From the heart

2012- Its been great!


If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 
2 Timothy 2:13


Well, 2012 has come to an end and tonight I am just overwhelmed.  God has just been so good to us.  I feel like we have had an amazing year as a family and have experienced God's goodness at a whole new level.  And although that's great, I have realized that God is not the one who has changed in the last year its been us.  We have drawn closer to Him and therefore have been more aware of His goodness and faithfulness.  

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

I'm more excited today than yesterday to walk out God's plan for our lives.  He wants the best for us and there have been times that I've struggled to grab hold of that.  I've struggled to really believe God and not wait for some cruel punch line.  And I think at some point or another everyone has, but I just want to encourage those around me to reach out for His best, really expect that He is who He says He is and that He's going to do what He said!  


Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 1:2

This applies even to our children!  I'm expectant of great things for them.  I know that God has amazing plans for them and for our family.  So many people have teased us about 'how much fun it will be to have 6 teenagers'.  And I am believing for God's best!  I think it will be fun.  It makes me sad to think about my kids all grown, but I'm not dreading the teen years and trust me its not cause I think I'm a superstar parent, it's because my God is faithful!  

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
Exodus 20:6

Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be might in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalms 112:1-2

God's just taught me so much this year about seeing Him and serving Him in the midst of imperfection.  In the sense that everything does not have to be perfect for God to be moving.  His word promises that He is working all things out for me!  I don't have to get caught up on being the perfect mom, teacher, or wife, because He's faithful and is working all things together for my good.  

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I'm not setting any crazy resolution per se, but I am recommitting my best to God and will practice being enjoying every imperfection.  And I will keep my eyes on Him in the midst of the 'storms' of this life.  My hearts cry and goal is Psalms 45:17, I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.  I want how I live my life to make Him famous.  If we as parents can strive above all else to make His name great to our children we will influence this world in ways beyond we could imagine.  

Have a great New Year everyone!!!  Look for Him working in every situation, enjoy this coming year in ways you never have before =) 

So much to do such limited time, or is there =0

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:30

Ever feel like the days just go by a little too quickly and you're left at the end of the day with a 'to do list' that is not finished? 
I feel like I've had one of those for a couple of months!!  Our summer just flew by, we had company in and out of the house for over 3 months, we had a new baby, a litter of 10 puppies and I recently starting working 2 afternoons a week.  Some days I felt like I was just making it through by the skin of my teeth.  The hardest part was that we knew that they were things we were suppose to be doing, so where was the breakdown?

Well a huge part of the breakdown had to do with my attitude, ouch right?  It wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear from God, but it was the truth.  Well like Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.  If I keep allowing myself to focus on all that needs to be done and speak that out my mouth I'm really making it happen.  I am causing myself to create an overwhelming world!  Now this does not mean that I deny that there is a lot to do, thats just silly.  But what it does mean is that I change my focus from all that needs to be done to a God who is more than able to do abundantly above all that I can ask or think (Eph. 3:20-21)

Another huge part for me was asking God what He wanted me to do today.  So many times I have 'my plans' and not that they are bad or even selfish, but they are still full of me.  I started asking myself is a day 'full of me' really what I want?  Or do I want a day that is led by the Spirit of God, someone who actually knows what needs to happen and when.  So asking God to show me what is important for that particular day has been a HUGE help, especially with homeschooling.  There is so much freedom in doing what He shows you and letting the other things fall aside.  The amazing part is, that I've gotten more done on the days that I ask Him to really take the lead than on any others.  The surprising part is that 99% of the time my to do list gets done and His!  He is faithful and cares about all those things that concern us.

I've also really been putting on praise and worship music in the midst of my day.  I love, love music!  It truly helps set the tune or atmosphere of our home.  And if I see that the kids or I are starting to get stressed or get overwhelmed I put on a little 'Toby Mac or Mandisa' and have a dance party!  

God wants us to enjoy life.  And enjoying does not mean that everything is perfect or that all the laundry is done and put alway or even that I look put together that day. Enjoying life means loving Jesus, raising my little ones to love Jesus, to enjoy each other to the fullest, and to work together to make Jesus' name famous.  

Philipians 4:4-8-4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

  

Seasons & Timing

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecc 3:1

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Rom 11:29

God's been teaching me more and more about being sensitive to His voice when its comes to the seasons of my life and the timing of things.  Its been so exciting to move forward in Him! He has really clarify some of His plans for us to Ry and I over the last 2 years.  I love the direction that can come out of time with Him.  I have noticed that there are times that He has shown us things and we try to rush it. After all God showed us what His plan is for us, why not jump right in ad get working at it.  But we have to remember that there is a process to His plan and hardly ever is that an instant thing. I know how exciting it can be when He starts to show us something. I have found that I have to stop and listen not just for His plan but also be sensitive to His timing.  

One of my favorite songs is ' I Trust In You', by Lara Martin. One line in particular speaks so loudly to me, 'a dream delayed is not a dream denied when you live by faith and not by sight'. So often we give up on our dreams, or the desires of our hearts because it doesn't happen fast enough-don't do it!! Hold fast to all that God has shown you,but resting in Him and trusting His timing.  

Just delight in Him!  And if you have a chance listen to that song- it'll bless ya!

Change

~Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
¹⁰ The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Psalms 34:8-10~

As of late our family has been experiencing quite a few changes.  And honestly I think its during those times that my faith is tried the most!  But the example that I want to set for my children is one that shows my dependance on God.  Its so easy to try to put up a front for them or hide the emotions that some time come with change, whether good or bad.  

I've decided lately that its ok to tell my children when I'm having a hard day or when things just are not going according to plan.  Allowing them to see my weaknesses is not a bad thing. In fact, they already see them!  (This does not mean that I tell them all the details of every situation.) Its better for me to address those weaknesses rather than ignore them.  Using those 'rough times' to teach them to turn to Jesus, really isn't a bad thing. I don't want them to see a fake smile pasted on my face in the midst of a mess or hard time.  I would rather them see my frustration or disappointment and be taught what to do with it.  I don't want them to learn to ignore, but rather to run to Jesus. Once we invite Jesus into the situation He allows us to have a smile on in the midst of a mess. 

Our kids pick up on more than we know, so we mights as well lead them to Christ in it all.  God never asked me to be the perfect parent, He just asked me to seek Him and keep Him first.  
Sometimes, in the midst of life we can forget that.  I know for me there are times that I place more effort on 'trying to be perfect' then on putting effort into my relationship with the One who can perfect all things that concern me.  

So, tonight I'm allowing myself to admit that I'm working through some emotions.  Its ok, they're not ruling my life, but I am allowing myself to acknowledge them and feel them.  My God can handle me, even a little emotional =)  I need to trust Him in all things not just when I feel like I'm at my best.  

His Strength Is Enough

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

~ Today was one of those days, the kind that you wake up in the morning and you're not even sure when yesterday ended and today began.  Last night before bed one of our little ladies started with a bad cold and then our newest addition started sounding congested.  So between the 5 year old and the newborn I felt like I was up ALL night long.  And the morning came bright and early with lots of little ones ready to start the day with no idea about the night I had had. 
And as I got up to start cleaning and trying to make sense of the day- Mercy (our Golden Retriever) went into labor and my plans for the day just weren't even possible.  I had whinny kids and a doggy that need all my time.  
I tend to be a planner and I can get bend out of shape when the 'plan' is not working.  I've loosened up a lot since having seven children but my standards are still probably a little too high.  God's really been showing me that sometimes we have to just go with the flow and trust Him to help us get done what we NEED to get done.  And more importantly His idea of what NEEDS to be done may be different from what I think needs to get done.  
Today as I was feeling like if I heard one more noise I was going to scream, I asked one of the kids to please be quiet.  This particular child is constantly making noise from 6am - 8pm she's always singing, talking, or laughing and never in the volume ranges I consider normal.  And with little sleep and no nap time today I really just needed one of those quiet minutes.  Before I said for quiet I just stopped to enjoy the sound.  
No the day didn't go how I planned and no nothing on my 'To do List' was accomplished. But its the end of the day and my heart and my house are both full.  I have seven beautiful children who are all very happy, I have an amazing husband who loves us and loves God, and now 12 dogs =)  Sometimes its just about enjoying the moment and knowing that in my weakness He is strong and He's enough.  And the house isn't clean and the kids may be wearing dress up clothes to bed, but today they sang, they danced, and they were walking around practicing their memory verses.  I cherish the dances, the hugs, and the time with them.  We'll continue to do our best parenting them and training them but I'm choosing to trust God to make up anything that we miss and enjoy the journey.