Grace in the Midst

Remember that kid in grade school that wanted to be the next President of the United States?  I didn't (and still don't) relate in any way. I can't imagine shouldering that kind of responsibility.  I am thankful that the economy, our troops, our health plans, and the many other decisions that lie on the presidents shoulders, don't lie on mine.  I seriously can't imagine the stress involved. I am also incredibly thankful that Jesus Christ sits on the throne in Heaven - and in my life (on the days that I let Him).  Lately, as I have been asking God to teach me how to pray, I keep coming back to the Lord's prayer.  I pray through it slowly every day and am amazed how relevant it is in every area of my life.  Recently as I was praying through it and asking God to ease some tension I was feeling, I realized that giving in to stress is pretty much kicking Him off the throne.  On this particular day I was replaying a conversation and hoping for my desired o...

1918. Friday night guests, breakfast for dinner & conversations about cows 1919. Sun following rain 1920. Bell the Cat, gluten free sandwiches & heart to hearts with my mom 1921. Knowing Avonlea's just around the bend, cuz of the adorable sound her chunky little feet make as they land on our wood floor 1922. Avonlea saying "hi" to anyone & everyone...and meaning "hi" or "bye" 1923. Fruit basket rainbows 1924. Accidentally walking in on Matt and the boys making Mother's day gifts 1925. 3 moms, free Mother's day lunches, & a quick stroll through the Botanical gardens 1926. Cole's dance of excitement as he examined his new helmet (looking right past his new bike) 1927. Ruby red grapefruit & kiddos that love it 1928. The quiet that summer brings (my boys spend more time outside than in) 1929. Medical technology, hip replacements & looking forward to much less pain 1930. Mohawks 1931. Invitations...

I've always been the type of person who wants to do things perfectly.  I figure if I try hard enough I can eventually get things right.  One area that I've failed at though -again and again - is spending regular quality time with my Savior.  I've tried lots of different methods - The Bible in a Year,  a Proverb a day, topical studies, prayer journals etc...but as hard as I tried I kept coming up short.  I'd miss a few days here and there, feel guilty and give up.  A few weeks later I'd tell myself, this time I'm going to do it.  I will make myself wake up early...or stay up late - I will do this thing.  But there was a big problem - I didn't really care about the word of God.  I didn't really want to pray.  I was doing it because every sermon I ever heard said that if you want to get close to God (or at least feel close to Him, cuz He is always with you) you have to pray and read the bible.  Last year, a pastor and friend delivered ...

Lately, I've been pondering a few quotes a friend of mine wrote down as we were discussing how overwhelmed I get with too much STUFF. "What you NEED is buried underneath what you THINK you have to have." "GOOD things are the enemy of the BEST things." These quotes are helping me tremendously as I strive towards de-cluttering my home.  But, I think they have pretty amazing spiritual implications as well. I'm going to try a little experiment.  Quickly, without too much analyzing (like that is really possible...this is me we are talking about) I am going to fill in the following blanks:  ___________ is buried underneath ____________  ____________ is the enemy of _______________ with the first things that pop into my head. Whoops, I said I wasn't going to analyze...but I'm analyzing so I want to provide the following disclaimer before you write me off as a friend: These thoughts are not coming from a standpoint of judgement.  And, I am in ...

1889. A BOY on his bike (without training wheels...and Oh, so excited about that)! 1890. Bibs bigger than the baby they are on 1891. Baby baths in kitchen sinks 1892. God's sense of humor...just after I scratched "baby baths in sinks" down onto paper, I was blessed (ALL IS GRACE) with a very large stinky mess to clean out of my sink! 1893. Lego crosses 1894. Boys fighting over kissing Teal (ALL IS GRACE) 1895. Fun, old restored vehicles - and the fact that my eyes are open and searching for gifts...so, I took the time to notice a couple of particularly incredible ones and allow God to bless me through something I have honestly NEVER even noticed before. 1896. Triangle kisses - I kiss Avonlea, Avonlea kisses Cole, Cole kisses me 1897. Cole laughing so hard that he could hardly believe - especially since I was getting him tucked in for nap 1898. All of the times there are tears at nap time, instead of laughter - ALL IS GRACE 1899. Three shades of yellow on one pie...

On our way back from Florida we lost "bear".  He was Blake's lovey - and he was very, very loved.  Blake got him as a gift when he was a baby - and had snuggled with him every day since.  He lost him on his fifth birthday.  I cried.  I mean really, really cried.  I felt like I wasn't just saying goodbye to bear - but to my little boy.  He is big now.  I mean really, really big.  He is riding his bike, swimming under water and playing baseball (ok, ok Tee Ball).  I begged God to help us find him, to work a miracle, I KNEW God had the power.  We lost him on an airplane - he could be anywhere.  But I begged and begged God to send him back.  One morning, while once again begging God to help us find this precious lost bear I was totally and completely convicted.  I have never once begged God so passionately, so fervently for a lost soul.  I mean I shed some serious tears over this furry little creature and I can't rem...

1845. The fact that there is absolutely, positively NO WAY I can even begin to number the incredibly large amount of blessing He has poured out on me in the past few months...and that the following list is just a teeny, tiny, tip of the iceburg 1846. Friends who encourage me to blog 1847. A dear friend who reminded me how life changing the book One Thousand Gifts was (by asking me about it) and encouraged me to read it again - and the words (well, God working through them) continue to touch my heart and change my days 1848. The verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and the fact that he gave me enough strength (and help) to take four kiddos on an airplane to Florida 1849.  Prayers answered doubly (specifically in regards to our trip). 1850. I asked Him for an extra seat on the plane, He gave me two extra seats. 1851. I asked Him for an extra pair of hands, He blessed me with two extra sets of hands (two of the sweetest ladies in the world) 1852. ...