Yesterday afternoon Ryan came home from school, feeling a bit under the weather. I could tell as soon as he walked in the door something was amiss. He said he started not feeling well on the way home. He soon was cozy on the couch under a blanket, resting.
Later in the evening Hannah came to find me saying, "Ryan must have the flu". Because he was so cold.
"Oh Ryan, I will pray for you at school tomorrow." She told him solemnly. I smiled.
"Hannah," I began. "You know you can pray anytime, right? Not just at school."
"Oh yes, I know. Sometimes I pray in the bathroom!"
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
grumbling.... or not
This past week has not been an easy one for me. I am not sure why. Little things seemed to set me totally on edge. The pinnacle of this being my birthday. A day I had been looking forward to for weeks...I spent much of it in tears.
Finally at 11:30 at night. On Saturday, my 32nd birthday. The house was quiet, all were sleeping. I was feeling despair and discouragement. My heart was weary, my very soul ached. Doubts were assailing me from all sides. I heard a quiet small voice urging me to get up. To pray. To go read my devotional. I did.
The Jesus Calling devo spoke of letting go. Releasing everything into God's care. That He is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever. I read also the one I subscribe to via email... It began with this verse.
Again in Church I received confirmation, as our Pastor spoke from John reminding us that Jesus wanted us to be overflowing with His joy.
I realized nothing had truly changed other than my perspective. That instead of focusing my eyes on Him. On the wonderful gifts all around me, I was looking directly at the troubles, the what ifs, the uncertainty.
Today's devo reminded me again to be thankful and not grumble!
Here are some gifts I received in the last week.
Finally at 11:30 at night. On Saturday, my 32nd birthday. The house was quiet, all were sleeping. I was feeling despair and discouragement. My heart was weary, my very soul ached. Doubts were assailing me from all sides. I heard a quiet small voice urging me to get up. To pray. To go read my devotional. I did.
The Jesus Calling devo spoke of letting go. Releasing everything into God's care. That He is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever. I read also the one I subscribe to via email... It began with this verse.
It went on to talk as well about "letting go and letting God". Why was I clinging so tightly to my anxiety. Hadn't God proven to me over and over again that He was able, that He was trustworthy, that He would not let me down.
Again in Church I received confirmation, as our Pastor spoke from John reminding us that Jesus wanted us to be overflowing with His joy.
I realized nothing had truly changed other than my perspective. That instead of focusing my eyes on Him. On the wonderful gifts all around me, I was looking directly at the troubles, the what ifs, the uncertainty.
Today's devo reminded me again to be thankful and not grumble!
And do not grumble, as some of them did...
~ 1 Corinthians 10:10 a
~ 1 Corinthians 10:10 a
Here are some gifts I received in the last week.
- #170-- an after school picnic at the Basile homestead
- #171-- watching the kids play in the water... in MARCH!!! crazy!
Ashton and Hannah...I hope they will always be buddies- #175---A midnight txt saying it might be that time
- #176-- Praying for my friend as she labored and delivered her third child
- # 177-- Welcome Liam Joel!! Born the day before my birthday to one of my dearest friends and favorite people ever!
#183--My birthday dinner at Mom and Dad's
- #184-- Delicious birthday cake made by my awesome sister
- Ryan remembering and telling Daddy to get me the "Cook Like a Rock Star" book by Chef Ann Burrell
- #186-- the card from Laura and Rich telling me everything that was older than me...like rocks and redwood trees and most of the planets.... still makes me giggle
- #187-- Birthday video from Josh on FB :P .... if you are my friend on FB and you missed it go check it out... I promise it will make you laugh!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
picnic at the park
Today was a glorious day. The weather has been insanely gorgeous and very un~March like. But my children and I have been soaking it in.
Last night was rough. I was finding myself stressed and fretting about many things. I messaged a dear friend. She prayed. She encouraged. She reminded me I am not alone.
This morning at my kitchen table I lost myself in the Word, spent time gazing out at the beauteous morning sky. Feeling the peace continue to settle into my soul.
This afternoon we met up with some friends at the park. We picnicked. We laughed. We giggled. We explored. We reveled in God's creation.
Last night was rough. I was finding myself stressed and fretting about many things. I messaged a dear friend. She prayed. She encouraged. She reminded me I am not alone.
- #147-- having Friends like that
This morning at my kitchen table I lost myself in the Word, spent time gazing out at the beauteous morning sky. Feeling the peace continue to settle into my soul.
- #149-- new buds-- life springs new
Monday, March 12, 2012
counting on...
#135-- a Princess Party at the zoo with my BFF and our princesses
#139-- First flower of spring!! Blooming in my garden. :)
#140-- Sitting outside with my pooch, enjoying this gorgeous weather
#142-- watching Hannah play hopscotch
#143-- the" boys" having a chance to go to Monster Jam..."because I have always wanted to go to a Monster Jam"-- Ry
#145-- My grandparents 57th wedding anniversary today
Friday, March 2, 2012
grateful
Last night I was some what grouchy. It really is the little things that can skew your whole day one way or the other...but its also a choice...you can choose to wallow in it or look for the good and work on the attitude.
Today I am looking for the good. We're off to a great start... sitting in my favorite spot, enjoying coffee in my new Bahamas coffee mug ;) allowing the Word to seep in and bring comfort and joy to my soul.
Sunday I missed being at my Church. But I scoured the "Cruise Compass" until I found the listening for the interdenominational service they were holding on the boat in the Spotlight Lounge. I have to admit I was skeptical...would it be "real Church"?
As we sat waiting in the nearly empty lounge for the service to begin I found myself growing melancholy and homesick. The service time approached. More people began trickling in, Katerina the Cruise Director's wife appeared, putting on soft "churchy" music and passing out "programs". I chuckled when she called them "programs" since the Mister usually refers to our church bulletin as a program as well ;) It appeared she would be the worship leader for the morning. We sang "Holy, holy, holy" a Capella. We did a couple responsive readings, sang another song and recited "The Lord's Prayer". Then John Blair, our Cruise Director appeared. He was the speaker for the morning. He started off talking about the Footprints Poem. He recited it, said it was a great poem. But that this morning he wanted to take it a step further, to view it through a different filter. Through the filter of, "Gratitude". As soon as the word left his lips my soul responded, "Amen" my heart whispered. This is what I needed, this is where I was meant to be. God always gives us what we need at the moment we need it.
John was saying how much our prospective can change by looking for the gifts all around us, seeing them and giving Thanks. Isn't that exactly what I am working on this year. Gratitude is my word for 2012. I joined the Joy Dare to count 1000 gifts in 2012 in January. After his brief "message" John opened it up to a testimony time. As I listened to the praise and testimonies I found myself chocking back tears, I saw the Cruise Director wipe away the tears from his eyes after one particularly moving testimony. How could I be grouchy, God is so good! Sitting in the Spotloght Lounge, our makeshift Church, we were on the back of the boat, windows all around us to view that beautiful ocean the Lord had made. I was sitting by husband. Whom I love and adore, and we were enjoying one of the best weeks of our life together. One of the only times it as ever been just us.
I left the Church service feeling refreshed and renewed. It was our last day on the boat and I resolved we would enjoy it to the fullest. It was a marvelous, glorious week, and I am truely
I am working on memorizing the Sermon on the Mount, got the first two verses down last week while cruising...working on the next two now. :~)
Have a wonderfully Blessed Friday.
The Footprints Prayer
Today I am looking for the good. We're off to a great start... sitting in my favorite spot, enjoying coffee in my new Bahamas coffee mug ;) allowing the Word to seep in and bring comfort and joy to my soul.
Sunday I missed being at my Church. But I scoured the "Cruise Compass" until I found the listening for the interdenominational service they were holding on the boat in the Spotlight Lounge. I have to admit I was skeptical...would it be "real Church"?
As we sat waiting in the nearly empty lounge for the service to begin I found myself growing melancholy and homesick. The service time approached. More people began trickling in, Katerina the Cruise Director's wife appeared, putting on soft "churchy" music and passing out "programs". I chuckled when she called them "programs" since the Mister usually refers to our church bulletin as a program as well ;) It appeared she would be the worship leader for the morning. We sang "Holy, holy, holy" a Capella. We did a couple responsive readings, sang another song and recited "The Lord's Prayer". Then John Blair, our Cruise Director appeared. He was the speaker for the morning. He started off talking about the Footprints Poem. He recited it, said it was a great poem. But that this morning he wanted to take it a step further, to view it through a different filter. Through the filter of, "Gratitude". As soon as the word left his lips my soul responded, "Amen" my heart whispered. This is what I needed, this is where I was meant to be. God always gives us what we need at the moment we need it.
John was saying how much our prospective can change by looking for the gifts all around us, seeing them and giving Thanks. Isn't that exactly what I am working on this year. Gratitude is my word for 2012. I joined the Joy Dare to count 1000 gifts in 2012 in January. After his brief "message" John opened it up to a testimony time. As I listened to the praise and testimonies I found myself chocking back tears, I saw the Cruise Director wipe away the tears from his eyes after one particularly moving testimony. How could I be grouchy, God is so good! Sitting in the Spotloght Lounge, our makeshift Church, we were on the back of the boat, windows all around us to view that beautiful ocean the Lord had made. I was sitting by husband. Whom I love and adore, and we were enjoying one of the best weeks of our life together. One of the only times it as ever been just us.
I left the Church service feeling refreshed and renewed. It was our last day on the boat and I resolved we would enjoy it to the fullest. It was a marvelous, glorious week, and I am truely
I am working on memorizing the Sermon on the Mount, got the first two verses down last week while cruising...working on the next two now. :~)Have a wonderfully Blessed Friday.
One night I had a dream...
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before us,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life
This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You would walk with me all the way;
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)