"Becoming like a Child"

Genesis 28:16 “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”  As I was sitting at the doctor's office today, I was reading a book called, "Five Star Families. Moving Yours from Good to Great!"  (A book I highly recommend to anyone with children especially young children or children on the way.) As I was reading I came across the verse Genesis 28:16.  After reading that verse, I couldn't help but pause and just look around and wonder.  How is God in this place?  I first glanced at the computer and thought, "Wow! What an amazing machine! It can do so much and to think that when I was little, computers were so much less and really just becoming popular.  Then my eyes drifted out the window, and I started wondering like a kid.  The chapter I was reading was all about gifts and how gifts remind us of the giver. I started thinking about the verse in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."  "Become like little children" really stuck out to me.  I let me curiosity began as I looked out that window amazed at God's creation and started thinking like a child.  "Why is the sky blue?" "How does a car really work?" "How could someone think of the idea to make a vehicle?"  "Why are there so many different colors in the world?"  "Why do people get sick?"  etc.  So many thoughts started coming through my head as I sat in that small doctor's office room.  I couldn't help but praise our giver...our Lord! All we have come from Him above!  I began thanking Him for my week, for my day, for Jason's job offer, for my raise, for Jason, for Eli, for a loving family and in-laws...so much He has given me, and yet I don't deserve any of it.  How can someone not see His glory! We are spoiled children of God! He treats us way better than even our earthly fathers do.  The rest of this summer, I hope to become a little more like a child...maybe play hide-and-seek or throw the ball with Eli, enjoy another mud/water fight with the girls, laugh, giggle, and enjoy time with the children in my life...be all that I can be for them...be the role model God has called me to be, but to have fun and take the time to 'become like a little child' as I watch and hangout with the children/teens God has given me the opportunity to spend time with this summer. I hope to also wonder about questions that Eli is constantly asking "Why?' about and to learn from him.

Message to my Husband

A message to my husband when he was trying to decide what job he is called to do.  He has the opportunity to stay where he is comfortable or leave and try something new.  After reading through some Bible verses and writing this to him, a thought popped into my head.   For awhile now, Jason has wondered about applying for other jobs and even applied for a couple as well as talked to other customers about working other places.  While all these jobs, the door was closed right away with either a job Jason knew he wouldn't enjoy, the pay was too low, or someone else was hired for the position, this job is wide open with exactly what Jason is wanting to do, with pay that is right, benefits that are great...nothing looks like a door closing.  I had this thought and think it is God giving me peace about the new job offered to him.  Maybe that will be encouragement to him as well. 

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." Psalm 16:9 All of this may not have been your plan for your life, but just remember God has a reason for all this. He is determining your steps. I know he doesn't close one door without opening another. In your case, he opened another without closing the other. Follow your heart and "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5
Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you today and praying for you. I wanted to send some encouragement your way and wanted to let you know whatever decision you make, I will be by your side supporting you! I know God knows the plans for your life...for our life. They are "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Whatever you decide I know you "can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you."
"The LORD will guide you continually..."Isaiah 58:11
Love you babe and praying for you! You're awesome and just remember whatever decision you make, it's a good decision. Either way God has blessed you with a new opportunity. I'm excited about the changes and give God all the glory!

It's Summer!

I can't believe it's already June!!! And I didn't post a single blog entry in May.  For all of you that are school teachers, you know that May is a very busy month for teachers...not to mention, I had my preschool graduation program to prepare for, my youngest two brothers' graduation, our school's 8th grade graduation and Eli's preschool graduation to attend.  Needless to say, it was a very busy month for me; however, that is no excuse.  I try to stay focus on what is important in life and keep my focus on the Lord, but sometimes it gets so hard to keep that focus.  I am always feeling guilty for not spending enough time with the Lord. I wish I could spend so much more time with Him and I know I can. I just have to pray for motivation and dedication.  I have recently realized how low my self esteem gets when I am not focused on the Lord.  I want to be there for others and say the right things and be an encouragement for them when needed, but sometimes it's so hard when I don't have a high self esteem and the courage to say the right things.  I know it would be so much easier if I focused more on the Lord and spent more time with Him daily.  One thing I love about working and the school year is routine.  I have my daily routine planned out and usually stick to it.  I know my time with the Lord is in my car on the way to school.  I can pray out loud and talk to the Lord as if he is seated right next to me in my passenger seat.  Then I am refreshed and ready to began my day at work.  This summer, I feel like I have lost that connection and am trying to get it back.  I wake up in time for Eli and then usually fall back asleep for awhile when instead I could be spending that time with the Lord.  I pray and hope that I will find the time to spend with the Lord daily as well as intentionally bring Eli up in a home that is glorifying to HIM!!!  I want my home to be a home where others feel comfortable coming to and where others see Him in our lives.  I want my home to be comfortable for others and a joy to be in.  I pray that this summer, I will focus on the important things in life and the fact that I am on a break...I am taking this break for me...for Eli...and for the Lord.  This is my time to not only get in shape physically, but spiritually as well!  Summer is my motivation to be the best wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend that I can be.   I want others to know that when I say I will pray for them, I AM PRAYING FOR THEM! I want others to know that Christ lives in me and that I am on fire for HIM! I pray that God will use me this summer and this coming school year! I pray that I can be all that I am called to be and that God is my focus all day, throughout the day.  I pray that Eli will grow up to be the man God has called him to be.  That I can teach him the things that are important in life, the right morals, and beliefs.  I pray that mine and Jason's relationship will be one that he will look up to, a godly relationship that he will someday strive to have.  I pray that my nieces and nephews will see that in our relationship as well.  And most importantly I pray that each one of my siblings will see that in us and that God will send someone if not us to show them to Him! I pray that each one of them will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior! I pray that God will use me...and help me to make an impact in all the lives that I am around this summer and school year!  "Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering, Here I am, Lord send me, Somehow my story is a part of Your plan, Here I am."

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”