A Stretched-Out Mom

Happy Birthday, Nay-Nay!

2009-11-05T09:24:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday to Nay-Nay! 49 today!

My sister, Rene', is here visiting and today is her 49th birthday today. It is amazing what the Lord has done in our lives over the years. Growing up, Rene' and I were not friends. She was the bossy oldest child of five and was always telling me what to do. I resisted because I wanted to be in charge, too. So we fought a lot and then she was gone. She went to college first and then married. Because she is almost 5 years older than me, we weren't together a lot after I got older.

After she married, I went to college and she moved to Mississippi where she lived for years. I don't even recall when things changed for us, but after I was married and she began having kids, I would go and visit her. I loved helping with the babies. Over some time, she then moved to Memphis. When I started having kids, she loved having us to her house. She homeschooled her three girls and invited my kids over to stay for days at a time! I would have never thought of doing that for her! She taught me so much about loving and serving your family. She is one of the biggest "givers" in my life when most of the world (including me) are "takers."

We began to talk more and travel to Nashville together to see our parents. That began a little bit of a friendship together. However, I believe we really became friends when she would come to stay with Wade's grandmother, GG, when my in-laws were out of town. We would spend a week to 10 days together scrapbooking, watching tennis (one of her favs) or making cards and playing cards; thus began a real friendship. We became more than sisters, but we began to be friends.

Now years later, she is one of my best friends. It is a blessing in my life to have friendship among family. I have always believed that friends may come and go, but family will be with your forever. That doesn't guarantee a good relationship, though, as our earlier relationship can testify. I am just thankful that God changed us and helped us become more than "older/younger sisters" to each other. We moved past our family status and moved into the world of friendship. Sharing our lives and our struggles built something between us, something more than just the memories of our growing up years. It built trust, respect and love.

We don't always agree with each other, but we do love each other enough to disagree agreeably. We enjoy spending time together talking, watching Food Network and old black and whites, as well as sharing books and Scripture to encourage each other. She prays for me and mine and lets me know that. She listens and cares even when tired. She puts up with my crankiness and loves me anyway.

I thank God for her friendship and her being a part of my life. Rene', I hope and pray you have a wonderful birthday! You are a blessing in my life!

Love you!

Shrimp Bisque

2009-10-31T18:20:00.002-05:00

Here is a recipe that I have been asked for several times lately. It is one of our favorites!

Tait's Shrimp Bisque

1 1/4 lbs shrimp, deveined and peeled
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped finely
1 yellow onion, chopped finely
2 1/2 Tbsp all purpose flour
garlic to taste
cayenne pepper to taste
2 cups heavy whipping cream*
2 cups chicken stock**
1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped (yes, one whole bunch!)
1/4 stick butter

In a large pot, saute bell pepper and onion in butter for about 5 minutes. Add flour and make a paste. It will be thick.

Mix tomato paste and chicken stock thoroughly and slowly. Whisk until smooth.

Add garlic.

In a separate pot, boil the shrimp for 1 1/2 minutes. You are not cooking them fully. (You can also use the cooked shrimp and skip this step. It's not as fresh, but will work in a pinch). You can either chop them or put them in a blender and blend to consistency of your choice. (My brother-in-law likes it pureed and I like chunks of shrimp).

Add cream and shrimp to the large pot. Bring to a boil then let simmer for 5 minutes. Just before it boils throw in cilantro. You don't have to cook it long. Salt and pepper to taste at this point.

* If you want to lighten this up, I have used half and half in it. It just makes a thinner bisque.

** I use fat free and reduced sodium

The Drive Home

2009-10-29T10:23:00.002-05:00

Wednesday nights. I love Wednesday nights, but as I drive home (anywhere between 9 and 10pm), there is an exhaustion that comes over me like none other during the week. It is mental and physical, as well as emotional and spiritual. It is the exhaustion that comes from ministering to teens. And I love it! It reminds of a guest speaker's words that I heard a year or so ago: "Exhaust yourself for the Lord." This is Wednesday nights for me right now. Wednesday nights consists of:

"can we talk?..........i need prayer........let's get together for coffee.......my friend is really struggling........what should I?...........can we pray together now?.......I need to talk to you......can you go talk to?.......I've screwed up.........I have this problem.........I need some help with this friendship.........I am so angry........I had a much better week.........God really met me today........No, I've not spent time with the Lord..........I'm having great prayer times........I'm lonely.........I am wondering if I really am a believer..........do you have a minute?.......I had this fight with my parents..........how do I?.............can you come to?....how can I help you?..........Happy Birthday!...........Lead me to the cross.........how's your private worship time?........are you okay?........please pray for.........help me.....how can I pray for you?.......do you have a minute?.........this week I have to........I'm overwhelmed.........I don't know where to start..........thanks.

So many of these thoughts are running through my mind as I drive home. So many of the kids' faces are going through my mind as well as I remember my interaction with them that night. Thankfully, I have a 30 minutes drive home so I can run these things through my mind and the people saying them before getting home to see Wade. However, it makes it hard for me to concentrate on what my little ones are telling me about their night in AWANA. It is just so hard to lay all of it aside for anytime. I love these kids and what they are going through. I want to help each one, but that is hardly possible. So I pray.

This youth group ministry is one of the greatest ministries I have ever been a part of. If God could use us (youth disciplers) in just one student's life, it would all be worth it. They are in such an impressionable time in their lives and they are searching, although they come across as knowing it all. That is just a front usually. They have questions and need answers. They have things they need to process through with someone. They struggle and persevere. I am happy to say that a lot of our kids are seeking to be faithful to the Lord, as well. They are continuing in what they have learned from the beginning. Yes, they fail, but so do I. They just need adults in their lives to encourage, pray, unconditionally love, share truth and listen. They need adults to understand that they are young believers and will fail at times. They need the love of Christ in human flesh. I want to be that. I fail often times doing that with them, but I will continue to try.

I remember my youth leaders vividly to this day. There were two couples specifically that listened to my youthful babble and my arrogance. However, they loved me, listened to me, gave godly counsel and continued to love. They spoke truth, but they weren't judgmental. They understood that I was young and immature in my faith. They gave me room to grow. I will remember them forever, not because they were great (and they were), but they showed me the love of Christ and that alone drew me to Him.

I pray I can do the same.

A Simple Woman's Day Book

2009-10-28T13:03:00.002-05:00

I am taking this from another blog I follow:

FOR TODAY........October 28, 2009
OUTSIDE MY WINDOW.......sunshine, finally!!!!
I AM THINKING.........about the book I am reading
I AM THANKFUL FOR......my Bible
FROM THE LEARNING ROOMS.......GK/Latin roots right now
FROM THE KITCHEN......Reeses Trifle leftovers. :)
I AM WEARING.....warm clothes because I'm cold
I AM CREATING......hats for kids in New Mexico
I AM GOING.......to youth group tonight
I AM READING.....Why We Are Not Emergent
I AM PONDERING..."Don't give up what you want most for what you want at the moment."
I AM PRAYING.....for a hurting friend.
I AM HEARING.....kids drill GK/Latin roots, washer
AROUND THE HOUSE.....needs to be cleaned and re-organized
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS......reading hour, family celebrations
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.
Thursday: Be at home all day since car will be in the shop
Friday: Maybe be with FAB friends, senior pics
Saturday: Sister coming to town for a week
Sunday: Worship

18th Celebration!

2009-10-28T11:23:00.006-05:00

Luke turned 18 yesterday! Although Wade and I can't believe it has been 18 years since God gave us kids together, we are also very excited about this time of his life. We just hate that we are getting old, but we love this stage of our kids' lives.

Luke has been our "guinea pig" from the start, our first born. We were harder on his discipline-wise because we really wanted to make sure he obeyed us. Thankfully, he handled that well and before he was too old, someone gave us a copy of "Shepherding a Child's Heart" to read. That book is by far the best book on parenting I have ever read, especially for first time parents or parents with young children. Highly recommend it. At that point, things began to change for us and we began disciplining with a little less force and with a lot more purpose. He began to "shepherd his heart" instead of require outward conformance which was really motivated by our own pride and fear of man as parents.

I won't tell all about Luke's growing up years (like I could!), but I will tell you that looking at Luke's life makes me hopeful and shows me that God is bigger than me. To see a young man love the Lord inspite of his sinful parents and all of our mistakes, shows me that God has His ways of drawing us unto Himself. Luke's faith is young and far from perfect, but he is growing and striving. He has grown to be a man who desires to read God's Word, pray and spend time serving and ministering among God's people in the church.

God has given him more opportunities to serve than I ever imagined in our church body, from youth ministry worship team to dressing up to act out John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. He has had the chance to go to Burma twice with his grandfather on missions' trips, as well as North Carolina, Mexico, and Honduras. All of these have had an impact, but Burma changed his spiritual life. PTL!

Last night we celebrated Luke's 18 years here on earth. We had family and a few friends over for a dinner of shrimp bisque, crispy baguette bread with olive oil and Reese's trifle. Wade prayed the sweetest prayer of thanksgiving for Luke and what he has come to mean to all of us. I wish I had it on tape.

I think Luke enjoyed his night. He enjoyed his cousins we don't see much, as well as grandparents and friends. He received a boat load of gifts (lots of cards which mean gift cards). What a blessing! He was on iTunes for a while last night with a big grin on his face.

I thank God for Luke. I pray that God will lead and guide him over the next 5 years as he firms up what he believes and makes life decisions. May God give him wisdom and discernment, as well as work through his failures and unwise choices. I pray that he will grow up and mature in the Lord, seeking to glorify and serve Him forever. I love ya, Bud!

What's on My Mind?

2009-10-22T07:03:00.003-05:00

In Matthew 16, Jesus begins telling the disciples that He will "suffer many from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." (vs 21). This is the first time that Christ has shared this information with them and, naturally, they really don't like it.

Their hopes had been in a Messiah that would come and "save them" in a way that demolished their enslavement and persecution. They seemed to anticipate a military take over or battle to ensure their freedom with Messiah leading them to victory.

So think how disappointing this statement is to them as Christ says He will not lead them into victory, but will suffer at the hands of the men these disciples wanted to be freed from! There's no way this could be the way it would play out! Their fearless leader is speaking of being killed. I can only imagine what I would be thinking. And knowing who I am and the sinful ways I use my mouth sometimes, I would probably be just like Peter.........speaking every thought that came into my head without thinking first.

Scripture says "Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him." That is an amazing statement! Of course, because we have Scripture and have been taught to reverence and honor the Lord, we would never think of "rebuking" Christ. We can't imagine the pride that would do that to the Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of our souls.

Yet the statement at the end of the verse convicts and condemns us, too. We do have the kind of pride that Peter displayed in his rebuke. Jesus tells Peter to get behind him and calls him "Satan" at this point. He knew that Peter was a mouthpiece for Satan at this point, for anyone who would want to go against God's plan for His death, burial and resurrection was working against them, not for them.

Then Jesus says this: "You are an offense to Me; for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (vs 23b).

Every time I am not mindful of the things of God but of the things of men, I am an offense to the Lord. He has a plan for my life. Am I mindful of HIS plan for my life or MY plan for my life? When I am discontent with where He has me, am I mindful of the things of God or the things of man? When I am not embracing His plan for my life, am I an offense to Him?

I so often think of things through the screen of how they affect me. Selfishly. Pridefully. God's way is to think of things in terms of His sovereignty. He has a plan for my life. He knows what is best for me spiritually. He has handpicked things to come into my life to conform me to the image of His Son and to bring those around me to faith in Christ. Do I embrace what He brings into my life? Do I think of His plan or mine? Am I mindful of the things of God or the things of Becky?

I am convicted that as I am mindful of the things of men instead of the things of God, I am no different than Peter in this passage. I am prideful and rebuking, unsubmissive and resistant to His perfect plan which is best for me. I am an offense to the Lord.

Lord, help me to yield each moment of my day into Your hand. For I know that You have designed life to be exactly what I need to be conformed to the image of Your Son and to grow in my knowledge and relationship with You. Convict me of pride and sin quickly and grant repentance. Help me to remember that suffering is never from the hand of an alien God, but from You, my King of kings as well as my Abba, Father. And it is out of love for me. Knowing that, help me to embrace whatever You plan for me. Amen.

Sad Statement in Scripture

2009-10-20T09:49:00.002-05:00

In my Professor Horner's reading this morning, there was one little phrase that stuck out to me today. I know I have read this verse, this chapter, this passage many times before, but today for some reason, the three little words kept running over and over in my mind. Each time I thought of them, it made me sad, discouraged then prayerful and thankful. The three little words:

"Let them alone." "Let them alone." Jesus was speaking and He said, "Let them alone."

I never want to be left alone by Jesus, do you?

You will find these sad three words in Matthew 15:14. Jesus is speaking to the multitude and speaking about the Pharisees. We all know that the Pharisees had taken the law and made it enslaving. They had added to Scripture with their own laws and regulations that God never intended. They were known for their many prideful judgments of others while totally missing their own hearts. If you have been a believer for any length of time, you are well acquainted with the Pharisees and how they were "blind guides" (Matt.15:15) to God's people.

However, these three words still made me sad today. "Let them alone." I don't know about you, but I have people in my life that have not yielded their lives to the Lord. They have been taught the truth of God's Word (just as the Pharisees had) and yet they continue to reject Him and the truth of His Word. Some of them even believe they know the truth, as the Pharisees so arrogantly believed about themselves. These three little words make me wonder when God might say about my loved ones, "Let them alone."

I understand clearly that God is not just a loving God, but a God a justice and wrath. He is holy and cannot be rejected forever. For His Word tells us that there will come a time when every knee will bow the knee and give glory to God (Revelation 5:13). And even at this bowing, there will be consequences for having rejected HIM on this earth. It will be too late then and they will experience eternity apart from God and in a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 8:12).

Yet in this life, John MacArthur says that "this is a severe form of God's wrath. It signifies abandonment by God and is described as 'giving them over' in Romans 1:18-32." (Taken from notes in MacArthur study Bible).

I can't imagine. Being abandoned by God. In this life of heartache and pain, suffering and trials, He is Who I find myself clinging to the most. He is the ONLY ONE Who can give comfort and guidance through the difficult maze of life here on earth. I can't fathom Him deciding to be done with me. Deciding to "let me alone." What a sad reality!

And then I think of Jesus Christ who humbled Himself and suffered through the Father turning His back on the Son for the sake of obedience and salvation. He knows what it feels like to be abandoned by God for a time. And because He endured that, I am free to abide, reside with, cling to, be part of the family of God.

Lord, please don't give up yet on those around me who have spiritual blindness still. Please open their eyes to see the reality of who they are and the reality of who YOU are before it is too late. Please don't turn them over to their own passions and desires, but grant repentance that leads to salvation. May I be passionate to pray and intercede, as well as live and speak Your truth to them.

And, Father, thank You for drawing me from the kingdom of darkness when I was an enemy and transferring me into the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Thank You for desiring to be with me "always, even unto the end of the world." Thank You for promising to be near "to the broken hearted and the contrite of spirit." Make me contrite and broken hearted over my sin so that I may remain by Your side, abiding in You for now and until my dying breath.

Branson Weekend..........Take Two

2009-10-19T12:14:00.005-05:00

This past Thursday we attempted to leave for Branson again since last weekend our plans were changed by several different things. This time my parents could join us which made it even more fun. We met them on Hwy 65 around 4pm and continued on to Branson without mishap! Thank the good Lord!

We were able to go to Silver Dollar City Friday and Saturday. It was cold, but we were all comfortable with our hats, scarves and gloves on. The kids rode rides with Wade, Nana and Papa while I sat with the stroller, crocheted and read. I enjoy my job!

Saturday only the girls went back to SDC while the boys took Grant to play putt-putt golf and then back to the camper for some HOG football! Mom and I shopped the craft places while the girls rode rides. It was great fun! Mom and I even found a 75%+ sale on our Fontanini nativity pieces! There was one piece we bought for $11 that retails for $99.50! I would never pay that much, but I would pay $11. I love finding good bargains. I also found a butter keeper (which I have been wanting) on the "Oops" shelf in the pottery store for cheap, cheap!

We even ran into some church friends while shopping.........Kay, Margie, Millie and Amy. That was fun!

Then back to the camper for some Razorback football! Boy, was that fun to watch until the end. Hard to watch the refs give the Gators that one touchdown, but oh, well. Such is life, huh? We cheered hard!

After the game, Dad left to go home because he was teaching SS the next morning. Mom stayed with us one more night. We took the kids and Nana to see "Wild Things" that night at 9pm at the IMAX. What a disappointment! Ugh! We should have saved our time and money! It was way too depressing and even Grant said, "That was too sad." It was rather dark and not good for kids.

But my mom and I laughed a lot during the movie because there were people coughing all around us and everytime someone would cough, she would wrap her scarf around her face and sink down further in her seat. It was hilarious!

Sunday we started for home sadly, and yes, we broke down twice! Isn't that funny? I am so glad I have a husband who is pretty steady in his temperament. He never got upset or anything. And it's great that he knows how to fix things. Here are a few pictures of him doing "yoga" to get the part back on as best as he could. It broke after the first "rigging" but he knew what he could do to improve on it the second time to help us get home. And we did get home! Now he will have to find the right part from the dealership to fix it right. So it was minor issues this time and we are so thankful for that.

All in all, we enjoyed our weekend very much! My brother, Jay, and his family wanted to join us, but one of their kids caught the swine flu!

We really enjoyed having Mom and Dad join us and they didn't even seem to mind sleeping on that horrible fold-out couch. We are planning another trip and, yes, I will get an egg crate before they come again. Such fun to make memories with them through train dominoes, crocheting, Razorback football, Silver Dollar City, putt-putt golf, setting up the camper, eating funnel cakes and cheese bread, as well as riding roller coasters. They are great parents and super grandparents!

The pictures are of us going into Silver Dollar City, Mom crocheting a beautiful dish towel, Mom with some of the grandkids, Mom and Leah laughing really hard because Mom couldn't get the Cheetos out of her teeth before I snapped the picture, Wade working on the car ("yoga") and talking to my dad during the second breakdown. Fun memories!

Morning Quiet Changes

2009-10-13T07:09:00.002-05:00

My family has taken on a new venture this week.......well, everyone but me. The boys are all getting up at 5:15am to do a new workout program together. Grant is really too young, but he tries because he wants to be with and like Wade and Luke. The boys head upstairs to do their new P90X in the game room while the girls wake up at 5:45am to do their Slim in 6 program in my room.

That leaves me in my green chair in the living room where I always am at this time of the morning. I will have to say that I am not sure I like the change. I love that the family is getting into shape and loving doing it together. They are even ready for some diet changes that Wade and I have wanted to make for a while. However, I have always cherished my time of quiet in the early mornings. There is never another moment of quiet quite like those early morning moments. Nothing moves except the cats. Things are still, very still. It helps me clear my head and think clearly as I read and pray and worship. It keeps me from distraction. I can hear the rain outside or the fire inside popping. I have even hated that I can hear the new trash compacter that Wade put in a few months ago. I have come to hate that humming because it disturbs my quiet.

Grant lasts for about the first session, then he is downstairs in my space during my quiet hour. He wants to talk, but has learned not to. Lydia wakes up when the boys get up and can't seem to learn how to be quiet. She enjoys talking. We will have to work on that. So you see, my time and my space are being invaded and I know I can't get up at 4:30am!

I also don't like that I am missing out. I kind of want to do the P90X with the guys (which would be very difficult for me), but I don't like to do anything before I have had my coffee and dose of the Word. That first hour is so important to my disposition for the day! I really have come to the place that I can't do anything before I do that! Plus I know that if I work out from 5:30-6:30 with them, then it will be time to get breakfast, see Wade off, start the laundry, etc. Then my day has begun and I have trouble stopping it to sit quietly before the Lord.

So for now, I will endure. I am letting the boys wake up around 5:15am to get ready and I wait until 5:30 or so.......that way they have gotten their water bottles and have already headed upstairs, because, you see, I don't really like talking first thing in the morning either except to the Lord. If they are upstairs, I don't have to say anything to them.

The P90X is a 90 day program. I am hoping that it will help them all get into great habits, but maybe do their exercise at a different time after this is over. Wade likes this time because it is done and out of the way for the day. I understand that. I usually workout right after he leaves the house, but while the younger kids are having their private Bible time. It is done and I can shower for the day.

Aren't I so selfish? I am so spoiled! I have had this quiet hour for many, many years now..........for 21 years now. No one ever wanted to get up during my time. They loved that they were sleeping while Mom was awake . Even Wade, who leaves the house usually by 6:15 or so, would get ready all in our room (with the door closed) and I would hear nothing until he walked out to pour coffee, kiss me good-bye and leave. I liked our little routine. By the time he got up, I was nice and on speaking terms with the human race because I had had time with the Lord already (and a cup of coffee). When I first wake up.......not so much.

BUT I will tell you one of the best things about them getting up early: Wade had a fire built for me before I got up this morning. I usually build the fires, so this was a treat! He went outside in the cool air, got the wood, placed the paper underneath, lit the gas.......got it going for me. THAT I could get used to!

Thanksgiving

2009-10-12T07:42:00.002-05:00

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night." Psalm 92:1-2

I keep thinking about who benefits from thanksgiving as I read this verse. "It is good to give thanks to the Lord." Who is it good for?

I know that it is good for my heart to give thanks to the Lord. As I begin to think about the things for which I can be thankful, my heart changes. I begin to focus on what He has done for me, what He has given me instead of focusing on what I might consider "lacking" in my life. Giving thanks makes me count the joys in my life instead of the hardships. Thanksgiving reminds me that He is the Giver of good gifts in my life. It is all His and only comes to me from His hand.

When my heart and mind give thanks, it fills up my heart and mind and leaves no room for discontentment or grumbling. It minimizes the "negative" and maximizes the "positive" things in my life from a spiritual viewpoint. The trials and conflicts become a bit dimmer while the godly character being built (hopefully) and the knowledge of the Holy One that I am learning about through the trial become brighter. People's faces who have angered me or hurt me don't bring up such harsh, sinful feelings, but is replaced with a compassion and Christ-like love when I am giving thanks to the Lord.

It is also good for others in my life. Giving thanks makes my home sweeter, warmer.........like a fire in the fireplace on a cold, winter day. It infects other people as they hear me count my blessings. They almost always begin to count theirs, too! I become the thermostat in the house, setting the temperature for the whole home. Life's trials seem to lift a bit from our shoulders and we walk with a bit of a lighter step when giving thanks. It's like giving thanks helps me give my burdens over to the Lord and let them truly carry them for me. I'll take the fun job (thanksgiving) and let Him have the rotten job (carry me through my trials). Yet that is what He longs for, right?

Thanksgiving opens my eyes to things that I couldn't see. It brightens my step on the path of godliness. Light fills the darkness when there is thanksgiving. Like a candle in a dark night of power lost, so is thanksgiving in the midst of trial, giving light and strength. Giving thanks helps me see the possible instead of the impossible as well as the God of the possible instead of seeing only the me of the impossible. Giving thanks mostly makes me see HIM more clearly.

Thanksgiving is contagious and inexhaustable. With the God that I serve, there will always be things for which to give Him thanks. He will always be more than what my words can express. He will give way more than I can see or give thanks for during my lifetime. I think that is one reason He is giving us eternity to praise Him. It will take that long when we see clearly and fully who He is and what He has done for us.

What are you thankful for today?

Our Un-Vacation

2009-10-10T16:32:00.002-05:00

Thursday began with a lot of excitement! We were heading out to Branson to spend a few days at Silver Dollar City during their fall festival. I love SDC during the fall! The crafts, decorations, smells, cool weather. I couldn't wait! We all got up early to see Luke before he left for his PT classes. He wasn't going with us because he had a concert (that was rescheduled at the last minute) and worship team practice. So we spent a little time talking about his weekend plans, then off to school for Luke.

We began to load all of our stuff into the camper waiting on Leah to get finished working for Nancy. I still needed to finish cooking the taco soup and load the cold stuff from the frig. We were all ready to go by 12:15. The kids were so excited! They had their bunks loaded with all of their "stuff" for the weekend as well as a backpack for the truck ride there.

So off we go to Subway to eat lunch with Leah before we hand her off to Luke who is taking her to her chemistry class. Leah wasn't going with us either this time. She was heading to Dallas with the Kamphausens to cheer on the volleyball team. She was looking forward to it, knowing that we were going back to SDC two more times before Christmas.

We ate lunch, said good-bye to the kiddos. "Drive fast and take chances. Use your road rage if you need to." Our latest way to say good-bye to Luke (thanks to Tim Hawkins)!

Off we go to Branson! I had my crocheting and new book to read. The kids had their toys, the two cats and a movie. Wade had his favorite radio station. We were ready for the 3.5-4 hour drive to Treasure Lakes RV park.

It was a pretty easy drive until about Marshall, AR. Wade and I began to notice that when we hit hills, the truck wouldn't pull and our speed would drop to about 20 miles an hour. We finally pulled over at one of our regular stops to let Wade check under the hood. The water was low in the truck which was weird since Wade had filled it up last week. So he put some water and coolant in. A nice man came along to help us. We pulled over in the parking lot of a bank, let the kids play while the guys worked on the truck. I took a few pictures and then read my book and prayed. The man told us where to find a mechanic up the road, but we really thought we could make it to Branson and then have the truck looked at there. That way I could stay in the camper with the kids while Wade took care of the truck things.

Well, God had other plans for us. We drove another 10-20 miles, made it two miles before Harrison and the truck began the same things over again. There was a hill ahead and Wade knew we would never make it up that hill. So he pulled off on a side road. From that moment on, the truck never started again. That was 5pm. We sat there for a while, thinking we would let the engine cool off for an hour. Wade had spent a lot of time on the phone with his mechanic in Sherwood and he told Wade to at least pull over and let it cool. Wade walked around the truck and talked on the phone, while the kids played and I read or crocheted. Wade had his dad begin driving to Harrison to haul his truck back home.

When we got hungry, we pulled out the snacks that we had in the camper to "snack." We had Triskets, cheese and nuts. Once it got dark the mosquitos began eating us, so we moved our "party" into the camper. Wade open one slideout so that we could sit for a bit and the kids got out Yatzee.

Several people stopped by to help us. As a matter of fact, where Wade had pulled in there was an RV park on one side of the road and a deisel mechanic on the other. Isn't God kind? However, Wade had talked to his mechanic and knew that being out of town made him a target for being taken advantage of. So he just said thank you when people would stop by to help.

Around 8pm, a man drove up and said that we really needed to get somewhere else because there was a pretty good storm coming. At the very same moment, Kevin called us to ask if we had access to a weather map. He told me about the line of storms headed straight for us. These storms included rain, thunder, lightning, hail, possible tornadoes and strong winds. I pulled up a weather map on my phone and sure enough, there it was. A line of red heading our way.

So this nice guy helped us out in big ways. He and Wade unhooked the camper and hauled the truck down the road. Then he pulled the camper (and took us) to his RV sales lot. Yes, he sold RVs! Isn't that a "coincidence?" This guys hooked us up with power and put us in a place where we would be sheltered from the wind. He even left us the keys to his car in case we needed to seek shelter in the local Wal-Mart down the road if the weather got too bad. How nice was that?!

This guy was great! He was an ex-state trooper, then mayor of Harrison. He retired for a year, didn't like retirement, so now he owns an insurance agency and an RV sales lot. A very busy guy. And he also takes care of strangers.

In God's providence, we got all hooked up and said good-bye to our angel sent to help us. Right as we walked into the camper, the rain began. Once again, God caring about us in the little things.

We opened the windows and prepared for rough weather. The kids played games and Wade got the satellite working so that we could check the weather. Turns out that there was a weakening in the storms before it hit us. God is so kind.

Tom made it by 11pm and we slept til 6. Tom and Wade went to pick up the truck and then came back to get us. We drove back to Sherwood to Wade's shop to clean out the truck. Nancy came to pick up Tom and the kids. Wade and I left to take the truck to the dealership and then back up to Harrison to pick up the camper.

The funniest moment came when Wade and I were heading to the dealership, actually were about 50 feet from it and the truck (Tom's truck now) began to sputter. I couldn't believe it! We were running out of gas! I could not stop laughing! It took all Wade had to swing that truck with his truck and trailer on the back into that parking lot! It was hilarious watching! The funniest part is as he straightened up, we began to coast. We coasted until we were right in front of the service department and then came to a stop. It was one of the most hilarious moments of this eventful 24 hours!

Of course, by now, I had to stop laughing because Wade no longer thought things were funny. He went in, told them about his truck, had someone take him to the gas station, then came back to dump his truck in their lot. Now we were heading to Harrison for the second time today.

We had a nice ride up even though we were tired. We were the only two so we had time to talk and relax. I even napped a little. We even entertained the thought of taking the camper on up to Branson and staying the night, but knew the kids would not have understood.

Luke's car had to be picked up in Clinton, so we stopped by there to pick up the key on the way to Harrison. In Harrison, we hooked up the camper, then headed to the nice guy's insurance office to say thank you and give him a small gift. Then back to Clinton to pick up Luke's car and head home. I had to drive Luke's car and I don't enjoy driving his car. It is cold and loud!

We did have to stop twice on the side of the road because the lights on the camper kept going out (the plug in Tom's truck didn't work well). We had a quick dinner at Subway in Conway and back home to our own bed by 11 last night.

Wow! A lot of driving. A lot of time on the road and no vacation. I could never be a truck driver.

We are hoping to try again next weekend. The fall festival in SDC is almost over so I don't want to miss it. I was able to read a book, make 2 hats and start a scarf while riding and waiting.

A few good things about going next weekend: my parents might be able to go with us and Leah will be able to go, too. Luke still won't be able to because he has worship team, but that's okay. We have two more trips planned that will include him.

Long couple of days to not have a vacation, but God was good to us in so many ways. I don't know why He allowed this to happen this way, but at least we are all safe and healthy. There are still many things to thank Him for:

~ were able to get off the road
~ stopped right by an RV park and deisel truck mechanic
~ 4 people stopped to help us
~ the nice guy who helped move us and gave us great help
~ weather weakening
~ hours spent with Wade
~ able to pick up Luke's car
~ ran out of gas at the dealership (not on the road)
~ kids thought it was an adventure!

Thank You, Lord, for all of Your blessings to us on this un-vacation.

Divine Mercies

2009-10-07T06:04:00.000-05:00

Thou Eternal God,

Thine is surpassing greatness, unspeakable
goodness, super abundant grace;
I can as soon count the sands of the ocean's 'lip'
as number thy favours toward me;
I know but a part, but that part exceeds all praise.
I thank thee for personal mercies,
a measure of health, preservation of body,
comforts of house and home, sufficiency of food
and clothing,
continuance of mental powers,
my family, their mutual help and support,
the delights of domestic harmony and peace,
the seats now filled that might have been vacant,
my country, church, Bible, faith.

But, O, now I mourn my sin, ingratitude, vileness,
the days that add to my guilt,
the scenes that witness my offending tongue;
All things in heaven, earth, around, within, without,
condemn me--
the sun which sees my misdeeds,
the darkness which is light to thee,
the cruel accuser who justly charges me,
the good angels who have been provoked to leave me,
thy countenance which scans my secret sins,
thy righteous law, thy holy Word,
my sin-soiled conscience, my private and
public life,
my neighbors, myself--
all write dark things against me.

I deny them not, frame no excuse, but confess,
'Father, I have sinned';
Yet still I live, and fly repenting to thy outstretched
arms;
thou wilt not cast me off, for Jesus brings me near,
thou wilt not condemn me, for he died in
my stead,
thou wilt not mark my mountains of sin,
for he levelled all,
and his beauty covers my deformities.

O my God, I bid farewell to sin by clinging
to his cross,
hiding in his wounds and sheltering in his side.

~ Valley of Vision (pp 16-17)

Shared Conviction Continued

2009-10-05T06:50:00.002-05:00

On Friday or Saturday, I said I had two things to share. Here is the second thing I was convicted about that I want to share with you guys.

I was reading in I Chronicles 22:11-19. Here you will find instructions for Solomon to build the Lord a house, a temple. David shared all that had been given and gathered together for this project. Then he says, in essence, "Get busy. All has been prepared for you. Now do it!"

I Chronicles 22:19 reads, "Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God." The writer of my devotional writes, "The Hebrew word for DEVOTE is NATHAN. It means 'to give, place, add, send forth. NATHAN indicates fastening something in place.' I especially love the idea this wonderful definition expresses in the word 'fastening.' David told Solomon and the leaders of Israel to fasten their hearts to seeking the Lord. David's choice of words challenges us, too----to fasten our hearts to Him and get busy!"

How often do I say that I don't know what to do in a given situation or I am really "struggling" in this certain situation? I can't ever really say that I don't know what to do. I have been taught from childhood the Scriptures and God's way. Even if I didn't have the answers at first, I know where to look. And God's Word is always relevant to my life and the situations in which I find myself. Most of the time I hesitate is probably from not wanting to obey or laziness........sin.

So the thoughts that keep going through my mind are, "You know what to do, Becky. The way has been prepared for you. Now get busy!" I know the mission field that I have been given in my home. I know the call on my life to be a godly wife and mother, then ministering church member and friend, as well as anyone else He so chooses to bring into my life. I also know that God has equipped me for this work. Now my problem is not WHAT am I to do, but why am I not diligent in what I know to do?

God, forgive me for my laziness or delayed obedience which is just disobedience. Help me to be diligent in faithfulness to you and in the life that You have graciously given to me. Help me to fasten myself to YOU and then walk in obedience to Your will in my daily life.

Regrets

2009-10-04T09:11:00.005-05:00

Regrets. How could one little picture trigger so many thoughts of regret? What good are regrets? Do they profit me anything? What do I do with them? When they bring me tears and pain, memories that hurt? What do I do with them? When they bring me "wishing" thoughts........"I wish I had.........?" What do I do with them?

Lay them at the cross. Remember HIS sovereignty. Remind myself of the part HE played in every moment of my life to bring me to the point that I find myself today. Accept forgiveness.

And thank HIM.

2009-10-03T15:39:00.002-05:00

Just can't seem to shake these allergies this year. Why is it so much worse this year? It's kind of come and go. Today I woke up without a voice at all and more symptoms. Ugh! I am resting. The hardest part is that the weather is so great outside, but being outside is what is killing me! So disappointing. I like the windows open this time of year, but with me struggling so much, they are shut up tightly and the air is on. What a bummer! The kids are making the most of it, though. They had their lunch outside on the back porch enjoying the sunshine. Maybe once my meds kick in well, I will be able to join them. For now, I will make the most of being inside.

Yesterday I had a great day with my family. We dropped Luke off early for his senior all-day retreat. Katie K joined up with us and we headed to Conway to meet Mom at Hobby Lobby. We spent way too long there looking for red slashes on the yarn labels so that we could find the best deals. Leah and Lydia got a kick out of saying randomly, "Red slash" and we would begin digging! Fun stuff. Lunch was on the run so that we could pick Trent up from school so that Grant would have a counterpart for the day.

We spent the afternoon crocheting and visiting with Mom and Dad. It was very relaxing. Dad even made me a fire when I couldn't get warm. Wade and the Hetheringtons joined us along with a few friends for a birthday celebration for Esther. It was fun to eat and laugh together. Of course, we had to switch kids for the weekend. Jordyn came to hang out with Leah and Katie K while Grant spent the weekend with Trent. They are best buds!

Thank You, Lord, for family and the good times had. Thank You for Your creation even though my body hates the mold part. Thanks for the relaxation today.

Sharing the Conviction

2009-10-02T06:49:00.002-05:00

The last several days in my DAVID study have been really convicting for me and I wanted to "share the conviction." I'll just share one today.

First of all, the passage I read two days ago was I Kings 1:32-48. Just to summarize, this is where David is nearing death and someone else (Adonijah) is seeking to be king. Adonijah has even set up his coronation celebration! Long story short, David calls together his leading men (prophet, priest, warrior), puts Solomon on a donkey (showing servanthood) and they lead him through the streets declaring him the successor to the throne. Just so there would be no mistake about who David chose to follow in his footsteps on the throne.

So here you have David about to die, Solomon about to lose his dad, Adonijah proclaiming to be the new king.........things are in transition to say the least. Now there was a whole lot brought out in this study on this passage, but the thing that convicted me the most is what I want to share here. I can't begin to go into all of it, nor do I want to for the sake of point of my conviction. The point that convicted me was this:

During times of change and transition, do you worship and praise God? How do you respond to endings and new beginnings?

OUCH! I find myself in a couple of situations like that and I have to tell you, I hate change. I resist it like I could do something about it to make it stay the way it is. David did a lot of things wrong, but he knew how to worship God. Often we read in Scripture about his worship of the Lord during very difficult times. Now during times of change and transition, he again bows the knee.

I don't know about you, but I want to be a God-worshipper during times of change. I don't want to resist anymore. I want to bow the knee. As things transition in church for me that will affect my friendships and ministry, I want to worship God. As my ministry opportunities change and my focus changes in new directions, I want to worship God.

Lord, make me a worshiper of You no matter what is going on around me. Help me to remember that nothing comes into my life that hasn't passed through Your almighty hand for my good. Then help me to YIELD my feelings and fears to You and remember that You are in control of all things. There is nowhere "safer" to be than where You are and within Your will for my life.

My Prayer Today

2009-10-01T07:59:00.002-05:00

THE MOVER

O Supreme Moving Cause,
May I always be subordinate to thee,
be dependent upon thee,
be found in the path where thou dost walk,
and where thy Spirit moves,
take heed of estrangement from thee,
of becoming insensible to thy love.

Thou dost not move men like stones,
but dost endue them with life,
not to enable them to move without thee,
but in submission to thee, the first mover.

O Lord, I am astonished at the difference
between my receivings and my deservings,
between the state I am now in and my past gracelessness,
between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit.

Who made me differ, but thee?
for I was no more ready to receive Christ than were others;
I could not have begun to love thee hadst thou not first loved me,
or been willing unless thou hadst first made me so.

O that such a crown should fit the head of such a sinner!
such high advancements be for an unfruitful person!
such joys for so vile a rebel!

Infinite wisdom cast the design of salvation
into the mould of purchase and freedom;
Let WRATH DESERVED be written on the door of hell,
but THE FREE GIFT OF GRACE on the gate of heaven.

I know that my sufferings are the result of my sinning,
but in heaven both shall cease;
Grant me to attain this haven and be done with sailing,
and may the gales of thy mercy blow me safely into harbour.

Let thy love draw me nearer to thyself,
wean me from sin, mortify me to this world,
and make me ready for my departure hence.
Secure me by they grace as I sail across this stormy sea.

~ Valley of Vision (pp.12-13)

Thanksgiving Tree Time

2009-09-30T15:35:00.003-05:00

Still not feeling too well today, although I was able to get in to see the ENT today. The meds that will help make me very sleepy, so I can't really take it until tonight. Therefore, I am resting this afternoon.

However, resting still leaves my fingers and mind restless. I have to do something, so I am working on a new design for our annual Thanksgiving Tree this year. I want to do something a bit different this year and I want to have it up by this weekend so that we have 2 full months to add our "leaves of thanks" to the tree. I will post pictures when (and IF) this new design is actually on the kitchen door and ready for us to add to it each night at dinner.

On a different note, I am also able to read more while resting. Leah and I have decided to go through PURSUIT OF HOLINESS together. She was very convicted by some things after youth retreat this past weekend which led to a great conversation with her. It's so bittersweet to see your kids weep over sin. I hurt for her, but I am so glad for the tenderness. I think this book will help her in the struggle she has expressed right now.

Favorite quote today from this book as we begin:

"We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us." (p14)

2009-09-28T15:24:00.003-05:00

I'm not feeling so well today, but I am thanking the Lord that this did not hit me until I was back home from youth retreat.

I just wanted to share some of the things we were taught this weekend. Adam Tyson was our guest speaker from Houston, Texas. He was speaking about our conscience and we used I Kings 18:21 as our key verse: "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him."

Friday night, Adam's message title was "Pull Up and Examine Your Conscience." He defined the conscience and told us how it functioned. He also told us about three challenges:

1) Make sure your conscience has been cleansed (salvation-I Pet. 3:21);
2) Make sure your conscience maintains balance (law vs liberty); and
3) Make sure your conscience stays pure. He then told us how to keep it pure. Here were his suggestions:

1) Confess and forsake all known sin (Prov.28:13)
2) Ask forgiveness and be reconciled to anyone I've wronged
3) Make restitution
4) Don't procrastinate dealing with your guilty conscience
5) Educate your conscience according to the Word of God (Ps. 119:9)

One of the best quotes from this session for me was "Time is not a healer of sin; Christ is."

The Saturday morning session was entitled "Is Your Conscience Good or Bad?" The "Bad Conscience" had 6 characteristics:

1) Sleepy conscience (Rom. 11:8, Eph.5:14);
2) Seared Conscience (I Tim. 4:1-2; Rom. 1:18-32);
3) Erring Conscience (Luke 18:18);
4) Doubting Conscience (Rom. 14:23; Ps. 119:59-60);
5) Overscrupulous Conscience (I Cor. 8:8); and
6) Trembling Conscience (Heb. 4:16)

Then he described the "Good Conscience" to us:

1) Informed by the Bible (Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:14-15; Jn 14:6);
2) Appropriately sensitive (Acts 25:11);
3) Purposely introspective (I Tim.4:16);
4) Purposefully obedient (Heb. 13:18); and
5) Peaceful (Rom.5:1).

Some of my favorite quotes from this session were:

"My conscience has to be captive to Scripture."

"Never act until you are sure that what you are about to do is not sin."

"Let every action have reference to my whole life."

Saturday night, Adam taught us about legalism and libertinism from I Corinthians 8. This session was less application, but more like a college class, but great information for what was coming on Sunday! This (and almost every session) Adam shared a personal story or experience from his life that was very vulnerable that endeared him to us. He shared his failures with us and so we felt that he lived where we live. This humility made the kids respect him and listen to him more closely, I think.

Sunday was my favorite session of all. I wish we could have had small group time afterwards, but I hope to follow up on Wednesday night. This session was entitled "How to Keep a Clear Conscience" and he was so practical!

1) Do not underestimate the seriousness of your sin (Ps. 51:2-4)
2) Purpose in my heart NOT to sin (Tit. 1:15; Matt 12: 34-35; Matt 5:21-22, 27-28; Prov 27:19; 4:23)
3) Be suspicious of my own spirituality (Ps. 90:12; I Cor 10:12)
4) Resist the first hint of evil desire (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:2-3)
5) Meditate on God's Word (Ps 37:30-31; 119:9-11)
6) Be instantly repentant over your lapses (Heb 3:7-8, 13; I Jn 1:9)
7) Continually watch and pray (Matt 26:4)
8) Be accountable to other believers who well help you (James 4:16)

Some great quotes:

"My conscience plays a key role in living a sanctified life."

"We all think we are more spiritual than we are."

"Be killing sin or sin will be killing me."

"The amount of sin in my life is directly related to the amount of time in the Word."

To illustrate the point of #7, he gave the following example: Adam was a physician's assistant before going into ministry. His job was to open up the patient for open heart surgery and then to close the patient up when the surgeon was done. In every surgery, the patient was given 1 gram of antibiotic in order to prevent the smallest chance for infection because they were opening up the patient's chest. This small step of giving antibiotics before the surgery reduced the patient's risk of infection by a whole lot, he said. (I can understand because I have to "premedicate" before I go to the dentist so that I don't get an infection in my heart which has a defective valve). Adam told us that our preventative medicine was to watch and pray instead of trying to fight off the sickness. We needed to prepare ourselves for what could come or what we might face by being in the Word and by praying. Loved that illustration!

Then in the end, Tim got up and said thank you to Adam for "opening us up" spiritually. It truly was a great weekend with great teaching! I love it when I go to youth retreat and the speaker speaks to me as an adult leader, not just the students. This weekend was full of conviction for me, too. Some application questions I am mulling over are:

"What is my conscience calibrated to at this time in my life? The culture? Even the church culture? Or the Word of God?"

"Is my conscience in sync with the Word of God?"

"Am I dealing with sin immediately in my mind (thought) or am I letting it move to action and deed?"

"Am I more grieved over a natural disaster or my sin?"

"Am I taking preventative action (prayer)?"

"Is there any known sin that I have not dealt with? If so, what am I going to do to deal with it?"

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Evil of Evils by Jeremiah Burrows

"Christian Cautions" by Jonathan Edwards (article)

The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

GREAT WEEKEND! I hope your kids will share with you what they learned. On Sunday, Adam really challenged the students to go home and talk to their parents. He strongly encouraged them to confess and repent to their parents and to the Lord. Praying our students will take this to heart! Pray for our kids. This is a difficult world to live in and navigate so they really need to be focused on Christ and diving into His Word in order to survive.

And by the way, we have some great kids! Those of you who did.......thanks for praying for us. God was so good!

......and Their Reward

2009-09-21T13:50:00.003-05:00

And here is what my kids get to do with all of their free time.........race a remote control car built by Grant.

My Reward

2009-09-21T13:40:00.002-05:00

This is what I get to do when my kids are diligent and get done early! Can you see me smiling from there?

Ramping Up School

2009-09-21T10:32:00.004-05:00

My two youngest kids have done so well in school this year so far. They are getting up early and trying to get school done as quickly as possible. Take this morning for instance, I was sitting in my green chair about 6:10am, praying for my family when I heard little footsteps on the stairs. I expected to see Leah who wakes up early because it takes her a while to get ready. However, there was Grant with his eyes half open. I thought he was sleep walking because he does this regularly. But when I asked him what he was doing, he said, "I wanted to get school done fast." I just had to laugh. I normally get the little kids up at 6:30, but he had set his clock for 6am. I later found out that he was wanting to play in this new area of his room that he had designed for "special play" when he cleaned up his room over the weekend. Kids......so funny.

Anyway, my two youngest kids are getting done with school way too fast for me and they have even been doing two math lessons a day because they LOVE the Teaching Textbooks math program. So I am ramping it up (to steal from Slim in 6 dvds) for them. We have added the following to our days:

History and Science everyday instead of History MWF and Science TTH

History (doing state history right now)

Geography (Man in the Map) to learn states; next will be capitals

Science study of the body with a full body map of each child. They love this because as we study a body part they are pasting the body part in their own body.

Art Appreciation (found a great book we are going through)

Music History (another good book; will study composers next)

Peacemakers

Bible Study on John that we are doing together

Shakespeare (we are about to start)

Latin/Greek Roots

Now we are able to get all of these done in the morning and they still have to do their private worship time, spelling, math, language, journal, reading, writing and AWANA on their own time like homework, as well as daily chores. But they are so motivated that both of them are done with our stuff we do together, as well as math, spelling, reading and AWANA. It is not 11am yet! What am I going to do with them?! I think it is time for some more book reports and individual study time. :)

I am thankful for their motivation. It makes my days much easier to NOT have to keep telling them to focus on their work. That is how I spent the last few years with my youngest. He has moved into competitive mode with Lydia and I'm not sure that is a good thing, although it has it's benefits. We are going to have to start some art projects, I guess. I need wisdom!

The Loving Discipline of a Dad and Calm Help of a Husband

2009-09-19T06:50:00.003-05:00

Ever feel overwhelmed with the job of being a mom? I sometimes think I just can't handle all of this responsibility when I think about training my kids educationally, spiritually, socially, relationally, etc. And yet, this job often falls to mom because she is with them most of the time while Dad is at work providing for the family.

God has changed my perspective over the 9 years of homeschooling and almost 18 years of parenting. I feel responsibility, yes, but I don't feel the burden as often. I know that God gave these four kids me and Wade for a reason. He knows what I can and will teach them and He will fill in any gaps that we leave in their training. His school is good at filling in the gaps! I know because He is still "filling in the gaps" for me as I walk through His school of training. I know that I am responsible to do a good job, but that there is no way I can cover everything with every kid and they will not be ready for every possible situation. Just as God prepared Paul (even before he came to Christ) for the job God had for him to do, He will also prepare my kids for what He has for them to do. If they need more "schooling," He will give it........and we always need more schooling, don't we? :)

Having said all of that, there are still moments that come once or twice a school year that I lose sight of this and become overwhelmed. Last night I had one of those moments. I felt like I had failed in so many areas of my parenting with my kids, but one area in particular. I was so frustrated and angry which really bothered my kids because we don't tend to express anger openly here in our house. Oh, we get upset, but when we do, we tend to go to a place by ourselves and get quiet. (This is not always a biblical response, mind you, but I am just trying to show that my kids aren't used to me expressing my anger out loud). So it didn't take long for my frustration to turn to anger and sin.

Thankfully, my husband stepped in. Isn't it something to have a husband who recognizes that we are in a bad place in our mind and heart? Then just by stepping in to take charge of the situation, even the discipline part of it, he kept me from sinning even further. He was the calm in the storm. One of my friends tells me often that Wade "tethers" me. That is very true.

I just wanted to say that I am thankful that God gave us husbands who knows us, love us and help us. I am thankful that Wade knows when to step in and take the burden off of me so that God can help me regain a right perspective. I am thankful that the burden is never mine alone, even when I FEEL like it is. Maybe I just need to ask for help more often if my pride will let me. :)

I am also thankful for the response kids give to their dads. They are quick to respond to his leadership, especially when he sits calmly and talks quietly to them after I have ranted and raved.

Thank You, Lord, too, for forgiveness after I blow. Forgiveness from You and from kids.

2009-09-18T09:52:00.006-05:00

This morning I listened to this sermon and it really ministered to me through conviction and encouragement. I hope you will listen as Paul David Tripp teaches on suffering from I Peter 2:18-25. Be forewarned!

Have a blessed day!

Click here to go to sermon.

Okay, Jennifer tried to help me, but it says it can't find the site that I have linked to. Sorry! It is audiosermons.come and Paul David Tripp is teaching on I Peter 2 on suffering. I will try again later today. It is well worth this trouble I am having to go listen.

Favorite Lyric at the Moment

2009-09-14T17:18:00.002-05:00

I was given a cd a month or so ago that has quickly become one of my favorites. There is one line of one song that continues to go through my head. When I am not thinking of anything else or when I am working, the lyrics and the tune just buzz through my head aover and over again........and for some reason, I never seem to tire of it. It's such a great reminder.

It's a song that has been written as if God is speaking to His child, His bride, His "Beloved." The lyric is:

"I see no stain on you, My child."

It makes me teary just typing and reading it again. How can holy God say this? Why can God say this? Because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Because His Son, Jesus Christ, was "obedient to the point of death" to take my sin and bear His Father's wrath at the cross. All because He was embracing the plan of His Father, seeking to glorify Him above all else......He was truly stain-free, pure, holy, righteous, sinless.

Then there is me. There are depths of sinfulness, I think. At the time God saved me in college, I was sinful in a very external way, very visible, but not yet seeing the depth of my sin. Slowly the Lord used that obvious sin to show me my deeper sin: rebellion against Him. Praise God He showed me my need for Him and saved me.

However, when I think about that line in the song, I can just as quickly think about all the sins I have committed in my lifetime. I won't list them all for you (I wouldn't have enough room), but I think that there must be a form of almost every sin that has been named in Scripture in my heart, in my thoughts, in my actions or on my tongue at one time or another. Though I am saved and no longer a slave to sin, I still am sinful. I fight sin daily and every moment of everyday, I think I sin in some way. I think I am more and more aware of it the older I get and the closer I get to seeing God for Who He really is.......how holy He is. It is a good thing, but it makes that line even more precious to me.

It's like I told someone once who kept confronting me about some things that he/she thought was sinful in my life: "I am all of those things and more. You have no idea."

Funny thing is, I don't fully understand either. I can so easily sin other's sin, but tend to overlook my own, but yet I am aware that sin is ever present in my heart and becoming more and more aware with each passing day as a wife and mother.

What a heavenly Father! What a Savior! What a God! What a Creator! What a plan! What a salvation!

"I see no stain on you, My child." Thank You, Jesus Christ, perfect Lamb.