God Makes Me Able

After writing my last post about not being SuperMom, I started feeling a bit guilty. That was a bad day & I was just feeling so overwhelmed at the thought of living up to the title that some had so gracefully molded me into.

I wanted to redeem my words by saying that everything I do, I do because God loves me and has equipped me to do the job He has guided me into. I don't want to take away from God's greatness by claiming that I am a horrible mother. God put me in the place I am in & God has given me the tools I need to succeed at that job. Sometimes I fail miserably at using those tools.....which is when I end up frustrated like I was the other day.

BUT, thankfully God has even given me tools for when I fail to use the tools he has given me for the job (hehe) : ) He has given me an incredibly amazing group of friends. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful, adorable, God fearing women (& men for that matter.....my husband is my VERY best friend.....don't know what I'd do without him).

I don't ever want to forget that everything we do or don't do effects someone else in some way. Those who choose to encourage me when I am down make a huge difference. On the same note.....if there was no one to encourage me (& I have walked this road as well), life becomes pretty difficult & lonely. Don't ever give up a chance to make a difference in someones life.

Also, don't ever take away from God the glory he has in shining through the gifts he has given you. There is a fine line between humility & pride when it comes to acknowledging the gifts he has equipped you with. I think many times I cross that line of humility into the land of pride. When I should be saying, "Thank you, to God be the glory," many times my answer is, "Ya right, your crazy.....I'm not anything special." This is a form of pride that many fail to recognize. When I do not feel worthy of the compliments I am given, my mind should immediately run to God. I should be completely aware that when I am receiving those compliments that people are seeing God working through me & I should acknowledge his goodness, rather than sweeping the compliments away. I am totally weak & incapable without God.....these compliments should just remind me that God is THAT good & that he loves me enough to provide for me!

Gone

Just thought I would let you all know that Josh is leaving with the computer very early in the morning. That means no posts until he gets home......probably Friday.

We had a fun weekend! Friday night we hung out with friends......we always enjoy that......even if it takes pulling teeth to make it happen : )

Saturday we took the kids on a train ride. I would like to say it was the Tarantula but my BIL got the times mixed up and we ended up on the Vintage Train in the Stockyards. This could have been enjoyable except that we chose a day when it was 80 degrees out and there was no A/C (hence the Vintage part)......there also were no open windows. Sam and Levi had a blast riding the choo choo. Poor Spence was miserable......he is SO hot natured......we had the poor kid stripped to his diaper and he was still sweating all over (it might have something to do with the rolls that cover him)! Thankfully it was only about an hour long so we scooted out of there at lightning speed!

Today we finally all got to go to church as a family! Tommy's sermon was wonderful!

I am excited to get back into a routine this week......I have let the washing go FAR too long now! I will be playing catch up all week on that.

Spencer is SOOOO much fun right now! He just cackles......it makes my heart melt! Sam is so funny with him......she will always try to make him laugh! Sam is just hilarious! I know I have said that before and I'm sure I will say it again but she is stinkin' funny! She can say whatever she wants now......she knows so much it just baffles me! A few of the latest funnies......

Sam: Daddy, come play in my room.

Daddy: No Sam, not right now.

Sam: (with finger pointed and shaking at him) Daddy, don't tell me no!

and

Sam: (pointing to the rings on my hand) Mommy, what this?

Mommy: Rings

Sam: (to Spencer, pointing to the rings) Spencer, this called rings.

Mommy: That's right Sam, good job.

Sam: No Mommy, I talk to Spence. Spencer, this called rings.

those probably aren't near as funny written but they were F-U-N-N-Y when they happened.

Also, a few things to pray about.......

My brother is leaving for bootcamp this week......he's got 3 kiddos......one only a few weeks old.

My SIL's brother got mugged on New Year's Eve and is in pretty bad shape (broken brow bone, both cheekbones, fractured neck, chipped teeth, etc).

We are trying to sell our truck.......Josh is renting now and it will free up some money for other bills.

There is a possible job opportunity for me......no details yet but it would be full time and the kids would have to go to daycare......this is a HUGE prayer request.

HUGE praise for some burdens lifted in some family relationships! PRAISE GOD......this was ONLY by his goodness!

Love ya'll!

A good laugh

As I was searching for some simple verses to teach Samara I ran across this site. I am not one to dismiss teaching before reading and testing it against the Word. I typically find that most conservative teachings line up with what I believe so I don't let denominational titles get in my way.

There seem to be some really great biblical teachings on this site as well as some shady stuff. From what I can tell these are KJV only fundamental Baptists and they believe in things like men keeping their hair short, women wearing skirts, etc. There were a few things that caught my eye but this one I just couldn't keep to myself......

The baby should sleep all night. Early the child should be made to conform to the sleep requirements of Mom and Dad. When a child cries at night he is either hungry, dirty, stuck with a pin or sick. In every case there should be some relief available. If none of the foregoing is true, I would suggest a spanking and let the baby cry himself to sleep. If crying persists, you may want to move the child to another room out of earshot. It is essential that Mom and Dad get their proper rest.

I'm pretty sure I could read that a hundred times and get a giggle every time. It is just funny. Seriously.....does your Bible say that? I mean, I have no problem giving Sam a good smack on the hiney when she needs it, but really? an infant? The whole paragraph just seems so cruel and self serving.....and funny.......goofy funny......

this one is pretty comical too.....

The baby's crying might better be stopped with a spanking than by picking him up. If there are not tears, you can safely assume that it is self-will asserting itself. Grandparents tend to spoil babies by picking them up often. This should be discouraged.

those durn grandparents, what are we going to do with them?

Did You Know?

My FAVORITE TV show ever is in Keller, TX......just 15 minutes away! Extreme Home Makeover is here this week building a house for the Augustin Family. They seem like a very neat family. I can't wait to see the episode.......there is just something extra cool about having it happen in your backyard! I have always thought this show is the best representation of Christ in the secular world and it warms my heart EVERY time!

And I just had to mention this because I think it is so cool. You can see from this destruction photo that someone wrote a prayer or a verse or something on the Sheetrock. I have heard of this......as they are building your home, go in and write scripture on the Sheetrock so that your house will be bathed in the Word.....I have always thought that was the coolest idea! Anyway......just thought it was cool so I had to share!


UPDATE: So....I get my researchyness (yes, I know it's not a word) from my Dad and he actually thought to Google what he could read. Turns out they are lyrics to a song "Still". They must have written them recently because their house was destroyed by flood waters. How cool! Makes me wonder if I would see this tragedy as they did!

STILL

Hide me now, under Your wings.
Cover me within Your mighty hand.

Chorus:
When the oceans rise
and thunders roar.
I will soar with You, above the storm
Father You are king over the flood,
I will be still and know You are God.

Find rest my soul in Christ alone,
Know his power, in quiteness and trust.

Biblically Based Parenting

I have pretty much quit reading parenting books across the board. Many times they are filled with the same stuff and are rarely based solely on scripture. This one is different.

I'm on my 4th or 5th read of this book so I figured it was probably something someone else might be interested in as well..... I happened upon it while working at Mardel.

Sometimes I get so confused as to how to put all of the Bible into my parenting. This book has been a GREAT help. She uses Psalm 127:1 as a framework for her book.....starting it out with the building the foundation and ending with installing locks and an alarm system. She does this in 2-3 page chapters, each beginning with 3+ verses that she is walking you through. She usually gives a life example, What Parents Can Do section, and a prayer for you and your children. Each chapter is quick and informative......you could choose to read it through or hit by topic as you need it.

WARNING: This is not for the lukewarm Christian. The suggestions she makes many times make me think......WOW......I am going to have to work on that before I can teach my children to be that way! She is radical, straight from scripture!

As with any book, there are times when I don't completely agree with her but overall this book has been a FANTASTIC resource.

GIVING THANKS!

Is there really anything I CAN'T give thanks for? Even if I wasn't called to give thanks in all situations, I still would be able to give thanks for ALL things in my life.

I do think that some things in life are both a blessing and a curse.....things that are enjoyable but pull me away from the thing that matters most....my God.

I AM BLESSED.

I feel like writing out SOME things I am thankful for......no matter how long I make this list it will still be condensed.....

1. FIRST and FOREMOST I am thankful that God chased me down.....that even though I never went looking for Him, he put all the right things in my life at the right time and the Holy Spirit changed me......that He deemed me worthy of sending his Son to die on the cross for my sins.
2. I am thankful for the most AMAZING family. While I know that you may have the most amazing family for YOU, I have the most AMAZING family for ME. He has given me just what I need.
3. I am thankful for a husband that loves me.
4. I am thankful for healthy children.
5. I am thankful that Josh has a job and that I can stay home with the kiddos.
5. I am thankful for the house He has given us.
6. I am thankful that every single day of my life I have had food to eat and even more that I have always had food for my children to eat.
7. I am thankful that we have a wonderful church home and a great group of people to fellowship with.
8. I am thankful that I have clothes to wear that are appropriate for every season and that I can clothe my children.
9. I am thankful that we have 2 vehicles (and I would still be thankful if we had only 1)
10. I am thankful that I have a computer and the ability to get on the Internet.
11. I am thankful that I have a sewing machine.
12. I am thankful that my parents are still married and their parents are still married. (my Dad's parents are both deceased but they were still married when they died)(how many people can say that?)(it is a legacy that I am committed to uphold as well)
13. I am thankful that I live in a country where I am free.
14. I am thankful that I have a Bible (actually an abundance of Bibles)
15. I am thankful for beautiful weather.
16. I am thankful for butterflies (they remind me of my spiritual self every time I see one)
17. I am thankful for clean, warm, running water in my home.
18. I am thankful for electricity.
19. I am thankful for washing machines and dishwashers.
20. I am thankful that Sam has every toy under the sun that she could ever dream of wanting to play with (ok, so I'm not so thankful for the ridiculous number but I am at least thankful that she has toys)

OK.....like I said.....the list could go on......I will spare you as I'm sure you stopped at #2......and I am sure I will post this and then think....."how could I not put that one"........but you can certainly tell that I am BLESSED!

*UPDATE* OK, I somehow managed to forget a VERY important one.
~I am thankful to have a to have a camera.

Keeping God in Smiles

As I drove away, child screaming in the rear of the car, I was struck by the connection. Is this not how God feels about His children?

Since becoming a parent I have constantly been amazed by the likeness of God’s love for us and our love for our children. This was certainly no accident on God’s part; knowing that most of His children would come to know the love in the heart of a parent; another opportunity to reveal himself all the more. No matter the amount of times I am reminded that God’s love for us far exceeds the love we have for our own children…..each time I am taken aback….delighted at the thought. The clarity in this connection is insurmountable.

As I strolled the aisles of Target, a battle began….a battle of wills. Sam was not getting her way and she was letting all know. Her shrieking, tears and all out drama were lost on no one. Choosing to spare the other shoppers, we made our way to the car where the battle spiraled out of control. Not even discipline could break this gal. Screams continued to flood the car for a good 20 minutes until she realized that her efforts were unsuccessful; falling on deaf ears(or so I made her believe).

It was during this screaming session that God whispered in my ear…..”this is you, my dear.” And so I began to associate my feelings for Sami to God’s feelings for me.

I realized that during all of this “fit throwing” I never once loved her any less…..in fact, that never even crossed my mind. However, I most assuredly was not enjoying her at the moment. Oh, how many times have I left God unable to enjoy his daughter?

And isn’t it the parent that cares for the child and guides and disciplines because they know best? Why is it that I am so arrogant to think that I know better than God? Why do we fight so hard for what we want when we know God is wiser? If I can take any hints from my daughter, it has something to do with a strong will.

I have to tell you that perspective has made all the difference once again. God will ALWAYS love me, no matter how foolish, arrogant and selfish I act. God may NOT always enjoy me! Off to work on keeping God in smiles!

Divine Appointment with Humilty!

I left the house this evening for a short trip to Wally World to get my papers and return a movie. I made it all the way to Walmart before realizing that I didn't have my wallet. This was not because I had left it at the house, it was because Josh had taken it out of my purse and had not returned it. Needless to say, I was not happy. In fact, I was thinking about how I was going to go about making him feel guilty for causing me so much trouble!

I turned around, grabbed my wallet and headed back to the store. After grabbing my papers I surveyed the check stands gambling on the "fastest" (which always ends up being the slowest for me) line. I chose a "self check out" stand. There was only one person in line in front of me so I figured it wouldn't take long. I was wrong. This lady owed $20 and was paying for it in dimes! Yes, you heard me right.....DIMES!

Josh still wasn't feeling well so I had promised him a quick trip. This really put a damper on that quick trip. I was standing there grumbling in my head about how ridiculous it was for her to come to a grocery store and pay with change......and why didn't she go through a regular line so that she didn't have to break open her rolls and feed each dime individually, how rude.......and didn't she have any consideration for anyone besides herself? Seriously.......when did I get like this?

The line started backing up behind me until people realized what was going on, started rolling their eyes and quickly searching for a new line. Once I saw how ridiculous these people looked.....getting so upset over a few minutes, my perspective changed.

I then began going through all of the reasons why she would be paying with change and remembered all the people from Galveston who had lost everything and evacuated to North Texas.....could she be one of them? I wondered if she was a single Mom doing all she could to get the necessities for her kids and this was all she had.

While my mind was swarming she turned ever so slightly and quietly said, "I'm sorry" with an obvious shame covering her like a black cloud.

My emotions overwhelmed me at this point as I touched her arm and told her not to worry about what anyone thinks. She turned and thanked me, telling me that they would not accept her coins in a regular line. My heart broke.....not even as much for the lady as at my arrogance and hardened heart!

When did I become so much about myself that I don't even stop to think about the fact that everyone else out there actually has a life and doesn't live to please me? That other people out there have lives that aren't always peachy?

Only seconds after we exchanged words did I have a chance to redeem my thoughts and display the grace of God. The change box must have become full. It quit taking her change when she had about $8 left to go. She just kept trying over and over to make it work......clearly beginning to panic. It was OBVIOUS that she needed whatever she was getting and did not know how to make that happen.

I told her not to worry about it.....to take her stuff and go. The mix of relief and shame poured out in her demeanor. She did NOT want to let me help her but she also knew there was no other way. She threw the rest of her change on the counter, apologizing profusely and thanking me.

I really did nothing for her. She didn't even give me the opportunity to pay the bill for her. She did something for me......she gave me the opportunity to see myself as sick and selfish as I truly am.

As I drove home, pondering how God had so clearly worked out the perfect timing for our meeting, I realized how perspective can change everything! I also thought through all of my arrogant comments while driving or shopping or attending events. I am constantly wondering why people are driving like idiots or are so rude and won't smile, etc. etc.......while never considering their circumstances.

I am resolving today to stop and think before I make judgements......to give everyone the benefit of the doubt......to shower everyone with the grace that God gives to each of us even though we don't deserve it! I pray that you will choose to do the same.

Expanding Judiciously

16 She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. ~ Proverbs 31:16 (Amplified)

I don't know about you, but I have never read this passage in this way. It has never occurred to me to think of it like this. I always thought it was talking about making wise financial decisions. The NASB reads, "16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard." While I am certain that is a topic of importance here, I do not think it is all there is to gain.

I am going to go out on a limb here and make a general assumption that mothers tend to put too much on their plate. Many times we feel that if something is "good" then we should do it, help with it, etc. I think this scripture gives us the answer to what we should take on and what we should not.

This Godly woman expands her activities wisely; making sure that taking on something new will not take away from the responsibilities with which she is currently involved. WOW! AND, on top of that, it also tells us that the activities she is involved in are fruitful because of the wise decisions she has made! Don't we all want our activities to be fruitful?

Can you imagine how effective the church would be if we all took on what God has apportioned for us? We would not have burned out ladies trying to do 5 different things being ineffective at all 5! I encourage you to find what God is calling you to do and do it.....allow everyone the opportunity to be fruitful! (this is just another way that God has designed the church as a body)

I would also like to encourage all of you SAHM's with small children. A large part of your portion is being at home, leading your child in the ways of the Lord. I think we sometimes feel like we are not doing enough if we are mostly just being a MOM but that is a lie straight from Satan. He wants us to fill ourselves with good stuff so that we don't have enough time or energy for the best stuff! You are fulfilling a ministry that many Mom's don't have the privilege of doing!

The Divine Switcharoo

We have a HUGE praise! It has been so amazing watching God work this out. We found a home for Foxy and have also found a new member for our family, Maddie.


At the beginning of the week I had someone contact me about adopting Foxy. (and this was the first inquiry that wasn't a scam....weird, I know) After a long exchange of e-mails we both felt comfortable with Foxy making her new home with her. She is a student at UNT and lives in an apartment......Foxy is an excellent apartment dog. She has another small dog so Foxy will have a friend to play with. We will be taking her tomorrow to drop her off. Oh my goodness this is going to be so hard but I feel soooo blessed that we were able to find her a good home where I know she will be loved and treated like a part of the family.

After finding Foxy a home I felt OK with looking for a new dog. BUT I am picky and didn't expect to find anything for quite some time. While we would have adopted from a rescue we didn't really want to. Our ideal situation was to find someone who had to give up their beloved pet for one reason or another. I wanted them to have had small children so we would know their temperament. Usually if you are able to find this situation they will give you all of their belongings which is a big deal for us because we have NO large dog stuff and that can be a fairly large expense. I knew it was going to be next to impossible to find this but we wanted to make a wise decision and this was what we felt would work out best for us. We also were really wanting to find a Golden Retriever because of their reputation with children, though I was quite nervous about the hair.

God has worked things out more perfectly than I could have planned!

While looking on Petfinder I found a classified for a golden/lab mix that sounded like the perfect dog for our family.

Maddie is a FANTASTIC family dog. Great with kids (even with my daughter when she was an infant) of all ages, and loves to be indoors. She is house trained, and is past the chewing/digging stage. Sadly, my husband received orders and we cannot take her on this move. She would do great with either elderly as an "inside" dog, or with a family with children. She thrives off of lots of attention, as she's in a home with a SAHM right now. Will accept any good homes, she must go soon, we move in the next few months. She will come with all of her things, including an Igloo and a travel kennel. Make me an offer!

I just knew she was going to be gone. I e-mailed the owner and lo and behold she was still available! Come to find out they have a little girl only a month younger than Samara and they had the dog while she was an an infant! This seemed too good to be true. BUT, they live in Abilene and I had no idea when we would have a chance to get there! I talked to Josh about it and guess what.....he was coming home through Abilene from his trip this week!!!! Seriously???? God most certainly heard all of the prayers for us! Thank you! It was so cool to tell Maddie's mommy that this was an answer to prayers and her e-mail back saying, "Praise the Lord, this is an answer to prayers for us as well!"

We are so excited! (and sad about Foxy). Josh is on his way home with Maddie right now so I will let you know how it is in a day or two!