Mid year check in.

My word for 2012 was FOCUS.  Little did I know how hard it would be.  It seems like this year has dissolved in an instant.  Life is moving at record speed, and I feel lost at times.  There have been some wonderful things happening, and I am thankful and blessed for each of those.  But I pray, that the next six months... I can do a better job of FOCUSing on what is most important.

My Personal Top Five:

1.  To give daily FOCUS to God in my prayers and devotions.

2.  To give FOCUS daily to continue to enrich and grow my marriage, and show my great love and appreciation to my husband.

3.  To FOCUS more intently on each child as a separate "soul" that needs to be fed and nourished with the love of God and His Word.

4.  To FOCUS on my health.  To make wise choices for my body.  (I need this!)

5.  To FOCUS in my choices of where to dedicate my time in order to fulfill my calling according to the talents He has given me.

My Home Top Five:

1.  To be more diligent with the education of my children and use our time wisely in order for each child to reach their fullest potential.  More hands on teaching!

2.  To use my time more efficiently to organize and manage my household and cleaning.

3.  To begin Mom or Dad date nights with the kids once a month.

4.  To better my "couponing" abilities and handle our finances in a more proficient way.

5.  To return to my love of scrapbooking/faithbooking in order to leave footprints of our heritage!

Grace

 What a beautiful and precious word.... Grace.

It covers me daily.

It allows me to sing praise.

It allows me to worship.

It allows me to know, how much HE loves me.

It reminds me that my past is covered.

It reminds me that my future is set.

It reminds me that there is always a way through the darkness.

It brings me peace.

It brings me hope.

It brings me to a place of surrender and praise to my King.

Grace............ what a beautiful and precious word!

Troubles...

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.  2 Corinthians 2:14
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. (Message)

Grasping the idea that I can truly overcome, and walk through any situation, because Jesus and the Holy Spirit have given me unlimited power, is difficult.  Somewhere between the knowing He can do all things, and that He has given me the ability to do what He has done or even greater.... well, it get's lost in my mind!

In following Christ, we are promised that we will also go through trials and struggles.  That we will struggle, because we live in a fallen world.  These types of things are inevitable.  One of my "pet peeves" are ministers who seem to teach that if you are following Jesus, everything is wonderful and perfect.  That my friend is just not true.

The amazing thing is not that we will never go through any struggles or troubles, but that Jesus walks with us in them, and that He has given us strength and power to "press on".  If we try to do it all in our strength, we will fail miserably.  But if we keep moving forward, listening for His voice and watching His ways, then we will be pleasantly surprised by what we find on the other side.

Sometimes it is the "other side" of the troubles and trials and hard places, that we find more joy, more grace, more faith, deeper growth... and the list goes on.  If we just quit, every time something is not going our way (or the way we think it should be going) oh what we will forfeit. 

Help me to keep going, when I feel like it is not worth the battle.  Help me to believe that You have given me power, that sometimes I can't even see or feel within myself.  Give me strength and courage to keep pressing on, until I get to the other side.  For the prize ahead is so much greater than my mind could ever conceive.  Amen

Happy Mother's Day

 "Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come."
"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

I will be honest, I have been so blessed all week.  My husband decided to do a week of mother's day!  So every day, I have received lovely gifts.  Just for me!  Things that spoke to my heart, my needs, my emotions...

I have seven wonderful children, two children in love, and one grandson (and grand baby on the way).  I am covering several stages of life all at once... it is a whirl ride of a time.  But one I wouldn't ever give up.  I have a 24 year old daughter (married) and a 20  year old son (married), my role in their life is so different, sometimes it is a blessing, and sometimes it is difficult.  Gone are the days when they listen to mom just because I AM the MOM.  But at this age, they make their path - good or bad.  For these two, I pray wisdom and God's grace.  Regardless of their age, this mom's prayers are never done.

Then I have an 18 year old daughter and a 17 year old daughter.  Two girls could never be so opposite as these two!  Being the mom of teen age girls with their feelings and heart on their sleeve is like walking through land mines.  Every day, sometimes every moment is different.  Prayers at this age, are sometimes easy, and then there are those gut wrenching, prayers of desperation.  You know the kind, the ones when you lay on the floor, snotty and red faced!  lol  Oh how I have had some of those nights.  But over the past year, I have seen so many of those prayers answered.  God has proven and assured me over and over again... He hears me and loves me and is going to answer.  The hard part, the REALLY hard part, is knowing that although they are "mine".... they really are His and He will do whatever He wants in HIS time.  Oh what grace and patience HE has on me. 

Then there is my 10 year old son, 8 year old son, and my 5 year old (bossy and prissy) little girl.  I love the prayers for these !  God lead them, love them, protect them, thank you for them, thank you for their life, their tears, their hugs and kisses.  Thank you for speaking to them while they are so young.  Thank you for leading their hearts to you at such tender ages.  I see God growing amazing and life changing "warriors" in these three.  I've had more time and more knowledge, more patience, understanding, and well... just about everything has been easier, only because God has taught me so much from my failures and successes with the older crew.  I love this age.  I love that God gave me a third "stair step" in our children!

I thank the Lord, every day that He has made me a mom.  I hope my older children know I did the best I could and followed the Lord, His Word, and my heart for them.  I love every one of them dearly.  I could not imagine my life with out any of them.  I hope they will have fond memories, even amongst the bitter sweet ones when I am gone.  Sheila, Shawn, Macaylin, and Amy.... I love you more than life.  My prayers for you are daily.  They remain always with you.  God can do mighty things with your lives, just allow Him to lead you!

For my Caden, Caleb and Cayla... may you know that you bring such joy.  Your lives will be a little different always, because of your brothers and sisters that grew up before you.  I will make mistakes still.  I will fail you at times.  But, I will always, ALWAYS, be there for you.  I pray for you daily.  That God continues to work in you NOW, every day, in every way, to bring you closer to Him.  May I be an even better mom in the days ahead, because I choose to walk closer  and closer to my "Daddy".

To all of my children, you will never know, what an honor it is for me, to be called - Mom, Mommy, Mama, and yes Shawn, even Maaaaaaa!  I love you, I love you, I love you!

Short Post

This is my story, this is my song, 
Praising my Savior, all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.


I am beyond thankful and blessed, that I have a story, and a song... and that it was written just for me by my Father.  He knows everything that was, that is, and that will be.   I love living this song as He writes it for me! 

Have a great weekend!!!!

Seeking Treasures

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

I choose to be a stay at home mom.  I choose to be a homeschooling mom.  I do not believe that everyone is called to do the same.   And I won't look down on others' that choose to work or send their kids to other places of learning.

But... I am concerned for those who choose to put anything above the biblical priorities of their home.

I love to be a mom.  I love to teach (most days).  I love to be there for every little thing.  I love being a wife.  I love seeing my husband and being his help meet. 

My treasure is found in my husbands touch, my children's hugs, my friends happiness, my churches ministries that reach others and save the lost.  These are the treasures that I seek.

Sometimes, I do have a pity party for myself.  What if I had a bigger house, a lawn keeper too!  Why can't I have a new car?  Why does living even "simple" seem to take so much of my sweet husbands income.  Why not......... new clothes, shopping sprees, awesome vacations, cool cars, manicured lawns, diamonds, gold, silver, perfume, well......... you see my point.

And much of these "things" I could have had, if not for my choices.  I believe God has given me every "good and perfect" gift.  I am loved and adored by my husband. He is my protector, my cheer leader, my best friend.  I have blessings galore that stem from our seven children.  I have a sweet grand-son.  I have so much that fills my treasure trunk........... and the best part of these treasures... I CAN take them with me! :)

My priorities were not always this clear, but as I have grown closer to God.  Loving, serving, teaching, praying, leading and all those wonderful things I get to do every day, mean more to me, and to eternity, than anything - ANYTHING, this world can offer. 

Thank you Daddy God, for these amazing and wonderful treasures you have placed before me.  I'm so thankful that I am still learning to do what You have called me to do, in my home and in these jewels lives.  May every step I take, every nose I wipe, every tear kissed away.... always remind me that my choice was the BEST, that You had for me.  I am so very grateful.

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

 The past few years have been filled with great highs, and some really deep lows.  Everything I "thought" about God and what He would "do" for me has been challenged.  I definitely would not "choose" to ever go through some of these times again, but I have found some basic truths that walked me through these times and will get me through the days ahead.

So what are these truths?

There IS a God.  Yes, there sure is!

He knows my name and everything that I am going through.

He will never leave me, not even for one moment.

Knowing these things have given me an amazing ability to "know that I know, that I know" regardless of what is going on in my life, HE holds it all, and will walk me through it all.

There are still times when I worry or stress.  I don't know of anyone who NEVER worries or stresses. Do you?  But all in all, after the initial panic fades, I have assurance that I am not alone.  In fact  God is probably closer to me than before I knew about the situation, because it has given me a greater need.  (Yes, often, we are allowed to face things, in order to draw us further and deeper in a relationship with Him.)

So, what have you learned about trusting God?  Do you know how much He truly loves you?

Father God, I am so thankful, that in spite of all the hard times I have or will face, that I have assurance You are beside me.  I know You hold all things in Your hands and that You want to bless me and prosper me with so many blessings.  Thank you for growing me in these times too!

Freedom....

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.  Psalm 119:32

Freedom is not... being able to indulge in all of your desires.  That is slavery to the world.  The world wants you and I to believe that we can HAVE anything we want.  Nothing is off limits, everything is for your pleasure, for your taking.  But that brings bondage.  Chains that are not easily broken, chains that hold us captive for years.

Real freedom only comes from God.  The God who loved us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us and free us from the chains of this world. 

Real freedom only comes from following God's commands.  His plan is so much bigger and greater and powerful than anything we could ever imagine for ourselves.  But there are "rules" to His plan.  His word is very specific about how we should live and what we should do.

God's word reveals all we need to live in freedom.  So why do we so easily become ensnared in all that this world offers?  Why is it so easy to walk any way but HIS way?

We have power within us, power from our Father, to give us the ability to be free.  There is no sacrifice to great... but then again, what we gain when we lay down the world... wow... you can not even imagine how free you will be.

One  more thing about freedom, It is saying, "I don't need anything, except what God gives me."  When we make this our passion, to only need and crave what God wants for us, we are free.  Free from the commercials, the images, the ads... free from what the world tells us we should possess, should look like, should strive for.... it is all in vain. 

Freedom is accepting every "good and perfect gift" from the Father, and knowing it is enough.  Freedom is knowing every step we take, following the footprints of our Savior, is taking us to places we would never have imagined.  Freedom is ....... FREE! 

Father, in a world calling out to me to buy into it's pleasures, may I stand strong and walk only in the paths of Your commands.  May my freedom come from knowing You give "good things" to your children.  May my freedom always be found in You.  Amen.

Empty Tomb

This morning was a glorious day!  A day to celebrate the Risen Savior of the World!  There is no other like Him.  None like Jesus.  No one will ever love us as much as He does.

Our youth performed a short drama during the service.  There were scenes from the life of Jesus through crucifixion and the resurrection.  Seeing these things, never fails to bring me to tears. 

Every day, I celebrate and am thankful to Jesus Christ who I worship and adore.  I think of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I think of His reign in heaven, and of the days that we will sit before His throne.  But, honestly, I do not think of His agony every day.

So today.... I remember how He prayed and sought answers, so deeply troubled that drops of blood ran.  I remember that He was betrayed by men who loved Him and served Him.  Men who walked with Him, and saw Him perform miracles.  I remember the beating - the torn flesh, the blood.  I remember the crown of thorns, it is so much harder to think of, than the crown He now wears!  I remember the sorrow, the thoughts of His mother, losing her son.  I remember the cross, the nails, the pierced side.... I remember.

I think of the tomb that His body was laid in.  The stone rolled closed, the guard.  I think of the angel's message, the stone rolled away, the empty tomb where He had been.  I think of the rejoicing of the women, who saw Jesus resurrected.  I think of the joy... the JOY!  Joy in knowing He is alive.  The Joy in knowing He kept His promises!  The Joy in knowing I serve a risen Savior.

I am humbled that He did it all for me.  Just me.  No one else.  Yet, everyone else.  Just YOU! 

Today, I remember, I celebrate the One who gave His all for me.  Oh how great the love for us He gives.

Happy Easter.  Always remember.  Always be joyful!  Always know He loves you so very much.

Thank you Jesus, for Your sweet and precious sacrifice.  Thank you,  that you loved JUST ME, enough to die on a cross and suffer so much.  I am humbled by your grace.  May I be worthy of your suffering.  May I be worthy of your death.  And may I celebrate in knowing that it was You who provided a way for me.  You are my salvation!  I serve a mighty, risen Savior!  And He knows my name!

My Portion

The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.  Lamentations 3:24

I have spent years seeking what would fill me.  I have spent time seeking the things of the world, things that were not good for me.  I've spent time seeking after things that were not necessarily bad, but were not what God had in store for me.  And I've spent time seeking after that "one thing" that  my heart longed for.

I am so thankful that God didn't allow me to settle for those things that were less than what He had prepared for me.  I'm so thankful that I have continued to seek after God.  He has done so much for me.  He is my portion.  With Him filling my life, consuming me, giving life and breath to me, I am in need of nothing else.  He in deed is my portion.

The past few months, God has been calling me, and pursuing me in such sweet ways.  I have longed for Him and a greater filling of what He had for me.  I have spent time in prayer and time in worship.  I have followed Him waiting for the time I was prepared for what was to come.  So lovingly and so gently, He has been filling me little by little.  He has become my portion in every way.

God has granted me time in His presence. He has restored my heart, my joy, my peace.  He has given the Holy Spirit to provide me sweet filling that none other can.  My heart is fixed on Him.  I have never been in a place like this in my life.  I desire more and more...

What is so amazing... is that He continues to have more and more to give.  He is my filling portion... and as I seek after Him, spend time with Him, cultivate my relationship with Him... He continues to be my portion.

All consuming Father, thank you for always being the Portion I need.  Thank you for the life you are breathing into me.  Thank you for the newness of every moment spent with You.  May I seek after you, and find you, yet still strive to find even more... You are my everything.