It's mostly quiet around here. As usual Mike has beaten me to the Land of Nod and left me all alone in the mostly quiet. Just turned off the weird TV that was Jay Leno, now it's more quiet. I've been scratching out my plan of attack for school and I'm excited about it. We'll start a new routine on Monday (which I'm sure will be promptly interrupted by life, but I'm ready for it!) and so fresh notebooks and checklists. It's rather exciting. We also had a quick trip to see my Dad and Pam in FL and it was nice to have a little get away. Some pool, some sand, some golf...some time with Dad and Pam...everyone was a winner! So, this post has been in my head for quite some time, so since Mike will be home to help out with the kids, I'll stay up a little later to get it out of my head and onto this...paper? Well....anyway....
"Guys, let's try to find a spot in St. Andrews, this is my favorite day of Missions Conference." We were all packed in pretty tight, but I wanted to see the flags. I love belting out a 100 year old hymn and watching the flags from around the world find their way to the front of the sanctuary. I wanted to make sure that we could see it in person rather than on the monitors. (Our church is old and getting a facelift and so we're all scattered about right now in different rooms and buildings.) I wasn't the only one that wanted their children to see. As the flags were making their way down the aisle a Dad just in front of me hoisted his little guy onto his shoulders so that he wouldn't miss this grand entrance. I really almost cried. It was a perfect picture to me of what biblical parenting should and could be. Our kids are short. They miss the action. They see our knees and stay busy with their bulletin, but it's just as much about them as it is us (and ultimately about Jesus!) Our responsibility is to pull them from where they are and let them see that God is at work. There is a big plan, bigger than us, and it is INCREDIBLE and we get to be a part of it. Every nation, tribe, language...representatives from places we'll NEVER see, but when we get to heaven our brothers and sisters from those remote regions will be there...because the Gospel is for them too. When that Dad pulled his little man up and placed him firmly on his shoulders I felt like the Lord was pulling me up onto His. With a sweet fatherly gesture He was saying, "Ali, look! Don't miss it! This is what I'm up to. It's scary down there where you are living, but look UP! Look at what I have been doing and will continue to do. Look UP!" I get nervous with the news. I think we have way too much access to way too much information and it makes a gal nervous, I call it the church of fear. A place where we want to crawl into a hole and wait there until we hear that trumpet sound. That is a super bad idea because God is at work. A mighty hand is governing all things and it might be scary for a spell, but when I look up to where my help comes I get excited! I get thankful that God is still seated on His throne and He is NOT a nail biter! He's not nervous about how all things will shake out. He is kind and compassionate, but He is also just. All the crazy will not go unpunished. His name is a strong tower, the righteous can run to it and are safe. I memorized the Lord's prayer this year with a song and my first grade Sunday School class and when I feel like Chicken Little I remember that I have a Shepherd and He is good and His rod and His staff will comfort me.
I bet someone reading this also gets nervous. Even if I'm the only one that reads it...I get nervous. But I want to look UP! I also want my children to look up. I want to teach them how to see past the mess and look for the glory. I want to point them to the bigger, greater, grander picture so that they will be able to take heart. I want to take heart. So, I'll look up and encourage you to do the same. Take heart, He has overcome the world.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Little spaces...Big God
There really isn't a corner for it. There isn't even an empty wall. Every inch of space is being used...and being used well I might add. It's pretty much an eyesore with the orange bucket around it to keep it from falling over. It should probably be trimmed, but who has time for that? I can barely sweep the floor let alone trim a tree that doesn't necessarily belong in my house. We all love it though. Instead of calling it the Lenten Tree we've been calling it the Lenten Forest. Julia and Caroline sat under it while I read Proverbs this morning. It really doesn't fit, but I think that's the point. We make room for practically everything don't we? Think of Christmas. How many of us completely rearrange our living room to make room for a tree? A tree? In the middle of our house, dangling with a bunch of Hallmark ornaments that have little or nothing to do with Jesus. We completely restrung our tree this year because of a goofy string of lights (and because I wanted white NON LED lights to twinkle instead...Mike is a saint!). We moved a chair, we made room because we love Christmas, because we love the God of Christmas. I think America loves Christmas. Well, at least the "Holidays". Target starts hanging neon balls from it's ceiling well before Thanksgiving and I think we all start humming our favorite Christmas tunes long before December. Then there's that other holiday that makes Christmas make sense. What's it called again? Um, there's a rabbit (for some reason) eggs (I have read a book on why that is) and there's something about a, um...an empty room...no AN EMPTY TOMB! The greatest news. The fact that Jesus was born is certainly worth a celebration...worth giving our lives to, but I have to say if He didn't follow through we'd all be in a mighty fine mess. Christmas started it. It was the 33 years of perfection and then the obedience unto death that sealed the deal. He finished what He started and because of that we walk in the freedom that His obedience has afforded us. So, the Lenten Forest that is making itself at home in my "dining room" is here to stay. As we hang our paper ornaments on it's sparse branches it will remind us all that Jesus is always bigger than the space we try to cram Him into. He's never going to fit nicely and be something neat enough to "pin." He's big and bold and far surpasses anything that we could ever imagine. So, if you don't celebrate the Lenten Season, that is certainly alright. But may I please ask you to consider preparing your heart for that glorious celebration that sneaks up on us all? Maybe you don't want a Lenten Forest...but you might just like it. I run into it when I'm turning the corner and we have to find our way around it when we are trying to get to our Bible. Isn't that it? Isn't that the picture? That Christ would be such a part of our life that no one would be able to move around us without bumping into Him. That all of our spaces would be filled with reminders that He is alive and so are we! That there are those who don't know and as we meditate on His grace our arms would stretch to the dark corners and that we would become a Lenten Forest as we follow Him. Our limbs heavy with good news and reminders of the plan that always was. That we would be unavoidable and bigger than any space...only because of Him. Only ever and always because of Him.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Her eyes lit up when she heard his voice. "Da-ddy." Then she mumbled a little something special and then I stole the phone back. "Oh my word! Did you hear that?" "Yes," was the smitten response on the other end. Little Caroline is about the cutest thing going these days. She doesn't eat much that grows on trees or from the ground, but we do what we can. She wanders around pointing and smiling and most everyone complies. I have told them that they must stop or she'll be ruined!!! But the point of this post...she didn't see his face...she merely knows his voice.
(I wish the dog would stop barking.) When I saw her face light up like that my own heart was reminded of what it's like to know someone's voice. I know my Dad's voice, and Gary's voice (my step-dad). They don't typically need to tell me they are the ones speaking to me. You know what else? I love to hear them say my name. Dad calls me Mih-Al or Mih Weh-ner. (I bet you have no idea what the mih or weh sound should say...it's the best I can do) I know their voice and they know mine. It's only natural. What about my other Father? The One that I haven't yet stood face to face with. Do I know His voice? I'd like to think so, but there are times when I question if it's me or Him. Perhaps the reason Caroline knows Mike's voice is because he has been talking to her since before he saw her face. He set himself apart by how he pursues her. He initiates. He calls her by the name that he gave her. She can't help but to know his voice. The same really is true about our own Father. He has been pursuing us. He initiates to us. He calls us by the name He gave us: Redeemed. We know Him because He knew us first. It's just that simple.
Isaiah 43:1 - But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
So, now, enjoy the relationship that He has forged. Join me as I struggle to sit still long enough to hear Him say my name, and hopefully respond with a, "Yes, Daddy."
(I wish the dog would stop barking.) When I saw her face light up like that my own heart was reminded of what it's like to know someone's voice. I know my Dad's voice, and Gary's voice (my step-dad). They don't typically need to tell me they are the ones speaking to me. You know what else? I love to hear them say my name. Dad calls me Mih-Al or Mih Weh-ner. (I bet you have no idea what the mih or weh sound should say...it's the best I can do) I know their voice and they know mine. It's only natural. What about my other Father? The One that I haven't yet stood face to face with. Do I know His voice? I'd like to think so, but there are times when I question if it's me or Him. Perhaps the reason Caroline knows Mike's voice is because he has been talking to her since before he saw her face. He set himself apart by how he pursues her. He initiates. He calls her by the name that he gave her. She can't help but to know his voice. The same really is true about our own Father. He has been pursuing us. He initiates to us. He calls us by the name He gave us: Redeemed. We know Him because He knew us first. It's just that simple.
Isaiah 43:1 - But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
So, now, enjoy the relationship that He has forged. Join me as I struggle to sit still long enough to hear Him say my name, and hopefully respond with a, "Yes, Daddy."
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Who isn't?
So, sometimes you'll hear me say something like, "I saw on Kelly and Michael" or "They had a blurb on Good Morning America" and it sounds like I watch TV. Sometimes I turn the TV on while I'm making my bed or brushing my teeth, just to see what's going on. Then within 7 minutes it's off and I move on. So, with that in mind, "I saw on Kelly and Michael" last week maybe that they are giving away trips to moms that go, how did they say it? The extra mile? Above and beyond? I don't remember their words but I remember thinking, "Seriously, what Mom doesn't?" The mothers mentioned didn't sound like slouches, don't get me wrong. They were doing a great job, but aren't most of us at least trying? I mean, how many of us have VOLUNTARILY caught vomit with our own hands or clothing in order to spare our surroundings? How many of us sometimes forget whether we have brushed our own teeth or not but really try hard to be sure that our children are brushing theirs...most of the time. How many of us shower? I mean, can that please count for above and beyond? I mean, when there is so much going on and you are able to squeeze that in...how bout' ya! What about planning meals? Grocery shopping? POTTY TRAINING??? This gig is no joke.
I just started thinking that when we look for the "above and beyond" we end up on Pinterest and we end up the worst Moms EVER because we are comparing ourselves to everyone else. God's word teaches us that isn't wise. So, I still have to pack lunches for our co-op tomorrow and finish the dishes and it's 8:51. Everyone else is sleeping. Even Mike is catching the elusive nap on the couch while I type this. I just wanted to give a shout out to all those normal, every day, wear your jeans 3 or 4 times before washing them, laundry washing, baby bathing, vomit catching, mildly insane, a teeny bit tired, but struggling with all of His energy that works so mightily in you...I wanted to give a shout out to you and tell you to press on!!! Choose joy because you can. Work mightily as though working for the Lord because YOU ARE! Laugh at dumb jokes and dance when everyone IS watching. We were chosen by God to parent the people in our home. He knit them together in our wombs. He went above and beyond. Tell them His stories about how He went above and beyond sending a Rescuer. Someone to pull us out of our filth and put a new song in our mouths. Know that you are enough. Because of Him you are enough. Press on.
I just started thinking that when we look for the "above and beyond" we end up on Pinterest and we end up the worst Moms EVER because we are comparing ourselves to everyone else. God's word teaches us that isn't wise. So, I still have to pack lunches for our co-op tomorrow and finish the dishes and it's 8:51. Everyone else is sleeping. Even Mike is catching the elusive nap on the couch while I type this. I just wanted to give a shout out to all those normal, every day, wear your jeans 3 or 4 times before washing them, laundry washing, baby bathing, vomit catching, mildly insane, a teeny bit tired, but struggling with all of His energy that works so mightily in you...I wanted to give a shout out to you and tell you to press on!!! Choose joy because you can. Work mightily as though working for the Lord because YOU ARE! Laugh at dumb jokes and dance when everyone IS watching. We were chosen by God to parent the people in our home. He knit them together in our wombs. He went above and beyond. Tell them His stories about how He went above and beyond sending a Rescuer. Someone to pull us out of our filth and put a new song in our mouths. Know that you are enough. Because of Him you are enough. Press on.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
"Daddy's Home!"
Well Happy New Year to you all!!! I think of things to blog about all the time. Then a small, soft hand takes mine and points me toward the Cheerios or the blocks, or a big boy (who wasn't always so big) wants to chat about grappling hooks or new books, then there are the 2 ladies dressed like Laura and Mary wandering about. Now, here I sit, in the quiet...with a thought or two to share. First, a peek into the kids.
Anson: We were working on his IEW (that is Institute for Excellence in Writing) and I said something about a comma and without a single prompt he said, "Oh, I do love commas. They are so much fun. They totally change a sentence." I laugh thinking about it.
Julia: I noticed her outfit, "Hey Jules, that's cute." Her reply, "Thanks Mom, it's one of my own recipes." Have you ever considered putting your outfits together as creating new recipes?
Ella: Oh mercy...so, she says "fart." She says it TOO much. She's too pretty to use that word, so we gave her some other, shall we say, options. So we were in the van and she said it again and I turned around (lucky for her I wasn't driving...lucky for all of us I suppose) "Eleanor, we have given you other options. Please use another word." So, with her twinkly eyes she said, "Oh, sorry, I blew gas." That wasn't one of the options, but I suppose it will do!
Caroline: "Unintelligible garble" Sure, baby, whatever you want!
So, those are the people I am giving my life to. What a pleasure! Alright...to a post....
Yesterday was hard there at the end. Mike works late on Wednesdays and I still miss him when he isn't here by 4:30. Caroline didn't want me to put her down and we'd been gone most of the day so there was a bit of work to do in the house, not to mention it was dinner and blah blah blah. So I just kept looking at the clock. The girls were on the porch waiting for Daddy and Mommy was in the kitchen waiting for him. I got the glasses out, fixed our water, plates, pulled dinner out of the oven believing that he'd be home in time to eat it warm. I set the napkins, the silverware, and then I'd check the clock again. "Oh, Caroline, where is Daddy?" I just wanted him home. Not even to rescue me, but to do this with me. Then I started hearing the clamor of little voices. "Daddy's home! Yay! Daddy's home!" It really is quite the celebration. We had friends over a few weeks ago and Mike was a little late coming home and when he walked in the door and the party erupted they said, "Wow, I want to cheer too!" It's catching and I catch my breath. Then I hear him coming up the front steps, I hear the screen door open and then, sure as the world, Daddy's home!
As he made the short walk from the front door to the kitchen (also the back door...hee hee hee) I thought, "Will it be like that?" When Jesus finally comes back will we sound like that? More importantly, are we looking for Him? Do we believe that He's coming? I set the table. I set a place for him. I believed that he would be here. He's come home in the past, he'll come home again. More and more I mutter, "Come, Lord Jesus." He came once, won't He come again? And when He does come, when we hear that trumpet sound, can you imagine the celebration? Can you imagine our brothers and sisters that are watching for Him in places that are illegal to watch? Can you imagine their rejoicing? To lay eyes on the Hope that you laid your life down for? To see the Peace that you have longed for, begged for, descending from the clouds. Daddy's Home! He's come for us! He's here! We knew He'd come and there He is! I just can't imagine. Watching Mike walk through the door thrills my heart...but Jesus. Oh, Amen, Come Lord Jesus.
Y'all keep your eyes peeled, He will come.
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on the acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3
Anson: We were working on his IEW (that is Institute for Excellence in Writing) and I said something about a comma and without a single prompt he said, "Oh, I do love commas. They are so much fun. They totally change a sentence." I laugh thinking about it.
Julia: I noticed her outfit, "Hey Jules, that's cute." Her reply, "Thanks Mom, it's one of my own recipes." Have you ever considered putting your outfits together as creating new recipes?
Ella: Oh mercy...so, she says "fart." She says it TOO much. She's too pretty to use that word, so we gave her some other, shall we say, options. So we were in the van and she said it again and I turned around (lucky for her I wasn't driving...lucky for all of us I suppose) "Eleanor, we have given you other options. Please use another word." So, with her twinkly eyes she said, "Oh, sorry, I blew gas." That wasn't one of the options, but I suppose it will do!
Caroline: "Unintelligible garble" Sure, baby, whatever you want!
So, those are the people I am giving my life to. What a pleasure! Alright...to a post....
Yesterday was hard there at the end. Mike works late on Wednesdays and I still miss him when he isn't here by 4:30. Caroline didn't want me to put her down and we'd been gone most of the day so there was a bit of work to do in the house, not to mention it was dinner and blah blah blah. So I just kept looking at the clock. The girls were on the porch waiting for Daddy and Mommy was in the kitchen waiting for him. I got the glasses out, fixed our water, plates, pulled dinner out of the oven believing that he'd be home in time to eat it warm. I set the napkins, the silverware, and then I'd check the clock again. "Oh, Caroline, where is Daddy?" I just wanted him home. Not even to rescue me, but to do this with me. Then I started hearing the clamor of little voices. "Daddy's home! Yay! Daddy's home!" It really is quite the celebration. We had friends over a few weeks ago and Mike was a little late coming home and when he walked in the door and the party erupted they said, "Wow, I want to cheer too!" It's catching and I catch my breath. Then I hear him coming up the front steps, I hear the screen door open and then, sure as the world, Daddy's home!
As he made the short walk from the front door to the kitchen (also the back door...hee hee hee) I thought, "Will it be like that?" When Jesus finally comes back will we sound like that? More importantly, are we looking for Him? Do we believe that He's coming? I set the table. I set a place for him. I believed that he would be here. He's come home in the past, he'll come home again. More and more I mutter, "Come, Lord Jesus." He came once, won't He come again? And when He does come, when we hear that trumpet sound, can you imagine the celebration? Can you imagine our brothers and sisters that are watching for Him in places that are illegal to watch? Can you imagine their rejoicing? To lay eyes on the Hope that you laid your life down for? To see the Peace that you have longed for, begged for, descending from the clouds. Daddy's Home! He's come for us! He's here! We knew He'd come and there He is! I just can't imagine. Watching Mike walk through the door thrills my heart...but Jesus. Oh, Amen, Come Lord Jesus.
Y'all keep your eyes peeled, He will come.
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on the acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Merry Christmas 2012
"Show me, baby. What is it that you are asking for?" This is the new game we are playing in our house and we are playing it all.the.time. Little Caroline has needs and she is not afraid to use her little finger to get whatever she is in need of. Her language has not yet caught up with her desires, so she makes some unintelligible noises and then points. So, we stop what we are doing, ask her to, "Show me" and then we follow her little self wherever she leads. Usually to the kitchen!
Today while I was putting Sweet Caroline (feel free to sing the chorus) to bed she kept pointing over my shoulder and when I said, "Show me," I thought of how God shows us all the time. I thought of Moses asking God to show him his glory. How bold was that? From Exodus 33:17-18, "And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and know you by name." Then Moses said, "Now, show me your glory." Read that again. "Now, show me your glory." Do you know what the Lord did? He directed Moses to a rock and when His glory passed by He put him in the cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand until He passed by. Not only did He show Moses His glory, He made sure that it didn't kill him! Are we allowed to say that to the Lord? "Show me?" I think we are. I think we can because of Jesus. When we ask if God cares about us or if He knows our needs or if He is really available and we say, "Show me" or "Prove it" He points to Jesus. Want to know if He cares that you were sin-sick and in bondage? Enter Jesus, the spotless, guiltless lamb born to die in your place. If He knows our needs? Jesus. "He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?" He offered His very finest, why would He stop there? Want to know if He is available? Jesus. He walked our filthy sod and when He left He promised to leave someone with us, the Holy Spirit. I challenge you to play the "show me" game with the Lord, I promise you will not be disappointed. We have thoroughly enjoyed this Advent Season. With our hearts focused on His, we have looked for Him and we have found Him. Just like the wise men so many years ago. Here are some of the great things he has shown me through these people I get to share my life with....
First there's my 10 year old boy, Anson. God has shown me that even when you spend every day with your children they grow up. Even when you teach them the right thing to do they will burp at the table and giggle about it. They will grow out of baby breath and look and smell like boys. They will out-read you if you don't stop to catch up and playing games will make their day. God has shown me that I am one fortunate Mom to call that boy my son. A peak into Anson. Just tonight as I was typing this he was reading in bed. As usual I forgot about him, so he wandered out at 9:30 and says, "Hey Mom, I think you'll like this book, "Homeschooling with less clutter and more joy." HAHAhaH I don't know if that's a peak into Anson or me!
Next is Julia. She's my 8 year old Martha Stewart. God has shown me that I don't have to have the gifts to nurture them in my children. If I am willing to help with a book club or a room reorganization, He'll do the rest. He has shown me He is the One working mightily in our children...not me. He has shown me that she is a beautiful girl that brings out a smile in all of us around here and that there would be a huge piece of me missing if she weren't here. Here's a peak into Julia. Getting ready for her American Girl club I said, "Julia, if there is one thing I hope you can learn from me I hope it's that you cannot wait for your house to be perfect before you entertain. Now, go put the dirty clothes in the bathtub and pull the curtain." "Mom, are you serious?" "Absolutely...go..." She came back, "You were right, it does look better now!" She is an incredible sister, daughter and friend.
Next is Ella. Ella is 6 now and she's a real 6. God has shown me that they are all different. My other kids were different than she is and I think it's a good thing that she's 6. I have to remember that she's only a kindergartener. She still likes to have bows in her hair. This is a great example of Ella. We were packing to go north for Thanksgiving and she had a pink dress with polka dots and I told her she needed tights. She knew just the ones and ran to get them. She came back with pink tights with polka dots. I looked at her and smiled. She looked back and asked, very seriously, "Do you think it's too dotty?" I replied, "No Ma'am. I think it'll look great." And it did. God continues to show me that I should stop and read with her and listen to her squeaky little voice and kiss her face and love her well. God has shown me that He breaks molds when He makes people.
Then Caroline. She is 18 months old now and she is everyone's favorite. Through Caroline He is showing me that babies don't make things too hard, babies make things messier and longer and more complicated...and better than before. She toddles around here chatting and pointing and she'll even sing if she has a sheet of music. God has shown me that I don't say, "Thank you" enough.
Mike. God has shown me that promises are for protection and marriage is a gift. Especially mine. Mike is working at River Ridge Elementary fighting in the war against childhood obesity. When he walks in the door we all yell, "Daddy's home!" We are not the team we can be while our coach is away. We are always glad to have him home. He got to spend a week in Honduras with Christian Medical and Dental Association and even though he got a late start due to arriving in Atlanta with the wrong passport...his time was profitable. We missed him, but glad to have a husband that can and will GO! After he came home he spent his summer in our backyard building bookshelves for our living room and they are beautiful! Apparently engineers are pretty good with numbers...who knew? We filled our bookshelves up and now our best friends are right where they belong...in our living room. We LOVE it. He is still gardening a bit and loves to reuse things around the house to make new things. He is rather resourceful and I have told him that it is true anything I can do he can do better. I think that's how it should be. God has shown me that He is a great match-maker.
Me? God has shown me that I can sit back and relax because I am not in control. I don't sit back and relax easily. Homeschool moms are pretty much self-confessed control freaks. We aren't all type A, but we like it our way! :) My kids are not mine and they are not for my glory. I am more than a wife and mother. I am a woman and a child of God. I got 2 haircuts this year and finished some books, although I'm not sure how many. I keep plugging along, though! I love how I spend my days. God has shown me that through Jesus, all things are possible!
That's pretty much it. I didn't want to do a "doing" update this year, but rather a "being" update. I have human beings living in my home. We are not human doings, although sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. I hope for anyone who reads this, you will ask God to show you His glory. That's what Christmas is all about after all, isn't it? God showing us His glory. It was small and underestimated...but it was all there wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. So, I am asking boldly for Him to show us His glory and then our task is to proclaim it to the nations!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2013
Today while I was putting Sweet Caroline (feel free to sing the chorus) to bed she kept pointing over my shoulder and when I said, "Show me," I thought of how God shows us all the time. I thought of Moses asking God to show him his glory. How bold was that? From Exodus 33:17-18, "And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and know you by name." Then Moses said, "Now, show me your glory." Read that again. "Now, show me your glory." Do you know what the Lord did? He directed Moses to a rock and when His glory passed by He put him in the cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand until He passed by. Not only did He show Moses His glory, He made sure that it didn't kill him! Are we allowed to say that to the Lord? "Show me?" I think we are. I think we can because of Jesus. When we ask if God cares about us or if He knows our needs or if He is really available and we say, "Show me" or "Prove it" He points to Jesus. Want to know if He cares that you were sin-sick and in bondage? Enter Jesus, the spotless, guiltless lamb born to die in your place. If He knows our needs? Jesus. "He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?" He offered His very finest, why would He stop there? Want to know if He is available? Jesus. He walked our filthy sod and when He left He promised to leave someone with us, the Holy Spirit. I challenge you to play the "show me" game with the Lord, I promise you will not be disappointed. We have thoroughly enjoyed this Advent Season. With our hearts focused on His, we have looked for Him and we have found Him. Just like the wise men so many years ago. Here are some of the great things he has shown me through these people I get to share my life with....
First there's my 10 year old boy, Anson. God has shown me that even when you spend every day with your children they grow up. Even when you teach them the right thing to do they will burp at the table and giggle about it. They will grow out of baby breath and look and smell like boys. They will out-read you if you don't stop to catch up and playing games will make their day. God has shown me that I am one fortunate Mom to call that boy my son. A peak into Anson. Just tonight as I was typing this he was reading in bed. As usual I forgot about him, so he wandered out at 9:30 and says, "Hey Mom, I think you'll like this book, "Homeschooling with less clutter and more joy." HAHAhaH I don't know if that's a peak into Anson or me!
Next is Julia. She's my 8 year old Martha Stewart. God has shown me that I don't have to have the gifts to nurture them in my children. If I am willing to help with a book club or a room reorganization, He'll do the rest. He has shown me He is the One working mightily in our children...not me. He has shown me that she is a beautiful girl that brings out a smile in all of us around here and that there would be a huge piece of me missing if she weren't here. Here's a peak into Julia. Getting ready for her American Girl club I said, "Julia, if there is one thing I hope you can learn from me I hope it's that you cannot wait for your house to be perfect before you entertain. Now, go put the dirty clothes in the bathtub and pull the curtain." "Mom, are you serious?" "Absolutely...go..." She came back, "You were right, it does look better now!" She is an incredible sister, daughter and friend.
Next is Ella. Ella is 6 now and she's a real 6. God has shown me that they are all different. My other kids were different than she is and I think it's a good thing that she's 6. I have to remember that she's only a kindergartener. She still likes to have bows in her hair. This is a great example of Ella. We were packing to go north for Thanksgiving and she had a pink dress with polka dots and I told her she needed tights. She knew just the ones and ran to get them. She came back with pink tights with polka dots. I looked at her and smiled. She looked back and asked, very seriously, "Do you think it's too dotty?" I replied, "No Ma'am. I think it'll look great." And it did. God continues to show me that I should stop and read with her and listen to her squeaky little voice and kiss her face and love her well. God has shown me that He breaks molds when He makes people.
Then Caroline. She is 18 months old now and she is everyone's favorite. Through Caroline He is showing me that babies don't make things too hard, babies make things messier and longer and more complicated...and better than before. She toddles around here chatting and pointing and she'll even sing if she has a sheet of music. God has shown me that I don't say, "Thank you" enough.
Mike. God has shown me that promises are for protection and marriage is a gift. Especially mine. Mike is working at River Ridge Elementary fighting in the war against childhood obesity. When he walks in the door we all yell, "Daddy's home!" We are not the team we can be while our coach is away. We are always glad to have him home. He got to spend a week in Honduras with Christian Medical and Dental Association and even though he got a late start due to arriving in Atlanta with the wrong passport...his time was profitable. We missed him, but glad to have a husband that can and will GO! After he came home he spent his summer in our backyard building bookshelves for our living room and they are beautiful! Apparently engineers are pretty good with numbers...who knew? We filled our bookshelves up and now our best friends are right where they belong...in our living room. We LOVE it. He is still gardening a bit and loves to reuse things around the house to make new things. He is rather resourceful and I have told him that it is true anything I can do he can do better. I think that's how it should be. God has shown me that He is a great match-maker.
Me? God has shown me that I can sit back and relax because I am not in control. I don't sit back and relax easily. Homeschool moms are pretty much self-confessed control freaks. We aren't all type A, but we like it our way! :) My kids are not mine and they are not for my glory. I am more than a wife and mother. I am a woman and a child of God. I got 2 haircuts this year and finished some books, although I'm not sure how many. I keep plugging along, though! I love how I spend my days. God has shown me that through Jesus, all things are possible!
That's pretty much it. I didn't want to do a "doing" update this year, but rather a "being" update. I have human beings living in my home. We are not human doings, although sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. I hope for anyone who reads this, you will ask God to show you His glory. That's what Christmas is all about after all, isn't it? God showing us His glory. It was small and underestimated...but it was all there wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. So, I am asking boldly for Him to show us His glory and then our task is to proclaim it to the nations!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2013
So, I just spent about an hour going through and choosing pictures to add to this and ended up with 114! Even for those who really know and love us...that's too many. So...here are a few...enjoy.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
What to do?
We have these friends that started to adopt one little girl. That one little girl turned into 2 and those 2 turned into 3 sisters. They have an INSANE deadline coming up that only Jesus can make. So, if you aren't sure what to buy for those hard to buy for folks...maybe you should consider their Give 3 Save 3 Campaign. Head on over and read their story...maybe you can't give right now, but maybe you know someone who can...perhaps pray that God would keep their heart steady and their eyes stayed on Him.
http://www.madetoorganize.com
Blessings...
Ali
http://www.madetoorganize.com
Blessings...
Ali
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