Tuesday, September 30, 2008

One Big Thought

I have had lots of thoughts swirling through my head lately, so it's a little hard for me to display them logically here in this post. I've been a little heavy-hearted recently, but there is one main thought for sure that I can relay to you very clearly.

My God is a great God! His grace covers every minute, every second that I breathe. Sometimes we trick ourselves into believing that, for the most part, we've got things under control, and then when the hard times hit, we go to God asking Him to be our shelter, our strength. There's nothing wrong with that at all....He tells us to come to Him. But, what I need to be continually reminded of is that He is always my shelter, my strength, my peace, my absolute lifeline. My identity is found in Christ, and Christ alone! I don't need more grace at one time than I do another. When I look at things like that, I'm making God very little, and myself very big. I don't want to do that! I don't have "just some of the Holy Spirit" dwelling within me while I'm watching TV and "all of the Holy Spirit" dwelling within me when I'm singing a praise song at church. God is never "less" at anytime. He is....all the time. He is.

These are the thoughts that have been a result of all the "stuff" that's been going on in my head and my heart. These truths are absolutes because it's what I read in His word, and how can I not be encouraged and forever grateful??? God, you are sufficient all the time! Thank you!

And here are a few pictures of God's goodness and grace....my family! We've really been enjoying some fun family time together, so I thought I'd share with you :)

Friday, September 19, 2008

Just Wait!

After being asked several times this week, "Have you blogged today?", I have decided to post this little tidbit in hopes of holding over the less patient. *grin*

Okay honey, this post is for you. (Honey is referring to my husband, for those of you who felt awkward being referred to that way. Sorry, I haven't had any coffee yet this morning, and I can never trust my behavior when I'm caffeine-less. Okay, I'm done now.) How do you like it so far? It seems I haven't been blog-inspired, lately. So instead of trying to make something out of nothing, why don't I just leave you with a few pictures? Pictures are good, right?

These photos are from our little trip to the zoo last Monday. Our older 2 girls were in school, so it was just me, honey, and the twins. It was a very relaxing and fun day!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Gettin' Dressed Up

I've wondered how the twins would do this week without Lyndsey or Hannah around all day. I wondered if they would get bored and just wait for that moment when their beloved big sisters walked through the front door. Umm, not quite.

All week Grace and Emmy have kept quite busy with their favorite playmates...each other! They have always loved to play dress-up, but this week they have kind of been in a dress-up phase. I have found them many times wearing their flashy outfit of choice, dancing around, singing their favorite songs at the top of their sweet little lungs :) This morning we played the soundtrack from "Enchanted" and they had a blast twirling away and dancing as only a princess can do! They are so much fun! Mommy even joined in the dancing, but unfortunately there aren't any pictures of that.























And yesterday they were all decked out and posing for the camera.




















Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Butterflies

Yep, that's what I'm feeling in my stomach right now...butterflies. This morning I kissed and hugged Hannah and Lyndsey before their dad dropped them off at school. I will not see either of them until 2:20 this afternoon. I must say I'm not quite as nervous about Lyndsey going back to school; she's a pro at this school thing now. As a matter of fact, when her dad took her into school this morning, she actually wanted to go upstairs on her own to find her classroom. I'm glad it was Adam there and not me, 'cause that would've killed me! But anyway, my stomach is a mess because of me thinking of my Hannah Boo.

This is her first all day school experience. Last year she went to Kindergarten at our church (just the afternoon, 4 days a week) so I didn't have that little bit of worry in my head. I figured if she needed anything, daddy was just upstairs in his office. It was almost like we really weren't leaving her yet. But now, well, her mom is a few miles away and dad is no longer a few steps away. Eeeekk! Now, I should say that Hannah was very excited for her first day as a first grader; she was all smiles when she left :) This is definitely my issue, not hers.

So I got to thinking...although Hannah does not have her mom and dad close by, she's got someone who can help her much more than I can. Although Hannah is the one in class today, I do believe it is I who is learning a big lesson. Is this yet another opportunity for me to trust God? Definitely.

Because my husband is a pastor, I have often been asked why we don't send our kids to Christian school or why we don't homeschool. I personally don't have issues with either one of those options (really), but as of yet we feel that public school is where God wants our kids right now. Adam and I have always believed that it starts at home. What does that mean? We don't think that "church on Sunday" is enough to help our kids grow to know Jesus. Does it influence them positively? Absolutely, but that's not enough. Do they see their mom and dad pray? Do they see us reading the Bible? Do we use every opportunity to point them to God? Do they see that I have a relationship with Jesus, not just knowledge of Him? I realize I can't honestly say yes to these all the time, but even that is a lesson of God's grace and unconditional love in my life. Now, after saying all of that, I also need to say that I don't want my kids to read their Bible just because that's what dad does. I don't want them to pray just because they see mom on her knees. I want them to know Jesus on a very personal level because they realize their need of Him, not because that's what they're supposed to do.

Because of what's been taught at home, modeled at home, they will take that to school, to the mall, to their friend's house. They will learn that God has more (much more) to offer than anything that's being offered in the world. As they grow to know their Lord more, they will experience that for themselves. It is my job as a mother to encourage my daughters to trust God, to receive His love, and love Him in return. I can only share with them day in and day out, that choosing to honor my God with my words and actions is what brings true joy and peace.

So, after all that, what am I so nervous about? They know that Jesus went with them to school today. They know they can talk to Him at any time, and that He wants to be the One they turn to for direction and comfort. As I have been reminded by my husband many times, Lyndsey and Hannah don't serve a mini-God, they don't have a mini-Holy Spirit dwelling within them. They know the Alpha and Omega, the one true God, just as I do. That thought alone takes away all my worries!

I will be praying for my girls today, that they would rely on God for strength, patience, and comfort. That He would be the one they thank when they meet a nice friend on the playground. He is all they need. He is all I need. I guess I'm ready for the school year now!