A Mom's Musings

The Light No Darkness Can Overcome!

2012-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

There is a little girl named Kaitlyn.

She lives only a few miles from us.

She is beautiful.

She has captured the heart of so many.

She is sick, very sick.

You can read all about her story if you click the link under her picture.

Kaitlyn's Korner

Tonight her neighborhood had a second candle vigil for her.

I attended the first one with a friend who lives down the street from Kaitlyn and her family.

It was silent, prayerful, tearful.

This time, I took my kids with me since Brian was out of town.

Earlier today I showed Zachary Kaitlyn's website and picture.

I told him about her and asked if he would like to go to the vigil.

He said,"Yes!"

Then he asked, "Will the candles make her feel better?

Can I sing; 'Jesus please help Kaitlyn?'"

I held him tight and said,

"Yes, Zachary, all those things would be wonderful

and will help Kaitlyn feel better."

So on our way to the vigil, I talked with Zachary about what it would be like.

I talked with him about standing quietly,

saying prayers and sending Kaitlyn loving thoughts.

And that is what happened,

at first.

Then there was the cat.

Our friend's cat, actually.

All the kids wanted to pet him and chase him.

They started talking and playing with the cat.

Then Kaitlyn's dad came out with her little brother, Cole.

Cole loved seeing the other kids,

and the kids loved Cole.

Then the laughter started,

and the running,

and the chasing of the cat.

At first, I kept trying to get Zachary to stop and settle.

And then I heard the whisper in my ear.

It told me to let them be,

to let them laugh and play and smile.

It was the most amazing vigil I have ever been to.

Amidst the sadness and heartbreak,

I heard Jesus whispering,

"Don't forget that I am here.

I am holding Kaitlyn in my hands.

I will not let her go.

Allow yourselves to grieve and be sad,

but remember that I am the Light of the world,

The light that no darkness can overcome.

So don't forget to smile and laugh and feel joy.

For I make all things new.

And Kaitlyn will be made new,

she will laugh and play and smile and chase cats.

Find hope, find peace and find joy in me,

for I am here."

I heard it so loud and clear.

The kids were living it right in front of us.

Joy.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation,

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 4:1-7

And I can't stop thinking about it.

The vigil was not what I thought it would be tonight,

Instead, it was exactly how it was supposed to be.

Kaitlyn's Candle in her window

Dear Kaitlyn, Deanna, Chip and Cole,

may you know that Jesus is with you,

holding you, grieving with you and promising you

new life.

You are so loved.

My Word

2012-02-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

I am in the mountains today. A short weekend retreat.

My last morning here.

The sun is peaking out of the rain clouds this morning.

Breathtaking.

This weekend we watched Eat, Pray, Love.

Great movie!

If you haven't seen it, I recommend it.

Finding a "word" for things is a theme throughout the movie.

I threw out a word last night to a friend as "my word".

I did it in he midst of conversation, almost jokingly.

But I have been thinking more about it.

And then this morning as I did devotions,

I happened to read a blog about this subject.

For the first time ever, the writer had felt God giving her A Word; "intentional".

Got me thinking more about my word.

"Simplicity"

That is the word I gave my friend last night.

I am not really sure where it came from either.

I hadn't really thought about it before last night.

But as I look back at the few months of my life,

I am seeing that word at work, so to speak, everywhere.

It's as if God has been using that word in my life

and just now decided to reveal it to me.

I am not sure I would have truly gotten it otherwise.

I think I may have a word for my year.

Simplicity.

One definition I read says;

"the quality or condition of being plain, natural or easy to understand"

The other definitions basically say the same in different words.

Then I looked up "complex",

because simple is listed as the opposite of complex.

Complex;

"Not easy to analyze or understand, complicated or intricate."

Interesting isn't it?

Almost wondering what this all means?

For me it's more than just simplifying my life,

although that has been a big pattern in my life lately,

but it's somewhat about how I approach things.

It's just so easy for me to allow things to consume me,

Trying to understand why things are happen the way they do,

trying to figure them out and solve them.

I worry about me, others, what I am doing, how I am doing,

and how others perceive how/what I am doing.

I worry about how things will play out, what will happen

and how I play a part in it all.

That was a big part of 2011 for me.

I sit here this morning, watching the sun break through the winter barren trees,

hearing the words that I have heard in my prayers

over and over in the past year;

Let Go.

I think it's truly time I do that.

Let go of trying to figure it all out.

Let go of worrying about it all.

And trust that God can do it.

And so I walk into today, into this week

with my word;

Simplicity.

It doesn't mean 2012 will be all easy.

I know that.

But I know God is here.

He is at work.

And he can handle the complex a lot better than I can.

So I will give it all to him.

I will let go and let God

and enjoy the simple beauty he shows in the every day.

Motherhood

2012-01-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

Motherhood.

Is it not the biggest roller coaster ride?

The most thrilling, exciting, scary and emotionally draining ride

we have ever been on?

Of course, I would not trade it for the world,

even on the days when I wonder how in the world I will make it

to the end of the day's ride.

But I am learning, every day.

I know it will be a forever learning process.

But I am learning,

that without the strength, hope and grace I find In Jesus,

this ride will make my head spin.

Joy, from Grace Full Momma spoke truth into my heart today;

"It isn’t so that we can be a great mom,

it isn’t so that we can raise great kids,

it isn’t even so that we can have strong, happy families.

These things are all good,

but the real reason we learn and study and grow in these areas [motherhood] is so that

we can know Christ and display His Gospel in our lives for HIS glory."

Truth that is sometimes hard to swallow.

I want to be a great mom and have great kids and have a strong, happy family!

The truth is that I do.

I just tag on perfection to those areas,

standards that only make me feel like a failure.

I have not been focusing on what my heart really desires,

for my kids and my family to be rooted in the hope, joy and grace that Jesus gives.

This is the desire of my heart.

And I am learning,

that if I want this for my family, if I really want it,

it must start with me.

I need to know Christ. I need to display His Gospel in my life.

But I can not do that if I am not abiding in Him, every day.

I must be in prayer, in His Word, in His presence.

And so I recommit, like I must do every morning,

I recommit my self to Jesus,

asking for forgiveness, grace, strength and courage

to get on the roller coaster today with joy and anticipation

for the climbs and the falls and the curves.

Here we go!

Grace Full Momma.com

Body, Mind and Spirit

2012-01-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

Since Thanksgiving I have been feeling yucky;

mostly from weakness and fatigue to more recently, stuffiness and soar throat.

Many days I wished I could hang a sign on my door like this one

and go back to bed.

Not something that is easily done as a stay at home mom

with two young kiddos.

Finally I am feeling better.

Only 2 trips to the doctor,

and a lot (too much!) of worrying.

Over the past two months I have allowed my rhythm to get off.

It naturally happens when you are sick, sure.

But I allowed everything to get off track;

my devotions, my prayers, my atitude, my joy, my hope...

everything.

So much so that it brought my spirit way down.

I'm actually ashamed of it, really.

I allowed satan to walk right into my sickness and pretty much take over.

Now understand, I am talking about my whole person,

body, heart, soul, mind.

I convinced myself that something was indeed very wrong with me

and that the doctors were just missing something.

I felt this way mostly when I was weak, fatigued and had swollen nodes in my neck,

no other symptoms.

It was strange and worrisome.

Surely if I had just a virus, something else would be going on!!

The truth was that I had let my guard down.

I had let go of the hand that was guiding me.

I took my eyes of the prize and began to run my own race of survival.

Might sound ridiculous, but it was true.

I have good friends who are struggling with issues that far outweigh anything I could ever experience.

A few of those friends were ones who walked with me through my yuckiness

and listened to my fears and anxieties,

while they stumbled through their own life.

How humbled I am.

How thankful for family, for friendship,

for the gift of grace,

for forgiveness

and for unconditional love.

I am fine.

My energy is back. I can breathe through my nose.

My lymph nodes are no longer swollen, my throat is back to normal.

And...

My eyes are back on Jesus.

My mind is back in the Word.

My heart is back to living each day as a gift,

no matter if it is a sunny day

or a stormy one.

And today I finally begin the New Year.

Ready, awake and willing to go and do whatever the Lord is calling me to do.

For I am a child of God.

I am a daughter of the King.

And satan has no hold on me.

I know he will try again, but I will be ready!

I pray today for the health of the world,

and for you, my brothers and sisters; for your body, mind and spirit.

In the sunny days and in the storms,

hold Fast to Jesus!

Hold Fast!

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 24 - THE LORD IS COME!!!

2012-01-02T04:23:00.000-08:00

The day was here!

Our final clue.

The arrival of baby Jesus!

Christmas Eve.

What a perfect clue for this day!

How easily it is to forget what Jesus came to do.

Not that Christmas should be filled with sadness or grief!

But to rejoice that he came as a babe for us specifically,

with a purpose to redeem us and save us.

The beauty and power of his birth

was so present to us this year.

Jesus came to die,

and to conquer death!

Jesus came that we might have life!

He came to show us how to love and live abundantly

and to give us new life.

It brought me great joy to bring our Advent journey to an end

with such a conversation with my son.

And so on this day,

Christmas Eve,

we made a cross and gave thanks for our Savior.

With joy, we took baby Jesus from our Advent Calendar

and put him in the manger.

It was very exciting indeed!

What a beautiful journey it has been this Advent season.

There really are no words, even though I have written many in these posts,

to truly describe what we experienced through this journey.

Focusing on the story like we have this year brought us to a special place

come Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,

in our hearts and in our minds.

And with further anticipation,

we walk into a New Year,

ready to see all that Jesus will do in our lives,

continuing to learn from him and walking with him

towards the cross and his resurrection.

Let's go!

Truth in the Tinsel

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 21, 22 & 23 - Following a sign

2012-01-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

Again, another trio of days that I loved.

The way they tied together and allowed us to step into the story in detail

was fantastic!

This part of the story begins with the star.

This marvelous, beautiful sight that shone in the sky

was one way God chose to announce the birth of his son.

Very cool!

Our ornament was this beautiful star we designed together.

Our Advent Calendar brought us this book.

It's a great one too!

Day 22 was about the wise men who followed the star.

The ornament was super cool - 3 Kings connected together,

but Zachary did not feel much like decorating them,

so we simply hung them on the tree.

Our Advent Calendar brought us 3 kings.

The gifts next to them were actually brought to us the next day,

but this was the only picture I had of them.

Day 23 - The Gifts

The ornament was actually supposed to be cinnamon ornaments

that you bake and give as gifts to others,

but being that it was Christmas week and we had guests,

we just did not have the time.

Instead, I filled the day's red bag with 3 little gift ornaments.

The kids actually really enjoyed playing with them and

giving them to baby Jesus in the manger.

Talking about the 3 gifts gave us a chance to talk about what they might mean.

Gold - a great gift for a King!

Frankincense - was known to be burned like incense, believed to carry prayers to heaven,

a gift that could have reference to a Priest

Myrrh - a more mysterious gift, but known to have been used as a perfume and embalming ointment used with Egyptian mummies. Perhaps a gift to reference Jesus being born to die?

Who really knows why these three gifts, but it provided great conversation.

It allowed us to really focus on who Jesus was,

this beautiful babe born in a stable,

laid in a manger.

Our Advent clue tree is almost complete...

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 20

2011-12-31T10:07:00.000-08:00

Today's lesson took us to the Temple

where we meet Simeon and Anna.

It was a neat peak at how Jesus touches the lives of others.

Both Simeon and Anna were so overjoyed

to be meeting, holding, blessing, kissing...

the Messiah, it gave me goosebumps.

It was a really neat day,

to catch a glimpse of the life of Jesus

as we awaited his arrival.

I thought I took a picture of the finished product,

but could not find it anywhere.

We simply drew two stick people on either end of the Temple

to represent Simeon and Anna.

Our Advent Calendar brought us three camels.

Hmmm, wonder what the next few days will be about?!

Truth in the TInsel - Day 17, 18 & 19 - On the Hillside

2011-12-30T12:34:00.000-08:00

I loved these three days!

The way they tied together was marvelous

and the fact that this part of the Christmas Story is one of my favorites,

well, that made it even more fun.

I think I just really appreciated that we had 3 days to spend

really letting this part sink in.

Day 17 was all about sheep.

The shepherds were watching their sheep that night in the fields on the hillside.

We read in Scripture about how the shepherds were so afraid.

We wondered how the sheep felt?

Did they feel safe knowing their shepherds were close by or did they run away?

hmmm... how do we react is uncertain situations?

Do we recognize that the Shepherd is with us?

Making the sheep was a little more difficult, so I wound up the string

and Z put on the face, eyes and feet.

Super cute!

Our Advent calendar brought us another sheep, of course!

Day 18 continued on the hillside...

Angels!

God's messengers came to tell the good news to shepherds.

Shepherds were not thought of as wonderfully educated people then.

So how wonderful was it that God thought them so special

that they would receive the good news before anyone else?!

A great reminder of the way God sees his children.

These angels were wonderful!

We loved how they were a whimsical and a bit mysterious.

Had to use our imaginations to really picture what an angel might look like.

I think that is what God intends.

As we talked about angels, we imagined the beauty and brightness,

the kind that brought warmth and fear all at the same time.

Can you picture it?

Our Advent Calendar brought us a shepherd.

Day 19 - the story continues on the hillside outside of

Bethlehem...

At this point in the story,

we read in Scripture about how the shepherds took off for town,

seeking the babe wrapped and cozy in a manger.

We imagined what it must have been like.

It must have been incredible because the Shepherds did not stop there,

they ran around telling everyone of the good news!

Loved the Shepherd!

Our Advent Calendar brought us two more shepherds.

Marin enjoyed playing with them often.

We used our Jesus Storybook Bible to experience and talk about the shepherds.

We love the Jesus Storybook Bible.

The pictures and the way she tells the story are fabulous.

Makes you feel like you were right there.

A great 3 days!

We could hardly wait to get to the rest of the clues!

Zachary kept saying,

"I wonder what tomorrow's clue will be?!"

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 15 & 16

2011-12-29T17:52:00.000-08:00

I know Christmas has come and gone,

but I do want to finish documenting our Advent journey

with Truth in the Tinsel.

It has been such a fantastic journey.

Day 15 - The Manger

This time we mixed up some dough,

formed it into mangers, baked them,

and painted them.

They turned out great!

Our Advent Calendar brought us the manger.

Day 16 - Cloths

We were at Brian's folks for a family Christmas with them this day,

so I took the clue and bag with us.

Zachary glued the cloth to an ornament.

Turned out really cute;

baby Jesus wrapped in cloths.

We also got a piece of cloth to use in our nativity

when we get baby Jesus.

The clues and ornaments continue to be super cute.

Still loving how is lays out the story.

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 14 - The Location

2011-12-19T17:52:00.000-08:00

We have arrived to where it all happens.

Zachary was very excited about this.

He poured out the contents of the bag and went right to work.

A super cute stable ornament.

Followed up with another sheep to add to the stable.

We enjoyed reading the story today from the Census to the Stable.

We could feel the excitement,

the anticipation that something big is going to happen.

The stage is being set.

The scene is coming together.

And my kids are so excited to bring baby Jesus to this place.

Zachary gave out gifts to everyone while they "waited"!

There is no greater joy for me than to hear them talk about baby Jesus

and to see their excitement as we prepare to "see" him!

THIS is what Christmas is all about!

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 12 & 13

2011-12-19T04:23:00.000-08:00

To Bethlehem we go...

Day 12 was about the Census.

The ornament was actually a very clever way of bringing it all together.

We took a bag of rice, and used food coloring to make it green.

Zachary picked green.

When it was dry, we filled a baby food jar 3/4 of the way full.

We then added marbles, glued the cover on and painted it green.

The end result was 2 marble faces in a sea of green rice...

Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem which was full of people!

So, you shake up the jar and try to find our two characters in the sea of people.

Like I said, very clever!

Our Advent Calendar gave us a donkey, of course.

It went right along with the scripture we read for today.

Zachary and Marin put him right to work!

Love it!

Day 13 continued the Bethlehem theme.

It focused more on the fact that there were so many people,

finding a place to stay was not easy.

The ornament was made of an egg carton.

Zachary painted it.

And we turned it into a part of Bethlehem town.

Pretty cool.

Our Advent Calendar brought us "Straw" for our stable.

We are getting closer and closer!

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 11 - It's all in a name!

2011-12-17T05:58:00.000-08:00

Day 11

I really have loved every ornament

and every lesson that has gone with it.

Each one has scripture that you read after you open the clue.

We are to listen for the clue in the scripture reading.

Then we open the red bag to find out what our ornament is.

They have all been fabulous,

but I will admit that this one was one of my favorites so far.

First we glued letters onto a craft stick and made the name JESUS.

Then we glued other names around it.

Today's lesson focused on the name of Jesus.

We talked about how "Jesus" means "God saves"

and "Immanuel" means "God with us".

We read in scripture about other names Jesus had;

Prince of Peace, Son of God, Son of Man, Wonderful Counselor,

King of Kings, Savior, Friend...

We talked about our own names and what they mean;

Michelle; Close to God

Zachary; God has remembered

Marin; Longed for

Brian; Strong one

It was just a really neat lesson,

to talk about the beauty of Jesus's name and their meanings

and how our names are beautiful and special as well.

We talked about how God knows our names and each one of us,

how he loves us and cares for us, each by name.

I have always used the name of my Lord with great care,

but today it really struck me.

When I use the names of my children, my spouse, my friends, my loved ones,

I want to uphold them, respect them and love them, no matter what;

even when there is struggle.

It would be my hope that my name would be used with love and respect as well.

If I desire that, how can I not show the same to my Lord?

It was a neat day today.

(Our Advent Calendar did not bring us anything this day.

We just focused on names.)

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 10

2011-12-14T19:22:00.000-08:00

Day 10

Clue - Dream

Ornament - Pillow

Any guesses?

Today was one of those days when Zachary found the clue first thing in the morning.

So, we are still in PJs.

I love that he is this excited about it.

Granted, some days he loses interest faster than others,

but he always loves to find the clue.

This was a little bit tricky to put together.

Can you tell by his facial expressions?

But it did turn out cute!

And it even looks like a pillow.

Figure it out yet?

The pillow is Joseph's.

The dream is when the angel came to visit him,

to tell him to not be afraid to marry Mary.

Zachary thought it was very cool that 3 people got visits from angels so far;

Zechariah, Mary and now Joseph.

I love that we are really getting to see the story lived out through these ornaments.

We are meeting the characters, connecting them all to baby Jesus

and watching the whole event unfold.

Fantastic!

Our Advent Calendar brought us a story book today.

It's a super cute story which you can sing if you know the song.

"I said the donkey, shaggy and brown..."

Truth in the Tinsel - Day 8 & 9

2011-12-14T18:10:00.000-08:00

Day 8 - The Sun

Today was about light,

a reminder from day one.

Today we focused on John (The Baptist)

being one who came to prepare the way for Jesus,

to shine love, forgiveness and grace into the darkness.

It was a perfect connection day

between Zachariah, Elizabeth, John and Jesus,

as well as being another reminder of Jesus being the light of the world.

Very cool!

So we made a beautiful sun ornament to put on the tree.

Our Advent Calendar brought us a star for our stable.

Zachary wanted to take some pictures to show everyone...

Day 9 - Can you guess?

Joseph!

Did you guess right?

Now we have Mary and Joseph hanging on the tree.

Too cute!

Our Advent calendar brought us a Joseph figure for the Stable.

Marin enjoyed playing with him today.

Another great couple of days with Truth in The Tinsel.

Loving every minute of it!

Truth in The Tinsel - Day 6 & 7

2011-12-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

Finding the clue has for sure been Zachary's favorite part!

Day 6 - Mary & Elizabeth

We read the scripture about Mary visiting Elizabeth and got to talk more about

how John and Jesus were related, specifically about how John came to

prepare the way for Jesus.

Today's ornament was super cute.

Elizabeth and Mary paper dolls.

Zachary and Marin helped paint them with watercolors.

Are they not super cute!!!???

The strangest thing has happend around our house now.

Both Zachary and Marin walk around with a baby doll in their shirts,

telling us they are having a baby.

A bit bizarre, but at least they are catching the story.

That is what I tell myself. LOL!

Our Advent Calendar brought us a sheep today,

to add to our stable.

Day 7 brought us music!

The scripture was Mary's Song,

but we also talked about how the Angels must have sounded

when they sang "Glory to God in the Highest..."

We talked about some of our favorite Christmas songs

and did some singing of our own as well.

Our ornament was a beautifully decorated CD.

And of course, our Advent Calendar brought us some fun Christmas music.

Our Advent Tree is looking wonderful and filling up fast.

And we are only on Day 8!

Maybe I should have used a larger tree.

We also started building a tree with our clues.

We couldn't get them to stay in the pockets of our Advent Calendar.

We continue to enjoy this Advent journey.

I am loving the conversations that are going along with it.

(P.S. - I know it is actually the 12th of Dec.

We are keeping up with the days,

I am just not keeping up with posting my blogs.

I will catch up!!!)

Truth in the Tinsel Day 5 - Mary

2011-12-09T18:02:00.000-08:00

Day 5 was Mary.

One of the things I am loving about

Truth in the Tinsel

(This link will take you to the facebook page.

It's fun to see what everyone is doing!)

is that every day builds on each other.

On day 5 our scripture took us to Mary's encounter with Gabriel.

So we were able to revisit Gabriel's message to Zachariah and now to Mary.

And of course we found a Mary figure hanging from our Advent Calendar.

The best part of this day for me

was listening to the conversation between Gabriel and Mary,

narrated by Zachary.

I wish I had it recorded!

It was priceless.

Especially when Mary said,

"Ok, I guess I'll have a baby."

Then he went to work making the ornament.

Zachary's Mary Ornament.

I really can't tell you how much fun we are having with all of this.

I anticipate every day's discovery as much as Zachary does.

And of course, Marin is hanging out with us too.

She's not as interested as Zachary yet,

but I know she is hearing it all;

the Truth in the tinsel.

Truth in the Tinsel Day 3 & Day 4

2011-12-08T20:42:00.000-08:00

Day 3 was Zachariah.

Day 3 was also Saturday, the day we went tree hunting in the Mts.

Needless to say, we did not get to our clue until after dinner.

It was a full day.

But we did find the clue before bedtime.

I forgot my camera at first so I did not get many pictures.

Our ornament was Zachariah's face with a bubble for his mouth.

We talked a lot about how Zachariah had a hard time believing the angel,

and about who John was and how excited Zachariah must have been

when his son was born.

This was the picture Zachary took of his ornament.

Our Advent calendar that day brought us a Stable.

Zachary was so worried that there was no one in the stable.

I assured him that we would most likely fill that stable up by Christmas.

The following day, I got up before the kiddos like I usually do.

Soon I heard Zachary yelling for me at the top of the steps.

His answer to my "What Zachary? What's wrong?"

was, "I FOUND THE CLUE FOR DAY 4!"

So we all ran into the school room to see what it was all about.

Hanging from our Advent Calendar was an Angel.

And so our ornament took shape...

with some help from mom, as Zachary so nicely captured it.

The angel, Gabriel.

That morning as we were driving to church,

Zachary began to ask me about the angels.

He wanted to know all the names of the angels.

When I told him that I didn't really know the names of all the angels,

he informed me that daddy could look them up on his IPad and let us know their names!

We also talked about how the angels were special messengers of God.

Zachary said,"Yes, God and Jesus are the King so the angels work for the King."

Every time I wonder if all this Advent stuff is really sinking in

or just fun stuff to do each day...

Truth in the Tinsel Day 2 - Kingdom

2011-12-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

To prepare for the 24 days of Truth in the Tinsel,

I printed and cut out all of the clues and put them in envelopes.

I labeled them for each day.

Then I spent a couple of days collecting art supplies

and placed the daily materials in red bags.

From there I attached each day's clue to it's corresponding bag.

This way, I have all the materials ready to go.

It took some work, but now I don't have to go scrambling around every night

for the materials I need.

It was definitely worth the work!

So every night before I go to bed,

I place the next clue underneath the Christmas Tree in our school room.

Zachary found Day 2's right away.

And did not hesitate to rip it open.

We read the corresponding scripture verses

and talked about how Jesus was our King.

From there we dug into the red bag to discover the ornament for the day;

a crown, of course.

Zachary chose to paint it green.

When it was dry, he decorated it with jewels.

And hung it on his tree.

Hanging from our advent calendar was our month's memory verse.

There is just something about taking time each day

to bring focus to our Christmas preparations.

My prayer is that my family's deep Joy of this season will not be found

in paper packages or sparkling lights,

but in the peace and hope that comes with the Saviors birth.

And so we journey on...

Truth in the Tinsel - Light

2011-12-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

Day one with Truth in the Tinsel.

Our clue was a candle.

People who walked in darkness, saw a great light.

Jesus is the Light of the World!

Our first ornament was a tissue paper candle.

It really looks beautiful on the tree.

Hanging from our Advent calendar was a book.

We read that before we did anything else.

It's a great little story that brings the focus on baby Jesus.

A great way to begin!

This was our first day.

Zachary was interested, but keeping his attention was not easy.

We read the scripture and talked about it while we were making the ornament,

but I was wondering the whole time if he would get it and remember it.

Low and behold,

at dinner that night he was telling daddy all about his ornament.

He told daddy that,

"Jesus is the light of the world because people were walking in darkness;

they were hitting and kicking each other

so Jesus came to teach them how to love."

I almost fell off my chair!

(laughing and in awe!)

My heart was so full at that moment.

He heard it

He remembered it.

Perhaps this journey towards Christmas

will be one we will never forget...

Truth in the Tinsel

2011-12-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas.

I love everything about it;

lights, trees, music, movies and TV specials, cookies, eggnog...

I love it all!

It's a blessing to share all these fun things with my family during this season.

It's not hard to have fun at Christmas Time.

My kiddos LOVE seeing lights

and Z's new favorite song is "the fa la la la la la song".

They can't keep their hands off the Christmas Tree,

and they love carrying the stuffed snowmen around the house.

(I collect snowmen, so our house has a lot of them!)

Seeing the joy in the eyes of my children fill me up.

But this year, as Christmas drew closer,

I had a deep desire to get to the heart of it all.

I want them to know Jesus.

And not just know him, but anticipate his arrival,

celebrate his birth and give thanks for the gift of his life.

I want this season to be saturated in the true Joy of Christmas.

As I searched around for resources to help me do just that,

I stumbled, literally, upon Truth in The Tinsel.

This Advent Ebook has transformed our Christmas preparations.

And I mean that, whole heartedly.

EVERY day we are reading parts of the Scripture Story.

And Zachary will NOT let a day go by without it.

Every morning, he looks for the day's clue.

He rips open the envelope to find out what the ornament for the day will be.

We read the scripture and listen for the clue word,

then we put together the ornament and hang it on our small tree.

To go along with this,

Every day there is a new item hanging from our advent calendar.

These items are helping us put together a Nativity Scene.

We are having so much fun with this that I decided to blog about it.

If for nothing else, than to document our journey towards Christmas.

I hope to be able to keep up with it.

I don't find a lot of time to be blogging these days.

But I really want to capture some of the moments and the conversations.

They have been fantastic!

I hope you will enjoy reading about it all.

Maybe, just maybe, our journey will pull you into the heart of it all,

through the eyes of children.

Merry Christmas

and Joy to you in the journey!

Thankful for the Vine

2011-11-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

by Julia Schulte

During this season of giving thanks,

as I have been reflecting on being a

mom, a stay at home mom, a wife, pastor's wife,

keeper of my home, teacher of my children, daughter, sister,
friend, godmother, child of God...

I easily become overwhelmed and also humbled.

I am so thankful for all I get to do in this life,
but I also know that I can not do all this on my own strength.

My blog post today comes directly from the book I am reading

during my morning time.

It spoke into a deep part of my heart today,

and I wanted to share it with you.

Whatever stage of life you are in,

even if you are not a mom,

I believe what Karol Ladd has to say

can touch a deep part of each of us.

I hope it speaks to you.

From The Power of a Positive Mom

by Karol Ladd

"Our children are watching our actions and hearing our words every day.

They are learning how to act and how to live as they read us.

It is probably the most influencial book they will ever read,

with the exception of the Bible.

In fact, reading it is guaranteed to be life-changing.

What are some of the chapters in our Living Lessons Saga?

Hopefully the table of contents read something like this:

Chapter 1

Maintaining Self-Control Even When You're Tired and Frustrated

Chapter 2

Showing Patience in Traffic Jams and Grocery Store Lines

Chapter 3

Saying Kind Things about Others

Chapter 4

Telling the Truth, Even About the Little Things

Chapter 5

Helping others while they need a hand.

Chapter 6

Grumbling Less, Complimenting More

Chapter 7

Using Table Manners and Other Forms of Good Etiquette

Chapter 8

Obeying Traffic Rules and Laws

Chapter 9

Praying about all things, Worrying about Nothing.

Unfortunately, Many of our texts read a little differently...

Like it or not, our lives are an open book,

continually read by the little eyes in our homes.

The lessons we deliver to our children verbally may be wise and good,

but lasting lessons are caught, not taught.

It is rather sobering to realize that all the “right stuff” that comes out of our mouths can be made null and void if our kids do not see good character qualities lived out in
our day-to-day lives.

It is hard to be a good example.

In fact, at times it seems downright impossible.

The apostle Paul spoke about this common struggle of knowing what we should do,

yet doing what we know we shouldn't.

Romans 7:18-25

“For I have the desire to do what is good,
but I cannot carry it out.

For what I do is not the good I want to do;

no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep doing.

Now if I do what I do not want to do,
it is no longer I who do it,

but it is sin living in me that does it…

What a wretched man I am!

Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!!”

Paul knew that apart from Christ, we are hopeless.

But with Christ, all things are possible.

Jesus gave his followers hope when he said,

“I am the vine; you are the branches.

If a man remains in me and I in him,

he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

- John 15:5

Trying to be a good example in our own power leads to eventual failure,

but abiding in Christ brings fruitfulness and hope...

Is it the branch’s job to create the fruit and make it grow?

No, the branch simply remains attached to the vine

and receives the nourishment the vine brings.

Detached from the vine, the branch can not bear fruit.

But as it stays connected to the vine day by day,

the fruit begins to grow naturally.

How can you live as a good example in your home
[work, school...].

Stay attached to the vine! Abide in Christ.

Continue in him; keep following him; rely on him;
remain in him. Stay close.

To me, abiding with Christ means opening the door of my heart and saying,

“Come into my house and abide here.”

Is Christ dwelling in you?

Is he just an acquaintance,

or is he an important part of your day-to-day life?

Remember, without him we can do nothing,

but with his strength we can be a good example."

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all, dear family and friends!

Art, Art and more Art

2011-11-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

This Fall we have surrounded ourselves with art.

And we are loving it!

I really don't know who has more fun,

the kids or their mom!

We have done some specific art projects.

And some free-for-all art.

This one Zachary called his

"Magnificent Masterpiece".

Love it!

We made Pilgrims.

We made Thankful Turkeys.

And more super cute scarecrows!

Sometimes Marin will join us and other times she isn't real interested

or else she is napping.

I am certain that as Christmas fast approaches,

we will dive into some more fun art.

So stay tuned...

Splendor

2011-11-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

Fall in North Carolina has just been amazing this year.

The weather, for one, has been incredible.

I think I have had our windows open more this month than I have all summer.

But then there are the colors.

The earth has been on fire here.

Reds, yellows, oranges...

(the pic above is from our back yard)

I wish I had a load of pictures to share with you.

Everywhere I went I would be kicking myself for not having my camera with me.

Of course, it's probably not a great idea to try to snap a photo when you are driving a car.

There is a tree on our way to church that stands alone next to a field.

For the longest time it looked like a burning bush.

Literally.

The colors moved from bright red, to deep blood red to hot glowing orange.

It was magnificent!

I just can't help but wonder what went through God's mind as he created the earth.

There is just so much color.

Birds, bugs, animals, flowers, bushes, trees...

They have vibrant colors, a variety of shapes, sizes and patterns...

I am very thankful that this year I was so aware of creation.

I stand in awe of all that God has made.

It is beautiful and so good.

And so I continue to stand in that beauty and good.

Although there is ugliness and darkness all around,

I will stand aware, that God is here.

His Kindgom is come.

He is working, and painting and creating every day.

Newness, hope, beauty and splendor.

Thanks be to God!

Take A Moment

2011-11-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

African Hug by Lynne Marie Davis

Found this as I was cleaning out some school stuff today.

I hope it encourages you as it did for me.

Take a moment to hear today,

What your children are trying to say.

Listen today whatever you do,

Or they won't come back to listen to you.

Listen to their problems.

Listen to their needs.

Praise their smallest triumphs.

Praise their smallest deeds.

Listen to their chatter.

Amplify their laughter.

Find out what's the matter.

Get to what they're after.

Tell them that you love them

every single night.

And as you tiptoe out, say

"Happy dreams, sleep tight."

Turn out the light.

Turn around and say,

"Oh, by the way,

Regardless of our differences today,

Tomorrow everything will be alright.

And things between you and I are bright."

Take a moment to hear today.

What your children are trying to say.

Listen today whatever you do,

And they'll come back to listen to you.

-Denis Waitley

Thankful

2011-11-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

There are many days when life is exhausting and draining.

No matter what I try or how deep I breathe,

my patience and joy wear thin.

Yet, even on those days, I wouldn't change a thing,

because my family fills me with more joy than my heart can hold.

I know I am forgiven when my words are not kind,

I know I am strengthened when I am weak,

and I know I am given a fresh start every morning.

Thank you Jesus.

I am so very thankful.

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-02T04:09:00.000-07:00

Just found this site today.

You can go to it by clicking on the button on the side of my blog.

I'd love to be disciplined enough to get on here every day and write,

but I know I may not get that accomplished.

I do hope to blog about what I am thankful for throughout the month though.

I do plan to post on Facebook as well.

It's that time of year when the busyness and stress of the holidays can seep in.

Perhaps giving thanks every day this month

will help me focus on all that is good in my life

and teach me to express it in ways beyond gift-giving and spending.

When I get caught up in all that, I get stressed and frustrated with all we don't have.

But oh my, there is just so much I am blessed with!

So much to be thankful for!

Today I am so very thankful for being able to stay at home with my kiddos.

I know it's not for everyone, but it definitely is for me!

Not every day is rosy and picture perfect,

but that is part of what I love about it.

I get to learn and grow and make mistakes and try again...

with my kids every day.

It's challenging and beautiful all at the same time.

I have learned so much about myself, the good and the not-so-good.

I am thankful for this journey.

I pray that this month will be one that fills your heart with thanksgiving and joy!

Blessings to you during this season!

Rescue

2011-10-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

My morning time has been focused around Paul.

His story is astounding.

For the first time, I am really seeing Paul,

observing his struggles, listening to his message,

experiencing his love for Jesus.

It has been affecting me deeply.

Today, he is in Lystra, sharing the Good News with the people.

His story is so repetitive;

He arrives, teaches about Jesus, sometimes heals, sometimes baptizes,

but always reaches many hearts and makes many enemies,

and in the end either flees from a threat or survives an attack.

So once again, he is stoned nearly to death,

but survives only to do it all over again.

His dedication and his love for Jesus is extraordinary.

In 2 Timothy 3:10-11 Paul writes,

"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love endurance, persecutions, sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them."

My reading today focused on "rescue".

The original Greek word is rhuomai.

The definition;

To draw, snatch from danger, rescue, deliver -

To rescue, to draw or rescue a person to/for the deliverer -

draw or pull to oneself .

It's the latter part that got to me.

It's not just about rescue.

It's not just about healing.

It's not just about survival.

It's about being embraced,

being caught up in the arms of Jesus.

When we pray for help,

for deliverance from pain, evil and sorrow,

I am comforted by the truth that not only will He bring peace, hope and healing,

but He will draw us to himself,

embrace us, protect us, shelter us and never let us go!

Thank you, Jesus.

For the faithfulness Paul shows towards you and from you.

Great is your faithfulness!

For this I am humble and so very thankful.

I am using the Beth Moore Study

Apples!!!!

2011-10-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

We went to Sky Top Orchard this year to pick our own apples.

It was a beautiful sunny (and chilly) fall morning.

Needless to say we had a blast!

We collected a beautiful basket of Ida Reds.

And home we took them for some canning fun.

This was my first year canning with apples.

The hardest part is peeling them all.

The longest part is cooking them down.

But the outcome...

Delicious applesauce!!!

And...

Awesome apple butter!!!!

Yes, we WILL do this again next year,

for the fun, the smiles, the laughter, the memories

and the yumminess!

Strength in the Struggle

2011-10-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

Every morning I try to read a few pages in

The Power of a Positive Mom, by Karol Ladd.

I wanted to share an excerpt from today's reading.

It impacted me quite a bit this morning.

"The story is told of an old man who discovered a caterpillar.

He decided to keep the small creature and watch its transformation into a butterfly.

Sure enough, within days the fuzzy worm began spinning its cocoon.

The man watched with fascination as the entire encasement was meticulously completed.

Then he waited. And waited.

Finally, after several weeks,

the old man noticed that the butterfly was beginning to emerge from its woven shell.

His interest turned to concern, however,

as he watched the little creature struggling hard to free itself.

Feeling compassion, he decided to help.

With a small knife he clipped away part of the cocoon,

enabling the butterfly to get out quickly and easily.

But the man's initial delight turned to sorrow as he saw the beautiful creature

now struggle to fly.

You see, butterflies strengthen their wings through the process

of pushing and struggling against the cocoon walls.

As they emerge, fluid is pushed from their bodies into their wings,

giving them the necessary elements to fly.

In cutting away the cocoon, the man had denied the butterfly the opportunity

it needed to persevere and grow strong on its own."

This story and point of the story were not new to me,

but it's just like Him, isn't it - to give you a reminder right when you need one.

Karol Ladd goes on in the book to encourage us moms to not try to shield our children from all struggle,

but to allow them the opportunities and walk with them as they grow and change.

That was all good for me to hear today too.

But somewhere deep within me, the voice of Jesus was saying,

"This is for you, too, Michelle."

Life brings about struggle.

It's life.

In those times, I so often ask, "Why, God?"

Perhaps it is time for me to embrace struggle.

I don't think I need to begin to look forward to it,

but when it does come, to embrace the opportunity hold fast,

with an deeper, more confident hold,

to the one who I know will walk with me,

see me through it and allow me to grow, change and be strengthened by it.

"I remember my afflictions and my wanderings, the bitterness and the gall.

I remember them and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope;

Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fails.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, the Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him."

Lamentations 3: 19-24

Thank you, dearest Jesus.

Trees

2011-10-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

This past week or so we have been doing all things trees;

parts of a tree, how trees grow, what trees are used for,

apple trees, seasonal trees...

Trees can sound like a bland subject, but we had a great time learning this week.

Here are just a couple of art projects we did.

Super easy, super fun and super cute!

A Fresh New You!

2011-09-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

This morning during my devotions,

I turned to Colossians 3: 2-11

Here is what I read;

(via The Voice New Testament)

"Stay focused on what's above, not on earthly things,

because your old life is dead and gone.

Your new life is now hidden,

enmeshed with the Liberator who is in God.

On that day when the Liberating King, who is our very life is revealed,

you will be revealed with Him in glory!

So kill your earthly impulses;

loose sex, impure actions, unbridled sensuality, wicked thoughts and greed

(which is essentially idolatry).

It's because of these that God's wrath is coming

upon the sons and daughters of disobedience, so avoid them at all cost.

These are the same things you once pursued and together you spawned a life of evil.

But now make sure you shed such things;

anger, rage, spite, slander and abusive language.

And don't go on lying to each other

since you have sloughed away your old skin along with its evil practices

for a fresh new you,

which is continually renewed in knowledge

according to the image of the One who created you.

In this re-creation there is no distinction between Greek and Jew."

There are 2 reasons why I am writing about this today.

1. Before I read my devotions, the first sentence I wrote in my journal word for word was;

"Today I feel my “old” self returning;

the one who has those conversations in her head with others trying to justify or argue points."

2. After I read that passage, 3 times mind you, I returned to my devotions only to realize that it was making no sense. Then I saw that I was supposed to have read Philippians 3:2-11.

Can you see where this is headed?

I can't shrug it off.

You see, over the past couple of months,

I have been allowing some things in my life to weigh me down.

When I say that, I mean really weigh me down.

I have felt heavy, sad, angry, bitter, frustrated, lonely...

and the biggest problem was that I would not let it go.

I would have conversations in my head with people about these burdens,

specifically the people involved.

That of course, only fueled the fire and stirred up my emotions.

I came home from a retreat Brian and I went on,

filled with conviction to gather up all I had been carrying around

and leave it for Jesus to take away.

For the past week,

I have felt more free than I have in months.

But yesterday, I caught news of something that began to stir it up in me again.

Please understand, none of these "burdens" are huge things.

They are simply human and earthly things

that satan uses to stir up all those feelings of worry, self-doubt, bitterness, anger, frustration...

oh, I could go on and on.

Can you relate at all, or am I just a bit crazy?

Needless to say, I recognized it right away this morning,

that stirring and those conversations that begin to take place in my head.

I did not want to go there.

So I asked Jesus to take it.

Every morning I ask Him to speak words he desires for me to hear.

So I am brought to my knees this morning.

When you seek, you will find.

When you knock, the door will be opened.

When you ask, you will receive.

Maybe not always as you picture it happening,

but God has his way of breaking in, just at the right time.

May you seek Him and find Him today,

as you lay whatever you are carrying at his feet.

May you be filled with hope, joy and peace,

and may you be reminded that you are his creation,

fresh and new!

Outer Space Art

2011-09-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is an art project I have done several times as a teacher.

It is easy, fun, not very messy and turns out great!

First you pick the color paints you want to use,

then you paint the bottom side of a foil pie plate.

After the entire bottom of the pie plate is covered (bottom only, not sides),

flip the pie plate over onto your choice of color construction paper.

Slowly, peel off the pie plate...

and you have your Earth, or Moon or planet.

Finally, add star stickers.

We used different colors to make each picture look different.

Can you guess which one is our Earth?

How about our Moon?

The third picture is a planet, Zachary declared!

Happy Art Days!

The Pictures

2011-09-10T03:40:00.000-07:00

In my devotions this morning, Beth Moore asked to imagine

that God has filled your mansion in glory with framed pictures.

Not just any pictures, but pictures of you life, snapshots of the mountains and valleys.

The difference between these framed pictures and ones we might have in our home

is that the pictures in our Mansion show Christ in each one.

An image we did not see with our naked eye when we were living through it.

Can you picture this?

It really struck me.

I imagined walking into my mansion and being frozen in place,

staring at the photographs on the wall;

times in my life when my face was filled with joy and my heart was singing,

times in my life when I was on my knees, times when all I could do was curl up in bed and weep.

In every picture, there He is; Jesus.

Can you see yourself standing in the entryway of your mansion?

Do you see the pictures?

What comes to your mind?

I see my birth. He is there.

I see my wedding day. His smile...

One picture that chokes me up is the one of Brian and I in the NICU,

holding 2lb Zachary skin to skin, praying for life...

There are so many pictures,

ones I remember and ones I tried to forget.

But there they are.

And in each one, is Jesus.

I just had to write about this today.

It struck me deeply.

I do not know what my "mansion" will look like.

I do know that Jesus says he is preparing a place for us.

And when we get "there",

I believe that the realization of God's love for us will overwhelm us.

But I pray that I will be overwhelmed today,

and that I will see snapshots of my life now with new eyes,

remembering that no matter what the circumstance,

Jesus is there.

I also pray that you will know his presence today

and see him clearly in your life's snapshots.

Lord, you promise that you will be with us to the end of the age.

How easily I allow life to cloud my vision.

Help me to see you in all circumstances,

and to know that in all things,

I can do everything through you who gives me strength.

Amen

Constellation Creations

2011-09-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

This week we have been learning about the sky and exploring outer space.

Well, Zachary thinks it is "So cool!"

We are having fun.

Here are a couple of pictures we made with star stickers and chalk.

He put the stars where he wanted and we connected them with chalk.

Then we named them.

If you homeschool and have creative ideas, please feel free to pass them along.

I know I would love to hear about them!

Happy Homeschooling!

Our School Room

2011-09-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

I'm a teacher, by trade and by heart.

I love teaching.

I love the learning process,

and I love being a part of it all with my own kids.

It's quite an undertaking in some ways,

but I am finding out just how rewarding and fun it can be.

Not that I doubted that,

but some days I wonder who is having more fun,

my kids or me!

As I began to plan out what I would do with my kids and how I would present things,

I thought that creating a specific space for "school" would be beneficial.

It sure has.

My dear Zachary is all boy; active, loud and never without energy.

Creating the "school room" (Which is what he calls it)

upstairs in our loft has caught his attention.

He loves it, as does Marin.

It's a space we are not in that often, mostly because it is upstairs,

so when it's time for "school",

they both dart for the stairs as if there is secret treasure up there...

There are bins filled with toys.

There are bins filled with educational/thematic resources.

There's a table to do art, an easel where we practice writing...

But above all,

it's a room filled with laughter, smiles and creativity.

It works for us.

And we are having fun.

It's only our first week homeschooling.

I know there will be bumps along the road.

But it's been a great start,

and I look forward to all the adventures to come

in our School Room.

Each Day...

2011-08-11T03:22:00.000-07:00

by David Webb

"It's quiet.

It's early.

My coffee is hot.

The sky is still black.

The world is asleep.

The Day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive.

It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.

The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day.

The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race.

The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made,

and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours, I will be exposed to the day's demands.

It is now that I must make a choice.

Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose.

And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.

I choose love.

Today, I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.

I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...

the tool of a lazy thinker.

I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings,

created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less

than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE

I will live forgive.

I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE

I will overlook the inconveniences of this world.

Instead of cursing the one who takes my place,

I'll invite him/her to do so.

Rather than complain that the wait is too long,

I will thank God for a moment to pray.

Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments,

I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.

Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.

And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.

I will be overlooked before I will boast.

I will confess before I will accuse.

I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS

Today I will keep my promises.

My debtors will not regret their trust.

My associates will not question my word.

My husband/wife will not question my love.

And my children will never fear that their mother/father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.

If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise.

If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.

If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL

I am a spiritual being...

after this body is dead, my spirit will soar.

I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.

I choose self-control.

I will be drunk only by joy.

I will be impassioned only by my faith.

I will be influenced only by God.

I will be taught only by Christ.

I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

To these I commit my day.

If I succeed, I will give thanks.

If I fail, I will seek His grace.

And then, when this day is done,

I will place my head on my pillow and rest."

- Max Lucado

When God Whispers Your Name

Time that flies

2011-08-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

made by Bev Jennings

I guess we say it all the time, don't we?

"Where does time go?"

Here I sit.

It is August already.

Was it not just yesterday that I was wishing for the sun of summer?

Was it not just yesterday that I was awaiting the birth of my daughter?

Was it not just yesterday that I was preparing to move to NC?

Was it not just yesterday that I was celebrating my wedding day?

It's just crazy, but it is true.

Time flies by way too fast!

Today I have been pondering that,

and reminding myself yet again to enjoy each day as it comes,

with all the joys and struggles.

For in a blink of an eye, this day will be gone.

All the worrying, stress and running in circles really won't get me far.

So once again, I surrender my day.

And I pray again for peace and joy,

patience and kindness,

love and forgiveness,

laughter and wisdom.

That today I may wrap my arms around my kids often,

smile and embrace my husband more than once,

breathe deep,

and live.

Thank you, Jesus

For the air I breathe and the life I lead.

May I never take it for granted,

and may I live in love,

accepting love and giving love

without condition.

Fill me this day with your presence

and may the fruits of the Spirit guide my thoughts, words and actions this day.

You are my strength.

Amen.

Broken Pieces

2011-06-30T03:58:00.000-07:00

This year at the beach, Zachary did the inevitable,

He took notice of shells and wanted to "get them for his collection".

It's really one of those things that all kids eventually do, isn't it?

Last year he hardly noticed shells,

but this year they were a focal point of our trip.

As we walked along picking up shells,

I of course was looking for the big ones, whole ones,

beautiful ones that were clean and perfect.

Zachary on the other hand could have cared less.

He picked up every little piece of a shell that he could find.

At one point I came to the realization of what I was actually verbalizing.

As we were picking up shells,

I would acknowledge the ones he found, of course,

but then I would find a whole one and exclaim,

"Oh but look at this one, Z! Isn't it beautiful!"

He would answer, "Yeah, mom, it is!" and toss it in his bucket of pieces.

The realization of what I was saying and doing literally made me stop in my tracks.

For goodness sake, have I really gotten so lost in being a grown up

that I focus more on the whole and the perfect and forget

to recognize the beauty in the simple and plain and broken?

Watching Zachary's excitement and hearing the awe in his voice

every time he found and picked up a piece of a shell

really touched my heart

and spoke truth and reality to my being.

How thankful I am that Jesus looks upon us with the excitement, awe

and love that Z had for those shells.

I am not perfect, not always clean and beautiful.

I try, but am not always successful.

Thankfully I am forgiven and and made new.

How often when Z is playing with friends,

do I get frustrated in his behavior.

That he is not always nice to his friends.

That he is sometimes mean and hurtful.

That he does not always share well.

That he is sometimes crabby and selfish.

(Am I describing him or myself, seriously!)

And yet I love him all the same.

He is 4, yes, but he is also human.

So am I.

And as God continues to pick up the broken pieces of my life,

forgiving me, challenging me and loving me through it all,

I am humbled.

I am convicted.

My devotion this morning was "The Good Samaritan" story.

Oh how I have heard it so many times.

This morning the author touched on the point

that how often are we so much in a hurry that we miss the obvious right in front of us?

How often are we so focused on our life, our to-do lists and our agendas

that we walk right past what needs our attention the most.

Oh how guilty I am of this.

I do it far too often.

I want to stop.

I need to stop.

And take in all that life is handing me today,

the whole and the broken,

take it, pick it up, wipe it off and see the beauty in it all.

Dearest Jesus,

may I be always changing, always growing,

always mending.

And may the same grace and love you show to me every day,

be an active, breathing, moving way I live my life,

in relation to my own family

and all those around me.

Amen.

Couponing

2011-06-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is an actual picture of my coupon book.

I spent a couple of days organizing my coupons for Super Doubles at HT this week.

I have become a bit of a coupon fanatic,

but not nearly obsessed as some can be

and not always as good at getting most for your money like some are,

but I do enjoy it and appreciate the benefits!

After we moved to NC in 2008,

I decided to get serious about using coupons.

I've always used them.

I would cut out what I wanted and what I needed.

No real strategy, just thought it was good to use them.

Saving money is good, right?!

Once we started having children,

and I began to stay at home,

I wanted to do what I could to save and do it right.

So I decided to take a couple of workshops.

WOW!

Did I learn a thing or two!

There are some great "secrets" to using coupons and getting the most out of them.

I really had no idea!

But once I began to learn the "secrets" to really using them,

I could not believe what I had been missing out on!

I was getting in the groove quite well before I had Marin,

and then I let it fall to the wayside.

Now I am back at it and having fun again!

Here is my HT shopping trip today.

$80 worth of groceries for $13.97!!!!!

AWWWW YEAH!!!!

How?

It's actually not hard at all.

It may take a little work, depending upon how you want to keep coupons.

I clip mine and put them in a binder so we can use them anytime.

Some people just file the whole coupon insert from the paper.

When HT has super doubles or triples,

then I gather the ones I want,

and thanks to wonderful people like my friend Mandy from

Serving While Saving,

I compare online what I have to what is on sale and worth using.

Many people, like Mandy, make lists online for you showing what is on sale,

which coupon to use, which weekly coupon insert it comes from

and how much it will cost in the end.

I compile my own list and head to the store!

This was my best shopping trip yet.

Sometimes I get great deals,

sometimes I don't have the right coupons.

Either way, I really love saving the money.

Just had to write about it, because if you use coupons here or there

or don't but have thought about using them,

I will attest to the fact that if you learn how to really use them,

they will change the way you shop, for the good!

If you are interested in learning more,

check out Mandy's website.

Serving while Saving

She does Couponing 101 workshops, and I learned the most from her.

She is actually going to be doing a blog series soon that relates to her workshop.

She is a great saver and a fantastic person!

Blessings friends and Happy Shopping!

Favorite Cookies for a special day

2011-06-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day we opened up our home

and had a cook-out with good friends.

To celebrate,

Zachary (and Marin) and I made our new favorite cookies!

Oatmeal Crispies.

Thanks to The Pioneer Woman.
(click on the name to find the recipe)

You can make them plain, with chocolate chips, M&Ms

or whatever you want.

We love them best with craisins!

They bake just like snickerdoodles.

Take them out when they are a little light brown and don't quite look done yet.

As they cool, they solidify most perfectly!

Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle.

They are delicious!

Said a prayer of Thanksgiving that day and every day,

for the many men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

God bless!

To Listen

2011-05-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

This morning at graceway, Brian talked a lot about listening.

Specifically listening to God, hearing him and acting upon it.

I've been thinking a lot about it this weekend,

since he shared his thoughts with me a few days ago.

Today I found the chinese symbol for "to listen".

I think it's fantastic.

The left side of the symbol represents and ear.

The right side represents the individual.

One explanation of this symbol said that in order to listen,

we must use our eyes, our ears and our open heart,

together with our undivided attention.

Another explanation said that to listen,

we must use both ears, watch and maintain eye contact,

give undivided attention and finally be empathetic.

This is the idea of engaging in active listening.

Of course, as a mom of two young children,

I immediately relate this to my preschooler.

Those of you who have kids, I am sure can relate as well.

Getting him to listen to me, I mean actually listen to what I am saying,

processing it and responding - whew!

Not easy.

And that just involves the ears.

To think about him actually making eye contact with me,

fully hearing me and having it resonate in his heart and head...

well, he has some time to master all that.

After all, he is only 4. He's still learning.

But let me turn the tables a bit.

Am I good at this "active listening"?

Sometimes, yes.

When my husband and I are one on one,

or when I am talking to a friend, or a group of friends, yes.

When I am on the phone, it's easy to listen, but also be doing other things.

Even when my son is trying to tell me something,

it's so easy not to practice what I want him to do when I am talking.

I am turning 40 this week, and well,

I guess I haven't mastered it yet either. I am still learning too.

And then where does all this fit in with my listening to Jesus?

Well, I am really good at talking to him! ;)

I talk to him a lot throughout my day.

Am I very good at actively listening to him?

When do I use both ears, my eyes, my heart and my full attention?

I wonder if he gets as frustrated with me as I do with my son some days?

I am sure he does. Probably more sad that I am missing what he wants me to hear.

But frustrated too.

How thankful I am for his love and grace.

Humbles me a bit as I realize how much more I need to share the same with my kids.

And convicts my heart of just how much I NEED to make time in my day to listen,

to turn my ears, my eyes, my heart and my undivided attention

to Jesus in prayer and scripture.

For when I seek him he promises to be found.

And as much as I desire to find him daily,

he desires it even more.

Dearest Jesus,

how easily I fill my days with stuff.

Some of it is necessity, but so much of it is not.

I don't put you first often enough.

May I find the discipline to stop and listen.

to hear you and to respond.

And may the same love and grace you bestow onto me,

be my daily practice with my own children.

Amen.

I will always wave back

2011-05-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

photo by Brian Auer - fineartphotoblog.com

A friend of mine has this quote on her blog:

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around and why his parents always wave back."

- William D. Tammelus

I happened to click on her blog today and this quote struck me.

Probably in part because it is Mother's Day and I'm naturally reflecting on motherhood.

I won't even try to analyzed or explain my thoughts on understanding human nature,

I just simply know how it feels to watch my son on a merry-go-round.

It's one of the things that brings out natural smiles and laughs from him.

And every time around, he smiles and waves at me.

And even though it's repetitious and silly,

I never want to miss a wave.

This season of life won't last forever.

One day he will be grown and on his own.

But for now, he is 4.

He is wild, all boy and a mood-swinging maniac,

He is beautiful, smart and a free spirit,

and he is a part of me.

He is my son.

I would not trade this time for anything!

So every time that smiling little boy yells, "Hi, Mommy!" and waves.

I'll be there to smile and wave as well.

And when the time comes around for my little girl to do the same,

I'll watch her smile and wave and I will always wave back!

Go To Dark Gethsemane

2011-04-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

Go to dark Gethsemane
All who feel the tempter’s pow’r
Your Redeemer’s conflict see
Watch with Him one bitter hour
Turn not from His griefs away
Learn from Jesus Christ to pray

Follow to the judgment hall
View the Lord of life arraigned
Oh, the wormwood and the gall
Oh, the pangs His soul sustained
Shun not suff’ring, shame or loss
Learn from Him to bear the cross

Calvary’s mournful mountain climb
There, adoring at His feet
Mark the miracle of time
God's own sacrifice complete
“It is finished” hear Him cry
Learn from Jesus Christ to die

Hot Cross Buns

2011-04-14T04:46:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law brought us hot cross buns yesterday.

Ones he made himself.

I humbly admit, this was the first time I have ever had one.

They are delicious!

I am actually enjoying one now with some hot tea.

YUM!

I googled "Hot Cross Buns" this morning just to learn more about these delicious little guys.

Here is a link about Hot Cross Buns.

I will admit, one of my favorite parts of this description is the "Superstitions"

Even though I am not really superstitious, I may just have to start one of them myself,

just because I love the ideas!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_cross_bun

It might sound a bit cheesy,

but I feel like I am participating in a very special tradition as I enjoy mine.

It's not Good Friday yet.

It's not yet Easter, but this morning I find that I am drawn into the story a little bit more.

Yes, just by eating this little bread with a cross on it.

This Sunday begins Holy Week.

Jesus enters Jerusalem full well knowing what is ahead for him.

But he continues onward.

All because he sees my face, your face, the faces of his children.

He faces his death so that we may live forgiven,

filled with hope of a God who loves us and who cares for us.

In the craziness of life, I find hope and joy.

I am humbled as I eat this little bread,

remembering how my Savior saved my life.

I think I will make these little guys a family tradition for us.

I guess I will have to take some baking lessons from my father-in-law :)

A blessed Holy Week to you all!

How does your garden grow?

2011-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

mikerbaker.com

Oh Spring!

I LOVE Spring.

It's one of my favorite seasons of the year.

Today I worked my garden.

Pulled the weeds, tilled the soil and

added a few feet to it too.

There is just something for me about working the earth,

breaking the ground, ripping out the bad stuff, adding the good stuff,

planting seeds, tending to them and watching them grow and bare "fruit",

in this case, veggies!

It's just therapeutic and beautiful,

and the perfect thing to do this season of the year,

for not only is it Springtime,

but it is also Lent.

Did you know the word Lent actually means spring?

It comes from an old English word; lencten

Couldn't be more perfect, don't you think?

As I walk through Lent, remembering what Jesus did for me,

and looking at my own life where sin needs pruning,

I am lead on a journey of renewal and new life.

A journey through death to Easter!

Sin is washed away, satan is defeated and new life is given to us.

Jesus is Risen!

As I tend to my garden this Spring,

I am also tending to my own heart;

ripping out the bad stuff with discipline and lots of prayer,

and adding the good stuff by

planting seeds through Scripture, worship and fellowship,

tending to them daily in devotion and quiet time with Jesus

and watching the fruit that grows from being connected to the vine;

Jesus himself.

May you also experience renewal and new life this Spring.

And may Jesus bear amazing, wonderful fruit in you and through you.

If you allow him to, he will. That he promises!

I love this time of year!!

A blessed Lent and a beautiful Easter I wish for you all!

Happy Spring!

Which comes first, life or death?

2011-03-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

I just recently began Beth Moore's 90 Days with the One and Only.

It's a devotional all about Jesus.

I thought it would be a perfect devotional to begin during Lent,

since what I really want right now is to be focused on Jesus as I journey towards Easter.

It's always amazing to me, although by now I should expect it,

how God uses scripture and devotions to speak into my life,

for the exact time and season that my life is in.

This week's readings have all been about Jesus' birth.

The beginning.

In some ways it has felt strange to "look back" at the themes of Christmas

while I am walking towards the torment and death of my Savior,

but this morning it struck me that this circle of life is what every day is about...

new life and death, death and new life.

Yes, we all are born, live and die. But that is not really what I am talking about.

In all common sense, I think we would all say that life comes before death.

You have to be born in order to die, right?

Well, if you are thinking of it that way, yes.

In the midst of doing life, however,

I am realizing that you really can't have life without death first.

Yep, it's the whole chicken and the egg thing...

Oh, I am alive and I am living life. I love my life.

I love my family, my husband, my kids, my friends, my home.

Life is amazing and beautiful, but in all honesty, it's also hard.

Things don't always go the way I would have them go.

My kids don't always act the way I would like them to act.

I do not always react to people or situations with patience or kindness.

I do not always like how others act or how I act,

and I don't always respond very well to that.

To truly experience the joy of life,

I need to die to this idea that my way is the way.

To live as Christ,

I must surrender my life to him, let go of all I want to control.

It's hard to do, and painful at times.

It means acknowledging that I don't know it all and can't control it all.

I am not perfect (ouch!) and that is ok.

It means taking a good look at myself, how I interact and react to people and situations,

living in forgiveness and doing the hard work of changing.

And so today, I am reminded of the joy of new life,

the sweetness of a baby's smile,

the freshness of a Spring morning,

the gift of God's mercy and grace,

all of which I can never enjoy to the full unless I look outside myself

and surrender all I can not control, which is really everything.

Today I stand humbly before the manger

and humbly before the cross,

in awe of the life that Jesus lived, sacrificed and gave all for us.

Thankful for a death that in turn gives new life.

Dear Zachary

2011-03-08T04:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Zachary,

I woke up today with you on my heart.

Maybe it's because you tip-toed into our bedroom around 3 AM,

climbing into our bed to snuggle between us,

or maybe it's because you are turning 4 soon, growing up so quickly,

or maybe it's because my role as your mommy has been heavy on my heart lately.

I remember so vividly, like it was yesterday, the day you were born.

It was Easter time. I started having trouble on Maundy Thursday after church.

I remember the panic and fear I felt being only 24 weeks pregnant and things not being right.

Two weeks later, there you were.

I remember when I first laid eyes on you in that incubator.

My heart torn in two. I could not hold you, I could only touch your tiny hand.

I rejoiced over your beautiful life and feared for it all at the same time.

How did my body fail you so?

How can I, your mommy, help you now?

This Easter you are turning 4 and I just don't know where the time is going.

You are a little boy, constantly on the move, an emotional rollar coaster,

incredibly independent and beautifully sweet.

I love when you wake up from sleeping and climb into my lap with your "get" just wanting to snuggle close. I love when you sing, not really knowing all the words, but still singing with confidence. I love when you laugh and giggle at your sister. I love the conversations that we are having now and the way your expressions are lived out in your voice. I love your energy. I love your questions and how you quote lines from your favorite shows - so your daddy's son!

I love your heart and your sensitive side.

Being your mommy is a joy and a privilege.

I want so much to be the mommy you need,

to help you understand the world around you,

and how you fit in it, cope with it and make the most out of it.

I want to be the mommy that you know is always there for you,

who will protect you, love you, forgive you, help you, listen to you, hear you, and allow you to be who you are.

Being a mom is not always easy.

It's exhausting. It's challenging. It's humbling.

I don't always handle your emotions well.

I don't always handle my emotions well.

I don't always have patience.

I don't always help you understand things, I just want you to do them as I say.

I don't always understand you.

I don't always take the time to try to understand you.

I am not perfect, although I want so much to be.

But I do know that being a mom is what I have always wanted to be.

And here I am.

I am your mom. And I love it!

So dearest Zachary,

I want you to know today, that I love everything about you.

Your smile, your smell, your feelings, your roller-coaster emotions, your never ending energy, your sweet heart, your stubborn pride, the way your mind works, the way you pray, the way you show love...

And as I walk through life with my own pride, independence, roller-coaster emotions, stubbornness...

(yes, ask your father, he'll confirm these things!)

I promise to remember that even at 40, I don't have life all figured out,

so how can I possibly expect you to at 4.

I will work on breathing deep, giving you space, being firm but loving, setting boundaries but allowing room to stretch, and learning to forgive as I need forgiveness too.

For more than anything, I want you to know grace;

a love that is perfect and unconditional and beautiful -

Jesus.

And as we walk this path of life together, mother and son,

may I model for you the love and life I have found in Him.

And may you grow to know that nothing you do can separate you from my love,

and nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from Jesus.

I love you, my son.

I am so proud of you and so proud to be your mommy.

Mornings

2011-02-23T04:08:00.000-08:00

Today started much earlier than I would have liked.

Zachary climbed into our bed at 4 AM.

I finally put him back in his own bed at 4:30.

By this time, I was wide awake.

Well, my alarm is usually set for 5 AM,

so I might as well get up, right?

In all honesty, it's mornings like these that remind me why I like getting up early.

As I mentioned, my alarm is usually set for 5 AM,

but lately I have not been good at getting up before 6.

I know, 6 AM is still early for some of you. :)

But for me it's not early enough with a 3 yr old who on a good day sleeps until 7.

I enjoy having a quiet cup of coffee and being ready for the day before the kiddos are up.

It's peaceful and allows me to think a bit.

So this morning...

I am showered and ready for the day.

I have read my devotions and spent time in prayer.

I did a little reading.

I re-organized my to-do list.

I separated the mountain of laundry we have and started a load.

And I am currently enjoying a wonderful cup of coffee,

accompanied by a most delicious scone

(courtesy of my wonderful father-in-law - Thanks! ;)

and writing on my terribly neglected blog...

maybe I'll even have time to give it a facelift!

all in the quiet stillness of the morning.

Sigh

I love it!

Very soon the house will be buzzing with the day's to-do's

and the sound of kiddos.

But I am ready for it.

So today is a good reminder of why I love mornings,

and why getting my butt out of bed early is so good for my soul.

Unfortunately it is a day by day battle...

the getting out of bed!

I hate it!!!

I love my sleep and the warmth of my bed,

but even more so, I admit, I do love being ready for the day.

It's more peaceful and less rushed.

It's worth it.

And it gets easier with each morning.

I recommend it.

Especially if your day is a crazy, busy, non-stop one like mine.

There is just nothing like the stillness and quiet of the morning!

Dearest Jesus,

Wake my soul each morning with the eagerness to start my day,

for it is in the stillness of this time that my heart is filled

with your presence and peace.

Bless my day and grant me patience, kindness, gentleness, wisdom and grace.

Forgive me and help me to forgive.

Amen