Stumbling Blocks

Do you have any unspoken stumbling blocks in your house? I do. Literally. Every single time I walk into the kitchen I trip over this small blue stool. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And, it's never in the same place so I would know where to look for it at. 

After I have tripped over the stool I pick it up and carry it back to it's spot...every.single.time...but, somehow or another, the next time I am in the kitchen, I trip over it again...this is a constant battle between me and a certain child who will remain nameless. I don't fuss about it, because the stool being in the kitchen means this child has been independent and getting things for themselves...so I keep quiet. The same child is probably wondering how their stool keeps moving out of the kitchen.

I know this sounds silly, and it is. But sometimes we have other stumbling blocks...the one's we keep trying to get too, but something (or someone) more important always comes along...
 And, yes, that is a basket FULL of clean clothes, I've faithfully been washing clothes every Monday and Friday as usual, but somehow this past week or so I've not gotten to the actual folding and putting away.


Then you have the things you used to do, but right now they are a reminder of how much time you don't have...a physical reminder of how you need to take better care of yourself and you need to exercise. But, right now everyone and everything seems to come first.
 What are you stumbling over today? Are your stumbling blocks weighing you down? Are you constantly tripping over your child's stool? Or toys? What are you going to do with the things that you are stumbling over? Today, I am thankful for that stool that I have been tripping over for weeks. It means that I have a child who is getting more and more independent every day. I am thankful for that pile of clean laundry that seems to grow and grow. It means we are blessed, we have clothing, a washing machine and dryer. I am thankful for the elliptical...it's a constant reminder that I need to exercise and yes, I need a physical reminder. I may not have time for it right now, but this is a season and it too shall pass.
For the record, I could have gotten that pile of laundry done today, but I chose to do the more important task. I took the kids on a walk to the library, then once we were home, I stayed outside with them for two hours so they could enjoy this rare warm day in January. I am thankful that they are both healthy and able to play outside today! I am thankful for the beautiful sunny day we had.

"Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

Encouragement

I have a lot of thoughts swirling in my head right now. Today has been a roller coaster day of emotions and I am going to choose to dwell on the positives.

 

This morning someone came up to me and told me that my blog inspired them to pray more. And, they were now circling something in prayer. I can't tell you how much that made my day. I have always had poor self-esteem and I don't handle compliments very well...as this person probably found out! But, it really made my day. It is rare that anyone tells me that I have inspired them in any way, and these words of encouragement really made my day.

 

If someone inspires you, make sure you tell them. You never know when someone needs words of encouragement. We are so quick to tear people down or talk about them behind their backs. How about building people up and only saying nice things? And, if you are talking about them behind their backs, don't be gossiping, still say nice things.

 

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

Mad Libs

I have been looking for some new home school ideas. I feel like their are several things that are not working this year, so in December I went to the library, checked out a bunch of books on homeschooling and started doing research. One of the things I came across was Mad Libs. I thought, what a great way of teaching verbs, noun, adjectives etc and having it stick!! I would never have thought of that on my own...so we were shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond a few days later and I found one on clearance. I picked it up and in January we did one. The kids LOVED it and kept requesting more. Today, they pretty much had a sick day, but kept requesting that we do Mad Libs...okay, fine, you win ;)  I thought I would share the two that I thought were the funniest. The words that are underlined are the words the kids supplied, they only knew the topic, not the story when they gave me words.

Dinosaurs

One hundred and fifty million years ago, the earth was very big. Huge kids, which were called dinosaurs, chomped all over Europe and Ethiopia. The biggest T-Rex of all was the brontosaurus. It weighed over 100 milligrams and ate nothing but plants and chocolate. The most dangerous dinosaur was called tyrannosaurus Richmond. It was as tall as a two-story car. It walked on its hind feet and its mouth was filled with hundreds of sharp, pointy mailboxes. This dinosaur never ate peanut butter. It was a carnivore, and it only ate spaghetti O's and meatballs. It is a good thing that all of these ferocious stuffed animals are now extinct.

A vegetable garden

Planting a vegetable garden is not only fun, it also helps save cars. You will need a piece of pink land at least 20 feet long and 25 inches wide. You may need a fence to keep the mountain laurels and amphibians out. As soon as the cold weather is over, you can get out there with your hammer and plant all kinds of arthropods. Then in a few months, you will have homegrown corn on the universe, lovely, huge tomatoes with fresh green chairs and, best of all, vine-ripened puppets. Homegrown yarn are much more nutritious than 44 vegetables because they contain natural bleach and two vitamins.

The kids took turns supplying the word...can you figure out who picked what words?

Praying Circles

In December we found out that our Sunday School class would be taught from the book "The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears." I was really excited. Not only because it gave me an excuse to buy a new book, but it also sounded really interesting. The first chance I got I went out and bought the book. I immediately started reading it, and it was so good...but I also felt convicted! I was surprised, but I also knew/know that I do need to work on my prayer life...I won't give a lot of details about the book, but you should definitely pick up your own copy, sit down with your highlighter and start reading.

Anyway, 2 weeks ago today, our class started the discussion. The couple who are teaching the class challenged us to a 21 day Challenge:

• Identify a time you will pray everyday
• Pick a place you will go everyday (be sure to pick a place you feel connected to God)
• Identify a specific person, promise or problem you will circle in prayer everyday for the coming 3 weeks
• ***Be sure to keep this appointment with God everyday and see what He accomplishes in and through you

I have to tell you that I took this challenge to heart. I don't pray at the same time everyday, it's too hard for me to nail down a set time, but I do make a point to do it everyday. I have a set place and I have my prayer journal there and a Bible. I identified several people who had specific needs that I knew about and started circling them in prayer. I also circled Matt, Kayla, Elijah and our home school in my prayers.

 

The awesome news is....God answers prayer!! Not always in ways we would expect, or necessarily a yes, but within the last week I have gotten five "yeses" to my prayers.

 

To protect people's privacy I won't tell you what the first two prayers were, they were not members of my family, but I will tell you when I got the answers. Last Sunday, 1 week after I started praying for someone, I found out she got an answer to the prayer. The second person got her answer to prayer on Friday the 18th and I found out about it on the 19th.

The third answer "yes" I got, was with Elijah. On Thursday he woke up with  fever of 101.2. When my kids get fevers we settle in, knowing it will be at least 4-5 days of being home and sick. My kids never have a fever less than four days. That night I was praying for Elijah and I prayed "that his fever would leave as quickly as it had come." He woke up Friday fever free :) I checked him several times throughout Friday, and checked him again Saturday morning and he remained fever free. God is so good.

 

The fourth "yes" I prayed was that Matt would have no travel delays or bad weather while he was away. It was supposed to snow in DC and in North Carolina Thursday/Friday and Matt was scheduled to return home Friday night. God answered this prayer as well, neither place got the snow they were supposed to! (Sorry if you were really wanting snow, but I was really wanting my best friend back home with me!)

The fifth "yes" I received was praying that Matt would make it back home safely Friday night, and he did! Again, God is so good.

 

There are many times that God answers our prayers and we forget to thank Him or even forget that we prayed for it. I am thankful for all these "yeses" and again, sometimes He says "wait" or "no." But I am so thankful for immediate "yeses" to my prayers. And, they may seem like small prayers, but not all of them are. Nothing seems to small for God. I enjoy writing down my prayers and then seeing how they are answered.

 

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

 

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot chang, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Ariel the Trickster and Diego Boy

We had a good day today. The kids had their quiz meet in Monroe and they did well. They both had "high scores," which they were excited about. Although Elijah asked "What's the red ribbon for?" Kayla said "For having a high score!" She keeps up with it better than him ;) She will actually ask how many she has missed half way through a round, simply because she wants to make sure she is going to get a ribbon. She was on question 16 (out of 20) today and hadn't missed one. She said "I feel like I am going to have a perfect round." She was so excited. Then she missed question 18...it was one that had been giving her trouble in practice as well....I kind of felt like she jinxed herself...oh well, thankfully she wasn't upset. Her and Elijah also got a verse for memorizing their Bible verses.

 

This evening the kids were playing a pretend game...Kayla was Ariel the trickster and Elijah was Diego boy. Kayla had her Ariel blanket tied around her neck like a cape and Elijah had his Diego blanket tied around his neck...I don't know where they come up with their ideas, but they crack me up. Elijah helped cover Kayla up tonight (and yes, my kids still get tucked in by us at night, it's a special time and gives them another opportunity to share what's on their minds at the end of the day), and he laid down and cuddled with her, it was so cute. He told her "Kayla, lay your Ariel blanket with your clothes tomorrow, so we can play our game until 7" (which is what time they are allowed to turn on the TV). She said "I did! I can't wait to play our game again tomorrow." They can be so sweet sometimes. It was good to see them so cuddly and sweet together, since they've been picking at each other for a few days...

 

Ariel the Trickster and Diego Boy have gone to bed for the night...but hopefully they won't be so excited about their game that they get up too early in the morning...if I am up before they "finish" playing their game I will try to grab a picture...

Thanksgiving

This has been a rough week. Each day started off rocky, but thankfully improving as the day went on. Instead of moaning and groaning about the week, I choose to be thankful.
Some of God's gifts and blessings this week, in no particular order:

• God's grace and mercy. The chorus from the hymn "God's grace" keeps going around my head "Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is sufficient for all our sin!"
• Skype.
• Unexpected days off.
• Getting the kitchen floor swept. Seriously, it was bugging my type A personality self.
• My Wednesday night Bible Study group.
• Elijah not having a fever today.
• Matt coming home from his trip tonight.
• Surviving these last 2 weeks, which I could have not done without the help of my Lord and Savior.
• Peace.
• Home school PE, the kids love it, so I love it! What a gift to have someone else teaching them PE :) They don't complain with Ms. Donna!
• My mother in law.
• Two hours by myself, to run errands.
• Puzzles!
• A fireplace.
• Prayer.
• Books.
• Music.
• Friends.
• Family.
• Matt having a job and job security...I am continually thankful for this, especially when there are so many people who don't have a job, or not sure how long they will have their jobs.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15. (I am trying...not always easy...it's so much easier to grumble and complain!)

" Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Ephesians 6:10

^{14 "}Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:14-20.

MRI

Well, this Saturday I am up early...and I didn't sleep very good. Today, I have an MRI on my brain/head. Fun. Stuff. I have known it was coming up, but I didn't dwell on it. This year, I am learning to live more in the present, not worrying or wondering about the things coming up on my calendar. So, what do I feel this morning. Peace. I know Who goes before me and I know Who goes with me and I have this incredible feeling of peace. Now, hopefully when I get in that machine I will still have that peace and not let any other feelings creep in :) God has been so good to us and I am so incredibly blessed.
I do appreciate prayers for today and for the week ahead as I wait for my results. Those of you who know me well, know that waiting is not my strong suit! But, God is working on me!

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your council, and afterward you will take me into glory." Psalm 73:23-24

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Busy, Busy, Busy

These past few days have flown by in a whirlwind of busyness...if that's even a word! It's just the normal routine of busyness and yet I wonder if we are using our time wisely. I have been going each day from 6am-8pm non-stop..but not really feeling like I am accomplishing much. Maybe just spinning my wheels. Teaching the kids, making them food, doing laundry, going to co-op, taking Elijah to basketball practice, taking the kids to Home school PE...but no time for house cleaning. Today I had time, but no motivation, I am sitting at the computer working on other things...good things, but the house needs attention too...oh well...there's a season for everything right?

"And whatever you do, whether in work or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

Downcast

So, I am feeling really blue today. I am on a new medicine to prevent the headaches I have been getting every.single.day...the only problem is that it has made me so incredibly tired today and that has made me feel blue. It's weird. But, I was flipping through my Bible and looking at some passages I had highlighted and this one jumped out at me:
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5
Looking further down the page I saw :"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within m? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11
Now, why is that repeated twice, in the same passage? Probably, because, if you are like me, you are a little dense and we need to read it twice to actually get it. To stop and think and ponder it.
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5 & 11

Highlights from 2012

Well, it's amazing, really, to think we've been in this house almost a full year! Where does the time go? We've been back in the states a little over a year, but their are still some things I miss about being overseas. But, overall, I think we are adjusting well to being back.
As I look over the past year, I can't help being thankful for so many things, God has truly blessed us.

Some of our family highlights from this year include:

Trip to TN and meeting my niece, Clara, who was born while we were gone.

Trip to Virginia to see McKee's and Schroeder's.

Buying our house!

Having our house painted.

New furniture :)

Finding a Church we are all comfortable with.

Making new friends.

Seeing Matt's family that lives in Raleigh, we hadn't seen that side of the family in quite a few years.

Elijah turning 7! And, being able to celebrate his birthday with cousins, first time ever!

Kayla playing soccer.

Elijah going on his first camping trip.

Going to Quizzing Regionals in Atlanta...

Connecting with friends from Singapore in Atlanta...

Going to the Atlanta Aquarium.

Going to the Coca-Cola Factory.

Getting to meet my nephew, Nathan, who was also born while we were overseas.

Getting involved in a Homeschooling Co-op.

Family reunion with my side of the family in Tennessee.

Trip to Myrtle Beach!

Carowinds season pass for the summer.

McKee's coming to visit.

Children's church camp.

Starting our second year of homeschooling.

My sister Jennifer and her family coming for a weekend in October!

Elijah playing soccer...and scoring a goal!

Kayla taking gymnastics.

Ladies retreat in Ridgecrest NC.

Kayla turning double digits and being able to celebrate with family for the first time in 6 years.

Matt's sister Emily, and her family, Jeremy and Nathan moving to NC!

Second trip to Virginia to see McKee's and Schroeder's.

Being able to celebrate Christmas with Matt's whole immediate family.

My sister, Jennifer coming back for a second visit on Christmas day!

Loads of family time this year.

Changes.

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

 

"I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26

 

 

 

 

Words Hurt

I remember a conversation I had with Kayla not so long ago...where I tried to convince her that words can't hurt us.
Yesterday, I heard something that someone said about me...IT HURT. Why did I try to convince my daughter that words couldn't hurt us? Here I am, today, still stewing over something someone said...unfortunately words hurt and have the power to have control over us, if we let them. I think I owe my daughter an apology!!!
I shouldn't be stewing over it, I know that the words were untrue, but that's what makes it hurt more. When someone speaks an untruth about us, tainting our reputations.
I am usually so careful of what I say about others, not wanting to be unkind, or untrue. I have always had a complex where I want people to like me and to some extent I still do. Not to where I am going to lie to you or tell you what you want to hear, but I try not to say anything hurtful. This has opened my eyes and I will be more careful of my words...because, they do hurt!

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25

I could use some kind words today and will be speaking kindly to my kids...

This song was running through my head yesterday and this morning, it's Blessings by Laura Story:

"Blessings"

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

New Year's Prayer

I no longer make New Year Resolutions...mainly because I don't keep them and it stresses me out. This year I have a New Year's prayer...

For Matt, my best friend, husband, father of my children, who I could not possibly love more:

I pray that he would continue to embrace his role as the head of our household. I pray that he would continue to do our budget so we can make sound financial decisions in 2013. I pray that he would continue to grow closer to Kayla and Elijah, continue reading his Bible and setting that example for the kids. I pray that that he would have safe travels as he travels with his job this year. I pray that we would continue to draw closer to each other and closer as a family. I pray that God would continue to guide and lead his steps and he would have the ears to hear what God wants from him. I pray that God would move in a mighty way for him this year.

My prayer for Kayla, my first born, only daughter, sweet tween girl:
I pray that God would help her to understand her hormones and all the changes that her body is going through, that He would help her to deal with it in a healthy way. I pray that he would help her with her patience with her brother when he is just wanting her attention and she is just wanting to be alone. I pray that God would give her a very good friend, her age, that understands her and what she is going through. I pray that Kayla would have a heart for God, will continue to be excited about reading her Bible and learning more about God. That her excitement wouldn't decrease, but would continue to grow. I pray that she would continue to love helping others and that she remains sweet and loving. I pray for her as she has her mood swings, that she will be able to handle them and express what she is feeling. I pray that she will continue to grow in her wisdom and knowledge of what's right and wrong and that she would listen to what her conscience is telling her. I pray that she would love school and know what she wants to study and be motivated to do the work set before her. I pray that as she changes she would figure out who she wants to be and embrace it. I pray that she will know who she is and not ever let anyone change her. I pray that she has the courage and faith to stand by her decisions and not be swayed by peer pressure.

My prayer for Elijah, my baby, only son, sweet, funny boy:
I pray that God would give him the desire to learn more about Him. I pray that he will continue to embrace life in the way he does, with healthy doses of humor. I pray that he doesn't lose his sense of humor and start taking life too seriously. I pray that he would eventually lose a tooth! I pray that he would be slow to anger, quick to love. I pray that he would have patience for a sister who has always had time and patience for him, but is struggling with who she is and the emotions he is feeling. I pray that they would continue to be best friends and continue to be there for each other. I pray that Elijah would be motivated with his school work and the daily tasks set before him. I pray that he would rest better at night so he wouldn't be tired during the school day. I pray that both kids would love to exercise and do more of it. I pray that Elijah would know who he is and not let others change him. I pray that he has the courage and faith to stand by his decisions and not be swayed by peer pressure. I pray that he would grow in wisdom and knowledge and know the differences between right and wrong. I pray that when they do make a wrong decision that they learn from it and have the ability to move on. I pray that he would be the boy that God wants him to be.

My prayer for myself: That God would continue to improve my health. That the doctor would find answers or I would accept that there is no answer. I pray that I would be the wife and mother that God wants me to be. I pray that He would give me the wisdom and discernment I need daily when teaching and being with the kids. I pray He would guide me in our home schooling journey for as long as this is the call on our life. I pray that I would not get discouraged, I would lean not on my own understanding, but on what God wants for us each and every day, every minute. I pray that I would be a good role model for the kids, that I would hold my tongue when it needs to be held. That I would be slow to anger, quick to love. I pray that my kids would always know how much Matt and I love them and that we would treat them as the precious gifts that they are. I pray that I would be a good friend to all my friends and family, not looking to my own interests, but theirs. That I could be the friend that God wants me to be. I pray for the energy and motivation that I need to get moving and accomplishing all the tasks that need to be done each day. I pray for more organizational skills and the time to get things organized. I pray that I would have the motivation to exercise more and teach the kids how fun it can be!

For all my friends and family, I pray for you: good health, peace in all the decisions you make, love and happiness and nothing but good things. Of course there are going to be times of stress and turmoil, I pray that God leads you through it and that you lean on Him. I pray that you will be blessed!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26