Off to YWAM

Well my husband and I and our three sons took our oldest son up to YWAM Pittsburgh this weekend for his three week trip. What an opportunity. I am so excited he even had the desire to return-that is huge in and of itself. I dropped him a letter in his bag to read on the way that he didn't know about :) I am so blessed by him as he is growing up to be a young man. Don't get me wrong, he is still very much a kid which he should be, he's fourteen. This life is full of so many emotions. Here I am thrilled he has the chance to go, blessed that the Lord provided his funds, sad I won't see him for a while, anxious for his return, excited to see what the Lord will show him this year, concerned about his general well being over this time...but...He is in the Lord's hands now. For the next 21 days King Jesus is in charge of him. We turned him over and let him loose in the hands of the one who is able. It's a scary thought and I am glad I get to do this little by little rather then all at once when he gets married, Lordwilling. But as a mother it is hard and thrilling at the same time. To see your children step out into what God has prepared for them before the foundations of the World! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt God has a plan for each one of our seven kids. I have no idea what those plans may entail but I can rest assured that they are good and better then anything I could have thought up on my own. If I need to turn my kids over to anyone...I much rather turn them over to Jesus, their loving Father. He is good and faithful and I can rest in His plan for each one of them. That gives me peace.

Relaxing

I haven't had much time to sit around and do nothing lately but that is what I am up to today. School planning, hanging out, eating too much junk! We need days like these. Do you think Jesus has hang out days? I don't. How would ruler of the Universe ever get time to rest? Can you imagine? I have a hard enough time running one day into the next. My husband and I were talking about that last night. How vital it is for us to keep one day apart from the next. To not start the next day with yesterday's energy or lack there of. Yesterday's frustrations, disappoinments, or stress. We need to keep moving forward just like the LORD. I love that. I heard at a Bible study this past semester that God only moves in one direction--FORWARD. How refreshing that is for us. When we so often feel like we are stagnate or losing ground in our failures, God is still moving--FORWARD...on our behalf. I can't really comprehend God's faithfulness, although I know he is. And I can't comprehend his love for me, yet I know he does. So today I am not only going to rest in my own house doing my duties as a wife and mother, I am going to chose to rest in my God's faithfulness toward me and His unchanging love. Isn't he wonderful?!

God is Good

Do I hear an Amen? I just want to praise the Lord for His faithfulness to me. I love when I can spend some good quality time with Him...which unfortunately doesn't happen to often. Well at least for long periods of time. But as I was reading in my So Long, Insecurity book she wanted us to spend 30 minutes in prayer and at first I was like, yeah right. But the kids were still asleep and I shut the door. Well almost 45 minutes later I was in tears and having such a good time in His presence. Repenting, feeling His forgiviness, allowing Him to show me things. It was great. Then He speaks! It is so awesome, isn't it. How does the Lord on High speak to us lowly humans? I don't get it, but I know it happens and I know its Him. He is so good to us. Praise His awesome name!

I AM.....

Remember today that He is our exceedingly great reward. This has been on my mind since the weekend. Not riches, a new house, money, even joy, peace, or patience...it is Him alone. HE is it--JESUS--. Allow Him to be your reward, seek Him, set your hearts towards Him, allow Him to be everything you need and more...He is able!

Finally

I am so excited to report that I think I have done it....my little Gideon is finally sleeping through the night! Yeah! He has been on a roll for the past 2 or 3 nights. What a relief...now if all the others sleep well how glorious it will be to have the potential for some sleepfilled nights. However, last night was not one of them :( Rachel was kicking and crying and driving me nuts. So here I am in blog world with my coffee in hand and yummy biscotti I just downed ready to tackle my day already exhausted and with a headache to boot. Oh Lord grant me patience and love today for kids inspite of how I feel...and give me energy, both physical and emotional. Give me the extra strength I need to make it through this day in a "Jesus" way. Extend your grace in this direction, O Lord, I know I will need it...you are faithful!