Stress vs Faith

After a frustrating month or two preparing for our Vacation Bible School this summer, I am so totally convinced that the devil does not want it to be a success. I mean he has been at work. As I prepared for our teachers meeting yesterday everything that could go wrong, went wrong. I was so discouraged and upset. I just wanted to get through my meeting, go home and cry. I actually even thought of just quitting. I am thankful that in these moments of total confusion and utter frustration the Lord always sends me a message that He is right there. That message came in my devotion this morning as I was still upset about it all:

Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me. When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me. Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us. Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

                                                                               

I am thankful for the friends God has put in my life who always seem to be there with a word of encouragement. I am thankful for God's love and truth. In every heartache and hardship I have been through, He has been there with me and has always brought me through it.  So, thank you Lord for the stress and letting it become a doorway to deep dependence on YOU!

Tea Anyone?

Yesterday, I surprised my Katiebug to a Tea Party. This is our favorite place to go together. We both love their Timeless Tea and most of all love the time together. I love to sit there and just let her talk. I think she gets that from her daddy! She looked at me yesterday and asked me if we will still come here when she is married -  Priceless moment! I have been so incredibly busy planning Vacation Bible School that a tea party is just what I needed. I so cherished our time together yesterday. hmm, I feel another Tea Party in my future.... very soon!

Soccer, Soccer and More Soccer

This past weekend James and Michaelah played in their first tournament of the Spring.. The weather?? Well, it felt more like Winter than Spring! Just thankful it didn't rain. We had a great weekend. Michaelah has two more tournaments: First weekend in May we will be in Chattanooga and the second weekend we will be celebrating Mother's Day in Kentucky! Our Katiebug also plays but I am unable to be in two places at one time so I am hoping to get some pictures of her playing this past weekend from my parents. So more pictures to come!  ~Enjoy ~

  Michaelah wants a header so bad... She'll get one before the season ends!

Big James!

Constant Cravings?

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, 
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” 

Psalm 90:14

If I go to the grocery store while I’m hungry, my cart will usually contain extra food items I wouldn’t normally purchase. It seems like everything down every aisle looks good. My craving is usually not satisfied until I get at least one little bite of something. Well, this is also kind of like my spiritual walk. I wake up and get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of the morning that I forget to spend time with Him. It literally makes for a bad start to what could be a beautiful day. I can ask for God’s help all day long but I will not be fully satisfied until I am in His presence. We were designed in the image of God, for God. To know Him… Continually… Daily…and without ceasing.

In my devotion today I read this:

BEING SPIRITUALLY THIN IS SO NOT IN!

Look around! Spiritually hungry people are everywhere. Just turn on your television, pick up a magazine, or go to an online chat-room. People are desperately trying to fill their hunger hole…trying to find happiness and satisfaction in things, status, and people.

Now, if you dare, look even closer to home. Look at your PTA meetings, boardrooms, Little League fields, and malls. And, if you’re really brave, look in the mirror. Each one of us sees a hungry woman staring us in the face.

It is really important to turn to the Bread of Life at the first inkling of hunger pains. Go to Him with your needs and give Him your burdens. Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He wants to meet you at the point of your need.God gave you an open invitation to come to Him:

“Come, all who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!”
(Isaiah 55:1a)

Each time we connect with God throughout the day, our souls are nourished. Sometimes we just need a small spiritual meal. Sometimes our needs are greater. In those moments, we are invited by our compassionate God to sit down to a great big dinner.  How are you handling your constant cravings?

Goodbye Facebook

Some of you might be my friend on facebook and have come searching for me wondering where I have gone. If that is you, I’m glad you found me. Facebook has been a great way to stay in touch with some of my very special friends and family. I love getting on facebook and seeing what my sisters are up to, seeing pictures of all my nephews and nieces...love being able to write to my best friend in Florida, love corresponding with my high school friend who is now a missionary...encouraging a wonderful friend and military wife in Colorado,  love that I am in contact with cousins I haven’t spoken to in  years... and as most of you know I love to debate politics. What I love the most are all the ENCOURAGING posts, status updates, Bible verses and quotes some share. However, I am not a fan of using facebook as a tool to hurt, judge, accuse or make assumptions. There are some posts, quotes that are just so obvious. So this past weekend I realized the best thing for me right now, as hard as it may be, is to take a break from facebook for these three reasons: 

Distraction - it's just not a wise use of my time. 
Drama - 80% of the people on Facebook are pretty normal people, but the other 20% really wear me out! 
Dissension - People airing their personal disputes or opinions of someone else on facebook just isn't the right place.

I decided this on my own accord because I know this is going to be the best for me right now... best for my spiritual walk, for my health and sanity! It will allow me to spend more time with God and my family. I will continue to blog about my family, continue to be that very, very busy soccer and homeschooling mom and continue to be a supportive and wonderful wife to my husband. Oh, and be politically active - find me on twitter! Most of you have my email so feel free to keep in touch. 

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; 

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

So Many Easter Blessings

Easter Sunday... As always, the kiddos couldn't wait to get dressed in their Easter outfits. We then took some pictures and headed to church. We had a fun time in our Sunday School class. We had the kids tell the Easter story to us this year. My favorite part of the morning was worship with our church family.  I am not sure about everyone else but when  I worship on Easter morning it is an experience like none other!

We then headed home and made some side dishes then headed over to my parents for a yummy lunch. Kids enjoyed hunting for eggs, especially the ones filled with money. We went outside to enjoy the beautiful day before heading in for some dessert and a few games of UNO then sang Happy Birthday to my sister Tricia in Colorado. Later that evening the kids enjoyed coloring eggs and then I cleaned up their mess :)

I am so thankful for my family and for another year of Easter memories...

ALIVE! ALIVE!

Look what Mercy's overcome

Death has lost and Love has won

ALIVE! ALIVE!

Hallelujah Risen Lord

The only One I fall before

I am His because He is Alive!

Emmanuel, the promised King the baby who made angels sing
Son of Man who walked with us, healing, breathing in our dust
The author of all history, the answer to all mysteries
The Lamb of God who rolled away, the stone in front of every grave.

ALIVE!

Empty Tomb Cookies

Of all the Easter craft ideas we enjoy, this is one of my favorites to do with my kiddos.

 

Empty Tomb Cookies

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He
was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to
know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9