Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Living By The Rules
This past weekend, our children's pastor, Aaron Bauer, gave an excellent message. The whole thing was good, and you can listen to it here, but there was one thing that has stuck out and really penetrated my heart.
Our current series is "Once Upon A Time". The series is going through many of the popular parables of the Bible and practically explaining them and relating them to our own lives.
This past week Aaron spoke about 3 parables, but the one that hit home was the story of the Prodigal Son. We've all heard the story a million times. In fact, I used to hate the story because we had to listen to James Dobson's (I think) video series in youth group as a teenager all.the.time.
But anyway...:)
This time Aaron addressed both of the brother's in the story. We all know about the son that took his inheritance and squandered it until it was totally gone and he was left eating with the pigs...literally.
But what about the other brother? He is a very important part of the story as well. I've been the brother that ran away, making the foolish choices, and then came running back to my Father. But, sometimes, embarrassingly enough, I've found myself being the other brother.
See, this other brother lived life by the rules. He always obeyed, he was a hard worker and he did what he was supposed to do. But when his wayward brother came home repenting, and received a party, this other brother was upset. No...he was downright angry!
I would have been too, to be quite honest. But there it is in it's ugliest form...the issue of the heart!
That is the sad thing. I find myself as that other brother sometimes. I live life by the rules now. I do things that I'm supposed to do. If I'm supposed to do something I'll do it without making a fuss. I won't ask a ton of questions, I just do it. So, when someone else, who does things differently, comes along, I have a hard time when they get the party. Or when they get "additional blessings". Or if they get all the attention.
I'm just being honest. It's really hard for me. It's my selfish side. It's my prideful side.
Here's the eye opening thing for me as a parent - as I constantly have to explain to my kids that "it isn't all about you, you know" I am talking more and more to myself.
The Lord has really been working on perspective with me. He's been helping me see that blessings for other people are for them and opening my eyes to the blessings that He has given me. He is constantly opening my eyes to the Eternal things. Some things just don't matter in this life. In fact, not much that is gratifying from this life here on earth is Eternal at all. But that often seems to be what we fight for isn't it.
I'm glad I don't serve a God who will give up on me. I pray that he will help me be a supportive "brother", an encouraging "brother", truly loving and obeying and following the rules with a pure heart, not out of selfish ambition.
Our current series is "Once Upon A Time". The series is going through many of the popular parables of the Bible and practically explaining them and relating them to our own lives.
This past week Aaron spoke about 3 parables, but the one that hit home was the story of the Prodigal Son. We've all heard the story a million times. In fact, I used to hate the story because we had to listen to James Dobson's (I think) video series in youth group as a teenager all.the.time.
But anyway...:)
This time Aaron addressed both of the brother's in the story. We all know about the son that took his inheritance and squandered it until it was totally gone and he was left eating with the pigs...literally.
But what about the other brother? He is a very important part of the story as well. I've been the brother that ran away, making the foolish choices, and then came running back to my Father. But, sometimes, embarrassingly enough, I've found myself being the other brother.
See, this other brother lived life by the rules. He always obeyed, he was a hard worker and he did what he was supposed to do. But when his wayward brother came home repenting, and received a party, this other brother was upset. No...he was downright angry!
I would have been too, to be quite honest. But there it is in it's ugliest form...the issue of the heart!
That is the sad thing. I find myself as that other brother sometimes. I live life by the rules now. I do things that I'm supposed to do. If I'm supposed to do something I'll do it without making a fuss. I won't ask a ton of questions, I just do it. So, when someone else, who does things differently, comes along, I have a hard time when they get the party. Or when they get "additional blessings". Or if they get all the attention.
I'm just being honest. It's really hard for me. It's my selfish side. It's my prideful side.
Here's the eye opening thing for me as a parent - as I constantly have to explain to my kids that "it isn't all about you, you know" I am talking more and more to myself.
The Lord has really been working on perspective with me. He's been helping me see that blessings for other people are for them and opening my eyes to the blessings that He has given me. He is constantly opening my eyes to the Eternal things. Some things just don't matter in this life. In fact, not much that is gratifying from this life here on earth is Eternal at all. But that often seems to be what we fight for isn't it.
I'm glad I don't serve a God who will give up on me. I pray that he will help me be a supportive "brother", an encouraging "brother", truly loving and obeying and following the rules with a pure heart, not out of selfish ambition.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Not Me Monday
We did not just get word that our case has FINALLY been submitted to court!
Nope, not our case!!
That would mean that we're getting SO close to bringing our little girl home.
And if that's the case, then we have a lot of stuff to do and a lot of money to raise.
And that would make me freak a out, just a little bit;)
But then the reality of actually bringing this little girl home that we've been praying for every day since we decided that we wanted her to be part of our family would take over my freak out moment and I'd just get giddy with excitement thinking about how close we actually are!
Nope, not our case!!
That would mean that we're getting SO close to bringing our little girl home.
And if that's the case, then we have a lot of stuff to do and a lot of money to raise.
And that would make me freak a out, just a little bit;)
But then the reality of actually bringing this little girl home that we've been praying for every day since we decided that we wanted her to be part of our family would take over my freak out moment and I'd just get giddy with excitement thinking about how close we actually are!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Fun Facts For Friday
We are heading to the beach on Sunday to prepare for next week's Student Camp for Journey Church. By this time last year we'd already been to Myrtle Beach about 3 or 4 times, but this is the first for this summer so we're pumped! The kids are excited for the 8 pools at the specific "resort"...oh the choices for all their swimming delight and pleasure:)
This morning we headed down the road about 15 minutes to a Migrant Camp. I think we counted about 12 children and only 2 adult women. The rest of the camp was out in the fields working the crops. We were joining 2 other ladies and their children who go almost everyday and bring the children lunch and toys. We were able to bring a couple of bags of clothes that Journey people had donated for them. You could tell they were so thankful! It was so neat to see Josh and Zeke kicking the soccer ball with some of the boys while Areyna colored and played with My Little Pony's with the girls. Cai just bullied around with the other kids his size age. It's crazy to see those kinds of conditions in your own backyard.
No adoption news. Nothing. Sometimes I still forget we are in this process. We literally haven't done anything from our end in months besides try to raise this money to get over to Uganda and get our little one. I'd like to at least think we're getting a little bit better at waiting, ha! But really, Josh and I are really trying to focus on what the Lord has to teach us during these times of waiting. I mean, what if we missed it?! Then it would all be for nothing. The hard times are the refining times, ya know...
That's all I've got ya'll! Not even a picture to go along with my post. I'm pooped...again, so I'm going to go make my third batch of homemade salsa from our garden and take a nap:)
It's Friday Ya'll! Have a GREAT weekend!
This morning we headed down the road about 15 minutes to a Migrant Camp. I think we counted about 12 children and only 2 adult women. The rest of the camp was out in the fields working the crops. We were joining 2 other ladies and their children who go almost everyday and bring the children lunch and toys. We were able to bring a couple of bags of clothes that Journey people had donated for them. You could tell they were so thankful! It was so neat to see Josh and Zeke kicking the soccer ball with some of the boys while Areyna colored and played with My Little Pony's with the girls. Cai just bullied around with the other kids his
No adoption news. Nothing. Sometimes I still forget we are in this process. We literally haven't done anything from our end in months besides try to raise this money to get over to Uganda and get our little one. I'd like to at least think we're getting a little bit better at waiting, ha! But really, Josh and I are really trying to focus on what the Lord has to teach us during these times of waiting. I mean, what if we missed it?! Then it would all be for nothing. The hard times are the refining times, ya know...
That's all I've got ya'll! Not even a picture to go along with my post. I'm pooped...again, so I'm going to go make my third batch of homemade salsa from our garden and take a nap:)
It's Friday Ya'll! Have a GREAT weekend!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"I Wanna Be, I Wanna Be, I Wanna Be Like..."
My dear, sweet daughter...
...is just.like.me.
My poor, sweet daughter...
...is just.like.me.
For example:
She refuses to do anything on anyone else's time line. She wants it to be in her timing.
She doesn't like to practice much of anything. She wants to master something the first time she attempts a new feat. It is frustrating for her to fail at something, even if she does it perfectly the very next try.
She is a neat freak. Literally. She tries to "convince" Micaiah to put his cars away instead of leaving them on the floor. This really is a nice trait for one of your children to possess, unless it is during a time when the other siblings are actually playing with the cars/toys. She gets so upset when the house is a wreck, even during play time.
When we did the whole house rearrange a few months ago we bought a CD player to go in Areyna's room. She decided that she wanted to "decorate" it. The stickers that she carefully placed over the entire player were absolutely stunning. (insert sarcasm) I held my tongue and just let her decorate away. A couple of days later she was sitting on the couch while we were just hanging out and she jumped up and told me that she HAD to get those stickers off of her CD player because it made her feel like her room was all messy. Hmmm, where does she get that from?!
I've witnessed her say some of the rudest things to her brothers.
And then I realized that she is just taking my lead. I talk to them so rude sometimes. I forget that they are little people with big feelings. I forget that the family unit, while the parents hold the control, must have mutual respect. I forget that it's okay for the house to be a wreck while we are playing and having fun. I forget that Areyna's (and Zeke's and Micaiah's) creative juices flow differently than mine do, and that's ok! I forget that practice is what makes us better and that repetition in the areas that we aren't so good at is healthy. I forget that other people have walked the same path that I'm walking now and that I can learn a lot from others and their suggestions.
As I watch my children grow up to be more and more like me it makes me realize that I have a lot to learn. I want to exemplify what God wants his children to be like.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The View From Here
"Mmm-mmm-mmm"
There's just something about a man on a big piece of machinery *sigh*
Especially when it's one that will cut down his lawn-mowing time by half!
There Goes Another Year
 |
| In full character as usual:) |
He's five...5...Five...FIVE!
No matter how I write it, it just sounds so big. So old!
I love the unique elements he brings to this family. I know I pick on him all the time about how differently he thinks and learns, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love him with all my heart. He is helping shape me into the momma I need to be! I thank God for all the little things about him that nobody else even knows about...they are special. HE is special to me!
I won't tell you all his favorite things to eat because he eats everything! Literally. In fact he tells me quite often, "Mom, I don't really like this, but I'll eat it because you made it for me."
Zeke,
We continue to pray that God's Strength will flow from you to others and that you will be a mighty man of God. That He will shape and mold you. That you will have a soft heart toward your heavenly Father and that you will see your need for Him and share that need with others.
Now, if you would just quit disobeying your daddy and stop growing up, we'll have it made, ha!
Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!
I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Center Piece
The stink bugs, that is. They totally ate through the entire base vine for our pumpkins. We started noticing the leaves turning lighter and lighter until they were completely yellow and dead. Then it began to spread all the way to the end of each branch off of the vine to the pumpkins themselves.
I was able to salvage this little guy. Within two days it had turned from it's growing shade of deep green to the orange "ripe" color that you see here. I cut it from the vine so it wouldn't rot.
Besides, it's never too early to start carving pumpkins, right?:)
I've been taking notes on what NOT to do with our straw bale garden next year, but I'm about to add a "DO". "DO" kill off the stink bugs before they kill off my crops, ha!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Fun Facts For Friday
We have a new Family Friday tradition. We get invited to an awesome pool with friends and/or family and hangout until we are so tired our arms can't push water anymore and our legs can't keep us above the water anymore! Today the Moyer's invited us over to their neighborhood pool for some fun. I love the stage that my kids are in. Areyna makes friends with all the little girls in the pool, Zeke buds around with them or begs his daddy to play with him and Cai is content to play around the lounge chairs with water buckets and cars. It leaves mommy free to catch up on some girl talk with some friends or lay out or go swimming with the kids! It's wonderful:)
Yesterday while we were just hanging out in the yard, a common occurrence around here, we looked up (not too high up) in the sky and saw a VERY LOW hot air balloon just a few houses down! We snagged the closest stroller and mobile pushing, uh, things for Rainy and Zeke so they could go fast, and took off toward it. It was literally landing in someone's backyard. We could see the basket and hear the puffing of the fire/hot air. We never did catch up with it as it finally caught some momentum to get up over the neighborhood trees, but it sure made for a fun shoe-less, bunny sighting family adventure!
This weekend is going to be super fun! We were asked to put a band together to play for The Summit in Durham this weekend. The band is going to be awesome! I love the connection we have with our friends through playing music. Even though we don't get to hang out with them much, it's always nice to be able to bring them in to play with us from time to time and pick up right where we left off.
I love the 4th. Last year the city of Rolesville joined our family cookout and birthday party and decided to give us some fireworks. This year they have moved the fireworks down the street, but we're still going to celebrate in style with the grill, pool and smore's on the fire pit with the other family in the area. It should be awesome.
I'll leave you with this sweet goodness from my garden! This all went into my homemade salsa for this weekend's cookout. Don't be too jealous:)
Happy Friday! Happy Weekend! Happy 4th!
Yesterday while we were just hanging out in the yard, a common occurrence around here, we looked up (not too high up) in the sky and saw a VERY LOW hot air balloon just a few houses down! We snagged the closest stroller and mobile pushing, uh, things for Rainy and Zeke so they could go fast, and took off toward it. It was literally landing in someone's backyard. We could see the basket and hear the puffing of the fire/hot air. We never did catch up with it as it finally caught some momentum to get up over the neighborhood trees, but it sure made for a fun shoe-less, bunny sighting family adventure!
This weekend is going to be super fun! We were asked to put a band together to play for The Summit in Durham this weekend. The band is going to be awesome! I love the connection we have with our friends through playing music. Even though we don't get to hang out with them much, it's always nice to be able to bring them in to play with us from time to time and pick up right where we left off.
I love the 4th. Last year the city of Rolesville joined our family cookout and birthday party and decided to give us some fireworks. This year they have moved the fireworks down the street, but we're still going to celebrate in style with the grill, pool and smore's on the fire pit with the other family in the area. It should be awesome.
Happy Friday! Happy Weekend! Happy 4th!
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