The WORST time of the year!

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13)
By Doug Phillips
Our country is in the grip of a fear crisis. The tension because of this fear is almost palpable. There is fear over the election, fear over the economy, and fear over hundreds of other issues ranging from the environment to terrorism.

For more, go HERE...

Does Jesus play 'Words with Friends'?

I got hooked!  It happened quickly and am thankful it was a short lived addiction!  I began playing the game on the internet, "Words With Friends".  I thought I was pretty intelligent until about after 2 turns!  I decided either I was not as smart as I thought I was or I had just gotten really dumb from lack of exposure to anything involved with academics about 6th grade! 

Anyway, I was playing one night and my letters came up...

(For those of you who don't play, they are the letters at the very bottom and they randomly are sent to you)

 

It was close to the final round.  I looked down and saw it right in front of me!  I giggled and was just so amazed at what I saw!  I finished my game and began to retrospect.  (I do that alot!)  I don't believe in coincedence!  I wondered if God was having fun or if He was trying to show me something by something SO obvious!  I decided He was having fun with me and it blessed my heart!  I also, without guilt, decided that I could have been doing something better with my time than playing a game on the internet!  I realized that although it is fun, the few quiet times I have, I could be spending it MUCH more wisely!  If I can find time to sit and play on the computer, I can find time to catch some moments with Jesus!  So I gave it up...I no longer play games on the internet anymore.  It was shortlived...I really did not enjoy it much but it did become something I kept going to. A time stealer!  So many things in this life can become that!   The enemy wants to rob us of our time with God because those are the times we draw strength and get equipped to live in this fallen world!  If I even sit for 3 minutes 10 times a day in the word, that is 30 minutes of my time that can be used in such a mighty way!  (I find it very easy to do that on the internet without a second thought!)

 

Yes, God had fun with me that day playing "Words With Friends" but He also in His sweet, loving spirit, convicted me of how I spend the time He has given me!  Do I use it for Him or do I waste it away?  I am once again remided, that even just a moment at His feet satisfies my soul better than anything this world has to offer me!  Then I am ready to face the world!  So thankful for His parenting skills! :)

 

Foto Friday~ Blue bears and cowboy hats

I LOVE pictures of my kids sleeping!

Maybe because for once they are still and motionless...

I appreciate those times! :)

I would not want it that way ALL the time but...

it can be so sweet!

My four year old got up this morning with his 6 year old brother and thought it was time to get up!

...At 2:45 am!

I sure am glad he had a blue bear and a cowboy hat to meet him when he went back to bed!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Relax and remember to rest in Jesus!

 

 

I have issues...

  I can have issues with:

• muddy boys
• dirty floors
• potty-training
• not being able to find that one shoe
• matching socks
• staying disciplined
• saying no
• saying yes
• making meals
• shopping on a TIGHT budget
• constant laundry
• understanding activity level of boys
• selfishness
• time management
• following through
• keeping my mouth quiet
• running errands
• keeping up with everyone and everything...
• And MANY more! 

The one thing I have to remember is that even with all of these issues, I have a place to go.  It's a resting place like no other.  No vacation, drug, spa, calgon, "me" time, or a cup of "Joe" or even a Coke, could give me what just a few moments at Jesus feet can give me. 

When my "issues" become a battle for me and my focus changes to what I have to give up, I remember that I need to once again, decide that I can't do this alone.  This job of mothering is hard but I know that Jesus knows what it is like to deal with 12 selfish, greedy, self-centered people!  I must see that I too am teaching "disciples" to go out and live a Godly life and I am the example that Christ was for HIS disciples when He walked this earth. 

My disciples are watching and I hope that when my "issues" become an issue, I turn to the one who was PERFECT at discipiling HIS disciples!!  That means minute by minute, I look to Him.  I will always have "issues" but if I learn where my humanness leaves off and where His grace begins, (at the beginning), I will be equipped to lead my disciples to Him!  What a job, but I am so thankful for it and even glad I have issues because I have learned the answer to resting in my Savior!

Psalm 132:14
“This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

 

To the oldest...

Yes my oldest...

You have been the trial of our many errors!

We look back and know that it is true...

Kids are pretty resilient to parents mistakes!

You are so strong and loving and it truly has been a joy to raise you!

 

Although I wish so many times I could turn back the clock and...

 

read you one more story,

play one more board game with you,

look at your lego creations a little longer,

appreciate your creative art sculptures made from wood,

not worry about bedtime,

appreciate God's outdoor creations going on hikes,

and receive ONE more crayon drawing when I was the best thing in your world!

 

However...

 

seeing you become the man you are becoming and

watching the fruit of my labor

is rewarding and I would have it no other way!

I love you and I anticipate many amazing things to happen in the coming year!

You are God's gift to me and I am so thankful that I was choosen to be your mom!

I love you son!

Happy 19th Birthday!

No matter where you go or what you do,

I am always here to support you and be your biggest fan!

Foto Friday ~ Remind me...

I am going to miss these days! 

in about 8 years,

 I will have 6 teenage boys living under one roof, MINE!

 

Sometimes, the days can seem so long

 

BUT...

 

the years are going by SO VERY fast!

I will miss boys giggling and looking out of a bird watch area

pretending it is a hideout...

 Moments of seeing big brother and little sister enjoying watching the world go by

just because

nothing else is filling their time and that it is enough for the day

I love knowing that for now...

A hiking trail and the great outdoors is all we have to do

if we want to...

Yes.,.

I'm going to miss this someday!

 

God...

please help me to enjoy today and savor these sweet, precious times

and not hurry my days.

 

I know that it is YOU who has been so gracious to me and

to even fathom that you would trust me with all these beautiful gifts is to great for me to comprehend...

I know I fail and I gripe and complain sometimes because it is so hard to put "self" last and I have moments of wondering if I can do it another day! 

 

 Then I am rememeber you did it for me to the point of death

and it reminds me that I CAN'T do it alone you and you don't intend for me to!

 

I ask that you carry me when I can't take

one more spill,

 more bad attitudes,

 another load of laundry,

kids arguing AGAIN,

another meal to make

 and I could go on and on and on...

 but you gently remind me that you already know my short-comings

and love me anyway.

 

Remind me that there is nothing I can't do without you!

...Even raise 12 kids!

 

I thank you for all of these moments and I ask you to help me day in and moment by moment to appreciate these times because it all goes WAY to fast!

Someday I WILL miss this but remind me TODAY...

To thank you for the privilege of being a mom to all of these blessings and to savor their growing up and consider it a joy not a burden!

 

Amen!