Momma Monday

Ryan is a very systematic child... If that makes sense! He loves to know everything that is going on, not in an intrusive way, but he feels safer in his mind with this knowledge. I must say, from my point of view, as his mom, I don't always receive this so well. We have implemented a few things in our home to lessen his uncertainties and to lessen my frustration. One of these things is a fabulous magnetic calendar on the fridge. It is a dry erase surface and the weeks are each separated so you can put it down to the next week once the top one has passed. I find it funny that even though this is in the kitchen, and everything is written on it, Ryan will still put things in his calendar in his room, the one in his email account, and make sure to have the emails sent to me reminding me of EACH thing on the calendar on a daily basis- through email! I honestly don't even know how he set it up to do that,but slowly I can see how God has created each of us differently and for His plans and purpose. Ryan is a much more peaceful boy when he has an understanding of what is going on :) so, as his mom, and by God's wisdom and strength, I will do what I can to help!

Isaiah 26:3 says

3 You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.

The more we know God and trust Him, the more we will stay in perfect peace, I suppose it's that way with my boy as well, learning to trust ...

"Blemishes are only skin deep"

Rachel was eating a banana just now and made the comment " for this banana, blemishes are only skin deep"

Sounded profound to me...

Calloused

I recently saw that someone had asked God to make their heart more like His, to see people the way Jesus sees them. This has, at various times in my life been a prayer that I have said, and meant, as well. Quite often lately I have seen people very differently. I will see their eyes, and sometimes it seems like I can FEEL pain, sometimes joy, without even knowing them at all. We have been reading Anne of Green Gables, so perhaps that gives some reason to the part where I imagine what their life might look like. I imagine who they come home to at he end of a work day, and how interactions might be. I hope I don't sound creepy in saying this. I guess it started when we were in New York and these tour guides were telling us all about the city. Their eyes just seemed so hollow...all these hundreds of thousands of people come to their city to see the "great" sites and it's their job to tell people over and over again about it. Most of the time all I could think of is what is it you REALLY want to talk about? What's really on your heart. They were cold, like, freezing cold, and likely didn't make enough money to live a very comfortable life in this very expensive city. I don't know what it was about the place, but it caught my heart. I guess it hasn't happened a whole lot since then, but a few times I have prayer for head people.
The problem with me, or maybe one of, is that I can have a heart for these people who I don't know, but sometimes it is hard for me to have that same heart of love and compassion for those close to me.
This all comes into my mind this morning because last night I had a frightening dream about my brother. This morning I could barely speak without crying, the more I pray, the more peace I feel, but I still wish I could hear his voice and tell him I love him.

My brother is in jail right now. This isn't the first time. He is hurting, lonely, in deep pain.

I was reading a fictional book about a girl who was put in jail and the awful conditions she endured and the atmosphere that surrounded her. I was broken for this girl - this Fictional! girl, yet I didn't feel like that about my own brother! You might think very low of me right now... When I put my true thoughts into words like this... I sure do. But last night God broke my heart for my brother. This morning we prayer deeply as a family for him, and I continue to do so. Sometimes we need God to break us, to see people through His eyes. It's far to easy to be hurt and offended by those around is, especially this closest to us. But we are called to a higher standard - to love. Not only when we are being loved in return.

I read Hebrews 13:3 that says,
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

I can't say that I've been doing that. I will pray for my brother, I will communicate to him that he is not alone and allow God to work through this sometimes calloused heart.

5 Years!

Today marks the day that I stepped into two very important roles that make up my life as it now looks- a wife and a momma!
A lot seems to happen in 5 short years, shared joys, happiness, sadness, frustrations,... anger..., smiles, laughs, tears.... Becoming part of a family takes time, some days I still wonder if I'll ever get there. But the family God has blessed me with is a wonderful one and I praise God for allowing me to be a part, to grow, learn, and laugh with them.
This morning my thoughtful, loving husband gave me the perfect card for where we're at...

"Hold on to me and I will hold on to you through anything and everything life brings our way. Bring me your worries and I'll listen with my heart. Tell me what you need and I'll do my best to give it to you. Love me, even when it isn't easy and I'll promise to do the same for you..."

Then,at the breakfast table, Matthew said he had something to share and read for us 1 Corinthians 7, the instructions for marriage.

This day is a blessed day

A Day in the Life

We were taking these pictures today and when I was walking back to our room I couldn't help but think, wouldn't it be nice if these pictures reflected our normal everyday life! Maybe for some people they would, but unfortunate not in our home. We are currently working through making goals in our lives, physically, spiritually, mentally, and relationally ( emotionally). In doing this, we are really addressing things that aren't working and things that need work. It's always good to have a vision, to have goals to work towards, to improve and become more of who God wants you ( me) to be.
Tim and I are going to focus on our marriage and improving it. We decided to read a book together and have started one called Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs. I highly recommend it so far! We definitely needed some refreshing. I also highly recommend setting goals in your life, making sure that they are realistic and there is a clear plan set of how they will be accomplished. We heard a sermon on this very topic this week and the verse used was from Luke 2:52, which says,
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

We need to grow and set goals, life may not be picture perfect, but if we look at Christ and make good changes in ourselves that seems to me like a good start!

Amazing

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Blessings in NYC

We spent most of the last three days getting to know New York City. It was quite the experience with a wide range of emotions, memories, and insights...

The first day we were really nervous, a bit stressed and completely unsure of what to do, how to get around, where to go... Oh boy! The kids were pretty relaxed, they must trust us a lot! We found the train and a parking lot, finally found a person to get our tickets and instructions so we didn't get lost and then we were on our way to NYC ( we drove from Pennsylvania and parked in New Jersery). Once we get there, we figured out the street system and made our way through the very cold streets 18 blocks or so to where we were taking a bus tour. Everyone was excited, and perhaps still a little nervous when Tim realizes he left his wallet in New Jersey in the van!!! I don't think I can explain the emotions that he and I had at that moment... We had our printout ticket but no ID and no... Wallet! Ahhh...

After praying, we went inside and kept praying that they would let us still have our tickets. Praise God, after some talking and lots of praying ( did I mention the praying!) they gave us our tickets! We had a wonderful day seeing many sights. I highly recommend a tour bus ! Very informative and fun! Just remember to bring your wallet for saving unneeded stress! We found our way back to the van with help of very friendly people and made it to our town again. We stopped for a couple of groceries and a drink at McDonald's and ended up getting the drink for free! We all slept well !

Day 2
We returned again ( with a 48 hour pass) and had a great time again on our tour ( with ID and wallet! :) We took the night tour through the city and saw a completely different view of what was around us. As we were on our way back to Penn Station to get the train we realized... We forgot our backpack on the bus! They run every 20 minutes, so we knew it would already be gone for a loop around town again, we had to leave without it. Thankfully there wasn't much in it, just a few snacks. We made it home again only slightly concerned about the loss of the backpack...

Day 3

Tim and I took a third day with just the two of us in the city. We went to McDonalds on the way to get a drink, when we went to pay they told us it was free! I couldn't help but laugh! Tim just reminded me of Matthew 7:11

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God has given us some funny blessings and good gifts!
We continued on, safely made it to the city again, and felt very comfortable this time! It was not at all stressful or nerve wracking , in fact it was so much fun! We first went to check if there was a lost and found at our tour place, and got our backpack back! Then we picked up tickets for Voca People. We walked around town and found a ton if music stores!! It was amazing going from store to store trying out different instruments :)
After this we had a lovely dinner at a Japanese restaurant, then went to a diner for cheesecake!! Mmmmm, I will add pictures when we get home! The show was so great! Very funny, and entertaining!

Among our *mishaps this past week, we saw God's hand through it all. I was overwhelmed more by His blessings than the sights and sounds of the city. We had a good time for sure but we serve a GREAT, AWESOME God!