Family Life

Father's Day 2016 (Stone 20 months Abigail 3 1/2)

I am an extremely blessed woman. For some reason the Lord has seen fit to bless me with an amazing family. I have a husband who works extremely hard to not only provide for us, but so he can serve the Lord. He loves me more and more each day and is an amazing example to our children.

My littles. Oh my, my heart melts. My children are such a gift. To have been told at 14 that the only way for me to have kids is if I used medical intervention was devastating. God had other plans. With the mindset that it could take years to get pregnant my husband and I started trying to get pregnant before we were even married a year. And she was born exactly 1 1/2 years after we said "I do." Then Stone. We thought we were done after Abigail. We were pretty comfortable with the idea of only one child. But God had other plans. And I am thankful. My son is such a delight, stubborn, but a delight.

This week has been rough for me. Professionally I am in a great place. I work with about 20 amazing women, we have our issues from time to time, but mostly we work in harmony. Spiritually, I am on a path that has me growing. I am serving in a new area now, hello summer choir. My prayer life is more. And I have songs back.

That last part probably sounds odd so let me explain.

About 2 years ago I asked the Lord to put a song in my heart. I wanted to sing His praises. And He answered me. Instead of wondering and idle thoughts, worship and praise songs would pop into my head. Middle of last fall they stopped. Over the spring this year, a song or two would pop up. But about 3 weeks ago it became constant again. I like to take it as a sign that I am doing what God is calling me to do.

Now to why this week has been rough.

A few weeks back, the kids and I were almost in a wreck. It didn't happen, so I didn't share really with anyone, minus my husband. I was leaving the gym, and if I had not been paying attention, a gentleman would have t-boned my car, hitting my son directly. But I did see him, praise be to God! I slammed on my brakes, sounded my horn, and by the time he stopped his car was in front of mine. I was sore as I left the gym, so I gave it no thought. This past weekend though my neck/shoulder started bothering me. Right where my seatbelt passes. Add pain, some swelling, and tingling/loss of feeling in two fingers.....

I went to the chiropractor and was informed I have a pinched nerve. It is painful people. Let me tell you, if my mom who has nerve issues from a car wreck is living with this type of pain, I am ashamed for not being more understanding of her. My wonderful husband has made dinner, been home early to take over with the kids, he has done all our laundry and our house looks good.

Stone's1st hair cut! 6/24/2016

Stone hasn't understood why I can't pick him up (afraid I could drop him!), but Abigail has been more understanding. Last night she played doctor on me, to try and fix me. She is so tender hearted. She has a heart for people, and I pray she always does. I can't believe how big my littles are getting.

Kemah Boardwalk - June16, 2016

They are both so fearless. Such an inspiration.

I love my little family. They truly are a gift.

Misconceptions on Faith and the Honest Truth

"Christianity is nothing but a list of do's and do not's."
"Oh your a Christian, so you can't have fun right?"
"So obviously you don't party...so what do you do for fun...knit? sew?"

For some peculiar reason, people think that if they become a Christian they will never again have any fun. That to follow Jesus is to be bored the rest of your earthly life.

Let me tell you what, that is as far from the truth as it can be.

Life is never dull for me, or my family, or my friends in the faith. Now yes, there are things we do not do, but that is because we have made a choice no to do them.

Many do view living a life of faith, a life for Jesus as a list of do's and do not's, but that is legalism, and not a way to live for anyone. That is nothing but bondage and takes away from your faith in Christ. That list is saying faith in Jesus is not enough. And that is not the truth.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Now for that fun part. Everyone has their own idea of what fun is. When I was younger, I did some stupid things that were considered fun. Up all night, work all day and repeat, all on very little sleep. I once upon a time would go dancing and drink. As an adult my definition of fun has changed.

I no longer drink, I felt called by God to stop doing so. I am obedient to Him. Now if you drink I am not condemning you. It is a personal choice. How I sometimes did it as a young adult was not wise, might have been considered fun by others, but it was a choice I made during that time period that I would do differently in hindsight (isn't it always 20/20). 

I rarely dance or stay up all night. Not because those things are bad or not fun, but my life is different. With age and with my faith.

At this point in my life, I have two children 3 and under, a dog, my dad lives at home with us, and my wonderful husband is self employed. We work hard, we work long hours, and our life is busy. We have fun in that mix. We enjoy family outings, time outside, trips to the zoo, couples dates to shows.

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I started this post several months ago.

Reading over it I somewhat see where I was going with it. This is one of those post I mentioned in my post on being content where I started to write but God said wait.

Freedom. As the world goes crazy, I am thankful for my freedom in Christ. As long as I abide Him, I am free. This crazy, broken world is contorting what God says is pure, holy, and right. And the rabbit hole we are all in is stripping us all of our constitutional freedoms, but sisters, friends, please rest assured that if your hope and trust are in Jesus, no matter what the world does, says, or threatens you are free in Christ.

Silent But Not Gone, Learning to Be Content

God has been doing a work in me.

Many times I have sat to write, but then I stop. God says not now. Wait.

So I have been waiting. But I have not been doing nothing.

I went to New Orleans. I refreshed my mind, body, and spirit. I came back with a renewed purpose: personally, professionally, and spiritually. God reaffirmed in me His plan for my life. And slowly but surely I am working towards that.

• I am joining the choir.
• I take my mornings slower. I let my children (& myself) wake gently so we can ease into our days.
• I take the time to rest when my body needs it ( I had the flu a few weeks back and my PCOS is flaring).
• I am no longer trying to please everyone.
• I am pausing in my day to be with Jesus.
• I am praying more.

And I am learning to say no. I feel that my marriage is stronger (this past Saturday was our 5th anniversary!!!), my bond with my children is better and that I am enjoying life more. I am reading for pleasure (Christian authors), working out moderately, tending to my house, and learning to live simply.

My father moved out a week or so ago. Time is flying by. But by him doing so we have shifted how our house works for us. We no longer feel cramped on each other. Not saying my dad cramped us, but we do see that we have way too much stuff. And though we have purged many things, there is more to be done. I shared on my Facebook page a sermon that I deeply love. One of our pastor's, Dr. Gamble, taught on the subject of being content. And to me it was powerful. I received a rhema from the passage he shared.

1 Timothy 6:8English Standard Version (ESV)⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Read that verse. Food and clothing. Dr. Gamble said clothing could be interpreted to mean covering (shelter and clothing). Not free Wi-Fi, a 4 bedroom house, 2 cars, and a bursting closet. We are to be happy with food and clothing. Everything else is a blessing.

The two verses leading into verse 8 shed more light. We need to strive to live for Christ and be happy:

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

This sermon really convicted me but also inspired me. This world is temporary. The steps I have been taking to enjoy life, enjoy my family are guiding me on how to be content. To quote Dr. Gamble, "We should be the most content people in the world." But I know there are times when I am not content, when I think I need or deserve more. What I deserve, what we all deserve is death. Thankfully we have a merciful good Father who loves us and blesses us. What can you do today to simplify your life? What can you do to stop being so "busy" that you do not have time for God? This is not to condemn, I am just as guilty. I get caught up in the stuff and forget about the one who died for my sins. But let me challenge you to press pause on life, and take inventory of all the stuff that is not food and clothing. Do you need it all? Or can you live without it? It is an adjustment but it is easy to live without much of what we all have.