Friday, April 29, 2011

"Face Time" with God

Words are in adequate for the feelings of joy and peace and promise of spending one-on-one time with God. Uninterrupted for days and disciplined in fasting is a whole new level of dedication. This is what my dear husband is undertaking from Tuesday to Saturday (May 3-7). It's almost unimaginable what will happen when a focused, driven young man decides to examine his life, the Scriptures, the life of Christ, and his relationship with His Savior.  Granted, he experienced the lack of fellowship and community at AIT for a few months, but now he's going to be on his own, looking and listening to God and pouring out his heart. It may take a few days to get anywhere more than "I'm so hungry" or "I wonder what's going on 'out there'," hence the 5 days.  But as his wife, I anxiously await to see what emerges from this time of solitude and focus. As the mother of his kids, I have hopes of what our children can look forward to. There will probably need to be some time of questions and healing. But I pray he can be uplifted, renewed, inspired, blessed, and touched by our God and Savior. Perhaps God will answer some of our questions of direction and family purpose? Maybe instill beliefs and form philosophies of life? Above all, I pray that the God of hope will meet him there and that J will remain to hear what He has to say and hide it in his heart.

Praise Mountain

Leaving and Cleaving

One thing that I must say I've learned WELL during this time of living with family. When God said that a man (and woman) are to leave their parents and cleave to one another -it was MEANT to be that way. It is a GOOD thing to have your own house and home as a married couple. I'm not saying that a couple can't still learn from their parents, but in many ways it allows each couple (the parents and the children) to see each other from more objective views... the physical proximity and the challenge of authority and values in the home are not there to threaten the relationship. Again, I'm not saying that the parents no longer have authority over their offspring, but it allows the adult children the freedom to see and learn from their parents as other couples can... not with the expectations of the immediate obedience of a child, but the carefully weighed, loving consideration of an adult gleaning from those who have gone on before and learned lessons that life brings.
My time of living with family has taken me a long time to learn some things. I've been a poor example to my children about respecting other people's time, rest, space, and belongings.  While I really just wanted them to feel relaxed and free to express themselves without fear, I've excused too many things and lost my temper when situations could have been prevented. Just waiting to to asked to help isn't acceptable from someone who considers themselves a child of God. I was trained to work hard and to serve others... but the one thing that I struggle with is initiative.
Cleaning up when it's not my mess and wasn't asked.
Being forthright in my needs and expectations, but also considering, without getting offended or "touchy" about conflicts or differences or others' expectations is constructive to relationships.
Taking care of my things better raises my care of other peoples' belongings (this also applies to time and rest/space).
There are others but these are the ones that have really "hit home" and didn't want to forget.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Neighborly Advice

I've been trying to walk regularly for the last 3 months. It's been more or less successful, especially when my dad asks me "are you going walking today?" ;-) We've learned a lot about the layout of my childhood neighborhood and also a few neighbors. The girls and I are learning to be polite and engaging to everyone that we see or come in contact with. One day I saw a big cage next to the wall of one of the homes we passed. Inside this cage were literally dozens of turtles! I had to show the girls and soon the owner and his wife were chatting with all of us. We now pass their house at least once a week and I chat with the Mrs. while the girls watch the turtles do their thing. =)
Today, I had been really struggling with wanting to make the process of getting back together with my hubby -to the point of finding the best priced tickets! I realized that I was -if not already had- taking things into my own hands and not laying it before my "Prince." As I walked, I chose to give over my desires and very deeply felt needs. I found myself, tears streaming down my face, weeping out a prayer of wanting and hoping and then denying myself along with my honest pain and fear of waiting even longer. K noticed my tears and did her absolute best (as only she can) to comfort me and get me to stop. :-p I then got to explain that just like people get angry, there is another emotion called sadness. Neither are bad. It's okay to feel them, but we have to be careful what we do about them.... and how we treat other people because of those feelings.
We made it to the "turtle house." This time the Mrs. came bearing Asian crackers for the girls and greetings at seeing us again (we hadn't passed by her house for over a week because of weather and busy schedules). She thought that we had left to be with the H already. She was struggling with emotional troubles of the future, just I had been. Unfortunately, she'd dehydrated herself to the point of hospitalization. I shared about how my parents didn't understand my need to "just be with my husband." While she understood, she said, "Oh, you can't blame parents though. Now, I know that I have a huge blessing that I have all 4 of my kids here on the same island. But not all my grandkids are even in the same country ...but I'm glad to have all of my great-grandkids here though."
That first statement along with what we discussed at our final Authentic Beauty Bible study last night sank into my mind and heart as I realized: I've been so caught up in being misunderstood by my parents but being understood by my husband that I'd lost the primary identity and purpose of my life -the one with my Prince- to fall by the wayside. 
If I do have to stay with my family for another month, I need to change my outlook.  So here goes:
If I were staying at any other older couples' home where their two adult sons were still living, how would I handle myself? They've been together for a long time and have dedicated their whole lives to ministry. They have adult kids and 3 of out of 4 of them have/will graduated from a Bible college. Their house is small and somewhat crowded. Their schedules are full and busy. Both have Bible degrees and were teachers of various ages. I can go on, but this is something to start with.

Dear God

I want to pray for my brother right now. He's under such spiritual oppression and blindness right now. He thinks that because all his expectations and dreams didn't happen, God doesn't care about him. He's so lost in himself that he's lost all sense of his Creator, his upbringing, his Savior, and his Lord. He's drowning in despair and self-pity. He wants to please everyone and do everything the right way to avoid pain and rejection. He's scared of everything and has premeditated answers as though there are no other possibilities.  He's boxed himself in and is letting the devil take root in his heart. He's extremely needy and pessimistic.  He's lost his hope. Please, give him Your hope, Your peace. Break down his self-made walls and show him You are here, close by, and You love him faults and all.
in Your Son, Jesus Christ's name,
Amen.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Patience

Being in such a trying time right now is testing one of my greatest weaknesses: patience.
Even as a child, I knew that patience did not come easily. It continued into my teens but as I got older, I thought I'd "dealt with it." I thought that, while 9 months would be hard away from my husband, I could "be strong" and just be fine. I forgot to weigh in being a mother of two toddlers by myself, and yet not completely by myself. I'd have to humble myself and take suggestions and direction and "rules" from the people I'd be staying with in those times.  While my in-laws are not demanding at all, living with my parents again brings all the childhood and teen irritations that I had when I was completely under their authority.
Christ is the hope of freedom no matter what the circumstance, no matter where you are. I don't know how a non-Christian, single-mom can survive in this world! Not having a reuniting date with my husband is driving me a bit stir-crazy. How can a person without the hope of life in heaven after death keep pushing on in such an oppressing, sinful world?! Anyways, analyzing single-parenting, world-views, and immediate family issues was not the point of this post.
If I am going to survive this time and future times, I need to have an arsenal of thoughts (verses) hidden in my heart to keep from attacking those I love and disgracing the beautiful name of Christ.

2 Corinthians 6: 1-10
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain - for He says, "At the Acceptable Time I listened to you, And on the Day of Salvation I helped you." Behold, now is "the Acceptable Time," behold, now is "the Day of Salvation" - giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

Galatians 5: 16-18, 22-26
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

2 Timothy 4:1-2
I solemnly charge you in the presence of god and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1 Peter 2:18-20
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a persons bears up under sorrow when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? but if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Applause of Heaven

the following is an excerpt from Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy (the study that I've been attending since January) p.196, 200-203

By realizing the reality of our Prince within us, we are never bothered again by the fact that we do not understand ourselves, or that other people do not understand us. The only One who truly understands me is the One who made me and who redeems me... It is a tremendous freedom to get rid of every kind of self-consideration and learn to care about only one thing - the relationship between our Prince and ourselves. 
~Oswald Chambers

It is all too easy to become consumed with trying to understand ourselves, with trying to figure out who we are and what our purpose in life is meant to be. And it is all too tempting to become obsessed with wanting the world to understand us and validate our existence. In this day and age of self-consideration, our society exhorts us to have plenty of self-esteem... ...and yet the same society that encourages us to believe in ourselves also holds up the unattainable standards of physical perfection... Our culture breeds insecurity while heroically parading a message of self-esteem. And whether we listen to the one voice and constantly compare ourselves against unreachable standards, or give in to the other voice and spend our energy trying to feel better about who we are, both scenarios cause us to focus on ourselves. 

Practical Steps for Delighting in Our Prince
Here are some great practical questions to ask yourself: Am I wholeheartedly aware, on a moment-by-moment basis, of the continual presence of my Prince? Am I able to speak to Him and listen to His voice no matter where I am or what I am doing?  

Getting to the place of delighting in our Prince throughout the day takes focused effort. We live in a culture that specializes in creating one distraction after another for our minds and our hearts.

Someone once told me that I could determine the primary focus of my life where my thoughts went each night as I lay in bed, drifting off to sleep.

Developing a Quite Mind
Having a quite mind is not a question of choice - if we are to go on at all, we must have a quite mind. All to many Christians break down, not because of their circumstances, but because of a weary, fretting spirit too rushed to dwell in peace. 
~Amy Carmichael

My next step was to discipline my thoughts in the mornings, just after I woke up. Instead of immediately making a mental checklist for the day... I decided to try starting out my day by worshiping my Prince. ....usually it just meant taking a few moments when I first awoke to kneel by my bed, focus on Him, and thank Him for His incredible love and faithfulness to me. When my Prince became the first thing my mind dwelled on in the morning and the last thing I thought about before falling asleep, it was far easier to continue to focus on Him and communicate with Him throughout my day.

It is only when the waters are perfectly still that they can reflect the glories of the heavens.
~Eric Ludy

Only when our minds and hearts are resting fully focused on our Prince can we become reflections of His strong, steady, and unshakable peace.  Take notice of where your thoughts go when you are alone during the day or when you are lying in bed at night. Ask Him to assist you in conversations, guide you in decisions, and help you reflect His lily-white likeness no matter what you are doing. As you learn to speak with Him continually and open your heart to listen to His voice at all times, you will be amazed at how completely you will begin to delight in your Prince all day long. For in "in [His] presence is the fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11, NEB)

A Thought to Ponder

I take my girls to the local library on Mondays for children's story-time.  They have a hard time sitting through the whole session (~30min.), so I purposefully come later, so as not to disturb the other library patrons with running, squealing, crying little girls. After the reading time, there are two tables set up with crayons and coloring sheets. I think the latter part of the "library time" is my oldest's favorite part. She's gotten significantly better since we started attending back in January. The younger sister prefers to "hiding" between the rows of short bookshelves, as well as "inside" the standing, rotating, 360 shelves clustered together.
I meet new moms every week and have short, 411 conversations about our kids' ages, names, interests, and challenges. Today, I talked to a mom I'd seen before but not actually conversed with.  She was curious about my youngest's name: Selah. One thing led to another and I learned that she's been a teacher for a while, has 5 kids (the oldest being adopted... a nephew, in fact, if I heard right), and is a Christian. I found myself asking her a question about toddler development and discipline issues.
She had quite a few things to share that I found interesting and somewhat helpful, but it was her last piece of advice that brings me to the title of this entry.
"You are a believer, right? So even after I read parenting books, I realize that a lot of what I 'use' in my parenting comes from what I've been reading in the Scriptures. After all, you are the best parent for your child, right? We believe that God doesn't make mistakes. He'll show you what to do as you spend time with Him and bring your questions to Him." 

It was the "you are the best parent for your child" statement that got me. Am I REALLY the best parent for Kathryn and Selah? Just because I carried and bore them, I'm the best training and upbringing that they can expect in this life? And she based it off the statement that "God doesn't make mistakes."  I don't completely understand why the reasoning doesn't seem to fit as perfectly as she made it seem at the time. Perhaps they are the best children for me? (A different way of seeing the relationship?)
The part that I am pondering though is the great responsibility that I have to rise to the occasion of teaching, training, disciplining, and loving the children placed in my daily care and protection. I am daunted and intimidated by that thought... I have no clue where to start. But then she gave me the answer to that, too: the Scriptures and time spent asking my LORD do have the answers in some form, I just need to be seeking them.

Strange how the obvious and past-proven answer isn't my first "go-to" or second nature, yet. :-/ I need to put some disciplines into my every day to insure such practices.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Take My Life

by Cindy Morgan


Who can say
When life is over 

The silver cord breaks
Our breath returns to God

Will we walk through fields of clover
Or soar up high through valleys deep and wide

I cannot know all that's waiting there
But until that day this is my prayer

Take my life
Take away all the shattered dreams in me
And give me love that will last forever
Take my life
Give me the love that makes me free
'Cause I believe that 

Your Love can save even a wretch like me

This race is not just for the runners
Some of us walk, while others barely crawl
We make our way through spring and winter
Leaning on strength that strengthens all

And when the sunlight fades from morning
You'll still be burning in my eyes

Take my life
Take away all the shattered dreams in me
And give me love that will last forever
Take my life
Give me the love that makes me free
'Cause I believe
That Your Love can save even a wretch like me

And when the sunlight fades from morning
You'll still be burning in my eyes 



Take my life
Take away all the shattered dreams in me
And give me love that will last forever
Take my life
Give me the love that makes me free
'Cause I believe
That Your Love can save even a wretch like me



In light of my last post, I wanted to share the song that started it all.  I had no idea what sign language of any kind was, no training, no incentive or request made to me. I simply heard this song and the dance was born in my heart. I would dance it before my LORD alone in my bedroom at least a year before I was introduced to ESL and did some of my own research of ASL.  It was even more years later still until I actually "performed" it before anyone but my God.  
My senior year of high school/first year of community college, I took the leap to go on an international missions trip with a team from a sister church of ours.  I didn't know most of the team, but when the time came to put services together, the question was asked, "Does anyone have a song/songs that we could use?" I was somewhat hesitant because mine was a solo and I did not want to appear "full of myself."  I ended up sharing it with them and when the song was finished,  was met with... dare I say (?) awestruck, almost dumbfounded looks of praise and approval... and not of my "performance" but of the love of God (at least that was how I was choosing to see it).  I did get to share it in Thailand and later in Brooklyn, NY, (another missions trip) and Portland, OR (my college choir). 
I can choreograph to most songs when asked or needed, but only a few have truly been "born in my heart" like this first one.  Most of the time, it's completely up to God to plant the seed and grow it at the rate it does in my mind/heart. Below are the others that have equally special places in my heart and memories.


Come As You Are by Jaci Velasquez (this one was for a good sized group)
In Christ Alone (no particular artist) 
My Life, My Love, My All by Kirk Franklin
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (no particular artist)
Lord Most High (no particular artist) (not choreographed by me, but touches me the same way)

Arise, My Love

by NewSong

Not a word was heard at the tomb that day.
Just shuffling of soldiers feet as they guarded the grave.
One day, two days, three days had past.
Could it be that Jesus breathed His last?

Could it be that His Father had forsaken him?
Turned his back on his son dispising our sin.
All hell seemed to whisper
'Just forget Him, He's dead.'
Then the Father looked down to his son and he said..

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more death's sting 

No more suffering
Arise...Arise...my love.

The Earth trembled and the tomb began to shake,
and like lightening from Heaven the stone was rolled away.
And as dead man the guards they all stood there in fright
As the power of love displayed its might
Then suddenly a melody filled the air
Riding wings of wind, it was everywhere
The words all creation had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory, so loud and clear.

Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death's sting
no more suffering
Arise...arise....

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell; has been defeated.
The grave could not hold the king.

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you
No more death's sting
No more suffering
Arise....Arise....Arise



I LOVE to choreograph with all the forms of dance and sign that I have picked up since I was a young teenager. It's been a while (years in fact!) since I've used that creative side to put anything together. Being back in my childhood church these past 4 months has helped and  finally given me a chance to re-use those skills... which is bringing back so much of the joy I found when I was doing it regularly. For this Easter week, I was asked to help with what I call an "interpretive sign dance" (or in this case, more like a interpretive sign poem?). It inspired me to ask if there was a need for a solo for either service. Within one night, I'd selected a song and the next morning had it all choreographed (roughly) with mentally visualized props and all. A talent perhaps? I don't know about that, but what I do know is that there are few things that get me so invigorated and excited as well as draw me closer to God than choreography... even more than "performing" (I like to think of it as "sharing") it with other people. I find myself crying for joy when I get to use this "gift" God has given me...

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Lilly white feminine mystique

I've been attending a women's "Bible" study based off of the book Authentic Beauty: the shaping of a set-apart young woman by Leslie Ludy.  While its focus is on the single young woman, it has been by far the most influential study I've ever been in to learn about being a woman, encouraging manhood in men, and living for/loving the True Prince of humankind. It's been shaping so much of my thoughts towards God and femininity that it would be almost dishonest to not post some things from the book.
Also wanted to say that I believe in this book so much that I've been convicted to hold my own study of this book wherever the next church we call home may be (and beyond).

Sunday, April 17, 2011

To Remember

You (Amy) shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
These words, which I am commanding you (Amy) today, shall be on your heart.
You (Amy) shall teach them diligently to your sons (and daughters) and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You (Amy) shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
You (Amy) shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates. (Deut. 6:4-9)

I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)

Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction. (Mark 5:34)

Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return... (Song of Songs 6:13)

He cannot be happy without us... I dared not have said this if the Holy Spirit has not declared it, but it is true! Jesus must have us or He is a Bridegroom without a Bride... Oh, how He loves us! How He longs for communion with us! "Return, return," and will we not come to Him at once? ~Charles Spurgeon

And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give you strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. (Is. 58:11)

Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.
But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
So don't get tired of doing what is good.
Don't get tired of doing what is good.
Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. (Gal. 6:7-10)

Relationships

The last week has been interesting. I don't consider myself a counselor or even super "wise", but I am learning about the power, blessing, hope, and growth of Christ in my life. In my life experience, I have learned lessons on life purpose, grace and mercy, love and faith... I do my best to return to Scripture as my guide and how the Lord has "proved" himself to me and those in my life.
Is seeking out new relationships with people like my brothers or childhood girlfriends with the intent of being their friend okay? I care about their happiness and their relationships with the Lord (and other people).  I guess I feel that I do have advice to offer and that the Lord can "answer" their questions if they let Him. Not that He will take away all their pain and suffering right away, but that He gives Himself and it truly IS enough. But it's so hard to know what to say or not to say. Hard not to "tell" them what to or not to do.
While I know that I am married, my husband's occupation has taught me that the Lord has to be the person to give my life purpose. God is the one I need to seek to please above all else and becoming like His Son, Jesus Christ.  My daughters look up to me with even more expectation and less question than my peers did during my childhood and adolescence. But even more than that, my true joy is to be found in seeking after and knowing Him.
I'm not sure how to or if I should be sharing what I'm learning.... I don't dare claim to know all the answers or what they are going through.... I don't mean to be heartless and insensitive or to speak "christian-ese" at them.  I'm not always faithful or trusting in the Lord's goodness or purposes. I don't read my Bible daily. I find myself praying only when reminded, as opposed to constantly. I've made mistakes and tainted my reputation with most of them by how I courted and married my husband. And then there's that aspect of "the Asian culture." Are they being polite? Do they actually care what I'm saying? Do they care about what I have to say? Am I speaking for my own benefit or theirs and am I speaking the truth or simply my opinion? That last question is probably the biggest one that I have right now.
I've had 3 pretty heavy conversations in the last 4 days... and not just "one time" things. They have the potential and almost need to be followed up and "seen through" which equals: relationships.  Those take time and energy and resources and patience. They can reap great rewards but also drain many aspects of one's life.

God, please grant me Your wisdom and help me to sift out my understanding. Thank You for these opportunities. Thank You for these "second chance" friendships. Please be with these people as they struggle and hurt and seek You. I know You promise to, so I implore You to submerge them in Your love, peace, joy, and hope! Guide my heart and mind, use my mouth and arms as Yours! I love these people and want them to feel Your love and joy for them, too! =) Your humble daughter, Amy Joy.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

More thoughts from the yellow legal pad

As I wrote at the beginning, I have a habit of journaling in multiple places. Currently, I've been using a yellow legal pad that my dad use from his stash.  Here are a few entries:

~Innocence is worth protecting at any age
~Purity is true beauty and a true gift that is pleasing to God (also worth protecting and pursuing)
~Pouring out my life with all its desires -both good and bad- to God to do with as He pleases brings a beautiful fragrance before heaven and those who are seeking Him
~When life becomes only about me and my efforts and desires then I am missing the point of life which is: to lay it (my life) down for God to use and to make disciples for Him
~The comfortable, predictable life rarely brings as much glory and honor to God as the broken, unpredictable road (often times the "ministry" route)
~Rarely if ever is the painless, easy life a one that wins souls or experiences the deeper levels of relationship with God - those are usually tragedy riddled, persecuted (by all), ever-continuing, self-sacrificing, dying-to-self people who don't have time or money to decorate their huge dream house(s), purchase or wear the newest and stylish clothes or jewelry, etc.


What He likes... (based of of Genesis 1-5)
...what He has made
...being creative
...seeing and filling needs
...being relational ("one")
...protecting
...honesty
...providing
...purity
...life
...gently correcting/teaching
...proper sacrifice
...giving 2nd chances
...obedience
...blessing humans

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

My Sister's Closet Mirror

I am made in the image of God.

I believe in the sun, even when it's not shinning.

I believe in love, even when I don't feel it.

I believe in God, even when He is silent.

Not sure where she got these gems or if she came up with them on her own, but either way, they have been amazing plumb-lines in very tumultuous times. Written up on our ceiling-to-floor, mirrored, sliding closet doors, these statements are impossible to avoid when getting dressed, playing with the girls, or simply checking for hair fly-aways and clean teeth. Since I cannot take the doors with me when my time here is finished, I will take them with me here to reference and possibly replicate in my own home in my own way. Thanks Hannah! Love you!

Monday, April 11, 2011

I Need...

I need to be with You when I wake -
 ~even when laden with child. The child can learn that You will always be first.
 ~even when sleep deprived, for whatever reason. I learn to know my evening limits, see the gift of Your sunrise, recall my identity, and know my purpose, be prepared and armed for the day.

I need to move my body outside -
 ~even in poor or fair weather, to remind me of my place in the world, who created it all, those in need, and to keep up my strength and stamina to do His work

I need to feed my family -
 ~pre-plan meals that give them the fuel they need to do what they have planned for the day
 ~plan for sick days and special days; know each person's favorites
 ~understand the need for and practice of portion control
 ~know what I am putting in to their bodies and share why

Things I've Learned

Being a military wife for just a little over a year has taught me a few things. These things have become vital in my survival and growth while separated from my husband.
~Get plugged into something Bible related, weekly in addition to church.
~Get the girls plugged into something weekly, too, especially involving other children.
~Have a daily devotional handy and kept in the same place.
~Walk at least 30 minutes a day with the girls.
~Prevent unplanned lazy days with pre-planning.
~Fill my mind with Philippians 4:8-9 (don't just let things "happen").
~Sick days are inevitable: Plan ahead.
(and here are a few for when we are all together)
~Date night is essential: spare no expense to keep it even if it's simple.
~Plan Sundays (prepare) the day before.

for Always
Protect, like my marriage, this growing love affair with the Creator of my being. Enjoy life 'cause He loves me & obey 'cause it brings Him joy.

My Gift to Him
My life -with all it's possibilities:
I do.
I promise to love and cherish,
Forsaking all others, do pledge myself
Body, Soul, and Mind to be
Your bride both now in this life
and into eternity.
In sickness and in health,
For richer or poorer,
in doubt and fear,
in pain and pleasure,
I will put my trust and hope
in Him first.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Yes, Yet Another Blog

To anyone who chooses to follow this blog, a warning. I am terrible at keeping these things up consistently. I looked at the last time I updated my most recent one and it was almost a year ago.
I'm not going to try and figure out why, but in any case, I've been learning so much about life and Christ and values and marriage and parenting that I want to store them somewhere. I'm tired of trying to find the last notepad/notebook that I wrote in or if it fits with the "theme" of said book or blog. This will be the "catch all" for my sermon notes, lessons learned, values discovered, developing theology, mental questions, emotional tirades, paradigm shifts, and epiphanies.
I collected rocks and minerals as a child.  As an adult, I've started to fall in love with jewels -sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and my favorite even as a child: amethysts. I also accepted Christ as my savior as a child and formed a relationship with Him as a teen. As an adult, I'm starting to realize the practical sides to all the things I was taught -even in college. So, the raw material of the Bible has been placed in my heart like a hidden precious stone. Here are my discoveries and revelations of how those truths will clean and shape me, like a jeweler crafting a diamond or precious stone "in the rough." The finished product(s) will be refined through heaven's fire and presented to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords at the end of time.