I am the mother of a little girl who has been through an abundance of "stuff" in her short two years. She was born with two holes in her heart. She would burn her calories from her formula faster than consuming them. In her first six months she only gained four small pounds. And it was at that time that she went under the knife for open heart surgery. My darling six month old had no idea what was going on but her momma sure did.
I remember sitting in her room in ICU watching her. She was just pitiful. She was swollen from retaining fluids. She was scratched up and bloody. She was covered in wires and cords. Her surgery was on a Wednesday. For the first few days afterwards she laid in the bed and I sat by her side. She moved very little and ate next to nothing. She was taking baby steps to recovery. As her mother, I was hurting for her. I was helpless in what I could do for her. So I just stayed with her.
It is forever imprinted in my mind the day (Saturday after surgery to be exact) that I saw her smile for the first time again. It happened to be the same day I got to hold her again too. I waited so many hours to see that smile and there it was. Bright as ever!
I wonder, does God get tired of seeing our sad face? Our hurt face? Our ungrateful and pitiful looks? I know He tells us to be joyful. I know He wants that for us. But I also know that, as I did with my daughter, He doesn't leave our sides until He sees that smile on our face again. He tells us to consider trials as joy. And we think how much worse can these trials get. But He stays with us until the joy returns. He stays with us until He sees us through it.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
God, my Father, and my Dad
The book I am reading now has a great question section at the end of each chapter. I love it! It forces me to think about the things that I am reading. One of the questions was something to the affect of: How do you relate your God-given father with the Heavenly Father? What is your first memory of your father that you tend to coincide with God the Father?
I am the worst with childhood memories. I remember very little in that aspect of my life. My brother, however, remembers every little detail of everything that has happened. Good thing he teaches history!! Anyway, this morning in church I had a rare remembrance of my childhood and it involved my dad so I was able to make a great illustration and answer one of those questions.
When I was about eight years old we moved to a new house. We built the house on five acres of land so that we could fulfill a dream of my dad's, to have horses. So, we did just that. We got the back few acres fenced in and built a barn and got two horses. One was a pony (that was mine), Blackie. The other's name was Midnight.
Every so often the horses would find a way to break out of the fence or gate and roam the street. I can only imagine they went on great adventures while out and about. However, once we realized they were out my dad would always grab the reins and go out looking for them to bring them back home. I remember him walking through the neighborhood to find them. Reins in hand and on a mission to bring them back to the place they belong. He diligently walked the roads and neighboring yards until the mission was complete. That part is vivid to me because my dad never walks very fast. He always has a slow, moderate pace. Unless he was looking for the horses. Then he walked with a purpose.
So, I started thinking...how many times do we lose our way? And what does our Father do when we get lost on the path that we create? He makes it His mission to bring us home. When we get off track He just grabs the gear He needs to bring us back so He can take care of us, until we do it again the next time. He just does this over and over again. In my mind, He is purposeful in doing this (just like my dad was). He loves us that much!
My God, just like my dad, will help us get back where He wants us. When we create messes for our lives He cleans them up and welcomes us back in His loving arms. I am so glad that God helped me answer this question. I am also very thankful that the memory I have of my dad relates to my God in a positive way.
I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. Ezekiel 34:16 (NLT)
I am the worst with childhood memories. I remember very little in that aspect of my life. My brother, however, remembers every little detail of everything that has happened. Good thing he teaches history!! Anyway, this morning in church I had a rare remembrance of my childhood and it involved my dad so I was able to make a great illustration and answer one of those questions.
When I was about eight years old we moved to a new house. We built the house on five acres of land so that we could fulfill a dream of my dad's, to have horses. So, we did just that. We got the back few acres fenced in and built a barn and got two horses. One was a pony (that was mine), Blackie. The other's name was Midnight.
Every so often the horses would find a way to break out of the fence or gate and roam the street. I can only imagine they went on great adventures while out and about. However, once we realized they were out my dad would always grab the reins and go out looking for them to bring them back home. I remember him walking through the neighborhood to find them. Reins in hand and on a mission to bring them back to the place they belong. He diligently walked the roads and neighboring yards until the mission was complete. That part is vivid to me because my dad never walks very fast. He always has a slow, moderate pace. Unless he was looking for the horses. Then he walked with a purpose.
So, I started thinking...how many times do we lose our way? And what does our Father do when we get lost on the path that we create? He makes it His mission to bring us home. When we get off track He just grabs the gear He needs to bring us back so He can take care of us, until we do it again the next time. He just does this over and over again. In my mind, He is purposeful in doing this (just like my dad was). He loves us that much!
My God, just like my dad, will help us get back where He wants us. When we create messes for our lives He cleans them up and welcomes us back in His loving arms. I am so glad that God helped me answer this question. I am also very thankful that the memory I have of my dad relates to my God in a positive way.
I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. Ezekiel 34:16 (NLT)
Monday, August 29, 2011
Cake Batter makes it Better
Last Spring when I had my miscarriage some very good friends brought me some very awesome treats. Since then I have searched high and low for one of these treats with no luck. Until now!!!! I had to make a rare Monday night grocery store trip and low and behold I found it!
This ice cream made my days a lot better back then and made my day today that much better!!! I looooovvveeee it, and that is all.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
It's the Litte Things
These are the things that are annoying me right now...
The overflowing dirty clothes hamper along with never ending folding and putting away of clean clothes. Not to mention the sheets and towels.
The Direct TV receiver in my bedroom blinking that stupid little blue light for the last two days. Plus the fact that it means it is not working and I can't watch my TV.
The fact that the new bike I got won't fit the seat for Presley to ride on. And the other seats cost more than this one and so, now what?!
How about the whole leaving one church and going to another therefore losing your core group of friends (or at least the closeness). On top of knowing that your husband is going on yet another four wheeling trip in two months before I could even squeeze a trip of my own in.
Possibly the most important (and the reason why these things are annoying me) is that my sleep has been interrupted, at best, every night for the last two weeks. Dog barking, husband snoring, toddler awaking (and screaming and totally flipping out), thunder, aforementioned blue, blinky light, and child with headache/eye ache. Just to name a few.
Maybe it's that in order to have a girls night out you have to first have the girls part.
I think I hear my Bible calling me name. Some encouragement from the Lord will make this go away!
The overflowing dirty clothes hamper along with never ending folding and putting away of clean clothes. Not to mention the sheets and towels.
The Direct TV receiver in my bedroom blinking that stupid little blue light for the last two days. Plus the fact that it means it is not working and I can't watch my TV.
The fact that the new bike I got won't fit the seat for Presley to ride on. And the other seats cost more than this one and so, now what?!
How about the whole leaving one church and going to another therefore losing your core group of friends (or at least the closeness). On top of knowing that your husband is going on yet another four wheeling trip in two months before I could even squeeze a trip of my own in.
Possibly the most important (and the reason why these things are annoying me) is that my sleep has been interrupted, at best, every night for the last two weeks. Dog barking, husband snoring, toddler awaking (and screaming and totally flipping out), thunder, aforementioned blue, blinky light, and child with headache/eye ache. Just to name a few.
Maybe it's that in order to have a girls night out you have to first have the girls part.
I think I hear my Bible calling me name. Some encouragement from the Lord will make this go away!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Oh! The Wisdoms I Could Share!!!
When the enemy's surrounding me
He comes to steal my joy, my peace
I let go of my reasoning and fall upon the Rock!
The Lord works in mighty, mighty ways. He is so big and so good. He has blessed my heart tremendously this weekend. He is working on this girl and in this family. And I, for one, am so excited to see the things He has for us.
He comes to steal my joy, my peace
I let go of my reasoning and fall upon the Rock!
The Lord works in mighty, mighty ways. He is so big and so good. He has blessed my heart tremendously this weekend. He is working on this girl and in this family. And I, for one, am so excited to see the things He has for us.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Hey, It Happens!
I realize that we all get annoyed from time to time. I get that we are all going to lose our patience at some point in life. So, get this people, I know that what I am feeling and going through will pass. But let me tell you all about it. Well, maybe I will spare some of the really hateful details but this is how it goes.
I cannot express to you how many times I have repeated myself in the last week, no, the last two days. I am sick of talking to some people in this house and them not listening to me. Therefore requiring me to peat and repeat!! I just told Daniel and Triston what I packed for them for their one night camping trip three times. And get this, they still asked me what I packed. R.e.a.l.l.y? Really? I got an idea if you would stop, look away from the TV, and listen to me then that would have saved me a lot of time and breath. But you wouldn't know to do that because you wouldn't listen to me tell you to do that! Ugh!
Also, why do you call into work and say you are not feeling well. Then say that you will come in at noon. Then walk in the door at 9:00?? I don't get that. Are you sick or just lazy or stupid?? Sorry, just the way I am feeling!
So, these things combined with the new condescending teacher Presley has and the employer that wants you to "give a damn" just make me ornery. Ya know? It would do that to you too, I bet!
I just figured it out...see, Daniel and Tris are going on their one night camping trip and my mom, grandmother and I are going to a women's conference. That is why I am so irritable. Because God is about to break it down for me!! He is about to put me in my place and right now He is preparing my heart for that. My human nature is to reject it and focus on anything that Satan can get me to focus on. Now it all makes sense! Well, thanks bloggy world for helping me figure that out. Maybe I should blog more often and I would have my whole life figured out!!!
I cannot express to you how many times I have repeated myself in the last week, no, the last two days. I am sick of talking to some people in this house and them not listening to me. Therefore requiring me to peat and repeat!! I just told Daniel and Triston what I packed for them for their one night camping trip three times. And get this, they still asked me what I packed. R.e.a.l.l.y? Really? I got an idea if you would stop, look away from the TV, and listen to me then that would have saved me a lot of time and breath. But you wouldn't know to do that because you wouldn't listen to me tell you to do that! Ugh!
Also, why do you call into work and say you are not feeling well. Then say that you will come in at noon. Then walk in the door at 9:00?? I don't get that. Are you sick or just lazy or stupid?? Sorry, just the way I am feeling!
So, these things combined with the new condescending teacher Presley has and the employer that wants you to "give a damn" just make me ornery. Ya know? It would do that to you too, I bet!
I just figured it out...see, Daniel and Tris are going on their one night camping trip and my mom, grandmother and I are going to a women's conference. That is why I am so irritable. Because God is about to break it down for me!! He is about to put me in my place and right now He is preparing my heart for that. My human nature is to reject it and focus on anything that Satan can get me to focus on. Now it all makes sense! Well, thanks bloggy world for helping me figure that out. Maybe I should blog more often and I would have my whole life figured out!!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Weddings and Fireworks
Remember how my camera was missing? Well, it's back! And now I have to play catch up on my pictures. First, there was the Fourth of July celebrations (along with an 85th birthday party)! That celebration included sweet babies...like this one. Baby Avie if you ask Presley.
See this couple? They are the glue. And "he" is the 85 year old!!!
Another, sometimes sweet, baby!!
And one night we met up with some friends and watched fireworks (on the side of the road, mind you)!! Every picture that I took this night ended up with Presley's eyes closed!
You remember me talking about this pretty lady? Well, she is my bestie! My BFF! My sister from another mother!! We met in second grade and have been solid ever since. Anyway she got married in June and it was aboslutely wonderful. She looked amazing. Here are just a few snapshots of her big day!!
See this couple? They are the glue. And "he" is the 85 year old!!!
Another, sometimes sweet, baby!!
And one night we met up with some friends and watched fireworks (on the side of the road, mind you)!! Every picture that I took this night ended up with Presley's eyes closed!
You remember me talking about this pretty lady? Well, she is my bestie! My BFF! My sister from another mother!! We met in second grade and have been solid ever since. Anyway she got married in June and it was aboslutely wonderful. She looked amazing. Here are just a few snapshots of her big day!!
And we danced!!!
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