I've seen and heard so many things lately that have saddened me and also caused me to really think about what it means to be a child of God. I sometimes think it's easy for us to forget just how holy Christ was when He walked on this earth and that the reason those who were saved after His death were first called Christians was because they were seen as being Christ-like. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always do a good job of that. And I don't believe that in any way changes my salvation, but I do think it can change my witness to others and my personal fellowship with God.
I may get around one day to writing about some of the specific things that have bothered me recently, but for now I'll just share these verses that the Lord has kept bringing to my mind the past few days. I pray that us who are truly saved will choose to take these verses to heart, allow God to show us what they should mean in our own lives, and then be strong enough to do it. I'm thinking the next time someone asks why our family does or doesn't do certain things I'll just remember to tell them this.....
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority....."
It's not always easy and definitely not popular these days, but I want to be more willing to be peculiar for the Saviour who gave Himself for me. And maybe, just maybe someone else will want to know more about Him because of it. But at the very least it will also show how grateful I am to God for that amazing grace that brought me salvation, which I am so unworthy of. And if that means not fitting in either with the world or even other believers, then I want to be brave enough to do it anyway. For Him.
September 29, 2011
September 23, 2011
Pie, Movie, and Birthday Celebration!
It's Blake's birthday! And we're celebrating with a homemade lemon icebox pie and then going to watch the Dolphin Tale movie when he gets off work.
Ten years ago we spent this day together for the first time and here we are 9 years of marriage and 3 kids later celebrating again!
We called and sang him a special birthday song earlier, Delancey is decorating up the table, and Dathan's making a card. They're having so much fun making it a special day for him!
So here's to a Happy Birthday for Blake and hoping that he has many more for us to celebrate together. I'll be sure to post some pictures later so ya'll can see all the fun!
Ten years ago we spent this day together for the first time and here we are 9 years of marriage and 3 kids later celebrating again!
We called and sang him a special birthday song earlier, Delancey is decorating up the table, and Dathan's making a card. They're having so much fun making it a special day for him!
So here's to a Happy Birthday for Blake and hoping that he has many more for us to celebrate together. I'll be sure to post some pictures later so ya'll can see all the fun!
September 15, 2011
Things I Love {Thursday}
I have a confession about this Thursday post......I get so excited writing about the things I love so much around here that I just had to get a head start this time! I've been updating as I go so I won't forget any of the fun and crazy moments in our family that happens daily. 'Cause you know after 3 kids the memory part of your brain just doesn't function the same anymore for some reason! :) But anyway now that I have that off my chest, here goes the list of things I love for this week.......
~ Running foot races in the backyard with the kids. (and realizing that it won't be too long until they can actually outrun me!)
~ Watching Dathan play flag football and have fun doing it.
~ Having serious conversations with the kids about important things and seeing them really "get it".
~ Darcey learning how to "rock-a-bye" her baby doll and her bringing it to me so I can do it to both of them.
~ Getting back rubs from Blake cause I'm hurting....without even having to ask.
~ Hearing good news from a friend about something we're praying for her about.
~ Sharing the only slice of lemon icebox pie with my sweet husband.....and him giving me the last bite. :)
~ Watching Darcey decide to just take off with her walking all of a sudden.....and hearing her laugh because she's so excited about it!
~ Me and the kiddos eating supper, going to the park and visiting with Grandma.....and hearing her say it made her day better.
~ Feeling God deal with my heart over things I need to change and knowing that it means I'm His and He loves me and wants what's best for me.
~ Several hours of uninterrupted sleep last night! (which is a RARE occurrence around here I assure you)
~ Looking forward to another chance to volunteer at Choose Life again today!
Well, there's my list! Now it's your turn......what things are you loving this week? Be sure to leave a comment and share them! :-)
~ Running foot races in the backyard with the kids. (and realizing that it won't be too long until they can actually outrun me!)
~ Watching Dathan play flag football and have fun doing it.
~ Having serious conversations with the kids about important things and seeing them really "get it".
~ Darcey learning how to "rock-a-bye" her baby doll and her bringing it to me so I can do it to both of them.
~ Getting back rubs from Blake cause I'm hurting....without even having to ask.
~ Hearing good news from a friend about something we're praying for her about.
~ Sharing the only slice of lemon icebox pie with my sweet husband.....and him giving me the last bite. :)
~ Watching Darcey decide to just take off with her walking all of a sudden.....and hearing her laugh because she's so excited about it!
~ Me and the kiddos eating supper, going to the park and visiting with Grandma.....and hearing her say it made her day better.
~ Feeling God deal with my heart over things I need to change and knowing that it means I'm His and He loves me and wants what's best for me.
~ Several hours of uninterrupted sleep last night! (which is a RARE occurrence around here I assure you)
~ Looking forward to another chance to volunteer at Choose Life again today!
Well, there's my list! Now it's your turn......what things are you loving this week? Be sure to leave a comment and share them! :-)
September 11, 2011
On This Day....
I'm sure there have been many things that have occurred on the twenty-nine different September eleventh days I've had in my lifetime. Some that I simply can't recall and some that will always be remembered vividly.
Ten years ago today I was a nineteen year old young lady who still lived at home with my parents. I was dating a young man who would eventually become my husband and he was hours away at college when we first heard the horrible news that our country had been attacked. I can't say that everything about that day is totally clear in my memory but I do know that there was shock, fear, and disbelief as we realized what had happened. I waited anxiously to be able to talk to Blake and meanwhile just watched the news while crying and praying with my family.
Life did go on for us after that day and I guess to be honest in some ways it was easy to forget the seriousness of it rather quickly since the loss didn't directly affect our daily lives. It wasn't that I didn't grieve for what this meant to our nation or worry what it might mean for our future, but I also probably didn't allow it to cause me to turn to God like I could or should have after the initial shock had worn off.
The following years have brought many changes and experiences on this date which have sometimes taken precedence over the anniversary of what happened on that day in 2001. But as we spent the morning here at home, watching the memorial service, hearing names of those that were lost read, and talking to the kids about something that happened before they were even born......we remembered. Not only the events that took place on this morning ten years ago, but also how much we still need to seek the Lord for mercy and grace. In our own family. And for our nation. May God help us to never forget how important that is.
So on this day in 2011 I am more thankful than I can say for freedom, family, friends, faithfulness, and the footsteps of our baby girl as she finally let go and walked all around the house. There are good memories mixed in with those that are sad and I want to remember that there's a purpose for both. Many verses came to mind as we thought and read today, but I'll just share a couple of them with you. Although they are familiar the words still touch my heart every time I hear them.
If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.......a time to born, and a time to die......a time to weep, and a time to laugh......a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiates 3)
May God grant us all His perfect peace tonight as we rest in the assurance that He has everything under control. Today, this day 10 years ago, and however many more "this days" we have left.
Ten years ago today I was a nineteen year old young lady who still lived at home with my parents. I was dating a young man who would eventually become my husband and he was hours away at college when we first heard the horrible news that our country had been attacked. I can't say that everything about that day is totally clear in my memory but I do know that there was shock, fear, and disbelief as we realized what had happened. I waited anxiously to be able to talk to Blake and meanwhile just watched the news while crying and praying with my family.
Life did go on for us after that day and I guess to be honest in some ways it was easy to forget the seriousness of it rather quickly since the loss didn't directly affect our daily lives. It wasn't that I didn't grieve for what this meant to our nation or worry what it might mean for our future, but I also probably didn't allow it to cause me to turn to God like I could or should have after the initial shock had worn off.
The following years have brought many changes and experiences on this date which have sometimes taken precedence over the anniversary of what happened on that day in 2001. But as we spent the morning here at home, watching the memorial service, hearing names of those that were lost read, and talking to the kids about something that happened before they were even born......we remembered. Not only the events that took place on this morning ten years ago, but also how much we still need to seek the Lord for mercy and grace. In our own family. And for our nation. May God help us to never forget how important that is.
So on this day in 2011 I am more thankful than I can say for freedom, family, friends, faithfulness, and the footsteps of our baby girl as she finally let go and walked all around the house. There are good memories mixed in with those that are sad and I want to remember that there's a purpose for both. Many verses came to mind as we thought and read today, but I'll just share a couple of them with you. Although they are familiar the words still touch my heart every time I hear them.
If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.......a time to born, and a time to die......a time to weep, and a time to laugh......a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiates 3)
May God grant us all His perfect peace tonight as we rest in the assurance that He has everything under control. Today, this day 10 years ago, and however many more "this days" we have left.
September 8, 2011
Things I Love {Thursday}
It's Thursday! And I'm super excited to be sharing some things I'm just crazy about around here. The hard part will be limiting myself to only a few! :-) Here we go and I hope you enjoy....
~A warm, dry house to stay cozy in on rainy, cold days.
~Watching my two girls play with baby dolls together.
~Waking up to gorgeous sunshine and blue skies after so many dreary days.
~Seeing the kiddos be brave enough do show n tell at the homeschool group get together......even though they were a little nervous.
~Finding another tooth Darcey cut through that I didn't even realize was trying too!
~Long weekends that are spent at home with the family.
~Reading books and things out of the Bible together and then discussing it.
~Hearing my kids ask me to buy them more school books. (yeah, this one still surprises me a little too! lol)
~Knowing that Jesus loves me, cause the Bible says so. :)
Well, there's some things I love this week! Won't you join in and share some of your things?!
~A warm, dry house to stay cozy in on rainy, cold days.
~Watching my two girls play with baby dolls together.
~Waking up to gorgeous sunshine and blue skies after so many dreary days.
~Seeing the kiddos be brave enough do show n tell at the homeschool group get together......even though they were a little nervous.
~Finding another tooth Darcey cut through that I didn't even realize was trying too!
~Long weekends that are spent at home with the family.
~Reading books and things out of the Bible together and then discussing it.
~Hearing my kids ask me to buy them more school books. (yeah, this one still surprises me a little too! lol)
~Knowing that Jesus loves me, cause the Bible says so. :)
Well, there's some things I love this week! Won't you join in and share some of your things?!
September 5, 2011
This Crazy Life!
I decided that considering all the stuff that's gone on the past couple of weeks that I haven't gotten around to blogging about yet I could just do a post where I list them randomly on here. If I can remember them that is! Okay, so in no particular order and as few details as possible, here goes....
~Dathan lost his 6th tooth while using a snorkel in the pool at my parents house the other day. That kid seriously has the most hilarious stories to tell about every.single.one! But for times sake I won't get into all of them at the moment. :-)
~I had the privilege of volunteering at the Choose Life ministry in Huntsville for the first time last week. It was thankfully not busy so I could get the hang of things a little and I look forward to helping out again in the future! If you don't know anything about that place you should definitely check out the link.
~Directly related to the story above is the part before going there when I was running late getting home to get ready and got locked out of the house because I was driving another car and didn't have my own keys. I had been working outside and was a mess so I was hoping and praying to get in somehow rather than drive over there sweaty and stinky! (I figured that would be the end of my volunteering! lol) After climbing over the privacy fence in a skirt and praying that no one was watching me in that rather unladylike endeavor the back door had thankfully been left unlocked so I was in luck. Hallelujah! I arrived there right on time and at least semi-clean I think. ;-)
~We had an awesome after birthday party for Dathan so he could make use of his cool new army stuff. I think there ended up being about 15 kids here between the 4 families that came so that's pretty impressive! It was a crazy but fun night complete with a campfire and homemade s'mores. Yum! The only two drawbacks were me totally forgetting to make any pictures and one of the little girls who came falling off the swing and breaking her arm. Thankfully it isn't serious but we're hoping that next time we can do without that part of it!
~After being at my parents to help with a yard sale for a couple of days I realized that my severe cat allergies I developed as a child are still exactly that. SEVERE. I'm about 99% sure that being around the kittens she found caused me to start having asthma symptoms and let me tell you I have a new found understanding of just how bad and scary that stuff is! I'm still not back to normal and wondering if I need to make a doctors trip just to get checked out. I guess it could always be worse in the future if I don't. Prayers about that would be greatly appreciated!
Well, I know there's much more that's gone on but I guess that's enough for now. (there's only so much this sleep-deprived momma brain of mine can come up with at one time.) Of course throw in the every day normal family stuff that gone along with all this and it's pretty much been exactly what the title says....CRAZY! But it's our life and we love it (mostly). Even on the days when we really do feel like we're at our "whits end"! :)
~Dathan lost his 6th tooth while using a snorkel in the pool at my parents house the other day. That kid seriously has the most hilarious stories to tell about every.single.one! But for times sake I won't get into all of them at the moment. :-)
~I had the privilege of volunteering at the Choose Life ministry in Huntsville for the first time last week. It was thankfully not busy so I could get the hang of things a little and I look forward to helping out again in the future! If you don't know anything about that place you should definitely check out the link.
~Directly related to the story above is the part before going there when I was running late getting home to get ready and got locked out of the house because I was driving another car and didn't have my own keys. I had been working outside and was a mess so I was hoping and praying to get in somehow rather than drive over there sweaty and stinky! (I figured that would be the end of my volunteering! lol) After climbing over the privacy fence in a skirt and praying that no one was watching me in that rather unladylike endeavor the back door had thankfully been left unlocked so I was in luck. Hallelujah! I arrived there right on time and at least semi-clean I think. ;-)
~We had an awesome after birthday party for Dathan so he could make use of his cool new army stuff. I think there ended up being about 15 kids here between the 4 families that came so that's pretty impressive! It was a crazy but fun night complete with a campfire and homemade s'mores. Yum! The only two drawbacks were me totally forgetting to make any pictures and one of the little girls who came falling off the swing and breaking her arm. Thankfully it isn't serious but we're hoping that next time we can do without that part of it!
~After being at my parents to help with a yard sale for a couple of days I realized that my severe cat allergies I developed as a child are still exactly that. SEVERE. I'm about 99% sure that being around the kittens she found caused me to start having asthma symptoms and let me tell you I have a new found understanding of just how bad and scary that stuff is! I'm still not back to normal and wondering if I need to make a doctors trip just to get checked out. I guess it could always be worse in the future if I don't. Prayers about that would be greatly appreciated!
Well, I know there's much more that's gone on but I guess that's enough for now. (there's only so much this sleep-deprived momma brain of mine can come up with at one time.) Of course throw in the every day normal family stuff that gone along with all this and it's pretty much been exactly what the title says....CRAZY! But it's our life and we love it (mostly). Even on the days when we really do feel like we're at our "whits end"! :)
September 1, 2011
Sounds Like a Great Movie!
We are always on the lookout for good, decent movies to go and see. The kids love going to the theatre but we're so limited on what we want to watch there! A couple of years ago we were on vacation and stopped the aquarium in Clearwater, FL where a dolphin named Winter lives. She has an amazing story of survival and the kids were thrilled to learn a little later that they were actually making a movie about it! I had seen the trailer and thought it looked like it would be a safe one to see but normally try to research a little more before actually going. Then today I saw this link on facebook and was excited to learn that it's definitely family friendly and even better is being promoted to and by homeschoolers because of the kids they chose to play in it! You'll read more about it by clicking on the link above and then I hope you'll want to go see it. :) Be sure to let me know if you want to go with us cause we will totally be there!! But before you do that, here's a cute picture of Winter for you to enjoy.....
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