Simple Songs

This week Seth has opted for no radio in the car. (Yes, my 20 month old dictates whether we listen to the radio or a CD or nothing based on his response) So instead we have been singing without accompaniment. The favorites have been This is the Day and Rejoice in The Lord Always. Sometimes he just listens and others he sings along or claps, pats his legs, etc. It puts him in a good mood and is a nice reminder to take each day one at a time, acknowledging that God is in control.  I have a choice about how my day will go. No, I don't determine the circumstances, but I get to decide if I will choose to rejoice despite the circumstances or begrudgingly make my way through whatever that day brings. It's been nice to slow things down and keep things in perspective. It's amazing how much difference a few simple songs can make.

Super Sunday

Today was a great day in the house of God, although the circumstances of the day could definitely have led to different results. Bj had to work today. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, my already busy Sunday goes into overdrive. I take on some of his responsibilities when he isn't there. We were able to get the praise and worship songs early, so Bj created the PowerPoint presentation in advance and it really saved me a lot of frustration and time. We got up at the normal time and were at church, breakfast in hand, at 8:30. I was able to get everyone fed and the computer setup and make it to staff prayer. Nothing blew up, and no trouble shooting was needed in either service. Yeah!

In addition, God really showed up today. In the staff prayer meeting God used me in the gift of prophecy for the first time. It was awesome and definitely an answer to prayer! Then in the morning service Haley received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Pastor gave the invitation and no one was responding. Her and I were having a semi quiet conversation from the stage where I was sitting at the piano to her seat on the second row. She got enough courage to be the first person to respond. After that others felt comfortable to respond. There were 4 people who were filled with the Spirit today. After it was over her response was "I am not afraid of Jesus now" and she immediately changed from an observer to a worshipper. I love her and love the way she is growing spiritually. I want all my kids to be so in love with Jesus that they don't care what anyone says but are worshippers from the heart. It has made so much difference in my life and I pray it will make a difference for her too.

In the afternoon service DeAnn shared a very personal message and it was really good. The main thought was that no matter what we've been through or how many times we fail God, he still wants us to give him everything. He loves and forgives and is able to use even the vessel that we see as broken and scarred for his glory. Praise God!

Its been a good day overall, even if Bj missed it all because he had to be at work.

This week Seth will get his first experience of day care for 2 days while my MIL goes on a trip with her friend to San Antonio. I am glad she is getting a break and am sure Seth will do fine, even if he cries a little bit initially. He is such a social boy and loves to play. I am excited for him! The big kids are starting their second week of daycare at KidsRKids and I am really impressed with them so far. (I put them in daycare for 4 weeks over the summer so they can go on field trips and give the grandmas a break. 4 kids all day long is a lot, so we try to break it up over the summer.)

We are getting hard wood floors in a couple of weeks so I'm in the process of packing up knickknacks from my front rooms so they can move furniture to install. I am ready to have that project behind us so we can move back in to our living space.

Seth is at such a fun age. He is starting to repeat EVERYTHING and is such a delight. He will be 20 months old tomorrow. He has his moments where he wants to throw a fit like he's two, but we can overlook that because he is just so cute most of the time.

Daniel is playing basketball for the YMCA and he is loving it. Yes, their team lost both of the first games badly, but they are learning more every game and we have no where to go but up. We are enjoying watching and helping as we can. I think we will continue this each summer if things continue as they have.

I preached last Sunday and really feel like it went well. I am already ready to do it again. It is definitely a learning curve for me, but I feel like I am getting better and if God can use me, I want to be willing to do whatever he asks.

Alright, I have you updated on all fronts I believe. I am trying to post more, but there are just some parts of my life that demand my attention more than this blog.

Are you washed?

This morning I had this old hymn in my head.

Are you washed

in the blood

in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?

Are your garments spotless?

Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

For someone who was raised in church, this seems like such a given almost. But do I/we really get what this means?  Probably not.

I CAN'T DO IT!!

I think the hardest thing for us to get our minds wrapped around is the fact that no matter how much I do for God, no matter how "good" I am, I cannot wash myself of my sins. I cannot earn God's forgiveness or cleansing. It's impossible. My sins are worthy of death and I can't change that no matter how hard I try.

GOD MAKES ME WORTHY!!

And once we get that we can't and never will be good enough by our own doing, we have a hard time accepting the fact that because of the sacrifice of Jesus, because of his blood, we are worthy of the sacrifice Jesus gave. We are worthy by his grace and mercy.

Because of the blood, which washes away our past, which makes us new in Christ, we can come boldly before God, knowing that he sees us clothed in his righteousness.

And he says we are worth every sacrifice, every drop of blood.

And what He says is all that matters.

Silence

It's been a while since I blogged really from my heart other than sharing things about the kids. This is partly due to the fact that I have been dealing with kids stuff and partially because I didnt really have much to share, spiritually speaking.

I am preaching again at my church on Sunday July 6th and have really been just trying to get some direction from God about what he would have me to share. I still don't have total clarity but am trying to differentiate what God is teaching me for me and what is for the church body. I feel like I know how the Spirit wants to minister but not quite sure how God wants me to get there. I am sure God will lead me as he always does, but it just isn't all together yet. If you think about it, please pray for me as I try to get it all at least some what together. I know God wants me to trust him to lead, but would really like to be able to prepare a little more between now and then so that I can follow however he leads that day.

My parents were out of town yesterday and I led worship in their place. I really wasn't as nervous as I usually am and really feel like I was able to worship more freely and therefore lead the people into worship better than times before. I am so thankful for God's anointing that goes before me and makes a way.

I plan to blog some about vacation soon. Maybe this weekend. And that blog will even have pictures. I am sure you are waiting on pins and needles for that. We had a greats time, but more on that later.

Happy Birthday Daniel!

How is it possible that as of today I have a 10, 9, and 7 year old and a 19 month old? My sweet Daniel turns 9 today.  They are all growing up so much, but since Daniel is the topic of this post, I want to take a moment and document how much my boy has changed. 

If you're new to my blog (and I'd guess that is very few of you if any at all), I have only had the privilege of being Daniel's mom for 2 years 8 months and 9 days. We adopted he and his older and younger sisters a few years back. I remember when we first met him, he was all smiles. His foster dad said something about Daniel that I will never forget. He said "When Daniel hugs you, you can really feel it." In other words, he loves deeply. I have since found this to be true in all areas of life. 

Daniel lives life to the fullest. He is completely loyal almost to a fault. He is very passionate and will defend his family and close friends to the death. This can be problematic when a simple bump turns into an intentional attack in his mind, but we are working on forgiving others and giving others second chances.

He is very gentle and sweet with Seth. Having a little brother has brought out the best in him. It has taught him that he is a leader and others are watching him. This has helped him learn to make better decisions. He is looking forward to the day when they can share a room and have bunk beds. He is such a good big brother.

Daniel is very compassionate with people he sees need help. His teacher told me that he stayed with the new kid at school all day, even giving up his recess to pat him on the back until he was okay and had stopped crying. He has the biggest heart!

Daniel is very good with math and his brain works so fast he struggles with showing his work or explaining how he got the answer, but he is usually right. He is also a very good reader. I expect that if he can get a work a bit on being distracted and paying attention that he will be an honor roll student next year.

Daniel, you seemed so little when we first met, but you at definitely growing up. You are learning to be a gentleman from your daddy and are a delight to have around. You are my oldest son and have taught me what that special bond between a mom and son is all about.  It excites me to hear you talking about helping Daddy lead the men's fellowship where you get a little older. I pray you will learn to love God more each day and never lose your compassion for others. You are loving them like God does and it is a gift that not everyone has. I love you, my big, strong Daniel!

Another Year Gone

My kids have made it through another year of school (well, except for their half day tomorrow that they don't even need to take their back packs for) and we as parents and grandparents have survived as well.  This past week, I had 3 different awards ceremonies on 3 different days.  I am so glad that I am able to attend these for my kids.

 Katelynn's awards were first. She got the excellent speller award, helping hands award, good citizenship award, and science award. She has really loved having Mrs. Brittain this past year for 1st grade. I talked briefly with Mrs. Jones (Daniel's 2nd grade teacher) today and I have a feeling Katelynn will have her next year.  She is such a good student and really thrives in a school setting, so I am sure she will do great with whatever teacher she gets. Mrs. Jones would be nice just because I feel like I already know her some.

Daniel was so excited to receive the art award (that would be the medal around his neck that he almost doesn't want to take off.) He also received the award for mastering his multiplication facts. He had Mrs. Grimaldo for 3rd grade (the same teacher as Haley had). He has also matured to the point that I have stopped giving him his focus vitamins and he has (for the most part) been able to still do well in school without being all over the place. (Honestly, he would have bad days even with the vitamins, just fewer of them.) I really hope he is maturing and just learning to make better choices and letting God help him when he is anxious or frustrated about something. We have been talking a lot about self-control being a fruit of the spirit and how when we are close to God, the fruit of the spirit will be more present in our lives. He is really growing up.

 

Haley received a medal for completing the multiplication and division parts of Big Brains (a computer based video game that helps the kids practice their math facts.) She loves that game and it shows. She spent many hours on it and I'm glad that it was able to help solidify the facts in her brain and that she received a medal for her hard work. Haley really likes Mrs. Roysdon, who she initially was a little unsure of. She is going to miss Mrs. Roysdon a lot a the new school and I think Mrs. Roysdon will miss her RG (random girl). 

We have decided to let Haley move on to 5th grade which means a new school for her next year. She has done a ton better in the month or so since we have had a diagnosis and she has received more help aimed at her learning disability. I am not sure if it is because of the help or because she now knows that I will hold her back if I need to in order for her to learn what she needs to so she can succeed in school and life. Either way, she seems to have matured a lot and realized that she needs to try her best, with or without a learning disability.

I am looking forward to a great school year next year. I really feel like things are normalizing around here and that they will all excel in the future.  My kiddos are growing up and I am so grateful for God's hand in their lives.

No kids!

B.J. and I were able to take a trip to celebrate our 10th anniversary with no kids the weekend of May 22nd.  Did I mention there were no kids?  This hasn't happened since before we had the kids the summer of 2011. We have been on date nights on occasion but we haven't been totally childless in a long time.

We were able to go down to Port Aransas for a few nights and really had a great time. On the way down, we went zip lining around Lake Travis which was awesome!  We have been before, but I would say this was the best course I've been on. The longest cable was 2800 feet. It was a ton of fun! I am always trying to figure out the best way to go the fastest on these things, but BJ always seems to beat me. I say its because he weighs more than me so he has more momentum. He says he's just better at it. I am right and he is wrong. (Ha!) This is one of the things we really enjoy. You get to be outside, usually hiking between lines and then just enjoying nature.

 The condo we stayed at was awesome! One of BJ's friends let us use it and we will definitely be back. Maybe next time with kids. It is 306 Mayan Princess if anyone is interested in going down that way. I would highly recommend it.

This picture is taken from the ocean looking at the condo, with our little beach setup in between. BJ is reading a book in the shade.

It was very relaxing and really a good time of reconnecting with my love. We had great conversation and got to play some games and read some and just do whatever we wanted with no kid interruption or input required. Its a great thing I tell you.

BJ is not the same person I married 10 years ago and I'm sure I'm not the same either. We are better. God is changing us, growing us, and making us into the people he has called us to be. I love spending time with the man God has blessed me with.

Here's a little throw back picture to our 5 year anniversary. I don't think we've changed much, besides my ever increasing grey hair.