Easter 2018

We were blessed to get to travel to AL and spend time with family for Easter this year. We went down on Friday and spent time with my parents and celebrated Timothy's birthday. Then on Saturday we went and spent time with Bryan's parents. We were able to attend church with them on Sunday and then lunch with family. My parents came to Bryan's parents for lunch, but in the busyness of everything I didn't get a picture of my parents.  

 It is challenging to get all 7 of us to smile and look at the camera at the same time. This was as close to good as we got. I should do a post on all the funny pictures we did get.

 Here are the sisters! I am very thankful that these two have each other and pray that they will always be close. Bryan's mother takes the girls shopping for Easter dresses and these girls love shopping with their Gigi!

 Here are the three boys in their Easter outfits. My mother bought the boys and Bryan their shirts for Easter. Love these guys!

Here I am with my honey! My mom picked out my dress.

Bryan's parents, Pop and Gigi. I don't have enough pictures of them and so I am very thankful to have this one.

We were blessed to celebrate Resurrection Day! We worship a God who is ALIVE!
Matthew 28:5-7 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

2018 is Here!

I am sure it is hard for y'all to believe too...2018 is HERE! 2017 is gone and now its time to begin a new year and strive each day to live for the glory of God! On the mornings that Bryan leaves early for work before the children and I get up, I walk into the kitchen and find his Bible open with his glasses laid on top just like the picture above. This is where it is... our life is in His hands and He is beyond worthy of our worship. He deserves all of us, not just some but ALL!

I am not making resolutions this year I have decided to set goals instead each month and then reevaluate at the end of each month. I need to ask God what His plans and goals are for me and not just set my own. My first and greatest goal EACH month is to bring Him the most glory and honor!

God gives us...

Beauty for ashes,

Strength for fear,

Gladness for mourning, 

and Peace for despair.*

These words have been on my lips over the past month.We have been busy trying to get things together for the insurance. We have to list about nine things for each content we list that was in our home. It has been overwhelming to say the least. 

 The night of the fire was very scary. Something you never think you will go through and you think you can prepare for it IF it does happen. I had always told myself if there was ever a fire I would get out this, this, and this. The night of the fire I was so worried about getting my family out that getting those "things" NEVER crossed my mind. I didn't even think about getting my purse.  

We had just come home from church and I had drove Bryan's car home that night. As we were racing out the door Bryan went to move his car and we realized that the keys were in my coat pocket in the house. There was NO going in after them. We all got in the van and began backing up to leave and the house was already black. The garage door to the basement rolled up, black smoke rolled out and out came our cat of 8 years scorched. We got her in the van with us and we drove to the top of the driveway.

Bryan was on the phone with a deacon from our church when Isaac and I hollered "Fire" and Bryan called him back when we got to the top of the driveway. He told Bryan it had only been 5 minutes since they had hung up the phone, we looked back and the house was already in flames. We could even hear things exploding. Someone took the cat to the vet for us that night and they had to put her to sleep. We all were very sad to loose her.

It is hard to look at these pictures, retell the details of that night, and list the contents of our home...But this is a time in our lives that we will never forget and I don't want us to forget it. I want us to look back and see God's hand in this and all that He has done.

God's Word says He prunes those that our His so they can bear more fruit. Our prayer as a family is that we will bear more and more fruit for God and for His glory!!

*Song "Beauty to Ashes" by Crystal Lewis

Thankful!

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, 

because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:15-21

I am thankful for:

176) the kids playing soccer.
177) homemade apple butter.
178) making aprons with the girls.
179) a handmade quilt.
180) a new season (fall).
181) my crockpot.
182) God’s still small voice.

"As for me and my house....."

This week our Sunday School lesson is on Joshua 24. I am excited to share with the ladies and hear what they have to share tomorrow in class. Thought I would share with you also what I have learned this week.

The first 12 verses God, through Joshua, is reminding the people of where they have been and where they have come from. He starts with Abraham and speaks of how his father, Terah, served other gods. Then Isaac, Jacob, and Esau and how Esau didn’t follow the Lord and served other gods. Also He reminds them of how He delivered them from the Egyptians through Moses. Finally how He protected them from Balak and Balaam.

If you look at verses 1-13 you see the small word “I” and God is showing the people of how it was Him that delivered, protected, and provided for them. Nothing they had done it was ALL God! We can sure see that in our own lives. Everything we have, houses, bank accounts, food, etc, comes from the Lord! It is he who provides for our every need and even at times our wants.

In verse 14 Joshua tells the people to fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth and put away other gods. SERVE THE LORD! What are some “gods” of our day? Maybe it is sports, materialism, ourselves, family, whatever it is that we devote more of ourselves to than we do God is our god. Serving the Lord is no little matter. We are to serve Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Joshua 24:15 is a very familiar verse, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served....But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” We see that verse so often that we may have come to not really think about what it is saying. We have decisions to make and the most important decision we make is whom will we serve. This is not a one time decision but a moment by moment decision.

The people say they will serve the Lord but Joshua quickly responds “You cannot serve the LORD,...”. He did not want these people to take their commitment lightly. He wanted them to realize the commitment they were making needed to be a wholehearted commitment! Now what about our commitment to the LORD? We hang Joshua 24:15 on the wall but do we REALLY choose to serve the LORD? Are we making that commitment lightly and just saying “words”? Or are we wholeheartedly with sincerity and truth serving the LORD?

Grace and Mercy

God has given me the opportunity to lead a ladies class at our church. I feel very blessed to be a part of this class. This Sunday our lesson is out of Joshua 2, about Rahab. I wanted to share some things that I have learned as I have been studying this passage.

Moses is dead and Joshua is the new leader of Isreal. God has commanded them to cross the Jordan. Joshua is sending two men into Jericho to spy out the land. Jericho would be the first place they would come to when they crossed the Jordan. As the two men come into Jericho they are discovered so they must hide. Where do they hide? At a woman named Rahab’s house. Who is this Rahab? Verse 1 tells us that she is a harlot, an adulterous woman.

Our all knowing God knew about Rahab’s sin and He still loved her. This is a great picture of grace and mercy. He chose to use Rahab for His glory. She tells the spies in verse 8 all that she knows about God and all that He has done and is doing. It was her declaration of who God is. God is at work in her heart, changing her. We see here that NOTHING can prevent one from being saved. It never tells us exactly when Rahab receives salvation but it is known by her actions.

Too many people claim “Christian” but the Bible tells us we will know them by their “works” (James 2:14-26). It is clear that Rahab did nothing to be saved but because of her sanctification she is doing things for God’s glory! In verses 12 & 13 she is making plans to tell her family about God and all that has happened. Rahab is wanting others (her family) to be saved. When someone has a true heart change there will be a deep desire for others to know and follow God. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus tells us that “not everyone who says “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who do the will of My Father in heaven.”

It was Rahab’s faith that led her to salvation. She didn’t have a Bible like we do, nor did she experience first hand all that the children of Israel had, it was pure faith! In Hebrews 11 God list Rahab in the “Hall of Faith” right along side of Abraham, Moses, and Sarah. How much faith do I have? How much faith do you have? I want this kind of faith that these men and women had that are listed in Hebrews 11. I want faith that will glorify God and lead others to Him!!

Can’t stop here, Rahab is also mentioned in Matthew 1. Verse 5 tells us that a man named Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. This is the genealogy of Jesus! A harlot saved by grace is part of the line of Jesus. That is AWESOME!! That is a woman changed by God and used by God!

Just as God had grace and mercy with Rahab He gives me grace and mercy. Thank You Lord for giving me grace and mercy, for Your salvation and for sending Jesus to die for my sin. Thank You for using Rahab. I pray that You would use me to lead this ladies class, to glorify You and to lead others closer to You!

Words

Saturday night we let the children go out and play for just a moment. It wasn’t long until Joanna had fallen and skint the bridge of her nose and top of her forehead (can you see her booboos in the picture?). She was crying and I was trying to doctor her booboo when I heard another cry. This time it was Elijah. He had fallen on the concrete slab out back and the side of his face was skint along with his knees and hands (see his booboos in the picture?). They were hurt and I was trying to comfort and help.

Joanna and Elijah fell and were hurt and will have scars I am sure, but those hurts and scars are not as deep as the hurt and scars our words can cause. Tuesday night at revival the Preacher was preaching the first part of Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Corrupt words are dirty words,

Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Pretty point blank there, filthy language is curse words, slang words, vulgar words, etc. As Christians these kinds of words should not come out of our mouths! I fully believe that if these words are not to come out of our mouths then we shouldn’t allow them in our homes either.

Corrupt words are destructive words.

1 Timothy 5:13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

One of the ways I have noticed people gossiping is through sharing "prayer request". Ouch! If that is the case then we should know that God knows the need and all we should do is share that there is a situation that we would like others to pray for but DO NOT share ANY details!

Corrupt words are devastating words.

These words are words that tear down and destroy. Words such as "your stupid", "your dumb", "your not my child", I think you get the picture. Ask ourselves how would it make us feel if someone said these words to us.

Christians are to prevent corrupt words.

The command in Ephesians 4:29 is to NOT let any corrupt word proceed out of your mouth. God was not asking us to try or telling us that every now and then is o.k. If the words from our mouth do not glorify God or edify others then we must keep our mouth shut! If someone around you is using corrupt words in any form, walk away or let them know that you are not going to listen to that stuff.

I am very ashamed to admit it but I have been guilty of not watching my words with the kids or Bryan. There are times that I am real short in my speech, or have a rough tone in my voice, and times when I have used discouraging words. I have been convicted for some time that this is an area in my life that needs work and God is working on me. I have seen evidence of Him changing me and molding me to be the Mom and wife He wants and needs me to be. With our words we have the opportunity to mold our children’s character, thinking, how they perceive themselves and others, even the way they act. I have noticed when my words are kind and edifying that my children are more kind and edifying to one another. Same goes for our marriage or our church family, words can make or break that marriage or the church. Sarah and I were talking about the sermon on the way home Tuesday night and she said that hurtful words are like writing with a pen, they can’t be erased.

Will you commit with me today to memorize Ephesians 4:29 and to allow God to use our words for His glory and for edifying others?

"Don't Make Me Count To Three"

This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 is Reaching the Heart of Your Child. It is our calling as parents to reach the heart of our children. How do we do that? This book gives some great wisdom in how to begin and continue drawing out issues of the heart in our children. Then we can train them in righteousness. This is such a great calling to be the mother of these precious children and I know that without God I will not be able to reach their hearts.

Part 2 is How to Give a Biblical Reproof. Correction and discipline can not be done correctly aside from God's word. How do we speak to our children when we are disciplining them? I am guilty of raising my voice and being angry but that is NOT the way the Lord discipline's me. I have learned and gained so much from this part. God has revealed to me some sin in my life in correcting my children. Praying that God would change me and grow me in giving biblical reproof.

Part 3 is The Biblical Use of the Rod. Spanking is a controversial issue so I know that this part may not set well with some. This book gives clear guidelines for when to spank and when not to. Also that spanking is biblical and if we search out the word of God we will see this is something He is for. There is scripture to back up spanking and how it can be a source of driving out the foolishness in the heart of our children (Proverbs 22:15).

Once again I have so gleaned from this book. It will be one of those books that I will be able to refer back to in days, months and even years to come. I thank the Lord for placing it in my path and for allowing me to share it with you. I know that we are in this together as moms and that our hearts are for the hearts of our children.

Training

As Isaac was helping with the grass cutting, they ran across this little fellow! Groundhog?

Bryan and I are in full swing of training our children. I am sure most of you have been there or are in full swing yourself. Training, I believe needs to be done in all areas of life not just one.

First, we are training our children to do things around the house. In the pictures above Isaac is learning to cut the grass. He does the trim work while Bryan is doing the big part of the yard. Someday I am sure that Isaac will be cutting the big part of the yard and Bryan will be training Elijah to do the trim work. Sarah is learning to wash clothes. On laundry day she can start a load of clothes all by herself. I know one day she will be ironing clothes while Joanna is starting a load to wash. Keep in mind these are not the only chores they are learning to do, these are just to name a few. The little boys are in training as well. Timothy is learning to clean up his place at the table and Elijah is learning to fold a load of towels and wash cloths. Each child will always be learning (in training) something that they will be able to take with them.

Second, we are training them in education at home. We have been homeschooling all along and have been very blessed. It is a challenge, especially since Joanna has come along and the little boys are needing more one on one attention. We have come along way and I truely feel that God has given wisdom and given guidance in helping me to know how to manage this area of our life. Thank you Lord! Next year I will be doing more school with Elijah and this year I have learned that I need to let Isaac and Sarah do more school on their own.

Lastly, we are to be training in the area of discipline. I am in the middle of reading a book titled "Don't Make Me Count To Three" and it has been a great blessing and full of wisdom! If I had the money I would buy each of you that are in the same season of life as we are (raising children) a copy. Let me be the first to say I DO NOT count! That is the reason I have not read this book sooner. Last week as I was passing through our church's library I saw this book and thought I would check it out because I probably would NOT want to buy it. Well, it is now on the top of my "books to buy" list!! I want to have it available for my children to read when they have children.

The rod and rebuke give wisdom,

But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:15

It is not the rod part that I was missing or lacking on....it is the rebuke (reproff). God has used this book to open my eyes to pulling from God's word in my discipline of the children. For example: When Elijah lied to me the other day I pulled him aside and told him that "God's Word (the Bible) says that we are not to lie. God tells us "Do not lie", He commands it. So Elijah you have disobeyed God and I can not let you continue to disobey Mommy or God." WOW! I never thought about gently speaking to them and using God's word to reveal their heart and the sin that is within. The next time he disobeys in this area I will remind him of what God's word says and then he will receive discipline. Well this has also caused me to have to KNOW God's word, which is awesome! I am so thankful for God leading me to this book and I am looking forward to applying it to our training of our children. I am not real good at expressing my heart but I hope you see what I am trying to get across. I urge you to read the book. I will not do a very good job of explaining it, but maybe I have atleast caused you to be interested. This is a book that points you to God's Word and those are the kind of books I love to read!

Proverbs 14

The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1

As I read Proverbs this morning this verse hit home with me. Oh how I long to be that wise woman who builds her house. I asked myself "What can I do to build my house". I need to ask myself that everyday. It might be to spend more time with my children, pray for my children more, make time for dates with my hubby, or maybe all of the above. It might be something else that I did not list, but I need to be intentionally building my house. Oh how I DO NOT want to be a foolish woman who tears down my house. I realize that we are all capable of this and that is all the more reason to fill ourselves with the wisdom that comes from God's Word!

Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;

But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Proverbs 14:4

I have come to love this verse and something I need to remind myself of everyday. A few months ago a friend of mine posted on her blog about this verse and I loved what she said. To be honest I forgot about it in the next day or two. A few days later God brought this verse back to my rememberance and I have thought of it quite often since. I struggle with my house being in order and getting my to do list checked off. This verse reminds me that if I had no family(children especially) my "trough" would be clean, in order and all those "to do's" would get checked off. BUT....I am sooooooo thankful for a dirty trough!! Those "ox" (children and hubby)bring wonderful blessings (increase).

Thank you Lord for your Word and for the wisdom You give through Your word! Help me Lord to build my house for Your glory. Convict me if I began to tear it down and guide me back to the straight and narrow path. Thank You Lord for a dirty trough! My children and Bryan are a gift from You! May we as a family do many things for You and may You be please with our family! I love you, my Father!

My cup runs over!

My cup is so full I don't even know where to begin! Forgive me if I make this a lengthy post but I just have to share ALL that God has done. I want this to be a post my children can look back on one day and know how God works and that He is good all the time! First, because Joanna was born in the middle of flu season I have kept her away from outings and church for awhile. With the other kids (they were born in spring and summer months) I took them out and back to church when they were just two weeks old, if not sooner. I have been away from our church family for so long that I really feel out of the loop, its almost like starting over again (I almost wanted to introduce myself all over). I have been so blessed by text messages I have received from some just to say Hi and that they were praying for us and thinking about us. For those I am so thankful but being with believers makes a whole lot of difference. Yesterday morning a dear lady in our church shared with me how she had read my post "Thoughts" and that it really spoke to her heart and she had even shared it with someone else. WOW, what an encouragement!! I am so thankful that I stopped what I was doing and took time to post my thoughts, thank You Lord! I needed to hear that!

Second, let me be real with you for a moment, I am a HUGE people pleaser! I want every one to like me and it makes me sick to think that I might have offended some one and now they might think less of me. Yuck!! These thoughts consume me at times and when they do it seems as if I can't pull out of it. This past week was one of those times. I just felt like everyone was against me and I just analized everything I did and said. I had to make myself every morninng read God's Word and pray. Then last night our preacher preached a sermon that I so needed to hear. I wish I could just post his sermon for you, because it so spoke to my heart. It was one of those sermons that was so personal, almost as if I was the only one there. He preached out of Jeremiah 17:5-8. Cursed if we trust in man.....Blessed if we put our trust in God!!! This hit home with my people pleasing weakness. I have allowed my people pleasing to dictate my emotions at times and that is NOT trusting in God. Were my eyes ever open to my idoltry! I never thought I would say those words but I see now that that is exactly what it is...idoltry!! There has been times that God has laid on my heart to confront someone and oh that is so hard because "they won't like me anymore". I worry too much about pleasing others that I have disobeyed God and not been pleasing to him. I needed that sermon last night and I will need it preached to me again and again to remind me that it is God who I should please and not man. How can I go wrong if I please my Heavenly Father? So now my cup runs over and I want to pour some of that on to you....may God fill your cup today. What has God done in your life that can make you say "My cup runs over"?

Pregnancy update....

I went for my Dr. appt this past Thursday and all is well!! Yay! I will be 38 weeks tomorrow and this pregnancy is almost over. I am making some progress and hoping there will be even more progress this week! I just love my Dr. she is so sweet and takes her time. We are all so excited about this sweet bundle of joy coming, especially now that it is so close to time. Sarah said this morning that she just couldn't wait any longer, but she will have to wait a little longer. The voting on what you think this baby will be (boy or girl) has come to a close and the girl votes won! In 15 days (give or take) we will all know the right answer! It is amazing to know that God knows and has already ordained this baby's days.

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

Psalm 139:16

I have officially started wearing Bryan's t-shirts and sweat shirts. They are much more comfortable and even fit better than my maternity tops. :) We are trying to do some things to prepare for baby and to get the house in some kind of order. I went to the grocery store last night in hopes of buying so in case this baby decides to come soon (which I really doubt will happen) my family will not go hungry. I have somewhat and to the best of my ability entered that nesting phase. Maybe just the fact that I want things done so I don't have to come home from the hospital trying to conquer all. I know Bryan will be a BIG blessing in taking care of the day to day things (as he already does) but I mean those things that only women think about. :) I go again this Friday for another appt. so I will try and update this weekend on any progress. We covet your prayers as we prepare for the baby's arrival, Labor and Delivery and for recovery.

See this sister....She loves her brothers!! She really would like a sister but if God chooses to bless us with another boy I do believe she will love him just as much as she loves the others. Timothy fell asleep on her the other night and she just ate it up!! If they are watching a movie together she wants him to lean on her and she puts her arm around him. She plays so well with the little boys and sometimes loves them crazy! She is such a blessing and such a great, fun and loving BIG sister!! God only knows what He has in store for our family and Sarah!

Playing in the snow!!

Sarah and her friend that lives next door.

Bryan helping Timothy walk in the snow.

Isaac loved the snow!

This little boy was so glad to be outside!

Yesterday the kids were able to get out and play in the snow we got here. It was really pretty but oh so cold!! My hubby could not go in to work so he took the kids out and I was given strict orders not to come out. I think my hubby thinks I am 8 months pregnant or something...HaHa!! I did sneak out the door just a little to take a few pictures of my family enjoying the white snow. It had melted a little today so Bryan was able to head back to the office today. Tomorrow is suppose to be ucky again, we will see. We thought about how beautiful the snow was and how awesome God was to send it. Which reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah 1:18 that says...

"...Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow...."

The Lord says that our sins are like scarlet, but He will make them as white as snow!! Isn't that awesome? Not only are my sins like scarlet but they are against Him. I have sinned against an almighty and Holy God but He promises to make them clean and to give me a new heart! That is a reason to celebrate, that is the reason for Christmas. It is through God sending Jesus, who came at Christmas, who died on a cross for my sin and your sin to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to make our sins as white as snow. Has God made your sins as white as snow, has He given you a new heart?

Whatsoever things are true...think on these things.

I wanted to share a little more about what God has been dealing with me about. I shared in a recent post that He revealed to me that my thoughts needed to be true, well here is the next part. In Philippians 4:8 God's Word tells us to think on what is true. What is true? Things that are truth and real! To get our thinking on the right track we have to know what God commands of us and He says here to THINK on what is true!! The most wonderful truth we have is God's Word!! Everything in the Word of God is True! If that is the case and it is then we need to focus on His Word! Memorize it, meditate on it and obey it! Sounds simple, right? No, it takes a heart that is desiring to grow in a deeper walk with Him. Jesus never promised that seeking Him would be a easy road, "Take up your cross and follow Me" is what He said. But oh the freedom that it brings when we do memorize God's Word, meditate on His Word and obey His Word. When we begin to think on what is True we will experience the freedom that comes with it.

What is real? Not fantasies or fairy tales or "what if's". What is the here and now. Release those negative emotions, damaging thoughts and destructive attitudes to God and allow Him to help you know what is real and true. From my personal experience it is a moment by moment surrender that has to take place so that I hold my thoughts up to God's standards and declare His promises. His promises are True and Real!!

May you begin today to ask yourself "What is True?" or "What is Real?" and start to have the freedom that only God can bring. Remember to: Memorize, Meditate and Obey!

Water and Jesus

When Bryan and I first got married we decided to drink less sodas and tea and to drink more water. We did this for several reasons, 1) being newly married we wanted to know how to pinch our pennies and once we figured up the cost we realized just how much we would save. Especially drinking water when we went out to eat. 2) Water is much healthier for you. WOW of all the health benefits of drinking water! I admit this was a huge change for us both. I hardly remember drinking water growing up, it was mostly tea and sodas. Over the years (14) it has gotten much easier to not have a soda or tea. When we go out to eat we have no problem ordering water, it just is the natural thing for us to do. We have gotten to where when we do drink tea or soda it is a special thing. We make tea or have sodas when we have company or sometimes when we go somewhere to eat. Now it is more of a treat than a necessity.

While we were on vacation I realized something, I feel that God showed me something to relate this to. I did have a soda or two on our vacation, but as soon as I was done drinking that drink I was still thirsty. Almost as if I could not get enough. Finally I would fix myself a glass of ice water and I was satisfied. That was it, just what I needed to cure that thirst I had. God showed me that life with Him is like that. See it is not that tea or sodas are sinful for me to drink, but they don't satisfy me like water does. There are things in my life that are not sinful but they don't satisfy me like Jesus does. Jesus is the water and these other things that I think will satisfy me just don't. Think about it a little further....with Jesus it is the healthiest and wisest choice for us. I know that these other things cost me valuable time, money, energy and are not as satisfying. When I put Jesus first and go to Him to satisfy me I will not be wasting anything and I will be greatly satisfied. Although these other things in my life are not sinful why waste one moment on them when I can go to the One thing that is the GREATEST!!

My prayer is that God will NEVER let me forget this lesson He has taught me and every time I drink a glass of water I will be reminded that Jesus is my water and every time I drink a glass of tea or a soda I will be reminded that those other things in my life are NOT going to satisfy me!

Some verses that come to my mind...

"...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35

Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat. Revelation 7:16

My challenge to you is for you to look up those verses and read them in context. Meditate on these verses and get to KNOW Him who satisfies!

Is Jesus your water?

Tending to a nation

Today was beautiful and we got to go outside and enjoy some of it. I let Isaac and Sarah do some school outside while the little boys played. They had so much fun and enjoyed every minute of it!

I receive this magazine called Above Rubies and inserted in the issue was a letter that I actually just found yesterday. As I read it I felt God encourage me and challenge me. I wanted to share with you what it said...

"May God's love fill your home. Don't forget who you are--an Arrow Polisher

( Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Psalm 127:4),

a Nation Builder

(But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9) ,

a Director of Home Affairs, and of coarse you proudly bear the name of Mother. As a home-loving, home-keeping, home-nursing, home-cooking, home-working, home-training and home advocating mother, you are the most important asset in this nation! Your life may often seem overwhelmingly busy, but what else can you expect when you have the most important job in the nation?" (Mrs. Nancy Campbell)

Thank you Lord for reminding me that every day I am taking care of the nation. She was right, I think every day I feel overwhelmingly busy, but now I know why. God reminded me that my children are the future of this nation. If Jesus tarries and my children live a long life then how I train them now will matter in the future. God has entrusted me with these arrows and it is my job to teach them the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:5-9

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.).

My prayer is that God would not let me forget "who I am". I must go now, I need to tend to the nation.

Fall is here!

OK, so it doesn't feel like fall, but Wednesday was the official first day of Autumn! I just love this time of the year, when the weather begins to cool down...not too much. How can we see the wonderful works in the changing of seasons and NOT KNOW that there is a God? God is the one who changes the seasons but even more so He is in the heart changing business. Just as He changes the seasons He so wants to change our hearts from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh (soft heart).

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

I am reminded of when the Lord changed my heart! I was 19 when God revealed my sin and my need for Him. It was then that He removed my heart of stone and put within me a heart of flesh. God began forming me into what He ultimately wants me to be. I turned from my sin and began to follow Him. No, I am not perfect but everyday I have to die to myself and allow God to be Lord of my life, allow Him to be in complete control. I want Him to be in charge because I know that I will mess things up. Now that God has changed my heart I want everyone to hear His message through what He has done in my life. The message, that I was DEAD in my sin and without hope until He brought life to me through the death of Jesus who paid for my sin when He died on the cross. That is right, there was nothing I could do to save myself it was only because of GOD that I am alive today. No, I wasn't a "bad" girl but even good people spend eternity separated from God in hell, and that is exactly where I was headed. I am being sanctified every day and pray that my life would be one that pleases the Lord and brings Him glory!

Psalm 42:1

On Monday morning before breakfast we saw some deer across the street from our house. There was 7 deer and we all were so in awe to see them. It was just beautiful! As I was taking the pictures of the deer and my thoughts were on blogging these pictures. God reminded me of His word...Psalm 42:1...As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My question to myself and to you is when is the last time that our soul panted for God? I have too often panted for the things of this world only to be unsatisfied, but it is only when I pant for God that I find satisfaction and a hunger for more of Him! May I challenge you and myself to seek the Lord this week more than we normally do and pant for Him...we will be satisfied.

Happy Mother's Day!

Me and my blessings/gifts from God!

My mom and the grandkids!

My mother and I! I love her!

Bryan and his mom! She is a great mother and mother-in-law!

Gigi with our children (some of her grandkids)!

I pray that all you mom's had a great and blessed Mother's Day! We had a very exciting weekend. We went to Alabama on Friday and surprised my mom. My Dad was a great "partner in crime". He made plans to take mom out for a date on Friday and then as they were leaving we pulled up in the drive way. She was so surprised! Thanks Dad for all your help, you were great! We took mom out to eat and then to the cookie place. After supper with my mother we headed to spend the night with Bryan's mom. It was nice getting to spend some time with them. Then on Saturday morning everyone except for me headed to watch our nephew play baseball. My dear hubby took the kids with him so I could spend some time one on one with my mom. We went to a few stores and then we went and got a red velvet doughnut! Time with mom was great and the doughnut was delicious. Mom and I hardly ever get time alone so that was a real treat. Thank you Bryan for giving me some time with my mom. You are such a wonderful and selfless husband, I truly am so blessed! Then Bryan called me and I met all of them and we ate lunch with his mom. It was a nice lunch and a great time to spend with her. After a full morning we headed back home. Today has been a blessed mother's day for me! My children (Isaac and Sarah) told me Happy Mother's Day first thing this morning without having to be reminded. Actually Sarah beat Bryan to it. After lunch Bryan took care of the kids and let me have some time to read and rest! I told you he was and is awesome!! Then after supper we went to the Sonic and got ice-cream. The sweet part was Isaac used his money to buy everyone's ice-cream. He said that was my Mother's Day gift from him. I feel so blessed to be a Mother and also so undeserving. I thank God for making me a MOM!

Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28

A nugget of God's truth...

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, but I was introduced to one of her books almost 3 years ago and since then have grown to admire her. I don't admire her for her beauty, fame or riches but for her walk with the Lord and the Truth that she teaches. She teaches God's Word even when it's not the popular thing and those teachers are few and far between. I would highly recommend that you check out her website at www.reviveourhearts.com and even encourage you to take one of the challenges that they offer. I have done the True Woman challenge on her site and have gained so much from it.

Check out what Psalm 127 says...

Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

In case you don't know, I am crazy about my family!! I love being a wife and a mother and I know that I am fulfilling God's call on my life. When I read Psalm 127 I know that I can not do this without God. These verses remind me that I need to persistently and fervently pray for God to help me and that He would turn my children's hearts toward Him (verse 1). Jonothan Edwards, a great man of God, prayed daily for 5 generations after him. I want to start now praying for my children's spouses and for my grandchildren. Also from Psalm 127:4 the Bible is clear that we will send our children out and I must ask myself am I instilling in them a vision for how GOD wants to use them to fulfill His purposes in our world. I have come to realize that I have a very important work to do and I can not take it lightly, I must get on my face and seek God daily and moment by moment. This mother thing has a great reward....eternity.