Is this thing on?!

I write today with a renewed goal to blog with purpose.  To blog regularly.  To blog about the things that wives and moms all over the planet deal with on a daily basis.  Life, love, kids, home, cooking, laundry, smart money, coupons, following Christ, serving others and making time for friends.

I've been learning a lot lately.  God has been hard at work on this girl.  It is a daily process.  Here are the main things that He's been showing me:

• Challenging my faith with amazing moments in His Word and an eye opening Beth Moore study of Revelation.  (if your church is offering this study - JOIN NOW!)
• Revealing my true self through the words and actions of my children.  Yep - been a few times that it wasn't pretty.  Like a mirror in front of my face when I first wake up in the AM.
• Placing some physical struggles (illness) in my path that took me away from singing for a couple of months.  I felt like a fish out of water. 
• Rooting out an area of pride that had crept in unaware.  Didn't see that one coming.  How I need Him!
• Showing me that my true identity is as His daughter, His heir.  Really?  I am amazed and overwhelmed! 
• Reminding me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that along with that amazing truth comes a responsibility to take care of myself and my body.  So, the "Fit by 40" goal is set and I am making daily strides to reach my goal.  August 28 is the deadline and the day I turn the big 4-0.
• Placing new people - friends - in my life who encourage and challenge me on my journey as a Christ Follower.  Thank You, Lord.
• Giving me peace in my role as Mommy and showing me that my mission field, for this season of my life, is my children - first and foremost.  He has placed them in my care for the sole purpose of raising them to know Him, love Him, follow Him and impact their world for Him.  To this I am called and to this I dedicate the moments of my days.

My Savior lives, my Savior loves, my Savior's always there for me.  Ever faithful.  Ever challenging.  Ever forgiving.  I love Him and I love the life He has graciously given me!

Mom, Interrupted

Okay - so blogging is not as easy as I thought it'd be. 

The plan:  I would simply sit down for 10 minutes each day and write about whatever is on my heart and then move along with my day.  Yeah, right.

Several days, two birthdays, one anniversary and a couple of illnesses later . . . . here I am!

As I type, my 3 year old daughter is standing by my computer chair - blanky in hand, tears streaming out of her eyes and arms in the air for pick up.  All of this as if on cue . . . ahhh, Mom's blogging - go get her!!!!!

I am now typing with her in my lap, wrapped around me like a little monkey.  This is bliss!!!

Life is about to be seriously interrupted - we are preparing to move!  Yep - my absolute favorite thing in the world to do!  But, it is a blessing and God's hand was all over it!  So, move we shall . . . only 8 miles from where I am sitting.  We will have quite a bit more square footage, a LOT of land to play on and my fave . . . . a designated PLAY ROOM!!!!!

Now, the life interrupter - we may not have internet or TV for awhile.  YIKES!  As I've thought about this, I am actually excited about it.  Jack and I have said many times how we wish we could just move out into the mountains and raise our kids simply - w/o all the distractions that keep families from being families.  All the electronic mayhem we allow to invade our lives and homes without realizing it's impact.  Don't get me wrong I love electronics as much as anyone!  Life without Pandora radio is going to be tough!  But, I'm anxious to see how much more I'll get done, how many more books will be read, how many more board games will be played and how much more relationships will be front and center!  Bring it on!

Green Acres here I come!

Diapers, Dishes and Floors - OH, MY!!!!

Galatians 6:4, 5:  "Pay close attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct."  And, an excerpt from my NLT Life Application Bible: "Don't rationalize laziness. Take your responsibilities seriously and get to work".

This morning, God finds me slacking a little on these issues.  When your every day job consists of diapers, snacks, dishes, more diapers, more snacks and more dishes - oh, and did I mention floors AND windows -  there is at the very least a temptation to forget that yes, even these things, should be done for Jesus!  When cleaning up my 14th pile of crayons seems mundane (if not frustrating), what a GREAT time to thank the Lord for such a blessing! 

He has blessed me so greatly with a husband, children, a very large dog and a sweet little home to take care of - and nobody else can do it like I do.  It is my beautiful calling.

So . . . . ALL of my work is to be done with great attention, responsibility and productivity.  Thank You, Lord, for this reminder and for loving me enough to show me that I can do better at this!

Gotta run . . . . because dirty diapers won't wait!!!  PRAISE GOD!!!

This Blog's for You . . . This Blog's for Me

I blog for me. I like it. It makes me feel better. It stimulates my mind. It allows me to use grown up words for a few minutes. It enables me to release the adult thoughts and feelings I've had all day long when I'm surrounded by precious non-adults who have a twenty five-word vocabulary.

I blog for you. The other Mommies out there leading blissfully interrupted lives for the love of their little ones. Mommies who believe they are making a huge contribution to society by loving, nurturing, teaching and guiding their children. And who share in my daily quest for the grace to live a selfless life.

I love being a Mom. It's what I dreamt of. It's what I longed for. It is a blessing. It is a calling in and of itself.

I'd so love to hear about your life as Mom.  I'd love to gain from your thoughts, insights, inspirations, struggles, victories, creativity and overall Super-Momness. 

Let's blog.

HOT . . . AND GODLY!

We attended an amazing marriage event yesterday entitled "Becoming Soul Mates". It is hosted by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott and was extremely well put together, informative and challenging. I heard and learned several new things. Things that, if put into practice, will revolutionize our marriage and give us the hot, Godly marriage we want!

My friend Cindy O'Dell said that her husband Shannon (Lead Pastor of Brand New Church in AR) believes that strong, Christ honoring marriages is the key to revival in America. Just think about that. If all of us married Christ Followers allowed God to radically change and control our marriage relationships how it would impact the world around us. It's so true!

Truly HOT, GODLY marriages would spill out of our churches into our communities and bring about change which could lead to a Holy Ghost revival! 

So, I issue this challenge . . . show empathy this week toward your husband.  Put yourself in your Husband's place and try to see the situation/problem/conflict from his point of view.  That's it.  Just put yourself in his shoes and then act as you'd have him act toward you.  This is not necessarily easy, but it has the potential to change your life, your marriage and maybe even our world. 

I'll be praying for your marriages as I pray for mine.


BTW - Check out the resources available at www.realrelationships.com.