God speaks in dreams and visions.

We had a... "situation" in our house about a week ago...these grey scissors were being used, which is fine....but then they mysteriously disappeared.  It was a bit of a nuisance since Christmas crafting is happening in our home and these scissors are vital for most projects.  However, the crafts had to change (we got a lot of crocheting done) and the scissors were left mysteriously in an unknown place.  As with most things we encourage each other to pray and ask God to help.  We know that He knows all things, that He answers us, and that nothing is impossible with Him.  So, the family member prayed, and said that God showed them a picture of the scissors in the button tin.  WoW!  How amazing right?  I mean, God still does that?  Can it really happen?  You might think that they just remembered, but I know, and they know, it was God.  In Acts 2:17 it says,
  

"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Ok, but here's a funny part (not really funny)...this family member decided not to listen to God and just scan over areas of the house, hoping to find it on their own.  Isn't it funny how we sometimes do that, at least I know I have before.  I know that God has told me something, yet I want to think I might be able to do it on my own...or in my own way.  Even when I asked!  and He answered!  I took, well, over a week.  I finally said, listen, these scissors are really important to us finishing Christmas gifts and we're going to have to find them, or buy new ones.  I know they are in the house, let's find them.  At that time, when they thought about having to buy new ones...they thought, this is serious!  Looked for a few minutes, then remembered the picture that God put in their mind.  Immediately they went looking, not for the scissors, but for the button tin.  Which they found, and of course, the scissors were in it!  This true story is amazing to me, and to my family of God's incredible reality.  He spoke in a picture, so clearly to my child's mind, and thus, taught us all a lesson.

Momma Monday

Matthew LOVES pictures, he loves taking them, drawing them, setting people up to be just right, and most of all, being IN them!  He was so proud of this snowman that he and Ryan built last Wednesday, it just needed a picture!  Matthew makes a lot of good memories and is great at trying to keep them through photographs (as well as verbally...over...and over... and over...) :)   For his birthday in September we bought him a disposable camera - it had 30 pictures and it the prints and CD came with the price of the camera.  It was pretty great for Matthew.  He just finished taking the last picture on Saturday.  When I first bought it I thought for sure it would be done so quickly since Matthew loves to take pictures, but really, he was so very careful about each picture he took.  He put a lot of thought into each one, bringing his camera everywhere we went, but only taking it out when he was sure he wanted a picture.  Seeing the finished results I was impressed at how good his pictures were, considering it was a disposable!  There was only 1 that was taken of the floor because it was wound already and he forgot...not too bad!  My wonderful bubbly son the photographer :)

What will we do tomorrow?

Last night as I was putting the kids to bed, two of them, at separate bed times...asked, Mommy, what are we doing tomorrow?  What is exciting for tomorrow?  They love to look forward to what the next day will bring....it was pretty funny because before they got ready for bed I saw both of them go to the magnetic calendar we have on the fridge and check..they saw there was nothing there :)  If you know our family, you know this is unusual.  The kids knew this was unusual.  And they didn't like it.  But I thought it was quite funny!  This morning when they came into my room to say good morning they asked again, Mommy, what are we doing today?  What is special today?  I asked them why did they think we should do something special and they said because we always do special things and it's fun!
I love my kids, I think it's funny the way they learn things sometimes...and things they come to expect or anticipate.  I was thinking about the verse in Matthew 6:34 that says,

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

I don't think they were worrying, but I think it's a great thing to put into practice, not worrying about tomorrow and what things might come, but focus on today and being obedient to God for the day He's given! :)

Benefits of Homeschooling :)

Waking up this morning I had the nearly uncontrollable desire to go play in the snow!  At the breakfast table of course that was heightened even more as the kids could barely contain themselves to even sit and eat!  It was quite ridiculous, but I imagine many homes were the same way! 
What I can't imagine, and don't envy, is teachers today!!  Those kids are going to have the uncontrollable desire! Yet they are supposed to be in a classroom!  I'm sure there are creative things to do..but I'm so glad that we have the option to play, then do some schooling...not having to wait!  We made a fun fort - which the kids are packing the walls in, and there's a snowman as our "guard" but he seems to be camouflaged in my picture. 

I found this really neat verse in the Bible about snow, it's in Job 38:22

Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail

It's such a cool picture of God having these storehouses filled with snow, and hail, just waiting for the right time when the earth needs it, or when kids want to play:)  I know snow can be seen as a hassle and a negative things sometimes too, but today I'm just enjoying the snow, the way it makes everything look clean and fresh, and the excitment of playing in it!  And also being thankful that we homeschool so we can enjoy it together!

Momma Monday

Rachel Patricia is becoming such a beautiful young lady.  Most days are a lot of fun with her as we learn together and share in funny moments.  Lately we have been doing a LOT of crafting together.  We`ve been pumping out sock monkeys....they take a lot of work, but I like the sewing, she likes the stuffing, so it all works out!  And I`ve been scrapbooking while she stuffs.  We sure do make a good mess together!  But, we`re ok   :) at cleaning up afterwards.  This day, in the picture, we were hard at work crafting away, I was still in my pj`s....in the late afternoon, and we decided we wanted to dress up!  We both went to our closests and took the most fancy thing we could find and put it on.  We twirled around and danced freely, took a few pictures and laughed and laughed.  It was a really beautiful time together with my girl (the boys were away at an After School Club, and Tim at work) so it was a precious time, just the two of us, being girls!  I love my girl!

I like what Colossians 3:12 says,

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Sometimes I get so stuck in the slump of the day, and forget to clothe myself with a changed, freshness of Christ.  I mean this literally and figuratively.  It`s often easy for me to stay in my pj`s....on days when I don`t have to be anywhere that I just don`t make the choice to get changed.  But when I do, whether I have  to or not, I feel a lot better!  Same with us in Christ.  When we realize that we are God`s chosen people, and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience we feel so much better and ready for whatever God has for us...!

Fill my cup!

So, in our home, we all love a good cup of hot chocolate, or tea, maybe a French Vanilla Capuccino...mmmm...these cooler days they are even more inviting!  We like to look for the best...sometimes biggest cup that we can enjoy our sweet relaxing drinks in.  There's this song I like to sing with the kids, or little tune rather...Fill my cup - up - let it overflow, fill my cup - up - let it overflow, fill my cup-up-let it overflow, let it overflow with love! 

Well, Ryan was given a few gifts with a gingerbread man theme for appreciating his help.  He just loved this, and felt so special!  One of his gifts was a set of gigantic mugs!  He very kindly said one of them could be mine!  I must say, I have used my mug more than once each day and love love love it!  This picture doesnt' really do them justice since they are on their own, I'll have to take one with someone holding them!  But here, they are so big, they have our popcorn snack in them, one mug for two people!  They are so  wonderfully massive!  Anyway, when we look at these mugs and we sing our song, I think WHOA! that would be a lot! To let this cup overflow, and overflow with love....hmm...that would be a lot of love.  1 John 3:1 shares of this kind of love.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"



Feet

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Isaiah 52:7

Crazy Love

I've been, quite slowly, reading and working through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Great, great book!  I'm not even half way through it yet, but each chapter is so. powerful. in describing God's love.  Of course, as a follower of Christ, I know that He loves me.  But to read a book that so specifically describes this love is ... precious.  This weeks chapter that I'm chewing on is around the verse in Revelations 3:16

¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,^[a] I will vomit you out of My mouth.

This really puts into perspective and makes quite serious how we live our life.  It makes choices seem so much more...eternal.  I do not want to be lukewarm.  And in my heart, I know I'm not.  However, some choices that I make throughout my day...they certainly aren't for the glory of my Lord and Saviour.  I was re-reading again some of the passages that describe how the disciples were just hanging out, doing their normal everyday routine and Jesus comes along and says follow me. And they do!  Just like that!  Things are going well and fine, catching their fish, and then, all of a sudden, they leave everything behind to follow Jesus.  Am I willing to give everything to follow Jesus?  Well...theoretically...but I really love my comfy bed, I really like having the internet on hand whenever I feel like it...I like to be able to eat the foods I like, when I like to eat them....And, I know that  I am and can follow Jesus where I am right now, where He has placed me to serve, but I wonder...do some of these things come ahead of God in my life....if I had to sleep on the floor for the rest of my life....I don't know, maybe this is just silly thinking.  But I know even in my choices I want to be more intentional about praying about choices and really following God's will, not my own.  I know that God is crazy in love with me, and with you!  If I make a choice from selfish ambition, it's not going to be what's best for me in the long run. 

All in all.  I love God, with all my heart.  I want my life to reflect that in my home and out of my home.

Momma Monday

Matthew is ... I don't know where to start!  Being Matthew's mom is such a blessing.  It's...frustrating :) but it's so fabulous. He has soooo much energy!  And sooo little focus.  But he has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  He loves so strongly and cares so deeply.  Matthew has taught me an incredible about faith.  In Mark 10:15 it says,

¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Matthew has a faith in God that goes deep, it is the foundation of who he is.  Often times at our family devotions Matthew is the one to help everyone understand what it is the passages are saying.  It really blows me away at his comprehension of the scriptures and Biblical truths.  Aside from that Matthew loves.  He loves hugs, all day long, He loves giving gifts, getting gifts, making cards and crafts to give people that he thinks about, both in our family and out, mulitple times a day!  He is a wonderful son, and really a gift from God :)

Family Night

We know that laughter is the best medicine. It's so refreshing to laugh, and then realize that laughter comes from God!  In Job 8:21 it says,

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

God has really blessed be with a family who loves to laugh, and loves to make each other laugh!  Part of our laughter tonight came from our family night time together.  We had been doing family nights on a weekly-ish basis, then it was just too much to plan and think about.  It was being missed and so we decided that we would have family nights, but the kids would plan them.  It's been a lot of fun!  We've been playing board games, had scavenger hunts, went to a college basketball game, and played hide-and-seek.  All of these things create so many great memories and soo much laughter!  My kids are so great, and we have a fun time together.  I highly recommend adding Family Night to your week if you don't already have it!

Lift my Eyes

You know those days when you don't want to get out of bed.  Then when you do, you think it might not have been such a good idea...yeah..so I know the right thing to do, but really want to just crawl back into those warm, inviting covers and pull them right over my head, drifting off into...anyway.  I got up.  And, as Momma's know, (at least in my house!) when I  wake up like this, it's quite tough not to let that spoil into everyone else. 

I was sharing a story at a board meeting about a "tactic" I had used once in the past.  When I was really upset and didn't know how to pray, but knew I needed to, I decided to go to the Word.  What better words to bring before our Maker than straight from the Bible.  So, I thought....David sure did splurt off some pretty negative things to God, 'laments', I'll try starting there for my prayer!  So, I opened up the Word, tried to find the most negative lament I could and prayed with all the gusto I could manage.  It was going ok for a few verses, I was getting right into my lamenting until...it turned to praise.  This wasn't exactly going along with the plan I had for this time of prayer, however, this is exactly what was needed for my time of prayer.  And all times. 

From this experience it has been slightly easier for me to remember to turn to God in praise, to look to God, where my help comes from.  This morning I'm pondering Psalm 121 and resting in it.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
   where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth.

 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
   he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.

 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
   the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
   nor the moon by night.

 ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
   he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
   both now and forevermore.

Choices...

 I was coming home from a meeting and had some things in mind of what "needed" to be done, and the schooling that the kids "should" do today, ect. ect. and the lists really can go on and on forever...however...in the grand scheme of things, I figured, we'll have a much better day, and a lot more fun if we make sock monkeys!  Ha...crazy idea...



I underestimated the time ...and effort it takes!  However, we did complete most of the task, with a lot of fun, and a LOT of mess (which was somehow cleaned up - Thanks to Ryan!)

 I was thinking about some recent conversations and how very important our choices are, and that the choices we make, specifically about the way we spend our time, can reap either blessings or consequences.  Sometimes life can look rather bleak...tasks can look daunting, circumstances may seem insurmountable, however, we still have choices to make.  While looking for a verse to accompany this post, I found it interested that the first 20 or so times the word "choose" is mentioned in the Bible - it refers to God choosing, then, it comes to Deuteronomy 30:18-20,

¹⁸ I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

 ¹⁹ This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live ²⁰ and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

When it comes to this verse, the choice is pretty clear as to which one is best, however it is still that, a choice.  I guess what I'm getting from all of this is we really need to love God first.  Listen to His voice and hold fast to Him.  For He (God) is our life!  What an amazing passage.  I'm glad today that we made sock monkeys, and that the dishes are not done (well...not entirely) but I'm glad that I choose life - not necessarily in an eternal sense, but it sure made a difference in my home today.  So, lets choose life, make God the love of our life and truly listen to Him.  Be careful when making choices.  Be careful in choosing how to fill time in a day, choose life!



Momma Monday

I thought I could add my kids in her more regularly by having "Momma Mondays" some proud Mom moments :) 

Westport Fun Run 5 Km



One of Ryan's loves and gifts is athletics.  He is built to run, and play.  It has been really fun watching and encouraging him to build on his love this past summer and fall.  I think it was in August that we talked together about what he loves to do, and setting a goal for himself.  He really wanted to run in some type of race, we decided to start small and do a 5K.  Small for him seems impossible for me!  But anyway, he was running usually 2-4 times a week.  He had his own system, we went out with the car and marked off certain points at each km so he would know his distance.  He loves numbers as well, so each time he would time himself and chart the time and distance on a chart he had on the computer.  He was always striving to get farther, or to beat his time in the distance he was comfortable with.  I am so proud of how he really kept to it.  I mean, I know he loves to run, but he didn't always want to go out, he even ran a couple times on rainy mornings and afternoons.   

1 Corinthians 9:24 says,

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

I think of Ryan when I read this.  I think of his dedication and persistance.  He ran.  In October he ran the Westport Fun Run and did so great!  It was a different course than he'd been practicing, in the woods rather than by the road but with his training, he really did an amazing job!  I am so proud of him!  And, he feels a big accomplishment.  Maybe I'll have to get myself into gear and train with him for another run...maybe!  I sure can learn some things from this blessed boy that God has allowed me to parent :)

Even the Rocks will Cry Out!

We went on a beautiful hike yesterday to Rock Dunder with some families from church.  Our family loves this place, there are three different trails at different levels of difficulty.  The most difficult brings the most reward in terms of the view, so I opt to do that one as long as time isn't restricted!  This time there were six in our gathering that went to see the amazing view that God laid out for us.  It never seems to be less amazing, no matter how many times I go and see it. 
Tim was carrying a walking stick with him,  and kept pointing out a "burning bush" which was what looked like burned trees, but they still had the trunk and a few pokey branches on them, however Rachel, our fearless guide made sure we held pace (a very fast pace!) and kept moving in the front.  She was soon called Aaron, since he was Moses' helper of sorts.  Anyway, once we got to the lookout I asked, so, Moses, Aaron, what is our message from the Lord?  And my witty husband replied, as Jesus did in Luke 19:40,

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they (WE) keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

No one had much to say about that one, as you can imagine us looking out, perhaps we should have started to praise aloud, I know I was praising...rather quietly, my Majestic Lord.  It did make me stop and wonder, praise, and marvel at the Greatness of God.  And look at these trees, and the massive rocks that we were atop of, thinking that this, in all it's grandeur, is just a glimpse of Creator God's fingerprints.  It's so incredible.  

A Day with my Girl

This morning I didn't know what to do with Rachel.  I thought it would be nice to go somewhere, but we were both pretty zonked and just wanted to have a lazy morning.  It was SO nice, and so refreshing, just the two of us hanging out together.  We listened to music and did some scrapbooking, made some cookies and really truly just relaxed together.  It was uninterrupted and blissful really.  I guess I'm just feeling really blessed to have such a precious daughter and to have had such a wonderful time together with her this morning!

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

My kids aren't perfect, but I'm sure not either!  And that's good, because then we know, that God can change us to be more and more like Him!  But what good and perfect, even precious gifts He gives us.  Sometimes I overlook these gifts and dwell too much on other things.  But Praise God that He loves me and is patient with me, not shifting like a shadow, but constant in His goodness!

Possible

So, I realized only after I put that last post on there that it was quite similar to the previous post!  That certainly was not intentional!  Oh well...oh with things:) 

With Tim and I going through the process to adopt through CAS there have been a lot of emotional journeys as we both look back at what brought us to where we are not.  Also, that uncertainty and hope of what will come is a huge emotional journey in itself!  Last night we were talking after both having spent some one on one time with the social worker and I had a lot of hope, and a lot of faith - not to say Tim didn't but his was much more...conservative.  He gave his heart thoughts and hopes that wouldn't allow them to fail. 

In our short drive that was separate (after picking up the other vehicle at his mom's) I was slowly getting more discouraged in thinking that God's timing might be years and years away, as Tim always refers to Abraham and Sarah....but here's the cool part!  Tim was talking to God about all these things on his heart and God gave him a visual message.  There's a part in his truck that shows words, but only 2 words has he ever seen it show.  Last night, for the blink of an eye, he clearly saw the word "possible" and knew in his heart that, as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, he was saying to Tim

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I think it's just so amazing how God can speak with us, can refresh us.  This didn't give us all the answers we don't know the answers to, it didn't tell us anythign specific in terms of what we're going through but it sure did remind us to keep our ees on Christ and TRUST that He is who He says He is, and He is a God of the Possible!

pos·si·ble/ˈpäsəbəl/