Random Thought

If Seth's parents are my in-laws, what would my parents be called?

Out-laws?

Praying Together

This morning Zoie woke up before I had a chance to pray (actually mommy didn't wake up as early as she should have).  Zoie waited patiently as I was finishing my journal writing, and then asked if she could pray with me.  So, she climbed on my lap and we began to pray.  She started with a prayer of thanksgiving, "Thank you, Jesus, for my toys."  Then I expounded on her prayer by thanking the Lord for his many blessings in our lives, for the ability to play and have fun, and for friends to share our toys with.  She then thanked Jesus for her sisters, and again I expounded on her prayer with thanksgiving for all the members of our family and realizing how truly blessed we are to have grandparents that love us and want to spend time with us, and auntie's and uncles that care for us, for special relationship with each of them.  This continued for the next ten minutes, she would thank the Lord and I would add to it.  Then she was done and she said, "Amen", jumped off my lap and said, "Let's bake something."

This was such a special morning where Zoie and I were able to experience the presence of the Lord together, share our hearts with Him and grow together in Him.   I felt like my legacy was already beginning to be passed down as I heard in my baby girl a desire to spend time together in prayer. 

And I didn't mind the cuddle time either!

Spring Break a Little Early

Two weeks ago, I received a call from my mom asking if we were busy Monday thru Wednesday of this week.  I looked at my calendar, shared with her the few things we had going on, and asked, "Why, what's up?"  She asked if they could come and see us and I stated, "Sure, we'll just move our Spring Break!"  I love homeschooling for this reason.  We have so much freedom.  We have the freedom to move Spring Break to whatever week we so desire.  We have the freedom to invite family up during the school week and spend the entire time with them.  Freedom!  It is a wonderful thing. :) 

So, our Spring Break was filled with family.  We celebrated Seth's birthday on Monday with a scavenger hunt to his present.  He received a new driver with a huge head, and he loved it.  Tuesday was Mom and Dad's 36th anniversary.  We visited the state capitol for a field trip and spent the rest of the day in dessert heaven, pastries from Wagner's for lunch and dinner, and homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast (unaware that we would be traveling to Wagner's later that day).  Wednesday was the day to walk off our desserts so we headed to Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge and walked the 5 mile boardwalk in sunshine!  Thursday dad wanted to treat us to lunch, and after that Dairy Queen, and then we found ourselves at the bowling alley.  We bowled two games of amazing skill and strategy where my 8, 6, and 4 year old almost did as well as me.  Friday we journeyed around Capitol Lake and were blessed with beautiful sunshine and touches of warmth.  It was a beautiful day. 

As you may have noticed, mom and dad's visit ended up extending through the week and this was due to the fact that we were all enjoying one another's company.  They left on Friday to tears pouring down the face of Kylia not wanting them to leave. 

Then we received a call from Auntie wanting to know if she could come up on Sunday and surprise the girls with a visit to Chuck E. Cheeses and the Olive Garden!  The girls were blessed with tokens aplenty and a visit from an Auntie and her man who love them dearly. 

The week of Spring Break that was originally on the calendar, as of yet had no plans, but when spontaneously moved to a different week, ended up being filled with numerous blessing and surprises.  Freedom is a wonderful thing!

How'd I Get You

Last night Seth and I were talking together on the couch.  Seth proceeded to 'check me out', and then declare, "How did I get you?"  As my heart fluttered within me, the same sentiment whirred around in my mind.  "How did I get you, Seth Owen?"

From the moment we began dating Seth's eyes have only been for me.  He is a man that loves the Lord and is leading his family into a deeper relationship with Him.  He is romantic and tender.  He is thoughtful beyond words.  He is still, after 12 years of marriage, able to look at me with eyes of wonder.  My man is a dreamer and visionary, which keeps life exciting!  He has big goals that he strives to reach.  He has a hope in the Lord that is so strong that it doesn't matter what the week before held, he has a hope that this week will bring with it something amazing.  He is fun.  He loves his girls.  He loves others.  My man is amazing, and I wonder, "How did I get you, Seth Owen?  You are a gift from God."

Seth is not a perfect man, but he is a gift.  I would love to hear how your man is a gift to you!  Let's lift up our men up today. :)

What I Learned

My last post talked about a discipleship training class that Seth and I were both taking and I wanted to share a little of what I learned.  Much of it, I am still processing, but for now these are the highlights.

1. There is so much more.  My relationship with the Lord will never hit a climax.  I have been saved my entire life and I still have so much to learn.  Just in these four weeks, the Lord revealed new truths to me, taught me most likely the simplest form of evangelism, and showed me that I can walk in His authority because He is in me. 

2.  There is power in prayer.  This is a truth that God has been showing me throughout my life, but this class helped bring it to a whole new level.  Another of our requirements was to pray out loud, without distractions,  for 10 minutes a day.  I have always been a very private person and my relationship with the Lord has also been very intimate.  Because of that my prayers have mostly been internal, between He and me.  Granted I pray out loud with my girls and my husband, but rarely on my own without any distractions.  During these four weeks I have been getting up before my children to read my Bible and pray, and it has been amazing.  I have found that my prayers throughout the day have also been going from internal to out loud.  And I am finding that not only is there power in prayer, but my relationship with the Lord has grown stronger.   The way I have enjoyed ending my prayers has been with these words, "Lord walk with me today, hand in hand, guiding me and directing my steps."  I have loved the image of Him holding my hand, walking beside me, the two of us laughing and talking together like a Father holding his little girl's hand.  I love my Papa. 

3.  Something Seth shared with me today, that I believe is a little of what he has been processing, is simply our purpose.  He stated that our daily mindsets should be heaven focused.  When our focus becomes eternity, our daily living will drastically change.  We will no longer have in our mind the things of this world, or our own selfish ambitions, but our mind will be concerned with the things of God.  His concerns will become our concerns.  This class showed us that as we fill ourselves with more and more of the Lord, through His word, prayer, teachings, and fellowship with other believers, it will begin to flow out of us, and others will be impacted because of Who they see in us.  We will begin to diminish so that He will increase.   

All of these highlights are elementary I know, but yet so easy to forget.  I pray that I will never forget and will continually grow and be changed by Him.

What would you say?

Four weeks ago Seth and I began an intense discipleship training class.  I was excited for this class and wondered what I would learn and how much stronger my relationship with the Lord would become.  The class started Sunday afternoon and then Monday began the reason for my title, "What would you say?"  On Monday, Seth began feeling a little under the weather, but was still able to function.  On Tuesday the fever had hit, with chills and all.  Tuesday also brought about a blown tire that had to be completely replaced due to the largeness of the slash.  Wednesday I received heart breaking news from a friend.  Thursday, Seth and I were not communicating well. Friday, Adalie came down with a fever, which seemed better Saturday morning, but then at 2:00 all three girls were cuddled up under blankies claiming they were cold, and 1, 2, 3 all had fevers.  Our internet went down on Saturday (which is the reason for such a long break in my writing), and without internet we were unable to view our church service on Sunday. 

One requirement of this class was to attend a service each weekend as well as the class.  With three girls with fevers and a husband with a fever coming and going all throughout the week, this requirement was not fulfilled. 

I began thinking, "Is the enemy trying to attack our family?  Is his goal to keep us from this class?"  Then I felt the Lord whisper, "Look at your week again."  I thought that was strange, but began a fresh look.  And this is what I noticed.  Monday, Valentines Day, Seth and I had a wonderful date.  We celebrated our 14-year dating anniversary at the Melting Pot.  The fact that we were able to celebrate there, or anywhere, was a reminder of the goodness of the Lord and the incredible blessings He has bestowed on our family.  Tuesday, our tire was still under warranty and therefore did not cost us to replace it.  Wednesday, I received blessed news from a dear friend and was able to rejoice with her.  Friday, our tax return arrived.  Saturday, all three girls got sick at the same time which enabled us to get the bug through our family quicker than if we would have played, 'tag your it!'.  Saturday, Seth and my communication was fixed.  And without internet for fifteen days, we were kept from unwanted distractions while we were trying to focus solely on the Lord. 

So, that brings me to my question.  "What would you say?"  Did this week bring about an attack from the enemy, or was it a week of blessing from the Lord? 

I'm starting to see it as the latter. 

Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to your goodness and blessing.