My joy cannot be fully expressed in words. One cannot fully prepare your heart to contain itself at the words... "Mommy, I asked Jesus to come into my heart. And He did." If there was ever a moment for "journaling", here it is. A day to remember, a day to celebrate, a day to "detail", and one to share time and time again.
Just 2 weeks ago, my friend Jen called and left me a message about some "good news". Well, inquiring minds wanted to know, and as the list of possibilities floated through my head, I must admit I was surprised as to said news. Her daughter Amalie, close buddy of Brynn's, had prayed the salvation prayer over some hot chocolate with her 5 year old brother Andrew - precious! As good news travels fast, the kids and I talked about it over breakfast the next day, and on the way to school we began to share each of our salvation stories. It's always fun to keep "adding" to the story as each of us remembers a different detail. We've prayed for Brynn's salvation at different times during our prayers, but always in knowing the God has ordained the most perfect date and time for this occasion.
On Monday morning, the kids and I were reading in Romans 6, and in discussing dying to self and new life, we again talked about what happens at the moment of salvation. As Brynn colored in her Cubbie book during our discussion, I heard, "I already did that Mommy." "Did what honey?" "Prayed to Jesus." "When did you pray?" "Last night in my bed." "What did you pray about?" "I asked Jesus to come into my heart, and he did." Uhhhhhh, wow. The specialness of the moment hung like fog in the air. Could it be? Is our third child now a new creature in Christ, with the promise of eternity forever together with Him? YESSSS! But wait....doubt. Is this possible? Is she too young to understand? After a few more questions, all wonderings were cast aside. As she moved onto discussions of ponies, I was left to bask in the joy of knowing that my child, all my children for that fact, are living, breathing, temples of Christ Jesus. That'll take up some brain cells with thought! To see the excitement in the faces of Austin and Emma over their sister will stay with me forever!
We began a tradition of sorts in marking the day that Emma asked Jesus into her heart by none other than...a cake. And so, in carrying on said tradition, Mom was thrilled to just so-happen-to- have a cake mix on hand for such an occasion. In testing our heart shaped pan for Valentines Day, we learned that 1 cake mix box is a little too much batter (spillage over the sides gave us a clue), so, we decided to add a few cupcakes as well, one for each of us. As she sang Jesus Loves Me and we enjoyed a few moist morsels, I couldn't be more proud of how the Lord is working through the lives of my children - I have no greater joy!
Dear Lord, I thank you today for the "new birth" of our daughter, Brynn. Lord, you know how discouraged and lax I've been lately in leading my children into a time with you each morning. I thank you that your mercies are new each day, and I thank you for allowing the "extra" time that happened on Monday, knowing what was to transpire. Lord, I fail, every day. But in you, I'm learning to simply get up, and move again, for today is the day that you've given me. I thank you for delighting in sharing your story time and time again. Please watch over the ladies that will be attending the retreat tonight and tomorrow. Meet them right where they are, in such a real way. I love you.
I have no greater joy!
Friday, February 27, 2009
A day to celebrate love
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
It's taken me a few days to finally post about Valentine's Day, but ey, that's the way life flies sometimes. Not sure about you, but I had an idea planted in my small brain a little ahead of time this year, and it was fun to anticipate this day of celebration with the family. A day to celebrate love!
Thanks to the amazingly-family-tradition-oriented mind-set of my good friend Jen, I remember her mentioning the fun dinner she created with her family in years past. With a goal in mind (how can I do this in a creative AND cheap way?), off Brynn and I went to where all smart shoppers go - Target's dollar aisle! What to our wondering eye did appear but darling heart-shaped bowls, platters, napkins and straws all for $1! Complete with a used strawberry shortcake tablecloth from one of the girl's birthdays, strawberry Nesquik to create pink milk (minus the dark glass that you see with none-other-than Dad's diet Coke), a heart-shaped cake, and left over birthday balloons, and you got yourself one festive in-home meal for the bargain price of less than $20!
Though I'm not a gift-giver by nature, we have a daughter that is, so as a fun after-dinner treat, they each opened a present - Valentine's socks for the girls, Snoppy peanut-butter chocolates for the boys (slim pickins when it comes to "boy" gifts), again, the amount of money not the objective, the joy of giving out of a heart of love, the key. Now, if only everyone stuck to these rules, peace would abound. However, Daddy chose to stray far from my "the-cheaper-the-better" concept and conspired with our son to purchase a wonderful accessory for Mommy. Now, some girls may go for the bling, I simply go for the "gear", running that is. A brand new, bright pink, I-Pod Nano was puchased along with the new Nike+ chip that records anything and everything while you huff and puff away - wowwweeeee!
Now, I usually leave all the techno-stuff to my ever-passionate husband, but I must tell you, this is the COOLEST thing. There's this sweet, encouraging voice that interrupts your listening pleasure for just a moment to let you know how far you've run and to kindly inform you how much "less" farther you have to reach your goal. My "coach" counts down the yardage as I near the end, and informs me of my pace. All the information is tracked and stored on-line, and even gives you an option to connect with a community of fellow runners around the world. It's quite an encouraging, motivating tool to watch your progress.
This new "coach", though, is very different from my true coach. The newbie knows nothing about me. "She" looks at data and repeats what she has been programmed to do. Any variance from her program, and she is unaware as to how to respond. My true coach knows me through and through. His plan included me before the beginning of time (Psalm 139:16). He knows my thoughts even before I have them, he created me in my mother's womb, he even knows how many hairs are on my head, so how can I not trust him when it comes to knowing what's best for me in running. It's the times I've surrendered the outcome to Him that the journey has been the sweetest!
Throughout this ever-amazing running journey, I've begun to learn just how to listen, and ask, and hear from my Savior. He truly is my best friend. He's seen me at my worst, he's encouraged me to "go" farther than I've ever gone before, he's cheered me on to several "finish lines" and asks me to wake up and "run" again. As long as I am able, that I have breath in this body, Lord, I desire to know more of you, to be shaped into your character. I want to allow you to live your life through me, I want to abide.
Lord, thank you for allowing your fruits to be displayed in my life. Forgive me for the times I take back control and press forward in my own feeble strength. Lord, I desire the things you desire, I want to be passionate about the things you're passionate about, I want to speak gentle, kind, and encouraging words, mostly when I don't feel like it. Will you help me? I thank you in advance for your patience and your answer to my prayers. Happy Valentine's Day!
Dinner and a Movie?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
In these tough economic times, one business continues to flourish...the movie industry! Maybe it is our need for an escape. Maybe it's the mindless entertainment or maybe, just maybe...it's for the snacks and goodies.
Jen over at It's me...Jen has put together this online auction for our dear friends, the Tarapchaks. All of the proceeds for the auction will go to a fund which has been set up for the Tarapchak children. For more details on the auction and a list of each of the bloggers participating, you can visit the Tarapchak Auction Blog Site.
Now lets get to the good stuff! Below is your official Dinner and a Movie Bailout Basket. Escape the cold winter evening with a warm meal, a good movie and some calorie stimulus snacks. Full details below and remember...we're all in this together!
Bidding will begin Saturday February 14th @ 6:00am on this 18 piece set.
100% of the proceeds will benefit the Tarapchak kids!
Included with gift basket are:
6 Movie tickets
1 AMC Movie Theater Gift Card
5 Large Size Assorted Candy Treats
Bidding increments of... $5.00
Crossroads
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Pretty exhausting isn't it? Very unsettling, lots of worrying, not a whole lot of joy or peace is left in the dust from the tornado-ing thoughts. Well, I really didn't mean to do down this trail, but here we are. I write this as my thoughts wander back 1 week. It was early morning, and I was running on the treadmill, well, struggling on the treadmill really. I found myself at a point where my desire is gone, my body is unwilling, and my spirit is dry. It has been a struggle for the past few weeks, but I've dutifully pushed through, knowing this has been so good for me on some levels in fighting through my winter-blues. I had set aside time, made it a priority, and followed through, so why all the heartache? I knew it was time. Time to ask the question. Time to face the music. The Lord of my heart and soul needed to be consulted.
This particular run I somehow willed myself through 2 miles, then chose to do 2.5, and as I approached the 3 mile mark, I knew it was crossroads time. I simply laid out my heart. "Lord, I'm simply confused. Lord, I just want to know your direction for running in my life. I truly desire to keep enduring in this way, but if your direction includes me slowing, walking, or even stopping. I trust you. Lord, I need to know." I watched the 30 second countdown, I watced my body's reaction, I tuned into his thoughts, his peace.... nothing changed. Okay. So... I pressed the "walk" button. With eybrows furrowed, I have to admit I was confused, puzzled, a bit disappointed, but knew this direction was clear.
As I began this new path, or mind-set if you will, I felt a release. A release from things I didn't quite realize I was holding onto. Up to this point, this "running" in my life hadn't been about the distance I traveled, the calories I burned, or my caloric intake for the day. My mind hadn't been consumed at times with the "duty" of making sure my exerices check-box had been filled that day to earn my worth and to feel "good". It hadn't been about competing (even against myself). It hadn't been about the cat and mouse games of reading labels to see if I could consume said food item or if I would chastise myself for eating it later. It hadn't been about me, at all. Somehow, I became part of the "slow fade" (one of my Casting Crowns' favorites). You see, I had slowly inched my way over to the driver's seat, creaping ahead with my own knowlege and my early coaching experience, that I really didn't choose to allow him driving privileges in this area of my life. As if to say, "I got this one now Lord...really."
Scary reality, ultimate freedom. As I walked with him a bit further, it was as if that Holy Spirit whisper just brushed over my soul and said, "Do you see the gift I've given you?" I knew immediately what He was referring to - the gift of my husband. You see, about 6 months ago, out of the blue, he bgan running as well. Never "ran" before in his life. It has been an amazing interest to share in together, and he continues to this day. In fact, we're able to have a get away next month, and guess what, we planned it around running a 5k race together! Truly a delight, but until this point, there's been a pace difference. On that walk, during that moment, I knew the Lord's plan was to slow me down, not to hold me back, or to punish my competitive edge, but to allow Aaron to catch me - to be able to "run" together. Precious Jesus, you are SO GOOD!
So here we are, crossroads. I could give you so many examples of my pitiful attempts to figure things out on my own, and yet here is one example of how someone can fall into Him, and recieve and even greater gift that one could plan out on their own. He is mighty to save! He is faithful! He is trustworthy!
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Lord, I thank you for providing firm ground for me to stand on. I thank you for being a personal God, in delighting in all the small details of my life. I thank you for answering my prayer of direction. So many times, I find that when my heart yields to you, it it then that you can speak to me, and not my built-up wall. I thank you for allowing me to learn lesssons as I veer of course, because there is where I recognize my need for dependence on you. It is there where my peace resides, and my freedom can be found. Thank you for the joy of running with you, and especially for the added joy of running with my life-mate. I thank you also for the joy of watching our son thrive, learn, and become passionate about basketball. Thank you for allowing his earthly father to coach from the sidelines as he prepares to hear from his Heavenly coach as well. Looking forward to worshipping together tomorrow! I love you.
