Pregnancy Update #4

Wednesday, I had an ultrasound at the early hour of 8am. I admit...I've decided that early appointments are not for me..especially when we have all the highway traffic going through our small little town. However, the ultrasound went good. My cervical length was great and baby looked good. We weren't able to see the gender of the baby, so baby is still baby for now. It was sooo cute...our precious child had its hand up by its face and you could see the fingers...so small and sooo perfect. I was very relieved to see/hear the heart beating (although, I was sooo tired I can't remember what the heartrate was.)
The only negative news was the weight loss (which most women would be happy to hear about!) However, my doctor is concerned with my continual weight loss. I am finally over morning sickness, but my appetite has still not returned. I was told to eat more frequently and help my tummy get back to its original size as due to morning sickness it's probably shrunk. I am working on my attitude toward this, as I am not hungry often, and don't have an appetite. I know it's important for our baby, and I am going to try hard to do better.
I am still praying that the Lord will give me a peace and excitement for this pregnancy. I am happy to have another child, but I am still guarded in the sense that I don't want to get attached and then to lose the baby. WE have now passed the time when we lost Nathan, so I have no reason to be concerned, but I am still fearful in some ways. I know that God has this little one in His hand, but getting it from my head to my heart is a bit of a challange for me. I know He has my good in making me like Jesus and His glory in mind, and I am trying to remember that no matter what happens, these things must be at the forefront of my mind.
Our next view is January 9th, and hopefully we will find out whether we will have another girl, or another boy. I love preparing for the next baby, and I know that will boost my spirits. Until then, I have two friends awaiting the arrival of their babies any day now, and I am excited and anxious to see their waiting fulfilled! And I can't wait to hold a tiny baby again!

Pregnancy Update #3

Yesterday was a Dr's appointment. It went well. Baby's heartrate was in the upper 160's lower 170's range...so very very fast!!!! I am beginning to doubt my first inclination that this is a girl, because my boy heartrate was faster than my girls (usually the girls were in the 150-160 range), so I am alittle anxious to find out what this precious baby will be.
I am starting my second trimester and am doing so with some trepidation. I struggled emotionally with my first trimester miscarriages, and while I didn't have a hard time emotionally with Nathan, I am fearing a second trimester loss again. It was sooo physically hard to deal with, and with this busy season, I am quite anxious to get through it with no difficulties. Nathan's loss still seems so close (even though it was over 2 years ago) and the thought of going through it again brings fear to my heart.
This fear is coupled by my overall down spirit with this pregnancy. Part of it is probably a fear of living through loss again...I hate the thought of it. Another part is probably that I am pregnant with family and friends and want to enjoy the experience with them. Another part is the fear of doing 4 children 5 and under. There are so many thoughts in my head...sometimes they hurt! As I sat in the waiting room, I read my pregnancy journal. I read the hymn I had determined to focus on during this pregnancy and found myself crying to God to make these words a true part of my life.
"All the Way my Savior leads me what have I to ask beside
Can I doubt His tender mercies who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace Divinest comfort here by faith in Him to dwell
For I know what 'ere befall me Jesus doeth all things well
For I know what 'ere befall me Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the LIving bread
Though my wary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savoir leads me; Oh, the fullness of HIs love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above
When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song thro' endless ages: Jesus led me all the way
This my song thro' endless ages: Jesus led me all the way."
by Fanny Crosby

I want Jesus to satisfy me. I want Him to fill me with the spring of Joy while I am faltering. I want to see Him leading me throughout this pregnancy. Pray with me, that I will be filled with knowledge of His presence and see His hand in this pregnancy. May I be filled with the hope, peace, and joy that comes from knowing and loving such a great God!!!!

PS. Next view of this little one is in a week and a half or so! They are doing cervical checks again (though only 2 rather than 6!), so I look forward to seeing this little one again real soon!

Recent Ponderings

I have soooo many thoughts going through my head...sometimes it hurts. So many things the Lord continues to put on my heart and mind. So many things I wish I had the courage and guts to say, and so many times I fail. I know God has given me a voice to be used for Him, and sometimes I feel guilt singing "Take my Life and Let it Be" because I pray "Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee" and yet, when I know God is speaking to my heart...I neglect to follow. So I am going to ponder aloud on various topics that are on my heart...and I would love to hear any of you speak up as well (I pray to have a teachable spirit and an open heart for God's Word!).
Thursday night, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the film "Amazing Grace" the story of William Wilberforce. (As a funny siden note, I am trying to convince him that Ioan would be a great name for a son if that is what we are having...that is the name of the actor who played William Wilberforce and I was intriqued by his name...so I researched it. It means "Gift of God" and is pronounced yo-an. I love it...anyone agree with me! :) ) This movie was amazing in its account of his life. I have read only a little on his life, but want to read more as I was encouraged by the way God used him to make a difference in the lives of so many people and even the world. William struggled with how to use his life for God. Should he devote his life to the church, should he stay in politice? He wrestled with the fact that "God found Him" and what that meant in His life.
I too sometimes struggle with how I can best bring God glory. I often feel like I am overwhelmed with a million things. There are so many people God has brought into my life (some needing more time and attention than others), but how can I make the greatest impact in my life. I want to encourage other women (especially the teens with whom I spend time with) to focus on living for God, but what does that entail? What does God want for us?
I want to say that while William's life is amazing, I was impressed with his wife in the film. She served her husband and supported and cheered him. She was a balm to the sickness of his life. He was frail and she provided a great deal of health to him. Amazing what that woman could do, not because she was out rallying with him, but her service,love, and devotion to him at home impacted him in a great way. Wow! I was humbled by this.
These days there are lots of opinions and dicussions on our roles as women. Are we really called only to serve our husbands and children and those who enter our home, or can we be in leadership positions in the church or even preach if we are gifted by God in the areas of teaching and preaching? This is a huge battle among women today. Many feel like some Christians put shackles on women simply because they are women and certain things are taboo. Others are now finding so much freedom in Christ because we are equal in Him and therefore can be free to do what we feel God has called us to do (be it even preach or teach) because of the equality and love we have in Christ. What does God want for us, for me as a wife and mother, for my daughters? I believe strongly in the inerrancy of Scripture and that all things written in it are for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16) How does His word work out in my life?
I very strongly believe that God calls us as wives to focus first on being pleasing to Him- to love and adore Him above all else. Paul gave us an example to follow in seeking to be well pleasing to God. We are called also to be to the praise and glory of God. How can I as a wife bring honor and glory to God? Firstly, I believe by keeping His commandments. Scripture says that if we love Jesus we will obey His commands. (I John speaks alot about it as well as Jn. 15. Please note that I am not being exhaustive on this). Secondly, I believe that as a wife I bring glory to God by honoring and submitting to my husband. I love that Prov. 31 says that the virtuous woman does her husband good and not evil all the days of her life. He doesn't have anything to worry about, because he knows that his wife has his best in mind. I love the example and admonishment in Ephesians to be submissive to our husbands just as the church submits in everything. Christ is our chief just as our husbands are. (The word head in this passage means chief or master lord according to Strongs Concordance.) We are called as wives to look out for our husband's good and to submit to him in everything. (I do not believe in disobeying our Lord to follow our husband's leadership and in cases of abuse God has set up authorities such as the church and even our local, state, and federal government for protection in such cases.) I also love the example of submission in I Peter 2 and 3. Christ submitted Himself to God when treated unjustly by those who abused Him it says at the end of chapter 2, and then it says for wives to likewise submit themselves to their own husbands in everything. Wow! What a powerful picture of what we as wives need to do. What about our place of service outside of our husbands? There is also our children. As parents, we are called to train our children to be like Christ and to follow and obey Him! We are called to be teachers of our children!
I also love the Titus encouragement for what we are do do if we are godly. Older women are called to teach the younger women to "love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." God's Word is clear about what older woman are to encourage younger women in. But I ask ~Where are the older women who can train the younger ones? These character qualities are not found often in the lives of older women in the church. I find it interesting that there are inward characteristics mentioned (self-controlled, pure, kind), but there are even more inrelation to others and they have to deal with one's own home (love husband and children, work at home, submit to own husbands). What about outside the home? It is not there. It is not in I Timothy 2, I Peter 3, Proverbs 31 has her purchasing outside of the home, but everything else is home centered! If that is what is stressed to women in Scripture (loveing and serving one's husband, loveing and caring for one's children, watching over the ways of one's household, showing hospitality in ones home) why do we argue and demand that something that is not mentioned (working/serving outside of one's home) is okay and can be focused on? I mean, if we have all that we are called by God to do in a glorifying way and excellently, then doing above and beyond would be no problem in my book, because they are not mentioned in Scripture as beoing sin. But I see the family and church struggleing often to bring glory and honor to the Lord in these specific callings because if they were done well, churches and home lives would be drastically different. Families are failing (not just in the secular homes, but in the Christian homes)and churches are falling apart. I do believe part of it is our fallen sinful world, but I also believe it is because we do things God doesn't call us to do and we neglect the things He specifically calls us to focus on.
If you can't tell, I am passionate about this one! I love reading about women who made a difference in their homes, like William Wilberforce's wife and Sarah Edwards. I don't think that all those who have chosen to serve/work outside the home are sining. But I do think that there is a problem in our culture and in our churches when the home is neglected and things that are specifically spelled out in Scripture for us to do and ways for us to live are sorely neglected. We are called to reach a dying world for Christ. They will not see Christ in us if we tear down one another and we dont' start looking at God's word and live how He has called us to live. Whether it be in 70AD or 2007 AD, God's instructions do not change with the Times. Pray for me. Pray that I will seek to fulfill what God has specifically called me to first-and do it excellently-before seeking to follow something that is beyond what God has said.

True Life

Today was such a fun day in our household. Our family took a field trip and headed down to the Indianapolis Children's Museum. A long drive, but soooo much fun! In our homeschooling, we just fininshed Dd Dinosaur, and so I planned a trip to the Museum to go through their Dino exibit. The girls loved it (Ethan did too, although not nearly as much) and we really enjoyed our time spent there. I would have loved to take them to the Creation Museum, but it was much further, but what we talked about made a good follow up to school!
They have an exibit about children who made a difference. They focused on Anne Frank, Ruby (can't remember her last name right now, and Ryan White. The had interactive videos and replicas of scenes from their lives and it was incredible. I began to think of all the things that these young people did, especially the fact that each one of them were discriminated against and yet, they set and example for their generation to follow. Ryan faced fear and rejection because he was given AIDS through a medical procedure when AIDS was such a new disease and yet he had such strength that was shown through the glimpses of his life. Ruby faced oppression as she was one of the first African American girls to attend an integrated school when racism was prevelant in that society. They had a neat little clip on forgiveness that I liked. She said something like praying for and forgiving people isn't for the one who needs to be forgiven, it's for the one who gives the forgiveness. I was reminded that we need to be in the habit of bestowing grace and forgiveness even to those who don't recognize the need for asking for forgiveness. We need to be quick to forgive so that we don't allow bitterness and anger to overtake us. I have really had forgiveness and our response to others on my mind alot lately. I know that it is hard to forgive sometimes, especially when people don't seem to care about asking for forgiveness, but Christ calles us to follow His example and love our enemies, do good to them, pray for them, and ultimately trust that God is the righteous judge. It's hard, really hard, but I was reminded on the importance of following this, especially as a believer in Christ, because we can make a difference in our generation by the way we live and act as well as the way we respond to the difficulties we face.
Anne Frank, I must admit, impacted me the most. I have read her diary a very long time ago, but when I think of the fear she must have faced while she and others lived in hiding, and then the fact that she lost her life really shook me in my spirit. She was an example of strength in her generation...and she was soooo young! I was reminded of the verses of Christ in Scripture that talks about us taking up our cross and following Him. If we want to find full life, we must lose our lives for Him, but if we keep following our own hearts and our own fleshly desires, we will lose our life. I want to be one who dies to myself to live life for Christ. I want my life to impact my generation and younger generations for Him. I have come to realize that means going against my feelings and my wants and even what I think should be, and instead I am comming to understand the importance of surrendering myself to the One who loved me and gave up His life that I might truly live. And that is not easy. It is not always the way "I" think things should be, but if I want joy and a life that is truly abundant, that means I need to surrender me- all of it.
So, you see, today was a great day for me. A good day for remembering that we all face struggles, we all face great hurts, we all face difficult trials, but we can be a light to our generation (and even those who are older than us) if we live the way Christ calls us to live.
Lord, may we all live lives that are surrendered completely to you and to the plan that you have given us in Your Word. Our lives and struggles are not the same, but you have given us instructions that fit each life and circumstance. May we live abundantly in You.

Pregnancy Update #2

I am officially 10 and a half weeks pregnant!!! Yeah!!! I still have a few more hurdles I can't wait to cross, but over all things are progressing well.
Last Tuesday was a very busy day for me...and it really wore me out. But it was a good day, because we were able to see our baby on the ultrasound, and heard/saw a very good heartbeat! It really made me relieved to see everything look good, and I am hopeing that we will continue to see things go well.
I am starting to really think more about what life will be like when we add #4 to our family. The girls are thrilled and I must say I have enjoyed Ethan so much these days, that the thought of another little one gets me excited. Sometimes, I admit there is some nervousness as morning (all day) sickness has made my days seem long and I am exhausted alot of the time. It sometimes makes me wonder, how will I ever do 4 children! However, I look forward to the excitement and joy we will recieve from this little one.
That is all the pregnancy news I have now...I have other thoughts floating around, and hopefully I will get around to posting them.

Pregnancy Update Number 1

Tomorrow is 6 weeks. I can't believe it. Two weeks ago, I found out we were expecting. Last week, I had 2 blood draws to check my hcg levels. They were going up and everything looked good. This week I had an ultrasound and we saw a gesttional sac that measured according to my dates. Then I had another blood draw today and it was very very good. I am starting to get excited a bit about the prospect of baby #4 (baby # 7 with my miscarriages...which I cannot discount). I must admit, I have been somewhat struggling with that thought. First I was seriously worried about losing this baby. I am working on controling my thought process and meditating on what is true as well as the character of God. Then I have had discouragement with my children. We've had much creativity lately in the form of lipstick on new quilt, perminate marker on my dressers, and the most exciting- Lillian's new do started by her handiwork and fixed by Daddy. It compounded the morning sickness and tiredness...but I must admit I am much better today. I am tired, but I am excited and anxious to see what teh Lord is going to do.
We had a great blessing yesterday that is worth noting. The Lord moved in someone's heart to bring us a meal...and it was a great encouragement to me and much appreciated. I know God is going to do some great things in our family during the next few weeks and months. I can't wait to see what will happen.

Celebrations!!!

Wow! I can't believe the time of year we are at. Today is the 50th wedding anniversary of my grandparents. I can't even begin to tell you what a blessing they are to me. They pray for me, encourage me, and live out a life that is submissive to the Lord's and the Love each other sooooo much! I hope Andy and I are that much in love when we celebrate our 50 years...if the Lord blesses us with that much time with each other! I hope so!
Then, tomorrow...tomorrow, my baby turns 1. I can't believe a year ago I was getting ready to go to the hospital the next morning to have this precious baby! I am amazed that the Lord gave me such a precious child and that He allowed Ethan to have a normal delivery, a great birth...and Ethan was my first baby to actually stay with me after he was born. I've always had my babies taken away because of complications...by I actually got to keep my baby with me! Not only that, but my mom, grandma and sister were with me and were able to encourage me while I delivered him and witness what was a miracle to me! I am amazed and astounded by the grace and mercy the Lord poured out on us as we carried and delivered this babe! Now the Lord has graciously given a year with Him. I am humbled and amazed at the greatness and mercy of our God!
I was so blessed by the Lord yesterday as I spent time with my sister, Julie, yester day at "Mom's Morning" at her church. I have so enjoyed the time with her as well as fellowshipping with other ladies. It has been a time for me to be refreshed and encouraged. Sometimes, I am overwhelmed with the busyness of life...and I need encouragement. This is a place where I am GREATLY encouraged. Anyway, they talked about how we need to stand on the knowledge that who we are is based on Christ...we are in Christ if we know the Lord. He sees Christ not our failings and shortcommings. That is again something I have been seeking to focus on. How grateful I am that God's perspective on me is the perspective of seeing Christ!!! How freeing! Praise the Lord! That is the basis of seeking to bring Him glory and honor...not the fear of being cast away...for when we are His nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus! Praise Him!
God is good...God is glorious....as we enter this weekend, I pray that these celebrations I will focus on His wonderousness in each of these joys. I pray that you will too!

"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
O Come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory great things He hath done!"
~ From " To God be the Glory" by Fanney Crosby

Busy Life...but Good!

The last few months have been filled with much enjoyment! I really have loved and enjoyed time with family and friends...and making new friends. One really never knows what the Lord has in store for them! July and August brought me special times with family. We flew to Florida where we spent time with my sister and her husband and enjoyed a few days with Andy's sisters who flew back with us! Some of the highlights were the following: sleep, the awesome zoo in Tampa, Disney World in the rain, putt-putting, and learning how to play hand and foot! It was so enjoyable...I didn't want it to end! So, I flew to Florida a few weeks later! I helped my sister and her husband pack for moving from Tampa, Fl to South Carolina. I really enjoyed my time helping her, and yet was happy to get home to my girls and Andy!
Before our first trip to Florida, I had a garage sale. A young lady came and through talking found out she was searching for Christian fellowship. It's amazing how the Lord works...I was hesitant to do the garage sale...and now the Lord has opened a door of minsitry to this young lady and her husband! HOW AMAZING OUR LORD IS! We have had opportunities to talk with her about various struggles and are praying the Lord will use us to encourage her and her husband.
I had the privilage of completeing 2 books in the last month. One was Every Thought Captive: Battling the Toxic Beliefs that Separate Us from the Life We Crave By: Jerusha Clark. This book was incredibly encourageing to me as I struggle greatly with my thought life. She helped me to see that my perfectionist attitude (always wanting to be perfect and do things perfectly) was holding me captive and hindering me from living a life free in Christ! How timly also was the opportunity I had to teach the ladies Bible Study at church and how convicted I was by this verse in I Peter chapter 2 verse 16-" Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover up for evil, but living as servants of God!" An aspect of being a servant of God is the freedom we have because of Christ's blood that was shed for us! Amazing that this verse's context is honoring authority! We demonstrate who we are by being free in Christ and yet honoring to those in Authority!!! Another aspect that I was convicted by was trying to please everyone! I love to please my husband, my children, the people in my home, those who come to my home, those whose home I am in...I try to please everyone...sometimes at the exclusion of seeing first and foremost to be pleasing to the Lord. I then read this verse in Galations 1:10 - "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or ofGod? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Ouch!!! If I am still seeking to please man...I am not being a servant of Christ! I desire to serve Him in everything...and yet I struggle constantly with being a people pleaser...and being bonded to that! I have been praying that the Lord would continue to free me from seeking man's approval...even their opinions on my 'godliness' based on their standards (not God's)!!! It is hard because so many times there are good things that we are encouraged to do...and yet we get such false security because we are doing them...but our hearts are not right before the Lord. So we think we are godly...when in truth we are far from Him!
The next book I was able to finish was Satisfy My Thirsty Soul
By: Linda Dillow. This book was incredible! I love Linda Dillow alot! God has used her greatly to deal with my fears, worries, and trusting in His awesome Soverignty! This book was about establishing a life of worship. Worship is not something we just do on Sunday or when we have a quiet time...it is how we live! I have held this opinion for a few years now that many people are going through the motions of doing the "spiritual disciplines" but that we are not living lives that are filled with the spirit! We distinguish too much between the secular and sacred...there should not be a difference. We are God's chose people...holy and blameless in His sight...and we need to start living each moment covered with His Spirit and according to His Word. I loved how Mrs. Dillow exclaimed that even the mundane is an act of worship to the Lord and how our thoughts arn't necessarily always meditating on scripture or activly acknowleging His presence, but when we move from doing things to focusing on Him exclusively we can know that we have never left His presence for it will feel like we've never left! That is lifestyle worship! I tend to think that if we aren't acively acknowleging God...then we must now be worshiping, but I am learning that we can always be abiding in His presence whether we are sitting and reading His word, praying, or doing dishes and changing diapers! We are not bound to be in His presence only when we are doing the "spiritual things" but also the mundane. When we live lifestyles of worship...there is no difference it is all a spiritual act of worship to God!
I am learning more and more what living for Christ really is. For me it has been freeing (though I find myself bound in my thoughts and actions often) and I am praying that the Lord will build in me a lifestyle of worship! I love His presence and I long to spend every moment of my day there!
So, that's alittle abit of what I am learning...what's happening. Well...there is alot more (like homeschooling and such), but I will share more on that later!
Seeking to abide always in His presence,
Amy

Fun Quiz!

I am an avid "Anne of Green Gables" Fan! I took this fun quiz today! It's nice to know that even though it's been years since I've read Anne, I still know her well!

How Well Do You Know Anne?

You know Anne very well! Good job :)
Take this quiz!








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Encouragement from a Mom to many

I must admit, that I was greatly encouraged by this post! If there are other mom's out there feeling blue, I hope that this will encourage you! Pray for me that I will press on and enjoy life!!!!

Mommy Life on Finding more Joy in Life

Long Time, No Write

I know it has been a long time since I have written! I have been feverishly working on dresses for my sister's wedding (I will put some pictures up as soon as I am able!) and just celebrated the marriage last Saturday, June 9th! My sister was beautiful and her new husband is so nice! I know God is going to dosome neat things in and through them.
We've also endured some sickness, and my sweet Ethan is teething, which is no fun! But I am so grateful for my children and the excitement and joy they bring to my life.

We also celebrated Andy's graduation the first weekend in May. I must admit I loved having my family there, but besides a few friends, it was quite small. Quite a disappointment for me but Andy loved it and that's what matters. I am sooooo proud of my husband for completeing school! He is an amazing man and I can't wait to see where the Lord is going to lead us now that school is done!

Andy was sooo sweet a few weeks ago...I have to brag on him! I had been to my family's home for a week and he surprised me with a dinner date at my favorite restarant, 40 sticky notes declaring his love and admiration vairous aspects of me, his wife, and ending with the sweetest note he'd written while I was gone. I am spoiled by this man of mine! What a jewel I've been given! If only every wife were so loved and adored! Below is my pantry sporting my lovely notes!! Isn't he amazing!

I've struggled alot lately with lonliness and just major downness! It is sooo unlike me and is hard for me to figure out what is up! I know it is not just one thing that has me down, but seemingly every instance that comes my way, I am struggleing with negative emotions. I don't know what the Lord is trying to teach me or wants me to learn, but pray that I will be a willing learner and become the woman He desires me to be! How grateful I am that I can go to Him at anytime, anywhere and that He will hear my cry! How grateful I am for His Word where I can find the encouragement my heart needs. And How marvellous it is to find refuge in Him! If you think of it, pray that I will remember and be reminded of the great blessings I have in HIM!

A Desire to Listen

This week has been stressful to say the least! I am quite tired today and am anticipating a relaxing day minus a dr's appointment for Ariana at 3. It is so easy in the throws of life to be busy and to not take time to listen. To some degree, that has been a problem for me this week. I can easily read what God has to say in His word and through the encouragement of other godly men and women through literature, but really listening to what He wants me to know and apply to my life...sometimes that is another story. I cannot tell you how many times I am reminded that I must stop and listen...really listen to His still small voice. I know it starts from ceasing to strive and know that He alone is God! (Ps. 46). I want to listen and to truly understand the right way what God wants me to know and to apply it to my life. So, this song is becoming a new prayer for me. It is off the new cd, by Keith and Kristyn Getty...I encourage you to check it out and be encouraged by the hymns of modern hymn writers! Until you can check it out, enjoy the lyrics to their song, "Speak, O Lord" written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You to recieve the food, of Your Holy Word
Take Your Truth, plant it deep in us; shape and fashion us in Your likeness;
That the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord nad fulfill in us all your purposes for Your Glory

Teach us Lord, full obedience, Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes; in the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow'r that can never fail; Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds; Help us grasp the heigts of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time, that will esho down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises; And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, 'til Your church is built, and the earth is filled with Your glory.
~ taken from the lyrics on the cd, "In Christ Alone" featuring Keith and Kristyn Getty.

May we truly listen to the Lord and allow Him to work His grace in our lives.

Busy, Busy, Happily Busy

Days have been busy and enjoyable!!! The weather today is spectacular!!! 72 degrees currently with a high around 78 expected! I love spring and summer and fall...winter tends to get me down and overwhelmed. However, my spirits are high and I am loving this life!!!!
I love, love, love my hubby!!! WE are going out on a DATE tonight (yes, a date with NO children- Thank you David and Julie) and I am really looking forward to it. We went on a walk yesterday...and I just loved it (especially watching Ariana and Lillian who were best friends at that moment...and they are best buds most of the time.) Since completing school, we've been able to spend time together and I am really enjoying it. And I love watching him with the kids.
I too am loving my children sooo very much today. Ariana has been a sweet heart and Lillian cuddled with me in bed this morning...it was soo fun!!! Ethan is such a cutie!!!! I can't believe he is 6 months!! He is sooo close to crawling..I know it will be anyday now.
The last few weeks, I have had the privilage of leading our Ladies group. I love teaching and enjoy sharing things that the Lord has taught me. Mind you, the lessons haven't been the easiest, but my greatest times of growth have also been my greatest times of struggle. I spoke on two Psalms, 77 and 64, and used many thoughts from a book I have recently enjoyed entitled, "A Deeper Kind of Calm" by Linda Dillow. I have been through many struggles in the last few years. Mainly struggleing with the stresses of haveing a Hubby in school and working 40 + hours and being pregnant 6 times in 5 years and dealing with the early births, loss of children, and busyness of house. And yet, those are the times that the Lord has taught me to Cling to Him, to hold on the the Truth that He is soverign over all things in my life and that He is working out His glorious plan in my life. It was such an honor and privilage to share the Word of God with these ladies, and I pray that His words will be remembered! I am not particularly anxious to go through any more trying times, but more than anything I want to grow in my relationship with Christ- grow in grace and knowlege of Him. No matter where the Lord leads.
My husband purchased a new Bible for me...the ESV journaling Bible and a new book, "Damsels in Distress" by Martha Peace. I am excited to get into the book and to see how the new Bible will aid in my study.
Well...I am not a great keeper upper with my xanga, so I thought I would update! Hope you all are enjoying the lovely weather as much as I am!!!!
Grace and peace.

Here is a somewhat recent picture of our little boy! I can't believe he's 6 months now!!!! He's so hansome and looks just like his daddy.

Check This Out

The ladies at Girl Talk are interviewing Noël Piper on their blog. Check it out. She is the wife of John Piper. I have read one of her books and a few of her husbands. They are a neat couple whom the Lord is using greatly in the lives of others! I know they have influenced my life! So, hop on over there and check it out!

More on Rest

Sickness has sapped the energy from my sweet Ana, and she lookes sooo sick and unrested. Please pray for her to get over this nasty flu bug!!!
The snow here is beautiful today...sun shining and glistening on the snow. Lillybug enjoyed the snow with our sweet neighbor girl. I know she had a great time. Ethan and I have cuddled some, although not as much as we did last week when he was cutting his first two teeth. I can't believe my baby has teeth!!! He is growing and changing fast. Time definitely goes by so fast!!!
Meditating on Hebrews has me thinking alot on Rest these days (especially since I feel like I don't always get alot of rest). There is alot of repetition on not entering God's rest if we've hardened our hearts. This passage has me thinking alot on the rest that we have in our Salvation. We believed and therefore have entered into the "rest of God". I think we try to earn our salvation and there is great rest in knowing Christ has completed the work of the cross making it possible for us to have peace with God. What rest there is when we realize it is not about us working to earn God's favor, but rather resting in what Christ has done on the cross and knowing His work has brought about God's favor on us. God is daily calling people to His rest. He says TODAY to enter His rest...not tomorrow...not a month from now...but TODAY. And yet, so many are still striving to earn favor with God. I am so thankful to know that I have this "rest" that is spoken of, but I know there is more "rest" that comes from God. There is the "rest" we have from drawing strength from Him each day. Rest given us we are pierced by the Word of the Lord as our hearts are "naked and exposed" to His eyes, He the righteous judge. Rest that comes from holding our faith knowing we have a great High Priest in Jesus Christ who understands our weaknesses and brings our cries before the Father. Rest in knowing I can lay everything at His throne and know that grace and mercy is there for each moment of need that I have. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for REST. Rest this moment, this hour, this day, and for all eternity!!!!
Do you have His rest today????

Rest and Time with the LORD

This morning was wonderful. I don't know why I can't seem to remember the wonderfulness of mornings like this and GET UP and do it again. I had some great time with the LORD this morning (I'm reading through Hebrews) and was reminded again how THE LORD gives REST! I read these verses this morning:
"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.' As I swore in my wrath,' They shall not enter my rest.'" (Hebrews 3:7-11)
I know that Jesus has said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”(Mt. 11:27-30) and yet I continually look elsewhere to find rest for my weary soul. For example, when I am tired I sleep (not that that isn't sometimes needed) but often times I equate my weariness for sleepiness when in fact life is wearing on me and I need to find rest in Him! I need to return to the place of rest, the presence of the Most Holy and Awesome God.
"Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple;when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest;for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (Ps. 116:9-11)
I am feeling restored today, and am looking forward to seeing what the LORD has in His plans for me

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REST

Often times I find myself in weariness of soul,
Lord, help me to remember that You are in control.
You use that time to draw me back to the place of quiet rest
I come away, my heart restored, my weary soul refreshed.
With You, my Lord, is peace and joy and strength for every day
Keep me abiding in Your presence as I journey on life's way.

A hearts Cry

Where does one go when they are utterly exhausted????
"My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever....But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that i may declare all thy works". Ps. 73:26,28 (KJV)
I sure feel like I am failing miserably in my flesh today. I know I have been trying to do way too much on my own..and I am reaping the consequences. One cannot manage a home, raise children in a righteous way, be a good helpmeet without the strength of the LORD and I have not been faithful in relying on Him. I am much more apt to try and do it on my own.
Oh, LORD, please forgive my failings and forgive me for my pride and arrogance. I need you to be my strength. Please draw me to you...give me a thirst for you that I sooo desparately long for and need. Help me to trust that what you have given me is truly good and is your best for me. Please help me to always glorify you in the tough days and in the good days. Please give this weary mom rest in You!

The Honor of the King

Days have been busy...we are enjoying having Andy home in the evenings and have found various ways to encourage and minister to others. I have been busy caring for our children and home and have desires to grow more in my walk with the LORD this year.
So many exciting changes are taking place this year, my sister is getting married, my cousin is expecting a baby, and Lord willing more exciting things will happen. However, as I have enjoyed today and yesterday watching a theatrical rendition of the Biblical account of Esther, I am reminded that nothing happens by chance and that all is part of the honor and Glory of God. I am only a small part of His plan, I am sure, and I only pray that He will complete His plan for me in His good time and way. Until then, may I seek to be "to the praise of His glorious grace" (Ephesians).

"While we continue onward in the face of a world filled with uncertainty, we can rejoice, for hidden within its mysteries is the honor of a King." exerpt from the film, "One Night with the King"