It has been way to long since I blogged. I have had one crazy few months. I could almost sell tickets to my "amusement roller coaster" world ; )
But...thanks be to God alone, on this whirlwind, He has continued to be faithful and has blessed me beyond what I deserve. That is True Love....Amazing Love!
I am looking back and seeing the joy that He has brought me in the last months. He has not let me forget that He loves me and that He is in total control of every situation, complication, interruption, and sees all of my tears, my heart ache, my discouragement. My El Roi sees it all. He knows my life, every detail that has been, every detail that is and every detail that is still to come. I have had to learn to grasp that even tighter. Am I am pro at it...NOPE, but I am a work in progress and can see that when I have clung to Him and His Word, that peace, right smack dab in the middle of the storm, has captured me. The "peace that surpasses all understanding" has kept me. So, why do I still continue to struggle or panic or fret..... because I am still learning to completely trust Him with my everyday life and with my everyday craziness. He knows that, and He, My Ebenezer, will not give up on me. My heart just goes all leapingly excited at that!!!!
I know that there is a bumpy road still to travel and that I will get side tracked...but...knowing where the road I am on leads, I will press on! My PORTION FOREVER is waiting for me.
God is Good!! Have a wonderful day in the LORD! Hope to write more soon.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Friday, November 30, 2012
Blessings in Unexpected Places
This has been one crazy emotional wild month, or two or three or maybe four, for my family. WOW! I feel like a crazy lady some days :)
There has been wedding plans, school plans, redoing school plans, work craziness, and yes, even church busyness.... and then the unexpected shows up. My mind is still trying to catch up with it all.
But here's the thing...in the midst of all of this wild crazy stuff, God has placed huge blessings in my life, even in the unexpected places. Places I would have never looked or even want to take a gander at. Here's a little of what has made my mind a tad crazy :)
HUGE BLESSING......
Tomorrow, my 22 yr old son is marrying the wife that God created and saved for him. Two beautiful people that God formed for each other. If you know these two, you know exactly what I mean. This is a beautiful thing for me. My baby boy is leaving his mother to cleave to his bride. WOW! My heart leaps everytime I think about it. I am so crazy blessed by this. Can you tell???
Now, for the unexpected....
In the middle of these wedding plans, there has been pain in the lives of two of my daughters.
One who, though her pain, has grown in trusting in her LORD as her Father. Before, she could never grip Him as Father for so many reasons due to her earthly idea of daddy. Praise God for this! It is only something God could have done through her circumstance. Easy, not at all, but overjoyed at what He allowed her to overcome! YAY!!! Still has a journey, but she understands Who she is journeying with now :)
The other daughter, is facing a complete life change, one that she never believed she would have to face the way she is. Did she fall down and grieve, yes. Did she repent, yes. Is her life still changing, yes. Will she press on, yes!!! Will the blessings flow, yes!! The situation was completely unexpected for all of us for sure. But the blessings to come....WOW!
I know that some of you reading this know the things I am writing about and I thank you for your friendship and continuous prayer. Many of you know the situation in the life of one or both of my girls and your unconditional love for them and for me is a gift that I cherish daily!
So as I look back over the craziness....the interruptions and unplanned, unexpected circumstances, I SEE MY GOD IN ALL OF IT. Waiting to bless us, waiting for us to cling to Him, waiting to hold us close as we cry in our storm and rejoicing with us in the morning! How can I know be inlove with my KING!!
MY GOD IS ENOUGH! That feels so wonderful to say. Go ahead, say it out loud. I think you want to :)
There has been wedding plans, school plans, redoing school plans, work craziness, and yes, even church busyness.... and then the unexpected shows up. My mind is still trying to catch up with it all.
But here's the thing...in the midst of all of this wild crazy stuff, God has placed huge blessings in my life, even in the unexpected places. Places I would have never looked or even want to take a gander at. Here's a little of what has made my mind a tad crazy :)
HUGE BLESSING......
Tomorrow, my 22 yr old son is marrying the wife that God created and saved for him. Two beautiful people that God formed for each other. If you know these two, you know exactly what I mean. This is a beautiful thing for me. My baby boy is leaving his mother to cleave to his bride. WOW! My heart leaps everytime I think about it. I am so crazy blessed by this. Can you tell???
Now, for the unexpected....
In the middle of these wedding plans, there has been pain in the lives of two of my daughters.
One who, though her pain, has grown in trusting in her LORD as her Father. Before, she could never grip Him as Father for so many reasons due to her earthly idea of daddy. Praise God for this! It is only something God could have done through her circumstance. Easy, not at all, but overjoyed at what He allowed her to overcome! YAY!!! Still has a journey, but she understands Who she is journeying with now :)
The other daughter, is facing a complete life change, one that she never believed she would have to face the way she is. Did she fall down and grieve, yes. Did she repent, yes. Is her life still changing, yes. Will she press on, yes!!! Will the blessings flow, yes!! The situation was completely unexpected for all of us for sure. But the blessings to come....WOW!
I know that some of you reading this know the things I am writing about and I thank you for your friendship and continuous prayer. Many of you know the situation in the life of one or both of my girls and your unconditional love for them and for me is a gift that I cherish daily!
So as I look back over the craziness....the interruptions and unplanned, unexpected circumstances, I SEE MY GOD IN ALL OF IT. Waiting to bless us, waiting for us to cling to Him, waiting to hold us close as we cry in our storm and rejoicing with us in the morning! How can I know be inlove with my KING!!
MY GOD IS ENOUGH! That feels so wonderful to say. Go ahead, say it out loud. I think you want to :)
Friday, November 2, 2012
Season of Grace
This last month as been quite a journey for my family. We have shed tears, became angry, repentant, loving and healed...still being healed :)
Just a few weeks ago, my world as a mom was rocked quite a bit by the news from my daughter. My beautiful daughter who loves the LORD so much was broken. Her heart was broken over something and I immediately remembered that same heartbreak. At that moment, God reminded me what He had done for me during my time. He held me close, even when I just wanted to shut down and run, give up and almost make the most tragic mistake of my life. Something I would have carried for years. PRAISE GOD for His intervention. It literally saved a life that day :)
So, as I let all of this soak in, I still have those tearful moments that a mommy heart will have, but it is followed by moments of joy and excitement over the new joy that is coming.
No matter what comes our way, we are held by a mighty hand that will not let me or my children go. NEVER...HE PROMISED!! That alone makes my heart overflow with hope. We belong to Him...because of Christ, we are overcomers!
Kay Arthur said something that really touched my heart....she said "there is always light that follows darkness, there is always day that follows night". So, even in this difficult, crazy time, His grace will be sufficient for us because we are clinging to the hope of our calling as a children of the LIGHT. Nothing else can hold me, or my beautiful child. Nothing, not even a situation or circumstance, can change who we are in our precious Jesus!!
His Grace holds us!
Just a few weeks ago, my world as a mom was rocked quite a bit by the news from my daughter. My beautiful daughter who loves the LORD so much was broken. Her heart was broken over something and I immediately remembered that same heartbreak. At that moment, God reminded me what He had done for me during my time. He held me close, even when I just wanted to shut down and run, give up and almost make the most tragic mistake of my life. Something I would have carried for years. PRAISE GOD for His intervention. It literally saved a life that day :)
So, as I let all of this soak in, I still have those tearful moments that a mommy heart will have, but it is followed by moments of joy and excitement over the new joy that is coming.
No matter what comes our way, we are held by a mighty hand that will not let me or my children go. NEVER...HE PROMISED!! That alone makes my heart overflow with hope. We belong to Him...because of Christ, we are overcomers!
Kay Arthur said something that really touched my heart....she said "there is always light that follows darkness, there is always day that follows night". So, even in this difficult, crazy time, His grace will be sufficient for us because we are clinging to the hope of our calling as a children of the LIGHT. Nothing else can hold me, or my beautiful child. Nothing, not even a situation or circumstance, can change who we are in our precious Jesus!!
His Grace holds us!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Constant Encouragement
This morning, I took my daughter to her first class of Art Enrichment and while I was there, I met a sweet mom. She too has an older child that she is homeschooling. What a blessing!
I think one of the hardest things for me in homeschooling, above curriculum choices, the ability to do this, or even the planning, has been finding moms with older kids that could understand the pressure of homeschooling teens.
At one time, I had a mom of younger children tell me she didn't want to talk about high school homeschooling because hers were still to young. I understood her point, but at that time, I needed to vent. I needed someone who just gets it!! Not the homeschooling part, but the teen part...ha ha!
Since then.....and even before then
God has blessed me with moms of junior high and high school homeschoolers who understand the pressure of not only homeschooling, but of teenagers in general. YIKES!!! So, we pray for each other continuously...whew! That is a lot of praying ; )
Being a mom of a teen is not an easy task, but there is so many blessings that far outweigh the hormones and frustrations. Sometimes, (who am I kidding)... a lot of the time, God uses these other moms to encourage me, nudge me and down right tell me to chill and let God do His thing! I need all of this, and I know they need the same.
Some of our struggles are similar and some are different, but all require encouragement that can only come from our DADDY in Heaven! He uses these moms as His hands and feet :)
It is warfare when we do what God wants us to do, satan is not happy about us homeschooling and teaching our kids how to live from Christ's viewpoint and not how the world wants us to.
So I leave you with this verse, one that speaks daily to my heart:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12
Know your foe and know your Victor. Rest in Him, who called you and Who will sustain you.
"Be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might"
Love you all!!
I think one of the hardest things for me in homeschooling, above curriculum choices, the ability to do this, or even the planning, has been finding moms with older kids that could understand the pressure of homeschooling teens.
At one time, I had a mom of younger children tell me she didn't want to talk about high school homeschooling because hers were still to young. I understood her point, but at that time, I needed to vent. I needed someone who just gets it!! Not the homeschooling part, but the teen part...ha ha!
Since then.....and even before then
God has blessed me with moms of junior high and high school homeschoolers who understand the pressure of not only homeschooling, but of teenagers in general. YIKES!!! So, we pray for each other continuously...whew! That is a lot of praying ; )
Being a mom of a teen is not an easy task, but there is so many blessings that far outweigh the hormones and frustrations. Sometimes, (who am I kidding)... a lot of the time, God uses these other moms to encourage me, nudge me and down right tell me to chill and let God do His thing! I need all of this, and I know they need the same.
Some of our struggles are similar and some are different, but all require encouragement that can only come from our DADDY in Heaven! He uses these moms as His hands and feet :)
It is warfare when we do what God wants us to do, satan is not happy about us homeschooling and teaching our kids how to live from Christ's viewpoint and not how the world wants us to.
So I leave you with this verse, one that speaks daily to my heart:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12
Know your foe and know your Victor. Rest in Him, who called you and Who will sustain you.
"Be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might"
Love you all!!
Friday, August 24, 2012
The ONE Who Steadies my Heart!
I am blessed by what my LORD has done for me. He has just kept pouring out His love all over me even when I just wanted to sit and sulk.
There has been a lot these past few weeks, from small mishaps and set backs to huge disappointment and a down right crisis. One that blew me away......but...you know what. God has been so present right there with me steadying my heart and keeping my focus on Him and not the circumstance.
My enemy has not wasted any time and has sent his darts by using "mean" hurtful people to salt the wound.... and immediately, God counters by literally putting someone who had GRACE written all over them to encourage me or to just let me lay my head down on their shoulder and cry. THIS IS THE GOD I LOVE!!!
I have been studying Ephesians with some down right fantastic ladies for a few weeks. We have been on a journey through this study learning deeper about Spiritual Warfare and the tactics our enemy uses to thwart our focus. Each time, he throws a blow meant to tear us down, Our Ancient of Days is there to knock him out of the way and pick us up to continue pressing on. Think of the prize at the end of our race. Makes my heart pitter patter all over the place!!
Not one time are we told we won't battle. Not one time are we told we will have it easy. Not one time are we told to give up! Ephesians tells us to "take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, having done everything to stand firm." STAND FIRM! HOLD FAST! If we were not going to struggle, then why would we need to know how to stand? We will have battles, we will have warfare. WE DO HAVE THE VICTORY! Satan appears to win at times, doesn't he? Well, if you are a child of the KING, he can't defeat you! He thought he had won when the stone rolled in front of the tomb.....wow....3 days later, he knew he was outdone! AMEN!!
I know that there are so many of us with these enemy attacks looming and jabbing. I know we will have those until Jesus comes for us. The Hope of Glory that lines my heart, steadies my heart is the only constant immovable love that causes me to stand and face the same direction....because I am keeping my eye on the "author and perfecter" of my faith. He inspires me....literally inspires me to not look back, but to keep my mind and my eyes on the forever He has waiting for me. So, I am pressing on.
I am praying for all of you and praying that you can see the "Light that shines in dark places". Keep your head up. He is coming back for us!
"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might" Ephesians 6:10
If you get a minute, listen to this song below. I hope it blesses you!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJi_7f1cpbk
There has been a lot these past few weeks, from small mishaps and set backs to huge disappointment and a down right crisis. One that blew me away......but...you know what. God has been so present right there with me steadying my heart and keeping my focus on Him and not the circumstance.
My enemy has not wasted any time and has sent his darts by using "mean" hurtful people to salt the wound.... and immediately, God counters by literally putting someone who had GRACE written all over them to encourage me or to just let me lay my head down on their shoulder and cry. THIS IS THE GOD I LOVE!!!
I have been studying Ephesians with some down right fantastic ladies for a few weeks. We have been on a journey through this study learning deeper about Spiritual Warfare and the tactics our enemy uses to thwart our focus. Each time, he throws a blow meant to tear us down, Our Ancient of Days is there to knock him out of the way and pick us up to continue pressing on. Think of the prize at the end of our race. Makes my heart pitter patter all over the place!!
Not one time are we told we won't battle. Not one time are we told we will have it easy. Not one time are we told to give up! Ephesians tells us to "take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, having done everything to stand firm." STAND FIRM! HOLD FAST! If we were not going to struggle, then why would we need to know how to stand? We will have battles, we will have warfare. WE DO HAVE THE VICTORY! Satan appears to win at times, doesn't he? Well, if you are a child of the KING, he can't defeat you! He thought he had won when the stone rolled in front of the tomb.....wow....3 days later, he knew he was outdone! AMEN!!
I know that there are so many of us with these enemy attacks looming and jabbing. I know we will have those until Jesus comes for us. The Hope of Glory that lines my heart, steadies my heart is the only constant immovable love that causes me to stand and face the same direction....because I am keeping my eye on the "author and perfecter" of my faith. He inspires me....literally inspires me to not look back, but to keep my mind and my eyes on the forever He has waiting for me. So, I am pressing on.
I am praying for all of you and praying that you can see the "Light that shines in dark places". Keep your head up. He is coming back for us!
"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might" Ephesians 6:10
If you get a minute, listen to this song below. I hope it blesses you!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJi_7f1cpbk
Thursday, August 2, 2012
There is Rest for the Weary-Followed by Joy for the KING!
I am so excited about yesterday. God just kept pouring out the blessings at the same time, binding up the enemy from stealing the moments!
The day started with something wonderful for my 15 yr old. Totally God!! AMEN!!
Then my three daughters and myself had some amazing hang time, we ate, we laughed, we drove and laughed some more. Then we visited with my daddy and he was making us laugh more! What a joy!!
We then headed to church for Wednesday night time! LOVED IT!!
Yesterday was my first day back from Sabbatical and God was pouring out the joy!!
Let me tell you, my heart was beating so fast with excitement. I was back to lead Calvary Kids again after a beautiful rest!
I met two new boys last night, and they were a huge gift. At the end of the night, after the teaching, application and worship, they told me it was the best time they have had at church. When I was walking them over to childcare, one of them said "can we just hang out with you some more?"
My heart melted. My God was giving me the assurance that I was ready to be back. I am still tearing up hearing those words from this 4th grade boy...yes 4th grade boy! What a joy!!!
So, I am back, not with a full plate, but back doing what God has given me to do. His way, for His Glory!
I have not taken on huge leadership positions, but have stayed with my roots....in the room, talking Jesus with Calvary kids! I am looking forward to this year. I am looking forward to what God has in store for me, for my family, and my ministry to both my own girls and to kids at Calvary. I know that this rest was what God planned for me to do, as hard as it was, I rested in obedience to Him. So, I know He has huge Kingdom work for me both at home and at church. He knew I needed to rest and get prepared for the next lap of "this race He has set before me".
So, I am running it with endurance knowing Who has the Victory!
Have a blessed day in the LORD!!!
The day started with something wonderful for my 15 yr old. Totally God!! AMEN!!
Then my three daughters and myself had some amazing hang time, we ate, we laughed, we drove and laughed some more. Then we visited with my daddy and he was making us laugh more! What a joy!!
We then headed to church for Wednesday night time! LOVED IT!!
Yesterday was my first day back from Sabbatical and God was pouring out the joy!!
Let me tell you, my heart was beating so fast with excitement. I was back to lead Calvary Kids again after a beautiful rest!
I met two new boys last night, and they were a huge gift. At the end of the night, after the teaching, application and worship, they told me it was the best time they have had at church. When I was walking them over to childcare, one of them said "can we just hang out with you some more?"
My heart melted. My God was giving me the assurance that I was ready to be back. I am still tearing up hearing those words from this 4th grade boy...yes 4th grade boy! What a joy!!!
So, I am back, not with a full plate, but back doing what God has given me to do. His way, for His Glory!
I have not taken on huge leadership positions, but have stayed with my roots....in the room, talking Jesus with Calvary kids! I am looking forward to this year. I am looking forward to what God has in store for me, for my family, and my ministry to both my own girls and to kids at Calvary. I know that this rest was what God planned for me to do, as hard as it was, I rested in obedience to Him. So, I know He has huge Kingdom work for me both at home and at church. He knew I needed to rest and get prepared for the next lap of "this race He has set before me".
So, I am running it with endurance knowing Who has the Victory!
Have a blessed day in the LORD!!!
Monday, July 23, 2012
"Quiet" Time- Really?
"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
A few years ago, I began to ask God to help me plan a better quiet time. I desired to do it in the morning, I actually felt deeply about that being the time...but how?!... instead, I would get up to late, wanting those extra minutes of sleep and would find myself later trying to do it at work, or when I got home and all of the "hungry ones" were chomping at the bids for food!!! I know a lot of you feel me on this :)
My plan just wasn't taking off to well.
So, here's how He accomplished it:
First, He needed to remind me that He is the One who works out time. He sets it up, He has total control over it. I needed to stop trying to "fit Him in".
Second, He had to show me that my quiet time was not the deep digging that I do for Precept. He just wanted me to sit with Him, read His Word, meditate and have a "heart to heart" with Him. In my mind, I was at the point where everytime I opened His word, I thought I needed to dive in like I was preparing a lesson, which is why I was having such a hard time in the morning having my "quiet time". I kept missing that quiet meant resting in Him and in His word.
Third, He again had to show me that I could not just fit this time into some moment during the day that was convenient for me. I realized that somedays.... (who am I kidding)....most days, that time did not come. I am a single mom, work full time, homeschool, helping to plan a wedding for my son....see my issue?
FINALLY.... I GOT IT!!! With a lot of nudging from the Holy Spirit :)
SO..
This month, I have been waking up, rolling out of bed, going right to the desk beside my bed, turning on my lamp, opening my Bible and having that quiet, restful, beautiful, amazing heart to heart with my KING before I even begin getting ready for work. He WANTS this time with me. His word says He delights in it. WOW! He delights in that time with me. This makes my heart beat so fast!
Here is the cool part, I work from 5am to 5pm, so I have been waking up at 3:17am (not sure what that is the exact time- ...hmm) and eagerly grasping this time with Him before my day begins.
My days have been better, my mind has been clearer to hear Him on so much that I didn't seem to hear Him on before. Including a mission trip...but that's another blog :) and I have this peace about what may or may not come.
He made a way for me. In the early morning hours, when it is literally so quiet in my house. GOD IS GOOD! I am not tired or sleepy from not getting those extra "minutes" of sleep. I am actually pumped and ready for what the day and my enemy has to bring. I have my Sword! PRAISE GOD!
Nothing is impossible with God. I have seen it through the details of my son's wedding, homeschool planning, my sabbatical and through the lives of so many and now from this time that He has set up for our morning time together. Believe me, early morning quiet time seemed very impossible just a month ago.
He continues to remind me to have faith in what He is doing in my life and to let it inspire me to be the one He has made me to be in all aspects of my life and the lives of my kiddos. It feels pretty great!
My days are far from perfect, but for some reason, they seem less crazy. Hmm... ; )
LOVING MY KING!!!
A few years ago, I began to ask God to help me plan a better quiet time. I desired to do it in the morning, I actually felt deeply about that being the time...but how?!... instead, I would get up to late, wanting those extra minutes of sleep and would find myself later trying to do it at work, or when I got home and all of the "hungry ones" were chomping at the bids for food!!! I know a lot of you feel me on this :)
My plan just wasn't taking off to well.
So, here's how He accomplished it:
First, He needed to remind me that He is the One who works out time. He sets it up, He has total control over it. I needed to stop trying to "fit Him in".
Second, He had to show me that my quiet time was not the deep digging that I do for Precept. He just wanted me to sit with Him, read His Word, meditate and have a "heart to heart" with Him. In my mind, I was at the point where everytime I opened His word, I thought I needed to dive in like I was preparing a lesson, which is why I was having such a hard time in the morning having my "quiet time". I kept missing that quiet meant resting in Him and in His word.
Third, He again had to show me that I could not just fit this time into some moment during the day that was convenient for me. I realized that somedays.... (who am I kidding)....most days, that time did not come. I am a single mom, work full time, homeschool, helping to plan a wedding for my son....see my issue?
FINALLY.... I GOT IT!!! With a lot of nudging from the Holy Spirit :)
SO..
This month, I have been waking up, rolling out of bed, going right to the desk beside my bed, turning on my lamp, opening my Bible and having that quiet, restful, beautiful, amazing heart to heart with my KING before I even begin getting ready for work. He WANTS this time with me. His word says He delights in it. WOW! He delights in that time with me. This makes my heart beat so fast!
Here is the cool part, I work from 5am to 5pm, so I have been waking up at 3:17am (not sure what that is the exact time- ...hmm) and eagerly grasping this time with Him before my day begins.
My days have been better, my mind has been clearer to hear Him on so much that I didn't seem to hear Him on before. Including a mission trip...but that's another blog :) and I have this peace about what may or may not come.
He made a way for me. In the early morning hours, when it is literally so quiet in my house. GOD IS GOOD! I am not tired or sleepy from not getting those extra "minutes" of sleep. I am actually pumped and ready for what the day and my enemy has to bring. I have my Sword! PRAISE GOD!
Nothing is impossible with God. I have seen it through the details of my son's wedding, homeschool planning, my sabbatical and through the lives of so many and now from this time that He has set up for our morning time together. Believe me, early morning quiet time seemed very impossible just a month ago.
He continues to remind me to have faith in what He is doing in my life and to let it inspire me to be the one He has made me to be in all aspects of my life and the lives of my kiddos. It feels pretty great!
My days are far from perfect, but for some reason, they seem less crazy. Hmm... ; )
LOVING MY KING!!!
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