Once again, it has been a while since I have blogged about anything. Life gets so busy, and I barely remember what happened 5 minutes prior...as a parent, you know how it gets..as a Mom you don't remember what it was ever like before kids. I hear younger girls talk about a good book they have recently read, or "running" in the mall for a quick buy, or going to see a new movie that was recently released.... And I giggle to myself. My good books are children's bible stories, my "run" in the mall for a quick buy would entail riding the train, wasting quarters on rides that barely move, and walking by the trampoline that cost 20 dollars a shot while dragging 3 kids by the hair explaining that daddy would kill me if I spent 60 bucks for 5 mins of fun :) and that good movie, maybe one day... But I wouldn't change it for a million dollars.
Also, (is that even a transition word to start a new paragraph???) as a parent, you are probably used to hearing a child say Mommy 1000 times. Our home sounds a little like this... mommy, I am hungry. Mommy, I want my breakfast. Mommy, is it ready yet. Mommy, my drink spilled! Mommy, I need a different shirt on. Mommy, I want a snack. Mommy, I need to go potty. Mommy, I need to wash my hands. Mommy, where is my train. Mommy, get him off of me! Mommy, can we go outside. Mommy, where are you? Mommy, mommy, where is Mommy? There are times when I feel suffocated. Times when I want to go hide in a closet and pray they don't find me. Times when I wonder why I chose to stay home. Times when I have more anxiety over hearing Mommy, than I would if they called me something different....
The other day, I had heard "Mommy" to a point where I was breaking. My hair had syrup in it, my shirt was stretched out from where Preston reached for me, I was hot, and I turn around and Sydney says, "mommy, Preston pulled my hair!" This is where I pause...... In the middle of almost crying because I had honestly had more than I could take, it was like Jesus whispered..... Why don't you need me like that? I literally stopped and said, I hear you.... And I wasn't talking to my children.... My children rely on me for everything. I know they are capable of helping themselves most of the time, but they still come to me for the final approval. They need me for things as simple as going upstairs to fetch a toy. Simple simple things. One day, they will grow up and not realize they need me. Not call on me for their simple things and maybe not even their big things.... I will be heartbroken, and miss them.... Just like God misses me...
What if.... What if I went to my heavenly father as often as my children come to me? What if I shouted, oh Jesus, help me.... As often as they ask me? It was as if Jesus whispered , I miss you, why don't you need me? Oh, Jesus, I need you desperately. I wouldn't feel so anxious or overwhelmed, I would realize my blessings and guide my children in the direction of obedience..... I wouldn't want to hide or want to change my name....
It was as if he whispered..... I am still right here, even when you abandon me, I am patiently waiting for you to need me like they need you...
Thank you, Jesus. Your reminders are always on time...
Three little Monkeys
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thankful for Good Friday
It has been a while since I have written a blog... Life gets so busy. I am usually spending most of my days refereeing a fight, kissing a boo boo and putting a bandaid on a non-existent scratch, picking up toys, cleaning spilled milk, scraping dried food off the wall, pulling children off of the counters, out of the refrigerator, closing snack drawers, coloring, playing with play dough, making a course for a bike ride or a power wheels ride, throwing baseballs, or catching basketballs before they roll in the road... That is just a glimpse of the first few hours of the day...BUT on today, Good Friday, I am making time to blog...
Good Friday isn't just a day everyone has off from school or work for a 3 day weekend... It isn't a day to catch all of the good sales at the Mall. Good Friday is the day that The Lord, Jesus Christ SUFFERED on the Cross for OUR Sins. As the day goes on, you can wonder what happened at each time, and how did Jesus feel as he was Bearing OUR Sins.... You should take some time to think.... have you accepted him as your savior? Or have you tried to take the thought out of your mind when it crosses it???
From Matthew 27-28
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
MY FAVORITE PART is Matthew 28- JESUS HAS RISEN!
This, I am thankful for. I am thankful as I lay in the bed with my 3 children knowing that he bears their sin as well. What have we done to deserve this? We have done nothing... What CAN WE DO to be thankful for this? SO MUCH. My first way of Praising him and thanking him is by teaching my Children the truth. Teaching them that Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. Back in August, Cole accepted him as his savior, and I am prayerful that Sydney is well on her way. She loves to talk about Jesus and what he did for us. She is all confused why we celebrate a Big Crazy looking bunny when Easter is about Jesus. So thankful she has that foundation.... And Preston, he loves to pray and with any question asked to him, he is pretty sure the right answer is always JESUS! And he is so right! Jesus is ALWAYS the right answer!
HAPPY EASTER!
Good Friday isn't just a day everyone has off from school or work for a 3 day weekend... It isn't a day to catch all of the good sales at the Mall. Good Friday is the day that The Lord, Jesus Christ SUFFERED on the Cross for OUR Sins. As the day goes on, you can wonder what happened at each time, and how did Jesus feel as he was Bearing OUR Sins.... You should take some time to think.... have you accepted him as your savior? Or have you tried to take the thought out of your mind when it crosses it???
From Matthew 27-28
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d]47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Matthew 28
Jesus Has Risen
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The Guards’ Report
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”MY FAVORITE PART is Matthew 28- JESUS HAS RISEN!
This, I am thankful for. I am thankful as I lay in the bed with my 3 children knowing that he bears their sin as well. What have we done to deserve this? We have done nothing... What CAN WE DO to be thankful for this? SO MUCH. My first way of Praising him and thanking him is by teaching my Children the truth. Teaching them that Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. Back in August, Cole accepted him as his savior, and I am prayerful that Sydney is well on her way. She loves to talk about Jesus and what he did for us. She is all confused why we celebrate a Big Crazy looking bunny when Easter is about Jesus. So thankful she has that foundation.... And Preston, he loves to pray and with any question asked to him, he is pretty sure the right answer is always JESUS! And he is so right! Jesus is ALWAYS the right answer!
HAPPY EASTER!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
A Prayerful Life...
I wish there was a voice option on this blog. I love hearing my children talking, especially when it is something so special....
At the beginning of the year, I wrote down more goals. I think resolutions are made to break, so I have goals with set guidelines. One of my goals this year was to make my prayer life more meaningful and impactful. As I was deciding how I would do this, I prayed about it. Smart huh?
So, that next Sunday at Church, Preacher Upchurch preached about Jabez and the Prayer of Jabez. I have heard this story a few times and had actually tried remembering to pray it, but never would more than a few days. Since one of my goals was to have a better prayer life, I thought what a great way to start.
Another goal of mine was to help my children have a better prayer life. Cole has always been a faithful prayer warrior. His prayers are always powerful and pleasing to hear. Sydney still says the Now I lay me prayer and tries to skip a few lines to get to the amen. Then she sings Praise and Worship songs with her version of how it should go. My favorite is, "Go tell it on the Mountain, over the hills and every Wheeerrreee, Go tell it on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is 4! Preston, loves to pray because I will say it first, and then he will say it after me. Sometimes though, he tries to "surprise" me by skipping ahead and gives me big eyes to say, hey! I bet you are proud of me... Then he smiles real big.
So, the other night I was trying to decide, How do I teach my children to Pray BIG when sometimes I fail at praying BIG??? Then it came to me! Teach them the prayer of Jabez. You can never be to young to ask God to Bless you, Bless you Indeed!
For those who don't know what the Prayer of Jabez is, here is a little synopsis. (I got this from http://www.allaboutprayer.org/prayer-of-jabez.htm)
The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." The prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain.
Prayer of Jabez: Why is it important?The Prayer of Jabez reveals that Jabez understands what many people do not -- there is only one God and He should be the center of our work God wants to bless every life. But, we must first make the choice to invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. Jabez wants to succeed and increase his sphere of influence for God. The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is important is that when we want to reach for goals and accomplishments that we have God on our side. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. Jabez clearly knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was passionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer.
I decided to start off and make it simple for the kids to understand. The say, Dear Lord, enlarge my territory and bless me, bless me indeed..... Cole, in such a mature way, says it and means it with all of his heart. Sydney has a hard time pronouncing territory, and as soon as she says it, she ask me what her territory is.... She is exactly like me. She has to know the reason behind everything before she agrees to do it. And my sweet Preston. I love to hear him say it. He tries his best. He says LOWD, bess me bess me deed. Pan my ter... ory. Amen. Love you Jesus, Inks. :) What a blessing it is. I just keep thinking how important it is to teach them more than, Now I lay me. I think it shouldn't matter their age. If you can teach them to words, the meaning will come...
Chad and I feel such a responsibility to raise our children to be God Fearing...... in Proverbs it says, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life." If we don't plant the seed, how will it grow? Our Children will always see their parents be faithful.... If we skip a beat, they may too.... So, Lord.. I ask you to Bless my children... Bless them indeed... and please Lord Expand their territory and give them the desire to have a heart for you... Amen.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thankful
What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! I absolutely love being with my family..... Everyone in my family.... The kids and I went to Greenville on Wednesday (Chad was working). Wednesday night, my brother came down and my sister and her family came over to Mama and Daddy's. Daddy made a fire and we roasted marshmallows and made smores.... Well, that isn't exactly how it went. It was more like this.... The 6 kids burned marshmallows, would bring them out, try to blow on them, but it wouldn't blow out... So they ended up in the fire. Then they would get the hershey bars and break off pieces of chocolate and eat a bite, and then give one of the dogs a bite.... And I made smores. I realized after about the 4th one that I didn't need to eat anymore....
Chad showed up really late Wednesday night, so needless to say, the kids waited until he got there. Preston has completely turned into a Daddy's boy. He loves everything about Chad. He kept saying, "I sleep RIGHT NOW with Daddy." But Chad hadn't arrived yet. Finally around 11pm, he showed up. Preston refused to go to bed until he got there. He follows Chad around like his little shadow. When you ask him how much he loves daddy, he smiles and says, "BIG!!!!" I just love him!
Thursday Daddy and Chad and Charles went and played golf, and Mama and I prepared our Thanksgiving lunch... Yes I said Prepared... My daddy had been cooking all week, so there wasn't much cooking to do. The food was soooo delicious! Cole absolutely loves the idea of being together with family. He thinks it is great to go and play with his cousins and have Poppi act "CRAZY" and have Mimi slip him soft drinks and candy.
Chad had to drive back to Fuquay Thursday night. He had to work on Friday and my poor Preston..... He cried as he watched Chad's truck pull away with our Golden Dodger, aka Bubba... He just cried, DADDY, BUBBA, DADDY, BUBBA! I tried taking him away from the window, but little tears just fell down his cheek. He just longs to be with Daddy...
Thursday night, Mama and Daddy babysat my kids and I went to the movies with Shannon and Charles. I LOVE my sister and brother. Some how when we are all together alone (not often) the most ODD subjects are talked about, a few foul noises are heard (from Charles of course), and MANY MANY laughs are had. Usually Shannon says something that didn't exactly make much sense, I am the one who calls it out, Charles shakes his head and we all loose our breath laughing.
We were able to catch a great deal and get into the movie for free... When we arrived, I thought it may be a private showing because we seemed to be the only breathing creatures other than the few girls working the snack stand. Charles refused to get popcorn because he swears the kids who run the popcorn stand probably pee in it at night... His face told the story... YES, he admits he had friends who did that when they were young.... hmmmm. Can I get a small popcorn with butter and a small coke zero.??? Thank you... Didn't taste like urine to me.... :) We get into the movie, and it is pitch black with no one in it... About 5 mins after it was supposed to start, Charles gets up to go tell them there is no movie... They start the movie and we were lucky.... They skipped the previews... Only Shannon would think that stinks.... She wanted to see the previews.... Our typical movie goes like this. Shannon- Oh wow! I want to see that!!! Charles- Shannon, don't be like Dad and talk through the movie... Me- Is somebody going to help me eat this popcorn???? Shannon- I will.... 10 mins later.... Me- You want popcorn? Shannon- Yes.... doesn't get any though... Shannon- What just happened? Charles- Stop talking in the movie.... Shannon- bust out laughing... Me- Is somebody going to eat this popcorn? Shannon- yes, me.... never gets any....
We leave the movie (which was great) and Shannon is ready to take a picture. I think we were definitely the only ones in the theater at this point. We are saying Cheese like 4 or 5 times and the pictures kind of takes but not great... Next thing you see, Charles starts running to the car....never really got the picture and he wasn't really worried about it... Typical man, typical brother.... love him so much!
This is Charles and his wife Whitney.... Cole has a crush on her...
My sister Shannon.... I call her Nae Nae
Us as three little trouble makers and dirty mouths.
I sure miss my family. I miss my sister and brother and mom and dad. Charles lives in Richmond, Va and I only see him a few times a year. Wonder why? Because it takes 4 hours to get there... What a lame excuse. I've got to get better about that! He is my baby brother. Even if he is a 31 year old 6 ft married man.... Who I will add maybe one of the best looking men around...:) I miss my sister too. We have so much fun when we are together. We are polar opposites in almost every aspect of who we are, yet we understand each other better than anyone else ever could. Her kids are my kids best friends and I love that.
I can't wait for Christmas..... November and December are my favorite months of every year!!!
Chad showed up really late Wednesday night, so needless to say, the kids waited until he got there. Preston has completely turned into a Daddy's boy. He loves everything about Chad. He kept saying, "I sleep RIGHT NOW with Daddy." But Chad hadn't arrived yet. Finally around 11pm, he showed up. Preston refused to go to bed until he got there. He follows Chad around like his little shadow. When you ask him how much he loves daddy, he smiles and says, "BIG!!!!" I just love him!
Thursday Daddy and Chad and Charles went and played golf, and Mama and I prepared our Thanksgiving lunch... Yes I said Prepared... My daddy had been cooking all week, so there wasn't much cooking to do. The food was soooo delicious! Cole absolutely loves the idea of being together with family. He thinks it is great to go and play with his cousins and have Poppi act "CRAZY" and have Mimi slip him soft drinks and candy.
Chad had to drive back to Fuquay Thursday night. He had to work on Friday and my poor Preston..... He cried as he watched Chad's truck pull away with our Golden Dodger, aka Bubba... He just cried, DADDY, BUBBA, DADDY, BUBBA! I tried taking him away from the window, but little tears just fell down his cheek. He just longs to be with Daddy...
Thursday night, Mama and Daddy babysat my kids and I went to the movies with Shannon and Charles. I LOVE my sister and brother. Some how when we are all together alone (not often) the most ODD subjects are talked about, a few foul noises are heard (from Charles of course), and MANY MANY laughs are had. Usually Shannon says something that didn't exactly make much sense, I am the one who calls it out, Charles shakes his head and we all loose our breath laughing.
We were able to catch a great deal and get into the movie for free... When we arrived, I thought it may be a private showing because we seemed to be the only breathing creatures other than the few girls working the snack stand. Charles refused to get popcorn because he swears the kids who run the popcorn stand probably pee in it at night... His face told the story... YES, he admits he had friends who did that when they were young.... hmmmm. Can I get a small popcorn with butter and a small coke zero.??? Thank you... Didn't taste like urine to me.... :) We get into the movie, and it is pitch black with no one in it... About 5 mins after it was supposed to start, Charles gets up to go tell them there is no movie... They start the movie and we were lucky.... They skipped the previews... Only Shannon would think that stinks.... She wanted to see the previews.... Our typical movie goes like this. Shannon- Oh wow! I want to see that!!! Charles- Shannon, don't be like Dad and talk through the movie... Me- Is somebody going to help me eat this popcorn???? Shannon- I will.... 10 mins later.... Me- You want popcorn? Shannon- Yes.... doesn't get any though... Shannon- What just happened? Charles- Stop talking in the movie.... Shannon- bust out laughing... Me- Is somebody going to eat this popcorn? Shannon- yes, me.... never gets any....
We leave the movie (which was great) and Shannon is ready to take a picture. I think we were definitely the only ones in the theater at this point. We are saying Cheese like 4 or 5 times and the pictures kind of takes but not great... Next thing you see, Charles starts running to the car....never really got the picture and he wasn't really worried about it... Typical man, typical brother.... love him so much!
I sure miss my family. I miss my sister and brother and mom and dad. Charles lives in Richmond, Va and I only see him a few times a year. Wonder why? Because it takes 4 hours to get there... What a lame excuse. I've got to get better about that! He is my baby brother. Even if he is a 31 year old 6 ft married man.... Who I will add maybe one of the best looking men around...:) I miss my sister too. We have so much fun when we are together. We are polar opposites in almost every aspect of who we are, yet we understand each other better than anyone else ever could. Her kids are my kids best friends and I love that.
I can't wait for Christmas..... November and December are my favorite months of every year!!!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Birthdays
This past month has been filled with birthdays. Friends, family, animals, mine and Chad's. I have been thinking a lot lately.... What is a birthday? The dictionary describes it as the annual day of one's birth. But I disagree. I think beside the word birthday, it should have balloons, a cake, friends, family and pictures of good times. That is always what a birthday was to me when I was growing up. Some say, oh it's just another day.... Well, you are very wrong if you say that. A birthday is a day you make someone feel special and celebrate them being born. I think it is a day you should let that person know how grateful you are for them and what they mean to you..... Today is Chad's birthday, and I know he felt the love of his friends and family. And I let him know specifically how grateful I am that he was born...
All of the above is the "earthly" birthday we celebrate. Where I have put my thoughts are the other "birthdays" we should celebrate. August 24th, 2008 is the day Chad and I both accepted Christ and became "born again" Christians. We absolutely acknowledge this day each year, but next year I think we will really celebrate. I am going to get balloons and a cake, and maybe even have a party. This is the "birthday" I am the most grateful for. This is the day God wrote my name in the book of life. This is the day that I felt peace over me knowing I made the decision to accept Christ as my Savior and saved a spot for me in heaven..This my friend..... is a day to celebrate...
Another "birthday" to celebrate are the one's that are probably the hardest to celebrate. That day would be the day the ones we know that accepted heaven as their home and have already entered the Pearly gates. You know there was a party when they arrived. Jesus probably greeted them while the Angels were singing.... I think I will start to celebrate those days as well....
I recently started reading a blog my sister told me about http://byrdhouse-byrdsnest.blogspot.com
after many many tears and heartbreak, I realized they will celebrate too. What an amazing faith in God this family has. Her faith is unshakable through out the storm. I pray I too could be so strong.
All of these days are considered "birthdays," and I am ready to celebrate them all....
Below are some pictures my friend April Fraley did for me.... They were a gift to Chad for his birthday....
All of the above is the "earthly" birthday we celebrate. Where I have put my thoughts are the other "birthdays" we should celebrate. August 24th, 2008 is the day Chad and I both accepted Christ and became "born again" Christians. We absolutely acknowledge this day each year, but next year I think we will really celebrate. I am going to get balloons and a cake, and maybe even have a party. This is the "birthday" I am the most grateful for. This is the day God wrote my name in the book of life. This is the day that I felt peace over me knowing I made the decision to accept Christ as my Savior and saved a spot for me in heaven..This my friend..... is a day to celebrate...
Another "birthday" to celebrate are the one's that are probably the hardest to celebrate. That day would be the day the ones we know that accepted heaven as their home and have already entered the Pearly gates. You know there was a party when they arrived. Jesus probably greeted them while the Angels were singing.... I think I will start to celebrate those days as well....
I recently started reading a blog my sister told me about http://byrdhouse-byrdsnest.blogspot.com
after many many tears and heartbreak, I realized they will celebrate too. What an amazing faith in God this family has. Her faith is unshakable through out the storm. I pray I too could be so strong.
All of these days are considered "birthdays," and I am ready to celebrate them all....
Below are some pictures my friend April Fraley did for me.... They were a gift to Chad for his birthday....
Monday, October 17, 2011
Wrong Worship
After listening to the most recent video I shared on Facebook titled "Wrong Worship" (the link is below) it really made me think.... I remember so well a little over 3 years ago being in that EXACT place in my life. I would go to Church maybe 1 Sunday every 2 months, and I would leave and say to myself... I am going to try and get back next Sunday. I would feel so good after going and by Monday morning.... well, I had pretty much forgotten what was said or how I felt.... It was an inconvenience to "find time" to go to Church. I had too much going on... Chad worked alot... Cole really wouldn't like the nursery..... excuse after excuse after excuse... Thinking the excuses would make it all go away....
All I can say now is Thank you Lord for your Mercy and your Grace. I think to myself, WHAT IF God would have made the same amount of time for me that I made for him?.... And not only WHAT IF HE WOULD HAVE, but WHAT IF HE DID NOW TOO?.... I thank God for Chad. I thank God for giving me a husband that when he makes a decision, he sticks to it. There is no question as to "are we going to Church this Sunday???" Or a time where we go like "good" Christians and then fall back into bad habits because I like to make my own decisions instead of following what God wants me to do. I know myself well enough to know when I accepted Christ 3 years ago, I needed someone to keep me in check. If I didn't have that, I would gone to Church when it was "convenient" which would have been when I wasn't busy traveling to different places, staying up late partying like it's 1999, or just because Cole wouldn't sit through it... In other words, I would have been a back slider singing the "Wrong Worship" song...
I am so far from being a Perfect Christian, which is why I can still relate to the "Wrong Worship" song. There are times I just don't feel like Obeying. Instead of getting into the Word, I want to watch the DVR'd X-Factor or Pan AM! Instead of praying when I wake up, I want to jump in the shower before everyone wakes up and have time to get some things done... Instead of praying at night, I sometimes just want to go to sleep because I am so exhausted.... Instead of doing a circle of prayer with Chad in the mornings, I sometimes just want to get the kitchen clean from breakfast....
This leads me to really think.... What if God did the same to me.... What if he didn't feel like blessing me with my health today because he was too busy blessing the ones who gave him their all? What if he didn't feel like keeping my children healthy because I was too busy abusing my own body? What if he didn't feel like blessing our family with an income because he was too busy blessing the ones who weren't being greedy? What if..... what if.... what if.......???? And we still choose to do what we "feel like doing"..... I could be selfish and say, you know what.... I am tired of not doing the things I did in my past. I had fun, I didn't hurt anyone, I am a good person.... and I am saved now anyway, so I am not going to hell..... I am going to look up and say God, Thanks.... But No thanks..... I will deal with it when it is my time to do so..... I could do that....... Thank God I choose not to.... Because it is a choice. It is a personal choice we all struggle with everyday.... When deciding what I will or won't partake in, I ask myself 2 questions.... 1. Could I witness to someone by doing what ever it is I am about to do? Could I be an image of Jesus Christ and draw others to him???? and 2. Do I want my children to be like me? Or do I expect more from them? They will be exactly who I am.... I can't say "do as I say, not as I do".... Or will I? I thank God that my desires have changed.
Oh Lord, I pray that others will see the "wrong worship" song and think to themselves.... Is This Me? And I pray you deal with their hearts like you did mine...
http://www.firstorlando.com/Ministries/Support_Ministries/Music_Worship/Resources.aspx
All I can say now is Thank you Lord for your Mercy and your Grace. I think to myself, WHAT IF God would have made the same amount of time for me that I made for him?.... And not only WHAT IF HE WOULD HAVE, but WHAT IF HE DID NOW TOO?.... I thank God for Chad. I thank God for giving me a husband that when he makes a decision, he sticks to it. There is no question as to "are we going to Church this Sunday???" Or a time where we go like "good" Christians and then fall back into bad habits because I like to make my own decisions instead of following what God wants me to do. I know myself well enough to know when I accepted Christ 3 years ago, I needed someone to keep me in check. If I didn't have that, I would gone to Church when it was "convenient" which would have been when I wasn't busy traveling to different places, staying up late partying like it's 1999, or just because Cole wouldn't sit through it... In other words, I would have been a back slider singing the "Wrong Worship" song...
I am so far from being a Perfect Christian, which is why I can still relate to the "Wrong Worship" song. There are times I just don't feel like Obeying. Instead of getting into the Word, I want to watch the DVR'd X-Factor or Pan AM! Instead of praying when I wake up, I want to jump in the shower before everyone wakes up and have time to get some things done... Instead of praying at night, I sometimes just want to go to sleep because I am so exhausted.... Instead of doing a circle of prayer with Chad in the mornings, I sometimes just want to get the kitchen clean from breakfast....
This leads me to really think.... What if God did the same to me.... What if he didn't feel like blessing me with my health today because he was too busy blessing the ones who gave him their all? What if he didn't feel like keeping my children healthy because I was too busy abusing my own body? What if he didn't feel like blessing our family with an income because he was too busy blessing the ones who weren't being greedy? What if..... what if.... what if.......???? And we still choose to do what we "feel like doing"..... I could be selfish and say, you know what.... I am tired of not doing the things I did in my past. I had fun, I didn't hurt anyone, I am a good person.... and I am saved now anyway, so I am not going to hell..... I am going to look up and say God, Thanks.... But No thanks..... I will deal with it when it is my time to do so..... I could do that....... Thank God I choose not to.... Because it is a choice. It is a personal choice we all struggle with everyday.... When deciding what I will or won't partake in, I ask myself 2 questions.... 1. Could I witness to someone by doing what ever it is I am about to do? Could I be an image of Jesus Christ and draw others to him???? and 2. Do I want my children to be like me? Or do I expect more from them? They will be exactly who I am.... I can't say "do as I say, not as I do".... Or will I? I thank God that my desires have changed.
Oh Lord, I pray that others will see the "wrong worship" song and think to themselves.... Is This Me? And I pray you deal with their hearts like you did mine...
http://www.firstorlando.com/Ministries/Support_Ministries/Music_Worship/Resources.aspx
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
What it means to be a Mom...
My entire life, all I really wanted to be was a Mom. When I was small, I would carry around my babies and talk to them all day long. I would set up my barbies and play house, and would always make sure all of the Skippers and Courtney's and Scotts (skipper's friends) were happy with their Mom. I would be devastated when my Dad would come in and tell me it was time for bed! WHAT! that meant my "make believe I was a Mommy" was over for the night... It was ok though because I would always tuck the dolls in before I actually went to bed......
I can remember like it was yesterday, pretending to be my Mom. I would baby my brother, Charles, until he was babied out. I would feed him, change his diaper, change his clothes and even dress him like a girl when I wanted to have a daughter during my play time! :) (sorry Charles.) Being a Mom is pretty much all I ever wanted. I have found list and list of names I had written down which were the names I would be naming my children... If I had a girl, he middle name was ALWAYS Nicole. Sometimes her first name was Kirsten, sometimes it was Kelcey, and even sometimes it was Chelsey. ( but I ended up with a Sydney Ruth) I guess back then I didn't think I would have a boy because those names were rare to write down, but either way I had it all planed out.
So, what about being a Mom is so attractive to little girls??? Let me tell you. This little dream becomes a reality and everything your ever dreamed of becomes so much better in real life.... For me, What does it mean to be a mom? I will tell you as I type with one arm propped up on my oldest child as he lays beside me in my bed sound asleep. It is what a Mom does when her child has been sick and all he wants is to be comforted by his Mom....
It means, having the most precious souls in this entire world need you and want you. It means to have them call your name over a hundred times in a hour and each time you answer them as if it were the first time they called. It means sleeping through a Tornado, but bouncing up in the bed because you no longer hear their breath in the monitor. It means loving and caring and holding and giving and nurturing and pampering and spoiling and praising and disciplining these precious ones into responsible, loving and caring humans. It means being responsible for a life that only God could give you. It means waking up every morning and lifting my hands up high to say "Thank you Lord for trusting me with your children." It means laying my head down at night and looking up with a tear in my eye and saying "Thank you Lord for trusting me with your children." It means waking up in the middle of the night and walking in their rooms just to touch them and feel their little hearts beat. It means cooking dinner and waiting for them to eat to make sure they didn't want yours, it means leaving for a trip alone and never really wanting to be alone, just wanting to know you still can be. It means dropping off your baby for his first day of kindergarten and crying all the way home. It means hearing your child is sick at school and your heart breaks for him before you even see him. It means taking your daughter to her dance class and catching yourself grinning from ear to ear even when her rhythm isn't exactly right. It means playing babies with your daughter just because you know she probably wants to be a mom as bad as you did. It means coloring with her even when you have a million other things you need to do. It mean pushing back bedtime so you can giggle over hearing your baby say his name for the first time over and over and over again. It means saying NO when you really want to pick them up and kiss their neck and say yes It means talking baby talk just like he does, just to get a response from him...... It means all of this and so much more.
Lord, I am humbled by your Grace. I am humbled knowing you gave me these three babies to raise and trust that I will raise them to love you and honor you and teach them to share your word. Lord, I get chills down my back when I think that you chose me.... YES ME to mother these perfect, beautiful, joyous children. What did I ever do to deserve it? That's right.... I don't deserve it..... I have been given Mercy and Grace and you love me so much more than I could ever love, that you trust me with them. Thank You. Thank You.
It is said that Gods Love is described as a Mother's Love for her child.
God said in Isaiah 66:13,"As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you.”
Thank You Lord... Thank You....
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan
If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been. ~Robert Brault,
I can remember like it was yesterday, pretending to be my Mom. I would baby my brother, Charles, until he was babied out. I would feed him, change his diaper, change his clothes and even dress him like a girl when I wanted to have a daughter during my play time! :) (sorry Charles.) Being a Mom is pretty much all I ever wanted. I have found list and list of names I had written down which were the names I would be naming my children... If I had a girl, he middle name was ALWAYS Nicole. Sometimes her first name was Kirsten, sometimes it was Kelcey, and even sometimes it was Chelsey. ( but I ended up with a Sydney Ruth) I guess back then I didn't think I would have a boy because those names were rare to write down, but either way I had it all planed out.
So, what about being a Mom is so attractive to little girls??? Let me tell you. This little dream becomes a reality and everything your ever dreamed of becomes so much better in real life.... For me, What does it mean to be a mom? I will tell you as I type with one arm propped up on my oldest child as he lays beside me in my bed sound asleep. It is what a Mom does when her child has been sick and all he wants is to be comforted by his Mom....
It means, having the most precious souls in this entire world need you and want you. It means to have them call your name over a hundred times in a hour and each time you answer them as if it were the first time they called. It means sleeping through a Tornado, but bouncing up in the bed because you no longer hear their breath in the monitor. It means loving and caring and holding and giving and nurturing and pampering and spoiling and praising and disciplining these precious ones into responsible, loving and caring humans. It means being responsible for a life that only God could give you. It means waking up every morning and lifting my hands up high to say "Thank you Lord for trusting me with your children." It means laying my head down at night and looking up with a tear in my eye and saying "Thank you Lord for trusting me with your children." It means waking up in the middle of the night and walking in their rooms just to touch them and feel their little hearts beat. It means cooking dinner and waiting for them to eat to make sure they didn't want yours, it means leaving for a trip alone and never really wanting to be alone, just wanting to know you still can be. It means dropping off your baby for his first day of kindergarten and crying all the way home. It means hearing your child is sick at school and your heart breaks for him before you even see him. It means taking your daughter to her dance class and catching yourself grinning from ear to ear even when her rhythm isn't exactly right. It means playing babies with your daughter just because you know she probably wants to be a mom as bad as you did. It means coloring with her even when you have a million other things you need to do. It mean pushing back bedtime so you can giggle over hearing your baby say his name for the first time over and over and over again. It means saying NO when you really want to pick them up and kiss their neck and say yes It means talking baby talk just like he does, just to get a response from him...... It means all of this and so much more.
Lord, I am humbled by your Grace. I am humbled knowing you gave me these three babies to raise and trust that I will raise them to love you and honor you and teach them to share your word. Lord, I get chills down my back when I think that you chose me.... YES ME to mother these perfect, beautiful, joyous children. What did I ever do to deserve it? That's right.... I don't deserve it..... I have been given Mercy and Grace and you love me so much more than I could ever love, that you trust me with them. Thank You. Thank You.
It is said that Gods Love is described as a Mother's Love for her child.
God said in Isaiah 66:13,"As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you.”
Thank You Lord... Thank You....
The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan
If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been. ~Robert Brault,
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