Ups and Downs

It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

Looking back at this past year, what were some of your highlights?  Many of you added new little ones to your families, what an awesome event for 2013.  My family has grown too.  My boys are all getting taller with each day that passes it seems :)

My sister bought me a ticket to my first 5k Mudrun for my birthday.  I placed first in my heat and came in 3rd out of all women that ran it. At another race I knocked 8 minutes off of my last years 5k run. On the other hand I went through some tough struggles too.  We found out my mom had cancer and we lost her all in the same year.  Going through the holidays without her has been like putting together a puzzle and missing that last piece. It's just not the same.

With each year we have ups, and we have downs.  One thing I know for sure is that with every accomplishment He is there. With every struggle we go through, Jesus is always there. This has been one of the toughest things my family and I have gone through, but I also have felt a blanket of peace covering me. There has been an overwhelming amount of support through people in our community, even from the least expected.  What a beautiful thing.  I know I can lean on Him when I grow weary and He will continue to carry me through.  He is also there pushing me along until I cross that finish line.  Wherever you are at in your life, He will meet you there.  All you have to do is ask.

Prayer Time
Thank you Father God for this awesome day and for another year that has came and gone.  Thank you for your awesome provision for us.  Thank you for Your love, Your peace and Your hope. We pray now at the dawn of a new year, please help us to remember, with each mistake that is made You are there.  You help us to start over whenever we ask, we don't need a new year. When we ask we start over, a clean slate.  We love that you don't  expect perfection, and You still love us, unconditionally. Help us to show that same grace to others in our lives.  All these things we pray in Your GLORIOUS name, AMEN

Love Tank

“Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise." -C.S. Lewis

Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you just need to get out of the house and have some alone time?  I had a week where the kids were fighting non-stop, my husband and I weren't getting along, and I felt like my already short fuse what getting shorter.  I just wanted time to not think about the dishes, the laundry, or disciplining. So I took a ladies night out and went shopping on my own for a few hours.  

Here's the bugger.  I had just got a new Herberger's credit card in the mail.  You know the one they talk you into because you get an extra 20% off. You pay it off at the register and then they send you the card and they tell you that you can cancel it right away if you don't want it.  Well, I was at a weak state and wanted something to cheer myself up.  So on my night out on the town, I ran to Alex and spent way to much money on the card to try to make myself feel better, and I did....For about a day.  

What was I thinking?  I was trying to make myself happy with the wrong thing.  I felt that something new would fill a void that I was missing. I think we all have felt that from time to time.  An emptiness, a missing link that no matter how hard we try to fill with things from this earth, it won't be filled. There is good news though.  That feeling is completely normal and was put there for a reason.  It is a longing for our Creator and His love.  Unless we have a relationship with Him, we will continue to have that feeling. I especially feel that longing when my "love tank" is low.  When things get tough at home, attitudes and negativity run high, it's hard to keep on the positive track.  I begin to lose hope, get crabby, and the negativity can be consuming. Here are some ideas for you and your families to try to keep those love tanks overflowing.   

1.  Spend time in prayer-Keeping an intimate relationship with Jesus will provide you with fruit! Not the kind that you eat, but fruit of the Holy Spirit.  He can fill you with the kind of joy and peace that you have been longing for.  The more time you spend with Him in prayer, the more your cup will overflow. 

2.  Date Night-Take time out with your spouse or significant other to just focus your relationship with each other.  This does not need to be extravagant.  Just take time out together, shut your phones off if you need to.  Talk, play a game, spend time getting to know each other.  A bible study can be fun to do together and can start an awesome topic of conversation. It is so important to take care of our relationships.  When tension grows between the adults in the household, our children can feel that and it can wear on them.  Think of marriage or any relationship as a plant.  If we keep watering it and take care of it, it will continue to grow and maybe even grow flowers.  On the flip side, if we forget to water it, it will become weak.  The leaves will turn yellow, fall off and eventually will die.  Any relationship needs time and effort to keep growing. Remember when you first met your spouse? Do you remember how easy it was to get along, and how strong those feelings were?  Butterflies, the look in his eyes, the way you felt when he held your hand for the first time.  Those feelings aren't far away.  They were stronger when you first met because you took time and effort to get to know each other, and to grow that relationship.  When we have children, our time is shared, our lives are shared, and the focus is no longer on each other.  I encourage you to continue to "date" and spend time together.

3.  Date your children-Speaking of love tanks, our children have them too.  My middle child is one that needs more one on one time.  He's been my tough cookie, but I've noticed if we spend more one on one time with him, his behaviors tend to be less. So when his behaviors are lessened when his love tank is full.  This can be tough when you have more than one child, but try to read a book, play a game, do something that he/she enjoys doing at least once a week or more.  You will amazed at the difference it can make for you and them.  

4.  Family time-We recently got a membership to our local gym and cancelled our cable.  When we have cable, especially in the winter, we tend to be glued in couch potatoes, which means we're not spending good quality time together. It's amazing how much time can be soaked up by watching a movie or tv shows.   By eliminating it, for us, we are more social with each other, and have less distracted one on one time. I'm not saying that everyone should cut the cable, but it has made a HUGE difference for us.  

5. "Me" Time-We all can use time to ourselves.  This can be used in a million different ways.  Prayer time, walk, bike ride, exercise program, coffee with your friends, hobbies, you name it, just do it! As mothers we spend uber time taking care of our children, household duties, hubbies, etc.  We need to make sure to take time to smell the roses and enjoy life :)

Prayer Time:

Thank you Father for this beautiful day.  I thank you for the wonderful season we are in and for the awesome things coming our way in the new year.  Help us to spend time with our families and spouses without the distractions of this world and keep you at the center of all of our relationships and spend time in your presence.  Help us to run to you when we are feeling down.  Thank you for the longing you have placed on our hearts for you.  We love you so much and thank you for your wonderful provision for us. AMEN

What are your Goals?

Psalm 20:4 

4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

I LOVE the last week of the year. (except for packing up the Christmas stuff, bleh)  I start thinking of the new year and what it may hold for my family and I.  I like to make monthly goals and goals for the year. Last year I decided to give up drinking pop, and made it all year without one ounce!  What do you like to do for resolutions?  Do you keep your resolutions, or forget about them after a couple weeks?  d

Here are some great tips for keeping your new years resolutions:

Whatever  your goals maybe, be sure to write them down. Post them somewhere that you will see them everyday.  I have even take a picture of my goals and used them as a background on my phone.  

Make sure to make your goals achievable and attainable.  Make goals that pertain to you and your lifestyle, not someone else's.  The more measurable your goals are, the easier they will be to obtain.  If you want someone to help keep you accountable, I can be that person, just email me, or give me a call.  I would like to help you in anyway I can to help make those goals become a reality.

So this week grab a piece of paper and start brainstorming some ideas for goals or resolutions! Get excited for the new year and start writing down some goals on paper :)  I will post mine on our page and you all can be my accountability partner! 

Prayer Time

Thank you Father for this wonderful holiday season.  Thank you for sending your son to us as a baby in a manger to die for us, so that we may live.  Thank you for that love.  Please help us to spend time in thought of that love and what it means to our everyday life.  Help us to grow in the new year in your light, and help us to be a light for You to those around us.  Help us to make goals for the new year that will help us live strong and courageous for You. Thank you for your provision for us.  In your name we pray AMEN  

Our children, Our Gifts

Psalms 127:3

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts ever.  Yes there are days, there are days when we want to throw in the towel, walk out the door, and stick our thumbs in the air for a ride to tim-buck-two.  But then we come back in the house, wipe the sweat off our brows, look at that darling smiling face and remember what a glorious thing being a mother can be.  

Do you remember that first glimpse of your baby after labor.  The months of pregnancy, and the hours of agony and pain are completely forgotten the moment that baby is placed in your arms. What a beautiful thing! The love you feel for that baby is indescribable. I think the person that said "I love you so much it hurts" had to be a mother.

I see it everyday, that love.  When you beautiful ladies come to visit.  The way you look at your children, and the way they look back at you.  It's priceless.  

Yes our children are needy, yes they can be crabby, but they have this wonderful spirit in them, that unconditional love, just like our heavenly Father.  We can have the worst morning breathe in the world and they still want to cuddle.  We can discipline them, and maybe yell and lose our temper at times, but within seconds they forget.  What a beautiful thing.  We can learn much from our dear children. 

Psalm 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this wonderful day.  Thank you for our wonderful children, Lord.  Let us embrace the wonderful gift of motherhood and not grow weary during tough times.  Help us to raise them up to follow you Father.  In Your holy name we pray, AMEN

Striving for Perfection

Striving for Perfection

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

-Romans 3:23

Can I let you in on a little secret, okay maybe a big one?  Perfection is NOT possible.  We can try, try, and try some more, but we will all fall short.  That's right, even those of us that have perfect pinterest boards (who ever really uses the stuff on there anyway), and crazy ladies that write blogs, thinking they know enough to share about motherhood, and seem to think they have all the answers.  Ladies, there have been many times, I am like, yeah, here I am having another blow up with my 7 year old son, and I just wrote a blog about grace, seriously! What is wrong with me? I need to listen to my own encouragement!

Why do we put such expectations on ourselves?

We often compare ourselves to other moms or people in our lives.  We see them as more patient, kinder, gentler than ourselves. Why? We are always harder on ourselves than we are on others.  We strive to be perfect and have an enormous amount of guilt when we fall short.  Why do we put that pressure on our shoulders?  I want you all to know that I don't have it all together, I have issues, just like anyone else.

Let me tell you a few things about myself

Chocolate Skillet cake is my favorite :) This is the only recipe I've used from pinterest.....

Who needs anything besides chocolate anyways...

I yell at my kids, some days way too much!

I tend to let my 3rd child get by with way too much

I let him have pizza for breakfast yesterday

My kids are late for school most days of the week

My house is a mess right now

I haven't done laundry all week

I eat pretty healthy, but I will never completely give up chocolate

My van has a terrible smell in it and hasn't been cleaned out in 3 months

I only wash my hair once maybe twice a week

I let my kids watch movies just so I can have peace and quiet

Did I mention, I love chocolate?

My dear friends, I think its something we all need to admit it, we are not perfect, not one of us has it all together.  We are doing the best we know how, with the knowledge we have or were given.  The most important part of being a mother is that our children our loved, fed, cared for and safe.

We always will have things we can improve on, because we aren't perfect.  Just don't strive for it and put that pressure on yourself.  We all have strengths and weaknesses, and we will never be free of some sort of drama in our lives.  Be real, and don't be afraid to be yourselves.

There is always going to be those days. May it be a new situation,  another bad attitude, another sharp toy that we may step on, or one more night of just a few hours of sleep.  REMEMBER, YOU are a great Mom! Just remember to breathe, smile and know that we are all there with you! 

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your unconditional love for us.  Thank you for the fact that we don't need to be perfect, and that You love us no matter what happens in our day to day life.  Remind us Father that Your opinion of us is the one that we can lean on and the one that matters the most.   We love you and thank you for all the things you provide for us.  In your name we pray, AMEN

Encouragement

Encouragement

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  
-Hebrews 10:24-25

Where does your encouragement come from?  Do you need encouragement from others to keep yourself going on tasks, or can you pull forward on your own?  The truth is we can all use a little encouragement from time to time.  Even just a word to let us know that somebody is thinking about us. 

Do you remember as a child or even now, when you hear someone talking about you when they didn't know you were listening? Hearing what others think about us can either build us up or tear us down. This picture is an awesome reflection of how important our choice of words are and how it can effect others.  We can use our words to portray love and comfort or negativity and coldness.  We can use our words to build others up or tear others down.  

We also need to be careful on how we speak to ourselves.  We can be our own worst critic at times and we need to realize that nobody, I mean NOBODY is perfect.  The only ONE that is perfect is our Lord and Savior.  If we were perfect, we wouldn't need Him.  He tells us in His word, that We are ENOUGH.  His view of us should be and is the most important one.  He loves you and accepts you just the way you are. That is GREAT encouragement!

We are all different in our abilities and other's may see things that we don't and that is okay.  My husband sometimes gives his opinion or advice when I'm disciplining our boys from time to time. Being a man, he can relate better on which method may work better according to how the boys respond or react.  Does that mean I'm doing something wrong or I'm a bad mother? No, it just means that he has a different view being a man, than I do as a woman, and mother. Be willing and humble to take advice once and awhile too. Take each "hiccup" in your day as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

As our children grow, they will soak up their surroundings like a sponge.  As mothers we have our hand on the thermostat as far as the warmness or coldness of our home. This is a big responsibility, I know.   If the words that we speak are often negative, our home will be filled with negativity.  If we focus on the positive and lean on Him when things are tough, there will be peace, there will be joy, and there will be hope, even in those moments where you wonder "what the heck is going on?"  When things get chaotic and you feel like your top is about to blow.....Take 10 seconds to breathe, to reflect on what's happening, and say a quick prayer for peace.  I don't always to remember to do this, but I try.  I will even have my kids pray with me, and it's amazing how a blanket of comfort and peace fills the room. 

So all in all my encouragement for the day is just to choose your words wisely.  We are all bound to make mistakes, and it's ok. We also have words to cover that too.  

I'm sorry, will you forgive me?  

These are powerful words that can teach our children humility and courage. These are all awesome lessons to learn.  

Prayer Time
Dear Father, thank You for our wonderful families and our warm homes.  We pray that You would help us to choose words wisely when speaking to others.  Help us to encourage those that are in need and build them up.  Help us to keep positive in our everyday lives and be aware when negativity starts creeping in.  Thank you for your wonderful love for us and that we may lean on you Father when things get chaotic.  All these things we pray in your name, AMEN

The Greatest Gift

The Greatest Gift

1 Corinthians 13

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

As we get closer to Christmas this year, I really have had a hard time getting in the "Christmas Spirit".  Up until last week I was starting to really stress about getting it all done before Christmas.  I procrastinated for so long that I hadn't purchased any gifts up until last week.  This past weekend I finally finished up so now I can feel myself "getting in the mood."  Christmas music is now playing, my house is decorated and now I feel ready.  

We had our Family Christmas Service at church on Sunday, and our speaker talked about all the popular toys for the past 100 years, and how none of them compare to the "Greatest Gift."  I began to ponder my feelings and wondering why it took me so long to really get in the mood for this glorious holiday. I realized that my feelings were based on being ready for the holiday, instead of already basking in the greatest gift that I have already received.  His gift to us. The real reason for this wonderful season.  It really is something to celebrate and be joyous about. 

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

-John 3:16

When we get wrapped up in the worldy views of Christmas, we begin to lose the true spirit, the true meaning of what it is all about.  Its not about buying or receiving the perfect gift, its not about the perfect dinner.  Its about His gift to us!  Jesus our Savior was born on this day, because He LOVED us SO MUCH!  And because of Him, if we believe, will not die, but live and have eternal life!  I don't know about you, but that fills my heart with JOY and PEACE!

I want to share that gift with you today if you haven't received Jesus into your heart.  Or maybe you have but want to recommit yourself to Him today.  All you have to do is ask him into your heart and He will meet you where you are on this very day.  Please if you do receive him into your heart, let me or Theresa know and we can help you begin to grow and get you a bible.  

If you are ready, pray with me Dear Jesus,

I have sinned against you.  I want forgiveness of all my sins.  I believe Jesus that you dies on the cross for me and rose again.  Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish.  I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart.  I ask this in Jesus' name, AMEN

As we get ready to celebrate this year, let's remember how much He loves us and what He has done for us.  Let us share that love with our little ones, and love on our family members.  Please don't let the pressures of the holiday spoil what it can and should be about.  Love as He loved us and you will be filled with Joy, Peace, Hope and the greatest gift of all LOVE! 

What is this thing called grace?

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

What is this thing called Grace? Let's look at the definition

 grace

grās/

noun

1. 1.

   simple elegance or refinement of movement

   "she moved through the water with effortless grace"

   synonyms:

   elegance, poise, gracefulness, finesse;
2. 2.

   (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

verb

1. 1.

   do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence.

   "she bowed out from the sport she has graced for two decades"

   synonyms:

   dignify, distinguish, honor, favor;

When we look at the word grace used as a verb,does it surprise you?  In the verse above

the Lord tells us we are to show grace through our words and actions to everyone. I don't know about you but there are days when I am so short fused, and yet when I am, I have this overwhelming feel of regret and guilt.  While nobody is perfect there are somethings we can do to show more grace to those around us, yes even our kiddos :)  When we practice grace, we will feel stronger, and more in control.

Here are some awesome ways to show grace:

WORDS

We can show grace by watching our choice of words.  Words are a powerful thing.  We can tear someone down, or lift someone up.  There are times when we need to discipline, but instead of saying "you're so naughty!" , we could as them "Did you make a good or a bad choice?" We can show grace by responding in a caring, gentle way.  

SEEING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

Are there people in your daily lives that could use an extra hand? A neighbor, and elderly friend, a grandparent?   Not only will you feel great about helping someone, your children will see it and learn to help others as they grow.  As we begin to be aware of our surroundings, we will see needs all around us.  Holding a door, picking up something a random person dropped, grace, grace, grace.

RESPOND WITH GRACE

Has someone criticized you or made you angry?  We have a choice to get mad and fight back, or we can respond with grace.  I'm not saying to let people walk all over you, but we have options. We can either receive those words, or we can throw them in the trash can.  I know I have a tendency to put my defenses up when I feel like I'm being criticized. It's hard, but I also know there are always things I can improve on.

I'M SORRY

Apologizing is such a powerful thing. Admit your wrong doings and move on.  Even if you weren't the one to throw the first fist (figure of speech).  Swallow your pride and apologize for your wrong response.  

THANK YOU

Thanking those that have helped you, given you a hand up, means the world to those doing the giving. We can do this with a card, or a note, or simply saying it.  

FORGIVENESS

Show others grace by forgiving them for their downfalls.  Nobody is perfect, forgive and forget. Move on, don't keep track of wrong doings.  Jesus keeps no record of ours, we don't need to keep a record either,  

SHOW INTEREST IN OTHERS

Are there things that your husband or significant other is interested in? When we show interested in the things they enjoy, it shows that we care about them and what they like.  My husband and I go bow hunting together.  I can't say that its one of favorite things to do, but its been rewarding for me to be out there with him.  We have seen some beautiful sunsets being out there together.  Or have you noticed how your kids eyes light up when you play a game or do something with them that they enjoy?  It's fun when we can share our interests with others. 

When we show grace to others our hearts will be filled and others will begin to see that.  Practice control, strength, and patience.  Everybody is dealing with things, including ourselves.  This is not an easy task, it takes practice, patience, love and peace.  I am working on this daily, and continue to fail.  The good news is that we are aware of it, and asking for forgiveness shows humility and grace.  We can make mistakes, we don't have to be perfect. He has an unending amount of grace for us, let us show that grace to those we come in contact with everyday.

Prayer time:

Thank you Father for the grace you show us everyday.  We love You so much, Lord we pray that You would help us to see others the way You do.  Help us to forgive and forget when people hurt us.  Help us to see the needs of others and give us the wisdom to be humble and apologize when we need to. We lay our worries at your feet Lord, and know they will be taken care of. All these things we pray in Your holy name, AMEN!

We are more than conquerors though Him who loves us

                                           

                                          
Romans 8:37-39  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                

Last night I went to Ladies Night Out at Hosanna Worship Center.  They were having their ladies ministry called Heart's Desire.  The speaker talked about the love of the Father and how he loves us just as we are.  His love is UNCONDITIONAL.  It can't be earned or gained.  It doesn't matter what you've done in the past or what you may do in the future.  When you ask for forgiveness, you are forgiven, and He keeps no records of wrongs.

Did you know that in His eyes

You are AWESOME

You are ENOUGH

You are BEAUTIFUL

You can CONQUER 

the enemy because HE loves YOU

You are His wonderful daughter

You are BRAVE

You are a GREAT MOM

Are there things you are battling with that makes you feel inadequate?  When I got pregnant with my third child, I honestly felt overwhelmed.  I felt like I had to be super mom, and that I had to have it all together. I never imagined that I would be a mother of three.  Two maybe, but three? Not in the plans.  We actually had gotten rid of anything baby as we were done having children.  I had to put my trust in the Lord that everything was going to be OK.  He doesn't give us anything that we can't handle.  You know what?  I couldn't imagine life without my third son, Silas.  He is such an awesome little boy and has added so much joy to our family :)  When things start getting chaotic, I remember that He is there for me.  HIS peace, HIS patience and HIS love are only a prayer away.  You don't even have to pray everyday, read your bible everyday.  He accepts us and loves us just as we are.

                                         

Father, thank you for your love.  Thank you that you will accept us just as we are, imperfections and all. Help us to see that You are our Father.  Help us to see that no matter what happens, you will be there to lift us up, dust us off.  Help us to fully trust in that love and let our fear  go at your feet. We love you Lord Jesus! Amen