Thursday, May 31, 2007
Growing Girl
A Crafty Day
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sick Boy
:( He keeps asking me to pray for him...so, I am asking you all too as well, if you wouldn't mind. He wants to feel better so bad so he can play...you know, the important life of a three year old.:) I will try to post some sad pictures of him later, but right now, he wants me rock him...and I just can't refuse!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
Just a few pics from our day...
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Day at Grandma and Grandpa's!
Both girls received rides at Grandma's and Grandpa's house. Summer has been on a horse before, but this was Chloe's first golf cart ride!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Blue Shoe, Black Shoe
Monday, May 21, 2007
Mellow Monday
Playing "Movie Theator" - movie, lights out, popcorn...not sure where the blankets and pillows come in, but whatever...
And, can't forget Chloe - my happy girl up from nap time...
Thinking about making "Mellow Monday" a tradition for the summer. Every other day of the week we have something scheduled except Mondays...I think I might try to hold us to "nothing" and see how it goes. I will keep you posted! :)Friday, May 18, 2007
I Love Tuesdays! (And It's Not About Me)
Every Tuesday evening I go to Panera and spend the evening hours pouring over Bible Study with my dear friend Tara. I treasure this time more than words. Not only is it a slow pace and quiet atmosphere after a busy day; it is valued time with a precious friend. The seeds of our friendship were planted at Bible Study. Two years later the roots grow deep in the soil of accountability, honesty, love and understanding. They have been watered by tears; fed by laughter, countless prayers and Starbucks. :) “Friends love through all kinds of weather….” (Proverbs 17:17 The Message). Her friendship to me is invaluable and I pray it lasts a lifetime!
This Tuesday we just finished the book “Its Not About Me” by Max Lucado. It was perfect timing…God’s timing. We started it not long after I had Chloe and she had her baby girl. I can’t speak for Tara, but I was all wrapped up in my little world. My hormones were in full swing and many sleepless nights were spent in tears. I would look over at the book sitting on my stand. I hadn’t opened it yet but just the title made me scream under my breath (so not to wake the rest of the house), “Yes, God, it is all about me right now! I need sleep…I need help…I need…” And God heard. He knew what I needed more than I knew and so Tara and I started this study. It shook me, it was hard to swallow at times, it knocked me to my knees but it was good. So many things learned; so many things I don’t want to forget. I started writing them down and then thought I would share them with you.
I learned how deep selfishness runs in our culture…how deep it runs in *gulp* me. Leaving no one untouched, selfishness runs through our veins, urging us to make a name for ourselves…look out for ourselves. It promises happiness but only leaves chaos.
I learned that I needed a change. I needed a glimpse of God’s glory. Max said, “When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God himself, we cross a threshold.” I want to cross that threshold! My own prayers convicted me. Even when I was praying to God…it was still all about me.
I learned that my daily life needed to reflect God’s glory, even in the little things. Anything can give Him glory, if I mean for it too. Nothing matters but what is done for Him and it is only through Him that my life has meaning. Moreover, if I succeed at anything, it is only because of Him.
I discovered that God just keeps getting bigger to me. Just when I think I have Him figured out, He blows my mind with something more and then He brings me to my knees with His amazing love that seeks after me, even me.
I was reminded, at just the right time, that God never changes. In the midst of changing churches, moving friends and adjusting to a new addition, Max reminded me that the Lord is the same, yesterday today and forever.
I learned that the world doesn’t need more of me, it needs more of God. I need to get out of the way. People need to see Him – His love, His grace – not me. My goal needs to be that people know His name, not mine.
And finally, this book ended by giving me a completely new outlook (a life changing outlook) on the third commandment. But I am going to bed :)…if you want to find out what that is; you will have to check out the book! It will be well worth the read, I promise!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Congratulations, Graduate!
Future High School Graduate of the Class of 2020....The tears are starting...
Connor's Day!
Here he is, all ready to go, waiting on Grandpa.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Midnight the Cow
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Chloe's Dedication Dinner
Friday, May 11, 2007
Passed Out
Happy Birthday, Summer?
Today was her last Friday there...only three more days and then graduation. She is handling it much better than I am! She brought home a scrapbook they had made of the year and I cried looking at it. Amazing how much she has grown (mentally that is - physically she is still the same size!) and learned just this year. She also brought home her report card and it says she is all ready for kindergarten...she finally even mastered skipping! :)
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Oh, Me of Little Faith
"Be anxious about NOTHING! Pray about EVERYTHING!" (That is my paraphrase of Philippians 4:6). I have been repeating this in my head for days, but I am just not getting it through this anxious head of mine! What is it going to take before I learn I do not need to worry, I just need to pray?
So, today I fearfully walked into the dentist office. Sat there waiting with sweaty palms and jumped every time the door opened. I held my breath as a name was called and started breathing again when it wasn't me. And then...it was me. I managed to somehow make my feet walk to the back even though every other part of me was screaming at them to run the other direction!
The assistant came in...followed by the dentist...they did x-rays. They examined my teeth...and you know what??? They didn't do the surgery!
Yes, I fretted and lost sleep for nothing! I am still going to have it done, but they decided (with my help :) ) that they would take all my wisdom teeth out at once and (the best part!) put me under!! It is being rescheduled and probably a couple of weeks away. I have more wonderful pain meds, so I can make it until then. I am breathing a sigh of relief for now. I may start worrying again as it gets closer (probably more about the IV and recovery since that is what I will be awake for) but I am really hoping by then I can grasp the concept of NOT being anxious, but instead praying and trusting God to get me through. It is good to know He is faithful, even when I am not.
Shawn had the day off work and my Mom and Dad were at the house babysitting so we took the opportunity to go on a date instead! We did make sure Grandma and Grandpa were up for it first, but then headed off to lunch and a movie. Way more fun than the dentist!!
All that worrying over such a good day!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Our Summer Princess
She only has two more weeks left and then we will have a preschool graduate on our hands! Mommy will have all three kids home full time for the first time. I am a little scared, but also looking forward to more relaxed week days...or at least that is what I am HOPING for! :)
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Happy Birthday, Kayla!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Humbled...
I climbed to high and lofty places, searching for God. Surly, the higher I went the nearer I would be. My heart’s desire was to walk where He walked and to love what He loved. I wanted the knowledge and wisdom of one who walked with Him. I clung to His words, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” (Jeremiah 29-13-14) He had made the promise and I believed Him.
However, it was as if something was keeping me from getting closer to Him. I clung to my well worn Road Map, bowed my head and begged of the High and Exalted One to let me find Him so I could dwell in His presence day and night. I pleaded with my Lord to remove whatever it was that was keeping me from seeing Him.
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?” (Isaiah 40:26)
I fell to my knees at the sound of His voice, but out of obedience my eyes took in the sight before me. A blanket of stars was laid out…too numerous to number. The same voice that commanded my attention moments earlier now called each star out by name. They went on and on stretching way beyond what I could comprehend. At what looked like the hem of the blanket…further than I ever imagined my eyes would see…I saw a hand, massive, mighty hand holding it all in place. To say that I am dust gives me too much credit. How great, how powerful, how awesome and how amazing is the God I serve! “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Pslam 19:1) My face hit the ground and the weight of His mighty hand was heavy upon me. Everything that was once so clear now became dim. All that I held important, including myself, began to fade into the background of the Almighty. The words I chose were not mine, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions…let the bones you have crushed rejoice.” (Psalm 51:1,8)
The weight lifted but the darkness stayed. But even in the darkness, God was there. He began to sing over me…softly, gently. His words soothed my soul.
“Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2)
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.” (Song of Songs 2:10)
I began to crawl towards the sound of His voice…but I could take no credit for moving. I couldn’t even lift my own head. I kept moving because of His urging. I kept going because of His strength. I was faithless but He was faithful. Never once did He leave me. Again He spoke.
“I am gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:29) I live in a high and holy place but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15)
He lifted my head and I scanned the horizon. The mountain I had been on was far in the distance. It stood tall and unwavering. I looked around and found myself low in a valley – a beautiful valley, but a valley none the less. I had tried to reach to the heavens to find God there. I had been confident in how high I had climbed. I felt secure in my long strides. “Those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:37) In my nothingness, I found God, whose name is Holy. Just like He had promised, I found Him, but not where I had been looking. He was dwelling, not where He deserved to be, but where He chose to be. He was living with the least of these, walking with the lame, touching the untouchable, loving the unloved…loving me. To be like Him, I must do the same.
Humble King
By Brenton Brown
Oh kneel me down again
Here at Your feet
Show me how much You love – humility
Oh Sprit be the star – that leads me to
The humble heart of love – I see in You
You are the God of the broken
The friend of the weak
You wash the feet of the weary
Embrace the ones in need
I want to be like You, Jesus
To have this heart in me
You are the God of the humble
You are the humble King
Thursday, May 3, 2007
I Will Laugh At This Some Day?
I left his room wondering if I would EVER find this funny. Summer amazingly didn't wake up through all that. She slept for another hour or so and then came out happy as could be. "Mommy, you know what I dreamed about?" She exclaimed excitedly. "A whale was licking me!"
OK, so I had to chuckle...but just a little.