving you visual reminders.

Today, we were given sweet reminder of the gift of our Savior,

washing us Whiter than Snow!

 

 

 

 

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.

Monday's Meaningful Moments

Today, we awoke on the first day of Spring Break

to cold weather and a dusting of snow!

 

What? 

Yep, that is how our day began.

 

I was on a mission to not let this forecast 'dampen' our day! 

We started our day with chocolate chip waffles

followed by the annual tradition of dyeing Easter eggs. 

As we colored the eggs, we began talking about the egg and how it symbolizes birth, and how when we dip our eggs into color and the eggs come out a new color, it is a great visual of how Jesus died for our sins and gave us a new life. 

As my daughter said best,

He took away our old life (dull and no color) and gave us a new life, vibrant and beautiful!

 

As we were making our eggs beautiful and having great conversation, I could feel the Lord's presence with us. 

It was nice to be still. 

There are so many everyday things that I miss because I don't take the time to really take them in. 

I have taken eggs out of this same kind of carton more times than I can count, and today was the first time I noticed the verse written on the inside of the carton!

 

The Lord is all around us,

we just have to take time to see His presence.

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good

~Psalm 34:7-8

 

 

Thank you Lord for your gentle reminders

 of your ever presence, freeing us from the entanglement of sin and lovingly bringing us to a vibrant life with you!

Sleep-in Saturdays!

I LOVE to sleep in.

I look forward to it all week. It is my one day that I don't have to get up before the kids to be somewhere.

 

Sleeping in has changed some through the years...

In college, sleeping in meant I woke up in time for lunch.

In the first years of marriage, it meant waking up mid morning and staying in
bed until lunch.

After our kids were born,
we began to forget what sleeping meant!

We had to make an effort to switch out and allow each other to have this privilege while the other tended to the kids.  Now our kids are at the age that they still get up early, but we can coach them on the much needed rest for Mom and Dad on Saturday mornings.  This sets the tone for a morning of them occupying themselves for at least an extra hour in the morning.
 

Except for THIS Saturday morning.

We were greeted beside by a miniature waiter and waitress which presented a breakfast menu and proceeded to take our order. They were very insistent to serve us 'in bed'. We got treated to giggles from the kitchen followed by breakfast made to order. My coffee was made exactly the way I like it with the right amount of sweetener, cream, and even served in my favorite cup. This service was followed up by further pampering throughout the morning.

We had coached our kids on rest but received abundantly more in sweet service and kindness.  It was a great reminder of how no matter what we ask of the Lord, he always gives you abundantly more than you could ask for or imagine!
A mans heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

(Psalm 37:4 NKJV)

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.

Crumbs...

This morning I had the pleasure of having coffee with a sweet group of ladies.  I sat with a hot cup of coffee in hand, taking in the good conversation about the ups and downs of daily life. I was reminded (again) of how we are created to lift one another up through all circumstances.

I was also reminded of a few other things....

We enjoyed sharing with one another over breakfast and our children running amongst our feet. I sat back and watched my friends daughter eat her muffin. This sweet toddler independently ate and had crumbs everywhere. Not once did my friend say a word about the mess or worry about it in the least. Afterwards, she picked her up and her daughter got crumbs all over her shoulder!  Again, not once did she make notice of it. 

But, I did ! 

It spoke to my heart just how much I get consumed with the little insignificant things that well...

just don't matter. 

So, for the shoes that pile up by the door, the socks thrown by the couch, the laundry that doesn't make it to the laundry room, the cups that get tipped over, the trail of crumbs that fall in the floor...these can all be cleaned up and wiped away. 

Just think, if you don't allow your kids to make a mess,

 they never learn to clean up after themselves. 

Yes, we need to teach our children to be careful and responsible but we also need to allow them to be imperfect.  For we all stumble in many things. (James3:2)

But let patience have  its  perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)

30 day challenge

30 day challenge

 

I have to admit that it being January, I have heard this challenge repeatedly in different circles, the Christian radio challenge, the eat healthy challenge, the exercise/'get fit'  challenge, the Facebook fasting challenge, etc.  So, this idea has been riddling around in my head.  Certainly if you give up a habit or make a change for 30 days then by the time 31 days rolls around, it should become routine.  Logical enough....

So, I am doing my own challenge.

I recently confessed my very Type A personality and my love to control my environment.  I would love to say that I have changed, but that is definitely a work in progress (arent we all?). 

So,  for the next 30 days I am submitting myself to all control. 

What does that look like?

I will let my kids pick out their own clothes without redirecting.  I will let them pick their own breakfast and let them eat it with their fingers with their mouths making that awful chomping noise. (that one is going to be tough).  I am not going to control the study habits or the lack of studying, I will let me child fail if she/he needs to learn a lesson from it.  I am not going to panic if crumbs are dropped on the floor.  (I may need to buy a muzzle for the next 30 days).  I am not going go behind the kids and hang up the clothes the 'correct' way...I will just let them do it.  When my husband wants to help in the kitchen, I will let him and not insist on it being done a particular way.  (Yes, I am really that bad about it!)  Hey- I am being honest here!

This is going to be hard, not because I like to do those things, but because it is ingrained in who I am.   It is 1/29, I will report back on 2/28.

What is something you can change or do for 30 days? 

I will not be able to do this on my own, so I am only putting this out there in hopes that my friends will pray for me to LET GO and allow God to grab hold of my heart completely!

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.

God speaks

You know your day is off to a great start

when God speaks to you

through the voice of your child!

 

 

As I was finishing my cup of coffee and ready to start the school day with my son, he had a request.  He asked me if we could do his bible lesson first this morning!  He didnt want to wait until after his worksheets, reading, and math.  He wanted to start his day with God's truth! 

I am so thankful for these moments, while these moments seem insignificant and could go unnoticed throughout my day.  Today, God spoke to me through my sweet son. 

I pray that each and every day, I am patient enough to listen to even the smallest of requests, and that I dont miss the small moments when God is at His BIGGEST work!

Be, been, become...

On New Year's, it is a great time to look back at what has been
placed into our lives. It is a time to reflect on the good times and
bad. I am deeply grateful for EVERY moment, EVERY experience, EVERY person God has given me. It is amazing to see what God has placed into my life and what He has taken away to shape the person I am to become! 

I am challenged to be greater than I was yesterday!

In the year(s) that lie ahead, I pray I will...love deeper
share more freely
press my mute button more often
listen more attentively
not judge (even when I think I know all the facts)
to embrace the life God has given ME not the life given to the ones around me
to treasure time and learn my limitations
to simply say NO when I need to and allow my heart to say YES when I feel led to
take a backseat occasionally
to allow God to be my pilot and let HIM give directions to my destination
when the plan veers off course- to be patient
be slow to speak and quick to listen
be uplifting and encouraging to others
set boundaries where needed
be more tender-hearted
be thankful in all things
to place others before myself
to do all things with a sincere heart
to serve heartily
to know my own vulnerabilities
to do all things without grumbling or complaining
be filled with grace and mercy
know that NOTHING is impossible
be humble, be a peacemaker
be still
be organized in my days
may the meditations of my heart be sweetness to The Lord

May I BE exactly the person God created me to BECOME!

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care....

As the stockings were hung by the chimney with care....

Sorry....We interrupt this regularly scheduled program, there were no stockings hung this year!

WHAT?! NO STOCKINGS?

Every year we make an intentional effort to center our Christmas around Jesus.  This year, we decided to forgo the stockings with a new twist!  I have to admit, I was very skeptical on how this transition would go over with the kids.  I was quite concerned that we would get alot of grumbling and complaining.  Shame on me for not having more faith.  My children once again surprised me.

I introduced to them the concept of Shepherd bags.  We would replace our regularly hung stockings with burlap Shepherd bags.  The kids would earn money to put in their bags as they did extra chores, took initiative to help, or displayed fruits of the Spirit.  On Christmas Eve, we would take the bags down and the kids could donate their money to the charity of their choosing!

The response...'When can we start?!' 

As the month as unfolded, I have seen my kids find delight in serving around our home.  They have truly been filled with joy doing each task.  I have seen more kindness displayed between them.  It was a nice treat to see them be competitive as to who would earn money.

Today, we took the bags down and counted their earnings.  We gladly informed them that we would 'match' their earnings.  What a joy it is that they did not mind the change but gladly embraced it. 

Wont they be so excited to know that tomorrow, they will get a full stocking and learn how it feels to give....you always get so much more in return!

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Setting the table

As Christmas approaches, most families will gather together for at least one family meal. This is a time that reflects many traditions.  This morning is the beginning of one of those traditions.  The Bodie brothers gather together and smoke the hams!   

One might think, 'Does it take three men to smoke a ham?'  Good question!

I have to admit, amongst my running around, baking Christmas goodies, making side dishes, and wrapping last minute gifts, and looking for an extra hand to help...I might be tempted to ask this same question. 

However, it really isn't about smoking the ham.  Yes, that is a task that gets done...but it isn't really the whole story.  The gathering together to 'smoke the ham' started with their father, Big Daddy.  This tradition was something they did together.  It was a time for the men to be together and well...BE MEN. 
And today, it is no different!

While I am VERY much a type A personality and everything must have a schedule and a reason,

sometimes time just needs to be spent...remembering and being together. 

So, as you set your table for dinner for your many Christmas meals, remember to stop and just enjoy the time and fellowship together!

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

Done, with the leftovers....

Almost one week post the Thanksgiving feast(s), and I am still eating turkey. The first day was so delightful, fresh moist turkey with yummy homemade stuffing, a side of my dad's best sweet potatoe casserole, my mother-in-law's recipe of macaroni salad, cranberry relish, fresh from the oven rolls, green bean casserole...so good!  But on day #6, it is not quite the same.

 

Don't get me wrong,

I am thankful for the food I am able to eat but you can only eat the same meal so many days in a row. I didn't even get creative this year with the leftovers. My neighbor on the other hand had a list of recipes to incorporate her leftovers, from tetrazzini to pot pies and soups.

 

So as my kids ask the dreaded question, 'what's for dinner?', 

I can say that tonight, it WON'T be turkey!

Do you like leftovers?
Does your family have the same feeling about leftovers?
Do you think God enjoys our leftovers?
I am pretty sure our Lord and
Savior is not a big fan of leftovers.

At the end of the day, exhausted with no mental capacity left,

is this the time you give to the Lord...

the leftovers?

I have to admit that when I pull out my bible study at the end of the day, snuggled warm in the bed, tired from the activities of the day, it is difficult to give my very best to the Lord. He convicts me of
this time and more often than not wakes me up the next morning extra early to give me the gentle reminder of allowing Him my time at the first of the day.

 

After all the bills are paid, groceries bought, toys for the kids, latest gadgets, and all the shopping for the trendiest clothes is done, then the budget is made for the church and charity...

is this how you give your resources to the Lord?

The Lord has certainly guided me down this path this year on what is 'needed' and opened my eyes to the true needs of others. As I respond to the ever occurring question of 'what do you want for Christmas', my list continues to change.

I pray your 'list' will change too.

“The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring to the
house of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 34:26 NKJV)

Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; (Proverbs 3:9 NKJV)

Fall...

Since I have a love for photography, I guess it goes without saying that I am a very visual person.  That being said, I love fall! I love the reminders of God's love in everything around me.  I am constantly reminded of God's transforming love in the change of the colors in the trees. 

And then THIS morning, God gave me another gentle reminder.  As we were driving to school, the fog rising off the lake was amazing.  The fog was hovering over the ground, sweeping aross it and rising up into the air.  It was a beautiful picture of how God is hovering over us throughout our day!

 

And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2

Family Tree

Do you wonder what it would be like without dysfunction?

Imagine for a moment...

 

You are at the Thanksgiving family get together. Everyone has brought the 'perfect' dish, no jello salad!

Everyone is glad to see one another, there are no awkward moments, no too tight hugs, nobody is commenting on how much the "kids have grown", and when I saw you last, you were 'this' tall. No one is talking about how that one cousin is not married yet. Everyone is genuinely happy to see everyone, no one argues, the conversation looks like it was scripted straight out of a
'Leave it to Beaver' episode.

Maybe you are saying to yourself,

'Yep, that's me and my family, thank you'.

If so, enjoy the view in your own little garden of Eden.But for me, my family ate from the tree!

I love when I hear people say (including myself), 'I have so much
dysfunction in my family'.' And then they follow up the statement with some sense of shock.

We have all been there.

It is such a good reminder to go back to the beginning, the VERY beginning Genesis, and remember where we came from.
The book of Genesis has YOUR family tree lineage in it.

It is full of details about their lives. They were murderers, liars, disobedient, and unfaithful. 

Yet, The Lord saw past the dysfunction and loved them,

calling them to him!

Isn't it a great reassurance

that He continues to do that for us today!

Where's Waldo ?

If you have been wondering when I would post again, I must apologize for the gap between posts. 

It has been my prayer to have a quiet spirit

and

to BE STILL and know that He is God. 

So...

I guess He has been answering my prayer!

Thanks for checking in!

I'll post again soon!

Heart issues

On the way to and from church today,

we had a great discussion! 

 

We talked about 'heart' issues. 

 

It began with the definition of humble...

We talked about how God has a unique plan for each of us and how He prepares our hearts for this plan along our walk through life.  Through this discussion, we began telling the story of how God sovereignly planned Larry and I meeting and how He prepared both of our hearts along the way.  We recalled the many times in our pasts that our lives parallelled but yet it was not quite time for God to bring us together because our hearts were not humbly ready to receive such a precious gift.  We then discussed how God planned each of our children's birth.  I told my son how special he was that God sent three babies ahead of him to watch over us.  I told him that he was not born until God had perfectly planned our hearts to receive the precious gift of his life.  

My prayer is that our children's hearts

will be perfectly prepared by the Lord

 each and every day

to receive His life!