Happy Birthday Mom

Today is a special day because it is my mother's birthday today. She was on my heart and mind when I woke up this morning. I am so thankful for her unconditional love and for her consistency in all of our lives. I am thankful that she is an active part of our lives and that my children know her well. The older I get the more I realize that loving and Godly parents are a gift, a gift that not everyone receives. I am thankful to God this morning for my parents and the family that I was born into. My life has been blessed because of both of them.

Last year, I wrote a long birthday letter to my mom about our similarities, etc. and all of those things are still very true. You can go back and read that blog entry here. There is also a picture of her if you are a new reader.

Well, Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and hope you have a fantastic day. I am looking forward to having dinner with you and the family tomorrow evening.

Changing the subject, Gracen is finally getting over the little cold that she has had, and Reagan's cold was very short lived. Gene is better, and I never caught it. We have all slept the last 2 nights, which is a huge "Praise the Lord".

My new oven is being delivered this morning, and I plan on cooking Reagan's favorite meal tonight, baked spaghetti and garlic bread. We haven't had it in months, and it is really good. The delivery means that I have to go and clean behind and under my old oven. Oh joy! I should have done that earlier in the week, but it wasn't really a priority until right now.

The bug man is also coming this morning, so I cannot stay in my pajamas long today.

Gene is off today and will be painting our dining room. It desperately needs some updating because it has been 10 years since we have done anything to it. Actually, Gene and I would like to sell our dining room furniture and make that room into an office, complete with a desk and bookshelves. In the future, I will post some pictures of those pieces just in case any of you are in the market for dining room furniture. Our kitchen will be the next room to update...rugs, valances, wall decor. We have had a "fruit" theme for 10 years, and I think that phase has passed. It probably passed a few years ago, but, oh well.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday. In honor of my mom's birthday, call your parents (if they are living) and tell them you love them! If you are in conflict with your parents and not speaking to them, you need to humble yourself and make things right TODAY. If you are a Christian, then that conflict is a sin. You are called to honor and obey your parents all the days of your life. When you honor them, you honor God.

Until next time...

Taking Risks for God

I saw this clip months ago when it was posted on the blog called Women Living Well, which is linked on the side of my blog. You may have already seen it, but I wanted to share it on my personal blog because I literally think about this clip every single day.

I think about the Christian life that I have lived up until this point. It has been pretty safe. I cannot say that I have taken HUGE risks for God. And as I think on that more and more, I want to take risks for God. I want to do things that are out of my comfort zone. I want to do things that will cause me to have to depend on God. I want to do things and go places where I am not "comfortable". I want God to stretch me and grow me. I am asking Him every single day to show me what that will look like.

I certainly don't have an answer yet.

Gene and I talk about this together a good bit, and we pray about the future and what it may or may not look like. I often wonder where we will be in 30 years and what we will have accomplished for the Kingdom of Christ at that point. I think that is the only thing that will really matter.

I don't want to look back on my life and wonder what I could have done for God if I had not been so concerned about my safety.

You might be wondering what I am thinking about or talking about. One thing is doing foreign missions. My family knows what a huge step this would be for me. I hate to travel, or maybe I should say that I am scared to death to fly. When my kids get a little bit bigger and can be without their Mommy for 7-10 days, I want to take that leap and go with Gene. I am praying that God makes me ready and then He will truly break my heart for the things that I see.

Take 3 minutes and watch the clip below and think about your life. Maybe your life is too safe too...

(And Jenna, how do you like my linking skills? I am going to be linking like crazy.)

Weekend Wrap-Up...A Day Late

Sorry that I have been absent, but I have been dealing with colds around here. Gracen had a pretty bad cold straight through the weekend and that made her one grumpy little girl. Reagan has had a touch of it and so has Gene. Sick husbands are kind of like children...I love you though Gene. Thankfully, I have remained healthy.

Gene and I were talking about my health just this weekend. I haven't been sick since early in my pregnancy with Gracen. Of course I was sick to my stomach then, and I had one bad cold when I was about 5 months pregnant, but nothing since then. I realize that saying that out loud will probably be my undoing, but I just wanted to publicly give God praise for keeping me in good health. If you are a mom, you know how vital your role is around the house. Quite frankly, I just don't have time to be sick. Of course, now that I think about it, laying in my bed might not be half bad.

My girls are also taking turns again getting up in the night. Last night was Gracen's turn at 3:00 a.m. and Reagan woke up complaining of a sore throat and runny nose the night before that. Not fun, I tell you, not fun.

Anyway, to the weekend wrap-up.

Gene had a college event Friday evening, and Reagan was invited to a birthday party at Emma Urnis's house. I dropped Reagan off at 3:30 and then met Gene to spend some time with him before his event started. Gracen and I were then invited to come back to Emma's house for pizza, cake, and ice cream. We all had a great time, and Reagan played with her little friends until 7:00.

On Saturday, we went and finally picked out a new oven. It will be delivered on Thursday, and I am very excited about that. I have casseroles, etc. lined up in my head for our menu next week. We also picked up some more finishing touches for our den. You will remember the remodel that we started back in June. We found a large rug that we really liked, curtains, and throw pillows. The room looks so cozy now and I will try to post some pictures in the future.

On Saturday afternoon, Gene settled in for the football games, and I had to go clean my sister's office in Montgomery, a once a month job for mad money. I left supper in the crock pot and the girls with Gene, grabbed my ipod and listened to some great sermons by David Platt the entire time I cleaned. Three hours of great preaching was wonderful way to spend my Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, we had an awesome day of worship. Our church finished up the monthly study on stewardship and I was convicted throughout the month to make sure that I am giving God my absolute best in all areas.

I have been REDEEMED and BOUGHT with a price, the blood of the lamb. I am no longer my own. I belong to Christ, and He deserves my absolute best. I want to honor Him with my money, giving him the tithe and beyond off the top of our check. I want to serve him with my time, my talents, and my testimony, never giving Him leftovers. He is WORTHY, and I pray everyday that my life glorifies Him.

Philippians 1:27 "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ..."

On a totally separate note, I have been praying for a couple of months for someone to disciple. I am not currently teaching a Bible study right now, and I personally think that every Christian should be growing in a way that he or she is then able to mentor someone else, either through teaching a class (which I know isn't for everyone) or by mentoring somebody one on one. Jesus told his followers to "go and make disciples". On Sunday, I was asked by one of the most Godly young ladies I know if I would be her mentor. Actually, she could probably mentor me because her life truly inspires me. I've got her in age being that I am 15 years older, but she has me on zeal and complete dedication to the Lord. Anyway, we will begin meeting every Tuesday during Gracen's nap time starting today. Cool, how God answered that prayer, isn't it? He is always listening and always at work.

Until next time...

Loss of Sleep

It has been a long and difficult 24 hours. I forget how important sleep is until it is gone. It is a precious gift isn't it? I am praying that I recieve the gift of sleep tonight, because I certainly didn't last night.

I always go to bed by 10:00. Actually 10:00 is probably a little late for me. Gene and I both like to go bed before then because we both get up really early. Well, last night I decided to stay up because I didn't feel that tired and I had a few little projects that I wanted to get done. Gene was so tired and got in bed around 8:30. I think I laid down around 11:00 or 11:30. Well, my head wasn't on the pillow 10 minutes when I heard Gracen crying. Gracen NEVER cries in the night. She is the best sleeper. I can't even remember the last time that she woke up in the night. Well, she was congested and had a runny nose, and I could tell that she just didn't feel good. She wanted Momma...for hours, despite my best efforts to get her back to sleep.

I was anticipating a wonderful nap today. No such luck! Gracen refused to sleep even 10 minutes, and she normally sleeps 2 -3 hours. I started trying to lay her down around 12:00. She would lay for about 10 minutes and then start crying. I felt like a walking zombie by 2:00 because I was just so tired. I had no energy whatsoever. To make matters worse, Gracen was cranky and snotty and needy all afternoon. Ugh! It is hard to patiently deal with that with I am tired myself.

I finally got both girls in the bed and asleep at 8:00...about 30 minutes after the goal time due to Reagan's incessant requests for "just one more Bible story and one more prayer".

I can say with certainty that God is my refuge and my strong tower in times of need. I had many moments today and last night that I just had to stop and pray and ask Him to give me strength and patience to be the mom that He wanted me to be, the mom that loves as Jesus loves me. And do you know what, He answered those requests. At some moments today, I surprised myself at how patient I was as I dealt with both girls in my exhausted state. In those moments I knew that was God. It wasn't me, it was the one who lives within me. I am thankful tonight as I am getting ready to go to bed and hopefully stay in the bed, that with God's help, I CAN be the mother that I desire to be and when I am not, He will gently convict me and pull me back onto the correct path.

Daily, I am thankful that I don't have to do this mothering thing alone. I have a partner who is with me 24/7, who will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you Lord for your constant love and provision. Thank you Lord for being so strong when I am so weak. Thank you Lord for loving me consistently, and I ask that You would empower me to love my girls in the same way. Thank you Lord for your forgiveness and your grace....day after day. Your mercies truly are new every morning.

Until next time...

A Quick Hello

Sorry I missed my usual weekend wrap-up on Monday. I have been busy preparing for the kick-off of momMEtime, EMBC's ministry to moms. For the last few days, I have been doing one thing or another to get ready for that meeting. I was making sure all my ducks were in a neat little row in the area of food, childcare, decorations, reminders, running copies, etc.

All the effort was worth it. We had 20 moms today, our largest group ever, and everything went so well...Praise the Lord! Childcare is always a little hectic and this morning was no exception, but hopefully that will be a lot smoother next month now that everyone knows where their child should go.

Our Bible study material is being taught by Joy Williams and comes from the book Real Moms, Real Jesus. The lesson was entitled "Help! Everyone Wants a Piece of Me!" Mrs. Joy did a fabulous job teaching the Word, honestly sharing her successes and her struggles as a mother, and encouraging us to go to Jesus for every single thing that we need. I just love her sweet spirit and pray that I raise two godly daughters, just as she has done. She shared a quote that really stuck with me...."Don't ENDURE motherhood, ENJOY motherhood." Too often I feel like I am just enduring motherhood...trying to make it to nap time and then to bedtime. I don't want to feel that way. I was reminded today to enjoy my children because the time with them does go by so quickly. Mrs. Joy also reminded me that motherhood is about serving the people in front of me, my husband and my children, and that motherhood is the ministry of interruptions. My schedule, my best laid plans, will be interrupted everyday by the needs and desires of my children, but I should never view them personally as interruptions. They are my ministry. Those words change the way I view my girls. We also received a strong call to connect with Jesus Christ everyday through Bible study and prayer. He is our lifeline! Without Him, we will start to run on fumes and running on fumes isn't good for anyone.

I loved our momMEtime meeting today. The best part is the fellowship among all the moms. I have made some great friends due to this ministry and look forward to hanging out with them each month. I loved the small group prayer time, covering each other's needs in prayer. I also loved the delicious food...just saying.

Well, I just wanted to pop on and let you know what has been going on in my world.

Until next time...

Hungry

I have written before about how much I love the quiet mornings. There is just something calming about starting the day with Jesus. I have been praying for more depth in my relationship with Him, and this request is causing me to get up earlier and earlier, because that is the most precious, uninterrupted time with Him. Over the last week or so I have been up by 5:00 am, sitting with my Bible, my journal, and my coffee. You would think I would be exhausted by late afternoon, because as any mother knows, I go wide open with my two girls all day long. But actually, quite the opposite is true.

The Word of God energizes me in a way that I cannot explain. Many mom friends have asked me where that hunger for Him comes from and my answer is always the same. It comes from Him. I constantly ask Him for a greater hunger for His word and for prayer, a request my husband has modeled for me over the years. And do you know what...He faithfully answers that request. There are days that can turn into weeks, where I am easily distracted, and I am just not that into getting up early, or I do not have that hunger for God as I should. When those times come, I tell Him how I feel. He already knows what is in my heart anyway. I tell Him I am tired, and I am just not that in to Him today. I confess that lack of desire because that is sin. I am called to love God with all my heart, mind, and strength, and I am pretty sure that those words mean that He should come first, before every single thing in my life.

He wants me to be enamored with Him, to be so in love with Him that I cannot imagine NOT spending time with Him. I am finding that the more time I spend with Him, the more I DO feel that way. It is a cycle...the more time I spend with Him, the more desire He gives me, the more I ask Him to fill me up, the more He pours out on me. On the flip side of that, the more I neglect my time with Him, the more I bury the desire to be with Him.

James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to You."

Pretty simple really. We have a sure promise in scripture that as we seek out God, as we draw near to God, He will meet us there, drawing near to us.

Just this morning, I fought the desire to sleep in. I stayed in my cozy bed 25 minutes after my alarm went off. I opened my eyes every 5 minutes or so and thought about my Bible and how much I would regret it if I lost that early time with Him. Call me crazy, but I think that was Him, calling to me to spend some time with Him. I have asked Him for the desire and He has answered. Even when I want to sleep in, He beckons me to get up, to draw near to Him.

If you struggle with having that consistent, daily time with Him, tell Him. Be honest. Tell Him you do not have the desire for Him but that you desperately want it. Ask Him to open your eyes as you read your Bible and ask Him to give you a desire to talk to Him in prayer. That is a request that He will honor....I promise.


Until next time...

Sibling Rivalry

I don't know how well you can see the big welt on Reagan's arm. I can assure you that the picture doesn't do it justice.



Can you guess what happened?

Sweet little, docile Gracen bit her. I must admit when I heard Reagan scream out and then start crying, I was shocked to find out that Gracen had bit down on her arm and wouldn't let go. This is uncharacteristic for Gracen. She is not mean spirited at all. Come to find out, Reagan was being mean to her, teasing her in different ways. Reagan has discovered that it is fun to pretend to hand something to Gracen and then when she reaches for it, run away or snatch the item away. She will also call Gracen to her room and then shut the door right before she gets to the door. Gracen will cry and then I have to go and speak to Reagan about being kind. I guess on this particular afternoon, Gracen had enough.

I can't say that I blame her. Some days Reagan is so stubborn that, quite honestly, I would like to bite her too. Of course, I never have....and Reagan, if you ever read this blog in the future, I never will. I love you too much, baby girl to bite you.

In case you are wondering, I did discipline Gracen. I pointed to the bite mark and said "No biting" in a very stern voice, while tapping her mouth, and then popped her hand. She cried endlessly, and Reagan grinned ear to ear. Lovely.

Of course, they do love each other as well. Here they are in matching dresses, hugging on each other, being just as sweet as sugar.

Sibling rivalry is fun isn't it?

I honestly thought I would never have to deal with it. I bought a few parenting books when Reagan was really young, and I always skipped the chapters about sibling rivalry. I would also listen to stories from other moms who were frustrated from dealing with the constant fighting and bickering that would go on between their children and think to myself, "Well, that is one positive of having an only child".

Oh, well...I guess my time has come. Sibling rivalry has entered my world, and I am not exactly sure how to handle it. I guess I will learn as every other mother has done before me.

Any advice from my readers... I am open to suggestions.

Until next time...