Thanksgiving

My heart is so full and warm as I sit back and think about all the reasons I have to be thankful.  Most importantly for the redemptive work of Christ's working in my life.  Secondly for a patient and loving husband who lived out Ephesians 5:25 every day.  Thirdly for the precious little girls the Lord has entrusted me to raise.  In just those 3 main categories there are countless "little" things for which I am thankful.  Out side of those 3 categories the list grows with parents and in-laws who were faithful in raising Scott and I in church, friends who encourage me in my faith and parenting, and sooooo much more.

Today my Mother-in-Love and I worked together to decorate the house for Christmas.  I'll be honest, I was really struggling this morning.  However, as the day progressed the Lord's grace poured out to each of us as we  worked together.  His grace is sufficient for us in our weakness.  I have been learning this truth for the past year.  I am thankful for God's continued grace and patience towards me because I certainly don't deserve it.

A Puritan's Prayer of Thanksgiving from The Valley of Vision

O My God,Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created, for adorning it, for sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigour, for providing senses to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of my limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding; for thy royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

Through His Eyes

This has been my prayer since I resigned...that the Lord would help me see my husband through His eyes, deepening my love for him.  I have prayed for the Lord to help me see my girls through His eyes, so I can see their strengths, gifts, and talents.  What surprises me is the fact that the girls' talents and gifts may not be what I think they are or (uh-hum) should be.  I have been really pondering about gifts, talents, and desires.  Recently I have been {creating} which I love to do.  I wish I could have the time, energy, and resources to fine tune some of this creative energy I sense within me.  I try to tell myself it is important for the girls to learn these things so when they are the Queen of their nest they can see how to make it happen.  I still agree with my premise however, tonight as I was watching Kate complete her evaluation for Upwards Basketball and doing an incredible job I was blown away.  I have always thought Kate to be uncordinated...like me.  She was making shots.  She was learning from the coach about different passes.  She came home and was even excited to practice.  Is it possible sports would be something she could be good at doing?  Shame on me for thinking she "can't" do something.  How many times do you hear stories of how someone was an incredible athlete and their parents had never even played sports?  Okay, I have only heard a few but it does happen.  See the truth is I stunk at sports and so I honestly have no interest in working to develop those skills.  However, there is soooo much more to learn from the exposure of sports.  Here is the bottomline....Time is precious.  I wish the Lord could give me a glimpse into their future so I could purposely nurture the gifts and talents necessary to fulfilling His purposes and plans.  Piano lessons because they will be a pastor's wife?  Duh...does every pastor's wife play the piano?  ;)  So where do I go from here?  Realize that I need to protect myself from thinking my girls "can't" do something because they can do/learn anything with hardwork and practice.  Realize that I need to remain focused on keeping the main thing the main thing...teaching them to follow Christ and allowing them to just have fun with different experiences.  I have never watched the TV show where the moms make their toddlers compete in beauty pagents but as absurd as the tiara toddler is, I feel like I can relate.  In all of my "wisdom" (hahaha) I want my girls to be smarter than me, be more "with it" than me, be a better follower of Christ than me, and yada yada yada.  However, the Holy Spirit pricks my soul and reminds me not to worry.  I am just to remain faithful to HIM and HE will work out His purposes for the girls...and for me.

Ahhhhhh......

Thanksgiving!  Woohoo!  I love Thanksgiving!  Every year has been different for us.  Maybe one year we could even just stay home.  Hmmmmm...doubt it but nonetheless it is a very entertaining thought.  This fall flew by.  WOW!  Where did it go?  As I get older it seems everything is happening faster and faster.  I was busy experimenting with craft shows, teaching at our homeschool co-op, running the girls to piano, and all the other things that fall under the ordinary category called LIFE!  The last 6 months have been life changing.  For the first time ever, please don't kill me, I feel ready for winter.  Achhhhhh...I know.  Are you hating me?  The past 6 months have been chockful of major life changes so I am ready to welcome being holed up, slowing down, soup and comfort foods, baking, candles burning, hot chocolate, and entire days spent in yoga pants!!  :)  Don't hate me!  I just need the natural world to help me tone down my calendar because I don't know how.  I am sooooooo behind in blogging and posting pictures I am overwhelmed.  I have even considered "closing" my blog but don't know for sure.  I guess I just think "what's the point?"  Hmmmm?

Childlike Faith in the Midst of it All

Life is always a roller coaster but it seems as though I can't catch up.  It is happening so fast around me and I feel as though I am missing it.  Even now as I write these words my To-Do list is ever so long and growing.  It begins to choke me, making me feel as though I can't breathe.  The 24 hours in a day is not long enough, yet how many hours are wasted.  Always moving but never accomplishing much.  When in this state I begin to sink, relying on my own strength to keep the momentum, but never reaching the mark.  My body, mind, and spirit begin to waver.  So it is so sweet when you can be encouraged by the simple things that could be easily missed like double love huvs, eskimo kisses, tickles, being asked to read more, little hands holding mine, "Momma, You are the best and prettiest!", cuddles, "Honey, that stuff you made was awesome!", "Mom, I really do like you being my teacher.", and being with such sweet little people this week, who remind me to have childlike faith.

Happy Reformation Sunday

Today (when I started writing this post) was Reformation Sunday!  Last week at church everyone was getting excited because this Sunday was Reformation Sunday.  I couldn't help but to allow their excitement get me so excited about today.  I couldn't wait to find out exactly what this was going to be all about...Reformation Sunday.  Well, today I learned and I loved every minute of it.  On Reformation Sunday the pastor highlights a famous "Reformer."  It is kindof like a biographical lecture, highlighting contemporaries, key sermons, accomplishments, etc.  Today we learned all about Jonathan Edwards.   WOW!  Can I just say I want more? 

Jonathan Edwards was born and raised in Colonial America.  By the way, did you know that 50% of the marriages in colonial America had a newborn baby 8 months in to the marriage?  Yeah...not so pure, right?  Anywho, Jonathan Edwards was brilliant.  He was born and raised in staunch Puritan doctrine and theology.  He was born in 1703, close to 100 years after the Puritans had arrived.  He was a classic case of "one who knew all the right answers."  He would lay for hours outside observing nature, mainly moths and butterflies.  He went to Yale at the age of 13 and graduated from Yale at 17.  However, Jonathan lacked affections of the heart in regards to Christ.  He intellectually rejected the Gospel.  He realized he could not come to God on his own and that the Holy Spirit would have to intervene, giving him new life.  Fortunately, God drew Jonathan to Himself and made him extraordinary.  His wife was named Sarah and they had 11 children.  (Sidenote:  It was believed at that time that the day of the week a child was born was the day the child had been conceived.  Being that 6 of his children were born on a Sunday, he was considered a little scandulous!  :)  Okay, maybe, maybe not!)  Jonathan spent 13 hours a day in study of the Word, which included praying and fasting.  He always read his sermons.  He attributed his success not to skill but the desire of holiness.  He was not a dramatic man (like some pastors today).  In 1739 the Great Awakening began and it lasted for 4 years.  George Whitefield and the Wesley brothers began preaching.  George Whitefield was good friends with Benjamin Franklin, who was no friend to the Gospel.  However, Ben Franklin would publish Whitefield's sermons and negotiate on his behalf with pastors/churches who declined him time at their pulpit.  Edwards is most well-known for his sermon titled "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God" which many of us had to read in our high school lit class.  During the Great Awakening people would be overcome and begin to shake, tremble and fall down.  Someone asked Edwards if this was the work of God.  He simply replied it doesn't matter what happened physically, the proof would be afterwards and how these people would live.

His constant "meat of the matter" had to do with the affections of the heart.  The heart is our greatest motivator as it is the center of the human personality.  Everything we do or value is motivated by the affections of the heart.  Our feelings are part of that, but our affections go beyond our feelings. Remember, the Bible says our heart is deceitfully wicked...so, it makes sense.  What are the affections of your heart?

Anywho, after serving for over 25 years in the pastorate at his church he was voted out by his congregation. It was something that was so stupid but I can't remember and I didn't write it down.  He and his family moved to minister to the Indians, holding several services each Sunday.  They would also minister to soldiers who were fighting in the French-Indian War.  Finally, Princeton University contacted him and asked him to serve as the President of the University.  He initially declined because he felt he was less than qualified for the job.  However, after the panel protested he told them he would seek the counsel of his closest friends.  They told him YES!!  At the time the small pox vaccine was created.  Being a science minded man, he was innoculated.  Unfortunately he ended up contracting the disease and died shortly after being installed as the new President.

A Daily Increase of Grace

"Lord God, eternal and almighty Father: I acknowledge before your holy majesty that I am a poor sinner, conceived and born in guilt and in corruption, prone to do evil, unable of my own power to do any good.  Because of my sin, I endlessly violate your holy commandments.  But, O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow I repent and turn away from all my offenses.  I condemn myself and my evil ways, with true sorrow asking that your grace will relieve my distress.  Have compassion on me, most gracious God, Father of mercies, for the sake of your son Jesus Christ my Lord.  And in removing my guilt, also grant me daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit, and produce fruits of holiness and of righteousness p.easing in your sight: Through Jesus Christ my Lord."  ~ The Genevan Liturgy of 1543 by John Calvin