Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Woman of Noble Character
So Ruth was a woman of noble character. I would love to have that label! When I die, I want people to be able to truthfully say that I was a woman of noble character. So what are these character traits? These are a few I see in Ruth... LOYAL, COMPASSIONATE, SELF SACRIFICING LOVE, HARD WORKING, TRUSTWORTHY, TRUTHFUL, BRAVE, FAITHFUL, BELIEVING, STEADFAST, FOCUSED. My prayer is that God would continue to shape me into a woman of noble character, that I could raise my children to be people of noble character and that my children will find spouses of noble character when they are older. I think I will continue to learn what this means all through my lifetime!
A friend of mine just ran her first marathon! I asked her how she felt about it and she said, "I feel like anything is possible." Her comment came at just the right time for me, like God wanted her to say those words to me at the instant that she did. Thanks Harmony for being God's voice to me in that moment! I have a few goals that I am working on attaining and at times I just want to say forget it and be done. Since going on the women's retreat I feel like God is pushing me forward, telling me to get our of my rut and grow. With Christ, anything is possible. If my friend can run a marathon, I can run the race in front of me! I know it will take training and discipline, but I know it can be done.
A friend of mine just ran her first marathon! I asked her how she felt about it and she said, "I feel like anything is possible." Her comment came at just the right time for me, like God wanted her to say those words to me at the instant that she did. Thanks Harmony for being God's voice to me in that moment! I have a few goals that I am working on attaining and at times I just want to say forget it and be done. Since going on the women's retreat I feel like God is pushing me forward, telling me to get our of my rut and grow. With Christ, anything is possible. If my friend can run a marathon, I can run the race in front of me! I know it will take training and discipline, but I know it can be done.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Kinsman Redeemer
I have never really took a hard look at the book of Ruth, but on Sunday we took a quick glimpse and I felt like God was calling me to it. I couldn't get the discussion out of my head and the thought of Jesus being my kinsman redeemer. So, I am going to study Ruth. I need to be redeemed... I already have been through Jesus, but I want to read about it, bring it close to my heart and I want to know Jesus more and more as my Kinsman Redeemer. Redemption is a wonderful thing. In Ruth, Naomi was empty, completely empty, to the point of bitterness. But self sacrificing love and compassion filled her and restored her, an act of redemption. I feel like I am almost empty... I'm not to the point of bitterness, but I need refilling - I need to be reminded of my redemption and the sacrificial love of my Redeemer. Ruth is a good place to be in the Word right now.
On another note, Tiny has still not returned. The kids, especially Hannah, are starting to feel that pain of loss. We don't know if our kitty will return or if she is dead. It would almost be easier to know for sure if we should say good-bye to our very loved kitty.
Eli stood up again today without pulling up on anything. I think he will walk sooner than the other two did. He might surprise me though and hold out until his first birthday... I kind of doubt it. Isaac is making Eli laugh all the time. They have become amazing little buddies, even wrestling a little. Eli loves it and Isaac is very careful. Boys. Hannah seems more grown up to me everyday, such an amazing girl. I love seeing her becoming confident and independent, but at the same time it seems like she was just a baby and the time has gone so fast. This is just another stage for her and I will enjoy all my moments with her just as I did before... just in a little different way.
I look forward to sharing what I learn from my study of the book of Ruth. If you have studied it, please share any insights... I would love to hear them!
On another note, Tiny has still not returned. The kids, especially Hannah, are starting to feel that pain of loss. We don't know if our kitty will return or if she is dead. It would almost be easier to know for sure if we should say good-bye to our very loved kitty.
Eli stood up again today without pulling up on anything. I think he will walk sooner than the other two did. He might surprise me though and hold out until his first birthday... I kind of doubt it. Isaac is making Eli laugh all the time. They have become amazing little buddies, even wrestling a little. Eli loves it and Isaac is very careful. Boys. Hannah seems more grown up to me everyday, such an amazing girl. I love seeing her becoming confident and independent, but at the same time it seems like she was just a baby and the time has gone so fast. This is just another stage for her and I will enjoy all my moments with her just as I did before... just in a little different way.
I look forward to sharing what I learn from my study of the book of Ruth. If you have studied it, please share any insights... I would love to hear them!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Journaling
Last night I spent time journaling through my time with God. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier... this is a tool I have used in the past. I am not a fabulous writer, but I am a focused writer. When I write, my mind is set... not a lot interferes. So it makes sense to use journaling as a mean of focus when reading the Bible, praying and thinking through things. It felt good to remember my long lost tool!
Now I need to find time to get my physical body moving more. This is a tough one... I can't have the kids around because they crawl all over me... I've tried lots of different things with the kids around and it just doesn't work. I would love to swim laps, but the childcare thing is the issue. An answer will present itself I have no doubt... just when?
Now I need to find time to get my physical body moving more. This is a tough one... I can't have the kids around because they crawl all over me... I've tried lots of different things with the kids around and it just doesn't work. I would love to swim laps, but the childcare thing is the issue. An answer will present itself I have no doubt... just when?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Didn't Happen
Well, 5:15am came and I wasn't in bed, but I wasn't doing what I had planned. Eli is teething and was up about every hour during the night... and so was I! 5:15 was one of those times. Anyway, 5:15 didn't work. I've been thinking on and off this morning and have decided that I do really need sleep and would I really be able to stay awake if I got up that early to mediate or pray. I think I would end up asleep. My best time of day has always been the evening. So I think I will set aside some time every evening after the kids are in bed to spend some good time with God. This makes more sense to me and I believe that it will work... I'm not setting myself up to fail at this goal I have.
I must say that I have had a fabulous morning, even though I am tired. Preschool was amazing, I have such great kids and families! I spent a good amount of time after preschool listening to Isaac and Eli laugh at a balloon flying across the room after being blown up. Their laughs make me laugh, soothing for my soul!
We are slowly working through a crisis at our home. Our kitty hasn't been seen since Saturday evening... most likely killed by coyotes, but we just don't know. So we are working through the trauma of a missing kitty, one that is in every family picture drawn by Hannah. Even Aaron is a little sad about Tiny not being with us anymore. Who knows, maybe she will come meowing at our door sometime.
Life is good on this rainy day. I don't have all the answers I am looking for, but that's OK.
I must say that I have had a fabulous morning, even though I am tired. Preschool was amazing, I have such great kids and families! I spent a good amount of time after preschool listening to Isaac and Eli laugh at a balloon flying across the room after being blown up. Their laughs make me laugh, soothing for my soul!
We are slowly working through a crisis at our home. Our kitty hasn't been seen since Saturday evening... most likely killed by coyotes, but we just don't know. So we are working through the trauma of a missing kitty, one that is in every family picture drawn by Hannah. Even Aaron is a little sad about Tiny not being with us anymore. Who knows, maybe she will come meowing at our door sometime.
Life is good on this rainy day. I don't have all the answers I am looking for, but that's OK.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Wanting to Blog
I've been trying to sit down and write all evening, but things keep coming up and I get pulled away. A teething baby, an overtired 4 year old... Anyway, I'm here now.
Over the weekend Eli and I attended my church's women's retreat in Post Falls. Eli doesn't take a bottle, so we are pretty close! It was very kind of the ladies to let him come along. He did fabulous, such an easy little guy. Anyway, the retreat was focusing on spiritual disciplines. I am familiar with these, I actually practiced a few before I had children. For the past 6 years, my life has become a bit more hectic... all the more need for some spiritual discipline. But how in the world will I accomplish this? This is something I have to give up in prayer. I know it is a good thing to desire, to find time to pray, meditate of the Word of God, find some solitude, practice simplicity, study the Bible... and there are more. I know there is a way to do this, but I'm not sure what it is. It's not that I feel like I have to do some of this, but I really want to. I'm feeling a bit dry in my faith walk, like my cup is looking a bit empty. I desire to be closer to the Living God, to hear the voice of my Creator in the words of the Bible, to spend time with the Lover of my soul. I know God will grant this desire of my heart... I just hope it doesn't mean getting up at 5am each morning... is that terrible of me? Do I crave sleep more than I crave intimacy with God? I need both. I am not a morning person, I have had to learn to function well in the mornings since having children. I just don't see another time of the day that can be devoted to this. Maybe God will reveal another time of the day, or maybe 5 am would be the best thing for me.
I think in the morning I will try getting up when Aaron gets up to shower. I'm going to give it a go, this 5 am thing... maybe more like 5:15. Those 15 minutes make a big difference.
The other thing I am trying to fit into my schedule is a time to exercise. I find myself taking care of everyone's needs but my own. With young children this is almost a necessity, so how do I find time to take care of myself too? Seriously. I am enjoying this part of my life with my kids... I treasure their childhood and love being their Mom. I just am finding that I need to take care of me too.
So that is what is on my mind lately. I'll let you know how 5:15am works out!
Over the weekend Eli and I attended my church's women's retreat in Post Falls. Eli doesn't take a bottle, so we are pretty close! It was very kind of the ladies to let him come along. He did fabulous, such an easy little guy. Anyway, the retreat was focusing on spiritual disciplines. I am familiar with these, I actually practiced a few before I had children. For the past 6 years, my life has become a bit more hectic... all the more need for some spiritual discipline. But how in the world will I accomplish this? This is something I have to give up in prayer. I know it is a good thing to desire, to find time to pray, meditate of the Word of God, find some solitude, practice simplicity, study the Bible... and there are more. I know there is a way to do this, but I'm not sure what it is. It's not that I feel like I have to do some of this, but I really want to. I'm feeling a bit dry in my faith walk, like my cup is looking a bit empty. I desire to be closer to the Living God, to hear the voice of my Creator in the words of the Bible, to spend time with the Lover of my soul. I know God will grant this desire of my heart... I just hope it doesn't mean getting up at 5am each morning... is that terrible of me? Do I crave sleep more than I crave intimacy with God? I need both. I am not a morning person, I have had to learn to function well in the mornings since having children. I just don't see another time of the day that can be devoted to this. Maybe God will reveal another time of the day, or maybe 5 am would be the best thing for me.
I think in the morning I will try getting up when Aaron gets up to shower. I'm going to give it a go, this 5 am thing... maybe more like 5:15. Those 15 minutes make a big difference.
The other thing I am trying to fit into my schedule is a time to exercise. I find myself taking care of everyone's needs but my own. With young children this is almost a necessity, so how do I find time to take care of myself too? Seriously. I am enjoying this part of my life with my kids... I treasure their childhood and love being their Mom. I just am finding that I need to take care of me too.
So that is what is on my mind lately. I'll let you know how 5:15am works out!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Things Learned in Pastor's Office
I took the kids to the dollar store with me and they each had $2 to spend if they found something they wanted. Hannah picked out fake weird looking teeth and candycorn. Isaac chose a ball shooter and a whoopee cushion. He had no idea what a whoopee cushion was or what it did, but Hannah told him he would really like it.
On the ride home, he opened his new purchase and discovered with great delight that it made wonderful fart noises. He laughed, Hannah laughed, Eli laughed and of course I giggled too. Through the immense laughter Isaac declared "This is the best toy ever!" Remembering that Hannah told him to buy it I asked her where she had learned about whoopee cushions. She replied with a huge grin, "Pastor Dudley's office!" Need I say more? I'm still laughing!
On the ride home, he opened his new purchase and discovered with great delight that it made wonderful fart noises. He laughed, Hannah laughed, Eli laughed and of course I giggled too. Through the immense laughter Isaac declared "This is the best toy ever!" Remembering that Hannah told him to buy it I asked her where she had learned about whoopee cushions. She replied with a huge grin, "Pastor Dudley's office!" Need I say more? I'm still laughing!
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