The Will of God will never take you
Where the Grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the Arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The Will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you
Where the Wisdom of God cannot teach you
Where the Army of God cannot protect you
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
Teh will of God will never take you
Where the Love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the MErcies of God cannot sustain you
Where teh peace of God cannot calm your fears
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you
The will of God will never take you
Where the Comfor tof God cannot dry your tears,
Where the word of God cannot feed you,
Where the MIracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the Omnipresence of God cannot find you.
May 4, 2011
May 3, 2011
Bluebird :: Part 1
Lately, I have been very anxious. I've ahd a few anxiety attacks. Life has just felt very difficult.
I think there are a few reasons for these feelings. One was that on a very very subconcious level the one year mark scared me. (did I mention that this was on a ver subconcious level?) Another reason was the recent MRI's and the difficulty getting straight forward answers. Ultimately everything is fine in regards to that as well, which I 90% knew all along, but there is always that little doubt that creeps in and consumes.
Fast forward a little to the Monday before my last herceptin treatment. I got an email from one of the nurses at Cancer & Hematology. She was telling me about this Bluebird Cancer Retreat. I had seen the brochures at the office, but always kind of looked past them, dismissing them as something that wasn't my style. But after looking at the Bluebird website a bit and seeing all they do, including pampering, I decided I was in (did I mention I only had about 10 days notice, and it happened to work and my husband was immediately on board with the idea?).
With anxiety in my chest I called and signed up. I knew that the timing of this was no coincidence. I needed to get away in a really bad way and better yet, God knew it, and provided a way for it to happen.
I had a lot of anxiety about going by myself. I was telling a friend about this anxiety and she said soemthing that made me think. She said "I'll pray you meet someone in the parking lot". I hadn't even thought of that. I'm so quick to pray for the big picture, that was a detail I hadn't thought to pray so specifically for.
On the way to Camp Geneva I felt completely sick. I almost said forget it and turned around. Despite the anxiety that I was carrying (that felt like a large brick on my chest), I continued on. I pulled into the parking lot feeling teh brick getting heavier by the second. I jumped out of the truck (literally jumped, it was Matt's truck) and saw a women wearing a blue sparkly hat, giving me the hint that I was in the right place! I then turned to see another 'camper' walking up as well, she had a great, welcoming smile. We were both welcomed with a hug by the director and told to go inside.
Once inside we were introduced to each other. While I didn't learn her name until we were inside (for privacy purposes, we'll call her C), I know that God was faithful in answering that prayer about finding a friend in the parking lot.
At the same time I was introduced to my roomate (who for privacy purposes, we'll call A). This is another area where I've had a lot of anxiety. Sleep doesn't come easy for me (if your a longtime reader you know this already), so I take Ambien which puts me into a very deep sleep. Sometimes I snore. Sometimes I talk, many times I don't remember things frmot eh time I take the pill until I fall asleep. So anyway, this all had me a bit anxious and nervous.
Turns out A and I got along great, we both have 4 year old sons (her only), we are both Christians, we are almost the same age and one of the best parts, wass we both took Ambien to sleep. God is SO good! (oh yeah, did I mention we both had cancer or was that kind of assumed since we were at a cancer retreat and all?)
On Friday we introduced ourselves, told what kind fo cancer we had, did some yoga (a first for me), ate dinner, did some more discussion time, had dessert and went to bed. I was SO tired, but so ready for another day, God had already shown me multiple times in just these short first hours that this was where I was meant to be at this time.
This is only part 1 or my weekend. I plan to tell you so much more about what a wonderful time I had here. If you have had (ever) cancer or know someone who would benefit from this, please check out the website! There are three more retreats this year I believe!
I think there are a few reasons for these feelings. One was that on a very very subconcious level the one year mark scared me. (did I mention that this was on a ver subconcious level?) Another reason was the recent MRI's and the difficulty getting straight forward answers. Ultimately everything is fine in regards to that as well, which I 90% knew all along, but there is always that little doubt that creeps in and consumes.
Fast forward a little to the Monday before my last herceptin treatment. I got an email from one of the nurses at Cancer & Hematology. She was telling me about this Bluebird Cancer Retreat. I had seen the brochures at the office, but always kind of looked past them, dismissing them as something that wasn't my style. But after looking at the Bluebird website a bit and seeing all they do, including pampering, I decided I was in (did I mention I only had about 10 days notice, and it happened to work and my husband was immediately on board with the idea?).
With anxiety in my chest I called and signed up. I knew that the timing of this was no coincidence. I needed to get away in a really bad way and better yet, God knew it, and provided a way for it to happen.
I had a lot of anxiety about going by myself. I was telling a friend about this anxiety and she said soemthing that made me think. She said "I'll pray you meet someone in the parking lot". I hadn't even thought of that. I'm so quick to pray for the big picture, that was a detail I hadn't thought to pray so specifically for.
On the way to Camp Geneva I felt completely sick. I almost said forget it and turned around. Despite the anxiety that I was carrying (that felt like a large brick on my chest), I continued on. I pulled into the parking lot feeling teh brick getting heavier by the second. I jumped out of the truck (literally jumped, it was Matt's truck) and saw a women wearing a blue sparkly hat, giving me the hint that I was in the right place! I then turned to see another 'camper' walking up as well, she had a great, welcoming smile. We were both welcomed with a hug by the director and told to go inside.
Once inside we were introduced to each other. While I didn't learn her name until we were inside (for privacy purposes, we'll call her C), I know that God was faithful in answering that prayer about finding a friend in the parking lot.
At the same time I was introduced to my roomate (who for privacy purposes, we'll call A). This is another area where I've had a lot of anxiety. Sleep doesn't come easy for me (if your a longtime reader you know this already), so I take Ambien which puts me into a very deep sleep. Sometimes I snore. Sometimes I talk, many times I don't remember things frmot eh time I take the pill until I fall asleep. So anyway, this all had me a bit anxious and nervous.
Turns out A and I got along great, we both have 4 year old sons (her only), we are both Christians, we are almost the same age and one of the best parts, wass we both took Ambien to sleep. God is SO good! (oh yeah, did I mention we both had cancer or was that kind of assumed since we were at a cancer retreat and all?)
On Friday we introduced ourselves, told what kind fo cancer we had, did some yoga (a first for me), ate dinner, did some more discussion time, had dessert and went to bed. I was SO tired, but so ready for another day, God had already shown me multiple times in just these short first hours that this was where I was meant to be at this time.
This is only part 1 or my weekend. I plan to tell you so much more about what a wonderful time I had here. If you have had (ever) cancer or know someone who would benefit from this, please check out the website! There are three more retreats this year I believe!
April 22, 2011
Picture Heavy Birthday Post
This is a train table. It has been an annoyance since month two. While it was well loved and used, it was rarely used for it's intention and it took up a lot of room. I've been looking for an art table for Miss Lila so that she doesn't ruin my coffee table anymore than she already has. Cha-Ching... this table can be flipped over. One side has water and grass for the train set, the other side was just partical board. Was being the key word. It is now a chalkboard and it is now sitting in my living room getting lot's and lot's of love!
1. Burlap with a stenciled B, trimmed in orange ric rac.
2. Lime green with aqua ruffle.
3. I used this pattern. I cut all the pieces at our craft night at church and sewed it together the next day in less than half an hour! Love it.
4. Lime pillow w/ aqua tie.
Once again
I'm back, sorry it's been so long... once again. I just never know what to say. How much to say really. I don't ever want to come across as whining and so I withold some of the truth, and I don't ever want to withold to much from so many people that have been praying so faithfully for me.
Over the course of the last year (yes, it's now been one year, which some of you remembered, thank you for the cards, facebook messages and emails), I've realized that while yes, I have cancer, so many have it so much worse. Cancer is nothing in the big bucket of problems/trials. It's that really little pebble that is hard to find (for me anyway), everyone else seems be carrying a rock, or even boulder.
I will tell you that I have been dealing with a LOT of anxiety. I don't know why, but I know that it feels like I have a brick on my chest at all times. I've tried giving it to God, but obviously there is some part that I can't let go of. I've tried some meds, which work ok, I'm seeing a counselor next week, and hopefully he can adjust my meds so that we have something that works all the time, something that will compliment my faith and time with God. (This is how silly it is... I'm stressing right now because I have a pen and highlighter dedicated to bible study/quiet time. It's the only one I use, I take it with me when I take my book anywhere. (It's a bit obsessive I know), this morning, I find that they are both GONE. Surely by the hands of a little culprit. Surly by the hands of someone who didn't know how important in my mind those two little things were. But, none the less... they are gone. I've prayed, I've used somehting different, but I'm still obsessing, I"m anxious about where those pens are... and by this point your thinking I need to seek more help than I am, I'm sure. I promise, I'm really ok.
While your praying for crazy me, could you please pray for some cancer friends of mine? Some that are facing some big stuff, some that found out "good" news, and some that are hoping to find out good news? I would appreciate it and I know that they would as well!
I finally started dowloading pictures last night, it's been over a month since I have. Soon I will be bombarding you with pictures from a certain little someones birthday! Hint... she's kinda cute, she wears the most adorable pigtails, her belly hangs over her diaper, looks awfully cute in jeggings and has an attitude way bigger than herself!
I intended this to be longer, but my favorite 4 year old just woke up and I think we need to snuggle for a bit before we start our day! So... more later.
Over the course of the last year (yes, it's now been one year, which some of you remembered, thank you for the cards, facebook messages and emails), I've realized that while yes, I have cancer, so many have it so much worse. Cancer is nothing in the big bucket of problems/trials. It's that really little pebble that is hard to find (for me anyway), everyone else seems be carrying a rock, or even boulder.
I will tell you that I have been dealing with a LOT of anxiety. I don't know why, but I know that it feels like I have a brick on my chest at all times. I've tried giving it to God, but obviously there is some part that I can't let go of. I've tried some meds, which work ok, I'm seeing a counselor next week, and hopefully he can adjust my meds so that we have something that works all the time, something that will compliment my faith and time with God. (This is how silly it is... I'm stressing right now because I have a pen and highlighter dedicated to bible study/quiet time. It's the only one I use, I take it with me when I take my book anywhere. (It's a bit obsessive I know), this morning, I find that they are both GONE. Surely by the hands of a little culprit. Surly by the hands of someone who didn't know how important in my mind those two little things were. But, none the less... they are gone. I've prayed, I've used somehting different, but I'm still obsessing, I"m anxious about where those pens are... and by this point your thinking I need to seek more help than I am, I'm sure. I promise, I'm really ok.
While your praying for crazy me, could you please pray for some cancer friends of mine? Some that are facing some big stuff, some that found out "good" news, and some that are hoping to find out good news? I would appreciate it and I know that they would as well!
I finally started dowloading pictures last night, it's been over a month since I have. Soon I will be bombarding you with pictures from a certain little someones birthday! Hint... she's kinda cute, she wears the most adorable pigtails, her belly hangs over her diaper, looks awfully cute in jeggings and has an attitude way bigger than herself!
I intended this to be longer, but my favorite 4 year old just woke up and I think we need to snuggle for a bit before we start our day! So... more later.
April 2, 2011
Checking in... sorry for the delay!
All is well, for the most part over here. I should have checked in long ago after telling you that I was having an MRI, sorry! The MRI itself was awful. I never knew that I was clausterphobic. When I had my first MRI (about a year ago) I was laying on my stomach, head to the outside of the machine, so there was no real issues with feeling trapped. This time I was head in, face up. I felt as if I was in a coffin. I kind of freaked out, but eventually let them push me back in, closed my eyes and prayed. For an hour. I was reciting the one verse that would come to my mind, over and over and over. "Peace that surpasses all understanding" While reciting this verse to myself 1000 or more times I realized that I really need to do better at committing more to memory.
Finally it was over! Whew!
I can't remember all of the details, and quite honestly it's all a bit confusing from here. Ultimately, the reason I had the MRI was because of arm pain, there was nothing on the MRI that showed a reason for any pain. Whatever, I've given in to the fact that I will deal with this for the rest of my life. But, they did see something else. Whether that's an edema or inflamed muscle, I'm not sure (and who knows, maybe those are the same things). Currently I think it's an inflamed muscle, I had a port-o-gram (they access the port in my chest, inject dye into it to see if there are any leaks), no problems with the port. So right at this moment, we don't know what is the cause of this issue, or really even what the issue is. I am having another MRI in the near future (not scheduled yet), this time with valium in hand, on my stomach, face out, to rule out any masses.
Honestly, I'm pretty confident there is nothing to worry about, I've had a few traumas (aka surgery etc) to that area, which would be a good explanation. My problem right now is that this is all happening at the same time as I was diagnosed last year. (Yes, it's been a year). I'm not a date person, I don't rely on the fact that my mom passed away on a certain date, I don't get sad on the anniversary of something that has happened, just not how I am, but, it's all just a little to parallel for me right now. Another breast MRI, assuming there will be nothing to find, spring break (although this year were stuck in Michigan instead of sunny Florida)... it's just a little unsettling to me. Don't read into that to much though, I'm not sitting around crying or shaking or anything like that, like I said before, I'm relatively confident that there is NOTHING to worry about. God's just giving me a little reminder that he is still in control and that I need to give it to Him. ("Here God, it's yours") His plan is perfect, no matter what I really want to think of it.
Spring break... we are home. Bummer. But, on the bright side (because there is always a bright side, right?), we aren't going to be stuck in the car for 2 days! I'm hop'p'ing to go see a movie with the kids this week (can you guess which one?). Lila will probably not appreciate it, unless of course she is buckled in a car seat, which is the ONLY time she will watch a movie, so I'll probably leave her somewhere. I hope the rest of you are having a wonderful break (if this applies to you), the weather isn't great, but let's face it, it could be much much worse!
Finally it was over! Whew!
I can't remember all of the details, and quite honestly it's all a bit confusing from here. Ultimately, the reason I had the MRI was because of arm pain, there was nothing on the MRI that showed a reason for any pain. Whatever, I've given in to the fact that I will deal with this for the rest of my life. But, they did see something else. Whether that's an edema or inflamed muscle, I'm not sure (and who knows, maybe those are the same things). Currently I think it's an inflamed muscle, I had a port-o-gram (they access the port in my chest, inject dye into it to see if there are any leaks), no problems with the port. So right at this moment, we don't know what is the cause of this issue, or really even what the issue is. I am having another MRI in the near future (not scheduled yet), this time with valium in hand, on my stomach, face out, to rule out any masses.
Honestly, I'm pretty confident there is nothing to worry about, I've had a few traumas (aka surgery etc) to that area, which would be a good explanation. My problem right now is that this is all happening at the same time as I was diagnosed last year. (Yes, it's been a year). I'm not a date person, I don't rely on the fact that my mom passed away on a certain date, I don't get sad on the anniversary of something that has happened, just not how I am, but, it's all just a little to parallel for me right now. Another breast MRI, assuming there will be nothing to find, spring break (although this year were stuck in Michigan instead of sunny Florida)... it's just a little unsettling to me. Don't read into that to much though, I'm not sitting around crying or shaking or anything like that, like I said before, I'm relatively confident that there is NOTHING to worry about. God's just giving me a little reminder that he is still in control and that I need to give it to Him. ("Here God, it's yours") His plan is perfect, no matter what I really want to think of it.
Spring break... we are home. Bummer. But, on the bright side (because there is always a bright side, right?), we aren't going to be stuck in the car for 2 days! I'm hop'p'ing to go see a movie with the kids this week (can you guess which one?). Lila will probably not appreciate it, unless of course she is buckled in a car seat, which is the ONLY time she will watch a movie, so I'll probably leave her somewhere. I hope the rest of you are having a wonderful break (if this applies to you), the weather isn't great, but let's face it, it could be much much worse!
March 17, 2011
Praying for our kids
I came across this site through Cornerstone Community Church yesterday. There are some great rescources here to tap into. One thing I printed off and was looking through was the "Praying for Childen/Grandchildren" rescource. Amazing. Things we should ALL be praying for our children! I'm pasting it here, but would really encourage you to go to the site and check out the other rescources as well.
Just kidding, I just spent about 10 minutes trying to cut and paste and couldn't figure it out, thinking that that may not be allowed, so instead, I'm going to encourage you to check out the link!
Prayer request: I've been having some pain related to the removal of lymph nodes in my left arem. Basically it hurts from my rib cage, up my arm and down to my thumb. Not always, but much of the time. I also have limited movement of the arm. I can't straighten it out all the way, this too fluctuates, somedays are better than others, and it seems to steadily be getting a bit better. Anyway, I'm having an MRI tomorrow night to check things out a bit and to hopefully figure out what is causing the pain, although it's been said by a doctor that it may just be something I have to deal with for the rest of my life, which would be a pain, but other things would be much worse. So... anyway, please pray that they can figure out what is causing the pain.
Just kidding, I just spent about 10 minutes trying to cut and paste and couldn't figure it out, thinking that that may not be allowed, so instead, I'm going to encourage you to check out the link!
Prayer request: I've been having some pain related to the removal of lymph nodes in my left arem. Basically it hurts from my rib cage, up my arm and down to my thumb. Not always, but much of the time. I also have limited movement of the arm. I can't straighten it out all the way, this too fluctuates, somedays are better than others, and it seems to steadily be getting a bit better. Anyway, I'm having an MRI tomorrow night to check things out a bit and to hopefully figure out what is causing the pain, although it's been said by a doctor that it may just be something I have to deal with for the rest of my life, which would be a pain, but other things would be much worse. So... anyway, please pray that they can figure out what is causing the pain.
February 28, 2011
Could it be?
I haven't been posting updates lately for the simple reason that there isn't much to update really! I don't know if I dare even say that things are a bit boring over here. But they kind of are. Kind of. In actuality, there is never a dull moment in our house. Miss Lila would never allow that! :)
Lila is starting to talk more and more. Were working on keeping her pipe in her crib, instead of always in her mouth. But there are times it suits me more to have it in her mouth. Does that make me a terrible mother? Nah. It seems with all of my kids that as soon as we took the pipe away, they started talking, she is no exception! She still does her share of screaming and crying, but were working on it!
Elliot is Elliot. Not much to update on that boy. He is looking more and more like Landon the older he gets though. I often get a wierd feeling when looking at him that I've gone back in time. And, I definitely can't keep their names straight. I was never going to be THAT mom, but I am. "Landon, I mean Lila, I mean Bailey... ugh, I really mean Elliot". It happens all the time! I'll blame it on the chemo (how long can I use that one???)
Bailey starts girls on the run tomorrow. She is also doing swimming at school right now, so that girl has a LOT of stuff to carry back and forth! But this will be so good for her! My goal would be to be able to run the 5k with her (although she would prefer I run far far behind her) at the end. Probably won't happen, so she won't have much to worry about!
Landon... no sports right now, although baseball starts soon (right after spring break I believe). He's busy with homework every night it seems, and going to the girls basketball games, and the Bridge, and church, and this weekend he get's to go to camp for two nights with church. It looks like he will have a fabulous time!
I am doing a Mom2Mom sale at church on Saturday. If you want any of my kids clothes, be sure to come check it out! I am hoping to get a LOT priced and set out there! Not to mention toys and other miscellaneous stuff. There are 25ish sellers that will be there, so you'll have plenty of options!
And, a post without a picture, just isn't a post! Elliot playing DSI with his friends in the fort that we built. We love to build forts this time of year!
And, a great quote (something to think about) from Forgotten God by Francis Chan...
We overanalyze the things that don't deserve a second thought and we blow right past the clear, obvious, important things in life.
Other books I've been enjoying right now...
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Remembering the Forgotten God (a workbook to go with Forgotten God)
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Jesus Lives by Sarah Young
and this book has been pretty good (ok, really good) as well!
Lila is starting to talk more and more. Were working on keeping her pipe in her crib, instead of always in her mouth. But there are times it suits me more to have it in her mouth. Does that make me a terrible mother? Nah. It seems with all of my kids that as soon as we took the pipe away, they started talking, she is no exception! She still does her share of screaming and crying, but were working on it!
Elliot is Elliot. Not much to update on that boy. He is looking more and more like Landon the older he gets though. I often get a wierd feeling when looking at him that I've gone back in time. And, I definitely can't keep their names straight. I was never going to be THAT mom, but I am. "Landon, I mean Lila, I mean Bailey... ugh, I really mean Elliot". It happens all the time! I'll blame it on the chemo (how long can I use that one???)
Bailey starts girls on the run tomorrow. She is also doing swimming at school right now, so that girl has a LOT of stuff to carry back and forth! But this will be so good for her! My goal would be to be able to run the 5k with her (although she would prefer I run far far behind her) at the end. Probably won't happen, so she won't have much to worry about!
Landon... no sports right now, although baseball starts soon (right after spring break I believe). He's busy with homework every night it seems, and going to the girls basketball games, and the Bridge, and church, and this weekend he get's to go to camp for two nights with church. It looks like he will have a fabulous time!
I am doing a Mom2Mom sale at church on Saturday. If you want any of my kids clothes, be sure to come check it out! I am hoping to get a LOT priced and set out there! Not to mention toys and other miscellaneous stuff. There are 25ish sellers that will be there, so you'll have plenty of options!
And, a post without a picture, just isn't a post! Elliot playing DSI with his friends in the fort that we built. We love to build forts this time of year!
We overanalyze the things that don't deserve a second thought and we blow right past the clear, obvious, important things in life.
Other books I've been enjoying right now...
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Remembering the Forgotten God (a workbook to go with Forgotten God)
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Jesus Lives by Sarah Young
and this book has been pretty good (ok, really good) as well!
February 22, 2011
Various Stuff
Just a couple of sentences from various books that I read this morning...
Pray all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
How would my life change if I thought of each person I come in contact with, as Christ?
It ought to be the business of EVERY day to prepare for our FINAL day!
Have a great Monday!
Pray all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
How would my life change if I thought of each person I come in contact with, as Christ?
It ought to be the business of EVERY day to prepare for our FINAL day!
Have a great Monday!
February 19, 2011
Good reminder from "crazy love"
When we face the holy God, "nice" isn't what we will be concerned with, and it definitely isn't what he will be thinking about. Any compliments you received on earth will be gone; all that will be left for you is truth.
Just read that, among many other things in this book it made me stop and think!
February 16, 2011
You can't exagerate God
I was sitting with God this morning, spending time in His word. I've felt very convicted lately at how little time I do spend with him versus how much time I spend with other things. Things of this world. So, I'm making an effort to spend more time with him. Time in prayer, studying His word, listening (this one is very hard for me) and worshiping.
I had three books open this morning. My bible, a sample of the book Jesus Calling (which I got for free here, I will be buying both the adult version and the kid version of this book soon) and I picked up Crazy Love again. Oh, and my BSF was out as well. All four of these rescources kept pointing me to spending more time with Him. And recognizing what a big God he is. I loved the line in Crazy Love (now highlighted and underlined and starred) that said He is a God that can not be exagerated. WOW. Wow.
My prayer this morning:
God, I want to know you better. I want your love to flow from me. I want to trust you with my life and my kids lives. You are so much bigger than I could ever even imagine. I tend to put you in the little box of my understanding, but you are SO much more than anything I could ever comprehend. You are so much bigger than my time encased, air, food and sleep dependant life. You are set apart and Holy. Perfectly Holy. You are a God, my God, that I couldn't exagerate if I tried. You know me, you know every detail of my life before I do. You know the details that I try to hide from others. You know when I'm hurting, when I'm weary, when I'm angry and happy. God, I was created by you and for you, but I constantly fail to recognize that. I want to believe that you were created for me and my purposes. I am here to bless you by blessing others. I'm here to love you and others through you. Each day I should be asking what I can do for you, but to often I end up telling you what I want you to do for me. God, please help me to change that. Help me to live for you. Help me to see your will and follow it. God, help me to come to you for refreshment instead of turning inward to myself. I want to receive the perfect peace that only you can offer. Help me to focus on you instead of the plans and problems of the day, knowing tha tyou will give me strength if I seek your face always. Help me to follow the command of 1 Corinthians 7:31, to not dwell on things of this world, things that won't matter in eternity, but to focus on you.
Thank you for your grace, your forgiveness and your strength. Without these things I am nothing.
Amen
I had three books open this morning. My bible, a sample of the book Jesus Calling (which I got for free here, I will be buying both the adult version and the kid version of this book soon) and I picked up Crazy Love again. Oh, and my BSF was out as well. All four of these rescources kept pointing me to spending more time with Him. And recognizing what a big God he is. I loved the line in Crazy Love (now highlighted and underlined and starred) that said He is a God that can not be exagerated. WOW. Wow.
My prayer this morning:
God, I want to know you better. I want your love to flow from me. I want to trust you with my life and my kids lives. You are so much bigger than I could ever even imagine. I tend to put you in the little box of my understanding, but you are SO much more than anything I could ever comprehend. You are so much bigger than my time encased, air, food and sleep dependant life. You are set apart and Holy. Perfectly Holy. You are a God, my God, that I couldn't exagerate if I tried. You know me, you know every detail of my life before I do. You know the details that I try to hide from others. You know when I'm hurting, when I'm weary, when I'm angry and happy. God, I was created by you and for you, but I constantly fail to recognize that. I want to believe that you were created for me and my purposes. I am here to bless you by blessing others. I'm here to love you and others through you. Each day I should be asking what I can do for you, but to often I end up telling you what I want you to do for me. God, please help me to change that. Help me to live for you. Help me to see your will and follow it. God, help me to come to you for refreshment instead of turning inward to myself. I want to receive the perfect peace that only you can offer. Help me to focus on you instead of the plans and problems of the day, knowing tha tyou will give me strength if I seek your face always. Help me to follow the command of 1 Corinthians 7:31, to not dwell on things of this world, things that won't matter in eternity, but to focus on you.
Thank you for your grace, your forgiveness and your strength. Without these things I am nothing.
Amen
February 14, 2011
Prayers Please
Please join me in praying for cancer to disappear for my friend Kristi. God hears our prayers!
Kristi is a "member" of our Cancer Club (she's the one next to me), she is super sweet and needs our prayers!
February 12, 2011
Decorating
I'm almost embarresed to say that Lila is going to be 2 in April and I JUST got done decorating her room. For the LONGEST time she had NOTHING on her walls. They were just a pale yellow (which is what we painted it when we thought it would be an office). The other day I told Matt that I wanted to paint her room. He wasn't to happy about that. At all. (Matt is not so fond of painting). So, instead I decided to embrace the color and roll with it.
It started with a good cleaning. (aka get rid of almost everything).
All of her toys went into her closet. She doesn't have that many upstairs, and the ones that she did have, she really doesn't play with, she much prefers to go in her brothers room and play with the ones he doesn't want her to.
Next was finding the fabric to do this project (which I've linked to before, I knew I wanted to try it, just didn't know where). I originally wanted to find a red background with white polkadots. But after walking around the fabric store for a while (being led by a defiant toddler that screeched every time ANYONE came near her), I found this instead, and it was on the clearance rack. $3.47/yard. That's a deal! So I settled. (which I still have mixed feelings about).
I got a picture printed from when we were in Florida last year (12x18), Lila was wearing a red and white striped outfit, and she looked pretty darn cute, hot glued some ribbon to the back and hung it up. So easy!
Next I printed a "Love One Another" sign from Becky Higgins. I printed mine in an 11x14 size, I knew that i already had a frame for that size, so this was perfect! I'm still undecided about the feather, but for now it's pretty securely up there!
(Before starting this redo I hadn't noticed how much yellow and red she already had in ther room... books, frames, letters... all kinds of stuff)
While surfing blogland yesterday I spotted this:
I wanted to do something like that garland hanging on the wall, but I couldn't tell exactly what it was. So I made up my own idea. I had a bunch of random ribbon and a piece of nylon string. Again, got out the trusty hot glue gun and glued away! I ended up with this:
(Don't mind the humidifier, I have kids that get lots of bloody noses, this is supposed to help. That's what they tell me at least)
After hanging it I had Matt come look... he walked in the room and said "What IS that?" OK, so it may not be his favorite part of the room. Whatever!
Years ago I had purchased a BUNCH of cheap white frames from Ikea. I had planned to hang them up long ago, but again, never got around to it. I had pictures in almost all of them, and I got three pictures printed for the ones that didn't have any yet. I turned to my now good friend, hot glue gun, yet again! I had started a "ribbon" theme and wanted to continue it. So, the frames all got ribbon attached to them. This is where Matt's help came in. He's the math guy. He's the perfectionist. If it were up to me, these would have been hung in a more "Good Enough" fashion. But, luckily it wasn't up to me.
He got out his level and his ruler. He then he gasped when he found out that all of the ribbons weren't exactly the same size, they were going to have to be hung at different levels to get the frames to be even. But, humored me and went with it. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the end results.
And, do you want to know the best part of all of this (in Matt's eyes at least)? If we moved out of this house tomorrow (or redecorated or something insane like that), there wouldn't be one hole in the wall or any additional paint to paint over. Everything is removeable. 3M is going to have to start paying me (although they don't), I promote them so much.
I think this may be my favorite room in the house now, and I think it will grow with her, we will probably put her in a big bed sometime this decade and I'm sure we can find a quilt or comforter to match something in this room!
Lila even likes her new room. She loves to look at the babies on the walls, she loves to sit in her chair (which I realize doesn't match exactly) and read her books, and she loves to go to bed. OK, maybe not that last one. But she does like it!
(For some reason the "yellow" paint is looking all kinds of wonky colors, peach, tan, cream... but I promise, it's pale yellow)
Looking around to see what is next!!!
February 10, 2011
Simple
So, I've said before that my word is "SIMPLE". I have it written above my computer and look at the word often, but I will admit that I'm having trouble embracing it. I have clutter everywhere. We have far to much stuff in our house. To many papers, to many games, to many books, to many doo-dads, to many clothes, to much food, to much laundry (which is in direct relation to to many clothes), to many toys, to many tv's. I want to clear it all out. But, I know that that is not practical either. So, slowly I'm going to start going through things, making things simpler and neater and more appealing, clearing out the clutter. Getting it all ready for our GIGANTIC garage sale this spring.
I love to watch hoarders. The saddest part of that show though is that I understand how people get to be that way. I understand being emotionally connected to things. I have gotten much better with age, but I used to want to hold on to EVERYTHING because it inevitably had some kind of emotion attached to it that I couldn't let go of. Something that my mom had, or made or something that my kids used when they were little. As I've gotten older (and wiser of course) I've been able to realize that they are just things. They have no place in our eternal future, therefore are not necessary in this life either. I think of how little some people have, and how happy little things make them. I think of my kids and how they seem to appreciate nothing. Because they have so much. Were going to make changes here. Were clearing things out. Were not going to make unnecessary purchases. Were going to keep things SIMPLE.
And, with any luck we'll sell enough at the garage sale so that I can get the new lens I've been lusting after for years! Oops, maybe I'm complicating things.
I love to watch hoarders. The saddest part of that show though is that I understand how people get to be that way. I understand being emotionally connected to things. I have gotten much better with age, but I used to want to hold on to EVERYTHING because it inevitably had some kind of emotion attached to it that I couldn't let go of. Something that my mom had, or made or something that my kids used when they were little. As I've gotten older (and wiser of course) I've been able to realize that they are just things. They have no place in our eternal future, therefore are not necessary in this life either. I think of how little some people have, and how happy little things make them. I think of my kids and how they seem to appreciate nothing. Because they have so much. Were going to make changes here. Were clearing things out. Were not going to make unnecessary purchases. Were going to keep things SIMPLE.
And, with any luck we'll sell enough at the garage sale so that I can get the new lens I've been lusting after for years! Oops, maybe I'm complicating things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)