15-Laughter and Peace

So… when I began this personal challenge… I had a list of people I wanted to include.  (I did not list everyone I could think of and then rank them, thus this list does not represent my “Top 40”.)  This list is heavily influenced by where I am right now, recently moved and thinking about friends I used to see regularly, as well as thinking about my own jr. high experiences as I seek to parent my own jr. higher.

To give my list an order, I  decided to write chronologically… more or less… and thus, today’s “person of the day”, (I know I am one day late =P) is a boy I met when I was just 15.  A boy who would one day become my boyfriend, fiance, husband, and father of my children.  

Today, I thank Todd.  You are the one who makes me laugh, who calms me down when I am overwhelmed, and who reminds me that God is in control.  I love this adventure we are sharing together.  It is strange how working together, yet being so often apart, has brought us closer together.  

Above all, this is an official “Thank you”  for supporting and encouraging me through my classes so I could earn a Masters Degree. Thank you for sacrificing time with me as I wrote papers and solved statistics problems.   I couldn’t have finished without you.  I love you!!!

14-Memories of Laughter

I have one more memorable friend to thank from our years in Seattle.  Julie.  Your smile lit up the room!!  You were always ready to laugh, at yourself as much as with others.  My daughter is in Jr. High now, giving new insight into the blessings of our friendship.  I want to thank your mom, too.  She always welcomed my sister and I into your home and made us feel like part of the family.  Thank you for your friendship, for laughter, and for sharing your life with me!

13-Radical Challenge

Thank you Steve Allen, for your encouragement to live a "Radical" life.  Thank you for your inspiring passion for the Lord and for people. As a young teen I loved our youth group and the friendships that grew in the community you helped to develop. You challenged us to take our faith seriously and to think deeply about what it means to follow the Lord, setting high expectations and encouraging us in our efforts to reach them. You made my Jr. High experience meaningful and memorable.  Thank you!

12-Potential Named

"Brenda, a uniquely kind and gifted young lady whose desire to please God is evident in all aspects of her life." ~Mrs. Geren, 1988

I'm not sure how you saw this in me, an arrogant and self-centered Jr. Higher.  You looked beyond that, saw what I could be, and blessed me with an expectation that I, 26 years later, still seek to meet.  Mrs. Geren, you taught me so much more than Bible and Art. Thank you for seeing & naming my potential and inspiring me in my journey to reach that lofty goal.

11-Life Lessons

Before I continue on to my Jr. High years, I want to thank Tom and Ginny Swann, friends of my parents with whom we shared many happy camping trips.  Ginny, thank you for your encouragement and special gifts. I always knew you were so happy to see me and spend time with my family.  You taught us to say “Big Whoop” when we were “making much ado about nothing”, teaching by example of how to parent with humor.  Tom, you taught me how to eat crackers without leaving crumbs.  More importantly, you taught me that dads who are stern and don’t want crumbs in their cars still deeply love their children, and their friends’children. You were a special part of my life, thank you!

10-Truth Speakers

Gretchen and Tom Glover will complete the list of the first ten people from my first ten years of life.  First friends of my parents that I can remember, You taught me the Good News and supported and encouraged our family through so many joys and struggles.  You faithfully prayed with and for us and encouraged us when we made the move to Portland.  Moving as a 14 year old was completely overwhelming and I found great comfort in your encouragement that God had a purpose for us in our move to Portland.  Thank you for speaking the truth in love.

9-First Friend

Jennifer.  I have always admired your quirkiness and pride in being uniquely you!  I don’t think I will ever be able to fully appreciate growing up with a friend like you.  You are my first friend!  I am thankful for our friendship that began so long ago on our first day of Kindergarten.   Thanks for the fun memories of making up plays using Stop Thief! for sound effects, slumber parties and Michael Jackson, birthday celebrations, Girl Scout camping trips and Jr. High camps with church.  I loved living our early years together, I’m glad facebook has given us a chance to reconnect and I hope to get up to Seattle to see you soon!!!

8-Faithful & Creative

I want to thank my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Ric.  Your love of God and family, shared camping trips, creativity and family fun give me a tangible example of how to include these qualities in my own family.  Thank you for your example of regular family devotions, creative and sometimes crazy activities, and holiday celebrations.  I love you and look forward to when we can all be together again!

7-Servant’s heart

I want to thank my Aunt Joanne for your example of a servant’s heart.  You have blessed so many others by using your gifts and talents to serve others.  Thank you for your example of how God uses His people to love and serve others from all cultures all over the world.  Your example reminds me of the bigger picture of how God is at work in this world, working through His people to love and serve “the least of these”.

6-Life Legacy

I want to thank my grandparents, John and Eleanor Gates.  Your lives of quiet faith, trusting in the Lord in every circumstance, inspire me to continue your legacy.  Thank you for family gatherings, for shared meals and for teaching me to enjoy the too-brief times we share together.  Thank you “Grammy” and “Gramps” for your amazing legacy of a life lived well.

5-Heart Vision

Mark, you look beyond the external and see a person’s heart.  You inspire me to care for others, especially those who are struggling with life choices and circumstances.  I am so excited to see the man you have become, a steady job, soon to be married, a real grown-up!!  Thank you for teaching me to enjoy the present, to live life to the fullest in every moment.  You help me to remember not to take life too seriously, except when necessary.

4-Loved All

I want to thank my brother, J-J (James-John).  You loved your friends regardless of their choices.  It didn't matter who they were or what they did, you loved without judgement, the way Jesus said we were to love others.  I am profoundly changed and inspired by your too-short-story of life on this planet.  I pray that I will live as you lived and love as you loved, without judgement and with passion, faith, and integrity.

3-Faithful Disciple/Teacher

I want to thank my dad, David Avery.  By your example and in your words you taught me to be a faithful disciple and teacher.  Through all the joys and sorrows of life’s circumstances you have remained faithful to honor God in all you do.  Thank you for being a "faithful man" who "teaches others". (2 Timothy 2:2)

2-Prayer Warrior

Next, I want to thank my mom, Louise Avery.  From my earliest memories you prayed for us and for others.  You taught me and continue to teach me that God is in control of all of life and desires to know our hearts through prayer.  In ways that are often mysterious, God chooses to accomplish His work through prayer.  You “help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”  ( 2 Corinthians 1:11) Words are not enough to thank you for this gift of prayer!!

1-Christ Compass

I want to thank my sister, Rebecca Bailey, for always pointing me to Christ.  No matter what challenges you face or joys you experience, you consistently point to Christ.  From as far back as I can remember, you have inspired me to strive for excellence.  You  inspire me to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” and to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Thank you for your example, my sister, my twin.

My First Forty

Authors officially acknowledge that their story was only possible through the help of others.  In the same way, my story is inseparable from the many “characters” who have shaped and influenced me, imaging Christ in real and tangible ways.  

Tomorrow is the first of the last 40 days of my first forty years of life on this planet.  

The Plan?  Take 40 days to thank 40 people.  

Tomorrow I begin my “Acknowledgements”  for the story of My First Forty.

Enjoy the story!!

My favorite birthday greeting =)

"If you believe that each of us was designed by God for a specific reason, then you know there's no such thing as an ordinary person. So happy birthday, extraordinary person.

Don't ever forget how truly unique, how essential, how important you are. I know I won't."

I am learning that it is ok to be me, that it is good to be me... with all my passion (thanks RF) and craziness and drama and failings (thanks JT).

I want to live with this view of others as well. This is how I want to live my life, by considering others as truly unique, essential, important... extraordinary. And the really challenging part?? Intentionally remembering that this is true of my children and husband as well.

God, please help me to intentionally love my children, especially when they are struggling to make good choices, and especially I am weary with parenting. And thank you for making me... me.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

My secret New Year's Resolutions

I just read a suggestion to not share your resolutions... because sometimes people only share them to feel like they are doing something.... but then never do them. So, most of mine will remain a secret this year... maybe I will reveal them to you at the end of the year??? Who knows!!!

I have been reading some fantastic books, and i wanted to share a few quotes to inspire you today!!

From Nehemiah: a great way to start each morning!!

"...stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."

From my new favorite book: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

"If you don't love somebody, it gets annoying when they tell you what to do or what to feel. When you love them you get pleasure from their pleasure, and it makes it easy to serve. I didn't love God because I didn't know God."

Also... he tells a beautiful story on p. 33-34... maybe i will post it tomorrow.

And finally... from Harry Potter Book 2 (I know this is an unusual combination... =) )

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

oh... one more... along the theme of choices, from Blue Like Jazz

"I believe the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time."

A challenge for us all: How are you using your time... how are you choosing to use your time?

Happy New Year!!!!

God Hears

I heard three sad stories yesterday... I don't know what to do about it. How do I still live and enjoy my life with such pain present... touching me. I am glad I am here, glad to have provided a listening and sympathetic ear. Yet I go home, interact with my children... in my happy life where my biggest struggle is my children not doing their homework, cleaning their room, or trying to keep my house clean and my family fed. I think about their stories... the neglect in her childhood that haunts and touches her present, the irresponsible biological mom she must share a step child with, the judgmental and non supportive husband she tries to love.... and I once again claim faith. A faith that God alone can heal these wounds, and faith that my prayers and theirs will touch the heart of God... that God hears... and loves.

"And God heard their groaning,

and God remembered his covenant ...

God saw the people of Israel—and God knew."

Exodus 2:24 & 25

A reason to celebrate!!

Happy Birthday Anna!!

It is my precious daughter's birthday. My daughter who is impulsive and creative and fills my heart with joy!!

Thank you Lord, for this precious gift!!

Psalm 26-32: what inspires me

Here they are, I can't keep them to myself!!

"O Lord, I love the habitation of your house

and the place where your glory dwells."

26:8

"One thing I have asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after;

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple."

27:4

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him."

28:7

"Ascribe to the Lord,

O heavenly beings,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."

29:1-2

"O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me."

30:2

"Into your hand I commit my spirit;

you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God."

31:5

"I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'

and you forgave the impurity of my sin."

32:5

I am amazed and awed just by going back through and writing these words. Wow!! God is so full of love, and I am in such need of His forgiveness.

Thank you, My Lord and Savior. You truly have saved me.

I love this book!!

The Jesus I Never Knew

Phillip Yancy

"A political movement by nature draws lines, makes distinctions, pronounces judgment; in contrast, Jesus' love cuts across lines, transcends distinctions, and dispenses grace. Regardless of the merits of a given issue--whether a pro-life lobby out of the Right or a peace-and justice lobby out of the Left--political movements risk pulling onto themselves the mantle of power that smothers love. From Jesus I learn that, whatever activism I get involved in, it must not drive out love and humility, or otherwise I betray the kingdom of heaven."

"If a century from now all that historians can say about evangelicals of the 1990s is that they stood for family values, then we will have failed the mission Jesus gave us to accomplish; to communicate God's reconciling love to sinners."

"A society that welcomes people of all races and social classes, that is characterized by love and not polarization, that cares most for its weakest members, that stands for justice and righteousness in a world enamored with selfishness and decadence, a society in which members compete for the privilege of serving one another--this is what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God."

Beautiful!!!

A brief intermission from the Psalms...

I blinked, and now it is May!!! Yikes!!! My son is 7, my daughter is just 2 months away from being 9... did you read that?? 9!!! How did that happen?? I am not old enough, or wise enough, to have a 9 year old. God please help me!!!

I know this is not Psalms, but please read and meditate on this verse our pastor shared yesterday.

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Isn't that beautiful?? God wasn't talking to perfect people either, these are the Israelites. The ones who sin over and over and over again.

Our pastor challenged us to think about how God views us... do we think of God as taking great delight in us? Do we think of God as rejoicing over us??

He gave his son for us... to save us... knowing what sinners we all are. That is how valuable God considers us.

Know that you are cherished and loved today by a Great and Mighty God!!!

Psalm 25:4-5

"Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long."

This is the prayer of my heart, for myself, my children, my loved ones. Commit this passage to memory and pray it for those you love.

Enjoy your day!

Psalm 24:1-3 for Monday

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

Too much fun!!!

Hanging out with Mom and Dad, How to Train a Dragon (great movie!!), more hanging out, hiking in Idyllwild, indoor rock climbing in Arcadia... who has time to blog??? What fun we all had!!!

Now, I am back. Re-entry has been hard... but we are adjusting. It was nice to vacation and relax!!!

Pictures coming soon.....

Love you all!!!

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still water.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Thank you Father, for caring for my physical needs and my spiritual needs. May I be led by You to still waters that restore my soul.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows."

I love that image... that my cup overflows. I pray I may always remember this truth.

And now, my favorite part...

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall swell in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 22:22-24

"You who fear the Lord, praise him!

all you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

for he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him."

Stand in awe, for He has heard your cry.

Beautiful!

Psalm 21:13 for Tuesday

"Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power."

It is an interesting contrast, isn't it?? Singing of the Lord's power, on this week, the passion week of Christ? Our idea of power is so different from that of Our Lord.

Psalm 20:1-2, 7 for Monday

...for GS and family, and others who are experiencing trials...

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May he send you help from the sanctuary

and give you support from Zion!"

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

be we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

What chariots and horses are you trusting in today??

Trust in the name of the Lord our God, trust in His character, His plan, and His Sovereignty.

Psalm 19:14 for Sunday

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

May it be so, O Lord, may it be so.

Psalm 18: 31, 46

TS died last night. Please be in prayer for their family, and for those who loved him.

"For who is God, but the Lord?

And who is a rock, except our God?

the God who equipped me with strength

and made my way blameless."

"The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,

an exalted be the God of my salvation..."

Psalm 18:30

"This God--His way is perfect;

the word of the Lord proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."

It is a challenge, isn't it? To remember that God is our shield? So often I look to other things to "shield" me. May I remember that God is my shield... he is sufficient. His word is true.

Psalm 17:6-7 for Thursday

"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Wonderously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand."

I am challenged to expect God... to look for Him to "wonderously show his love". I wonder how many acts of love I miss, because I do not have eyes to see?

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

I cannot read this verse without crying. God wants good things for us. We must come to him with teachable heart. Life is so different than what we want... but it is what God wants for us because He wants good things for us... and those good things are often found on the other side of trials... and in the midst of trials. We are studying James now. This book is full of teaching on trials, their purpose, and God's purpose for trials. Read it if you are going though a trial, and be encouraged, read it for a friend who is going through a trial, and encourage them.

But above all, remember...

At God's right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:8 for Tuesday

"I have set the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."

Everyone should memorize this verse. I love this passage, and I love this verse. What a picture of strength and hope!!!

I remember when I first "found" this verse. I wrote it on a card and placed it in my car... so I could remind myself of where my security lies.

Please pray for our family friends, GS and TS. TS is battling cancer... and GS is really struggling with hope. Pray for hope for her, pray this verse for her.

Psalm 15:1-2 for Monday

"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on our holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

and speaks truth in his heart;"

This is what God requires... to walk blamelessly, to speak truth... in our heart, even. It is hard to speak truth in our hearts... it involves admitting what we often do not want to omit. Wrong motives, selfish thoughts...

I am so thankful that God desires honesty. This is where I want to live.

Psalm 14: 2 (Today =) Yay!!)

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,

to see if there are any who understand,

who seek after God."

God wants us to seek Him. That is how we are changed from corrupt sinners to redeemed and restored children of God.

Seek Him today.

Psalm 13:6 (Thursday)

"But I have trusted in your steadfast love,

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me."

O Lord, may I stay in this place, with this awareness, always.

Memorize this passage, friends and family, near and far.

Memorize this to quote in your fight against anxious fears that threaten your peace.

Psalm 12:5-6 (Wednesday)

"'Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,' says the Lord.

'I will place him in the safety for which he longs.'

The words of the Lord are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

purified seven times."

Psalm 11: 7 (Tuesday)

Opps!! I skipped Monday!!!

"For the Lord is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face."

"Behold his face"

... unbelievable

... unbelievable.

Psalm 10: 1, 17 (Sunday)

"Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

Life feels like this at times, doesn't it? I so appreciate the raw emotion in the Psalms.

But... that is not the end of the story... this is...

"O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear..."

What a great ending!!!

Psalm 9: 1-2 (Saturday)

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;

I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in you;

I will sing praise to your name,

O Most High."

I love that I can recount wonderful deeds, that the telling of God's goodness gladdens my heart.

Recount all of God's wonderful deeds... tell everyone of His goodness!!!

Psalm 9: 9-10 (Friday)

"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.

And those who know your name put their trust in you,

for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Beautiful, encouraging words... especially when I think about those around the world who are oppressed. The Lord has not forsaken those who seek him, what a promise!!

Something Different

Yikes!! Over a week!! My parents came to visit and we were so busy having so much fun, that I didn't bother blogging!!!

I have been faithfully reading a Psalm a day, now I want to record the verses that God used to encourage me.

But first... I did it!!! I went for a change!! What do you think??

Psalm 8:9

"O Lord, Our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 7:17

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,

and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 6:9

"The Lord has heard my plea;

the Lord accepts my prayer."

Beautiful, what more can be said?

Psalm 5: 11

" But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

This past Sunday I was witness to the power of God, and I am amazed. Simply amazed. After preaching on Matthew 25: 31-46, our pastor stepped aside and invited 40 men, women, and children, to give their "cardboard testimonies" of how God had intervened in their life, how their simple-yet-often-difficult act of placing their faith in Him had changed their life. A "cardboard testimony" is a simple phrase written on one side of a piece of cardboard, explaining what you were like before. On the other side you write what you are now like, as a result of God's intervention in you life, after having placed your faith in Him alone.

It was an amazing testimony to the power of God, to His real-ness, to His transforming power. God's power changes complacent teens, drug addicts, troubled marriages, and adopted children whose testimony showed their change from "abandoned" to "being a part of a loving family". Wow... God is amazing!!!

May we take refuge in God, may we rejoice, and may we exult in the Lord!!

Wow... how easily I stray and "take refuge" in other things... in seeing my plans fulfilled, my children doing what I want... etc. I pray that I will take refuge in God.

I love the promise that we will rejoice and that we will be protected!!!

Exult in the Lord today!!! Be the one who takes refuge in God and who loves His name!!

Psalm 4:8

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

I have always loved this passage for the security and peace it represents. I think of a sleeping child, how they appear so angelic and pure.

Now I see that I am safe, safe from worries and fears, because God is gracious (v. 1), he hears me when i call (v. 3), he is trustworthy (v. 5), and he is the joy-giver (v. 7).

I remember praying this for my children, and I meditate on this when I struggle to sleep.

Be encouraged today, God makes you dwell in safety!!

Psalm 3:3

"But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head."

Beautiful!! The Lord is my shield, I place my security and trust in Him. Not a clean house, obedient children, or stable emotions.

When I depend on circumstances or people for my security and sense of well being, I am frustrated and disappointed. God, please help me to remember that You are my shield, you are my glory, you are the lifter of my head!!!

I encourage you, if you have not already, to memorize this verse today. Write it on a sticky note and place it in an obvious place. Meditate on this verse today.

Psalm 2:10-11

"Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling."

This is a good reminder to pray for the "rulers of the earth". Have you prayed for your rulers today??

Psalm 1: 2-3

for yesterday...

"but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers."

I love this image of delighting in the law of the Lord. I am so thankful that I have seen such a change in my own delight of God's law. Praise God!!

I love the image of a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit. Lord, help me to yield fruit!!!

Jeremiah 17:8.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

and whose trust is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Are your leaves green??? =)

Psalm 150:6

"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

What could be better than that?? What an amazing ending to the Psalms!!

Praise God for creating us with the ability and desire to enjoy the sweet gift of friendship!! We spent Sunday with friends.... what a blessing! Friends at church, and we hung out with friends at the beach. What could be greater than that?? =)

Psalm 149:4

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;

he adorns the humble with salvation."

I want to meditate on this truth... that the humble are adorned with salvation. As many of you know, I have been studying Romans this year. That is one big lesson that I have learned... to better understand the amazing gift of salvation by faith that God has given us. It is too easy in our culture... growing up in the church, to take this gift for granted. I am constantly challenged to teach our children to stand in awe of the precious gift of salvation.

God takes pleasure in us!

Be amazed to day.

Psalm 148: 5-6, 14

"Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For he commanded and they were created.

And he established them forever and ever,

he gave a decree, and it shall not pas away."

Everything we have is created, everything that we are is created. Contemplating this, really understanding this truth, will result in praise to God. The created praises its Creator!!

Even the difficult trials work in our hearts and lives to make us more like him.

So, in all things,

Praise the Lord!!!

"He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

praise the Lord!"

The horn represents power and strength, a power and strength that saves, and ultimately Jesus as our Savior. This is why we ultimately praise the Lord!!

Read this psalm with your family today!!

Psalm 147: 5, 8

I will do this!!!! I won't give up!!! =)

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure."

The Psalms are amazing!!! I am so glad that God is abundant in power, so thankful for this reminder when life is chaotic and terrible things happen.

"He covers the heavens with clouds;

he prepares rain for the earth;

he makes grass grow on the hills."

This is where we went this weekend... what an appropriate passage for this weekend!! It rained Friday night, so we decided not to go hiking in the mud. There was still a chance of rain... or so they said... so we chose to drive to the beach instead. Wow!!! What amazing clouds, what beautiful hills, and the ocean!!! We missed hiking, but the alternative was equally amazing.

Enjoy your Monday!!!

Tell your children, your friends, your family, everyone you meet. God is amazing!!!

Psalm 146:5

Yikes!!! It is a good thing that I am an optimist, otherwise I would never do anything!!

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his God."

I am so thankful that my hope is in the Lord, and not in circumstances, people, or a clean house and obedient children!!

What a great reminder... I needed this today.

Psalm 145: 14-16

"The Lord upholds all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food in due season.

You open your hand;

you satisfy the desire of every living thing."

Did you catch that? "...in due season." God has his timing. He will give us what we need, our food, in due season. I love that reminder.

And also... he will satisfy my desires. Wow. I can't say anything else but Wow.

Psalm 145: 11-12, day 1, for Wednesday

"They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom."

I love this Psalm, I will spend a few days in it. I am reminded of the need to tell my children God's mighty deeds and to talk about the glorious splendor of His kingdom. I get so busy with daily life that I forget to stop and talk... I forget to "enjoy the story"... to enjoy His Story!!

Talk to your children about God's mighty deeds, today!!

Psalm 144:1-2

If at first you don't succeed... try and try again!!

So... forgive the hiatus, and allow me to begin again!!!

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock,

who trains my hands for war,

and my fingers for battle;

he is my steadfast love and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

who subdues peoples under me."

This is a Psalm of war, a prayer for deliverance, equipping for battle, and strength. War is what David was trained for. I need training for strength in my daily routine of homework, reading, piano practice, math facts practice... etc. All this while getting a yummy, or at least edible, meal on the table!!!

So today I want to recognize that I see my prayers for training for this battle are beginning to be answered. While some days are better than others, overall I think my percentage of good days is much higher than last year. Praise God for continuing to train me to be more like Him!!!

Psalm 143: 8

(ok... now I am caught up to today!! =) Hopefully this will go back to being a daily blog again!!!)

I love David's boldness in calling on the Lord to answer him, in stating truth in his prayer. This inspires me to share in David's boldness in my own prayers.

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul."

I pray that this will be my continual prayer every morning. What a way to start my day!!! Join with me in beginning your day with this prayer. Write it on a sticky note and place it by your clock, toothbrush or kitchen sink. Commit to daily praying this prayer.

February 4th, J-J's day

Speaking of yesterday....

February 4th is my brother's birthday. The day passed uneventfully... which is always strange to me, that the day seems so ordinary. Every year I wonder how we can celebrate and remember my precious brother's life. My sister baked a cake and prayed for his friends. I like her idea, and plan on starting this tradition. I think we will do that tonight, in his honor.

How do you remember your loved ones who are no longer with you???

Psalm 142: 7b for yesterday...

"The righteous will surround me,

for you will deal bountifully with me."

Wow!! I am so thankful that this is true in my life. God has surrounded me with the righteous, righteous men and women who love God and who mentor me. I love how God uses His imperfect people to make us more like Him!!

Praise the Lord!!!

Psalm 141:3

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips!"

This was an obvious choice. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a prayer I must pray on a regular basis to maintain peace in my family. Wow... the consequence of unguarded words... it is a sobering thought. Yet, I continue to realize that guarded words come from right thinking, and unguarded words from sinful thinking. I must "be transformed by the renewing of my mind..." that is how the Lord guards my mouth. That, combined with simply listening to His still, small voice... that sometimes isn't so still or small... saying... "be quiet!", or, "BE QUIET!! JUST DON'T SPEAK."

Psalm 140: 12... for Tuesday

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and will execute justice for the needy."

...the question is... will we?

Too often we as a Christian community are too quick to tell others that they are wrong, and too slow to exhibit Christ-like actions.

So... this verse gives me hope, and brings conviction.

Psalm 139:24

What a privilege and blessing to read this psalm today!!! What love the Father has for us!!

I love that this final verse comes in the context of God's love, of David's proclamation of his faith and trust in God's love for Him. What an encouragement for us today!!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

and see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Lead me in the way everlasting...

Psalm 138:8

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

do not forsake the work of your hands."

I love the thought that God has a purpose for me, and that He will fulfill it. What love!!

May we be sensitive to God's leading, to the purpose he has for us, and may we submit to that purpose. May we wait patiently as God reveals this purpose to us, and may we always remember that His love endures forever. Amen!

Psalm 137:4... for yesterday

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?"

This psalm is a little strange, and ends on a really terrible note, but I was really struck by this verse. We are in a foreign land, and it does seem impossible to "sing the Lord's song". I am often struck by the differences between my beliefs and the world's... they are so different than me, they have such different standards. Also, Christianity, belief in God, is so often portrayed in such a negative light. This seems impossible... impossible seems to be the answer to this question.

I want to spend more time, effort, and prayer considering this very question... because there is an answer. There is a way to sing the Lord's song in this foreign land. God is an all-powerful God and will answer this question... He will one day sing his song, and all the world will know that He is Lord!!!

Psalm 136:26

for today...

"Give thanks to the God of Heaven,

for His steadfast love endures forever."

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Read this Psalm out loud, and give thanks.

Insert your own history of God's love for you, shown in your triumphs and tragedies.

God is a good God and all that he does is out of love for His people. This is the rock we can rely on and the hope that motivates us to pray and worship and live.

Psalm 135:5

For yesterday...

"For I know that the Lord is great,

and that our Lord is above all gods"

The Psalmist talks about God's great power, what He has done, and the weakness of gods made by men.

I want to be aware of any gods that have crept into my life, things that I am tempted to rely on or worship. I want to only rely on and worship our great Lord!!!

Psalm 134:1-3

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,

who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

May the Lord bless you from Zion,

he who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 133:1

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

I trust that all of us have experienced the joy of being together as a family. Whether it is your biological family or family of friends... the sweet fellowship of loved ones is truly good and pleasant. I am so thankful that God is a relational God who cares about... and blesses us with... family.

Thank God for your family, or "family", today.

Psalm 132:11

"The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back"

I am so thankful that we serve a promise keeping God. God's word is true and his promises never fail. This is what my hope is in.

Psalm 131:2

"But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me."

This verse paints a beautiful, tangible picture. This is how God wants me to live, how he wants me to hope in him.

Calm and quiet your soul today.

Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I hope"

I love that we can hope in God's word, that it is true. Our hope is based on truth. That is what I love about studying God's word. As my understanding of His word increases, so does my awe and amazement and confidence in God's Sovereignty and in His plan. He truly is working out His plan for His glory and for my.. for our... good.

This verse also reminds me of the value in waiting. There is growth and much to be learned by waiting for the Lord.

Speaking of Psalms...

Here is Jennifer Knapp's take on Psalm 27. It is truly beautiful... I highly recommend purchasing this song!!!!

He is my Light and my Salvation
whom have i to fear
in His secret place i'll hide and pray
that i might hear a simple word

oh, how I would have despaired
if You had not come found me there
i can lean against Your throne and find my peace
find my peace

and when my enemies draw near
i pray that they will find
that i'm protected and secure
all tempests He will bind with a mighty word

oh, how I would have despaired
if You had not come found me there
i can lean against Your throne and find my peace
find my peace

He is my Light and my Salvation whom have i to fear?

Psalm 129: 2b

"...yet they have not prevailed against me."

What a comfort that, though our enemies rise up against us, they will not prevail. We know the End, with a capital "E".

I am studying Romans 11 right now, and I was meditating on how Paul talks about the beginning, middle, and end of God's plan for Israel. The entire Bible points to the "End"... yes, there are applications for temporary "ends" along the way... but the final ultimate "End" is what counts. No matter how terrible and hard life seems... there is always an end... and ultimately... an End. They... all the wickedness and evil that we see... will one day END with Our Great and Sovereign Lord's Victory!!! What hope that gives me!!!

I can't resist adding a few verses from Romans...

Romans 5:3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance... character... hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 8:18, 24a For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us... For in the hope we were saved.

Romans 11:33, 36 Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!... For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Amen!!

Psalm 128:1-2

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!

this is what God wants for us... to experience the blessing that comes from walking in His ways...

You shall eat of the fruit of the labor of your hands;

Life is hard work... and God wants me to enjoy the fruit of that hard work. So often I finish one task and am on to the next, without enjoying the "fruit"...

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

I am so glad that I serve a God that desires me to live a life that is blessed. This blessing is a result of work and labor... this hope encourages me as I struggle to walk in the spirit and refuse to listen to the temptations of losing my temper, being lazy, or getting discouraged when I see so much left undone.

I pray that I will turn my gaze on the Lord, receive his blessing, labor, fear Him, and walk in His ways.

The Plan: A Pslam a Day until 20 Jan 2011

I have been inspired by the movie Julia and Julie... or is it Julie and Julia?? I can't remember. What I do remember is the inspiration to commit to a daily task, for an entire year. I am great at starting things... not so great at finishing. So, this is the plan. To read a Psalm a day, to meditate on this psalm, and to share with you how God used that psalm to encourage me this day.

Perhaps, I will also include photographs and stories of my story... but I can't commit to that right now. That is just a teaser to encourage you to continue reading.

so... I have been reading the occasional psalm... and I am actually on Psalm 127, so that is where I begin today, this 20th day of January, in the year 2010. May you also be blessed by my little "experiment" in the effect of instituting a little discipline and accountability into my life. Who knows where I will be in 2011!!!

Psalm 127: wow!! what a great Psalm to start off with!!! I could list the entire psalm, but I will write what verse pierced me to the heart... God's Spirit lovingly convicting me and speaking truth in the place I most needed to hear it... God's timing is amazing!!

verse 2: "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Lord, may I accept and appreciate and use your precious gift of sleep!!!

Dealing with the end of the to-do list and clutter...

So I took the day off. I have committed to help out in A & D's classrooms on Fridays. Today it was too much for me to handle. The clutter in my house and my never-ending to-do list has caught up with me and I am a bit of a stressed-out-not-very-patient mom. So, I took the day off.

I am happy to say that the house is now cleaner, and I finally finished a project I had begun in Decmber 2007... yes, 2007... that is not a typo!!! That project was sadly clinging to the end of my list... along with at least 10 other things... and I am working toward completing these things. Yet they are not crucial, and thus are moved to the "leave until tomorrow list".

As I turn my "wanting to finish things" energy to tackling the clutter in my home, I am struck with the thought... what about the clutter in my soul? Those things that I haven't wanted to think about, to deal with... that I have put off until I have time and space to think about. Maybe that is also what is really causing my lack of patience and my short fuse? I am convicted by the need to declutter my soul, to journal, to pray through different areas of my life, to once again surrender my will to the will of My Father. Maybe that will help restore peace, peace in me and peace in my home.

Take time with me today to create space, to declutter your soul. And if you see me, ask me if I did it. Ask me if I de-cluttered my soul.

Happy Halloween??

I guess now is as good a time as any to restart my poor neglected blog!! I really don't like Halloween, at least I don't like all the scary decorations, the glorification of evil, the trying to make dead things seems funny and entertaining. I do like the excuse for a party, to be creative in making costumes, and the dressing up part. So, here are the highlights!!

Anna wanted to be a fruit bat, thus the brown bat costume. Fitting for my girl who loves animals and loves fruit!!

Dillon's wish to have a chargers uniform was granted, so he was a charger. He was so excited, it was worth the over-priced costume... I guess all professional sports is always overpriced!! =) Dillon and Daddy get to go to a game in a few weeks, so we felt this was appropriate and will be worn more than once!! =) Happy Birthday Daddy!! Merry Christmas Dillon!!

We also enjoyed pumpkin carving, from two pumpkins grown in our own backyard!! =) Isn't that fun??? We are such good parents!!! =)



Of course, Dillon was a bit feverish and had to stay home. Anna was a good big sister and shared her loot with her brother. I am confident that my introvert son was not too disappointed to stay home while his sister did all the work!!

I am also thankful that his fever is not too serious... it has made him a bit grumpy at times... but he seems to be ok. He would have been fine... but we didn't want to contribute to the spread of germs!! =)

Well, I think of you all often, and hope that this will not be my only post in November!!!

Susan Boyle: Confidence and Joy

Have you listened to Susan Boyle sing? I guess I live under a rock, because I only heard about this remarkable woman on Tuesday night. The next morning I watched her video, and was mesmerized!! I watched several more videos (youtube is addicting!!) and read a few articles. As I got back to work my thoughts were continually drawn back to this woman, this frumpy British spinster, with the amazing voice, this woman who had captured the attention and imagination of millions.

What is so captivating about Susan Boyle? It has to be more than her voice… what is it? I am sure there are many answers, but what captured my attention was her confidence and joy. Watch her video again. See how she giggles right before she is going to sing?? She knows… this woman knows that she can sing, and that this judgmental audience of regular people and talented artists will be amazed. She may not have expected their reaction, but she confidently knew that their laughter would be silenced by her song. That giggle showed such confidence in the beautiful gift she was giving to the world, her beautiful song.

This confidence brought her joy. She wasn’t angry by their laughter, by their preconceived ideas. She was joyful in the expectation of what she knew they would hear, and of her secret that they would soon know; that her frumpy exterior concealed a beautiful voice she knew she possessed.

And so, almost defiantly and without apology, she shared her dream, as ridiculous as she knew it would seem to that audience, and sang. She silenced their jeering laughter.

In watching the amazed reaction of the crowd, of the judges, and of her response to theirs, I began to think about the beautiful gift I too often conceal, and I wonder at my own lack of confidence and joy.

The gospel, what Paul calls “of first importance”, is beautiful. The beauty of its message is often concealed by our own weakness and silenced by the preconceived ideas of others. Too often we let our fears of their opinion and judgment silence our song, to silence our joy.

Today, will you sing? Will you sing of the beauty of the Lord, of his desire to know us, and to build his kingdom through us? Will you defy the preconceived judgment of others and speak the truth, joyfully and confidently sharing your precious gift with the world?

1 Corinthians 15: 3-4,10a
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sin is Like a Balloon

“Mommy, can I show you what I learned?”
Busy and distracted with preparing to leave, I don’t even glance up at her.
“What, Anna?”
“See, sin is like this balloon.”
“And God is these scissors.”
What? I look up, suddenly tuning in to what she is saying.
She has a deflated balloon stretched over her fist, and is waving the scissors in the air.
“He finds this crevice, and cuts off our sin.”
I look at her hand, she has poked the scissors in the space where the balloon is stretched over her palm, and cuts off the balloon.
“So now we are free!!”
She triumphantly waves her hand in the air, the crumpled, deflated balloon lies on the floor.
She smiles and laughs as I give her a big hug, she knows she has said something special; she has made her mommy proud.

As I write this, I realize how insightful she really is. Sin is like a balloon, it first appears fun and exciting, but the next day, it lies deflated on the floor. If you cut off the pretty ribbon, it may float a little in the air, but by that afternoon, it is dead. It has lost all its appeal.

Sin is like a balloon stretched over her fist, it is confining, it restricts movement.

God does free us; He sets us free from the bondage of sin. It is only in Him that we are truly free.

21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:21-23

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1-3

What Every Dad Should Listen to!! =)

House of Memories
Ten Shekel Shirt

You're my hero little girl
You always save the day with your smile
You know I'm in love
With the one behind those pretty eyes

chorus
I will build for all time
A house of memories
Just for you and I
There you'll find
Rooms inside
Filled with laughter, joy
And your daddy's pride
Around the table
And down the hall
We'll chase each other
Till the laughter makes us fall
In the evening
We'll lay our heads down
And thank God for these memories

You're my angel
Sending messages of love
You're my future
A part of me that carries on

Hear the Birds Sing

I am choosing to hear the birds sing

Living in this not-quite-city/not-quite-suburb is a challenge for an outdoors girl like me.

I long to hear the sounds of nature; to hear the birds’ songs framed against the background of the roar of the ocean or the stillness of the mountains. Instead, I find myself straining to hear any sound other than the city noise of the cars and trucks and sirens that fill my world. Birds still sing, seemingly unaware of life rushing around them, but I can barely hear them, their music hides in the background of this noisy city/suburban life. Yet when I focus on their song, I hear the beauty of nature, and the noise of man-made life fades away into the background. Their beautiful music is what I choose to hear.

Life is like this too. Too often I let the noise of “doing” life drown out the joy of “living” life. I want to live my life “choosing to hear the birds sing”. Yes, “doing” life is important, the dishes must be washed and the laundry done. I can even find joy in “doing” life. Yet I want to “listen to the birds sing”, to take a moment to have a chat with my children, play a game with the family, go for a family bike ride, or read one more story at bedtime. Life must not only be done, but lived, joyfully aware of the beauty amongst the noise.

Choose to listen to the birds sing. The dishes can wait.

Running Uphill to Run Downhill

I like the challenge of running uphill, it feels good, to accomplish this hard thing of getting to the top. The reward is so worth it. I love the feeling of running downhill, the feeling of settling into the run, and being able to run fast with less effort.

My life is like that too. I try to get the majority of my housework done on Friday, to “Run uphill”, so I can relax and “run downhill” over the weekend. I feel free to simply enjoy life when my house is clean.

I get a sense of “running uphill to run downhill” in David’s words.

Psalm 63

1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.

5My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
11But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

There is a sense of working hard to get to a place of finding refuge in God, of getting to that place where we are singing for joy in the shadow of God’s “wings”.

So I think of other times in my life where I have had to “run uphill”.

Wednesday would have been my brother’s 30^th birthday. 30… I think of all the missed milestones, the nieces and nephews he never saw, the wedding and children he never had. Missed memories…

My own memories, while precious and treasured, often bring pain. His excitement of finding out that I was pregnant, that he would be an uncle, his joy in loving and caring for his friends. His smile as he said goodbye after we celebrated my 27^th birthday, our precious conversation on Christmas day as we drove back to our house from my aunt’s house, where we spent such a special few days together as a family, Christmas of 2000.

Grieving is “running uphill”. Yet it is good to check in, to see how I am doing, and to do that hard work. It is worth it, to be reminded of the joy.

The “downhill part”, in a way, is thinking of where he is, and where we will be. That brings me joy, it brings new meaning to my life here on earth.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Revelation 21:1-5

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new… "

#14 These last two weeks have been great because...

...Anna and Dillon timed their illnesses so I could go to work (the end of the semester is a bad time of year to cancel class) and so we could go to their wonderful Christmas performance!!

Friday, their school held their annual Christmas performance. It was so great to listen to children singing with joyful hearts about Christmas!!! What a way to start the new year!!

Saturday was great, because we finally have gotten around to starting to finish the project in our "red room". Crown molding is a bit tricky to put up!! hopefully we will finish this weekend... or maybe next week...

Sunday, I went back to reading Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas. Here are some lovely quotes for you to consider. Maybe they will inspire you to read his book!!

"See, that's the thing with fear: It makes us worry about the evil that might happen, and, when we're focused on that, we grow blind to the great good that can result. It's not just shortsightedness, it's pessimistic-shortsightedness--vision obscured by worry, blurred by fear. While Scripture honestly admits the real threats we face in life, it remains equally forceful about not being driven by fear of them."
"Instead of listening to your fears, talk to yourself! A pastor recommended the following exercise to me, which has helped greatly. Instead of listening to yourself, talk to yourself. Emotions can prey on us unless we mentally take charge and fight back. We don't have to let ourselves 'tune in' to doubts and fears. We can talk back to ourselves; we can build our spirits with Scripture."

We are meditating on grace this week for our Sunday School class at church. Yikes!! I am not doing so great, and I was the one who wrote this week's activities!!! I think I am improving, it is God's grace that we are meditating on and practicing grace this week!!!

And finally, no matter what happens, this month is great because we celebrate the birth of our Savior!!!!

"I Celebrate The Day"
by Reliant K
And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

#13 Monday was a good day because...

...it is finally December!!! I love December, my birthday month, the month that we celebrate Jesus' birthday, the month we always have vacation and get to spend time with family, the month when everyone is just a bit nicer and more joyful. I have always loved December.

Of course, our December began with sickness and grumpy kids. Monday was supposed to be my day of solitude, a day to relax, reflect on our year, and begin our Christmas letter. Well, Anna had an ear ache, fever and "digestive issues", and Dillon.... well.... let's just say he needed one more day of vacation and an understanding mom. It was hard to let go of my Monday, my first day of December, and seek to be a servant to my children. God eventually brought me to this place of surrender, and I began to see what I could be thankful for.

Now I am glad that they are on the road to recovery, praying that Todd will get better too, and hoping to stay in this place of having a servant's heart for my family.

I also changed a few plans so I could have a day of solitude today... yippee!!! I am learning to say no to good things.... for the good of my family and for my sanity!! This is a hard lesson to learn, I enjoy social events, but I want to be a nice mom and wife too... which is way more important!!!

I am so thankful for God's patience and grace as He teaches me more like Him. I love this verse and have been praying it for myself and my daughter. May you too be pleasing in His sight, for His glory!!!

"Now, may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Hebrews 13:20-21