Yesterday

It was such an awesome time to be in the house of the Lord yesterday. There were three baptisms and two new members joined. L was one of the baptism candidates! After this blessed time, we had three-fold communion. In the Grace Brethren Fellowship, we practice the love feast, the foot washing, and the bread and cup. Our church holds communion four times a year. This was such a special time after such a special morning!

Baptism Tomorrow

We are really excited in our house. Tomorrow is L's baptism. Watch for pictures! Praise the Lord!

Adoration

What are the things we adore? Where do we put our focus? I've put a lot of wasted time and devotion onto things that do not matter. I admit it. I can be so easily distracted from everything: I do believe that I am ADD. I have many unfinished projects (ask Glen - he's still waiting for his 10th anniversary present and we've been married for 18 years). I flit from one subject to another and often lose others in transition. Thankful Thursday's posting was to be on simplicity. Notice it has taken me over 48 hours to process everything. I need to simplify my life and start out (once again) making God the focus of my adoration. Tonight is Concert of Prayer at church. Having two little ones and an early start for tomorrow (Women's Retreat Committee meeting two hours away), I have chosen to attend only the early hour of Concert of Prayer. We spent an hour in adoration of our Lord. What a special time of prayer with the ladies of our church. We worshiped the Lord through our adoration. It was a blessing to be with these ladies and has put my focus back where it should be.

For those who have followed the blog for some time, you know the struggles we have had with our children going to bed at a decent hour. Tonight, God blessed me in allowing both children to shower, be in bed, and to be asleep before 8:30PM! I spent more time in adoration of my Lord for this special time alone with Him. So, I'm going to end my post saying, I'll see you all later. I'm off to pray with my church family (even though I'm alone in my house)....

The Forgotten One

My poor, poor blog...it must be feeling like a forgotten member of the family. We used to be so close...daily interaction. Then I defected - I went to Facebook... I'm sorry, my little one, my blog. I do love you. I do intend to write. I am sorry to have left you alone for a whole week. You are truly me: a place I can express myself and know that I am not judged - a place where I can call home - a place where I am accepted. And I've left you alone and ignored you for a whole week. I promise to spend more time with you. I want to write and talk with you all. I haven't forgotten you....

The Impossible

How many times do I ask the impossible of myself, my children, and my husband? What is considered impossible for them? In today's reading of Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar was asking the impossible from the wise men; he wanted them to tell the dream and interpret it. Their response was "There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men (Daniel 2:10-11)." Even the wise men acknowledged there is a God (although they said gods). I believe the king was power-hungry. I know that I can get that way - it's my way or the highway. Goal today - to reflect on what I'm asking of others and myself (I can be so hard on myself) and to relax in the Lord knowing that He is El Elyon - the Lord Most High who is in control of all!

Learning a New Thing

Here's M doing somersaults - his favorite new activity.

Second Degree Yellow Belt

15 minutes

What can you do in 15 minutes? I find myself living by 15 minute increments. I used to have a timer, set it for 15 minutes, and see how much housework I can do . Then I move on to a new section of the house (this tip from FlyLady). It's a great plan, and I've been able to accomplish a lot. However, my timer broke - thanks, M. Therefore, I've gotten way off task. Today, I set the alarm on my phone instead and got back into the routine - Yea, me! I even included my devotional time with this process today. I spent time in the book of Daniel (chapter 1 to be exact). I was thinking about how much Daniel and his friends lost when going into captivity. There is no record of them complaining or grumbling about their life situations - so unlike my recent thought and verbal communication. They didn't ask why. They didn't wish for it to be better. They didn't argue and beg with Ashpenaz. They quietly made their request known and allowed God to move the hearts of the authorities. So today, I've purposed to quietly make my requests known and allow God to move the children's hearts. I haven't screamed, begged, pleaded, coerced, or any other way let the kids know what I want done. I've spent a lot of time in prayer, specifically covering each child. It's been a better day - thanks to my timer but mostly thanks to God for answering the prayers of this crazy lady whom I've become.

Free Calendar

Okay, I'm not usually one to post about others freebies. I'm known for taking advantage of them not promoting them. The glitch is that you must sign up before September 15th. Check out the free calendar offer! Thanks to Molly at Econobusters for showing me this.

A New Day

Tomorrow is a new day. Each day is different from the day before and will be different from tomorrow. Many days recently my mood has been clouded, gray, and down right crabby. I know it is all a season of life: grieving for my brother, stress from just daily living (gotta learn how to better handle that), growing older (and having young children), living in an expensive part of the country. However, I've allowed Satan to influence me by casting doubt on that God is there for me. I've allowed the sin of laziness to creep into my life (and then blame it on my mood). So, I've purposed to start anew (once again), repent of my sins, and press on towards the plans God has for my life. Some days will be rough (especially now that I've taken a stand against Satan); other days will be gloriously joyous. But God is good; God is faithful; God is ever present.

Growing Up

I am amazed at how much the kids have grown physically over this summer. Both kids got new shoes the other day. L went up one size while M went up two sizes! Both need new clothes since the ones they have are getting smaller on them. M was doing somersaults yesterday all over the living room floor. He was so excited when he flipped himself over!

Academically, both are growing as well. L is in the fourth grade. Although we have our struggles with schooling, I have seen great progress when looking at the big picture. M is talking all the time now. The other day while I was correcting his behavior he put his hands on his hips and clearly said, "I'm so mad at you, Momma." We are working on potty training and bedtime routines. Last week the kids made their goals of doing their bedtime routines, room time goals, and falling asleep on their own. So far this week, M has made his goal and L is only stickers away.

Emotionally great strides have been made in L's life. She has graduated from two counselling programs and we are targeting a hiatus from therapy around Christmas time. Her counselors feel that she is growing into an emotionally healthy child.

Spiritually, they are learning more and more scripture and God is working on their hearts. L has made a profession of faith and seeks to please the Lord. AWANA has been a great tool for this. Personally, I need to learn to rely more on the Lord than on myself. I really struggle with wanting to be in control of everything and at times my stress level is through the roof. Tonight I am praising God for His work in our lives! It is because of Him and Him alone that I am who I am, faults and all.

Glen was so good to me today. He took the kids to the Wild Animal Park for the better part of the day. I had time to clean, do laundry, and read for fun. I know that this time today was vital to my mental state of being. I am so thankful for such a wise husband. All in all, today has been a blessed day!

Already??

I can't believe it is September 1st already. This summer has flown by; unfortunately, here in SD the summer temps just arrived. We've already started fourth grade and are struggling to stay on task - both mother and daughter. Twenty years as a teacher and I loved getting ready for a new school year. I had great hopes for starting this year off wonderfully; I really wanted to set down new goals and have a great attitude. I wanted that feeling of accomplishment that I got setting up a classroom for 15 to 30 children and accomplishing a great first few days. What I got was whining, complaining, attitudes, and refusals to do anything (some of it on my part). Can I go back to the middle of July and start things over?